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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.

2024

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Abstract

Future agricultural practices necessitate green alternatives to replace hazardous insecticides while distinguishing between pests and beneficial insects. Chitosan, as a biological macromolecule derived from chitin, is biodegradable and exhibits low toxicity to non-target organisms, making it a sustainable alternative to synthetic pesticides. This review identifies chitosan-derivatives for insecticidal activity and highlights its efficacy including genotoxicity, defense mechanism, and disruption of insect's exoskeleton at different concentrations against several insect pests. Similarly, synergistic effects of chitosan in combination with natural extracts, essential oils, and plant-derived compounds, enhances insecticidal action against various pests was evaluated. The chitosan-based insecticide formulations (CHIF) in the form of emulsions, microcapsules, and nanoparticles showed efficient insecticide action on the targeted pests with less environmental impact. The current challenges associated with the field-trial application were also recognized, by optimizing potent CHIF-formulation parameters, scaling-up process, and regulatory hurdles addressed alongside potential solutions. These findings will provide insight into achieving the EU mission of reducing chemical pesticides by 50 %.

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Abstract

The demand for environmentally friendly, reliable, and cost-effective electrodes for glucose sensor technology has become a major research area in the paradigm shift toward green electronics. In this regard, cellulose has emerged as a promising flexible biopolymer solution with unique properties such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, nontoxicity, renewability, and sustainability. Because of their large surface area and porous structure, fibrous cellulose substrates quickly adsorb and disperse analytes at detection sites. This work focuses on utilizing glyoxal-treated cellulose (derived from brewer’s spent grain (BSG)) for the fabrication of extended gate field-effect transistor (EGFET)-based glucose sensors. This investigation extends to the utilization of BSG-cellulose for glucose detection in biomimicking electrolytes (phosphate buffer saline) to facilitate glucose detection in human blood samples. The fabricated electrode demonstrates a linear range of glucose detection from 1 to 13.5 mM with a Langmuir adsorption coefficient (K) of 0.102. Also, its selectivity toward glucose over interfering molecules such as sucrose, fructose, ascorbic acid, and uric acid under physiological conditions has been demonstrated. This cellulose-based EGFET electrode exhibits a sensitivity of 6.5 μA mM−1 cm−2 with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.135 mM. Computational studies by density functional theory calculations confirmed the higher binding affinity of glucose molecules with glyoxal-modified cellulose (−0.95 eV) than with pristine cellulose (−0.46 eV). Here, the novelty lies in the fabrication of electrodes with biodegradable catalysts and their integration into the EGFET configuration.

Abstract

The boreal, alpine, and arctic heaths and forests are dominated by dwarf-shrubs along with their symbionts, ericoid mycorrhizal fungi. Dwarf-shrubs are sensitive to climate change and are already affected in large-scale diebacks. It remains to explore how their mycorrhizal symbionts mitigate damages, since little is known about these plant-fungal interactions. Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi are known to aid the host plant with nutrient uptake, but little research exists on their dealings with drought, suggesting a major knowledge gap. A better overview of belowground ericoid fungi at different drought levels might help predict future climate-change induced damage. In our study we aim to find out if and how drought affects ericoid mycorrhizal fungal communities, and pinpoint key species related to drought mitigation.

Abstract

The boreal, alpine, and arctic heaths and forests are dominated by dwarf-shrubs along with their symbionts, ericoid mycorrhizal fungi. Dwarf-shrubs are sensitive to climate change and are already affected in large-scale diebacks. It remains to explore how their mycorrhizal symbionts mitigate damages, since little is known about these plant-fungal interactions. Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi are known to aid the host plant with nutrient uptake, but little research exists on their dealings with drought, suggesting a major knowledge gap. A better overview of belowground ericoid fungi at different drought levels might help predict future climate-change induced damage. In our study we aim to find out if and how drought affects ericoid mycorrhizal fungal communities, and pinpoint key species related to drought mitigation.

To document

Abstract

Faba beans and other cool climate legumes are well suited for cultivation in Vestfold and Østfold in the Norwegian south-east because of their requirement for long growing seasons and are desired due to their high protein content and beneficial biological nitrogen fixation properties. Including such crops in rotations is an advantage due to the subsequent reduction in costs and CO2 emissions from fertilizer production. Additionally, their presence in rotations could be a tool for improving integrated pest management in cereals by reducing disease pressure. A challenge specifically related to the management of faba bean crops is the disease chocolate spot (cs) caused by pathogen species in the genus Botrytis, typically Botrytis fabae Sardiña. and Botrytis cinerea Pers.: Fr. Management of chocolate spot epidemics is limited by the number of fungicides available to commercial growers, and the development of fungicide resistance is a challenge currently being investigated. A randomized factorial split-plot field trial with 3 replicates was set up in at Vollebekk research farm in Ås in the spring of 2023 and separated by early and late varieties. For each section three seed rates, two cultivars and four fungicide treatments were used. The severity of disease was scored, the developmental stages of the crops were recorded, and the resulting yield was dried and weighed. By collecting diseased leaves and making single spore isolates, the pathogens available in the field were sequenced using a NEP2 primer and tested against the active compounds in the currently utilized fungicide Signum®. Causal organisms were B. fabae and B. cinerea, there was no relationship between severity and fungal species, and no noteworthy signs of resistance to fungicide compounds were found. Results showed significant differences in chocolate spot levels between treated and untreated plots in early and late varieties, and the severity was lowest in plots treated with Elatus® Era, a fungicide currently unavailable for use in faba beans. Yield and chocolate spot correlated negatively, and the yield was highest in plots treated after the first symptoms appeared. The difference in yield between this treatment and untreated plots was significant in late varieties. Canopy density measured by sowing rate had no significant effect on disease severity in either early or late varieties, although the correlation was positive in both.