The impact of selected pesticides on relative expression of superoxide dismutase and catalase, two antioxidant enzyme genes, in the European corn borer Ostrinia nubilalis (Hbn.)

Od velikog značaja su proučavanja vrsta koje nanose velike ekonomske gubitke na najznačajnijim poljoprivrednim kulturama kao što je kukuruz, vrsta koja prouzrokuje najveće ekonomske gubitke na poljima kukuruza je dijapauzirajući moljac Ostrinia nubilalis. Dijapauza je hipometabolička vrsta mirovanja koju karakterišu smanjena stopa oksidativnog metabolizma, sinteza zaštitnih molekula, akumulacija energetskih rezervi i ekspresija specifičnih gena. Dokazano je da dijapauzirajuće vrste imaju znatno veću otpornost na insekticidne tretmane, te je od velikog značaja sprovođenje istraživanja koja za cilj imaju testiranje biološkog odgovora na pesticide koji se nalaze komercijalno u upotrebi Insekticidni tretman može dovesti do oksidativnog stresa, u okviru čega se produkuju enzimi antioksidativne zaštite kao što su superoksid dismutaza (SOD) i katalaza (CAT). Ispitivan je uticaj dva folijarna i dva semena insekticida, od kojih je jedan biološki, dok su ostali sintetički. U okviru eksperimenta urađena je provera da li insekticidni tretman dovodi do pojave oksidativnog stresa kod preživelih larvi O. nubilalis, koji će rezultovati povećanom ekspresijom gena za SOD i CAT. Ukupna RNK je izolovana iz homogenata celih dijapauzirajućih gusenica petog instara koje su preživele insekticidni tretman. Nakon sinteze komplementarne DNK, sprovedena je kvantitativna PCR analiza, te je pomoću dobijenih Cq vrednosti izračunata relativna ekspresija gena koristeći aktin kao referentni gen. Pokazano je da postoji statistički značajno povećanje relativne ekspresije gena za SOD i CAT u odnosu na kontrolnu grupu prilikom primene sintetičkog insekticida Fobos. Biološki insekticid Lepinoks i sintetički insekticid Sonido doveli su do statistički značajno povećane ekspresije gena za CAT, dok je kod relativne ekspresije gena za SOD došlo do blažeg smanjenja. Prilikom primene insekticida Semafor na seme nije došlo do statistički značajnih promena u relativnoj ekspresiji ni jednog od ispitivanih gena u odnosu na kontrolnu grupu. Rezultati ovog istraživanja su pionirske prirode, jer prema našim saznanjima ne postoje podaci o efektu pesticida na ekspresiju ovde ispitivanih gena.Research on economically significant pests of agricultural crops, such as corn, is of great importance, тhe most damaging insect species, when it comes to corn crops, is the diapausing moth Ostrinia nubilalis. Diapause is a hypometabolic type of rest characterized by a reduced rate of oxidative metabolism, synthesis of protective molecules, accumulation of energy reserves and expression of specific genes. It has been proven that diapausing species have a significantly higher resistance to insecticide treatments, so conducting research aimed at testing the biological response is of great importance. Insecticide treatment can cause oxidative stress, in response to which antioxidant protection enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), are produced. The effect of two foliar and two seed insecticides was tested. One of the four insecticides is a bioinsecticide, while the other three are synthetic. As part of the experiment, it was examined whether the insecticide treatment leads to the occurrence of oxidative stress in the larvae of O. nubilalis, which will result in increased expression of sod and cat genes. Total RNA was isolated from homogenates of whole-body diapausing 5th instar larvae that survived the insecticide treatment. After the synthesis of complementary DNA, quantitative PCR analysis was carried out, and relative gene expression was calculated using the Cq values obtained using actin as the reference gene. It was shown that there is a statistically significant increase in the relative expression of both sod and cat genes in comparison to the control group when applying the synthetic insecticide Phobos. The biological insecticide Lepinox and the synthetic insecticide Sonido led to a statistically significant increase in the expression of cat gene, while the relative expression of the gene for SOD was mildly decreased. When applying the insecticide Semaphore to seeds, there were no statistically significant changes in the relative expression of any of the tested genes compared to the control group. The results of this research are of a pioneer nature, as to our knowledge there is no data on pesticide treatment affects the expression of genes analysed in this study.Master rad je odbranjen na Prirodno-matematičkom fakultetu Univerziteta u Novom Sadu 29.7.2022. godine

Transmission risks of Beet Yellows Virus by Myzus persicae and Aphis fabae aphids in diverse environmental conditions

The economically significant Beet yellows virus (BYV) negatively affects sugar beet yields. For the past 30 years, effective control of BYV relied on neonicotinoid insecticides. However, the European Union's ban on outdoor use of these insecticides since 2018, driven by concerns over biodiversity and human health, led to widespread losses in the sugar beet industry due to BYV outbreaks. The main vectors of this virus are the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) and the black bean aphid (Aphis fabae). Understanding the virus-vector relationship is crucial for developing new control methods. To address this, our study investigates viral transmission efficiency in sugar beet plants based on aphid density, species, and morphs (winged/apterous) in laboratory, greenhouse, and field conditions. Laboratory experiments were based on the virus transmission from an infected plant to a vector and from a vector to a healthy plant, while greenhouse experiments observed viral transmission changes when both vector species coexisted on the same infected plants simultaneously (i.e. by analogy to the same patch in the fields). Field experiments examined whether the first flying aphids that arrived in the fields after seed germination were viruliferous. In the laboratory experiment, it was shown that the best vector of BYV at low density was the winged M. persicae with a 25% of transmission probability with only three aphids present. In the greenhouse experiment, a significantly higher transmission probability was observed when both vector species were present at the same time at the same patch. Collecting this data provides valuable insights into how aphid species, density, and morphs affect the transmission of the virus, setting a solid foundation for future studies and the discovery of new pest control methodsLe virus de la jaunisse grave de la betterave (BYV) a une importance économique car il affecte négativement les rendements de la betterave sucrière. Au cours des 30 dernières années, la lutte efficace contre le BYV a reposé sur les insecticides néonicotinoïdes. Cependant, l'interdiction par l'Union européenne de l'utilisation de ces insecticides à l'extérieur depuis 2018, motivée par des préoccupations relatives à la biodiversité et à la santé humaine, a entraîné des pertes généralisées dans l'industrie de la betterave sucrière en raison des épidémies de BYV. Les principaux vecteurs de ce virus sont le puceron vert du pêcher (Myzus persicae) et le puceron noir de la fève (Aphis fabae). La compréhension de la relation virus-vecteur est cruciale pour le développement de nouvelles méthodes de contrôle. Pour répondre à cette question, notre étude examine l'efficacité de la transmission virale dans les plants de betterave sucrière en fonction de la densité des pucerons, des espèces et des morphes (ailé/aptère) en laboratoire, sous serre et sur le terrain. Les expériences en laboratoire sont basées sur la transmission du virus d'une plante infectée à une plante saine via un vecteur, tandis que les expériences en serre ont permis d‟observer les changements de transmission virale lorsque les deux espèces de vecteurs étaient présentes simultanément sur les mêmes plantes infectées (par analogie au champ, dans le même groupe de plantes). Les expériences sur le terrain ont examiné si les premiers pucerons volants arrivés dans le champ, après la germination des graines, étaient virulifères. L'expérience en laboratoire a montré que le meilleur vecteur du BYV à faible densité était le puceron ailé de l‟espèce M. persicae, avec une probabilité de transmission de 25 % en présence seulement de trois individus. Dans l'expérience en serre, une probabilité de transmission significativement plus élevée a été observée lorsque les deux espèces de vecteurs étaient présentes en même temps dans la même parcelle. La collecte de ces données fournira des informations précieuses sur la manière dont les espèces, la densité et les morphes de pucerons affectent la transmission, posant ainsi des bases solides pour les études futures et la recherche de nouvelles méthodes de lutte contre les ravageurs.Master 2 thesis: Master Agrofood Chain: Sustainability and Innovation, ENSFEA, Toulouse, France EDYSAN – University of Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens, Franc

Effect of nitrogen mineral nutrition in extreme climatic conditions on sugar beet production

Continuous advancements in plant breeding and the development of new hybrid varieties are occurring alongside the challenges posed by climate change. Consequently, there is an ongoing need to reassess agricultural practices. Fertilisation, particularly with nitrogen, plays an important part in plant production. Nitrogen is a critical element required in significant quantities for optimal crop growth, influencing the yield of various crops. However, it's important to acknowledge that nitrogen is a dynamic element, and substantial nitrogen reserves cannot be retained within the soil. Given the distinct requirements of sugar beet cultivation, where nitrogen not only impacts root yield but also profoundly influences root quality, it becomes important to improve fertilisation management. Therefore in our study we focused on assessing the effects of five different nitrogen fertiliser levels (40, 80, 120, 160, and 200 kg N/ha) on root yield and quality of two commercial sugar beet hybrids

Transmission risks of beet yellows virus by Myzus persicae and Aphis fabae aphids in diverse experimental conditions

Sugar beet yields are negatively affected by the economically significant Beet yellows virus (BYV). For the past 30 years, effective control of BYV relied on neonicotinoid insecticides. However, the European Union's ban on outdoor use of these insecticides since 2018, driven by concerns over biodiversity and human health, led to widespread losses in the sugar beet industry due to BYV outbreaks. The main vectors of this virus are the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) and the black bean aphid (Aphis fabae). Understanding the virusvector relationship is crucial for developing new control methods. To address this, our study investigates viral transmission efficiency in sugar beet plants based on aphid density, species, and morphs (winged/apterous) in laboratory, greenhouse, and field conditions

Application of mealworm FRASS fertilizer in sugar beet production: Step towards profitable and ecologically balanced sugar beet production

To address the growing demand for sugar, sugar beet production must be increased. However, conventional chemical fertilizers, essential for root growth and yield quality, are environmentally harmful due to factors like greenhouse gas emissions and organic pollution. To address this issue, we need to consider eco-friendly organic alternatives, such as FRASS, which is the residue from mealworm larval excrement. FRASS is rich in essential nutrients (ESN), including nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). In our study, we aim to explore the potential of FRASS as an environmentally innovative fertilizer for sugar beet production, given the increasing popularity of mealworm farming. In a field experiment, we compared the efficacy of pre-sowing fertilization on two sugar beet varieties using three different models of two fertilizer concentrations (N:P:K 80:60:40 & N:P:K 40:30:20 ): pure mealworm FRASS, a combination of FRASS and mineral fertilizer, and pure mineral fertilizer (NPK). Our goal was to maintain the same level of ESN between NPK fertilizers and FRASS

Termo-mehanička i senzorna svojstva pšeničnog i ražanog hleba pripremljenih sa različitim koncentracijama aditiva

The effects of different concentrations of complex additive containing emulsifiers, oxido-reductive substances and enzymes, on the rheological conditions of dough and sensory properties of three groups of bread were investigated. The dough obtained from mixed wheat and rye flours had the best initial quality and the lowest degree of protein network weakening. The best expected baking properties were shown by the white wheat flour due to the least damage of its starch. The use of the additive had an effect on the absorption of water and on the majority of S-values of all sorts of flour. The amount of additive had a significant effect on the sensory properties of wheat bread crumb texture. Also, storage duration significantly affected (p lt 0.01) the sensory properties of integral wheat bread aroma-taste and the weighted mean score. The interaction of these two factors had no significant effect on any of sensory properties of the investigated groups of bread.Primenom klasičnih reoloških metoda moguće je ispitati kvalitet brašna i njegovu pogodnost za specifične namene, uglavnom na bazi osobina proteina i skorba. Upotrebom savremenih uređaja simuliraju se procesi koji se odvijaju tokom proizvodnje hleba i dobija se niz informacija o fizičkim parametrima testa (apsorpcija vode, razvoj i stabilnost testa, mehanička i termička razgradnja proteinske mreže), stanju skroba u testu (nivo želatinizacije, amilolitička aktivnost, stabilnost pri kuvanju) uz značajno skraćen postupka ispitivanja. U ovom radu, ispitivani su efekti različitih koncentracija kombinovanog aditiva na reološka svojstva testa i senzorne osobine tri grupe hleba. Najbolji početni kvalitet i najniži stepen slabljenja proteinske mreže je uočen kod testa dobijenog iz mešavine pšeničnog i ražanog brašna. Najbolja očekivana pecivna svojstva imalo je belo pšenično brašno, zbog najmanjeg oštećenja skroba. Upotreba aditiva uticala je na apsorpciju vode i na većinu C-vrednosti svih vrsta brašna. Koncentracija aditiva imala je značajan uticaj na senzorno svojstvo teksture, tj, mrvljivost pšeničnog hleba. Vreme skladištenja je veoma značajno (p lt 0,01) uticalo na senzorna svojstava arome tj. ukusa integralnog pšeničnog hleba i statistički značajno na ponderisanu srednju vrednost ocene ovog hleba. Interakcija ova dva faktora nema statistički značajan uticaj na bilo koje od senzornih svojstava ispitivanih grupa hleba

Modelling the effects of transglutaminase and l-ascorbic acid on substandard quality wheat flour by response surface methodology

Over the past decade, extreme variations in climatic conditions have been observed, which in combination with inadequate agro techniques lead to decreased quality of mercantile wheat, i.e. flour. The application of improvers can optimise the quality of substandard wheat flour. This paper focuses on systematic analysis of individual and interaction effects of ascorbic acid and trans-glutaminase as dough strengthening improvers. The effects were investigated using response surface methodology. Transglutaminase had much higher linear effect on the rheological and fermentative properties of dough from sub-standard flour than L-ascorbic acid. Both transglutaminase and L-ascorbic acid additions had a significant linear effect on the increase of bread specific volume. Effects of transglutaminase and ascorbic acid are dependent on the applied concentrations and it is necessary to determine the optimal concentration in order to achieve the maximum quality of the dough and bread. Optimal levels of tested improvers were determined using appropriate statistical techniques, which applied the desirability function. It was found that the combination of 30 mg/kg of transglutaminase and 75.8 mg/kg of L-ascorbic acid achieved positive synergistic effects on rheological and fermentative wheat dough properties, as well on textural properties and specific volume of bread made from substandard quality flour

Antifungal activity of surfactant ionic liquids on mycotoxigenic molds

Traditionally, mold control usually involves usage of highly toxic compounds, and this practice must be replaced with more environmentally friendly solutions (green chemistry). In this paper, antifungal activity of five newly synthesized ionic liquids (IL) was tested, in vitro. All ionic liquids are based on N-decyl- N, N, N-trimethylammonium chloride which differs only by a single substituent on a quaternary N- atom. The antifungal activity of IL was tested on Fusarium, Aspergillus, Alternaria, Trichoderma and Penicillium strains using the microdilution method by determining the minimal inhibitory and minimal fungicidal concentrations. Selected genera are major problem in food industry since they are the primary pathogens of agronomically important plants, as well as mycotoxin producers. All five IL used in this study showed antifungal effect in the range of 0.002 mol/dm3 to 0.036 mol/dm3. The greatest antifungal activity was observed when strains were treated with (C2OH)C10DMACI and (C2OOEt)C10DMACI IL. Results obtained in this study showed that all examined ILs have the potential to be used as effective antifungal agents

Field trial evaluation to RTD susceptibility/tolerance to RTD in Serbia: Is there a tolerance to RTD in current varieties?

Sugar beet is the second most important source for the sugar industry, particularly important in temperate climate zones of Central, West, and East Europe. However, its production has declined recently due to various factors of which the most important are subsidy cuts and the spread of various plant diseases. In the Pannonian Plain (Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Serbia), a disease called rubbery taproot disease (RTD) has been observed for along time. The variability in RTD symptoms and the extent of damage it causes have made its detection quite challenging, often leading to misdiagnoses as other diseases. However, the identification of Candidatus Phytoplasma solani as the cause of RTD has resolved the issue of its diagnosis. The latest outbreak in Serbia has had a significant economic impact on sugar beet production, prompting an urgent response to aid the industry and growers. In our study, conducted during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, we assessed the susceptibility/tolerance of thirty registered sugar beet hybrids in Serbia, evaluating their impact on root yield and quality in naturally infected experimental fields

Multiple novel prostate cancer susceptibility signals identified by fine-mapping of known risk loci among Europeans

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified numerous common prostate cancer (PrCa) susceptibility loci. We have fine-mapped 64 GWAS regions known at the conclusion of the iCOGS study using large-scale genotyping and imputation in 25 723 PrCa cases and 26 274 controls of European ancestry. We detected evidence for multiple independent signals at 16 regions, 12 of which contained additional newly identified significant associations. A single signal comprising a spectrum of correlated variation was observed at 39 regions; 35 of which are now described by a novel more significantly associated lead SNP, while the originally reported variant remained as the lead SNP only in 4 regions. We also confirmed two association signals in Europeans that had been previously reported only in East-Asian GWAS. Based on statistical evidence and linkage disequilibrium (LD) structure, we have curated and narrowed down the list of the most likely candidate causal variants for each region. Functional annotation using data from ENCODE filtered for PrCa cell lines and eQTL analysis demonstrated significant enrichment for overlap with bio-features within this set. By incorporating the novel risk variants identified here alongside the refined data for existing association signals, we estimate that these loci now explain ∼38.9% of the familial relative risk of PrCa, an 8.9% improvement over the previously reported GWAS tag SNPs. This suggests that a significant fraction of the heritability of PrCa may have been hidden during the discovery phase of GWAS, in particular due to the presence of multiple independent signals within the same regio