High level of resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in introgression lines derived from hybridization between wild crucifers and the crop Brassica species B. napus and B. juncea

Sclerotinia rot caused by the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is one of the most serious and damaging diseases of oilseed rape and there is keen worldwide interest to identify Brassica genotypes with resistance to this pathogen. Complete resistance against this pathogen has not been reported in the field, with only partial resistance being observed in some Brassica genotypes. Introgression lines were developed following hybridization of three wild crucifers (viz. Erucastrum cardaminoides, Diplotaxis tenuisiliqua and E. abyssinicum) with B. napus or B. juncea. Their resistance responses were characterized by using a stem inoculation test. Seed of 54 lines of B. napus and B. juncea obtained from Australia, India and China through an Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) collaboration programme were used as susceptible check comparisons. Introgression lines derived from E. cardaminoides, D. tenuisiliqua and E. abyssinicum had much higher levels (P < 0.001) of resistance compared with the ACIAR germplasm. Median values of stem lesion length of introgression lines derived from the wild species were 1.2, 1.7 and 2.0 cm, respectively, as compared with the ACIAR germplasm where the median value for stem lesion length was 8.7 cm. This is the first report of high levels of resistance against S. sclerotiorum in introgression lines derived from E. cardaminoides, D. tenuisiliqua and E. abyssinicum. The novel sources of resistance identified in this study are a highly valuable resource that can be used in oilseed Brassica breeding programmes to enhance resistance in future B. napus and B. juncea cultivars against Sclerotinia stem rot.     

Evaluation of soybean for resistance to soybean rust in Vietnam

Soybean rust, caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi Sydow, is a severe foliar disease of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] that occurs throughout most soybean producing regions of the world. The objective of this research was to evaluate selected soybean genotypes for resistance to soybean rust in Vietnam. Five field experiments in Vietnam were completed from 2006 to 2009. The area-under-the-disease-progress-curve (AUDPC) was calculated for each soybean genotype based on four disease assessments taken during the reproductive growth stages. AUDPC units among soybean genotypes in each experiment differed (P < 0.05). Over the five experiments, the resistant check DT 2000 was most often the genotype with the lowest AUDPC units while the sources of rust resistance (Rpp1-5) did not always have low AUDPC units in each experiment, although PI 230970 (Rpp2) appeared to be more stable. A few genotypes with non-characterized genes for resistance, such as PI 398998, PI 437323, and PI 549017, had the lowest AUDPC units in at least one of the experiments. These genetic resources may be useful for host plant resistance studies and breeding soybeans for rust resistance in Vietnam and other locations like Brazil and the United States that have more recently been inundated with soybean rust. A significant (P < 0.001) experiment × genotype interaction was found when the AUDPC data of 14 soybean genotypes tested in Experiments 1, 2, and 3 were combined and analyzed. This result indicates the potential importance of changing fungal races and/or biotypes that occur in the rust population.     

Contributions of visual cues to cabbage seedpod weevil, Ceutorhynchus obstrictus (Marsham) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), resistance in novel host genotypes

Herbivorous insects can demonstrate great selectivity among visual cues. The cabbage seedpod weevil, Ceutorhynchus obstrictus (Marsham) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) (syn. Ceutorhynchus assimilis (Paykull)) is also influenced by visual cues. Here, we present results of a study examining the attractiveness of flowers and foliage of Sinapis alba (a suboptimal host for larval development), Brassica napus (an excellent host for larval development) and novel lines derived from S. alba x B. napus; several of these have been demonstrated to be resistant in field and laboratory tests. Attractiveness, reflectance properties and resistance demonstrated in field trials were related. Responses to host plants differed among plant genotypes and were related to the amounts of UV and yellow reflected from flowers. Moderate UV reflectance greatly increased the attractive effects of yellow. Fewer weevils responded to test plants with greater or lesser floral UV reflectance.     

Multiple-disease resistance in Vicia faba: Multi-environment field testing for identification of combined resistance to rust and chocolate spot

The aim of this work was to identify Vicia faba germplasm resistant both to rust and chocolate spot. A collection of 43 accessions of V. faba previously identified as chocolate-spot resistant was evaluated for rust and chocolate spot resistance in Egypt and in Spain. The genotype and genotype × environment (GGE) biplot analyses allowed the selection of 11 accessions resistant to both diseases in those locations. These 11 accessions were evaluated for rust in an additional field trial in Spain, all performing better than the susceptible check. The joint analysis of the 11 accessions in the four field trials where they had been evaluated revealed no significant effects either for genotype, environment or the genotype × environment interaction. They are hence promising sources of resistance, both for their low severities and their stable responses across the studied environments. This collection was also tested under controlled conditions against the Egyptian and the Spanish isolates of rust present in the field trials further underlining the stable performance of these genotypes. Finally, the effect of previous infection with chocolate spot on rust resistance was assessed under controlled conditions and no influence of it was found.     

New host resistances to Pseudocercosporella capsellae and implications for white leaf spot management in Brassicaceae crops

Effective host resistance is the most cost-effective long term prospect for successful management of white leaf spot disease (Pseudocercosporella capsellae) in Brassicaceae. In two separate field trials, 168 genotypes were screened. In the first trial, lines of Brassica oleracea var. capitata (59), Brassica napus (34), Brassica juncea (6) and B. juncea containing wild weedy Brassicaceae introgression(s) (14) were arranged; and in the second, Australian historic and current B. napus (45) and B. juncea (10) varieties were screened. There was wide variation in expression of resistance, from complete resistance to highly susceptible as assessed by two disease parameters, viz. (i), Area Under Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC) for percent leaves diseased (values 0–221.2) and (ii) Percent Leaf Collapse Index (%LCI) values for leaf collapse due to disease (0–38.7). Brassica oleracea var. capitata was overall the most resistant species, while B. juncea the most susceptible with the majority having AUDPC values >75 and B. napus was intermediate. Five B. oleracea var. capitata genotypes were completely resistant, with 0 AUDPC and %LCI values. Pioneer^® 45Y22 (RR) ‘Mystic’ and ‘Wahoo’ were also highly resistant, with the least %LCI (<3.7) and AUDPC (<20) of the Australian B. napus varieties. In contrast, ‘Thunder TT’ (AUDPC -133.6; %CLI – 15.6) and ‘Carbine’ (AUDPC – 73.8; %CLI – 12.5) were the most susceptible lines in first and second trials, respectively. The particularly high susceptibility of newly released B. juncea varieties such as ‘Xceed OasisCL’ highlights the risk of significant losses in such susceptible varieties when deployed in areas with high degree of pressure for white leaf spot disease. There was no association between AUDPC or % CLI with year of Australian varietal release, indicating that Australian breeding programs not made improvement for resistance to white leaf spot over the past two or more decades. Resistant varieties identified in this experiment can now not only be utilized in breeding programs to significantly improve overall crop resistance and management of white leaf spot disease, but also directly deployed to lower the severe inoculum load challenging current varieties.     

Plant protection potential and ultrastructure of Bacillus subtilis strain 3A25

Strain 3A25 was isolated from Indian soil during a screening study for new plant protecting candidates. The present study further characterized this strain regarding its species identity, cellular ultrastructure and potential for protecting Brassica juncea against exposure to ozone. The strain was identified as Bacillus subtilis by 16S rDNA sequencing. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that strain 3A25 had intact bacterial flagella, endospores were found only occasionally. The growth-promoting capacity of strain 3A25 on B. juncea seedlings was investigated in a series of treatments with or without ozone stress in open top chambers. Chlorophyll content, shoot length, root length and leaf area were significantly increased by the treatment with B. subtilis 3A25. The ozone treatment (150 pbb) had a significant inhibiting effect on the development of B. juncea, however, the number of secondary roots was increased. Application of B. subtilis 3A25 either as foliar spray or directly on the soil significantly reduced the negative ozone effect, indicating that this strain has capacities in plant protection against environmental stress.     

Assessing tolerance to soybean rust in selected genotypes

Breeding for tolerance to soybean rust is potentially one of the solutions to combating soybean rust; however, very little progress in tolerance breeding has been documented. Fourteen pre-selected genotypes were evaluated in a sprayed versus unsprayed split-plot trial conducted over three seasons for their tolerance to soybean rust. Different assessments of tolerance were compared for their effectiveness in discriminating between genotypes. Conventional methodology using a yield loss % index for assessing tolerance produced results which were poorly correlated with each other over seasons, which likely accounts for the historic lack of breeding success. This study has used the superiority measure (P_i) of Lin and Binns and the ecovalence statistic (W_i) of Wricke in a biplot to identify the most tolerant genotypes. A novel statistic (W_iP_i) has been generated from this biplot which facilitates the simultaneous selection for general performance and yield stability of genotypes under a range of rust stress conditions.     

Molecular relationships between Australian annual wild rice,Oryza meridionalis,and two related perennial forms

Background

The perennial, Oryza rufipogon distributed from Asia to Australia and the annual O. meridionalis indigenous to Australia are AA genome species in the Oryza. However, recent research has demonstrated that the Australian AA genome perennial populations have maternal genomes more closely related to those of O. meridionalis than to those found in Asian populations of O. rufipogon suggesting that the Australian perennials may represent a new distinct gene pool for rice.

Results

Analysis of an Oryza core collection covering AA genome species from Asia to Oceania revealed that some Oceania perennials had organellar genomes closely related to that of O meridionalis (meridionalis-type). O. rufipogon accessions from New Guinea carried either the meridionalis-type or rufirpogon-type (like O. rufipogon) organellar genomes. Australian perennials carried only the meridionalis-type organellar genomes when accompanied by the rufipogon-type nuclear genome. New accessions were collected to better characterize the Australian perennials, and their life histories (annual or perennial) were confirmed by field observations. All of the material collected carried only meridionalis-type organellar genomes. However, there were two distinct perennial groups. One of them carried an rufipogon-type nuclear genome similar to the Australian O. rufipogon in the core collection and the other carried an meridionalis-type nuclear genome not represented in the existing collection. Morphologically the rufipogon-type shared similarity with Asian O. rufipogon. The meridionalis-type showed some similarities to O. meridionalis such as the short anthers usually characteristic of annual populations. However, the meridionalis-type perennial was readily distinguished from O. meridionalis by the presence of a larger lemma and higher number of spikelets.

Conclusion

Analysis of current accessions clearly indicated that there are two distinct types of Australian perennials. Both of them differed genetically from Asian O. rufipogon. One lineage is closely related to O. meridionalis and another to Asian O. rufipogon. The first was presumed to have evolved by divergence from O. meridionalis becoming differentiated as a perennial species in Australia indicating that it represents a new gene pool. The second, apparently derived from Asian O. rufipogon, possibly arrived in Australia later.     

Differences in leaf yield and indigo precursors production in woad (Isatis tinctoria L.) and Chinese woad (Isatis indigotica Fort.) genotypes

Isatis tinctoria L. (woad) is one of the earliest known sources of indigo in Europe where it was cultivated since the Middle Ages. Isatisindigotica Fort. (Chinese woad), widely distributed in China, had been used from ancient times as indigo-producing plant and medicinal plant. Both species produce indigo precursors indican (indoxyl β-d glucoside) and isatan B (indoxyl ketogluconate) in their leaves. In order to identify new suitable crops for indigo production in Italy, 17 woad lines were studied under field conditions in Central Italy (Pisa, 43°40′N, 10°19′E) from 2001 to 2003. We analyzed the effects of year, genotype, and harvest times together with their reciprocal interactions on leaf yield and indigo precursors production. Woad lines were then compared with seven I. indigotica lines in a field crop experiment set up in 2003. Extraction and quantification of indigo precursors were accomplished by HPLC-ELSD. Isatan B and indican content, as well as equivalent indigo and fresh/dry leaf yield, were compared between species and among genotypes.     

Combining reflective mulch and host plant resistance for sweetpotato whitefly (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) management in watermelon

A study was conducted to evaluate the use of reflective mulch and host plant resistance for the management of the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), in watermelon [Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus (Thunberg) Matsum & Nakai]. Whitefly abundance data were collected under both greenhouse (caged and uncaged) and field conditions. Consistently, a reflective mulch (also called silver or metallic) treatment resulted in a lower incidence of adult whiteflies as compared with a standard black mulch treatment. Moreover, two whitefly resistant Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad genotypes, which are wild relatives of cultivated watermelon, reduced whitefly populations as compared with standard watermelon. There was generally no interaction between the mulch and genotype variables. No effect of mulch color was observed on sticky card capture of Delphastus catalinae (Horn), a whitefly predator, or on capture of an Eretmocerus sp. whitefly parasitoid in caged trials, which suggests no adverse effect on these natural enemies when using reflective mulch. Overall whitefly populations were relatively low during four seasons of field trials (2006–2009). Results from this study suggest that a combination of using reflective mulch and host plant resistance can additively suppress whitefly infestations, which have particular importance in the fast-growing organic vegetable production industry.     

Status of insecticide resistance and associated mutations in Q-biotype of whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, from eastern China

Resistance levels in five field strains of Bemisia tabaci Q-biotype in eastern China to six representative insecticides were determined, and the frequencies of synaptic acetylcholinesterase ace1 mutation (F331W) and para-type voltage gated sodium channel mutations (L925I and T929V) were detected using polymerase chain reaction-based monitoring techniques. Compared with the reference strain, the field strains exhibited low to high resistance to two neonicotinoids (RF 8.68-75 for imidacloprid and 7.48-46.40 for nitenpyram). Low resistance to dichlorvos (RF 1.37-2.83) and cypermethrin (RF 2.61-8.69) were observed in these strains. All strains were susceptible to abamectin and carbosulfan. The F331W mutation in ace1 gene was fixed in all field strains, the frequencies of the L925I mutation and T929V mutation in sodium channel gene were in the range of 39.6-70% and 63-86.7%, respectively. Information on insecticide resistance status and resistance allele frequency reported in this study provided baseline data for management of insecticide resistance of Q-biotype B. tabaci in eastern China.     

Interaction between host plant resistance and biological activity of Bacillus thuringiensis in managing the pod borer Helicoverpa armigera in chickpea

The legume pod borer Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) has developed high levels of resistance to conventional insecticides, and therefore, efforts are being made to develop transgenic chickpea expressing toxin genes from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for controlling this pest. However, there is an apprehension that acid exudates in chickpea might interfere with the biological activity of Bt. Therefore, we studied the biological activity of Bt (Biolep^R) on four chickpea genotypes with different levels of resistance to H. armigera under field conditions, and by incorporating lyophilized leaf and pod tissue into the artificial diet with and without Bt. The pH of the acid exudates varied from 2.1 to 2.9, and malic and oxalic acids were the major components of the acid exudates in different chickpea genotypes. There was no survival of H. armigera larvae in chickpea plants sprayed with 0.1, 0.2 and 0.5% Bt. There was a significant reduction in larval survival, larval and pupal weights and fecundity, and prolongation of larval and pupal periods in chickpea plots sprayed with Bt (0.05%) as compared to the unsprayed plots. Biological activity of Bt was lower on artificial diets with leaf or pod powder of chickpea genotypes, which might be because of a low intake of Bt toxins due to the antifeedant effects of acid exudates in the chickpea or reduction in biological activity of Bt due to the interaction of biochemical constituents in chickpea with the Bt toxins. Larval survival, larval and pupal weights, pupation and adult emergence were significantly lower on diets with leaf or pod powder of the H. armigera-resistant genotypes than on the susceptible check. Chickpea genotypes with resistance to H. armigera acted in concert with Bt to cause adverse effects on the survival and development of this insect. The results suggested that development of transgenic chickpeas expressing toxin genes form Bt will be quite effective for controlling of the pod borer, H. armigera.     

Hazard from reliance on cruciferous hosts as sources of major gene-based resistance for managing blackleg (Leptosphaeria maculans) disease

The host range of eighty isolates of Leptosphaeria maculans obtained from various cruciferous hosts in Western Australia was tested by inoculating onto cotyledons of 13 cruciferous hosts, including six Brassica species and one interspecific line of Brassica. These field isolates produced highly variable responses across the hosts tested. One or more isolates overcame the resistance in each of the tested Brassica species with the B-genome, such as B. juncea, B. nigra and B. carinata and of other species tested, including Raphanus raphanistrum, Crambe abyssinica, Sinapis alba, Eruca vesicaria and Raphanus sativus. None of the isolates tested to date were virulent on Camelina sativa. Of all isolates, 48.8% (and 75% of isolates taken from cultivars containing single dominant gene-based resistance derived from B. rapa ssp. sylvestris) showed high virulence against canola cultivars containing this single dominant gene-based resistance. There was a relationship between host source of isolates with virulence. Results clearly illustrated that extensive levels of variation exist within L. maculans populations in Western Australia such that major gene-based resistance in a range of these hosts could be rapidly overcome by one or more field populations of the pathogen. It is noteworthy that this ability to overcome such resistance in various cruciferous hosts was found to be present in certain isolates in the L. maculans population even prior to exposure of the pathogen to such major gene-based resistance sources in commercial crops. Our results indicated that seeking major gene-based resistance from within cruciferae for B. napus canola breeding, including from taxa which to date have shown resistance to L. maculans when used in the field as rotation, industrial oil or green manure crops, may lead to both breakdown and wastage of these valuable sources of resistance to blackleg disease.     

Overwintering hosts of Apolygus lucorum (Hemiptera: Miridae) in northern China

During the past decade, Apolygus lucorum Meyer-Dür (Heteroptera: Miridae) has become a key pest of cotton in northern China, due to widespread planting of Bt cotton and an associated drop in the use of broad-spectrum insecticides. Because of a lack of management alternatives, A. lucorum outbreaks are presently exclusively controlled with insecticides. In this study, we determined A. lucorum overwintering locations and host plants during the 2006–2009 winter seasons. A total of 126 plant species were screened and nymphal emergence of A. lucorum was monitored over time. Eggs of A. lucorum successfully overwintered in cotton field soils and on 86 plant species, including weeds, fruit trees, pastures and agricultural crops. More specifically, Vitis vinifera L., Ricinus communis L., Momordica charantia L., Artemisia argyi Levl. et Vant., Artemisia annua L., Artemisia lavandulaefolia DC., Isatis indigotica Fort., Artemisia scoparia Waldst. et Kit., Vigna radiate (L.) Wilczek, Ziziphus jujuba Mill., Vigna angularis (Willd.) Ohwi et, Ocimum basilicum L., Onobrychi viciifolia Scop., Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd., Malus domestica Borkh. and Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. et Coss proved optimal overwintering hosts of A. lucorum. Based upon plant species occurrence and distribution in Chinese cotton-growing regions, several weeds and fruit trees, such as V. vinifera, Z. jujuba, P. bretschneideri and M. domestica can be termed key overwintering hosts of A. lucorum. Our findings can form the basis for future formulation of targeted management actions to lower A. lucorum overwintering populations in cotton-growing landscapes of northern China.     

Evaluation of the yield potential and physicochemical properties of the biomass of Salix viminalis × Populus tremula hybrids

This study presents the characteristics of four Salix viminalis × Populus tremula hybrids, produced for the first time in the world grown in a three-year field experiment. Shoot weight per plant and major biomass yield components, including plant height, number of shoots per rootstock and shoot diameter, were determined. The infection severity caused by leaf rust (Melampsora sp.) was also evaluated. The biomass of three-year-old hybrid plants was subjected to chemical analyses and calorimetric tests to determine the energy value of biomass as solid fuel. Among the studied genotypes the highest yield was achieved by one of the studied hybrids. Its biometric parameters did not differ significantly from the standard genotype, and they were superior to the parameters of the maternal form. All Salix × Populus hybrids were more susceptible to rust infections than their maternal form and one hybrid was more resistant to infections caused by fungi of the genus Melampsora. Two hybrids have optimal biomass parameters as regards both calorific value and amount of carbon, hydrogen, sulfur and nitrogen.     

Frequency of Bt resistance alleles in Helicoverpa armigera in 2007-2009 in the Henan cotton growing region of China

Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a key insect pest of cotton in the Henan cotton growing region of China. In this region, cotton is grown on small acreages in rich agricultural landscapes, contrary to cropping systems in the United States or Australia. Under such cropping regimes, naturally occurring refuges (with non-Bt plants) may be sufficient to prevent H. armigera resistance development to Bt toxins. In order to gain a timely understanding of the evolution of resistance of H. armigera to Bt toxin after continuous cultivation of Bt cotton for c. 10 years, we assessed the frequency of alleles conferring resistance to Cry1Ac toxin in field populations of H. armigera sampled from Xinxiang County in Henan province during 2007-2009. Screening F₁ and F₂ generations from isofemale lines, derived from female moths trapped in the field, were used with a discriminating dose of Cry1Ac diet to estimate the frequency of resistance alleles. Totals of 625, 516 and 488 isofemale lines were screened for the F₁ generation in 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively. Resistance gene frequency in Xinxiang fluctuated between 0.0000 and 0.0005, and it did not increase significantly from 2007 to 2009. Based on the relative average development rates (RADR) of H. armigera larvae in F₁ tests, no substantial increase in Cry1Ac tolerance was found in the Xinxiang region over the 3-yr period.     

Genetic variability among cotton genotypes for cold tolerance

Even though planting cotton early in the season is advantageous, the cold sensitivity of cotton seedlings and low germination rates, especially in the areas experiencing low temperatures, are the main obstacle for the early seasonal planting. A total of 106 genotypes from three different species; Gossypium hirsutum L., G. barbadense L., and G. herbaceum L. were screened for cold tolerance using three different approaches. Furthermore, the best screening method to differentiate between the genotypes for cold tolerance, and to predict their field emergence rates was also determined. In detail, optimal germination percentages were measured at 30 °C with the results ranging from 61% to 99%. On the other hand, cold temperature germination rates and emergence percentages ranged from 8% to 82% in paper test and from 8% to 88% (the 7th day after planting) in sand test at 18 °C, and field emergence percentages ranged from 44% to 77% at 28 days after planting. A significant difference between cotton species in terms of their tolerance to cold was observed. That is, G. barbadense genotypes had higher germination rates than the other two species in the three methods used. There was no correlation between optimal germination rates and field emergence percentages. Among cold temperature germination methods, the 18 °C paper test was better in predicting of field emergence percentage, in differentiating between genotypes in terms of their cold tolerance and in determining seed vigor. G. hirsutum cultivars; 8106-2, AYDIN-110, CORINA, DP-388, DPL-50, DPL-5614, NAZILLI-342 and one G. barbadense cultivar, GIZA 70 were more cold tolerant among all the cotton cultivars screened in this study.     

Comparative overwintering host range of three Adelphocoris species (Hemiptera: Miridae) in northern China

In northern China, Adelphocoris suturalis, Adelphocoris lineolatus and Adelphocoris fasciaticollis (Hemiptera: Miridae) are common pests of cotton and several other crops. These species have vastly diverse geographic distribution, seasonal dynamics and abundance, the underlying causal factors of which are poorly understood. In this study, the importance of a broad range of plant species as overwintering hosts for each Adelphocoris sp. was compared. Nymphal emergence from a total of 126 plant species was monitored at two distinct locations. The eggs of A. suturalis successfully eclosed from un-plowed cotton field soil and 115 plant species, primarily pastures, weeds and agricultural crops. The eggs of A. lineolatus successfully eclosed from 40 plant species, mainly pastures and weeds. Finally, A. fasciaticollis overwintered on 35 plant species, primarily tree species, weeds and agricultural crops. In conclusion, the most common and widely distributed mirid species, A. suturalis, overwintered on a comparatively broader range of plants compared to the other two species. These observations help to understand the differences in geographical distribution and abundance of the three Adelphocoris species, and constitute the basis for forecasting and pest management protocols for Adelphocoris spp. in China.     

Spatial and temporal abundance of the solanum fruit fly, Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel), in Morogoro,Tanzania

Bactrocera latifrons is a newly invasive pest species in eastern Africa. Surveys to determine the spatial and temporal abundance of this fruit fly in the Morogoro Region, Eastern Central Tanzania, were conducted from April 2007 to March 2008. The surveys involved trapping of adult flies and collection of host fruits to determine the emergence of adults. The results indicated that the population of B. latifrons was generally low but that adult flies were present throughout the survey period. The population of B. latifrons based on infestation rates and incidence in host fruits, seems to be relatively high during the wet seasons, probably because of availability of many hosts. However, the population of the pest as determined by trapping, indicated a low population but without a specific pattern. The pest shows minimal response to the used attractants. The surveys further indicate that B. latifrons is more abundant in low to medium altitude areas compared to high altitude areas. The results indicate that, because of its low population, B. latifrons might be a minor pest. Results further suggest the possibility of establishing B. latifrons free areas where export valued solanaceous crops can be grown, but further research over longer periods would be needed to establish this.     

Maize genotype susceptibility to Rhizoctonia solani and its effect on sugar beet crop rotations

Root and crown rot is the major soil-borne fungal disease in sugar beet. In Europe, the disease is mainly caused by the anastomosis group (AG) 2-2IIIB of the basidiomycete Rhizoctonia solani (Kühn). No chemical fungicide to control the disease has been registered in Europe. Therefore, agronomic measures must be optimized to keep the disease severity below an economic damage threshold and to minimize white sugar yield losses. R. solani AG 2-2IIIB infects many other crops besides sugar beet, including maize, where it causes root rot. Sugar beet and maize are frequently grown in the same crop rotation. The proportion of cultivated maize in several European sugar beet growing areas is expected to rise due to a projected increase in demand for renewable resources over the next few years. Although the susceptibility to and tolerance of the disease varies among cultivars in both crops, little is known about the effects of cultivar susceptibility in the pre-crop on a subsequent susceptible crop. The cultivation of R. solani-resistant maize genotypes in rotation with resistant sugar beet might therefore be a useful tool in an integrated control strategy against R. solani, eliminating the need to restrict the desired crop rotation for phytosanitary reasons. A crop rotation experiment with artificially inoculated R. solani was conducted in the field to investigate the pre-crop effects of maize cultivars which differed in their susceptibility to R. solani on a susceptible sugar beet cultivar. We hypothesized that the maize genotype would influence the inoculum potential and performance of a susceptible sugar beet genotype grown after a maize pre-crop, and that this would correlate with the susceptibility of the maize genotype. The results demonstrate that the susceptibility of maize genotypes is consistent over a period of years and that cultivated maize genotypes influenced the inoculum potential measured as disease severity in sugar beet. However, disease severity in sugar beet did not correlate with the disease susceptibility of the genotype of the maize pre-crop. Possible reasons for this missing relationship might be differences in the quality of maize residues for the saprophytic survival of the pathogen or a genotype-specific alteration of the antagonistic microbial community. However, our findings showed that in the presence of maize- and sugar beet-pathogenic R. solani, the most favourable maize cultivar for a crop rotation cannot be determined solely on the basis of its resistance level against Rhizoctonia root rot.