RIPEST - Repository of the Institute of Pesticides and Environmental Protection
Not a member yet
1022 research outputs found
Sort by
A strategy to improve rodent control while reducing rodenticide release into the environment
No full textIn addition to having a negative impact on the health of people and domestic animals, rodents
often cause enormous damage to the environment by disrupting natural biodiversity. The negative
impacts of rodents in urban and rural areas have required intensive use of rodentcides in spite
of the proven risk of secondary poisoning of non-target predators and scavengers. Continuous and
intensive use of rodenticides has led to environmental pollution through their retention in the
environment. Commensal rodents are predominantly managed with anticoagulant rodenticides,
which are very persistent in the environment and move up the food chain and accumulate in the
bodies of predators and scavengers. Generally, the use of anticoagulant rodenticides continues,
and there is a need to take appropriate measures to reduce their harmful impact. The efficacy of
second generation anticoagulants (bromadiolone, difenacoum and brodifacoum), combined
either mutually or with chlorophacinone at reduced doses (0.001 % and 0.0008 %), in controlling
brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) was tested in a four-day no-choice feeding test. Combinations of
second generation anticoagulants were more effective than the combination of chlorophacinone
and second generation anticoagulants. The results indicate that combinations of different anticoagulants
at multifold lower doses than the standard may provide a successful tool for brown rat
control and a more environment-friendly method of rodent control and protection of non-target
animals
Allelopathic potential of plant extracts from the stem of Cuscuta campestris Yunck
No full textAlelopatski proseci obuhvataju interakcije između živih organizama koje se ostvaraju
posredstvom sekundarnih metabolita (alelohemikalija). Vrste roda Cuscuta su poznate da
produkuju hemijska jedinjenja koja se odlikuju različitim biološkim aktivnostima. Stoga, ova
istraživanja su obuhvatila ispitivanje alelopatskog potencijala biljnog ekstrakta dobijenog iz stabla
Cuscuta campestris na ukupnu klijavost i dužinu klijanaca semena korovskih vrsta Amaranthus
retroflexus i Portulaca oleracea, kao i hemijske analize biljnog ekstrakta.
Hemijska analiza biljnog ekstrakta stabla C. campestris je pokazala da je dobijeni biljni ekstrakt
bogat izvor fenolnih jedinjenja. HPLC analizom po svom sadržaju su se izdvojila sledeća jedinjenja:
kvercetin (5,62 mg g -1), katehin (3,71 mg g -1) i diadzin (2,85 mg g -1), luteolin (1,82 mg g -1) i rutin
(1,16 mg g-1). Osim toga, veće koncentracije (0,75% i 1%) biljnog ekstrakta ove parazitne cvetnice
imale su inhibitorni efekat na ukupnu klijavost i dužinu klijanaca semena A. retroflexus i P.
oleracea. A. retroflexus se pokazala kao osetljivija test biljka u odnosu na P. oleraceae, što potvrđuju
procenti inhibicije klijanja semena od 88% (A. retroflexus) i 8% (P. oleraceae), odnosno inhibicija
porasta klijanaca koja je bila 77% (A. retroflexus), odnosno 70% (P. oleraceae). Dobijeni rezultati
su pokazali da alelopatska svojstva biljnog ekstrakta stabla C. campestris treba dalje testirati na
veći broj korovskih vrsta u biotestovima sa biljkama i poljskim ogledima, jer je značajan izvor
alelopatskih jedinjenja.Allelopathic processes involve interactions between living organisms via secondary metabolites
(allelochemicals). Cuscuta species are known for their large production of chemical compounds
characterized by various biological activities. This study aimed to test the allelopathic effects of
plant extracts isolated from the stem of Cuscuta campestris on the germination and early seedling
growth of two weed species (Amaranthus retroflexus and Portulaca oleracea). Additionally, the
goals were to also conduct an analysis of the plant extracts and determine their antioxidant
properties.
The chemical analysis has shown that the obtained plant extract is a rich source of phenolic
compounds. HPLC analysis separated by content of the following compounds: quercetin (5.62
mg g -1), catechin (3.71 mg g -1), diadzin (2.85 mg g -1), luteolin (1.82 mg g -1), and rutin (1.16 mg
g-1). In addition, higher concentrations (0.75% and 1%) of the plant extract of this parasitic flower
had an inhibitory effect on the germination and early growth of A. retroflexus and P. oleracea
seeds. A. retroflexus proved to be a more sensitive test plant compared to P. oleraceae, which is
confirmed by the inhibition percentages of seed germination of 88% (A. retroflexus) and 8% (P.
oleraceae), i.e. the inhibition of seedling growth was 77% (A. retroflexus) or 70% (P. oleraceae). The
obtained results have shown the allelopathic properties of the stem extracts of the C. campestris
Factors associated with the incidence of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and leptospirosis in the territory of the AP Vojvodina, Serbia
No full textHemoragijska groznica sa bubrežnim sindromom (HGBS) i leptospiroza su
prirodnožarišne bolesti, endemski prisutne u AP Vojvodini. Ovaj rad imao
je za cilj da utvrdi faktore, koji su povezani sa obolevanjem stanovništva AP
Vojvodine od ovih bolesti, u periodu od 2014. do 2023. godine. Prikupljeni
podaci analizirani su deskriptivnom metodom. Testovi korelacije su
korišćeni 3a – određivanje – povezanosti _ stope incidencije XIBC i
leptospiroze sa meteorološkim faktorima (srednja temperatura vazduha, cyMa
padavina, broj kišnih dana), gustinom naseljenosti, stepenom urbanizacije,
brojem stanovnika u urbanim i ruralnim sredinama, brojnošću glodara,
pokrivenošću poljoprivrednim zemljištem i šumom i brojem domaćih
životinja (samo za leptospirozu). U posmatranom periodu, prosečna stopa
incidencije HGBS iznosila je 0,16/100.000 – (raspon 0,00-0,34/100.000)
(SD=0,17; 95%CI: 0,03-0,28), a leptospiroze 0,40/100.000 (raspon: 0,05—
1,50/100.000) (SD=0,45; 95%ST: 0,08-0,72). Najviše incidencije obe bolesti
registrovane su u godinama prenamnoženja glodara (2014. i 2023). Utvrđena je
statistički značajna jaka pozitivna korelacija između stope incidencije
leptospiroze i CyMe ladavina tokom iste todine (g=0,637; p<0,05).
Distribucija leptospiroze po mesecima pokazala je jaku pozitivnu korelaciju
sa srednjom temperaturom vazduha istog meseca. (g=0,738; r<0,01), jedan i dva
meseca pre (1=0,871; p<0,01 i 1=0,772; r<0,01, redom), zatim sa sumom padavina
u prethodnom mesecu (g=0,706; r<0,05), kao i sa brojnošću glodara u istom
mesecu (=0,680; p<0,05). Stopa incidencije HGBS po okruzima AP Vojvodine
je statistički značajno korelirala (=0.901; r<0.01) sa brojem obolelih, koji
su prijavili boravište u ruralnim, u odnosu na gradska naselja, dok u pogledu
drugih – parametara Huje bilo povezanosti. Učestalost _ obolevanja – od
leptospiroze u AP Vojvodini u periodu 2014-2023. godina povezana je sa
meteorološkim faktorima i brojnošću glodara, 10k je za određivanje faktora
povezanih – sa – obolevanjem – od XTBC potrebno _ sprovesti _ dodatna
longitudinalna istraživanja, koja će obuhvatiti duži period posmatranja.Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and leptospirosis are natural-focal
diseases, endemic т AP Vojvodina. The aim of the paper was to determine the factors
associated with incidence о these diseases т the population ог AP Vojvodina, in the
period 2014-2023. Collected data were analyzed by descriptive method. Correlation
tests were used to explore the relationship between the HFRS ог leptospirosis
incidence and meteorological factors (mean air temperature, precipitation sum,
number ог rainy days), population density, urbanization degree, number of inhabitants
in urban/rural агсаз, abundance ог rodents, agricultural land and forest coverage and
the number ог domestic animals (only for leptospirosis). In the observed period, the
average incidence rate of HFRS was 0.16/100,000 (range 0.00-0.34/100,000)
(SD=0.17; 95%CL: 0.03-0.28), and leptospirosis 0.40/100,000 (range: 0.05-
1.50/100,000) (SD=0.45; 95%CI: 0.08-0.72). The highest incidence rates of both
diseases were registered in the years of rodent overpopulation (2014; 2023). A
statistically significant strong positive correlation was found between the incidence
rate of leptospirosis and the sum of precipitation in the same year (r=0.637; p<0.05).
Distribution of leptospirosis by months revealed strong positive correlation with the
mean air temperature ог the same month (r=0.738; p<0.01), one and two months
before (1=0.871; р<0.01; r=0.772; p< 0.01, respectively), with sum of precipitation in
the previous month (=0.706; p<0.05) and also with number ог rodents in the same
month (т=0.680; p<0.05). The incidence rate of HFRS by districts of AP Vojvodina
was statistically significantly correlated (=0.901; p<0.01) with the mumber ог
patients, who reported their residence in rural, compared to urban settlements, while
in terms of other parameters there were по correlations. The incidence of leptospirosis
in AP Vojvodina т the period 2014-2023 15 associated with meteorological factors
and the number of rodents. To determine the factors associated with HFRS, it is
necessary to conduct additional longitudinal studies, encompassing а longer period ог
observation
Sensitivity of Cercospora beticola to QoI fungicides in Croatia
No full textCercospora leaf spot (CLS), caused by the fungus Cercospora beticola Sacc., is the most serious and important foliar disease of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) in all growing regions worldwide. The use of fungicides has been an integral part of CLS management because nonchemical alternatives (crop rotation and planting of tolerant cultivars) do not provide commercially acceptable control. Fungicides of several classes are available for use against the disease worldwide, including DMI (DeMethylation Inhibitors) and QoI (Quinone outside Inhibitors) fungicides. The occurrence of C. beticola resistance has been reported after widespread and repeated use of the same fungicide classes. The aim of this study was to provide insights into Croatian C. beticola population sensitivity to QoI fungicides.
The total of 29 isolates was obtained from symptomatic sugar beet leaves from main growing regions in Croatia during 2019 (16 isolates from Vukovar-Srijem, 11 isolates from Osijek-Baranja, one isolate from Virovitica-Podravina and one isolate from Zadar county). Sensitivity of isolates to fungicides pyraclostrobin and trifloxystrobin was tested in vitro conditions on PDA medium amended with fungicides to the final concentrations from 0.001 to 100 µg ml-1, and was based on the inhibition of the spore germination. Control plates were not amended with fungicides. Droplets of spore suspension (100 µl) were transferred on to the medium surface (with and without fungicide amended) and conidia with germinating tubes longer than the half of the conidia length were counted after incubation for 24 h at 25 ºC, in the dark. One hundred conidia were counted per plate and three replicates were prepared for each fungicide concentration tested. The EC50 (fungicide concentration which inhibits spore germination by 50%) was determined for each isolate and fungicide. Representative isolates were chosen for molecular detection of resistance to QoI fungicides using mismatch amplification mutation assay. After DNA extraction (CTAB protocol), two PCR primer sets 692/694 and 695/696 were used for differentiation between sensitive and resistant isolates, respectively.
Both tested fungicides strongly affected spore germination of most isolates. Out of 29 tested, 27 isolates showed high sensitivity to pyraclostrobin and trifloxystrobin, with EC50 values ranged from 0.001 to 0.852 µg ml-1, and from 0.006 to 0.695 µg ml-1, respectively. Two isolates (CB 4/19 and CB 9/19) showed resistance to the tested fungicides based on the EC50 values. The isolate CB 4/19 had the highest EC50 values (27.8 µg ml-1 for pyraclostrobin, and 32.4 µg ml-1 for trifloxystrobin), while the isolate CB 9/19 had lower values (10.9 µg ml-1 for pyraclostrobin, and 7.69 µg ml-1 for trifloxystrobin). Based on the calculated EC50 values, four representative isolates, two sensitive and two resistant, were chosen for confirmation of resistance using mismatch amplification mutation assay. Primer pair 692/694 amplified ~613 bp in two sensitive isolates (CB 7/19 and CB 8/19) only, while primer pair 695/696 amplified ~381 bp in two resistant isolates (CB 4/19 and CB 9/19), which confirm results of in vitro sensitivity tests.
These findings confirm the presence of C. beticola QoI-resistant genotypes in Croatia and represent the starting point for further research in this field. Also, confirmation of resistance requires a re-evaluation of the sugar beet protection programme to minimize losses
Natural and semi-synthetic insecticide application prevents damage by Agriotes spp. larvae (wireworms) and protects the onion crop
No full textWireworms (Elateridae: Agriotes spp. Eschscholtz, 1829), the soil-dwelling larvae of click beetles, are global, polyphagous pests in agriculture. The larvae of Agriotes spp. are herbivores that feed on underground plant structures and cause economic damage to many crops, including tuberous root vegetables. Wireworms are difficult to control due to their hidden life cycle below ground. In addition, several traditional soil insecticides, such as organophosphates, pyrethroids and neonicotinoids have been withdrawn from the market. The trial was conducted in 2024 at the Institute for Vegetable Crops (Smederevska Palanka, Serbia) on an experimental onion field. Six treatments were tested as follows: untreated control (NTC), three insecticides of natural origin a) spinosad 1g/kg (Gestikal 001 GR), b) spinosad 240g/l (Laser 240 SC), c) Beauveria bassiana ATCC 74040 2.3x10^7 conidiospores/ml (Naturalis- L), semi-synthetic insecticide spinetoram 120 g/l (Radiant 120 SC) and synthetic tefluthrin 5g/kg (Saturn Terra New). The insecticides were applied directly to the rows at planting, following the label application rate per hectare. The effects of the applied insecticides on onion plants were observed 20 and 42 days after treatment (20DAT and 42DAT). For both evaluations, plant density was assessed by randomly selecting ten 1-meter sections of the row and counting the number of emerged plants within each section. The number of plants showing symptoms of wireworm infestation was recorded in the second assessment. The statistical analysis of the results obtained is carried out using STATISTICA 10 software. Gestikal 001GR, applied at a rate of 48 kg/ha 20 DAT, achieved the highest plant density (202.5%) compared to the untreated control. In contrast, Laser 240 SC, applied at a rate of 0.3 liters/ha 42 DAT, exhibited the lowest plant density (165.0%). Radiant 120 SC, applied at a rate of 0.4 liters/ha 42 DAT, demonstrated the highest plant density (121.1%) compared to the control. The lowest percentage of plants with wireworm symptoms was also recorded with the same pesticide (10%), 42 DAT. The untreated control had the highest percentage of plants with symptoms (26%) and was statistically significantly different from all insecticide treatments. Application of insecticides of natural and semi-synthetic origin effectively controlled in controlling the larvae of Agriotes spp, in a field trial setting. These results can be the basis for further research of insecticides with better ecological parameters in the control of soil pests
Plectosphaerella cucumerina ̶ new and emerging pathogen of lettuce in Balkan region
No full textIn March 2021, unusual plant stunting, collar and root rot of lettuce during rosette stage were observed in two commercial fields in Serbia. Initial above-ground symptoms were yellowing and wilting of leaves, while below-ground symptoms were collar and root rot. Eventually, whole plants wilted, collapsed and died. In total, twenty Plectosphaerella spp. isolates obtained from 35 symptomatic lettuce plants were identified on the basis of morphology and evaluated for their pathogenicity. To confirm the species identity, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the D1/D2 region, of a selected representative isolate 13-3-c, were amplified and sequenced by using primer pairs ITS1/ITS4 and N1/N2, respectively. Sequence analysis of both regions revealed 100% nucleotide identity with Plectosphaerella cucumerina isolates from different countries deposited in the NCBI GenBank. Neighbour-joining analysis was conducted based on combined ITS and D1/D2 regions, and the tree was constructed with the substitution models. Combined phylogeny confirmed that the sequences shared a common clade with P. cucumerina. To our knowledge, this is the first molecular identification of P. cucumerina on lettuce or any other crops in Serbia and Balkan region. P. cucumerina has already been known as a pathogen of lettuce and other hosts grown in many countries worldwide, as well as in some European countries. This emerging pathogen may cause significant economic losses in lettuce production in Serbia and in the other Balkan countries. Our results may help to develop efficient monitoring and detection of P. cucumerina and effectively manage the spread of the disease
Chemical composition of garden angelica (Angelica archangelica L.) seed essential oil depending on weed control measures
No full textGarden angelica (Angelica archangelica L.) is an medicinal and aromatic plant from Apiaceae family, originated from North Europe (Iceland, Grenland and Scandinavian countries). A. archangelica is commonly used in traditional medicine to treat anxiety, insomnia, stomach and intestinal disorders, skin conditions, respiratory problems, and arthritis. This plant is generally cultivated for its root and seed where the essential oil (EO) is concentrated the mostly. The most abundant phytoconstituents are EOs and furocoumarins (the most abundant are archangelicin, angelicin, bergapten, imperatorin and xanthotoxin. Cultivation of medicinal plants has a lot of challenges and the main one is weed control, so the aim of this study was to investigate influence of different weed control measures on EO chemical composition from A. archangelica seed. Field trial was conducted in Kujavica village, near city of Šabac, with a completely randomized block design (CRBD) with following six weed management treatments and three replicates: two organic (mixture of acacia and oak sawdust and wheat straw), two synthetic (agrotextile water permeable black foil and silver-brown foil) mulches, two herbicides (a.i. aclonifen and a.i. metamitron) and two controls (regular hand-weeded and weeded). After seed harvest, EO was obtained by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus. Chemical characterization of the essential oil was performed using gas chromatography (GC) equipped with two types of detectors. The most abundant component at all tested treatments was -phellandrene ranged from 67.44% at straw to 73.56% at agrotextile black foil. Except -phellandrene, which was dominant constituent of EO, there was also detected -tujen ranged from 4.85% at sawdust to 5.59% at agrotextile black foil, thuj-3-en-10-al ranged from 0.85% at herbicide aclonifen to 3.70% at straw, octanal which concentration was ranged from 2.23% at herbicide aclonifen to 2.88% at straw, (3E)-octen-2-ol ranged from 2.29% at herbicide metamitron to 2.50 at straw. Other indentified chemical constituents from A. archangelica seed essential oil was evaluated in concentration lower than 1%. In conclusion, a comprehensive analysis of the chemical composition of Angelica archangelica seed essential oil under different weed management treatments identified 94 compounds, with monoterpene hydrocarbons such as β-phellandrene being the main constituent. The results showed that straw and agrotextile black foil as weed management measures influence the highest concentration of some of the most abundant EO compounds
Antagonistic activity of four Trichoderma harzianum complex strains against tomato pathogen Fusarium sp
No full textBeneficial microorganisms and their metabolic products represent an alternative to
synthetic pesticides in the plant protection from pests and diseases. The antagonistic effect of
four fungal strains (T10, T52, T54 and T64) belonging to Trichoderma harzianum species complex
(THSC), isolated form the button mushroom carpophores, were assayed in vitro against the
pathogen of tomato - Fusarium sp. 6/10. Susceptibility testing of Fusarium sp. 6/10 to four
Trichoderma strains was provided by preliminary visual test and the method of dual culture
(confrontation test) on potato-dextrose-agar (PDA) medium in a Petri dishes (0=90 mm).
Assessment of Trichoderma colonization of a Petri dish surface, forming a scale ranging from 1 to
5 (1-Trichoderma covers the entire surface; 5-pathogen covers the entire surface), was used to
determine the degree of antagonistic activity in the preliminary visual test. Furhtermore, the
percent of mycelial radial growth inhibition of the pathogen by Trichoderma strains in the
confrontation test was calculated in comparison to control using a formula Rl(%)=(R2-
R 1)/R2x100 (Rl =the averaged growth of pathogen in treated plates; R2=the averaged growth of
pathogen in control plates). In the preliminary visual test, the lowest antagonistic activity was
shown by the strain Tl 0, which colonizied 1 /3 of the surface of the Petri dish (4 on the scale of 1-
5). The other strains (T52, T54 and T64) colonized 2/3 of the Petri dish surface (2 on the scale of
1-5). In a confrontation test, strains of Trichoderma harzianum complex suppressed the growth
of Fusarium sp. 6/10 in the range from 25.97 to 47.83%. The strongest statistically significant
antagonistic activity to tomato pathogen exhibited the strain T64, while no statistically
significant differences in antagonistic activity was found among the other three strains. The most
effective strain in suppression of Fusarium sp. was THSC T64. This strain could be recommended
for further in vitro and in vivo testing against tomato pathogen Fusarium sp
Changing the microbiom in Agaricus bisporus cultivation system to fight Trichoderma green mold
No full textThe rapidly growing demand for cultivation, processing or export of mushrooms for
consumption, is registered in Serbia. The absence of effective chemicals permitted in
mushrooms cultivation and the resistance of mushroom pathogens to pesticides, leads to need
for alternative treatment options. One of the most destructive mycopathogenic fungi,
Trichoderma aggressivum, is a causal agent of compost green mold, which control is still
unsuccessful. On the other hand, commercial button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) cultivation
system relies on ecological relationships with a broad range of microorganisms present in the
compost. The objective of this study was to implement two native beneficial microorganisms,
both isolated from compost in fermentation phase, in the cultivation of button mushroom.
Mutual relationship between Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain B-241, with its fungicidal activity
against T. aggressivum f. europaeum, and Streptomyces f/avovirens strain A06, with its
mushroom yield promoting activity, was investigated in an experimental mushroom growing
room after inoculation with disease agent. Treatments with different ratios of microorganisms
were applied six times at seven-day intervals during cultivation cycle. The synergy factor (SF) was
calculated as a ratio between the observed and expected impact both on yield and efficacy in
suppression of disease. The highest yield of mushrooms was achieved in plots treated with two
beneficial microorganisms combined (B-241 80% + A06 20%). Synergistic relationship was found
in A. bisporus yield promotion after combined application of the two beneficial microorganisms
in both un-inoculated (SF= 1.56) and inoculated plots {SF=1.62). As for preventing green mold,
the highest control of T. aggressivum was obtained during joint application of two beneficial
microorganisms. Furthermore, additive effect (SF=l .05) was determined in interactions of
beneficial bacterium and actinobacterium concerning efficacy against the pathogen in repeated
trials. The results of the study revealed that introduction of compatible microorganisms in
mushroom growing system enables both biorational disease management and yield
improvement thus simultaneously reducing harmful effects on human health and environment
Geographical variations, prevalence, and molecular dynamics of fastidious phloem-limited pathogens infecting sugar beet across Central Europe
No full textIn Europe, two fastidious phloem-limited pathogens, ’Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’
(16SrXII-A) and ’Candidatus Arsenophonus phytopathogenicus’, are associated with rubbery
taproot disease (RTD) and syndrome basses richesses (SBR) of sugar beet, respectively.
Both diseases can significantly reduce yield, especially when accompanied by root
rot fungi. This study investigates the presence, geographic distribution and genetic traits of
fastidious pathogens and the accompanying fungus, Macrophomina phaseolina, found on
sugar beet across four geographically separated plains spanning seven countries in Central
Europe. The survey revealed variable incidences of symptoms linked to these fastidious
pathogens in the Pannonian and Wallachian Plains, sporadic occurrence in the North European
Plain, and no symptomatic sugar beet in the Bohemian Plain. Molecular analyses
unveiled the occurrence of both ’Ca. P. solani’ and ’Ca. A. phytopathogenicus’ throughout
Central Europe, with a predominance of the phytoplasma. These fastidious pathogens were
detected in all six countries surveyed within the Pannonian and Wallachian Plains, with only
a limited presence of various phytoplasmas was found in the North European Plain, while no
fastidious pathogens were detected in Bohemia, aligning with observed symptoms. While
16S rDNA sequences of ’Ca. P. solani’ remained highly conserved, multi-locus characterization
of two more variable loci (tuf and stamp) unveiled distinct variability patterns across the
plains. Notably, the surprising lack of variability of tuf and stamp loci within Central Europe,
particularly the Pannonian Plain, contrasted their high variability in Eastern and Western
Europe, corresponding to epidemic and sporadic occurrence, respectively. The current
study provides valuable insights into the genetic dynamics of ’Ca. P. solani’ in Central
Europe, and novel findings of the presence of ’Ca. A. phytopathogenicus’ in five countries
(Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria, Serbia, and Romania) and M. phaseolina in sugar beet
in Slovakia. These findings emphasize the need for further investigation of vector–pathogen
(s)–plant host interactions and ecological drivers of disease outbreaks