Witches' broom disease on cocoa in Rondonia, Brazil: pod infection in relation to pod susceptibility, wetness, inoculum, and phytosanitation

Infection of cocoa pods by Crinipellis perniciosa was examined in the field in relation to pod susceptibility and variations in inoculum and climate over 2 years. The disease was incubated for 13 or 14 weeks in pods inoculated when 2 and 4 weeks old, and for 12 weeks in pods inoculated 6-12 weeks old. Pods were uniformly susceptible to natural infection during the 12 weeks after pollination. Over 75% of rain showers started between 12.00 and 02.00 h, providing sufficient water to rehydrate basidiocarps as well as to wet pods. Pods remained wet after rainfall for decreasing periods when rain occurred after 13.00 h. Incidence of pod disease was shown to be related to the number of wetness periods longer than 4 h, and to the number of open turgid basidiocarps occurring 12 weeks earlier. Wetness periods had a greater influence on disease. Pod infection was modelled by assuming that infection was limited by either wetness periods or turgid basidiocarp numbers; critical numbers of wetness periods when both factors were of equal weight were defined by an exponential equation. The model was used to predict reductions in pod disease associated with different amounts of broom removal in each year.     

Comparison of cuprous oxide and metalaxyl with mixtures of these fungicides for thecontrol of Phytophthora pod rot of cocoa

Experiments were conducted using small-scale, detached pod evaluation methods to compare the likely effectiveness in controlling black pod of cuprous oxide-metalaxyl mixtures with these fungicides alone at approximately equivalent cost doses. All fungicide treatments were about equally effective and persistent except when rain fell soon afterspraying. Treatments containing cuprous oxide then gave very poor control of artificialinoculations with Phytophthora palmivora zoospores . Further laboratory' scale tests confirmed that cuprous oxide was readily leached by washing before the deposit completely dried whereas metalaxyl was very rapidly adsorbed on to ihe pods. A black pod control strategy is proposed using metalaxyi during critical wet periods and cuprous oxide for the rest of the year to reduce the possibility of metalaxyl resistance becoming apractical problem.     

气候变暖对新疆乌昌地区棉花产量的影响——以玛纳斯、呼图壁县为例

以新疆乌昌地区棉花主产区的玛纳斯、呼图壁县为例,利用1981-2009年两县的棉花产量数据和同期气温资料,在对近29年年平均气温、棉花生长季平均气温、≥10℃积温和无霜期等热量条件变化趋势和变化特征研究分析的基础上,就不同生长发育时段热量条件对棉花产量形成的满足程度进行了分析,结果显示,29年来大部分时段的温度变化对棉花生长发育和产量形成并无促进作用,从气候变暖对棉花产量形成机理方面,提出了趋利避害的对策建议。     

Spatio-temporal dynamics on a plot scale of cocoa black pod rot caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phytophthora megakarya</Emphasis> in Cameroon

Black pod disease is caused by several species of Phytophthora. In Cameroon, the disease is mainly due to Phytophtora megakarya. The pathogen attacks cocoa pods and can lead to almost total production losses in a plot if no control measures are applied. To control the disease, several research programmes are being conducted: breeding for increased resistance, development of several biocontrol or agronomic methods. However, for better use of a specific method it is useful to have a good understanding of several epidemiological processes and more effectively know how the disease is distributed in the field. The purpose of this study was to describe the spatial development of the disease in several cocoa fields in Cameroon. In particular, we determined the spatial relation of the disease using several tools, including geostatistics models and Moran indices. The results indicated that the disease was not randomly distributed, while correlations between neighbouring cocoa trees existed. The relationships were detected up to a distance of between 7 and 9 m, revealing the wide dispersal pattern of the pathogen over short distances. No spatial structure was found in the spread of the disease in the oldest cocoa plantations and the inoculum was dispersed throughout the plot. Disease dispersal over short distances should make it possible to adapt control methods by attempting to confine the first disease foci in young plots. Research should also be undertaken to limit inoculum dispersal.     

Frosty pod of cacao: a disease with a limited geographic range but unlimited potential for damage

ABSTRACT Moniliophthora roreri, the cause of frosty pod rot (FP), is a specialized fungal pathogen (family Marasmiaceae) that invades only actively growing pods of cacao, Theobroma cacao, and related species of Theobroma and Herrania. FP damages pods and the commercially important seeds that some of these species produce. M. roreri was confined to northwestern South America until the 1950s. Its appearance in Panama in 1956 signaled a change in its geographic distribution. Now, it is found in 11 countries in tropical America. The fungus is currently in an active dispersal phase, possibly due to an increase in human-mediated spread. FP is more destructive than black pod (Phytophthora spp.) and more dangerous and difficult to control than witches' broom, caused by Moniliophthora (Crinipellis) perniciosa. The aggressiveness of M. roreri, its capacity to survive different environmental conditions, its rapid natural dispersal, its propensity for man-mediated dispersal, and the susceptibility of most commercial cacao genotypes, all indicate that FP presents a substantial threat to cacao cultivation worldwide.     

Wheat dwarf virus in Ukraine: occurrence,molecular characterization and impact on the yield

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Wheat dwarf virus (WDV) causes one of the most serious cereal diseases in many countries. In spring 2020, we observed wheat plants with symptoms of severe...     

半干旱区春小麦水分与产量关系及其影响因素分析

水分是影响半干旱雨养作物生长、发育及产量形成最重要的环境因素。以中国西北半干旱区田间试验为基础,收集长期观测资料和文献数据,分析春小麦产量与水分之间的关系及其环境影响因素,揭示不同环境条件下春小麦水分限制特征和调控机制。研究表明：半干旱区常规管理水平下,雨养春小麦产量与水分间的关系相对稳定,然而播前土壤储水影响生育期降水与春小麦产量间的关系,不同播前土壤储水条件下,每增加1 mm降水量,春小麦产量的增加量分别为21.3 kg·hm^-2和16.8 kg·hm^-2。生育期大气干湿条件（潜在蒸发量与降水的差值）对播前土壤储水与春小麦产量间的关系也有影响,其中大气较为干燥时（潜在蒸发量与降水的差值大于425 mm）,产量与土壤水分间关系斜率为22.9 kg·hm^-2·mm^-1,大气较为湿润时（潜在蒸发量与降水的差值小于425 mm）,斜率为20.1 kg·hm^-2·mm^-1。相较生育期降水,播前土壤储水对春小麦产量更具有决定性作用。半干旱雨养春小麦的气候年型由播前土壤储水和生育期大气干湿条件共同决定。增加播前土壤水分储量、在生育期的特定阶段灌溉均会改变小麦耗水量与产量之间的关系,并最终导致小麦水分利用效率发生变化。大气干湿条件和灌溉条件共同导致中国西北不同地区春小麦边界函数存在差异。     

On-farm selection for quality and resistance to pest/diseases of cocoa in Sulawesi: (ii) quality and performance of selections against Phytophthora pod rot and vascular-streak dieback

The cocoa industry in Sulawesi, the main region of cocoa production in Indonesia, is threatened by destructive diseases, including vascular-streak dieback (VSD) caused by the basidiomycete Oncobasidium theobromae and stem canker and Phytophthora pod rot (PPR) or black pod, caused by Phytophthora palmivora. Using the considerable genetic diversity of cocoa on farms, host resistance was identified and tested with the participation of farmers. Forty-nine local and international cocoa selections with promising resistance characteristics (as well as susceptible controls) were side-grafted onto mature cocoa in a replicated trial with single-tree plots. Developing grafts were assessed in the dry season for severity of VSD infection, scored from 0 (no infection) to 4 (graft death). All of the 49 clones in the trial became infected with VSD in at least some replicates. Average severity varied from 0.2 to 1.6. Potential VSD-resistance was found in eight clones, including DRC 15, KA2 106 and a local Sulawesi selection, VSD2Ldg. Some of the most susceptible clones were local Sulawesi selections from areas with a history of little or no VSD. Thirty-four pod-bearing clones were evaluated over a 2-year period for yield, quality and resistance to natural infections of PPR. Cumulative PPR incidence for all clones was 22% but varied from 8.6 to 43% among clones. Clones with less than 15% PPR incidence were designated as resistant, including DRC 16 and local Sulawesi selections, Aryadi 1, Aryadi 3 and VSD1Ldg. Scavina 12 was moderately resistant in the trial with a PPR incidence of 23%. Cumulative incidences of the mirid, Helopeltis spp., determined in the same evaluation period, indicated that DRC16 was the most susceptible clone with an incidence of 52% in ripe pods and 23% in immature pods. In comparison, KKM4 showed evidence of resistance to Helopeltis spp., with incidences of 34 and 0.8% in ripe and immature pods, respectively. The impact of diseases and pests (including cocoa pod borer) on bean losses and bean quality varied between clones but generally the bean size (or bean count) was affected more than the fat content or shell content.     

The impact of global warming on plant diseases and insect vectors in Sweden

Cold winters and geographic isolation have hitherto protected the Nordic countries from many plant pathogens and insect pests, leading to a comparatively low input of pesticides. The changing climate is projected to lead to a greater rise in temperature in this region, compared to the global mean. In Scandinavia, a milder and more humid climate implies extended growing seasons and possibilities to introduce new crops, but also opportunities for crop pests and pathogens to thrive in the absence of long cold periods. Increased temperatures, changed precipitation patterns and new cultivation practices may lead to a dramatic change in crop health. Examples of diseases and insect pest problems predicted to increase in incidence and severity due to global warming are discussed.     

Assessment of drought and its impact on winter wheat yield in the Chinese Loess Plateau

Drought has pronounced and immediate impacts on agricultural production, especially in semi-arid and arid rainfed agricultural regions. Quantification of drought and its impact on crop yield is essential to agricultural water resource management and food security. We investigated drought and its impact on winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield in the Chinese Loess Plateau from 2001 to 2015. Specifically, we performed a varimax rotated principal component analysis on drought severity index (DSI) separately for four winter wheat growth periods: pre-sowing growth period (PG), early growth period (EG), middle growth period (MG), and late growth period (LG), resulting in three major subregional DSI dynamics for each growth period. The county-level projections of these major dynamics were then used to evaluate the growth period-specific impacts of DSI on winter wheat yields by using multiple linear regression analysis. Our results showed that the growth period-specific subregions had different major DSI dynamics. During PG, the northwestern area exhibited a rapid wetting trend, while small areas in the south showed a slight drying trend. The remaining subregions fluctuated between dryness and wetness. During EG, the northeastern and western areas exhibited a mild wetting trend. The remaining subregions did not display clear wetting or drying trends. During MG, the eastern and southwestern areas showed slight drying and wetting trends, respectively. The subregions scattered in the north and south had a significant wetting trend. During LG, large areas in the east and west exhibited wetting trends, whereas small parts in south-central area had a slight drying trend. Most counties in the north showed significant and slight wetting trends during PG, EG, and LG, whereas a few southwestern counties exhibited significant drying trends during PG and MG. Our analysis identified close and positive relationships between yields and DSI during LG, and revealed that almost all of the counties were vulnerable to drought. Similar but less strong relationships existed for MG, in which northeastern and eastern counties were more drought-vulnerable than other counties. In contrast, a few drought-sensitive counties were mainly located in the southwestern and eastern areas during PG, and in the northeastern corner of the study region during EG. Overall, our study dissociated growth period-specific and spatial location-specific impacts of drought on winter wheat yield, and might contribute to a better understanding of monitoring and early warning of yield loss.     

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.     

Host specialization of Verticillium dahliae, with emphasis on isolates from cocoa (Theobroma cacao)

Isolates of Verticillium dahliae from cocoa (four Brazilian and one Ugandan) were screened against cocoa, aubergine, tomato, cotton, and pepper. Isolates originating from hosts other than cocoa were also inoculated. In general, all inoculated crops were systemically invaded by isolates from cocoa. Isolates from each host tended to be more aggressive on their original host. All isolates from cocoa were pathogenic to cocoa, but exhibited various degrees of aggressiveness to other crops. They induced severe symptoms on aubergine, but few symptoms on tomato, although colonization occurred up to the stem apex in both cases. Likewise, symptomless invasion of pepper was found with some Brazilian isolates. The Ugandan isolate was significantly more aggressive on cotton and pepper than the Brazilian isolates.
A Brazilian isolate from cocoa from the State of Bahia was also used to inoculate 12 common weed species from the same geographical area. Four species showed wilt symptoms, while V. dahliae was readily recovered from the stems of a further four species. The role of alternative hosts on disease spread in cocoa growing areas is discussed.     

Yucca schidigera extract: a potential biofungicide against seedborne pathogens of sorghum

Treatment of seeds with an aqueous extract of yucca (YE), Yucca schidigera, was evaluated for antifungal activity against seedborne pathogens as well as its effect on seed germination and seedling growth of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor). The antifungal effect of YE was observed against Leptosphaeria sacchari (syn. Phoma sorghina) when the extract was applied at 2·5 and 10% concentrations. At 10% concentration, YE significantly reduced not only the incidence of L. sacchari, but also that of Fusarium spp., Cochliobolus lunatus (syn. Curvularia lunata) and Cladosporium spp. The effect of 10% YE on seedborne fungi was broader than the fungicide fludioxonil, particularly with regard to Fusarium. Furthermore, the number of normal, healthy‐looking seedlings increased in a dose‐responsive manner with YE treatment. Seedling vigour was also stimulated by YE but no correlation was observed with the concentrations tested. Under glasshouse conditions, the treatment of seeds with 10% YE increased the emergence of seedlings and plant height and reduced the number of seedlings with crown rot compared to negative controls and saponin. The positive effect was similar to the effect obtained with fungicide‐treated seeds. Treatment of seeds with synthetic saponin inhibited seedborne fungi less effectively and also negatively affected germination and vigour of the seedlings, compared to the treatment with YE. The results demonstrate an agronomic potential for the use of YE as a biofungicide for seed treatment of sorghum. The difference between the antifungal and the vigour‐stimulating effects of YE warrants further investigation.     

Trichomes: interaction sites of tomato leaves with biotrophic powdery mildew pathogens

The present study aimed to explore the possibility of using the type I trichomes of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) to monitor the infection processes of powdery mildews by microscopy. Individual trichome cells of two tomato genotypes were inoculated with pathogenic and non-pathogenic powdery mildew species, Pseudoidium neolycopersici, Erysiphe trifoliorum and Podosphaera xanthii. On the trichome cells of the tomato cultivar Moneymaker, hyphae of the pathogenic Pseudoidium neolycopersici (isolates KTP-03 and KTP-04) grew vigorously; whereas hyphal growth of the non-pathogenic Erysiphe trifoliorum and Podosphaera xanthii ceased after appressorium formation, which was associated with papilla formation and hypersensitive cell death, respectively. Similar infection processes of the tested powdery mildews were seen in Moneymaker epidermal cells. Therefore, tomato trichomes are suitable for analysing, at individual cell level, the infection processes of different pathotypes of powdery mildews and for observing the cytological responses of plants by non-pathogenic powdery mildews. On the other hand, it was observed that both isolates KTP-03 and KTP-04 failed to produce conidiophores on the hyphae elongating on Moneymaker trichomes. Similarly, no conidiophores were produced on the hyphae elongating on trichomes of Solanum peruvianum LA2172, which is resistant to KTP-03 and susceptible to KTP-04. Interestingly, delayed cell death occurred in LA2172 epidermal cells, which were attacked by KTP-03 hyphae elongating from trichomes and conidiophores were formed on new hyphae growing from the leaf epidermal cells. Thus, leaf trichomes and epidermal cells of the wild tomato species LA2172 reacted differently to the avirulent isolate KTP-03.     

Witches' broom disease on cocoa in Rondonia, Brazil: basidiocarp production on detached brooms in the field

Fruiting of Crinipellis perniciosa was assessed in relation to various climatic factors using dead witches' brooms detached from cocoa, either suspended in the canopy or laid on leaf litter under cocoa. Induction of basidiocarp production occurred over approximately 60 days with rain. Basidiocarps were finally observed on about 85% of brooms in all samples examined and induction of fruiting required at least 17 rainy days, although brooms with a minimum age of 2 years produced basidiocarps about 25 days before brooms with a minimum age of 1 year. Groups of brooms showed distinct cycles of basidiocarp production, and up to 50% of fruiting occurred on dead, attached leaves, Fruiting was reduced on brooms on leaf litter and basidiocarps survived for less time than when brooms were suspended in canopy. Brooms were most productive with moderate amounts of wetness per day, and less than 4 h or more than 20h was inhibitory. No fruiting occurred at mean air temperatures higher than 30°C or lower than 20°C. The microclimate of the litter layer is discussed in relation to reduction of fruiting caused by pruning of brooms.     

Pleiotropic effects of herbicide‐resistance genes on crop yield: a review

The rapid adoption of genetically engineered herbicide‐resistant crop varieties (HRCVs)—encompassing 83% of all GM crops and nearly 8% of the worldwide arable area—is due to technical efficiency and higher returns. Other herbicide‐resistant varieties obtained from genetic resources and mutagenesis have also been successfully released. Although the benefit for weed control is the main criteria for choosing HRCVs, the pleiotropic costs of genes endowing resistance have rarely been investigated in crops. Here the available data of comparisons between isogenic resistant and susceptible varieties are reviewed. Pleiotropic harmful effects on yield are reported in half of the cases, mostly with resistance mechanisms that originate from genetic resources and mutagenesis (atrazine in oilseed rape and millet, trifluralin in millet, imazamox in cotton) rather than genetic engineering (chlorsulfuron and glufosinate in some oilseed rape varieties, glyphosate in soybean). No effect was found for sethoxydim and bromoxynil resistance. Variable minor effects were found for imazamox, chlorsulfuron, glufosinate and glyphosate resistance. The importance of the breeding plan and the genetic background on the emergence of these effects is pointed out. Breeders' efforts to produce better varieties could compensate for the yield loss, which eliminates any possibility of formulating generic conclusions on pleiotropic effects that can be applied to all resistant crops. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

CO2浓度升高与增温对马铃薯产量 及品质的复合影响

于2016—2017年在黄土高原半干旱区,利用新型开顶式气室（OTC）,开展CO₂浓度升高与大气增温对马铃薯产量及品质的影响试验,研究CO₂浓度增加和温度升高对马铃薯发育过程、产量及品质的复合影响。结果表明：增温+CO₂浓度升高复合处理的叶片净光合速率比增温处理高36.3%,较对照高34.7%;马铃薯叶片的水分利用率表现为增温+CO₂浓度升高复合处理高于对照47.4%,高于单独增温处理43.4%;马铃薯实际产量和块茎蛋白质含量表现为CO₂浓度上升+增温处理高于对照12.9%、37.0%,高于单独增温处理59.7%、6.3%。在增温的同时增加CO₂浓度,使得马铃薯叶片净光合速率增加,水分利用率增大,有机物积累增多,经济产量提高。     

苜蓿切叶蜂种群数量对苜蓿结荚率和产量的影响

<正>紫花苜蓿Medicago sativa是豆科多年生牧草,因其产量高、品质好、营养全、适口性良好,被称为“牧草之王”。紫花苜蓿具有较强的抗寒、耐旱、耐盐碱等抗逆性和修复能力,具有显著的经济效益和生态效益（刘晨曦等,2004）。2000年以来,我国紫花苜蓿的种植面积不断扩大,但制种是制约苜蓿产业发展的瓶颈,而授粉是影响紫花苜蓿制种的关键因子。苜蓿切叶蜂Megachile rotundata属膜翅目蜜蜂总科切叶蜂科,是苜蓿最重要的传粉昆虫。     

Auxin‐mediated relationships between apple plants and root inhabiting fungi: impact on root pathogens and potentialities of growth‐promoting populations

This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between plant hosts and root‐colonizing fungi recovered from apple orchard soils that had been replanted over multiple generations. Functional relationships of three groups of filamentous fungi (Ceratobasidium sp., Cylindrocarpon‐like group and Fusarium acuminatum) with apple rootstocks were evaluated in plant growth bioassays. The Cylindrocarpon‐like group and Ceratobasidium sp. showed a relationship with the host plant varying from pathogenic to commensal through to mutualistic for the latter group, while that of F. acuminatum tended to be mutualistic. Seven fungal isolates of each group, which induced the highest plant growth in bioassays, were evaluated for auxin (IAA) and gibberellin (GA₃ and GA₄) production in culture filtrate. All isolates of F. acuminatum as well as most of those of the Ceratobasidium sp. and Cylindrocarpon‐like groups produced IAA in culture filtrate. IAA production was evaluated for additional isolates of endophytic fungal species from fruit tree orchards and the functionality of IAA was confirmed by growing in vitro micropropagated plantlets of apple rootstock on MS medium supplemented with fungal culture filtrate. Findings from this study may explain the difficulty in defining the precise role of diverse root‐colonizing fungal populations in replant disease aetiology of fruit tree orchards. However, the results demonstrate the presence of a positive and widely available biotic component of the orchard soil biology that may be exploited for the benefit of tree growth and production.