Some coat protein constituents from strawberry latent ringspot virus expressed in transgenic tobacco protect plants against systematic invasion following root inoculation by nematode vectors

The coding sequences in RNA2 for the coat proteins (CP) of strawberry latent ringspot virus (SLRSV) were modified and amplified using polymerase chain amplification reactions (PCR) to facilitate their expression inAgrobacterium tumefaciens-transformedNicotiana tabacum Xanthi-nc. The coding sequences for the smaller capsid protein (S, 29kDa) and that for the theoretical precursor of L and S (P, 73kDa) had ATG initiation codon sequences added at the 5-proximal Ser/Gly (S/G) cleavage site in the unmodified sequence. The sequence coding for the larger of the two proteins of mature SLRSV capsids (L, 44kDa) had an ATG codon added at its 5 S/G site and a TAG stop codon sequence added at the 3-proximal S/G site. The P, L and S proteins were expressedin planta to a maximum concentration of 0.01 % of total extractable proteins but did not assemble into virus-like particles. When challenged by mechanical inoculation with virus particles or viral RNA, and compared with control plants, tobacco plants (primary transgenic clones or S1 and S2, kanamycin-resistant seedlings) expressing the virus capsid subunits separately, or their precursor, decreased the accumulation of SLRSV particles in inoculated leaves and fewer plants became invaded systemically. In experiments in which the roots of seedlings were exposed to SLRSV-carrying vector nematodes (Xiphinema diversicaudatum), SLRSV was detected in the roots of non-transformed control tobacco plants (6/20) and in transgenic tobacco expressing the L protein (7/40), but not in any of 25 tobacco plants expressing the S protein or in 35 expressing the P protein. This is the second example of CP-mediated resistance to virus inoculation by nematode vectors.     

Sensitivity of populations ofBotrytis cinerea to triazoles,benomyl and vinclozolin

Sensitivity of field isolates (121) ofBotrytis cinerea from France (1992), Germany (1979–1992), Israel (1990) and the Netherlands (1970–1989) to the triazoles tebuconazole and triadimenol, the benzimidazole benomyl and the dicarboximide vinclozolin were tested in radial growth experiments. Resistance to benomyl (in 21 to 100% of isolates tested) and vinclozolin (in 25 to 71% of isolates tested) was common in most countries. EC₅₀s (concentrations of fungicides inhibiting radial mycelial growth ofB. cinerea on B5-agar by 50%) for tebuconazole and triadimenol ranged between 0.01–1.64 and 0.4–32.6g ml^–1, respectively, and were log-normally distributed. The variation factor (ratio between EC₅₀s of the least and most sensitive isolate tested) amounts 164 and 82 for tebuconazole and triadimenol, respectively. These values are comparable to those for azole fungicides applied in control of other pathogens. Hence, variation in sensitivity to triazoles can probably not explain limited field performance of triazoles towardsB. cinerea. Isolates from south west Germany (1992) were significantly less sensitive to tebuconazole than isolates collected earlier in Germany, Israel and the Netherlands. Such less sensitive populations may contribute to the limited field performance of DMI fungicides towardsB. cinerea. The sensitivity of isolates from south west Germany to tebuconazole was similar to that of DMI-resistant mutants generated in the laboratory. These mutants displayed stable resistance with Q-values (ratio between EC₅₀ of resistant mutant and wild type isolate) between 5 and 20. Sensitivity of field isolates and laboratory mutants to tebuconazole and triadimenol was correlated.     

The antimicrobial susceptibility of Staphylococcus species isolated from canine dermatitis

In a retrospective study, 1538 strains of -haemolysin-producing Staphylococcus species isolated from dermatitis in dogs at three veterinary clinical microbiology laboratories in Norway during 1986–87 and 1993–94 were investigated for their antimicrobial susceptibility. None of the strains was resistant to cloxacillin, cephalexin or the quinolones enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin. More than 96% of the strains were susceptible to trimethoprim-sulphonamide, bacitracin and fucidic acid. Between 67% and 89% of the strains were susceptible to erythromycin, lincosamides, tetracycline, neomycin and chloramphenicol. Only 37.9% of the strains were susceptible to penicillin. The frequency of penicillin resistance increased significantly between the first and second periods, from 46.0% to 58.6%. The frequency of resistance to lincomycin, clindamycin and erythromycin also increased significantly between the first and second periods, from 3.0%, 2.1% and 3.3% to 25.5%, 19.5% and 24.8%, respectively. A moderate increase in resistance to tetracycline was also noted, from 20.4% in the first to 27.6% in the second period. On the other hand, the frequency of resistance to trimethoprim-sulphonamide decreased significantly from 4.1% in the first to 0.9% in the second period. Many different resistance patterns were observed in each period. However, the proportion of multiresistant strains increased from 2.1% in the first to 10.2% in the second period. There was a decrease in resistance to the combination of trimethoprim-sulphonamide and penicillin from the first to the second period. Resistance to the combination of lincosamides and pencillin increased. For the combinations penicillin-tetracycline-lincosamides, pencillin-lincosamides-erythromycin, and pencillin-tetracycline-lincosamides-erythromycin, there was a striking increase in resistance between the first and the second periods.Abbreviations CVL Central Veterinary Laboratory - NCVM Norwegian College of Veterinary Medicine - NVL Norwegian Veterinary Laboratory     

林木抗旱性生理指标及其在干旱区造林中应用研究

<正> 中国干旱半干旱区面积占全国面积的52.5%,半壁河山是以水分胁迫为主导限制因子的特殊生态区。为了提高这一地区的造林质量,选择旱生和抗旱性强的树种造林是主要造林技术之一。对于如何评价和比较林木的抗旱性,传统方法多采用对林木生态环境因子及对林木生     

Toxicity of fenpropimorph to fenarimol-resistant isolates of Penicillium italicum

Fenarimol-resistant isolates ofPenicillium italicum with cross-resistance to imidazole and triazole fungicides which inhibit ergosterol biosynthesis were tested for their sensitivity to fenpropimorph. Radial growth tests on PDA showed that the isolates (n=6) lacked cross-resistance to fenpropimorph or displayed enhanced sensitivity to the fungicide (negatively correlated cross-resistance). Control of blue mold decay of oranges incited by the wild-type isolate could be achieved by dipping fruits in suspensions of fenpropimorph at a concentration of 100 mg ml^–1. Decay of oranges incited by the fenarimol-resistant isolates was controlled at the same or at a lower concentration (30 mg ml^–1), thus showing that the normal or increased sensitivity to fenpropimorph is also expressed under in vivo conditions.Samenvatting Fenarimol-resistente isolaten vanPenicillium italicum met kruisresistentie tegen imidazool-en triazoolfungiciden die de ergosterolbiosynthese remmen, werden getoetst op hun gevoeligheid voor fenpropimorf. Radiale groeiproeven op PDA toonden aan dat de isolaten (n=6) geen kruisresistentie bezaten met fenpropimorf of een verhoogde gevoeligheid voor het middel vertoonden (negatief gecorreleerde kruisresistentie). Op sinaasappels konPenicillium-rot, veroorzaakt door het wild-type bestreden worden door middel van een dompelbehandeling met fenpropimorf bij een dosering van 100 g ml^–1). Bestrijding van rot veroorzaakt door fenarimil-resistente isolaten werd verkregen bij dezelfde of een lagere dosering (30 g ml^–1); aldus werd aangetoond dat de normale of verhoogde gevoeligheid voor fenpropimorf ook in vivo tot uiting komt.     

甘肃地方苜蓿农家品种脯氨酸积累能力与抗旱性的研究

本文依据“脯氨酸维持积累时间”和“脯氨酸维持积累量”指标评介了四个甘肃地方苜蓿农家品种的抗旱能力。结果表明:敦煌苜蓿的抗旱能力高于会宁、秦安、灵台苜蓿,其中会宁苜蓿居二,灵台苜蓿抗旱性最差。这一抗旱排序与叶片相对含水量及气孔指标所得到的结果相一致。证明了“脯氨酸维持积累时间”和“脯氨酸维持积累量”可以作为首蓿抗旱性的鉴定指标。     

“七五”国家科技攻关项目——蔬菜新品种选育研究Ⅳ.甜(辣)椒专题育成的新品种(系)简介

本文介绍了1986-1990年甜(辣)椒专题8个单位育成的15个甜椒、半辛辣椒新品种(系),其抗病性、品质、产量均优于对照品种,并已通过了农业部主持的专家组验收。     

Genetic mapping and utilization of quantitative trichome-mediated insect resistance in potato

Introgression of trichome-mediated insect resistance from the wild speciesSolanum berthaultii has become a major focus of the potato improvement program at Cornell University during the past twelve years. Several quantitative characters are involved in this resistance which is effective against a wide range of pest types. Correlative biochemical assays have been developed to assay specific components of the resistance, and the effects of the resistance on the target pests have been studied. Quantitative laboratory assays and specific measurements of insect behavior and biology have increased the precision of selection and enable the investigation of the genetic control of the resistance.We are currently using restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) for genetic mapping of factors controlling the trichome traits fromS. berthaultii. Backcrosses to both the wild and the cultivated species parents have been evaluated for phenotypes contributing to the resistance mechanism, including trichome density, sucrose ester and polyphenol oxidase production by the trichomes, and the enzymatic browning reaction responsible for insect entrapment. Genetic maps are being developed for these progenies, using RFLP markers previously mapped in potato. Field and greenhouse trials under insect infestations are also being conducted with the mapping progeny. Our goal is to locate genes responsible for quantitative insect resistance by correlating RFLP variation at mapped loci with the trichome phenotypes and insect resistance. Genetic markers for these traits will be useful in transfer of the effective wild chromosomal segments into and among tetraploid potatoes, and for a better understanding of the resistance mechanism.     

Prospects for improving potato crop protection against aphid vectors

Conventional ways to control aphid vectors on potato crops rely essentially on cultural and chemical methods. The extensive use of insecticides, too often applied regardless of real needs and consequences, has resulted in more and more failures in both controlling aphids and virus spread. This paper stresses the need to introduce more rationale in the operation of existing methods by improving the efficiency of some of them like forecasting systems, to assess the potential of others like fertilization and semiochemicals and to put most efforts on resistant cultivars so that integrated pest management can be operated in the near future.