Stefano Cesco - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Stefano Cesco

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, Oct 1, 2019

Agronomic strategies as intercropping might be applied to reduce plant-available copper (Cu) in C... more Agronomic strategies as intercropping might be applied to reduce plant-available copper (Cu) in Cu-contaminated soils. Thus, our aim was to characterize two different oat cultivars, Avena sativa L. cv. Fronteira and cv. Perona for their ability to tolerate and/or phytostabilize Cu. Copper toxicity reduced plant biomass of both cultivars. The exudate analysis revealed the presence of phenolic compounds and phytosiderophores, yet with a different pattern between the cultivars: cv. Fronteira showed a Cu-concentration and time-dependent release of phenolic compounds, while cv. Perona down-regulated this release during the second week of treatment. Copper concentration increased linearly in all the tissues analysed with increasing Cu concentration showing yet a different compartmentalization: cv. Fronteira and cv. Perona preferentially accumulated Cu in the apoplasm and symplast, respectively. This higher accumulation of Cu in the apoplasm strongly reduces the available binding sites, leading to a competitive absorption with other macro-and micronutrients (e.g. Ca, Mn, Zn). Furthermore, in both cultivars Cu toxicity led to a significant reduction of shoot phosphorus content. The ionomic profile and compartmentalization of Cu together with the root activities demonstrate the different tolerance mechanism towards Cu toxicity of the two oat cultivars. In particular, cv. Fronteira seems to adopt an exclusion strategy based on accumulating Cu in the apoplasm and on the exudation of phenolic compounds. Thus, this cultivar could reduce the mobility and the consequent soil bioavailability of Cu playing an important role as phytostabilizer plant in intercropping systems in Cu-contaminated vineyards or orchards.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Nov 17, 2022

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Scientia Horticulturae, Mar 1, 2023

Acta horticulturae, Oct 1, 2018

Silicon (Si) is an important element in the human diet, being health beneficial, as it improves t... more Silicon (Si) is an important element in the human diet, being health beneficial, as it improves the bone formation and decreases the bone fragility. However, this beneficial element is often lacking, leading to nutritional imbalances. Silicon also shows positive effects on plant metabolism, as it increases the resistance of plants against biotic and abiotic stresses. In the last decades, biofortification has shown to be a good solution to cope with Si shortage and to increase its concentration. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the biofortification potential of Si in strawberry fruits (Fragaria × ananassa 'Elsanta') grown for 16 weeks in hydroponic solutions at increasing levels of Si (50 and 100 mg L-1). At the stage of commercial maturity, the effects of Si enrichment on the qualitative parameters of strawberry fruits were evaluated. The results showed that some important (i.e., titratable acidity) quality parameters were affected by the Si treatment while the health beneficial compound content was only partially influenced by the Si treatments, with an increase of flavonols concentration. As expected, the Si concentration of the strawberry fruits increased with increasing Si availability in the nutrient solution reaching levels up to 80 mg g-1 DW. On the whole, the data presented demonstrates that strawberries are a good target for Si biofortification, which indeed also enhances the nutraceutical qualities of the fruits.

Advances in Applied Microbiology, 2016

A major challenge facing agriculture in the 21st century is the need to increase the productivity... more A major challenge facing agriculture in the 21st century is the need to increase the productivity of cultivated land while reducing the environmentally harmful consequences of mineral fertilization. The microorganisms thriving in association and interacting with plant roots, the plant microbiota, represent a potential resource of plant probiotic function, capable of conjugating crop productivity with sustainable management in agroecosystems. However, a limited knowledge of the organismal interactions occurring at the root-soil interface is currently hampering the development and use of beneficial plant-microbiota interactions in agriculture. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the recruitment cues of the plant microbiota and the molecular basis of nutrient turnover in the rhizosphere will be required to move toward efficient and sustainable crop nutrition. In this chapter, we will discuss recent insights into plant-microbiota interactions at the root-soil interface, illustrate the processes driving mineral dynamics in soil, and propose experimental avenues to further integrate the metabolic potential of the plant microbiota into crop management and breeding strategies for sustainable agricultural production.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient of fundamental importance to human health and the mai... more Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient of fundamental importance to human health and the main Se source is from plant-derived foods. Plants mainly take up Se as selenate (SeO42−), through the root sulfate transport system, because of their chemical similarity. The aims of this study were (1) to characterize the interaction between Se and S during the root uptake process, by measuring the expression of genes coding for high-affinity sulfate transporters and (2) to explore the possibility of increasing plant capability to take up Se by modulating S availability in the growth medium. We selected different tetraploid wheat genotypes as model plants, including a modern genotype, Svevo (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum), and three ancient Khorasan wheats, Kamut, Turanicum 21, and Etrusco (Triticum turgidum ssp. turanicum). The plants were cultivated hydroponically for 20 days in the presence of two sulfate levels, adequate (S = 1.2 mM) and limiting (L = 0.06 mM), and three selenate level...

IPNC '13: XVII. International plant nutrition colloquium & boron satellite meeting, [Istanbul, 19-22 August 2013]: Proceedings book, 2013

Agronomy, 2021

Despite being not essential to plants, Silicon (Si) has proven to have promoting effects on plant... more Despite being not essential to plants, Silicon (Si) has proven to have promoting effects on plants growth, yield, and resistance against biotic and abiotic stressors. The increase of concentration in specific minerals in plant tissues can also improve shelf-life, which, in fruits like strawberries, is also affected by the epiphytic microbial community. The present research was carried out to assess whether Si biofortification of strawberry plants, grown in soilless system, could affect plants yield and post-harvest feature of fruits during the storage period, carried out at three different temperatures (i.e., 1, 4 and 10 °C) for 7 and 14 days. Furthermore, we investigated whether the plant nutritional regime, specifically the Si fertilization, can impact the composition of microbial community. Our results showed that biofortification did not significantly affect fruits firmness, whereas, at the highest Si levels, an increase in titratable acidity was observed. The microbial communit...

Frontiers in Plant Science, 2021

Improving the agronomic use of recycled nutrients derived from organic waste is one of the priori... more Improving the agronomic use of recycled nutrients derived from organic waste is one of the priorities within the measures adopted by the European community to reduce environmental issues but remains an unexplored area of research. This study focused on investigating the possibility of using innovative fertilizer solutions in hydroponic systems for the growth of agricultural plants. To this purpose, a liquid fraction [aqueous hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) liquid (AHL)] derived from HTC of cow manure digestate was chemically characterized (pH, electrical conductivity, mineral elements, and organic compounds such as phytotoxins), diluted with distilled water (1:30, 1:60, and 1:90, v/v) to reduce its potential phytotoxicity, and used to grow hydroponic maize (Zea mays L.) plants instead of the classical full-strength nutrient solution. The results indicated that the dilution ratio 1:30 of the AHL solution maintained a high level of toxicity for the plants (phytotoxic substances, espe...

Even though iron (Fe) is one of the most abundant elements in soils, its availability represents ... more Even though iron (Fe) is one of the most abundant elements in soils, its availability represents one of the major constraints for plants growth and productivity. Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) affect the biogeochemical cycles of mineral elements and might increase the metal bioavailable fraction. In addition, they might also induce and/or regulate molecular and biochemical responses in plants. Azospirillum brasilense has been shown to alter root architecture and enhance mineral nutrition. In the present study, we characterized the physiological and biochemical effects induced by Fe starvation and PGPR inoculation in cucumber plants (Cucumis sativusL. cv. Chinese Long) analyzing the exudation pattern in hydroponic and soil conditions. In addition, we also investigated the molecular responses of cucumber plants induced by the inoculation with the PGPR assessing the mechanisms activated under Fe starvation (Fe - chelate reductase - CsFRO and PM H+-ATPase CsHA1). A. brasilense induced and anticipated Fe reduction and rhizosphere acidification in both Fe-sufficient and Fedeficient plants. These biochemical mechanisms were supported by an increased expression of the genes encoding CsFRO and CsHA1 and resulted in a higher Fe uptake rate (measured as 57Fe). The analyses of root exudates released by hydroponically grown plants highlighted that cucumber plants respond differently depending on the nutritional status. In addition, following the cultivation period on calcareous soil, also the root exudates suggested a peculiar behaviour of plants as a function of the treatment (either Fe deficient or sufficient). In soil the inoculum allowed a faster recovery of cucumber plants from Fe-deficiency symptoms, i.e. increase in the chlorophyll content, in the biomass and in the Fe content of leaves. In addition, this work highlighted for the first time on two amino acids, namely Glycine and Glutamate, which could be involved in the plant-microorganism-soil interaction for the retrieval of Fe within a calcareous soil. In conclusion, our findings highlighted that the molecular and physiological responses of cucumber plants to the inoculation with A. brasilenseare strictly related to the Fe nutritional status, suggesting the possible co-existence of multiple regulation mechanisms. These results further strengthen the capability of PGPRs to modulate Fe acquisition in plants by differently triggering genes transcription

<p>Plant roots are able to exude vast amounts of metabolites into the rhizosphere especiall... more <p>Plant roots are able to exude vast amounts of metabolites into the rhizosphere especially when subjected to phosphorus (P) deficiency to increase P solubility and thus its&#180; uptake. This causes noteworthy costs in terms of energy and carbon (C) for the plants. For this reason, we suggested that exudates reacquisition by roots could represent an energy saving strategy of plants. This study aimed at investigating the effect of P deficiency on the ability of hydroponically grown tomato plants to re-uptake specific metabolites generally present in root exudates by using ¹³C-labelled molecules. Hence, tomato plants have been grown for 21 days in full and P deficient nutrient solution. Exudates reuptake has been assessed by immersion of roots in a solution containing ¹³C labeled glycine, glucose, fructose, citrate, and malate. &#948;¹³C analysis was performed using a Continuous Flow Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (CFIRMS). Results revealed that P deficient tomato plants were able to take up significantly more citrate (+37%) and malate (+37%), when compared to controls. While also glycine (+42%) and fructose (+49%) uptake was enhanced in P shortage, glucose acquisition was not affected by plants nutritional status. Unexpectedly, results also highlighted that P deficiency leads to a ¹³C enrichment in both tomato roots and shoots over time (shoots +2.66 &#8240;, roots +2.64 &#8240;, compared to control plants). This could be explained by stomata closure triggered by P deficiency resulting in an increased use of ¹³CO₂ in respect to ¹²CO₂, normally preferred by RuBisCO. Our findings highlight that tomato plants are able to take up a wide range of metabolites belonging to root exudates, thus optimizing C trade off. This trait is particularly evident when plants grew in P deficiency.</p>

Scientific Reports, 2020

Plasmopara viticola is one of the most important pathogens infecting Vitis vinifera plants. The i... more Plasmopara viticola is one of the most important pathogens infecting Vitis vinifera plants. The interactions among P. viticola and both susceptible and resistant grapevine plants have been extensively characterised, at transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic levels. However, the involvement of plants ionome in the response against the pathogen has been completely neglected so far. Therefore, this study was aimed at investigating the possible role of leaf ionomic modulation during compatible and incompatible interactions between P. viticola and grapevine plants. In susceptible cultivars, a dramatic redistribution of mineral elements has been observed, thus uncovering a possible role for mineral nutrients in the response against pathogens. On the contrary, the resistant cultivars did not present substantial rearrangement of mineral elements at leaf level, except for manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe). This might demonstrate that, resistant cultivars, albeit expressing the resistance gene,...

Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 2016

Frontiers in Plant Science, 2020

Frontiers in Plant Science, 2020

The reliable quantification of root exudation and nutrient uptake is a very challenging task, esp... more The reliable quantification of root exudation and nutrient uptake is a very challenging task, especially when considering single root segments. Most methods used necessitate root handling e.g. root dissecting/cutting. However, there is a knowledge gap on how much these techniques affect root physiology. Thus, this study aimed at assessing the effect of different root handling techniques on the phosphate (Pi) uptake and carboxylate exudation of white lupin roots. White lupin plants were grown hydroponically in a full and Pi-deficient nutrient solution for 60 days. Phosphate uptake and carboxylate exudation of cluster and non-cluster roots were measured using custom made cells 1, 4, and 8 h after the onset of light. Three different experimental set-ups were used: i) without cutting the root apparatus from the shoots, nor dissecting the root into smaller root sections — named intact plant (IP); ii) separating the roots from the shoots, without dissecting the root into smaller sections ...

Scientific Reports, 2020

Plant roots are able to exude vast amounts of metabolites into the rhizosphere in response to pho... more Plant roots are able to exude vast amounts of metabolites into the rhizosphere in response to phosphorus (P) deficiency. Causing noteworthy costs in terms of energy and carbon (C) for the plants. Therefore, it is suggested that exudates reacquisition by roots could represent an energy saving strategy of plants. This study aimed at investigating the effect of P deficiency on the ability of hydroponically grown tomato plants to re-acquire specific compounds generally present in root exudates by using 13C-labelled molecules. Results showed that P deficient tomato plants were able to take up citrate (+ 37%) and malate (+ 37%), particularly when compared to controls. While glycine (+ 42%) and fructose (+ 49%) uptake was enhanced in P shortage, glucose acquisition was not affected by the nutritional status. Unexpectedly, results also showed that P deficiency leads to a 13C enrichment in both tomato roots and shoots over time (shoots—+ 2.66‰, roots—+ 2.64‰, compared to control plants), pro...

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, Oct 1, 2019

Agronomic strategies as intercropping might be applied to reduce plant-available copper (Cu) in C... more Agronomic strategies as intercropping might be applied to reduce plant-available copper (Cu) in Cu-contaminated soils. Thus, our aim was to characterize two different oat cultivars, Avena sativa L. cv. Fronteira and cv. Perona for their ability to tolerate and/or phytostabilize Cu. Copper toxicity reduced plant biomass of both cultivars. The exudate analysis revealed the presence of phenolic compounds and phytosiderophores, yet with a different pattern between the cultivars: cv. Fronteira showed a Cu-concentration and time-dependent release of phenolic compounds, while cv. Perona down-regulated this release during the second week of treatment. Copper concentration increased linearly in all the tissues analysed with increasing Cu concentration showing yet a different compartmentalization: cv. Fronteira and cv. Perona preferentially accumulated Cu in the apoplasm and symplast, respectively. This higher accumulation of Cu in the apoplasm strongly reduces the available binding sites, leading to a competitive absorption with other macro-and micronutrients (e.g. Ca, Mn, Zn). Furthermore, in both cultivars Cu toxicity led to a significant reduction of shoot phosphorus content. The ionomic profile and compartmentalization of Cu together with the root activities demonstrate the different tolerance mechanism towards Cu toxicity of the two oat cultivars. In particular, cv. Fronteira seems to adopt an exclusion strategy based on accumulating Cu in the apoplasm and on the exudation of phenolic compounds. Thus, this cultivar could reduce the mobility and the consequent soil bioavailability of Cu playing an important role as phytostabilizer plant in intercropping systems in Cu-contaminated vineyards or orchards.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Nov 17, 2022

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Scientia Horticulturae, Mar 1, 2023

Acta horticulturae, Oct 1, 2018

Silicon (Si) is an important element in the human diet, being health beneficial, as it improves t... more Silicon (Si) is an important element in the human diet, being health beneficial, as it improves the bone formation and decreases the bone fragility. However, this beneficial element is often lacking, leading to nutritional imbalances. Silicon also shows positive effects on plant metabolism, as it increases the resistance of plants against biotic and abiotic stresses. In the last decades, biofortification has shown to be a good solution to cope with Si shortage and to increase its concentration. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the biofortification potential of Si in strawberry fruits (Fragaria × ananassa 'Elsanta') grown for 16 weeks in hydroponic solutions at increasing levels of Si (50 and 100 mg L-1). At the stage of commercial maturity, the effects of Si enrichment on the qualitative parameters of strawberry fruits were evaluated. The results showed that some important (i.e., titratable acidity) quality parameters were affected by the Si treatment while the health beneficial compound content was only partially influenced by the Si treatments, with an increase of flavonols concentration. As expected, the Si concentration of the strawberry fruits increased with increasing Si availability in the nutrient solution reaching levels up to 80 mg g-1 DW. On the whole, the data presented demonstrates that strawberries are a good target for Si biofortification, which indeed also enhances the nutraceutical qualities of the fruits.

Advances in Applied Microbiology, 2016

A major challenge facing agriculture in the 21st century is the need to increase the productivity... more A major challenge facing agriculture in the 21st century is the need to increase the productivity of cultivated land while reducing the environmentally harmful consequences of mineral fertilization. The microorganisms thriving in association and interacting with plant roots, the plant microbiota, represent a potential resource of plant probiotic function, capable of conjugating crop productivity with sustainable management in agroecosystems. However, a limited knowledge of the organismal interactions occurring at the root-soil interface is currently hampering the development and use of beneficial plant-microbiota interactions in agriculture. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the recruitment cues of the plant microbiota and the molecular basis of nutrient turnover in the rhizosphere will be required to move toward efficient and sustainable crop nutrition. In this chapter, we will discuss recent insights into plant-microbiota interactions at the root-soil interface, illustrate the processes driving mineral dynamics in soil, and propose experimental avenues to further integrate the metabolic potential of the plant microbiota into crop management and breeding strategies for sustainable agricultural production.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient of fundamental importance to human health and the mai... more Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient of fundamental importance to human health and the main Se source is from plant-derived foods. Plants mainly take up Se as selenate (SeO42−), through the root sulfate transport system, because of their chemical similarity. The aims of this study were (1) to characterize the interaction between Se and S during the root uptake process, by measuring the expression of genes coding for high-affinity sulfate transporters and (2) to explore the possibility of increasing plant capability to take up Se by modulating S availability in the growth medium. We selected different tetraploid wheat genotypes as model plants, including a modern genotype, Svevo (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum), and three ancient Khorasan wheats, Kamut, Turanicum 21, and Etrusco (Triticum turgidum ssp. turanicum). The plants were cultivated hydroponically for 20 days in the presence of two sulfate levels, adequate (S = 1.2 mM) and limiting (L = 0.06 mM), and three selenate level...

IPNC '13: XVII. International plant nutrition colloquium & boron satellite meeting, [Istanbul, 19-22 August 2013]: Proceedings book, 2013

Agronomy, 2021

Despite being not essential to plants, Silicon (Si) has proven to have promoting effects on plant... more Despite being not essential to plants, Silicon (Si) has proven to have promoting effects on plants growth, yield, and resistance against biotic and abiotic stressors. The increase of concentration in specific minerals in plant tissues can also improve shelf-life, which, in fruits like strawberries, is also affected by the epiphytic microbial community. The present research was carried out to assess whether Si biofortification of strawberry plants, grown in soilless system, could affect plants yield and post-harvest feature of fruits during the storage period, carried out at three different temperatures (i.e., 1, 4 and 10 °C) for 7 and 14 days. Furthermore, we investigated whether the plant nutritional regime, specifically the Si fertilization, can impact the composition of microbial community. Our results showed that biofortification did not significantly affect fruits firmness, whereas, at the highest Si levels, an increase in titratable acidity was observed. The microbial communit...

Frontiers in Plant Science, 2021

Improving the agronomic use of recycled nutrients derived from organic waste is one of the priori... more Improving the agronomic use of recycled nutrients derived from organic waste is one of the priorities within the measures adopted by the European community to reduce environmental issues but remains an unexplored area of research. This study focused on investigating the possibility of using innovative fertilizer solutions in hydroponic systems for the growth of agricultural plants. To this purpose, a liquid fraction [aqueous hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) liquid (AHL)] derived from HTC of cow manure digestate was chemically characterized (pH, electrical conductivity, mineral elements, and organic compounds such as phytotoxins), diluted with distilled water (1:30, 1:60, and 1:90, v/v) to reduce its potential phytotoxicity, and used to grow hydroponic maize (Zea mays L.) plants instead of the classical full-strength nutrient solution. The results indicated that the dilution ratio 1:30 of the AHL solution maintained a high level of toxicity for the plants (phytotoxic substances, espe...

Even though iron (Fe) is one of the most abundant elements in soils, its availability represents ... more Even though iron (Fe) is one of the most abundant elements in soils, its availability represents one of the major constraints for plants growth and productivity. Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) affect the biogeochemical cycles of mineral elements and might increase the metal bioavailable fraction. In addition, they might also induce and/or regulate molecular and biochemical responses in plants. Azospirillum brasilense has been shown to alter root architecture and enhance mineral nutrition. In the present study, we characterized the physiological and biochemical effects induced by Fe starvation and PGPR inoculation in cucumber plants (Cucumis sativusL. cv. Chinese Long) analyzing the exudation pattern in hydroponic and soil conditions. In addition, we also investigated the molecular responses of cucumber plants induced by the inoculation with the PGPR assessing the mechanisms activated under Fe starvation (Fe - chelate reductase - CsFRO and PM H+-ATPase CsHA1). A. brasilense induced and anticipated Fe reduction and rhizosphere acidification in both Fe-sufficient and Fedeficient plants. These biochemical mechanisms were supported by an increased expression of the genes encoding CsFRO and CsHA1 and resulted in a higher Fe uptake rate (measured as 57Fe). The analyses of root exudates released by hydroponically grown plants highlighted that cucumber plants respond differently depending on the nutritional status. In addition, following the cultivation period on calcareous soil, also the root exudates suggested a peculiar behaviour of plants as a function of the treatment (either Fe deficient or sufficient). In soil the inoculum allowed a faster recovery of cucumber plants from Fe-deficiency symptoms, i.e. increase in the chlorophyll content, in the biomass and in the Fe content of leaves. In addition, this work highlighted for the first time on two amino acids, namely Glycine and Glutamate, which could be involved in the plant-microorganism-soil interaction for the retrieval of Fe within a calcareous soil. In conclusion, our findings highlighted that the molecular and physiological responses of cucumber plants to the inoculation with A. brasilenseare strictly related to the Fe nutritional status, suggesting the possible co-existence of multiple regulation mechanisms. These results further strengthen the capability of PGPRs to modulate Fe acquisition in plants by differently triggering genes transcription

<p>Plant roots are able to exude vast amounts of metabolites into the rhizosphere especiall... more <p>Plant roots are able to exude vast amounts of metabolites into the rhizosphere especially when subjected to phosphorus (P) deficiency to increase P solubility and thus its&#180; uptake. This causes noteworthy costs in terms of energy and carbon (C) for the plants. For this reason, we suggested that exudates reacquisition by roots could represent an energy saving strategy of plants. This study aimed at investigating the effect of P deficiency on the ability of hydroponically grown tomato plants to re-uptake specific metabolites generally present in root exudates by using ¹³C-labelled molecules. Hence, tomato plants have been grown for 21 days in full and P deficient nutrient solution. Exudates reuptake has been assessed by immersion of roots in a solution containing ¹³C labeled glycine, glucose, fructose, citrate, and malate. &#948;¹³C analysis was performed using a Continuous Flow Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (CFIRMS). Results revealed that P deficient tomato plants were able to take up significantly more citrate (+37%) and malate (+37%), when compared to controls. While also glycine (+42%) and fructose (+49%) uptake was enhanced in P shortage, glucose acquisition was not affected by plants nutritional status. Unexpectedly, results also highlighted that P deficiency leads to a ¹³C enrichment in both tomato roots and shoots over time (shoots +2.66 &#8240;, roots +2.64 &#8240;, compared to control plants). This could be explained by stomata closure triggered by P deficiency resulting in an increased use of ¹³CO₂ in respect to ¹²CO₂, normally preferred by RuBisCO. Our findings highlight that tomato plants are able to take up a wide range of metabolites belonging to root exudates, thus optimizing C trade off. This trait is particularly evident when plants grew in P deficiency.</p>

Scientific Reports, 2020

Plasmopara viticola is one of the most important pathogens infecting Vitis vinifera plants. The i... more Plasmopara viticola is one of the most important pathogens infecting Vitis vinifera plants. The interactions among P. viticola and both susceptible and resistant grapevine plants have been extensively characterised, at transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic levels. However, the involvement of plants ionome in the response against the pathogen has been completely neglected so far. Therefore, this study was aimed at investigating the possible role of leaf ionomic modulation during compatible and incompatible interactions between P. viticola and grapevine plants. In susceptible cultivars, a dramatic redistribution of mineral elements has been observed, thus uncovering a possible role for mineral nutrients in the response against pathogens. On the contrary, the resistant cultivars did not present substantial rearrangement of mineral elements at leaf level, except for manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe). This might demonstrate that, resistant cultivars, albeit expressing the resistance gene,...

Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 2016

Frontiers in Plant Science, 2020

Frontiers in Plant Science, 2020

The reliable quantification of root exudation and nutrient uptake is a very challenging task, esp... more The reliable quantification of root exudation and nutrient uptake is a very challenging task, especially when considering single root segments. Most methods used necessitate root handling e.g. root dissecting/cutting. However, there is a knowledge gap on how much these techniques affect root physiology. Thus, this study aimed at assessing the effect of different root handling techniques on the phosphate (Pi) uptake and carboxylate exudation of white lupin roots. White lupin plants were grown hydroponically in a full and Pi-deficient nutrient solution for 60 days. Phosphate uptake and carboxylate exudation of cluster and non-cluster roots were measured using custom made cells 1, 4, and 8 h after the onset of light. Three different experimental set-ups were used: i) without cutting the root apparatus from the shoots, nor dissecting the root into smaller root sections — named intact plant (IP); ii) separating the roots from the shoots, without dissecting the root into smaller sections ...

Scientific Reports, 2020

Plant roots are able to exude vast amounts of metabolites into the rhizosphere in response to pho... more Plant roots are able to exude vast amounts of metabolites into the rhizosphere in response to phosphorus (P) deficiency. Causing noteworthy costs in terms of energy and carbon (C) for the plants. Therefore, it is suggested that exudates reacquisition by roots could represent an energy saving strategy of plants. This study aimed at investigating the effect of P deficiency on the ability of hydroponically grown tomato plants to re-acquire specific compounds generally present in root exudates by using 13C-labelled molecules. Results showed that P deficient tomato plants were able to take up citrate (+ 37%) and malate (+ 37%), particularly when compared to controls. While glycine (+ 42%) and fructose (+ 49%) uptake was enhanced in P shortage, glucose acquisition was not affected by the nutritional status. Unexpectedly, results also showed that P deficiency leads to a 13C enrichment in both tomato roots and shoots over time (shoots—+ 2.66‰, roots—+ 2.64‰, compared to control plants), pro...