Energetics of magnetic transients in a solar active region plage

Densely packed coronal loops are rooted in plages in the vicinity of active regions on the Sun. The photospheric magnetic features underlying these plages are patches of mostly unidirectional magnetic field extending several arcsec on the solar surface. We aim to explore the transient nature of the magnetic field, its mixed-polarity characteristics, and the associated energetics in plages using high resolution observations and simulations. We used photospheric Fe I 6173 {\AA} spectropolarimetric observations of a decaying active region obtained from the SST. These data were inverted to retrieve the photospheric magnetic field underlying the plage as identified in the EUV emission maps obtained from the SDO/AIA. To obtain better insight into the evolution of plages, we performed 3D radiation magnetohydrodynamic simulations of magnetoconvection using the MURaM code. The observations show transient magnetic flux emergence and cancellation events within the plage on timescales of a few 100 s and on spatial scales comparable to granules. These transient events occur at the footpoints of active region plage loops. In one case the coronal response at the footpoints of these loops is clearly associated with the underlying transient. The simulations also reveal similar magnetic flux emergence and cancellation events that extend to even smaller spatial and temporal scales. Individual simulated transient events transfer an energy flux in excess of 1 MW m$^{-2}$ through the photosphere. We suggest that the magnetic transients could play an important role in the energetics of active region plage. Both in observations and simulations, the opposite-polarity magnetic field brought up by transient flux emergence cancels with the surrounding plage field. Magnetic reconnection associated with such transient events likely conduits magnetic energy to power the overlying chromosphere and coronal loops.Comment: Published in A&A (abridged abstract

GpaXItarl originating from Solanum tarijense is a major resistance locus to Globodera pallida and is localised on chromosome 11 of potato

Resistance to Globodera pallida Rookmaker (Pa3), originating from wild species Solanum tarijense was identified by QTL analysis and can be largely ascribed to one major QTL. GpaXItarl explained 81.3% of the phenotypic variance in the disease test. GpaXItarl is mapped to the long arm of chromosome 11. Another minor QTL explained 5.3% of the phenotypic variance and mapped to the long arm of chromosome 9. Clones containing both QTL showed no lower cyst counts than clones with only GpaXItarl. After Mendelising the phenotypic data, GpaXItarl could be more precisely mapped near markers GP163 and FEN427, thus anchoring GpaXItarl to a region with a known R-gene cluster containing virus and nematode resistance genes

Designing wavelength sampling for Fabry-P\'erot observations. Information-based spectral sampling

Fabry-P\'erot interferometers (FPIs) have become very popular in solar observations because they offer a balance between cadence, spatial resolution, and spectral resolution through a careful design of the spectral sampling scheme according to the observational requirements of a given target. However, an efficient balance requires knowledge of the expected target conditions, the properties of the chosen spectral line, and the instrumental characteristics. Our aim is to find a method that allows finding the optimal spectral sampling of FPI observations in a given spectral region. In this study, we propose a technique based on a sequential selection approach where a neural network is used to predict the spectrum (or physical quantities, if the model is known) from the information at a few points. Only those points that contain relevant information and improve the model prediction are included in the sampling scheme. The method adapts the separation of the points according to the spectral resolution of the instrument, the typical broadening of the spectral shape, and the typical Doppler velocities. The experiments using the CaII 8542 A line show that the resulting wavelength scheme naturally places more points in the core than in the wings, consistent with the sensitivity of the spectral line at each wavelength interval. The method can also be used as an accurate interpolator, to improve the inference of the magnetic field when using the weak-field approximation. Overall, this method offers an objective approach for designing new instrumentation or observing proposals with customized configurations for specific targets. This is particularly relevant when studying highly dynamic events in the solar atmosphere with a cadence that preserves spectral coherence without sacrificing much information.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in A&

Fine structure, magnetic field and heating of sunspot penumbrae

We interpret penumbral filaments as due to convection in field-free, radially aligned gaps just below the visible surface of the penumbra, intruding into a nearly potential field above. This solves the classical discrepancy between the large heat flux and the low vertical velocities observed in the penumbra. The presence of the gaps causes strong small-scale fluctuations in inclination, azimuth angle and field strength, but without strong forces acting on the gas. The field is nearly horizontal in a region around the cusp-shaped top of the gap, thereby providing an environment for Evershed flows. We identify this region with the recently discovered dark penumbral cores. Its darkness has the same cause as the dark lanes in umbral light-bridges, reproduced in numerical simulations by Nordlund and Stein (2005). We predict that the large vertical and horizontal gradients of the magnetic field inclination and azimuth in the potential field model will produce the net circular polarization seen in observations. The model also explains the significant elevation of bright filaments above their surroundings. It predicts that dark areas in the penumbra are of two different kinds: dark filament cores containing the most inclined (horizontal) fields, and regions between bright filaments, containing the least inclined field lines.Comment: submitted to A&

A DNA-free editing approach for viticulture sustainability: dual editing of DMR6-1 and DMR6-2 enhances resistance to downy mildew

The sustainability of viticulture hinges on maintaining quality and yield while reducing pesticide use. Promising strides in this direction involve the development of clones with enhanced disease tolerance, particularly through the knockout of plant susceptibility genes. Knocking out of Downy Mildew Resistant 6 (DMR6) led to increased levels of endogenous salicylic acid (SA), a regulator of immunity, resulting in enhanced tolerance to Downy Mildew (DM) and other diseases in various crops. Mutations in both DMR6-1 and DMR6-2 genes were introduced into two grapevine cultivars using CRISPR-Cas9 using two methods. In the first case, transgene delivery mediated by A. tumefaciens was employed, while in the second case, we developed a 'single-cell technology' for gene editing, creating non-transgenic grapevine mutants through the regeneration of protoplasts previously edited with the CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoprotein. We tested the susceptibility of single and double mutants to DM through artificial inoculation assays on detached leaves and whole plants. Our findings indicate that a simultaneous mutation in both DMR6-1 and DMR6-2 is needed to significantly enhance resistance to DM, with the double mutant (dmr6-1-dmr6-2) outperforming either single mutant in both cultivars. Elevated levels of endogenous SA were only observed in the double mutant, while single mutation in DMR6-1 or DMR6-2 proved ineffective. Collectively, our data highlight the need for a double knockout to achieve appreciable results against DM-susceptibility. Currenlty, we are adapting the 'single-cell technology' to generate edited vines from various agronomically relevant cultivars. In parallel, we are assessing the performance of plants edited in different susceptibility genes

Breeding for grapevine downy mildew resistance via gene editing

Downy mildew (DM) caused by the oomycete Plasmopara viticola ranks in the top diseases affecting grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) cultivation and its control requires every year a large use of fungicides. The Farm to Fork strategy newly promoted by the EU aims to accelerate the transition to a sustainable food system and has set very ambitious targets including the reduction by 50% of the use and risk of pesticides by 2030. The introduction of disease-tolerant grapevine varieties or clones clearly represents a step forward to reach this goal. The recent advent of new breeding tools such as genome editing and cis-genesis offers a great opportunity to obtain resistant plants with higher precision and speed than by conventional breeding, either by knocking down susceptibility genes or by introducing known resistance-genes in commercial cultivars. Based on reports in other crops, the family of Downy Mildew Resistant 6 (DMR6) and DMR6-like oxygenases (DLOs) are candidate susceptibility genes for the control of DM resistance in V. vinifera. Deep-sequencing the putative susceptibility genes in 190 genetically diverse grapevine genotypes identified several Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms then screened for their impact on protein structure/function and association with DM resistant genotypes. Gene expression and gene network analysis suggested that grapevine DMR6 and DLO genes have distinct functions, and that VviDMR6-1 is co-regulated with several Pathogenesis-related genes. Based on this evidence, we generated a large collection of DMR6-1 and DMR6-2 single and double knock-out mutants in multiple grapevine cultivars and evaluated their resistance to DM. Phenotypic resistance data upon artificial infection are being collected and will be presented here. In parallel, we also developed a new DNA-free gene editing methodology and obtained non-transgenic and non-chimeric edited grapevine plants regenerated from a single cell

A high-resolution map of the Grp1 locus on chromosome V of potato harbouring broad-spectrum resistance to the cyst nematode species Globodera pallida and Globodera rostochiensis

The Grp1 locus confers broad-spectrum resistance to the potato cyst nematode species Globodera pallida and Globodera rostochiensis and is located in the GP21-GP179 interval on the short arm of chromosome V of potato. A high-resolution map has been developed using the diploid mapping population RHAM026, comprising 1,536 genotypes. The flanking markers GP21 and GP179 have been used to screen the 1,536 genotypes for recombination events. Interval mapping of the resistances to G. pallida Pa2 and G. rostochiensis Ro5 resulted in two nearly identical LOD graphs with the highest LOD score just north of marker TG432. Detailed analysis of the 44 recombinant genotypes showed that G. pallida and G. rostochiensis resistance could not be separated and map to the same location between marker SPUD838 and TG432. It is suggested that the quantitative resistance to both nematode species at the Grp1 locus is mediated by one or more tightly linked R genes that might belong to the NBS-LRR class

The formation of small-scale umbral brightenings in sunspot atmospheres

Sunspot atmospheres have been shown to be highly inhomogeneous hosting both quasi-stable and transient features, such as small-scale umbral brightenings (previously named "umbral micro-jets") and dark fibril-like events. Aims. We seek to understand the morphological properties and formation mechanisms of small-scale umbral brightenings (analogous to umbral micro-jets). In addition, we aim to understand whether links between these events and short dynamic fibrils, umbral flashes, and umbral dots can be established. Methods. A Swedish 1 m Solar Telescope (SST) filtergram time-series sampling the Ca ii H line and a CRisp Imaging Spectro-Polarimeter (SST/CRISP) full-Stokes 15-point Ca ii 8542 Å line scan dataset were used. The spatial resolutions of these datasets are close to 0.1′′ and 0.18′′ with cadences of 1.4 s and 29 s, respectively. These data allowed us to construct light-curves, plot line profiles, and to perform a weak-field approximation in order to infer the magnetic field strength. Results. The average lifetime and lengths of the 54 small-scale brightenings identified in the sunspot umbra are found to be 44.2 s (σ = 20 s) and 0.56′′ (σ = 0.14′′), respectively. The spatial positioning and morphological evolution of these events in Ca ii H filtergrams was investigated finding no evidence of parabolic or ballistic profiles nor a preference for co-spatial formation with umbral flashes. Line scans in Ca ii 8542 Å and the presence of Stokes V profile reversals provided evidence that these events could form in a similar manner to umbral flashes in the chromosphere (i.e. through the formation of shocks either due to the steepening of localised wavefronts or due to the impact of returning material from short dynamic fibrils, a scenario we find evidence for). The application of the weak-field approximation indicated that changes in the line-of-sight magnetic field were not responsible for the modifications to the line profile and suggested that thermodynamic effects are, in fact, the actual cause of the increased emission. Finally, a sub-set of small-scale brightenings were observed to form at the foot-points of short dynamic fibrils. Conclusions. The small-scale umbral brightenings studied here do not appear to be jet-like in nature. Instead they appear to be evidence of shock formation in the lower solar atmosphere. We found no correlation between the spatial locations where these events were observed and the occurrence of umbral dots and umbral flashes. These events have lifetimes and spectral signatures comparable to umbral flashes and are located at the footpoints of short dynamic fibrils, during or at the end of the red-shifted stage. It is possible that these features form due to the shocking of fibrilar material in the lower atmosphere upon its return under gravity

Temporal evolution of the Evershed flow in sunspots. II. Physical properties and nature of Evershed clouds

Context: Evershed clouds (ECs) represent the most conspicuous variation of the Evershed flow in sunspot penumbrae. Aims: We determine the physical properties of ECs from high spatial and temporal resolution spectropolarimetric measurements. Methods: The Stokes profiles of four visible and three infrared spectral lines are subject to inversions based on simple one-component models as well as more sophisticated realizations of penumbral flux tubes embedded in a static ambient field (uncombed models). Results: According to the one-component inversions, the EC phenomenon can be understood as a perturbation of the magnetic and dynamic configuration of the penumbral filaments along which these structures move. The uncombed inversions, on the other hand, suggest that ECs are the result of enhancements in the visibility of penumbral flux tubes. We conjecture that the enhancements are caused by a perturbation of the thermodynamic properties of the tubes, rather than by changes in the vector magnetic field. The feasibility of this mechanism is investigated performing numerical experiments of thick penumbral tubes in mechanical equilibrium with a background field. Conclusions: While the one-component inversions confirm many of the properties indicated by a simple line parameter analysis (Paper I of this series), we tend to give more credit to the results of the uncombed inversions because they take into account, at least in an approximate manner, the fine structure of the penumbra.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&