The SECURE project – Stem canker of oilseed rape: : molecular methods and mathematical modelling to deploy durable resistance

N Evans et al, "The SECURE Project - Stem Canker of oilseed rape: Molecular methods and mathematical modeling to deploy durable resistance", in Vol 4 of the Proceedings of the 12th International Rapeseed Congress : Sustainable Development in Cruciferous Oilseed Crops Production, Wuhan, China, March 26 - 30, 2007. The proceedings are available online at: http://gcirc.org/intranet/irc-proceedings/12th-irc-wuhan-china-2007-vol-4.htmlModelling done during the SECURE project has demonstrated the dynamic nature of the interaction between phoma stem canker (Leptosphaeria maculans), the oilseed rape host (Brassica napus) and the environment. Experiments done with near-isogenic lines of L. maculans to investigate pathogen fitness support field data that suggest a positive effect of the avirulence allele AvrLm4 on pathogen fitness, and that the loss of this allele renders isolates less competitive under field conditions on cultivars without the resistance gene Rlm4. The highlight of molecular work was the cloning of AvrLm1 and AvrLm6. L. maculans is now one of the few fungal species for which two avirulence loci have been cloned. Subsequent research focused on understanding the function of AvrLm1 and AvrLm6 and on the analysis of sequences of virulent isolates to understand molecular evolution towards virulence. Isolates of L. maculans transformed with GFP and/or DsRed were used to follow growth of the fungus in B. napus near-isogenic-lines (NIL) with or without MX (Rlm6) resistance under different temperature and wetness conditions. The results greatly enhanced our knowledge of the infection process and the rate and extent of in planta growth on different cultivars. Conclusions from work to model durability of resistance have been tested under field conditions through a series of experiments to compare durability of resistance conferred by the major resistance gene Rlm6 alone in a susceptible background (EurolMX) or in a resistant background (DarmorMX) under recurrent selection over 4 growing seasons. A major priority of the project was knowledge transfer of results and recommendations to target audiences such as plant breeding companies and extension services. CETIOM developed a “diversification scheme” that encourages French growers to make an informed choice about the cultivars that are grown within the rotation based on the resistance genes carried by the individual cultivars. Use of such schemes, in association with survey data on the population structure of L. maculans at both national and European scales will provide opportunities for breeders and the industry to manage available B. napus resistance more effectively.Non peer reviewe

Database-driven High-Throughput Calculations and Machine Learning Models for Materials Design

This paper reviews past and ongoing efforts in using high-throughput ab-inito calculations in combination with machine learning models for materials design. The primary focus is on bulk materials, i.e., materials with fixed, ordered, crystal structures, although the methods naturally extend into more complicated configurations. Efficient and robust computational methods, computational power, and reliable methods for automated database-driven high-throughput computation are combined to produce high-quality data sets. This data can be used to train machine learning models for predicting the stability of bulk materials and their properties. The underlying computational methods and the tools for automated calculations are discussed in some detail. Various machine learning models and, in particular, descriptors for general use in materials design are also covered.Comment: 19 pages, 2 figure

Biodiversity of Balcan pine (Pinus peuce Griseb.) experimental stands in the Rogow Arboretum (Poland)

The Balkan pine (Pinus peuce) is a Balkan Peninsula endemic tree species, growing in high mountains of Bulgaria, Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Albania, and Greece and forming pure and mixed stands in subalpine forests. The paper gives a survey of biodiversity of Balkan pine stands in the Rogów Arboretum in reference to environmental data. In the plots examined, 29 taxa of vascular plants, 29 taxa of macrofungi and 127 taxa of invertebrates were recorded. The revealed diversity is discussed with regard to the data from Pinus peuce natural habitats

Biodiversity of Balcan pine (Pinus peuce Griseb.) experimental stands in the Rogów Arboretum (Poland)

The Balkan pine (Pinus peuce) is a Balkan Peninsula endemic tree species, growing in high mountains of Bulgaria, Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Albania, and Greece and forming pure and mixed stands in subalpine forests. The paper gives a survey of biodiversity of Balkan pine stands in the Rogów Arboretum in reference to environmental data. In the plots examined, 29 taxa of vascular plants, 29 taxa of macrofungi and 127 taxa of invertebrates were recorded. The revealed diversity is discussed with regard to the data from Pinus peuce natural habitats

Stem canker of oilseed rape : molecular tools and mathematical modelling to deploy durable resistance

Non peer reviewe