Infection of Linseed by Alternaria linicola; Effects of Inoculum Density, Temperature, Leaf Wetness and Light Regime

Controlled environment studies were conducted to determine the effects of inoculum density, temperature, leaf wetness and light regime on the infection of linseed by Alternaria linicola. The % cotyledons and leaves with symptoms, and the disease severity (% leaf area with symptoms) increased linearly when the inoculum density increased from 1×10³ to 1×10⁵ conidiaml^–1. The first symptoms appeared on cotyledons and leaves 4 and 6 days after inoculation, respectively. Eight hours of leaf wetness were sufficient to initiate the disease at 25°C but not at 15°C, when 10-h periods of leaf wetness were required. % leaf area with symptoms was lower at 15°C than that at 25°C irrespective of the leaf wetness periods tested. Interruption of a continuous leaf wetness period by a 12-h dry period, occurring at any time between 1 and 18h after inoculation, decreased the % cotyledons with symptoms and the disease severity, with the greatest reductions (60% and 100%, respectively) being observed when the dry period began 6h after inoculation. A. linicola conidia were able to exploit successive 12-h periods of leaf wetness cumulatively to infect linseed plants. Disease incidence and severity were positively correlated with the dark period following inoculation, but they were negatively related to the length of the initial light period. Our findings suggest that infection of linseed by A. linicola and further development of symptoms can occur under unfavourable environmental conditions.     

Gamma radiation sensitivity of larvae and adults of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum Herbst

In this study, the susceptibility of larvae and adults of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) to gamma radiation was investigated in the laboratory in Turkey. Gamma radiation was applied at 6 dose levels between 20 and 200Gy to 13–15day-old adults and at 5 dose levels between 20 and 180Gy to 18–20day-old larvae of T. castaneum. All experiments were performed in growth chambers maintained at 27±1°C and 70±5% r.h. The larvae proved to be the more susceptible stage, survival to the adult stage being prevented by exposure of the eggs to 100Gy; the adult stage was less susceptible. LD₅₀ and LD₉₉ values were determined as 19,75 and 42,97Gy for larvae and 33,21 and 64,50Gy for adult stage, respectively. It was concluded that 100Gy is the effective dose for both larval and adult stages.     

Foliar Application of Acibenzolar-S-Methyl and Protection of Postharvest Rock Melons and Hami Melons from Disease

A pre-flowering foliar spray of the plant activator acibenzolar-S-methyl at 50mg/La.i. combined with a fruit dip in guazatine at 500mg/La.i. at harvest substantially decreased disease in stored melons. Major diseases occurring on rock melons and Hami melons were caused by Fusarium spp., Alternaria spp., Rhizopus spp. and Trichothecium sp. The treatment with acibenzolar-S-methyl alone was significantly effective in reduction of the disease severity in many but not all situations. The fungicide guazatine alone significantly decreased infection by Fusarium spp. but had a lesser effect on that caused by Alternaria spp. and Rhizopus spp.     

Morphological studies on attachment of spores of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Magnaporthe grisea</Emphasis> to the leaf surface of rice

Rice leaves were inoculated with spores of Magnaporthe grisea, and the number of fluorescence-labeled spores that attached to the leaf surface were counted before and after leaves were dipped and then stirred in water. Just 5% of the spores were retained on the leaf surface 1h after inoculation; the percentage retained then increased rapidly between 1.25 and 1.50h, and most had attached by 2h. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that most conidia were lying on a few wart-like protuberances 2–4µm high. Spores became attached when the germ tubes were long enough to reach the leaf surface, at least 3µm, by mucilaginous substances at the tip. Retained spores swayed when water was added under the cover glass from one side, indicating that the attachment was confined to the tips of germ tubes. Spores are attached to the rough leaf surface by mucilaginous substances – not at the tip of spore as reported on smooth artificial substrates but at the tip of the germ tubes.     

Assessment of Transmission Ability of Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus-PAV Isolates by Different Populations of Rhopalosiphum padi and Sitobion avenae

Populations of two aphid species from different geographic regions of Morocco were tested for their ability to transmit five barley yellow dwarf virus-PAV (BYDV-PAV) type isolates using Clintland 64 oat as the test plant. Transmission efficiencies were determined for 10 sub-populations of Rhopalosiphum padi and 12 sub-populations of Sitobion avenae. After a short acquisition access period (AAP) of 4h, all populations transmitted the virus but with different efficiencies. R. padi (Rp-S) and S. avenae (Sa-S) collected in the Settat region were the most efficient vectors, with transmission rates of 38% and 27%, respectively. R. padi (Rp-C) collected at Chaouen and S. avenae (Sa-B) at Berkane, were poor transmitters with respective vectoring abilities of 20% and 16%. These four sub-populations were chosen to study the acquisition of BYDV-PAV and the retention of virus within aphids in more detail. The transmission after two AAPs of 4h and 48h were compared. Starved aphids given a 4h AAP had significantly higher transmission efficiencies than non-starved aphids. However, after a 48h AAP, no difference was observed in the transmission between starved and non-starved aphids. Intraspecific variability was also detected by means of serial transfers of individual aphids after the given AAP. Following the first day of serial transfers, no differences were observed in transmission efficiency and virus titers for sub-populations within each species acquiring the virus during 48h, but there was significant variation when the virus was acquired in 4h. The levels of PAV antigen retained by aphids fed on healthy plants declined rapidly during the first day after acquisition, but remained fairly constant during the next 5–7 days depending on the length of the AAP. Virus antigen could be detected by ELISA in Rp-S and Sa-S for up to 11 days of serial transfer, but it was shown that aphids could retain and transmit BYDV-PAV for at least 3 weeks.     

Effects of soil solarization on nematodes in Croatia

For the first time soil solarization was investigated in Croatia both in the field and in the greenhouse in 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1994. For two months (July and August), the soil was mulched with transparent polyethylene (PE) sheets of 0.015 or 0.050mm thickness. Soil temperatures at depths of 5, 10 and 20cm were recorded daily. In order to assess nematode population densities, soil samples were analysed before mulching and at the end of the mulching treatment. The results of these experiments showed that soil solarization drastically reduced the population of plant-parasitic nematodes (Meloidogyne, Pratylenchus, Paratylenchus, Tylenchus, Tylenchorhynchus spp.) by about 97–100% at a depth of 10cm and 92–97% at a depth of 20cm in the field, while in the greenhouse, the population of plant-parasitic nematodes was reduced by about 89–100% at a depth of 10cm and 98–100% at a depth of 20cm.In the same experiments, the population of saprophytic nematodes in the field was reduced by about 86–90% at a depth of 10cm and 72–89% at a depth of 20cm. In the greenhouse, the population of saprophytic nematodes was reduced by about 87–97% at a depth of 10cm and 87–93% at a depth of 20cm. This data shows that soil solarization was less effective in the control of saprophytic nematodes, which is considered to be an advantage.     

Infection of Tomicus piniperda (Col., Scolytidae) with Canningia tomici sp. n. (Microsporidia, Unikaryonidae)

Canningia tomici sp. n. (Microsporidia, Unikaryonidae) infects the midgut epithelium, the gut muscules, Malpighian tubules, connective tissues, adipose tissues and the gonads of the pine shoot beetle, Tomicus piniperda (L.) (Coleoptera, Scolytidae). The infection is present in populations of Tomicus piniperda in Europe and in the United States. Uninucleate oval single spores occur in two sizes: 2.8±0.4× 1.4±0.4m and 3.8±0.3×2.0±0.2m. The polar filament of this microsporidium is fixed subapically in a flat anchoring disc. The thick posterior lamellae of the binary polaroplast are asymmetric due to the lateral fixation of the polar filament.     

Biological characteristics and life tables of Neoseiulus umbraticusChant (Acari, Phytoseiidae) at three constant temperatures

The development time, survival and fecundity of the generalist predatory mite, Neoseiulus umbraticusChant, were determined at 20, 25, and 30°C and 65±10% RH. N. umbraticus females completed development in 9.7, 8.0 and 5.9 days, respectively, using a diet of all life stages of Tetranychus cinnabarinus Boisduval. Total developmental times of males were relatively shorter at 25 and 30°C than at 20°C. In general, preoviposition, oviposition, and postoviposition periods of N. umbraticus shortened as temperature increased. The longest survival rate of N. umbraticus of 80.5 days occurred at 20°C, followed by 67.0 and 57.6 days at 25 and 30°C, respectively. Mated females laid an average 0.9, 1.3 and 1.4 eggs per female per day and 33.1, 44.0 and 43.6 eggs over their entire lives at 20, 25 and 30°C, respectively. The sex ratios of this species were 0.57, 0.57 and 0.54 female (female+male) at 20, 25 and 30°C, respectively. The intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) became greater with rising temperatures from 0.123 at 20°C to 0.180 at 30°C. The net reproduction rate (R_o) was highest at 25°C (25.0 females/female) and lowest at 20°C (18.8 females/female), while T_o decreased with increasing temperatures, from 23.8 days at 20°C to 17.5 days at 30°C.     

Conjugation of δ-endotoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis with abamectin of Streptomyces avermitilis as a new type of biocide, GCSC-BtA, for control of agricultural insect pests

Conjugation of -endotoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis with abamectin, a toxin of Streptomyces avermitilis, was carried out to form a new type of biocide, GCSC-BtA based on Germany-China Scientific Cooperation research, for the control of agricultural insect pests. The strategy for biochemical linkage was designed by conjugating an amino group in B.t. protoxin with a carboxyl group in carboxylated abamectin under the treatment of conjugator EDC [1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl carbodiimide Hydrochloride)]. The formation of B.t. protoxin was processed by solubilizing B.t. crystal in 25mM dithiothreitol (DTT) at 37°C for 2h. The carboxylated abamectin was formed by carboxylating the NaH-activated abamectin with 10mg/ml butyric anhydride at 111°C in a water-circumfluent condensation device for 2h. The conjugating reaction, consisting of 5mg/ml B.t. protoxin, 10mg/ml carboxylated abamectin and 19.17mg/ml EDC, was successfully conducted at room temperature for 24h. Significant differences were found between pure abamectin, carboxylated abamectin and the conjugated BtA by means of UV-photo absorptions recorded at wavelengths 354, 438, 518, 600nm (P<0.01). LT₅₀ of the conjugated GCSC-BtA to the 3^rd instar larvae of Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lep., Plutellidae) was 35.27 g a.i./ml, about 62% and 76% of that caused by the B.t. protoxin and the caxboxylated abamectin, respectively. The conjugated GCSC-BtA caused 87.14% mortalities in larvae of P. xylostella, 93.75% in adult Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hom., Aphididae) and 89.33% in adult Phyllotreta vittata Fabricius (Col., Chrysomelidae) as compared to 48.33% by the B.t. crystal only in P. xylostella. The symptoms caused by conjugated GCSC-BtA in the 3^rd instar of P. xylostella were black color in the head part and white-yellow in the abdomen of dead larvae, which differed from the black color or the white-yellow all along the body caused by either the B.t. crystal or the abamectin, respectively. It was concluded that the conjugated GCSC-BtA biocide had a broader host spectrum and a faster killing speed than either the B.t. crystal or abamectin alone for the control of agricultural pests.     

Treatment of rice with diatomaceous earth and effects on the mortality of the Red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum (Herbst)

Diatomaceous earth has been demonstrated in Australia, Germany, and the USA to protect stored products from infestation by insect pests. However, application of diatomaceous earth has rarely been used in Asian countries for the protection of stored grain from insect damage. These facts and the paucity of existing data from the tropics prompted the present study of storage with diatomaceous earth. We exposed rice treated with the diatomaceous earth product Fossil Shield® to infestation by Tribolium castaneum Herbst. During the dry season, when tests were conducted, the mean temperature was 29±2°C and relative humidity was 80±3%. The population of T. castaneum in rice was significantly reduced after treatment with Fossil Shield®. Diatomaceous earth at 1g and 2g per kilogram rice reduced population growth of T. castaneum to a coefficient of 0.27, and 0.02 respectively after 42 days. Fossil Shield® at 0.5g per kilogram rice increased the mortality of T. castaneum, but did not stop population growth.     

Three distinct groups of isolates of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tomato yellow leaf curl virus</Emphasis> in Japan and construction of an infectious clone

Complete nucleotide sequences of eight Japanese isolates of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) were determined and compared with four TYLCV isolates already reported. These isolates separated into three groups – Shizuoka (Sz), Aichi (Ai), Nagasaki (Ng) – and had 99% identities within the groups. Full-length molecules of DNA-A of group Sz consist of 2791nt and those of group Ai contain 2787nt. Both were closely related to TYLCV-Is.M, although those of group Ng had 2793nt and were more closely related to TYLCV-Is. Comparison of common sequences of isolates belonging to groups Sz and Ai had substitutions of 4nt in the intergenic region and nonsynonymous substitutions at open reading frames between the groups. None of the isolates tested had DNA molecules. Agroinfection of four plant species with a DNA-A dimeric infectious clone of TYLCV-SzY, a member of group Sz, resulted in systemic infection. Tomato plants then developed typical yellow leaf curl symptoms.The nucleotide sequence data reported are available in the DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank databases under accession numbers AB116629, AB116630, AB116631, AB116632, AB116633, AB116634, AB116635, and AB116636     

Role of Salicylic Acid in Systemic Resistance Induced by Pseudomonas spp. Against Pythium aphanidermatum in Cucumber Roots

Pseudomonas corrugata strain 13 and P. aureofaciens strain 63-28, applied to roots, induced systemic resistance against Pythium aphanidermatum in cucumber roots. Salicylic acid (SA) from bacterial culture or plant tissues was quantified by high performance liquid chromatography. Both strains produced SA in King's B broth and also induced cucumber root to accumulate endogenous SA one day after bacterial inoculation. Using a split root system, more SA accumulated in roots treated with bacteria than in distant roots on the opposite side of the root system in the first two days, but this difference disappeared after 3–4 days. SA levels were significantly higher in plants treated with bacteria compared to the split control, from one to five days after bacterization. SA did not inhibit mycelial growth of Pythium aphanidermatum at 100–200µgml^–1 in vitro, but higher levels inhibited mycelial growth. Zoospore germination increased at concentrations of 10–500µgml^–1, but decreased at 1000µgml^–1 compared to lower concentrations. Exogenously applied SA failed to induce local or systemic resistance against a challenge infection by the pathogen in planta. The results of this study show that exogenous applied SA does not induce systemic resistance to cucumber root rot caused by P. aphanidermatum, but endogenous SA accumulation in cucumber roots may be involved in induced systemic resistance.     

Passive dispersal of the grape rust mite Calepitrimerus vitis Nalepa 1905 (Acari, Eriophyoidea) in vineyards

Modes of passive dispersal of the grape rust mite Calepitrimerus vitis (Eriophyoidea) were investigated in a vineyard of South-Western Germany. More than 200 Eriophyoidea per month were trapped in a wind chamber during summer (32,1% C.vitis) suggesting long-distance dispersal by air currents. Rain washed part of the adult C.vitis population from the foliage. SE micrographs suggest that quiescent nymphs are affixed to the leaf by a substance of unknown nature. However, the role of rain in C.vitis colonisation of uninfested vineyards is still unclear, as is the role of phoretic transport by arthropods. For the first time, evidence of rust mite dispersal by human activity is presented. A large number of C.vitis was found adhering to clothes and hands of workers carrying out customary cultural practices in the vineyard. Other arthropods, including Typhlodromus pyri, the main predator of C.vitis, were also passively transported by wind, rain and human activity.     

Fusaric Acid Production by Fusarium Oxysporum f.sp. lilii and its Role in the Lily Basal Rot Disease

Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lilii (Fol), the causal agent of lily basal rot, produced fusaric acid (FA) in aseptic culture. This toxin induced phytotoxicity symptoms on in vitro-grown lily bulblets of two different cultivars: the Fol-susceptible cultivar was more sensitive to the toxin than the Fol-resistant cultivar. When cultured in the presence of FA, the Fol-susceptible cultivar showed a greater tendency to accumulate FA within its tissues than the Fol-resistant cultivar. The polyphenol oxidase activity of the bulblets was inhibited by 1mmolL^–1 FA in both the cultivars, while at lower FA concentrations the enzyme activity increased only in the Fol-susceptible cultivar. Peroxidase showed a steady activity at the 1mmolL^–1 FA concentration in both the cultivars, while at lower FA dosages its activity increased. Within the Fol-infected in vivo tissues of both the lily cultivars, FA was detectable only in traces. The role of this toxin in the lily basal rot disease seems therefore to be of marginal importance.     

Influences of host age, sex ratio, population density, and photoperiod on parasitism by Trichogramma evanescens Westw. (Hym., Trichogrammatidae)

Moth species Ephestia kuehniella and Sitotroga cerealella are serious pests in cereal-based food processing facilities and stores in Turkey. Control of these pests is undertaken by regular space treatment of infested areas with pesticides. An alternative control method could be the release of parasitic wasps of the genus Trichogramma. In laboratory tests, we use T. evanescens as a parasitic wasp reared on the eggs of Ephestia kuehniella. Adult wasps emerging from the host were maintained in glass tubes at 27±1° C, 60–70±5% r.h and L14:D10 and fed on honey solution. Adults of T. evanescens in vials without food enclosed from host eggs and all died within 1.8days; in comparison, in vials with honey, live adults were evident for 15.2days. Fresh (6–48h) and old (72–96h) host eggs were offered to T. evanescens and fresh eggs were more accepted than old. Host acceptance of females with males in vials was better than without males. The number of females in the vials also influenced the parasitization rate and single female parasitized more eggs. Adults living in light regime (L14:D10 and L6:D18) parasitized more eggs than in total darkness. Results are discussed with relation to enhancing parasitoid effectiveness in biological control in processing facilities and mills.     

Prey consumption during development as well as longevity and reproduction of Typhlodromus pyri Scheuten (Acari, Phytoseiidae) at higher temperatures in the laboratory

The predatory mite Typhlodromus pyri Scheuten (Acari, Phytoseiidae) has been reported as an important predator of the European red mite, Panonychus ulmi (Koch) (Acari, Tetranychidae) in apple culture and vineyards at below 25°C. However, sufficient biological data was lacking on its efficiency at temperatures above 25°C. Therefore, the purpose of the present laboratory work was to obtain experimental data on prey consumption during development as well as longevity and reproduction of T. pyri on apple leaf discs and in Plexiglas cells at constant temperatures of 25±2°C and 30±2°C with P. ulmi as prey.The results showed that mean daily and total prey consumption by both the nymphs and adults of T. pyri decreased significantly on both the arenas as the temperature was increased from 25°C to 30°C, whereby adult prey consumption, both mean daily and total, was higher than that of nymphs. Prey consumption by both the nymphs and adults was significantly higher in the Plexiglas cells than on the leaf discs at both temperatures. Mean total prey consumption during nymphal development was 16.1 () and 12.8 () at 25°C compared to 7.0 () and 5.8 () preys at 30°C on the apple leaf discs and 46.0 () and 38.5 () at 25°C compared to 25.2 () and 20.3 () preys at 30°C in the Plexiglas cells. Mean duration of nymphal development was similar for the two sexes at the same temperature, but it was longer at 25°C than at 30°C. It was 6.0 and 4.0days on the apple leaf discs while 7.0 and 6.0days in the Plexiglas cells at 25°C and 30°C, respectively. Mean daily and total prey consumption by both male and female adults also decreased with the increasing temperature, whereby the females consumed more than double the mean total number of prey than the males on both the arenas of observation and at both temperatures: 355.4 versus 149.7 preys at 25°C and 192.2 versus 85.6preys at 30°C on the leaf discs and 826.8 versus 374.5 preys at 25°C and 488.9 versus 187.9 preys at 30°C in the Plexiglas cells. Longevity of the females was longer than males on both arenas and at both temperatures and it was longer at 25°C than at 30°C. Mean total longevity on the apple leaf discs was 68.3 () and 50.8 () days at 25°C compared to 52.5 () and 36.8 () days at 30°C, while in the Plexiglas cells it was 91.0 () and 65.8 () days at 25°C compared to 75.3 () and 48.5 () days at 30°C. Reproduction in females also decreased significantly with increasing temperature. It decreased from 62.0 to 39.0 eggs/female on the leaf discs and 75.0 to 47.1 eggs/female in the Plexiglas cells. The females laid significantly higher numbers of eggs at both temperatures in the Plexiglas cells than on the leaf discs. Oviposition period in females was 30days at 25°C on both the arenas, while at 30°C it was 26days on the apple leaf discs and 27days in the Plexiglas cells.     

Shoot meristem tissue of tobacco inoculated with Cucumber mosaic virus is infected with the virus and subsequently recovers from infection by RNA silencing

Distribution of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) in shoot meristem tissue of CMV-inoculated tobacco was successively analyzed with immunohistochemical microscopy and in situ hybridization. CMV signals were detected in the tissue at 7 days postinoculation (dpi), but then they decreased and disappeared after 14dpi. Detailed observation confirmed CMV invasion of shoot apical meristem at 6–8dpi. Short interfering RNA corresponding to CMV RNAs was first detected at 7dpi and was detected up to 24dpi. These results suggest that the shoot meristem tissue is infected with CMV but subsequently recovers from the infection by RNA silencing.     

The Effect of Soil Moisture and Cabbage Amendment on the Thermoinactivation of Phytophthora nicotianae

The analysis of the effect of soil water matric potential and temperature regimes on the inactivation of chlamydospores of Phytophthora nicotianae in cabbage amended soils was evaluated using three matric potentials (0, -10, and -30kPa), temperature regimes of 1.5h at 44°C, 5h at 41°C and 8h at 35°C, or 3h at 47°C, 5h at 44°C and 8h at 35°C, with a baseline temperature of 25°C during the rest of the day. The results indicated that survival of P. nicotianae was lowest in saturated soil; and as temperature increased, survival of the pathogen decreased at all soil water matric potentials evaluated. Cabbage amendments can enhance the effect of the heat treatment, further decreasing the pathogen population. The soil water matric potentials evaluated represent optimum levels for the study of thermal inactivation. However, under field conditions lower potentials may be found. Extending the range of soil water matric potentials and the treatment time would allow better comparisons with the field data. There is a clear indication that one irrigation period prior to solarization would provide enough moisture to inactivate the primary inoculum of P. nicotianae in the top soil under field conditions; however, other factors may affect the effectiveness of solarization, reducing or enhancing its potential.     

Interactions between the striped stem borer Chilo suppressalis (Walk.) (Lep., Pyralidae) larvae and rice plants in response to nitrogen fertilization

A screenhouse experiment was conducted to examine the damage and compensation in rice plants when injured by the striped stem borer, Chilo suppressalis (Walker), larvae at tillering stage, as well as larval survival and development of the insect at different nitrogen (N) fertilization levels. Potted plants were fertilized at late seedling stage at the rates 0, 200, 400, 600 and 800mgN/pot, respectively. More deadheads were caused as fertilization increased. Plants compensated well for injury at the fertilization concentrations of 200 and 400mgN/pot by producing new tillers, but such compensation did not take place at 600 and 800mgN/pot. Two weeks after infestation, the highest number of remaining healthy tillers was found in plants fertilized at 400mgN/pot. Larval survival varied little among the treatments 200 to 800mgN/pot. Larval weight attainment and/or developmental rate increased with increasing fertilization level from 200 to 600mgN/pot, but both declined rapidly as fertilization reached 800mgN/pot, indicating the great dependence of plant suitability on N fertilization levels. Conclusively, both the compensation response of rice plants and their suitability for C. suppressalis larvae could be significantly affected by N fertilization levels.     

Enzymatic Maceration of Witloof Chicory by the Soft Rot Bacteria Erwinia carotovora Subsp. carotovora: The Effect of Nitrogen and Calcium Treatments of the Plant on Pectic Enzyme Production and Disease Development

Disease incidence of bacterial soft rot caused by Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora and activities of bacterial pectolytic enzymes were studied in witloof chicory. Disease incidence after forcing of the chicory heads was enhanced by the nitrogen treatment and reduced by the calcium treatment of the chicory plants prior to forcing. Significant differences in susceptibility to bacterial soft rot were found for the tested chicory cultivars. Disease severity after 96h ranged from 6% in Clause R2 to 100% in Bea and Tabor. Chicory cultivars Rumba and Salsa showed a final average severity of 65–70%. Activity of the pectolytic enzymes, polygalacturonase and pectate lyase increased in artificially inoculated chicory heads of cultivar Rumba and was not affected by calcium and nitrogen treatments of the plants. Polygalacturonase showed highest activity 48h after inoculation while pectate lyase activity increased throughout 72h of incubation. Maceration of the chicory tissue and bacterial growth increased continuously until 96h after inoculation, when more than 60% of the chicory heads was macerated by pectolytic enzymes of the bacteria. Enzyme activity of Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora grown on chicory cell wall extracts was influenced by nitrogen and calcium treatments of the chicory plants. The activity of polygalacturonase reached its highest level at 48h after incubation and pectate lyase activity peaked at 24h followed by a continuous decrease until 72h after inoculation.