Association of the western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) with cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus) in Israel

In 1992 and 1993, sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) crops in Israel were heavily damaged by the western flower thrips (WFT),Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Adult females appear in the heads of sunflower just as the latter begin to blossom; the population decreases towards completion of anthesis. The damage to kernels is greatest at the periphery of the heads, where flowers appear first, and lowest at the center. Fields sown early in the season (in March) are usually the ones infested most by WFT and suffering the greatest damage. Fields sown one month later are less infested, since predatory bugs of the genusOrius are very active at that time.     

Seasonal abundance of the western flower thripsFrankliniella occidentalis in the arava valley of Israel

Flowers of 22 plant species grown in the Arava region of Israel were sampled at periodic intervals to study the seasonal abundance ofFrankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Samples were collected from the most common cut-flower and vegetable plant species in this area during 1997 and from pepper in 1996–1998. Western flower thrips (WFT) was detected on 19 of the plant species surveyed, and it reproduced on numerous plant species. WFT counts peaked in late February–April and in October–December. The peak density of WFT during March in our survey corresponded to the peak flowering of cut-flower plants (during spring) and sweet pepper (during autumn). Thrips population was less abundant during autumn than in spring and was very low during summer. The possible reasons for fluctuations in thrips densities are abiotic factors (temperature and relative humidity), and availability of flowering plants. The high temperature (>40°C) and low humidity (∼20%) in summer caused a drastic reduction in WFT populations, although some flowering plant species were available in this season. WFT population remained low until October, when adults appeared in large numbers on flowering pepper. We assume that the thrips had survived the hottest months by aestivation and migrated to the plants when air temperature decreased. In most samples from the cut-flower fields, 84.8% were adult WFT; only during the period from the end of January to March, did the proportion of immature stages in the thrips population increase to 31.6%. Females always outnumbered males (71% females). In pepper fields during the first cropping month the thrips population included 96% adults; from November onwards, the proportions of adults and immatures were almost equal; and females outnumbered males. Organic pepper fields were not infested with thrips because of the presence of the predatory bugOrius albidipennis (Fieber). Contribution from the Agricultural Research Organization. No. 534/00, 2000 series. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting July 16, 2002.     

花生-玉米间作种植模式对蓟马类害虫的控制效果

为明确花生-玉米间作种植模式对蓟马类害虫的控制效果,通过3年田间试验系统调查花生单作、玉米单作和花生-玉米间作3种种植模式下蓟马及其主要捕食性天敌东亚小花蝽Orius sauteri的种群数量动态特征及不同种植模式下东亚小花蝽和蓟马的益害比。结果显示,花生-玉米间作种植模式下东亚小花蝽种群密度显著高于花生单作种植模式,花生-玉米间作种植模式下82.94%以上的东亚小花蝽来源于玉米斑块;与2种单作种植模式相比,花生-玉米间作种植模式未显著减少蓟马的种群密度;东亚小花蝽种群密度与蓟马种群密度呈显著线性关系;花生-玉米间作种植模式下东亚小花蝽与蓟马的益害比均显著低于其他2种单作种植模式。表明花生-玉米间作种植模式在局域农田小范围空间尺度下能显著提高捕食性天敌的种群密度,但并不能显著减少蓟马类害虫种群数量。     

Effects of inoculum density,leaf wetness duration and nitrate concentration on the occurrence of lettuce leaf spot

In Ehime Prefecture, Japan, lettuce leaf spot (Septoria lactucae) caused huge losses in marketable lettuce yields. To explore potential measures to control disease outbreaks, the effects of inoculum density, leaf wetness duration and nitrate concentration on the development of leaf spot on lettuce (Lactuca sativa) were evaluated. Conidia were collected from diseased plants in an infested field by single-spore isolation and were used to inoculate potted lettuce plants with different conidial concentrations. Lesions developed on inoculated lettuce plants at inoculum concentrations from 10⁰ to 10⁶ conidia/ml. The disease was more severe when the inoculum exceeded 10² conidia/ml, and severity increased with increasing concentrations. Assessment of the relationship between disease development and the duration of postinoculation leaf wetness revealed that symptoms appeared when the inoculated plants remained wet for 12 h or longer. The number of lesions and total nitrogen content in the lettuce leaves both increased when nitrate was applied.     

Greenhouse trials of newBacillus thuringiensis isolates for control ofChilo partellus larvae in sorghum

Eight newBacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) isolates originally recovered from different source materials and geographic locations in Kenya were tested againstChilo partellus (Swinhoe) on sorghum grown in a greenhouse. All isolates had been demonstrated previously to be toxic to this pest.Bt strains were cultured in a liquid growth medium and preserved as powders for experimental application. Three-week-old sorghum plants (4-6 leaves) were artificially infested with 20 neonateC. partellus and sprayed 24 h later withBt suspensions. Non-infested sorghum and infested non-treated sorghum served as the comparative checks within each experimental trial. Plant development and dead-heart formation were monitored up to harvest; at harvest, grain yield was recorded. In each replicate trial, all of theBt strains tested reduced plant damage consistently, compared with the infested, non-treated checks. Dead-heart formation was significantly reduced and grain yields were significantly higher. Three novel isolates, A-3, A-C-2 and M44-2, provided superior levels of protection throughout. Statistically, there was no difference among these threeBt treatments and the non-infested check in terms of the number of dead-hearts (i.e., non-yielding plants) that formed during the course of the experiment. In the infested, non-treated check plots, dead-hearts developed in 74.5±10.0% of the plants, compared with only 3.1±1.2% of the non-infested plants, and 3.1 ±1.5%, 6.2±2.0% and 6.2±2.0% of the plants treated with M44-2, A-3 and A-C-2, respectively. At harvest, the weight of grain obtained from the non-infested control plots was considered to be 100% of the potential yield for each experimental replicate. In the infested, non-treated controls, only 14±5.6% of the potential yield was realized. When isolates M44-2, A-3 and A-C-2 were applied, proportionate yields of 83±5.4%, 93±2.3% and 98±1.2%, respectively, were obtained. Results showed that theBt strains selected may have a strategic role to play in the management ofC. partellus, providing applications are timed to target young larvae feeding in the leaf whorl.     

六种三唑类杀菌剂对番茄叶霉病菌的毒力及其安全性和田间防效评价

为筛选出有效防治番茄叶霉病的药剂,采用生长速率法及平板涂布法测定6种三唑类杀菌剂对番茄叶霉病菌菌丝生长及分生孢子萌发和芽管伸长的毒力,评价其对番茄植株的安全性和对叶霉病的田间防效。结果表明,己唑醇、苯醚甲环唑、戊唑醇和氟硅唑对番茄叶霉病菌菌丝生长的毒力均较高,EC_(50)分别为0.50、0.55、0.80、2.42 mg/L,其次为腈菌唑和四氟醚唑,EC50分别为6.92、15.08 mg/L。6种杀菌剂抑制病菌分生孢子萌发及芽管伸长的作用均较弱,对芽管伸长的抑制活性高于对孢子萌发的抑制活性;戊唑醇和四氟醚唑抑制孢子萌发的作用相对较强,100 mg/L处理的抑制率为60%~70%,戊唑醇、四氟醚唑和己唑醇抑制芽管伸长的作用相对较强,100 mg/L处理的抑制率均在70%以上。己唑醇和戊唑醇200 mg/L处理番茄植株,显著抑制其株高,苯醚甲环唑和腈菌唑对其影响相对较小,这4种杀菌剂对番茄植株的叶色及形态均无明显影响;且这4种杀菌剂对番茄叶霉病的田间预防效果均高于治疗效果,其中150 mg/L己唑醇的预防效果和治疗效果均最高,分别为90.67%和85.58%;苯醚甲环唑的最低,300 mg/L时预防效果为80.16%,治疗效果为71.68%。     

Use of azadirachtin as a larvicide or feeding deterrent for control of western flower thrips in orchard systems

Field trials were carried out to assess the efficacy of a 4% azadirachtin (aza)-containing neem seed extract EC, against damage by western flower thrips [Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)] on nectarine crops in the Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada. Several trials were conducted during the years 1993 to 1995 to assess the repellent and larvicidal properties of aza, specifically: whether it was effective against adult or larval thrips; how the effects differed with concentration of aza; and whether female WFT avoided aza-treated flowers. Our results showed that aza has only limited effectiveness as a control agent against WFT on nectarines and the current formulation does not appear to limit larval development sufficiently to be deemed a possible control agent in this field situation.     

Suppression of sporulation ofBotrytis spp. as a valid biocontrol strategy

In this study, the hypothesis was tested that removal of substrate for sporulation ofBotrytis spp. may lead to a retardation of an epidemic if the majority of the inoculum is produced inside the treated crop. Suppression of sporulation ofBotrytis spp. could be an attractive option for biological control ofBotrytis leaf spot in onions. In a field experiment, necrotic leaf tissue was removed to simulate the effect of a biocontrol agent. By this means, the amount of substrate on whichBotrytis spp. sporulates was reduced. In the experiment, the spore load above the onion plots was significantly reduced and the epidemic of onion leaf spot was retarded. At the end of the growing season, the number of leaf lesions in the green leaf area was lower in plots with substrate removal than in control plots (0.6 and 1.1 cm^–2, respectively). The results demonstrated that an epidemic of onion leaf spot largely depends on the rate of inoculum production inside a crop. Thus, suppression of sporulation on necrotic leaf tissue is a valid control strategy that could be applied by using sporulation suppressing antagonists.     

球孢白僵菌对松墨天牛的致病力及其与花绒寄甲的相容性

为探明昆虫病原真菌球孢白僵菌Beauveria bassiana与天敌昆虫花绒寄甲Dastarcus helophoroides的相容性,观察4株球孢白僵菌菌株的生长性状、产孢量以及孢子萌发率,并选用Bb3275和Bb202菌株测定其对松墨天牛Monochamus alternatus的致病力以及对花绒寄甲的毒力;同时在模拟环境条件下,分别用Bb3275和Bb202菌株的孢子悬浮液先侵染松墨天牛幼虫,再按1∶1比例将花绒寄甲与受侵染的松墨天牛置于同一环境下饲养,观察花绒寄甲的死亡率。结果显示,孢子悬浮液浓度为1×10⁶孢子/mL至1×10⁸孢子/mL时,Bb3275菌株和Bb202菌株对松墨天牛幼虫和成虫的致病力与对照组相比均有显著差异;经4种浓度Bb3275和Bb202菌株侵染花绒寄甲幼虫和成虫15 d后,仅在高浓度1×10⁸孢子/mL时表现出轻微致死作用,但花绒寄甲的存活率均高于85.00%;模拟条件下,松墨天牛幼虫校正死亡率均在80.00%以上,而同环境下花绒寄甲幼虫和成虫均表现出良好的活力,且侵染率为0。表明球孢白僵菌和花绒寄甲之间具有很好的相容性,可以同时应用于松墨天牛的生物防治。     

Life-table analysis of faba bean rust

In controlled near-optimum conditions (18 °C), monocyclic sporulation capacity and spore infection efficiency were assessed for faba bean rust on the first and second leaves of field bean. After a latency period of 8–10 days, lesions sporulated duringc. 50 days. Spore production on the second leaf,c. 9×10⁴ spores per lesion, was two times as high as spore production on the first leaf. Infection efficiency was similar for both leaf layers, with a mean value of 0.11 lesion per inoculated spore. Infection efficiency decreased strongly when spores originated from mother lesions older than 20 days. Three life-table statistics (the net reproduction numberR _o , the mean generation timeT _g , and the maximum relative growth rater _max ) were calculated.R _o was larger andT _g was longer for the second than for the first leaf, butr _max was nearly the same for both leaf layers (0.31–0.33 day^–1).r _max was compared with the exponential growth rater measured in a field experiment. From the difference between the two rates, the fraction of inoculum lost in field conditions was estimated at 0.54–0.94. The life-table statistics were also compared to those of other legume rusts, and implications of life-table analysis for comparative epidemiology were discussed.     

木霉Tr-92厚垣孢子可湿性粉剂的储存性能及应用效果

为评价木霉Trichoderma spp.厚垣孢子可湿性粉剂的储存性能及应用效果,采用稀释涂平板法测定了保存过程中木霉Tr-92分生孢子和厚垣孢子可湿性粉剂的存活率以及在黄瓜叶片上的定殖能力,并采用盆栽试验法比较了2种木霉制剂对黄瓜灰霉病的防效。结果表明,木霉厚垣孢子制剂贮存180 d时孢子存活率达到72.8%,显著高于分生孢子制剂的42.2%;喷施后7 d,木霉厚垣孢子制剂和分生孢子制剂在黄瓜叶片上的定殖数量分别为1 580个/cm~2和1 490个/cm~2,二者间存在显著差异,且厚垣孢子制剂定殖时间大于分生孢子制剂;1 000倍稀释的木霉厚垣孢子制剂对黄瓜灰霉病的防效达99.20%,与嘧菌酯的防效无显著差异,在喷施后7 d和12 d的防效均显著高于分生孢子制剂。研究表明,木霉厚垣孢子制剂的储存性能和对黄瓜灰霉病的防效均显著优于木霉分生孢子制剂。     

虫尸表面罗伯茨绿僵菌产孢、致病力及其相关基因的表达特征

为明确绿僵菌在其致死害虫表面生长发育和致病力等相关分子机制,通过显微观察大蜡螟Galleria mellonella虫尸表面罗伯茨绿僵菌Metarhizium robertsii生长和产孢特性,并测定其致病力,分别对虫尸表面和PDA培养基上罗伯茨绿僵菌的菌丝生长阶段和大量产孢阶段进行高通量测序,对虫尸表面罗伯茨绿僵菌产孢及致病力通路相关基因进行系统分析,并采用荧光定量PCR技术对高通量测序结果进行验证。结果表明,PDA培养基上培养5 d后,罗伯茨绿僵菌开始大量产孢,培养14 d时产孢量最高,为4.6×10~7个/cm~2,大蜡螟幼虫注射罗伯茨绿僵菌4 d后,其体表出现菌丝,5.5 d后虫尸表面罗伯茨绿僵菌大量产孢,9 d后产孢量最高,为2.6×10~8个/cm~2。与PDA培养基上罗伯茨绿僵菌对大蜡螟幼虫的半致死时间(7.09 d和4.66 d)相比,体壁侵染法和显微注射法侵染的虫尸表面罗伯茨绿僵菌对大蜡螟幼虫的半致死时间(6.33 d和4.49 d)分别显著缩短和无显著变化。高通量测序结果显示,在菌丝生长阶段和大量产孢时期,虫尸表面罗伯茨绿僵菌中共有810个基因上调表达,452个基因...     

Host-parasite relationships in tobacco plants infected with a root-knot nematode (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Meloidogyne incognita</Emphasis>) population from the Azores

During a nematode survey, severe infections of tobacco feeder roots and heavy soil infestations byMeloidogyne incognita race 1 were found in S. Miguel (Azores islands, Portugal). This is the first record ofM. incognita infection of tobacco in Azores. Morphology of various life stages, analysis of the esterase electrophoretic pattern and differential host tests were used for nematode characterization and identification. Nematode-induced mature galls were spherical and/or ellipsoidal and usually contained more than one female, males and egg masses with eggs. Feeding sites were characterized by the development of giant cells that contained granular cytoplasm and many hypertrophied nuclei. Giant cell cytoplasm was aggregated along a thickened cell wall. Vascular tissues within galls appeared disorganized. The relationship between the initial nematode population density and growth of tobacco plants was tested in a glasshouse experiment in which inoculum levels varied from 0 to 512 eggs and juveniles (J₂) cm⁻³ of soil. Seinhorst’s model was fitted to height and top fresh weight data of the inoculated and control plants. Tolerance limits with respect to plant height and fresh top weight of tobacco cv. ‘Erzegovina’ plants toM. incognita race 1 were estimated as 1.25 eggs and J₂ cm⁻³ of soil. The maximum nematode reproduction rate was 404.7 at an initial population density of 4 eggs and J₂ cm⁻³ of soil. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting March 2, 2004.     

Host specificity of a brazilian isolate of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Alternaria cassiae</Emphasis> (Cenargen CG593) under greenhouse conditions

SeveralAlternaria cassiae isolates were recovered from diseased sicklepod plants (Senna obtusifolia) in the southern regions of Brazil. A representative isolate (Cenargen CG593) was tested for its host range under greenhouse conditions. The fungus promoted symptoms in sicklepod, cassava (Manihot dulce), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) and eggplant (Solanum melongena) when tested at a spore concentration of 10⁶ spores ml⁻¹. When the plants were inoculated with a suspension of 10⁵ spores ml⁻¹ and held at a dew period of 12 h (cassava) or 18 h (tomato and eggplant), the plants showed symptoms of the disease, but they recovered and continued their normal vegetative growth. These results show that the fungusA. cassiae is safe to use for the control ofS. obtusifolia under Brazilian conditions, because it did not cause excessive damage in the three plants tested. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Jan. 14, 2007.     

荧光假单胞菌SS101对苹果再植病害的生防效果

为明确荧光假单胞菌SS101对苹果再植病害的生防效果,采用平板对峙法和孢子萌发法研究了SS101菌株对9株来自不同苹果产区病原菌的抑制作用以及对盆栽海棠实生苗、海棠大苗和苹果树生长的影响,并测定了连续处理4年苹果树的产量。结果显示,SS101菌株对9株病原菌的菌丝生长抑制率为39.39%~72.00%,对孢子萌发抑制率为19.86%~51.77%;经SS101菌株处理后,海棠实生苗叶绿素含量、株高和鲜重均显著高于再植土处理,分别提高13.38%、19.39%和48.26%;经SS101菌株处理后,海棠大苗定植9个月后,茎粗净增长量为2.97 mm,增长率为214.05%,而再植土处理仅为114.02%;连续处理4年的苹果树平均单株产量比再植土处理提高139.46%,且消除了再植病害症状。研究表明,SS101菌株对苹果再植病害病原菌具有显著抑制作用,在田间对再植病害具有良好的防控效果。     

不同种子处理方法下长枝木霉T6菌株对小油菜促生作用及生理特性的影响

为了明确长枝木霉T6菌株(Trichoderma longibrachiatm)对小油菜(Brassica chinensis)促生效果及生理特性的影响，通过水琼脂培养法、浸泡法和灌根法进行种子处理，并测定了长枝木霉T6菌株及其孢子悬浮液和发酵滤液处理后小油菜种子活性、根系发育及幼苗叶绿素和可溶性蛋白含量的变化情况。结果表明：与对照相比，采用水琼脂培养法，接种长枝木霉T6菌株后小油菜种子发芽率、发芽指数、胚根长度、胚芽长度、幼苗鲜重和干重相对增长率分别为2.51%、20.55%、70.79%、21.98%、32.00%和30.00%,幼苗根系总投影面积、总根表面积、平均根系直径、总根体积和根尖数相对增长率分别为58.49%、58.79%、18.18%、100.00%和77.88%;采用种子浸泡法，浓度为1.0×10⁷ cfu·mL^-1长枝木霉T6菌株孢子悬浮液处理后显著提高了小油菜种子发芽率、发芽指数、胚根长度、胚芽长度、幼苗鲜重和干重，其相对增长率分别为2.06%、19.60%、82.21%、43.36%、31.58%和40.00%,根系总...     

Suppression of potato cyst nematode root penetration by the endoparasitic nematophagous fungusHirsutella rhossiliensis

The endoparasitic nematophagous fungusHirsutella rhossiliensis was tested for its ability to suppress root penetration and cyst formation by the potato cyst nematode speciesGlobodera pallida. Isolates ofH. rhossiliensis were obtained from infected potato cyst nematode juveniles from different starch potato fields in The Netherlands. The isolates showed no difference in spore adhesion to juveniles on agar plates (adhesion rate: ±90%). The most rapid growing isolate, CBS 108.94, was used for experiments. Vegetative mycelial colonies ofH. rhossiliensis CBS 108.94, grown in potato dextrose broth, were used as soil inoculum. During submerged cultivation the mycelial colonies produced phialides (spore-bearing cells) but no spores. Exposed to the air, however, spores were rapidly formed. The effect of different soil inoculum densities of mycelial colonies on root penetration byGlobodera pallida was examined in an experiment in 250-ml pots. Up to a mycelial colony concentration representing a potential spore density of 10⁴ g^–1 soil no suppression occurred. At approximated densities of 2.5×10⁴ and 10⁵ spores g^–1 soil the numbers of juveniles which penetrated roots were reduced by 30% and 34%, respectively. The distribution of the inoculum could be improved by fragmentation of the mycelial colonies before soil inoculation. Using mycelial fragments, again no suppression of root penetration was observed up to a potential spore density of 10⁴ g^–1 soil, but at densities of 10⁵ and 10⁶ g^–1 a suppression of 54% and 88%, respectively, was measured. In a greenhouse experiment, soil inoculation with mycelial colonies with a potential spore production of 2.5×10⁵ g^–1 soil resulted in a suppression of root penetration of 37% and 51% after 5 and 6 weeks, respectively, but the number of newly formed cysts after 18 weeks in soil was not different for control and inoculated pots. It is concluded thatH. rhossiliensis may be useful for the reduction of root damage caused by juveniles of potato cyst nematodes, but the usefulness for population control is doubtful.     

Trichoderma harzianum produces nonanoic acid, an inhibitor of spore germination and mycelial growth of two cacao pathogens

An isolate of Trichoderma harzianum Rifai from an infected cacao pod produces and secretes nonanoic (pelargonic) acid into a liquid culture medium. Nonanoic acid (NA) was very inhibitory to spore germination and mycelial growth of two cacao pathogens, Crinipellis perniciosa Stahel and Moniliophthora roreri Cif. H.C. Evans. It was highly active causing 75% inhibition of spore germination in an in vitro assay at a rate as low as 0.09 μM for M. roreri and 0.92 μM for C. perniciosa. Mycelial growth was comparatively less sensitive to inhibition, but still there was a 75% reduction in growth with 0.62 μM in M. roreri and 151 μM NA in C. perniciosa. In contrast, NA did not affect Trichoderma mycelial growth or spore germination at concentrations that were inhibitory to the pathogens. 6-pentyl-α-pyrone was also produced and secreted into the medium by T. harzianum, however; it was not antagonistic to the cacao pathogens. Although a number of metabolites produced by Trichoderma spp. have been identified in the past, this is the first report of NA production and secretion by any Trichoderma. The results suggest that NA may play a role in the successful use of some Trichoderma spp. isolates in the biocontrol of fungal diseases of plants.     

Identification of a new pathotype of Puccinia hordei with virulence for the resistance gene Rph7

Barley leaf rust resistance gene Rph7, derived from barley accession Cebada Capa, is the most effective R-gene for resistance to Puccinia hordei. Virulence for this gene was known in the USA, Israel and Morocco but not yet in Europe. We found an unexpected leaf rust infection in the field at Córdoba, Spain in 2004 on Rph7 carrying lines. This virulence for Rph7 was confirmed in growth chamber experiments, being the first report of Rph7 virulence in European populations of P. hordei. A collection of 680 barley accessions was screened for resistance against this new isolate. Twelve accessions showed segregation with individual plants showing resistance based on hypersensitivity (low infection type). These individual resistant plants were selected and grown in the greenhouse to obtain seeds.     

The proportion of viruliferous individuals in field populations of Frankliniella occidentalis: Implications for tomato spotted wilt virus epidemics in tomato

Tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (TSWV) infected plants and western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis Perg., WFT) adult population densities were monitored during 1993 and 1994 in field tomatoes in Northeastern Spain. The proportion of viruliferous WFT adults in field populations was quantified. A significant association has been found between early population densities of WFT adult thrips and final TSWV incidence for early transplanted tomato crops. In contrast, for late transplanted tomato crops, whereas similar high final disease incidences of TSWV could be attained, very low WFT adult population densities were always detected. The significantly higher infectious potential of WFT populations collected during the early growth stages of late transplanted tomatoes could be relevant for the TSWV incidences attained in spite of the low thrips numbers detected.