Vegetative,Chemical Status and Productivity of Zucchini Squash (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucurbita pepo</Emphasis> L.) Plants in Responses to Foliar Application of Pentakeep and Strigolactones Under NPK Rates

In order to determine the effect of two bio-stimulants under NPK fertilizer rates on growth and nutrient content and yield of zucchini (squash), an experiment was conducted at Mendel university during 2014. The treatments included four NPK rates namely, 0, 75, 100 and 150% of recommended rate in combination with foliar application of Pentakeep super and strigolactones (alone and in combination) were used. This study was arranged in a split plot design in three replications. The results showed NPK at 150% led to the maximum significant increase of growth characters i.?e., leaf number, fresh and dry weight of leaves relative to unfertilized control. Chlorophyll reading increased significantly with increase in NPK supply up to NPK75%. The highest contents of N, K and nitrate were found in zucchini leaves treated with NPK at 150% of recommended rate. Yield and its component increased significantly with increase in NPK supply up to 100% of recommended rate. The combined application of Pentakeep super and strigolactones significantly maximized growth characters and fruit yield as compared to control treatment. The highest content of N generated in plants sprayed with Pentakeep super while application of Pentakeep and strigolactones did not affect the P and K contents. Whereas, control plants effectively significantly increased the chlorophyll and nitrate content of leaves.     

Salicylic acid alleviates growth inhibition and oxidative stress caused by zucchini yellow mosaic virus infection in Cucurbita pepo leaves

The effects of zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) infection and pretreatments with salicylic acid (SA) on biomass accumulation of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo cv. Eskandarani) were investigated. The response of photosynthesis, transpiration and the activities of antioxidant enzymes in leaves was also considered. Significant reductions in growth parameters (i.e. leaf area, biomass and shoot height), photosynthesis and chlorophyll a and b content were detected in ZYMV-infected leaves in comparison to healthy controls. Antioxidant enzyme activities were increased up to 3-fold for peroxidase (POD), 2-fold for ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and catalase (CAT) activities and 1.3-fold for SOD activity by virus infection. ZYMV infection also caused increases in H₂O₂ and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents. These results suggest that ZYMV infection causes oxidative stress in pumpkin leaves leading to the development of epidemiological symptoms. Interestingly, spraying pumpkin leaves with SA led to recovery from the undesirable effects of ZYMV infection. Leaves treated with 100 μM SA three days before inoculation had the appearance of healthy leaves. No distinct disease symptoms were observed on the leaves treated with 100 μM SA followed by inoculation with ZYMV. In non-infected plants, SA application increased activities of POD and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and inhibited APX and CAT activities.In contrast, SA treatment followed by ZYMV inoculation stimulated SOD activity and inhibited activities of POD, APX and CAT. In addition, MDA displayed an inverse relation, indicating inhibition of lipid peroxidation in cells under SA treatment. It is suggested that the role of SA in inducing plant defense mechanisms against ZYMV infection might have occurred through the SA-antioxidant system. Such interference might occur through inhibition or activation of some antioxidant enzymes, reduction of lipid peroxidation and induction of H₂O₂ accumulation following SA application.     

Salicylic acid alleviates growth inhibition and oxidative stress caused by zucchini yellow mosaic virus infection in Cucurbita pepo leaves

The effects of zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) infection and pretreatments with salicylic acid (SA) on biomass accumulation of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo cv. Eskandarani) were investigated. The response of photosynthesis, transpiration and the activities of antioxidant enzymes in leaves was also considered. Significant reductions in growth parameters (i.e. leaf area, biomass and shoot height), photosynthesis and chlorophyll a and b content were detected in ZYMV-infected leaves in comparison to healthy controls. Antioxidant enzyme activities were increased up to 3-fold for peroxidase (POD), 2-fold for ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and catalase (CAT) activities and 1.3-fold for SOD activity by virus infection. ZYMV infection also caused increases in H₂O₂ and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents. These results suggest that ZYMV infection causes oxidative stress in pumpkin leaves leading to the development of epidemiological symptoms. Interestingly, spraying pumpkin leaves with SA led to recovery from the undesirable effects of ZYMV infection. Leaves treated with 100 μM SA three days before inoculation had the appearance of healthy leaves. No distinct disease symptoms were observed on the leaves treated with 100 μM SA followed by inoculation with ZYMV. In non-infected plants, SA application increased activities of POD and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and inhibited APX and CAT activities.In contrast, SA treatment followed by ZYMV inoculation stimulated SOD activity and inhibited activities of POD, APX and CAT. In addition, MDA displayed an inverse relation, indicating inhibition of lipid peroxidation in cells under SA treatment. It is suggested that the role of SA in inducing plant defense mechanisms against ZYMV infection might have occurred through the SA-antioxidant system. Such interference might occur through inhibition or activation of some antioxidant enzymes, reduction of lipid peroxidation and induction of H₂O₂ accumulation following SA application.     

外源亚精胺对渗透胁迫下南瓜幼苗抗氧化酶活性等生理特性的影响

选用南瓜品种银辉2号为材料,以PEG模拟水分胁迫,采用砂培法研究了不同浓度外源亚精胺(Spd)对南瓜幼苗生长、活性氧代谢、抗氧化酶活性及非酶抗氧化剂和渗透调节物质含量的影响。结果表明:0.9、1.2mmol·L~(-1)外源Spd处理,使渗透胁迫下南瓜幼苗的生物量分别增加了43.40%和36.69%,根系O·2生成速率和膜脂过氧化产物MDA的积累量下降了56.33%、43.50%;0.6、0.9 mmol·L~(-1)Spd处理,不同程度诱导增强了根叶抗氧化酶活性,尤其以0.9 mmol·L~(-1)Spd处理效果最佳,根系和叶片超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)活性分别为渗透胁迫下的2.00倍、1.83倍和5.47倍、2.40倍,过氧化氢酶(CAT)、过氧化物酶(POD)活性分别提高了410.89%、300.50%和276.25%、331.18%,叶片中脯氨酸(Pro)和可溶性糖含量提高了1.76倍、1.71倍,可溶性蛋白的积累量达渗透胁迫的1.49倍,维持了较高的渗透缓冲和调节能力,根系抗坏血酸(ASA)和谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量升高了2.88倍和2.41倍;渗透胁迫下0.9 mmol·L~(-1)外源Spd处理,抑制了活性氧(ROS)的生成,减轻了由此导致的氧化损伤,抗氧化酶活性的响应和ASA-GSH循环,保护了生物膜系统的稳定,渗透调节物质的含量变化,既维持了细胞与环境的渗透平衡,又增加了光合碳同化产物和蛋白质的积累。表明0.9 mmol·L~(-1)外源Spd维持了渗透胁迫下南瓜幼苗碳氮代谢的正常进行,减轻了胁迫对南瓜苗期的氧化伤害。     

Biological activity of neem against the red pumpkin beetle,Aulacophora Foveicollis

The biological activity of neem on the red pumpkin beetle,Aulacophora foveicollis Lucas, was studied. The effective concentration for 50% antifeedant activity was 0.01% methanolic neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) and 0.4% neem oil, using leaves of muskmelon as feeding substrate. No-choice feeding of adults for a period of 11 days on leaves of muskmelon treated with 0.5-2.0% NSKE led to nearly 50% mortality within 4-7 days, whereas there was no mortality of adults fed on as high as 2% neem oil. The antifeedant activity of NSKE was found to vary with curcurbitaceous hosts. Neem oil as a residual film had an LC₅₀ of 0.7%. Unlike most chemical insecticides, 1% aqueous NSKE was not phytotoxic to the 5-day-old cotyledon stage and to 15- and 35-day-old crop stages of muskmelon, whereas 1% neem oil was toxic to the 5-day-old cotyledon stage and 15-day-old crop of muskmelon, but not to the 35-day-old crop.     

Non-host resistance toColletotrichum lagenariumin pumpkin and squash is not primarily associated with β-1,3-glucanase and chitinase activities

Disease symptoms typical of anthracnose were observed in cucumber, pumpkin and squash after infiltrating leaves with a conidial suspension ofColletotrichum lagenarium, but symptoms developed only in cucumber when droplets of the conidial suspension were applied to the leaf surface. There was no difference in the germination of conidia or in appressorium formation on leaf surfaces of cucumber, pumpkin or squash plants; however, penetration was markedly reduced into pumpkin and squash with or without systemic acquired resistance (SAR) and into cucumber with SAR. Little β-1,3-glucanase and chitinase activities were detected in challenged pumpkin and squash leaves without symptoms even 5 days after inoculation in leaf surfaces. However, the enzymes were detected in pumpkin and squash leaves with symptoms, and activities of the enzymes were greater than those in cucumber. These results suggest that β-1,3-glucanase and chitinase activities are not primary initial defence compounds associated with non-host resistance of pumpkin and squash toC. lagenarium.     

Early physiological and biochemical responses of soyabean to neighbouring weeds under resource‐independent competition

The mechanisms by which weeds compete with crop plants are poorly understood. To gain insight into these mechanisms, we characterised early physiological responses of soyabean to neighbouring weeds using a biological weedy system that generated a consistent far‐red‐enriched light environment and excluded direct resource competition. Neighbouring weeds decreased superoxide dismutase activity in unifoliate leaves. This coincided with increased hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and oxidized ascorbate levels, while the steady‐state level of superoxide, catalase activity and lipid peroxidation remained unchanged. These responses suggested increased leaf production of singlet oxygen (¹O₂), which was demonstrated by detection of increased Singlet Oxygen Sensor Green (SOSG) fluorescence within 3 h after staining of unifoliate leaves. This finding was further supported by increased ratios of the photosensitiser protochlorophyllide to both chlorophyllide a, and total chlorophyll in the dark as well as enhanced sensitivity to cell death by a ¹O₂‐generating compound in the light. These responses coincided with dramatic changes in photosynthesis, carbon partitioning and biomass allocation with a persistent decline in leaf sucrose level and biomass production at later growth stages. This study provides direct experimental evidence that under resource‐independent competition, far‐red‐enriched light reflected by neighbouring weeds can alter the balance between ROS production and detoxification and thereby generate an oxidative stress signal in soyabean leaves.     

THE EFFECT OF COMPETITION FROM CEREAL CROPS ON THE GERMINATION AND GROWTH OF AVENA FATUA L. IN A NATURALLY-INFESTED FIELD

Summary. The effect of winter wheat, winter rye, winter barley, spring barley, and fallow cultivated as for a winter cereal, on germination and growth of wild oats ( A. fatua ) was investigated on a naturally-infested field. Treatments were continued for 2 years on the same plots and in the third year all plots were cropped with spring barley. Wild oats were not allowed to shed seeds.
A. fatua was controlled by a dense crop of an autumn-sown cereal. The crop genus was unimportant provided it grew well on the site; its effectiveness depended on its density when the wild oats germinated in spring. Winter wheat and winter rye were equally effective. Even in a light crop of barley, wild oats grew much less vigorously than on the fallow plots. Beyond a certain crop density dependent on soil fertility, further increase in crop did not decrease the size of wild oats. The heaviest crop did not completely suppress the wild oats.
The crop affected the wild oats mainly by decreasing growth of the seedlings, but under winter wheat and winter rye some wild oat seeds may have remained dormant, germinating in the spring barley in the third year, perhaps because the crops decreased the soil moisture content. Nitrogenous fertilizer increased the weight of both crops and wild oats. Barley was more severely affected by soil acidity than wild oats and on acid areas of barley plots the wild oats were larger than where the pH was higher. In wheat and rye which were scarcely affected by soil acidity the size of the wild oat plants was unaffected by soil pH.
L'effet du competition des céréales sur la germination et le développement d' Avena fatua dans un champ naturellement infesté .     

Effects of simulated acid rain and root-knot nematode on tomato

Effects were examined of simulated acid rain and of root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita race 1, on plant growth, yield, photosynthetic pigments and leaf epidermal characters of tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Pusa Ruby). Sequential inoculation exposures (pre-, post-, and concomitant with nematode inoculation) were carried out in a greenhouse. Intermittent treatments of simulated acid rain at pH 3.2 caused white-to-tan irregular lesions on both the upper and lower surfaces of tomato leaves. The foliar symptoms were more pronounced on nematode-infected plants. Simulated acid rain (pH 3.2) and/or nematode infection suppressed plant growth, yield and pigment synthesis, the effects being greatest in post-inoculation treatments compared with simulated acid rain at pH 6.8. The total weight of fruits per plant was greatly suppressed owing to simulated acid rain or nematode infection. Chlorophyll a was found to be more sensitive to simulated acid rain or nematode infection than other leaf pigments. Root penetration, galling, egg mass production, and fecundity (number of eggs per egg mass) of M. incognita were enhanced at pH 5.6 and suppressed at pH 3.2 compared with pH 6.8. Nematode infection or simulated acid rain at pH 3.2 suppressed stomata and trichome development (number and size). Simulated acid rain treatments at pH 5.6 had a positive effect on number and size of trichomes, but a negative effect on stomata. The apertures of stomata were wider on tomato leaves exposed to simulated acid rain, especially at pH 3.2, than at pH 6.8.     

Effect of sulfite-hydrosulfite and nitrite on thiol redox state, oxidative stress and sclerotial differentiation of filamentous phytopathogenic fungi

This study shows that Na₂S₂O₄, Na₂SO₃ and NaNO₂ decreased differentiation of filamentous phytopathogenic fungi representing the four main types of sclerotia at maximum growth non-inhibiting concentrations, and also increased and decreased the oxidized and the reduced components of their thiol redox state, respectively. Na₂S₂O₄, Na₂SO₃ and NaNO₂ also severely inhibited fungal growth at certain concentrations. These effects concurred by the increase of the high oxidative stress indicator lipid peroxidation and could be attributed to the oxidative cytotoxicity of sulfites and nitrite. The cytotoxic mechanism of the latter may be related to the acidic pH. Sulfites and nitrite can be used as potent fungicides against sclerotiogenic phytopathogenic fungi by acting as growth inhibiting cytotoxic oxidants and by sustaining fungi in their undifferentiated hyphal stage, in which they are more vulnerable to degradation by soil microorganisms.     

外源一氧化氮对Na_2CO_3胁迫下南瓜幼苗碳氮代谢的影响

为探讨外源NO对Na_2CO_3胁迫下南瓜幼苗碳氮代谢过程的影响,以银辉2号南瓜品种为材料,采用盆栽法研究了80μmol·L-1SNP对60 mmol·L-1Na_2CO_3胁迫下南瓜幼苗生长、叶绿体色素含量、碳氮代谢相关酶活性及代谢产物量的变化规律。结果表明:Na_2CO_3胁迫12 d,南瓜幼苗地上和地下部分干重、相对生长量、根冠比、Rubisco羧化活力、光合色素含量和氮代谢相关酶活性均不同程度下降;Rubisco氧化活力、游离氨基酸总量和蛋白水解酶活性显著上升。80μmol·L-1SNP外源处理能明显缓解Na_2CO_3胁迫对南瓜幼苗生长及光合作用的抑制,增加了干物质的积累和光合色素的含量。与Na_2CO_3胁迫处理相比,干物质积累量、相对生长量、叶绿素和类胡萝卜素(caro)含量、硝酸还原酶(NR)、谷氨酰胺合成酶(GS)、Rubisco羧化酶、淀粉酶(AMY)活性和可溶性蛋白含量分别提高了26.72%、30.45%、17.69%、46.15%、46.43%、30.70%、38.75%、70.0%、65.37%;Rubisco加氧酶、蛋白水解酶活性和游离氨基酸总量分别降低了18.29%、31.76%、28.57%。外源NO通过促进淀粉酶和Rubisco羧化活性的提高和氧化活性的下降,维持了可溶性总糖含量的稳定;通过增强NR、GS和谷氨酸合酶(GOGAT)活性、抑制蛋白水解酶和谷氨酸脱氢酶(GDH)活性,降低叶片中游离氨基酸含量,增加了蛋白质的积累。本研究结论:碱性盐胁迫下,80μmol·L-1的SNP通过增强南瓜幼苗的光合碳代谢,促进了酮酸转化为氨基酸。通过提高氮代谢相关酶NR、GS、GOGAT活性,促使碳流由光合碳代谢转向氮代谢,维持了盐害下南瓜幼苗碳氮代谢的正常进行,增强了南瓜幼苗抵御Na_2CO_3胁迫的能力。     

Plant growth regulators induced changes in antioxidant potential and andrographolide content in Andrographis paniculata Wall.ex Nees

In this study, 5 μM ABA and GA₃ concentration were used to study the effect of these growth regulators on the andrographolide content and antioxidant potentials of Andrographis paniculata. The growth regulators were applied by means of foliar spray during morning hours. A significant enhancement in non-enzymatic antioxidant contents was observed in all sampling days in A.paniculata plants under ABA and GA₃ treatments. Ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol content was increased significantly under the growth regulator treatments in leaves, stem and roots of A. paniculata. The activities of antioxidant enzymes such as ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase were increased by ABA and GA₃ treatments in the leaves, stem and roots of A. paniculata plants. The HPLC analysis was used to quantify the andrographolide content in control and growth regulator treated plants. The growth regulators ABA and GA₃ treated plants showed increased contents of andrographolide when compared to control.     

模拟酸雨对小麦条锈病流行学组分的影响

为明确酸雨对小麦条锈病菌孢子萌发及病害流行学组分的影响,采用不同酸度的模拟酸雨(p H值分别为2.5、3.5、4.5和5.6)处理小麦条锈病菌Puccinia striiformis f.sp.tritici生理小种CYR32和CYR33的夏孢子,并将不同酸度模拟酸雨处理后的夏孢子接种小麦感病品种铭贤169,采用组分分析法研究酸雨对病害发展过程的影响。结果表明,随着模拟酸雨酸度的增强,生理小种CYR32和CYR33的夏孢子萌发率均显著降低,萌发24 h后对照组生理小种CYR32和CYR33的夏孢子萌发率分别为93.7%和79.8%,在p H 3.5模拟酸雨处理后萌发率仅为13.1%和8.6%。温室内接种试验结果显示,不同酸度模拟酸雨对生理小种CYR32和CYR33的侵染概率、潜育期和病情指数均有显著影响,对生理小种CYR32和CYR33病斑扩展率影响不显著;与对照相比,p H 3.5模拟酸雨处理后生理小种CYR32和CYR33的侵染概率分别下降79.9%和79.8%。结果表明强酸雨(p H 3.5)显著延长小麦条锈菌潜育期,减少病斑产孢量,降低病情指数和病害进展曲线下面积。     

不同pH值缓冲液处理下蚕豆叶片相对含水量、脯氨酸及丙二醛含量的变化

研究了外源pH缓冲液处理下,离体和整株蚕豆叶片相对含水量、脯氨酸含量和丙二醛含量的变化.结果表明,酸碱处理离体蚕豆叶片10 min和30 min后,叶片组织相对含水量在pH 6.5时最高;酸性处理下的叶片脯氨酸含量较高;pH 5.0时丙二醛含量较高.整株蚕豆叶片处理5 h的叶片组织相对含水量在pH 6.5时最高,处理12 h以pH 5.0时最高;pH 5.5处理5 h叶片脯氨酸含量最高,处理12 h脯氨酸含量的变化不大;处理5 h时丙二醛含量的变化随pH的降低略有下降,但处理12 h丙二醛含量的变化不大.     

Foliar sprays of NPK fertilizers induce systemic protection againstPuccinia sorghi andExserohilum turcicum and growth response in maize

One spray of 0.1 M aqueous solutions of NPK fertilizers on the upper sides of maize leaves 1, 2, and 3, 2–4 h prior to inoculation, induced systemic resistance (ISR) against northern leaf blight (NLB) caused byExserohilum turcicum andPuccinia sorghi which were developed on leaves 4, 5, 6, and 7. ISR was expressed as a reduction in the number and area of lesions ofE. turcicum and in the number of sporulating or non-sporulating pustules ofP. sorghi on leaves 4, 5, 6, and 7. The reduction in the number of NLB lesions ranged from 51% (KH₂PO₄) to 69% (K₂HPO₄) and their size reduction ranged from 73% (KNO₃) to 91% (K₂HPO₄) as compared with water prayed plants. The reduction in the number of pustules ofP. sorghi ranged from 66 to 77%. Fertilizers consisting of various combinations of N, P and K in every case induce similar levels of protection in either host-pathogen system. The induced protection was evident regardless of the leaf position or the rate of NPK accumulation in the upper protected leaves. High fresh weight was detected in the induced plants which expressed the greatest induced protection against NLB and common rast. The possible dual use of NPK fertilizers — to supply nutrients to plants foliarly and at the same time to activate the mechanism(s) for induction of systemic protection toP. sorghi andE. turcicum in maize — is discussed.Contribution from the Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel, No. 1315-E, 1995 series.     

Application of energy-filtering electron microscopy (EFEM) for analysis of hydrogen peroxide and lignin in epidermal walls of cucumber leaves triggered by acibenzolar-S-methyl treatment prior to inoculation with Colletotrichum orbiculare

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and lignin induced by acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM) during the expression of systemic acquired resistance (SAR) of cucumber plants against the fungus Colletotrichum orbiculare was analysed with electron microscopy and energy-filtering electron microscopy (EFEM). ASM pretreatment consistently led to the blockage of appressorial penetration pegs into leaves at early stages after inoculation, whereas the fungus was able to grow into the vascular tissue after distilled water pretreatment. The blocked pegs, seen frequently at epidermal pectin layers in leaves of ASM-treated plants, were surrounded by abundant electron-dense amorphous material and dots. These were identified as lignin, based on their appearance and high reactivity with KMnO₄. Lignin first appeared as an amorphous material at pectin layers, and then as dots in some areas of the material. The results showed that ASM caused SAR in leaves via faster formation of lignin within 1 day after inoculation. After CeCl₃ treatment to detect H₂O₂, H₂O₂-reactive products (cerium perhydroxides) were seen near ASM-induced lignin formation sites in pectin layers. EFEM analysis showed that Ce and O were located at the same sites as the lignin dots, suggesting that lignin was associated with sources of H₂O₂ generation. The results indicate that the faster H₂O₂ generation and lignification induced by ASM were the potential causes of SAR.     

玛纳斯河流域绿洲土壤春季盐渍化研究

运用经典统计学和冗余分析方法,对玛纳斯河流域绿洲土壤全盐量（TS）、pH、电导率（EC）、钠吸附比（SAR）和盐分离子组成的空间分布特征进行了分析。结果表明：土壤全盐量呈现明显的底聚特征,各层土壤全盐量均值在5.80~9.02 g•kg^-1,表现为轻度至中度盐化;各层土壤中,pH在8.2~8.4、EC在0.70~1.38 mS•cm^-1、SAR在0.25~0.64,未出现碱化现象。冗余分析表明：不同层次土壤中,Ca ²⁺与SO ₄^2-、Na⁺与SO₄^2-保持较好的关联性。TS的空间分布,在 0 ~70 cm 全剖面上主要受控于Na^+、SO₄^2-、Ca ²⁺和Mg ²⁺;分层与全剖面的情况略有不同,但Na⁺、SO₄^2-在各个土层仍为最主要的控制离子。EC在全剖面上的空间分布受控于 Na⁺、SO₄^2-;50 ~70 cm 土层主要受Na⁺与Cl^-的控制,其他土层与全剖面相同。 pH受控于CO₃^2-;除0~10 cm土层受HCO^-₃影响外,其他土层与全剖面相同。SAR在全剖面的空间分布受环境因子的影响较小,除50~70 cm土层受Cl^-因子的制约外,0~50 cm土层未表现出明显的控制因子。     

Effects of pH and titratable acidity on the growth and development of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Monilinia laxa</Emphasis> (Aderh. &amp; Ruhl.) <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vivo</Emphasis>.

This investigation examines the effects of pH and titratable acidity on the growth and developments of a strain of Monilinia laxa (Aderhold & Ruhland) at seven different pH levels in Potato Dextrose Agar media and on peach fruit from formation to commercial maturity. The fungi growth was obtained by daily measurement of mycelia on the pH amended Potato Dextrose Agar. The sporulation performance was determined after 30 days of culture incubation. Fruits were inoculated with M. laxa, from fruit set to maturity, on weekly basis for brown rot susceptibility. The pathogen development, in vitro, was affected, by the pH (2.4–11.52) amended nutrient media. M. laxa exhibited variation in its growth and sporulation capacities on the seven pH amended PDA, preferring relatively moderate acidic conditions for optimum performance. In the in vitro analysis, there was mycelia growth at pH 2.40 to 8.84, while pH 11.52 did not support any mycelia growth. There was a continuous and stable increase in weight of fruit as it developed whereas the fruit size increased, then decreased and finally increased as the fruit develops. The acidity dynamics exhibited a non-sinusoidal waveform through the growth and development of the fruit. In all these characteristic variations, M. laxa did not develop infection or shown any brown rot incidence in the fruit until the period of commercial maturity.     

Induced defense dynamics in plant parts is requisite for resistance to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helicoverpa armigera</Emphasis> (Hubner) infestation in chickpea

Helicoverpa armigera is the most serious insect pest in chickpea that causes significant yield losses due to its feeding on vegetative (leaves) and reproductive (developing pods and seeds) parts of plants. The present aim of study was to explore response dynamics of induced defence mechanism in leaves, podwall and seeds of ten chickpea genotypes (ICC 506, ICCV 10, ICC 10393, 5283, RSG 963, GL 25016, GL 26054, ICCL 86111, ICC 3137, L 550) after insect infestation. Two chickpea genotypes namely ICC 3137 and L 550 were found to be highly susceptible to Helicoverpa armigera infestation due to higher leaf and pod damage in them as compared to rest of eight genotypes which are found to be considerably resistant due to lower damage. Insect infestation induced decreased activities of defensive enzymes such as peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), glutatione reductase (GR) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO), decreased free radical scavenging activities in terms of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), decreased contents of signaling molecules such as nitric oxide ((NO), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), reduced content of insect feeding behaviour regulating molecules such as total phenols, trypsin inhibitor and accumulation of membrane damage marker such as malondialdehyde (MDA) in leaves of ICC 3137 and L 550; decreased POD activity, nitric oxide content and H₂O₂ in podwall of L550; decreased SOD, GR, nitric oxide content and H₂O₂ in seeds of L550 resulted in aggravation of infestation induced oxidative stress and makes these genotypes more vulnerable to insect damage. The resistance of rest eight chickpea genotypes to insect infestation was due to the integrative effect of up regulated defensive components in leaves, podwall and seeds such as enhanced activities of CAT, POD, GR, PPO and PAL along with accumulation of H₂O₂` and total phenols in leaves, increased SOD, POD, GR and PPO activities along with increased contents of trypsin inhibitor and total phenols in podwall; increased SOD, GR, PPO activities and accumulated total phenols in seeds of resistant chickpea genotypes might be responsible for causing significant shift in oxidative status of these genotypes due to scavenging of free radicals, maintenance of membrane integrity and deterrent to insect feeding. Induced glycine betaine after herbivory was found to be positively correlated with superoxide dismutase and trypsin inhibitors. H₂O₂ content was positively correlated with trypsin inhibitor, DPPH, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and total phenols in leaves and with FRAP, DPPH and total phenols in pod wall indicating that H₂O₂ might be stimulating the cascade that will be helping to scavenge free radical species and correlation with phenols and trypsin inhibitor indicated that it act as toxicant to insect feeding.     

36%噻虫啉水分散粒剂对番茄幼苗根系活力及生理生化指标的影响

为明确土壤中施用噻虫啉对番茄植株生长的影响,分别用36%噻虫啉水分散粒剂有效成分1.0、1.5、2.0、2.5、3.0和5.0 mg/株处理盆栽番茄植株,测定处理后30 d番茄幼苗的生长量、叶片保护酶活性及根系活力。结果表明:1.0~2.5 mg/株噻虫啉处理均可提高番茄幼苗展开叶片数、株高、主根长和鲜重等生理指标,3.0 mg/株处理与对照相比无显著差异,而5.0 mg/株处理则对番茄幼苗生长有显著的抑制作用。不同剂量的噻虫啉处理均可提高番茄幼苗叶片中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)和多酚氧化酶(PPO)的活性及根系活力。PPO和SOD活性在2.0 mg/株噻虫啉处理时达到最大值,分别为47.9和14.2 U/(min·g FW),比对照高29.6%和49.5%;POD、CAT和PAL活性在2.5 mg/株剂量时达到最大值,分别为46.0、62.4和26.0 U/(min·g FW),比对照高47.0%、36.7%和35.3%。1.0~5.0 mg/株噻虫啉处理后番茄幼苗根系活力比对照提高2.7%~33.1%。研究表明,土壤施用适量的噻虫啉可显著促进番茄幼苗植株的生长。