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.
2026
Abstract
The soil-borne oomycete Phytophthora cactorum causes crown rot, a major disease of the allo-octoploid strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch., 2n = 8× = 56) that limits cultivation worldwide. Resistance to P. cactorum is a highly desirable trait but is typically quantitative and moderately heritable. A better understanding of the genetic basis of resistance to crown rot is essential for developing durable crown rot-resistant cultivars. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using multi-locus models on 100 wild strawberry accessions from South and North America. The accessions were genotyped using the Axiom™ 50 K strawberry SNP array and mapped to the F. × ananassa cv. Royal Royce v. 1.0 reference genome. Testing for resistance to P. cactorum revealed a wide range of phenotypes. A single genetic marker, AX-184528282, located on chromosome 7B, was strongly associated with resistance to P. cactorum and explained 53% of the observed phenotypic variation. This marker was present in several highly resistant exotic Fragaria accessions that represent potential donors for introgression of favorable alleles into modern strawberry cultivars. In addition, several strong candidate resistance genes were identified within the 2 Mb genomic region surrounding the significant marker. This study advances understanding of resistance to P. cactorum in strawberry and identifies genetic resources that can accelerate the development of crown rot-resistant cultivars through marker-assisted breeding.
2025
Authors
Monica Sanden Eirill Ager-Wick Johanna Eva Bodin Nur Duale Kristian Prydz Volha Shapaval Tage Thorstensen Anne-Marthe Ganes Jevnaker Ville Erling SipinenAbstract
Oilseed rape LBFLFK was developed by Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transformation. In total the following 13 genes were introduced, which would be expected to result in the expression of 11 new proteins: c-D12D(Ps) encoding a delta-12 desaturase (Ps); c-D6D(Ot) encoding a delta-6 desaturase (Ot); c-D6E(Tp) encoding a delta-6 elongase (Tp); c-D6E(Pp) encoding a delta-6 elongase (Pp); c-D5D(Tc), delta-5 desaturase (Tc); c-O3D(Pi) encoding a omega-3 desaturase (Pi); c-O3D(Pir) encoding a omega-3 desaturase (Pir); c-D5E(Ot) encoding a delta-5 elongase (Ot); c-D4D(Tc) encoding a delta-4 desaturase (Tc); c-D4D(Pl) encoding a delta-4 desaturase (Pl); and c-AHAS(At) encoding an acetohydroxy acid synthase (also named acetolactate synthase, (ALS)). These proteins impact the content of omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) in the seeds and also confers tolerance to imidazolinone herbicides. Two gene expression cassettes were introduced twice (O3D(Pir) and D5D(Tc) but have different seed-specific promotors to increase expression during seed maturation. Expression of the ten EPA and DHA biosynthesis genes results in the conversion of oleic acid (OA) to EPA and DHA in LBFLFK canola seeds. The VKM GMO panel has assessed the documentation in the application EFSA‐GMO‐DE‐2019‐ 157. The VKM GMO panel has no additional observations regarding the limitations of the scientific documentation when considering the full scope of the application, as pointed out by EFSA: “The GMO Panel is unable to conclude on the adequacy of the PMEM plan proposed by the applicant. The GMO Panel cannot conclude on the safety of oilseed rape LBFLFK when considering the full scope of the application. On the other hand, the GMO Panel concludes that the consumption of RBD LBFLFK oil is safe and does not represent any nutritional concern for humans under the conditions of use proposed by the applicant and considered during the pre-market risk assessment.” As no hazards specific to Norway have been identified, the VKM GMO panel supports EFSAs conclusions with the implied reservations regarding oilseed rape LBFLFK. Therefore, a full risk assessment of oilseed rape LBFLFK was not performed by the VKM GMO Pan
Authors
Carey Donald Gunnhild Jaastad Marianne Flågeng Sylvain Alain Yves Merel Josef Rasinger Marc Berntssen Ikram BelghitAbstract
Insect farming is gaining increasing attention because of the ability of insects to upscale a variety of waste and by-product biomass efficiently into proteins and lipids. In the European Union and in Norway, the use of insects is permitted in formulated pig, poultry, and fish feeds and more recently for human consumption. However, the European Food Safety Authority has highlighted the lack of data regarding the safety of processing pesticide-contaminated biomass by insects into feed or food products. Secondly, the presence of insecticide residues in plant biomass might negatively affect the growth or survival of the insects themselves. This study aimed to evaluate the fate of the insecticide pirimiphos-methyl (PM) in black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens, BSF) and yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor, YMW) larvae composting. PM is a dominant pesticide found in relevant insect biomasses. Newly hatched larvae were fed on a standard poultry feed substrate spiked with pirimiphos-methyl at different concentrations: 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg (wet base), under optimal breeding conditions. Poultry feed substrate spiked with methanol served as control group. When the feeding media were spiked with 20 and 40 mg/kg of PM, the survival of both BSF and YMW larvae decreased. Mean larvae mass for both species was reduced with increasing concentrations of PM. PM and 7 compounds were identified in a metabolites/transformation product screen that was aided by in silico predictions. One compound, dihydroxy-PM was uniquely detected in larvae. Neither insect species appears to accumulate PM metabolites, and 90% of PM was metabolised. Results indicate that these insects can be reared on PM-contaminated biomass without risk of PM accumulation.
Abstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Jorunn BørveAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Abstract
Northern Norway’s unique conditions support large-scale cultivation of root brassicas despite short seasons and low temperatures. However, climate change, pest problems, and logistical hurdles present challenges.
Abstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Volkmar Timmermann Nenad Potočić Anne-Katrin Prescher Alexa Michel Katrin Haggenmüller Till KirchnerAbstract
In 2024, our sample remained stable with 27 participating countries and the largest number of assessed plots since 2019. We witnessed a very slight increase of 0.2 percentage points (%p) in mean defoliation as compared to 2023, mainly due to an increase of 0.5%p for broadleaves, while defoliation of conifers remained almost unchanged (0.1%p decrease). The strongest increase in defoliation occurred in deciduous (sub-) Mediterranean oaks (+2.1%p), while the strongest decrease was recorded in Norway spruce (-0.8%p). Deciduous temperate oaks had the highest (29.7%) and Norway spruce the lowest (22.4%) mean defoliation. Trend analyses show a considerable increase in defoliation of evergreen oaks (7.1%p), common beech (6%p), Norway spruce (5.5%p), and deciduous temperate oaks (5%p) over the past 20 years. The increase in defoliation for Scots pine and Mediterranean lowland pines (3.7 and 3.3%p, respectively) was more moderate. The results of the trend analyses were not significant for deciduous (sub-) Mediterranean oaks and Austrian pine. The percentage of trees with damage symptoms (48.6%) was almost the same as in 2023 (-0.5%p). As in previous years, the number of damage symptoms per assessed tree was substantially higher for broadleaves than for conifers (0.86 vs. 0.55, respectively). Insects, abiotic causes, and fungi were the most common damage agent groups for all species, comprising altogether more than half of all damage records. Tree mortality in 2024 was 1.1% (1 145 trees), i.e. at the same level as in the year before. While mortality rates for the main species and species groups ranged from 0.6 to 1.6%, mortality of Betula spp. and European ash was higher with 2.4% and 7% respectively.
Authors
Volkmar TimmermannAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Abstract
No abstract has been registered