Fortführung der Sortenevaluierung auf Flug- und Hartbrandanfälligkeit der Wintergerste sowie Prüfung flug- und hartbrandresistenter Sorten auf Anbaueignung bei ökologischer Bewirtschaftung

Im ökologischen Getreideanbau soll ausschließlich ökologisch erzeugtes Saatgut eingesetzt werden (EU-Verordnung 1452/2003). Ohne die konventionell übliche Beizung des Saatgutes erhöht sich das Risiko der Verbreitung saatgutbürtiger Krankheiten. Bei der Wintergerste gilt dies für den zunächst als Spore außen am Korn anhaftenden Gerstenhartbrand (Ustilago hordei ) und insbesondere für den sich bereits im Samenkorn befindlichen Gerstenflugbrand (U. nuda). Einen Ausweg bietet der Anbau von resistenten oder toleranten Sorten. Um zu Empfehlungen geeigneter Sorten für die ökologische Bewirtschaftung zu kommen, wurden im Rahmen des Bundesprogramms Ökologischer Landbau Sortenversuche mit aufgrund guter Resistenzeigenschaften gegen Flugbrand ausgewählten mehr (mz) - und zweizeiligen (zz) Testsorten (TS) und den Verrechnungssorten (VS) des Bundessortenamtes angelegt (2004)

Screening of winter barley varieties (Hordeum vulgare) for resistance against loose smut (Ustilago nuda) and covered smut (Ustilago hordei) in Germany

Up to now organic farmers depend greatly on conventionally bred and produced varieties of barley. A turning point was set in 2004 by EU regulation No. 1452/2003 restricting the use of conventionally propagated seed and planting material for organic agriculture. Concerning smut fungi in barley, conventional seed producer's attention was rarely directed to plant resistance due to the possibility of chemical seed treatment (controlling the diseases completely). A main problem for organic seed producers is that organically produced seeds have to fulfil the same regular phytosanitary requirements like conventionally produced seeds. For the production of certified seeds not more than five ears infected with Ustilago hordei (Uh) and/or U. nuda (Un) are allowed on an area of 150 m² in Germany (RUTZ 1998). Though warm or hot water treatment can give excellent control of Un and Uh in organic farming (WINTER et al. 1996), the effect is not sufficient for seed production. Even biological control agents (for example Tillecur®) cannot reach the demands of the guidelines reliably. As an effective way to keep the restrictions remains the cultivation of resistant varieties. Aim of the presented study was to screen winter barley varieties for their degree of smut resistance in Germany. It started in 2000 (KLAUSE & SPIESS 2003) and is sponsored within the Federal Organic Farming Scheme since 2002

Flug- und Hartbrandanfälligkeit der Wintergerste sowie Prüfung flug- und hartbrandresistenter Sorten auf Anbaueignung bei ökologischer Bewirtschaftung

In diesem Jahr wurde das BLE- Projekt zur Flug- und Hartbrandevaluierung im Zusammenhang mit mehrortiger Prüfung der Anbaueigenschaften widerstandsfähiger Handelssorten mit dem Endbericht abgeschlossen. In der im Jahr 2000 begonnenen Evaluierung zeigte sich, dass unter den 223 auf Flug- und Hartbrand getesteten Handelssorten lediglich ’Astrid’ und ’Carrero’ als resistent nach mehrjähriger Prüfung und ’Laurena’ mit einjährigem Ergebnis gegenüber dem Gerstenflugbrand eingestuft werden konnten. Alle Sorten weisen allerdings eine leichte Anfälligkeit gegenüber Gerstenhartbrand auf

Sortenevaluierung auf Flug- und Hartbrandanfälligkeit der Wintergerste sowie Prüfung flug- und hartbrandresistenter Sorten auf Anbaueignung bei ökologischer Bewirtschaftung

Dieses im Rahmen des Bundesprogramms Ökologischer Landbau von der BLE (03OE657) in Auftrag gegebene Projekt schließt an frühere Untersuchungen an (vgl. Jahresberichte 2000-2003). Es hat zum Ziel, Empfehlungen für Sorten, die sich für die ökologische Bewirtschaftung und Vermehrung besonders eignen, zu erarbeiten und Genotypen einer Resistenzzüchtung verfügbar zu machen

Anbaueignung gegenüber Flug- und Hartbrand (Ustilago nuda, U. hordei) widerstandsfähiger Wintergerste-Handelssorten unter ökologischer Bewirtschaftung

Because of the interdiction of chemical seed treatment, smut resistance is a main demand for cultivation of winter barley in organic farming. A comparison of common high yielding varieties with those chosen particularly with regard to good smut-resistance or tolerance showed no significant differences in field performance under the conditions of organic farming. Main criteria were the yield of grain and the content of protein and most important amino acids for animal nutrition (Cystine, Lysine, Me-thionine, Threonine, Tryptophan). Besides this the degree of shading weeds was estimated by means of measuring leaf areas and lengths of stalks. The leaf area proved to be the main factor. The availability of smut resistant or tolerant varieties out of organic production is not satisfying yet

Novel transcriptome networks are associated with adaptation of capsicum fruit development to a light-blocking glasshouse film

Light-blocking films (LBFs) can contribute to significant energy savings for protected cropping via altering light transmitting, such as UVA, photosynthetically active radiation, blue and red spectra affecting photosynthesis, and capsicum yield. Here, we investigated the effects of LBF on orange color capsicum (O06614, Capsicum annuum L.) fruit transcriptome at 35 (mature green) and 65 (mature ripe) days after pollination (DAP) relative to untreated control in a high-technology glasshouse. The results of targeted metabolites showed that LBF significantly promotes the percentage of lutein but decreased the percentage of zeaxanthin and neoxanthin only at 35 DAP. At 35 DAP, fruits were less impacted by LBF treatment (versus control) with a total of 1,192 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) compared with that at 65 DAP with 2,654 DEGs. Response to stress and response to light stimulus in biological process of Gene Ontology were found in 65-DAP fruits under LBF vs. control, and clustering analysis revealed a predominant role of light receptors and phytohormone signaling transduction as well as starch and sucrose metabolism in LBF adaptation. The light-signaling DEGs, UV light receptor UVR8, transcription factors phytochrome-interacting factor 4 (PIF4), and an E3 ubiquitin ligase (COP1) were significantly downregulated at 65 DAP. Moreover, key DEGs in starch and sucrose metabolism (SUS, SUC, and INV), carotenoid synthesis (PSY2 and BCH1), ascorbic acid biosynthesis (VTC2, AAO, and GME), abscisic acid (ABA) signaling (NCED3, ABA2, AO4, and PYL2/4), and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis (PAL and DFR) are important for the adaptation of 65-DAP fruits to LBF. Our results provide new candidate genes for improving quality traits of low-light adaptation of capsicum in protected cropping

A light-blocking greenhouse film differentially impacts climate control energy use and capsicum production

High-tech protected cropping holds great potential to improve global food security, but high cooling energy costs in warm climates pose difficulties in propagating the industry. Emerging technologies, such as diffuse glasses fitted with photoselective thin films, have interactions with crops and other cooling technologies which are not well-characterized for warm-climate glasshouses. A light-blocking film (LBF) was chosen as a high-tech, climate-controlled greenhouse cover permitting transmission of 85% of photosynthetically-active light and blocking heat-generating radiation. Two consecutive 7-month trials of two capsicum crops were grown under warm climate conditions partially impacted by bushfire smoke, with 2 cultivars (Gina and O06614) in the first trial, and 2 cultivars (Gina and Kathia) in the second trial. Capsicum fruit yield decreased by 3% in Gina and increased by 3% in O06614 for the first trial, and decreased by 13% in Gina, 26% in Kathia for the second trial. Cooling energy use increased by 11% and 12% for both capsicum crops in AE and SE respectively, with small but insignificant decreases in fertigation demand (2%–5%). Cooling potential was significantly different from material specifications, with indications that convection from LBF interfaces was responsible for higher heat loads. LBF and similar absorptive glasses may still be beneficial for reducing nutrient, water, and energy use in warm climate glasshouses. However, yield is cultivar-dependent and may decrease with below-optimal crop lighting, whereas energy savings are more dependent on LBF orientation and building geometry than outside climate

Best supportive care and therapeutic plasma exchange with or without eculizumab in Shiga-toxin-producing E. coli O104:H4 induced haemolytic-uraemic syndrome:An analysis of the German STEC-HUS registry

Background:May 22nd marks the beginning of a Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O104:H4 outbreak in Northern Germany. By its end on 27 July, it had claimed 53 deaths among 2987 STEC and 855 confirmed haemolytic-uraemic syndrome (HUS) cases.Methods:To describe short-term effectiveness of best supportive care (BSC), therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) and TPE with eculizumab (TPE-Ecu) in 631 patients with suspected HUS treated in 84 hospitals in Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands using the web-based registry of the DGfN (online since 27 May).Results:Of 631 entries, 491 fulfilled the definition of HUS (median age 46 years; 71 females). The median (inter-quartile range) hospital stay was 22 (14-31) days. Two hundred and eighty-one (57) patients underwent dialysis and 114 (23) mechanical ventilation. Fifty-seven patients received BSC, 241 TPE and 193 TPE-Ecu. Treatment strategy was dependent on disease severity (laboratory signs of haemolysis, thrombocytopenia, peak creatinine level, need for dialysis, neurological symptoms, frequency of seizures) which was lower in BSC than in TPE and TPE-Ecu patients. At study endpoint (hospital discharge or death), the median creatinine was lower in BSC [1.1 mg/dL (0.9-1.3)] than in TPE [1.2 mg/dL (1.0-1.5), P &lt; 0.05] and TPE-Ecu [1.4 mg/dL (1.0-2.2), P &lt; 0.001], while need for dialysis was not different between BSC (0.0, n 0), TPE (3.7; n 9) and TPE-Ecu (4.7, n 9). Seizures were absent in BSC and rare in TPE (0.4; n 1) and TPE-Ecu (2.6; n 5) patients. Total hospital mortality in HUS patients was 4.1 (n 20) and did not differ significantly between the TPE and TPE-Ecu groups.Conclusions:Despite frequent renal impairment, advanced neurological disorders and severe respiratory failure, short-term outcome was better than expected when compared with previous reports. Within the limitations of a retrospective registry analysis, our data do not support the notion of a short-term benefit of Ecu in comparison to TPE alone in the treatment of STEC-HUS. A randomized trial comparing BSC, TPE and Ecu seems to be prudent and necessary prior to establishing new treatment guidelines for STEC-HUS.</p