Susceptibility of European bread and durum wheat cultivars to Tilletia indica

Representative European wheat cultivars were tested under quarantine containment for their susceptibility to Tilletia indica, the cause of Karnal bunt of wheat. Fifteen winter and 15 spring wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) and 11 durum wheat ( Triticum durum ) cultivars were inoculated by boot injection just prior to ear emergence to test their physiological susceptibility. Selected cultivars were then re-tested by spray inoculation after ear emergence to determine their morphological susceptibility, which is a better predictor of field susceptibility. At maturity, the ears and seeds were assessed for incidence and severity of disease. For the physiological susceptibility tests, 13/15 winter wheat cultivars were infected and the percentage of infected seeds ranged from 1 to 32%. For spring cultivars, 13/15 cultivars were infected and the percentage of infected seeds ranged from 1 to 48%. For the durum cultivars, 9/11 were infected and the percentage of infected seeds ranged from 2 to 95%. Across all cultivars, 35/41 were infected. Based on historical Karnal bunt susceptibility categories using coefficients of infection, one cultivar was classed as highly susceptible, three as susceptible, 11 as moderately susceptible, 20 as resistant and only six as highly resistant. The spray-inoculation morphological susceptibility tests broadly confirmed the physiological susceptibility results, although lower levels of infection were observed. Overall, the range of susceptibility was similar to that found in cultivars grown in Karnal bunt affected countries. The results demonstrate that European wheat cultivars are susceptible to T. indica and thus could potentially support the establishment of T. indica if introduced into Europe.     

Reaction of selected winter wheat cultivars from Europe and United States to Karnal bunt

A study was conducted to determine the susceptibility of popular United States (U.S.) and European winter wheat cultivars to the fungal pathogen Tilletia indica. Historically, the disease has been limited to autumn-sown spring-habit wheat areas and not associated with winter wheat. In 1997, Karnal bunt was observed on winter wheat in limited regions of Texas. This region marks the southern end of the contiguous U.S. central winter wheat belt, which extends north into Canada. The aim of this study was to assess the levels of disease resistance in winter wheat. Fifty U.S. and European winter wheat cultivars were tested using two different greenhouse inoculation procedures. For each cultivar, 12 spikes in boot were inoculated by boot-injection with a sporidial suspension (1.0 ml/boot, 10,000 spores ml⁻¹), and 12 other emerged spikes were spray-inoculated with the same concentration. The experiment was repeated for three seasons. Among cultivars, mean seed infection ranged from 2.1 to 87.2% and 0 to 15.6% for boot-injected and spray-inoculated treatments, respectively. Results showed that the majority of winter wheat cultivars tested were susceptible to Karnal bunt.     

Role of phenology in host susceptibility and within-plant spread of stem rust during reproductive development of perennial ryegrass

ABSTRACT Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) was inoculated with urediniospores of Puccinia graminis subsp. graminicola at four stages of reproductive tiller development. All developmental stages, from expansion of the penultimate leaf through anthesis, were equally susceptible to infection measured as number of pustules per total inoculated plant area. However, within each stage from boot through anthesis, there was a negative correlation of susceptibility with age of host tissue, the highest disease severities occurring on expanding or newly expanded leaves or inflorescences. Within-plant spread of the disease from primary lesions on the flag leaf sheath to the elongating stem of the inflorescence was observed and verified. A single primary infection on the leaf sheath can produce an elongated strip of contiguous secondary infections on the inflorescence head and stem, which is a characteristic sign of stem rust. Position and timing of eruption of the secondary pustules on the stem can be explained by assuming that infections occur on the stem slightly distal to the overlying sheath lesion and erupt one latent period later, by which time tiller elongation has moved the stem infection site upward. Repeated infections occur as the stem elongates, producing contiguous lesions. Expansion rate and final lesion area on the stem were correlated with elongation rate of the inflorescence. Microscopic observation of plant tissue sections revealed that the fungus sporulates on the inner surface of the sheath, and germinating urediniospores are attached to the stem surface under the covering sheath starting 1 to 2 cm distal to the location of the sheath infection site.     

Effect of wheat spike infection timing on fusarium head blight development and mycotoxin accumulation

Fusarium head blight in wheat spikes is associated with production of mycotoxins by the fungi. Although flowering is recognized as the most favourable host stage for infection, a better understanding of infection timing on disease development and toxin accumulation is needed. This study monitored the development of eight characterized isolates of F. graminearum, F. culmorum and F. poae in a greenhouse experiment. The fungi were inoculated on winter wheat spikes before or at anther extrusion, or at 8, 18 and 28 days later. Disease levels were estimated by the AUDPC and thousand‐kernel weight (TKW). The fungal biomass (estimated by qPCR) and toxin concentration (deoxynivalenol and nivalenol, estimated by UPLC‐UV‐MS/MS) were measured in each inoculated spike, providing a robust estimation of these variables and allowing correlations based on single‐individual measurements to be established. The toxin content correlated well with fungal biomass in kernels, independently of inoculation date. The AUDPC was correlated with fungal DNA, but not for early and late infection dates. The highest disease and toxin levels were for inoculations around anthesis, but early or late infections led to detectable levels of fungus and toxin for the most aggressive isolates. Fungal development appeared higher in kernels than in the chaff for inoculations at anthesis, but the opposite was found for later inoculations. These results show that anthesis is the most susceptible stage for FHB, but also clearly shows that early and late infections can produce significant disease development and toxin accumulation with symptoms difficult to estimate visually.     

水分亏缺对小麦芒和旗叶光合特性及蔗糖、淀粉合成的影响

为明确水分亏缺对小麦芒和旗叶光合特性及蔗糖、淀粉合成的影响,选用盆栽试验,在小麦灌浆期对盆栽采用正常供水（CK）及水分亏缺（WD）处理,测定旗叶和芒光合参数、相对水分含量、叶绿素含量等生理指标,分析蔗糖和淀粉合成关键酶活性及相关基因表达水平。结果表明,水分亏缺下旗叶净光合速率（P_n）、叶绿素（Chl）含量和相对水分含量（RWC）相比芒显著下降,花后24 d旗叶和芒P_n分别下降了87.7%和14.4%,Chl含量分别下降了54.1%和12.3%,RWC分别下降了13.9%和1.5%;同时,水分亏缺减少了光合碳同化物的产生,花后24 d旗叶和芒中蔗糖含量分别下降了50.1%和18.2%,淀粉含量分别下降了46.4%和18%,表明芒中碳同化物合成受水分亏缺影响较旗叶小。灌浆过程中旗叶和芒中丙二醛（MDA）含量均持续上升,水分亏缺下花后24 d旗叶和芒中MDA含量分别增加了50.8%和14.0%,表明在逆境下芒的抗氧化能力优于旗叶。总之,水分亏缺下芒具有较高的光合效率、保水性以及衰老延迟特性,并且在灌浆中后期仍有较高的蔗糖和淀粉合成能力,从而保障对小麦籽粒产量的光合贡献。     

Emmer wheat, a potential new host of Tilletia indica

Two representative Italian emmer wheat (Triticum dicoccum) landraces, two selected lines and three improved emmer wheat cultivars, derived from crosses with durum wheat (Molisano landrace × ‘Simeto’), were tested for their susceptibility to Tilletia indica, the cause of Karnal bunt of wheat. Plants of emmer wheat were inoculated by injecting allantoid sporidial suspensions into the boot cavity of plants, just prior to ear emergence. A highly susceptible Indian spring wheat cultivar (Triticum aestivum) was used as a comparative control. At maturity of the plants, the seeds were harvested and assessed for incidence and severity of disease. All emmer wheat genotypes tested were infected but showed differing levels of susceptibility. The percentage of infected seeds for individual genotypes ranged from 5.4 to 75.0% compared with 99.1% for WL-711. The severity of infection was less in the old landraces, but it was higher in all the improved emmer wheat cultivars. In conclusion, Italian cultivars of emmer wheat were found to be highly susceptible to T. indica, and are potentially able to support the establishment of the pathogen.Authors L. Riccioni and M. Valvassori contributed equally to this work and should both be considered as first author.     

Effect of infection timing on fusarium head blight and mycotoxin accumulation in open- and closed-flowering barley

ABSTRACT Barley has two flowering types, chasmogamous (open-flowering) and cleistogamous (closed-flowering). We examined the effect of the timing of Fusarium graminearum infection on Fusarium head blight (FHB) and mycotoxin accumulation in barley cultivars with different flowering types using greenhouse experiments. In the first experiment, 13 cultivars were spray inoculated at two different developmental stages, and the severity of FHB was evaluated. The effect of the timing of infection differed among cultivars. Cleistogamous cultivars were resistant at anthesis but susceptible at 10 days after anthesis, whereas chasmogamous cultivars were already susceptible at anthesis. In the second experiment, five cultivars were inoculated at three different developmental stages and the concentrations of deoxynivalenol (DON) and nivalenol (NIV) in mature grain were analyzed. Cleistogamous cultivars accumulated more mycotoxins (DON and NIV) when inoculated 10 or 20 days after anthesis than when inoculated at anthesis, whereas chasmogamous cultivars accumulated more mycotoxins when inoculated at anthesis. Thus, the most critical time for F. graminearum infection and mycotoxin accumulation in barley differs with cultivar, and likely is associated with the flowering type. Late infection, even without accompanied FHB symptoms, was also significant in terms of the risk of mycotoxin contamination.     

Characterisation of kernel resistance against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium</Emphasis> infection in spring wheat by baking quality and mycotoxin assessments

Fusarium head blight (FHB) of wheat heads by Fusarium culmorum causes serious yield losses and compromises the end-use quality by accumulation of mycotoxins and alteration of baking characteristics. The most promising control strategies against the disease combine adequate cropping techniques (i.e. crop rotation avoiding maize as a preceding crop) with the use of resistant varieties. Different types of resistance against this disease have been described such as the resistance to primary infection of the spikelets and the reduction of spread of the infection in other parts of the ear. In recent years, the ability of the kernels to prevent penetration of the fungus and mycotoxin accumulation has received increasing attention. Yet, the detection of kernel resistance for breeding purposes is rather difficult, as the corresponding resistance mechanisms are not fully understood. The aim of the present work is to compare different aspects of kernel resistance in order to define the most significant criteria for breeding purposes. The experimental set up included eight modern Swiss spring wheat varieties grown on small irrigated yield plots (3 × 1.5 m) inoculated at anthesis with a mixture of Fusarium culmorum isolates. Disease ratings from 7 to 28 days post-inoculation were completed with post-harvest analyses for the accumulation of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol and different baking quality parameters. Results indicate that the accumulation of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol in the kernels is correlated with visible symptoms on the ear before harvest. In terms of baking quality parameters, water absorption, dough softening and dough resistance are impaired in susceptible varieties after FHB infection, while resistant varieties are not affected. The results obtained here indicate that kernel resistance can be defined by low deoxynivalenol accumulation in the kernels and by stability of several baking quality parameters under conditions of high FHB infection pressure.     

Studies on the epidemiology and yield losses from rice black-streaked dwarf disease in a recent epidemic in Zhejiang province, China

The spread of rice black-streaked dwarf disease, which has emerged as a major problem on winter wheat and the two summer rice crops (early indica and late japonica ) grown in central and southern Zhejiang province, China, is documented from 1995 to 2007. The late japonica crop suffered the most: up to 64 640 ha were affected with estimated losses of c . 120 000 t grain per year. Peak adult numbers of the small brown planthopper vector, Laodelphax striatellus , coincided with the seedling stages of both rice crops and the proportion of the insect population carrying virus increased during 1998–2005. Seedlings with three to four leaves were the most susceptible, whereas plants inoculated after the end of tillering developed few or no symptoms. Disease levels were strongly correlated with numbers of viruliferous vectors. In sowing-date experiments with both rice crops, the earliest sowings had the most disease and suffered the greatest yield losses. With the last sowing date (25 days after the first), there were almost no losses. There were yield losses of 0·80% for every 1% increase in disease incidence in early indica rice and rather more (0·92%) in the late japonica crop. There were large differences in susceptibility between cultivars, indicating the possibility, within currently available germplasm, of using more resistant cultivars to help contain the disease. Changes in cropping practice and in recent winter weather conditions have probably contributed to the emergence of the virus as a major pathogen in eastern China.     

Rainfall and temperature distinguish between Karnal bunt positive and negative years in wheat fields in Texas

Karnal bunt of wheat, caused by the fungus Tilletia indica, is an internationally regulated disease. Since its first detection in central Texas in 1997, regions in which the disease was detected have been under strict federal quarantine regulations resulting in significant economic losses. A study was conducted to determine the effect of weather factors on incidence of the disease since its first detection in Texas. Weather variables (temperature and rainfall amount and frequency) were collected and used as predictors in discriminant analysis for classifying bunt-positive and -negative fields using incidence data for 1997 and 2000 to 2003 in San Saba County. Rainfall amount and frequency were obtained from radar (Doppler radar) measurements. The three weather variables correctly classified 100% of the cases into bunt-positive or -negative fields during the specific period overlapping the stage of wheat susceptibility (boot to soft dough) in the region. A linear discriminant-function model then was developed for use in classification of new weather variables into the bunt occurrence groups (+ or -). The model was evaluated using weather data for 2004 to 2006 for San Saba area (central Texas), and data for 2001 and 2002 for Olney area (north-central Texas). The model correctly predicted bunt occurrence in all cases except for the year 2004. The model was also evaluated for site-specific prediction of the disease using radar rainfall data and in most cases provided similar results as the regional level evaluation. The humid thermal index (HTI) model (widely used for assessing risk of Karnal bunt) agreed with our model in all cases in the regional level evaluation, including the year 2004 for the San Saba area, except for the Olney area where it incorrectly predicted weather conditions in 2001 as unfavorable. The current model has a potential to be used in a spray advisory program in regulated wheat fields.     

Head Blight Gradients Caused by Gibberella zeae from Area Sources of Inoculum in Wheat Field Plots

ABSTRACT The spread of Fusarium head blight of wheat from a small area inoculum source was examined in wheat plots (100, 625, or 2,500 m(2)) inoculated in the center with Gibberella zeae-colonized corn kernels or macro-conidia sprayed on heads at anthesis. With the first inoculation method, disease foci were produced from ascospores released from perithecia formed on inoculated kernels. With the second inoculation method, disease foci were produced by macroconidia directly applied to the heads. Some plots were misted during anthesis. Plots were divided into grids, and disease incidence on spikelets and seeds was assessed at the grid intersections. Isopath contour maps were constructed using an interpolation procedure based on a weighted least squares method. Disease gradients were constructed from the isopath contours in the direction parallel to average nightly wind vectors using an exponential model. This study was conducted over a 3-year period at two sites: one in Quebec and one in Ontario. Both inoculation methods resulted in a discrete, primary focus of head blight in each plot, with one or two smaller secondary foci in some plots. The highest incidence of disease on spikelets or seed was commonly displaced somewhat from the inoculum source, usually downwind. The gradient slopes of seed and spikelet infection ranged from -0.10 to -0.43 m(1) in plots with ascospore inoculum and from -0.48 to -0.79 m(1) in plots inoculated with macroconidia. Seed infection declined to 10% of the maximum within 5 to 22 m from the focal center in asco-spore-inoculated plots, and within 5 m in a macroconidia-inoculated plot. Gradients were usually steeper upwind compared with downwind of the inoculum source. In misted plots, incidence of disease was higher and more diffuse than in nonirrigated plots. Based on gradients and dispersal patterns, disease foci in plots inoculated with G. zeae-colonized corn kernels probably arose from airborne ascospores rather than from splash-borne macroconidia and were the result of infection events that occurred over a short period of time. Comparison of conidial- and ascospore-derived disease gradients indicated a lack of secondary infection, confirming that Fusarium head blight is primarily a monocyclic disease.     

Susceptibility of invasive taxa of European blackberry to rust disease caused by the uredinial stage of Phragmidium violaceum under field conditions in Australia

European blackberry ( Rubus fruticosus agg.) is an aggregate of closely related taxa, with at least 15 taxa naturalized in Australia. Biological control of this Weed of National Significance, using the nonindigenous rust fungus Phragmidium violaceum , is effective when the weather is conducive to multiple cycles of infection, but some blackberry taxa escape severe disease. Thirty-one taxa of naturalized R. fruticosus agg. from southeastern Australia were isolated, their DNA phenotype determined and clones of each taxon inoculated with P. violaceum isolate SA1. Disease development was monitored for at least four generations of uredinia on large potted plants under field conditions. Although variation in mean disease severity appeared continuous over the range of Rubus clones tested, counts of uredinia and telia enabled identification of eight resistant taxa. Fine scale variation in susceptibility to rust disease was observed when different clones of R. leucostachys with the same DNA phenotype were found to express either resistance or susceptibility to P. violaceum (SA1). There were significant differences among 23 Rubus taxa rated as susceptible to rust disease in the mean number of leaves emerging per latent period of uredinia (LELPU). Mean LELPU appeared to account for some of the variation in two measures of mean disease severity observed among susceptible Rubus clones, although the correlation was insignificant (0·10 <  P  > 0·05).     

小麦品种对赤霉病的感病和抗病因素研究

 本文是报道小麦品种感染赤霉病的程度差异及其有关因素。
温室试验,在麦穗终花期分别对残留于颖外的花药;残留于颖内的花药;无残留花药的子房上,进行接种。三种处理的赤霉病发生量之比,浙麦1号(感病)为15:58:31,苏麦3号(抗病)为4:18:13。结果表明:品种间差异显著;两品种均以外露花药上接种的处理发病最轻,颖内接种.有残留花药发病加重,尤以浙麦1号为明显;两品种始病后的病情扩展速度有异,苏麦3号表现扩展慢、穗轴不受侵害。因此,一个品种的穗部全部颖花中残留花药比率低,是减缓初侵染病程的性状;小穗和穗轴组织减缓病情发展,是抗扩展性状。具备两者,则相对抗性较为稳定。
室内外对普通小麦品种不同成熟阶段的接种试验表明,抗病品种具有感病期短、乳熟期的抗性明显增强和接种后发病盛期较晚等特点。     

Alteration of photosynthetic performance and source–sink relationships in wheat plants infected by Pyricularia oryzae

Two experiments were carried out to assess the changes associated with photoassimilate production and partitioning in the source–sink relationship of flag leaves and spikes of wheat plants infected with Pyricularia oryzae, the causal agent of blast. Flag leaves and spikes were inoculated at 10 and 20 days after anthesis (daa) with a conidial suspension of P. oryzae. Analysis of chlorophyll a fluorescence using maximal photosystem II quantum efficiency (F_v?F_m), fraction of energy absorbed that is used in photochemistry (YII), quantum yield of non‐regulated energy dissipation (Y(NO)) and quantum yield of regulated energy dissipation (Y(NPQ)), showed an impairment of the photosynthetic performance in both infected flag leaves and spikes, coupled with reduced concentrations of chlorophyll a  + b and carotenoids. Compared to non‐inoculated controls, there was lower capacity for CO₂ fixation by RuBisCO in the infected flag leaves. Similarly, in the infected flag leaves and grains (obtained from infected spikes), there were lower concentrations of soluble sugars, while the hexoses‐to‐sucrose ratio increased in infected flag leaves. Compared to non‐inoculated controls, infected flag leaves showed lower sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) activity and lower expression of the sucrose synthesis (SuSy) gene, while higher expression and activity of acid invertases also occurred. At the advanced stages of fungal infection, the concentration of starch in grains decreased but remained high for the infected flag leaves. There were reductions in ADP‐glucose pyrophosphorylase activity and the expression of ADP‐glucose pyrophosphorylase genes and a down‐regulation of β‐ and α‐amylase expression at the advanced stages of fungal infection on flag leaves and spikes. In conclusion, the effect of blast on both grain quality and yield can be associated with alterations in both production and partitioning of carbohydrates during the grain filling process.     

Ontogenic resistance to powdery mildew in grape berries

ABSTRACT Berries of Vitis vinifera are reported to be susceptible to infection by Uncinula necator until soluble solids levels (brix) reach 8%, and established colonies are reported to sporulate until brix reach 15%. However, our analysis of disease progress on fruit of selected V. vinifera cultivars indicated that severity became asymptotic several weeks earlier in fruit development. When mildew-free fruit clusters of V. vinifera 'Chardonnay', 'Riesling', 'Gewürztraminer', and 'Pinot Noir' were inoculated at stages ranging from prebloom to 6 weeks postbloom, only fruit inoculated within 2 weeks of bloom developed severe powdery mildew. Substantial ontogenic resistance to infection was expressed in fruit nearly 6 weeks before fruit brix reached 8% and over 2 months before they reached 15%. Rachises of 'Chardonnay' and 'Riesling' fruit clusters developed severe powdery mildew when inoculated at bloom, and disease increased steadily over the next 60 days. The rachis of fruit clusters inoculated 31 days after bloom developed only trace levels of powdery mildew. Berry weight of all four cultivars at harvest was reduced when fruit clusters were inoculated at bloom or 16 days postbloom, primarily by splitting, rotting, and dehydration of mildewed berries, but the weight of later-inoculated berries was not reduced. Inoculation of berries just as ontogenic resistance increased markedly, approximately 3 to 4 weeks postbloom, resulted in the development of inconspicuous, diffuse, non-sporulating mildew colonies on berries, sometimes associated with a network of necrotic epidermal cells. Rather than a protracted and relatively static period of berry susceptibility lasting 3 months, fruit of V. vinifera appear to acquire ontogenic resistance rapidly after fruit set. A refocusing of disease management on this critical period of high fruit susceptibility should greatly improve the efficacy of fungicides directed against powdery mildew.     

Effect of growth stage on host sensitivity to helminthosporol toxin and susceptibility to Cochliobolus sativus causing spot blotch on wheat

Five wheat genotypes with differing field resistance to Cochliobolus sativus were tested in greenhouse conditions for their reaction to 1.0 mM helminthosporol (HL) toxin and for their resistance to the pathogen at the 4-leaf seedling, booting, anthesis completed and late milk grain stages. HL caused distinctly necrotic and chlorotic lesions only on the adult plants of highly susceptible genotypes Ciano T-79 and Sonalika. The level of toxin sensitivity and disease severity increased with adult plant growth stage, suggesting that susceptibility is related to plant physiology. However, genotype BL 1473 was found to be susceptible to the fungus but insensitive to the toxin, indicating the limitations of using the toxin as a screening tool for resistance. The results confirm earlier studies which showed a lack of correlation between resistance at the seedling stage and field observations. This underlines the importance of field screening for improving resistance to spot blotch in wheat.     

Effects of Rhynchosporium secalis at specific growth stages on barley grown in a controlled environment

Under controlled environmental conditions, inoculation of barley at five growth stages with Rhynchosporium secalis reduced grain yield by up to 30%. Greater yield losses resulted from inoculations carried out after tillering than from those during or before tillering. Most of the yield loss was due to a reduction in the number of heads per plant. The number of grains per head was reduced only when plants were inoculated at mid- or late-tillering growth stages. The mean weight of individual grains was not reduced significantly by any treatment. Inoculation at stem elongation also resulted in less leaf area and water use, and delayed anthesis. Inoculation affected root dry weight more than shoot dry weight and all inoculations reduced root dry weight at the boot growth stage     

稀植栽培对旱地冬小麦光合特性、产量及水分利用效率的影响

为了探明稀植栽培对旱地冬小麦光合特性、产量及水分利用效率的影响,在大田试验条件下,测定分析了不同稀植条件下4个主茎和分蘖成穗并重型冬小麦品种旗叶的光合速率、光合量子产量、相对电子传递速率及群体透光特性、小麦籽粒产量和水分利用效率.结果表明,在从扬花到蜡熟期,稀植栽培可使小麦旗叶光合速率、光合量子产量、相对电子传递速率和群体透光率提高,各品种之间变化较为一致.播量为450万株/hm~2(传统高产栽培播量)处理比150万株/hm2播量处理旗叶的光合衰减率提高25.2～43.5个百分点,光合量子产量和相对电子传递速率分别降低2.95%～20.68%和10.66%～18.32%,群体上层的光截获量增加,中下部受光条件较差.表明稀植栽培下小麦生育后期在光合能力、电子传递和光能转化方面均具有明显优势.适当降低播量(300～375万株/hm~2),建立合理的群体结构,冬小麦籽粒产量和水分利用效率较播量为450万株/hm~2处理分别平均提高12.55%和14.48%,表明适当稀植栽培能显著提高冬小麦的产量和水分利用效率.     

Influence of Grape Berry Age on Susceptibility to Guignardia bidwellii and Its Incubation Period Length

ABSTRACT The period of fruit susceptibility to Guignardia bidwellii (anamorph Phyllosticta ampelicida), the causal agent of grape black rot, was determined in the field. Intact fruit were inoculated weekly from bloom until 8 weeks later with a suspension containing 2 x 10(5) conidia per ml. Disease progress was monitored approximately every 2 days until 3 to 5 weeks after inoculation, depending on the year and variety. Fruit of Vitis x labruscana 'Concord' exhibited a period of maximum susceptibility from midbloom until 2 to 4 weeks later, although some berries became symptomatic when inoculated 4 to 5 weeks postbloom. Fruit of V. vinifera 'Chardonnay' and 'Riesling' exhibited a period of maximum susceptibility from midbloom until 3 to 5 weeks later, although some berries retained their susceptibility until 6 to 7 weeks postbloom. These susceptible periods were approximately 2 to 4 weeks shorter than previously assumed. Fruit age at the time of inoculation affected the length of the incubation period (time from inoculation until symptom appearance). When the incubation period was defined in terms of degree hours (base = 0 degrees C) accumulated after inoculation, DH(50) values (the number of degree hours required to reach 50% of final disease severity) increased by at least 50% as berries neared the end of their susceptible period. Newly symptomatic berries continued to appear for over 1 month after inoculation of older fruit. Thus, age-related or ontogenic, host resistance was manifested as both a decline in susceptibility and a significant increase in incubation period length. The control of black rot is likely to be improved by tailoring the intensity of fungicidal protection to the abbreviated period of fruit susceptibility defined in this study. Furthermore, the efficacy of management programs and the results of epidemiological studies are likely to be misinterpreted unless the variable effect of fruit age on incubation period length is recognized.     

Susceptibility of grapevine buds to infection by powdery mildew Erysiphe necator

Bud colonization and perennation of powdery mildew ( Erysiphe necator ) was studied by inoculating shoots of grapevine ( Vitis vinifera cv. Carignane) at different phenological stages. Disease incidence and severity assessments indicated that buds were most susceptible at the three- to six-unfolded-leaf stage. Incidence of powdery mildew colonies on the surface of buds collected from these shoots 7 weeks postinoculation was highest at these stages (68 and 62%, respectively), which indicates that colonization of the bud interior via the infected bud surface is likely to occur within this period. Histological analyses of buds revealed hyphae with haustoria, conidiophores and conidia on all parts of the bud interior except for the meristems. In particular, trichomes were frequently parasitized by haustoria. In total, 13·2% of all buds analysed, and 32·3% of all buds originating from shoots inoculated at the three-unfolded-leaf stage, were infected by E. necator . In the spring of the following year, buds from inoculated shoots yielded 18 flag shoots (1·6% of all emerging shoots). These primary infections caused an epidemic 28 days after the appearance of the first flag shoot. A linear regression analysis on the frequency of infections of the bud exterior, bud interior and flag shoots revealed that incidence of external bud infection in the first season is strongly correlated with flag shoot incidence in the following season ( R ² = 0·94). Hence predictions of flag shoot incidence may be reliably based on the incidence of infection on the outer bud scales in the preceding season.