Compounds from the subterranean part of Johnsongrass and their allelopathic potential

The allelopathic effects of the exotic invasive weed, Johnsongrass, on Lactuca sativa, a native plant in China, were evaluated and the phytotoxins were investigated under laboratory conditions. The crude extracts (chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions) that were obtained from the ethanol extract of the subterranean parts of Johnsongrass inhibited the germination speed and growth of the roots and shoots of the test plant. The four compounds, ethyl p‐hydroxybenzoate, diosmetin, apigenin, and luteolin, were isolated from the extract of the subterranean parts of Johnsongrass first, along with three other compounds (reported previously), p‐hydroxybenzaldehyde, p‐hydroxybenzoic acid, and dhurrin, and they all were evaluated on L. sativa. At the concentration of <0.5 mmol L^?1, ethyl p‐hydroxybenzoate, dhurrin, and the mixture of the compounds delayed the germination speed of the seeds of L. sativa at 24 h of incubation, while apigenin delayed the germination speed of the seeds of L. sativa at 72 h of incubation. Ethyl p‐hydroxybenzoate demonstrated the strongest delaying effect among the phenols and a similar effect was found with apigenin among the flavonoids, wheras ethyl p‐hydroxybenzoate induced a drastic inhibition of the germination at 2 mmol L^?1. In contrast, p‐hydroxybenzaldehyde and luteolin had no effect on the germination at any concentration at any stage. All the substances inhibited the shoot and root growth of L. sativa at 3 mmol L^?1. Increasing the concentration increased the inhibition of the growth of L. sativa. The inhibitory activity of ethyl p‐hydroxybenzoate and p‐hydroxybenzaldehyde was greater than that of the other compounds. This result suggested that the isolated phytotoxins might contribute to the successful invasion by Johnsongrass.     

Combining competition from Lolium perenne and an insect–fungus combination to control Rumex obtusifolius seedlings

Although adult Rumex obtusifolius are problematic weeds, their seedlings are poor competitors against Lolium perenne, particularly in established swards. We investigated the possibility of using this weakness to augment control of R. obtusifolius seedlings with combinations of Gastrophysa viridula (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and the rust fungus Uromyces rumicis. Rumex obtusifolius seedlings were grown in competition with L. perenne sown at different rates and times after R. obtusifolius: they competed successfully with L. perenne when sown 21 days before the grass. Sowing both species at the same time resulted in a dominant grass sward, with R. obtusifolius becoming dominant when sown 42 days prior to L. perenne. Grass sowing rate had no effect on R. obtusifolius growth or biomass. A second experiment investigated how competition from L. perenne sown 21 days after R. obtusifolius combined with damage from G. viridula and/or U. rumicis (applied at either the 3–4‐ or 10–13‐leaf stage, or at both stages) affected the growth and final biomass of R. obtusifolius. Beetle grazing at the latter leaf stage was the only treatment that reduced R. obtusifolius biomass, although rust infection at the earlier application led to an increase in shoot and root weight. The results are discussed in terms of the potential for use of these agents in the field.     

Paraquat tolerant Lolium perenne L.: effects of paraquat on germinating seedlings

A cultivar of Lolium perenne L. (Causeway) selected for tolerance to foliar-applied paraquat was shown also to be tolerant at seed germination and establishment. When seeds were germinated in paraquat solutions (1, 3, 9, 27 ppm), Causeway was more than ten times as tolerant as a normal cultivar of L. perenne. When germination and survival were studied in a soil which had been sprayed with paraquat (0.0, 0.3, 0.9, 2.7 kg/ha) before sowing, Causeway was nearly three times as tolerant as a normal cultivar. Holcus lanatus L. was about equal to normal L. perenne, but Poa trivialis L. was less tolerant. Phytotoxicity was greater in a 10.5% organic than a 4.8% organic soil. It is concluded that the mechanism of paraquat tolerance operates in the non-photosynthetic tissues of germinating seedlings as well as in the photosynthetic tissues of older plants, although the degree of tolerance varies according to the mode and stage of application of the herbicide. There might be advantages in using a paraquat tolerant cultivar of L. perenne when direct drilling grass after sward destruction by paraquat.     

Germination of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plasmodiophora brassicae</Emphasis> resting spores stimulated by a non-host plant

Plant-induced germination of Plasmodiophora brassicae resting spores was studied in a laboratory experiment. Spore reaction was analysed in nutrient solution with exudates from growing roots of different plant species – one host plant (Brassica rapa var. pekinensis) and four non-host plants (Lolium perenne, Allium porrum, Secale cereale and Trifolium pratense) – and in controls with distilled water and nutrient solution. It was found that root exudates from L. perenne stimulated spore germination more than exudates from the other plants, including those from the host plant. The effect could not be explained by differences in the nutritional composition of the solutions due to differential uptake of the plant species, or by differences in root activity, measured as exudation of soluble sugars. This is the first time such a separation of factors has been done in analysing the influence of plants on P. brassicae germination. Although stimulation of P. brassicae resting spore germination is not restricted to the presence of host plants, it seems to vary depending on the plant species.     

Phytotoxic activity of Chinese violet (Asystasia gangetica (L.) T. Anderson) and two phytotoxic substances

Chinese violet (Asystasia gangetica (L.) T. Anderson) is a perennial invasive weed belonging to Acanthaceae. Leaves of this weed have been suggested to possess phytotoxic activity. However, phytotoxic substances in this weed have not yet been reported. Therefore, the present study investigated phytotoxic activity of Chinese violet extracts and phytotoxic substances. The extracts of Chinese violet leaves inhibited the root and shoot growth of cress, lettuce, alfalfa, barnyard grass, ryegrass, and timothy, where the level of inhibition increased with increasing extract concentrations. Bioassay‐guided separations of the extracts led to isolation of two phytotoxic substances, indole‐3‐carboxaldehyde and (6R,9S)‐3‐oxo‐α‐ionol. Indole‐3‐carboxaldehyde significantly inhibited the root and shoot growth of cress at concentrations ≥100 and 30 μmol L^?1, respectively, and concentrations of the substance required for 50% growth inhibition were 210 and 127 μmol L^?1 for cress roots and shoots, respectively. The other substance, (6R,9S)‐3‐oxo‐α‐ionol, was reported to have strongly inhibited cress roots and shoots. The present results suggest that Chinese violet contains two phytotoxic substances indole‐3‐carboxaldehyde and (6R,9S)‐3‐oxo‐α‐ionol, and those substances may play an important role in the phytotoxic activity of Chinese violet.     

Effects of ferrous iron (Fe) on the germination and root elongation of paddy rice and weeds

Laboratory experiments were conducted to analyze the iron (Fe) tolerance of paddy weeds and rice varieties (Oryza sativa) for germination and root elongation. Under a waterlogged soil condition, the Fe(II) content in a soil solution increased with an increase in the ratio of rice straw to the soil. In the presence of 0.9% (w/w) straw to soil, which corresponds approximately to 8 t of straw applied to an area of 1 ha × 10 cm depth in the field, ～80 mg L^?1 of Fe(II) was produced in the soil solution. Based on this result, the seeds of rice and the weeds were incubated in a solution with <100 mg L^?1 of Fe(II). The presence of 100 mg L^?1 of Fe(II) suppressed the germination of Echinochloa crus‐galli var. crus‐galli, Cyperus serotinus, Cyperus difformis, and Monochoria korsakowii. However, it had no effect on the germination of Echinochloa oryzicola, Schoenoplectus juncoides (= Scirpus juncoides var. ohwianus), and Monochoria vaginalis. This level of Fe tolerance was the same as that of rice. These findings suggest that E. oryzicola, S. juncoides, and M. vaginalis can grow under more severe conditions than E. crus‐galli, C. serotinus, C. difformis, and M. korsakowii. In relation to seminal root elongation, the order of tolerance of Fe toxicity was O. sativa cv. Dunghan Shali > O. sativa cv. Hoshinoyume > E. oryzicola > M. vaginalis > S. juncoides. Thus, the results show that the tolerance of rice is greater than that of E. oryzicola, which had a comparatively strong tolerance among the weeds examined, and also that there are differences in tolerance among the rice varieties. These findings suggest that the difference in Fe tolerance is involved in weed control systems when organic materials are applied. If this difference is an important factor in the weed control system, Fe‐tolerant rice varieties, like cv. D. Shali, could facilitate weed control systems due to their higher Fe tolerance ability.     

Effect of some herbicides on freshwater algae

The activity of 12 herbicides was tested against various freshwater algae found in Britain. Three of the most troublesome species, Cladophora glomerata L., Rhizoclonium hieroglyphicum Katz., and Vaucheria dichotoma Ag. were all susceptible to methylthio-1,3,5-triazines. Terbutryne and cyanatryn were the most active and both killed C. glomerata and R. hieroglyphicum at 0.05 mg/litre. The concentration of terbutryne had to be increased to 0.1 mg/litre to control V. dichotoma. Asulam and WSCP (2.0 mg/litre), metflurazone and HZ5914 (1.0 mg/litre), copper sulphate (1.0 mg copper ion/litre) and cutrine (2.0 mg copper ion/litre) had no visible effect on the algae. Diquat (1.0 mg cation/litre) did, however, control C. glomerata and R. hieroglyphicum although, in natural conditions, the algae quickly recovered after treatment. Success with diquat (2.0 mg/litre) against V. dichotoma in laboratory experiments was not achieved in a field experiment.     

Control of morningglory species using Fusarium solani and its extracts

Abstract

Natural products of an isolate of Fusarium solani App. & Wr. NRRL 18883 grown on rice medium were discovered to be phytotoxic to morningglory. This isolate was evaluated for biocontrol potential on morningglory species including ivyleaf [Ipomoea hederacea (L.) Jacq.], multicoloured (I. tricolor Cav.), paimleaf (I. wrightii Gray), pitted (I. lacunosa L.), purple moonflower (I. turbinata Lag.), red (I. coccinea L.), sharppod (I. cordatotriloba Dennstedt), smallflower (Jacquemontia tamnifolia (L.) Griseb], and tall [I. purpurea (L.) Roth] morningglory. When sprayed at a concentration of 10 g fungus‐infested rice per 50 ml of water, this isolate caused phytotoxic damage including necrosis, chlorosis, growth inhibition, and mortality. Deleterious effects were recorded in all species, ranging from necrotic spots to death, depending on the species. Mortality ranged from 0% at 3 weeks for purple moonflower to 89% for smallflower morningglory. Soil‐drench application (10–20 ml fungal material per 150 g soil) caused wilting and death. Root lengths of 7‐ and 10‐day‐old plants were reduced between 19 and 89% by soil‐drench application and 17–84% by spray application. Whole plant length reduction of 7‐ and 10‐day‐old plants ranged from 0 to 96%, and 39 to 96% for soil‐drench and spray applications, respectively. Testing of F. solani on weed and crop species showed that most broadleaved species were sensitive but monocotyledons were immune. Tests of the phytotoxic extract for known phytotoxins such as common trichothecene (deoxynivalenol) and non‐trichothecene compounds (fusaric acid, moniliformin, fumonisins) were negative. This is the first report of the use of F. solani against morningglory.     

Survival and growth of seedlings of Rumex obtusifolius L. and Rumex crispus L. in newly sown grassland

The survival and growth of seedlings of Rumex obtusifolius L. and Rumex crispus L. were investigated from 1982 to 1984. A sward was established by the sowing of seeds of Dactylis glomerata and Trifolium repens and managed under two cutting frequencies. Five hundred seeds of each Rumex species were sown m^?2. The total number of emergent seedlings of each Rumex species over two seasons was 230–360 m^?2. About 85% of them emerged within 3 months of sowing. Both Rumex species showed the same pattern of survivorship. Survival was clearly enhanced by frequent cutting during the second season. About 20% of the emerged plants survived through to the third season. Plants that emerged during the first season only flowered during the second season. The flowering percentage of total surviving plants was significantly higher in R. obtusifolius than in R. crispus. Rumex obtusifolius was higher in dry matter of aerial parts defoliated during the second season and more individual plants survived through to the third season than for R. crispus. Moreover, dry matter production of grass and clover was depressed by 25–30% in mixtures with R. obtusifolius. compared with production in mixtures with R. crispus.     

Herbicidal potential and quantification of causative allelochemicals from several Compositae weeds

Compositae plants contain biologically active substances that are allelopathic to weed species. Aqueous extracts from leaves of 16 plants were bioassayed against lucerne (Medicago sativa) to determine their allelopathic effects, and the results showed the highest inhibition for the extracts from Lactuca sativa, Xanthium occidentale and Cirsium japonicum. The extracts applied to filter paper in Petri‐dish bioassay tests significantly inhibited root growth of lucerne. Extracts of 40 g dry tissue L^?1 from L. sativa, X. occidentale and C. japonicum were completely inhibitory to lucerne root growth, but hypocotyl growth of lucerne was less sensitive. Although allelopathic effects of methanol extracts were much less than those of coumarin or alachlor, early seedling growth of both lucerne and Echinochloa crus‐galli was significantly reduced by methanol extracts. Mixture of L. sativa, X. occidentale and C. japonicum extracts had more inhibitory effects on test plants than each single extract treatment. By means of high‐performance liquid chromatography, responsible causative allelopathic substances present in L. sativa, X. occidentale and C. japonicum were isolated from various fractions and identified as coumarin, trans‐cinnamic acid, o‐coumaric acid and p‐coumaric acid. These results suggest that some Compositae have various herbicidal potentials, and that their activities, types and amount of causative compounds differ, depending on the plant species.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phoma glomerata</Emphasis> (Corda) Wollenw. &; Hochapfel a new threat causing cankers on shoots of peach trees in Greece

Shoot blights are common diseases of peach trees in Greece. This study is the first report of a shoot blight and canker disease of peach in Greece caused by the fungus Phoma glomerata (Corda) Wollenw. & Hochapfel. The pathogen caused distinct cankers with abundant gumming on shoots of peach trees. The rate of development of P. glomerata in vitro was reduced as temperatures increased from 25°C to 30°C, decreased from 25°C to 15°C, and was totally inhibited at 35 and 10°C. The rate of conidial germination and the germ tube elongation in vitro was reduced as temperatures increased from 25°C to 35°C, decreased from 25°C to 10°C, and was totally inhibited at 2–4°C. Pathogenicity tests showed that 24 peach and nectarine cultivars grown in Imathia Perfecture, Greece, were equally susceptible to P. glomerata. The fungicides thiophanate methyl, carbendazim, and tebuconazole were evaluated against the development of P. glomerata and disease symptoms. All fungicides inhibited the growth and conidial germination of P. glomereta and disease symptoms, and all 30 isolates tested were sensitive to the above fungicides. The disease caused by P. glomerata could be a threat to peach cultivation in Greece and its management should be investigated in the field.     

Plant extracts containing caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid inhibit zoospore germination of Phytophthora spp. pathogenic to Theobroma cacao

The three most important species of Phytophthora worldwide causing black pod disease of cacao are P. palmivora, P. megakarya, and P. capsici. Chemicals are effective in controlling this disease but more natural methods would be preferred. One alternative is to use natural plant extracts. Rosemary and lavender leaf extracts were found to be effective in reducing germination of P. capsici, P. megakarya, and P. palmivora zoospores when supplemented to agar plates at different dilutions. The extracts displayed the biggest impact on P. megakarya zoospores where it completely inhibited germination at a 25% dilution of the prepared extract. When applied to cacao leaf disks, rosemary extract reduced necrosis caused by P. megakarya zoospores. In a bioassay, pears first treated with lavender extract showed no symptoms of P. megakarya infection compared with the non-treated controls. Based upon HPLC analyses, the active compound in these extracts was determined to be caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid or some simple derivative thereof. When added to agar plates, synthetic caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid completely inhibited germination of P. capsici, P. megakarya, and P. palmivora zoospores at concentrations of 3 and 6 g l⁻¹, respectively. In addition, sage and rice bran extracts, which both contain caffeic acid, were also effective in reducing zoospore germination. In contrast, inhibition of Botrytis cinerea or Trichoderma asperellum conidia germination did not occur, displaying some level of specificity. These extracts could provide an economically safe method for reducing damage caused by black pod disease on cacao until resistant varieties are developed and released.     

银胶菊的花对稗草的化感作用及其化感物质分离与鉴定

为明确银胶菊的花组织对稗草的化感作用及其活性物质成分,采用培养皿法和室内盆栽法,研究了其水浸提液的乙酸乙酯相、正丁醇相和剩余水相对稗草生长的影响。结果表明,乙酸乙酯相的化感抑制活性最高,其中,温室盆栽试验中对稗草萌发、株高、鲜重的抑制率分别为11.1%、10.2%和14.6%。采用GC-MS技术,从乙酸乙酯相较高活性组分中分离鉴定了15种主要化合物,分别为烃类及其衍生物、萘类、醇类、苯类、酸类、酮类和酯类。     

Comparison of the growth response of Rumex obtusifolius L. and Lolium perenne L. to photon flux density

The aim of this experiment was to compare the growth strategies of Rumex obtusifolius L. and Lolium perenne L. at the seedling stage under different constant photon flux densities. Both species were grown simultaneously in growth chambers (20/15°C) at 50, 150 and 500 μmol m^?2 s^?1 and sampled on six occasions between the 14th and 34th day after seedling emergence. The relative growth rate of R. obtusifolius always exceeded that of L. perenne. R. obtusifolius allocated more dry matter to the leaves, thus resulting in an increase in specific leaf area and, consequently, leaf area ratio. The decrease in the relative growth rate that resulted from reducing the photon flux density from 500 to 50 μmol m^?2 s^?1 was lower for R. obtusifolius (?38%) than for L. perenne (?53%). The weed was less sensitive that the grass to the reduction in light intensity, mainly because its specific leaf area increased more and because its net assimilation rate decreased less. The results show that seedlings of R. obtusifolius are able to maximize dry matter production at a low photon flux density. This suggests that the establishment of R. obtusifolius seedlings cannot be prevented by the shade of an established sward. Comparaison de la croissance de R. obtusifolius L. et de L. perenne L. sous différentes densités de flux de photons Le but de cet essai était de comparer la stratégie de croissance de plantules de R. obtusifolius et de L. perenne sous différentes densités de flux de photons. Les deux espèces ont été cultivées simultanément en chambres de croissance (20/15°C) à 50, 150 et 500 μmol m^?2 s^?1 et récoltées à six reprises entre le 14^e et le 34^e jour après la lev^ee. Le taux de croissance relatif de R. obtusifolius a toujours été supérieur à celui de L. perenne. Nous avons observé chez R. obtusifolius un investissement plus important en matière sèche dans les feuilles ainsi qu'une surface foliaire spécifique et, par conséquent, un rapport surface foliaire/poids sec total plus élevés. La diminution du taux de croissance relatif consécutive à la réduction de la densité du flux de photons de 500 à 50 μmol m^?2 s^?1 fut plus faible chez R. obtusifolius (?38%) que chez L. perenne (?53%). La dicotylédone a été moins sensible à la réduction de l'intensité lumineuse que la graminée principalement parce que sa surface foliaire spécifique a davantage augmenté et également parce que son taux net d'assimilation a moins diminué. Nos résultats montrent que les plantules de R. obtusifolius sont capables de produire un maximum de matière sèche sous une faible densité du flux de photons. Ils suggèrent que l'implantation de plantules de R. obtusifolius ne peut pas être empêchée par l'effet d'ombrage d'un couvert en place. Vergleich des Wachstums von Rumex obtusifolius L. mit Lolium perenne L. bei verschiedenen Photonen-Bestrahlungsstärken Ziel dieses Versuches war der Vergleich der Wachstumsstrategie der Keimpflanzen von Rumex obtusifolius L. und Lolium perenne L. bei verschiedenen konstanten Photonen-Bestrahlungsstärken. Beide Arten wurden gleichzeitig in Klimakammern (20/15 °C) bei 50, 150 und 500 pimol m^?2 s^?1 kultiviert, und zwischen dem 14 und 34. Tag nach dem Auflaufen wurden 6 Teilernten genommen. Die relative Wachstumsrate von R. obtusifolius war jener von L. perenne immer überlegen. R. obtusifolius transportierte mehr Trockensubstanz in die Blätter; die spezifische Blattfläche stieg an, und der Anteil Blattfläche an der gesamten Trockensubstanz nahm zu. Wurde die Photonen-Bestrahlungsstärke von 500 auf 50 μmol m^?2 s^?1 gesenkt, nahm die relative Wachstumsrate bei R. obtusifolius um 38% und bei L. perenne um 53% ab. Der Ampfer reagierte auf die Reduktion der Lichtintensität weniger empfindlich als das Gras, hauptsächlich weil sie ihre spezifische Blattfläche stärker erhöhte und die Nettoassimüationsrate weniger reduzierte. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, daß Keimpflanzen von R. obtusifolius in der Lage sind, auch bei niedrigen Photonen-Bestrahlungsstärken die Trockensubstanzproduktion zu maximieren. Es wird daher vermutet, daß unter dem Schatten eines Pflanzenbestandes das Etablieren der Keimpflanzen von R. obtusifolius nicht verhindert werden kann.     

Inhibition of seedling growth by wild myrtle (Myrtus communis L.)

Plants of wild myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) collected at full bloom contained substances inhibitory to the germination and seedling growth of perennial ryegrass. (Lolium perenne L. cv Hollandi) Tissue suspensions had a greater inhibitory activity than water extracts of the plant tissue. Boiling the plant material also increased the inhibitory activity of suspensions and extracts. Flower, and buds, fruit covers and leaves had the greatest inhibitory effect/unit weight ot tissue but inhibitory activity was also present in stems and roots at lower concentrations. The effect of myrtle leaf suspensions on germination of seed of thirteen common garden flowers was also examined: Germination of Petunia. Antirrhinum, Liaum. Cheiranthus and Lathyrus was inhibited completely or substantially depressed. Germination of Zinnia, Tagrtes. Verbena and Dianthus was not much affected, while that of Brllis. Gaillardia. and Viola was affected to an intermediate extent. These results suggest that the possible use of wild myrtle as an evergreen hedge plant needs to be examined further because of possible interference with the growth of nearby lawns and flowers.     

Potential allelopathic effects of Mikania micrantha on the seed germination and seedling growth of Coix lacryma‐jobi

The allelopathic potential of Mikania micrantha H.B.K. to affect the seed germination and seedling growth of Coix lacryma‐jobi L. was investigated. Water‐soluble allelopathic substances were found in the water extracts of M. micrantha. The effect of the water extracts on the seed germination and seedling growth of C. lacryma‐jobi was concentration‐dependent. The water extracts from the different plant parts (leaf, stem, and root) of M. micrantha differed in their effect on the germination and seedling growth of C. lacryma‐jobi, with the effect of the leaf extract being the least inhibitory. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the C. lacryma‐jobi seedlings increased by 64%, 45%, and 52% of the control with increasing concentrations of the extracts of the root, stem, and leaf (80, 400, and 400 g L^?1, respectively). The extract from the M. micrantha roots significantly increased the catalase (CAT) activity of the C. lacryma‐jobi seedlings (48% and 54% of the control at the concentrations of 20 g L^?1 and 80 g L^?1, respectively). The extracts from the leaves and stems at low concentrations increased the CAT activity, but at high concentrations, the extracts decreased the CAT activity. The extracts from the roots, stems, and leaves at concentrations of 80, 400, and 400 g L^?1 also significantly decreased the peroxidase (POD) activity of the C. lacryma‐jobi seedlings to 27%, 52%, and 34% of the control, respectively. These results indicate that the water extracts of M. micrantha could inhibit the seed germination and seedling growth of C. lacryma‐jobi through the regulation of anti‐oxidase activity, such as POD and CAT in the cells. The growth inhibition of the C. lacryma‐jobi seedlings is probably related to injury after oxidization of the cell membranes with the increase of MDA content.     

Antifungal activities of hyoscyamine and scopolamine against two major rice pathogens: <Emphasis Type="Italic">Magnaporthe oryzae</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizoctonia solani</Emphasis>

The antifungal activities of hyoscyamine and scopolamine, major alkaloids extracted from the desert plant Hyoscyamus muticus, against two rice pathogens, Magnaporthe oryzae and Rhizoctonia solani, were studied. The minimum inhibitory concentration of hyoscyamine that resulted in distinctive inhibition (MIC₅₀) was 1 μg/ml for both fungi. Exposure to hyoscyamine caused the leakage of electrolytes from the mycelia of both fungi. Hyoscyamine (>1 μg/ml) irreversibly delayed or inhibited conidial germination and appressorium formation in M. oryzae grown on polystyrene plates. Hyoscyamine effectively inhibited the attachment of conidia to the surface of rice (Oryza sativa) leaves and inhibited appressorium formation on the leaves. A high concentration of scopolamine (1000 μg/ml) also delayed or inhibited conidial germination in M. oryzae, but conidial germination was restored after washing the conidia with water. Antifungal activity of hyoscyamine was reduced by scopolamine. Magnaporthe oryzae infection was significantly suppressed (by >95%) in leaves of intact rice plants treated with hyoscyamine (10 μg/ml). Moreover, 10 μg hyoscyamine/ml significantly reduced the disease severity index for sheath blight to ≤0.2, when compared with the disease index of control plants (>7.0). Hyoscyamine (>20 μg/ml) completely inhibited sclerotial germination and development of R. solani by delaying the initiation, maturation, and melanization of the sclerotia. These results suggest that tropane alkaloids may be useful for controlling blast and sheath blight diseases of rice and for studying the mechanisms that regulate conidial germination in M. oryzae and sclerotial germination and development in R. solani.     

Histology of waxflower (Chamelaucium spp.) flower infection by Botrytis cinerea

Botrytis cinerea infects waxflower (Chamelaucium spp.) flowers and can induce them to abscise from their petioles before disease becomes evident. Botrytis cinerea infection of flowers was studied on two waxflower cultivars by light and electron microscopy. Pot‐grown waxflower flowers were harvested, inoculated with aqueous suspensions of B. cinerea conidia, incubated at 20–22°C and >95% RH and examined within 96 h post‐inoculation (hpi). Conidial germination on petals started 4 hpi, penetration via germ tube tips was 6 hpi and protoappressoria were formed 8 hpi. Germination on petals approximately doubled every 4–6 h to 18 hpi. Conidial germination was ca. 50% at 22–24 hpi. Botrytis cinerea infected most waxflower flower organs, including petals, anthers and filaments, stigma and hypanthium, within 24 hpi. Hyaline and lobate appressoria were observed 36 hpi. Infection cushions on stamen bases were formed 36 hpi by saprophytic hyphae that originated from anthers. This infection process can give rise to tan‐coloured symptoms typical of botrytis disease that radiate from this part of the flower. Subcuticular hyphae were present at high density near stamen bases and evidently resulted from multiple penetrations from single infection cushions. The subcuticular hyphae grew within the hypanthium and towards the centre of the floral tube. When flower abscission occurred, floral tube tissues close to the abscission zone remained uninfected. This observation infers possible transmission of a signal (e.g. ethylene) upon B. cinerea infection. Thus, B. cinerea causes flower abscission apparently as a defence response.     

N-acyl-N-alkyl 1-aminobenzotriazoles: phytotoxicity, antagonism to EPTC and effects on maize cytochrome P-450

Eight amino-substituted derivatives of 1-amino-benzotriazole (ABT) were synthesized and tested. N-acetyl-N-methyl ABT (AcMeABT) was found to kill maize (Zea mays L.) hybrid Pioneer 3737 at 5 kg ha^?1 dose while ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) was unaffected. The analogous N-propionyl-N-methyl ABT had an activity similar to AcMeABT whereas other N-acyl-N-alkyl derivatives had only moderate or no effects on maize. AcMeABT was considerably toxic to oats (Avena sativa L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) as well. Unlike ABT, AcMeABT did not show any in vitro inhibitory effect on cytochrome P-450 enzymes of maize microsomes. However, in vivo AcMeABT pre-treatment significantly decreased the microsomal cytochrome P-450 level of aetiolated maize seedlings. Moreover, a subtoxic dose of AcMeABT was a weak antagonist of a toxic dose of EPTC in maize in vivo. These data predict the involvement of cytochrome P-450 enzyme in the mode of action of AcMeABT. N-acyl-N-alkyl l-aminobenzotriazoles: phyto-toxicité, antagonisme avec l'EPTC et effets sur le cytochrome P-450 du maïe Huit dérivés sur le groupement amine de l'1-aminobenzotriazole (ABT) ont été synthétisés. Une dose 5 kg ha^?1 de N-acétyl-N-méthyl ABT (AcMeABT) détruisait le maïs (Zea mays L.) hy-bride Pioneer 3737 alors que le raygrass (Lolium perenne L.) n'était pas affecté. L'analogue N-propionyl-N-méthyl ABT avail une activité simi-laire à celle de l' AcMeABT, alors que les autres dérivés N-acyl-N-aklyl n'avaient que des effets nuls ou faibles surle maïs. L'AcMeABTétait très toxique à l'égard de l'avoine (Avena sativa L.) et du sorgho bicolore (Sorghum bicolor L.). Con-trairement à l'ABT, l'AcMeABT n'inhibait pas in vitro les enzymes P-450 des microsomes du maïs. Cependant, un pré-traitement in vivo a l'AcMeABT diminuait significativement le niveau de cytochromes P-450 microsomaux de jeunes plantes étiolées de maïs. En outre, une dose subtoxique d'AcMeABT avail sur maïs in vivo un effet antagoniste faible contre une dose loxique d'EPTC. Ces données suggèrent l'impli-cation d'enzymes cytochrome P-450 dans le mode d'action de l'AcMeABT. Phytotoxizität, Antagonismus gegenüber EPTC und Wirkungen auf das Cytochrom P-450 von N-Acyl-N-alkyl-1-aminobenztriazolen Bei Versuchen mit 8 Amino-subslituierten Deri-vaten von 1-Aminobenzotriazol (ABT) war N-Acetyl-N-methyl-1-aminobenztriazol (AcMeABT) mit 5 kg ha^?1 für Mais (Zea mays L.) ‘Pionier 3737’ phyloloxisch, für Deulsches Weidelgras (Lolium perenne L.) nicht. Das analoge N-Propionyl-N-methyl-1-aminobenztriazol war ähnlich wirksam wie AcBeABT, andere Deri-vale kaum oder gar nichte. AcMeABT war für Saat-Hafer (Avena sativa L.) und Sorghumhirse (Sorghum bicolor L.) erheblich phytotoxisch. Anders als ABT zeigte AcMeABT in vitro keine Hemmwirkung auf das Cytochrom P-450 in Mais-Mikrosomen, in vivo jedoch nahm der Cy-tochrom-P-450-Gehalt etiolierter Mais-keimpflanzen nach AcMeABT-Behandlungen signifikantab. Außerdem war eine subtoxische Dosis von AcMeABT schwach antagonistisch für eine für Mais toxische EPTC-Dosis. Diese Daten weisen auf die Beteiligung des Cytochrom-P-450-Enzyms an der Wirkungsweise des AcMeABT hin.     

Evaluation of rice allelopathy in hydroponics

The inhibitory activity of water extracts from the shoots and roots of three rice cultivars, Taichung native 1 (TN1) and IAC165 (both allelopathic rice) and AUS196 (non-allelopathic rice), grown in hydroponics was evaluated. The release of germination inhibitors by allelopathic rice plants into hydroponic solution was also determined with freshly collected solution and XAD-4 resin desorbate. The degree of the inhibition was quantified in terms of root growth in Echinochloa colona, Echinochloa crus-galli, Echinochloa crus-galli var. oryzicola, Triantema portulacastrum and Lactuca sativa. The allelopathic activity of rice was species specific, and depended on source and concentration. Root length of all test species was inhibited by the different concentrations of shoot extract of allelopathic and non-allelopathic rice. However, of the three cultivars, TN1 showed higher inhibition than IAC165 and AUS196 in all test species. Water extracts of shoots and roots significantly inhibited root growth in E. crus-galli but the shoot extract gave a greater inhibitory effect on E. crus-galli than the root extract. Root exudate of TN1 inhibited root elongation of E. crus-galli from 2 weeks after transplanting (WAT) and the inhibition continued for 4 WAT. The results confirmed the previous finding of a laboratory bioassay that the TN1 had allelopathic activity and produced allelochemicals that inhibit growth of some weed species.