Bacterial Diseases of Wheat in the Southern Ural: Manifestations, Biological Characteristics and Monitoring Features

The paper presents the results of a long-term monitoring of bacterial diseases of wheat in the steppe zone of the Southern Ural. A clear domination of the genus Xanthomonas over the genus Pseudomonas has been revealed (60 and 11% of the total samples collected, respectively). The frequency of a winter wheat infection with these two pathogens exceeded that of the spring wheat. The field phytosanitary assessment resulted in the observation of the earlier unknown manifestation of the Xanthomonas infection called as tip bacteriosis. The frequency of wheat infection with Xanthomonas sp. almost did not depend on the relief type, observation period, and sowing date, though the frequency of infection observed for the northern slope and lowland clearly exceeded those observed for other relief types. The frequency of infection with Pseudomonas sp. clearly depended on the sowing date and local relief type reaching the maximum at the lowlands (19–27%), so this relief type can be considered as a “signal” point for the early diagnostics of this pathogen

MORPHOFUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF LEAVES AND FRUITS IN MALOIDEAE (ROSACEAE): b. THE ROLE OF SURFACE TISSUES IN THE FORMATION OF RESISTANCE TO FUNGAL DISEASES

Background. Resistance to the effects of plant biotic stressors is determined by a set of factors. Among them, the leading protective role is often assigned to the physiological and biochemical characteristics of the surface tissues. However, one cannot ignore the specificity of the microstructural organization of the plant surface, since the nature of interactions in phytopathogenic organisms is more complex than the chemical impact. Meanwhile, the information accumulated to date about the structure of the surface tissues of the vegetative and reproductive organs of plants, and the interface of mycobiota, is fragmentary.Objective. Mature leaves and fruits taken from representatives of the subfamily Maloideae Werber (Malus domestica Borkh., Pyrus communis L., Cydonia oblonga Mill. and Mespilus germanica L.) were selected for the study.Materials and methods. Samples for the research were taken from the middle part of the crown of model trees in 3 replications. In recent years, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with cryofixation is considered the most promising technique and is used to analyze the surface of biological organisms and identification of species. It is particularly informative in the case of organisms with complex surface micromorphology and for studying the biodiversity of pathogens. However, in this work we combined the methods of light, electron (SEM, TEM) and confocal microscopy. The samples were also studied using phytopathological and histochemical techniques. Condensed polyphenols were detected using K2Cr2O7 and FeCl3 as well as 4-(Dimethylamino)cinnamaldehyde (DMACA, Sigma-Aldrich).Results. On the basis of the obtained phytopathological materials and published data an overview of fungal diseases afflicting leaves and fruits of M. domestica, P. communis, C. oblonga and M. germanica was made. It has been established that a common feature of the Maloideae fruits is the accumulation of condensed polyphenols, which play an important protective role against biotic stressors, in the cells of the pericarp’s outer tissues. Anatomical and morphological characteristics of passive immunity, or horizontal resistance to fungal pathogens, include the specific nature of waxy and cuticular deposits, features of the formation of cuticular folds and peristomatic rings in the stomata area and microstrands at the base of trichomes, thickness of the cuticle and cork tissue, and the development of lenticels on fruits.Conclusion. The studied model plants suffer from a sufficiently wide range of diseases with different etiologies; among them, the most widespread and harmful are mycoses. In view of this, their resistance to fungal pathogens correlates with the specificity of the leaf and fruit surface microstructure and the content of phenolic substances (polyphenols) in the cells of the pericarp’s surface tissues

Bacterial diseases of wheat caused by Xanthomonas sp. in the Southern Ural: Identification issues

The identification of pathogenic agents isolated from infected wheat seeds and plants, collected in the Southern Ural and characterized by an atypical manifestation of bacterial infection (yellow leaf tips), has been carried out by direct microbiological and molecular methods. In addition, an indirect identification by the hypersensitive reaction (HR) approach has been performed simultaneously with the pathogenicity assessment of isolates using an indicator plant Plectranthus australis R. Br. Isolated samples have been microbiologically identified as Xanthomonas sp. According to the results of the PCR identification with species-specific primers, isolated samples represent Xanthomonas translucens; the reliability of the obtained results is corroborated by the hypersensitive reaction approach used also to assess the pathogenicity of isolates. Winter wheat, especially cv. Pionerskaya 23, where both X. translucens and Pantoea agglomerans were found, suffered more severe symptoms than spring wheat that was only affected by strains of X. translucens. To improve the reliability of the primary diagnostics of a bacterial character of seed infection, the provoking of the pathogen development by temperature or pH stress is proposed

Production Technology and Quality Assessment of Microcapsules of <i>Lycopus europaeus</i> L. Herb Dry Extract

SCIENTIFIC RELEVANCE. The high hygroscopicity and poor flowability of herbal extracts complicate the manufacturing of medicinal products based on these active substances. Microencapsulation of dry herbal extracts reduces their hygroscopicity, improves their flowability, and expands their applicability. Further development of medicinal products based on herbal extracts requires a comparative analysis of the relationships between the quality of microparticles and the selected microencapsulation method.AIM. This study aimed to conduct a practical evaluation of a previously developed microcapsule production technology and to evaluate the quality of a microencapsulated dry extract of Lycopus europaeus L. herb.MATERIALS AND METHODS. The study analysed a dry extract of Lycopus europaeus herb with a thyrostatic effect, which was microencapsulated by dispersion. A film-forming agent was used to form the microcapsule shells (gelatine, grade P-11). The microcapsules were characterised by the following pharmacopoeial quality parameters: particle size, moisture content, and flowability. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of the dry extract of Lycopus europaeus herb used thin-layer chromatography and spectrophotometry.RESULTS. The study identified the optimum ratios for Lycopus europaeus herb dry extract and excipients as well as the procedure for ingredient addition during the microencapsulation process. The resulting microcapsules were homogeneous particles with a diameter of 50–300 µm, a moisture content of 3.21±0.12%, and a good flow. The encapsulation efficiency of the dispersion method reached 95.0±1.3%. In contrast to non-encapsulated dry extract particles, the particles of microencapsulated Lycopus europaeus herb dry extract had a spherical shape, smooth surface, and improved technological properties.CONCLUSIONS. The authors developed a microencapsulation technology for Lycopus europaeus herb dry extract. The study results confirmed the efficiency of the microencapsulation method in reducing the hygroscopicity of Lycopus europaeus herb dry extract, increasing its stability during storage, and optimising the further development of dosage forms

Endothelial function and vascular reactivity in workplace hypertension

Aim. To assess vascular reactivity and endothelial function (EF) in people with workplace hypertension (WPH) and arterial hypertension (AH) patients.Material and methods. Fifty men with Stage I-II AH were examined, including 30 with WPH, according to 24- hour blood pressure monitoring (BPM) during workdays and weekends (20 subjects with low workplace stress levels). Mean age of the participants was 42,8±8,2 years. Cold stress test, psycho-mental reading test, and arithmetic counting (AC) test were performed. Healthy controls were 30 males (mean age 40,6±7,1 years). Endothelium- dependent vasodilatation (EDVD) was assessed during the cuff test.Results. BP reaction during stress tests was similar in all patients. During AC test, WPH patients demonstrated greater systolic blood pressure (SBP) increase than controls and AH patients. Increased cardiovascular reactivity during cold stress test was associated with AH in family history. In WPH subjects, EDVD was lower than in AH patients, and brachial artery occlusion was associated with vasoconstriction in 50%. Patients with cuff test vasoconstriction had lower SBP increase in cold stress test and greater SBP increase during reading test; diastolic BP (DBP) increase was greater in AC test. There was a negative correlation between DBP increase during AC test and EDVD. Conclusion. WPH patients differed from AH patients in terms of increased stress reactivity, associated with EF. Participants with cuff test vasoconstriction demonstrated vascular reactivity different from that in other AH patients

The Evaluation of Winter Wheat Adaptation to Climate Change in the Central Non-Black Region of Russia: Study of the Gene Pool Resistance of Wheat from the N.I. Vavilov Institute of Plant Industry (VIR) World Collection to Abiotic Stress Factors

The paper presents the results of a 50-year research of the genepool of the winter wheat from the world’s largest wheat collection of N.I. Vavilov Institute of Plant Industry (VIR) to investigate its resistance to the abiotic stress factors of the Moscow region and see how closely it matches the attributes of a wheat ideotype as postulated by N.I. Vavilov in 1935. The critical years in studying the wheat’s winter resistance were 10 years out of 50: excessive water saturation during the year 2013; soil drought in 1988; and atmospheric drought in 1972 and 2010. During the investigation, the following gene pool features were analyzed: frost characterized by the cultivar Sojuz 50 (Russia), rapid temperature change, thawing, ice, and rotting resistance characterized by the cultivars Zarya 2 (Russia), Sv 75268, (Sweden), Caristerm and Tukan (Germany), PP 114-74 and Liwilla (Poland), Maris Ploughman and Granta (Great Britain), Titan (USA), Zdar (Czech), and Zenta (Switzerland); regeneration capacity in spring after poor wintering expressed by the cultivars Pamyati Fedina (Russia), TAW 3668.71 (Germany) and Rmo (Poland); resistance to excessive soil and air saturation exhibited by the cultivars Moskovskaya 39 (Russia), Tukan, Compal, Obelisk, Orestis, and Bussard (Germany); solid standing culm that is resistant to lodging characterized by the cultivars Tukan, Kronjuwel, Compal (Germany), Zenta (Switzerland), Moskovskaya 56 (Russia), and Hvede Sarah (Denmark); resistance to enzyme-mycotic depletion of seeds characterized by the cultivars Tukan, Compal, Obelisk, Orestis, Bussard (Germany), Sv 75268, Helge, VG 73394, Salut, Sv 75355 (Sweden), Zenta (Switzerland), Moskovskaya 39, and Ferrugineum 737.76 (Russia); and resistance to soil and atmospheric drought demonstrated by the cultivars Liessau, Heine Stamm, Severin, Neuzucht 14/4, Haynes, Rus 991, Halle 1020 (Germany), Gama (Poland), Sv 71536 (Sweden), and Moskovskaya 39 (Russia). Moreover, the cultivar Mironovskaya 808 (Ukraine) showed resistance to almost all abiotic stress factors studied. The performed study contributes towards the provision of potential sources of resistance to abiotic stress factors prevalent in the Moscow region that can be incorporated in advanced breeding programs

The Evaluation of Winter Wheat Adaptation to Climate Change in the Central Non-Black Region of Russia: Study of the Gene Pool Resistance of Wheat from the N.I. Vavilov Institute of Plant Industry (VIR) World Collection to Abiotic Stress Factors

The paper presents the results of a 50-year research of the genepool of the winter wheat from the world’s largest wheat collection of N.I. Vavilov Institute of Plant Industry (VIR) to investigate its resistance to the abiotic stress factors of the Moscow region and see how closely it matches the attributes of a wheat ideotype as postulated by N.I. Vavilov in 1935. The critical years in studying the wheat’s winter resistance were 10 years out of 50: excessive water saturation during the year 2013; soil drought in 1988; and atmospheric drought in 1972 and 2010. During the investigation, the following gene pool features were analyzed: frost characterized by the cultivar Sojuz 50 (Russia), rapid temperature change, thawing, ice, and rotting resistance characterized by the cultivars Zarya 2 (Russia), Sv 75268, (Sweden), Caristerm and Tukan (Germany), PP 114-74 and Liwilla (Poland), Maris Ploughman and Granta (Great Britain), Titan (USA), Zdar (Czech), and Zenta (Switzerland); regeneration capacity in spring after poor wintering expressed by the cultivars Pamyati Fedina (Russia), TAW 3668.71 (Germany) and Rmo (Poland); resistance to excessive soil and air saturation exhibited by the cultivars Moskovskaya 39 (Russia), Tukan, Compal, Obelisk, Orestis, and Bussard (Germany); solid standing culm that is resistant to lodging characterized by the cultivars Tukan, Kronjuwel, Compal (Germany), Zenta (Switzerland), Moskovskaya 56 (Russia), and Hvede Sarah (Denmark); resistance to enzyme-mycotic depletion of seeds characterized by the cultivars Tukan, Compal, Obelisk, Orestis, Bussard (Germany), Sv 75268, Helge, VG 73394, Salut, Sv 75355 (Sweden), Zenta (Switzerland), Moskovskaya 39, and Ferrugineum 737.76 (Russia); and resistance to soil and atmospheric drought demonstrated by the cultivars Liessau, Heine Stamm, Severin, Neuzucht 14/4, Haynes, Rus 991, Halle 1020 (Germany), Gama (Poland), Sv 71536 (Sweden), and Moskovskaya 39 (Russia). Moreover, the cultivar Mironovskaya 808 (Ukraine) showed resistance to almost all abiotic stress factors studied. The performed study contributes towards the provision of potential sources of resistance to abiotic stress factors prevalent in the Moscow region that can be incorporated in advanced breeding programs

The Biological Traumatization of Crops Due to the Enzyme Stage of Enzyme-Mycotic Seed Depletion

In the light of Vavilov&rsquo;s Law, grain traumatization in the standing crop of wheat and other crops due to the enzyme stage of enzyme-mycotic seed depletion (EMSD) was confirmed, the parameters of open and hidden harmfulness were detected, and a scale of plant resistance to such traumatization was developed. The current study demonstrates that pathogen contamination in grains occurs before harvesting and its degree is determined by favorable humidity and temperature conditions and by the open and hidden grain traumatization due to the enzyme stage of EMSD, i.e., the grain&rsquo;s hydrolytic enzymes providing a growth substrate for a fungal spread that is later substituted by pathogen enzymes leading to grain spoiling and self-warming. The most common technique to preserve grain quality is to support a moisture level that prevents further spreading of the fungi. The grains that are contaminated with very low temperature and humidity levels facilitate the germinability and high quality of the grain. The new ways to withstand EMSD should, first of all, include a selection of activities. Using biological, biochemical and physical (X-ray) methods, genetic sources of resistance towards EMSD were found in the VIR world collection that is recommended for further selection. These sources have become a basis for the varieties, such as Moskovskaya 39, Ilot (winter wheat), Gremme and Gremme 2U (hulless spelt), Alcoran (winter spelt) and Kanysh (spring wheat)

Evaluation of Wheat Resistance to Snow Mold Caused by Microdochium nivale (Fr) Samuels and I.C. Hallett under Abiotic Stress Influence in the Central Non-Black Earth Region of Russia

Microdochium nivale is one of the most harmful fungal diseases, causing colossal yield losses and deteriorating grain quality. Wheat genotypes from the world collection of the N.I. Vavilov Institute (VIR) were evaluated for fifty years to investigate their resistance to biotic stress factors (M. nivale). Between 350 to 1085 of winter wheat genotypes were investigated annually. Ten out of fifty years were identified as rot epiphytotics (1978, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2021). The wheat collection was investigated by following the VIR methodological requirements and CMEA unified classification of Triticum aestivum L. The field investigations were carried out in the early spring during fixed-route observations and data collection was included on the spread and development degree of the disease, followed by microbiological and microscopic pathogen identifications. The observations revealed that the primary reason for pink snow mold to infect the wheat crops was abiotic stress factors, such as thawed soil covered in snow that increased the soil temperature by 1.0&ndash;4.6 &deg;C above normal. Under these conditions, the plants kept growing, quickly exhausting their carbohydrate and protein resources, thus weakening their immune systems, which made them an easy target for different infections, mainly cryophilic fungi, predominantly Microdochium nivale in the Moscow region. In some years, the joint effect of abiotic and biotic stresses caused crop failure, warranting the replanting of the spring wheat. The investigated wheat genotypes exhibited variable resistance to pink snow mold. The genotypes Mironovskaya 808 (k-43920) from Ukraine;l Nemchinovskaya 846 (k-56861), from Russia; Novobanatka (k-51761) from Yugoslavia; Liwilla (k-57580) from Poland; Zdar (UH 7050) from the Czech Republic; Maris Plowman (k-57944) from the United Kingdom; Pokal (k-56827) from Austria; Hvede Sarah (k-56289) from Denmark; Moldova 83 (k-59750) from Romania; Compal (k-57585) from Germany; Linna (k-45889) from Finland and Kehra (k-34228) from Estonia determined the sources, stability and tolerance to be used in advanced breeding programs