Resistance to polyoxin AL and other fungicides in Botrytis cinerea collected from sweet basil crops in Israel

A total of 568 B. cinerea isolates were collected from diseased sweet basil plants and the air in 10 sweet basil greenhouses. Mycelial growth tests were used to evaluate the sensitivity of these isolates to benomyl, fenhexamid, iprodione, polyoxin AL and pyrimethanil. EC₅₀ values for polyoxin, the main botryticide on sweet basil in Israel, ranged from 0.4 to 6.5 μg ml^?1 and had a bimodal distribution; the EC₅₀ values for sensitive isolates ranged from 0.4 to 1.5 μg ml^?1 and the EC₅₀ values for low-level resistant isolates ranged from 4 to 6.5 μg ml^?1. Among populations that had not been exposed to polyoxin treatments, 20 to 35 % of the collected isolates were low-level resistant for polyoxin. Polyoxin treatments in an experimental greenhouse shifted the equilibrium in favour of low-level resistant isolates, and the change occurred rapidly: from a frequency of 20 % low-level resistant isolates in the population that had never been treated with polyoxin to a frequency of 72 % after a few treatments over two seasons. Prolonged use of polyoxin in Israeli basil crops (in some sites for more than 10 years) does not appear to have led to the development of high-level resistance, but low-level resistant isolates were found in commercial greenhouses with the frequency of up to 73 %. High-level resistance to benzimidazoles was common (60 to 80 % of isolates) in greenhouses with a history of benzimidazole treatments; whereas 15–25 % of the isolates from greenhouses in which fungicides were not used were resistant. Low-level resistance to dicarboximides was fairly widespread (frequency of 30 to 80 % depending on the greenhouse) and a few cases of moderate resistance to dicarboximides were also noted (frequency of 0 to 9 %). Neither high- nor low-level resistance to anilinopyrimidines was common in sweet basil commercial greenhouses (0 to 7 %). However, 34 % of the isolates were strongly resistant in the experimental greenhouse, following a few treatments with anilinopyrimidine fungicides during the previous season. Before those treatments, the proportion of anilinopyrimidines resistant isolates had been 1 %. About 3 % of the isolates exhibited low-level resistance to fenhexamid and no isolates were found to be strongly resistant to fenhexamid. Low-level resistance to one fungicide was often associated with low-level resistances to other fungicides. Thirty-two phenotypes exhibiting resistance to one or more of the tested fungicides were noted among B. cinerea isolates. Resistant isolates showed similar or reduced fitness parameters in comparison to wild-type isolates.     

Survival of dicarboximide-resistant strains ofBotrytis cinerea in plant debris during summer in Israel

Survival- ofBotrytis cinerea was monitored during two summer seasons. Mycelium and conidia were found dead on the surface of plant debris within 2 months of incubation, whereas a high level of viability was detected in thallus of the pathogen which was 1–2 mm inside the dry host tissue. Of the 148 samples of infected senescing cucumber female fruits, 8% survived seven warm months; half of these isolates ofB. cinerea were resistant to dicarboximides (5 (μ/ml iprodione). Of the stems of cucumber infected withB. cinerea in winter, 18% yielded the pathogen at the beginning of the following winter; 15% of the surviving isolates were resistant to dicarboximides. Cucumber seedlings artificially infected byB. cinerea did not yield the pathogen longer than 9 weeks after establishment of infection, even when incubated in the shade. Plant debris with symptoms of gray mold were kept in the shade during the summer; at the beginning of winter it was possible to establish infection ofB. cinerea from the dry debris.     

Fungicide resistance profile and genetic structure of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Botrytis cinerea</Emphasis> from greenhouse crops in Cyprus

Botrytis cinerea is a complex species prone to fungicide resistance and characterized by enormous genetic diversity. During 2013, 220 B. cinerea isolates causing gray mold were collected from greenhouse-grown crops in the regions of Ammochostos, Larnaca, and Limassol (Cyprus). Sensitivities of the sampled populations to seven botryticides with different modes of action were screened in vitro. The results of this in vitro screening highlighted the widespread phenomenon of fungicide resistance in greenhouses, since only 8.6 % of the isolates were sensitive to all botryticides. Resistance to thiophanate-methyl was the most prevalent, with frequencies ranging from 53.8 % to 80 %. Similarly, high resistance frequencies were observed for pyraclostrobin (27.1 to 78.9 %) and boscalid (28.2 to 66.2 %). Multiple fungicide resistant phenotypes were predominant, covering 67.3 % of the population, with frequencies of 80.0, 37.5, 53.8, 83.1, and 60.2 % in cucumber, eggplant, green bean, strawberry, and tomato, respectively. No fludioxonil-resistant isolates were observed. Botrytis cinerea and Botrytis group S genotypes comprised the gray mold population. B. cinerea was predominant within cucumber, eggplant and strawberry, whereas both genotypes were in equilibrium in green bean and tomato. However, Botrytis group S was found in all hosts. B. cinerea was the most prevalent in the majority of fungicide resistance phenotypes from strawberry, while genotype distributions within tomato were generally more balanced. B. pseudocinerea was not detected in the sampled population. Overall, frequency of the mating type allele MAT1–1 was higher to MAT1–2, underlying their unequal distribution in the population. However, cases of 1:1 distribution were apparent within particular subpopulations, suggesting that mating in the field cannot be excluded.     

Evolution of resistance to different classes of fungicides in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Botrytis cinerea</Emphasis> from greenhouse vegetables in eastern China

Between 2003 and 2005, 337 isolates of Botrytis cinerea collected from greenhouse vegetables were characterized for resistance to fungicides. A low level of chlorothalonil resistance was detected and in these resistant isolates there was cross-resistance to captan and thiram. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of chlorothalonil resistance in B. cinerea from vegetables in China. The sub-population of B. cinerea highly resistant to benzimidazoles developed quickly during the years 2003 to 2005. Rapid spread of double resistance to benzimidazoles and diethofencarb was also observed. Resistance to dicarboximides was of low-level character and no highly resistant isolates were detected. In contrast, emergence of resistance to pyrimethanil, the only anilinopyrimidine fungicide used in China at present, was detected in 2003 just 3 years after pyrimethanil introduction. Pyrimethanil-resistant isolates demonstrated fitness comparable with that of wild sensitive isolates. These results suggest that pyrimethanil has a high risk of leading to resistance development in B. cinerea in greenhouse vegetables.     

Characterisation of QoI‐resistant field isolates of Botrytis cinerea from citrus and strawberry

BACKGROUND: In 2004, field isolates of Botrytis cinerea Pers. ex Fr., resistant to strobilurin fungicides (QoIs), were first found in commercial citrus orchards in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. Subsequently, QoI‐resistant isolates of this fungus were also detected in plastic strawberry greenhouses in Saga, Ibaraki and Chiba prefectures, Japan. Biological and molecular characterisation of resistant isolates was conducted in this study. RESULTS: QoI‐resistant isolates of B. cinerea grew well on PDA plates containing kresoxim‐methyl or azoxystrobin at 1 mg L^?1, supplemented with 1 mM of n‐propyl gallate, an inhibitor of alternative oxidase, whereas the growth of sensitive isolates was strongly suppressed. Results from this in vitro test were in good agreement with those of fungus inoculation tests in vivo. In resistant isolates, the mutation at amino acid position 143 of the cytochrome b gene, known to be the cause of high QoI resistance in various fungal pathogens, was found, but only occasionally. The heteroplasmy of cytochrome b gene was confirmed, and the wild‐type sequence often present in the majority of resistant isolates, indicating that the proportion of mutated cytochrome b gene was very low. CONCLUSION: The conventional RFLP and sequence analyses of PCR‐amplified cytochrome b gene are insufficient for molecular identification of QoI resistance in B. cinerea. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of chlorothalonil on resistance of Botrytis cinerea to dicarboximides in cucumber glasshouses1

Failures to control grey mould by dicarboximides on winter-grown cucumbers in glasshouses in Israel were attributed to the development of resistance to these fungicides in populations of Botrytis cinerea. A survey of 18 glasshouses in the winter of 1983-84 revealed that resistance is widespread where dicarboximides have been used extensively. During the summer, resistant B. cinerea populations often shift back to sensitivity; however, following few dicarboximide sprays in the subsequent winter, resistant strains reappear, increase rapidly and become dominant in the pathogen population. In two out of three glasshouse experiments, combination of chlorothalonil and dicarboximides in spray programmes slowed down the increase of resistant strains, whereas in a third experiment such a programme had no effect. The usefulness of chlorothalonil in fungicide-alternation programme to suppress dicarboximide resistance is dicussed in relation to the fitness properties of established versus newly-appearing resistant mutants.     

Resistance of Botrytis cinerea to benzimidazoles and dicarboximides: present situation on grapevine in Italy1

Resistance of Botrytis cinerea to benzimidazoles is present in Italy in almost all vineyards monitored, while resistance to dicarboximides has been detected in 36, 27 and 49% of tested vineyards during 1981, 1982 and 1983, respectively. In 1981 less than 1% of tested bunches carried dicarboximide-resistant conidia. This value increased slowly with time: in 1983 4.9% of the tested bunches carried dicarboximide-resistant conidia. Furthermore, only a low percentage (< 10%) of the conidia obtained from each bunch were resistant. Therefore, the present situation of resistance to dicarboximides on grapevine in Italy is certainly not serious and differs from that reported in other countries or on other crops. As a consequence, dicarboximides are still performing well, even in vineyards where resistance has been detected at a low level. No failure of grey mould control has been reported on grapevine in Italy up to now.     

浙江省果蔬灰葡萄孢对啶酰菌胺的抗性

以2004—2006年从浙江、江苏等地采集的灰葡萄孢对啶酰菌胺的敏感性基线[EC₅₀ = (1.07 ± 0.11) mg/L]为依据,采用菌丝生长速率法连续监测了浙江省果蔬灰葡萄孢群体对啶酰菌胺的敏感性变化。结果表明:浙江省果蔬灰葡萄孢对啶酰菌胺的抗性发展迅速,2012—2013年和2017—2018年的平均EC₅₀值分别为 (5.23 ± 7.79) 和 (24.30 ± 49.33) mg/L。其中,2012—2013年的抗药性菌株频率为15.3%,且均为低水平抗性 (LR) 菌株;而2017—2018年的抗药性频率上升至53.2%,并出现了7.5%的中等水平抗性 (MR) 菌株和1.3%的高水平抗性 (HR) 菌株。啶酰菌胺抗性菌株的菌丝生长速率、产孢量、产菌核数和致病力与敏感菌株相比均无显著差异。抗药性分子机制研究表明:啶酰菌胺抗性菌株的琥珀酸脱氢酶B亚基 (SDH B) 均发生了点突变,共包括H272R、P225F和N230I 3种类型,其中H272R型突变占88.5%;其SDH A和SDH D均未发生点突变;而SDH C的突变 (G85A + I93V + M158V + V168I) 与对药剂敏感性之间无明显联系。     

Botrytis cinerea in greenhouse vegetables: chemical,cultural, physiological and biological controls and their integration

Botrytis cinerea is an ubiquitous pathogen which causes severe losses in many fruit, vegetable and ornamental crops. The pathogen infects leaves, stems, flowers and fruits. The complexity of diseases caused by B. cinerea in greenhouses makes this pathogen one of the most important diseases of vegetable crops in greenhouse in many countries. In general, epidemics occur in cool and humid conditions, which favour infection and may also predispose the host to become susceptible. High relative humidity in the greenhouse and free moisture on plant surfaces are considered the most important environmental factors which influence infection by B. cinerea. In this review we specify the factors affecting the development of diseases incited by B. cinerea and discuss different approaches for its suppression. Chemical and non-chemical controls are outlined and their integration is discussed. Finally, achievements, gaps in knowledge, and future needs are indicated. The most common means for disease management is by application of chemical fungicides. Both spraying of fungicides and application of fungicides directly to sporulating wounds is practiced. However, high activity of several fungicides is being lost, at least in part, due to the development of resistance. As fungicides still remain an important tool for control of epidemics caused by B. cinerea, it is important to monitor populations of the pathogen for their resistance towards potential fungicides. Cultural measures can be a powerful means to suppress plant diseases in greenhouses where the value of crops is high and the farmers make considerable efforts during long cropping seasons. Such measures are usually aimed at altering the microclimate in the canopy and around susceptible plant organs, prevention of inoculum entrance into the greenhouse and its build up, and, rendering the host plants less susceptible to diseases. Calcium loading of plant tissues and alteration of nitrogen fertilization reduce susceptibility to Botrytis. Cultivars resistant to B. cinerea are not available. Another alternative methods to control B. cinerea is by means of biological control agents. At least one preparation is already available in the market and in many cases it was as effective as the conventional fungicides. A decision support system was recently developed for integration of chemical and biological controls. Adaquate suppression of B. cinerea diseases in greenhouse crops is an attainable goal. In our opinion this goal can be reached by considering the ecology of the pathosystem in its broader sense and by integration of all possible control measures. This implies optimization of plant nutrition, microlimate and control (cultural, biological, physiological and, if necessary, chemical) measures. Moreover, Botrytis management must be incorporated in a more holistic system that is compatible with insect control, crop production systems and profitability of the crop.     

Differential binding of a N-phenylformamidoxime compound in cell-free extracts of benzimidazole-resistant and-sensitive isolates of Venturia nashicola,Botrytis cinerea and Gibberella fujikuroi

Venturia nashicola isolates with a high level of resistance to carbendazim showed either increased sensitivity or were resistant to theN-phenylformamidoxime compoundN-(3,5-dichloro-4-propynyloyphenyl)-N′-methoxyformamidine (DCPF). Isolates with an intermediate or low level of carbendazim resistance were resistant to DCPF. Increased sensitivity to DCPF was also associated with a high level of carbendazim resistance inBotrytis cinerea but not with a moderate resistance level. Increased sensitivity to DCPF was not observed in carbendazim resistant isolates ofGibberella fujikuroi.Binding of [¹⁴C]DCPF in cell-free mycelial extracts of the highly carbendazim-resistant and DCPF-sensitive isolate ofV. nashicola was higher than in those of DCPF-resistant isolates that were either highly-resistant, intermediately resistant, or weakly resistant to carbendazim or were sensitive to carbendazim. [¹⁴C]carbendazim binding in extracts of highly carbendazim-resistant isolates ofB. cinerea was lower than that in extracts of sensitive isolates, whereas [¹⁴C]DCFP binding was higher. A decreased [¹⁴C]carbendazim binding was also observed in extracts of carbendazim-resistant isolates ofG. fujikuroi, binding of [¹⁴C]DCPF, however, was similar in extracts of both carbendazim-resistant and sensitive isolates.     

Nested PCR‐RFLP is a high‐speed method to detect fungicide‐resistant Botrytis cinerea at an early growth stage of grapes

BACKGROUND: Grey mould caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea Pers. ex Fr. is one of the major diseases in grapes. The use of fungicides is a simple strategy to protect grapes against B. cinerea disease. However, phenotypes exhibiting resistance to fungicides have been detected in B. cinerea populations. The variation of fungicide‐resistant B. cinerea isolates renders B. cinerea disease control difficult in grapevine fields. RESULTS: The authors have developed a nested polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) method to detect fungicide‐resistant B. cinerea isolates at an early growth stage of grapes in grapevine fields. The nested PCR‐RFLP method was carried out to detect benzimidazole‐, phenylcarbamate‐ and/or dicarboximide‐resistant B. cinerea isolates from grape berries and leaves at Eichorn–Lorenz growth stage 25 to 29. This method successfully detected fungicide‐resistant B. cinerea isolates at an early growth stage of grapes. In addition, only 8 h was required from tissue sampling to phenotyping of fungicide resistance of the isolates. CONCLUSION: It is proposed that the early diagnosis of fungicide‐resistant B. cinerea isolates would contribute to further improvement of integrated pest management against B. cinerea in grapevine fields, and that the nested PCR‐RFLP method is a high‐speed, sensitive and reliable tool for this purpose. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Survival of Botrytis Cinerea in Southeastern Spanish Greenhouses

The relative importance of sclerotia and mycelia of Botrytis cinerea Pers ex Fr. as structures of survival in southeastern Spanish greenhouses was investigated. Sclerotia were not found in the SE region, neither on plant debris nor on living plant material, suggesting it may serve only a minor role in epidemic development. B. cinerea survived mostly as mycelium. The percentage of artificially inoculated tomato stem pieces from which mycelium was recovered, was used to quantify its survival rate. Outside the greenhouses, mycelium survived in 33% and 5% of the tomato stem pieces 110 days after inoculation in 1995 and 1997, respectively. After the same number of days inside the greenhouses, no mycelium was recovered from stem pieces in 1995, and in 1997 only 7% of the stem pieces contained mycelium. Survival of mycelium outside and inside the greenhouses was significantly (P < 0.05) different after 47, 83, and 110 days of exposure to field conditions in 1995, but they were not different in 1997. Under controlled conditions, mycelium of B. cinerea lost viability at 100% relative humidity at temperatures ranging from 5 to 40°C, suggesting that air temperature and relative humidity accounted for loss of viability of mycelium.     

Molecular characterization of benzimidazole-resistant B. cinerea field isolates with reduced or enhanced sensitivity to zoxamide and diethofencarb

Sensitivity profiles of Botrytis cinerea field isolates to zoxamide and the molecular basis of the resistance mechanism involved in cross-resistance relationships between benzamides, benzimidazoles and N-phenylcarbamates were investigated. B. cinerea isolates collected from southern, central and northern Greece were characterized based on their sensitivity to zoxamide, the benzimidazole carbendazim and the N-phenylcarbamate diethofencarb. Isolates exhibiting baseline sensitivity to carbendazim and zoxamide but no sensitivity to diethofencarb were considered wild type (S phenotype) and accounted for 44% of the total strains sampled. Thirty-three percent of the isolates had increased sensitivity (HS phenotype) to zoxamide and diethofencarb and were highly resistant to carbendazim compared to S isolates. Eight percent of the sample was highly resistant (HR phenotype) to all anti-tubulin agents studied. The rest of the isolates were moderately resistant to zoxamide (MR phenotype) and equally sensitive to benzimidazoles and N-phenylcarbamates compared to isolates of the S phenotype. Fungitoxicity tests with botrycides belonging to other chemical classes revealed no cross-resistance relationships between zoxamide and the phenylpyrrole fludioxonil, the dicarboximide iprodione, the hydroxyanilide fenhexamid, the anilinopyrimidine cyprodinil, the carboxamide boscalid and the strobilurin-type fungicide pyraclostrobin. Study of fitness characteristics did not show any significant difference between zoxamide resistant and sensitive isolates with respect to the parameters tested. PCR-RFLP analysis of a part of the β-tubulin gene sequence detected mutations in position 198 for both HS and HR zoxamide-sensitivity phenotypes. DNA sequence analysis of the B. cinerea β-tubulin gene revealed two previously described benzimidazole-resistance-conferring mutations. The first one was the glutamic acid (GAG) to alanine (GCG) change at position 198 (E198A), which was identified in all HS isolates. The second mutation (E198K) was a GAG-to-AAG substitution resulting in the replacement of glutamic acid with lysine present in all B. cinerea isolates highly resistant to all three anti-tubulin classes of fungicides. A number of mutations in other positions of the β-tubulin gene were detected in the moderately zoxamide-resistance phenotype.     

Activity of fungicides and modulators of membrane drug transporters in field strains of Botrytis cinerea displaying multidrug resistance

In Botrytis cinerea, multidrug resistant (MDR) strains collected in French and German vineyards were tested in vitro, at the germ-tube elongation stage, towards a wide range of fungicides. Whatever the MDR phenotype, resistance was recorded to anilinopyrimidines, diethofencarb, iprodione, fludioxonil, tolnaftate and several respiratory inhibitors (e.g., penthiopyrad, pyraclostrobin). In MDR1 strains, overproducing the ABC transporter BcatrB, resistance extended to carbendazim and the uncouplers fluazinam and malonoben. In MDR2 strains, overproducing the MFS transporter BcmfsM2, resistance extended to cycloheximide, fenhexamid and sterol 14α-demethylation inhibitors (DMIs). MDR3 strains combined the overexpression of both transporters and exhibited the widest spectrum of cross resistance and the highest resistance levels. The four transport modulators, amitriptyline, chlorpromazine, diethylstilbestrol, and verapamil, known to affect some ABC transporters, were tested in B. cinerea. In our experimental conditions, the activity of several fungicides was only enhanced by verapamil. Interestingly, synergism was only recorded in MDR2 and/or MDR3 isolates treated with tolnaftate, fenhexamid, fludioxonil or pyrimethanil, suggesting that verapamil may inhibit the MFS transporter BcmfsM2. This is the first report indicating that a known modulator of ABC transporters could also block MFS transporters.     

番茄灰霉病菌对咯菌腈的抗性诱变及抗药突变体的生物学特性

为评估番茄灰霉病菌Botrytis cinerea对咯菌腈的抗性风险,就室内经紫外照射获得抗药突变体的方法及抗性突变体的生物学性状进行了研究。结果表明:番茄灰霉病菌分生孢子的紫外照射亚致死时间为90~120 s;经亚致死时间紫外照射后,4个亲本菌株中有2个菌株共产生了6个抗咯菌腈的突变体,其EC50值是亲本菌株的310倍以上,抗性突变频率为3.13×10-7;经紫外照射诱变获得的所有抗性突变体在菌丝生长速率、产孢量、产菌核能力及其在番茄果实上的致病性方面均比其亲本菌株明显降低。相关分析显示,所得抗咯菌腈突变体对氟啶胺、啶菌唑、啶酰菌胺和嘧霉胺无交互抗性。表明番茄灰霉病菌对咯菌腈的抗药性风险较低。     

Resistance profiles of Botrytis cinerea populations to several fungicide classes on greenhouse tomato and strawberry in Lebanon

Tomato and strawberry are the most important protected crops in Lebanon and are seriously affected by grey mould disease, caused by Botrytis cinerea. In the present study, the fungicide sensitivity assays revealed medium to high frequencies of B. cinerea isolates resistant to benzimidazoles, dicarboximides, and anilinopyrimidines on tomato and strawberry. Fludioxonil- and boscalid-resistant mutants were uncommonly found at generally low frequency on both crops. Resistance to fenhexamid was detected in only one site on tomato but in most sites on strawberry with high frequencies, and the occurrence of resistance to QoI fungicides was ascertained on both crops. The majority of the tested isolates (>90%) exhibited multiple fungicide resistance, and isolates resistant to the seven antibotrydial fungicide classes were detected on strawberry in three locations. A high level of resistance was shown by B. cinerea mutants resistant to boscalid, fenhexamid, and QoI fungicides, while two levels of moderate and high resistance to anilinopyrimidines were identified. Genetic analysis revealed point mutations in the target genes commonly associated with resistance in B. cinerea isolates, with all mutants resistant to dicarboximides, fenhexamid, boscalid, and QoI fungicides carrying single-nucleotide polymorphims in BcOS1 (I365S/N, Q369P, and N373S), Erg27 (F412V/I), SdhB (H272R/Y), and cytb (G143A) genes, respectively. The general incorrect use of fungicides has caused the development and spread of fungicide resistance as a widespread phenomenon on protected tomato and strawberry in Lebanon. The implementation of appropriate antiresistance strategies is highly recommended.     

Resistance to Botrytis cinerea in Solanum lycopersicoides is Dominant in Hybrids with Tomato, and Involves induced Hyphal Death

Botrytis cinerea causes gray mold disease and affects hundreds of plant species, including tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). The wild nightshade, Solanum lycopersicoides, is cross compatible with tomato and is more resistant to B. cinerea, thus representing a potential source for crop improvement. Tests involving droplet inoculation of detached leaves and spray inoculation of entire seedlings demonstrated that resistance to B. cinerea varies among S. lycopersicoides accessions, with S. lycopersicoides LA2951 being the most resistant accession tested. Expression of resistance in the intergeneric hybrid (L. esculentum cv. 'VF36' × S. lycopersicoides LA2951) suggested that resistance is at least partially dominant in tomato. A green fluorescent protein-tagged B. cinerea strain was used for confocal microscopic comparison of infection in leaves of S. lycopersicoides and tomato. Even though S. lycopersicoides supported spore germination, there was evidence for hyphal lysis and death 3 days after inoculation, at a time when lesions were expanding on susceptible tomato plants. The reduced frequency of B. cinerea lesion spread on S. lycopersicoides explains why this fungus produced fewer spores in this wild nightshade than in tomato.     

Metalaxyl resistance in Phytophthora infestans on greenhouse tomatoes in Greece

In winter/spring 1984 resistance to metalaxyl developed in Phytophthora infestans within tomato greenhouses in Preveza, Greece. The appearance of resistant isolates followed continuous applications of metalaxyl and prevalence of weather conditions favourable for late blight. The majority of resistant isolates grew on tomato leaf discs floated on solutions containing 100 μg/ml metalaxyl whereas sensitive isolates were inhibited at concentrations of 0.1 μg/ml.
In trials within polyethylene tunnels metalaxyl had no effect on the development of the late blight induced by resistant strains but both a mixture of this fungicide with mancozeb and mancozeb alone, gave satisfactory control of the disease when applied in a 7-day schedule.     

Gray mold of yacon and sunflower caused by Botrytis cinerea

Severe wilt and blight of entire plants of yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) grafts on sunflower (Helianthus annuus) were found in greenhouses in Kagawa Prefecture in the southwest region of Japan from April to May between 1997 and 1999. A mitosporic fungus, isolated repeatedly from the diseased plants and identified as Botrytis cinerea, was demonstrated to be virulent to both yacon and sunflower. The new disease on yacon was named gray mold of yacon. The disease on sunflower, gray mold of sunflower, is new to Japan.     

Comparison of RAPD and AFLP Marker Analysis as a Means to Study the Genetic Structure of Botrytis cinerea Populations

To assess the genetic relationships of Botrytis cinerea populations in Almería (Spain), 44 isolates of B. cinerea, collected from six commercial greenhouses (subpopulations), were analysed by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and amplified-fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). Polymorphisms were more frequently detected per primer with AFLP than with RAPD (16 compared to 4). However, RAPD detected polymorphisms more frequently per loci than AFLP (56% compared to 32%). The analysis of population structure revealed that the genetic diversity within subpopulations (H_S) accounted for 96% of the total genetic diversity (H_T) , while genetic diversity among subpopulations represented only 4% of the total diversity, independently of whether they were analysed with RAPD or AFLP markers. The relative magnitude of gene differentiation between subpopulations (G_ST) and the estimate of the number of migrants per generation (N_m) averaged similar values when estimated with RAPD or AFLP markers (0.039 and 0.036, or 12.32 and 13.39, respectively). The results obtained in dendrograms were in accordance with the gene diversity analysis. However, the diversity of B. cinerea was higher when analysed by RAPD than with AFLP. In these cases, the isolates could not be grouped by greenhouse or fungicide resistance (except those sensitive to carbendazim and resistant to procymidone). Both the RAPD and AFLP technologies are suitable for studies of genetic structure of B. cinerea populations, although RAPD generated more polymorphisms per loci than AFLP, and provided a better explanation of the genetic relationships between isolates.