Prevalence of the pathogenic chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, in an endangered population of northern leopard frogs, Rana pipiens

Background

Emerging infectious diseases threaten naïve host populations with extinction. Chytridiomycosis, an emerging infectious disease of amphibians, is caused by the pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and has been linked to global declines in amphibians.

Results

We monitored the prevalence of Bd for four years in the Northern leopard frog, Rana pipiens, which is critically imperiled in British Columbia (BC), Canada. The prevalence of Bd initially increased and then remained constant over the last three years of the study. Young of the year emerging from breeding ponds in summer were rarely infected with Bd. Some individuals cleared their Bd infections and the return rate between infected and uninfected individuals was not significantly different.

Conclusions

The BC population of R. pipiens appears to have evolved a level of resistance that allows it to co-exist with Bd. However, this small population of R. pipiens remains vulnerable to extinction.

     

Effects of formamidines on the population growth of Tetranychus urticae Koch

The formamidines chlordimeform, amitraz, and N²-(4-n-butylphenyl-N′,N′-dimethylformamidine (BDMF) caused a reduction in survival and fecundity which significantly decreased the intrinsic rate of increase of population growth of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch. Amitraz was the most potent inhibitor of population growth; chlordimeform was intermediate, and BDMF was least potent. Effects of amitraz on population growth were attributable mainly to its lethal action on the various life stages, whereas BDMF inhibited fecundity. The activity of chlordimeform was attributed to its lethality to life stages as well as to its inhibition of fecundity.     

The influence of immigration on population development of Nilaparvata lugens and Sogatella furcifera and its interaction with immigration by predators

Immigration rates and population development of the planthoppers Nilaparvata lugens and Sogatella furcifera were measured in farmers' fields at 12 locations representing four different rice-growing situations in Laguna Province, Philippines. In contrast to findings in temperate climates, immigration rates of the planthoppers alone could not be used successfully to predict population growth and were therefore of little value for forecasting. The lack of such a relationship is probably attributable to the greater importance of within-field factors, particularly natural enemies, in population regulation under the more continuous habitat conditions provided by rice cultivation in the tropics. For the low-land contiguous rice sites significant relationships were shown between immigration rates of two heteropteran predators, Microvelia atrolineata and Cyrtorhinus lividipennis, and population development of both planthoppers when the predators were considered relative to the numbers of prey. In addition a weak negative relationship was demonstrated between S. furcifera population growth and immigration rate of Cyrtorhinus lividipennis for all sites.     

Waxy gene haplotypes: Associations with pasting properties in an international rice germplasm collection

Associations between RVA pasting properties and three single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites in the Waxy gene intron 1, exon 6, and exon 10 were determined using rice genotypes of diverse geographic origin. A total of four SNP-haplotypes (combination of SNP alleles) were identified that explained high proportions of the variation in RVA pasting properties (R² = 0.574–0.704). A haplotype containing DNA sequence variation in exon 10 (exon 10 cytosine nucleotide) was exclusively found in high-apparent amylose content (AAC) genotypes with a higher RVA viscosity profile compared to the high AAC genotypes with a different haplotype. The exon 10 SNP explained variances in coolpaste and setback (coolpaste–hotpaste) to 0.642 and 0.499, respectively. Across three haplotypes, which contained exon 10 adenine nucleotide, AAC was correlated with peak, hotpaste, breakdown and setback (coolpaste–hotpaste) at r = −0.85, −0.75, −0.79, and 0.49, respectively. Therefore, the exon 10 SNP differentiates high AAC types with a strong RVA profile and thus can be used by molecular breeding programs focused on quality improvement. Additionally, characterizing genotypes by their functional SNPs allowed us to better understand the relationship between the Waxy gene, its chemical product (i.e., AAC) and the functionality created by the product (i.e., pasting properties).     

Waxy gene haplotypes: Associations with apparent amylose content and the effect by the environment in an international rice germplasm collection

Apparent amylose content (AAC), the key determinant of rice end-use quality attributes, is primarily controlled by the Waxy gene which codes for granule bound starch synthase (GBSS). We examined the combination of sequence variation in the Waxy gene and environmental effects, and their associations with AAC using 171 rice accessions originating from 43 countries. The combination of two single-nucleotide-polymorphism (SNP) markers in the Waxy gene allows for the identification of three marker haplotypes in this gene. The first SNP is at the leader intron splice site (In1 SNP), and the second polymorphism is in exon 6. The haplotypes explained 86.7% of the variation in AAC and discriminated the three market classes of low, intermediate and high AAC rice from each other. The environment affected the AAC of all haplotypes. Higher air temperature during grain development associated with a decrease in AAC of low and intermediate AAC-types, but with an increase in AAC of high AAC-type. The association of AAC with several Waxy RM190 microsatellite-(CT_n) alleles in combination with the In1 SNP was also examined. In conclusion, the Waxy haplotypes studied appear to be useful markers for selecting the AAC of breeding lines developed from the world's rice germplasm.     

Studies on Ipomea carnea and Cannabis sativa as an alternative pulp blend for softwood: An optimization of kraft delignification process

Ipomea carnea Jacq, a common weed known as ‘Beshram’ was introduced in India, as an ornamental plant. Surprisingly, except fiber length, other morphological characteristics like, cell wall thickness, lumen diameter, flexibility coefficient and wall fraction of I. carnea resemble with softwoods like, Pinus kesiya, and Picca abies. Cannabis sativa L., a common weed known as soft hemp consists of both bast fiber as well as core fiber. The unique morphological characteristics of I. carnea like, cell wall thickness and flexibility coefficient, which resembles with softwoods along with long fibers of C. sativa, in which I. carnea deficits in a proper blend ratio, can be used in a better way for the development of high quality value added paper. The optimum kraft cooking conditions for I. carnea and C. sativa were: active alkali 16%, sulfidity 20%, temperature 165 °C, time (at temperature) 120 min and wood to liquor ratio of 1:4 for I. carnea and 1:3.5 for C. sativa. The screened pulp yield of I. carnea and C. sativa were found to be 49.3 and 54.3% at Kappa number of 29, respectively. An anthraquinone (AQ) dose of 0.1% increases the pulp yield to the tune of around 0.6% as well reduce the Kappa number to the tune of 22%. CEHH bleaching of C. sativa produces pulp brightness of 82% (Elrepho) at total chlorine demand of 5.07%. On contrary to this the I. carnea kraft pulp at same chlorine demand produce a pulp with improved brightness of 85.4% (Elrepho).     

Comparison of clofentezine and hyxythiazox with cyhexatin for integrated control of European red mite, Panonychus ulmi (Koch)

The ovicides clofentezine and hexythiazox were shown to be compatible with integrated control of European red mite, Panonychus ulmi (Koch), in a replicated field trial conducted over two growing seasons in an apple orchard at Batlow, New South Wales, Australia. Reduced concentrations of clofentezine (5 and 10 g a.i. per 100 litres water—normally 20 g) applied as foliar sprays to run-off, stabilized the predator/prey interaction between P. ulmi and Typhlodromus pyri Scheuten more effectively than low rates of cyhexatin (5 and 10 g a.i. per 100 litres water—normally 20 g). There was no evidence that the effectiveness of clofentezine or hexythiazox would destablize integrated control by eliminating P. ulmi and starving T. pyri. Populations of T. pyri persisted in low numbers on the trees in the absence of P. ulmi or other arthropod food sources on leaves.     

Natural enemies of the bagworm, Metisa plana Walker (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) and their impact on host population regulation

The bagworm, Metisa plana (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) is an important pest of oil palm, capable of being present as outbreak, which could cause a crop loss of up to 44%. Circumstantial evidence has long indicated that natural enemies play an important role in the population regulation of this pest. However, direct field data on the enemies themselves has been lacking.

A field study on a population of M. plana was made at PORIM Kluang, Johor, Malaysia from September 1988 to December 1992. The population of bagworm was initially high (late 1988, up to 38 larvae/frond, and in early 1990, up to 30 larvae/frond) but remained extremely low in the subsequent period (< 10 larvae/frond).

The population of M. plana was affected by both primary and secondary parasitoids and predators. Among the primary parasitoids, Dolichogenidea metesae was the most pronounced larval parasitoid of M. plana. This parasitoid was commonly attacked by hyperparasitoids, particularly Pediobius anomalus and Pediobius imbreus. A hypothetical life table constructed from the mortality figures of the declining part of the population during late 1988 confirmed that the natural enemies played a key role in suppressing the bagworm population.

The present study confirmed that overlapping generations were vital for the persistence of parasitoids of M. plana. The paper also suggested a possible need of alternative hosts. An active predator, Callimerus arcufer was also commonly encountered.     

Overwintering and population dynamics of Bemisia tabaci biotype B in greenhouse during the spring in northern China

Since the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) biotype B invaded southern China in the mid-1990s, it had spread to most other regions of the country, and become an important pest in agricultural and horticultural production. Investigations on overwintering of B. tabaci biotype B and its spring reproduction in northern China were conducted to determine the main factors that might contribute to an understanding of the population dynamics of this pest for developing improved pest control strategies. A cold hardiness test showed that when exposed for 10 h at −10 °C, mortalities of eggs, nymphs, and adults reached to 86.6%, 88.4%, and 100%, respectively, suggesting that it is probably impossible for feral populations of B. tabaci to survive in the winter under natural environmental conditions in northern China. A survey on vegetables, ornamental plants and weeds in greenhouses at Hebei Province and Beijing in northern China revealed at least 14 species of plants on which B. tabaci fed during the winter and spring. Lycopersicon esculentum Mill, Brassica alboglabra Bailey, Ficus carica L., Euphorbia pulcerrima Wild, and Hemelia patens Haence were the main host plants. Further research on the population dynamics of B. tabaci on three major greenhouse hosts; tomato, cucumber, and melon, indicated that densities remained at a low level during the winter, but increased steadily from February to March until migration into field crops in April. It is concluded that the control of the insect in greenhouse in winter and spring can play an important role for seasonal management of this pest in northern China.     

Postharvest biological control of grey mould (Botrytis cinerea Pers.: Fr.) on fresh-market tomatoes with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens

Antagonistic bacteria were evaluated for their effectiveness in postharvest control of grey mould on fresh-market tomatoes. Grey mould was reduced in fresh-market tomatoes treated with antagonists and artificially inoculated with Botrytis cinerea, and stored at 20 °C for at least 7 days. One strain, 5PVB (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens) was particularly effective. This strain apparently did not produce extracellular antibiotic substances, yet was highly active against the pathogen on both mature-green and red tomatoes. Treatment with 5PVB before storage at 10 °C showed only fungistatic activity against grey mould. Chilling-injured mature-green tomatoes were more susceptible to B. cinerea. On chilled fruits the bacterial antagonist completely controlled the pathogen if the treatment was applied immediately after storage at 2 °C. In fermentation tests on four industrial waste materials, B. amyloliquefaciens grew well and maintained its antagonistic activity when grown in two of them. In pilot experiments with wounded fruits dipped in the bacterial cell and pathogen suspension, the development of decay was effectively inhibited.     

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.     

Aerial treatment of the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria (L.) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) with Metarhizium anisopliae (Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycetes) in Australia

Between November 1998 and March 1999, bands of nymphs of Locusta migratoria were aerially treated using a ULV oil formulation of strain FI-985 of Metarhizium anisopliae var. acridum. At a dose of 3–4×10¹² conidia/ha, there was <10% survival of locusts in treated sorghum crops, open grassland or open woodland with grass. Decline was less at lower doses or in dense woodland. During the first week after treatment, bands showed little change in numbers, but then rapidly declined in size and rate of movement. The decline was slower where vegetation was tall or dense, or where bands were large and moved out of the treated area a few days after spraying. In areas where bands were treated with Metarhizium, populations were suppressed in that few adult swarms formed. Adjacent untreated areas had many adult swarms which had to be controlled using chemical insecticides. Preventive locust control, as currently practised in Australia, involves beginning treatment when areas of band and swarm are small and the potential for direct damage limited. The clear demonstration that Metarhizium can suppress small local populations of L. migratoria indicate that it could be a valuable component of preventive control programmes against this species. The delay in mortality when treating with Metarhizium would be no impediment to its use in such programmes.     

大宽行桉树人工林混农系统中桉树生物量特征比较研究

采用分层切割法和标准枝法对尾巨桉单株和林分生物量、生物量结构特征和林分生产力进行研究。结果表明:不同种植模式中,桉树的枝、叶量均随着带距的增加而增加;同一种带距中,则随着株距的增大而增大。各种种植模式中桉树树冠与对照相比,均呈现较严重的"偏冠"现象,带外树冠生物量比带内树冠大25.35%～308.45%,但随株距的加大而减小。宽带行桉树的最低枝下高与对照相比,明显偏低,证明宽带行桉树的树冠长度大于对照。桉树平均单株的生物量也随着带距的增加而增加。除8 m带距比对照小2.5%～10.9%,其余模式均大于对照10.2%～23.07%。干材生物量所占比例随带距增大而减小,同种带距随株距增大而减小。林分生物量整体上株距8 m14 m16 m对照;平均比对照分别大42.1%、11.8%、15.7%。从生物量结构特征中可知,14 m和16 m带距的4种模式林分较为稳定。8 m带距的3种种植模式林分差异较大。不同种植模式间桉树的生产力存在明显差异,均随着株行距增大呈增大趋势。其中,8 m带距的种植模式最高,总量比对照高33.42%～56.13%。     

Effect of the 1BL.1RS translocation and of the Glu-B3 variation on fifteen quality tests in a doubled haploid population of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

To investigate the impact of 1BL.1RS translocation on protein content, starch quality, dough rheology, RMT volumes and other quality traits, a doubled haploid population was created and sown in a two-year field experiment. Translocated genotypes accumulated more proteins in the endosperm than non-translocated genotypes. Decrease in the gelatinization of starch was associated with the 1BL.1RS translocation. As for rheological parameters, adapted to bread types not requiring high mixing energy, the 1BL.1RS translocation significantly reduced the elasticity, tenacity and strength of the dough compared to allele c of Glu-B3. Tolerance to over-mixing was also significantly lower in translocated DH lines. In contrast to previously published work, the presence of allele Glu-D3 c resulted in significantly higher tenacity, and thus strength, compared with the allele Glu-D3 b in the present DH population. The final baking test performed on the DH lines of the population, combining favourable alleles for dough rheology and high protein content, demonstrated that in some cases lower tenacity induced by the 1BL.1RS translocation or by Glu-B3 b increases the volume of the loaves.     

宁夏小麦TaNrx-B1和TaFer-A1基因组成及其与相对发芽率的关系

为给抗旱小麦品种选育和评价提供依据,以117份宁夏小麦品种(系)为材料,鉴定种子萌发期相对发芽率,并利用抗旱相关分子标记检测TaNrx-B1和TaFer-A1基因组成,分析两基因组成分布特点,通过表型与基因型比较分析评价2个基因分子标记的有效性,同时筛选抗旱相关基因组成。结果表明,宁夏地区小麦种子萌发期总体平均相对发芽率为73.3%,变异范围为25.8%~98.2%;中等及以上抗旱性等级品种(系)占75.2%,达到供试材料的四分之三。宁夏小麦品种(系)中TaNrx-B1基因存在2种单倍型TaNrx-B1a和TaNrx-B1b,分别占供试材料总数的65.0%和35.0%,平均相对发芽率分别为71.4%和62.6%;TaFer-A1基因也存在两种单倍型TaFer-A1a和TaFer-A1b,分别占总数的74.4%和25.6%,平均相对发芽率分别为67.3%和62.2%。在两个基因的4种单倍型组合中,TaNrx-B1a/TaFer-A1a、TaNrx-B1a/TaFer-A1b、TaNrx-B1b/TaFer-A1a和TaNrx-B1b/TaFer-A1b依次占46.2%、8.5%、15.4%和29.9%,其种子的平均相对发芽率依次为70.7%、68.3%、65.1%和61.8%;相关分析发现,TaNrx-B1a/TaFer-A1a单倍型组合是抗旱类型组合,TaNrx-B1b/TaFer-A1b单倍型组合是非抗旱类型组合。综上所述,宁夏小麦种子萌发期总体抗旱性较强,以TaNrx-B1a/TaFer-A1a组合类型品种(系)的平均相对发芽率最高,所占比例也最多,两个基因的抗旱相关分子标记可用于小麦抗旱性初步鉴定和筛选。     

Evaluation of Fusarium oxysporum as an enzyme factory for the hydrolysis of brewer's spent grain with improved biodegradability for ethanol production

Brewer's spent grain (BG), the most abundant brewing by-product, is used in the present study as a low-cost feedstock for the production of ethanol by the mesophilic fungus Fusarium oxysporum using a consolidated bioconversion process. The production of required cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic enzymes was optimized under solid-state cultivation (SSC) concerning carbon source and initial moisture. The optimal medium contains BG and corn cobs (CC) in a ratio 7:3 while the optimal initial moisture is 66% (w/w). SSC in a laboratory horizontal bioreactor using the optimized medium allowed the large-scale production of a multienzymic system including endoglucanase, cellobiohydrolase, β-d-glucosidase, xylanase, feruloyl esterase, acetyl esterase, β-d-xylosidase and α-l-arabinofuranosidase. Chromogenic (fluorogenic) 4-methylumbelliferyl substrates were used to partially characterize the extracellular proteome of the microbe after the separation by isolectric focusing (IEF) electrophoresis. Alkali pretreatment of brewer's spent grain and different aeration levels were studied for the optimization of the ethanol production by F. oxysporum in a consecutive submerged fermentation. A yield about 65 g ethanol kg⁻¹ of dry BG was obtained with alkali pretreated BG under microaerobic conditions (0.01 vvm) corresponding to 30% of the theoretical yield based on total glucose and xylose composition of BG.     

Evaluation of Allorhogas pyralophagus Marsh (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) for the biological control of Diatraea spp. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in sugar-cane in Guyana

In 1989, a mass production and field release programme of Allorhogas pyralophagus Marsh (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) for the control of the Diatraea spp., particularly D. centrella (Möschler) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in sugar-cane, was initiated by the Guyana Sugar Corporation. The programme was terminated in 1995 after the release of approximately two million adult parasites resulted in a mean field parasitism in Diatraea spp. larvae of only 0.22%. In contrast, 62% of Diatraea spp. larvae were parasitised in vitro as were 32% of larvae in young cane shoots exposed to A. pyralophagus in the laboratory. Neither Diatraea larvae in young cane plants caged in the field nor those recovered from Echinochloa polystachya (Kunth) Hitchc. and Paspalum virgatum L. around release fields showed any parasitism by A. pyralophagus. The reasons for the low rate of host acquisition outside the laboratory are not known, but it is clear that A. pyralophagus offers little prospect for significant control of Diatraea spp., particularly D. centrella in sugar-cane in Guyana.     

Controlled-release insecticide granules, compared with other soil insecticides, for use against the termite, Macrotermes natalensis Haviland, in the establishment of Eucalyptus plantations

Following the banning of DDT and dieldrin, and pending the withdrawal of other organochlorine insecticides in many countries, there is a need to find alternative treatments against termites for the establishment of Eucalyptus forestry plantations. Controlled-release granules (CRG) of carbosulfan, carbofuran and phorate were nearly as effective as chlordane emulsifiable concentrate (0·6 g a.i./tree) in reducing attack on Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden by Macrotermes natalensis Haviland. The optimum application rate of CRG formulations was 1·0 g a.i./tree mixed with the surrounding soil at planting out. Changes in granule size and release rate had no discernable effect on the efficacy of the granules, nor was there any advantage in incorporating part of the dose in the seedling planting medium. Chlorpyrifos CRG was significantly less effective in protecting the trees. There was evidence that under dry soil conditions phorate CRG was ineffective. Of 11 other non-controlled-release insecticides tested, alphamethrin suspension concentrate at 0·1 g a.i./tree was the only non-organochlorine material as effective as the CRG formulations.