Publications
NIBIOs employees contribute to several hundred scientific articles and research reports every year. You can browse or search in our collection which contains references and links to these publications as well as other research and dissemination activities. The collection is continously updated with new and historical material.
2025
Authors
Jian Liu Faruk Djodjic Barbro Ulén Helena Aronsson Marianne Bechmann Lars Bergström Tore Krogstad Katarina KyllmarAbstract
No abstract has been registered
2024
Abstract
Black scurf and stem canker on potatoes, caused by the destructive soil-borne pathogen Rhizoctonia solani Kühn are a major problem for potato growers worldwide. Biological control agents such as plant leaf extracts can influence the severity of R. solani infection and help to reduce the risks to human health and the environment associated with the use of hemical fungicides. In this study, the inhibitory effect of the secondary plant metabolites aucubin, catalpol (iridoid glucosides) and acteoside (phenylethanoid glycoside) from methanolic extracts of Plantago lanceolata (Ribwort plantain (en), Smalkjempe (no)), a native plant in the Nordic countries, on the growth of R. solani mycelium on potato dextrose agar growth medium will be tested for the first time. Plant extracts will be obtained from plants of different age classes and metabolic profiling will be performed with LC-(HR)MS analyses and the concentrations of identified metabolites will be determined. To analyse whether the inhibitory interactions on fungal growth originate from the known secondary metabolites or are caused by the bulk plant extract, we will first expose the fungus to different concentrations of extracts, redissolved in aqueous solution and added to the growth medium, and in a further step we will carry out the same approach with the isolated secondary metabolites as pure substances. The fugus will be incubated for 5 days and the mycelium growth radius will be measured every 24 hours during incubation. Thereafter a suppression index will be calculated and compared to the untreated control. The results are pending at the time of submission of the abstract but will provide a good initial understanding to determine whether extracts of P. lanceolata can be used as a natural biological control agent as an additional component of a more sustainable strategy to manage the risk of infection of potato with R.solani and to reduce the severity of the disease caused by this pathogen.
Authors
Maurine Oluchukwu OkolieAbstract
This study examines the potential of large-scale urine recycling as a sustainable solution to address sanitation challenges, enhance agricultural productivity, and improve food security in Bahir-Dar, Ethiopia. The approach involves establishing urine recycling systems (URS) that collect urine from onsite sanitation facilities and convert it to dry urine-based fertilizer (UBF) near collection sites for local farmers. Using a combination of primary and secondary data sources, this study performs a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) to evaluate the financial viability of implementing URS in Bahir Dar, focusing on direct monetary costs and benefits. The assessment includes metrics such as net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), benefit-cost ratio (BCR), and payback period (PBP) and is supplemented by sensitivity and scenario analyses to account for varying assumptions. The findings reveal that, under the set assumptions of this study, implementing urine recycling systems is not financially viable in Bahir Dar. The financial feasibility is highly dependent on the capacity of the urine recycling technology and the fees charged for using the toilet facilities. Higher dehydration capacity significantly improves financial outcomes, as does charging users for each use of the facilities. Charging higher fees per use enhances the economic viability of the system. Based on these findings, the study recommends further research on integrating indirect benefits, which include social and environmental benefits. This will provide a comprehensive understanding of the value of the urine recycling system.
Abstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Anne MartinussenAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Abstract
In Norway, there is political goal to increase the degree of self-sufficiency of fruits. To achieve this goal, the sales period of Norwegian produced apple fruit needs to be extended, and thus, the storage technology improved. Sensory quality is of importance for consumers acceptability of the apple fruit. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensory properties of the apple cultivars ‘Red Elstar’ and ‘Rubinstep’ treated with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) in combination with storage in regular and controlled atmosphere. Before storage, the harvested fruit were divided into two parts; half treated with 1-MCP and the other half untreated. A semi-trained sensory panel evaluated selected sensory properties of apple fruit harvested in 2021, 2022, and 2023, and stored in regular or controlled atmosphere at 2°C for 5.5, 5.5, and 4 months, respectively. Treatment with 1-MCP in combination with controlled atmosphere storage resulted in the highest sensory score of firmness, crispiness, and juiciness, and lowest score for mealiness and sweetness. Fruit stored in a regular atmosphere without 1-MCP had less acidity and the fruitiest aroma. How to obtain optimal taste of ‘Rubinstep’ and ‘Red Elstar’ after the different post-harvest treatments will be discussed.
Abstract
In Norway, the apple cultivar ‘Red Aroma’ accounts for approximately one third of the Norwegian production. Treatment with 1-MCP has been tested on fruit of different ripening degrees to improve shelf-life and sensory properties. Fruits were harvested and treated with 1-MCP at one-week intervals starting two weeks before optimal harvest time (OHT) and ending two weeks after OHT. Fruits were stored until the end of November in regular atmosphere at 4 °C. A semi-trained sensory panel evaluated selected sensory parameters in addition to measurements of physiochemical parameters using traditional methods. The panel evaluated 1-MCP treated fruit from all harvest times as more acidic, firmer, less mealy, crisper, and juicier than the untreated fruit. The untreated fruit harvested one or two weeks after OHT were more aromatic (floral and fruity aroma), sweeter, and riper. Intensity of grassy flavour was lowest for the untreated fruit after the optimal harvest time. Some of the evaluated sensory properties correlated with measured physiochemical parameters. Optimal sensory quality in relation to harvest time and 1-MCP treatment will be discussed.
Authors
May Bente BrurbergAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Begum BilgicAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Abstract
No abstract has been registered