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
No abstract has been registered
Abstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Heidi Udnes Aamot Magne Nordang Skårn Chloé Grieu Anne-Grete Roer Hjelkrem Katherine Ann Gredvig Nielsen Silje Kvist Simonsen Nora Steinkopf Anne Kjersti Uhlen Guro BrodalAbstract
Chocolate spot (CS) is one of the most destructive diseases affecting faba beans worldwide, leading to yield reductions of up to 90% in susceptible cultivars under conducive environmental conditions. Traditionally, the disease has been attributed to the fungal pathogens Botrytis fabae and Botrytis cinerea, however recent studies have identified three additional Botrytis species capable of causing the disease. Fungicide applications during flowering are commonly used to control the disease and limit damage to pod set, but this approach is not always effective. The reasons for this lack of control are not fully understood. To increase our understanding of the CS species complex in Norway, we used species-specific PCR to identify different Botrytis species in symptomatic leaves collected at various locations and years. Some Botrytis species are known to be high-risk pathogens for fungicide resistance development, but resistance in Norwegian Botrytis populations in faba bean have not previously been studied. Therefore, we obtained Botrytis isolates from diseased leaves and used a mycelial growth assay to assess their response to the active ingredients (boscalid and pyraclostrobin) in the fungicide commonly used for CS control in Norway. Resistance to both boscalid and pyraclostrobin was detected among B. cinerea isolates, while only resistance to boscalid was detected among B. fabae isolates. To elucidate resistance mechanisms, we analyzed target gene sequences for the presence of mutations known to confer resistance to the two active ingredients. Field experiments were conducted to test the efficacy of various spray timings and fungicides in early and late faba bean varieties. Additionally, we are developing a disease risk model for CS to better understand the conditions that lead to disease and to improve the timing of fungicide applications.
Authors
Heidi Udnes Aamot Adnan Šišić Lars Olav Brandsæter Silje Kvist Simonsen Birgitte Henriksen Jörg Peter BareselAbstract
Over the past decades, significant efforts have been made to promote the cultivation of legumes. Cultivation of legumes, particularly grain legumes, can reduce the use of mineral nitrogen fertilizers, enhance biodiversity, reduce dependence on imported feed proteins, and improve soil biological properties and humus content. Despite these efforts, grain legumes are still not widely grown. One major obstacle to legume cultivation is "legume fatigue". Legume fatigue limits the expansion of legume cultivation in many European regions. The exact causes of legume fatigue are not fully understood, but soil-borne diseases interacting with abiotic factors are believed to play a key role. Recent findings suggest that the balance between pathogen load and soil suppressiveness is critical. Some farms and regions do not report legume fatigue as a problem, while others experience severe limitations in legume production. Identifying the causes of this variation is urgent and requires a collaborative effort that covers different environments and includes comprehensive assessments of both biotic and abiotic factors. In a recently launched project, LeFaSus, a network of farms and long-term experiments has been established to identify the primary factors contributing to legume fatigue. This network spans a transect from southern to northern Europe, including Italy, Germany, Luxembourg, and Norway. The project aims to deliver a reliable set of indicators for both legume fatigue and disease-suppressive soils, linking these indicators to the management practices that likely influenced them. The background and plans for the project will be presented.
Authors
Daniel Flø Johan A. Stenberg Lawrence Richard Kirkendall Kjetil Klaveness Melby Anders Nielsen Selamawit Tekle Gobena Beatrix Alsanius Jorunn Børve Paal Krokene Christer Magnusson Mogens Nicolaisen Line Nybakken May-Guri Sæthre Iben Margrete ThomsenAbstract
VKM has assessed the environmental and health risks associated with the use of the mites Acarus siro and Suidasia pontifica as feed for various predatory insects and mites. Background POWERFOOD 3.0 is used as feed for various predatory mites and predatory insects. Acarus siro, Suidasia pontifica, and Carpoglyphus lactis constitute the product. Carpoglyphus lactis has previously been assessed by VKM. VKM has now prepared an environmental and health risk assessment of A. siro and S. pontifica. Conclusions Acarus siro occurs naturally in Norway, and new introductions will most likely be able to establish and spread in Norway. Suidasia pontifica, on the other hand, has never been recorded in the wild in Norway, and its tropical origin suggests that it will not establish and spread in Norway. No records of negative effects of A. siro and S. pontifica on biodiversity were found. Several studies report allergies to mites, including the species in the product POWERFOOD 3.0. The likelihood of developing mite allergies after handling the product is therefore high. However, the likelihood of allergic reactions following consumption of plants treated with the product appears to be low. Regarding taxonomic challenges that may affect the risk assessment, VKM found out that A. siro can be mistaken for A. farris and A. immobilis. These species differ only slightly in development and ecology. From the limited available knowledge about their biology, these three species are expected to have similar effects on biodiversity and human health. There are no known problems with species identification for Suidasia pontifica. The taxonomic issue with this species is that much of the literature uses an invalid name; S. medanensis. The risk assessment is approved by VKM's Panel on Plant Health.
Authors
Daniel Flø Johan A. Stenberg Lawrence Richard Kirkendall Kjetil Klaveness Melby Anders Nielsen Selamawit Tekle Gobena Beatrix Alsanius Jorunn Børve Paal Krokene Christer Magnusson Mogens Nicolaisen Line Nybakken May-Guri Sæthre Iben M. Thomsen Sandra WrightAbstract
VKM has assessed the environmental and health risks associated with the use of the mite Lepidoglyphus destructor as feed. Background Anso-Mite Plus consists of the biological control agent Amblyseius andersoni and the feed organisms Carpoglyphus lactis and Lepidoglyphus destructor. Amblyseius andersoni and C. lactis have previously been assessed by VKM. VKM has now assessed the environmental and health risks of L. destructor. Conclusions Lepidoglyphus destructor has been found in homes, agricultural environments, and stored products in Norway. The species is well established in Norway, and introduced individuals are expected to be able to establish and spread. Lepidoglyphus destructor is widespread and common in Norway, and it seems unlikely that further introductions via Anso-Mite Plus will have any additional effects on biodiversity. Several studies report allergies to mites, including to L. destructor. The likelihood of developing mite allergies after handling the product is therefore high. However, the likelihood of allergic reactions after consuming plants treated with the product appears to be low. Lepidoglyphus is not a species-rich genus, and there is no documentation suggesting that L. destructor can be confused with other species. The risk assessment is approved by VKM's Panel on Plant Health.
Authors
Daniel Flø Johan A. Stenberg Kjetil Klaveness Melby Selamawit Tekle Gobena Beatrix Alsanius Jorunn Børve Paal Krokene Christer Magnusson Mogens Nicolaisen Line Nybakken May-Guri Sæthre Iben M. Thomsen Sandra WrightAbstract
VKM has assessed possible health hazards associated with the use of frozen eggs of Sitotroga cerealella as feed. Background The plant protection products CHRYSObio and CHRYSOcontrol contain Chrysoperla carnea and frozen eggs of Sitotroga cerealella. The eggs are used as feed for the larvae of C. carnea, the beneficial organism in the products. VKM has previously assessed environmental and health risks associated with C. carnea. Since the eggs of S. cerealella are frozen (dead), VKM has now assessed only human health hazard associated with the eggs in the products CHRYSObio and CHRYSOcontrol. Conclusion Insect eggs, frozen or not, can carry pathogens that may be harmful to humans. Freezing can kill some of these pathogens, but some hardy pathogens can survive low temperatures. Some people are allergic to insect proteins, and freezing does not eliminate such proteins. However, VKM found no reports identifying eggs of S. cerealella neither as carriers of pathogens nor as a cause of allergies in humans. The risk assessment is approved by VKM's Panel on Plant Health.
Authors
Monica Sanden Eirill Ager-Wick Johanna Eva Bodin Nur Duale Anne-Marthe Ganes Jevnaker Kristian Prydz Volha Shapaval Ville Erling Sipinen Tage ThorstensenAbstract
The Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment (VKM) has assessed an application for approval of the genetically modified maize DAS1131 for food and feed uses, import and processing in the EU. In accordance with an assignment specified by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (NFSA) and the Norwegian Environment Agency (NEA), VKM assesses whether genetically modified organisms (GMOs) intended for the European market can pose risks to human or animal health, or the environment in Norway. VKM assesses the scientific documentation regarding GMO applications seeking approval for use of GMOs as food and feed, processing, or cultivation. The EU Regulation 1829/2003/EC (Regulation) covers living GMOs that fall under the Norwegian Gene Technology Act, as well as processed food and feed from GMOs (dead material) that fall under the Norwegian Food Act. The regulation is currently not part of the EEA agreement or implemented in Norwegian law. Norway conducts its own assessments of GMO applications in preparation for the possible implementation of the Regulation. In accordance with the assignment by NFSA and NEA, VKM assesses GMO applications during scientific hearings initiated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), as well as after EFSA has published its own risk assessment of a GMO, up until EU member countries vote for or against approval in the EU Commission. The assignment is divided into three stages. (link) Genetically modified maize DAS1131 DAS1131 is a genetically modified maize developed by Agrobacterium tumefaciens -mediated transformation. Maize DAS1131 plants contain the transgenes cry1Da2 and dgt-28 epsps which encode the protein Cry1Da2 and the enzyme DGT-28 EPSPS, respectively. Cry1Da2 provides resistance to certain susceptible Lepidopteran (order of butterflies and moths) pests and the enzyme DGT-28 EPSPS provides tolerance to glyphosate-based herbicides. VKM has assessed the documentation in application GMFF-2021-1530 and EFSA's scientific opinion on genetically modified maize DAS1131. VKM concludes that the applicant's scientific documentation for the genetically modified maize DAS1131 is satisfactory for risk assessment, and in accordance with EFSA guidelines for risk assessment of genetically modified plants for food or feed uses. The genetic modifications in maize DAS1131do not indicate an increased health or environmental risk in Norway compared with EU countries. EFSA's risk assessment is therefore sufficient also for Norwegian conditions. As no specific Norwegian conditions have been identified regarding properties of the genetically modified maize DAS1131, VKM's GMO panel has not performed a complete risk assessment of the maize. About the assignment: In stage 1, VKM shall assess the health and environmental risks of the genetically modified organism and derived products in connection with the EFSA scientific hearing of GMO applications. VKM shall review the scientific documentation that the applicant has submitted and possibly provide comments to EFSA. VKM must also consider: i) whether there are specific Norwegian conditions that could give other risks in Norway than those mentioned in the application, ii) whether the Norwegian diet presents a different health risk for the Norwegian population should the GMO be approved, compared to the European population, and iii) risks associated with co-existence with conventional and/or ecologic production of plants for GMOs seeking approval for cultivation. Relevant measures to ensure co-existence must also be considered. In stage 2, VKM shall assess whether comments from Norway have been satisfactorily answered by EFSA. In addition, VKM shall assess whether comments from other countries imply need for further follow-up. (...)
Abstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
David Chludil Curt Almqvist Mats Berlin Arne Steffenrem Steven E. McKeand Jiří Korecký Jan Stejskal Jaroslav Čepl Fikret Isik Debojyoti Chakraborty Silvio Schueler Torsten Pook Christi Sagariya Milan LstibůrekAbstract
No abstract has been registered