A Qualitative Multi-Attribute Model for The Multifunctional Assessment of ��Streuobst Stands�� in NE Slovenia

Streuobst stands, i.e., tall fruit trees on vigorous rootstock on traditional grassland, represent an important source of raw material for the processing industry and for traditional fruit processing on family-run farms. Apart from production aspects, the high-stem orchards also play a role in the conservation of the traditional landscape, and indirectly in maintenance of the viability of rural areas. In this paper, a qualitative multi-attribute model for the assessment of Streuobst stands with respect to their multifunctional characteristics is presented. The assessment is based on four groups of attributes: (1) production criteria (percentage of missing trees), (2) biodiversity (fruit species and varieties, artificial human intervention), (3) landscape diversity (visual appearance, eco-diversity and erosion protection), and (4) function of the stand (row or individual trees, countryside appearance). The assessment is based on the aggregation of input attribute values to an overall assessment through user-defined decision rules. The model was applied to 85 sample stands in NE Slovenia. The assessment shows that most of the stands (48) were rated as ??very poor?? or ??poor??, mainly as a result of poor cultivation and lack of maintenance.     

Nitrogen efficiency of canola genotypes varies between vegetative stage and grain maturity

There is no information on whether N efficiency in canola at maturity can be reliably determined by screening germplasm in the vegetative stage. Twelve canola genotypes identified in preliminary screening study as having either high or low N efficiency indices were tested for consistency in N efficiency between the vegetative stage and maturity. Plants were grown in a glasshouse under low or adequate N supply and N efficiency was assessed using the following criteria: dry weight at deficient N supply, relative yield at low vs. adequate N supply, and N utilisation efficiency. None of the 12 tested genotypes was classified as efficient or inefficient under all three criteria. One genotype (46C74) was classified as efficient under two criteria, and one genotype (Surpass 300 TT) was inefficient under two criteria. At maturity, three additional efficiency criteria were used: harvest index, N harvest index, and oil and protein concentration in seed. Two genotypes (Wesway and 46C74) (ranked as efficient at vegetative stage) remained efficient at maturity under most of the efficiency criteria used. On the other hand, genotype Surpass 603 CL ranked inefficient during the vegetative stage was ranked as efficient at maturity under two criteria. Overall, there was little consistency in the N efficiency ranking between vegetative stage and maturity in 12 tested genotypes. Screening canola germplasm for N efficiency for breeding purposes would therefore require an assessment at maturity.     

Einsatz von Bacillus subtilis und Lactobacillus-Stämmen zur Entwicklung technischer Vegetationssysteme für die Gleisbettnaturierung

Zusammenfassung Untersucht wurde, inwiefern sich Lactobacillus ssp. und Bacillus subtilis im Rahmen einer Gleisbettbegrünung positiv auf Wachstumsparameter und Bedeckungsgrad mit Sedum album auswirken. Die Versuche wurden auf den drei Substraten Ziegelbruch, Mineralwollmatten und Geotextilmatten im Jahre 2003 an der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin durchgeführt. Zusätzlich wurden alle Varianten mit und ohne Nährmedium getestet.Aus den Versuchsergebnissen geht hervor, dass die Substratbeschaffenheiten und die induzierten Bakterienkulturen sehr stark das Pflanzenwachstum beeinflussen. Lediglich Ziegelbruchsubstrat zeigte gute Voraussetzungen für die Entwicklung des aeroben Bakteriums B. subtilis. Dieses ist physikalisch relativ stabil gegenüber Umwelteinflüssen und durch seine grobe Struktur ist auch eine gute Durchlüftung gewährleistet.Die Zugabe eines Nährmediums hatte in allen Versuchen auch ohne Applikation von Bakterien einen entscheidenden Einfluss auf die Wachstumsparameter als auch auf einen frühzeitig hohen Bedeckungsgrad. Drei Monate nach dem Versuchsbeginn konnten keine signifikanten Unterschiede zwischen den Behandlungen mehr nachgewiesen werden. Der Bedeckungsgrad lag zu diesem Zeitpunkt bereits bei mindestens 97%. Der Einsatz der beiden Bodenbakterien und/oder des Nährmediums hatten innerhalb der ersten zwei Monate eine gegenüber der Kontrolle schnellere Bedeckung des Substrats, basierend auf einem verstärkten Wachstum, zur Folge.     

Characterisation of a 16SrII phytoplasma strain associated with bushy stunt of hawkweed oxtongue (Picris hieracioides) in south-eastern Serbia and the role of the leafhopper Neoaliturus fenestratus (Deltocephalinae) as a natural vector

A 2-year study of host association, molecular characterisation and vector transmission of a phytoplasma related to the 16SrII group in a vineyard of south-eastern Serbia was conducted. Grapevine, eight common weeds and 31 Auchenorrhyncha species were collected and analysed for phytoplasma presence. PCR-RFLP analyses of the 16S rRNA gene identified the presence of a new strain of phytoplasma related to the 16SrII group in P. hieracioides with symptoms of stunting or bushy stunting. Grapevine samples, all without symptoms, were negative for phytoplasma presence. Plants of Erigeron annuus, Cynodon dactylon, Daucus carota and P. hieracioides, either exhibiting symptoms of yellowing or without symptoms, were positive for the presence of stolbur phytoplasma. Among the tested cicada species, seven were infected with phytoplasmas from the aster yellows group, two with stolbur phytoplasma, two with 16SrII phytoplasma, and one with the 16SrV-C phytoplasma subgroup. The phytoplasma strain of the 16SrII group was recorded in approximately 50?% of the collected leafhopper species Neoaliturus fenestratus and in a few specimens of the planthopper Dictyophara europaea. The vector status of N. fenestratus was tested using the second generation of the planthopper in two separate transmission trials with P. hieracioides and periwinkle seedlings. In both tests, the leafhopper successfully transmitted 16SrII phytoplasma to exposed plants, proving its role as a natural vector of this phytoplasma in Europe. A finer molecular characterisation and phylogenetic relatedness of the 16SrII phytoplasma strain by sequence analyses of the 16S rRNA and ribosomal protein genes rpl22-rps3 indicated that it was most closely related to the 16SrII-E subgroup.