The Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack): role of the binary vector system and selection cassettes

The influence of two binary vector systems, pGreen and pCAMBIA, on the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation ability of wheat and triticale was studied. Both vectors carried selection cassettes with bar or nptII driven by different promoters. Two cultivars of wheat, Kontesa and Torka, and one cultivar of triticale, Wanad, were tested. The transformation rates for the wheat cultivars ranged from 0.00 to 3.58% and from 0.00 to 6.79% for triticale. The best values for wheat were 3.58% for Kontesa and 3.14% for Torka, and these were obtained after transformation with the pGreen vector carrying the nptII selection gene under the control of 35S promoter. In the case of the bar selection system, the best transformation rates were, respectively, 1.46 and 1.79%. Such rates were obtained when the 35S::bar cassette was carried by the pCAMBIA vector; they were significantly lower with the pGreen vector. The triticale cultivar Wanad had its highest transformation rate after transformation with nptII driven by 35S in pCAMBIA. The bar selection system for the same triticale cultivar was better when the gene was driven by nos and the selection cassette was carried by pGreen. The integration of the transgenes was confirmed with at least three pairs of specific starters amplifying the fragments of nptII, bar, or gus. The expression of selection genes, measured by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in relation to the actin gene, was low, ranging from 0.00 to 0.63 for nptII and from 0.00 to 0.33 for bar. The highest relative transcript accumulation was observed for nptII driven by 35S and expressed in Kontesa that had been transformed with pGreen

Laboratory investigations of wear resistance under friction of a surface layer of 41CrAlMo7 steel after glow discharge nitriding as well as ablation laser texturing

W pracy przedstawiono wyniki modelowych badań laboratoryjnych, obejmujących pomiary wybranych parametrów w węźle tarcia, tj.: temperatury, siły tarcia, zużycia mierzonego metodą liniową dla warstwy wierzchniej próbek wykonanych ze stali stopowej 41CrAlMo7 po azotowaniu i teksturowaniu laserowym w skojarzeniu z żeliwnymi przeciwpróbkami. Warstwę wierzchnią ww. stali po azotowaniu jarzeniowym poddano modyfikacji, wykorzystując ablacyjną mikroobróbkę laserową w celu zmiany jej makro- i mikrogeometrii. Do wytworzenia regularnych mikrozasobników olejowych w kształcie mikroczasz kulistych oraz mikrokanałów stosowano laser Nd: YAG ze specjalnym systemem ogniskowania. Badaniom porównawczym poddana została warstwa wierzchnia stali ukształtowana na drodze tradycyjnej obróbki mechanicznej i azotowania jarzeniowego oraz zmodyfikowana w wyniku azotowania jarzeniowego i ablacyjnej mikroobróbki laserowej. Materiałem przeciwpróbki było żeliwo szare niskostopowe. W badaniach tribologicznych zastosowano metodę „pin on disc” w oparciu o tribometr T-11. Najlepsze efekty w zakresie zwiększenia odporności na zużycie przez tarcie uzyskano dla modelowego skojarzenia, w którym próbki wykonane ze stali stopowej 41CrAlMo7 po azotowaniu jarzeniowym oraz ablacyjnym teksturowaniu laserowym (mikroczasze w układzie geometrycznym ze stopniem przekrycia ok. 25%) współpracowały z żeliwnymi przeciwpróbkami.The paper presents the results of laboratory investigations including measurements of selected parameters in the node of friction (temperature, friction force, wear resistance) with the use of the measured line method for the surface layer of samples steel 41CrAlMo7 after nitriding and laser texturing in combination with cast iron samples. Surface layers after glow discharge nitriding steel were modified using ablative laser micromachining to change its macro- and micro-geometry. In the manufacture regular shaped oil micro-channels and spherical microparticles, we used a Nd: YAG laser with a special focusing system. Comparative research has been subjected to the steel surface topography formed by conventional machining and plasma nitriding and modified after nitriding and laser ablation micromachining. The laboratory tribological investigation used the "pin on disc" method based on a T-11 tribometer. The best results of increasing wear resistance under friction was obtained for the association sample made of steel 41CrAlMo7 after glow discharge nitriding and ablative laser texturing in the geometric arrangement mico-oil containers (micro spherical cap) with a degree of covering of about 25% worked with cast iron anti-samples

Combining novel monitoring tools and precision application technologies for integrated high-tech crop protection in the future (a discussion document)

The possibility of combining novel monitoring techniques and precision spraying for crop protection in the future is discussed. A generic model for an innovative crop protection system has been used as a framework. This system will be able to monitor the entire cropping system and identify the presence of relevant pests, diseases and weeds online, and will be location specific. The system will offer prevention, monitoring, interpretation and action which will be performed in a continuous way. The monitoring is divided into several parts. Planting material, seeds and soil should be monitored for prevention purposes before the growing period to avoid, for example, the introduction of disease into the field and to ensure optimal growth conditions. Data from previous growing seasons, such as the location of weeds and previous diseases, should also be included. During the growing season, the crop will be monitored at a macroscale level until a location that needs special attention is identified. If relevant, this area will be monitored more intensively at a microscale level. A decision engine will analyse the data and offer advice on how to control the detected diseases, pests and weeds, using precision spray techniques or alternative measures. The goal is to provide tools that are able to produce high-quality products with the minimal use of conventional plant protection products. This review describes the technologies that can be used or that need further development in order to achieve this goa