Patterns of cross-resistance to fungicides in Botryotinia fuckeliana (Botrytis cinerea) isolates from French vineyards

Field strains of Botryotinia fuckeliana were isolated from diseased grape berries which were collected at the harvest, between 1993 and 1997, from French vineyards located in Alsace, Armagnac, Bordeaux, Champagne and Loire Valley. According to the inhibitory effects of fungicides towards spore germination, germ-tube elongation and mycelial growth, several phenotypes could be characterized. Thus, two types of benzimidazole (e.g. carbendazim, thiabendazole)-resistant strains were detected; negative cross-resistance towards diethofencarb, diphenylamine and dicloran was found only in one type. Most dicarboximide (e.g. iprodione, procymidone, vinclozolin)-resistant strains were also weakly resistant to aromatic hydrocarbon fungicides (e.g. chloroneb, dicloran, tolclofos-methyl) but remained sensitive to phenylpyrroles (e.g. fenpiclonil, fludioxonil). However, in some other dicarboximide-resistant strains, resistance was observed either as being restricted to dicarboximides or as extending weakly to phenylpyrroles. Towards anilinopyrimidines (e.g. cyprodinil, mepanipyrim, pyrimethanil), three resistant phenotypes have been identified. In the most resistant one, resistance was restricted to anilinopyrimidines, whereas in the others, resistance extended to various other groups of fungicides including dicarboximides, phenylpyrroles, sterol biosynthesis inhibitors (e.g. tolfanate, prochloraz, tebuconazole) and the hydroxyanilide derivative, fenhexamid. According to the pattern of cross-resistance, two phenotypes were characterized within these multifungicide-resistant strains. In vitro tests conducted with fenpropimorph, fenpropidin and spiroxamine, revealed the existence of strains highly susceptible to these sterol Δ¹⁴- reduction inhibitors. This property was correlated with a decreased sensitivity towards fenhexamid.     

Occurrence of resistant strains of Botrytis cinerea to anilinopyrimidine fungicides in table grapes in Chile

Effort to control gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea failed in a table grapevine (Vitis vinifera) vineyard near Santiago, Chile where cyprodinil (Vangard 50 WP), a new fungicide of the anilinopyrimidine group, had been applied alone up to four times per year during two growing seasons. A relatively high frequency (38.5%) of resistant isolates of B. cinerea (EC₅₀ for mycelial growth inhibition varied from 2.9 to 4.84 μg ml⁻¹) may explain the partial loss of field control efficacy obtained. Resistance was correlated with a complete loss of in vivo sensitivity to cyprodinil. Resistant isolates of B. cinerea showed cross resistance to the anilinopyrimidines fungicides mepanipyrim and pyrimethanil. Cyprodinil partially impaired conidia germination and differentially affected conidial germination of resistant and sensitive isolates. Significant differences (p<0.05) in growth rate, sclerotia production and osmotic sensitivity were found among isolates of B. cinerea, but no correlation could be drawn between these biological differences and resistance or sensitivity. This indicates a disruptive selection characteristic of monogenic resistance. Thus, strategies were implemented to avoid the further development and spread of resistance in B. cinerea to the anilinopyrimidine fungicides. To our knowledge this constitutes the first mention of resistance in B. cinerea populations to anilinopyrimidine fungicides in South America.     

Fitness of isolates of Erysiphe graminis f.sp. tritici with reduced sensitivity to fenpropimorph

Under crowded infection conditions, isolates of Erysiphe graminis f.sp. tritici with reduced sensitivity to fenpropimorph displayed a lower competitive ability than wild type isolates. The lower competitive ability could not be ascribed to changes in germination, latent period, colony forming ability or production of conidia, but seems to be a complex change in phenotype that cannot be assessed easily by characterization of individual fitness components. Using mildew isolates containing fungicide-sensitivity and virulence markers to study survival, some isolates with reduced sensitivity to fenpropimorph survived the winter. The competitive ability of these isolates seemed to be slightly lower than that of the mildew population that migrated naturally into the experimental field. Results described indicate that in practice, in periods without selection pressure, the frequency of isolates with reduced sensitivity to this compound may decrease.     

Effects of fungicides used to control Rhynchosporium secalis where benzimidazole resistance is present

The effects of fungicides used to control Rhynchosporium secalis in winter barley were investigated in five field trials in Co. Down, Northern Ireland. Benzimidazole resistance was present in the R. secalis population of each site. Fungicide performance was evaluated in terms of disease control, maintenance of green leaf area, grain yield and grain quality. Samples of R. secalis isolates taken before and after treatment in each field were assessed for sensitivity to carbendazim in the laboratory. Carbendazim contributed little to disease control, the maintenance of green leaf area, grain yield or grain quality. Carbendazim was associated with a significant increase in disease severity in some plots. Treatments containing carbendazim, either alone or in mixture, caused an increase in the proportion of carbendazim-resistant isolates within R. secalis populations. Propiconazole-containing treatments performed well in terms of disease control, maintenance of green leaf area and grain quality. They caused no change in carbendazim resistance frequency.     

Antifungal modes of action of metalaxyl, cyprofuram, benalaxyl and oxadixyl in phenylamide-sensitive and phenylamide-resistant strains of Phytophthora megasperma f. sp. medicaginis and Phytophthora infestans

The activity of the phenylamide fungicides metalaxyl, cyprofuram, benalaxyl and oxadixyl against phenylamide-sensitive and phenylamide-resistant strains of Phytophthora megasperma f. sp. medicaginis and Phytophthora infestans has been compared in several tests. Metalaxyl showed the highest activity amongst the four fungicides against mycelial growth of sensitive strains on agar media. Benalaxyl and cyprofuram showed the highest activity against resistant strains. RNA synthesis of sensitive strains, measured as [³H]uridine incorporation, was inhibited by about 80% (P. megasperma) and by about 40% (P. infestans) by all phenylamides at concentrations of 1 μg/ml. At higher concentrations inhibition remained at this level, indicating that only part of the RNA synthesis was inhibited. RNA synthesis of resistant strains was completely insensitive to metalaxyl and oxadixyl at concentrations as high as 200 μg/ml. Cyprofuram, however, at concentrations above 1 μg/ml (P. megasperma) and 10 μg/ml (P. infestans) was inhibitory and at 200 μg/ml this compound almost completely inhibited the phenylamide-sensitive part of the RNA synthesis of both strains. In contrast to the other phenylamides, benalaxyl affected [³H]uridine uptake into mycelium at concentrations higher than 10 μg/ml, and at 100 μg/ml inhibition of uptake was almost total with both sensitive and resistant strains of both Phytophthora species. Inhibition of [³H]uridine uptake obviously is a feature of a second mechanism of action of benalaxyl. Endogenous RNA polymerase activity of isolated nuclei from sensitive strains of P. megasperma was inhibited at phenylamide concentrations as low as 0·1 μg/ml whereas that from resistant strains was not affected at concentrations as high as 100 μg/ml. Similarly, endogenous nuclear RNA polymerase activity of sensitive P. infestans strains appeared to be more sensitive to the phenylamides than that of resistant P. infestans strains. This suggests that resistance that developed in field strains of P. infestans has a basis similar to that of mutagen-induced resistance in laboratory strains of P. megasperma. Tests of the fungicidal activity of the phenylamides determined in a lucerne seedling assay (P. megasperma) and a detached potato leaf assay (P. infestans) clearly differentiated between sensitive and resistant strains. Resistance levels to cyprofuram and benalaxyl were as high as those to metalaxyl and oxadixyl, indicating that the additional effect of a second mechanism of action of benalaxyl and the property of cyprofuram to inhibit RNA synthesis of resistant strains at higher concentrations are of limited practical importance for counteracting phenylamide resistance.     

Effects of a range of fungicides used to control rust (Uromyces viciae-fabae) on spring-sown field beans (Vicia faba) in the UK

In two years a range of fungicides was used to control rust (Uromyces viciae-fabae) on spring-sown field beans (Vicia faba). In 1984 fenpropimorph, maneb, mancozeb, maneb plus mancozeb, propiconazole, thiram, triadimefon and zineb-polyethylene thiuram disulphide plus tridemorph were applied once or twice and compared with no fungicide. In 1985 the experiment was repeated with the addition of benodanil. In 1984 there was very little rust or other foliar disease and the effects of treatments on yield were small. In 1985 rust was first found in late June and became severe on untreated plots in August. All the fungicides reduced the incidence of rust but the amount of control differed with frequency of application and on different dates of disease assessment. In 1985 chocolate spot (Botrytis fabae) also became severe in late August. All the fungicides reduced chocolate spot but maneb plus mancozeb was the most effective. In 1985 yields were increased from 5 · 6 to 7 · 7 t/ha by maneb plus mancozeb applied once. Other fungicides gave smaller yield increases. Yield increases given were attributable mainly to control of rust but partly to control of chocolate spot. Yield increases given by non-systemic fungicides came mainly from increases in the weight of individual grains; those yield increases given by systemic materials came, in addition, from better pod retention.     

Sclerotinia and Phomopsis — two devastating sunflower pathogens

Cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is prone to many diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, and viruses, of which the most detrimental are those caused by fungi. Two of the most important fungal pathogens are Sclerotinia and Phomopsis. Within the genus Sclerotinia, both S. minor and S. sclerotiorum cause a basal stalk rot and subsequent wilt of sunflower, with S. sclerotiorum more widely distributed around the world. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum also incites a head rot and mid-stem rot of sunflower. Since Sclerotinia spp. have a very wide host range and can persist in soil as dormant sclerotia for up to 10 years, the pathogens have been extremely difficult to control with either generic resistance or fungicides. The most effective control is the use of long rotations, tolerant hybrids, and sclerotium-free seed. Gray stem spot is a relatively new disease of sunflower first observed in the early 1980s in Yugoslavia and now considered the most devastating sunflower disease in eastern Europe. Symptoms include large stem cankers and subsequent wilt. Phomopsis helianthi has been identified as one incitant of gray stem spot, but another Phomopsis species may also be involved, both in Europe and in the United States. Foliar fungicides can control gray stem spot, but the development of resistant hybrids has been much more cost-effective.     

Sensitivity of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum to fludioxonil: In vitro determination of baseline sensitivity and resistance risk

This work determined the sensitivity of field populations of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary before exposure to the fungicide fludioxonil (= baseline sensitivity) and assessed the risk of fludioxonil resistance. The mean EC₅₀ (Effective Concentration) and Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for fludioxonil based on inhibition of mycelial growth of 120 wild-type isolates were 0.015 ± 0.005 μg/ml and <0.05 μg/ml, respectively. Positive cross-resistance was not detected between fludioxonil and benzimidazole fungicides but was detected between fludioxonil and dicarboximide fungicides which are considered as high resistance risk fungicides by FRAC, even though these fungicides have different molecular structures. By growing wild-type isolates on potato dextrose agar (PDA) containing sublethal concentrations of the fungicide, we obtained four fludioxonil-resistant mutants with resistance factors (EC₅₀ resistant/EC₅₀ sensitive phenotypes) >2000. The laboratory fludioxonil mutants were less fitter than their parental isolates in terms of mycelial radial growth, pathogenicity and sclerotial production. Moreover, on PDA amended with NaCl, the laboratory fludioxonil mutants grew more slowly than their fludioxonil-sensitive parents, especially at lower concentrations of NaCl. According to the fitness of mutants and the cross-resistance between fludioxonil and dicarboximide fungicides, phenylpyrroles can be considered to pose a moderate resistance risk. In a field trial, fludioxonil provided greater control (over 90% disease control) of S. sclerotiorum than iprodione.     

不同地区橡胶树红根病菌的生物学特性及室内毒力测定

橡胶树红根病是我国分布最广、危害最重的橡胶树根部病害。为明确我国海南和云南地区橡胶红根病菌的生物学特性及对杀菌剂的敏感性,采用十字交叉法研究了不同培养条件对病菌菌丝生长的影响,并测定了10种不同杀菌剂对病菌的抑制作用。结果表明,病原菌在玉米+橡胶根的培养基上生长最快,对温度、pH等适应范围广,温度在13~31 ℃,pH在3~10均能生长,最适生长温度为28 ℃,多数菌株最佳pH为7~9,且能利用多种碳氮源;不同的碳源中,果糖、半乳糖、麦芽糖、葡萄糖和甘露糖较适合该菌的生长;在供试氮源中,菌丝在酪氨酸、牛肉浸膏的基础培养基上生长最快,在色氨酸和尿素的基础培养基上生长最慢;光照对病菌有抑制作用,黑暗有利于菌丝生长;菌丝的致死温度为47 ℃,10 min。不同地区的病原菌株间药剂敏感性存在一定差异,戊唑醇抑菌效果最好,其EC₅₀为0.0312 μg/mL,其次为嘧菌酯、十三吗啉、咪鲜胺和腈菌唑,EC₅₀分别为0.5581、0.6759、1.3763和1.5603 μg/mL。     

Resistance to the legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata Fabricius, and the probable modalities involved in wild Vigna

A large number of accessions belonging to selected wild Vigna species namely V. unguiculata subspecies dekindtiana, V. oblongifolia, and V. vexillata were evaluated using choice (DCAT) and no-choice (NCFT) laboratory feeding bioassays to determine their resistance to the pod borer, Maruca vitrata Fabricius. The most resistant accessions belonged to V. vexillata, followed by those from V. oblongifolia, with a few outstanding exceptions from V. unguiculata. Even though the latter were the least resistant, they provided the greatest variability among the tested accessions. In the DCAT, the cultivated cowpea line, IT84S-2246, which was used as the susceptible control was always preferred for feeding by the larvae (feeding index [FI] of 1.10–2.60) than the V. unguiculata accessions (FI ranged from 0–0.52). Against the resistant control (itself belonging to V. vexillata), only a few accessions were less preferred, most of these being either V. vexillata or V. oblongifolia. Larvae lost weight on the most resistant from all three species, because they either did not feed, or fed very little. Weight gain was positively correlated with seed damage (r = 0.82, P < 0.01) and the amount of frass produced (r = 0.91, P < 0.01). Seed damage was also positively correlated with the amount of frass produced (r = 0.64, P < 0.05). On the basis of these results, we believe that both antibiosis (post-ingestive effects) and antixenosis (deterrence to boring into the pods to feed) modalities of resistance are involved. The results are discussed further in relation to the origin, domestication and use of these accessions in cowpea improvement.     

Baseline sensitivity of Monilinia laxa from Greece to fenhexamid and analysis of fenhexamid-resistant mutants

Fenhexamid is a hydroxyanilide fungicide with excellent performance against Botrytis cinerea but also effective against Monilinia spp. which cause brown rot disease in apple and stone fruit. A total of 75 Monilinia laxa field isolates were utilized to determine baseline sensitivity while a number of fenhexamid-resistant laboratory mutants were used to evaluate the resistance risk associated with the longevity of the effectiveness of fenhexamid. Fenhexamid was found to be highly effective against all field isolates. EC₅₀ values ranged from 0.02 to 1 μg mL⁻¹ and were distributed unimodaly around an average of 0.1 μg mL⁻¹. M. laxa laboratory strains with moderate and high resistance levels to fenhexamid were isolated after UV mutagenesis. All fenhexamid-resistant strains showed parental sensitivity to carbendazim, iprodione, fludioxonil, pyraclostrobin, flusilazole and prochloraz. Interestingly, some of the mutant strains were also resistant to tridemorph, fenpropimorph and spiroxamine. Studies on fitness parameters of fenhexamid-resistant strains revealed a fitness cost on sporulation and pathogenicity but not on mycelial growth. These results suggest that fenhexamid should be a good alternative site-specific fungicide for the control of brown rot disease caused by M. laxa. However, appropriate anti-resistance strategies should be considered to ensure the successful commercial use of fenhexamid in the long run.     

Sensitivity to iprodione, difenoconazole and fludioxonil of Rhizoctonia cerealis isolates collected from wheat in China

Since the 1980s wheat sharp eyespot (WSE) caused mainly by Rhizoctonia cerealis has become one of serious diseases of wheat in China. In this study, the sensitivity of 89 R. cerealis isolates to different fungicides was evaluated using mycelial growth inhibition assays. The results showed that all R. cerealis isolates tested were sensitive to iprodione, difenoconazole and fludioxonil with mean EC₅₀ (effective concentration that results in 50% of mycelial growth inhibition) values of 0.419, 0.062 and 0.033 μg/ml, respectively. To evaluate the risk of fungicide resistance in R. cerealis, an attempt was made to induce resistant mutants in the laboratory. Although difenoconazole- and fludioxonil-resistant mutants were not obtained, we obtained seven independently iprodione-resistant (IR) mutants from 89 parental isolates. The EC₅₀ values for these IR mutants were greater than 100 μg/ml, whereas those for the original wild-type counterparts were less than 1 μg/ml. After having been subcultured on PDA for 10 generations, the IR mutants did not show any decrease in resistance to iprodione. Additionally, these IR mutants also showed resistance to fludioxonil but remained sensitive to difenoconazole. Osmotic sensitivity tests showed that the IR mutants were hypersensitive to osmotic stress generated by NaCl. Inoculation tests showed that all the IR mutants lost their ability to infect the host plant. Taken together, these results indicate that the current population of R. cerealis is sensitive to these fungicides and a fitness cost is associated with iprodione-resistant mutants of R. cerealis in both osmotic stress and pathogenicity. The information obtained in this study is useful in monitoring and managing fungicide resistance in R. cerealis populations in China.     

播娘蒿对双氟磺草胺的抗性水平及靶标抗性分子机理

为明确麦田杂草播娘蒿对双氟磺草胺的抗性水平及靶标抗性分子机理,采用整株-剂量响应法测定了播娘蒿对双氟磺草胺的抗性水平,通过克隆测序进行了靶标乙酰乳酸合成酶(ALS)基因序列比对分析,并通过测定靶标酶离体活性,分析了抗性和敏感种群播娘蒿ALS对双氟磺草胺的敏感性。结果显示,与敏感种群TS 相比,抗性种群G₁₃₀ 对双氟磺草胺产生了高水平抗性,抗药性指数为108.6;在G₁₃₀种群中随机抽取100株,对其ALS基因进行测序,比对分析发现,33%植株ALS 的第197位脯氨酸突变为苏氨酸,40%植株ALS 的第574位色氨酸突变为亮氨酸,27%植株的ALS 同时存在上述两种突变。ALS 离体活性测定结果表明,双氟磺草胺对抗性种群ALS 的活性抑制中浓度为敏感种群的137.8倍。这说明,播娘蒿抗性种群ALS 关键位点氨基酸的突变可能是导致其对双氟磺草胺产生高水平抗性的重要原因之一。     

Sensitivity of Cercospora sojina isolates to quinone outside inhibitor fungicides

Frogeye leaf spot, caused by Cercospora sojina, causes yield reductions to soybean (Glycine max) grown worldwide. Quinone outside inhibitor (QoI) fungicides have been effective in managing frogeye leaf spot, but the risk of selecting C. sojina strains with resistance to this class of fungicides is considered high. A QoI fungicide resistance monitoring program was initiated, in which sensitivities to azoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, and trifloxystrobin were determined in C. sojina isolates collected prior to QoI fungicide use on soybean (baseline group) and C. sojina isolates collected from soybean fields in 2007, 2008 and 2009. For the baseline group, the mean effective fungicide concentration at which 50% of the conidial germination was inhibited (EC₅₀) was determined to be 0.01287, 0.00028 and 0.00116 μg ml⁻¹ for azoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin and trifloxystrobin, respectively. When mean EC₅₀ values of 2007, 2008 and 2009 C. sojina isolates were compared to baseline C. sojina EC₅₀ values, a small but statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05) shift towards less sensitivity was observed for trifloxystrobin in 2009. Although small (<1.5-fold), this shift in sensitivity indicates a risk of selecting for C. sojina strains with reduced sensitivity to QoI fungicides, and fungicide sensitivities should continue to be monitored in the future.     

Toxicity of different fungicides to adult Cryptolaemus montrouzieri mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Toxicity and persistence of eight fungicides (carbendazim, tridemorph, mancozeb, captafol, triadimefon, Bordeaux mixture, sulphur w.p. and sulphur dust) to Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant adults was assessed by calculating the median lethal time (LT) values in days, following probit analysis. While tridemorph 0·05% was the safest, triadimefon 0·05% was most toxic with greater persistence. Hence the spraying of tridemorph 0·05% and the release of the predator could be simultaneous.     

Fungicidal control of groundnut leaf spot and rust in Nigeria

Four systemic fungicide formulations (tridemorph, tridemorph plus maneb, carbendazim and benomyl) and three non-systemic fungicides (captafol, mancozeb and copper oxychloride) were evaluated in field trials at two locations in Nigeria in 1981 and 1982 for control of early leaf spot (Mycosphaerella arachidis Deighton, stat: conid: Cercospora arachidicola Hori), late leaf spot (Mycosphaerella berkleyi W. A. Jenkins, stat: conid: Cercosporidium personatum (Berk. & Curt.) Deighton) and rust (Puccinia arachidis Speg.) of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Plots receiving mancozeb and tridemorph plus maneb showed best overall disease control and highest yields, followed by copper oxychloride. Benomyl and carbendazim controlled leaf spots predominantly while tridemorph controlled only rust. Captafol gave little overall disease control with yields only slightly better than untreated controls. Further tests are planned for tridemorph plus maneb and copper oxychloride using different concentrations and spray schedules.     

Efficacy of fosetyl-Al,propamocarb, dimethomorph,cymoxanil, metalaxyl and metalaxyl-M in Czech Pseudoperonospora cubensis populations during the years 2005 through 2010

A total of 134 Czech Pseudoperonospora cubensis isolates originating from Cucumis sativus were used for fungicide resistance screening. Efficacy of six commonly used and registered fungicides was screened in Czech P. cubensis populations. The investigations covered the frequency and occurrence of sensitive, moderately resistant and resistant isolates to the individual fungicides during the period 2005–2010. Fosetyl-Al (Aliette 80 W) and propamocarb (Previcur 607 SL) were the most effective fungicides. All tested isolates were sensitive on all tested fosetyl-Al concentrations. However, some isolates expressed resistance (profuse sporulation) or moderate resistance (limited sporulation) to lower and/or even to recommended concentrations of propamocarb in the years 2006 and 2008–2010. Metalaxyl (Ridomil PLUS 48 WP) and metalaxyl-M (Ridomil Gold MZ 68 WP) were ineffective. Isolates collected in 2008 and 2009 showed large variation in moderate resistance or resistance even at high fungicide dosages. However, this result was not confirmed in 2010, when efficacy of these fungicides increased slightly, and 69% and 43% of isolates were controlled at the recommended concentration of metalaxyl-M and metalaxyl, respectively. Limited or profuse sporulation was observed only sporadically at high concentrations. Sensitivity of isolates to cymoxanil (Curzate K) differed among the studied years. While cymoxanil was ineffective in the years 2005–2008 and in 2010, 68% of isolates were controlled at the recommended concentration in 2009. During the years 2005 through 2010, a shift towards higher sensitivity to dimethomorph was observed at all screened concentrations.     

陕西省小麦白粉菌对三唑酮的抗药性监测

为给三唑酮在小麦白粉菌防治中的合理应用提供依据,采用拌种离体叶段法测定了陕西省4个市19个乡镇的166个小麦白粉菌菌株对三唑酮的抗药性。结果表明,供试菌株对三唑酮的平均EC50为34.66mg.L-1,平均抗药性水平为16.58倍,80.72%的菌株产生了抗药性。其中,高抗菌株(抗药性水平>40倍)占9.64%,中抗菌株(10倍<抗药性水平≤40倍)占37.35%。咸阳市武功县普集镇、宝鸡市岐山县高店乡和益店镇以及眉县横渠镇小麦白粉菌抗药性高于其他地区。说明陕西省关中大部分地区的小麦白粉菌已对三唑酮产生了抗药性,且抗药性呈增加趋势,但与全国范围相比,抗药性水平相对较低。     

New genes for resistance to green leafhopper, Nephotettix virescens (distant) in rice, Oryza sativa L.

The inheritance of resistance to the green leafhopper, Nephotettix virescens (Distant) (Homoptera: Cicadellidae), in 12 cultivars of rice (Oryza sativa L.) was studied at Joydebpur, Bangladesh. The resistance of Kosatawee is governed by a single recessive gene. The remaining 11 varieties possess single dominant genes for resistance, which are different from the genes Glh 1, Glh 2, Glh 3 and Glh 5. The single dominant genes conveying resistance in TAPL 796, Ptb 18 and IR36 are allelic to each other but are non-allelic to the dominant resistance gene of Maddai Karuppan. The resistance genes in TAPL 796 and Maddai Karuppan were designated Glh 6 and Glh 7 respectively. The dominant resistance gene in Sulai is independent of Glh 6, but its allelic relationship to Glh 7 is not known. The allelic relationships of the dominant genes for resistance of Sulai, TAPL 628, TAPL 651, Leu-Wei-Theu, Bir-co-se-mao-17, Gu-win-gu-gi-goo, and Dikwee to Glh 6 and Glh 7 need to be investigated.     

Levels of resistance of rice cultivars and the weed Leersia hexandra L. to Nephotettix malayanus Ishihara et Kawase and N. virescens (Distant)

Studies on the mechanisms of resistance of some rice cultivars and the weed, Leersia hexandra, to Nephotettix malayanus indicated low survival and popu;ation growth of the insect on resistant cultivars. Tests on feeding behaviour indicated that more feeding punctures were made on resistant than on susceptible cultivars. The amount of honeydew excreted was not related to the levels of resistance. Honeydew excreted on resistant cultivars was acidic (pH 5·08–6·92) and on susceptible L. hexandra, basic (pH 7·56). On the basis of the quality of honeydew excreted, N. malayanus was considered to be predominantly a xylem feeder. A test on the serial transmission of the rice tungro virus (RTV) showed that N. malayanus transmitted the virus for only one day after feeding acquisition. N. virescens was a more efficient vector of RTV than N. malayanus. N. malayanus prefers to feed on L. hexandra rather than on the rice cultivars tested.