Crop biomass and humidity related factors reflect the spatial distribution of phytopathogenic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium</Emphasis> fungi and their mycotoxins in heterogeneous fields and landscapes

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a global problem in small-grains agriculture that results in yield losses and, more seriously, produces harmful toxins that enter the food chain. This study builds on previous research identifying within-field humidity as an important factor in infection processes by Fusarium species and its mycotoxin production. Environmental variables describing topographic control of humidity (TWI), soil texture and related moisture by electrical conductivity (ECa), and canopy humidity by density (NDVI) were explored in their relationship to the fungal infection rates, the abundance of trichothecene-producing Fusarium spp. as determined by TRI 6 gene copies and mycotoxin accumulation. Field studies were performed at four field sites in northeastern Germany in 2009 and 2011. In the wet year 2011, a high Fusarium infection rate resulted in a high abundance of trichothecene-producing fungi as well as high concentrations of mycotoxins. Simultaneously, Fusarium spp. inhibited the development of other filamentous fungi. Overall, a very heterogeneous distribution of pathogen infections and mycotoxin concentrations were displayed in each field in each landscape. The NDVI serves as an important predictor of the occurrence of phytopathogenic Fusarium fungi and their mycotoxins in a field and landscape scale. In addition, the ECa reflects the distribution of the most frequently occurring mycotoxin deoxynivalenol within the fields and landscapes. In all cases, TWI was not found to be a significant variable in the models. All in all, the results extend our knowledge about suitable indicators of FHB infection and mycotoxin production within the field.     

Species Composition of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium</Emphasis> Fungi Revealed on Spring Barley Crops in Central Russia in 2015–2017

Species composition of Fusarium fungi and the frequency of their occurrence on spring barley crops in the Moscow, Tula, and Vladimir oblasts of Russia have been studied in 2015–2017. Over 700 strains of fungi belonging to 12 species of the genus Fusarium have been isolated into pure culture. The species composition of these fungi in the studied regions includes both common and rare species. Fungal cultures isolated from roots and reproductive organs demonstrated a high uniformity of their species composition that may be explained by a similarity of soil and climatic conditions and by the susceptibility of barley cultivars to soilborne micromycetes. The frequency of occurrence of the fungi on underground parts of plants was rather uniform, while that on the grain depended on the environmental conditions prevailing during the flowering and ripening stages. Among isolated Fusarium strains, 33 isolates with stable morphological and cultural characteristics have been deposited into the State Collection of Plant Pathogenic Microorganisms. Strains with the highest pathogenicity and toxicity were recommended for the artificial infection background created during regional trials of barley cultivars for disease resistance.     

Genetic diversity of genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Malus</Emphasis> Mill. for scab resistance genes

The results of molecular genetic analysis of wild species and varieties of genus Malus Mill. for loci of monogenic scab resistance are presented. Dominant allele of gene Rvi6 was identified in varieties of M. robusta 43199, M. hupehensis, and M. floribunda. Locus Rvi4 was detected in genotypes of M. robusta v. persicifolia, M. asiatica 2343, M. sieversii 13280, M. niedzwetzkyana 13279, M. purpurea 2392, M. orientalis 41623, M. orientalis 29476, M. orientalis 29 460, M. spectabilis v. albi plena, and M. spectabilis v. rubra plena. Gene Rvi5 in the test collection of wild species is absent.     

Enzyme immunoassay of diacetoxyscirpenol in a toxicological assessment of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium</Emphasis> fungi

A highly specific enzyme immunoassay of diacetoxyscirpenol is developed on the basis of polyclonal antibodies and immobilized protein conjugate of the toxin. The possibility of using it for assessing the toxigenic potential of fungi of the genus Fusarium is shown.     

Breed characteristics associated with <Emphasis Type="Italic">LEP</Emphasis> gene polymorphisms in Holstein cattle

Genotyping of the leptin gene locus (LEP) (SNP: R25C, Y7F, and A80V) has been performed in the animals from two groups in the Holstein cattle herd. Groups 1 and 2 included the fourth to seventh lactation cows and the heifers, respectively. The objective of the surveys was to study the Holstein cattle polymorphisms of the leptin gene associated with the productive longevity according to the related literature data. It has been ascertained that the LEP gene (SNP: R25C, Y7F, and A80V) polymorphism in the Holstein animals determines the certain breed characteristics that can be used for introduction to marker assisted selection. (Particularly, a low (0.04–0.15) frequency of occurrence of the F allele is typical for the LEP-Y7F SNP; as for SNP LEP-A80V, a low frequency of occurrence (0–0.14) is typical for the homozygous animals with the VV genotype when compared to a rather high frequency of occurrence (0.36–0.45) in the heterozygous animals).     

Genetic diversity analysis in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plantago ovata</Emphasis> and some of its wild allies using RAPD markers

Plantago ovata, commonly called as the 'desert Indian wheat' is a cultivated and economically important plant of the genus Plantago, a large genus containing ~200 species. It yields Psyllium (Isabgol) which has several health benefits and applications in pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries. In view of the genetic uniformity, detection of variability has remained a challenge in this species as the plant lacks inherent variability and has a narrow genetic base. During the present study, Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was used to determine genetic relationship and detect whatever little hidden variation exists in this species and some of its wild allies. Limited genetic variability was observed in P. ovata whereas; extensive genetic variability was seen in its wild allies. The genetic distances among different accessions of P. ovata and different species of Plantago, were used to generate a dendrogram.     

Sampling of subterranean termites <Emphasis Type="Italic">Syntermes</Emphasis> spp. (Isoptera: Termitidae) in a eucalyptus plantation using point process and geostatistics

The Syntermes genus, the most significant termite pest in eucalyptus cultivation, damages roots and debarks plant rings. This can kill the seedlings of this plant, and thus require replanting. Integrated management, based on sampling plans can reduce damage to eucalyptus seedlings and allows the rational use of chemical control. The objectives were to model the spatial distribution of the Syntermes spp. foraging holes using the Matérn-cluster point process in the Cerrado region (Brazilian savannah), simulate a sampling plan for termite hole density, produce maps of foraging hole densities using geostatistics and validate the simulated sampling plan in the field. The distribution of the Syntermes spp. foraging holes was spatially non-homogeneous and it adjusted to the Matérn-cluster point process model in the Minas Gerais Cerrado areas. The best Syntermes sampling plan simulation in the area of Cerrado is to launch a circular 5 m radius parcel every 100 m (sampling error <5 %) in a systematic manner. The approach of point processes, combined with geostatistics, is adequate to produce maps for the termite Syntermes spp. infestation in the eucalyptus plantation.     

The Relationship between Drought Tolerance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Laurus nobilis</Emphasis> L. and Environmental Factors in Conditions of the Southern Coast of Crimea

The present studies have shown Laurus nobilis L. to be a drought tolerant species. When the plant was first subjected to dehydration, the rate of net photosynthesis decreased from Pn = (8–10) to –1 μmol/(m² s) and to –3 μmol/(m² s) during the second dehydration before it was subsequently irrigated. The rewatering on August 5 and August 8 promoted a sharp burst of this parameter, but the Pn value was restored to its original level only after August 8. Soil drought caused a drop in a rate of transpiration from 65–70 to 10 mg/(m² s). Watering soil up to a 15% moisture level brought an increase in E = 25 mg/(m² s), but only the second watering managed to fully restore it to the initial value. Apical growth of the plants was closely correlated with soil moisture. As the soil moisture was reduced to W = 15–5%, the terminal growth reached a saturation point and started to plateau. Watering the soil up to W = 15% promoted apical growth by 4 mm. Reducing soil moisture to W = 3–4% caused a complete cessation of the growth. Subsequent watering to W = 27–28% led to a gradual and complete recovery of turgor and an increase in the growth rate up to 6–8 mm per day. The surface response functions Pn = f(I, W) and E = f(I, W) allowed us to determine conditions and levels of potential maximums and boundaries of the areas of optimum photosynthesis and transpiration: optimum Pn = 8–9 μmol/(m² s) with I = 900–1400 μmol/(m² s) and W = 17–24% and the optimum E = 25–35 mg/(m² s) with I = 1000–1400 μmol/(m² s) and W = 16–24%.     

Effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">GH</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">DGAT1</Emphasis> gene polymorphism on feeding qualities of bull calves

The aim of this paper is to study effects of GH and DGAT1 gene polymorphisms on feeding qualities of Hereford and Limousin bull calves bred in conditions of the Cis-Ural steppe zone. SNPs of genes GH and DGAT1 are investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The studied population of animals was assessed by defining the allele frequency and animal genotype occurrence for the studied gene SNPs, indicators of the actual and expected heterozygosity, and Pearson’s test. A study of polymorphism C214G of gene GH revealed that genotype LL prevails in Hereford and Limousin animals, 47.37 and 57.7%, respectively, while frequency of allele L is higher in Limousin bull calves (0.731). A study of polymorphism K232A of gene DGAT1 gene in both the populations showed absence of genotypes AA, which can be related to the low number of the studied animals. Expected heterozygosity indicators of gene GH are higher than the observed ones, and the observed heterozygosity is higher for DGAT1. The number of efficient alleles for the studied genes is higher for Hereford bull calves. In general, according to Pearson’s test, both the studied populations are in equilibrium. There is a significant effect of GH gene polymorphism on live weight gain rates at the end of sagination and total and average daily weight gains during animal raising.     

Influence of polymorphism of <Emphasis Type="Italic">R25C</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Y7F</Emphasis> loci of the leptin gene on the duration of economic use of the Ayrshire cattle

Two successive genotypings (in 2014 and 2017) of the leptin gene (LEP) by the R25C and Y7F loci were conducted in the herd of the Ayrshire cattle of the Niva Farm of Krasnodar Krai in order to study the influence of polymorphism of these loci on the duration of the economic use. DNA samples (n = 154) isolated from blood of animals with different periods of economic use have been analyzed. The need for genotyping in 2017 arose because of the ambiguous interpretation of the findings obtained in 2014. A higher frequency of occurrence of the RR genotype of the LEP in the group of long-livers could be explained both by better preservation of animals with the RR genotype and by random gene drift (in particular, by larger share of breeder bulls, the carriers of the R allele). It was found that, as in 2014, a group of long-liver cows genotyped in 2017 differed from the group of young cows genotyped in 2014 in the occurrence frequency of the RR genotype, which was doubled. Consequently, regardless of the experimental conditions, animals of this particular group may have a longer productive life. It has also been established that the polymorphism at the Y7F locus does not have a significant effect on the duration of the economic use of the Ayrshire cows.     

Use of interspecific hybridization for increasing buckwheat tolerance to inbreeding

The productivity of inbred buckwheat lines I₁–I₈ with the homostyly gene of Fagopyrum esculentum and Fagopyrum homotropicum is studied. The species F. homotropicum is recommended for use in buckwheat breeding as a donor of homostyly and tolerance to inbreeding depression.     

New strain of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vicia unijuga</Emphasis> mosaic virus revealed in the Amur oblast

A mosaic disease caused by a virus with isometric particles with a diameter of 28–30 nm has been revealed on a wild vetch species Vicia unijuga in the Amur oblast. The thermal inactivation point (TIP) of the pathogen is 73°C, longevity in vitro (LIV) is up to 3 days, and dilution endpoint (DEP) is 10^?5. Virions contain one capsid protein with molecular mass 19 kD. The antigenic relationship between the isolate and brome mosaic virus and earlier identified V. unijuga mosaic virus, a representative of the genus Bromovirus, is determined. The pathogen has been identified as a new strain of this bromovirus. The virus is easily transmitted to cultivated legumes, causing considerable damage.     

Development of Soil-Borne Infections in Spring Wheat and Barley as Influenced by Hydrothermal Stress in the Forest-Steppe Conditions of Western Siberia and the Urals

This is a first-time assessment of the direct and indirect effects of hydrothermal conditions on pathogenesis of root infections in cultivated varieties of spring wheat and barley. Long-term field research (2000–2015) was carried out in the area of risk farming combined with laboratory experiments. The effects of the phytosanitary condition of soil, seeds, and underground plant organs were taken into account. It was found that soil pathogenic population and the development of soil-borne infections largely depend on hydrothermal factors. The development of root rot of spring wheat was stimulated by arid conditions during tillering and heading: the disease rate was increased by 33.5% compared to the optimal moisture supply against a background of a high plant pathogen population of the soil. In drought conditions, the number of saprotrophic microorganisms decreased 3.3 times and suppressive soil activity fell 3.0 times provoking root infections. Microorganisms consuming inorganic forms of nitrogen and cellulolytic agents were found to be highly sensitive to hydrothermal factors. Arid conditions increased the plants’ susceptibility to the inoculum of soil origin, since the increase in the number of conidia in the inoculum from 5–15 to 150–180 per 1 g of soil increased the frequency of infections by root rots by 7.8 times, especially on the epicotyl and the base of the stem. Damage of root rot was increased by pest flies Oscinella frit L., O. pusilla Mg., Phorbia genitalis Schnb., and Mayetiola destructor Say. Their activity increased in warm, arid conditions. Drought-resistant gramineous weeds Panicum miliaceum ssp. ruderales L. (Kitag.) Tzvei., Setaria glauca (L.) Beauv., Avena fatua L., Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv. competed with the crop and consequently increased the development of root rot by 20% or more in dry years. Seeds of gramineous weeds, multiplied after dry years, contributed to reproduction and survival of many soil-borne phytopathogens. Grain ripening in moistened conditions led to transmission of the root rot agents Bipolaris sorokiniana Sacc. Shoem. (syn. Helminthosporium sativum Pam., King et Bakke) and Fusarium fungi via seeds. This led to proliferation of root rot in the germination phase and significantly (53%) affected the cereals’ germ.     

Intervalent Crosses: the Main Way of Creating Triploid Apple Cultivars

This paper presents history and ways of creating triploid apple cultivars differing from common diploid ones by less pronounced fruiting periodicity by years, higher marketability and weight of fruits, and self-fertility. In the search for an effective method of mass production of triploid seedlings, crosses of the type 4x × 4x, 4x × 3x, 4x × 2x, 3x × 4x, 3x × 3x, 3x × 2x, 2x × 4x, and 2x × 3x were studied. The most effective way of mass production of triploid seedlings was the 2x × 4x cross (diploid × tetraploid). In the group of 2x × 4x crosses, more than 9000 seedlings from different families were subjected to cytological analysis. The ratio of hybrid progeny in terms of ploidy levels was as follows: 30.3% diploids, 69.5% triploids, 0.2% tetraploids, and 0.04% aneuploids. It was established that triploids can also be obtained in 4x × 2x crosses; however, it is necessary to castrate the flowers in the maternal parent, since all apple tetraploids have high self-fertility. For the first time in the world, a series of triploid cultivars (approximately 20) was obtained from intervalent crosses of the diploid × tetraploid type in the All-Russia Research Institute of Fruit Crop Selection. Particularly interesting are triploid cultivars that have immunity to scab, which include nine cultivars, of which Aleksandr Boiko, Vavilovskoe, Maslovskoe, and Yablochnyi Spas are included in the State Register of breeding achievements allowed for use.     

Founder effect and genogeography of <Emphasis Type="Italic">CV</Emphasis>- and <Emphasis Type="Italic">BL</Emphasis>-mutations in black-and-white cattle

The results are obtained by simultaneous diagnostics of mutant CV- and BL-alleles. Five groups of animals–carriers and noncarriers of mutations are identified. In Russia the mutant CV-alleles are met more frequently because of the intensive use of their carriers. While elimination of BL-allele was started earlier due to developed methods, the diagnostics of CV-mutations has been undertaken later. Propagation of missense-mutations in the world and the Russian Federation has been occurring through the breeding bulls and cows–carriers. Initially spermobanks and, afterwards, cows were reserves for the diagnosed BLand CV-mutations.     

Genetic shifts in selection of hybrid offspring soybeans to economic-valuable signs

The article presents the importance of plant genetic hybrid shift in the elements of productivity, allowing the prediction of the conduct in the selection of promising lines obtained by interspecific hybridization spontaneous soybeans for further study in the selection process. The maximum shift of genetic selection on the basis of elements of efficiency in terms of the number of marked beans in combinations Volzhan × KZ-671, KZ-Rosinka × 1236, and Luch nadezhdy × KZ-6332 in terms of the mass of 1000 seeds only in the combination Luch nadezhdy × KZ-6332.     

Identification of agrobacteria on grape plants with symptoms of crown gall lesions in ampelocenosises of Krasnodar Territory using the PCR method

It was shown that crown gall is a chronic disease of the grapevine caused by agrobacteria. The disease causes significant damage to the viticulture industry in Krasnodar Territory. The causative agent of crown gall in the vineyards of this region was identified and studied using the polymerase chain reaction method. Young tumor formations found on grape plants in different areas of Krasnodar Territory were analyzed. The presence of agrobacteria of species Agrobacterium vitis differing in the type of Ti-plasmid (oktopine, nopaline, or vitopine) were detected by using test-systems for Agrobacterium-mediated genes (pehA, virF, and virD2).     

Biological aspects of crop yield formation in serviceberry

The results of study of the morphophysiological components of productivity in serviceberry variety samples are presented. These results revealed that the species A. canadensis, Slayt, and A. alnifolia feature a high level of morphostructural components of productivity under the conditions of the Central Black Earth zone. Intensive processes of photosynthesis take place in A. canadensis.     

Effect of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">PGR</Emphasis> Genotype on Economically Valuable Traits in Animals of the Holstein Breed

Genotyping for locus PGR (progesterone receptor gene) of the Holstein servicing bulls (World Wide Sires) was carried out. The frequencies of alleles and genotypes of this locus are given. Significant (P < 0.05) superiority of the homozygous genotype AA of locus PGR was found in relation to the heterozygous genotype AG for several economically valuable traits: PTAM (predicted transmitting ability for milk, 380 points), PL (productive life, by 1.3 months), and FE (feed cost–feeding efficiency index, 37 points). Significant superiority (P < 0.05) of the homozygous genotype GG over the heterozygous genotype AG for the PL trait was also found, by 1.2 months. The obtained data can be used for marker-dependent breeding.     

“In”-sights about food banks from a critical interpretive synthesis of the academic literature

The persistence, and international expansion, of food banks as a non-governmental response to households experiencing food insecurity has been decried as an indicator of unacceptable levels of poverty in the countries in which they operate. In 1998, Poppendieck published a book, Sweet charity: emergency food and the end of entitlement, which has endured as an influential critique of food banks. Sweet charity‘s food bank critique is succinctly synthesized as encompassing seven deadly “ins” (1) inaccessibility, (2) inadequacy, (3) inappropriateness, (4) indignity, (5) inefficiency, (6) insufficiency, and (7) instability. The purpose of this paper is to examine if and how the contemporary food bank critique differs from Sweet charity’s “ins” as a strategy for the formulation of synthesizing arguments for policy advocacy. We used critical interpretive synthesis methodology to identify relationships within and/or between existing critiques in the peer-reviewed literature as a means to create “‘synthetic constructs’ (new constructs generated through synthesis)” of circulating critiques. We analyzed 33 articles on food banks published since Sweet charity, with the “ins” as a starting point for coding. We found that the list of original “ins” related primarily to food bank operations has been consolidated over time. We found additional “ins” that extend the food bank critique beyond operations (ineffectiveness, inequality, institutionalization, invalidation of entitlements, invisibility). No synthetic construct emerged linking the critique of operational challenges facing food banks with one that suggests that food banks may be perpetuating inequity, posing a challenge for mutually supportive policy advocacy.