The Importance of Wind Gusts in Distributing Fungal Spores Among Crop Foliage1

New measurements show that in a barley crop wind gusts of more than five times the mean speed occur frequently. Moreover, for the impaction of fungal spores to crop foliage, the known dependence of impaction efficiency on wind speed shows that at low speeds the efficiency increases rapidly as wind speed rises. If it is wind gusts that cause spores to be lifted from plant surfaces and to enter the airstream, then calculations show that in a gusting wind the efficiency of impaction to surfaces will be higher than would be predicted from the mean wind speed. These findings are supported by results from field experiments that investigated the lift-off from plant surfaces and from metal plates, respectively, of spores of Erysiphe graminis (barley mildew) and of lycopodium (club moss). This influence of gusts may thus explain in part why, within crops, spore concentration and deposition change rapidly with distance from spore source.     

A model simulating deposition of Venturia inaequalis ascospores on apple trees*

Based on existing physical theories and models, a dynamic model estimating the concentration of Venturia inaequalis ascospores in the orchard air and their deposition on apple leaves was elaborated. The model produces two main outputs: number of ascospores deposited per leaf and proportion of ascospores discharged from pseudothecia deposited onto the leaves. The model has a relatively simple structure, and computations are based on few algorithms, which are implemented on an electronic data sheet of common use. Nevertheless, it preserves the accuracy of more complex physical models reasonably well. The model includes the effect of meteorological conditions and horticultural characteristics, and thus provides information for each type of orchard. Few input variables are required: wind speed and rainfall rate can be measured in standard meteorological stations; horticultural characteristics of the orchard can be determined for each type of orchard. The model produces conservative estimates of ascospore deposition, because it assumes a complete retention of the spores deposited by rainfall and does not consider either deposition on stems and flowers or the spatial distribution of plant surfaces. After further validation under orchard conditions, the model will be used to obtain better estimates of scab infection risk in current scab control strategies.     

Short-distance wind dispersal of the fungal pathogens causing Sigatoka diseases in banana and plantain

Airborne spores of the fungal pathogens causing Sigatoka diseases in banana and plantain were monitored using rotorod spore traps, sited at various heights within an infected plantation in Costa Rica from December 1993 to February 1994. Different capture patterns of ascospores and conidia were found and the relationship between wind behaviour and spore catches was investigated. This information has enabled an assessment to be made of the reliability of point measurements of airborne spores for monitoring spore movements on the plantation scale. The use of such information in forecasting the airborne movement of these spores and the likely role of the wind in the spread of this disease to uninfected areas is discussed.     

Optimization designs of artificial facilities in deserts based on computational simulation

Sediment transport of sand particles by wind is one of the main processes leading todesertification in arid regions, which severely impairs the ability of mankind to produce and live by driftingsand into settlements. Optimization designs of artificial facilities have lately attracted extensive interest forhuman settlement systems in deserts because of their acceptable protection effect, convenience ofimplementation, and low material cost. However, the complexity of a settlement system poses challengesconcerning finding suitable materials, artificial facilities, and optimization designs for sand depositionprotection. In an effort to overcome these challenges, we propose a settlement system built with brick, solarpanel, and building arrays to meet the basic needs of human settlements in arid regions while preventingwind-sand disasters. The wind flow and movement characteristics of sand particles in the brick, panel, andbuilding arrays were calculated using computational fluid dynamics and discrete phase model. Theperformance of three types of arrays in wind-sand flow in terms of decreasing the wind velocity and sandparticleinvasion distance was evaluated. The results show that the wind velocity near the surface and thesand invasion distance were significantly decreased in the space between the brick arrays through properlyselected vertical size and interspaces, indicating that the brick arrays have an impressive sand fixing andblocking performance;their effective protection distance was 3–4 m. The building arrays increased the nearsurfacewind velocity among buildings, resulting in less deposition of sand particles. The solar panel arrayswere similar to the building arrays in most cases, but the deposition of sand particles on solar panels exerteda negative effect on energy utilization efficiency. Therefore, taking the optimal configuration of thesettlement system into consideration, this study concludes that (1) brick arrays, which were proven effectivein preventing sand particles, must be arranged in an upwind area;(2) solar panel arrays could accelerate thewind flow, so they are best to be arranged at the place where sand particles deposited easily;and (3) buildingarrays present a better arrangement in downwind areas.     

Spatial distribution of dust deposition during dust storms in Cele Oasis,on the southern margin of the Tarim Basin

The Cele Oasis, located in the southern margin of the Tarim Basin and in the northern foot plain of the Kunlun Mountains, has suffered serious dust storm disasters. To identify the spatial distribution of dust deposition in the oasis, dust samples were collected at eight sites using passive dry samplers, and dust deposition rates and particle sizes were measured. Results indicated that with wind blowing in a single direction, dust deposition rates increased windward from the outside of the oasis to the margin, and decreased gradually leeward; with wind blowing in a single directions, the windward margins had higher deposition rates than the other regions. Fine particles of <70 µm were deposited preferentially inside the oasis, where the mean grain size is larger than outside the oasis. The oasis protection system at the margin had a mechanical obstruction effect extending about 2 km from the oasis edge to its exterior, enhancing dust deposition through reducing wind speed. The wind speed recovery, due to the decrease in roughness on the leeward side of the oasis, suppressed deposition of fine particles, resulting in minimum deposition rates and larger mean grain sizes on that side. Although a small amount of harmful dust (such as PM_2.5 and PM₁₀) was deposited during the dust storms, these particles are thought remain in the environment for long periods and prove harmful to human health.     

A Generalized Two-Dimensional Gaussian Model of Disease Foci of Head Blight of Wheat Caused by Gibberella zeae

ABSTRACT A generalized two-dimensional Gaussian model is proposed to describe disease foci of head blight of wheat in plots (100 to 2,500 m(2)) originating from small areas (1 to 16 m(2)) inoculated with Gibberella zeae-colonized corn kernels. These anisotropic, asymmetrical foci arose from ascospores produced in perithecia. The model is Z = exp[-(AX(2) + BY(2) + CXY + DX + EY + F)], in which Z = the incidence of seed or spikelet infection at point (X,Y) located in the plot, exp = the exponential function, X = the abscissa or spatial coordinate of the point along a given axis (approximately parallel to the average wind vector during the period of spore release in these experiments), Y = the ordinate or spatial coordinate of the point along the axis perpendicular to the X axis (approximately perpendicular to the wind direction in these experiments), A and B = the quadratic coefficients of the second-order polynomial AX(2) + BY(2) + CXY + DX + EY + F, C = the bilinear coefficient, D and E = the linear coefficients, and exp(-F) = the incidence of seed or spikelet infection at the focus peak in which X = 0 and Y = 0. The generalized two-dimensional Gaussian model was tested on data from a circular or isotropic focus, an elliptical or anisotropic focus with two axes of symmetry, and two anisotropic foci with one and zero axis of symmetry. Its goodness-of-fit (r(2) and adjusted r(2)) was compared with the inverse power, modified inverse power, exponential, and classical Gaussian models. Submodels using only the linear terms, only the quadratic terms, or combinations selected from stepwise regression procedures using various probabilities to enter and to stay and a procedure maximizing the adjusted r (2) were also considered. Spatial analysis of the residuals was performed using Geary's c coefficient at the first distance class. For the circular and elliptical foci, our model provided a fit similar to the modified inverse power and exponential models. However, for anisotropic foci with one or zero axis of symmetry arising from ascospores influenced by wind direction, the generalized two-dimensional Gaussian model provided a better fit. For these anisotropic foci, the linear term X but not the quadratic term X(2) was generally retained in the model, indicating an exponential gradient in the direction parallel to the wind. In all models, the quadratic term Y(2) was retained, along with Y in some cases, indicating that the gradient in the direction roughly perpendicular to the wind was Gaussian or Gaussian-exponential in shape. The bilinear term XY provided an indication of the orientation of the focus in relation to the axes of the sampling grid. This model has the versatility and parameters (quadratic, bilinear, and linear) to better describe the anisotropy of foci from wind-dispersed spores.     

Splash dispersal of Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides spores in wheat monocrop and wheat–clover bicrop canopies from simulated rain

Simulated rain was allowed to fall onto spore suspensions of Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides . The resulting splash droplets were collected on horizontal traps at the bottom of a canopy and at 12 cm above treatments comprising no-crop, wheat monocrop and a wheat–clover bicrop. The number of conidia collected on horizontal traps declined exponentially with distance from the inoculum source. The mean number of spores collected in the absence of any crop was twice that in a monocrop; in the monocrop it was twice that in the bicrop. Both splash droplet and spore deposition gradients were steeper in the monocrop treatment than in no-crop, and shallower in bicrop than in monocrop. Evidence is presented that suggests the clover canopy acts as a secondary source for the redistribution of previously dispersed droplets and spores.     

Spatial Patterns of Viable Spore Deposition of Gibberella zeae in Wheat Fields

ABSTRACT An increased understanding of the epidemiology of Gibberella zeae will contribute to a rational and informed approach to the management of Fusarium head blight (FHB). An integral phase of the FHB cycle is the deposition of airborne spores, yet there is no information available on the spatial pattern of spore deposition of G. zeae above wheat canopies. We examined spatial patterns of viable spore deposition of G. zeae over rotational (lacking cereal debris) wheat fields in New York in 2002 and 2004. Viable, airborne spores (ascospores and macroconidia) of G. zeae were collected above wheat spikes on petri plates containing a selective medium and the resulting colonies were counted. Spores of G. zeae were collected over a total of 68 field environments (three wheat fields during 54 day and night sample periods over 2 years) from spike emergence to kernel milk stages of local wheat. Spatial patterns of spore deposition were visualized by contour plots of spore counts over entire fields. The spatial pattern of spore deposition was unique for each field environment during each day and night sample period. Spore deposition patterns during individual sample periods were classified by spatial analysis by distance indices (SADIE) statistics and Mantel tests. Both analyses indicated that the majority (93%) of the spore deposition events were random, with the remainder being aggregated. All of the aggregated patterns were observed during the night. Observed patterns of spore deposition were independent of the mean number of viable spores deposited during individual sample periods. The spatial pattern for cumulative spore deposition during anthesis in both years became aggregated over time. Contour maps of daily and cumulative spore deposition could be compared with contour maps of FHB incidence to gain insights into inoculum thresholds and the timing of effective inoculum for infection.     

Persistence of Metarhizium flavoviride and Consequences for Biological Control of Grasshoppers and Locusts

The residual infectivity of an oil formulation of the fungal entomopathogen Metarhizium flavoviride was measured during a field trial against the rice grasshopper, Hieroglyphus daganensis, in north Benin. The pattern of infectivity was shown to decline exponentially following application, with a half-life of 6·8 days. In this environment, infections due to residual spores from the spray were identified as a key route of infection and accounted for 40–50% of the total infection measured 12 days after application. To examine the within- and between-season consequences of such residual infection, a simple host–pathogen model was developed. The model revealed that even very small increases in residual activity could provide large increases in total mortality and that under certain conditions, residual infection was essential for effective pest control. This aspect of the activity of mycopesticides is rarely considered. The implications of these results are discussed in the context of developing optimum spray strategies for locust and grasshopper control under different ecological conditions. © 1997 SCI.     

Wind tunnel test on the effect of metal net fences on sand flux in a Gobi Desert,China

The Lanzhou-Xinjiang High-speed Railway runs through an expansive windy area in a Gobi Desert, and sand-blocking fences were built to protect the railway from destruction by wind-blown sand. However, the shielding effect of the sand-blocking fence is below the expectation. In this study, effects of metal net fences with porosities of 0.5 and 0.7 were tested in a wind tunnel to determine the effectiveness of the employed two kinds of fences in reducing wind velocity and restraining wind-blown sand. Specifically, the horizontal wind velocities and sediment flux densities above the gravel surface were measured under different free-stream wind velocities for the following conditions: no fence at all, single fence with a porosity of 0.5, single fence with a porosity of 0.7, double fences with a porosity of 0.5, and double fences with a porosity of 0.7. Experimental results showed that the horizontal wind velocity was more significantly decreased by the fence with a porosity of 0.5, especially for the double fences. The horizontal wind velocity decreased approximately 65% at a distance of 3.25 m(i.e., 13 H, where H denotes the fence height) downwind the double fences, and no reverse flow or vortex was observed on the leeward side. The sediment flux density decreased exponentially with height above the gravel surface downwind in all tested fences. The reduction percentage of total sediment flux density was higher for the fence with a porosity of 0.5 than for the fence with a porosity of 0.7, especially for the double fences. Furthermore, the decreasing percentage of total sediment flux density decreased with increasing free-stream wind velocity. The results suggest that compared with metal net fence with a porosity of 0.7, the metal net fence with a porosity of 0.5 is more effective for controlling wind-blown sand in the expansive windy area where the Lanzhou-Xinjiang High-speed Railway runs through.     

Epidemiology,prediction and control of onion downy mildew caused byPeronospora destructor

The effect of environmental factors on the development of each stage ofPeronospora destructor (Berk.) Caspary on onions is reviewed. For sporulation to take place, a period of light must precede the period of darkness and high humidity in which spores are formed. Spores are discharged when the relative humidity (RH) is increasing or decreasing, and over a wide range of temperatures. Their discharge is triggered by exposure to red-infrared radiation and by vibration of the leaf. Dissemination of spores follows a daily periodic cycle and spores can be blown by wind over long distances. Duration of spore survival depends on temperature, RH and, especially, the absence of strong radiation. The rate of spore germination is highest at 10°C and declines with the rise in temperature. Germ tubes develop in liquid water, and a continuous period of wetness is required for infection to be completed. Systemic infection is common in cooler climates, where necks of onion bulbs are slow to dry. The principal sources of downy mildew infection by wind-borne spores are systemically infected propagation material, onion volunteer plants, and neighboring older crops.     

A rapid and miniaturized system using Alamar blue to assess fungal spore viability: implications for biosecurity

Long-lasting viable fungal spores are one of the important aspects in emergence, spread and disease development of pathogenic fungi. We developed a rapid and miniaturized system using Alamar Blue (resazurin dye; 7-hydroxy-3H-phenoxazin-3-one 10-oxide) for assessing fungal spore viability, using the ascomycete Leptosphaeria maculans (causing blackleg disease on canola) as a ‘model pathogen’. The assay is dependent on the metabolic activity of viable fungal spores to convert the dark blue of resazurin (maximum absorbance 605 nm) into the pink colour of resorufin (maximum absorbance 573 nm). The Alamar Blue assay uses an optimised micro-titre based format that was far superior for determining fungal spore viability in comparison with current conventional techniques including trypan blue staining, a TC10 cellometer cell counter, or by assessing germination of the spores under the microscope. This new assay was also more rapid and reproducible than current conventional tests to detect viable spores. Viable spores could be reliably detected within two hours. The successful application of the Alamar Blue assay to measure fungal spore viability in the current study has important benefits for biosecurity operations relating to faster and more reliable confirmation of viability of potential invasive exotic fungal pathogens and in minimising any consequent disease outbreaks. The effectiveness of the Alamar Blue assay was confirmed by successfully determining the relative retention times of viable L. maculans ascospores across a range of different potential spore-carrier materials, including steel, fabric, wood, paper, rubber and leather, over a time period of eight months. To further confirm the wide applicability of the Alamar Blue assay, it was successfully applied to detect viable spores of fungal pathogens of diverse taxonomic groups, including Kabatiella caulivora, Magnaporthe oryzae and Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici, and also of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.     

Charges on fungal spores

A survey is made of the use of microelectrophoresis to study surface charges on fungal spores in aqueous suspension. The method involves observation of individual spores under the microscope and measurement of rates of migration in a known potential gradient. Charge characteristics can be modified by specific chemical and enzymic treatments and provide a means of identifying surface ionogenic groups. The technique has also been used to demonstrate the presence of surface lipid. The surface components of a wide range of fungal spores are discussed. Studies of reactions of cationic fungicides at the surface of spores and stabilised protoplasts are also reviewed.     

The use of ergosterol in the pathogenic fungusBipolaris sorokiniana for resistance rating of barley cultivars

Ergosterol content in the plant pathogenic fungusBipolaris sorokiniana was determined in different matrices including mycelium, spores, culture filtrate and infected barley leaves. Ergosterol was extracted with methanol, hydrolysed with KOH and quantified by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Our procedure was used to study how the ergosterol concentration ofB. sorokiniana varied due to fungal age and nutrient availability when growing in liquid medium. It was found that the ergosterol content decreased with fungal age. The decrease was not due to leakage. It was also found that a change to a less nutrient-rich medium caused an increase in ergosterol content whereas a change to a rich medium led to a decrease. The procedure was also used for quantification of fungal infections in complex matrices (e.g. leaves). The development of fungal infection in barley leaves was followed during 10 days. Visual grading of leaf spots was also compared to ergosterol content in three varieties of barley. The ergosterol content in the leaves increased exponentially until day 7, and the grading of the leaf spots was correlated to the ergosterol content. Our results show that, despite a great variation, ergosterol may be used as a biomarker to detect and quantify fungal infections in a given matrix.     

AnthracnoseTracer: A Spatiotemporal Model for Simulating the Spread of Anthracnose in a Lupin Field

ABSTRACT A spatiotemporal model has been developed to simulate the spread of anthracnose, initiated by infected seed, in a lupin field. The model quantifies the loss of healthy growing points of lupin in all 1-m(2) subunits of a field throughout a growing season. The development of growing points is modeled as a function of temperature using a 1-day time step, and disease-induced compensatory growth is accounted for. Dispersal of spores is simulated explicitly using Monte Carlo techniques. Spread of spores occurs during rainfall events on a 1-h time step. The distance traveled by spores is partially dependent on wind speed and is generated by adding the values selected from half-Cauchy distributions. The direction of travel of the spores is influenced by wind direction. The model has been employed to produce a theoretical assessment of damage from disease in two environments at five levels of seed infection. It was calculated that in a susceptible lupin cultivar with a 0.01% initial seed infection, anthracnose would cause approximately 15% loss of healthy growing points in a high rainfall environment in Western Australia. In a low rainfall environment, similar damage would be unlikely even with a much higher (1%) level of seed infection.     

The effect of fungal density on fungicide dose–response curves in barley powdery mildew (Erysiphe graminis f.sp. hordei)

The effect of inoculation density on fungicide dose–response curves and the estimated ED₅₀ value (the fungicide concentration needed to halve the infected leaf area relative to the infected area of leaves that had not been treated with a fungicide) were investigated theoretically, and predictions were tested experimentally using powdery mildew of barley ( Erysiphe graminis [syn. Blumeria graminis ] f.sp. hordei ). A host leaf was assumed to consist of a number of independent compartments, in each of which only a single fungal spore could germinate successfully. The number of fungal spores landing in a compartment was assumed to be Poisson-distributed. The spores were assumed to vary in their sensitivity toward a fungicide, and the sensitivity of the spore population was assumed to be normally distributed around a mean sensitivity. Under these assumptions, the ED₅₀ value was shown to be a positively biased estimate of the mean sensitivity in the fungal population, and the bias increased with inoculum density. Consequently, the estimated ED₅₀ value is expected to vary between experiments and laboratories if the inoculation density varies over a considerable range. The correlation between inoculum density and estimated ED₅₀ value is expected to be strongest when the assayed fungal population consists of several genotypes differing in sensitivity. This expectation was tested by estimating the ED₅₀ values for one barley powdery mildew isolate at different inoculation densities for three different fungicides. These ED₅₀ values were positively correlated strongly with the inoculum density for fenpropimorph and more weakly for triadimenol, whereas no correlation was observed for propiconazole.     

Anisotropy, in density and in distance, of the dispersal of yellow rust of wheat: experiments in large field plots and estimation

ABSTRACT Long-distance dispersal of spores generally presents anisotropy. This anisotropy can appear in the mean number of spores deposited along a given direction (anisotropy in density) and in the mean distance that a spore travels in a given direction (anisotropy in distance). Specific experiments together with a statistical methodology are proposed to study this effect. The experiments are based on the use of a point source of a traceable inoculum and susceptible trap plots in large resistant field plots. The anisotropy is characterized by two functions: a directional density function and a mean distance function which are related with the anisotropies in density and distance, respectively. A nonparametric approach is developed to estimate these functions and to help in choosing a parametric model. Then, the parametric model is estimated. In two field experiments, migrations up to 175 and 225 m from the source were detected, with approximately 25% of the trap plots infected. Whatever the experiment, the two estimated anisotropies presented different shapes (i.e., the number of spores dispersed in a given direction was not proportional to the mean distance travelled by these spores).     

Temporal and spatial propagule deposition patterns of the emerging fungal pathogen of chestnut Gnomoniopsis castaneae in orchards of north-western Italy

Two chestnut (Castanea sativa) orchards of north-western Italy were sampled with passive spore traps 35 times over 24 months. Samples were analysed through a newly developed quantitative PCR assay to quantify propagule loads of the emerging fungal pathogen Gnomoniopsis castaneae. Average propagule deposition patterns were assessed along with temporal and climatic variables, including sampling month and season, temperatures, relative humidity, precipitations, and wind. Machine learning algorithms combining information theory, fractal analysis, unbiased recursive partitioning, ordinary least squares and logistic regressions, were used to model propagule deposition patterns. The trained models were validated on independent data gathered from 24 samplings conducted in a third chestnut orchard during the same timeframe. Results showed that propagule deposition rate (DR) was variable within and among sites, with a site average ranging from 173 to 765 spores ⋅m⁻² ⋅h⁻¹. Propagule deposition was observed across all seasons, although the DR dropped substantially during wintertime (p < 0.05). Mean, maximum, and minimum temperatures, the growing degree days at 0 and 5℃ thresholds, and wind gust were all positively correlated (p < 0.05) with DR of G. castaneae. The trained models were all significant (p < 0.05), as well as their validation (p < 0.05). Fluctuations of propagule deposition throughout the year were consistent among sites and proved to be driven by temperatures. Wind gust was associated with the overall amount of propagules deposited at site level. In future, the increase in temperatures and strong winds as a result of climate change may boost the spread of G. castaneae.     

多堆柄锈菌孢子数量与病情以及气象因素的相关性分析

 为了解空气中引起玉米南方锈病病原菌多堆柄锈菌孢子数量与田间病情的关系以及气象因素对孢子和病情的影响,于2017年6 ~9月,在中国农业大学开封实验站,监测空气中多堆柄锈菌的孢子动态,并调查病情和记录气象数据,分别利用Pearson 和Spearman等级相关分析孢子数量与病情以及气象因素与孢子数量和病情的相关性,进一步利用多元逐步回归分析构建病害预测模型。结果表明,在调查日期内(8 月 5~26日),孢子数量呈现先升后降的趋势;孢子的空间分布和扩散方向与风向基本一致。8 d前和3 d前的孢子数量均与病情呈显著正相关(P＜0.01),相关系数分别为0.720和0.755。孢子浓度与温度(≥27℃)、日照时数呈显著负相关;8d 前的气象因素能够显著影响田间病情的发生。建立了玉米南方锈病病害预测模型:Y= 70.938+ 0.009 SC-2.180 MT(其中Y表示的是病情指数, SC表示孢子数量,MT表示日平均气温,R²为0.716),为病情预测提供指导。     

Long‐distance dispersal and its influence on adaptation to host resistance in a heterogeneous landscape

Small propagules like pollen or fungal spores may be dispersed by the wind over distances of hundreds or thousands of kilometres, even though the median dispersal may be only a few metres. Such long‐distance dispersal is a stochastic event which may be exceptionally important in shaping a population. It has been found repeatedly in field studies that subpopulations of wind‐dispersed fungal pathogens virulent on cultivars with newly introduced, effective resistance genes are dominated by one or very few genotypes. The role of propagule dispersal distributions with distinct behaviour at long distances in generating this characteristic population structure was studied by computer simulation of dispersal of clonal organisms in a heterogeneous environment with fields of unselective and selective hosts. Power‐law distributions generated founder events in which new, virulent genotypes rapidly colonized fields of resistant crop varieties and subsequently dominated the pathogen population on both selective and unselective varieties, in agreement with data on rust and powdery mildew fungi. An exponential dispersal function, with extremely rare dispersal over long distances, resulted in slower colonization of resistant varieties by virulent pathogens or even no colonization if the distance between susceptible source and resistant target fields was sufficiently large. The founder events resulting from long‐distance dispersal were highly stochastic and exact quantitative prediction of genotype frequencies will therefore always be difficult.