Non-chemical agents provide tenable,eco-friendly alternatives for the management of the major diseases devastating Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) in India

India is a leading producer of oilseed Brassicas, contributing approximately 23 percent of the country's total oilseed production. In India, the Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. & Coss.] crop is ravaged by various diseases, including Alternaria blight, white rust, downy mildew, Sclerotinia rot and powdery mildew, which can contribute to fluctuations in crop yields. A field experiment examining an integrated disease management system for Indian mustard (B. juncea) was conducted under the All India Coordinated Research Project on Rapeseed-Mustard (Indian Council of Agricultural Research or ICAR) during three crop seasons (2006–09) at 11 locations to assess treatments suitable for the management of crop disease. The data from the different locations and years regarding disease severity and incidence were pooled and analyzed. Seed treatments with freshly prepared Allium sativum bulb aqueous extract (1 percent w/v) resulted in significantly higher initial plant stands, across locations and years. Seed treatment with A. sativum bulb extract, followed by its use as a foliar spray, resulted in significantly reduced Alternaria leaf and pod blight severity, reduced white rust severity, fewer stag heads per plot, reduced downy mildew and Sclerotinia rot incidence, and reduced powdery mildew severity, across locations and years. The combination also provided significantly higher seed yields compared with the control across locations and years and was at par with treatment by chemical fungicides. The combination used in the present study was as effective as the combination of seed treatment with Trichoderma harzianum and foliar spraying with Pseudomonas fluorescens and T. harzianum. Economic returns were higher when using biorational treatments (A. sativum bulb extract, T. harzianum, P. fluorescens) compared with chemical fungicides. The combination of seed treatments with T. harzianum followed by its use as a foliar spray (17.22), and the similar combination of seed treatments and foliar spraying with the A. sativum bulb extract (17.18), resulted in a higher benefit to cost ratio. This eco-friendly technology can help oilseed Brassica growers in India safeguard the crops from major diseases and increase the stability and productivity of the Indian mustard crop.     

Yield loss and management of downy mildew on field pea in Alberta,Canada

Downy mildew of field pea (Pisum sativum) caused by Peronospora viciae f. sp. pisi has become widespread in the main field pea production areas of central Alberta. Field experiments were conducted at naturally-infested field sites over several years to assess the effect of seeding depth, seeding date, seed treatment and foliar fungicides on downy mildew incidence and severity, and to estimate the relationship between severity and yield loss. Downy mildew was shown to cause substantial yield loss on field pea. Even a moderately severe infestation reduced pod numbers by 65% and seed yield by 75%. The loss (pod number or seed yield) was best explained by a linear model (y = −2.3114x + 10.086; R² = 0.9441 and y = −2.5165x + 10.378; R² = 0.9533, respectively). Depth of seeding (range 3–7 cm) did not affect downy mildew. Similarly, seeding date (early, mid and late May) did not have a consistent effect on disease levels. Late seeding occasionally reduced downy mildew, but always resulted in low seed yield. Several seed treatment fungicides reduced downy mildew, and metalaxyl-based products produced the highest yield. Several foliar-applied fungicides, including pyraclostrobin, azoxystrobin and metalaxyl, reduced downy mildew severity, but the results were not consistent across years. We conclude that cultural practices may not be sufficient for effective management of downy mildew, and that metalaxyl-based fungicides applied as seed treatments or foliar sprays could represent the best control option until downy mildew resistant pea cultivars become available.     

Decreased sensitivity of Sphaerotheca fuliginea to fenarimol and other ergosterol-biosynthesis inhibitors

Decreased sensitivity of Sphaerotheca fuliginea (Schlecht.) Poll. (powdery mildew of cucurbits) to ergosterol-biosynthesis inhibitors (EBIs) which inhibit 14C-demethylation, has been found in areas where these fungicides have been used frequently for several seasons. Relatively low sensitivity was associated with poor disease control in some cases, especially in field-grown cucurbits. Isolates less sensitive to EBIs which inhibit 14C-demethylation were sensitive to fungicides with different modes of action. In order to ensure their continued usefulness it is recommended to reduce selection pressure by using EBIs inhibiting 14C-demethylation during only a part of the growing season.     

Genetic resistance to and effect of leaf rust and powdery mildew on yield and its components in 50 soft red winter wheat cultivars

Effects of leaf rust (caused by Puccinia triticina f. sp. tritici Eriks.) and powdery mildew [caused by Blumeria graminis (DC.) E. O. Speer f. sp. tritici Em. Marchal], on performance of 50 soft red winter (SRW) wheat (Triticum aestivum L) cultivars were evaluated under natural field conditions. Widely grown cultivars released from 1919 to 2009 with varying disease resistance were grown in split-plot experiments in 2010 and 2011. Treated replications received seed treatments of triadimenol, captan and imidacloprid and foliar applications of propiconazole and prothioconazole + tebucanazole fungicides. Non-treated replications received only tebucanazole + metalaxyl + imazalil seed treatments. Final mean disease severity, agronomic, yield-related traits, yield components and spike characteristics were analyzed to determine individual and combined effects of leaf rust and powdery mildew on the cultivars. Yield losses as high as 54% were observed in the susceptible cultivar Red May. Average yield losses ranged from 1% to 21%. Yield losses primarily due to powdery mildew were as high as 14%, and losses primarily due to leaf rust were as high as 33%. Powdery mildew had the largest negative correlation with harvest index and seeds/spike. Leaf rust was most negatively correlated with plant biomass and harvest index, with a less consistent negative relationship with kernel weight.     

Evaluation of Lecanicillium longisporum, Vertalec against the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii, and cucumber powdery mildew, Sphaerotheca fuliginea in a greenhouse environment

The commercial mycopesticide, Vertalec^® based on Lecanicillium longisporum, was evaluated for simultaneous control of aphids and powdery mildew on cucumbers in a greenhouse setting where temperature and RH were allowed to fluctuate within normal operating ranges. Five to six week old cucumber plants were inoculated with either Sphaerotheca fuliginea (Sf) spores, cotton aphids (Aphis gossypii) or both. Vertalec, Vertalec containing irradiation-inactivated blastospores (II Vertalec) or sterilized water (control) were applied to the plants 1, 4, and 7 days later. Vertalec treatment provided complete control of aphids 16 days after aphid inoculation, whereas effects of the II Vetalec were not significantly different from the water-treated control. The number of powdery mildew spots on cucumber leaves and the number of S. fuliginea spores in each spot were significantly lower in Vertalec-treated plants than II Vertalec-treated plants or the controls, whereas numbers in the II Vertalec treatment were lower that the untreated control. These results demonstrate that Vertalec has potential for simultaneous management of both cotton aphid and powdery mildew in greenhouse cucumber production.     

Evaluation of adjuvants for enhanced management of Podosphaera xanthii using potassium silicate and biocontrol agents

Three adjuvants [polyether-polymethylsiloxane-copolymer (Break-Thru^®), alkoxylated fatty alkylamine polymer/ethoxylated sorbitane ester (Partner 650^®) and polyoxyethylene 20 sorbitan monooleate (Tween-80^®)] were compared for their ability to improve the efficacy of potassium silicate and biocontrol agents (BCAs) against powdery mildew of zucchini caused by Podosphaera xanthii (Castagne) U. Braun & Shishkoff. The most effective adjuvant was investigated for its direct impact on the pathogen and deposition of BCAs using electron microscopy and its compatibility with the BCAs and zucchini plant was evaluated to establish an integrated management of powdery mildew. Furthermore, effects of Si spray in accumulation of Si and K in the leaves were measured. Break-Thru^® and Partner 650^® improved the efficacy of silicate by 18–35%. The best adjuvant, Break-Thru^®, caused a collapse and degeneration of the conidia and hyphae of the pathogen, restricted growth and spread of the powdery mildew colonies by binding its propagative structures, and improved deposition of BCAs on the leaf surface and the fungus. Break-Thru^® was compatible with the plant and the BCAs at concentrations <0.4 ml l⁻¹, and can be used with selected BCAs and SiO₂ for an integrated management of powdery mildew. SiO₂ applied as a foliar spray increased the level of Si in zucchini leaves, which may contribute to systemic resistance of the plant against the disease.     

Control of tomato powdery mildew (Leveillula taurica) in the Comarca Lagunera, Coahuila State, Mexico, supported by the spray forecast model Tomato.PM

Tomato powdery mildew [Leveillula taurica (Lev.) Arm.] is a common disease of tomato crops in the Comarca Lagunera region of the state of Coahuila, Mexico. To control the disease, fungicides are commonly sprayed up to 18 times on a weekly basis in this region. Effectiveness of the spray forecast model Tomato.PM, developed for California conditions, to reduce fungicide spraying, was evaluated. Disease dynamics on plants treated with three different fungicides (azoxystrobin, myclobutanil and wettable sulfur), with and without model recommendations, was analyzed in three experiments at three locations. When spraying followed model recommendations, it was possible to eliminate 11-16 fungicide applications with no significant effect on fruit yield. All three fungicides reduced the severity of disease but their effects varied with the cropping cycle. A significant increase in total yield due to fungicide spraying was observed in one out of three experiments.     

Detection of powdery mildew in two winter wheat cultivars using canopy hyperspectral reflectance

To determine the most sensitive spectral parameters for powdery mildew detection, hyperspectral canopy reflectance spectra of two winter wheat cultivars with different susceptibilities to powdery mildew were measured at Feekes growth stage (GS) 10, 10.5, 10.5.3, 10.5.4 and 11.1 in 2007–2008 and 2008–2009 seasons. As disease indexes increased, reflectance decreased significantly in near infrared (NIR) regions and it was significantly correlated with disease index at GS 10.5.3, 10.5.4 and 11.1 for both cultivars in both seasons. For the two cultivars, red edge slope (dr_red), the area of the red edge peak (Σdr_{680−760 nm}), difference vegetation index (DVI) and soil adjusted vegetation index (SAVI) were significantly negatively correlated with disease index at GS 10.5.3, 10.5.4 and 11.1 in both seasons. Compared with other parameters, Σdr_{680−760 nm} was the most sensitive parameter for powdery mildew detection. The regression models based on Σdr_{680−760 nm} were constructed at GS 10.5.3, 10.5.4 and 11.1 in both seasons. These results indicated that canopy hyperspectral reflectance can be used in wheat powdery mildew detection in the absence of other stresses resulting in unhealthy symptoms. Therefore, disease management strategies can be applied when it is necessary based on canopy hyperspectral reflectance data.     

Impact of a cultivar mixture on scab,powdery mildew and rosy aphid in an organic apple orchard

The impact of a cultivar mixture within the rows including the cvs Melrouge (low susceptibility to scab) and Pitchounette (Rvi6 resistant) was assessed during 2008–2009 in an organic apple orchard located in Rhône Valley (Drôme, France), on three important pests and diseases: scab, powdery mildew and rosy apple aphid. In this area, the resistance of Rvi6 gene was effective since the orchard plantation in 2004. The impact of the cultivar mixture was assessed per se, but also associated with sanitation practices to decrease the primary inoculum of scab and mildew, and compared to disease development on pure stands of Melrouge. The cultivar mixture showed a good efficiency to decrease the scab incidence on leaves and fruits; a significant effect on scab severity was observed in 2009 for the cultivar mixture plus sanitation practices. Our data confirmed the different susceptibility levels of the two cultivars for powdery mildew. Against powdery mildew, a favourable effect of cultivar mixture, at the condition it is associated with sanitation, was observed in case of a moderate level of the disease (2008). For rosy apple aphid, a favourable effect of cultivar mixture was observed on Melrouge in 2008 when Pitchounette has a good resistance level. In the context of organic production, the impact of the cultivar mixture seemed favourable for the control of the three pests and diseases.     

硬粒小麦白粉病成株抗性QTL的遗传分析

小麦白粉病是世界范围内广泛流行的小麦叶部真菌病害,显著影响小麦的产量和品质。由于现有品种的白粉病抗性不断丧失,使得进一步挖掘新的白粉病抗源及抗病基因十分重要。本研究以硬粒小麦品种UC1113和Kofa构建的包含93个株系的F₈代RIL群体为材料,利用235个多态性标记构建遗传图谱,并结合白粉病成株抗性表型数据,对4个环境下的白粉病成株抗性进行QTL定位。结果表明,在RIL群体中共定位到4个与白粉病成株抗性相关的QTL,分别位于1AL、4AL（2）和5AL染色体上。其中,来自UC1113的3个QTL（ QPm.hnau-1AL 、 QPm.hnau-4AL.1 和 QPm.hnau-4AL.2 ）为新的白粉病成株抗性QTL。本研究为小麦白粉病抗性基因挖掘和抗病育种提供了重要信息。     

瑞丽辣木白粉病病原初步鉴定及田间药效试验

为了明确瑞丽辣木白粉病的病原种类，筛选出有效的防治药剂，选用5种低毒高效药剂进行田间防治试验，通过田间观察和形态学方法鉴定病原，结果表明，瑞丽辣木白粉病病原为真菌界半知菌亚门粉孢霉属[Oidium Lk.ex Fr.]真菌。田间药剂防治试验结果表明：75%肟菌酯·戊唑醇水分散粒剂4 000倍液防治效果最佳，间隔7 d用药2次，防效达77.94%；75%肟菌酯·戊唑醇水分散粒剂和37%苯醚甲环唑水分散粒剂3 000倍液是防治瑞丽辣木白粉病的首选药剂，生产中可交替使用。     

大麦白粉病抗性的遗传分析

为给大麦抗白粉病育种提供参考依据,以1个感白粉病、4个抗白粉病大麦品种为亲本,按Griffing的双列杂交法Ⅰ配制20个杂交组合,在田间自然条件下研究了大麦白粉病抗性的遗传特性。结果表明,大麦白粉病抗性在杂交组合间存在显著差异。5个亲本中,木石港3号和CM72的一般配合力较好,均表现为较大的负向效应,能极显著提高杂种后代抗白粉病能力;S096的一般配合力中等,也表现为负向效应,能显著地提高杂种后代抗白粉病能力,因而这三个品种在大麦抗白粉病育种中利用价值较高。大麦白粉病抗性遗传符合加性显性模型,同时受加性和显性效应的作用,且加性效应更重要。大麦白粉病抗性的狭义遗传力较低,早代选择不宜太严。     

Fungal disease suppression by inorganic salts: A review

This paper reviews the scientific literature on the topic of fungal disease suppression by applications of inorganic salts as alternatives to synthetic fungicides on a global scale for both protected and field crops. Where data were available, the comparative efficacy of inorganic salts with conventional fungicide products is discussed. In total, published evidence was found for 34 inorganic salts (mainly bicarbonates, phosphates, silicates, chlorides and phosphites) that were able to reduce the severity of 49 fungal diseases (of the foliage, stem, fruit, tuber, root and post-harvest) in 35 plant species (vegetables, cereals, fruit crops, root/tuber crops, ornamentals and native plants). The most studied and best controlled disease with inorganic salts was powdery mildew of cucurbits [Sphaerotheca fuliginea (Schltdl.) Pollacci 1913 or Erysiphe cichoracearum DC. 1805; up to 99% efficacy], wheat [Blumeria graminis (DC.) Speer 1975 (f. sp. tritici)] and grapes [Uncinula necator (Schwein.) Burrill 1892]. The next best evidence for disease control was for wheat septoria blotch (Septoria tritici Berk. & M.A. Curtis 1874), rice blast [Magnaporthe grisea (T.T. Hebert) M.E. Barr 1977], potato late blight [Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary 1876] and several other Phytophthora spp. The published evidence suggests that these 34 inorganic salts are generally less effective than conventional fungicides and could not fully replace them. However, their integration in a disease management strategy may enable a reduction in the number of conventional fungicide applications required. The potential for the inclusion of inorganic salts in fungal disease management programmes merits further investigation and greater regulatory innovation in the near future.     

Effects of chrysophanol, parietin, and nepodin of Rumex crispus on barley and cucumber powdery mildews

Three substances that show antifungal activity against Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei were isolated from roots of Rumex crispus and identified as chrysophanol, parietin, and nepodin. The substances were tested for plant disease control activity in vivo against six plant pathogenic fungi. All specifically reduced the development of barley powdery mildew. The concentrations required for 50% disease control were 4.7 μg/ml for chrysophanol, 0.48 μg/ml for parietin, and 20 μg/ml for nepodin. These agents showed both curative and protective activity against barley powdery mildew. Chrysophanol (100 μg/ml) and nepodin (400 μg/ml) were more effective than the fungicides fenarimol (30 μg/ml) and polyoxin B (100 μg/ml), under glasshouse conditions, against cucumber powdery mildew, which is caused by Podosphaera xanthii. Parietin (30 and 10 μg/ml) reduced the development of cucumber powdery mildew as efficiently as fenarimol (30 μg/ml) and more effectively than polyoxin B (100 μg/ml).     

小麦抗白粉病基因及其分子标记研究进展

小麦白粉病是小麦生产的主要病害之一、应用抗病品种是防治该病的十分经济、有效的措施。近年来分子标记技术的发展为小麦抗白粉病基因的研究提供了极大的方便。目前为止,小麦基因组中已定名抗白粉病基因31个．其中对20个基因位点的25个抗白粉病基因进行了标记和作图。本文对小麦抗白粉病基因染色体定位、来源、评价利用及其分子标记研究现状进行了综述,并对分子标记在小麦抗病遗传育种中的应用进行了探讨。     

抗白粉病基因PmCH1357相关分子标记验证与评价

由禾本科布氏白粉菌Blumeria graminis(DC.) f. sp.tritici(Bgt)引起的白粉病是影响小麦产量和品质的一种主要病害。为了评价小麦抗白粉病基因相关分子标记在育种中的有效性与实用性,本试验利用感白粉病品种晋麦66和小偃麦衍生品系CH1357构建的341个F_(2:3)家系为材料,利用本课题组前期已定位的8个与抗白粉病基因 PmCH1357相关的分子标记(Xcfd81、Xbwm20、Xbwm21、Xbwm25、Xmp510、Xbwm8、Xbwm9和Xgwm190)对群体进行PCR检测,并接种白粉菌株E09进行苗期抗病性鉴定,分析PCR扩增产物与白粉病抗性间的相关性。结果表明,4个标记(Xcfd81、Xbwm20、Xbwm21和Xbwm25)对群体检测的纯合抗病基因型与纯合抗病表现型符合率均达到93%以上,可用于抗白粉病基因 PmCH1357的筛选;为进一步提高标记筛选的准确性,可使用多个标记组合,使用基因同一侧的标记组合进行选择会降低选择效率,使用基因两侧标记组合进行选择可有效提高选择的准确性。使用标记组合Xcfd81+Xbwm8对抗白粉病基因 PmCH1357进行选择可以获得更高的准确性及更多有效植株。     

Powdery mildew development is positively influenced by grapevine vegetative growth induced by different soil management strategies

In various crop species, high levels of powdery mildew infection and severity have been associated with high vegetative vigour. In grapevine this relationship has also been observed by vine growers, though it has not been quantified. This study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between the development of powdery mildew on leaves and berries and canopy growth, and thus to quantify the relationship between the pathogen and its host. Over a two-year period (2005 and 2006), an experiment was carried out in a vineyard (cv. Aranel) near Montpellier, southern France. Several levels of canopy growth were generated by implementing four soil management strategies: i) perennial cover crop in the inter-row, ii) annual cover crop in the inter-row, iii) chemical weed control over the entire soil surface, iv) chemical weed control all over the soil surface and drip irrigation and fertilization in the row. Powdery mildew was artificially inoculated on experimental sub-plots with Erysiphe necator [Schw.] Burr. conidia. The most vigorous vines developed a larger number of diseased leaves and a higher percentage of mildewed berries compared to low-vigour vines. The major explanatory variable highlighted in these experiments was the shoot leaf number, mainly early in the season. A higher leaf population generated a larger number of powdery mildew colonies close to grapes and consequently a higher probability of berry infection. Our experimental results provide evidence of a positive relationship between powdery mildew development and grapevine vegetative development. These results provide an opportunity to develop new IPM strategies in vineyards.     

波斯小麦Cypa35-3成株期抗白粉病基因定位

源自苏联的波斯小麦Cypa35-3对陕西关中地区白粉菌优势小种表现为成株期高抗白粉病。为明确Cypa35-3抗白粉病基因所在染色体位置及其抗白粉病基因的遗传规律,利用Cypa35-3与高感白粉病的加拿大二粒小麦Flavescens进行杂交,在成株期自然发病条件下对亲本及其杂交F₁、F₂、F_2∶3群体进行白粉病抗性评价与遗传分析;选用分布于A、B染色体组14对染色体上共计601对SSR标记,利用分离群体分组分析法(BSA)对Cypa35-3的F₂群体进行多态性标记筛选。结果表明,Cypa35-3的成株期白粉病抗性受1对显性基因控制,暂命名为PmCypa35-3。通过群体筛选,获得4对位于1B染色体上的SSR标记,分别为Xbarc81、Xcfd48、Xbarc61、Xbarc302,其中Xbarc81、Xcfd48位于PmCypa35-3两侧,遗传距离分别为25.2 cM、8.6 cM。由此将成株期抗白粉病基因PmCypa35-3初步定位于1B染色体。通过与1B染色体上及波斯小麦中正式命名的抗白粉病基因...     

分子标记结合表型鉴定选育兼抗赤霉病、白粉病和条锈病弱筋小麦新品种扬麦38

长江中下游麦区是中国弱筋小麦优势产业带,小麦赤霉病、白粉病和条锈病是该麦区主要病害,当前弱筋小麦主导品种综合抗性较弱,影响其生产安全。为培育多抗优质弱筋小麦品种,以高产中筋小麦品种扬麦16为轮回亲本,以兼抗白粉病、条锈病的软质小麦92R137为供体亲本,构建了BC₁群体,利用分子标记在BC₁F₂代基础农艺性状较优良的株行中筛选抗白粉病基因 Pm21、抗条锈病基因 Yr26和软质麦相关基因 Pinb-D1a均纯合的单株,并鉴定BC₁F₆代对赤霉病、白粉病和条锈病的抗性,同时检测籽粒硬度、湿面筋含量、面团形成时间、稳定时间等重要品质指标以及小区产量,最终育成高抗赤霉病、免疫白粉病和高抗条锈病的弱筋小麦新品种扬麦38,于2022年通过国家农作物品种审定委员会审定。     

In vitro compatibility of microbial agents for simultaneous application to control strawberry powdery mildew (Podosphaera aphanis)

Biological control of plant pathogens on strawberries may be improved by the simultaneous application of different biological control agents (BCAs). Therefore, the compatibility of various BCAs which had previously shown to be effective against powdery mildew (Podosphaera aphanis (Wallr.) U. Braun & S. Takam) under laboratory conditions was examined in vitro. Inhibitory effects between fungal and bacterial BCAs were demonstrated in dual culture tests on two solid nutrient media. Leaf disc assays with single and multiple strain treatments demonstrated either unaffected or significantly improved control of P. aphanis for many multiple strain treatments, even if antagonistic interactions previously occurred in dual culture tests. Highest inhibition of powdery mildew conidiation (80.7% reduction) was achieved with multiple strain treatments with Bacillus subtilis FZB24 and Metarhizium anisopliae (p < 0.001). In this combination, conidiation was 3.7 times lower than in single treatments with B. subtilis indicating synergistic interactions between these BCAs. Combinations of Trichoderma harzianum T58 and B. subtilis FZB24 showed antagonistic interactions in dual culture tests as well as in leaf disc assays. In this combination, powdery mildew conidiation on leaf discs was four times higher compared to single treatments with T. harzianum T58.