Current survey methods for monitoring Eriosoma lanigerum Hausmann, the woolly apple aphid (WAA), in apple orchards are often labor-intensive, imprecise, and inadequate for addressing specific monitoring challenges. To improve this, we initiated the development of innovative approaches to investigate the spring migration and to monitor the colonization of individual observational trees. This study presents the preliminary findings from field trials conducted in 2021 and 2022. We evaluated the effectiveness of repeated, simplified surveys of easily observable parameters (e.g. WAA visual spring colonizzation % on shoots) on selected tree groups. When combined with additional field observations, these simplified methods enabled risk assessments of WAA infestation distribution at group or plot level, and offered a potential for near-term orchard-wide infestation predictions. Notably, a reduced, non-destructive shoot monitoring protocol on a limited number of observational trees yielded sufficient information on colony dynamics across larger orchard sections for the early spring period. However, attempts to extrapolate from current migration intensity to future shoot infestation levels proved unsuccessful. Surprisingly, we documented previously unreported migratory behavior in WAA instars believed to be non-migratory. Despite this, our initial results are promising and support the feasibility of simplifying WAA monitoring methods without compromising accuracy. Some findings, however, warrant further validation.

Lo scopo del presente lavoro è stato quello di valutare qualitativamente quattro diverse varietà di lampone al fine di individuare le più idonee alla lavorazione in composte. Lo studio, consistito in due anni di sperimentazione, ha previsto valutazioni di carattere agronomico (scelta delle varietà, coltivazione in condizioni uniformi, raccolta e analisi di parametri qualitativi dei frutti), di carattere tecnologico (standardizzazione della procedura di preparazione delle composte, valutazione del prodotto finito a livello chimico-fisico e dell’evoluzione del colore delle composte nel tempo) e di carattere sensoriale (consumer test mirato a individuare le preferenze tra composte). I risultati ottenuti possono essere di supporto ai produttori locali, fornendo informazioni in merito alle caratteristiche delle varietà in esame e dei prodotti trasformati da esse ottenuti.

Hardy kiwifruits represent an unexplored agricultural resource for South Tyrol which could be of particular interest to the region by contributing to agricultural biodiversity and the valorisation of minor crops in the area. The main limitation of this crop is its short shelf-life as a fresh raw material, which is related to its intrinsic perishability. Processing hardy kiwis into canned products could be a valid strategy for encouraging the production and spread of this crop throughout the territory, enabling food products derived from it to be available all year round. This study evaluated the suitability of hardy kiwifruits for processing into spreads. Results indicate that no pectin needs to be added to ensure that the fruit spread has a pleasant texture, and browning over time occurred slowly, despite the preserve not being stabilised with antioxidant agents, suggesting that the shelf-life of such a preserve might be quite long. Finally, from a preliminary sensory evaluation, consumers rated the preserve positively with regard to its texture, sweetness and flavour, and it obtained a positive overall evaluation from an organoleptic point of view, indicating that this crop has potential for use in the production of fruit spreads.

Apple Proliferation (AP) is a widespread disease affecting apple orchards throughout Europe, including South Tyrol.The disease is associated with a phytoplasma, 'Candidatus Phytoplasma mali' ('Ca. P. mali'), which manipulates the plant's physiological processes through the secretion of small peptides called effectors. One well-studied phytoplasma effector is SAP11, which targets Teosinte Branched 1/Cycloidea/Proliferating Cell Factor 1 (TCP) genes in multiple plant species, including apple. TCP genes encode plant-specific transcription factors involved in various biological processes, such as growth, development, and responses to stimuli. The identification and naming of TCP genes have been inconsistent, leading to confusion and redundancy in sequence databases. In apple, 52 TCP genes (MdTCP) were identified in 2014 on the 2010 assembly of the apple genome, which is now considered outdated. To address this issue, a comprehensive investigation was conducted to identify and name TCP genes in apple using the high-quality genome assembly, GDDH13v1.1. Existing TCP sequences were aligned with the genome excluding redundant, fragmented, and non-TCP sequences. The revised set comprised 40 unique MdTCPs, including three novel genes. To establish a standardised nomenclature, each MdTCP was BLASTedagainst the Arabidopsis thaliana gene database, in order to identify the best hits for each MdTCP. The MdTCP genes were then renamed, incorporating the letter "a" or "b" to differentiate between MdTCPs showing homology to the same AtTCP, and also between the existing and proposed nomenclatures. The present study highlights the need for clarity and organisation in sequence databases, especially in respect of TCP genes. The presence of redundant and fragmented sequences in databases complicates accurate identification and annotation of genes. By providing a comprehensive and standardised nomenclature system, we aim to enhance the coherence and interoperability of future TCP gene research in plant and crop science. In our view, this work will serve as a valuable resource for researchers studying TCP genes in apple and will provide insights into the evolutionary dynamics and functional roles of TCP genes in plants.

The goal of this research was to investigate different canopy heights and canopy management approaches in VSP-trained vineyards on the production of sugar and other substances present in berries and must, as well as on the resulting wine quality. Two sites, one high vigor and one low vigor, were selected for this study, with the following treatments tested: [1] ‘control’, shoots were topped according to standard practices; [2] ‘without lateral shoots’, all lateral shoots were removed; [3] ‘low canopy’, the canopy was shortened to 50 cm below the height of the ‘control’; [4] ‘twisted shoots’, shoots were not hedged, but instead were horizontally twisted along the upper wires. The ‘low canopy’ treatment revealed little effect on grape ripening parameters, especially in the low vigor trials. Upon sensory analysis, the quality of wine derived from this treatment did not score higher than the control, but rather repeatedly lower. Furthermore, ‘low canopy’ wines exhibited atypical aging notes, and in certain vintages more Berry shrivel was observed during the vegetative season. The ‘twisted shoots’ treatment displayed repeatedly higher YAN values in the must, especially in vineyards with higher vigor, which led to an increase in potential vine fertility. Thus, shortening the canopy was not found to be a suitable technique to delay ripening or improve wine quality.

Die Tätigkeitsfelder des Fachbereichs Önologie am Versuchszentrum Laimburg sind sehr vielseitig und reichen von der Vinifikation weinbaulicher Versuche, über die Durchführung weintechnologischer Experimente, der önologischen Beratung bis hin zur Organisation von Fachveranstaltungen. Eine entscheidende Rolle kommt bei der Durchführung und Auswertung von Versuchen der sensorischen Analyse zu, wobei der Fachbereich auf ein über Jahrzehnte angeeignetes Know-how im Bereich der Weinsensorik zurückgreift.

Several fresh-cut apple snacks are available on the market, and their color is highly relevant for consumers. As apple slices brown very quickly after cutting, dipping them in an antioxidant solution for a few minutes is common to avoid this phenomenon. However, this procedure has some limitations. Using the same solution for several immersion cycles over several hours can lead to cross-contamination and microbial growth. In addition, osmotic exchange phenomena in the immersion tank lead to a reduction in the concentration of the active ingredients of the antioxidant solution over time, which requires continuous readjustment of the concentrations. These aspects, together with the large quantities of exhausted antioxidant solution to be disposed of, are limiting factors that drive the search for alternative and more sustainable methods than dipping. In this work, a comparison between a conventional dipping treatment of fresh-cut apples and spraying at increasing volume of antioxidant solution was performed. Color, considered as the quality reference parameter, was visually assessed (occurrance of dark spots) and CIE Lab colorimetric indices were measured over a five-day experimental period. Based on dark spots and the changes in brightness (Δ L*), hue angle (Δ h) and chroma (Δ C*), some of the spraying treatments applied were found to be comparable to dipping in controlling browning. For all treatments, high intra- and inter-batch variability and within slices of the same apple was observed concerning both instrumental data and dark spots development, indicating that further investigation is needed to validate this result and to apply this procedure at an industrial level.

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) occurs natively in the Mediterranean Area and is widely cultivated as medicinal and aromatic plant (MAP). In South Tyrol lemon balm is among the most cultivated species of MAP. During spring 2019, two field sites in South Tyrol with cultivations of lemon balm showed extensive damage on the leaves. Injured samples taken from these locations were analyzed and showed the presence of larvae and pupae of a Curculionidae, which completed their life cycle in the laboratory. The adults were identified morphoanatomically as Donus intermedius (Coleoptera: Curculionoidae). This species until now was not known to cause damage to lemon balm cultivations. The partial sequence of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I, allowed to differentiate from other species of the genus Donus and can be used as a tool for the identification of larval stadiums.

Es gibt bereits eine Vielzahl von Forschungsarbeiten zum Einsatz der Gründünung zur Förderung der Bodenfruchtbarkeit im Weinbau. Die Bodenbearbeitung selbst gibt dabei einen starken Impuls zur Mineralisierung des Stickstoffs im Boden, wie auch Leguminosen in der Einsaatmischung. Dies beschränkt den Einsatz auf Rebanlagen mit schwachem vegetativen Wachstum. Der Einsatz von stickstoffzehrenden Getreidearten wird als mögliche Alternative für die Gründüngung in Rebanlagen mit starkem vegetativen Wachstum in dieser Forschungsarbeit untersucht. Diese Pflanzen sollen die Humusverteilung im Boden verbessern und den durch die Saatbettbereitung freiwerdenden Stickstoff binden und ein stärkeres Wachstum der Reben vermeiden.