燕麦种质资源农艺性状的遗传多样性分析

分析了国内外54份燕麦种质资源的遗传多样性,归纳其遗传亲缘关系,为合理利用燕麦品种(系)资源提供理论依据。结果表明:(1)54份种质资源农艺性状间存在广泛的遗传多样性,5个质量性状(粒色、粒型、穗型、小穗型、抗病性)以抗病性的多样性指数最高,粒色的遗传多样性指数最低;8个数量性状(单株分蘖数、株高、穗长、小穗数、轮层数、单株粒数、单株粒重、千粒重)以单株粒重的遗传多样性指数最高,变异系数最大。(2)聚类分析将54份种质资源的8个数量性状分为4大类群,类群Ⅰ为高秆、大粒型育种目标亲本材料;类群Ⅱ为矮秆育种目标亲本材料,类群Ⅲ的有益性状不明显,为多目标性状育种的亲本材料,类群Ⅳ为增加轮层数、小穗数等育种目标的优良材料。     

干旱胁迫条件下小麦各器官可溶性碳水化合物积累转运相关性状遗传分析

以小麦自然群体196个品种(系)为研究材料,研究了干旱胁迫(DS)和正常灌溉(WW)条件下,小麦不同发育阶段各器官可溶性碳水化合物(WSC)含量、转运率及其对籽粒贡献率,以及主穗粒重的遗传特性及各目标性状之间的相关性。结果表明:在两种水分条件下,小麦自然群体各目标性状表型变异广泛,变异系数在7.11%~68.55%(DS)和9.50%~57.37%(WW),多样性指数在0.61~0.93(DS)和0.62~0.88(WW),遗传力在0.24~0.53。各目标性状表型受发育阶段、器官和水分环境的显著影响(F=1.95~(**)~32 775.74~(**))。其中,WSC含量受发育阶段和器官的影响显著(F=32 775.74~(**),11 223.18~(**)),WSC转运率受水分环境的影响显著(F=245.07~(**),274.61~(**)),而WSC转运对籽粒的贡献率受器官显著影响(F=1 482.96~(**),390.15~(**))。灌浆中期WSC含量与主茎穗粒重之间均表现出显著或极显著正相关(r=0.15~(**)~0.36~(**)),且干旱胁迫条件下相关系数更高(r=0.21~(**)~0.36~(**))。倒二节WSC相关性状表型变异系数、多样性指数,以及与其他性状表型的相关系数均达到最高。通过对灌浆期倒二节WSC积累转运相关性状表型值聚类分析,得到15个灌浆期WSC含量、花前转运率及贡献率较高的品种(系)。     

干旱胁迫条件下小麦RILs群体花后旗叶持绿性遗传特性及其与千粒重的相关性

利用抗旱性强的冬小麦品种“陇鉴19”（较低叶绿素含量（SPAD ））与水地高产品种“Q9086”（较高SPAD ）杂交构建的F8重组近交系（RILs ）群体120个株系及其亲本为供试材料,研究雨养和正常灌溉条件下,不同地点花后旗叶SPAD与千粒重（TGW ）相关性及数量遗传特点,评价该群体目标性状遗传变异。结果表明：在不同处理条件下,小麦RILs群体旗叶SPAD和TGW表型变异广泛,多样性指数高,且有超亲分离,存在显著的基因型和水分条件以及基因型×水分条件互作效应。小麦RILs群体花后不同发育时期旗叶SPAD和TGW之间均呈现显著的正相关,其中灌浆期旗叶SPAD （SPADg ）与TGW相关性更高（ r＝0．59**～0．69**）。SPADg对TGW有极显著的正向直接作用,而开花期SPAD （SPADf ）相反。干旱胁迫条件下旗叶SPAD对TGW总效应显著高于正常灌溉,SPADg对TGW总效应显著高于SPADf。不同处理旗叶SPAD和TGW遗传力普遍较低（hB2＝0．15～0．44）;在干旱胁迫和正常灌溉条件下,控制SPADf的基因对数分别为22～36和50～59,控制SPADg 的基因对数分别为24～25和31～33,控制TGW的平均基因对数分别为10～11和13～14。该小麦群体花后旗叶SPAD和TGW表型,及其对水分敏感程度变异丰富,适合进行小麦抗旱性状数量遗传研究。     

不同生育时期非充分灌溉对间作作物产量构成因子及收获指数的影响

针对内蒙古河套灌区干旱缺水的实际情况,以春小麦间作玉米、春小麦间作向日葵复合群体为研究对象,以不同生育期的非充分灌溉为试验处理,进行间作模式下的非充分灌溉试验。结果表明:间作下小麦分蘖期每多灌溉15 mm有效分蘖数提高5.4%~15.07%,而乳熟期随着水分胁迫加剧间作模式下的小麦穗粒数、千粒重、产量均呈现出先升高后降低的规律。对于间作下的玉米产量构成,适当减少小麦分蘖与拔节期的灌水量,相应增加小麦乳熟与玉米灌浆吐丝期的灌水量,有利于大幅提高缺水地区间作模式下的玉米产量,且随着灌水总量的升高,穗粒数以1.27~2.47粒·mm~(-1)的速度递增,产量以62.24,94.93,29.73 kg·hm~(-2)·mm~(-1)的"S"型曲线逐渐升高。而对于间作下的向日葵产量构成,其主要受小麦乳熟期与向日葵现蕾期水分处理的影响,且随灌水总量的提高间作向日葵的单株粒数呈先升后降的规律,而百粒重和产量则呈"N"型和"M"型规律变化。对于不同水分处理下各间作作物对水分的敏感指数表现为小麦的敏感指数最高,玉米次之,向日葵最低。不同水分处理对各间作作物收获指数的影响表现为间作模式下的小麦受水分胁迫后其收获指数普遍提高,间作模式下玉米的收获指数随灌水总量上升而逐渐上升,而间作模式下受水分胁迫处理的向日葵收获指数反而下降。     

转基因小麦抗旱性鉴定及相关指标灰色关联度分析

以9份转ABP9基因春小麦株系UC4-1~UC4-9及其受体亲本宁春4号为材料,在雨养和灌溉条件下,对这些材料的主要农艺性状和部分生化指标进行了测定,采用隶属函数值法和抗旱性度量(D)值法对其抗旱性进行了综合评价,并利用灰色关联度法对相关抗旱性状与抗旱指数之间的关联度进行了分析评价。结果表明:6份转基因小麦的抗旱性较受体亲本宁春4号增强,3份材料的抗旱性较非转基因春小麦品种定西35增强;各农艺性状和生化指标与抗旱指数的关联度从高到低依次分别为株高、单穗粒重、穗长、SOD活性、穗粒数、结实小穗数、有效分蘖数、POD活性、千粒重、脯氨酸含量、MDA含量。     

不同水分条件下小麦回交导入系群体旗叶持绿性与千粒重的遗传相关分析

以小麦回交导入系(ILs)群体(西峰20×晋麦47)160个株系及其亲本作为供试材料,研究干旱胁迫(DS)和正常灌溉(WW)条件下小麦不同发育时期旗叶叶绿素含量(ChlC)和千粒重(TGW)遗传特点和相互关系,并且评价该群体的遗传变异。结果表明,在两种水分条件下,小麦ILs群体及亲本的不同发育阶段旗叶ChlC和TGW表型值均呈显著差异,WW条件下的各性状表型值显著高于DS条件下的,旱胁迫系数在0.79~0.91之间。在两种水分条件下,小麦ILs群体各性状表型值介于双亲之间,且偏向于轮回亲本晋麦47,体现出回交导入系群体的遗传特性。群体内各性状表型变异广泛,且存在超亲分离,变异系数在8.39%~16.71%(DS)和8.61%~16.54%(WW),多样性指数在0.74~0.83(DS)和0.71~0.82(WW),遗传力较低,在0.29~0.62(DS)和0.20~0.50(WW)之间。ChlC与TGW间呈现极显著正相关(r=0.500**~0.629**,DS;0.488**~0.622**,WW),其中灌浆期的旗叶ChlC与TGW表现出较高的相关性(r=0.629**,DS;0.622**,WW),DS条件下的相关系数普遍高于WW的;同时ChlC对TGW具有显著的正向直接作用,灌浆期ChlC正向直接作用较大(0.582**,DS;0.312**,WW)。说明该群体适合进行小麦抗旱性状数量遗传研究,其研究结果将为进一步解析干旱调控小麦持绿性和千粒重表型变异的遗传基础,及其QTL精细定位奠定一定的理论基础。     

孕穗期干旱胁迫对超级稻后期光合性能及产量的影响

以6个超级稻品种及1个常规旱稻品种为材料在防雨棚内进行盆栽,于各品种的孕穗期控制水分(用土壤水分张力计监测土壤水分在-75 k Pa)进行干旱胁迫处理6 d,研究孕穗期干旱胁迫对不同超级稻品种后期光合性能及产量的影响。结果表明:干旱胁迫处理使6个超级稻品种始穗后0~7 d内叶绿素含量及光合速率下降,始穗后14~21 d叶绿素含量及光合速率提高;齐穗后叶面积指数、有效叶面积指数、高效叶面积指数均有不同程度下降;有效穗数下降3.9%~6.8%、穗实粒数下降7.0%~18.5%、千粒重提高1.8%~5.1%,实际产量下降10.4%~17.2%。在正常灌溉条件下,y两优2号、新两优6号、丰两优4号实际产量分别位居第一、二、三位,其中y两优2号较产量倒数后三位的品种增产23.2%~27.5%,新两优6号较产量倒数后三位的品种增产16.0%~20.7%,丰两优4号较产量倒数后三位的品种增产12.4%~17.3%,且增产均达极显著水平;在孕穗期干旱胁迫条件下,y两优2号、丰两优4号、新两优6号实际产量分别位居第一、二、三位,其中y两优2号较产量倒数后三位的品种增产18.3%~21.5%,丰两优4号较产量倒数后三位的品种增产11.4%~14.9%,新两优6号较产量倒数后三位的品种增产11.2%~14.8%,增产亦均达极显著水平。无论在正常灌溉还是在孕穗期干旱胁迫条件下,6个超级稻品种的产量均极显著高于常规旱稻品种的产量。因此,y两优2号、丰两优4号、新两优6号可以在安徽江淮丘陵缺水地区推广种植。     

小麦转TaEBP基因株系抗旱特性分析

以2个转TaEBP基因新春9号小麦株系(G9-X1129,G9-X1139)、受体品种新春9号和当地推广品种小偃22为材料,通过PEG-6000人工模拟干旱胁迫处理,调查小麦种子萌发期胚芽鞘、胚根长度和胚根数;采用大田不同水分处理试验,测定转基因小麦不同生育时期的生理生化、形态指标与抗旱指数,以明确其抗旱性。结果表明:(1)在种子萌发期20%(W/V)PEG干旱胁迫条件下,参试材料的胚芽鞘长度、胚根长度和胚根数均比非胁迫时降低,G9-X1129和G9-X1139的降幅较小且均显著高于受体对照新春9号;(2)与受体对照新春9号相比,G9-X1129和G9-X1139具有较高的可溶性蛋白含量和脯氨酸含量;(3)随着干旱胁迫程度的增强参试材料的株高、穗叶距和穗长均有不同程度的降低,但转基因株系株高、穗叶距和穗长降幅显著小于受体对照;(4)G9-X1129和G9-X1139分别比受体对照新春9号增产11.67%和10.19%,其抗旱指数分别为1.18和1.17,两者都属较强抗旱等级,表现出比新春9号更强的抗旱、节水性能;整体上G9-X1129和G9-X1139与小偃22具相对一致的抗旱能力。     

幼穗分化期至齐穗期水分胁迫对水稻产量及功能叶性状的影响

2013年在宜良县通过田间试验,研究了水稻幼穗分化期至齐穗期水分胁迫对云南大面积生产应用的6个粳稻品种产量及产量构成因素、功能叶叶面积及SPAD值的影响。结果表明:幼穗分化至齐穗期水分胁迫后6个品种实际产量比正常灌溉产量下降11.03%,达极显著水平。幼穗分化至齐穗期水分胁迫后有效穗数、总粒数、实粒数分别比正常灌水降低4.58%、7.21%、8.53%,其中对实粒数影响最大,达显著水平。水分胁迫后齐穗期功能叶高效、低效、总叶面积指数比正常灌水分别降低13.60%、10.55%、12.92%,水分胁迫后幼穗分化至齐穗期的倒1叶、倒2叶、倒3叶SPAD值比正常灌水分别降低1.26%、1.32%、2.69%。在幼穗分化至齐穗期水分胁迫条件下,抗旱性强的品种穗总粒数、实粒数、结实率降低的幅度小,抗旱性较弱的品种降低的幅度大;抗旱性强的品种功能叶SPAD受影响越小,且有增加的趋势,而抗旱性较弱的品种呈下降趋势。     

干旱胁迫下春小麦干物质积累和分配及其模拟

为探究干旱胁迫下春小麦干物质积累和分配规律,明确其干旱致灾和受灾阈值,建立定量的模拟模型,对半干旱区春小麦进行小区水分控制试验,设置充足灌水(CK)和持续干旱(GH)2组处理,分析干旱胁迫对干物质积累和分配的影响。结果表明:干旱胁迫13 d后,茎、叶、地上部干物质重开始明显减少,胁迫23 d后,穗干物质重开始明显减少,分别较CK组减少40.80%、22.03%、31.29%、32.90%,对应的干旱致灾阈值为土壤含水量减至10.40%[田间持水量(CF)的37.4%]和8.56%的(30.8%CF),受灾阈值为茎、叶、穗、地上部干物质积累百分率达到80.39%、92.75%、16.87%、47.18%。干旱胁迫不影响各器官分配指数的排序,但会改变排序的变化时间节点和持续时间。胁迫17 d后,各器官分配指数开始发生明显变化,茎平均相对减少12.50%,叶平均相对增加8.14%,穗平均相对增加15.04%,对应的干旱致灾阈值为土壤含水量减至9.54%(34.3%CF)。地上部干物重、叶的分配指数受光合速率的影响最大,茎、穗的分配指数受叶片含水率的影响最大。干旱胁迫促使穗的分配指数增加。建立的地上部干物重、叶和穗的分配指数最优模型可有效模拟干旱胁迫下春小麦的干物质积累和分配。该结果可为春小麦干旱致灾过程机理研究提供理论参考。     

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.     

Tumours of Begonia and some other ornamentals,induced by Corynebacterium fascians

In 1975 many tumours were observed in plants ofBegonia Schwabenland grown in Aalsmeer. Submersion of the roots ofNicotiana megalosiphon seedlings in a homogenate of tumorous tissue, induced tumours after two weeks. Short periods of submergence yielded results similar to those obtained after longer periods. Tumour homogenates lost their infectivity after ten min at 50°C. Aphids transmitted the infectious agent.Treatment with propylene oxide did not inhibit infectivity completely. Filtration through a 450 nm filter removed the infectious agent.Tobacco tumor virus or a viroid could not be isolated. Cultures ofCorynebacterium fascians, isolated from tumours ofN. megalosiphon were highly infectious and induced tumours in healthyN. megalosiphon andBegonia. Tumorous tissue homogenates ofPelargonium zonale, Dahlia sp.,Gladiolus sp., andLilium sp. also caused tumours inN. megalosiphon, from whichC. fascians was isolated. It was not possible to produce tumours inN. megalosiphon with homogenates from roses with symptoms of bud proliferation.Samenvatting In 1975 werden vele tumoren waargenomen inBegonia Schwabenland op Aalsmeerse bedrijven (Fig. 1). De infectiositeit van tumorweefsel kon goed en snel worden vastgesteld door de wortels van zaailingen vanNicotiana megalosiphon in een homogenaat van tumorweefsel te dompelen. Tumoren ontstonden na twee weken, de eindbeoordeling geschiedde na een maand (Fig. 2). Ook verschillende andereNicotiana spp.,Melilotus officinalis (Fig. 3) enPisum odoratum (Fig. 4) werden aangetast.Bij de infectiositeitstoets gaven zeer korte dompeltijden even goede resultaten als langere (Tabel 1). Infectieus sap verloor zijn infectievermogen na 10 min verhitting bij 50°C. Bladluizen brachten de smetstof over. Propyleenoxide verminderde de infectiositeit wel, doch onderdrukte deze niet totaal. Bij filtratie door een 450 nm filter bleef het infectieuse agens op het filter achter. Het tumor-inducerende agens was ook aanwezig in die delen van planten met tumoren welke gezond leken en het ging voor een gering deel over met zaad (Tabel 2).Uit tumoren konden wij geen tabakstumorvirus of een viroïde isoleren. Culturen vanCorynebacterium fascians, geïsoleerd uit tumoren vanN. megalosiphon bleken zeer infectieus en veroorzaakten tumoren inN. megalosiphon enBegonia. Homogenaten van tumorweefsel vanPelargonium zonale, dahlia (Fig. 5), gladiool (Fig. 6) enLilium Mid Century Hybrid Enchantment (Fig. 7) veroorzaakten ook tumoren opN. megalosiphon, waaruitC. fascians werd geïsoleerd. Met sap van kroeskopzieke rozen konden wijN. megalosiphon niet besmetten.