Pyoluteorin production byPseudomonas fluorescens strain CHA0 is involved in the suppression ofPythium damping-off of cress but not of cucumber

Pseudomonas fluorescens strain CHA0 is an effective biocontrol agent of various soilborne pathogens. It controls damping-off or root rot caused byPythium ultimum on cucumber, wheat and cress. Strain CHA0 synthesizes several antibiotic metabolites such as hydrogen cyanide, 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol, and pyoluteorin. The role of pyoluteorin in the suppression of damping-off was investigated. Two Tn5 mutants (CHA660 and CHA661) of strain CHA0 were isolated which had lost the capacity to produce pyoluteorin but still produced 2,4-diacteylphloroglucinol and HCN. These mutants still inhibitedP. ultimum on malt agar (which favours the production of 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol) but had partially lost the ability to inhibit this pathogen on King's B agar (which favours the production of pyoluteorin). The two pyoluteorin-negative mutants showed a reduced capacity to suppress damping-off of cress caused byP. ultimum but were as effective in the protection of cucumber against this pathogen as the wild-type strain.These results indicate that, depending on the plant, pyoluteorin production plays a role in the suppression of damping-off by strain CHA0 without being a major mechanism in disease suppression. We suggest that the contribution of pyoluteorin to the biocontrol activity of strain CHA0 is determined by the quantity of this antibiotic produced in the rhizosphere, which might depend on the root exudates of the host plant.     

镰刀菌酸在尖孢镰刀菌侵染过程中的产生规律及运输过程探究

 镰刀菌酸(FSA)是尖孢镰刀菌产生的主要毒素之一,对病害的发展起到主导作用,但是其产生及运输机制尚不清楚,明确镰刀菌酸在寄主体内的产生过程及运输方式对防控作物枯萎病的发生具有重要的理论意义。本研究以黄瓜品种津春4号和尖孢镰刀菌黄瓜专化型菌 (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum) 为试材,进行温室营养液培养试验,对不同侵染时期植株体内的病原菌及镰刀菌酸进行定量分析,结合韧皮部烫伤及分根根盒装置,探究镰刀菌酸的运输及分配机制。结果表明,病原菌的侵染首先从根尖或者侧根原基侵入根系,随后侵入维管组织并局限在木质部导管中,快速大量繁殖并开始产生毒素镰刀菌酸,镰刀菌酸主要通过木质部运输到叶片,发病期(11 dpi)叶片中镰刀菌酸含量是根系中镰刀菌酸含量的10倍。病原菌主要借助镰刀菌酸加速植物萎蔫死亡,并且镰刀菌酸含量与病原菌数量的相关性关系呈显著正相关。本研究进一步明确了病原菌侵染与镰刀菌酸产生的关系,病原菌在根系定殖成功后快速繁殖进入潜育期,随后产生毒素镰刀菌酸,并通过木质部运往地上部,促进叶片萎蔫,加速病原菌进入腐生阶段。在实际生产中我们可以在病害发生前期,未产生大量镰刀菌酸之前加强田间管理,以抑制或减轻枯萎病的发生。     

Salicylic Acid Biosynthetic Genes Expressed in Pseudomonas fluorescens Strain P3 Improve the Induction of Systemic Resistance in Tobacco Against Tobacco Necrosis Virus

ABSTRACT Application of salicylic acid induces systemic acquired resistance in tobacco. pchA and pchB, which encode for the biosynthesis of salicylic acid in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, were cloned into two expression vectors, and these constructs were introduced into two root-colonizing strains of P. fluorescens. Introduction of pchBA into strain P3, which does not produce salicylic acid, rendered this strain capable of salicylic acid production in vitro and significantly improved its ability to induce systemic resistance in tobacco against tobacco necrosis virus. Strain CHA0 is a well-described biocontrol agent that naturally produces salicylic acid under conditions of iron limitation. Introduction of pchBA into CHA0 increased the production of salicylic acid in vitro and in the rhizosphere of tobacco, but did not improve the ability of CHA0 to induce systemic resistance in tobacco. In addition, these genes did not improve significantly the capacity of strains P3 and CHA0 to suppress black root rot of tobacco in a gnotobiotic system.     

Induced suppressiveness to<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium oxysporum</Emphasis> f.sp.<Emphasis Type="Italic">radicis lycopersici</Emphasis> in rockwool substrate used in closed soilless systems

Tomatoes grown in soilless systems can be seriously damaged byFusarium oxysporum Schlect f.sp.radicis lycopersici (Forl) causing Fusarium crown and root rot (FCRR). FCRR suppression can be achieved through the use of chemicals, selected substrates, composts and artificially introduced antagonistic microorganisms. This study evaluated the natural capacity of a used rockwool to suppress FCRR infections. New and used rockwool, sampled from closed soilless systems, was either autoclaved or not, either artificially inoculated withForl or not and, finally, sown with tomato seeds cv. ‘Cuore di Bue’. The effects of autoclaved/non-autoclaved and used/new rockwool on FCRR incidence were assessed by evaluating the symptoms of crown rot on the root — shoot transition zone of tomato seedlings. Non-autoclaved and inoculated used rockwool significantly reduced FCRR incidence when compared with non-autoclaved and inoculated new rockwool. Autoclaved and inoculated used rockwool did not suppress FCRR, similarly to new and inoculated rockwool. These findings are in accordance with other research that, on a cucumber/Pythium host/pathogen complex in a closed rockwool soilless system, demonstrated the key role of resident microflora in suppressing the root rot disease. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Dec. 8, 2006.     

Effect of the Indigenous Microflora on the Development of Root and Crown Rot Caused by Pythium aphanidermatum in Cucumber Grown on Rockwool

ABSTRACT The capacity of the microflora in rockwool to suppress Pythium aphanidermatum, the causative agent of root and crown rot in cucumber, was assessed. Disease development of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) grown on rockwool was evaluated in an "ebb-and-flood" system with a recirculating nutrient solution after inoculation with P. aphanidermatum. In five independent experiments from 1995 to 1998, 11 batches of used rockwool were tested. All batches without P. aphanidermatum problems in the preceding cucumber crop had significantly lower numbers of diseased plants in nonautoclaved than in autoclaved used rockwool; the disease incidence was reduced by 52 to 100%. Suppressiveness also was present in rockwool previously used to grow other vegetable crops. Rockwool originating from a cucumber crop that was severely attacked by Pythium resulted in a high disease incidence. Previously unused (new) rockwool had higher or similar percentages of diseased plants than did nonsterilized used rockwool. Disease suppression in used rockwool could also be measured in a smaller test system. In both systems, autoclaved rockwool became suppressive to Pythium after recolonization with the indigenous microflora. Population sizes of total culturable aerobic bacteria as well as of fluorescent pseudomonads did not correlate with disease suppressiveness, as numbers of bacteria and pseudomonads were similar or lower in nonautoclaved (suppressive) than in autoclaved (nonsuppressive) rockwool. Differences in the structure of the bacterial populations could be visualized by using eubacterial polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Interestingly, the nonautoclaved and the recolonized used rockwool, which were both suppressive, showed different dominating bacterial groups as compared with the autoclaved rockwool. PCR-DGGE patterns obtained at different sampling times showed that the composition of the bacterial populations changed during plant growth. Fungal populations were present in the treatments that yielded suppressive rockwool, i.e., the nonautoclaved and the recolonized rockwool, but they were absent or present in low numbers in the autoclaved rockwool, which permitted a high disease incidence. Suppressiveness of rockwool to Pythium root and crown rot is a hitherto undescribed phenomenon, and knowledge of the mechanism and microorganisms involved will stimulate the development of microbially balanced soilless growing systems.     

Influence of plant species on disease suppression by Pseudomonas fluorescens strain CHAO with enhanced antibiotic production

Introduction of the recombinant cosmid pME3090 into Pseudomonas fluorescens strain CHAO, a good biocontrol agent of various diseases caused by soilborne pathogens, increased three- to five-fold the production of the antibiotic metabolites pyoluteorin (Pit) and 2,4-diacetylphlorogIucinol (Phi) in vitro. Strain CHAO/pME3090 also overproduced Pit and Phi in the rhizosphere of wheat infected or not infected with Pythium ultimum. The biocontrol activity of the wild-type and recombinant Straitis was compared using various plant pathogen-host combinations in a gnotobiotic system. Antibiotic overproduction affected neither the protection of wheat against P. ultimum and Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici nor the growth of wheat plants. In contrast, strain CHA0/pME3090 showed an increased capacity to protect cucumber against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum and Phomopsis sclerotioides , compared with the wild-type strain CHAO, The antibiotic overproducing strain protected tobacco roots significantly better against Thielaviopsis basicola than the wild-type strain but drastically reduced the growth of tobacco plants and was also toxic to the growth of sweet com. On King's B agar and on malt agar, the recombinant strain CHA0/pME3090 inhibited all pathogens more than did the parental strain CHAO. Synthetic Pit and Phi were toxic to all fungi tested. Tobacco and sweet com were more sensitive to synthetic Pit and Phi than were cucumber and wheat. There was no correlation between the sensitivity of the pathogens to the synthetic antibiotics and the degree of disease suppression by strain CHAO pME3090. However, there was a correlation between the sensitivity of the plants and the toxicity of the recombinant strain. We conclude that the plant species rather than the pathogen determines whether cosmid pME3090 in P. fluorescens strain CHAO leads to improved disease suppression.     

Pathogenicity ofPythium species on cucumber in peat-sand,rockwool and hydroponics

Pythium spp. that cause damping-off of seedlings also can cause root rot of older plants and lead to yield reductions. This can be especially severe in soilless cultures where the fungus can spread easily with the nutrient solution. 39Pythium isolates obtained from discolored roots were assayed for their ability to cause damping-off on cucumber seedlings in sand-peat and for their pathogenicity in soilless culture of cucumber in rockwool or hydroponic solution. Isolates ofPythium aphanidermatum, P. irregulare, P. sylvaticum andP. ultimum were highly pathogenic in sand-peat, but onlyP. aphanidermatum strains were pathogenic in soilless conditions and led to root decay, plant death in rockwool culture and growth reduction in hydroponic culture. One strain ofP. aphanidermatum significantly reduced the yield of cucumber grown in rockwool under conditions similar to those of commercial cultures.     

Combinations of Fungicides with Phylloplane Yeasts for Improved Control of Botrytis cinerea on Geranium Seedlings

ABSTRACT Control of Botrytis cinerea on geranium seedlings was evaluated in treatments with phylloplane yeasts in combination with 10 fungicides used to manage Botrytis blight of ornamental plants. Rhodotorula glutinis PM4 significantly reduced the development of lesions caused by B. cinerea on geranium cotyledons; however, yeast biocontrol efficacy was highly variable between trials. Treatment with the yeast in combination with azoxystrobin or trifloxystrobin at one tenth the labeled rate (7.5 mug a.i. ml(-1)) or the full labeled rate (7.5 mug a.i. ml(-1)) reduced lesion development, compared to treatment with the yeast or the fungicide alone. Vinclozolin at half the labeled rate or the full labeled rate (250 or 500 mug a.i. ml(-1)), in combination with R. glutinis PM4, significantly reduced the development of lesions caused by an isolate of B. cinerea resistant to vinclozolin. Copper hydroxide and iprodione at one-tenth the labeled rates, with or without yeast, were highly effective in limiting lesion development. Mancozeb did not increase the biocontrol efficacy of the yeast, and thiophanate-methyl negatively affected the yeast efficacy. Improved disease control was observed in treatments with vinclozolin at the labeled rate and R. glutinis PM4 at cell densities of 5 x 10(5) and 1 x 10(6) cells ml(-1), but not 1 x 10(5) cells ml(-1), on seedlings co-inoculated with B. cinerea in a suspension containing 1 x 10(5) conidia ml(-1). Disease control improved in treatments with combinations of vinclozolin and eight other isolates of R. glutinis, two isolates of R. graminis, and two isolates of R. mucilaginosa. Biocontrol was not observed in treatments with two isolates of R. minuta. The combination of yeast and vinclozolin significantly reduced the germination of conidia of B. cinerea and the growth of R. glutinis PM4 in vitro. All combinations of R. glutinis PM4 with azoxystrobin, trifloxystrobin, or vinclozolin provided highly effective and consistent disease control not observed in treatments with the fungicides alone or the yeast alone.     

内生解淀粉芽胞杆菌BEB33脂肽类化合物分析及对香蕉枯萎病菌拮抗作用研究

为解析内生解淀粉芽胞杆菌Bacillus amyloliquefaciens BEB33的生防机理,检测了该菌株脂肽类化合物合成相关基因,利用基质协助激光解吸附离子化-飞行时间质谱分析了该菌株脂肽类化合物的种类,评价了脂肽类粗提物对香蕉枯萎病菌（FOC4）形态、镰刀菌酸合成的影响,以及粗提物对香蕉枯萎病的生防潜力分析。结果显示,BEB33基因组中编码有surfactin、fengycin、iturin和bacillomycin D 4种脂肽类物质合成酶基因。使用M9培养基发酵能产生surfactin、fengycin和bacillomycin D 3种脂肽类物质;脂肽类粗提物可导致香蕉枯萎病菌菌丝细胞膨大,细胞膜穿孔,镰刀菌酸产量降低70%;并发现脂肽类粗提物对香蕉枯萎病具有明显的防治效果。在不同处理中,枯萎病发病率分别降低47.67%、23.22%和36.56%,病情指数分别降低38.09、28.56和35.87。本文所获研究结果为进一步利用该菌株进行香蕉枯萎病生防制剂的研发提供理论基础。     

Interactions between the biocontrol agent Pseudomonas fluorescens CHA0 and Thielaviopsis basicola in tobacco roots observed by immunofluorescence microscopy

Pseudomonas fluorescens CHA0 protects plants from damage caused by several soilborne fungi. In this work, immunofluorescence microscopy was used to investigate the colonization of tobacco roots by CHA0 and its physical relationship with the black root rot fungus Thielaviopsis basicola . The pseudomonad colonized the rhizoplane shortly after planting of tobacco seedlings in sterile soil microcosms, in which it had been introduced as soil inoculant. CHA0 was found between and inside cells in the epidermis and the cortex, as well as in the xylem vessels, within 4–7 days after planting of seedlings. The presence of CHA0 delayed the colonization of the interior of tobacco roots by T. basicola compared with the treatment in which only the fungus had been inoculated. Likewise, the pseudomonad reduced the extent of black root rot from 82% to 28%. However, CHA0 was seldom found in contact with the mycelium of T. basicola or in its vicinity, indicating that direct colonization of the mycelium of T. basicola by CHA0 was not required for protection of tobacco against black root rot. Overall, the results suggest that the interior of the root is a key site for implementation of the strain's biocontrol activity against soilborne plant-pathogenic fungi.     

Potential for Integrated Control of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in Glasshouse Lettuce Using Coniothyrium minitans and Reduced Fungicide Application

ABSTRACT All pesticides used in United Kingdom glasshouse lettuce production (six fungicides, four insecticides, and one herbicide) were evaluated for their effects on Coniothyrium minitans mycelial growth and spore germination in vitro agar plate tests. Only the fungicides had a significant effect with all three strains of C. minitans tested, being highly sensitive to iprodione (50% effective concentration [EC(50)] 7 to 18 mug a.i. ml(-1)), moderately sensitive to thiram (EC(50) 52 to 106 mug a.i. ml(-1)), but less sensitive to the remaining fungicides (EC(50) over 200 mug a.i. ml(-1)). Subsequently, all pesticides were assessed for their effect on the ability of C. minitans applied as a solid substrate inoculum to infect sclerotia of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in soil tray tests. Despite weekly applications of pesticides at twice their recommended concentrations, C. minitans survived in the soil and infected sclerotia equally in all pesticide-treated and untreated control soil trays. This demonstrated the importance of assessing pesticide compatibility in environmentally relevant tests. Based on these results, solid substrate inoculum of a standard and an iprodione-tolerant strain of C. minitans were applied individually to S. sclerotiorum-infested soil in a glasshouse before planting lettuce crops. The effect of a single spray application of iprodione on disease control in the C. minitans treatments was assessed. Disease caused by S. sclerotiorum was significantly reduced by C. minitans and was enhanced by a single application of iprodione, regardless of whether the biocontrol agent was iprodione-tolerant. In a second experiment, disease control achieved by a combination of C. minitans and a single application of iprodione was shown to be equivalent to that of prophylactic sprays with iprodione every 2 weeks. The fungicide did not affect the ability of C. minitans to spread into plots where only the fungicide was applied and to infect sclerotia. These results indicate that integrated control of S. sclerotiorum with soil applications of C. minitans and reduced foliar iprodione applications was feasible, did not require a fungicide tolerant isolate, and that suppression of Sclerotinia disease by C. minitans under existing chemical control regimes has credence.     

Induction of systemic resistance in banana (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Musa</Emphasis> spp.) against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Banana bunchy top virus</Emphasis> (BBTV) by combining chitin with root-colonizing <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas fluorescens</Emphasis> strain CHA0

Pseudomonas fluorescens strains CHA0 and Pf1 were investigated for their biocontrol efficacy against Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) in banana (Musa spp.) alone and in combination with chitin under glasshouse and field conditions. Bioformulation of P. fluorescens strain CHA0 with chitin was effective in reducing the banana bunchy top disease (BBTD) incidence in banana under glasshouse and field conditions. In addition to disease control, the bioformulation increased the economic yield significantly compared to the untreated control. Increased accumulation of oxidative enzymes, peroxidase (PO), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins, chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase and phenolics were observed in CHA0 bioformulation amended with chitin-treated plants challenged with BBTV under glasshouse conditions. Indirect ELISA indicated the reduction in viral antigen concentration in P. fluorescens strain CHA0 with chitin-treated banana plants corresponding to reduced disease ratings. The present study revealed that induction of defence enzymes by P. fluorescens with chitin amendment reduced the BBTD incidence and increased bunch yield in banana.     

Biological control of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici

Fungi known to produce lytic enzymes were used in an attempt to control wilt of tomato caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL). Some of the fungal species (Penicillium oxalicum, Penicillium purpurogenum and Aspergillus nidulans) damaged hyphae of FOL in vitro and reduced the numbers of microconidia in the soil. Treatments with fungi did not result in a reduction in either chlamydospores of FOL in soil or populations of FOL in the rhizosphere of tomato. P. oxalicum was the most effective agent of biocontrol, and it reduced disease severity in both non-autoclaved (20% decrease) and sterile soil. In sterile soil, P. oxalicum reduced disease with different levels of severity (27% decrease at high levels and 50% decrease at low levels). Disease control by A. nidulans and P purpurogenum was only achieved when disease severity was low in sterile soil (55% and 45%, respectively).     

Biotic Factors Affecting Expression of the 2,4-Diacetylphloroglucinol Biosynthesis Gene phlA in Pseudomonas fluorescens Biocontrol Strain CHA0 in the Rhizosphere

ABSTRACT Production of the polyketide antimicrobial metabolite 2,4-diacetyl-phloroglucinol (DAPG) is a key factor in the biocontrol activity of Pseudomonas fluorescens CHA0. Strain CHA0 carrying a translational phlA'-'lacZ fusion was used to monitor expression of the phl biosynthetic genes in vitro and in the rhizosphere. Expression of the reporter gene accurately reflected actual production of DAPG in vitro and in planta as determined by direct extraction of the antimicrobial compound. In a gnotobiotic system containing a clay and sand-based artificial soil, reporter gene expression was significantly greater in the rhizospheres of two monocots (maize and wheat) compared with gene expression in the rhizospheres of two dicots (bean and cucumber). We observed this host genotype effect on bacterial gene expression also at the level of cultivars. Significant differences were found among six additional maize cultivars tested under gnotobiotic conditions. There was no difference between transgenic maize expressing the Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal gene cry1Ab and the near-isogenic parent line. Plant age had a significant impact on gene expression. Using maize as a model, expression of the phlA'-'lacZ reporter gene peaked at 24 h after planting of pregerminated seedlings, and dropped to a fourth of that value within 48 h, remaining at that level throughout 22 days of plant growth. Root infection by Pythium ultimum stimulated bacterial gene expression on both cucumber and maize, and this was independent of differences in rhizosphere colonization on these host plants. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive evaluation of how biotic factors that commonly confront bacterial inoculants in agricultural systems (host genotype, host age, and pathogen infection) modulate the expression of key biocontrol genes for disease suppression.     

Fusaric acid: phytotoxicity and in vitro production by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lilii,the causal agent of basal rot in lilies

The production of phytotoxins byFusarium oxysporum f.sp.lilii, a pathogen causing bulb and scale rot in lilies, was investigated. To determine the toxic activity of culture filtrate, a bioassay with in vitro grown scale bulblets or with callus was set up. The fungus produces toxic components in different culture media. The highest toxicity was observed in Czapek Dox medium. HPLC and GC/MS analyses revealed the presence of fusaric acid at toxic concentrations in this medium. The production of fusaric acid in time coincides with the increase of toxic activity in the culture filtrate. It is concluded that at least part of this toxicity is due to fusaric acid.     

棉花枯萎病菌镰刀菌酸的产生和致病力的关系

 镰刀菌酸是棉花枯萎病菌的次生代谢产物,对一种非特异性的毒素。为了探索棉花枯萎病原菌的镰刀菌酸产量与致病力的关系及不同棉花品种对镰刀菌酸的反应,本实验测定了10个新疆吐鲁番地区的菌株和20个内地的菌株,发现其产镰刀菌酸的数量多少与生理型无关.培养初期各菌株的镰刀菌酸产量与菌株的致病力有关.陆地棉的10个品种对镰刀菌酸的抗性与它们在生产中表现出对枯萎病的抗性一致.     

Role of lipid metabolism through bioremediation of fusaric acid in germinating peanut seedlings

The effect ofBacillus subtilis on the contents of total lipids, neutral lipids, phospholipids and fatty acids in cotyledonary leaves of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. cv. ‘Giza 6’) was studied in the presence and absence of the mycotoxin fusaric acid. In experiments conducted in a water culture in test tubes, the amount of total lipids was decreased by fusaric acid and increased byB. subtilis; combined treatment reduced the amount. With respect to the effect of fusaric acid on neutral lipids, a non-significant increase in diacylglycerol, significant decreases in triacylglycerol and sterol, and significant increases in sterol ester and non-esterified fatty acids, were obtained, whereasB. subtilis had the opposite effect. Generally, the amounts of the detected phospholipid fractions and the percentages of unsaturation index as well as fatty acids (palmitic, stearic and oleic) were reduced by fusaric acid. Linoleic acid, on the other hand, showed a reverse response: it was increased by fusaric acid alone or in combination withB. subtilis, the increase in the first case being greater than in the second, whereas linoleic acid disappeared in theB. subtilis treatment. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Dec. 16, 2003.     

Effects of Varying Environmental Conditions on Biological Control of Fusarium Wilt of Tomato by Nonpathogenic Fusarium spp

ABSTRACT The influence of varying environmental and cropping conditions including temperature, light, soil type, pathogen isolate and race, and cultivar of tomato on biological control of Fusarium wilt of tomato by isolates of nonpathogenic Fusarium oxysporum (CS-20 and CS-24) and F. solani (CS-1) was evaluated in greenhouse and growth chamber experiments. Liquid spore suspensions (10(6)/ml) of the biocontrol isolates were applied to soilless potting mix at the time of tomato seeding, and the seedlings were transplanted into pathogen-infested field soil 2 weeks later. Temperature regimes ranging from 22 to 32 degrees C significantly affected disease development and plant physiological parameters. Biocontrol isolate CS-20 significantly reduced disease at all temperature regimes tested, yielding reductions of disease incidence of 59 to 100% relative to pathogen control treatments. Isolates CS-24 and CS-1 reduced disease incidence in the greenhouse and at high temperatures, but were less effective at the optimum temperature for disease development (27 degrees C). Growing plants under shade (50% of full light) versus full light affected some plant growth parameters, but did not affect the efficacy of biocontrol of any of the three bio-control isolates. Isolate CS-20 effectively reduced disease incidence (56 to 79% reduction) in four different field soils varying in texture (sandy to clayey) and organic matter content (0 to 3.2%). Isolate CS-1 reduced disease in the sandy and loamy soils (49 to 66% reduction), but was not effective in a heavy clay soil. Both CS-1 and CS-20 were equally effective against all three races of the pathogen, as well as multiple isolates of each race (48 to 66% reduction in disease incidence). Both isolates, CS-1 and CS-20, were equally effective in reducing disease incidence (66 to 80% reduction) by pathogenic races 1, 2, and 3 on eight different tomato cultivars containing varying levels of inherent resistance to Fusarium wilt (susceptible, resistant to race 1, or resistant to races 1 and 2). These results demonstrate that both these Fusarium isolates, and particularly CS-20, can effectively reduce Fusarium wilt disease of tomato under a variety of environmental conditions and have potential for further development.     

Comparative efficacy of systemic acquired resistance-inducing compounds against rust infection in sunflower plants

ABSTRACT Four inducers of systemic acquired resistance (SAR) were examined for their efficacy in controlling rust infection caused by Puccinia helianthi in sunflower plants. Of the four compounds, DL-3-amino-n-butanoic acid (DL-beta-aminobutyric acid [BABA]) was the most effective and sodium salicylate (NaSA) was the least effective in protecting against rust. In leaf disk assays, full protection was obtained with BABA at 25 mug/ml, benzodiathiazol-S-methyl ester (BTH) at 100 mug/ml, 2,6-di-chloroisonicotinic acid (INA) at 100 mug/ml, and NaSA at >200 mug/ml. L-2-amino-n-butanoic acid (AABA) was partially effective, whereas N-methyl-BABA and 4-aminobutnoic acid (GABA) were ineffective. The R-enantiomer of BABA, but not the S-enantiomer, was more effective than the racemic mixture. In intact plants, BABA applied as a foliar spray or a root dip, before or after (up to 48 h) inoculation, provided significant protection for 8 days. BTH, INA, and NaSA were less protective and more phytotoxic compared with BABA. BABA did not affect urediospore germination, germ tube growth, appressorial formation, or initial ingress of P. helianthi, but strongly suppressed mycelial colonization in the mesophyll and, consequently, pustule and urediospore formation. No accumulation of defense compounds (phenolics, lignin, or callose) was detected in BABA-treated inoculated or noninoculated plants. This is the first report on the activity of BABA against an obligate Basidomycete pathogen in planta.