解淀粉芽胞杆菌MH71抗菌物质理化特性及对番茄灰霉病菌的抑菌活性

解淀粉芽胞杆菌Bacillus amyloliquefaciens MH71是一株高效广谱拮抗活性菌株,明确该菌株发酵液中活性物质的理化特性和抑菌活性,为解淀粉芽胞杆菌生物农药开发应用奠定坚实的基础。本研究在对菌株MH71抑菌活性物质理化特性研究的基础上,以番茄灰霉病菌为供试致病菌,探究了抗菌活性物质对番茄灰霉病菌的抑菌作用;采用酸沉淀和硫酸铵沉淀分别获得脂肽类和蛋白类活性物质,SDS–PAGE电泳和HPLC分别对活性物质进行检测。该菌活性物质具有较强的耐热性和pH适应性,100 ℃处理60 min和121 ℃处理30 min后抑菌活性分别为原有活性的88.98%和79.60%,在pH 3～11时均有抑菌活性,且对紫外线、蛋白酶K、胃蛋白酶和胰蛋白酶不敏感。该抗菌活性物质对番茄灰霉病菌菌丝的毒力测定结果表明,不同浓度发酵液处理的番茄灰霉病菌菌丝呈现出较多局部膨大或溢缩等异常菌丝。其发酵液经酸沉淀法得到抗菌脂肽类活性物质,经硫酸铵沉淀法得到抗菌蛋白,脂肽类的抑菌活性高于抗菌蛋白类物质,SDS–PAGE电泳检测,得到约40 kD的蛋白条带,HPLC检测表明该抗菌物质中有surfactin存在。     

宁夏干旱荒漠区苦豆子内生颉颃细菌的筛选及其抑菌物质研究初报

通过测定菌体及胞外分泌物抑茵活性,从354株苦豆子内生细菌中筛选出对黄瓜枯萎病、番茄枯萎病和茄子枯萎病病菌有较强颉颃活性的菌株.对抗菌活性显著的KDB342菌株的胞外抑菌物质进行了初步研究.结果表明,KDB342株胞外分泌物抑菌活性、最高稀释倍数为100倍;其抑菌物质具有一定的热稳定性,100℃处理10 min仍有部分抑菌活性,120 ℃则完全丧失活性;其抗茵活性物质为蛋白类物质,可通过(NH4)2SO4盐析和浓缩,75%硫酸铵提取的粗蛋白抗菌活性最强.     

枯草芽胞杆菌M29产抑菌物质培养条件的优化及抑菌物质组成初探

前期研究发现枯草芽胞杆菌Bacillus subtilis M29对黄瓜枯萎病具有较好的防治效果，然而其抑菌物质组成和抑菌机制尚不清楚。本文首先确定了菌株M29产抑菌物质的抑菌效果最强时的培养条件，进一步结合热处理、酶处理、基因检测和质谱检测初步分析此抑菌物质的组成。结果表明，以Landy培养基为基础、初始pH为7、培养温度在30℃、培养36～48 h时，菌株M29产生的抑菌物质的抑菌效果最好。菌株M29抑菌物质粗提液的抑菌活性具有热稳定性和酶稳定性。此外，在菌株M29的基因组DNA中扩增出合成fengycin的调控基因fenB，结合质谱检测到Fengycin B的分子量，推测菌株M29分泌物中可能存在脂肽抗生素Fengycin B。因此，枯草芽胞杆菌M29可能通过分泌脂肽抗生素来抑制病原菌生长，通过优化培养条件可以显著提高该菌的抑菌能力，本研究不仅有助于更深入地理解菌株M29的抑菌机制，同时也将为该菌在未来的实际应用提供理论指导。     

脂肽类抗生素fengycin在枯草芽胞杆菌NCD-2菌株抑制番茄灰霉病菌中的功能分析

 枯草芽胞杆菌NCD-2菌株及其无细胞发酵液对多种植物病原真菌具有较强的拮抗活性。为了明确NCD-2菌株抑菌作用机理,本研究利用快速蛋白液相色谱技术(FPLC)结合抑菌活性测定,对NCD-2菌株的脂肽类抑菌物质进行分离、纯化,经质谱鉴定,该抑菌物质为芬荠素(fengycin)。从NCD-2菌株中克隆出fengycin合成酶基因fenC及其上游启动子序列,通过同源重组技术对fenC基因进行了内缺失突变,同NCD-2野生型菌株相比,fenC基因缺失突变子丧失了fengycin的合成能力,同时该突变子显著降低了对番茄灰霉病菌的拮抗活性。进一步在离体叶片上比较了NCD-2野生型菌株和突变子之间脂肽提取物和菌体细胞对番茄灰霉病的保护作用,结果发现,突变子不论是脂肽提取物还是菌体细胞显著降低了对番茄灰霉病的防治作用。     

广谱生防菌对番茄枯萎病的防病效果及其机理

筛选于健康大豆植株根部的4株拮抗菌,室内平板对峙试验表明,其对番茄枯萎病病原菌Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.radicis lycopersic及其他多种病原菌有广谱抑菌能力,最佳抑菌率可达51.00%~86.81%,无菌滤液及挥发性气体亦有广谱抑菌效果。盆栽试验表明,其对番茄枯萎病有良好防控效果,发病程度降低了42.33%~51.33%,而菌株SR10和SR22处理与苯菌灵的防病效果无差异。16S r RNA种属鉴定其为多粘芽孢杆菌(SR10、SR11),油菜假单胞菌(SR21)和解淀粉芽孢杆菌(SR22)。代谢特性检测表明,4株菌均能产生蛋白酶、β-1,3葡萄糖酶、HCN、IAA、SA;不分泌几丁质酶;菌株SR10、SR11和SR22能够固氮;菌株SR21能水解产生磷酸盐;菌株SR21和SR22可以产生铁载体。抗生素合成基因检测显示3株芽孢杆菌属菌株(SR10、SR11、SR22)均具有杆菌溶素基因(bac A)和脂肽基因(srf AA),菌株SR10和SR22具有伊枯草菌素A基因(itu D),菌株SR22具有丰原素基因(fen D)和芽孢菌霉素基因(bmy B);假单胞菌属菌株SR21具有藤黄绿菌素基因(plt D)、硝吡咯菌素基因(prn D)和2,4-二乙酰藤黄酚基因(phl D)。     

棉花黄萎病拮抗细菌H14的筛选鉴定及其拮抗机理分析

为筛选对大丽轮枝菌Verticillium dahliae Kleb.具有拮抗活性的根际细菌,以大丽轮枝菌为靶菌,分离获得棉花根际细菌,利用平板对峙法和琼脂扩散法筛选具有较高拮抗活性的菌株,采用室内盆栽法测定筛选所得菌株对棉花黄萎病的防效,并通过形态特征、生理生化特性和16S r DNA基因序列分析确立其分类地位,采用底物降解法和抗菌肽基因克隆法检测其产生水解酶和抗菌肽的能力。结果显示,试验共分离获得182株棉花根际细菌,筛选得到3株对大丽轮枝菌抑菌率大于50.00%且抑菌圈直径大于15 mm的菌株,其中菌株H14的抑菌率和抑菌圈直径最大,分别为54.25%和18.10 mm。该菌能在0～9%NaCl和pH 4.5～9.0的NB培养基上生长;经形态特征观察、生理生化试验及16S rDNA基因序列分析,最终将其鉴定为莫哈韦芽胞杆菌Bacillus mojavensis;菌株H14对大丽轮枝菌孢子萌发的抑制率和对棉花黄萎病的盆栽防效分别为89.55%和74.57%;菌株H14能合成蛋白酶,含有srfAA、fenD、bacA脂肽类抗生素合成基因。表明莫哈韦芽胞杆菌菌株H14能够合成蛋白酶和脂肽类拮抗物质,具有良好的抑菌和防病能力。     

菌株BM-24的分离鉴定及对香蕉枯萎病菌的抑菌活性

为了从饼肥发酵液中分离筛选出对香蕉枯萎病菌Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.cubense有良好拮抗效果的菌株,以香蕉枯萎病病原菌为指示菌进行拮抗菌分离筛选.筛选得到29株拮抗菌,其中分离自菜子饼的菌株BM-24拮抗效果最显著.利用平板对峙法测定菌株BM-24抑菌谱,根据形态特征、培养特征及生理生化特征和16S rDNA序列分析对其进行鉴定,并测定其发酵液不同处理的抑菌活性.经鉴定,此菌株为甲基营养型芽胞杆菌Bacillus methylotrophicus,该菌株对供试的12种植物病原真菌均有很强的抑制作用,尤其对香蕉枯萎病菌1号和4号小种菌丝生长抑制作用最强,抑菌率分别达到87.2％和80.4％,其发酵液对香蕉枯萎病菌具有很强抑菌效果,抑菌活性主要源于菌体竞争.     

枯草芽胞杆菌NCD-2菌株抑菌蛋白的分离及鉴定

枯草芽胞杆菌NCD-2菌株对灰葡萄孢菌具有较强的抑菌活性,抑菌蛋白是其产生的抑菌物质之一。本研究为明确NCD-2菌株所产抑菌蛋白的作用方式和特性,采用牛津杯法测定抑菌蛋白的抑菌活性及其对病原菌菌丝生长的影响,采用混合培养法测定其对病原菌分生孢子萌发的影响,同时采用阴离子交换层析和非变性聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳技术对其进行分离纯化,并利用MALDI-TOF-MS进行鉴定。结果表明,NCD-2菌株产生的粗蛋白能够显著抑制灰葡萄孢菌分生孢子的萌发和菌丝生长,并导致病原菌菌丝分枝增多、局部膨大肿胀。通过分离纯化获得具抑菌活性的蛋白组分D1-3,经鉴定该蛋白的肽指纹图谱与leucyl aminopeptidase[Bacillus subtilis](WP_041057629.1)的氨基酸序列匹配率最高,达到65%,相对分子质量为53.936 k Da,功能分析表明组分D1-3可能是一种新的抑菌蛋白。     

一株萎缩芽胞杆菌YL3的鉴定及其脂肽类化合物分析

本研究通过生理生化特征、16S rDNA基因和gyrB基因序列分析对菌株YL3进行种属鉴定,采用室内平板对峙生长法测定其抑菌活性,对草莓枯萎病的田间防效。以选择性培养基检测其分泌的多种胞外酶,以结晶紫染色法检测生物膜的形成,采用酸沉淀法提取菌株YL3脂肽类化合物并进行高效液相色谱串联质谱分析(LC-MS)。研究表明,菌株YL3被鉴定为萎缩芽胞杆菌Bacillus atrophaeus,其对多种植物病原真菌菌丝生长和细菌都具有明显的抑制作用,稀释10和100倍的发酵液对"宁玉"草莓枯萎病的防效分别为82.86%和67.62%。菌株YL3能产生蛋白酶、几丁质酶和嗜铁素,培养3 d后形成大量生物膜。菌株YL3发酵液中脂肽类粗提物对草莓枯萎病菌菌丝生长有抑制作用,随着剂量加大,抑制效果显著。LC-MS检测到菌株YL3脂肽类粗提物中含有表面活性素和泛革素。因此,菌株YL3是一株具有较好生防应用潜力的拮抗菌株。     

拮抗灰霉菌的海洋细菌甲基营养型芽胞杆菌的筛选、鉴定及其抑菌活性物质的研究

采用Zo Bell’s 2216E培养基从65份渤海海水和底泥样品中分离到海洋细菌464株,通过平板对峙法获得了对灰霉菌具有较强拮抗作用的海洋细菌47株,其中菌株BH21的抑菌作用最强,抑菌带宽度为(11.8±0.3)mm;采用形态学、生理生化和分子生物学相结合的方法,将菌株BH21鉴定为甲基营养型芽胞杆菌Bacillus methylotrophicus,该菌具有较强耐盐、耐甲醇能力;通过排油圈法确定菌株BH21能够产生具有表面活性的代谢产物,随后以脂肽类物质相关基因的特异序列为引物进行菌株BH21抑菌活性成分相关基因的扩增,确定该菌株中含有itu A、itu B、itu C、itu D、fen D、srf AB和ynd J等7种脂肽物质的合成基因;利用盐酸沉淀和甲醇抽提法获得了BH21发酵液中脂肽粗提物,通过牛津杯法确定该脂肽粗提物具有明显抑制灰霉菌菌丝生长的能力,抑制率达到73.9%。     

Dermestid beetles in ‘evolution Canyon’, lower Nahal Oren, Mt. Carmel, including new records for Israel

Fifteen species of dermestid beetles were recorded at ‘Evolution Canyon’ (EC), Lower Nahal Oren, Mt. Carmel, Israel. They represent ~35% of known Israeli dermestid species. The following three species were recorded for the first time in Israel:Trogoderma svriaca Dalla Torre, 1911;Ctesias svriaca Ganglbauer, 1904; andAnthrenus (s.str.) jordaniens Pic, 1934. Adults of 13 species were collected on the more solar radiated, warmer and climatically more fluctuating south-facing slope (SFS); ten species were collected on the opposite, north-facing slope (NFS), which was cooler and climatically more stable. The abundance of adult dermestid beetles was 1.9 times higher on the SFS than on the NFS (86 and 47, respectively). Species richness and abundance distribution at EC (three collecting stations on each slope and one at the valley bottom) were significantly negatively correlated with the plant cover that consisted of trees and bushes (Spearmanr _s ,P=0.007 and 0.039, respectively) and perennials (Spearmanr _s ,P=0.039 and 0.077, respectively), indicating that non-woody plants were preferred by adult dermestid beetles.     

Epidemiology of Toxigenic Fungi and their Associated Mycotoxins for Some Mediterranean Crops

Recent data on the epidemiology of the common mycotoxigenic species of Fusarium, Alternaria, Aspergillus and Penicillium in infected or colonized plants, and in stored or processed plant products from the Mediterranean area are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on the toxigenicity of the causal fungal species and the natural occurrence of well known mycotoxins (aflatoxins, ochratoxins, fumonisins, trichothecenes, zearalenone, patulin, Alternaria-toxins and moniliformin), as well as some more recently described compounds (fusaproliferin, beauvericin) whose toxigenic potential is not yet well understood. Several Fusarium species reported from throughout the Mediterranean area are responsible of the formation of mycotoxins in infected plants and in plant products, including: Fusarium graminearum, F. culmorum, F. cerealis, F. avenaceum, F. sporotrichioides and F. poae, which produce deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, fusarenone, zearalenone, moniliformin, and T-2 toxin derivatives in wheat and other small grains affected by head blight or scab, and in maize affected by red ear rot. Moreover, strains of F. verticillioides, F. proliferatum, and F. subglutinans, that form fumonisins, beauvericin, fusaproliferin, and moniliformin, are commonly associated with maize affected by ear rot. Fumonisins, were also associated with Fusarium crown and root rot of asparagus and Fusarium endosepsis of figs, caused primarily by F. proliferatum. Toxigenic A. alternata strains and associated tenuazonic acid and alternariols were commonly found in black mould of tomato, black rot of olive and citrus, black point of small cereals, and black mould of several vegetables. Toxigenic strains of A. carbonarius and ochratoxin A were often found associated with black rot of grapes, whereas toxigenic strains of A. flavus and/or P. verrucosum, forming aflatoxins and ochratoxin A, respectively, were found in moulded plant products from small cereals, peanuts, figs, pea, oilseed rape, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, pistachios, and almonds. Finally, toxigenic strains of P. expansum and patulin were frequently found in apple, pear and other fresh fruits affected by blue mould rot, as well as in derived juices and jams.     

A survey of the genera of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Microgaster</Emphasis> latreille and<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hygroplitis</Emphasis> thomson (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Microgastrinae) from China

The genera ofMicrogaster Latreille 1804 andHygroplitis Thomson 1895 from China are presented systematically in this paper. Thirty-two species ofMicrogaster and three species ofHygroplitis are known in China. Diagnosis, character variation, distribution and host of each species among the two genera are presented, including its host and distribution. Keys to the species ofMicrogaster andHygroplitis are given. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Dec. 19, 2006.     

Plant Viruses Transmitted by Whiteflies

One-hundred and fourteen virus species are transmitted by whiteflies (family Aleyrodidae). Bemisia tabaci transmits 111 of these species while Trialeurodes vaporariorum and T. abutilonia transmit three species each. B. tabaci and T. vaporariorum are present in the European–Mediterranean region, though the former is restricted in its distribution. Of the whitefly-transmitted virus species, 90% belong to the Begomovirus genus, 6% to the Crinivirus genus and the remaining 4% are in the Closterovirus, Ipomovirus or Carlavirus genera. Other named, whitefly-transmitted viruses that have not yet been ranked as species are also documented. The names, abbreviations and synonyms of the whitefly-transmitted viruses are presented in tabulated form together with details of their whitefly vectors, natural hosts and distribution. Entries are also annotated with references. Whitefly-transmitted viruses affecting plants in the European–Mediterranean region have been highlighted in the text.     

Broad bean mottle virus in Morocco; curculionid vectors,and natural occurrence in food legumes other than faba bean (Vicia faba)

Broad bean mottle virus (BBMV) was transmitted from infected to healthy faba-bean plants by the curculionid weevilsApion radiolus Kirby,Hypera variabilis Herbst,Pachytychius strumarius Gyll,Smicronyx cyaneus Gyll, andSitona lineatus L. The latter appeared to be an efficient vector: acquisition and inoculation occurred at the first bite, the rate of transmission was c. 41%, and virus retention lasted for at least seven days.S. lineatus transmitted the virus from faba bean to lentil and pea, but not to the three genotypes of chickpea tested. This is the first report on the generaHypera, Pachytychius, andSmicronyx as virus vectors, and onA. radiolus, H. variabilis, P. strumarius, andS. cyaneus as vectors of BBMV.Out of 351 samples of food legumes with symptoms suggestive of virus infection, 16, 11, 19, and 17% of the samples of chickpea, lentil, pea, and common bean, respectively, were found infected when tested for BBMV in DAS-ELISA. This is the first report on the natural occurrence of BBMV in chickpea, lentil, pea, and common bean. The virus should be regarded as a food-legume virus rather than a faba-bean virus solely, and is considered an actual threat to food legume improvement programmes.     

Characterization of potato potyvirus Y (PVY) isolates from seed potato batches. Situation of the NTN, Wilga and Z isolates

A collection of 38 PVY isolates from seed potato batches, originating from several Western European countries, was characterized by using current biological, serological and molecular tools differentiating PVY strains and groups. The correlation between the three kinds of tests was good but not absolute. No single serological or PCR method was able to discriminate among the five isolate groups found. Twenty-nine isolates belonged to the PVY^N strain and six to the PVY^O strain. No PVY^C was found. Two other isolates reacted serologically like PVY^O, but were unable to elicit a hypersensitive response from the Ny_tbr gene and probably represent the PVY^Z group. At the molecular level, these two isolates showed a combination of both PVY^O and PVY^N and could be recombinants of these strains. Another isolate reacted serologically like PVY^O, but induced vein necrosis in tobacco, like PVY^N-Wilga. Some PVY^N isolates caused tuber ring necrosis in glasshouse conditions. These might belong to the PVY^NTN group. The PVY^NTN, PVY^N-Wilga and PVY^Z groups probably represent pathotypes within strains PVY^N and PVY^O, respectively. The present study also confirms previous reports showing a high genetic variation at the 5 end within the PVYN strain.     

The autumn leafroller: Phenology,damage and parasitoids in a Dutch apple orchard

The phenology of the autumn leafroller,Syndemis musculana, a local pest of apple, was studied in order to forecast larval emergence. From 1983–1986, peak flight as determined with sexpheromone traps was always between 13–18 May. The duration of embryonic development was determined at various constant temperatures and used to estimate the periods of egg hatch in these four years. Each year, most eggs should have hatched in the second decade of June.Differences in attack rates between apple cultivars seem to be explained largely by the variation in picking time. Larvae are only half grown at the beginning of harvest (cv. James Grieve), and have gone into hibernation when the latest variety (cv. Golden Delicious) is picked. Moreover, the varieties Cox's Orange Pippin and Belle de Boskoop, picked about half time, are liable to receive additional damage by caterpillars brought with the picked fruits into storage.Various hymenopterous parasites were reared from caterpillars. As the only leafroller in the orchard which hibernates as mature larva,S. musculana may promote winter survival of some parasitoids, like the eulophidColpyclypeus florus.Samenvatting De fenologie van de herfstbladroller (Syndemis musculana Hübner), een incidentele plaag op appel, werd nader bepaald met het doel het uitkomen van de eieren te kunnen voorspellen. In 1983–1986 viel de piekvlucht, bepaald met behulp van feromoonvallen, steeds tussen 13 en 18 mei.De ontwikkelingsduur van de eieren bij verschillende constante temperaturen werd gebruikt om de periode van uitkomen te schatten. De meeste eieren zullen ieder jaar in de eerste helft van juni uitkomen.Geconstateerde verschillen in schade tussen appelrassen blijken goeddeels terug te voeren op verschillen in pluktijdstip. De rupsen van de herfstbladroller zijn pas half-was als de eerste appels eind augustus geplukt worden, terwijl tegen het einde van de oogst begin oktober de meeste al in winterslaap zijn. Met name tussentijdse rassen, als Cox's Orange Pippin and Schone van Boskoop, lopen extra schade op doordat grotere rupsen met de geplukte vruchten in de kist terecht komen.Uit de rupsen werden negen, al van andere boomgaardbladrollers bekende, sluipwespen gekweekt, Omdat deze bladrollersoort, als enige in de boomgaard, als volgroeide rups overwintert, lijkt zij bij uitstek geschikt als winterwaard.This study was carried out at the Experimental Orchard De Schuilenburg, Schuilenburg 3, 4041 BK Kesteren, the Netherlands, to which address correspondence should be addressed.     

Diagnostics,genetic diversity and pathogenic variation of ascochyta blight of cool season food and feed legumes

Molecular diagnostic techniques have been developed to differentiate the Ascochyta pathogens that infect cool season food and feed legumes, as well as to improve the sensitivity of detecting latent infection in plant tissues. A seed sampling technique was developed to detect a 1% level of infection by Ascochyta rabiei in commercial chickpea seed. The Ascochyta pathogens were shown to be genetically diverse in countries where the pathogen and host have coexisted for a long time. However, where the pathogen was recently introduced, such as A. rabiei to Australia, the level of diversity remained relatively low, even as the pathogen spread to all chickpea-growing areas. Pathogenic variability of A. rabiei and Ascochyta pinodes pathogens in chickpea and field pea respectively, appears to be quantitative, where measures of disease severity were based on aggressiveness (quantitative level of infection) rather than on true qualitative virulence. In contrast, qualitative differences in pathogenicity in lentil and faba bean genotypes indicated the existence of pathotypes of Ascochyta lentis and Ascochyta fabae. Therefore, reports of pathotype discrimination based on quantitative differences in pathogenicity in a set of specific genotypes is questionable for several of the ascochyta-legume pathosystems such as A. rabiei and A. pinodes. This is not surprising since host resistance to these pathogens has been reported to be mainly quantitative, making it difficult for the pathogen to overcome specific resistance genes and form pathotypes. For robust pathogenicity assessment, there needs to be consistency in selection of differential host genotypes, screening conditions and disease evaluation techniques for each of the Ascochyta sp. in legume-growing countries throughout the world. Nevertheless, knowledge of pathotype diversity and aggressiveness within populations is important in the selection of resistant genotypes.     

Characterization of Sclerotinia minor populations in Texas peanut fields

In the summer of 2004 an epidemic of sclerotinia blight of peanut, a disease caused by Sclerotinia minor, occurred in Texas in fields where the disease was never previously detected. The disease was observed on many plants within one of the fields (>3000 disease foci), although most foci were <1 m. It is hypothesized that these observations were inconsistent with the recent introduction of a monocyclic pathogen, even if disease developed under conducive environmental conditions. The pattern of disease is most suggestive of the presence of foliar (ascospore) infections, although air temperature was above the known limits for apothecia development if the pathogen had arrived in the field in 2004 peanut seed. To further examine this epidemic, 232 isolates were collected, across a variety of spatial scales spanning this field and other Texas peanut fields, and evaluated for aggressiveness, fungicide sensitivity and genotypic diversity. There was wide variation among isolates for the phenotypic characteristics measured, but there was no evidence that a genotypically unique, highly aggressive, and fungicide resistant isolate had been introduced or evolved. The predominant genotype, TX1, which contained 154 isolates, was found in every county and field population.     

Tumours of Begonia and some other ornamentals,induced by Corynebacterium fascians

In 1975 many tumours were observed in plants ofBegonia Schwabenland grown in Aalsmeer. Submersion of the roots ofNicotiana megalosiphon seedlings in a homogenate of tumorous tissue, induced tumours after two weeks. Short periods of submergence yielded results similar to those obtained after longer periods. Tumour homogenates lost their infectivity after ten min at 50°C. Aphids transmitted the infectious agent.Treatment with propylene oxide did not inhibit infectivity completely. Filtration through a 450 nm filter removed the infectious agent.Tobacco tumor virus or a viroid could not be isolated. Cultures ofCorynebacterium fascians, isolated from tumours ofN. megalosiphon were highly infectious and induced tumours in healthyN. megalosiphon andBegonia. Tumorous tissue homogenates ofPelargonium zonale, Dahlia sp.,Gladiolus sp., andLilium sp. also caused tumours inN. megalosiphon, from whichC. fascians was isolated. It was not possible to produce tumours inN. megalosiphon with homogenates from roses with symptoms of bud proliferation.Samenvatting In 1975 werden vele tumoren waargenomen inBegonia Schwabenland op Aalsmeerse bedrijven (Fig. 1). De infectiositeit van tumorweefsel kon goed en snel worden vastgesteld door de wortels van zaailingen vanNicotiana megalosiphon in een homogenaat van tumorweefsel te dompelen. Tumoren ontstonden na twee weken, de eindbeoordeling geschiedde na een maand (Fig. 2). Ook verschillende andereNicotiana spp.,Melilotus officinalis (Fig. 3) enPisum odoratum (Fig. 4) werden aangetast.Bij de infectiositeitstoets gaven zeer korte dompeltijden even goede resultaten als langere (Tabel 1). Infectieus sap verloor zijn infectievermogen na 10 min verhitting bij 50°C. Bladluizen brachten de smetstof over. Propyleenoxide verminderde de infectiositeit wel, doch onderdrukte deze niet totaal. Bij filtratie door een 450 nm filter bleef het infectieuse agens op het filter achter. Het tumor-inducerende agens was ook aanwezig in die delen van planten met tumoren welke gezond leken en het ging voor een gering deel over met zaad (Tabel 2).Uit tumoren konden wij geen tabakstumorvirus of een viroïde isoleren. Culturen vanCorynebacterium fascians, geïsoleerd uit tumoren vanN. megalosiphon bleken zeer infectieus en veroorzaakten tumoren inN. megalosiphon enBegonia. Homogenaten van tumorweefsel vanPelargonium zonale, dahlia (Fig. 5), gladiool (Fig. 6) enLilium Mid Century Hybrid Enchantment (Fig. 7) veroorzaakten ook tumoren opN. megalosiphon, waaruitC. fascians werd geïsoleerd. Met sap van kroeskopzieke rozen konden wijN. megalosiphon niet besmetten.