Seasonal variation in Blueberry scorch virus concentration in highbush blueberry and implications for disease monitoring and management

Seasonal variation in relative Blueberry scorch virus (BlScV) concentration was determined for three infected highbush blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum, cultivars in a commercial field in southwestern British Columbia, Canada. Relative virus concentration per g of infected blueberry flower clusters and leaf terminal tissue varied during the season with significant cultivar-by-time interactions. Flower clusters had the highest BlScV concentration per g of tissue and could be collected in early May for disease surveys. Timing of leaf sample collection for BlScV surveys, transmission studies and virus purification should be based on studies of temporal variation in BlScV concentration for the principal cultivars in a production area.Les variations saisonnières dans la concentration relative du virus de la brunissure nécrotique du bleuet (Blueberry scorch virus; BlScV) ont été déterminées pour trois cultivars infectés du bleuetier géant, Vaccinium corymbosum, dans un champ commercial du sud-ouest de la Colombie-Britannique, Canada. La concentration relative du virus par g de grappes de fleurs et de tissu terminal de feuille infectés a varié au cours de la saison, avec des interactions significatives entre les cultivars et le temps. Les grappes de fleurs avaient la plus haute concentration du virus par g de tissu et pouvaient être cueillies au début de mai pour évaluer la maladie. Le moment choisi pour la collecte des échantillons de feuille pour l’étude du BlScV, les études de transmission et le traitement du virus devrait se fonder sur des études de variation temporelle dans la concentration du BlScV pour les principaux cultivars d’une zone de production

Building governance and energy efficiency: Mapping the interdisciplinary challenge

Improving the energy efficiency of multi-owned properties (MoPs)—commonly known as apartment or condominium buildings—is central to the achievement of European energy targets. However, little work to date has focused on how to facilitate retrofit in this context. Drawing on interdisciplinary Social Sciences and Humanities expertise in academia, policy and practice, this chapter posits that decision-making processes within MoPs might provide a key to the retrofit challenge. Existing theories or models of decision-making, applied in the MoP context, might help to explain how collective retrofit decisions are taken—or overlooked. Insights from case studies and practitioners are also key. Theories of change might then be employed to develop strategies to facilitate positive retrofit decisions. The chapter maps the issues and sets an agenda for further interdisciplinary research in this novel area

Resource Recovery from Waste: Restoring the Balance between Resource Scarcity and Waste Overload

Current societal patterns of production and consumption drive a twin environmental crisis of resource scarcity and waste overload. Positioning waste and resource management in the context of ecosystem stewardship, this article relates increasing resource demand and waste production to the violation of planetary boundaries and human rights. We argue that a transition towards a circular economy (CE) that contributes to a resilient environment and human well-being is necessary to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The transition requires scientific and technological progress, including the development of low-energy biogeochemical technologies for resource recovery, and multi-dimensional value assessment tools integrating environmental, social, and economic factors. While the urgency to adopt a CE is well-recognised, progress has been slow. Coordinated change is required from multiple actors across society. Academia can contribute through participatory action research. This article concludes with the participation strategy of the Resource Recovery from Waste programme, aiming for changes in mentality, industry practices, and policies and regulations in the waste and resource management landscape in the UK