小麦赤霉病发病程度与DON含量的关系

 采用田间判断小麦赤霉病的发病级别或者检测刚收获小麦的病粒率,分析小麦赤霉病田间发病级别与其麦粒脱氧雪腐镰刀菌烯醇(DON)含量之间以及病粒率与麦粒DON含量之间的关系,结果表明它们之间都有极显著的相关性。小麦田间发病级别为2级以上时,麦粒的DON含量> 1000μg/kg,4级以上时,麦粒的DO N含量> 2000μ g/kg;在病粒率< 25%时,DO N含量< 1200μg/kg,病粒率在25%~40%时,DON含量为1200~2200μg/kg,病粒率> 40%时,DO N含量> 2200μg/kg。#br#本研究采用卫生部食品卫生监督检验所建立的薄层色谱分析法测定样品中的DON含量,DON平均回收率为91.2%。     

不同小麦品种(系)对赤霉病的抗性和麦穗组织中DON毒素积累分析

 为明确不同小麦品种(系)对赤霉病的抗性和麦穗组织中DON毒素积累水平,培育和利用抗赤霉病和DON毒素积累的品种提供资源和依据,本研究采用单小花滴注接种法对河南省的106个小麦品种(系)抗赤霉病性进行鉴定分析,并用ELISA测定了病穗组织中DON毒素水平。结果表明不同小麦品种(系)对赤霉病的抗性有显著差异,106个小麦品种(系)中未发现抗病和中抗材料,中感品种(系)有华育198、郑麦103和春丰0021等14个,占13.2%;感病的有曌式2010-06、百农898和中麦63等92个,占86.8%。不同小麦品种(系)籽粒、颖壳和穗轴中DON毒素积累水平有显著差异,籽粒中DON毒素水平在(0.70~287.63)mg/kg之间,其中郑03876、豫保1号和中麦63 的DON毒素水平在2 mg/kg 以下,为抗毒素材料;其他的103个品种DON毒素水平大于2 mg/kg;颖壳和穗轴中的DON毒素水平在(51.03~392.87)mg/kg之间,普遍比籽粒中DON毒素含量高。籽粒中DON毒素水平与小麦品种(系)的平均病害严重度间呈极显著正相关。     

几种杀菌剂防控小麦赤霉病穗腐及籽粒脱氧雪腐镰刀菌烯醇(DON)毒素的评价

小麦赤霉病是小麦穗期的主要病害之一。化学防控一直是小麦主产区防控赤霉病的主要措施。为明确几种新型杀菌剂对小麦赤霉病的防效和对小麦籽粒DON毒素含量的影响,于2018年进行了氰基丙烯酸酯类和三唑类杀菌剂单剂及其复配剂对赤霉病的防效试验。结果表明:30%戊唑·多菌灵悬浮剂(SC)1500 mL/hm^2处理对赤霉病病穗防效达92.40%,病指防效达93.20%,小麦籽粒DON毒素检出量较不用药对照降低80.38%;25%氰烯菌酯SC 2000 mL/hm^2处理对赤霉病的病穗防效达86.80%,病指防效达88.78%,小麦籽粒DON毒素检出量较不用药对照降低88.19%;48%氰烯·戊唑醇SC 900 mL/hm^2和40%丙硫·戊唑醇SC 600 mL/hm^2对小麦赤霉病的病穗防效分别为77.20%、78.00%,病指防效分别为80.27%和79.59%,对籽粒DON毒素检出量较不用药对照分别降低73.87%和81.42%。在小麦赤霉病较重发生的情况下,上述4种杀菌剂单剂或复配剂1次用药既能高效控制病情,又能有效控制小麦籽粒DON毒素不超标。本试验研究进一步阐明,氰烯菌酯、戊唑醇、丙硫菌唑等杀菌剂及其复配剂均能有效控制小麦赤霉病的危害,并能有效降低小麦籽粒DON毒素含量;吡唑醚菌酯单剂及其复配剂虽然对小麦赤霉病的病穗和病指防效也较高,但控制小麦籽粒DON毒素含量效果相对较差。研究结果为小麦穗期赤霉病化学防控提供了科学参考。     

不同侵染时期对小麦赤霉病发生和籽粒中DON积累的影响

为明确不同侵染时期对小麦赤霉病发生和籽粒中DON的积累情况,在2015年和2016年于河南省焦作市温县黄庄镇西虢村田间进行小麦(‘豫保1号’和‘周麦18’)不同生育期接种对病穗率、病情指数、病粒率和籽粒中DON毒素积累的影响试验。结果表明:小麦赤霉病菌在抽穗盛期(DAA=-6,Zadoks=55～57)至灌浆中期(DAA=14或15,Zadoks=75)都能侵染麦穗,但在始花期前3～4 d的齐穗期(DAA=-3或-4,Zadoks=59)至始花期后4 d的灌浆初期(DAA=4,Zadoks=71)处理的病穗率、病情指数和病粒率显著高于其他处理(P0.05),其中盛花末期(DAA=1,Zadoks=69)处理的侵染率最高,为小麦赤霉病菌侵染发病的关键生育期。此外,在套袋保湿2 d的条件下赤霉病菌在小麦始花期前6 d的抽穗盛期(DAA=-6,Zadoks=55～57)和始花期后10 d的乳熟期(DAA=10,Zadoks=73)也能有较高的侵染率。在籽粒中DON积累方面,‘豫保1号’所有处理的籽粒中DON含量与病穗率、病情指数和病粒率的趋势一致,都是盛花末期(DAA=1,Zadoks=69)处理的籽粒中DON含量最高(P0.05),且间隔时间离盛花末期(Zadoks=69)越近籽粒中DON含量越高;而‘周麦18’齐穗期(DAA=-4,Zadoks=59)至灌浆中期(DAA=14,Zadoks=75)处理的没有显著性差异,说明小麦赤霉病菌在始花期后14 d的灌浆中期侵染也能引起籽粒中DON的大量积累。     

我国四大麦区小麦籽粒镰刀菌毒素检测与污染分析

为明确自然发病条件下我国小麦主产区小麦籽粒镰刀菌毒素污染情况,用超高效液相色谱-串联质谱仪(UPLC-MS/MS)测定了长江中下游冬麦组(CZX)、黄淮冬麦区南片冬水组(HNS)、黄淮冬麦区北片水地组(HBS)、北部冬麦区水地组(BBS)180份小麦样品中DON、3ADON、15ADON、T-2、HT-2和ZEN共6种镰刀菌毒素含量并对其进行比较分析。结果显示:来自CZX小麦籽粒中的DON、3ADON与ZEN毒素含量显著高于其他麦区;T-2毒素在CZX小麦籽粒中含量显著低于其他麦区;15ADON毒素含量在HNS与CZX、HBS与BBS以及CZX与BBS差异不显著,其他麦区间该毒素含量差异显著,15ADON在HNS含量最高;检出率方面,HT-2毒素均未检出;ZEN、3ADON检出率较低,DON、15ADON和T-2毒素的检出率较高。     

脱氧雪腐镰刀菌烯醇( DON) 在小麦籽粒中的积累分析

 镰刀菌产生的脱氧雪腐镰刀菌烯醇(deoxynivalenol,DON)污染小麦后对人畜具有较大的毒害作用。为明确DON毒素在小麦籽粒中的积累数量及其与镰刀菌菌株、接菌数量、小麦品种和病害严重度的关系,试验采用单花滴注方法在5个抗病性不同的小麦品种上分别接种9 个禾谷镰刀菌菌株,每个菌株接种1 × 106 、1 × 105 和1 × 104 个/ mL 3 个分生孢子浓度,并利用ELISA 法测定收获麦粒中DON 毒素含量。结果表明,麦粒中DON 毒素含量差异主要是由于不同禾谷镰刀菌菌株产生毒素能力不同所致。接种菌株8003、4020 的所有麦粒中DON 毒素含量均显著高于相同条件下接种其他7 个菌株的小麦。当接种产毒素能力强的菌株时,小麦抗病品种表现出在一定程度上降低DON 毒素积累的能力。不同接菌浓度对小麦赤霉病的发病程度和麦粒中DON 毒素含量有显著影响,在相同条件下,接菌浓度越高,病害严重度越高,DON 毒素含量也越高;反之,接菌浓度越低,病害严重度越低,DON 毒素含量也越低。     

DON毒素在小麦赤霉病抗感品种麦穗组织中的积累分析

本研究采用单小花滴注和喷雾接种方法对3个抗病品种(‘望水白’、‘苏麦3号’、‘扬麦16’)和3个感病品种(‘周麦18’、‘矮抗58’、‘豫保1号’)的赤霉病抗性进行分析,并用ELISA测定了籽粒、颖壳和穗轴中的DON毒素水平。结果表明:两种方法接种后第20天,除‘望水白’外,抗病品种的病级日扩展速率和病小穗率都显著低于感病品种(P0.05);单小花滴注接种条件下,除‘周麦18’的籽粒和‘矮抗58’的穗轴外,抗病品种的籽粒、颖壳、穗轴中的DON毒素含量显著低于感病品种的籽粒、颖壳、穗轴中的DON毒素含量(P0.05);而喷雾接种条件下,抗病品种与感病品种的籽粒、颖壳中的DON毒素含量差异不显著,而穗轴中的DON毒素含量差异显著(P0.05)。除个别情况外,6个品种中,籽粒中DON毒素水平颖壳中DON毒素水平穗轴中DON毒素水平(P0.05)。     

黄淮冬麦区小麦主栽品种赤霉病综合抗性鉴定及其FHB1抗性基因检测

本研究明确了黄淮冬麦区主栽小麦品种对赤霉病的抗侵染、抗扩展、抗毒素积累和抗籽粒侵染能力以及几种抗性之间的相互关系,并检测了各品种是否带有FHB1抗性基因,旨在为该区小麦赤霉病抗性鉴定评价、抗性品种培育和利用提供科学依据。小麦赤霉病综合抗性鉴定结果表明:22个黄淮冬麦区主栽品种中,有20个为感病品种,只有‘郑麦9023’和‘西农979’为中感品种,所有品种均不含FHB1基因;长江中下游麦区的9个品种中,‘扬麦17’和‘宁麦9号’等6个品种表现中抗,‘扬麦23’表现中感,‘苏麦3号’和‘扬麦21’表现抗,‘扬麦14’‘扬麦17’和‘扬麦23’不含有FHB1基因,其他品种均含FHB1基因。小麦品种的抗扩展能力与抗侵染能力无显著相关性(r=0.27,P0.05);两种接种条件下小麦品种的病粒率与抗脱氧雪腐镰刀菌烯醇(DON)毒素积累能力呈极显著正相关(r=0.86,P0.01;r=0.88,P0.01);单小花滴注法接种条件下,小麦品种的平均病级与病粒率和籽粒中DON含量都呈极显著正相关(r=0.71,P0.01;r=0.81,P0.01);喷雾接种条件下,小麦品种的病小穗率与平均病级、病粒率、籽粒中DON含量和ZEN含量都呈极显著正相关(r=0.78,P0.01;r=0.73,P0.01;r=0.78,P0.01;r=0.63,P0.01)。在毒素积累抗性上,DON含量和ZEN含量呈极显著正相关(r=0.70,P0.01)。在目前黄淮冬麦区没有中抗品种的情况下,可以增加育种和鉴定目标为抗籽粒侵染和抗毒素积累的品种,在小麦品种推广过程中加以运用,可以达到较好的效果。     

不同杀菌剂防治小麦赤霉病及减少籽粒中DON毒素积累的效果

为明确不同杀菌剂防治小麦赤霉病和减少小麦籽粒中DON(脱氧雪腐镰刀菌烯醇)毒素积累的效果,于大田人工接菌条件下进行了不同杀菌剂对小麦赤霉病的防治试验,并于收获期测定了不同药剂处理的小麦籽粒中DON毒素含量。结果表明:两种处理方式下,50%多菌灵WP,30%多·酮SC,25%戊唑醇WP,25%氰烯菌酯SC和70%甲基硫菌灵WP处理中,除先喷药后接菌条件下25%戊唑醇WP在病粒率和籽粒中DON积累上没有显著防治效果,接菌后1d喷药条件下50%多菌灵WP、25%戊唑醇WP在病粒率上没有显著防治效果;30%多·酮SC在病粒率和籽粒中DON积累上没有显著防治效果外,各处理对小麦的病穗率、病情指数、病粒率和籽粒中DON积累都有显著的防治效果(P0.05)。各处理的病穗率防效在42.4%~83.5%,病情指数防效在44.9%~88.2%,病粒率防效在34.7%~69.4%,籽粒中DON防效在48.0%~86.9%。上述几种杀菌剂具有明显的保护作用,其在先喷药后接菌条件下的防治效果均明显优于接菌后1d喷药的防治效果。两种处理方式下,30%己唑醇悬浮剂、25%嘧菌酯悬浮剂和12.5%烯唑醇可湿性粉剂处理在病穗率、病情指数、病粒率和籽粒中DON积累与清水对照处理没有显著性差异(P0.05)。     

戊唑醇不同防治时间对小麦赤霉病发生和籽粒中DON毒素积累的影响

为明确戊唑醇防治小麦赤霉病以及减少籽粒中DON(脱氧雪腐镰刀菌烯醇)毒素积累的关键时期,本研究于2015年和2016年在河南省焦作市温县进行了小麦花期前后不同时间喷施25%戊唑醇可湿性粉剂防治小麦赤霉病和减少籽粒中DON毒素积累的效果评价。试验结果表明:在2015年‘豫保1号'和2016年‘周麦18'上,齐穗期(Ⅰ-3,DAA=-1,Zadoks=59)、始花期(Ⅱ-1,DAA=0,Zadoks=61~64)、盛花末期(Ⅱ-2,DAA=1,Zadoks=69)、灌浆初期(Ⅲ-1,DAA=4,Zadoks=71)施药小麦赤霉病的病穗率、病情指数、病粒率和籽粒中DON毒素积累都显著减少(P0.05),以始花期或盛花末期施药防治效果最好;抽穗盛期(Ⅰ-1,DAA=-6,Zadoks=55)和齐穗期(Ⅰ、Ⅰ-2,DAA=-2、-4,Zadoks=59)施药在病穗率上都没有防治效果,而在病粒率上显著减少(P0.05);乳熟期(Ⅲ-2,DAA=10,Zadoks=73)施药在病穗率、病情指数和籽粒中DON毒素积累都没有防治效果。此外,齐穗期(Ⅰ、Ⅰ-2,DAA=-2或-3、-4,Zadoks=59)防治效果不稳定。2015年‘豫保1号'不施农药对照的病穗率高(85%)的条件下,齐穗期(Ⅰ,DAA=-2,Zadoks=59)喷药能显著降低病粒率和籽粒中DON毒素积累,并显著提高产量(P0.05),2016年‘豫保1号'不施农药对照的病穗率低(14.5%)的条件下齐穗期(Ⅰ,DAA=-3,Zadoks=59)喷药能显著降低病粒率(P0.05),但在籽粒中DON毒素积累和产量上没有防治效果,2016年‘周麦18'上齐穗期(Ⅰ-2,DAA=-4,Zadoks=59)喷药能显著降低病情指数和病粒率,但在籽粒中DON毒素积累和产量上没有防治效果。药剂不同时期施用对小麦赤霉病的防治效果受到年份和发病情况的影响。     

Dermestid beetles in ‘evolution Canyon’, lower Nahal Oren, Mt. Carmel, including new records for Israel

Fifteen species of dermestid beetles were recorded at ‘Evolution Canyon’ (EC), Lower Nahal Oren, Mt. Carmel, Israel. They represent ~35% of known Israeli dermestid species. The following three species were recorded for the first time in Israel:Trogoderma svriaca Dalla Torre, 1911;Ctesias svriaca Ganglbauer, 1904; andAnthrenus (s.str.) jordaniens Pic, 1934. Adults of 13 species were collected on the more solar radiated, warmer and climatically more fluctuating south-facing slope (SFS); ten species were collected on the opposite, north-facing slope (NFS), which was cooler and climatically more stable. The abundance of adult dermestid beetles was 1.9 times higher on the SFS than on the NFS (86 and 47, respectively). Species richness and abundance distribution at EC (three collecting stations on each slope and one at the valley bottom) were significantly negatively correlated with the plant cover that consisted of trees and bushes (Spearmanr _s ,P=0.007 and 0.039, respectively) and perennials (Spearmanr _s ,P=0.039 and 0.077, respectively), indicating that non-woody plants were preferred by adult dermestid beetles.     

Epidemiology of Toxigenic Fungi and their Associated Mycotoxins for Some Mediterranean Crops

Recent data on the epidemiology of the common mycotoxigenic species of Fusarium, Alternaria, Aspergillus and Penicillium in infected or colonized plants, and in stored or processed plant products from the Mediterranean area are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on the toxigenicity of the causal fungal species and the natural occurrence of well known mycotoxins (aflatoxins, ochratoxins, fumonisins, trichothecenes, zearalenone, patulin, Alternaria-toxins and moniliformin), as well as some more recently described compounds (fusaproliferin, beauvericin) whose toxigenic potential is not yet well understood. Several Fusarium species reported from throughout the Mediterranean area are responsible of the formation of mycotoxins in infected plants and in plant products, including: Fusarium graminearum, F. culmorum, F. cerealis, F. avenaceum, F. sporotrichioides and F. poae, which produce deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, fusarenone, zearalenone, moniliformin, and T-2 toxin derivatives in wheat and other small grains affected by head blight or scab, and in maize affected by red ear rot. Moreover, strains of F. verticillioides, F. proliferatum, and F. subglutinans, that form fumonisins, beauvericin, fusaproliferin, and moniliformin, are commonly associated with maize affected by ear rot. Fumonisins, were also associated with Fusarium crown and root rot of asparagus and Fusarium endosepsis of figs, caused primarily by F. proliferatum. Toxigenic A. alternata strains and associated tenuazonic acid and alternariols were commonly found in black mould of tomato, black rot of olive and citrus, black point of small cereals, and black mould of several vegetables. Toxigenic strains of A. carbonarius and ochratoxin A were often found associated with black rot of grapes, whereas toxigenic strains of A. flavus and/or P. verrucosum, forming aflatoxins and ochratoxin A, respectively, were found in moulded plant products from small cereals, peanuts, figs, pea, oilseed rape, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, pistachios, and almonds. Finally, toxigenic strains of P. expansum and patulin were frequently found in apple, pear and other fresh fruits affected by blue mould rot, as well as in derived juices and jams.     

A survey of the genera of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Microgaster</Emphasis> latreille and<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hygroplitis</Emphasis> thomson (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Microgastrinae) from China

The genera ofMicrogaster Latreille 1804 andHygroplitis Thomson 1895 from China are presented systematically in this paper. Thirty-two species ofMicrogaster and three species ofHygroplitis are known in China. Diagnosis, character variation, distribution and host of each species among the two genera are presented, including its host and distribution. Keys to the species ofMicrogaster andHygroplitis are given. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Dec. 19, 2006.     

Plant Viruses Transmitted by Whiteflies

One-hundred and fourteen virus species are transmitted by whiteflies (family Aleyrodidae). Bemisia tabaci transmits 111 of these species while Trialeurodes vaporariorum and T. abutilonia transmit three species each. B. tabaci and T. vaporariorum are present in the European–Mediterranean region, though the former is restricted in its distribution. Of the whitefly-transmitted virus species, 90% belong to the Begomovirus genus, 6% to the Crinivirus genus and the remaining 4% are in the Closterovirus, Ipomovirus or Carlavirus genera. Other named, whitefly-transmitted viruses that have not yet been ranked as species are also documented. The names, abbreviations and synonyms of the whitefly-transmitted viruses are presented in tabulated form together with details of their whitefly vectors, natural hosts and distribution. Entries are also annotated with references. Whitefly-transmitted viruses affecting plants in the European–Mediterranean region have been highlighted in the text.     

Broad bean mottle virus in Morocco; curculionid vectors,and natural occurrence in food legumes other than faba bean (Vicia faba)

Broad bean mottle virus (BBMV) was transmitted from infected to healthy faba-bean plants by the curculionid weevilsApion radiolus Kirby,Hypera variabilis Herbst,Pachytychius strumarius Gyll,Smicronyx cyaneus Gyll, andSitona lineatus L. The latter appeared to be an efficient vector: acquisition and inoculation occurred at the first bite, the rate of transmission was c. 41%, and virus retention lasted for at least seven days.S. lineatus transmitted the virus from faba bean to lentil and pea, but not to the three genotypes of chickpea tested. This is the first report on the generaHypera, Pachytychius, andSmicronyx as virus vectors, and onA. radiolus, H. variabilis, P. strumarius, andS. cyaneus as vectors of BBMV.Out of 351 samples of food legumes with symptoms suggestive of virus infection, 16, 11, 19, and 17% of the samples of chickpea, lentil, pea, and common bean, respectively, were found infected when tested for BBMV in DAS-ELISA. This is the first report on the natural occurrence of BBMV in chickpea, lentil, pea, and common bean. The virus should be regarded as a food-legume virus rather than a faba-bean virus solely, and is considered an actual threat to food legume improvement programmes.     

Characterization of potato potyvirus Y (PVY) isolates from seed potato batches. Situation of the NTN, Wilga and Z isolates

A collection of 38 PVY isolates from seed potato batches, originating from several Western European countries, was characterized by using current biological, serological and molecular tools differentiating PVY strains and groups. The correlation between the three kinds of tests was good but not absolute. No single serological or PCR method was able to discriminate among the five isolate groups found. Twenty-nine isolates belonged to the PVY^N strain and six to the PVY^O strain. No PVY^C was found. Two other isolates reacted serologically like PVY^O, but were unable to elicit a hypersensitive response from the Ny_tbr gene and probably represent the PVY^Z group. At the molecular level, these two isolates showed a combination of both PVY^O and PVY^N and could be recombinants of these strains. Another isolate reacted serologically like PVY^O, but induced vein necrosis in tobacco, like PVY^N-Wilga. Some PVY^N isolates caused tuber ring necrosis in glasshouse conditions. These might belong to the PVY^NTN group. The PVY^NTN, PVY^N-Wilga and PVY^Z groups probably represent pathotypes within strains PVY^N and PVY^O, respectively. The present study also confirms previous reports showing a high genetic variation at the 5 end within the PVYN strain.     

The autumn leafroller: Phenology,damage and parasitoids in a Dutch apple orchard

The phenology of the autumn leafroller,Syndemis musculana, a local pest of apple, was studied in order to forecast larval emergence. From 1983–1986, peak flight as determined with sexpheromone traps was always between 13–18 May. The duration of embryonic development was determined at various constant temperatures and used to estimate the periods of egg hatch in these four years. Each year, most eggs should have hatched in the second decade of June.Differences in attack rates between apple cultivars seem to be explained largely by the variation in picking time. Larvae are only half grown at the beginning of harvest (cv. James Grieve), and have gone into hibernation when the latest variety (cv. Golden Delicious) is picked. Moreover, the varieties Cox's Orange Pippin and Belle de Boskoop, picked about half time, are liable to receive additional damage by caterpillars brought with the picked fruits into storage.Various hymenopterous parasites were reared from caterpillars. As the only leafroller in the orchard which hibernates as mature larva,S. musculana may promote winter survival of some parasitoids, like the eulophidColpyclypeus florus.Samenvatting De fenologie van de herfstbladroller (Syndemis musculana Hübner), een incidentele plaag op appel, werd nader bepaald met het doel het uitkomen van de eieren te kunnen voorspellen. In 1983–1986 viel de piekvlucht, bepaald met behulp van feromoonvallen, steeds tussen 13 en 18 mei.De ontwikkelingsduur van de eieren bij verschillende constante temperaturen werd gebruikt om de periode van uitkomen te schatten. De meeste eieren zullen ieder jaar in de eerste helft van juni uitkomen.Geconstateerde verschillen in schade tussen appelrassen blijken goeddeels terug te voeren op verschillen in pluktijdstip. De rupsen van de herfstbladroller zijn pas half-was als de eerste appels eind augustus geplukt worden, terwijl tegen het einde van de oogst begin oktober de meeste al in winterslaap zijn. Met name tussentijdse rassen, als Cox's Orange Pippin and Schone van Boskoop, lopen extra schade op doordat grotere rupsen met de geplukte vruchten in de kist terecht komen.Uit de rupsen werden negen, al van andere boomgaardbladrollers bekende, sluipwespen gekweekt, Omdat deze bladrollersoort, als enige in de boomgaard, als volgroeide rups overwintert, lijkt zij bij uitstek geschikt als winterwaard.This study was carried out at the Experimental Orchard De Schuilenburg, Schuilenburg 3, 4041 BK Kesteren, the Netherlands, to which address correspondence should be addressed.     

Diagnostics,genetic diversity and pathogenic variation of ascochyta blight of cool season food and feed legumes

Molecular diagnostic techniques have been developed to differentiate the Ascochyta pathogens that infect cool season food and feed legumes, as well as to improve the sensitivity of detecting latent infection in plant tissues. A seed sampling technique was developed to detect a 1% level of infection by Ascochyta rabiei in commercial chickpea seed. The Ascochyta pathogens were shown to be genetically diverse in countries where the pathogen and host have coexisted for a long time. However, where the pathogen was recently introduced, such as A. rabiei to Australia, the level of diversity remained relatively low, even as the pathogen spread to all chickpea-growing areas. Pathogenic variability of A. rabiei and Ascochyta pinodes pathogens in chickpea and field pea respectively, appears to be quantitative, where measures of disease severity were based on aggressiveness (quantitative level of infection) rather than on true qualitative virulence. In contrast, qualitative differences in pathogenicity in lentil and faba bean genotypes indicated the existence of pathotypes of Ascochyta lentis and Ascochyta fabae. Therefore, reports of pathotype discrimination based on quantitative differences in pathogenicity in a set of specific genotypes is questionable for several of the ascochyta-legume pathosystems such as A. rabiei and A. pinodes. This is not surprising since host resistance to these pathogens has been reported to be mainly quantitative, making it difficult for the pathogen to overcome specific resistance genes and form pathotypes. For robust pathogenicity assessment, there needs to be consistency in selection of differential host genotypes, screening conditions and disease evaluation techniques for each of the Ascochyta sp. in legume-growing countries throughout the world. Nevertheless, knowledge of pathotype diversity and aggressiveness within populations is important in the selection of resistant genotypes.     

Characterization of Sclerotinia minor populations in Texas peanut fields

In the summer of 2004 an epidemic of sclerotinia blight of peanut, a disease caused by Sclerotinia minor, occurred in Texas in fields where the disease was never previously detected. The disease was observed on many plants within one of the fields (>3000 disease foci), although most foci were <1 m. It is hypothesized that these observations were inconsistent with the recent introduction of a monocyclic pathogen, even if disease developed under conducive environmental conditions. The pattern of disease is most suggestive of the presence of foliar (ascospore) infections, although air temperature was above the known limits for apothecia development if the pathogen had arrived in the field in 2004 peanut seed. To further examine this epidemic, 232 isolates were collected, across a variety of spatial scales spanning this field and other Texas peanut fields, and evaluated for aggressiveness, fungicide sensitivity and genotypic diversity. There was wide variation among isolates for the phenotypic characteristics measured, but there was no evidence that a genotypically unique, highly aggressive, and fungicide resistant isolate had been introduced or evolved. The predominant genotype, TX1, which contained 154 isolates, was found in every county and field population.     

Eyespot of Cereals Revisited: ITS phylogeny Reveals New Species Relationships

Four species so far classified in Pseudocercosporella or Ramulispora (hyphomycetes) are associated with eyespot disease symptoms of cereals. Two of these have been linked to teleomorphs that were described in Tapesia. Sequence data derived from the Internal Transcribed Spacer region (ITS1, 5.8S and ITS2) of the rDNA operon showed, however, that the eyespot fungi associated with Tapesia are not congeneric with Ramulispora sorghi, the type of Ramulispora. The genus name Tapesia is now rejected in favour of the conserved name Mollisia, which appears to comprise heterogeneous fungi. Tapesia yallundae is not closely related to the type of Mollisia, M. cinerea, but clusters separately, being more closely allied to species with Cadophora anamorphs. A new holomorph genus, Oculimacula, is therefore proposed for teleomorphs of the eyespot fungi, while the anamorphs are accommodated in Helgardia gen. nov.