Institut für Zuckerrübenforschung

The aroma of wine consists of 600 to 800 aroma compounds from which especially those, typical for the variety, are already present in the grapes. There are significant varietal differences between the aromagrams ('fingerprint patterns'). Thus the amount of some flavour compounds ('key substances') shows typical dependence on the variety. Especially monoterpene compounds play an important role in the differentiation of wine varieties. The German white wines can be differentiated into three groups only by quantitative determination of 12 monoterpenes ('terpene profile'). These groups are: 'Riesling type', 'Muscat type' and 'Silvaner-Weissburgunder type'. Such 'terpene profiles' are also useful for the separation of real Riesling wines from others called Riesling (e.g. Welschriesling, Kap Riesling, Emerald Riesling) but not produced from grapes of the variety Riesling. Including further components and by means of statistical methods (discriminant analysis) even the different varieties within the mentioned groups for instance the 'Riesling'-group (e.g. Riesling, Kerner, Ehrenfelser, Bacchus, Müller-Thurgau) can be separated from each other. An analytical characterization of the neutral ('Silvaner-type') grape varieties Silvaner, Ruländer (Pinot gris), Weissburgunder (Pinot blanc) is also possible with about 20 compounds (e.g. monoterpenes, alcohols). Computing at the same time free and glycosidically bound aroma components (monoterpenes, alcohols, norisoprenes) in discriminant analysis the characterization of the neutral grape varieties can be considerably improved. To identify compounds causing 'off-flavours' sniffing technique is the method of choice. The off-flavour is pinpointed during gas chromatographic separation of the complex aroma mixture by effluent sniffing. Once allocated, the chemical nature of the off-flavours is elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Substances contributing to the green pepper taint, the strawberry note, moussiness, corkiness, etc. in wine could be found in this way.

ABSTRACT In an old‐growth tropical wet forest at La Selva, Costa Rica, we combined radiocarbon ( 14 C) dating and tree‐ring analysis to estimate the ages of large trees of canopy and emergent species spanning a broad range of wood densities and growth rates. We collected samples from the trunks of 29 fallen, dead individuals. We found that all eight sampled species formed visible growth rings, which varied considerably in distinctiveness. For five of the six species for which we combined wood anatomical studies with 14 C‐dates (ring ages), the analyses demonstrated that growth rings were of annual formation. The oldest tree we found by direct ring counting was a Hymenolobium mesoamericanum Lima (Papilionaceae) specimen, with an age of ca. 530 years at the time of death. All other sampled individuals, including very large trees of slow‐growing species, had died at ages between 200 and 300 years. These results show that, even in an everwet tropical rain forest, tree growth of many species can be rhythmic, with an annual periodicity. This study thus raises the possibility of extending tree‐ring analyses throughout the tropical forest types lacking a strong dry season or annual flooding. Our findings and similar measurements from other tropical forests indicate that the maximum ages of tropical emergent trees are unlikely to be much greater than 600 years, and that these trees often die earlier from various natural causes.

Abstract For the purposes of genetics and application the number of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers in rye has to be increased significantly to cover the entire genome. To this end, more than 8000 publicly accessible rye cDNA sequences from anthers, cold‐stressed leaves, and aluminium‐stressed and unstressed roots were exploited as a resource for SSR marker development. A total of 157 Secale cereale micro‐satellite (SCM) loci out of 528 SSRs comprising di‐, tri‐ and tetra‐nucleotide motifs could be assayed on automated sequencers. One‐hundred expressed sequence tag (EST)‐derived SCM loci displayed a length polymorphism among a sample of 15 rye accessions. Of the SCM, 45% could be associated with proteins of known or unknown function. Recently published ESTs from different rye tissues proved to be a valuable resource for SSR marker development in rye.

Abstract. Methane (CH4), an important greenhouse gas that affects radiation balance and consequently the earth's climate, still has uncertainties in its sinks and sources. The world's oceans are considered to be a source of CH4 to the atmosphere, although the biogeochemical processes involved in its formation are not fully understood. Several recent studies provided strong evidence of CH4 production in oxic marine and freshwaters, but its source is still a topic of debate. Studies of CH4 dynamics in surface waters of oceans and large lakes have concluded that pelagic CH4 supersaturation cannot be sustained either by lateral inputs from littoral or benthic inputs alone. However, regional and temporal oversaturation of surface waters occurs frequently. This comprises the observation of a CH4 oversaturating state within the surface mixed layer, sometimes also termed the "oceanic methane paradox". In this study we considered marine algae as a possible direct source of CH4. Therefore, the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi was grown under controlled laboratory conditions and supplemented with two 13C-labeled carbon substrates, namely bicarbonate and a position-specific 13C-labeled methionine (R-S-13CH3). The CH4 production was 0.7 µg particular organic carbon (POC) g−1 d−1, or 30 ng g−1 POC h−1. After supplementation of the cultures with the 13C-labeled substrate, the isotope label was observed in headspace CH4. Moreover, the absence of methanogenic archaea within the algal culture and the oxic conditions during CH4 formation suggest that the widespread marine algae Emiliania huxleyi might contribute to the observed spatially and temporally restricted CH4 oversaturation in ocean surface waters.

An advanced synthesis protocol for the preparation of Thin-Film Nanocomposite (TFN) membranes is presented.

The metabolic, biochemical and molecular events occurring in the different leaf stages along the main axis of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants grown either on a nitrogen-rich medium, on a medium containing ammonium as sole nitrogen source or on a nitrogen-depleted medium, are presented. This study shows that the highest induction of cytosolic glutamine synthetase (GS1) protein and transcript occurs when nitrogen remobilization is maximal as the result of nitrogen starvation, whereas both glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) transcript and activity remain at a very low level. In contrast, GDH is highly induced when plants are grown on ammonium as sole nitrogen source, a physiological situation during which leaf protein nitrogen remobilization is limited. It is therefore concluded that GDH does not play a direct role during the process of nitrogen remobilization but is rather induced following a built up of ammonium provided externally or released as the result of protein hydrolysis during natural leaf senescence.

Three genes coding for different multifunctional acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase; EC 6.4.1.2) isoenzymes from Brassica napus were isolated and divided into two major classes according to structural features in their 5' regions: class I comprises two genes with an additional coding exon of approximately 300 bp at the 5' end, and class II is represented by one gene carrying an intron of 586 bp in its 5' untranslated region. Fusion of the peptide sequence encoded by the additional first exon of a class I ACCase gene to the jellyfish Aequorea victoria green fluorescent protein (GFP) and transient expression in tobacco protoplasts targeted GFP to the chloroplasts. In contrast to the deduced primary structure of the biotin carboxylase domain encoded by the class I gene, the corresponding amino acid sequence of the class II ACCase shows higher identity with that of the Arabidopsis ACCase, both lacking a transit peptide. The Arabidopsis ACCase has been proposed to be a cytosolic isoenzyme. These observations indicate that the two classes of ACCase genes encode plastidic and cytosolic isoforms of multi-functional, eukaryotic type, respectively, and that B. napus contains at least one multi-functional ACCase besides the multi-subunit, prokaryotic type located in plastids. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA from B. napus, Brassica rapa, and Brassica oleracea, the ancestors of amphidiploid rapeseed, using a fragment of a multi-functional ACCase gene as a probe revealed that ACCase is encoded by a multi-gene family of at least five members.

Previously, laser-induced graphene (LIG) coated surfaces were shown to resist biofilm growth, although the material was not strongly antibacterial. Here, we show LIG surfaces doped with silver nanoparticles (Ag0 or AgNPs) as highly antibacterial surfaces. Starting from AgNO3 polyethersulfone (PES) polymer substrates, silver nanoparticles between 5-10 nm were generated in situ during the lasing process and stably embedded in the fibrous and porous structure of LIG in a single step. These silver doped LIG (Ag@LIG) surfaces were highly toxic to bacteria via a mechanism of both Ag+ ion release and possible surface toxicity of the AgNPs. The added antibacterial function of Ag-nanoparticles expands the functionality of LIG coated surfaces and might lead to highly effective point of use/entry devices in rural areas or in disaster situations with contaminated water sources.

Brassica napus is highly susceptible towards Verticillium longisporum (Vl43) with no effective genetic resistance. It is believed that the fungus reprogrammes plant physiological processes by up-regulation of so-called susceptibility factors to establish a compatible interaction. By transcriptome analysis, we identified genes, which were activated/up-regulated in rapeseed after Vl43 infection. To test whether one of these genes is functionally involved in the infection process and loss of function would lead to decreased susceptibility, we firstly challenged KO lines of corresponding Arabidopsis orthologs with Vl43 and compared them with wild-type plants. Here, we report that the KO of AtCRT1a results in drastically reduced susceptibility of plants to Vl43. To prove crt1a mutation also decreases susceptibility in B. napus, we identified 10 mutations in a TILLING population. Three T3 mutants displayed increased resistance as compared to the wild type. To validate the results, we generated CRISPR/Cas-induced BnCRT1a mutants, challenged T2 plants with Vl43 and observed an overall reduced susceptibility in 3 out of 4 independent lines. Genotyping by allele-specific sequencing suggests a major effect of mutations in the CRT1a A-genome copy, while the C-genome copy appears to have no significant impact on plant susceptibility when challenged with Vl43. As revealed by transcript analysis, the loss of function of CRT1a results in activation of the ethylene signalling pathway, which may contribute to reduced susceptibility. Furthermore, this study demonstrates a novel strategy with great potential to improve plant disease resistance.

Measurements of the daily maximum rate of photosynthesis (A_max) of leaves of ungrafted and grafted field-grown grapevine varieties indicated higher rates in vines grafted to the rootstock Kober 5BB. While higher rates of A_max in grafted Orion and Gf.Ga-54-14 vines were linked to both higher values of the carboxylation efficiency and of stomatal conductance in Riesling and Gf.Ga-47-42 vines, it was associated with increases of the carboxylation efficiency but not with stomatal conductance. This led to distinctly higher values of the water use efficiency of grafted Riesling and Gf.Ga-47-42 vines. Similar results were obtained using four-year-old potted vines; Riesling grafted to Kober 5BB had significantly higher rates of photosynthesis but similar rates of stomatal conductance compared to ungrafted Riesling or Riesling grafted to Riesling. Within the first four years the rate of photosynthesis of leaves of ungrafted and grafted Riesling vines increased more than twofold. It is suggested that grafting vines to appropriate rootstock varieties which favor the increase of the carboxylation efficiency of scion leaves may help to improve drought resistance by raising the water use efficiency.

Die Constitution des im Jabre 1818 von P r o u s t 3 entdeckten uud bald darauf ron B r a c o n n o t 3 ) und Mulder') naher be8clrriebenen L e u c i n s , das man spaterhiti als eins der wichtigsten und an) haufigsten vorkommenden Spnltungsproducte pflanzlicher und thierischer Eiweise kiirper erkannt hat, ist erst durch die iirbeiten E. S c h u l z e ' s und E. F i s c h e r ' s endgiiltig aufgekllrt worden.Man fasste friiher unter dem Namen

Abstract The culture of unpollinated ovules is shown to be a suitable system for the production of haploid sugar beet ( Beta vulgaris L.). The yield of haploids depended upon the genotype and varied between 0 and 13 % with a mean of 1.0 %. Haploid plants could be produced from approximately 50 % of all genotypes examined. The majority of the haploids isolated (about 90%) maintained the haploid genome level during the in vitro culture and propagation; 10% of the haploid clones showed a spontaneous doubling to the diploid genome level.

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Abstract Mit der Existenz von Dimangan‐enneacarbonylhydrid Mn 2 H 2 (CO) 9 wird erstmals ein zweikerniges Hydrogencarbonyl eines Elements ungerader Ordnungszahl festgestellt. Die Reaktionsweisen des Mangancarbonyls mit verschiedenartigen Aminen werden untersucht. Darüber hinaus wird das Verhalten der Carbonyle der 3d‐Metalle gegenüber charakteristischen Lewis‐Basen mit unterschiedlicher Tendenz zur Ausbildung von Metall‐Ligand‐Doppelbindungsstrukturen diskutiert.

Abstract The potential use of RAPD markers for taxonomic studies in Malus was investigated using 18 accessions of wild species and 27 apple cultivars. 29 preselected random decamer primers were applied to three sets of Malus genotypes. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) ‘fingerprints’ were analysed for polymorphic amplification fragments, and coefficients estimating genetic similarity were calculated on the basis of about 50 polymorphic RAPD loci in each set of genotypes. Cluster analysis by an unweighted pair‐group method with arithmetic averages (UPGMA) revealed that, in the cultivars, the molecular classification was in good agreement with the known lineage. A dendrogram generated for the wild species gave relationships that were, in principle, in accordance with the known phylogenetic information. Closely related species from section I were clearly distinguishable from those of sections III and IV. On the molecular level, a high degree of genetic diversity was found among both different apple cultivars and wild species of the genus Malus. The results gave additional evidence for the hypothesis that M. pumila and M. sylvestris were involved in the origin of the cultivated apples.

Antibacterial reduced graphene oxide – ZnO nanocomposite was synthesized by a one-step sonication method. The antibiofouling surface property of a nanocomposite incorporated polymeric membrane was high with minimum Zn²⁺ leaching.

Abstract Differentiation into physiological races of Diplocarpon rosae , which causes blackspot on wild and cultivated roses, was investigated with single conidial isolates of the pathogen. Infection experiments with a simple excised leaf assay demonstrated differential interactions between single isolates and a set of 10 test rose genotypes. Differential reactions could be observed among rose varieties as well as between and within a wild rose species. Accordingly, five different physiological races can be identified among the 15 isolates tested. A breeding line and one genotype of the wild species Rosa wichuraiana were found to be resistant against all isolates tested. These data will be employed in further investigations on the genetics of blackspot resistance in roses and for resistance breeding programmes.

Abstract Carrot breeding in the past 150 years has resulted in varieties with high yield, a short growing period, and excellent root colour. Recently, hybrid varieties have demonstrated good uniformity of roots, a quality accepted by most consumers. By contrast, only a few resistant varieties (mainly open‐pollinated varieties) are offered by seed companies, most being resistant to Alternaria. Hybrid breeding offers a chance of combining good uniformity and different sources of resistance. Efforts in future breeding should concentrate on the improvement of health and the development of genotypes suitable for cultivation in suboptimal climates and regions, as well as for special applications.

S ummary Tagetes minuta and Guizotia abyssinica reacted differently to changes in soil pH and to fertilization with various phosphates in spite of inoculation with the same strain of Glomus macrocarpus. At pH 4.3, mycorrhizal Guizotia was unable to absorb P from all the compounds with the result that growth was severely inhibited by inoculation, whereas mycorrhizal Tagetes grew well at this pH in the presence of Ca(H 2 PO 4 ) 2 . H 2 O, Ca 5 (PO 4 ) 3 OH and AlPO 4 . Phosphorus uptake and growth of mycorrhizal Guizotia were improved at pH 5‐6 and surpassed the performance of non‐mycorrhizal plants at pH 6‐6. Growth of mycorrhizal Tagetes was reduced at pH 5.6 in the presence of Ca(H 2 PO 4 ) 2 . H 2 O and Ca 5 (PO 4 )OH, but improved at pH 6.6 in all treatments with the exception of Ca 5 (PO 4 ) 3 OH as P source.

Ryegrass mosaic virus (RgMV) frequently reduces yield and persistence of perennial ryegrass. We introduced an untranslatable RgMV coat protein (RgMV-CP) gene into perennial ryegrass using particle bombardment to explore the potential of RNA-mediated virus resistance. Nine months after inoculation with the RgMV-Bulgaria strain, the most resistant transgenic line showed no immuno-detectable RgMV-CP in all replications of the primary transformant and a sexual progeny. A significant influence of the transgenic line, virus strain and the period after inoculation on the RgMV level was observed. Typical examples of recovery resistance from initially susceptible plants were not identified. Molecular analysis revealed RgMV resistance operates by targeted RNA degradation resulting in post-transcriptional transgene silencing (PTGS) along with inhibition of virus RNA replication and was not associated with a threshold of transgene expression. Suppression of PTGS by RgMV differed significantly in two progenies with identical RgMV-CP transgene integration and a similar RgMV-CP transgene methylation pattern, suggesting the presence of quantitative components controlling the stability of PTGS in perennial ryegrass. This study extends RNA-mediated virus resistance, post transcriptional gene silencing and crop improvement by genetic engineering to an agronomically important perennial monocot.