秸秆还田与长期连作棉田土壤水稳性团聚体特征

以棉花长期连作定点试验田为研究对象,研究秸秆还田对长期棉花连作土壤水稳性团聚体及有机碳分布的影响。试验设长期连作5、10、20 a和30 a的秸秆还田小区及长期棉花连作5、10 a和20 a无秸秆还田小区,共计7个处理,每个处理3个重复。结果显示:无秸秆还田条件下,随着连作年限的增加,土壤1~0.25 mm水稳性团聚体含量和团聚体中有机碳含量逐渐降低,0.053 mm水稳性团聚体含量逐渐增加;而秸秆还田可以显著提高长期连作棉田土壤中1~0.25 mm水稳性团聚体含量、团聚体平均重量直径(MWD)、几何平均直径(GMD)值及团聚体中有机碳含量;秸秆还田条件下随着连作年限的增加,土壤1~0.25 mm水稳性团聚体含量逐渐增加,0.053mm水稳性团聚体含量逐渐降低,且对0~30 cm耕作层土壤影响较大;与无秸秆还田相比,秸秆还田长期连作棉田,随着连作年限的增加,团聚体分形维数(D)逐渐降低,而无秸秆还田分形维数(D)逐渐增加,团聚体分形维数表现为随土层加深而增大,最后在20~30 cm处趋于稳定。说明秸秆还田显著提高长期连作棉田水稳性团聚体的稳定性,对改善土壤结构、提升土壤的肥力具有积极作用,能够缓解长期连作对土壤物理性状产生的不利影响。     

有机肥不同施用量对宁南土壤团聚体粒级分布和稳定性的影响

通过连续3 a有机肥施用田间试验研究了有机肥不同施用量对半干旱旱作区土壤团聚体各层粒径分布和稳定性的影响。试验设计为高肥H(有机肥90000 kg/hm2)、中肥M(有机肥60 000 kg/hm2)和低肥L(有机肥30 000 kg/hm2)3个施肥水平,每个层次设3次重复,供试作物为小麦,品种为西峰26;土壤团聚体的各个粒径分布状况采用干筛法和湿筛法测定。与试验开始时土壤相比,施肥处理0~10 cm和30~40 cm土层0.25 mm的水稳性团聚体含量最大增幅分别是35%和75%;0.5 mm以上各粒级的水稳性团聚体含量均呈上升趋势,其中5 mm和2~5 mm大粒径团聚体的增加幅度最明显,0.25~0.5 mm的水稳性团聚体含量增加不显著。不同处理间5 mm土壤团聚体与0.25 mm土壤团聚体含量具有显著性差异。干筛结果表明,土壤中的团聚体主要以5 mm土壤团聚体为主,且处理之间差异性主要表现在0~20 cm土层。施肥处理使30~40 cm土层土壤团聚体的稳定性提高,稳定率平均较0~10 cm土层高87%。施肥处理平均重量直径均大于对照,且与0.25 mm水稳性团聚体含量呈显著正相关。有机肥不同施用量可显著增加土壤中大团聚体的比例,改良土壤中团聚体的结构;适宜的施肥量在60000 kg/hm2左右。     

土地利用方式对表层土壤水稳性团聚体的影响

土壤团聚体是表征土壤结构稳定性和抗侵蚀能力的关键指标之一,是土地利用与土壤各因素相互作用的结果。为比较土地利用对土壤水稳性团聚体的影响,揭示不同土地利用方式下表层土壤结构的稳定性和抗侵蚀性规律,以黄土丘陵区五种土地利用类型为研究对象,采用湿筛法对土壤水稳性团聚体进行测定,使用平均重量直径、几何平均直径和分形维数等参数为指标,评价该区土壤的生态服务功能。研究结果表明:(1)表层土壤>0.106mm粒级的水稳性团聚体所占比例为53.83%;农地>1mm粒级所占比例最少,人工林所占比例最大;随着粒级减小水稳性团聚体变异系数呈现出逐渐变小的变化趋势。(2)土壤大团聚体所占比例的变化规律与>1mm的基本相同。(3)土壤水稳性团聚体的平均重量直径和几何平均直径的大小顺序都是人工林>撂荒地>人工草地>天然次生林>农地,且差异性显著;农地的质量分形维数值最大,人工林最小,且与其他三种土地利用方式差异性显著。(4)相关性分析表明:粒级>1mm的水稳性团聚体对土壤结构的稳定性起到很大作用。(5)综上所示:人工林的土壤结构最为良好,依次是撂荒地、人工草地和天然次生林,农地最差;粒级>1mm所占比例越高,土壤结构越稳定,抗侵蚀能力越强。     

不同培肥方式对沙质土地区残次林地土壤团聚体组成及稳定性的影响

为评价沙质土地区耕地整治中土壤团聚体的稳定性,在陕北榆林靖边县残次林地整治耕地项目区中设立试验田,采用正交试验方案[L9(3~4)],分析不同肥料类型及施用量对土壤团聚体的影响。结果表明:与不施肥的农田土壤相比,N肥和有机肥配施可以提高水稳性大团聚体的含量,其中,当施用尿素421.34 kg·hm~(-2),不施P肥,氯化钾125 kg·hm~(-2),有机肥7.5 t·hm~(-2)(T7)时,2 mm的水稳性大团聚体含量分别高于T1(不施N、P、K肥及有机肥)、T2(不施N肥、施用过磷酸钙333.33 kg·hm~(-2)、氯化钾62 kg·hm~(-2)、有机肥7.5 t·hm~(-2))、T3(不施N肥、施用过磷酸钙675 kg·hm~(-2)、氯化钾125 kg·hm~(-2)、有机肥15 t·hm~(-2))470.15%、360.24%和210.57%;对其数量分布、土壤团聚体累计含量为10%、30%、60%时所对应的团聚体直径D_(10)、D_(30)、D_(60)、平均重量直径(MWD)、几何平均直径(GMD)和土壤结构系数等有显著影响,其中对0.25～2 mm和2 mm的水稳性大团聚体有着明显的促进作用,处理T3、T4(尿素198.28 kg·hm~(-2)、不施P肥、氯化钾62 kg·hm~(-2)、有机肥15 t·hm~(-2))、T5(尿素198.28 kg·hm~(-2)、过磷酸钙333.33 kg·hm~(-2)、氯化钾125 kg·hm~(-2)、不施有机肥)、T6(尿素198.28 kg·hm~(-2)、过磷酸钙675 kg·hm~(-2)、不施K肥、有机肥7.5 t·hm~(-2))、T7和T8(尿素421.34 kg·hm~(-2)、过磷酸钙333.33 kg·hm~(-2)、不施K肥、有机肥15 t·hm~(-2))的土壤结构系数(Kctp)1.5～0.67,土壤结构良好。综上,说明N肥和有机肥配施,尤其是当尿素施用量421.34 kg·hm~(-2)(基施60%、追施40%)、氯化钾施用量125kg·hm~(-2)、有机肥施用量7.5 t·hm~(-2)时能改善残次林地新增耕地土壤团聚体的结构,增强土壤团聚体的抗水分侵蚀能力。     

阜新露天煤矿排土场边坡土壤团聚体稳定性及分形特征

露天煤矿排土场边坡水土流失严重。以阜新露天煤矿排土场为对象,探究不同坡位、坡向和恢复年限间土壤团聚体稳定性及分形维数的差异,为排土场边坡生态恢复提供理论依据。选取自然恢复5 a和10 a排土场边坡,分析坡上、坡中和坡下以及阴坡与阳坡间土壤团聚体的平均质量直径(MMD)、几何平均直径(GMD)、分形维数(D)和破坏率(PAD)的差异及其影响因素。结果表明:恢复5 a阴坡及恢复5 a和10 a阳坡土壤团聚体的MMD和GMD从坡上到坡下逐渐增加,D和PAD逐渐减小。MMD和GMD阴坡大于阳坡,D和PAD阴坡小于阳坡。恢复5 a与10 a边坡团聚体的MMD、GMD、D和PAD差异均不显著。与对照裸地相比,坡上团聚体稳定性下降,坡中和坡下略有增加。排土场边坡土壤团聚体的D与MMD、GMD和>0.25 mm团聚体含量呈显著负相关,与PAD呈显著正相关。机械稳定性团聚体的D与含水量呈显著负相关,水稳性团聚体的D与有机质含量呈显著负相关。说明土壤结构和稳定性表现为阴坡好于阳坡,坡下优于坡上,应对不同坡位和坡向采取不同的恢复措施。     

耕作措施对宁南山区缓坡地土壤团聚体及作物产量的影响

为探讨不同耕作措施对宁南山区缓坡耕地轮作体系土壤团聚体特征及作物产量的影响,在2015—2016年期间,开展了玉米-马铃薯轮作条件下传统平作(CK)、垄沟不覆膜(NH)、垄沟半覆膜(HP)和垄沟全覆膜(WP)4种不同耕作措施试验研究。结果表明:不同耕作措施对表层0～20 cm土壤机械稳定性团聚体和水稳性团聚体影响均较为显著,对20～40 cm土层影响不显著;CK、WP和HP处理下0～20 cm土层范围内均为5 mm和2～5 mm土壤机械稳定性团聚体含量高,而NH处理下为1～2 mm和0.5～1 mm土壤机械稳定性团聚体含量高,分别为16.25%、13.38%。CK处理下5 mm土壤机械稳定性团聚体占比为30.99%,显著高于其他三种耕作方式,而NH处理下1～2 mm、0.5～1 mm和0.25～0.5 mm的土壤机械稳定性团聚体含量显著高于其他三种耕作方式。水稳性团聚体则表现为各处理5 mm所占比例急剧下降。CK处理下显著低于其他处理,含量为1.96%。土壤机械稳定性团聚体平均重量直径(MWD)在NH、HP和WP处理下表层0～20 cm和底层20～40 cm显著低于CK,土壤水稳性团聚体MWD和稳定率均高于CK。不同耕作措施表层0～20 cm土壤机械稳定性团聚体分形维数低于水稳性团聚体分形维数,由低到高的顺序均为:CKHPWPNH,分别为2.65,2.66,2.67,2.69和2.80,2.85,2.86,2.87。团聚体分形维数与水稳性团聚体MWD和稳定率具有一致性。相对于CK,NH、HP和WP分别增加产量10.5%、13.3%和39.2%。由此可知,农田耕作措施通过改变地表微环境能够影响土壤团聚结构的组成及其稳定性。同时,NH在改善土壤水稳性团聚体方面占优,但其增产作用并不突出,这种不同步性表明良好的土壤团聚体构建是长期持续的过程。     

脱硫石膏对碱化土壤团聚体特征的影响

为探明脱硫石膏对碱化土壤物理结构性质的影响,采用田间试验的方法,研究了不同脱硫石膏施用量对碱化土壤团聚数量、大小、稳定性及有机无机复合体组分的影响。结果表明,耕作层施用脱硫石膏4 a后,与CK相比,机械稳定性团聚体(DR0.25)含量提高22.69%～45.29%、水稳定性团聚体(WR0.25)数量提高126.59％～304.70%、团粒平均重量直径(MWD)值提高2.63%～10.46%,团粒几何平均直径(GMD)值提高7.98%～19.01%,且土壤团聚体破坏率(PAD)和不稳定团粒指数(ELT)和分形维数D值均随脱硫石膏用量增加而明显降低。同时,脱硫石膏的施用显著降低了水分散复合体（G₀）含量、提高了钠质分散复合体（G₁）含量。总之,脱硫石膏施用主要通过Ca2+直接参与土壤有机无机复合体的形成,而显著改良碱化土壤的团聚体组成与稳定性状。     

渭北旱塬区秸秆覆盖还田对土壤团聚体特征的影响

为了研究不同秸秆覆盖还田量对半湿润易旱区土壤团聚体分布状况和稳定性特征的影响,在渭北旱塬设置三种覆盖还田量(SM1:13 500 kg/hm2、SM2:9 000 kg/hm2、SM3:4 500 kg/hm2),以不覆盖为对照进行定位试验,研究了秸秆覆盖还田对土壤容重、土壤有机碳、土壤团聚体数量、大小及分形维数的影响。结果表明,秸秆覆盖还田后,土壤容重随秸秆覆盖还田量的增加而减小,0~20 cm土层土壤容重较对照降低了2.00%~5.28%(P>0.05);土壤总有机碳含量随着土层深度的增加而递减,在0~20 cm土层,土壤总有机碳含量较对照显著提高10.82%~23.93%。10~30 cm土层,SM2处理下>0.25mm机械稳定性团聚体含量、平均重量直径(MWD)和几何平均直径(GMD)均高于SM1、SM3,各处理间差异不显著;在0~40 cm土层,各处理>0.25 mm土壤水稳性团聚体、MWD和GMD较CK均有不同程度提高,但差异不显著。各处理均可提高0~30 cm土层土壤团聚体稳定性,其中SM2团聚体分形维数D最小,其次为SM1、SM3。可见,秸秆覆盖还田可促进土壤团聚体的形成,提高团聚体的稳定性,以SM2覆盖还田的效果最佳。     

放牧对荒漠灌丛草地土壤团聚体组成及其稳定性的影响

以内蒙古阿拉善盟荒漠草地为研究对象,分析了不同放牧强度对土壤理化性质、团聚体组成、养分含量及其稳定性的影响。结果表明:与轻度放牧相比,重度放牧使0~5 cm、5~10 cm和10~20 cm土层土壤有机C和全N含量显著降低,土壤容重显著增加;各土层中土壤团聚体以0.053~0.25 mm粒径为主,放牧强度的增加造成土壤团聚体平均重量直径(MWD)和几何平均直径(GMD)值降低,分形维数(D)值升高,土壤团聚体结构遭受破坏,稳定性降低,导致土壤团聚体由大粒径团聚体(0.25~2 mm)向小粒径团聚体(0.053~0.25 mm、<0.053 mm)转变;重度放牧使土壤团聚体的C/N值升高,造成有效养分难以释放,植物所需养分亏缺。说明重度放牧是造成阿拉善盟荒漠草地退化的重要因素。     

长期传统耕作对土壤团聚体稳定性及有机碳分布的影响

通过野外调查取样,并结合室内实验分析,对甘肃会宁县丘陵地区不同耕作年限黄绵土耕地不同土层(0～ 20 cm,20～40 cm)土壤团聚体分布及稳定性和水稳性团聚体有机碳含量进行研究.结果表明:未经开垦土壤团聚体稳定性最好,耕作明显地破坏土壤团聚体,降低其稳定性;经过70 a以上时间开垦,0～ 20 cm和20～40 cm土层≥0.25 mm直径水稳性团聚体含量分别下降了40.5％和12.5％.耕作层水稳性团聚体平均重量直径和几何均重直径比亚表层平均大了10％,两土层之间的差异随着耕作年限变小.0～20 cm土层,＞2mm和0.25～0.106mm直径水稳性团聚体有机碳含量较高;20 ～ 40 cm土壤各直径水稳性团聚体有机碳含量差异不明显,耕作层以及亚表层水稳性团聚体有机碳含量整体表现出不断下降的趋势.平均重量直径和几何均重直径与土壤有机碳之间很好的相关性表明团聚体对于有机碳的保持作用关键.     

Richtlinien der Verbände des ökologischen Landbaus zum Vorratsschutz

Zusammenfassung Verbände des ökologischen Landbaus wie z. B. Bioland, Gäa, Demeter; Naturland, Ernte für das Leben oder Bio Suisse beschränken ihre Mitglieder bei der Wahl von Vorratsschutzmaßnahmen. Vorrang besitzen Maßnahmen zur Vermeidung von Schädlingen gegenüber Bekämpfungsmaßnahmen. Fallen müssen zur Befallsüberwachung eingesetzt werden, um einen Befall durch Vorratsschädlinge frühzeitig zu erkennen. Diese Maßnahmen sollen den weitgehenden Verzicht auf chemisch-synthetische Mittel ermöglichen. In diesem Beitrag werden die Empfehlungen der Verbände mit den derzeit verfügbaren chemischen Mitteln für den Vorratsschutz abgeglichen. Erfahrung in der praktischen Umsetzung von physikalischen und biologischen Verfahren werden diskutiert und Defizite bei der Befallsüberwachung und Bekämpfung beschrieben.     

Development of protocols for detection of Colletotrichum acutatum and monitoring of strawberry anthracnose using real-time PCR

Real-time PCR (TaqMan®) assays were developed for the specific detection and discrimination of Colletotrichum spp., C. acutatum and C. gloeosporioides causing anthracnose in strawberry using the most divergent area of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) and 5·8S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene region. The specificity of the new assays was tested using DNA from six species of Colletotrichum and nine fungal species commonly found associated with strawberry material, and additionally by comparing the sequences with those from databases using a blast search. The sequences only showed identity with homologous sequences from the desired target organisms. The new assays were 10–100 times more sensitive than conventional PCR methods previously published for the diagnosis of strawberry anthracnose. When real-time PCR was compared with ELISA methods, PCR improved the sensitivity of the identification by obtaining positive results for samples of strawberry plant material that tested negative with ELISA. The development of C. acutatum was monitored using artificially infected strawberry crowns from two strawberry cultivars (Camarosa and Ventana) and a real-time PCR assay specific for this species between January and June 2006. The amount of C. acutatum detected using real-time PCR varied significantly by month ( P  < 0·001), but not by cultivar ( P  = 0·394). The new assays were shown to be useful tools for rapid detection and identification of these pathogens and to allow rapid and accurate assessment of the casual agents of anthracnose in strawberry.     

A systematic review of the literature reveals trends and gaps in integrated pest management studies conducted in the United States

Integrated pest management (IPM) is a broad‐based approach for addressing pests that negatively affect human and environmental health and economic profitability. Weeds, insects and disease‐causing pathogens (diseases) are the pests most often associated with IPM. A systematic review, widely used in other scientific disciplines, was employed to determine the most commonly studied IPM topics and summarize the reasons for these trends and the gaps. In a field synopsis of the literature, 1679 relevant published papers were identified and categorized into one of the following five broad areas: IPM and organic (organic), climate change and pests (climate), rural and urban IPM (rural and urban), next‐generation education (education) and advanced production systems (technology). Papers were examined in greater detail for at least one of the three main pests in a systematic review. A majority (85%) of IPM papers have been in the area of rural and urban IPM, primarily addressing agriculture (78%). Professionals, landowners and the general public were the focus of a majority (95%) of IPM papers on education. Technology is an increasing area of focus in the literature. Over the past 40 years, IPM papers have primarily (75%) addressed insects and been limited mostly to rural and urban settings. Climate change, technology and education specific to pest management studies are increasingly being published and will help broaden the focus that could result in increased adoption and development of IPM. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry     

Thermal and hormonal regulation of the dormancy–germination transition in Amaranthus tuberculatus seeds

The transition from seed dormancy to germination is a multi‐step process. However, distinguishing between physiological processes involved in seed dormancy alleviation and those involved in germination has been difficult. We studied the seed dormancy alleviation process in Amaranthus tuberculatus, an important weed species in midwestern USA. Using three A. tuberculatus biotypes that differ in dormancy level, it was determined that stratification reduced seed dormancy from a high to a low level. Temperature alternation alleviated low seed dormancy and triggered germination. Exogenously applied abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellic acid (GA) had no effect on seeds with high dormancy. However, ABA and paclobutrazol (a GA biosynthesis inhibitor) significantly reduced germination of seeds with low dormancy. Hormones could not replace the effects of stratification or temperature alternation on dormancy alleviation. Based on our results, we propose a seed dormancy–germination transition model in which the dormancy of A. tuberculatus seeds is progressively reduced from a high to a low level; but environmental conditions (i.e. stratification) can accelerate the dormancy alleviation process. Under low dormancy levels, the seed is more sensitive to environmental cues that are responsible for removing dormancy and triggering germination (i.e. temperature alternation). Finally, ABA and GA regulation occurs primarily during the final transition from low dormancy to germination rather than the alleviation of high dormancy.     

Description ofPauesia (Pauesia)anatolica (Hymenoptera: Braconidae, Aphidiinae) sp. nov., a parasitoid of the cedar aphidCinara cedri

The first parasitoid species reared from a population of the cedar aphid,Cinara cedri Mimeur, 1935 (Hemiptera: Aphididae), from the peninsula of Anatolia in Turkey is described.Pauesia anatolica (Hymenoptera: Braconidae, Aphidiinae) is closely related to some species of thelaricis group ofPauesia from which it differs in the number of antenomers, the propodeum and features of the female genitalia. Its potential use as a natural enemy in areas where the aphid has been introduced is discussed. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Aug. 28, 2005.     

Current statistical issues in Weed Research

The correct design of experimental studies, the selection of the appropriate statistical analysis of data and the efficient presentation of results are key to the good conduct and communication of science. The last Guidance for the use and presentation of statistics in Weed Research was published in 1988. Since then, there have been developments in both the scope of research covered by the journal and in the statistical techniques available. This paper addresses the changes in statistics and provides a reference work that will aid researchers in the design and analysis of their work. It will also provide guidance for editors and reviewers. The paper is organised into sections, which will aid the selection of relevant paragraphs, as we recognise that particular approaches require particular statistical analysis. It also uses examples, questions and checklists, so that non-specialists can work towards the correct approach. Statistics can be complex, so knowing when to seek specialist advice is important. The structure and layout of this contribution should help weed scientists, but it cannot provide a comprehensive guide to every technique. Therefore, we provide references to further reading. We would like to reinforce the idea that statistical methods are not a set of recipes whose mindless application is required by convention; each experiment or study may involve subtleties that these guidelines cannot cover. Nevertheless, we anticipate that this paper will help weed scientists in their initial designs for research, in the analysis of data and in the presentation of results for publication.     

Electrophoretic and serological comparisons of pathogenesis-related (b) proteins from different plant species

Preparations of pathogenesis-related (b) proteins (PRs) from differentNicotiana species, tomato,Gynura aurantiaca, bean, and cowpea were compared to each other and to bean chitinase and a constitutive apple agglutinin by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels both in the absence and in the presence of SDS, and by serological double diffusion analysis using antisera against tobacco PRs and bean chitinase. PRs from different plant genera displayed a similar but not identical range of relative mobilities in both native and SDS gels, whereas bean chitinase and apple agglutinin were clearly different. None of the antisera reacted with any of the PR preparations from plant genera other than the one from which the antigen(s) had been derived. Whilst PRs within the genusNicotiana are serologically related and can be identical, PRs from different plant genera seem to be sufficiently different to be considered as genus-specific.     

Contribution of Biological Control to Integrated Pest Management of Tephritid Fruit Flies in the Tropics and Subtropics

The biological control of pest tephritid flies using parasitoids has been successful in relatively few subtropical and tropical regions. The best documented successes were in Hawaii and Florida, USA, Fiji and southern Europe. There were relatively limited successes in Australia, Costa Rica and Mexico. With the accidental establishment of new pest tephritids, such as Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel) in Hawaii or Bactrocera papayae Drew and Hancock in Australia, foreign exploration for new parasitoids is essential. A renewal of interest in classical biological control has recently occurred, although not at the same level as in the 1940s and 1950s. New parasitoid species are currently being obtained for several tephritids, such as Ceratitis capitata (Weidemann), B. latifrons and Anastrepha suspensa (Loew). The advances in mass rearing and quality control technology for parasitoids has enabled researchers to perform large-scale field testing of these parasitoids to determine the potential of augmentative releases. Numerous studies on the augmentative release of parasitoids have been done. Historically, the larval—pupal parasitoid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) has been the most frequently studied parasitoid, due to the ease of rearing this species. However, recent successes in rearing other species with different biologies, e.g. the egg—pupal parasitoid Biosteres arisanus (Sonan), the gregarious eulophid, Tetrastichus giffardianus (Silvestri) and the pupal parasitoid, Coptera sp., will enable researchers to broaden the repertoire of parasitoid species for the future. Both successes and failures in augmentative releases have occurred. Without knowledge of the behavioural ecology of parasitoids, the reasons for success or failure can only be surmised. Recent research on the dispersal and host habitat finding of tephritid parasitoids will provide insights into improving augmentation and conservation strategies. The integrated pest management (IPM) of tephritid flies in the tropics has been less well-developed than research and programmes for tephritids in temperate zones. Significant emphasis is now being placed on the development of quarantine treatment methods that are environmentally sound; thus IPM will take a larger role. Several existing pest management strategies are reviewed which show the potential for compatibility with the activities of tephritid parasitoids. These include trap cropping, insecticides with selective toxicity to the target pests, mass trapping with parapheromones, the sterile insect technique and field sanitation.     

Rapid Identification of Clavibacter michiganensis Subspecies sepedonicus Using Two Primers Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (TP-RAPD) Fingerprints

Twenty strains of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus from different geographic origins and other reference strains of the same and different species, including other potato pathogens, were analysed with a new procedure named TP-RAPD that originates fingerprints of bacterial species. This procedure uses two primers to amplify the 16S rDNA gene. At 45 °C of annealing, the PCR product electrophoresed in agarose gels produced a band pattern that was different in all bacterial species studied as well as in the subspecies of C. michiganensis. All strains of C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus displayed the same TP-RAPD number of pattern. Unlike Gram negative bacteria, Gram positives of high G + C content, such as Clavibacter, produced low bands in TP-RAPD. By using a different set of two primers also based in the 16S rDNA sequence from Escherichia coli a more adequate amplification of Gram positives of high G + C including a greater number of bands was obtained. TP-RAPD patterns using the new set of primers described in this work is a reliable and fast method to identify C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus.