Rising CO2 can alter fodder–weed interactions and suppression of Parthenium hysterophorus

Three C₄ grass (Setaria incrassata, Astrebla squarrosa and Bothriochloa decipiens) and one C₃ legume (Clitoria ternatea) suppressive fodder species, were re‐evaluated against the growth of the C₃ Parthenium hysterophorus under an ambient (390 μmol mol^?1) and an elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentration (550 μmol mol^?1). Under the elevated atmospheric CO₂, shoot dry biomass and suppression index (SI) value of the C₄ S. incrassata were both reduced by 32% and 0.7 respectively, while those for A. squarrosa were reduced by 23% and 0.3. In contrast and under the same elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentration, the shoot dry biomass and SI of the C₄ B. decipiens were increased by 8% and 0.1 respectively, while those for the C₃ C. ternatea were increased by 38% and 0.8. Our results suggest that C₃ fodder plants along with certain C₄ species could be utilised for the effective management of P. hysterophorus under the future elevated atmospheric CO₂ conditions. However, this system needs more fodder species to be investigated. Our results suggest that rising CO₂ per se may alter the efficacy of suppressive fodder management of an invasive C₃ species, P. hysterophorus.     

Observed changes in soyabean growth and seed yield from Abutilon theophrasti competition as a function of carbon dioxide concentration

Soyabean (Glycine max) was grown at ambient and projected levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide (+250 μmol mol^?1 above ambient) over two field seasons with and without the presence of a weed, Abutilon theophrasti, to quantify the potential effect of rising atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration on weed–crop interactions and potential yield loss in soyabean. Under weed‐free conditions, elevated CO₂ resulted in stimulations in soyabean seed yield and associated components, including pod number. At an approximate density of 6 plants m^?2, A. theophrasti competition resulted in a significant reduction (?40%) in soyabean seed yield. Although differences in seed yield reduction by A. theophrasti were observed as a function of year, the relative decrease in seed yield with A. theophrasti biomass did not differ in response to CO₂. Although careful weed management will be necessary if CO₂‐induced increases in seed yield for soyabean are to be achieved, these data suggest that soyabean seed yield may be more resilient in competition with A. theophrasti as a function of rising atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide.     

Competitive traits of the invasive grass Arundo donax are enhanced by carbon dioxide and nitrogen enrichment

Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) and soil nitrogen (N) may confer competitive advantages to invasive species over native plant species. We conducted a two‐way factorial experiment, growing the model invasive plant Arundo donax in CO₂ growth chambers to test how CO₂ and N availability interact to affect plant growth and biomass allocation. CO₂ was supplied at c. 400 mg L^?1 and c. 750 mg L^?1. N was supplied as ammonium nitrate at 640, 320 and 80 mg L^?1. We hypothesised that the fertilisation effect of CO₂ enrichment would offset limitations from N deficiency. The results indicated that A. donax plants grown with enriched CO₂ and abundant N accumulated approximately 50–100% more biomass and allocated approximately 50% more biomass to rhizomes than plants grown under ambient CO₂ conditions. Neither treatment affected the leaf area per unit mass (specific leaf area; SLA). Greater growth will likely increase A. donax's competitive potential, because increased rhizome biomass has been associated with increased stress tolerance and post‐disturbance resprouting capacity. The consistent SLA under all treatments suggests that A. donax has a morphological strategy that prioritises increasing leaf quantity over increasing individual leaves' photosynthetic potential. These results reveal the ecological strategies that contribute to the successful establishment, dominance and persistence of this invasive plant species.     

Could recent increases in atmospheric CO2 have acted as a selection factor in Avena fatua populations? A case study of cultivated and wild oat competition

Projected increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration [CO₂] may lead to differential selection and competition between weeds and crops. Yet, the current level of atmospheric [CO₂] already reflects a rapid rise (~25%) from mid‐20th century levels. To assess whether this increase could have already resulted in differential selection between weeds and crops, two temporally distinct populations of Avena fatua (wild oat) from the same geographic location, one from the 1960s (WO_old) and one from 2014 (WO_new), were grown with and without a cultivated oat (CO) line, Clintland 64 (Avena sativa) at current and mid‐20th century [CO₂] levels (ca 320 and 402 μmol mol^?1 respectively). Monocultures of each WO population differed in their response to recent increases in atmospheric [CO₂], with WO_new showing a significantly higher response for all vegetative parameters relative to WO_old. Assessment of competitive outcomes indicated that at 315 μmol mol^?1 cultivated oat was at a competitive advantage relative to either A. fatua population for leaf area and total above‐ground biomass. However, at current levels of CO₂, an overall increase in WO_new competitive ability was observed relative to the cultivated oat line. Overall, these differences are consistent with, but not conclusive for, improved evolutionary fitness and increased early competitive ability of A. fatua relative to cultivated oat as a function of the recent increase in atmospheric [CO₂]. While additional empirical studies are needed, these preliminary results indicate that weeds may be adapting rapidly to rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide.     

二氧化碳浓度和温度升高对烟粉虱主要保护酶和解毒酶活性的影响

为明确烟粉虱Bemisia tabaci(Gennadius)在大气CO2浓度和温度双因子胁迫下的生理响应,以CO2浓度和温度为作用因子,研究了4种不同组合处理下烟粉虱成虫体内超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽转移酶(GST)、乙酰胆碱酯酶(Ach E)活性的变化。结果表明:常温处理下,CO2浓度升高烟粉虱体内POD和GST活性分别增加87.6%和295%,SOD和CAT活性分别降低22.4%和28.2%;高温处理下,CO2浓度升高烟粉虱体内Ach E和GST活性分别增加103.6%和167.5%,CAT活性降低31.6%;常CO2浓度处理下,温度升高烟粉虱体内POD和SOD活性分别增加46.2%和18.2%,CAT活性降低35.8%;高CO2浓度处理下,温度升高烟粉虱体内Ach E和SOD活性分别增加75.3%和40.3%,CAT活性降低38.9%。表明CO2浓度和温度升高是导致烟粉虱体内SOD、POD、GST和Ach E活性升高的主要原因,并且SOD和POD活性变化受到CO2和温度的交互影响。烟粉虱可能通过改变体内保护酶或解毒酶的活性来适应CO2浓度和温度升高的环境。     

Complex interplay of future climate levels of CO2, ozone and temperature on susceptibility to fungal diseases in barley

Barley (Hordeum vulgare) was grown in different climatic environments with elevated [CO₂] (700 vs 385 ppm), [O₃] (60/90 vs 20 ppb) and temperature (24/19 vs 19/12°C day/night) as single factors and in combinations, to evaluate the impact of these climatic factors on photosynthesis and susceptibility to powdery mildew and spot blotch disease. No significant increase in net CO₂ assimilation rate was observed in barley grown under elevated [CO₂] at ambient temperature. However, this rate was positively stimulated under elevated temperature together with a slightly higher potential quantum efficiency of PSII, both at ambient and elevated [CO₂], suggesting that photosynthesis was not limited by [CO₂] at ambient temperature. When growing under elevated temperature or [O₃], infection by the biotrophic powdery mildew fungus decreased, whereas disease symptoms and growth of the toxin‐secreting hemibiotrophic spot blotch fungus increased compared to ambient conditions, implying that climate‐induced changes in disease severity could be linked to the trophic lifestyle of the pathogens. Elevated [CO₂] decreased powdery mildew infection but had no effect on spot blotch disease compared to ambient condition. However, the effect of elevated [CO₂], [O₃] and temperature did not act in an additive manner when combined. This led to a surprising disease development in the combination treatments, where powdery mildew infection increased despite the individual reducing effect of the climatic factors, and spot blotch disease decreased despite the individual promoting effect of temperature and ozone, emphasizing the importance of conducting multifactorial experiments when evaluating the potential effects of climate change.     

Effects of elevated CO2 on the development and physiological metabolic activities of Nilaparvata lugens in response to the infection of Trichoderma asperellum

Trichoderma spp. are widely used in agriculture as biofungicides. In this study, effects of elevated CO₂ on the growth and enzyme activities of Nilaparvata lugens infected by T. asperellum were studied. The results showed that fecundity of N. lugens adversely decreased under elevated CO₂ relative to ambient CO₂ irrespective of infection with T. asperellum. The contents of protein and alkaline phosphatase significantly decreased in N. lugens nymphs with T. asperellum infection under elevated CO₂ relative to ambient CO_2. Significantly higher activities of carboxylesterase and acetylcholinesterase were observed in N. lugens infested with T. asperellum under elevated CO₂ compared with ambient CO₂. While significantly lower catalase and glutathione S-transferase were observed in N. lugens nymphs infested by T. asperellum under elevated CO₂ relative to ambient CO₂. Measuring the antioxidases and detoxification enzymes in N. lugens infected with T. asperellum can partly explain the response of fitness parameters of N. lugens under elevated CO₂.     

Combined and single effects of elevated CO2 and temperatures on rice bakanae disease under controlled conditions in phytotrons

Bakanae disease, caused by Fusarium fujikuroi, was investigated under different CO₂ and temperature environments in order to simulate climate changes in the F. fujikuroi–rice pathosystem. F. fujikuroi-infected plants were grown under six phytotron conditions: low (18/22 °C night/day), medium (22/26 °C), and high (26/30 °C) temperature, at either ambient (450 ppm) or elevated (850 ppm) CO₂ concentrations. Bakanae disease index (DI), seedling death incidence, fungal DNA quantity, and chlorophyll and carbohydrate contents varied significantly in infected plants as a consequence of changes in both CO₂ and temperature. Plant height and dry weight were only influenced by single factors (temperature for height, and temperature or CO₂ for dry weight), and not by the CO₂ × temperature interaction. Medium and high temperatures (irrespective of the CO₂ level) increased the DI significantly (range from 67.5% to 95.8%) compared to low temperatures (range from 45.8% to 47.5%). Under elevated CO₂ levels, noticeable differences in the expression of four rice defence-related genes and fungal DNA quantity were observed between those plants grown at higher temperatures and those at lower temperatures. Overall, combined and single effects of elevated CO₂ and high temperatures seem to be favourable for bakanae disease development in the Mediterranean basin.     

Fusarium crown rot under continuous cropping of susceptible and partially resistant wheat in microcosms at elevated CO2

This study examines the CO₂‐mediated influence of plant resistance on crown rot dynamics under continuous cropping of partially resistant wheat line 249 and the susceptible cultivar Tamaroi. Disease incidence, severity, deoxynivalenol and Fusarium biomass were assessed after each cycle in microcosms established at ambient and 700 mg kg^?1 CO₂ using soil and stubble of these wheat lines from a field experiment with free to air CO₂ enrichment. Monoconidial isolates from wheat stubble were collected initially, and after five cropping cycles, to compare the frequency and aggressiveness of Fusarium species in the two populations. Aggressiveness was measured using a high‐throughput seedling bioassay. At elevated CO₂, the higher initial incidence in Tamaroi increased with cropping cycles, but incidence in 249 remained unchanged. Incidence at ambient CO₂ did not change for either line. Elevated CO₂ induced partial resistance in Tamaroi, but not in 249. Increased Fusarium biomass in wheat tissue at elevated CO₂ matched raised deoxynivalenol of the stem base in both lines. After five cycles of continuous wheat cropping, aggressiveness increased in pathogenic F. culmorum and F. pseudograminearum by 110%, but decreased in weakly pathogenic F. equiseti and F. oxysporum by 50%. CO₂ and host resistance interactively influenced species frequency, and the highly aggressive F. pseudograminearum became dominant on Tamaroi irrespective of CO₂ concentration, while its frequency declined on 249. This study shows that induced resistance at elevated CO₂ will not reduce crown rot severity, or impede the selection and enrichment of Fusarium populations with increased aggressiveness.     

Using chemical seed dormancy breakers with herbicides for weed management in soyabean and wheat

Variable dormancies result in periodicity in the germination of weeds and make weed control a repetitive practice. Under some conditions, repeated applications of selective herbicides can lead to the dominance of perennial weeds like Cyperus rotundus . Our hypothesis was that applying a chemical dormancy breaker (DB ) plus herbicide mixture would better control a mixture of weed species. Three experiments were designed to develop a cost‐effective DB treatment and to evaluate its dose with herbicides tank‐mixtures for effective weed management. KNO ₃ and gibberellic acid GA ₃ as dormancy breakers offered comparable effects, but KNO ₃ was more economical than GA ₃. KNO ₃ at a 6% concentration was more effective in promoting weed germination than a 3% concentration in soyabean. A combination of KNO ₃ (6%) and pre‐emergence pendimethalin 0.75 kg a.i. ha^?1 + imazethapyr 0.10 kg a.i. ha^?1 controlled annual weeds by 99% and reduced C. rotundus growth by 83%. This treatment gave significantly higher soyabean yield and net returns. Similarly, a tank‐mixture comprising of clodinafop 0.06 kg a.i. ha^?1 + metsulfuron 0.006 kga.i. ha^?1 was more effective against weeds than pre‐emergence tank‐mix application of pendimethalin 0.75 kg a.i. ha^?1 + carfentrazone‐ethyl 0.02 kg a.i. ha^?1 and isoproturon 0.75 kg a.i. ha^?1. The use of pre‐emergence tank‐mixture of pendimethalin 0.75 kg a.i. ha^?1 + imazethapyr 0.10 kg a.i. ha^?1 should exhaust seed/tuber bank if repeated and reduce the application cost of herbicides by 50% and the dose, residue and cost of pendimethalin by 25%.     

A review of the effects of crop agronomy on the management of Alopecurus myosuroides

This study reviews 52 field experiments, mostly from the UK, studying the effects of cultivation techniques, sowing date, crop density and cultivar choice on Alopecurus myosuroides infestations in cereal crops. Where possible, a statistical meta‐analysis has been used to calculate average responses to the various cultural practices and to estimate their variability. In 25 experiments, mouldboard ploughing prior to sowing winter cereals reduced A. myosuroides populations by an average of 69%, compared with non‐inversion tillage. Delaying drilling from September to the end of October decreased weed plant densities by approximately 50%. Sowing wheat in spring achieved an 88% reduction in A. myosuroides plant densities compared with autumn sowing. Increasing winter wheat crop density above 100 plants m^?2 had no effect on weed plant numbers, but reduced the number of heads m^?2 by 15% for every additional increase in 100 crop plants, up to the highest density tested (350 wheat plants m^?2). Choosing more competitive cultivars could decrease A. myosuroides heads m^?2 by 22%. With all cultural practices, outcomes were highly variable and effects inconsistent. Farmers are more likely to adopt cultural measures and so reduce their reliance on herbicides, if there were better predictions of likely outcomes at the individual field level.     

Evaluation on the fitness and population projection of Nilaparvata lugens in response to elevated CO2 using two-sex life table

Abstract

The life history and fitness of Nilaparvata lugens being reared under ambient level (current CO₂ concentration), medially elevated (550?µL/L) and highly elevated (750?µL/L) CO₂ concentration for long-term generation were compared using two-sex life table instead of traditional age-specific life table. The results showed that significantly longer larval duration and lower fecundity of N. lugens were observed in 750?µL/L relative to 550?µL/L treatment (P?<?0.05). Accordingly, 550?µL/L CO₂ significantly enhanced population parameters of N. lugens, including significantly higher intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate (λ) and net reproductive rate (R_O), but not for 750?µL/L CO₂. Taken together, N. lugens performs enhanced development rate, fecundity and survival in individual life history and higher potential in population multiplication under 550?µL/L CO₂ level, while only indicates the less enhanced development rate and survival without significant increased capacity of population expansion under 750?µL/L CO₂ level. These results should facilitate predicting the fitness and potential population damage of N. lugens, which is valuable for the integrated control of N. lugens in the future increasing CO₂ concentration.     

Germination ecology of five arable Ranunculaceae species

Germination and emergence are critical life stages for annual plants and so their full understanding is essential for managing arable plant populations. This study investigated the most important species‐specific environmental cues that regulate seed germination and emergence (temperature and light) of the arable Ranunculaceae species Consolida orientalis, Consolida pubescens, Delphinium gracile, Delphinium halteratum ssp. verdunense and Nigella gallica, to propose management strategies for their preservation in agro‐ecosystems. Growth chamber and outdoor pot experiments were conducted for two consecutive seasons to analyse light (complete darkness or 12 h light) and temperature (5/10, 5/15 and 10/20°C) requirements and emergence patterns. The relative light germination requirement (ΔG_light), which extends from ?100 (complete darkness) to 100 (light), was estimated. Weibull functions were fitted to observed emergence (%) in pots. For all species, germination was higher in complete darkness than with a light regime (?60 < ΔG_light < ?95). This dark requirement indicates better germination for buried seeds. A tillage operation just after seed shed is therefore recommended. Consolida spp. germinate and emerge almost exclusively in autumn–winter, while Delphinium spp. and N. gallica can also germinate in spring. These arable plants would be able to adapt to delayed sowings, an important strategy for avoiding early‐emerging competitive weeds. Facultative winter‐germinating species could face early herbicide treatments if sufficient emergence occurs in winter–spring. These results bring new information to help develop conservation strategies for these species in agro‐ecosystems.     

大气CO_2浓度增高和施氮量对抽穗期春小麦光合参数及水分利用效率的影响

在开顶式小型温室内模拟大气CO2浓度增高,并在N0,N100,N200计3个氮素水平〔施N量分别为纯N0、0.1、0.2 g/kg(土)〕下盆栽小麦,研究小麦光合作用和水分利用效率(WUE)对大气CO2升高的响应及其氮素调控机制。结果表明,760μmol/molCO2浓度×N素小麦叶片的净光合速率、叶片胞间CO2浓度、气孔限制值及叶片水分利用效率较对照呈明显上升趋势,叶片气孔导度显著降低,蒸腾速率则呈先降后升的趋势;在400μmol/molCO2浓度下,N0和N100处理的小麦光合速率明显下降,但N200处理较当前CO2浓度处理明显升高;气孔导度,胞间CO2浓度以及蒸腾速率呈现下降的趋势,小麦的气孔限制值Ls和WUE在N200条件下表现最高,较各个处理均达到极显著水平。两种大气CO2浓度下的小麦叶片光合速率和气孔导度均随氮素水平的升高而明显升高,胞间CO2浓度和蒸腾速率表现均不一致。因此,长期高CO2浓度使得小麦叶片WUE和Ls值显著升高,在低中氮处理下产生明显的光合下调现象,但在高氮处理下却不发生。     

CO2浓度升高与增温对马铃薯产量 及品质的复合影响

于2016—2017年在黄土高原半干旱区,利用新型开顶式气室（OTC）,开展CO₂浓度升高与大气增温对马铃薯产量及品质的影响试验,研究CO₂浓度增加和温度升高对马铃薯发育过程、产量及品质的复合影响。结果表明：增温+CO₂浓度升高复合处理的叶片净光合速率比增温处理高36.3%,较对照高34.7%;马铃薯叶片的水分利用率表现为增温+CO₂浓度升高复合处理高于对照47.4%,高于单独增温处理43.4%;马铃薯实际产量和块茎蛋白质含量表现为CO₂浓度上升+增温处理高于对照12.9%、37.0%,高于单独增温处理59.7%、6.3%。在增温的同时增加CO₂浓度,使得马铃薯叶片净光合速率增加,水分利用率增大,有机物积累增多,经济产量提高。     

Effects of triazophos on biochemical substances of transgenic Bt rice and its nontarget pest Nilaparvata lugens Stål under elevated CO2

The brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens Stål, is a serious rice pest throughout Asia. Recent outbreaks of N. lugens populations were mainly associated with the overuse of pesticides and resistance to insecticides. Warmer global temperatures that are associated with anthropogenic climate change are likely to have marked ecological effects on terrestrial ecosystems. However, the effects of elevated CO₂ concentrations on the biochemical, physiological and nutrient quality of transgenic Bt rice that has been treated with pesticides and on the control efficacy of the pesticides are not understood. The present study investigated changes in soluble sugar content, free amino acid levels, oxalic acid levels, flavonoids levels, and triazophos residues in transgenic Bt rice (TT51) and the control efficacy of triazophos for N. lugens following triazophos foliar spray under conditions of elevated CO₂ (eCO₂). Our findings showed that the soluble sugar content of TT51 treated with triazophos under eCO₂ was significantly higher than that under ambient CO₂ (aCO₂) and also higher than that of the non-transgenic parent (MH63) under aCO₂. However, the results for free amino acid levels were the opposite of those for soluble sugar levels. The oxalic acid and flavonoid contents of rice plants significantly decreased with increases in triazophos concentration, CO₂ concentration, and days after treatment (DAT). The oxalic acid and flavonoid contents of TT51 treated with triazophos under eCO₂ were significantly lower than those under aCO₂ and also lower than those of MH63 under aCO₂. The residue concentration of triazophos varied with CO₂ concentration, rice variety, and DAT. The residues in TT51 treated with 80 ppm of trizaopos under eCO₂ were significantly lower than those under aCO₂ and those in MH63 under aCO₂. The survival rate of nymphs N. lugens in TT51 under eCO₂ was significantly higher than that under aCO₂ and that in MH63 under aCO₂ at 1 DAT or 15 DAT after the release of 2nd instars nymphs. These findings indicated that (1) for TT51, triazophos reduced the resistance of rice plants to N. lugens with an elevated CO₂ concentration, as N. lugens consumed more phloem sap on TT51 plants; (2) triazophos dissipation in TT51 under eCO₂ was significantly faster than that under aCO₂ and that in MH63 under aCO₂; (3) the control efficacy of triazophos for N. lugens significantly decreased under eCO₂. The present findings provide important information for integrated pest management among transgenic varieties.     

Effect of chlorfenprop-methyl, flamprop-isopropyl and benzoylprop-ethyl on 14C2 fixation in Avena fatua L., Triticum aestivum L. and Hordeum vulgare L.

The effect of chlorfenprop-methyl, flampropisopropyl and benzoylprop-ethyl on ¹⁴CO₂ fixation was followed in wild oat (Avena fatua L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L., cv. Ametyst), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Mironovská). Experimental plants were exposed to a ¹⁴CO₂-enriched atmosphere in a special apparatus 2 h, 1, 3, and 9 days after the herbicide treatment. Chlorfenprop-methyl already inhibited ¹⁴CO₂ fixation in wild oat plants 2 h after the treatment. ¹⁴C-metabolite transport to the roots was strongly decreased. Both ¹⁴CO₂ fixation and ¹⁴C-metabolite level in the roots were significantly depressed in A. fatua when compared with untreated plants at the last sampling time. ¹⁴C incorporation into starch was inhibited from the first day after treatment, and on day 9 was lowered more than ten fold in treated plants. Flamprop-isopropyl inhibited ¹⁴CO₂ fixation in wild oat plants from day 3 after treatment, but benzoylprop-ethyl not until day 9. Both herbicides also decreased ¹⁴C incorporation into starch in A. fatua. Chlorfenprop-methyl also slightly decreased ¹⁴CO₂ fixation in barley on day 9. However, assimilate transport into the roots and ¹⁴C incorporation into starch were not affected. Flamprop-isopropyl inhibited ¹⁴CO₂ fixation in barley plants only on the first day after treatment, and assimilate transport was also reduced. By contrast, no differences from untreated plants were found at the end of the experiment. Benzoylprop-ethyl did not decrease either ¹⁴CO2 fixation or assimilate transport to the roots in wheat, but it inhibited starch synthesis. Atrazine depressed ¹⁴CO₂ fixation in wild oat plants by 91%, in wheat plants by 99% compared with untreated plants. Assimilate transport into the roots was also strongly inhibited. In contrast to atrazine, the effect of chlorfenprop-methyl, flamprop-isopropyl, and benzoylprop-ethyl on CO₂ fixation seems to be secondary.     

Impacts of atmospheric CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> concentrations and soil water on the population dynamics,fecundity and development of the bird cherry-oat aphid<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhopalosiphum padi</Emphasis>

The impacts of elevated CO₂ and soil water on the population dynamics, adult fecundity and nymphal period of the bird cherry-oat aphidRhopalsiphum padi (Linnaeus) were evaluated in three experiments: (i)Combined effects of CO ₂ and soil water on aphid populations. Spring wheat was grown in pots at three CO₂ concentrations (350, 550 and 700 ppm) and three soil water levels (40%, 60% and 80% of field water capacity, FWC) in field open-top chambers (OTC) and infested with the bird cherry-oat aphid. Aphid population dynamics were recorded throughout the growing season; at the same time, adult fecundity and duration of the nymphal period were recorded. Chemical composition of spring wheat leaves was also analyzed. (ii)Indirect effects of CO ₂ concentrations and soil water on aphid adult fecundity and nymphal period. The experiment was conducted with the leaf discs method in the laboratory. Aphids were reared on leaf discs excised from the treated wheat in OTC with different CO₂ and soil water levels. (iii)Direct effects of CO ₂ concentrations on aphid adult fecundity and nymphal period. Aphids were reared on leaf discs excised from the wheat grown under natural conditions. The experiment was conducted with the leaf disc method in OTC with the three CO₂ concentrations. It was found that the direct effect of CO₂ concentration on aphid population parameters was minor. CO₂ and soil water affected aphid population indirectly through their effects on wheat characteristics. The aphid population under 550 ppm CO₂ was far larger than the one under 350 ppm CO₂, whereas the population under 700 ppm CO₂ was slightly higher than that under 550 ppm CO₂. The largest aphid population was obtained with the 60% soil water treatment, regardless of CO₂ treatment. The effects of CO₂ concentration on aphid population were, however, not significantly correlated with soil water level. Adult fecundity increased with CO₂ concentration, the highest fecundity being achieved under 60% FWC treatments. The nymphal period was not affected by CO₂ concentration. The shortest period occurred under 60% FWC. Atmospheric CO₂ and soil water had significant effects on the chemical composition of the wheat leaves. Aphid population size was positively correlated with leaf water content, concentrations of soluble proteins, soluble carbohydrates and starch, and negatively correlated with DIMBOA and tannins concentrations. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Oct. 20, 2003.     

Response of photosynthesis and chlorophyll a fluorescence in leaf scald‐infected rice under influence of rhizobacteria and silicon fertilizer

Leaf scald caused by Monographella albescens reduces the photosynthetic area, causing yield losses in rice. This study investigated the efficacy of the rhizobacteria Burkholderia pyrrocinia (BRM‐32113) and Pseudomonas fluorescens (BRM‐32111), combined with silicon (Si) fertilization, to reduce lesion size and the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC), as well as to minimize the negative effects on gas exchange, chlorophyll a fluorescence, chlorophyll content and the activity of oxidative stress enzymes. The experiment used a completely randomized design with four replications and seven treatments. Compared with plants only fertilized with Si, plants fertilized with Si and treated with BRM‐32113 showed reductions of 22% in scald lesion expansion and 37% in AUDPC, a 27% increase in the rate of CO₂ assimilation (A), a 33% decrease in the internal CO₂ concentration (C_i), and a 40% increase in ascorbate peroxidase activity. It was therefore concluded that the combination of BRM‐32113 with Si fertilization reduces the severity of leaf scald, protecting the photosynthetic apparatus, thus representing a sustainable method of reducing the loss of income caused by leaf scald in rice.     

Foliar application of manganese increases sugarcane resistance to orange rust

Orange rust (Puccinia kuehnii) is a serious disease compromising the sustainability of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) production. The objective of this research was to study whether supplemental manganese (Mn) supplied through foliar sprays ameliorates negative effects of orange rust on sugarcane and, if so, to reveal the underlying mechanisms. The experiment was conducted using a sugarcane variety susceptible to the disease; a single spray of Mn at 5 g L⁻¹ (Mn_0.5%) or 10 g L⁻¹ (Mn_1%), plus a control (Mn_0%) was performed before pathogen inoculation. Symptom severity, antioxidant metabolism, lignin deposition and anatomical organization were evaluated. Photosynthesis was also measured in newly expanded leaves and plants were harvested to estimate growth responses. The percentage diseased leaf area was reduced from 15% under Mn_0% to 2.2% and 0.9% under Mn_0.5% and Mn_1%, respectively. This decrease was accompanied by increases in biomass production in the plants. Scanning and light microscopy images revealed that Mn treatment caused direct damage to the fungal spores and improved lignin deposition in the mesophyll. In the presence of the disease, Mn-sprayed leaves exhibited lower levels of oxidative stress, in addition to improved structural organization of xylem and phloem vessels compared to the untreated control. The negative effects of orange rust on gas exchange and photochemistry were also ameliorated by Mn application. The results give insight into the mechanisms underlying augmented sugarcane resistance to orange rust under supplementary foliar Mn spray and contribute to the development of sustainable crop production systems by offering alternatives for reduction of disease damage.