Effect of wheat spike infection timing on fusarium head blight development and mycotoxin accumulation

Fusarium head blight in wheat spikes is associated with production of mycotoxins by the fungi. Although flowering is recognized as the most favourable host stage for infection, a better understanding of infection timing on disease development and toxin accumulation is needed. This study monitored the development of eight characterized isolates of F. graminearum, F. culmorum and F. poae in a greenhouse experiment. The fungi were inoculated on winter wheat spikes before or at anther extrusion, or at 8, 18 and 28 days later. Disease levels were estimated by the AUDPC and thousand‐kernel weight (TKW). The fungal biomass (estimated by qPCR) and toxin concentration (deoxynivalenol and nivalenol, estimated by UPLC‐UV‐MS/MS) were measured in each inoculated spike, providing a robust estimation of these variables and allowing correlations based on single‐individual measurements to be established. The toxin content correlated well with fungal biomass in kernels, independently of inoculation date. The AUDPC was correlated with fungal DNA, but not for early and late infection dates. The highest disease and toxin levels were for inoculations around anthesis, but early or late infections led to detectable levels of fungus and toxin for the most aggressive isolates. Fungal development appeared higher in kernels than in the chaff for inoculations at anthesis, but the opposite was found for later inoculations. These results show that anthesis is the most susceptible stage for FHB, but also clearly shows that early and late infections can produce significant disease development and toxin accumulation with symptoms difficult to estimate visually.     

Fusarium species and chemotypes associated with fusarium head blight and fusarium root rot on wheat in Sardinia

Environmental conditions in Sardinia (Tyrrhenian Islands) are conducive to fusarium root rot (FRR) and fusarium head blight (FHB). A monitoring survey on wheat was carried out from 2001 to 2013, investigating relations among these diseases and their causal agents. FHB was more frequently encountered in the most recent years while FRR was constantly present throughout the monitored period. By assessing the population composition of the causal agents as well as their genetic chemotypes and EF‐1α polymorphisms, the study examined whether the two diseases could be differentially associated to a species or a population. Fusarium culmorum chemotypes caused both diseases and were detected at different abundances (88% 3‐ADON, 12% NIV). Fusarium graminearum (15‐ADON genetic chemotype) appeared only recently (2013) and in few areas as the causal agent of FHB. In F. culmorum, two haplotypes were identified based on an SNP mutation located 34 bp after the first exon of the EF‐1α partial sequence (60% adenine, 40% thymine); the two populations did not segregate with the chemotype but the A‐haplotype was significantly associated with FRR in the Sardinian data set (P = 0·001), suggesting a possible fitness advantage of the A‐haplotype in the establishment of FRR that was neither dependent on the sampling location nor the sampling year. The SNP determining the Sardinian haplotype is distributed worldwide. The question whether the A‐haplotype segregates with characters facilitating FRR establishment will require further validation on a specifically sampled international data set.     

Nivalenol‐producing Fusarium cerealis associated with fusarium head blight in winter wheat in Manitoba,Canada

Fusarium head blight (FHB) in small grain cereals is primarily caused by the members of the Fusarium graminearum species complex. These produce mycotoxins in infected grains, primarily deoxynivalenol (DON); acetylated derivatives of DON, 3‐acetyl‐DON (3‐ADON) and 15‐acetyl‐DON (15‐ADON); and nivalenol (NIV). This study reports the isolation of Fusarium cerealis in infected winter wheat heads for the first time in Canada. A phylogenetic analysis based on the TRI101 gene and F. graminearum species‐specific primers revealed two species of Fusarium: F. graminearum sensu stricto (127 isolates) and F. cerealis (five isolates). Chemotype determination based on the TRI3 gene revealed that 65% of the isolates were 3‐ADON, 31% were 15‐ADON and 4% were NIV producers. All the F. cerealis isolates were of NIV chemotype. Fusarium cerealis isolates can often be misidentified as F. graminearum as the morphological characteristics are similar. Although the cultural and macroconidial characteristics of F. graminearum and F. cerealis isolates were similar, the aggressiveness of these isolates on susceptible wheat cultivar Roblin and moderately resistant cultivar Carberry differed significantly. The F. graminearum 3‐ADON isolates were most aggressive, followed by F. graminearum 15‐ADON and F. cerealis NIV isolates. The findings from this study confirm the continuous shift of chemotypes from 15‐ADON to 3‐ADON in North America. In Canada, the presence of NIV is limited to barley samples and the discovery of NIV‐producing F. cerealis species in Canadian wheat fields may pose a serious concern to the Canadian wheat industry in the future.     

Integrated control of fusarium head blight and deoxynivalenol mycotoxin in wheat

Fusarium head blight (FHB), a devastating disease that affects wheat, is caused by a complex of Fusarium species. The overall impact of Fusarium spp. in wheat production arises through the combination of FHB and mycotoxin infection of the grain harvested from infected wheat spikes. Spike infection occurs during opening of flowers and is favoured by high humidity or wet weather accompanied with warm temperatures. Available possibilities for controlling FHB include the use of cultural practices, fungicides and biological approaches. Three cultural practices are expected to be of prime importance in controlling FHB and the production of mycotoxins: soil preparation method (deep tillage), the choice of the preceding crop in the rotation and the selection of appropriate cultivar.     

Virulence and toxin synthesis of an azole insensitive Fusarium culmorum strain in wheat cultivars with different levels of resistance to fusarium head blight

Fusarium culmorum causes head blight, produces toxins and reduces yield and quality of cereals. To prevent damage caused by fusarium head blight (FHB), azole fungicides are mainly applied. The occurrence of insensitivity to azoles is a major problem in agriculture. The present study shows that a tebuconazole insensitive strain of F. culmorum can be readily produced in the laboratory, but that the resulting strain of the fungus is of lower fitness in vitro. Insensitivity was confirmed microscopically and by cell viability and metabolic activity. The tebuconazole insensitive strain shows cross insensitivity to nine important azoles. In addition, plants inoculated with the insensitive F. culmorum strain showed no reduction of FHB symptoms and deoxynivalenol (DON) content after tebuconazole treatment, compared to an inoculation with the sensitive strain. Use of wheat cultivars carrying a high resistance level (i.e. cv. Toras) was the most effective method for reducing symptoms and decreasing DON content, independent from the level of fungicide insensitivity of the F. culmorum strain. In conclusion, resistant cultivars and a fungicide mixture which combines different mechanisms of action in fungal metabolism should be applied to avoid fungicide insensitivity of Fusarium spp. in future.     

Colonization of soft wheat following infection of the stem base by Fusarium culmorum and translocation of deoxynivalenol to the head

Following inoculation of the base of soft wheat seedlings with Fusarium culmorum, disease symptoms typical of crown rot developed at the stem base and extended up to the third node by plant maturity. Fungus was isolated from all tissues exhibiting symptoms but not from symptomless tissues. Histopathological analysis revealed that the fungus was present mainly in the parenchymatic cells of the stem base and colonized the tissues via apoplastic and symplastic pathways. Host response in advance of pathogen colonization was observed. At maturity, plants were divided into sections from the inoculated area to the head. Heads were also separated into grain, rachis and chaff components. Colonization by the fungus was assessed by isolation from surface‐sterilized segments and quantified by real‐time PCR. Disease symptoms and the fungus were detected up to the third node, while deoxynivalenol (DON) was present in all stem segments and heads. Within the head, the DON concentration was higher in the rachis than in the chaff and grain components. These results demonstrate that F. culmorum can extensively colonize stem tissues but not reach the head by the time of plant maturity. In contrast, DON was detected in tissues beyond those colonized by the fungus, translocating to the head where, although accumulating mainly in the rachis, significant quantities accumulated in the grain. These findings indicate that there is a potential threat of contamination of grain with DON where severe crown rot is present in a crop.     

The endophytic fungus Piriformospora indica protects wheat from fusarium crown rot disease in simulated UK autumn conditions

The root endophytic fungus Piriformospora indica (Sebacinacea) forms mutualistic symbioses with a broad range of host plants, increasing their biomass production and resistance to fungal pathogens. This study evaluated the effect of P. indica on fusarium crown rot disease of wheat, under in vitro and glasshouse conditions. Interaction of P. indica and Fusarium isolates under axenic culture conditions indicated no direct antagonistic activity of P. indica against Fusarium isolates. Seedlings of wheat were inoculated with P. indica and pathogenic Fusarium culmorum or F. graminearum and grown in sterilized soil‐free medium or in a non‐sterilized mix of soil and sand. Fusarium alone reduced emergence and led to visible browning and reduced root growth. Roots of seedlings in pots inoculated with both Fusarium isolates and P. indica were free of visible symptoms; seed emergence and root biomass were equivalent to the uninoculated. DNA was quantified by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The ratio of FusariumDNA to wheat DNA rose rapidly in the plants inoculated with Fusarium alone; isolates and species were not significantly different. Piriformospora indica inoculation reduced the ratio of Fusarium to host DNA in the root systems. The reduction increased with time. The ratio of P. indica to wheat DNA initially rose but then declined in root systems without Fusarium. With Fusarium, the ratio rose throughout the experiment. The absolute amount of FusariumDNA in root systems increased in the absence of P. indica but was static in plants co‐inoculated with P. indica.     

茎基腐亚洲镰孢菌侵染抗感小麦品种的组织病理学观察

小麦茎基腐是由多种镰孢菌侵染的世界性土传病害,亚洲镰孢菌(Fusarium asiaticum)是我国冬小麦主产区茎基腐镰孢菌的优势种群,对小麦生产造成巨大损失。本研究利用绿色荧光蛋白报告基因标记亚洲镰孢菌,研究其侵染抗感小麦的病理组织学过程,建立了茎基腐病菌与寄主互作的直观性的研究体系,对病害防治及抗病育种具有重要意义。基于PEG-CaCl_2介导原生质体转化法将gfp导入亚洲镰孢菌株CF0915,对转化子进行荧光表达、PCR验证、遗传稳定性、生长特性及致病力分析,选取与野生型表现相近的转化子进行侵染分析。结果表明,绿色荧光蛋白基因(gfp)与潮霉素基因(hyg)PCR扩增表明gfp已整合入真菌基因组中,转化子菌丝与分生孢子表现强烈绿色荧光信号,gfp能够在转化子中稳定遗传,菌落形态、生长速度及致病力与野生型菌株无显著差异;将gfp标记病菌分生孢子接种感病品种1 d后,大量孢子附着于根毛及根表皮细胞开始萌发,接种2 d后观察到抗性品种分生孢子萌发;感病品种接种3 d后,菌丝直接侵入表皮细胞或沿表皮细胞间层定殖生长,扩展至皮层组织,8 d后菌丝从根部迅速扩展至茎基部,至第10 d大量菌丝充塞根皮层细胞,叶鞘维管束也被菌丝侵染,并产生大量大型分生孢子,植株表现褐色病斑,14 d后根部及茎维管束被大量菌丝体填充,而后产生大量厚垣孢子,至25 d大部分感病品种幼苗萎蔫死亡;与感病品种相比,抗性品种在整个侵染过程中表现时间滞后。本研究对引起茎基腐病的亚洲镰孢菌侵染小麦的组织学过程观察,为病菌致病机理的阐释及抗病资源的利用提供了重要理论依据。     

The influence of flavonoids in maize pericarp on fusarium ear rot symptoms and fumonisin accumulation under field conditions

Breeding efforts have been undertaken to increase resistance of maize to fusarium ear rot (FER) and to fumonisin accumulation. Flavonoids in the pericarp of the kernels are considered particularly able to reduce the fumonisin accumulation. The aim of this 2‐year field study was to assess the effect of flavonoids on FER symptoms and fumonisin contamination in maize kernels using two isogenic hybrids, one providing pigmentation in the pericarp (P1‐rr) and the other without it (P1‐wr). FER incidence (FERi), FER severity (FERs), the incidence of infections caused by Fusarium spp. in symptomless kernels (FF) and fumonisin contamination (FUM) were assessed in both hybrids. Significant differences between the two hybrids were detected mainly in 2012 trials where P1‐rr showed lower FERi (P < 0·01), FF (P < 0·05) and FUM (P < 0·1) than P1‐wr. Site, characterized by local temperature and precipitation, played a relevant role in modelling all the measured variables, as its effect was highly significant in both years, whether they were considered individually or altogether. The interaction of hybrid with location was a significant (P < 0·001) source of variation only for FF. FF, together with FERi, was also significantly (P < 0·001) influenced by the interaction of hybrid with year. In general, FUM was more influenced by year and location parameters, such as temperatures during late ripening, than by flavonoid presence in kernel pericarp. The results indicate that flavonoid pigments alone may not be an important component in the resistance of maize to fumonisin accumulation.     

Effects of planting date and environmental factors on fusarium ear rot symptoms and fumonisin B1 accumulation in maize grown in six North American locations

Fusarium ear rot, primarily caused by Fusarium verticillioides, causes losses in grain yield and quality and can result in contamination of grain by mycotoxins, primarily fumonisin B₁. Disease severity and fumonisin B₁ contamination vary considerably among maize‐growing regions and from year to year. A 2 year field study was conducted in six locations in the USA, to evaluate the roles of planting date, maize hybrid, rainfall, temperature and insect pests in the variation in fusarium ear rot symptoms and fumonisin B₁ contamination. Grain samples were inspected to determine percentage of kernels with fusarium ear rot symptoms, categorized as ‘moulded’ or ‘starburst’; grain was also analysed by ELISA for fumonisin B₁. Hybrid and planting date frequently had significant effects (P ≤ 0·05) on fusarium ear rot and fumonisin B₁ contamination. Earlier planting consistently resulted in lower ear rot severity, fumonisin B₁ levels and insect damage. Mould symptoms were highly correlated with thrips populations (Frankliniella occidentalis) (r = 0·78) and with fumonisin B₁ concentration (r = 0·89). The starburst symptom was not as closely correlated with thrips (r = 0·33) or fumonisin B₁ (r = 0·18). A multiple linear regression model identified highly significant effects on fumonisin B₁ for thrips, lower average daily precipitation after flowering, and location. These results strengthen the evidence that locations with high populations of ear‐infesting thrips and dry conditions after pollination have an increased risk of fumonisin contamination, and suggest that high fumonisin levels are much more likely in visibly moulded kernels compared to those with ‘starburst’ symptoms.     

Molecular,biological and physiological characterizations of resistance to phenamacril in Fusarium graminearum

Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by Fusarium graminearum, is one of the most devastating wheat diseases in China. Phenamacril is a novel cyanoacrylate fungicide with a unique chemical structure and specific mode of action against Fusarium spp. In this study, the molecular, biological and physiological characteristics of laboratory‐induced mutants of F. graminearum with resistance to phenamacril were investigated. Compared to the wildtype strains, the phenamacril‐resistant mutants showed obvious defects in various biological and physiological characteristics, including vegetative growth, carbon source utilization, response to oxidative and osmotic stresses, sensitivity to cell wall and cell membrane integrity inhibitors, cell membrane permeability, glycerol accumulation and pathogenicity. The phenotypes of the phenamacril‐resistant mutants exhibited many variations. Sequencing indicated that the three parental strains studied were identical, and the mutants TXR1, TXR2, BMR1, BMR2, SYR1 and SYR2 each had a single point mutation in the amino acid sequence encoded by the myosin‐5 gene (FGSG_01410). These results provide new reference information for future investigations concerning the resistance mechanism of F. graminearum to phenamacril and could offer important relevant data for the management of FHB caused by F. graminearum.     

Pathogenicity of Fusarium graminearum and F. meridionale on soybean pod blight and trichothecene accumulation

Soybean (Glycine max) is the most important crop in Argentina. At present Fusarium graminearum is recognized as a primary pathogen of soybean in several countries in the Americas, mainly causing seed and root rot and pre‐ and post‐emergence damping off. However, no information about infections at later growth stages of soybean development and pathogenicity of F. graminearum species complex is available. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to compare the pathogenicity of F. graminearum and F. meridionale isolates towards soybean under field conditions and to evaluate the degree of pathogenicity and trichothecene production of these two phylogenetic species that express different chemotypes. Six isolates of F. graminearum and F. meridionale were evaluated during 2012/13 and 2013/14 soybean growing seasons for pod blight severity, percentage of seed infected in pods and kernel weight reduction. The results showed a higher aggressiveness of both F. graminearum and F. meridionale species during the 2013/14 season. However, the differences in pathogenicity observed between the seasons were not reflected in a distinct trichothecene concentration in soybean seeds at maturity. Fusarium meridionale isolates showed similar pathogenicity to F. graminearum isolates but they were not able to produce this toxin in planta during the two field trials.     

Field response of near‐isogenic brown midrib sorghum lines to fusarium stalk rot,and response of wildtype lines to controlled water deficit

To increase digestibility for ruminant livestock and for lignocellulosic ethanol conversion efficiency in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), brown midrib (bmr) lines carrying bmr6 or bmr12 and the double mutant (bmr6 bmr12) in two backgrounds (RTx430 and Wheatland) were developed, resulting in lines with significantly reduced lignin, as compared with the near‐isogenic wildtype. Under greenhouse conditions, these lines had previously demonstrated no increased susceptibility, and some lines were more resistant to the highly virulent stalk rot pathogen, Fusarium thapsinum, compared to the wildtype. Fusarium stalk rot of sorghum is a destructive disease that under high temperatures or drought conditions may lead to lodging. To determine if greenhouse observations could be extended to field environments, bmr and near‐isogenic wildtype lines were inoculated with F. thapsinum at field locations, Mead (irrigated) and Havelock (dryland) in Nebraska, USA. Analysis of mean lesion lengths showed those of most bmr lines were statistically similar to the wildtype. Across both genetic backgrounds, bmr6 and bmr6 bmr12 double mutant plants grown at Mead had significantly smaller mean lesion lengths than the corresponding wildtype (P ≤ 0.05). To assess responses of the two genetic backgrounds to controlled (greenhouse) water stress, wildtype RTx430 and Wheatland plants were inoculated with F. thapsinum under well‐watered and water stress conditions. Mean lesion lengths resulting on water deficit plants were significantly larger than those on well‐watered plants (P = 0.01). These results indicate that this bioassay can be used to screen sorghum lines in the greenhouse for increased resistance or tolerance to both drought and fusarium stalk rot.     

温度对假禾谷镰刀菌生长、侵染及茎基腐病发生的影响

研究温度对小麦茎基腐病发生的影响,可为病害的发生规律和生态防控措施的研究提供依据。本研究测定了温度对假禾谷镰刀菌菌丝生长、孢子萌发、对寄主小麦侵染以及在植株体内扩展的影响,结果表明,假禾谷镰刀菌菌丝生长的温度范围为4℃～30℃,其中28℃最适于菌丝的生长,孢子萌发的温度范围为4℃～35℃,其中12℃～30℃较适宜分生孢子萌发,17℃～28℃为假禾谷镰刀菌侵染小麦的适宜温度范围,假禾谷镰刀菌在小麦植株体内扩展的适宜温度范围在22℃～30℃;通过不同温度培养试验以及田间小麦不同生育期接种试验测定温度对小麦茎基腐病发生的影响,结果表明,播种期、起身期接种的小麦茎基腐病发生高于越冬苗期接种处理,而此期的温度较越冬苗期利于假禾谷镰刀菌的侵染和小麦茎基腐病的发生。     

温度对假禾谷镰刀菌生长、侵染及茎基腐病发生的影响

 研究温度对小麦茎基腐病发生的影响,可为病害的发生规律和生态防控措施的研究提供依据。本研究测定了温度对假禾谷镰刀菌菌丝生长、孢子萌发、对寄主小麦侵染以及在植株体内扩展的影响,结果表明,假禾谷镰刀菌菌丝生长的温度范围为4℃~30℃,其中28℃最适于菌丝的生长,孢子萌发的温度范围为4℃~35℃,其中12℃~30℃较适宜分生孢子萌发,17℃~28℃为假禾谷镰刀菌侵染小麦的适宜温度范围,假禾谷镰刀菌在小麦植株体内扩展的适宜温度范围在22℃~30℃;通过不同温度培养试验以及田间小麦不同生育期接种试验测定温度对小麦茎基腐病发生的影响,结果表明,播种期、起身期接种的小麦茎基腐病发生高于越冬苗期接种处理,而此期的温度较越冬苗期利于假禾谷镰刀菌的侵染和小麦茎基腐病的发生。     

Role of co‐infection by Pectobacterium and Verticillium dahliae in the development of early dying and aerial stem rot of Russet Burbank potato

Potato early dying (PED) is a disease complex primarily caused by the fungus Verticillium dahliae. Pectolytic bacteria in the genus Pectobacterium can also cause PED symptoms as well as aerial stem rot (ASR) of potato. Both pathogens can be present in potato production settings, but it is not entirely clear if additive or synergistic interactions occur during co‐infection of potato. The objective of this study was to determine if co‐infection by V. dahliae and Pectobacterium results in greater PED or ASR severity using a greenhouse assay and quantitative real‐time PCR to quantify pathogen levels in planta. PED symptoms caused by Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum isolate Ec101 or V. dahliae isolate 653 alone included wilt, chlorosis and senescence and were nearly indistinguishable. Pectobacterium wasabiae isolate PwO405 caused ASR symptoms including water‐soaked lesions and necrosis. Greater Pectobacterium levels were detected in plants inoculated with PwO405 compared to Ec101, suggesting that ASR can result in high Pectobacterium populations in potato stems. Significant additive or synergistic effects were not observed following co‐inoculation with these strains of V. dahliae and Pectobacterium. However, infection coefficients of V. dahliae and Ec101 were higher and premature senescence was greater in plants co‐inoculated with both pathogens compared to either pathogen alone in both trials, and V. dahliae levels were greater in basal stems of plants co‐inoculated with either Pectobacterium isolate. Overall, these results indicate that although co‐infection by Pectobacterium and V. dahliae does not always result in significant additive or synergistic interactions in potato, co‐infection can increase PED severity.     

Changes in phenolic content induced by infection with Didymella applanata and Leptosphaeria coniothyrium,the causal agents of raspberry spur and cane blight

The phenolic profile of healthy and infected raspberry canes was investigated in three raspberry cultivars: Autumn Bliss, Himbo Top and Polka. The content of total phenols and tannins was determined using spectrophotometric methods, whilst individual phenolic acids, flavan‐3‐ols, ellagic acid derivatives and glycosides of quercetin were analysed using HPLC/MS analysis. The content of secondary metabolites varied considerably among the analysed raspberry cultivars. Moreover, Didymella applanata and Leptosphaeria coniothyrium infection significantly altered the metabolism of phenolic compounds. Flavanols represented the greatest share of all identified phenolics in raspberry canes (90%), followed by glycosides of quercetin (6%), derivatives of ellagic acid (3%) and traces of hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives. Spur and cane blight diseases caused an increase of flavan‐3‐ols and tannins but the levels of hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, conjugates of ellagic acid and quercetin glycosides were significantly reduced. Cultivars Himbo Top and Polka contained higher levels of hydroxycinnamic acid and ellagic acid derivatives in healthy and infected canes compared to cv. Autumn Bliss. Cultivar Polka also contained the highest level of flavanols and tannins. However, despite high levels of flavanols and total phenols measured in cv. Polka, the canes were highly diseased following infection with D. applanata and L. coniothyrium. The results of the study provide evidence that the level of phenolic compounds in the canes could be causally linked to the differences in disease susceptibility.     

陕西省小麦茎基腐病病原菌鉴定及其致病力分析

为明确陕西省小麦茎基腐病病原菌的组成及其致病力,于2019年小麦灌浆期在陕西省宝鸡市、咸阳市、西安市和渭南市共63个采样点采集具有茎基腐病典型症状的病株,对其进行组织分离,结合培养性状和形态学特征,以及利用ITS和EF-1α序列分析鉴定分离菌株所属类群,并对不同病原菌进行致病力分析。结果表明：共分离到224株菌株,基于形态学特征和分子生物学鉴定结果,其中201株菌株鉴定为假禾谷镰刀菌Fusarium pseudograminearum,3株菌株鉴定为禾谷镰刀菌F. graminearum,14株菌株鉴定为三线镰刀菌F. tricinctum,6株菌株鉴定为层出镰刀菌F. proliferatum,其中假禾谷镰刀菌占总分离菌株的89.73%,是陕西省小麦茎基腐病的优势病原菌。不同种的镰刀菌对小麦植株均有一定的致病性,但假禾谷镰刀菌的致病力最强,而且分离自不同地区或者同一地区的假禾谷镰刀菌株间的致病力也存在一定分化。     

Fusarium oxysporum,F. proliferatum and F. redolens associated with basal rot of onion in Finland

In recent years in Finland, Fusarium infections in onions have increased, both in the field and in storage, and Fusarium species have taken the place of Botrytis as the worst pathogens causing post‐harvest rot of onion. To study Fusarium occurrence, samples were taken from onion sets, harvested onions and also from other plants grown in the onion fields. Isolates of five Fusarium species found in the survey were tested for pathogenicity on onion. Fusarium oxysporum was frequently found in onions and other plants, and, of the isolates tested, 31% caused disease symptoms and 15% caused growth stunting in onion seedlings. Fusarium proliferatum, a species previously not reported in Finland, was also identified. Over 50% of the diseased onion crop samples were infected with F. proliferatum, and all the F. proliferatum isolates tested were pathogenic to onion. Thus, compared to F. oxysporum, F. proliferatum seems to be more aggressive on onion. Also some of the F. redolens isolates were highly virulent, killing onion seedlings. Comparison of the translation elongation factor 1α gene sequences revealed that the majority of the aggressive isolates of F. oxysporum f. sp. cepae group together and are distinct from the other isolates. Incidence and relative proportions of the different Fusarium species differed between the sets and the mature bulbs. More research is required to determine to what extent Fusarium infections spoiling onions originate from infected onion sets rather than the field soil.     

小麦茎基腐病生防菌株YB-161的分离鉴定及防效测定

为筛选防治小麦茎基腐病的高效生防菌株,采用稀释涂布法从小麦茎基腐病病土中分离细菌,以假禾谷镰孢Fusarium pseudograminearum为靶标菌,通过平板对峙培养法和室内盆栽试验筛选优良菌株并测定其田间防治效果,分析优良菌株发酵滤液对假禾谷镰孢的抑菌能力,并结合形态特征、Biolog微生物自动鉴定系统和gyrA序列分析对其进行种类鉴定,以及测定该菌株的抑菌谱。结果表明,10份供试土样中共分离到98株细菌,对假禾谷镰孢的菌丝生长抑制率超过40.00%的菌株有14株,其中菌株YB-161对假禾谷镰孢的菌丝生长抑制率最高,达63.50%。室内盆栽试验结果显示,菌株YB-161处理小麦的病情指数最低,为31.40,对小麦茎基腐病的防治效果最好,为68.15%,其对小麦也表现出较好的促生作用。田间调查结果显示,菌株YB-161菌液拌种处理对小麦茎基腐病的田间防治效果高于52.35%,并对小麦具有一定的增产作用。菌株YB-161的发酵滤液5倍稀释液和10倍稀释液对假禾谷镰孢的菌落抑制率分别达66.67%和44.33%,该菌株被鉴定为解淀粉芽胞杆菌Bacillus amyloliquefaciens。此外,菌株YB-161对辣椒炭疽病菌Colletotrichum capisci、烟草疫霉病菌Phytophthora parasitica等5种植物病原真菌均有较好的拮抗作用。表明生防菌株YB-161对绿色防控小麦茎基腐病具有良好的开发利用潜能。