Grapevine water relations and rooting depth in karstic soils.

Environmental sustainability of viticulture is negatively affected by prolonged droughts. In limestone dominated regions, there is limited knowledge on grapevine water status and on methods for accurate evaluation of actual water demand, necessary to appropriately manage irrigation. During a dry vintage, we monitored plant and soil water relations in old and young vines of Istrian Malvasia on Karst red soil.

Forage system is the key driver of mountain milk specificity.

The aims of this work were to determine the effect of upland origin on milk composition when comparing similar lowland and upland production system and to highlight the factors responsible for the added value of upland milk from commercial farms. Tanker milk from 55 groups of farms (264 farms in total) in France, Slovakia, and Slovenia was collected twice during the indoor season and 3 times during the outdoor season. The tanker rounds were selected in each country to be balanced according to their origin (lowland or upland) and within upland or lowland groups, according to the forage systems: corn-based or grass-based forage system.

Efficient use of genomic information for sustainable genetic improvement in small cattle populations.

In this study, we compared genetic gain, genetic variation, and the efficiency of converting variation into gain under different genomic selection scenarios with truncation or optimum contribution selection in a small dairy population by simulation. Breeding programs have to maximize genetic gain but also ensure sustainability by maintaining genetic variation. Numerous studies have shown that genomic selection increases genetic gain.

Five nuclear protein-coding markers for establishing a robust phylogenetic framework of niphargid crustaceans (Niphargidae: Amphipoda) and new molecular sequence data.

The data presented here includes selection of 5 successfully amplified protein-coding markers for inferring phylogenetic relationships of the family of amphipod crustaceans Niphargidae. These markers have been efficiently amplified from niphargid samples for the first time and present the framework for robust phylogenetic assessment of the family Niphargidae. They are useful for phylogenetic purposes among other amphipod genera as well.

Pesticide and veterinary drug residues in honey - validation of methods and a survey of organic and conventional honeys from Slovenia.

Four analytical methods were developed and validated for the determination of veterinary drug residues and environmental pesticide residues in honey: (a) GC-MS method for the analysis of amitraz and all metabolites containing the 2,4-dimethylaniline moiety; (b) GC-MS method for the analysis of thymol, chlorfenvinphos and coumaphos; (c) GC-MS method for the analysis of 75 active substances; (d) LC-MS/MS method for the analysis of 60 active substances. Between the GC-MS (method c) and the LC-MS/MS method (method d) there was no overlap among active substances, meaning that using both methods 135 active substances originating from the environment in total were included and validated. The first method involved hydrolysis of amitraz and its metabolites containing the 2,4-dimethylaniline moiety to 2,4-dimethylaniline and extraction of 2,4-dimethylaniline to n-hexane.

Identification and Characterization of a Novel Species from Sweet Cherry in Turkey.

High throughput sequencing of total RNA isolated from symptomatic leaves of a sweet cherry tree ( cv. 0900 Ziraat) from Turkey identified a new member of the genus designated cherry virus Turkey (CVTR). The presence of the virus was confirmed by electron microscopy and overlapping RT-PCR for sequencing its whole-genome.

Plant protection product dose rate estimation in apple orchards using a fuzzy logic system.

In the process of applying a plant protection product mixed with water (spray mixture) at the prescribed concentration with conventional sprayers for chemical protection of tree canopies in an orchard, standard models are used to express the dose rate of the plant protection product. Characteristic properties of the tree canopy in an orchard are not taken into consideration. Such models result in fixed quantities of spray mixture being sprayed through individual nozzles into a tree canopy.

Acceptability of Dry-Cured Belly (Pancetta) from Entire Males, Immunocastrates or Surgical Castrates: Study with Slovenian Consumers.

Abandoning of male piglets castration in the European Union is a challenge for the pork production sector in particular for high-quality dry-cured traditional products. The information on consumer acceptability of dry-cured products from alternatives is limited, so the objective was to test the consumer acceptability of unsmoked traditional dry-cured belly (Kraška panceta) processed from three sex categories, i.e.

Nitrate and nitrite contamination of vegetables in the Slovenian market.

Overview of the quality of domestic and imported vegetables in Slovene market was investigated in terms of nitrate and nitrite contamination. In total, 145 samples (rocket, lamb's lettuce, silverbeet, spinach, lettuce, cabbage, radicchio, string beans, carrots, cucumber, potato, cauliflower, pepper and tomato) were bought in supermarkets and market places in Ljubljana in 2017. Values over 1000 mg NO kg were found in 30% of randomly selected samples.

Can innovations in traditional pork products help thriving EU untapped pig breeds? A non-hypothetical discrete choice experiment with hedonic evaluation.

The EU is supporting measures that stimulate enhanced value-added products in order to conserve local and threatened livestock breeds. Several Traditional Pork Products (TPP) and Innovative Traditional Pork Products (ITPP) with health innovations from four untapped pig breeds in Spain (Porc Negre Mallorquí), Croatia (Turopolje), Italy (Cinta Senese) and Slovenia (Krškopolje) were analysed. Consumers' "Non-hypothetical" willingness to pay (WTP) and hedonic evaluation were investigated.

Modelling Nutritional Requirements of Growing Pigs from Local Breeds Using InraPorc.

Models such as InraPorc enable the growth of pigs to be simulated and their nutrient requirements to be determined. However, so far, these models have not been applied to local breeds. We used InraPorc to determine the nutrient requirements of growing pigs from local breeds (H2020 European Union project TREASURE).

Genes CEP55, FOXD3, FOXF2, GNAO1, GRIA4, and KCNA5 as potential diagnostic biomarkers in colorectal cancer.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of death by cancer worldwide and in need of novel potential diagnostic biomarkers for early discovery.

Methods: We conducted a two-step study. We first employed bioinformatics on data from The Cancer Genome Atlas to obtain potential biomarkers and then experimentally validated some of them on our clinical samples.

Pore-forming protein complexes from Pleurotus mushrooms kill western corn rootworm and Colorado potato beetle through targeting membrane ceramide phosphoethanolamine.

Aegerolysins ostreolysin A (OlyA) and pleurotolysin A (PlyA), and pleurotolysin B (PlyB) with the membrane-attack-complex/perforin domain are proteins from the mushroom genus Pleurotus. Upon binding to sphingomyelin/cholesterol-enriched membranes, OlyA and PlyA can recruit PlyB to form multimeric bi-component transmembrane pores. Recently, Pleurotus aegerolysins OlyA, PlyA2 and erylysin A (EryA) were demonstrated to preferentially bind to artificial lipid membranes containing 50 mol% ceramide phosphoethanolamine (CPE), the main sphingolipid in invertebrate cell membranes.

Pipeline for imaging, extraction, pre-processing, and processing of time-series hyperspectral data for discriminating drought stress origin in tomatoes.

Crop infestation with root-knot nematodes (RKN) and water deficiency lead to similar visible symptoms in the plant canopy. Identification of biotic or abiotic stress origin is therefore a problem, and currently the only reliable methods for determination of RKN infestation are invasive and applicable only for point-searches. In this study the applicability of hyperspectral remote sensing for early identification of drought stress and RKN infestations in tomato plants was tested.

Proteomic Profiles of the Longissimus Muscles of Entire Male and Castrated Pigs as Related to Meat Quality.

There are indications of reduced meat quality in entire male pigs (EMs) in comparison to surgically castrated pigs (SCs); however, the differences are not strongly confirmed, and the etiology is not clarified. In the present study, samples of the longissimus dorsi, pars lumborum muscle (LL) from EMs ( = 12) and SCs ( = 12) of the same age and weight were evaluated at the physico-chemical and proteomic level. EMs exhibited lower intramuscular fat content, higher collagen content with higher solubility, a higher level of protein carbonyl groups (indicating higher protein oxidation), lower water holding capacity, and tougher meat than SCs.

Morphological Seed Characterization of Common ( L.) and Runner ( L.) Bean Germplasm: A Slovenian Gene Bank Example.

Genetic resources comprised of 953 accessions of common ( L.) and 47 accessions of runner ( L.) bean from the national Slovene gene bank were characterized using fourteen morphological seed descriptors.

Revisiting the versatile buckwheat: reinvigorating genetic gains through integrated breeding and genomics approach.

Emerging insights in buckwheat molecular genetics allow the integration of genomics driven breeding to revive this ancient crop of immense nutraceutical potential from Asia. Out of several thousand known edible plant species, only four crops-rice, wheat, maize and potato provide the largest proportion of daily nutrition to billions of people. While these crops are the primary supplier of carbohydrates, they lack essential amino acids and minerals for a balanced nutrition.

Age-Dependent Expression of MyHC Isoforms and Lipid Metabolism-Related Genes in the Longissimus Dorsi Muscle of Wild and Domestic Pigs.

This study aimed to compare age-dependent changes in the relative expression of genes encoding myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoforms and selected lipid metabolism-related genes in the longissimus dorsi muscle of wild pigs (WPs) and domestic pigs (DPs). Muscles sampled from postnatal day one as well as three-week-old and two-year-old animals were used in quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays, histological evaluations of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity, and intra-myofiber lipid (IMFL) assessment. Expression of the MyHC isoforms displayed the most extensive age- and breed-dependent changes within the first three postnatal weeks.

Out in the Cold: Identification of Genomic Regions Associated With Cold Tolerance in the Biocontrol Fungus Through Genome-Wide Association Mapping.

There is an increasing importance for using biocontrol agents in combating plant diseases sustainably and in the long term. As large scale genomic sequencing becomes economically viable, the impact of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on biocontrol-associated phenotypes can be easily studied across entire genomes of fungal populations. Here, we improved a previously reported genome assembly of the biocontrol fungus strain IK726 using the PacBio sequencing platform, which resulted in a total genome size of 70.

Authentication of key aroma compounds in apple using stable isotope approach.

Gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-C-IRMS) for the analysis of key volatile compounds sampled using headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) is an appropriate tool for authenticity assessment of apple aromas. The current research characterises 18 laboratory produced and 15 commercial apple recovery aroma samples, establishes a database of δC values of 16 aroma compounds with respect to their origin (synthetic and natural), and assesses the authenticity of commercially available aroma compounds. Analysis of so-called natural aroma products, revealed δC values that were within the expected authentic range although the data did reveal possible falsifications.

Effects of coumaphos and imidacloprid on honey bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) lifespan and antioxidant gene regulations in laboratory experiments.

The main objective of this study was to test comparatively the effects of two common insecticides on honey bee Apis mellifera worker's lifespan, food consumption, mortality, and expression of antioxidant genes. Newly emerged worker bees were exposed to organophosphate insecticide coumaphos, a neonicotinoid imidacloprid, and their mixtures. Toxicity tests were conducted along with bee midgut immunohistological TUNEL analyses.

Laboratory Investigation of Cauliflower-Fungus-Insect Interactions for Cabbage Maggot Control.

The cabbage maggot (also known as cabbage root fly [CRF]; Delia radicum L.) is a serious pest of brassicas. The pest's soil-dwelling larvae are especially damaging to young brassica transplants.

Enhancement of Istrian Malvasia wine aroma and hydroxycinnamate composition by hand and mechanical leaf removal.

Background: Leaf removal is a viticultural practice that promotes the biosynthesis of several important grape constituents by improving fruit zone microclimate. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of hand and mechanical leaf removal, applied at the pea-size stage of berry development, on fruit zone microclimate, volatile aroma compounds, hydroxycinnamates and sensory characteristics of Istrian Malvasia (Vitis vinifera L.) wines.

Molecular Characterization of Divergent Closterovirus Isolates Infecting Species.

Five isolates of a new member of the family , tentatively named blackcurrant leafroll-associated virus 1 (BcLRaV-1), were identified in the currant. The 17-kb-long genome codes for 10 putative proteins. The replication-associated polyprotein has several functional domains, including papain-like proteases, methyltransferase, Zemlya, helicase, and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase.