两种昆虫生长调节剂对黑腹果蝇和斑翅果蝇的生物活性

为探讨昆虫生长调节剂氟铃脲和虱螨脲对黑腹果蝇Drosophila melanogaster和斑翅果蝇D.suzukii的毒性机制,采用室内生测法测定氟铃脲、虱螨脲对2种果蝇2龄幼虫的毒力,以及其在亚致死浓度LC_(10)、LC_(20)下对2种果蝇体内几丁质酶活性的影响。结果显示,经不同浓度的氟铃脲和虱螨脲处理后,随着时间的延长和浓度的增加,2种果蝇的死亡率均明显增加,氟铃脲处理可使2种果蝇的死亡率最高达到83.33%,明显高于虱螨脲处理后黑腹果蝇(65.00%)和斑翅果蝇(66.66%)的死亡率。亚致死浓度LC_(10)和LC_(20)的虱螨脲处理果蝇2龄幼虫24 h后,黑腹果蝇2龄幼虫体内的几丁质酶活性呈下降趋势,而斑翅果蝇2龄幼虫体内的几丁质酶活性则呈上升趋势。另外,亚致死浓度的氟铃脲可明显抑制黑腹果蝇体内几丁质酶的活性。表明昆虫生长调节剂氟铃脲和虱螨脲对果蝇有较强的毒力,氟铃脲的毒力高于虱螨脲,且果蝇体内几丁质酶的活性与氟铃脲和虱螨脲密切相关。     

虱螨脲亚致死浓度对小菜蛾保护酶系和解毒酶系活力的影响

为阐明虱螨脲对小菜蛾亚致死效应的生化机制,采用室内生物测定法测定了LC_(10)和LC_(25)亚致死浓度处理小菜蛾3龄幼虫1、6、12、24、48和72 h后其体内保护酶系和解毒酶系的活力变化。结果表明:虱螨脲LC_(10)处理对小菜蛾幼虫体内超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力表现为早期诱导、后期抑制的作用,而对过氧化物酶(POD)则表现为先抑制后诱导的作用,对过氧化氢酶(CAT)仅在72h时具有诱导作用;LC_(25)处理对SOD表现为诱导-抑制-诱导-抑制的作用,对POD具有抑制作用,而对CAT具有诱导作用。经虱螨脲亚致死浓度处理后,小菜蛾幼虫体内酯酶和多功能氧化酶活力被明显抑制,且基本表现为浓度越高抑制作用越强;而谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GST)活力仅在处理后1 h被诱导,之后被显著抑制。表明虱螨脲进入小菜蛾幼虫体内后,初期可诱导SOD、CAT和GST活力升高,以适应外界毒害的影响;但随着时间的延长,3种解毒酶活力被抑制,使其难以代谢,从而增强了对小菜蛾的毒性。     

虱螨脲对小菜蛾成虫繁殖力及子代种群发展的影响

为探究虱螨脲对小菜蛾Plutella xylostella成虫的亚致死作用,通过残留药膜法或饲喂法使用50 mg/L虱螨脲对小菜蛾成虫进行处理,分别测定小菜蛾成虫繁殖力、寿命和卵孵化率,通过建立小菜蛾成虫子代生命表确定虱螨脲处理成虫对其后代的影响。结果表明,残留药膜法处理后,小菜蛾成虫单雌产卵量和卵孵化率分别比对照显著降低39.09粒和19.38个百分点;饲喂法处理后,小菜蛾成虫单雌产卵量、雌成虫寿命和卵孵化率分别比对照减少13.42粒、1.56 d和72.03个百分点,卵孵化率与对照差异显著。虱螨脲处理后,小菜蛾成虫子代1龄幼虫存活率、雌成虫寿命、F_1代单雌产卵量和F_1代卵孵化率分别为74.29%、5.90 d、146.65粒和84.43%,均显著低于对照,种群趋势指数降低,表明对子代种群发展有一定的干扰作用。此外,虱螨脲处理小菜蛾雌、雄虫对其产卵量无影响,但处理雌虫显著降低卵孵化率,处理雄虫对卵孵化率无明显影响,说明虱螨脲作用于小菜蛾成虫,仅对卵子形成及受精卵的胚胎发育过程产生影响,而对精子的生成及转移无影响。表明虱螨脲可通过成虫取食或接触而控制小菜蛾种群发展。     

虱螨·虫螨腈对甘蓝甜菜夜蛾的田间防效

为明确12%虱螨·虫螨腈悬浮剂对为害甘蓝的甜菜夜蛾的防效,以其为供试药剂,设置高、中、低剂量处理,并以5%虱螨脲悬浮剂和10%虫螨腈悬浮剂为对照,开展了田间药效试验。结果表明,12%虱螨·虫螨腈悬浮剂3个处理对甜菜夜蛾均有较好的防治效果,且持效期较长,药后3 d的防效为68.17%～90.34%,药后10d的防效达85.31%～100%。12%虱螨·虫螨腈悬浮剂的中剂量(72 g/hm2)处理防效与对照药剂相当,高剂量(90 g/hm2)处理防效显著高于对照药剂,3个处理均对甘蓝及其他非靶标生物安全。     

五种昆虫生长调节剂对韭菜迟眼蕈蚊的致毒作用

为明确昆虫生长调节剂对韭菜迟眼蕈蚊幼虫的毒力差异、作用特点和田间控制效果,采用药液定量滴加法比较了5种昆虫生长调节剂对其不同龄期幼虫的毒力、LC50对4龄幼虫生长发育和繁殖的影响,以及药剂致毒的温度效应和盆栽防效。结果表明:5种昆虫生长调节剂对韭菜迟眼蕈蚊2龄和4龄幼虫的毒力均以虱螨脲最高,LC50分别为0.173 mg/L和0.295 mg/L,氟铃脲和氟啶脲次之,均高于对照药剂辛硫磷;而吡丙醚和灭蝇胺低于辛硫磷。5种昆虫生长调节剂以LC50处理4龄幼虫后,虱螨脲、氟铃脲和氟啶脲对其存活幼虫后续发育历期、成虫羽化率和繁殖力的影响较大,尤其是单雌产卵量较清水对照分别降低72.6%、57.8%和58.1%;灭蝇胺也可使成虫产卵量降低;吡丙醚可引起卵孵化率下降。该类药剂对其幼虫的毒力基本不受环境温度的影响;虱螨脲、氟铃脲和氟啶脲7.5、15 g a.i./667 m2处理对当代4龄幼虫的防效较低,但对下一代幼虫的防效可达93%以上;虱螨脲、氟铃脲和灭蝇胺与新烟碱类的噻虫胺混用,可显著提高药剂的速效性,且持续控制作用好。     

甲氨基阿维菌素·虱螨脲对草地贪夜蛾的田间药效

为进一步明确甲氨基阿维菌素·虱螨脲复配剂防治草地贪夜蛾的效果,本试验采取定点定株挂牌的调查方式,开展了4%甲氨基阿维菌素·虱螨脲ME 600 mg/L、4%甲氨基阿维菌素·虱螨脲ME 800 mg/L、4%甲氨基阿维菌素·虱螨脲ME 1 000 mg/L、5%甲氨基阿维菌素WG 800 mg/L和5%虱螨脲SC 800 mg/L田间防治草地贪夜蛾1～3龄幼虫的药效试验。结果表明,4%甲氨基阿维菌素·虱螨脲ME 800 mg/L防治草地贪夜蛾的速效性和持效性均较好;药后3～14 d,4%甲氨基阿维菌素·虱螨脲ME 800 mg/L的防效达到85.27%～88.37%。结合药剂速效性和持效性及田间使用安全性,在确保农产品质量安全条件下推荐使用4%甲氨基阿维菌素·虱螨脲ME 800 mg/L来防治草地贪夜蛾。     

新型2,6-二氟苯甲酰脲类化合物对草地贪夜蛾的生物活性及其几丁质合成的影响

本文通过对已报道的具有优异杀虫活性的肟醚苯甲酰脲类化合物NK-17进行结构改造，得到化合物(E)-N-((4-((叔丁氧亚氨基)甲基)苯基)甲氨基甲酰基)-2,6-二氟苯甲酰胺(以下简称为“HN-21”)，以改善其在有机溶剂中的溶解能力。采用叶片药膜法测定HN-21和对照药剂虱螨脲对草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda 2龄幼虫的生物活性，并分析其对草地贪夜蛾几丁质合成过程的影响。结果表明，HN-21对草地贪夜蛾幼虫72 h的致死中浓度为0.681 mg/L，显著低于虱螨脲(10.052 mg/L)，受试昆虫均死于蜕皮过程中。受试昆虫用虱螨脲10.052 mg/L处理24 h时，几丁质合成通路基因(sfTRE1、sfTRE2、sfGFAT、sfUAP、sfCHS1)表达量明显下降，早于用HN-21 0.681 mg/L处理组，但48 h时两组昆虫基因表达量下调程度已无显著性差异。该研究结果可为更好地开发利用苯甲酰脲类化合物提供理论依据。     

印楝素抑制基因转录导致棉铃虫幼虫蜕皮变态异常的分子机理

印楝素是一种对鳞翅目如棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera有良好防治效果的植物源农药。本研究采用室内毒力测定方法,荧光定量PCR(q RT-PCR)和代谢产物差异分析等方法,分析了饲喂印楝素后导致棉铃虫幼虫死亡的分子机理。首先统计分析了5龄和6龄棉铃虫幼虫饲喂不同浓度的印楝素后的表型、体质量、死亡率和化蛹率,结果表明印楝素导致棉铃虫幼虫体质量降低、死亡率升高和化蛹率降低。随后,通过qRT-PCR、酶活和内源物质含量测定,明确了印楝素抑制海藻糖的生物合成和分解,抑制20E下游基因转录表达,并降低了ATP含量。本研究结果表明印楝素通过抑制棉铃虫海藻糖的生物合成和分解,抑制20E信号通路基因转录,降低ATP产量,导致幼虫蜕皮变态失败,最终导致幼虫死亡。本研究对进一步探索印楝素导致棉铃虫死亡的机制和防治有害生物具有重要意义。     

10种杀虫剂防治韭菜迟眼蕈蚊综合药效试验评价

为筛选防治韭菜迟眼蕈蚊的药剂,健全韭蛆防治登记药剂信息,山东省农药检定所组织国内农业院校、科研机构和农药企业成立“特色作物联合试验协作组(山东)”,进行了10种杀虫剂防治迟眼蕈蚊的室内活性、安全性和田间药效试验.结果表明,几丁质合成抑制剂氟铃脲、虱螨脲和氟啶脲对幼虫毒性极高,LC50值为0.333 7~0.468 3 mg/L,新烟碱药剂噻虫嗪、呋虫胺和吡虫啉也有较高毒性,LC50值为3.163 2~4.475 5 mg/L.安全性试验表明供试药剂对韭菜较为安全,仅氟铃脲、虱螨脲和氟啶脲在使用4倍大田推荐量后对韭菜生长有轻微的抑制作用,实际使用过程中严格控制剂量,勿过量使用.田间药效结果表明,噻虫嗪、呋虫胺和吡虫啉的杀虫速效性和持效性优异,药后7d和21d防效分别为65.70%~95.13%和53.70%~88.44%.氟铃脲、虱螨脲、氟啶脲和灭蝇胺杀虫速效性不突出,但持续控制效果显著,药后21d防效为71.33%~97.89%,保株效果为68.52%~96.86%.印楝素和苦参碱对幼虫也有一定控制作用,防效果达到60%~80%.成虫期喷施高效氯氰菊酯,能有效的控制后代幼虫为害,防效为45%~80%.因此,供试的10种药剂可作为韭蛆防治的登记药剂在生产中推广应用.     

玉米草地贪夜蛾田间防治试验

为筛选对玉米草地贪夜蛾防治效果好的药剂,笔者选择球孢白僵菌等8种农药进行玉米草地贪夜蛾田间防治试验。结果表明,10亿PIB/mL苜蓿银纹夜蛾核型多角体病毒SC和5%甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐ME对玉米草地贪夜蛾低龄幼虫有优异的防治效果,速效性和持效性俱佳;8 000 IU/μL苏云金杆菌SC、10%虱螨脲SC和10%虫螨腈SC对玉米草地贪夜蛾低龄幼虫也有较好的防治效果,都具有较好的速效性和持效性;300亿孢子/g球孢白僵菌WP速效性和持效性稍差。建议在生产中大力推广苜蓿银纹夜蛾核型多角体病毒、甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐、苏云金杆菌、虱螨脲、虫螨腈等农药轮换使用防治草地贪夜蛾。     

Dermestid beetles in ‘evolution Canyon’, lower Nahal Oren, Mt. Carmel, including new records for Israel

Fifteen species of dermestid beetles were recorded at ‘Evolution Canyon’ (EC), Lower Nahal Oren, Mt. Carmel, Israel. They represent ~35% of known Israeli dermestid species. The following three species were recorded for the first time in Israel:Trogoderma svriaca Dalla Torre, 1911;Ctesias svriaca Ganglbauer, 1904; andAnthrenus (s.str.) jordaniens Pic, 1934. Adults of 13 species were collected on the more solar radiated, warmer and climatically more fluctuating south-facing slope (SFS); ten species were collected on the opposite, north-facing slope (NFS), which was cooler and climatically more stable. The abundance of adult dermestid beetles was 1.9 times higher on the SFS than on the NFS (86 and 47, respectively). Species richness and abundance distribution at EC (three collecting stations on each slope and one at the valley bottom) were significantly negatively correlated with the plant cover that consisted of trees and bushes (Spearmanr _s ,P=0.007 and 0.039, respectively) and perennials (Spearmanr _s ,P=0.039 and 0.077, respectively), indicating that non-woody plants were preferred by adult dermestid beetles.     

Diagnostics,genetic diversity and pathogenic variation of ascochyta blight of cool season food and feed legumes

Molecular diagnostic techniques have been developed to differentiate the Ascochyta pathogens that infect cool season food and feed legumes, as well as to improve the sensitivity of detecting latent infection in plant tissues. A seed sampling technique was developed to detect a 1% level of infection by Ascochyta rabiei in commercial chickpea seed. The Ascochyta pathogens were shown to be genetically diverse in countries where the pathogen and host have coexisted for a long time. However, where the pathogen was recently introduced, such as A. rabiei to Australia, the level of diversity remained relatively low, even as the pathogen spread to all chickpea-growing areas. Pathogenic variability of A. rabiei and Ascochyta pinodes pathogens in chickpea and field pea respectively, appears to be quantitative, where measures of disease severity were based on aggressiveness (quantitative level of infection) rather than on true qualitative virulence. In contrast, qualitative differences in pathogenicity in lentil and faba bean genotypes indicated the existence of pathotypes of Ascochyta lentis and Ascochyta fabae. Therefore, reports of pathotype discrimination based on quantitative differences in pathogenicity in a set of specific genotypes is questionable for several of the ascochyta-legume pathosystems such as A. rabiei and A. pinodes. This is not surprising since host resistance to these pathogens has been reported to be mainly quantitative, making it difficult for the pathogen to overcome specific resistance genes and form pathotypes. For robust pathogenicity assessment, there needs to be consistency in selection of differential host genotypes, screening conditions and disease evaluation techniques for each of the Ascochyta sp. in legume-growing countries throughout the world. Nevertheless, knowledge of pathotype diversity and aggressiveness within populations is important in the selection of resistant genotypes.     

Epidemiology of Toxigenic Fungi and their Associated Mycotoxins for Some Mediterranean Crops

Recent data on the epidemiology of the common mycotoxigenic species of Fusarium, Alternaria, Aspergillus and Penicillium in infected or colonized plants, and in stored or processed plant products from the Mediterranean area are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on the toxigenicity of the causal fungal species and the natural occurrence of well known mycotoxins (aflatoxins, ochratoxins, fumonisins, trichothecenes, zearalenone, patulin, Alternaria-toxins and moniliformin), as well as some more recently described compounds (fusaproliferin, beauvericin) whose toxigenic potential is not yet well understood. Several Fusarium species reported from throughout the Mediterranean area are responsible of the formation of mycotoxins in infected plants and in plant products, including: Fusarium graminearum, F. culmorum, F. cerealis, F. avenaceum, F. sporotrichioides and F. poae, which produce deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, fusarenone, zearalenone, moniliformin, and T-2 toxin derivatives in wheat and other small grains affected by head blight or scab, and in maize affected by red ear rot. Moreover, strains of F. verticillioides, F. proliferatum, and F. subglutinans, that form fumonisins, beauvericin, fusaproliferin, and moniliformin, are commonly associated with maize affected by ear rot. Fumonisins, were also associated with Fusarium crown and root rot of asparagus and Fusarium endosepsis of figs, caused primarily by F. proliferatum. Toxigenic A. alternata strains and associated tenuazonic acid and alternariols were commonly found in black mould of tomato, black rot of olive and citrus, black point of small cereals, and black mould of several vegetables. Toxigenic strains of A. carbonarius and ochratoxin A were often found associated with black rot of grapes, whereas toxigenic strains of A. flavus and/or P. verrucosum, forming aflatoxins and ochratoxin A, respectively, were found in moulded plant products from small cereals, peanuts, figs, pea, oilseed rape, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, pistachios, and almonds. Finally, toxigenic strains of P. expansum and patulin were frequently found in apple, pear and other fresh fruits affected by blue mould rot, as well as in derived juices and jams.     

Hymenopteran Parasitoids on Fruit-infesting Tephritidae (Diptera) in Latin America and the Southern United States: Diversity, Distribution, Taxonomic Status and their use in Fruit Fly Biological Control

We first discuss the diversity of fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) parasitoids (Hymenoptera) of the Neotropics. Even though the emphasis is on Anastrepha parasitoids, we also review all the information available on parasitoids attacking flies in the genera Ceratitis, Rhagoletis, Rhagoletotrypeta, Toxotrypana and Zonosemata. We center our analysis in parasitoid guilds, parasitoid assemblage size and fly host profiles. We also discuss distribution patterns and the taxonomic status of all known Anastrepha parasitoids. We follow by providing a historical overview of biological control of pestiferous tephritids in Latin American and Florida (U.S.A.) and by analyzing the success or failure of classical and augmentative biological control programs implemented to date in these regions. We also discuss the lack of success of introductions of exotic fruit fly parasitoids in various Latin American countries. We finish by discussing the most pressing needs related to fruit fly biological control (classical, augmentative, and conservation modalities) in areas of the Neotropics where fruit fly populations severely restrict the development of commercial fruit growing. We also address the need for much more intensive research on the bioecology of native fruit fly parasitoids.     

A survey of the genera of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Microgaster</Emphasis> latreille and<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hygroplitis</Emphasis> thomson (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Microgastrinae) from China

The genera ofMicrogaster Latreille 1804 andHygroplitis Thomson 1895 from China are presented systematically in this paper. Thirty-two species ofMicrogaster and three species ofHygroplitis are known in China. Diagnosis, character variation, distribution and host of each species among the two genera are presented, including its host and distribution. Keys to the species ofMicrogaster andHygroplitis are given. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Dec. 19, 2006.     

Plant Viruses Transmitted by Whiteflies

One-hundred and fourteen virus species are transmitted by whiteflies (family Aleyrodidae). Bemisia tabaci transmits 111 of these species while Trialeurodes vaporariorum and T. abutilonia transmit three species each. B. tabaci and T. vaporariorum are present in the European–Mediterranean region, though the former is restricted in its distribution. Of the whitefly-transmitted virus species, 90% belong to the Begomovirus genus, 6% to the Crinivirus genus and the remaining 4% are in the Closterovirus, Ipomovirus or Carlavirus genera. Other named, whitefly-transmitted viruses that have not yet been ranked as species are also documented. The names, abbreviations and synonyms of the whitefly-transmitted viruses are presented in tabulated form together with details of their whitefly vectors, natural hosts and distribution. Entries are also annotated with references. Whitefly-transmitted viruses affecting plants in the European–Mediterranean region have been highlighted in the text.     

The use of Solacol® (validamycin) as a growth retardant in the isolation of soil fungi

Solacol^®, a formulation of the antibiotic validamycin, at 0.33% in 2% malt extract agar, reduced the spread of fungi on dilution plates drastically and allowed twice as much incubation time before subculturing; this resulted in an elevated number of species isolated. Using pure cultures of 62 common soil fungi, it was shown that all fast-growing species (exceptPythium ultimum) were efficiently inhibited but not completely suppressed. Inhibition was comparable to that by 0.5% oxgall, though, while this substance completely suppressed several species, Solacol very strongly inhibited onlyGaeumannomyces graminis, Gerlachia nivalis, Harzia acremonioides, Verticillium biguttatum andRhizoctonia solani. In a further experiment each separate constituent of Solacol was tested against 22 fungi at equivalent concentrations. Validamycin strongly inhibitedChaetomium globosum and two Basidiomycetes, though hardly more than the non-ionic detergent which mainly inhibited the other fungi. A few species were, however, more inhibited by Solacol than by the detergent alone. Solacol at 0.33% is a suitable aid in dilution plating of soil fungi, by increasing the number of colonies and species observed.Samenvatting Solacol^®, een formulering van het antibioticum validamycine, remde de groei van schimmels in verdunningsplaten met een concentratie van 0.33% in 2% moutagar en maakte het mogelijk de periode tot afenten met een factor 2 te verlengen; daardoor was het aantal geïsoleerde soorten duidelijk toegenomen. Met reincultures van 62 algemene grondschimmelsoorten werd aangetoond, dat alle snelgroeiende soorten (met uitzondering vanPythium ultimum) voldoende geremd, maar niet volkomen onderdrukt werden. Het remmingspercentage was vergelijkbaar met dat van 0.5% ossegal, hoewel dit laatste sommige soorten volkomen onderdrukte; Solacol remde alleenGaeumannomyces graminis, Gerlachia nivalis, Harzia acremonioides, Verticillium biguttatum enRhizoctonia solani zeer sterk. In een volgend experiment werden de componenten van Solacol t.o.v. 22 fungi apart getoetst in concentraties equivalent aan 0.33% Solacol. Validamycine remde alleenChaetomium globosum en twee basidiomyceten behoorlijk, maar nauwelijks meer dan de niet-ionische uitvloeier, die in hoofdzaak de overige remeffecten veroorzaakte. Enkele soorten werden echter door het complete Solacol veel sterker geremd dan door de uitvloeier alleen. Solacol in een verdunning van 0,33% wordt aanbevolen bij verdunningsplaten voor het isoleren van grondschimmels ten einde het aantal kolonies en soorten te verhogen.     

Brief Guide for Authors

正Journal of Arid Land(JAL)is an international journal(ISSN 1674-6767;CN 65-1278/K)for the natural sciences,sponsored by the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography,Chinese Academy of Sciences and Science Press.It is published by Science Press and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg bimonthly.JAL publishes original,innovative,and integrative research from arid and semiarid regions,ad     

Broad bean mottle virus in Morocco; curculionid vectors,and natural occurrence in food legumes other than faba bean (Vicia faba)

Broad bean mottle virus (BBMV) was transmitted from infected to healthy faba-bean plants by the curculionid weevilsApion radiolus Kirby,Hypera variabilis Herbst,Pachytychius strumarius Gyll,Smicronyx cyaneus Gyll, andSitona lineatus L. The latter appeared to be an efficient vector: acquisition and inoculation occurred at the first bite, the rate of transmission was c. 41%, and virus retention lasted for at least seven days.S. lineatus transmitted the virus from faba bean to lentil and pea, but not to the three genotypes of chickpea tested. This is the first report on the generaHypera, Pachytychius, andSmicronyx as virus vectors, and onA. radiolus, H. variabilis, P. strumarius, andS. cyaneus as vectors of BBMV.Out of 351 samples of food legumes with symptoms suggestive of virus infection, 16, 11, 19, and 17% of the samples of chickpea, lentil, pea, and common bean, respectively, were found infected when tested for BBMV in DAS-ELISA. This is the first report on the natural occurrence of BBMV in chickpea, lentil, pea, and common bean. The virus should be regarded as a food-legume virus rather than a faba-bean virus solely, and is considered an actual threat to food legume improvement programmes.     

Characterization of potato potyvirus Y (PVY) isolates from seed potato batches. Situation of the NTN, Wilga and Z isolates

A collection of 38 PVY isolates from seed potato batches, originating from several Western European countries, was characterized by using current biological, serological and molecular tools differentiating PVY strains and groups. The correlation between the three kinds of tests was good but not absolute. No single serological or PCR method was able to discriminate among the five isolate groups found. Twenty-nine isolates belonged to the PVY^N strain and six to the PVY^O strain. No PVY^C was found. Two other isolates reacted serologically like PVY^O, but were unable to elicit a hypersensitive response from the Ny_tbr gene and probably represent the PVY^Z group. At the molecular level, these two isolates showed a combination of both PVY^O and PVY^N and could be recombinants of these strains. Another isolate reacted serologically like PVY^O, but induced vein necrosis in tobacco, like PVY^N-Wilga. Some PVY^N isolates caused tuber ring necrosis in glasshouse conditions. These might belong to the PVY^NTN group. The PVY^NTN, PVY^N-Wilga and PVY^Z groups probably represent pathotypes within strains PVY^N and PVY^O, respectively. The present study also confirms previous reports showing a high genetic variation at the 5 end within the PVYN strain.