Local and systemic effects of oxylipins on powdery mildew infection in barley

Treatment of the first leaves of barley seedlings with the oxylipin colneleic acid, or the two trihydroxy oxylipins 9,12,13-trihydroxy-11(E)-octadecenoic acid and 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10(E)-octadecenoic acid, reduced infection of that leaf by the powdery mildew fungus Blumeria graminis Speer f sp hordei Marchal. When applied to first leaves, etheroleic acid and colneleic acid, as well as the trihydroxy oxylipin 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10(E),15(Z)-octadecadienoic acid, also reduced mildew infection in second leaves. In all cases where local and systemic effects against mildew were observed, activity of the defence-related enzyme phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) was increased, but only following challenge inoculation with powdery mildew. Peroxidase activity was not affected by oxylipin treatment or mildew inoculation. Whether the effects observed were due to the oxylipins or to breakdown products is not known, since no information is available on the stability of these particular oxylipins on leaf surfaces. Nevertheless, these data represent the first report of systemic effects against pathogen infection following pre-treatment with oxylipins.     

Saccharin-induced protection against powdery mildew in barley: effects on growth and phenylpropanoid metabolism

Treatment of barley ( Hordeum vulgare ) with 3 m m saccharin, applied as a foliar treatment to the first leaf or as a soil drench, provided significant control of powdery mildew ( Blumeria graminis f.sp. hordei ) on first and second leaves. This was unlikely to be the result of a direct effect of saccharin on the fungus, as application of the chemical to first leaves 2 h before inoculation did not affect conidial germination or formation of appressoria. Saccharin treatment had no significant effect on plant growth, except for a reduction in total leaf area in plants treated with a saccharin drench 14 days before inoculation with mildew. Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity was reduced significantly in second leaves 18 and 48 h after inoculation in plants treated with saccharin 14 days earlier. Peroxidase activity increased significantly in plants challenged with mildew within 6 days of saccharin application, although changes were not apparent until 48 h after pathogen challenge. On these occasions, treatment with saccharin resulted in a 33% increase in peroxidase activity compared with controls. In plants inoculated 10 or 14 days after saccharin application, cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) activity increased prior to, and 18, 24 and 48 h after, inoculation of the barley plants with mildew. CAD activity increased approximately twofold compared with controls. However, in contrast to peroxidase, CAD activity was significantly higher in saccharin-treated plants prior to and after inoculation with powdery mildew, suggesting that saccharin primes CAD activity prior to pathogen challenge.     

Suppression of cucumber powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca fuliginea) by foliar sprays of pbospbate and potassium salts

Powdery mildew, caused by Sphaerotheca fuliginea , was significantly controlled by a single spray of aqueous solutions (25 mm) containing various phosphates and potassium salts. Phosphates were suppressive when applied alone; however, treatments in combination with Tween-20 were more effective in causing the disappearance of powdery mildew pustules from diseased foliage. Efficiency of control, as expressed by the disappearance of 99% of pustules, was recorded 1 or 2 days after application of single sprays of phosphate and potassium salt solutions. Treatment was effective for up to 12 or 15 days, respectively, following application to small or large greenhouse-grown plants with established mildew infection. Treatments also markedly reduced (> 99%) the production of eonidia from colonies. A further application of these salts to the same plants resulted in the elimination of about 50% of mildew colonies present prior to the application. Further spray application inhibited disease development compared with water-sprayed plants, but did not reduce the number of existing lesions. Phosphate was more effective than the systemic fungicide pyrifenox and reduced established powdery mildew infection up to 11 days after application, but the converse was true when assessments were made after 15 days. These properties of phosphates and potassium salts make them appropriate for use as foliar fertilizers with a potential beneficial influence on disease control.     

Integrated Control of Powdery Mildew on Field-grown Mango Trees by Foliar Sprays of Mono-potassium Phosphate Fertilizer, Sterol Inhibitor Fungicides and the Strobilurin Kresoxym-methyl

Foliar sprays of solutions of di-potassium hydrogen orthophosphate, K2HPO4 (DKP) and potassium di-hydrogen orthophosphate, KH2PO4 (MKP), commercial systemic fungicides, and an alternating treatment with phosphate fertilizer and systemic fungicides inhibited development of the powdery mildew fungus, Oidium mangiferae, on flowers and bloom clusters of field-grown mango trees. The effectiveness of the alternation treatments with an appropriate systemic fungicide and 1% solution of mono-potassium phosphate (MKP) in controlling powdery mildew on bloom clusters was similar to that of the commercial treatment with the systemic fungicides. However, application of the systemic fungicides alone, on the same dates on which they were applied in the alternation treatment, without application of the phosphate treatment was significantly less effective in controlling the disease than either the phosphate or the alternation treatment. This indicates that the use of phosphate fertilizer has a significant role in disease control and that it can reduce the number of fungicide treatments necessary against powdery mildew by up to 50%. These results were confirmed in large-scale demonstration trials conducted in commercial orchards in 1994 and 1995. Our 1997 findings also revealed that tank-mix treatments of 1% MKP solution with half the recommended quantity of sterol inhibitor fungicide applied at 14-day intervals provided a protection against powdery mildew comparable with or superior to that given by the standard fungicides-based treatment applied at 7-day intervals. Tank-mix treatments of MKP (1%) with sterol inhibitor at the recommended rate or with the new strobilurin Kresoxym-methyl (BAS 490F, strobi), or the BAS 490F alone, were the most effective, and provided >95% protection against O. mangiferae, compared with the control. Phosphate solutions were found not to be phytotoxic to plant tissue. These treatments affected the yield of mango trees: a significantly lower yield was observed on control untreated trees, probably because of powdery mildew infection on flowers. The inhibitory effectiveness of phosphate salts makes them a potential major component of an integrated pest management program.     

硅对瓠瓜酚类物质代谢的影响及与抗白粉病的关系

研究了硅酸盐和诱导接种白粉菌对瓠瓜叶片苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)、多酚氧化酶(PPO)、过氧化物酶(POD)活性的动态变化和木质素含量的影响.结果表明,诱导接种提高了瓠瓜叶片的PAL、PPO、POD活性,加硅后接种处理植株叶片酶活性更明显增加;接种后瓠瓜叶片中木质素含量增加,加硅处理植株叶片木质素含量是不加硅处理的1.43倍.说明酚类物质代谢在植物抗病机制中起着重要作用,硅能提高酚类代谢的酶活性.1.7mmol/L的硅能显著降低瓠瓜白粉病的病情指数,提高其对白粉病的抗病能力.     

Translocation of 14C-labelled photoassimilates to roots in barley: effects of mildew on partitioning in roots and the mitotic index

First leaves of barley seedlings grown in solution culture were inoculated with powdery mildew when the second leaf was fully emerged. ¹⁴C-labelled carbon dioxide was fed to either first or second leaves of infected and non-infected plants. Translocation of labelled photoassimilates into roots, and partitioning into soluble, storage and structural fractions were studied in tip, mid and basal regions of primary roots 24 h after feeding. Mildew reduced the total activity in the plant, but had little effect on assimilate distribution since the percentage activity translocated to roots was only transiently reduced, approximately 7 days after infection. Reduced import led to a reduction in the specific activity of different fractions within roots, reductions being greatest in root tips. These changes were similar whichever leaf was fed. Changes in specific activity became progressively more pronounced in the 10 days following infection, and were paralleled by a reduction in the mitotic index of root tips. It is concluded that meristematic activity, and thus the growth, of primary roots of barley is particularly sensitive to reductions in photoassimilation caused by powdery mildew infection.     

Biological control mechanisms of D-pinitol against powdery mildew in cucumber

D-pinitol is an effective agent for controlling powdery mildew (Podosphaera xanthii) in cucumber. In this study, we determined the mechanisms of D-pinitol in controlling powdery mildew in cucumber plants. We compared P. xanthii development on cucumber leaf surface treated with D-pinitol or water (2 mg ml⁻¹) at different time points after inoculation. The germinating conidia, hyphae, and conidiophores of the pathogen were severely damaged by D-pinitol at any time of application tested. The highest level of suppression of fungal development was obtained at 3 days after inoculation. The contents of chlorophyll, total phenolics, flavonoid, and gallic acid and its derivatives (GAD); the activities of phenylalanine ammonialyase (PAL), polyphenoloxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD); and the expression of the genes encoding for PR-1, peroxidase (POX), lipoxygenase (LOX1), chitinase (Chit1) were higher in the cucumber leaves treated with D-pinitol and inoculated than in the leaves either treated with D-pinitol or inoculated with the pathogen. These results suggest that D-pinitol triggers several plant defense responses in cucumber leading to pathogen suppression and resistance to powdery mildew.     

Induction of systemic resistance to rust in Vicia faba by phosphate and EDTA: effects of calcium

Resistance in the upper leaves of broad bean ( Vicia faba ) plants to infection by the rust fungus, Uromyces viciae-fabae, was increased following treatment of the lower leaves with 10 m m potassium phosphate or 5 m m EDTA. Increasing the interval between treatment of the lower leaves and inoculation of the upper leaves had little effect on rust infection. Thus rust infection was reduced by 50 and 34% if the upper leaves were inoculated 1 day after treatment of the lower leaves with potassium phosphate or EDTA, respectively, while there was a 75% reduction in infection if the interval between treatment and inoculation was increased to 12 days. Application of calcium nitrate (10 m m ) after the phosphate or EDTA treatments prevented the induction of systemic resistance. Calcium nitrate applied alone to the lower leaves had no significant effect on rust infection of the upper leaves.     

Effect of root and foliar applications of soluble silicon on powdery mildew control and growth of wheat plants

Foliar and root applications of different silicon (Si)-based formulations were evaluated for their effects in reducing powdery mildew and promoting growth of wheat plants. X-ray microanalyses of treated plants revealed that root applications resulted in consistent deposition of Si in the leaves. In terms of powdery mildew control, root applications at 1.7 mM Si gave consistently the best results, reducing disease severity by as much as 80%, regardless of the product used. Although less effective than root applications, foliar treatments with both Si and nutrient salt solutions led to a significant reduction of powdery mildew on wheat plants. This suggests a direct effect of the products on powdery mildew rather than one mediated by the plant as in the case of root amendments. In our experiments, Si amendment, either through the roots or the leaves, did not increase plant growth. These results lead to the conclusion that Si is primarily, if not exclusively, absorbed by the root system and that such absorption by the roots is necessary for an optimal prophylactic effect.     

Lithium chloride and cucumber powdery mildew infection

Lithium chloride solutions (1 mM), supplied to cucumber plants via the root system, conferred protection against powdery mildew infection of the leaves by Sphaerotheca fuliginea. The development of infection structures was significantly inhibited by this treatment. Effective concentrations of the lithium salt increased the growth of shoots but resulted in some reduction of root growth, The incorporation of lithium by different parts of plants was assessed during a 20-day treatment period, The possible mode of action of lithium on this host-pathogen system is discussed.     

含氮杂环化合物对黄瓜白粉病抗性的诱导作用及其与防御酶系统的关系

 本文研究了11种含氮杂环化合物对黄瓜白粉病抗性的诱导作用,发现不同化合物的诱导效果存在明显差异。这些化合物中只有(E)-4-[2-(4-联苯基)乙烯基]吡啶(BEPy)和O,O'-1,4-亚丁基-4,4'-双[(E)-2-(4-氧苯乙烯基)]吡啶(DPyEPOB)具有明显的诱导效果。它们在诱导处理后第6d的病情指数为31.4和40.4,分别为对照的40.1%和23.1%;第10d的病情指数为34.8和42.2,为对照的38.7%和25.7%。从诱导效果来看,BEPy的诱导效果在诱导处理各时期均强于DPyEPOB;从诱导时间来看,BEPy的诱导效果随时间推移而降低,而DPyEPOB则基本持平。与经典的系统抗性诱导物水杨酸相比,BEPy的诱导效果与之相近,DPyEPOB的诱导效果则较弱。对几种与抗病性相关酶系统研究结果表明,用BEPy诱导处理后,过氧化物酶、苯丙氨酸解氨酶、多酚氧化酶的活性大大提高。前2种酶在处理60h时酶活力达到最高,分别比对照组提高了2.55倍和1.45倍,并且能一直维持至96h,到144h时下降至对照组的水平;多酚氧化酶的活力在处理96h时达到高峰,比对照提高了8.83倍,到144h时稍有下降,但仍是对照组的7.1倍。酶活力的这种变化趋势与水杨酸的变化趋势是一致的,但在升高幅度和持续时间上有差异。本文还讨论了有关酶活力的变化规律与黄瓜白粉病诱导抗性的关系。     

Effects of foliar- and root-applied silicon on the enhancement of induced resistance to powdery mildew in Cucumis sativus

Two cucumber ( Cucumis sativus ) cultivars differing in their resistance to powdery mildew, Ningfeng No. 3 (susceptible) and Jinchun No. 4 (resistant), were used to study the effects of foliar- and root-applied silicon on resistance to infection by Podosphaera xanthii (syn. Sphaerotheca fuliginea ) and the production of pathogenesis-related proteins (PRs). The results indicated that inoculation with P. xanthii significantly suppressed subsequent infection by powdery mildew compared with noninoculation, regardless of Si application. Root-applied Si significantly suppressed powdery mildew, the disease index being lower in Si-supplied than in Si-deprived plants, regardless of inoculation treatment. The resistant cultivar had a more constant lower disease index than the susceptible cultivar, irrespective of inoculation or Si treatment. Moreover, with root-applied Si, activities of PRs (for example peroxidase, polyphenoloxidase and chitinase) were significantly enhanced in inoculated lower leaves or noninoculated upper leaves in inoculated plants of both cultivars. Root-applied Si significantly decreased the activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase in inoculated leaves, but increased it in noninoculated upper leaves. However, Si treatment failed to change significantly the activity of PRs in plants without fungal attack. Compared to the control (no Si), foliar-applied Si had no effects either on the suppression of subsequent infection by P. xanthii or on the activity of PRs, irrespective of inoculation. Based on the findings in this study and previous reports, it was concluded that foliar-applied Si can effectively control infections by P. xanthii only via the physical barrier of Si deposited on leaf surfaces, and/or osmotic effect of the silicate applied, but cannot enhance systemic acquired resistance induced by inoculation, while continuously root-applied Si can enhance defence resistance in response to infection by P. xanthii in cucumber.     

Effect of potassium silicate on epidemic components of powdery mildew on melon

The effects of silicon (Si) supplied in the form of potassium silicate (PS) were evaluated on epidemic components of powdery mildew of melon under greenhouse conditions. The PS was applied to the roots or to leaves. In the first experiment, epidemic components were evaluated after inoculation with Podosphaera xanthii. In the second experiment, the disease progress rate was evaluated on plants subjected to natural infection. The area under the disease progress curve was reduced by 65% and 73% in the foliar and root treatments, respectively, compared to control plants, as a consequence of reductions in infection efficiency, colony expansion rate, colony area, conidial production and disease progress rate. However, root application of PS was more effective than foliar application in reducing most of the epidemic components, except for infection efficiency. This can be explained by the high Si concentration in leaf tissues with root application, in contrast to the foliar treatment where Si was only deposited on the external leaf surfaces. The effects of PS reported in this study demonstrated that powdery mildew of melon can be controlled, and that the best results can be achieved when PS is supplied to the roots.     

Threshold values for chemical control of powdery mildew (Erysiphe cruciferarum) on Brussels sprouts

To establish control thresholds for chemical control of powdery mildew (Erysiphe cruciferarum) on Brussels sprouts, mildew intensity on leaves and buds was observed on the cultivars Lunet, Tardis and Asgard during three years in unsprayed plots. Mildew infection on the leaves was observed from late August onwards, increasing to moderate or high levels. In one year light infestation of the buds was observed, but no reduction in quality occurred. These preliminary results indicate, that from late August onwards the following levels of leaf injury by powdery mildew can be tolerated: T=5+0.42^*(Julian date — 235), in which T is the tolerable leaf injury in percentage leaf area covered. When sampling the crop to assess powdery mildew infection, care must be taken that leaves are sampled from all stem positions, as top leaves tend to be much less infected.     

Association of Increase in Some Biochemical Components with Flax Resistance to Powdery Mildew

An outdoor pot experiment was conducted in 2014/2015 growing season at Giza Agricultural Research Station to evaluate powdery mildew (PM) severity on 18 flax lines. The tested lines were divided into two distinct groups. The first group included 12 highly resistant lines (HRLs). Disease severity on these lines ranged from 1 to 10%. The second group included 6 highly susceptible lines (HSLs) where disease severity ranged from 90–100%. Levels and activities of phenols, alkaloids, proteins, proline, polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase significantly increased in the infected leaves of the HRLs, compared with the HSLs. Of these components, phenols and peroxidase showed the highest increases in the HRLs (102.34 and 199.33%, respectively). These results indicate that the tested biochemical components have roles to play in flax defense against PM through a variety of mechanisms. The results also suggest that phenols or peroxidase in infected leaves could be used in breeding programs to select resistant lines at early stage of PM development.     

Suppressive effect of liquid potassium silicate on powdery mildew of strawberry in soil

A soil drench of soluble silicon (liquid potassium silicate) was tested for the control of powdery mildew of strawberry in soil for 2 years in a vinyl house under growers' conditions on two cultivars: very susceptible Toyonoka and slightly susceptible Sachinoka. Soluble silicon suppressed the disease more effectively as a preventive control than as a control to reduce initial incidence. The suppressive effect against this disease was more effective for Toyonoka than for Sachinoka. The control value of soluble potassium silicate was 85.6% for Toyonoka in the first year and 60.2% in the second year, while for Sachinoka it was 58% in the first year and 40.6% in the second year. Strawberry leaf hardness was measured for the control and silicate-treated leaves. Although silicate-treated leaves seemed to be harder than control leaves, leaf hardness did not vary significantly between controls and silicate-treated leaves in either of the 2 years, and the mode of preventive action of liquid potassium silicate remains unknown. A factor other than a physical action may be involved.     

苦瓜白粉病病原菌和生理小种的鉴定及苦瓜对白粉病的抗性遗传分析

为明确海南省苦瓜白粉病的病原菌、生理小种及苦瓜对白粉病的抗性遗传规律,结合形态学鉴定和分子鉴定解析白粉病菌及生理小种种类,通过显微镜观察白粉病菌侵染过程,并应用主基因+多基因混合遗传模型分析法探讨苦瓜对白粉病的主要抗性遗传规律。结果表明:采集自海南省6个市(县)的苦瓜白粉病病原菌均为单囊壳白粉菌Sphaerotheca fuliginea,属生理小种2F,该菌在侵染苦瓜叶片时有4个关键时期:接种后4 h为分生孢子萌发高峰期,8 h为附着孢形成高峰期,16～24 h为次生菌丝形成高峰期,5 d为分生孢子梗形成高峰期。将其接种于苦瓜抗、感品系,对白粉病的抗性符合2对加性-显性-上位性主基因+加性-显性多基因模型,主基因和多基因共同控制苦瓜对白粉病的抗性,其中以主基因遗传为主,且会受到环境变异的影响。根据苦瓜抗性遗传规律,F2代主基因遗传率最高,受环境影响最小,在苦瓜的白粉病抗性育种中,以早期世代F2代作为有效选择世代。研究表明白粉病菌侵染叶片的前2 d是白粉病防治的最佳时期,所以在白粉病易发的物候期,可将防治时间提前1～2 d。     

Changes induced by powdery mildew in the salicylic acid and polyamine contents and the antioxidant enzyme activities of wheat lines

Investigations were made on four wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) lines under greenhouse conditions, in order to reveal the role of stress-protective materials, namely salicylic acid, polyamines and antioxidant enzymes in the level of tolerance to powdery mildew infection caused by Blumeria graminis (DC.) Speer f.sp. tritici ém. Marchal. The four lines showed different levels of tolerance, assessed on the Saari-Prescott scoring scale: TC26 and TC33 proved to be susceptible and TC9 and TC19 resistant. In most of the lines, infection caused changes in the activities of antioxidant enzymes, especially in the case of guaiacol peroxidase. Four peroxidase isoenzymes, which responded differently to powdery mildew infection could be detected by gel electrophoresis. Infection had only a slight effect on the levels of salicylic acid (free and bound forms) in inoculated plants; while the levels of polyamines, especially spermidine and spermine increased after infection. Correlation analysis was also performed to examine how close a relationship exists between the parameters investigated. It was concluded that salicylic acid, polyamines and antioxidant enzymes have an important role in plant responses and defence mechanisms during this biotic stress and that in some cases there were significant relationships between them. However the levels of these compounds either initially or after pathogen inoculation, could not explain the degree of tolerance to powdery mildew in the four wheat lines investigated.     

Variability in the sensitivity of biotrophic grapevine pathogens (Erysiphe necator and Plasmopara viticola) to acibenzolar-S methyl and two phosphonates

The antifungal properties of two phosphonates (fosetyl-Al and a fertilizer) and acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM) were evaluated to assess their potential for protecting grapevine leaves against grapevine mildews (Plasmopara viticola and Erysiphe necator), and to determine their effects on the development of various mildew isolates, taking into account the inter- and intra-species variability of the pathogens. The phosphonates directly and significantly inhibited the growth of these pathogens. By contrast, ASM had no direct effect on spore production and growth of P. viticola and of E. necator at 1.9 mM. Applied before inoculation, the mean EC₅₀ of ASM was 0.50?±?0.04 mM and 1.00?±?0.07 mM for downy and powdery mildew isolates, respectively. The EC₅₀ of the fosetyl-aluminium (FOS) was 0.50?±?0.02 mM for downy mildew and the EC₅₀ for powdery mildew varied depending on the genetic group under consideration (0.89?±?0.32 mM for group B 3.30?±?0.46 mM for group A, respectively). The EC₅₀ of the potassium phosphonate fertilizer (PK₂) was 0.96?±?0.45 mM for downy and 6.9?±?0.76 mM for powdery mildew isolates. These compounds showed differences in their efficacy depending on the variability of mildews and could be an alternative or additional method to traditional pest management in the grapevine.     

Comparison of three biological control agents against cucumber powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca fuliginea) in semi-commercial-scale glasshouse trials

The effect of three reported biological control agents, Ampelomyces quisqualis, Verticillium lecanii and Sporothrix flocculosa, was tested against cucumber powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca fuliginea). Two glasshouse experiments, one in the summer and one in winter/spring were conducted on a semi-commercial scale. In both experiments, a susceptible and a partially resistant cultivar were used. In the second experiment, the additional effect of integration of biological control and silicon amendments to the nutrient solution was also assessed. In both experiments, A. quisqualis did not control the disease. V. lecanii had a small effect on powdery mildew in the first experiment but not in the second. S. flocculosa gave the best control of powdery mildew in both experiments. In the first experiment, weekly application of S. flocculosa reduced disease in the partially resistant cultivar to the same level as a treatment in which the fungicides bupirimate and imazalil were each applied once. Addition of silicon in the nutrient solution in a concentration of 0.75 mM reduced disease by 10–16%, averaged over all treatments. There was no interaction between silicon and the biocontrol agents. Yield was recorded in the second experiment and was significantly increased by the fungicide treatment compared to the control in the partially resistant cultivar. Yield in the treatment with S. flocculosa was not significantly different from the fungicide treatment in this cultivar. Silicon had no effect on yield in either cultivar.