Epidemiological importance of Solanum sisymbriifolium, S. nigrum and S. dulcamara as alternative hosts for Phytophthora infestans

Lesions of Phytophthora infestans were found on woody nightshade ( Solanum dulcamara ), black nightshade ( S. nigrum ) and S. sisymbriifolium during a nationwide late blight survey in the Netherlands in 1999 and 2000. Pathogenicity and spore production of P. infestans isolates collected from potato ( S. tuberosum ), S. nigrum , S. dulcamara and S. sisymbriifolium were determined on several host plant species, and oospore formation in naturally infected and inoculated foliage of hosts was quantified. The present population of P. infestans in the Netherlands is pathogenic on S. nigrum , S. dulcamara and S. sisymbriifolium . Oospores were produced in leaves of S. nigrum , S. dulcamara and S. sisymbriifolium following infection with A1 and A2 isolates. Therefore these plant species should be regarded as alternative hosts for the late blight pathogen. In the case of S. nigrum and S. dulcamara infection was a relatively rare event, suggesting that diseased plants do not significantly contribute to the overall late blight disease pressure present in potato-production areas. Oospore production in ageing S. nigrum and S. dulcamara plants in autumn, however, may generate a considerable source of (auto) infections in following years. Considerable numbers of sporangia and oospores were produced on S. sisymbriifolium following infection with P. infestans . Additional field infection data are needed to evaluate the epidemiological consequences of a commercial introduction of S. sisymbriifolium as a potato cyst nematode trap crop.     

Genetic diversity and host differentiation among isolates of Phytophthora infestans from cultivated potato and wild solanaceous hosts in Peru

To test the hypothesis that isolates of Phytophthora infestans attacking wild Solanaceae exhibit specialization for particular host species, 115 isolates of P. infestans were collected from cultivated potatoes, nontuber-bearing Solanum spp. of the Basarthrum section and wild tomatoes from five departments in the northern and central highlands of Peru, and characterized using several neutral markers. All isolates belonged to one of four clonal lineages described previously in Peru: EC-1, US-1, PE-3 and PE-7. There was a strong association of three lineages with host species: PE-3 was only isolated from cultivated potato, while PE-7 and US-1 were only isolated from nontuber-bearing Solanum spp. ( Basarthrum section and wild tomatoes). EC-1 was isolated from all host groups sampled. A subset ( n  = 74) of the isolates was evaluated for metalaxyl resistance. High levels of resistance were found almost exclusively in EC-1 and PE-3, while US-1 and PE-7 isolates were generally sensitive. In a detached-leaf assay for lesion diameter using five EC-1 isolates from S. caripense and seven EC-1 isolates from cultivated potato, there was a significant interaction between isolate origin and inoculated host, caused by higher aggressiveness of EC-1 from cultivated potato on its host of origin. In a comparison of EC-1 (seven isolates from cultivated potato) and US-1 (three isolates from S. caripense ), each pathogen lineage was more aggressive on its original host species, causing a highly significant interaction between isolate origin and inoculated host. Wild tomatoes and nontuber-bearing Solanum spp. harbour several pathogen lineages in Peru and could serve as reservoirs of inoculum that might contribute to epidemics on potato or tomato. Potential risks associated with the use of wild Solanum hosts as sources of resistance to P. infestans are discussed .     

Escalating insecticide resistance in Australian grain pests: contributing factors,industry trends and management opportunities

Insecticide resistance is an ever‐increasing problem that threatens food production globally. Within Australia, the grain industry has a renewed focus on resistance due to diminishing chemical options available to farmers and the increasing prevalence and severity of resistance encountered in the field. Chemicals are too often used as the major tool for arthropod pest management, ignoring the potent evolutionary forces from chemical selection pressures that lead to resistance. A complex array of factors (biological, social, economic, political, climatic) have contributed to current trends in insecticide usage and resistance in the Australian grain industry. We review the status of insecticide resistance and provide a context for how resistance is currently managed. We discuss emerging technologies and research that could be applied to improve resistance management. This includes generating baseline sensitivity data for insecticides before they are launched, developing genetic diagnostics for the full complement of known resistances, expanding resistance monitoring programs, and utilizing new technologies. Additional benefits are likely to be achieved through a combination of industry awareness and engagement, risk modeling, adoption of integrated pest management tactics, greater collaboration between industry stakeholders, and policy changes around chemical use and record keeping. The Australian grain context provides lessons for other agricultural industries. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry