Procter & Gamble (United Kingdom)
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1543 research outputs found
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Proučavanje kruga domaćina Erwinia amylovora bakteriofaga.
No full textErwinia amylovora je prouzrokovač najznačajnijeg bakterioznog oboljenja jabučastih voćaka u Srbiji. Nedostatak efikasnih baktericida nameće potrebu pronalaženja alternativnih metoda za kontrolu ovog patogena. Jedno od potencijalnih rešenja predstavlja korišćenje bakteriofaga kao prirodnih neprijatelja, čija je efikasnost u suzbijanju fitopatogenih bakterija dokazana ranijim eksperimentima. U periodu od 2010. do 2025. godine izolovano je 34 soja faga iz rizosfere stabala jabučastih voćaka, vode iz kanala za navodnjavanje, kao i biljnog materijala sa i bez simptoma bakteriozne plamenjače. Spektar domaćina i specifičnost faga proučena je korišćenjem 104 soja E. amylovora, izolovanih iz jabuke, kruške, dunje, japanske kruške, mušmule, Cotoneaster sp. i Sorbus sp. poreklom iz Srbije. Takođe, proučen je uticaj faga na spontane populacije bakterija, koje nastanjuju zemljište i biljke, a koje nisu identifikovane kao patogeni biljaka. U tu svrhu vršena je izolacija bakterija iz rizosfere I filosfere jabuke i kruške na Kingovu podlogu B. Taksonomska pripadnost izolovanih sojeva utvrđena je sekvenciranjem produkata 16S RNK gena i bioinformatičkom analizom uz primenu „blastn“ programa. Litička aktivnost faga proučavana je primenom “spot testa”, nanošenjem po 5 µl suspenzije faga na NYA podlogu prethodno zasejanu različitim sojevima bakterija ponaosob.
Proučavani sojevi faga lizirali su 100 E. amylovora sojeva, formirajući prozračne ili blago mutne plakove na NYA podlozi nakon 24h inkubacije. Od ukupno 72 soja saprofitnih bakterija, fagi su ispoljili litičku aktivnost prema 19 sojeva, za koje je utvrđena taksonomska pripadnost vrsti Pantoea agglomerans.
Na osnovu rezultata istraživanja, može se zaključiti da su izolovani fagi lizirali sojeve E. amylovora poreklom iz različitih domaćina i lokaliteta u Srbiji, čime je ispunjen jedan od preduslova za njihovu buduću upotrebu u biološkoj kontroli bakteriozne plamenjače voćaka. Međutim, rezistentnost četri soja E. amylovora ukazuju na neophodnost primene koktela koji će sadržati više sojeva faga. Sposobnost pojednih sojeva faga da liziraju vrstu P. agglomerans ukazuje na mogućnost primene sojeva ove bakterije kao vektora faga
The effect of biopesticides on tomato yield and quality
No full textBiopesticides are increasingly being used for plant protection as natural and environmentally friendly alternatives to synthetic pesticides. The aim of the research was to examine the impact of the Bacillus spp. and calendula extract on tomato yield (fresh weight of fruits) and fruit quality (content of phenolic compounds, vitamin C, lycopene and carotenoids). The experiment was carried out during the 2024 growing season in the field conditions using tomato cultivar for processing (SP-109). The experiment was laid out in a random block system, with four replications. Five treatments were applied three times during the vegetable season (T1 - Bacillus spp. isolate 1, T2 - Bacillus spp. isolate 2, T3 - Calendula extract, T4 - Fungicide, T5 - Control). Results showed that T1 treatment significantly increased yield per plant (593 g) compared to treatments T2, T3, T4 and T5 (466.5 g, 509.4 g, 420.3 g and 525.2 g). Also, the T1 treatment had a significant impact on fruit quality, since vitamin C content in the fruits was increased (from 33.5% to 213.6%) compared to others treatments. The content of phenolic compounds was significantly reduced in all treatments compared to control treatment, while the lycopene and carotenoids were similar in all treatments. Results of this investigation indicate that the application of biological agents, specifically selected Bacillus spp. isolate 1 (T1), can have effects comparable to fungicides (even better), as evidenced by the achieved tomato yield and fruit quality, while calendula extract had no effect on tomato yield and quality
Determining the Nicotine Content in Tobacco Stems and Smoke during the Combustion of Tobacco Stem Briquettes
No full textSlađina čarolija : Sorta paprike (Capsicum annuum L.)
No full textNova sorta paprike Slađina čarolija je priznata Rešenjem Ministarstva poljoprivrede, šumarstva i vodoprivrede Republike Srbije pod br. 320-04-5183/2/2023-11 od 12.06.2025. Sorta pripada tzv. peimento tipu paprike, čiji su plodovi dvostrano spljošteni. Pripada grupi srednjekasnih paprika, čiji su plodovi namenjeni upotrebi za industrijsku preradu. Boja plodova u tehnološkoj zrelosti je tamnozelena, a u biološkoj tamno crvena. Plodovi su veoma krupni, često i preko 300g, debelog perikarpa. Visoko prinosna je paprika, gde uz upotrebu pune agrotehnike može ostvariti prinose i preko 80t/ha. Namenjena za spravljanje ajvara i u industrijskoj preradi za pravljenje različitih proizvoda od paprike.The new pepper variety Slađina čarolija was officially recognized by the Decision of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Serbia, No. 320-04-5183/2/2023-11 dated 12 June 2025. This variety belongs to the so-called pimiento-type peppers, characterized by bilaterally flattened fruits. It is classified as a mid-late variety, with fruits intended for industrial processing. The fruit color is dark green at the technological maturity stage and dark red at full biological maturity. The fruits are very large, often exceeding 300 grams, with thick pericarp walls. It is a high-yielding pepper variety, capable of producing over 80 tons per hectare with the application of full agro-technical measures. It is intended for making ajvar and for various industrially processed pepper products
Biocontrol of Seedborne Fungi on Small-Grained Cereals Using Bacillus halotolerans Strain B33
No full textThe development of biological pesticides is rapidly becoming an integral aspect
of pest management in sustainable agriculture. This study was conducted to evaluate the
effectiveness of Bacillus halotolerans strain B33 against three common seedborne fungal
pathogens—Fusarium graminearum, Alternaria alternata, and Aspergillus flavus. B33 strain
identity was determined using the 16S rRNA and tuf gene sequences. Commercial wheat,
barley, oat, and rye seeds were artificially infected by fungal isolates and then treated with
B33 overnight culture in Nutrient Broth. The obtained results indicate high efficacy against
F. graminearum (83.55–94.38%) and A. alternata (85.05–96.70%), whereby the highest efficacy
was noted on wheat seed and the lowest was detected on rye seed. On the other hand,
B33 achieved 100% efficacy against A. flavus on barley, rye, and oat seeds, while being
96.24% effective against this pathogen on wheat. Principal component analysis indicated
the highest treatment influence on A. flavus. The effect of all tested treatments on seed
germination was statistically significant compared to the controls, whereby the number of
germinated seeds declined as the seed infection rate increased. B. halotolerans strain B33
effectively managed seedborne fungal pathogens, thereby enhancing seed germination
In vitro biocontrol potential of indigenous Bacillus velezensis strains in suppressing black rot disease in cabbage cv. Futoški
No full textSerbian autochthonous cabbage cv. Futoški is susceptible to various pathogens,
including the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc), the causal agent
of black rot, resulting in significant economic losses.
This study aimed to provide an environmentally friendly solution for controlling black rot
in cabbage cv. Futoški by exploring the potential of indigenous Bacillus spp. strains.
Bacillus spp. strains were isolated from the phyllosphere and rhizosphere of cabbage cv.
Futoški plants, with and without black rot symptoms. The potential antagonistic activity
of their whole cultures and cell-free supernatants was tested in vitro, against Xcc strain
XccFC231, also isolated from the cv. Futoški. Phylogenetic analysis was performed
based on concatenated sequences of the 16S rRNA, rpoB, and gyrA genes to identify the
most potent biocontrol candidate(s). The presence and/or absence of lipopeptide genes
in candidates was checked using specific primers, targeting the synthesis of
bacillomycin D, fengycin, iturin, kurstakin, and surfactin.
Of the 115 isolated Bacillus spp. strains, 52 exhibited antagonistic activity of whole
cultures, while nine (BFC3, BFC55, BFC68, BFC73, BFC81, BFC88, BFC98, BFC102, and
BFC114) demonstrated activity of supernatants (Ø 12–19 mm) as well. All nine biocontrol
candidates were identified as Bacillus velezensis. Except for BFC98, the rest of the
candidates showed potential to produce bacillomycin D, while six strains (BFC3, BFC55,
BFC68, BFC88, BFC98, and BFC102) exhibited potential for iturin production.
The nine isolated B. velezensis strains show potential for future use in managing black rot
on cabbage cv. Futoški, and could potentially be used on other Brassicaceae
Silicon mitigates Macrophomina phaseolina root infection in sugar beet
No full textMacrophomina phaseolina is a soil-borne, cosmopolitan fungal pathogen that causes stem and root rot,
seedling blight, or charcoal rot in various plant species. In sugar beet, M. phaseolina has been
considered a minor root pathogen, typically affecting weakened, injured, or stressed plants. However,
in recent years, likely due to climate change, its economic impact on sugar beet production has increased
worldwide. In Serbia, it has become one of the most significant sugar beet root rot pathogens. The aim
of this study was to investigate the effect of silicon (Si) supply on M. phaseolina root infection in
hydroponically grown sugar beet. Sugar beet seedlings (Beta vulgaris L., cv. Eduarda) were inoculated
with M. phaseolina and divided into two groups: –Si (grown in a standard Si-free nutrient solution) and
+Si (grown in the same solution supplied with 1.5 mM Si (OH)₄). Control (non-inoculated) seedlings
were also grown in either –Si or +Si conditions. Root infection by M. phaseolina was detected
microscopically and further confirmed using PCR. DNA sequences of isolates used in this study were
multiplied with conservative set of primers and M. phaseolina was confirmed. Identification of M.
phaseolina was also confirmed by morphological characteristics. In non-inoculated plants, Si supply
promoted root growth and development, evidenced by increased dry biomass, root volume, and lateral
root formation, compared to –Si control. M. phaseolina-inoculated roots showed clear signs of damage,
including a two-fold increase in root leakage (measured as electrical conductivity of the root solution)
and reduced root volume and biomass. Addition of Si significantly mitigated these effects, enhancing
root growth and reducing leakage to the levels comparable with non-inoculated plants. Additionally,
supply of Si lowered calcium (Ca) to Si ratio in both non-inoculated and inoculated roots, while also
decreasing Ca concentration by half, which likely indicates restructuring of root cell walls. This study
provides the first evidence that Si supplementation can effectively reduce M. phaseolina root infection
in sugar beet. Moreover, it confirms the beneficial effects of Si on overall plant performance, especially
root development, even under non-stressed conditions
Stolbur phytoplasma infection and foliar silicon application differentially affect the grapevine leaf ionome
No full textThe beneficial role of silicon (Si) in enhancing plant tolerance to various fungal and bacterial diseases is well documented. However, its impact on infections caused by phytoplasmas remains unexplored. Bois noir, caused by ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ (stolbur phytoplasma), is among the most severe and widespread grapevine diseases in southeastern Europe. This study investigated the influence of plant health status and foliar Si application on the leaf ionome of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Chardonnay under field conditions. Silicon-treated (+Si) vines were sprayed three times with 1 mM Si(OH)₄, while control (−Si) vines received no Si. Stolbur phytoplasma (16SrXII-A subgroup) was detected by stolbur-specific nested PCR. Leaf concentrations of Si, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and B were measured using ICPMS, while N and S were analysed by a CNS elemental analyzer. Plants were categorized into three groups: healthy (asymptomatic, phytoplasma-negative in both current and previous seasons), recovered (asymptomatic, phytoplasma-negative in the current but positive in the previous season), and infected (symptomatic and phytoplasma-positive). Leaf mineral composition varied significantly depending on both Si treatment and plant health status. The disease exposure (recovered plants, no Si addition) significantly stimulated leaf accumulation of P, K, S, Mg, Fe, Zn, B, and Mo, but also increased leaf Si levels by about 25% compared with healthy asymptomatic –Si plants. Interestingly, Si application to healthy vines tended to bring the element concentrations closer to the levels of the recovered plants receiving no Si supplementation. Specifically, this signal was statistically significant for the concentrations of P, S, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Mo, which are all known to be directly or indirectly involved in plant tolerance to pathogen infections. This implies that Si application can mimic the effects of postinfection priming for disease resistance. The addition of Si to the recovered plants had no statistically significant effect on leaf nutrient levels apart from an increase in Zn concentration by about 35%. On the other hand, infected symptomatic vines had markedly lower leaf concentrations of Mn, Zn and Mo relative to both healthy and recovered plants. Their leaf nutriome was not altered by Si supplementation, likely due to phytoplasma-induced impairment of phloem-mediated nutrient transport. In conclusion, the Si-mediated increases in micronutrients associated with pathogen defense in healthy vines indicates a potential of Si to prime plant resistance against biotic stress
ANALYSIS OF THE UTILIZATION OF AVAILABLE QUANTITIES OF TOBACCO STALKS IN SERBIA
No full textPoljoprivredna proizvodnja u Srbiji raspolaže značajnim količinama biljne biomase koje se mogu iskoristiti u energetske svrhe. Jedan od potencijalnih izvora je biomasa stabljika duvana, naročito tipa Berlej. Cilj istraživanja bio je da se proceni raspoloživa količina stabljika ovog tipa i ispita njihov potencijal za energetsku valorizaciju. Analizirani su podaci Uprave za duvan o površinama pod različitim tipovima duvana – Berlej, Virdžinija i Orijental – s tim da su u proračune uključene samo stabljike tipa Berlej. Pri proračunu je korišćen prosek rasađivanja od 22.000 stabljika/ha i prosečna težina stabljike krupnolisnih duvana od 350 g. Orijentalni duvan nije razmatran zbog malih površina pod proizvodnjom i njenog prekida, dok je tip Virdžinija isključen zbog većih ulaganja i troškova energenata potrebnih za sušenje, koji čine 26–28 % ukupnih troškova proizvodnje. Posebna prednost Berleja je što se listovi suše direktno na stabljici, čime se eliminišu dodatni troškovi sušenja i minimizira potreba za transportom sa njiva, dok problem visoke vlage, čest kod biomase, praktično ne postoji. Tako dobijena biomasa predstavlja lako dostupnu i ekonomski isplativu sirovinu za dobijanje biogoriva. Rezultati istraživanja pokazuju da integracija stabljika duvana tipa Berlej u lokalne sisteme snabdevanja biomasom može značajno doprineti energetskoj efikasnosti, smanjenju troškova i održivom upravljanju poljoprivrednim otpadom u Srbiji.Agricultural production in Serbia generates significant amounts of plant biomass that can be used for energy purposes. One potential source is tobacco stalk biomass, particularly of the Burley type. The aim of this study was to estimate the available quantity of Burley stalks and examine their potential for energy valorization. Data from the Tobacco Administration on areas cultivated with different tobacco types – Burley, Virginia, and Oriental – were analyzed, with calculations including only Burley stalks. The calculation was based on an average planting density of 22,000 plants/ha and an average stalk weight of large-leaf tobaccos of 350 g. Oriental tobacco was excluded due to the small production area and its discontinuation, while Virginia tobacco was excluded due to higher investment and energy costs for drying, which account for 26–28% of total production costs. A specific advantage of Burley tobacco is that the leaves are dried directly on the stalk, eliminating additional drying costs and minimizing the need for transport from the field, while the high moisture content problem, common in biomass, is practically absent. In this way, the obtained biomass represents an easily accessible and economically viable raw material for biofuel production. The results of the study indicate that integrating Burley tobacco stalks into local biomass supply systems can significantly contribute to improved energy efficiency, cost reduction, and sustainable agricultural waste management in Serbia
Biocontrol potential of indigenous pepper seed Bacillus strains against Xanthomonas euvesicatoria
No full textBacterial spot caused by Xanthomonas spp. is considered an economically important disease affecting pepper. Considering that antibiotics-based treatments in disease control are forbidden in European countries, biological control has emerged as a promising approach.
RESULTS: In this study, we demonstrated high biological efficacy of three indigenous pepper seed-associated Bacillus spp. – Bacillus velezensis (P64), Bacillus safensis (P114), and Bacillus halotolerans (P122) – in the control of Xanthomonas euvesicatoria. Two independent trials based on the pepper growth in pots and in the field resulted in similar performances in terms of disease spread reduction (as calculated by disease incidence and disease severity index) over time compared to the untreated controls. In both trials, treatments included initial preventive or curative applications of these biocontrol bacteria once the secondary apical lateral shoot became visible (BBCH 29), followed by additional application at the beginning of flowering (BBCH 52–55). Ratings conducted at
7-day intervals after the first treatment indicated very high biological efficacy, typically exceeding 80%. All three strains remained active throughout the assessment period, whereby their efficacy started to increase 21 days after the first treatment, reaching 99.59% after 49 days. Although bacterium B. velezensis is already known for its beneficial role in the control of plant bacterial dis-
eases, this is among the first study demonstrating the bactericidal activity of B. safensis and B. halotolerans. The current research outlines a promising novel approach for X. euvesicatoria control in pepper based on the
type of microbial agents as well as the timing of their application