Melampsora and Marssonina pathogens of poplars and willows in New Zealand

New Zealand has hosted three Melampsora species attacking poplars (Populus spp.), namely, Melampsora larici-populina, Melampsora medusae and for a single season, Melampsora medusae-populina, a unique interspecific hybrid. The predominant species, M. larici-populina, over-winters via larch and each year new races appear causing defoliation of previously rust-resistant cultivars. Melampsora medusae also occurs in some seasons following over-wintering on certain hosts or by aerial transport from Australia. Willows (Salix spp.) host four Melampsora species, Melampsora coleosporioides, Melampsora epitea var. epitea and two unidentified species attacking Salix viminalis and Salix daphnoides/Salix incana× open pollinated hybrids, respectively. The host range and pathogenicity of these species have remained static as no breakdown in host resistance has been observed. The anthracnose fungi, Marssonina brunnea and Marssonina castagnei on poplar, and Marssonina salicicola on tree willows occur throughout New Zealand. All three species can cause severe defoliation of susceptible cultivars in moist districts where annual rainfall exceeds 1000 mm. Although all form abundant microconidia during autumn, the Drepanopeziza states have never been observed in New Zealand. During an unusually wet summer (199–93), a new strain of Marssonina salicicoa appeared which defoliated the previously resistant cultivar, salix matsudana × salix alba cv. 1002 The importance of monitoring the morphological (conidial dimensions, DNA fingerprints) and physiological (host range and pathogenicity) attributes of local populations of Melampsora and Marssonina species is discussed.     

Physiologic specialisation in the hyperparasitism of races of Melampsora larici-populina by isolates of Cladosporium tenuissimum

Three isolates of Cladosporium tenuissimum were prepared by culturing a field isolate of this organism separately on three races of Melampsora larici-populina. In a subsequent experiment, the production of uredinia by these three races on three cultivars of Populus X euramericana was usually lowest in the presence of the isolate of C. tenuissimum which had been cultured on the particular race. This apparent adaptation of the isolates of the hyperparasite to particular races of the rust, i. et. “physiologic specialisation” in the relationship, is confirmed by the significant race x C. tenuissimum isolate term in the ANOVA.     

Temperature sensitivity of qualitative race-cultivar interactions in Melampsora medusae Thüm. and Populus species

Six mono-uredospore isolates (races) of Melampsora medusae Thiim. produced qualitatively distinct reactions, in vitro, when incubated at 15 °C on leaf disks of certain cultivars of Populus deltoides Marsh. The infection types in some race-cultivar combinations were very temperature sensitive with less distinct reactions when incubated at 20 or 25°C. The significance of differential race-cultivar-temperature interaction in the epidemiology of M. medusae is discussed.     

Temperature-light sensitivity of infection types expressed by cultivars of Populus deltoides Marsh. to races of Melampsora medusae Thüm.

Infection types were assessed when four cultivars of Populus deltoides Marsh. were inoculated with six races of Melampsora medusae Thüm. and incubated in combinations of light intensity (100, 500 and 1000 μEm^-2s^-1) and temperature (15 and 25°C). Resistance in the cultivars was always at a maximum when the race/cultivar complexes were incubated in the light intensity (1000 μ^-2s^-1)/high temperature (25°C) regime. Inereasing light intensity was generally associated with reduced infection type in the cultivars; the reduction was more pronounced in an incubation temperature of 25 than 15°C. The potential epidemiological significance of the results is discussed.     

A review of exapted resistance to diseases of Populus

The cultivation of hybrid poplar in the Pacific North-west (PNW) has expanded in the last 15 years. Native Populus trichocarpa is susceptible to many pests and fungal pathogens but its interspecific hybrids were largely disease-free until 1991 when Melampsora medusae f. sp. deltoidae first appeared in the region. Genetic analyses of resistance in the PNW, and elsewhere, reveal a pattern whereby genes for resistance are inherited in interspecific hybrids from the exotic, noncoevolved Populus parent. With some pathogen/poplar hybrid combinations, this resistance segregates in the F₁ generation, but with others, only in the F₂. Such exapted resistance is now known to occur in P. trichocarpa (versus the exotic, eastern North American rust species, M. medusae f. sp. deltoidae), in Populus deltoides (versus the Eurasian rust, Melampsora larici-populina, the PNW population of Septoria populicola, and an undescribed PNW eriophyid mite), and in Populus maximowiczii (versus Melampsora occidentalis, and the PNW populations of Venturia populina, S. populicola, and Linospora tetraspora).     

Sensitivity to Cladosporium species of the reactions of cultivars of Populus X euramericana to races of Melampsora larici-populina

All five species of Cladosporium tested were found to be antagonistic to the production of uredinia by three races of Melampsora larici-populina on leaf disks cut from four cultivars of Populus × euramericana. The Cladosporium spp. also colonised the uredinia produced on the leaf disks. Of the species employed, C. tenuissimum was the most active antagonist and coloniser of the uredinia. The significant race × Cladosporium spp. interaction in the data analysis indicates a degree of physiological specialisation in the relationship between the races of the rust and species of Cladosporium. The possible epidemiological significance of the results is discussed.     

Ecophysiologie du stade urédien de Melampsora larici-populina Kleb. et de M. allii-populina Kleb.

Ecophysiology of the uredial states of Melampsora larici-populina Kleb. and M. allii-populina Kleb . Reactions of M. larici-populina and M. allii-populina urédiospores for germination and germ tubes growth to humidity, light and temperature are compared. Differences between the two species suggest that M. allii-populina is more thermophilic.     

Influence of clonal susceptibility,leaf age and inoculum density on infections by Melampsora larici-populina races E1 and E3

A study was conducted on the influence of clonal susceptibility, leaf age and inoculum density on the incubation and presporulation periods, and on the intensity of attack of Melampsora larici-populina races El and E3, under controlled conditions, on artificially inoculated poplar leaf discs. Both races were more virulent on susceptible clones and on 5- to 15-day-old leaves. On susceptible clones the intensity of attack increased progressively with the increase of inoculum density. Where there was complete coverage of the leaf surface, uredia were smaller in size as a result of the increase in density. The incubation period and, above all, the average presporulation period of susceptible clones proved to be longer with 1- to 3-day-old leaves and, generally, with the oldest. The epidemiological consequences of these results are discussed.     

Two pathogenic races of Melampsora larici-populina in north-western Europe

Three collections of Melampsora larici-populina Kleb. originating from Belgium, France and the Netherlands were compared for their pathogenicity on eleven poplar clones. Qualitative type reactions suggest the existence of two pathogenic races designated E1 and E2. E2 is able to infect some clones previously considered to be resistant.     

Germination of Melampsora larici-populina uredospores on poplar leaves1

Using an electron scanning microscope the germination of Melampsora larici-populina ure dospores was observed on the lower leaf surfaces of a susceptible poplar clone Populus trichocarpa and a resistant one P. בSerotina de Poitou’. The observations were made from a few hours to more then a day after placing the uredospores on the leaf surfaces.     

A new species of Melampsora rust on Salix elbursensis from Iran

A rust fungus was found causing stem cankers on 1‐ to 5‐year‐old stems of Salix elbursensis in the north west of Iran. The rust also forms uredinia on leaves and flowers of the host willow. Light and scanning electron microscopy revealed that the new rust is morphologically distinct from several Melampsora species occurring on the willows taxonomically close to S. elbursensis, but indistinguishable from Melampsora larici‐epitea. Examination of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal DNA suggested that the rust fungus is phylogenetically close to Melampsora allii‐populina and Melampsora pruinosae on Populus spp. Based on both the morphological characteristics and the ITS sequence data, the rust is described as a new species –Melampsora iranica sp. nov.     

杨树与栅锈菌互作过程中光合、蒸腾作用变化研究

利用LI-6400便携式光合仪对受落叶松-杨栅锈菌 Melampsora larici-populina Kleb.侵染后的杨树寄主的光合、蒸腾作用进行了动态监测.通过对不同抗性的杨树寄主在不同接种时间段的光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)、胞间CO2浓度(Ci)以及蒸腾速率(Tp)活体监测后发现,在受到栅锈菌侵染后,抗病品种和感病品种的净光合速率、胞间CO2浓度均随接种时间的延长而逐渐下降.其中抗病品种内下降的幅度要比感病品种小.蒸腾速率在寄主受侵后开始逐渐下降直到开始产孢,但是在产孢后蒸腾速率就开始持续上升并超过健康寄主,并在产孢高峰达到最大值.气孔导度在接种后迅速增加,在产孢前后又开始大幅度的下降.这4个基本生理指标变化说明,栅锈菌侵染寄主后对寄主的光合、蒸腾作用均有影响,而且在亲合性组合中影响显著.     

A new leaf disease on Populus euphratica in south‐western Iran

During the winter of 2012, a leaf spot disease was observed on Euphrates poplar (Populus euphratica) in the forest areas of Khuzestan province, south‐western Iran, causing significant damage in the Karun's riverside forests. Symptoms consisted of necrotic dark brown, circular to oval, 5‐ to 10‐mm spots on both surfaces of the leaves. A fungus having distinct dictyospores similar to those produced by Alternaria spp. was observed. The morphological characteristics, as well as the phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS1‐5,8S‐ITS2) region, confirmed the identity of the strains belonging to the species Alternaria alternata. Pathogenicity tests were conducted on the alive leaves of P. euphratica on the young branches, as well as on the detached leaves in Petri dishes, through inoculation with spore suspension. Target spot symptoms similar to those observed in naturally infected leaves were developed on the inoculated leaves seven to 10 days after inoculation in both the inoculation procedures. A. alternata was consistently re‐isolated from the spots. Interestingly, similar symptoms were observed 7 days after detached leaf treatment with droplets of 15‐day‐old fungal culture filtrate, suggesting the production of pathotoxic compounds by the fungus. To our knowledge, this is the first report of A. alternata causing leaf spot on Euphrates poplar in Iran.     

Efficacy of radio frequency treatment and its potential for control of sapstain and wood decay fungi on red oak,poplar, and southern yellow pine wood species

The effectiveness of radio frequency (RF) treatment in the control of wood decay fungi (Gloeophyllum trabeum, Ganoderma lucidum, and Irpex lacteus) and sapstain fungus (Ceratocystis fimbriata) in red oak (Quercus spp.), poplar (Populus alba), and southern yellow pine (Pinus spp.) was evaluated in the laboratory as an alternative to methyl bromide (MB) treatment. Wood samples (15.5 x 10 x 10 cm) were inoculated with fungi from a 7-day culture by dipping them to a depth of one face deep (2 cm) into inoculum and incubating them at 25°C for 14 days. Identical wood samples were left uninoculated as controls. Subsequent to incubation, the wood blocks were exposed to RF radiation in an industrial 40-kW dielectric oven at temperatures between 60° and 70°C for 2 min. The test fungi were recovered and reisolated from all of the control wood blocks but not from RF-treated wood blocks. RF treatment resulted in complete inhibition of the fungus in 98%-100% of the wood samples. Moisture content loss (≥1%) was noted after wood had been exposed to RF treatment. Moisture content may be an important factor to consider with RF treatments. RF treatment can, therefore, potentially provide an effective and rapid quarantine treatment as an alternative to MB fumigation for certain pathogen-wood combinations. This article reports the results of research only. Mention of a product does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by USDA for its use.     

毛白杨不同无性系对叶锈病（Melampsora magnusiana）抗病性的研究

本文收集了来自全国不同地区215个毛白杨无性系,经室内人工接种试验和田间自然发病情况调查表明,来源于不同地区的毛白杨无性系对叶锈病(Melampsora magnusiana)的抗病性差异显著。来自陕西西南部,甘肃东南部和山西中南部的毛白杨无性系对叶锈病抗性较强,而来自河南大部、河北中南部和山东西部的无性系较感病。其中,最抗病的无性系集中分布于陕西西南部,最感病的无性系则多分布于河南中南部。     

Compatible and Incompatible Reactions of Melampsora Rust on Willow Leaves

Spore germination, growth and appresssoria formation for Melampsora willow rust were studied for compatible and incompatible hosts to elucidate penetration specificity and prehaustorial events in the infection process. Rust originating from Salix dasyclados was inoculated on a compatible (S. dasyclados) and an incompatible (Salix daphnoides) clone and, for comparison, on the non-host plants tomato, tobacco and poplar. The same experimental procedure was also carried out for rust originating from poplar. Rust development was followed for 5 days at 20 h intervals using a microscope with fluorescent equipment. The study showed that the Melampsora rust can develop on, and penetrate, the leaf regardless of whether the rust was inoculated on compatible or incompatible willow plants. However, the fungus was able to infect and reproduce itself only in compatible interactions. For willow rust in the prehaustorial stage, the study indicated that specific recognition mechanisms were unnecessary to start the infection process.     

Parasitism of uredospores of Melampsora larici-populina Kleb. by Cladosporium sp.

Conidia of Cladosporium sp. are frequently present in large numbers in collections of uredospores of Melampsora larici-populina made in the field at Canberra in late autumn. The presence of these conidia considerably reduces the viability of the uredospores and consequently infection of leaves of Populus nigra var. italica under controlled conditions. Lysis of germinated and ungerminated uredospores under experimental conditions by the mycelium of Cladosporium sp. has been demonstrated. The potential for control of leaf rust of poplar by hyperparasitism is discussed.     

The response of Populus ‘NE 42’ (P. maximowiczii × P. trichocarpa) to infection by Ceratocystis fimbriata isolated from cacao-tree and plane

Shoots of a poplar clone susceptible to a Ceratocystis fimbriata strain from poplar were inoculated with strains of the fungus isolated from cacao-tree and plane. Disease symptoms and pathological changes in shoots as well as the development of the fungus in tissues are reported.     

Susceptibility of Ribes spp. to pine stem rusts in Finland

Susceptibility of Ribes spp. to three pine stem rusts, Cronartium ribicola, Cronartium flaccidum and Peridermium pini, was investigated by inoculations both in laboratory and in greenhouse conditions, and by observing sporulation on Ribes spp. leaves under natural and artificial inoculum in 16 experiments. Twenty‐seven Ribes spp. cultivars were inoculated in 2000–2004 using 41 sources of C. ribicola aeciospores from a wide geographic range, and six Pinus spp.; 51 sources of C. flaccidum and 11 sources of P. pini from Pinus sylvestris. The results were very similar both after artificial inoculations and observations under natural inoculum in repeated experiments over the years. Cronartium ribicola uredinia and telia developed frequently or moderately on nine Ribes nigrum cultivars but were not present on two cultivars. Sporulation developed on five Ribes rubrum cultivars but was absent on two cultivars. Three Ribes uva‐crispa cultivars were only weakly susceptible to C. ribicola, while all R. alpinum cultivars were resistant to the rust. The other Ribes spp. tested, Ribes niveum, Ribes aureum, Ribes odoratum, Ribes sp. × nigrolaria, Ribes glandulosum and Ribes × culverwellii Jostaberry, were all susceptible to C. ribicola. Cultivars of R. nigrum were more susceptible than those of any other species. No significant variation in virulence of the aeciospores was observed between and among Ribes hosts over the years. Cronartium flaccidum and Peridermium pini did not form any uredinia or telia on Ribes spp. in any of the experiments.     

Infection of Populus alba var. hickeliana by Melampsora medusae Thüm.

The first record of infection of Populus alba var. hickeliana by the American rust, Melampsora medusae Thum. is reported. The morphology of uredospores of rust on P. alba is compared with that of other Melampsora spp. infecting white poplars. The implications of these observations for the widespread establishment in the future of white × black hybrid poplars are discussed.