Phenological Model to Predict Budbreak and Flowering Dates of Four Vitis vinifera L. Cultivars Cultivated in DO. Ribeiro (North-West Spain).

The aim of this study was to assess the thermal requirements of the most important grapevine varieties in northwestern Spain to better understand the impact of climate change on their phenology. Different phenological models (GDD, GDD Triangular and UniFORC) were tested and validated to predict budburst and flowering dates of grapevines at the variety level using phenological observations collected from Treixadura, Godello, Loureira and Albariño between 2008 and 2019. The same modeling framework was assessed to obtain the most suitable model for this region. The parametrization of the models was carried out with the Phenological Modeling Platform (PMP) platform by means of an iterative optimization process. Phenological data for all four varieties were used to determine the best-fitted parameters for each variety and model type that best predicted budburst and flowering dates. A model calibration phase was conducted using each variety dataset independently, where the intermediate-fitted parameters for each model formulation were freely-adjusted. Afterwards, the parameter set combination of the model providing the highest performance for each variety was externally validated with the dataset of the other three varieties, which allowed us to establish one overall unique model for budburst and flowering for all varieties. Finally, the performance of this model was compared with the attained one while considering all varieties in one dataset (12 years × 4 varieties giving a total number of observations of 48). For both phenological stages, the results showed no considerable differences between the GDD and Triangular GDD models. The best parameters selected were those provided by the Treixadura GDD model for budburst (day of the year (t0) = 49 and base temperature (Tb) = 5) and those corresponding to the Godello model (t0 = 52 and Tb = 6) for flowering. The modeling approach employed allowed obtaining a global prediction model that can adequately predict budburst and flowering dates for all varieties.

Secondary Outcomes of the Ole e 1 Proteins Involved in Pollen Tube Development: Impact on Allergies.

Ole e 1 protein is involved in olive fertilization mechanisms controlling pollen tube development. Similarly to the process by which pollen grains hydrated and form a pollen tube upon arrival at the female gametophyte, when pollen grains fall on the nasal mucosa the expression of Ole e 1 protein induce allergic reaction in sensitive individuals. The research was conducted in Ourense (North-western Spain), during the 2009-2018 period. Ole e 1 protein was collected using a Cyclone Sampler and processed with the ELISA methodology. Airborne Olea pollen were monitored using a Hirst type volumetric sampler. Allergy risk episodes identified by pollen concentrations were detected in five of the 10 studied years, all with moderate risk. Actual risk episodes of allergy increased when the combination of pollen and Ole e 1 concentrations were considered. Moderate risk episodes were detected during 9 years and high-risk episodes during 3 years. In addition, some years of low annual pollen concentrations recorded high total amounts of Ole e 1. During the years with lower pollen production, the tree increases the synthesis of Ole e 1 to ensure proper pollen tube elongation in order to complete a successful fertilization. This fact could justify higher sensitization rates in years in which a lower pollen production is expected. The present method contributes to the determination of the real exposure to Ole e 1 allergen evaluating the role of this protein as an aeroallergen for sensitized population. The allergen content in the atmosphere should be considered to enhance the prevention of pollinosis clinical symptomatology and the reduction of medicine consumption.

Thirty-four identifiable airborne fungal spores in Havana, Cuba.

The airborne fungal spore content in Havana, Cuba, collected by means a non-viable volumetric methodology, was studied from November 2010 - October 2011. The study, from a qualitative point of view, allowed the characterization of 29 genera and 5 fungal types, described following the Saccardo´s morphotypes, as well as their morphobiometrical characteristics. In the amerospores morphotype, the conidia of 7 genera (with ascospores, basidiospores and uredospores) and 5 fungal types were included. Among phragmospores morphotype, the ascospores and conidia of 12 different genera were identified. The dictyospores morphotype only included conidial forms from 6 genera. Finally, the less frequent morphotypes were staurospores, didymospores and distosepted spores. In general, the main worldwide spread mitosporic fungi also predominated in the Havana atmosphere, accompanied by some ascospores and basidiospores. Cladosporium cladosporioides type was the most abundant with a total of 148,717 spores, followed by Leptosphaeria, Coprinus and the Aspergillus-Penicillium type spores, all of them with total values ranging from 20,591 - 16,392 spores. The higher monthly concentrations were registered in January (31,663 spores) and the lowest in December (7,314 spores). Generally, the average quantity of spores recorded during the months of the dry season (20,599 spores) was higher compared with that observed during the rainy season (17,460 spores).

Temporal dynamics of airborne fungi in Havana (Cuba) during dry and rainy seasons: influence of meteorological parameters.

The aim of this paper was to determine for first time the influence of the main meteorological parameters on the atmospheric fungal spore concentration in Havana (Cuba). This city is characterized by a subtropical climate with two different marked annual rainfall seasons during the year: a "dry season" and a "rainy season". A nonviable volumetric methodology (Lanzoni VPPS-2000 sampler) was used to sample airborne spores. The total number of spores counted during the 2 years of study was 293,594, belonging to 30 different genera and five spore types. Relative humidity was the meteorological parameter most influencing the atmospheric concentration of the spores, mainly during the rainy season of the year. Winds coming from the SW direction also increased the spore concentration in the air. In terms of spore intradiurnal variation we found three different patterns: morning maximum values for Cladosporium, night peaks for Coprinus and Leptosphaeria, and uniform behavior throughout the whole day for Aspergillus/Penicillium."

The use of artificial neural networks to forecast biological atmospheric allergens or pathogens only as Alternaria spores.

The monitoring of atmospheric Alternaria spores is of major importance due to their adverse effects on crops and their role as human allergens. Most species act as plant pathogens, prompting considerable economic losses worldwide on important crops such as potato, tomato or wheat. Fungal spores can also have serious detrimental effects on human health, triggering respiratory diseases and allergenic processes. The aim of this study was not only to examine the relationship between the atmospheric Alternaria spore content and the prevailing meteorological parameters, but also to predict the atmospheric Alternaria spore content in the Northwest Spain using a novel data analysis technique, ANNs (Artificial Neural Networks). A Hirst-type LANZONI VPPS 2000 volumetric 7-day recording sampler was used to collect the airborne spores from 1997 to 2008. Neural networks provided us with a good tool for forecasting Alternaria airborne spore concentration, and thus could help the automation of the prediction system in the aerobiological information diffusion to the population suffering from allergic problems or the prevention of considerable economic worldwide losses on important crops. Our proposed model would be applied to different geographical areas; nevertheless, the adjustment of the model, by using the available and adequate variables, would be realised in each case.

Detection of airborne Par j 1 and Par j 2 allergens in relation to Urticaceae pollen counts in different bioclimatic areas.

BACKGROUND: In aerobiological studies, the Parietaria pollen type usually includes all Parietaria and Urtica species found in the area. Given that Urtica is a nonallergenic plant, the pollen counts report incomplete information on the presence of allergens in the atmosphere. Discordance between the pollen concentrations of Urticaceae and allergic symptoms has been observed in patients with pollinosis. OBJECTIVE: To compare the Urticaceae pollen counts with the Par j 1 and Par j 2 aeroallergen concentrations from 2 different Spanish geographic areas to determine the allergenic load in the atmosphere. METHODS: Hirst-type volumetric traps and Burkard Cyclone samplers were used for pollen counts and aeroallergen capture, respectively. The quantification of Par j 1 and Par j 2 allergens was performed using specific 2-site antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Transmission electron microscopy and immunocytochemical techniques were applied to localize these allergens in the orbicules. RESULTS: Differences between areas and years were obtained in both pollen and aeroallergen concentrations. Despite the lower pollen counts recorded in Cartagena, higher aeroallergen concentrations were registered compared with Ourense. A lower correlation was achieved between Urticaceae pollen concentrations and aeroallergen levels, with a maximum positive significant correlation (adjusted R2 = 0.466, P < .001). Intense labeling of Par j 1 and Par j 2 proteins was observed in the orbicules, the tapetal membrane, and the tapetal tissue remnants. CONCLUSION: This method may be valuable for epidemiologic research to establish correlations between concentrations of Parietaria aeroallergens and clinical symptoms. Therefore, the measurement of aeroallergens should be incorporated into the aerobiological studies with clinical applications.

Use of phenological and pollen-production data for interpreting atmospheric birch pollen curves.

Although aerobiological data are frequently used as a flowering sign in phenological research, airborne pollen counts are influenced by a number of factors affecting pollen curves. A study was made about the reproductive biology of birch and environmental factors influencing its pollen release and transport, in order to achieve a reliable interpretation of Betula pollen curves. Aerobiological data were recorded in 2002 and 2003 at two sites in NW Spain and phenological observations were carried out on 20 trees from four Betula populations (three Betula alba L. and one B. pendula Roth.). Pollen production was calculated for six Betula alba trees. Chilling and heat requirements for triggering development were calculated. Due to differences in the geographical location, budbreak and flowering started first in Betula pendula. The flowering period lasted from 8-13 days. Reduced pollen output per anther and catkin in individual trees in 2003 prompted a marked decline in overall pollen production. Major differences observed in birch pollen curves were attributed to the influence both of weather conditions and pollen transport from areas where the flowering occurs at a different time. Heat requirements calculated using phenological and aerobiological data were similar when the peak pollen-count date was used.

Variation assessment of airborne Alternaria and Cladosporium spores at different bioclimatical conditions.

The study of mould spores is of major importance as many fungi can cause considerable economic losses worldwide acting as plant pathogens or triggering respiratory diseases and allergenic processes in humans. Knowledge of spore production relationships to different altitudes or weather patterns can be applied in a more efficient and reliable use of pesticides or improving diagnosis and treatment of respiratory allergic diseases. In this way monitoring of Cladosporium cladosporioides, C. herbarum and Alternaria spp. airborne spores during 2002 was carried out by means of three LANZONI VPPS 2000 pollen traps located in areas of north-west Spain at various altitudes and with various weather patterns. High spore counts were recorded in the late summer and early autumn, with a fairly similar hourly spore-count pattern, increasing the concentrations in the late evening (7-10 p.m.). High spore concentrations were detected in inland rural areas in front of coastal ones. As the continentality index increased, C. cladosporioides spore concentrations rose and Alternaria declined. C. herbarum concentrations increased with increasing height above sea level. The weather factor displaying the strongest positive correlation with mean daily spore counts was temperature. The optimal conditions for high airborne spore concentrations were recorded at temperatures ranging from 23-29 degrees C and RH values of around 80%, followed rapidly by rainfall in Vigo and Ourense and preceded by heavy rain two days prior to recording peak values in Trives.