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With the aim to characterize changes caused by grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3) singly or in coinfection with other viruses and to potentially determine genotype-specific or common markers of viral infection, thirty-six parameters, including nutrient status, oxidative stress parameters, and primary metabolism as well as symptoms incidence were investigated in ‘Cabernet Franc,’ ‘Merlot,’ ‘Pinot Noir,’ and ‘Tribidrag’ grapevine varieties. Host responses were characterized by changes in cellular redox state rather than disturbances in nutrient status and primary metabolic processes. Superoxide dismutase, hydrogen peroxide, and proteins were drastically affected regardless of the type of isolate, the host, and the duration of the infection, so they present cellular markers of viral infection. No clear biological pattern could be ascertained for each of the GLRaV-3 genotypes. There is a need to provide a greater understanding of virus epidemiology in viticulture due to the increasing natural disasters and climate change to provide for global food production security. Finding grape varieties that will be able to cope with those changes can aid in this task. Among the studied grapevine varieties, autochthonous ‘Tribidrag’ seems to be more tolerant to symptoms development despite numerous physiological changes caused by viruses.

The potential effect of pre-inoculation of processing tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) plants with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on yield and fruit properties was investigated in conventional production. Tomato seeds were sown in seedling trays filled with a substrate non-inoculated (AMF-) or inoculated (AMF+) by selected mycorrhizal strains. Seedlings were transplanted in Terra rossa soil and grown in conditions with mineral fertilization and irrigation. Tomato fruits were sampled at harvest. Tomato plants under both treatments had high levels of mycorrhizal colonization, due to applied inoculum (AMF+) or indigenous (AMF-) inoculum present in the soil. Applied AMF+ treatment increased P and decreased K content in tomato fruits. Content of trace elements such as As and V significantly increased, while Pb content significantly decreased in the fruits of AMF+ when compared to the AMF- treatment. No significant effect of AMF+ treatment was observed on yield, fruit quality (soluble solids, pH, total acidity, fruit firmness), lycopene and antioxidant activity of tomato fruits. The overall results suggest that processing tomato is highly susceptible to the indigenous AMF, while seedlings inoculation with selected AMF improves only total phenolic and P fruit content. This means that AMF have a potential application in commercial processing tomato production, however a targeted adaptation of management decissions is required for more extensive results.

Evaluation of geometric design consistency presents an important safety aspect in road design. The most commonly used consistency criteria are based on defining operating speed variations along the road segment, usually by depicting operating speed profiles. Many models have been developed worldwide to predict operating speed on curves and tangents. However, it is not possible to create a continuous operating speed profile if transition acceleration and deceleration rates are not defined. Under this scope, this paper presents a study of the deceleration phenomenon based on speeds continuously measured on a segment of a two-lane state road by using a GPS device. Dependence of driver behaviour in tangent to curve transition on geometric characteristics of the road was analysed. The regression analyses show that the deceleration rate is only affected by the curve radius. More specifically, higher deceleration rates generally correspond to transitions between independent tangents to sharper curves that represent inconsistent road alignment.

The current study inventoried remaining populations of wild grapevine [Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris (Gmel.) Hegi] in territories of south-east Europe encompassing Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Morphological and genetic traits of wild grapevine specimens were evaluated. The inventory started in 2015, confirming several historical populations in eastern Adriatic regions. In addition, some new ones not recorded until now were discovered. During prospection, wild grapevines were found at six geographically distant locations in this territory. Each observed individual was considered to meet truly morphological criteria (dioecism and leaf morphology) for sylvestris. Eighty-two sylvestris individuals belonging to six populations and 23 cultivated grapevines have been analyzed at 20 nuclear simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci to detect genetic diversity. Principal coordinate analysis and model-based cluster analysis differentiated among wild and cultivated grapevines, highlighting clearly two different groups. The results demonstrated the high genetic diversity of wild grapevine, and the existence of hidden alleles that could be of interest for breeding programs. The study provides necessary information for conservation management and further characterization of wild grapevine.

The data presented in this article are related to the research article entitled “Root-associated community composition and co-occurrence patterns of fungi in wild grapevine”. This dataset documents the diversity of endophytic and rhizoplane fungi found on the roots of 38 wild grapevine plants growing at four locations (Krka, Neretva, Psunj and Paklenica) in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. We record here 48 identified fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) from 3 phyla, 23 families and 30 genera. The material in this Data in Brief paper comprised the data on the identification of OTUs with their corresponding ecological niche, abundance distribution of each fungal OTU recorded in each of the host and location, restrictedness and with fit to the Sloan neutral community model.

Crops’ wild relatives host a wide range of microorganisms, including some beneficial species that are not found or are under-represented in the domesticated crops. Our goal was to study the underexplored composition of root-associated fungal communities in endangered wild grapevines. We found high taxonomic diversity representing multiple trophic guilds that include beneficial symbiotrophs and endophytes. Soil factors explain a relatively small part of their overall variability. In contrast, the majority of the associated fungal taxa shows a close fit to the neutral model for prediction of their distributions. Only beneficial arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and the pathogenic Ilyonectria depart from the neutral distribution model and form intimate interactions with the plant host. In addition, pathogenic fungi rarely occurred in samples that included ectomycorrhizal fungi, which suggested potentially applicable inter-microorganism interactions. High abundance and diversity of fungal endophytes on the wild grapevine roots highlight the need for their careful consideration in future studies.

Possible predictive factors of trifluridine tipiracil in refractory metastatic colorectal cancer.

The effects of different fertilisation treatments with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation on AMF root colonisation, fruit yield, nutrient and total phenol contents, volatile compound composition, and sensory attributes of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) were investigated. Mineral, organic, and mineral + organic fertiliser application positively affected tomato yield (35%–50%) and phosphorus concentration (24%–29%) compared with controls. AMF application had a significant impact on the total nitrogen (+9%), manganese (+12%), and hydrophilic phenol (+8%) contents in the fruit. Volatile compounds were affected by the interactive effects of fertilisation and AMF application. The response of tomato fruit sensory quality indicators was relatively modest, with only a few sensory characteristics affected to a lesser extent. Although tomato showed susceptibility to field-native AMF, particular combinations of fertilisation and AMF inoculation were more effective at improving the quality parameters of tomatoes under field conditions applied in this study.

Sixteen grapevine cultivars from Mediterranean Croatia were surveyed for the presence of 10 of the most economically important grapevine viruses. The presence of Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV), Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV), Grapevine leafroll associated virus-1, -2, and -3 (GLRaV-1, GLRaV-2 and GLRaV-3), Grapevine virus A (GVA) and B (GVB), Grapevine fleck virus (GFkV), Grapevine rupestris stem pitting associated virus (GRSPaV), and Grapevine Pinot gris virus (GPGV) were tested by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All 71 analyzed clones were positive for the presence of one or more viruses. The most abundant one, detected in almost 95% of samples was GLRaV-3. In most of cases it was reported in mixed infections with GVA, GRSPaV, and GPGV. Virus genomes of GLRaV-3 infected vines were further characterized molecularly in order to determine their genetic diversity. Different genomic variants of heat shock 70 protein homologue (HSP70h) were identified by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and sequenced. Sequence analysis confirmed their clustering into phylogenetic group I and/or phylogenetic group II. This study emphasizes the wide virus heterogenicity in Mediterranean vines and the predominant presence of GLRaV-3 phylogenetic groups I and II, either individually or in combination.

The genetic diversity and relationship between wild (Vitis vinifera L. subsp. sylvestris (Gmel.) Hegi and cultivated (V. vinifera L. subsp. vinifera) grapevine in the western Balkan region and Central Europe have not been studied together previously, although this area has a rich viticultural past. Here, we studied wild grapevine populations sampled from their natural habitats in several countries of the western Balkan region and Central Europe. Their genetic diversity and structure were compared to cultivars that are traditionally in use in this region. A sample set of 243 accessions was genotyped at 20 nuclear microsatellite loci, including 167 sylvestris and 76 diverse vinifera cultivars. The genetic diversity of the wild grapevines was lower than that of cultivars by all genetic parameters. Both hierarchical and nonhierarchical clustering methods differentiated two main groups, indicating clear separation between wild and cultivated vines but also revealed clear gene flow between the cultivated and wild gene pools through overlaps and admixed ancestry values in the graphs. There was greater affinity to the wild grapes in Central European cultivars than in Balkan cultivars. Fine arrangement of the structure among cultivated grapevines showed differentiation among Central European and Balkan cultivars. These results confirm the divergence of wild grapes from vinifera and highlight the &ldquo, crossroad&rdquo, role of the western Balkan peninsula in the broader context of European viticulture.

Reactions that occur when the plant is subjected to Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) infection often result in triggering numerous defence mechanisms to fight the infection. The reactions vary regarding virus strain, host genotype, time exposure to the infection and environmental conditions. No study has examined, to date and in detail, the consequence of ten-year exposure to CTV infection on biochemical and physiological status of susceptible Mexican lime plants (Citrus aurantifolia). To understand such kind of infection changes in nutrient status, total proteins, enzyme activity involved in scavenging stressed condition, photosynthetic and transpiration rates, chlorophyll content, membrane permeability and water content were analysed between different CTV strains and healthy plants. The activity of superoxide dismutase and polyphenol oxidase significantly decreased in the infected leaves, as well as membrane permeability which were lower in the infected plants. Macro- and micro-nutrient elements were significantly changed: concentrations of leaf nitrogen, zinc, magnesium and iron were elevated but potassium concentration depressed in relation to non-infected control leaves. No changes were found with other analysed nutrient elements, enzymes, photosynthesis and stomatal conductance, chlorophyll content and relative water content. As shown in this study clear physiological changes were found among infected and non-infected control plants but none between different CTV strains. Data suggests that some of the defence mechanism investigated here were supressed due to the continuous and long-term pressure of biotic stress. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Idejni projekt lokalne ceste izrađeno je na geodetskoj podlozi, prema zadatku iz kolegija Ceste, koristeći se programom Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D. Cesta je projektirana za godišnji dnevni promet (PGDP) od 950 vozila na dan, na brdovitom terenu. Projektna brzina ceste iznosi 40 km/h. Idejno rješenje izrađeno je prema Pravilniku o osnovnim uvjetima za projektiranje ceste s elementima koji zadovoljavaju važeće propise, kao i sigurnosne i estetske kriterije, A conceptual project of local road, on a geodetic ground according to the task from course „Roads“, is made using software Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D. The road is designed for the annual average daily traffic (AADT) of 950 vehicles per day, on the hilly terrain. Design speed for the road is 40 km/h. Preliminary design of local road was created according to the Regulations on the basic conditions for the design of public roads with the elements that meet the applicable rules, as well as safety and aesthetic criteria.

High levels of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonisation of 90% to 100%, as well as high vesicular and arbuscular colonisation were found in the roots of the rare and endangered wild grapevine (Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris) along the Neretva River in southwestern Bosnia and Herzegovina, surpassing colonisation in region vineyads.

Arbuskularne mikorizne gljive (AMG) su korisni mikroorganizmi tla koji žive u obliku simbioze s korijenjem velikog broja biljnih vrsta, uključujući i većinu ekonomski važnih poljoprivrednih kultura, u koje se za područje Hrvatske ubraja i rajčica. Rajčica ima visoki stupanj prirodne sposobnosti vezivanja s AMG, čije su prednosti najvećim dijelom povezane s boljom kondicijom biljaka i otpornosti na različite biotske i abiotske čimbenike. Primjena AMG je ograničena proizvodnim uvjetima, između ostalih primjenom fungicida koja se redovito provodi u proizvodnji rajčice za suzbijanje gljivičnih bolesti. Iako se fungicidi u proizvodnji rajčice uglavnom primjenjuju folijarno, značajne količine primijenjene djelatne tvari mogu indirektno dospjeti u gornji sloj tla i negativno utjecati na razvoj AMG. Cilj ovog preglednog rada je, temeljem dostupnih literaturnih podataka i dosadašnjih istraživanja, prikazati kompatibilnost AMG i fungicida dozvoljenih u Hrvatskoj za primjenu u proizvodnji rajčice na otvorenome., Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are beneficial soil microorganisms that persist on roots of a significant number of plant species through symbiosis, including most of the economically important agricultural crops, where tomato takes a significant place for the Croatian area. Tomato has a high natural ability to interact with AMF, the benefits of which are significantly related to improved plant condition and resistance to different biotic and abiotic factors. Implementation of AMF is limited by production conditions, such as by application of fungicides that is regularly conduced in tomato production for fungal disease management. Although in tomato production mainly foliar fungicides are applied, significant quantity of applied active ingredient may indirectly reach the upper soil layer and negatively affect AMF development. The aim of this paper was to, based on available literature and research findings, describe the compatibility of AMF with fungicides allowed for application in open-field tomato production.

The present study aimed to examine the effect of foliar (Mn_fol) and soil Zeolite-Mn (Mn_ZA) application on leaf mineral, total phenolic and oleuropein content, and mycorrhizae colonization of self-rooted cv. Leccino plantlets grown on calcareous soil. RESULTS The dissolution of zeolite was 97% when citric acid was applied at 0.05?mM?dm?3, suggesting that organic acids excreted by roots can dissolve modified zeolite (Mn_ZA), making Mn available for plant uptake. The leaf Mn concentration was the highest for Mn_fol treatment at 90 days after transplanting (DAT) (172?mg?kg?1) and 150 DAT (70?mg?kg?1) compared to other treatments. Mn_ZA soil application increased leaf Mn concentration at 150 DAT compared to control and NPK treatments. The oleuropein leaf content was highest for Mn_fol compared to other treatments at 90 DAT and lowest at 150 DAT. Arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization was higher for Mn_fol treatment at 150 DAT compared to all other treatments. CONCLUSION Changes in the arbuscular colonization percentage and oleuropein content may be connected to stress conditions provoked by a high leaf Mn concentration in the Mn_fol treatment at 90 DAT. Mn_ZA application increased leaf Mn concentration at 150 DAT compared to control and NPK treatments. It can be assumed that the dominant mechanism in Mn uptake from modified zeolite is Mn_ZA dissolution through root exudates. ? 2018 Society of Chemical Industry

The genetic diversity of wild grapevine [Vitis vinifera L. subsp. sylvestris (Gmel.) Hegi] in the eastern Adriatic region, which includes Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, has previously not been documented. Natural populations of wild grapevine were identified in their natural habitats, and their genetic diversity was studied and compared with both local and widespread European cultivars. Ninety-two grapevine genotypes were determined at 21 nuclear microsatellite loci, including 53 wild grapevine individuals, 32 diverse local Croatian and west European cultivars, and seven commonly used rootstocks. Two hundred thirty-nine alleles were detected, with a mean of 11.4 alleles per locus and high heterozygosity, ranging from 0.461 to 0.897 for observed heterozygosity and from 0.391 to 0.837 for expected heterozygosity. The genetic diversity of the wild grapevines was slightly lower than that observed in cultivars. Distance- and model-based cluster analysis differentiated three main groups, indicating clear separation between wild, cultivated, and rootstock accessions. This study greatly contributes to knowledge of genetic diversity in local wild grapevine populations in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and provides necessary information for their conservation and further characterization.

Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) is the most destructive viral pathogen of citrus and displays a high level of genetic and phenotypic diversity. In this study the biological characterization of monophyletic CTV-isolates based on p25 gene (Gp 1, Gp 2, Gp 3a, Gp 4, Gp 5, Gp M) was analyzed for the first time on the set of standard indicator plants and unde r the same environmental conditions, in order to compare the phenotypic characteristics of p25 genomic variants. The results showed that tested CTV-isolates varied in their ability to induced symptoms as well as in severity of symptoms e. g. pathogenicity. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) is the most destructive citrus pathogen. The knowledge about how its infectivity is accomplished, time in which CTV causes systemic infection after transfer to the host plant and the relation between virus invasion and CTV pathogenicity is very scarce. The main objective of this study was to analyse whether different CTV genotypes vary in efficiency to cause systemic viral infection. Three weeks post-inoculation, set of seven host-plant citrus species were checked for CTV systemic infection. Among seven CTV isolates tested, six of them were monophyletic according to the p25 gene and previously biologically characterised. For one polyphyletic virus isolate the pathogenicity was established in this study. Our results showed that the transmission of virus and systemic infection is correlated with pathogenicity of CTV isolates, namely stem-pitting syndrome (SP). In three weeks CTV-SP isolates achieved systemic infection detectible by DTBA serological test. Polyphyletic isolate (composed of Gp 3b and Gp 5) that caused 100% infection, after biological characterization showed severe form of SP-syndrome. Monophyletic isolates belonging to Gp4, Gp3a and Gp2, which were determined as SP-CTV isolates, also achieved high percentages of systemic infection, respectively. On the contrary to severe SP isolates, isolates that are not related to appearance of SP disease symptoms were less efficient in accomplishing systemic virus infection. These results lead us to consider the aggressiveness of SP-CTV isolates as an important factor in processes of accomplishing early systemic plant infection.

Background Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are among the most important beneficial fungal root endophytes, and are known to colonise the roots of the majority of land plants, including grapevines. Similar to other plant species with low root densities or with relatively coarse fine roots, grapevines appear to be reliant on AMF colonisation for normal growth and development, which is especially important in organic vineyards that follow low-input practices, as these support higher AMF spore abundance and diversity. Key results and discussion The comparison of the AMF communities on the roots of grapevines from East Adriatic Karst region showed that the fungal communities associated with grapevine roots seem to be relatively stable, with inter-vineyard variability comparable to intra-vineyard variability. Some of the changes in the fungal communities were attributed to environmental factors (eg. plant-available P) and geographical location of the vineyard. The majority of the AMF belonged to various representatives of genus Glomus, with some species that are less frequently observed in studies on AMF (eg. Glomus sinuosum and Glomus indicum). Screening of vineyard weeds belonging to 11 plant families and showed varying level of fungal colonization and seemed to promote different sets of dominant AMF, potentially providing a wider spectrum of AMF for colonizing grapevine roots. This indicates the value of encouraging host plant diversity in vineyards. In deed herbaceous weed Tanacetum cinerariifolium was shown to improve colonization of grapevine plants in a pot culture experiment. In the next stage of our studies, we were starting to focus on the other aspects of “terroir” (vineyard management) and its consequences on the fungal endophyte communities. AMF spore abundance greatly increased in organic vineyards, as has been seen for different agricultural systems, including vineyards. In contrast, vineyard management had no effect on the overall diversity of AMF colonizing grapevine roots. Our results confirm that the production vineyard harbor well formed AMF communities that are greatly affected by the vineyard management. Change towards more sustainable vineyard practices improves the abundance and diversity of AMF that can result in positive effects on the mineral nutrition of grapevines due to modified nutrient availability related to changes in the abiotic and biotic characteristics of the soil.

Grapevine ( Vitis vinifera L.) and two selected weeds from Mediterranean Croatian vineyards (Plantago lanceolata L. and Tanacetum cinerariifolium (Trevir.) Sch.Bip.) were examined in pot culture experiments, individually or when combined, to see whether multiple hosts influenced the formation of the symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). The results after six-month period showed that plant identity and density significantly influenced development of mycorrhizal intra- and extraradical mycelium and/or sporulation. Grapevine and T. cinerariifolium individually and in combination resulted in a greater development of arbuscular mycorrhizae in terms of spore production, extraradical mycelium length and root colonization compared with pots containing P. lanceolata. Herbaceous weed species seemed to promote a different set of dominant AMF, potentially providing a wider spectrum of AMF for colonising grapevine roots. This indicates the value of encouraging host plant diversity in vineyards. AMF sequences obtained in this study are the first data reported for soils in Croatia.

The reaction to Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) infection was investigated by different diagnostic methods in 13 Satsuma (Citrus unshiu (Mak.) Marc.) symptomless clones. Optical density after performed ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay), intensity of colouration after DTBIA (Direct Tissue Blot Immunoassay), and the severity of symptoms in biological testing were compared in order to correlate intensities of these three reactions and the reliability of the obtained results, as well as to correlate serological results to tristeza disease symptoms on indicator plants. ELISA and DTBIA were performed directly on collection plants (clones) and on inoculated Mexican lime tissue samples, while biological indexing was performed on four main citrus indicators. Additional goal of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of CTV DTBIA testing using different tissue types, including Satsuma immature ovaries and flower petioles. ELISA performed on spring shoots tissue of Mexican lime and DTBIA performed on mature ovaries of Satsuma field samples, showed high intensity of reactions and detection efficiency. Therefore, if applied accordingly, both tests are equally reliable and make a good choice for fast CTV detection. Expectedly, for further biological characterization of CTV isolates, biological indexing needs to be performed.

During 2004 and 2006, alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) was measured in the northern Adriatic to establish, if it is an important mechanism for phosphorus recycling in this area, which is poor in orthophosphate (PO4). From May to September, in conditions of exhausted PO4, microbes in upper waters induced high APA (0.41 to 5.55 μ mol l– 1 h– 1) to obtain phosphorus from the dissolved organic pool. The highest APA was found during spring and summer freshets due to the strongly deficient PO4 versus inorganic nitrogen supply from the Po River. During the summer months, APA was lower yet still important for phosphorus recycling. In these months, the low Po River nitrogen supply resulted in lower microbial biomass and, consequently, lower APA. From October to December, APA in upper waters was low (

The influence of inorganic nutrient concentrations on the ability of bacterioplankton to produce and degrade polysaccharidic transparent exopolymer particles (TEPs) and proteinaceous Coomassie-stained particles (CSPs) was investigated in an 11-day experiment. The dynamics of these particles were followed in prefiltered (1 μm) northern Adriatic seawater enclosures enriched either with 1 μM orthophosphate (main limiting nutrient in this area), 10 μM ammonium or both orthophosphate and ammonium. These enclosures were referenced to a nonenriched control. A high potential for bacterial TEP and CSP production was observed (104–105 L−1 for particles larger than 4 μm). In conditions of high orthophosphate concentration (either orthophosphate enriched or both orthophosphate and ammonium enriched), lower abundances and surface areas of CSPs were obtained, whereas TEP dynamics were more affected by unbalanced enrichments where only orthophosphate or ammonium was added. The impact of unbalanced nutrient ratios on TEPs was indicated by their higher abundance but low capacity for Alcian blue absorption, implying a change in their structure. Inorganic nutrient availability was thus proven to affect the bacterial potential for producing and degrading bacterially derived TEPs and CSPs.

Transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) are generated during transformation processes within the non-living organic matter continuum in the seawater. Seasonal dynamics of TEP along the Po River Delta - Rovinj transect was followed during the three years period, using a spectrophotometric method of determination of TEP. Relationships between TEP and phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll a), abundance and composition, as well as phaeophytin, were analysed. Microphytoplankton spring blooms are confirmed to be an important source of TEP, with some species more related to TEP concentration dynamics, such as Chaetoceros sp. and Skeletonema costatum. Notable spatial west to east gradient of autotrophic biomass and consequently of TEP was observed, as well as gradual decrease with depth. In addition, TEP concentration increments were observed up to two months before the mucilage events followed by the decrease of TEP concentration during the event itself. Pattern of TEP dynamics in the years with mucilage events was the most pronounced in 2002, when the event was spatially and temporally the most extended.

The spatial variability of the mineral composition of grapevines in production vineyards along the east Adriatic coast was determined and compared between conventional and sustainable vineyard management. Cluster analysis shows a high level of spatial variability even within the individual locations. Factor analysis reveals three factors with strong loading for the macronutrients K and P and the micronutrient Mn, which explain 67% of the total variance in the mineral composition. Here, 26% to 34% of the variance of these three elements can be explained by abiotic and biotic soil parameters, with soil concentrations of K, Fe and Cu, organic matter content, and vesicular colonisation showing the strongest effects on the mineral composition of the grapevines. In addition, analysis of the mineral composition data shows significant differences between differently managed vineyards, with increased bioaccumulation of P and K in sustainable vineyards, while Zn bioaccumulation was increased in conventional vineyards. Our data confirm the importance of soil and vineyard management in the concept of terroir, and demonstrate the effects of sustainable management practices on the mineral nutrition of grapevines that result from modified nutrient availability related to changes in the abiotic and biotic characteristics of the soil.

The coastal northern Adriatic Sea receives pulsed inputs of riverine nutrients, causing phytoplankton blooms and seasonally sustained dissolved organic carbon (DOC) accumulation—hypothesized to cause episodes of massive mucilage. The underlying mechanisms regulating P and C cycles and their coupling are unclear. Extensive biogeochemical parameters, processes and community composition were measured in a 64-day mesocosms deployed off Piran, Slovenia. We followed the temporal trends of C and P fluxes in P-enriched (P +) and unenriched (P −) mesocosms. An intense diatom bloom developed then crashed; however, substantial primary production was maintained throughout, supported by tightly coupled P regeneration by bacteria and phytoplankton. Results provide novel insights on post-bloom C and P dynamics and mechanisms. 1) Post-bloom DOC accumulation to 186 μM remained elevated despite high bacterial carbon demand. Presumably, a large part of DOC accumulated due to the bacterial ectohydrolytic processing of primary productivity that adventitiously generated slow-to-degrade DOC; 2) bacteria heavily colonized post-bloom diatom aggregates, rendering them microscale hotspots of P regeneration due to locally intense bacterial ectohydrolase activities; 3) P i turnover was rapid thus suggesting high P flux through the DOP pool (dissolved organic phosphorus) turnover; 4) Alpha - and Gamma-proteobacteria dominated the bacterial communities despite great differences of C and P pools and fluxes in both mesocosms. However, minor taxa showed dramatic changes in community compositions. Major OTUs were presumably generalists adapted to diverse productivity regimes.We suggest that variation in bacterial ectohydrolase activities on aggregates, regulating the rates of POM → DOM transition as well as dissolved polymer hydrolysis, could become a bottleneck in P regeneration. This could be another regulatory step, in addition to APase, in the microbial regulation of P cycle and the coupling between C and P cycles.

The aim of this study was to determine the abundance and diversity of root endophytic fungi in organic versus conventional vineyards on the eastern Adriatic coast (Croatia). Samples were collected from four locations in the karst region along the coast. Each of these locations included both organically and conventionally managed vineyards of cv. ‘Plavac mali’ on Vitis berlandieri × Vitis rupestris rootstock. The total root colonization ranged from 39% to 78% for the grapevines, and from 9% to 99% for the dominant weeds, with generally significantly higher fungal colonization in the organic than the conventional vineyards. Increased abundance of the smallest class of fungal spore (diameter, 40–100 μm) was observed in organic vineyards. There was a similar pattern for fungal diversity, with the overall dominance of Ascomycota, and an average of 8.5% of all sequences belonging to Glomeromycota. Our study confirms the initial hypothesis that the change in vineyard soil management toward more sustainable practices improves the abundance and diversity of endophytic fungi, thus suggesting their greater ecological importance in environments with significantly reduced inputs.

Maslina se većinom uzgaja u manje pogodnim agroekološkim uvjetima, karakteriziranim između ostalog slabijom dostupnošću biljnih hraniva. Zbog navedenog, cilj ovog rada bio je utvrditi utjecaj primjene mješavine modificiranih sintetskih zeolita tipa A (ZA), u kojima su originalni Na+ioni zamijenjeni kationima Zn2+, Mn2+ i Fe2+ (Fe3+), i endomikoriznih gljiva (AMF) na mineralni sastav lista masline sorte Leccino uzgajane na alkalnom, karbonatnom tlu. Rezultati su pokazali pozitivno djelovanje Mn-ZA na količinu Mn u suhoj tvari lista masline, dok učinak primjene ostalih modificiranih zeolita (Zn-ZA i Fe-ZA) kao i arbuskularnih mikoriznih gljiva na mineralni sastav lista masline nije zabilježen., Olive growing is mainly associated with poor agroecologycal conditions, characterized mostly with lower nutrient availability. Thus, the objective of this experiment was to determine the influence of synthetic zeolite A mixture (ZA), in which the original Na+ ions were exchanged with Zn2+, Mn2+ and Fe2+ (Fe3+) ions from solutions, and endomycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on olive leaf mineral content of Leccino cultivar grown on alkaline, calcareous soil. Results have shown that zeolite fertilization significantly increased Mn content in olive leaf, while other modified zeolites application (Zn-ZA i Fe-ZA) as well as arbucular mycorrhize fungi application had no influence on olive leaf mineral content.

Na alkalnim, karbonatnim tlima, zbog formiranja teško topivih spojeva, smanjena je dostupnost cinka (Zn), mangana (Mn), i željeza (Fe). Razlog tomu je pored visokog pH i visoka koncentracija aktivnog vapna u tlu koje blokira primanje navedenih hraniva. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je utvrditi utjecaj gnojidbe sintetskim zeolitima na mineralni sastav lišća masline Olea europaea L. sorte Leccino uzgajane na alkalnom, karbonatnom tlu. U tu svrhu provedeno je istraživanje, u vegetacijskoj komori, u trajanju od 200 dana. Gnojidba Zn, Mn i Fe obavljena je u obliku sintetskog zeolita A (ZA), u kojem su ionskom zamjenom Na ioni zamijenjeni kationima Zn2+, Mn2+ i Fe2+ (Fe3+). Temeljem rezultata istraživanja vidljivo je da je pri tretmanu zeolitima utvrđena statistički značajno veća koncentracija Mn u listu masline dok koncentracije Fe i Zn u listu masline nisu pokazale signifikantnu razliku između tretmana sa ili bez primjene zeolita, Due to the formation of precipitous compounds, availability of Zn, Mn, Fe is reduced in alkaline, calcareous soils. Beside high pH values, high active lime content is the reason for lower uptake of the above mentioned nutrients. Thus, the objective of this trial was to define the impact of synthetic zeolites fertilization on leaf mineral content of olive leaves (Olea europaea L. cv Leccino) grown in the alkaline, calcareous soil. For this purpose, an experiment was conducted in the vegetation chamber, in the period of 200 days. Fertilization with Zn, Mn, Fe was carried out in the form of synthetic zeolite A (ZA), in which the original Na+ ions from zeolite A were exchanged with Zn2+, Mn2+ and Fe2+ (Fe3+) ions from solutions. Results showed that zeolite fertilization significantly increased Mn content in olive leaf, while Fe and Zn leaf concentrations did not show any significant difference between zeolite treated and untreated olives. .

Essential oils of 25 indigenous populations of Dalmatian sage (Salvia officinalis L.) that represent nearly half of native distribution area of the species were analyzed. Plantlets collected from wild populations were grown in the same field under the same environmental conditions and then sampled for essential-oil analysis. The yield of essential oil ranged from 1.93 to 3.70% with average of 2.83%. Among the 62 compounds detected, eight (cis-thujone, camphor, trans-thujone, 1,8-cineole, beta-pinene, camphene, borneol, and bornyl acetate) formed 78.1387.33% of essential oils of individual populations. Strong positive correlations were observed between camphor and beta-pinene,beta-pinene and borneol, as well as between borneol and bornyl acetate. The strongest negative correlation was detected between camphor and trans-thujone. Principal component analysis (PCA) on the basis of eight main compounds showed that first main component separated populations with high thujone content, from those rich in camphor, while the second component separated populations rich in cis-thujone from those rich in trans-thujone. Cluster analysis (CA) led to the identification of three chemotypes of S. officinalis populations: cis-thujone; trans-tujone, and camphor/beta-pinene/borneol/bornyl acetate. We propose that differences in essential oils of 25 populations are mostly genetically controlled, since potential environmental factors were controlled in this study.

The importance of bacterial, phytoplankton and dissolved alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) in the northern Adriatic was investigated during 2006. In surface waters total APA increased from early spring (0.07-0.08 micromol l(-1) h(-1)) to late spring (up to 4.64 micromol l(-1) h(-1)) and remained relatively high during the summer (0.46-0.71 micromol l(-1) h(-1)), due to an increase in specific phytoplankton (up to 30 nmol microg C(-1) h(-1)) and bacterial APA (up to 17.11 nmol microg C(-1) h(-1)). Activity of free enzymes was not important. During late spring and summer both communities exploited dissolved organic phosphorus although, taking into account biomass, phytoplankton activity usually dominated over bacterial activity. In autumn an extra P supply from deeper waters drastically reduced phytoplankton APA, though not bacterial APA, in upper waters. Probably in these months bacteria that were degrading phytoplankton produced organic matter were P limited. In deeper waters APA was low and mainly due to the activity of free enzymes.

High variability of heterotrophic bacterial (HB ; 0.1• 109-6• 109 cells L-1), nanoflagellates (HNF ; 0.02• 106-2.4• 106 cells L-1) and cyanobacterial (CB ; 106– 700• 106 cells L-1) abundances were observed during approximately monthly measurements at six stations along the transect Po Delta-Rovinj from March 1999 to August 2002. Substantially higher values were observed during the stratification period (June-September) in the surface layer of the western stations that were under more direct influence of Po River discharges. Changes of the HB abundance were significantly correlated with temperature in the entire water column and chlorophyll a (Chla) concentration in the surface layer. The nutrients did not look to have directly influenced the HB growth, except orthophosphate in the eastern, more oligotrophic part of transect, where probably HB efficiently competed with phytoplankton for this nutrient. Temperature was also important for CB growth that, however, appeared to occur more intensively in waters with low nutrient concentrations. Probably, in these conditions CB can still develop, while larger autotrophs are strongly nutrient limited. In the upper water column of reduced salinity (35-37), the contributions of CB carbon biomass to the total picoplankton biomass (CB+HB) were mostly larger than 30 % (up to 80 %) in years with mucilage events (1991, 2000-2002) than in other years. For example, in 1999 only a few values were higher than 30 % (up to 50 %). In abundant presence of mucilaginous aggregates (e.g. in June 2000 and late June 2002) the chlorophyll a ascribed to CB accounted for much larger portions of total measured Chla. From these results it was concluded that cyanobacteria during mucilage events may play a substantially increased role both as primary producers and prey within the microbial loop of the northern Adriatic.