Morphological, Genetic and Biochemical Evaluation of Dasypyrum villosum (L.) P. Candargy in the Gene Bank Collection

The Dasypyrum villosum gene bank collection, comprising 32 accessions, was characterized morphologically and genetically for resistance to leaf diseases and for quality parameters of seeds with specific accent to protein polymorphism and protein and starch composition. The collected material represented nearly the whole distribution area in the Mediterranean. For SSR analysis, a set of 40 SSR markers for wheat was selected. A matrix of distances between genotypes was calculated using Simple Matching dissimilarity coefficient in the DARwin software. The collection was scored for resistance to powdery mildew, brown, stripe and stem rusts. A modified SDS-PAGE method with clear interpretation of high and low molecular glutenin subunits (HMW, LMW) was used for characterization of accessions. Morphological phenotyping revealed considerable diversity allowing the distinguishing of clusters tracing the geographical origin of accessions. Genetic diversity showed three groups but without significant bootstrap support. All tested accessions were resistant to the applied races of powdery mildew and leaf rust. Three accessions were moderately susceptible to currently available races of yellow rust. Biochemical analyses of seeds in selected populations showed a high content of crude proteins with a significant proportion of prolamins and Ʃglutelins. The SDS-PAGE of HMW and LMW glutelins confirmed both the high population polymorphism and the intra-population differences. Apart from the recent research in CWR breeding, Dasypyrum villosum is still an underrepresented species in germplasm collections and an underutilized species in breeding.

Mosquito metallomics reveal copper and iron as critical factors for Plasmodium infection

Iron and copper chelation restricts Plasmodium growth in vitro and in mammalian hosts. The parasite alters metal homeostasis in red blood cells to its favor, for example metabolizing hemoglobin to hemozoin. Metal interactions with the mosquito have not, however, been studied. Here, we describe the metallomes of Anopheles albimanus and Aedes aegypti throughout their life cycle and following a blood meal. Consistent with previous reports, we found evidence of maternal iron deposition in embryos of Ae. aegypti, but less so in An. albimanus. Sodium, potassium, iron, and copper are present at higher concentrations during larval developmental stages. Two An. albimanus phenotypes that differ in their susceptibility to Plasmodium berghei infection were studied. The susceptible white stripe (ws) phenotype was named after a dorsal white stripe apparent during larval stages 3, 4, and pupae. During larval stage 3, ws larvae accumulate more iron and copper than the resistant brown stripe (bs) phenotype counterparts. A similar increase in copper and iron accumulation was also observed in the susceptible ws, but not in the resistant bs phenotype following P. berghei infection. Feeding ws mosquitoes with extracellular iron and copper chelators before and after receiving Plasmodium-infected blood protected from infection and simultaneously affected follicular development in the case of iron chelation. Unexpectedly, the application of the iron chelator to the bs strain reverted resistance to infection. Besides a drop in iron, iron-chelated bs mosquitoes experienced a concomitant loss of copper. Thus, the effect of metal chelation on P. berghei infectivity was strain-specific.

Sclerophthora rayssiae var. zeae (brown stripe downy mildew of maize).

The first record of brown stripe downy mildew of maize occurred in India in the early 1960s. In 1967, the pathogen was defined as Sclerophthora rayssiae var. zeae by Payak and Renfro. It spread rapidly across India, especially in regions with over 100 cm of annual rainfall and into neighbouring countries, probably via seed transfer. It has been effectively controlled by the use of resistant hybrids and seed treatment. It is not reported to be an invasive species.

Sclerophthora rayssiae var. zeae (brown stripe downy mildew of maize).

The first record of brown stripe downy mildew of maize occurred in India in the early 1960s. In 1967, the pathogen was defined as Sclerophthora rayssiae var. zeae by Payak and Renfro. It spread rapidly across India, especially in regions with over 100 cm of annual rainfall and into neighbouring countries, probably via seed transfer. It has been effectively controlled by the use of resistant hybrids and seed treatment. It is not reported to be an invasive species.

Leaf diseases of common timothy

Тимофеевка луговая (Phleum pratense L.) — самая распространённая культурная многолетняя злаковая трава в лесной зоне европейской части России. Она отличается высокой морозостойкостью, в травостоях сохраняется до 10 лет. Выведение раннеспелых сортов с повышенной устойчивостью к возбудителям грибных заболеваний является основным направлением в селекционной работе с тимофеевкой. Исследования проводились на полях лаборатории селекции злаковых трав ФНЦ «ВИК им. В. Р. Вильямса» в г. Лобня Мытищинского района Московской области в 2017–2019 годах. Многолетний фитосанитарный мониторинг посевов тимофеевки луговой показывает, что наиболее распространёнными болезнями этой культуры являются пятнистости. Комплекс возбудителей болезней вызывает преждевременное засыхание и опадение листьев, что приводит к снижению урожая зелёной массы и семян (до 30%). Ежегодно на посевах тимофеевки в Московской области наблюдается интенсивное развитие двух пятнистостей: гетероспориоза и сколекотрихоза. По данным многолетнего мониторинга (1996–2019 годы), средняя распространённость гетероспориоза в фазу созревания семян составляет 72%, а сколекотрихоза — 50%. В 2017–2019 годах в селекционном питомнике лаборатории селекции злаковых трав на фоне естественного заражения проведена оценка поражаемости возбудителями гетероспориоза и сколекотрихоза пяти перспективных селекционных образцов тимофеевки луговой. Установлено, что в фазу созревания семян распространённость пятнистостей достигала своего максимального развития. Согласно трёхлетним результатам исследований, выявлен перспективный селекционный образец И-2, который превысил сорт-стандарт ВИК 9 по устойчивости к возбудителю сколекотрихоза на 13% и на 33% — к возбудителю гетероспориоза. Этот образец рекомендован для включения в селекционный процесс. Common timothy (Phleum pratense L.) is one of the most abundant perennial gramineous spread in the forest-steppe of European Russia. It has high winter hardiness and survives for up to 10 years in grass ecosystems. Short-season varieties resistant to fungal diseases are of high interest for breeders. The experiment was conducted in 2017–2019. Long-term observations showed that common timothy suffers mainly from various spot diseases. Spot pathogens cause premature wilting and leaf fall reducing green mass and seed production by up to 30%. Purple eyespot and brown stripe annually affect common timothy in the Moscow region. According to the data of 1996–2019 purple eyespot infected 72% of plants at seed maturation, while brown stripe — 50%. In 2017–2019 five promising genotypes of common timothy were analyzed on the background of natural infection. At seed maturation stage purple eyespot and brown stripe reached their highest infection rate. Genotype I-2 showed the highest resistance both to purple eyespot and brown stripe exceeding “VIK 9” (the standard) by 33 and 13%, respectively. This genotype was selected for further breeding process.

Cultivar- and Wood Area-Dependent Metabolomic Fingerprints of Grapevine Infected by Botryosphaeria Dieback

Botryosphaeria dieback is one of the most significant grapevine trunk diseases that affects the sustainability of the vineyards and provokes economic losses. The causal agents, Botryosphaeriaceae species, live in and colonize the wood of the perennial organs causing wood necrosis. Diseased vines show foliar symptoms, chlorosis, or apoplexy, associated to a characteristic brown stripe under the bark. According to the susceptibility of the cultivars, specific proteins such as PR-proteins and other defense-related proteins are accumulated in the brown stripe compared with the healthy woody tissues. In this study, we enhanced the characterization of the brown stripe and the healthy wood by obtaining a metabolite profiling for the three cultivars Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, and Mourvèdre to deeper understand the interaction between the Botryosphaeria dieback pathogens and grapevine. The study confirmed a specific pattern according to the cultivar and revealed significant differences between the brown stripe and the healthy wood, especially for phytochemical and lipid compounds. This is the first time that such chemical discrimination was made and that lipids were so remarkably highlighted in the interaction of Botryosphaeriaceae species and grapevine. Their role in the disease development is discussed.

A new, uniquely patterned spiny eel (Teleostei: Mastacembelidae) from southern Borneo, Kalimantan Tengah, Indonesia

A new species of Macrognathus of the M. aculeatus species group is described from the Kahayan River drainage in southern Borneo, Kalimantan Tengah, Indonesia. Macrognathus kris, new species, is distinguished from all Asian congeners in having the following unique combination of characters: rim of anterior nostril with two fimbriae and two fimbrules; 43–45 rostral tooth plates; 24–25 dorsal spines; 46–55 dorsal-fin rays; 51–59 anal-fin rays; 20–23 principal caudal-fin rays; 76–78 total vertebrae; body depth at anus 11.8–15.9% SL; color pattern consisting of light brown stripe on dorsum and 11–14 irregular pentagonal dark brown blotches on sides of body.