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An abstract of the article "Evaluating Antifungal Activity of Selected Wild Capsicum Meals Against Phytopathogenic Fungi" by C. Pane and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the article "Control of Alternaria Blight Disease on Tomato by Bacillus Strains Isolated from Solanaceous Phylloplane" by M. Zaccardelli and C. Pane is presented.

An abstract of the article "Changes in Suppressive Properties of Aerated Compost Tea Induced by Different Organic Additives" by C. Pane and colleagues is presented.

Biodiesel chain based on Brassica carinata oil extraction produces green by-products, such as exhausted seeds, with a high potential as biofumigant. They contain glucosinolates that can be transformed, by myrosinase-mediated hydrolysis, in isothiocyanates, which are very fungitoxic volatile molecules. Within the current research, an in vitro strategy was developed to evaluate the use of B. carinata meals as biofungicide, used in combination with plant essential oils exhibiting antimicrobial activity and with antagonistic strains belonging to Bacillus genera. The study was focused on three soil-borne pathogens: Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotinia minor and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici. B. carinata seed meals showed a significant antifungal effect, in a dose-dependent manner, towards all the three filamentous fungi. The glucosinolates-rich tissues, moreover, enhanced antiseptic activity of essential oils, but synergism between two combined molecules were detected in few cases. Some antagonistic Bacillus strains, very promising for tested soil-borne pathogens control and showing tolerance to B. carinata seed meals and to essential oils, were selected. Results of combined use of these three components indicate that B. carinata seed meals, together to essential oils, improved the control ability of antagonists. Results suggest that B. carinata seed meal can be used in the formulation of low-impact multicomponent fungicides, able to replace banned or unsustainable chemical molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compost-tea is a compost-derived liquid formulate that can provide protection from many plant diseases. In the current study, five agricultural residues-based compost-teas were assayed for their suppressive ability against a wide range of plant pathogens, chosen among the most feared in horticulture. Teas were produced by a compost water-phase fermentation (1:5 vol.) carried out for a week with active aeration. Used compost feed- stock were derived from three-month on-farm composting of the following agricultural residues: artichoke (C1); artichoke+fennel (C2); cauliflower (C3); sweet corn+cauliflower+lettuce (C4); tomato+fresh cut salads (C5). In addition, an animal waste anaerobic digestate (C6) and a commercial municipal waste compost (C7) were used. All compost-teas inhibited in vitro growth of Verticillium dahliae, F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici, Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotinia minor, Sclerotium rolfsii and Botrytis cinerea. Filter and thermal sterilization of teas completely eliminated their suppressive ability. The inhibition of mycelial growth observed in raw teas without physical interaction between pathogen and compost-tea microbiota reveal an antibiotic-like antagonistic effect due to active microbes. Future prospectives aim at testing the best ACTs as potential alternatives to the use of synthetic chemical fungicides for disease control in open field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]