Winter Spelt Research Articles

Вплив екзогенної абсцизової кислоти на морфометричні показники ростових процесів озимої пшениці та спельти за дії гіпертермії

Вплив екзогенної абсцизової кислоти на морфометричні показники ростових процесів озимої пшениці та спельти за дії гіпертермії

Avian influenza overview August - November 2018.

Between 16 August and 15 November 2018, 14 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N8) outbreaks in poultry establishments in Bulgaria and seven HPAI A(H5N6) outbreaks, one in captive birds in Germany and six in wild birds in Denmark and the Netherlands were reported in the European Union (EU). No human infection due to HPAI A(H5N8) and A(H5N6) viruses have been reported in Europe so far. Seroconversion of people exposed during outbreaks in Russia has been reported in one study. Although the risk of zoonotic transmission to the general public in Europe is considered to be very low, appropriate personal protection measures of people exposed will reduce any potential risk. Genetic clustering of the viruses isolated from poultry in Bulgaria suggests three separate introductions in 2016 and a continuing circulation and transmission of these viruses within domestic ducks. Recent data from Bulgaria provides further indication that the sensitivity of passive surveillance of HPAI A(H5N8) in domestic ducks may be significantly compromised. Increased vigilance is needed especially during the periods of cold spells in winter when aggregations of wild birds and their movements towards areas with more favourable weather conditions may be encouraged. Two HPAI outbreaks in poultry were reported during this period from western Russia. Low numbers of HPAI outbreaks were observed in Africa and Asia, no HPAI cases were detected in wild birds in the time period relevant for this report. Although a few HPAI outbreaks were reported in Africa and Asia during the reporting period, the probability of HPAI virus introductions from non‐EU countries via wild birds particularly via the north‐eastern route from Russia is increasing, as the fall migration of wild birds from breeding and moulting sites to the wintering sites continues. Furthermore, the lower temperatures and ultraviolet radiation in winter can facilitate the environmental survival of any potential AI viruses introduced to Europe.

Temperature extremes in Alaska: temporal variability and circulation background

The aims of this study are to characterize the spatial and temporal variability of extremely warm days (WDs) and warm spells (WSs) in summer as well as extremely cold days (CDs) and cold spells (CSs) in winter in Alaska in the years 1951–2015 and to determine the role of atmospheric circulation in their occurrence. The analysis is performed using daily temperature maxima (TMAX) and minima (TMIN) measured at 10 weather stations in Alaska as well as mean daily values of sea level pressure and wind direction at the 850 hPa isobaric level.WD (CD) is defined as a day with TMAX above the 95th (TMIN below the 5th) percentile of a probability density function calculated from observations, and WS (CS) equals at least three consecutive WDs (CDs). Frequency of the occurrence and severity of warm and cold extremes as well as duration of WSs and CSs is analyzed. In order to characterize synoptic conditions during temperature extremes, the objective classification scheme of advection types considering jointly the direction of the air influx and type of pressure system is employed.The results show that the general trend is towards the warmer temperatures, and the warming is greater in the winter than summer and for TMAX as opposed to TMIN. This is reflected in changes in the frequency of occurrence and intensity of temperature extremes which are much more pronounced in the case of winter cold extremes (decreasing tendencies) than summer warm extremes (increasing tendencies).The occurrence of temperature extremes is generally favored by anticyclonic weather with advection direction indicating air mass flows from the interior of the North American continent as well as the south (warm extremes in summer) and north (cold extremes in winter).

The transfer effect of southern populations of scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) on climatic conditions of Lithuania

The objective of our study was to assess the quantitative and qualitative traits of southern Scots pine populations and compare these traits with the local populations tested in two field tests in Kazlų Rūda (central Lithuania) and in Venta (north-eastern Lithuania). In total, we measured ca. 3 000 trees in these two tests: (a) direct population transfer (Kazlų Rūda, tree age 45) and (b) test of interpopulation hybrids (Kazlų Rūda, age 25). The results showed that the direct introduction of southern populations of Scots pine into Lithuania would give a negative effect (low survival, inferior stem quality). Apparently, the effect of relatively warmer winters is not strong enough to give an adaptive advantage for the southern over local populations. The cold spells in winter could still be a limiting factor and serious threat to sound development of the southern origins of Scots pine transferred to Lithuania. Transfer of populations from near north (Pskov, Novgorod regions) would give a positive effect on stem straightness, but would slightly reduce wood yield. Therefore, in the absence of a serious threat for adaptedness or no demand for supreme quality timber, we would not recommend the direct introduction of these northerly populations as well. However, the hybridisation field test revealed a superior survival, stem quality and wood yield of hybrids obtained by mating southern mother-trees with the local male parents. Therefore, at present, the introduction of southern genes via admixing southern genotypes in local breeding populations is a better approach than the direct introduction.

Spelt wheat lines of Uman National University of Horticulture

Goal. To analyze and systematize spelt wheat lines of Uman National University of Horticulture aiming to selection of valuable initial forms with high grain quality and involvement of them into breeding to create highly-productivve varieties of the crop. Results and Discussion. Over 300 spelt wheat lines were created by remote hybridization. They significantly differ by expression of economically valuable traits. The plant height varied within 52–129 cm. Ten accessions were significant taller than the standard. Tall, medium-height and dwarf forms were selected. The grain weight per ear did not varied significantly (V=36 %). The grain weight per ear in accessions 1695, 1691, 1755, 1559, 1674, 1817, and 1786 was significantly higher than that in the standard. We selected accessions that significantly exceeded the standard by yield capacity. At the same time, they were easily threshed (80–90 %); accessions 1559 and 1786 had high protein content of 21.2 % and 22.3 %, respectively, and high gluten content of 44.5 % and 45.2 %, respectively. The highest protein content was recorded in accessions 1721 (24.0 %) and 1691 (22.8 %). The 1000-kernel weight was significantly increased in accessions 1559 (65.0 g), 1691 (55.1 g), and 1674 (55.5 g). Early-ripening forms (1674 и 1719) maturing by 7–10 days earlier than bread wheat were distinguished. Accessions 1674 and 1721 were highly resistant to brown rust. Conclusions. Remote hybridization of spelt wheat with bread winter wheat is an effective way to improve this crop via breeding. Among over 300 lines of spelt wheat obtained by this method, there were especially valuable accessions combining high yields with high grain quality: accession 1817 with the gluten content of 45.2%, protein content of 22.3% and yield of 6.55 t/ha and accession 1559 containing 44.5% of gluten, 21.2% of protein and giving a yield of 6.36 t/ha. These accessions will be submitted to the state registration. Winter spelt wheat variety Evropa listed in the State Register of Plant Varieties Suitable for Distribution in Ukraine since 2015 resulted from hybridization between bread wheat and spelt wheat.

ENSO-induced drought hazards and wet spells and related agricultural losses across Anhui province, China

Using daily precipitation data from 25 meteorological stations for a period of 1961–2014, spatiotemporal features of wet spells and droughts and related impacts on agricultural production across Anhui province, China, were investigated with a linear regressive technique, the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) and the modified Mann–Kendall trend test method. Results indicated that: (1) ENSO-induced wet spells and droughts accounted for 83 and 68% of the total wet spells and droughts and droughts were closely related to La Nina events of the same and subsequent years. Wet spells, however, were closely related to El Nino events; (2) a larger variability was found in the SPEI, showing larger flood and drought risks during spring and autumn than those during summer and winter seasons. Generally, wet spells in winter were relatively high and the drying tendency was identified in winter during recent years; (3) relations between SPEI and SSTA were shifting during warm and cold phases of ENSO. The warm phase of ENSO tended to have larger impacts on SPEI in southern Anhui province, and the cold phase of ENSO had a greater impact on the SPEI variation in northern Anhui province. Comparatively, SSTA had an increasing impact on wet spells and droughts with increasing lag time; and (4) the reduction of rice and maize production in southern Anhui province was found mainly during 1 year earlier to the ENSO events. The amount of reduction of maize was larger in northern Anhui province and Jianghuai region, years with maize reduction were more often in southern Anhui province. Irrigation in central Anhui province can mitigate the negative effects of wet spells and droughts.

Connecting Atmospheric Blocking to European Temperature Extremes in Spring

AbstractAtmospheric blocking is an important contributor to European temperature variability. It can trigger cold and warm spells, which is of specific relevance in spring because vegetation is particularly vulnerable to extreme temperatures in the growing season. The spring season is investigated as a transition period from predominant connections of blocking with cold spells in winter to predominant connections of blocking with warm spells in summer. Extreme temperatures are termed cold or warm spells if temperature stays outside the 10th to 90th percentile range for at least six consecutive days. Cold and warm spells in Europe over 1979–2014 are analyzed in observations from the European daily high-resolution gridded dataset (E-OBS) and the connection to blocking is examined in geopotential height fields from ERA-Interim. A highly significant link between blocking and cold and warm spells is found that changes during spring. Blocking over the northeastern Atlantic and Scandinavia is correlated with the occurrence of cold spells in Europe, particularly early in spring, whereas blocking over central Europe is associated with warmer conditions, particularly from March onward. The location of the block also impacts the spatial distribution of temperature extremes. More than 80% of cold spells in southeastern Europe occur during blocking whereas warm spells are correlated with blocking mainly in northern Europe. Over the analysis period, substantial interannual variability is found but also a decrease in cold spells and an increase in warm spells. The long-term change to a warmer climate holds the potential for even higher vulnerability to spring cold extremes.

Spatiotemporal variability of atmospheric blocking within Northern hemisphere of Euro-Atlantic sector during 1976-2015

Formulation of the problem. The westerly jet and the eastward progression of baric systems are common states of atmosphere in Northern hemisphere’s midlatitudes. But this persistence balance is frequently interrupted by long periods of atmospheric blocking, which is a large-scale quasi-stationary extratropical flow regime. As a specific state of circulation it causes major transformation of baric, thermal and wind in the low and middle troposphere and also affects cyclonic activity in nearby regions. On the local scale blocking can be associated with extreme weather such as droughts in summer and severe cold spells in winter. Also, redistribution of heat and precipitation, caused by blocking events, allows us to consider blocking as a climate factor. However, even now, after decades of study, blocking onset and decay are not well understood, as well as basic blocking theory wasn’t formulated either. The purpose of the article. Complete study of the atmospheric blocking phenomena requires an objective criterion for blocking anticyclones identification. Such criterion is based on preceding identification and tracking of baric systems throughout low and middle troposphere, which allows us to take into account its vertical structure. This approach is far more direct than existing blocking indices which use indirect evidences of atmospheric blocking existence. Defined criterion takes into account anticyclone’s lifetime duration, mean latitude and longitudinal displacement. Method s . The author’s own achievements made the methodical basis for the article. Results. Using a defined criterion, a dataset of atmospheric blocking episodes, occurred during 1976-2015, was created. It contains both detailed and generic characteristics of 210 blocking anticyclones. For case study methods of baric system’s parameters evaluating were developed. These parameters include such characteristics as blocking intensity, affected area and accumulated geopotential anomaly. Analysis of these characteristics shows stable regularity of blocking episode’s spatiotemporal variability. Spatial analysis shows presence of three major cells of atmospheric blocking in Euro-Atlantic sector: Atlantic, Scandinavian and Caspian. Parameters of blocking anticyclones in each cell show different behavior, but common trend is decrease in blocking activity in the last ten years comparing to the rest of research period. Scientific novelty and practical significance . New approach to the atmospheric blocking study was realized and regional features of spatial distribution of blocking episodes in Europe were discovered for the first time. These features will be used in detailed study of the atmospheric blocking’s effect on regional weather regime and climate.

Contrasting effects of summer and winter warming on body mass explain population dynamics in a food-limited Arctic herbivore.

The cumulative effects of climate warming on herbivore vital rates and population dynamics are hard to predict, given that the expected effects differ between seasons. In the Arctic, warmer summers enhance plant growth which should lead to heavier and more fertile individuals in the autumn. Conversely, warm spells in winter with rainfall (rain-on-snow) can cause 'icing', restricting access to forage, resulting in starvation, lower survival and fecundity. As body condition is a 'barometer' of energy demands relative to energy intake, we explored the causes and consequences of variation in body mass of wild female Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) from 1994 to 2015, a period of marked climate warming. Late winter (April) body mass explained 88% of the between-year variation in population growth rate, because it strongly influenced reproductive loss, and hence subsequent fecundity (92%), as well as survival (94%) and recruitment (93%). Autumn (October) body mass affected ovulation rates but did not affect fecundity. April body mass showed no long-term trend (coefficient of variation, CV=8.8%) and was higher following warm autumn (October) weather, reflecting delays in winter onset, but most strongly, and negatively, related to 'rain-on-snow' events. October body mass (CV=2.5%) increased over the study due to higher plant productivity in the increasingly warm summers. Density-dependent mass change suggested competition for resources in both winter and summer but was less pronounced in recent years, despite an increasing population size. While continued climate warming is expected to increase the carrying capacity of the high Arctic tundra, it is also likely to cause more frequent icing events. Our analyses suggest that these contrasting effects may cause larger seasonal fluctuations in body mass and vital rates. Overall our findings provide an important 'missing' mechanistic link in the current understanding of the population biology of a keystone species in a rapidly warming Arctic.

The occurrence of fungi on roots and stem bases of Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta L. Thell. grown under two levels of chemical protection and harmfulness of Fusarium graminearum Schwabe to seedlings of selected genotypes

Investigations were carried out in 2007–2009 on the plots of the Felin Experimental Station belonging to the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland. The studies comprised two breeding lines of spelt wheat (<em>Triticum aestivum</em> ssp. <em>spelta</em> L. Thell.) – STH 3 and STH 715. Two levels of chemical protection were applied in the cultivation with minimal and complex protection. Infection of winter spelt wheat roots and stem bases was recorded in each growing season at hard dough stage (87 in Zadok’s scale). After 3 years of the study, the mean values of disease indexes for the analyzed spelt wheat lines in the experimental treatment with minimal protection were 28.53 and 40.30 respectively for STH 3 and STH 715. In the experimental combination with complex protection, after 3 years of the study the mean values of disease indexes ranged from 25.96 (STH 3) to 26.90 (STH 715). The mycological analysis showed that <em>Fusarium</em> spp., especially <em>F. culmorum</em>, caused root rot and necrosis of stem bases of spelt wheat in the experimental combination with minimal and complex protection. Moreover, <em>Fusarium avenaceum</em> and <em>Bipolaris sorokiniana</em> caused root rot and necrosis of stem bases of spelt wheat. Investigation carried out in a growth chamber on susceptibility of seedlings of three lines of spelt wheat (LO 2/09/n/2, LO 5/09/13/3, LO 5/09/5/4) to infection with <em>Fusarium graminearum</em> No. 8 and <em>F. graminearum</em> No. 45 showed that the genotypes did not differ in their susceptibility. All of them were susceptible, as indicated by high values of the disease indexes. No interaction was found between genotypes and strains of the fungus. This indicates the differential pathogenicity of <em>Fusarium graminearum</em> species.

Recent changes in Arctic temperature extremes: warm and cold spells during winter and summer

In the Arctic, climate change manifests with the strongest warming trends on the globe, especially in the cold season. It is under debate if climate extremes change similarly strong. Our study provides detailed regional information about two selected temperature extreme indices in the Arctic, namely warm and cold spells in winter and summer. We analyze their temporal evolution and variability from 1979–2013, based on daily station data and ERA-Interim reanalysis. Calculated trends from both datasets suggest a widespread decrease of cold spells in winter and summer of up to −4 days/decade, with regional patches where trends are statistically significant throughout the Arctic. Winter trends are spatially heterogeneous, the reanalysis also shows small areas with statistically significant increases of cold spells throughout Siberia. Calculated changes in warm spells from both datasets are mostly small throughout the Arctic (less than ±1 day/decade) and statistically not significant. Remarkable exceptions are the Lena river basin in winter with a statistically significant decrease of up to −1.5 days/decade and areas in Scandinavia with statistically significant increases of up to 2.5 days/decade in winter and summer (again from both datasets). From the analysis of spell lengths, we find that there are no shifts from longer to shorter spells or vice versa with time, but long cold spells (events lasting for more than 15 days) disappear almost completely after the year 2000. There is a distinct inter-annual and decadal variability in the spells, which hinders the detection of significant trends for all spell categories in all regions.

High spatial and temporal organization of changes in precipitation over Germany for 1951–2006

ABSTRACTTemporal changes in daily precipitation observed at more than 2300 stations in Germany during the second half of the 20th century are analysed. Compared to other studies, this analysis is based on a very high spatial density of observation locations and complete areal coverage of Germany. Changes in four precipitation characteristics are investigated: (1) total amount of seasonal and monthly precipitation, (2) mean and 95% quantile (q95) of daily precipitation, (3) transition probabilities to quantify wet and dry spells, and (4) precipitation amounts for a 7‐day event with return period 100 years. For all parameters, strikingly clear trend patterns in space and time (of the year) emerged. Stations with increasing and decreasing trends are never found in direct neighbourhood, but are well separated from each other. Changes are season and even month specific. These clear spatial and temporal patterns are an expression of the organization of precipitation mechanisms over Germany. These findings add a note of caution in regard to trend analyses: Spatially and temporally aggregated trend studies might not disclose the complete range of changes and might miss important details. Interestingly, the variability of daily precipitation has changed in parallel with the mean behaviour: Those regions and seasons that show an increase in mean show also an increase in standard deviation, leading to a disproportional increase in heavy precipitation. In addition, there is a tendency towards higher persistence, in particular, longer wet spells in winter, spring, and autumn, and longer dry spells in summer. If these trends continue, there will be an increasing potential for floods in winter and spring, and increasing problems for water availability in summer in regions that show signs of water stress today.

Biologically active phenolic compounds in buckwheat, oats and winter spelt wheat

The current study was aimed to determine the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity, rutin, quercetin and phenolic acids content in buckwheat, husked and common oats, winter spelt, winter and spring wheat grain with and without husks or glume, only husks or glume as well as to estimate phenolic compounds ratio and to compare their distribution between cereal grain and husks or glume. In this way to ascertain the losses of phenolic compounds in grain which will be used for food production. Total phenolic content and antioxidant activity were determined using the spectrophotometric method and individual phenolic compounds were estimated by high performance liquid chromatography. The significantly highest total phenolic content (10.2 ± 1.6 mg g -1 dry weight (d.w.) in grain with husks and 14.1 ± 2.0 mg g -1 d.w. in husks), antioxidant activity (2–4 times), rutin concentration (from 146.5 to 406.3 µg g -1 d.w.) and with a few exceptions hydroxybenzoic acids concentrations of all group of cereal samples (grain with and without husks or glume and only husks or glume) were established for buckwheat. Oats grain without husks or only husks were distinguished by the highest quercetin content, which was higher in husked oats samples (31–89 µg g -1 d.w.). The highest total phenolic acids content was in common oats husks (882.4 µg g -1 d.w.). Ferulic and p-coumaric acid significantly (P < 0.01) predominated in all oats and wheat samples and accounted for about 70–90% of the total phenolic acids content. Syringic acid is characteristic of oats, winter spelt and winter wheat grain without glume and only glume. In all group of cereal samples sinapic acid predominated only in cereal grain with and without husks or glume. Significantly (P < 0.05) higher concentrations of vanillic, p-hydroxybenzoic, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic, p-coumaric, ferulic acids, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity were quantified in cereal husks or glume compared with those in grain with and without husks or glume.

Two forensic autopsy cases of death from unexpected lesions of the pituitary gland

Herein, we report the findings of 2 forensic autopsy cases, in which unexpected pituitary lesions were the underlying cause of death. Case 1: A 56-year-old woman was found dead at her home during a cold winter spell. Macroscopic autopsy findings included a difference in the color of blood that filled her left and right cardiac chambers (deep red and dark red, respectively), collapse of both lungs, atrophy of the thyroid gland, and a large tumor arising from the sella turcica. Microscopic examination revealed a pituitary adenoma along with extensive bleeding. The cause of death was considered to be hypothermia, resulting from dysregulation of thermogenesis due to the pituitary adenoma. Case 2: An 86-year-old man with a history of pollakiuria was found dead in a bathtub, with his face and chest submerged in bathwater and his legs positioned outside the bathtub. The macroscopic findings of the autopsy included hyper-inflated lungs, fluid collection in the thoracic cavity, and aspiration of gastric contents in the bronchi. The atherosclerotic changes of the man's coronary and cerebral arteries were considered mild for his age. Microscopic examination showed a marked infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma cells in the posterior pituitary gland, as well as in the liver, pancreas, and submandibular gland. Considering the results of the autopsy and the findings from the investigation conducted at the death scene, we concluded that the man probably lost consciousness following a neurally mediated syncope, which was induced by diabetes insipidus (lymphocytic hypophysitis). After losing consciousness, the man likely fell in the filled bathtub and then drowned. These 2 cases highlight the need for a thorough post-mortem investigation, including a microscopic examination of the pituitary gland. In addition, forensic pathologists should carefully study the pituitary gland in cases where the cause of death is thought to be related to dysfunction of thermoregulation or osmoregulation.

Protected Vegetable Cultivation Technology for Cold Arid Agro-ecosystem of Ladakh

Ladakh region is a high altitude cold arid desert with special agro-climatic features. The region is one of the driest and coldest inhabited places on the earth. Due to harsh climatic features, short growing season is unable to offer sufficient food particularly vegetables. To supplement, fresh vegetables have to be imported by truck in summer or flown in by air during winter. The unavailability and high cost means that local people rarely eat fresh vegetables during the winter spell of the year, but instead rely on dried leafy vegetables and only stored root crops and cabbages. Specialized agricultural practices need to be developed and demonstrated for food and nutritional security of the inhabitants of the region. Protected cultivation is a well defined sustainable technology for off season food production and thereby an important component in attaining nutritional security. It offers scope for the cultivation of plants under adverse conditions. Various naturally ventilated zero energy polyhouses have been tried and tested for the region. Despite the sub-zero temperatures, the cloudless skies in Ladakh guaranty over 300 sunny days per year which is the highest in the world. Therefore, there is plenty of sunshine for crops to grow even in winter, provided that they can be prevented from freezing. Various agencies are engaged in the research and development of protected cultivation of vegetables particularly during freezing winters to augment fresh food supply to the inhabitants. The present circumstances and priorities in the region need to be expanded for furthering the technologies to achieve self sufficiency.

The influence of some plant protection chemical means on leaf area and their tip angle of some winter spelt wheat varieties (Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta L.)Wpływ niektórych środków ochrony roślin na kształtowanie powierzchni liści i kąta ich nachylenia u wybranych odmian ozimych pszenicy orkisz (Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta L.)

Summary The aim of the study was to estimate the influence of chemical plant protection including application of growth regulator Stabilan 750 SL (CCC), fungicide Alert 375 SC as well as herbicides Mustang 306 SE (florasulam; 2,4‐D) and Attribut 70 WG (sodium propoxycarbazone) on forming of LAI and MTA indexes of winter spelt wheat varieties (Frankenkorn, Badengold, Schwabenspeltz, Oberkulmer Rotkorn, Ostro, Ceralio, Schwabenkorn and Spelt I.N.Z.) in conditions of non‐ploughing and plough‐cultivation systems. The field experiment was conducted in 2009–2011 in Bezek near Chelm on rendzina soil. The leaf area index (LAI) and mean tip angle (MTA) were evaluated three times in the canopy of spelt wheat at shooting stage, heading and milky‐wax maturity by means of LAI‐ 2000 meter, firm LI‐COR (USA). The highest LAI index was shown by Schwabenkorn cultivar. At the same time this cultivar was characterized by more horizontal leaves position influencing on a relatively low value of MTA index. Chemical plant protection significantly decreased leaf area index of spelt wheat and increased the value of MTA index. Soil tillage system had diversified influence on examined traits.

Cold-hardiness, Acclimation, and Deacclimation among Diverse Blueberry Genotypes

Cold injury to plants can occur by early fall freezes before cold acclimation, by severe midwinter freezes that exceed the limits of the plant's tolerance, or by hard freezes in late winter or early spring after partial or complete deacclimation. Ideally, blueberry (Vaccinium L.) cultivars for temperate regions should acclimate to cold quickly in the fall, have a high midwinter-hardiness, and deacclimate late and/or slowly during spring or during unseasonably warm spells in winter, and do all of this without adversely delaying time of fruiting. Until recently, only limited evaluations have been done on the acclimation and deacclimation process in blueberry, although it is an integral part of flower bud survival and, thus, is directly related to potential yield. In this study, we have measured the timing and rate of acclimation and deacclimation in seven blueberry genotypes with different amounts of diverse species germplasm in their backgrounds. Primary differences observed among the seven genotypes were differences in maximum hardiness levels and the date at which they were reached, and differences in the date at which maximum acclimation levels were no longer sustained and deacclimation started. Highbush cultivars Bluecrop and Legacy (V. corymbosum L.), rabbiteye cultivar Tifblue [V. ashei Reade (= V. virgatum Aiton)], and two rabbiteye hybrid derivatives (US 1043 and US 1056) all reached maximum or near maximum cold-hardiness by late December with temperatures causing 50% lethality (LT50) in a range from –22 to –27 °C. The half-high, ‘Northsky’, and a hybrid of V. constablaei Gray × V. ashei ‘Little Giant’ both achieved cold acclimation of –28 °C or below (the lowest value we could measure) by the end of November. After reaching their maximum hardiness in late December, ‘Legacy’, ‘Tifblue’, and US 1043 began a sustained and relatively linear deacclimation, whereas US 1056, ‘Bluecrop’, ‘Northsky’, and ‘Little Giant’ sustained their acclimation for longer intervals. ‘Bluecrop’ and US 1056 did not begin to deacclimate until early March, and ‘Little Giant’ and ‘Northsky’ had no LT50 values higher (warmer) than –25 °C until late March. As concerns about climate change increase, knowledge of the ability of breeding germplasm to tolerate greater temperature extremes and fluctuations will prove increasingly valuable.

Fungicide protection and presence of fusarium ear symptoms and deoxynivalenol content in the grain of winter speltOchrona fungicydowa a obecność objawów fuzariozy kłosów i deoksyniwalenolu w ziarnie pszenicy ozimej orkisz

Summary Fusarium head blight (FHB) is perceived as a threat to wheat production. Besides the reduction of the yield potential of infected plants, the fungus contaminates kernels with different mycotoxins. The objective of our studies was to follow the development of Fusarium culmorum of FHB pathogen in winter spelt. Two fungicide experiments with and without inoculation was conducted in Winna Gora. F. culmorum was isolated from winter wheat ears with significally disease symptoms in 2009. The most aggressive isolate was used for inoculation of spelt in 2011. Colonisation of ears by F. culmorum was low in both experiments and no other Fusarium species could be detected. The used fungicides reduced significantly the level of infection but the concentration of deoxynivalenol (DON) in the grain was not correlated with Fusarium occurrence on ears and grain.

Winter frost resistance of Pinus cembra measured in situ at the alpine timberline as affected by temperature conditions

Winter frost resistance (WFR), midwinter frost hardening and frost dehardening potential of Pinus cembra L. were determined in situ by means of a novel low-temperature freezing system at the alpine timberline ecotone (1950 m a.s.l., Mt Patscherkofel, Innsbruck, Austria). In situ liquid nitrogen (LN₂)-quenching experiments should check whether maximum WFR of P. cembra belonging to the frost hardiest conifer group, being classified in US Department of Agriculture climatic zone 1, suffices to survive dipping into LN₂ (-196 °C). Viability was assessed in a field re-growth test. Maximum in situ WFR (LT₅₀) of leaves was <- 75 °C and that of buds was less (-70.3 °C), matching the lowest water contents. In midwinter, in situ freezing exotherms of leaves, buds and the xylem were often not detectable. Ice formed in the xylem at a mean of -2.8 °C and in leaves at -3.3 °C. In situ WFR of P. cembra was higher than that obtained on detached twigs, as reported earlier. In situ LN₂-quenching experiments were lethal in all cases even when twigs of P. cembra were exposed to an in situ frost hardening treatment (12 days at -20 °C followed by 3 days at -50 °C) to induce maximum WFR. Temperature treatments applied in the field significantly affected the actual WFR. In January a frost hardening treatment (21 days at -20 °C) led to a significant increase of WFR (buds: -62 °C to <- 70 °C; leaves: -59.6 °C to -65.2 °C), showing that P. cembra was not at its specific maximum WFR. In contrast, simulated warm spells in late winter led to premature frost dehardening (buds: -32.6 °C to -10.2 °C; leaves: -32.7 to -16.4 °C) followed by significantly earlier bud swelling and burst in late winter. Strikingly, both temperature treatments, either increased air temperature (+10.1 °C) or increased soil temperature (+6.5 °C), were similarly effective. This high readiness to frost harden and deharden in winter in the field must be considered to be of great significance for future winter survival of P. cembra. Determination of WFR in field re-growth tests appears to be a valuable tool for critically judging estimates of WFR obtained on detached twigs in an ecological context.

Recovery of photosynthetic capacity in Vaccinium vitis-idaea during mild spells in winter

Recent studies suggest that evergreen plants may maintain their photosynthetic capacity through the winter. Since mild winters are predicted to be more frequent in the future, the metabolic activity of plants is also likely to increase. The aim of the present study was to assess how various environmental factors, such as temperature, photoperiod and preceding frost, affect the recovery of photosynthesis during a mild spell in winter. The recovery of photosynthesis was studied in a series of growth chamber experiments where the overwintering of lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) was interrupted by an intermittent warm spell of 1 week during different phases of winter. Rapid activation was observed in all the experiments during the first 3–4 days. No obvious effects of the phase of winter or photoperiod on the recovery of photosynthesis were observed, but a severe freezing treatment prior to the warm spell retarded the recovery significantly. Once recovered, however, lingonberry was able to maintain high rates of photosynthesis even at near-freezing temperatures, which prevail in their natural sub-nivean environment. The apparent quantum yield of photosynthesis remained high through the winter for lingonberry. This may prove advantageous for evergreen dwarf shrubs which overwinter in dim environments under snow.