Papers by Urania Menkissoglu-Spiroudi
Applied sciences, Nov 19, 2021
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
Essential oils use for M. incognita control: Synergistic and antagonistic interactions amongst constituents and activity
Pesticides, 2010
Plants, Mar 21, 2023
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
Plants, Feb 28, 2023
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
CPPU treatment and pollination: Their combined effect on kiwifruit growth and quality
Scientia Horticulturae, Sep 1, 2015
Abstract The influence of N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N′-phenylurea (CPPU) on ‘Hayward’ kiwifruits was... more Abstract The influence of N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N′-phenylurea (CPPU) on ‘Hayward’ kiwifruits was evaluated in the field under different pollination conditions: (a) natural pollination, (b) assist pollination and (c) absence of pollinators. Residue dynamics of CPPU on kiwifruit revealed that half life values in all treatments did not exceed 6 days, although in absence of pollinators the dissipation rate was reduced. At harvest, CPPU treatment increased the weight and the size only of pollinated fruits compared to untreated pollinated ones. Absence of pollinators resulted to more soften fruits with lower seed number and Ca2+ content, while CPPU application resulted additionally to misshapen fruits. No differences were detected on fruit total soluble solids, titrable acidity and ascorbic acid. In contrast, phenolics were higher on kiwifruits grown in absence of pollinators irrespective of CPPU treatment and antioxidant capacity was significantly lower only on untreated with CPPU fruits under assist pollination. These results suggest that (i) under good pollination conditions, CPPU indeed contributes to superior product quality of kiwifruits, and (ii) a strong influence of seed number on Ca2+ accumulation and phenolic content probably exists as indicated in the case of fruits grown under limited pollination conditions.
The relationship between the chemical composition of three essential oils and their insecticidal activity againstAcanthoscelides obtectus(Say)
Pest Management Science, Apr 27, 2004
The chemical composition of the essential oils isolated from various parts of three Greek aromati... more The chemical composition of the essential oils isolated from various parts of three Greek aromatic plants (Lavandula hybrida Rev, Rosmarinus officinalis L and Eucalyptus globulus Labill) collected at different seasons was determined by GC/MS analysis. The insecticidal action of these oils and of their main constituents on Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say) adults was evaluated and their LC50 values were estimated. All essential oils tested exhibited strong activity against A obtectus adults, with varying LC50 values depending on insect sex and the composition of the essential oils. A correlation between total oxygenated monoterpenoid content and activity was observed, with oxygenated compounds exhibiting higher activity than hydrocarbons. Among the main constituents, only linalyl and terpinyl acetate were not active against A obtectus, while all the others exhibited insecticidal activity against both male and female adults, with LC50 values ranging from 0.8 to 47.1 mg litre−1 air. An attempt to correlate the insecticidal activity to the monoterpenoid's structure is presented, and the difference in sensitivity between male and female individuals is also explored. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
The Effects of Quinone Imine, a New Potent Nitrification Inhibitor, Dicyandiamide, and Nitrapyrin on Target and Off-Target Soil Microbiota
Microbiology spectrum, Aug 31, 2022
NIs could improve N use efficiency and decelerate N cycling. Still, we know little about their ac... more NIs could improve N use efficiency and decelerate N cycling. Still, we know little about their activity on the distinct AOM groups and about their effects on off-target soil microorganisms.
Effects of the nitrification inhibitor 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) on the activity and diversity of the soil microbial community under contrasting soil pH
Biology and Fertility of Soils, Oct 9, 2021
Polyhedron, Sep 1, 2019
This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service... more This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. Composition effect of Cu-based nanoparticles on phytopathogenic bacteria. Antibacterial studies and phytotoxicity evaluation.
Anthocyanin-rich extracts from Cornelian cherry pomace as a natural food colorant: a spectroscopic and LC-QTOF-MS study
European Food Research and Technology, Aug 8, 2022
OENO One
Berries of 13 Greek grape wine cultivars were evaluated for resistance to Botrytis bunch rot. Art... more Berries of 13 Greek grape wine cultivars were evaluated for resistance to Botrytis bunch rot. Artificial inoculations on detached berries revealed that the Greek cultivars tested varied regarding their susceptibility to Botrytis cinerea. Cultivar (cv.) “Limnio” was found to be highly resistant, while higher susceptibility was observed on berries of cv. “Roditis”. To determine the molecular basis of the observed resistance or susceptibility of cv. “Limnio” and “Roditis”, an expression analysis of 12 defence-related genes, was carried out on artificially inoculated berries of the two cultivars at different time points after inoculation. Gene expression measurements in the resistant cv. “Limnio” showed that the artificial inoculation with the pathogen triggered the induction of genes encoding pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins such as chitinases (CHIT), polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein (PGIP), serine proteinase inhibitor (PIN) and enzymes involved in phytoalexin synthesis such as p...
Plants
Bacillus subtilis MBI600 is a commercialized plant growth-promoting bacterial species used as a b... more Bacillus subtilis MBI600 is a commercialized plant growth-promoting bacterial species used as a biocontrol agent in many crops, controlling various plant pathogens via direct or indirect mechanisms. In the present study, a detailed transcriptomic analysis of cucumber roots upon response to the Bs MBI600 strain is provided. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) analysis showed altered gene expression in more than 1000 genes at 24 and 48 h post-application of Bs MBI600. Bs MBI600 induces genes involved in ISR and SAR signaling. In addition, genes involved in phytohormone production and nutrient availability showed an upregulation pattern, justifying the plant growth promotion. Biocontrol ability of Bs MBI600 seems also to be related to the activation of defense-related genes, such as peroxidase, endo-1,3(4)-beta-glucanase, PR-4, and thaumatin-like. Moreover, KEGG enriched results showed that differentially expressed genes were classified into biocontrol-related pathways. To further in...
Nanotechnology provides unique opportunities for the development of novel nanotools in various fi... more Nanotechnology provides unique opportunities for the development of novel nanotools in various fields, especially in agriculture. In terms of desired function, nanomaterials are proposed as environmentally acceptable substitutes that can lead to a green agricultural revolution. Among others, inorganic nanoparticles (INPs) stand at the first line. The advantage of INPs arises from their unique inherent physicochemical properties in combination with nanoeffects that classify them as nanofertilizers or nanopesticides. Thus, INPs have been found to enhance pesticide efficiency and provide crop productivity at low doses. Nanopesticides are considered less harmful for the environment because they are usually involved in the slow release of the active ingredient that is employed in less quantities of the formulate, compared to the conventional pesticides. Herein, INPs that are based on bioessential and bioactive elements, namely copper and zinc, have been prepared and tested as antifungal and nematicidal agents. Copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs), zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and bimetallic nanostructures of CuZn and CuZn@ZnO NPs have been isolated through assisted microwave process and solvothermal method in the presence of polyols. Sizes were identified in a range of 20 to 40 nm while polyols serve as coatings to the INPs. Antifungal and nematicidal activity of NPs was studied in vitro against the phytopathogenic fungi Botrytis cinerea and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum as well as on the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica. Lettuce plants infected either with S. sclerotiorum or M. javanica, were sprayed with the synthesized NPs. The photosynthetic quantum yield, net photosynthesis and chlorophyll content index of treated plants were also measured in order to investigate the photocatalytic activity of the NPs. The Cu-based metal NPs and bimetallic CuZn@ZnO NPs were identified as the most effective control agents against S. sclerotiorum and M. javanica and were constituted effective tools to prevent fungal and nematicide infections in agricultural field after further investigation.
Journal of Pest Science, 2020
The main goal of the present study was to evaluate the hexanoic acid (HEX) and acetic acid (ACET)... more The main goal of the present study was to evaluate the hexanoic acid (HEX) and acetic acid (ACET), two active ingredients of the nematicidal Melia azedarach fruits water extract (MWE), for use on root knot nematodes control. We studied the effect of the acids on various growth stages of the phytoparasitic nematode Meloidogyne javanica, along with the phytotoxicity on tomato plants, their fate in soil and ecotoxicology, including non-target soil nematode and microbial communities. The EC 50/4d values established for paralysis activity on second-stage juveniles were 195 and 49 μg mL −1 for HEX and ACET, respectively. Both acids significantly inhibited M. javanica undifferentiated egg hatch and J2 release from free eggs immersed in 100 μg mL −1 solutions, but only HEX achieved activity when egg masses were treated with acids' concentrations greater than 50 μg mL −1. HEX lasted longer in soil than ACET did and yielded less females of M. javanica per gram of tomato root (EC 50 = 112 mg kg −1). Other than efficacy, the two acids had a negative impact on the free-living nematode abundances compared to the control, thus implying an eco-toxic character. MWE is effective for the target nematodes and increases the abundance of free-living nematodes and the microbial biomass. Keywords Carboxylic acids • Soil communities • Chinaberry • Nematicidal Key message • Is it better to use crude extracts or purified ingredient compounds for root knot nematodes control? • Acetic and hexanoic acids exhibit egg-hatch inhibition activity on embryonated eggs and J2 release. • Acetic and hexanoic acids arrest Meloidogyne javanica biological cycle in tomato plants and are not phytotoxic. • Acetic and hexanoic acids do not harm soil microbials. • Melia azedarach extract, naturally containing acetic and hexanoic acids, increases abundancies of soil microbes and free-living nematodes. Communicated by M.B. Isman.
Ecological Research, 2019
We performed a microcosm soil mixing incubation experiment to assess the functionality and compos... more We performed a microcosm soil mixing incubation experiment to assess the functionality and composition of the microbial communities of “new” created soils. Sterilized soils from a deciduous beech forest in Taxiarchis (T) area and an evergreen sclerophyllous formation in Eleochoria (E) area (substrates) were either self‐ or cross‐inoculated with a small percentage (6%) of nonsterilized soils (inoculums) from E or T or an equal mixing of both. The control microcosms were prepared from original soil collected from E or T or an equal mixture of both. Three and 8 weeks after inoculation, the activity of soil enzymes engaged in the C (peroxidase, β‐glucosidase), N (N‐acetylglucosaminidase, urease and leucine‐aminopeptidase) and P (acid phosphomonoesterase) cycles was recorded. Also, the biomasses of different microbial groups were assessed by phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) analysis. Concerning functionality, 3 weeks after inoculation, the type of inoculum was the considerable factor but...
Ecological Indicators, 2014
The key role of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in maintaining soil fertility and ecosystem fun... more The key role of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in maintaining soil fertility and ecosystem functioning and their general sensitivity to pesticides make them good candidate bioindicators in pesticide soil microbial toxicity assessment. We investigated the impact of the herbicide nicosulfuron on mycorrhizal colonization and community structure of AM fungi via a pot-to-field experimental approach. This allowed the assessment of nicosulfuron toxicity (i) at extreme exposure schemes (pot experiment, Tier I) invoked by the repeated application of a range of dose rates (x0, x10, x100, x1000 the recommended dose) and (ii) under realistic exposure scenarios (x0, x1, x2, x5 the recommended dose) in the field (Tier II). In the pot experiment, the x100 and x1000 dose rates significantly reduced plant biomass, mycorrhizal colonization and AM fungal richness as determined by DGGE. This coincided with the progressive accumulation of herbicide concentrations in soil. In contrast, no effects on AM fungi were observed at the nicosulfuron dose rates tested in the field. Clone libraries showed that the majority of AM fungi belonged to the Glomus group and were sensitive to the high levels of nicosulfuron accumulated in soil at the latter culture cycles. In contrast, a Paraglomeraceae and a Glomus etunicatum ribotype were present in maize roots in all cycles and dose rates implying a tolerance to nicosulfuron-induced stress. Overall, the deleterious effects of nicosulfuron on AM fungi induced by the highest dose rates in the pot experiment could be attributed either to fungal-driven toxicity or to plant-driven effects which have subsequent implications for mycorrhizal symbiosis. We suggest that the tiered pot-to-field experimental approach followed in our study combined with classic and standardized molecular tools could provide a realistic assessment of the toxicity of pesticides onto AM fungi as potential bioindicators.
Journal of Nanotechnology Research, 2019
Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) cause great economic impact in the sector of agriculture w... more Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) cause great economic impact in the sector of agriculture while the number of existing commercial nematicides has been drastically reduced. The metal-based nanoparticles offer new possibilities as agrochemicals. In the current study, we shed light on the role of copper/iron based nanoparticles as bioactive agents against the root knot nematode Meloidogyne spp; along with the plant enhancement properties on the nematode infested host. Same sized PEGylated Cu, CuFe and CuFeO 2 NPs, were solvothermally synthesized characterized and evaluated against M. incognita and M. javanica nematodes, in terms of paralysis and biological cycle arrest in tomato plants. Comparisons were made against the commercial nematicide fosthiazate. All the tested compositions revealed nematicidal activity, but CuFe NPs were found best effective exhibiting the lowest EC 50 value calculated at 0.03 μg ai g/soil. Additionally, a fresh shoot and root weight increase was evident in tomato plants treated with CuFe NPs.
Molecules
A rapid and simple HPLC-DAD analytical method was developed and optimized for the determination o... more A rapid and simple HPLC-DAD analytical method was developed and optimized for the determination of anthocynanins in three red Greek winegrape varieties (Kotsifali, Limnio, and Vradiano). The critical parameters, such as the acidifying solvent and the extraction temperature, which affect the extraction of anthocyanins from the grapes, were studied to find the optimum values. The developed methodology was validated in terms of selectivity, linearity, accuracy, and precision and presented satisfactory results. The limits of quantification (LOQs) ranged between 0.20 mg/kg to 0.60 mg/kg, and the limits of detection (LODs) ranged between 0.06 mg/kg and 0.12 mg/kg. The RSD% of the within-day and between-day assays were lower than 6.2% and 8.5%, respectively, showing adequate precision. The accuracy ranged between 91.6 and 119% for within-day assay and between 89.9 and 123% for between-day assay. Sixteen samples from the main regions of each variety as well as from the official ampelographi...
Conventional vs. organic vineyards: Black Aspergilli population structure, mycotoxigenic capacity and mycotoxin contamination assessment in wines, using a new Q-TOF MS-MS detection method
Food Control, 2022
Plants
In the present study, the bioactive substance geraniol was tested in vitro and in planta against ... more In the present study, the bioactive substance geraniol was tested in vitro and in planta against B. cinerea on cucumber plants, and the changes in the metabolic profile of cucumber plants inoculated with the pathogen and/or treated with geraniol were monitored by a novel LC-QTOF-MS method employing target and suspect screening. The aforementioned treatments were also studied for their impact on membrane lipid peroxidation calculated as malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Additionally, geraniol-loaded nanoemulsions (GNEs) were synthesized and tested against B. cinerea as an integrated formulation mode of geraniol application. The EC50 values calculated for geraniol and GNEs against B. cinerea were calculated at 235 μg/mL and 105 μg/mL, respectively. The in planta experiment on cucumber plants demonstrated the ability of geraniol and GNEs to significantly inhibit B. cinerea under greenhouse conditions. The LC-QTOF-MS analysis of the metabolic profile of the cucumber plants treated with ger...
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Papers by Urania Menkissoglu-Spiroudi