Projects / Programmes
Research into the ways of increasing resistibility and productivity of plants and animals in sustainable agriculture
January 1, 2004
- December 31, 2008
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 1.03.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Biology |
|
| 4.03.00 |
Biotechnical sciences |
Plant production |
|
| 1.04.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Chemistry |
|
| 3.01.00 |
Medical sciences |
Microbiology and immunology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B006 |
Biomedical sciences |
Agronomics |
chelating agent EDDHA, Mn-EDDHA, Cu-EDDHA, Zn-EDDHA, IAA, GA3, JA, flowering, resistibility, probiotics, host, biochemical markers, interferon, cell models, molecular mechanisms, immune response, health, biotest plants (Lemnaceae), apple trees (Malus domestica), grape vine (Vitis vinifera), pear trees (Pyrus communis), sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa), cucurbits (Cucurbitaceae), gourds, bean (Phaseolus), wych elm (Ulmus glabra), spruce (Picea abies), genetic breeding, interspecies hybridisation, biodegradable oil, sustainable agriculture, waste materials, agricultural machinery specific egg yolk antibodies, diarrhea of piglets, Escherichia coli, ecology, water polution, crayfish (Astacus astacus).
Researchers (8)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
Our results with GA3, JA, Mn, Zn in Cu chelates of EDDHA revealed the possibility of programming flowering and increasing resistibility of plants against fungal and bacterial infections. This is why our research programme will encompass programming of flowering of biotest plants (Lemnaceae) and agricultural plants (grape vine, apple trees,) reduction of alterantive yielding of some apple cultivars (Mutsu), increase in resistibility of grape vine, apple trees, pear trees and ornamental plants against fungal infections - Plasmopara viticola, Sclerotinia fuckeliana (Botrytis cinerea) and bacterial infections - acetic acid bacteria Acetobacter aceti and pear blight bacteria - Ervinia amylovora. We will continue also the reserch into: breeding of plants of sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa) resistant against Cryphonectria parasitica fungus, plants of wych elm (Ulmus glabra) resitant against Ophiostoma ulmi fungus and Ophiostoma novo ulmi fungus, breeding of a new spruce cultivar Picea abies 'Meranovo' with intensified photosynthesis, and we will continue biological protection of spruces against bark beetle (Ips typographus and Pityogenes chalcographus). Our research program focuses also on the development of cell lines for In vitro experimental models, molecular mechanisms of interactions between probiotics - pathogens, including prion proteins - intestinal epithelia - immune system, beneficial effects of probiotics on the health status of animals and humans, including allergies, functions of trophoblastic interferon gamma in the time of embryo implantation at the molecular level and determination of interferons and cytokines as markers for blastocyst maturation. Investigations on biochemical and biological properties are carried on. Biological effects include antimicrobial, anticancerogenic and immunomodulatory effects of those substances as well as the effect on physiology and integrity of intestinal epithelia.
The main objective of breeding of cucurbits and Phaseolus beans for resistance against pests and diseases based on interspecific hybridisation is to create additional genetic variation and transfer of genetically controlled traits from one species to the other. The cucurbit hybridisation include Cucurbita argyrosperma (A), C. ficifolia (F), C. foetidissima, C. moschata (Mo), C. maxima (Ma), C. okeechobeensis, C. pepo (Pe - common pepo type, O - oil type) and C. pedatifolia. The hybridisation of the Phaseolus beans included P. coccineus, P. lunatus and P. vulgaris. So far, the successful interspecific hybrid combinations have been: AO, AOO, AAO, OAA, PeA, PeAO, OPeA, MaMo, AMaMo, MoA, AMo, PeAxAMo, PeAxMoA, OAxMoA, OAAxMoA, OAxAMo, AMoxOA, OAAxAMo and FMa (cucurbits); and P. coccineus x P. vulgaris, P. vulgaris x P. coccineus, P. vulgaris x P. lunatus in (P. coccineus x P. vulgaris) x P. lunatus (Phaseolus beans).
In the area of agricultural machinery we have developed a biodegradable transmission oil in cooperation with the Tribology Center of University of Ljubljana. We will work on the development of the machine systems for sustainable agriculture.Our future researche will be focused on how to dispose of harmful waste materials when using agricultural machinery.
In our research program, also the protective effect of specific egg yolk antibodies on diarrhea caused by Escherichia coli is investigated with weaning pigleds.
With the use of crayfish (Astacus astacus) as important indicators of water pollution we are performing chemical analyses of water and crayfish tissues with the aim to design montoring for the determination of the level of heavy metals and other pollutants.
Significance for science
In a renown international scientific journal, Journal of Plant Physiology, we published that exogenously applied jasmonic acid (JA) to the nutrient solution in the concentration of 0,475-47,5 promote flowering in the photoperiodically neutral species Spirodela polyrrhiza under long-day (LD) and short-day (SD) conditions. We set up hypothesis that JA in addition to previously ascribed functions, JA may regulate floral induction, evocation and floral differentiation which was confirmed by the results obtained by quantitative measurements of endogenous JA in long-day plant Lemna minor (2006) and in photoperiodically neutral species Spirodela polyrrhiza (2008). We reported for the first time that JA and EDDHA have a synergistic effect on the promotion of floral induction in both species Lemna minor and Spirodela polyrrhiza (2006, 2008). The result is important for agricultural practice as well as for plant production and for enlargement of resistance of plants against infections without use of fungicides. Worldly important results of Prof. Krajnčič and co-workers are also breeding of chestnuts resistible against fungus Cryhonectria parasitica which causes chestnut’s cancer. Up to January 2009, Professor Krajnčič and co-workers had 99 cited references in the basis Web of Science.
Significance for the country
Forests cover 56% surface of Slovenia. Bark beetles are attacking and killing spruces. Damage caused by beetles was significantly reduced using pheromone lures and promotion of titmice hatching. Also our results on chestnut are important. Prof. Krajnčič achieved, for the first time, 100% flowering of all biotset plants using Mn, Zn, Cu and Mn chelates EDDHA. Using these results, flowering was induced in young chestnuts plants (Castanea sativa) which allowed crossing and accumulation of genes with useful characteristics (resistance against fungus, large tasty fruits, wood quality). Young chestnut cuttings resistant against chestnut’s cancer were breed and this is nationally important result for Slovene forests and also abroad.
Most important scientific results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
