Propagation methods for black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) improvement in Hungary

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is one of the most important stand-forming tree species in Hungary and its importance is increasing in many countries. Black locust plants are commonly produced by two methods, by seed and by root cuttings. Tissue culture propagation can be considered as a relatively new method. Growing trees from seed is a relatively simple method for reliably producing seedlings on a large scale under a variety of circumstances. Mechanization of the method is easy and the production cost is relatively low. Propagation from root cuttings and tissue culture are valuable for reproduction of superior individuals or varieties. By applying these methods, superior traits of the selected trees can be preserved in the clones. Recent experiments demonstrated that micropropagated trees could be successfully transplanted into soil, hardened and grown in the field. Biography: Karoly Redei (1952), male, doctor, deputy director general of Hungarian Forest Research Institute H-1023 Budapest, Frankel Leó Str. 42 44, HUNGARY. Responsible editor: Chal Ruihai     

Evidence for genetic diversity of Toxoplasma gondii in selected intermediate hosts in Serbia

To contribute to the insight into the worldwide population structure of Toxoplasma gondii, we genetically characterized a total of eight strains isolated from intermediate hosts including humans, sheep and pigeons in Serbia. Although parasite DNA was detected in 28.2% (60/213) of the human samples from 162 patients serologically suspected of active toxoplasmosis, as well as in 5/7 seropositive pigeons and in 2/12 seropositive sheep examined, multilocus PCR-RFLP genotyping, using SAG1, 5′SAG2, 3′SAG2, GRA6, 5′GRA7 and 3′GRA7 as markers, was successful in only four human isolates (of which one was isolated from both the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and blood samples of a single patient), one sheep and three pigeons. Of the eight isolates, five were type II (62.5%), one was type III, one was atypical, and one had a type I allele at GRA6 as the single locus genotyped. Although type II, as elsewhere in Europe, predominated, these results may suggest a higher genetic diversity of T. gondii in Serbia, reflecting local environmental contamination and also the geographical position of the country in South-East Europe.     

Field testing of different synthetic attractants for mass trapping of common European cockchafer (Melolontha melolontha [L.], Coleoptera,Scarabaeidae) adults

Between 2012 and 2014, we tested the efficacy of different synthetic attractants for the purpose of massive trapping of common European cockchafer adults (Melolontha melolontha). The research took place in three different locations in Slovenia (Otlica, ?rni Vrh nad Idrijo, Cesta nad Ajdov??ino) during flight periods of adult beetles. In the period 2013–2014, we used, on the basis of the preliminary test results (2012), the following chemicals: toluquinone, cis–3–hexen–1-ol, ethyl acetate, toluquinone?+?cis–3 hexen–1-ol, and ethanol as a control. M. melolontha adults were most abundant in the location ?rni Vrh nad Idrijo; the traps in this location caught 18 times more of them than those in the first location and more than six times more than those in the third location. Male insects accounted for 73 to 87% of the trapped specimens. We confirmed the highest efficiency of cis–3–hexen–1-ol in 2013 (43.25?±?0.08 males/trap), as well as in 2014 (15.00?±?0.14 males/trap). On the basis of the trapped adult common European cockchafers and the simple economic analysis of applying different synthetic substances for attracting them, we found that independent application of cis-3-hexen-1-ol is the most efficient and cost-effective option for attracting the studied insect pest. Consequently, we recommend it as an attractant in the traps for massive trapping of adult common European cockchafers.     

High prevalence of intestinal zoonotic parasites in dogs from Belgrade, Serbia--short communication

To identify areas of risk for canine-related zoonoses in Serbia, the aim of this study was to provide baseline knowledge about intestinal parasites in 151 dogs (65 household pets, 75 stray and 11 military working dogs) from Belgrade. The following parasites, with their respective prevalences, were detected: Giardia duodenalis (14.6%), Ancylostomatidae (24.5%), Toxocara canis (30.5%), Trichuris vulpis (47.0%) and Taenia-type helminths (6.6%). Of all examined dogs, 75.5% (114/151) were found to harbour at least one parasite species. Of these, mixed infections with up to four species per dog occurred in 44.7% (51/114). Infections with all detected species were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in military working (100%) and stray dogs (93.3%) versus household pets (50.8%). Among all parasites, agents with zoonotic potential including Giardia, Ancylostomatidae and Toxocara were detected in 58.3% (88/151) of all examined dogs with a significant difference (p < 0.05) among the subgroups (100%, 62.7% and 46.2% for military working dogs, stray dogs and household pets, respectively). The high prevalence of zoonotic parasites registered in the dog population from a highly urban area in south-eastern Europe indicates a potential risk to human health. Thus, veterinarians should play an important role in helping to prevent or minimise zoonotic transmission.     

Evidence of scientific research on organic plant breeding: A bibliometric study

Use of varieties bred under organic conditions is essential in order to minimize the yield gap between organic and conventional agriculture. The aim of this study was to analyse research publications related to the topic ‘organic plant breeding’ from the Web of Science database using bibliometric science mapping and visualization tools. The number of analysed documents in the bibliographic dataset was 204 from the 53 sources. The overall trend in the organic plant breeding literature showed that the number of publications increased during the observed time-span. We found that in total, 65 countries and 337 institutions are active in the field of organic plant breeding with a high degree of international collaboration. The top five countries according to the number of publications were the United States, Italy, Germany, France, and Canada, while the most active institutions were Wageningen University, Iowa State University, University of Alberta, University of Copenhagen, and University of Hohenheim. All keywords from the organic plant breeding research in the agronomy category were separated into seven clusters for different research topics. Although there is evident progress viewed through the increased trend in the number of publications, organic plant breeding needs further expansion and development. This is especially through the implementation of novel plant breeding techniques and methods aiming to improve traits that are highly specific to organic conditions.     

Effects of cover crops on soil mineral nitrogen and on the yield and nitrogen content of maize

Current agricultural practice favours winter cover crops, which can not only optimize N management in field crop rotation; but also affect subsequent crops. Three field experiments were carried out in Eastern Slovenia to examine the effects of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), winter rape (Brassica napus ssp.oleifera (Metzg.) Sinsk), subclover (Trifolium subterraneum L.), and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) as winter cover crops on the mineral N (N_min) content of soil and on the yield and N content of subsequent maize (Zea mays L.), fertilized with 120 kg N ha⁻¹. Italian ryegrass and winter rape decreased soil N_min contents before winter and in spring more than both clovers. In contrast, clovers accumulated significantly higher amounts of N in organic matter and had lower C/N ratios than winter rape and especially Italian ryegrass. In comparison to the control (bare fallow without cover crop), clovers increased the whole above ground maize dry matter yield, maize grain yield and N contents in whole above ground plants and in grain. The yields and N contents of maize following winter rape were on the same level as the control, while yields and N contents of maize following Italian ryegrass were, in two of the experiments, at the same level as the control. The effects of Italian ryegrass on the maize as subsequent crop in the third experiment were markedly negative. Maize in the control treatment exploited N much more efficiently than in treatments with cover crops. Therefore, cover crop N management should be improved, especially with a view to optimizing the timing of net N mineralization in accordance with the N demands of the subsequent crop.