Physiological actions of dinoterb,a phenol derivative: 2. Effects on isolated plant mitochondria and chloroplasts

Dinoterb, a contact herbicide, affects respiration and photosynthesis of mitochondria and chloroplasts. On mitochondria, at low concentrations, it acts as an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation; at higher concentrations, it inhibits the electron transport chains, probably before cytochrome c. On chloroplasts, dinoterb has a stimulatory effect on oxygen uptake in the reduced dichlorophenol-indophenol→methyl viologen couple; however, it is also an inhibitor of the Hill reaction and its site of inhibition is located before plastoquinone, near photosystem II.     

In vitro sensitivity of wheat and oat mitochondria to the selective herbicide,diclofop-methyl

Compared to diclofop-methyl (methyl 2-[4-(2′,4′-dichlorophenoxy)phenoxy]propanoate), diclofop (the demethylated derivative) was a more potent inhibitor of polarographically monitored state 3 respiration of mitochondrial preparations isolated from shoots of dark-grown wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Neepawa) and oat (Avena sativa L. cv. Terra) seedlings. Wheat and oat mitochondria demonstrated essentially similar concentration-response patterns for the uncoupler-like stimulation of state 4 respiration and the inhibition of state 3 respiration by diclofop, thereby intimating that differential mitochondrial sensitivity was not a selectivity factor between these species. Diclofop suppression of unconstrained oxygen utilization elicited by the respiratory uncoupler FCCP indicated that inhibition of state 3 respiration involved interference with some site(s) on the mitochondrial electron transport chain and not with energy transfer directly. Cytochrome c oxidase activity was not affected by diclofop, but succinate- and malate-PMS oxidoreductase activities were inhibited by diclofop. Enhanced rates of passive mitochondrial swelling in isotonic KCl medium in the presence of diclofop pointed to a direct influence on the permeability properties of the inner mitochondrial membrane and indicated that membrane disruption could have been a factor in the effects elicited by diclofop on mitochondrial respiration. However, it does not appear that specific interference with mitochondrial functionality is the primary mechanism of phytotoxicity in susceptible plants.     

Root infection of potato by Spongospora subterranea: knowledge review and evidence for decreased plant productivity

Information is reviewed on root infection of potato by the plasmodiophorid Spongospora subterranea f. sp. subterranea. This pathogen has long been recognized as the cause of root galls (hyperplasia) and the economically important disease powdery scab on tubers (modified stolons). The significance for plant productivity of the zoosporangium stages of the pathogen in potato roots has only recently begun to be documented. Two experiments are described that assessed effects of S. subterranea root infection on potato plant root function and productivity. A greenhouse experiment measured root function and plant parameters for eight potato cultivars with markedly different susceptibilities to tuber powdery scab. Water uptake and plant growth were reduced by S. subterranea inoculation in all eight cultivars. The magnitudes of these negative effects, and intensities of root hyperplasia, differed among the cultivars, but were not related to respective susceptibilities to tuber powdery scab. A field trial assessed root function and plant productivity for a cultivar (Iwa) that is very susceptible to Spongospora tuber and root diseases. Soil water content beneath uninoculated plants was consistently less than for inoculated plants, indicating that inoculation reduced water uptake (root function). Inoculation reduced shoot and root dry weights, and reduced weight of tubers per plant by 42%. Spongospora subterranea causes three diseases of potato: root membrane dysfunction, root hyperplasia and tuber powdery scab. The root diseases caused by the pathogen are likely to be important both for powdery scab management and for deleterious effects on potato crop yields.     

Interaction of perfluidone with mitochondrial,thylakoid, and liposome membranes

Perfluidone (1,1,1-trifluoro-N-[2-methyl-4-(phenylsulfonyl)phenyl]methanesulfonamide) was shown to interfere with phosphorylation and electron transport in isolated mung bean (Phaseolus aureus Roxb.) mitochondria. At low molar concentrations (<100 μM), perfluidone acted as an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation as evidenced by stimulation of state 4 respiration, induction of ATPase activity, and circumvention of oligomycin-inhibited state 3 respiration. At higher molar concentrations (>100 μM), perfluidone inhibited electron transport by acting on complexes I and II, and on the alternate (cyanide-insensitive) oxidase. In isolated spinach thylakoids (Spinacia oleracea L.), perfluidone also acted as an uncoupler, at low concentrations, as evidenced by stimulation of photoinduced electron transport with water as the reductant and methyl viologen and ferricyanide as oxidants, and from reduced dichlorophenolindophenol to methyl viologen. In addition, perfluidone inhibited the rate and magnitude of valinomycin-induced mitochondrial swelling in isotonic potassium chloride and potassium thiocyanate, and with thylakoids suspended in potassium thiocyanate at concentrations that inhibited ATP generation (<100 μM). Passive swelling in mitochondria was induced at higher concentrations. The permeability of lecithin liposomes to protons was also increased by perfluidone in a manner characteristic of uncouplers. The results obtained suggested that the partitioning of perfluidone perturbs the inner mitochondrial and thylakoid membranes. The perturbations increase the permeability of the membranes to protons and cations (at least potassium) and decrease membrane “fluidity.” As a consequence of the perturbations, the ATP-generating pathway in both mitochondria and chloroplasts is uncoupled and the structural organization of the electron transport components in mitochondria is disrupted, resulting in multisite inhibition of respiration. No evidence was obtained for a direct interaction between perfluidone and redox components of the electron transport pathways.     

基于年龄-阶段两性生命表的不同寄主对马铃薯块茎蛾生长发育和繁殖力的影响

为生态调控马铃薯块茎蛾Phthorimaea operculella,在室内测定取食马铃薯和烟草后马铃薯块茎蛾的各生长发育指标,并利用年龄-阶段两性生命表计算取食这2种植物后马铃薯块茎蛾的存活率、繁殖力、寿命期望、繁殖值和种群参数,并分析不同寄主之间各参数的差异。结果表明,取食烟草的马铃薯块茎蛾卵发育历期、幼虫发育历期、蛹发育历期、雌成虫寿命和雄成虫寿命分别为5.0、18.6、5.7、41.2和40.9 d,均显著大于取食马铃薯的马铃薯块茎蛾(分别为4.1、16.7、3.6、37.2和36.7 d),取食马铃薯的马铃薯块茎蛾的每日单雌产卵量、内禀增长率、周限增长率和净增殖率分别为130.2粒、0.138 d-1、1.15 d-1和49.5,均显著高于取食马铃薯的马铃薯块茎蛾(分别为49.1粒、0.086 d-1、1.09 d-1和17.5);取食马铃薯的马铃薯块茎蛾幼虫、蛹、新孵化个体到雌成虫和新孵化个体到雄成虫的存活率分别为93.4%、63.0%、38.0%和45.0%,也高于取食烟草的马铃薯块茎蛾(分别为65.6%、59.0%、26.0%和28.0%);取食马铃薯的马铃薯块茎蛾其平均世代周期为28.3 d,显著短于取食烟草的马铃薯块茎蛾(33.2 d)。表明马铃薯块茎蛾取食马铃薯和烟草后均能正常生长发育和繁殖,但马铃薯更适合马铃薯块茎蛾生长。     

Direct infection of potato tubers by the root parasite Orobanche aegyptiaca

Parasitic plants of the Orobanchaceae are known as obligate root parasites that develop haustoria that connect to roots of various host plants. This article describes, for the first time, a case where the root parasite successfully connected to potato tubers, i.e. to the swollen portion of an underground stem rather than to a root. The rhizosphere of Orobanche aegyptiaca and of its host Solanum tuberosum (potato) was carefully examined. In anatomical studies, the adventitious roots were directly connected to potato tubers. Numerous secondary haustoria, which developed along the adventitious roots in close vicinity to the potato tuber, penetrated the tuber epidermis and the perimedullary tuber parenchyma and developed xylem strands that are presumably connected to the minor xylem strands within the tuber cortex. These findings indicate that parasites of the Orobanchaceae that normally attack host roots may also parasitise underground stem tubers.     

Dickeya species: an emerging problem for potato production in Europe

Dickeya species (formerly Erwinia chrysanthemi) cause diseases on numerous crop and ornamental plants world‐wide. Dickeya spp. (probably D. dianthicola) were first reported on potato in the Netherlands in the 1970s and have since been detected in many other European countries. However, since 2004–5 a new pathogen, with the proposed name ‘D. solani’, has been spreading across Europe via trade in seed tubers and is causing increasing economic losses. Although disease symptoms are often indistinguishable from those of the more established blackleg pathogen Pectobacterium spp., Dickeya spp. can initiate disease from lower inoculum levels, have a greater ability to spread through the plant’s vascular tissue, are considerably more aggressive, and have higher optimal temperatures for disease development (the latter potentially leading to increased disease problems as Europe’s climate warms). However, they also appear to be less hardy than Pectobacterium spp. in soil and other environments outside the plant. Scotland is currently the only country in Europe to enforce zero tolerance for Dickeya spp. in its potato crop in an attempt to keep its seed tuber industry free from disease. However, there are a number of other ways to control the disease, including seed tuber certification, on‐farm methods and the use of diagnostics. For diagnostics, new genomics‐based approaches are now being employed to develop D. dianthicola‐ and ‘D. solani’‐specific PCR‐based tests for rapid detection and identification. It is hoped that these diagnostics, together with other aspects of ongoing research, will provide invaluable tools and information for controlling this serious threat to potato production.     

AMMI模型在马铃薯产量及农艺性状分析中的应用

使用AMMI模型对2010-2011年贵州省马铃薯区域试验结果中的产量及其农艺性状，包括株高、单株块茎数、单株主茎数、生育期、单株块茎重量进行了分析。分析结果表明，AMMI模型中的主成分轴能够解释产量、 单株主茎数、单株块茎数、生育期、单株块茎质量等性状90.64%,90%,86%,82%,81%交互作用平方和，在参加贵 州省马铃薯区试的11个品种中，W04-36,0402-2，米拉等品种稳定性、适应性与丰产性表现良好，W04-36可作为 大面积推广种植品种,0402-7，宣薯2号,2005-1，盘薯1号，丽薯200202，威薯001号，B01-41-4产量表现一般， 黑美人产量表现差。参加区试的5个试点中，通过对其鉴别力参数D_i，进行计算可知，毕节和安顺地区D_i值大，鉴 别力高，对品种具有较强选择性，六盘水地区的鉴别力最低，对品种选择性弱，适合多品种种植。     

Synergistic interactions between phenylamide fungicides and respiration inhibitors in controlling phenylamide-resistant populations ofPhytophthora infestans on potato tuber disks

The efficacy of mixtures of respiration inhibitors and phenylamide fungicides (oxadixyl and metalaxyl) in controlling late blight was investigated using potato tuber disks. Results showed that uncoupling agents(e.g. DNP), inhibitors of ATP formation(e.g. oligomycin), ionophores(e.g, valinomycin) and inhibitors that block specific carriers in the electron transport chain(e.g. rotenone, antimycin A) increased significantly the control efficacy of both metalaxyl and oxadixyl towards populations ofPhytophthora infestons when applied to tuber slices pretreated with sublethal doses of both fungicides. When applied alone at the same doses, respiration inhibitors did not inhibit the development of the late blight fungus. Increased control efficacy of mixtures was not noted against phenylamide-sensitive populations of the fungus.     

Greater aggressiveness in the 2_A1 lineage of Phytophthora infestans may partially explain its rapid displacement of the US-1 lineage in east Africa

The displacement in east Africa of the US-1 clonal lineage of Phytophthora infestans by 2_A1 clonal lineage has been very rapid. This study tested the hypothesis that dominance of 2_A1 could be due, at least in part, to the increased aggressiveness of 2_A1 over US-1, using both a detached leaf assay (DLA) and a tuber slice assay. The assays were conducted in Uganda and Kenya but US-1 was only assayed in Uganda, because isolates could not be moved across borders and no potato US-1 isolates were available in Kenya. All isolates were collected from potato and compared on two potato cultivars (Kachpot-1 and Sarpo Mira), with the 2_A1 isolates also tested on tomato cultivar Rio Grande. Additionally, a tuber slice assay was done to test whether the capacity to infect tubers differed between 2_A1 and US-1. The aggressiveness of the isolates in the DLA varied significantly both within and among isolates classified according to clonal lineage and for type of host. The 2_A1 isolates were significantly more aggressive than US-1 isolates on both potato varieties evaluated. There were no significant effects of clonal lineage or potato cultivar used in the tuber assay. No significant correlation between foliar and tuber pathogenicity was observed. The 2_A1 isolates were significantly more aggressive on potato than on tomato. An effect of location was also observed in the DLA, on both hosts. It can be concluded from this study that greater pathogenicity of 2_A1 is at least partly attributable to its increased aggressiveness on potato.     

Virus transmission by aphids in potato crops

This paper reviews the contribution of vector activity and plant age to virus spread in potato crops. Determining which aphid species are vectors is particularly important for timing haulm destruction to minimize tuber infection by potato virus Y (PVY). Alate aphids of more than 30 species transmit PVY, and aphids such asRhopalosiphum padi, that migrate in large numbers before flights of the more efficient vector,Myzus persicae, appear to be important vectors. Differences in methodology, aphid biotypes and virus strains prevent direct comparisons between estimates of vector efficiencies obtained for aphids in different countries in north western Europe. M. persicae is also the most efficient vector of potato leafroll virus (PLRV), but some clones ofMacrosiphum euphorbiae transmit PLRV efficiently toNicotiana clevelandii and potato test plants. The removal of infected plants early in the season prevents the spread of PLRV in cool regions with limited vector activity. The proportion of aphids acquiring PLRV from infected potato plants decreases with plant age, and healthy potato plants are more resistant to infection later in the season. Severe symptoms of secondary leafroll developed on progeny plants of cv. Maris Piper derived from mother plants inoculated with PLRV in June or July of the previous year. Progeny plants derived from mother plants inoculated in August showed only mild symptoms, but the concentration of PLRV in these plants was as high as that in the plants with severe symptoms.     

Binding of [14C]DDT and [14C]dicyclohexylcarbodi-imide to a lipoprotein of the membrane sector of mitochondrial ATpase

Intact mitochondria, isolated from red coxal muscle of the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana L.), were incubated in the presence of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chloro[¹⁴C]phenyl)ethane ([¹⁴C]DDT) to isolate a suspected binding site for DDT in the membrane sector of the mitochondrial ATPase. The requirements for the binding of DDT were compared with those for the binding of dicyclohexyl[¹⁴C]carbodi-imide([¹⁴C]DCCD), a potent inhibitory probe of mitochondrial ATPase activity. [¹⁴C]DDT appeared to bind to a proteolipid of the membrane sector, which also binds [¹⁴C]DCCD. Exchange experiments, with [¹⁴C]DCCD, [¹⁴C]DDT and unlabelled DDT at different concentrations, indicated that DDT and DCCD may be acting on a similar protein. This protein may act as the energy transducing protonophore required for the synthesis and hydrolysis of ATP in coupled mitochondria. Inhibition of mitochondrial ATPase activity may be a consequence of DDT and DCCD binding to this proteolipid protonophore, resulting in the disruption of energy transduction in muscle and nerve.     

Action of chlorfenprop-methyl on membrane integrity in plant mitochondria

The action of chlorfenprop-methyl, chlorfenprop and its cysteine conjugate was studied on potato tuber mitochondria. Chlorfenprop-methyl altered membrane structure at 250 μM. leading to a loss of membrane integrity. Chlorfenprop and its cysteine conjugate were without any significant effects. From what is known about the rapid hydrolysis of chlorfenprop-methyl in plant tissues and from the results presented in this paper, it was deduced that alteration in intra-cellular membrane integrity is not a mechanism of phytotoxic action for chlorfenprop-methyl.     

云南烤烟上的两种Cnorimoschema属害虫

菸潛叶蛾 (卽馬鈴薯块茎蛾) 在云南普遍为害烟草。在云南南部温度較高地区,还有一种菸草瘿蛾严重为害,菸草幼茎受害后形成虫瘿或成畸形;受害烟苗往往死去。菸草瘿蛾在大田为害侧芽及菸株髓部。本文記述了这两种菸草害虫的为害性及习性。菸潛叶蛾在昆明一年发生4—5代,世代重叠;在室外温暖向阳处可終年活动,在室內飼养則以蛹过冬。菸草瘿蛾在南部建水县羊街埧,一年至少发生4代。菸潛叶蛾喜温暖干燥的气候,栽培管理与环境条件对菸草瘿蛾发生有密切关系。历年調查,在半山坡烟田,土壤干燥处, 虫害严重;苗床水分充足,土壤經常保持湿潤,則很少发生。此外,与土壤、前作都有关系。彻底处理菸草残株,消灭其越冬場所是減少或消灭这两种害虫的主要措施。菸潛叶蛾一般为害脚叶,在大田生长期打脚叶是有效措施。貫彻馬鈴薯的检疫和防治措施,也关系到菸草上为害的輕重。疫区調运种薯,特别是調至菸草种植地区,必須严格检疫。     

Factors affecting benfuresate activity against purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundas L.)

Benfuresate (2-3-dihydro-3,3-dimethylbenzofu-ran-5-yl ethanesulfonate) is a selective herbicide for the control of purple nutsedge in cotton. Under outdoor conditions, purple nutsedge was sensitive to benfuresate incorporated in soil up to eight days after initiation of shoot sprouting from the tuber. Older seedlings recovered from the damage. During the period of susceptibility to benfuresate, young shoots more sensitive than the roots. Under controlled environmental conditions, benfuresate applied directly to apical buds developing from the tuber caused severe damage to the treated bud and induced abrupt development of axillary buds. Negligible amounts of the applied herbicide were translocated from the treated part to the other buds and roots. Application of the herbicide to fully developed leaves had no effect, probably because of its rapid metabolism and low basipetal mobility. Its relatively high volatility may also contribute to its low foliar post-emergence activity. Tubers also absorbed herbicide vapours. Root uptake of ¹⁴C-benfuresate resulted in a rapid accumulation of ¹⁴C in the shoot, which had no effect on the purple nutsedge plant, regardless of concentration. The herbicide is rapidly converted, mainly to a non-phytotoxic polar product. These results may explain the high sensitivity of the weed to benfuresate at early growth stages, and the lack of sensitivity in mature plants.     

Mitochondrial electron transport in a carboxin-resistant,antimycin A-sensitive mutant of Ustilago maydis

Succinoxidase activity of mitochondria from an antimycin A-sensitive (ants) mutant of Ustilago maydis is approximately five times less sensitive to the fungicide carboxin than that of mitochondria from wild-type cells. The antimycin A sensitivity is due to the absence of an alternative electron transport pathway in mitochondria obtained from mutant cells grown in control medium. The same mutant, however, develops high rates of alternative respiration if grown in the presence of chloramphenicol. Substrate and oxygen affinity as well as resistance to hydroxamates indicate that this respiration is mediated by only one mitochondrial electron transport pathway, similar to the inducible system described earlier in wild-type mitochondria. Induction appears to be regulated by the activity of the cytochrome pathway. The absence of the constitutive system from the ants mutant mitochondria which are resistant to carboxin, a selective inhibitor of the succinate dehydrogenase complex, supports the view that this system must be related to succinic dehydrogenase.     

旧膜及秸秆覆盖对西北旱地马铃薯 产量及土壤水热的影响

为了探究旧膜二茬及秸秆带状覆盖条件下,马铃薯田的土壤水热特征及增产机制,设置旧膜直播(T1)、秸秆带状覆盖种植带不旋耕（T2）、秸秆带状覆盖种植带旋耕（T3）、新覆膜（T4）和露地平作（CK）5个处理进行田间试验。结果表明：各覆盖处理较CK提高产量14.24%~56.33%、商品薯率1.21%~22.60%及水分利用效率8.28%~55.39%（P<0.05）;产量与块茎形成期的单株薯干重正相关（r=0.744）,覆盖处理在块茎形成期较CK提高单株薯干重118.0%~720.0%（P<0.05）,以T4最高;覆盖处理对马铃薯水热特征有显著影响（P<0.05）,T1、T2的降温效应显著小于T3,T3的蓄水保墒效应与T4差异不显著,但显著大于T1、T2及CK。可见,在本试验条件下,秸秆带状覆盖种植带旋耕的产量高于旧膜直播、略低于新覆膜,但蓄水保墒效应与新覆膜相近,同时秸秆带状覆盖种植带旋耕较其余覆盖处理具有较明显的降温增墒效应,有利于促进马铃薯块茎的形成及膨大。     

PCR-based determination of colonization patterns during potato tuber infection by single and multiple pathogens

Potato tubers piled in storage are prone to infection by numerous pathogens. Each pathogen can cause damage alone, but severe losses often arise when more than one pathogen is involved. Currently, only a visual diagnosis is practiced on potato tubers before storing them, which does not allow any prediction of further disease spread. The aim of the present study was to determine differences in patterns of tissue colonization by several tuber decay pathogens and how late blight infection affects further tuber colonization by other important tuber pathogens. This study was conducted using artificial inoculation of potato tubers and PCR to provide an early and accurate diagnosis of disease development for major potato tuber rots, and to assess potential synergism/antagonism between Phytophthora infestans and other pathogens in stored tubers. In order to accurately follow the progress of each pathogen in tuber tissues, samples were collected over time from both the surface (peel, 0–2 mm depth) and internal tissues (flesh, depth > 2 mm) of the tubers at various distances from the inoculation site, at 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, and 19 days after inoculation. Successful detection of single or multiple pathogens was achieved using specific PCR-primers for each pathogen. Pathogens were always detected several centimeters ahead of the visible lesions. This tracking enabled us to determine the extent of colonization both on the tuber’s surface and in internal tissues by each tested pathogen, either after single or multiple infections involving P. infestans as the primary pathogen. The presence of P. infestans was shown to enhance the development of Pectobacterium atrosepticum and to slow down that of P. erythrospetica and Pythium ultimum. No noticeable effect on further tuber colonization by F. sambucinum, V. dahliae or V. albo-atrum was observed in the presence of P. infestans. This approach involving more than one pathogen is more realistic than classical studies considering single pathogens, and may be helpful in monitoring the sanitary status of stored tubers. Our results make the outcome of certain combinations of pathogens in potato tubers more predictable and may result in more efficient preventive measures.