First record of the Q biotype of the sweetpotato whitefly, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bemisia tabaci</Emphasis>, in Guatemala

Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) adults and immatures were collected from poinsettia plants at two commercial production greenhouses in Guatemala during an invited tour to observe IPM practices within the facilities. Despite extensive scouting, only low numbers of insects were collected from vegetable, weed and wild ornamentals species located close to these facilities. Prior to molecular and biochemical analyses, whitefly immatures were initially identified as B. tabaci using morphological characters of the pupae to distinguish them from the greenhouse whitefly. The biotype status of adults and immatures was then established using esterase isozyme patterns and MTCO1 sequencing. The Q biotype was the only biotype found on commercially grown poinsettia plants. The previously recorded B biotype was observed outside the greenhouse facilities on Lactuca spp., Hibiscus spp. and Euphorbia spp. (wild poinsettia). The New World biotype was observed on wild poinsettia and field-grown beans (Phaseolus spp.). This is the first report of the Q biotype in Guatemala, and serves notice of the need for greater vigilance in the management of whiteflies on poinsettia mother stock used as a source of cuttings for export to the USA.     

Note: First report of the Q biotype of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bemisia tabaci</Emphasis> in Southern Sonora,Mexico

Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) adults were collected from poinsettia plants (Euphorbia pulcherrima) in retail nurseries in Cd. Obregon and Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico. A single field sample was collected from broccoli plants in Obregon, Sonora. Both adult whitefly and immature instars were observed on infested leaves. Whiteflies were identified asB. tabaci using morphological characters of the pupae to distinguish them from the greenhouse whitefly; and to specific biotype, by molecular analysis using the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) sequence. Phylogenetic analysis of mtCOI sequences indicated that poinsettias were colonized both by the Q and the B biotype. The Q biotype was found only on poinsettia plants, and one poinsettia sample was infested with both the Q and the B biotype. The B biotype alone was associated with the field-collected broccoli sample analyzed in the study. A more extensive survey is required to determine the extent of the distribution of the Q biotype in Mexico, particularly where ornamental plants are transported from central to northern Mexico. Such plants could serve as the source of the Q biotype, which has been reported to be highly resistant to insecticides including the neo-nicotinoids that are widely used to control the B biotype in much of Mexico. This is the first report of the Q biotype in Mexico. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting May 2, 2007.     

L-阿拉伯糖对B型和Q型烟粉虱毒性及取食行为的影响

为明确L-阿拉伯糖对B型和Q型烟粉虱毒性及其取食行为的影响,调查了饲喂含有L-阿拉伯糖人工饲料后烟粉虱的死亡率,利用刺吸电位技术(EPG)记录其取食行为,并观察了饲喂后其在人工饲料膜上的刺孔数量及直径。结果表明,B型和Q型烟粉虱的校正死亡率均随L-阿拉伯糖浓度及饲喂时间的增加而升高;在3种浓度下,B型烟粉虱校正死亡率均显著高于Q型烟粉虱;在5%、10%浓度下,Q型烟粉虱校正死亡率分别在第5天和第3天达100%,B型烟粉虱分别在第3天和第2天达到100%;5%L-阿拉伯糖对B型烟粉虱取食行为影响比Q型大;在5%浓度下,B型和Q型烟粉虱在膜上的刺孔数量总体少于对照组。研究表明,L-阿拉伯糖对烟粉虱具有杀虫活性,且对B型和Q型烟粉虱的毒性效果不同。     

不同生物型褐飞虱的取食和产卵行为

研究了３种抗性相关物质的变化,结果表明,苹果砧木遭到南京毛刺线虫侵染后,根尖组织中过氧化物酶活性升高,同工酶谱带有所增减,但酶带的增减与否并不因砧木的抗性强弱表现出现规律性;苯丙氨酸解氨酶活性和细胞壁中羧脯氨酸含量也有不同程度的增加,且抗性砧木朱列涅特和黄海棠增加的度比感病砧木要大,但抗性砧木和中感砧木以及中感砧木和感病砧木之间的关系却复杂得多,增加的幅度与抗性大小并无明显的相关关系;     

Resistance mechanism of Leptochloa chinensis Nees to propanil

The resistance mechanism of Leptochloa chinensis Nees to propanil was investigated, based on propanil metabolism, aryl acylamidase activity, and chlorophyll fluorescence at the 8 week growth stage of L. chinensis. The concentration of propanil in the leaf and culm extracts of the resistant (R) and susceptible (S) biotypes, as measured by gas chromatography (GC), was found to increase after propanil treatment. The concentration of propanil in the leaf and culm extracts of the S biotype at 72 h was 1.55 and 0.49 µg mL^?1, respectively. However, a lower concentration of propanil was observed in the R biotype, as compared to that in the S biotype. The residue of 3,4‐dichloroaniline, as measured by GC, was detected only in the leaf extracts of the R biotype. In contrast, no residue of 3,4‐dichloroaniline was observed in the S biotype. The level of aryl acylamidase in the leaf tissue extracts of the R biotype was ～140% higher than that in the S biotype. The fluorescence studies showed that propanil inhibited the quantum efficiency of the photosystem II in both the R and S biotypes after 2 h of incubation time. However, when the leaf disks were transferred and incubated in deionized water for 48 h, the quantum efficiency increased in the R biotype but decreased in the S biotype. These results suggest that propanil metabolism, enhanced by aryl acylamidase activity, is the most likely factor contributing towards the mechanism of propanil resistance in L. chinensis plants at the 8 week growth stage.     

Q型烟粉虱芳香基硫酸酯酶B基因的克隆及表达分析

为明确烟粉虱Bemisia tabaci取食感染番茄黄化曲叶病毒(Tomato yellow leaf curl virus,TYLCV)的番茄植株后,其体内的芳香基硫酸酯酶B基因(arylsulfatase B,ARSB)是否能够做出应答反应,基于Q型烟粉虱基因组数据克隆得到ARSB基因cDNA全长,采用生物信息学方法分析其序列特征,并通过实时荧光定量PCR技术测定ARSB基因在Q型烟粉虱不同发育阶段、不同组织及携带TYLCV前后的表达量变化情况。结果显示:Q型烟粉虱ARSB基因的cDNA全长为1 731 bp,编码576个氨基酸,分子量为64.89 kD,具有ARSB的保守结构域。ARSB基因在Q型烟粉虱不同发育阶段均有表达,在卵期表达量最高,成虫期表达量最低;该基因在Q型烟粉虱头胸部的表达量显著高于腹部;Q型烟粉虱获取TYLCV 72 h后其体内ARSB基因表达量显著提高。表明ARSB基因在Q型烟粉虱不同龄期、不同组织内存在差异表达,并可能参与Q型烟粉虱对TYLCV的响应和传毒过程。     

First report of the Q biotype of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bemisia tabaci</Emphasis> in Argentina and Uruguay

Bemisia tabaci adults were collected from pepper and melon at different commercial production greenhouses in Argentina and Uruguay. The biotype status of adults was then established using cytochrome oxidase I gene (mtCOI) as molecular marker. Only the Q biotype was found on all plants sampled. This is the first report of the Q biotype in Argentina and Uruguay.     

Resistance of Camelina microcarpa to acetolactate synthase inhibiting herbicides

An accession of Camelina microcarpa suspected to be resistant to sulfonylurea herbicides was identified in Oregon in 1998 field experiments. Greenhouse research confirmed that the putative resistant biotype was resistant to chlorsulfuron and metsulfuron on a whole plant level. Compared with the resistant (R) biotype, the susceptible (S) biotype was 1000 and 10 000‐fold more sensitive to metsulfuron and chlorsulfuron respectively. The R biotype was also resistant to other sulfonylurea, sulfonylaminocarbonyl‐triazolinone, imidazolinone and triazolopyrimidine herbicides. An in vivo enzyme assay indicated that acetolactate synthase (ALS) from the R plants required 111 times more chlorsulfuron to inhibit activity by 50% compared with the amount required to have a similar effect on ALS from S plants. Analysis of the nucleotide and amino acid sequences demonstrated that a single‐point mutation from G to T in the als1 gene conferred the change from the amino acid tryptophan to leucine at position 572 in the resistant biotype. This research confirmed that ALS inhibitor resistance in an Oregon accession of C. microcarpa is based on an altered target site conferred by a single‐point mutation.     

Physiological and molecular basis for ALS inhibitor resistance in Bromus tectorum biotypes

Primisulfuron‐resistant (AR and MR) and ‐susceptible (AS and MS) Bromus tectorum biotypes were collected from a Poa pratensis field at Athena, Oregon, and in research plots at Madras, Oregon. Studies were conducted to characterize the resistance of the B. tectorum biotypes. Whole plant bioassay and acetolactate synthase (ALS) enzyme assay revealed that the AR biotype was highly resistant to the sulfonylurea (SU) herbicides, primisulfuron and sulfosulfuron and to a sulfonylaminocarbonyltriazolinone (SCT) herbicide, propoxycarbazone‐sodium. However, the AR biotype was not resistant to imazamox, an imidazolinone (IMI) herbicide. Results of the whole plant bioassay studies showed that the MR biotype was moderately resistant to all ALS inhibitors tested. However, there were no differences in ALS sensitivities between the MR and MS biotypes. The nucleotide and amino acid sequence analysis of the als gene demonstrated a single‐point mutation from C to T, conferring the exchange of the amino acid proline to serine at position 197 in the AR biotype. However, this mutation was not found in the MR biotype. Results of this research indicate that: the resistance of the AR biotype to SU and SCT herbicides is based on an altered target site due to a single‐point mutation; resistance in the MR biotype is not due to a target site mutation.     

Resistance of Amaranthus hybridus to atrazine

Resistance of weeds to triazine herbicides has been recorded in many countries. The extent of the problem in South Africa is uncertain. In a pilot study, the atrazine resistance of Amaranthus hybridus L. (smooth pigweed) was investigated. Suspected resistant (R) and susceptible (S) biotypes were treated with commercially formulated atrazine. After post-and pre-emergence applications under tunnel conditions, it was found that the suspected R biotype plants were not affected at herbicide dosages of belween 1.25 and 25.0 kg a.i. ha^-1, i.e. up to 20 times gieater than the lowest recommended dosage. However, the S biotype plants were killed by the lowest dosage. In the fieid, mortalities in the R biolype were not observed after post-emergence applications of 1.25-10.00 kg a.i. ha^-1. In contrast, all S biotype plants were killed. In tunnel experiments, the R biotype was also found to be resistant to cyanazine and cyanazine+atrazine, while slight tolerance to linuron was observed. All these treatments resulted in 100% mortality of the S biotype. Although S biotype seeds oi A. hybridus were found to germinate slightly sooner under controlled conditions than R biotype seeds, preliminary results suggest that there are no major differences. Indications are that, although the growth of the S biotype may be greater than that of the R biotype, the competitive effect of the two biotypes on crop seedlings may well be similar.     

日光温室番茄褪绿病毒病的发生规律及其与Q型烟粉虱种群动态关系

为有效控制日光温室番茄褪绿病毒病,于2014—2015年通过RT-PCR检测方法研究了济南市日光温室番茄褪绿病毒(Tomato chlorosis virus,ToCV)的发生规律、其与Q型烟粉虱Bemisia tabaci种群动态的关系及防虫网对该病毒病的防控效果。结果表明,春季日光温室番茄植株上Q型烟粉虱成虫数量呈增长趋势,5月下旬最高达到0.10头/叶,秋季日光温室番茄植株上Q型烟粉虱成虫数量9月上旬达最高7.42头/叶,后逐渐下降;日光温室Q型烟粉虱带毒率随着定植时间的延长而逐渐上升,之后维持相对稳定状态,即春季为20.00%~24.14%,秋季为30.00%~40.00%。日光温室ToCV发生与Q型烟粉虱成虫数量和带毒率密切相关,春季番茄最高发病率为12.00%;秋季番茄植株最高发病率为93.02%。番茄育苗和生长期用100目防虫网隔离可显著降低番茄植株带毒率。因此,秋季是日光温室ToCV防控关键期,覆盖防虫网阻隔烟粉虱可有效防治ToCV,推荐在日光温室使用。     

Effects of spermidine and salinity stress on growth and biochemical response of paraquat‐susceptibe and ‐resistant goosegrass (Eleusine indica L.)

This study aimed to investigate the interaction effect of spermidine (Spd) and salinity stress on growth, photosynthetic rate, antioxidant system and free polyamines (PAs) contents of goosegrass (Eleusine indica L.) seedlings. E. indica was raised in a growth chamber under normal and toxic salt stress (100 mM of NaCl) and sprayed with 0 and 1.00 mM of Spd. The degree of growth inhibition caused by salt stress was lower in a paraquat‐resistant (R) biotype compared to a paraquat‐susceptible (S) biotype. Salt stress significantly elevated the accumulation of malondialdehyde, electrolyte leakage and proline and resulted in the degradation of chlorophyll; reduction in chlorophyll fluorescence; and a decrease in photosynthetic rate, relative water content and biomass. Spd‐treated plants maintained higher activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase), a greater rate of photosynthesis and lower osmotic pressure than untreated plants in the S biotype. Endogenous Spd content was reduced significantly in response to salt stress in both biotypes, but free PAs content in the S biotype was remarkably enhanced with exogenous Spd application under normal or salinity stress conditions. The result indicated that the S biotype was more sensitive to salinity than the R biotype; meanwhile, exogenous Spd maybe play an important role in protecting S biotype plants from salt stress.     

Paraquat resistance in a biotype of Vulpia bromoides (L.) S. F. Gray

A biotype of Vulpia bromoides from a lucerne field in Elmhurst, Victoria, Australia was shown to be resistant to paraquat in pot trials. Application of paraquat at 50 g a.i. ha^?1 killed all of the plants of a susceptible Vulpia bromoides biotype but only 6% of the resistant biotype. The LD₅₀ for paraquat of the resistant biotype was five- to sixfold higher than for the susceptible biotype. The resistant biotype was also resistant to the bipyridyl herbicide diquat, but was susceptible to glyphosate and metribuzin. Application of 100 g a.i. ha^?1 paraquat at anthesis completely suppressed seed set of the susceptible biotype and reduced that of the resistant biotype by 95%. Seed set by the paraquat-treated resistant biotype, however, showed little reduction in germination. This is the fourth species to have been found to be resistant to bipyridyl herbicides in this field, the others being Hordeum glaucum, H. leporinum and Arctotheca calendula. Résistance au paraquat d'un biotype de Vulpia bromoides (L.) S. F. Gray Un biotype de Vulpia bromoides issu d'un champ de luzerne à Elmhurst, Victoria, Australie s'est révélé résistant au paraquat lors d'essais en pots. Des traitements au paraquat 50 g m.a. ha^?1 détruisaient toutes les plantes d'un biotype sensible de V. bromoides mais seulement 6% du biotype résistant. La DLV₅₀ du paraquat pour ce biotype était 5 à 6 fois plus élevée que pour le biotype sensible. Le biotype résistant l'était aussi à l'herbicide bipyridyle diquat, mais était sensible au glyphosate et à la métribuzine. Des traitements au paraquat 100 g m.a. ha^?1 au stade anthèse supprimaient complètement la production de graines du biotype sensible et réduisait de 95% celle du biotype résistant. Cependant, le pouvoir germinatif des graines issues du biotype résistant traité, n'était que peu réduit. Après Hordeum glaucum, Hordeum leporinum et Arctotheca calendula, c'est la quatrième espèce trouvée dans ce même champ résistante aux herbicides bipyridyles. Paraquatresistenz eines Biotyps von Vulpia bromoides (L.) S. F. Gray Ein Biotyp von Vulpia bromoides von einem Luzernefeld in Elmhurst, Victoria, Australien, erwies sich in Topfversuchen als paraquatresistent. Mit 50 g AS ha^?1 wurden Pflanzen eines empfindlichen Biotyps abgetötet, jedoch nur 6% des resistenten. Die LD₅₀ des resistenten Biotyps für paraquat war 5- bis 6mal höher als die des empfindlichen Biotyps. Der resistente Biotype war auch gegenüber dem Bipyridylherbizid Deiquat résistent, gegenüber Glyphosat und Metribuzin jedoch empfindlich. Nach Anwendung von 100 g AS ha^?1 Paraquat vor der Blüte bildeten sich bei dem empfindlichen Biotyp keine Samen aus, bei dem resistenten waren sie um 95% vermindert; die dennoch gebildeten Samen keimten etwas weniger. Dies ist die vierte Pflanzenart, bei der eine Resistenz gegenüber Bipyridylherbiziden beobachtet wurde, die anderen sind Hordeum glaucum. Hordeum leporinum und Arctotheca calendula.     

Germination and seedling emergence of glyphosate‐resistant and susceptible biotypes of goosegrass (Eleusine indica[L.] Gaertn.)

Effects of environmental factors on the germination and seedling emergence of glyphosate‐resistant (R) and ‐susceptible (S) biotypes of Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. were examined under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. The R biotype exhibited a higher germination percentage compared with the S biotype at constant temperatures of 20 and 35°C under dark conditions, and alternating temperatures of 30/25°C, and 35/25°C during a 12 h photo period. For both biotypes, germination was optimal at alternating temperatures of 30/20°C and 35/20°C. However, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the germination between the R and S biotypes at these temperature regimes. The germination of both biotypes was inhibited by osmotic stress imposed by a water potential of ?0.80 MPa. When the moisture stress was released and the seeds were subsequently transferred to distilled water, the germination was enhanced to approximately 90% and 16% for the R and S biotype seeds, respectively. Higher emergence rates were obtained in shallow seed depths (0 or 2 cm) compared to deep depths. Emergence percentage of the R biotype was higher than that of the S biotype at 0 cm and 2 cm depths. The maximum emergence percentage of the R biotype was higher than that of S biotype when seeds were sown on the surface of either loamy or clay loam soil taken from three different sites.     

Molecular phylogenetic analysis reveals at least five genetic races of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bemisia tabaci</Emphasis> in China

Phylogenetic analysis using ITS1 and CO1 nucleotide sequences has revealed six major races ofBemisia tabaci in the world, including three major indigenous races in the Asia-Pacific region,viz., B. tabaci (Asia),B. tabaci (Bali) andB. tabaci (Australia), but the status of a large collection of genotypes in this region remains unresolved. The ITS1 sequences of representative whitefly samples collected from around China were determined in this study. These sequences and other homologous sequences retrieved from GenBank were then used to conduct a phylogenetic analysis. The results demonstrated that the whiteflies collected in China were split genetically into four groups, where at least five genetic races were revealed,i.e., B biotype (SDLe, XJEp, XJAt, HNNt, BJIb, GDEp, XJGh, GDHrs, XJSm and SHEp), Bali group (ZJGh), M biotype (Hainan1), G biotype (GXCm) and Asian H/K group (FJIb, GDCv), although the Asian H/K group with low bootstrap score remains unresolved. Of all genetic races, the B biotype is the most extensively distributed. In the dendogram, the J biotype, L biotype and Q biotype cluster together and form a sister clade to the B biotype. The data indicate that extensive migration ofB. tabaci has taken place in Asian countries. The populations ZJGh, FJIb, GDCv, GXCm and Hainanl collected in China might have originated there, but the possibility that they were introduced from elsewhere cannot be excluded at this point. Using PyR from Israel as a reference Q biotype, the random amplified polymorphic DNA banding patterns of SDLe, XJEp, XJAt and HNNt were shown to be consistent with that of the Q biotype, which indicated that the four local whitefly populations identified as the B biotype based on ITS1 sequences were closely related to the Q biotype. http//www.phytoparasitica.org posting Sept. 12, 2006.     

Spread of proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) in Ontario, Canada. II. Dispersal by combines

Seeds of proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) are moved between and within fields on combine harvesters. The dispersal of seeds of two biotypes of P. miliaceum by combine harvesters was quantified. The golden-seeded biotype of this weedy annual grass was known to have larger seeds and to experience less seed shattering than the black-seeded biotype. An average of 3·3% of the seeds on the plants of the black-seeded biotype was carried more than 50 m by combines, while 0·9% of the golden seeds were carried the same distance. The densities of the seed rain within 50 m of the weedy patches were 3·7 seeds m⁻² for the black-seeded biotype and 9·7 seeds m⁻² for the golden-seeded biotype. This difference was proportional to the difference in the number of seeds in the respective source patches. The numbers of seeds deposited at various points within 50 m of source patches were close to uniform for both biotypes. There was, however, a significant difference (P < 0·05) in the distributions of the seeds of the two biotypes.     

Growth and competitiveness of paraquat-resistant and -susceptible biotypes of Hordeum leporinum

Growth, competitiveness and seed characteristics were compared in paraquat-resistant and -susceptible biotypes of Hordeum leporinum Link collected from neighbouring fields. Dry weight and tiller production were greater in the susceptible biotype as compared with the resistant biotype in the absence of competition, however, the reproductive output was the same. Competitiveness in the field was estimated using a replacement series design that showed only slight differences between the two biotypes. There were no differences in seed weight, number of seeds per head, seed viability or seedling establishment between the two biotypes. When grown in pots in monoculture, the production of tillers was the same throughout the growing season, but inflorescences appeared on the resistant biotype earlier and matured earlier than did those of the susceptible biotype. We conclude that under field conditions the resistant biotype does not show a reduction in fitness as compared with the susceptible biotype.     

Non‐target‐site mechanism of glyphosate resistance in Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum)

In Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, glyphosate‐resistant Lolium multiflorum is a serious problem on the levees of rice paddies and in wheat fields. The mechanism of resistance of this biotype was analyzed. Based on LD₅₀, the resistant population was 2.8–5.0 times more resistant to glyphosate than the susceptible population. The 5‐enolpyruvyl‐shikimate‐3‐phosphate synthase (EPSPS) gene sequence of the resistant biotype did not show a non‐synonymous substitution at Pro106, and amplification of the gene was not observed in the resistant biotype. The metabolism and translocation of glyphosate were examined 4 days after application through the direct detection of glyphosate and its metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) using liquid chromatograph‐tandem mass spectrometer (LC‐MS/MS). AMPA was not detected in either biotype in glyphosate‐treated leaves or the other plant parts. The respective absorption rates of the susceptible and resistant biotypes were 37.90 ± 3.63% and 41.09 ± 3.36%, respectively, which were not significantly different. The resistant biotype retained more glyphosate in a glyphosate‐treated leaf (91.36 ± 1.56% of absorbed glyphosate) and less in the untreated parts of shoots (5.90 ± 1.17%) and roots (2.76 ± 0.44%) compared with the susceptible biotype, 79.58 ± 3.73%, 15.77 ± 3.06% and 4.65 ± 0.89%, respectively. The results indicate that the resistance mechanism is neither the acquisition of a metabolic system nor limiting the absorption of glyphosate but limited translocation of the herbicide in the resistant biotype of L. multiflorum in Shizuoka Prefecture.     

Pumpkin yellow vein mosaic disease is caused by two distinct begomoviruses: complete viral sequences and comparative transmission by an indigenous Bemisia tabaci and the introduced B-biotype

Pumpkin yellow vein mosaic disease (PYVMD) causes significant damage to pumpkin production throughout India. A begomovirus causing PYVMD in South India was characterized recently but the nature of virus causing the disease in North India was not known. Samples of PYVMD were obtained from North India and two putative begomoviruses were PCR‐amplified and sequenced. Comparison of complete DNA‐A sequences indicated that PYVMD in North and South India were caused by two distinct begomoviruses and shared only approximately 88% DNA‐A nucleotide identity. The South Indian isolate was most closely related to Squash leaf curl China virus between 91 and 96% identities, and the two North Indian isolates to Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus between 94 and 96% identities. The South Indian isolate was previously shown to be transmitted by the indigenous biotype of Bemisia tabaci, however, the situation has since changed with the introduction of the B‐biotype to South India in 1999. Comparative transmission experiments between the indigenous biotype v/s the introduced B‐biotype for the time required for virus acquisition (30 min v/s 15 min), inoculation (15 min v/s 10 min) and incubation (30 min v/s 4 h) have indicated that the B‐biotype transmits the virus quickly and more efficiently than the indigenous biotype. An epidemic of PYVMD was recorded for the first time in South India in 2004 with disease incidences of up to 100% and significant yield losses. This may be due to a combination of several factors including the large numbers of B‐biotype populations, the ability of the B‐biotype to transmit the virus efficiently and the cultivation of susceptible varieties. These possibilities and the threat to pumpkin cultivation associated with the spread of the B‐biotype in India are discussed.     

Effects of isoproturon on photosynthesis in susceptible and resistant biotypes of Phalaris minor and wheat

Wheat (cv. WH-147) and five biotypes of Phalaris minor Retz. (KR-1, H-4, K-2, H-2 and J-1) were treated with isoproturon in controlled environmental conditions to assess their level of resistance. Resistance of P. minor to isoproturon was found in the order of KR-1 > H-4 > K-2 > H-2 = J-1. Compared with the susceptible (S) biotype (H-2), the resistant (R) biotypes (KR-1. H-4 and K-2) of P. minor required 13.0, 4.5 and 2.7 times higher doses of isoproturon for a 50% reduction in growth (GR₅₀) and 2.4 times that of the S biotype (H-2) by wheat. The corresponding figures for KR-1, H-4, K-2 biotypes and wheat were 18, 4.1, 2.4 and 4.6 times based on dry weight reduction. The effect of isoproturon on photosynthesis was studied in vitro using five biotypes of P. minor and in viro with wheat. KR-1 (R) and H-2 (S) biotypes of P. minor. Under in vitro treatment conditions isoproturon inhibited the photosynthesis of all five P. minor biotypes, whereas in vivo the recovery was greater in the R biotype than in the wheat and the S biotype. Effects on chlorophyll fluorescence were also measured in wheat and the KR-1 (R) and H-2 (S) biotypes of P. minor. A 4-h treatment of excised leaves incubaled in isoproluron solution (0.025 and 0.05 mm concentration) resulted in a decreased fluorescence coefficient (F_v F_m ratio in which F_v= variable fluorescence (F_m - F^o): F_m= the maximum fluorescence and F_o= initial fiuorescence) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and both biotypes of P. Minor. The recovery was, however, greater in the R biotype than in wheat and it was completely recovered within 24 h. No recovery was recorded in the case of the S biotype of P. minor and a greater recovery time was required for wheat than the R biotype. The higher dose required for growth inhibition in the R biotype and rapid recovery of oxygen evolution and fluorescence coeflicient under in viro conditions together with the absence of selectivity in vitro suggests that the target site was unaffected. It can be conjectured that resistance to isoproturon is most probably because of enhanced metabolism or sequestration of isoproturon, resulting in decreased target site delivery.