Induction of resistance in cocoa against Crinipellis perniciosa and Verticillium dahliae by acibenzolar- S-methyl (ASM)

The benzothiadiazole compound acibenzolar- S -methyl (ASM) was assessed as an inducer of resistance against Crinipellis perniciosa , agent of witches' broom, and Verticillium dahliae , agent of vascular wilt, both on cocoa. ASM induced a reduction in incidence of witches' broom of up to 84·5% when sprayed 30 days before inoculation on cocoa seedlings of cv. Catongo. ASM also induced a reduction in severity of Verticillium wilt to 55·4% on cv. Theobahia. For both pathosystems, effects of dose on disease were not clearly observed. The efficacy of the inducer increased with the interval between sprayings and the respective inoculations with the pathogens. In another experiment, the effect of ASM on the control of witches' broom on cocoa seedlings was compared with that of cuprous oxide and tebuconazole, all sprayed 15 days before inoculation. ASM reduced disease incidence by 60·1% compared with the inoculated control. ASM was superior to tebuconazole, and there was also a tendency for ASM to be better than cuprous oxide. To understand the mechanism of action of ASM as an inducer of resistance, alterations in the levels of total phenolics, polyphenol oxidases and peroxidases were evaluated 3, 15 and 30 days after spraying of seedlings of cv. Catongo. Enzyme activities from seedlings of cv. Theobahia were evaluated 30 days after spraying. On cv. Catongo, no significant differences in total phenolic content and polyphenol oxidase activity were detected after spraying. However, an increase in peroxidase activity was detected at all times of evaluation. On cv. Theobahia, significant increases in activities of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase were detected, indicating that defence responses due to ASM were dependent on host genotype.     

Efficacy of two organotin compounds and neem extract against the sorghum shoot fly

The antifeedants triphenyltin acetate and hydroxide and neem seed kernel extracts in two concentrations each, were evaluated as control measures against the sorghum shoot fly,Atherigonu varia soccata Rond. in comparison with the insecticides presently used for this purpose. The antifeedants appeared to be partially effective and were less active than the insecticides.     

Evaluation of attract-and-kill strategy for management of cocoa pod borer,Conopomorpha cramerella,in Malaysia cocoa plantation

Abstract

In South-East Asia, cocoa production is dramatically affected by cocoa pod borer (CPB) infestations. As an alternative tool to chemical control, the efficacy of attract-and-kill strategy (CPB sex-pheromone as attractant and Delta trap without sticky liner sprayed with cypermethrin solution as killing station) was evaluated and compared with current standard CPB management approach as control treatment during two main cocoa harvest seasons in Malaysia (with 100 µg and 33.3 µg CPB-pheromone loading per station, respectively). In both seasons, attract-and-kill strategy was highly effective at reducing male flight activity (p?<?0.05) in attract-and-kill plots comparing with standard CPB management plots. For the percentage of CPB-infested pods, the attract-and-kill strategy (100 µg) was as good as the conventional pesticide spray applications of cypermethrin (p?=?0.083) in first season. However, it was significantly (p?=?0.021) reduced in the second season with lower pheromone loading (33.3 µg), indicating that this semiochemical based strategy is far superior to and more feasible than the currently applied conventional synthetic pesticide treatment and is therefore a good alternative in CPB integrated pest management.     

蜡蚧轮枝菌的新株系(Lecanicillium lecanii-01Et)对介壳虫的毒力测定

对从未喷药的中国农业大学校园露地栽培的辣根上采集的介壳虫制作成永久玻片后进行鉴定,初步判断为梨绒蚧(Eriococcus tokaedae Kuwana)。将蜡蚧轮枝菌(Lecanicillium lecanii)Bj085-1菌株分生孢子配成(1.4×104)～(1.4×108)孢子/mL的5个处理浓度,对梨绒蚧若虫进行第1次毒力测定。结果显示,各个处理浓度之间的平均累计死亡率大致随着孢子浓度的增加而增加,其中以(1.4×108)孢子/mL浓度处理的最高,但只有45.7%。其后将第1次毒力测定试验中死亡虫体经保湿后出现的菌丝体进行分离纯化,获得了新株系(Lecanicillium lecanii-01Et)进行第2次毒力测定(方法同第1次)。结果表明,不同浓度的L.lecanii-01Et分生孢子对梨绒蚧若虫的杀虫速度随浓度的增加而明显加快,浓度增至(1.4×108)孢子/mL时,杀虫速度最快,LT50仅为3.95 d,平均累计校正死亡率达84.1%。说明分离纯化后的蜡蚧轮枝菌新株系(L.lecanii-01Et)分生孢子对梨绒蚧若虫有较好的防治作用。     

A review of castor-derived products used in crop and seed protection

Castor-derived products are currently used for protecting agricultural crops and seeds from devastating damages of pests and diseases. Extracts (1–10%) of leaf or seed in water or chemical solvents, and crude oil (3–5%) extracted from seed were found effective as sprays against foliage insect pests. Populations of the root-knot nematodes were significantly reduced when de-oiled seed cake was incorporated into soil at 1000 kg/ha, especially after mixing it with bio-inoculants such as, a fungus (Poecilomyces lilacinus) or a bacterium (Pasteuria penetrans). Castor proved as a potential synergist when mixed with other plant products or chemical pesticides and exhibited different modes of actions but with comparatively limited insecticidal properties. In less developed and developing countries, the common use of oil is for treating stored cereals and pulses at 5–10 ml/kg seed. In both field and greenhouse experiments, pest mortality and other biological parameters were dose-dependent. This review discusses different uses of castor products to foresee possibility of replacing or at least reducing use of toxic chemicals in crop and seed protection.     

Studies on the control of zucchini yellow mosaic virus in courgettes by mild strain protection

Mild-strain cross protection was used in field trials at Wellesbourne and in Jersey in attempts to protect courgette plants against severe strains of zucchini yellow mosaic virus. Test plants were sap inoculated with the mild strain and then challenged by an aphid-transmitted severe strain after different periods. Approximately 14 days of incubation were required following mild-strain inoculation to provide protection against subsequent infection by severe strains. No protection occurred if severe strains were introduced 2 days (48 h) after mild-strain inoculation and protection was intermediate if the severe-strain challenge occurred after 7–8 days. Some breakdown in protection occurred in the later stages of the trial at Wellesbourne, but not in Jersey. This loss of protection may be associated with high inoculum pressures.     

Characterization of a New Barley Mild Mosaic Virus Pathotype in France

In March 2002 in a French field, severe mosaic symptoms appeared on plants of the barley cultivar Tokyo with the rym5 locus controlling resistance to all European strains of barley yellow mosaic virus (BaYMV) and barley mild mosaic virus (BaMMV). Electron microscopic examination revealed that the disease symptoms were associated with the presence of flexuous particles which resemble bymoviruses. From these observations and after enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis it was first determined that the plants could be infected by BaMMV and BaYMV. Mechanical transmission of these viruses to the barley cultivar Magie susceptible to both viruses was only possible for BaMMV. This new pathotype (BaMMV-Sil) from Sillery (Marne Department, 51, France), in contrast to another mechanically transmitted French BaMMV isolate (BaMMV-MF), could be transmitted mechanically to two barley cultivars (Tokyo, Misato Golden), Arachis hypogaea, Datura stramonium and Lactuca sativa. BaMMV-Sil was indistinguishable from three BaMMV isolates from Germany (G), Japan (Ka1) and France (PF) by monoclonal antibodies in ELISA while the Japanese isolate (Na1) and BaMMV-MF were distinguishable from all. The sequence of the 3-terminal region of BaMMV-Sil RNA1 was determined. Comparison with previously published sequence data of capsid proteins indicated that BaMMV-Sil was closely related to BaMMV-Ka1, BaMMV-G and another German isolate (BaMMV-ASL1). Resistance-breaking BaMMV strains able to infect cultivars carrying the rym5 locus have also been described in Japan (BaMMV-Na1) and Korea (BaMMV-Kor). No specific amino acid differences were detected between the capsid proteins of BaMMV-Sil, BaMMV-Na1, BaMMV-Kor and those BaMMV isolates that do not overcome the rym5 resistance gene. These results indicate that BaMMV-Sil is a new pathotype of BaMMV in France and suggests that the capsid protein is not the determining factor of the pathogenicity towards the resistance gene rym5.     

Arguments against a fifth chromosomal factor in control of aldrin epoxidation and propoxur resistance in the Fc strain of the house fly

The DDT-resistant Fc strain of house flies, Musca domestica L., was analyzed genetically by means of crosses with a susceptible strain carrying a recessive mutant marker for each of the five autosomes. Progeny (substrains) retaining combinations of two, three, or four chromosomes of the resistant parent were selected for measurement of their microsomal aldrin expoidase activity and its correlation with chromosomal makeup and level of resistance to DDT and propoxur. There was no evidence that microsomal epoxidation of aldrin or resistance to propoxur, is associated with chromosome V in the Fc strain as has been reported. Instead, the well-known oxidase regulating factor on chromosome II was of major importance in the strain's microsomal oxidation of aldrin. There was also evidence, though not conclusive, that a factor on chromosome I has an influence on the oxidative metabolism of insecticides in this strain, possibly through an interaction with the factor on chromosome II. The reasons for the conflicting reports on the genetic control of microsomal oxidation in the Fc strain are discussed.     

番茄灰霉病菌颉颃菌株的筛选及功能基因的分析

本研究采用琼脂平板扩散法从土壤中分离筛选得到8株对番茄灰霉病菌(Botrytis cinerea)具有显著抑菌活性的菌株。离体叶片颉颃实验表明,菌株12-34可显著抑制番茄灰霉病病原菌的生长。通过菌体和菌落形态的观察及生理生化性状分析,初步判断8株颉颃菌为芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus)。对菌株12-34的16S rDNA序列分析表明,该菌株与Bacillus velezensis的16S rDNA序列同源性达99.78%;结合菌株12-34的生理生化特征,将其鉴定为Bacillus velezensis。采用生防相关功能基因srfAA、srfAB、bmyB、fenD、bioA和ituC的特异引物,首次从12-34菌株中扩增到相关的基因片段,表明该菌株具有一定的生防应用潜力。     

Induction of a defense response in strawberry mediated by an avirulent strain of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Colletotrichum</Emphasis>

In the strawberry crop area of Tucumán (north-west Argentina) the three species of Colletotrichum causing anthracnose disease (C. acutatum, C. fragariae and C. gloeosporioides) were detected. Among all isolates characterized, one of them identified as C. acutatum (M11) and another as C. fragariae (F7) were selected due to their conspicuous interaction with the strawberry cultivar Pájaro. Whereas isolate M11 produced a strong compatible interaction in cv. Pájaro with clear disease symptoms (DSR = 5.0), the isolate F7 brought about a typical incompatible interaction (DSR = 1.0). When plants of cv. Pájaro were inoculated with F7 prior to the inoculation with M11, the former avirulent strain prevented the growth of the latter virulent pathogen. Experimental evidence indicated that the time elapsed between the first inoculation with the avirulent pathogen and the second inoculation with the virulent one was crucial to inhibit the growth of the latter. The growth of F7 on the plant without provoking damage and the fact that there was no in vitro antagonistic effect between the pathogens, suggests that the avirulent strain triggers a plant defensive response against M11. The defense response was further confirmed by the detection of an early oxidative burst occurring within 4 h after the first inoculation and by the observation of anatomical changes associated with defense mechanisms that lasted 50 days after the inoculation with F7. Results obtained support the hypothesis that the plant resistance against the virulent strain M11 is elicited by one or more diffusible(s) compound(s) produced by the avirulent strain F7.     

Fusarium ear blight (scab) in small grain cereals—a review

This review of Fusarium ear blight (scab) of small grain cereals has shown that up to 17 causal organisms have been associated with the disease, which occurs in most cereal-growing areas of the world. The most common species were Fusarium graminearum (Gibberella zeae), F. culmorum, F, avenaceum (G, avenacea), F, poae and Microdochium nivale (Monographella nivalis). The disease was recorded most frequently under hot, wet climatic conditions where significant yield losses and mycotoxin accumulation in grain were reported. Possible sources of inoculum were reported as crop debris, alternative hosts and Fusarium seedling blight and foot rot of cereals. The mode of dispiersal of inoculum to ears remains unclear, but contaminated arthropod vectors, systemic fungal growth through plants, and wind and rain-splash dispersal of spores have been proposed. Infection of wheat ears was shown to occur mainly during anthesis, and it has been demonstrated that fungal growth stimulants may be present in anthers. Despite the importance of the disease, particularly during epidemic years, control methods are limited. Much effort has gone into breeding resistant wheat varieties and into improving our understanding of the possible mechanisms and genetic basis of resistance, with only moderate success. There are also surprisingly few reports of successful fungicidal or biological control of the disease in the field.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Neofusicoccum parvum</Emphasis> associated with fruit rot and shoot blight of peaches in Greece

Shoot blights and fruit rots comprise the most serious diseases of peaches in Greece. In this study, the importance of the fungus Neofusicoccum parvum as a casual agent of a fruit rot and shoot blight of peach trees in Greece was investigated. This pathogen was isolated from both immature and mature peach fruit of the cultivar “Catherine” and later on from mature fruit of the peach cultivars “Andross”, “RedHaven”, “Sun Crest” and “Sun Cloud”. In the first year of investigation, N. parvum was found causing preharvest fruit rot and shoot blights of peach trees only at the location “Ammos-Mesi-Meliki Verias” in the prefecture of Imathia (the main peach production area of Greece) at incidences of 30 and 8%, respectively. However, in 2006 N. parvum was isolated from more locations such as Diavatos, Veria, Kopanos and Agia Marina in the prefecture of Imathia, but only at less than 3% of the total surveyed rotted peach fruit and blighted shoots. The pathogen overwintered as sub-epidermal pycnidia in blighted shoots or mummified fruit that remained on peach trees. This study also showed that the optimum temperature for mycelial growth and conidial germination of N. parvum was 25 oC. Pathogenicity tests using peach fruit showed that isolates of N. parvum and Diplodia seriata (isolated from pistachio grown in the same region) showed no significant differences in their virulence. In laboratory inoculation tests using detached shoots from 25 peach and nectarine cultivars, N. parvum isolates obtained from rotted peaches caused different size cankers on these cultivars. The cultivar Big Top was the most susceptible while the cultivar Maria Bianca the least susceptible.     

Apical dominance in the shoot and its possible rôle in the survival of Paspalum distichum L.

Summary. When sequential single-node shoot segments (third to fifteenth node, counting from the apex) of the perennial grass weed Paspalum distichum L. were buried in soil, new shoot growth was significantly correlated with initial segment length. Growth from the youngest segment (third), which was about 2 cm long, was only half as great as that from segments 8 to 15, which were initially 2–3·5 times longer. When 14-node shoot segments were buried in soil, the apical bud exerted a dominating influence on shoot emergence and new shoot growth of axillary buds. The degree of suppression increased gradually up to node 8 and then decreased as the distance from the apex increased. A similar result was obtained in these shoot segments following decapitation. However, the degrees and patterns of apical and bud dominance varied in shoots collected during different seasons and also in shoots with different node numbers, node position, cutting and chilling treatments. A possible role of apical and bud dominance in P. distichum in keeping aerial shocks in reserve under adverse conditions, thus providing a survival mechanism for this weed, is discussed.