Influence of environmental and agronomic variables on soil microbiome in citrus orchards: A comparative analysis of organic and conventional farming system.

Crop health and productivity depend on the structure and functionality of soil microbiota associated with the root system of plants. The agricultural policy of the European Union promotes organic farming systems to ensure environmental sustainability and food safety. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of organic farming on soil microbiome in citrus orchards.

: A New Root Pathogen of Citrus in Europe and the Mediterranean Region.

Citruses are one of the major fruit crops globally. Among Mediterranean citrus producers, Sicily (southern Italy) is renowned for its high-quality fresh fruit production. Phytophthora diseases are a serious issue for citrus production worldwide and is a prevalent causal agent of root rot in most citrus growing areas globally and particularly in the Mediterranean region.

Outbreak of Alternaria Black Spot of Pomegranate ( L.) in Italy as a Consequence of Unusual Climatic Conditions.

Alternaria black spot of pomegranate () was reported for the first time in Italy. In spring 2023, an outbreak of this disease was noticed in commercial pomegranate 'Wonderful' orchards of the municipality of Misterbianco (Sicily), following an unusually rainy period. A total of 30 randomly selected isolates recovered from typical necrotic spots of leaves and fruits were characterized.

, and Associated to : First Report Worldwide.

A dieback was observed on three-year-old pot-grown plants of in Sicily (Italy). Symptoms, including stunting, yellowing and blight of the leaf crown, root rot and internal browning and decay of the basal stem, closely resembled the Phytophthora root and crown rot syndrome, common in other ornamentals. Isolations from rotten stem and roots, using a selective medium, and from rhizosphere soil of symptomatic plants, using leaf baiting, yielded three species, , and , were obtained.

× as a Major Factor Inciting the Decline of European Beech in a Stand within the Southernmost Limit of Its Natural Range in Europe.

The objective of this study was to investigate the role of the oomycete in the decline affecting European beech () in the Nebrodi Regional Park (Sicily, southern Italy). In a survey of a beech forest stand in the heart of the park, was the sole species recovered from the rhizosphere soil and fine roots of trees. Both A1 and A2 mating type isolates were found.