<Emphasis Type="Italic">Platanus</Emphasis> × <Emphasis Type="Italic">acerifolia</Emphasis> genotypes surviving to inoculation with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ceratocystis platani</Emphasis> (the agent of canker stain): first screening and molecular characterization

Canker stain, caused by the fungus Ceratocystis platani, is a destructive disease in Platanus spp. It has been recently proved that resistant accessions can be produced and grown in Europe. However, additional resistant genotypes are still needed in order to avoid the onset of virulent pathogen strains favoured by the selection pressures exerted by genetically homogeneous resistant plane tree plantings. In this study we present the results of two parallel experiments performed on 975 accessions of P. × acerifolia seedlings and P. × acerifolia clones derived by cutting propagation from mature trees grown in the urban environments. The selection process was based on inoculation with C. platani and yielded 13 accessions that showed different types of resistant reactions and survived in a stable manner thoughout the period of observation. Selected accessions were characterised by sequencing the rDNA-ITS region and by developing PCR procedures capable of detecting P. orientalis and P. occidentalis LEAFY homoeologues. These molecular analyses enabled us to confirm the identification of the species, its hybrid origin and to assess an evident genetic variability among the accessions, which therefore have to be considered as different genotypes. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Alternaria alternata in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) cv. Acala: Effects on gas exchange,yield components and yield accumulation

The effect ofAlternaria alternata on gas exchange proceses, on total yield and on yield components in cottonGossypium hirsutum cv. Acala SJ-2, was examined under field conditions. Variations in disease severity levels were achieved by using three fungicide treatments (Fentin Acetate). Disease developed more rapidly on the upper canopy layer (>661 cm height) than on lower ones. Infections were not accompanied by leaf shedding. The main effect of the disease was a reduction on bolls' number. A significant increase in seedcotton and lint yield, as compared to the untreated control, was achieved by applying fungicides. It was found that omitting early and late applications was not followed by significant yield reduction. Alternaria leaf spot reduced photosynthetic rate more and transpiration rate less, than could be explained by the extent of infected leaf area alone.Samenvatting Het effect vanAlternaria alternata op fotosynthese en transpiratie, opbrengstcomponenten en totale opbrengst bij katoen (Gossypium hirsutum L.) werd onderzocht onder veldomstandigheden. Verschillen in aantastingsniveaus werden verkregen door fungicide (fentin acetaat) behandelingen. De ziekte ontwikkelde zich het snelst boven in het gewas (> 60 cm). Infectie ging niet gepaard met bladval. Het belangrijkste effect van de ziekte vormde een afname van het aantal vruchtdozen (bolls). Een significante toename van zaadkatoen (seedcottton) en van vezels (lint) ten opzichte van de onbehandelde controle werd verkregen door toediening van fungiciden. Achterwege laten van vroege en late bestrijdingen had geen significante opbrenstverlaging tot gevolg.A. alternata verlaagde de fotosynthesesnelheid meer en de transpiratiesnelheid minder dan verklaard kon worden uit de geïnfecteerde oppervlakte van het blad.     

The inheritance of resistance to blue mold (Peronospora tabacina Adam) in two cultivars of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)

Summary Two blue-mold resistant cultivars of Nicotiana tabacum L. were crossed with each other and with the susceptible Israeli local cultivar Mikhal. F₁, F₂ and F₃ progenies of these crosses, F₁ and F₂ of backcrosses and the parental varieties were grown in a series of experiments, in which the seedlings were exposed to heavy natural infection with Peronospora tabacina Adam. The genetic basis of resistance was found to be identical in the two resistant strains Bel-61-10 and Chemical mutant. A single dominant major gene determined the segregation of resistance versus susceptibility in the crosses of these strains with Mikhal. The level of resistance of resistant segregates was shifted by environment and by quantitatively modifying genes. The index of resistance, which was calculated as a weighted mean of the degree of blue-mold expression of the resistant segregates, differed in the generations of cross progeny. This could be explained by the different expected levels of the modifying genes in these generations. Heritability of the index of resistance was calculated by parent-offspring regression and it was found to be 0.542 in the F₃ and 0.227 in F₂ backcross progenies.     

Multifaceted Approach for Characterization of Solid Residues from Sludge Incineration

The Italian Water Research Institute (IRSA) carried out sludge incineration tests on a demonstrative plant equipped with a circulating fluidized bed furnace. Aim of this paper is to present the potential applicability of non-conventional techniques for solid residues characterization. Results of five tests performed under different operating conditions are discussed. Incineration solid residues were sampled from the cyclone, downstream the furnace (cyclone ash, CA), and from the bag filter (filter ash, FA). Different techniques were used by the Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department of the Roma TRE University, which cooperated with IRSA in the research project, to characterize incineration products and to correlate with process parameters. The X-ray Diffraction (XRD) technique was used to estimate the amount of sand, lost from the furnace, in CA and FA samples. Particle size distribution was measured using Low Angle Laser Light Scattering (LALLS). Scanning Electron Microscopy associated with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) was used to correlate size and shape of individual particles with chemical composition.This multifaceted approach to characterize incineration residues appears promising, providing additional and complementary information to the traditional chemical characterization.     

Growth and nutrient uptake of two varieties of groundnuts under irrigation in Israël

Summary Some data on growth, development, and mineral nutrition of two varieties of groundnuts — Improved Virginia Bunch and Spanish-33 — under irrigation are reported.There was almost no difference in the yield of pods of the two varieties, but the yield of hay was much lower in Spanish. Spanish had also a lower total yield of dry matter, a smaller leaf area, and fewer branches than Virginia.In both varieties a negative correlation was found between Net-Assimilation-Rate and Leaf-Area-Index. Under the conditions of our observations, the highest rate of dry matter accumulation per plant was at a Leaf-Area-Index of approximately 3.There was a gradual decrease in the nitrogen content of the vegetative parts from the beginning of the season until harvest time. Most of the final amount of nitrogen was taken up before the end of August. After that, there was a transportation of this element to the newly formed pods. Pods and kernels of the Spanish variety had a higher nitrogen content than Virginia. The total amount of nitrogen taken up by the plants was equal in both varieties, 22 g per sq.m.A slight decrease in the phosphorus content of the vegetative parts was found throughout the season. The percentages of phosphorus were roughly equal, but the final amounts taken up by the two varieties were different: 3.16 g P per sq.m in Virginia, 2.34 in Spanish. The plants continued to take up phosphorus until harvest time.As the season progressed, the percentages of potassium decreased in the vegetative parts as well as in the pods and pegs. The stems had the highest potassium contents. Almost all the final amount of potassium was taken up by August. Total amounts of potassium taken up by the plants were found to be 5.7 g per sq.m. in Virginia, 3.4 in Spanish.The authors wish to acknowledge the assistance of Miss HelenaBodek in carrying out the chemical analyses. This work was aided by a grant by the Israel Groundnut Production and Marketing Board.

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Zusammenfassung Der Bericht enthält Angaben über Wachstum, Entwicklung und mineralische Ernährung von zwei unter Bewässerung angebauten Erdnuss-Sorten — Improved Virginia Bunch und Spanish — 33.Die zwei Sorten unterschieden sich kaum in ihrem Hülsenertrag, dagegen aber war der Heuertrag der Sorte Spanish erheblich niedriger. Spanish war auch geringer als Virginia in allgemeinem Trockensubstanzertrag, Blattoberfläche und Stengelzahl.In beiden Sorten wurde eine negative Korrelation zwischen Rein-Assimilations-Wert und Blatt-Flächen-Index gefunden. Bei den Bedingungen, unter welchen unsere Beobachtungen angestellt wurden, ergab sich die höchste Trockensubstanzansammlung bei einem Blatt-Flächen-Index von annähernd 3.Eine allmähliche Abnahme des Stickstoffgehalts der vegetativen Organe im Laufe der Entwicklungsperiode bis zur Erntezeit wurde beobachtet. Der Hauptteil der endgültigen Menge des Stickstoffs wurde bis Ende August absorbiert. Nach diesem Termin fand eine Überführung des Stickstoffs in die neugebildeten Hülsen statt. Hülsen sowohl wie Samen der Sorte Spanish hatten einen höheren Stickstoffgehalt als Virginia. Die Gesamtmenge des durch die Pflanzen absorbierten Stickstoffs war in beiden Sorten gleich und betrug 22 g pro m².Eine geringe Abnahme des Phosphorgehalts der vegetativen Organe im Laufe der Entwicklungsperiode wurde festgestellt. Der Prozentsatz des Phosphors der zwei Sorten war beinahe gleich, jedoch die Gesamtmenge des durch die Pflanzen aufgenommenen Phosphors betrug 3.16 g pro m² bei der Sorte Virginia und 2.34 bei der Sorte Spanish. Die Phosphorabsorption der Pflanzen hielt bis zur Enrte an.Im Laufe der Entwicklungsperiode nahm der Kalium Prozentsatz in den vegetativen Organen sowohl wie in den Hülsen und Stielen ab. Die Stengel ergaben den höchsten Kaliumgehalt. Im August war beinahe die endgültige Menge des Kaliums aufgenommen. Die Gesamtmenge des durch die Pflanzen absorbierten Kaliums betrug 5.7 g pro m² bei der Sorte Virginia und 3.4 bei der Sorte Spanish.

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Résumé Quelques données sur la croissance, le développement et la nutrition minérale de deux variétés d'arachides — Improved Virginia Bunch et Spanish 33 sont présentées ici.Les deux variétés ont donné des rendements en gousses très voisins alors que le rendement en foin de la variété Spanish a été très inférieur. Pour la variété Spanish, on a eu, également, un rendement total en matière sèche plus faible, une surface foliaire plus réduite et un nombre de branches moindre que pour la Virginia.Chez les deux variétés, on a trouvé une correlation négative entre le Taux d'Assimilation Nette et l'Index de Surface Foliaire. Dans les conditions de nos observations, le taux maximum d'accumulation de matière sèche correspond à un index voisin de 3.Le taux d'azote contenu dans les organes végétatifs a diminué progressivement du début de la saison jusqu'au moment de la récolte. La plus grande partie de la quantité finale d'azote a été fixée avant la fin août. Après cette date, il y a eu transport de cet élement vers les gousses nouvellement formées. Le taux d'azote des gousses et des graines de la variété Spanish est plus éléve que celui des gousses et graines de Virginia. La quantité totale d'azote prélevé par les plantes a été la même pour les deux variétés, soit 22 g par m².On a noté une légère diminution du taux de phosphore des organes végétatifs au cours de la saison. Les pourcentages de phosphore ont été très voisins, mais les quantités totales prévelées par les plantes des deux variétés ont été différentes: 3.16 g P par m² pour la variété Virginia et 2.34 pour la Spanish. Les plantes ont continué à prélever du phosphore jusqu'au moment de la récolte.A mesure que la saison a avancé, le pourcentage de potassium des organes végétatifs ainsi que des gousses et des gynophores a décru. Les tiges out contenu les taux de potassium les plus élevés. La presque totalité du potassium a été prélevé avant le mois d'août. Les quantités totales de potassium prélevées par les plantes ont été de 5.7 g par m² pour la variété Virginia et de 3.4 pour la variété Spanish.

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With 10 figs.