Boris Basile

Barley is a very important crop particularly in marginal dry areas, where it often serves as the most viable option for farmers. Additionally, barley carries great significance in the Western world, serving not only as a fundamental crop for animal feed and malting but also as a nutritious food source. The broad adaptability of barley and its ability to withstand various biotic and abiotic stresses often make this species the sole cereal that can be cultivated in arid regions. The collection and utilization of barley genetic resources are crucial for identifying valuable traits to enhance productivity and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. This review aims to provide an overview of the management and exploitation of barley genetic resources. Furthermore, the review explores the relationship between gene banks and participatory breeding, offering insights into the diversity and utilization of barley genetic resources through some examples such as the initiatives undertaken by ICARDA. Finally, this contribution highlights the importance of these resources for boosting barley productivity, addressing climate change impacts, and meeting the growing food demands in a rapidly changing agriculture. The understanding and utilizing the rich genetic diversity of barley can contribute to sustainable agriculture and ensure the success of this vital crop for future generations globally.

The olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae (Rossi, 1790) poses a significant threat to oliviculture worldwide, despite extensive chemical control measures. The susceptibility of olive (Olea europaea L.) to this pest varies among cultivars, with fruit size being a key factor of interest, as it can be assessed using non-destructive automated technologies. In this study, we investigated the oviposition preferences of the olive fruit fly in six Italian olive cultivars, tracking fertile and sterile punctures in relation to the diametric growth of the drupe. Additionally, we assessed the genetic diversity among cultivars using SSR markers, aiming to uncover a potential correlation between variation in the genetic diversity patterns and infestation levels. The results revealed that the relationship between fruit size and infestation level is non-linear and varies across different cultivars. The co-inertia analysis (COIA) performed on the genetic and infestation datasets revealed possible shared patterns of diversity and relationships between the two datasets. This study emphasizes the complex and diverse nature of the interaction between the olive fruit fly and its host, underscoring the importance of comprehending non-linear relationships to develop accurate genotypic-specific predictions and models.

A precise knowledge of the grapevine responses to increasing level of water stress is of the utmost relevance for an effective application of deficit irrigation strategies in viticulture. Against this background, a study was conducted on potted grapevines subjected to two ten-day drought cycles to assess their water status by integrating the information derived from different physiological indexes including whole-plant transpiration (measured gravimetrically and with sap flow sensors), leaf gas exchanges and chlorophyll fluorescence. When soil water availability was not limited, vine transpiration rate was determined mainly by environmental factors and ranged between 0.5 and 2 L day−1 m−2 of leaf surface. Transpiration was affected by the soil water availability only when water stress became evident (midday stem water potential < −1 MPa), with vines showing a strong limitation of the stomata functioning (stomatal conductance < 0.05 mol m−2 s−1) and, consequently, low transpiration rates (<0.5 L m−2 d−1). Transpiration rates measured with the sap flow sensors were correlated with those measured gravimetrically, showing daily patterns that were highly affected by the intensity of the water stress. Nevertheless, these sensors highly underestimated actual transpiration rates, limiting their reliability for vineyard irrigation management. At the end of the second drought cycle, vines showed very limited responses to daily changes in environmental conditions (same photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance at morning, midday and afternoon), likely reflecting a carryover stress effect from the first drought cycle and an incomplete physiological recovery before the beginning of the second. Evidence of the severe water stress reached by vines was also given by the high value of the quantum yield of nonregulated energy dissipation (Y(NO) higher than 0.4) found at the end of the first drought cycle. Taken together, the obtained results integrate the current knowledge on water stress development in grapevine, also highlighting the relevance of specific physiological indexes that could be used effectively for the correct management of deficit strategies in viticulture.