Pathogenicity and RAPD analysis of Phytophthora nicotianae pathogenic to pepper in Tunisia

Nine isolates of Phtophthora nicotianae were isolated from infected pepper plants. Their pathogenicity was studied in Capsicum annuum in comparison with P. nicotianae isolates from tomato and tobacco. The pathogenicity test showed that pepper isolates of P. nicotianae are adapted to their host. Banding patterns obtained by RAPD analysis with six oligonucleotide primers revealed polymorphism that grouped the isolates independently of the plant host. The polygenic dendrogram showed that pepper isolates were more similar to tomato isolates than to tobacco isolates. The RAPD bands of 1300 and 1500 bp, detected with primers OPD-01 and OPD-10, respectively, appeared specific to the most pathogenic pepper isolates. The OPK-08-1950 seems specific to the isolates of P. nicotianae from tomato. These results suggest that host specified might occur in P. nicotianae and that may be due to interspecific hybridization events resulting in novel pathogenic behavior.     

An Aqueous Extract of the Dry Mycelium of Penicillium chrysogenum Induces Resistance in Several Crops under Controlled and Field Conditions

We have examined the effect of Pen, an aqueous extract of the dry mycelium of Penicillium chrysogenum, on plant–pathogen interactions. Pen controlled a broad range of pathogens on several crop plants under greenhouse and field conditions. Pen protected grapevine from downy and powdery mildew (caused by Plasmopara viticola and Uncinula necator), tomato from early blight (caused by Phytophthora infestans), onion from downy mildew (Peronospora destructor) and apple trees from apple scab (caused by Venturia inaequalis) to a similar extent as fungicides such as copper and sulphur or well-known inducers such as benzothiadiazole or β-aminobutyric acid. Pen had no major direct fungicidal effect and is thus supposed to protect plants by activating their defense mechanisms. The raw material for extraction of Pen was available in constant quality, a prerequisite for commercial application. Under certain conditions, Pen caused phytotoxic side effects. The symptoms mostly consisted of small necrotic spots or, more rarely, of larger necrotic areas. The development of the symptoms was dependent on several parameters, including concentration of Pen, the number of applications, the persistence on the plant tissue, the plant species and variety and environmental conditions. In grapevine, a partially purified fraction of Pen was much less toxic than the crude Pen extract, but protected the plants to a similar extent against P. viticola. Our data show that Pen has interesting and unique properties as a plant protection agent, but more research is needed to further reduce its phytotoxic side effects.     

甲霜灵·刺复配剂对棉疫病菌的联合毒力

在实验室条件下，测定了甲霜灵和霜霉威复配剂对棉疫病菌（Phytophthora boehmeriae）的联合毒力。结果表明，复配剂MPA、MPB、MPC对棉疫病菌的DC5。分别为0．0555,0．1044μg／mL和0．0845μg／mL，对照单剂甲霜灵和霜霉威对棉疫病菌的EC50分别为0．0391μg／mL和10．6183μg／mL；联合毒力分析表明，甲霜灵和霜霉威按1：1．5复配有增效作用，按1：1和1．5：1复配有相减作用。     

西葫芦根腐病病原的鉴定

通过对所采集的西葫芦根腐病病株进行分离培养,共得到5种病原菌,分属于疫霉菌Phytophthora和镰刀菌Fusarium2个属。经致病性测定,确定引起西葫芦根腐病的主要致病菌为疫霉菌,镰刀菌对西葫芦根腐病的发生有加重作用。经鉴定该致病疫霉菌为烟草疫霉菌(Phytophthora nicotanae),主要致病镰刀菌为尖孢镰刀菌(Fusarium oxysporum)。     

番茄晚疫病菌对甲霜灵的抗性

摘要为了掌握我国番茄晚疫病菌对甲霜灵抗性的发生和分布状况，1999～2001年，陆续从全国16个省市的主要番茄产区采集晚疫病样本400余个，分离、纯化出番茄晚疫病菌株183个;采取离体和活体生测法对所有菌株进行了抗甲霜灵的测定。结果表明：我国番茄晚疫病菌对甲霜灵的抗性由北向南逐渐增强，北方地区以中等抗性菌株和敏感性菌株为主，南方地区则以抗性菌株和中等抗性菌株为主。其中东北、西北地区无抗性菌株，中抗和敏感菌株分别为33．3％、66．7％和36．1％、63．9％；华北、华东地区抗性、中抗和敏感菌株分别为5．6％、44．4％、50．0％和38．6％、36．8％、4．6％；华中和西南地区抗性菌株分别占55．6％和44．2％，中抗和敏感菌株则各占33．3％、历．8％和11．1％、18．8％；华南地区无敏感菌株，抗性菌株达66．7％，中抗菌株为33．3％。     

Genetic variation among asexual progeny of Phytophthora infestans detected with RAPD and AFLP markers

Genotypic variation among 32 single-zoospore isolates (SZI) of Phytophthora infestans , derived asexually from two hyphal-tip parental isolates (PI-105 and PI-1) of the US-8 genotype, was assessed with 80 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers and 18 amplified fragment length polymorphic DNA (AFLP) primer pairs. In previous investigations, the SZIs from parental isolate PI-105 showed high levels of virulence variability and were differentiated into 14 races, whereas the SZIs from PI-1 showed identical virulence to the parent. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if phenotypic variation observed among SZIs of P. infestans could be detected at the DNA level in these isolates. Polymorphism was detected with 51 RAPD primers and with all 18 AFLP primer pairs in PI-105 SZIs. In SZIs from PI-1, polymorphism was also detected with 25 RAPD primers and 17 AFLP primer pairs. Cluster analysis using the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic averages (UPGMA) separated the SZIs from parent PI-105 into six virulence groups, 11 RAPD groups and three AFLP groups. Cluster analysis of PI-1 SZIs, which all belong to the same virulence group, differentiated them into four RAPD groups and six AFLP groups. No close correlation among RAPD, AFLP and virulence groups could be established within the two progenies of SZIs. Results of this study suggest that there is a considerable level of inherent genetic variability among SZIs derived asexually from the same parental isolate. The possible mechanisms and implications of this genetic variation are discussed.     

Rapid detection of Phytophthora cinnamomi using PCR with primers derived from the Lpv putative storage protein genes

Phytophthora cinnamomi is an ecologically and economically important pathogen. In this study, PCR assays were developed with primer pair LPV2 or LPV3 for rapid detection and identification of this organism. Both primer pairs were selected from putative storage protein genes. The specificity of these primer pairs was evaluated against 49 isolates of P. cinnamomi , 102 isolates from 30 other Phytophthora spp., 17 isolates from nine Pythium spp. and 43 isolates of other water moulds, bacteria and true fungi. PCR with both primer pairs amplified the DNA from all isolates of P. cinnamomi regardless of origin. The LPV3 primers showed adequate specificity among all other species tested. The LPV2 primers cross-reacted with some species of Pythium and true fungi, but not with any other Phytophthora species. PCR with the LPV3 primers detected the pathogen at levels of a single chlamydospore or 10 zoospores in repeated tests. The PCR assay was at least 10 times more sensitive than the plating method for detection of the pathogen from artificially infested soilless medium, and, to a lesser extent, from naturally infected plants. PCR with LPV3 primers can be a useful tool for detecting P. cinnamomi from soilless media and plant tissues at ornamental nurseries, whereas the LPV2 primers can be an effective alternative for identification of this species from pure culture. Applications of these assays for detection of P. cinnamomi in other environments were also discussed.     

Synthesis and fungicidal activity of N-2-(3-methoxy-4-propargyloxy)phenethyl amides. Part II: anti-oomycetic mandelamides

Novel types of anti-oomycetic compounds have been designed and prepared. The synthetic approach to these mandelamides is outlined. Biological data demonstrate their high efficacy against important plant diseases such as tomato and potato late blight (Phytophthora infestans De Bary) and grape downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola Berliner & de Toni). Structure-activity relationship studies are discussed. The new development product mandipropamid is presented.     

Enhancement of natural disease resistance in potatoes by chemicals

The mechanism involved in systemic acquired resistance (SAR) can be non-specifically induced in susceptible plants. In response to pathogens, plants' natural defence mechanisms include the production of lignin and phytoalexins and the induction of plant enzymes. The aim of this research was to study the induction of SAR mediated by the chemical activator DL-3-aminobutyric acid (BABA) and the fungicide fosetyl-aluminium in potato cultivars with different levels of resistance against Phytophthora infestans (Mont) de Bary. To study the chemical induction of the resistance, the foliage of several potato cultivars was sprayed with BABA, fosetyl-aluminium or water (as a control treatment). After 3 days the foliage was inoculated with P. infestans. Seven days after inoculation, development of disease symptoms in the foliage was assessed. In postharvest tuber samples, evidence for enhancement of the defence response was evaluated by measuring the protein content of several hydrolytic enzymes as well as the phenol and phytoalexin content. The highest level of protection against late blight was observed when the chemicals were applied at early stages of crop development. An increase in resistance to late blight was also detected in tubers after harvest. There was also an increase in the protein level of beta-1,3-glucanase and aspartic protease as well as in the phenol and phytoalexin content of potato tuber discs obtained from postharvest tubers of treated plants. Thus the protective effect seemed to persist throughout the whole crop cycle. This treatment may offer the possibility of controlling both foliage and tuber blight and could have a major impact in reducing over-winter survival of P. infestans in tubers.