Expansion of the use of entomopathogens: EPNs and EPF in the BSR (BIOdiversity biological SOIL RESilience) quality index and for the control of hazel mites

Over the last century, natural and semi-natural habitats have been under increasing environmental pressures, leading to significant changes and biodiversity decline. Biodiversity is the variety of life forms in an ecosystem and is essential for preserving genetic resources and sustaining populations. The soil is fundamental to terrestrial ecosystem function and environmental health, contributing significantly to support and regulate services. To address these challenges, a new resilience index named Biodiversity-biological Soil Resilience (BSR) is proposed. This index focuses on the intricate relationship between biodiversity and soil health. It involves a comprehensive analysis of soil biodiversity, with a particular emphasis on entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), entomopathogenic fungi (EPF), earthworms, and soil microarthropods. Numerous studies support the crucial roles of these components in ecosystem resilience, offering diverse benefits that contribute to environmental stability. EPNs and EPF play a significant role in biological control, food chain, nutrient cycling, adaptability, and interactions with soil. Earthworms enhance soil aeration, promote the mixing of organic and mineral material, increase microbial biomass, provide biological control against pathogens, and foster beneficial symbioses. These organisms exhibit adaptability to various environmental conditions, contributing to the ecosystems' ability to withstand and recover from environmental stresses. Microarthropods, including mites and collembola, contribute to decomposition, nutrient cycling, soil structure, biodiversity, adaptability, and resilience. Additionally, they engage in fundamental interactions with vegetation and other microorganisms, further influencing ecosystem health. A key innovation in this research is the development of a dedicated app/software for real-time data collection in the field. This tool streamlines the gathering of information on specific organisms and contributes to a global database of soil biodiversity data. This collaborative effort facilitates worldwide monitoring and maintenance of soil health. The BSR-Index is envisioned as a monitoring tool for the scientific community and government authorities. It provides valuable insights for the implementation of sustainable and effective environmental planning measures. The Index, incorporating environmental stresses, soil biodiversity, and soil biological quality (QBS-ar and QBS-e), supported by chemical and physical parameters, aims to enhance our understanding of ecosystem health and promote informed decision-making for a resilient and sustainable future. MasterNut project is studing a low-impact control strategies of hazelnut mites, trying to understand the role played by the EPF Acanthomyces muscarius recently isolated from Phytoptus avellanae eriophyd mite inside galls such as: its ability to live as an endophyte in plant tissues, produce toxins, and the relationships between the fungus and phytopathogenic microorganisms. Moreover, evaluations of effectiveness of EPF, native and commercial strains - Beauveria bassiana (Naturalis®) and Lecanicillium muscarium (Mycotal®), in IPM control strategies of hazelnut mites are carrying out. Preliminary on-mites inoculation experiments showed an EPF development assessed on 82% of mounted mites treated with Naturalis® and around 51% of mites treated with Mycotal®. Encouraging results in the perspective of integrated biological control of hazelnut mites.