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In the current experiment, the impact of two strains of Pseudomonas fluorescens (VUPf5, and F140) along with two species of Arbuscular mycorrhizae, Funneliformis mosseae (Glomus mosseae) and Rhizophagus intraradices (Glomus intraradices) as well as two types of chemical iron chelators (EDTA and EDDHA) were tested individually and in combination against Rhizoctonia solani AG3, causing black scurf and canker of potato, under in vivo conditions. This research revealed the positive effect of all treatments in reducing pathogenic effects of R. solani compared to untreated inoculated plants. In this vein, the highest reduction in disease severity (100%) was found in plants treated with VUPf5 alone and in multifarious combinations, F140 + F.m + EDTA, and F140 + R.in + EDDHA. Furthermore, all treatments had a positive effect in decreasing the harmful effects of R. solani in all growth parameters (e.g., fresh and dry weights of shoots, length, and diameter of the stem). The evaluation of these treatments on the rate of chlorophyll and carotenoid showed that VUPf5 + F.m + EDDHA significantly increased the amount of chlorophyll and carotenoids compared to control. Moreover, R. solani AG3 in the presence of most biocontrol agents has little effect on zinc and iron concentration. The Maximum concentration of iron and zinc was observed in plants treated with F140 + R.in and VUPf5 + F.m + EDTA, respectively. Therefore, by using a combination of bio-agent factors, this study highlights the remarkably increased biological control's efficacy in comparison to using each of them individually.

The He I λ10833 Å triplet is a powerful tool for characterising the upper atmosphere of exoplanets and tracing possible mass loss. Here, we analysed one transit of GJ 1214 b observed with the CARMENES high-resolution spectrograph to study its atmosphere via transmission spectroscopy around the He I triplet. Although previous studies using lower resolution instruments have reported non-detections of He I in the atmosphere of GJ 1214 b, we report here the first potential detection. We reconcile the conflicting results arguing that previous transit observations did not present good opportunities for the detection of He I, due to telluric H2O absorption and OH emission contamination. We simulated those earlier observations, and show evidence that the planetary signal was contaminated. From our single non-telluric-contaminated transit, we determined an excess absorption of 2.10−0.50+0.45% (4.6 σ) with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 1.30−0.25+0.30 Å. The detection of He I is statistically significant at the 4.6 σ level, but repeatability of the detection could not be confirmed due to the availability of only one transit. By applying a hydrodynamical model and assuming an H/He composition of 98/2, we found that GJ 1214 b would undergo hydrodynamic escape in the photon-limited regime, losing its primary atmosphere with a mass-loss rate of (1.5–18) × 1010 g s−1 and an outflow temperature in the range of 2900–4400 K. Further high-resolution follow-up observations of GJ 1214 b are needed to confirm and fully characterise the detection of an extended atmosphere surrounding GJ 1214 b. If confirmed, this would be strong evidence that this planet has a primordial atmosphere accreted from the original planetary nebula. Despite previous intensive observations from space- and ground-based observatories, our He I excess absorption is the first tentative detection of a chemical species in the atmosphere of this benchmark sub-Neptune planet. © ESO 2022., CARMENES is an instrument at the Centro Astronómico Hispano-Alemán (CAHA) at Calar Alto (Almería, Spain), operated jointly by the Junta de Andalucía and the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (CSIC). CARMENES was funded by the Max-Planck-Gesellschaft (MPG), the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through projects FICTS-2011-02, ICTS-2017-07-CAHA-4, and CAHA16-CE-3978, and the members of the CARMENES Consortium (Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie, Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía, Landessternwarte Königstuhl, Institut de Ciències de l’Espai, Institut für Astrophysik Göttingen, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Thüringer Landessternwarte Tautenburg, Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias, Hamburger Sternwarte, Centro de Astrobiología and Centro Astronómico Hispano-Alemán), with additional contributions by the MINECO, the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) through the Major Research Instrumentation Programme and Research Unit FOR2544 “Blue Planets around Red Stars”, the Klaus Tschira Stiftung, the states of Baden-Württemberg and Niedersachsen, and by the Junta de Andalucía. This work was based on data from the CARMENES data archive at CAB (CSIC-INTA) and made use of resources from the AstroPiso collaboration. We acknowledge financial support from the Agencia Estatal de Investigación of the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación and the ERDF “A way of making Europe” through projects PID2019-109522GB-C5[1:4], PID2019-110689RB-I00, PGC2018-098153-B-C31, and the Centre of Excellence “Severo Ochoa” and “María de Maeztu” awards to the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (CEX2019-000920-S), Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (SEV-2017-0709), and Centro de Astrobiología (MDM-2017-0737), the European Research Council under the Horizon 2020 Framework Program via the ERC Advanced Grant Origins no. 832428 and via grant agreement no. 694513, the Excellence Cluster ORIGINS funded by the DFG under Germany’s Excellence Strategy EXC-2094 no. 390783311, and the Generalitat de Catalunya via the CERCA programme.

Ultra-hot Jupiters (UHJs) are gas giants with very high equilibrium temperatures. In recent years, multiple chemical species, including various atoms and ions, have been discovered in their atmospheres. Most of these observations have been performed with transmission spectroscopy, although UHJs are also ideal targets for emission spectroscopy due to their strong thermal radiation. We present high-resolution thermal emission spectroscopy of the transiting UHJ KELT-20b/MASCARA-2b. The observation was performed with the CARMENES spectrograph at orbital phases before and after the secondary eclipse. We detected atomic Fe using the cross-correlation technique. The detected Fe lines are in emission, which unambiguously indicates a temperature inversion on the dayside hemisphere. We furthermore retrieved the temperature structure with the detected Fe lines. The result shows that the atmosphere has a strong temperature inversion with a temperature of 4900 ± 700 K and a pressure of 10−4.8−1.1+1.0 bar at the upper layer of the inversion. A joint retrieval of the CARMENES data and the TESS secondary eclipse data returns a temperature of 2550−250+150 K and a pressure of 10−1.5−0.6+0.7 bar at the lower layer of the temperature inversion. The detection of such a strong temperature inversion is consistent with theoretical simulations that predict an inversion layer on the dayside of UHJs. The joint retrieval of the CARMENES and TESS data demonstrates the power of combing high-resolution emission spectroscopy with secondary eclipse photometry in characterizing atmospheric temperature structures. © ESO 2022., F.Y. acknowledges the support of the DFG Research Unit FOR2544 “Blue Planets around Red Stars” (RE 1664/21-1). CARMENES is an instrument for the Centro Astronómico Hispano-Alemán (CAHA) at Calar Alto (Almería, Spain), operated jointly by the Junta de Andalucía and the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (CSIC). CARMENES was funded by the Max-Planck-Gesellschaft (MPG), the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through projects FICTS-2011-02, ICTS-2017-07-CAHA-4, and CAHA16-CE-3978, and the members of the CARMENES Consortium (Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie, Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía, Landessternwarte Königstuhl, Institut de Ciències de l’Espai, Institut für Astrophysik Göttingen, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Thüringer Landessternwarte Tautenburg, Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias, Hamburger Sternwarte, Centro de Astrobiología and Centro Astronómico Hispano-Alemán), with additional contributions by the MINECO, the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft through the Major Research Instrumentation Programme and Research Unit FOR2544 “Blue Planets around Red Stars”, the Klaus Tschira Stiftung, the states of Baden-Württemberg and Niedersachsen, and by the Junta de Andalucía. Based on data from the CARMENES data archive at CAB (CSIC-INTA). We acknowledge financial support from the Agencia Estatal de Investigación of the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades and the ERDF through projects PID2019-109522GB-C51/2/3/4, PGC2018-098153-B-C33, AYA2016-79425-C3-1/2/3-P, ESP2016-80435-C2-1-R and the Centre of Excellence “Severo Ochoa” and “María de Maeztu” awards to the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (SEV-2015-0548), Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (SEV-2017-0709), and Centro de Astrobiología (MDM-2017-0737), and the Generalitat de Catalunya/CERCA programme. T.H. and P.M. acknowledge support from the European Research Council under the Horizon 2020 Framework Program via the ERC Advanced Grant Origins 83 24 28. N.C. and A.S.L. acknowledge funding from the European Research Council under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement no. 694513.

The Scorpius-Centaurus (Sco-Cen) young and nearby massive star-forming region is particularly well suited for extrasolar planet searches with both direct imaging and radial velocity (RV) techniques. The RV search, however, is challenging, as the stars are faster rotators on average than their older stellar counterparts of similar spectral types. Moreover, the RV time series show strong signatures of stellar variability (spots and faculae) and/or stellar pulsations. Our aim is to search for giant planets (GPs) and brown dwarfs at short orbital distances around star members of the Sco-Cen association. We also aim at using these data together with others available on young stars to estimate the GP occurrence rate for young stars for periods of up to 1000 days. We used the HARPS spectrograph on the 3.6m telescope at the La Silla Observatory to monitor 88 A-F Sco-Cen stars. To improve our statistics and analysis, we combined this survey with two previous surveys that focused on young nearby stars (YNS) to compute companion occurrence rates from a sample of 176 young A-M stars. We report the discovery of a massive hot-Jupiter candidate around HD 145467, together with the discovery of one probable short-period (P < 10 days) brown dwarf around HD 149790. In addition, we confirm the binary nature of eight single-line binaries: HD 108857, HD 108904, HD 111102, HD 114319, HD 121176, HD 126488, HD 126838, and HD 133574. From our sample, we obtain a GP ($m_c\in[1;13] M_{Jup}$) occurrence rate of $0.7_{-0.2}^{+1.6} \ \%$ for periods between 1 and 1000 days and a brown dwarf ($m_c\in[13;80] M_{Jup}$) occurrence rate of $0.6_{-0.2}^{+1.4} \ \%$, in the same period range. In addition, we report a possible lack of close ($P\in[1;1000] days$) GPs around young F-K stars compared to their older counterparts, with a confidence level of 95%., 40 pages, 28 Figures, 7 Tables

Variability of CzeV843 Cen was detected 31 March 2016 in the FOV of V834 Cen using Dk154 telescope at La Silla.

VUPf5 genetic stability as a superior strain (of the 900 bacterial strains that were isolated from the rhizosphere of different regions of Iran) for the control of take-all disease of wheat was studied. The genetic stability of the strain in terms of, whether or not, the mass and reproduction of bacteria in liquid medium was determined. VUPf5 produces some secondary metabolites such as extracellular proteases, phenazine antibiotic, siderophore, hydrogen cyanide and volatile metabolites. The regulatory GacA/GacS system has involved as an important system in the production of secondary metabolites in the biocontrol fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. During proliferation, different colonies of bacteria were found in terms of morphology, such as colour (white instead of orange) and shape (approximately flat and larger) of the colony; and media pH that in the mutants was higher, and the production of some metabolites, such as protease, HCN and phenazine was surveyed. Also, mutants in the genetic comparison with the ...

About 900 bacterial strains obtained from plants rhizosphere from different areas of Iran and biocontrol ability were widely survey in vitro and greenhouse conditions against Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici the causal agent of take-all disease. Finally the best strain (VUPf5 strain) in the additional tests biocontrol ability in vitro and greenhouse conditions was selected for next studies. VUPf5 suppressed of take-all disease 85%. Based on biochemical and morphological tests, this isolate is belonging to the species Pseudomonas fluorescens. This isolate significantly produced the secondary metabolites such as siderophores, hydrogen cyanide, protease, phenazine and volatile metabolites.

Humic substances have proved to be very important fractions in soils, playing a key role especially in agricultural soil and influencing chemical and physical soil properties. Spectroscopic methods are widely used to identify the quality of soil humic substances. In this study, 16 soil samples were selected from the Soil Bank of the Soil Science Laboratory at Szent István University, Gödöllő. The samples were extracted using the Hot Water Percolation (HWP) method and the amount of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in each fraction was measured. The kinetics of the DOC extraction process with the HWP method was estimated. The Ultraviolet Visible (UV-VIS) technique was used to characterize the properties of HWP-dissolved organic carbon (HWP-DOC), measuring absorbance at 200–700 nm. Among the humification parameters, the absorbance ratios at 254 and 365 nm (E2/E3) and 465 and 665 nm (E4/E6), the specific UV absorbance (SUVA) and the UV absorbance ratio index (URI) were estimated. The K factor (humus stability coefficient) and E2/E3 and E4/E6 in NaOH and NaF extracts were also measured. The properties of HWP-DOC were similar in most of the soil samples. There was a good correlation between the content of HWP-DOC and the absorbance at 254 nm. URI, SUVA, E2/E3 and E4/E6 indicated that most of the HWP-DOC in the samples consisted of fulvic acid components with greater activity, simpler structure and low molecular weight.

Ochratoxin A is a mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium species. This mycotoxin is a common contaminant of various foods including cereal products, spices, dried fruits, coffee, beer and wine. Besides species assigned to Aspergillus section Circumdati, black Aspergilli including A. niger, A. carbonarius and A. sclerotioniger are also able to produce this mycotoxin. Black Aspergilli have been found to be the predominant fungi contaminating pistachio nuts worldwide. We examined the species distribution of black Aspergilli on Iranian pistachio nuts. Sequence-based identifications have been carried out using partial calmodulin sequence data. Our data indicate that instead of the potential ochratoxin and fumonisin producing A. niger species, A. tubingensis dominates on Iranian pistachio nuts. This species is unable to produce either of these mycotoxins, consequently do not contribute to mycotoxin contamination of pistachio nuts in Iran. Further studies are in progress to clarify the role of other Aspergilli in ochratoxin contamination of pistachio in Iran.

Background/Objectives: Arbuscular mycorrhiza is a symbiosis between plants and glomeromycota fungi. This relationship gives several important benefits to the plants including increasement tolerance against abiotic and biotic stresses. Methods/Statistical Analysis: In this study, the effects of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacterium (PGPR) and chemical chelating factors (EDTA, EDDHA) in the presence of Rhizoctonia solani AG3 were studied on mycorrhizal colonization on potato. To investigate the mycorrhizal colonization percentage, root staining was performed. The existence of hyphae, vesicle and arbuscule estimate as Arbuscular mycorrhiza colonization. Findings: The results revealed that interaction of chelating factor of iron (EDTA and EDDHA) mycorrhizal colonization and bacterial strains had positive effects on root colonization and in consequence leads to increase fresh and dry weight, other growth factors and chlorophyll. Application/Improvements: It is concluded that combinations of chelating agents (EDTA and EDDHA) may increase the growth and resistance to soil borne pathogens.

Tree nuts are widely consumed in both raw and processed forms. Nuts can become contaminated during growth and harvesting of raw materials, storage and transport to the factory, and processing into finished products. The final product may then become (re)contaminated during subsequent storage and transport to shops, and during storage and preparation by the consumer. Pathogenic microorganisms are a major safety concern for the nut industry. It has recently been suggested that the adverse health effects of two classes of mycotoxins, fumonisins, and aflatoxin, have been seriously underestimated, particularly in many developing countries where products that are prone to mycotoxin contamination make up a large portion of the diet. In this article, the main source of contaminants (microbiological, chemical, and physical) and allergies of nuts will be discussed.

Oilseeds and legumes can become contaminated during growth and harvesting of raw materials, storage, and transport to the factory, and processing. The final product may then become recontaminated during subsequent storage and transport to shops, and during storage and preparation by the consumer. Toxigenic microorganisms, pesticide residues, allergic reaction, genetically modified (GM) plants are the major safety concern for the oilseeds and legumes industry. Mycotoxins found primarily in grains, tree nuts, oilseeds, legumes, juices, can also be passed through animals into products such as milk. The adverse health effects of fumonisins and aflatoxin, have been seriously underestimated, particularly in many developing countries where products that are prone to mycotoxin contamination make up for a large portion of the diet. The pesticides found in or on foods are called ‘residues’. In this article, the main source of contaminants (microbiological, chemical), GM plants and allergies of oilseeds and legumes will be discussed.