Comparison of three diagrammatic keys for the quantification of late blight in tomato leaves

Three diagrammatic grading keys were designed for the assessment of the severity of late blight (caused by Phytophthora infestans ) in tomato leaves. Simplified and broad keys considered, respectively, six (3, 12, 22, 40, 60 and 77%) and eight (3, 6, 12, 22, 40, 60, 77 and 90%) levels of disease severity, whilst a modified key based on a previous proposal for potato late blight considered six levels (1, 5, 10, 16, 32 and 50%). The keys were validated by 24 evaluators who assessed digital images of tomato leaves exhibiting different areas with lesions. Evaluator errors were compared using a mixed model in which evaluators were considered as random effects and the keys and evaluations as fixed effects. The accuracy and precision of the evaluators were compared by simple linear regression between the estimated and actual values of disease severity. The repeatability of evaluators was assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. There was significant ( P  ≤   0·001) variability amongst the errors made by evaluators, although the precision of each of the three keys was high with a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0·96, 0·93 and 0·83 for the simplified, broad and modified key, respectively. Repeatability of estimations amongst the evaluators was adequate (correlation coefficients of 0·91, 0·91 and 0·90 for the three keys, respectively). The simplified and broad keys resulted in higher precision and accuracy for the estimation of severity than did the modified key. Since the simplified key considers a smaller number of disease severity levels, its use is recommended in the assessment of late blight in tomato leaves.     

Leaf position prevails over plant age and leaf age in reflecting resistance to late blight in potato

ABSTRACT The effects of plant age, leaf age, and leaf position on race-nonspecific resistance against Phytophthora infestans were investigated in a series of field and controlled environment experiments with five different potato (Solanum tuberosum) cultivars. Leaf position proved to be the most significant factor; apical leaves were far more resistant to late blight than basal leaves. Plant age and leaf age had only minor effects; therefore, the resistance of a specific leaf remained about the same during its entire lifetime. The gradual increase in late blight resistance from basal leaves to apical leaves appeared to be a general effect, irrespective of cultivar, growing conditions, or resistance test. Therefore, it is important to consider leaf position in tests for late blight resistance, because contrasts in resistance may be ascribed erroneously to differences between genotypes or treatments, whereas they are actually caused by differences in leaf position.     

The effect of using a Horsfall-Barratt scale on precision and accuracy of visual estimation of potato late blight severity in the field

Assessments of potato late blight severity by eleven people using directly estimated percentage severity (EPS) of potato late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans were compared with the assessments of another group of ten people using a Horsfall-Barratt scale with wider intervals in the mid range of severity (25-75% infection). This scale is frequently used at the International Potato Center (CIP) to select for resistant germplasm. EPS readings had greater variability among assessors at mid range of severity than at extremes, as predicted by Horsfall and Barratt (1945). Transformation of EPS to CIP scale units or logits corrected uneven variances. Direct utilization of the CIP scale in the field, however, did not correct uneven variances. This may have been due in part to subconscious linearization of scale intervals, which are based on logarithms. Direct comparisons made by converting EPS to CIP scale levels demonstrated that precision and accuracy were greater among assessors using EPS.     

Molecular characterization of the incitant of cowpea bacterial blight and pustule, Xanthomonas campestris pv. vignicola

Strains of Xanthomonas campestris pv. vignicola (Xcv), isolated from cowpea leaves with blight or minute pustules and collected from various geographic areas, were selected on the basis of pathological and physiological features. All strains were analyzed for genotypic markers by two methods: ribotyping with EcoRI endonuclease, and RFLP analysis with a plasmid probe (pthB) containing a gene required for pathogenicity from Xanthomonas campestris pv. manihotis. Ribotyping revealed a unique pattern for all the strains that corresponded to the previously described ribotype rRNA7. Based on polymorphism detected by pthB among Xcv strains, nine haplotypes were defined. The observed genetic variation was independent of the geographic origin of the strains and of pathogenic variation. Some haplotypes were widely distributed, whereas others were localized. In some cases, we could differentiate strains isolated from blight symptoms and pustules according to haplotypic composition. However, in most cases, no significant differences were observed. Our results and the previous pathogenic and biochemical characterizations suggest that the strains isolated from leaves with blight symptoms or minute pustules belong to the same pathovar. We provide information on pathogen diversity that can be used to identify and characterize resistant germplasm.     

Subjective components of mildew assessment on spring barley

The severity of mildew on barley is usually assessed visually and this leads to variation between different scorers. Field assessments by four assessors were analysed to determine the nature and degree of subjective discrepancies between assessors. Two inexperienced assessors failed to detect a major effect of nitrogen due to differences in the interpretation of a scoring system. A computer-based training programme was evaluated for standardising assessments, and was found to improve assessors' accuracy. Linear regression analysis was used here to resolve the error variance into components representing the accuracy and precision of the assessors. Plots of the cumulative differences between the estimate of disease severity by each assessor and the best estimate were used to display how the discrepancies varied with the level of disease. Some modifications to the barley field scoring system are suggested to improve comparability between assessors.     

Extract of Hedera helix induces resistance on apple rootstock M26 similar to Acibenzolar-S-methyl against Fire Blight (Erwinia amylovora)

The potential of acibenzolar-S-methyl (Benzo [1,2,3]thiadiazole-7-carbothioic acid-S-methyl ester, ASM; Bion 50 WG) and of an extract of Hedera helix, to protect M26 apple rootstocks against fire blight was determined under controlled conditions. Marked differences were observed in the rate and extent of multiplication as well as in pathogen cell viability between control and ASM and H. helix-treated rootstocks. Although the pathogen multiplied abundantly in the plant tissue of water-treated rootstocks and showed severe damage, ASM and the plant extract of H. helix applied prior to inoculation with the causal agent of fire blight, E. amylovora (strain 7/74), suppressed disease development and bacterial multiplication. Physiological observations of ASM and plant extract-treated rootstocks indicated that restriction of pathogen colonization in plant tissue was correlated with a pronounced increase of peroxidase (POX) and chitinase activity. Furthermore, physiological changes caused by these treatments in host cells were characterized by POX labeling methods with SDS-Page electrophoresis. Differences in expression of the POX and protein bands were observed in tissues of plants treated with different inducers. POX activity was determined by the presence of three strong bands in plant extract-treated leaves, two strong bands and one very weak band of about 20.1 and 43 kDa were visible in ASM-treated leaves. Evidence is provided that ASM, as well as extract of H. helix are equally capable of inducing of resistance responses in M26 apple rootstock, which result in an increased resistance to E. amylovora—the fire blight pathogen. These findings demonstrate that both treatments have the ability to induce the activation of defense genes leading to the accumulation of structural and biochemical activities at strategic sites, and these can be associated with induction of resistance against fire-blight.     

苯并噻二唑诱发水稻对纹枯病的抗性

研究了苯并噻二唑(B1H)诱发水稻产生对纹枯病的抗性。离体条件下，1．0mmol／L BTH对纹枯病菌菌丝生长无明显抑制作用。BTH叶面或灌根处理四叶一心期水稻幼苗，并将植株第2、3和4叶离体接种纹枯病菌，水稻叶片纹枯病病斑长度明显下降，BTH诱发苗期水稻产生抗性的最佳诱导期在处理后的3—5天，最佳浓度为0．1mmol／L，BTH灌根处理诱发抗性的效果较好。用BTH溶液叶面喷雾处理成株期水稻倒二叶后离体接种纹枯病菌，倒二叶、倒一叶和剑叶上病斑长度显著低于对照，最佳诱导期在处理后3—5天。用BTH处理苗期水稻第2叶或成株期倒二叶，可使未经处理的苗期水稻第3和4叶以及成株期水稻倒一叶和剑叶上纹枯病病斑长度显著下降。     

新疆库尔勒香梨火疫病的发生特点及防控建议

梨火疫病(fire blight)是由解淀粉欧文氏菌Erwinia amylovora引起的蔷薇科果树毁灭性病害。2017年首次在新疆巴音郭楞蒙古自治州发生,对库尔勒香梨产业造成严重危害和经济损失。本文总结5年来库尔勒香梨火疫病发生危害特点,详细描述了病害的田间症状表现,提出了防治建议,并对当前库尔勒香梨火疫病防治中存在的问题进行了讨论。     

Genetic basis of resistance to systemic infection by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. dieffenbachiae in Anthurium

The genetic basis of systemic resistance to bacterial blight disease (blight) of anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum) caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. dieffenbachiae was investigated in progenies of 53 crosses involving 31 parent cultivars using segregation analysis. Inoculation of parents and progenies was achieved by injecting the petiole base of the most recent fully expanded leaf with 100 microl of 10(9) colony forming units per ml of the blight pathogen (strain X4gfp) transformed with the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene. The time to death and the presence or absence of GFP fluorescence on newly emerging leaves was monitored over a period of 30 weeks after inoculation (WAI), on an individual plant basis. The expected resistance to susceptible ratios based on a digenic model involving two dominant genes, designated A and B, interacting according to a duplicate recessive epistasis model fitted the observed segregation ratios in the crosses. Based on the segregation ratios obtained, the parental cultivars were assigned plausible genotypes. There were significant differences (P < 0.001) in time to death following inoculation between the various genotypic designations. Cultivars with genotypes AABB, AABb, AaBB, and AaBb died within 10 WAI and designated as susceptible; AAbb and aaBB died from 18.8 to 25.6 WAI and were designated as moderately resistant; and Aabb, aaBb, and aabb produced resistant phenotypes. There was also some evidence for dosage effect especially in the highly resistant category. Hence, (AABb = AaBB = AaBb) < (aaBB = AAbb) < Aabb = aaBb = aabb). An approach to fixing resistance to blight in anthurium is discussed.     

Differenzierung der beiden Erscheinungsformen der Spitzendürre (Monilinia laxa) an Sauerkirschen ermöglicht eine Reduktion des Fungizideinsatzes zur Blüte

Since the early nineties control of twig blight on sour cherries in Rheinhessen/Germany caused by Monilinia laxa has become more and more difficult. Severe twig blight incidence even occured during cold and dry periods despite several hours of wetness are necessary for flower infecions by M. laxa conidia. Also repeated fungicide applications during bloom did not provide reliable control of twig blight. Field and laboratory studies have been carried out from 2002–2005 to find the reasons for control failures and the infection process under cold and dry conditions. On the basis of field observations frost damage of flowers and inoculum transport from untreated old cherry trees could be excluded. Monitoring studies revealed that only M. laxa caused twig blight and not M. fructicola as assumed before. The reason for the severe twig blight damage is the fact that M. laxa causes 2 different forms of twig blight. Besides the well known and often described twig blight after flower infection during rainy periods a second form of twig blight exists also caused by M. laxa but starting from “latent” infections inside the twig. These “latent” or “early” twig blight symptoms already occur at full bloom even during dry weather periods. Fungicide applications at the flowering stage do not control this form of twig blight because M. laxa is already present inside the twig. A diagnostic system is described allowing a clear differentiation of the two forms of twig blight what will lead to a reduced number of fungicide applications. Only the “true” flower infections can be controlled by fungicide treatments.     

The life cycle of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Stemphylium vesicarium</Emphasis>, the causal agent of Welsh onion leaf blight

Symptoms of Welsh onion leaf blight, caused by Stemphylium vesicarium, are divided into two types, i.e., brown oval lesions and yellow mottle lesions. Yellow mottle lesions exert considerable economic damage on Welsh onion in northern Japan. In this study, we investigated the life cycle of the pathogen in terms of seasonal fluctuation of spore dispersal and its relationship with development of disease, formation period of pseudothecia and overwintering of the pathogen based on field surveys, spore trapping and fungal isolation. Conidia were trapped throughout the cropping season except before mid June, when no ascospores were trapped. Brown oval lesions, which contained a large number of conidia, usually occurred in July followed by yellow mottle lesions with an increasing number of conidia trapped. These observations suggest that conidia released from brown oval lesions play an important role as a secondary inoculum source of the disease, leading to the development of yellow mottle lesions. Pseudothecia on leaves were first observed at the end of the cropping season or immediately after harvest (late October). The pathogen overwintered in the form of pseudothecia produced on leaves with or without symptoms. Ascospores failed to be trap in the field during the interval between before and beginning of the cropping season in April–May. However, pot experiments demonstrated that ascospores were released from leaf debris in November and rapidly increased in number after snow melt. From this circumstantial evidence, we hypothesize that ascospores are the primary inoculum source of Welsh onion leaf blight.     

Diseases of Rubber and their Control

Abstract

Most of the major diseases of Hevea brasiliensis are of worldwide distribution (with the notable exception of South American leaf blight, against which strict quarantine regulations are enforced by rubber-growing countries outside the Americas to prevent the unauthorised import of Hevea) but their local severity and importance vary from one region to another. Root diseases are a serious problem nearly everywhere and regular rounds of inspection and treatment are essential while the trees are still young in order to prevent serious losses. The recently introduced prophylactic collar protectant dressings specific to each of the three main diseases are valuable aids to control.

Diseases of the tapping panel may prevent tapping or hinder bark regeneration; black stripe in particular (Phytophthora palmivora) can be very persistent and is often eradicated only by repeated therapeutic fungicidal treatment of the bark. Stem diseases, chiefly pink disease (Corticium salmonicolor), are important in certain areas in wet weather, and can lead to severe damage and even dieback in the absence of effective treatment.

Four major leaf diseases can have a debilitating effect on the tree. Abnormal leaf fall (Phytophthora spp.) is severe in India, causing the abscission of mature leaves during the monsoon rains; treatment necessitates the application of a pre-monsoon prophylactic copper spray. Secondary leaf fall, caused both by Oidium heveae and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides which infect the flushes of new leaves produced after the annual leaf change (wintering), varies greatly in severity according to local weather and cultivar. It can be controlled by repeated rounds of an appropriate prophylactic fungicide or, under certain conditions, by artificially hastening the onset of wintering (and thus of refoliation) by removing the old leaves with a contact herbicide. By far the most important leaf disease is South American leaf blight (Microcyclus ulei); it is largely responsible for the lack of a vigorous rubber industry in South America, the home of the rubber tree. It can only be effectively countered by the use of resistant cultivars.

The economic importance of the above diseases is discussed and current control measures described.     

Web blight, a new disease of Sechium edule

Symptoms of a new disease of christophine ( Sechium edule ) were observed in Trinidad in 1991. The disease caused extensive leaf blight and webbing together of leaves, both of which were associated with the presence of numerous microsclerotia on dried leaves and petioles. This disease, called web blight, was shown to be caused by Thanatephorus cucumeris (anamorph Rhizoctonia solani ). This is the first report of this disease on christophine.     

利用蜜蜂传播生防菌防治梨火疫病

梨火疫病由梨火疫病菌（Erwinia amylovora）引起,可以通过蜜蜂授粉传播而加重危害。为做好香梨安全授粉工作,防止因直接放蜂造成梨火疫病的大流行,本研究测试了香梨花上分离的一株解淀粉芽孢杆菌（Bacillus amyloliquefaciens）对梨火疫病菌的拮抗效果,并利用自行研发的“蜜蜂导向盒”进行了蜜蜂传播生防菌防病试验。结果表明“蜜蜂导向盒+生防菌”技术在香梨花期可以有效控制由梨火疫菌引起的花腐和枝枯。     

Plectosporium blight of monkshood caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plectosporium tabacinum</Emphasis>

Severe blight of potted seedlings of monkshood caused by Plectosporium tabacinum was found in glasshouses in Kagawa Prefecture in southwest Japan in May 2001. Root rot and browning of stem bases were followed by wilting and yellowing of leaves, then blighting of leaves, flower buds and stems. A fungus was isolated from diseased plants and confirmed to cause the disease. The new disease was named “Plectosporium blight of monkshood”.     

Biological control of botrytis leaf blight of onion byGliocladium roseum applied as sprays and with fabric applicators

Gliocladium roseum (5×10⁶ conidia ml^–1) and chlorothalonil (Bravo 500) were compared in two field tests for effectiveness in suppressing leaf blight caused byBotrytis squamosa in cooking onions. The biological control agent and fungicide were applied with sprayers and with specially designed fabric applicators that were mounted interchangeably on an aluminium carriage with bicycle wheels. In the applicators, inoculum and fungicide gravitated from a reservoir down curtains of denim strips and onto portions of onion leaves contacted by the strips. Initial applications were timed using a leaf blight forecasting system (BOTCAST) and three or four subsequent applications were made at weekly intervals. When compared to water checks,G. roseum applied as sprays or by applicators reduced density of leaf spots by about 50–58% during middle and late stages of epidemics. The antagonist was about half as effective as chlorothalonil in suppressing density of spots, regardless of application method. The applicators delivered inoculum in similar densities to proximal and distal halves of leaves, and used at least 35% less volume of inoculum compared to the sprayers. Density of inoculum on leaves treated by applicators was about the same as in spray-treated leaves when canopies were sparse, but less when canopies were dense. It is concluded thatG. roseum has good potential for controlling leaf blight sufficiently to avoid economic yield losses.     

Factors affecting infection cushion development by Rhizoctonia solani AG-1 IA and IB on soybean leaves

Infection cushions were formed by isolates of Rhizoctonia solani , anastomosis group 1 IA (AG-1 IA, aerial blight) and AG-1 IB (web blight) on leaves of all 10 soybean cultivars tested. Isolates of AG-1 IA and IB did not form infection cushions on soybean leaf surface replicas of either resistant or susceptible cultivars. More infection cushions were formed by isolates of AG-1 IA and IB on collodion membranes placed over leaves of susceptible cultivars compared with resistant cultivars. Isolates of AG-1 IC. AG-4 and AG-5, also formed infection cushions on soybean leaves. However, the isolates of other anastomosis groups did not form infection cushions on soybean leaves. Differential induction of infection cushion formation by the leaves of various plant species was observed, AG-1 IA formed infection cushions on more graminaceous hosts than AG-1 IB, Our results suggest that a chemical stimulus is needed for infection cushion formation. Glucose and 3- O -methylglucose repressed disease severity caused by AG-1 IA and IB isolates to the same extent. Disease severity and the number of infection cushions formed on leaves of ten soybean cultivars were correlated. Fewer infection cushions were formed on resistant cultivars than on susceptible cultivars.     

Effects of latent infection, temperature, precipitation, and irrigation on panicle and shoot blight of pistachio in california

ABSTRACT Panicle and shoot blight, caused by a Fusicoccum sp., is an economically important disease of pistachio in California. Between 1999 and 2001, the disease severity was monitored throughout the growing season in 10 pistachio orchards, irrigated with drip, microsprinklers, low-angled (12 degrees ) sprinklers, or flood. The effect of temperature, precipitation pattern, irrigation system, and incidence of Fusicoccum sp. latent infection on panicle and shoot blight severity was quantified with a generalized linear model for repeated measures. The number of continuous rainy days in April and May and the cumulative daily mean temperatures from June to early September had a significant positive effect on panicle and shoot blight of pistachio leaves and fruit. Drip irrigation significantly decreased disease risk. Other factors, such as the number of discontinuous rainy days in April and May, the cumulative deviation from the 30-year average temperature during the dry days of April and May, the incidence of latent infection (only on leaves), and irrigation with microsprinklers or lowangled (12 degrees ) sprinklers were weak explanatory variables of panicle and shoot blight severity. Knowledge of panicle and shoot blight risk may contribute significantly to decisions regarding the appropriate application of fungicides, especially in years or fields of low risk.     

Indirect interactions between rust (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Melampsora epitea</Emphasis>) and leaf beetle (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phratora vulgatissima</Emphasis>) damage on<Emphasis Type="Italic">salix</Emphasis>

Willows (Salix spp.) are beneficial as a potential source of renewable energy, riparian barriers and riverbank control, yet are considered invasive weeds when they clog watercourses and lead to erosion and flooding. Interactions between willow rustMelampsora epitea (Thüm.) (Uredinales: Melampsoraceae) and leaf beetlePhratora spp. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) feeding damage have an impact on effective pest management and biological control. The present study investigated the effects of(a) prior mechanical leaf damage on rust development, and(b) rust infection on beetle feeding under laboratory conditions for different time intervals and levels of damage. Willow rust infection significantly reduced the amount of leaf area consumed by beetles. The result was similar when a compatible or an incompatible rust pathotype was sprayed ontoSalix viminalis (L.) ‘Mullatin’ plants. There were no overall significant effects of mechanical damage on rust development, although the lowest level of rust infection was found with the incremental damage treatment. There were, however, differences of significance for leaf position and damage status, with damaged leaves at all positions having fewer pustules and a smaller pustule area than the corresponding undamaged leaves. There was no detectable effect of possible volatile emissions from crushed willow leaves on rust infection and development, although the volatile compoundcis-3-hexenyl acetate significantly reduced pustule diameter and overall pustule area. The results are discussed in terms of the implications for pest management and biological control. Corresponding author http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting April 6, 2003.     

辽宁轮叶党参斑枯病发生初报

本文首次报道了辽宁省药用植物轮叶党参斑枯病的发生危害、症状描述及病原菌的形态特征,并进行了病原菌的分离和纯化。分离得到的菌株按照柯赫氏法则进行了致病性测定。初步研究结果表明,轮叶党参斑枯病是由真菌党参壳针孢(Septoria codonopsidis Ziling)侵染所致。针对此病害的发生特点,本文初步提出了相应的防治建议。