Effect of chitosan on growth and plasma membrane properties of Rhizopus stolonifer (Ehrenb.:Fr.) Vuill

The effect of chitosan (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg ml⁻¹) on mycelium growth, potassium efflux, pH of the incubation medium, and activity of plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase of Rhizopus stolonifer was evaluated. The mycelium growth of R. stolonifer was reduced on media amended with chitosan at 1.0 and 2.0 mg ml⁻¹. The highest antifungal index (65%) was obtained on media containing chitosan at 2.0 mg ml⁻¹. Potassium efflux induced by the addition of the three chitosan concentrations was demonstrated. The highest potassium effluxes were observed with addition of chitosan at 2.0 mg ml⁻¹. R. stolonifer grown 72 h on Potato Dextrose Broth without chitosan generated a decrease in the medium’s pH from 5.4 to 4.8. However, the addition of chitosan at all concentrations caused increases on pH of medium cultures. The highest pH increases were observed on media amended chitosan at 2.0 mg ml⁻¹ resulting in the raising of pH level to 6.9. Additionally, there was an important inhibitory effect of chitosan (1.0 and 2.0 mg ml⁻¹) on H⁺-ATPase activity in the plasma membrane of R. stolonifer (32.70%).     

Antifungal activity of oligochitosan against Phytophthora capsici and other plant pathogenic fungi in vitro

Antifungal activity of oligochitosan against nine phytopathogens was investigated in vitro. Oligochitosan was more effective than chitosan in inhibiting mycelial growth of Phytophthora capsici and its inhibition on different stages in life cycle of P. capsici was observed. Rupture of released zoospores induced by oligochitosan was reduced by addition of 100 mM glucose. The effects of oligochitosan on mycelial growth and zoospore release, but not zoospore rupture, were reduced largely when pH value was above 7. The ultrastructural study showed that oligochitosan caused distortion and disruption of most vacuoles, thickening of plasmalemma, and appearance of unique tubular materials. Plasmalemmasomes in hyphal tip cells were not found in the presence of oligochitosan. These results suggest polycationic nature of oligochitosan contributes only partly to its antifungal activity and multiple modes of action of oligochitosan exist including the disruption of endomembrane system.     

Direct penetration of Rhizopus stolonifer into stone fruits causing rhizopus rot

Rhizopus rot, caused by Rhizopus stolonifer, is a major postharvest disease of stone fruits. The disease is related to the occurrence of mechanical and physical damage; however, observations at a Brazilian wholesale market suggest that direct penetration can occur. Therefore, the penetration mechanisms of R. stolonifer in stone fruits were evaluated. To identify the production of enzymes that help with direct penetration by the pathogen, esterase activity, both in mycelial discs and in spore suspensions of the fungus in water and in modified Van Etten nutrient solution, was measured. Assays were also conducted to evaluate the growth of R. stolonifer on glucose or cutin as a sole carbon source. The pathogen grew on both media, and higher esterase activity was observed in the cutin medium. Wounded and unwounded peaches and nectarines were inoculated with R. stolonifer spore suspensions in water or in modified Van Etten nutrient solution. Wounded fruit inoculated with either of the R. stolonifer spore suspensions developed rhizopus rot, whereas unwounded fruit developed the rot only in the presence of spores in the modified Van Etten nutrient solution. Scanning electron and light microscopic examination showed the fungus can directly penetrate the nectarine cuticle. Diisopropyl fluorophosphate, a serine hydrolase inhibitor, prevented rot development in peaches. The results provide valuable evidence for the ability of R. stolonifer to directly penetrate unwounded stone fruits, probably due to the production of esterase enzymes.     

嘧菌酯对番茄早疫病菌的抑制作用

采用菌丝生长速率法和孢子萌发法分别测定了嘧菌酯对番茄早疫病菌Alternaria solani菌丝生长的抑制作用及其对分生孢子萌发的影响,同时测定了其对菌丝呼吸速率的影响。结果表明,嘧菌酯抑制番茄早疫病菌分生孢子萌发的作用强于对菌丝生长的抑制作用。抑制菌丝生长的剂量-反应曲线与抑制菌丝呼吸的剂量-反应曲线趋势相似,但菌丝在经嘧菌酯处理5~7 h后呼吸速率恢复到对照水平,相比之下,嘧菌酯却能一直抑制菌丝的生长。因此,采用孢子萌发法测定番茄早疫病菌对嘧菌酯的敏感性比用菌丝生长速率法测定更为适宜。水杨肟酸与嘧菌酯在抑制番茄早疫病菌菌丝生长和分生孢子萌发方面有协同作用,对菌丝生长的平均协同系数为7.24。随处理时间延长,药剂对菌丝耗氧的抑制作用下降,但仍抑制菌丝生长。研究表明:呼吸作用对药剂的敏感性随着处理的延长而下降的机理不是因为旁路氧化途径增强, 也不是因为基质中药剂效力的下降,而是存在其它机制。     

Molecular Approaches to Assist the Screening and Monitoring of Postharvest Biocontrol Yeasts

Nineteen yeast isolates obtained from the surface of several fruits and vegetables grown in Southern Italy and Israel were compared by molecular analysis using arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction (AP-PCR) and random amplified polymorphic DNA technique (RAPD-PCR). Genetic analysis made it possible to distinguish between closely-related genitically different strains which had the same morphological characteristic, and to discard isolates which were genetically identical. Following PCR characterisation, 6 isolates were selected and tested for their biocontrol activity against major postharvest pathogens (Penicillium digitatum on grapefruit, Botrytis cinerea, Rhizopus stolonifer and Aspergillus niger on table grape and B. cinerea and R. stolonifer on cherry tomato). All the isolates showed a good biocontrol efficacy on both wounded and non-wounded fruits. Furthermore, the preharvest application of the most effective antagonist (LS15) on table grape resulted in a significant reduction in grey mold ranging from 28.3% to 38.2% compared to the untreated control. The RAPD-PCR technique was also useful for identifying and monitoring the survival of the antagonist after field application.     

禾谷镰孢菌对戊唑醇抗药性的诱导及抗性菌株特性研究

通过紫外线诱导获得了8株对戊唑醇具有不同抗性水平的禾谷镰孢菌Fusarium graminearum抗药突变体,其抗性倍数均≥30倍,最高达到186.03倍。将抗药突变体在无药培养基上继代培养9代后,其抗性倍数逐渐下降,抗药性可能不能稳定遗传。与亲本菌株相比,抗药突变体在菌落生长速率、菌丝干重、对温度和pH值的敏感性方面均有所下降,推测禾谷镰孢菌对戊唑醇可能具有中等或高抗药性风险。室内交互抗性测定结果表明,戊唑醇对苯醚甲环唑、多菌灵、异菌脲、百菌清及福美双均无交互抗性。     

华南瓜类疫霉种群的致病力及其寄主嗜好性

2007—2010年从广西、广东两省(区)9个样区采集冬瓜、黄瓜疫病显症植株,经分离纯化鉴定共获得193株瓜类疫霉。采用菌丝块无伤接种法,将菌株接种冬瓜和黄瓜,测定、比较其对供试寄主植物的致病力及其寄主嗜好性。结果表明,病原群体对寄主植物冬瓜和黄瓜的致病力均存在明显分化现象,可分为强致病力、中等致病力及弱致病力3大类群;来自不同地区的瓜类疫霉对寄主植物冬瓜和黄瓜的致病力明显不同,多数样区以强致病力菌株占优势。瓜类疫霉种群中存在3种寄主嗜好型菌株,A型菌株对冬瓜和黄瓜均表现强致病力,与原始分离寄主无关;B型菌株仅对原始分离寄主冬瓜表现强致病力,而对黄瓜则表现为弱或中等致病力;C型菌株仅对原始分离寄主黄瓜表现强致病力,而对冬瓜则表现为弱或中等致病力。     

Cytological and biochemical changes induced by chitosan in the pathosystem Alternaria alternata-tomato

The cytological and biochemical response of the fungus Alternaria alternata to chitosan application in tomato fruits was evaluated. The research was developed in the following stages: microscopically to observe the degree of damage that chitosan causes over the conidia and hyphae of the fungus at the structural level and during the infection process in tomato tissue. Biochemically we tried to identify the elicitation of the phytoalexin rhisitin and other compounds involved in resistance. At the microscopic level, mycelium and conidia of chitosan-treated of A. alternata showed cell wall disintegration, plasma membrane retraction, cellular distortion, release of the apical portion of the conidia and lysis of fungal cells. Hyphae and conidia were susceptible to chitosan application. Infection always took place in chitosan treated and inoculated tomatoes and it was difficult to observe ultrastructural alterations due to chitosan application. The phytoalexin rhisitin was not isolated from any of the treatments but other compounds such as alkenes, fatty acids and vitamin E whose antimicrobial effects have been reported were detected. The elicitation of precursor compounds in the pathosystem A. alternata-tomato was more associated with the infection process than with the chitosan application. Further studies are necessary to confirm these findings.     

Antifungal bioactivity of 6-bromo-4-ethoxyethylthio quinazoline

In order to create novel potent antifungal agents, the antifungal effects of 6-bromo-4-ethoxyethylthio quinazoline on plant pathogenic fungi were evaluated by mycelial growth rate method. The bioassay results showed that title compound possesses high antifungal activities on fungi with EC₅₀ values ranging from 17.47 to 70.79 μg/mL. The mechanism of action of 6-bromo-4-ethoxyethylthio quinazoline against fungi was studied in Gibberella zeae model. After treated with title compound at 100 μg/mL for 12 h, the mycelial reducing sugar, chitosan, soluble protein and pyruvate content, chitinase activity showed declining tendency.     

苹果树皮内生真菌的分离及其对腐烂病的生物防治潜力

为了明确苹果树皮中内生真菌的种类及其对苹果树腐烂病菌的抑制作用,对25年生富士苹果健康树皮中的内生真菌进行了分离和初步鉴定,并通过室内抑菌试验和田间保护作用试验测定其内生真菌对苹果树腐烂病菌的抑制作用。分离到的126株内生真菌分属于13个属,主枝中分离到的内生真菌的种类和数量较多;对峙试验中对苹果树腐烂病菌的抑菌率在40%以上的有24株,其中87.5%的菌株为链格孢属真菌。Al 6的培养滤液对腐烂病菌菌丝生长抑制作用较强,抑制率为83.76%;Al 58对其孢子萌发抑制作用较大,抑制率为82.42%;Al 67产生的挥发物质对腐烂病菌菌丝生长的抑制作用较大,为24.41%。田间试验结果显示,用拮抗性内生真菌预先占位接种苹果树枝干,能有效抑制腐烂病菌的侵入和病斑的扩展,Al 107的抑制作用最强。     

拮抗真菌HTC的鉴定及其对辣椒疫病的生物防治潜力

为明确拮抗真菌HTC对辣椒疫霉Phytophthora capsici的拮抗机制,采用平板对峙、形态学鉴定和18S rDNA序列比对分析等方法对菌株HTC进行了鉴定,并研究其发酵液与抗生物质粗提液对辣椒疫霉不同发育阶段的影响。经鉴定,菌株HTC为金色毛壳菌Chaetomium aureum。在平皿对峙试验中,菌株HTC的红色分泌物能抑制辣椒疫霉菌丝的生长,抑制率为59.1%,后期HTC菌丝可缠绕并降解辣椒疫霉菌丝。发酵液与抗生物质粗提液对辣椒疫霉不同发育阶段均有抑制作用,发酵液对辣椒疫霉菌丝生长的抑制率高达97.58%,对辣椒疫病的防治效果均高于70%。浇灌发酵液后,可提高辣椒苗的苯丙氨酸解氨酶、过氧化物酶、多酚氧化酶的活性,并明显促进辣椒苗生长,鲜重和干重增加32.27%和18.09%。研究表明,金色毛壳菌菌株HTC是一株具有开发潜力的生防菌株。     

In vitro inhibition of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum by mixtures of azoxystrobin, SHAM, and thiram

The necrotrophic fungal phytopathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary has a broad host range and frequently causes destructive diseases. The extensive use of common fungicides to control these diseases has selected for resistance in populations of S. sclerotiorum. In this study, 105 isolates of S. sclerotiorum from different geographical regions in Jiangsu Province of China were characterized for baseline sensitivity to azoxystrobin, and the average EC₅₀ value was 0.2932 μg/mL for mycelial growth. Of the mixtures of the fungicides thiram and azoxystrobin that were tested using an in vitro mycelial growth assay, the 1:4 ratio provided the greatest inhibition of S. sclerotiorum. When tested against nine isolates, the 1:4 mixture resulted in a mean synergy ratio of 2.31, indicating synergistic inhibition. Mycelial respiration was inhibited for about 2 h by azoxystrobin alone but for 48 h by the mixture of thiram and azoxystrobin. Salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM, a known inhibitor of alternative respiration) also increased the inhibition of mycelial growth and respiration caused by azoxystrobin. These results suggest the need for further study of effects of combinations of azoxystrobin with thiram or SHAM in planta to evaluate their potential for management of diseases caused by S. sclerotiorum.     

Chitosan physico–chemical properties modulate defense responses and resistance in tobacco plants against the oomycete Phytophthora nicotianae

Enzymatic defense responses and protection against Phytophthora nicotianae were studied in tobacco plants treated with chitosan of different molecular weights (MW) and degrees of acetylation (DA). The concentration and mode of chitosan application affected enzymatic induction in tobacco leaves. β-1,3-Glucanase (EC 3.2.1.6) activity required 10 times the polymer concentration relative to the oligochitosan mixture to induce the highest activity above control when treated by foliar spray, indicating the influence of molecular weight in this response. PAL (EC 4.3.1.5) and POD (EC 1.11.1.6) activities increased above control as a result of the influence of polymer degree of acetylation when treatments were applied by foliar spray. A higher DA favored PAL activity, whereas a lower DA induced higher POD activity. Using an in vitro bioassay, it was found that the three chitosan compounds caused a reduction of the infection index of P. nicotianae in tobacco plants that was dependent on elicitor concentrations. There was a significant relationship between the reduction of the infection index and an increase in PAL activity when chitosan was applied by foliar spray and by substrate drench to the plant rhizosphere. These results demonstrate the influence of chitosan physico–chemical properties in plant-induced resistance and the relevance of particular responses in plant protection against pathogens.     

啶酰菌胺与唑胺菌酯混配对灰葡萄孢毒力的增效作用

为明确啶酰菌胺与唑胺菌酯对灰葡萄孢Botrytis cinerea毒力的增效作用,采用菌丝生长速率法测定了啶酰菌胺与唑胺菌酯不同配比混合物对灰葡萄孢菌株DZ3(对多菌灵、乙霉威和嘧霉胺高抗)的毒力,以Wadley公式评价了其协同作用。选取最佳增效组合,采用黄瓜子叶喷雾法测定了其对其他5个菌株的毒力及田间防效。通过测定菌株DZ3分生孢子悬浮液中的溶氧量、电导率和菌丝中丙二醛的含量,研究最佳增效组合的增效机制。结果表明:啶酰菌胺与唑胺菌酯不同质量比(9∶1、7∶1、5∶1、3∶1、1∶1、1∶3、1∶5、1∶7和1∶9)的混合物均对菌株DZ3表现为毒力增效作用,其中质量比为1∶3的组合增效最明显,增效系数达4.76,且对另外5个供试菌株的联合毒力也表现出增效;在使用剂量为有效成分200~300 g/hm2时,质量比为1∶3的组合对番茄灰霉病的防治效果为78.05%~93.96%,同时其对菌株DZ3的呼吸抑制作用与单剂啶酰菌胺相当,但对细胞膜通透性和菌丝膜脂质过氧化的影响均显著高于各单剂。本研究结果表明,啶酰菌胺与唑胺菌酯以质量比1∶3进行混配,可用于番茄灰霉病的防治。     

Effect of mycoviruses on the virulence of Fusarium circinatum and laccase activity

Laccase enzymes (benzenediol: oxygen oxidoreductase, EC 1.10.3.2) play a major role in the degradation of phenolic compounds such as lignin. They are common in fungi and have been suggested to participate in host colonization by pathogenic fungi. Putative mycoviruses have recently been isolated from the causal agent of pine pitch canker disease, Fusarium circinatum Nirenberg & O'Donell. In this study, the effects of single and double mycoviral infections on laccase activity, growth rate and pathogenicity were investigated in fourteen F. circinatum strains. Extracellular laccase activity was analyzed by the Bavendamm test, image processing and a spectrophotometric method. Mycelial growth, in vivo pathogenicity and seedling survival probability were also determined in Monterrey pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) seedlings. The findings showed that (i) mycelial growth of isolates from the same fungal population was homogeneous, (ii) the presence of mycovirus appears to increase the virulence of fungal isolates, (iii) co-infection (with two mycoviruses) caused cryptic effects in fungal isolates, and (iv) laccases embody a possible auxiliary tool in fungal infection. The prospects for biocontrol, the adaptive role of F. circinatum mycoviruses and the importance of laccase enzymes in host colonization are discussed.     

2013年湖北省小麦赤霉病菌对多菌灵和戊唑醇的敏感性

2013年从湖北省7个小麦主产区分离获得106株禾谷镰刀菌,测定了其对戊唑醇和多菌灵的敏感性。结果表明:戊唑醇和多菌灵对所有供试菌株的EC50值分别为0.064~0.778和0.090~0.858 mg/L。采用SAS软件的W法对EC50分布进行了正态性检验,表明106株菌株对戊唑醇和多菌灵敏感性的频率分布符合正态分布,其EC50平均值分别为(0.383±0.129)和(0.526±0.151)mg/L。不同地区来源的菌株对两种药剂的敏感性存在显著差异,其中襄阳的菌株对两种药剂的敏感性显著低于其他6个地区的。研究结果显示:湖北省小麦赤霉病菌未出现对戊唑醇和多菌灵抗性菌群,两种药剂用于防治小麦赤霉病仍具有使用价值。     

灰黄青霉CF3对马铃薯土传病原真菌的拮抗性及其促生作用

为探索灰黄青霉Penicillium griseofulvum CF3对马铃薯土传病害病原真菌立枯丝核菌Rhizoctonia solani、茄病镰刀菌Fusariumsolani、硫色镰刀菌F.sulphureum及大丽轮枝菌Verticillium dahliae的拮抗性及对马铃薯的促生作用,采用菌丝生长速率法和甜瓜种子发芽法分别研究了CF3发酵液对病原菌菌丝的抑制作用、对立枯丝核菌微菌核形成的影响及其发酵液的促生作用,并采用盆栽试验法研究了CF3孢子粉对马铃薯植株的促生作用及对抗逆性的影响.CF3发酵滤液对4株病原真菌菌丝生长的抑菌率达53％～72.1％,对立枯丝核菌微菌核的抑制率达36.8％～100％,并显著促进甜瓜种子胚根、胚轴生长.灰黄青霉孢子粉拌土和包衣接种均能促进马铃薯植株生长并增强植株的抗逆性.其中,拌土接种使马铃薯地上植株鲜重和多酚氧化酶活性较对照分别增加38.3％和9％,丙二醛含量降低28.8％.研究表明灰黄青霉CF3对连作马铃薯常见土传真菌病害有较强的生防潜力,对马铃薯具有良好的促生作用.     

抗苯醚菌酯(ZJ0712)小麦白粉病菌突变体的诱导及其生物学特性

经过药剂驯化10代后,从对苯醚菌酯(ZJ0712)敏感的小麦白粉病菌Blumeria graminis f.sp.tritici 3个菌株中获得3个抗药突变体,突变体的抗性指数均大于80,且其抗性能够通过无性繁殖稳定遗传。室内接种试验发现,突变体的致病力与亲本菌株无明显差异。细胞色素b (cyt b)基因片段序列分析发现,突变体cyt b基因的第143位密码子均由敏感菌株的GGT(丙氨酸)突变成了GCT(甘氨酸)。研究结果表明,小麦白粉病菌对苯醚菌酯存在较高的抗性风险,该药剂在使用过程中需注意采取相应的抗性治理措施,以延缓抗性发生。     

Antagonistic activity of Bacteria from the chickpea rhizosphere againstFusarium Oxysporum f. sp.Ciceris

The antagonistic activity againstin vitro growth ofFusarium oxysporum f. sp.ciceris was determined for 74 bacterial isolates obtained from the rhizosphere of chickpeas grown in two field soils with different histories of Fusarium wilt, and for seven isolates ofPseudomonas spp. from culture collections. Twenty-four isolates ofBacillus spp. andPseudomonas chlororaphis 30-84 showed a strong antagonism against three races (0, 1 and 5) ofF. o. ciceris tested. Three selectedBacillus isolates andP. chlororaphis 30-84 were further tested against 30 isolates of races 0, 1 and 5 ofF. o. ciceris, races 0, 1 and 2 ofF. o. melonis, F. o. phaseoli and nonpathogenicF. oxysporum. Bacillus isolates differed in their antagonistic activity and were less inhibitory to mycelial growth ofF. o. ciceris than to that of other fungal isolates. Furthermore, the extent of growth inhibition ofF. o. ciceris was influenced both by bacterial isolates and by race of the pathogen. Cell-free culture filtrates of fourBacillus isolates inhibited conidial germination and hyphal growth ofF. o. ciceris and nonpathogenicF. oxysporum. Joint seed+soil treatment with some selected antagonisticBacillus spp. isolates suppressed disease caused by the highly virulentF. o. ciceris race-5 in cv. ICCV 4 and cv. PV 61 chickpeas. However, the degree of protection was influenced by the host genotype and the inoculum concentration of the pathogen.     

Physiological effect of chitinase purified from Bacillus subtilis against the tobacco cutworm Spodoptera litura Fab.

An extracellular chitinase was purified from Bacillus subtilis. The lethal concentration (LC₅₀) was determined by using chitinase in first, second, and third instars of Spodoptera litura Fab. Chitinase showed the highest insecticidal activity at 6 μM concentration within 48 h. The nutritional indices were also significantly affected by the 6 μM concentration (P < 0.05). Food consumption, efficiency of conversion of ingested and digested food, relative growth rate, and consumption values declined significantly while approximate digestibility was increased. Our study indicates that treatment of host plant leaves with the chitinase can regulate (reduce) larval growth and weight, and enhance the mortality. This may serve as an effective biocide and alternative to Bt toxin.