MASTER NUT

Innovative MAnagement STrategies of ERiophyoid mites affecting hazel-NUT

MASTER-NUT

ABSTRACT

Hazelnut is gaining higher economic importance in the Mediterranean basin and, particularly, in Turkey and Italy where most of the world’s hazelnut production is. Several noxious agents threaten hazelnut production and survivorship, causing a risk of an increase in chemical inputs. Phytoptus avellanae (Acari: Eriophyoidea) is increasingly involved in severe infestations with disturbance in plant growth and reduction in nut yield, even in Latium, one of the most important hazelnut production areas in Italy, where the research field activities will be carried out. This project aims to compare innovative, sustainable and time-saving monitoring methods that will be instrumental in updating knowledge about the bio-ecology, taxonomy of the hazelnut eriophyoids, such as the presence of P. avellanae vagrant form in Italy, and setting up effective field management strategies. Rapid pest detection systems will be integrated with the monitoring strategies. We will resort to 3 mite detection techniques: 1) YOLO technology with its real-time computation capability could enable detection of collected mite specimens; 2) Flotac procedures, tested for the observation and counting of mites collected by traps; 3) phylogenetic analysis of the mite species sampled with mentioned traps for the discrimination of mites basing on morphological features and molecular analysis. This project aims also to define low-impact control strategies of hazelnut mites using native and commercial strains of fungi pathogens of mites, as well as native and commercial bred predaceous phytoseiid mites. The results of these activities will be useful in updating and modifying the guideline for an ecofriendly management of mites.

Identification Code: MUR P2022TNT89, CUP J53D23013880001

Total project cost: 237.300,00 €

Total cost DAFNE: 170.550,00 €

DAFNE Role: Operational Unit
Scientific Supervisor DAFNE: Prof. Stefano Speranza

Email: speranza@unitus.it

Start date: 30/11/2223

End date: 29/11/2025

LINK

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556285678328

PARTNERNARIATO/PARTNERSHIP

Università degli Studi della Tuscia

Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro

Università degli Studi di Palermo

The research leading to these results has received funding from the project “Innovative MAnagement STrategies of ERiophyoid mites affecting hazel-NUT (MASTER-NUT)” CUP

H53D23007270001 funded by the Italian PRIN-PNRR 2022 – DD 1409/2023

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