Hot Water Dipping in Northern Germany- on farm results after four years of scientific work

In general, organic grown apples (Malus x domestica Borkh.) are not treated with chemical fungicides to pre-vent storage decay and these fruits may suffer up to 30% decay during storage. Preliminary experiments had shown that hot water dipping of apples may be an alternative. To inhibit Gloeosporium rot (Pezicula alba, P. malicortis) water temperature may be of about 50°C and dipping time from 60 sec up to 240 sec. The objec-tive was to determinate the suitable hot water treatment that prevent decay incidence and maintain fruit qual-ity (firmness, scale symptoms). In between the years 2002 and 2005 the test were repeated and a recom-mendation for the apple varieties in the area Northern Germany was elaborated

Control of venturia inaequalis: substitutes for and reduced use of copper

In 2001 eleven different apple scab control strategies with reduced copper use and copper substitutes were tested on an organic apple orchard near Hamburg, Germany. The strategies were tested on a six year old "Elstar" plantation. Among the different fungicides were copper sulphate, copper hydroxide, lime sulphur, sulphur, bacillus subtilis and "Biofa-Algenextrakt". The results show that fruit scab as well as leave scab can be fairly well controlled by a lime sulphur strategy and the copper hydroxid strategies. Bad results were produced with the different copper sulphate strategies and bacillus subtilis, insufficient results with the sulphur strategies

Netzschwefel als Multitalent zur Behandlung von Krankheiten und Schaderregern im ökologischen Kernobstanbau

In the last eight years research work has been done at the Fruit Research and Extension Centre Jork (OVB Jork) on strategies to control apple scab (Venturia inaequalis), powdery mildew of apple (Podosphaera leucotricha), sooty blotch(several fungis) and apple rust mite (Aculus schlechtendali) on organic grown pome fruit. Since 1997 different control strategies with reduced copper use and copper substitutes and sulphur with different application rates were tested in several trials on trees in organic apple orchards near Hamburg, Germany. The strategies were tested on the cultivar `Elstar´. The results show that sulphur has significant effects to control fruit scab, leave scab, powdery mildew, sooty blotch and rust mite

Results in research on lime sulphur and other products to control apple scab under northern German climate conditions

In 2003 six apple scab control strategies were tested, three with only lime sulphur in different application strategies, another three strategies with different amounts of copper. The strategies were tested in an organic apple orchard near Hamburg, Germany, on a 15 year old `Elstar´ plantation. Due to the recorded infection periods and the infection load the different strategies were tested. The results show that a proper lime sulphur strategy is quite successful to fight apple scab (< 4% infected fruit), has good side effects on apple mildew (< 2%) and only little russetting (< 5%) compared to strategies with copper fungicides. ablto fight fruit scab as well as leave scab. A proper strategy means no application later than 15 hours after infection, enough spraying water (drip off), usage of a 1,5-2% lime sulphur-solution and only very little direct sunlight

Erste Versuchsergebnisse mit Backpulver gegen Apfelschorf

Five different strategies to control apple scab have been tested during the summer season in 2005. Four of the strategies are based on sulphur, one is based on Bicarbonate. The test took place in an apple orchard, which was slightly infected by apple scab. Bicarbonate was able to control scab on the fruits in the orchard even as during storage at 84% (Abbott). The best sulphur variant could control apple scab in storage up to 95% (Abbott)

First experiences with bicarbonate against scab in Hamburg

Five different strategies to control apple scab have been tested during the summer season in 2005. Four of the strategies are based on sulphur, one is based on Bicarbonate. The test took place in an apple orchard, which was slightly infected by apple scab. Bicarbonate was able to control scab on the fruits in the orchard even as during storage at 84% (Abbott). The best sulphur variant could control apple scab in storage up to 95% (Abbott)

Nonlinear Stochastic Evolution Equations: Analysis and Numerics

This is the complete collection of all abstracts for the talks presented during the workshop on "Nonlinear Stochastic Evolution Equations: Analysis and Numerics", which took place on November 3 - 5, 2016 at TU Berlin

Serum neurofilament light chains in progressive multiple sclerosis patients treated with repeated cycles of high-dose intravenous steroids

Background and objectives: In progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, CNS inflammation trapped behind a closed blood brain barrier drives continuous neuroaxonal degeneration, thus leading to deterioration of neurological function. Therapeutics in progressive MS are limited. High-dose intravenous glucocorticosteroids (HDCS) can cross the blood-brain barrier and may reduce inflammation within the CNS. However, the treatment efficacy of HDCS in progressive MS remains controversial. Serum neurofilament light chains (sNfL) are an established biomarker of neuroaxonal degeneration and are used to monitor treatment responses. We aimed to investigate whether repeated cycles of intravenous HDCS reduce the level of sNfL in progressive MS patients. Methods: We performed a monocentric observational study of 25 patients recruited during ongoing clinical routine care who were treated with repeated cycles of intravenous HDCS as long-term therapy for their progressive MS. sNfL were measured in 103 repeated blood samples (median time interval from baseline 28 weeks, range 2-55 weeks) with the Single Molecular Array (SiMoA) technology. The Expanded Disability Status Score (EDSS) was documented at baseline and follow-up. Results: The median age of patients was 55 years (range 46-77 years) with a median disease duration of 26 years (range 11-42 years). sNfL baseline levels at study inclusion were significantly higher in progressive MS patients compared to age-matched healthy controls (median 16.7 pg/ml vs 11.5 pg/ml, p=0.002). sNfL levels showed a positive correlation with patient age (r=0.2, p=0.003). The majority of patients (72%, 16/23) showed reduced sNfL levels ≥20 weeks after HDCS compared to baseline (median 13.3 pg/ml, p=0.03). sNfL levels correlated negatively with the time interval from baseline HDCS therapy (r=-0.2, p=0.03). This association was also evident after correction for treatment with disease-modifying drugs (adjusted R2=0.10, p=0.001). The EDSS remained stable (median 6.5) within a median treatment duration of 26 weeks (range 13-51 weeks). Conclusion: Although larger studies are needed to confirm our findings, we were able to demonstrate that HDCS treatment reduces sNfL levels and therefore may slow down neuroaxonal damage in a subgroup of patients with progressive MS. Moreover, a stable EDSS was observed during therapy. Findings suggest that HDCS may be beneficial for the treatment of progressive MS