Continuous Veno-Venous Hemofiltration in Critically Ill Patients with Multiple Organ Failure

18 critically ill patients, with multiple organ failure (MOF) (from shock either septic, n = 15, or cardiogenic, n = 3), oliguria and increase in BUN and creatinine were treated with pump driven, high flux continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH). Replacement fluids were administered in predilution mode. All patients were under respiratory support and vasoactive drugs, and received early nutritional support (N input: 0.2–0.3 g/kg/day). Mean duration of treatment was 9.2 days and mean ultrafiltrate production was 21.4 l/day; treatment resulted in a significant reduction of both urea nitrogen and creatinine blood levels (-20 and -40% of initial values respectively) in spite of a very severe catabolism. The total amount of urea nitrogen removed through CVVH ranged from 15 to 73 g/day (mean 33.5), the median value of urea nitrogen clearance was 12.8 ml/min with a median ultrafiltration coefficient of 0.8. The mean duration of hemofilters was 69 hours (38–108); the efficacy of filters remained stable throughout the entire lifespan and changes were made in case of sudden decrease of ultrafiltration (< ml/min). No major complication was observed in over than 4000 hours of treatment. Pump driven, high flux CVVH proved effective in the control of water electrolyte balance and metabolic homeosthasis in a group of critically ill, hemodynamically unstable, catabolic patients with MOF and acute renal failure. In no case we had to add intermittent hemodialysis or to use hemodiafiltration. The constant extracorporeal blood flow and the stable efficacy of hemofilters allowed an easy control of the overall effectiveness of this technique.

First Report of Sydowia polyspora on Aleppo Pine (Pinus halepensis) in Italy

Pinus halepensis Mill. is a pine native to the Mediterranean region that is generally located from sea level up to an altitude of 200 meters. In July 2012, extensive leaf yellowing and scorching were observed on the foliage of two specimens of P. halepensis in a public park of Alassio municipality, Liguria region (northern Italy). Diseased needles showed chlorotic and reddish brown colored areas that were randomly distributed among healthy needles. In order to isolate the potential pathogen, diseased needle tissues were surface sterilized for 1 min in 1% NaOCl and plated onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with 100 ppm of streptomycin sulfate. After 7 to 10 days, a brown to dark green mycelium slowly developed on the PDA. From the mycelium, single cell conidia averaging 7.0 (4.7 to 12.2) × 2.9 (2.4 to 5.4) μm (n = 50) were produced. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA was amplified using primers ITS1f/ITS4 and sequenced. A BLAST (1) search yielded 100% of maximum identity with Sydowia polyspora (Bref. & Tav.) E. Müller for ITS1f and ITS4. Pathogenicity was confirmed by inoculating 15 3-year-old plants (approximately 5 months after bud break) of P. halepensis grown singly in 8-cm diameter pots and maintained in greenhouse. Twelve of 15 plants were wounded by gently rubbing needles together. Five non-inoculated plants, with wounded and non-wounded branches, were kept as controls. Inoculations were carried out at 16.5 to 18.5°C. A suspension of S. polyspora conidia was made by adding 1 to 2 ml sterile water to the spore mass on 1-month-old PDA cultures in 9-cm petri dishes. Inoculum (10⁷ spores/ml) was applied on the needles with a soft paint brush. After inoculation plants were covered with polythene bags for 5 days, kept at temperatures ranging from 5.5 to 26.4°C (average 14.5°C), and watered as needed. The inoculation trial was repeated once. All inoculated plants, both wounded and non-wounded, developed leaf yellowing and browning since the fifth day after inoculation in both inoculation tests, while control plants remained symptomless. After 15 days from first symptom appearance, S. polyspora was re-isolated from the needles of inoculated plants according to the procedure already described. S. polyspora is associated with current season needle necrosis (CSNN) on various conifer species. P. halepensis was reported in Spain to be a susceptible host (2) and S. polyspora has been isolated from infected tissues of fir (Abies spp.) (3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of S. polyspora on P. halepensis in Italy. Control of the pathogen with fungicides was ineffective on fir species, while application of very high rates of calcium chloride during shoot elongation was able to reduce the severity of CSNN (3). In forest areas, municipality gardens, and parks, effective management strategies have not yet been developed. References: (1) S. F. Altschul et al. Nucleic Acids Res. 25:3389, 1997. (2) L. Botella et al. Fungal Diversity 40:1, 2010. (3) V. Talgø et al. Fungal Biol. 114:545, 2010.

Pathogenicity and Host-Parasite Relationships of Meloidogyne arenaria in Sweet Basil

Stunted growth of sweet basil (cv. Genovese) associated with large patches and severe soil infestations by the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne arenaria race 2 were observed in open fields at the end of the crop-growing season in Albenga, province of Savona, Northern Italy by early September 2007. Observed morphological traits of nematode life stages and results of analysis of isozyme electrophoretic patterns and differential host tests were used for nematode species and race identification. Nematode-induced mature galls (either in naturally infected plants or in artificially inoculated root tissues) were spherical or ellipsoidal and confluent along the root axis, containing usually several females, males, and egg-masses with eggs. Feeding sites were characterized by the development of giant cells that contained several hypertrophied nuclei and nucleoli. Giant cell cytoplasm was aggregated along the thickened cell walls. Vascular elements within galls appeared disorganized and disrupted. Due to the heavy damage observed, the relationships between the initial population density and growth of basil plants was also tested in a greenhouse experiment in which inoculum levels varied from 0 to 512 eggs and juveniles/cm³ of soil. Height and top fresh weight data of the inoculated and control plants was fitted to Seinhorst's model. Tolerance limits with respect to plant height and fresh top weight of basil cv. Genovese plants to M. arenaria race 2 were estimated as 0.15 eggs and juveniles/cm³ of soil. The minimum relative values (m) for plant height and top fresh weight were 0.39 and 0.19 at initial nematode population density (Pi) ≥16 eggs and juveniles/cm³ of soil, respectively. The maximum nematode reproduction rate (Pf/Pi) was 448.7 times at an initial population density of 4 eggs and second-stage juveniles/cm³ of soil.

First Report of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Lantana camara in Italy

Lantana camara L. is grown as an ornamental potted plant in Liguria (northern Italy) and is widely used in private and public gardens in central and southern Italy. In some countries, this plant is considered a noxious weed. In the winter of 2007, a sudden wilt was observed on 22-month-old potted plants grown in a commercial greenhouse. Affected plants showed stem necrosis and watery and necrotic leaf tissues. As stem and foliar necrosis progressed, infected plants died. Some plants wilted unilaterally. Infected plants were characterized by the presence of whitish and cottony mycelium. Dark sclerotia were rapidly and abundantly produced on the mycelium. The diseased stem tissue was surface sterilized for 1 min in 1% NaOCl and plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with 100 mg/l of streptomycin sulfate. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary (2) was consistently recovered from infected stem pieces. Typical-sized sclerotia were produced on PDA and measured 1.4 to 7.3 × 1.9 to 8.1 (average 3.6 × 4.5) mm. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA was amplified using the primers ITS4/ITS6 and sequenced. BLAST analysis (1) of the 506-bp segment showed a 100% homology with the sequence of S. sclerotiorum. The nucleotide sequence has been assigned GenBank Accession No. EU 627006. Pathogenicity of two isolates obtained from infected plants was confirmed by inoculating 10 15-month-old plants grown singly in 14-cm-diameter pots. Mycelium plugs, 1 cm², were excised from a 10-day-old PDA culture of each isolate and were placed on the soil surface around the base of each plant. Ten noninoculated plants served as controls. Plants were maintained in a greenhouse under shade at temperatures ranging between 10 and 26°C (average 17°C) and relative humidity >85%. The inoculation trial was carried out twice. All inoculated plants developed leaf yellowing by 10 days after inoculation. White, cottony mycelium and black sclerotia developed on stems and at the base of all inoculated plants. Eventually, the infected plants wilted. Control plants remained symptomless. S. sclerotiorum was reisolated from the stems of inoculated plants. To our knowledge, this is the first report of L. camara as a host of S. sclerotiorum in Italy as well as worldwide. The economic importance of this disease is currently limited. References: (1) S. F. Altschul et al. Nucleic Acids Res. 25:3389, 1997. (2) N. F. Buchwald. Kongl. Veterisk Landb. Aarssk. 75, 1949.

First Report of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Calceolaria integrifolia in Italy

Calceolaria integrifolia L. is an ornamental species grown as a potted plant in Liguria, northern Italy. In the winter of 2006, extensive chlorosis was observed on approximately 10% of the 10-month-old potted plants in a commercial greenhouse. Initial symptoms included stem necrosis and darkening of leaves. As stem and foliar necrosis progressed, infected plants wilted and died. Wilt occurred on young plants within a few days after the initial appearance of symptoms. Infected plants were characterized by the presence of soft, watery tissues that became covered with white mycelium and dark sclerotia. The diseased stem tissue was surface sterilized for 1 min in 1% NaOCl and plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with 100 mg/liter of streptomycin sulfate. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary (3) was consistently recovered from infected stem pieces. Sclerotia observed on infected plants measured 0.7 to 1.0 × 2.8 to 4.4 mm (average 1.6 to 2.1 mm). Sclerotia produced on PDA measured 1.0 to 1.1 × 3.0 to 4.2 mm (average 1.7 to 2.3 mm). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA was amplified with primers ITS4/ITS6 and sequenced. BLASTn analysis (1) of the 522-bp amplicon resulted in 100% homology with the sequence of S. sclerotiorum. The nucleotide sequence has been assigned GenBank Accession No. EU 627004. Pathogenicity of two isolates obtained from infected plants was confirmed by inoculating 10 120-day-old plants grown in individual 14-cm-diameter pots maintained in a greenhouse under partial shade. Inoculum consisted of 1 cm² of mycelial plugs excised from a 10-day-old PDA culture of each isolate. Plants were inoculated by placing a mycelial plug on the soil surface around the base of each plant. Ten plants were inoculated per isolate and an equal number of noninoculated plants served as controls. The trial was repeated once. All plants were kept at temperatures ranging between 8 and 17°C (average 12.5°C) and watered as needed. All inoculated plants developed leaf yellowing within 8 days after inoculation, soon followed by the appearance of white mycelium and sclerotia, and then by wilt. Control plants remained symptomless. S. sclerotiorum was reisolated from the stems of inoculated plants. S. sclerotiorum was reported previously on a Calceolaria sp. in the United States (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of white mold on C. integrifolia in Italy. The economic importance of this disease is currently limited. References (1) S. F. Altschul et al. Nucleic Acids Res. 25:3389, 1997. (2) Anonymous. USDA Agric. Handb. 165:441, 1960. (3) N. F. Buchwald. Den. Kgl. Veterin.er-og Landbohojskoles Aarsskrift 75, 1949.

Powdery Mildew Caused by Golovinomyces cichoracearum on Paris Daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens) in Italy

Paris daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens), also known as Marguerite daisy, is an economically important crop in the Riviera Ligure (northern Italy) where approximately 18 million potted plants per year are produced for export. During the fall and winter of 2007, Paris daisy 'Bright Carmen' plants, started in a greenhouse and growing outside in a commercial nursery at Albenga, showed a previously unknown powdery mildew. Young stems, particularly in the interior portions of the plant, were covered with a white mycelium. As the disease progressed, leaves became covered with the mycelium, resulting in smaller, chlorotic leaves. Conidia were hyaline, cylindrical, borne in chains (two to three conidia per chain) and measured 30 × 12 μm (20 to 34 × 10 to 15 μm). Conidia were generated by conidiophores represented by a foot cell measuring 55 to 101 × 11 to 12 μm followed by two shorter cells measuring 19 to 29 × 11 to 14 and 24 to 33 × 12 to 14 μm. Fibrosin bodies were absent. Chasmothecia were not observed in the collected samples. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA was amplified using primers ITS4/ITS6 and sequenced. BLASTn analysis (1) of the 441 bp showed a 100% homology with the sequence of Golovinomyces cichoracearum (= Erysiphe cichoracearum) (3). The nucleotide sequence has been assigned GenBank Accession No. EU486992. Pathogenicity was confirmed through inoculation by gently pressing diseased leaves onto leaves of healthy Paris daisy plants of cvs. Blazer Rose, Bright Carmine, Cherry Harmony, Crowned Rose, Fulvia, Sole Mio, Stella 2000, Summit Pink, and Sun Light. Three plants per cultivar were inoculated, while the same number served as noninoculated controls. The pathogenicity test was carried out twice. Plants were maintained in a greenhouse at temperatures ranging from 15 to 21°C. Fifteen days after inoculation, typical symptoms of powdery mildew developed on inoculated plants of all cultivars, with the exception of Stella 2000. The fungus observed on inoculated plants was morphologically identical to that originally observed. Noninoculated plants did not show symptoms. To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew on A. frutescens in Italy. G. cichoracearum has been reported on Chrysanthemum frutescens in Switzerland (2). The economic impact of this disease is limited but can easily increase because of the intensive cultivation of this crop. The availability of resistant or partially resistant cultivars will help reduce the impact of this new disease. Voucher specimens are available at the AGROINNOVA Collection, University of Torino. References: (1) S. F. Altschul et al. Nucleic Acids Res. 25:3389, 1997. (2) A. Bolay, Cryptogam. Helv. 20:1, 2005. (3) U. Braun and S. Takamatsu. Schlechtendalia 4:1, 2000.

First Report of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on African Daisy (Osteospermum sp.) in Italy

African daisy (Osteospermum sp.) is an ornamental plant grown in the winter as a potted plant in Liguria (northern Italy) and is generally marketed in early-to-late spring in Italy and central and northern Europe. In the winter of 2006, stem lesions, general chlorosis, wilt, and plant death occurred in a greenhouse nursery. Affected plants were characterized by the presence of soft, watery tissues. Necrotic tissues were covered with a white, cottony mycelium. During periods of high humidity, black sclerotia differentiated within the mycelium. To recover the pathogen, diseased stem tissue was surface sterilized for 1 min in 1% NaOCl and plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with 100 mg/l of streptomycin sulfate. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary (2) was consistently isolated from affected tissue. Sclerotia produced on PDA measured 1.3 to 3.1 × 1.5 to 3.5 mm in diameter. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA was amplified using primers ITS4/ITS6 and then sequenced. BLASTn analysis (1) of the 633 bp showed a 100% identity with S. sclerotiorum. The nucleotide sequence was assigned GenBank Accession No. EU 556701. Pathogenicity of two isolates obtained from infected plants was confirmed by inoculating 10 80-day-old plants grown in 14-cm-diameter pots. Inoculum consisted of 1 cm² of mycelium excised from a 10-day-old PDA culture of each isolate and placed on the soil surface around the base of each plant. Ten plants were inoculated with each isolate and 10 noninoculated plants served as controls. Plants were maintained in a greenhouse under shade at temperatures of 10 to 22°C (average 19°C), in high relative humidity (>90%), and were watered as needed. The trial was conducted twice. All inoculated plants developed leaf yellowing within 12 days of inoculation. White, cottony mycelium and black sclerotia developed on stems and at the base of all inoculated plants, which eventually wilted. Control plants remained symptomless. S. sclerotiorum was reisolated from the stems of inoculated plants. This disease has been reported on an Osteospermum sp. in the United States (3) and Argentina (4). To our knowledge, this is the first report of white mold on an Osteospermum sp. in Italy as well as in Europe. Currently, the economic importance of this disease is limited. References: (1) S. F. Altschul et al. Nucleic Acids Res. 25:3389, 1997. (2) N. F. Buchwald. Den. Kgl. Veterin.er-og Landbohojskoles Aarsskrift. 75, 1949. (3) H. S. Gill. Plant Dis. Rep. 59:82, 1975. (4) E. R. Wright et al. Plant Dis. 89:1014, 2005.

Fusarium Wilt of Gerbera Caused by a Fusarium sp. in Brazil

In 2006, gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) plants, cvs. Basic, Xena, and Olimpia grown for cut flower production in two greenhouse farms in the region of Guarapuava, Paraná, Brazil, exhibited symptoms of a wilt disease. Affected plants (approximately 20, 60, and 50% on cvs. Basic, Xena, and Olimpia, respectively) were stunted and developed yellow leaves unilaterally with initially brown and eventually black streaks in the vascular system. The first symptoms occurred 2 months after transplanting during the hottest period of the summer with an average air temperature of 27°C. Vascular streaks in the yellow leaves were continuous with a brown discoloration in the vascular system of the crown and upper taproot. Occasionally, the leaves of affected plants turned red. A Fusarium sp. was consistently and readily isolated onto a Fusarium-selective medium from symptomatic vascular tissue sampled from the crown of infected plants. Colonies were identified as Fusarium oxysporum on the basis of colony and conidia morphology (1) after subculturing on potato dextrose agar. Since F. oxysporum f. sp. chrysanthemi has been previously reported on Chrysanthemum morifolium, Argyranthemum frutescens, and gerbera (4), pathogenicity tests were carried out by using one monoconidial isolate obtained from wilted plants and one Italian isolate (F. oxysporum f. sp. chrysanthemi MASS 6). The isolates of F. oxysporum were grown in casein hydrolysate in shake culture (90 rpm) for 10 days at 25°C with 12 h of fluorescent light per day. Healthy rooted plants of 30-, 20-, and 45-day-old C. morifolium (cv. Captiva), A. frutescens (cv. Stella 2000), and gerbera (cvs. Jaska, Dalma, and Excellence), respectively, were inoculated by separately dipping roots into a conidial suspension (5 × 10⁷ conidia/ml) of the two isolates of F. oxysporum. Plants were transplanted (one plant per pot) into pots (3.5 liter vol). Noninoculated plants served as control treatments. Plants (15 per treatment) were grown in a glasshouse at an average day temperature of 32°C and night temperature of 23°C (minimum 21°C and maximum 43°C). Wilt symptoms and discoloration of the vascular system in roots, crown, and petioles developed within 29 days on C. morifolium, 26 days on A. frutescens, and 14 days on gerbera. Noninoculated plants remained healthy. F. oxysporum was consistently reisolated from infected plants. The pathogenicity test was carried out twice. Gerbera wilt caused by F. oxysporum f. sp. chrysanthemi was recently reported in Italy (2) and Spain (3). Currently, the wilt of gerbera in the area of Paraná is limited to two farms. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the disease in Brazil as well as in South America. References: (1) C. Booth. Fusarium. CMI, Kew, UK, 1977. (2) A. Garibaldi et al. Plant Dis. 88:311, 2004. (3) A. Garibaldi et al. Plant Dis. 91:638, 2007. (4) A. Minuto et al. J. Phytopathol. 155:373, 2007.

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Golovinomyces cichoracearum on English Daisy (Bellis perennis) in Italy

Bellis perennis (English daisy) is a flowering plant belonging to the Asteraceae and is increasingly grown as a potted plant in Liguria (northern Italy). In February 2007, severe outbreaks of a previously unknown powdery mildew were observed on plants in commercial farms at Albenga (northern Italy). Both surfaces of leaves of affected plants were covered with white mycelia and conidia. As the disease progressed, infected leaves turned yellow. Mycelia and conidia also were observed on stems and flower calyxes. Conidia were hyaline, ellipsoid, borne in chains (as many as three conidia per chain), and measured 27.7 × 16.9 (15.0 to 45.0 × 10.0 to 30.0) μm. Conidiophores measured 114.0 × 12.0 (109.0 to 117.0 × 11.0 to 13.0) μm and showed a foot cell measuring 78.0 × 11.0 (72.0 to 80.0 × 11.0 to 12.0) μm followed by two shorter cells. Fibrosin bodies were absent. Chasmothecia were not observed in the collected samples. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA was amplified using primers ITS4/ITS6 and sequenced. BLASTn analysis (1) of the 415 bp obtained showed an E-value of 7e^-155 with Golovinomyces cichoracearum (3). The nucleotide sequence has been assigned the GenBank Accession No. AB077627.1 Pathogenicity was confirmed through inoculations by gently pressing diseased leaves onto leaves of healthy B. perennis plants. Twenty plants were inoculated. Fifteen noninoculated plants served as a control. Plants were maintained in a greenhouse at temperatures ranging from 10 to 30°C. Seven days after inoculation, typical symptoms of powdery mildew developed on inoculated plants. The fungus observed on inoculated plants was morphologically identical to that originally observed. Noninoculated plants did not show symptoms. The pathogenicity test was carried out twice. To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew on B. perennis in Italy. The disease was already reported in other European countries (2). Voucher specimens are available at the AGROINNOVA Collection, University of Torino. References: (1) S. F. Altschul et al. Nucleic Acids Res. 25:3389, 1997. (2) U. Braun The Powdery Mildews (Erysiphales) of Europe. Gustav Fischer Verlag, Jena, Germany, 1995. (3) U. Braun and S. Takamatsu. Schlechtendalia 4:1, 2000.

First Report of Syringae Leaf Spot Caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae on Tomato in Italy

In the spring of 2006 and 2007, grafted and nongrafted tomato plants (scion cv. Cuore di Bue, rootstock Lycopersicon lycopersicum × L. hirsutum cv. Beaufort) displaying stem and petiole necrosis were observed in many commercial greenhouses in the Piedmont of northern Italy. Initial symptoms that developed 2 to 10 days after transplanting consisted of water-soaked circular lesions (2 to 3 mm in diameter) on stems and petioles. These lesions eventually coalesced into brown-to-black areas as much as 1 cm in diameter. In some cases, necrotic areas progressed from stem petioles to leaf tissues. Thereafter, plants wilted and died within a few days. In some greenhouses, more than 80% of young plants exhibited symptoms and production was severely reduced. Two to three sections of symptomatic tissue from stems and petioles from 20 affected plants were surface disinfested in 0.5% NaOCl for 1 min and repeatedly washed in sterile deionized water. Samples were macerated in nutrient yeast dextrose broth, streaked onto nutrient yeast dextrose agar (NYDA), and incubated at 22 ± 1°C for 48 h. Light yellow colonies typical of Pseudomonas spp. were consistently isolated on NYDA. All colonies fluoresced under UV light when grown on King's B medium (3). Colonies were levan positive, oxidase negative, potato soft rot negative, arginine dihydrase negative, and tobacco hypersensitivity positive (LOPAT test; group Ia). In addition, all isolates were positive for arbutin and aesculin hydrolysis and utilized erythitol, but not adonitol, l(+)-tartrate or dl-homoserine as a carbon source. The isolates also caused severe necrotic lesions on lemon fruits and lilac leaves (4). The bacterial colonies were identified as Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae (1). Also, repetitive-sequence PCR using the BOXA1R primer indicated that the isolates belong to pattern 4 of P. syringae pv. syringae (4). The pathogenicity of three isolates was tested twice by growing the bacterium in nutrient broth shake cultures for 48 h, pelleting the suspension, resuspending the cell pellet in sterile water to a concentration of 10⁶ CFU/ml, and spraying 35-day-old healthy tomato plants (cv. Cuore di Bue) with the inoculum. Ten grafted and 10 nongrafted plants were inoculated, and the same number of plants was sprayed with sterile nutrient broth as a control. After inoculation, plants were covered with plastic bags for 48 h and placed in the greenhouse at 22 ± 1°C. Six days postinoculation, stem lesions, similar to those seen in the field, and leaf spots were observed on all bacteria-inoculated plants, but not on the controls. Leaf tissues did not develop symptoms. Isolations were made from the lesion margins and the resulting bacterial colonies were again identified as P. syringae pv. syringae. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Syringae leaf spot caused by P. syringae pv. syringae in Italy as well as in Europe. A bacterial spot of tomato caused by P. syringae pv. syringae has been reported in the United States (2). References: (1) A. Braun-Kiewnick and D. C. Sands. Pseudomonas. Page 84 in: Laboratory Guide for the Identification of Plant Pathogenic Bacteria. 3rd ed. N. W. Schaad et al., eds. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN, 2001. (2) J. B. Jones et al. Phytopathology, 71:1281, 1981. (3) E. O. King et al. J. Lab. Clinic. Med. 44:301, 1954. (4) M. Scortichini et al. Plant Pathol. 52:277, 2003.

First Report of White Mold Caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Oreganum vulgare and Taraxacum officinale in Italy

Oreganum vulgare (wild marjoram) and Taraxacum officinale (dandelion) plants with culinary and medicinal uses are grown in the field and as potted plants in Liguria in northern Italy. In the spring of 2006, extensive chlorosis was observed on both crops on commercial farms. Economic losses were low. Symptoms included foliar necrosis and a watery decay of the stem at the soil level. Necrotic tissues became covered with a whitish mycelium that produced dark sclerotia. Eventually, affected plants wilted and died. Samples of diseased stem tissue were surface sterilized for 1 min in 1% NaOCl and plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with 100 mg/l of streptomycin sulfate. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary (1) was consistently recovered from diseased stem pieces. Sclerotia from infected O. vulgare plants measured 1.8 to 3.4 × 1.8 to 6.1 (average 2.5 to 3.6) mm. Sclerotia from these isolates measured 1.3 to 4.7 × 1.6 to 6.1 (average 2.7 to 3.4) mm on PDA. Sclerotia from infected T. officinale plants measured 1.8 to 3.4 × 1.8 to 6.1 (average 2.5 to 3.6) mm. Sclerotia from these isolates measured 1.7 to 5.2 × 2.0 to 5.7 (average 3.3 to 3.8) mm on PDA. Pathogenicity of three isolates obtained from O. vulgare and three isolates from T. officinale was confirmed on each host. Inoculum consisted of 1 cm² of mycelial plugs excised from a 10-day-old PDA culture of each isolate. Plants were inoculated by placing a mycelial plug on the soil surface around the base of each plant. Ten plants were inoculated per isolate and an equal number of noninoculated plants served as controls. Plants were incubated at 10 to 27°C (average 18°C) and watered as needed. Pathogenicity tests were repeated once. All inoculated plants developed chlorosis within 12 to 18 days, followed by the appearance of white mycelium and sclerotia, and eventually wilt. Control plants remained symptomless. S. sclerotiorum was reisolated from inoculated plants of both hosts. To our knowledge, this is the first report of white mold on O. vulgare in Italy as well as worldwide and the first report of white mold on T. officinale in Italy. S. sclerotiorum is a well known pathogen of T. officinale (2) and its use as a mycoherbicide has been proposed (3). References: (1) N. F. Buchwald. Page 75. Den. Kgl. Veterin.er-og Landbohojskoles Aarsskrift, 1949. (2) D. M. McLean. Plant Dis. Rep. 35:162, 1951 (3) G. E. Riddle et al. Weed Sci. 39:109, 1991.

Fusarium Wilt of Gerbera in Spain in Soilless Crops

In 2004, gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii cv. Excellence) plants, grown for cut flowers, were observed in a soilless cultivation system (coconut fiber substrate) in one farm in the Cadiz area (southwestern Spain) exhibiting symptoms of a wilt disease. Gerbera represents a relevant crop for the industry in the region, after rose and carnation. Affected plants were stunted and developed yellow leaves with initially brown and eventually black streaks in the vascular system. The vascular streaks in the yellow leaves were continuous with a brown discoloration in the vascular system of the crown and upper taproot. In some cases, the leaves of affected plants turned red. Fusarium spp. was consistently and readily isolated from symptomatic vascular tissue of infected plants onto a Fusarium-selective medium (3). Colonies were identified as F. oxysporum after subculturing on potato dextrose agar on the basis of morphological observations. Pathogenicity tests were carried out by using two monoconidial isolates, compared with an Italian one, obtained from wilted gerbera plants. Each isolate of F. oxysporum was grown in shake culture (90 rpm) for 10 days on casein hydrolysate at 25°C with 12 h of fluorescent light per day. Healthy rooted 30-day-old plants (cv. Jaska), were inoculated by dipping roots into a conidial suspension (5 × 10⁷ conidia/ml) in one of the three test isolates of F. oxysporum. Plants were transplanted (1 plant per pot) into pots (3.5 liter vol.) containing rockwool-based substrate. Noninoculated plants served as control treatments. Plants (15 per treatment) were grown in a glasshouse at an average day temperature of 30°C and night temperature of 24°C (minimum of 22°C and maximum of 41°C). Wilt symptoms and vascular discoloration in the roots, crown, and veins developed within 30 days on each inoculated plant, while noninoculated plants remained healthy. F. oxysporum was consistently reisolated from infected plants. The pathogenicity test was conducted twice. A wilt of gerbera was described in the Netherlands in 1952 (1) but its presence was not confirmed in further observations (4). Gerbera wilt was recently reported in Italy (2) and identified as F. oxysporum f. sp. chrysanthemi (A. Garibaldi, personal communication). Currently, the wilt of gerbera in Spain is limited to a few farms and a very limited percent (2 to 3%) of plants. References: (1) J. Arx and J. A. von Tijdschr. PlZiekt. 58:5, 1952. (2) A. Garibaldi et al. Plant Dis. 88:311, 2004. (3) H. Komada. Rev. Plant Prot. Res. 8:114, 1975. (4) G. Scholten. Neth. J. Plant Pathol. 76:212, 1970.

First Report of White Mold Caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Iberis sempervirens in Italy

Iberis sempervirens (candytuft) is an ornamental plant that thrives in cool conditions, and its growth as a potted plant has been increasing in Liguria (northern Italy). In the spring of 2004, extensive chlorosis was observed on 10-month-old potted plants of I. sempervirens grown in a plastichouse on a commercial farm near Albenga in northern Italy. Initial symptoms included stem necrosis at the soil level and darkening of leaves. As stem and foliar necrosis progressed, infected plants wilted and died. Wilt occurred within a few days on young plants, characterized by the presence of soft, watery tissues, particularly on affected leaves. Symptomatic plants were found on many farms, with an average disease incidence of 5 to 10%. Necrotic tissues became covered with a whitish mycelium that produced dark sclerotia. The diseased stem tissue was surface sterilized for 1 min in 1% NaOCl and plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with 100 ppm of streptomycin sulfate. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary (1) was consistently recovered from infected stem pieces. Sclerotia observed on infected plants measured 1.4 to 3.2 × 2.1 to 4.1 mm (average 2.1 to 2.7 mm). Sclerotia produced on PDA measured 1.2 to 4.2 × 1.4 to 6.1 mm (average 2.5 to 3.1 mm). Pathogenicity of three isolates obtained from infected plants and used in a mixture was confirmed by inoculating 10 single-potted 120-day-old plants grown in 18-cm diameter pots maintained outside under shade. Inoculum that consisted of 1 cm² of mycelium excised from a 10-day-old PDA culture plate of each isolate was placed on the soil surface around the base of each plant. Ten noninoculated plants served as control. The inoculation trial was repeated once. All plants were kept at temperatures ranging between 8 and 17°C (average 12.5°C) and watered as needed. All inoculated plants developed symptoms of leaf yellowing within 18 days, soon followed by the appearance of white mycelium and sclerotia, and then eventual wilt. Control plants remained symptomless. S. sclerotiorum was reisolated from the stems of inoculated plants. S. sclerotiorum has been previously reported only on I. umbellata (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of white mold on I. sempervirens in Italy as well as worldwide. The economic importance of this disease can be considered low at the moment in the case of field-grown plants. References: (1) N. F. Buchwald. Den. Kgl. Veterin.er-og Landbohojskoles Aarsskrift 75, 1949. (2) J. M. Waterston. Report of the Plant Pathologist, 1946. Dep. Agric. Bermuda, 1947.

First Report of Downy Mildew Caused by Peronospora parasitica on Iberis sempervirens in Italy

Iberis sempervirens (evergreen candytuft) is a garden species belonging to the Brassicaceae family. During June 2004, a damaging foliar disease was observed in several commercial farms near Albenga (northern Italy) on I. sempervirens plants grown outdoors in containers. More than 30% of the plants were affected. Symptoms appeared on both sides of leaves, buds, flowers, and fruits. Initially, leaves were slightly chlorotic, but within 5 to 7 days a characteristic whitish furry growth developed on the lower and upper leaf surfaces. The efflorescence was particularly evident on the lower surfaces of leaves and consisted of sporangiophores and sporangia. The appearance and severity of the disease increased because of overhead sprinkler irrigation. Microscopic observations revealed dichotomously branched sporangiophores with slender curved tips. Sporangiophores with a length of 115 to 410 μm (average 295 μm) ended with sterigmata bearing single sporangia. Sporangia were ovoid and measured 18 to 28 × 25 to 45 μm (average 22 × 35 μm). The pathogen was identified as Peronospora parasitica on the basis of its morphological characteristics (3). Pathogenicity was confirmed by inoculating leaves of 10 45-day-old healthy plants grown in 14-cm-diameter pots with a sporangial suspension (1 × 10³ conidia/ml). Ten noninoculated plants served as controls. Plants were maintained outdoors at 50% light intensity with temperatures ranging between 16 and 25°C (average 18°C) and 85 to 100% relative humidity. The pathogenicity test was carried out twice. After 18 days, typical symptoms of downy mildew developed on the inoculated plants and P. parasitica was observed on the leaves. Noninoculated plants did not show symptoms. To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. parasitica on evergreen candytuft in Italy. P. parasitica was previously reported on I. sempervirens in the United Kingdom (1) and on I. amara in California (2). Voucher specimens are available at the AGROINNOVA Collection, University of Torino, Italy. References: (1) S. Francis and G. Waterhouse. Trans. Br. Mycol. Soc. 91:1, 1988. (2) P. R. Muller et al. Index of Plant Diseases in the United States. USDA Handbook No. 165, 1960. (3) D. M. Spencer. The Downy Mildews. Academic Press, New York, 1981.

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Leveillula clavata on Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) in Italy

Euphorbia pulcherrima (poinsettia) is a winter-flowering plant grown primarily for Christmas sales. During the fall of 2005, severe outbreaks of a previously unknown powdery mildew were observed on cv. Gala in a commercial greenhouse located in Albenga (northern Italy). The abaxial surfaces of green leaves were irregularly covered with white mycelia and conidia, while the adaxial surfaces only showed slight chlorotic round lesions. As the disease progressed, mycelium turned from rose to reddish. Symptoms and signs were never observed on red bracts. Conidia were clavate (55 to 95 × 20 to 40 μm, average 70 × 23 μm) and borne singly on conidiophores that emerged through stomata. On the basis of host, morphological characteristics, and microscopic observations of the intercellular colonization of mesophyll cells, the pathogen was identified as a species of Oidiopsis. Although chasmothecia were not observed, the causal agent based on the literature is believed to be Leveillula clavata Nour (2). Pathogenicity was confirmed by inoculating young leaves of three 4-month-old E. pulcherrima plants, cv. Gala, with a conidial suspension (3 × 10⁵ conidia/ml). Three noninoculated plants sprayed with deionized water served as control. After inoculation, plants were maintained in a growth chamber at 18°C with relative humidity ranging from 56 to 100%. After 20 days, powdery mildew symptoms were observed on leaves of inoculated plants. Noninoculated plants remained healthy. The pathogenicity test was carried out twice. To our knowledge, this is the first report of L. clavata on poinsettia in Italy and probably in Europe. It presently is restricted to a few commercial farms. L. clavata previously has been observed on poinsettia in Kenya (1,2). Voucher specimens are available at the AGROINNOVA Collection, University of Torino. References: (1) M. L. Daughtrey et al. Powdery Mildew Diseases. Pages 39-42 in: Compendium of Flowering Potted Plant Diseases. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN, 1995. (2) M. A. Nour. Trans. Brit. Mycol. Soc. 40:477, 1957.

Leaf Spot Caused by Alternaria sp. on Iberis sempervirens in Italy

Iberis sempervirens (candytuft) is increasingly grown in Liguria (northern Italy) as a potted plant for ornamental purposes, particularly under cool-weather conditions. At the end of the summer of 2003, extensive necrosis was observed on leaves and young stems of 4-month-old plants grown in 14-cm diameter pots outdoors at a commercial farm. In many cases, on the upper side of the leaves, necrotic spots were surrounded by a chlorotic halo that turned progressively black. The necrotic areas often coalesced, generating larger and irregularly shaped spots. On the lower side of the leaves, no chlorotic areas were observed. Severely affected plants were defoliated. Infected plants rarely died, but the presence of lesions on mature plants decreased aesthetic quality and subsequently market value. The disease occurred on 40% of plants at each of the two farms. Leaf spots contained dark brown, multicellular pear-shaped conidia. Conidia were 22.5 to 50.0 μm (average 32.8 μm) long and 7.5 to 15.0 μm (average 12.3 μm) wide, with 5 to 7 longitudinal cross walls and an average of 6 to 7 single cells. From infected leaves, a fungus identified on the basis of its morphological characteristics as Alternaria sp. was consistently isolated on potato dextrose agar. Pathogenicity tests were performed by spraying leaves of healthy 12-month-old potted I. sempervirens plants with a spore and mycelial suspension (10⁵ CFU/ml). Plants without inoculation served as control. Ten plants were used for each treatment. Plants were covered with plastic bags for 10 days after inoculation and kept outdoors for 60 days at temperatures ranging from 0 to 32°C (average 12°C). The first lesions developed on leaves 45 days after inoculation, while control plants remained healthy. From such lesions, Alternaria sp. was consistently reisolated. The pathogenicity test was carried out twice. The presence of A. brassicae was reported in Tanganica on Iberis sp., I. umbellata in Denmark (2), and I. amara in the United States (4); A. matthiolae was observed on seeds of I. amara and I. umbellata (3). A leaf spot incited by Alternaria sp. on I. amara was observed in Florida (1). This is, to our knowledge, the first report of Alternaria sp. on I. sempervirens in Italy as well as worldwide. References: (1) S. A. Alfieri et al. Index of Plant Diseases in Florida. Bull. 11, 1984. (2) P. Neergaard. Rev. Appl. Micol. 18:572, 1939. (3) P. Neergaard. Rev. Appl. Micol. 25:382, 1946). (4) R. D. Raabe. Comb. Proc. Int. Plant Propagators Soc. 40:160, 1991.

First Report of Sclerotinia Stem Rot and Watery Soft Rot Caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Sand Rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia) in Italy

Several species of Diplotaxis (D. tenuifolia, D. erucoides, and D. muralis), known as wild or sand rocket, are widely cultivated in Italy. Rocket is used in Mediterranean cuisine as salad, a component of packaged salad products, and as a garnish for food. In winter 2003, a severe disease was observed on D. tenuifolia grown in unheated glasshouses on commercial farms near Albenga in northern Italy. Initial symptoms included stem necrosis at the soil level and darkening of leaves. As stem necrosis progressed, infected plants wilted and died. Wilt, characterized by the presence of soft and watery tissues, occurred within a few days on young plants. The disease was extremely severe in the presence of high relative humidity and mild temperature (15°C). Necrotic tissues became covered with white mycelium that produced dark sclerotia. Diseased stem tissue was disinfested for 1 min in 1% NaOCl and plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with 100 ppm streptomycin sulfate. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (1) was consistently recovered from infected stem pieces. Sclerotia observed on infected plants measured 1.23 to 3.00 × 1.40 to 5.38 mm (average 2.10 × 2.85 mm). Sclerotia produced on PDA measured 1.00 to 4.28 × 1.00 to 6.01 mm (average 2.38 × 3.23 mm). Pathogenicity of three isolates obtained from infected plants was confirmed by inoculating 30-day-old plants of D. tenuifolia grown in 18-cm-diameter pots in a glasshouse. Inoculum, 2 g per pot of wheat kernels infested with mycelium and sclerotia of each isolate, was placed on the soil surface around the base of each plant. Three replicates of five pots each were used per isolate. Noninoculated plants served as controls. The inoculation trial was repeated once. All plants were kept at temperatures ranging between 10 and 26°C (average 15°C) with an average relative humidity of 80% and were watered as needed. Inoculated plants developed symptoms of leaf yellowing within 12 days, soon followed by the appearance of white mycelium and sclerotia, and eventually wilted. Control plants remained symptomless. S. sclerotiorum was reisolated from inoculated plants. To our knowledge, this is the first report of infection of D. tenuifolia by S. sclerotiorum in Italy as well as worldwide. The disease currently has been observed in the Liguria Region but not yet in other areas where sand rocket is cultivated. The economic importance of this disease for the crop can be considered medium at the moment, but is expected to increase in the future. Reference: (1) N. F. Buchwald. Den. Kgl. Veterin.er-og Landbohojskoles Aarsskrift, 75, 1949.

First Report of White Mold Caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Rosmarinus officinalis 'Prostratus' in Italy

Rosmarinus officinalis L. 'Prostratus' is an evergreen shrub that is native to the Mediterranean Region in southern Europe and grown as a potted plant in Italy. This cultivar is widely used in gardens and landscapes. During the winter of 2002, extensive chlorosis was observed on 8-month-old potted plants of R. officinalis L. 'Prostratus' grown outdoors in commercial farms near Albenga in northern Italy. Initial symptoms included stem necrosis at the soil level and darkening of leaves. As stem necrosis progressed, infected plants wilted and died. Wilt, characterized by the presence of soft and watery tissues, occurred within a few days on young plants. The disease infected 15% of the plants. Necrotic tissues became covered with a whitish mycelium that produced dark sclerotia. The diseased stem tissue was surface sterilized for 1 min in 1% NaOCl and plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with 100 ppm of streptomycin sulfate. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (1) was consistently recovered from infected stem pieces. Sclerotia observed on infected plants measured 0.30 to 3.33 × 1.00 to 4.23 mm (average 1.31 × 1.88 mm). Sclerotia produced on PDA measured 0.09 to 3.08 × 0.38 to 4.05 mm (average 1.94 × 2.43 mm). Pathogenicity of three isolates obtained from infected plants and used in mixture was confirmed by inoculating 60-day-old plants grown in 14-cm-diameter pots in a glasshouse. Inoculum (wheat kernels infested with mycelium and sclerotia) for each isolate was placed on the soil surface around the base of each plant. Pathogenicity tests included three inoculated plants grown in separate pots per isolate. Three noninoculated plants grown in three pots served as controls. The inoculation trial was conducted twice. All plants were kept at temperatures ranging between 8 and 34°C (average 18°C) and watered as needed. Plants were covered with plastic for 96 h after inoculation to increase the moisture level. All inoculated plants developed symptoms of leaf yellowing within 30 days, soon followed by the appearance of white mycelium and sclerotia, and eventual wilt. Control plants remained symptomless. S. sclerotiorum was reisolated from the stems of inoculated plants. To our knowledge, this is the first report of white mold of R. officinalis L. 'Prostratus' in Italy and in Europe. S. sclerotiorum has been previously reported on R. officinalis in India (2) and the United States (3). The economic importance of this disease for the crop in Italy can be considered low at the moment. References: (1) N. F. Buchwald. Den. Kgl. Veterin.er-og Landbohojskoles Aarsskrift, 32:75, 1949. (2) L. Mohan. Indian Phytopathol. 47:443, 1994. (3) M. L. Putnam. Plant Pathol. 53:252, 2004.

Verticillium Wilt Incited by Verticillium dahliae in Eggplant Grafted on Solanum torvum in Italy

Eggplant cultivars grafted on rootstocks resistant to root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are increasingly grown in Italy to reduce nematode infection. During the winter of 2003-2004, eggplants (cv Black Bell and Mirabell) grafted on the nematode-resistant rootstock Solanum torvum were observed with symptoms of a wilt disease in several greenhouses in Sicily (southern Italy). The vascular tissue in stems of affected plants appeared brown. These plants were stunted and developed yellow leaves with brown or black streaks in the vascular tissue. The wilt appeared in several greenhouses at a very low incidence (0.01 to 0.05%). Later, during the fall of 2004, disease incidence was approximately ten times greater in the same greenhouses on new crops. Verticillium dahliae was consistently and readily isolated from symptomatic vascular tissue of the rootstock (S. torvum) and the scion (cv Black bell) when cultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA) (1). Healthy, 50-day-old plants of S. torvum and eggplant (cv. Black Bell) were separately inoculated by root dip with a conidial suspension (1 × 10⁷ CFU/ml) of two isolates of V. dahliae obtained from the rootstock and the scion of the infected grafted plants and with a known pathogenic isolate of V. dahliae from nongrafted eggplant. Noninoculated S. torvum and eggplant served as control treatments. Plants (30 per treatment) were grown in a glasshouse at temperatures ranging between 12 and 41°C (weekly average 15 to 36°C) and relative humidity ranging between 36 and 99% (weekly average 54 to 95%). The first wilt symptoms and vascular discoloration in the roots, crowns, and veins developed 26 and 21 days after inoculation on S. torvum and eggplant, respectively. Seventy-two days after inoculation, 20, 26, and 27% of S. torvum plants and 97, 100, and 87% of the eggplants showed symptoms caused by V. dahliae isolates obtained from the scion of diseased grafted plants, the rootstock of diseased grafted plants, and nongrafted eggplants, respectively. Noninoculated plants remained healthy. To our knowledge, this is the first report in Italy of Verticillium wilt on eggplant grafted on S. torvum rootstocks under commercial conditions. Use of eggplant grafted on the nematode-resistant rootstock of S. torvum presents an interesting opportunity to control the root-knot nematode but has to be carefully considered when dealing with soils severely infested by V. dahliae. Reference: (1) G. F. Pegg and B. L. Brady. Verticillium Wilts. CABI Publishing, Wallingford, UK, 2002.

First Report of Downy Mildew Caused by Peronospora sp. on Basil (Ocimum basilicum) in France

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) is an economically important herb in several Mediterranean countries. Approximately 30 ha are grown annually in France for fresh and processed consumption. During the spring and fall of 2004, a damaging foliar disease was observed in some crops near Saint Tropez in the French Riviera Region. More than 50% of plants were affected in an organically produced field-grown crop at an altitude of 250 m. Leaves of infected plants were initially slightly chlorotic, especially near the central vein. Within 2 to 3 days, a characteristic gray, furry growth was evident on the lower leaf surface and sometimes on the upper leaf surface. The appearance and severity of the disease was affected by overhead sprinkler irrigation. Basal leaves were severely affected. Microscopic observations revealed sporangiophores branching two to seven times. Sporangiophores, with a length of 250 to 500 μm (average 350 μm), ended with sterigmata bearing single sporangia. Sporangia measured 15 to 25 × 20 to 35 μm (average 22 × 28 μm), were elliptical and grayish in mass. The pathogen was identified as Peronospora sp. on the basis of its morphological characteristics (4). Pathogenicity was confirmed by inoculating leaves of 40-day-old healthy plants with a sporangial suspension (1 × 10⁵ conidia/ml). Three containers with 150 plants each of O. basilicum cv Genovese gigante were used as replicates. Noninoculated plants served as controls. Plants were maintained in a growth chamber at 20°C (12 h of light per day) and 90 to 95% relative humidity. The pathogenicity test was carried out twice. After 6 days, typical symptoms of downy mildew developed on the inoculated plants, and Peronospora sp. was observed on the leaves. Noninoculated plants did not show symptoms. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Peronospora sp. on basil in France. Peronospora sp. was previously reported on sweet basil in Italy (1) and P. lamii on sweet basil in Uganda (3). Seed transmission (2) is suspected as the reason for recent outbreaks in Europe. References: (1) A. Garibaldi et al. Plant Dis. 88:312, 2004. (2) A. Garibaldi et al. Z. Pflanzenkr. Pflanzenschutz 111:465, 2004 (3) C. G. Hansford. Rev. Appl. Mycol. 12:421, 1933. (4) D. M. Spencer. The Downy Mildews. Academic Press, NY, 1981.

Verticillium Wilt of African Daisy (Osteospermum sp.) in Italy Caused by Verticillium dahliae

During the winter of 2004, container-grown African daisy (Osteospermum sp.) plants, cv Seaside, showing symptoms of a wilt disease were observed in an open field in Albenga located in northern Italy. Symptoms were first observed on 120-day-old plants grown in a peat/composted bark/clay/pumice (50:20:10:20) substrate. The vascular tissues of affected plants appeared brown. These plants were stunted and developed yellow leaves with brown or black streaks in the vascular tissue. Verticillium dahliae was consistently and readily isolated from symptomatic vascular tissue when cultured on potato dextrose agar. Healthy rooted plants (40-day-old cv Seaside) were inoculated by root dip with a conidial suspension (5 × 10⁷ CFU/ml) from one of three isolates of V. dahliae isolated from infected plants and transplanted into pots filled with steam-sterilized soil. Noninoculated plants served as control treatments. Plants (10 per treatment) were grown in a glasshouse at an average temperature of 25°C. First wilt symptoms and vascular discoloration in the roots, crown, and veins developed within 15 days on each inoculated plant and become very evident after 50 days. Noninoculated plants remained healthy. V. dahliae was consistently reisolated from inoculated plants. The pathogenicity test was conducted twice. To our knowledge, this is the first report of V. dahliae on Osteospermum sp. in Italy and in Europe. Verticillium wilt has been previously reported on O. fruticosum in California (1). Reference: (1) A. M. French. California Plant Disease Host Index. Calif. Dep. Food Agric. 1989.

First Report of Southern blight Incited by Sclerotium rolfsii on Dichondra repens in Italy

Kidney weed (Dichondra repens) is increasingly used for low maintenance turf in Italy, particularly for gardens and parks in areas characterized by mild climate. During September 2003, on the D. repens turf of a private garden located near Imperia (northern Italy), yellow, circular areas as much as 60 cm in diameter appeared with the grass becoming chlorotic and thin. A ring of the patch at its periphery exhibited a reddish brown color and eventually died. An area of green grass remained in the center of the patch. Rings of dead grass enlarged rapidly during hot, humid weather. In the presence of abundant moisture, a white mycelium occurred on the dying grass at the periphery of the ring. White or light-to-dark brown sclerotia (1 to 3 mm in diameter) developed from mycelium on the dead grass. The diseased tissue was disinfested for 1 min in 1% NaOCl and plated on potato dextrose agar amended with 100 mg/l of streptomycin sulphate. Sclerotium rolfsii was consistently isolated from infected plants. Pathogenicity of three isolates obtained from infected plants was confirmed by inoculating healthy D. repens turf (1 m² plots and three replicates). Inoculum that consisted of wheat kernels infested with mycelium and sclerotia of each isolate was placed on the soil surface. Noninoculated plots served as controls. The inoculation trial was repeated once. Turf was covered with a plastic film for 7 days, kept at temperatures ranging between 22 and 25°C, and watered as needed. Inoculated plants developed symptoms of leaf yellowing within 11 days, soon followed by the appearance of white mycelium and sclerotia, and then eventually wilted. Control plants remained symptomless. Sclerotium rolfsii was re-isolated from inoculated plants. To our knowledge, this is the first report of S. rolfsii on D. repens in Italy. This disease has been reported on kidney weed in several countries such as the United States (3), Brazil (1), and India (2). References: (1) M. Menezes and J. A. A. Lima. Fitossanidade 1:18, 1974. (2) K. Ranganathan and N. Shanmugam. Indian Phytopathol, 27:113, 1974. (3) J. D. Smith et al. Fungal Diseases of Amenity Turf Grasses. E & F.N. Spon, London, 1989.

First Report of Peronospora parasitica on Wild Rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia) in Italy

Several species of Diplotaxis (D. tenuifolia, D. erucoides, and D. muralis), known as wild rocket, are now widely cultivated in Italy. Wild rocket is used in Mediterranean cuisine as salad, a component of packaged salad products, and as a garnish for food. During the fall of 2002, a foliar disease of D. tenuifolia was observed in the field or greenhouse on several commercial farms in the Liguria Region of northern Italy. Symptoms appeared as small, irregular, dark brown-to-black speckling on the adaxial surfaces of leaves. The speckled areas sometimes expanded into larger spots. These symptoms were followed by leaf yellowing and the appearance of sporangiophores and sporangia on the lower and upper leaf surfaces. Sporangiophores were dichotomously branched with slender curved tips. Sporangia were ovoid, measuring 20 to 28 (average 22) μm long and 15 to 25 (average 19) μm wide. The causal agent of the disease was identified as Peronospora parasitica (3). Pathogenicity was established by inoculating 10 30-day-old plants of D. tenuifolia grown in pots in a peat/pumice/clay/composted bark mix (60:20:10:10), with a conidial suspension (10² conidia per ml). Ten noninoculated plants maintained under the same conditions served as the control. Plants were maintained in a glasshouse at air temperatures ranging between 10 and 26°C (average 16°C) and relative humidity at 85%. The pathogenicity test was done twice. Downy mildew symptoms developed within 12 days, and the same fungus was observed on inoculated plants. Noninoculated plants did not develop symptoms. To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. parasitica on D. tenuifolia in Italy. P. parasitca has been reported as the causal agent of downy mildew on D. muralis in England (1) and on cultivated rocket (Eruca sativa) in California (2). References: (1) J. Fraymouth. Trans. Br. Mycol. Soc. 39:79, 1956. (2) S. T. Koike. Plant Dis. 82:1063, 1998. (3) D. M. Spencer. The Downy Mildews. Academic Press. New York, 1981.

First Report of White Mold Caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Hutchinsia alpina in Italy

Hutchinsia alpina (Chamois cress), a plant belonging to the Brassicaceae family, is cultivated as a potted ornamental plant in Italy. In the winter of 2002, leaves and stems of plants grown in pots (14-cm diameter) in commercial farms near Albenga (northern Italy) developed soft and watery tissues covered with whitish mycelium at the soil line. As necrosis progressed, infected plants wilted and died. Dark sclerotia developed on infected tissues. Because of high planting density, the infection spread very rapidly. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum was consistently recovered from infected stem pieces of H. alpina disinfested 1 min in 1% NaOCl and plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with 100 ppm of streptomycin sulfate. Sclerotia produced on PDA were ellipsoid and measured 1.3 to 9.3 × 1.3 to 4.5 mm (average 3.9 × 2.8 mm) (1). Pathogenicity of three isolates obtained from infected plants grown in a single greenhouse was confirmed by inoculating 90-day-old plants grown in pots (14 cm). Inoculum that consisted of wheat kernels infested with mycelium and sclerotia of each isolate were placed on the soil surface around the base of each of 10 plants. Plants treated with plain wheat kernels served as controls. The inoculation trial was repeated once. All plants were kept at temperatures ranging between 5 and 26°C and watered as needed. Inoculated plants developed symptoms of leaf yellowing, followed by the appearance of white mycelium within 15 days, and eventually wilted while control plants remained symptomless. White mycelium and sclerotia developed on infected tissues, and S. sclerotiorum was reisolated only from inoculated plants. To our knowledge, this is the first report of white mold on Hutchinsia alpina caused by S. sclerotiorum. Reference: (1) N. F. Buchwald. Den. Kgl. Veterin.er-og Landbohojskoles Aarsskrift, 1949.

First Report of White Mold Caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Common Sage (Salvia officinalis) in Italy

Salvia officinalis L. is cultivated as an aromatic ornamental plant in Italy. In the spring of 2003, rooted cuttings grown in containers in commercial farms near Albenga (northern Italy) had soft and watery stem tissue covered with whitish mycelium at the soil level. Leaves and stems showed necrotic areas of irregular shape and size. As necrosis progressed, infected plants wilted and died. Wilt occurred within a few days on young plants. Because of high plant density, the pathogen spread rapidly within and across containers to infect many rooted cuttings. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary (2) was consistently recovered from infected stem pieces of Salvia officinalis that were disinfested for 1 min in 1% NaOCl and plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with 100 ppm of streptomycin sulfate. Sclerotia produced on PDA were ellipsoid and measured 1.4 to 4.2 × 1.1 to 2.1 (average 2.1 × 1.5) mm. Pathogenicity of three isolates obtained from infected plants was confirmed by inoculating 30-day-old plants grown in pots (14-cm diameter). Inoculum of each isolate was 14-day-old cultures of mycelium and sclerotia grown on sterile wheat kernels (300 g) and deionized water (320 ml) in a 1-liter flask at 20 to 25°C. Inoculum (10 g) of each isolate was placed on the soil surface around the base of 10 plants. Ten noninoculated plants served as controls. The inoculation trial was repeated once. All plants were kept in a screenhouse at temperatures ranging between 8 and 31°C and watered as needed. Inoculated plants developed symptoms of leaf yellowing, followed by the appearance of white mycelium within 7 days, and eventually wilted within 12 to 15 days. Control plants remained symptomless. White mycelium and sclerotia developed on infected tissues, and S. sclerotiorum was reisolated from inoculated plants on PDA amended with 100 ppm of streptomycin sulfate. To our knowledge, this is the first report of white mold of Salvia officinalis caused by S. sclerotiorum in Italy. The disease has been observed in Canada (1) as well as Tasmania and New Zealand. References: (1) G. J. Bolland and R. Hall. Can. J. Plant Pathol. 16:93, 1994. (2) N. F. Buchwald. Den. Kgl. Veterin.er-og Landbohojskoles Aarsskrift, 1949.

First Report of White Mold Caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Thymus × citriodorus in Italy

Thymus × citriodorus is well known for the citrus aroma released by its leaves and is grown as a potted plant in northern Italy. This species is widely used in gardens and landscapes and for culinary purposes. In the Liguria Region alone, 1.5 million plants are grown. In the winter of 2002, extensive chlorosis was observed on potted plants of Thymus × citriodorus cv. Silver Queen grown outdoors on commercial farms near Albenga. Initial symptoms included stem necrosis at the soil level and darkening of leaves. As stem necrosis progressed, infected plants wilted and died. Wilt, characterized by the presence of soft and watery tissues, occurred within a few days on young plants. Necrotic tissues became covered with whitish mycelium that produced dark sclerotia. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary (1) was consistently recovered from infected stem pieces of Thymus × citriodorus. The diseased stem tissue was disinfested for 1 min in 1% NaOCl and plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with 100 ppm of streptomycin sulfate. Sclerotia produced on PDA were ellipsoid and measured 5.2 to 4.4 × 2.1 to 1.5 mm (average 3.5 × 3.0 mm). Pathogenicity of three isolates obtained from infected plants was confirmed by inoculating 30-day-old plants grown in 14-cm-diameter pots in a screenhouse. Inoculum that consisted of wheat kernels infested with mycelium and sclerotia of each isolate was placed on the soil surface around the base of each of 10 plants. Noninoculated plants served as controls. The inoculation trial was repeated once. All plants were kept at temperatures ranging between 5 and 26°C and watered as needed. Inoculated plants developed symptoms of leaf yellowing within 13 days, soon followed by the appearance of white mycelium, and eventually wilted. Control plants remained symptomless. White mycelium and sclerotia developed on infected tissues and S. sclerotiorum was reisolated from inoculated plants. To our knowledge, this is the first report of white mold of Thymus × citriodorus caused by S. sclerotiorum. The economic importance of this disease for the crop can be considered low. Reference: (1) N. F. Buchwald. Den. Kgl. Veterin.er-og Landbohojskoles Aarsskrift, 1949.

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by an Oidium sp. on Papaver nudicaule in Italy

Iceland poppy (Papaver nudicaule L.) is grown on the Italian Riviera for export as a cut flower and its importance in the industry is increasing. During the spring of 2003, severe outbreaks of powdery mildew that had not been reported previously, occurred in several commercial plantings grown outdoors in containers near Imperia in northern Italy. Mycelium was observed on all green organs of the plant (leaves, stems, and petioles). Both surfaces on the leaves were affected, and heavily colonized leaves were distorted. As the disease progressed, diseased leaves turned yellow and died. The disease did not affect the flowers. Conidia were hyaline, cylindric, and measured 10.8 to 29.8 × 16.8 to 48.0 μm (average 13.7 × 37.3 μm). Foot cells were cylindric and appressoria unlobed. Fibrosin bodies were not present, and cleistothecia were not observed. The pathogen was identified as Oidium sp. subgenus Pseudoidium (1,2). Pathogenicity was confirmed by gently pressing leaves with visible sporulation onto the leaves of five 90-day-old P. nudicaule plants that were healthy and free of symptoms. Five noninoculated healthy plants served as controls. Inoculated and noninoculated plants were maintained in a growth chamber at 15°C with a 12-h photoperiod. After 7 to 10 days, typical symptoms of powdery mildew developed on inoculated plants but not on noninoculated plants. Previously, Erysiphe cruciferarum Opiz ex L. Junell has been reported on P. nudicaule in all continents, and E. cichoracearum DC. and E. polygoni DC. have been reported in several countries, including Italy, as a causal agent of powdery mildew on other species of Papaver including P. rhoeas and P. strigosum. To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew caused by an Oidium sp. on P. nudicaule in Italy. The voucher specimen is kept in the department collection at the University of Torino. References: (1) R. Belanger et al., eds. The Powdery Mildew A Comprehensive Treatise. The American Phytopathological Society, St Paul, MN, 2002. (2) U. Braun. Nova Hedwigia. 89:700, 1987.

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Oidium Subgenus Pseudoidium on Salvia scabra in Italy

Salvia scabra Thunb. is grown and used on the Italian Riviera as a potted plant and used in gardens. During the spring of 2003, severe outbreaks of a previously unknown powdery mildew were observed in a collection of Salvia spp. maintained at an experimental station at Albenga (northern Italy). Powdery mildew was observed only on S. scabra. Leaves were covered with white exophytic mycelia on both surfaces. As the disease progressed, infected leaves turned yellow and died. Conidia were single, hyaline, cylindric, and measured 21.3 to 35.5 × 12.5 to 22.5 μm (average 28.2 × 18.4 μm). Observations made with a light microscope revealed that foot cells were cylindric and appressoria lobed. Cleistothecia were not observed. The pathogen was identified as Oidium subgenus Pseudoidium (1,2), and pathogenicity was confirmed by gently pressing diseased leaves onto mature leaves of healthy, 40-day-old S. scabra plants. Five plants of S. scabra were used as replicates. Noninoculated plants served as controls. Inoculated and noninoculated plants were maintained in a growth chamber at 20°C. After 5 days, typical symptoms of powdery mildew developed on inoculated plants. Noninoculated plants did not show symptoms. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the presence of powdery mildew on S. scabra in Italy as well as in the world. Erysiphe polygoni DC. (Oidium subgenus Pseudoidium) and E. cichoracearum DC. (Oidium subgen us Reticuloidium) were previously reported as causal agents of powdery mildew on other species of Salvia (S. officinalis and S. sclarea) (3,4). Specimens of this disease are available at the DIVAPRA Collection at the University of Torino. References: (1) R. Belanger et al., eds. The Powdery Mildew A Comprehensive Treatise. The American Phytopathological Society, St Paul, MN, 2002. (2) U. Braun. Nova Hedwigia. 89:700, 1987. (3) D. F. Farr et al. Fungi on Plants and Plant Products in the United States. The American Phytopathological Society, St Paul, MN, 1989. (4) A. Pisi and M. G. Bellardi. Inf. Fitopatol. 48(10):57, 1998.

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Oidium Subgenus Pseudoidium on Mandevilla splendens in Italy

Mandevilla splendens (Hook.) Woodson is a tropical plant belonging to the Apocynaceae family and grown in Italy as an ornamental. It is generally potted and used to create small barriers on terraces and gardens. During February 2003, severe outbreaks of a previously unknown powdery mildew were observed in a commercial glasshouse located at Albenga (northern Italy) where 30% of the plants were affected by the disease. Infected young leaves were covered on both sides with white mycelia. Mycelia were more evident on the lower surface of older leaves. As the disease progressed, infected leaves turned reddish and eventually became yellow and died. Powdery mildew infections sometimes cause leaves to distort and have reduced growth. Conidia were hyaline, ellipsoid or cylindrical, sometimes appeared to adhere in chains, measured 9 to 15 × 14 to 28 μm (average 12 × 21 μm), and did not show fibrosin bodies. Foot cell was cylindric and appressorium lobed. Cleistothecia were not observed. The pathogen was identified as Oidium sp. subgenus Pseudoidium (1,2,3). Pathogenicity was confirmed by gently pressing diseased leaves onto young leaves of healthy, 1-year-old M. splendens plants grown in 3.5 liter pots. Three plants were inoculated, while three noninoculated plants served as controls. After inoculation, plants were maintained in a growth chamber at 18°C (12-h light, relative humidity >75%). After 60 days, powdery mildew symptoms were observed on inoculated plants. Noninoculated plants remained healthy. The pathogenicity test was carried out twice. To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew on M. splendens in Italy, as well as in the world. Specimens of this disease are available at the DIVAPRA Collection at the University of Torino. References: (1) R. Belanger et al., eds. The powdery mildew A comprehensive treatise. The American Phytopathological Society, St Paul, MN, 2002. (2) U. Braun. Nova Hedwigia, 89:700, 1987. (3) R. T. A. Cook et al. Mycol. Res. 101:975, 1997.

First Report of White Mold Caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Blue Marguerite (Felicia amelloides) in Italy

Felicia amelloides (Asteraceae family), also known as blue marguerite, is cultivated as a potted plant in Italy and increasingly used for ornamental purposes. In winter 2002, plants grown outdoors in 14-cm-diameter pots (2 liters) in commercial farms near Albenga (northern Italy) showed leaf yellowing. At the soil level, soft and watery tissues covered with whitish mycelium were evident. Later, dark brown sclerotia differentiated from the mycelium. As necrosis progressed, infected plants wilted and died. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (1) was consistently recovered from infected stem pieces of F. amelloides that were disinfested for 1 min in 1% NaOCl and plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with 100 ppm of streptomycin sulfate. Sclerotia produced on PDA were ellipsoid and measured 1.3 to 6.1 × 1.1 to 3.3 mm (average 2.9 × 2.3 mm) (2). Pathogenicity of three isolates (used as a mixture and obtained from infected plants from the same farm) was confirmed by inoculating 90-day-old plants grown in 14-cm-diameter pots. Inoculum that consisted of wheat kernels infested with mycelium and sclerotia of each isolate was placed on the soil surface around the base of each of 20 plants. Ten noninoculated plants served as controls. The inoculation trial was repeated. All plants were kept outdoors at temperatures ranging between 5 and 26°C and watered as needed. All inoculated plants developed symptoms of leaf yellowing, followed by the appearance of white mycelium within 15 days, and then eventually wilted. Control plants remained symptomless. White mycelium and sclerotia developed on infected tissues, and S. sclerotiorum was reisolated from inoculated plants. To our knowledge, this is the first report of white mold of F. amelloides caused by S. sclerotiorum in Italy as well as elsewhere in the world. References: (1) N. F. Buchwald. Den. Kgl. Veterin.er-og Landbohojskoles Aarsskrift, 32:75, 1949. (2) C. M. Messiaen et al. Les Maladies des Plantes Maraichères. INRA, Paris, 1991.

[Non invasive mechanical ventilation in acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema: is it all done?]

The aim of the paper is to critically analyse the results obtained by recent literature concerning the most important aspects of application of Non Invasive Mechanical Ventilation for the treatment of Acute Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema, and to elaborate a definition of what is, on the whole, widely accepted, focusing the attention on those issues which still remain unanswered and therefore require further studies. MEDLINE was searched and the bibliography of a selected group of articles was perused. The literature was analysed and the information gathered has proved to address the questions in a systematic way. All studies concerning the use of a non invasive ventilation technique in the treatment of acute pulmonary edema or acute respiratory failure which included pulmonary edema have been considered. New physiological issues have been introduced on the pathogenesis of acute pulmonary edema. Even though very little non invasive ventilation has been performed outside intensive care units, a growing interest is rising in the opportunity of transferring this technique to a different setting which would include critically ill patients. No random controlled trials and studies have ever established whether positive pressure support is really better than continuous airway pressure, but several trials appear to have excluded the potential for high-risk in the use of assisted ventilation. General opinion has not yet confirmed foreseeable failures in non invasive ventilation at the time of patient admission. A good deal of favorable experimental evidence supports the use of non invasive ventilation in the acute pulmonary edema and guarantees safety when used in intensive care units. Very few trials have been carried out in order to explore application on severe pulmonary edema outside intensive care unit. A whole new world of old and new issues on patient selection criteria, ventilation times, type of ventilation and predictability of failure, could be discovered.

Fusarium Wilt of African Daisy (Osteospermum sp.) Caused by Fusarium oxysporum in Italy

During the fall of 2002, African daisy (Osteospermum sp.) plants showing symptoms of a wilt disease were observed in a commercial, nonheated glasshouse in Albenga in northern Italy. Wilted plants were first observed when outside temperatures were between 15 and 28°C. Symptoms were first observed on seedlings 40 days after they had been transplanted into pots. The vascular tissues of affected plants appeared brown. These plants were stunted and developed yellowed leaves with brown or black streaks in the vascular system. The vascular streaks in the yellow leaves extended from the crown and were continuous with a brown discoloration in the vascular system of the crown and upper taproot. Fusarium oxysporum was consistently and readily isolated from symptomatic vascular tissue onto a Fusarium-selective medium (1). Healthy, rooted, 40-day-old plants were inoculated by root-dip with a conidial suspension (1 × 10⁷ CFU/ml) of three isolates of F. oxysporum obtained from infected plants and transplanted into pots filled with steam-sterilized soil. Noninoculated plants served as control treatments. Plants (10 per treatment) were grown in a glasshouse at an average temperature of 25°C (minimum of 12°C and maximum of 39°C). Wilt symptoms and vascular discoloration in the roots, crown, and veins developed within 20 days on each inoculated plant, while noninoculated plants remained healthy. F. oxysporum was consistently reisolated from infected plants. The pathogenicity test was conducted twice. To our knowledge, this is the first report of F. oxysporum on Osteospermum sp. in Italy or elsewhere in the world. Reference: (1) H. Komada. Rev. Plant Prot. Res. 8:114, 1975.

Fusarium Wilt of Gerbera in Soil and Soilless Crops in Italy

In 2002, gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii cv. Kaiki) plants that were grown for cut flowers in a soilless cultivation system (rockwool substrate) at Albenga (Savona) in northern Italy were observed exhibiting symptoms of a wilt disease. During the summer of 2002, in a commercial gerbera farm in the province of Imperia (northern Italy), a similar wilt was also observed on cvs. Red Bull, Anedin, and Gud finger that were grown in soil. In both cases, the planting material originated from the Netherlands. During 2003, wilted plants (cvs. Red Bull, Basic, and Cirill) were repeatedly observed in other commercial greenhouses located in the same area. Affected plants were stunted and developed yellowed leaves with initially brown and eventually black streaks in the vascular system. The vascular streaks in the yellow leaves were continuous with a brown discoloration in the vascular system of the crown and upper taproot. In some cases, the leaves of affected plants turned red. From these plants, Fusarium spp. were consistently and readily isolated from symptomatic vascular tissue onto a Fusarium-selective medium (2). Colonies were identified as F. oxysporum after subculturing on potato dextrose agar. Healthy rooted 30-day old plants (cv. Dino) were inoculated by dipping roots into a conidial suspension (5 × 10⁷ conidia per ml) in one of six test isolates of F. oxysporum. Plants were transplanted (1 plant per pot) into pots (3.5 l vol) containing rockwool-based substrate. Noninoculated plants served as control treatments. Plants (21 per treatment) were grown in a glasshouse with an average day temperature of 31°C and night temperature of 25°C (minimum of 20°C and maximum of 42°C). Wilt symptoms and vascular discoloration in the roots, crown, and veins developed within 30 days on each inoculated plant, while noninoculated plants remained healthy. F. oxysporum was consistently reisolated from infected plants. The pathogenicity test was conducted twice. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the presence of F. oxysporum on gerbera in Italy. A wilt of gerbera was described in the Netherlands in 1952 (1) but its presence was not confirmed in further observations (3). Reference: (1) J. Arx and J. A. von Tijdschr. PlZiekt. 58:5, 1952 (2) H. Komada. Rev. Plant Prot. Res. 8:114, 1975. (3) G. Scholten. Neth. J. Plant Pathol. 76:212, 1970.

First Report of Downy Mildew on Basil (Ocimum basilicum) in Italy

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) is an economically important herb in several Mediterranean countries. Approximately 80 ha are grown annually in Italy for fresh and processed consumption. In 2003, a damaging foliar disease was observed in several greenhouses located in the Liguria Region of northern Italy. More that 50% of the plants were affected. Leaves of infected plants were initially slightly chlorotic, especially near the central vein. Within 2 to 3 days, a characteristic gray, furry growth was evident on the lower surface of infected leaves. These symptoms sometimes occurred on the top sides of leaves. Although the distribution of the disease was generally uniform, symptoms appeared first in a patchy pattern in the central part of the greenhouses where air temperature and relative humidity were highest. Where air circulation was apparently poor, bottom leaves were severely affected by the disease. Microscopic observations revealed conidiophores branching two to seven times. Conidiophores with a length of 250 to 500 μm (average 350 μm) ended with sterigmata bearing single conidia. Conidia measured 15 to 25 × 20 to 35 μm (average 22 × 28 μm) and were elliptical and grayish in mass. The pathogen was identified as a Peronospora sp. based on its morphological characteristics (3). Pathogenicity was confirmed by inoculating leaves of 40-day-old healthy plants with a conidial suspension (1 × 10⁵ conidia per ml). Three containers containing 150 plants each of O. basilicum cv. Genovese gigante were used as replicates. Noninoculated plants served as controls. Inoculated and noninoculated plants were maintained in a growth chamber at 20°C (12 h of light per day) and 90 to 95% relative humidity. The pathogenicity test was carried out twice. After 6 days, typical symptoms of downy mildew developed on the inoculated plants and a Peronospora sp. was observed on the leaves. Noninoculated plants did not show symptoms. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a Peronospora sp. on basil in Italy. Peronospora sp. and P. lamii were previously reported on sweet basil in Uganda (1,2). References: (1) C. G. Hansford. Rev. Appl. Mycol. 12:421, 1933. (2) C. G. Hansford. Rev. Appl. Mycol. 17:345, 1938. (3) D. M. Spencer. The Downy Mildews. Academic Press, N.Y., 1978.

Non-invasive mechanical ventilation in patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema

AIM

To evaluate the use of noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) in patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema.

METHODS

DESIGN

prospective study.

SETTING

Emergency Department at a University hospital.

PATIENTS

84 patients with acute respiratory distress due to pulmonary edema. Interven-tions: NIMV, using a pressure support mode and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). A "weaning test" to evaluate clinical stability.

MEASUREMENTS

heart rate, arterial blood pressure, respiratory rate, arterial blood gases, electrocardiogram and incidence of myocardial infarction before and after NIMV. Mortality and duration of hospital stay were also considered.

RESULTS

A total of 84 patients received NIMV with 14+/-3.6 cm H2O pressure support over PEEP of 8.3+/-2.1 cm H2O and FiO2 1. At the end of the study period, 16 patients (19%) were considered "non responders" and required invasive ventilation; 62 patients (74%) were considered "responders" and subsequently transferred to the medical ward. The hospital mortality was 14% and 25% in the "responder" and "non responder" groups, respectively; the length of stay was 15.7+/-10.1 days in the "responder" group vs 16+/-10.6 days in the "non responder" group. We never found new episodes of myocardial infarction related to NIMV. The only significant difference between "responder" and "non responder" patients was arterial blood pressure.

CONCLUSIONS

We hypothesize that "non responder" patients, characterized by blood pressure values lower than "responders", are less "cardiocompetent" and thus unable to cope with the increased work of breathing. NIMV avoided Intensive Care Unit admission for 74% of the observed patients.

First Report of Peronospora arborescens as the Causal Agent of Downy Mildew on Papaver nudicaule in Italy

Iceland poppy (Papaver nudicaule L.) is increasingly grown on the Italian Riviera for export as a cut flower. During the spring of 2003, leaves with irregular, brown, angular spots were collected from a commercial crop grown outdoors near Ventimiglia (northern Italy) with temperatures ranging from 3 to 14°C. Leaves of infected plants appeared curled and blistered; the infected portions of the leaves turned chlorotic. On both surfaces of infected leaves, a characteristic gray, furry growth was evident, particularly at the center of the necrotic areas. Infected leaves eventually died without dropping. Basal leaves with poor air circulation were the most severely affected by the disease. Microscopic observations revealed conidiophores branching dichotomically at least five times. Conidiophores ended with sterigmata bearing single conidia. Conidia measured 19 to 24 × 16 to 18 μm and were elliptical to near spherical and hyaline. Oospores were not present. The pathogen was identified as Peronospora arborescens based on the morphological characteristics (2). Pathogenicity was confirmed by inoculating 60-day-old healthy P. nudicaule plants with a conidial suspension (1 × 10⁵ conidia per ml). Five plants were used as replicates. Inoculated and noninoculated plants were maintained in a growth chamber at 15°C and 90 to 95% relative humidity. After 7 to 10 days, typical symptoms of downy mildew developed oninoculated plants. Peronospora arborescens was observed on infected leaves. Noninoculated plants did not show symptoms. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Peronospora arborescens on P. nudicaule in Italy. Peronospora arborescens was previously reported on P. nudicaule and on many other species of Papaver (P. somniferum, P. dubium, P. caucasicum, P. rhoeas, P. setigerum, and P. argemone) in everal countries (1,2). References: (1) P. J. Cotteril and I. G. Pascoe. Australas. Plant Pathol. 27:263, 1998. (2) S. M. Francis. No. 686 in: Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi and Bacteria. CMI, Kew, Surrey, U.K., 1981.

First Report of White Mold Caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Persian Buttercup (Ranunculus asiaticus) in Italy

Persian buttercup (Ranunculus asiaticus L.) is grown in the Albenga Region of northern Italy for cut flower production and exportation to central and northern Europe. During the winter of 2003, sudden wilt was observed in commercial plantings of R. asiaticus. Initial symptoms included stem necrosis at the soil level and yellowing and tan discoloration of leaves. As stem necrosis progressed, infected plants wilted and died. Wilt occurred within a few days on young plants and was characterized by the presence of soft and watery tissues. Necrotic tissues became covered with whitish mycelium that produced dark, spherical sclerotia (1 to 4 mm in diameter). Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary (1) was consistently recovered from infected stem pieces of R. asiaticus that were disinfested for 1 min in 1% NaOCl and plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with 100 ppm of streptomycin sulfate. Pathogenicity of three isolates obtained from infected plants of persian buttercup was confirmed by inoculating 30-day-old plants grown in containers. Inoculum that consisted of wheat kernels infested with mycelium and sclerotia of each isolate was placed on the soil surface around the base of each of five plants. Noninoculated plants served as controls. The inoculation trial was repeated once. All plants were kept at temperatures ranging between 8 and 22°C and watered as needed. Inoculated plants developed symptoms of leaf yellowing followed by wilt within 15 days, while control plants remained symptomless. White mycelium and sclerotia developed on infected tissues, and S. sclerotiorum was reisolated from inoculated plants. S. sclerotiorum has been previously reported on R. asiaticus in the United States (2) and Japan (3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of wilt of R. asiaticus caused by S. sclerotiorum in Italy and Europe. References: (1) N. F. Buchwald. Den. Kgl. Veterin.er-og Landbohojskoles Aarsskrift, 1949. (2) D. F. Farr et al. Fungi on Plants and Plant Products in the United States. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN, 1989. (3) T. Urushibara et al. Annu. Rep. Kanto-Tosan Plant Prot. Serv. 46:61, 1999.

First Report of Web Blight on Yellow-Sage (Lantana camara) Caused by Rhizoctonia solani in Europe

Lantana camara is increasingly grown in northern Italy as a potted plant and contributes to the diversification of offerings in the ornamental market. During the spring of 2001, selections of L. camara cuttings growing at a commercial farm located at Albenga (Riviera coast) exhibited tan leaf spots of irregular size and shape. Spots were at first isolated, 4 to 8 mm in diameter, and later coalesced and affected the entire plant. Heavily infected leaves, stems, and branches became blighted and were killed. Infected rooted cuttings also eventually died. Diseased cuttings showed a progressive reduction (to less than 20%) in rooting ability. Isolations from infected leaves and stems on potato dextrose agar (PDA), supplemented with 100 mg/liter of streptomycin sulphate, consistently yielded a fungus with mycelial and cultural characteristics resembling Rhizoctonia solani. The fungal isolates were further characterized as R. solani Kühn AG-4 based on hyphal anastomoses with several AG-4 tester isolates. Pathogenicity tests were performed by placing 5-day-old-fungal mycelial plugs, grown on PDA, at the base of five healthy yellow-sage stems and holding plants in a dew chamber at 18 to 22°C. After 2 days, foliage blight appeared on leaves of inoculated plants, and after 3 days, stems also became infected and entire plants wilted. Five noninoculated plants remained healthy. The fungal pathogen was reisolated from all inoculated plants. R. solani has been observed on L. camara in the United States (1) and the Philippines (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of R. solani on L. camara in Europe. References: (1) D. F. Farr et al. Fungi on Plants and Plant Products in the United States. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN, 1989. (2) F. T. Orillo and R. B. Valdez. Philipp. Agric. A. 42:292, 1958.

First Report of the Presence of Albugo tragopogonis on Cineraria maritima in Italy

Cineraria maritima L. (synonym Senecio cineraria DC.), commonly known as dusty-miller, is grown in Italy for landscape use in parks and gardens. In the spring of 2001, severe outbreaks of a previously unknown disease were observed in commercial farms located in northern Italy. Leaves of infected plants showed several sori on the abaxial surface, progressing to the adaxial surface, and often in the interveinal areas. On the adaxial surface of leaves, chlorotic areas developed and eventually turned brown. Severely infected leaves wilted, but remained attached to the stem. Signs of the fungus were present as whitish and catenulate sporangia emerging from the sori. Sporangia, organized in chains, had an average diameter of 20.5 × 26.5 μm. On the basis of the microscopic observations, the causal agent of the disease was identified as Albugo tragopogonis. Pathogenicity was confirmed by inoculating leaves of healthy C. maritima plants with a sporangial suspension (5 × 10² sporangia per ml) obtained from infected plants. Noninoculated plants served as a control. Plants were kept covered with plastic bags for 72 h and maintained at 15°C. After 10 days, typical symptoms of white rust developed on inoculated plants starting from the basal leaves. Within 30 days, affected leaves were completely wilted. Microscopic examination of sporangia within sori verified the pathogen to be A. tragopogonis. No symptoms developed on the control plants. A. tragopogonis has been reported as the causal agent of white rust on several species belonging to the genus Senecio in the United States (1). In New Zealand, the presence of A. tragopogonis was reported on the genus Cineraria in 1959 (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of the presence of white rust on Cineraria maritima in Italy. References: (1) D. F. Farr et al. Fungi on Plants and Plant Products in the United States. The American Phytopathological Society, St Paul, MN, 1989. (2) J. M. Dingley. N. Z. J. Agric. Res. 2:380, 1959.

First Report of Bremia lactucae Causing Downy Mildew on Helichrysum bracteatum in Italy

Helichrysum bracteatum, also known as strawflower, is commonly grown for the production of dried flowers and, more recently, as a potted plant. This latter cultivation system is becoming increasingly important on the Liguria Coast in northern Italy. During the spring of 2002, severe oubreaks of a previously unknown disease were observed in commercial farms in the area of Albenga (northern Italy) on several cultivars of H. bracteatum. Leaves of infected plants appeared curled and blistered; the infected portions of leaves turned chlorotic. On the lower leaf surface of chlorotic areas, a dense, whitish growth was evident. Infected leaves eventually wilted without dropping. Basal leaves with poor air circulation were the most severely affected. Certain cultivars of H. bracteatum (such as 'Florabella Pink') were most seriously affected, while others ('Florabella Gold' and 'Florabella White') had less disease. Microscopic observations revealed sporangiophores emerging from the stomata that were dichotomically branched, ending with 4 to 7 sterigmata. The sporangia were globose and measured 15.5 to 16.8 μm in diameter. The pathogen was identified as Bremia lactucae based on the morphological characteristics. Pathogenicity was confirmed by inoculating healthy H. bracteatum (100-day-old 'Florabella Gold') as well as Lactuca sativa (25-day-old 'Salad bowl') plants with a sporangial suspension (1 × 10⁵ sporangia/ml). Five plants of H. bracteatum and 10 of lettuce were used as replicates. Noninoculated plants served as controls. Inoculated and uninoculated plants were maintained in a growth chamber at 20°C and 90 to 95% relative humidity. After 7 to 10 days, typical symptoms of downy mildew developed on H. bracteatum and lettuce plants artificially inoculated. Bremia lactucae was observed on infected leaves. Uninoculated plants did not show symptoms. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Bremia lactucae on H. bracteatum in Italy. B lactucae was previously reported as the causal agent of downy mildew on H. bracteatum in several countries including the United Kingdom (3), the United States (1), and Egypt (2). References: (1) S. A. Alfieri et al. Index of plant diseases in Florida. Bull No. 11, 1984. (2) H. Elarosi and M. W. Assawah. Rev. Plant Prot. Res., 39:583, 1959. (3) W. C. Moore. British Parasitic Fungi. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1959.

First Report of Powdery Mildew on Euryops pectinatus in Italy

Euryops pectinatus is grown in Italy for landscape use in parks and gardens. In 2001, severe outbreaks of a previously unknown powdery mildew were observed in commercial farms located in Albenga (northern Italy). All green parts (leaves, stems, and petioles) became covered with a white mycelium. Infections were particularly severe on the upper leaf surface. With progress of the disease, infected leaves turned yellow and died. The presence of powdery mildew infections on leaves and stems only rarely was linked to growth reduction. Conidia were hyaline, cylindric to slightly doliform, did not show fibrosin bodies, borne in chains, and measured 24 to 41 × 12 to 20 μm. Cleistothecia were not observed. The pathogen was identified as Oidium sp. subgen. Fibroidium (1). Pathogenicity was confirmed by gently pressing diseased leaves on leaves of healthy E. pectinatus plants. Inoculated plants were maintained in a growth chamber at 20 to 24°C. After 12 to 14 days, powdery mildew symptoms developed. A similar disease of E. pectinatus was observed in 1999 in California and identified as being caused by Podosphaera (Sphaerotheca) fusca (2). It is possible that the powdery mildew observed in Italy belongs to the same species, also considering that recently the two genera, Podosphaera and Sphaerotheca, have been unified in the genus Podosphaera (1). References: (1) U. Braun and S. Takamatsu. Schlechtendalia 4:1, 2000. (2) G. S. Saenz et al. Plant Dis. 84:1048, 2000.

First Report of Powdery Mildew on Asclepias curassavica in Italy

Asclepias curassavica is grown in Italy for landscape use in parks and gardens. In 2001, severe outbreaks of a previously unknown powdery mildew were observed in commercial farms located in Albenga (northern Italy). Powdery mildew developed on the lower surface of leaves of container grown plants. The upper surface of infected leaves turned reddish and sometimes yellow. Infected tissues wilted, and leaves dropped prematurely. Conidiophores emerged through the stomata. Conidia were hyaline and had variable shape, mitrate when located at the apex of the conidiophore, and subcylindric when borne in the middle of a chain. Conidia measured 46 to 74 × 12 to 24 μm. Cleistothecia were not observed. The causal agent was identified as Oidiopsis sp. Pathogenicity was confirmed by gently pressing diseased leaves on leaves of healthy A. curassavica plants. Plants were maintained in a growth chamber at 20 to 24°C after inoculation. After 12 to 14 days, powdery mildew signs developed. Leveillula taurica has been reported as causal agent of powdery mildew on A. carassavica in India and on Asclepias sp. in Morocco (1). Also in our case, L. taurica should be the causal agent, since the genus Leveillula has as anamorph the genus Oidiopsis (2). In Switzerland, Phyllactinia suffulta has been described as incitant of a similar powdery mildew on A. syriaca. References: (1) G. Bergen. Ann. Epiphyt. Nuove Serie, IV, 1:21, 1938. (2) J. Palti. The Bot. Rev. 54:423, 1988.

First Report of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Campanula carpatica and Schizanthus × wisetonensis in Italy

The production of potted ornamental plants is very important in the Albenga Region of northern Italy, where plants are grown for export to central and northern Europe. During fall 2000 and spring 2001, sudden wilt of tussock bellflower (Campanula carpatica Jacq.) and butterfly flower (Schizanthus × wisetonensis Hort.) was observed on potted plants in a commercial greenhouse. Initial symptoms included stem necrosis at the soil line and yellowing and tan discoloration of the lower leaves. As stem necrosis progressed, infected plants growing in a peat, bark compost, and clay mixture (70-20-10) wilted and died. Necrotic tissues were covered with whitish mycelia that produced dark, spherical (2 to 6 mm diameter) sclerotia. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum was consistently recovered from symptomatic stem pieces of both plants disinfested for 1 min in 1% NaOCl and plated on potato dextrose agar amended with streptomycin sulphate at 100 ppm. Pathogenicity of three isolates obtained from each crop was confirmed by inoculating 45- to 60-day-old C. carpatica and Schizanthus × wisetonensis plants grown in containers (14 cm diameter). Inoculum that consisted of wheat kernels infested with mycelia and sclerotia of each isolate was placed on the soil surface around the base of previously artificially wounded or nonwounded plants. Noninoculated plants served as controls. All plants were maintained outdoors where temperatures ranged between 8 and 15°C. Inoculated plants developed symptoms of leaf yellowing, followed by wilt, within 7 to 10 days, while control plants remained symptomless. White mycelia and sclerotia developed on infected tissues and S. sclerotiorum was reisolated from inoculated plants. To our knowledge, this is the first report of stem blight of C. carpatica and Schizanthus × wisetonensis caused by S. sclerotiorum in Italy. The disease was previously observed on C. carpatica in Great Britain (2) and on Schizanthus sp. in the United States (1). References: (1) D. F. Farr et al. Fungi on Plants and Plant Products in the United States. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN, 1989. (2) J. Rees. Welsh J. Agric. 1:188, 1925.

First Report of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Gazania sp. Hybrid in Italy

Gazania sp. hybrid is produced in pots in the Albenga Region of northern Italy for export to central and northern Europe. During fall 2000 to spring 2001, sudden wilt was observed in commercial plantings of this ornamental. Initial symptoms included stem necrosis at the soil level and yellowing and tan discoloration of leaves. As stem necrosis progressed, infected plants wilted and died. Wilt followed by soft rot occurred within a few days on young plants after the first leaf symptoms. Necrotic tissues became covered with white mycelia that produced dark, spherical (2 to 6 mm diameter) sclerotia. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum was consistently recovered from infected stem pieces of Gazania disinfested for 1 min in 1% NaOCl, plated on potato dextrose agar amended with streptomycin sulfate at 100 mg/liter. Pathogenicity of three fungal isolates was confirmed by inoculating 45- to 60-day-old plants grown in containers (14 cm diameter). Inoculum that consisted of wheat kernels infested with mycelium and sclerotia of each isolate was placed on the soil surface around the base of each plant. Noninoculated plants served as controls. All plants were maintained outdoors where temperatures ranged between 8 and 15°C. Inoculated plants developed symptoms of leaf yellowing, followed by wilt, within 7 to 10 days, while control plants remained symptomless. White mycelia and sclerotia developed on infected tissues, and S. sclerotiorum was reisolated from inoculated plants. To our knowledge, this is the first report of wilt of Gazania sp. hybrid caused by S. sclerotiorum in Italy. A crown rot of Gazania caused by S. sclerotiorum has been reported from California in the United States(1). Reference: (1) V. M. Muir and A. H. McCain. Calif. Plant Pathol. 16:1, 1973.

First Report of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Calendula officinalis in Italy

Pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) has recently become popular as a potted ornamental plant in Italy. During the spring 1999, a sudden wilt of 120 day-old plants was observed in the Albenga region of Northern Italy, an area of intensive floriculture production. Initial symptoms included stem necrosis at the soil line and yellowing and tan discoloration of leaves. As stem necrosis progressed, infected plants wilted and died. Necrotic tissues resulted, covered with whitish mycelium that produced dark, spherical (2- to 6-mm diameter) sclerotia. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum was consistently recovered from symptomatic stem sections surface disinfested 1 min in 1% NaOCl and plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA), amended with 100 ppm streptomycin sulfate. Pathogenicity of three isolates was confirmed by inoculating 90-day-old pot marigold plants grown in containers. Inoculum that consisted of wheat kernels infested with mycelium and sclerotia was placed on the soil surface around the base of previously wounded or non-wounded plants. Non-inoculated plants served as controls. All plants were kept outdoors where temperatures ranged between 8 and 16°C, under 50% shade and were maintained moist. Inoculated plants developed symptoms of leaf yellowing, followed by wilt within 7 days, while control plants remained symptomless. Sclerotia developed on infected tissues and S. sclerotiorum was reisolated from inoculated plants. This is the first report of stem blight of C. officinalis caused by S. sclerotiorum in Europe. The disease was previously observed in the United States (1). Reference: (1) D. F. Farr et al. 1989. Fungi on Plants and Plant Products in the United States. American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN.

First Report of Sclerotium rolfsii on Jerusalem Cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum) in Europe

Jerusalem cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum) has recently become popular as a potted ornamental plant in Italy. During the summer of 1999, a sudden wilt of 60-day-old plants was observed in the Albenga region (Northern Italy), an area of intensive floriculture. Initial symptoms included stem necrosis at the soil line and yellowing and tan discoloration of leaves. As stem necrosis progressed, infected plants wilted and died. Necrotic tissues were covered with whitish mycelium that differentiated into reddish brown, spherical (1 to 2 mm diameter) sclerotia. Sclerotium rolfsii was consistently recovered from the surface of symptomatic stem sections that were disinfected for 1 min in 1% NaOCl and then plated on potato-dextrose agar (PDA) amended with 100 ppm streptomycin sulfate. Pathogenicity of three S. rolfsii isolates was confirmed by inoculating 90-day-old S. pseudocapsicum plants grown in pots. Inoculum consisted of mycelium and sclerotia of the pathogen placed on the soil surface around the base of each plant. Noninoculated plants served as controls. All plants were kept in a growth chamber at 18 to 28°C and RH > 85%. Inoculated plants developed symptoms within 7 days, while control plants remained symptomless. Sclerotia developed on infected tissues and S. rolfsii was reisolated from symptomatic tissues. The disease has been observed in the United States (1), but this is the first report of stem blight of S. pseudocapsicum caused by S. rolfsii in Europe. Reference: (1) S. A. Alfieri, Jr., K. R. Langdon, C. Wehlburg, and J. W. Kimbrough, J. W. Index Plant Dis. Florida Bull. 11:215, 1984.

First Report of Fusarium Wilt on Hebe sp. in Italy and Europe

Hebe (showy speedwell), an increasingly important crop in the Riviera Ligure (northern Italy), is cultivated in greenhouses and open fields. During summer 1999, a serious wilt of hybrids (Hebe speciosa × H. franciscana cvs. Paula, Linda, and Heidi) grown in plastic pots (14 to 16 cm diameter) in a peat/pomix/clay (70:20:10, vol/vol) substrate was observed. Symptoms appeared on one side of the plant or on a single branch. Affected plants showed only slight yellowing before wilting. Wilting progressed acropetally. Eventually, affected plants were completely wilted, and stems showed dark blue-black necrosis, often covered by mycelia. An intense brown discoloration of the vascular system was evident shortly after the appearance of the first symptoms. In some cases, whole plants suddenly wilted. Infected plants generally were stunted and eventually died. Fusarium oxysporum was isolated consistently from diseased plants on Komada's (1) Fusarium-selective medium. One single-spore isolate of F. oxysporum, freshly isolated from wilted plants, was used for artificial inoculation of healthy plants to complete Koch's postulates. Rooted cuttings were transplanted in soil artificially infested with 1 × 10³ CFU/ml of soil. Inoculation was performed on 20 plants belonging to two cultivars (Paula and Heidi). Noninoculated plants of each cultivar served as controls. Plants were maintained in a glasshouse at 25°C. The first symptoms developed 20 days after transplanting in infested soil. Symptoms resulting from artificial inoculation were similar to those observed on naturally infected plants. F. oxysporum was consistently reisolated from inoculated plants. Fusarium wilt of Hebe is favored by temperatures higher than 20°C. Symptoms did not develop on inoculated plants maintained in the open field during the month of October nor in the greenhouse at temperatures lower than 18°C. This is the first report of Fusarium wilt on Hebe sp. in Italy and Europe. A similar wilt on H. buxifolia and other Hebe spp. has been reported by Raabe in the United States (2,3). References: (1) H. Komada. Rev. Plant Prot. Res 8:114, 1975. (2) R. D. Raabe. Phytopathology 47:532, 1957. (3) R. D. Raabe. Plant Dis. 69:450, 1985.

First Report of Fusarium Wilt on Paris Daisy (Argyranthemum[Dendranthema] frutescens)

Paris daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens) is an economically important crop on the Riviera Ligure (Northern Italy), where approximately 10 million plants per year are produced for export. In September 1997, a serious wilt of plants (cv. Camilla) grown in plastic pots (14 to 18 cm in diameter) was observed. The leaves of the affected plants turned yellow unilaterally and eventually wilted. Both yellowing and wilting progressed acropetally. Eventually, affected plants were completely wilted and the stems showed dark blue-black necrosis. An intense brown discoloration of the vascular system was evident, particularly after yellowing of the foliage was visible. Fusarium oxysporum was consistantly isolated from diseased plants on Komada's medium (1). Two monoconidial isolates of F. oxysporum freshly isolated from A. frutescens wilted plants were used for artificial inoculation of healthy cv. Camilla plants in order to complete Koch's postulates. Rooted cuttings were inoculated by a root dip (for 30 s, with 5 × 10⁷ CFU per ml) and by infesting soil (1 × 10³ CFU per ml of soil). Inoculation was carried out on 20 plants belonging to five cultivars. Noninoculated plants of each cultivar served as control. Plants were maintained in a glasshouse at 22 to 23°C. Symptoms developed 13 to 14 days after and were similar to those observed on naturally infected plants. F. oxysporum was consistantly reisolated from artificially inoculated plants. Fusarium wilt of A. frutescens is favored by temperatures higher than 20°C. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Fusarium wilt on A. frutescens. Reference: (1) H. Komada. Rev. Plant Prot. Res. 8:114, 1975.