In vitro selection of yellow passion fruit genotypes for resistance to Fusarium vascular wilt.

Fusarium vascular wilt (caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. passiflorae) is a limiting factor in the cultivation of yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis). Since there is no effective and economically viable control available, development of resistant or at least tolerant cultivars are in demand. A number of procedures have been used for the initial selection of plant genotypes resistant to various fungal pathogens by means of a fungal culture filtrate or purified toxin. In this study, seeds and in vitro-grown plantlets of passion fruit were screened with different concentrations of either Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. passiflorae (FOP) culture filtrate (0, 20, 30, 40 or 50%, v/v) or fusaric acid (0.10, 0.20, 0.30 or 0.40 mM) supplemented in Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal media. Subsequently, selected plants were inoculated with a conidial suspension of FOP to assess correlation between in vivo and in vitro responses. In vitro sensitivity to the selective agents and the resistance response to the pathogen were also compared. Root growth was markedly influenced by FA, culture filtrate, and conidial suspension culture treatments. Observations indicated that roots were primary targets for attack by F. oxysporum. Successful in vitro selection of resistant genotypes by both FA and culture filtrate treatments suggested that this strategy was viable for accelerating breeding of passion fruit for resistance to the Fusarium vascular wilt

Targeting sustainable competitiveness in Croatia by implementation of “20 Keys” methodology

Throughout the current wave of regulatory reforms, several theoretical models have been proposed that call for the emergence of instruments of self-regulation under some form of state supervision as part of the demand to improve product development performances aligned with awareness of environmental needs, to help with meeting regulation and to reduce the risk of production nonconformance. “20 Keys” is one example of a mass application of a methodology for raising sustainable development and holistic approach to competitiveness in new EU member the Republic of Croatia, and therefore, the aim of this study is to observe the results of the methodology application in Croatian companies. 20 Keys is a methodology that brings an integrated set of tools aimed at increasing overall productive efficiency and quality level with simultaneous reduction of costs. As it was shown in this paper, implementation success is coincident with senior management’s active role in setting the main goals for implementation, assuring that suitable methods and tools are used, allocating resources appropriately and enabling communication within the company

Cross-resistance between myclobutanil and tebuconazole and the genetic basis of tebuconazole resistance in Venturia inaequalis

BACKGROUND: Myclobutanil is one of the most widely used demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicides for the management of apple scab, caused by Venturia inaequalis. Strains of V. inaequalis resistant to myclobutanil have been reported across the world. Tebuconazole, another DMI fungicide, has been proposed as an alternative to myclobutanil, and the extent of cross-resistance with myclobutanil therefore needs to be evaluated. The sensitivity to tebuconazole and myclobutanil of a total of 40 isolates was determined. Half the isolates came from an isolated orchard which had never been sprayed with fungicides and half from orchards sprayed regularly with myclobutanil, but still with disease control problems. The progeny of a tebuconazole resistant (R) × sensitive (S) V. inaequalis cross were analysed in order to improve understanding of the genetic control of tebuconazole sensitivity. RESULTS: There is cross-resistance between myclobutanil and tebuconazole (r=0.91; P < 0.001). Sensitivity to tebuconazole of the progeny of a R×S cross varied quantitatively in a pattern which implied at least two gene loci differing between the parental strains. In addition, the asymmetric distribution of the sensitivity in the progeny implied possible epistatic effects. CONCLUSION: Resistance to myclobutanil and tebuconazole is strongly correlated. At least two genes are involved in the control of tebuconazole resistance in V. inaequalis

Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF) and Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) Conceptual Design Report Volume 2: The Physics Program for DUNE at LBNF

The Physics Program for the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) at the Fermilab Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF) is described