Artificial Background Research Articles

Enhancing Grapevine Node Detection to Support Pruning Automation: Leveraging State-of-the-Art YOLO Detection Models for 2D Image Analysis.

Automating pruning tasks entails overcoming several challenges, encompassing not only robotic manipulation but also environment perception and detection. To achieve efficient pruning, robotic systems must accurately identify the correct cutting points. A possible method to define these points is to choose the cutting location based on the number of nodes present on the targeted cane. For this purpose, in grapevine pruning, it is required to correctly identify the nodes present on the primary canes of the grapevines. In this paper, a novel method of node detection in grapevines is proposed with four distinct state-of-the-art versions of the YOLO detection model: YOLOv7, YOLOv8, YOLOv9 and YOLOv10. These models were trained on a public dataset with images containing artificial backgrounds and afterwards validated on different cultivars of grapevines from two distinct Portuguese viticulture regions with cluttered backgrounds. This allowed us to evaluate the robustness of the algorithms on the detection of nodes in diverse environments, compare the performance of the YOLO models used, as well as create a publicly available dataset of grapevines obtained in Portuguese vineyards for node detection. Overall, all used models were capable of achieving correct node detection in images of grapevines from the three distinct datasets. Considering the trade-off between accuracy and inference speed, the YOLOv7 model demonstrated to be the most robust in detecting nodes in 2D images of grapevines, achieving F1-Score values between 70% and 86.5% with inference times of around 89 ms for an input size of 1280 × 1280 px. Considering these results, this work contributes with an efficient approach for real-time node detection for further implementation on an autonomous robotic pruning system.

Evaluating tomato lines resistance to Late Blight and molecular genetic screening with the use of molecular markers

Relevance. Tomato late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans can cause almost 100% yield loss in open ground in cool and humid conditions. At the same time, the genetic characteristics of P. infestans allow it to overcome the genetic resistance of host plants over time, which requires breeders to look for new genes for resistance to late blight and to obtain new varieties that have several resistance genes at once.Material and methods. 12 tomato lines, or a total of 335 plants, were obtained from the N.N. Timofeev breeding station collection and planted in an artificially infected background. For molecular genetic screening, 12 plants from the Kr6 line were used. The markers linked to the late blight resistance genes Ph-3, R1, and R3a were utilized.Results. On an artificial infectious background, phenotypic evaluation of tomato resistance to late blight showed 1 line of plants free of pathogen damage, 5 lines of plants fully afflicted by late blight, and 6 lines with only partial plant damage. According to molecular genetic investigation the resistant plants were heterozygotes for the Ph-3 gene. Furthermore, the R1 gene was present in most of the plants under study; but, without the Ph-3 gene, this gene did not provide plant resistance against late blight.Conclusions. The results of this research led to the selection of tomato plants for further breeding that were resistant to late blight. It was shown that markers linked to the Ph-3 and R1 genes might be used for marker-mediated selection. Furthermore, it has been established that tomato plants are more effectively protected against P. infestans when several resistance genes are present.

Специфика фототрофных наземных микробных комплексов в посевах пшеницы

The article presents the results of determining the species and quantitative composition of algae and cyanobacteria in terrestrial growths under wheat crops. The wheat seeds were inoculated with various microorganisms in mono-, binary and triple combinations before sowing. Algocyanoflora of the “blooming” soil was represented by 24 species: Cyanobacteria – 7; Chlorophyta + Streptophyta – 12; Bacillariophyta – 5. The inoculants were representatives of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms – antagonists of Fischerella muscicola, Trichoderma sp. and the phytopathogen Fusarium culmorum. In one of the experimental variants, pre-sowing treatment with the fungicide “Maksim”® was used. It has been shown that during the formation of soil “blooming” the dominant microbiomes are green algae (Chlorococcum infusionum, Klebsormidium flaccidum) and cyanobacteria (species of the genera Leptolyngbya, Phormidium). When determining the number of phototrophic populations, it was found that their density ranges from 1.8 to 8.1 million cells/cm2. At the same time, the maximum development of phototrophs was found in the control variant, and the minimum number was found in the variant with a chemical disinfectant. In variants with microbial inoculation, the peak development of microphototrophs is typical for treatment with a triple mixture and a binary mixture of Fischerella + Trichoderma. Determination of the structure of microbial populations showed that the strongest dominance of cyanobacteria (80,2%) was detected on an artificial infectious background caused by pre-sowing inoculation of wheat seeds with the phytopathogen F. culmorum. A relatively high content of cyanobacteria (up to 60%) is observed in 4 experimental variants (Fischerella, Fischerella + Trichoderma, Trichoderma + Fusarium, Fischerella +Fusarium) and in the remaining 4 variants there is some dominance of microscopic algae ranging from 52 to 58%. Therefore, according to the results obtained, microbial inoculation does not lead to radical changes in the state of terrestrial phototrophic microbial communities, while chemical fungicide significantly suppresses the development of algae and cyanobacteria.

Research on the Cultivation Mode and Path of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ability of Computer and Electronic Engineering College Students under the Background of Artificial Intelligence

As a disruptive technology, artificial intelligence has affected global economic development on multiple levels. With the widespread application of artificial intelligence technology in various industries, the market demand for artificial intelligence technology and applications continues to grow, providing college students with opportunities to participate in emerging industries. College students can create new products and services and achieve technological innovation with the continuous development of artificial intelligence technology. This paper adopts the method of literature review, and combines the existing artificial intelligence background to explore the possibility of using artificial intelligence as an auxiliary tool for cultivating college students' innovation and entrepreneurship ability. Combining cutting-edge theories with a variety of practical explorations, this paper finally forms a set of methodologies for computer and electronic engineering college students to complete learning and entrepreneurial practice through artificial intelligence in the stage of university education.

Identification of effector genes of <i>Parastagonospora nodorum</i>, <i>P. pseudonodorum</i> in Tambov populations and sensitivity genes to NEs in varieties and hybrid lines of spring soft wheat

BACKGROUND: Parastagonospora nodorum and P. pseudonodorum are known for their ability to produce necrotrophic effectors that play an important role in micromycete pathogenicity. Fungal strains characterized by the presence of effector genes will be used to create artificial infectious backgrounds to identify sources and donors of resistance to fungal diseases. Selected varieties and lines that are donors of recessive alleles snn1 and snn3, which control plant resistance to fungal toxins PtrTox1 and PtrTox3, are recommended for inclusion in programs for breeding wheat for resistance to septoriosis pathogens. AIM: The aim of the work is to assess the populations of the fungi Parastagonospora nodorum and P. pseudonodorum in 2023 based on the presence of effector genes, as well as to identify alleles of Snn1/snn1, Snn3/snn3 genes that control the sensitivity or resistance of wheat to PtrTox1 and PtrTox3 toxins. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Infectious samples were collected in 2023 from spring wheat leaves. In addition, the material for the study was 2 varieties and 23 lines of spring soft wheat of local selection. Using the molecular markers Xfcp624 and Xcfd20, the presence of the Snn1 and Snn3-B1 alleles, which control sensitivity to the fungal toxins PtrTox1 and PtrTox3, was detected. RESULTS: Using molecular screening, ToxA and Tox1 genes were identified in genotypes of P. pseudonodorum isolates; Tox3 and Tox267 in P. nodorum isolates. 2 varieties of spring soft wheat and 11 hybrid lines carry a recessive allele snn1, which protects against the phytopathogen toxin PtrTox1; wheat variety Tambovchanka and 2 hybrid lines carry the recessive allele snn3 on chromosome B1, which confers resistance to the fungal toxin PtrTox3. CONCLUSIONS: The ToxA gene was found only among monoconidial isolates of P. pseudonodorum species obtained from leaves of spring soft wheat of Lebedushka variety. As a result of molecular screening, the Tox1 gene was identified among 70 P. pseudonodorum isolates (43,21% of those studied). The presence of the Tox3 and Tox267 genes was established in 30 isolates of P. nodorum species obtained from plant samples of spring durum wheat Donskaya Elegiya. Using the PCR method, donors of the snn1 and snn3 genes were identified.

Search for sources of resistance to leaf diseases among present winter bread wheat varieties in the southern part of the Rostov region

The purpose of the current work was to search for sources of winter wheat varieties’ resistance to the most common pathogens of the area under artificial infectious backgrounds and recommend them for inclusion in the breeding process. The study was carried out on the experimental plots of the laboratory for plant immunity and protection of the FSBSI Agricultural Research Center “Donskoy” in 2021–2023. In order to expand the genetic diversity in immunity of newly developed varieties, it is necessary to use new sources of resistance. The objects of study were 78 winter wheat varieties from interstation variety testing, representing various breeding institutions in Russia and some foreign varieties. The study material was presented by the North Caucasian populations of pathogens of such wheat leaf diseases as powdery mildew, brown and yellow rust, and leaf spot (Septoria). Infectious backgrounds were formed according to generally accepted methods, using spore material of pathogens both stored and collected from crops in the previous year (types of rust) and collected from overwintered plants in the spring (powdery mildew, leaf spot). Weather conditions varied across the years of study (mainly in the autumn), but the damage to susceptible test varieties in the experiments was maximum. As a result of the study of the varieties on their resistance to one pathogen, there have been identified 23 varieties resistant to powdery mildew, 56 ones to leaf rust, 47 ones to yellow rust, 8 varieties to leaf spot. There has been given a characteristic of varieties according to various degree of resistance or susceptibility to each pathogen. On the resistance to two pathogens, there have been identified 17 varieties resistant to brown and yellow rust, 2 varieties resistant to brown rust and powdery mildew, 2 varieties resistant to yellow rust and powdery mildew, 1 variety resistant to brown rust and leaf spot. Ten varieties have shown resistance to no one pathogen, but they have had moderate resistance or moderate susceptibility to several other pathogens. 20 varieties were resistant to three diseases in various combinations, and 16 of them were resistant to brown, yellow rust, and powdery mildew. One variety ‘MV Nador’ from Hungary showed resistance to all 4 pathogens. All resistant varieties identified in the study can replenish the supply of winter wheat sources to the complex of leaf diseases for breeding purposes or be used in integrated crop protection against leaf diseases.

PECULIARITIES OF PATHOGENESIS DUE TO INFECTION OF POTATOES BY PATHOTYPES OF WART SYNCHYTRIUM ENDOBIOTICUM (SCHILBERSKY) PERCIVAL

The process of infection of potato varieties with different resistance to wart by zoospores of the causative agent of the disease was studied. Experients carried out in laboratory conditions in artificial infectious background for the damage of the Poliska rozheva potato variety (susceptible to all pathotypes of potato wart) and Slovyanka (resistant to the common pathotype and susceptible to all pathotypes of the causative agent of potato wart existing in Ukraine by summer zoospores of the pathotypes of the causative agent of the disease . Determination of the content of total proteins was carried out according to the Marion Bradford’s method. Determination of peroxidase et polyphenoloxidase activity was determined according to the method of Kabar A. M., ZaikoG. A., Liholat T. Yu. et Tsivinska M. V., Antonyuk V. O., Stoika R.S. As a result of studies conducted to determine the pathogenesis of potato wart in the plant-host-pathogen system, in Poliska rozheva potato variety (susceptible to all wart pathotypes), soruses with zoospores of the wart pathogen observed on the affected sprouts, in potato variety Slovyanka, soruses with zoospores observed for lesions of aggressive pathotypes. When affected by the common pathotype of the causative agent of wart, soruses of the pathogen absent. Cells of the epidermis are necrotic. In the case of damage to susceptible potato varieties by pathotypes of the causative agent of wart, the content of total proteins increased. It varied between 0.221-0.262 mg/ml for the Poliska rozheva variety and 0.225-0.260 for the Slavyanka variety. The activity of peroxidase redox enzymes during affection by pathotypes was 0.046-0.053 μmol per minute, polyphenoloxidase – 0.050-0.057. Thus, in the pathogenesis of the plant-host-pathogen for damage to potatoes by pathotypes of the potato wart pathogen Synchytrium endobioticum (Schilbersky) Percival, deviations in the development of structural proteins of the epidermis and different activity of oxidative enzymes were found. Based on these biochemical indicators, biochemical methods of identification of potato cancer pathotypes that exist in Ukraine have been developed and patented. Key words: potato, wart, pathogenesis, protein composition, redox enzymes, activity, identification, pathotypes

Ai solutions for digital diagnostics of diseases of grain crops (using the example of <i>Pyrenophora teres</i> of winter barley)

The aim of the research is to justify the feasibility of using digital intelligent technologies in forecasting the development of spot blotch in winter barley. The AI solution developed is a binary decision tree capable of predicting scenarios of net blotch development: depressive, moderate, and epiphytotic. To configure the algorithm’s parameters from 2021 to 2023, field and laboratory experiments were conducted at the Federal Scientific Center for Biological Plant Protection. The data preparation involved several stages, including setting up field plots to create an artificial infection background, preparing an inoculum, sowing highly susceptible and resistant winter barley varieties, and artificial inoculation. The selected input factors included the observed degree of leaf damage, type of variety resistance, vegetation phase at the time of primary infection, average relative air humidity during the vegetation phase of infection. The total sample size comprised 144 observations. The trained model demonstrated high classification accuracy on both the training and test datasets, with an accuracy rate exceeding 96 %. Based on a statistical assessment of the factors influencing the development of spot blotch in barley, it is shown that the most influential factor is the current degree of leaf infection (74,3 %), followed by the average relative air humidity (11,9 %), the variety’s resistance to the disease (10,4 %), and the stage development during which infection occurred (3,4 %). The proposed solution holds significant practical importance as it provides new opportunities for the diagnostic process of spot blotch in winter barley. Among these are high diagnostic speed, accuracy in forecast predictions, and applicability in field conditions.

Immunological structure and yield of winter rye varieties bred by the Federal Agricultural Research Center of the North-East named N. V. Rudnitsky

The study was carried out in the conditions of Kirov region in 2019–2023. Against provocative and infectious backgrounds of snow mold, root rot, ergot, powdery mildew, leaf and stem rust, the immunological state and yield of 15 varieties of winter rye created over a 73-year period were studied. Taking into account the breeding methods, the source material used and the year of creation, they were conditionally distributed over five successive periods of breeding and variety change: I – Vyatka 2, Kirovskaya 89; II – Falenskaya 4, Snezhana, Rushnik; III – Flora, Grafinya, Batist; IV – Lika, Talitsa; V – Symphoniya, Garmoniya, Graphit, Graphit FP, Perepel. When recording diseases, well-known methods were used. Research has shown that as a result of breeding, on artificial infectious backgrounds newly created varieties showed a decrease in the development of root rot (Flora, Perepel, Garmoniya – degree of damage 14.6, 15.5 and 15.0 %) and ergot (Flora, Grafinya, Batist, Lika, Symphoniya, Graphit FP, Garmoniya – damage 11.4...15.9 %), grain contamination with sclerotia – 0.38...1.84 %. In varieties of the I period of breeding the degree of root rot infection was 18.8 %, ergot infection – 31.7 %. There is no progress in breeding for resistance to powdery mildew and rust types. The most productive varieties are Lika and Batist (769.3 and 738.7 g/m2), which significantly exceed the Falenskaya 4 standard (578.8 g/m2). A close and significant dependence (p ≥ 095) was revealed between the yield of winter rye varieties and regrowth of plants after snow mold infection (r = 0.693...0.830) as well as grain contamination with sclerotia (r = -0.531...-0.712). The relationship between the yield of winter rye and the development of other studied diseases is insignificant and weak. Considering the high harmfulness of snow mold and ergot in the research region, it is necessary to continue to carry out breeding improvement of varieties for these characteristics, as well as to increase resistance to powdery mildew and types of rust.

Search of resistance sources to potato wart Synchytrium endobioticum (Schilbersky) Percival causative agent

Goal. To evaluate and to choose potato varieties breeding material resistant to wart and search resistance sources to causative agent of potato wart Synchytrium endobioticum (Schilbersky) Percival.
 Methods. The study involved 739 samples breeding of potatoes varieties Institute for potato study NAAS and its’ Polissian division in 2020—2022. The samples were received by different parents forms crossings. Evaluation of breeding material for resistance to common 1(D1) and aggressive pathotypes of potato wart was performed in the laboratory conditions of the Ukrainian Science Research Plant Quarantine Station IPP NAAS on an artificial infectious background according to EPPO Standard PM 7/28/1 and EPPO Standard PM 7/28/2 and «Techniques or evaluation and choice of potato breeding material resistant to wart Synchytrium endobioticum (Schilb.) Perc harmonized as per EU requirements» and in field conditions of pathogen spread.
 Results. A 699 potato samples (94.6%) from 739 hybrids from 2022-through 2022 received resistant value to common pathotype of wart causative agent. 40 (5.4%) samples were defeated by disease causative agent and they were rejected by us. The researches results showed that 21 outlet potato parents forms had the highest resistance degree (1.2—2.0 points). They recommended for the following usage in in breeding process as a resistance source to potato wart. Hybridological analysis for potato resistance inheritance provided on the following variants of parents forms crossing F09.209-3/P14.3/12, Svitana / Mezhzyrichka, Vyhoda / Svitana, Radmysl / Svitana,Vzirets / Svitana, P10.10/35/Svitana. 81.13.9/1/Svitana, P12.14-8/Partner, Zvizdal/P10.109/35, Mezhyrichka/Sncedar, Levada /Rostovytsya, Svitana Rostovytsya, Nagoroda Rostovytsya / Rostovytsya, ВМ12.24-15 /Vygoda, Floatka/Rostovytsya, Mezhyrichka/Dorogyn, Agave/Aria, 08.102/4/Miranda, Ivankivska rannya/Alliance, Vectar/Radmysl; Charunka/Alliance; Tyras/89.715с88. The potato resistant inheritance showed 100% to wart. The crossing variant F 09.209-3 / P10.9-3, P09.26-2/Alliance gave 50.0% resistant inheritance. The crossing variant Myroslava/Н.07.162-1 gave 88.9% resistant inheritance.
 Conclusions. There were chosen 699 (94,6%) among 739 potato samples in 2020—2022 resistant to common pathotype. Hybridological analysis for potato resistance inheritance to wart showed that variant resistant (♀) × resistant (♂) give 100% resistance to wart potato inheritants. The most resultative resistant potato samples choice was resistant to D1 (common) and 22 (Bystrysia) agressive pathotype during potato breeding studies with complex resistance to wart pathotypes in 2021—2022. The most virulent was 18 (Yasynnia) aggressive pathotype. There were only 5 (21.7%) resistant to this wart pathotype. Chosen samples with complex resistance to wart pathotypes recommended for the following usage in breeding. They recommended for improve in disease sources and for the following usage in breeding process as potato resistance sources to disease causative agent and for the improving in disease sources.

Cucumber breeding for spring film greenhouses for resistance to real powdery mildew

Relevance. Powdery mildew is one of the most common and harmful diseases of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in open and protected ground. Moreover, in the closed ground, the harmfulness is higher than in the field. The yield of cucumber, due to the defeat of plants by powdery mildew, decreases by 30-50%, and in some cases by more than 70%. The creation of modern cucumber hybrids is impossible without the constant involvement in the breeding process of new sources of economically useful traits, including resistance to real powdery mildew. It is very important to combine in one line both a high degree of parthenocarpy, and the female type of flowering, and resistance to the most harmful diseases. We tried to solve this problem in our work.Materials and methods. The experience was laid in 2018-2022 in the Odintsovo district of the Moscow region on the basis of the head institution of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution Federal Scientific Vegetable Center (FSBSI FSVC) in the conditions of a spring ground greenhouse of the Block type, on a natural infectious background. On the basis of the laboratory of breeding and seed production of pumpkin crops, 27 collectible and about 50 breeding samples of parthenocarpic cucumber were studied. The article presents an assessment of the resistance to this powdery mildew of 36 of the most aligned and most valuable cucumber breeding samples in terms of a complex of economically useful features. 2-3 families, 6 plants in each, were evaluated for each sample for 2 years. During the entire growing season, the intensity of powdery mildew damage was assessed on a four-point scale and the spread of the disease in %.Results. Among the collection samples of cucumber, on a natural infectious background, two hybrids of the agrofirm BEJO ZADEN B.V. were not affected by powdery mildew: Amur 1801 F1, Artist F1, a hybrid without a name of the agrofirm MONSANTO HOLLAND B.V., conventionally named – Semenis F1 and hybrid Kibria F1 of the agrofirm RIJK ZWAAN. To a small extent, less than one point, they were amazed: Orpheus F1, Merengue F1, Marinda F1, Masha F1, Othello F1, List F1, Adam F1, SV 4097 F1 and Krasotka F1. 11cucumber breeding samples selected in previous years of research on a complex of economically useful signs that were not affected by this disease during 2 years of research were identified. Work will continue to evaluate these lines for resistance to real powdery mildew on an artificial infectious background.

Rust resistance of wheat and triticale samples in different plant growing stages

Aim. To study resistance to leaf, yellow and stem rusts of winter and spring wheat and winter triticale samples from the collection of the N. I. Vavilov All‐Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR) and breeding centres of southern Russia in different phases of ontogenesis and to identify new sources with group resistance. Material and Methods. The resistance of 158 wheat and triticale samples from the VIR collection and southern breeding centres to populations of leaf, stem and yellow rusts in different plant growth stages was analysed. In the juvenile phase the samples studied were inoculated with populations of rust fungi in climate chambers of the Federal Research Centre of Biological Plant Protection and the type of plant reaction to lesions was noted. In field conditions the samples were evaluated according to the CIMMYT scale on an artificial infectious background. Results. In the adult plant stage under field conditions 79 wheat and triticale samples with group resistance to leaf, yellow and stem rusts were identified, and in the juvenile stage 26 samples. 22 samples showed resistance to three rusts in both phases of ontogenesis. Of these, 5 samples belong to the VIR collection, 3 winter triticale varieties (Dozor, Knyaz, Svat) and the Kavalerka wheat variety selection of the P.P. Lukyanenko National Grain Centre, 9 lines from the Donskoy Agrarian Research Centre and the Federal Rostov Agrarian Research Centre, and 4 winter triticale varieties (Ataman Platov, Zimogor, Kapral, Legion) of selections of the Federal Rostov Agrarian Research Centre. Conclusion. The samples of wheat and winter triticale with group resistance which have been identified are promising for use in breeding for immunity to rust diseases.

Research on Digital Management of Scientific and Technological Innovation Services in Universities Based on Artificial Intelligence Background

Abstract In this paper, the digital management of scientific and technological innovation services in universities based on the background of artificial intelligence is studied in depth, aiming to create a comprehensive and efficient management platform. By constructing a platform with a multi-level architecture, it realizes the informatization management of the whole process of university science and technology projects. Specifically, this study designed a functional structure of 10 subsystems, covering all stages from project declaration to results management. To improve the management efficiency, principal component analysis and cluster analysis techniques were introduced, and the effectiveness and feasibility of the platform were verified by analyzing 270 questionnaires. The average score is 3.8293, showing that users highly recognize the platform. In addition, by qualitatively and quantitatively analyzing the factors affecting management, the key factors promoting and inhibiting the management efficiency were clarified, providing a new perspective for the management of scientific and technological innovation services in universities.

Ancient insect vision tuned for flight among rocks and plants underpins natural flower colour diversity.

Understanding the origins of flower colour signalling to pollinators is fundamental to evolutionary biology and ecology. Flower colour evolves under pressure from visual systems of pollinators, like birds and insects, to establish global signatures among flowers with similar pollinators. However, an understanding of the ancient origins of this relationship remains elusive. Here, we employ computer simulations to generate artificial flower backgrounds assembled from real material sample spectra of rocks, leaves and dead plant materials, against which to test flowers' visibility to birds and bees. Our results indicate how flower colours differ from their backgrounds in strength, and the distributions of salient reflectance features when perceived by these key pollinators, to reveal the possible origins of their colours. Since Hymenopteran visual perception evolved before flowers, the terrestrial chromatic context for its evolution to facilitate flight and orientation consisted of rocks, leaves, sticks and bark. Flowers exploited these pre-evolved visual capacities of their visitors, in response evolving chromatic features to signal to bees, and differently to birds, against a backdrop of other natural materials. Consequently, it appears that today's flower colours may be an evolutionary response to the vision of diurnal pollinators navigating their world millennia prior to the first flowers.

Identification of sunflower seed pathogens and their effect on seed germination against the background of plant damage by Septoria leaf spot

Many pathogens spread with sunflower seeds, which later cause plant diseases. The aim of our work was to isolate and identify sunflower seed pathogens and to investigate their effect on the germination of seeds that were formed on plants with different degrees of damage by Septoria leaf spot. Field germination of seeds was analyzed on a stationary artificial infectious background in 2020–2021, and laboratory germination and phytopathological analysis – out in laboratory conditions in 2021. All four experimental samples were found to be infected with seed infection, and the level of pathogen infection ranged from 5% to 75%. The isolated pathogens belonged to the genera Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Mucor, Rhizopus, Trichoderma and Penicillium. A bacterial infection was also detected. Most pathogens were found on seeds that were formed on plants affected by Septoria leaf spot. The main pathogens here were representatives of the genera Alternaria with infection from 45% to 75%, Cladosporim – 10% and bacterial infection – from 15% to 25%. The smallest number of pathogens was isolated on the seeds of healthy plants. Seed samples, both in the field and in the laboratory, differed significantly in terms of germination. It was found that the highest level of seed infection with various pathogens was characteristic of samples with low germination. The presence of the Alternaria pathogen had a negative effect on seed germination. No infection of sunflower seeds with Septoria leaf spot was detected, despite the high level of damage by this disease to the plants on which it was formed

Use of effective sources of winter wheat resistance in breeding for immunity

Winter wheat is one of the most important crops in Ukraine, and modern varieties have the potential to produce high yields under favourable conditions. The realisation of the genetic yield potential of a variety is the result of a complex interaction of genotype and environmental variables. In order to find effective sources of resistance, a collection of winter wheat accessions of different ecological and geographical origin was studied. The research was conducted in 2017-2019 in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe, and the analysis of plant resistance of the winter wheat collection of the National Centre of Plant Genetic Resources of Ukraine was tested against a synthetic infectious background of septoria, brown rust and smut as opposed to the natural background of powdery mildew, leaf yellowing (pyrenophorosis) and other root rot. The collection of 32 varieties was represented by 9 countries, most of them of Ukrainian origin. In the field, on artificial and natural infectious backgrounds, we identified varieties characterised by group resistance to pathogens of major diseases. The studies of adult plant resistance under conditions of infectious natural background and the use of the method of artificial complex infectious background have established that it is possible to investigate and identify sources of resistance to both individual pathogens and a complex of pathogens. As a result, no accessions were found to possess group resistance against the six pathogens presented. The selected varieties, Zdoba Kyivska, Vykhovanka Odeska and Feonia, can be used as sources of group resistance, which allows for excellent breeding efforts leading to the development of resistant wheat varieties. The selected sources are suitable for inclusion in breeding programmes as starting material for the development of modern high-yielding winter durum wheat varieties resistant to diseases and other environmental factors

3D particle-in-cell simulations of negative and positive streamers in C4F7N–CO2 mixtures

We investigate negative and positive streamers in C4F7N–CO2 mixtures through simulations. These mixtures are considered to be more environmentally friendly than the insulating gas SF6 that is widely used in high voltage technology. Simulations are performed using a 3D particle-in-cell model. Negative streamers can propagate when the background field is close to the critical field. We relate this to their short conductive channels, due to rapid electron attachment, which limits their field enhancement. Positive streamers also require a background field close to the critical field, and in addition a source of free electrons ahead of them. In our simulations these electrons are provided through an artificial stochastic background ionization process as no efficient photoionization process is known for these gases. In 3D, we can only simulate the early inception stage of positive discharges, due to the extremely high electric fields and electron densities that occur. Qualitative 2D Cartesian simulations show that the growth of these discharges is highly irregular, resulting from incoming negative streamers that connect to existing channels. The inclusion of a stochastic background ionization process also has an interesting effect on negative discharges: new streamers can be generated behind previous ones, thereby forming a chain of negative streamers.

Sensor-fusion to understand communication difficulty during conversations in noise

Difficulty communicating is the most challenging consequence of living with hearing loss, substantially affecting personal and professional relationships. While hearing devices help to redress this challenge, there is often a mismatch between performance measures obtained in clinical and laboratory settings and observed real-world behaviour. This discrepancy is likely due to an array of parameters, with the most notable being unrealistic speech stimuli (e.g., contrived sentence materials), artificial background noise, and tasks that do not reflect real-world communication behaviour or scenarios (e.g., sentence recall). To bridge this gap, we used sensor-fusion to understand communication difficulties in familiar communication partners engaged in natural, unrestricted conversations while listening to different levels of realistic background noise. We tallied communication breakdowns as a robust, overt metric of communication difficulty and fused data from an array of sensors including microphones, eye and motion trackers, and wearables that detect autonomic nervous system activity to objectively index communication difficulty. Our approach aims to find biomarkers that may predict the communication difficulties faced by individuals with hearing loss in the real-world. Ultimately, this research will contribute to enhancing the effectiveness of hearing devices, leading to improved social connection and quality of life for people with hearing loss.

Potato of foreign breeding varieties’ evalution on resistance to casuative agents of wart Synchytrium endobioticum Schilbersky Percival

Goal. To evaluate and to choose potato varieties of foreign breeding material resistant to wart for inclusion in the State Register of plant varieties suitable for distribution in Ukraine and improve them into disease sources.
 Methods. The study involved 5 potatoes varieties of foreign breeding: Mia and Baltic Fire — breeding of company Norica Nordring-Kartoffelzucht und Fermerungs GmbH Gross Lusewitz (Germany); Lady Amarilla and Acoustic breeding of company See Meijer B B (Great Britain); Sensation IPM Potato Group Ltd (Ireland). Evaluation of breeding material for resistance to common 1 (D1) and aggressive pathotypes of potato wart was performed in the laboratory conditions of the Ukrainian Science Research Plant Quarantine Station IPP NAAS on an artificial infectious background according to EPPO Standard PM 7/28/1 and EPPO Standard PM 7/28 / 2 and «Methods for evaluation and selection of breeding material for potatoes resistant to wart Synchytrium endobioticum (Schilb.) Perc., Harmonized with EU requirements» and in the field conditions of pathogen spread.
 Results. As a result of laboratory and field studies on the evaluation and selection of potato varieties resistant to wart were chosen resistant from 5 potato varieties (100%) received value resistant to common potato wart pathotype One variety Acoustic is (20%)resistant to 11(M1) — Mizhgirya aggressive pathotype. There were chosen two resistant varieties to 13 (R2) — Rachiv aggressive pathotype — Sensation and Acoustic; 18(Ya) Yasynya — Acoustic and Lady Amarilla; 22(B1) — Bystrets pathotypes: Sensation and Mia. It was consisted to 40% from general number of testing varieties. Potato variety Baltic Fire defeated by all aggressive potato wart causative agent pathotypes.
 Conclusions. Potato varieties that have not been affected by the pathotypes of the wart causative agent have been proposed for inclusion in the State Register of Plant Varieties Suitable for Distribution in Ukraine for Introduction. They recommend to put into production in the sources of disease spread and breeders for the following usage in crossing as a source of resistance and receiving resistant against disease potato progenies.

Development of Methods for Remote Monitoring of Leaf Diseases in Wheat Agrocenoses.

The development of remote methods for diagnosing the state of crops using spectral equipment for remote sensing of the Earth and original monitoring tools is the most promising solution to the problem of monitoring diseases of wheat agrocenoses. A research site was created on the experimental field of the Federal Research Center of Biological Plant Protection. Within the experimental field with a total area of 1 ha, test plots were allocated to create an artificial infectious background, and the corresponding control plots were treated with fungicides. The research methodology is based on the time synchronization of high-precision ground-based spectrometric measurements with satellite and unmanned remote surveys and the comparison of the obtained data with phytopathological field surveys. Our results show that the least-affected plants predominantly had lower reflectance values in the green, red, and red-edge spectral ranges and high values in the near-infrared range throughout the growing season. The most informative spectral ranges when using satellite images and multispectral cameras placed on UAVs are the red and IR ranges. At the same time, the high frequency of measurements is of key importance for determining the level of pathogenic background. We conclude that information acquisition density does not play as significant of a role as the repetition of measurements when carrying out ground-based spectrometry. The use of vegetation indices in assessing the dynamics of the spectral images of various survey systems allows us to bring them to similar values.