苹果树根域土壤理化性质对园艺地布覆盖的响应

为探究园艺地布覆盖对苹果树根域土壤理化性质的影响，本研究设置了园艺地布覆盖和清耕2个处理，于2018年2—12月对苹果树休眠期、盛花期、幼果期、果实膨大期及果实成熟期0~60 cm土层的土壤理化性质进行测定。结果表明：园艺地布覆盖果园相比清耕，土壤含水量提升了0.16%～7.10%；土壤pH在休眠期40~60 cm土层增大了0.12，在其余生育时期及土层内降低了0.06 ~0.43；有机质含量在休眠期至幼果期0~20 cm土层、休眠期和盛花期40~60 cm土层、果实膨大期0~60 cm及果实成熟期40~60 cm土层增加了0.05~4.05 g·kg^-1；碱解氮含量增加了2.10~46.05 mg·kg^-1；速效磷含量在休眠期40~60 cm土层和盛花期20~40 cm土层分别降低了0.87 mg·kg^-1和0.43 mg·kg^-1，在其余生育时期及土层增加了5.57~57.58 mg·kg^-1；速效钾含量增加了43.78~182.19 mg·kg^-1。园艺地布覆盖处理对土壤含水量、pH、有机质含量、碱解氮含量、速效磷含量和速效钾含量各因子的作用强度在生育时期间和土层间有较大差异，在幼果期至果实膨大期对土壤含水量的提升超过4.60%，在休眠期和盛花期对土壤含水量的提升作用低于3.00%；对土壤速效钾含量的提升作用在生育时期间以果实成熟期最明显，增加量均大于107.00 mg·kg^-1，在土层间以20~40 cm土层最明显，增加量均大于97.00 mg·kg^-1；对其余各因子的作用强度无明显规律。     

不同覆膜连作年限对玛纳斯县棉田土壤质量的影响

为研究不同覆膜连作年限对玛纳斯县棉田土壤质量的影响,以新疆玛纳斯县覆膜连作0、5、10、20、30 a的棉田为研究对象,分别采集0~10、10~20、20~30 cm土层土壤,测定其土壤理化性质、土壤酶活性、土壤微生物量碳、氮含量等指标,并对不同覆膜连作年限玛纳斯县棉田的土壤质量进行综合评价。结果表明：（1）随覆膜连作年限的增加,土壤含水率和有机质含量逐渐增加,以覆膜连作30 a时最高,分别为11.52%和21.60 g·kg^-1,土壤速效磷呈先升高后降低趋势,在覆膜连作10 a时含量最高（49.60 mg·kg^-1）,土壤电导率、总盐、速效钾和碱解氮总体呈降低趋势,在覆膜连作年限30 a时含量最低,分别为0.50 mS·cm^-1、0.69 g·kg^-1、148.28 mg·kg^-1和25.27 mg·kg^-1;同一覆膜连作年限下,随着土层深度的增加,土壤含水率、电导率和总盐逐渐增加,pH值、有机质、速效磷、速效钾和碱解氮含量逐渐降低。（2）在不同覆膜连作年限下,土壤蔗糖酶、脲酶、碱性磷酸酶活性随覆膜连作年限的增加呈先升高后降低趋势,在覆膜连作10 a时活性最高,分别为10.57 mg·g^-1·d^-1、0.86 mg·g^-1·d^-1、0.40 mg·g^-1·d^-1,土壤过氧化氢酶活性随不同覆膜连作年限并无显著变化,为1.80~2.20 mL·g^-1;在同一覆膜连作年限下,土壤脲酶、碱性磷酸酶活性均表现为表层>深层,且差异显著。随覆膜连作年限的增加,土壤微生物量碳含量呈现先增加后减少的趋势,最高为205.26 mg·kg^-1,微生物量氮含量逐渐降低,最低在覆膜连作30 a时为11.40 mg·kg^-1,且不同土层土壤微生物量碳、氮表现为表层>深层。（3）土壤速效磷与过氧化氢酶、脲酶、碱性磷酸酶活性和微生物量碳呈极显著正相关关系,与蔗糖酶活性呈显著正相关关系,表明土壤速效磷是影响土壤酶活性和微生物量碳、氮的主要因素。土壤质量综合评价表明,以覆膜连作10 a的土壤质量最佳,0 a和30 a的土壤质量相对较低。     

水分对不同栽培年限日光温室土壤氮矿化的影响

采用室内短期（84 d）好气培养法评价了不同水分供应水平下（田间持水量的60%、80%及100%，分别用60FC、80FC和100FC表示）陕西杨凌地区不同栽培年限（种植前、种植第二年及种植第三年）日光温室土壤（0~20 cm及20~40 cm土层）氮素矿化特性。结果表明：随着日光温室栽培年限的延长，0~20 cm土层累积净矿化氮量显著增加，且随栽培年限的增加，20~40 cm 土层氮矿化势呈增加的趋势；土壤水分含量由60FC增加到80FC，土壤累积矿化氮量呈增加趋势，但当含水量达到100FC时，土壤累积矿化氮量降低。回归分析结果表明，土壤有机质含量每增加1 g·kg^-1, 60FC、80FC、100FC土壤含水量条件下土壤氮矿化势分别增加 1.62、1.88 mg·kg^-1和1.57 mg·kg^-1;土壤全氮含量每增加1 g·kg^-1，土壤氮矿化势分别增加28.93、33.42 mg·kg^-1和27.82 mg·kg^-1。因此，建议日光温室蔬菜栽培中应综合考虑温室年限及灌溉量对土壤氮素矿化过程的影响。     

夜间增温与铜污染对麦田土壤无机氮库的影响

基于夜间增温（设增温、常温两个水平）与铜污染 \[设CK（6 mg·kg^-1）、LP(43 mg·kg^-1）、MP（155 mg·kg^-1）、SP（209 mg·kg^-1）4个梯度\] 复合因素的7 a旱地定位试验,结合室内20℃和30℃下恒温培养91 d,分析了麦田土壤硝态氮、铵态氮和无机态氮含量的变化及其稳定特征。研究结果表明：土壤硝态氮、铵态氮和无机态氮随着土壤中铜含量的增加均表现为先增后降趋势,夜间增温下CK土壤硝态氮和无机态氮含量分别显著降低10.8%和5.7%,在LP、MP处理下硝态氮含量分别显著下降17.4%、15.2%,但在SP处理下土壤硝态氮、铵态氮分别显著增加6.9%和15.1%,增温与铜含量对土壤无机态氮和硝态氮的影响呈现显著的交互效应。20℃和30℃恒温培养使无机态氮含量增加1.6~4.6倍、铵态氮含量增加5.2~13.3倍,却使硝态氮含量减少40.3%~65.1%,20℃比30℃恒温培养后土壤中有较高的无机态氮、铵态氮含量和铵/硝比。夜间增温使土壤净氮矿化作用、氨化作用的Q₁₀值均有所提高,但硝化作用的Q₁₀值显著降低16.8%,适当的铜含量（LP：43 mg·kg^-1）将加快土壤氮的氨化、矿化和硝化速率。因此,夜间增温提高了旱地麦田土壤氮矿化作用温度敏感性,降低了无机态氮库稳定性,土壤铜污染与土壤氮库转化和增温响应的关系具有浓度效应。     

干旱地区棉田连作对土壤氮素含量及氮转化速率的影响

为研究干旱地区棉田不同连作年限对土壤氮素含量和氮转化速率的影响，选取新疆艾比湖流域内精河县托托乡和农五师91团0、1、5、10、20 a和30 a棉田为研究对象，以棉田连作下土壤理化性质变化为基础，结合土壤氮素含量和氮转化速率，定量研究了连作棉田土壤氮转化速率变化规律及生态驱动因素。结果表明：（1）旱区连作棉田土壤硝态氮为无机氮主要组成，不同连作年限中土壤硝化作用均能将铵态氮转化为硝态氮，年限间差异不显著且硝态氮总量普遍偏低（平均为5.56±0.28 mg·kg^-1）；土壤碱解氮含量均显著低于未开垦土壤，仅为对照样地的16.37%～28.40%（P<0.05），土壤铵态氮和亚硝态氮含量随着连作年限的增加逐渐达到动态平衡。（2）连作初期会降低土壤硝化和反硝化速率，连作10 a旱区棉田土壤硝化率和反硝化率均降到最低（分别为23.62±1.45 μg·kg^-1·h^-1和5.673±4.632 μg·kg^-1·h^-1），至连作后期显著增加。（3）土壤pH值对土壤硝化速率和反硝化速率的影响最大（总效应分别为0.5310和0.6516），土壤硝化率和反硝化率分别在土壤pH值达到阈值范围（8.37和8.01）时达到最大值（91.333 μg·kg^-1·h^-1）和最小值（19.271 μg·kg^-1·h^-1）；土壤水分是影响反硝化作用的第二重要因子。     

豫西地区有效铜含量分布及其影响因素

采用野外调查采样结合室内分析的方法,研究了豫西地区农田土壤有效铜含量的分布特征及其影响因素。结果表明,豫西地区全铜含量介于23.60～52.70 mg·kg^-1,平均30.17 mg·kg^-1,有效铜含量介于0.28～4.13 mg·kg^-1,平均0.89 mg·kg^-1,表现为山地<丘陵<平原。本区域有15. 93%的样点有效铜含量低于缺铜临界值,有60.44%的样点濒临缺铜。土壤有效铜含量与有机质、全氮含量呈显著线性正相关关系,与pH值呈显著负相关关系。前茬玉米土壤有效铜含量最高,平均1.18 mg·kg^-1,前茬红薯土壤有效铜含量最低,平均0.63 mg·kg^-1。     

潮棕壤速效磷产量临界值和淋溶临界值的计算

确定合理磷肥用量对取得高产、提高经济收益和保护环境都有重要意义,而明确土壤速效磷产量临界值与淋溶临界值是界定施肥量适宜与否的必要前提。本文基于下辽河平原长期定位试验,使用直线-平台、双直线和米氏模型计算土壤速效磷产量临界值,通过土柱淋溶试验确定土壤速效磷淋溶临界值。结果表明：该地区玉米和大豆的速效磷产量临界值分别为12.0 mg·kg^-1和10.8 mg·kg^-1;三个模型中以米氏模型计算的值最高,以直线-平台模型计算的值最低;通过6次淋溶试验,计算的土壤速效磷淋溶临界值在74.6 mg·kg^-1到82.0 mg·kg^-1之间,均值为80.2 mg·kg^-1。在农业生产中应将土壤速效磷控制在12.0～80.2 mg·kg^-1之间,可据此指导施肥,达到保证作物生长所需养分,并减少施肥对环境影响的目标。     

西藏高寒区禾-豆混播对牧草营养品质及土壤养分的影响

采用随机区组试验设计,以燕麦（Avena sativa）、箭筈豌豆（Vicia sativa）、饲用豌豆（Pisum arvense）为材料,于2019年在拉萨墨竹工卡具开展单播、禾-豆混播种植方式下牧草产量和品质的比较。通过分析种植后土壤养分的变化,在确保牧草生产性能的同时,探讨禾-豆混播的土壤改良作用。结果表明：（1）燕麦+箭筈豌豆、燕麦+饲用豌豆混播比例为70%∶30%和50%∶50%时,干草产量最高,较单播燕麦分别提高11.8%和28.0%,较单播箭筈豌豆、饲用豌豆分别提高24.5%和17.4%。（2）单播箭筈豌豆、饲用豌豆的粗蛋白（CP）含量最高,分别达19.29%和15.74%,混播处理中CP含量随着燕麦播种量的增加呈现降低的趋势,最高降幅分别达54.48%和57.12%;而中、酸性纤维则呈相反趋势。（3）单播燕麦土壤养分降低,有机质、全氮、碱解氮、有效磷和速效钾分别降低1.10 g·kg^-1、0.03 g·kg^-1、22.93 mg·kg^-1、3.27 mg·kg^-1和4.38 mg·kg^-1。而增加豆科植物的播种量可有效提高土壤肥力,增加速效养分供给,土壤有机质、全氮、碱解氮和有效磷最高可提升4.5%、9.1%、3.6%和6.1%。综上,进行一年生禾-豆混播具有实现牧草增产和农田保育的双重效应。     

不同种植模式下苹果园土壤氮磷养分的分布特征

为研究不同苹果种植模式下土壤养分变化情况,在陕西省千阳县2种不同种植模式(矮化和乔化种植)的苹果园区采集土样,通过测定0~100 cm土层土壤中的全氮、全磷和有效磷含量,分析和比较其土壤氮磷养分含量差异及剖面分布特征。结果表明：在0~100 cm深度的土层中,除全磷外,矮化苹果园土壤各养分含量显著低于乔化苹果园(P<0.05),矮化富士、嘎啦苹果园和乔化富士苹果园全氮含量分别为0.60、0.63、0.76 g·kg^-1,全磷含量分别为0.58、0.56、0.63 g·kg^-1,有效磷含量分别为6.98、3.48、51.00 mg·kg^-1;矮化苹果园全氮、全磷以及有效磷含量主要在0~10 cm的表层土壤中聚集显著(P<0.05);土壤养分含量与土层深度相关性显著(P<0.05),矮化苹果园和乔化苹果园土壤养分含量与土层深度的变化过程分别符合幂函数和对数函数的变化趋势。     

黄土塬区土地利用方式对土壤主要理化性质的影响

通过对陕西长武4种典型土地利用方式下0~500 cm土层土壤主要理化性质分析,以明确土地利用方式对土壤理化性质的影响。结果表明：农田、果园土壤有机质、全氮含量显著高于荒地和刺槐林地,土壤粘粒含量与土壤容重呈显著负相关关系,与土壤饱和导水率呈显著正相关关系;农田0~100 cm土层土壤容重达1.44 g·cm^-3,显著高于同深度荒地（1.27 g·cm^-3）、果园（1.38 g·cm^-3）、刺槐林地（1.32 g·cm^-3）土层;400~500 cm土层土壤含水量为刺槐林地（86 g·kg^-1）<果园（113 g·kg^-1）<荒地（152 g·kg^-1）<农田（165 g·kg^-1）;果园和刺槐林地0~500 cm土层土壤平均饱和导水率分别为0.37、0.36 mm·min^-1,显著高于农田（0.25 mm·min^-1）和荒地（0.23 mm·min^-1）。退耕还林（草）导致土壤容重降低、饱和导水率增加,有助于降水入渗,但退耕后深层土壤有干燥化的倾向。     

Epidemiology and simulation of population development of Sitobion avenae in winter wheat

The epidemiology ofSitobion avenae and its natural enemies in winter wheat was studied in 1975, 1976 and 1977. Immigration was important until the end of flowering. The alate immigrants had apterous offspring. These became the driving force in population growth. Their offspring were mostly alatae which usually left the field. A model of the epidemic was developed. Quantitative relations between the aphids and their environment were obtained from literature or established in laboratory trials. The model simulated population development and population composition from the beginning of June till the population peak at the end of June or early in July. Because quantitative data on relations between aphids and their natural enemies and pathogens are scarce, and since the knowledge on wing formation is still limited, the population collapse could not be predicted. In the future, prognosis over a period of three weeks seems possible.Samenvatting De toenemende betekenis van graanbladluizen (vooralSitobion avenae) gepaard gaande met een sterke toename van het gebruik van insecticiden op granen maakte verbetering van de prognose over het schadelijk optreden wenselijk. Door gedetailleerde tellingen in het veld (Fig. 1–7) werden gegevens verkregen over het verloop van de epidemie en het optreden van natuurlijke vijanden in 1975, 1976 en 1977.Een immigratieperiode tot in de bloei kon worden vastgesteld. Daarna lijkt de aantrekkelijkheid van het gewas voor alate luizen te verminderen. De alate immigranten krijgen aptere nakomelingen. Deze vormen de stuwende kracht van de populatiegroei. De nakomelingen van apteren zijn merendeels alaat. Zij verlaten het gewas.Een model van de populatieontwikkeling gedurende de epidemie werd opgesteld. De relatiediagrammen Fig. 9 en 10 laten groei en ontwikkeling vanS. avenae en een predator (Syrphus corollae) zien. Kwantificering van de betrekkingen werd mogelijk door literatuurgegevens en laboratoriumexperimenten.Met het model kon de populatieontwikkeling vanS. avenae vanaf begin juni tot aan de populatiepiek in 1975, 1976 en 1977 vrij goed worden gesimuleerd (Fig. 12). Ook de populatieopbouw kon worden gesimuleerd (Fig. 14). De teruggang van de populatiedichtheid blijkt moeilijker te voorspellen door het ontbreken van gegevens over natuurlijke vijanden.Het lijkt waarschijnlijk dat in de toekomst met het model een prognose over de piek van de bladluispopulatie circa 3 weken tevoren mogelijk zal zijn.     

Tumours of Begonia and some other ornamentals,induced by Corynebacterium fascians

In 1975 many tumours were observed in plants ofBegonia Schwabenland grown in Aalsmeer. Submersion of the roots ofNicotiana megalosiphon seedlings in a homogenate of tumorous tissue, induced tumours after two weeks. Short periods of submergence yielded results similar to those obtained after longer periods. Tumour homogenates lost their infectivity after ten min at 50°C. Aphids transmitted the infectious agent.Treatment with propylene oxide did not inhibit infectivity completely. Filtration through a 450 nm filter removed the infectious agent.Tobacco tumor virus or a viroid could not be isolated. Cultures ofCorynebacterium fascians, isolated from tumours ofN. megalosiphon were highly infectious and induced tumours in healthyN. megalosiphon andBegonia. Tumorous tissue homogenates ofPelargonium zonale, Dahlia sp.,Gladiolus sp., andLilium sp. also caused tumours inN. megalosiphon, from whichC. fascians was isolated. It was not possible to produce tumours inN. megalosiphon with homogenates from roses with symptoms of bud proliferation.Samenvatting In 1975 werden vele tumoren waargenomen inBegonia Schwabenland op Aalsmeerse bedrijven (Fig. 1). De infectiositeit van tumorweefsel kon goed en snel worden vastgesteld door de wortels van zaailingen vanNicotiana megalosiphon in een homogenaat van tumorweefsel te dompelen. Tumoren ontstonden na twee weken, de eindbeoordeling geschiedde na een maand (Fig. 2). Ook verschillende andereNicotiana spp.,Melilotus officinalis (Fig. 3) enPisum odoratum (Fig. 4) werden aangetast.Bij de infectiositeitstoets gaven zeer korte dompeltijden even goede resultaten als langere (Tabel 1). Infectieus sap verloor zijn infectievermogen na 10 min verhitting bij 50°C. Bladluizen brachten de smetstof over. Propyleenoxide verminderde de infectiositeit wel, doch onderdrukte deze niet totaal. Bij filtratie door een 450 nm filter bleef het infectieuse agens op het filter achter. Het tumor-inducerende agens was ook aanwezig in die delen van planten met tumoren welke gezond leken en het ging voor een gering deel over met zaad (Tabel 2).Uit tumoren konden wij geen tabakstumorvirus of een viroïde isoleren. Culturen vanCorynebacterium fascians, geïsoleerd uit tumoren vanN. megalosiphon bleken zeer infectieus en veroorzaakten tumoren inN. megalosiphon enBegonia. Homogenaten van tumorweefsel vanPelargonium zonale, dahlia (Fig. 5), gladiool (Fig. 6) enLilium Mid Century Hybrid Enchantment (Fig. 7) veroorzaakten ook tumoren opN. megalosiphon, waaruitC. fascians werd geïsoleerd. Met sap van kroeskopzieke rozen konden wijN. megalosiphon niet besmetten.     

Nematicidal Activity of Chrysanthemum coronarium

Organic amendments and green manure are potential alternatives to the harmful chemical control means currently used against plant-parasitic nematodes. In this work, Chrysanthemum coronarium was applied to the soil as a green manure to control the root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica. Chrysanthemum coronarium significantly reduced nematode infection of tomato roots and improved plant-top fresh weight, both in the greenhouse and in microplots. Other green manures, derived from Anthemis pseudocotula, wild chickpea (Cicer pinnatifidum), Geranium spp. and wheat, were not as effective as C. coronarium. Chrysanthemum coronarium, retained its nematicidal activity even when applied as a dried material. Only mature C. coronarium plants, in their flowering stage, exhibited nematode control activity, but the green plant parts were more effective than the flowers. An aqueous extract of C. coronarium exhibited in vitro, nematostatic activity towards M. incognita and M. javanica second-stage juveniles and inhibited their hatching from eggs and egg-masses; its nematostatic activity was expressed also against other phytonematode species such as Heterodera avenae and Pratylenchus mediterraneus, but did not affect the beneficial entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema feltiae.     

Inactivation of soil-borne plant pathogens during small-scale composting of crop residues

Samples of heavily infested crop residues were incorporated in static compost heaps (2.5–4.6 m³) of the Indore type. Temperature increased to 50–70°C within 6 days depending on the type of crop residues used and the location within the heap. The heat phase (>40 °C) lasted 2–3 weeks and was followed by a c. 5-months maturation phase (<40 °c).=" among=" the=" 17=" pathogens=" tested,=">Olpidium brassicae and one of the four formae speciales ofFusarium oxysporum that were tested survived composting, but also their inoculum was greatly reduced.Survival during specific phases of composting was studied by incorporation and retrieval of samples at various stages of the process.F. oxysporum f. sp.melonis was completely inactivated andO. brassicae andPlasmodiophora brassicae were almost completely inactivated during the short heat phase. The three pathogens survived the long-lasting maturation phase without loss of viability. Heat evolved during composting was found to be the most important factor involved with sanitation of crop residues. The possible involvement of fungitoxic conversion products and microbial antagonism is discussed.     

浅黄恩蚜小蜂和丽蚜小蜂对温室白粉虱的寄生潜能分析

浅黄恩蚜小蜂Encarsia sophia GiraultDodd和丽蚜小蜂Encarsia formosa Gahan是防治粉虱类害虫的优势寄生蜂,通过生命表技术方法分析了2种寄生蜂对温室白粉虱Trialeurodes vaporariorum(Westwood)的防治潜能。结果表明,丽蚜小蜂在羽化第3天和第10天出现2次寄生高峰,占其总寄生量的13.7%和8.0%,在2次高峰之间逐日寄生粉虱数量比较平稳,单雌逐日平均产雌数保持在10.6~13.4头,10 d后寄生量呈明显的下降趋势;而浅黄恩蚜小蜂羽化10 d内逐日寄生粉虱量变化不大,单雌逐日产雌数稳定在4.2~5.4头,羽化14 d后寄生量呈明显下降趋势。丽蚜小蜂和浅黄恩蚜小蜂的R0、T、rm、λ值分别为171.5、18.0、0.2854、1.3303和61.6、16.2、0.2544、1.2897;粉虱若虫充足时,丽蚜小蜂平均单雌寄生若虫数是浅黄恩蚜小蜂的2.7倍,而后者平均单雌取食若虫数为60.6头,明显高于前者42.7头,总的来看,丽蚜小蜂通过寄生和取食杀死粉虱总量220.8头,明显高于浅黄恩蚜小蜂的127.9头。表明在应用寄生蜂防治温室白粉虱时,单独释放丽蚜小蜂比浅黄恩蚜小蜂显示出更好的防治潜能。     

Effects of the saprophytic leaf mycoflora on growth and productivity of winter wheat

The effects of the saprophytic mycoflora and its interference with cereal aphids on growth and yield of winter and spring wheat was studied in field experiments in 1980, 1981 and 1982.Yields varied between 5000 and 8000 kg dry matter of kernels per ha. The effect of the saprophytic mycoflora on yield was determined in different treatments: A) no control measures against cereal aphids and saprophytic and necrotrophic fungi, B) no control of cereal aphids, control of saprophytic and necrotrophic fungi, C) control of cereal aphids and control of saprophytic and necrotrophic fungi, D) control of cereal aphids and stimulation of saprophytic mycoflora and E) control of cereal aphids, no control of saprophytic and necrotrophic fungi nor stimulation of saprophytic mycoflora.Considerable differences in top densities of saprophytic mycoflora (10 times as large in A and D as in B and C) were determined. The consequences of these differences for the growth and productivity of wheat were minor. A negative effect of saprophytic mycoflora on the yield could not be detected in 1981 and 1982, whereas a small positive significant effect was found in 1980. This stimulation may have been due to competition between necrotrophic fungal pathogens and saprophytic mycoflora. As a result of favourable weather conditions necrotrophic fungal pathogens were very numerous in 1980 and could form an important yield reducing factor. Yield levels may effect the importance of the necrotrophic and saprophytic mycoflora as yield reducing factors. Additionally, in the presence of aphid honeydew captafol was found to be relatively ineffective against saprophytic fungi.     

Aetiology and causal agents of mango sudden decline disease in the Sultanate of Oman

Mango sudden decline is a recently introduced, economically serious disease in Oman. Affected mango trees have wilting symptoms that usually begin on one side and later spread to involve the entire tree. Trees exude amber-coloured gum from the bark of their trunks or branches and vascular tissues are discoloured. Having entered Oman in the recent past, survey data is presented that shows the disease to have spread throughout the northern part of the country. Evidence is presented that the vascular wilt pathogen Ceratocystis fimbriata causes mango sudden decline disease in Oman, possibly in concert with Lasiodiplodia theobromae and the recently described Ceratocystis omanensis. Isolates of these fungi from affected trees, cause infection and can be recovered from inoculated seedlings. Bark beetles (Hypocryphalus mangiferae) are shown to carry C. fimbriata and L. theobromae and are presumably responsible for transmitting both pathogens to healthy mango trees. Acting as a wounding agent and vector, the bark beetle is likely to have assisted the rapid spread of the disease across Oman.     

Combined effect of generally regarded as safe (GRAS) compounds andTrichoderma harzianum on the control of postharvest diseases of rambutan

Botryodiplodia theobromae, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides andGliocephalotrichum microchlamydosporum are the causal fungi of the rambutan postharvest diseases stem-end rot, anthracnose and brown spot, respectively. Two different treatments of rambutan fruits(Nephelium lappaceum) against the three pathogens were compared: potassium metabisulphite (250 ppm) or cinnamaldehyde (30 ppm), each combined withTrichoderma harzianum (TrH 40). The application of TrH 40 and potassium metabisulphite effectively controlled the incidence and severity of the three postharvest diseases and maintained the overall quality and color of the fruit under low temperature storage at 13.5°C and 95% r.h. for 18 days. The greatest effect of this treatment was shown onG. microchlamydosporum. Cinnamaldehyde affected the growth and germination of TrH 40, whereas potassium metabisulphite did not. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Nov. 4, 2001.     

Relationship Between Production of the Phytotoxin Prehelminthosporol and Virulence in Isolates of the Plant Pathogenic Fungus Bipolaris sorokiniana

A gas chromatographic method was developed to quantify the phytotoxin prehelminthosporol, which is a sesquiterpene metabolite of the plant pathogen Bipolaris sorokiniana. The toxin was extracted from mycelium or culture filtrates, pre-cleaned using solid phase extraction, and analyzed by gas chromatography as a trimethylsilyl-derivative. The detection limit of the method was 5ngl^–1 (signal to noise ratio 4:1) which corresponds to ca. 15ng prehelminthosporol per mg dry weight of mycelium or 15ng prehelminthosporol per ml culture filtrate. The total amount of prehelminthosporol (mycelium plus culture filtrate) increased with cultivation time when examined in six isolates of B. sorokiniana after 6, 9, 12 and 15 days of incubation. The screening experiment of 17 isolates for prehelminthosporol production after 8 days of incubation revealed significant differences in the toxin production between the isolates. The isolates with low toxin production had lower virulence towards barley roots compared to those with higher production of the toxin. However, the virulence did not increase with prehelminthosporol level among the high producing isolates. Prehelminthosporol was also analyzed in a number of related Bipolaris and Drechslera species. In addition to B. sorokiniana, three out of six Bipolaris species (B. setariae, B. zeicola, B. victoriae) produced prehelminthosporol, which indicates that ability to produce prehelminthosporol is conserved among closely-related Bipolaris species.     

Diagnostics,genetic diversity and pathogenic variation of ascochyta blight of cool season food and feed legumes

Molecular diagnostic techniques have been developed to differentiate the Ascochyta pathogens that infect cool season food and feed legumes, as well as to improve the sensitivity of detecting latent infection in plant tissues. A seed sampling technique was developed to detect a 1% level of infection by Ascochyta rabiei in commercial chickpea seed. The Ascochyta pathogens were shown to be genetically diverse in countries where the pathogen and host have coexisted for a long time. However, where the pathogen was recently introduced, such as A. rabiei to Australia, the level of diversity remained relatively low, even as the pathogen spread to all chickpea-growing areas. Pathogenic variability of A. rabiei and Ascochyta pinodes pathogens in chickpea and field pea respectively, appears to be quantitative, where measures of disease severity were based on aggressiveness (quantitative level of infection) rather than on true qualitative virulence. In contrast, qualitative differences in pathogenicity in lentil and faba bean genotypes indicated the existence of pathotypes of Ascochyta lentis and Ascochyta fabae. Therefore, reports of pathotype discrimination based on quantitative differences in pathogenicity in a set of specific genotypes is questionable for several of the ascochyta-legume pathosystems such as A. rabiei and A. pinodes. This is not surprising since host resistance to these pathogens has been reported to be mainly quantitative, making it difficult for the pathogen to overcome specific resistance genes and form pathotypes. For robust pathogenicity assessment, there needs to be consistency in selection of differential host genotypes, screening conditions and disease evaluation techniques for each of the Ascochyta sp. in legume-growing countries throughout the world. Nevertheless, knowledge of pathotype diversity and aggressiveness within populations is important in the selection of resistant genotypes.