Crop Research Institute

The evolutionary processes that shape host-parasitoid coexistence in a changing environment are poorly understood. We examined the large-scale distribution of highly specialised polysphinctine Darwin wasps associated with spiders along an elevational gradient and tested the hypothesis that distribution and parasitism rates depend on elevation, habitat type and the species and age composition of the host community. Further, on the basis of a large-scale dataset, we examined the hypothesis that three-dimensional webs in spiders may be an evolutionary adaptation against polysphinctine parasitoids. We found significant variation in parasitoid distribution and parasitism rates along a 1500 m elevational gradient in central Europe. The optimal model showed a humped shape for the parasitism rate on an elevational gradient. Overall, we found relatively low parasitism rates (4%) on spiders, with the highest parasitism rates in non-forested riparian vegetation and the lowest in agroecosystems. Rates of parasitism varied significantly among spiders forming different types of webs (foraging guilds). Spiders spinning 3D webs were dominant in the spider community, but parasitism on them was lower compared to spiders spinning 2D webs, probably because of the defensive function of the 3D web architecture. The bottom-up approach, in which the entire spider host community is analysed for parasitism rate, supports the hypothesis that 3D webs are evolutionarily novel and could have arisen as a result of the need for defence against enemies such as parasitoids.

Abstract Cannabis is one of the most widely grown multi-purpose crops. It has been at the center of scientific attention for many years, mainly due to its unique chemical composition. The strongest natural fibers possessing antibacterial properties can be obtained from plant stalks. Seeds contain oil with well-balanced fatty acids and seed meal is a good source of digestible protein. In addition, Cannabis plants produce secondary metabolites, including bioactive cannabinoids, terpenes, phenolic compounds, and alkaloids. Phytocannabinoids, predominantly produced in Cannabis, represent thoroughly studied class of the compounds with wide range of pharmacological activities. In addition, more than 40 jurisdictions have undertaken policy reforms to liberalize the use of Cannabis products for medical and/or non-medical adult use. An appropriate measures need to be taken to minimize the eventual negative impacts of Cannabis use. Evidence-based education in combination with proportionate sanctions is the only way to maximize the positive outcomes of Cannabis policy reforms. It is also crucial to secure microbial, chemical quality and safety of Cannabis products, likely via introducing international standards based on inter-laboratory validation. Finally, technical and ethical challenges associated with promising tools to improve the quality and yield of Cannabis production, such as in vitro-, new breeding techniques and polyploidy should be solved.

The realization of the expected benefits of stubble cover crops (CCs) depends on sufficient plant growth, which is influenced by the sum of effective temperatures (SET) before the onset of winter and the occurrence of the first early autumn frost (FRST). The objective of this study was to calculate the SET for three dates of CC sowing, August 20 (A), September 6 (B), and September 20 (C), from 1961 to 2020, based on daily data from 268 meteorological stations in the Czech Republic (CR). The dates of FRST, when the daily average and minimum temperatures at 2 m and the minimum temperature at the ground level fell below 0 °C, −3, and −5 °C during CC growth, were recorded. The analysis showed a significant trend in the average SET, which increased by 1.60, 0.87, and 0.97 °C per year for scenarios A, B, and C, respectively. As a result, the area where SET conditions allowed for CC flowering from autumn sowing expanded, as visualized in the agroclimatic maps of the country. The average dates of the FRST shifted by 0.05–0.11 days per year over the sixty years, but this was not significant due to high inter-annual variability. The SET was closely related to the average annual temperature and station elevation (r = ǀ0.95ǀ–ǀ0.99ǀ), while the corresponding trend relationships were weaker (r = ǀ0.40ǀ–ǀ0.43ǀ). This study provides data on the zonation of the conditions required to achieve specific CC management objectives.

Test molecules comprised of biopesticides viz., NSKE 5%, Bacillus thuringiensis (1000 ml/ha) and novel insecticides viz., flubendiamide 480 SC (200 ml/ha), chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC (200 ml/ha) along with emamectin benzoate 5 SG (200 g/ha) along with prophenophos 50 EC (1000 ml/ha) as standard check were used. The biopesticides were sprayed once at 30 days after sowing (DAS) and spraying of insecticides was done once at 45 DAS i.e. 15 days after first spraying. Among the treatments, NSKE 5% + chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @ 200 ml/ha proved most efficient with lowest number of larvae/plant (0.67 numbers of larvae/plant) and highest reduction (87.59%) in larval population over control at 14 days after application of novel insecticides. The Bt + emamectin benzoate 5 SG and Bt + chlorantraniliprole found to be relatively safer to natural enemies in comparison to other treatments. Greatest grain yield along with the least amount of pod damage (8.93 q/ha) has been obtained from 5% NSKE + chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @ 200 ml/ha registering around 98.00% increase over control. The said treatment emerged as the most economic treatment with highest ICBR (2.75) and incremental benefit over control (Rs. 25204.65/ha).

Wolbachia is a common intracellular bacterial genus that infects numerous arthropods and filarial nematodes. In arthropods, it typically acts as a reproductive parasite, leading to various phenotypic effects such as cytoplasmic incompatibility, parthenogenesis, feminization, or male-killing. Quill mites (Acariformes: Syringophilidae) are a group of bird parasites that have recently attracted increasing interest due to the detection of unique phylogenetic lineages of endosymbiotic bacteria and potentially pathogenic taxa. Our study used an unbiased 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing approach to examine several populations of Namibian quill mites for the presence of bacteria that could affect their biology. We detected Wolbachia in two mite populations collected from two species of larks. However, we did not find any other endosymbiotic bacteria or any that could be of epidemiological importance. Since the mite taxa we tested were previously unknown to science, we conducted comprehensive morphological and molecular systematic analyses on them. Our research revealed two new quill mite species of the genus Syringophilopsis Kethley, 1970 which parasitize three sub-Saharan alaudids, i.e., Syringophilopsis erythrochlamys sp. n. from the dune lark Calendulauda erythrochlamys (Strickland, HE) and S. christinae sp. n. from the Karoo long-billed lark Certhilauda subcoronata (Smith) and spike-heeled lark Chersomanes albofasciata (de Lafresnaye, NFAA). In addition, we provided the African reed warbler Acrocephalus baeticatus (Vieillot, LJP) as a new host for S. acrocephali Skoracki, 1999. Our study expands the knowledge on parasite diversity and provides new insights into Wolbachia infection among quill mites in Africa.

Understanding how long-term land use affects soil quality and resistance to degradation is essential for identifying sustainable management practices in different soil types. This study's aim was to evaluate how different fertilization approaches influence soil aggregate stability (SAS) and some associated soil properties. The experiment was established in 1955 at three sites with different soil types (Chernozem on loess, Phaeozem on loess, and Cambisol on gneiss) and diverse climatic conditions. Three fertilization scenarios were selected for the study conducted during 2014–2021: i) farmyard manure (40 t ha−1) once every 4 years; ii) NPK mineral fertilizer every year plus farmyard manure once every 4 years, and iii) no fertilizer (control).Farmyard manure positively affected stability of the Cambisol soil aggregates in both cases of fertilization (i and ii). On the other hand, manure had negligible impact upon SAS of the other two soils. In addition, significantly lower SAS values were measured for soils fertilized also by the mineral fertilizer (ii) than for the other scenarios (i and iii). Manure treatment and combined fertilization showed a significant increase in hot water extractable carbon and total carbon content at all sites compared to the unfertilized treatments. A positive relationship between SAS and total organic carbon was confirmed, however, only for the Cambisol spring samples. In some years, composition of organic matter or content of glomalin was also investigated to reveal their effects on SAS. A positive impact of hydrophobicity on SAS was proven for the Phaeozem and Chernozem, but not for the Cambisol. An unexpected negative effect was observed for glomalin. For both spring and summer sampling events, the SAS values were strongly and negatively correlated with the field (sampling) soil water content, which partly masked effects of other soil properties on SAS. These results underscore the importance of complex long-term studies for understanding mutual interactions affecting the stability of soil aggregates in individual soil types and different climatic conditions.

This paper discusses the development of rapid, reliable, and accurate polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for detecting opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) in food. Endpoint, quantitative, and digital PCRs were compared based on the amplification of a newly developed DNA marker targeting the NADPH-dependent codeinone reductase (COR) gene. Designed assays were shown to be highly specific and sensitive in discriminating opium poppy from other plant species, even in heat-treated and food samples. Digital PCR was the most sensitive, with a detection limit of up to 5 copies, i.e., approximately 14 pg of target DNA per reaction. Quantitative and digital PCR further allowed the quantification of opium poppy in up to 1.5 ng and 42 pg (15 copies) of target DNA in a sample, respectively. In addition, two duplex PCRs have been developed for the simultaneous detection of opium poppy DNA and representatives of (i) the Papaveraceae family or (ii) the Plantae kingdom. Finally, all designed assays were successfully applied for analysis of 15 commercial foodstuffs; two were suspected of being adulterated. The study results have an important impact on addressing food fraud and ensuring the safety and authenticity of food products. Beyond food adulteration, the study may also have significant implications for forensics and law enforcement.

BackgroundTartary buckwheat, Fagopyrum tataricum, is a pseudocereal crop with worldwide distribution and high nutritional value. However, the origin and domestication history of this crop remain to be elucidated.ResultsHere, by analyzing the population genomics of 567 accessions collected worldwide and reviewing historical documents, we find that Tartary buckwheat originated in the Himalayan region and then spread southwest possibly along with the migration of the Yi people, a minority in Southwestern China that has a long history of planting Tartary buckwheat. Along with the expansion of the Mongol Empire, Tartary buckwheat dispersed to Europe and ultimately to the rest of the world. The different natural growth environments resulted in adaptation, especially significant differences in salt tolerance between northern and southern Chinese Tartary buckwheat populations. By scanning for selective sweeps and using a genome-wide association study, we identify genes responsible for Tartary buckwheat domestication and differentiation, which we then experimentally validate. Comparative genomics and QTL analysis further shed light on the genetic foundation of the easily dehulled trait in a particular variety that was artificially selected by the Wa people, a minority group in Southwestern China known for cultivating Tartary buckwheat specifically for steaming as a staple food to prevent lysine deficiency.ConclusionsThis study provides both comprehensive insights into the origin and domestication of, and a foundation for molecular breeding for, Tartary buckwheat.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13059-024-03203-z.