The miniJPAS survey : The role of group environment in quenching star formation

Peer reviewe

Costs and benefits of automation for astronomical facilities

The Observatorio Astrof\'isico de Javalambre (OAJ{\dag}1) in Spain is a young astronomical facility, conceived and developed from the beginning as a fully automated observatory with the main goal of optimizing the processes in the scientific and general operation of the Observatory. The OAJ has been particularly conceived for carrying out large sky surveys with two unprecedented telescopes of unusually large fields of view (FoV): the JST/T250, a 2.55m telescope of 3deg field of view, and the JAST/T80, an 83cm telescope of 2deg field of view. The most immediate objective of the two telescopes for the next years is carrying out two unique photometric surveys of several thousands square degrees, J-PAS{\dag}2 and J-PLUS{\dag}3, each of them with a wide range of scientific applications, like e.g. large structure cosmology and Dark Energy, galaxy evolution, supernovae, Milky Way structure, exoplanets, among many others. To do that, JST and JAST are equipped with panoramic cameras under development within the J-PAS collaboration, JPCam and T80Cam respectively, which make use of large format (~ 10k x 10k) CCDs covering the entire focal plane. This paper describes in detail, from operations point of view, a comparison between the detailed cost of the global automation of the Observatory and the standard automation cost for astronomical facilities, in reference to the total investment and highlighting all benefits obtained from this approach and difficulties encountered. The paper also describes the engineering development of the overall facilities and infrastructures for the fully automated observatory and a global overview of current status, pinpointing lessons learned in order to boost observatory operations performance, achieving scientific targets, maintaining quality requirements, but also minimizing operation cost and human resources.Comment: Global Observatory Control System GOC

Maize (Zea mays L.) genetics factors for preventing fumonisin contamination

Fusarium moniliforme and Fusarium proliferatum are the most frequently isolated fungi from maize (Zea mays L.) in Spain. Both Fusarium species produce toxins potentially dangerous for animals and humans, the fumonisins being the most significant of those toxins. White maize is preferred for human consumption, and extra care should be taken to avoid kernel mycotoxin contamination. The objectives of this study were to identify and quantify kernel infection by Fusarium spp. and contamination by fumonisin on white maize hybrids, to search for white maize sources of resistance to infection by Fusarium spp. and mycotoxin contamination, and to preliminarily study the genetics involved in such resistances. Ten F1 single crosses derived from a diallel mating design among five white maize inbreds were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications in 2002 at two locations. Fusarium verticilloides and F. proliferatum were detected on kernels of white maize hybrids cultivated in northwestern Spain. No differences in fungal infection were found among maize genotypes, but differences in fumonisin contamination were significant and could be related, in part, to differences in husk tightness. Among the genotypes studied, general combining ability (GCA) effects were the most important for resistance to fumonisin contamination. Inbreds EP10 and EC22 showed the most favorable GCA effects for husk tightness and fumonisin content, and the cross between them, EP10 × EC22, had the most favorable specific combining ability (SCA) effect for husk tightness. Inbreds EP10 and EC22 showed favorable GCA effects for fumonisin contamination and husk tightness, and the cross EP10 × EC22 was the only one with an average fumonisin level below 1 μg/g. Although this should be confirmed with more extensive studies, white maize inbreds developed from white maize landraces could be sources of resistance to fumonisin contamination.Peer reviewe

Occurrence of Fusarium species in maize kernels grown in northwestern Spain

Fusarium poses food and feed safety problems because most species produce mycotoxins. To understand the epidemiology of the Fusarium disease, efforts must focus more precisely on how environmental variables affect disease presence. The objectives of the present study were to monitor the occurrence of Fusarium species in maize kernels in northwestern Spain to determine the risk of mycotoxin contamination and to identify environmental traits affecting the composition of the Fusarium species identified. A combination of 24 environments was evaluated. The percentage of kernels infected by F. verticillioides ranged from 33 to 99%, supporting the idea that fumonisin contamination is the main maize-based feed and food safety concern in this area. In this region, temperature and humidity primarily affected Fusarium spp. occurrence. Warmer temperatures during the later stages of kernel development and during kernel drying increased the frequency of F. verticillioides in maize kernels, while the presence of F. subglutinans was increased by higher relative humidity during the silking stage and cooler temperatures during kernel drying.This research was supported by the National Plan for Research and Development of Spain (AGL2009-12770), the Autonomous Government of Galicia (PGIDIT06TAL40301PR) and the Deputación de Pontevedra. A. C. acknowledges funding from the JAE Program of the Spanish Council of Research. R. S. acknowledges postdoctoral contract ‘Isidro Parga Pondal’ supported by the Autonomous Government of Galicia and the European Social Fund.Peer reviewe

First Report of Fusarium temperatum

In Europe, several diseases of maize (Zea mays L.) including seedling blight and stalk rot are caused by different Fusarium species, mainly Fusarium graminearum, F. verticillioides, F. subglutinans, and F. proliferatum (3). In recent years, these Fusarium spp. have received significant attention not only because of their impact on yield and grain quality, but also for their association with mycotoxin contamination of maize kernels (1,4). From October 2011 to October 2012, surveys were conducted in a maize plantation located in Galicia (northwest Spain). In each sampling, 100 kernels and 10 maize stalks were collected from plants exhibiting symptoms of ear and stalk rot. Dried kernels and small stalk pieces (1 to 2 cm near the nodes) were placed onto potato dextrose agar medium and incubated in the dark for 7 days. Fungal colonies displaying morphological characteristics of Fusarium spp. (2) were subcultured as single conidia onto SNA (Spezieller Nahrstoffarmer agar) (2) and identified by morphological characteristics, as well as by DNA sequence analysis. A large number of Fusarium species (F. verticillioides, F. subglutinans, F. graminearum, and F. avenaceum) (1,2) were identified. These Fusarium species often cause ear and stalk rot on maize. In addition, a new species, F. temperatum, recently described in Belgium (3), was also identified. F. temperatum is within the Gibberella fujikuroi species complex and is morphologically and phylogenetically closely related to F. subglutinans (2,3). Similar to previous studies (3), our isolates were characterized based on the presence of white cottony mycelium, becoming pinkish white. Conidiophores were erect, branched, and terminating in 1 to 3 phialides. Microconidia were abundant, hyaline, 0 to 2 septa; ellipsoidal to oval, produced singly or in false heads, and on monophialides, intercalary phialides, and polyphialides. Microconidia were not produced in chains. No chlamydospores were observed (3). Macroconidia in carnation leaf agar medium (2) were hyaline, 3 to 6 septate, mostly 4, falcate, with a distinct foot-like basal cell (2,3). DNA was amplified with primers ITS1/ITS4 and EF1/EF2 (3). Partial sequences of gene EF-1α showed 100% homology with F. temperatum (3) (GenBank Accession Nos. HM067687 and HM067688). DNA sequences of EF-1α gene and ITS region obtained were deposited in GenBank (KC179824, KC179825, KC179826, and KC179827). Pathogenicity of one representative isolate was confirmed using a soil inoculation method adapted from Scauflaire et al., 2012 (4). F. temperatum isolate was cultured on sterile wheat grains. Colonized wheat grains (10 g) were mixed with sterilized sand in 10 cm diameter pots. Ten kernels per pot were surface disinfected in 2% sodium hypochlorite for 10 min, rinsed with sterilized water, drained (4), placed on the soil surface, and covered with a 2 cm layer of sterilized sand. Five pots were inoculated and five uninoculated controls were included. Pots were maintained at 22 to 24°C and 80% humidity for 30 days. Seedling malformations, chlorosis, shoot reduction, and stalk rot were observed on maize growing in inoculated soil and not from controls. F. temperatum was reisolated from the inoculated seedlings but not from the controls

First Report of Fusarium temperatum Causing Seedling Blight and Stalk Rot on Maize in Spain

In Europe, several diseases of maize (Zea mays L.) including seedling blight and stalk rot are caused by different Fusarium species, mainly Fusarium graminearum, F. verticillioides, F. subglutinans, and F. proliferatum (3). In recent years, these Fusarium spp. have received significant attention not only because of their impact on yield and grain quality, but also for their association with mycotoxin contamination of maize kernels (1,4). From October 2011 to October 2012, surveys were conducted in a maize plantation located in Galicia (northwest Spain). In each sampling, 100 kernels and 10 maize stalks were collected from plants exhibiting symptoms of ear and stalk rot. Dried kernels and small stalk pieces (1 to 2 cm near the nodes) were placed onto potato dextrose agar medium and incubated in the dark for 7 days. Fungal colonies displaying morphological characteristics of Fusarium spp. (2) were subcultured as single conidia onto SNA (Spezieller Nahrstoffarmer agar) (2) and identified by morphological characteristics, as well as by DNA sequence analysis. A large number of Fusarium species (F. verticillioides, F. subglutinans, F. graminearum, and F. avenaceum) (1,2) were identified. These Fusarium species often cause ear and stalk rot on maize. In addition, a new species, F. temperatum, recently described in Belgium (3), was also identified. F. temperatum is within the Gibberella fujikuroi species complex and is morphologically and phylogenetically closely related to F. subglutinans (2,3). Similar to previous studies (3), our isolates were characterized based on the presence of white cottony mycelium, becoming pinkish white. Conidiophores were erect, branched, and terminating in 1 to 3 phialides. Microconidia were abundant, hyaline, 0 to 2 septa; ellipsoidal to oval, produced singly or in false heads, and on monophialides, intercalary phialides, and polyphialides. Microconidia were not produced in chains. No chlamydospores were observed (3). Macroconidia in carnation leaf agar medium (2) were hyaline, 3 to 6 septate, mostly 4, falcate, with a distinct foot-like basal cell (2,3). DNA was amplified with primers ITS1/ITS4 and EF1/EF2 (3). Partial sequences of gene EF-1α showed 100% homology with F. temperatum (3) (GenBank Accession Nos. HM067687 and HM067688). DNA sequences of EF-1α gene and ITS region obtained were deposited in GenBank (KC179824, KC179825, KC179826, and KC179827). Pathogenicity of one representative isolate was confirmed using a soil inoculation method adapted from Scauflaire et al., 2012 (4). F. temperatum isolate was cultured on sterile wheat grains. Colonized wheat grains (10 g) were mixed with sterilized sand in 10 cm diameter pots. Ten kernels per pot were surface disinfected in 2% sodium hypochlorite for 10 min, rinsed with sterilized water, drained (4), placed on the soil surface, and covered with a 2 cm layer of sterilized sand. Five pots were inoculated and five uninoculated controls were included. Pots were maintained at 22 to 24°C and 80% humidity for 30 days. Seedling malformations, chlorosis, shoot reduction, and stalk rot were observed on maize growing in inoculated soil and not from controls. F. temperatum was reisolated from the inoculated seedlings but not from the controls