Functional response of the coccinellid predator <Emphasis Type="Italic">Adalia fasciatopunctata revelierei</Emphasis> to walnut aphid (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Callaphis juglandis</Emphasis>)

The functional response types and parameters of 3rd and 4th instar larvae, and adult females and males of a coccinellid predator, Adalia fasciatopunctata revelierei (Mulsant) (Col.: Coccinellidae), were evaluated at five different densities of Callaphis juglandis (Goeze) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in order to understand their role for the aphid’s biological control. Experiments were carried out in petri dishes at 25 ± 1°C, 60 ± 10% r.h. and 16L:8D photoperiod in a controlled temperature room. All tested stages exhibited a Type II response determined by a logistic regression model. The attack rate (α) and handling time (T _h ) coefficients of a Type II response were estimated by fitting a “random-predator” equation to the data. Although the estimates of α for all stages of A. fasciatopunctata revelierei tested were similar, the longest T _h was obtained for 3rd instar larva because of the lower consumption rate at densities above 40 prey/day. Results indicated that the adult female has the highest predation of C. juglandis followed by 4th instar larvae, adult males and 3rd instar larvae. However, further field-based studies are needed to draw firm conclusions.     

Assessment of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pichia anomala</Emphasis> (strain K) efficacy against blue mould of apples when applied pre- or post-harvest under laboratory conditions and in orchard trials

The yeast Pichia anomala strain K was selected in Belgium from the apple surface for its antagonistic activity against post-harvest diseases of apples. The efficacy of this strain against P. expansum was evaluated in the laboratory in three scenarios designed to mimic practical conditions, with different periods of incubation between biological treatment, wounding of fruit surface, and pathogen inoculation. Higher protection levels and higher final yeast densities were obtained when the applied initial concentration was 1 × 10⁸ cfu ml⁻¹ than when it was only 1 × 10⁵ cfu ml⁻¹. The protection level correlated positively with the yeast density determined in wounds and was influenced by apple surface wetness. In orchard trials spanning two successive years, biological treatment against P. expansum, based on a powder of P. anomala strain K (1 × 10⁷ cfu ml⁻¹), β-1,3-glucans (YGT 2 g l⁻¹), and CaCl₂.2H₂0 (20 g l⁻¹), was applied to apples pre- or post-harvest under practical conditions and its effect compared with standard chemical treatments. The first year, the highest reduction (95.2%) against blue decay was obtained by means of four successive fungicide treatments and the next-highest level (87.6%) with pre-harvest high-volume spraying of the three-component mixture 12 days before harvest. The second year, the best results were obtained with post-harvest Sumico (carbendazim 25% and diethofencarb 25%) treatment and post-harvest biological treatment, both by dipping the apples, 88.3 and 56.3% respectively. A density threshold of 1 × 10⁴ cfu cm⁻² of strain K on the apple surface seemed to be required just after harvest for high protective activity, whatever the method and time of application. In the case of pre-harvest biological treatments, variations in meteorological conditions between the 2 years may have considerably affected strain K population density and its efficacies.     

Relationship between the incidence of latent infections caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Monilinia</Emphasis> spp<Emphasis Type="Italic">.</Emphasis> and the incidence of brown rot of peach fruit: factors affecting latent infection

Five field experiments were performed in commercial orchards located in Lleida (Spain) over three growing seasons, 2000–2002, in order to estimate the relationship between the incidence of latent infection caused by Monilinia spp. in peaches and the incidence of post-harvest brown rot. No latent infection was recorded at popcorn and the maximum incidence occurred pre-harvest; in some orchards a second peak was detected during the pit hardening period. Monilinia laxa is the most prevalent species isolated from peaches with brown rot. There was a positive correlation between the incidence of latent infection and that of post-harvest brown rot. The average incidence of latent infection during the crop season explained 55% of the total variation in the incidence of post-harvest brown rot. The effect of temperature (T) and duration of wetness (W) on the incidence of latent infection in peach and nectarine orchards was analysed using multiple regression. The regression analysis indicated that T and W jointly explained 83% of the total variation in the incidence of latent infection. The model predicts no latent infections when T < 8°C, and >22 h wetness are required when T = 8°C but only 5 h at 25°C are necessary for latent infection to occur. The incidence of brown rot and latent infection of peaches caused by M. laxa under controlled experimental conditions were also affected by T and W, as well as by fruit maturity and inoculum concentration. Latent infections were produced in fruit when T was not suitable for the development of brown rot symptoms. In these experiments more than 4–5 h of daily wetness were required after embryo growth in fruit sprayed to run-off with an inoculum concentration higher than 10⁴ conidia ml⁻¹ of M. laxa for brown rot and latent infections to develop. The fitted model obtained from the field data was able to predict the observed data obtained under controlled environmental conditions.     

Biological features and life table parameters of the mealy plum aphidHyalopterus pruni on different apricot cultivars

Development, survival, reproduction rate, and population growth parameters of the mealy plum aphidHyalopterus pruni (Geoffroy) (Hom.: Aphididae) were evaluated on four different apricot cultivars (Tyrinte, Sakıt, Colomer, and Bebeco) under field conditions in the Van region of Turkey. Experiments were carried out on exterior leaves of trees, 1.5–2 m above the ground. Plexiglas clip-cells (25×6 mm) with the upper side covered by muslin were used in the experiments. The mealy plum aphid performed better on Tyrinte than on the other cultivars tested. The fastest development time (first instar to adult; 9.4 days), highest daily reproduction rate (2.6 offspring/aphid/day), and highest total fecundity (48.1 offspring/aphid) were obtained on Tyrinte. The intrinsic rate of increase — a good indicator of the growth potential of a population — of individuals fed on Tyrinte was significantly greater than that of individuals fed on cvs. Colomer and Bebeco. While mean generation times (T _o ) of populations on different cultivars were close to each other, the net reproductive rate was the highest (29.45 offspring/aphid/generation) on Tyrinte and the population doubling time on Tyrinte was 18.7%, 25.2% and 26.3% faster than those of individuals on other cultivars tested. The results obtained in this study indicated that Tyrinte appeared to be the most susceptible to the mealy plum aphid among the cultivars tested. http://www.phytoparasitica.org. posting Nov. 23, 2004.     

Biological traits and prey consumption of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anthocoris minki</Emphasis> fed on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agonoscena pistaciae</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brachycaudus (Thuleaphis) amygdalinus</Emphasis>

The predatory insect Anthocoris minki Dohrn (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) is an indigenous Anthocoris species for the biological control of pests in pistachio orchards. The pistachio psylla Agonoscena pistaciae Burckhardt and Lauterer (Homoptera: Psyllidae) is an important insect pest in pistachio trees in Turkey. Similarly, Brachycaudus (Thuleaphis) amygdalinus (Schouteden) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a pest of almond trees that is considered as alternative prey for A. minki when pistachio psylla are not available in early spring on pistachio trees. The development time, survival percentage of immature stages, longevity, fecundity, prey consumption, and life table parameters of A. minki fed on A. pistaciae and B. amygdalinus nymphs were determined at 25 ± 1°C, 70 ± 5% r.h., and a 16 h:8 h (L:D) photoperiod under laboratory conditions. The nymphal survival rate was significantly higher when nymphs were fed on A. pistaciae (an average of 96.7%) than on B. amygdalinus (an average of 71.4%). The development time of A. minki was significantly shorter when nymphs were fed on B. amygdalinus (10.3 days) as opposed to A. pistaciae (11.0 days). No significant differences among prey species were found for longevity and fecundity. The total female longevity and fecundity of A. minki was 38.0 days and 247.2 eggs, respectively, when nymphs were fed on A. pistaciae; and 35.4 days and 233.0 eggs, respectively, when nymphs were fed on B. amygdalinus. On average, 104.4 A. pistaciae and 77.7 B. amygdalinus nymphs were consumed during the nymphal development time for A. minki. Adults of A. minki consumed significantly more psyllids than aphids throughout their life span. The greater difference did not significantly inpact the longevity and fecundity of A. minki. Females of A. minki consumed an average of 631.0 A. pistaciae and an average of 273.3 B. amygdalinus nymphs, while female predators consumed significantly more prey than males. The intrinsic rate of increase (r _m ) of A. minki fed on A. pistaciae (0.174) was significantly greater than those fed on B. amygdalinus (0.148). The successful development and reproduction of both A. pistaciae and B. amygdalinus indicates that they are suitable prey for A. minki.     

短翅蚜小蜂对桃蚜的取食和寄生功能反应

为评估短翅蚜小蜂对桃蚜的搜寻及控害潜能,采用叶碟法研究了短翅蚜小蜂对甘蓝和辣椒2种植物上桃蚜2龄若虫的取食与寄生行为。结果表明,短翅蚜小蜂对甘蓝桃蚜和辣椒桃蚜的取食和寄生功能反应均符合Holling II及Holling III型方程。短翅蚜小蜂的取食和寄生搜寻效应均随蚜虫密度的增加而降低,当桃蚜密度小于35头时,短翅蚜小蜂对甘蓝桃蚜的取食搜寻效应大于辣椒桃蚜,而当桃蚜密度大于35头时,短翅蚜小蜂对辣椒桃蚜的取食搜寻效应大于甘蓝桃蚜;短翅蚜小蜂在所有密度下对辣椒桃蚜的寄生搜寻效应均大于甘蓝桃蚜。短翅蚜小蜂取食甘蓝桃蚜的瞬间攻击率a'为0.3289,处理时间T_h为0.2597,均大于辣椒桃蚜,寄生甘蓝桃蚜的瞬时攻击率a'为0.8213,小于辣椒桃蚜,而处理时间T_h为0.0275,大于寄生辣椒桃蚜;短翅蚜小蜂对甘蓝桃蚜的理论最大取食量和寄生量均小于辣椒桃蚜。研究表明,短翅蚜小蜂对不同密度的桃蚜均有一定的控制能力,且对辣椒桃蚜的控制作用大于甘蓝桃蚜。     

Resistance response of the tomato rootstock SC 6301 to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Meloidogyne javanica</Emphasis> in a plastic house

Nematode reproduction on the nematode-susceptible tomato cv. Durinta grafted onto the Mi-resistance gene tomato rootstock SC 6301 was compared to the Mi-resistance gene tomato cv. Monika in a plastic house infested with Meloidogyne javanica. The ungrafted susceptible cv. Durinta was included as a control for reference. Final soil population densities were lower (P ≤ 0.05) on the resistant than susceptible cultivar but intermediate values were recorded on the rootstock SC 6301. The lowest numbers of eggs per gram root were recorded on the resistant cultivar followed by those on the rootstock; in both cases, they were lower (P < 0.05) than on the susceptible control. Cumulative yield (kilogram per square meter) was higher (P < 0.05) on the resistant than susceptible cultivar whether or not it had been grafted. The rootstock SC 6301 provided an intermediate resistance response to M. javanica and was less effective than the resistant cultivar in suppressing nematode populations and plant damage under the experimental conditions of this study.     

Host-pathogen interaction of root-knot nematode <Emphasis Type="Italic">Meloidogyne incognita</Emphasis> on pepper in the southeast of Spain

The feeder roots of pepper plants (cv. California Wonder) in Campo de Cartagena (southeast Spain) were found to be severely infected by Meloidogyne incognita. Morphometric traits, differential host test and DNA analysis based on PCR were used to characterize the nematode. Naturally and artificially infected pepper plants showed severe yellowing and stunting, with heavily deformed and damaged root systems. Root galls were spherical and commonly contained more than one female and egg masses with eggs. Typical giant cells with a granular cytoplasm and many hypertrophied nuclei were observed in histological preparations. The relationship between initial nematode population density (Pi) and pepper plant growth was tested in greenhouse experiments with inoculum levels that varied from 0 to 64 eggs and second-stage juveniles (J₂) ml⁻¹ soil. A Seinhorst model was fitted to plant height and top fresh weight data of inoculated and non-inoculated plants. The tolerance limit with respect to plant height and fresh top weight of pepper to M. incognita was estimated as 0.85 eggs and J₂ ml⁻¹ soil. The minimum relative values (m) for plant height and top fresh weight were 0.15 and 0.16, respectively, at Pi ≥ 64 eggs and J₂ ml⁻¹ soil. The maximum nematode reproduction rate (Pf/Pi) was 315.4 at an initial population density (Pi) of 4 eggs and J₂ ml⁻¹ soil. The obtained results could be used as a base to establish field experiments that allow strategies to prevent surpassing the threshold of nematodes in fields that are infested.     

Effect of apple cultivar and of temperature on the biology and life table parameters of the twospotted spider mite<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tetranychus urticae</Emphasis>

Development duration and reproduction rate of the twospotted spider miteTetranychus urticae Koch (Acarina: Tetranychidae) were studied on five different apple cultivars (‘Amasya’ (local cultivar), ‘Golden Delicious’, ‘Granny Smith’, ‘Starking Delicious’ and ‘Starkrimson Delicious’) at 25°C, 65±10% r.h. and 16:8 L:D. In addition, the same parameters were determined on Golden Delicious leaves at three constant temperatures (20°, 30° and 35°C, 65±10% r.h. and 16:8 L:D) in the laboratory.T. urticae performed better on Granny Smith than on the other cultivars, due mainly to high daily egg production (4.6 eggs/♀/day) and the intrinsic rate of natural increase (r _m , which was 0.243 ♀/♀/day). The lowestr _m was observed on Amasya variety (0.231 ♀/♀/day). Development periods of immature stages ofT. urticae varied from 6.5 to 15.5 days at 35° and 20°C, respectively, for females, and from 5.9 to 14.5 days at 35° and 20°C, respectively, for males. The development thresholds of the eggs and pre-adult stages, respectively, were 10.78° and 8.43°C, and total effective temperatures were 57.80 and 172.41 degree-days. Mean generation time (T _o ) of the population ranged from 9.94 days at 35°C to 25.99 days at 20°C. The net reproduction rate increased from 66.99 ♀/♀ at 20°C to 92.19 ♀/♀ at 25°C, and decreased to 84.34 ♀/♀ at 30°C and to 12.04 ♀/♀ at 35°C. The highest r _m occurred at 30°C (0.302 ♀/♀/day) and the lowest at 20°C (0.161 ♀/♀/day). http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Dec. 19, 2003.     

Selection,characterization and genetic analysis of laboratory mutants of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Botryotinia fuckeliana</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Botrytis cinerea</Emphasis>) resistant to the fungicide boscalid

Resistance to the fungicide boscalid in laboratory mutants of Botryotinia fuckeliana (Botrytis cinerea) was investigated. The baseline sensitivity to boscalid was evaluated in terms of colony growth (EC₅₀ = 0.3–3 μg ml⁻¹; MIC = 10–30 μg ml⁻¹) and conidial germination (EC₅₀ = 0.03–0.1 μg ml⁻¹; MIC = 1–3 μg ml⁻¹) tests. Mutants were selected in vitro from wild-type strains of the fungus on a fungicide-amended medium containing acetate as a carbon source. Mutants showed two different levels of resistance to boscalid, distinguishable through the conidial germination tests: low (EC₅₀ ∼ 0.3 μg ml⁻¹, ranging from 0.03 to 1 μg ml⁻¹; MIC > 100 μg ml⁻¹) and high (EC₅₀ > 100 μg ml⁻¹) resistance. Analysis of meiotic progeny from crosses between resistant mutants and sensitive reference strains showed that resistant phenotypes were due to mutations in single major gene(s) inherited in a Mendelian fashion, and linked with both the Daf1 and Mbc1 genes, responsible for resistance to dicarboximide and benzimidazole fungicides, respectively. Gene sequence analysis of the four sub-units of the boscalid-target protein, the succinate dehydrogenase enzyme, revealed that single or double point mutations in the highly conserved regions of the iron-sulphur protein (Ip) gene were associated with resistance. Mutations resulted in proline to leucine or phenylalanine replacements at position 225 (P225L or P225F) in high resistant mutants, and in a histidine to tyrosine replacement at position 272 (H272Y) in low resistant mutants. Sequences of the flavoprotein and the two transmembrane sub-units of succinate dehydrogenase were never affected.     

Effect of the endophyte <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neotyphodium lolii</Emphasis> on susceptibility and host physiological response of perennial ryegrass to fungal pathogens

The effect of the endophyte Neotyphodium lolii on susceptibility of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) to ten fungal pathogens in detached leaves was studied. The pathogens were Alternaria alternata, Ascochyta leptospora, Bipolaris sorokiniana, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium acuminatum, F. avenaceum, F. chlamydosporum, F. solani, F. oxysporum, and Gliocladium roseum. In addition, the effect of the endophyte on four pathogens (A. alternata, B. sorokiniana, Curvularia lunata and F. avenaceum) in living plants was studied, and changes in host superoxide dismutase (SOD) or peroxidases (POD) activity were examined. The total lengths of lesions on detached leaves were greater (P < 0.05) on E- plants than on E+ plants except for A. leptospora although differences between E+ and E- were not consistently significant at all sample times (days after inoculation).The numbers of lesions were greater (P < 0.05) and the lesions were larger (P < 0.05) on intact E- plants than on intact E+ plants for all of the four pathogens. SOD enzyme activity was significantly greater (P < 0.05) in E+ plants than in E- plants only for A. alternata, C. lunata, and F. avenaceum. POD enzyme activity was significantly greater (P < 0.05) in E+ plants than in E- plants only for C. lunata, B. sorokiniana and the uninoculated control.     

Genetic analysis of lethal tip necrosis induced by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clover yellow vein virus</Emphasis> infection in pea

Clover yellow vein virus (ClYVV) elicits lethal tip necrosis in the pea line PI 118501. Pea line PI 118501 develops necrotic lesions and veinal necrosis on inoculated leaves, followed by systemic necrosis, leading to plant death. To understand the genetic basis of this lethal tip necrosis, we crossed lines PI 226564 and PI 250438, which develop mosaic symptoms in response to ClYVV inoculation. In reciprocal crosses of PI 118501 with PI 226564, all F₁ plants had mosaic symptoms with slight stem necrosis and early yellowing of upper leaves. Essentially the same symptom was manifested in PI 118501 × PI 250438 F₁ plants. In F₂ populations from the cross between PI 118501 and PI 226564, the observed ratios of necrosis, mosaic with slight stem necrosis, and mosaic fit the expected 1 : 2 : 1 ratio. These results indicate that a single incompletely dominant gene confers the induction of necrosis in PI 118501. This locus in pea, conferring necrosis induction to ClYVV infection, was designated Cyn1 (Clover yellow vein virus-induced necrosis). A linkage analysis using 100 recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross of PI 118501 and PI 226564 demonstrated that Cyn1 was located 7.5 cM from the SSR marker AD174 on linkage group III.     

Breaking of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Beet necrotic yellow vein virus</Emphasis> resistance in sugar beet is independent of virus and vector inoculum densities

Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) is transmitted by Polymyxa betae to sugar beet, causing rhizomania disease. Resistance-breaking strains of BNYVV, overcoming single (Rz1) or double (e.g. Rz1  +  Rz2) major resistance genes in sugar beet have been observed in France and recently in the USA and Spain. To demonstrate if resistance-breaking is dependent on inoculum density, the inoculum concentration of BNYVV and P. betae in soil samples where resistance-breaking had been observed was estimated using the most probable number (MPN) method. The MPN-values obtained displayed highly significant differences with respect to the virus concentration in various soils and did not correlate with the ability to overcome resistance. Virus quantification in susceptible plants demonstrated that soils containing resistance-breaking isolates of BNYVV did not produce higher virus concentrations. The MPN assay was repeated with Rz1  +  Rz2 partially-resistant sugar beets to see if the resistance-breaking is concentration-dependent. There was no correlation between soil dilution and increased virus concentration in Rz1  +  Rz2 plants produced by BNYVV resistance-breaking strains. Determination of the absolute P. betae concentration by ELISA demonstrated that all resistance-breaking soil samples contained elevated concentrations. However, the calculation of the proportion of viruliferous P. betae did not show a positive correlation with the resistance-breaking ability. Finally resistance-breaking was studied with susceptible, Rz1 and Rz1  + Rz2 genotypes and standardised rhizomania inoculum added to sterilised soil. Results from these experiments supported the conclusion that resistance-breaking did not correlate with virus concentration or level of viruliferous P. betae in the soil.     

Effect of botanical extracts on the biological activity of granulosis virus against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pieris brassicae</Emphasis>

A granulosis virus strain infecting Pieris brassicae (PbGV) was isolated from the dry temperate region of northwestern Himalayas as a potential microbial agent for its management. The effect of different botanicals (having insecticidal action against P. brassicae) on the bioefficacy of PbGV was evaluated under laboratory conditions using leaf disc bioassays on cabbage for improving the insecticidal performance of the PbGV. The synergistic action of different botanical extracts was evident in terms of reduction in LC₅₀ values against different botanical extracts. Among different extracts, petroleum-ether extract of neem seed kernel (NSK) when combined with PbGV resulted in maximum reduction of LC₅₀ value (4.39 × 10² occlusion bodies [OBs] ml⁻¹) followed by methanolic extract (7.38 × 10² OBs ml⁻¹) and aqueous extract (9.36 × 10³ OBs ml⁻¹) as compared with PbGV alone (1.85 × 10⁴ OBs ml⁻¹) for 2nd instar larvae of the test insect. These trends were found analogous in cases of 3rd and 4th instars of P. brassicae with different solvent extracts of NSK. The other botanicals evaluated, viz., Eupatorium and Artemesia, also resulted in reduction of LC₅₀ values for 2nd, 3rd and 4th instars as compared with PbGV alone when different extracts were combined with virus for bioassays. The studies suggest that the PbGV in combination with botanical pesticides could be more useful as a bio-pesticide against cabbage butterfly (P. brassicae) in IPM programs.     

Black nightshade (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum nigrum</Emphasis>) emergence and development is affected by seed density and burial depth

Black nightshade (Solanum nigrum L.) is a troublesome weed worldwide, affecting a large number of crops. As weed development is affected by a variety of factors, advanced knowledge on the plant’s biological and ecological qualities can support favorable management strategies. Seed density is an ecological factor affecting emergence and early growth of many weed species. For that reason, the current study characterizes and quantifies the seed density impact on black nightshade seedling-emergence and early growth, and the interaction between seed density and burial depth on these growth parameters. Greenhouse studies conducted in 2005, 2006 and 2010 examined black nightshade seed densities of 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 seeds per pot, buried at, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 cm. Impact of seed density on weed emergence and growth was characterized by number of emerged plants and leaves, followed by biomass measurements. Seed density had no impact on emergence at the tested burial depths. There was a strong logistic relationship (P < 0.001, and R ²  > 0.97) between time and emergence, and a strong linear relationship (P < 0.002 and R ²  > 0.86) between time and number of leaves produced in all depths and seed densities. A negative relationship was observed between seed density and plant development and growth rate. Results of this study extend the knowledge on black nightshade biology and support decision-making concerning rational weed management.     

Comparison ofPotato Virus Y andPlum Pox Virus transmission by two aphid species in relation to their probing behavior

Two different aphid species,Myzus persicae (Sulzer) andHyalopterus pruni (Geoffroy) (Homoptera: Aphididae), were used to analyze their ability to transmit two different potyviruses,Potato virus Y (PVY) andPlum pox virus (PPV), to pepper (Capsicum annuum) andNicotiana benthamiana plants, respectively. In parallel experiments,M. persicae consistently transmitted both viruses with high efficiency, whereasH. pruni always failed to transmit either virus. This is in contrast to previous reports describingH. pruni as a vector of these potyviruses. Different aphid probing behavior among individual aphids of each species was obtained in electrical penetration graph (EPG) experiments performed on pepper plants. This suggested thatH. pruni did not transmit these potyviruses due to behavioral differences during probing that impeded virus acquisition and/or inoculation. It was found thatM. persicae usually makes its first probe within the first 2 min, whereasH. pruni individuals remained for more than 10 min on the plant before starting to probe. Furthermore,M. persicae individuals displayed their first intracellular puncture during the first minute of probing whereasH. pruni needed ∼ 15 min to penetrate the cell plasmalemma with their stylets. In addition, intracellular stylet punctures occurred very frequently forM. persicae but was a rare event, never exceeding a single one, forH. pruni. The relevance of these findings for the epidemiological spread of potyviruses by different aphid species is discussed. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting May 14, 2006.     

Pathogenicity and reproductive fitness of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pratylenchus coffeae</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Radopholus arabocoffeae</Emphasis> on Arabica coffee seedlings (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Coffea arabica</Emphasis> cv. Catimor) in Vietnam

The pathogenicity and reproductive fitness of Pratylenchus coffeae and Radopholus arabocoffeae from Vietnam on coffee (Coffea arabica) seedlings cv. Catimor were evaluated in greenhouse experiments. The effect of initial population densities (Pi = 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, and 256 nematodes per cm³ soil) was studied for both species at different days after inoculation (dai). The data were adjusted to the Seinhorst damage model Y = m + (1-m).z^Pi-T. Tolerance limit (T) for P. coffeae was zero for the height and the diameter of the coffee plants. For the diameter, the T-value for R. arabocoffeae was 25.6 for 30 and 60 dai and 12.8 for 90 and 120 dai. After 4 months T was zero. The low tolerance limits indicate that Arabica coffee is highly intolerant to both nematode species. At the end of the experiment (180 dai), all plants were infected and most were dead when inoculated with R. arabocoffeae at initial densities of 32, 64, 128 and 256 nematodes/cm³ soil. For P. coffeae plant death was already observed at the lowest inoculation densities. Growth of coffee was reduced at all inoculation levels for both species. Pratylenchus coffeae and R. arabocoffeae caused intense darkening of the roots, leaf chlorosis and a strong reduction of root and shoot growth. It was observed that P. coffeae mainly destroyed lateral roots rather than tap roots, whereas R. arabocoffeae reduced tap root length rather than the lateral roots. At the lowest inoculum densities, the reproduction factor of P. coffeae was 2.38 and 2.01 for R. arabocoffeae, indicating that arabica coffee is a host for both species. Plant growth as expressed by shoot height and shoot and root weight measured 60 dai was negatively correlated with nematode (both species) density as expressed by the geometric mean of nematode numbers at 30 and 60 dai.     

Effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Beauveria bassiana</Emphasis> mixed with diatomaceous earth on mortality,mycosis and sporulation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhyzopertha dominica</Emphasis> on stored wheat

A laboratory assay was designed to determine the insecticidal efficacy of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin (Hyphomycetes: Moniliales) and diatomaceous earth (Diafil 610) against Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae). The fungus B. bassiana was applied at 2.23 × 10⁷, 2.23 × 10⁸ and 2.23 × 10⁹ conidia kg⁻¹ of wheat individually as well as mixed with 200 and 400 ppm of Diafil 610. The conditions for the trials were 30 ± 2^oC with 55% r.h. and the counts for mortality were made after 8, 16 and 24 d. All the dead adults were removed after each count and the vials were kept for the next 60 d to assess the emergence of the F₁ generation. The findings from these studies proved that the extended exposure interval and the highest combined dose rate of the entomopathogenic fungus and the diatomaceous earth gave the maximum mortality of the beetles. The emergence of the progeny was also highly suppressed where the maximum dose rate of the synergized treatments was applied. The rate of mycosis and sporulation in the cadavers of R. dominica was maximum where the low dose rates of B. bassiana were applied.     

Biological control of grapevine crown gall by nonpathogenic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium vitis</Emphasis> strain VAR03-1

A nonpathogenic strain of Agrobacterium vitis VAR03-1 was tested as a biological control agent against crown gall of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.). A mixture of the nonpathogenic strain VAR03-1 and a tumorigenic strain G-Ag-27 of A. vitis at cell ratios of 1 : 1, 3 : 1, 9 : 1, and 99 : 1 significantly inhibited gall formation and size on stems of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). Strain VAR03-1 also inhibited gall formation on stems of both tomato and grapevine at a 1 : 1 cell ratio with several tumorigenic A. vitis strains isolated from different fields of grapevine in Japan. In biological control tests, when roots of grapevine and tomato seedlings were soaked in a cell suspension of strain VAR03-1 for 24 h before a 1-h soaking in a cell suspension of the pathogen and subsequent planting in pots of infested soil, strain VAR03-1 significantly reduced the incidence of gall formation on both plants.     

亚致死浓度毒死蜱对小麦禾谷缢管蚜生长和繁殖的影响

为探讨毒死蜱对小麦禾谷缢管蚜Rhopalosiphum padi(Linnaeus)的亚致死效应,采用玻璃管药膜法确定了其亚致死浓度(LC10、LC20和LC30),并研究了该浓度下毒死蜱对小麦禾谷缢管蚜生长和繁殖的影响。结果表明:以LC10、LC20和LC30浓度处理后,禾谷缢管蚜成蚜的寿命分别为(8.60±0.22)、(8.03±0.18)和(6.68±0.18)d,均显著短于对照的(10.36±0.31)d;单雌产仔量分别为(21.88±0.63)、(20.41±0.53)和(16.68±0.35)只,也均显著少于对照的(26.40±0.89)只;产仔历期分别为(7.55±0.22)、(6.69±0.17)和(5.64±0.15)d,均显著短于对照的(9.13±0.31)d;试验浓度药剂处理对下一代若蚜期的影响不显著;LC30浓度处理对下一代成蚜繁殖有显著的抑制作用,可减少单雌产仔量3.74只,缩短产仔历期1.39 d。生命表参数分析表明:LC30浓度毒死蜱处理使小麦禾谷缢管蚜的净增殖率(R0)比对照降低了34.71%,使种群加倍时间(t)比对照延长了17.37%;LC20浓度处理使小麦禾谷缢管蚜的平均世代历期(T)延长了12.59%;LC10浓度处理组各项指标与对照间无显著性差异。研究表明,亚致死浓度毒死蜱能够缩短小麦禾谷缢管蚜成蚜的寿命,降低其繁殖力,该结果对小麦禾谷缢管蚜综合防治策略的制定具有积极意义。