Agricultural Experiment Station Research Articles

First Report of Neopestalotiopsis spp. Causing Leaf Spot and Petiole Blight on Strawberry in New England.

In October 2023, a Connecticut grower contacted The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station about a field of strawberry plants (Fragaria × ananassa) (cv. Ruby June) showing symptoms of severe leaf spotting and visual wilting. Upon visiting the field, leaves had lesions with a diffuse black halo and a light brown center and wilting symptoms, which appeared driven by petiole lesions and presented as dark brown stripes with a reddish-purple halo. Symptoms were observed on 80 to 90% of plants within the block, nearly all of which (>90%) presented with both leaf spots and severe wilting. Diseased tissue was collected from 20 leaves and 25 petioles, sterilized in 0.6% NaOCL, and plated on potato dextrose agar. After hyphal tipping a morphologically identical fungus was isolated from 70% of leaves and 88% of petioles, which formed a dense white mycelial mat with moderate aerial mycelium and conidiomata that exuded dark brown conidial masses. The underside of the mycelial mat was yellowish. Conidia were fusoid, ellipsoid, straight to slightly curved, 4-septate with a single basal appendage and 2-5 apical, matching the description of species within the genus Neopestalotiopsis (Maharachchikumbura et al. 2014). The average conidia (n=74) length, not including appendages, was 29.9 ± 2.1 µm and the average width, at the widest point, was 7.5 ± 0.7 µm. Aerial hyphae were collected from two isolates, CT58-1 and CT62-2, and DNA was extracted for further molecular characterization. PCR was performed with primers targeting actin (ACT), β-tubulin (TUB2), and ITS prior to amplicon sequencing (Carbone and Kohn 1999; Hassan et al. 2018). Sequences were queried against the NCBI whole genome shotgun database, and aligned sequences from 13 species (including Neopestalotiopsis, Pestalotiopsis, and Pseudopestalotiopsis) were collected for each locus. Sequences were aligned, trimmed, and concatenated using Mega11, and IQ-TREE was employed for model selection (Nguyen et al. 2015; Tamura et al. 2021). A maximum-likelihood tree placed the isolates in a high-confidence cluster with Neopestalotiopsis rosae, confirming this placement of these isolates within the genus (CT58-1 Accession #: PP715979-89; PP707735). To confirm pathogenicity, CT58-1 was grown on autoclaved strawberry leaves to induce sporulation, and a suspension of 105 spores/ml was made. Five milliliters of this spore suspension was sprayed on six 6-week-old strawberries (cv. Jewel), and water was sprayed on the same number of control plants. Plants were at 100% humidity for two days and then kept in the greenhouse for 3 weeks to observe symptoms. Inoculated plants presented with identical leaf spot and petiole lesions to field samples and no visual symptoms were observed on control plants. New isolations were made from infected petioles, which produced morphologically identical spores to those described above, and ITS/ACT loci sequencing yielded sequences identical to those of CT58-1. Spore production and plant inoculations were repeated with this new isolate, and identical symptoms were observed. This is the first report of Neopestalotiopsis infecting strawberries in New England and given the high disease incidence in the initial infected field and relative lack of disease in a neighboring field, it is likely that this pathogen was introduced on bare root plants. As the plants were sourced from a nursery in Ontario, Canada, it is likely that the pathogen is capable of overwintering in the Northeastern United States.

Jerusalem Artichoke: Energy Balance in Annual and Perennial Cropping Systems—A Case Study in North-Eastern Poland

This article presents the results of a three-year experiment (2018–2020) conducted at the Agricultural Experiment Station in Bałcyny (north-eastern Poland) with the aim of determining Jerusalem artichoke (JA) yields and the energy balance of biomass production in (i) a perennial cropping system (only aerial biomass was harvested each year) and (ii) an annual cropping system (both aerial biomass and tubers were harvested each year). When JA was grown as a perennial crop, the demand for energy reached 25.2 GJ ha−1 in the year of plantation establishment and 12.3–13.4 GJ ha−1 in the second and third year of production. The energy inputs associated with the annual cropping system were determined in the range of 31.4–37.1 GJ ha−1. Biomass yields were twice as high in the annual than in the perennial cropping system (20.98 vs. 10.30 Mg DM ha−1). Tuber yield accounted for 46% of the total yield. The energy output of JA biomass was 1.8 times higher in the annual than in the perennial cropping system (275.4 vs. 157.3 GJ ha−1). The average energy gain in JA cultivation ranged from 140 (perennial crop) to 241 GJ ha−1 (annual crop). The energy efficiency ratio of JA biomass production reached 7.7–13.3 in the perennial cropping system, and it was 20% lower in the annual cropping system. These results imply that when JA was grown as an annual crop, an increase in energy inputs associated with plantation establishment (tillage and planting) and the harvest and transport of tubers was not fully compensated by the energy output of tubers.

The study of potato hybrids in the Kola North

The article presents data on the study of potato varieties (2020–2022) in the Murmansk region on the basis of an integrated scientific research institution Murmansk State Agricultural Experimental Station – a branch of the VIR. In the trial dig, the hybrid 211/1 was isolated, which exceeded in all main indicators (yield, marketability, mass of tubers from one bush, mass of one tuber) the standard sample – the most adapted to the conditions of the Kola North (variety Elizabeth). There were good results in the main cleaning in terms of marketability: in 2020: hybrid 211/1 – 98.9%, hybrid 114/11 – 98.6, hybrid 2103/7 – 99.4, hybrid 211/9 – 99.4%; in 2021. – 211/1 – 98,1, 114/11 – 96,3, 2103/7 – 98,4, 211/9 – 99,1%; in 2022. -211/1 – 99,5, 114/11 – 99,8, 2103/7 – 99,2, 211/9 – 99%. In 2020 and 2021, the hybrid 211/1 stood out among the other four in terms of yield, marketability, weight of tubers from one bush, weight of one tuber. In 2022, hybrids 114/11 and 211/9 had the best yields. The mass of one tuber in the main harvest in 2022 for the hybrid 114/11 is 126.3 g (more than the standard). According to the maturation time, all samples are close to the standard. According to the research results, the most adapted hybrid 114/11 can be recommended to the population of the northern region.

Registration of ‘UC‐Alameda’, a California adapted, non‐glycosidic nitrile‐producer, two‐row spring malting barley

AbstractThe emerging malting industry in California needs adapted cultivars for a sustainable local barley production. ‘UC‐Alameda’ (Reg. no. CV‐381, PVP 202300263, PI 701932) is a two‐row, spring malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) released by the University of California, Davis, Agricultural Experiment Station, in 2022. UC‐Alameda is a highly productive cultivar with satisfactory malting quality for local craft maltsters. UC‐Alameda is adapted to the California Central Valley (Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys) and is resistant to the most common diseases present in this region (e.g., Barley yellow dwarf virus, Cereal yellow dwarf virus, stripe rust, and powdery mildew) and moderately resistant to scald and net blotch. It was evaluated in preliminary trials, as B9K62, from 2017 to 2023 at Davis, CA, and by the University of California Regional Small Grains Testing program, as UC1911, from 2018 to 2023 for late fall planting in the Central Valley. UC‐Alameda is a non‐glycosidic nitrile producer, which is an important trait for craft‐maltsters and distillers. UC‐Alameda satisfies the quality criteria of the local craft malting and brewing industry interested in sourcing locally grown malting barley.

Registration of FloRun ‘T61’ peanut

AbstractFloRun ‘T61’ (Reg. no. CV‐159, PI 700039) is a high‐oleic, runner market‐type peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. subsp. hypogaea var. hypogaea) cultivar developed by the University of Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, North Florida Research and Education Center, near Marianna, FL. It resulted from a cross between ‘Georiga‐06G’ and a University of Florida Agricultural Experiment Station experimental line ‘UF12302’ and was tested under the experimental designation UF11 × 41‐HO1‐4‐1‐1 and was approved for release in 2021. FloRun ‘T61’ has a semi‐prostrate growth habit, with moderate vine size and a prominent center stem. The seed is smaller than seed of Georgia‐06G but larger than FloRun ‘331’ (67.3 g vs. 64.6 g; P < 0.0001). It yielded similarly to FloRun ‘331’ over the 4‐year period of 2017–2020 in three Florida locations (7862 kg ha−1 vs. 8068 kg ha−1), and its pod yield was slightly greater than Georgia‐06G during the 5‐year period of 2016–2020 (7680 kg ha−1 vs. 7273 kg ha−1; P = 0.0137). The total sound mature kernel grade of FloRun ‘T61’ was slightly greater than that of FloRun ‘331’ (78.6% vs. 77.7%, P < 0.025) but was similar to the total sound mature kernel grade of Georgia‐06G. FloRun ‘T61’ has high oleic oil chemistry composed of 77.1% oleic fatty acid versus 58.7% for Georgia‐06G in 2020 (P < 0.001) and 79.2% in 2021 compared with 65.7% for Georgia‐06G (P < 0.001). Over 5 years, the spotted wilt ratings of FloRun ‘T61’ (2.5) were less than for FloRun ‘331’ (4.8; P < 0.01). In summary, FloRun ‘T61’ combines excellent yield, grade, disease, and oil chemistry traits and should be beneficial to farmers and manufacturers of peanut foods.

Registration of the “Woodies” multi–rust‐resistant barley germplasm

AbstractSelection for resistance to plant diseases is a continuous effort on the part of plant breeders. Sources of genetic resistance are often limited, despite considerable discovery efforts. Stem rust and stripe rust are two diseases of particular importance in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) production. The present work aims to develop and deploy genotypes with resistance to these diseases that can be used in future breeding efforts. The Woodies, Woody‐1 (DH160733; Reg. no. GP‐218, PI 704479) and Woody‐2 (DH160754; Reg. no. GP‐219, PI 704480), are two doubled‐haploid genotypes produced via F1 anther culture named in honor of the late Lynn “Woody” Gallagher. These two‐row spring habit barley germplasm accessions were released by the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station in 2023. These genotypes have demonstrated resistance to both stem and stripe rust at the seedling and adult plant stage in trials conducted between 2018 and 2023. The genetic basis of this resistance appears to be a novel quantitative trait locus conferring resistance to both diseases on chromosome 5H that is different from the known rpg4/Rpg5 complex for stem rust resistance found on the same chromosome. Seed can be requested from the Oregon State University Barley Breeding Program or from the NLGRP Germplasm repository.

Establishment of Anoxia/cytokine-induced Injury and Regeneration in Colonoids

Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) play key roles in nutrient absorption and fluid secretion, providing a barrier to protect cells. IECs, derived from intestinal stem cells (ISCs), are crucial in maintaining intestinal homeostasis and regeneration, which is crucial in gastrointestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). To study epithelial injury/regeneration, primary cultured colonoids were utilized as a model system to mimic injury. They retain the composition and differentiation of the tissue, making it a suitable model for studying homeostasis and regeneration of ISCs in vitro. Anoxia and proinflammatory cytokines frequently coexist and exacerbate one another during intestinal injury. However, anoxic conditions have been mainly ignored in previous research. Thus, we developed a regeneration model using cytokines/anoxia injury to better recapitulate intestinal inflammation. Colonoids were treated with cytokines TNF-α and IFN-γ (5 ng/μL) in anoxic conditions for 24 hours to provoke an injury. After 24 hours of injury, the colonoids were exposed to normal oxygen and media conditions for regeneration. Regeneration was observed for 24, 48, and 72 hours and documented using photomicrographs. Morphological analysis detailed that injury was most severe 24 hours post-injury with the combined induction of cytokines and anoxia resulting in decreased colonoid area and number of buds compared to control groups. RT-PCR analysis detailed mRNA expression of stem cell markers ( Lgr5, Bmi1, and Hopx), Wnt ( Axin2, Myc2, and Ascl2), and YAP target genes ( Sca1 and Ctgf) were increased at peak injury and returned to pre-injury levels at 72 hours of recovery. Regeneration of the colonoids is consistent with in vivo observations, thus confirming the validity of the model. This versatile model can be used to study responses to injury and regeneration of intestinal epithelium and the function of ISCs with applications in intestinal disease therapeutics. University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station Undergraduate Research Grant Grant #4307572 from the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

IMPACT OF SOIL STERILIZATION FROM DIFFERENT LOCATIONS, WHEAT SEEDS CLEANING AND THEIR INTERACTIONS ON WEED CONTROL, AND YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS

IMPACT OF SOIL STERILIZATION FROM DIFFERENT LOCATIONS, WHEAT SEEDS CLEANING AND THEIR INTERACTIONS ON WEED CONTROL, AND YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS

Integration effects of soil amendments and cover crops on dryland no‐till corn

AbstractA field study was carried out at the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station near Pontotoc to evaluate the synergistic impacts of broiler litter (BL) and inorganic fertilizer nitrogen (N) with flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum and lignite in the presence of winter cover crops (WCCs) on dryland no‐till corn (Zea mays L.) in Falkner silt loam soil. The experimental design was a split‐plot randomized complete block design with three replications. The main plots were WCC and winter fallow (WF), and the subplots were fertilization treatments. Fertilization treatments included BL, inorganic fertilizer N, FGD gypsum and lignite with BL, FGD gypsum and lignite with inorganic fertilizer N, and an unfertilized control. BL, FGD gypsum, and lignite were applied at the rates of 13.4, 3.4, and 3.4 Mg ha−1, respectively. Inorganic fertilizer N was applied to corn at 168 kg N ha−1. BL increased soil carbon (C), soil infiltration, and resulted in higher corn grain yield compared to both inorganic fertilizer N and unfertilized control in 2020 and 2022. Averaged across fertilization treatments, WCC improved soil moisture, soil C, and soil infiltration by 16%, 19%, and 25% at the 0‐ to 15‐cm depth, respectively, and increased corn grain yield by 25% as compared to WF in 2022. Cover crops boosted corn grain yield during drier years. The combination of FGD gypsum and lignite with BL increased corn grain yield by 15% in 2020 and 13% in 2022 compared to BL alone. This approach can be considered to promote the sustainability of agroecosystems.

Registration of ‘Georgia‐23RKN’ peanut

Registration of ‘Georgia‐23RKN’ peanut

Registration of ‘Top Shelf’ barley: The first glycosidic nitrile‐null, winter malting cultivar to be released in North America

Abstract‘Top Shelf’ (Reg. no. CV‐380, PI 704478), experimental designation DH162310, is a two‐row winter barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) released by Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station in 2023. It is a malting cultivar that is known to be a non‐producer of glycosidic nitrile (GN0). GN0 is the precursor to a regulated compound (ethyl carbamate) in distilled spirits and thus, the GN0 trait is becoming a requisite for malting cultivars geared toward distilling. While GN0 spring cultivars have been available for over 20 years, Top Shelf is the first winter GN0 cultivar to be released in North America, and only the second globally. In addition to its GN0 status it exceeds contemporary agronomic and malt quality expectations. Over 5 years of field trials in Oregon it performed equal to or better than the check entries. It shows high yields, plump grains, and test weights. It also has good resistance to scald (caused by Rhynchosporium commune) and preliminary data suggest resistance to barley stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis f. sp. hordei). Results were confirmed in field trials in southern Idaho, a major malting barley production region, and a target environment for this cultivar. Under standard malting protocols Top Shelf meets the guidelines for malt and all‐malt and/or grain distilling, and has high extract, enzymatic activity, and free amino nitrogen. When malted under optimized conditions, mimicking commercial distilling malt production, it produced even better results. As one of only a handful of GN0 cultivars available in the United States with potential for mainstream production, Top Shelf provides an important option for the distilling supply chain.

Study on the Effect of Trichoderma viride on Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganisms in Paddy Cultivation with the Combination of Chemical Fertilizer on soil Fertility Parameters

Trichoderma viride, biological control with Trichoderma viride is an eco-friendly and has potential approach for managing plant diseases. It also aids in phosphate solubilization. Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganisms are ubiquitous, whose number varies from soil to soil. The present work on, ‘Effect of Trichoderma viride on Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganism in Paddy cultivation” was conducted under lower gangetic alluvial region from 2016-2017(December to May) at Agricultural Experimental Station of Calcutta University, Baruipur, 24 Parganas (South), West Bengal. The Rice variety “Satabdi (IET-4786)” from the department of Genetics and Plant Breeding was sown and recommended fertilizer dose of 80:40:40 kg per hectare. The experiment was carried out with six treatments replicated four times. Out of the six treatments, T3 which received T.V and P.S showed highest Carbon, Phosphorus and Potassium content and T6 showed highest Nitrogen content in the soil

Seed yield improvements in slow‐darkening pinto bean: Registration of ‘ND Rodeo’

Abstract‘ND Rodeo’ (PVP no. 202300270; Reg. no. CV‐356, PI 703020) is a new slow‐darkening (SD) pinto bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivar developed by the Dry Edible Bean Breeding Program at North Dakota State University and released by the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station. Pinto bean is the largest market class grown in the United States, representing over 47% of the total US production for dry beans, and more than 70% is produced in North Dakota. SD pinto beans offer a good alternative to commercial cultivars of regular darkening (RD) pinto beans, which are typically subject to the risk of economic losses due to seed coat darkening. However, reaching seed yields comparable to RD pintos has been challenging. Between 2017 and 2022, ND Rodeo was tested across 25 environments in North Dakota, where seed yield was significantly higher than the SD pinto cultivars ‘ND Palomino’ and ‘Vibrant’ (18% and 22%, respectively), and comparable with RD pinto cultivars ‘La Paz’ and ‘Monterrey’. ND Rodeo is resistant to Bean common mosaic virus and has intermediate resistance to common bacterial blight, but similar to the commercial checks, it is susceptible to local races/strains of white mold, anthracnose, and rust pathogens. ND Rodeo has an average height of 56 cm which is significantly higher than the average of ND Palomino, Vibrant, and La Paz, and exhibits a desirable upright architecture to facilitate direct harvest. It has a 100‐seed weight of 36.2 g and matures in 102 days. Canning quality was rated as acceptable.

Improved disease tolerance, higher seed yield and shape in dark red kidney bean: Registration of ‘ND Redbarn’

Abstract‘ND Redbarn’ (PVP. no. 202300271; Reg. no. CV‐357, PI 703021) is a new dark red kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivar developed by the Dry Edible Bean Breeding Program at North Dakota State University and released in 2023 by the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station. Compared to other market classes, kidney beans usually command higher prices. However, kidney beans are less productive than other market classes. Minnesota is the largest dark red kidney bean producer in the United States, accounting for ∼90% of the total production in 2022. ND Redbarn was released based on its good adaptation to this region, higher seed yield, large seed size, and desirable seed shape characteristics. Between 2012 and 2021, ND Redbarn was tested across 16 environments in Minnesota, where seed yield was significantly higher than commercial checks ‘Montcalm’, ‘Red Hawk’, and ‘Talon’ (14%, 27%, and 9%, respectively) and comparable with ‘Dynasty’. ND Redbarn is resistant to Bean common mosaic virus and has intermediate resistance to common bacterial blight. ND Redbarn exhibits higher field tolerance to the root rot fungal complex infection compared to Montcalm, Red Hawk, and Talon, and is similar to Dynasty. ND Redbarn has shown higher levels of tolerance to white mold than Montcalm and Red Hawk. Under Minnesota environments, ND Redbarn shows an average plant height of 51 cm, has a 100‐seed weight of 50.4 g, and matures in approximately 99 days. The canning quality for Redbarn is within acceptable commercial ranges.

Registration of ‘TifJumbo’ peanut

Abstract‘TifJumbo’ (Reg. no. CV‐157, PI 701814) is a virginia‐type peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. subsp. hypogaea var. hypogaea) cultivar released by the USDA–ARS and the Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station in 2021. TifJumbo was developed at the University of Georgia Coastal Plain Experiment Station, Tifton, GA. Our research objective was to develop a high oleic acid, virginia market‐type cultivar that also has resistance to the peanut root‐knot nematode [Meloidogyne arenaria (Neal) Chitwood race 1] and resistance to spotted wilt caused by Tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (TSWV). Breeding populations were developed by hybridizing C1805‐2‐9‐16 × N08082olJCT. C1805‐2‐9‐16 is a breeding line selected from the cross of Tifguard × ‘Florida‐07’. N08082olJCT is a ‘Bailey’‐derived, high‐oleic breeding line. Marker assisted selection was used in the development of TifJumbo to select for nematode resistance and the high oleic to linoleic (O/L) characteristic. TifJumbo has a high level of resistance to both the peanut root‐knot nematode and TSWV and has a high O/L ratio. When tested in fields without nematode pressure, TifJumbo exhibited yields that were at least similar to other currently grown peanut cultivars. When tested in fields with nematode pressure, TifJumbo exhibited significantly higher yields in comparison to Bailey, a widely grown, nematode‐susceptible, virginia‐type cultivar. Grade variables for TifJumbo were similar to other common virginia‐type peanut cultivars. Seed size and size distribution were similar to other virginia‐type cultivars.

Enhancing Leaf Nutrient Levels in Polyembryonic Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Seedlings: The Impact of Saline Water Irrigation and 28-Homobrassinolide Spray

The leaf nutrients play a key role in the growth of a plant. Therefore, a study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of saline water and spray of 28-homobrassinolide on leaf nutrient status of polyembryonic mango (Mangifera indica L.) seedling during the years 2021-22 and 2022-23 at Agriculture Experimental Station, Navsari Agricultural University, Paria, (Gujarat). The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design with factorial concept comprising of four salinity levels [S1: Best available water (control), S2: 2 dS m-1, S3: 4 dS m-1, S4: 6 dS m-1] and three spray concentration of 28-homobrassinolide [H1: No spray, (control), H2 : 0.5 ppm and H3 : 1 ppm]. Saline water application and 28-homobrassinolide spray was started at 80 days after sowing up to 240 days. The treatment containing application of water having lowest salinity (best available water) resulted in significantly higher leaf nutrient contents except Na up to 9 months after sowing during both years and in pooled analysis. Application of saline water having EC 6 dS m-1 adversely affected the growth of polyembryonic mango seedlings, reduced nutrient contents after 6 months of sowing. After 6 month of sowing, highest nutrient contents except Na was noted in mango seedlings treated with spray of 1 ppm 28-homobrassinolide during both years and in pooled analysis. The interactions of salinity levels and 28-homobrassinolide spray significantly affect leaf nutrient content of mango seedlings. Leaf nutrient contents except Na up to 9 months after sowing during both the years and in pooled analysis were recorded in treatment combination of best available water along with 1 ppm spray of 28-homobrassinolide. Maximum content of Na was observed in plants irrigated with 6 dS m-1 salinity level without spray of 28-homobrassinolide. Hence, it can be concluded that polyembryonic mango seedlings can be grown with saline irrigation having salinity up to 4 dS m-1 along with 1 ppm 28-homobrassinolide spray for better growth, biomass, nutrient contents and higher survival up to 9 months after sowing.

77 years of uninterrupted agricultural research in Suceava

In 1946, by decision no. 1933 of the Ministry of Agriculture, the first agricultural research unit in the northern part of Moldova (the Suceava Experimental Agricultural Station, currently the Suceava Agricultural Research and Development Station) was established, as a necessity for the development of agriculture in Bucovina. After three years of operation in the submontane area from Ilisesti (19 km from Suceava), by decision no. 564249 of August 24 of the same ministry, the resort was transferred to Suceava. The area where the cantonment is located is individualized by specific pedoclimatic conditions, characterized by thermal restrictions, the non-uniformity of the hydrological regime — from insufficient to excessive — and by a great diversity of soil types, from soils with low fertility to those with good fertility. The consequence of this ecological diversity was, from the beginning, the need to diversify the concern related to research activity in response to solving the main problems of agriculture in the Suceava Plateau. If in the year of establishment (1946) the concerns were directed towards the cultivation of potatoes, meadows and fodder plants, over time it can be seen by following the evolution of concerns and the way of achieving the basic objectives of agricultural research, in Suceava, a continuous expansion of the problem areas addressed as well as the amplification of their complexity.

Northern hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata ssp. lithuanica): discovery and establishment outside the Connecticut River

AbstractHydrilla [Hydrilla verticillata (L. f.) Royle], an invasive aquatic weed, has had a rich introduction history into the United States, with multiple subspecies being introduced since the 1960s. The most recent occurred before 2016, when northern hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata ssp. lithuanica) was discovered in the Connecticut River. By 2021, following a 3-yr survey from Agawam, MA, to the Long Island Sound by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Office of Aquatic Invasive Species, H. verticillata ssp. lithuanica was found in more than 113 km of the river, occupying 344 ha. Since this survey, there has been concern that H. verticillata ssp. lithuanica would spread to nearby waterbodies and have a significant negative impact. Here, we report the first documented spread and establishment of H. verticillata ssp. lithuanica from the Connecticut River to five waterbodies in Connecticut and one in Massachusetts. Of the eight sites where H. verticillata observations were made, 75% (n = 6) were confirmed to be H. verticillata ssp. lithuanica and 25% (n = 2) to be Hydrilla verticillata ssp. peregrina (wandering hydrilla). Except for one site, all six locations infested with H. verticillata ssp. lithuanica provide watercraft access through public or private boat ramps. The authors also postulate on the mechanisms facilitating the spread and establishment of this subspecies.

Selection of Cotton Varieties in a Competitive Nursery in the South of Kazakhstan

The Turkestan region is a cotton-growing zone in the south of Kazakhstan, which is the northernmost cotton-growing zone in the world. 115-125 thousand hectares of medium-staple cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) are cultivated here annually, of which 80-85 thousand hectares are sown in the Maktaaral and Zhetysay districts. This region is highly susceptible to salinity, drought, invasion of dangerous pests (cotton budworm, beet borer, spider mites, aphids), and diseases (fusarium blight (wilt), gummosis). Considering the high salt content in the arable soil horizon, the aridity of the climate of the Turkestan region are the main limiting factor of the region, and selection and genetic methods is the most effective and economical way to reduce their negative impacts on cultivated vegetation, then research work on the study and creation of new resistant cotton varieties in these soil and climatic conditions are relevant. Considering all the above problems, scientists of the Agricultural Experimental Station of Cotton and Melon Growing LLP have set themselves the goal of creating heat- and drought-resistant, precocious cotton varieties with high productivity, resistance to salinization, diseases, pests, possessing high technological qualities as the yield and quality of fiber of types III-IV, based on previously obtained ones during hybridization of intraspecific and interspecific lines of families. For 30 years, scientist-breeders of Kazakhstan have created 13 varieties of medium-fiber cotton, of which 8 are approved for use in the Turkestan region in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The research method is based on hybridization, multiple selection, and testing of offspring by the half method, according to the full diallel scheme (first Griffing model for F1). The created seven varieties PA-3031, PA-3044, M-4005, M-4007, M-4011, Bereke-07, Myrzashol-80, and M-4017 are zoned for more than 92% of the acreage in cotton-growing farms in the south of Kazakhstan, for the variety M-5027, which is resistant to pests, the patent has been issued 2021 and in 2022 it is planned to enter it into the register of approved varieties.

Effect of Alternate Wetting and Drying on the Emission of Greenhouse Gases from Rice Fields on the Northern Coast of Peru

The cultivation of rice is one of the main sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions due to continuously flooded irrigation (CF), which demands large volumes of water. As an alternative solution, alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation has been developed as a water-saving strategy. This study was conducted at the Experimental Agricultural Station (EEA) in Vista, Florida, in the Lambayeque region located on the northern coast of Peru. Thus, it was analyzed the effect of AWD irrigation at different depths (5, 10, and less than 20 cm below the surface) compared to CF control on methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions and rice grain yield. AWD treatments reduced CH4 emissions by 84% to 99% but increased N2O emissions by 66% to 273%. In terms of Global Warming Potential (GWP), the AWD10 treatment demonstrated a 77% reduction and a Water Use Efficiency (WUE) of 0.96, affecting only a 2% decrease in rice grain yield, which ranged between 11.85 and 14.01 t ha−1. Likewise, this study provides sufficient evidence for the adoption of AWD irrigation as a strategy for the efficient use of water resources and the mitigation of GHG emissions in rice cultivation in the study area, compared to continuous flooded irrigation.