不同矿化度水源膜下滴灌棉田土壤水盐动态和作物生长模拟

为构建适用于干旱区膜下滴灌条件的土壤水盐动态分布和棉花生长模型，基于2020—2021年的田间试验，经过对SWAP模型的土壤、土壤水力功能和作物生长等模块进行率定和验证，对灌溉水矿化度为1、2、3、4、5、6 g·L^-1时的土壤水盐分布特征、作物生长过程和干物质累积分配进行数值模拟。结果表明：（1）土壤含水率与土壤含盐量的模拟精度以20～100 cm土层较好，0～20 cm土层模拟精度较差，其中土壤含水量的模拟效果优于土壤含盐量；随着灌溉水源矿化度的增加，土壤含水率和含盐量的模拟误差逐渐变小。（2）不同矿化度水源膜下滴灌棉花叶面积指数模拟效果较好（R²=90.72%，RMSE=0.35 cm²·cm^-2，NRMSE=8.73%，IOA=0.98）。（3）不同矿化度水源膜下滴灌棉花茎干物质累积量模拟效果较好（R²=89.08%，RMSE=6.12 g，NRMSE=23.16%，IOA=0.96）。研究结果表明，SWAP模型可以较好地对不同矿化度水源膜下滴灌的土壤水盐动态分布和棉花生长过程进行模拟。     

基于改进的HYDRUS-2D模型暗管排水过程模拟

为了提高HYDRUS-2D模型在暗管排水中的模拟精度,提出了虚拟土层(VSL)和实际开孔面积(AHA)两种方法来代替HYDRUS-2D在暗管排水中的暗管原有渗透边界(PSB)。研究表明:VSL和AHA模型的模拟值与实测值具有较好的一致性;土壤含盐量平方根误差（RMSE）分别为0.757、0.966 g·kg^-1,决定系数(R²)分别为0.977和0.964;土壤含水率的RMSE分别为0.007、0.008 cm³·cm^-3,R²分别为0.885和0.794。此外,VSL在模拟排水方面(RMSE=9.48L,R²=0.93)和模拟排盐方面(RMSE=0.225 kg,R²=0.922)的模拟精度均高于AHA和PSB,可见,VSL更适用于暗管边界。进一步建立了VSL的环宽（RW）与其饱和导水率（K_s）之间的经验公式(R²=0.99,P<0.01),当模拟区域和暗管布局变化时,该经验公式可用于确定VSL的模型参数,其模拟结果可用于指导相关地区的暗管布局。     

基于去包络线和连续投影算法的枣园土壤电导率光谱检测研究

选取新疆阿拉尔市典型极端干旱区为研究对象,利用土壤高光谱特征对土壤电导率进行反演。为了准确快速检测土壤电导率,通过获取南疆阿拉尔市红枣种植区土壤电导率和高光谱信息,在去包络线处理基础上,分别采用相关性分析法和连续投影算法（SPA）筛选特征波长,并建立特征波长与土壤电导率的偏最小二乘回归模型,使用均方根误差(RMSE)、决定系数（R²）以及相对分析误差（RPD）对不同处理方法的模型效果进行评价。结果表明,基于原始光谱直接使用相关性分析法的预测精度RMSE=0.85566,R²=0.7479,RPD=2.7569;通过去包络线处理使用相关性分析筛选特征波长后,模型的预测精度RMSE=0.44490,R²=0.9500,RPD=6.4510;基于原始光谱使用SPA选择特征波长后,模型的预测精度RMSE=0.31178,R²=0.9707,RPD=8.4445;通过去包络线处理使用SPA选择特征波长后,模型的预测精度RMSE=0.30173,R²=0.9764,RPD=9.3215。综上,说明SPA方法具有较强的特征波长选择能力,基于去包络线处理+SPA的偏最小二乘回归反演模型的预测精度最好,可实现新疆阿拉尔地区土壤电导率的快速检测。     

基于无人机遥感的棉花主要生育时期地上生物量估算及验证

利用棉花主要生育时期的无人机近红外影像数据,提取4种不同的植被指数,通过与棉花地上生物量的实测值建立拟合关系,分析了不同植被指数在棉花各生育时期的估算效果并对其进行了验证。结果表明,随棉花生长,归一化植被指数（NDVI）、宽动态植被指数（WDRVI）、比值植被指数（RVI）和差值植被指数（DVI）均从苗期开始显著增加,其后则表现为基本稳定的“饱和”现象,但棉花实测生物量在不同生育期均有显著差异。植被指数与棉花实测生物量的拟合结果显示：NDVI和DVI的二元线性拟合模型对苗期生物量拟合效果最佳（R²=0.84,RMSE=0.13 kg·m^-2）;WDRVI和DVI的二元线性拟合模型对花蕾期生物量拟合效果最佳（R²=0.87,RMSE=0.52 kg·m^-2）;RVI的非线性拟合模型对花铃期生物量拟合效果最佳（R²=0.79,RMSE=0.95 kg·m^-2）;WDRVI和RVI的二元线性拟合模型对盛铃期生物量的拟合效果最佳（R²=0.86,RMSE=0.96 kg·m^-2）。     

基于Hydrus-2D的红壤区涌泉根灌自由入渗土壤水分运移数值模拟

针对Hydrus-2D软件在红壤区涌泉根灌土壤水分运移模拟的适用性问题,依据非饱和土壤水动力学理论,并结合红壤区涌泉根灌土壤水分运动特征建立了涌泉根灌土壤水分的入渗模型,利用Hydrus-2D软件对模型进行求解,并对湿润锋运移距离以及土壤含水率的模拟值和实测值进行了对比验证。结果表明：在灌水结束时,Hydrus-2D软件对竖直向下方向湿润锋的模拟值和实测值之间相对误差为5.21%,水平方向湿润锋的模拟值和实测值之间相对误差为-7.28%,且湿润锋模拟值和实测值的相关系数(R²)均大于0.980,RMSE均在1.300 cm以内,F检验P值也均大于0.05;在灌水结束时,距离灌水器不同距离处土壤含水率剖面分布的模拟值和实测值基本一致,均表现为随着土层深度的增加而先增大后减小,在距离灌水器不同位置处,Hydrus-2D软件对剖面土壤含水率的模拟值和实测值之间的相对误差均在±10%以内,且土壤含水率的模拟值和实测值相关系数（R²）均大于0.990,RMSE在0.030 cm³·cm^-3以内,F检验P值也均大于0.05。说明模拟值和实测值具有较好的一致性,模拟结果可为红壤区涌泉根灌系统的合理设计及运行提供依据。     

基于深度学习人工神经网络的青椒调亏灌溉水量预测

在2014—2018年,采用垄沟集雨覆盖种植滴灌技术与调亏灌溉技术相结合（MFR-RDI）对青椒进行试验研究,选取灌溉水利用效率最高的试验处理（即青椒结果后期重度亏水）进行灌水量预测。根据试验期间搜集的各项资料,在MFR-RDI种植方式下,以作物需水量、青椒生育期天数、作物生育期内的降水量、土壤含水率、前一天的灌水量作为模型输入因子,构建青椒作物灌水量的深度学习人工神经网络（DNN）预测模型。通过模型试验得到最佳DNN预测模型,该模型的隐含层包括4层,各隐含层神经元个数分别为：32、16、8、4。模型的激活函数采用“ReLU”,优化函数为“adam”,迭代次数为300。模型使用2018年的数据进行了测试。测试结果表明DNN模型的RMSE为0.898 mm,MAE为0.257 mm,NS为0.758,R²为0.7635,说明该预测模型具有较高的精度性能。通过预测结果可以得到此种植方式下青椒的灌溉制度,为实现高效智能节水灌溉提供参考。     

施氮对关中地区冬小麦农田土壤呼吸的影响及基于植被指数的估算模型

为探寻不同施氮量对农田土壤呼吸（R_S）的影响并快速准确估算R_S,以关中地区冬小麦为研究对象,观测了5种施氮量下冬小麦农田R_S的变化,研究了环境因子（土壤温度、土壤湿度）及作物因素（叶面积指数、地上部生物量、SPAD值）对于R_S的影响,建立了适用于关中地区土壤温度与植被指数下的农田土壤呼吸估算模型。设置秸秆还田下的5种施氮量处理,分别为传统施氮量SN200（200 kg·hm^-2）、优化施氮量SN150（150 kg·hm^-2）、60%优化施氮量SN120（120 kg·hm^-2）、50%优化施氮量SN100（100 kg·hm^-2）以及不施氮肥SN0（0 kg·hm^-2）。结果表明：不同施氮量下R_S随生育期推进均表现为先升高再降低的趋势,同时添加氮肥促进了R_S排放。各处理观测期内R_S的均值为：SN200（3.68 μmol·m^-2·s^-1）>SN150（3.40 μmol·m^-2·s^-1）>SN120（3.06 μmol·m^-2·s^-1）>SN100（2.70 μmol·m^-2·s^-1）>SN0（2.21 μmol·m^-2·s^-1）。不同施氮量下冬小麦冠层近红外波段反射率在拔节期和抽穗期差异明显,反射率从高到低依次为SN200>SN150>SN120>SN100>SN0,而在灌浆期和成熟期差异不大。土壤温度显著影响了R_S（P<0.01）,土壤湿度与R_S没有显著相关关系（P0.05）。叶面积指数、地上部生物量、SPAD值和植被指数均与R_S呈显著相关关系（P<0.05）。通过多种模型评估,建立基于植被指数和土壤温度的最佳农田土壤呼吸估算模型,显著高于基于土壤温度的单因子模型,模型精度可达到0.6以上（n=120）。     

夏玉米叶片光合色素含量高光谱估算

为了实现夏玉米叶片光合色素含量的快速、无损检测,以陕西省关中地区夏玉米“大丰26号”为研究对象,探究了不同总色素含量水平的玉米叶片反射光谱特征。分别提取与叶绿素a、叶绿素b、类胡萝卜素和总色素含量相关性较强的15个光谱参数,通过单变量回归、多元逐步回归和随机森林回归分析,建立光合色素含量估算模型并进行精度比较。结果表明：基于随机森林方法构建的光合色素估算模型精度最高,其中,叶绿素a、叶绿素b、类胡萝卜素的建模R²为0.93,总色素的建模R²为0.92;叶绿素a和类胡萝卜素的检验R^{2<、sup>为0.74,叶绿素b和总色素的检验R2为0.71;各模型的均方根误差（RMSE）和相对误差（RE）相差不大;拟合精度由高到低依次为叶绿素a、类胡萝卜素、总色素和叶绿素b的RF模型。证实了随机森林方法在夏玉米叶片光合色素含量估算中的优越性,并构建了高精度的光合色素RF估算模型。}     

不同利用方式下草地生态系统的多功能性与物种多样性

运用平均值法计算多功能性指数,对阿勒泰禁牧草地、春秋季节放牧草地、弃耕放牧草地、天然放牧草地进行了多功能性评价,并探讨了多功能性与物种多样性之间的关系。结果表明：所运用的方法和目前主流方法评价得出的多功能性指数在样方(R²=0.950, P<0.05)和样地尺度（R²=0.909, P<0.01）上都有极高的相关性。弃耕放牧草地物种多样性水平最低（0.219）,绝大多数土壤功能指标较差,总体表现出退化特征（-0.241）,天然放牧草地土壤功能指标也表现出同样的特征（-0.406）;春秋季节放牧草地有较高的物种多样性水平（0.910）和较好的土壤功能指标（0.343）;4种草地群落的多功能性指数为春秋季节放牧草地(0.343)>禁牧草地(0.222)>弃耕放牧草地(-0.241)>天然放牧草地(-0.406)。植物主要沿水肥梯度分布;多样性指数中,丰富度指数和均匀度指数对多功能性的影响最大,均为样地尺度（R²=0.980, P<0.05;R²=0.455, P>0.05）大于样方尺度（R²=0.078, P>0.05;R²=0.116, P>0.05）,有尺度依赖性,但均匀度指数表现的并不明显。（4）物种丰富度对多功能性的影响最大（R²=0.980, P=0.01）,表现为极显著正相关关系,而物种均匀度与之呈不显著的单峰曲线关系（P>0.05）。综上,相对于禁牧草地、天然放牧草地和弃耕放牧草地,春秋季节放牧草地更有利于维持该地区生态系统的多功能性;物种丰富度高且物种均匀度分布适中的生态系统可能有更高的多功能性。     

寒地水稻叶片SPAD值与稻米蛋白质含量的关系

为揭示寒地水稻叶片SPAD值及其衍生值与稻米蛋白质含量的关系，于2020—2021年在水稻拔节期（T1）、孕穗期（T2）、齐穗期（T3）测定顶部3片叶的SPAD值，依据盆栽试验（试验1和试验2）的数据资料建立SPAD值衍生指标与稻米蛋白质含量之间的关系模型，利用大田试验（试验3）数据资料对建立的模型进行验证。结果表明，2020年氮肥试验中A8水平（氮素施用量362.07 kg·hm^-2）稻米蛋白质含量较A1~A7水平（A1~A7氮素施用量分别为0、51.72、103.45、155.17、206.90、258.62、310.35 kg·hm^-2）分别极显著增加34.55%、27.44%、26.39%、22.19%、18.07%、14.39%、12.23%，而A8水平食味值较A1~A7水平分别极显著降低8.10%、5.06%、4.99%、4.10%、3.45%、2.96%、2.28%，2021年蛋白质含量、食味值变化趋势与前者相同。两年品种试验6个品种稻米蛋白质含量比较中，C6品种（三江6号）蛋白质含量较C5（龙粳21）、C4（垦粳8号）、C3（龙稻203）、C2（松粳16）、C1（松粳22）分别极显著提高2.99%、12.23%、10.43%、5.04%、15.63%，C6食味值较C5、C4、C3、C2、C1分别极显著降低1.17%、12.09%、3.54%、2.89%、7.93%。品种差异及施氮量对不同生育时期水稻顶部3 片叶的SPAD值分布规律有较大影响，但水稻冠层叶片出现的两次“黑黄交替”现象不受品种的影响，其中单片叶的SPAD值受品种差异的影响，与蛋白质含量不存在相关性，借助指标SPAD_(L1+L2+L3)/3、SPAD_L2×L3/mean可有效降低品种及环境差异对蛋白质含量预测结果的影响，指标SPAD_(L1+L2+L3)/3与蛋白质含量在T1~T3期（拔节期、孕穗期、齐穗期）的拟合方程分别为：Y=0.24X-1.94 ，R²为0.75^**、Y=0.25X-1.69，R²为0.74^**、Y=0.27X-2.45 ，R²为0.72^**；SPAD_L2×L3/mean拟合方程分别为：Y=0.22X-1.05 ，R²为0.75^**、Y=0.27X-2.43， R²为0.72^**、Y=0.26X-2.24，R²为0.72^** （Y为蛋白质含量，X为SPAD衍生值），拟合方程均达到极显著水平。稻米蛋白质含量和食味值评分变现为线性负相关，回归方程为Y=-4.21X+113.32（Y为食味值，X为蛋白质含量），拟合优度R²=0.93^**，达到极显著水平。综上，借助指标SPAD_(L1+L2+L3)/3和SPAD_L2×L3/mean能够实现快捷、无损和实时预测稻米蛋白质含量，在一定程度上判定出稻米蒸煮食味品质的优劣，达到按质收获以及对品质实时监测的要求，促进优质寒地水稻的可持续发展。     

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.