Der bayerische Pflanzenschutzdienst stellt sich vor

After a brief overview covering the history and development of the Plant Protection Service in Bavaria since 1900 the Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture which was founded on January 1st, 2003 is described. The Institute for Plant Protection as part of the Research Center is the central institution in Bavaria focusing on plant protection and taking responsibility for plant protection issues. The Institute for Plant Protection is supported by seven main offices of agriculture and forestry. Practical advice for growers concerning plant protection is given by 27 plant protection teams located at the offices of agriculture and forestry at the administrative district level. The following main issues are presented:

development of disease forecasting models,

law enforcement,

diagnosis of diseases and pests,

net of agrarmeteorological stations in Bavaria

     

Bud necrosis,a storage disease of tulips. II. Analysis of disease-promoting storage conditions

The syndrome of bud necrosis, a storage disease of tulips, is analysed and relationships between several phenomena are described:

1. In ‘White Sail’, bud necrosis occurred in cardboard boxes only when bulbs infected withFusarium oxysporum f. tulipae were present.
2. Buds with symptoms of bud necrosis were open at the tip.
3. Whereas in ‘White Sail’, open buds occurred in boxes only whenFusarium-infected bulbs were present, in ‘Red Champion’, open buds occurred also in well-ventilated open trays with wire-gauze bottoms stored at higher temperatures but withoutFusarium-infected bulbs. In ‘Rose Copland’, open buds were only found exceptionally.
4. In buds with symptoms of bud necrosis, mites were almost always present.
5. In boxes in whichFusarium-infected bulbs were present, ethylene concentrations up to 23 ppm were found.

On the basis of these findings it seems highly probable that bud necrosis develops only if mites penetrate into the buds and reach the stamens. A prerequisite for penetration is the presence of a pore in the bud tip. Ethylene, emanated byFusarium-infected bulbs or from other sources and accumulating under conditions of poor ventilation, is probably the direct cause of open buds. In ‘Red Champion’, however, this aberration can also be caused by higher storage temperatures even with good ventilation. In a subsequent paper proof of this hypothesis will be presented.     

Influence of soil temperature on field infection of tulip bulbs by Fusarium oxysporum

Soil temperature is an important factor in field infection of tulip bulbs byF. oxysporum in both autumn and late spring. Three types of infection and the associated symptoms are discussed in relation to temperature.

1. The infection through the browning tunic at any place in the outer scale, which occurs during the last few weeks before harvest, being most common in the Netherlands.
2. A basal rot is thought to be favoured by a relatively high temperature after planting in combination with a warm spring, conditions which sometimes also cause premature death of plants; these symptoms are attributed to infection of the root plate immediately after planting.
3. After a warm spring period several weeks before normal lifting time brown spots may be present in the otherwise white tunic, frequently accompanied by an infection of the scale below the spot.

It is suggested that a high inoculum level built up in the decaying scales of the planted bulb under warm conditions may weaken the tunic barrier by local reduction of the tuliposid concentration in the white tunic, which compound is a precursor of the fungitoxic tulipalin. A semi-quantitative assay for estimation of the number of fungus propagules in the old scales is described.     

Durantol - a phytosterol antifungal contributor from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Duranta repens</Emphasis> Linn. For organic Management of Sorghum Downy Mildew

Downy mildew of sorghum (DMS) has serious implications agronomically worldwide and to-date the search for a potent fungicide is a high priority and necessity. Phytochemicals have proven to be effective against various plant pathogens with minimal or no side effects. Duranta repens aqueous extract exhibited a promising potential as an organic fungicide for management of sorghum downy mildew (Peronosclerospora sorghi) in greenhouse conditions, at low concentration of 5 %. Activity guided bio-prospecting lead to the isolation of active principle which could control the DMS at as low as 0.1 % concentration. Spectral studies identified the bioactive contributor as a phytosterol namely 16-Hydroxy-8,10,13-trimethyl-1,2,8,10,12,13,14,15-octahydro cyclopenta [a] phenanthren-3-one, designated as Durantol. The results of microscopy exhibited the inhibition of conidial germ-tube growth by formation of bulb-like swellings at the tip, suggesting the mechanism of action of Durantol was via hampering the membrane integrity of the pathogen. Further, the same was virtually predicted using molecular docking for structure-activity relationship (SAR) against four best known membrane receptors namely 1-UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGT), cytochromes P450 (P450), oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC) and serine carboxypeptidase-like acyltransferase (SCPL), proposing that glycosylation onto the membrane would be a reason for inhibition and which is evident from atomic contact energy (ACE) values. The results of the study indicate that, organic management of airborne inoculum of downy mildew of sorghum is feasible and preferable, as compared to the use of chemical fungicides, considering human and environmental health concerns.

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Graphical abstract ?

     

Response to the letter on “Climatic distribution of citrus black spot caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phyllosticta citricarpa.</Emphasis> A historical analysis of disease spread in South Africa” by Fourie et al. (2017)

In a previous study, Martínez-Minaya et al. (European Journal of Plant Pathology 143, 69–83, 2015) performed an analysis of climate-based distribution of citrus black spot (CBS) in South Africa. It was found that CBS was initially confined to humid areas with summer rainfall, but later spread to arid steppe and even desert climates. A strong spatial autocorrelation of CBS distribution was found. Fourie et al. (European Journal of Plant Pathology, 2017) take a critical view of our study, but without presenting any analysis of results to refute our findings. Furthermore, Fourie et al. (European Journal of Plant Pathology, 2017) appear to have misunderstood our work, since many of their criticisms relate to the potential distribution of CBS in Europe, which is beyond the scope of our original study. Fourie et al. (European Journal of Plant Pathology, 2017) highlight the limitations of climate classifications in species distribution modelling. However, this was made explicit in our study, indicating that it was a preparatory work and further advanced modelling studies, including spatial effects, will be needed. Fourie et al. (European Journal of Plant Pathology, 2017) incorrectly assume that we used all of South Africa as the background in the spatial autocorrelation analysis. However, only citrus areas were used and a strong spatial autocorrelation was detected at all distances evaluated. Contrary to what Fourie et al. (European Journal of Plant Pathology, 2017) suggest, similar climate distributions of CBS were obtained at 5′ and 30′ resolution, and also with the national land-cover map of South Africa. The figure comparison presented by Fourie et al. (European Journal of Plant Pathology, 2017) appears to ignore the fact that the maps we used were grid cells of 10 × 10 km and not the line polygons they suggest. Therefore, we consider the conclusions from the Martínez-Minaya et al. (European Journal of Plant Pathology 143, 69–83, 2015) remain entirely valid.     

A critical analysis of phosphatidic acid mediated resistance response in Sinapis alba against Alternaria brassicicola

The enhanced expression of PLD genes and the quantitative increase in the level of phosphatidic acid (PA) in resistant Sinapis alba compared to the downregulated or unchanged expression of the PLD genes and decreased PA level in susceptible Brassica juncea when challenged with Alternaria brassicicola, indicated a positive relationship between PA-mediated signalling and resistance against this necrotrophic pathogen. Furthermore, spraying PA onto the susceptible species B. juncea increased resistance and enhanced expression of ABA-responsive genes, which was comparable to the expression of these genes in S. alba when challenged with A. brassicicola.

• •The enhanced expression of several PLD genes in resistant S. alba was observed compared to B. juncea upon challenge with A. brassicicola.
• •An increase in the PA level in S. alba compared to B. juncea following interaction with the pathogen.
• •Leaves of B. juncea incubated on PA-soaked filter paper did not show resistance.
• •Spraying B. juncea leaves with PA led to resistance as well as to the enhanced expression of ABA-responsive genes.
• •A temporal increase in the PA level is associated with increased resistance against A. brassicicola.

     

Infiltration-excess runoff properties of dryland floodplain soil types under simulated rainfall conditions

The study estimated infiltration-excess runoff properties of three floodplain soil-types under aquifer water management at Anglo American Kolomela Iron Ore mine in Postmasburg, Northern Cape Province of South Africa. Rainstorm regimes of amounts 60 (high), 30 (medium), and 15 (low) mm with respective intensities of 1.61, 0.52, and 0.27?mm min^?1 were simulated on 1 m² plot with 1% slope. Infiltration-excess runoff properties were affected by a rainstorm, but not soil-type. When combined with rainstorm, soil-type affected accumulative run-off rates. High rainstorm had different (p?≤?0.05) accumulative runoff rates (0.1–0.61?mm min^?1) and increased with clay content. Different response times of 4, 10, and 17?min for respective high, medium, and low rainstorms were quickest on higher clay plus silt content and bulk-density under high and lower rainstorms, respectively. Lower rainstorms had similar effects on accumulative runoff rates (0.01–0.05?mm min^?1), total runoff yield (0.59–18?mm), and runoff coefficients (4.29–18%). Under the high rainstorm, total runoff yields (11.4–25.8?mm) and runoff coefficients (19–42.9%) were different and increased with clay plus fine-silt content. Although simulated rainstorms had constant intensities, results showed high rainstorms to be of primal influence on infiltration-excess runoff. Clay plus silt content and bulk-density influenced infiltration-runoff properties for respective high and lower rainstorms. Apart from rainstorm characteristics, surface clay plus silt content and bulk-density are important for harnessing surface runoff in floodplains for aquifer recharge.     

Phylogenetic placement,DNA barcoding,morphology and evidence for the spreading of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Entyloma cosmi</Emphasis>, a species attacking <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cosmos bipinnatus</Emphasis> in temperate climate gardens

The white leaf smut is one of the recently reported and apparently spreading diseases of the garden cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) causing necrosis and wilting of the leaves and leading to reduction of its ornamental value. The occurrence of this fungal disease was first observed in Japan (Hokkaido Island) in 1996, and later in Germany (Saxony-Anhalt) in 2002, and the causative agent was described as new species, Entyloma cosmi, in 2005. This smut was subsequently reported from Canada, Switzerland, and Korea. Here it is reported for the first time from Austria, France, Italy, Poland, and Slovenia. This indicates the rapid spread of Entyloma cosmi on Cosmus bipinnatus in temperate climate gardens. The phylogenetic position of Entyloma cosmi is analyzed using ITS rDNA sequences, the phenotypic characters are critically re-evaluated, and the species is characterized using the Consolidated Species Concept, including morphology, ecology (host plant), and rDNA sequences (ITS and LSU). Selected ITS sequences and one LSU sequence generated in this work are deposited on the BarCode of Life website in GenBank (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genbank/barcode/) and Fungal Barcoding Database (www.fungalbarcoding.org), and could serve as DNA barcodes to facilitate rapid identification of this economically important species. The ITS sequence from the holotype of Entyloma cosmi, sequenced here, is recommended to be deposited in the RefSeq Targeted Loci database.     

Molecular and morphological characterisation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aphelenchoides paraxui</Emphasis> n. sp. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) isolated from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus brantii</Emphasis> in western Iran

Aphelenchoides paraxui n. sp. is described and illustrated from bark samples of an oak tree (Quercus brantii L.) in Kermanshah province, western Iran. The new species is characterized by body length of 500–660 μm (females) and 630–665 μm (males), lip region set off from body contour, lateral fields with four lines, and total stylet 8–9 μm long with small basal swellings. The excretory pore is located ca one body diam. Posterior to metacorpus valve. The spicules are relatively large (29–33 μm in dorsal limb) with apex and rostrum rounded and well developed and the end of the dorsal limb clearly curved ventrad like a hook. The female tail is conical, the terminus having a complicated step-like projection, usually with many tiny nodular protuberances. Male tail bearing six (2 + 2 + 2) caudal papillae and a well-developed mucro. The new species belongs to the Group 2 category of Aphelenchoides species sensu Shahina (1996) in which eight known species among Group 2–4 sensu Shahina namely: A. arcticus, A. asteromucronatus, A. blastophthorus, A. lichenicola, A. saprophilus, A. seiachicus, A. silvester and A. xui, are the most closed species. Molecular analyses of the partial small subunit rDNA gene (SSU), D2/D3 expansion segments of the large subunit rDNA gene (LSU) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) revealed this as a new species and supported the morphological results.     

Euphresco Sendo: An international laboratory comparison study of molecular tests for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Synchytrium endobioticum</Emphasis> detection and identification

An international test performance study (TPS) was organised to generate validation data for three molecular Synchytrium endobioticum tests: van den Boogert et al. (European Journal of Plant Pathology 113, 47–57, 2005), and van Gent-Pelzer et al. (European Journal of Plant Pathology, 126, 129-133, 2010) for the detection of S. endobioticum, and the pathotype 1(D1) identification test described by Bonants et al. (European Journal of Plant Pathology, 143, 495-506, 2015). Two TPS rounds were organised focussing on different test matrices, i.e. round 1: warted potato tissue, and round 2: resting spore suspensions. When using the tests for detection and identification of S. endobioticum in warted potato tissue, no significant differences were observed for diagnostic sensitivity, diagnostic specificity, overall accuracy, analytical sensitivity and robustness. When using the tests for detection and identification of S. endobioticum in resting spore suspensions, the van den Boogert and van Gent-Pelzer tests significantly outperform the Bonants test for diagnostic sensitivity and diagnostic specificity. For overall accuracy and analytical sensitivity, the van Gent-Pelzer significantly outperforms the van den Boogert and Bonants tests and is regarded as the test of choice when identifying S. endobioticum from resting spores. Tests regarded fit for purpose for routine testing of wart material and resting spore suspensions are proposed for the update of EPPO standard PM7/28(1) Synchytrium endobioticum.     

Identification and characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alternaria alternata</Emphasis> (Fr.) Keissler causing <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ceratonia</Emphasis> Blight disease of carob (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ceratonia siliqua</Emphasis> L.) in Turkey

A new dagger nematode, Xiphinema tica n. sp., is described and illustrated from several populations extracted from soil associated with several crops and wild plants in Costa Rica. The new dagger nematode is characterised by a moderate body size (3276–4240 μm), a rounded lip region, ca 13.5 μm wide, separated from body contour by a shallow depression, amphidial fovea large, stirrup-shaped, a moderately long odontostyle ca 135 μm long, stylet guiding ring located at ca 122 μm from anterior end, vulva almost equatorial (50–54%), well-developed Z-organ, with heavy muscularised wall containing in the most of specimens observed two moderately refractive inclusions variable in shape (from round to star-shaped), with uterine spines and crystalloid bodies; female tail short, dorsally convex-conoid, with rounded end and a small peg, with a c’ ratio ca 0.8, bearing two or three pairs of caudal pores and male absent. The unique and novel uterine differentiation based on the coexistence of a well-developed Z-organ mixed with uterine spines and crystalloid bodies in Xiphinema prompted us to update and include this combination of characters in the polytomous key of Loof and Luc (1990). Integrative diagnosis was completed with molecular data obtained, using D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rDNA, ITS1-rDNA, partial 18S–rDNA and the partial mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (coxI). The phylogenetic relationships of this species with other Xiphinema spp. indicated that X. tica n. sp. was monophyletic to the other species from the morphospecies Group 4, Xiphinema oleae.     

Scientific critique of the paper “Climatic distribution of citrus black spot caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phyllosticta citricarpa</Emphasis>. A historical analysis of disease spread in South Africa” by Martínez-Minaya et al. (2015)

The global distribution of citrus black spot (CBS) disease, caused by Phyllosticta citricarpa, is climatically constrained, which is evident from its occurrence in citrus growing areas with warm, summer rainfall and its absence from areas with cooler, Mediterranean-type winter rainfall. Various epidemiological and modelling studies have supported this observation, predominantly estimating unsuitability for P. citricarpa in Mediterranean type climates, with no more than marginal suitability estimated at a few localities within some regions with Mediterranean type climates. The study by Martínez-Minaya et al. (European Journal of Plant Pathology, 143, 69–83, 2015), describes an historic sequence of recorded CBS occurrence in parts of South Africa, conducts an autocorrelation analysis and a correlative analysis with Köppen-Geiger climate zones and makes observations about the occurrence of certain Köppen-Geiger climate zones in the European Union. The study suggests that significant portions of the European Union and the broader Mediterranean basin are climatically similar to warm, summer rainfall areas in South Africa where P. citricarpa persists and causes CBS disease and concludes that the potential distribution of P. citricarpa is less constrained by climatic factors than spatial contagion. However, in this critique we expose methodological shortcomings in the Martínez-Minaya et al. (European Journal of Plant Pathology, 143, 69–83, 2015) study and conclude that the study grossly overestimated the extent of the geographical area that could support P. citricarpa, thereby rendering the findings scientifically unreliable.     

Identification and characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Choanephora</Emphasis> spp. causing Choanephora flower rot on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hibiscus syriacus</Emphasis>

Hibiscus syriacus, as a national flower of Korea, is most popularly used for ornamental purposes and includes numerous cultivars, and it is widely planted in temperate zones that feature hot summers. We investigated Choanephora flower rot on H. syriacus from 2012 to 2014 in Korea and Japan and confirmed Choanephora infection in several localities in both countries. Here, our objectives were to identify the main causal agent of Choanephora flower rot on H. syriacus and describe its morphological and molecular characteristics. We identified 44 out of 50 isolates as Choanephora cucurbitarum and the remainder as C. infundibulifera based on morphological characterization and phylogenetic analysis. The sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) of ribosomal DNA and the D1/D2 region of the large subunit (LSU) rDNA of examined isolates were compared with sequences obtained from GenBank, and the analysis of the results revealed 100 % identity with the corresponding sequences of C. cucurbitarum and C. infundibulifera strains. Classification of the Choanephora species performed here according to the key described by Kirk (1984) corresponded with the results of the phylogenetic analysis of this study. Through intraspecific and interspecific mating tests, the characteristics of zygospore were described in details. Pathogenicity tests using both species showed the same symptoms, causing blossom blight and soft rot on the flowers, which were identical to those observed in the field. All identified causal agents of Choanephora rot were indeed Choanephora species, where C. cucurbitarum was identified in the majority, while the others were in the minority of examined samples.     

Comparison Trials of Various Motorised Knapsack Mistblowers at The Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana

Abstract

As a sequel to the work carried out in 1968, and the appendix to the Fourth Quarterly Report of the International Capsid Research Team of that year, further information was required on the performance and efficiency of the mistblowers in current use. With this as the primary objective, a programme was arranged to compare a number of mistblowers, for performance and efficiency and more important, the ability to place a toxic quantity of insecticide in all parts of the cocoa tree to control capsid infestation. There are several spray programmes being carried out at the Institute and the equipment in use is similar to that used by farmers for capsid control.

For the purpose of the comparison trials, seven mistblowers were taken from the workshop stores and this number included four that are normally in use for routine spraying. The eighth machine was new and of a type submitted for tests in 1968 to the Chief Cocoa Officer and his staff, as part of an offer to tender. Two were of the same type as originally sold to farmers under the government subsidy scheme about 1960 and had been in use continually from that date. Four of the machines had been repaired several times and in several instances, improvised patching had been carried out. Whilst it can be accepted that all the mistblowers selected could deliver insecticide to hand-height, which is the extent of the capsid assessment count, the information required was, how far up in the canopy would the machines deliver the spray. In brief, were the machines at present being used by individual farmers, capable of applying insecticides at varying heights of cocoa trees, to give adequate control of the capsids. With this object being the first priority, various tests were devised to ascertain the efficiency and performance of each machine. Throughout the trials each machine was designated by a letter and this will be used in all references in this report.

This letter code is:—

• A = Kyoritsu DM701 (1969)

• B = Holder Supra (1961)

• C = Solo Port 60. Type 40010 (1964)

• D = Solo Port Super 60 Type 40114 (1969)

• E = Solo Port 423 (1968)

• F = Solo Junior 35 (410) (1963)

• G = Allman L35.R (1969)

• H = KWH. L25 (1960)

     

Genetic structure of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pyrenophora teres</Emphasis> f. <Emphasis Type="Italic">teres</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">P. teres</Emphasis> f. <Emphasis Type="Italic">maculata</Emphasis> populations from western Canada

Infection by Pyrenophora teres f. teres (Ptt) or P. teres f. maculata (Ptm), the causal agents of the net and spot forms of net blotch of barley, respectively, can result in significant yield losses. The genetic structure of a collection of 128 Ptt and 92 Ptm isolates from the western Canadian provinces of Alberta (55 Ptt, 27 Ptm), Saskatchewan (58 Ptt, 46 Ptm) and Manitoba (15 Ptt, 19 Ptm) were analyzed by simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker analysis. Thirteen SSR loci were examined and found to be polymorphic within both Ptt and Ptm populations. In total, 110 distinct alleles were identified, with 19 of these shared between Ptt and Ptm, 75 specific to Ptt, and 16 specific to Ptm. Genotypic diversity was relatively high, with a clonal fraction of approximately 10 % within Ptt and Ptm populations. Significant genetic differentiation (PhiPT = 0.230, P = 0.001) was found among all populations; 77 % of genetic variation occurred within populations and 23 % between populations. Lower, but still significant genetic differentiation (PhiPT = 0.038, P = 0.001) was detected in Ptt, with 96 % of genetic variation occurring within populations. No significant genetic differentiation (PhiPT = 0.010, P = 0.177) was observed among Ptm populations. Isolates clustered in two distinct groups conforming to Ptt or Ptm, with no intermediate cluster. The high number of haplotypes observed, combined with an equal mating type ratio for both forms of the fungus, suggests that P. teres goes through regular cycles of sexual recombination in western Canada.     

Shift in the level of susceptibility and relative resistance of brinjal shoot and fruit borer <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leucinodes orbonalis</Emphasis> (Guen) to diamide insecticides

Brinjal shoot and fruit borer Leucinodes orbonalis Guen. is a major pest of brinjal in India. The field collected larvae of L.orbonalis were tested for their susceptibility to three diamide insecticides by fruit dip bioassay technique. Cyantraniliprole and chlorantraniliprole were 5.23 and 2.80 times more toxic to L. orbonalis as compared to flubendiamide. Large variation in the susceptibility of L. orbonalis to cyantraniliprole, chlorantraniliprole, flubendiamide was observed and the LC₅₀ values were 0.084, 0.157 and 0.439 mg a.i. L^?1, respectively. In span of two years there was a significant increase in the LC₅₀ values of cyantraniliprole (0.062 to 0.085 mg a.i. L^?1), chlorantraniliprole (0.097 to 0.157 mg a.i. L^?1), flubendiamide (0.284 to 0.439 mg a.i. L^?1) to population of L. orbonalis, which showed 1.35, 1.62 and 1.55 fold resistance, respectively indicating faster development of resistance to diamide insecticides.