Components of Partial Resistance to Powdery Mildew in Wheat Mutants

Components of resistance to powdery mildew (latent period, pustule density and conidium production) were analysed on glasshouse-grown artificially inoculated plants of wheat mutants (n = 11) derived from either induced mutagenesis or adventitious regeneration of cv. Guardian. These mutants had previously been shown to be partially resistant to the disease in the field over a two-year period. Analyses were carried out at three stages of development: seedling, tillering and heading. None of the mutants exhibited a latent period significantly different from that of the susceptible parent Guardian at any stage of development tested. With respect to pustule density, one mutant (M61) was significantly more resistant than Guardian at all stages of development, two mutants (M19 and SC100) were more resistant at tillering and heading, and two (M156 and SC267) were more resistant only at heading. Significantly reduced conidium production per pustule (as a measure of pustule size) over a 24h period was observed on three mutants (M61, SC100 and SC231) at tillering and heading, while mutant SC68 exhibited this trait at heading only. On the basis of resistance components and relative grain yield in the presence of mildew, the eleven mutants were categorised into five categories. Tests for associations between field resistance score and components of resistance measured in the glasshouse, both measured at heading, revealed a significant positive correlation only between pustule density and field score. To assess the effects of combining different components (i.e. pyramiding different partial resistance genes), mutants were crossed. Transgressive segregation for at least one component was observed in the F₂ generation in crosses between mutants with complementary modes of action (i.e. involving different components of partial resistance), but not in cases where the parents exhibited the same component of resistance.     

Suitability of Ten Plant Baits for the Rapid Detection of Pathogenic Pythium Species in Hydroponic Crops

Ten types of plant baits were tested in the laboratory to assess their capacity to detect pathogenic Pythium species. These were orange tree leaves, tomato leaves, pepper leaves, geranium leaves, Bermuda grass leaves, pine needles, immature carnation petals, hemp-seed cotyledons, pepper and cucumber fruits. The Pythium spp. tested were P. aphanidermatum, P. irregulare and Pythium group F from hydroponic market garden crops in the Poniente region of Almería (south-east Spain). The test consisted of observing the velocity at which five baits were colonized and the day of colonization of the first bait. Results indicated that the slowest baits to be infected were immature carnation petals and pine needles. These two, together with Bermuda grass leaves, were also the baits infected in lowest number, such that practically no further infection was produced in the baits after the fifth day of contact with the inoculated water. The other plant baits tested were equally suitable for detection of Pythium spp. over the first two days, although only orange leaves and hemp-seed cotyledons were infected on the first day.     

Effects of Host and Microbial Factors on Development of Clonostachys rosea and Control of Botrytis cinerea in Rose

Development of Clonostachys rosea in rose leaves and petals and control of Botrytis cinerea by the agent were investigated. C. rosea germinated, established endophytic growth, and sporulated abundantly whether the tissues were mature, senescent or dead when inoculated. Germination incidence was moderate on mature and senescent leaves (47% and 35%) and petals (31% and 43%), and high (>98%) on dead tissues. Sporulation of C. rosea in tissues inoculated when mature, senescent or dead averaged 41%, 61%, and 75% in leaves, and 48%, 87% and 53% in petals. When leaves were wounded with needles before inoculation, germination of C. rosea increased from 45–56% to 90–92%, but sporulation became high (>75%) regardless of wounds. When leaves were inoculated with C. rosea at 0–24h after wounding and subsequently with B. cinerea, germination of the pathogen was reduced by 25–41% and sporulation by 99%. A humid period prior to inoculation of senescent or dead leaves promoted communities of indigenous fungi, reduced sporulation of C. rosea and B. cinerea, and, in dead leaves, increased control of the pathogen associated with C. rosea. Applied at high density, isolates of indigenous Penicillium sp. and Alternaria alternata from rose interacted with C. rosea and reduced control of the pathogen by 16% and 21%, respectively. In conclusion, C. rosea markedly suppressed sporulation of B. cinerea in rose leaves and petals regardless of developmental stage, minor wounds, and natural densities of microflora. This versatility should allow C. rosea to effectively control inoculum production of B. cinerea in rose production systems.     

氟唑磺隆在野燕麦中的内吸传导特性

新型除草剂氟唑磺隆是磺酰脲类小麦田除草剂,为明确其在野燕麦植株中的内吸传导特性以及为合理使用氟唑磺隆防除杂草策略的制定提供科学依据,分别采用水培法和涂药法研究了氟唑磺隆在野燕麦Avena fatua植株中的传导特性。结果显示:采用水培法以50 mg/L的氟唑磺隆处理野燕麦根部,药后24 h野燕麦根、叶鞘和下部成熟叶中氟唑磺隆含量的占比分别为22%、74%和4%,心叶中未检测出;药后48 h野燕麦根、叶鞘、下部成熟叶和心叶中氟唑磺隆含量的占比分别为23%、58%、8%和11%。采用涂药法以50 mg/L氟唑磺隆处理野燕麦成熟叶片,药后24 h野燕麦下部成熟叶和心叶中氟唑磺隆的含量占比分别为57%和43%,根和叶鞘未检测出;药后48 h野燕麦根、叶鞘、下部成熟叶和心叶中氟唑磺隆的含量占比分别为1%、1%、68%和30%。结果表明,氟唑磺隆能被野燕麦的根吸收,具有优异的自下而上的内吸传导特性;同时氟唑磺隆能被野燕麦的叶片吸收,并可在叶间传导和向根传导。表明氟唑磺隆在野燕麦中具有双向传导的能力。     

基于EPG技术分析杭菊两主栽品种对三种菊蚜抗性及其相关抗性物质

为比较杭白菊主栽品种早、晚小洋菊对菊小长管蚜Macrosiphoniella sanborni、棉蚜Aphis gossypii、桃蚜Myzus persicae的抗性,通过刺吸电位技术(electrical penetration graph,EPG)研究菊蚜在菊顶叶上刺吸行为,并检测了菊顶叶主要化合物。结果表明:在晚小洋菊上,菊小长管蚜的E1、E2波平均持续时间4.31、3.47 min,分别短于在早小洋菊上的4.63、3.75 min;棉蚜、桃蚜的E1、E2波平均持续时间分别为4.32、4.72 min和4.92、4.64 min;3种蚜虫的平均刺探次数均大于在早小洋菊上的平均刺探次数。聚类分析结果显示,2个主栽品种之间抗性存在差异。早小洋菊顶叶平均可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白含量分别为2.71 mg/g和25.36 mg/g,均高于晚小洋菊;早小洋菊顶叶总酚含量为0.24 mg/g,显著低于晚小洋菊;早、晚小洋菊总黄酮含量分别为3.46 mg/g和3.37 mg/g。早小洋菊顶叶可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白含量基本上与每种菊蚜的E1、E2波持续时间显著正相关,总酚含量、总黄酮含量与每种菊蚜的E1或E2波持续时间显著负相关。推测早小洋菊对于菊长管蚜的抗性稍弱于晚小洋菊,2种杭白菊对棉蚜或桃蚜的抗性相当,且菊叶中的这4种物质含量与抗蚜性相关。     

Need for flagella for complete virulence of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci: genetic analysis with flagella-defective mutants ?fliC and ?fliD in host tobacco plants

The flagellins purified from Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci induce a hypersensitive reaction in nonhost tomato cells. To investigate the role of flagella and flagellin in the compatible interaction, we generated two types of flagella-defective mutant. The fliC mutant lost the fliC gene that encodes flagellin protein, whereas the fliD mutant lost the fliD gene that encodes HAP2-capping protein. The two mutants had markedly reduced ability to cause disease symptoms in tobacco leaves. Furthermore, propagation of the mutants in tobacco leaves was less than that in wild-type pv. tabaci. Compared to the inoculation with wild-type pv. tabaci, inoculation with the two mutants did not markedly induce the expression of typical defense response-related genes such as PAL and hsr203J. Complementation of each fliC and fliD gene to the corresponding deficient mutant restored motility and virulence. These results indicate that flagella of P. syringae pv. tabaci are indispensable organelles for complete virulence on host tobacco plants.     

Ultrastructural Observations and DNA Degradation Analysis of Pepper Leaves Undergoing a Hypersensitive Reaction to Xanthomonas campestris pv. Vesicatoria

Ultrastructural details of the hypersensitive reaction induced by infiltration with avirulent race 2 Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria in pepper Early Calwonder-10R leaves (incompatible interaction) are reported. Affected cells displayed plasmalemma undulations and disruption, lysis of the chloroplast membrane, degeneration of other organelles, general cytoplasm disorganisation and, often, protoplast shrinkage. The nuclei contained large masses of electron-dense material, apparently formed by chromatin aggregation. In many cases a single chromatin-like layer was deposited on the inner side of the nuclear envelope leaving a finely granular matrix in the centre of the nucleus; the nucleolus usually disappeared. The nuclear envelope was sometimes ruptured and the internal matrix leaked into the cytoplasm. The content of many affected cells eventually coagulated and became very electron-dense. The walls often collapsed. All these alterations were especially visible in spongy mesophyll cells at sites where bacteria occurred in the intercellular spaces. Although some of the nuclear and cytoplasmic alterations recall certain aspects of apoptotic cell death, molecular determinations did not reveal any DNA degradation in hypersensitively reacting tissues. The first cell alterations in leaves infected with the virulent bacterial race 1 (compatible interaction) were observed only 27h after inoculation, when the cytoplasm of some cells showed limited internal disorganisation and plasmolysis at sites where bacterial colonies developed.     

Colonization of rose by Sphaerotheca pannosa (Wallr.) Lév. var. rosae Wor.

Colonization of rose by powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca pannosa) is described in terms of mycelium growth, conidiophore production and sporulation in time. The data used are gathered during different years, put together and treated by means of graphic models. Colonies could be separated into fast and slow growing colonies. Colonies initiated on leaves of increasing age showed a decreasing growth rate. Production of conidiophores and conidia started on the same day, and the relative activity of conidiophore production reached its maximum 6 days after the end of the latency period, followed 1 day later by the maximum activity of conidium production. Both conidiophore and conidium production continued for a long time at a low level. The effect of leaf age on conidiophore production found expression in differences in production rate during the first days of colony development and in final production levels. Observations on naturally infected leaves in an outdoor experiment showed a rapid decrease of sporulation on leaves of 10 days and older. Highest percentages of sporulating leaf area were observed on leaves between 7 and 10 days old.     

Effect of temperature,relative humidity,leaf wetness and leaf age on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spilocaea oleagina</Emphasis> conidium germination on olive leaves

The effects of temperature, relative humidity (RH), leaf wetness and leaf age on conidium germination were investigated for Spilocaea oleagina, the causal organism of olive leaf spot. Detached leaves of five ages (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks after emergence), six different temperatures (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30°C), eight wetness periods (0, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36 and 48 h), and three RH levels (60, 80 and 100%) were tested. Results showed that percentage germination decreased linearly in proportion to leaf age (P < 0.001), being 58% at 2 weeks and 35% at 10 weeks. A polynomial equation with linear term of leaf age was developed to describe the effect of leaf age on conidium germination. Temperature significantly (P < 0.001) affected frequencies of conidium germination on wet leaves held at 100% RH, with the effective range being 5 to 25°C. The percent germination was 16.1, 23.9, 38.8, 47.8 and 35.5% germination at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25°C, respectively, after 24 h. Polynomial models adequately described the frequencies of conidium germination at these conditions over the wetness periods. The rate of germ tube elongation followed a similar trend, except that the optimum was 15°C, with final mean lengths of 175, 228, 248, 215 and 135 μm at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25°C, respectively after 168 h. Polynomial models satisfactorily described the relationships between temperature and germ tube elongation. Formation of appressoria, when found, occurred 6 h after the first signs of germination. The percentage of germlings with appressoria increased with increasing temperature to a maximum of 43% at 15°C, with no appressoria formed at 25°C after 48 h of incubation. Increasing wetness duration caused increasing numbers of conidia to germinate at all temperatures tested (5–25°C). The minimum leaf wetness periods required for germination at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25°C were 24, 12, 9, 9 and 12 h, respectively. At 20°C, a shorter wetness period (6 h) was sufficient if germinating conidia were then placed in 100% RH, but not at 80 or 60%. However, no conidia germinated without free water even after 48 h of incubation at 20°C and 100% RH. The models developed in this study should be validated under field conditions. They could be developed into a forecasting component of an integrated system for the control of olive leaf spot.     

Accumulation of Pathogenesis-Related Proteins in the Apoplast of a Susceptible Cultivar of Apple (Malus domestica cv. Elstar) after Infection by Venturia inaequalis and Constitutive Expression of PR Genes in the Resistant Cultivar Remo

Leaves of apple (Malus domestica cv. Elstar) were infected with a cloned isolate of the apple scab Venturia inaequalis. The intercellular washing fluid (IWF) of these plants was collected and the variation in the composition of proteins in the IWF was analysed by SDS-PAGE and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis during and after the infection with V. inaequalis, the causal agent of apple scab. The subsequent analysis of induced proteins by electron spray ionization quadrupole time of flight mass spectroscopy revealed the presence of -1,3-glucanase, chitinase, thaumatin-like protein and a cysteine-like protease in M. domestica leaves infected by V. inaequalis. These results were confirmed by immunoblotting with antibodies against some of these proteins. Moreover, a non-specific lipid transfer protein was identified in uninfected leaves: the amount declined to a non-detectable level within the first week after infection by V. inaequalis. The analysis of the IWF of M. domestica cv. Remo, bearing resistances to apple scab, powdery mildew and fire blight, showed a protein pattern comparable to that of the IWF from V. inaequalis infected leaves from cultivar Elstar indicating the constitutive production at least of some of the pathogenesis-related proteins in the resistant cultivar.     

A New Cell Wall Located N-rich Protein is Strongly Induced During the Hypersensitive Response in Glycine Max L.

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merill, cv. Williams 82) plants and cell cultures respond to avirulent pathogens with a hypersensitive reaction. After inoculation of soybean with Pseudomonas syringae pv. glycinea, carrying the avirulence gene avrA, or zoospores from the fungus Phytophthora sojae Race 1, a resistance-gene-dependent cell death programme is activated. A new gene was identified by differential display of mRNAs that is specifically activated during the early phase of incompatible pathogen-soybean interactions but does not respond to compatible pathogens. The gene is strongly induced within 2h after addition of P. sojae zoospores. A similar kinetic pattern was observed for P. syringae (avrA) inoculated soybean cell cultures. The gene encodes a deduced protein of 368 amino acids with a very high content of asparagine and was therefore termed N-rich protein (NRP). The protein is composed of two distinct domains, of which only the C-terminal domain has striking homology to proteins of unknown function from other plants. An antibody raised against the recombinant NRP recognizes a protein of 42kDa. The protein is located in the cell wall as indicated by cell fractionation studies. Comparison of the genomic DNA-sequence with the cDNA, identified two introns within the open reading frame. The NRP-gene is not directly induced by salicylic acid or hydrogen peroxide, indicating a distinct and specific signal transduction pathway which is only activated during programmed cell death. The NRP-gene appears to be a new marker in soybean activated early in plant disease resistance.     

Effects of leaf blast on photosynthesis of rice. 1. Leaf photosynthesis

The effect ofPyricularia oryzae, the causal organism of leaf blast in rice, on photosynthesis characteristics of rice leaves was measured in two greenhouse experiments. Leaf blast reduced photosynthesis not only through a reduction in green leaf area, but also through an effect on photosynthesis of green leaf tissue surrounding the lesions. The assimilation rate at light saturation (P _max ) was more affected than the initial light use efficiency (). Dark respiration (R _d ) increased as a result of infection. The experimental data were used to derive relations between leaf blast severity andP _max , andR _d .     

Activation of Defense Pathways: Synergism between Reactive Oxygen Species and Salicylic Acid and Consideration of Field Applicability

Treatment of tobacco with a mixture containing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and salicylic acid (SA) provided greater protection of tobacco against infection by Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci than either treatment alone. Synergism in expression from the promoter of the defense gene PR-1a was also observed. Although the ROS hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid were poor inducers alone, they enhanced the level of -glucuronidase (GUS) activity expressed from the PR-1a promoter when applied with SA to a transgenic plant bearing a PR-1a::GUS fusion. PR-1a expression was not correlated with increased cell death as determined by Evans blue staining. There was no effect on the timing at which expression was increased by the mixture compared with the separate treatments. The mixture of hydrogen peroxide and SA partially mimicked the effect of a commercial product Oxycom that has field efficacy in improving plant performance. Repetitive applications of Oxycom enhanced expression from the PR-1a promoter and the production of the PR-1 protein. Enhanced activity occurred systemically both from aerial applications to single leaves and from root drenches. Root application strongly promoted veinal expression for the PR-1a promoter compared with confluent production in leaves of sprayed seedlings. Application methods and timing may aid in the success of activators of systemic acquired resistance in field conditions.     

Inhibitors of N-linked glycosylation induce systemic acquired resistance in cucumber

Localized treatment of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Wisonsin) cotyledons with inhibitors of N-glycosylation such as tunicamycin or amphomycin resulted in systemic acquired resistance in the first leaf to the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum lagenarium. Resistance was maximal as early as 2 days after application and best results were observed when the inhibitor was used at 100 μ . The same treatment also induced salicylic acid accumulation as well as the expression of chitinase and a PR1-like protein. The systemic effect is not caused by the transport of tunicamycin, since tunicamycin was not detected in the leaves. Within 2 h after application tunicamycin inhibited N-glycosylation, but not protein synthesis as indicated by labelling experiments. The amount of large and small subunits of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase decreased after tunicamycin treatment and after pathogen inoculation and the expression of BiP, a protein localized in the endoplasmic reticulum was enhanced. The activation of defense reactions seems to be dependent and sensitive to N-linked glycosylation.     

Lettuce ring necrosis,caused by a chytrid-borne agent distinct from lettuce big-vein ‘virus’

Ring necrosis is a serious disease of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) with often coalescing necrotic rings and ring-like patterns on middle leaves of plants or groups of plants in glasshouses during winter. Affected leaves may decay and plants rapidly become unmarketable. The disease was shown to be soil-borne and transmitted by the zoospores ofOlpidium brassicae. Symptoms in lettuce do not appear before seven weeks after inoculation via the soil. Additives to the inoculum and chilling of source leaves, inoculum buffer and utensils enabled mechanical transmission of a pathogenic agent toChenopodium quinoa, C. amaranticolor, Nicotiana benthamiana, N. clevelandii, N. hesperis, andN. occidentalis but not to lettuce. TheChenopodium spp. reacted with local lesions, infection was symptomless inN. clevelandii and mostly so inN. benthamiana, butN. hesperis andN. occidentalis reacted with leaf spotting and plant stunting. With zoospores of an originally pathogen-free fungus culture further cultivated on the roots of cuttings from sap-inoculated plants ofN. clevelandii andN. occidentalis, the agent could be transferred back to lettuce and the symptoms of ring necrosis be reproduced. The agent biologically resembles those of lettuce big-vein (LBV) and freesia leaf necrosis and the tobacco stunt virus. In lettuce it often occurs together with LBV virus but differs in longer incubation period, type of symptoms and symptom appearance only during winter. It could be separated from a mixture with LBV virus by serial transfer always selecting plants without LBV symptoms. So far cultural hygiene, including soil disinfection addressing the vector, is the main means of control.     

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.     

Effects of fusaric acid on cells from tomato cultivars resistant or susceptible toFusarium oxysporum f. sp.Lycopersici

Cell suspension cultures were set up from two tomato cultivars, one resistant, (Rio grande) and one susceptible (63.5) toFusarium oxysporum f. sp.lycopersici. Growth rates of the two cell cultures were comparable. Toxicity of fusaric acid, expressed as the fresh weight loss, was analyzed: It was significant in both cases after 10 h, but toxicity was twice as high for 63.5 suspension cells. In the same way, electrolyte leakage caused by fusaric acid was three times more important for 63.5 suspension cells. Moreover, fusaric acid treatment resulted in an acidification of the extracellular medium for 63.5 suspension cells (0.4 pH unit), whereas an alkalization was observed for Rio grande suspension cells (0.2 pH unit). Preliminary experiments suggest that fusaric acid was partially metabolized by Rio grande suspension cells, however, no detoxified forms of fusaric acid were detected either in cells or in culture filtrates. For these two tomato cultivars, the differences in sensitivity to fusaric acid of cultivated cells correspond to the differences in plant susceptibility toFusarium oxysporum f. sp.lycopersici.Abbreviations BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - conductivity - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - EtOAc ethyl acetate - FA fusaric acid - resistivity     

Evidence for loss of ontogenetic resistance of apple leaves againstVenturia inaequalis

The susceptibility of apple leaves toVenturia inaequalis was investigated by assessing disease on individual leaves of seedlings and labelled shoots of orchard trees. Four sets (A-D) of potted seedlings of cv. Golden Delicious, which had been grown in a glasshouse, each with approximately 30 mature leaves, were exposed to a high-inoculum orchard. Sets A and B were exposed after each other for 47 and 42 days, respectively. As a result of the six and three infection periods during exposure, 94% and 81%, respectively of the seedling shoot tips in set A and set B became infected. However, due to ontogenetic resistance, disease incidence was low in both sets on leaves which were fully expanded at the beginning of exposure. Set C was exposed during both periods (89 days) in which sets A and B were exposed. Not only were all the seedling shoot tips in set C infected, but also — due to the loss of ontogenetic resistance — nearly all of the mature leaves. Ontogenetic resistance was also lost in set D, which was exposed for 57 days at the end of the growing season. The symptoms on fully expanded leaves on plants in sets C and D were typical and similar to those on young leaves. A time course symptom assessment was performed on leaves which had developed early in the season on labelled, field-grown shoots of cv. Golden Delicious trees. A steady increase of disease incidence was detected, which could not only have resulted from infections followed by extended incubation periods. In addition to the increase of typical lesions on both leaf surfaces, there was also an abundance of diffuse mycelial development on the lower surfaces of the leaves of the field-grown trees.     

Phyllosphere yeasts antagonize penetration from appressoria and subsequent infection of maize leaves by Colletotrichum graminicola

In growth cabinet experiments, the common phyllosphere yeastsSporobolomyces roseus andCryptococcus laurentii var.flavescens were sprayed as a mixture (11) onto the fourth leaves of maize plants (Zea mays) two-three days prior to inoculation withColletotrichum graminicola. In four experiments the average yeast population of the treated leaves at the time of pathogen inoculation varied between 5× 10⁴ and 8× 10⁵ cells cm^–2 leaf, whereas on the untreated leaves the yeast population varied from <10³ to 10⁴ cells cm^–2 leaf. The yeasts reduced lesion density and necrosis fromC. graminicola infection by approximately 50%. Contrary to findings with other necrotrophic pathogens, conidial germination, superficial mycelial growth and appressorium formation were not affected. Instead, the reduction of infection could only be explained by a reduced number of penetrations from the normally formed appressoria, a site of interaction not previously recorded.Samenvatting In klimaatkastexperimenten werden maisbladeren (4e blad) twee-drie dagen voor inoculatie metColletotrichum graminicola bespoten met een mengsel (11) van de algemeen voorkomende fyllosfeergistenSporobolomyces roseus enCryptococcus laurentii var.flavescens. In vier experimenten varieerde de gemiddelde gistpopulatie op de behandelde bladeren, op het moment van inoculatie met het pathogen, van 5× 10⁴ tot 8× 10⁵ cellen cm^–2 blad, op de onbehandelde bladeren van <10³ tot 10⁴ cellen cm^–2 blad. De gisten reduceerden de lesiedichtheid en het necrotisch bladoppervlak tengevolge van deC. graminicola infectie voor ongeveer 50%. De stadia in de ontwikkeling van andere necrotrofe pathogenen, die gewoonlijk gevoelig zijn voor antagonisme door gisten, zoals sporekieming, oppervlakkige myceliumgroei en vorming van appressoria, werden bijC. graminicola niet beïnvloed. De waargenomen reductie van infectie kon alleen verklaard worden door een remming van de penetratie vanuit normaal gevormde appressoria. Interactie in dit stadium van het infectieproces is nog niet eerder waargenomen.