Set up of sentinel plantations to prevent the introduction of alien invasive pests and pathogens. Project leader: Alberto Santini IPSP personnel: Nicola Luchi, Duccio Migliorini, Emanuele Nigrone, Francesco Pecori, Alessia L. Pepori. Start: 01/09/2019 End: 30/09/2022
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Towards an instrument-free future of molecular diagnostics at the point-of-care H2020-FETOPEN-2018-2020
Point-Of-Care (POC) testing needs to decrease time between sample collection and results, for a faster containment treatment and reduced costs. End-users of a POC test are healthcare personnel in hospital and, in agriculture, nurserymen and phytosanitary inspectors at the field The aim is to use isothermal enzymatic amplification of nucleic acids combined with quantitative smartphone colorimetric detection. The global application of this approach will be demonstrated in infectious disease (Influenza and HIV) in human samples and plant pathogens (Xylella fastidiosa) in plant-tissues. As a major impact, the combination of fast…
Read MoreIdentificazione e analisi Funzionale di geni di insetto vettore coinvolti nella Specificità di Trasmissione di fitoplasmi (FOotSTEP)
The aim of the Project is to identify genes of insect vectors involved in specificity of phytoplasma transmission mechanisms by verifying their role in vivo through functional analysis. Customized molecular reagents, such as recombinant phytoplasma membrane proteins and specific antibodies, will be produced and characterized. These molecules will be used for the analysis of protein interactions with different species of vectors, allowing to identify the insect proteins involved in the interaction with phytoplasmas. RNA interference (RNAi) technique will be used to silence insect genes coding for the proteins previously identified,…
Read MoreBreeding ed innovazioni a supporto della corilicoltura piemontese (BREEDINCORE)
Hazelnut cultivation in Piedmont is a rapidly growing agricultural sector characterized by: i) constant and significant increase in the total area planted; ii) high quality profile of its production, based on the cultivar ‘Tonda Gentile Trilobata’ (TGT). This favorable situation is contrasted by the negative impact of climate change on agriculture. Water is a precious resource, and it is now necessary to optimize its use in a more sustainable manner also by powering the selection of rootstocks and new genotypes. The aims of BREEDINCORE are: i) to study the behavior…
Read MorePhosphorus use efficiency and genetics of bread wheat (PGEN-BW)
Phosphorus is an essential compound for wheat growth. Due to massive phosphorus fertilizer applications from the 60’s to the mid 80’s, phosphorus availability from the soil is, nowadays, not a major issue for bread wheat in most Western European countries. Nevertheless, recent studies demonstrated that it could become a real threat for wheat production by 2030 because of the constant decrease of fertilizer applications. Indeed, it has been several years that the phosphorus inputs are lower than exports (harvested crop organs), causing a serious depletion of available phosphorus concentrations in…
Read MoreResilient to climate change extremes Mediterranean Agricultural Systems: leveraging the power of soil health and associated microbiota (RESCHEDULE)
RESCHEDULE principal goal is to develop scientifically-informed and locally-adapted solutions that improve the resilience of smallholder farms to climate change (SOM and nutrient depletion, desertification, erosion). Solutions targeting mainly on soil health restoration consistent with agroecology principles (no tillage, intercropping, tolerant to abiotic factors genotypes, soil microbiota) will be evaluated in an environmental gradient to design appropriate transition pathways of resilient and sustainable smallholder farms. It considers particularities in cropping systems (perennial vs annual) and environmental conditions for developing tailored solutions by implementing activities rooted in agroecology principles. Activities will…
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