Inactivation of soil-borne plant pathogens during small-scale composting of crop residues

Samples of heavily infested crop residues were incorporated in static compost heaps (2.5–4.6 m³) of the Indore type. Temperature increased to 50–70°C within 6 days depending on the type of crop residues used and the location within the heap. The heat phase (>40 °C) lasted 2–3 weeks and was followed by a c. 5-months maturation phase (<40 °c).=" among=" the=" 17=" pathogens=" tested,=">Olpidium brassicae and one of the four formae speciales ofFusarium oxysporum that were tested survived composting, but also their inoculum was greatly reduced.Survival during specific phases of composting was studied by incorporation and retrieval of samples at various stages of the process.F. oxysporum f. sp.melonis was completely inactivated andO. brassicae andPlasmodiophora brassicae were almost completely inactivated during the short heat phase. The three pathogens survived the long-lasting maturation phase without loss of viability. Heat evolved during composting was found to be the most important factor involved with sanitation of crop residues. The possible involvement of fungitoxic conversion products and microbial antagonism is discussed.     

Eradication of plant pathogens and nematodes during composting: a review

The effects of temperature–time combinations and other sanitizing factors during composting on 64 plant pathogenic fungi, plasmodiophoromycetes, oomycetes, bacteria, viruses and nematodes were reviewed. In most cases pathogen survival was determined by bioassays of unknown sensitivity and minimum detection limits of 5% infection or more. For 33 out of 38 fungal and oomycete pathogens, all seven bacterial pathogens and nine nematodes, and three out of nine plant viruses, a peak temperature of 64–70°C and duration of 21 days, were sufficient to reduce numbers to below the detection limits of the tests used. Shorter periods and/or lower temperatures than those quoted in these tests may be satisfactory for eradication, but they were not always examined in detail in composting systems. Plasmodiophora brassicae (clubroot of Brassica spp.), Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici (tomato wilt) and Macrophomina phaseolina (dry root rot) were more temperature-tolerant, as they survived a peak compost temperature of at least 62°C (maximum 74°C) and a composting duration of 21 days. Synchytrium endobioticum (potato wart disease) survived in water at 60°C for 2 h, but was not examined in compost. For Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), peak compost temperatures in excess of 68°C and composting for longer than 20 days were needed to reduce numbers below detection limits. However, TMV and Tomato mosaic virus (TomMV) were inactivated over time in compost, even at temperatures below 50°C. Temperatures in excess of 60°C were achieved in different composting systems, with a wide range of organic feedstocks. The potential survival of plant pathogens in cooler zones of compost, particularly in systems where the compost is not turned, has not been quantified. This may be an important risk factor in composting plant wastes.     

Biocontrol of soil-borne plant pathogens: Concepts and their application

A few soil-borne plant pathogens have been controlled successfully by commercial formulations of biocontrol agents, but many attempts to develop biocontrol inoculants, although promising under experimental conditions, have met with difficulties in practice. The reasons for this are discussed in this review, which outlines some of the major findings on the behaviour of microbial inoculants in soil. It is emphasized that biocontrol also occurs naturally in current agricultural practice and can be exploited purposely, but it is vulnerable to disruption by agrochemicals or mismanagement. The future of biocontrol of soilborne plant pathogens probably lies in integrated (biorational) control systems that combine the use of commercial inoculants, where appropriate, with management practices that maintain and enhance the natural biocontrol systems.     

农作物土传病原物高通量定量监测与风险预警

澳大利亚南澳发展研究所(SARDI)针对大田小麦土传病害,研究开发出一套农作物主要土传病原物高通量定量监测与风险预警系统。这一系统包括通过室内外试验,建立病原菌数量与危害程度风险评估分级标准;土样采集;自每份土样(500 g)中提取总DNA;设计异性引物和探针;实时定量PCR(Q-PCR)分析总DNA中各靶标病原物DNA数量。按照风险评估标准,分别做出各种病原物对下茬作物可能的危害程度,在播种前提出相应的防治措施和建议。该系统已在南澳、威尔士等主要小麦生产区广泛应用,对小麦9种土传病原物进行定量监测和预警的有偿技术服务。     

Potential for eradication of the exotic plant pathogens Phytophthora kernoviae and Phytophthora ramorum during composting

Temperature and exposure time effects on Phytophthora kernoviae and Phytophthora ramorum viability were examined in flasks of compost and in a large‐scale composting system containing plant waste. Cellophane, rhododendron leaf and peat‐based inoculum of P. kernoviae and P. ramorum isolates were used in flasks; naturally infected leaves were inserted into a large‐scale system. Exposures of 5 and 10 days respectively at a mean temperature of 35°C in flask and large‐scale composts reduced P. kernoviae and P. ramorum inocula to below detection limits using semi‐selective culturing. Although P. ramorum was undetectable after a 1‐day exposure of inoculum to compost at 40°C in flasks, it survived on leaves exposed to a mean temperature of 40·9°C for 5 days in a large‐scale composting system. No survival of P. ramorum was detected after exposure of infected leaves for 5 days to a mean temperature of ≥41·9°C (32·8°C for P. kernoviae) or for 10 days at ≥31·8°C (25·9°C for Phytophthora pseudosyringae on infected bilberry stems) in large‐scale systems. Fitted survival probabilities of P. ramorum on infected leaves exposed in a large‐scale system for 5 days at 45°C or for 10 days at 35°C were <3%, for an average initial infection level of leaves of 59·2%. RNA quantification to measure viability was shown to be unreliable in environments that favour RNA preservation: high levels of ITS1 RNA were recovered from P. kernoviae‐ and P. ramorum‐infected leaves exposed to composting plant wastes at >53°C, when all culture results were negative.     

土壤强还原消毒过程中产生气体对土传病原菌的抑制作用

土壤强还原(reductive soil disinfestation,RSD)是一种高效、环保的土壤消毒方法,为明确RSD杀菌机理,采用气相色谱和荧光定量PCR等技术研究RSD过程中产生的气体对土传病原菌的杀菌作用。结果表明:RSD过程中土壤能够产生H_2S和NH_3;当在装有25 g病土的三角瓶中分别加入25 m L的H_2S和NH_3时,土壤中尖孢镰刀菌的数量均显著下降,其杀菌效果分别为90.3%和100.0%;当在病土中加入0.125%(w/w)氨水时,尖孢镰刀菌、茄劳尔氏菌、辣椒疫霉和立枯丝核菌的数量分别下降至对照土壤的1.0%、0.3%、0.1%和0.9%;此外,加入10μL氨水即可显著抑制尖孢镰刀菌菌丝生长和孢子萌发,抑制率分别为52.8%和100.0%。表明RSD过程中产生的H_2S和NH_3对RSD过程的杀菌效果起着一定的作用。     

Microbial control of soil-borne pathogens in Hungary1

Biological control of soil-borne pathogens has been the aim of the Biological Control Laboratory in Hódmezövásárhely since 1982. In Hungarian glasshouses (this means areas both under glass and plastic foil cover), the growing medium is still the natural soil or mixtures based on soil. This is the reason why soil-borne pathogens, such as species of Fusarium, Sclerotinia, Pythium, Botrytis, Rhizoctonia and Alternaria, cause increasing problems, especially at sites where there has been intensive continuous cropping for many years. Soil steaming is very expensive, while methyl bromide and other soil disinfectants are harmful for the environment and especially for the soil microflora. All this favours the introduction of biological control against soil-borne plant diseases. After laboratory tests, experiments have been carried out over a 9-year period, with good results, on several Trichoderma species and strains in relation to practically all glasshouse crops (capsicum, lettuce, tomato, ornamentals, etc.) and in some field crops also. Since 1986, experiments have been done with Finnish-originated strains of Streptomyces griseoviridis, then with the preparation Mycostop which was developed from this actinomycete. These were carried out on ornamentals, on vegetables and on some cereals. The preparation was especially effective against Fusarium spp. but also against other pathogens.     

Selection of antagonists from compost to control soil-borne pathogens

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - One-hundred and one microorganisms have been selected and tested for their antagonistic activity towards soil-borne plant pathogens from a compost...     

Survival of pathogens of Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea Gemmifera Group) in crop residues

Mycosphaerella brassicicola (ringspot), Alternaria brassicicola and A. brassicae (dark leaf spot) and Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (black spot) can infect leaves of Brussels sprouts resulting in yield losses. Infections of outer leaves of sprouts cause severe losses in quality. Crop residues can be a major primary inoculum source of the pathogens. Their population dynamics were followed in residues of leaves and stalks of crops of Brussels sprouts during 24 months using real‐time PCR assays. Leaf residues on the soil surface or buried in soil decomposed within 4 months. However, residues of stalks were present in the field after 24 months. In such residues, M. brassicicola populations increased during the first 2 months, but decreased thereafter and the pathogen was found only occasionally in the second year. Alternaria brassicicola multiplied on stalks exposed on the surface of field soil and was present on such residues after 24 months. Survival was less on residues buried in soil. Alternaria brassicae population increased in stalks exposed on the soil surface during the first months but decreased thereafter under the detection limit. Xanthomonas campestris cv. campestris populations fluctuated in time but 1 × 10⁴ cells mg^?1 stalk residue were still found after 24 months. Additionally, the four pathogens were present in residues of 11 commercial rapeseed crops that were analysed. The observed variation in population sizes of the pathogens between individual pieces of crop residues indicates a stochastic spread of pathogens. Unravelling the underlying processes will support the development of novel methods for sustainable disease prevention.     

棉隆及氯化苦对几种生姜土传病原物的毒力

以侵染生姜的茎腐病菌Pythium myriotylum Drechsler、姜瘟病菌Ralstonia solanacearum和南方根结线虫Meloidagrne incognila为指示病原物,比较了两种土壤处理剂棉隆和氯化苦的熏蒸毒力。采用密闭玻璃容器熏蒸,结合菌丝生长速率法测得棉隆和氯化苦对生姜茎腐病菌的EC50值分别为0.284 和0.096 mg/L,EC90值分别为18.106 和0.312 mg/L。通过密封盘内摇床振荡(25 ℃,45 r/min)培养(24 h),结合菌悬液比色法评价了两药剂对姜瘟病菌的毒力。结果表明:氯化苦的活性较高,EC50和EC90值分别为0.176和1.280 mg/L,而棉隆的毒力较低,其EC50和EC90值分别达1 984和5 701 mg/L。采用线虫悬浮液密闭熏蒸法处理48 h,发现棉隆对南方根结线虫的EC50和EC90值分别为0.175和0.634 mg/L,氯化苦毒力略低于棉隆,其EC50和EC90值分别为1.211和3.772 mg/L。     

Endophytic bacterial communities in the periderm of potato tubers and their potential to improve resistance to soil-borne plant pathogens

To evaluate whether the location of bacterial endophyte communities contributes to disease resistance in potato tubers ( Solanum tuberosum ), the population density, biodiversity and antibiotic activity of endophytic bacteria was examined from the tuber peel (periderm plus top 3 mm of tissue) of four cultivars (Russet Burbank, Kennebec, Butte and Shepody). There were no significant differences for population density of bacteria among the layers of peel examined and no cultivar × peel layer interaction. Endophytic bacteria from several layers of peel were challenged in in vitro bioassays to the soil-borne plant pathogens Fusarium sambucinum , Fusarium avenaceum , Fusarium oxysporum and Phytophthora infestans (mating types A1 and A2). In general, antibiosis of bacterial endophytes against these pathogens was significantly higher ( P  = 0.01) in isolates recovered from the outermost layer of tuber peel and decreased progressively toward the centre of the tuber. Antibiosis against P. infestans was variable, with a progressive decrease in antibiotic activity from outer to inner layers of peel occurring in cvs Russet Burbank and Kennebec only. For antibiosis there were significant cultivar × peel, and cultivar × pathogen interactions ( P  = 0.01). In all cases the inhibitory activity of endophytic bacteria was significantly greater ( P  = 0.01) against the A1 than the A2 mating type of P. infestans . In four of seven cases, where the same species of bacteria were recovered from all three peel layers, antibiosis to pathogens decreased significantly ( P  = 0.01) with depth of recovery (from the periderm to inside the tuber), indicating that in certain communities of endophytic bacteria, defence against pathogens may be related to bacterial adaptation to location within a host and may be tissue-type and tissue-site specific.     

Chemical control of soil-borne pathogens in tuff medium for strawberry cultivation

The phytopathogenic fungi Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici and Rhizoctonia solani were completely eradicated after exposure for 30 min to a 0.4-0.5 % aqueous solution by weight of formaldehyde. With metham-sodium, higher concentrations or longer exposures were needed to obtain similar results. When tested in tuff (a granular plant growth medium of volcanic rock origin), the toxicity of formaldehyde was lower and that of metham-sodium was higher, compared with the corresponding toxicities in aqueous solutions. Both fungicides eradicated the two fungi, as well as Pythium myriotilum, when tested under practical conditions in vertical aluminium tubes filled with tuff. No detrimental effect could be observed on strawberry plants subsequently grown in these columns.     

Cell wall reorganization during infection in fungal plant pathogens

The fungal cell wall, which is mainly composed of polysaccharides, is a major source of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Because PAMPs recognition activates immunity in plants, successful pathogens have developed immune-evasion strategies. Studies of various fungal rice pathogens indicated that masking the cell wall surface with α-1,3-glucan, a polysaccharides that is not degradable by plants, is a fungal PTI evasion strategy. Interestingly, accumulation of α-1,3-glucan at the surface was specifically observed in presence of plants or plant factor(s). Since the surface α-1,3-glucan protected the fungal cell wall from digestive enzymes and interfered with PAMPs generation by host enzymes, fungal α-1,3-glucan is a potential target for plant protection strategies.     

Fungitoxic activity of four thio-functionalised glucosinolate enzyme-derived products on ten soil-borne pathogens

Enzyme-derived products obtained from thio-functionalised glucosinolates showed high fungitoxicity, a wide activity spectrum and special physicochemical properties, which suggest their potential as alternatives to commercial fumigants for controlling several soil-borne pathogens. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of crop rotation on the incidence of soil-borne fungal diseases of potato

Effects of crop rotation on the incidence of soil-borne pathogens and on the performance of potato were investigated in five field experiments. Rotations differed in cropping frequency of potato and in crop sequence.Incidence of stem canker caused byRhizoctonia solani was strongly influenced by the cropping frequency of potato and not by crops with which the potato was alternated in the rotation. Cropping frequency of potato also affected the occurrence of black scurf, but less pronounced than for stem canker. The antagonistVerticillium bigutatum slightly reducedR. solani (black scurf) in plots on sandy soil continuously cropped with potato. Incidence of stem canker was also strongly affected by granular nematicides applied to the soil, nitrogen level and the cultivar grown.     

灰黄青霉CF3对马铃薯土传病原真菌的拮抗性及其促生作用

为探索灰黄青霉Penicillium griseofulvum CF3对马铃薯土传病害病原真菌立枯丝核菌Rhizoctonia solani、茄病镰刀菌Fusariumsolani、硫色镰刀菌F.sulphureum及大丽轮枝菌Verticillium dahliae的拮抗性及对马铃薯的促生作用,采用菌丝生长速率法和甜瓜种子发芽法分别研究了CF3发酵液对病原菌菌丝的抑制作用、对立枯丝核菌微菌核形成的影响及其发酵液的促生作用,并采用盆栽试验法研究了CF3孢子粉对马铃薯植株的促生作用及对抗逆性的影响.CF3发酵滤液对4株病原真菌菌丝生长的抑菌率达53％～72.1％,对立枯丝核菌微菌核的抑制率达36.8％～100％,并显著促进甜瓜种子胚根、胚轴生长.灰黄青霉孢子粉拌土和包衣接种均能促进马铃薯植株生长并增强植株的抗逆性.其中,拌土接种使马铃薯地上植株鲜重和多酚氧化酶活性较对照分别增加38.3％和9％,丙二醛含量降低28.8％.研究表明灰黄青霉CF3对连作马铃薯常见土传真菌病害有较强的生防潜力,对马铃薯具有良好的促生作用.     

Effect of crop rotation on the incidence of soil-borne fungal diseases of potato

Effects of crop rotation on the incidence of soil-borne pathogens and on the performance of potato were investigated in five field experiments. Rotations differed in cropping frequency of potato and in crop sequence.Incidence of stem canker caused byRhizoctonia solani was strongly influenced by the cropping frequency of potato and not by crops with which the potato was alternated in the rotation. Cropping frequency of potato also affected the occurrence of black scurf, but less pronounced than for stem canker. The antagonistVerticillium bigutatum slightly reducedR. solani (black scurf) in plots on sandy soil continuously cropped with potato. Incidence of stem canker was also strongly affected by granular nematicides applied to the soil, nitrogen level and the cultivar grown.Stem infections byVerticillium dahliae depended on the cropping frequency of potato, by the crop with which the potato was alternated in the rotation and by the density and virulence of endoparasitic nematodes, especiallyMeloidogyne spp.Crop rotation had no effect at all on incidence of common scab on tubers, whereas the effect of cropping frequency of potato on netted scab was highly significant. When cultivars were grown susceptible to both scab types, netted scab supressed common scab.     

Comparative biology of different plant pathogens to estimate effects of climate change on crop diseases in Europe

This review describes environmental factors that influence severity of crop disease epidemics, especially in the UK and north-west Europe, in order to assess the effects of climate change on crop growth and yield and severity of disease epidemics. While work on some diseases, such as phoma stem canker of oilseed rape and fusarium ear blight of wheat, that combine crop growth, disease development and climate change models is described in detail, climate-change projections and predictions of the resulting biotic responses to them are complex to predict and detailed models linking climate, crop growth and disease development are not available for many crop-pathogen systems. This review uses a novel approach of comparing pathogen biology according to ‘ecotype’ (a categorization based on aspects such as epidemic type, dissemination method and infection biology), guided by detailed disease progress models where available to identify potential future research priorities for disease control. Consequences of projected climate change are assessed for factors driving elements of disease cycles of fungal pathogens (nine important pathogens are assessed in detail), viruses, bacteria and phytoplasmas. Other diseases classified according to ‘ecotypes’ were reviewed and likely changes in their severity used to guide comparable diseases about which less information is available. Both direct and indirect effects of climate change are discussed, with an emphasis on examples from the UK, and considered in the context of other factors that influence diseases and particularly emergence of new diseases, such as changes to farm practices and introductions of exotic material and effects of other environment changes such as elevated CO₂. Good crop disease control will contribute to climate change mitigation by decreasing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture while sustaining production. Strategies for adaptation to climate change are needed to maintain disease control and crop yields in north-west Europe.