Francesco Modica

PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

• Rizzo G. F., Bella P., Modica F., Nigro S., Lefebvre du Prey V., Catara V, Branca F. (2021) Efficacy of microbial consortia and natural compounds as seed dressing for the control of tomato bacterial spot. 4 th Annual Conference of the EuroXanth COST Action. Integrating Science on Xanthomonadaceae for integrated plant disease management in Europe. P 95 (https://euroxanth.eu/wp content/uploads/2021/06/Book-of-abstracts-2021-06 28.pdf)
• Dimaria, G., Musumeci, S., Modica F. , Venticinque, G., Bazzano, M.C., Russo, M., Catara, V. (2021). In silico and in vitro screening of the potential for biocontrol of bacteria of the Pseudomonas corrugata subgroup”. XXVI Congress of the Italian Phytopathological Society, Book of abstract, 19.
• Nicotra D., Anzalone A., Mosca A. Dimaria G., Cirvilleri, Modica F., G., Catara V. (2022). Identification and characterization of tomato bacterial endophytes and preliminary evaluation for consortia-based biocontrol products. 14 th International Conference on Plant Pathogenic Bacteria, Book of abstract.
• Lanzanova C., Pacifico D., Nicoletti F., LoScalzo R., Pagnotta E., Bassolino L., Ugolini L., Mastrangelo A.M., Marone D., Ficco D.B.M., Russo M.A., Locatelli S., Modica F. , Balconi C. (2022). "SUStaINable use of bioactive compounds from Brassicaceae and Solanaceae wastes for CEReal crop protection (SUSinCER)". XXVII Congress of the Italian Phytopathological Society, Book of abstract. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42161-022-01234-8
• Bazzano M.C., Catara A.F., Scuderi G., Dimaria G., Modica F., Catara V., Russo M. (2022) "Dissecting foliar fitness of a Pseudomonas mediterranea strain nonpathogenic to citrus to understand the interaction with Plenodomus tracheiphilus." XXVII Congress of the Italian Phytopathological Society, Book of abstract.
• C. Catalano, S. Seminara, G. Licciardello, F. Modica , S. Musumeci, L. Lo Cicero, M. Di Guardo, G. Tropea Garzia, A. Biondi, V. Catara, G. Distefano, S. La Malfaa and A. Gentile (2022) “Phenotyping and genotyping of a lemon segregating population to mining genetic resistance to biotic stresses”. III International Organic Fruit Symposium and I International Organic Vegetable Symposium.
• M. Cortiello, B. Xhemali, F. Modica, E. Stefani, D. Giovanardi (2023) “Anthracnose of pepper caused by Colletotrichum scovillei: first report in Europe”. XXVIII National Congress Italian Phytopathological Society, Book of abstract, p 16.
• M. Cafasso, M. Cortiello, F. Modica, P. Messi, E. Stefani, D. Giovanardi (2023) “Ozone treatments: environmentally friendly and effective techniques for sanitation of seedborne pathogens on maize and corn salad”. XXVIII National Congress Italian Phytopathological Society, Book of abstract, p 105.
• G. Dimaria, A. Sicilia, F. Modica , A. Mosca, D. Nicotra, M.C. Bazzano, M. Russo, P. Bella, A.R. Lo Piero, V. Catara (2023) “Bacterial genome sequencing and plant transcriptional analysis shed lights on the biocontrol activity of Pseudomonas mediterranea”. XXVIII National Congress Italian Phytopathological Society, Book of abstract, p 127.
• F. Modica, L. Fagioli, M. Cortiello, D. Giovanardi, F. Reyes, E. Stefani (2023). “Reduction of copper inputs in the management of key diseases of grapevine, olive and tomato by an innovative Zeo-biopesticide”. XXVIII National Congress Italian Phytopathological Society, Book of abstract, p 166.
• A. Mosca, G. Dimaria, F. Modica , D. Nicotra, M. E. Massimino, G. Scuderi, M. Russo, V. Catara (2023) “Analysis of the soil microbial communities in lemon groves affected by Mal secco disease”. XXVIII National Congress Italian Phytopathological Society, Book of abstract, p 168.
• Xhemali, B., Cortiello, M., Gjinovci, G., Bresilla, B., Modica, F. , Stefani, E. & Giovanardi, D. 2023. First finding in Europe of Colletotrichum scovillei, a new agent of pepper anthracnose and assessment of potential bacterial biocontrol agents. In: Proceedings of the XIV International Agriculture Symposium "AGROSYM 2023”, Bosnia and Herzegovina, pp. 712-717. (https://agrosym.ues.rs.ba/article/showpdf BOOK_OF_PROCEEDINGS_2023_FINAL.pdf) (ISBN 978-99976-816-1 4).
• Modica F. , Fagioli L., Cortiello M., Bellameche F., Giovanardi D., Stefani E. 2023. Innovative Zeo biopesticide: ecofriendly and sustainable disease management strategies for grapevine, olive and tomato. In: Proceedings of the 30th Annual Congress of the Chilean Society of Phytopathology (SOCHIFIT https://www.uoh.cl/30congresosochifit/).
• Xhemali B., Cortiello M., Modica F., Bellameche F., Stefani E., Giovanardi D. 2023. Colletotrichum scovillei: a new record of pepper anthracnose in Europe and evaluation of Actinomycetes as potential biocontrol microorganisms. In: Proceedings of the 30th Annual Congress of the Chilean Society of Phytopathology (SOCHIFIT https://www.uoh.cl/30congresosochifit/).
• Mosca A., Dimaria G., Nicotra D., Modica F.; , Massimino M.E., Catara A. F., Scuderi. G., Russo M.,Catara V.(2024) “Soil Microbial Communities in Lemon Orchards Affected by Citrus Mal Secco Disease”. In: Genes 15(7):824 (DOI:10.3390/genes15070824).
• Xhemali, B., Bellameche, F., Gjinovci, G., Modica, F. , Biondi, E., Stefani, E., Giovanardi, D. 2024. First report of Xanthomonas euvesicatoria pv. euvesicatoria causing bacterial leaf spot of pepper in Kosovo. In: Journal of Plant Pathology.  DOI:10.1007/s42161-024-01797-8.
• G. Dimaria; A. Sicilia; F. Modica ; M. Russo; M. C. Bazzano; M. E. Massimino; A. R. Lo Piero; P. Bella. 2024. Pseudomonas mediterranea PVCT 3C hampers the infection process of Plenodomus tracheiphilus causal agent of Citrus Mal secco disease at early disease stage”. In:Microbiological Research 287:127833 (DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2024.127833)
• Bellameche, F.; Modica, F.; Fagioli, L.; Giovanardi, D.; Stefani, E..(2024) "Preliminary characterization and mode action of Pseudomonas synxantha DLS65 as the active ingredient of Microfighter, an innovative biopesticide" - XXVIX National Congress Italian Phytopathological Society, Book of abstract.(https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s42161-024-01752-7).
• Montorsi, A.; Fochesato, A.; Nasuti, C.; Barigazzi, A.; Agolino, G.; Menghini, M.; Cortiello, M.; Bellameche, F.; Modica, F.; Baroncelli, R.; Collina, M.; Solieri, L.; Stefani, E.; Giovanardi, D. (2024). "Identification and characterisation of microbial isolates from pear carposphere and their possible role in brown spot disease management", XXVIX National Congress Italian Phytopathological Society, Book of abstract.(https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s42161-024-01752-7).
• Modica, F.; Cortiello, M.; Bellameche, F.; Prodi, L.; Costi, E.; Riccioni, C.; De Marchis, F.; Rubini, A.; Brilli, L.; Nunez Carmona, E.; De Canio, F.; Stefani, E.; Giovanardi, D. (2024). "Biocontrol of fungal disease affecting hops: green and sustainable alternatives for the Italian cultivation". XXVIX National Congress Italian Phytopathological Society, Book of abstract.(https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s42161-024-01752-7).
• Xhemali, B., Bellameche, F., Cortiello, M., Gjinovci, G., Montorsi, A., Modica, F. et al. (2024) First report of Fusarium solani causing root rot of cucumber in Kosovo. New Disease Reports, 50, e70010. https://doi.org/10.1002/ndr2.70010
• Bellameche F., Modica F., Fagioli L., Giovanardi D., Stefani E. 2025. Foliar application of Microfighter activates defense genes in grapevine: a preventive strategy against potential diseases. In: IOBC-WPRS Bulletin Vol. 177, 2025: 222-226. (ISBN 978-92-9067-364-4).
• Modica F., Bellameche F., Cortiello M., Prodi L., Costi E., Riccioni C., De Marchis F., Rubini A., Brilli L., De Canio F., Stefani E., Nunez Carmona E., Giovanardi D. 2025. Hop-associated bacteria with growth-promoting traits and antifungal activities: a sustainable solution for Italian hop farms. In: IOBC-WPRS Bulletin Vol. 177, 2025: 195-199. (ISBN 978-92-9067-364-4).

Other Publications:

• Catara V., Lo Piero A. R., Russo M, Bazzano M., Catalano C., Dimaria G., Lo Cicero L., Modica F., Mosca A, Musumeci S., Scialò E., Seminara S., Sicilia A., Di Guardo M., La Malfa S., Gentile A., Distefano G. Le
  Biotecnologie sono un supporto fondamentale alla difesa dal Mal secco. Rivista di Frutticoltura e di ortofloricoltura, n. 1° gennaio 2022, 16-21.
• Bazzano, M., Catara, A.F., Scuderi, G., Modica, F., Musumeci, S., Dimaria, G., Catara, V., Russo, M. (2022). Verso un nuovo formulato microbico per il contenimento del mal secco e altre malattie fungine degli
  agrumi. Manualetto “BIOTECNOLOGIE SOSTENIBILI PER IL CONTENIMENTO DELLA ‘TRISTEZA’ E DEL MAL SECCO DEGLI AGRUMI”, progetto S.I.R.P.A. (PO FESR Sicilia 2014 – 2020), pag. 41–51.