Somatic embryogenesis from leaf- and petiole-derived calli of Vitis rupestris was obtained with an efficiency of 3.2% and 4.2% of plated explants, respectively on two combinations of 6-benzyladenine and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (1/0.1 and 1/1 mgl(-1)) added to MS medium. Embryogenic callus, embryo subcultures and somatic embryogenesis from somatic embryos were obtained either in the presence of 1 mgl(-1) indole-3-acetic acid or 0.1 mgl(-1) indole-3-butyric acid added to MS or NN media. Within a 4-month culture, embryo germination occurred at a frequency of 13% of explanted embryos when chilling at 4°C was provided for two weeks and a combination of 6-benzyladenine (1 mgl(-1)) with indole-3-butyric acid (0.1 mgl(-1)) was added to NN medium supplemented with casein hydrolysate (250 mgl(-1)). A higher frequency (51%) was obtained in a longer culture time (9 months) when only indole-3-butyric acid was present in the medium and in absence of chilling.

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During blueberry scorch virus (BlScV) surveys of highbush blueberries in Italy between 2005 and 2010, we initially discovered infected orchards only in Piedmont. Since 2009, however, three infected orchards have also been found in Trentino, where a new host species, Vaccinium ashei, was found to be infected by BlScV. Molecular characterization of isolates during the study period suggests that two very distinct epidemics are now present in Italy: the Piedmont isolates belong to a new BlScV strain, whereas the Trentino isolates are almost identical to the Washington State strain.

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