Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Slovenia

Podnebne spremembe so tu. Posledice bodo nepredvidljive, če ne bomo takoj ukrepali in se pričeli nanje prilagajati tudi na področju čebelarstva. Tradicionalno uveljavljene modele tehnologij, in sicer vzreje čebeljih družin, zdravstvenega varstva itd., bomo najverjetneje morali v določenih segmentih spremeniti in jih prilagoditi tako, da zaradi podnebnih sprememb ne bodo negativno vplivali na v evoluciji razvoja vzpostavljene zakonitosti biologije čebel. Potrebno si bo odgovoriti na številna vprašanja, še najprej pa bo potrebno vse morebitne spremembe proučiti in jih na osnovi trenutnih znanj njihov negativni vpliv na čebele omiliti ali celo preprečiti. Torej tudi na področju čebelarstva potrebujemo strategijo prilagajanja na podnebne spremembe.

The invasive Halyomorpha halys is a serious pest for several fruit trees, causing millions of dollars of crop damage every year across the world’s major fruit-growing regions. Once established in an orchard, H. halys quickly becomes the predominant stink bug species and is a major season-long pest. Annual increases in the population size of H. halys have resulted in increased pest pressure and a growing risk of severe crop damage. Reliable monitoring is indispensable for H. halys control and management, providing comprehensive information on the seasonality of pest population dynamics, abundance, and interaction with the environment, and is essential for the successful implementation of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to prevent crop damage. Our study followed the seasonal population dynamics of H. halys in three apple orchards in the Goriška region of western Slovenia over the period 2019–2021. Pherocon® Dual Panel Adhesive Traps (Trece Inc.) and pyramidal Rescue® Stink Bug Traps, both baited with Trécé lures (two-component H. halys aggregation pheromone + pheromone synergist), were used to monitor H. halys adults and nymphs weekly from late March to the end of November. Captures taken with both types of trap clearly describe the seasonal dynamics of H. halys, with the first occurrence of overwintering adults in April and May, and with two peak occurrences in adults, in the middle of summer and in the beginning of autumn, corresponding to the appearance of two generations per year in the study area. The growing trap captures observed during the 3-year monitoring period suggest that H. halys was only recently introduced to the area and that natural enemies have not yet been fully recruited. Pyramid traps captured significantly more adults and nymphs than clear sticky traps and provided accurate monitoring of H. halys life stages throughout the season. Regardless of the lower trap catches of adults and juveniles, clear sticky traps clearly displayed H. halys seasonal dynamics pattern. Therefore, their use is recommended as an early detection tool in areas where pests are not yet present, or in areas with small H. halys populations. Halyomorpha halys adult trap captures were higher in Šempeter orchards, within areas of great landscape diversity and a large share of urban land. The seasonal dynamics of H. halys over the 3-year period were closely related to weather conditions, with temperature and relative humidity as the major factors affecting population growth.

In the present study, viticultural and oenological parameters of six clones of Muscat a Petits Grains Blancs (MPG) and five clones of Muscat giallo were investigated. Differences were found between varieties and clones in the occurrence of the phenological phases: bud break, véraison, and maturity. In the MPG clones (B41-5, FR 94, MPG 154, MPG 454, and MPG 455), all three phenological phases started earlier, resulting in earlier grape maturity and higher total soluble solids content (TSS) in grapes at harvest compared to the M. giallo clones (R1, VCR100, VCR 102, and VCR 5, BEMK 33). The MPG clones also resulted in higher cluster weight, higher yield per vine, and lower must pH compared to the M. giallo clones. The only exception was the MPG clone R2, which showed more similarities with the M. giallo clones. The wines of the MPG clones showed a tendency toward higher values for alcohol, citronellol, total acids, and total dry matter. In contrast, the wines of the M. giallo clones and the R2 clone of MPG showed higher pH and higher levels of linalool, α-terpineol, geraniol, and nerol. Although R2 is classified as a clone of MPG, our results indicate a strong similarity with the M. giallo clones studied. This study has highlighted the differences in phenological development and grape and wine quality characteristics between MPG and M. giallo clones. Therefore, clone selection can be an important tool for winemakers to develop the desired wine style and adapt to climatic changes.

Vedno strožja okoljevarstvena zakonodaja in višanje stroškov obdelave, vezana predvsem na obdelavo vedno večjih količin odpadnih voda, nas silijo k pospešenemu iskanju novih naprednih tehnologij čiščenja. Številne dosedanje raziskave so pokazale, da se pod vplivom statičnega magnetnega polja poveča odstranjevanje organskih substratov iz odpadnih voda. Osnovni namen raziskave je tako bil opredeliti vpliv srednje močnega statičnega magnetnega polja na učinkovitost biološkega čiščenja realne komunalne odpadne vode obremenjene z dušikovimi spojinami. Vzorce odpadne vode z aktivnim blatom (v sekvenčen šaržnem reaktorju) smo direktno izpostavljali statičnemu magnetnemu polju gostote B = (0, 10, 30, 50) ± 0,5 mT. Rezultati raziskav kažejo, da statično magnetno polje gostote B = 10 ± 0,5 mT proces čiščenja inhibira, medtem, ko statično magnetno polje gostote B = (30, 50) mT poveča oksidacijsko hitrost amonijevega dušika za w = 60 ± 5 oz. do 85 ± 5 % pri obdelavi z aktivnim blatom. Iz rezultatov raziskav je razvidno, da lahko z ustrezno gostoto in časom izpostavitve aktivnega blata statičnemu magnetnemu polju povečamo odstranjevanje dušikovih spojin iz odpadne vode.

Metagenomic approaches used for virus diagnostics allow for rapid and accurate detection of all viral pathogens in the plants. In order to investigate the occurrence of viruses and virus-like organisms infecting grapevine from the Ampelographic collection Kromberk in Slovenia, we used Ion Torrent small RNA sequencing (sRNA-seq) and the VirusDetect pipeline to analyze the sRNA-seq data. The used method revealed the presence of: Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 1 (GLRaV-1), Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 2 (GLRaV-2), Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3), Grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated virus (GRSPaV), Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV) and its satellite RNA (satGFLV), Grapevine fleck virus (GFkV), Grapevine rupestris vein feathering virus (GRVFV), Grapevine Pinot gris virus (GPGV), Grapevine satellite virus (GV-Sat), Hop stunt viroid (HSVd), and Grapevine yellow speckle viroid 1 (GYSVd-1). Multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (mRT-PCR) was developed for validation of sRNA-seq predicted infections, including various combinations of viruses or viroids and satellite RNA. mRT-PCR could further be used for rapid and cost-effective routine molecular diagnosis, including widespread, emerging, and seemingly rare viruses, as well as viroids which testing is usually overlooked.

Simple SummaryHalyomorpha halys, the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), is an invasive pest causing serious damage to agricultural production. Managing this pest species is challenging because of its wide host range and lack of effective control measures. Biological control of H. halys through natural enemies seems to be the most environmentally friendly and sustainable solution. Extensive knowledge of the native egg parasitoid fauna is needed prior to the introduction of a biological control program. The main purpose of the study, carried out in the Goriška region of Western Slovenia, was to detect egg parasitoid species associated with H. halys and to evaluate their impact on the pest population under local environmental conditions. High species richness was identified during the study, and five egg-parasitoids were recorded for the first time in Slovenia. The native species Anastatus bifasciatus dominated in urban and suburban areas, while the non-native Trissolcus mitsukurii prevailed in agricultural areas. Rapid recruitment of native parasitoids, the presence of an effective alien parasitoid species in the region and increasing overall parasitism rates are very encouraging results and valuable information for future activities regarding the biological control of H. halys in Slovenia.Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), native to East Asia, has become a globally invasive pest, as a serious threat to agricultural production and a notorious nuisance pest in urban areas. Considerable efforts have been made so far to develop effective pest control measures to prevent crop damage. Biological control of this invasive stink bug by egg parasitoids has proven to be the most environmentally sustainable long-term solution. Knowledge of the native egg parasitoid fauna is of key importance when implementing a biological control program. Therefore, the main objective of our study was to detect egg parasitoid species associated with H. halys in the Goriška region (Western Slovenia) and to evaluate their impact on the pest population under field conditions. In the years 2019 and 2020, around 4600 H. halys eggs were collected in the wild and more than 3400 sentinel eggs were exposed to detect parasitoids in the field. Five egg-parasitoid species emerged from H. halys eggs: Anastatus bifasciatus (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae), Telenomus sp., Trissolcus basalis, Trissolcus mitsukurii (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) and Ooencyrtus telenomicida (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), all of them are new records for Slovenia. The native species, An. bifasciatus, dominated in urban and suburban areas, while non-native Tr. mitsukurii prevailed in agricultural areas. Overall parasitism rates of naturally laid eggs by the parasitoid species complex in 2019 and 2020 was 3.0 and 14.4%, respectively. Rapid recruitment of native parasitoids, early detection of an effective alien parasitoid species and increasing overall parasitism rates are very encouraging results, which need to be followed and verified in future research.

ABSTRACT A novel method for assessing antimicrobial (AMP), colour retainment (CRP) and slice healing properties (SHP) of cucumber fruit (Cucumis sativus L.) was presented. The fruit was sliced in 15 mm slices, foliated in transparent plastic and placed at 23.5°C in a heating cabinet for 14 days. Subsequently, AMP and CRP were scored on scales of 1–9 and 1–7, respectively, with units of one. SHP was scored as an ‘on/off’ criterion with scores of 1 or 9 (1, the sample broke at one or more slice interfaces when manually held in horizontal position; 9, the slices did not break at any point). Samples with maximum scores for AMP and SHP were re-tested after additional period(s) of 7 days. The data were assessed by linear regression and analyses of variance. Approximately 300 cucumber samples, primarily from Denmark, Poland and Slovenia, were examined. Eight cultivation and production factors (cultivation system, production scale, growing medium, pre-laboratory conditions, fruit morphology, calendar week, producer, country) were examined. The results indicated that samples from the organic and biodynamic producers, from small scale production units, and from soil-based production systems had superior quality characteristics as measured by these parameters. The introduction of the parameter SHP represented an approach to measure vitality, complementing the approaches of measuring degradation represented by the parameters AMP and CRP. With respect to a practical application, the predictive value of the method should be tested relative to the ability of the sample to maintain turgor and taste under post-harvest conditions.

In animal husbandry, the herd should consist of animals that are well adapted to a particular environment, which allows a safe working environment and the achievement of optimal production and economic results. Animals react differently to both positive and negative factors of the environment. Individual response to novel situations can affect metabolism as well as various physiological systems. A number of biochemical characteristics can be used as markers for assessing temperament. Temperament can also be defined as a combination of characteristics or qualities that form individual distinctive character. In this review article, we present various methods of assessing cattle temperament, firstly, in environments familiar to the animal, such as the barn and milking parlor, secondly, in unfamiliar special rooms or arenas with special equipment and, thirdly, considering other possible effects on the expression of temperament. Measurement of stress markers in saliva, feces, and hair using noninvasive methods has also been described as one of the approaches to assess temperament. Knowledge of cattle temperament allows us to work safely, introduce appropriate adapted breeding technologies, and improve housing conditions, which, consequently, results in improved animal welfare.

A 2-year study explored metabolic and phenotypic plasticity of sun-acclimated Vitis vinifera cv. Pinot noir leaves collected from 12 locations across a 36.69-49.98°N latitudinal gradient. Leaf morphological and biochemical parameters were analysed in the context of meteorological parameters and the latitudinal gradient. We found that leaf fresh weight and area were negatively correlated with both global and ultraviolet (UV) radiation, cumulated global radiation being a stronger correlator. Cumulative UV radiation (sumUVR) was the strongest correlator with most leaf metabolites and pigments. Leaf UV-absorbing pigments, total antioxidant capacities, and phenolic compounds increased with increasing sumUVR, whereas total carotenoids and xanthophylls decreased. Despite of this reallocation of metabolic resources from carotenoids to phenolics, an increase in xanthophyll-cycle pigments (the sum of the amounts of three xanthophylls: violaxanthin, antheraxanthin, and zeaxanthin) with increasing sumUVR indicates active, dynamic protection for the photosynthetic apparatus. In addition, increased amounts of flavonoids (quercetin glycosides) and constitutive β-carotene and α-tocopherol pools provide antioxidant protection against reactive oxygen species. However, rather than a continuum of plant acclimation responses, principal component analysis indicates clusters of metabolic states across the explored 1,500-km-long latitudinal gradient. This study emphasizes the physiological component of plant responses to latitudinal gradients and reveals the physiological plasticity that may act to complement genetic adaptations.