Optimal cultivar mixtures in focal plant diseases

This paper deals with a study on the effects of mixtures of partially resistant cultivars in focus forming plant diseases. The focus expansion velocity in a mixture of two partially resistant cultivars depends on four parameters, the focus expansion velocity in a crop of cultivar 1 only and in a crop of cultivar 2 only, the net-reproduction in a crop of cultivar 1 and of cultivar 2, respectively. An explicit equation is developed for the damage of a cultivar mixture where the crop is infected by two physiological races of the pathogen. It is shown that cultivar mixtures exist where damage is smaller than in crops of either of the two cultivars only. A simple explicit formula is given on the basis of which it can be decided whether an optimal mixture exists for a given pathosystem.     

Optimal cultivar mixtures in focal plant diseases

This paper deals with a study on the effects of mixtures of partially resistant cultivars in focus forming plant diseases. The focus expansion velocity in a mixture of two partially resistant cultivars depends on four parameters, the focus expansion velocity in a crop of cultivar 1 only and in a crop of cultivar 2 only, the net-reproduction in a crop of cultivar 1 and of cultivar 2, respectively.An explicit equation is developed for the damage of a cultivar mixture where the crop is infected by two physiological races of the pathogen. It is shown that cultivar mixtures exist where damage is smaller than in crops of either of the two cultivars only. A simple explicit formula is given on the basis of which it can be decided whether an optimal mixture exists for a given pathosystem.     

Leaf scald (Xanthomonas albilineans) incidence and its effect on yield in seven sugarcane cultivars in Guadeloupe

Seven 5—month-old sugarcane cultivars difTering in resistance to leaf scald disease were inoculated by the decapitation technique with Xanthomonas albilineans. The effects of disease progress and incidence on yields were studied for the plant (first harvest) and two ratoon crops (second and third harvest). The percentage of diseased stalks and disease severity at first harvest 5 months after inoculation were 0·7 and 0·4, respectively, for the most resistant cultivar and 71·0% and 63·3, respectively, for the most susceptible cultivar. They decreased in all cultivars in both ratoon crops, but were still important in one cultivar (B69379). Significant ( P = 0·05) yield reductions of 12% and 21% occurred in two of the seven cultivars (B69566 and B69379, respectively). The number of symptomatic sugarcane stalks in the first ratoon crop (second harvest) was lower than the number of stalks colonized by the pathogen. Symptoms and yield losses of cultivars R570 and B69566 varied with the crop. Yield losses occurred in cultivar R570 only in the plant crop when this cultivar displayed numerous symptoms. Cultivar B69566 appeared to recover from the disease to a certain extent from the plant to the second ratoon crop (third harvest), as did the resistant cultivars in the first ratoon crop. In contrast, severe leaf scald symptoms were observed in the case of cultivar B69379 regardless of the crop, and significant yield losses occurred in the two ratoon crops. These results support the recommendation that cultivar B69379 should not be replanted in Guadeloupe.     

Effect of two-component cultivar mixtures and yellow rust on yield and yield components of wheat

Four winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) cultivars and three two-component cultivar mixtures were planted in a replacement series both inoculated with or protected from yellow rust ( Puccinia striiformis ) in three environments. Each cultivar was susceptible to one or two of the rust races used. Mixtures yielded, on average, 7 and 4% more than their component pure stand means under inoculated and rust-free conditions, respectively. Though all yield components were affected by yellow rust, seed weight was the component that was most consistently influenced. The component genotypes within mixtures varied considerably with respect to yield, and the yield of the same component cultivar included in different mixtures sometimes differed significantly. The correlation between yellow rust severity/tiller and grain yield/tiller in mixture differed among cultivars and depended on their companion cultivar. Variance component analysis indicated that yellow rust was the most important experimental variable influencing grain yield. There was no relationship between yield of the cultivars in pure stands and their yields or competitive abilities in mixture. Disease did not change the competitive ranking of cultivars in mixture. Mixtures with complementary, negative, and overcompensatory interactions were identified. On average, mixtures showed no greater yield stability than did pure stands.     

Impact of Sugarcane yellow leaf virus on Sugarcane Yield and Juice Quality in Réunion Island

Sugarcane yellow leaf virus (SCYLV) was first detected in sugarcane of Réunion Island in 1997. A field experiment was undertaken to assess the potential impact of this virus on sugarcane production. The agronomic characteristics of SCYLV-infected plants were compared to those of virus-free plants of three sugarcane cultivars (R570, R577 and R579) which occupy more than 90% of the cultivated sugarcane area on Réunion Island. In the plant crop, significant losses in stalk weight (28%) and in sugar content (11%) were detected for cultivar R577, but not for either of the two other cultivars. In the first ratoon crop, yield reduction was detected for cultivar R577 (37%), but also for cultivar R579 (19%). Cultivar R577 also showed significant losses in sugar content (12%) due to reduced amount and quality of extracted cane juice. No yield reduction was found for cultivar R570, although stalk height and diameter were reduced in SCYLV-infected canes of this cultivar in the first ratoon crop. Leaf yellowing was observed at harvest of plant and ratoon crops when sugarcane was no longer irrigated, and 10–59% of symptomatic stalks could be attributed to the presence of SCYLV. The most severe yellowing symptoms were related to infection of sugarcane by the virus.     

Interactions between Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. tracheiphilum and Meloidogyne spp. in Vigna unguiculata. 3. Pathogenesis by F. o. tracheiphilum as affected by M. javanica and host cultivar

Experiments were conducted to determine the temporal and spatial effects of Meloidogyne jav anica and host cultivar on pathogenesis by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp tracheiphilum in cowpea. In the wilt-susceptible cowpea cultivar California Blackeye No. 5 (CB5). F. o. tracheiphilum proliferated rapidly in both the hypocotyl and first internode 6 weeks after inoculation. The fungus spread quickly upward as plants grew, colonized most tissues within 6 weeks, and caused severe wilt. In wilt-resistant cultivar CB3. there was little proliferation of F. oxysporum in any tissue, whether or not plants were infected by St. javanica. The fungus was found above the primary internode in 15"., of all CB3 plants, but did not continue to spread upward after 4 weeks Vascular discoloration was greatest when St. javanica was added 4 weeks before F. o. tracheiphilum, but simultaneous inoculation also increased wilt symptoms Root wounding did not increase wilt. Split-root experiments provided no evidence that infection by, M. javanica results in a translocatable factor that reduces wilt resistance. When hypocoivls were inoculated with F. o. tracheiphilum at different intervals after roots infected by St. jav anica were removed, there was no evidence that the effect of the nematode on wilt susceptibility was translocated or persistent.     

Wheat Genotype-Specific Induction of Soil Microbial Communities Suppressive to Disease Incited by Rhizoctonia solani Anastomosis Group (AG)-5 and AG-8

ABSTRACT The induction of disease-suppressive soils in response to specific cropping sequences has been demonstrated for numerous plant-pathogen systems. The role of host genotype in elicitation of the essential transformations in soil microbial community structure that lead to disease suppression has not been fully recognized. Apple orchard soils were planted with three successive 28-day cycles of specific wheat cultivars in the greenhouse prior to infestation with Rhizoctonia solani anastomosis group (AG)-5 or AG-8. Suppressiveness to Rhizoctonia root rot of apple caused by the introduced isolate of R. solani AG-5 was induced in a wheat cultivar-specific manner. Pasteurization of soils after wheat cultivation and prior to pathogen introduction eliminated the disease suppressive potential of the soil. Wheat cultivars that induced disease suppression enhanced populations of specific fluorescent pseudomonad genotypes with antagonistic activity toward R. solani AG-5 and AG-8, but cultivars that did not elicit a disease suppressive soil did not modify the antagonistic capacity of this bacterial community. When soils were infested prior to the initial wheat planting, all cultivars were uniformly susceptible to R. solani AG-8. However, when pathogen inoculum was added after three growth-cycles, wheat root infection during the fourth growth-cycle varied in a cultivar specific manner. The same wheat cultivar-specific response in terms of transformation of the fluorescent pseudomonad community and subsequent suppression of Rhizoctonia root rot of apple was observed in three different orchard soils. These results demonstrate the importance of host genotype in modification of indigenous saprophytic microbial communities and suggest an important role for host genotype in the success of biological control.     

Occurrence of two races of Puccinia kuehnii causing orange rust of sugarcane in Florida

Orange rust of sugarcane caused by Puccinia kuehnii was first reported in Florida in 2007. Since then, several sugarcane cultivars that were resistant during the initial epidemics became susceptible within a few years. These shifts in resistance were attributed to the evolution of the pathogen and appearance of new races. To study the variation in virulence of P. kuehnii, healthy leaf pieces of sugarcane cultivars susceptible to orange rust were brush inoculated with isolates of P. kuehnii collected from susceptible cultivars in the field. After inoculation, leaf pieces were placed in an incubator and disease severity based on the number of rust uredinia was determined 2 weeks postinoculation. Isolates of P. kuehnii collected from sugarcane cultivar CP 89-2143, which only showed severe symptoms of orange rust starting in 2011–2012, produced 300%–500% more uredinia on CP 89-2143 than the isolates collected from cultivar CL 85-1040 that has been susceptible since 2007. Sugarcane cultivar CL 85-1040 exhibited high and equivalent numbers of uredinia regardless of the inoculated isolate of the pathogen. These data support the occurrence of pathogenic specialization within P. kuehnii and the existence of at least two races of this pathogen in Florida. Analysis of amplified fragment-length polymorphism among isolates of P. kuehnii from cultivars CP 89-2143 and CL 85-1040 differing in resistance to orange rust revealed genetic variation among rust uredinia. However, this variation was not associated with a specific sugarcane cultivar, suggesting that pathogenic variation was not linked to major, but rather to small genetic changes within the genome of P. kuehnii.     

Diversity of Pathotypes and DNA Fingerprint Haplotypes in Populations of Magnaporthe grisea in Korea over Two Decades

ABSTRACT Using isolates collected over 2 decades, we determined the population structure and dynamics of the rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe grisea, in Korea at both the genotypic and phenotypic levels. Pathotype analysis on 6,315 isolates collected from 328 rice cultivars from 1981 to 2000 revealed the presence of a total of 91 pathotypes. Among these 91 patho-types, nine dominated, comprising 76.5% of the isolates. The expected number of pathotypes (corrected for sample size) increased significantly during the course of this study. On average, six (ranging from 0 to 20) new commercial cultivars were introduced annually between 1981 and 1998. However, the overall cultivar diversity, estimated using the Shannon index, was low. Most of the new cultivars were not planted to a large area because the seven most common cultivars each year occupied over 70% of the rice-cultivated area. The frequencies of the nine dominant patho-types from these seven cultivars were highly correlated with those from the entire set of cultivars. To understand genetic diversity within and between pathotypes, 176 isolates collected from 1984 to 1999 were randomly sampled and analyzed by DNA fingerprinting. High similarities were observed among isolates; overall similarities were greater than 63% in combined MGR586 and MAGGY DNA fingerprints. Unlike most other populations of M. grisea, DNA fingerprints showed no clear lineage structure. No groups were supported by bootstrap values greater than 10%. Furthermore, there was no significant correlation between DNA fingerprint similarities and pathotypes. Genetic similarity was significantly greater (P < 0.001) within years than between years, although the difference was small. Our data suggest that M. grisea populations in Korea have been mostly dominated by a single clonal lineage. We cannot conclude from these data that selection by the host population has been a major force in the evolution of M. grisea in Korea.     

Investigation of alternatives to methyl bromide for management of Meloidogyne javanica on greenhouse grown tomato

The root galling index and the densities of eggs in roots and juveniles in soil of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica (Treub) Chitwood on tomato, and the effect of these on crop yield were assessed in greenhouse experiments applying various treatments at two different sites in Crete, Greece. Tomato crops were grown for four cycles by rotating nematode-resistant (first and third spring crops) with susceptible (second and fourth autumn crops) cultivars and receiving the following treatments: (a) untreated control; (b) methyl bromide application before the first and third crops; (c) application of the fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia (Goddard) Zare, Gams & Evans before planting the first, third and fourth crops with a supplementary application three weeks after the beginning of the fourth crop; (d) application of oxamyl in both sites and fenamiphos in site 1 only at the second and fourth crops; (e) combination of treatments (c) and (d). The fungus density in soil was monitored three weeks after application and at the end of each crop, when roots were lifted. Pochonia chlamydosporia had a variable establishment and did not control the nematode. Its pathogenicity on eggs was not demonstrated, as in all cases galls were big, with all egg masses inside and protected from infection. The methyl bromide treatment significantly reduced root galling and egg production compared to other treatments in all crop cycles and the yield of the fourth crop was significantly greater. Nematicides reduced nematode densities compared with untreated controls and the fungus treatment, but they were less effective than methyl bromide and resulted in increased yield in one site only.     

Interactions between Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. racheiphilum and Meloidogyne spp. in Vigna unguculata. 2. Specificity of different taxa

A California isolate of Meloidogyne javanica increased Fusarium wilt symptoms in cowpea cultivars California Blackeye No. 3 (CB3) (resistant to wilt) and Grant (tolerant) inoculated with each of the three races of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. tracheiphilum. The same isolate of M. javancia did not similarly increase wilt in wilt-resistant cultivar CB7977 inoculated with two isolates of race 3 of F. o. tracheiphilum. Six of seven isolates of M. javanica caused similar increases in vascular discoloration in cultivar CB3. but one isolate of M. javanica and seven of M. incognita did not. Vascular discoloration rating was positively correlated with galling severity. However, increasing the initial inoculum density, and thus galling index, of one isolate of M. incognita did not increase vascular discoloration. The vascular discoloration ratings for the wilt-susceptible CB5 controls in each experiment were higher than those for the wilt-resistant cultivars infected with M. javanica. It is hypothesized that M. javanica but not M. incognita reduces, but does not eliminate, resistance to all races of F. o. tracheiphilum in cultivars CB3 and Grant.     

Histological Characterization of Resistance to Different Root-Knot Nematode Species Related to Phenolics Accumulation in Capsicum annuum

ABSTRACT In the pepper Capsicum annuum CM334, which is used by breeders as a source of resistance to Phytophthora spp. and potyviruses, a resistance gene entirely suppresses reproduction of the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.). The current study compared the histological responses of this resistant line and a susceptible cultivar to infection with the three most damaging root-knot nematodes: M. arenaria, M. incognita, or M. javanica. Resistance of CM334 to root-knot nematodes was associated with unidentified factors that limited nematode penetration and with post-penetration biochemical responses, including the hypersensitive response, which apparently blocked nematode migration and thereby prevented juvenile development and reproduction. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis suggested that phenolic compounds, especially chlorogenic acid, may be involved in CM334 resistance. The response to infection in the resistant line varied with root-knot nematode species and was correlated with nematode behavior and pathogenicity in the susceptible cultivar: nematode species that quickly reached the vascular cylinder and initiated feeding sites in the susceptible cultivar were quickly recognized in CM334 and stopped in the epidermis or cortex. After comparing our data with those from other resistant pepper lines, we suggest that timing of the resistance response and the mechanism of resistance vary with plant genotype, resistance gene, and root-knot nematode species.     

Effect of root-knot nematodes on cajanol accumulation in the vascular tissues of pigeonpea after stem inoculation with Fusarium udum

The effect of root-knot nematodes ( Meloidogyne javanica and M. incognita ) on production of the isoflavonoid phytolexin, cajanol, was investigated in pigeonpea ( Cajanus cajan ) plants infected with Fusarium udum , the causal organism of Fusarium wilt. Seven-day-old seedlings of a wilt-resistant pigeonpea cultivar, ICP 9145 and a wilt-susceptible cultivar, Malawi Local, both of which were moderately susceptible to the nematode, were grown in soil infested with 2000 Meloidogyne juyeniles per plant. A duplicate set of plants remained free from nematodes. Twenty-one days later, all the plants were inoculated with F. udum by stem puncture. Quantitative estimates of cajanol in the vascular tissues were made at intervals up to 15 days after inoculation with the fungus. No external symptoms of wilt appeared in any plants of the wilt-resistant cultivar in the absence of the nematode. However, when inoculated with the nematode, two thirds of the plants developed wilt symptoms. Cajanol levels were lower in both the wilt-resistant and wilt-susceptible plants in the presence of the nematode than in its absence, although this effect was considerably more marked in the wilt-resistant cultivar. These results indicate that the root-knot nematode is capable of breaking resistance of ICP 9145 to Fusarium wilt and that at least part of the mechanism of this effect is retarded cajanol accumulation.     

Interactions between Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. tracheiphilum and Meloidogyne spp. in Vigna unguiculata. 1. Effects of different inoculum densities on Fusarium wilt

The effects of chlamydosporesandconidia of Fusarium oxysporum f sp. tracheiphilum at different initial spore concentrations were compared in the wilt-susceptible cowpea cultivar California Blackeye No. 5 (CB5). In glasshouse experiments with one inoculum density of either Meloidogyne incognita or M javanica, chlamydospores resulted in greater incidence and severity of Fusarium wilt than conidia at the same inoculum densities. Wilt symptoms also increased on wilt-resistant cultivar CB3 as inoculum densities of M. javanica were increased. When three cultivars were infested with moderate or high densities of both F. o. tracheiphilum and M. javanica. only CB5 developed sere wilt at either inoculum density. The wilt-tolerant cultivar Grant had mild wilt symptoms in most plants at moderate inoculum densities, and a tenfold increase in inoculum did not increase wilt ratings. CB3. however, had higher incidence and severity of Fusarium wilt symptoms at high inoculum densities, although 60% of the plants survived for 9 weeks.     

Seasonal and site variability in the tolerance of wheat cultivars to interference from Lolium rigidum

The ability of crop cultivars to maintain yield in the presence of weeds was examined at a number of locations and in successive years. It was found that the magnitude of yield advantages from particular cultivars differed considerably between years and locations. Moreover, there was little correlation between competitiveness at different sites within a year or in different years within a location. Only one cultivar out of 17 in the Western Australian experiments was consistently a good competitor; two cultivars were consistently poor. The former may be of use in breeding for competitiveness, whereas the latter should clearly be avoided in weedy situations. Several cultivars were among the most tolerant at three sites but competed poorly at any one site. It is argued that this makes the provision of advice for farmers difficult. More attention needs to be given to agronomic ways of making a given cultivar more competitive.     

Screening Tomato Cultivars for Resistance to Meloidogyne Species

Abstract

Screening tests on 162 tomato cultivars and hybrids conducted at the Division of Horticulture, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi during 1967-8 indicated a high degree of resistance to root-knot nematodes in Nematex, VFN-8, 65N215-1, 65N255-1 and S1-120, under field and laboratory conditions. The degree of resistance varied with the species of Meloidogyne. Nematex was immune to M. javanica, M. incognita and M. arenaria. VFN-8, 65N215-1 and 65N255-1 were immune to M. incognita and M. arenaria and resistant to M. javanica. S1-120, a commercial cultivar, showed a high degree of tolerance to M. javanica, M. incognita and M. arenaria. The degree of resistance varied with nematode population density.     

Resistance of Brassicaceae plants to root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.) in northern Australia

Abstract

Brassicaceae plants have the potential as part of an integrated approach to replace fumigant nematicides, providing the biofumigation response following their incorporation is not offset by reproduction of plant-parasitic nematodes on their roots. Forty-three Brassicaceae cultivars were screened in a pot trial for their ability to reduce reproduction of three root-knot nematode isolates from north Queensland, Australia: M. arenaria (NQ1), M. javanica (NQ2) and M. arenaria race 2 (NQ5/7). No cultivar was found to consistently reduce nematode reproduction relative to forage sorghum, the current industry standard, although a commercial fodder radish (Raphanus sativus) and a white mustard (Sinapis alba) line were consistently as resistant to the formation of galls as forage sorghum. A second pot trial screened five commercially available Brassicaceae cultivars, selected for their biofumigation potential, for resistance to two nematode species, M. javanica (NQ2) and M. arenaria (NQ5/7). The fodder radish cv. Weedcheck, was found to be as resistant as forage sorghum to nematode reproduction. A multivariate cluster analysis using the resistance measurements, gall index, nematode number per g of root and multiplication for two nematode species (NQ2 and NQ5/7) confirmed the similarity in resistance between the radish cultivar and forage sorghum. A field trial confirmed the resistance of the fodder radish cv. Weedcheck, with a similar reduction in the number of Meloidogyne spp. juveniles recovered from the roots 8 weeks after planting. The use of fodder radish cultivars as biofumigation crops to manage root-knot nematodes in tropical vegetable production systems deserves further investigation.     

Ninth Commonwealth Conference on Plant Pathology

Abstract

Data on shoot borer, Chilo infuscatellus Snell., infestation and granulosis virus infection were collected from sugarcane planted during early and late main seasons and special season on 45, 60, 75 and 90 days after planting. The shoot borer infestation varied significantly among seasons of planting and age of the crop. It was low in March‐April planted crop compared to December‐January and special season planted crops owing to higher rainfall. The infestation was more on 45 and 60 days old crop compared to 75 and 90 days. The seasons of planting, age of the crop and stage of the host larva failed to have any significant influence on the virus infection.     

Protection of olive planting stocks against parasitism of root-knot nematodes by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

The effects were investigated, under controlled conditions, of single and joint inoculation of olive planting stocks cvs Arbequina and Picual with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) Glomus intraradices , Glomus mosseae or Glomus viscosum , and the root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne incognita and Meloidogyne javanica , on plant performance and nematode infection. Establishment of the fungal symbiosis significantly increased growth of olive plants by 88·9% within a range of 11·9–214·0%, irrespective of olive cultivar, plant age and infection by M. incognita or M. javanica . In plants free from AMF, infection by Meloidogyne spp. significantly reduced the plant main stem diameter by 22·8–38·6%, irrespective of cultivar and plant age. Establishment of AMF in olive plants significantly reduced severity of root galling by 6·3–36·8% as well as reproduction of both Meloidogyne spp. by 11·8–35·7%, indicating a protective effect against parasitism by root-knot nematodes. Infection by the nematodes influenced root colonization by AMF, but the net effect depended on the AMF isolate–olive cultivar combination. It is concluded that prior inoculation of olive plants with AMF may contribute to improving the health status and vigour of cvs Arbequina and Picual planting stocks during nursery propagation.     

Hypersensitive-like reaction conferred by the Mex-1 resistance gene against Meloidogyne exigua in coffee

The response of a susceptible coffee cultivar (Caturra) to infection by the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne exigua was compared histologically with that of cv. Iapar 59 possessing the recently identified Mex-1 resistance gene. The reproductive behaviour of the nematode was also compared in the two cultivars. Penetration and development in resistant plants were reduced in comparison with susceptible plants. Several cell features, including dark-stained cytoplasm and altered organelle structure, were observed in the resistant cultivar, indicating a hypersensitive-like (HR) response of the infested host cells. Features of giant cells were sometimes found beside necrotic-like areas, but the corresponding feeding sites were frequently associated with nematodes displaying abnormal shape. Six weeks after inoculation, root systems of cv. Caturra contained significantly more nematodes than those of cv. Iapar 59 (mean values 1574 and 41, respectively). The susceptible cultivar presented a minimum of 11 galls per plant, compared with only one or two galls per plant in the resistant cultivar. The findings are discussed in the context of plant–pathogen interactions.