Glomus mosseae bioprotection against aster yellows phytoplasma (16srI-B) and Spiroplasma citri infection in Madagascar periwinkle

The bio-control potential of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae against two pathogenic microorganisms aster yellows (AY) phytoplasma and Spiroplasma citri has been examined in Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus). G. mosseae had a positive influence on healthy C. roseus plants and S. citri infection. It provided bioprotection against S. citri pathogen and induced significant degree of resistance to spiroplasma infection. Besides, symptom expression significantly reduced and shoot height, leaves number, root fresh and dry weight increased in spiroplasma-infected plants treated with mycorrhiza fungus. Although, G. mosseae had no positive effect on phytoplasma disease. The root architectures were affected by the phytoplasma pathogen, and the root surface area dramatically decreased in G. mosseae treated AY-infected periwinkles compared with the control. Nitrogen and Phosphorus concentrations notably increased in spiroplasma + G. mosseae compared with control plants. Potassium concentration did not differ significantly in all mycorrhizal treated and untreated infected plants except in G. mosseae treated healthy plants. The spore density and root colonization rate did not vary in both pathogen treatments G. mosseae + spiroplasma and G. mosseae + phytoplasma. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing the bioprotective effect of G. mosseae on S. citri. The possible mechanisms involved in complex interaction between plants, cell wall-less bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are discussed and the underlying mechanisms for the functioning of AMF are hypothesized.     

丛枝菌根真菌和甜菜夜蛾的相互作用

为探索丛枝菌根(arbuscular mycorrhiza,AM)真菌与植食性昆虫的相互作用,将摩西管柄囊霉(Funneliformis mosseae BEG167,Fm)、根内球囊霉(Glomus intraradices BEG141,Gi)和地表球囊霉(Glomus versiforme Berch,Gv)3种AM真菌以及甜菜夜蛾Spodoptera exigua分别接种至花生和番茄上,通过测定AM真菌的侵染定殖和甜菜夜蛾的生长发育指标分析AM真菌与甜菜夜蛾的相互作用。结果显示,甜菜夜蛾取食菌根花生植株后,Fm、Gv和Gi的侵染率和泡囊数均有增加,侵染率分别是未取食的1.15、1.10和1.11倍,而Fm的泡囊数增加最显著,是未取食的1.27倍。在菌根番茄植株上,Fm和Gv的侵染率显著增加,分别是未取食的1.24倍和1.94倍,Fm、Gv和Gi的泡囊数均显著增加,分别是未取食的1.50、1.98和1.42倍。甜菜夜蛾取食菌根花生和菌根番茄植株后,幼虫存活率下降,幼虫历期和蛹期明显延长;Fm对其影响最显著,甜菜夜蛾在花生上的存活率、幼虫历期和蛹期分别为26.67%、26.78 d和10.67 d,在番茄上分别为35.52%、24.33 d和10.39 d,与取食非菌根植株处理差异显著。表明甜菜夜蛾能在一定程度上促进AM真菌的侵染和定殖,而AM真菌能抑制甜菜夜蛾的生长和发育,但其影响因AM真菌种类而不同。     

Increased plant tolerance against chrysanthemum yellows phytoplasma (‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’) following double inoculation with Glomus mosseae BEG12 and Pseudomonas putida S1Pf1Rif

The aim of this work was to assess the effects of a combined inoculum of a rhizobacterium and an arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus on plant responses to phytoplasma infection, and on phytoplasma multiplication and viability in Chrysanthemum carinatum plants infected by chrysanthemum yellows phytoplasma (CY). Combined inoculation with Glomus mosseae BEG12 and Pseudomonas putida S1Pf1Rif resulted in some resistance to phytoplasma infection (about 30%), delayed symptom expression in nonresistant plants, improved growth of the aerial part of the infected plants (+68·1%), and altered root morphology (root tip number: +49·9%; branching degree: +82·8%). Combined inoculation with the two beneficial microorganisms did not alter CY multiplication and viability. In inoculated and infected plants, phytoplasma morphology was typical of senescent cells. A more active and efficient root system in double‐inoculated plants probably mediated the effects of the two rhizospheric microorganisms in the infected plants. The practical application of rhizospheric microorganisms for mitigating phytoplasma damage, following evaluation under field conditions, represents an additional tool for the integrated management of phytoplasmosis.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community structure and diversity are affected by host plant species and soil depth in the Mu Us Desert,northwest China

The vertical diversity and distribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi were investigated in the Mu Us Desert, northwest China. Soils were sampled to 50?cm in depth in the rhizospheres of Hedysarum laeve, Artemisia ordosica, and Psammochloa villosa and 44 AM fungal species belonging to 10 genera were isolated. Several of these species have peculiar morphological features, which are distinct from other habitats. AM fungal diversity and distribution differed significantly among the three host plants and the five soil layers. Spore density, species richness, and the Shannon-Wiener index of AM fungi were 0.55–4.3 spores g^?1 soil, 7–36 and 1.78–2.89, respectively. Spore density and species richness had a significant positive correlation with soil total phosphorus content (0.0377–0.1129?mg?g^?1), and a negative correlation with soil pH (7.19–7.64). Nonmetric multidimensional scaling, PerMANOVA, and structural equation model analysis demonstrated that host plant species and soil depth significantly and directly influenced the structure of AM fungal communities. We concluded that diversity and distribution of AM fungi might be influenced by plant species, soil depth patterns, and soil nutrient availability in desert ecosystems. This research into AM fungal communities may lead to the development of AM fungi treatment for the mitigation of soil erosion and desertification using mycorrhizal plants, such as H. laeve, A. ordosica, and P. villosa.     

Interactions between Plasmopara helianthi, Glomus mosseae and Two Plant Activators in Sunflower Plants

Interactions between Plasmopara helianthi, Glomus mosseae and two plant activators DL--amino-n-butyric acid (BABA) and CGA 245704 (acibenzolar-S-methyl (BTH)) in sunflower plants susceptible to downy mildew were studied in four experiments using different methods of treatment and pathogen inoculation. Both chemicals were applied as soil drenches and foliar sprays, whereas P. helianthi infection was obtained by root and cotyledon inoculations of the seedlings. Soil drenches at the rates of 50 and 100mgkg^–1 soil of BABA and BTH given 1 and 3 days before P. helianthi inoculation, respectively to mycorrhizal plants, provided moderate protection against the pathogen (about 50–55%). Morphological changes and decrease in mycorrhizal colonization in roots of BTH-treated plants and in BTH-treated mycorrhizal plants were also observed. Delay in the emergence and reduction of the root systems were more evident at the highest concentration but decreased with time. These effects were absent with the BABA treatment.Foliar spray treatment of BABA and BTH, applied at 4000 and 200µgml^–1, respectively (1 day post-inoculation) to mycorrhizal plants provided good protection (about 80%) against P. helianthi foliar infections. No effects on mycorrhizal colonization or on root systems were observed. In vitro tests on the effect of the compounds on the mycorrhizal fungus showed that the germination of G. mosseae sporocarps increased with BABA treatment whereas it was greatly inhibited by BTH treatment.     

Baseline sensitivity of natural populations and resistance of mutants of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae to a novel bactericide,zinc thiazole

During 2009–2010, a total of 323 isolates of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae were obtained from rice with symptoms of bacterial leaf blight (BLB) in four provinces (Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Anhui and Hubei) in China. These isolates were tested for baseline sensitivity to zinc thiazole, a novel bactericide with strong antibacterial activity against Xanthomonas. The sampled pathogenic population had similar sensitivity to zinc thiazole (0·1–16·8 mg L^?1) in all four regions and over the whole two‐year study period. The baseline sensitivity was distributed as a unimodal curve with a mean EC₅₀ value of 6·79 ± 1·61 mg L^?1. The risk of mutation to resistance of zinc thiazole in X. oryzae pv. oryzae was further evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Twelve zinc thiazole‐resistant mutants were obtained through ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, culturing on zinc thiazole‐amended nutrient agar (NA) plates, and culturing on zinc thiazole‐treated rice plants. These zinc thiazole‐resistant mutants had resistance factors (RF = EC₅₀ value of a mutant / EC₅₀ value of the wildtype parent of this mutant) of 12·4 to 186·1 with a mean RF value of 44·1. Mutants obtained via UV irradiation, culturing on NA plates and culturing on rice plants had mean RF values of 51·8, 24·5 and 14·4, respectively. All mutants showed decreases in resistance to zinc thiazole after 20 successive transfers on bactericide‐free media or 10 successive inoculation–reisolations on bactericide‐free rice plants. No significant difference was found in bacterial growth and sensitivity to bismerthiazol between zinc thiazole‐resistant mutants and their parents. However, a significant decrease was observed in the pathogenicity of zinc thiazole‐resistant mutants compared with their parents, especially for mutants obtained via UV irradiation.     

水分胁迫下AM真菌和根瘤菌对沙打旺生长及养分吸收的影响

利用温室盆栽试验研究水分胁迫下接种丛枝菌根（Arbuscular mycorrhizal,AM）真菌和根瘤菌（Rhizobium meliloti）对沙打旺(Astragalus adsurgens Pall.) 生长和养分吸收的影响。在土壤相对含水量65%和35%条件下,分别设不接种（对照）、单接根瘤菌、单接摩西球囊霉(Glomus mosseae)和双接根瘤菌与摩西球囊霉等4个处理。结果发现：干旱胁迫显著抑制沙打旺AM真菌侵染率（P<0.05）,而接种根瘤菌在两种水分条件下均显著促进摩西球囊霉对沙打旺根系的侵染（P<0.05）。接种AM真菌不仅显著提高沙打旺对P的吸收（P<0.05）,而且明显促进根瘤的生长。无论是在干旱条件下或是在正常供水条件下,双接根瘤菌与摩西球囊霉处理对沙打旺生长及养分吸收的效应显著高于单接菌处理,植株地上部、地下部生物量以及N、P、K等吸收量均为最大。结果表明：AM真菌与根瘤菌双接种技术在干旱、半干旱区受损生态系统的植被恢复中具有一定的应用潜力。     

Fate and short-term persistence of permethrin insecticide injected in a northern Ontario (Canada) headwater stream

1·275 dm³ of a l·3g dm^?3 aqueous emulsion of permethrin (i.e. 1·658 g permethrin) was applied to the surface of a fast-flowing stream by manual injection. Water samples were collected from the top 1-cm layer at different intervals of time at various distances downstream from the site of application. Caged samples of stream detritus, crayfish, brook trout and stonefly nymphs, bottled sediment and potted aquatic plants were placed 280 m from the treatment site, and collected afterwards for residue analysis. The downstream movement of the chemical was not uniform with peak concentrations of about 12 ng ml^?1 at 30 m and 0·1 ng ml^?1 at 730 m from the treatment site. The peak concentrations (ng g^?1) in potted aquatic plants, caged detritus, crayfish and brook trout were about 18, 39, 14 and 11 respectively. The residues were higher than the ambient water concentration (1·67 ng ml^?1) and dissipated slowly. The peak concentration in the bottled sediment was 2·75 ng g^?1, and the residues were lost rapidly. In contrast, the naturally occurring sediment in a beaver pond showed high residues that persisted for a longer period of time. Permethrin concentrations in invertebrate drift ranged from 9 to 357 ng g^?1, depending on the distance from the application site. The study demonstrated that aquatic invertebrates, plants and stream detritus acted as the major sink for the chemical.     

Temperature adaptation in isolates of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum affects their ability to infect Brassica carinata

Sclerotinia stem rot (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) is a serious disease in oilseed Brassica crops worldwide. In this study, temperature adaptation in isolates of S. sclerotiorum collected from differing climatic zones is reported for the first time on any crop. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum isolates from oilseed rape (Brassica napus) crops in warmer northern agricultural regions of Western Australia (WW3, UWA 7S3) differed in their reaction to temperature from those from cooler southern regions (MBRS‐1, UWA 10S2) in virulence on Brassica carinata, growth on agar, and oxalic acid production. Increasing temperature from 22/18°C (day/night) to 28/24°C increased lesion diameter on cotyledons of B. carinataBC054113 more than tenfold for warmer region isolates, but did not affect lesion size for cooler region isolates. Mean lesion length averaged across two B. carinata genotypes (resistant and susceptible) fell from 4·6 to 2·4 mm for MBRS‐1 when temperature increased from 25/21°C to 28/24°C but rose for WW3 (2·35 and 3·21 mm, respectively). WW3, usually designated as low in virulence, caused as much disease on stems at 28/24°C as MBRS‐1, historically designated as highly virulent. Isolates collected from cooler areas grew better at low temperatures on agar. While all grew on potato dextrose agar between 5 and 30°C, with maximum growth at 20–25°C, growth was severely restricted above 32°C, and only UWA 7S3 grew at 35°C. Oxalate production increased as temperature increased from 10 to 25°C for isolates MBRS‐1, WW3 and UWA 7S3, but declined from a maximum level of 101 mg g^?1 mycelium at 20°C to 24 mg g^?1 mycelium at 25°C for UWA 10S2.     

In vitro and in planta nematicidal activity of Fumaria parviflora (Fumariaceae) against the southern root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita

Root and stem extracts of Fumaria parviflora showed strong nematicidal activity against Meloidogyne incognita in in vitro and in planta experiments. Phytochemical screening of F. parviflora revealed the presence of seven classes of bioactive compounds (alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, saponins, steroids and phenols). Quantitative determination of the plant extracts showed the highest percentages of alkaloids (0·9 ± 0·04) and saponins (1·3 ± 0·07) in the roots and total phenolic contents in the stem (16·75 ± 0·07 μg dry g^?1). The n‐hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of roots and stems at concentrations of 3·12, 6·24, 12·5, 25·0 and 50·0 mg mL^?1, significantly inhibited hatching and increased mortality of second‐stage juveniles (J2s) compared with water controls. Percentage J2 mortality and hatch inhibition were directly related to exposure time. In pot trials with tomato cv. Rio Grande, root and stem extracts at concentrations of 1000, 2000 and 3000 ppm, applied as soil drenches, significantly reduced the number of galls, galling index, eggs masses, eggs and reproduction factor compared with the water control. Regardless of concentration, all the extracts significantly increased the host plant growth parameters studied. The n‐hexane extracts from the roots and stem were the most active, followed by the methanol ones, at all concentrations. The in vitro and in planta results suggest that extracts from the roots and stem of F. parviflora may be potential novel nematicides.     

Some physicochemical factors influencing foliar uptake enhancement of glyphosatemono(isopropylammonium) by polyoxyethylene surfactants

Structure-concentration–foliar uptake enhancement relationships between commercial polyoxyethylene primary aliphatic alcohol (A), nonylphenol (NP), primary aliphatic amine (AM) surfactants and the herbicide glyphosatemono(isopropylammonium) were studied in experiments with wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and field bean (Vicia faba L.) plants growing under controlled-environment conditions. Candidate surfactants had mean molar ethylene oxide (EO) contents ranging from 5 to 20 and were added at concentrations varying from 0·2 to 10 g litre^?-1 to [¹⁴C]glyphosate formulations in acetone–water. Rates and total amounts of herbicide uptake from c. 0·2–μl droplet applications of formulations to leaves were influenced by surfactant EO content, surfactant hydrophobe composition, surfactant concentration, glyphosate concentration and plant species, in a complex manner. Surfactant effects were most pronounced at 0·5 g acid equivalent (a.e.) glyphosate litre^?-1 where, for both target species, surfactants of high EO content (15–20) were most effective at enhancing herbicide uptake: surfactants of lower EO content (5–10) frequently reduced, or failed to improve, glyphosate absorption. Whereas, at optimal EO content, AM surfactants caused greatest uptake enhancement on wheat, A surfactants gave the best overall performance on field bean; NP surfactants were generally the least efficient class of adjuvants on both species. Threshold concentrations of surfactants needed to increase glyphosate uptake were much higher in field bean than wheat (c. 2 g litre^?-1 and < 1 g litre^?-1, respectively); less herbicide was taken up by both species at high AM surfactant concentrations. At 5 and 10 g a.e. glyphosate litre^?-1, there were substantial increases in herbicide absorption and surfactant addition could cause effects on uptake that were different from those observed at lower herbicide doses. In particular, the influence of EO content on glyphosate uptake was now much less marked in both species, especially with AM surfactants. The fundamental importance of glyphosate concentration for its uptake was further emphasised by experiments using formulations with constant a.i./surfactant weight ratios. Any increased foliar penetration resulting from inclusion of surfactants in 0·5 g litre^?-1 [¹⁴C]glyphosate formulations gave concomitant increases in the amounts of radiolabel that were translocated away from the site of application. At these low herbicide doses, translocation of absorbed [¹⁴C]glyphosate in wheat was c. twice that in field bean; surfactant addition to the formulation did not increase the proportion transported in wheat but substantially enhanced it in field bean.     

Ascorbic Acid Enhances Growth and Yield of Sweet Peppers (Capsicum annum) by Mitigating Salinity Stress

Salinity is a crucial problem which has affected crop productivity globally. Ascorbic acid is considered helpful against abiotic stresses due to its powerful antioxidant potential. In the pot experiment, salinity stress (0, 35, 70, and 105?mM) was applied to sweet peppers in split doses after 20 days of transplantation. To mitigate the adverse effects of salinity, ascorbic acid (0, 0.40, 0.80, and 1.20?mM) was applied as foliar spray after a 6-day interval during vegetative growth. Sweet pepper plants sprayed with distilled water (control) recorded maximum plant height (cm), leaf area (cm²), number of branches, stem diameter (mm), number of fruit plant^?1, fruit diameter (cm), yield plant^?1 (g), and chlorophyll content (mg 100?g^?1), while the maximum polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity (unit mg protein^?1 min^?1) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity (unit mg protein^?1 min^?1) were recorded in plants treated with 70?mM NaCl application. Salinity stress beyond 70?mM significantly reduced all the studied parameters. An ascorbic acid concentration of 1.20?mM significantly mitigated the negative effects of salt stress and recorded maximum plant height (cm), number of leaves plant^?1, leaf area (cm²), number of branches plant^?1, stem diameter (mm), number of fruit plant^?1, fruit diameter (cm), yield plant^?1 (g), chlorophyll content (mg 100?g^?1), PPO activity (unit mg protein^?1 min^?1), and APX activity (unit mg protein^?1 min^?1). Hence, a 1.20?mM concentration of foliar ascorbic acid could be used in saline conditions up to 70?mM of sodium chloride (NaCl) for better growth, productivity, and enzymatic activity of sweet peppers.

     

Biocontrol traits of plant growth suppressive arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi against root rot in tomato caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pythium aphanidermatum</Emphasis>

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi known to cause plant growth depressions in tomato were examined for their biocontrol effects against root rot caused by Pythium aphanidermatum. The main hypothesis was that plant growth suppressive AM fungi would elicit a defence response in the host plant reducing Pythium root rot development. To test this hypothesis a fully factorial experiment was performed with AM fungi (Glomus intraradices, G. mosseae, G. claroideum or nonmycorrhizal), Pythium (± P. aphanidermatum) and harvest (7 and 14 days after pathogen inoculation (dapi)) as the main factors. Two weeks after AM fungi inoculation, roots were challenged with P. aphanidermatum. Variables evaluated at each harvest were root colonization levels of the interacting fungi, plant growth responses, and expression of a plant pathogenesis related protein gene (PR-1). All of the tested AM fungi caused marked growth suppressions, but did not affect PR-1 gene expression or the phosphorous concentration in the host plant. Plants singly inoculated with P. aphanidermatum had an increased PR-1 expression and phosphorous concentration. Among the AM fungi included in the study only G. intraradices reduced the pathogen root infection level, measured both in terms of Pythium ELISA and by recovery on selective media and only at the first harvest. Likewise, P. aphanidermatum root infection reduced colonization levels of G. intraradices, but not that of the two other AM fungi. In conclusion, plant growth suppressive AM fungi may offer plant beneficial traits in terms of biocontrol of root cortical pathogens.     

Species composition,toxigenic potential and pathogenicity of Fusarium graminearum species complex isolates from southern Brazilian rice

This study aimed to assess the extent and distribution of Fusarium graminearum species complex (FGSC) diversity in rice seeds produced in southern Brazil. Four species and two trichothecene genotypes were detected among 89 FGSC isolates, based on a multilocus genotyping assay: F. asiaticum (69·6%) with the nivalenol (NIV) genotype, F. graminearum (14·6%) with the 15‐acetyldeoxynivalenol (ADON) genotype, and F. cortaderiae (14·6%) and F. meridionale (1·1%), both with the NIV genotype. Seven selected F. asiaticum isolates from rice produced NIV in rice‐based substrate in vitro, at levels ranging from 4·7 to 84·1 μg g^?1. Similarly, two F. graminearum isolates from rice produced mainly 15‐ADON (c. 15–41 μg g^?1) and a smaller amount of 3‐ADON (c. 6–12 μg g^?1). One F. meridionale and two F. cortaderiae isolates did not produce detectable levels of trichothecenes. Two F. asiaticum isolates from rice and two from wheat (from a previous study), and one F. graminearum isolate from wheat, were pathogenic to both crops at various levels of aggressiveness based on measures of disease severity in wheat spikes and rice kernel infection in a greenhouse assay. Fusarium asiaticum and the reference F. graminearum isolate from wheat produced NIV, and deoxynivalenol and acetylates, respectively, in the kernels of inoculated wheat heads. No trichothecene was produced in kernels from inoculated rice panicles by any of the isolates. These findings constitute the first report of FGSC composition in rice outside Asia, and confirm the dominance of F. asiaticum in rice agroecosystems.     

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Reduce Development of Pea Root-rot caused by Aphanomyces euteiches using Oospores as Pathogen Inoculum

The effects of the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM)-fungi Glomus intraradices and Glomus claroideum on pea root-rot development caused by the pathogen Aphanomyces euteiches were investigated in a greenhouse pot-experiment, over the course of three harvests, using oospores as pathogen inoculum. Signature whole cell fatty acids 16:15c and 14:19 were used to quantify AM-fungi and A. euteiches, respectively in both roots and soil. Disease incidence was reduced in AM plants, though this effect was more pronounced in plants with G. intraradices than plants with G. claroideum, and corresponded with a greater mycorrhiza development, both intra- and extra radical in plants with G. intraradices than with G. claroideum. At the final harvest, percentage of root length with oospores was similar in roots of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants. Despite the fact that pea root-rot development was only slightly lower in mycorrhizal plants compared to that of non-mycorrhizal plants, in terms of shoot growth and disease severity, mycorrhizal plants suffered less. This suggests a possible mycorrhiza-induced tolerance against pea root-rot. Furthermore, the degree of tolerance induction differed between the two AM-fungi included in the present study.     

Evaluation of Natural Chemical Compounds Against Root-lesion and Root-knot Nematodes and Side-effects on the Infectivity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi

The survival of two species of plant parasitic nematodes: the root-lesion nematode Pratylenchus brachyurus, and the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica, was evaluated in saturated atmospheres of 12 natural chemical compounds. The infectivity of two isolates of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi: Glomus mosseae and Glomus intraradices, under identical experimental conditions, was also determined. All the compounds tested exerted a highly significant control against M. javanica and among them, benzaldehyde, salicilaldehyde, borneol, p-anisaldehyde and cinnamaldehyde caused a mortality rate above 50% over P. brachyurus. The infectivity of G. intraradices was inhibited by cinnamaldehyde, salicilaldehyde, thymol, carvacrol, p-anisaldehyde, and benzaldehyde, while only cinnamaldehyde and thymol significantly inhibited mycorrhizal colonization by G. mosseae.     

Mycorrhiza induced resistance in potato plantlets challenged by Phytophthora infestans

Biological control of soil-borne pathogens by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi has been repeatedly demonstrated. However, their role in the control of above-ground hemibiotrophic pathogens is less conclusive. Here, we investigated in vitro the impact of an AM fungus on Phytophthora infestans in potato plants. The leaf infection index was decreased in mycorrhizal potato plants. Real-Time Quantitative PCR revealed the induction of two pathogenesis related genes (PR1 and PR2) in the leaves of mycorrhizal plants shortly after infection with P. infestans. These results suggested a systemic resistance in mycorrhizal plants, related to the priming of the two PR genes in potato.     

Effect of vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza on citrus growth and mineral composition

The vesicular arbuscular fungusGlomus mosseae (Nicol. & Gerd.) Gerd. & Trappe was retrieved from citrus trees growing in loess soil in the Negev region of Israel. Inoculation of citrus seedlings with the mycorrhizal fungus greatly increased the growth of plants in soil low in phosphorus. Rough lemon responded more than Sour orange. Vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza caused higher concentrations of P and Cu and lower concentrations of N, K and Ca in leaves of inoculated plants.     

Control of Achillea millefolium L. (yarrow) by rotary cultivation and glyphosate

Various control strategies for Achillea millefolium L. (yarrow) were investigated in a dense stand of the weed at Lincoln College in 1977–1978. In early spring plots were either rotary cultivated or left undisturbed. In late spring, plots of both previous treatments were either left undisturbed, rotary cultivated or sprayed with glyphosate at 1·5 kg ha^?1. The whole experiment was rotary cultivated twice 1 week later and sown with Hordeum vulgure L. cv. Zephyr (barley) at 144 kg seed ha^?1. MCPA + dicamba at 0·9+0·15 kg ha^?1 was applied to half of each plot when the second node was detectable (Zadok 32). Rotary cultivation and glyphosate both substantially reduced the regrowth of A. millefolium but glyphosate reduced regrowth by a greater proportion when applied to undisturbed plants than when applied to plants regenerating after cultivation. Both gave a more than 95% reduction compared to the control (rotary cultivation only at sowing time) in the amount of A. millefolium present in the barley stubble in the autumn. MCPA + dicamba caused seedling mortality but did not affect the numbers of primary shoots from rhizome fragments. The grain yield of the barley increased from 2·91 t ha^?1 when A. millefolium was not controlled to 4·23 t ha^?1 with good control. The barley yield appeared to be restricted by competition from regenerating A. millefolium and by a nitrogen deficiency induced in some regimes by nitrogen immobilization in decaying rhizomes.     

丛枝菌根菌丝桥传递作用对烟草抗病性相关酶活性的影响

为明确供体与受体植株间菌丝桥传递抗病信号对受体植株生长以及抗病性相关酶活性的影响,利用丛枝菌根真菌在供体与受体烟苗植株间建立菌根菌丝桥,对供体植株接种青枯菌的方法进行研究。结果表明:在供体烟苗接种丛枝菌根真菌条件下,再接种青枯菌,比只有菌丝连接的受体烟苗叶片内的过氧化物酶(peroxidase,POD)、多酚氧化酶(polyphenol oxidase,PPO)、苯丙氨酸解氨酶(phenylalanine ammonialyas,PAL)的活性分别提高了21%、29%和14%,地上部干重和植株磷含量也有相同的趋势;而在不接种丛枝菌根真菌条件下,供体烟苗接种青枯菌与否对酶的活性、植株干重及氮、磷含量均无显著影响。表明供体烟苗产生的抗病信号可以通过菌丝桥传递给受体烟苗,增强受体烟苗的抗病性。