What can you read in the new issue of the magazine "Plant Protection"

See which topics are current in this issue.

In the August issue of the journal „Plant Protection” we present the Dobrudzha Agricultural Institute near the town of General Toshevo. The Institute is a structure-defining unit within the system of the Agricultural Academy. As a leader in Bulgarian agricultural science, it continues to demonstrate its strong commitment and responsibility to the cause of national breeding – the successful development of crop production under conditions of high competition resulting from a large-scale cross-border invasion. In a conversation with Assoc. Prof. Eng. Ilia Iliev – Director of the Institute – the Editor-in-Chief of the journal „Plant Protection” Vesela Shishkova acquaints readers with the history and activities of the agricultural institution. From the interview you will also learn which cereal crop varieties will be offered to agricultural producers for the 2019 autumn sowing campaign, what the advantages are of the varieties created and grown at the Institute, why the regularly held „Open Day” is an important event both for guests and for hosts, and what the forecasts are for spring crops.

Over the last decade, climate change has been a key issue, which DAI is also addressing by creating new varieties characterized by tolerance to various types of abiotic stress, introducing new alternative crops and applying the principles of sustainable agriculture. Another major challenge for breeding in Dobrudzha is the growing land deficit and the preservation of soil fertility. The Agricultural Institute is coping excellently with these tasks by preparing a portfolio of varieties with high productivity and adaptive potential and, at the same time, developing varietal agrotechnology that guarantees environmental safety and product purity.

It is an indisputable fact that the Dobrudzha Agricultural Institute is the only

breeding centre for sunflower in Bulgaria. In this issue you can read about all the varieties and hybrids created at the Institute during its long history as a leading breeding institution. Sunflower is a major economic crop, ranking second in terms of production in our country. Unfortunately, the area and yields of sunflower are determined by a number of abiotic and biotic factors, some of which are fungal diseases. Sunflower is a high-risk crop in terms of yield loss from diseases. In this issue we focus in detail on the fungal pathogens that seriously damage the yield and quality of the final produce. Fungal pathogens also play a significant role in leaf spotting in cereal crops during the stem elongation–heading period. What is the difference between physiological leaf spots and those caused by fungal pathogens, why low efficacy of applied fungicides is observed and what the correct plant protection is, you will learn from Prof. Dr. Ivan Kiryakov from DAI.

Breeding is a complex process, accompanied by numerous difficulties, requiring a great deal of time, effort and energy. That is why the team of DAI has also been successfully developing, over the past 60 years, the creation of modern hexaploid triticale varieties.

Pleasant reading!

Here is what else we will present to you in this issue:

Topic

WE PRESENT

*** – Dobrudzha Agricultural Institute near the town of General Toshevo

V. Shishkova – Bulgarian breeding has creative potential, ideas and motivation to demonstrate its own individuality, to create recognizable and competitive products

G. Mihova – The choice of variety – a key factor for effective grain production

G. Mihova  – Challenges in barley breeding

G. Georgiev – Our new generation of sunflower hybrids is a highly intensive tool for yield management

H. Stoyanov, V. Baychev – Triticale varieties – a unique product with diverse applications

V. Encheva  – Sunflower – a high-risk crop in relation to diseases

I. Airborne fungal pathogens are a serious threat

II. Climate change increases the aggressiveness of soil pathogens

I. Kiryakov – Physiological leaf spots on cereal crops

Pests

E. Tsolova et al.  – Control of Drosophila suzukii in organic raspberry production

Quarantine

New pests on walnut

B. Katinova – Garella musculana

I. Ivanova – Cankers on walnut

B. Katinova – Walnut bark beetle

Traffic light

*** – Agropal recommends: Scheme for protection from diseases and pests in leafy and head vegetables, carrots and onions

School for specialists

Prof. Stefan Gorbanov – Nutrition in grapevine

Prof. Mariana Nakova – Non-infectious diseases of grapevine

The journal „Plant Protection Seeds and Fertilizers“ has no involvement with the information presented in the published advertisements and PR materials. Responsibility for their content lies entirely with the advertisers. The authors of the publications bear responsibility for the information contained in the authorial materials.