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.
2021
Abstract
While interspecific variation in microbiome composition can often be readily explained by factors such as host species identity, there is still limited knowledge of how microbiomes vary at scales lower than the species level (e.g., between individuals or populations). Here, we evaluated variation in microbiome composition of individual parasites among infrapopulations (i.e., populations of parasites of the same species living on a single host individual). To address this question, we used genome-resolved and shotgun metagenomic data of 17 infrapopulations (balanced design) of the permanent, bloodsucking seal louse Echinophthirius horridus sampled from individual Saimaa ringed seals Pusa hispida saimensis. Both genome-resolved and read-based metagenomic classification approaches consistently show that parasite infrapopulation identity is a significant factor that explains both qualitative and quantitative patterns of microbiome variation at the intraspecific level. This study contributes to the general understanding of the factors driving patterns of intraspecific variation in microbiome composition, especially of bloodsucking parasites, and has implications for understanding how well-known processes occurring at higher taxonomic levels, such as phylosymbiosis, might arise in these systems.
Abstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Darius KviklysAbstract
Winter hardiness is the main factor limiting pear growing and the use of quince rootstocks under northeastern European climate conditions. Therefore, several cultivar and rootstock trials were performed from 1997 until 2015 at the Institute of Horticulture, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry. Investigations of pear cultivars were conducted in 2005-2015. Twelve cultivars on QS1 rootstock were tested with the goal of finding an optimal replacement for cultivar ‘Conference’, which is not sufficiently winter hardy in the Baltic countries. The cultivar ‘Mramornaja’ showed desirable characteristics based on winter hardiness, productivity and fruit quality. Rootstock breeding was based on a winter hardy Cydonia × oblonga population and resulted in 3 registered rootstocks of K series in Lithuania. K series rootstocks were compared with QMA, QMC, Sydo, QS1, and Pyrus × communis. According to tree growth control and productivity only K11 was equal to QMA and the same as QS1. Other rootstock testing included Cydonia and Pyrus clonal and seedling rootstocks. ‘Pyrodwarf’ and OH×F333 rootstocks were too vigorous. QMC, Sydo and BA29 exhibited poor winter hardiness. The search for both pear cultivars and rootstocks adapted to northeastern European climatic conditions must be continued.
Authors
Ian K. Toth Marie-anne Barny May Bente Brurberg Guy Condemine Robert Czajkowski John G. Elphinstone Valérie Helias Steven B. Johnson Lucy N. Moleleki Minna Pirhonen Simeon Rossmann Leah Tsror Jacquie E. van der Waals Jan M. van der Wolf Frédérique Van Gijsegem Iris YedidiaAbstract
The soft rot Pectobacteriaceae (SRP) infect a wide range of plants worldwide and cause economic damage to crops and ornamentals but can also colonize other plants as part of their natural life cycle. They are found in a variety of environmental niches, including water, soil and insects, where they may spread to susceptible plants and cause disease. In this chapter, we look in detail at the plants colonized and infected by these pathogens and at the diseases and symptoms they cause. We also focus on where in the environment these organisms are found and their ability to survive and thrive there. Finally, we present evidence that SRP may assist the colonization of human enteric pathogens on plants, potentially implicating them in aspects of human/animal as well as plant health.
Authors
Marit JørgensenAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Abstract
Genetic variation and phenotypic stability in Norway spruce were studied based on provenances, families, and clones planted in trials at 12 sites in four Nordic countries. The families were generated in a factorial cross between 10 parents of Norwegian origin and 10 parents of Eastern European origin, and the clones were propagated from seedlings within 20 of the same families. Traits analyzed were survival, proportion of trees with stem defects, and tree heights. Stability was analyzed by regression analyses with the genetic entries’ annual shoot increment as the dependent variable and the total site mean as an environmental index. Information about growth and phenology traits were available from short-term tests. For tree heights, significant variance components were present both among female and male parents, but not for their interactions, indicating that non-additive genetic effects are small. Genotype × environment interactions were significant at all three genetic levels, but their variance components had considerably lower values than the variance components estimated for the effects of families and clones. For the set of families of Norwegian origin, strong relationships were observed between the timing of annual shot elongation, mortality, and height growth. Large variation was found at all three genetic levels for phenotypic stability measured by regression coefficients. A positive relationship was present between the regression coefficient and the timing of annual shoot growth for families, indicating that later flushing families responded more to a high site index. The regression coefficient can be a useful supplement to the breeding value when selecting for superior and stable genotypes.
Abstract
No abstract has been registered
Abstract
Performance of the Quince rootstocks ‘Adams’, ‘C’ and ‘Eline®’, all grafted with pear cultivars ’Celina’, ‘Ingeborg’ and ‘Kristina’, were compared at the experimental farm of NIBIO Ullensvang, western Norway. Tree vigour, yield, fruit size and fruit quality were evaluated annually for the first seven years. No severe winter damage was observed during these years and none of the trees died. After seven years there were no significant differences in tree size in ‘Celina’ and ‘Ingeborg’ grafted on the different rootstocks, while trunk diameter increase of ‘Kristina’ was significantly larger on ‘Eline®’ than on ‘C’ and intermediate on ‘Adams’. Flower development and fruit set were not affected by rootstocks in any of the three scion cultivars. On average, mature fruit were picked during mid to end September and the trees began producing a small crop in the third season. No alternate bearing pattern was identified. For ‘Celina’ and ‘Kristina’ yield was similar for trees on all three rootstocks. Cumulative yields for the first five cropping years were 31.3 kg tree‑1 for ‘Celina’, 25.9 kg tree‑1 for ‘Kristina’ and 19.4 kg tree‑1 for ‘Ingeborg’. ‘Celina’ produced the highest total number of fruit when grafted on ‘Adams’ or ‘C’. Trees on ‘Eline®’ produced a significantly lower number of fruit in both ‘Celina’ and ‘Ingeborg’. On average for all cultivars, no significant effect of rootstock was observed on average fruit weight during these 5 production years. ‘Eline®’ on average yielded fruit of 165 g for all cultivars while for ‘Adams’ and ‘C’ it was 162 g. Soluble solids concentration was high (11.2% on average) but was not significantly affected by rootstocks. Fruit acidity was similar for all quince rootstocks (0.19-0.21%). The fruit development period between full bloom and harvest showed a clear inverse linear relationship with the average daily temperature. In conclusion, because the trees have not reached their full production none of these quince rootstocks can yet be recommended as the preferred rootstock for pear growing in a cool, mesic northern climate.
Authors
Darius KviklysAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Abstract
In total 14 cherry cultivars and advanced selections released by the Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre (PARC-Summerland), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada were tested at NIBIO Ullensvang during 2010-2016. The scions were grafted on the dwarfing Gisela 5 rootstock and planted in high tunnels. Main phenological, vegetative growth and productivity characteristics and fruit quality parameters were evaluated and detailed information about the different cultivars and selections are presented. After comprehensive studies the cultivars ‘SPC 108’ and ‘Starblush’ are recommended for commercial fruit growing in Norway in addition to the main cultivar ‘Lapins’. ‘SPC 107’ is recommended for home gardens. The selection SPC 263 and ‘Sofia’ showed outstanding fruit quality parameters, but had low productivity due to stunted tree growth. Grafting on more vigorous rootstocks than Gisela 5 is recommended.