Svein Øivind Solberg

• Quisth, Ida; Ulfsparre, Isabella; Müller, Bettina; Passoth, Volkmar; Solberg, Svein Øivind & Martín, Carlos [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2025). Spent Mushroom Substrate (SMS) as a Sustainable Soil Amendment and Biofertilizer: A Review of Opportunities and Challenges in Agricultural and Horticultural Systems. Agricultural and Food Science. ISSN 1459-6067. 34(4), p. 323–338. doi: 10.23986/afsci.163895. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Spent mushroom substrate (SMS), a byproduct of mushroom cultivation, has gained increasing attention as a sustainable soil amendment in agricultural and horticultural systems. SMS provides a promising alternative to peat-based substrates and synthetic fertilizers, supporting circular bioeconomy principles and sustainable farming practices. This is particularly relevant in boreal regions, where soils are typically acidic, nutrient-poor, and subject to short growing season conditions, presenting both opportunities and challenges for organic inputs. This review synthesizes current research on the agronomic and environmental implications of SMS use in agriculture and horticulture, including its effects on seed germination, plant growth, crop yield, root development, soil structure, and disease suppression. From an environmental perspective, the use of SMS contributes to waste reduction by repurposing organic residues and replacing peat, a non-renewable resource with significant ecological costs. However, several hurdles remain, including high salinity, inconsistent composition, nutrient imbalances, and complex compounds difficult for plants to access, which can impede plant performance. While prior studies have explored SMS in isolated settings, a comprehensive evaluation across systems is lacking. This review addresses that gap by assessing current evidence, identifying limitations, and outlining future research needs to optimize the use of SMS and scale its adoption in sustainable farming.

• Reid, Gregor; Allen-Vercoe, Emma; Al, Kait; Burton, Jeremy P.; Daisley, Brendan & Dixon, Brian [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (2025). Beneficial microbes for One Health in Canada: a review of evidence and a policy proposal. FACETS. 10, p. 1–32. doi: 10.1139/facets-2024-0182. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The recognition that microbes are the life support system of the biosphere and play a major role in the health of all life forms provides us with a unique opportunity to channel resources into utilizing them for our benefit. This policy document was prepared by assessing the scientific rationale and evidence for the application of beneficial microbes to One Health. Ten recommendations are made including the establishment of a new national program that creates strategies, provides funding, and partners with industries and end-users to make Canada a self-directed global leader in this transformative field. Issues covered include biotics, fecal microbiota transplant, fundamental and applied research, regulatory, the education system, and applications to pollinators, aquaculture, coral, biofertilizers, livestock, companion animals, horses, and sustainability of agriculture and environmental management. It is hoped that this document will provide politicians, bureaucrats, academics, and representatives of the end users of beneficial microbial products the incentive to appoint an expert panel to develop the means to implement a program of this type. At a time when climate change, biodiversity, long-term health, integration of cultures, and access to home resourced nutritious food are high on government agendas, the proposed program offers a novel means to positively influence residents across the country.

• Solberg, Sina B & Solberg, Svein Øivind (2025). Spent coffee grounds as a sustainable coffee flavouring ingredient in muffins. Exploration of Foods and Foodomics. 3. doi: 10.37349/eff.2025.101066. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Aim: United Nations calls for actions to meet future challenges, and industries and governments need to look for new solutions. Coffee is one of the largest industries in the world, and spent coffee grounds (SCG) represents 50% of its waste. Sustainable ways to manage this waste are of interest. Research has shown that SCG is rich in dietary fibres and antioxidants, and we liked to examine if SCG could be used in flavouring muffins. The objectives were to investigate the viability of processing SCG through a comparison of different drying methods, to evaluate how SCG influences properties of baked goods and to investigate consumer acceptance of muffins with SCG. Methods: Three methods for drying SCG were used: oven drying, freeze drying, and vacuum drying. Muffins were baked with 10% milled and sieved SCG related to flour weight, and a control with 2.5% espresso powder. C-cell-, texture- and moisture analyses were conducted along with a sensory analysis. Results: The laboratory measurements showed that SCG powders were comparable to the control regarding textural parameters, except for the slice area parameter. The sensory analysis showed no clear difference in bitterness but a difference in graininess and coffee flavour. The least grainy was the control which also had the strongest coffee flavour. The vacuum dried was the grainiest and the freeze dried had the least coffee flavour. Ranking data showed the control in top and the vacuum dried bottom. Conclusions: SCG has the potential as flavouring coffee muffins but a finetuning in the processing and recipe development is needed to retrieve more coffee flavour without increasing bitterness or graininess.

• Cottis, Thomas; Mousavi, Hesam & Solberg, Svein Øivind (2025). Plasma treated cattle slurry with modest fertilizer effect on grass. European Journal of Agronomy. ISSN 1161-0301. 168. doi: 10.1016/j.eja.2025.127649. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Abstract Plasma-based nitrogen (N) enrichment of organic fertilizers is a process that utilizes plasma technology and electricity to infuse liquid biobased fertilizers with atmospheric N, doubling plant-available N content. The final product is labeled as Nitrogen-Enriched Organic Fertilizer (NEO). This study investigates and compares the applicability of NEO against conventional fertilizers in grass production during 2020–2023 across two regions in Norway. Regarding different fertilizers' N efficacy, in the trials featuring only grasses, applying 210 kg N ha−1 in NEO yielded dry matter (DM) and N yield comparable to those achieved with 149 and 154 kg N ha−1 in mineral fertilizer, respectively. Besides, the untreated cattle slurry and mineral fertilizer combination containing 210 kg N ha−1 resulted in a DM and N yield equivalent to 178 and 180 kg N ha−1 in mineral fertilizer. In the grass-clover mixture trials, NEO and mineral fertilizers reduced the clover proportion, significantly influencing the overall yield. Merging the results from all trials (2021–2022), it was found that given identical N-min content, standalone mineral fertilizer, and the untreated slurry and mineral fertilizer combination resulted in ∼19 % and ∼28 %, and ∼14 % and ∼13.5 % higher DM and N yields than NEO, respectively. Further, NEO provided ∼9 % and ∼25 % higher DM and N yields than untreated slurry. Notably, NEO's N-min content was nearly double that of untreated slurry (210 vs. 107 kg N ha−1). Nonetheless, a supplementary trial (2023) employing different NEO variants with reduced nitrite and elevated nitrate levels returned more promising results than those examined in prior years. Still, ∼9 % and ∼6 % less DM and N yield than mineral fertilizer with identical 210 kg N ha−1 content. Our findings suggest that although a considerable N fraction of NEO did not translate to yields compared to other fertilization treatments, and given that NEO is an evolving product, the NEO's enhanced performance in the final study year highlights the necessity for continued research and optimization to fully unlock and utilize the potential advantages of NEO in future agriculture.

• Nabateregga, Mabel; Dorado, Hugo; Solberg, Svein Øivind; Etten, Jacob van; Heerwaarden, Joost van & Gregory, Theresia [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2025). Accuracy of farmer-generated yield estimations of common bean in decentralised on-farm trials in sub–Saharan Africa. European Journal of Agronomy. ISSN 1161-0301. 170. doi: 10.1016/j.eja.2025.127730. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Improving agricultural productivity and resilience is essential to meet future food needs in sub-Saharan Africa under changing climate conditions. Achieving this will necessitate the development of high-yielding locally adapted crop varieties to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Despite advancements in crop improvement, varietal turnover in smallholder farms remains notably low. Continuous turnover of locally adapted varieties is essential, necessitating active dissemination of new varieties and withdrawal of obsolete ones across diverse target populations using participatory breeding approaches. A decentralised experimental approach, known as tricot, supported by citizen science, has proven effective in accelerating genotype selection while promoting inclusivity and diversity. However, the methodology has strongly relied on farmer-generated rankings, which provide relative performance insights but fall short in informing breeders with absolute yield data, limiting the ability to measure genetic gain or assess economic returns on breeding investments. To address this gap, we validated the accuracy of farmer-generated yield data for common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), by comparing it with technician-generated volumes and researcher-generated absolute yield data. Results revealed strong correlations between farmer and technician volumes (r = 0.96, p < 0.001). The mean difference in farmer-technician log-yield was close to zero, indicating significant agreement. We further developed a predictive model to estimate absolute yields using farmer showing minimal influence from intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Our findings demonstrate that farmer-generated yield data can reliably inform breeding decisions and support the accelerated turnover of improved varieties. Integrating such data into breeding programs offers a cost-effective and scalable pathway to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability across smallholder systems in sub-Saharan Africa.

• El-Ramady, Hassan; Prokisch, József; El-Mahrouk, Mohammed E.; Bayoumi, Yousry A.; Shalaby, Tarek A. & Brevik, Eric [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2024). Nano-Food Farming Approaches to Mitigate Heat Stress under Ongoing Climate Change: A Review. Agriculture. 14(5). doi: 10.3390/agriculture14050656. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Increased heat stress is a common feature of global climate change and can cause adverse impacts on crops from germination through maturation and harvest. This review focuses on the impacts of extreme heat (>35 °C) on plants and their physiology and how they affect food and water security. The emphasis is on what can be done to minimize the negative effects of heat stress, which includes the application of various materials and approaches. Nano-farming is highlighted as one promising approach. Heat is often combined with drought, salinity, and other stresses, which together affect the whole agroecosystem, including soil, plants, water, and farm animals, leading to serious implications for food and water resources. Indeed, there is no single remedy or approach that can overcome such grand issues. However, nano-farming can be part of an adaptation strategy. More studies are needed to verify the potential benefits of nanomaterials but also to investigate any negative side-effects, particularly under the intensive application of nanomaterials, and what problems this might create, including potential nanotoxicity.

• Sári, Daniella; Ferroudj, Aya; Dávid, Semsey; El-Ramady, Hassan; Faizy, Salah E.-D. & Ibrahim, Shaban [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2024). Drought Stress Under a Nano-Farming Approach: A Review. The Egyptian Journal of Soil Science (EJSS). ISSN 0302-6701. 64(1), p. 135–151. doi: 10.21608/ejss.2023.239634.1668. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Ongoing climate change is leading to more extreme weather, which affects agriculture in various ways. In semi-arid regions of the world and even in Europe, drought stress is becoming more and more frequent. Prolonged drought periods lead to severe damages on cultivated plants, which again impacts water and food resources. This review overviews how drought stress impacts plants and but also how different management practices can be applied to reduce the negative effects. A special attention is given to nano-farming where application of nanomaterials may ameliorate drought stress by increasing enzymatic antioxidants, and decreasing generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Despite the promising results of nano-farming we conclude that further research is required for emphasizing on potential negative effects, for example on nano-toxicity where particles can enter into the groundwater or into the food chain. Finally, drought stress is a complexed problem that affects all living organisms, and where a quick fix is not possible but where mankind needs to collaborate and work for a better future for all.

• Wester, Astrid Louise; Solberg, Svein Øivind; Gopinathan, Unni; Ahmad, Rafi & Graham, David W. (2024). Antimicrobial Resistance in a One Health and One World Perspective – Mechanisms and Perspectives. In Quah, Stella R. (Eds.), International Encyclopedia of Public Health. Academic Press. ISSN 9780323972802. p. 50–73. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-323-99967-0.00148-4. Full text in Research Archive
• El-Bialy, Said M.; El-Mahrouk, Mohammed E.; Elesawy, Taha; Omara, Alaa El-Dein; Elbehiry, Fathy & El-Ramady, Hassan [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2023). Biological Nanofertilizers to Enhance Growth Potential of Strawberry Seedlings by Boosting Photosynthetic Pigments, Plant Enzymatic Antioxidants, and Nutritional Status. Plants. 12(2). doi: 10.3390/plants12020302. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Strawberry production presents special challenges due the plants’ shallow roots. The rooting stage of strawberry is a crucial period in the production of this important crop. Several amendments have been applied to support the growth and production of strawberry, particularly fertilizers, to overcome rooting problems. Therefore, the current investigation was carried out to evaluate the application of biological nanofertilizers in promoting strawberry rooting. The treatments included applying two different nanofertilizers produced biologically, nano-selenium (i.e., 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg L−1) and nano-copper (i.e., 50 and 100 mg L−1), plus a control (untreated seedlings). The rooting of strawberry seedlings was investigated by measuring the vegetative growth parameters (root weight, seedling weight, seedling length, and number of leaves), plant enzymatic antioxidants (catalase, peroxidase, and polyphenol oxidase activity), and chlorophyll content and its fluorescence and by evaluating the nutritional status (content of nutrients in the fruit and their uptake). The results showed that the applied nanofertilizers improved the growth, photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant content, and nutritional status of the seedlings compared to the control. A high significant increase in nutrient contents reached to more than 14-fold, 6-fold, 5-folf, and 4-fold for Cu, Mn, N, and Se contents, respectively, due to the applied nanofertilizers compared with the control. The result was related to the biological roles of both Se and CuO in activating the many plant enzymes. Comparing the Se with the CuO nanofertilizer, Cu had the strongest effect, which was shown in the higher values in all studied properties. This study showed that nanofertilizers are useful to stimulate strawberry seedling growth and most likely would also be beneficial for other horticultural crops. In general, the applied 100 ppm of biological nano-Se or nano-CuO might achieve the best growth of strawberry seedlings under growth conditions in greenhouses compared to the control. Along with the economic dimension, the ecological dimension of biological nanofertilizers still needs more investigation.

• Bayoum, Yousry; Osman, Sabah; Etman, Abdelwahab; El-Semellawy, El-Samahy; Solberg, Svein Øivind & El-Ramady, Hassan (2023). Regulating Enzymatic Antioxidants, Biochemical and Physiological Properties of Tomato under Cold Stress: A Crucial Role of Ethylene. Agriculture. 13(2). doi: 10.3390/agriculture13020266. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The production of tomato under low-temperature stress in the open fields is a challenge faced by many farmers. The current study compares the use of different ethylene treatments to accelerate the fruit ripening of tomato during two successive seasons under cold stress. The treatments included foliar application of ethrel (2500, 5000, and 7500 ppm) in the open field at the mature green stage, dipping collected fruits in ethrel solution (1000, 1500, and 2000 ppm) right after harvest, and application of gaseous ethylene (100, 200, and 300 ppm) to the harvested fruits. The effects were compared to untreated fruits (control). Characteristics, such as physical properties (ripening, weight loss, firmness, decay, and fruit color), chemical properties (ascorbic acid, acidity, total soluble sugars, and pigments), and enzymatic activities (polygalacturonase and pectin methylesterase), were sampled throughout the storage period. In general, the ethylene gas application was the most effective method in accelerating the fruit ripening process compared to the other methods applied. The highest vitamin C total soluble solid contents and redness parameters were found after applying the highest dose of ethylene gas (300 ppm). This indicates that the ripening of tomato fruits, which are cultivated under cold stress conditions as found during the early summer season in a Mediterranean climate, might be harvested at a mature green stage and exposed to ethylene application.

• Taher, Dina; Nofal, Emam; Hegazi, Mahmoud; El-Gaied, Mohamed Abd; El-Ramady, Hassan & Solberg, Svein Øivind (2023). Response of Warm Season Turf Grasses to Combined Cold and Salinity Stress under Foliar Applying Organic and Inorganic Amendments. Horticulturae. 9(1). doi: 10.3390/horticulturae9010049. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Turfgrasses are considered an important part of the landscape and ecological system of golf courses, sports fields, parks, and home lawns. Turfgrass species are affected by many abiotic stresses (e.g., drought, salinity, cold, heat, waterlogging, and heavy metals) and biotic stresses (mainly diseases and pests). In the current study, seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum Sw.) and Tifway bermudagrass (Cynodon transvaalensis Burtt Davy × C. Dactylon) were selected because they are popular turfgrasses frequently used for outdoor lawns and sport fields. The effect of the combined stress from both soil salinity and cold on these warm season grasses was investigated. Some selected organic and inorganic amendments (i.e., humic acid, ferrous sulphate, and silicon) were applied as foliar sprays five times during the winter season from late October to March. This was repeated over two years in field trials involving salt-affected soils. The physiological and chemical parameters of the plants, including plant height; fresh and dry weight per plot; total chlorophyll content; and nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, and potassium content, were measured. The results showed that all the studied amendments improved the growth of seashore paspalum and Tifway bermudagrass during this period compared to the control, with a greater improvement observed when using ferrous sulphate and humic acid compared to silicon. For seashore paspalum, the highest chlorophyll content in April was recorded after the application of ferrous sulphate at a level of 1000 ppm. The current research indicates that when grown on salt-affected soils, these amendments can be used in warm-season grasses to maintain turf quality during cold periods of the year. Further research is needed to examine any negative long-term effects of these amendments and to explain their mechanisms.

• Mousavi, Hesam; Cottis, Thomas & Solberg, Svein Øivind (2023). Nitrogen Enriched Organic fertilizer (NEO) elevates nitrification rates shortly after application but has no lasting effect on nitrification in agricultural soils. Agricultural and Food Science. ISSN 1459-6067. 32(4), p. 179–194. doi: 10.23986/afsci.131722. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  In the face of population growth, rising food production costs, limited arable land availability, and environmental degradation of farmlands, adopting innovative technologies, particularly those related to organic waste recycling and nutrient recovery, has emerged as an imperative strategy. These technologies are crucial in bolstering the resilience of global agri-food systems. Nitrogen-Enriched Organic fertilizer (NEO) is produced using a new method, where dinitrogen (N2) is captured from the air through a plasma process and mixed with slurries or digestates as nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite (NO2-). This process leads to solid slurry acidification and a high NO2- content, potentiallyyielding toxic inorganic or organic N compounds. In this study, we investigated the impact of NEO derived from cattle slurry and biogas digestate on soil nitrification, which involves the conversion of NH4+ to NO2- and NO3- by aerobic autotrophic bacteria and archaea. We investigated and compared the potential nitrification rates in soil samples from two agricultural trials (cereal and grass) treated with NEO and other fertilizers after two consecutive fertilization years. Additionally, we examined the immediate nitrification response to NEO through 73-hour soil incubations. Our results revealed that NEO significantly stimulated nitrification rates in agitated soil slurries, regardless of the feedstock used, surpassing rates observed in ammonium controls. Similarly, this pattern was also observed in loosely placed soil samples, with high nitrification rates occurring with NEO and ammonium chloride. Interestingly, the differences in nitrification rates between field-fertilized soil samples were minimal and inconse-quential, suggesting that while NEO exhibits a rapid boost in nitrification rates shortly after application, this effect is not sustained ≈ six months after fertilization under field conditions. Consequently, NEO indicates its potential as an environmentally benign fertilizer without adversely affecting soil nitrification

• Taha, Naglaa A.; Hamden, Salem; Bayoumi, Yousry A.; Elsakhawy, Tamer; El-Ramady, Hassan & Solberg, Svein Øivind (2023). Nanofungicides with Selenium and Silicon Can Boost the Growth and Yield of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and Control Alternaria Leaf Spot Disease. Microorganisms. 11, p. 1–21. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms11030728. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  There is an urgent need to reduce the intensive use of chemical fungicides due to their potential damage to human health and the environment. The current study investigated whether nano-selenium (nano-Se) and nano-silica (nano-SiO2 ) could be used against the leaf spot disease caused by Alternaria alternata in a common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The engineered Se and SiO2 nanoparticles were compared to a traditional fungicide and a negative control with no treatment, and experiments were repeated during two successive seasons in fields and in vitro. The in vitro study showed that 100 ppm nano-Se had an efficacy rate of 85.1% on A. alternata mycelial growth, followed by the combined applications (Se + SiO2 at half doses) with an efficacy rate of 77.8%. The field study showed that nano-Se and the combined application of nano-Se and nano-SiO2 significantly decreased the disease severity of A. alternata. There were no significant differences among nano-Se, the combined application, and the fungicide treatment (positive control). As compared to the negative control (no treatment), leaf weight increased by 38.3%, the number of leaves per plant by 25.7%, chlorophyll A by 24%, chlorophyll B by 17.5%, and total dry seed yield by 30%. In addition, nano-Se significantly increased the enzymatic capacity (i.e., CAT, POX, PPO) and antioxidant activity in the leaves. Our current study is the first to report that the selected nano-minerals are real alternatives to chemical fungicides for controlling A. alternata in common beans. This work suggests the potential of nanoparticles as alternatives to fungicides. Further studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms and how different nano-materials could be used against phytopathogens

• Martín, Carlos; Xiong, Shaojun; Passoth, Volkmar; Põldmaa, Kadri; Solberg, Svein Øivind & Hultberg, M [Show all 13 contributors for this article] (2023). Mushrooms for enhanced agriculture sustainability the MUSA concept. C3-Bioeconomy Circular and Sustainable Bioeconomy. p. 131–146. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The project MUSA – MUshrooms for Sustainable Agriculture is an effort to use mushroom-based processes to enhance agriculture sustainability in Nordic and Baltic countries. The project covers both the production of fruitbodies of edible fungi and the upgrading of the exhausted substrate from mushroom cultivation. The suitability of residues generated locally for producing edible mushrooms is investigated. Residues from Nordic agriculture and sub-utilized streams from forestry management, as well as wood processing by-products, are evaluated as the substrate base for producing shiitake (Lentinula edodes) and oyster (Pleurotus spp.) mushrooms. The project explores the potential of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) to support food production. SMS prospective as source of bioactive compounds and sugars is evaluated. MUSA investigates the suitability of SMS hydrolysates as carbon sources for cultivating oleaginous yeast to produce microbial oil suitable for human consumption. Using SMS for substituting mineral fertilizers and providing wastewater bioremediation solutions is also assessed

• Llanaj, Xhensila; Törös, Gréta; Hajdú, Péter; Abdalla, Neama; El-Ramady, Hassan & Kiss, Attila [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2023). Biotechnological Applications of Mushrooms under the Water-Energy-Food Nexus: Crucial Aspects and Prospects from Farm to Pharmacy. Foods. 12(14), p. 1–26. doi: 10.3390/foods12142671. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Mushrooms have always been an important source of food, with high nutritional value and medicinal attributes. With the use of biotechnological applications, mushrooms have gained further attention as a source of healthy food and bioenergy. This review presents different biotechnological applications and explores how these can support global food, energy, and water security. It highlights mushroom’s relevance to meet the sustainable development goals of the UN. This review also discusses mushroom farming and its requirements. The biotechnology review includes sections on how to use mushrooms in producing nanoparticles, bioenergy, and bioactive compounds, as well as how to use mushrooms in bioremediation. The different applications are discussed under the water, energy, and food (WEF) nexus. As far as we know, this is the first report on mushroom biotechnology and its relationships to the WEF nexus. Finally, the review valorizes mushroom biotechnology and suggests different possibilities for mushroom farming integration

• Etten, Jacob van; Sousa, Kaue de; Cairns, Jill E.; Dell'Acqua, Metteo; Fadda, Carlo & Guerena, David [Show all 16 contributors for this article] (2023). Data-driven approaches can harness crop diversity to address heterogeneous needs for breeding products. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS). ISSN 0027-8424. 120(14). doi: 10.1073/pnas.2205771120. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This perspective describes the opportunities and challenges of data-driven approaches for crop diversity management (genebanks and breeding) in the context of agricultural research for sustainable development in the Global South. Data-driven approaches build on larger volumes of data and flexible analyses that link different datasets across domains and disciplines. This can lead to more information-rich management of crop diversity, which can address the complex interactions between crop diversity, production environments, and socioeconomic heterogeneity and help to deliver more suitable portfolios of crop diversity to users with highly diverse demands. We describe recent efforts that illustrate the potential of data-driven approaches for crop diversity management. A continued investment in this area should fill remaining gaps and seize opportunities, including i) supporting genebanks to play a more active role in linking with farmers using data-driven approaches; ii) designing low-cost, appropriate technologies for phenotyping; iii) generating more and better gender and socioeconomic data; iv) designing information products to facilitate decision-making; and v) building more capacity in data science. Broad, well-coordinated policies and investments are needed to avoid fragmentation of such capacities and achieve coherence between domains and disciplines so that crop diversity management systems can become more effective in delivering benefits to farmers, consumers, and other users of crop diversity.

• El-Ramady, Hassan; Abdalla, Neama; Sári, Daniella; Ferroudj, Aya; Muthu, Arjun & Prokisch, József [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2023). Nanofarming: Promising Solutions for the Future of the Global Agricultural Industry. Agronomy. 13(6), p. 1–32. doi: 10.3390/agronomy13061600. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The agricultural sector is a vital source of human well-being that provides the necessities of daily life. A variety of farming systems are utilized in agriculture, such as a wide range of tillage options, no-till, agroforestry, precision farming, organic farming, cover cropping, crop rotations, etc. Each of these farming systems has unique challenges, and nanotechnology has successfully improved on many of them. Agricultural applications of nanotechnology include nanofertilizers, nanopesticides, nanosensors, nanobiotechnology, and nanoremediation. This study focuses on the application of nano-farming technologies to different farming systems. Suggested practices include nano improvement of soil quality, crop nano-protection under biotic stress, nanoremediation of polluted soil and water environments, nanomanagement of agro-wastes, nano-agrochemicals, nano-precision farming, and nanobiotechnology for modern farming. This review also addresses expected problems that may occur due to over application of nanomaterials to farming systems, such as nanopollution and nanotoxicity of agroecosystem compartments. Several dimensions are emphasized in this study, such as green energy, sustainable development, the circular bioeconomy, land biodegradation, pollution, and the one health approach, as essential for the global goals of sustainable development. Nanofarming presents both benefits and obstacles to human life. The exact balance between these benefits and challenges needs more study.

• Sousa, Kaue de; Etten, Jacob van; Neby, Magne & Solberg, Svein Øivind (2023). Climate variability indices for ecological and crop models in R: the climatrends package. Journal of Open Source Software (JOSS). 8(85), p. 1–13. doi: 10.21105/joss.04405. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Abiotic factors play an important role in most ecological and crop systems that depend on certain levels of temperature, light and precipitation to initiate important physiological events (Schulze et al., 2019). Understanding how these factors drive the physiological processes is a key approach to provide recommendations for adaptation and biodiversity conservation in applied ecology studies. The package climatrends aims to provide the methods in R (R Core Team, 2020) to compute precipitation and temperature indices that serve as input for climate and crop models (Kehel et al., 2016; van Etten et al., 2019), trends in climate change (Aguilar et al., 2005; de Sousa et al., 2018) and applied ecology (Liu & El-Kassaby, 2018; Prentice et al., 1992).

• Cottis, Thomas; Mousavi, Hesam & Solberg, Svein Øivind (2023). Plasma Treated Cattle Slurry Moderately Increases Cereal Yields. Agronomy. 13(6), p. 1–14. doi: 10.3390/agronomy13061549. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Plasma treatment offers an approach to enhance the nitrogen (N) content of livestock slurry and biogas digestate, thereby increasing the efficacy of organic fertilizers. This innovative method is used to produce nitrogen-enriched organic fertilizer (NEO) containing a double concentration of plant-available N. Over three years, we conducted a comprehensive study in 14 spring wheat and barley field trials in Norway. The primary objective was to assess and compare the cereal grain yield achieved by applying NEO to other conventional fertilizers. The NEO utilized in our research was derived from the unit developed by the Norwegian company N2 Applied. The results indicated that 120 kg N ha−1 in NEO yielded in the same range of cereal grains as 95 kg N ha−1 in mineral fertilizer. Moreover, the combination of untreated slurry and 55 kg N ha−1 in mineral fertilizer Opti-NS yielded the same as 120 kg N ha−1 in NEO. Surprisingly a combination of 12 kg N ha−1 in mineral fertilizer at sowing day and 108 kg N ha−1 in NEO at the three-leaf stage led to a higher yield in spring wheat than 120 kg N ha−1 NEO spread at sowing day in two out of three experimental years. Moreover, applying NEO directly to plants has shown no visible signs of harm. Lastly, filtering the slurry resulted in higher cereal grain yields than the untreated slurry. In conclusion, despite possessing the same N content, utilizing NEO yielded a 15–20% lower cereal grain yield than mineral fertilizer. Nonetheless, 20–30% more yield than the native amount of cattle slurry it derived. However, we have observed an unexplained loss of approximately 17% of the nitrogen in NEO, which does not translate into increased grain yield or nitrogen productivity

• Solberg, Svein Øivind; Loskutov, Igor; Breian, Line & Diederichsen, Axel (2023). The Impact of N.I. Vavilov on the Conservation and Use of Plant Genetic Resources in Scandinavia: A Review. Plants. 12(1). doi: 10.3390/plants12010143. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  In this review we examine Nikolai Ivanovich Vavilov’s relationship to Scandinavia and the impact he and his ideas have had on Scandinavia. We trace the historical connections from Vavilov back to 18th century scientists, such as Carl Von Linneaus (Sweden) and 19th century European scientists such as Alphonse de Candolle (Switzerland), Henry de Vilmorin (France), and William Bateson (England). Vavilov has influenced the conservation work in Scandinavia resulting amongst other in the establishment of the Nordic Gene Bank in 1979 and the Svalbard Global Seed Vault which started operating in 2008. Vavilov travelled to Scandinavia in 1921 and in 1931 to give lectures and exchange ideas, especially with the breeders at the Swedish Seed Association (Svalöf) in Scania, Sweden, but also at the Copenhagen University in Denmark. Vavilov did not recognize Scandinavia as part of a center of origin of cultivated plants. It was only after World War II, when P.M. Zhukovsky, a scholar of N.I Vavilov, developed the concept of mega-centers of diversity of cultivated plants, that Scandinavia became part of what he termed the European-Siberian Region of Diversity. We list species domesticated in Scandinavia or Northern Europe, and we further discuss concepts related to crop evolution and highlight the great impact Vavilov has had by inspiring scientists across disciplines and over many decades.

• Khalafalla, M. M.; Hegazi, M. A.; Eltarawy, A. M.; Magouz, M. R.; Elzaim, H. H. & Yndgaard, Flemming [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2022). The Effects of Growth Regulators and Apical Bud Removal on Growth, Flowering, and Corms Production of Two Gladiolus Varieties. Horticulturae. 8(9). doi: 10.3390/horticulturae8090789. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Gladiolus is commonly propagated from corms. The multiplication rate of corms is low and to increase the propagation rate, we examined a combination of apical bud removal and the application of growth regulators. The experiments were conducted in two varieties, ‘Rose Supreme’ and ‘White Prosperity’, and over two seasons. The apical buds on the planting corms were either removed or left intact before the same corms were soaked in a suspension with either 100 ppm of benzyladenine (BA), 100 ppm of gibberellic acid (GA3), or pure water. The results showed that apical bud removal increased the number of corms and shoots. GA3 had limited the effect on corm and shoot production, but instead resulted in increased total leaf area and leaf weight per shoot. BA, on the other hand, increased the number of corms and shoots. Overall, the removal of the apical bud plus application of BA increased the number of corms and shoots but reduced the average corm diameter and leaf weight per shoot. This was clearer in ‘Rose Supreme’ than in ‘White Prosperity’. To maximize flower production for the coming season, farmers need to produce a high number of planting corms, but they also need to balance this with a sufficient corm size and the production of flowers of good quality. The application of growth regulators in combination with apical bud removal should be fine-tuned to avoid a situation that leads to the production of too many small or too few large corms.

• Masoodi, Lubna; Gull, Amir; Masoodi, Farooq Ahmad; Gani, Adil; Nissar, Jasia & Ahad, Tehmeena [Show all 12 contributors for this article] (2022). An Overview on Traditional vs. Green Technology of Extraction Methods for Producing High Quality Walnut Oil. Agronomy. 12(10), p. 1–17. doi: 10.3390/agronomy12102258. Full text in Research Archive
• Arafa, Ramadan A.; Prohens, Jaime; Solberg, Svein Øivind; Plazas, Mariola & Rakh, Mohamed (2022). Breeding and Genome Mapping for Resistance to Biotic Stress in Eggplant. In Kole, Chittaranjan (Eds.), Genomic Designing for Biotic Stress Resistant Vegetable Crops. Springer Nature. ISSN 9783030977856. p. 147–187. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-97785-6. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is a major vegetable crop widely grown in tropics and subtropics. However, eggplant production is subject to high losses from biotic and abiotic stress. Eggplant is exposed to a broad range of biotic stresses such as nematodes, wilt diseases, eggplant fruit and shoot borer, two-spotted spider mites, whitefly and aphids. These biotic challenges reduce significantly yields, fruit quality, shelf-life, and nutritional content in eggplants. Farmers mostly rely on pesticides to control biotic stress. Breeders from public and private sector have performed some efforts for the development of pest-resistant varieties. To date, some disease resistance genes have been utilized in commercial cultivars, but much less progress has been achieved for arthropods resistance. In this book chapter, we review the basic information of the crop, major different biotic stresses in eggplant, genetic resources of resistance, traditional and marker assisted breeding, molecular mapping and cloning of resistance genes, genomics-assisted breeding, as well as genetic engineering for resistance traits. Furthermore, brief accounts on social, political and regulatory issues and future perspectives for this crop are highlighted.

• El-Ramady, Hassan; Brevik, Eric C.; Bayoumi, Yousry; Shalaby, Tarek A.; El-Mahrouk, Mohammed E. & Taha, Naglaa [Show all 13 contributors for this article] (2022). An Overview of Agro-Waste Management in Light of the Water-Energy-Waste Nexus. Sustainability. 14(23). doi: 10.3390/su142315717. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  It is urgent that we increase global food production to support population growth. Food production requires significant resources, amongst them water and energy. Therefore, any losses of food or other agricultural products also means a waste of water and energy resources. A significant amount of these losses occurs during the postharvest stage, primarily during processing and storage. This is considered avoidable food waste. The water-energy-waste nexus (WEW), and its relationship to food production, needs to be investigated from a circular bioeconomy lens. Furthermore, alternative uses of the wastes should be investigated. This review focuses on agro-wastes and their management as sources for bioactive compounds, biofertilizers, biomaterials, nanomaterials, pharmaceuticals and medicinal agents, and growth media, e.g., for plant tissue culture. We also investigated the potential contribution of agro-wastes to bioenergy production (bioethanol, biogas, and biofuel). Proper management of agro-wastes may support the mitigation of climate change, produce innovative bio-ingredients and biodegradable materials, and enhance green growth and a circular bioeconomy. We argue that the management of agro-wastes cannot be discussed without referring to the role of water and energy within the food system. Thus, this review focuses on agricultural wastes and their handling, applications, environmental impacts, and potential benefits in the agricultural and medical industries in light of the WEW nexus

• Ron, A.M. De; Rodiño, A.P.; Gioia, T.; Brezeanu, C.; Burzo, I. & Rensburg, B.J. van [Show all 20 contributors for this article] (2022). Common Bean Genetics, Breeding, and Genomics for Adaptation to Biotic Stress Conditions. In Kole, Chittaranjan (Eds.), Genomic Designing for Biotic Stress Resistant Pulse Crops. Springer Nature. ISSN 9783030910426. p. 1–116. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-91043-3. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Sustainable Development Goal 2 from the United Nations (Zero Hunger) states that there is a pressing need for increasing food production and quality through sustainable agricultural practices to feed the ever-growing human population. One of the key aspects to achieve a sustainable food production is to control plant pests, diseases and weeds through integrated crop management which mainly aims at reducing the widespread use of phytochemicals due to their persistence in the air, soil, water and food, as well as the development of biotic stress such as parasite resistance. Legume crops plants are, after cereals, the main source of food for the world population. These plants provide proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, oils, fiber and other compounds of high nutraceutical value and beneficial properties for human health. The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is the most widely used food legume for direct human consumption, and is present in regional, national and international marketson all continents by small farmers and large producers, with both green pods and dried seeds being marketed. Like other crops, beans need to adapt to changing conditions, in the current conditions of climate change. These conditions are producing new situations of abiotic and biotic stresses (mainly pests and diseases).Genetic improvement of the common bean includes the knowledge of its genetic diversity and the genome and gene function in response to the current changing environmental conditions. An important long-term challenge is the knowledge of the gene(s) that control relevant traits such as pest and disease tolerance/resistance that affects the crop yield and food security. New technologies built around the recently released common bean genome sequence that facilitates the arise of genomic resources, but they need the support of phenotypic data. Generating new bean cultivars or genotypes with enhanced resistance to different parasitesand new knowledge on possible innovative control methods are relevant for the improvement of a sustainable productivity of bean and its quality in different agrosystems.

• Mousavi, Hesam; Cottis, Thomas; Pommeresche, Reidun; Dörsch, Peter & Solberg, Svein Øivind (2022). Plasma-Treated Nitrogen-Enriched Manure Does Not Impose Adverse Effects on Soil Fauna Feeding Activity or Springtails and Earthworms Abundance. Agronomy. 12(10). doi: 10.3390/agronomy12102314. Full text in Research Archive
• Poudel, Prabhat; Ødegaard, Jørgen Vikeby; Mo, Siri Josefine; Andresen, Rebekka Kaald; Tandberg, Hans Andre & Cottis, Thomas [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (2022). Italian Ryegrass, Perennial Ryegrass, and Meadow Fescue as Undersown Cover Crops in Spring Wheat and Barley: Results from a Mixed Methods Study in Norway. Sustainability. 14(20), p. 1–17. doi: 10.3390/su142013055. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Cover crops could provide environmental benefits in spring-grain systems through diversification, reduced nitrate leaching, and carbon sequestration. However, few farmers apply the technique, partly as they believe the cover crops will compete with the main crop and cause yield losses. Cover crops can either be sown together with the grain (undersown) or in autumn and establish after grain harvest. The current study uses a mixed-method approach combining field trials, interviews, and literature synthesis. The field trials focused on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), and meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis L.) that were undersown with 15 kg ha−1 but with different seeding dates in spring wheat and barley. The interviews focused on gathering practical experiences from farmers in Norway and the literature synthesis gathered results from other studies. For carbon sequestration, nine studies were judged relevant for our target climate and included in our synthesis. They showed a median value at 264 kg C ha−1 year−1 . In our field trials, 300–900 kg DM ha−1 year−1 was produced, with Italian ryegrass sown at the same date as the grain on top. Our trials showed no significant grain yield reduction due to the use of cover crops. However, our synthesis of the literature showed a 5–10% yield reduction with Italian ryegrass that was sown at the same time as the grain. One- or two-weeks delay in the sowing of Italian ryegrass, or reduced seeding rates, could reduce the problem. The interviews showed that farmers do not prefer undersown species, especially not perennial species, as they have experienced that such species may come up again in the following years and cause a weed problem. We recommend farmers to use cover crops and for undersowing, we recommend Italian ryegrass that is sown one or two weeks after the grain. Perennial ryegrass can also be recommended, as long as the growth is properly terminated.

• Mousavi, Hesam; Cottis, Thomas; Hoff, Gina Madeleine Haadem & Solberg, Svein Øivind (2022). Nitrogen Enriched Organic Fertilizer (NEO) and Its Effect on Ryegrass Yield and Soil Fauna Feeding Activity under Controlled Conditions. Sustainability. 14. doi: 10.3390/su14042005. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This study aimed to investigate the effects of a new nitrogen-enriched organic-based fertilizer (NEO) on Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) yield and soil fauna feeding activity. Nitrogen is transformed from the air to manure by a plasma process. At the farm level, NEO could improve self-sufficiency and sustainability. The work was carried out under controlled conditions in two pot trials. Five fertilization regimes were used: no fertilizer, different amounts of mineral fertilizer, three NEO types, organic fertilizer (untreated manure), and organic fertilizer + different amounts of N in mineral fertilizer, including 14 treatments in trial one and 11 treatments in trial two. Besides evaluating dry matter yields, we utilized the Bait-lamina test system to assess the feeding activity of soil fauna. The results indicated a clear positive impact of nitrogen (N) on ryegrass yield where all fertilizers increased the yield in correspondence with their N availability regardless of the fertilizer type; whereas the yield was highest with mineral fertilizer up to our maximum level of 235 kg N ha−1 in trial one and 175 kg N ha−1 in trial two. The NEO fertilizers yielded in the same range as mineral fertilizers. The same clear pattern was not observed for soil fauna feeding activity. Instead, a tendency was observed where no fertilization tends to give the highest feeding activity. We saw no correlation between the yield and the soil fauna feeding activity. The feeding activity was highest in depth below 5 cm from the soil surface. Feeding activity also increased over time after fertilization. The NEO fertilizers had no more adverse effects on soil fauna feeding activity than other fertilizers. Other factors than fertilization alone are determining the soil fauna feeding activity.

• Arafa, Ramadan A.; Kamel, Said M.; Taher, Dalia; Solberg, Svein Øivind & Rakha, Mohamed (2022). Leaf Extracts from Resistant Wild Tomato Can Be Used to Control Late Blight (Phytophthora infestans) in the Cultivated Tomato. Plants. 11(14). doi: 10.3390/plants11141824. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Late blight disease, caused by Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary, is one of the most chal-lenging diseases threatening tomato production and other Solanaceae crops. Resistance to late blight is found in certain wild species, but the mechanism behind the resistance is not fully un-derstood. The aim of this study was to examine the metabolic profiles in the leaf tissue of late blight-resistant wild tomato and to investigate if leaf extracts from such genotypes could be used to control late blight in tomato production. We included three recognized late blight-resistant wild tomato accessions of Solanum habrochaites (LA1777, LA2855, and LA1352) and two recognized highly susceptible genotypes, S. lycopersicum (‘Super Strain B’) and S. pimpinellifolium (LA0375). The metabolic profiles were obtained in both inoculated and non-inoculated plants by analyzing leaf extracts using high-resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with three replicate analyses of each genotype. We focused on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and identified 31 such compounds from the five genotypes with a retention time ranging from 6.6 to 22.8 min. The resistant genotype LA 1777 produced the highest number of VOCs (22 and 21 in the inoculated and control plants, respectively), whereas the susceptible genotype ‘Super Strain B’ produced the lowest number of VOCs (11 and 13 in the respective plants). Among the VOCs, 14 were detected only in the resistant genotypes, while two were detected only in the susceptible ones. In vitro trials, with the use of a detached leaflet assay and whole-plant approach, were conducted. We revealed promising insights regarding late blight management and showed that metabolic profiling may contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms behind P. infestans resistance in tomato and its wild relatives.

• Rakha, Mohamed; Prohens, Jaime; Taher, Dalia; Wu, Tien-hor & Solberg, Svein Øivind (2021). Chapter 5 Eggplant (Solanum melongena, S. aethiopicum and S. macrocarpon) Breeding. In Al-Khayri, Jameel M.; Jain, S. Mohan & Johnson, Dennis V. (Ed.), Advances in Plant Breeding Strategies: Vegetable Crops. Volume 9: Fruits and Young Shoots. Springer Nature. ISSN 9783030669607. p. 163–203. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Brinjal eggplant (Solanum melongena) is an annual vegetable cultivated for its edible fruits, which are variable in shape, size and color. Scarlet eggplant (S. aethiopicum) and gboma eggplant (S. macrocarpon) are also cultivated but more locally in Africa. Domestication of brinjal eggplant took place in India and China, but today the plant is cultivated globally and with tremendous economic importance, especially in Asia and the Mediterranean. It is low in calories but rich in antioxidants and phenolic compounds. A warm climate favors the plant as it has a long growing season. Current eggplant breeding aims to develop F1 hybrids and traditional methods include pure-line selection, pedigree methods, and backcrossing for breeding for higher fruit yield, quality and resistance to diseases. In this chapter, we review recent developments including doubled haploids, marker-assisted breeding and tissue culture technologies, but we also focus on pre-breeding, trait discovery and hybridization with crop wild relatives. Broadening the genetic base of cultivated eggplant is a key to develop robust varieties. The primary gene pool includes only S. insanum, which can be easily crossed with cultivated eggplant to give highly fertile hybrids. The secondary and tertiary gene pools include several species of interest (S. dasyphyllum, S. incanum, S. linnaeanum, S. tomentosum, S. torvum, S. sisymbriifolium), which are more distant. Crosses of cultivated eggplant with tertiary gene pool species result in sterile or low fertility hybrids after embryo rescue or somatic hybridization. Still, these wild species are of interest as they are genetically very diverse and could provide tolerance to abiotic stresses, as well as resistance to pests and diseases.

• Sousa, Kaue de; Etten, Jacob van; Poland, Jesse; Fadda, Carlo; Jannink, Jean-Luc & Kidane, Yosef Gebrehawaryat [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (2021). Data-driven decentralized breeding increases prediction accuracy in a challenging crop production environment. Communications Biology. p. 1–9. doi: 10.1038/s42003-021-02463-w. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Crop breeding must embrace the broad diversity of smallholder agricultural systems to ensure food security to the hundreds of millions of people living in challenging production environments. This need can be addressed by combining genomics, farmers’ knowledge, and environmental analysis into a data-driven decentralized approach (3D-breeding). We tested this idea as a proof-of-concept by comparing a durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) decentralized trial distributed as incomplete blocks in 1,165 farmer-managed fields across the Ethiopian highlands with a benchmark representing genomic prediction applied to conventional breeding. We found that 3D-breeding could double the prediction accuracy of the benchmark. 3D-breeding could identify genotypes with enhanced local adaptation providing superior productive performance across seasons. We propose this decentralized approach to leverage the diversity in farmer fields and complement conventional plant breeding to enhance local adaptation in challenging crop production environments.

• Khadka, Prachanda & Solberg, Svein Øivind (2020). Apple value chain analysis in two mountainous districts in Nepal. Journal of Agricultural and Crop Research (JACR). 8(1), p. 1–10. doi: 10.33495/jacr_v8i1.19.139. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Apple (Malus pumila Mill.) is a popular temperate climate fruit but can grow at high altitudes in the subtropics where it can be an opportunity crop for small-scale farmers, amongst others in the Himalayan valleys and hillsides. This research was conducted to examine constraints and prospects of apple farming and marketing from remote parts of Nepal. The material included interviews of 60 farmers and among the selected farmers, apple contributed to about half of the household income and benefit-cost analysis showed a ratio of two, which means the farm business should be profitable, and this accounted for both regions. Labour was the single most important cost factor, contributing to 60-70% of the production costs. The difference between retail price and producer’s price was high in both districts (around 100 Rs/kg), which means a relatively low producer’s share. Pests and diseases were key problems in the production but also access to improved varieties and lack of post-harvest facilities was highlighted as important constrains. Key value-chain actors were mapped and the marketing system included several levels of traders. A simplified system with producer cooperatives was discussed to increase farm-gate prices and reduce consumer prices. Better coordination of actors in research and development was lifted as local engagements in projects.

• Zonneveld, Maarten van; Rakha, Mohamed; Tan, Shin Yee; Chou, Yo Yo; Chang, C. H. & Yen, Jo Yi [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2020). Mapping patterns of abiotic and biotic stress resilience uncovers conservation gaps and breeding potential of Vigna wild relatives. Scientific Reports. 10. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-58646-8. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This study provides insights in patterns of distribution of abiotic and biotic stress resilience across Vigna gene pools to enhance the use and conservation of these genetic resources for legume breeding. Vigna is a pantropical genus with more than 88 taxa including important crops such as V. radiata (mung bean) and V. unguiculata (cowpea). our results show that sources of pest and disease resistance occur in at least 75 percent of the Vigna taxa, which were part of screening assessments, while sources of abiotic stress resilience occur in less than 30 percent of screened taxa. This difference in levels of resilience suggests that Vigna taxa co-evolve with pests and diseases while taxa are more conservative to adapt to climatic changes and salinization. twenty-two Vigna taxa are poorly conserved in genebanks or not at all. this germplasm is not available for legume breeding and requires urgent germplasm collecting before these taxa extirpate on farm and in the wild. Vigna taxa, which tolerate heat and drought stress are rare compared with taxa, which escape these stresses because of short growing seasons or with taxa, which tolerate salinity. We recommend prioritizing these rare Vigna taxa for conservation and screening for combined abiotic and biotic stress resilience resulting from stacked or multifunctional traits. the high presence of salinity tolerance compared with drought stress tolerance, suggests that Vigna taxa are good at developing salt-tolerant traits. Vigna taxa are therefore of high value for legume production in areas that will suffer from salinization under global climate change.

• Solberg, Svein Øivind; Brodal, Guro; Bothmer, Roland von; Meen, Eivind; Yndgaard, Flemming & Andreasen, Christian [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2020). Seed germination after 30 years storage in permafrost. Plants. 9(5). doi: 10.3390/plants9050579. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  More than 30 years ago, the Nordic Gene Bank established a long-term experiment on seeds stored under permafrost conditions in an abandoned mine corridor in Svalbard, as a tool to monitor storage life under these conditions. The study included seeds from 16 Nordic agricultural and horticultural crops, each represented by two or three cultivars (altogether 38 accessions). All seeds were ultra-dried to 3–5% moisture before being sealed in glass tubes. Germination tests were performed in accordance with the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) protocols. At the initiation of the experiment, the samples showed good germination with the median value at 92%. The overall picture remained stable over the first twenty to twenty-five years. However, the variation became larger over time and at 30 years, the median value had dropped to 80%. At the lower end, with a high drop in germination, we found rye, wheat, and English ryegrass. At the upper end, we found Kentucky bluegrass and cucumber. The lowest germination was found in samples with the highest initial seed moisture levels. Pre-storage conditions are likely to be of major importance for longevity.

• Eriksen, K. A.; Jensen, I.; Yndgaard, Flemming; Bladh, Katarina Wedelsbäck & Solberg, Svein Øivind (2020). Forvildede æbletræer – Fra skrog til mulig sort. Urt. ISSN 0105-3795. 2020(3), p. 27–33. Full text in Research Archive
• Thakuri, Bishwas Malla; Baniya, Nabin & Solberg, Svein Øivind (2020). Sustainable Harvesting and Cultivation of Endangered Himalayan Wild Plants. International Journal of BioSciences, Agriculture and Technology (IJBSAT). 11(2), p. 8–18. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.4133192. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Endangered wild species with high commercial interests are at risk of being extinct. This study focuses on traditional Asian medicinal species, one fungus, Ophio-cordyceps sinensis, three wild plants Nardostachys grandiflora, Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Rauvolfia serpentina, and one semi-cultivated plant, Cinnamomum tamala. Information on traditional use and of gathering methods were surveyed from local collectors and stakeholders involved in trade of wild plants, and from conservation and management experts. All target species are popular and prices are high. We found that old people had more knowledge about the plants than young do and people in rural mountainous areas use the plants more frequently than in the more central urban areas. People involved in gathering are likely to be illiterate but they have good knowledge on wild species. Our study emphasized that local stakeholders should be included in the conservation work and with sustainable harvesting methods. In addition, cultivation of the plants could be a way forward. All target species except Cinnamomum tamala have decreasing or threatened wild populations, thus can serve as an example of a native species that is being cultivated and where cultivation go hand in hand with conservation interests.

• Sousa, Kaue de & Solberg, Svein Øivind (2020). Conservation Gaps in Traditional Vegetables Native to Europe and Fennoscandia. Agriculture. 10(8). doi: 10.3390/agriculture10080340. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Vegetables are rich in vitamins and other micronutrients and are important crops for healthy diets and diversification of the food system, and many traditional (also termed underutilized or indigenous) species may play a role. The current study analyzed 35 vegetables with a European region of diversity with the effort to map the conservation status in Fennoscandia and beyond. We mapped georeferenced occurrences and current genebank holdings based on global databases and conducted conservation gaps analysis based on representativeness scores in situ and ex situ. Out of the 35 target species, 19 got at a high priority score for further conservation initiatives, while another 14 species got a medium priority score. We identified a pattern where traditional vegetables are poorly represented in genebank holdings. This corresponds well to a lack of attention in the scientific community measured in number of published papers. Considering the grand challenges ahead in terms of climate change, population growth and demand for sustainability, traditional vegetables deserve greater attention. Our contribution is to provide a basis for conservation priorities among the identified vegetables species native to Fennoscandia

• Zonneveld, Maarten van; Kindt, Roeland; Solberg, Svein Øivind; N'Danikou, Sognigbé & Dawson, Ian K. (2020). Diversity and conservation of traditional African vegetables: Priorities for action. Diversity and Distributions: A Journal of Conservation Biogeography. ISSN 1366-9516. 27, p. 216–232. doi: 10.1111/ddi.13188. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Aim Traditional African vegetables have high potential to contribute to healthy diets and climate resilience in sub‐Saharan African food systems. However, their genetic resources are likely at threat because they are underutilized and under the radar of agricultural research. This paper aims to contribute to a conservation agenda for traditional African vegetables by examining the geographical diversity and conservation status of these species. Location Sub‐Saharan Africa. Methods 126 traditional annual and perennial African vegetables were selected for their food and nutrition potential. Food uses and species’ areas of origin were recorded from literature. Species’ presence records were collected from open‐access databases of genebanks and herbaria. These records were used to determine geographical patterns of observed and modelled richness, to distinguish geographical clusters with different compositions of vegetables, to assess species’ ex situ and in situ conservation status and to prioritize countries for conservation actions. Results Of the 126 species, 79 originated in sub‐Saharan Africa. High levels of observed and modelled species richness were found in: (a) West Tropical Africa in Ghana, Togo and Benin; (b) West‐Central Tropical Africa in South Cameroon; (c) Northeast and East Tropical Africa in Ethiopia and Tanzania; and (d) Southern Africa in Eswatini. South Sudan, Angola and DR Congo are potential areas of high species richness that require further exploration. In general, ex situ conservation status of the selected species was poor compared to their in situ conservation status. Main conclusions Areas of high species richness in West Tropical Africa, South Cameroon and Ethiopia coincide with centres of crop domestication and cultural diversity. Hotspots of diversity in Tanzania and Eswatini are especially rich in wild vegetables. Addressing the conservation of vegetable diversity in West Tropical Africa and South Cameroon is of most urgent concern as vegetable genetic resources from these locations are least represented in ex situ collections.

• Solberg, Svein Øivind; Yndgaard, Flemming; Andreasen, Christian; Bothmer, Roland von; Loskutov, Igor & Asdal, Åsmund (2020). Long-Term Storage and Longevity of Orthodox Seeds: A Systematic Review. Frontiers in Plant Science. 11. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2020.01007. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  As part of conservation of plant genetic resources, long-term storage of seeds is highly relevant for genebanks. Here we present a systematic review and a meta-analysis of studies on seed longevity focusing on half-life (P50) under different storage conditions. Six studies were selected for the meta-analysis; in addition, a high number of additional references were included in the discussion of the results. The results show that under ambient conditions, half-life is short, from 5 to 10 years, while under more optimal conditions, which for orthodox seeds is at low humidity and low temperature, half-life is more in the 40−60 years range, although with large interspecies variation. Under long-term genebank conditions, with seeds dried to equilibrium and thereafter kept at minus 18−20°C in waterproof bags or jars, half-life can be twice or three times as long. In general, many of the grain legume seeds, as well as corn, common oat, and common barley are long-lived, while cereal rye, onion, garden lettuce, pepper, and some of the forage grasses are more short-lived. Conditions during maturation and harvesting influence longevity, and proper maturation and gentle handling are known to be of importance. Seed longevity models have been developed to predict final germination based on initial viability, temperature, humidity, storage time, and species information. We compared predicted germination to results from the long-term experiments. The predicted values were higher or much higher than the observed values, which demonstrate that something in the seed handling in the genebanks have not been optimal. Long-term studies are now available with data at least up to 60 years of storage. Our review shows that the knowledge and methodology developed for the conservation of plant genetic resources should also work for wild species of orthodox seed nature.

• Sousa, Kaue de; Sparks, Adam H.; Ashmall, William; Etten, Jacob van & Solberg, Svein Øivind (2020). chirps: API Client for the CHIRPS Precipitation Data in R. Journal of Open Source Software (JOSS). 5(51), p. 2419–2419. doi: 10.21105/joss.02419. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The chirps package provides functionalities for reproducible analysis in R (R Core Team, 2020) using the CHIRPS (Funk et al., 2015) data. CHIRPS is daily precipitation data set developed by the Climate Hazards Group (Funk et al., 2015) for high resolution precipitation gridded data. Spanning 50◦ S to 50◦ N (and all longitudes) and ranging from 1981 to nearpresent (normally with a 45 day lag), CHIRPS incorporates 0.05 arc-degree resolution satellite imagery, and in-situ station data to create gridded precipitation time series for trend analysis and seasonal drought monitoring (Funk et al., 2015). Additionally, the package provides the API client for the IMERG (Huffman et al., 2014) and ESI (SERVIR Global, 2019a) data. The Integrated Multi-satelliE Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) data provides near-real time global observations of rainfall at 0.5 arc-degree resolution, which can be used to estimate total rainfall accumulation from storm systems and quantify the intensity of rainfall and flood impacts from tropical cyclones and other storm systems. IMERG is a daily precipitation dataset available from 2015 to near-present. The evaporative stress index (ESI) data describes temporal anomalies in evapotranspiration produced weekly at 0.25 arc-degree resolution for the entire globe (Anderson et al., 2011). The ESI data is based on satellite observations of land surface temperature, which are used to estimate water loss due to evapotranspiration (the sum of evaporation and plant transpiration from the Earth’s land and ocean surface to the atmosphere). The ESI data is available from 2001 to near-present. When using these data sets in publications please cite Funk et al. (2015) for CHIRPS, Huffman et al. (2014) for IMERG and SERVIR Global (2019a) for ESI.

• Udayana, Cicik; Skarpe, Christina; Solberg, Svein Øivind; Mathisen, Karen Marie & Andreassen, Harry Peter (2019). Soil properties after forest rehabilitation by planting teak and mahogany in Java, Indonesia. Forest Science and Technology. ISSN 2158-0103. 15(4), p. 230–237. doi: 10.1080/21580103.2019.1673220. Full text in Research Archive
• D'Este, Valentina Rosalia; Axelsson, Johan; Yndgaard, Flemming & Solberg, Svein Øivind (2019). Stratification, scarification and gibberellic acid treatments of garden angelica (Angelica archangelica) seeds. Seed science and technology. ISSN 0251-0952. 47(3), p. 243–247. doi: 10.15258/sst.2019.47.3.01. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  A study was made to examine methods to break seed dormancy in long-term stored garden seed lots of angelica (Angelica archangelica), including cold stratification at 4ᵒC for 60 or 85 days, scarification and gibberellic acid treatments. The results showed that stratification was needed but was not enough alone as 60 days gave almost no germination and 85 days 10%. Addition of gibberellic acid improved germination to up to 27% for the seeds stratified for 60 days and 41% for seeds stratified for 85 days, but with large variation among seed samples. Scarification + stratification gave a somewhat similar result, up to 12 and 22% germination, while the combined stratification + scarification + gibberellic acid treatment resulted in more than 60% germination. The results are useful for genebank managers and others involved in conservation and cultivation of garden angelica.

• Taher, Dalia; Rakha, Mohamed; Ramasamy, Srinivasan; Solberg, Svein Øivind & Schafleitner, Roland (2019). Sources of Resistance for Two-spotted Spider Mite (Tetranychus urticae) in Scarlet (Solanum aethiopicum L.) and Gboma (S. macrocarpon L.) Eggplant Germplasms. Hortscience. ISSN 0018-5345. 52(2), p. 240–245. doi: 10.21273/HORTSCI13669-18. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, is a serious global pest of eggplants and other vegetables in the tropics and subtropics. The scarlet (Solanum aethiopicum L.) and gboma (Solanum macrocarpon L.) are two cultivated eggplants indigenous to sub-Saharan Africa. In this study, 120 accessions of S. aethiopicum and five accessions of S. macrocarpon from the World Vegetable Center’s genebank collection were evaluated for spider mite resistance based on leaf damage scores and trichome types and densities. The highest levels of resistance were detected in S. macrocarpon accessions VI050393 and VI050444. In addition, two accessions of S. aethiopicum, VI042749 and VI042753, were moderately resistant. All other S. aethiopicum accessions were susceptible or highly susceptible. Spider mite resistance was significantly associated with the presence of type VII glandular trichome, but nonglandular stellate trichomes were not associated with resistance. The resistant S. macrocarpon accessions can be directly used as resistant cultivars or in prebreeding programs aimed at breeding resistant lines of the most commonly cultivated eggplant (S. melogena).

• Bladh, Katarina Wedelsbäck; Yndgaard, Flemming; Liljeroth, Erland; Asdal, Åsmund; Suojala-Ahlfors, Terhi & Solberg, Svein Øivind [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2019). Morphological Characterization of Nordic Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana). Botanica. ISSN 2538-8649. 25(1), p. 74–83. doi: 10.2478/botlit-2019-0008. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Morphological diversity was studied in 101 accessions of horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) collected from old gardens in Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden. The characterization work was performed over three years,where a total of 19 descriptors from the UPOV guidelines G/191/2-2001 were recorded each year. The results showed high diversity among the studied accessions, both for leaf and rhizome characters. A morphotype with long leaves and a high leaf length/leaf width quota was the most common, but also elliptic and heart-shaped leaf types were found. Some characters showed stability over the years, although there were variations in the results. Correlations between descriptors were found and five different clusters of descriptors were identified. In two of the clusters, only leaf characters were found, whereas the rhizome characters were divided into three other clusters. Correlation between descriptors can be used to reduce the number of descriptors for further studies of horseradish. The results showed that there is a high diversity both in leaf and rhizome characters, despite that horseradish is a vegetatively propagated plant.

• Sogbohosso, E.O.D; Achigan-Dako, E.G; Maundu, P; Solberg, Svein Øivind; Deguenon, E.M.S & Mumm, R.H. [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2018). A roadmap for breeding orphan leafy vegetable species: a case study of Gynandropsis gynandra (Cleomaceae). Journal of Horticultural Research. ISSN 2300-5009. 5, p. 2052–7276. doi: 10.1038/s41438-017-0001-2. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Despite an increasing awareness of the potential of “orphan” or unimproved crops to contribute to food security and enhanced livelihoods for farmers, coordinated research agendas to facilitate production and use of orphan crops by local communities are generally lacking. We provide an overview of the current knowledge on leafy vegetables with a focus on Gynandropsis gynandra, a highly nutritious species used in Africa and Asia, and highlight general and species- specific guidelines for participatory, genomics-assisted breeding of orphan crops. Key steps in genome-enabled orphan leafy vegetables improvement are identified and discussed in the context of Gynandropsis gynandra breeding, including: (1) germplasm collection and management; (2) product target definition and refinement; (3) characterization of the genetic control of key traits; (4) design of the ‘process’ for cultivar development; (5) integration of genomic data to optimize that ‘process’; (6) multi-environmental participatory testing and end-user evaluation; and (7) crop value chain development. The review discusses each step in detail, with emphasis on improving leaf yield, phytonutrient content, organoleptic quality, resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses and post-harvest management.

• Solberg, Svein Øivind; Seta-Waken, Philmah; Paul, Tania; Gomathy, Palaniappan & Iramu, Ellen (2018). Patterns in the conservation and use of traditional vegetables from the New Guinean biodiversity hotspot. Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems. ISSN 2168-3565. 42(10), p. 1079–1091. doi: 10.1080/21683565.2018.1489932. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  In this paper, we survey traditional leafy vegetables linked to the New Guinea biodiversity hotspot. More than 30 species were identified, and data on occurrences and global genebank holdings were retrieved. The result revealed that traditional vegetables from this hotspot are highly under-represented in the global conservation system for plant genetic resources. Among targeted perennial tree or shrub species, no single accessions were reported as conserved in genebanks. We argue for the importance of safeguarding crop diversity for future generations and for promoting the traditional knowledge linked to cultivation and use of such nutritional plants.

• Karki, Regan & Solberg, Svein Øivind (2018). Activated BIOCHAR with VERMICOMPOST as an alternative PEAT substitute. International Journal of BioSciences, Agriculture and Technology (IJBSAT). 9(8), p. 64–70. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.2259883. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Biochar produced from a mixed feedstock of ash, beech and oak under slow pyrolysis process (500-550 °C) was amended with vermicompost in 1: 2 ratio (w/w) to make nutrient enriched vermi-biochar. Experiments were performed to examine if this vermi-biochar could replace peat as a growth medium in greenhouse production of vegetables. Replacement of peat is an environmental goal as peat represent at least partly an unrenewable source which decomposition contributes to greenhouse gases and global warming. Red Cherriette Radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. sativus) was selected as a test plant and was raised in vermi-biochar mixed with peat in volumetric ratios 0:100 (pure peat, control 1), 40:60, 60:40, 70:30, 80:20, and 100: 0 (pure vermi-biochar, control 2). The peat was a commercial fertilizer enriched growth medium commonly used by farmers. Growth parameters such as root and shoot weights and brix percentage were measured. The results showed that vermi-biochar used in a rate of 40-70 %, but also vermi-biochar alone, significantly increase fresh root weight and overall biomass compared to peat soil alone. The study implies that vermi-biochar can replace all the peat used in the greenhouse production of radish and even enhance the yield of the produced biomass. Keywords: Biochar; organic amendment; vermicompost; growing media; peat

• Ahmad, Maqshoof; Pataczek, Lisa; Hilger, Thomas; Zahir, Z; Hussain, Azar & Rasche, Frank [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2018). Perspectives of Microbial Inoculation for Sustainable Development and Environmental Management. Frontiers in Microbiology. 9. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02992. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  How to sustainably feed a growing global population is a question still without an answer. Particularly farmers, to increase production, tend to apply more fertilizers and pesticides, a trend especially predominant in developing countries. Another challenge is that industrialization and other human activities produce pollutants, which accumulate in soils or aquatic environments, contaminating them. Not only is human well-being at risk, but also environmental health. Currently, recycling, land-filling, incineration and pyrolysis are being used to reduce the concentration of toxic pollutants from contaminated sites, but too have adverse effects on the environment, producing even more resistant and highly toxic intermediate compounds. Moreover, these methods are expensive, and are difficult to execute for soil, water, and air decontamination. Alternatively, green technologies are currently being developed to degrade toxic pollutants. This review provides an overview of current research on microbial inoculation as a way to either replace or reduce the use of agrochemicals and clean environments heavily affected by pollution. Microorganism-based inoculants that enhance nutrient uptake, promote crop growth, or protect plants from pests and diseases can replace agrochemicals in food production. Several examples of how biofertilizers and biopesticides enhance crop production are discussed. Plant roots can be colonized by a variety of favorable species and genera that promote plant growth. Microbial interventions can also be used to clean contaminated sites from accumulated pesticides, heavy metals, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and other industrial effluents. The potential of and key processes used by microorganisms for sustainable development and environmental management are discussed in this review, followed by their future prospects.

• Leino, Matti W; Solberg, Svein Øivind; Tunset, Hanna Maja; Fogelholm, Jesper; Strese, Else-Marie Karlsson & Hagenblad, Jenny (2018). Patterns of Exchange of Multiplying Onion (Allium cepa L. Aggregatum-Group) in Fennoscandian Home Gardens. Economic Botany. ISSN 0013-0001. 72, p. 346–356. doi: 10.1007/s12231-018-9426-2. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Multiplying onion (Allium cepa L. Aggregatum-Group), commonly known as shallot or potato onion, has a long tradition of cultivation in Fennoscandian home gardens. During the last decades, more than 80 accessions, maintained as vegetatively propagated clones, have been gathered from home gardens in all Fennoscandian countries. A genetic analysis showed regional patterns of accessions belonging to the same genetic group. However, accessions belonging to the same genetic group could originate in any of the countries. These results suggested both short- and long-distance exchange of set onions, which was confirmed by several survey responses. Some of the most common genetic groups also resembled different modern varieties. The morphological characterization illustrated that most characters were strongly influenced by environment and set onion properties. The only reliably scorable trait was bulb skin color. Neither our morphological nor genetic results support a division between potato onions and shallots. Instead, naming seems to follow linguistic traditions. An ethnobotanical survey tells of the Fennoscandian multiplying onions as being a crop with reliable harvest, excellent storage ability, and good taste. An increased cultivation of this material on both household and commercial scale should be possible.

• Solberg, Svein Øivind & Yndgaard, Flemming (2018). Trait Patterns and Genetic Resources of Dill (Anethum graveolens L.). Geneconserve. 17(66), p. 1–17. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Dill (Anethum graveolens L.) is used fresh or processed for food seasoning and preservation. Production is concentrated in temperate regions but can be grown as a cool season crop in India and Thailand. Several secondary metabolites, among them essential oils are present in the plant and with claimed health benefits. Despite the many potential benefits, dill is an underutilized crop. The current study survey global and European genetic resources. Hence, accessions from the Nordic germplasm collection were evaluated, aiming at tracing trait patterns. The survey showed both gaps and overlaps in available genebank holdings. Accessions from outside Europe were highly under-represented in the global collections, as were wild material and crop wild relatives. The evaluation showed that important agro-botanical traits correlated, such as plant height, umbel size and other size characters. Furthermore, essential oil composition was clearly influenced by high temperature stress. A discussion on access and use of genetic resources of minor crops such as dill was included.

• Chang, C.H.; Chou, Yu-yu; Yndgaard, Flemming & Solberg, Svein Øivind (2018). Trait patterns of mungbean, black gram and rice bean. Legume Research. Legume Research An International Journal. ISSN 0250-5371. 41(4), p. 510–518. doi: 10.18805/LR-378. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Food legumes like mungbean (Vigna radiata var. radiata), black gram (Vigna mungo), and rice bean (Vigna umbellata) have potential to diversify diets and agro-ecosystems of the tropics. Access to genetic diversity and phenotypic data are key issues for crop improvement. Large germplasm collections like the one at the World Vegetable Center may be used in detecting trait relationships and to identify accessions of interest for breeding. The current study provides results of more than 30 years of field characterization, including 9 numeric and 15 categorical descriptors and more than 10,000 accessions or sub-accessions. Core collections were established in black gram and rice bean. A positive correlation was detected between yield components such as seed size and pod length, and between these yield components and less desirable traits such as plant height and late maturity. High within-accession diversity was identified in several of the accessions.

• Solberg, Svein Øivind; Yndgaard, Flemming; Poulsen, Gert & Bothmer, R. V. (2017). Seed yield and protein content in the Weibullsholm Pisum collection. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution. ISSN 0925-9864. 64, p. 2035–2047. doi: 10.1007/s10722-017-0494-4. Full text in Research Archive
• Solberg, Svein Øivind; Artemyeva, Anna; Yndgaard, Flemming; Dørre, Malin; Niss, Jerker & Burleigh, Stephen (2017). Duplication assessments in Brassica vegetable accessions. Plant genetic resources. ISSN 1479-2621. doi: 10.1017/S1479262117000156. Full text in Research Archive
• Taher, Dalia; Solberg, Svein Øivind; Prohens, Jaime; Chou, Yu-yu; Rakha, Mohamed & Wu, Tien-hor (2017). World Vegetable Center Eggplant Collection: Origin, Composition, Seed Dissemination and Utilization in Breeding. Frontiers in Plant Science. 8. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2017.01484. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Eggplant is the fifth most economically important solanaceous crop after potato, tomato, pepper, and tobacco. Apart from the well-known brinjal eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), two other under-utilized eggplant species, the scarlet eggplant (S. aethiopicum L.) and the gboma eggplant (S. macrocarpon L.) are also cultivated. The taxonomy and identification of eggplant wild relatives is challenging for breeders due to the large number of related species, but recent phenotypic and genetic data and classification in primary, secondary, and tertiary genepools, as well as information on the domestication process and wild progenitors, facilitates their utilization in breeding. The World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg) holds a large public germplasm collection of eggplant, which includes the three cultivated species and more than 30 eggplant wild relatives, with more than 3,200 accessions collected from 90 countries. Over the last 15 years, more than 10,000 seed samples from the Center’s eggplant collection have been shared with public and private sector entities, including other genebanks. An analysis of the global occurrences and genebank holdings of cultivated eggplants and their wild relatives reveals that the WorldVeg genebank holds the world’s largest public collection of the three cultivated eggplant species. The composition, seed dissemination and utilization of germplasm from the Center’s collection are highlighted. In recent years more than 1,300 accessions of eggplant have been characterized for yield and fruit quality parameters. Further screening for biotic and abiotic stresses in eggplant wild relatives is a priority, as is the need to amass more comprehensive knowledge regarding wild relatives’ potential for use in breeding. However, as is the case for many other crops, wild relatives are highly under-represented in the global conservation system of eggplant genetic resources.

• Wu, Tien-hor; Solberg, Svein Øivind; Yndgaard, Flemming & Chou, Yu-yu (2017). Morphological patterns in a world collection of Cleome gynandra. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution. ISSN 0925-9864. 65(1), p. 271–283. doi: 10.1007/s10722-017-0529-x. Full text in Research Archive
• Solberg, Svein Øivind (2016). Celery. In Ambrose, D. C. P; Manickavasagan, A & Naik, R (Ed.), Leafy Medicinal Herbs: Botany, Chemistry,Postharvest Technology and Uses. CABI Publishing. ISSN 9781780645599. p. 74–83. Full text in Research Archive
• Solberg, Svein Øivind & Chou, Yu-yu (2016). Conservation of Indigenous Vegetables from a Hotspot in Tropical Asia: What Did We Learn from Vavilov? Frontiers in Plant Science. 7. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2016.01982. Full text in Research Archive
• Solberg, Svein Øivind; Diederichsen, Axel; Helgadottir, Aslaug; Dalmannsdottir, Sigridur; Djurhuus, Rolvur & Frederiksen, A. [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2016). Plant Genetic Resources and Climate Change: Stakeholder Perspectives from the Nordic and Arctic Regions. In Bari, Abdallah; Mackay, Michael; Dayanandan, Selvadurai & Damania, Ardeshir B. (Ed.), Applied mathematics and omics to assess genetic resources for adaptive traits to climate change. Taylor & Francis. ISSN 9781498730136. p. 13–24. doi: 10.1201/b19518-4. Full text in Research Archive
• Solberg, Svein Øivind; Göransson, Magnus; Petersen, MA; Yndgaard, Flemming & Jeppson, Simon (2016). Caraway essential oil composition and morphology: The role of location and genotype. Biochemical Systematics and Ecology. ISSN 0305-1978. 66, p. 351–357. doi: 10.1016/j.bse.2016.05.012. Full text in Research Archive
• Solberg, Svein Øivind & Yndgaard, Flemming (2016). Analysing genebank collections using “R”: Making trait information widely available to users. Geneconserve. 15(58), p. 1–51. Full text in Research Archive
• Solberg, Svein Øivind (2015). Translucent Scale and Leathery Scale Disorders of Onion Bulbs: Describing Symptoms and Causes. International Journal of Vegetable Science. ISSN 1931-5260. 21, p. 188–203. doi: 10.1080/19315260.2013.859205. Full text in Research Archive
• Solberg, Svein Øivind; Yndgaard, Flemming & Axelsson, Johan (2015). Nitrate and oxalate in germplasm collections of spinach and other leafy vegetables. Emirates Journal of Food and Agriculture (EJFA). ISSN 2079-052X. 27, p. 705–705. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Accumulation of nitrate and oxalate is a concern in the production and marketing of leafy vegetables. High nitrate levels can be related to fertilization regime, light conditions and plant factors. Plant factors are of major importance for oxalate content. Plant breeding has been reported as one way of reducing the content of nitrate and oxalate. In this study we have examined germplasm collections of spinach (Spinacia oleracea), orache (Atriplex hortensis) and rocket (Eruca sativa). For spinach contents were related to morphological characters and to breeding method. Across accessions, rocket showed significantly higher nitrate levels than spinach and orache. No clear differences were detected between spinach and orache with regard to either nitrate or oxalate content. However, oarche showed higher dry matter content. A general strong positive correlation was found between nitrate and oxalate. The mechanism behind such a relationship is discussed but not fully understood. No differences were detected between old and new spinach cultivars or between open-pollinated cultivars and F1-hybrids, but potential interesting accessions for future breeding of low-nitrate/low-oxalate spinach were identified. Keywords: breeding, Eruca sativa, orache, rocket, Spinacia oleracea

• Solberg, Svein Øivind; Yndgaard, Flemming & Palme, A (2015). Morphological and phenological consequences of ex situ conservation of natural populations of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.). Plant genetic resources. ISSN 1479-2621. 15(2), p. 97–108. doi: 10.1017/S1479262115000416. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Ex situ seed banks provide an effective conservation and utilization system for crops and their wild relatives. Efforts are made to reduce genetic drift in conservation, where regeneration is a critical step. In the present study, we examined eight wild populations of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) according to 13 morphological and phenological traits. Samples of original collected seed were grown and compared with plants from first and second ex situ generation, with commercial cultivars and landraces being included for purposes of comparison. Variance analysis and Tukey multiple comparisons of means showed that the commercial cultivars and landraces were clearly distinct from the wild populations and were excluded from the further analysis. Despite the fact that the wild accessions were collected from a geographically delimited region in Norway, they exhibited significant differences in several of the measured traits. The main phenotypic patterns remain after ex situ regenerations. However, the mean values for four of the examined traits (across accessions) did change significantly from one generation to the next. Two of the eight accessions had significantly changed from one generation to the next, a tendency was observed across all the studied traits. The results were discussed in terms of regeneration circumstances. Observed changes appeared to be directional, going from populations with predominantly wild morphological types towards plants more closely resembling the commercial cultivars. Such a directional change implies that selection or gene flow has been acting on the accessions during regeneration, rather than random changes owing to genetic drift.

• Solberg, Svein Øivind & Breian, Line (2015). Commercial cultivars and farmers’ access to crop diversity: A case study from the Nordic region. Agricultural and Food Science. ISSN 1459-6067. 24(2), p. 50–63. doi: 10.23986/afsci.48629. Full text in Research Archive
• Solberg, Svein Øivind & Yndgaard, Flemming (2015). Morphological and phenological diversity in Scandinavian wild carrot. Geneconserve. 14(57), p. 29–51. Full text in Research Archive
• Solberg, Svein Øivind; Brantestam, Agnese Kolodinska; Olsson, Kerstin; Leino, Matti W; Weibull, Jens & Yndgaard, Flemming (2015). Diversity in local cultivars of Pisum sativum collected from home gardens in Sweden. Biochemical Systematics and Ecology. ISSN 0305-1978. 62, p. 194–203. doi: 10.1016/j.bse.2015.09.004. Full text in Research Archive
• Diedrichsen, Axel; Solberg, Svein Øivind & Jeppson, Simon (2013). Morphological changes in Nordic spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) landraces and cultivars released from 1892 to 1994. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution. ISSN 0925-9864. 60, p. 569–585. doi: 10.1007/s10722-012-9858-y. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  A descriptor list of 34 phenological and morphological characters was applied to assess the changes of diversity in 57 Nordic spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars released between 1892 and 1994 and to compare their diversity to 22 Nordic landraces. The field observations were conducted at the Nordic Genetic Resource Centre at Alnarp, Sweden, in 2010. Over time the cultivars became shorter, less inclined to lodging, earlier in heading and maturity. The spikes became shorter and denser with more grains per spikelet, and seed shattering of mature spikes decreased. The morphological type of Nordic spring wheat cultivars did not change after the 1960s, although improvements in disease resistances, yield and quality characters still occurred. All recent cultivars represented T. aestivum L. var. lutescens (Alef.) Mansf., characterised by awnless spikes with white glabrous glumes and red grains. Compared to the cultivars, the landraces were generally earlier in heading and maturity, much taller, inclined to lodging and they had looser spikes with less grains per spikelet than cultivars. In some characters such as glume colour and awnedness the landraces showed more diversity within and among the accessions than the cultivars and hence represented more infraspeficic taxa than the cultivars. Nordic landraces seemed adapted to low-input growing conditions. However, for the use in ecological agriculture, they would need improvements, e.g. in reducing seed shattering, lodging and enhancing disease resistances. The role of plant breeding in preserving and developing genetic diversity in Nordic spring wheat with emphasis on Sweden is discussed.

• Keller, E.R. Joachim; Zanke, C.D. & Solberg, Svein Øivind (2012). EURALLIVEG: Establishment of a European Core Collection by Cryopreservation and Virus Elimination in Garlic. Acta Horticulturae. ISSN 0567-7572. 969, p. 319–327. doi: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2012.969.41. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  A European project named EURALLIVEG (Vegetative Allium, Europe’s Core Collection, safe & sound) was performed under Council Regulation EC 870/2004 from 2007 until 2011. It was coordinated by IPK. The main focus of the project was the development of a European integrated Allium Core collection provided by national collections of Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Italy, France, and Nordic countries. This collection was designed as a part of the European Genebank Integrated System (AEGIS) of the European Cooperative Program for Plant Genetic Resources (ECPGR). The project consists of five work packages: documentation, molecular screening, cryopreservation, virus elimination, and coordination. Main aim was identification of a core collection of the 200 most important garlic accessions. This collection was cryopreserved using vitrification, which is the most economic way for long term storage. A Cryobanks Network was organized by three project partners. This system ensures safe storage of material by adopting a safety duplicate strategy. The documentation of the collection used passport and characterization data, pictures and other information. In addition genetic fingerprinting with AFLP markers was conducted. In the project, the garlic accessions were introduced into meristem culture for virus elimination. Of the viruses present in garlic, Onion Yellow Dwarf (OYDV) and Leek Yellow Stripe (LYSV) Viruses are most harmful. Therefore, because of the impossibility to do all treatments and tests on all germplasm, it was decided to test the major part of the collection on OYDV and LYSV only. However, a specific part with higher priority (backbone subset) was examined for five viruses. Virus detection used ELISA testing.

• Solberg, Svein Øivind & Dragland, Steinar (2006). The effects of dark-coloured plastic, fibre, and paper mulches on yield and overwintering of perennial herbs. Journal of Herbs, Spices & Medicinal Plants. ISSN 1049-6475. 12, p. 13–23. doi: 10.1300/J044v12n01_02. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Various plastic mulch (PE black, PE brown, and LDPE white), fiber mulch (Uco black woven), and paper mulch (Gropex gray) were examined in four perennial herb crops (Hyssopus officinalis, Melissa officinalis, Thymus vulgares, and Echinacea purpurea) in a field experiment during a three-year period in Norway. Over-wintering, total yield, herbs' nutrient content (N, P, K), soil temperature, and soil nitrogen were examined. For all species, the total yield was the highest when using dark-colored plastic mulches, followed by fiber mulch. The white plastic and paper did not return the same yield. The result was related to soil temperature and soil mineral N content. The over-wintering was only slightly affected by mulching. The concentration of K was significantly higher in herbs grown on dark-colored mulches compared with white plastic, paper, and bare soil, while no effect was found on N and P. KEYWORDS: Cold hardiness, Echinacea purpurea , frost hardiness, Hyssopus officinalis , lemon balm, Melissa officinalis , thyme, Thymus vulgaris

• Lieblein, Geir; Francis, Charles Andrew; Barth-Eide, Wenche; Torjusen, Hanne; Solberg, Svein Øivind & Salomonsson, Lennart [Show all 18 contributors for this article] (2000). Future Education in Ecological Agriculture and Food Systems: A Student-Faculty Evaluation and Planning Process. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture. ISSN 1044-0046. 16(4), p. 49–69. Full text in Research Archive

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• Solberg, Svein Øivind & Viken, Berit (2011). Plantebruk, omsetning og gartnerbedrift. Tun Forlag AS. ISBN 9788252932928. 335 p. Full text in Research Archive

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• Mousavi, Hesam; Cottis, Thomas & Solberg, Svein Øivind (2025). Nitrogen Enriched Organic fertilizer (NEO) A Short-Term Boost to Soil Nitrification Without Lasting Impact. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Amidst population growth, escalating food costs, limited arable land, and farmland degradation, the adoption of innovative technologies—like organic waste recycling and nutrient recovery—is crucial for enhancing the resilience of global agri-food systems. Nitrogen-Enriched Organic fertilizer (NEO) is produced using a new method, where dinitrogen (N2) is captured from the air through a plasma process and mixed with slurries or digestates as nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite (NO2-). This process leads to solid slurry acidification and a high NO2- content, potentially yielding toxic inorganic or organic N compounds. This study investigated the impact of NEO derived from cattle slurry and biogas digestate on soil nitrification—conversion of NH4+ to NO2- and NO3- by aerobic autotrophic bacteria and archaea. We investigated and compared the potential nitrification rates in soil samples from two agricultural trials (cereal and grass) treated with NEO and other fertilizers after two consecutive fertilization years. Additionally, we examined the immediate nitrification response to NEO through 73-hour soil incubations. Our results revealed that NEO significantly stimulated nitrification rates in agitated soil slurries, regardless of the feedstock used, surpassing rates observed in ammonium controls. Similarly, this pattern was also observed in loosely placed soil samples, with high nitrification rates occurring with NEO and ammonium chloride. Interestingly, the differences in nitrification rates between field-fertilized soil samples were minimal and inconsequential, suggesting that while NEO exhibits a rapid boost in nitrification rates shortly after application, this effect is not sustained ≈ six months after fertilization under field conditions. Consequently, NEO indicates its potential as an environmentally benign fertilizer without adversely affecting soil nitrification.

• Solberg, Svein Øivind (2025). Agroecology: Perspectives and experiences from Norway. Full text in Research Archive
• Solberg, Svein Øivind (2025). Halmhåndtering og tilslag av fangvekster sådd ved ulike såtider. Full text in Research Archive
• Solberg, Svein Øivind; Zonneveld, Maarten van & Diederichsen, Axel (2024). Editorial: Advances in conservation and utilization of plant genetic resources. Frontiers Research Topics. p. 6–9. doi: 10.3389/978-2-8325-5334-3. Full text in Research Archive
• Solberg, Svein Øivind; Stürite, Ievina; Bysveen, Kari; Brown, Thomas Julseth & Frøseth, Randi Berland (2024). Halmhåndtering og tilslag av fangvekster sådd ved ulike tidspunkt i bygg og hvete i Innlandet. In Solberg, Harald (Eds.), Jord- og Plantekultur 2024 - Forsøk i korn, olje- og belgvekster, engfrøavl og potet 2023. NIBIO. ISSN 9788217034308. p. 105–111. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Denne boka inneholder som vanlig resultater fra forsøk og utviklingsarbeid innenfor korn, olje- og belgvekster, jordbruksfrø og potet. Her finner du de store linjene, sammendrag for resultatene i ulike forsøksserier og konklusjoner fra prosjekter.

• Solberg, Svein Øivind; Zonneveld, Maarten van & Diederichsen, Axel (2024). Editorial: Advances in conservation and utilization of plant genetic resources. Frontiers in Plant Science. 15. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1468904. Full text in Research Archive
• Mousavi, Hesam; Cottis, Thomas; Pommeresche, Reidun; Dörsch, Peter & Solberg, Svein Øivind (2023). Plasma-Treated Nitrogen-Enriched Manure Does Not Impose Adverse Effects on Soil Fauna Feeding Activity or Springtails and Earthworms Abundance. Full text in Research Archive
• Mousavi, Hesam; Cottis, Thomas & Solberg, Svein Øivind (2023). Nitrogen Enriched Organic fertilizer (NEO) elevates nitrification rates shortly after application but has no lasting effect on nitrification in agricultural soils. Full text in Research Archive
• Cottis, Thomas; Solberg, Svein Øivind; Myrvang, Mona Bakke & Mousavi, Hesam (2022). Regionale gjødselressurser: avlingseffekt av biokull i blanding med biorest. Resultater fra Høgskolen i Innlandet sitt arbeid i 2021. Skriftserien Høgskolen i Innlandet. ISSN 2535-5678. doi: 10.13140/RG.2.2.34562.15046. Full text in Research Archive
• Solberg, Svein Øivind (2022). Agriculture and biodiversity. Full text in Research Archive
• Solberg, Svein Øivind (2022). Global strategy for the conservation and use of eggplants. Full text in Research Archive
• Cottis, Thomas; Solberg, Svein Øivind; Nyvold, Magnus; Johansen, Astrid; Stabbetorp, Jan & Berg, Erik Hørluck [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2021). Prosjekt FARGO år 2020: en oppsummering av Høgskolen i Innlandet sin forskning. Skriftserien Høgskolen i Innlandet. ISSN 2535-5678. doi: 10.13140/RG.2.2.27408.89602. Full text in Research Archive
• Solberg, Svein Øivind & Wubs, E.R. Jasper (2020). POTENTIAL OF SOIL BIODIVERSITY IN THE FIGHT AGAINST SOIL POLLUTION. In Ramirez, Kelly S.; Kobayashi, Monica; Corona, Rosa Cuevas; Santillan, Vinisa Saynes & Rojas, Ronald Vargas (Ed.), State of knowledge of soil biodiversity - Status, challenges and potentialities. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). ISSN 9789251335826. p. 277–290. doi: 10.4060/cb1928en. Full text in Research Archive
• Solberg, Svein Øivind (2020). Erter på vandring. In Asdal, Åsmund (Eds.), Pion, pors og potet og andre utvalgte norske kulturplanter. NIBIO. ISSN 9788217026723. p. 21–24. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Norsk genressurssenter overvåker status og bidrar til bevaring og bruk av genetisk mangfold av nytteplanter. Listen over planter som har vært brukt på en eller annen måte er svært lang. Menneskene har til alle tider brukt og vært avhengige av planter til ulike formål: mat, husdyrfôr, medisin, krydder, bygningsmaterialer, klær, redskaper, eller til pryd og hygge. Planter som brukes slik over mange generasjoner, får etterhvert en interessant kulturhistorie og blir kulturminner. Da den norske regjerningen utpekte 2009 til Kulturminneår, ga det derfor mulighet til å fokusere på plantemangfoldet og ikke minst på interessant kunnskap og historie knyttet til plantene. Bidrag til Kulturminneåret fra Norsk genressurssenter omfattet blant annet en serie omtaler av kulturminneplanter på senterets nettsider. De er nå samlet i denne boka. Tilgang til genetisk variasjon hos de dyrkede plantene våre er avgjørende for utvikling av nye plantesorter som vi trenger for å øke avlingene i jordbruket, for å håndtere plantesykdommer og for å tilpasse matproduksjonen til et endret klima med varmere, våtere og villere vær.

• Solberg, Svein Øivind & Breian, Line (2017). Gamle sorter - levende kulturarv og nyttige gener. www.agropub.no. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Gamle sorter er aktuelt av flere årsaker. De har en lokal kobling, de kan være spesielle - eller de kan brukes i foredlingen av nye sorter.

• Solberg, Svein Øivind (2017). Høsting, rensing og lagring av grønnsaksfrø. www.agropub.no. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Rett høstetidspunkt er viktig ved småskala frøproduksjon. For mange arter kan ettermodning være nødvendig.

• Solberg, Svein Øivind; Breian, Line; Ansebo, Lena & Persson, Erik (2013). Cultural relict plants – a living heritage. Nordisk Museologi. ISSN 1103-8152. p. 24–35. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Cultural relict plants are remaining populations of plants once introduced for cultivation and use. The plants have survived, even though the population is no longer actively maintained. Cultural relict plants can be found in the close surround- ings of historical places such as monastery ruins, churches, castles, fortresses, manors, old farms and villages. The plants are part of a living heritage, but the responsibility tends to fall between different perspectives – between the conservation of buildings, ob- jects and immaterial knowledge (cultural heritage) and conservation of nature (natu- ral heritage). In this article we debate the value of such plants as parts of a place. We list potential species and findings from a project with focus on the Arctic region in the Nordic countries. We furthermore emphasise the need for trans-disciplinary approaches to secure the habitat and increase awareness about cultural relict plants. Keywords cultural relict plants; cultural heritage; natural heritage; ethno-botany; trans-disciplinary; conservation; in situ; seed bank

• Nabateregga, Mabel; Solberg, Svein Øivind & Sousa, Kauê de (2026). Crop breeding for climate adaptation supported by crowd-sourced citizen science in sub-Saharan Africa. Universitet i Innlandet / University of Inland Norway. ISSN 9788283805901. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Klimaendringer har påvirket matproduksjonen i verden negativt, spesielt i områder i Afrika hvor produksjonssystemene er lite utviklet og uten muligheter for vanning. Til tross for at planteforedlingen har klart å få fram nye forbedra sorter, blir disse i liten grad tatt i bruk av de mange bønder med små gårder. Dette skyldes delvis at fokuset i mindre grad har vært rettet mot småbrukerens miljø, preferanser og behov, men heller mot avling og produktivitet under mer storskala og gunstige produksjonsforhold. For å imøtekomme disse utfordringene, og for at nye sorter raskere skal kunne tas i bruk, blir deltakende planteforedling i økende grad integrert i foredlingsprogrammene. Mitt doktorgradsarbeid setter søkelys på en ny og desentralisert tilnærming som går under betegnelsen «tricot» (kortform for sammenligning av tre og tre teknologier). Forskningen ble delt inn i fire sammenkobla deler og spenner over ulike vekster (hagebønne, kassava, mais, sorghum og peanøtt) og ulike geografiske områder (Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya og Nigeria). Resultatene viste hvordan deltakende planteforedling med støtte i medborgerforskning kan produsere pålitelige data som kan så brukes av planteforedlere i deres valg og prioriteringer. Valgene kan på sikt få betydning for matsikkerheten også under ugunstige klima- og produksjonsforhold. En innledende litteraturgjennomgang viste hvordan de vanligste metodene for å registrere avling ikke kommer uten komplikasjoner. Metodenes egnethet er kontekstspesifikke i forhold til produksjonssystem (artikkel 1). Gjennomgangen viste at bønder kan produsere troverdige avlingsdata, og ga innsikt i hvordan protokoller kan utføres for å sikre gode registreringer på gårdsnivå for valg av sorter. Basert på litteraturgjennomgangen ble det undersøkt hvor nøyaktig bønder kunne registrere avling ay hagebønne (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) og med feltarbeid i den nordlige delen av Tanzania (artikkel 2). Resultatene viste en sterk korrelasjon mellom avling registrert av bønder og avling registrert av forsøksteknikerne, og med minimal påvirkning fra indre og ytre faktorer. Dette viste at bønders registreringer er robuste. Resultater ble bekreftet i kassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) med data samlet inn fra delstatene Osun og Benue i Nigeria (artikkel 3). Her ble det i tillegg også undersøkt en tilnærming med bruk av «ledende bønder» for å undersøke genotyper. En sammenligning av avlingsregistreringer gjort av «ledene bønder» og «ikke-ledende bønder» bekreftet at data levert av vanlige bønder er robuste, spesielt for å fange opp samspill mellom genotype og miljø (G x E). Et slikt aspekt er av stor betydning for foredlingsprogrammene, dette for å utvikle strategier for at sortsmateriale skal kunne være tilpasset ulikt miljø. Siste del av arbeidet undersøkte et nytt verktøy, med bruk av videobasert testing av ulike produktkonsept, og dette på et stort antall (10 100) bønder som dyrker mais, sorghum og peanøtter i Kenya, Tanzania og Uganda (artikkel 4). Studien identifiserte de mest prioriterte egenskaper og foredlingskonsept: tørkeresistens, motstandskraft mot skadegjørere, høytytende hybrider og samdyrking. Videre viste en prinsipal komponentanalyse at fire tydelige sosioøkonomiske markedssegmenter kunne identifiseres, og som kan gi pålitelig informasjon om valg av egenskaper for sorter i planteforedlingsprosessen. Samlet sett gir forskningen en strategisk oppskrift for en inkluderende, databasert planteforedling som kan imøtekomme de komplekse realiteter småbrukere befinner seg, og med dette bidra til en anvarlig planteforedling tilpasset de aktuelle utviklingslandene «i» Afrika.

• Henriksen, Trond Maukon; Barcena, Teresa G.; Bysveen, Kari; Cottis, Thomas; Dörsch, Peter & Farkas, Eva [Show all 14 contributors for this article] (2025). Fangvekster: klimaeffekt og dyrkingsstrategier. NIBIO. ISSN 9788217038290. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Rapporten sammenfatter resultater fra prosjektet “Fangvekster som klimatiltak i norsk kornproduksjon” (CAPTURE), gjennomført i 2021−2025. Målet med prosjektet var å dokumentere klimaeffekten av fangvekster på kornarealer i Norge, samt å utvikle gode dyrkingsstrategier. Rapporten presenterer dokumentasjon på mengde og variasjon i fangveksters biomasseproduksjon, bidrag til karbonfangst og lagring, utslipp av lystgass og evne til å holde på nitrat i jorda, samt en syntese av dette som kunnskapsgrunnlag for å kunne vurdere klimaeffekten av fangvekster under norske forhold.

• Solberg, Svein Øivind (2025). Grovfôrkompendiet - Dyrking og gras og andre grovfôrvekster. Universitetet i Innlandet. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.14601042. Full text in Research Archive
• Solberg, Svein Øivind; Zonneveld, Maarten van; Rakha, Mohamed; Taher, Dalia; Prohens, Jaime & Jarret, R. [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2022). Global strategy for the conservation and use of eggplants. Global Crop Diversity Trust. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Common eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), also known as brinjal eggplant or aubergine, is a vegetable crop grown for its large soft fruits which are used in cooking. There are also two African eggplant species grown locally: scarlet eggplant (Solanum aethiop icum L.) and gboma eggplant (Solanum macrocarpon L.). According to the statistics of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), eggplant is grown on 1.8 million hectares (ha) globally, and 90% of eggplant production takes place in Asia. Breeding and research on eggplant is carried out in many coun tries. Numerous germplasm collections of eggplant and its related species exist to provide plant materials for breeding and related research. In the present study, we overview the current status of eggplant germplasm conservation efforts and the use of eggplant diversity with the aim of providing a forward-looking strategy document. To do this, we surveyed the global databases Genesys and WIEWS (World Information and Early Warning System on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture) to obtain information about existing eggplant ex situ collections. The most often represented species in these databases is brinjal eggplant with 12,715 acces sions conserved in total. This is followed by scarlet eggplant (886 accessions) and gboma eggplant (209 accessions). Wild relatives of eggplant are conserved in some collections, but some species are not well represented. In total, 109 eggplant collection holders were iden tified through the database searches. The collection holders were asked to complete an online survey on the status of their collections and the challenges that they faced. Responses were received from 32 collec tion holders, 27 of which provided sufficient data for further analyses. Most of the collection holders that responded were governmental organizations or publicly funded institutions. Two respondents were non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Several challenges related to the sustainability of eggplant conservation and use were identified. Shortages of funds and staff were reported as major threats to collection viability and security by many of the collec tion holders. Opportunities for improvement included recruiting new and/or young people interested in eggplant conservation, and increased collaborations across national borders and among institutions. Improved documentation of existing plant materials and increased information sharing were also identi fied as areas for improvement.

• Cottis, Thomas; Solberg, Svein Øivind; Nyvold, Magnus; Dörsch, Peter & Mousavi, Hesam (2022). Resultater fra prosjekt FARGO 2021. Universitetet i Innlandet. ISSN 9788283803662. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Høsten 2019 ble prosjektet Plasmabehandlet husdyrgjødsel – gjødselvirkning, miljøpåvirkning og klimagassutslipp (Fargo) innvilget finansiering fra Forskningsrådet. Prosjektet er i kategorien Innovasjonsprosjekt i næringslivet. Selskapet N2 Applied er prosjekteier og de går også inn med halvparten av prosjektets finansiering på til sammen 15 millioner kroner over prosjektets tre år: 2020-2022. Denne rapporten gjennomgår opplegg og resultater for de 11 feltforsøkene i gras og korn, 2 forsøk i vekstrom og 4 forsøk for effekter på jordliv i 2021. Høsten 2022 kommer prosjektets sluttrapport med resultatene for alle tre prosjektårene og samlede vurderinger og konklusjoner i henhold til prosjektenes mål og delmål.

• Cottis, Thomas; Solberg, Svein Øivind; Nyvold, Magnus; Johansen, Astrid; Stabbetorp, Jan & Berg, Erik Hørluck [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2021). Prosjekt FARGO år 2020 - En oppsummering av Høgskolen i Innlandet sin forskning. Universitetet i Innlandet. ISSN 9788283802443. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Høsten 2019 ble prosjektet «Plasmabehandlet husdyrgjødsel – gjødselvirkning, miljøpåvirkning og klimagassutslipp» (Fargo) innvilget finansiering fra Forskningsrådet. Prosjektet er i kategorien Innovasjonsprosjekt i næringslivet. Selskapet N2‐Applied er prosjekteier og de går også inn med halvparten av prosjektetsfinansiering på tilsammen 15 millioner kroner over prosjektetstre år: 2020‐ 2022. Denne rapporten er i hovedsak en oppsummering av feltforsøkene som ble kjørt på fire forskjellige steder i Norge i 2020. Feltforsøkene er med i prosjektets arbeidspakke 1. Høgskolen i Innlandet har ansvaret for Arbedspakke 1. I tillegg er det også beskrevet hva som er gjort i to av de andre arbeidspakkene som Høgskolen i Innlandet har ansvar for; Bestemme og maksimere gjødselproduktets ytelse i veksthusforsøk under kontrollerte forhold (Arbeidspakke 2), og Dokumentere effekten gjødselen har på jordstruktur og jordliv (Arbeidspakke 3). Arbeidspakke 2 og 3 er startet med utvikling av metodikk, og det er gjort forberedene forsøk og tatt en god del jordanalyser. Forsøksarbeidet med disse to arbeidspakkene starter for fullt i 2021. Felteforsøkene i Arbeidspakke 1 er et felt i hvete og et i bygg hos NLR Innlandet, et felt i bygg og et i hvete hos NLR Øst, et engfelt hos NLR Østafjells, Et engfelt hos NLR Trøndelag, og et engfelt hos NLR Innlandet. Hovedmålet med Arbeidspakke 1 som feltforsøkene inngår i, er å bestemme hvor mye kunstgjødsel som kan erstattes av plasmabehandlet husdyrgjødsel. Det er for tidlig å trekke konklusjoner om dette på bakgrunn av forsøkene i 2020, men forsøkene i 2020 viste noen hovedtendenser som vi beskriver i denne rapporten. Resultatene og erfaringene fra feltforsøkene i 2020 er et viktig grunnlag for planleggingen av feltforsøkene i 2021.

• Solberg, Svein Øivind; Ødegård, J; Mo, Siri J.; Tandberg, Hans A; Andersen, RK & Cottis, Thomas [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2021). Fangvekster i korn. Artsvalg, såtidspunkt og miljøeffekt. Universitetet i Innlandet. ISSN 9788283802979. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Fangvekster kan forhindre næringstap og forbedre jordstruktur og karbonfangst. Høgskolen Innlandet arbeider for bærekraftige løsninger for jordbruket. Som del av denne satsningen har vi de siste årene gjennomført forsøk og utprøvinger med fangvekster. Det er også gjennomført intervjuer, gårdsbesøk og litteraturstudier. Deler av arbeidet er gjort i samarbeid med Norsk Landbruksrådgiving Innlandet. Forsøkene og utprøvingene ble startet opp våren 2019 og har pågått over to sesonger på Høgskolen Innlandet, Blæstad (utenfor Hamar).

• Cottis, Thomas & Solberg, Svein Øivind (2020). Biokull og effekt på avling - veiledende forsøk. Høgskolen Innlandet. Full text in Research Archive
• Solberg, Svein Øivind; Sinnes, Karina; Sjåvik, Ola; Ekker, Vegard; Kjøde, Emma Marie Høie & Brørs, Fredrik Lie [Show all 31 contributors for this article] (2020). Norske jordbruksvekster. Et kompendium av studenter – og for studenter (Versjon 1.0). Zenodo. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  et kompendium om norske jordbruksplanter skrevet av Karina Sinnes, Ola Sjåvik, Vegard Ekker, Emma Marie Høie Kjøde, Fredrik Lie Brørs, Jørgen Wekre, Malin Sandnes Sando, Susanne Borgersen, Henrik André Storteig, Jonathan Olsen Andersen, Siw Beate Marken, Marit Aanerud, Andreas Nordli, Anniken Gran Bratli, Tomas Kjøsnes, Anette Dølen, Kristian Mælum, Jørgen Lier, Heidi Schie, Eirik Sangolt, Frøydis Gullstein Sørpebøl, Karoline Rustad, Therese Kroknes, Magnus Bakken, Mona Agnete Skoglund, Renate Skaara, Kristian Torgersen Sæther, Rikke Johannessen Løkstad , Gro Sofie Grimseth Huseby, Magnus Tøften Hoff, og Svein Øivind Solberg

• Asdal, Åsmund; Brodal, Guro; Solberg, Svein Øivind; Yndgaard, Flemming; Bothmer, Roland von & Meen, Eivind (2019). Seed Longevity and Survival of Seed Borne Diseases after 30 Year’s Conservation in Permafrost. REPORT FROM THE 100 YEAR STORAGE EXPERIMENT. Nordic Genetic Resource Center. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The Nordic Gene bank established the 100 year seed storage experiment in Coal mine no. 3 outside Longyearbyen in 1986. Security duplicate samples of the Nordic seed collection had been deposited in permafrost in the coal mine since 1984. The experiment was established with the aim to monitor the longevity of seeds in this Nordic back-up seed collection and to gain general knowledge about the longevity of seed stored under permafrost conditions, as well as studying the survival of seed borne plant pathogens. The experimental set up included in total 41 seed lots of 17 agricultural and horticultural crop species commonly grown in the Nordic countries. The seed germination experiment included two or three varieties of each crop. The experimental part dedicated to studies of pathogen survival included seeds from 11 crops naturally contaminated by pathogens. The test program comprises germination and pathogen survival tests every 2.5 years during the first 20 years and then every 5 years for the last 80 years. In total 25 identical sets of test seeds placed in sealed glass tubes were packed in wooden boxes, one box for each planned test year. The tests have been carried out according to schedule and this report sums up the results from the first 30 years of the experiment. All tests have been carried out in accordance with the same ISTA-protocols. The results show that 9 of the 17 species after 30 years had retained more than 90 percent of their initial germination percentage. Beet (Beta vulgaris),Onions (Allium cepa), Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) had retained between 97 and 99 percent. At the lower end of the scale, rye (Secale cereale) had lost 51 percent of the initial germination percentage. Among the other cereals, barley (Hordeum vulgare)showed the highest viability as it had kept 89 percent viability, whilst wheat (Triticum aestivum) had kept 79 percent of the initial germination percentage. Mean germination of all test samples showed a drop from 87.2% at year0 to 76.9% at year 30. The pathogen tests showed that all pathogens had survived over the 30 years, more or less at the same contamination levels as were detected at the start of the project. To expand the knowledge about seed longevity under long-term seed storage it is recommended to establish a new more comprehensive experiment with seed materials from a wider selection of crops, and to include more replicates and seeds produced over more years, allowing more indepth statistical studies of the longevity development. A new experiment should be placed in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, in order to provide results relevant for optimal gene bank conservation methods at -18°C and giving direct data on the longevity of seeds stored in the Seed Vault.

• Yndgaard, Flemming; Solberg, Svein Øivind; Asdal, Åsmund; Bothmer, Roland von; Brodal, Guro & Carlson-Nilsson, Ulrika [Show all 20 contributors for this article] (2019). 40 Years of Nordic Collaboration in Plant Genetic Resources. Nordic Genetic Resource Center. ISSN 9789198151091. Full text in Research Archive
• Solberg, Svein Øivind & Dragland, Steinar (2000). Blomkål (Brassica oleracea L. var botrytis L.) : en litteraturoversikt om produksjon og varebehandling. Planteforsk. ISSN 9788247902271. Full text in Research Archive

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