Regenerative capacity and response to pre‐emergent herbicides by stolon fragments of triquetrous murdannia (Murdannia triquetra) in rice

Triquetrous murdannia is an annual stoloniferous weed commonly found in wheat‐rice rotation fields in China. Disturbance after wheat harvesting can fragment stolons of triquetrous murdannia, and the regeneration of these fragments may contribute to the spread of this weed. In this study, the regenerate capacity and response to pre‐emergence (PRE) herbicides of stolon fragment of triquetrous murdannia were evaluated in a screenhouse. The experiment consisted of two types of single node fragments (2‐cm stolon node and five‐leaf stolon tips) placed under different floating, flooding and burial depth conditions. Results indicated that floating depth did not influence the survival of the two types of fragments but significantly decreased their growth (stolon length, number of branches, and biomass). The stolon nodes were more sensitive to flooding than stolon tips; no stolon node survived at a flooding depth of 6 cm. The highest survival was observed for fragments placed on the soil surface, and no fragments buried to a depth of 2 cm survived. PRE application of benzobicyclon, butachlor, metazosulfuron, and triafamone significantly decreased the branching and biomass of the stolon nodes; however, only triafamone and metazosulfuron significantly inhibited the regeneration of the stolon tips. These results suggest that stolon fragments with one node are likely to promote vegetative reproduction in triquetrous murdannia, and thus, disturbance may contribute to the spread of this weed. Tillage to bury fragments below their maximum regeneration depth and application of an effective PRE herbicide could serve as important tools for managing triquetrous murdannia.     

Clonal growth and fragment regeneration of Rumex obtusifolius L.

Clonal growth and fragment regeneration of Rumex obtusifolius L. were analysed in two dif ferent studies. Clonal growth system was des cribed by a morphological study of underground structure of different-aged individuals, using maximal branching order in the stem system as an age estimator. Glasshouse experiments were conducted, testing the regenerative capacity of different below-ground parts and the estab lishment of above root-collar fragments planted at different depths under contrasting water regimes. Results showed the presence of a ‘phalanx’ type clonal growth system in grassland populations of Rumex. The main structure in volved in clonal growth proved to be the stem system; the region above the root collar was also the only part able to regrow after damage. Stem fragment regeneration occurred to depths of 15 cm, but was prevented in soils maintained at waterlogging and field capacity. The significance of these results in relation to nonchemical con trol of Rumex populations in grasslands is discussed.     

Establishment of Cynodon dactylon from stolon and rhizome fragments

Summary A field survey and two field experiments were carried out to compare the performance of rhizomes and stolons of Cynodon dactylon , in terms of their sprouting efficiency and the dynamics and growth characteristics of the established ramets. The survey examined the relationships between morphological characteristics of above- and below-ground structures of ramets naturally established from both types of fragments in a crop field. The first experiment compared the emergence and early growth of ramets from standardized stolon and rhizome fragments, grown under uniform field conditions without competition. It also comparatively analysed the predictive value of the maximum stolon length on dry matter partitioning. The second experiment investigated fragment type × size interactions on the establishment, dry matter accumulation and partitioning in stolon- and rhizome-originated ramets. Results showed that under normal cropping conditions, more ramets can be originated from rhizome than from equivalent stolon fragments. Higher sprouting efficiency and dry matter partitioning to aerial structures, and a higher size dependence of the effective ramet recruitment were observed for stolon than for rhizome fragments. The observed differences between fragment type are dicussed in relation to their implications for predictions of weed emergence, and the efficacy of control strategies used under different cropping tillage systems.     

Potential allelopathic effects of Mikania micrantha on the seed germination and seedling growth of Coix lacryma‐jobi

The allelopathic potential of Mikania micrantha H.B.K. to affect the seed germination and seedling growth of Coix lacryma‐jobi L. was investigated. Water‐soluble allelopathic substances were found in the water extracts of M. micrantha. The effect of the water extracts on the seed germination and seedling growth of C. lacryma‐jobi was concentration‐dependent. The water extracts from the different plant parts (leaf, stem, and root) of M. micrantha differed in their effect on the germination and seedling growth of C. lacryma‐jobi, with the effect of the leaf extract being the least inhibitory. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the C. lacryma‐jobi seedlings increased by 64%, 45%, and 52% of the control with increasing concentrations of the extracts of the root, stem, and leaf (80, 400, and 400 g L^?1, respectively). The extract from the M. micrantha roots significantly increased the catalase (CAT) activity of the C. lacryma‐jobi seedlings (48% and 54% of the control at the concentrations of 20 g L^?1 and 80 g L^?1, respectively). The extracts from the leaves and stems at low concentrations increased the CAT activity, but at high concentrations, the extracts decreased the CAT activity. The extracts from the roots, stems, and leaves at concentrations of 80, 400, and 400 g L^?1 also significantly decreased the peroxidase (POD) activity of the C. lacryma‐jobi seedlings to 27%, 52%, and 34% of the control, respectively. These results indicate that the water extracts of M. micrantha could inhibit the seed germination and seedling growth of C. lacryma‐jobi through the regulation of anti‐oxidase activity, such as POD and CAT in the cells. The growth inhibition of the C. lacryma‐jobi seedlings is probably related to injury after oxidization of the cell membranes with the increase of MDA content.     

Impact of Cuscuta australis infection on the photosynthesis of the invasive host,Mikania micrantha,under drought condition

Cuscuta species (dodders) are widespread stem holoparasites that depend on host plants for their entire mineral and water and most carbohydrate requirements. Dodders negatively affect host photosynthesis but precise information on their impact on hosts in the presence of environmental stress factors (i.e. drought) is little known. In a pot experiment, the leaf traits, gas exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence of the invasive climber, Mikania micrantha, parasitized by Cuscuta australis, were investigated in order to study variations of host photosynthesis in response to parasitism and drought. The results showed that the concomitant presence of C. australis infection and drought significantly impacted the leaf traits (i.e. increased leaf dry mass content), gas exchange (i.e. decreased stomatal conductance and transpiration rates and increased water‐use efficiency) and quantum yield of chlorophyll a fluorescence of M. micrantha. The presence of a single stress factor (C. australis infection or drought), however, only significantly affected the leaf traits and gas exchange of M. micrantha. These results suggested that the combined additive effects of C. australis parasitism and drought significantly suppressed the photosynthesis of M. micrantha in relation to both stomatal and non‐stomatal limitation of host photosynthesis. This study provides insights into Cuscuta–host interactions under drought conditions in the tropics.     

Influence of obligate parasite Cuscuta campestris on the community of its host Mikania micrantha

As a means of biologically controlling Mikania micrantha in South China, the influence of the native obligate parasite Cuscuta campestris on its natural community was studied in the field. Mikania micrantha is a non‐indigenous vine that smothers other vegetation and has become a major invader of agricultural land and native areas in Southern China. These preliminary results showed pronounced effects on M. micrantha by C. campestris. Cuscuta campestris significantly reduced biomass of M. micrantha, increased species diversity and helped re‐establishment of native species. Biomass of M. micrantha decreased from 328 g m^?2 to 82 g m^?2, biomass of companion species increased from 41 g m^?2 to 145 g m^?2, the total number of species increased from 7 to 19 and the species diversity index from 1.8 to 5.6, when C. campestris was present. These results indicated that the use of C. campestris could be a potentially effective way of controlling M. micrantha and could help us achieve the novel objective of biological control of weeds using weeds.     

Site‐specific management is crucial to managing Mikania micrantha

Increasingly, weeds have been taking on global distributions. With the proliferation of invasive weeds has come the challenge of managing these species over broad geographical regions, with diverse habitats and political jurisdictions. Here, we review the management of Mikania micrantha Kunth (Asteraceae; mile‐a‐minute) throughout its invaded range, extending through most of the Pacific islands and southern and south‐east Asia. Context matters when determining the best course of action for managing M. micrantha, as it has invaded a large variety of agricultural and natural systems. In Queensland, Australia and Florida, USA, M. micrantha has been targeted in relatively successful eradication campaigns, highlighting the importance of early detection and rapid response methods, while elsewhere in its invaded range, populations are either still increasing or showing limited signs of decline. An inter‐regional approach to research and management should incorporate successful management strategies employed throughout the invaded range including, but not limited to, chemical and cultural control practices, manual and mechanical control, classical biological control using the rust fungus Puccinia spegazzinii, plant–plant competition and integrated approaches utilising two or more control methods concurrently. Additional knowledge of M. micrantha genetics is required to determine if management approaches could be fine‐tuned for particular populations. Countries bordering the Mekong River formed a network in 2011 to co‐ordinate the management of invasive species such as M. micrantha. Expanding such a collaborative approach to other regions could further reduce populations of M. micrantha and limit its spread.     

Self-incompatibility in Mikania micrantha in South China

Mikania micrantha is a successful invasive weed in many parts of the world, but we do not know how its mating system may have contributed to this. Therefore, its mating system was studied in an open M. micrantha population during the flowering seasons of 2004 and 2005. Pollen/ovule ratio was determined and pollination treatments were applied on entire inflorescences to estimate the seed/ovule ratio. The pollen/ovule ratio of M. micrantha was 4008, and seed/ovule ratio was 0.56 for open pollination and 0.0034 and 0.0038 for wind pollination and selfing respectively. These data indicate that the weed is self‐incompatible and needs insect pollination.     

Ecophysiological attributes of Mikania micrantha,an exotic invasive weed,at two different elevations in the tropical forest regions of the Western Ghats,South India

Mikania micrantha H.B.K. is a fast‐growing, perennial vine and one of the world's worst alien invasive weeds. It is a major threat to agro‐ecosystems, plantation crops and agro‐forestry systems. An attempt was made to understand the physiological adaptation and ecological amplitude of M. micrantha at two different altitudes and seasons in the Western Ghats of south India. The relationships between the net photosynthetic rate (P_N) and other physiological parameters, like stomatal conductance (g_s), transpiration rate, intercellular CO₂ concentration, vapor pressure deficit and water use efficiency, and environmental factors, like photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), leaf temperature and air temperature, were analyzed in order to understand their physiological adaptabilities. The P_N exhibited a peak at 10.00 hours and declined gradually at both elevations; however, the populations at the lower elevation had a significantly greater P_N than the populations at the higher elevation in November. The P_N and g_s were positively correlated with the PAR. Under significantly different PAR levels, the difference in the average P_N was not significant for summer but was significant for winter between the two elevations. It suggested that the photosynthetic ability of M. micrantha is not affected by a difference in altitude (451 m and 912 m), as the differences in the environmental parameters were inconspicuous between the two elevations. These results indicated that this weed possesses great phenotypic plasticity and thrives better at lower elevations.     

SPATIAL GROWTH OF CYNODON DACTYLON (L.) PERS.*

Summary. Small sprigs of Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., were planted and grown without competition from weeds and crops for 2 1/2 years. The plant spread by means of above-ground creeping stolons and subterranean rhizomes which could also emerge as aerial shoots, producing in their turn new stolons and rhizomes. Initially there was linear extension of stolons and rhizomes, following which gaps in the sod were filled by stolon branching and new shoots. There was no preferential direction of stolon elongation and established sods developed an approximately circular shape and expanded concentrically. The rate of increase in sod area was similar in both years of observation but radial extension was smaller in the second year than in young plants. The mean sod area was 25 m² after 2½ years of growth, and mean monthly area increment was 0·9 m². Growth almost stopped in the cold season and exceeded 2 m² per month in the summer. The plants had extended up to 3·9 m from the plant centre after 2 1/2 years. The number of flowering culms per sod, produced only in the warm season, was directly proportional to sod area; seeds were infertile in the Newe Ya'ar area. After 2½ years of growth about 70% of the rhizome dry weight was present in the upper 20 cm of soil. Few rhizomes penetrated deeper than 40 cm. More than 60% of the rhizomes were present within 1 m radius of the plant centre and 90% were present within 2 m radius. Croissance spatiale de Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.     

The effects of white clover mosaic virus on vegetative growth and yield of clones of S.100 white clover

Ramet of eight clones of cultivar S.100 white clover were infected with white clover mosaic virus (WCMV) and compared with uninfected ramets. Infection reduced herbage yield over two cuts by between 25 and 75%, with a mean of 40% at both. Petiole length was reduced significantly by 8% at the first cut, but not at the second. There was an overall reduction of about 6% in mid-rib length. The mean length of the longest stolon was reduced by about 20% at both cuts, but this did not reflect the reaction of whole plants as total stolon length was reduced by a mean of 43%, within a range of 25–75%. The mean dry weight of stolon was reduced by 47%, while stolon specific weight (weight per unit length) was reduced by 7%. The reduced leaf yield in WCMV-infected plants was caused mainly by a reduction in stolon growth and not by a reduction in leaf size. Virus infection reduced the total number of growing points per plant by over 30%, but the number per metre of stolon was increased by over 20%. The total acid-soluble carbohydrate content of stolons was unaffected.
For all growth parameters measured, there was considerable variation between the eight clones in their reaction to WCMV infection, most clones being affected detrimentally. In one clone, however, leaf dry weight yield of infected plants at the first cut was double that of healthy plants. At the second cut, both leaf and total stolon dry weights were greater by 40%, the total number of growing points by 80%, and the growing points per metre of stolon by 30%.     

Influence of abiotic factors,inoculum source,and cultivar susceptibility on the potato tuber blemish diseases black dot (Colletotrichum coccodes) and silver scurf (Helminthosporium solani)

Black dot and silver scurf are potato blemish diseases whose economic impact has increased in recent years. Because their symptomatology on tubers is visually similar, disease assessment does not usually differentiate between the two pathogens, which share the same ecological niche. The epidemiology of black dot has been extensively studied, especially in the UK, but the factors that influence silver scurf have been less investigated. In this study, the influence of cultivar, source of inoculum, and environmental conditions on both diseases was studied in field trials over a three-year period (2016–2018) in Switzerland. Planting minitubers did not prevent either disease in daughter tubers, indicating the contribution of soil as an inoculum reservoir. An arbitrary threshold of Colletotrichum coccodes soil inoculum could be set to discriminate between low and high disease risk. For the first time, Helminthosporium solani DNA was detected in stolons, and infections appeared earlier in stolons than in tubers. H. solani stolon and tuber infections usually appeared later in the season than those of C. coccodes. Black dot severity correlated positively with precipitation, while silver scurf severity correlated positively with temperature. Table potato cultivars commonly grown in Switzerland exhibited significant differences in susceptibility to both diseases, and cultivars with low susceptibility to both silver scurf and black dot were identified. These results gave new insights into understanding the factors driving the epidemiology of potato blemish diseases and may contribute to building a risk assessment scheme to manage both diseases simultaneously.     

Molecular identification and prevalence of Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae causing red stripe of sugarcane in China

Red stripe caused by the bacterium Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae (Aaa) is a disease of sugarcane that is distributed worldwide. In this study, 108 sugarcane leaf samples were collected in 2013–2016 from nine sugarcane‐growing regions in China. Aaa was detected by PCR with specific and novel primers from the 16S–23S rDNA internal transcribed spacer region in 81 of 84 (96%) leaves with red stripe symptoms and in 20 of 24 (83%) leaves without symptoms. Furthermore, Aaa was detected in all nine sampling locations representing six sugarcane‐producing provinces in China. The 101 amplified fragments were cloned and sequenced. The size of the nucleotide sequences varied from 436 to 454 bp and the sequence identity ranged from 89.2% to 100%, suggesting a significant genetic variation among Aaa strains from China. Five major restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) profiles were obtained by in silico and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analyses of the PCR products digested with HindIII and EcoRI. The causal agent of sugarcane red stripe was also successfully isolated from a diseased plant and its pathogenicity confirmed by inoculation of healthy sugarcane plantlets and reproduction of disease symptoms. The data showed that Aaa is currently widespread in China, suggesting that control methods should be implemented to limit the impact of red stripe on sugarcane production.     

新型膦酸盐类化合物(DHEAP)对春玉米植株性状及产量的影响

玉米倒伏和增产被认为是相互制约的2个因素,而作物化学调控技术可以合理协调两者间的关系。以先玉335玉米为试材,研究了1种新的膦酸盐类化合物N,N-二乙基-2-己酰氧基-乙胺(2-氯乙基)膦酸盐(DHEAP)对春玉米植株性状和产量的影响。结果表明,于拔节初期叶面喷施该新化合物的水溶液,可:1)降低玉米株高,显著降低基部伸长节间长度和穗位高度,增加节间直径,且具有明显的剂量-效应关系;2)增强玉米植株第2和第3节间的抗折力,有利于提高植株的抗倒伏能力;3)对穗粒数和千粒重的影响因年份和施药剂量不同而存在差异,总产量增幅在3%~8%之间。通过测定玉米伸长节间内源激素含量,发现DHEAP处理能显著降低生长素(IAA)和赤霉素(GAs)的含量,提高脱落酸(ABA)含量,从而极显著地降低GAs/ABA的比值。推测这可能是该化合物调控玉米植株性状的生理机制之一。     

Downward vascular translocation of a green fluorescent protein-tagged strain of Dickeya sp. (Biovar 3) from stem and leaf inoculation sites on potato

Translocation of a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged Dickeya sp. from stems or from leaves to underground parts of potato plants was studied in greenhouse experiments. Thirty days after stem inoculation, 90% of plants expressed symptoms at the stem base and 95% of plants showed browning of internal stem tissue. The GFP-tagged Dickeya sp. was detected by dilution plating in extracts of the stem interiors (100%), stem bases (90%), roots (80%), stolons (55%), and progeny tubers (24%). In roots, the GFP-tagged Dickeya sp. was found inside and between parenchyma cells whereas, in stems and stolons, the GFP-tagged Dickeya sp. was found in the xylem vessels and protoxylem cells. In progeny tubers, this strain was detected in the stolon end. Thirty days after leaf inoculation, the GFP-tagged Dickeya sp. was detected in extracts of 75% of the leaves, 88% of the petioles, 63% of the axils, and inside 25% of the stems taken 15 cm above the ground level. UV microscopy confirmed the presence of the GFP-tagged Dickeya sp. inside petioles and in the main leaf veins. No blackleg or aerial stem rot and no translocation of the GFP-tagged Dickeya sp. to underground plant parts was observed. The implications for contamination of progeny tubers are discussed.     

Exceptional length of ITS in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plasmopara halstedii</Emphasis> is due to multiple repetitions in the ITS-2 region

Plasmopara halstedii, cause of downy mildew of sunflower, is a pathogen of worldwide economic importance. Efforts to amplify the ITS-region from this organism revealed an unexpected fragment length of about 2600 bp, in contrast to about 900 bp, reported for other members of the Peronosporaceae. First attempts to obtain the complete sequence of the P. halstedii fragment were unsuccessful, due to repeated elements in ITS, which were uncovered later on. The presence of a single EcoRI-site allowed us to apply a restriction-ligation procedure to amplify parts of the ITS fragment separately. Sequencing of these fragments revealed the presence of four copies of a tandemly arranged repetitive element in the ITS-2 region. The complete sequence was obtained by using a sequencing primer which annealed shortly before the repetitions so covering the gap in the sequence around the restriction site. The ITS sequence in P. halstedii (AY773346) consisted of 2587 bp in total, with ITS-2 accounting for 2212 bp alone. This is the longest ITS-2 sequence reported so far for any examined species.     

Spray application factors and plant growth regulator performance: I. Bioassays and biological response

Bioassays were adapted to investigate effects of droplet size and carrier volume on performance of daminozide, gibberellic acid (GA₃) and 2,4-D using Phaseolus vulgaris L. as a model system. Response to plant growth regulators was indexed by inhibition (daminozide), promotion of internode elongation (GA₃) or ethylene production (2,4-D). Elongation of first plus second internodes above primary leaves was evaluated 14 days after treatment of primary leaves, while ethylene production was determined from head-space samples of incubated leaves 24 h after treatment. Daminozide inhibition of internode elongation was related to decreased cell size and number in pith and epidermis (range 49–70% of the untreated control). GA₃ increased cell size and number in both tissues 2·3- to 4·8-fold. Responsiveness to daminozide and 2,4-D markedly decreased as seedling age increased from 8 to 12 days, but responsiveness to GA₃ increased. Decreasing droplet size (10–0·5 μl) and increasing carrier volume (10–200 μl per leaf) at constant dose of daminozide (100 μg per leaf) and 2,4-D (100 μg per leaf) significantly increased performance, but had little effect on performance of GA₃ (2 μg per leaf). Effects of application factors on performance were related to their effects on the interface area between droplets and leaf surface. Significant positive linear relationships were obtained between plant response and the logarithm of the droplet/leaf interface area for all growth regulators. © 1998 Society of Chemical Industry     

Mitochondrial dna restriction fragment length polymorphisms infusarium oxysporum f. sp.niveum

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) extracts from 13 isolatesof Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.niveum, including 12 from widely separated geographic regions within the United States and representing the three races, and one race 2 isolate from Israel, were examined for the presence of plasmid DNA and were also subjected to restriction endonucleases analysis. None of the mtDNA from any isolate had a copurifying plasmid. The estimated size of mtDNA fromF. o. f. sp.niveum race 0, calculated as the average of the sum of restriction fragment sizes, was 45.1 ± 2.2 kb. The restriction enzymesBamHI, EcoRI, Hpal, HindIII andMbol resolved 2, 4, 9, 21, and more than 40 fragments, respectively, but no polymorphisms were observed among the 13 isolates with any of these endonucleases. However, PstI digestion showed three distinct polymorphic patterns among the isolates. Each appeared to derive from point mutations that resulted in a change of one or more restriction sites. The most common pattern was present in nine of the isolates (three of race 0, four of race 1, and two of race 2) and included a 1.5 kb fragment. A second polymorphic pattern occurred in three USA isolates (one each of race 0, race 1 and race 2) and was characterized by an apparent replacement of the 1.5 kb fragment by 0.6 and 0.9 kb fragments. The Israeli isolate [ISL-59(73) race 2| had a unique pattern lacking the 1.5 and 2.0 kb fragments present in the common pattern and, instead, had 0.6, 0.9 and 3.0 kb fragments. The mtDNA polymorphisms observed among the USA isolates were not correlated with either pathological race or geographic region of origin.     

Spatiotemporal variation in the fungal community associated with wheat leaves showing symptoms similar to stagonospora nodorum blotch

The fungal communities on wheat leaves showing symptoms similar to stagonospora nodorum blotch were analysed using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP). Collection of diseased leaves was carried out in eleven winter wheat fields located in three regions of Sweden during mid-July in 2003–2005. Fourteen different fungal species were found on the leaves out of which thirteen were identified to the species level and one to the genus level. The majority of the samples had between one and four species present of which at least one was a pathogen. Among the analysed leaves three major leaf pathogens were found: Phaeosphaeria nodorum was common during 2003 and 2004, Mycosphaerella graminicola dominated during 2005. Pyrenophora tritici-repentis was present in all fields, but sometimes in just a few samples. Phaeosphaeria nodorum and P. tritici-repentis often co-occurred on the same leaf. In addition, seven species of yeast and three saprophytes frequently occurred on the leaves every year. The variation in fungal community was largest between the different years while the region of Uppland diverged from the other two regions in species composition. No significant differences in fungal communities were found within a single field, indicating a uniform community at the lowest spatial level.