Browsing by study line "Kasvintuotantotieteet"

Anthocyanins are an important class of flavonoids under the class of phenolic compounds and contribute to flower color variation. Gerbera hybrida is a flowering plant of Asteraceae family having mainly two colors of flowers – orange and red. Dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR) is a key enzyme catalyzing a reaction in anthocyanin biosynthesis, the reduction of dihydroflavonols to leucoanthocyanidins. GDFR1-2 and GDFR1-3 are two allelic forms of gerbera DFR differing in substrate specificity for the dihydroflavonols - dihydrokaempferol, dihydroquercetin and dihydromyricetin and also differ in 13 amino acids where eight are considered to be important for substrate specificity. GDFR1-2 has strong preference for dihydrokaempferol and GDFR1-3 doesn’t have any preference for the three substrates. In order to find out the amino acids responsible for substrate specificity, swap mutations were generated between GDFR1-2 and GDFR1-3 by two PCR methods– first, running separate PCR from the templates of GDFR1-2 and GDFR1-3, making a heteroduplex by mixing separate PCR where non-matching nucleotides are expected to be corrected by E. coli and, second, by running PCR from mixed templates with short extension time of PCR to make swaps by template switching. The second method was found more effective than the first method. 81 lines (named GDAT1-81) were sequenced and 35 unique swap mutants were found. In this work the DFR assay was done from six randomly picked GDAT lines where GDAT5 had a swap in one amino acid showing still a similar pattern of substrate specificity as the reference (GDFR1-3) indicating that the mutated amino acid doesn’t have any role in substrate specificity. GDAT14 had an extra mutation (S167P) along with 2 swaps showing incapability of reducing dihydrokaempferol, demonstrating that the mutated amino acids are important and other 4 lines were identical to either GDFR1-2 or to GDFR1-3. This was a preliminary test with 6 lines. In order to get more explanations about the roles of amino acids in substrate specificity, DFR assay was done for all the 81 lines in experiments outside of this thesis and five patterns of substrate specificity were identified indicating that substrate specificity of DFR can be altered by changing only three important amino acids. The amino acids at the position 85,135 and 181 in DFR coding sequence have been identified having important roles in substrate specificity. In addition, the amino acid at position 167 may have a function in making the gerbera DFR able to reduce dihydrokaempferol.

Abstract Background. Faba bean (Vicia faba L.,) is a protein-rich grain crop and a good source of many nutrients. However, the productivity and composition of this crop can be limited by several biotic and abiotic stresses. Acid soil leads to a reduction in water uptake, and influences on major biological and chemical processes. However, some plants can manage stress. Mostly, low pH reduces plant vegetative organs and a has a negative effect on physiological processes such as gas exchange, photosynthesis, chlorophyll concentration, and transpiration. The aim of this study was to find homolog genes in close spp. and o test selected gene response as a factor in resilience to rootzone acidity in Vicia faba L. Methods. Four faba bean genotypes were selected for our experiment based on germplasm screening in aquaponic conditions from a previous study. According to obtained results of morpho-physiological measures from a previous experiment, IG11204 and Bourdon showed tolerance to acid only. DULUC is tolerant to acid and Al treatments. In contrast, Nora38 demonstrated susceptibility to both stresses. Selected genotypes were grown under the same experimental conditions in order to proceed with samples for further analysis (total RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, RT-PCR, gel-electrophoresis, validation of selected gene by RT-qPCR). Results. Selected genes have been identified as hub genes in A. thaliana (alternative oxidase 1A, glutamate dehydrogenase 1, zinc fingers superfamily protein), which demonstrated an increase in expression levels under acidic pH stress. We have found homolog genes in the Hedin cultivar. Selected homolog gene were used to check its expression in four genotypes under Al3+ and acidic stresses using RT-qPCR. Finally, up-regulation of the GDH1 was detected by acid and also occurred by Al3+ treatments. Discussion. Our analysis of gene expression revealed that GDH1 was expressed differently between control and treated groups. However, its activity was detected for both stresses. The expression of GDH1 transcripts in this study, also concurs with findings where GDH1 in A. thaliana were expressed under Al3+ stress. Furthermore, it was confirmed that they are novel Al3+ resistance genes, which are regulated by the transcription factor STOP1 (sensitive-to-proton-rhizotoxicity1). GDHs are involved in stress tolerance, and pH-regulated metabolic pathways – GABA shunt. It participates in the regulation of cytosolic pH, carbon fluxes into the TCA cycle, nitrogen metabolism, deterrence of insects, protection against oxidative stress, osmoregulation and signaling in plant cells under different stress conditions. The GABA shunt is enhanced by stresses, which cause cytosol acidification. Genes expressed in conditions of low pH partly overlap with those expressed in plants exposed to Al3+ stress. Generally, acidic soil is associated with the co-occurrence of Al3+ and H+ rhizotoxicities.

The legalization and evolving laws around the world regarding to cultivation of Cannabis sativa L. have led to a growing demand for optimized methods of mass propagation of cannabis plants. A micropropagation is a vital tool in this context, as it offers advantages such as rapid multiplication of elite clones, reduced space requirements, and produces clean plant material minimizing risks with diseases and pests. With micropropagation, the cannabis industry can ensure consistent quality and higher yields. Micropropagation methods for cannabis have been developed in numerous research, but the effect of light on the success of micropropagation has been studied fairly little. Using specially tailored LED lighting in cannabis production has proven to increase yield, cannabinoid content and affect the plant morphology. Thus, there is reason to believe that the effect of light intensity and spectra could have the same effect also in vitro. This research aimed to compare the effects of three different spectra and intensity levels on the multiplication rate and rooting of Cannabis sativa L. in vitro. Using hemp type cultivar Carmagnola, three different spectra: sunlike NS12, red and blue dominant AP67, and their combination AP67NS12 (C65, Valoya Oy, Helsinki, Finland) and three different intensity levels 30, 70, and 170 μmol m-2 s-1. Results of this study show that intensity has a significant effect on the formation of shoots, shoot height, number of leaves, and number of rooted plants. The lower intensity of 30 μmol m-2 s-1 results to more desirable morphological characteristics in all cases than the high intensity of 170 μmol m-2 s-1. Spectrum had significant effects on the number of shoots, number of leaves, and number of rooted plants. Treatment with spectrum NS12 resulted into the highest number of shoots, leaves, and tallest shoots. Treatment with spectrum AP67 can increase the number of rooting plants. This study gives encouraging results that optimizing light quality and quantity can have a positive effect on the desired morphological traits in the micropropagation of cannabis.

Biochars are soil amendment materials produced via pyrolysis of biomass. They are resistant to degradation and can be used as a way to sequester carbon from the atmosphere. Biochars can improve soil structure and water and nutrient retention capacity, and significant positive effects on soil aggregate stability, water retention capacity and nutrient availability have been observed in acidic soils with low carbon content. The positive effects of biochar on soil properties can also increase crop yields. However, most studies on the effects of biochar have been conducted in tropical or temperate climates, and currently very little is known on its effects on the yield formation of cereals, and more specifically, barley. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of softwood biochar on field soil moisture and nutrient contents, as well as its effects on yield components of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) 8 years after its application (0, 5, 10, 20 and 30 t ha-1) to boreal soil. In addition, the effects of organic and mineral fertilizers, alone and together with biochar, on soil moisture, nutrient contents and barley yield components were studied. Biochar did not have significant effects on soil moisture or nutrient contents or on barley yield components. Fertilization had significant effects on contents of soil moisture and nutrients, electrical conductivity, pH and the biomass, leaf chlorophyll content, number and weight of seeds and the final yield of barley. The non-significant effects of biochar can be due to the high amount of carbon already present in the soil, and similar results have been observed on the research site in previous years. The added biochar may also have been misplaced by soil management or degraded by weathering. The growing season of 2018 was drier and warmer than the long-term average and drought during the beginning of the growing season combined with issues with weeds negatively affected crop development and yield components.

The high quality of seed is a basic requirement for producing high yields of good quality. The production conditions may vary and their effect to seed quality have not been fully understood. The aim of this study was to define how stress during growing season affects germinability of barley seeds and the yield potential of the next generation. The plants were exposed to different stress conditions in a greenhouse and in a pot test hall. The stress conditions included plant disease infection in different growing stages, low and high temperature in different growing stages, drought, water logging and early harvest. The germinability of the seeds was studied one, three, six and nine months after the harvest. The obtained results were inconsistend as for many stress treatments the germinability results of the samples varied between different measuring time points and were variously lower or higher compared to results of the control sample. The only stress condition that clearly lowered the germinability was early harvest. The second part of the work was to study the effect of stress conditions on the crop yield of the next generation. The seeds produced under stress conditions were grown in optimal conditions and thus it was studied whether the stress of the previous generation affects the crop formation of the next generation. No clear dependence was observed between the stress treatments of the previous generation and the yield performance of the next generation. As further research, it would be beneficial to study the effect of the stress conditions on vigour of the next generation seeds.

Paineistettu kuumavesiuutto on menetelmä, jossa rahkasammaleesta saadaan uutettua arvokkaita ainesosia veteen ympäristöystävällisesti. Rahkasammaleesta uutetulle nesteelle on olemassa monia jatkojalostusmahdollisuuksia esimerkiksi erilaisten kemikaalien raaka-aineena. Rahkasammaleen uuttoprosessissa syntyy uuton läpikäynyttä rahkasammalmateriaalia, jolle olisi taloudellisesti kannattavaa löytää jatkokäyttöä, mikäli rahkasammaleen uuttoa harjoitettaisiin teollisessa mittakaavassa. Kokeessa tutkittiin uuttoprosessin läpikäyneen rahkasammaleen sopivuutta kasvien kasvualustamateriaaliksi. Uutettua rahkasammalta sekoitettiin käsittelemättömään rahkasammaleeseen 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 ja 0:100 kuivapainon suhteessa ja niiden vedenpidätyskykyä, sähkönjohtokykyä ja pH:ta seurattiin kasvihuonekokeessa. Kontrollikäsittelynä toimi turve. Lisäksi seurattiin kasvualustan vaikutusta basilikan taimettumiseen, pituuskasvuun, lehtien lukumäärään sekä kuiva- ja tuorepainon kertymiseen. Viljelyn aikana seurattiin myös mahdollisten kasvua inhiboivien yhdisteiden poistumista kasvualustoista, kun niitä huuhdeltiin neljä kertaa laimealla lannoiteliuoksella. Jatkokokeessa seurattiin uutetun rahkasammaleen vaikutusta yksi-, kaksi- ja monisirkkaisten testikasvilajien taimettumiseen ja tuorepainon kertymiseen. Uutettu rahkasammal ei sopinut basilikan kasvualustaksi tai sen osaksi, sillä siinä kasvaneiden kasvien kasvu oli erittäin heikkoa. Sen sijaan käsittelemättömässä rahkasammaleessa basilika kasvoi yhtä hyvin kuin turpeessa. Uutetun sammaleen vedenpidätyskyky oli selvästi matalampi kuin käsittelemättömän rahkasammaleen. Jatkokokeessa yksi- ja kaksisirkkaisilla testikasvilajeilla parhaan tuorepainon tuotti käsittelemätön rahkasammalalusta, ja 25 % uutettua rahkasammalta sisältävä alusta tuotti paremman kasvun kuin turve ja 50 % tai enemmän uutettua rahkasammalta sisältäneet alustat. Monisirkkaisten kasvien kasvu ei heikentynyt, vaikka kasvualustassa oli 25 % uutettua sammalta. Useimpien kasvilajien taimettuminen oli heikompaa ja hitaampaa 100 % ja 75 % uutettua sammalta sisältäneillä kasvualustoilla kuin käsittelemättömässä rahkasammaleessa ja 25 % uutettua sammalta sisältäneessä kasvualustassa. Uutetun rahkasammaleen kasvua inhiboiva vaikutus ei täysin selity sen fysikaalisilla ominaisuuksilla, kuten esimerkiksi heikolla vedenpidätyskyvyllä. Uuttoprosessin aikana on saattanut syntyä jokin kasvua inhiboiva yhdiste, jonka pitoisuus alustassa ei vähentynyt riittävästi, vaikka uutettua sammalta sekoitettiin käsittelemättömään rahkasammaleeseen.

Indoor gardening is continuously increasing among consumers. Consumers and greenhouse entrepreneurs are looking for ways to optimize growing conditions for their plants to produce high quality and good yield. So far, the effects of LED lights on the plant biomass production and on the composition of volatile aroma compounds have been investigated. However, the effects of different lights on the taste and odor of homegrown herbs is yet to be discovered. The aim of this study was to investigate how different light conditions would affect the composition of compounds that are mainly responsible for the specific flavor of selected model plants. The main goal was to investigate what type of volatile compounds could be obtained in plants grown under different light conditions. The second goal was to investigate how non-volatile saliva soluble compounds could be modified due to the different growing conditions. Coriander and dill were selected as model plants. Coriander is globally utilized herb while dill is one of the most used herbs in the Nordic countries. Due to their strong flavor, both of these herbs divide consumer opinions and therefore investigation of their flavor modification is important. Coriander and dill were grown in domestic smart gardens manufactured by Plantui Oy. Used light conditions included control, green and blue light. Control light composed of a combination of blue, green and red light. Light source was LED lights. The herbs were grown at +22 °C and at humidity of 56.5 %. Used nutrients were ready-made mixtures by Plantui Oy. The composition of artificial saliva was optimized with commercial coriander and dill for the investigation of flavor compounds. Coriander and dill samples were extracted with the developed artificial saliva after which the volatile compounds were analyzed by a combination of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and non-volatile compounds by a combination of liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Principal component analysis (PCA) was utilized to investigate the composition of volatile compounds while partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was used to investigate the differences in the non-volatile compounds. Used light conditions altered the chemical composition of herb leaves. Also, light conditions had a visible effect on plant growth. For example, herbs grown in blue light germinated weakly and produced less biomass. The profile of volatile compounds in corianders grown under green and blue light differed from those grown under control light. For dill, the profiles differed only for the samples grown under blue light. Majority of the volatile compounds were components of the essential oils of herbs and compounds that enhance stress tolerance. When looking at saliva soluble non-volatile compounds, coriander grown under blue light was different from the one grown under control light while for dill a difference was observed both under blue and green light. Based on the results, special light recipes can be developed to modify the flavor of coriander and dill. Further research is still needed, especially on the effects of light conditions in plant cell signaling and thereby on the morphological changes in plants and as a consequence on their flavor compounds.

The american cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) is a woody perennial plant. Cranberry fruit has been studied for its many different health benefits due to the high level of human health-promoting compounds such as flavonoids and anthocyanins. The growing season is too short in Finland, and the fruits must be harvested before frost. Studies have shown that post-harvest lighting can affect the quality of fruits. Light treatment increases the anthocyanins content and red color in fruits. Lighting during storage might improve also shelf life. The aim was to find out how different light treatments affect different quality characteristics of fruits. In this thesis, the effect of three different light treatments on the accumulation of anthocyanins and phenols during 14 days following harvest in american cranberry fruits was investigated. The light treatment was APL (multispectrum), blue and red light. The control was dark treatment. In addition, the color of the fruits, the sugar content and titratable acids were measured. Light treatments increased anthocyanin content in all varieties compared to dark control. The most effective was APL treatment. The phenol content first (7 days) increased in all varieties, after which the increase continued only in Early Black and Howes varieties. There were statistically significant differences between the light treatments only for these varieties, but only 14 days after the treatments. The treatment did not have significant effect on sugar content or the titratable acids. The berries turned red in light treatments and the color intensity increased. The treatments differed significantly from the dark, but not with each other. The results of this thesis indicate that it would be possible to ripen cranberry fruits during storage. The berries could be harvested half ripe and ripened during storage using lights. There would also be a demand for domestic cranberries in the food industry, allowing imported cranberries to be replaced by a domestic alternative.

ABSTRACT Tiedekunta/Osasto - Fakultet/Sektion 3⁄4 Faculty Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry  Osasto - Sektion - Department Department of Agricultural Sciences Tekijä - Författare - Author Julia Virtanen Työn nimi - Arbetets titel - Title Farmers and biodiversity Oppiaine - Läroämne - Subject Agricultural sciences, agroecology Työn laji - Arbetets art - Level M.Sc. Thesis  Aika - Datum - Month and year February 2021  Sivumäärä 3⁄4 Sidoantal 3⁄4 Number of pages 45 pages Tiivistelmä - Referat - Abstract The aim of this study was to identify farmers' opinions about biodiversity and compare their opinions with the measured biodiversity data from their own fields. The goal was to find out what are the main reasons for biodiversity conservation and what kinds of farming activities were seen as most important tools to conserve farmland biodiversity. This study was executed as a commission to the Finnish Environment Institute as a part of JustFood -research project. There were 33 farmers representing both organic and conventional farming. The results showed that there wasn't statistically significant difference between the two farming types regarding farmers' appreciation of biodiversity. The biodiversity data and overall farmers' appreciation values included scattering between farming types and within both groups. The most of the farmers stressed the importance of ecosystem services as a reason to conserve biodiversity. A third of the farmers emphasized the intrinsic value of biodiversity. Altogether, farmers in this study were rather interested in conserving biodiversity in their own farms regardless of the farming type or cultivated crops. Avainsanat - Nyckelord - Keywords biodiversity, farmer perceptions, agroecosystems, biodiversity conservation, JustFood Säilytyspaikka - Förvaringsställe - Where deposited Master's Programme in Agricultural Sciences, Department of Agricultural Sciences Muita tietoja - Övriga uppgifter - Further information Mikko Kuussaari (SYKE), Marjaana Toivonen (SYKE and the University of Helsinki), Iryna Herzon (University of Helsinki) HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO - HELSINGFORS UNIVERSITET - UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI

Ruoantuotanto ja sen kestävyys ovat yhä useammin esillä arkipäivän keskusteluissa, sekä politiikassa ja mediassa. Tutkimusten mukaan lasten ja nuorten tieto siitä mistä ruoka tulee, on vuosien mittaan huonontunut, sillä kaupungistuvassa yhteiskunnassa maatalous ei ole enää osa nykynuoren arkipäivää. Vuonna 2014 tuli kestävän ruoantuotannon opetuksesta ensimmäistä kertaa osa yläkoulun biologian opetussuunnitelmaa; aihetta tulisi näin ollen koulussa opettaa opetussuunnitelman mukaisesti. Tämän tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli selvittää, miten yläkoulun biologian opettajat kokevat kestävän ruoantuotannon opetuksen ja mitä haasteita se heille tuottaa. Opettajat saivat myös antaa ehdotuksia opetuksen kehittämiseen. Tutkimus toteutettiin kyselytutkimuksena vuonna 2022 yläkoulun 7–9 luokkien biologian opettajille Suomessa. Kyselyyn vastasi 46 opettajaa. Kestävyys ruoantuotannossa miellettiin keskimäärin ensisijaisesti ekologiseksi kysymykseksi, vaikka kestävyyden määritelmä on paljon laajempi. Kyselyyn vastanneiden opettajien mukaan perehdytys aiheeseen omissa opinnoissa oli olematonta tai sitä ei ollut lainkaan. Kestävä ruoantuotanto koetaan kuitenkin tärkeäksi aiheeksi, jota tulisi opettaa peruskoulussa. Kysymys siitä, kuuluuko opintokokonaisuus osaksi biologian opintoja, jakoi mielipiteitä. Opettajat olivat avoimia ja kiinnostuneita maatila- ja asiantuntijavierailujen järjestämisestä paikan päällä tai etänä, sekä kokivat sen hyväksi tavaksi oppia uutta ruoantuotannosta. Kuitenkin niin opetuksessa kuin vierailuissa haasteeksi osoittautuivat vahvasti aikarajoitteet, kustannukset ja aiheen opetuksen hankaluus. Haastavina opetuksen aiheina esille nousivat kotieläintuotanto, kasvintuotanto ja eläinten hyvinvointi. Tutkimuksen mukaan opettajat kaipaavat opetuksen tueksi monenlaista materiaalia. Valmiit oppimiskokonaisuudet antaisivat mahdollisuuden käyttää aikaa opetukseen viisaasti ja myös saatavilla oleva tieto olisi ajankohtaisen tutkitun tiedon mukaista. Hankepohjaista toimintaa kaivataan, jotta hyväksi havaittuja toimintatapoja voitaisiin hyödyntää ympäri Suomen. Oppiainerajat ylittävä yhteistyö kestävän ruoantuotannon ympärillä voisi auttaa nuoria löytämään urapolkuja ruoan ja sen tuotannon parista. Saadaksemme kestävästä ruoantuotannosta kiinnostavan, sekä pysyvämmän osan biologian opintokokonaisuutta, tulee opettajia tukea opetuksessa, sekä luoda heille käyttöön kiinnostavaa materiaalia ja kokonaisuuksia, joista innostuvat niin oppilas kuin opettaja. Näin voimme vaikuttaa tulevaisuuden kuluttajien tietoisuuteen ruoasta ja sen tuotannosta, sekä kannustaa kestäviin valintoihin omassa arjessamme.