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.
2012
Authors
Erik J. JonerAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Igor A. Yakovlev YeonKyeong Lee Adam Vivian-Smith Jorunn Elisabeth Olsen Carl Gunnar FossdalAbstract
In Norway spruce there is an enigmatic epigenetic memory of the temperature conditions during embryogenesis affecting vital phenological traits (Yakovlev et al. 2012). Adaptive phenological traits such as bud burst and bud set, observed as clinal variation in nature, are the ones affected.The epigenetic memory is establishment exclusively during embryogenesis in response to environmental impact. The epitype fixated by the time the embryo is fully developed without any change in the primary DNA sequence and is mitotically propogated. The epigenetic mechanism influence the phenotype through altered regulation of gene expression and is propagated throughout every growth cycle for the entire lifespan of this long lived species.The epigenetic memory may be realized through several molecular mechanisms including DNA methylation, and histone modifications affecting chromatin, as well as by small non-coding RNAs, and may also be related to the mechanisms silencing transposable or repetitive elements in the genome. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), endogenous small regulatory RNAs, are shown to be differentially expressed in genetically identically but epigenetically different progenies, in regards to the timing of bud burst and bud set (Yakovlev et al. 2010).We have started large scale studies using next regeneration sequencing approaches to identify and characterize the genes and regulatory elements involved in the initiation, maintenance, and heritability of the epigenetic memory. Epigenetic related changes in miRNA regulation during the establishment of the epigenetic memory are now studied in in vitro derived somatic embryos developing under cold (18C) and warm (30C) environmental conditions (that induce epitypes).We have constructed and sequenced 10 small RNA libraries during proliferation, maturation stage 1, 2 3 and the mature stage of embryo formation in the contrasted temperatures, in two control libraries during proliferation at 22C, as well as their mRNA transcriptomes using the Ion Torrent PGMTM (Life technologies) platform.We are expecting to determine at what stage(s) during embryogenesis the epigenetic memory marks are being laid down by identifying when the transcriptomic differences, of small RNA and mRNAs, between the epitypes are the most prominent during embryogenesis. The identification of novel miRNA candidates and the confirmation of conserved and novel miRNAs will be presented.
Abstract
Fungal degradation alters the microstructure of wood and its physical and chemical properties are also changed. While these changes are well investigated as a function of mass loss, mass density loss and changes in equilibrium moisture content are not well elucidated. The physical and chemical alterations are crucial when linking microstructural characteristics with macroscopic mechanical properties. In the present article, a consistent set of physical, chemical and mechanical characteristics is presented, which were measured on the same sample before and after fungal degradation. In the first part of this two-part contribution, elucidating microstructure/stiffness-relationships of degraded wood, changes in physical and chemical data are presented, which were collected from specimens of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) sapwood degraded by Gloeophyllum trabeum (brown rot) and Trametes versicolor (white rot) for up to 28 weeks degradation time. A comparison of mass loss with corresponding mass density loss demonstrated that mass loss entails two effects: firstly, a decrease in sample size (more pronounced for G. trabeum), and secondly, a decrease of mass density within the sample (more pronounced for T. versicolor). These two concurrent effects are interrelated with sample size and shape. Hemicelluloses and cellulose are degraded by G. trabeum, while T. versicolor was additionally able to degrade lignin. In particular because of the breakdown of hemicelluloses and paracrystalline parts of cellulose, the equilibrium moisture content of degraded samples is lower than that in the initial state
Authors
Kjell Bjørgen Esser May Sæthre Neelam Pradhananga Hemant OjhaAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Ole Tobias Rannestad May Sæthre Amon P. MaerereAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
H.J. van der Fels-Klerx P.W Goedhart Oleif Elen T. Börjesson V Hietaniemi C.J.H BooijAbstract
Climate change will affect mycotoxin contamination of feed and food. Mathematical models for predicting mycotoxin concentrations in cereal grains are useful for estimating the impact of climate change on these toxins. The objective of the current study was to construct a descriptive model to estimate climate change impacts on deoxynivalenol (DON) contamination of mature wheat grown in northwestern Europe. Observational data from 717 wheat fields in Norway, Sweden, Finland, and The Netherlands were analyzed, including the DON concentrations in mature wheat, agronomical practices, and local weather. Multiple regression analyses were conducted, and the best set of explanatory variables, mainly including weather factors, was selected. The final model included the following variables: flowering date, length of time between flowering and harvest, wheat resistance to Fusarium infection, and several climatic variables related to relative humidity, temperature, and rainfall during critical stages of wheat cultivation. The model accounted for 50 % of the variance, which was sufficient to make this model useful for estimating the trends of climate change on DON contamination of wheat in northwestern Europe. Application of the model in possible climate change scenarios is illustrated.
Abstract
No abstract has been registered
Abstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Peder Gjerdrum Birger EikenesAbstract
Density is one of the most basic quality traits, influential for wood processing and most applications. The aim of this paper has been to present a mathematical model for dry density variation along spruce stems. 85 mature spruce trees were sampled from afforestation plantations at the west coast region of Norway. 20 mm wide cubes of clear wood were extracted from the pith outwards in north and south directions at 10 equidistant heights along the trunk. Green and dry weight and volume were recorded. In this way, the 85 stems yielded 523 disks and a total of 6019 valid observation sets. A mathematically expressed model for density variation is presented. Overall R2 = 0.64, of which between stem variation s = 35 kg/m3 accounts for two thirds. The model standard error is 32 kg/m3; however, the model fails to identify the most extreme density values. The most important results are the quantitative, mathematical form of the model, and the identification of a general density minimum at a certain distance from the pith.
Abstract
No abstract has been registered