Specificity of Rhizobia Nodulating Genista monspessulana and Genista linifolia In Vitro and in Field Situations

Genista monspessulana and Genista linifolia are woody legumes with a high potential value for the rehabilitation of degraded soils , although field establishment of the plantlets in nonnative soils is very difficult because of the lack of specific rhizobial strains . In this work the rhizobia that nodulate the two species were tenta tively classified as a Bradyrhizobium sp . Only those soils with naturally occurring G. monspessulana or G. linifolia, now or in the past , had specific bradyrhizobia . Out of the six rhizobial strains analyzed , only Bradyrhizobium sp . ISLU21 , iso lated from Lupinus luteus, nodulated with the species studied . Out of the 11 legumes inoculated with the strains isolated from G. monspessulana and G. linifolia, only L. luteus produced infective nodules . In a field experiment , plants inocu lated with the specific bradyrhizobia isolates showed higher survival , growth rates , and N content than the noninoculated controls .     

麻黄根腐病病原物的分离及鉴定

 2001年从宁夏麻黄基地采集麻黄根腐病病株样品10份,按照柯赫氏法则对其进行了病原物的分离、纯化、致病性测定及菌株鉴定。结果表明,发病部位分离物中主要优势菌群为镰孢属(Fusarium spp.)。分离物经致病性测定和复合接种试验发现,微胶镰孢Fusarium subglutinans致病性最强,接种后发病株率达60%以上,尖孢镰孢F. oxysporum、半裸镰孢F. semitectum、茄镰孢蓝色变种F. solani var. coeruleum和茄镰孢F. solani致病性弱,接种发病率为10%~20%,它们和微胶镰孢混合接种后的发病率均高于单独接种的发病率,其中微胶镰孢与含尖孢镰孢或半裸镰孢的组合接种发病率高于不含这2种镰孢的组合。病株上获得的其它分离物均无致病性。证实麻黄根腐病是以微胶镰孢为主要病原,并由尖孢镰孢、半裸镰孢和其它几种镰孢复合侵染导致的一种病害。     

Molecular and biochemical mechanisms of defence induced in pea by Rhizobium leguminosarum against Orobanche crenata

Orobanche species (broomrapes) are parasitic weeds which dramatically decrease the yields of many economically important dicotyledonous crops, including pea (Pisum sativum), in Mediterranean areas. Previously, we identified some Rhizobium leguminosarum strains, including P.SOM, which could both promote pea development and significantly reduce infection by Orobanche crenata, notably through induction of necrosis of attached parasites. In the present study, induced resistance against broomrape in the nodulated pea was shown to be associated with significant changes in rates of oxidative lipoxygenase (Lox) and phenylpropanoid/isoflavonoid pathways and in accumulation of derived toxins, including phenolics and pisatin (pea phytoalexin). Changes were followed for 5 weeks after inoculation and attack by Orobanche. In contrast to non‐inoculated plants or Orobanche only infected plants, polyphenoloxidase (PPO) activity and hydrogen peroxide content increased in response to bacteria inoculation indicating the involvement of oxidative processes. In parallel, the nodulated roots displayed high Lox activity related to the overexpression of the lox1 gene. Similarly, the expression of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and 6a‐hydroxymaackiain 3‐O‐methyltransferase (Hmm6a) genes were induced early during nodule development, suggesting the central role of the phenylpropanoid/isoflavonoid pathways in the elicited defence. As a consequence, the derived products, phenolics and pisatin, accumulated in response to rhizobacteria and conferred mechanical and chemical barriers to the invading parasite. These results highlight the likely role of signalling pathways in induced resistance and suggest these mechanisms should be enhanced through integrated Orobanche management practices.     

Comparison of the Susceptibility of Quercus petraea, Q. robur and Q. rubra to Collybia fusipes

Collybia fusipes is the cause of a root rot of Quercus petraea (sessile oak), Q. robur (pedunculate oak) and Q. rubra (red oak). This parasite is often reported to cause problems in stands of red oaks and field evidence suggests that this North American oak species is more susceptible than the two European oak species. Young saplings of the three oak species and of chestnut, Castanea sativa, in the glasshouse, and also mature sessile and red oaks growing in the same stand were inoculated with C. fusipes to compare their susceptibility. Red oak, both as young seedlings and mature trees, was more susceptible to C. fusipes than sessile oak. Chestnut seedlings were as susceptible as sessile oak. Susceptibility of pedunculate oak seedlings was intermediate between red oak and sessile oak. In one experiment this species was significantly less susceptible than red oak, and in the other it was as susceptible.     

Pathogenicity of phylogenetic species in the Fusarium graminearum complex on soybean seedlings in Argentina

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is one of the main crops in Argentina. Most of the studies of pathogenicity in the Fusarium graminearum complex have focused on strains isolated from wheat and maize, and there is little information on strains isolated from soybean. Our objective in the present study was to compare the pathogenicity among soybean isolates of different phylogenetic species within the Fusarium graminearum complex on soybean seedlings under controlled conditions. Six strains representing three different phylogenetic species (F. graminearum, F. meridionale and F. cortaderiae) were identified by partial sequencing of the Translation Elongation Factor -1α gene (TEF-1) and evaluated for pathogenicity. All six strains reduced emergence, mainly by causing pre-emergence damping-off, seedling height and root dry weight and produced abnormal seedlings. The mean disease severity averaged across all isolates was approximately 3.0 in a 0–4 rating scale where 0?=?healthy seedling and 4?=?dead seedling. Significant differences in pathogenicity were observed among F. graminearum, F. meridionale and F. cortaderiae. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that different phylogenetic species within the Fusarium graminearum complex isolated from soybean are pathogenic under controlled conditions to soybean seedlings in Argentina. The present study demonstrates for the first time the pathogenic effect of F. meridionale on soybean in Argentina.     

Streptomycin resistance in Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis strains from Chile is related to an rpsL gene mutation

Streptomycin has been used for decades in Chile to control Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (Cmm), the causal agent of tomato bacterial canker. The aim of this work was to evaluate streptomycin resistance and to analyse the presence of resistance-related genes in Cmm strains from Chile. A collection of 25 Cmm strains isolated from different localities in central Chile between 1996 and 2015 was analysed. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of streptomycin was determined. A search of streptomycin resistance-related genes was carried out in Cmm genomes, and the presence of these genes was studied in all Chilean strains using PCR and sequencing techniques. MIC results showed that four of 25 strains were highly sensitive to streptomycin, with MIC values <2 μg mL⁻¹. The remaining 21 strains possessed MIC of streptomycin ≥100 μg mL⁻¹. The strB gene, encoding an aminoglycoside 6-phosphotransferase that inactivates streptomycin, was detected in all Chilean strains, including sensitive and resistant strains. In the 21 resistant strains, a mutation in codon 43 of the rpsL gene was determined, conferring high streptomycin resistance. Interestingly, the four streptomycin-sensitive Cmm strains did not possess this mutation. This study proposes that the continuous use of streptomycin leads to emergence of resistant Cmm strains, challenging researchers to look for novel alternatives to control this plant pathogenic bacterium.     

Rangeland Monitoring and Invasive Weeds

One of the serious biological obstacles that must be addressed in any comprehensive revision of rangeland ecological condition assessment is what to do with sites dominated by exotic self-invasive species. In certain cases such species have truncated succession so that with a bare minimum of disturbance, the sites will never return to dominance by native perennial species. Are such sites destined to remain always in what is defined as "poor" ecological condition. Many communities dominated by exotic annuals are closed to the recruitment of seedlings of native perennial species. At the same time the communities are open to invasion by other introduced species. Should susceptibility to future invasions be a criteria in assessing the ecological condition of rangeland communities. The sustainability of communities dominated by exotic invasive species is assessing the ecological condition of such communities. Deviation from the plant community concepts of range condition and trend judgement involves setting new benchmark standards. This is an endeavor fraught with many perils.     

西藏油菜种子内生菌分离及具有多种促生特性的拮抗菌筛选

为保障油料作物安全和绿色农业发展,从西藏自治区4个市收集5种甘蓝型油菜种子样品,通过平板分离获得种子可培养内生菌,对获得的菌株进行溶磷、解钾、固氮和产吲哚乙酸(indoleacetic acid,IAA)促生特性测定,筛选具有多种促生特性的菌株,测定其对禾谷镰孢菌Fusarium graminearum、油菜菌核病菌Sclerotinia sclerotiorum和燕麦镰刀菌F. avenaceum三种病原菌的拮抗性能及对油菜幼苗的促生效果,并对其进行分子生物学鉴定。结果显示,西藏油菜种子可培养内生菌丰富,优势菌为芽胞杆菌,共分离到110株内生菌,其中具有多种促生特性的菌株为12株,有4株菌株对禾谷镰孢菌、油菜菌核病菌和燕麦镰刀菌中2种以上菌有抑制作用,抑制率在49.50%～66.83%之间,分别为DJ-T-6、NM-8-10、DJ-L-4和BL-T-15菌株,经16S rDNA基因序列鉴定其分别为贝莱斯芽胞杆菌Bacillus velezensis、萎缩芽胞杆菌Ba. atrophaeus和缺陷短波单胞菌Brevundimonas diminuta,且均对油菜幼苗有显著的促生作用。表...     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium ershadii</Emphasis> sp. nov., a Pathogen on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Asparagus officinalis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Musa acuminata</Emphasis>

Two Fusarium strains, isolated from Asparagus in Italy and Musa in Vietnam respectively, proved to be members of an undescribed clade within the Fusarium solani species complex based on phylogenetic species recognition on ITS, partial RPB2 and EF-1α gene fragments. Macro- and micro-morphological investigations followed with physiological studies done on this new species: Fusarium ershadii sp. nov can be distinguished by its conidial morphology. Both isolates of Fusarium ershadii were shown to be pathogenic to the monocot Asparagus officinalis when inoculated on roots and induced hollow root symptoms within two weeks in Asparagus officinalis seedlings. In comparison mild disease symptoms were observed by the same strains on Musa acuminata seedlings.     

Rapid Identification of Clavibacter michiganensis Subspecies sepedonicus Using Two Primers Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (TP-RAPD) Fingerprints

Twenty strains of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus from different geographic origins and other reference strains of the same and different species, including other potato pathogens, were analysed with a new procedure named TP-RAPD that originates fingerprints of bacterial species. This procedure uses two primers to amplify the 16S rDNA gene. At 45 °C of annealing, the PCR product electrophoresed in agarose gels produced a band pattern that was different in all bacterial species studied as well as in the subspecies of C. michiganensis. All strains of C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus displayed the same TP-RAPD number of pattern. Unlike Gram negative bacteria, Gram positives of high G + C content, such as Clavibacter, produced low bands in TP-RAPD. By using a different set of two primers also based in the 16S rDNA sequence from Escherichia coli a more adequate amplification of Gram positives of high G + C including a greater number of bands was obtained. TP-RAPD patterns using the new set of primers described in this work is a reliable and fast method to identify C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus.     

苦豆子内生真菌诱导子促进宿主生物碱合成积累的生理防卫反应

分别以4株苦豆子内生真菌菌液浓缩物为诱导子，研究不同诱导时间下，各诱导子对苦豆子组培苗中氧化苦参碱（OMA）含量以及防御酶苯丙氨酸解氨酶（PAL）、过氧化物酶（POD）、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶（APX）和过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性的影响。结果显示：4种苦豆子内生真菌的菌液浓缩物均可提高宿主中OMA的积累，其中诱导效果最佳的是内生真菌诱导子XKYKDF₄₀，在0~15 d诱导期间宿主中OMA含量持续增长且始终高于对照，在诱导第15 d达到最高，为3.616 mg·g^-1，是同时期对照组的2.09倍。4种内生真菌诱导子还可诱发宿主中生物碱合成关键酶PAL和3种抗氧化酶（POD、APX和CAT）活性升高。诱导子XKYKDF₄₀激发PAL活性的作用最佳，在诱导第6 d PAL活性达最大值，为61.92 U·g^-1，是同时期对照组的1.42倍；与其他诱导子相比，诱导子XKZKDF₂₇能够明显诱发POD的活性，在诱导第12 d达到最大值，为62.30 U·mg^-1，是同时期对照组的2.70倍；诱导子XKZKDF₁₁可诱导宿主中的APX和CAT活性大幅度提高，在诱导第12 d酶活性达到最高，分别为0.5538 U·mg^-1和19.82 U·mg^-1，是同时期对照组的4.97倍和3.00倍。结果表明，苦豆子内生真菌诱导子的加入不仅激活了宿主组培苗的防御性应答反应，还促进了OMA的合成。     

Effect of sodium 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropionate on the germination, emergence, growth and survival of pasture species

The effect of sodium 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropionate (tetrapion) on the germination, emergence, growth and survival of pasture species was ascertained in petri-dishes (21 days) and in soil (114 days). Tetrapion was applied with the water in the petri-dishes and to the soil surface prior to sowing seeds 2-mm deep in plastic-lined glasshouse trays. The rates applied in the petri-dishes were 0,0.093, 0.187, 0.375, 0.75 and 1.5 kg a.i. ha^?1; the same rates, except 0.093 kg a.i. ha^?1, were applied in the glasshouse. In the petri-dishes tetrapion did not affect germination rate nor germination capacity of any species. However, it severely reduced shoot growth (22–78% for the lowest and highest rate, respectively) and moderately reduced root growth per seedling (4–44% for lowest and highest rate). In the glasshouse trays, lower emergence, at 27 days, of five of the sown species on the 1.5 kg a.i. ha^?1 treatment compared with the control, was explained by depression of shoot growth. Emergence was not affected at any other rate. Between day 27 and day 114 there was a progressive decline in the number of living seedlings of all species; the magnitude of deaths increased with time and rate of tetrapion. The rating of species for tolerance to tetrapion was: Medicago sativa > Festuca arundinacea > Dactylis glomerata > Phalaris aquatica > Eragrostis curvula. Although Trifolium subterraneum seedlings survived low rates of tetrapion they were still affected at day 114 whereas seedlings of other species were recovering. As tetrapion is readily leached from the soil profile, desirable species must be sown after sufficient rain has fallen to wash it from the soil. In this way it is possible to kill weed seedlings that germinate soon after spraying as well as to establish improved species.     

Characterization of two distinct Polish isolates of Pepino mosaic virus

In Poland in 2002 and 2005 two different isolates of Pepino mosaic virus signed PepMV-SW and PepMV-PK were obtained. Both isolates were compared on the basis of their symptomatology on a series of plant species. In addition, the isolates were characterized by the nucleotide sequence analysis of the triple gene block, coat protein and a part of the polymerase genes. The studies showed that the Polish isolates differ from each other and belong to two strains. PepMV-SW was highly similar to European isolates, showing extensive sequence identity, ca. 99%. Pairwise comparisons of PepMV-PK with other PepMV isolates from the GenBank database showed that the highest nucleotide sequence identity was with two isolates: Ch2 from Chile and US2 from the USA.     

A promising strain of endophytic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces</Emphasis> sp. for biological control of cucumber anthracnose

In a survey for effective biocontrol agents of Colletotrichum orbiculare, causal agent of cucumber anthracnose, 43 (MBCu series) and 135 (MBPu series) endophytic actinomycete strains were recovered from surface-sterilized organs of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) plants, respectively. The strains were cultured with C. orbiculare on IMA-2 agar medium to determine their in vitro antagonistic ability. Eleven strains that strongly inhibited hyphal growth of the pathogen were selected as potent antagonists. Detached cotyledons of cucumber were soaked in a spore suspension of an antagonistic strain 1 day before challenge-inoculation with the pathogen, and six of these antagonists (MBCu-32, 36, 42, 45, and 56, and MBPu-75) significantly reduced the number and size of the lesions on the cotyledons compared to the untreated control. In the same way, these six strains inhibited lesion development on attached leaves of 3-week-old cucumber seedlings. Strain MBCu-56, the most suppressive of the strains, was selected for further tests. Its suppressiveness increased as concentrations increased; pretreatment of leaves with the strain at 10⁷, 10⁸ and 10⁹ cfu/ml suppressed disease by 72, 79 and 93%, respectively. These results strongly indicated that MBCu-56 has strong potential for controlling cucumber anthracnose. Based on the taxonomic characteristics and 16S rDNA sequence, MBCu-56 was identified as Streptomyces sp. With scanning electron microscopy, the substrate mycelia of the strain were seen to colonize the surface of leaves above the cuticle. Some hyphae also penetrated and grew underneath the cuticle.     

Impact of Eucalyptus gall wasp,Leptocybe invasa infestation on growth and biomass production of Eucalyptus grandis and E. saligna seedlings in Tanzania

A study was carried out to determine the impact of Leptocybe invasa infestation on growth and biomass production of Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden and E. saligna Smith seedlings in Tanzania. Three- month old seedlings were infested with L. invasa. Twenty two weeks post infestation, heights of infested E. grandis seedlings were reduced by 39.6%, while diameters were reduced by 11.3% compared to uninfested seedlings. On the other hand, the heights of infested E. saligna seedlings were reduced by 38.2% and diameters were reduced 7.7% compared to uninfested seedlings. Dry weight biomass reduction of infested seedlings was significantly higher on stem and leaves than roots and branches of both E. grandis and E. saligna. The impact of L. invasa infestation on growth and biomass production was higher in E. grandis than E. saligna. Prevention and control of L. invasa infestation should be given priority. Similar future trials should examine other commercially grown Eucalyptus species in Tanzania.     

Analysis of sources of oxolinic acid-resistant field strains of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Burkholderia glumae</Emphasis> based on rep-PCR analysis and nucleotide sequences of <Emphasis Type="Italic">gyrB</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">rpoD</Emphasis>

Repetitive sequence-based polymerase chain reaction (rep-PCR) analysis using BOX and ERIC as primers showed a highly divergent phylogeny among field strains of Burkholderia glumae. To elucidate the sources of oxolinic acid (OA) resistance in field strains of B. glumae isolated from rice seedlings cultivated in Mie, Toyama, and Iwate prefectures, Japan, the amino acid at position 83 of GyrA (GyrA83), which is involved in OA resistance, and the DNA patterns from the rep-PCR and the partial nucleotide sequences of gyrB and rpoD from various strains were analyzed. The ten Mie strains, in which GyrA83 was isoleucine (Ile), were divided into two groups based on the band patterns in rep-PCR analysis, although the nucleotide sequences of gyrB and rpoD were identical among the strains. Based on the band patterns in the rep-PCR analysis and the gyrB and rpoD sequences, two highly OA-resistant Toyama strains, Pg-13 and Pg-14, for which GyrA83 was serine (Ser) and Ile, respectively, were in the same lineage. This suggests that the bacteria might acquire OA resistance faster than phylogenic diversity as determined with the repetitive sequences BOX and ERIC and with gyrB and rpoD. Furthermore, three Iwate strains (H95, H101, and H104), isolated from seedlings of different cultivars grown in different years and having Ile at GyrA83, are probably in the same lineage, suggesting that OA-resistant bacteria might be transferred among different cultivars.     

First report of Rhizomonas sp. causing corky root of lettuce in Europe

Typical symptoms of corky root were observed on iceberg lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) in the Netherlands and England, on prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola L.) in Spain, and on sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus L.) in Greece. Slow-growing bacteria with similar colonies as strains ofRhizomonas suberifaciens or otherRhizomonas species were isolated from soil surrounding plants with corky root symptoms using lettuce seedlings as bait. Crude lysate from all strains was tested for DNA homology with DNA fromR. suberifaciens strain CA1 (R. sub. CA1) andRhizomonas sp. strain WI4 (R. sp. WI4). Strains that had homology values higher than that ofR. sp. WI4 orR. sub. CA1 were tested for pathogenicity on 1-wk-old lettuce seedlings, cv. Salinas, Two strains from the Netherlands induced typical symptoms of corky root on lettuce. These strains tested negative with monoclonal antibody MAb-Rs1 specific forRhizomonas suberifaciens in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). They had low DNA homology withR. sub. CA1 (4–9%) and low to moderate DNA homology withR. sp. WI4 (4–17%). Some nonpathogenic strains had moderate to high levels of DNA homology withR. sub. CA1 orR. sp. WI4 (19–84%). All strains had fatty acid profiles similar to those ofRhizomonas species. This is the first report ofRhizomonas sp. causing corky root of lettuce in Europe.     

Distribution,host range and some properties of a virus disease of sunflower in Kenya

Abstract

Apparently similar viruses were associated with two different disease symptoms in sunflower (Helianthus annuus) in Kenya, one a yellow blotch and the other a leaf crinkle. The virus occurred in all sunflower‐growing regions but the crinkle disease was confined to areas east of the rift valley. Disease incidence varied with locality and season. Mechanical transmission of virus from plants with either disease was possible, but the yellow blotch virus was also transmissible from an important alternate field host, Tridax procumbens by Aphis gossypii to 23 species in three families. Partially purified preparations of virus made from mechanically inoculated seedlings affected with either symptom type contained 26 nm virus particles which, in ISEM tests, reacted with antisera prepared against six members of the luteovirus group.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pantoea ananatis</Emphasis> strains are differentiated into three groups based on reactions of tobacco and welsh onion and on genetic characteristics

Ninety-six strains of Pantoea ananatis were isolated from 14 plant species including melon, rice, tea and other crops of economic importance. They were classified into three groups (group I, II, III) based on a welsh onion stabbing assay, tobacco infiltration test, and polymerase chain reaction to detect indole acetic acid (IAA) biosynthesis genes (iaaM and iaaH) and a cytokinin biosynthesis gene (etz). Group Ι strains were characterized as causing significant blight symptom on welsh onion and inducing a hypersensitive response (HR)-like reaction on tobacco leaves after 36–48 h and encompassed 20 isolates from foxtail millet, hydrangea, pineapple, river water and rice. These 20 isolates did not possess iaaM, iaaH, or etz genes. Group II, consisting of 34 melon isolates, harbored iaaM, iaaH and etz genes, but did not cause either blight on welsh onion or HR-like reaction on tobacco. Group III strains did not have the iaaM, iaaH, and etz genes, nor did they cause any reaction on welsh onion or tobacco. The 42 strains in group III were isolated from bamboo grass, Chinese silver grass, citrus, dogwood, melon, mugwort, silk tree, sweet corn, tea and welsh onion. Representative strains of the three groups were tested for pathogenicity on melon and rice. Group Ι strains caused palea browning on rice but not internal fruit rot on melon. On the contrary, group II strains did not cause disease on rice but caused internal fruit rot on melon. Group III strains were not pathogenic on rice or melon. These results suggested that the host range of P. ananatis may be predicted by the reactions of welsh onion and tobacco and detection of iaaM, iaaH and etz genes. These tools may serve as rapid tests to identify the pathogenicity groups of P. ananatis.     

Life history traits and trade-offs between two species of the ascochyta blight disease complex of pea

Plant disease complexes are a playground to investigate coinfections in natural or cultivated systems. Pathogens of such complexes may affect each other through direct and/or indirect interactions and lead to changes in virulence or aggressiveness, offspring production, and transmission. As coinfections by sympatric host-pathogens can strongly influence pathogen dynamics and their evolutionary trajectories, new insights into the mechanisms of their coexistence is thus of critical importance. In order to characterize differences in ecological niches liable to explain species coexistence on the same host, the inter- and intraspecific diversity of the life history traits in natural collections of the two main pathogens (Peyronellaea (formerly Didymella) pinodes [Dp] and Phoma medicaginis var. pinodella [Pmp]) of the ascochyta blight disease complex of pea was evaluated under controlled conditions. Dp strains developed 1.3 times faster and produced longer, mainly bicellular spores and in lower amounts (3.7 times less) than Pmp strains. Pmp strains were separated into two groups, one producing more pycnidiospores, mainly bicellular, with less resources, and the other with mainly unicellular ones. These three groups can be interpreted as three distinct life history strategies: pioneer colonizer (Dp), scavenger (large-spored Pmp), and intermediate (small-spored Pmp), allowing differentiation in access to and use of resources. While this experimental work provides new insight into coexistence of two species of the ascochyta blight disease complex of pea, it also raises the question of the benefit of having two distinct life history strategies for one species (Pmp).