Sensitivity of Erysiphe graminis f.sp. hordei to morpholine and piperidine fungicides

Responses to a piperidine fungicide, fenpropidin, and to a morpholine, fenpropimorph, of single-colony isolates of Erysiphe graminis f.sp. hordei, collected in eastern Scotland and England in 1988, were strongly correlated. All isolates could be classified as sensitive (S) or resistant (R) to these fungicides. There was comparatively little variation in sensitivity to a second morpholine, tridemorph. Responses to tridemorph were weakly correlated with responses to fenpropidin and fenpropimorph. The levels of resistance detected were low in relation to recommended field application rates of the fungicides. Four R isolates, from north-east Scotland, had lower sensitivities to fenpropimorph and tridemorph than others in the R group, but showed similar sensitivities to fenpropidin. R isolates were frequent in Scotland, from Midlothian north to Moray, where the highly mildew-susceptible variety Golden Promise was widely grown, but were not found in England. The pattern of race-specific virulences of R and S isolates indicates that resistance to fenpropidin and fenpropimorph evolved several times, and therefore suggests that the same gene(s) causes resistance to both chemicals.     

Effects of chrysophanol, parietin, and nepodin of Rumex crispus on barley and cucumber powdery mildews

Three substances that show antifungal activity against Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei were isolated from roots of Rumex crispus and identified as chrysophanol, parietin, and nepodin. The substances were tested for plant disease control activity in vivo against six plant pathogenic fungi. All specifically reduced the development of barley powdery mildew. The concentrations required for 50% disease control were 4.7 μg/ml for chrysophanol, 0.48 μg/ml for parietin, and 20 μg/ml for nepodin. These agents showed both curative and protective activity against barley powdery mildew. Chrysophanol (100 μg/ml) and nepodin (400 μg/ml) were more effective than the fungicides fenarimol (30 μg/ml) and polyoxin B (100 μg/ml), under glasshouse conditions, against cucumber powdery mildew, which is caused by Podosphaera xanthii. Parietin (30 and 10 μg/ml) reduced the development of cucumber powdery mildew as efficiently as fenarimol (30 μg/ml) and more effectively than polyoxin B (100 μg/ml).     

Effect of wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars and seeding rate on yield loss from Galium aparine (cleavers)

Galium aparine L. is a troublesome broadleaved weed in winter wheat fields and other winter-sown crops in Eurasia and North America. Field experiments were conducted in Havza and Kavak, Samsun-Turkey, to evaluate the effect of different densities of G. aparine on the productivity of four wheat cultivars and to determine the effects of different seeding rates of wheat cultivars on the competitive ability of G. aparine. In experiments over 3 years, the wheat cultivar Panda was taller at maturity than other cultivars at both sites. Although Bezostaja was naturally shorter than other cultivars, its height decreased less due to competition from G. aparine than other cultivars. Wheat grain yields increased with seeding rate, either in the presence or in the absence of G. aparine at both locations. Based on wheat yields the relative competitiveness of the wheat cultivars was Bezostaja>Momtchill=Panda>Kate A-l. G. aparine biomass and seed numbers were reduced by an increase in the wheat seeding rate and by cultivar effects.     

新疆小麦白粉病菌群体遗传多样性分析

为了解新疆小麦白粉病菌群体多样性及其间关系,利用ISSR分子标记对2020年喀什、阿克苏、和田、昌吉、塔城共5个地区13个县市小麦白粉病菌群体进行遗传多样性研究。结果表明,喀什、阿克苏、和田、昌吉、塔城小麦白粉病菌群体的遗传距离为0.031 7~0.094 5,塔城与阿克苏群体的遗传距离最近,和田与喀什的遗传距离最远;总体Neis遗传多样性指数为0.257 1,群体Neis内遗传多样性指数为0.217 5,群体内的遗传变异占总体变异的84.60%,表明遗传变异主要来源于群体内。群体间基因流N_m值为2.749 0,表明新疆不同区域群体存在一定的基因交流。Normalized Mantel Statistic分析表明,小麦白粉病菌群体间遗传距离与地理距离相关性不大。     

Occurrence of resistant strains of Botrytis cinerea to anilinopyrimidine fungicides in table grapes in Chile

Effort to control gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea failed in a table grapevine (Vitis vinifera) vineyard near Santiago, Chile where cyprodinil (Vangard 50 WP), a new fungicide of the anilinopyrimidine group, had been applied alone up to four times per year during two growing seasons. A relatively high frequency (38.5%) of resistant isolates of B. cinerea (EC₅₀ for mycelial growth inhibition varied from 2.9 to 4.84 μg ml⁻¹) may explain the partial loss of field control efficacy obtained. Resistance was correlated with a complete loss of in vivo sensitivity to cyprodinil. Resistant isolates of B. cinerea showed cross resistance to the anilinopyrimidines fungicides mepanipyrim and pyrimethanil. Cyprodinil partially impaired conidia germination and differentially affected conidial germination of resistant and sensitive isolates. Significant differences (p<0.05) in growth rate, sclerotia production and osmotic sensitivity were found among isolates of B. cinerea, but no correlation could be drawn between these biological differences and resistance or sensitivity. This indicates a disruptive selection characteristic of monogenic resistance. Thus, strategies were implemented to avoid the further development and spread of resistance in B. cinerea to the anilinopyrimidine fungicides. To our knowledge this constitutes the first mention of resistance in B. cinerea populations to anilinopyrimidine fungicides in South America.     

Integration of Pseudomonas fluorescens and acibenzolar-S-methyl to control bacterial spot disease of tomato

Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. vesicatoria was isolated from infected tomato seedlings grown in an open field in Egypt. All the tested isolates infected tomato plants but with different degrees of disease severity. In an attempt to manage this disease, tomato seeds and/or seedlings were treated with an antagonistic local isolate of Pseudomonas fluorescens as a suspension or its formulation or acibenzolar-S-methyl (BTH). When the above three treatments were applied to tomato seeds under laboratory conditions, they improved seed germination and seedlings vigour relative to control seeds treated with sterile distilled water and pathogen but P. fluorescens culture was the most effective. Under greenhouse and field conditions, combinations of the above treatments were used. All treatments significantly reduced disease severity of bacterial spot in tomato relative to the infected control. The biggest disease reduction compared to seedlings inoculated with the pathogen alone resulted from a foliar application of P. fluorescens. Combined application of P. fluorescens or its formulation with BTH reduced the pathogen population and increased seedling biomass and tomato yield relative to control seedlings.     

小麦白粉病菌对嘧菌酯和三唑酮的敏感性反应

为了解小麦白粉病菌对嘧菌酯和三唑酮的敏感性差异,采用与田间实际用药条件相似的离体叶段喷雾法比较了2014年河南、河北麦区的小麦白粉病菌对嘧菌酯和三唑酮的敏感性。结果表明,供试菌株对三唑酮的EC₅₀为53.93 mg·L^-1,抗性水平为15.14,抗性频率高达93.57%;对嘧菌酯的EC₅₀为0.235 mg·L^-1,抗性水平为0.539,未发现嘧菌酯抗性菌株。嘧菌酯对三唑酮敏感菌和抗药菌的毒力分别是三唑酮的59倍和1 396倍。嘧菌酯与三唑酮之间无交互抗性,可见嘧菌酯具有防治小麦白粉病的应用前景。     

Local and systemic control of powdery mildew (Leveillula taurica) on pepper plants by foliar spray of mono-potassium phosphate

A foliar spray of 1% (w/v) solution of the fertilizer mono-potassium phosphate (MKP) (KH₂PO₄) on the upper surfaces of lower leaves of greenhouse-grown peppers induced local and systemic control against Leveillula taurica, as compared with control plants. This protection was expressed by a reduction in the leaf area covered with sporulating colonies and in conidial production on leaf tissue, 24 or 48 h post-treatment, when MKP was applied on lower leaves of plants that had been exposed to the source of inoculum. Foliar application of MKP, initiated before or after exposure to heavily diseased plants as the source of inoculum, was effective in controlling powdery mildew. Application of MKP efficiently suppressed powdery mildew as expressed by inhibition of the development of new sporulating colonies, as well as the conidial production of the fungus on infected tissue. Microscopic examination indicated destruction of both hyphae and conidial structures on MKP-treated leaves. The efficacy of MKP in controlling powdery mildew on greenhouse-grown plants was compared with a sterol-inhibiting systemic fungicide. Both treatments significantly inhibited powdery mildew as compared with non-treated control plants, although the fungicide-based treatment seemed to be slightly more effective (not significant) in controlling the disease. Phosphate solutions were not phytotoxic to plant tissue and did not affect the yield, as compared with the fungicide treatment. However, a lower yield was recorded for the non-treated control plots because of mildew infection on leaves. These data indicate that MKP spray may be applied as an alternative practice for the control of powdery mildew in peppers.     

Clonal performance of perennial Oryza sativa/O. rufipogon selections and their combining ability with O. sativa cultivars for survival, stolon production and yield

In Southeast Asia, upland rice (Oryza sativa) is an annual crop typically grown for subsistence on hilly lands that are at risk for soil erosion. If perennial cultivars of upland rice were developed, they would provide farmers with an inexpensive tool to produce a preferred food while conserving soil. O. rufipogon, the undomesticated progenitor of O. sativa, includes perennial and stoloniferous forms. To evaluate the feasibility of developing perennial cultivars by combining genes of O. sativa and O. rufipogon, four trials were conducted in an upland field at IRRI: O. sativa/O. rufipogon F₁ clone and cutting height trial, F₂ family trial, and two O. sativa/stoloniferous-selection factorial mating design trials. Plants were established at the beginning of the rainy season, then subjected to a 6-month dry season and evaluated for survival after 1 year. Of the 2101 cultivar control plants, only three IR47686-1-4-B individuals survived and none produced stolons. The 18 F₁ clones, which were selected from previous trials with less drought stress, ranged in survival from 4.4 to 91.4%. Cutting height at harvest did not affect survival. Survival among the F₂ families ranged from 9.4 to 31.9%. Segregation for stolon presence did not differ from a 3:1 ratio for five of the six F₂ families, suggesting the effect of a single dominant gene. Average yields per plant for the F₂ families were 1/3 to 1/9 of yields for the cultivars. However, by crossing the F₁s to cultivars, yield potential was almost fully recovered. For the full-sib families of the factorial trials, survival ranged from 0.0 to 48.6%. Azucena and IR47686-1-4-B, both japonica cultivars, exhibited greater general combining ability for survival relative to the six other cultivar parents. Thus, the process of developing perennial cultivars of rice should include screening annual cultivars to identify those with the best combining ability for survival. To develop cultivars of perennial upland rice, drought avoidance and/or tolerance from annual upland cultivars must be combined with the capacity for perennial growth from wild perennial species. The frequency of stolonifereous testcross progeny was lower than expected and was affected by the O. sativa parent. Thus, additional genes likely affected stolon penetrance and expression. Analyses of covariance indicated that stolons improved the likelihood of survival for progenies of the factorial trials but the effect was small (b < 0.1), and that yield (g/plant) had a small negative effect on percent survival (b = −0.13 to −0.32). This study demonstrated that it was possible to introgress genes for perennial growth from wild O. rufipogon accessions into domesticated O. sativa. Additionally, strategies for developing perennial cultivars of upland rice were improved.     

Antifungal modes of action of metalaxyl, cyprofuram, benalaxyl and oxadixyl in phenylamide-sensitive and phenylamide-resistant strains of Phytophthora megasperma f. sp. medicaginis and Phytophthora infestans

The activity of the phenylamide fungicides metalaxyl, cyprofuram, benalaxyl and oxadixyl against phenylamide-sensitive and phenylamide-resistant strains of Phytophthora megasperma f. sp. medicaginis and Phytophthora infestans has been compared in several tests. Metalaxyl showed the highest activity amongst the four fungicides against mycelial growth of sensitive strains on agar media. Benalaxyl and cyprofuram showed the highest activity against resistant strains. RNA synthesis of sensitive strains, measured as [³H]uridine incorporation, was inhibited by about 80% (P. megasperma) and by about 40% (P. infestans) by all phenylamides at concentrations of 1 μg/ml. At higher concentrations inhibition remained at this level, indicating that only part of the RNA synthesis was inhibited. RNA synthesis of resistant strains was completely insensitive to metalaxyl and oxadixyl at concentrations as high as 200 μg/ml. Cyprofuram, however, at concentrations above 1 μg/ml (P. megasperma) and 10 μg/ml (P. infestans) was inhibitory and at 200 μg/ml this compound almost completely inhibited the phenylamide-sensitive part of the RNA synthesis of both strains. In contrast to the other phenylamides, benalaxyl affected [³H]uridine uptake into mycelium at concentrations higher than 10 μg/ml, and at 100 μg/ml inhibition of uptake was almost total with both sensitive and resistant strains of both Phytophthora species. Inhibition of [³H]uridine uptake obviously is a feature of a second mechanism of action of benalaxyl. Endogenous RNA polymerase activity of isolated nuclei from sensitive strains of P. megasperma was inhibited at phenylamide concentrations as low as 0·1 μg/ml whereas that from resistant strains was not affected at concentrations as high as 100 μg/ml. Similarly, endogenous nuclear RNA polymerase activity of sensitive P. infestans strains appeared to be more sensitive to the phenylamides than that of resistant P. infestans strains. This suggests that resistance that developed in field strains of P. infestans has a basis similar to that of mutagen-induced resistance in laboratory strains of P. megasperma. Tests of the fungicidal activity of the phenylamides determined in a lucerne seedling assay (P. megasperma) and a detached potato leaf assay (P. infestans) clearly differentiated between sensitive and resistant strains. Resistance levels to cyprofuram and benalaxyl were as high as those to metalaxyl and oxadixyl, indicating that the additional effect of a second mechanism of action of benalaxyl and the property of cyprofuram to inhibit RNA synthesis of resistant strains at higher concentrations are of limited practical importance for counteracting phenylamide resistance.     

Effect of antagonistic Fusarium spp. and of different commercial biofungicide formulations on Fusarium wilt of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)

The ability of antagonistic Fusarium spp. to control Fusarium wilt of basil caused by F. oxysporum f. sp. basilici was tested under glasshouse conditions from 1994 to 1996. Fusarium oxysporum antagonistic strain 251/2, a protoplast fusion-derived hybrid coded FI-11 and F. moniliforme strains TF4 and TF4 RB were able to decrease (P = 0.05) the incidence of Fusarium wilt significantly. Biocontrol was consistent, especially when the antagonists were applied by mixing a talc preparation of propagules in the substrate (10⁵ CFU/ml of substrate) 1–2 weeks before sowing or at sowing. Seed coating with the biocontrol strains (10⁸ CFU/g of seed) did not generally provide sufficient disease containment, whereas the combination of substrate treatment and seed coating did not improve wilt control in comparison with substrate treatment alone. Two commercial formulations, based on antagonistic F. oxysporum strains and one containing the antagonistic strain K61 of Streptomyces griseoviridis, were generally not sufficiently effective at the tested dosages.     

抗白粉病基因PmCH1357相关分子标记验证与评价

由禾本科布氏白粉菌Blumeria graminis(DC.) f. sp.tritici(Bgt)引起的白粉病是影响小麦产量和品质的一种主要病害。为了评价小麦抗白粉病基因相关分子标记在育种中的有效性与实用性,本试验利用感白粉病品种晋麦66和小偃麦衍生品系CH1357构建的341个F_(2:3)家系为材料,利用本课题组前期已定位的8个与抗白粉病基因 PmCH1357相关的分子标记(Xcfd81、Xbwm20、Xbwm21、Xbwm25、Xmp510、Xbwm8、Xbwm9和Xgwm190)对群体进行PCR检测,并接种白粉菌株E09进行苗期抗病性鉴定,分析PCR扩增产物与白粉病抗性间的相关性。结果表明,4个标记(Xcfd81、Xbwm20、Xbwm21和Xbwm25)对群体检测的纯合抗病基因型与纯合抗病表现型符合率均达到93%以上,可用于抗白粉病基因 PmCH1357的筛选;为进一步提高标记筛选的准确性,可使用多个标记组合,使用基因同一侧的标记组合进行选择会降低选择效率,使用基因两侧标记组合进行选择可有效提高选择的准确性。使用标记组合Xcfd81+Xbwm8对抗白粉病基因 PmCH1357进行选择可以获得更高的准确性及更多有效植株。     

Fungicidal control of metalaxyl-insensitive strains of Bremia lactucae on lettuce

Strains of B. lactucae insensitive to 0.01 g a.i. l⁻¹ metalaxyl have been detected in all the lettuce-growing districts of South Australia. Despite this, applications of a formulated mixture of 0.25 g a.i. l⁻¹ metalaxyl and 2 g a.i. l⁻¹ mancozeb every 7–10 days controlled downy mildew in field experiments, where similar applications of either metalaxyl or mancozeb alone were ineffective. Protectant schedules of either 0.3 g a.i. l⁻¹ dimethomorph or 2–2.4 g a.i. l⁻¹ phosphonic acid also controlled downy mildew, but were less effective than the metalaxyl/mancozeb formulation. Mixtures of either dimethomorph or phosphonic acid with mancozeb enabled the time between the sprays to be increased to 14 days without significantly reducing control. Fungicide applications increased marketable yield by 60% compared with that of the unsprayed plants. Drenching seedlings with 4 g a.i. l⁻¹ phosphonic acid controlled downy mildew for at least 14 days and should prevent the spread of the disease from plant production areas.     

Effects of fungicides used to control Rhynchosporium secalis where benzimidazole resistance is present

The effects of fungicides used to control Rhynchosporium secalis in winter barley were investigated in five field trials in Co. Down, Northern Ireland. Benzimidazole resistance was present in the R. secalis population of each site. Fungicide performance was evaluated in terms of disease control, maintenance of green leaf area, grain yield and grain quality. Samples of R. secalis isolates taken before and after treatment in each field were assessed for sensitivity to carbendazim in the laboratory. Carbendazim contributed little to disease control, the maintenance of green leaf area, grain yield or grain quality. Carbendazim was associated with a significant increase in disease severity in some plots. Treatments containing carbendazim, either alone or in mixture, caused an increase in the proportion of carbendazim-resistant isolates within R. secalis populations. Propiconazole-containing treatments performed well in terms of disease control, maintenance of green leaf area and grain quality. They caused no change in carbendazim resistance frequency.     

Patterns of cross-resistance to fungicides in Botryotinia fuckeliana (Botrytis cinerea) isolates from French vineyards

Field strains of Botryotinia fuckeliana were isolated from diseased grape berries which were collected at the harvest, between 1993 and 1997, from French vineyards located in Alsace, Armagnac, Bordeaux, Champagne and Loire Valley. According to the inhibitory effects of fungicides towards spore germination, germ-tube elongation and mycelial growth, several phenotypes could be characterized. Thus, two types of benzimidazole (e.g. carbendazim, thiabendazole)-resistant strains were detected; negative cross-resistance towards diethofencarb, diphenylamine and dicloran was found only in one type. Most dicarboximide (e.g. iprodione, procymidone, vinclozolin)-resistant strains were also weakly resistant to aromatic hydrocarbon fungicides (e.g. chloroneb, dicloran, tolclofos-methyl) but remained sensitive to phenylpyrroles (e.g. fenpiclonil, fludioxonil). However, in some other dicarboximide-resistant strains, resistance was observed either as being restricted to dicarboximides or as extending weakly to phenylpyrroles. Towards anilinopyrimidines (e.g. cyprodinil, mepanipyrim, pyrimethanil), three resistant phenotypes have been identified. In the most resistant one, resistance was restricted to anilinopyrimidines, whereas in the others, resistance extended to various other groups of fungicides including dicarboximides, phenylpyrroles, sterol biosynthesis inhibitors (e.g. tolfanate, prochloraz, tebuconazole) and the hydroxyanilide derivative, fenhexamid. According to the pattern of cross-resistance, two phenotypes were characterized within these multifungicide-resistant strains. In vitro tests conducted with fenpropimorph, fenpropidin and spiroxamine, revealed the existence of strains highly susceptible to these sterol Δ¹⁴- reduction inhibitors. This property was correlated with a decreased sensitivity towards fenhexamid.     

Field tests of Trichoderma harzianum Rifai aggr. as a biocontrol agent of seedling disease in several crops and Rhizoctonia root rot of sugar beet

In field studies, mean stands of crops of snapbean, field corn, pea, soybean, and squash in New York were somewhat greater from seeds treated with conidia of Trichoderma harzianum applied in a Methocel slurry than from non-treated controls; however, stands were generally poorer than those from captan-treated seed. The biocontrol agent and captan had little effect on kidney bean and sweet corn since these crops are only slightly susceptible to seedling disease caused by Pythium spp. which were present in the field. In Colorado fields also infested with Pythium spp., stands of sugar beet from T. harzianum-treated seed (Pelgel slurry) tended to be greater than those from non-treated seed and equal to those from maneb-treated seed, but differences were not significant. In Colorado, Rhizoctonia solani, cause of root rot, was also present in the soil. A combined analysis of variance of treatments across 2 years showed that a preplanting-incorporated in-row application of T. harzianum in a wheat-bran carrier or a maneb seed treatment slightly, but significantly, reduced the severity of Rhizoctonia root rot in sugar beet as compared with the non-treated control. Seed treatments with T. harzianum had little or no effect. In plots where the agent was applied to the soil, numbers of Trichoderma propagules increased 600-fold by harvest; where maneb seed treatment was used, they increased only fivefold. Densities of the agent remained the same or decreased in plots where Trichoderma was used as a seed treatment.     

Detection of genetic variation among Indian wheat head scab pathogens (Fusarium spp./isolates) with microsatellite markers

Fusarium head blight (FHB) of wheat is responsible for extensive damage of wheat in humid and semi-humid regions of the world. Presently, FHB of wheat is a minor disease in India but due to global climate change, there is a chance that moist conditions and high humidity resulting from more rainfall during mid-anthesis could increase the susceptibility of wheat to Fusarium infection. For the present study, 27 isolates of three Fusarium spp. viz., Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium verticillioides and Fusarium oxysporum were isolated from naturally infected wheat sampled from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Wellington (Tamil Nadu) during 2000–2003. Genomic DNA was isolated from fresh mycelia using the CTAB method. Fusarium spp./isolates were analyzed with four newly developed microsatellite markers (MS-Fg1353, MS-Fg6808, MS-Fg307 and MS-Fg3654) and six previously published microsatellite markers (MS-Fg97, MS-Fc1, MS-Fg103, MS-Fg30, MS-Fg75 and MS-Fg90). All markers amplified a DNA fragment of variable length for different Fusarium spp./isolates. Microsatellite markers, MS-Fg103, MS-Fg103 did not amplify F. oxysporum and F. verticillioides isolates, respectively. MS-Fg307 amplified a fragment of 200 bp with F. graminearum isolates of Wellington. This study has shown that there is considerable genotypic variability among Fusarium spp./isolates causing FHB of wheat in India.     

Levels of resistance of rice cultivars and the weed Leersia hexandra L. to Nephotettix malayanus Ishihara et Kawase and N. virescens (Distant)

Studies on the mechanisms of resistance of some rice cultivars and the weed, Leersia hexandra, to Nephotettix malayanus indicated low survival and popu;ation growth of the insect on resistant cultivars. Tests on feeding behaviour indicated that more feeding punctures were made on resistant than on susceptible cultivars. The amount of honeydew excreted was not related to the levels of resistance. Honeydew excreted on resistant cultivars was acidic (pH 5·08–6·92) and on susceptible L. hexandra, basic (pH 7·56). On the basis of the quality of honeydew excreted, N. malayanus was considered to be predominantly a xylem feeder. A test on the serial transmission of the rice tungro virus (RTV) showed that N. malayanus transmitted the virus for only one day after feeding acquisition. N. virescens was a more efficient vector of RTV than N. malayanus. N. malayanus prefers to feed on L. hexandra rather than on the rice cultivars tested.     

Seasonal abundance of the mirids, Lygus lucorum and Adelphocoris spp. (Hemiptera: Miridae) on Bt cotton in northern China

Lygus lucorum Meyer-Dür, Adelphocoris fasciaticollis Reuter and Adelphocoris lineolatus (Goeze) (Hemiptera: Miridae) are important secondary insect pests in cotton fields in northern China. The seasonal dynamics of their mixed populations on a transgenic variety expressing the insecticidal Bt protein Cry1A, and a cotton line expressing proteins of Cry1A and CpTI (cowpea trypsin inhibitor gene) were compared to seasonal dynamics on similar but non-transgenic varieties from 1998 to 2001. No significant differences were detected between population densities of these bugs on unsprayed normal cotton and unsprayed transgenic cotton. However, mirid damage on unsprayed transgenic cotton was significantly higher due to a reduced number of insecticide sprays against Helicoverpa armigera compared with the number of sprays in the normal cotton. This suggests that the mirids have become key insect pests in transgenic cotton fields, and that their damage to cotton could increase further with the expansion of the area planted to transgenic cotton if no additional control measures are adopted.     

Biological control of foliar pathogens by means of Trichoderma harzianum and potential modes of action

Biocontrol of foliar diseases is an alternative means of management of foliar pathogens. One of the most studied commercial biocontrol agents is isolate T39 of Trichoderma harzianum which can be regarded as a model to demonstrate biocontrol under commercial conditions and the mechanisms involved. This biocontrol agent (BCA) controls the foliar pathogens, Botrytis cinerea, Pseuperonospora cubensis, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Sphaerotheca fusca (syn. S. fuliginea) in cucumber under commercial greenhouse conditions. Control efficacy was similar for three different rates (covering a fourfold range). Involvement of locally and systemically induced resistance has been demonstrated. Cells of the BCA applied to the roots, and dead cells applied to the leaves of cucumber plants induced control of powdery mildew. The BCA suppressed enzymes of B. cinerea, such as pectinases, cutinase, glucanase and chitinase, through the action of protease secreted on plant surfaces. A combination of several modes of action is responsible for biocontrol. However, biocontrol is not achieved by means of antibiotics or by mycoparasitism, in spite of the fact that BCA has the potential to degrade cell-wall polymers, such as chitin.