In recent years science has taken an increased interest in mineralization processes in tropical soils in particular under minimal tillage operations. Plant litter quality and management strongly affect mineralization-nitrification processes in soil and hence the fate of nitrogen in ecosystems and the environment. Plant secondary metabolites like lignin and polyphenols are poorly degradable and interact with proteins (protein binding capacity) and hence protect them from microbial attack. Nitrification, a microbiological process, directly and indirectly influences the efficiency of recovery of N in the vegetation as well as the loss of N (through denitrification and leaching) causing environmental pollution to water bodies and contributes to global warming (e.g. the greenhouse gas N2O is emitted as a by-product of nitrification and denitrification). Nitrifiers comprise a relatively narrow species diversity (at least as known to date) and are generally thought to be sensitive to low soil pH and stress. Despite these properties nitrification occurs in acid tropical soils with high levels of aluminium and manganese. Thus the main objective of the project will be the identification of micro-organisms and mechanisms responsible for mineralization-nitrification processes in acid tropical soils and the influence of long-term litter input of different chemical qualities and minimal tillage options. The project will include the use of stable isotopes (15N, 13C), mass spectrometry, gas chromatography (CO2, N2O), biochemical methods (PLFA) and molecular biology (16s rRNA., PCR, DGGE)
Farm structures are often characterized by regional heterogeneity, agglomeration effects, sub-optimal farm sizes and income disparities. The main objective of this study is to analyze whether this is a result of path dependent structural change, what the determinants of path dependence are, and how it may be overcome. The focus is on the German dairy sector which has been highly regulated and subsidized in the past and faces severe structural deficits. The future of this sector in the process of an ongoing liberalization will be analyzed by applying theoretical concepts of path dependence and path breaking. In these regards, key issues are the actual situation, technological and market trends as well as agricultural policies. The methodology will be based on a participative use of the agent-based model AgriPoliS and participatory laboratory experiments. On the one hand, AgriPoliS will be tested as a tool for stakeholder oriented analysis of mechanisms, trends and policy effects. This part aims to analyze whether and how path dependence of structural change can be overcome on a sector level. In a second part, AgriPoliS will be extended such that human players (farmers, students) can take over the role of agents in the model. This part aims to compare human agents with computer agents in order to overcome single farm path dependence.
Sediment erosion and transport is critical to the ecological and commercial health of aquatic habitats from watershed to sea. There is now a consensus that microorganisms inhabiting the system mediate the erosive response of natural sediments ('ecosystem engineers') along with physicochemical properties. The biological mechanism is through secretion of a microbial organic glue (EPS: extracellular polymeric substances) that enhances binding forces between sediment grains to impact sediment stability and post-entrainment flocculation. The proposed work will elucidate the functional capability of heterotrophic bacteria, cyanobacteria and eukaryotic microalgae for mediating freshwater sediments to influence sediment erosion and transport. The potential and relevance of natural biofilms to provide this important 'ecosystem service' will be investigated for different niches in a freshwater habitat. Thereby, variations of the EPS 'quality' and 'quantity' to influence cohesion within sediments and flocs will be related to shifts in biofilm composition, sediment characteristics (e.g. organic background) and varying abiotic conditions (e.g. light, hydrodynamic regime) in the water body. Thus, the proposed interdisciplinary work will contribute to a conceptual understanding of microbial sediment engineering that represents an important ecosystem function in freshwater habitats. The research has wide implications for the water framework directive and sediment management strategies.
Soil microorganisms can mobilize and immobilize phosphorus (P), and therefore strongly affect the availability of P to plants. In this project we hypothesize that the ratio of labile P to microbial P increases during the transition from acquiring to recycling ecosystems. Microbial and plant P uptake will be studied with 33P that will be quantified in microbial and plant biomass as well as in lipids. To what extent microorganisms immobilize and mobilize P during decomposition of soil organic matter will be explored with a 14C/33P labeled monoester. Seasonal dynamics of actual and potential P mineralization (33P dilution and phosphatase activity), and microbial P immobilization will be studied with soils of the transition from acquiring to recycling ecosystems. The contribution of litter-derived P will be explored in a litter exclusion experiment in the field. Spatial patterns of microbial and plant P mineralization in the rhizosphere will be explored by analyses of areas of high acid and alkaline (=microbial-derived) phosphatase activity by soil zymography, and their relations with areas of high rhizodeposition (14C imaging). In conclusion, we will analyse mechanisms of actual and potential microbial P mineralization and immobilization, localization, and consequences for P uptake by plants.
Boron (B) is an essential microelement for plants. Despite the use of modern fertilization methods, B deficiency still causes losses in agricultural plant production. Even though many positive effects of B on plant growth and physiology have been reported, a large majority of B functions and the regulatory mechanisms controlling the B nutritional status remain unknown. The main objective of this project is to elucidate how the greatly B deficiency-sensitive Brassica crop plants process and regulate their B status during vegetative and reproductive growth. In this context, the project aims at identifying the mode of action of B in mechanisms regulating the B status itself and uncovering those mechanisms contributing to B efficiency in different genotypes. Plant species subjected to investigation will be the agronomically important oilseed and vegetable plant Brassica napus (rapeseed) and its close relative the genetic and molecular model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Questions addressed within the scope of this project should lead to a detailed understanding of mechanisms controlling B uptake and allocation from the level of the whole plant down to the cellular level. B transport routes and rates will be determined in sink- and source tissues and in developmental periods with a particularly high B demand. A special focus will be on the identification of B transport bottlenecks and the analysis of B deficiency-sensitive transport processes to and within the highly B-demanding reproductive organs. Recent studies in Arabidopsis suggest that Nodulin26-like Intrinsic Proteins (NIPs), which belong to the aquaporin channel protein family, are essential for plant B uptake and distribution. The systematic focus on the molecular and physiological characterization of B. napus NIPs will clarify their role in B transport and will identify novel NIP-associated mechanisms playing key roles in the B response network.To further resolve the mostly unknown impact of the B nutritional status on gene regulation and metabolism, a transcript and metabolite profile of B-sufficient and B-deficient rapeseed plants will be generated. Additionally, an Arabidopsis transcription factor knockout collection (greater 300 lines) will be screened for abnormalities in responses to the B nutritional status. This will identify yet unknown B-responsive genes (transcription factors and their targets) and gene products (enzymes or metabolite variations) playing key roles in signalling pathways and mechanisms regulating the B homeostasis. Boron (in form of boric acid) and arsenite (As) share in all likelihood the same NIP-mediated transport pathways. To assess the consequences of this dual transport pathway the so far unstudied impact of the plants B nutritional status on the accumulation and distribution of As will be investigated in B. napus. Moreover, the current dimension of the As contamination of Brassica-based food products, to which consumers are exposed to, will be analyzed. usw.
Vorkommen, Häufigkeit, chemische Zusammensetzung und Mischungszustand jener Aerosolpartikel in der Erdatmosphäre, an denen sich durch heterogene Nukleation in unterkühlten Wolken Eis bilden kann (Ice Nucleating Particles = INP), werden experimentell untersucht. Diese Informationen sind wichtig für das Verständnis der Niederschlagsbildung, und finden in parametrisierter Form Eingang in meteorologische Modelle zur Vorhersage des Niederschlages. Das Projekt verwendet hierbei im Wesentlichen physikalische Methoden zur Identifikation und Isolation der Partikel aus der Atmosphäre, und nachfolgend elektronenmikroskopische Methoden zur mineralogischen Analyse einzelner Partikel. Die Identifikation jener wenigen Aerosolpartikel (ca. 1 von 10.000 bis 1 von 100.000), die Eisbildungsfähigkeit besitzen, erfolgt, indem eine Aerosolprobe einer Unterkühlung unter 0°C und Wasserdampfübersättigung ausgesetzt wird, und die an INP entstehenden Eiskristalle fotografiert und gezählt werden. Es werden sowohl Aerosolpartikel aus luftgetragenem Aerosol untersucht (aus dem Eiskeimzähler FINCH) wie auch Partikel, die aus einer Luftprobe auf einem Silizium-Probenträger niedergeschlagen und danach als INP identifiziert wurden (Eiskeimzähler FRIDGE). Eine dritte und vierte Methode (Ice-CVI und ISI) isolieren eisbildungsfähige Partikel, indem aus einer angesaugten Probe von Wolkenluft die Eiskristalle strömungstechnisch von den übrigen Luftbestandteilen getrennt werden. Alle Eiskeimproben werden im Rasterelektronenmikroskop auf Größe, Morphologie, Mischungszustand und chemische Zusammensetzung untersucht und die Ergebnisse der verschiedenen Ansätze verglichen. In Feldexperimenten werden Atmosphärenproben verschiedener geographischer Provenienz (Mitteleuropa, Forschungsstation Jungfraujoch, Wüstenstaub, Vulkanstaub) erhalten. In Laborexperimenten wird mit vorher gesammelt und charakterisierten Modellsubstanzen gearbeitet. Weiterhin wird durch tägliche Messungen der Anzahl-Konzentration und Zusammensetzung von Eiskeimen am Taunus Observatorium nahe Frankfurt über einen längeren Zeitraum untersucht, ob es Saisonalitäten, bevorzugte Quellgebiete (z.B. Wüsten, Industrie, etc.) und biologische Einflussfaktoren (z.B. Pollen, Pflanzenabrieb, Bakterien) für das Vorkommen von Eisnuklei gibt.
Verlässliche Vorhersagen von Wetter und Klimawandel erfordern ein gutes Verständnis der Eisbildung in troposphärischen Wolken. Von besonderer Bedeutung ist dabei die sogenannte heterogene Eisnukleation durch atmosphärische Aerosolpartikel. Das hier beantragte Projekt beinhaltet eine umfassende Untersuchung der heterogenen Eisnukleation in Zirruswolken und Mischphasenwolken, gemeinsam mit 8 weiteren Projekten der Forschergruppe INUIT. Eisbildung durch Kontaktgefrieren wird für einzelne Tröpfchen in einem elektrodynamischen Levitator (Paulfalle) untersucht. Experimente zum Einfluss von Aerosolen auf Immersionsgefrieren, Kontaktgefrieren und Depositionsnukleation werden in der AIDA-Wolkenkammer und einer neuen dynamischen Wolkenkammer durchgeführt, falls diese wie geplant bis Anfang 2016 zur Verfügung stehen wird. Hauptziele und Arbeitspakete des Projekts sind (a) Untersuchungen zum Immersionsgefrieren, Kontaktgefrieren und zur Depositionsnukleation von INUIT-2 Referenzaerosolen in enger Zusammenarbeit mit allen anderen lNUlT-2-Partnern, (b) AIDA-Wolkensimulationsexperimente mit redispergierten atmosphärischen Aerosolen die auf Filtern gesammelt wurden (in Zusammenarbeit mit RP8), (c) AIDA-Experimente mit porösen Partikeln zur Untersuchung des Einflusses von Kapillarkondensation und Prä-aktivierung auf Eisnukleationsprozesse, (d) EDB-Experimente zur Kontaktnukleation mit atmosphärisch relevanten und komplexen Aerosolen, (e) Untersuchungen zu den grundlegenden Mechanismen des Kontaktgefrierens, (f) die Entwicklung einer umfassenden und einheitlichen Parametrisierung heterogener Eisnukleation in enger Zusammenarbeit mit RP3 und RP5, (g) erste Experimente zur Kontaktnukleation in einer neuen Wolkenkammer unter Nutzung der Expertise aus langjährigen Experimenten zum Kontaktgefrieren und mit der Wolkensimulationskammer, (h) die Durchführung von zwei AIDA-Messkampagnen, eine nur für die INUIT-2- Partner und eine mit internationaler Beteiligung, bei denen Labormethoden und Feld Instrumente für die Messung von Aerosolen und eisbildenden Partikeln getestet und miteinander verglichen werden um hohe internationale Standards in der Eisnukleationsforschung zu entwickeln und zu erhalten. Die Aktivitäten an der AIDA-Wolkenkammer bieten auch eine gute Verknüpfung der Labor-, Feld und Modellieraktivitäten innerhalb der Forschergruppe INUIT und mit externen Partnern. In Ergänzung der laufenden INUIT-Arbeiten möchten wir in weiteren drei Jahren der Forschergruppe folgende neue Schwerpunkte setzen: die Eisnukleationseigenschaften von porösen Partikeln, Immersionsgefrieren und Depositionsnukleation von größenselektierten Partikeln mit Durchmessern bis zu einigen Mikrometern, die Quantifizierung von Kontaktgefrierraten von atmosphärisch relevanten komplexen Aerosolpartikeln, und erste Wolkenkammerexperimente zum Kontaktgefrieren. Außerdem werden wir die Erstellung und Pflege einer neuen Datenbank für Laborergebnisse zur heterogenen Eisnukleation unterstützen.
Cydia pomonella granulovirus (CpGV, Baculoviridae) is one of the most important agents for the control of codling moth (CM, Cydia pomonella, L.) in both biological and integrated pest management. The rapid emergence of resistance against CpGV-M, which was observed in about 40 European CM field populations from 2003 on, could be traced back to a single, dominant, sex-linked gene. Since then, resistance management has been based on mixtures of new CpGV isolates (CpGV-I12, -S), which are able to overcome this resistance. Recently, resistance even to these novel isolates was observed in CM field populations. This resistance does not follow the described dominant, sex-linked inheritance trait. At the same time, another isolate CpGV-V15 was identified showing high virulence against these resistant populations. To elucidate this novel resistance mechanism and to identify the resistance gene(s) involved, we propose a comprehensive analysis of this resistance on the cellular and genomic level of codling moth. Because of the lack of previous knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of virus resistance in insects, several different and complementary approaches will be pursued. This study will not only give an in-depth insight into the genetic possibilities for development of baculovirus resistance in CM field populations and how the virus overcomes it, but can also serve as an important model for other baculovirus-host interaction systems.
Cherry leaf roll virus (CLRV) is a plant pathogen of economic and ecologic importance. It is globally distributed in a wide range of forest, fruit, and ornamental trees and shrubs. In several areas of cherry and walnut production CLRV causes severe losses in yield and quality. With current reference to the rapid dissemination and strong symptom expression in Finnish birches and the Germany-wide distribution of CLRV in birches and elderberry, we continuously investigate and gradually reveal CLRV transmission pathways as by pollen, seeds or water. However, modes and interactions responsible for the wide intergeneric host transmission as well as for the exceptional CLRV epidemic in Fennoscandia still remain unknown. In this project systematic studies shall investigate biological vectors as a causal agent to finally derive control mechanisms and strategies to avoid new epidemics in different hosts and geographic regions. Detailed monitoring of the invertebrate fauna of birch stands/forests and elderberry plantations in Germany and Finland shall reveal potential vectors to subsequently study them in detail by approved virus detection methods and transmission experiments. Molecular analyses of the CLRV coat protein shall prove its role as a viral determinant for a virus/vector interaction. Consequently, this project essentially will contribute important answers on the CLRV epidemiology, and this will be a key element within the first network of research on plant viral pathogens in forest trees.
Changes in agroecosystem management (e.g. landscape diversity, management intensity) affect the natural control of pests. The effects of agricultural change on this ecosystem service, however, are not universal and the mechanisms affecting it remain to be understood. As biological control is effectively the product of networks of interactions between pests and their natural enemies, food web analysis provides a versatile tool to address this gap of knowledge. The proposed project will utilize a molecular food web approach and examine, for the first time, how changes in plant fertilisation and landscape complexity affect quantitative aphid-parasitoid-hyperparasitoid food webs on a species-specific level to unravel how changes in food web interactions affect parasitoid aphid control. Based on the fieldderived data, cage experiments will be conducted to assess how parasitoid diversity and identity affect parasitoid interactions and pest control, complementing the field results. The work proposed here will take research on parasitoid aphid control one step further, as it will provide a clearer understanding of how plant fertilization affects whole aphid-parasitoid food webs in both simple and complex landscapes, allowing for further improvements in natural pest control.
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