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Surprising findings of alfalfa mosaic virus in a seasonal monitoring on virus in organically grown legume crops
Full text linkAufgrund ihrer stickstoffixierenden Eigenschaften stellen Leguminosen eine wichtige Kultur im Ökolandbau dar. Eine Bekämpfung leguminosenbefallender Insekten ist aufgrund der wenigen zugelassenen Präparate schwierig und häufig wirtschaftlich nicht vertretbar. Ist der durch Insekten, insbesondere Blattläuse, verursachte Schaden oft zu vernachlässigen, haben die durch Blattläuse übertragenen Viren ein größeres Schadpotential. Um einen Überblick über die aktuell auftretenden Viren an Leguminosen im Ökolandbau in Niedersachsen zu gewinnen, wurde im Jahr 2024 ein Virusmonitoring an Ackerbohnen, Erbsen, Soja sowie Linsen und Lupinen durchgeführt. Die nachgewiesenen Virusarten entsprachen den Ergebnissen vorheriger Monitorings; überraschend war jedoch der gehäufte Nachweis des Alfalfamosaikvirus (alfalfa mosaic virus, AMV) an Ackerbohnen. Bislang konnte AMV nicht an Leguminosen in Niedersachsen nachgewiesen werden. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass auch in nicht-symptomatischen Beständen Pflanzenviren auftraten. Um zukünftig einen erfolgreichen Leguminosenanbau durchführen zu können, sollten die Bemühungen der Züchtung virusresistenter Sorten verstärkt werden.Due to their nitrogen-fixing properties, legumes are an important crop in organic farming. Controlling insects that attack legumes is difficult and often not economically viable due to the small number of authorised preparations. While the damage caused by insects, especially aphids, is often negligible, the viruses transmitted by aphids have a greater potential for damage. In order to gain an overview of the viruses currently occurring on legumes in organic farming in Lower Saxony, a virus monitoring was carried out on field beans, peas, soya, lentils and lupins in 2024. The detected virus species corresponded to the results of previous monitoring programmes; however, the frequent detection of alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) on field beans was surprising. So far, AMV has not been detected on legumes in Lower Saxony. The results show that plant viruses also occurred in non-symptomatic crops. In order to be able to successfully cultivate legumes in the future, efforts to breed virus-resistant varieties should be intensified
Monitoring of the cixiid planthopper Pentastiridius leporinus and infested areas in Germany in 2025
Full text linkDie Schilf-Glasflügelzikade (SGFZ, Pentastiridius leporinus) ist der wichtigste Vektor für die bakteriellen Erreger des Syndrome Basses Richesses (SBR) in Zuckerrüben, der Bakteriellen Kartoffelknollenwelke sowie verschiedener Krankheitsbilder in Gemüsekulturen. Vor dem Hintergrund der zunehmenden Ausbreitung der SGFZ wurde im Jahr 2025 erstmals ein bundesweit einheitliches Monitoring der SGFZ in Zuckerrüben und Kartoffeln sowie im begrenzten Umfang in Gemüsekulturen etabliert. Im Zeitraum der Kalenderwochen 20 bis 35 wurden an 914 Standorten mithilfe transparenter Klebetafeln insgesamt 50.974 Individuen der SGFZ erfasst. Die SGFZ wurde in nahezu allen Bundesländern nachgewiesen, mit stark variierenden Fangzahlen je nach Region. Hohe Populationsdichten traten vor allem in Süddeutschland sowie in Teilen von Rheinland-Pfalz, Hessen und Brandenburg auf, während große Anbaugebiete von Zuckerrüben und Kartoffeln in Norddeutschland bislang überwiegend ohne Nachweis blieben. Die höchsten Fangzahlen traten überwiegend in der Kalenderwoche 26 auf. Die Anbaufläche im Verbreitungsgebiet der SGFZ bzw. der Erreger wurde im Jahr 2025 auf rund 119.000 ha in Zuckerrüben und 39.000 ha in Kartoffeln geschätzt. Die Ergebnisse liefern erstmals eine belastbare Datenbasis zur Verbreitung der SGFZ in Deutschland. Sie dienen der Risikoabschätzung und bilden eine zentrale Basis für zukünftige Entscheidungshilfen und Bekämpfungsstrategien.The reed planthopper (Pentastiridius leporinus) is the most important vector of the bacterial pathogens of the Syndrome Basses Richesses (SBR) in sugar beet, bacterial potato tuber wilt and, increasingly, various disease patterns in vegetable crops. In view of its increasing spread, a harmonized nationwide monitoring program, covering sugar beet, potato, and sporadically vegetables, was introduced in Germany for the first time in 2025. Between calendar weeks 20 and 35, a total of 50,974 planthoppers were recorded in 914 locations using transparent sticky traps. P. leporinus has been detected in nearly all federal states, with clear regional variations in terms of trap catches. High population densities occurred mainly in southern Germany and in parts of Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, and Brandenburg, while large cultivation areas of sugar beet and potato in northern Germany have largely remained without records to date. Peak flight activity occurred mainly during calendar week 26. Within the distribution area of the vector P. leporinus and the pathogens a cultivation area was estimated about 119,000 hectares of sugar beet and 39,000 hectares of potatoes in 2025. For the first time, the results provide a reliable basis for occurrence and risk evaluation, as well as future plant protection decisions
Hemp – A raw material for the future with potential for a sustainable bioeconomy
Full text linkMit dem europäischen Green Deal verfolgt die EU seit Dezember 2019 das Ziel, bis 2050 eine klimaneutrale und nachhaltige Wirtschaft zu etablieren. Eine globale Bioökonomie, in der etwa Baustoffe, Chemikalien und Energie aus Biomasse gewonnen werden, kann zentrale Herausforderungen wie Klimawandel, Umweltverschmutzung und geopolitische Abhängigkeiten mildern. Eine nachhaltige Bioökonomie zielt darauf ab, den Rohstoffverbrauch zu reduzieren, geschlossene Kreisläufe zu fördern und das Wirtschaftswachstum vom Ressourcenverbrauch zu entkoppeln. Dafür braucht es alternative Rohstoffe, innovative Anbaumethoden und eine stärkere Nutzung der Agrobiodiversität. Besonders bisher vernachlässigte, aber vielseitig nutzbare Kulturpflanzen – sogenannte „Multipurpose-Pflanzen“ – bieten Potenzial, nachhaltige Rohstoffquellen mit technologisch relevanten Eigenschaften für verschiedene Industrien zu erschließen.
Hanf (Cannabis sativa L.) zählt zu den ältesten Kulturpflanzen und wird seit rund 10.000 Jahren als Rohstoff für Lebensmittel, Arzneimittel, Textilien genutzt. Als sogenannte „Multipurpose“-Pflanze lassen sich alle Pflanzenteile – Wurzeln, Blätter, Blüten, Samen, Stängel – verwerten, etwa für Fasern, Öle, Proteine oder zur Gewinnung von Phytocannabinoiden. Trotz dieses Potenzials wurde Hanf durch jahrzehntelange Anbauverbote im 20. Jahrhundert stark in der Nutzung reduziert. Eingeschränkte Züchtungsaktivitäten führten zu einem genetischen Engpass und reduzierter Diversität im Sortenspektrum. Viele Nutzungsmöglichkeiten bleiben bis heute unerforscht. Die sich ändernden globalen Vorschriften für den Anbau von Hanf haben die Pflanze nun wieder in den Fokus der Bioökonomie gerückt. Aufgrund seiner breiten klimatischen Anbaueignung, verbunden mit dem enormen ökologischen und wirtschaftlichen Potenzial, gilt Hanf als vielversprechende Kulturpflanze für eine nachhaltige Ressourcennutzung im Sinne des EU-Green Deals.In December 2019, the European Union launched the European Green Deal with the objective of establishing a climate-neutral and sustainable economy by 2025. A global bioeconomy, in which material such as construction inputs, chemicals, and energy are derived from biomass, has the potential to mitigate key challenges including climate change, environmental pollution, and geopolitical dependencies. A sustainable bioeconomy aims to reduce raw material consumption, promote closed material cycles, and decouple economic growth from resource use. Achieving these goals requires alternative raw materials, innovative cultivation systems, and an increased use of agrobiodiversity. Especially previously neglected but versatile crops – so called multipurpose crops – offer significant potential to unlock sustainable raw material sources with technologically relevant properties for a wide range of industries.
In this context, hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is one of the oldest cultivated crops and has been used for approximately 10,000 years as a source of food, medicine, and textile fibres. As a multipurpose crop, all parts of the plant – including roots, leaves, flowers, seeds, and stems – can be utilized, for example for the production of fibres, oils, proteins, or phytocannabinoids. During the 20th century, hemp utilization declined sharply due to prolonged cultivation bans. Limited breeding activities led to a genetic bottleneck and reduced diversity within the available cultivar spectrum. As a result, many potential applications remain unexplored to this day. Changing global regulations governing hemp cultivation have recently brought the crop back into focus within the bioeconomy. Owing to its broad climatic adaptability, combined with its considerable ecological and economic potential, hemp is regarded as a promising crop for sustainable resource use in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal
Foliar application of natural reflective minerals enhances physiological performance and yield of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Chardonnay under Mediterranean climate stress
Full text linkMediterranean viticulture faces increasing challenges from severe thermal and water stress induced by climate change, which threaten both yield and grape quality. This study evaluated the effectiveness of foliar applications of three natural reflective mineral products, zeolite (TZL), basalt powder (TPB), and kaolin (TK), as sustainable adaptation strategies for Vitis vinifera L. ‘Chardonnay’ cultivated under typical Mediterranean conditions. The experimental trials demonstrated that these mineral-based reflective films are effective agronomic tools for mitigating heat and drought stress. All treatments significantly increased yield and average bunch weight compared with the untreated control, reducing losses caused by berry dehydration. Among the tested materials, zeolite (TZL) achieved the highest bunch weight and superior physiological performance. Ecophysiological assessments confirmed that reflective treatments preserved photosynthetic function by reducing photoinhibition and improving both net photosynthesis (Pn) and water-use efficiency (WUE). While zeolite provided the best overall physiological and productive response, basalt powder produced grapes of the highest quality. Overall, the use of natural reflective minerals—particularly zeolite—emerges as an innovative and environmentally sustainable approach to optimizing vine energy and water balance, thereby maintaining high-quality grape production in Mediterranean regions increasingly affected by global warming
Phytotoxicity of aqueous extracts of Ilex paraguariensis A. St-Hil. leaves on Lolium multiflorum Lam.
Full text linkLolium multiflorum Lam. (ryegrass, or azevém in Portuguese) is a grass used as forage and cover crop in vineyards of the southern region of Brazil. However, it has become invasive, with some biotypes identified as resistant to glyphosate. Its control is performed with herbicides, prior to flowering. Aside from plant resistance and damage to the ecosystem and to the population’s health, these herbicides might cause lesions to plant tissues, and change photosynthesis and fruit maturation, as already observed in vineyards. Due to the presence of bioactive substances with phytotoxic activity, extracts of native plants might be exploited to develop natural products with herbicidal activity. The present study evaluated the effects of aqueous extracts by decoction and infusion of Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil. leaves on germination, seedling formation, growth, and on the chlorophyll and tissues of adult L. multiflorum plants. In vitro bioassays were performed at the concentrations of 0% (control - only purified water), 0.5%, 1%, and 2%, comprised of five replicates of 20 L. multiflorum caryopses. Germination percentage, average germination time, average seedling formation time, average seedling length, and dry mass were calculated. Adult L. multiflorum plants were submitted to treatments using extracts by decoction in the concentration of 3% and 5% (and control - only purified water), and chlorophyll content, dry mass, and anatomical cuts were evaluated. Chemical compounds present in the extracts were identified through High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Data were submitted to a unidirectional analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a polynomial regression analysis (p < 0.05). Both extracts showed phytotoxic activity, yet the decoction extract had higher phytotoxicity, especially at the concentrations of 1% and 2%, reducing germination percentage and speed, as well as seedling formation and growth. Damage was lower in adult plants, although there was rupture of epidermal cells and chlorophyll parenchyma, as well as plasmolysis at 3 and 6% of the extract. The chemical profile of I. paraguariensis is consistent with the biological activity observed. The hypothesis that the aqueous extract by decoction of I. paraguariensis leaves has potential to develop a natural product with herbicidal activity against L. multiflorum, to be used in vineyards, was confirmed. However, further studies are required to evaluate extract application methodology, individual action of each compound present, and their action mechanisms
Pre-harvest bunch spraying of synthetic auxin on ‘Prata-Anã’ banana
Full text linkThe use of plant regulators applied pre-harvest has been gaining prominence in agriculture for improving fruit size and weight, resulting in enhanced quality and increased productivity. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of 2,4-D on production components during two production cycles of ‘Prata Anã’ banana. A split-plot design was employed, with the main plots corresponding to concentrations of the auxin 2,4-D (0, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 mg L-1), and the subplots representing two production cycles with four replications. The following parameters were evaluated: diameter of two central fruits from the second hand, internal and external length, concavity, resistance to mechanical damage, hand mass, fruit mass, average mass of the first, second, and third hand, bunchmass, yield, and residue content of 2,4-D. The use of 2,4-D applied pre-harvest on the bunch increases banana productivity, with highervalues obtained at a dose of 120 mg L-1. However, at doses above 60 mg L-1, physiological disorders were observed in the fruits, making them unsuitable for consumption, recommending the use of doses in the range of 21 to 26 mg L-1 . No 2,4-D residue was found in the pulp of fruits treated with synthetic auxin
Die Gesellschaft für Pflanzenbauwissenschaften (GPW) teilt mit:: Habilitationen und Promotionen in den Pflanzenbauwissenschaften
Full text linkBiofortification of tomato fruits with cobalt and its impact on bioactive compounds content
Full text linkBiofortification is a viable strategy for improving the nutritional value of crops. For this reason, the use of nanoparticles (NPs) in tomato plants has emerged. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of foliar application of cobalt oxide NPs (CoO NPs) on the mineral and bioactive compound content of tomato fruits. Three concentrations of CoO NPs (250, 500, and 1000 mg L-1), one concentration of cobalt sulfate (CoSO4, 500 mg L⁻1), and a control group were used as treatments. The results demonstrate that the form of cobalt (Co) application directly impacts its accumulation, with the ionic form (CoSO4) being more efficient than CoO NPs for biofortifying tomato fruits. Furthermore, we observed that CoO NPs increased the phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg) content but decreased sulfur (S). Regarding the content of bioactive compounds, we observed an increasing trend in vitamin C, lycopene, phenols, and flavonoids with the application of CoO NPs, especially compared to CoSO₄. In conclusion, the form of cobalt applied has different effects, cobalt sulfate (CoSO4) is more efficient for biofortification, while cobalt oxide nanoparticles (CoO NPs) are more efficient in increasing the content of bioactive compounds in tomato fruits
Benthic macroinvertebrate biodiversity in small water bodies in the agricultural landscape – Threats and factors affecting community composition
No full textUnsere Ökosysteme sind durch die Folgen der globalen Biodiversitätskrise bedroht, welche durch den Verlust von Arten, Ökosystemen und genetischer Vielfalt aufgrund von Lebensraumverlust und -fragmentierung, Übernutzung, Umweltverschmutzung und Klimawandel verursacht wird. Süßwasserökosysteme sind äußerst vielfältig und beherbergen 12 % aller beschriebenen Arten auf nur 2 % der globalen Fläche (Albert et al. 2021). Gleichzeitig gehören sie zu den am stärksten gefährdeten und empfindlichsten Ökosystemen. Weltweit ist die Zahl der Wasserinsekten um 33 % zurückgegangen(Sánchez-Bayo und Wyckhuys 2019). Besonders Kleingewässer (SWBs) beherbergen eine hohe Vielfalt an Makrophyten und Makroinvertebraten sowie seltenen Arten, was sie zu Hotspots der Biodiversität macht (Williams et al. 2004). Sie sind jedoch anfällig für biotische und abiotische Stressfaktoren und im Vergleich zu größeren Gewässern nach wie vor weniger erforscht (Ulrich et al. 2022). Angesichts des beschleunigten Verlusts der Süßwasser-Biodiversität ist es dringend notwendig, diese Forschungslücke zu schließen (Sánchez-Bayo und Wyckhuys 2019; Darwall et al. 2018; Kelly-Quinn et al. 2017; Reid et al. 2019). Mit dem Ziel artenreiche Kleingewässer zu erhalten, konzentriert sich diese Arbeit auf die Bewertung der Wasser- und Lebensraumqualität von SWBs in Agrarlandschaften, wobei benthische Makroinvertebraten als Indikatororganismen verwendet werden.
Die erste Publikation befasst sich mit Pflanzenschutzmitteln (PSM) und zeigt deren Vorkommen in SWBs über große räumliche und detaillierte zeitliche Skalen hinweg. Acht PSM wurden regional häufig nachgewiesen, und eine konstante Herbizidbelastung wirkt sich negativ auf Ökosysteme aus. Die zweite Publikation, mit dem Fokus auf die Biologie der Gewässer, kam zu dem Ergebnis, dass das Habitat die Zusammensetzung der Lebensgemeinschaften maßgeblich prägt, während strukturelle Indizes nicht sensibel genug sind, um den Einfluss landwirtschaftlicher Stressfaktoren darzustellen. Die dritte Publikation verbindet daher indirekte PSM-Wirkungen mit der Vielfalt benthischer Makroinvertebraten und führt einen neuen multimetrischen Indikator ein, der diese Zusammenhänge aufzeigt. Die vierte Publikation wendet auch einen funktionalen Ansatz an und verwendet stabile Kohlenstoff- und Stickstoffisotopenverhältnisse, um die Auswirkungen der Landwirtschaft auf die Isotopennischen von sechs funktionellen Ernährungstypen in Kleingewässern und Gräben zu bewerten.
Durch die Integration chemischer und biologischer Analysen aus taxonomischer und funktioneller Perspektive zielt diese Arbeit darauf ab, ein ganzheitlicheres und differenzierteres Verständnis der Biodiversitätsmuster in SWBs und der Herausforderungen bei der Erkennung von Veränderungen in Gemeinschaften aufgrund landwirtschaftlicher Stressfaktoren zu vermitteln und letztlich die Naturschutzpolitik zu informieren.Our ecosystems are threatened by the consequences of the global biodiversity crisis: habitat loss and fragmentation, overexploitation, pollution, and climate change drive species, ecosystem, and geneticdiversity losses. Freshwater ecosystems are highly diverse, harboring 12 % of all described species (fungi, plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates) condensed on just 2 % of the world’s surface (Albert et al. 2021). Yet, they are also among the most endangered and vulnerable ecosystems. Globally, aquatic insects have declined by 33 % (Sánchez-Bayo and Wyckhuys 2019). Ponds, in particular, host high macrophyte and macroinvertebrate diversity as well as high numbers of rare and endangered species, making them biodiversity hotspots (Williams et al. 2004). However, ponds are highly susceptible to biotic and abiotic stressors and remain understudied compared to larger water bodies (Ulrich et al. 2022). Addressing this research gap is urgent given accelerating freshwater biodiversity loss (Sánchez-Bayo and Wyckhuys 2019; Darwall et al. 2018; Kelly-Quinn et al. 2017; Reid et al. 2019). To support effective conservation and management, this thesis focuses on assessing water and habitat quality of small water bodies (SWBs) in agricultural landscapes, given that the main causes of biodiversity loss include pollution and the destruction and fragmentation of habitats, using benthic macroinvertebrates as indicator organisms.
The first publication focuses on pesticides, showing their presence in SWBs across large spatial and detailed temporal scales. Eight pesticides were frequently detected regionally, and it was determined that a constant herbicide contamination negatively affects ecosystems. The second publication focuses on the biology and it was found that habitat type most strongly shapes community composition, while structural biodiversity indices are insufficient for depicting the influence of agricultural stressors. Thus, the third publication links indirect pesticide effects to benthic macroinvertebrate diversity, introducing a new multimetric indicator that reveals these impacts. The fourth publication applies a functional approach, using stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios to assess agricultural effects on the isotopic niches of six functional feeding groups in ponds and ditches. No differences were found between the two water body types (pond and ditch) and their different exposure to the agricultural stress factor (pesticides) for the isotope niches of the functional feeding groups. The small and unstable systems studied are more affected by strong fluctuations in abiotic and biotic factors. Results from the case study indicate that benthic macroinvertebrates respond to the stressors in complex ways.
By integrating chemical and biological analysis from both taxonomic and functional perspectives, this thesis aims to provide a more holistic and nuanced understanding of biodiversity patterns in SWBs and the challenges of detecting changes in communities due to agricultural stressors, with the ultimate goal of informing conservation policy
Impact of addition of fumaric acid in the first stages of wine production: Effect on the oenological yeasts and wine composition
Full text linkFumaric acid is a promising oenological tool known for its ability to block unwanted malolactic fermentations due to its antibacterial properties. While its use as an acidifier in musts and wines is currently being debated, its interaction with yeast has long been recognized, yet in-depth studies are lacking. In this work, we investigated the impact of fumaric acid on the viability and fermentation performance of a pool of S. cerevisiae strains and other yeast species of oenological interest in experimental laboratory fermentations. In addition to collecting kinetic and microbiological data, we thoroughly characterized the resulting wines by analysing all intermediates of the Krebs cycle for possible traces of fumaric acid, which was added to the grape must. Our results demonstrate that fumaric acid does not significantly alter the activity of S. cerevisiae, though we were able to identify some markers of its presence. Furthermore, a higher concentration of this molecule was found in the finished wines compared to the controls, suggesting a new approach for tracing fumaric acid in wine. Although preliminary, our tests on non-Saccharomyces yeasts revealed divergent behaviours among the species, which paves the way for further research