Effect of the d‐glucose analog,d‐allose,on the growth of Arabidopsis roots

Although d ‐glucose increased the root growth of Arabidopsis seedlings, d ‐allose (a d ‐glucose epimer at the third carbon atom) inhibited the root growth at concentrations >0.1 mmol L^?1 and the inhibition increased with increasing d ‐allose concentrations. Allitol (a reduction product of d ‐allose) did not show any significant effect on the growth. The addition of d ‐glucose into the growth medium of Arabidopsis reversed the d ‐allose‐induced growth inhibition, which suggests that the inhibition is not caused by the toxicity of the accumulation of d ‐allose and/or its metabolites in the seedlings. d ‐Allose is phosphorylated by hexokinase, using ATP and phosphate, to allose‐6‐phosphate, with no known capacity for further metabolism. The addition of phosphate into the growth medium did not affect the d ‐allose‐induced growth inhibition and d ‐allose did not reduce the ATP level in the roots. These results suggest that the inhibition is not due to phosphate starvation and ATP depletion. d ‐Mannoheptulose, a specific competitive inhibitor of hexokinase, defeated the d ‐allose‐induced growth inhibition. Hexokinase is known to have a sugar‐sensing function and possibly triggers a signal cascade, resulting in the change of several gene expressions. Therefore, the phosphorylation of d ‐allose by hexokinase might trigger a signal cascade, resulting in the inhibition of Arabidopsis root growth. This is probably a useful model system for studies of the hexokinase‐mediated sugar‐sensing function and for developing new types of weed‐control agents.     

Phosphorylation and growth inhibitory activity of all ketohexose analogs

Sugars are not only important energy sources and structural components, but they also act as signaling molecules that are involved in specific signal sensing. Among all ketohexose analogs (d ‐fructose, d ‐psicose, d ‐tagatose, d ‐sorbose, l ‐fructose, l ‐psicose, l ‐tagatose and l ‐sorbose), only d ‐psicose inhibited the growth of Arabidopsis roots. Phosphorylation by fructokinase occurred in d ‐fructose and d ‐psicose. d ‐Psicose‐induced inhibition was relieved by adding d ‐fructose. Thus, the inhibition could not be attributed to the toxicity of phosphorylated d ‐psicose. The phosphorylation process requires ATP. After phosphorylation, d ‐fructose is metabolized in glycolysis and becomes energy sources and structural components, whereas d ‐psicose cannot contribute to the energy sources and structural components because it does not get metabolized further. However, d ‐psicose did not affect ATP level in the Arabidopsis roots, suggesting that the d ‐psicose‐induced growth inhibition may not be related to the starvation of ATP. The phosphorylation of ketohexoses by fructokinase is known to a trigger signal‐sensing resulting in growth inhibition. Therefore, d ‐psicose can be phosphorylated by fructokinase and this process may play a possible role in signal‐sensing. This is probably one of the useful model systems for the study of the hexokinase‐independent sugar‐sensing function and for developing new types of weed‐control agents.     

Isolation and purification of growth‐inhibitors from Vietnamese rice cultivars

Bioactive compounds that are produced by select rice cultivars have the potential to control barnyardgrass, a major rice yield‐limiting factor. In this study, the Vietnamese rice cultivars, OM 3536, OM 4498 and OM 5930, were selected and their inhibitory activity on cress, lettuce, canola and barnyardgrass was evaluated by using donor–receiver bioassays. These bioassays revealed that OM 3536 and OM 5930 exerted the greatest inhibitory activity, with an average growth inhibition of 57.2% on the roots and shoots of barnyardgrass. A bioassay‐guided approach was used to identify the allelopathic fractions from OM 5930 and was coupled with reverse‐phase chromatography in order to isolate several growth‐inhibitory fractions. The effective dose of the aqueous methanol extract of the rice plants that was required for 50% inhibition (ID₅₀) of the shoot and root growth of the four test plant species, as determined by a logistic regression analysis, averaged 0.091 and 0.062 g mL^?1 for OM 5930 and 0.112 and 0.072 g mL^?1 for OM 3536, respectively. The ID₅₀ of the barnyardgrass roots and shoots in the assays, as determined by a logistic regression analysis, was 0.044 and 0.149 g mL^?1 for OM 3536 and 0.052 and 0.114 g mL^?1 for OM 5930, respectively. A growth‐inhibitory fraction in the aqueous methanol extract of OM 5930 was isolated and the inhibitory activity on lettuce seedlings was determined. At a concentration of 100 p.p.m., this growth‐inhibitor inhibited lettuce root growth by up to 80.2%, compared to the control plants. These findings demonstrate that the dried plant tissues of Vietnamese rice cultivars could contain bioactive compounds that strongly inhibit plant growth.     

Chlorophyll fluorescence for visualizing the spatial and temporal spread of Phytophthora alni subsp. alni in alder bark tissue

The impact of alder Phytophthora (Phytophthora alni subsp. alni) on corticular photosynthetic metabolism was explored via measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence. Stem inoculation induced a sharp reduction of maximum (F_v/F_m) and effective quantum yield of PSII (). Observations of the axial and radial spread of the pathogen revealed that near to the point of inoculation and in the whole centre of the stem lesion F_v/F_m and of the cortex chlorenchyma decreased to almost zero, indicating tissue necrosis. Low values of F_v/F_m and were also found in some presymptomatic regions beyond the visible stem lesion. In contrast, substantial photosynthetic activity was found in uninvaded parts of the inoculated trees and in the control. These stem parts showed a marked light‐adapted quantum efficiency of PSII as well as marked electron transport rates in their bark tissues. Thus, corticular photosynthesis stayed unaffected in these stem parts supporting stem carbon balance. Chlorophyll fluorescence measurements in the field illustrated that stem infection with P. alni subsp. alni and the effect on the bark tissues is not only highly heterogeneous but also underlies very quick temporal changes, due to a rapid destruction of the photosynthetic apparatus. The results show that chlorophyll fluorescence measurements and fluorescence imaging are useful indicators of tissue infection caused by Phytophthora infection of bark tissues. Chlorophyll fluorescence measurements can be used to map and visualize the spatial as well as temporal spread of bark pathogens and can give a first indication of invasion of the host tissue beyond the visible lesion.     

Lettuce ring necrosis,caused by a chytrid-borne agent distinct from lettuce big-vein ‘virus’

Ring necrosis is a serious disease of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) with often coalescing necrotic rings and ring-like patterns on middle leaves of plants or groups of plants in glasshouses during winter. Affected leaves may decay and plants rapidly become unmarketable. The disease was shown to be soil-borne and transmitted by the zoospores ofOlpidium brassicae. Symptoms in lettuce do not appear before seven weeks after inoculation via the soil. Additives to the inoculum and chilling of source leaves, inoculum buffer and utensils enabled mechanical transmission of a pathogenic agent toChenopodium quinoa, C. amaranticolor, Nicotiana benthamiana, N. clevelandii, N. hesperis, andN. occidentalis but not to lettuce. TheChenopodium spp. reacted with local lesions, infection was symptomless inN. clevelandii and mostly so inN. benthamiana, butN. hesperis andN. occidentalis reacted with leaf spotting and plant stunting. With zoospores of an originally pathogen-free fungus culture further cultivated on the roots of cuttings from sap-inoculated plants ofN. clevelandii andN. occidentalis, the agent could be transferred back to lettuce and the symptoms of ring necrosis be reproduced. The agent biologically resembles those of lettuce big-vein (LBV) and freesia leaf necrosis and the tobacco stunt virus. In lettuce it often occurs together with LBV virus but differs in longer incubation period, type of symptoms and symptom appearance only during winter. It could be separated from a mixture with LBV virus by serial transfer always selecting plants without LBV symptoms. So far cultural hygiene, including soil disinfection addressing the vector, is the main means of control.     

Phytogard® and DL-β-amino Butyric Acid (BABA) Induce Resistance to Downy Mildew (Bremia Lactucae) in Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L)

Downy mildew of lettuce (Bremia lactucae) is a serious disease. An alternative to chemicals is the application of disease resistance inducers. The aim of this study was to test whether DL--amino butyric acid (BABA) and Phytogard® (K₂HPO₃) could induce resistance in downy mildew susceptible plants. Aqueous solutions of BABA (0, 10, 20, 30, 50, 80, 100mM) and Phytogard® (0.0, 5.8, 29.0, 40.6, 58.0 and 87.0ppm) were sprayed on seven-day-old seedlings 0, 3, 7 and 15 days before or 1–3 days after inoculation with B. lactucae. Results obtained showed that Phytogard®- and BABA-induced resistance was dose-dependent. At 40.6ppm for Phytogard® and 10mM for BABA, complete protection was obtained. Both compounds had a curative effect and the induced resistance lasted for at least 15 days. It was also shown that both compounds induced systemic resistance in lettuce against downy mildew. Phytogard® at 40.6ppm completely inhibited spore germination while BABA at 20mM did not. Pathogenesis related (PR) protein analysis showed that BABA induced weak accumulation of PR-2, but not PR-1, PR-5 and PR-9. Phytogard® induced none of these proteins. The use of these two compounds to protect lettuce from B. lactucae is discussed.     

Consumption rate and susceptibility to parasitic nematodes and chemical molluscicides of the pest slugs Arion hortensis s. s. and A. distinctusJ. Iglesias, B. Speiser, Biological and chemical control of Arion hortensis s. l. slugs

The species complex Arion hortensis s.l. is among the most important pestiferous slugs in Europe. The species A. distinctus Mabille and A. hortensis de Férussac have traditionally been grouped together under the denomination A. hortensis. Therefore, neither the feeding behaviour nor the susceptibility of the individual species to control measures are known. In the laboratory, mean daily consumption of lettuce was similar for both species. In a series of laboratory bioassays, A. distinctus and A. hortensis s.s. were exposed to the rhabditid nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita and to the chemical molluscicides metaldehyde and iron phosphate, and their feeding and health were measured. Both species showed a similar and low susceptibility to the biocontrol agent P. hermaphrodita. In field-collected slugs, the incidence of nematodes was much lower in A. hortensis s.l. than in Deroceras reticulatum or Arion lusitanicus. Metaldehyde and iron phosphate affected both slug species similarly. Therefore, our results do not indicate any major difference between the two slug species of agronomical relevance.     

Induced Resistance to Cyst and Root-knot Nematodes in Cereals by DL-β-amino-n-butyric Acid

Foliar sprays and soil drenches with DL--amino-n-butyric acid (BABA) reduced the number of Heterodera avenae and H. latipons cysts on wheat and barley. Foliar sprays of wheat with 8000mgl^–1 BABA reduced the number of H. avenae cysts by 90%, whereas 2000mgl^–1 BABA was enough to reduce the number of H. latipons cysts by 79%. Multiple spray treatments with 2000mgl^–1 BABA at 10-day intervals reduced the number of H. avenae cysts on wheat and barley. A soil drench of wheat with 125mgl^–1 BABA reduced the number of H. latipons cysts by 93% and H. avenae cysts by 43%. Second-stage juveniles of these nematodes penetrated and formed syncytia in wheat roots soil-drenched with BABA. More adult males of H. avenae were produced in BABA (<250mg1^–1)-treated wheat roots (~76%) than in untreated roots (27%). Soil drenches with higher concentrations of BABA inhibited development of adult males and females. Several chemical elicitors of induced resistance were tested for their ability to reduce the number of H. avenae cysts on wheat. Only BABA was found to be an effective resistance inducer. The number of egg masses of an unidentified Meloidogyne sp. root-knot nematode, which infects only monocots, was also reduced by 95% by a soil drench of wheat with 500mgl^–1 BABA. Development of this nematode inside the BABA-treated roots was also inhibited.     

Effect of target spot on soybean yield and factors affecting this relationship

The lack of robust estimates of soybean yield losses due to target spot led to this study. The objective was to determine whether soybean yield at stage R8 (W, expressed as kg ha⁻¹) was related to target spot severity at soybean stage R5–R6 (S, expressed as %) and to identify variables that could affect this relationship. Plot-level estimates of mean disease severity and yield from 41 selected Uniform Fungicide Trials carried out in Brazil during 2012–2016 growing seasons were used to estimate linear regression coefficients for the relationship between yield and target spot severity through random-coefficient mixed effects model analysis. The overall estimated mean regression intercept and slope were  = 3564 kg ha⁻¹ (disease-free yield) and  = −17.1 kg ha⁻¹ %⁻¹ (W decrease per percent increase in S), respectively. The model was then refitted with different covariates to determine their effects on model parameters. β₀ was influenced by baseline yield (less than or greater than 3300 kg ha⁻¹) and β₁ was affected by yield response to fungicide treatments. Estimated yield loss at 50% target spot severity ranged from 8% to 42%. Cultivar also had a significant effect on the magnitude of yield reduction due to target spot, which ranged from 11% to 42%, depending on the cultivar.     

Non‐pathogenic rhizosphere bacteria belonging to the genera Rhizorhapis and Sphingobium provide specific control of lettuce corky root disease caused by species of the same bacterial genera

Lettuce corky root (CR) is caused by bacteria in the genera Rhizorhapis, Sphingobium, Sphingopyxis and Rhizorhabdus of the family Sphingomonadaceae. Members of this family are common rhizosphere bacteria, some pathogenic to lettuce. Sixty‐eight non‐pathogenic isolates of bacteria obtained from lettuce roots were tested for control of CR caused by Rhizorhapis suberifaciens CA1^T and FL1, and Sphingobium mellinum WI4^T. In two initial screenings, 10 isolates significantly reduced CR induced by one or more pathogenic strains on lettuce seedlings in vermiculite, while seven non‐pathogenic isolates provided significant CR control in natural or sterilized field soil. Rhizorhapis suberifaciens FL11 was effective at controlling all pathogenic strains, but most effective against R. suberifaciens CA1^T. The other selected isolates controlled only pathogenic strains belonging to their own genus. In a greenhouse experiment, a soil drench with selected biocontrol agents (R. suberifaciens FL11, Sphingomonas sp. NY3 and S. mellinum CA16) controlled CR better than seed treatments or application of alginate pellets. In microplots infested with R. suberifaciens CA1^T, seed treatment with R. suberifaciens FL11 provided complete control and a soil drench with FL11 significantly reduced the disease. Pathogenicity tests with FL11 on 23 plant species in 10 families resulted in slight yellowing on roots of lettuce and close relatives; similar yellowing appeared on some roots of non‐inoculated lettuce plants. This research showed that biocontrol agents can be genus‐specific. Only one isolate, FL11, provided more general control of various pathogenic strains causing CR even in field soil in pots and microplots.     

Further observations on variation of lettuce mosaic virus in relation to lettuce (Lactuca sativa), and a discussion of resistance terminology

Two potyvirus isolates from endive, originating from southern France (Ls252) and from the Netherlands (Ls265), that were highly and poorly pathogenic on lettuce, respectively, were compared with a common isolate (Ls1) of lettuce mosaic virus (LMV) and with two highly deviant Greek isolates fromHelminthia (Picris) echioides (Gr4) and endive (Gr5), earlier recognized as LMV. The isolates could not be distinguished by particle morphology and serology, and were all identified as LMV. Leaf curling, plant stunting and necrosis were more characteristic of the virus than mosaic. The isolates studied varied considerably on differential host species and a range of lettce cultivars including pathotype differentials of Pink et al. [1992b]. Ls1 and Ls265 reacte largely as pathotype II, including the common strain of the virus, but Ls265 was least pathogenic on lettuce. Ls252 fitted pathotype IV and was very similar to LMV-E (the Spanish strain). The Greek isolates were very similar to each other in causing very severe symptoms on some non-lettuce hosts and a number of lettuce cultuvars. In lettuce variectal reaction Gr4 resembled pathotype I, but Gr5 severely affected Salinas 88, resistant to pathotypes I, II and III, and it appears to be a novel pathotype. Genetic interaction between lettuce and LMV is not following a simple yes-or-no pattern, and it is not a mere matter of resistance versus susceptibility. Adoption of a more realistic resistance terminology is proposed. None of the lettuce cultivars tested was resistant to the most pathogenic isolate Ls252, but resistance to it was found in 2 out of 12 wildLactuca species tested (Lactuca perennis andL. tatarica) while the symptomless plants ofL. perennis clearly reacted in ELISA.     

Pathogenicity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plectosphaerella</Emphasis> species on lettuce and susceptibility of lettuce cultivars

Plectosphaerella rot affects hydroponically grown lettuce, especially those grown using deep flow technique. Plectosphaerella species such as P. pauciseptata and P. cucumerina are reported as causal agents of this disease. However, the relation between fungal lineage and pathogenicity on lettuce has been unclear. From inoculation tests, we discovered that various lineages of Plectosphaerella can infect lettuce tissues. Even strains isolated from non-lettuce plants were pathogenic on lettuce. Furthermore, various lettuce cultivars were equally susceptible to a particular strain. These results indicate that strains from a wide lineage of Plectosphaerella can be pathogenic on various lettuce cultivars.     

Phytotoxic activity of Chinese violet (Asystasia gangetica (L.) T. Anderson) and two phytotoxic substances

Chinese violet (Asystasia gangetica (L.) T. Anderson) is a perennial invasive weed belonging to Acanthaceae. Leaves of this weed have been suggested to possess phytotoxic activity. However, phytotoxic substances in this weed have not yet been reported. Therefore, the present study investigated phytotoxic activity of Chinese violet extracts and phytotoxic substances. The extracts of Chinese violet leaves inhibited the root and shoot growth of cress, lettuce, alfalfa, barnyard grass, ryegrass, and timothy, where the level of inhibition increased with increasing extract concentrations. Bioassay‐guided separations of the extracts led to isolation of two phytotoxic substances, indole‐3‐carboxaldehyde and (6R,9S)‐3‐oxo‐α‐ionol. Indole‐3‐carboxaldehyde significantly inhibited the root and shoot growth of cress at concentrations ≥100 and 30 μmol L^?1, respectively, and concentrations of the substance required for 50% growth inhibition were 210 and 127 μmol L^?1 for cress roots and shoots, respectively. The other substance, (6R,9S)‐3‐oxo‐α‐ionol, was reported to have strongly inhibited cress roots and shoots. The present results suggest that Chinese violet contains two phytotoxic substances indole‐3‐carboxaldehyde and (6R,9S)‐3‐oxo‐α‐ionol, and those substances may play an important role in the phytotoxic activity of Chinese violet.     

Relative susceptibilities of eleven potato cultivars and breeders' clones toGlobodera pallida pathotype Pa 3, with a discussion of the interpretation of data from pot experiments

Curves according to the equationPf=M (1-e ^–aPi/M ) fitted well to the relations according to Seinhorst's (1993) modelPf=y _e y _h M(1-e ^–aPi/M ) between initial egg densities of potato cyst nematodes (Globodera rostochiensis, G. pallida)Pi up to 5T _h (T _h =the tolerance limit of haulm weight) andPf at the end of the growing season (a=maximum rate of reproduction,M, M=different theoretical maximum egg densities). Variation of estimates ofM, due to variation of the parameters of the submodelsy _e andy _h for the effect of weight reduction of haulms (and, therefore, of roots) on cyst production and damage to root tissue on egg production, respectively, was small enough to be ignored relative to experimental error. Therefore, ratios of values ofM, determined in simultaneous pot experiments with different potato cultivars, are reliable measures of the relative host status of these cultivars at initial egg densitiesPi of these nematodes up to about 5T _h . Variation between potato cultivars of growth reduction and damage to root tissue by the nematodes reduces the reliability of ratios of rates of relative susceptibility of these cultivars.The ratios between the maximum rates of reproduction ofG. pallida, pathotype Pa 3, on 8 out of 9 cultivars and one breeder's clone of potatoes and this rate on the susceptible cvs Bintje and Irene (relative susceptibilitiesrs _a ) could be considered to be equal to the ratios of maximum population densitiesM on these cultivars (relative susceptibilitiesrs _M ) (relative susceptibilities independent of initial egg density). The latter ratios were 0.59 times the first (relative susceptibilities negatively correlated with initial egg density) in one cultivar and one breeder's clone. Relative susceptibilitiesrs _a andrs _M of the tested cultivars and breeders clones suggest the existence of continuous ranges of both relative susceptibilities between 0.50 and 0.15 with, in a great majority of cases,rs _a =rs _M .     

The application of lettuce in the qualitative and quantitative detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizoctonia Solani</Emphasis> AG- 1 IA toxins

The toxins produced by Rhizoctonia solani are important causal agents of rice sheath blight. Effective detection of such toxins could improve the determination of the virulence of this agronomically important fungal pathogen. As such, the objective of the current study was to investigate the use of a variety of plant species [annual sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus L.), Chinese cabbage (Brassica chinensis), spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. sativa), long leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. ramosa Hort) and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum)] for qualitative detection of R. solani crude toxins (RHCT) to replace the current rice leaf sheath based assay. This is constrained as rice plant takes long time to grow before the leaf sheath can be harvested From the initial screen, it was found that detached lettuce leaves provided the best alternative to rice material. Quantitative determination of RHCT activity by the phosphorus extravasation method was then performed on both rice (Oryza sativa L.) and lettuce. The results demonstrated that the detached lettuce leaves had the advantages of fast onset of symptoms, high sensitivity and non-perishability after inoculation. The quantity of phosphorus exosmosis observed in both lettuce leaves and rice leaf sheaths were significantly positively correlated. These data indicate that lettuce leaves can be used as a substitute material for rice leaf sheaths, with which to study the RHCT both qualitatively and quantitatively. The current study provides a new way to qualitatively and quantitatively detect RHCT.     

Genetic analysis of Phytophthora sojae populations in Fujian, China

Phytophthora sojae is a destructive soilborne pathogen causing seedling damping‐off and root rot of soybean (Glycine max). The goal of this study was to determine the genetic structure of P. sojae populations in Fujian, China. Nine microsatellite markers were used to investigate the genetic variation in 19 P. sojae populations, sampled from Fujian Province and northeastern China (Jilin and Heilongjiang Provinces) between 2002 and 2013. Overall, a low genetic diversity, Hardy–Weinberg disequilibrium, and an index (an index of association) that was significantly different from zero were detected in populations; these results were consistent with self‐fertilization and clonal modes of reproduction for this pathogen. However, using Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo approach, principal component analysis and neighbour joining (NJ) algorithm, the Fujian P. sojae populations clustered into three distinct groups, one of which included most isolates of the northeast populations. What is more, significant estimates of pairwise fixation indices (F_ST) were detected between most populations, especially in different clusters. It is hypothesized that the cropping system used, the limited dispersal ability, and human‐mediated gene flow may account for the observed genetic structure of P. sojae populations in Fujian, China. In addition, a high virulence frequency of the pathogen on different cultivars carrying known major R genes for resistance, and a rapid increase in virulence frequency, indicated that these major R genes should not be used to manage seedling damping‐off and root rot diseases of soybean (Glycine max).     

Mechanisms of induced resistance in lettuce against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bremia lactucae</Emphasis> by DL<Emphasis Type="Bold">-</Emphasis>β<Emphasis Type="Bold">-</Emphasis>amino<Emphasis Type="Bold">-</Emphasis>butyric acid (BABA)

BABA induced local and systemic resistance in lettuce (Lactuca sativa) against the Oomycete Bremia lactucae. Structure-activity analysis showed no induced resistance by related amino-butanoic acids or β-alanine. The R-enantiomer of BABA induced resistance whereas the S-enantiomer did not, suggesting binding to a specific receptor. Other compounds known to be involved in SAR signaling, including abscisic acid, methyl-jasmonate, ethylene, sodium-salicylate and Bion® (BTH) did not induce resistance. Systemic translocation of ¹⁴C-BABA and systemic protection against downy mildew were tightly correlated. BABA did not affect spore germination, appressorium formation, or penetration of B. lactucae into the host. Epifluorescence and confocal microscopy revealed that BABA induced rapid encasement with callose of the primary infection structures of the pathogen, thus preventing it from further developing intercellular hyphae and haustoria. Invaded host cells treated with BABA did not accumulate phenolics, callose or lignin, or express HR. In contrast, cells of genetically-resistant cultivars accumulated phenolics, callose and lignin and exhibited HR within one day after inoculation. The callose synthesis inhibitor DDG did not inhibit callose encasement nor compromised the resistance induced by BABA. PR-proteins accumulated too late to be responsible for the induced resistance. DAB staining indicated that BABA induced a rapid accumulation of H₂O₂ in the penetrated epidermal host cells. Whether H₂O₂ stops the pathogen directly or via another metabolic route is not known.     

Further characterization of dandelion yellow mosaic virus from lettuce and dandelion

A damaging virus isolated in the Netherlands from lettuce was studied and compared with a virus isolated from dandelion orginating from Czechoslovakia. It was found to biologically resemble dandelion yellow mosaic virus incompletely described from dandelion and lettuce in Great Britain (Kassanis, 1944, 1947) and from dandelion in Germany (Hein, 1963). Mechanical transmission was greatly improved by buffer solution and transmission byMyzus persicae seemed to be in the non-persistent manner. Longevity in vitro of the virus hardly exceeded one day. Thermal inactivation was between 60 and 65 °C and the dilution end-point was between 10 000 and 100 000. It was still infectious in leaf material dried and stored over CaCl₂ at 4 °C for 6 1/2 years. The virus was isolated and purified with difficulty and was found to consist of one type of spherical particle of ca 30 nm diameter, with a sedimentation coefficient of 159 S, a buoyant density of 1.42 g.cm^?3 and an A₂₆₀/A₂₈₀ ratio of 1.67. An antiserum was prepared with a titre of 256 in the agar double-diffusion test. The virus could be identified in crude extracts from lettuce andChenopodium amaranticolor by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), but not by agar double diffusion. It could only be visualized in crude sap in the electron microscope after trapping of virus particles on antiserum-coated grids. The virus cannot yet be assigned to any known virus group. It is of potential economic importance to lettuce because of its occurrence in widely differing regions in Europe, its aggressiveness and virulence on 22 out of 23 lettuce cultivars tested (and on endive) and its pathogenicity toLactuca genotypes which are resistant to lettuce mosaic virus and other important pathogens of lettuce. ‘Laibacher Eis’ was the only cultivar showing some tolerance.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium ershadii</Emphasis> sp. nov., a Pathogen on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Asparagus officinalis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Musa acuminata</Emphasis>

Two Fusarium strains, isolated from Asparagus in Italy and Musa in Vietnam respectively, proved to be members of an undescribed clade within the Fusarium solani species complex based on phylogenetic species recognition on ITS, partial RPB2 and EF-1α gene fragments. Macro- and micro-morphological investigations followed with physiological studies done on this new species: Fusarium ershadii sp. nov can be distinguished by its conidial morphology. Both isolates of Fusarium ershadii were shown to be pathogenic to the monocot Asparagus officinalis when inoculated on roots and induced hollow root symptoms within two weeks in Asparagus officinalis seedlings. In comparison mild disease symptoms were observed by the same strains on Musa acuminata seedlings.