SCHOLARSHIP HOLDER publications: Orcid personal details and research activity: People Curriculum Vitae In the NUTRAGE project, the research period will focus on evaluating the impact that both biotic and abiotic stresses have on the production of secondary metabolites in horticultural plants through the use of innovative techniques, such as optical sensors and Raman spectroscopy, to monitor the health status and/or biofortification. Furthermore, for the control of pathogens and parasites, innovative technologies will be used for application of biocompounds, such as dsRNA and nucleic acids.
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Nicotera Mario
RESEARCH FELLOW marionicotera(AT)cnr.it publications: Orcid personal details and research activity: People Curriculum Vitae Master’s Degree in Agricultural and Environmental Biotechnology (LM-7) at the University of Perugia, with an experimental work of thesis carried out on Actinidia deliciosa calluses under vitro conditions and titled: ”In vitro effects of priming induction on calluses of Actinidia deliciosa var “Tomuri”” inside the “Laboratory of Micropropagation and in vitro Biotechnologies”-Department of Agronomical, Food and Environmental Sciences of Perugia (DSA3). Later winner of a research scholarship for the CREA-OFA of Acireale (CT) under the project Val.Ri.GeF.…
Read MoreReSet- RNA interference for the control of sap-sucking insect plant pests: Scaphoideus titanus as case study
The ReSet project aims to explore the mechanism of RNAi applied to control phytoplasma insect vectors, endowed with pierce/sucking mouthparts. Research activities will be focused on the leafhopper Scaphoideus titanus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), main vector of the grapevine Flavescence dorée (FD) phytoplasma. The presence of an effective RNAi mechanism in the organisms under study has already been described and applied in the laboratory by the Research Units involved in the Project. The control of this species currently requires mandatory repeated applications of insecticides in the vineyard, with undesired effects on the…
Read MoreRNAi_PJ-RNA interference to control alien pests by exploring microalgae and cyanobacteria as cost-effective dsRNA producing platforms: the Japanese beetle Popillia japonica as case study
In the present project, RNAi will be explored for the control of the Japanese beetle Popillia japonica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), an alien quarantine species highly polyphagous that cause severe damages to crops. The management of P. japonica in Italy is under the official control of the National Plant Protection Services and mainly based on applications of chemical insecticides. Therefore, innovative and sustainable alternative strategies are urgently needed. The use of microalgae and cyanobacteria for production and delivery of dsRNA offers the advantage of the direct foliar application of the microorganism avoiding…
Read MoreRNA interference for the control of hemipteran pests causing direct and indirect damages to crops: a case study to define best practices for sustainable and environment-friendly application of RNAi (HEMipteran INTerference, HEMINT)
In the HEMINT Project, RNAi will be explored for the control of two hemipteran species that cause severe damages to crops: the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), and the leafhopper Scaphoideus titanus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), main vector of Flavescence dorée (FD) phytoplasmas of grapevine. Both species currently require repeated applications of chemical insecticides for their control, thus disrupting the IPM programs developed in their absence in orchards and vineyards. Therefore, innovative and sustainable alternative strategies are urgently needed. The occurrence of RNAi in the pests under study, already…
Read MorePROTECTION
PROTECTION project aims: creation of innovative products, services and technologies to be applied in agriculture to promote the use of biological control and sustainable defense strategies. General objectives: Selection and application of novel natural bioformulates (i.e. based on microorganisms, or plants extracts) to improve crops production. The implementation of appropriate methods for assessing the persistence of bioformulates. The development, design and application of new diagnostic systems for the qualitative improvement of agro-food productions. The application of plasma technologies to horticultural seeds for surface disinfection and performance improvement. PI: Francesco Vinale…
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