Optimisation of downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola) control in organic viticulture with low copper doses, new copper formulations and plant strengtheners, results of four years of on farm research

In three different wine growing regions in Germany, due to weather and infection conditions several fungicide (copper formulations) and plant strengtheners (Myco-Sin VIN®, Kendal®, Frutogard ®) applications against downy mildew are required in order to obtain satisfactory disease control. Results of the four years of on farm trials confirmed good efficacy of the copper based substances like copper hydroxide, partly in combination with two or three applications of potassium phosphonate, new copper-hydroxide formulation or copper oxychloride used in a low doses of copper and alternative products like Myco-Sin-VIN® (clay with high aluminium content) in combination with Kendal® ( plant extract)

Untersuchungen des BÖL-Verbundprojektes zur Kupferminimierung im ökologischen Weinbau

The development of sustainable and economically feasible strategies to get an effec-tual control of downy mildew on grapes (Plasmopara viticola) with less than 3 kg/(ha*a) of copper to avoid further environmental risks is the intention of this project. Due to harmful effects on the natural environment, copper applications are under considera-tion. Therefore, in this four-year-project first of all test products are screened under greenhouse conditions on potted vines. Thereafter the best test agents are studied in organically managed test vineyards. Finally the selected strategies are tested under practical conditions on organically managed vineyards. Beyond these examinations a close link between wineries and research is given by SME and consultant partners. The results indicate that plant extracts, finely ground stones and new copper formula-tions could probably serve as plant resistance improvers and plant protection prod-ucts, respectively, to prevent attacks of P. viticola. Moreover, it was possible to select prosperous agents and strategies for the growing period 2007. These were agents of the substance categories “new copper formulations”, “plant extracts” and “finely ground stones”. Regarding the results of three growing periods, the project will provide effective and economically feasible alternatives for copper applications in order to deliver sustainable approaches for P. viticola control in practise

Microenvironment, cross-talk, and immune escape mechanisms

Hodgkin lymphoma is a unique malignancy in which reactive immune cells vastly outnumber the tumor cells. The microenvironment is essential in many different aspects of Hodgkin lymphoma biology and has ramifications for diagnosis, clinical presentation, and therapeutic options. In this chapter we review current knowledge on the Hodgkin lymphoma microenvironment. Its composition is highly variable and provides the basis for diagnostic subtyping. T cells are virtually always present and usually cluster together with the tumor cells in so-called rosettes. We describe mechanisms by which the tumor cells actively shape their cellular environment and how this ensures recruitment of tumor cell promoting growth factors. The tumor cells also need to employ a variety of immune escape mechanisms with a central role for antigen presentation through the human leukocyte antigen and associated immune checkpoints. Given the different pathogenetic functions of different cell types in the microenvironment, we end with reviewing data on the prognostic impact of the abundance of specific cell types