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Multivariate analysis of bread wheat root and shoot traits at the seedling stage and at the booting stage for drought tolerance
Phenotyping of desirable root and shoot traits is easier at early stages of development and can
reveal drought-tolerance potential. The objective of this investigation was to determine the
drought-tolerance potential of 19 bread wheat genotypes by the use of multivariate analysis of
root and shoot traits at the seedling stage and at the booting stage. A total of 11 genotypes from
the collection of 101 bread wheat genotypes, with desirable traits in terms of increased tolerance
to drought, were chosen for parents and eight crosses were performed. Genotypes were
simultaneously grown in hydroponic cultivation-induced osmotic stress vs. control conditions
and under controlled greenhouse conditions in pots with soil substrate until the boot stage. Nine
root and stem traits of seedlings and 12 root and shoot traits at the booting stage of vegetative
growth were assessed. Under conditions without osmotic stress, the parental genotypes had
shorter primary roots, but more numerous, longer and narrower lateral roots. The F1 progeny,
grouped mainly around angle of seminal roots and primary root length, had longer primary
roots, but a smaller number of shorter and wider seminal roots. The induced osmotic stress
caused the parental genotypes to have a high value for the number of seminal roots, which could
contribute to their greater sensitivity to osmotic stress compared to the F1 progeny with reduced
number of seminal roots, which could improve water use efficiency in the later stages. In the
boot stage, certain traits influencing the clear separation of the parental and F1 generations were
not obvious. Offspring that could be singled out as superior in terms of root length under
stressed conditions as seedlings and at the boot stage of vegetative growth were: Pobeda x
Donska and WWBMC2 x Ingenio, while in terms of stem/shoot length and weight, Dika x
Ingenio was superior
Targeted Recovery of Phenolic Antioxidants from Grape Stems: A Sequential Approach
Grape stems are an abundant by-product of winemaking and a promising source of phenolic antioxidants representing an underutilized biomass within the circular economy. Seven Vitis vinifera L. cultivars were analysed by HPLC DAD, with Merlot (Me), Cabernet Sauvignon (CS) and Italian Riesling (IR) identified as the richest sources. This comparative screening provided the basis for a multi-index optimization of extraction. A 23 full factorial design (ethanol 30–60% v/v; 30–80 min; 25–65 °C) was used for optimization. The optimal green conditions—60% ethanol, 80 min, 65 °C—yielded 1.860 mg/g CA, 1.098 mg/g Q-gluc and 0.409 mg/g Q-glc, with the Merlot stems showing the highest extraction efficiency and Merlot consistently outperforming the other varieties. Kinetic modeling using an unsteady state diffusion model showed excellent agreement (R2 ≈ 0.99, RMS < 2%), suggesting a leaching-diffusion mechanism. The thermodynamic parameters confirmed an endothermic, spontaneous and irreversible process with ΔH° between 19.5 and 36.6 kJ/mol, ΔS° between 69.1 and 131.6 J/molK and ΔG° between −1.1 and −9.2 kJ/mol, depending on the compound and grape stem variety. This study shows that grape stems can be efficiently utilised as a sustainable source of phenolic antioxidants, with potential applications in the production of functional foods and dietary supplements. This integration highlights the novelty of the study and supports the valorization of grape stems in the framework of sustainability and the circular economy
Novel distinct strains of Pseudomonas syringae pv. aptata associated with bacterial leaf spot of sugar beet in Serbia
Bacterial leaf spot of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.), caused by phytopathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. aptata (Psa) has emerged frequently in Serbia since its initial report in 2013. The latest disease outbreak was detected on cultivar Viola in 2023 in the Bačka region (Vojvodina). A diversity survey of Psa strains associated with bacterial leaf spot based on DNA profiling and multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) identified novel, distinct Psa strains. BOX-, ERIC-, and M13-PCR produced the highest and equal number of visually distinct profiles within Psa strains, while GTG5 showed the lowest discriminatory power. MLSA ultimately resulted in the formation of two phylogenetic groups based on the gltA, gapA, and gyrB housekeeping genes, and only one group based on the rpoD, which differed from that previously reported Serbian Psa strains. The representative strain Psa3223 tends to form a separate group, suggesting the presence of a novel allelic variant within the Psa population originating from Serbia, while the other Psa strains were homogeneous and mostly related to the reference strains PD193 and PD197. The newly isolated Psa strains exhibited high aggressiveness in the pathogenicity assay on sugar beet (cv. Viola). The results highlight unexplored genetic richness not only within the Pseudomonas syringae species complex but also specifically within the Psa species. This finding contributes to better understanding of Psa population structure and provides a foundation for ongoing studies into the pathogen’s evolution and epidemiology
Uticaj klimatskih promena na epidemiologiju biljnih virusa
Klimatske promene predstavljaju jedan od najvećih izazova sa kojim se savremeno društvo suočava. Konstantan rast i razvoj ljudske populacije uslovili su sve veću upotrebu fosilnih goriva doprinoseći povećanju emisije CO2 i drugih gasova koji uslovljavaju pojačan efekat staklene bašte, globalno zagrevanje i sve češće ekstremne vremenske prilike (superćelijske oluje, orkanske vetrove, poplave…). Sve ove promene utiču na fiziologiju biljaka i negativno deluju na useve koji su izloženiji sve većem stresu, što u kombinaciji sa povećanjem stanovništva i smanjenjem poljoprivrednog zemljišta dovodi do brojnih izazova u proizvodnji hrane. Osim toga, bolesti i štetočine dodatno usložnjavaju postojeći problem s obzirom da i pored primene najnovijih strategija kontrole biljne bolesti i dalje smanjuju prinose za 10-16%.
Biljni virusi predstavljaju jedan od značajnih biotskih faktora koji utiče na smanjenje kvantiteta i kvaliteta prinosa imajući u vidu da se štete koje ovi patogeni izazivaju procenjuju na preko 30 milijardi dolara godišnje. Međutim, brojna istraživanja pokazuju da promene u biljkama domaćinima i populacijama insekata - vektora usled klimatskih promena mogu značajno uticati na epidemiologiju i širenje biljnih virusa što može dovesti i do značajnijih šteta u budućnosti. Promene u fiziološkim procesima biljaka poput promena u metabolizmu, temperaturi lista i njihovih efekata na procese otpornosti mogu uticati na sposobnost biljaka da kontrolišu virusne infekcije. Porast temperature može pozitivno uticati na replikaciju i širenje virusa unutar domaćina i dovesti do pojave simptoma jačeg inteziteta. Ali, povećanje temperature može i negativno uticati na biljne viruse aktiviranjem antivirusnih mehanizama odbrane biljaka zasnovanih na utišavanju gena. S druge strane, budući da širenje većine biljnih virusa u velikoj meri zavisi od njihovih vektora – insekata, uticaj globalnog povećanja temperature na aktivnost vektora značajno menja epidemiologiju virusa. Više temperature omogućavaju vektorima uspešnije prezimljavanje dovodeći do njihove ranije pojave i brojnijih populacija ili skraćuju ciklus razvoja uslovljavajući pojavu većeg broja generacija tokom godine, što povećava rizik od širenja virusa i pojave češćih epidemija. Osim toga, usled globalnog otopljavanja neke vrste insekata mogu proširiti svoj areal rasprostranjenja i usloviti pojavu virusa u novim područjima gde ranije nisu bili prisutni.
Nesumnjivo je da klimatske promene utiču i nastaviće da utiču na poljoprivredu, prinos i kvalitet biljnih proizvoda, a samim tim i na globalnu bezbednost hrane. Povećana količina CO2 u atmosferi, temperatura i dostupnost vode imaju važne posledice na rast i kvalitet useva, kao i na interakcije između biljaka, štetočina i patogena. Biljni virusi su važan deo ovih interakcija, pa je razumevanje uticaja klimatskih promena na biljne viruse i njihovu epidemiologiju ključno za razvoj efikasnih i održivih strategija kontrole poput praćenja pojave i ranog otkrivanja, razvoja otpornih ili tolerantnih sorata, kontrole vektora, kao i primene mera kontrole na bazi RNK tehnologija
Sensory evaluation and consumer acceptance of innovative poppy seed-based spread
Spread or butter traditionally refers to dairy butter or margarine, the use of which is associated with a
number of health issues, as well as jam, which contains large amounts of sugar. For this reason, nutand seed-based butters/spreads, rich in nutritionally valuable ingredients, are becoming increasingly
important in the diet [1]. Poppy seeds are a good functional raw material due to their high content of
essential nutrients – proteins, dietary fiber, polyunsaturated fatty acids and other bioactive compounds,
vitamins and minerals. In addition, poppy seeds provide unique sensory attributes, such as nutty flavour
and crunchy texture [2]. In the present study, an effort was made to produce a novel spread based on
poppy seeds, in which 30% of fat was replaced with high oleic sunflower oil (HOSO), while sugar was
substituted with sweeteners (stevia and xylitol) in amount of 50% and 75%. The production of the
spreads included grinding the raw materials, refining the poppy seeds and the fat phase in a ball mill,
homogenising with other ingredients and filling into storage containers. Based on the assessment of a
panel of 8 experts using the scoring method, it was determined that the spread samples with fat and
sugar partially replaced with HOSO and sweeteners had a better overall sensory quality (i.e. excellent,
Xm=4.78 and Xm=4.65, respectively), compared to the control sample, which was rated as very good
(Xm=4.41). Consumer acceptability of obtained spreads was tested on 75 respondents using a 5-point
hedonic scale. The results showed that all formulated spreads were highly appreciated. In terms of
overall acceptability, more than 70 % of tested consumers replied that they “like it extremely” or “like it”.
The findings of this study indicated that poppy seeds have good potential for the production of highly
acceptable functional spread
Suppression of phytopathogenic fungi using garlic, horsetail, and yarrow plant extracts
Organic production is a system of sustainable agriculture based on a high respect for environmental principles through
the rational use of natural resources, renewable energy sources, conservation of natural diversity, and environmental
protection. Plant cultivation in organic production implies the application of preparations on a natural basis, which is
most often used as a preventive measure without the application of agrochemicals. Therefore, the use of "domestic"
natural pesticides is increasingly present. In this study, the antimicrobial effect of garlic (Allium sativum L.), horsetail
(Equisetum arvense L.), and yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) extract on the growth of phytopathogenic fungi of the genus
Fusarium, Alternaria, and Aspergillus was tested. The potato dextrose agar was inoculated with the mycelia of fungi. The
f
ilter paper discs impregnated with 15 μL of plant extracts were placed onto agar. In the control sample, distilled water
was used for the impregnation of paper discs. All experiments were performed in triplicate. Inhibition zone measurements
were performed on the third day. The results showed that each of the mentioned plant extracts inhibited the growth of
the phytopathogenic fungi. The lowest inhibition zone was observed using the garlic extract, while the highest inhibition
zone was detected on the disc that was impregnated with yarrow extract. These results confirm the use of plant extracts
in the suppression of phytopathogenic fung
Exploring nanofertilizers: innovations for precision agriculture and nutrient management
Nanofertilizers mark a significant breakthrough in agricultural practices, offering innovative
solutions for nutrient transport and regulation from the soil to plants. Essential nutrients like
nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper, zinc, iron, and
molybdenum promote healthy plant growth and ensure successful crop production. Fertilization has
been a core agricultural practice since its origins, driven by the need to boost crop yield and quality.
The advent of nanofertilizers introduces a transformative shift, paving the way for next-generation
fertilizers. These advanced solutions are not only cost-efficient but also enhance soil's chemical and
physical properties, such as improving water retention. Additionally, plants treated with
nanofertilizers demonstrate increased yields, superior quality, and enhanced resilience to both biotic
and abiotic stress factors. This review aims to underscore the significance of nanofertilizers in modern
agricultural practices by comparing them with conventional fertilizers, emphasizing their advantages,
their role in improving crop quality and productivity, and their potential contribution to
environmental sustainability
Variation of spike harvest index in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Spike harvest index (SHI) can be an indicator of partitioning assimilation into seeds vegetative biomass and wheat productivity. The aim of this study is estimation of spike harvest index variation in wheat varieties grown under different environmental conditions. Twenty genetically divergent winter wheat cultivars were included in two years which characterized different weather conditions. On the field experiment in randomized block design in three replications, the seeds of varieties were sown at the distance of 0.10 m in rows of 1.0 m length with the distance of 0.2 m. For analysis of spike harvest index determined in proportion of seed mass spike-1/mass of spike, 60 plants in full maturity stage (20 plants per replication) were used. The results showed differences of spike harvest index among varieties and between years of experiment. In the first year the variety Pobeda had the highest value of spike harvest index (80.93%) and the Evropa 90 had the lowest SHI (75.67%), while in second year of experiment, the variety Zadruga had the highest value of spike harvest index (85.00%) and the Šumadinka had the lowest SHI (75.50%). Differences of SHI in wheat varieties are due to response of genotypes to environmental factors as well as interaction of genotype/environment
Progenitor Role of the PH207 Inbred Line in Expanding the Iodent Heterotic Pool for Maize Breeding
Modern maize breeding relies on heterotic pairs, local germplasm, and their general and
specific combining abilities. The Iodent heterotic group, alongside SS and non-SS groups, plays
a key role in hybrid breeding, with the Lancaster group remaining relevant in our region.
Pioneer Hi-Bred International strengthened the Iodent base by developing the PH207 inbred
line in 1983, derived from PHG3BD2 × PHG3RZ1. PH207 has since served as a progenitor for
numerous inbreds now present in leading hybrids. This study aims to analyze the genetic
relationships and distances between PH207 and selected inbreds to assess their role in
expanding Iodent genetic variability. Inbred parents and hybrids in the U.S. are protected by
patents or the Plant Variety Protection Act (PVPA) for 20 years, after which they become
available for public and private breeding programs. Using bioinformatics tools, the genetic
structure of 484 samples from various heterotic groups was analyzed. The study confirmed the
genetic origin of tested inbreds, showing that 27 lines had a genetic distance from PH207
ranging from 0.073 to 0.278, indicating strong genetic similarity. The shortest genetic distance
was observed for PHG29 (0.073). The PH806 line, which originated from a broad-based
population, contributed to the development of four foundational lines: PHN11, PHG29,
PHH93, and PHK42. Among these, PHG29, in combination with PHG44 (which is 50%
derived from PH207), created the progenitor line PHP02, which exhibited minimal distances
to PH207 (0.083) and PH12J (0.098). Furthermore, the genetic distances of PH1CP (0.099)
and PH1MR (0.102) confirm PH207’s influence. The PHJ90 line (0.115) originated from
PHG50 and PHK42, while PH1W0 (0.129) was derived from PHP02 and PHAP9. These
findings confirm PH207’s key progenitor role within the Iodent heterotic pool. However, the
success of ex-PVP materials depends on genetic background, environmental adaptation, and
combining ability, necessitating multi-year field trials to ensure breeding efficiency