Improvement and validation of a pea crop growth model to simulate the growth of cultivars infected with Ascochyta blight (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Mycosphaerella pinodes</Emphasis>)

A model simulating the growth of a pea crop infected with Ascochyta blight was improved and validated using 6 spring pea cultivars, all equally susceptible to Ascochyta blight, but differing in architectural features (stem height, branching ability, standing ability). This model takes into account the spatial distribution of the disease, including the contribution of each layer of the canopy to the radiation interception efficiency (RIE) and the radiation use efficiency (RUE) of the crop. The decreasing contribution of each layer due to the disease was estimated by the relationship between the photosynthesis of a layer and its disease score. The effect of disease on photosynthesis was assessed in controlled conditions as a means of evaluating the effect of disease on each cultivar. All cultivars were affected equally. In field conditions, cultivars with different canopy architectures displayed differences in the profile of disease on leaves. Cultivar Aladin reached higher disease levels at the top of the plant. Epidemics affected crop growth, and the cultivars tested differed in the magnitude of the decrease in growth. Observed and simulated data were compared. The disease-coupled crop growth model gave satisfactory predictions of crop growth for the six cultivars tested.     

Effects of leaf blast on photosynthesis of rice 2. Canopy photosynthesis

The effect ofPyricularia oryzae, the causal organism of leaf blast in rice, on photosynthetic rate of a rice crop was determined with mobile equipment in the field. Canopy CO₂ exchanges rate (CER) was significantly reduced in plots inoculated withP. oryzae. The experimentally obtained data were used to evaluate the performance of a model for the effects of leaf blast on canopy photosynthesis. The model comprised photosynthesis and respiration routines of a mechanistic crop growth model, extended with submodels for effects of leaf blast on both processes. Canopy photosynthesis and the effect of leaf blast on CER were accurately simulated with the model.Analysis showed that the reduction in canopy photosynthesis was mainly due to an adverse effect of lesions on leaf photosynthetic rate and to shading by dead leaf are resulting from disease induced senescence. A sensitivity analysis demonstrated the importance of the vertical distribution of the disease in the canopy. This implies that disease monitoring for crop loss assessment should consider vertical disease distribution.     

Spatio-temporal development of pycnidia and perithecia and dissemination of spores of Mycosphaerella pinodes on pea (Pisum sativum)

The pattern of development of pycnidia and perithecia of Mycosphaerella pinodes was studied in the glasshouse on pea plants (cv. Solara) sprayed with a pycnospore suspension and in field plots inoculated with barley grains colonized by the fungus. The numbers of pycnidia and perithecia were estimated on each stipule and internode of infected plants, and were related to ratings of disease severity (0–5 scale). Pycnidia were produced on both green and senescent organs, whereas perithecia only appeared on senescent organs. The development and quantity of pycnidia were related to initial inoculum concentration and the physiological stage of the plants. The formation of fruiting bodies progressed from the bottoms to the tops of plants during crop development. Spore trapping showed that both pycnospore dispersal and ascospore discharge were initiated by rainfall or dew. Pycnospores were principally trapped in the first 20 cm above the soil surface while ascospores were also trapped above the crop canopy. Pycnospores and ascospores were dispersed throughout the growing season, suggesting that ascospores also play an important role in secondary infections.     

Competition between maize and Datura stramonium in an irrigated field under semi-arid conditions

Crop growth of maize ( Zea mays L.) and Datura stramonium L. in monoculture and competition was studied over 4 years in a flood irrigated field in Zaragoza (Spain). Plant density was 8.33 m^–2 for maize and 16.66 m^–2 (1994 and 1995) and 8.33 m^–2 (1996 and 1997) for D. stramonium . Maize yield was decreased by 14–63% when competing with the weed. Yield reduction increased as the time between crop and weed emergence decreased. The development of leaf area per plant during the exponential growth phase was faster in maize primarily because the leaf area of maize seedlings at emergence time was greater than that of the weed. The faster growth of maize in leaf area and height reduced the photosynthetically active radiation received by the weed. Datura stramonium had a lower radiation use efficiency (RUE) than maize. Competition from the weed slightly decreased the maximum leaf area index (LAI) of the crop, and leaf senescence of maize was accelerated. The weed competed with the crop late in the season reducing crop growth rate, grain number per ear and grain weight. Competitive ability of D. stramonium for light was mainly due to its growth habit, with the leaves concentrated in the upper part of the canopy (more than 75% of LAI in the upper 25% of its height), its higher light extinction coefficient (0.89) and its indeterminate growth habit. The N plant content of maize was not influenced by the presence of the weed. The weed had a higher N plant content than the crop throughout the season and took up more N in monoculture.     

Activation of systemic disease resistance in pea by an avirulent bacterium or a benzothiadiazole, but not by a fungal leaf spot pathogen

Inoculation of first expanded leaves of pea seedlings with an avirulent strain of Pseudomonas syringae pv. pisi , or treatment with sprays of a benzothiadiazole (20 or 100  μ g a.i. mL⁻¹), decreased the susceptibility of subsequent leaves 7 or 14 days later to challenge inoculation with Mycosphaerella pinodes . Inoculation of first leaves with a virulent strain of P. syringae pv. pisi or with M. pinodes did not decrease the susceptibility of plants to M. pinodes . Treatments effective in decreasing susceptibility to M. pinodes were similarly active against Uromyces viciae-fabae and virulent P. syringae pv. pisi . Effective treatments also enhanced the activities of the enzymes β-1,3-glucanase and chitinase in untreated upper leaves 6 days later. Ineffective treatments for decreased susceptibility had no effect on the activity of the enzymes. None of the treatments enhanced peroxidase activities. The results are discussed in relation to the reported signalling effects of the benzothiadiazole and in relation to a suggested high activity of the avirulent P. syringae pv. pisi strain and inactivity of M. pinodes in enhancing natural signalling.     

Effects of Ascochyta blight caused by Mycosphaerella pinodes on the translocation of carbohydrates and nitrogenous compounds from the leaf and hull to the seed of dried-pea

The effects of Ascochyta blight (caused by Mycosphaerella pinodes ) on changes in dry weight and in water, carbohydrate, nitrogen and free amino acid contents were studied in the leaf, the hull and the seeds on the second fructifer node of pea ( Pisum sativum ). Pea plants were grown in a glasshouse and inoculated with various concentrations of conidia at the beginning of seed filling, with uninoculated plants as controls. Disease induced a premature water loss of hulls and leaves, accelerated seed desiccation and reduced seed weight. Biochemical analyses revealed a decline in the carbohydrate content and a lower nitrogen remobilization in diseased leaves and hulls. Thus, Ascochyta blight alters carbohydrate metabolism, protein remobilization and free amino acid translocation from these organs. Disease also reduced carbohydrate and nitrogen content in seeds and, in case of high disease severity, the carbohydrate/nitrogen ratio in the seeds was also affected (seed protein concentration increased and starch concentration decreased).     

Role of seed infection by the Ascochyta blight pathogen of dried pea (Mycosphaerella pinodes) in seedling emergence, early disease development and transmission of the disease to aerial plant parts

The role of infected seed in the epidemiology of Ascochyta blight of pea, caused by Mycosphaerella pinodes, was studied both under growth chamber and field conditions, using healthy seeds, naturally infected seeds and artificially infected seeds. Results suggest that infected seeds caused serious losses, as a result of poor germination and high transmission of the disease, to parts of the plants under soil level. Foot rot symptoms often caused the death of young seedlings. Losses were increased by low temperatures during the early stage of crop development. M. pinodes progressed from seeds to aerial parts of the plants, but no Ascochyta blight symptoms occurred, the disease remaining near to the basal parts of the plants as a foot rot symptom. This suggests that seeds cannot be regarded as a source of contamination in the epidemiology of the disease.     

Effect of pea plant architecture on spatiotemporal epidemic development of ascochyta blight (Mycosphaerella pinodes) in the field

The effect of pea canopy structure on epidemics of Mycosphaerella pinodes was investigated in four spring pea cultivars (Bridge, Obelisque, Solara and Athos) in two field experiments. These cultivars had similar levels of susceptibility to ascochyta blight and presented different architectural features (branching, standing ability and stem height). Stem height ranged from 77 to 95 cm in 1999 and from 72 to 92 cm in 2000, while leaf area index (LAI) ranged from 3·8 to 5·1 in 1999 and from 3·8 to 4·7 in 2000. Internode lengths varied from 4·6 to 6·0 in 1999 and from 3·8 to 4·7 in 2000. Mean distance between nodes in the canopy (MDN) ranged from 12·2 to 15·3 cm in 1999 and from 11·2 to 13·9 cm in 2000. Canopies with different architecture differed in disease progression on stipules and mainly on pods. The levels of disease on stipules and pods were strongly correlated. Moreover, if disease was considered as a function of stipule height up the stem, large differences in vertical disease distribution were observed between cultivars. Three architectural features acted on disease development: cumulative LAI above the node on which disease was assessed (LAIcum) and large MDN favouring disease development, and large internode length reducing disease severity. Modifying LAI distribution and plant organization could be one way to reduce the impact of ascochyta blight, by direct or indirect effects on environmental and dispersal conditions.     

Position of inoculum in the canopy affects the risk of septoria tritici blotch epidemics in winter wheat

The spread of septoria leaf blotch in wheat caused by Mycosphaerella graminicola is widely reported to depend on the occurrence of splashy rainfall. Previous studies have also implicated an important effect of canopy architecture on the risk of disease spread. This is because architecture affects the proximity of the yield-forming leaves to inoculum present on older diseased leaves within the crop. This study demonstrated that infection of the final three leaves of winter wheat could occur in the absence of splashy rainfall. For cvs Riband and Longbow, the final two leaf layers emerged at a position ≈ 8 cm below older leaves containing sporulating lesions. Under these conditions, infection of new leaves occurred in treatments that simulated dew and nonsplashy rainfall. These treatments resulted in disease incidences of 10–40% above the untreated control on the final two leaf layers. Within a season, the distance between diseased and healthy leaves during the period of stem extension varied substantially across a range of 30 cultivars. While the magnitude of these differences was not the same across seasons, the relative differences between cultivars were generally consistent, suggesting a strong genotype influence on lesion proximity. This study shows how knowledge of the distribution of lesion proximity within a crop can be used to estimate the risk of inoculum transfer for a given maximum splash height. A rapid crop-monitoring method for estimating the distribution of lesion proximity was developed and tested. Lesion proximity was manipulated by plant growth regulator (PGR) treatments. Significant increases in disease, between 14 and 62%, were observed on the upper canopy leaves of plants treated with PGR. The largest differences were observed in treatments where lesion proximity was most affected.     

The development of different pathotype groups of Mycosphaerella pinocles in susceptible and partially resistant pea leaves

The progress of infection by high- and low-virulence isolates of Mycosphaerella pinodes was examined in susceptible and partially resistant pea leaves. Conidia germinated with one or more germ tubes which frequently branched and formed appressorium-like structures on the leaf surface. Penetration occurred through the epidermal walls. A structure similar to an infection vesicle was formed, lying partly in the epidermal wail and partly in the cell lumen. From this structure, a penetration hypha was derived which initiated the development of the intra- and intercellularly-growing fungal colony. Infections led to rapid tissue collapse in both susceptible and resistant interactions. In resistant interactions, the formation of infection vesicles and penetration hyphae was reduced, and the development and spread of lesions was retarded.     

Effects of temperature and moisture on disease and fruit body development of Mycosphaerella pinodes on pea (Pisum sativum)

The effects of temperature (5–30°C) and the duration of moisture on the development of ascochyta blight ( Mycosphaerella pinodes ) on pea seedlings, grown under controlled conditions, were investigated. The optimum temperature for monocyclic processes was 20°C. At this temperature, pycnidiospores germinated after 2 h, appressoria formed after 6 h and the germ-tube penetrated the leaf cuticle after 8 h. Disease symptoms were evident after 1 day of incubation and the first pycnidia formed after 3 days. Longer wetting periods were required for disease development and pycnidial formation at non-optimal temperatures. Disease severity and the number of pycnidia formed on leaves increased with temperature from 5 to 20°C, then decreased between 20 and 30°C. Polynomial equations were fitted to predict the stages of infection, incubation, latency and disease development as functions of temperature and duration of moisture. These equations allow comparisons of pathogen spread with plant development and could be incorporated into disease development models used for crop management programmes.     

Expression of resistance to Mycosphaerella pinodes in Pisum sativum

The infection of three resistant and two susceptible inbred lines of Pisum sativum by Mycosphaerella pinodes is described for the first time. Two types of resistance, one expressed in epicotyls and one in leaves, were found in all three resistant lines. On epicotyls of susceptible lines, abundant appressoria and penetrations occurred after a short period of hyphal growth. On epicotyls of resistant lines, hyphae grew extensively but rarely formed appressoria, and these failed to penetrate the cuticle. Attempted penetration was associated with the rapid death of 2–6 epicotyl cells, resembling a hypersensitive reaction. In contrast, resistance of leaves, which was only expressed after penetration, involved localization of the fungus by a mechanism involving delayed leaf cell death. It is suggested that a combination of these two types of resistance might provide effective protection against M. pinodes.     

Effects of Ascochyta blight (Mycosphaerella pinodes) on the photosynthesizing leaf area and the photosynthetic efficiency of the green leaf area of dried-pea (Pisum sativum)

The effects of Ascochyta blight (caused by Mycosphaerella pinodes ) on the net photosynthetic rate of glasshouse-grown dried pea were studied on foliar discs and whole plants in pots showing different disease intensities, assessed visually using a disease scale (scores 0 to 5) or by an estimation of the fraction of leaf area with necrosis using an image analyser. The photosynthetic rate of foliar discs was measured using a leaf disc electrode; for plants it was assessed by CO₂ exchange rate measurements in a closed chamber. A reduction in the net photosynthetic rate of diseased plants was correlated with an increase in disease score. A 53–56% reduction was found in foliar discs with a mean disease score of 3. On whole plants, mean scores of 3.5 and 4.0 were associated with reductions of 36% and 98% respectively. The disease also induced a decrease in the photosynthetic efficiency of the non-necrotic leaf area. The photosynthetic rate was zero when 30–40% of foliar area was necrotic on foliar discs and on whole plants. A function was derived from the foliar disc data that described the dependence of photosynthetic rate on the fraction of leaf area without necrosis. The model is discussed with reference to data obtained from entire plants and other pathosystems.     

Characterization of early leaf spot suppression by strip tillage in peanut

ABSTRACT Epidemics of early leaf spot of peanut (Arachis hypogaea), caused by Cercospora arachidicola, are less severe in strip-tilled than conventionally tilled fields. Experiments were carried out to characterize the effect of strip tillage on early leaf spot epidemics and identify the primary target of suppression using a comparative epidemiology approach. Leaf spot intensity was assessed weekly as percent incidence or with the Florida 1-to-10 severity scale in peanut plots that were conventionally or strip tilled. The logistic model, fit to disease progress data, was used to estimate initial disease (y(0)) and epidemic rate (r) parameters. Environmental variables, inoculum abundance, and field host resistance were assessed independently. For experiments combined, estimated y(0) was less in strip-tilled than conventionally tilled plots, and r was comparable. The epidemic was delayed in strip-tilled plots by an average of 5.7 and 11.7 days based on incidence and severity, respectively. Tillage did not consistently affect mean canopy temperature, relative humidity, or frequency of environmental records favorable for infection or spore dispersal. Host response to infection was not affected by tillage, but infections were detected earlier and at higher frequencies with noninoculated detached leaves from conventionally tilled plots. These data suggest that strip tillage delays early leaf spot epidemics due to fewer initial infections; most likely a consequence of less inoculum being dispersed to peanut leaves from overwintering stroma in the soil.     

Editorial

Abstract

The major pulse crops in India are gram, pigeon pea, black gram, green gram, lentil and peas. Gram, pigeon pea and pea are attacked by several diseases some of which cause considerable crop damage. Gram is affected mainly by wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.ciceri Matuo and Sato), blight (Mycosphaerella pinodes B. and Blox) and rust (Uromyces ciceris-arietinii (Grogn.) Jacz. &; Boy.). The main diseases of pigeon pea are wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.udum (Butler) Snyd. and Hans.), and sterility mosaic. Powdery mildew (Erysiphe polygoni DC) and rust (Uromyces vicia-fabae (Pers.) Schroet.) are the most important pea diseases. Some diseases of minor importance are described. Details are given of the symptoms, distribution and control of the diseases with particular reference to those of economic importance. Several minor diseases of lentil, green gram and black gram are included.     

Effect of pea canopy architecture on microclimate and consequences on ascochyta blight infection under field conditions

In order to investigate the impact of pea canopy architecture and development on microclimate and infection by Mycosphaerella pinodes, two field experiments were conducted in 2009 and 2010 at Le Rheu (France) to obtain canopies contrasted in height, closure dynamic, leaf area index (LAI) and leaf area density (LAD). Three pea cultivars (Athos, Antares, Gregor) were sown at two (80 and 40 seeds/m² in 2009) and three densities (80, 40 and 30 seeds/m² in 2010) and microclimatic sensors were located inside the canopy (at the bottom and in the middle) and outside. Two main sources of wetness were identified: rainfall and dew. During rainfall periods, average daily leaf wetness duration (LWD) was about 15 h, and 3 to 10 h longer inside than outside the canopies. LWD was positively correlated with LAI until canopy closure during these periods. During dry periods when dew was the only source of leaf wetness, average daily LWD was short, decreasing as the canopy developed. Shorter LWDs were observed at the base than at the mid-level of the canopies and longer LWDs were observed outside the canopy and inside the less dense canopies irrespective of the cultivar. LWD was negatively correlated with canopy height and LAI during these periods. Slow wind speeds were recorded inside the canopies (less than 0.5 km/h) and no significant canopy effect was observed on air temperature. An infection model was developed and showed that only rainfall periods which induced long LWDs inside the canopy, were favourable to M. pinodes infection under our climatic conditions and suggested a more favourable microclimate inside dense canopies.     

A host-pathogen simulation model: powdery mildew of grapevine

An epidemiological model simulating the growth of a single grapevine stock coupled to the dispersal and disease dynamics of the airborne conidia of the powdery mildew pathogen Erysiphe necator was developed. The model input variables were either climatic (temperature, wind speed and direction) or related to the pathogen (location and onset of primary infection). The environmental input variables dictated plant growth and pathogen spread (latent period, infection, lesion growth, conidial spore production and release). Input parameters characterized the crop production system, the growth conditions and the epidemiological characteristics of the pathogen. Output described, at each time step, number, age and pattern of healthy and infected organs, infected and infectious leaf area and aerial density of spores released. Validation of the model was achieved by comparing model output with experimental data for epidemics initiated at different times of host growth. Epidemic behaviour for two contrasting years of crop development and 7 phenological stages at the time of primary infection (PI) was examined. For PI occurring at day 115 a vine with late budbreak (1998) showed 58% of primary leaves diseased at flowering compared with only 19% for a vine with early budbreak (2003). Depending on the phenological stage at PI (1–4 leaves), the proportion of diseased primary leaves decreased from 42% to 6% at flowering. Simulations suggested that differences resulted from the interplay between the timing of the first sporulation event, the phenological stage at the time of initial infection, and the age structure and spatial distribution of the leaf population.     

Using crop canopy modification to manage plant diseases

Modifying crop canopies can suppress plant diseases in some crops. For example, in carrot, lateral trimming of the canopy by 30–40 % after canopy closure reduced sclerotinia rot (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) to zero under moderate disease pressure without the use of fungicides. Trimming reduced relative humidity within the carrot canopy and increased air and soil temperature, inhibiting the formation of apothecia of S. sclerotiorum. Trimming also severed infected petioles, which reduced the opportunity for infection to progress to the carrot crown. Trimming combined with application of foliar fungicide was even more effective. Trimming reduced carrot leaf blights (Alternaria dauci, Cercospora carotae) in 1 of 3 years, when disease pressure was low. However, there was no advantage of combining trimming and fungicide sprays for leaf blight control. Canopy modification also reduces disease in legume crops. Soybean cultivars with reduced height and lodging, and early maturity, had up to a 74 % reduction in apothecia of S. sclerotiorum within the crop, and up to an 88 % reduction in disease incidence at harvest. In field pea, artificially supporting plants to reduce lodging, in combination with fungicide application, reduced the severity of mycosphaerella blight (Mycosphaerella pinodes) on pods by 67 % and increased seed yield by 54 %. In chickpea, paired-row planting that opened the canopy increased seed yield by 12 %, likely by increasing fungicide deposition. Modifications of the crop canopy can reduce disease, the need for fungicide sprays, and sometimes improve fungicide efficacy, but the results are often pathosystem-specific.     

Modelling short-term effects of sulphur dioxide. 3. Effects of SO2 on photosynthesis of leaf canopies

The effect of short-term exposure of SO₂ on the photosynthesis of a Faba bean crop was analysed with mobile equipment in the field. Canopy photosynthesis was only affected at high radiation levels and reduced by 4–6% during fumigation with 800 g SO₂ m^–3.The experimental data were used to evaluate the performance of a model for the effects of SO₂ on leaf canopy photosynthesis. The model contained a calculation procedure for canopy photosynthesis, extended with a submodel for SO₂ uptake by leaves and effects of SO₂ on leaf physiology. Diurnal photosynthesis and the effect of SO₂ on canopy photosynthesis were approximated very closely with the model. Possibilities for the application of this approach in crop growth models (operating at a time step of integration of 1 day) are presented and evaluated.Samenvatting Het effect van SO₂ op de fotosynthese van een tuinbonengewas is gemeten met mobiele apparatuur. Gewasfotosynthese werd alleen beïnvloed (4–6% reductie) bij hoge stralingsnivo's tijdens begassing met 800 g SO₂ m^–3.De experimentele gegevens zijn gebruikt om een model voor de effecten van SO₂ op de gewasfotosynthese te evalueren. Het model bestaat uit een rekenprocedure voor de fotosynthese van gewassen dat is uitgebreid met een submodel voor de opname en effecten van SO₂ op de fotosynthese van bladeren. De dagelijkss gang van de fotosynthese en de effecten van SO₂ op de fotosynthese werden nauwkeurig gesimuleerd met het model. Mogelijkheden voor de toepassing van het model in gewasgroeimodellen, die met een tijdstap van één dag werken, wordt gepresenteerd en geëvalueerd.     

Effects of leaf blast on growth and production of a rice crop. 2. Analysis of the reduction in dry matter production,using two models with different complexity

Effects of leaf blast on dry matter production of rice observed in a field experiment were analysed in terms of cumulative radiation interception by green foliage (PARCUM; MJm^?2) and radiation use efficiency (RUE; g dry matter MJ^?1). Leaf blast caused significant reductions in total dry matter production as a result of a decrease in PARCUM and a decrease in RUE. Reductions in radiation interception (RI; MJm^?2d^?1) and RUE were first observed shortly after the introduction of the disease. RI was significantly reduced till maturity. The reduction in RUE disappeared towards maturity, simultaneous with a gradual decline in disease severity.Analysis with a mechanistic model of crop growth showed that previously determined effects of leaf blast on leaf photosynthetic rate and respiration could explain the reduction in RUE during a large part of the growing season. During the first weeks after the onset of the disease the two effects were insufficient to fully explain the observed reduction in RUE. It was hypothesized that the unexplained part of the reduction in RUE in that period was a result of carbohydrate withdrawal by the pathogen for spore production.