Luciano Avio

2017-present. Associate Professor in Agricultural Microbiology at the Department of Agricultural, Food and Agro-Environmental Sciences of University of Pisa.
1992-2017. Researcher at the National Research Council (C.N.R.).

Research interests
His main areas of research interest are in the biology and ecology of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. His works focused on the cytological and molecular basis of host recognition by AM fungi, the biodiversity of AM fungi in natural and agricultural ecosystems, the role of AM fungi in soil quality, as affected by management systems; more recently, he worked on the impact of AM fungi on the nutritional value of plant products.

Teaching
He has taught on undergraduate and postgraduate courses at the Università del Piemonte Orientale (2002-2009) and Università di Pisa (2005-2016) as lecturer in Microbiology. He currently teaches courses in “Environmental Microbiology” in Master programmes at the Università di Pisa.

Selected publications
Tavarini S, Passera B, Martini A, Avio L, Sbrana C, Giovannetti M, Angelini (2018) Plant growth, steviol glycosides and nutrient uptake as affected by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and phosphorous fertilization in Stevia rebaudiana Bert. Industrial Crops and Products 111:899-907, DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2017.10.055
Turrini A, Bedini A, Bonilla Loor M, Santini G, Sbrana C; Giovannetti M, Avio L (2018) Local diversity of native arbuscular mycorrhizal symbionts differentially affects growth and nutrition of three crop plant species. Biology and Fertility of Soils 54:203-217, DOI:10.1007/s00374-017-1254-5
Avio L, Sbrana C, Giovannetti M, Frassinetti S (2017). Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi affect total phenolics content and antioxidant activity in leaves of oak leaf lettuce varieties. Scientia Horticulturae 224:265-271, DOI: 10.1016/j.scienta.2017.06.022
Njeru EM, Avio L, Sbrana C, Turrini A, Bocci G, Bàrberi P, Giovannetti M, Oehl F (2015). Contrasting effects of cover crops on 'hot spot' arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities in organic tomato. Biology and Fertility of Soils 51:151-166, DOI: 10.1007/s00374-014-0958-z
Sbrana C, Avio L, Giovannetti M (2014). Beneficial mycorrhizal symbionts affecting the production of health-promoting phytochemicals. Electrophoresis 35:1535-1546, DOI: 10.1002/elps.201300568
Njeru EM, Avio L, Sbrana C, Turrini A, Bocci G, Bàrberi P, Giovannetti M (2014). First evidence for a major cover crop effect on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and organic maize growth. Agronomy for Sustainable Development 34:841-848, DOI: 10.1007/s13593-013-0197-y
Avio L, Castaldini M, Fabiani A, Bedini S, Sbrana C, Turrini A, Giovannetti M (2013). Impact of nitrogen fertilization and soil tillage on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities in a Mediterranean agroecosystem. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 67:285-294, DOI: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2013.09.005
Giovannetti M, Avio L, Barale R, Ceccarelli N, Cristofani R, Iezzi A, Mignolli F, Picciarelli P, Pinto B, Reali D, Sbrana C, Scarpato R (2012). Nutraceutical value and safety of tomato fruits produced by mycorrhizal plants. British Journal of Nutrition 107:242–251, DOI: 10.1017/S000711451100290X