Biocontrol options for Cirsium arvense with indigenous fungal pathogens

As a first step in the development of a mycoherbicide for biological control of Cirsium arvense indigenous fungal pathogens that had been isolated from diseased hosts were tested both singly and in combination on potted plants under environmental conditions. Disease symptoms (necroses, chloroses and macerations) and parameters of growth and development were evaluated to determine the potential for weed control. During 1998, Phoma destructiva, Phoma hedericola, a Mycelia sterilia and Puccinia punctiformis were inoculated singly. With the exception of the obligate biotroph P. punctiformis (local infections), the single inoculations reduced the measured parameters. A combined inoculum of P. punctiformis and Ph. hedericola was less effective than Ph. hedericola alone. In 1999, Ph. hedericola, Ph. destructiva, Ph. nebulosa and the Mycelia sterila were applied both singly and as a combined inoculum. Of all the tested inocula, the mixture of four pathogens had the greatest potential for biocontrol, significantly reducing reproductive capacity of the plants. These results demonstrate the importance of taking advantage of synergisms in developing a mycoherbicide.     

The role ofPseudomonas spp. and competition for carbon,nitrogen and iron in the enhancement of appressorium formation byColletotrichum coccodes on velvetleaf

Colletotrichum coccodes is currently being investigated as a mycoherbicide against the weed velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti). Two isolates ofPseudomonas spp. (Ps2 and Ps5) reduced the percentage of germ tubes and increased appressorial formation ofC. coccodes on detached leaves of velvetleaf. A study was conducted to see whether this effect could be attributed to competition for nutrients or iron betweenC. coccodes andPseudomonas spp. Ps2 and Ps5 had no effect on early spore germination, but reduced the percentage of germ tubes at 24 and 30 h, compared to the nontreated control. This reduction was diminished by the addition of nutrients but not Fe³⁺. Ps2 and Ps5 stimulated the formation of dark-coloured appressoria without germ tubes (AWGT), but this stimulation was diminished by the addition of nutrients or Fe³⁺. Germ tube branching at 30 h was also inhibited by the bacteria, but was not diminished by the addition of nutrients or iron. EDTA stimulated conidial germination at 10 h, which was reduced by the addition of Fe³⁺. However, EDTA did not stimulate the formation of appressoria (AWGT). These results suggest that the reduction in the percentage of germ tubes and the increase in the percentage of appressoria induced by the bacteria may be due to the competition for carbon or nitrogen. Iron competition may also be involved in the stimulation of appressorial formation, but not in the reduction in germ tube percentage and branching. Phylloplane bacteria may compete for carbon, nitrogen and iron, limiting the saprophytic phase of the pathogen on the phylloplane and accelerating the development of the parasitic phase. This may enhance the field efficacy ofC. coccodes as a biocontrol agent against velvetleaf.     

Effects of lodging of Echinochloa crus-galli L. on the herbicidal efficacy of MTB-951, a mycoherbicide using Drechslera monoceras (Drechsler) Subram. et Jain (= Exserohilum monoceras [Drechsler] Leonard et Suggs)

MTB-951 is a plant pathogen ( Drechslera monoceras ), which was isolated from native Echinochloa spp. in Japan. The conidia of this pathogen were used as the herbicidal active ingredient to control Echinochloa crus-galli L. The herbicidal efficacy of MTB-951 on E. crus-galli was drastically increased with an increasing water depth of between 1 and 10 cm. The efficacy also was increased when shoots were lodged by pushing down on them with a stainless steel net so that all parts of the weed were submerged. These results suggest that the contact area of the leaf surface of E. crus-galli with water is important for infection and that lodging the shoots of E. crus-galli might be effective in increasing the herbicidal efficacy. In order to find other methods to lodge the weed, we investigated several materials, of which diisononyl phthalate (DINP) was found to be the most effective. Using this material as a model, the effect of lodging on the herbicidal efficacy of MTB-951 was examined. The lodging ratio (ratio of the number of the plants lodged on the water surface to that of the total plants) was increased with an increased amount of DINP, between 0.5 and 8 kg ha⁻¹. The herbicidal efficacy of MTB-951 also was increased by DINP and a positive correlation was observed between the lodging ratio and herbicidal efficacy. These results indicate that lodging, which can increase the contact area between the leaf surface and water, enhances the herbicidal efficacy of MTB-951.     

广东农田杂草上的病原真菌

报道了广东农田杂草上的12种病原真菌。它们是空心莲子草上的莲子草假隔链格孢（Nimbya alternantherae),马唐上的灰梨孢（Piricularia grisea）,红花酢浆草上的酢浆草假尾孢（Pseudocercospora oxalidis)，丁香蓼上的月见草假尾孢（P.oenotherae)，水蓼上的扁蓄假尾孢（P.avicularis)，土荆芥上的甜菜生尾孢（Cercospora beticola），积雪草上的积雪草壳针孢（Septoria centellae)，扁穗牛鞭草上的牛鞭草孢堆黑粉菌（Sporistorium lepturi)，看麦娘上的看麦娘单孢锈菌（Uromyces alopecuri)，两耳草上的雀稗柄锈菌（Puccinia paspalina)，裸花鸭跖草上的鸭跖草囊壳孢（Physalosporn commelinae) ,莲子草上的苋白锈菌（Albugo bliti)。讨论了这些真菌作为杂草生防真菌应用的可能前景。     

Impact of Fusarium oxysporum on the holoparasitic weed Phelipanche ramosa: biocontrol efficacy under field-grown conditions

Under the changing agro-climatic conditions of western Europe, the parasitic weed Phelipanche ramosa infests host crops such as tomato, hemp, tobacco and oilseed rape at an increasing rate. A Fusarium oxysporum isolate (FOG), that had effectively reduced the parasite's incidence under controlled environmental conditions, was tested in different granular formulations (pesta granules, alginate pellets) on P. ramosa parasitising tobacco under field-grown conditions. FOG reduced number and biomass of P. ramosa shoots by between 50% and 70% in three consecutive years (2006–2008). A single pesta application did not show consistent results throughout seasons; 50% reduction of P. ramosa biomass (DM) in the first year could not be repeated in the following years (20–30%). An alginate formulation applied alone performed better. However, a combination of pesta granules with alginate pellets had the highest reliable control efficacy (60–70%) of all treatments in two seasons, compared with the untreated control. Fungal population counts in soil samples did not show a close correlation to biocontrol efficacy. To understand field performance of this biocontrol agent, additional glasshouse and laboratory studies were conducted using soil from the experimental site. The glasshouse study revealed some fungistatic effects of the field soil that partly explain the reduced efficacy (-40%) in the field compared with results obtained under controlled conditions. Results show the potential of FOG for P. ramosa control. Because formulation affected the biocontrol efficacy, it may be worthwhile to test how the delivery system can be changed in order to achieve increased disease development in the field.     

稗草生防菌新月弯孢菌株J15（2）的生物学特性

研究了分离自稗草上的一个致病菌新月弯孢Curvularia lunata菌株J15（2）的基本生物学特性。结果表明,该菌菌丝生长、产孢的最适温度为28～32℃,pH为6～8。菌丝生长对光照无要求,黑暗利于增加产孢量,培养至15d可达产孢高峰。碳、氮、磷和硫等元素是该菌菌丝体生长、产孢的必需元素,钾、镁和铁对菌丝体的生长、产孢有极大的促进作用。分生孢子萌发的适宜温度范围为20～35℃,最适温度28℃;适宜培养基初始pH值在4～10之间。在58℃下,分生孢子10min失活。     

环境因子对草茎点霉SYAU-06菌株侵染鸭跖草的影响

以病叶率、病情指数和鲜重抑制率为评价指标,研究了环境条件包括温度、相对湿度、露水期和光照对草茎点霉SYAU-06菌株侵染鸭跖草的影响。结果表明,SYAU-06菌株侵染鸭跖草达到理想的除草效果,要求最适的温度范围是28～32℃,环境相对湿度保持在80%以上,接种后露水持续时间至少需要48h。保湿期的光照时间与病害发生程度成反比,光照时间越短,病害发生越严重。     

生防菌Alternaria amaranthi-3对反枝苋的防治效果

反枝苋Amaranthus retroflexus是一种世界性恶性杂草。为了确定微生物除草剂候选菌Alternaria amaranthi-3防除反枝苋的潜力,通过盆栽试验研究了接种浓度、露期和水乳剂型对A.ama-ranthi-3菌株致病力的影响。结果显示,接种浓度显著影响菌株的致病力,在48h露期条件下,接种孢子浓度为105个/mL时,菌株水剂对反枝苋幼苗生长抑制率为35.55%;浓度为107个/mL时,生长抑制率达到75.25%。露期对该菌株的致病力也有较大影响,在不保湿条件下,菌株水剂对反枝苋的生长抑制率为26.43%,而保湿48h处理的生长抑制率达到77.96%。Span80∶Tween80=1∶3的复配乳化剂和大豆油制备的水乳剂可显著降低露期对菌株防效的影响和提高菌株的致病力,无露期时,菌株水乳剂对反枝苋的生长抑制率达到88.35%,显著高于水剂;48h露期条件下,菌株水乳剂处理的生长抑制率为90.59%,而菌株水剂处理为77.96%。表明通过剂型的改进菌株Alternaria amaranthi-3能有效防除反枝苋。     

Fusarium oxysporum Foxy 2 shows potential to control both Striga hermonthica and S. asiatica

Under glasshouse conditions, the ability of Fusarium oxysporum isolate Foxy 2, a fungal pathogen isolated from Striga hermonthica, to control S. asiatica and S. gesnerioides, was investigated on potted plants. In the experiment, the target weed of the fungus, S. hermonthica, was included as a standard. In the present study, S. asiatica was the only species that, besides S. hermonthica showed high susceptibility to Foxy 2. This susceptibility was demonstrated by almost complete prevention of emergence of the parasite. In contrast, S. gesnerioides did not show any susceptibility at all. The susceptibility of two Striga species to the fungus provides an opportunity for simultaneous control of both parasites in those regions where they are co‐existing (e.g. Tanzania and Kenya).     

Effect of temperature on herbicidal properties of MTB-951, a mycoherbicide to control Echinochloa crus-galli L.

MTB-951 is a potential mycoherbicide using a fungal plant pathogen ( Drechslera monoceras ) isolated from native Echinochloa species in Japan. Conidia of this pathogen were used as the active ingredient and the effect of temperature on its properties was examined in a laboratory. The optimum temperature for conidium germination was broad between 15 and 35°C and no difference in the germination ratio existed within this temperature range. Mycelial growth was the fastest at 25°C but was slower outside of the range 15–35°C. When leaves of Echinochloa crus-galli L. were immersed in deionized water containing the conidia, cellular electrolyte leakage from the leaves was observed. However, no electrolyte leakage occurred from leaves of rice ( Oryza sativa L.) under the same conditions. The occurrence of electrolyte leakage from E. crus-galli was dependent on the temperature and was the highest at 25°C. Herbicidal activity of MTB-951 against E. crus-galli was high between 25°C and 30°C, but decreased at 35°C in a glass vessel. In the present study, it was revealed that the physiological and herbicidal properties of MTB-951 depended on the temperature.