Common cypress (Cupressus sempervirens L.) is an integral feature of the landscape of many Mediterranean regions (particularly in Tuscany). Furthermore, common cypress has multiple uses as ornament, timber, windbreaks, recovery of deteriorated soils, protection of slopes and the production of essential oils. During the last three decades, Seiridum cardinale canker of cypress has caused severe losses in woods, windbreaks and ornamental plantings in the Mediterranean area, significantly limiting the use and cultivation of this tree. In this paper we describe `Italico' and `Mediterraneo', two C. sempervirens varieties which were patented in 2004 for their resistance to cypress canker. Both varieties are particularly suitable for ornamental purposes because of their fastigiated columnar habit and the low production of male flowers and cones. `Italico' and `Mediterraneo' represent the recent result of the breeding programme on cypress, in progress since the 1970s. This program aims at: 1) obtaining a high number of canker-resistant cypress clones and multi-clonal varieties to be used for ornamental plantings and windbreaks and 2) finding mother trees for the production of improved seed for reforestation purposes.

Treatments with acidified solutions ofpH3.5cause alterations in the wax structure of the needles of silver fir and Norway spruce. The wax structures, especially those of the stomata, once they have been damaged, are not capable of complete reorganization even if the needle is repeatedly treated with distilled water.

The adaptive rapid evolution of phenotypic traits is potentially a key contributor to invasiveness, but has been relatively little studied for the fungi, even though these organisms are responsible for devastating losses in agriculture and natural resources. In this study, we compare biologically relevant phenotypic characters of spore‐generated individuals from two native and two invasive populations of the fungal pathogen Seiridium cardinale to infer which traits may be adaptive and rapidly evolving during an ongoing biological invasion. Results show that: (1) lower growth rate and smaller spore size are selected for in invasive populations, independent of the stage of invasion; (2) there is no selection evident towards increased rapid sporulation, but overall reproductive potential increases in later stages of the invasions; and (3) demographic plasticity of most traits increases during the initial stages of invasion, but decreases in a later phase. Comparisons against levels of neutral genetic variation (Qst‐Fst comparisons) showed that the decrease in spore size is strongly adaptive, despite the trade‐off of reduced viability. Lesion size of isolates inoculated on the naïve Italian cypress host was not correlated with their growth rate, and was significantly lower in invasive than in native populations. This last result indicates that rate of host colonization is a complex trait affected both by host and pathogen, which may not be necessarily adaptive and/or which may not easily evolve. In summary, the success of S. cardinale as an invasive in the Mediterranean basin is associated with reduced spore size and increased plasticity of almost all traits in initial phases, followed by further decreased spore size, increased overall sporulation, and decreased plasticity in a second phase of the invasion. Interestingly, growth rate by population results show that invasive populations are well adapted only to moderate temperatures, while native populations fare well also when exposed to relative extremes in temperature. This different adaptation suggests a “master‐of‐some” specialization scenario for the invasion by S. cardinale in the Mediterranean.

In the Mediterranean area, common cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) has traditionally been used as a multipurpose tree, for its symbolic and ornamental role, for its valuable timber, as well as for windbreaks and soil protection. The epidemic spread of the Seiridium cardinale canker has limited the use of this tree since the 1970s, inducing researchers to develop a breeding programme of cypress aimed at selecting canker-resistant lines for different uses and to support a flourishing trade of cypress plants. 'Le Crete 1' and 'Le Crete 2' described here are two new canker-resistant C. sempervirens varieties patented in 2010, selected through a 13-year assessment of their response to artificial inoculations and growth traits. Both are characterized by a rapid growth and by a columnar and fastigiated habit that confers them a notable ornamental effect. Preliminary observations showed also that both tend to produce yearly few microsporophylls and little pollen. 'Le Crete 2' was also selected for the high growth rate it maintained on heavy, clayey soils.

Severe damage was caused to coastal forest vegetation by the Libeccio, a sea wind blowing against the Italian coast from W-SW. The behaviour of common cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), smooth cypress (C. glabra) and Monterez cyjress (C. macrocaypa) in response to the Libeccio aindstorms of 1990 was compared with t at ue to treatments with the surfactant ABS (sodium dDdecylbenzenesulphonate). As re ards both the nature and the intensity of the damage to the leaf waxes, the surge damage cause2 by the windstorms differed little from that produced artificially by ABS sprays.