Survey on Bactrocera spp. (Tephritidae,Diptera) in Austria

Fruit fly species (Diptera: Tephritidae) of the genus Bactrocera are among the most serious orchard pests worldwide but are not native to Austria. The unexpected finding of one Bactrocera zonata adult in Vienna in 2011 initiated increasing survey efforts in Austria since 2012. Traps with male attracting lures were employed at several sites during the fruiting periods and catches were analysed. At sites in Vienna (urban area) Bactrocera specimens were trapped between 2012 and 2018, whereas no Bactrocera specimens were caught in agricultural areas or commercial orchards outside the city. Twelve specimens were identified as B. zonata and nine specimens as B. dorsalis sensu lato, though for the latter it was not possible to distinguish between B. dorsalis s.l. and B. carambolae using molecular analysis (ITS1). Molecular sequencing showed that the specimens caught were genetically different (with only a few exceptions), indicating genetically different origins. It is evident that the repeated findings of Bactrocera specimens in Vienna, where winter temperatures do not allow the establishment of tropical fruit flies, are linked to repeated entries of juveniles with infested fruits (in luggage or consignments). The results of our study reveal the need to strengthen phytosanitary import requirements for fruit commodities and travellers’ luggage in order to protect fruit production in Austria and probably in other countries.     

Temporal disease dynamics and relative importance of sexual and asexual reproduction of grape downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola) in an isolated vineyard in the North Georgia Mountains,USA

The North Georgia Mountains are the southernmost region along the United States East Coast where European wine grapes (Vitis vinifera) are grown commercially. Epidemics of downy mildew, caused by Plasmopara viticola, are frequent and severe, but little is known about the epidemiology and population biology of the pathogen in this region. Disease monitoring in an experimental vineyard from 2015 to 2017 indicated that times of disease onset and progress rates were highly variable across years and cultivars. Oospores were observed microscopically, and simulation with a process-based model indicated presence of conditions favourable for oospore germination in the spring and early summer each year. A total of 409 P. viticola isolates collected over three  years were genotyped with seven microsatellite markers, revealing very high genotypic diversity, which when combined with the observation of oospores is indicative of a sexually reproducing population. Among the 409 isolates, 225 multilocus genotypes (MLGs) were identified, of which 164 were detected only once and 61 were repeated (clonal). Eight MLGs (represented by 28 isolates) were detected across years, suggesting the possibility of asexual overwintering of P. viticola in this region. Across sampling dates, the percentage of isolates belonging to nonrepeated (unique) MLGs ranged from 27.3% to 63.2%. Even towards the end of the annual epidemic, the percentage of isolates in nonrepeated MLGs was still relatively high, around 30%. These MLGs may have originated from oospores germinating late during the growing season, although incomplete sampling at earlier dates and contribution by immigration cannot be fully excluded.     

Projecting the suitability of global and local habitats for myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) using model consensus

Myrtle rust (caused by Austropuccinia psidii) affects more than 500 known host species in the Myrtaceae family. Three different modelling approaches (CLIMEX, MaxEnt and Multi-Model Framework) were used to project the habitat suitability for myrtle rust at both global and local scales. Current data on the global occurrence of myrtle rust were collected from online literature and expert solicitation. Long-term averages of climate data (1960–1990) were sourced from WorldClim and CliMond websites. Recent reports of myrtle rust in New Zealand were used for validation of model outputs but not in model training and testing. The model outputs were combined into a consensus model to identify localities projected to be suitable for myrtle rust according to two or three models (hotspots). In addition to the locations where the pathogen is currently present, all models successfully projected independent occurrence data in New Zealand suitable for establishment of the pathogen. Climate suitability for the pathogen was primarily related to temperature followed by rainfall in MaxEnt and the CLIMEX model. The results confirmed the optimum temperature range of this pathogen in the literature (15–25 °C). Additional analysis of the precipitation variables indicated that excessive rain (more than 2000 mm in warmest quarter of the year) combined with high temperatures (>30 °C) constrain pathogen establishment. The results of the current study can be useful for countries such as New Zealand, China, South Africa and Singapore where the pathogen has not fully spread or established.     

抗旱节水小麦分子遗传育种研究进展

干旱缺水等自然灾害会导致小麦产量年度间变幅较大,尤其在小麦主产区黄淮地区更为严重。小麦抗旱节水育种是应对干旱的重大措施。本综述对小麦抗旱节水常规育种、抗旱节水分子遗传育种相关性状QTL定位、抗旱相关功能基因克隆鉴定、转基因等方面的研究进展进行了综述。水旱亲本杂交与异地交叉选择是卓有成效的常规育种方法,通过分子标记鉴定了关于根重、根长、胚芽鞘、高水分利用效率等相关性状的大量QTL;42个抗旱相关基因被克隆并进行基因功能分析和验证,均从不同代谢通路上影响着小麦抗旱性;14个来自不同供体的抗旱相关基因被研究者导入小麦品种后,转基因小麦植株的抗旱能力均得到不同程度的提高,部分植株在产量和其它抗逆性方面也得到提高。以上研究进展为抗旱节水小麦分子设计育种提供了理论依据和发展方向。     

硅对水稻生长的影响及其缓解镉毒害机理研究进展

为研发高效硅肥和防治农田镉污染提供借鉴资料,本文综述了施加硅肥对水稻生长发育的影响,包括提高水稻产量和品质,增强抗倒伏、抗病虫害及干旱等逆境的能力,尤其是增强抗镉毒害等能力。并从生理学机制和土壤学机制两方面重点分析了施加硅肥对缓解镉毒害作用的可能机理。生理学机制方面：硅通过参与水稻的生理代谢活动,使水稻抗氧化系统酶的活性和清除自由基的能力增强;抑制镉的吸收及其在水稻体内的运输;硅与镉在水稻体内的螯合和区隔作用。土壤学机制方面：硅肥改变土壤理化性质,降低土壤中有效态镉的含量;硅镉吸附沉淀作用,减少水稻对镉吸收。最后针对硅肥的开发利用及技术推广提出展望。     

湖北省杉木人工林立地类型划分及评价

以湖北省杉木人工林为研究对象,选择166块具有代表性的杉木人工林标准地,并测定样地的常规立地因子。利用数量化理论Ⅰ的方法建立了杉木优势高与立地因子之间的关系模型,对研究区杉木人工林进行立地类型划分及立地质量评价。结果表明,所选择的5个立地因子与优势高数量化拟合的复相关系数为0.639;海拔、腐殖层厚度和坡位这3个立地因子对优势高的贡献率达84.99%,且影响均达到极显著水平;采用海拔、腐殖层厚度和坡位3个因子构建研究区杉木人工林立地类型,共划分为22类;按照优、良、中、差4个评价等级对166块样地所属的立地类型进行立地质量评价,得出湖北省杉木人工林在中海拔、土壤湿润、土壤养分含量较高的立地条件下生产力较高,研究区立地质量整体处于中等偏上水平的结论。     

体细胞克隆荷斯坦奶牛出生后死亡犊牛内脏器官的组织病理学观察

为探究体细胞克隆荷斯坦奶牛出生后死亡的原因,对新生后死亡的克隆荷斯坦公牛和自然繁殖的荷斯坦公犊的主要组织器官进行比较。通过解剖和石蜡切片-HE(hematoxylin-eosin staining)染色技术,对主要的组织器官结构进行观察和分析。结果表明,新生后死亡的克隆荷斯坦公牛肺部结构清晰;肝脏的肝细胞明显肿大,出现脂肪轻度变性;肾小管上皮细胞出现变性;心肌的肌纤维间空隙增大;骨骼肌纤维间隙明显,空泡变性,这可能导致该克隆牛犊肌肉无力并功能不全;淋巴结皮髓质界限不分明,淋巴小结细胞较稀疏,生发中心不明显,淋巴窦细胞较少;脾脏内红细胞较少,这说明该克隆牛的造血功能可能不完善;胸腺的皮质部分和髓质部分界限不明显,嗜酸性胸腺小体不易辨认,可能发育不全。该克隆公牛免疫器官出现不同程度的发育不全现象较严重,这有可能是其出生后死亡率高的主要原因。     

The interaction between temperature and dose on the efficacy and biochemical response of Atlantic salmon to hydrogen peroxide treatment for amoebic gill disease

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a commonly used treatment for a range of parasitic diseases of marine finfish, including amoebic gill disease (AGD). While this treatment is partially effective at reducing parasite load, H₂O₂ can have detrimental effects on the host under certain conditions. Treatment temperature and dose concentration are two factors that are known to influence the toxicity of H₂O₂; however, their impact on the outcome of AGD treatment remains unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of treatment temperature (8, 12 or 16°C) and dose concentration (750, 1,000, 1,250 mg/L) on the efficacy of H₂O₂ to treat AGD. We demonstrated that a 20-min bath treatment of H₂O₂ at all doses reduced both parasite load and gross gill score significantly. Parasite load and gross gill score were lowest in the 1,000 mg/L treatment performed at 12°C. At the high dose and temperature combinations, H₂O₂ caused moderate gill damage and a significant increase in the plasma concentration of electrolytes (sodium, chloride and potassium). Taken together, our study demonstrates that higher H₂O₂ treatment temperatures can adversely affect the host and do not improve the effectiveness of the treatment.     

The nature and consequences of co-infections in tilapia: A review

Co-infections commonly arise when two or multiple different pathogens infect the same host, either as simultaneous or as secondary concurrent infection. This potentiates their pathogenic effects and leads to serious negative consequences on the exposed host. Numerous studies on the occurrence of the bacterial, parasitic, fungal and viral co-infections were conducted in various tilapia species. Co-infections have been associated with serious negative impacts on susceptible fish because they increase the fish susceptibility to diseases and the likelihood of outbreaks in the affected fish. Co-infections can alter the disease course and increase the severity of disease through synergistic and, more rarely, antagonistic interactions. In this review, reports on the synergistic co-infections and their impacts on the affected tilapia species are highlighted. Additionally, their pathogenic mechanisms are briefly discussed. Tilapia producers should be aware of the possible occurrence of co-infections and their effects on the affected tilapia species and in particular of the clinical signs and course of the disease. To date, there is still limited information regarding the pathogenicity mechanisms and pathogen interactions during these co-infections. This is generally due to low awareness regarding co-infections, and in many cases, a dominant pathogen is perceived to be of vital importance and hence becomes the target of treatment while the treatment of the co-infectious agents is neglected. This review article aimed at raising awareness regarding co-infections and helping researchers and fish health specialists pay greater attention to these natural cases, leading to increased research and more consistent diagnosis of co-infectious outbreaks in order to improve control strategies to protect tilapia when infected with multiple pathogens.