Endophytic
incidence and pathogenicity of Diplodia mutila (teleomorph Botryospheria
stevensii Shoemaker) on Quercus cerris and Q. robur. 
Project leader: G.P. Cellerino
Evaluation
of endophytic and pathogenic incidence of D.
mutila on Quercus cerris and Q.
robur in a wood in the North of Italy (Val Cerrina, Alessandria).
In these forest an healthy and a declining representative site will be located.
In each site 3 Q. cerris and 3 Q. pubescens will be sampled in spring, when
most of the leaves are unwrapped, and in autumn when the leaves turn yellow
and fall down, keeping buds, leaves, and braches.
Isolations and identifications will be carried out to detect the frequency of D.
mutila in comparison to other endophytic fungi.
To determine the pathogenicity of different isolates of D. mutila on Q.
robur, tests will be carried out with at least 3 endophytic
isolates (chosen among those investigated about morpho-biological and
molecular analysis).
The pathogenicity of the isolates will be evaluated, checking periodically the
plants, on different damage classes for the following symptoms: dry up of
leaves, bark necrosis, cancer and epicormic branches formation.
Effect
of anionic surface-active agents on the vegetation decline of coastal woods.
Project leader: M.L.Gullino
Evaluation of the effect of anionic surface-active agents on the
vegetation of Pinus halepensis, Pinus pinea, Pinus pinaster and Nerium
oleander.
Detection and evaluation of different classes of stomata injuries and of relationship
between plant decline and water stress.
Evaluation of the relationship between class of decline and both salt and surface-active
agents concentration.