Breeding for resistance to plum pox potyvirus in the Czech Republic1

Breeding for plum cultivars resistant to plum pox potyvirus (PPV) is in progress in the Czech Republic, while projects for apricot and peach have started in 1991. The aim is to create an assortment of apricot and peach cultivars for northern regions of Europe in which PPV is widely distributed.     

Susceptibility of some North American and Yugoslav plum cultivars to plum pox potyvirus in Poland1

All North American plum cultivars investigated in Poland for their reaction to plum pox potyvirus appeared to be susceptible, showing severe symptoms on the leaves. Fruits of cvs Valor and Empress were also heavily damaged. Of the Yugoslav cultivars evaluated, Cacanska Najbolja was most tolerant whereas Cacanska Rodna appeared to be most sensitive to PPV.     

Recent results on resistance to plum pox potyvirus in plum in Romania,and on the epidemiology of the disease1

Of 50 plum cultivars investigated for infection by plum pox potyvirus (PPV), three had the virus in the latent state (Mansan, Twilight and Frontier), 19 showed very slight or slight symptoms on leaves, 16 showed moderate symptoms and 12 severe symptoms. No symptoms were seen on fruits of cvs Diana, Ialomita, Abundance, Silvia, Mont Royal, Red Glow, Locale de Turt, Krikon and Blue Free. Slight symptoms present only on the fruit skin were noted on cvs Gras ameliorat, Seneca, Rosior de Zalau, Prun protuberat, Anna Späth, Early Rivers, LU, Pitestean, Pamiat Timiriazeva, Dunarea Albastra (Blue Danube), Gras romanesc and others. Few plum cultivars had sensitive or very sensitive fruit. Most hybrids obtained in Romania are tolerant in terms of symptoms on fruits. Of the rootstocks, Red Dwarf Myrobalan, Buburuz, Marianna and P. besseyi showed no or very slight symptoms. Plum plantations located close to a PPV infection source for 6–9 years were 13.2–45.5% infected. Trees planted in an infected orchard were up to 74% infected in 6 years.     

Evaluation of peach and nectarine cultivars in Bulgaria for their resistance to plum pox potyvirus

In spring and summer 1989, it was established that plum pox potyvirus (PPV) was present in certain peach cultivars in Bulgaria. At the same time, we started to investigate the distribution of PPV in naturally infected 4–5 year-old peach and nectarine cultivars and hybrids in order to optimize PPV detection. Over 160 peach and nectarine cultivars and hybrids were evaluated. In about 40% of the genotypes, typical plum pox symptoms were observed. The latter were estimated and divided into groups depending on their susceptibility to PPV. Observations were made on the population density of seven aphid species established in the peach orchards. Five proved to be vectors of the virus. Myzus persicae was the vector that played the main role in spreading the virus on peach.     

Significance of the heterologous encapsidation of zucchini yellow mosaic potyvirus in transgenic plants expressing plum pox potyvirus capsid protein1

Transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana plants expressing the coat protein of an aphid-transmissible strain of plum pox potyvirus (PPV-D) were infected with an aphid non-transmissible strain of another potyvirus, zucchini yellow mosaic potyvirus (ZYMV-NAT). Non-viruliferous Myzus persicae could acquire and transmit ZYMV-NAT from these plants but not from infected N. benthamiana control plants (not transformed, or transformed by the vector alone). Immunosorbent electron microscopy experiments using the decoration technique revealed that ZYMV-NAT virus particles in the infected transgenic plants expressing the PPV coat protein could be coated not only with ZYMV antibodies but also, on segments of the particles, with PPV antibodies. This suggests that aphid transmission of ZYMV-NAT occurred through heterologous encapsidation, and reveals a potential risk of releasing genetically engineered plants expressing viral coat proteins into the environment.     

Susceptibility of apricot cultivars to artificial inoculation with plum pox potyvirus and use of ELISA for its evaluation1

The susceptibility to plum pox potyvirus (PPV) of 13 apricot cultivars and two hybrids was studied under isolated conditions in the experimental orchard of the Research Breeding Station at Vesele from 1989 to 1993 after artificial inoculation of the trees. The plants were inoculated in the nursery in 1988 by chip-budding with a local source of virus and then planted into the field trial. First symptoms of plum pox appeared on the leaves in 1990. Reinoculation of symptomless trees was done in summer 1991. By 1993, plum pox had totally invaded some apricot trees of the most susceptible cultivars (Madarska, Velkopavlovicka, Kisinevskij rannij, Ligeti orias, Bergeron, Vesna and Vestar). Uninoculated control trees remained symptomless despite the proximity of diseased trees and the fact that the orchard was not sprayed with insecticides during the period of experiment. Cvs Julskij, Veecot, Vegama and Veharda remained free from plum pox symptoms on leaves and fruits. In 1993-05/06, the trees were assayed for the presence of the PPV antigen by ELISA. Leaf samples from 33 trees showing symptoms were positive. Samples prepared from the healthy tissues of leaves with symptoms were negative. Other trees (indexed by ELISA) growing in the neighbourhood of diseased trees in the period of 5 years were visually and ELISA negative.     

Comparison of monoclonal antibodies and polymerase chain reaction assays for the typing of isolates belonging to the d and m serotypes of plum pox potyvirus

ABSTRACT Plum pox potyvirus (PPV) isolates may be divided into four groups separated by serological, molecular, and epidemiological differences. Monoclonal antibodies specific for the two major groups of isolates, represented by the D and M serotypes of the virus, have been obtained. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assays allowing the direct detection and differentiation of PPV isolates have also been developed. We now report on a large-scale comparison of these two typing approaches. The results obtained show an overall excellent correlation between the results obtained in indirect double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using PPV-D- and PPV-M-specific monoclonal antibodies and those derived from either specific PCR assays or restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of PCR fragments. Without exception, all isolates reacting positively with the PPV-M-specific monoclonal antibody were found to belong to the M serotype using the PCR-based assays, while 51 out of 53 isolates recognized by the D-specific monoclonal antibodies belonged to the D serotype according to the PCR typing results. However, failure to react with a specific monoclonal antibody did not prove as effective a predictor of the serotype of the isolate analyzed. In a few cases, the results obtained with the various techniques diverged, indicating low level variability of the epitopes recognized by the serotype-specific monoclonal antibodies. Isolates belonging to the two minor groups of PPV (El Amar and Cherry) also gave divergent results, indicating that the current typing assays are not suited for the analysis of such isolates.     

Production of plants of Nicotiana benthamiana and Prunus domestica transgenic for plum pox potyvirus coat protein,and demonstration of PPV resistance in transformed N. benthamiana1

Leaf discs of Nicotiana benthamiana plants were transformed with Agrobacterium tumefaciens and transgenic plants expressing plum pox potyvirus (PPV) coat protein (CP) were generated. Homozygous R₂ progeny from these plants were inoculated with PPV. Plants were scored for the appearance of symptoms and tested for infection by DAS-ELISA. Various levels of resistance were obtained after an initial stage in which PPV was able to multiply in all the transgenic plants. Within 2–3 weeks after inoculation, the transgenic resistant plants fully recovered from virus infection. Conversely, control and susceptible transgenic lines developed severe symptoms and high virus titres. Prunus domestica (plum) was transformed by inoculating hypocotyl slices with A. tumefaciens containing a binary plasmid which included the NPTII, GUS, and PPV CP genes within its T-DNA region. Transgenic shoots were rooted and established in the glasshouse. Analysis of selected transformants by PCR showed that the engineered foreign genes had been integrated, including that for PPV CP. Histological assays on young leaves of these putative transformants gave a positive reaction. This suggests that all genes transferred are expressed in these transformed plums.     

Potential for establishment of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus and the pine wilt disease under Nordic conditions1

Serious concern about the pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, and the pine wilt disease arose in 1984 when the nematode was discovered in wood chips imported for the Finnish pulp industry. It has been questioned whether this nematode could establish itself and actually damage pine trees under Nordic conditions. It seems likely that B. xylophilus could reproduce in Nordic forest lands. It is also likely that potential vector insects are present and could be functional in the establishment and epidemic development of the disease. Although temperatures in Nordic areas hardly seem conducive to pine wilt disease, other factors may contribute to disease expression. Research is needed on interactions of stress factors, particularly temperature and soil moisture, in the expression of pine wilt disease. A better understanding of these interactions would aid in evaluating the risk connected with an accidental introduction of the nematode into Nordic countries and provide a sound basis for trade regulations. At present, there are reasons to be most restrictive concerning any possible means of introduction of B. xylophilus.     

Development of glasshouse pests of cucumber under different conditions,in relation to possibilities for their biological control1

Experiments were performed under controlled conditions on the development of four cucumber pests (Trialeurodes uaporariorum, Tetranychus urticae, Aphis gossypii and Thrips tabaci). The main variables were temperature, photoperiod and light intensity. The effect of these factors on the natural enemies Encarsia formosa and Amblyseius mckenziei was also assessed. Comparison of the results allows recommendations on manipulation of the glasshouse environment to favour biological control.     

Potential of Heterorhabditis zealandica (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae) for the control of codling moth,Cydia pomonella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in semi-field trials under South African conditions

Infection of codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), larvae by the entomopathogenic nematode, Heterorhabditis zealandica, was studied under semi-field conditions. Late-instar diapausing codling moth larvae, coccooned in perforated cardboard strips, were used in all trials to evaluate the nematode treatments involved. A morning application of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 MM infective juveniles (IJs) per tree resulted in 85%, 95% and 100% codling moth larval infection, respectively. Contrasting results were obtained for an evening application, with low levels of codling moth infection (<50%). Nematode treatment strips placed in direct sunlight resulted in almost no infection (<10%), opposed to strips attaining 67% infection placed in the shade.     

Note: Evaluating insecticides for the control of overwintered adults ofEurygaster integriceps under field conditions in Turkey

The Sunn pestEurygaster integriceps Puton is the most harmful pest of cereals in Turkey and the surrounding countries. Chemical control has been employed against the nymph stages of the pest. The efficacy of six products [acetamiprid (SL, soluble concentrate), chlorpyrifosethyl (EC, emulsifiable concentrate), lambda-cyhalothrin (CS, capsule suspension), monocrotophos (SC, suspension concentrate), thiacloprid (SC) and zeta-cypermethrin (EC)] was tested on overwintered adults ofE. integriceps, with applications to wheat at the shooting stage. In a study conducted at Siverek, Şanlıurfa in the southeastern Anatolia Region, the most effective insecticide was found to be lambda-cyhalothrin. It gave very promising results in controlling the pest and reduced subsequent egg laying and the appearance of nymphs in the trial area. The results showed that chemical control of overwintered adults of the Sunn pest in early spring is possible with lambda-cyhalothrin. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Sept. 18, 2006.     

Response of the tomato miner Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) to thirteen insecticides in semi‐natural conditions in Tunisia

Experiments on larvicide and ovicide activity of 13 insecticides in semi‐natural conditions showed a medium to low efficacy of bio‐insecticides on all instars of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) except for Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner var. kurstaki which was distinguished by an average mortality of 72.5%. Spinosad and Spinetoram based insecticides showed high efficiency in controlling all instars of larvae with respectively an average mortality of 66.5% and 85.6%. However, this study revealed a unique ovicide effect of azadirachtin‐neem oil based insecticide with 43.8% egg mortality.