Two in vitro assays to evaluate resistance in Linum usitatissimum to Fusarium wilt disease

Two types of in vitro seedling tests were developed to evaluate resistance in flax (Linum usitatissimum) against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lini. In the first test a solid medium was used. The second test was based on a liquid medium. Disease severity was assessed after three weeks, using the observed reduction of plant length as a scale. Both methods proved to be useful for screening for resistance, for evaluating race specificity of resistance and for studying symptomatology. The solid medium method proved to be the more accurate for the screening, but the liquid medium method was much less time- and labour-consuming. The results of the tests were significantly correlated with observations under field conditions.     

Strategies to prevent build-up of resistance to fungicides in cereal crops in Switzerland1

The use of fungicides in wheat and barley production has increased impressively during the last 10 years in Switzerland. Although no resistance to fungicides has yet been recorded in the field, strategies to delay resistance build-up have been developed. They are the result of collaboration between official research and advisory services. More co-operation is desirable, however, between officials and chemical companies at the level of farmer advice. Our recommendations are based on the following points: 1) minimal numbers of applications; 2) whenever possible, fungicides with multisite action should be used; 3) all components of a mixture should aim at pathogens present to a significant extent in the crop; 4) long-term, flexible strategies. Implementation of these strategies is made easier by several methods for deciding when and whether to treat (EPIPRE; risk evaluation; disease threshold levels). We recommend the alternation of single-site compounds according to their mode of action, rather than the use of mixtures (multi- + single-site, or single-site). A major reason is the common, simultaneous occurrence of a variety of pathogens in cereal crops. Preferring a ‘mixture strategy’ to alternation would imply the use of cocktails of several compounds with possible major disadvantages such as cost, residues, and iatrogenic diseases.     

Resistance to anticoagulants in rodents

The present status of anticoagulant-resistant populations of Rattus norvegicus and Mus musculus in Britain is elaborated and special reference is made to evidence of the practical consequences of resistance for rodent control. A short review is given of genetical and toxicological aspects of resistance and it is predicted that continued dependence upon the anticoagulant rodenticides will lead to the development of new resistance problems. The failure of schemes for the eradication or containment of resistant rat populations by local use of alternative rodenticides is discussed and an approach based more soundly upon the principles of ecological genetics is indicated. It seems in practice, however, that the continued spread of resistance to anticoagulants in Britain is now inevitable and that the development of improved alternative rodenticides will be necessary in order to avoid a decline in the standard of rodent control.     

Development of resistance to pyrethroids in insects resistant to other insecticides

Resistance to pyrethroids in insects is rare, but its recent rapid development in the field suggests that this resistance may be facilitated by previous exposure to or by resistance to insecticides of unrelated groups. To test this houseflies of strain 49_r2b, originally resistant to dimethoate in the field, were selected eight times during ten generations with either pyrethrum extract or bioresmethrin with or without piperonyl butoxide or with dimethoate. Selecting with any of the pyrethroids led to resistance to these insecticides and in particular to pyrethrum/piperonyl butoxide. Selecting with pyrethrum/piperonyl butoxide resulted in strongest resistance to the pyrethroids tested, whereas selecting with bioresmethrin/piperonyl butoxide resulted in least resistance. These results show that dimethoate-resistant flies selected with pyrethroids can readily develop resistance to these insecticides, but development of resistance can be minimised by using bioresmethrin/piperonyl butoxide. The implications of these findings on the sequential use of insecticides are discussed.     

如何使供试冬季杂草整齐出苗

用盆钵土培目标杂草,于杂草出苗前或出苗后施用除草剂并观测除草剂对杂草的杀灭或抑制效果,是实验室中常用的测定除草剂活性的方法,此方法直观简便、贴近实际,是除草剂质量检验和新产品开发的重要手段.但是在实际应用中,经常会遇到播种后很长时间供试杂草不出苗或出苗不整齐,造成重复之间误差大,从而得不到准确的试验结果的问题.使供试杂草整齐出苗是盆钵试验成功的重要条件.     

Resistance to paraquat in Mazus pumilus

Mazus pumilus is an annual self‐pollinating weed that is commonly found in arable land, vegetable gardens and roadsides. This weed harbours insects and pathogens that attack vegetables. The mechanism of resistance to paraquat of M. pumilus found in Ohita, Japan, was studied. Whole plant bioassays revealed that the resistant (R) biotypes were four to six times less susceptible than controls. Chlorophyll destruction of leaf discs by paraquat treatment in R biotypes was 4–20 times lower than those of susceptible (S) biotypes. Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) values in R biotypes were higher than those of S biotypes before and after paraquat treatments. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was also higher in R biotypes than those of S biotypes before and after treatment with paraquat, but the activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and catalase (CAT) were not different between R and S biotypes. Change of ascorbate (AsA) contents before and after paraquat treatment was equivalent in both biotypes. These results indicate that the increased SOD activity and antioxidant capacity in R biotypes contribute to the resistance to paraquat of M. pumilus.     

Resistance to glyphosate in Lolium rigidum

Annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) is a widespread and important weed of Australia and populations of this weed have developed resistance to most major herbicides, including glyphosate. The possible mechanisms of resistance have been examined in one glyphosate-resistant Lolium population. No major differences were observed between resistant and susceptible biotypes in respect of (i) the target enzyme (EPSP synthase), (ii) DAHP synthase, the first enzyme of the target (shikimate) pathway, (iii) absorption of glyphosate, or (iv) translocation. Following treatment with glyphosate, there was greater accumulation of shikimate (derived from shikimate-3-Pi) in susceptible than in resistant plants. In addition, the resistant population exhibited cross-resistance to 2-hydroxy-3-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propyl phosphonate, a herbicide which, although structurally similar to glyphosate, acts at an unrelated target site. On the basis of these observations we speculate that movement of glyphosate to its site of action in the plastid is involved in the resistance mechanism. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Resistance in Rhizoctonia solani to tolclofos-methyl

Isolates ofRhizoctonia solani were adapted in vitro to grow on a medium amended with tolclofos-methyl at a concentration 500 times that which initially almost completely inhibited growth.Acquired resistance was retained after five transfers on a fungicide-free medium. Pathogenicity of resistant isolates was not reduced, but their growth rates on PDA were significantly lower than those of the original isolates. Recovery of the resistant isolates was not improved on a selective medium amended with tolclofos-methyl.Samenvatting Na overenting op een medium dat tolchlofos-methyl bevatte, raakten enkele isolaten vanRhizoctonia solani gewend aan 500 maal de dosis die oorspronkelijk bijna alle groei verhinderde.Resistente isolaten vanR. solani bleven minder gevoelig voor tolchlofos-methyl na vijf overentingen op een medium zonder het fungicide. De pathogeniteit van resistente isolaten was niet verminderd, maar hun groeisnelheid op PDA was significant vertraagd vergeleken bij die van de oorspronkelijke isolaten. Isolatie van de resistente stammen werd niet verbeterd op een selectief medium waaraan tolchlofos-methyl was toegevoegd.     

Variation in the resistance of Vicia faba to Ascochyta fabae in relation to disease development in field trials

The epidemic development of Ascochyta fabae in artificially infected field trials was studied in order to define resistance criteria and assess the variation in resistance of infected lines of faba bean. Large differences were demonstrated among French winter lines during the 1985/86 and 1986/87 growing seasons. All the scoring systems allowed the differentiation of very susceptible and resistant material, but disease indices, which account for the number and intensity of lesions, were more precise. The different phases of the epidemic are described on the basis of the variation in disease incidence on foliage and on pods during the 1986/87 cropping season in Brittany. There were three phases in disease development: initiation, spread throughout foliage, and pod infection, and these were all influenced by host resistance. On a very susceptible line, the disease spread was seen as an increase in the number and size of lesions and rapidly developed up the plant. Low disease indices observed on the resistant line 29 H were due to the small size and low frequency of lesions, resulting in a reduced area of foliage affected.     

Horizontal resistance: core to a research breakthrough to combat Striga in Africa

The parasltie flowering plants, Striga species, represent the largest biological constraint to cereal and legume crop production in sub-Saharan Africa. Eighty-three percent of Striga worldwide (35 species) occurs in Africa. Among them, Striga hermonthica causes the greatest damage. The IITA's scientists began research on breeding maize for horizontal resistance to Striga in 1982. By 1995 a comprehensive approach to combat Striga on maize had been developed and demonstrated. This included the development of a simple field infestation technique, the discovery of durable resistance genes, genetic studies of resistance genes and the formation of many resistant varieties (hybrids and synthetics) with high grain quality, high grain and stover yields and a combined resistance to major biotic and abiotic stresses. Multilocation testing and subsequent seed multiplication of the resistant varieties was carried out by national programmes in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo. Striga-resistant maize varieties show horizontal resistance not only to S. hermonthica, but also to another species, Striga asiatica. Based on the results of a 15 year research, an integrated approach using resistant varieties and cereal-legume intercropping or rotation is recommended as a sustainable and permanent solution to combat Striga in Africa. This horizontal resistance package, with a combined resistance to other biotic stresses, could be applicable not only to Striga problems in other crops such as sorghum, millet, rice and cowpea, but also to other parasitic weeds, such as Orobanche species. This paper reviews and discusses why, approximately a century's research work on parasitic weeds, has not led to a major research breakthrough.     

Organic soil amendments in relation to nematode management with particular reference to India

The addition of organic materials to soil has been used in managing plant-parasitic nematodes and has resulted in increased crop yield. Research on the utilization of waste materials such as oilseed cakes, chitin, compost, livestock and poultry manures, and cellulosic wastes appears promising for reducing populations of plant-parasitic nematodes. Nitrogen based amendments, plant phenolics, nematotoxic chemicals, development of predators and parasites of nematodes and microorganism stimulation have been considered to be promising agents for nematode management. In addition, organic amendments change the physical as well as the trophic structure of soil, which affects the pathogen development and overall plant growth performance. Mechanisms of action of organic soil amendments in relation to nematode management are yet to be fully explored.Plant Protection Division, Institute of Agriculture     

Response of some moss species to different controlled environmental conditions in order to use in Landscaping

Nowadays, integrating moss among decorative plants in urban landscape architecture can be an important alternative to horticulture. Especially using moss design for covering roofs and walls it could be an interesting element to improve the life/-airquality. Introducing moss design using hydroponic systems requires finding the best technologies for cultivating the species that can be used by landscape architecture. The study has been performed at the University of Applied Science Osnabrueck, Germany, in 2015 and it consisted in testing several species of common moss in what concerns their behavior to environmental conditions controlled in the greenhouse, with the scope of hydroponic growing. 6 species of moss: Totula ruralis Hedw., Camptothecium sericeum Hedw, Ceratodon purpureus Hedw., Grimmia pulvinata Hedw, Racomitrium aciculare Hedw. and Bryum capillare Hedw., have been transplanted from a natural habitat to the greenhouse and their behavior to different water dosing and light intensity was checked. After the observations made using the principle of rating, it was concluded that the species Grimmia pulvinata and Ceratodon purpureus adapted the best to the controlled environment and this quality makes them suitable to be used in landscape design.     

Resistance to anticoagulant rodenticides in Germany and future strategies to control Rattus norvegicus

Widespread anticoagulant resistance was discovered in populations of the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus Berk.) in an area of roughly 8000 km² in north-west Germany. Resistance testing was performed by feeding tests and/or by measuring blood clotting response after intraperitoneal injection of a sublethal testing solution. A hierarchical resistance system was found with warfarin resistance at the base followed by bromadiolone/coumatetralyl resistance to difenacoum resistance at the top. Warfarin resistance was spread over the whole area with reduced incidence towards the edges. Difenacoum resistance represented the highest level found so far and was restricted to the inner zone of the resistance area where it occurred with a frequency of 6% of all individuals tested. Breeding experiments with bromadiolone-resistant rats showed that expression of the bromadiolone resistance gene differed in the two sexes, suggesting additional sex-linked modifying effects to the resistance gene. Control strategy within the resistance area with respect to prevention of further selection for resistance is discussed.     

西藏一江两河流域作物气候生产力对气候变化的响应

根据1961~2005年年平均气温、降水量资料,采用Thornthwaite Memoriai模型计算了西藏一江两河流域作物气候生产力(Pv),分析了Pv的变化趋势,以及未来气候变化对Pv的影响。结果表明:近45年西藏一江两河地区Pv呈二次项曲线变化趋势,前22年(1961~1982)表现为不显著的减少趋势,减幅为376.0 kg/(hm2.10a),1983年以来呈显著的增加趋势,增幅为682.6 kg/(hm2.10a)。20世纪60年代流域气温偏低,降水偏多,Pv为正距平;80年代多干旱少雨年,Pv最低,为过去40年最低的10年;90年代雨水偏多,气温偏高,气候"暖湿",植物干物质积累多,Pv达到最高。"暖湿型"气候对作物生产最有利,平均增产11.62%,而"冷干型"气候对作物生产最不利,平均减产12.13%。未来"暖湿型"气候趋势,Pv将有不同程度提高,有利于生态环境改善。     

Resistance to organomercury in Pyrenophora graminea

Isolates of Pyrenophora graminea resistant to organomercury were obtained from barley crops in England and Scotland in 1984–6. Resistant isolates were approximately 100 times less sensitive in vitro than sensitive isolates to phenyl mercuric acetate (PMA), but the difference was only four times for methoxyethyl mercuric acetate (MEMA). In small-plot field trials, seed treatment with either PMA or MEMA gave good control of leaf stripe disease caused by organomercury-sensitive strains of P. graminea but neither compound gave commercially acceptable control of resistant strains. Fungicides with different modes of action (triadimenol + fuberidazole, flutriafol + ethirimol + thiabendazole, carboxin-+- thiabendazole + imazalil, and guazatine + imazalil) were effective against organomercury-sensitive and organomercury-resistant strains. The few cases of resistance found do not justify a change from the use of organomercury as the standard seed treatment for barley.     

Assessment of inoculation methods to identify resistance to Fusarium crown rot in wheat

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Crown rot, caused by Fusarium culmorum and Fusarium pseudograminearum, is one of the most pervasive diseases of wheat throughout the world. Fusarium...     

Resistance to metalaxyl in Phytophthora infestans in the Netherlands

Two hundred and twenty two isolates ofPhytophthora infestans from infected potato foliage or tubers, obtained in 1981 from different potato fields in various regions of the Netherlands, were tested for their ability to infect potato leaf discs floating on solutions of metalaxyl of various concentrations. Isolates were designated as resistant to metalaxyl when sporulation occurred at a concentration of 1 g ml^–1 or higher.Forty-one isolates appeared to be resistant. Thirty-five of the resistant isolates and 29 sensitive ones originated from three areas involving circa 15% of the total Dutch potato acreage. In these areas 28% of the fields sampled were metalaxyl-treated and 78% of these fields yielded resistant isolates. Only one of the three areas had a history of metalaxyl resistance in 1980. Six metalaxyl-resistant and 152 sensitive isolates were found in potato fields in other areas including those with major problems of resistance in 1980. All of four old potato cull piles sampled in the latter areas yielded metalaxyl-resistant isolates and two of these sites had possibly been inoculum sources for nearby potato fields. Only 9% of the fields sampled in these areas were metalaxyl-treated and none of these yielded a metalaxyl-resistant isolate.The data are compatible with the idea that infected seed potatoes were the major source of the incoculum that initiated the early and severe late blight epidemic in 1981 in the Netherlands. The severity has been enhanced by late-blight-conducive weather conditions during the emergence of the crop and its early stages of development, when fungicides had not yet been applied. Old potato cull piles are assumed to have been less important in starting the 1981 epidemic.Apparently, infected seed potatoes carried predominantly metalaxyl-sensitive strains, which explains the prevalence of metalaxyl-sensitive strains in most of the fields. In 1980, the seed potato crop had been harvested before the problem of metalaxyl-resistance surfaced. Hence, it might be assumed that infection of seed potatoes, favoured by late-blight-conducive weather in 1980, had been caused by metalaxyl-sensitive strains. Evidence that seed potatoes could also carry metalaxyl-resistant strains was obtained in two cases. It might explain their early occurrence in fields located in areas without a history of metalaxyl resistance in 1980 and the rapid build-up of a resistant population in a number of metalaxyl-treated fields.Development of resistance in potato fields, which were under heavy disease pressure after spraying with a mixture of metalaxyl and mancozeb, could not be proven definitely. In one experimental field the seed tubers very likely carried metalaxyl-resistant strains, which initiated an epidemic, and in a second field the influx of resistant strains from elsewhere could not be completely ruled out. In the latter field spraying the mixture at a two-week interval could not effectively control the disease. In this field a considerable degree of tuber infection by metalaxyl-resistant strains was noticed.No correlation existed between the behaviour of a particular strain towards metalaxyl and the genes for virulence present. Among a total of 79 isolates, the race of which has been identified, 23 different races were found. Race 1.3.4.7.10.11 was most frequently found, followed by race 1.3.4.7.11. Among 37 resistant isolates 10 different races could be identified.Samenvatting Gedurende de zomer en najaar van 1981 werden 222 veldisolaten vanPhytophthora infestans met behulp van een drijftoets getoetst op resistentie tegen metalaxyl. Per perceel werd meestal één isolaat, hetzij afkomstig van een door de aardappelziekte aangetast blad, hetzij van een zieke knol, getoetst.Eén en veertig isolaten bleken resistent te zijn. Van deze 41 waren er 35 afkomstig uit West Brabant, de Hoekse Waard en Oost Brabant/Noord Limburg, waar ongeveer 15% van het totale aardappelareaal in Nederland is gelegen. Daarnaast werden uit deze gebieden 29 gevoelige isolaten verkregen. Van de bemonsterde percelen uit de drie genoemde gebieden was 29% één- of tweemaal met metalaxyl behandeld, meestal in combinatie met andere middelen. Uit 78% van de aldus behandelde percelen werd een resistant isolaat verkregen. In de genoemde gebieden werden in 1980 alleen in Oost-Brabant/Noord Limburg problemen ondervonden van metalaxylresistentie.In percelen in overige gedeelten van Nederland, waar in 1980 algemeen metalaxylresistentie werd waargenomen, werden in totaal slechts zes metalaxyl-resistente en 152 gevoelige isolaten aangetroffen. Geen enkel van de met metalaxyl bespoten percelen (9% van het aantal bemonsterde percelen) leverde hier een resistent isolaat op. Uit een viertal aardappelafvalhopen in deze gebieden waarop de aardappelziekte voorkwam, werden metalaxyl-resistente stammen verkregen en twee ervan hadden waarschijnlijk een naburig perceel besmet.De resultaten van het onderzoek en de waarnemingen in de percelen wijzen erop dat de vroege en hevige epidemie van de aardappelziekte in 1981 is veroorzaakt door besmet pootgoed waaruit secundair zieke planten zijn ontstaan. Daarnaast werd het uitbreken van de epidemie vooral begunstig door de voorPhytophthora gunstige weersomstandigheden gedurende de periode eind mei tot half juni en het feit dat de eerste bespuiting te laat werd uitgevoerd, hetzij door overmacht, hetzij door het te traag reageren op de waarschuwingen via de radio.In 1980 hebben voornamelijk metalaxyl-gevoelige stammen het pootgoed kunnen besmetten, hetgeen verklaarbaar is uit het feit dat in dat jaar de problemen met metalaxylresistentie pas werden waargenomen nadat het loof van het pootgoed was vernietigd. In een tweetal gevallen zijn evenwel aanwijzingen verkregen dat pootgoed ook besmet kon zijn met resistente stammen. Een dergelijke besmetting is waarschijnlijk ook de verklaring voor het op grote schaal voorkomen van resistente stammen in West Brabant en de Hoekse Waard na een eenmalige toepassing van metalaxyl.In een tweetal proefvelden, waarvan er één was gelegen in Zuid-Flevoland en het andere te Heelsum, is het ontstaan van een resistante populatie bestudeerd bij een twee-wekelijkse toepassing van een mengsel van metalaxyl en mancozeb. Pootgoed, gebruikt in het op praktijkschaal uitgevoerde experiment in Zuid-Flevoland, bleek waarschijnlijk besmet te zijn met metalaxyl-resistente stammen, zoals op 1 juli werd vastgesteld in een onbehandeld gedeelte van het perceel. Op het behandelde gedeelte bleek het mengsel de ontwikkeling van de ziekte aanzienlijk te vertragen; evenwel werd na 16 juli een wekelijkse bespuiting met een maneb/fentin acetaat-bevattend produkt uitgevoerd voor een zo goed mogelijk ziektebestrijding.Op het in Heelsum gelegen proefveld werd op 5 augustus de ziekte het eerst waargenomen in het behandelde gedeelte, nadat de planten in het onbehandelde gedeelte, ten gevolgen van een doelbewuste inoculatie met gevoelige stammen op een naast gelegen aardappel-selectieveld, reeds voor meer dan 50% waren aangetast. Uit aangetaste bladeren van het behandelde gedeelte konden metalaxyl-resistente stammen worden geïsoleerd. In de loop van augustus bleek het metalaxyl/mancozeb-mengsel niet in staat verdere uitbreiding van de ziekte tegen te gaan en trad knolinfectie op. Begin september werden uitsluitend resistente stammen aangetroffen.Geen enkel verband kon worden vastgesteld tussen het optreden van metalaxyl-resistentie en het voorkomen van een bepaald fysio van de schimmel. Op een totaal van 79 isolaten konden 23 verschillende fysio's worden geïdentificeerd. Het fysio 1.3.4.7.10.11 werd de meeste keren gevonden, gevolgd door fysio 1.3.4.7.11. Tien verschillende fysio's werden aangetroffen onder de 37 getoetste metalaxyl-resistente isolaten.     

Genetic variation in tolerance to defoliation in Cirsium arvense

The perennial weed, Cirsium arvense (creeping, Canada or Californian thistle), is notorious for its ability to tolerate defoliation by mowing, herbivores or herbicides. The tolerance of 36 genotypes of C. arvense was examined by establishing pairs of clonal replicates that were assigned to a clipped or unclipped treatment. Three clippings were applied from spring to early summer to simulate repeated mowing. The average final percentage reduction caused by the repeated clipping was 18%, 72%, 32% and 50% for shoot biomass, root biomass, number of shoots and shoot height respectively. While nearly all genotypes were negatively affected by clipping, some overcompensated, and achieved greater shoot biomass, number of shoots, or increased height than their unclipped counterparts. No genotype was able to overcompensate, or fully tolerate, the lost root biomass due to repeated clipping. Genetic variation for tolerance to defoliation was detected for the number of shoots, maximum shoot height and for relative height growth rate. For relative growth rate, significant genetic variation was not detected until after the third clipping event, indicating that genotypes were equally tolerant to a moderate degree of defoliation, but upon more severe defoliation, genetic differences were evident. Since repeated defoliation is a recommended control technique, selection for more tolerant genotypes is possible and should be considered for the management of this weed.