Rye Samples Research Articles

Chemical composition, energy content, and nutrient digestibility of rye grain in broiler chickens

The development of livestock farming is always associated with the search for new dietary components that increase feed efficiency or reduce feed costs. The maximum use of regional, conventional feed in the feeding of farm animals is quite relevant today. Furthermore, certain feeds, the production of which is accompanied by low greenhouse gas emissions, help reduce the carbon footprint of the diet as a whole. The purpose of this study was to determine the nutritional value of rye grain of the modern hybrid KWS Tayo and the digestibility of nutrients in poultry. The chemical composition of grain, digestibility of nutrients in broiler chickens, and total energy content were investigated. The chemical composition of feed, compound feed, and litter was determined according to the Wende method. Nutrient digestibility studies were conducted on broiler chickens of the ROSS-308 cross. For the physiological experiment, 5 chickens aged 22 days were selected. The experiment was carried out using a complex method, by replacing part of the basic diet. The experiment consisted of 2 parts. In the first experiment, the nutrient digestibility of the main diet was determined – compound feed containing 5% rye grain; in the second, the main diet with an additional 5% rye grain was used. The calculation was made on the assumption that the digestibility of nutrients in the main diet was the same in both experiments. The compound feed was balanced according to the recommendations of the cross developer. The energy content of rye grain was calculated in J of metabolisable energy by the regression equation, based on the data on the content of digestible protein, fat, fibre, and NFES determined in the physiological experiment. The average dry matter content of the rye samples was 87.4%. The content of the main nutrients in the grain of natural moisture was as follows: crude protein – 8.87±0.484%; crude fat – 1.63±0.105%; NFES – 73.95±0.494%, and crude ash – 0.53±0.109%. The nutrient digestibility of rye grain was as follows: crude protein – 76%; crude fat – 82%, crude fibre – 8%; NFES – 81% and organic matter – 78%. The total energy value of rye grain was 12.420±0.2573 MJ/kg of metabolic energy for poultry. Nutritionists can use the nutritional and nutrient digestibility data of rye grain to develop practical recipes for poultry compound feed

All-in-one 2LabsToGo system for analysis of ergot alkaloids in whole rye

Ergot alkaloids, naturally occurring mycotoxins of Claviceps fungi, pose health risks. This necessitates accurate analysis methods to ensure food safety. This study explored the open-source miniaturized all-in-one 2LabsToGo system to analyze ergot alkaloids in whole rye samples. It is suited for sustainable atline analysis as it combines all planar chromatography tasks, allowing low-cost quality control in milling plants. The LOD and LOQ of ergocristine were determined to be 0.4 and 1.2 ng/zone, respectively. Detectability of ergot alkaloids was proven to be below the current maximum limit of 500 µg/kg for rye milling products. The repeatability (%RSD) was 4.1 % and the coefficient of determination of the analytical response (R2) was 0.9918 for ergocristine. The mean recovery rate of ergot alkaloids in spiked whole rye grain was close to 100 %. Results of screening whole rye for ergot alkaloids were successfully verified by comparison with those obtained by conventional status quo HPTLC instrumentation.

Enhancing Salt Stress Tolerance in Rye with ZnO Nanoparticles: Detecting H2O2 as a Stress Biomarker by Nanostructured NiO Electrochemical Sensor

This article is devoted to the study of the effect of ZnO nanoparticles on the development of tolerance to salt stress in rye samples. As a quantitative criterion for assessing the degree of oxidative stress, the amount of H2O2 released in the samples during growth was determined. For these purposes, an electrochemical sensor based on hydrothermally synthesized wall-shaped NiO nanostructures was developed. This sensor has been proven to demonstrate high sensitivity (2474 µA·mM−1), a low limit of detection (1.59 µM), good selectivity against common interferents, and excellent long-term stability. The investigation reveals that the incorporation of ZnO nanoparticles in irrigation water notably enhances rye’s ability to combat salt stress, resulting in a decrease in detected H2O2 levels (up to 70%), coupled with beneficial effects on morphological traits and photosynthetic rates.

Vitamin B complex, amino acid profile and bioactive properties of newly developed rye variants

ABSTRACT This study was designed to investigate the amino acid profile, vitamin B complex, and bioactive properties present in recently cultivated rye variants in Pakistan. The four rye variants, named as Gp 1, Gp-2, Gp-3, and Gp-4, were procured from the Forage and Pulses section of AARI Faisalabad. The rye samples were ground into flour using a hammer-type 120-ton laboratory mill. For the analysis of amino acids, vitamin B complex, phenolic constituents, alkylresorcinols, and lignin, standard HPLC and GC-MS methods were employed following the extraction with appropriate reagents. The results revealed that among the rye variants, Gp-2 showed the highest content of vitamin B complex, with thiamin at 252.33 μg/100 g, niacin at 397 μg/100 g, and pyridoxine at 99 μg/100 g. Pantothenic acid (246.70 μg/100 g) and ascorbic acid (470 μg/100 g) were found in the highest concentrations in Gp-3. The riboflavin content of Gp-1 was 84.40 g/100 g, while the folate content of Gp-4 was 24.40 g/100 g. In terms of phenolic compounds, the range of chlorogenic acid content ranged from 86.70 to 92.43 mg/kg, p-coumaric acid from 2.70 to 5.40 mg/kg, gallic acid from 64.70 to 97.10 mg/kg, caffeic acid from 16.90 to 25.90 mg/kg, and coumaric acid from 218.10 to 228.40 mg/kg. In conclusion, Gp-2 observed as the most nutritionally rich and bioactive variant, distinguished by its high essential amino acids, vitamins, and other bioactive components.

Assessment of Oxidative Stress by Detection of H2O2 in Rye Samples Using a CuO- and Co3O4-Nanostructure-Based Electrochemical Sensor

Hydrogen peroxide is essential for biological processes and normally occurs in low concentrations in living organisms. However, exposure of plants to biotic and abiotic stressors can disrupt their defense mechanisms, resulting in oxidative stress with elevated H2O2 levels. This oxidative stress can damage cell membranes, impair photosynthesis, and hinder crucial plant functions. The primary focus of this article is to investigate the effects of salt and herbicide stress factors on the growth of rye samples. For precise quantification of the released H2O2 concentration caused by these stress factors, a non-enzymatic electrochemical sensor was developed, employing nanostructured CuO and Co3O4 oxides. Nanostructured electrodes exhibit high sensitivity and selectivity towards H2O2, making them suitable for detecting H2O2 in real samples with complex compositions. Rye samples exposed to NaCl- and glyphosate-induced stress demonstrated notable concentrations of released H2O2, displaying an increase of up to 30% compared to the control sample. Moreover, optical absorption measurements revealed a substantial decrease in chlorophyll concentration (up to 35% compared to the control group) in rye samples where elevated H2O2 levels were detected through electrochemical methods. These findings provide further evidence of the harmful effects of elevated H2O2 concentrations on plant vital functions.

Agrobiological study of the collection of winter rye

The paper presents the results of studying collection samples of winter rye for yield and agrobiological traits in the Kirov Region. The authors conducted the field research in 2021–2022 at the experimental field of the Federal Agricultural Research Center of the Northeast (Kirov City). The study aimed to identify sources of valuable traits for breeding winter rye in the Kirov Region. Weather conditions contributed to the manifestation of the adaptive potential of the samples. Overwintering conditions were at the climatic norm level. Drought in May 2021 (hydrothermal coefficient 0.8) led to a deterioration of spike indicators. More favourable moisture conditions during the spring-summer vegetation were observed in 2022 (hydrothermal coefficient for May-July 1.2–2.5). As a result of the study, the most adapted samples were identified: K-10474 Edelhofer New, K-10394 Otello, Snow 2 242/15, K-10028 Low-stemmed, with productive stem density of more than 200 pcs/m2 and yields of 168–180 g/m2. Sources of high earliness (52–56 pcs.) and spike productivity (1.75–1.86 g) were identified, such as Snow 2 242/15, K-11821 Donskaya, K-11823 Nika 3; spikelet quantity per spike (33 pcs.) – K-11515 Pallada, K-11649 UH 14; 1000 grain weight – K-11693 Warko (33.6 g). For selection for lodging resistance, promising samples are K-11674 Talovskaya 2, K-11635 Polko, K-11649 UH 14, donors of dominant monogenic short stem K-10028 Low-stemmed, donors of recessive polygenic short stem K-10149 Carstens, K-10229 Danae. To increase the genetic diversity of breeding material of winter rye in the Kirov Region, samples K-10394 Otello (Sweden), K-10474 Edelhofer New (Austria), K-11410 SCW 1662 (Germany), K-11693 Warko (Poland), Snow 2 242/15 (Russia), K-11821 Donskaya (Russia), K-11823 Nika 3 (Russia), K-10028 Low-stemmed (Bulgaria), K-11515 Pallada (Ukraine) are proposed for crossing with local varieties.

Grain bran hydrolysates in the production of fruit distillates

Currently, there is an urgent need for domestic fermentation activators based on low-cost secondary raw materials. We aimed to study the effect of microbial enzyme preparations with different action on the hydrolysis of proteins and phytin of grain bran to obtain fermentation activators that could become an alternative to imported ones.
 We studied wheat and rye brans; microbial enzyme preparations with cytolytic, proteolytic, and phytase action; multi-enzyme compositions; and grain bran hydrolysates. Firstly, we determined the kinetic characteristics of enzyme preparations. Secondly, we evaluated their effectiveness in the hydrolysis of the brans. Thirdly, we developed multi-enzyme compositions. Finally, we determined the concentration of soluble forms of phosphorus and free amino acids in the hydrolysates.
 We determined optimal temperature and pH values for the enzyme preparations. The multi-enzyme compositions contributed to a high accumulation of reducing substances, water-soluble protein, and phosphorus. The concentration of free amino acids in the hydrolysates obtained under the action of the bran’s own enzymes was about 20% higher in the wheat samples, compared to the rye samples. However, when using multi-enzyme compositions in addition to the bran’s own enzymes, the concentration of free amino acids was 1.5 times higher in the rye hydrolysates, compared to the wheat hydrolysates.
 The use of multi-enzyme compositions under optimal conditions can double the content of phosphorus and free amino acids available for yeast, compared to the control. Our results can be used for further research into using grain bran hydrolysates as an alternative source of nitrogen and phosphorus nutrition for yeast at the fermentation stage of fruit distillate production.

Profiling of cool-season forage arabinoxylans via a validated HPAEC-PAD method.

Cool-season pasture grasses contain arabinoxylans (AX) as their major cell wall hemicellulosic polysaccharide. AX structural differences may influence enzymatic degradability, but this relationship has not been fully explored in the AX from the vegetative tissues of cool-season forages, primarily because only limited AX structural characterization has been performed in pasture grasses. Structural profiling of forage AX is a necessary foundation for future work assessing enzymatic degradability and may also be useful for assessing forage quality and suitability for ruminant feed. The main objective of this study was to optimize and validate a high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD) method for the simultaneous quantification of 10 endoxylanase-released xylooligosaccharides (XOS) and arabinoxylan oligosaccharides (AXOS) in cool-season forage cell wall material. The following analytical parameters were determined or optimized: chromatographic separation and retention time (RT), internal standard suitability, working concentration range (CR), limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), relative response factor (RRF), and quadratic calibration curves. The developed method was used to profile the AX structure of four cool-season grasses commonly grown in pastures (timothy, Phleum pratense L.; perennial ryegrass, Lolium perenne L.; tall fescue, Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.; and Kentucky bluegrass, Poa pratensis L.). In addition, the cell wall monosaccharide and ester-linked hydroxycinnamic acid contents were determined for each grass. The developed method revealed unique structural aspects of the AX structure of these forage grass samples that complemented the results of the cell wall monosaccharide analysis. For example, xylotriose, representing an unsubstituted portion of the AX polysaccharide backbone, was the most abundantly-released oligosaccharide in all the species. Perennial rye samples tended to have greater amounts of released oligosaccharides compared to the other species. This method is ideally suited to monitor structural changes of AX in forages as a result of plant breeding, pasture management, and fermentation of plant material.

Значимость комплексной оценки селекционных индексов и параметров стрессоустойчивости сортов озимой ржи

Abstract. Among grain crops, winter rye is one of the most popular crops, well adapted to the conditions of the North-West. Currently, most breeders use various selection indices in conjunction with the definition of stress resistance. Purpose. The aim is to study the collection samples of winter rye by yield and elements of the productivity structure and to identify the most adaptive for breeding in the conditions of the North-Western region. Methods. The experimental part was carried out at the VIR pilot site during 2018-2021 located in the North-Western region. The following were determined: Mexican index (Mx), Canadian index (Ki), linear ear density index (LPC), plant productivity index (IPR), Finnish-Scandinavian index (FSj), prospects index (J.P), index of the ratio of the mass of 1000 grains to the number of grains in the ear (j). The calculation of stress resistance parameters was carried out using the following indicators: stress resistance (Ymin- Y max), genetic flexibility (Ymin+Ymax)/2, stability of the variety (Ymin/Ymax), stress resistance coefficient (Kst.) was determined by A.A. Bykov. Results. The best conditions for the formation of yields were in 2020 and 2021 (Ij = +2.03; +1.8). In 2018 and 2019 – unfavorable (Ij = -1.3; -2.5). The maximum yield was obtained in 2020 in diploid rye varieties: Ophelia (10.3 t/ha) and Yaselda (9.0 t/ha), in tetraploid varieties Siberia 4. The results of these studies showed that the greatest advantage have variety: Siberia (Ʃ rank= 41), Eureka (Ʃ rank=55), ilmenite (Ʃ rank= 55), Ophelia (Ʃ rank=56), Siberia 4 (Ʃ rank= 58), Verisim (Ʃ rank= 59). Scientific novelty lies in the study of 12 varieties – seven diploids and five tetraploid winter rye. Thanks to the evaluation of varieties, they are divided according to the reaction of varieties to the environmental condition, stress-resistant and non-resistant.

Comparative compositional and functional characterisation of rye varieties and novel industrial milling fractions

SummaryThis work aimed to collect and study all milling fractions generated during an industrial rye milling technology and to select nutritionally promising subfractions for further investigations (chemical composition and rheological behaviour) also considering their yield. To investigate the varietal effect, four rye samples were examined and applied in the milling experiments. The results showed great variability of technological properties (mainly in viscous behaviour) among rye samples. Generally, subfractions had higher protein, lipid, total and soluble dietary fibre content than white flours, and several subfractions provided higher values even than wholemeal flours. Significant differences were found between the fractions in the mixing and viscous behaviour, which could be explained principally by the variable dietary fibre content and composition, however, the effect of protein content was found also prominent. The results pointed out that alternative milling products with favourable composition and technological properties can be produced by collecting appropriate subfractions.

Новый вид азотсодержащего сырья для использования в технологии дистиллятов

Grain bran is used mostly in animal farming and food industry. However, grain bran can also serve as an alternative source of nitrogenous substances in distillate technology. The present research objective was to study the complex of water-soluble nitrogenous compounds in grain bran and to identify the effect of the bran type and its granulometric characteristics on their composition and concentration. 
 The research featured 30 industrial grain samples of wheat, rye, and triticale, as well as the corresponding bran samples. The total protein was determined by the Kjeldahl method, the size modulus – by sieving. In the bran aqueous phase, the protein content was measured using the Lowry method, the amine nitrogen content – by the copper method, and the free amino acid content – by the high-performance liquid chromatography. 
 In bran, the content of total protein increased by 16–28%, the proportion of water-soluble forms of nitrogenous compounds increased by 6–29%, and the free amino acids increased by 1.4–2.3 times, if compared with the grain samples. The proportion of soluble proteins in the rye bran was 15–30% higher than in other types. The types of bran had a different content of individual amino acids. A high correlation was observed between the modulus of the bran size, the mass concentration of soluble proteins, and the free amino acids. The proportion of soluble proteins reached 44.1% as the size modulus decreased. The samples of rye bran demonstrated the maximal growth of this indicator. Bran, regardless of the type of raw material and particle size distribution, had a higher concentration of free amino acids in comparison with the original grain. The experiment revealed the following linear dependence: the proportion of free amino acids in bran increased by 46–54% as the size modulus decreased by 0.72–0.85. The article introduces linear dependence equations for each type of bran, as well as the percentage of free amino acids for the change in the size modulus per unit. 
 Aqueous extracts of small-size rye grain bran proved to have good prospects for distillate technology. According to the evaluation of the nitrogen-containing complex of various grain bran types, small-size rye bran had more advantages in terms of soluble protein forms and free amino acids. Further research will feature the fermentation activity of yeast in distillate production to develop specific sensory properties.

Ergot sclerotia and ergot alkaloids occurrence in wheat and rye grains produced in Croatia

Ergot alkaloids (EAs) are mycotoxins produced by several species of fungi of the genus Claviceps, among which Claviceps purpurea is the most widespread in Europe. This species has been found in many economically important cereal grains, such as rye, wheat, triticale, barley, millet and oats. The distribution of EAs contamination has a sporadic incidence with many factors involved in its occurrence, greatly varying between fungal strains, geographic regions, host plants and regional/local weather conditions, at the same time emphasizing that cool, damp weather favours ergot by enhancing the germination of sclerotia. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of ergot sclerotia and EAs in wheat and rye grain samples (n = 64) taken during the year 2021 from Croatian cereal producers located in the Central and Eastern parts of Croatia. In two of the rye samples the presence of ergot sclerotia was detected in the amount of 259 mg/kg and 536 mg/kg, whereas none of the wheat samples tested positive for ergot sclerotia. A higher contamination with EAs was determined in the rye samples (18% contaminated, max 167.4 µg/kg), while a lower frequency of contamination, with only one positive sample (1.9 %), was determined in wheat (68.5 µg/kg). The results pointed to a low-level of EAs contamination of wheat and rye cultivated by Croatian producers during the whole investigative period. However, although a low percentage of the positive tested rye samples with EAs was determined, the content of ergot sclerotia in two of the samples was higher than is allowed by legislation for foodstuffs. Because the levels of these mycotoxins and ergot sclerotia content can vary depending on a number of factors, further research of them is required over a longer period of time and under different cereal cultivation and processing conditions.

Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy as a tool to predict non-starch polysaccharide composition and starch digestibility profiles in common monogastric cereal feed ingredients

Carbohydrates are the main components of cereal grain ingredients and are comprised predominantly of starch which varies in the rate and extent of digestibility, and non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) from plant cell walls. These components are traditionally measured by chemical methods but there is interest in developing more rapid, cost effective predictions by use of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) technology. In this study, around 400 samples of wheat, corn, barley, wheat bran, oats, rye, corn germ, and sorghum were collected over several years to develop global NIR calibrations. Chemical analysis was performed for NSP, including details on solubility and individual constituent sugars, as well as separate determinations of cellulose and lignin. Total starch content and starch digestibility were characterized by the method of Englyst as rapidly (RDS) and slowly (SDS) digestible starch, and resistant starch (RS) determined as total starch content minus RDS and SDS. The same samples were scanned (400 to 2500 nm, every 0.5 nm) by two NIRS machines: a Foss model DS2500 and a Bruker Tango FT-NIR (Fourier transform near-infrared spectroscopy). The NIRS calibrations were developed by using the combined set of different cereal grains. The modified Partial Least Squares Regression method was employed to establish correlations between the reference chemical analysis and the collected NIRS spectra. The correlation between the NIRS and reference data for total and insoluble NSP and the main component sugars (arabinose, xylose, and glucose) were robust (R2 = >0.97) with a 1-VR > 0.96 and RPD values > 5.3. Similarly, the NIRS predicted lignin (R2 = 0.94; 1-VR = 0.93) and to a lesser extent cellulose (R2 = 0.70; 1-VR = 0.98) but still highly correlated with the reference data. The predicted total starch content was excellent (R2 = 0.99; 1-VR = 0.99). The NIRS prediction for RDS and SDS were lower in linearity (R2 = 0.81 and R2 = 0.97, respectively) but more than sufficient to provide an estimate of the starch digestion profile for many of the raw materials evaluated. In addition, the robust NIRS predictions for total starch content, RDS and SDS could then provide information to calculate the RS fraction of the ingredients. In conclusion, compared with the reference chemical data for this large set of cereal grains the global NIR calibrations developed provide a good prediction of NSP, monosaccharide sugars, lignin, cellulose and total starch content in cereal grains, and for the first time an NIR relationship with starch digestibility fractions in the grains has been shown.

Influence of sample preparation process on basic properties of biofuels

The characteristic properties of non-wood biomass used in combustion processes are monitored, such as water content, ash, volatile matter. Biomass is usually not homogenous and of suitable dimensions for these determinations. This is the reason for the necessary adjustment of samples for analysis. But modifying the samples may change their properties. In this publication, the influence of the grinding process in a rotor mill on the content of water, volatile matter and ash in non-wood biomass samples was studied. Samples of flax, Crambe abyssinica, amaranth and rye were analyzed. All analyses showed moisture loss from the sample during grinding and in the case of flax, the loss of volatile matter was observed. It means the rotor mill is suitable for sample preparation prior to analysis. But for oil plants it is necessary to choose another mill or adjustment method.

СТВОРЕННЯ БАНКУ СЕЛЕКЦІЙНОГО МАТЕРІАЛУ

Аn important issue of the selection process is the preservation of the source and obtained material, especially cross-pollinated crops, which significantly lose their viability by inbreeding. Creating a bank of genetic resources using biotechnological methods will effectively solve this problem. The aim of the work was to determine the conditions for the formation of a genetic bank of valuable winter rye materials with changes in temperature and modeling of the nutrient medium for long-term disposal of cloned plants and the use of active collection of original and created forms in the selection process. To deposit the clones, a nutrient medium, which included macro- and microelements according to the Murashige-Skuga medium was used. The nutrient substrate modified with cytokinins and carbohydrates. The clones in culture rooms at a temperature of 6–12 °С and low light intensity (2 kLk) were stored. In the course of research the conditions of creation of an active collection of plants of winter rye with use of temperature restriction and modification of a nutrient medium are defined. A consistent technological scheme for the conversion of plant material into a state of relative anabiosis has been developed. It is proved that the optimal storage temperature for samples is 6 °С. Survival of plants at the specified temperature regime after 12 months of deposition on average by genotypes at the level of 78,2 % was recorded. Modification of the nutrient medium with agar-agar at a concentration of 12,0 g/l increases the proportion of viable clones to 81,3 %, and the introduction into the substrate of an increased concentration of growth regulators, in particular 6-BAP (2,0 mg/l) and sucrose 40,0 g/l and a gradual decrease in temperature to 10 °С prolongs the period of deposition of cloned plants without changing the substrate and the shelf life of breeding material in isolated crops. Using of biotechnological methods for the preservation and reproduction of valuable material intensifies the selection process of obtaining initial samples of winter rye.

Isolation, Characterization and Acid/Alkaline Tolerance of Lactic Acid Bacteria Present in Fermented Rye, Wheat, Oat and Barley

Objective: This study determined the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) present in fermented rye, wheat, oat and barley grains, and evaluated their survival in simulated gastric juice and pancreatic juice.
 Methods: Samples of rye, wheat, oat and barley grains were fermented for 72 hours at room temperature. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains were isolated using MRS agar and were enumerated. Isolated LAB strains were cultured with MRS broth and the fermentation patterns of the isolated strains were characterized using API 50 CH kit (Biomerieux, France). Each isolated LAB strain was exposed to simulated gastric juice at pH of 2.0 for 80 minutes at 370C, followed by exposure to simulated pancreatic juice at pH of 8.0 for 120 minutes at 370C. Aliquots were taken at 0 minute and 80 minutes at pH of 2.0 and 0 minutes and 120 minutes at pH of 8.0 for enumeration of LAB strains.
 Results: The total LAB cell count ranged from 6.6 * 108 ± 11 cfu/ml in the rye sample to 9.5*109 ± 7 cfu/ml in the oat sample. 13 LAB strains were isolated from the four selected cereal grains and were characterized as six strains of Lactobacillus plantarum1, five strains of L. brevis 1 and one strain each of L. collinoides and Leuconostoc citreum. All the isolated LAB strains from the four selected cereals survived in the simulated gastric juice at pH of 2.0 (before and after incubation at 0min and 80a min) and after addition of simulated pancreatic juice at pH of 8.0 (before and after incubation at 80b min and 200 min respectively). The mean viable counts of all the strains ranged from 2.0 *108 in R3 at 80b min to 1.54 * 1010 in B4 at 80b minutes.
 Conclusion: LAB associated with fermentation of rye, wheat, oat and barley grains are likely to survive transport through the harsh acidic and alkaline conditions of the GIT.

The Importance of Technical Support in the Return of Traditional Crops in the Alps: The Case of Rye in Camonica Valley

Multifunctional agriculture could be strategic for the recovery of some mountain areas of the Alps, and traditional crops like cereals generated study cases that triggered processes of development, such as rye in Camonica Valley (Northern Italy). However, farmers are often newcomers, and the specificities of low input agriculture make the training in agriculture fundamental. The impact of public workshops/seminars (organized by the Ge.S.Di.Mont. Research Centre of the University of Milan in Camonica Valley) on cereal cultivation between 2016 and 2021 was investigated. Moreover, rye produced in Camonica Valley was analyzed. The results show an increase in participation and a wider use of the streaming service. The percentage of participants not from an agricultural background had always remained about 50%, but decreased to 15.17% ± 5.07 in 2021, in contrast to the increase of professionals in agriculture and forestry. This is probably due to the accreditation of training activities for agronomists and foresters, and to the start of specific training projects regarding cereals. Samples of rye produced in Camonica Valley following the period of training activities were phytochemically/nutritionally characterized and compared to commercial rye. Locally produced rye proved to be comparable to the commercial one; however it showed a remarkable unevenness in secondary metabolite content and productivity, due to environmental differences and diverse agro-techniques.

Pythium spp. Associated with Root Rot and Stunting of Winter Crops in North Carolina.

Annual double-crop rotation systems that incorporate winter wheat, clary sage, or a cover crop are common in eastern North Carolina. Stunting and root rot of clary sage (Salvia sclarea L.) reduce yields of this crop, especially in wet soils. Stunting and reduced stand establishment also afflict winter cover crops, including rye, rapeseed, and winter pea. Pythium spp. are causal agents of root rot of winter wheat in this region, but their role in root rot and stunting of other winter crops is not understood. During the growing seasons of 2018 to 2019 and 2019 to 2020, samples of clary sage, rye, rapeseed, and winter pea displaying symptoms of stunting were collected across eastern North Carolina, resulting in the recovery of 420 isolates of Pythium from the roots of all hosts. Pythium irregulare, Pythium spinosum, and the complex Pythium sp. cluster B2A were the species most frequently isolated from clary sage. P. irregulare and P. spinosum were aggressive pathogens of clary sage at 18°C and caused moderate root rot at 28°C. Koch's postulates confirmed that isolates belonging to Pythium sp. cluster B2A, Pythium sylvaticum, Pythium pachycaule, Pythium aphanidermatum, Pythium myriotylum, and Pythium oopapillum are pathogens of clary sage. P. irregulare (37% of all isolates) and members of the species complex Pythium sp. cluster B2A (28% of all isolates) constituted the majority of isolates collected from all hosts and were the species most frequently isolated from rye, rapeseed, and winter pea. In pathogenicity assays, isolates representing P. irregulare and P. spinosum caused slight to moderate root necrosis on rye, rapeseed, and winter pea. Isolates representing Pythium sp. cluster B2A caused slight to moderate root necrosis on rapeseed and clary sage, but no symptoms on rye or winter pea.

Search for immunologically valuable winter rye genotypes using separate parameters of non-specific resistance

More than 100 Russian varieties and collection samples of winter rye were studied under the conditions of the Kirov region against the natural infectious background of the development of mycoses (2019-2020). The degree of damage by powdery mildew during the years of research reached 86.3 %, septoria – 63.3 %, brown rust – 40.5 %, stem rust – 60.0 %, rhynchosporiosis – 29.3 %. During plant ontogenesis (from phases 31 to 85 Zadoks scale), the growth of fungal infection in varietal biocenoses was analyzed. When accounting for diseases, well-known methods were used. The nature of plant-microbial interactions and the parameters of resistance were assessed by indicators of ADDC (area under the curve of disease development), IR (resistance index) and LP (latency period). A close relationship was established between the duration of LP and the degree of septoria infection (r = -0.98), brown rust (r = -0.95), powdery mildew (r = -0.92), stem rust (r = -0.80), rhynchosporiosis (r = -0.67). The regression equations are linear (R2 = 0.84 ... 0.96) and indicate a daily increase in diseases (from 0.52 to 0.88 %). In the course of immunological management, there have been identified about 20 varieties of Russian selection distinguished by nonspecific resistance to two or more diseases, slow (slow rusting) growth of infection in varietal biocenoses and a long latent period of pathogenesis. Among them are the varieties of the Federal Agricultural Research Center of the North-East named N.V. Rudnitsky (Falyonskaya 4, Vyatka 2, Rushnik, Kirovskaya 89, Snezhana, Flora, Rumba), other scientific institutions of the Russian Federation (Alisa, Pamyati Bambysheva, P-01/14, GP-901 and others) and new samples from the VIR collection (Trinodis 4 Minvak – 139/09 NP, Estet NP 42/14 and others). They can be used in breeding as sources, and indicators of ADDC, IR, LP – as immunologically significant parameters of nonspecific resistance.

Nanostructure-based electrochemical sensor: Glyphosate detection and the analysis of genetic changes in rye DNA

Glyphosate, commonly known by its original trade name Roundup™, is the world's most widely used herbicide. Glyphosate and its metabolites have a profound negative environmental impact and long-term toxicity risk, including carcinogenicity, genotoxicity, and endocrine disruption, even at concentration levels too low to have a herbicidal effect. Therefore, the detection of these pollutants at low concentrations is an important task.To increase the sensitivity of the sensor, nanostructures were used.To analyze the presence of glyphosate and its metabolites in rye juice, two groups of samples were selected. In the first case, glyphosate at different concentrations was added to the water for irrigation on the first day, and then the rye samples were watered with pure water for 7 days. In the second case, the samples were watered with pure water for all 8 days, and glyphosate was artificially added just before the measurement. The obtained samples were studied by the Different Pulse Voltammetry (DPV) employing nanostructured working electrodes. To analyze changes in the DNA sequence, a Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product obtained from samples of the first group was electrochemically studied. To confirm the results obtained, an electrophoresis method was also applied. The results indicate that the DPV signal obtained from samples with artificially added glyphosate has significant differences compared to the signal obtained from the juice of plants absorbing glyphosate in a natural way during growth. However, in both cases, the CuO nanostructure based sensor detects the presence of glyphosate or its metabolites compared to the control sample. The experiment also found significant changes in the DNA caused by exposure with glyphosate during the growth process of rye sprouts.A nanostructured electrochemical sensor was used for the detection of glyphosate residuals and genetic changes caused by glyphosate in untreated rye juice.