Frost tolerance,regeneration capacity after frost exposure and high photosystem II efficiency during winter and early spring support high winter survival in Juncus spp.

During the past two decades, significant spread of the perennial weeds Juncus effusus (soft rush) and Juncus conglomeratus (compact rush) in coastal parts of Norway seems to have coincided with an observed rise in winter temperatures. This study investigated the frost tolerance (LT₅₀) and effects of moderate frost exposure on rush plant regrowth over time during the period late November to late winter/spring, and photosynthetic activity in late winter/spring. Juncus effusus and J. conglomeratus of physiologically young age (seedlings) displayed similar high frost tolerance (LT₅₀) and did not differ significantly in regenerative ability following prolonged frost exposure. Regrowth capacity generally increased during winter and when stress conditions increased, shoot formation was prioritised over total biomass production. Maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (F_v/F_m) and performance index of photosystem II (PI) were high in late winter/spring, with J. effusus showing higher values than J. conglomeratus. Green, photosynthetically active shoots, which facilitate accumulation of carbohydrates during autumn and even in winter, may provide Juncus spp. with substantial competitiveness in late winter and spring. The results revealed that the dominance of J. effusus over J. conglomeratus in pastures and leys is not due to major differences in winter survival parameters, but probably the higher photosynthetic efficiency observed in J. effusus. Generally higher temperatures during winter and lower frost kill may be contributing to the current increase in rush infestation.     

Avena sterilis and Lolium rigidum infestations hamper the recovery of diverse arable weed communities

Intensification of agricultural practices has severely reduced weed diversity in arable fields, which affects the delivery of ecosystem services. However, in parallel, some species have benefited from intensive farming and have vastly increased their abundance, as is the case for Lolium rigidum and Avena sterilis in cereal fields. These highly competitive species severely reduce yields but can also compete with other weed species, and, when less intensive practices are applied, they might limit the recovery of weed diversity and the success of arable species reintroductions. A gradient of infestation was established in a winter wheat field in Catalonia (north‐eastern Spain) by sowing seeds of both species at three different densities to test their effects on the abundance, diversity and composition of the natural weed community. The emergence of seeds and the survival and biomass of transplanted seedlings of two rare species, Agrostemma githago and Vaccaria hispanica, were also evaluated. Avena sterilis and L. rigidum infestations reduced the diversity, abundance and biomass and changed the composition of the natural weed community, even at low infestation densities. Moreover, infestations of both species affected the overall performance of A. githago and V. hispanica. This study reveals that A. sterilis and L. rigidum are highly competitive and that their infestations might hamper the recovery of diverse weed communities. Their densities should be considered when selecting suitable sites for promoting diversity and reintroducing rare species.     

Effect of ensiling and in sacco digestion on the viability of seeds of selected weed species

The germinability and viability of mature seeds of five grass (Hordeum spp., Bromus diandrus, Vulpia spp., Avena fatua and Lolium rigidum) and seven broad‐leaved weed species (Echium spp., Physalis hederifolia, Solanum elaeagnifolium, Raphanus raphanistrum, Marrubium vulgare and Malva parviflora) that were either untreated, ensiled for a minimum of three months, underwent 48 h in sacco digestion in steers or ensiled prior to digestion were tested for germinability and viability. Ensiling and digestion both reduced seed viability, although the extent varied with species. The effect of ensiling was generally greater compared with digestion and differed between years for some species. Ensiling or ensiling plus digestion rendered all seeds of Hordeum spp., B. diandrus, Vulpia spp., A. fatua, Echium spp., P. hederifolia (in one year only), S. elaeagnifolium, R. raphanistrum and M. vulgare non‐viable; ensiling and ensiling plus digestion reduced viability of L. rigidum by 74.4% and 92.7% respectively. Viability of M. parviflora displayed the greatest tolerance to damage, with seed viability reduced on average by 31.4%, 27.6% and 27.4% for ensiling, digestion and ensiling plus digestion treatments respectively. These results indicate that ensiling can provide an effective non‐chemical weed management option, as a component of an integrated weed management package, for certain weed species responsible for significant crop and pasture production losses in Australian and world temperate and Mediterranean agricultural systems.     

Control of Elymus repens by rhizome fragmentation and repeated mowing in a newly established white clover sward

Control of perennial weeds, such as Elymus repens, generally requires herbicides or intensive tillage. Alternative methods, such as mowing and competition from subsidiary crops, provide less efficient control. Fragmenting the rhizomes, with minimal soil disturbance and damage to the main crop, could potentially increase the efficacy and consistency of such control methods. This study's aim was to investigate whether fragmenting the rhizomes and mowing enhance the control of E. repens in a white clover sward. Six field experiments were conducted in 2012 and 2013 in Uppsala, Sweden, and Ås, Norway. The effect of cutting slits in the soil using a flat spade in a 10 × 10 cm or 20 × 20 cm grid and the effect of repeated mowing were investigated. Treatments were performed either during summer in a spring‐sown white clover sward (three experiments) or during autumn, post‐cereal harvest, in an under‐sown white clover sward (three experiments). When performed in autumn, rhizome fragmentation and mowing reduced E. repens shoot biomass, but not rhizome biomass or shoot number. In contrast, when performed in early summer, rhizome fragmentation also reduced the E. repens rhizome biomass by up to 60%, and repeated mowing reduced it by up to 95%. The combination of the two factors appeared to be additive. Seasonal differences in treatment effects may be due to rhizomes having fewer stored resources in spring than in early autumn. We conclude that rhizome fragmentation in a growing white clover sward could reduce the amount of E. repens rhizomes and that repeated mowing is an effective control method, but that great seasonal variation exists.     

Germination ecology of five arable Ranunculaceae species

Germination and emergence are critical life stages for annual plants and so their full understanding is essential for managing arable plant populations. This study investigated the most important species‐specific environmental cues that regulate seed germination and emergence (temperature and light) of the arable Ranunculaceae species Consolida orientalis, Consolida pubescens, Delphinium gracile, Delphinium halteratum ssp. verdunense and Nigella gallica, to propose management strategies for their preservation in agro‐ecosystems. Growth chamber and outdoor pot experiments were conducted for two consecutive seasons to analyse light (complete darkness or 12 h light) and temperature (5/10, 5/15 and 10/20°C) requirements and emergence patterns. The relative light germination requirement (ΔG_light), which extends from ?100 (complete darkness) to 100 (light), was estimated. Weibull functions were fitted to observed emergence (%) in pots. For all species, germination was higher in complete darkness than with a light regime (?60 < ΔG_light < ?95). This dark requirement indicates better germination for buried seeds. A tillage operation just after seed shed is therefore recommended. Consolida spp. germinate and emerge almost exclusively in autumn–winter, while Delphinium spp. and N. gallica can also germinate in spring. These arable plants would be able to adapt to delayed sowings, an important strategy for avoiding early‐emerging competitive weeds. Facultative winter‐germinating species could face early herbicide treatments if sufficient emergence occurs in winter–spring. These results bring new information to help develop conservation strategies for these species in agro‐ecosystems.     

Seed germination and viability of herbicide resistant and susceptible Chenopodium album populations after ensiling,digestion by cattle and manure storage

Chenopodium album became a problem weed in sugar beet production, due to resistance to metamitron, a key herbicide in this crop. Dispersal of the seeds from resistant biotypes may occur due to spread by wind, animals, agricultural machinery or manure. This study examined the effect of ensiling, digestion by cattle and storage in slurry and farmyard manure on the germination and viability of the seeds of one susceptible and three resistant C. album populations. After 4 weeks in a maize silo, seed viability of C. album populations was reduced drastically to 0–5%. Incubation for 24 h in the rumen followed by a post‐ruminal digestion in vitro of intact seeds only resulted in a small reduction in viability in one C. album population. Storage in a slurry cellar for 16 weeks reduced the viability of intact seeds of the C. album populations to 25–60%. Only 0–1% of the seeds remained viable after storage in a farmyard manure heap for 4 weeks. An accelerated ageing experiment showed seed persistence to be population specific and less related to seed weight. Keeping a fresh maize silo closed for at least 4 weeks and heaping farmyard manure are excellent preventive measures to limit the spread of resistant C. album seeds between fields.     

Differences in MAT gene distribution and expression between Rhynchosporium species on grasses

Leaf blotch is a globally important disease of barley crops and other grasses that is caused by at least five host‐specialized species in the fungal genus Rhynchosporium. The pathogen R. commune (specialized to barley, brome‐grass and Italian ryegrass) has long been considered to reproduce only by asexual means, but there has been accumulating evidence for recombination and gene flow from population genetic studies and the detection of complementary MAT1‐1 and MAT1‐2 isolates in a c. 1:1 ratio in the field. Here, it is demonstrated that 28 isolates of the closely related species R. agropyri (on couch‐grass) and R. secalis (on rye and triticale), collected from Europe, were also either of MAT1‐1 or MAT1‐2 genotype and that the distribution of mating types did not deviate significantly from a 1:1 ratio. Evidence is then provided for MAT1‐1‐1 and MAT1‐2‐1 gene expression during mycelial growth for all three species. By contrast, 27 isolates of the more distantly related R. orthosporum (on cocksfoot) and R. lolii (on Italian and perennial ryegrasses) from Europe were exclusively of the MAT1‐1 genotype, and expression of the MAT1‐1‐1 gene could not be detected during mycelial growth. These data suggest that cryptic sexual cycles are more likely to exist for R. commune, R. agropyri and R. secalis than for either R. orthosporum or R. lolii. A phylogenetic analysis of partial MAT1‐1 idiomorph sequences resolved these five species into two distinct groups (R. commune, R. agropyri and R. secalis versus R. orthosporum and R. lolii) but provided only limited resolution within each group.     

Weed seed decay in conventional and diversified cropping systems

Diversified cropping systems can have high soil microbial biomass and thus strong potential to reduce the weed seedbank through seed decay. This study, conducted in Iowa, USA, evaluated the hypothesis that weed seed decay is higher in a diversified 4‐year maize–soyabean–oat/lucerne–lucerne cropping system than in a conventional 2‐year maize–soyabean rotation. Mesh bags filled with either Setaria faberi or Abutilon theophrasti seeds and soil were buried at two depths in the maize phase of the two cropping systems and sampled over a 3‐year period. Setaria faberi seed decay was consistently greater at 2 cm than at 20 cm burial depth and was higher in the more diverse rotation than in the conventional rotation in 1 year. Abutilon theophrasti seeds decayed very little in comparison with seeds of S. faberi. Separate laboratory and field experiments confirmed differences in germination and seed decay among the seed lots evaluated each year. Fusarium, Pythium, Alternaria, Cladosporium and Trichoderma were the most abundant genera colonising seeds of both species. A glasshouse experiment determined a relationship between Pythium ultimum and S. faberi seed decay. Possible differences in seed susceptibility to decay indicate the need to evaluate weed seedbank dynamics in different cropping systems when evaluating overall population dynamics and formulating weed management strategies.     

Characterization and epidemiology of Colletotrichum acutatum sensu lato (C. chrysanthemi) causing Carthamus tinctorius anthracnose

In 2012, Colletotrichum isolates were collected from field‐grown safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) crops in central Italy from plants exhibiting typical anthracnose symptoms. Colletotrichum isolates were also collected from seed surfaces and from within seeds. The genetic variability of these isolates was assessed by a multilocus sequencing approach and compared with those from Colletotrichum chrysanthemi and Colletotrichum carthami isolates from different geographic areas and other Colletotrichum acutatum sensu lato‐related isolates. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all of the strains isolated from C. tinctorius belonged to the species described as C. chrysanthemi, whereas all of the strains belonging to C. carthami had been isolated from Calendula officinalis. Phenotypic characterization of isolates was performed by assessing growth rates at different temperatures, morphology of colonies on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and the size of conidia. All C. chrysanthemi isolates from safflower had similar growth rates at different temperatures, comparable colony morphologies when grown on PDA and conidial sizes consistent with previously described C. chrysanthemi isolates. Pathogenicity tests were performed by artificially inoculating both seeds and plants and confirmed the seedborne nature of this pathogen. When inoculated on plants, C. chrysanthemi caused the typical symptoms of anthracnose on leaves. This is the first record of this pathogen on C. tinctorius in Italy, and it presents an updated characterization of Colletotrichum isolates pathogenic to safflowers in Europe.     

Chemical control of isolated invasive conifers using a novel aerial spot application method

Conifer species, which have formed the foundation of commercial forestry industry in many countries, are known to be invasive in natural ecosystems, especially in the Southern Hemisphere. Controlling isolated invasive conifers before they reach reproductive maturity is an essential element of any strategy that aims to reduce spread rate of these species. Using a novel helicopter‐mounted spot‐application gun, which delivers a precise dosage to the crown of each tree, the objective of this research was to test the efficacy of three triclopyr‐based treatments against the four most vigorous wilding conifer species (Pinus contorta, Pinus nigra, Pinus sylvestris and Pseudotsuga menziesii) under New Zealand field conditions. Herbicides tested were triclopyr at two different rates and a combination of triclopyr and picloram. Treated trees covered a wide range of heights (c. 0.5–16 m), and measurements of mortality taken two years post‐herbicide application were used to examine variation in efficacy of the herbicides. Successful treatment was defined by a mortality rate of 85% or higher. A logistic regression model was fitted to the mortality data and used to derive threshold tree heights at which 85% mortality occurred, H₈₅. For all four species, the most effective treatment was application of 1000 ml of herbicide mixture per tree that contained 120 and 20 g, respectively, of the active ingredients triclopyr and picloram. There was a significant decline in efficacy of this treatment with increases in tree size for all four species. Values of H₈₅ for this treatment were 7.4 m for P. nigra, 8.3 m for P. menziesii, 9.7 m for P. contorta and >10 m for P. sylvestris. The methods developed here could be used to effectively manage emerging conifer infestations before they become problematic.     

Effects of relative humidity on infection,colonization and conidiation of Magnaporthe orzyae on perennial ryegrass

Grey leaf spot, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae, causes severe damage on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) turf. In this study, the effects of relative humidity (RH, 88 to 100% at 28°C) on infection, colonization and conidiation of M. oryzae on perennial ryegrass were investigated in controlled humidity chambers. Results showed that the RH threshold for successful M. oryzae infection was ≥92% at 28°C. The advancement of infection on the leaf tissue was further examined with a green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐tagged M. oryzae strain. No appressorium formation was found when the inoculum was incubated at RH ≤ 88%. Additionally, the GFP‐tagged staining provided a rapid method to quantitatively compare the fungal colonization from leaf tissue at different levels of RH. The fluorescence intensity data indicated that the fungal biomass was highest at 100% RH and there was no fluorescence intensity observed at 88% RH or below. Conidiation was only observed when RH was ≥96%, with the most abundant conidiation occurring 8 days after inoculation. Reduced conidiation was associated with decreasing RH, and no conidiation occurred at RH ≤ 92%. This study indicates that infection and conidiation of M. oryzae on perennial ryegrass required different thresholds: 92% and 96% RH for infection and conidiation, respectively. The quantitative data from this research will assist in prediction of grey leaf spot disease outbreaks and of secondary infection of perennial ryegrass.     

Genetic diversity of giant reed ( A rundo donax) in Australia

The perennial grass, Arundo donax, has shown potential as a promising biomass crop. However, it has become invasive in a number of areas and declared a noxious weed in some jurisdictions, making proposals to grow A. donax for commercial use in Australia controversial. Evidence of asexual reproduction and the presence of a single genetic clone in Australia was investigated, as such characteristics would indicate a limited risk of escape and invasion. Using amplified fragment length polymorphism markers, the genetic diversity of 218 A. donax samples from across Australia was examined. The samples were found to separate into two distinct genetic groups, or clades. There was only a small amount of genetic diversity within a clade (0.9 and 1.5%). However, there was a larger difference between the clades of 19.8%, suggesting the presence of two distinct A. donax genotypes in Australia. The low level of genetic variation in Australian A. donax that was found in this study indicates that spread is essentially by vegetative means and suggests that if grown in areas where it is separated from natural water dispersal events, A. donax poses a low risk of becoming invasive.     

Pathogenicity of isolates of Magnaporthe spp. from wheat and grasses infecting seedlings and mature wheat plants in Argentina

Wheat blast of wheat (Triticum aestivum), caused by Magnaporthe oryzae pathotype triticum (MoT; anamorph Pyricularia oryzae) is a destructive disease in the South American countries of Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia. In Argentina, the fungus was recently recorded on wheat and barley plants in the northeast part of the country, Buenos Aires and Corrientes Provinces, with a potential for spreading. This work aimed to study, for the first time, the morphocultural and pathogenic characteristics of Magnaporthe isolates collected from wheat and other herbaceous species in Argentina and three neighbouring countries (Paraguay, Brazil and Bolivia) and determine their aggressiveness on wheat varieties. Statistical differences among isolates, culture media, and development conditions were found for conidia colour, growth rate, size and sporulation rate. Pathogenicity tests performed on seedlings with 19 isolates of Magnaporthe spp. under greenhouse conditions showed a maximum disease severity of 55.3% and 66.7% for varieties BIOINTA 3004 and Baguette 18, respectively. Weed and grass isolates were infectious on wheat, demonstrating their potential epidemiological role on the disease. Spike disease severity was 34.6% for the host × pathogen interaction of BIOINTA 3004 × PY22. Observed symptoms included partial or total spike bleaching, and glume and rachis discolouration. The 1000‐grain weight was significantly reduced to 38.5% and 63.1% for cultivars BIOINTA 3004 and Baguette 18, respectively. The disease affected grain germination, which fell to 65.9% for seeds infected with the PYAR22 isolate. Symptoms observed in infected grains were partial spotting, grain softening, and rot symptoms with the presence of a greyish mould.     

Annual and herbaceous perennial native Australian plant species are symptomless hosts of Phytophthora cinnamomi in the Eucalyptus marginata (jarrah) forest of Western Australia

Resistant annual and herbaceous perennial plant species were identified as key hosts which allow Phytophthora cinnamomi to persist on severely impacted black gravel sites within the Eucalyptus marginata (jarrah) forest of southwest Western Australia. Of the annual and herbaceous perennial plant species present on black gravel sites, 15 out of 19 species were found to be hosts of P. cinnamomi, and 10 of these were symptomless hosts. In particular, the native annual Trachymene pilosa and the two native herbaceous perennials Stylidium diuroides and Chamaescilla corymbosa were commonly found to be hosts of the pathogen. Species from 12 new genera including three from new families (Crassulaceae, Droseraceae and Primulaceae) are reported for the first time to be hosts of P. cinnamomi. The species from which P. cinnamomi was recovered were the native species: Chamaescilla corymbosa, Crassula closiana, Drosera erythrorhiza, Hydrocotyle callicarpa, Levenhookia pusilla, Paracaleana nigrita, Podotheca angustifolia, Pterochaeta paniculata, Rytidosperma caespitosum, Siloxerus multiflorus, Stylidium diuroides and Trachymene pilosa, and the introduced annual weeds Hypochaeris glabra, Lysimachia arvensis and Pentameris airoides.     

Species composition,toxigenic potential and pathogenicity of Fusarium graminearum species complex isolates from southern Brazilian rice

This study aimed to assess the extent and distribution of Fusarium graminearum species complex (FGSC) diversity in rice seeds produced in southern Brazil. Four species and two trichothecene genotypes were detected among 89 FGSC isolates, based on a multilocus genotyping assay: F. asiaticum (69·6%) with the nivalenol (NIV) genotype, F. graminearum (14·6%) with the 15‐acetyldeoxynivalenol (ADON) genotype, and F. cortaderiae (14·6%) and F. meridionale (1·1%), both with the NIV genotype. Seven selected F. asiaticum isolates from rice produced NIV in rice‐based substrate in vitro, at levels ranging from 4·7 to 84·1 μg g^?1. Similarly, two F. graminearum isolates from rice produced mainly 15‐ADON (c. 15–41 μg g^?1) and a smaller amount of 3‐ADON (c. 6–12 μg g^?1). One F. meridionale and two F. cortaderiae isolates did not produce detectable levels of trichothecenes. Two F. asiaticum isolates from rice and two from wheat (from a previous study), and one F. graminearum isolate from wheat, were pathogenic to both crops at various levels of aggressiveness based on measures of disease severity in wheat spikes and rice kernel infection in a greenhouse assay. Fusarium asiaticum and the reference F. graminearum isolate from wheat produced NIV, and deoxynivalenol and acetylates, respectively, in the kernels of inoculated wheat heads. No trichothecene was produced in kernels from inoculated rice panicles by any of the isolates. These findings constitute the first report of FGSC composition in rice outside Asia, and confirm the dominance of F. asiaticum in rice agroecosystems.     

Considering the preferences for nitrogen forms by invasive plants: a case study from a hydroponic culture experiment

Although preference for NH₄⁺, NO₃^? or a combination of the two often differs among species, we know little about the responses of invasive plants to different inorganic N forms. Furthermore, many studies have suggested that an increase in N availability may facilitate further invasions. However, most of these studies predicted the positive feedback without considering the preference for N forms of invasive plants. Therefore, we cultivated four common invasive species (Mikania micrantha, Ipomoea cairica, Wedelia trilobata and Bidens pilosa) in South China with hydroponic media containing different forms of N (i.e. NO₃^?, NH₄NO₃ and NH₄⁺) at equimolar concentrations. Our results showed that the N forms significantly affected the growth, biomass allocation and physiological traits of the plants. All four invasive plants supplied with NO₃^? alone had better performance and greater allocation to root biomass than did plants that were supplied with NH₄⁺ alone. Moreover, the photosynthetic rate, pigment content and photosystem II activity of plants supplied with NO₃^? or NH₄NO₃ were significantly higher than those of plants supplied with NH₄⁺alone. The results suggested that all four invasive plants preferred NO₃^? rather than NH₄⁺, and changes in NO₃^? played an important role in furthering the invasions of these plants than did changes in NH₄⁺. Our results implied that decreasing NO₃^? may be a useful tool for controlling and managing invasive plants preferring NO₃^?. In addition, this study highlighted the importance of considering plant N form preference to better understand plant invasions.     

Long‐term survival of Acidovorax citrulli in citron melon (Citrullus lanatus var. citroides) seeds

Long‐term survival of Acidovorax citrulli in citron melon (Citrullus lanatus var. citroides) seeds was investigated. Citron melon seed lots infected with A. citrulli were generated in the field by inoculating either the pistils (stigma) or pericarps (ovary wall) of the female blossoms. Seventeen A. citrulli isolates from 14 different haplotypes belonging to two different groups (group I and II) were used for inoculation. After confirming that 100% of seed lots were infected, they were stored at 4°C and 50% RH for 7 years. After storage, the viability of A. citrulli cells from individual lots was determined by plating macerated seeds on semiselective medium as well as growing seeds for 14 days and scoring for bacterial fruit blotch symptoms. The type of A. citrulli isolate (group I or group II) used did not significantly influence bacterial survival. However, A. citrulli survival was significantly greater in seed lots generated via pistil inoculation (52·9 and 29·4%) than via pericarp inoculation (23·5 and 17·6%). Repetitive extragenic palindrome (rep)‐PCR on A. citrulli isolated from citron melon seed lots after storage displayed similar fingerprinting patterns to those of the reference strains originally used for blossom inoculation, indicating that cross‐contamination did not occur. The results indicate that A. citrulli may survive/overwinter in citron melon seeds for at least 7 years and bacterial survival in seed was influenced more by method of blossom inoculation than by the type of bacterial isolate.     

A quantitative real‐time PCR assay for detection of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum in navy bean seeds

Bean anthracnose is a seedborne disease of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) caused by the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum lindemuthianum. Using seed that did not test positive for the pathogen has been proven to be an effective strategy for bean anthracnose control. To quantify the extent of anthracnose seed infection, a real‐time PCR‐based diagnostic assay was developed for detecting C. lindemuthianum in seeds of the commercial bean class navy bean. The ribosomal DNA (rDNA) region consisting of part of the18S rDNA, 5^.8S rDNA, internal transcribed spacers (ITS) 1, 2 and part of the 28S rDNA of seven races of C. lindemuthianum, 21 isolates of Colletotrichum species and nine other bean pathogens were sequenced with the universal primer set ITS5/ITS4. Based on the aligned sequence matrix, one primer set and a probe were designed for a SYBR Green dye assay and a TaqMan MGB (minor groove binder) assay. The primer set was demonstrated to be specific for C. lindemuthianum and showed a high sensitivity for the target pathogen. The detection limit of both assays was 5 fg of C. lindemuthianum genomic DNA. To explore the correlation between the lesion area and the DNA amount of C. lindemuthianum in bean seed, seeds of the navy bean cultivar Navigator with lesions of different sizes, as well as symptomless seeds, were used in both real‐time PCR assays.     

Paraphoma chlamydocopiosa sp. nov. and Paraphoma pye sp. nov., two new species associated with leaf and crown infection of pyrethrum

Two new pathogens of pyrethrum, described as Paraphoma chlamydocopiosa and Paraphoma pye, isolated from necrotic leaf lesions on pyrethrum plants in northern Tasmania, Australia, were identified using morphological characters, phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), elongation factor 1‐α (EF1‐α) and β‐tubulin (TUB) genes, and pathogenicity bioassays. Bootstrap support in the combined and individual gene region phylogenetic trees supported the two species that were significantly different from the closely related P. chrysanthemicola and P. vinacea. Morphological characteristics also supported the two new species, with conidia of P. chlamydocopiosa being considerably longer and wider than either P. chrysanthemicola or P. vinacea, and P. pye being distinct in forming bilocular pycnidia. Glasshouse pathogenicity tests based on root dip inoculation resulted in P. chlamydocopiosa and P. pye infecting the crown and upper root tissues of pyrethrum plants, and significant reduction in biomass 2 months after inoculation. Both of these Paraphoma species caused leaf lesions during in vitro and in vivo bioassays 2 weeks after foliar spray inoculation. Although P. chlamydocopiosa and P. pye were shown to be crown rot pathogens, they were also commonly isolated from leaves of diseased plants in pyrethrum fields of northern Tasmania.     

Impacts of soil moisture level and organic matter content on growth of two Juncus species and Poa pratensis grown under acid soil conditions

The abundance of Juncus effusus (soft rush) and Juncus conglomeratus (compact rush) has increased in coastal grasslands in Norway over recent decades, and their spread has coincided with increased precipitation in the region. Especially in water‐saturated, peaty soils, it appears from field observations that productive grasses cannot compete effectively with such rapidly growing rush plants. In autumn–winters of 2012–2013 and 2013–2014, a four‐factor, randomised block greenhouse experiment was performed to investigate the effect of different soil moisture regimes and organic matter contents on competition between these rush species and smooth meadow‐grass (Poa pratensis). The rush species were grown in monoculture and in competition with the meadow‐grass, using the equivalent of full and half the recommended seed rate for the latter. After about three months, above‐ and below‐ground dry matter was measured. J. effusus had more vigorous growth, producing on average 23–40% greater biomass in both fractions than J. conglomeratus. The competitive ability of both rush species declined with decreasing soil moisture; at the lowest levels of soil moisture, growth reductions were up to 93% in J. conglomeratus and 74% in J. effusus. Increasing water level in peat–sand mixture decreased competivitiveness of meadow‐grass, while pure peat, when moist, completely impeded its below‐ground development. These results show that control of rush plants through management may only be achieved if basic soil limitations have been resolved.