Detection of potato spindle tuber viroid by molecular hybridization and bioassay. A large-scale comparison

Summary To assess the reliability of dot-spot hybridization assay for the Potato Spindle Tuber Viroid, more than 1000 potato samples were cross-tested by biological and hybridization methods. Both methods gave similar results with a range of cultivars. The dot-spot hybridization test was reproducible with formaldehyde-denaturated cell-sap samples stored at room temperature for over 6 months. This finding means that samples can be transported from field stations to a diagnostic laboratory and allows for cross-checking of results between laboratories. The data suggest that dot-spot hybridization is suitable for breeding and quarantine purposes.     

Two fiber genes of nearly equal lengths are a common and distinctive feature of Fowl adenovirus C members

The complete genome or the genome region containing the two fiber genes of two reference strains and one field isolate representing both serotypes of Fowl adenovirus C were sequenced. Two fiber genes were revealed in the genomes of all three isolates. Fiber-1 and fiber-2 genes of several Fowl adenovirus C isolates were sequenced as well. Both serotypes 4 and 10 have two fiber genes. The genome region containing the fiber gene was also sequenced for the reference strain of Fowl adenovirus B. Just one fiber gene was revealed in this strain. Predicted amino acid sequences were compared to already published fiber sequences of different adenovirus isolates and one amino acid substitution within fiber-2 was detected in all of the Fowl adenovirus C isolates that were isolated from chickens with hepatitis-hydropericardium syndrome in comparison to apathogenic isolates. Phylogenetic analyses provided insights about the evolution of fiber genes in avian adenoviruses and their genetic relationships.     

EuMIXFOR empirical forest mensuration and ring width data from pure and mixed stands of Scots pine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus sylvestris L.</Emphasis>) and European beech (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fagus sylvatica L.</Emphasis>) through Europe

Key message

This data set provides unique empirical data from triplets of Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.) and European beech ( Fagus sylvatica L.) across Europe. Dendrometric variables are provided for 32 triplets, 96 plots, 7555 trees and 4695 core samples. These data contribute to our understanding of mixed stand dynamics. Dataset access at   http://dx.doi.org/10.5061/dryad.8v04m . Associated metadata available at https://metadata-afs.nancy.inra.fr/geonetwork/apps/georchestra/?uuid=b3e098ca-e681-4910-9099-0e25d3b4cd52&hl=eng .

     

Radiation‐Use Efficiency,Biomass Production,and Grain Yield in Two Maize Hybrids Differing in Drought Tolerance

Drought‐tolerant (DT) maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids have potential to increase yield under drought conditions. However, little information is known about the physiological determinations of yield in DT hybrids. Our objective was to assess radiation‐use efficiency (RUE), biomass production, and yield in two hybrids differing in drought tolerance. Field experiments were conducted in 2013 and 2014 with two hybrids, P1151HR (DT hybrid) and 33D49 (conventional hybrid) under well‐watered (I₁₀₀) and drought (I₅₀) conditions. I₁₀₀ and I₅₀ refer to 100 % and 50 % evapotranspiration requirement, respectively. On average, P1151HR yielded 11–27 % greater than 33D49 at I₁₀₀ and about 40 % greater at I₅₀, At I₁₀₀, greater yield in P1151HR was due to greater biomass at physiological maturity (BM_pm) resulting from greater post‐silking biomass accumulation (BM_post). At I₅₀, both hybrids had similar BM_pm but P1151HR showed a higher harvest index and greater BM_post. RUE differed significantly (P < 0.05) between the hybrids at I₁₀₀, but not at I₅₀. At I₁₀₀, the RUE values for P1151HR and 33D49 were 4.87 and 4.28 g MJ^?1 in 2013, and 3.71 and 3.48 g MJ^?1 in 2014. At I₅₀, the mean RUE was 3.89 g MJ^?1 in 2013 and 3.16 g MJ^?1 in 2014. Results indicate that BM_post is important for maintaining high yield in DT maize.     

Response of fungal and plant communities to management-induced overstorey changes in montane forests of the Western Carpathians

The effect of forest management on biodiversity is a crucial issue for sustainable forestry and nature conservation. However, the ways in which management affects macrofungal and plant communities and diversity of mountain temperate forests still remain poorly understood. We performed a random sampling stratified by stand age and stand type on the sites of temperate montane fir–beech forests. Diversity of macrofungi and the vascular plant understorey in beech- and spruce-dominated managed stands was investigated and compared to primeval forests located in the Po?ana Biosphere Reserve, Western Carpathians. Both the vascular plant and the macrofungal communities were altered by management, and the response of the macrofungal species (especially wood-inhabiting fungi) was more pronounced in terms of species composition change. Species turnover evaluation seems to be an important tool of forest natural status assessment, because alpha diversity did not change as much as species composition. Certain species of Carpathian primeval forests were confirmed as good indicators for natural forest change; others were proposed. Species pool and mean number of species per plot were the highest in unmanaged fir–beech forests, and species diversity significantly decreased in spruce plantations. The number of species decreased significantly due to the change of canopy tree species composition only in the macrofungal communities. As an outcome for forest management, we recommend keeping mixed forests involving all natural tree species and providing at least a minimal amount of dead wood necessary for wood-inhabiting organisms and leaving some area of unmanaged natural forests within complexes of managed stands.