Successful honey bee breeding programmes require traits that can be genetically improved by selection. Heritabilities for production, behaviour, and health traits, as well as their phenotypic correlations, were estimated in two distinct Swiss Apis mellifera mellifera and Apis mellifera carnica populations based on 9 years of performance records and more than two decades of pedigree information. Breeding values were estimated by a best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) approach, taking either queen or worker effects into account. In A. m. mellifera , the highest heritabilities were obtained for defensive behaviour, calmness during inspection, and hygienic behaviour, while in A. m. carnica , honey yield and hygienic behaviour were the most heritable traits. In contrast, estimates for infestation rates by Varroa destructor suggest that the phenotypic variation cannot be attributed to an additive genetic origin in either population. The highest phenotypic correlations were determined between defensive behaviour and calmness during inspection. The implications of these findings for testing methods and the management of the breeding programme are discussed.

In scientific literature, host resistance of Apis mellifera against its parasite Varroa destructor is often presented as a potential solution to enable a sustainable relationship between both species and secure pollination and beekeeping services. Surprisingly, there are only few studies investigating the interest of beekeepers for this topic. In this paper, we propose a method to assess the desirability of resistance as part of a breeding goal, with a particular focus on small closed populations. The Swiss population of Apis mellifera mellifera is taken as case study. The general importance of this selection objective as well as the variability of the acceptance of beekeepers are studied. Thereafter, the willingness to pay for resistance is assessed to highlight possible compromises beekeepers could accept between different qualities they expect from their honey bees. Finally, the main characteristics of the breeding program desired by the beekeepers are presented. In our example, beekeepers are generally in favour of resistant honey bees even if differences in the expected breeding goals were identified. The majority is interested in a breeding strategy to select for resistant stock even though honey bees would produce less honey, swarm more often or be less gentle, showing a clear desirability for resistant traits. Furthermore, we noticed that beekeepers prefer locally selected honey bees displaying a broad genetic diversity. The presented method can be easily applied to evaluate the acceptance of new breeding objectives and to assess the potential of future strategies focusing on resistance against V. destructor in breeding programs involving beekeepers and research institutes.

Mutualistic root microorganisms such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can ameliorate plant nutrition through an extended extra-radical hyphal network and by nutrient mobilisation. Running under the Indo-Swiss Collaboration in Biotechnology (ISCB), our project focuses on the integration of AMF and PGPR as biofertilisers in wheat-rice and wheat-black gram systems.

The scarcity of non-renewable resources such as soils and fertilizers and the consequences of climate change can dramatically influence the food security of future generations. Mutualistic root microorganisms such as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can improve plant fitness. We tested the growth response of wheat (Triticum aestivum [L.]), rice (Oriza sativa [L.]) and black gram (Vigna mungo [L.], Hepper) to an inoculation of AMF and PGPR alone or in combination over two years at seven locations in a region extending from the Himalayan foothills to the Indo-Gangetic plain. The AMF applied consisted of a consortium of different strains, the PGPR of two fluorescent Pseudomonas strains (Pseudomonas jessenii, R62: Pseudomonas synxantha, R81), derived from wheat rhizosphere from one test region. We found that dual inoculation of wheat with PGPR and AMF increased grain yield by 41% as compared to un-inoculated controls. Yield responses to the inoculants were highest at locations with previously low yields. AMF or PGPR alone augmented wheat grain yield by 29% and 31%, respectively. The bio-inoculants were effective both at Zero and at farmers practice fertilization level (70 kg N ha(-1), 11 kg P ha(-1) in mineral form to wheat crop). Also raw protein (nitrogen x 5.7) and mineral nutrient concentration of wheat grains (phosphorus, potassium, copper, iron, zinc, manganese) were higher after inoculation (+6% to +53%). Phosphorus use efficiency of wheat grains [kg P grain kg(-1) P fertilizer] was increased by 95%. AMF and PGPR application also improved soil quality as indicated by increased soil enzyme activities of alkaline and acid phosphatase, urease and dehydrogenase. Effects on rice and black gram yields were far less pronounced over two cropping seasons, suggesting that AMF and PGPR isolated from the target crop were more efficient. We conclude that mutualistic root microorganisms have a high potential for contributing to food security and for improving nutrition status in southern countries, while safeguarding natural resources such as P stocks. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Die 10. Wissenschaftstagung zum okologischen Landbau findet 2009 in der Schweiz statt. Ausgerichtet wird sie von der Forschungsanstalt Agroscope Reckenholz-Tanikon ART, dem Forschungsinstitut fur biologischen Landbau (FiBL), dem Departement Agrar- und Lebensmittelwissenschaften der Eidgenossischen Technischen Hochschule (ETH) sowie der Stiftung Okologie & Landbau (SOL). Unter dem Motto «Werte – Wege – Wirkungen» prasentieren und diskutieren die Teilnehmenden aktuelle ethische Aspekte, produktionstechnische Fortschritte und gesellschaftspolitisch relevante Auswirkungen des biologischen Landbaus. Zusatzlich ist geplant, mit ausgewahlten Veranstaltungen speziell auch Bioberaterinnen und Praktiker anzusprechen. Einzelne Veranstaltungen der Konferenz wenden sich gezielt an den akademischen Nachwuchs.

As of yet, effective direct control of potato late blight in organic potato production requires the application of copper fungicides. However, with common dosage, copper is ecologically harmful. Hence, a considerable reduction or replacement of copper compounds in disease control is desirable. In the framework of the EU-project Blight-MOP comprising a systems approach to manage late blight in organic potato production without copper, 53 commercialised and experimental copper-free preparations were evaluated for their potential to control the disease by means of laboratory, greenhouse and field trials. Additionally, the potential to reduce copper fungicide input through optimised timing using the decision support system Bio-PhytoPRE developed at ART was assessed. In the laboratory, one-third of the copper-free preparations completely inhibited germination of sporangia and one-forth the mycelial growth of Phytophthora infestans. In the greenhouse experiment one fifth of the copper-free preparations reduced foliar blight of tomato plants by at least 80%. In microplot field trials, several copper-free preparations significantly reduced foliar blight: of potatoes compared with the untreated control. However, the efficacy of the copper fungicides was never obtained. In small-plot field trials using practice-like application strategies, none of the copper-free preparations sufficiently controlled late blight sufficiently. The poor performance of the copper-free preparations under field conditions could be attributed to their low persistence and their lack of rain fastness compared to copper fungicides. In contrast to copper replacement., the strategy of using reduced application rates of copper fungicides according to the decision support system Bio-PhytoPRE proved to be successful.

In order to replace copper fungicides in organic potato production, 53 copper-free preparations (CFPs) based on natural compounds, including plant extracts and microorganisms, and five copper preparations were evaluated for their potential to control Phytophthora infestans, the pathogen that causes late blight of potatoes. In in vitro assays, 30% of the CFPs inhibited indirect germination of sporangia, 26% mycelial growth and in growth chamber experiments, 21% efficiently reduced foliar blight of tomato plants. In micro-plot field trials with applications twice a week, the copper preparations were the most effective and reduced foliar blight by 99%. Of the CFPs tested, Oekofluid P, Mycosin and other sulphuric clays, and C-2000 reduced late blight the most, from 63% to 37%. In small-plot trials in 2001, 2002 and 2004, 27 CFPs with different formulations and four copper preparations were examined. In 2004, copper preparations at full and reduced rates and sulphuric clays were applied either weekly or according to the decision support system Bio-PhytoPRE. With Bio-PhytoPRE, copper preparations reduced foliar blight of potatoes by 23–77% and increased tuber yield by 2–28%, depending on the copper rate applied and year. With CFPs, maximal efficacy was 17% and no effect on tuber yield was observed. In vitro and in vivo trials showed that the rainfastness and the persistence of CFPs was low compared with copper preparations. This indicates that the failure of CFPs under field conditions is probably due to a lack of stability under prevailing environmental conditions and not to a lack of efficacy. Until stable formulations for CFPs are developed, an optimised and restricted use of copper fungicides using a decision support system could help to control late blight in organic potato production and to reduce copper input into the environment.

Using the cultivar Arina as the recurrent parent, six backcrosses were made with two donor lines carrying the leaf rust resistance genes Lr1 and Lr9, respectively. Selection for leaf rust resistance occurred at the seedling stage in the greenhouse; the first plants transferred to the field were BC6F4s. Frequency distribution of the 332 Lr1/7 × Arina and the 335 Lr9/7 × Arina lines showed continuous variation for yellow rust resistance and heading date in these leaf rust near-isogenic lines (NILs). Similar results were also obtained for plant height, for resistance to powdery mildew and glume blotch, as well as for baking quality characters in another set of more advanced NILs. The available information on the behaviour of one of the parents of cultivar Arina led to the conclusion that the expressed yellow rust resistance is quantitative and might possibly be durable.

We agree with Zoebl that alternative farming systems deserve more attention in order to develop healthy production systems. In fact, the environmental advantages of organic farming in comparison with intensive conventional production methods have been shown in many cases (1). In our study, we showed a better protection of soil fertility in organic systems compared with conventional systems.

Um die Effektivität landwirtschaftlicher Anbausysteme zu beurteilen, bedarf es eines Verständnisses der Agrarökosysteme. Eine 21-jährige Studie ergab 20 Prozent geringere Erträge bei ökologischen Anbausyste- men gegenüber konventionellen, obgleich der Einsatz von Düngemitteln und Energie um 34 bis 53 Prozent und der von Pestiziden um 97 Prozent geringer war. Wahrscheinlich führen die erhöhte Bodenfruchtbarkeit und die größere biologische Vielfalt in den ökologischen Versuchsparzellen dazu, dass diese Systeme weni- ger auf Zufuhr von außen angewiesen sind.

Goklany stated that 20 % lower crop yields in organic farming would require 25 % more land use to produce the same amount of crop biomass, offsetting some of the advantages of organic agriculture with respect to biological diversity, inputs, and soil erosion, and that the experimental yields are not typical. Furthermore, he indicates that organic farming might not be sufficient to feed the world.