Sporulation rate in culture and mycoparasitic activity, but not mycohost specificity, are the key factors for selecting Ampelomyces strains for biocontrol of grapevine powdery mildew (Erysiphe necator)

To develop a new biofungicide product against grapevine powdery mildew, caused by Erysiphe necator, cultural characteristics and mycoparasitic activities of pre-selected strains of Ampelomyces spp. were compared in laboratory tests to the commercial strain AQ10. Then, a 2-year experiment was performed in five vineyards with a selected strain, RS1-a, and the AQ10 strain. This consisted of autumn sprays in vineyards as the goal was to reduce the number of chasmothecia of E. necator, and, thus, the amount of overwintering inocula, instead of targeting the conidial stage of the pathogen during spring and summer. This is a yet little explored strategy to manage E. necator in vineyards. Laboratory tests compared the growth and sporulation of colonies of a total of 33 strains in culture; among these, eight strains with superior characteristics were compared to the commercial product AQ10 Biofungicide® in terms of their intrahyphal spread, pycnidial production, and reduction of both asexual and sexual reproduction in E. necator colonies. Mycoparasitic activities of the eight strains isolated from six different powdery mildew species, including E. necator, did not depend on their mycohost species of origin. Strain RS1-a, isolated from rose powdery mildew, showed, togetherwith three strains from E. necator, the highest rate of parasitism of E. necator chasmothecia. In field experiments, each strain, AQ10 and RS1-a, applied twice in autumn, significantly delayed and reduced early-season development of grapevine powdery mildew in the next year. Therefore, instead of mycohost specificity of Ampelomyces presumed in some works, but not confirmed by this study, the high sporulation rate in culture and the mycoparasitic patterns became the key factors for proposing strain RS1-a for further development as a biocontrol agent of E. necator

Quantity of the physical distance declared by students in different situations

The purpose of the study described in this paper was investigated students' expectations with respect to physical distance between people, objects and animals in different situations. Data were gathered from 263 students (131 females, 132 males) from the Humanistic Institute in Walbrzych Higher Vocational College (PWSZ) and from the Faculty of Physical Education in Pawel Wlodkowic University College in Plock Higher School (SWPW). Students were conducted their studies as a part of bachelors degree. In this study we used 22- items Polish version of the IPROX questionnaires developed by Hogh-Olesen (2008), in which subjects in simulated situations were instructed to place humans, objects, and animals' in relation to other representatives of their category. Results indicate that IPROX questionnaire were very useful in assessing of the physical distance declared by students. With regard to student sex disclosed statistically significant differences the declared distances only in four situations. In every of them the male students declared significantly longer distance, than female students. A comparative analysis of average distances declared by the subjects from Greenland, Denmark, Italy, Cameroon and India [Hogh-Olesen, 2008] as well as Polish students showed existence cross-cultural differences

Preferred teacher-student interpersonal behaviour: Differences between Polish primary and higher education students' perceptions

This study investigated differences between students’ perceptions of their best teachers in primary and higher education in Poland. Teacher behavior was conceptualized in terms of the teacher-student interpersonal relationship and described in terms of eight behavioral sectors – leadership, helpful/friendly, understanding, student responsibility/ freedom, uncertain, dissatisfied, admonishing and strict – and two independent dimensions called Influence (teacher dominance vs. submission) and Proximity (teacher cooperation vs. opposition). Data were gathered from 199 higher education students, 173 students from a higher vocational institute and 26 students from one university, and 105 primary education students. Results indicate that while preferred teaching in Poland is perceived in a similar fashion as in other countries, differences can be found across the educational contexts of interest

Preferred teacher-student interpersonal behaviour: Differences between Polish primary and higher education students' perceptions

This study investigated differences between students’ perceptions of their best teachers in primary and higher education in Poland. Teacher behavior was conceptualized in terms of the teacher-student interpersonal relationship and described in terms of eight behavioral sectors – leadership, helpful/friendly, understanding, student responsibility/ freedom, uncertain, dissatisfied, admonishing and strict – and two independent dimensions called Influence (teacher dominance vs. submission) and Proximity (teacher cooperation vs. opposition). Data were gathered from 199 higher education students, 173 students from a higher vocational institute and 26 students from one university, and 105 primary education students. Results indicate that while preferred teaching in Poland is perceived in a similar fashion as in other countries, differences can be found across the educational contexts of interest

Zmienne komunikacyjne nauczyciela w percepcji studentow [Teachers' communication variables in higher education students' perceptions]

This study investigated students¿ perceptions of their best teachers in higher education. Teacher behaviour was conceptualised in terms of the teacher-student interpersonal relationship and described in terms of eight behavioural sectors ¿ leadership, helpful/friendly, understanding, student responsibility/freedom, uncertain, dissatisfied, admonishing and strict ¿ and two, independent dimensions called Influence (teacher dominance vs. submission) and Proximity (teacher cooperation vs. opposition). Data were gathered from 173 first-year students (37 males, 136 females) from the Institute of Pedagogy in Walbrzych Higher Vocational College. Students were on average 19 years old and conducted their studies as part of a bachelors degree. In this study, we used a 64-item version of the Questionnaire on Teacher Interaction (QTI). The 64-items American version of the QTI was translated into Polish. Ideal teacher profile consisted of eight groups typical behaviors associated with the Model for Interpersonal Teacher Behavior DC (19%),CD(22%), CS (23 %), SC(16%), SO(4%), OS(3%), OD(3%) and DO(10%). The data for the IT reveal that the students perceive the relatively high scores for the positive educational style domain (in the Model of Interpersonal Teacher Behavior) and relatively low mean scores in the negative educational style domain. The data for students¿ perceptions of preferred teacher- student interpersonal behavior are illustrated graphically on a sector profile diagram

Management Fusarium wilt on melon and watermelon by Penicillium oxalicum

The potential of the biological control fungus Penicillium oxalicum to suppress wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis and F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum on melon and watermelon, respectively, was tested under different growth conditions. The area under disease progress curve of F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis infected melon plants was significantly reduced in growth chamber and field experiments. In glasshouse experiments, it was necessary to apply P. oxalicum and dazomet in order to reduce Fusarium wilt severity in melons caused by F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis. For watermelons, we found that P. oxalicum alone reduced the area under the disease progress curve by 58% in the growth chamber experiments and 54% in the glasshouse experiments. From these results, we suggested that P. oxalicum may be effective for the management of Fusarium wilt in melon and watermelon plants

Relationship between number and type of adhesions of Penicillium oxalicum conidia to tomato roots and biological control of tomato wilt

We studied (a) the extent adhesion of Penicillium oxalicum conidia to tomato roots after application of P. oxalicum conidial formulations with or without stickers, (b) the relationship between the extent of conidial adhesion to roots and biocontrol of the conidial formulations against tomato wilt, and (c) colonisation of roots by P. oxalicum. Adhesion of P. oxalicum conidia to tomato roots occurred within the first minute of contact between the root and the conidial formulation and the bonding strength was sufficiently strong to prevent conidial removal from the roots. In addition, some formulations with stickers that increased conidial adhesion to roots improved the biocontrol of tomato wilt, when compared to that of formulations without stickers. A "dried conidia without stickers" with 0.025% Nu-Film 17 had no effect on the biocontrol of tomato wilt, despite good adherence of the conidia to the roots. The numbers of P. oxalicum conidia that adhered to the roots was constant for 60 days after application of a "dried conidia without stickers" conidial formulation. The significance of these results (speed of adhesion, number of adhered conidia, and variability of conidial external surface) are discussed in relation to the biocontrol success of tomato wilt using different types of conidial formulations with and without stickers. © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Biocontrol of powdery mildew by Penicillium oxalicum in open-field nurseries of strawberries

Biological control of powdery mildew on strawberry leaves by Penicillium oxalicum applications was achieved on different cultivars and lines in growth chambers and in open-field nurseries. Growth chamber conditions were more conducive to the development of natural infection of powdery mildew on the various cultivars and lines than plants cultivated in open-field nurseries. Penicillium oxalicum-treated strawberry cultivars and lines showed a significant reduction in the amount of powdery mildew in growth chamber (except for Ventana) and open-field nursery experiments. These results indicate that P. oxalicum may be an effective treatment for biological control of strawberry powdery mildew in open-field nurseries of strawberries. © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved