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Bioprotection of the Button Mushroom from Pests and Diseases
No full textCommercial production of the button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach,
is threatened by various pests and mycopathogenic microorganisms. Sciarid flies
(Sciaridae) of the genus Lycoriella are considered as major pests, while major pathogens
include the fungi Lecanicillium fungicola (Preuss), Zare and Gams, Hypomyces perniciosus
Magnus, Cladobotryum spp., and Trichoderma aggressivum Samuels & W. Gams, the causative
agents of dry bubble, wet bubble, cobweb, and green mold diseases, respectively.
Control of mushroom pests and diseases has long relied on synthetic chemical pesticides.
Pesticide resistance and various health and environmental issues have created a need for
sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives to the use of synthetic chemical pesticides for
mushroom pest and disease control. The concept of bioprotection, which involves using
biological control agents (BCAs) and biopesticide products, offers a viable alternative. The
entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev) and predatory mite Stratiolaelaps
scimitus (Womersley) are the most important invertebrate BCAs, while the bacteria Bacillus
thuringiensis Berliner, B. amyloliquefaciens, and B. velezensis stand out as the most widely
used microbial BCAs/biopesticides. Azadirachtin- and pyrethrum-based products are the
most important biochemical biopesticides. Bioprotection agents require inclusion in the
integrated pest and disease management (IPDM) programs in order to achieve their full
effectiveness
Zebra_K, a kinematic analysis automated platform for assessing sensitivity, habituation and prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle response in adult zebrafish
No full textThe acoustic startle response (ASR) is leaded by a sudden and intense acoustic stimulus. ASR has several forms of
plasticity, including habituation and sensorimotor gating. Although ASR and its plasticity have been intensively
studied in zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae, information in adult zebrafish is still very scarce. In this manuscript we
present Zebra_K, a new automated high-content kinematic analysis platform for assessing ASR, its habituation
and prepulse inhibition (PPI), a quantitative measure of sensorimotor gating, in adult zebrafish. The analysis of
the kinematic parameters of ASR in adult zebrafish has shown a single response wave consistent with the shortlatency
C-bend described in zebrafish larvae. Moreover, protocols have been designed and validated in Zebra_K
for the analysis of sensitivity, habituation and PPI of this response. Then, the effect of the time of day and the gender on zebrafish ASR plasticity has been analyzed for the first time. Females exhibited higher responsiveness and a lower habituation and PPI than males, a result consistent with the gender effect described in other animal models and in humans. This platform has also been used to determine the effect of a pharmacological modulators of ASR plasticity, the NMDA-receptor antagonist ketamine. As described in other animal models, ketamine increased the responsiveness to the acoustic stimuli, decreasing habituation and leading to complete abolition of PPI. These results enhance the interest of using adult zebrafish to assess the potential effect of environmental pollutants on ASR plasticity
Allelopathy and weed control in changing climate
No full textModern agriculture involves dealing with challenges from climate change, environmental pollution, depletion of natural resources, as well as pressure to cope with dependence on agricultural inputs with aim sustainable management of crop production and the environment. Weeds are one of the most challenging problems facing agricultural production, while modern agriculture relies heavily on synthetic herbicides for weed control. The excessive use of synthetic herbicides has contributed significantly to soil degradation, environmental pollution and adverse effects on non-target organisms and human health. Also, long-lasting exploitation of herbicides with one target site in plants has resulted in the evolution of weeds resistant to herbicides. Due to all these problems, there is a need to develop a sustainable, environmentally friendly tool for weed management. One great field for discovering new approaches for weed control is allelopathy and allelochemicals. Allelopathy is a biological phenomenon of chemical interaction between plants and this phenomenon has great potential to be used as an effective and environmentally friendly tool for weed management in agriculture. Previous studies showed that some plant species possess potent allelochemicals that have great potential to be ecofriendly bioherbicides
Impact of synthetic films and organic mulches on yield and quality of Mentha piperita L. essential oil
No full textThe study investigates the influence of organic mulches and synthetic films on the yield and quality of essential
oil in Mentha piperita L. over two consecutive years in Southeast Europe. The field two-factorial randomized
complete block design experiment utilized the "Mitcham" cultivar of M. piperita, assessing effect of six treatments:
two organic mulches (sawdust of acacia and dry pine needles), two synthetic films (black agrotextile film and
silver-brown film), and two controls (weeded and non-weeded), conducted in Panˇcevo, South Banat, Serbia. The
study examined the effects on these treatments on the yields of plant material (stems and leaves with flowers), as
well as the yield and composition of essential oil (leaves with flowers). The plants were harvested at the optimal
phase, when the flowers in the first third of the inflorescence were fully open. The results showed that application
of mulches and films significantly increased the yield of leaves with flowers compared to the non-weeded control,
with synthetic films generally outperforming organic ones. When the controls are omitted, M. piperita cultivated
on silver-brown film (2.8 t ha 1) and black agrotextile film (3.0 t ha 1) achieved the highest yields, resulting in
exceptionally high essential oil production. The essential oil yield varied from 5.88 % to 7.50 % in treatments
with synthetic films, whereas in non-weeded and weeded controls, it was 4.64 % and 7.13 %, respectively. In
addition to prominent synthetic films, organic dry pine needles increased the yield and quality of essential oils,
indicating that they could be used to improve the outcomes of cultivated M. piperita. Significant variations were
also observed in the chemical composition of M. piperita essential oils, particularly in the levels of menthol,
menthone, and other monoterpenes
Allelopathic Potential of Artemisia absinthium and Artemisia vulgaris from Serbia: Chemical Composition and Bioactivity on Weeds
No full textThe use of Artemisia species’ plant extracts and essential oils, which are rich in
bioactive compounds (allelochemicals), could support weed management. This study focused
on the chemical analysis and evaluation of the allelopathic potential of plant extracts
(PEs) and essential oils (EOs) of Artemisia absinthium and A. vulgaris on the germination and
early seedling growth of weeds (Amaranthus retroflexus and Setaria viridis) in vitro. The plant
extract from A. vulgaris showed higher antioxidant activity (IC50 = 0.171 ± 0.01 mg/mL) and
phenolic content than that from A. absinthium (IC50 = 0.263 ± 0.01 mg/mL). Chlorogenic
acid was the most abundant phenol in both extracts. However, A. absinthium contained
a higher amount (1.694 ± 0.081 mg/g) and exhibited a stronger inhibitory effect on the
germination of A. retroflexus (EC50 = 0.54 ± 0.02%) and S. viridis (EC50 = 1.51 ± 0.07%)
compared to A. vulgaris. The dominant components of A. absinthium essential oil were
β-thujone (18.9%), cis-ocimene epoxide (7.88%), and bicyclogermacrene (7.04%), while the
main constituents of A. vulgaris essential oil included gurjunene (10.41%), cis-crysanthenyl
acetate (7.17%), and γ-humulene (6.67%). The lowest EC50 values for A. absinthium essential
oil regarding seed germination and seedling length were estimated for S. viridis
(0.28 ± 0.48% and 0.03 ± 0.00%, respectively), whereas A. retroflexus was the most sensitive
to A. vulgaris essential oil (0.11 ± 0.04% and 0.02 ± 0.00%, respectively). All tested extracts
showed allelopathic potential; however, the results indicate that the essential oils had a
stronger inhibitory effect than the plant extracts
Prirodni i polusintetički insekticidi u zaštiti luka od šteta koje izazivaju žičnjaci
No full textWireworms, the larval stage of click beetles (Elateridae: Agriotes spp.), pose a significant threat to global agriculture, particularly to root vegetables, such as onion.Their subterranean lifestyle, as well as the withdrawal of some traditional synthetic insecticides, make them challenging to control. Therefore, this research aimed to compare the effects of natural, semi-synthetic and synthetic insecticides in controlling wireworm damage in an onion field. A field trial for testing the effects of different insecticidal treatments on plant density, wireworm damage (%) and total onion yield, was conducted at the Institute for Vegetable Crops (Smederevska Palanka, Serbia) in 2024. The experiment consisted of six treatments: an untreated control, three natural insecticides (two formulations of spinosad a.i. - granular and liquid, and Beauveria bassiana ATCC 74040 2.3×107
conidiospores/ml), a semi-synthetic insecticide (a.i. spinetoram) and a synthetic insecticide (a.i. tefluthrin). The insecticides were applied during planting, following their label application rates per hectare. Assessments were conducted 20 and 42 days after treatment (DAT) to determine plant density. Wireworm damage was specifically evaluated 42 DAT, and yield was calculated by weighing the harvested onion bulbs. The results showed that the granular spinosad formulation, applied in furrows at planting, significantly increased plant density 20 DAT, while its liquid formulation, applied as a soil treatment during planting, resulted in the lowest density. Spinetoram showed the highest plant density 42 DAT and the highest percentage of wireworm damage (15%) of all insecticides tested. The control had the highest percentage of damaged plants and the lowest yield. Onion yield was at the maximum after treatment with spinetoram, whereas the lowest yield was achieved after treatment with the granular spinosad formulation.
Field trials show that natural and semi-synthetic insecticides can effectively control wireworms, ensuring adequate crop protection and viable yields. This study supports developing and adopting environmentally conscious soil pest management.Larve žičnjaka (Elateridae: Agriotes spp.), predstavljaju značajnu pretnju globalnoj
poljoprivredi, posebno korenasto-krtolastom povrću kao što je luk. Njihov podzemni način
života čini ih izazovnim za suzbijanje koji je dodatno komplikovan povlačenjem tradicionalnih
sintetičkih insekticida iz upotrebe. Stoga, ova studija upoređuje efekte prirodnih, polusintetičkih
i sintetičkih insekticida u kontroli oštećenja od žičnjaka na usevu luka.
Terenski ogledi efikasnosti različitih insekticidnih tretmana na gustinu biljaka, oštećenje
od žičnjaka (%) i ukupan prinos luka sprovedeni su 2024. godine u Institutu za povrtarstvo
(Smederevska Palanka, Srbija). Eksperiment je podrazumevao šest tretmana: netretirana
kontrola, tri prirodna insekticida (dve formulacije a.s. spinosada: granule (GR) i koncentrovana
suspenzija (SC), i B. bassiana ATCC 74040 2,3×107 konidiospora/ml), polusintetički insekticid
(a.s. spinetoram) i sintetički insekticid (a.s. teflutir). Tretiranje je rađeno u vreme sadnje crnog
luka prema preporučenoj količini primene po hektaru. Ocene su urađene 20 i 42 dana posle
tretmana (DPT) da bi se odredila gustina biljaka. Oštećenja biljaka luka od žičnjaka zabeležena
su 42 DPT, a prinos je izračunat vaganjem ubranih lukovica luka nakod žetve. Rezultati su
pokazali da je spinosad formulacija GR, razbacana u brazde pri sadnji, značajno povećala
gustinu biljaka nakon 20 DPT, dok je formulacija SC, primenjena kao tretman zemljišta pri
sadnji, rezultirala najnižom gustinom. Spinetoram je pokazao najveću gustinu biljaka 42 DPT
i najveći procenat oštećenja od žičnjaka (15%) od svih testiranih insekticida. Kontrola je imala
najveći procenat oštećenih biljaka i najmanji prinos. Spinetoram je dao maksimalan prinos
luka, dok je spinosad formulacija GR dala najmanji prinos među insekticidima.
Poljski ogledi su pokazali da prirodni i polusintetički insekticidi efikasno suzbijaju žičnjake,
obezbeđujući adekvatnu zaštitu useva i održive prinose. Ova studi
Bioherbicidal Evaluation of Methanol Extract of Sorghum halepense L. Rhizome and Its Bioactive Components Against Selected Weed Species
No full textSorghum halepense (L.) Pers. (common name Johnson grass) is a perennial invasive weed
that causes great harm worldwide, and its allelopathy has been demonstrated in a series
of experiments. The present study offers new insights into its organ-specific phytochem-
ical profiles using state-of-the-art metabolomic technology and explores the effects of
a methanol extract of S. halepense rhizomes (ShER) and its major bioactive compounds
(p-hydroxybenzoic acid and chlorogenic acid) on three noxious weed species. The phyto-
toxic effects of ShER are reflected through the inhibition of seed germination and reduced
seedling growth, which are accompanied by changes in the antioxidant system of seedlings.
Phytotoxicity is species specific and concentration dependent, and it is more pronounced
against Chenopodiastrum murale (L.) S. Fuentes, Uotila & Borsch and Datura stramonium L.
than highly tolerant Amaranthus retroflexus L. Catalase (CAT) is most likely the major medi-
ator in the removal of reactive oxygen species, which are generated during germination
and early seedling growth of Ch. murale exposed to ShER. The results of the present study
imply the high potential of ShER in the management of amaranthaceous and solanaceous
weeds, such as Ch. murale and D. stramonium, respectively. The present study offers an en-
vironmentally friendly solution for the biological control of weeds belonging to the families
Amaranthaceae and Solanaceae. Also, the results of this research highlight the possibility of
effective management of S. halepense by using it as a feedstock for bioherbicide production
Diversity and Patulin Production of Penicillium spp. Associated with Apple Blue Mold in Serbia
No full textApple blue mold, caused by the Penicillium species, is a significant postharvest
disease, leading to food loss and impacting food safety due to mycotoxin contamination.
This study aimed to identify the Penicillium species associated with apple blue mold in
Serbia, assess their pathogenicity, and evaluate their patulin production potential. A
total of 70 Penicillium isolates were collected from symptomatic apple fruit and identified
as P. expansum (92.9%), P. crustosum (4.3%), P. solitum (1.4%), and P. chrysogenum (1.4%).
The pathogenicity assay revealed P. expansum strains as the most virulent. Molecular
detection of msas gene and HPLC analysis confirmed patulin production exclusively in
P. expansum isolates. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) grouped P. expansum strains
in two distinctive clusters, while P. crustosum strains clustered separately with P. solitum
and P. chrysogenum, yet in distinct positions. This is the first report of P. solitum and
P. chrysogenum as causal agents of apple blue mold in Serbia. The results of the study
provide insights that might be useful in the development of effective control strategies
for apple blue mold, ensuring consumption of healthy and safe apple fruit and applebased
products
Phytochemical analysis of Asclepias syriaca L. leaf extract and its potential phytotoxic effect on some invasive weeds
No full textLeaf extract of Asclepyas syriaca was utilized to investigate the phytotoxic effects on the germination
and seedling growth of Amaranthus retroflexus L., Chenopodium album L., and Iva xanthifolia Nutt.
and to evaluate the relative chlorophyll content and oxidative stress of these weeds growing in
pots. The total content of phenols in the extract and its antioxidant activity were determined before
bioassays. The TPC was 43.3 ± 1.5 mg GAE g−1 dry extract, while IC50 value of DPPH radical scavenging
activity was 0.651 mg ml−1 and FRAP value was 38.7 ± 1.5 μmol Fe2+ g−1 d.e., UHPLC-MS analysis was
carried out to identify and quantify the major compounds in it. A total of 15 phenolic compounds in the
extract were quantified, including 4 flavonoids, 7 hydroxybenzoic acids, and 4 hydroxycinnamic acids.
Delphinidin was the most abundant (32.5 mg g−1 d.e.), followed by 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (1.810 mg
g−1 d.e.), rutin (1.533 mg g−1 d.e.), p-coumaric acid (1.131 mg g−1 d.e.), quercetin (1.071 mg g−1 d.e.),
gallic acid (0.946 mg g−1 d.e.) and protocatechuic acid (0.598 mg g−1 d.e.). The seed bioassay confirmed
the inhibitory effect of leaf extract on the seed germination and early seedling growth of the tested
weeds at all concentrations. In all tested plants the inhibition of seed germination ranged from 68 to
100%, while the inhibitory effect on early seedling growth (radical and shoot length) was ≥ 72% and
up to 97–100% for root and 74 to 100% for shoot growth. The results obtained from the pot bioassays
revealed significant oxidative stress and a decrease in the relative chlorophyll content. These findings
evinced that A. syriaca leaf extract had a significant phytotoxic effect on tested weeds. However,
further studies under field conditions are needed to confirm the presented results and to check its
herbicidal potentia
„Bikovo oko” – oboljenje uskladištenih plodova jabuke
No full textFitopatogene gljive iz roda Neofabraea značajan su prouzrokovač rak-rana grančica i truleži uskladištenih plodova jabuke širom sveta. U Srbiji, prva pojava ovog oboljenja zabeležena 2016. godine na plodovima jabuke, a kao rouzrokovač identifikovana je vrsta Neofabraea alba. Infekcija plodova najčešće nastaje tokom vegetacije, a simptomi truleži se uočavaju nekoliko meseci kasnije, tokom perioda skladištenja. Na zaraženim plodovima dolazi do razvoja truleži koja utiče na promene kvaliteta ploda tokom perioda skladištenja, čiji intenzitet zavisi od tipa hladnjače i sorte jabuke. Suzbijanje ovog oboljenja u zasadima jabuke bazira se na adekvatnoj primeni sintetisanih fungicida. Međutim, zbog rizika po zdravlje ljudi i životnu sredinu, kao i mogućnosti razvoja rezistentnih populacija patogena, potrebno je razvijati alternativna rešenja u vidu efikasnih preparata biološkog porekla. U radu su sistematizovana dosadašnja saznanja o prouzrokovačima oboljenja iz roda Neofabraea.Phytopathogenic fungi from the Neofabraea genus are one of the major causal agents of the postharvest decay of apple fruit as well as tree canker. In 2016, a
disease caused by Neofabraea alba was detected for the first time in Serbia. Although the infection usually occurs during the growing season, the symptoms of rot appear several months later, during the storage period. The infected fruits develop necrosis and show the morphological characteristics of N. alba. The appearance of rot affects the quality of the fruit, with the intensity of the rot depending on the type of cold storage and the cultivars. The control of this disease in apple orchards is based on the use of fungicides. The use of synthetic
fungicides is highly effective, but their use has led to problems such as environmental pollution, development of resistance and residual toxicity. Therefore, other bull's eye rot control strategies, such as application
of biopesticides, have to be developed