Current Climate Change Conditions Research Articles

Phenological Evaluation of Minority Grape Varieties in the Wine Region of Madrid as a Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change

In this study, a total of 34 Spanish minority varieties were studied during four seasons from 2020 to 2023, and their behavior was characterized according to their main phenological stages (bud break, bloom, veraison, and maturity) and complete cycle. We focused on the varieties prospected in the central Spanish plateau and conserved in the “El Encín” grapevine collection, aiming to identify the potential for adaptation of these varieties and for them to be considered by winegrowers as an alternative to current climate change conditions. The growing degree days required for the expression of the phenological stage, and the duration of each stage, were compiled. Characteristics of oenological interest were also monitored, such as °Brix, pH, and titratable acidity in must at the time of harvest. This study was carried out in years with atypical snowfall and cold spells (winter 2021), as well as with heat waves (summer 2022), with average temperatures 3–5 °C higher than normal and absolute maximum temperatures over 40 °C. Both cases also exceeded records of historical series (1957–2019). Veraison has been identified as the stage most susceptible to damage from high temperatures, in addition to the maturation and duration of the complete cycle. The varieties were classified into five groups according to the duration of each phenological stage (very early, early, medium, late, and very late). Some varieties with late or very late maturation and with must characteristics of 20–23 °Brix, 3–5 g/L of titratable acidity, and pH 3.5–4.5, as well as others, retained stability in their phenological periodicity and must quality. The results suggest that special attention should be given to thoroughly evaluating these varieties, and that the strategies contemplated should be considered as a feasible cultivation alternative in viticulture to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Seasonal gross primary production in response to environmental drivers from arid mangroves in the Gulf of California

Mangrove ecosystems provide multiple services, because of their Carbon (C) storage capacity they are recognized as blue carbon ecosystems. Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) is an important component of the C cycle, however is challenging to measure at multiple time and spatial scales, providing opportunity for novel and practical research using remote sensing. In northwestern Mexico mangroves find their northern most distribution in Sonora, were the North American Monsoon System that occurs from June to September is an important driver of ecosystem processes. The aim of this research was to changes of GPP at “Estero El Sargento” using remote sensing (MOD17A2H V6) and modeling (SPL4CMDL) products, and further explore environmental drivers that influence such change, for a period of three-year period (2014–2016). Our results show that in this mangrove site, GPP was not limited by precipitation, producing high values during the Pre-Monsoon season (385–490 gC m−2) than in the Monsoon season (260–311 gC m−2). Furthermore, high tide conditions, air temperature (T), and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) strongly drive GPP during the Monsoon (r2 = 0.4) and Post Monsoon (r2 = 0.6) seasonswhich was not the case for the Pre-Monsoon season. There is a clear seasonality that influences ecosystem processes, with T and VPD being the most relevant environmental drivers. The increase in T and VPD limits GPP, which is of vital importance under the current climate change conditions. This type of studies is important to the Comcaac (Seri) Nation especially with their ongoing conservation efforts.

Research progress of compound flood in coastal cities

Facilitating the development of cities in coastal areas is an economic strategy from a global perspective. Currently it can be seen that large developed cities in many countries are distributed along the coast. However, in recent years, with the influence of climate change, sea level rise, cyclone changes and land subsidence, the frequency of compound storm floods has been increasing. More academics begin work on compound storm flooding. It can be found that the development of the flood model has experienced a process from ordinary static simulation to one-Dimensional-three-Dimensional coupled model. At present, there are mainly hurricane model and hydrodynamic model to study the composite storm flood. Through current storm flood models, it is known that the intensity and frequency of storm floods will increase under current climate change conditions. At the same time, this paper also looks forward to the models, and proposes an improvement plan to increase the application scope of the model.

Воздействие климатических факторов на приросты сосны обыкновенной (Pinus sylvestris L.) на побережье Кандалакшского залива Белого моря

The purpose of this study is a comparative analysis of linear and radial increments of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) as a response to the growing conditions on the coast of the Kandalaksha Bay of the White Sea, as well as an evaluation of the temperature and precipitation influences of the current and previous growing seasons. These were applied to the conventional methods of measurement and data analysis. The dynamics of growth in height and diameter were employed as indicators of the stands' response to habitant conditions. A statistical analysis of the growth rates was performed, which vary depending on habitat type, as well as an assessment of the connection between biometric indicators of the stands and the amount of precipitation and mean temperature. The significant differences in the series of linear increment increases were found as distinctions between biotopes, but they were absent for the radial increment. Therefore, it is possible to monitor the typical behavior of tree diversity independent of the biotope type using radial growth series. This provides the foundation for a long-term retrospective analysis of environmental impact on the stands by using the annual rings of the trees without taking growing conditions into account. Precipitation was determined to be a limiting factor for radial and linear growth throughout the phenophase of internodal growth and early wood formation. Temperature was identified as a limiting factor for radial development only during the stages of late wood formation and resource accumulation for the following growing season. The high sensitivity of linear increases to climatic conditions was revealed, which makes it useful as a criterion for assessing the state of forest ecosystems over short time periods (up to 30 years). However, this, in turn, dictates the impossibility of forming long-term linear increment series, as for radial growth, which is a significant limitation of this method. The choice of linear or radial growth analysis methods is concluded to be determined by the goals of the intended study, i.e., monitoring forest ecosystems under current climate change conditions or long-term paleoclimate analysis. For citation: Koukhta A.E., Maksimova O.V., Kuznetsova V.V. Influence of Climatic Factors on Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) Growth on the Coast of the Kandalaksha Bay of the White Sea. Lesnoy Zhurnal = Russian Forestry Journal, 2023, no. 4, pp. 105–119. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.37482/0536-1036-2023-4-105-119

Advances in understanding the cooling rates and bending of needle ice: Photogrammetric and thermal observations leading to the spatial distribution of needle ice creep

AbstractThe freeze–thaw cycles are a process that dominate entire landscapes with different intensity and magnitudes that are strongly changing in the current climate change conditions. In particular, the diurnal frost heave (FH) and needle ice creep (NIC) are two poorly studied processes, especially in the field, despite their effects on the sediment transportation and vegetation colonization on Alpine slopes. In a site of the Central Alps, we applied photogrammetry, thermal imaging, manual measurements and thermistors logging to improve the knowledge of the driving parameter for the formation and accretion of needle ice, of the relations of their spatial distribution with cooling rates and the frost creep modelling change in the presence of the bending process. Among the driving factors, we demonstrate that very local conditions govern the development of the needle ice, like the air cooling rates, the deepening of the freezing front and the surficial cooling rates. Especially low cooling rates are necessary for an intense process. Also the grain size influences the development of the needle ice with higher needle ice development under fine sediment than under small clasts due to a differential thermal conductivity. Moreover, the bending of needle ice has proved to be dependent on its length, age and type of heaved sediment. Therefore, potential frost creep formulas needed to be ameliorated considering the bending angle. Subsequently, a question about the role of slope gradient in NIC is treated.

Agrobiological features of technical grape varieties selected by FSBSI All-Russian National Research Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking «Magarach» of the Russian Academy of Sciences in the climatic conditions of the South of Dagestan

Relevance. The introduction of new genotypes and varieties with adaptive and valuable economic and technological characteristics remains one of the most effective ways to expand viticulture, form, improve and enrich the biodiversity of industrial assortment in the current climate change conditions. The introduction of new introduced grape varieties with group resistance makes it possible to eliminate numerous treatments of plantations with pesticides and to obtain environmentally friendly, competitive products. The purpose of the work is to determine the adaptive potential and evaluate the productivity of introduced grape varieties of the Magarach Institute selection in Dagestan to expand the assortment and improve the conveyor of technical grape varieties.Methods. The research was carried out on the basis of the ampelographic collection of the Dagestan Breeding Experimental Station of Viticulture and Vegetable Growing branch of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution «North Caucasus Federal Scientific Center of Horticulture, Viticulture, Winemaking». The objects of study were introduced technical grape varieties of All-Russian National Research Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking «Magarach» of the Russian Academy of Sciences selection Antey Magarachsky, Рodarok Magaracha, Рervenets Magarach, as well as Rkatsiteli (control) and Saperavi (control). Grape culture is indigenous, irrigated, planted in 2003. The shape of the bushes is high-stemmed, double-shouldered cordon of Cazenava. Planting scheme of grape varieties — 3.5 x 2.0 m.Results. In the course of our research, we found that in the conditions of southern Dagestan, in terms of the complex of agrobiological and economically valuable characteristics, the grape varieties of t he FSBSI AllRussian National Research Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking «Magarach» of the Russian Academy of Sciences selection, Antey Magarachsky, the Pervenets Magaracha, the Podarok Magaracha when cultivated in the root culture, are not inferior, and in a number of indicators significantly exceed the control varieties of Rkatsiteli and Saperavi. The studied varieties also have resistance to biotic and abiotic stressors and a complex of adaptively significant features necessary for the formation of ecological and biologized viticulture systems in various soil and climatic conditions (microzones) of the Republic of Dagestan, which indicates the possibility and expediency of their effective cultivation in industrial plantings of the Republic of Dagestan in the root culture and, especially, is relevant in the changing climate conditions of the south of Russia.

Dimensionality-Transformed Remote Sensing Data Application to Map Soil Salinization at Lowlands of the Syr Darya River

The problem of saving soil resources and their reclamation measures under current climate change conditions attracts the world community’s close attention. It is relevant in the Syr Darya River’s lowlands, where the secondary soil salinization processes have intensified. The demand for robust methods to assess soil salinity is high, and the primary purpose of this study was to develop a quantitative analysis method for soil salinity estimation. We found a correspondence between the sum of salts in a topsoil layer to the Landsat 8 data in the Tasseled cap transformation of the image values. After testing several methods, we built a prediction model. The K-nearest neighborhood (KNN) model with a coefficient of determination equal to 0.96 using selected predictors proved to be the most appropriate for soil salinity assessment. We also performed a quantitative assessment of soil salinity. A significant increase in a salt-affected area and the mean soil sum expressing an intensification of secondary soil salinization from 2018 to 2021 was found. The increasing temperature values, decreasing soil moisture, and agricultural use affect the extension of salt-affected ground areas in the study area. Thus, the soil moisture trend in the Qazaly irrigation zone is negative and declining, with the highest peaks in early spring. The maximum temperature has a mean value of 15.6 °C (minimum = −15.1 °C, maximum = 37.4 °C) with an increasing trend. These parameters are evidence of climate change that also affects soil salinization. PCA transformation of the Landsat-8 satellite images helped to remove redundant spectral information from multiband datasets and map soil salinity more precisely. This approach simultaneously extends mapping opportunities involving visible and invisible bands and results in a smaller dataset.

Weather Influence on Native and Alien Mantis Dynamics and Their Abundance in the Current Climate Change Conditions

Humans have traded and transported alien species for millennia, both with and without intention to spread them to new areas. Consistent knowledge of their ecology will allow decision makers to take suitable conservation actions, with the aim of avoiding threatening native species. Praying mantids (Mantodea) are predatory insects with a high impact on local invertebrates’ fauna. An alien mantis species (Hierodula tenuidentata) could create a disequilibrium in both the local ecosystem and in autochthonous mantid species (Mantis religiosa) if it can adapt to the local ecological conditions. Through this study, we reveal that the number of Hierodula tenuidentata individuals from an Eastern European Natura 2000 site was 7.6 times higher than the number of Mantis religiosa suggesting a higher density of the allochthonous species in the study area. According to a GLM analysis, the population of Mantis religiosa, measured from August to the end of October, declines more rapidly and is negatively influenced by the number of days from the first day of the year, while the population of Hierodula tenuidentata is influenced by local weather factors. This is the first study which analyzes the influence of local weather factors (namely air temperature, precipitation, daily atmospheric pressure, daily wind direction and speed, daily cloud cover, sunshine duration and number of days from the first day of the year) on the abundance dynamic of mantises in order to understand their ecology in the current climate change influence.

Floral nectar microbial communities exhibit seasonal shifts associated with extreme heat: Potential implications for climate change and plant-pollinator interactions.

Floral nectar contains vital nutrients for pollinators, including sugars, amino acids, proteins, and secondary compounds. As pollinators forage, they inoculate nectar with bacteria and fungi. These microbes can colonize nectaries and alter nectar properties, including volume and chemistry. Abiotic factors, such as temperature, can influence microbial community structure and nectar traits. Considering current climate change conditions, studying the effects of increased temperature on ecosystem processes like pollination is ever more important. In a manipulative field experiment, we used a passive-heating technique to increase the ambient temperature of a California native plant, Penstemon heterophyllus, to test the hypothesis that temperatures elevated an average of 0.5°C will affect nectar properties and nectar-inhabiting microbial communities. We found that passive-heat treatment did not affect nectar properties or microbial communities. Penstemon heterophyllus fruit set also was not affected by passive-heat treatments, and neither was capsule mass, however plants subjected to heat treatments produced significantly more seeds than control. Although we conducted pollinator surveys, no pollinators were recorded for the duration of our experiment. A naturally occurring extreme temperature event did, however, have large effects on nectar sugars and nectar-inhabiting microbial communities. The initially dominant Lactobacillus sp. was replaced by Sediminibacterium, while Mesorhizobium, and Acinetobacter persisted suggesting that extreme temperatures can interrupt nectar microbiome community assembly. Our study indicates that the quality and attractiveness of nectar under climate change conditions could have implications on plant-pollinator interactions.

Economic assessment of application of new reforestation technologies in conditions of climate change in the forest-steppe zone of Russia

The development and application of new reforestation technologies remain relevant due to climate change. The main technology of forest sowing in Russia does not provide effective reforestation. Innovative technologies of reforestation based on seedlings with a closed root system make it possible to increase the livelihood of plants and accelerate reforestation processes. Using the method of determining costs, a comparative economic analysis of the technologies for growing oak seedlings with an open and closed root system in the forest-steppe regions of Russia was carried out. It was found that the technology of growing seedlings with a closed root system is less labor-consuming and provides a high level of income for investments. The innovative technology of growing seedlings with a closed root system in greenhouses is more competitive and its use allows to generate income from one hectare of area 50 times more than when growing seedlings in forest nurseries by increasing the number of seedling rotation. A comparative economic assessment of two oak seedling projects under forest-steppe conditions suggests the feasibility of moving to innovative reforestation technologies. In the current climate change conditions, a serious correction of approaches to reforestation in the forest-steppe zones of Russia is necessary.

PGPR in Agriculture: A Sustainable Approach to Increasing Climate Change Resilience

Growing environmental concerns are potentially narrowing global yield capacity of agricultural systems. Climate change is the most significant problem the world is currently facing. To meet global food demand, food production must be doubled by 2050; over exploitation of arable lands using unsustainable techniques might resolve food demand issues, but they have negative environmental effects. Current crop production systems are a major reason for changing global climate through diminishing biodiversity, physical and chemical soil degradation, and water pollution. The over application of fertilizers and pesticides contribute to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and toxic soil depositions. At this crucial time, there is a pressing need to transition to more sustainable crop production practices, ones that concentrate more on promoting sustainable mechanisms, which enable crops to grow well in resource limited and environmentally challenging environments, and also develop crops with greater resource use efficiency that have optimum sustainable yields across a wider array of environmental conditions. The phytomicrobiome is considered as one of the best strategies; a better alternative for sustainable agriculture, and a viable solution to meet the twin challenges of global food security and environmental stability. Use of the phytomicrobiome, due to its sustainable and environmentally friendly mechanisms of plant growth promotion, is becoming more widespread in the agricultural industry. Therefore, in this review, we emphasize the contribution of beneficial phytomicrobiome members, particularly plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), as a strategy to sustainable improvement of plant growth and production in the face of climate change. Also, the roles of soil dwelling microbes in stress amelioration, nutrient supply (nitrogen fixation, phosphorus solubilization), and phytohormone production along with the factors that could potentially affect their efficiency have been discussed extensively. Lastly, limitations to expansion and use of biobased techniques, for instance, the perspective of crop producers, indigenous microbial competition and regulatory approval are discussed. This review largely focusses on the importance and need of sustainable and environmentally friendly approaches such as biobased/PGPR-based techniques in our agricultural systems, especially in the context of current climate change conditions, which are almost certain to worsen in near future.

Acoustic Vulnerability, Hydraulic Capacitance, and Xylem Anatomy Determine Drought Response of Small Grain Cereals.

Selection of high-yielding traits in cereal plants led to a continuous increase in productivity. However, less effort was made to select on adaptive traits, favorable in adverse and harsh environments. Under current climate change conditions and the knowledge that cereals are staple foods for people worldwide, it is highly important to shift focus to the selection of traits related to drought tolerance, and to evaluate new tools for efficient selection. Here, we explore the possibility to use vulnerability to drought-induced xylem embolism of wheat cultivars Excalibur and Hartog (Triticum aestivum L.), rye cultivar Duiker Max (Secale cereale L.), and triticale cultivars Dublet and US2014 (x Triticosecale Wittmack) as a proxy for their drought tolerance. Multiple techniques were combined to underpin this hypothesis. During bench-top dehydration experiments, acoustic emissions (AEs) produced by formation of air emboli were detected, and hydraulic capacitances quantified. By only looking at the AE50 values, one would classify wheat cultivar Excalibur as most tolerant and triticale cultivar Dublet as most vulnerable to drought-induced xylem embolism, though Dublet had significantly higher hydraulic capacitances, which are essential in terms of internal water storage to temporarily buffer or delay water shortage. In addition, xylem anatomical traits revealed that both cultivars have a contrasting trade-off between hydraulic safety and efficiency. This paper emphasizes the importance of including a cultivar’s hydraulic capacitance when evaluating its drought response and vulnerability to drought-induced xylem embolism, instead of relying on the AE50 as the one parameter.

Flash-flooding of Ephemeral Streams in the Context of Climate Change

Ephemeral streams, which are more extended than expected, entail a significant flood risk. Historically they have been underestimated due to their intermittent flow and the lack of knowledge on their hydro-geomorphology. Currently, European legislation recognizes their associated risk and supports research into them, adapting the scale and methodology to their characteristics. Based on the compilation of various works carried out in four Valencian catchments (Eastern Spain), this paper approaches the key questions of rainfall-runoff conversion and flood generation in ephemeral streams, taking into account their hydro-geomorphological specificity. Moreover, the consequences which derive from current environmental changes are addressed in the wider scale of Júcar River Water Authority.The study is based on 5-minute data, registered by the SAIH-Júcar network (Authomatic Hydrological Information System). The investigation has been conducted in two phases. Firstly, key issues determining flash-flood generation at basin scale have been addressed, based on the study of 138 floods, registered between 1989 and 2018, in four Valencian ephemeral streams (Barranc del Carraixet, Rambla de Poyo, Riu Vernissa and Rambla de Gallinera). Secondly, concerning a broader scale (Júcar River Water Authority), the evolution of 698 rain episodes (1989-2007) has been analysed. Finally, the consequences that environmental changes (climatic, anthropogenic and morphogenetic) might mean for flash-flood generation have been discussed.The results show how environmental changes point towards an increase in risk to the detriment of resource. Rain episodes tend to increase in intensity and decrease accumulated precipitation. As a consequence, hydrological connectivity will become more dependent on rain intensity, thus reducing runoff thresholds and basin response times. Anthropic changes enhance this behaviour, reducing infiltration and increasing surface runoff and erosion, while accelerating the hydrological cycle. An increase in process-form disequilibrium in Mediterranean catchments can be expected due to the increase in morphogenetic phases (because of the intensification of events) and a decrease in the efficiency of low-magnitude recovery episodes.Consequently, the behaviour of ephemeral-streams under current climate change conditions points firstly to an increase in intense flash-flood events, which will be difficult to manage with the current flood control measures, and secondly an increase in the general aridity conditions of catchments.

Extreme Temperature Events (ETEs) in South Africa: a review

ABSTRACT Extreme Temperature Events (ETEs), including heatwaves, warm spells, cold waves and cold spells, have disastrous impacts on human health and ecosystems. The frequency, intensity, and duration of ETEs is projected to increase due to climate change. However, very little research has been done on ETEs in South Africa, and only a few attempts have been made to identify and examine trends. Currently, ten known publications have examined ETEs across South Africa, the majority of which use the South African Weather Service (SAWS) climate database as the primary source. The general findings indicate that the incidence and duration of extreme warm temperatures are increasing, while cold extremes are decreasing. However, inconstancies exist in the indices used to identify ETEs, selection of meteorological stations, study period, and statistical methods used to examine trends. We review the methodological approaches to define ETEs, the extreme temperature indices adopted, the selection of meteorological stations, study periods, data quality and homogeneity, statistical trend analysis, and results. From these, we propose an approximate number of stations to adequately portray temperature variability on a national and regional level. Finally, we reflect on projections of ETEs under current climate change conditions, and the implications of cold and warm ETEs in a South African context.

Spatiotemporal Analysis of Maximum and Minimum Temperature within a Basin: A Case Study of West-Flowing River Basin of Kutch, Saurashtra and Marwar, India

India has a vast geographic diversity and accordingly has diverse responses to changing climate. The more than expected variations in the temperature are causing alterations in the water cycle and stressing the regional water availability along with agriculture significantly. With the current climate change conditions with globally evident rising temperatures, India has to face the challenge of sustaining its rapid economic growth along with ensuring food security to its increasing mainly agriculture-dependent population. The purpose of this research was to investigate the spatiotemporal variations in maximum and minimum temperature in terms of monthly and annual trends in west-flowing river basin of Kutch, Saurashtra and Marwar (WFR-KSM basin). The trend was calculated and assessed in ProUCL5.0.00 and ArcMap 10 software using 36-year Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) maximum and minimum temperature grid (1° × 1°) data from 1969 to 2004. The direction and magnitude of annual and monthly trends were calculated for every grid using Mann–Kendall (MK) test and Theil–Sen’s (TS) slope. The trends in annual, maximum and minimum temperature were spatially analyzed annually and for every month from January to December. The majority of the area exhibited increasing trend in minimum and maximum temperature annually and in all the months from January to December. In annual maximum temperature, all grids exhibited positive slope ranging from 0.01 to 0.03 degree Celsius per year. In annual minimum temperature, majority of the grids (81.25%) exhibited positive slope ranging from 0.01 to 0.04 degree Celsius per year and none of the grids exhibited negative slope. Monthwise trend in maximum and minimum temperature also indicated rising trend in majority of the grids, with few grids identified with declining trend mainly along the eastern border of the basin.

Reducing the conveyance losses in trapezoidal canals using compacted earth lining

Earth canals are subjected to seepage losses during the conveyance and distribution of irrigation water. With the current conditions of climate change and water scarcity, it is becoming crucial to conserve water. Canal lining is a common solution to minimize seepage losses. In this study SEEP/W model is used to investigate the effect of compacted earth lining characteristics on seepage from trapezoidal earth canals. The amount of reduction in seepage due to lining is quantified. Different scenarios for the hydraulic conductivity, thickness, and orientation (position) of compacted earth lining are evaluated. The results show that compacted earth lining is an efficient method to reduce conveyance losses. 99.8% of the water lost by seepage can be saved if highly compacted soil is used on the bed and sides. Partial lining can also be used, the most efficient orientation of lining depends on the canal’s width. Design charts and equations are suggested.

Development of a Yellow-Seeded Stable Allohexaploid Brassica Through Inter-Generic Somatic Hybridization With a High Degree of Fertility and Resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.

The Brassica coenospeceis have treasure troves of genes that could be beneficial if introgressed into cultivated Brassicas to combat the current conditions of climate change. Introducing genetic variability through plant speciation with polyploidization is well documented, where ploidy augmentation of inter-generic allohexaploids using somatic hybridization has significantly contributed to genetic base broadening. Sinapis alba is a member of the Brassicaceae family that possesses valuable genes, including genes conferring resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Alternaria brassicae, pod shattering, heat, and drought stress. This work aimed to synthesize stable allohexaploid (AABBSS) Brassica while incorporating the yellow-seed trait and resistance to S. sclerotiorum stem rot. The two fertile and stable allohexaploids were developed by polyethylene glycol mediated protoplast fusions between Brassica juncea (AABB) and S. alba (SS) and named as JS1 and JS2. These symmetric hybrids (2n = 60) were validated using morphological and molecular cytology techniques and were found to be stable over consecutive generations. The complete chromosome constitution of the three genomes was determined through genomic in situ hybridization of mitotic cells probed with S. alba genomic DNA labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate. These two allohexaploids showed 24 hybridization signals demonstrating the presence of complete diploid chromosomes from S. alba and 36 chromosomes from B. juncea. The meiotic pollen mother cell showed 30 bivalent sets of all the 60 chromosomes and none of univalent or trivalent observed during meiosis. Moreover, the backcross progeny 1 plant revealed 12 hybridization signals out of a total of 48 chromosome counts. Proper pairing and separation were recorded at the meiotic metaphase and anaphase, which proved the stability of the allohexaploid and their backcross progeny. When screening, the allohexaploid (JS2) of B. juncea and S. alba displayed a high degree of resistance to S. sclerotiorum rot along with a half-yellow and half-brown (mosaic) seed coat color, while the B. juncea and S. alba allohexaplopid1 (JS1) displayed a yellow seed coat color with the same degree of resistance to Sclerotinia rot.

A tipping point to a carbon sink

Ecology The ability of soils to act as carbon sinks has tended to diminish under current climate change conditions and from other anthropogenic influences. More rarely, the reverse can be true. Milner et al. sampled cores from an upland peatbog site in Wales, revealing a tipping point in the late 19th century, when peat loss through erosion switched to peat accumulation through revegetation. Since then, 5 to 10 kilograms of carbon per square meter has accumulated. The causes of this flip are uncertain and may reflect a combination of shifts in grazing and mining activity in the region, as well as geomorphological changes. This work may hold lessons for promoting carbon sinks in peatlands more widely. J. Ecol. 10.1111/1365-2745.13453 (2020).

Foliar application of specific yeast derivative enhances anthocyanins accumulation and gene expression in Sangiovese cv (Vitis vinifera L.)

The effect of elicitors on secondary metabolism in vines is receiving much interest, since it has been shown that they are able to increase the accumulation of phenolics, especially anthocyanins. This research aims to investigate the biochemical and molecular effects of the application of a commercial yeast derivative (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on the accumulation of anthocyanins in potted Sangiovese vines. Experiments were performed on three consecutive years and the yeast derivative was applied at the beginning and at the end of veraison. Technological ripening, accumulation of anthocyanins and expression of the main genes involved in their biosynthesis were assessed. Technological ripening proceeded in a similar way in both treated and untreated berries in the three years. A significant increase in the concentration of anthocyanins was instead detected, following the induction by the yeast derivative of the expression of the genes involved in their biosynthesis. The research highlights the possibility of applying a specific inactivated yeast to increase the anthocyanin concentration even under the current climate change conditions, in Sangiovese, a cultivar extremely sensitive to high temperatures.

MOLDOVA’S WINES IN THE CONTEXT OF CLIMATE CHANGE

The aims of this work is to characterize the physico-chemical characteristics of grape varieties and wines from the wine region of Moldova under current climate change conditions. The musts from the varieties Busuioaca de Bohotin, Fetească neagră, Muscat Ottonel and Pinot gris showed values of sugars between 198 g / L and 254 g / L, acidity 5.04 g / L H2SO4 and 7.92 g / L H2SO4, the total nitrogen was between 0.91 g / L and 1.54 g / L. The wines obtained were characterized by alcohol concentration and sulfur dioxide with values falling within standards, total acidity on average lower than the musts with one unit, and the dry nonreducing extract ranged from 22.1 g / L to 32, 4 g / L. It has been found that climate change, especially rising temperatures, leads to an accumulation of sugars and extract in musts and wines from the Moldova Vineyards.