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
Abstract
In this chapter, we outline what is known about climatic and stress memory in trees, with examples covering different groups and species of trees (conifers, poplar, oak, ash, and eucalypts). We focus on two broad types of memory: (1) immune memory involved in inducible defenses (defense priming) and (2) climatic memory, whereby trees maintain certain phenological phenotypes in response to environmental conditions experienced during embryogenesis. We outline the epigenetic mechanisms that are thought to be involved in the creation and maintenance of climatic and stress memory in trees. We also give examples of how to study such memories in trees. In these examples, we focus on research protocols that have been proven useful to characterize memories and their mechanistic basis, with an emphasis on molecular techniques that can be used to dissect epigenetic mechanisms.
Abstract
Context Dairy farming contributes approximately 2.5 % of annual global anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, necessitating effective mitigation strategies. Two approaches are often discussed: low-intensity, low-cost production with minimal reliance on purchased inputs; and high-intensity production with higher-yielding cows to reduce land use and reduce methane emissions per unit of milk. Objective The objective was to identify management factors and farm characteristics that explain variations in GHG emissions, environmental, and economic performance. Indicators included were GHG emissions, land use occupation, energy intensity, nitrogen intensity, and gross margin. Methods Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was used to calculate the environmental impacts for 200 commercial dairy farms in Central Norway based on farm activities, purchased inputs, machinery, and buildings from 2014 to 2016. A multiple regression analysis with backward elimination was conducted to highlight important variables for environmental impact and economic outcome. Results and conclusions A higher share of dairy cows was found to be the most important factor in reducing GHG emissions, energy and nitrogen intensity, and land use but also to decrease gross margin. Additional key factors for reducing environmental impact included less purchased nitrogen fertiliser, and higher forage yield. There were no statistical correlations between GHG emissions and gross margin per MJ of human-edible energy delivered. Significance Conducting LCA for many dairy farms allows to highlight important factors influencing environmental impact and economic outcome. Using the delivery of human-edible energy from milk and meat as a functional unit allows for a combined evaluation of milk and meat production on a farm.
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In 2009, the European Parliament and Council adopted the Directive 2009/128/EC (European Communities) for Community action to achieve the sustainable use of pesticides. According to this situation, the integrated pest management (IPM)-Project Golf 2020–2023 was implemented by Scandinavian Turfgrass and Environment Research Foundation and the R&A Trust Company (No. 1) Limited (the R&A) to evaluate and assess new techniques and alternative products to control diseases such as microdochium patch (Microdochium nivale) and dollar spot (Clarireedia spp.) with the goal to reduce the use of fungicides. As a sub-project, the use of UV-C radiation was carried out to investigate the effectivity of UV-C radiation to prevent both diseases on golf course putting greens. This study was conducted from spring 2020 until spring 2022 on a putting green (50% Poa spp. and 50% Agrostis spp.) at the golf course of Osnabrück Golf Club (Germany). The dosages of UV-C radiation were 0 mJ/cm2, 7–8 mJ/cm2, 35–40 mJ/cm2, and 70–80 mJ/cm2 which were applied using the SGL UV-C 180 just prior to and during periods of active dollar spot and microdochium patch development. The results of the UV-C application determined that highest UV-C dosage was able to reduce the severity of dollar spot and microdochium patch by 46%–81%. Thus, UV-C radiation with enhanced dosages can be a helpful tool in IPM strategies for turfgrass management to reduce chemical fungicides with view on tolerance levels of disease infestation.
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Authors
Junbin Zhao Mikhail Mastepanov Cornelya Klutsch Hanna Marika Silvennoinen David Kniha Svein Wara Runar KjærAbstract
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Authors
Laurie C. Hofmann Janina Brakel Inka Bartsch Gabriel Montecinos Arismendi Ricardo Bermejo Manuela I. Parente Emeline Creis Olivier De Clerck Bertrand Jacquemin Jessica Knoop Maike Lorenz Levi Pompermayer Machado Neusa Martins Sotiris Orfanidis Ian Probert Cecilia Rad Menendez Michael Ross Ralf Rautenberger Jessica Schiller Ester A. Serrao Sophie Steinhagen Ronan Sulpice Myriam Valero Thomas WichardAbstract
Biobanking (also known as germplasm banking) of genetic material is a well-established concept for preserving plant genetic diversity and also contributes to food security, conservation and restoration. Macroalgae currently represent a very small percentage of the strains in publicly accessible European germplasm banks, despite the increasing recognition of their contribution to achieving several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. There is no strategic coordination of existing macroalgal strains, which could have severe ecological and economic implications as species and their genetic diversity disappear rapidly due to local and global environmental stressors. In this opinion paper, we stress the importance of a coordinated European effort for preserving macroalgal genetic diversity and suggest the development of a three-pillared system to safeguard European macroalgal genetic material consisting of (1) a European Board of Macroalgal Genetic Resources (EBMGR) to provide supervision, support and coordination, (2) a network of germplasm banks consisting of currently existing and newly established infrastructures and (3) an interoperable databank integrating existing databanks. While it will be the task of the EBMGR to identify and coordinate priorities, we offer initial recommendations for preserving macroalgal genetic material, discuss the risks of inaction, and highlight the challenges that must be overcome. Highlights • A coordinated European effort is crucial to preserve macroalgal genetic diversity, addressing rapid species and genetic loss due to environmental stressors. • The initiative should include a European Board of Macroalgal Genetic Resources for oversight, a network of existing and new germplasm banks and an interoperable databank integrating current resources. • The effort supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.