Epidemiology of Fusarium Infection and Deoxynivalenol Content in Winter Wheat in the Rhineland, Germany

Details of our long-term research programme concerning the epidemiology of Fusarium spp. and mycotoxin production are summarized. Evaluation of the occurrence of Fusarium spp., mainly on winter wheat (Triticum aestivum), was carried out by investigating Fusarium infection and mycotoxin contamination. Two to 15% of grains were infested during 1995–1998 at three climatologically differing localities of the Rhineland, Germany. Disease progress was accelerated by rainfall during the flowering season. The species most frequently isolated were Fusarium avenaceum, F. poae, F. culmorum and F. graminearum. The mean deoxynivalenol (DON) content varied from 19gkg^–1 (1995) to 310gkg^–1 (1998) and was not always correlated with disease severity. Organic farming systems showed lower rates of infection with ear blight and lower mycotoxin contamination than conventional farming systems.     

Studies on in vitro Growth and Pathogenicity of European Fusarium Fungi

The effect of temperature on the in vitro growth rates and pathogenicity of a European Fusarium collection consisting of isolates of Fusarium graminearum, F. culmorum, F. avenaceum, F. poae and Microdochium nivale was examined. Irrespective of geographic origin, the optimum temperature for the growth of F. graminearum, F. culmorum and F. poae was 25 °C, while that for F. avenaceum and M. nivale was 20 °C. In general, the growth rates of F. graminearum, F. culmorum and F. poae increased between 10 and 25 °C and those of F. avenaceum and M. nivale increased between 10 and 20 °C. Pathogenicity tests were carried out by examining the effect of the five species on the in vitro coleoptile growth rate of wheat seedlings (cv. Falstaff). Irrespective of geographic origin, the temperature at which F. avenaceum, F. culmorum and F. graminearum caused the greatest retardation in coleoptile growth ranges 20–25 °C (>89.3% reduction), whilst for F. poae and M. nivale it was 10–15 °C (>45.6% retardation), relative to uninoculated control seedlings. In general, F. culmorum and F. graminearum were the most pathogenic of the five species, causing at least a 69% reduction in coleoptile growth at 10, 15, 20 and 25 °C. General linear model analysis (GLIM) showed that species accounted for 51.3–63.4% of the variation in isolate growth and from 19.5% to 44.3% of the variation in in vitro pathogenicity. Country of origin contributed from 22.6% to 51.9% to growth rate variation and from 0.73% to 7.61% to pathogenicity variation. The only significant correlation between in vitro growth and pathogenicity was that observed for M. nivale at 15 °C (r = -0.803, P < 0.05).     

Resistance Reaction of Conifer Species (European Larch, Norway Spruce, Scots Pine) to Infection by Selected Necrotrophic Damping-off Pathogens

Three conifer species (European larch, Norway spruce, Scots pine) were investigated for their resistance to five damping-off pathogens (Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium solani, F. oxysporum, F. culmorum, F. avenaceum). Inoculation of the primary roots of seedlings with these pathogens caused host cell death which did not prevent the invasive growth of these fungi; seedlings that had formed secondary and tertiary roots could overcome the infection to a significant degree. Infections with R. solani caused significant mortality to all the conifer species. In contrast, the tree species expressed different levels of resistance when challenged with the Fusarium isolates, with Norway spruce being the most resistant compared to uninoculated controls. Some of the Fusarium isolates were more pathogenic to certain hosts than others; F. oxysporum for European larch, F. avenaceum for Scots pine, F. solani for European larch; only F. culmorum was significantly pathogenic to Norway spruce. No significant differences in disease severity were observed at different soil pH (4.3–7.5). Disease progression was delayed at lower (10–15°C) rather than higher temperatures (20–25°C).     

Common resistance to different <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium</Emphasis> spp. causing <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium</Emphasis> head blight in wheat

Different sets of wheat genotypes were tested under field conditions by spraying inocula of isolates of seven Fusarium spp. and Microdochium nivale (formerly F. nivale) in the period 1998–2002. The severity of Fusarium head blight (FHB), Fusarium-damaged kernels (FDK), the yield reduction and the deoxynivalenol (DON) contamination were also measured to describe the nature of the resistance. The degrees of FHB severity of genotypes to F. graminearum, F. culmorum, F. avenaceum, F. sporotrichioides, F. poae, F.␣verticillioides, F. sambucinum and M. nivale were very similar, indicating that the resistance to F.␣graminearum was similar to that for other Fusarium spp. listed. This is an important message to breeders as the resistance relates not only to any particular isolate of F. graminearum, but similarly to isolates of other Fusarium spp. This holds true for all the parameters measured. The DON contamination refers only to DON-producers F. graminearum and F. culmorum. Highly significant correlations were found between FHB, FDK, yield loss and DON contamination. Resistance components such as resistance to kernel infection, resistance to DON and tolerance were identified in the more susceptible genotypes. As compared with western European genotypes which produced up to 700 mg kg⁻¹ DON, the Hungarian genotypes produced only 100 mg kg⁻¹ at a similar FDK level. This research demonstrates the importance of measuring both FDK and DON in the breeding and selection of resistant germplasm and cultivars.     

Deoxynivalenol, Nivalenol and Moniliformin in Wheat Samples with Head Blight (scab) Symptoms in Poland (1998–2000)

Fusarium head blight (scab) epidemics of wheat occurred in uawy (Northern Poland) during 1998 and in Wielkopolska (West) and in Southern regions of Poland in 1999. Four species were identified in wheat heads with scab symptoms: Fusarium culmorum, Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium avenaceum and Microdochium nivale. A significant increase in the frequency of F. graminearum (between 23% and 38%), was observed, compared to about 10% during the previous decade. The mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON), nivalenol (NIV) and moniliformin (MON) in amounts up to 24.3, 14.2 and 1.72mgkg^–1respectively, were identified in kernels samples.     

Toxigenicity and pathogenicity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium poae</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium avenaceum</Emphasis> on wheat

In a field experiment between 2004 and 2006, 14 winter wheat varieties were inoculated with either a mixture of three isolates of F. poae or a mixture of three isolates of F. avenaceum. In a subsequent climate chamber experiment, the wheat variety Apogee was inoculated with individual single conidium isolates derived from the original poly conidium isolates used in the field. Disease symptoms on wheat heads were visually assessed, and the yield as well as the fungal incidence on harvested grains (field only) was determined. Furthermore, grains were analysed using LC-MS/MS to determine the content of Fusarium mycotoxins. In samples from field and climate chamber experiments, 60 to 4,860 μg kg⁻¹ nivalenol and 2,400 to 17,000 μg kg⁻¹ moniliformin were detected in grains infected with F. poae and F. avenaceum, respectively. Overall, isolate mixtures and individual isolates of F. avenaceum proved to be more pathogenic than those of F. poae, leading to a higher disease level, yield reductions up to 25%, and greater toxin contamination. For F. poae, all variables except for yield were strongly influenced by variety (field) and by isolate (climate chamber). For F. avenaceum, variety had a strong effect on all variables, but isolate effects on visual disease were not reflected in toxin production. Correlations between visual symptoms, fungal incidence, and toxin accumulation in grains are discussed.     

Influence of Inoculum Density of Races 0 and 5 of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris on Development of Fusarium Wilt in Chickpea Cultivars

Artificial inoculation experiments were carried out at 25°C to determine the effects of inoculum density of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceris races 0 (Foc-0) and 5 (Foc-5) and susceptibility of chickpea cultivars P-2245 and PV-61 on development of Fusarium wilt. Foc-5 proved much more virulent than Foc-0. Increasing the inoculum density of F. oxysporum f.sp. ciceris caused an exponential reduction in disease incubation period and a monomolecular increase of disease incidence and the area under the disease intensity progress curve. The extent of these effects was highest in the most conducive P-2245/Foc-5 combination and decreased in the less susceptible PV-61 and for the less virulent Foc-0, in that order. For P-2245/Foc-5, the highest disease intensity was attained with 6 chlamydospores g^–1 of soil, the lowest inoculum density in the study. One thousand chlamydospores g^–1 of soil of the same race were needed to attain a comparable disease intensity in PV-61. Twenty thousand chlamydospores g^–1 of soil of Foc-0 were required for maximum disease intensity in P-2245.The disease intensity curves were adequately described by the Gompertz model. Using this model, a response surface for disease intensity was developed, in which the model parameters are expressed as a function of both time from inoculation and inoculum density. This response surface confirmed that the final amount of disease intensity increases in a monomolecular relationship with increasing inoculum density and showed that the relative rate of disease progress increases exponentially with increasing inoculum density of the pathogen.     

Toxigenic Fusarium Species of Liseola Section in Pre-harvest Maize Ear Rot, and Associated Mycotoxins in Slovakia

The occurrence of Fusarium species of Liseola section and related toxins was investigated for two years (1996 and 1998) on maize ear rot samples collected in the most important areas for maize growing in Slovakia. The species most frequently isolated was F. verticillioides, followed by F. proliferatum in 1996 and F. subglutinans in 1998. Most of the strains belonged to mating populations A, D, and E of the teleomorph Gibberella fujikuroi. Fusarium graminearum was also frequently recovered in both the years of investigations. Toxin analysis of maize ears showed that most of the samples (21 out of 22) were contaminated with at least one toxin. In particular, the concentration of fumonisin B₁, and fumonisin ₂ was up to 26.9 and 5.1gg^-1, respectively in 1996, and up to 12.1 and 6.3gg^-1, respectively in 1998. Beauvericin was detected only in one sample in 1996. Seven samples in 1996 were contaminated by fusaproliferin up to 8.2gg^-1, but just traces of the toxin were found in one sample in 1998. All 29 strains of F. verticillioides, two of three strains of F. proliferatum and none of eight F. subglutinans strains isolated from samples produced fumonisin B₁ in culture on whole maize kernels (0.1–5646 and 940–1200ugg^-1, respectively). Two strains of F. subglutinans and two of F. proliferatum produced beauvericin (up to 65 and 70gg^-1, respectively). Ten strains of F. verticillioides produced beauvericin: 9 strains produced a low amount (up to 3gg^-1), while only one of them produced a high level of toxin (375gg^-1). Fusaproliferin was produced by two F. proliferatum strains (220 and 370gg^-1), by seven F. subglutinans (20–1335gg^-1) and by three F. verticillioides (10–35gg^-1). This is the first report on fusaproliferin production by F. verticillioides, although at low level.     

Effect of Fungicides on Fusarium Head Blight and Deoxynivalenol Content in Durum Wheat Grain

In 1998–99 and 1999–2000 six trials were conducted to evaluate the effect of fungicides on Fusarium head blight in the field, on infected kernels and deoxynivalenol (DON) concentration in grain. A single application of prochloraz, tebuconazole, epoxiconazole or bromuconazole, applied to durum wheat varieties at the manufacturer's recommended dose at the beginning of anthesis stage, provided good control of the disease when infective pressure in the field was low to medium, and when the main pathogens were F. graminearum and F. culmorum. Kresoxim-methyl showed a low efficacy at controlling the disease. Tebuconazole, prochloraz and bromuconazole were effective at controlling F. graminearum and F. culmorum, while kresoxim-methyl was not effective in reducing Fusarium infected kernels. DON concentration in grain of cultivars inoculated with F. graminearum and F. culmorum was high, averaging 4.2mgkg^–1 (untreated control). Tebuconazole, prochloraz and bromuconazole reduced DON concentration by 43%, while epoxiconazole was ineffective. DON concentration in kernels of naturally infected cultivars was 1.95mgkg^–1, a concentration which exceeds the 1mgkg^–1 maximum level of contamination allowed in the United States. Furthermore prochloraz, bromuconazole and tebuconazole applications, in the naturally inoculated trials, reduced DON concentration from 73% to 96%, while epoxiconazole showed the lowest effectiveness. Moreover, a positive linear correlation between Fusarium infected grains and the DON concentration was observed.     

Association of Fusarium Species in the Wheat Stem Rot Complex

Data from a national survey were analysed to investigate whether there was interdependence among the Fusarium species, which cause the stem rot complex of wheat. About 25 wheat stems were sampled from each of 260 sites over the main wheat growing areas in the UK. Occurrence of each Fusarium species on individual stems was determined. Fusarium culmorum, F. avenaceum and Microdochium nivale were the three dominant species, detected in 248, 185 and 239 out of the 260 sites. There were no interactions among species in the distribution of the three species over the 260 sites. Several statistical tests were used to determine whether there was interdependence among the three species on the same stem within each site. Of the three species, there was only limited evidence of competition between F. culmorum and F. avenaceum.     

Effect of benomyl on soil fungi associated with rye. 1. Effect on the incidence of sharp eyespot caused by Rhizoctonia cerealis

Effects of benomyl on incidence of pathogens affecting the culm base of rye were studied in field trials and growth chamber experiments. Spraying of the crop with the fungicide at a high dosage (2.4 kg.ha^–1) resulted in a tenfold increase of sharp eyespot caused byRhizoctonia cerealis and reduced foot rot symptoms caused by fusaria by 50%. In a field trial at a low dosage (0.24 kg.ha^–1) a slight increase of sharp eyespot was observed. In one year, probably because of wet conditions during the infection period, sharp eyespot did not occur in either benomyl-treated or untreated plots, but eyespot caused byPseudocercosporella herpotrichoides was abundant. Its occurrence was reduced from 74% affected culm bases in untreated plots to 8% and 1% in plots that received 0.24 and 2.4 kg.ha^–1 of the fungicide, respectively.In growth chambers seedlings were grown in two sandy soils inoculated withR. cerealis. The soil was kept dry at about 35% of the moisture holding capacity. In plots with benomyl (1 mg.kg^–1; moisture content 11% of fresh weight), fewer seedlings emerged than in plots without the fungicide. This result was highly significant (P<0.01) for one soil but not for the other. The number of seedlings that remained free of disease symptoms was higher (P<0.01) in untreated than in fungicide-treated plots of both soils.Isolates of pathogens obtained from diseased culms were tested for their sensitivity to benomyl. Growth of all of them includingR. cerealis was inhibited, although not always completely suppressed, at 10 g.ml^–1 on potato-dextrose agar. ED₅₀ values of most isolates ofR. cerealis were between 2.2 and 3.1 g.ml^–1. The fungus was slightly but consistently less sensitive thanF. culmorum. Mycelial growth ofF. nivale was appreciably more sensitive than that of the otherFusarium spp. from cereals.P. herpotrichoides andF. nivale were the most sensitive pathogens tested with ED₅₀ values of <1 g.ml^–1. Accordingly,F. nivale was absent on culms from treated plots. In a growth chamber experiment, seedlings were protected from infection by supplying the fungicide (1 mg.kg^–1) to previously inoculated soil.In a laboratory assay the effect of benomyl on microbial antagonism toR. cerealis was estimated for rhizosphere soil. Enhanced incidence of sharp eyespot in treated crops was associated with adverese effects of the fungicide on microbial antagonism. There is presumptive evidence thatR. cerealis is suppressed by bacteria after wet periods during the vegetation period of the crop and by fungi after dry periods. Only fungal antagonism, which may be less effective, is affected by benomyl. The response to benomyl of the microflora in different soils varied. Reasons for this inconsistency are suggested.Samenvatting In veldproeven en in een klimaatkamer werd de invloed van benomyl op het optreden van voetziekten in rogge onderzocht. In veldjes die bespoten waren met een hoge dosis van het fungicide (in totaal 2.4 kg.ha^–1) bleken tienmaal zoveel halmen met scherpe oogvlekken, veroorzaakt doorRhizoctonia cerealis, voor te komen dan in onbespoten veldjes. Daarentegen was voetrot veroorzaakt doorFusarium-soorten met 50% verminderd. In een volgende veldproef, waarbij een voor de praktijk geadviseerde dosis (0.24 kg.ha^–1) was toegepast, werd een lichte toename van scherpe oogvlekken waargenomen.In een ander jaar trad scherpe oogvlekkenziekte in het geheel niet op, ook niet in met benomyl behandelde veldjes. De vochtige omstandigheden tijdens de infectieperiode zijn daarvan waarschijnlijk de oorzaak. Daarentegen werd de oogvlekkenziekte, welke doorPseudocercosporella herpotrichoides werd veroorzaakt, veel aangetroffen. In de onbehandelde veldjes waren 74% van de halmen aangetast tegen 8 en 1% in de veldjes die met het fungicide waren behandeld in doseringen van 0.24 en 2.4 kg.ha^–1.De invloed van het fungicide op de aantasting van kiemplanten werd in klimaatkamerproeven onderzocht. Daartoe werden twee zandgronden metR. cerealis geënt. De grond werd droog gehouden (op 35% van het waterhoudend vermogen). In grond met fungicide (1 mg.kg^–1) was de opkomst minder dan in grond zonder fungicide. Dit was zeer significant (P<0.01) voor één van de beide zandgronden, maar niet voor de andere. Het aantal gezonde kiemplanten was in beide gevallen duidelijk hoger (P<0.01) voor de onbehandelde grond.De isolaten van ziekteverwekkers uit aangetaste halmen werden op hun gevoeligheid voor het fungicide getoetst. Op aardappel-glucoseagar werden alle isolaten in hun groei geremd bij een benomyl-concentratie van 10 g.ml^–1.R. cerealis was iets minder gevoelig danF. culmorum. Voor het overgrote deel van de isolaten vanR. cerealis lag de ED₅₀ waarde tussen 2,2 en 3,1 g.ml^–1. De myceliumgroei vanF. nivale werd meer geremd dan die van de andereFusarium-soorten.P. herpotrichoides enF. nivale waren met een ED₅₀ waarde van <1 g.m.^–1 de gevoeligste pathogenen die uit de halmvoeten werden geïsoleerd. Dat de populatie vanF. nivale in benomylhoudende grond wordt onderdrukt, blijkt uit (1) het feit dat de schimmel niet voorkwam op halmen uit behandelde veldjes en (2) de bescherming tegen infectie van kiemplanten als aan de besmette grond fungicide (1 mg.kg^–1) was toegevoegd.In laboratoriumproeven werd de invloed van benomyl op het microbiële antagonisme in rhizosfeergrond tegenR. cerealis bepaald. Een toename in het optreden van scherpe oogvlekkenziekte in behandelde gewassen bleek gepaard te gaan met een remming van het antagonisme tegen de ziekteverwekker. Er zijn sterke aanwijzingen datR. cerealis na vochtige perioden tijdens de vegetatieperiode door bacteriën wordt onderdrukt en na droge perioden door schimmels. Het antagonisme van de laatste groep lijkt minder effectief te zijn en alleen dit antagonisme wordt door benomyl verlaagd. Tenslotte wordt een mogelijke oorzaak aangegeven voor de ongelijke respons op het fungicide van het microbieel antagonisme in verschillende gronden.     

Analysis of head and leaf reaction towards <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microdochium nivale</Emphasis>

This research examined the variation in the response of eight commercial wheat cultivars to Microdochium nivale isolates using both in vivo FHB tests (AUDPC and RHW measurements) and in vitro detached leaf assays (LGR). Irrespective of fungal variety, the two Italian cvs Fortore and Norba exhibited the greatest amount of visual disease symptoms (mean AUDPC=2.2 and 2.3, respectively), being significantly more susceptible than the other six cultivars (AUDPC 1.24) (P < 0.05). Irrespective of fungal variety, the Italian cv. Norba and the Irish cv. Falstaff were more susceptible than the other cultivars (except Fatima 2) in terms of RHW (P < 0.05), while the cvs Fortore, GK Othalom and Consort were more resistant than the other five cultivars (P < 0.05). In the detached leaf assay, the Hungarian cv. GK Othalom and the Italian cv. Norba were more susceptible (mean LGR=0.79 and 0.81 mm day^–1, respectively) to M. nivalethan the other six cultivars (mean LGR=0.51–0.72) (P < 0.05). Analysis of the relationship between head and leaf reaction to M. nivaleinfection revealed no significant correlation.     

Phyllosphere yeasts antagonize penetration from appressoria and subsequent infection of maize leaves by Colletotrichum graminicola

In growth cabinet experiments, the common phyllosphere yeastsSporobolomyces roseus andCryptococcus laurentii var.flavescens were sprayed as a mixture (11) onto the fourth leaves of maize plants (Zea mays) two-three days prior to inoculation withColletotrichum graminicola. In four experiments the average yeast population of the treated leaves at the time of pathogen inoculation varied between 5× 10⁴ and 8× 10⁵ cells cm^–2 leaf, whereas on the untreated leaves the yeast population varied from <10³ to 10⁴ cells cm^–2 leaf. The yeasts reduced lesion density and necrosis fromC. graminicola infection by approximately 50%. Contrary to findings with other necrotrophic pathogens, conidial germination, superficial mycelial growth and appressorium formation were not affected. Instead, the reduction of infection could only be explained by a reduced number of penetrations from the normally formed appressoria, a site of interaction not previously recorded.Samenvatting In klimaatkastexperimenten werden maisbladeren (4e blad) twee-drie dagen voor inoculatie metColletotrichum graminicola bespoten met een mengsel (11) van de algemeen voorkomende fyllosfeergistenSporobolomyces roseus enCryptococcus laurentii var.flavescens. In vier experimenten varieerde de gemiddelde gistpopulatie op de behandelde bladeren, op het moment van inoculatie met het pathogen, van 5× 10⁴ tot 8× 10⁵ cellen cm^–2 blad, op de onbehandelde bladeren van <10³ tot 10⁴ cellen cm^–2 blad. De gisten reduceerden de lesiedichtheid en het necrotisch bladoppervlak tengevolge van deC. graminicola infectie voor ongeveer 50%. De stadia in de ontwikkeling van andere necrotrofe pathogenen, die gewoonlijk gevoelig zijn voor antagonisme door gisten, zoals sporekieming, oppervlakkige myceliumgroei en vorming van appressoria, werden bijC. graminicola niet beïnvloed. De waargenomen reductie van infectie kon alleen verklaard worden door een remming van de penetratie vanuit normaal gevormde appressoria. Interactie in dit stadium van het infectieproces is nog niet eerder waargenomen.     

Infection of wheat spikes by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium avenaceum</Emphasis> and alterations of cell wall components in the infected tissue

The infection process of Fusarium avenaceum on wheat spikes and the alteration of cell wall components in the infected host tissue were examined by means of electron microscopy and cytochemical labelling techniques following spray inoculation at growth stage (GS) 65 (mid-flowering). Macroconidia of the pathogen germinated with one to several germ-tubes 6–12 h after inoculation (hai) on host surfaces. The germ-tubes did not penetrate host tissues immediately, but extended and branched on the host surfaces. Hyphal growth on abaxial surfaces of the glume, lemma and palea was scanty 3–4 days after inoculation (dai) and no direct penetration of the outer surfaces of the spikelet was observed. Dense mycelial networks formed on the inner surfaces of the glume, lemma, palea and ovary 36–48 hai. Penetration of the host tissue occurred 36 hai by infection hyphae only on the adaxial surfaces of the glume, lemma, palea and upper part of ovary. The fungus penetrated the cuticle and hyphae extended subcuticularly or between the epidermal wall layers. The subcuticular growth phase was followed by penetration of the epidermal wall, and hyphae spread rapidly inter- and intracellularly in the glume, lemma, palea and ovary. During this necrotrophic colonization phase of the wheat spike, a series of alterations occurred in the host tissues, such as degeneration of cytoplasm and cell organelles, collapse of host cells and disintegration of host cell walls. Immunogold labelling techniques showed that cell walls of spike tissues contained reduced amounts of cellulose, xylan and pectin near intercellular hyphae or infection pegs compared to walls of healthy host tissues. These studies suggest that cell wall degrading enzymes produced by F. avenaceum facilitated rapid colonization of wheat spikes. The different penetration properties of abaxial and adaxial surfaces of the spikelet tissues as well as the two distinct colonization strategies of host tissues by F. avenaceum are discussed. The penetration and colonization behaviour of F. avenaceum in wheat spikelets resembled that of F. culmorum and F. graminearum, although mycotoxins produced by F. avenaceum differed from those of the latter two Fusarium species.     

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.     

Surveys of cereal diseases and pests in the Netherlands. 3. Monographella nivalis and Fusarium spp. in winter wheat fields and seed lots

Data from surveys of winter wheat fields in the period 1974–1986 and of seed lots in the period 1962–1986 and identifications of diseases on plant samples were compiled to describe the occurrence of snow mould (Monographella nivalis) andFusarium spp. On average,M. nivalis dominated overFusarium spp. The complex ofFusarium spp. constituted mainly ofF. culmorum, followed byF. avenaceum andF. graminearum. M. nivalis was dominant in May on stem-bases and in July on leaves and leaf sheaths. On seedsM. nivalis predominated only in years with low temperatures in July and August.Average brown footrot infection in the field was 4% tillers in May and 5% culms in July. Brown footrot intensity in July was high in cropping seasons with high precipitation in October and with low temperatures in October, November and December. In July during the early eighties, an average of 8% of leaves and 6% of flag leaf sheaths were infected byM. nivalis. Average ear blight incidence was 1.2% glumes infected. Seed contamination by these pathogens averaged 16% in the years 1962–1986. The contamination was high in years with high precipitation in June, July and August. Aspects of cv. resistance and yield loss are illustrated.     

兰州百合枯萎病病原菌鉴定及罹病组织超微结构观察

为明确引起甘肃省兰州百合主产区百合枯萎病的致病镰孢菌种类,对从百合主产区枯萎病罹病植株上分离纯化的4株镰孢菌株进行形态学鉴定、分子生物学鉴定以及致病性测定,同时利用电子显微镜对尖孢镰孢菌Fusarium oxysporum侵入百合鳞片后的细胞超微结构进行观察。结果表明:4株镰孢菌菌株经鉴定分别为尖孢镰孢菌、茄病镰孢菌F. solani、三线镰孢菌F. tricinctum和燕麦镰孢菌F. avenaceum。4株镰孢菌菌株的致病力由强到弱的顺序依次是尖孢镰孢菌、燕麦镰孢菌、茄病镰孢菌、三线镰孢菌;尖孢镰孢菌侵入后,鳞片细胞壁、细胞质膜和细胞核结构被破坏,细胞核附近出现大量线粒体,细胞中淀粉粒数量减少。表明尖孢镰孢菌是兰州百合枯萎病防治的重点防控对象。     

Induction of Systemic Acquired Resistance in Pepper Plants by Acibenzolar-S-methyl against Bacterial Spot Disease

The ability of acibenzolar-S-methyl to induce resistance in pepper plants against Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria was investigated in both growth chamber and open field conditions. Growth chamber experiments showed that acibenzolar-S-methyl (300M) treatment protects pepper plants systemically and locally against X. campestris pv. vesicatoria. Evidence for this was a reduction in the number and diameter of bacterial spots and bacterial growth in planta. Systemic protection was also exerted by the acibenzolar-S-methyl acid derivative, CGA 210007, which may be produced by hydrolysis in the plant. The efficacy of acibenzolar-S-methyl was also found in open field conditions, where both leaves and fruit were protected from the disease. The highest efficacy (about 67%) was obtained by spraying the plants 6–7 times every 8–12 days with a mixture of acibenzolar-S-methyl and copper hydroxide (2.5 + 40ghl^–1 active ingredient). Persistence and translocation data obtained from the growth chamber experiments revealed a persistence of acibenzolar-S-methyl lasting five days after treatment with rapid translocation and negligible levels of acid derivative formation. Since the protection exerted by acibenzolar-S-methyl against bacterial spot disease was observed when the inducer was completely degraded, it would appear to be due to SAR activation.     

Impact of primary infection site of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium</Emphasis> species on head blight development in wheat ears evaluated by IR-thermography

The effect of the primary infection site by Fusarium graminearum and F. culmorum within wheat ears on Fusarium head blight (FHB) was investigated under controlled conditions. FHB development was assessed visually and thermographically following inoculation by: (i) spraying ears, or injecting inoculum into spikelets on (ii) tip, (iii) centre and (iv) base of the ears, separately. Fusarium infection significantly increased the temperature span within ears 6 days post inoculation (dpi), especially infections starting at the ear tip. The temperature difference between air and ear was negatively correlated to FHB severity and enabled disease detection even 29 dpi. F. culmorum caused significant higher disease severity neither reflected in the frequency of infected kernels nor in thousand kernel weight (TKW). Spray inoculations had the strongest effect on TKW, whereas tip inoculations had no effect. Centre and base inoculations had intermediate effects on TKW, although FHB levels did not differ with the same trend among inoculation scenarios. The overall low correlations among FHB severity, infected kernels and TKW are explained by the pathogen spread within ears – downwards more than upwards – and the effect on yield formation which is lower for infections of the upper parts of ears. An exponential model showed high goodness of fit for gradients of infected kernels within ears (R ²  ≥ 70) except tip infection with F. culmorum. This study confirmed that FHB is a function of the primary infection site within ears. Thermography was useful to differentiate among infection scenarios and may be applied in breeding for FHB resistance.     

Assessment of infection in wheat by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium</Emphasis> protein equivalent levels

Determination of the Fusarium protein equivalent (FPE) levels in kernels for better characterisation of genotypes showing Fusarium head blight (FHB) resistance, and better detection of susceptibility to kernel infection among genotypes with slight symptom expression was carried out. Twelve wheat cultivars and eight hexaploid winter wheat lines derived from a cross of Triticum aestivum with related species T. macha, T. polonicum, and T. dicoccoides were evaluated for levels of spike and kernel infection, the content of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) and FPE in kernels after artificial inoculation with the fungus Fusarium culmorum in the field in 2006–2007. The ELISA immunochemical method was employed for the quantitative analyses of DON and FPE. Three wheat lines had a significantly low infection of spikes and kernels compared to cvs Sumai 3 and Nobeoka Bozu, indicating the presence of specific resistance mechanisms to FHB. The significantly low AUDPC (area under the disease progress curve) and the high level of FPE and DON content in kernels indicated a lack of resistance in one wheat line (crossed with T. polonicum). The results showed highly significant correlations (P < 0.01) between FPE and DON content and between FPE and AUDPC. In addition, correlations between FPE and reductions in yield components were also highly significant. Quantification of Fusarium spp. in wheat kernels can be helpful for evaluating wheat genotypes for their levels of resistance to FHB.