土传黄瓜立枯病高效拮抗菌的筛选鉴定及其生物效应

采用平板对峙法从黄瓜根际土壤中分离出的400余株细菌菌株中筛选出16株对立枯丝核菌Rhizoctonia solani具有拮抗效果的菌株,抑菌带直径在0.81～1.93 cm之间。并从中选出3株抑菌带直径在1.6cm以上的菌株N33、N35和N43,结合形态、生理生化特性及16S rDNA序列比对分析,鉴定N33菌株为假单胞菌属Pseudomonas sp.,N35和N43菌株为芽胞杆菌属Bacillus sp.。通过在黄瓜育苗基质中添加选育的高效拮抗菌株,观测其对黄瓜苗生长的促进作用以及对立枯病的防治作用,3株菌株均具有促进黄瓜苗期生长和防治苗期立枯病的作用,其中N43菌株促生及防病效果均最显著,地上部鲜重比对照处理增加62.16%,防治效果达62%。     

Characterization ofRhizoctonia solani isolates from potatoes in turkey and screening potato cultivars for resistance to AG-3 isolates

A total of 304Rhizoctonia solani isolates and 60 binucleateRhizoctonia-like fungi were recovered from stems and tubers of infected potato plants over a 2-yr period in northeast Turkey.R. solani isolates were identified to 11 anastomosis groups (AGs): AG-1 (0.66%), AG-2-1 (5.6%), AG-2-2 (0.99%), AG-3 (83.9%), AG-5 (4.6%), AG-6 (0.66%), AG-8 (1.32%), AG-9 (0.33%), AG-10 (1.32%), AG-12 (0.33%), and AG-13 (0.33%). In the greenhouse tests, most of the AG-3 isolates were significantly more virulent than isolates belonging to other AGs on potato cv. Batum. Isolates of other anastomosis groups differed in their virulence. Results indicated that AG-3 is an important pathogen on potatoes grown in the study area. Five of 22 commercial and local potato cultivars evaluated for their reaction toR. solani AG-3 isolates (TP-2) under greenhouse conditions were highly resistant; the remaining cultivars exhibited different levels of susceptibility to the pathogen isolate. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting July 14, 2005.     

枯草芽孢杆菌微囊剂的制备及其对番茄立枯病的防治效果

为开发环境相容性好、贮藏稳定性高的生物农药新剂型,采用喷雾干燥法制备了枯草芽孢杆菌微囊剂。通过单因素试验确定该微囊剂壁材麦芽糊精与芯材枯草芽孢杆菌发酵液(以下简称发酵液)的最佳配比;通过正交试验优化了喷雾干燥条件;通过田间试验验证了该微囊剂对番茄立枯病的防治效果。结果表明:制备枯草芽孢杆菌微囊剂时,壁材与芯材的最佳配比为m(麦芽糊精)∶V(发酵液)=1∶1;喷雾干燥的最优条件为进风温度125℃,进样流量750 m L/h,喷雾压力0.20 M Pa;所制备微囊剂常温贮存360 d后,菌体存活率仍高达91.36%,显著高于对照枯草芽孢杆菌可湿性粉剂。田间药效试验表明,该枯草芽孢杆菌微囊剂用量为300 g/hm2(芽孢浓度为1.5×107cfu/m2)时,对番茄立枯病的防效最高,为72.76%。     

Biological control of damping-off caused byPythium ultimum andRhizoctonia solani usingTrichoderma spp. applied as industrial film coatings on seeds

Conidia of sevenTrichoderma strains were applied on cucumber or radish seeds as a simple methyl cellulose coating or through an industrial film coating process. The seeds were sown in a peat-based soil artificially infested byR. solani orP. ultimum. Four strains controlled damping-off caused byR. solani when applied as a simple coating or as an industrial film-coating. Also, four strains significantly reduced damping-off caused byP. ultimum in cucumber. A correlation was found between production of volatile antibiotics in vitro and control ofP. ultimum. Survival during storage varied according to the strain. Better survival was observed for two strains, with a decrease in conidial viability of one order of magnitude after storage for three and five months at 15 ° C and 4 ° C, respectively. The results show the feasibility of biocontrol of seedling diseases by some antagonists applied onto seeds through an industrial film-coating process.     

Biocontrol agents in combination with Moringa oleifera extract for integrated control of Sclerotium-caused cowpea damping-off and stem rot

Damping-off and stem rot disease-causing Sclerotium rolfsii has been reported as a destructive soil-borne pathogen of numerous crops, especially in the tropics and subtropics. Trials were conducted to test the efficacy of biocontrol agents alone or combined with Moringa oleifera leaf extracts for the control of the disease. In the laboratory, PDA was amended with Moringa leaf extract, and mycelial growth of S. rolfsii was measured. In the greenhouse and field, Trichoderma Kd 63, Trichoderma IITA 508 and Bacillus subtilis were evaluated as seed treatments, soil drench or sprinkle, separately or combined with Moringa leaf extracts. Percentage disease incidence, severity and control were recorded. In the laboratory, the higher the extract concentration the less the mycelial growth and no mycelial growth occurred on extract at 15 or 20 g leaves 10 ml⁻¹ water. In the greenhouse, the highest disease control was observed at a Moringa extract concentration of 15 kg leaves 10 l⁻¹ water (w/v). Seed treatments using Trichoderma Kd 63, and soil sprinkle using Trichoderma IITA 508 had a significantly (P = 0.05) higher effect on a disease incidence than Bacillus. Disease severity followed the same pattern. Moringa seed treatment combined with Trichoderma soil sprinkle resulted in significantly more than 94% and 70% disease control in the greenhouse and field, respectively, with significant yield increase in the field. This is the first report of Moringa leaf extract combined with Trichoderma as an integrated control for Sclerotium damping-off and stem rot of cowpea in the field.     

Characterization of Rhizoctonia Species Associated with Foliar Necrosis and Leaf Scorch of Clonally-propagated Eucalyptus in Brazil

The objective was to identify and characterize the causal agent of foliar necrosis and leaf scorch of Eucalyptus spp. in Brazil. Nineteen putative isolates of Rhizoctonia obtained from Eucalyptus plants during clonal propagation were compared with isolates from other hosts and with tester strains of anastomosis groups of Rhizoctonia solani. Features compared were morphological characteristics of anamorphs and teleomorphs, numbers of nuclei per cell in the vegetative hyphae, anastomosis of hyphae, and ability to produce necrotic lesions on cuttings and damping-off of E. grandis×E. urophylla hybrid seedlings. Rhizoctonia solani AG1 (AG1-IB like) was the most frequent causal agent isolated from Eucalyptus plants and cuttings with symptoms of leaf scorch and foliar necrosis respectively. These isolates were highly virulent on Eucalyptus cuttings and presented naturally epiphytic growth on Eucalyptus shoots. Binucleate isolates and isolates of R. solani AG4 were also virulent on cuttings and were most virulent on Eucalyptus seedlings causing pre- and post-emergence damping-off. Virulence on Eucalyptus cuttings and seedlings was not restricted to a single species or anastomosis group of Rhizoctonia.     

Nutritional requirements of the mycoparasitic fungus Verticillium biguttatum

Verticillium biguttatum was able to grow axenically in a synthetic liquid medium with a compound containing ammonium or amino group as nitrogen source, glucose as carbon source and biotin as growth factor. Among various carbon and nitrogen compounds tested, highest mycelial production was achieved with mannitol and with two ammonium salts and glutamine; sporulation reached highest values with galactose and glutamine. Highest yields of mycelium and conidia were obtained at pH 4.3 and 5.1, respectively. Although neutral and alkaline conditions were growth-limiting in the synthetic medium some growth ofV.biguttatum occurred on solid media at pH 7.0 and on sclerotia ofRhizoctonia solani in natural soil at pH 7.2–7.3.Samenvatting Een synthetisch vloeibaar medium met glucose als koolstofbron, een ammonium- of aminogroep bevattende verbinding als stikstofbron en biotine als groeifactor voldeed aan de voedingseisen vanVerticillium biguttatum. Van de verschillende koolstof- en stikstofbronnen leverden mannitol en twee ammoniumzouten en glutamine de hoogste opbrengsten aan mycelium; de opbrengst aan conidiën was het hoogst met galactose en glutamine. De hoogste opbrengsten aan mycelium en conidiën werden bereikt bij respectievelijk pH 4,3 en 5.1. Ofschoon neutrale en alkalische omstandigheden de groei vanV. biguttatum in het synthetische medium beperkten, werd enige groei vanV. biguttatum waargenomen op vaste voedingsbodems bij pH 7,0 en op sclerotia vanR. solani in natuurlijke grond bij pH 7,2–7,3.     

Growth of the mycoparasitic fungus Verticillium biguttatum from different geographical origins at near-minimum temperatures

Sclerotia ofRhizoctonia solani collected from potato tubers from different countries were assayed for the presence of mycoparasites. Among the mycoparasites observedVerticillium biguttatum predominated. Its geographical distribution was not restricted to certain latitudes or soil types;V. biguttatum occurred worldwide in potato fields.The minimum growth temperature of 57V. biguttatum isolates was found to be in the narrow range from 10 to 13°C, irrespective of their geographical origin. A non-linear logistic growth model was used to describe the radial growth onRhizoctonia mycelium and nutrient agar plates. At near-minimum temperature the maximum colony radii varied considerably; they were up to 3.8 times that of the reference isolate M73. Based on parameter values for logistic growth, fast-and slow-growing isolates could be distinguished. Although the growth properties ofV. biguttatum isolates from different locations varied, the presence of fast- and slow-growing isolates was not restricted to particular areas and both types could be found in the same field. However, bioassays with selected fast- and slow-growing isolates do not support the assumption that growth at near-minimum temperatures is a relevant criterion for screening isolates ofV. biguttatum in terms of effectiveness for biological control ofR. solani.     

Anastomosis Groups, Pathogenicity and Sensitivity to Fungicides of Rhizoctonia solani Isolates Collected on Potato Crops in France

A collection of 241 isolates of Rhizoctonia solani obtained from potato plants grown in different areas in France was characterized for anastomosis grouping, symptomatology on tubers of different cultivars and sensitivity to three fungicides. Most isolates collected belonged to (anastomosis groups (AGs)) AG 3, but 2% and 4% of the isolates were AG 5 and AG 2-1. AG 3 and AG 2-1 isolates were mostly obtained from sclerotia on tubers, but all AG 5, some AG 3 and some AG 2-1 isolates were recovered from superficial tuber alterations, like deformations, corky or scabby lesions. Sclerotia were formed on tubers produced by healthy stem cuttings grown in soil artificially infested with AG 3, but not on tubers grown in soil infested with either AG 5 or AG 2-1. No variation in susceptibility to sclerotial formation was observed among five potato cultivars. In all cases, a large proportion of tubers showed superficial corky lesions, often associated with deformations. The proportion of tubers with lesions and deformations was highest in soil infested with AG 2-1 and significantly lower on cv. Samba in all treatments. All isolates were highly sensitive to flutolanil, iprodione and pencycuron, except the AG 5 isolates, moderately sensitive to pencycuron. These results show that, although AG 3 is the most common R. solani group on potato in France, AG 5 and AG 2-1 may be present. Isolates differed for pathogenicity. In vitro sensitivity to fungicides varied among AGs.     

Control of rice sheath blight by phyllosphere epiphytic microbial antagonists

Epiphytic microorganisms on the phyllosphere of traditional and high-yielding rice varieties were isolated from different agroecological zones of Sri Lanka and screened for theirin vitro andin vivo antagonism againstRhizoctonia solani Kühn AG-1 1A, the sheath blight pathogen of rice. Among a total of 196 bacterial and 91 fungal isolates, 12 bacterial and two fungal isolates which showed more than 50% growth inhibition ofR. solani were tested for theirin vivo antagonism. Among the 14 antagonists tested, six bacterial and one fungal isolate substantially reduced the incidence of sheath blight (by more than 82%) and severity (by more than 92%) of the rice varieties BG94-1 and IR8 grown in a pot experiment under open field conditions. Using five antagonists that showed the bestin vitro antagonism, a pot experiment was conducted to determine whether the presence of indigenous microflora on the rice sheath had any effect on the effectiveness of antagonism. Three isolates (B4, GbB5 and HMWB4) controlled sheath blight incidence and severity equally well in the presence and absence of indigenous microflora. Two isolates (BG352B1 and BG300B1) were more effective when they were introduced into the rice sheath without indigenous microflora. Among the effective antagonists determined by the pot experiment, isolates B4, B16, BG94-1B5, GbB5, HMWB4 and BG379-F2 were tested under field conditions for two consecutive growing seasons. Under field conditions, severity of rice sheath blight was significantly reduced by the application of all the tested antagonists as a spray on rice sheath at a concentration of 10⁸ cfu ml⁻¹, starting 3 days after the development of symptoms and continuing for three applications at 10-day intervals. Antagonistic performances were consistent in the two seasons under field conditions andB. megatarium A (isolate B16) andAspergillus niger (isolate BG379-F2) performed as the most effective antagonists in both seasons. When disease severity was quantified as percentage sheath area covered by the disease lesions, the respective reductions in disease severity were greater than 50% and 61% byB. megaterium A (isolate B16) andAspergillus niger (isolate BG379-F2), respectively, in both seasons. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Jan. 10, 2008.     

Effect of haulm destruction supplemented by cutting off roots on the incidence of black scurf and skin damage,flexibility of harvest period and yield of seed potatoes in field experiments

In field experiments, supplementing chemical haulm destruction (CHD) with cutting off roots resulted in a lower incidence of black scurf and skin damage (ripping off the skin) at harvest date than CHD alone. The lower susceptibility to skin damage at harvest allowed harvesting to beging on an earlier date, when only a few sclerotia ofRhizoctonia solani had developed. Furthermore, black scurf often developed more slowly after haulm destruction if roots had been severed and this enabled harvesting to be postponed.At harvest, gross yield was highest if roots had not been cut through prior to CHD: the extra weight existed merely of water. Weight loss during storage, however, as well as grading losses resulting from black scurf were greater after CHD alone. This resulted in an equal or even lower net yield after CHD alone than after CHD supplemented by root severing. The favourable effects of supplementing CHD with cutting off roots almost equaled those of the mechanical removal, often called haulm pulling or plant pulling. Factors that may affect the development of black scurf are discussed.Samenvatting Pootaardappelen raakten minder bezet met lakschurft en werden minder ontveld bij de oogst na looftrekken of na wortelsnijden plus doodspuiten dan na loofklappen plus spuiten. Al vanaf de derde dag na trekken of wortelsnijden plus doodspuiten was de mate van ontvelling zo gering, dat met het oogsten kon worden begonnen. Op zo'n vroeg tijdstip na loofdoding konden knollen worden geoogst met nog weinig lakschurft, want de stimulering van lakschurft werd pas zichtbaar vanaf 7 à 10 dagen na loofdoding. Lakschurft ontwikkelde zich het traagst na looftrekken. Ook wortelsnijden bij het doodspuiten gaf meestal een tragere ontwikkeling van lakschurft dan klappen plus spuiten. Daardoor konden na wortelsnijden plus doodspuiten en vooral na looftrekken op nog latere tijdstippen knollen met weinig lakschurft worden geoogst.Na klappen plus spuiten was het bruto gewicht bij de oogst het hoogst. Dat meergewicht bleek louter uit water te bestaan en het verloop in knolvochtgehalte leek erop te wijzen dat de wortels nog gedurende een week na doodspuiten blijven functioneren. Dat gaf wel knollen met een hoger vochtgehalte die meer ontvelden en meer vocht en dus gewicht verloren. Dit groter gewichtsverlies bij bewaren en de hogere leesverliezen door lakschurft deden de meeropbrengst teniet: zo werd het netto knolgewicht na klappen plus spuiten, al naar gelang het moment van oogsten, meestal gelijk aan, of lager dan het netto knolgewicht na het trekken of na wortelsnijden plus doospuiten. In dit artikel worden de factoren besproken, die mogelijk van invloed zijn op de ontwikkeling van lakschurft.     

Investigations on the effect of haulm destruction and additional root cutting on black scurf on potato tubers

In greenhouse experiments factors which are involved in the stimulation of sclerotia formation byRhizoctonia solani Kühn on potato tubers after haulm destruction were investigated. Cutting off the shoot stimulated the production of sclerotia as much as chemical haulm destruction. This was also observed when potato tubers were grown away from the roots in a separate compartment filled with steamed perlite. Fewer sclerotia were produced when roots were cut in addition to haulm destruction compared to haulm destruction alone. Cutting off the roots alone often stimulated sclerotia production. The data indicate that sclerotia production was directly affected by the tuber and probably due to physiological changes in the tuber caused by elimination of the shoot.Samenvatting In kasproeven werd onderzocht welke factoren betrokken zijn bij de stimulering van de produktie van sclerotiën op aardappel doorRhizoctonia solani Kühn als gevolg van loofvernietiging. Afknippen van het loof stimuleerde de vorming van sclerotiën evenzeer als chemische vernietiging. Na afknippen van het loof trad de stimulering ook op bij knollen, die zich ruimtelijk gescheiden van de wortels in gestoomd vochtig perliet konden ontwikkelen. Doodspuiten plus doorsnijden van de wortels resulteerde in minder lakschurft dan doodspuiten alleen. Wanneer alleen de wortels werden doorgesneden resulteerde dat vaak in meer lakschurft. De vorming van sclerotiën wordt dus direct door de knol beïnvloed. Dit effect lijkt voort te komen uit fysiologische veranderingen in de knol.     

Inhibition of in vitro growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizoctonia solani</Emphasis> by liquid residue derived from steam-treated grass clippings

The effects of liquid residue derived from grass clipping after steam-treatment on the in vitro growth of Rhizoctonia solani SN-1, AG-4 were evaluated to verify the antifungal activities of the residue. The liquid residue inhibited R. solani growth, with increasing inhibition with higher concentrations and lower pH. Test of individual organic acids (acetic, formic and propionic acids) present in the residue indicate that the inhibitory effect may be attributed to the organic acids, and the effect of the organic acids seems to depend on pH, especially at lower concentrations.     

黄瓜嫁接苗与接种哈茨木霉菌黄瓜直根苗对根腐病防效及根系生理响应

为探明黄瓜嫁接栽培与木霉菌使用提高黄瓜幼苗抗根腐病的能力及生理调节的差异,利用哈茨木霉菌DQ002和根腐病病原菌孢子悬浮液对黄瓜直根苗根部接种与根腐病病原菌孢子悬浮液对黄瓜嫁接苗进行根部接种处理,测定黄瓜直根苗和黄瓜嫁接苗病害发生率及根系生理变化。结果表明：哈茨木霉菌DQ002通过激发黄瓜直根苗根系中POD、PPO、SOD活性而抑制了H₂O₂积累和O^-₂的产生速率,并促进了黄瓜直根苗根系PAL、几丁质酶、β-1,3-葡聚糖酶活性以及类黄酮含量升高,提高了抗病性;接种根腐病菌,黄瓜嫁接(T2)提高了根系中POD活性、培养前期PPO活性及培养后期SOD的活性,降低了H₂O₂的积累和O^-₂产生速率,促进了PAL、几丁质酶及培养后期的β-1,3-葡聚糖酶活性,但H₂O₂的积累和O^-₂产生速率显著高于哈茨木霉菌DQ002处理的黄瓜直根苗,而PAL、几丁质酶、β-1,3-葡聚糖酶活性以及类黄酮含量明显低于木霉菌处理的直根苗;T3(先接种病原菌后接种木霉菌)和T4(先接种木霉菌后接种病原菌)处理的黄瓜直根苗根腐病的发病率分别为22.39%和17.87%,病情指数分别为23.03%和14.33%,明显低于CK1(清水处理直根苗)和T1（单独病原菌处理直根苗）处理的发病率(35.82%和57.39%)和病情指数(37.10%和46.97%),以及黄瓜嫁接苗(T2)的发病率(42.90%)和病情指数(40.47%),但哈茨木霉菌使用时间不同则效果有异。黄瓜嫁接和哈茨木霉菌DQ002处理直根苗能提高黄瓜苗对根腐病的抗性,但是二者对黄瓜苗根系生理的调节作用存在差异,可能是导致根腐病发生存在差异的生理原因之一。     

噻呋酰胺与嘧菌酯混配对马铃薯黑痣病菌增效作用及其田间防效

为明确噻呋酰胺与嘧菌酯混配对马铃薯黑痣病菌Rhizoctonia solani的增效作用及对马铃薯黑痣病的田间防效,采用菌丝生长速率法和田间药效试验测定二者混配组合对其的联合毒力,分别用Wadley法和Abbott法评价混配组合的增效作用,并比较拌种、沟施及苗期茎基部喷淋3种施药方式对黑痣病的田间防效。结果表明,噻呋酰胺与嘧菌酯以质量比3∶1、2∶1、1∶1和1∶2进行混配时抑制马铃薯黑痣病菌菌丝生长的增效系数分别为1.7、2.7、2.5和1.9,其中2∶1和1∶1的混配组合增效作用较为明显。240 g/L噻呋酰胺悬浮剂与250 g/L嘧菌酯悬浮剂1∶1桶混以240 g(a.i.)/hm~2沟施对马铃薯黑痣病的防效优于拌种和苗期茎基部喷淋的防效,沟施方式下对植株黑痣病的防效为65.3%,对薯块黑痣病的防效为71.6%,增效系数为1.1,表现增效作用。表明噻呋酰胺与嘧菌酯有效成分质量比1∶1的混配组合以240 g(a.i.)/hm~2为推荐剂量沟施可有效防治马铃薯黑痣病。     

Occurrence of foliar rot of pak choy and Chinese mustard caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG1-IB in China

During December 2003, leaf rot was frequently observed on leaves of pak choy and Chinese mustard in Xishuangbanna district of Yunnnan Province, China. Isolates of Rhizoctonia solani, consistently obtained from the diseased leaves, were identical to anastomosis group (AG)-1 IB based on cultural characteristics and analysis of the ITS-5.8s rDNA region. This is the first report of foliar rot of pak choy and Chinese mustard caused by R. solani AG-1 IB in China.     

Phosphite compounds reduce disease severity in potato seed tubers and foliage

Phosphites (Phi) are alkali metal salts of phosphorous acid, with the ability to protect plants against different pathogens. In this research, the effect of Phi applied to potato plants on severity of three important potato diseases in Argentina was assessed. Seed tubers and foliage of potato cvs Shepody and Kennebec were treated with Phi to assess effects on resistance against Phytophthora infestans, Fusarium solani and Rhizoctonia solani. Protection resulting from Phi treatment in seed tubers was high against P. infestans, intermediate against F. solani, and low against R. solani. In addition, seed tubers treated with calcium or potassium phosphites (CaPhi and KPhi, respectively) at 1% of commercial product emerged earlier than untreated ones. When Phi were foliarly applied two or four times at different doses, high levels of protection against P. infestans were achieved in both cultivars. Higher protection was observed in Kennebec when CaPhi was applied, while in Shepody this was true for KPhi. Expression of β-1,3-glucanases was induced at different times after treatment but no correlation between β-1,3-glucanases expression and foliar protection level was found. On the other hand, Phi positive protection effects did not produce negative effects in plant growth. Leaves from CaPhi-treated plants showed a darker green colour than leaves from control plants; also an increase in Rubisco protein and a delay in crop senescence was observed.     

Comparison of sequences for the internal transcribed spacer region in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizoctonia solani</Emphasis> AG 1-ID and other subgroups of AG 1

The rDNA-ITS sequence of Rhizoctonia solani AG 1-ID was determined and compared to those of R. solani AG 1-IA, AG 1-IB, and AG 1-IC. The similarity of the isolates from each AG 1 subgroup was almost identical (99%–100%), whereas it was lower between subgroups (91%–95%) than within subgroups. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that isolates of AG 1-ID and other subgroups were separately clustered. Isolates of R. solani AG 1 were clearly separated from R. solani AG 2-1, AG 4, and binucleate Rhizoctonia AG-Bb and AG-K. These results showed that analysis of the rDNA-ITS sequence is an optimal criterion for differentiating R. solani AG 1-ID from other subgroups of R. solani AG 1.     

Interactions Between the Potato Cyst Nematode Globodera rostochiensis and Diseases Caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG3 in Potatoes Under Field Conditions

Findings from 2 years of field experiments investigating the relationship between Globodera rostochiensis and Rhizoctonia solani on unique field sites are reported. In 2000, a field experiment was positioned on land that had previously been used for experimental work investigating integrated potato cyst nematode (PCN) management methods. This study had produced an ‘untypical’ mosaic of PCN population densities ranging from 5 to 221 eggs g⁻¹ soil. In 2001, the field experiment was conducted on a different field site and overlaid on a focus of G. rostochiensis population densities ranging from 11 to 108 eggs g⁻¹ soil. In each experiment, potatoes (cv. Désirée) were grown in plots with similar population densities of G. rostochiensis that were either uninoculated or inoculated with R. solani. A series of potato plant harvests were undertaken to investigate the effects of nematode infestation on the incidence and severity of R. solani diseases and the associated development of plants. In both experiments, a clear relationship was found between the density of G. rostochiensis juveniles present in potato roots and the incidence of stolons infected by R. solani, 6 weeks after planting. For the first time this interaction has been determined under field conditions. The results of the study suggest that the interaction between nematode and fungus is indirect and possible mechanisms are discussed.     

Infection of Rice Plants with the Sheath Blight Fungus Causes an Activation of Pentose Phosphate and Glycolytic Pathways

The response of key regulatory enzymes of the pentose phosphate and glycolytic pathways in disease development was assessed in genetically-related rice plants resistant and susceptible to the sheath blight fungus, Rhizoctonia solani. The plants were grown and maintained under greenhouse conditions and inoculated at 50% flowering. Uninoculated healthy plants served as controls. The activities of pentose phosphate pathway enzymes (glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase) increased more than two-fold in both the resistant and susceptible plants. Activities of ATP- and pyrophosphate-dependent phosphofructokinase and phosphoenolpyruvate phosphatase increased in infected plants while activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase in infected plants was lower than in the healthy plants. Furthermore, for enzymes with increased activity, the levels were higher in the resistant line than in the susceptible line. The enhancement of the enzyme activities correlated well with the post infection period. These data suggest that altered carbohydrate metabolism in sheath blight infections may play an important role in modulating the rice plant's response to infection. The isolation of an infection-induced gene encoding a basic enzyme of pentose phosphate and glycolytic pathways could be used to develop plants with more resistance towards sheath blight disease.