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Volatile-mediated plant interactions: an innovative approach to cultivar mixture selection for enhanced pest resilience
No full textMixing different cultivars has been recognized as a promising strategy for the reduction of pest pressure and the enhancement of crop performance. However, this applies only in specific combinations, creating a need to select cultivars that interact synergistically in mixtures. We propose a trait-based laboratory method to identify complementary pairs of cereal cultivars based on their ability to prime one another’s defense response through volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In this study, we screened 25 locally-grown cultivars from six European countries to assess their responsiveness to volatile priming under controlled conditions. The tested cultivars exhibited three primary types of volatile interactions: no interaction, one-way interaction (where one cultivar responded to volatiles from another) and two-way interaction (where both cultivars reciprocally responded). Subsequently, the efficacy of these cultivar pairs was evaluated over a three-year period in field trials where aphid infestation, natural enemy abundance and plant traits (height, number of plants per 1-meter, Thousand Grain Weight (TGW) and yield) were assessed. Field trials results demonstrated that only specific cultivar mixtures led to a significant reduction in aphid infestation, indicating a robust genetic and environmental interaction. Mixtures in which both cultivars exhibited two-way interaction under controlled conditions, demonstrated reductions in aphid abundance in comparison to monoculture controls. In contrast, the abundance of natural enemies was not significantly affected by cultivar mixtures, and there were no notable changes in plant traits. We propose that the strategic pairing of cultivars, which actively engage in volatile interactions in the laboratory, can effectively reduce aphid pressure in the field without compromising plant traits or crop yield, thereby reducing reliance on chemical control. Given the role of aphids as vectors of economically significant viruses, reducing their population could also limit the spread of plant diseases in the field. This approach underscores the importance of understanding plant interactions at a chemical level to optimize cultivar pairing and develop sustainable pest management strategies
Occurrence of botrytis blight on Paeonia lactiflora in Serbia
No full textIn three consecutive years 2022-2024, during a survey of the commercial greenhouses in Serbia, leaf blight symptoms of botrytis blight were observed on Paeonia lactiflora Pall. Disease severity on observed peony leaves was nearly 20% with symptoms characterized as brown spots with abundant conidia developed on interior side of spot. Objective of this study was to characterize diversity of Botrytis cinerea population isolated from different locations in Serbia. Leaf samples with typical symptoms of botrytis blight were collected from ten diverse localities. Diseased leaves were dipped in a 1% sodium hypochlorite for 30 s, and then washed three times with sterilized distilled water. After this treatment symptomatic leave spots were transferred on potato dextrose agar and incubated at 22°C for 7 days in the dark. After incubation growing mycelia were initially white and slowly became grey three weeks later. Molecular characterisation of obtained B. cinerea isolates was established on sequences of genes for the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, heat-shock protein 60, and RNA polymerase subunit II. Pathogenicity test was done with all investigated isolates. Leaves of healthy P. lactiflora cv. Sarah Bernard plants were infected with PDA plugs containing mycelia taken from 14-day-old cultures. Molecular identification was completed with the results of morphological analyses of the isolates obtained in this research. Differences in virulence were found in performed pathogenicity tests. The Maximum likelihood trees derived from the single gene sequence alignments and concatenated sequences of the ITS, G3PDH, HSP60, and RPB2 of isolates recovered in this study identified isolates that belong to the B. cinerea species. The present study is the first morphological and molecular characterization of B. cinerea in regards to understanding the biology of the botrytis blight disease of peony in Serbia
Phytophthora Root Rot of Lavender in Montenegro
No full textLavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is an aromatic plant widely cultivated as an ornamental
plant in Montenegro. In 2024, one of the lavender producers in the locality Martinići,
municipality of Danilovgrad, reported a mass drying out of the plants. In a greenhouse where
a total of 2,000 lavender plants were grown, more than 600 plants suddenly dried up, which is
over 30%. The main symptom is the sudden wilting of apparently healthy plants in late spring
or summer. The leaves of the lavender first turn gray, and then the affected parts of the plant
decline permanently. In the phytopathology laboratory of the Biotechnical Faculty, several
symptomatic lavender plants were examined for causal agent. The bark around the root collar
was removed with a sterile scalpel and the presence of necrotic lesions or rot was detected
throughout the root system. After removing the soil from the roots, the lavender plants were
placed on sterile filter paper in a moist chamber. After 3 days of incubation at 25°C, white
mycelium appeared on the surface of the symptomatic roots. Microscope observation of the
mycelium revealed the presence of zoosporangia and oospores, indicating that the cause of
lavender decline could be a fungus of the genus Phytophthora. In order to confirm this finding,
fragments of the lavender root system at the transition between the diseased and healthy parts
of the tissue were macerated with an extraction buffer and subjected to Phytophthora spp.
Lateral Flow Test. Positive results of the serological testing confirmed the presence of
Phytophthora spp. causing root rot on lavender. This finding indicates that Phytophthora spp.
can cause severe damages in lavender production in Montenegro
Američki cvrčak kao vektor zlatne žutice vinove loze: Uloga vinogradarskih praksi u suzbijanju populacije u istočnoj Hrvatskoj
No full textAmerički cvrčak (Scaphoideus titanus, Ball, 1932) primarni je vektor fitoplazme (Candidatus Phytoplasma vitis) uzročnika zlatne žutice vinove loze (Flavescence dorée). Praćenje brojnosti cvrčaka predstavlja ključnu komponentu u sustavu ranog upravljanja rizikom od zaraze. Cilj istraživanja bio je utvrditi koliko različite vinogradarske prakse utječu na brojnost populacije vektora. Istraživanje je provedeno tijekom 2023. i 2024. godine na području vinogorja Srijem (Ilok) i Đakovo (Mandićevac). U istraživanje su uključeni vinogradi: matični nasad podloga (1), zapušteni (2) te obrađivani vinogradi (5). Metodologija praćenja uključivala je vizualne preglede biljaka radi utvrđivanja prisutnosti ličinki te primjenu žutih ljepljivih ploča za kvantifikaciju odraslih jedinki. U svakom vinogradu postavljeno je pet ploča koje su se mijenjale u dvotjednim intervalima. Dobivenim rezultatima utvrđena je jasna preferencija američkog cvrčka prema matičnom nasadu podloga (2368, odnosno 6045) u obje istraživane godine koja je bila i statistički značajna u odnosu na ostale istraživane vinograde te je konstantno bilježen veći broj cvrčaka u zapuštenim vinogradima u odnosu na obrađivane. U Mandićevcu je zabilježeno ukupno 698, odnosno 1345 jedinki u zapuštenom vinogradu dok je u obrađivanom vinogradu, sorte Chardonnay, brojnost bila značajno niža tijekom obje istraživane godine (31, odnosno 558). Dobiveni rezultati potvrđuju da zapušteni vinogradi predstavljaju značajan izvor vektora i potencijalnu prijetnju okolnim nasadima, dok pravilna zaštita značajno smanjuje populaciju američkog cvrčka.Flavescence dorée, one of the most destructive grapevine diseases, is caused by Candidatus Phytoplasma vitis and transmitted primarily by the American grapevine leafhopper (Scaphoideus titanus Ball, 1932). Population monitoring is crucial for timely detection and effective disease management strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different vineyard management regimes on S. titanus abundance. The research was conducted during the 2023 and 2024 growing seasons across two regions in eastern Croatia: Ilok and Đakovo (Mandićevac). The study encompassed three vineyard types: one vineyard with rootstocks of American Vitis sp. hybrids (neglected), two non-cultivated (neglected) vineyards, and five cultivated grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) vineyards. Monitoring protocols involved visual inspections for nymph detection and yellow sticky traps for capturing adult specimens. Five traps per vineyard were replaced biweekly. A statistically significant preference for the vineyard with rootstocks of American Vitis sp. hybrids was recorded, with peak adult counts reaching 2,368 in 2023 and 6,045 in 2024. Abandoned vineyards consistently showed higher vector presence compared to treated ones. In Mandićevac, 698 and 1,345 adults were detected in the abandoned vineyard, while cultivated Chardonnay vineyard showed markedly lower values (31 and 558). Results highlight that abandoned vineyards act as reservoirs for the vector population, posing a continuous risk to surrounding vineyards, while timely protection measures significantly reduce vector density
First insights into the causal agents of grapevine trunk diseases in Serbian vineyards
No full textCommon grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is one of the most widely cultivated and
economically significant woody perennial crops worldwide. In Serbia,
grapevine/viticulture plays a significant agricultural and traditional role, with 18,349
ha under cultivation, and over 70% of the grape production used for winemaking.
However, grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs), particularly those caused by
Botryosphaeriaceae species, are among the most destructive agents in global
viticulture, causing wood decay, shoot dieback, cankers, fruit loss, and plant death,
contributing to yield losses globally. Despite their growing impact, there has been no
systematic research on the diversity and distribution of Botryosphaeriaceae
pathogens within the country. The aim of this study was to investigate and identify
the causal agents of GTD in 10 Serbian vineyards (5-10 samples/vineyard). During
two years, fungal isolates were collected from symptomatic vines in the major
Serbian wine-growing regions and across more than ten international and two local
grapevine cultivars (Prokupac and Tamjanika). Field symptoms included shoot death,
oval-shaped cankers in trunks, shrivelled, dropped and rotted fruit clusters, or whole
dead plants. Morphophysiological and molecular analyses confirmed the presence
of Botryosphaeria, Neofusicoccum and Diaporthe species, with around 50%, 5% and
45% of isolation frequences, respectively. Pathogenicity assays revealed species- and
cultivar-specific susceptibility indicating that the impact of these pathogens can vary
considerably. Preliminary research showed that the most virulent of all detected
species was Botryosphaeria dothidea. The continuation of the research is necessary,
and it is underway to gather more data about this group of vine diseases and
investigate effective integrated protection measures. With climate change increasing
disease pressure and chemical control measures becoming less effective, these
findings underscore the need for integrated GTD management strategies and
ongoing pathogen monitoring to ensure vineyard longevity and sustainability
SJEVERNOAMERIČKE VRSTE KAO LATENTNI DOMAĆINI PATOGENA BOLESTI DRVETA VINOVE LOZE U CRNOJ GORI
No full textBolesti drveta vinove loze predstavljaju grupu kompleksnih i destruktivnih gljivičnih oboljenja koja pogađaju drvenaste djelove vinove loze i zastupljene su u vinogradarskim regionima Crne Gore. Prouzrokovači ovih bolesti su različite fitopatogene gljive koje kolonizuju unutrašnje tkivo biljke, posebno ksilem, što dovodi do smanjenje produktivnosti, vitalnosti i skraćenja životnog vijeka vinove loze. Kolonizacijom sprovodnih sudova, patogeni izazivaju unutrašnje simptome u vidu različitih oblika nekroze ksilema i bjelove truleži. Spoljašnji simptomi se manifestuju u vidu hloroze lista, međunervalne nekroze lista u obliku tzv. „tigrovih pruga“, pojave lezija na osnovi ili dijelu lastara, sušenja lastara i različitih apopleksija. Kao najznačajnije bolesti ove grupe ističu se: Petrijeva bolest, eska, botriosferijsko sušenje i crna trulež drveta vinove loze. Dosadašnja istraživanja ukazuju da je Vitis vinifera visoko osjetljiv domaćin patogenima drveta, dok druge vrste vinove loze, naročito sjevernoameričke, često ne pokazuju tipične folijarne simptome bolesti. U Crnoj Gori, pored dominantno zastupljenih sorti Vranac i Kratošija, uzgaja se veliki broj autohtonih i introdukovanih vinskih i stonih sorti. Takođe, na brojnim okućnicama gaji se vinova loza poznata pod lokalnim nazivom „amerikanka“, koja pripada grupi sjevernoameričkih vrsta, najčešće Vitis labrusca. U cilju praćenja prisustva i intenziteta simptoma bolesti drveta vinove loze u Crnoj Gori, sproveden je monitoring u periodu 2021–2025. godine, tokom kojeg je prikupljeno 10 uzoraka sa čokota vrste “amerikanka”. Uzorkovane biljke nijesu pokazivale folijarne simptome, ali je nakon laboratorijske obrade utvršeno prisustvo nekrotičnih promjena na poprečnom i uzdužnom presjeku čokota. Fragmenti oboljelog tkiva inkubirani su na KDA pri 25°C u trajanju od 15 dana, nakon čega je došlo do rasta različitih vrsta gljiva. Na osnovu makroskopskih karakteristika, izolati su preliminarno povezani sa patogenima koji prouzrokuju bolesti drveta vinove loze. Dobijeni rezultati ukazuju da sjevernoameričke vrste vinove loze u Crnoj Gori mogu predstavljati latentne domaćine patogena drveta, čime potencijalno doprinose širenju bolesti u vinogradima
ABA‑mediated plant growth and fruit quality responses to drought in tomato wild type and flacca mutant
No full textAbscisic acid (ABA) plays an important
role in adaptive responses to drought. The aim of this
study was to examine the effects of long-term moderate
drought on ABA-contrasting tomato genotypes
(Ailsa Craig and flacca mutant) in relation to plant
growth and fruit quality. Our results showed distinct
genotypic differences in ABA-mediated responses.
The drought-induced stomata response associated
with elevated ABA concentration in leaves and roots
was more pronounced in the wild type than in the
mutant. The wild type exhibited a lower specific leaf
area and a greater increase in root dry mass compared
with the flacca mutant, suggesting an ABA-mediated
response linked to these drought-tolerant traits. A
higher antioxidative response in wild type leaves indicated
that the ABA mutation reduced the plant’s ability
to mitigate oxidative imbalance induced by prolonged
drought. The reduction in fruit growth due to
drought was associated with the genotypic difference
in ABA fruit concentration, but it was compensated
by the accumulation of soluble solids, mostly in the
wild type. The difference in antioxidative response
may be linked to the higher accumulation of vitamin type compared with the mutant. These results also
imply that ABA accumulation is crucial not only for
adaptive responses to prolonged drought at the leaf
and root levels but also for modulated responses at
the fruit level helping to maintain or even improve
tomato quality under adverse conditions
Predictive Modelling of Maize Yield Under Different Crop Density Using a Machine Learning Approach
No full textIn the face of increasing climate variability, understanding the dynamics of plant-to-plant interactions within crops is becoming increasingly important. This study aimed to examine plant responses to varying intensities of inter-plant competition, induced bz different planting densities, to enhance the accuracy of future yield prediction models. Six hybrids were grown at three planting densities (S1, S4, S7). Grain yield and yield components were estimated at four developmental points during grain filling (V1 to V4). These regression models and machine learning (ML) were applied to predict maize production under variable weather conditions. The factor year was the main source of variability, with less favourable conditions in the second year (G2) reducing yield by approximately 1–2%. Lower planting density (S1) improved individual plant development and yield components, while maximum density (S7) resulted in higher grain yield despite reduced individual performance. Hybrid H5 showed strong tolerance to high density, producing the highest yield under S7 conditions. Machine learning models accurately predicted key seed quality traits—moisture, oil, and protein—with performance metrics exceeding 80% accuracy. Specifically, R2 values reached 0.82 for moisture content and 0.77 for oil concentration, indicating strong predictive capability. These findings support careful selection of hybrids and optimal planting density strategies in future cropping systems to increase yield and maintain seed quality in different environments
Occurrence of Insect-transmitted Cereal Viruses infecting Wheat in Serbia
No full textWheat (Triticum aestivum) is one of the first domesticated food crops and has been one of the most important crops worldwide for centuries. In Serbia, it is the second most cultivated cereal after maize with a production of more than 2.7 million tonnes. More than 50 viruses are known to infect wheat and can cause significant yield losses. The number and spread of wheat viruses have increased significantly, especially those transmitted by insects, due to the general trend and efforts in the EU to reduce the use of insecticides, combined with global climate change. The most important are two soil-borne viruses vectored by Polymyxa graminis (cereal mosaic virus and barley yellow mosaic virus), then insect-transmitted (wheat dwarf virus, WDV and barley/cereal yellow dwarf viruses, BYDVs/CYDVs), and mite-transmitted wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV). In a five-year survey (2019-2023), 324 samples were collected and analyzed using RT-PCR or PCR to determine the presence and distribution of wheat viruses. Of the 10 viruses tested, WDV, WSMV and BYDV-SGV were detected in 64.55, 14.93 and 14.44% of the total tested samples, respectively. Molecular characterization based on the complete genome sequence showed that the Serbian WDV isolates were grouped in clade E within wheat-adapted forms. Phylogenetic analysis of the CP gene sequences revealed that WSMV isolates from Serbia grouped into clade B together with other European isolates. The results show that leafhopper-transmitted WDV is the most common in Serbia, followed by aphid-transmitted BYDV-SGV and mite-transmitted WSMV. The abundance of vectors in the early stages of cereal growth is directly related to epidemics caused by insect-transmitted viruses. Additionally, the risk of virus infection is increased by the prolonged flight activity of vectors due to the longer, warmer periods in autumn. Therefore, field management should primarily aim to suppress the vector population and eliminate any bridge hosts
IDENTIFICATION OF FUSARIUM SPECIES CAUSING WATERMELON FRUIT ROT
No full textWatermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is one of the most significant economic fruits among the family Cucurbitaceae, growing in the Republic of Serbia. However, fruit rot caused by fungal and bacterial pathogens poses a significant threat to watermelon production globally, resulting in substantial economic losses. In July 2024, fruit rot was observed in watermelons in the AP Vojvodina (Despotovo, Serbia), with disease incidence ranging from 5-10%. Symptoms included water-soaked brown lesions on the fruit's surface, which eventually expanded and led to internal decay. From the collected samples, ten fungal isolates belonging to the genus Fusarium were obtained on PDA medium. These isolates exhibited white to light red mycelia and produced microconidia, macroconidia and chlamydospores.
Morphological analysis identified all watermelon monoconidial isolates as F. oxysporum. Pathogenicity was confirmed on cucumber and squash fruits. Based on the results and host specificity the findings of this study suggest that F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum (FON) is responsible for the fruit rot disease in watermelons. This fungus can be transmitted through seeds and can survive in the soil for long periods; chlamydospores can remain viable for over a decade without a host, making contaminated soil a continual source of infection. FON can affect cucurbits at any growth stage, leading to symptoms such as seedling damping-off, plant stunting, death, and fruit rot. To manage FON, several strategies have been implemented, such as utilizing resistant cultivars, practicing crop rotation, applying chemical treatments, and grafting. However, an effective control measure for FON in cucurbits production is still lacking