• Refine Query
  • Source
  • Publication year
  • to
  • Language
  • 60
  • 27
  • 10
  • 9
  • 6
  • 2
  • 2
  • 2
  • 2
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • Tagged with
  • 146
  • 35
  • 21
  • 21
  • 21
  • 20
  • 19
  • 18
  • 16
  • 15
  • 14
  • 14
  • 13
  • 13
  • 13
  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
121

Speciální aplikace VoIP / Special application of VoIP

Lembard, Tomáš January 2011 (has links)
The aim of this master's thesis is suggestion and following realization of voice transmission over the local network equipment and a description of used circuits and solutions in terms of hardware and software. This thesis deals with digitization of low-frequency signals, the structure of IP and UDP protocols, implementation of TCP/IP stack cIPS
122

An Invitation to Generalized Minkowski Geometry

Jahn, Thomas 11 March 2019 (has links)
The present thesis contributes to the theory of generalized Minkowski spaces as a continuation of Minkowski geometry, i.e., the geometry of finite-dimensional normed spaces over the field of real numbers. In a generalized Minkowski space, distance and length measurement is provided by a gauge, whose definition mimics the definition of a norm but lacks the symmetry requirement. This seemingly minor change in the definition is deliberately chosen. On the one hand, many techniques from Minkowski spaces can be adapted to generalized Minkowski spaces because several phenomena in Minkowski geometry simply do not depend on the symmetry of distance measurement. On the other hand, the possible asymmetry of the distance measurement set up by gauges is nonetheless meaningful and interesting for applications, e.g., in location science. In this spirit, the presentation of this thesis is led mainly by minimization problems from convex optimization and location science which are appealing to convex geometers, too. In addition, we study metrically defined objects, which may receive a new interpretation when we measure distances asymmetrically. To this end, we use a combination of methods from convex analysis and convex geometry to relate the properties of these objects to the shape of the unit ball of the generalized Minkowski space under consideration.
123

Building and Evaluating a 3D Scanning System for Measurementsand Estimation of Antennas and Propagation Channels

Aagaard Fransson, Erik Johannes, Wall-Horgen, Tobias January 2012 (has links)
Wireless communications rely, among other things, on theunderstanding of the properties of the radio propagationchannel, the antennas and their interplay. Adequate measurementsare required to verify theoretical models and togain knowledge of the channel behavior and antenna performance.As a result of this master thesis we built a 3D fieldscanner measurement system to predict multipath propagationand to measure antenna characteristics. The 3Dscanner allows measuring a signal at the point of interestalong a line, on a surface or within a volume in space. In orderto evaluate the system, we have performed narrowbandchannel sounding measurements of the spatial distributionof waves impinging at an imaginary spherical sector. Datawas used to estimate the Angle-of-Arrivals (AoA) and amplitudeof the waves. An estimation method is presented tosolve the resulting inverse problem by means of regularizationwith truncated singular value decomposition. The regularizedsolution was then further improved with the helpof a successive interference cancellation algorithm. Beforeapplying the method to measurement data, it was testedon synthetic data to evaluate its performance as a functionof the noise level and the number of impinging waves. Inorder to minimize estimation errors it was also required tofind the phase center of the horn antenna used in the channelmeasurements. The task was accomplished by directmeasurements and by the regularization method, both resultsbeing in good agreement.
124

Kalkylanalys av vägprojekt : En analys av vägprojekt i Østfold i Norge, samt en jämförelse av norska och svenska metoder för kostnadberäkning av vägprojekt / Calculation analysis of road projects : An analysis of road projects in Østfold in Norway, and a comparison of the Norwegian and Swedish methods for costing of road projects

Vister, Martin January 2014 (has links)
Denna tekniska rapport är gjort med två huvudmål. Det ena är att försöka lyfta fram vilka skillnader och likheter som finns mellan hur Statens vegvesen i Norge och Trafikverket i Sverige genomför kostnadsberäkning för sina vägprojekt. Det andra huvudmålet är att försöka analysera ett antal utvalda vägprojekt i Norge för att kunna göra konklusioner på hur bra kostnadsberäkningarna stämmer med verkliga kostnader. Det presenteras en beskrivande del för att ge läsaren en teoretisk bakgrund för att förstå metoden respektive organ använder för sina kalkyler. Ut ifrån detta blir skillnader och likheter diskuterat. En analyserande del tar läsaren genom den analys som är gjort för att göra slutsatser om hur de verkliga kostnaderna ser ut jämfört med de på förhand kalkylerade kostnaderna. Alla slutsatser presenteras avslutningsvis tillsammans med vidare rekommendationer. / This technical report is done with two main goals. The first is to try to highlight the differences and similarities between the methods for costing that Statens vegvesen in Norway and Trafikverket in Sweden use for their road projects. The second goal is to try to analyze a number of selected road projects in Norway in order to make conclusions about how well the calculated costs are compared to the actual costs. The report contains a describing section in purpose to give the reader a theoretical background for understanding the methods for costing. From this theoretical part the differences and similarities are discussed. An analytical part takes the reader trough the analyze that is done of the Norwegian projects in order to make conclusions about how well the real costs are compared to the pre-calculated costs. All of the findings and conclusions are presented in the end of the report together with further recommendations.
125

Towards molecular weight-dependent uses of kraft lignin

Tagami, Ayumu January 2018 (has links)
There is growing demand for a more efficient use of polymers that originate from renewable feedstocks due to the depleting supply of fossil fuels, based on economic and environmental reasons. As a result, lignin has attracted renewed interest as a resource for various bioproducts. Lignin is a natural biopolymer with a high carbon content and is composed of aromatic moieties, with a high level of polar functionalities. This makes it a unique precursor for certain high-value applications, such as in biofuels, bioplastics, composite materials, carbon fibers and activated carbons and as a source of phenolic monomers and fine chemicals. Industrial lignins are formed as byproducts of pulping processes (such as kraft, sulfite or alkaline pulping) or result from the biorefining process, where carbohydrates are used for sugar production. Lignin’s intrinsic structure is significantly modified during the processing of lignocellulose, resulting in the formation of more diverse, condensed and less reactive raw materials. Since molecular mass and polydispersity are the most important parameters affecting the chemical reactivity and thermal properties of lignin, additional process steps to improve the quality of crude technical lignins, including kraft lignin, are needed. Solvent extraction is a potentially useful technique for further improving the polydispersity of technical lignins. This work summarizes the impact of solvent fractionation on the chemical structure, antioxidant activity, heating value, and thermal and sorption properties of industrial hardwood and softwood kraft lignins. The purpose was to understand the correlation between certain structural features in the lignin fractions and their properties to select the appropriate solvent combinations for specific applications of lignin raw materials. Four common industrial solvents, namely, ethyl acetate, ethanol, methanol and acetone, in various combinations were used to separate both spruce and eucalyptus kraft lignins into fractions with lower polydispersities. Gel-permeation chromatography analysis was used to evaluate the efficiency of the chosen solvent combination for lignin fractionation. The composition and structure of the lignin material were characterized by elemental analysis, analytical pyrolysis (Py-GC/MS/FID) and 31P NMR spectroscopy. The thermal properties of the lignin samples were studied by thermogravimetric analysis. Proximate analysis data (ash, volatile components, organic matter and fixed carbon) were obtained through the direct measurement of weight changes during the analysis, while the high heating values (in MJ/kg) were calculated according to equations suggested in the literature. The sorption properties of fractionated kraft lignins were studied with respect to methylene blue dye. Additionally, lignin fractions with different molecular weights (and therefore various chemical structures) that were isolated from both softwood and hardwood kraft lignins were incorporated into a tunicate cellulose nanofiber (CNF)-starch mixture to prepare 100% bio-based composite films. The aim was to investigate the correlation between lignin diversity and film performance. The transmittance, density and thermal properties of the films were investigated, as were their mechanical properties, including the tensile stress and Young’s modulus. This part of the study addressed the importance of lignin diversity on composite film performance, which could be helpful for tailoring lignin applications in bio-based composite materials based on the material’s specific requirements.
126

Linearization-Based Strategies for Optimal Scheduling of a Hydroelectric Power Plant Under Uncertainty / Linearization-Based Scheduling of Hydropower Systems

Tikk, Alexander January 2019 (has links)
This thesis examines the optimal scheduling of a hydroelectric power plant with cascaded reservoirs each with multiple generating units under uncertainty after testing three linearization methods. These linearization methods are Successive Linear Programming, Piecewise Linear Approximations, and a Hybrid of the two together. There are two goals of this work. The first goal of this work aims to replace the nonconvex mixed-integer nonlinear program (MINLP) with a computationally efficient linearized mixed-integer linear program (MILP) that will be capable of finding a high quality solution, preferably the global optimum. The second goal is to implement a stochastic approach on the linearized method in a pseudo-rolling horizon method which keeps the ending time step fixed. Overall, the Hybrid method proved to be a viable replacement and performs well in the pseudo-rolling horizon tests. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)
127

Energy-efficient transmission strategies for multiantenna systems

Nguyen, K.-G. (Kien-Giang) 03 June 2019 (has links)
Abstract The rapid evolution of wireless networks to meet the requirements of explosive data traffic demand is escalating energy consumption beyond sustainable limits. Consequently, energy efficiency (EE) has emerged as a key performance indicator for future wireless networks to address the increasing concern over greenhouse gas emissions and sustainable economic growth. This thesis studies energy-efficient transmission strategies for multiantenna wireless systems. The aim is to develop linear beamforming techniques maximizing the bit-per-Joule EE metric, focusing on three appealing scenarios: a coordinated multicell system; a fronthaul-constrained cloud radio access network (C-RAN); and a multi-pair wireless-powered relaying system. The primary emphasis is on suboptimal but efficient optimization approaches which are attractive for practical implementation. The problem of achieving EE fairness in a multicell multiple-input single-output downlink system is studied first. Specifically, coordinated beamforming is designed to maximize the minimum EE among all base stations. Novel efficient iterative optimization methods solving the design problem in both centralized and decentralized fashions are proposed. In a downlink C-RAN with finite-capacity fronthaul links, the network-wide EE performance is explored via a joint design of beamforming and remote radio head-user association. A relatively realistic power consumption model including rate-dependent circuit power and nonlinear power amplifiers' (PA) efficiency is also considered. To gain an insight into the optimal performance of the design problem, an algorithm achieving globally optimal solutions is devised. Towards practical implementation, two efficient iterative suboptimal methods are proposed aiming at yielding near-optimal performance. Finally, a multi-pair amplify-forward relaying network is considered, in which energy-constrained relays adopting time-switching protocol harvest energy from the radio frequency signals transmitted by users. To maintain EE fairness among all user pairs, joint optimization of system parameters, such as users' transmit power, relay beamforming, and energy harvesting (EH) time, is studied. Impacts of rate-dependent circuit power, nonlinear PAs' efficiency and nonlinear EH circuits on the achievable performance are also addressed. / Tiivistelmä Langattomat verkot ovat kehittyneet nopeasti räjähdysmäisesti kasvavan dataliikenteen mahdollistamiseksi, minkä seurauksena energiankulutus on kasvanut kestävän kehityksen rajat ylittävällä tavalla. Siksi energiatehokkuudesta (EE, energy efficiency) on tullut uusien langattomien verkkojen keskeinen suunnittelukriteeri vastauksena kasvavaan huoleen kasvihuonepäästöistä ja kestävästä talouskasvusta. Väitöskirjassa tutkitaan moniantennisten langattomien järjestelmien energiatehokkaita tiedonsiirtostrategioita. Tavoitteena on kehittää lineaarisia keilanmuodostustekniikoita, jotka maksimoivat energiatehokkuuden mitattuna bitteinä joulea kohden, keskittymällä kolmeen kiinnostavaan vaihtoehtoon, joita ovat koordinoitu monisolujärjestelmän lähetys laskevalla siirtotiellä, pilvipohjainen radioliityntäverkko (C-RAN, cloud radio access network), jossa laskentayksikön ja varsinaisen radiolähettimen välinen yhteys (fronthaul) on rahoitettu, ja usean parin relejärjestelmiin, joissa releet toimivat paristoilla. Työn pääpaino on alioptimaalisissa, mutta käytännöllisesti tehokkaissa optimointimenetelmissä. Pääpaino on alioptimaalisissa mutta tehokkaissa optimointitavoissa, jotka ovat kiinnostavia käytännön toteutuksen näkökulmasta. Ensiksi tarkastellaan tasapuolisen energiatehokkuuden saavuttamista monisoluisessa laskevan siirtotien moni-tulo yksi-lähtö (MISO, multiple-input single-output) -järjestelmässä. Koordinoitu keilanmuodostus on suunniteltu erityisesti maksimoimaan energiatehokkuuden minimitaso kaikilla tukiasemilla. Tarkemmin sanottuna pyritään maksimoimaan huonoin energiatehokkuus solmujen välillä, kun käytetään yhteistoiminnallista keilanmuodostusta. Muodostetun ongelman ratkaisemiseksi ehdotetaan edistyksellisiä iteratiivisia menetelmiä käyttämällä sekä keskitettyjä että hajautettuja ratkaisuja. Laskevan siirtosuunnan fronthaul-rajoitetussa C-RAN-järjestelmässä selvitetään verkonlaajuista energiatehokkuutta keilanmuodostuksen ja palvelevan tukiaseman yhteisoptimoinnilla. Tässä käytetään verrattain realistista tehonkulutusmallia, joka sisältää datanopeudesta riippuvan prosessointitehon ja epälineaarisen tehovahvistimen (PA, power amplifier) hyötysuhteen. Jotta saadaan käsitys ongelman optimaalisesta suorituskyvystä, siihen kehitetään globaalisti optimaalinen menetelmä. Lisäksi ehdotetaan kaksi käytännöllisempää iteratiivista menetelmää, jotka saavuttavat lähes optimaalisen suorituskyvyn. Lopuksi keskitytään monen parin vahvista-ja-välitä eteenpäin (AF. amplify and forward) verkkoon, jossa aikajakokytkentää käyttävät energiarajoitetut toistimet keräävät energiaa käyttäjien lähettämistä radiosignaaleista. Jotta saavutetaan EE:n oikeudenmukaisuus kaikkien parien välillä, parametrit, kuten käyttäjien lähetysteho, toistimen keilanmuodostus, ja energiankeräysaika suunnitellaan yhdessä. Tässä tutkitaan nopeusriippuvaisen piirin tehon, epälineaarisen tehovahvistimen hyötysuhteen ja epälineaaristen energiankeräyspiirien tehon vaikutusta suorituskykyyn.
128

Ultra narrow band based IoT networks / Réseaux IoT à bande ultra étroite

Mo, Yuqi 26 September 2018 (has links)
La compagnie Sigfox est reconnue comme un acteur prometteur pour des transmissions de longue-distance et faible consommation, dans le contexte de l'IoT. La modulation à bande ultra étroite (Ultra Narrow Band (UNB)), la technologie de communication choisie par Sigfox, permet de transmettre des informations dans des bandes de signal très étroites (typiquement 100 Hz). A cause de l'imprécision fréquentielle causée par les oscillateurs générateurs de fréquence, il n'est pas réaliste de transmettre des signaux UNB dans des canaux parfaitement orthogonaux. L'accès naturel au canal radio pour le système de UNB est de type ALOHA, avec un aspect aléatoire à la fois en en temps et en fréquence. Cet accès aléatoire peut introduire des collisions qui dégradent la performance du réseau. Le but de cette thèse est de caractériser la capacité des réseaux basés sur UNB, ainsi que d’améliorer la performance en considérant l'aspect aléatoire en temps et en fréquence. La première contribution de cette thèse, est une évaluation de la capacité en théorie et en simulation pour une seule station de base (BS), sous des conditions de canal idéaliste ou réaliste. En conditions idéalistes, nous avons exprimé la capacité pour le cas de l'ALOHA généralisé, et l'avons étendu aux cas de réplications. Pour les conditions réalistes, nous avons pris en compte l'interférence spectrale d'UNB et le path loss (sans et avec Rayleigh fading) afin de caractériser la performance des réseaux UNB, avec l'outil géométrie stochastique. La deuxième contribution est d'appliquer l’annulation successive d'interférence (SIC), qui nous permet d'atténuer les interférences, dans des réseaux de UNB. Nous avons fourni une analyse théorique de la performance des réseaux en considérant le SIC et l'interférence spectrale de UNB, pour le cas de mono-BS. La troisième contribution est l'amélioration de la performance des réseaux UNB, en exploitant la diversité de multi-BS. Nous avons fait une analyse théorique de performance en considérant multi-BS et selection combining (SC). En particulier, nous avons considéré que l’interférence vue par chaque BS est corrélée. Nous avons ainsi démontré mathématiquement que cette corrélation ne peut pas être supprimée dans des systèmes UNB. Ensuite, nous avons appliqué les technologies de la combinaison des signaux plus complexes comme MRC (max ratio combining) et EGC (equal gain combining), ainsi que le SIC à travers multi-BS. Nous avons évalué l'amélioration de performance que chaque technologie apporte, et les avons comparées. Nous avons souligné l'efficacité de ces technologies qui nous permettent d’obtenir des gains importants comparés au cas mono-BS (e.x. 125 fois plus de réduction d'erreur avec SIC globale). La dernière contribution est une validation expérimentale du modèle d'interférence spectrale de UNB, ainsi que la capacité des réseaux UNB, sur un testbed de radio FIT/Cortexlab. / Sigfox rises as a promising candidate dedicated for long-distance and low-power transmissions in the IoT backgrounds. Ultra Narrow Band (UNB), being the communication technology chosen by Sigfox, allows to transmit information through signals whose bandwidth is very limited, typically 100 Hz. Due to the imprecision restraint on electronic devices, it is impossible to transmit UNB signals in orthogonal channels. The natural radio access for this kind of system is thus random ALOHA, in both time and frequency domain. This random access can induce collisions which degrades the networks performance. The aim of this thesis is to characterize the capacity of UNB based networks, as well as to enhance its performance, by considering the randomness in time and frequency. The first contribution of the thesis, is the theoretical and numerical capacity evaluation under idealized and realistic channel conditions, for mono base station (BS) case. Under idealized conditions, we have quantified this capacity for generalized ALOHA case and extended for replications. We highlight the time-frequency duality in UNB systems, and that there exists an optimum replication number for a given network parameter set. Under realistic conditions, we have taken into account the specific spectral interference of UNB systems and propagation path loss (without and with Rayleigh fading) to characterize the performance, with the aid of stochastic geometry. The second contribution is the enhancement of UNB network performance in single BS case. We propose to use successive interference cancellation (SIC) in UNB networks, which allows to mitigate the interference. We have provided a theoretical analysis by considering both SIC and the spectral interference, for mono-BS case. We bring to light the efficiency of SIC in enhancing UNB system performance. The third contribution is the improvement of UNB systems, by exploiting the multiple BS diversity. An analytical performance evaluation considering the simplest selection combining is conducted. In particular, we consider the interference viewed by all the BSs are correlated. Then we apply more complex signal combining technologies such as MRC (max ratio combining) and EGC (equal gain combining), and even interference cancellation across multi-BS in UNB networks. We evaluate the performance improvement that each technology can bring, and compare them with each other. We highlight the efficiency of these multi-BS technologies which allow us to achieve significant performance enhancement compared to mono-BS (e.x. 125 times better performance with global SIC). Last but not least, we experimentally verify the the spectral interference model and network capacity on a cognitive radio testbed.
129

Viabilidade agroeconômica da alface (Lactuca sativa L.) / fertilizada com feijão mungo (Vigna radiata L.) e esterco bovino.

NEVES, Ana Paula Morais. 27 May 2018 (has links)
Submitted by Johnny Rodrigues (johnnyrodrigues@ufcg.edu.br) on 2018-05-27T13:22:22Z No. of bitstreams: 1 ANA PAULA MORAIS NEVES - DISSERTAÇÃO PPGSA PROFISSIONAL 2017..pdf: 735461 bytes, checksum: c320ee1307d508a5d5811325882d133c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-05-27T13:22:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ANA PAULA MORAIS NEVES - DISSERTAÇÃO PPGSA PROFISSIONAL 2017..pdf: 735461 bytes, checksum: c320ee1307d508a5d5811325882d133c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-11-29 / Uso de leguminosas como adubo verde é uma prática bastante consolidada, pelo fato de estar adicionando ao solo material vegetal rico em nitrogênio. O experimento foi conduzido na Fazenda Experimental Rafael Fernandes, no distrito de Alagoinha, zona rural de Mossoró-RN no período de agosto de 2015 a janeiro de 2016, com o objetivo de avaliar a Presença e ausência do feijão mungo sob doses de esterco bovino na viabilidade agroeconômica da alface. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi de blocos completos casualizados com os tratamentos arranjados em esquema fatorial 4 x 2, com quatro repetições. O primeiro fator foi constituído das doses de esterco bovino (1,0; 2,0; 3,0; 4,0 kg m-2 de canteiro) e o segundo fator foi constituído pela presença e ausência do adubo verde (feijão mungo). A cultivar da alface utilizada foi a “Regina”. Foram avaliadas as seguintes características: altura de planta, número de folhas planta-1, diâmetro da cabeça, produção de alface e massa seca de alface. Foram determinados alguns indicadores econômicos tais como: custo de produção, renda bruta, renda líquida, taxa de retorno e índice de lucratividade dos dois cultivos. Não houve interação entre os fatores-tratamentos para as características de produção, com produção de alface de 87,8 kg/100 m2. Houve diferença estatística no fator presença e ausência do feijão mungo com valores médios de 81,4 e 67 kg/100 m2 de alface, respectivamente. A maior eficiência econômica no cultivo da alface se deu na presença do feijão mungo na quantidade de 3,0 kg m-2, com renda bruta de 3343,75, renda líquida de 1582,40, taxa de retorno de 1,90 e índice de lucratividade de 43,42%. A utilização de feijão mungo no cultivo da alface constitui-se em uma opção viável para ser utilizado pelo agricultor. / The use of legumes as green manure is a well-established practice, because it is adding nitrogen-rich plant material to the soil. The experiment was conducted at the Fazenda Experimental Rafael Fernandes, in the district of Alagoinha, rural area of Mossoró-RN, from August 2015 to January 2016, with the objective of evaluating the Presence and absence of mung bean under doses of bovine manure in the agroeconomic viability of lettuce. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with treatments arranged in a 4 x 2 factorial scheme, with four replications. The first factor consisted of bovine manure (1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 kg m-2 of bed) and the second factor was the presence and absence of green mango (mung bean). The lettuce cultivar used was the "Regina". The following characteristics were evaluated: plant height, number of plant-1 leaves, head diameter, lettuce production and lettuce dry mass. Some economic indicators were determined such as: production cost, gross income, net income, rate of return and profitability index of the two crops. There was no interaction between the treatment factors for the production characteristics, with lettuce production of 87.8 kg / 100 m2. There was a statistical difference in the presence and absence of mung beans, with mean values of 81.4 and 67 kg / 100 m2 of lettuce, respectively. The highest economic efficiency in lettuce cultivation occurred in the presence of mung beans in the amount of 3.0 kg m-2, with gross income of 3343.75, net income of 1582.40, rate of return of 1.90 and index of profitability of 43.42%. The use of mung beans in lettuce cultivation is a viable option for the farmer to use.
130

Microbial factors associated with the natural suppression of take-all wheat in New Zealand

Chng, Soon Fang January 2009 (has links)
Take-all, caused by the soilborne fungus, Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici (Ggt), is an important root disease of wheat that can be reduced by take-all decline (TAD) in successive wheat crops, due to general and/or specific suppression. A study of 112 New Zealand wheat soils in 2003 had shown that Ggt DNA concentrations (analysed using real-time PCR) increased with successive years of wheat crops (1-3 y) and generally reflected take-all severity in subsequent crops. However, some wheat soils with high Ggt DNA concentrations had low take-all, suggesting presence of TAD. This study investigated 26 such soils for presence of TAD and possible suppressive mechanisms, and characterised the microorganisms from wheat roots and rhizosphere using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). A preliminary pot trial of 29 soils (including three from ryegrass fields) amended with 12.5% w/w Ggt inoculum, screened their suppressiveness against take-all in a growth chamber. Results indicated that the inoculum level was too high to detect the differences between soils and that the environmental conditions used were unsuitable. Comparison between the Ggt DNA concentrations of the same soils collected in 2003 and in 2004 (collected for the pot trial), showed that most soils cropped with 2, 3 and 4 y of successive wheat had reduced Ggt DNA concentrations (by 195-2911 pg g-1 soil), and their disease incidences revealed 11 of the 29 test soils with potential take-all suppressiveness. Further pot trials improved the protocols, such that they were able to differentiate the magnitudes of suppressiveness among the soils. The first of the subsequent trials, using 4% w/w Ggt inoculum level, controlled conditions at 16°C, 80% RH with alternate 12 h light/dark conditions, and watering the plants twice weekly to field capacity (FC), screened 13 soils for their suppressiveness against take-all. The 13 soils consisted of 11 from the preliminary trial, one wheat soil that had been cropped with 9 y of wheat (considered likely to be suppressive), and a conducive ryegrass soil. The results revealed that 10 of these soils were suppressive to take-all. However, in only four of them were the effects related to high levels of microbial/biological involvement in the suppression, which were assessed in an experiment that first sterilised the soils. In a repeat trial using five of the soils H1, H3, M2, P7 (previously cropped with 3, 3, 4 and 9 y successive wheat, respectively) and H15 (previously cropped with 5 y of ryegrass), three of them (H1, H3 and M2) had reduced Ggt DNA concentrations (>1000 pg g-1 soil reductions), and were confirmed to be suppressive to take-all. A pot trial, in which 1% of each soil was transferred into a γ-irradiated base soil amended with 0.1% Ggt inoculum, indicated that soils H1 and H3 (3 y wheat) were specific in their suppressiveness, and M2 (4 y wheat) was general in its suppressiveness. The microbial communities within the rhizosphere and roots of plants grown in the soils, which demonstrated conduciveness, specific or general suppressiveness to take-all, were characterised using PCR-DGGE, and identities of the distinguishing microorganisms (which differentiated the soils) identified by sequence analysis. Results showed similar clusters of microorganisms associated with conducive and suppressive soils, both for specific and general suppression. Further excision, re-amplification, cloning and sequencing of the distinguishing bands showed that some actinomycetes (Streptomyces bingchengensis, Terrabacter sp. and Nocardioides sp.), ascomycetes (Fusarium lateritium and Microdochium bolleyi) and an unidentified fungus, were associated with the suppressive soils (specific and general). Others, such as the proteobacteria (Pseudomonas putida and P. fluorescens), an actinomycete (Nocardioides oleivorans), ascomycete (Gibberella zeae), and basidiomycete (Penicillium allii), were unique in the specific suppressiveness. This indicated commonality of some microorganisms in the take-all suppressive soils, with a selected distinguishing group responsible for specific suppressiveness. General suppressiveness was considered to be due to no specific microorganisms, as seen in soil M2. An attempt to induce TAD by growing successive wheat crops in pots of Ggt-infested soils was unsuccessful with no TAD effects shown, possibly due to variable Ggt DNA concentrations in the soils and addition of nutrients during the experiment. Increasing numbers of Pseudomonas fluorescens CFU in the rhizosphere of plants, during successive wheat crops was independent of the Ggt DNA concentrations and disease incidence, suggesting that increases in P. fluorescens numbers were associated with wheat monoculture. This study has demonstrated that TAD in New Zealand was due to both specific and general suppressiveness, and has identified the distinguishing microorganisms associated with the suppression. Since most of these distinguishing microorganisms are known to show antagonistic activities against Ggt or other soilborne pathogens, they are likely to act as antagonists of Ggt in the field. Future work should focus on validating their effects either individually, or interactively, on Ggt in plate and pot assays and under field conditions.

Page generated in 0.078 seconds