Impact of carrot resistance on development of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alternaria</Emphasis> leaf blight pathogen (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Alternaria dauci</Emphasis>)

The interaction between Alternaria dauci and two carrot cultivars differing in their resistance to leaf blight was investigated by microscopy. The fungal development between 1 and 15 days post-inoculation was quite similar in the susceptible cv. Presto and the partially resistant cv. Texto: After conidial germination, leaf adhesion of the pathogen was achieved with mucilaginous filaments; hyphae penetrated the leaves directly with/without the formation of appressoria-like structures or via stomata; the fungus spread by epiphytic hyphae with hyphopodia and subcuticular mycelia. Intense necrotic plant cell reactions occurred under the fungal structures. At 21 days post-inoculation, typical features of fungal development were noted for each cultivar: growing hyphae emerged from stomata in cv. Presto, whereas conidiophores without conidia were observed in cv. Texto. Leaf tissues of both cultivars were strongly damaged and vesicle-like structures (assumed to be plant phenolics) were abundantly present between mesophyll cells. A real-time PCR method was developed for in planta quantification of A. dauci. Between 1 and 15 days post-inoculation, the fungal biomass was equivalent in the two cultivars and was about fourfold higher in cv. Presto than cv. Texto at 21 and 25 days post-inoculation. Taken together, our results indicated that A. dauci was able to colonize both cultivars in a similar manner during the first steps of the interaction, then fungal development in the partially resistant cultivar was restricted due to putative plant defence reactions. The results of this study enhance the overall understanding of infection processes in the A. dauci-carrot pathosystem.     

Salinity of the growth medium is important for production potential and nutritional value of white worms (Enchytraeus albidus Henle)

Enchytraeus albidus is a small euryhaline earthworm that is abundant in the supralittoral zone where it can be found in decaying seaweed. This species is readily mass‐cultured, and due to its relatively high contents of protein and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), there has been a renewed interest in this species as an alternative source of valuable nutrients for fish feed. Here, we have investigated the influence of substrate salinity (0, 1, 2, 8, 15, 30 and 40 ppt) on reproduction, growth and nutrient content of worms. We found that intermediate salinities (8–15 ppt) of the substrate maximize biomass production as well as protein and PUFA contents of the worm tissue. In particular, we observed that the often used culturing of E. albidus in non‐saline growth medium resulted in low reproduction and biomass production. Increasing the salinity from 0 to 15 ppt resulted in a higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids both in storage lipid and in membrane phospholipid fractions.     

A first insight into genotype × diet interactions in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L. 1756) in the context of plant‐based diet use

This preliminary study assessed genotype × diet interaction in late growth of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fed with either a fish meal (FM)‐ or a fish oil (FO)‐based diet (M) or an all‐plant‐based (PB) diet. A total of 550 fish from 224 families were reared together and tagged. DNA was sampled and microsatellites were used to assign parentage. When fish weight was 192 ± 54 g, two tanks were fed with M (FM: 100%; FO: 100%) and two others with PB (FM: 0% and FO: 0%). Body weight (BW), fork length (FL) and fillet lipid content (CorrFat) were analysed with a linear model and with REML methodology. We observed no significant differences between groups, but a slightly lower (P=0.03) daily growth coefficient in sea bass fed PB than in those fed M. Heritability estimates of BW differed significantly from zero (PB: 0.37 ± 0.18; M: 0.47 ± 0.24). Sire × diet interactions were significant and genetic correlations ranged between 0.51 and 0.87, showing genotype × diet interaction for BW and CorrFat. For the first time, genetic parameters in the context of total replacement of marine fishery by‐products were estimated in European sea bass, showing re‐ranking of family performances with extremely contrasted diets.     

Flooding responses of three earthworm species,Allolobophora chlorotica,Aporrectodea caliginosa and Lumbricus rubellus,in a laboratory-controlled environment

To get a better understanding of earthworm’ responses towards flooding, three laboratory experiments were performed with the species Allolobophora chlorotica, Aporrectodea caliginosa and Lumbricus rubellus.Flooding response was determined in a pot experiment, in which the earthworms were incubated for 42 days in flooded or non-flooded soil, with or without heavy metal pollution. To determine moisture preference, earthworms were incubated for 9 days in aquaria with five compartments, containing soil with a moisture gradient (%, w/w), ranging from 35%, 45% (field capacity), 55%, 65% (saturated) to 65%+ (saturated and an extra water layer). Effects on earthworm health were studied by incubating earthworms of each species for 42 days in soil with the same range of moisture contents and determining the dry/wet weight ratio and dry weight gain as an indication of earthworm health.A. chlorotica was tolerant to water, although the worms tended to escape from flooded soil. Their health was significantly lower in the flooded soils (P<0.05). A. caliginosa showed little response to flooding. This species, however, was affected by the heavy metal pollution in the pot experiment. L. rubellus was sensitive towards flooding, with escape and avoidance behaviour being the main mechanism of survival. This species was able to survive when forced to stay in flooded soil for at least 42 days, but this significantly reduced its health (P<0.05).These results suggest that earthworms are able to survive in inundated soils, but there are large differences between species in response to flooding conditions.     

The Impact of Bioturbation by Small Mammals on Heavy Metal Redistribution in an Embanked Floodplain of the River Rhine

Floodplains along large European rivers are diffusely polluted with heavy metals due to emissions in the past. Because of low mobility of heavy metals in floodplain soils and improvements of water quality, these pollutants will remain in place, and can gradually become covered with less contaminated sediments. Bioturbators, especially earthworms, can play an important role in the mixing and surfacing of contaminated substrate. Surfaced substrate can be redistributed by recurrent flooding events, even to areas outside the floodplain. The question remained to what extent bioturbation by small mammals contributes to the redistribution of heavy metals from river sediments in floodplains. Extensive fieldwork on bioturbators such as voles, moles and earthworms and their distribution patterns, as well as on sediment deposition and bioturbation, was conducted at the ‘Afferdensche en Deestsche Waarden’ floodplain over the years 2001–2003. Field data were combined with data of experiments in field enclosures and substrate columns to calculate the amounts of sediment and heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd) redistributed during the floods as well as on an annual basis. Moles and voles surfaced considerable amounts of substrate and heavy metals, but not as much as earthworms which contribute a substantial proportion of the total deposition and redistribution during floods. Although the impact of moles and voles on the redistribution during floods was only locally important, on an annual basis the bioturbation activity of especially moles in floodplains cannot be neglected. The annual amounts of substrate and heavy metals surfaced by all investigated bioturbators were even larger than the total amounts of substrate and heavy metals deposited during floods.     

Einfluss der biologischen Bewirtschaftung auf die Phytodiversität in der Diasporenbank und oberirdischen Vegetation biologisch bewirtschafteter Ackerflächen

The project deals with the evaluation whether the conversion to organic farming leads to an increase of weed diversity. Additionally to the analysis of the above ground vegetation and the soil seedbank on the small permanent plots a mapping of the surrounding vegetation was conducted in 2012. The number of weed species varies highly over the years, but the inventory of species differs only slightly from the one found on the surrounding fields. The number of seeds per m² is highly correlated with the number of above ground weeds species. The crop has shown the highest influence on both.