Occurrence of a viroid in chrysanthemum in Brazil

A viroid was detected in Chrysanthemum plants showing symptotns of stunting in a commercial field in Brazil. Analysis by return polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (R-PAGE) of the nucleic acid preparations of leaves and flowers revealed the presence of a nucleic acid of low molecular weight with mobility within the range of viroids. The viroid-like band was completely eliminated by ribonuclease treatment or alkaline hydrolysis. The Chrysanthemum viroid was readily transmissible to Chrysathemum , tomnato and Gynura , which suggests that it may be an isolate of chrysanthemum stunt viroid.     

Colletotrichum siamense is the main aetiological agent of anthracnose of avocado in south-eastern Brazil

Anthracnose caused by species of Colletotrichum is considered one of the main postharvest diseases for avocado. In this study, Colletotrichum isolates associated with avocado anthracnose, collected in different states of Brazil, were evaluated through phylogenetic analysis, morphological characterization, and pathogenicity assays. Moreover, the events during pathogen infection of avocados were examined by scanning electron microscopy. To assess the genetic diversity of 54 Colletotrichum isolates, partial sequence analysis of the gene gapdh was performed. According to the generated groupings and the geographical origins of isolates, a subset of 14 strains was selected for performing multilocus phylogeny analysis (using sequences of gapdh, act, tub2, and ApMat). Two species previously described were identified: C. siamense belonging to the C. gloeosporioides species complex and Colletotrichum karstii belonging to the C. boninense species complex. All Colletotrichum strains evaluated caused typical symptoms of anthracnose in avocado fruits. Conidia of the most virulent strain germinated between 6 and 12 hr after inoculation (hai). Penetration through wounds occurred 48 hai, tissue colonization occurred between 144 and 240 hai, and sporulation took place at 240 hai via the production of an acervulus, conidiophores, and conidia. The findings shed light on the aetiology of avocado anthracnose in Brazil and provide a better understanding of the infection process of this pathogen, which may assist in the development of disease management strategies.     

Field evaluation of systemic imidacloprid for the management of avocado thrips and avocado lace bug in California avocado groves

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of systemic applications of imidacloprid for the management of avocado thrips and avocado lace bug was determined in field trials. Following insecticide treatment by chemigation, leaves of appropriate age for each insect were sampled over a 6 month period and used for bioassays. Imidacloprid residues were measured by ELISA in leaves used for bioassays to determine concentrations of insecticide that were toxic to both pests. RESULTS: The uptake of imidacloprid into treated trees was extremely slow, peaking in the current year's leaf flush at only 8 ng cm^?2 leaf tissue after 15 weeks. Avocado thrips mortality in bioassays with young flush leaves, the preferred feeding substrate for this insect, was minimal, indicating that imidacloprid concentrations were below threshold levels needed for effective control. Residues present in older leaves, which are preferred by the avocado lace bug, were higher than in young flush leaves, and provided good control of this pest. Probit analysis of bioassay data showed that the avocado lace bug (LC₅₀ = 6.1 ng imidacloprid cm^?2 leaf tissue) was more susceptible to imidacloprid than the avocado thrips (LC₅₀ = 73 ng imidacloprid cm^?2 leaf tissue). CONCLUSIONS: In spite of the slow uptake of imidacloprid into avocado trees, the levels of imidacloprid would be sufficient to control avocado lace bug infestations. In contrast, the slow uptake would be problematic for avocado thrips control because inadequate levels of insecticide accumulate in new flush foliage and would allow avocado thrips populations to build to levels that would subsequently damage developing avocado fruit. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Diversity and pathogenicity of Colletotrichum species isolated from soursop in Colombia

Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum species is a highly limiting disease for the production of the tropical fruit tree crop, soursop (Annona muricata L.). In this study, 83 single-spore isolates of Colletotrichum were obtained from diseased soursoup tissues and subjected to a species complex-specific PCR assay. The isolates were identified as C. gloeosporioides sensu lato (n?=?60), C. boninense s. lat. (n?=?22), or C. acutatum s. lat. (n?=?1). A subset of 21 selected isolates was identified to species level by means of a multi-locus phylogenetic analysis using sequences from the ITS region and partial sequences of the actin, β-tubulin-2, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and chitin synthase-1 genes. The multi-locus phylogenetic analysis resolved C. theobromicola, C. tropicale, C. siamense, and C. gloeosporioides sensu stricto in the C. gloeosporioides complex; C. karstii and one undetermined species in the C. boninense complex; as well as one undetermined species in the C. acutatum complex. Significant differences in anthracnose severity were observed between Colletotrichum species when tested for pathogenicity on attached twigs of soursop cv. Elita. Colletotrichum theobromicola and C. tropicale were associated with high and intermediate virulence, respectively, whereas the remaining species were associated with low virulence.     

巴西旱稻上有害生物发生及为害的初步调查

调查西林县巴西旱稻上发生的有害生物有10余种， 生为害较重的是杂草，地下害虫（地下老虎，蟋蟀，跻螬等）钻蛀性螟虫（三化螟，台湾稻螟）及稻纵卷叶螟，病害少，虫害重于病害，鼠害不同地方发生情况不一致，文中对各种有害生物发生的主要特点及原因作了简要分析。     

Toxicity of systemic neonicotinoid insecticides to avocado thrips in nursery avocado trees

The efficacies of four systemic neonicotinoid insecticides applied to potted avocado trees at manufacturer-recommended rates were assessed against the avocado thrips, Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara. At the time of treatment, fully expanded first-flush young leaves were tagged for identification, and a proportion of these leaves was used in bioassays with second-instar thrips. At 7 weeks post-treatment, a second flush of leaves had fully expanded on the trees, and these leaves were included in additional bioassays comparing avocado thrips mortality on both first- and second-flush leaves. In bioassays with first-flush leaves, imidacloprid (273 mg AI pot(-1)) was the most effective insecticide, providing at least 70% mortality of thrips for 14 weeks. Thiamethoxam (137 mg AI pot(-1)), clothianidin (109 mg AI pot(-1)) and dinotefuran (241 mg AI pot(-1)) provided good control in bioassays that were conducted within 4 weeks of treatment, but thereafter their efficacies were inconsistent. In bioassays with second-flush leaves, imidacloprid provided at least 70% mortality up to 9 weeks after the insecticide application. Thereafter, mortality declined to 30% or lower. Bioassays with second-flush leaves collected from trees treated with thiamethoxam, clothianidin and dinotefuran resulted in unacceptably low thrips mortality. Monitoring of imidacloprid and thiamethoxam residues by ELISA showed that the greater persistence of imidacloprid in both first and second leaf flushes was due to a steadier uptake of this material. Although thiamethoxam residues rose quickly within the first leaf flush, levels had already begun to dissipate by the time the second leaf flush had started to develop.     

Evaluation of neonicotinoid, organophosphate and avermectin trunk injections for the management of avocado thrips in California avocado groves

BACKGROUND: Trunk injections of systemic insecticides were evaluated for the management of avocado thrips. Insecticide residues were quantified in leaves to determine when after treatment, and for how long, toxic concentrations of the insecticides were present. Residues in fruit were quantified to determine whether trunk injection of insecticides might present a greater risk than traditional application methods for contaminating fruit. RESULTS: Residues of imidacloprid and dinotefuran were at least tenfold higher in leaves when trees were treated via trunk injection compared with soil application. Dinotefuran uptake was more rapid than imidacloprid, and no residues were detected within fruit. Acephate was also mobilized very rapidly and gave good control of thrips in bioassays; however, residues of acephate and its insecticidal metabolite methamidophos were detected in the fruit for up to 4 weeks after injection. Avermectin uptake was very slow, and it was ineffective against avocado thrips. CONCLUSIONS: Trunk injections of acephate and dinotefuran permitted rapid uptake into avocados, and they are strong candidates as control methods for avocado thrips. However, residues of organophosphates in fruit could necessitate increased preharvest intervals. Residues of neonicotinoids were below detection limits in fruit, suggesting that neonicotinoids may be the more suitable control option of the two chemical classes. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Detection and prevalence of Rosellinia necatrix in South African avocado orchards

European Journal of Plant Pathology - Rosellinia necatrix is an ascomycete that causes white root rot (WRR) of several plant host species resulting in economic losses to affected agricultural and...     

Effect of soil solarization on the control of Phytophthora root rot in avocado

Phytophthora root rot is of paramount importance in avocado orchards of southern Spain. Soil solarization has been demonstrated to control the pathogen in infested areas from which infected trees had been removed. We aimed to determine whether soil solarization in established avocado orchards controls the disease. Soil solarization increased average maximum hourly soil temperatures by 6.5–6.9°C in unshaded areas of avocado orchards in coastal areas of southern Spain, depending on depth and year. The corresponding temperatures in shaded areas were c. 2–3°C lower. P. cinnamomi in soil, on infected avocado rootlets, and in a nutrient substrate buried at 30–60 cm depth was reduced to negligible amounts after 6–8 weeks of solarization in both unshaded and shaded locations of avocado orchards. P. cinnamomi could not be detected in avocado rootlets up to 14 months later, suggesting a long-term effect. Soil solarization did not affect growth of the trees, and fruit yields were increased as compared with control plots. Following soil solarization for 3 weeks from mid-July 1994, when maximum hourly temperatures reached 33–36°C, P. cinnamomi could not be recovered from a depth of up to 45 cm in unshaded areas or from a depth of up to 30 cm in shaded areas after the initial 10-day period. The viability of inoculum of the pathogen buried at depths between 15 and 60 cm in bare soil was determined by sequential sampling in two solarization experiments starting 12 June and 4 July 1995, respectively. In the first experiment, P. cinnamomi could not be detected at any depth after 4–8 weeks of solarization in unshaded areas but could be recovered at all depths except 15 cm in shaded areas. In the second experiment, where temperatures were higher and the soil surface not shaded, P. cinnamomi could not be recovered after 2 weeks at 15 and 30 cm.     

Colletotrichum species causing anthracnose on avocado fruit in Mexico: Current status

Colletotrichum species cause anthracnose disease in tropical and subtropical fruit crops worldwide. Mexico is the main producer and exporter of avocado (Persea americana) globally and has yearly outbreaks of anthracnose on this crop. However, which specific Colletotrichum spp. cause these outbreaks in avocado-producing regions remain uncertain; thus, the objective of the present study was to identify the species responsible. A survey performed in six production regions of Mexico yielded 232 isolates, from which a subset of 104 strains was selected based on morphological characteristics and origin. This subset was sequenced and haplotypes were analysed in the gapdh partial gene. Finally, 31 strains were identified through multilocus phylogenetic analyses using the sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region and six loci. This study revealed the presence of two species previously reported in Mexico (C. karsti and C. godetiae), three novel records in Mexico (C. siamense, C. fioriniae, and C. cigarro), four novel records on avocado (C. chrysophilum, C. jiangxiense, C. tropicale, and C. nymphaeae), and two novel lineages (Colletotrichum sp. 1 and Colletotrichum sp. 2). C. siamense was the most prevalent, while the species reported for the first time on avocado, including the novel lineages, were the least prevalent. C. karsti was the most widespread (four regions), followed by C. siamense, C. jiangxiense, and C. chrysophilum (three regions). Pathogenicity tests showed that all species caused anthracnose on avocado fruit. These findings will be useful for improving the management of avocado anthracnose outbreaks in Mexico.     

A list of arthropod pests of avocado and pecan trees in Israel

Lists are given of arthropod pests of avocado and pecan trees in Israel. These include ten new pests of avocado and three of pecan. The pests of economic importance on avocado includeBoarmia (Ascotis) selenaria (Schiff.) (Geometridae, Lepidoptera) andHeliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Bouché) (Thrypidae, Thysanoptera). The pests of importance on pecans includeEmpoasca decedens (Paoli) (Jassidae, Homoptera),Zeuzera pyrina L. (Cossidae, Lepidoptera), andMonellia costalis (Fitch) (Aphididae, Homoptera).     

Double-stranded RNA comprising the putative avocado virus 1 has a high degree of sequence homology to the avocado genome

The hypothesis that the double-stranded (ds) RNA isolated from avocado is indicative of infection by RNA plant viruses has never been proven. However, it has not been disproven and the different dsRNAs are still known as putative avocado viruses (AV) 1, 2 and 3. We have probed restriction fragments of avocado cellular DNA with cloned ³²P-labelled AV1-specific cDNA and discovered that the dsRNA nucleotide sequences are also present on plant DNA. Our evidence contradicts the hypothesis that viruses are responsible for the formation of the dsRNA species in avocado.     

世界及中国鳄梨产销概况与展望

由毛色二孢属 (Lasiodiplodia spp.) 真菌引起的蒂腐病是对采后鳄梨最具破坏性的病害。为明确鳄梨蒂腐病原群体对杀菌剂的敏感性及6种不同类型杀菌剂在鳄梨蒂腐病防治中的应用潜力,采用菌丝生长速率法测定了来自海南和云南省鳄梨种植区的101个蒂腐病菌菌株对6种内吸性杀菌剂的敏感性,以优势种L. pseudotheobromae建立该种群的敏感性基线。结果表明：多菌灵、甲基硫菌灵、咪鲜胺和苯醚甲环唑对蒂腐病菌菌丝生长均表现出强烈的抑制活性,其平均EC₅₀值分别为 (0.06 ± 0.04)、 (0.72 ± 0.49)、 (0.86 ± 0.98) 和 (1.25 ± 1.38) μg/mL。其中优势种L. pseudotheobromae对上述4种杀菌剂的敏感性均呈连续单峰曲线,符合正态分布,可将相应的平均EC₅₀值作为鳄梨蒂腐病菌对上述4种杀菌剂的敏感性基线。分别有4%和8%的菌株其咪鲜胺和苯醚甲环唑的平均EC₅₀ 值 大于5 μg/mL;91% 和100% 的菌株对吡唑醚菌酯和嘧菌酯敏感性很低,平均EC₅₀值分别高达 (371.03 ± 353.38) 和 (622.86 ± 771.28) μg/mL,且为非正态分布。同时,针对上述可能已产生抗药性的菌株的靶标基因进行了测序和表达量分析,qRT-PCR结果表明：供试菌株中咪鲜胺和苯醚甲环唑的靶标基因CYP51未发生任何点突变,但经药剂处理12 h后,抗性菌株CYP51基因表达量较敏感菌株显著上调,推测该基因的过表达与病原菌对咪鲜胺和苯醚甲环唑的抗药性形成有关;然而,抗性菌株吡唑醚菌酯和嘧菌酯的靶标基因Cyt b却既没有发生点突变也没有呈现过表达,因此其抗药性形成机制还有待进一步探究。研究表明,我国鳄梨蒂腐病菌对多菌灵和甲基硫菌灵非常敏感,2种杀菌剂可考虑作为鳄梨蒂腐病防治的优先候选药剂,但该病原菌对另外2种供试杀菌剂的潜在抗性也不容忽视。

     

防治樟巢螟耐雨药剂筛选试验

姜堰市地处苏中地区,江、淮之间,属北亚热带湿润型季风气候,历史上无樟树种植。近年来,本市引种樟树成功,定植大、小树约10万株。因对侵入性害虫——樟巢螟(Orthaga achatina Butler)缺乏认识,致使该虫在本市为害日趋严重。典型地段虫株率100%,单株虫巢数十至数百个,已发现上百株樟树绿叶被食光致死。适合本地应用的药剂筛选成为当务之急。行道林木施药有别于农作物,一是药液喷洒高,二是往往在商贾或游人密集之处,因而对人身和环境的安全要求更高。生物、植物源及昆虫生长调节药剂等可以确保安全,而且不伤害天敌,因而越来越受到人们青睐。…     

Effect of Avocado sunblotch viroid (ASBVd) on avocado yield in Michoacan,Mexico

The total yield of cv. Hass and Mendez avocado trees was evaluated in Grove 1 in Uruapan county: four trees were sunblotch-infected, four asymptomatic (molecularly positive), and four healthy. A further four healthy and four symptomatic trees were evaluated in Grove 2 in Tingambato county. There was a significant 75 % reduction in the total Hass fruit weight from symptomatic trees in Grove 1 (213 kg vs 751 kg in healthy trees) and a 52 % reduction (124 kg vs 255 kg) in Grove 2 (Tukey, p?=?0.05). This reduction was more severe in Mendez: 83 % in Grove 1 (183 kg vs 1,053 kg) and 76 % in Grove 2 (82 kg vs 340 kg). Yield of asymptomatic trees was reduced to 58 % in Mendez and 30 % in Hass. The average weight of 100 fruits was reduced by 13–28 % in Hass and 20–27 % in Mendez in Groves 2 and 1 respectively. The equatorial diameter of 100 symptomatic fruits was 8 % lower in Hass in both groves, and 20–28 % lower in Mendez. The polar diameter decreased by 8–10 % in Hass and 10–11 % in Mendez. The incidence of symptomatic fruits was 46–62 % in Hass and 20–28 % in Mendez. Yield of ASBVd symptomatic Hass and Mendez trees was significantly reduced and fruit morphology negatively affected.     

The effect of hot-water treatment on the levels of antifungal diene and quiescence of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in avocado fruits

Quantitative changes in the antifungal compound 1-acetoxy-2-hydroxy-4-Oxo-heneicosa-12, 15-diene in harvested avocado fruits, and the development of symptoms caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides , were investigated following treatment with hot water at 55°C for 10 min. The concentration of the compound in the peel and flesh was 2000 and 2600 μg/g fresh weight, respectively, at the time of harvest, but decreased rapidly during the first 24 h. Levels of the diene had substantially recovered after 50 h. However antifungal diene levels in the peel of hot-water-treated fruit did not recover until 98 h. The levels in the flesh were unaffected by the treatment. Following inoculation, hot-water-treated fruits developed clear symptoms after 2 days, whereas untreated fruits showed only minor symptoms after 6 days. If inoculation was delayed by 24, 48 or 72 h after treatment, then symptoms on treated fruits did not develop until the sixth day as observed for untreated fruits. The correlation between the two systems suggests that quiescence is probably maintained by the level of antifungal diene present in the peel at the time of fungal penetration and the formation of a subcuticular hypha.     

Occurrence and variability of Colletotrichum truncatum on soybean in Zambia

Samples of soybean leaflets showing leaf spot disease symptoms were collected from farms in Central, Lusaka and Southern provinces of Zambia. The pathogen was identified as Colletotrichum truncatum. Isolations were purified using single conidia and compared for morphological and physiological characters as well as for their pathogenic reactions to three commonly grown soybean cultivars in Zambia.     

Some characteristics of an avocado strain of Tobacco mosaic Virus

An isolate of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV-A) was obtained from healthy and sunblotch-infected avocado (Persea americana) seedlings. TMV-A resembled common TMV in particle morphology, RNA size and coat protein molecular weight. TMV-A coat protein differed from common TMV coat by a minimum of 22 amino acid exchanges including the presence of one methionine, and by the absence of cysteine. Spur formation between the precipitation lines of TMV, TMV-A and a TMV antiserum indicates certain differences among the antigenic determinants of these two strains.