Effect of the disodium salt of cyclopentene β,β′-triketone on the development of infections induced by TMV in the leaves of hypersensitive and susceptible tobacco plants

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - We show here that the disodium salt of 2-acetyl-5-chloro-4- hydroxycarbonylmethylthiocyclopent-4-ene-1,3-dione (salt 2) inhibits tobacco mosaic virus...     

Effects of nC24 and nC27 petroleum spray oils on oviposition and egg survival of Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner (Lepidoptera,Pyralidae) and Trichogramma brassicae Bezdenko (Hymenoptera,Trichogrammatidae) adults on maize plants

Abstract

The study determined the effectiveness of nC24 and nC27 petroleum spray oils (PSOs) to reduce oviposition of Ostrinia nubilalis and survival of O. nubilalis eggs and Trichogramma brassicae adults. Under choice and no-choice tests, maize treated with 3, 5 and 10% (v/v) of both oils deter O. nubilalis oviposition on maize. The study also showed that treatment of 1 – 3-day-old O. nubilalis eggs with 1 and 2% (v/v) nC24 oil caused 6% mortality compared with 99.5% when treated with 3, 5 and 10% (v/v) oil. In contrast, treatment with 1 – 10% (v/v) nC27 oil caused 99% mortality. Trichogramma brassicae is a major parasitoid of O. nubilalis. The mortality of T. brassicae 24 h after exposure to maize sprayed with 2% (v/v) nC24 and nC27 oils was 8.3 and 12.7%, respectively. At 5% (v/v), the mortalities were 24.9 and 23.5%, respectively. Therefore, application of 3% (v/v) PSO may deter O. nubilalis egg lay, egg mortality and survival of T. brassicae on maize.     

Effects of herbicides on rice resistance and on multiplication and feeding of brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (StÅl) (Homoptera: Delphacidae)

Two-way effects of herbicide on rice resistance and multiplication and feeding of the rice brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) were studied. Four of 11 herbicides tested, butachlor, metolachlor, oxadiazon and bentazone, had significantly stimulating effects on multiplication and feeding of BPH. Multiplication times (N ₁/N ₀) of BPH on the rice treated with the four herbicides were 674, 367, 322 and 311, respectively, while that of N. lugens on the untreated plants was 159. The results of measurements of honeydew production by BPH indicated that the feeding rates of the brown planthoppers increased when the insects fed on the plants treated with bentazone, quinclorac, oxadiazon and quinclorac. Survival rates of N. lugens first to third-instars rose on the rice plants treated with butachlor, bentazone, but that of the fourth and fifth instars were not affected. Furthermore, all of those herbicides tested led to a decline of rice resistance, i.e. the injury scales of the treated plants were larger than that of the control under the same pest stress. Based on their effects on rice resistance and on BPH, the herbicides tested can be divided into two categories, one affecting rice resistance and BPH multiplication, the other affecting rice resistance only.     

Effects of short-term low temperatures on photosystem Ⅱ function of samara and leaf of Siberian maple (Acer ginnala) and subsequent recovery

Samara is the reproductive organ (seed) for many tree species in arid land in northwestern China. It is ecologically important in population development due to its dispersal function. However, information on its photosynthesis and effect of environmental stresses on its photosynthesis is still very limited. In the present study, responses of photosystem II (PSII) activity in samara and leaf of Siberian maple to short-term chilling/freezing and subsequent recovery potential were comparatively investigated by using polyphasic fluorescence test. The samara had more efficient photosynthesis (Fv/Fm and PIABS) and more efficient electron transport (φEo) but lower energy dissipation (DIo/RC) than leaf. Generally, the PSII performance and the electron transport for both samara and leaf were inhibited under low temperature stress, accompanied by an increase of energy dissipation in PSII reaction centers (RCs). PSII of both samara and leaf was not markedly affected by chilling and could acclimate to chilling stress. Short-term freezing could completely inhibit PSII activity in both samara and leaf, indicated by the drop of values of Fv/Fm, PIABS, φEo to zero. PSII functional parameters of short-term dark frozen samara could be largely recovered whereas those of frozen leaf could not be recovered. The higher tolerance of samara to short-term low temperature stress than leaf is of great ecological significance for seed development, population establishment of Siberian maple.     

Effects of Cry1Ac toxin of Bacillus thuringiensis and nuclear polyhedrosis virus of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on larval mortality and pupation

In the laboratory, the percentage mortality and pupation of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) were investigated when larvae were exposed to Cry1Ac of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner, nuclear polyhedrosis virus of H. armigera (HaNPV) or Cry1Ac and HaNPV together. The results revealed that interactions between Cry1Ac and HaNPV varied with bioassay method and concentration of the suspension. When larvae were infected using a suspension containing both HaNPV and Cry1Ac, most combinations of Cry1Ac (62.5, 125 and 250 microg mL(-1)) and HaNPV (1.2 x 10(6), 6.0 x 10(6) and 3.0 x 10(7) PIB mL(-1)) showed an antagonistic effect. In the bioassay procedure where larvae were force fed diet containing Cry1Ac 48 h after being infected by HaNPV, interaction between Cry1Ac (0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 microg mL(-1)) and HaNPV (6.0 x 10(6) and 3.0 x 10(7) PIB mL(-1)) showed an additive effect, while combinations of Cry1Ac (0.5, 1, 2 and 4 microg mL(-1)) and HaNPV (1.2 x 10(6) PIB mL(-1)) showed an antagonistic effect. In the bioassay procedure where larvae being infected by HaNPV were fed on Cry1Ac diet from neonate to death or pupation, the results suggested that Cry1Ac and HaNPV showed an additive interaction. The percentage mortality was lower in the treatment of larvae infected by transgenic Bt cotton leaf discs containing HaNPV suspension than in the treatment of larvae by conventional cotton leaf discs containing HaNPV, while the pupation rate was higher. The combination of Bt cotton and HaNPV showed antagonism. The present results showed that a combination of Cry1Ac and HaNPV usually resulted in mortality levels greater than in the case of Cry1Ac but not greater than with the virus alone.     

Incidence of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter europaeus’ and phytoplasmas in Cacopsylla species (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) and their host/shelter plants

Psyllids, as vectors of phloem-restricted plant pathogens, are serious agricultural pests. Fruit tree phytoplasmas are transmitted by different Cacopsylla spp., while other psyllids are known vectors of liberibacters. Recently, the bacterium ??Candidatus Liberibacter europaeus?? was found in pear trees and in Cacopsylla pyri (Linnaeus), the vector of ??Ca. Phytoplasma pyri??. This new species does not cause symptoms in plants and is probably a symbiont rather than a pathogen. Based on these findings and the assumption that ??Ca. Liberibacter europaeus?? is widespread, we studied its distribution in the genus Cacopsylla and in the respective host and shelter plants (where psyllids aestivate and overwinter), as well as its possible co-presence with ??Ca. Phytoplasma?? spp. We tested 14 Cacopsylla species and 11 plant species from northwestern Italy, Hungary and Israel, characterized by warm oceanic, temperate continental and warm Mediterranean climatic conditions, respectively. ??Ca. Liberibacter europaeus?? was common within the Cacopsylla genus, being present in nine of the 14 species screened as well as in most host plants, whereas none of the shelter plants tested positive for this bacterium. Altogether, these findings indicate the presence of ??Ca. Liberibacter europaeus?? in continental zones, whereas it does not seem to be widespread in the Mediterranean region. Furthermore, lack of specific symptoms in all infected plants confirms an endophytic relationship with this bacterium, while its abundance in insects suggests a beneficial role for the host. Co-infections with phytoplasmas, observed in insects and plants, require further study to evaluate the possible interactions between them.     

Effectiveness of two insect growth regulators against Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) and Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and their impact on population densities of arthropod predators in cotton in Pakistan

Field efficacies of two insect growth regulators (IGRs) at two recommended application rates, buprofezin at 370 and 555 g AI ha(-1) and lufenuron at 37 and 49 g AI ha(-1), were determined against the sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), and the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), in experimental plots of cotton at the Directorate of Cotton Research, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Adverse effects of the IGRs on populations of associated arthropod predators, namely geocorids, chrysopids, coccinellids, formicids and arachnids, were also assessed. Both IGRs significantly reduced populations of B. tabaci at each application rate 24, 48 and 72 h after treatment, and higher doses were more effective than lower doses. Buprofezin was not effective against H. armigera at any tested dose for any time of treatment in any spray. Lufenuron applied at 37 and 49 g AI ha(-1) effectively suppressed H. armigera populations, resulting in significant reductions in crop damage. At lower doses, both IGRs appeared safe to predator populations, which did not differ significantly in IGR-treated versus untreated control plots. Population densities of formicids and coccinellids were significantly lower at high concentrations of both IGRs in treatment plots, possibly as a result of reduced prey availability. The potential role of buprofezin and lufenuron for control of B. tabaci and H. armigera in a spray programme and the likelihood of direct toxic effects of IGRs on predatory fauna of cotton are discussed.     

Identification and characterization of differentially expressed novel miRNAs (21–24 nt) in a Macrophomina phaseolina resistant RIL line of jute (Corchorus capsularis L.)

A RIL population of jute developed by crossing one resistant accession CIM 036 and a susceptible variety JRC 412 was used to identify novel defence related miRNAs activated upon challenged inoculation with stem rot pathogen Macrophomina phaseolina. About a total of 15.7 million reads were generated from the resistant line with the read length of 1 × 50 bp. Here, we identified nine mature novel microRNAs which passed Minimum Free Energy (MFE Kcal/mol) criteria. Target site and secondary structure were predicted and most of them showed ubiquitination and selective autophagy activity with high expression value. Five novel miRNAs viz. Candidate_41, Candidate_9, Candidate_66, Candidate_65 and Candidate_8 had free energy less than −25 kcal/mol. Known microRNAs viz. miR-845b and miR-166 superfamily are abundantly expressed with high expression value. The sequence of jute miR-845b superfamily is identical to that of Arabidopsis thaliana except at 18th position, but unlike in A. thaliana it targets the coding sequence for the P-loop motif in the mRNA sequences for disease resistance proteins with nucleotide binding site (NBS) and leucine-rich repeat (LRR) motifs. In-silico analysis suggested that miR-845b and miR-166 superfamily provided NBS-LRR and ROS mediated defence and subsequently expression of novel microRNAs with selective autophagy activity enabled multi-layered defence cascade against M. phaseolina in jute.     

Suppression of mRNAs for lipoxygenase (LOX), allene oxide synthase (AOS), allene oxide cyclase (AOC) and 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid reductase (OPR) in pea reduces sensitivity to the phytotoxin coronatine and disease development by Mycosphaerella pinodes

Using a recently developed model pathosystem involving Medicago truncatula and Mycosphaerella pinodes, causal agent of Mycosphaerella blight on pea to understand host molecular response to a fungal suppressor, we applied the suppressor to leaves of M. truncatula and identified 151 nonredundant cDNA fragments as newly expressed genes. These included genes encoding lipoxygenase (LOX) and enoyl-CoA hydratase, which are presumably involved in jasmonic acid (JA) synthesis. Potential genes encoding plastidic enzymes, including allene oxide synthase (AOS) and allene oxide cyclase (AOC), and other peroxisomal enzymes involved in β-oxidation were predicted from the Medicago Gene Index EST database and tested for altered expression by semiquantitative RT-PCR. The coordinated expression of genes encoding both plastidic and peroxisomal enzymes showed that the suppressor likely conditions certain cellular process(es) through the JA synthesis in M. truncatula. To explore the role of JA or JA-regulated cellular process(es) in conditioning susceptibility, we used an Apple latent spherical virus (ALSV)-based virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) technology to silence pea genes including LOX, AOS, AOC and 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid reductase (OPR). In LOX-, AOS-, AOC- or OPR-silenced pea plants, disease development induced by M. pinodes was remarkably reduced. Similarly, silencing of mRNA for LOX, AOS, AOC or OPR reduced the sensitivity to a phytotoxin, coronatine, which is believed to act through a JA-dependent process. On the basis of these results, it is conceivable that M. pinodes has evolved a strategy to condition susceptibility by manipulating the physiology of host cells, in particular JA-regulated cellular process(es), to promote disease development in pea.     

Assessment of the high-dose concept and level of control provided by MON 87701 × MON 89788 soybean against Anticarsia gemmatalis and Pseudoplusia includens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Brazil

BACKGROUND: Genetically modified MON 87701 × MON 89788 soybean (Glycine max), which expresses the Cry1Ac and EPSP‐synthase proteins, has been registered for commercial use in Brazil. To develop an Insect Resistance Management (IRM) program for this event, laboratory and field studies were conducted to assess the high‐dose concept and level of control it provides against Anticarsia gemmatalis and Pseudoplusia includens. RESULTS: The purified Cry1Ac protein was more active against A. gemmatalis [LC₅₀ (FL 95%) = 0.23 (0.15–0.34) µg Cry1Ac mL^?1 diet] than P. includens [LC₅₀ (FL 95%) = 3.72 (2.65–4.86) µg Cry1Ac mL^?1 diet]. In bioassays with freeze‐dried MON 87701 × MON 89788 soybean tissue diluted 25 times in an artificial diet, there was 100% mortality of A. gemmatalis and up to 95.79% mortality for P. includens. In leaf‐disc bioassays and under conditions of high artificial infestation in the greenhouse and natural infestation in the field, MON 87701 × MON 89788 soybean showed a high level of efficacy against both target pests. CONCLUSIONS: The MON 87701 × MON 89788 soybean provides a high level of control against A. gemmatalis and P. includes, but a high‐dose event only to A. gemmatalis. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Aerial Spraying of Neemazal®-T/S Against the Forest Cockchafer (Melolontha hippocastani,Col.: Scarabaeidae) in South-West Germany: The Effects of Two Field Trials Performed in 2007 and 2008 on Local Populations

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - The forest cockchafer Melolontha hippocastani is a serious forest pest whose infestation levels have been increasing in South-West Germany since the...     

Molecular identification of a Candidatus phytoplasma (Group16SrV-D) coding partial uvrB gene and degV gene on a new host – mesta (Hibiscus sabdariffa) – with phyllody and reddening of leaves in India

Mesta (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is an important bast fiber crop. In August 2011, there was an outbreak of a phytoplasma-like disease on H. sabdariffa in different villages of the northern coastal mesta-growing region of Andhra Pradesh, India, covering mainly two districts – Srikakulam and Vijayanagaram. The infected plants showed characteristic symptoms such as phyllody and reddening of leaves. PCR with P1/P7 universal primer pair of 16 S rDNA yielded amplicons of 1850 bp from all symptomatic mesta leaf samples similar to samples of brinjal little leaf (phytoplasma positive reference control). However, asymptomatic samples were not amplified. Multiplex nested-PCR showed simultaneous amplification of DNA fragments with phytoplasma specific primers, viz., P1/P7 universal primer pair of 16 S rDNA, nested primer pair R16F2n/R2, uvrB and DegV gene-specific uvrB-degVF/R primer generating amplicons of 1850 bp, 1200 bp and 1023bp, respectively. However, SecY-map gene specific primer SecY-mapF/R was not amplified. The 1023 bp nucleotide sequence of uvrB and DegV gene of the phytoplasma was deposited in the GenBank (NCBI) with the accession no. JX975061. NCBI BLASTn analysis of the 1023 bp products showed that the phytoplasma strain belonged to elm yellows group (16SrV-D). This is the first report that Hibiscus sabdariffa is infected by a phytoplasma and we named it mesta phyllody disease (MPD).     

Effect of pre‐storage seed treatments on adult mortality,oviposition and development of Callosobruchus chinensis L. (Bruchidae: Coleoptera), and the viability of mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) in India

Abstract

The adult mortality of Callosobruchus chinensis L. was 100% within 24 h after artificially infesting seeds pretreated with inert clay and stored for 12 months under ambient conditions. Pre‐treatment with thiram and delsan‐30 (TCMTB) were also effective in controlling the adults by impairing oviposition. The seeds maintained over 80% germination up to 12 months of storage under all the treatments.     

Detection of Bemisia tabaci Mediterranean cryptic species on soybean in São Paulo and Paraná States (Brazil) and interaction of cowpea mild mottle virus with whiteflies

Since the detection of Bemisia tabaci Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) species in Brazil in the early 1990s, this whitefly has been the predominant species and the main viral vector in the country. In this work, whiteflies were collected from commercial soybean fields near and far from greenhouses where Mediterranean (MED) species had previously been detected infesting vegetable crops. Results indicated that MEAM1 was the predominant whitefly species in soybean in most sampling sites, while MED was found colonizing soybean plants in open field conditions alone and/or with MEAM1 in several places. Among the tested insects, MED species was mostly detected harbouring the facultative endosymbiont Hamiltonella. We also detected cowpea mild mottle virus (CPMMV) infecting soybean plants. Transmission assays demonstrated that MED species was more efficient transmitting CPMMV from beans to beans and from soybean to soybean plants than MEAM1, while MEAM1 was more efficient in transmitting the virus from soybean to bean than MED. Performance assays indicated that adult emergence of both species on CPMMV-infected soybean plants was higher when compared with the emergence on healthy plants. Moreover, nonviruliferous MED and MEAM1 adults preferred to settle more often on healthy plants, while viruliferous adults settled more often on CPMMV-infected soybean plants. As MED has already been found in soybean open fields in São Paulo and Paraná States, Brazil, and it is a good vector of CPMMV, we anticipate problems related to whitefly management and to increase in the incidence of the virus in soybean.     

Dissipation of quinalphos (O,O, diethyl O‐quinaxalin‐2yl phosphorothioate) residues in and/or on cauliflower (Brassica oleracea Var. Botrytis)

Abstract

A field trial was conducted to study the magnitude of quinalphos residues in and/or cauliflower (Brassica oleracea Var Botrytis. The cauliflower crop was sprayed once with quinalphos 25 e.c. at 0.25 and 0.5 kg a.i./ha 104 days after transplanting. The samples of cauliflower drawn at different time intervals were analysed colorimetrically. The initial deposits of quinalphos on cauliflower were found to be 5.79 and 9.52 ppm, an the half life values 1.61 and 2.12 days, respectively, at 0.25 and 0.5 kg a.i./ha. The waiting periods determined were 11 days at the higher and 7 days at the lower dose of quinalphos.