黄瓜中醚菌酯的残留及风险评估

建立了醚菌酯在黄瓜中的残留分析方法,并在广州和天津进行了30%醚菌酯可湿性粉剂在黄瓜上残留的田间试验,研究了醚菌酯在黄瓜上的消解动态和最终残留,采用风险商值法对黄瓜中醚菌酯可能产生的膳食风险进行了评估。黄瓜样本用乙腈提取,高效液相色谱-串联质谱法(HPLC-MS/MS)检测。在添加水平为0.01、0.05和0.5 mg/kg时,平均添加回收率在91%～95%之间,相对标准偏差为3.74%～9.99%,检出限(LOD)为0.001 mg/kg,定量限(LOQ)为0.01 mg/kg。田间试验结果表明,醚菌酯在广州和天津黄瓜中的半衰期分别为1.5 d和2.1 d,消解迅速,施药3 d后最终残留量为0.08～0.23 mg/kg,施药5 d后最终残留量均低于LOQ值。风险评估结果表明,施药后3 d时黄瓜中醚菌酯的残留风险商值均远远低于1。表明喷施30%醚菌酯可湿性粉剂防治黄瓜白粉病,按照推荐剂量使用对人体健康是安全的。     

25%吡唑醚菌酯悬浮剂在蓝莓中的残留行为及膳食风险评估

为评价25%吡唑醚菌酯悬浮剂在蓝莓上施用后可能产生的膳食暴露风险，通过规范的田间残留试验，检测蓝莓中吡唑醚菌酯的残留量，结合GEMS/FOOD中关于中国的各年龄段居民浆果类农产品膳食消费量及体重调查数据、每日允许摄入量(allowable daily intake, ADI),评估了吡唑醚菌酯对中国各消费人群的长期膳食摄入风险。结果表明：在0.01～1.0mg/kg添加水平范围内，吡唑醚菌酯的平均回收率在92%～100%之间，相对标准偏差(RSD)在2.9%～9.4%之间；吡唑醚菌酯在蓝莓中的检测方法定量限(LOQ)为0.01mg/kg。露地栽培模式下，吡唑醚菌酯在蓝莓上的消解速率符合一级动力学方程，消解半衰期为4.7d。吡唑醚菌酯按有效成分150mL/hm²施药2次，每次间隔7d,药后3、5、7、10d时蓝莓中吡唑醚菌酯的残留量为0.11～0.29mg/kg。长期膳食风险评估表明，蓝莓中吡唑醚菌酯残留对各消费人群的长期膳食摄入风险的贡献率<0.1%,说明通过蓝莓摄入吡唑醚菌酯残留对人体产生的长期膳食摄入风险较小。     

二氰蒽醌和吡唑醚菌酯在枣中的残留行为及膳食摄入风险评估

建立了采用高效液相色谱-紫外检测器(HPLC-VWD)检测二氰蒽醌和吡唑醚菌酯在枣中残留量的分析方法,研究了两者在枣中的消解动态、最终残留水平以及膳食摄入风险。样品加盐酸后,用乙腈匀浆提取,Florisil柱净化,HPLC-VWD检测,外标法定量。运用慢性膳食摄入风险(%ADI)和急性膳食摄入风险(%ARf D)对二氰蒽醌和吡唑醚菌酯在不同人群的急(慢)性膳食摄入风险进行了估计。结果表明:在0.1~5 mg/kg添加水平下,二氰蒽醌和吡唑醚菌酯在枣中的平均回收率在76%~112%之间,相对标准偏差(RSD)在1.1%~9.6%之间;两种农药在枣中的定量限(LOQ)均为0.1 mg/kg。消解动态试验结果表明:二氰蒽醌和吡唑醚菌酯在枣中的消解动态符合一级动力学方程,其消解半衰期分别为1.5~2.5 d和12.4~18.4 d。最终残留试验结果表明:二氰蒽醌和吡唑醚菌酯在枣中的最终残留量分别为0.1~3.83和0.1~3.07 mg/kg。对2~6、7~14、18~30和60~70岁4类人群进行急(慢)性膳食摄入风险评估结果显示:施药后7 d,枣中吡唑醚菌酯的残留量对2~6岁的幼儿存在不可接受的急性膳食摄入风险,其他人群的急(慢)性膳食摄入风险较低;二氰蒽醌在施药后7、14和21 d,吡唑醚菌酯在14和21 d对4类人群的急(慢)性膳食摄入风险均在可接受范围之内。本研究结果表明:采用16%唑醚·氰蒽醌水分散粒剂防治枣树炭疽病,用药量为2.67 g/kg,施药间隔期7 d,最大施药次数3次,采收间隔期14 d,收获期的枣对各类人群的膳食摄入风险较小。     

30%吡唑醚菌酯·氰霜唑悬浮剂在荔枝上的残留行为及膳食风险评估

通过1年6地的荔枝田间试验,采用QuEChERS-UPLC-MS/MS方法,研究了吡唑醚菌酯和氰霜唑及其代谢物4-氯-5-(4-甲苯基)-1H-咪唑-2腈(CCIM)在荔枝中的残留量及消解动态,并进行了膳食风险评估。结果表明,当吡唑醚菌酯添加水平在0.01～1.0 mg/kg时,方法平均回收率分别在73%～101%之间,相对标准偏差<4.5%;当氰霜唑及代谢物CCIM添加水平在0.01～0.5 mg/kg添加水平下,方法平均回收率分别在79%～103%和81%～90%之间,相对标准偏差<12.8%。吡唑醚菌酯、氰霜唑和CCIM在荔枝全果和果肉中的定量限均为0.01 mg/kg。吡唑醚菌酯在广东、广西和海南3地荔枝中的半衰期分别为6.9 d, 5.2 d和8.0 d;氰霜唑在广东和广西2地荔枝中的半衰期分别为5.0 d和6.7 d。于安全间隔期(21 d)时采收的荔枝样品中,吡唑醚菌酯和氰霜唑的最终残留量均低于我国相应的MRL值(0.1 mg/kg和0.02 mg/kg)。经膳食风险评估可知,吡唑醚菌酯和氰霜唑的摄入风险概率均<100%,不会对一般人群健康产生不可接受的...     

戊唑醇及吡唑醚菌酯在玉米上的残留行为及风险评估

建立了玉米及其秸秆中戊唑醇和吡唑醚菌酯残留的分析方法。样品经乙腈提取,N-丙基乙二胺(PSA)和C18净化,利用超高效液相色谱-串联三重四极杆质谱仪(UPLC-MS/MS)检测。结果表明:在0.0025~0.1 mg/L范围内,戊唑醇及吡唑醚菌酯的峰面积与其质量浓度间呈良好的线性关系,R^2均大于0.99。鲜食玉米及成熟玉米籽粒在0.01、0.1和1 mg/kg,青玉米秸秆在0.01、0.1和2 mg/kg,成熟玉米秸秆在0.02、0.2和6 mg/kg添加水平下,戊唑醇在玉米及其秸秆中的添加回收率在75%~101%之间,相对标准偏差(RSD)在1.3%~6.0%之间;吡唑醚菌酯在玉米及其秸秆中的添加回收率在76%~101%之间,RSD在2.1%~8.4%之间。30%戊唑醇·吡唑醚菌酯悬浮剂以有效成分180 g/hm^2剂量施药3次,分别于末次施药后21和28 d采集的鲜食玉米及成熟玉米籽粒中,戊唑醇和吡唑醚菌酯残留量均低于定量限(0.01 mg/kg),也低于CAC、EU和EPA的最大残留限量值(MRL)。膳食风险评估结果表明:一般人群戊唑醇的国家估算每日摄入量为0.1545 mg,占日允许摄入量的8.2%;一般人群吡唑醚菌酯的国家估算每日摄入量为0.45 mg,占日允许摄入量的24.0%。因此,建议在玉米上使用30%戊唑醇·吡唑醚菌酯悬浮剂时,最高施药剂量为有效成分180 g/hm^2,最多施药3次,施药间隔为7 d,安全间隔期为21 d。     

吡蚜酮在马铃薯中的残留与膳食风险评估

为评价马铃薯中吡蚜酮残留引发的膳食风险。2016年-2018年开展了3年12地规范残留试验,构建吡蚜酮在马铃薯中的残留检测方法,并对我国一般人群进行了膳食风险评估。马铃薯样品使用2%乙酸乙腈提取,C18净化,外标法定量,UPLC-MS/MS检测。在0.01～1 mg/kg添加水平下,吡蚜酮在马铃薯中的平均回收率为75%～85%,相对标准偏差为3%～8%。12地最终残留试验表明,50%吡蚜酮水分散粒剂按有效成分225 g/hm²施药2次,最后1次施药后14、21 d马铃薯中吡蚜酮残留量分别≤0.018 mg/kg和≤0.012 mg/kg。膳食风险评估表明,吡蚜酮的国家估算每日摄入量(NEDI)为1.633 9 mg/kg,风险商(RQ)为86.4%。马铃薯中吡蚜酮残留不会对一般人群健康造成不可接受的风险。     

GC-MS/MS法测定草莓中吡唑醚菌酯 残留量及安全评价

本文建立了气相色谱-串联质谱法(gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, GC-MS/MS)测定草莓中吡唑醚菌酯的含量, 〖JP+1〗通过探究吡唑醚菌酯在草莓中的残留及消解动态评估吡唑醚菌酯的膳食风险?样品经1.0%甲酸乙腈提取, Cleanert MAS-Q净化管净化, DB-5 MS毛细管气相色谱柱分离, 采用多反应离子监测模式检测?吡唑醚菌酯在质量浓度为0.001~0.200 mg/L范围内线性关系良好( r =0.999 8), 在0.02~2.0 mg/kg添加水平下, 草莓中吡唑醚菌酯的平均回收率为96.8%~101.4%, 相对标准偏差为1.8%~3.3%?定量限为0.020 mg/kg?吡唑醚菌酯在草莓中的残留规律符合一级动力学方程, 其消解半衰期在2.2~3.0 d?膳食风险评估表明末次施药5 d后一般人群吡唑醚菌酯国家估算每日摄入量(the national estimated daily intake, NEDI)为1.34 mg, 占日允许摄入量的70.9%, 我国居民对吡唑醚菌酯长期膳食摄入风险较低, 不会对人体健康产生不可接受的风险?     

氟唑菌酰羟胺在番茄中的消解及短期膳食风险评估

为探究氟唑菌酰羟胺在番茄上的残留风险及使用安全性，本研究建立了番茄中氟唑菌酰羟胺的超高效液相色谱-串联质谱（UPLC-MS/MS）残留分析方法，比较在不同种植模式下的消解和残留，结合膳食消费数据进行了暴露风险评估。结果表明：氟唑菌酰羟胺在0.010～2.0 mg/L范围内线性关系良好，r> 0.99；在0.010、0.10、0.50和1.0 mg/kg 4个添加水平下，平均回收率在92%～108%之间，相对标准偏差（RSD）在2.9%～8.1%范围内；定量限为0.010 mg/kg。氟唑菌酰羟胺在北京、海南、山东3地番茄中的消解动态均符合一级动力学方程，半衰期分别为11.4、11.4和7.1 d。采收间隔期为5 d时，在番茄上的残留量低于美国、日本和国际食品法典委员会(CAC)等国家或组织的最大残留限量（MRL）。对我国1～6岁儿童及一般人群的短期膳食暴露风险分别在1.8%～2.8%和0.6%～1.0%之间，均小于100%，表明不会对不同人群产生不可接受的短期风险。研究结果可为氟唑菌酰羟胺在番茄上的安全使用以及制定相关MRL提供依据。     

QuEChERS-液相色谱-串联质谱法检测糙米中氟唑环菌胺的残留

采用QuEChERS前处理与液相色谱-串联质谱 (LC-MS/MS) 技术,建立了糙米中氟唑环菌胺残留的分析方法。样品采用V(乙腈) : V(水)=80 : 20混合溶液涡旋提取,经PSA分散固相萃取净化,LC-MS/MS测定,外标法定量。结果表明:在0.001~0.1 mg/L范围内,氟唑环菌胺的质量浓度与对应的峰面积间线性关系良好,R2 > 0.996。在0.004、0.01和0.1 mg/kg添加水平下,氟唑环菌胺在糙米中的回收率为83%~95%,相对标准偏差 (RSD) 为3.9%~12%。以最小添加浓度确定氟唑环菌胺在糙米中的定量限 (LOQ) 为0.004 mg/kg,远低于国际食品法典委员会规定的最大残留限量 (MRL) 0.01 mg/kg。所建方法操作简单、准确度和灵敏度高,可用于糙米中氟唑环菌胺残留的检测。对中国6个省 (市) 40个糙米样品进行检测,氟唑环菌胺的残留量均低于LOQ 0.004 mg/kg。膳食风险评估结果表明,氟唑环菌胺目前在中国水稻上使用对一般人群的的健康风险很低。     

吡唑醚菌酯和戊唑醇在桃中的残留与膳食风险评估

为评估桃中吡唑醚菌酯和戊唑醇残留的膳食风险，开展了8个典型地域的规范残留试验，研究了收获期2种农药残留物在桃中的最终残留。利用高效液相色谱-三重四极杆串联质谱仪 (HPLC-MS/MS)，通过改进，建立了吡唑醚菌酯和戊唑醇在桃中残留的分析方法。结果表明:在0.01~4.0 mg/L质量浓度范围内，吡唑醚菌酯和戊唑醇的进样浓度与峰面积之间具有良好线性关系(R2≥0.9906)。添加水平为0.01~4.0 mg/kg时，桃中吡唑醚菌酯的回收率范围为88%~92%，相对标准偏差 (RSD) 为5.6%~18.7%，戊唑醇的回收率范围为96%~106%，RSD为0.8%~13.2%。吡唑醚菌酯和戊唑醇在桃全果中的半衰期分别为7.9~13.9 d和5.4~8.9 d；在桃全果中的残留中值 (STMR) 分别为0.037和0.053 mg/kg，最高残留值 (HR) 分别为0.16和0.24 mg/kg。距末次施药后28 d，桃中吡唑醚菌酯和戊唑醇残留量对风险商 (RQ) 的贡献率 (RQc) 分别为0.02%和0.03%，说明通过桃摄入的吡唑醚菌酯和戊唑醇对我国一般人群产生的长期膳食暴露风险较低。对于短期膳食暴露风险，吡唑醚菌酯和戊唑醇的国家估算短期摄入量 (NESTI) 分别占急性参考剂量 (ARfD) 的0.4%和2%，对于1~6岁儿童分别占2%和4%，短期膳食暴露风险亦处于可接受水平。基于本次规范残留试验结果，总体上可认为，严格按照良好农业操作规范和标签推荐的方式施用，吡唑醚菌酯和戊唑醇在桃树上使用的长期和短期膳食暴露风险均是可接受的。     

Dermestid beetles in ‘evolution Canyon’, lower Nahal Oren, Mt. Carmel, including new records for Israel

Fifteen species of dermestid beetles were recorded at ‘Evolution Canyon’ (EC), Lower Nahal Oren, Mt. Carmel, Israel. They represent ~35% of known Israeli dermestid species. The following three species were recorded for the first time in Israel:Trogoderma svriaca Dalla Torre, 1911;Ctesias svriaca Ganglbauer, 1904; andAnthrenus (s.str.) jordaniens Pic, 1934. Adults of 13 species were collected on the more solar radiated, warmer and climatically more fluctuating south-facing slope (SFS); ten species were collected on the opposite, north-facing slope (NFS), which was cooler and climatically more stable. The abundance of adult dermestid beetles was 1.9 times higher on the SFS than on the NFS (86 and 47, respectively). Species richness and abundance distribution at EC (three collecting stations on each slope and one at the valley bottom) were significantly negatively correlated with the plant cover that consisted of trees and bushes (Spearmanr _s ,P=0.007 and 0.039, respectively) and perennials (Spearmanr _s ,P=0.039 and 0.077, respectively), indicating that non-woody plants were preferred by adult dermestid beetles.     

Epidemiology of Toxigenic Fungi and their Associated Mycotoxins for Some Mediterranean Crops

Recent data on the epidemiology of the common mycotoxigenic species of Fusarium, Alternaria, Aspergillus and Penicillium in infected or colonized plants, and in stored or processed plant products from the Mediterranean area are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on the toxigenicity of the causal fungal species and the natural occurrence of well known mycotoxins (aflatoxins, ochratoxins, fumonisins, trichothecenes, zearalenone, patulin, Alternaria-toxins and moniliformin), as well as some more recently described compounds (fusaproliferin, beauvericin) whose toxigenic potential is not yet well understood. Several Fusarium species reported from throughout the Mediterranean area are responsible of the formation of mycotoxins in infected plants and in plant products, including: Fusarium graminearum, F. culmorum, F. cerealis, F. avenaceum, F. sporotrichioides and F. poae, which produce deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, fusarenone, zearalenone, moniliformin, and T-2 toxin derivatives in wheat and other small grains affected by head blight or scab, and in maize affected by red ear rot. Moreover, strains of F. verticillioides, F. proliferatum, and F. subglutinans, that form fumonisins, beauvericin, fusaproliferin, and moniliformin, are commonly associated with maize affected by ear rot. Fumonisins, were also associated with Fusarium crown and root rot of asparagus and Fusarium endosepsis of figs, caused primarily by F. proliferatum. Toxigenic A. alternata strains and associated tenuazonic acid and alternariols were commonly found in black mould of tomato, black rot of olive and citrus, black point of small cereals, and black mould of several vegetables. Toxigenic strains of A. carbonarius and ochratoxin A were often found associated with black rot of grapes, whereas toxigenic strains of A. flavus and/or P. verrucosum, forming aflatoxins and ochratoxin A, respectively, were found in moulded plant products from small cereals, peanuts, figs, pea, oilseed rape, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, pistachios, and almonds. Finally, toxigenic strains of P. expansum and patulin were frequently found in apple, pear and other fresh fruits affected by blue mould rot, as well as in derived juices and jams.     

A survey of the genera of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Microgaster</Emphasis> latreille and<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hygroplitis</Emphasis> thomson (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Microgastrinae) from China

The genera ofMicrogaster Latreille 1804 andHygroplitis Thomson 1895 from China are presented systematically in this paper. Thirty-two species ofMicrogaster and three species ofHygroplitis are known in China. Diagnosis, character variation, distribution and host of each species among the two genera are presented, including its host and distribution. Keys to the species ofMicrogaster andHygroplitis are given. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Dec. 19, 2006.     

Plant Viruses Transmitted by Whiteflies

One-hundred and fourteen virus species are transmitted by whiteflies (family Aleyrodidae). Bemisia tabaci transmits 111 of these species while Trialeurodes vaporariorum and T. abutilonia transmit three species each. B. tabaci and T. vaporariorum are present in the European–Mediterranean region, though the former is restricted in its distribution. Of the whitefly-transmitted virus species, 90% belong to the Begomovirus genus, 6% to the Crinivirus genus and the remaining 4% are in the Closterovirus, Ipomovirus or Carlavirus genera. Other named, whitefly-transmitted viruses that have not yet been ranked as species are also documented. The names, abbreviations and synonyms of the whitefly-transmitted viruses are presented in tabulated form together with details of their whitefly vectors, natural hosts and distribution. Entries are also annotated with references. Whitefly-transmitted viruses affecting plants in the European–Mediterranean region have been highlighted in the text.     

Broad bean mottle virus in Morocco; curculionid vectors,and natural occurrence in food legumes other than faba bean (Vicia faba)

Broad bean mottle virus (BBMV) was transmitted from infected to healthy faba-bean plants by the curculionid weevilsApion radiolus Kirby,Hypera variabilis Herbst,Pachytychius strumarius Gyll,Smicronyx cyaneus Gyll, andSitona lineatus L. The latter appeared to be an efficient vector: acquisition and inoculation occurred at the first bite, the rate of transmission was c. 41%, and virus retention lasted for at least seven days.S. lineatus transmitted the virus from faba bean to lentil and pea, but not to the three genotypes of chickpea tested. This is the first report on the generaHypera, Pachytychius, andSmicronyx as virus vectors, and onA. radiolus, H. variabilis, P. strumarius, andS. cyaneus as vectors of BBMV.Out of 351 samples of food legumes with symptoms suggestive of virus infection, 16, 11, 19, and 17% of the samples of chickpea, lentil, pea, and common bean, respectively, were found infected when tested for BBMV in DAS-ELISA. This is the first report on the natural occurrence of BBMV in chickpea, lentil, pea, and common bean. The virus should be regarded as a food-legume virus rather than a faba-bean virus solely, and is considered an actual threat to food legume improvement programmes.     

Characterization of potato potyvirus Y (PVY) isolates from seed potato batches. Situation of the NTN, Wilga and Z isolates

A collection of 38 PVY isolates from seed potato batches, originating from several Western European countries, was characterized by using current biological, serological and molecular tools differentiating PVY strains and groups. The correlation between the three kinds of tests was good but not absolute. No single serological or PCR method was able to discriminate among the five isolate groups found. Twenty-nine isolates belonged to the PVY^N strain and six to the PVY^O strain. No PVY^C was found. Two other isolates reacted serologically like PVY^O, but were unable to elicit a hypersensitive response from the Ny_tbr gene and probably represent the PVY^Z group. At the molecular level, these two isolates showed a combination of both PVY^O and PVY^N and could be recombinants of these strains. Another isolate reacted serologically like PVY^O, but induced vein necrosis in tobacco, like PVY^N-Wilga. Some PVY^N isolates caused tuber ring necrosis in glasshouse conditions. These might belong to the PVY^NTN group. The PVY^NTN, PVY^N-Wilga and PVY^Z groups probably represent pathotypes within strains PVY^N and PVY^O, respectively. The present study also confirms previous reports showing a high genetic variation at the 5 end within the PVYN strain.     

The autumn leafroller: Phenology,damage and parasitoids in a Dutch apple orchard

The phenology of the autumn leafroller,Syndemis musculana, a local pest of apple, was studied in order to forecast larval emergence. From 1983–1986, peak flight as determined with sexpheromone traps was always between 13–18 May. The duration of embryonic development was determined at various constant temperatures and used to estimate the periods of egg hatch in these four years. Each year, most eggs should have hatched in the second decade of June.Differences in attack rates between apple cultivars seem to be explained largely by the variation in picking time. Larvae are only half grown at the beginning of harvest (cv. James Grieve), and have gone into hibernation when the latest variety (cv. Golden Delicious) is picked. Moreover, the varieties Cox's Orange Pippin and Belle de Boskoop, picked about half time, are liable to receive additional damage by caterpillars brought with the picked fruits into storage.Various hymenopterous parasites were reared from caterpillars. As the only leafroller in the orchard which hibernates as mature larva,S. musculana may promote winter survival of some parasitoids, like the eulophidColpyclypeus florus.Samenvatting De fenologie van de herfstbladroller (Syndemis musculana Hübner), een incidentele plaag op appel, werd nader bepaald met het doel het uitkomen van de eieren te kunnen voorspellen. In 1983–1986 viel de piekvlucht, bepaald met behulp van feromoonvallen, steeds tussen 13 en 18 mei.De ontwikkelingsduur van de eieren bij verschillende constante temperaturen werd gebruikt om de periode van uitkomen te schatten. De meeste eieren zullen ieder jaar in de eerste helft van juni uitkomen.Geconstateerde verschillen in schade tussen appelrassen blijken goeddeels terug te voeren op verschillen in pluktijdstip. De rupsen van de herfstbladroller zijn pas half-was als de eerste appels eind augustus geplukt worden, terwijl tegen het einde van de oogst begin oktober de meeste al in winterslaap zijn. Met name tussentijdse rassen, als Cox's Orange Pippin and Schone van Boskoop, lopen extra schade op doordat grotere rupsen met de geplukte vruchten in de kist terecht komen.Uit de rupsen werden negen, al van andere boomgaardbladrollers bekende, sluipwespen gekweekt, Omdat deze bladrollersoort, als enige in de boomgaard, als volgroeide rups overwintert, lijkt zij bij uitstek geschikt als winterwaard.This study was carried out at the Experimental Orchard De Schuilenburg, Schuilenburg 3, 4041 BK Kesteren, the Netherlands, to which address correspondence should be addressed.     

Diagnostics,genetic diversity and pathogenic variation of ascochyta blight of cool season food and feed legumes

Molecular diagnostic techniques have been developed to differentiate the Ascochyta pathogens that infect cool season food and feed legumes, as well as to improve the sensitivity of detecting latent infection in plant tissues. A seed sampling technique was developed to detect a 1% level of infection by Ascochyta rabiei in commercial chickpea seed. The Ascochyta pathogens were shown to be genetically diverse in countries where the pathogen and host have coexisted for a long time. However, where the pathogen was recently introduced, such as A. rabiei to Australia, the level of diversity remained relatively low, even as the pathogen spread to all chickpea-growing areas. Pathogenic variability of A. rabiei and Ascochyta pinodes pathogens in chickpea and field pea respectively, appears to be quantitative, where measures of disease severity were based on aggressiveness (quantitative level of infection) rather than on true qualitative virulence. In contrast, qualitative differences in pathogenicity in lentil and faba bean genotypes indicated the existence of pathotypes of Ascochyta lentis and Ascochyta fabae. Therefore, reports of pathotype discrimination based on quantitative differences in pathogenicity in a set of specific genotypes is questionable for several of the ascochyta-legume pathosystems such as A. rabiei and A. pinodes. This is not surprising since host resistance to these pathogens has been reported to be mainly quantitative, making it difficult for the pathogen to overcome specific resistance genes and form pathotypes. For robust pathogenicity assessment, there needs to be consistency in selection of differential host genotypes, screening conditions and disease evaluation techniques for each of the Ascochyta sp. in legume-growing countries throughout the world. Nevertheless, knowledge of pathotype diversity and aggressiveness within populations is important in the selection of resistant genotypes.     

Characterization of Sclerotinia minor populations in Texas peanut fields

In the summer of 2004 an epidemic of sclerotinia blight of peanut, a disease caused by Sclerotinia minor, occurred in Texas in fields where the disease was never previously detected. The disease was observed on many plants within one of the fields (>3000 disease foci), although most foci were <1 m. It is hypothesized that these observations were inconsistent with the recent introduction of a monocyclic pathogen, even if disease developed under conducive environmental conditions. The pattern of disease is most suggestive of the presence of foliar (ascospore) infections, although air temperature was above the known limits for apothecia development if the pathogen had arrived in the field in 2004 peanut seed. To further examine this epidemic, 232 isolates were collected, across a variety of spatial scales spanning this field and other Texas peanut fields, and evaluated for aggressiveness, fungicide sensitivity and genotypic diversity. There was wide variation among isolates for the phenotypic characteristics measured, but there was no evidence that a genotypically unique, highly aggressive, and fungicide resistant isolate had been introduced or evolved. The predominant genotype, TX1, which contained 154 isolates, was found in every county and field population.     

Eyespot of Cereals Revisited: ITS phylogeny Reveals New Species Relationships

Four species so far classified in Pseudocercosporella or Ramulispora (hyphomycetes) are associated with eyespot disease symptoms of cereals. Two of these have been linked to teleomorphs that were described in Tapesia. Sequence data derived from the Internal Transcribed Spacer region (ITS1, 5.8S and ITS2) of the rDNA operon showed, however, that the eyespot fungi associated with Tapesia are not congeneric with Ramulispora sorghi, the type of Ramulispora. The genus name Tapesia is now rejected in favour of the conserved name Mollisia, which appears to comprise heterogeneous fungi. Tapesia yallundae is not closely related to the type of Mollisia, M. cinerea, but clusters separately, being more closely allied to species with Cadophora anamorphs. A new holomorph genus, Oculimacula, is therefore proposed for teleomorphs of the eyespot fungi, while the anamorphs are accommodated in Helgardia gen. nov.