Endophytic Lecanicillium lecanii and Beauveria bassiana reduce the survival and fecundity of Aphis gossypii following contact with conidia and secondary metabolites

Lecanicillium lecanii and Beauveria bassiana are important entomopathogens of Aphis gossypii. Their capacity to colonize crop plants is also becoming widely recognized. Their presence in crop plants indicates the possibility of a much greater potential for contact between insect and fungus than previously recognized. The present experiment aimed to study the effects of endophytic strains of these fungi on the survival, and reproduction of A. gossypii. Contact with conidia of both fungi significantly reduced the rate and period of reproduction of A. gossypii. The culture filtrates of L. lecanii and B. bassiana significantly increased mortality and feeding-choice experiments indicate that insects may be able to detect metabolites of the fungi. The culture filtrate of L. lecanii also significantly reduced the reproduction of the aphid. The ethyl acetate and methanolic fractions of the culture filtrate and of mycelia of L. lecanii also caused significant mortality and reduced fecundity of A. gossypii. The methanolic fractions of mycelia of B. bassiana caused significant mortality of A. gossypii. The present investigations indicated that A. gossypii is affected by contact with both conidia and fungal metabolites. This broad influence indicates that these fungi may have a role in regulating insect pest populations.     

Identification of quantitative trait loci for protein content, oil content and oil quality for groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Very few efforts have been made to improve the nutritional quality of groundnut, as biochemical estimation of quality traits is laborious and uneconomic; hence, it is difficult to improve them through traditional breeding alone. Identification of molecular markers for quality traits will have a great impact in molecular breeding. An attempt was made to identify microsatellite or simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers for important nutritional traits (protein content, oil content and oil quality in terms of oleic acid, linoleic acid and oleic/linoleic acid ratio) in a mapping population consisting of 146 recombinant inbreed lines (RILs) of a cross TG26 × GPBD4. Phenotyping data analysis for quality traits showed significant variation in the population and environment, genotype × environment interaction and high heritability was observed for all the traits. Negative correlation between protein content and oil content, oleic acid and linoleic acid indicated their antagonistic nature. After screening >1000 SSR markers, a partial genetic linkage map comprising of 45 SSR loci on 8 linkage groups with an average inter-marker distance of 14.62 cM was developed. QTL analysis based on single marker analysis (SMA) and composite interval mapping identified some candidate SSR markers associated with major QTLs as well as several minor QTLs for the nutritional traits. Validation of these major QTLs using a wider genetic background may provide the markers for molecular breeding for improving groundnut for nutritional traits.     

Influence of top-watering on the movement of Beauveria bassiana, GHA (Deuteromycota: Hyphomycetes) in potting medium

The downward movement of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin GHA, in potting medium with different levels of moisture and top-watering was compared. The population of B. bassiana was greatest in the upper layer of the potting medium without significant movement 18 d post-application, finding no B. bassiana in untreated pots.     

Development of a formulation of Trichoderma asperellum to control black rot disease on pineapple caused by (Thielaviopsis paradoxa)

A local isolate of Trichoderma asperellum was tested for its antagonistic activity against Thielaviopsis paradoxa (telemorph = Ceratocyctis paradoxa). The highest antagonistic activity was achieved when the concentration of T. asperellum conidia was 1 × 10⁷ conidia/mL. The highest biomass and number of colony forming unit/mL of the T. asperellum peaked at 144 h after incubation in yeast waste residue medium. The minimum inhibition concentration value of the formulation was observed as 1% on growth of Th. paradoxa incubated at 28 ± 2 °C for 10 d. In the soil fungicide-screening test, the effect of concentrations 100-1600 μg/mL on mycelia growth was not significant (P < 0.05). Complete mycelial growth inhibition occurred at concentration above 52,600 μg/mL. Results of the fruit application tests clearly showed that all treated fruits were free of disease at the end of the incubation period. No significant differences (P > 0.05) in pH, total soluble solids and titratable acidity were observed between fruits treated with formulation of T. asperellum and the control formulation treated pineapples.     

Reduced incidence of tomato yellow leaf curl virus and leafminer in a tomato cultivar in northern Thailand

Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), a whitefly-vectored begomovirus, is a major limiting factor for tomato production worldwide, including Thailand. Field evaluation of commercial tomato cvs. for resistance to the virus endemic in northern Thailand has not been reported. Experiments conducted in northern Thailand in 2011–2013 compared the field performance of three tomato cvs. from the US with a commonly grown Thai cultivar. There were few significant differences observed among the cvs. in marketable yield, and the severity of root-knot and root rot. However there were significant differences noted in TYLCV incidence; virus incidence ranged from 38 to 100% and 8–41% in experiments one and two, respectively. In both experiments ‘Husky Cherry Red’ from the US had the lowest TYLCV incidence, leafminer damage (Liriomyza sp.), and progression of foliar necrosis primarily caused by thrips feeding and possibly exacerbated by air pollution. TYLCV infection was confirmed by a simplified method of nuclear inclusion visualization with light microscopy in experiment one, and by virus inclusion detection and PCR in experiment two.     

Variation in transpiration efficiency and its related traits in a groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) mapping population

Transpiration efficiency (TE) has been recognized as an important source of yield variation under drought stress in groundnut. Here the variation for TE is evaluated in a set of 318 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of groundnut at F₈ generation, derived from a cross between a high TE (ICGV 86031) and a low TE (TAG 24) parent, and the value of specific leaf area (SLA), SPAD chlorophyll meter readings (SCMR) and carbon isotope discrimination (Δ¹³C) as surrogates of TE are measured. Transpiration efficiency was measured gravimetrically in the 318 RILs and parents under progressive soil drying in a pot culture in two post-rainy seasons. Large and consistent variation for TE existed among the RILs across years. The overall distribution of TE among the RILs indicated that TE was governed by dominant and additive genes. Surrogates SLA and SCMR, were measured prior, during and after completion of the drought period, whereas Δ¹³C was measured on the dried tissue after harvest. Transpiration efficiency was negatively associated with SLA after the completion of stress treatment (r² = 0.15) and Δ¹³C in leaves (r² = 0.13) and positively associated with SCMR during stress (r² = 0.17). These associations, all fairly weak, were significant only in 2004. None of these relationships was found in 2005. Although the heritability of SCMR during 2005 was relatively higher than that of TE, and although SCMR has previously been used to identify contrasting germplasm for TE, the stress-dependence of the relationship with TE, and the poor regression coefficients (r²) with that RIL population, do not confer that these surrogates are adequately robust enough in that population. Though more time consuming, a direct gravimetric evaluation for TE appeared to be more reliable.     

大豆疫霉根腐病的发生与防治研究

1993～1996年,在大豆苗期和成株期,对黑龙江省部分大豆产区的48个乡镇进行了调查。共采集435份标样,在选择培养基上分离,共得到18个疫霉菌株。接种试验表明,该分离菌对不同大豆品种的致病性存在明显差异,对小豆、菜豆和蔬菜均不侵染。同时筛选出对大豆疫霉病有良好防治效果的药剂-瑞毒霉,0．2％的瑞毒霉拌种,盆栽的防效为75％～80％。利用生物活性物质C95防治疫霉病,盆栽防效达62．3％。     

花生种质资源对黄曲霉菌侵染和产毒的抗性鉴定

对不同种子成分的花生种质资源对黄曲霉菌侵染和产毒的抗性进行了鉴定,结果表明,高含油量、高蛋白质含量和高油酸含量资源对黄曲霉菌侵染和产毒的抗性较差.通过对抗黄曲霉侵染和产毒能力不同的花生种质资源的种子成分的分析表明,高抗黄曲霉菌侵染和产毒资源的亚油酸含量较高.相关分析表明,不同花生品种对黄曲霉菌的侵染抗性与种子大小和油酸含量呈显著负相关,与出仁率和亚油酸含量呈显著正相关;不同花生品种对黄曲霉菌产毒的抗性与含油量呈显著负相关.通过鉴定和筛选,发掘出2份优质抗病资源.     

Biocontrol of vascular wilt and corm rot of gladiolus caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. gladioli using plant growth promoting rhizobacterial mixture

Talc-based formulations of plant growth promoting rhizobacterial strain S2BC-2 (Bacillus atrophaeus) and strain mixture, S2BC-2 + TEPF-Sungal (Burkholderia cepacia), inhibitory to the growth of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. gladioli (FOG), were developed for corm dressing and soil application in gladiolus. In comparison to the individual strain, the strain mixture recorded maximum spike and corm production of 100 and 150%, respectively with less vascular wilt and corm rot incidences of 73.6 and 54.8% reduction over the pathogen control in greenhouse when inoculated with FOG. Reduction in disease incidence under greenhouse conditions occurred through induction of defence gene products such as chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase. Besides disease suppression, treatment with strain mixture promoted plant growth in terms of enhanced corm and cormel production and flowering. In field experiments, the strain mixture recorded less vascular wilt and corm rot incidences of 48.6 and 46.1% mean reduction over the non-bacterised control, and was almost comparable with that of fungicide (51.5 and 47.1%, respectively). The treatment also recorded increased spike and corm yield with average increases of 58.3 and 27.4%, respectively, relative to the control.     

Comparison of chemical treatments for reducing epiphytic Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi populations and for improving subsequent control of olive knot disease

The economic impact of the olive knot disease caused by Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi (Psv) has dramatically increased in recent years, especially in high-density plantations. Here we report chemical control trials, performed in an olive grove planted with two susceptible cultivars, Arbequina and Picudo, over a four-year period. The effect of treatments made with copper oxychloride, cuprocalcic sulfate plus mancozeb or acibenzolar-S-methyl on the Psv populations and subsequent appearance of the disease were evaluated. Both copper treatments reduced the proportion of samples where Psv was isolated, and greatly reduced Psv populations in trees of cv. Picudo. The effect of copper on Psv populations was observed after the first application, but the greatest differences between copper-treated and untreated plants were observed in the third year, after five copper applications. No resistance to copper was detected in the remaining epiphytic Psv populations in treated plants. The average number of knots per plant was significantly lower in copper-treated plants than in untreated plants. By contrast, acibenzolar-S-methyl did not reduce either Psv populations or the disease during the study. These results support the usefulness of copper treatments for olive knot management. Results indicate that two copper treatments should be performed regularly under an integrated control program, especially in high-density groves, since their efficiency was demonstrated not only in decreasing olive knot incidence, but also in reducing Psv populations.     

Evaluations of shallot genotypes for resistance against fusarium basal rot (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cepae) disease

Fusarium basal rot (FBR) caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cepae (Foc) is one of the most significant production constraint to shallot. Field experiment was conducted in a naturally Foc infested soil at Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center during 2006 and 2007 cropping seasons to evaluate the level of resistance of sixteen shallot genotypes against FBR disease. Treatments were arranged in randomized complete block design with four replications. The genotypes significantly varied in their susceptibility to FBR and yield. They were grouped into tolerant, moderately and highly susceptible types. Five genotypes (DZ-Sht-168-1A, DZ-Sht-157-1B, Huruta, Negelle and DZ-Sht-169-1b) were identified to be tolerant as they had reduced disease severity levels from 26.8 to 32.5% and increased mean yield by more than 5 t ha⁻¹ compared to highly susceptible genotypes (DZ-Sht-076-4, DZ-Sht-201-1C and DZ-Sht-054-3A). Among the tolerant genotypes, DZ-Sht-169-1b had greatly reduced bulb rot incidence by 48% in ground storage and 30% in wire mesh shelf as compared to highly susceptible genotype DZ-Sht-201-1C. The tolerant genotypes have high yielding characteristic, and farmers could adopt them for cultivation where FBR is a problem.     

In situ sprouting and regulation of fresh-seed dormancy in Spanish type groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Two hundred groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) germplasm accessions and 21 cultivars belonging to the Spanish group (ssp. fastigiata var. vulgaris) were screened for pod loss due to sprouting of seed in the field. Some cultivars were also tested for germination of the fresh-seed with or without testa and treated or untreated with ethrel or abscisic acid (ABA). Large variation in pod loss due to in situ sprouting of seed, and fresh-seed dormancy (FSD) was found among the accessions and cultivars. Fresh-seed dormancy index (FSDI) varied from 2% in Chico to 88% in ICGS 44 (the check with high FSD). Cultivars with an FSDI value of less than 10% showed more pod loss in situ than the cultivars with high FSDI. Thus pod loss due to in situ sprouting increased with a decrease in FSDI. Cultivar SB XI did not show any in situ sprouting or pod loss. A direct relationship (r, 0.86^**) existed between fresh-seed germination of accession/cultivar in the laboratory and the percentage of its plants with sprouted seed in the field. Seed of two Spanish cultivars ICGS 11 (dormant) and GG 2 (non-dormant) when tested for germination after treatment with ethrel or ABA at various seed development stages showed different germination response to these chemicals. Seed of GG 2 showed up to 40% germination even at an early stage (S₁) of seed development, whereas the seed of ICGS 11 responded to the ethrel only at maturity (S₄). Regulation of FSD appeared to be more under the control of the testa than the cotyledons. The variation in the degree of in situ sprouting can be used for breeding Spanish cultivars with various desirable levels of FSD.     

Biological control of Macrophomina phaseolina by chemotactic fluorescent Pseudomonas aeruginosa PN1 and its plant growth promotory activity in chir-pine

Ten strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PN1 ˜ PN10) isolated from rhizosphere of chir-pine were tested for their plant growth promontory properties and antagonistic activities against Macrophomina phaseolina in vitro and in vivo. P. aeruginosa PN1 produced siderophore, IAA, cyanogen and solubilized phosphorus, besides producing chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase. In dual culture, P. aeruginosa PN1 caused 69% colony growth inhibition. However, cell free culture filtrate also posed inhibitory effect but to a lesser extent. After 90 days, P. aeruginosa PN1 increased plant growth and biomass in pots trial containing M. phaseolina-infested soil. PN1 showed the strong chemotaxis toward root exudates resulting in effective root colonization. Moreover, increased population in rhizosphere of these bacteria was also recorded after 90 days of treatment. Thus, chemotactic fluorescent P. aeruginosa PN1 exhibited strong antagonistic property against M. phaseolina, suppressed the disease and improved plant growth of the seedlings of chir-pine proving potential biocontrol agent.     

Economic performance and comparative riskiness of different management practices for control of botrytis fruit rot in florida strawberry

Florida strawberry farmers usually rely on weekly calendar fungicide applications to prevent yield loss from Botrytis fruit rot (BFR). The Strawberry Advisory System (SAS), which helps optimize the timing of fungicide applications, is an additional tool in the farmers' arsenal of disease control options. This study uses data from two-year production trials in Florida combined with historical strawberry prices to measure the economic performance of the Calendar and SAS-based BFR management practices under output price risk and producers' risk preferences. We use Monte Carlo simulation to model the effect of the variability in weekly output prices on farm returns. Results reveal that the traditional calendar-based system is not the least risky BFR management option as growers expected to be. SAS-based options such as SAS-Switch and SAS-Luna would be preferred by both risk-neutral and risk-averse producers and are recommended under high disease pressure conditions.     

Analysis of host plant resistance to multiple Fusarium species associated with stalk rot disease in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]

Fusarium spp. is among the largest and most important pathogen groups that attack major grain crops including sorghum. The objectives of this study were to compare the virulence of Fusarium spp. associated with sorghum and examine the mode of resistance of genotypes to the disease. Eight Fusarium species – F. verticillioides, F. thapsinum, F. andiyazi, F. proliferatum, F. nyagamai, F. pseudoanthophilum, F. brevicatenulatum, and F. pseudonygamai – were studied using three sorghum genotypes under greenhouse condition. Three of these pathogens (F. verticillioides, F. thapsinum, and F. andiyazi) were selected for genetic analysis of resistance under field conditions. Sorghum genotypes with contrasting stalk rot reactions were selected for use in both the greenhouse and field experiments. Two weeks after flowering, plants were inoculated with liquid inoculum culture (5 × 10⁴ conidia ml⁻¹) of the different pathogens. Plants were harvested 4 weeks after inoculation and rated for disease severity on the basis of lesion length and number of nodes crossed by the lesion. Among the pathogens, F. thapsinum resulted in consistently higher disease scores in all genotypes under all environments. Likewise, genotype SC599 showed the greatest and most stable resistance as inbred as well as in hybrid combinations as shown by consistently high GCA for resistance to all pathogen species. We recommend that future screening exercises for Fusarium stalk rot resistance utilize F. thapsinum as the causal organism and include the resistant genotype SC599 as a control.     

A comparative evaluation of post-infection efficacy of mefenoxam and potassium phosphite with protectant efficacy of azoxystrobin and potassium phosphite for controlling leather rot of strawberry caused by Phytophthora cactorum

Leather rot, caused by Phytophthora cactorum, is one of the most important fruit-rotting diseases of strawberry worldwide. Efficacy of mefenoxam and potassium phosphite against leather rot, when applied in a post-infection fungicide program, made in response to rain events was evaluated over 3 years of testing. Post-infection treatments of potassium phosphite and mefenoxam were compared with calendar-based treatments of azoxystrobin or potassium phosphite sprayed weekly, starting at late bloom (fruit set). In order to obtain high-risk conditions for infection (splash dispersal of the pathogen and subsequent infection periods), plots were flooded until standing water was observed between the rows. Post-infection applications were made within 36 h after the initiation of a flooding event. Leather rot incidence in the untreated controls ranged from 15 to 66% over the 3 years. All fungicide treatments had significantly (P < 0.001) less leather rot incidence than in the untreated control. There were no significant differences in leather rot incidence between the different fungicide treatments. Percent control (the percentage reduction in incidence relative to the check) was as high as 100% with all fungicide treatments. Mefenoxam and potassium phosphite post-infection (after flooding) provided control equal to that obtained with a calendar-based spray program, but with from 1 to 3 fewer fungicide applications.     

First report of the fungus Fomitiporia maxonii Murrill causing citrus wood rot in commercial orange and grapefruit groves in Cuba

Cuban citriculture has recently been affected by important pests and diseases including black citrus aphid Toxoptera citricida Kirkaldy, citrus leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton, Asiatic citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, Citrus tristeza disease, and huanglongbing. This complex of ‘invasive species’ is thought to be contributing to the increasing decline of commercial citrus groves. During several surveys carried out in commercial citrus areas of several provinces in Cuba, symptoms of dieback, characterized by the presence of abundant dry branches and wood rot were detected on Criolla Valencia orange, Marsh grapefruit trees on sour orange, and Cleopatra mandarin rootstocks. Samples of branches and trunk wood were processed and a fungus was isolated from all samples. Morphological, physiological and molecular characterization demonstrated that the isolated agent is Fomitiporia maxonii Murrill. The incidence of affected trees was high in most surveyed groves, reaching 100% in old groves. Symptoms similar to the ones found in naturally infected trees were reproduced on trees inoculated with pure cultures of the fungus, and the fungus was recovered in culture from inoculated trees, thus fulfilling Koch's postulates. This is the first report of an association of F. maxonii with citrus wood rot in Cuba.     

Rice spikelet rot disease in China - 2. Pathogenicity tests, assessment of the importance of the disease, and preliminary evaluation of control options

In recent years, a rice panicle disease—rice spikelet rot, occurred seriously in large rice-growing area in China, causing the rice grains discolor, unfilled and deform. It does not only influence the rice yield, because of the colored pathogens and toxigenic, but also changes the appearance of the rice and reduces its quality. Spikelet rot disease influences on the rice production and market price, and causes harm to the safety and health of human and livestock. This paper makes effort to elucidate the occurrence, epidemic regularity of the disease, the pathogenicity of isolates. Fungicides to control the disease were preliminarily selected in lab and control efficiency test were conducted in field. The investigation results indicate that japonica varieties and their hybrid combination, tighten panicle varieties are easier to be infected by the disease than that of the indica rice varieties with loosen panicles. It was propitious to the disease occurrence and epidemic when rice late booting to flowering period met the overcast, rainy (high humidity) and warm (25-33 °C) climate. Indoor selection results showed that ketotriazole shows very good restraint effect on the pathogens. Seed treating with fungicide, spraying ketotriazole, carbendazim + thiram mixture or tricyclazole at later booting and/or flowering stage can reached over 70% control efficiency to the disease.     

The effect of low dose ultraviolet light-C seed treatment on induced resistance in cabbage to black rot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris)

Low doses of hormetic (n. hormesis) ultraviolet light-C (UV-C) seed treatments were used to elicit host resistance to black rot, and improve the quality and growth response of cabbages in greenhouse studies. Different UV-C doses (1.3 to 7.5 kJ m⁻²) were tested to determine their ability to induce resistance to black rot. The optimum UV-C dose of 3.6 kJ m⁻² was effective in reducing black rot and the population density of Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris in infected cabbage leaves. Seeds treated with UV-C at 3.6 kJ m⁻² produced plants with the most desirable color, highest weight, largest head diameter and delayed maturity. The effect of storage time at room temperature on disease incidence of black rot of cabbage from seeds treated with a low hormetic UV-C dose of 3.6 kJ m⁻², was 90%, 40%, 60% and 60% reduction of black rot in plants from UV-C treated seeds stored for 2 days, 1, 5, and 8 months, respectively, 8 weeks after transplanting cabbage plants.     

Effect of biocontrol agent Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and 1-methyl cyclopropene on the control of postharvest diseases and maintenance of fruit quality

Efficacy of biocontrol agent Bacillus amyloliquefaciens PPCB004 was evaluated on the control of anthracnose and phomopsis rot in ‘Solo’ papaya pre-treated with 1-methyl cyclopropene (100 μl) (1-MCP) during storage. This treatment was compared to the untreated control, commercial treatment (washing in chlorinated water), stand alone 1-MCP and PPCB004 treatment. Although fruit pre-treated with 1-MCP delayed the ripening (100% yellow) after cold storage by 9-10 d, it showed higher incidence and severity of anthracnose and phomopsis rot than the fruit subjected to commercial treatment. Application of PPCB004 after 1-MCP pre-treatment (1-MCP + PPCB004) reduced the anthracnose and phomopsis incidence and severity after cold storage (10 °C, 85% RH for 14 d) and ripening at 25 °C. The 1-MCP + PPCB004 treatment helped to retain the fruit firmness, overall quality and uniform yellow skin (100%) and flesh colour after ripening. The PPCB004 was effectively recovered from stand alone PPCB004 and 1-MCP + PPCB004 treated fruit after cold storage and ripening. The PPCB004 population showed an increase by 1 log units after ripening in 1-MCP + PPCB004 treated fruit. After ripening the recovery of PPCB004 population was higher (0.7 log units) in 1-MCP + PPCB004. The total recovery of fungal population on the fruit surface after ripening was lower in 1-MCP + PPCB004 and stand alone PPCB004 treated fruit. It can be concluded that application of B. amyloliquefaciens PPCB004 with 1-MCP pre-treated papaya (at 25-30% skin yellow stage) can significantly reduce disease incidence associated with 1-MCP treatment. This treatment has the potential for commercial application in the ‘organic’ papaya industry.