Detection and transport of soluble antigens of Erwinia salicis and their role in symptom expression of the Watermark disease

An inproved method for the detection of soluble antigens of Erwinia salicis in leaves of Salix alba by ELISA is described. These antigens play a role in symptom expression of the Watermark disease. The antigen concentration in the leaves fluctuates strongly during the growing season. Presence of E. salicis inside willow trees could be determined without disturbing both host and pathogen.     

The emergence of beech leaf disease in Ohio: Probing the plant microbiome in search of the cause

American beech (Fagus grandifolia) is the target of a newly emerging disease in North America called beech leaf disease (BLD) that affects and disfigures leaves and which can lead to tree mortality. Beech leaf disease may be caused by a newly recognized subspecies of the anguinid nematode Litylenchus crenatae subsp. mccannii, but the associations of this nematode with bacterial and fungal taxa are unknown. We examined microbial communities associated with beech leaves affected by BLD in a 16‐year‐old American beech plantation using molecular methods. We detected L. crenatae subsp. mccannii in anywhere from 45% to 90% of leaves depending on the degree of visual BLD symptoms. Approximately 37% of asymptomatic leaves contained L. crenatae subsp. mccannii, whereas 90% of buds associated with symptomatic leaves contained L. crenatae subsp. mccannii. We found that fungal communities on leaves and buds were unaffected by BLD, but bud and leaves had significantly different fungal communities. Bacterial communities on buds also were unaffected by BLD, but bacterial communities were significantly different between symptomatic and asymptomatic leaves suggesting that the nematode could be altering the community of bacteria on the leaves. Clone libraries indicate that Wolbachia, an intracellular endosymbiont of arthropods, was found only on symptomatic leaves and buds associated with either symptomatic or asymptomatic leaves. In addition, only symptomatic leaves contained taxa in the genus Mucilaginibacter, which previous studies suggest could produce exopolysaccharides. These bacterial taxa could represent a marker for the vector of L. crenatae subsp. mccannii that enables spread between trees and a possible endosymbiont that could facilitate nematode feeding and establishment on nematode infested leaves. Our results are the first to examine changes to the leaf microbiome of this newly emerging pest and may aid identification of mechanisms associated with the spread and success of L. crenatae subsp. mccanni.     

西南桦与光皮桦幼苗叶片表型特征研究

西南桦和光皮桦幼苗外形特征十分相似,在种源不明确的情况下,苗木调运时很难在现场快速鉴别与区分。由于两个树种各自适宜栽培的海拔和气候条件不尽相同,为避免混淆造成不良影响,对两个树种的幼苗叶片表型特征进行调查对比研究。结果表明,光皮桦与西南桦幼苗的叶柄区别显著,前者明显长于后者;光皮桦与西南桦幼苗叶片长宽比区别显著,前者长宽比小,叶形团圆,后者长宽比大,叶形细长;西南桦与光皮桦幼苗叶片基尖比无明显差别。幼苗叶片表型特征的差异性可作为现场快速鉴别区分西南桦与光皮桦幼苗的依据。     

印度黄檀叶多酚提取工艺优化及抗氧化活性研究

目的]印度黄檀叶含有多酚及类黄酮物质,研究印度黄檀叶多酚及其抗氧化活性,可为其利用提供依据。[方法]以印度黄檀叶为原料,乙醇为提取液,经单因素实验与正交试验设计,检测在不同乙醇浓度、提取时间、提取温度及超声功率120 w时3个因素进行响应面优化试验,确定印度黄檀多酚的提取工艺;同时,鉴定印度黄檀叶乙醇-水提取液对DPPH-自由基的清除能力。[结果]低浓度印度黄檀叶多酚能发挥更强的抗氧化能力,其提取液对清除DPPH自由基的半数抑制质量浓度(IC_(50))约为3.2 mg·L~(-1),略大于Vc的2.5 mg·L~(-1);不过,其还原能力略低于Vc。[结论]印度黄檀叶内富含多酚类物质,具有很强的体外抗氧化活性,可作为天然抗氧化植物资源开发利用。     

Seedling indices of four tree species in nursery and their correlations with field growth in Tamil Nadu, India

Selection of quality seedlings in nursery is important for raising fast-growing trees for production of fuelwood and other products. In order to identify the morphophysiological variables that can be used in nursery for selection purpose, a study on growth, drymatter production, and rate of photosynthesis was undertaken with seedlings of four tree species, viz, Acacia nilotica, Albizzia lebbeck, Dalbergia sissoo and Eucalyptus camaldulensis. The species varied significantly in growth, drymatter production and photosynthetic rate in nursery. E. camaldulensis was the fastest in growth and A. nilotica had maximum number of leaves. Total drymatter production was maximum in D. sissoo followed by A. lebbeck. The rate of photosynthesis was maximum in D. sissoo followed by A. nilotica and lowest in A. lebbeck. Among the various seedling attributes, height, number of leaves per plant, rootweight and photosynthetic rate exhibited significant correlations with seedling drymatter. Seedling diameter showed weak positive correlations with drymatter of both seedlings as well as two-year old field trees. However, number of leaves per plant, rootweight, shootweight and leafweight showed significant correlations with two-year field tree drymatter, the strongest correlation (r = 0.96, P = 0.001) was found between number of leaves per plant and field tree drymatter. Although plant height and leaf photosynthetic rate showed a positive correlation with two-year field growth, the relationship was statistically non-significant. The study reveals that maximum value for leaf number and dryweight of seedling components such as root, shoot and leaf can be used as criteria for selecting nursery stocks for field planting in semiarid conditions.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Pre-penetration behaviour of the urediniospores of birch rust,Melampsoridium betulinum,on greenhouse-grown and microcultured leaves of Betula spp.

In two different experiments the urediniospores of Melampsoridium betulinum from Betula pendula and Betula pubescens germinated both on mature leaves of greenhouse-grown plants and on sterile in vitro leaves of micropropagated plantlets, which were cloned from the same B. pendula and B. pubescens genotypes. The urediniospores and germ tubes were more easily detached from the leaf surfaces of in vitro leaves. If germination took place on a leaf vein, the growth continued across the veinal ridges; otherwise, no determined growth towards the stomata could be observed with either of the leaf types studied. In both experiments on the in vitro leaves of B. pubescens clone V5944, the germ tubes of the rust isolate from B. pendula mislocated appressoria significantly more often than the germ tubes of the rust isolate from B. pubescens. On the mature leaves of B. pendula clone E4214 and B. pubescens clone V5940 there were also significant differences in appressorial locations between the two rust isolates but the clonal responses were inconsistent. The results of the inoculations suggest that the incompatibility of the rust isolates from B. pendula on the leaves of B. pubescens is not related to the significantly higher ratio of failures in locating appressoria in this host-rust combination.     

The effects of drying temperature on chemical composition and nutritive value of some tropical fodder shrubs

The effects of drying temperature on chemical composition and nutritive value of leaves of the shrub legumes Acacia angustissima (Miller) Kuntze, Calliandra calothyrsus Meissn and Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit were determined in two studies in Zimbabwe. In the first study, the effects of shade-, sun- and oven-drying leaves on chemical composition and protein precipitation capacity of tannin extracts were studied. Drying method affected (P<0.01) chemical composition, with cell wall polysaccharides increasing from shade drying to oven drying. Calliandra calothyrsus leaves had the highest total phenolics, tannin phenolics and the lowest N content. About 40% of phenolics in L. leucocephala were non-tannin compared to less than 15% in A. angustissima and C. calothyrsus. Extractable proanthocyanidins and their capacity to precipitate protein were affected (P<0.01) by drying method; extracts from shade-dried leaves were 10% and 20% more reactive than extracts from sun- and oven-dried leaves, respectively. The relative degree of polymerisation of the proanthocyanidins was higher (P<0.01) for oven-dried (1.44) leaves compared to shade-dried (1.01) and sun-dried (1.00) leaves. Drying temperature influences the nutrient–polyphenolic interactions in A. angustissima, C. calothyrsus and L. leucocephala leaves and these interactions have important implications for feed evaluation protocols and for use of these leaves in ruminant feeding systems. The second study considered the effects of feeding sun-dried or fresh leaves of the three shrub legumes as supplements to native pasture hay on nutrient intake and digestion by goats. Feeding the fresh or dry leaves made no difference in terms of dry matter intake and digestion, and N digestion. This offers farmers flexibility in terms of feeding strategies, as they can feed the browse in any form that suits their farm situation. Increasing the level of C. calothyrsus in the diet increased faecal N. Nitrogen retention was lower for animals fed with C. calothyrsus compared to those fed with the other browses.     

Der Einfluß der Blattisolierung und der Kinetinbehandlung abgeschnittener Blätter auf das Wachstum von Blattläusen

On the development and weight of Myzus persicae feeding on leaves of Chenopodium quinoa by different means Individuals ofMyzus persicae feeding on detached yellowing leaves ofChenopodium quinoa became four times heavier than those feeding on attached leaves. If the detached leaves were treated with kinetin by spraying, the weights of the adults decreased about 25% as compared to those feeding on detached yellowing leaves treated with water. The resistance of the attached leaves was not restored completely by kinetin-treatment of detached leaves which remained green, however.More aphids survived, if they were placed on the detached leaves as 0–1 days old larvae. Detaching of leaves, however, did not lead to a decrease of the resistance ofCh. quinoa to adults ofMyzus fersicae bred onSinapis alba. Adults could neither be settled on plants of Ch.quinoa nor on detached yellowing leaves. Apparently, there exists another type of resistance which cannot be influenced by detaching leaves.     

Influence of leaf portion and plant species on the egg-laying behaviour of the predatory ladybird Serangium parcesetosum Sicard (Col., Coccinellidae) in the presence of a natural enemy

The effectiveness of natural enemies against arthropod herbivores can depend on the characteristics of the plant on which they are found. The influence of the plant on the egg-laying behaviour of the promising whitefly predator, Serangium parcesetosum Sicard (Col., Coccinellidae) was examined in order to be able to use it effectively in biological control programs. The present work investigated the possible influence of the portion of the leaf on the number of eggs laid as well as the effect of plant species on the way in which eggs are deposited by S. parcesetosum. The experiments were conducted on cucumber and cotton leaves with Bemisia tabaci (Genn .) (Hom., Aleyrodidae) as prey in the absence and presence of a natural enemy, the lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neur., Chrysopidae) at two different temperatures. The results showed that at 18°C, S. parcesetosum females significantly preferred to lay their eggs between the veins and close to the veins of cucumber leaves, mean of 10.1 and 7.5 eggs, in the absence of C. carnea, respectively, while in its presence significantly more eggs were deposited close to the veins and close to the petiole. On cotton leaves, close to the petiole, a mean of 8.4 eggs in the absence of the lacewing, as well as close to the veins, mean of 6.3 eggs in the presence of the lacewing, were found to be the most suitable leaf portions for egg-laying. At 30° C, the females laid their eggs preferentially close to the veins of cucumber leaves in the absence and presence of C. carnea. On cotton leaves, S. parcesetosum females significantly preferred to lay their eggs close to the petiole, mean of 7.6 and 6.1 eggs, as well as close to the veins, mean of 6.2 and 8.7 eggs, in the absence and presence of the lacewing, respectively. At both temperatures, the ladybird females laid their eggs singly on cucumber leaves in the absence and presence of C. carnea. While on cotton leaves, the females had a tendency to deposit their eggs together in the absence and presence of the lacewing, except at 30°C in its absence. Within the same plant species, significant differences were found in the total number of eggs laid by S. parcesetosum females on cotton leaves at 18°C as well as on cucumber leaves at 30°C in the absence and presence of the natural enemy. In addition to the effects of presence and absence of C. carnea, and where eggs were laid, some significant differences due to plant species was found at both temperatures.This article is dedicated to Prof. Dr Wolfgang Schwenke on his 84th birthday.     

Decomposition and nitrogen release patterns of Paraserianthes falcataria tree residues under controlled incubation

Tree legumes can serve as nitrogen (N) source for cereals in resource poor farms where chemical fertilizer is financially unaffordable. Despite the increasing importance of Paraserianthes falcataria in tropical agroforestry systems of Southeast Asia, little information is available on the decomposition and N release patterns of P. falcataria. Quality of P. falcataria roots and leaves, as individual components and as a mixture, was determined before incubating in an ¹⁵N labeled acidic Ultisol under controlled laboratory conditions. Decomposition was monitored as CO₂ evolution and inorganic N released over time. The aim was to determine inorganic soil N and pH dynamics as affected by residue quality. Residue quality assessment based on (Polyphenol + Lignin): N was in the order of P. falcataria leaves > P. falcataria mixture of leaves and roots > P. falcataria roots. The same order was observed for nitrogen and carbon mineralization rate (P <0.05), indicating that mixing of residues of varying quality would provide a means of strategically modifying nutrient release. P. falcataria leaves and the mixture of leaves and roots significantly (P<0.05) mitigated soil acidity while P. falcataria roots alone did not.     

High‐resolution melting analysis allows rapid and accurate differentiation of the three Melampsoridium species occurring on Alnus

Alder (Alnus) leaves can be infected by three species of Melampsoridium rust: M. alni, M. betulinum and M. hiratsukanum. The latter is an invasive species in Europe that can be differentiated from the other two on the basis of morphological and molecular characters. This study presents a rapid, one‐step, closed‐tube and inexpensive method to differentiate species of Melampsoridium using two primer sets and high‐resolution melting (HRM) analysis of alder leaf material.     

Ruminal in situ disappearance kinetics of six nutritive ingredients in leaves and stems of young tetraploid black locust in growing steers

Tetraploid black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) is a woody plant with larger leaves and richer nutritional content than normal diploid black locust, with greater biomass and wider adaptability than herbaceous plant forage. However, currently no stockbreeders have adopted it as a major forage in China and other countries for a lack of information on the evaluation of nutritional ingredients of leaves and stems of young tetraploid black locust (YTBL) by in situ digesting tests. The objectives of this study were: 1) to assess the nutritive value of YTBL that bourgeoned from root stumps in the spring by determining the ruminal in situ disappearance kinetics of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) from leaves, stems and a mixture of both leaves and stems (MLS) of YTBL; 2) to compare these kinetic estimates with those of Leymus chinensis, a widely used ruminant forage in China. All samples were evaluated in situ by using five ruminally cannulated crossbred steers (550±22.7 kg BW). The results of 48 hours, the representative incubation period, indicate that in situ disappearance rates of DM and OM in YTBL leaves, stems and MLS are on average about 40% and can attain the level of digestibility of L. chinensis. In situ disappearance rates of leaves, stems and MLS of YTBL for CP and EE were 41% and 58% respectively, rates higher than those of L. chinensis. But the disappearance rates of NDF and ADF were, on average, respectively 30.62% and 24.89% and lower than those of L. chinensis. By analyzing synthetically all of our results it could be inferred that MLS of YTBL offers effective ruminal degradability of DM, NDF, ADF, CP, EE and OM, similar to the nutrients of L. chinensis. This supports our contention that the YTBL leaves, stems and MLS are suitable feed for those ruminants requiring high levels of nutrients, such as dairy cows and Boer goats, instead of plant forage, which is decidedly lacking in some parts of the world.     

金花茶花朵和叶片UPLC-QTOF-MS分析

[目的]鉴定分析金花茶花朵和叶片中主要化学成分、含量及其变化特征,为金花茶资源的进一步开发利用提供科学依据。[方法]利用超高效液相色谱-飞行时间质谱联用(UPLC-QTOF-MS)技术定性定量分析金花茶花瓣、雄蕊、老叶和新叶中花青苷、类黄酮及儿茶素类成分与含量。[结果]花青苷天竺葵素-3-O-葡萄糖苷和矢车菊素-3-O-葡萄糖苷均为金花茶中首次发现,其中,矢车菊素-3-O-葡萄糖苷仅存在于紫红色新叶中。类黄酮木犀草素-7-O-芸香糖苷和染料木苷为金花茶中首次发现,槲皮素-3-O-葡萄糖苷、槲皮素-7-O-葡萄糖苷、槲皮素-3-O-芸香糖苷和山柰酚-3-O-葡萄糖苷为金花茶叶片中首次发现。金花茶花瓣与雄蕊中花青苷相差不大,但却低于叶片尤其新叶;花朵中儿茶素类远高于叶片尤其新叶。金花茶花瓣和雄蕊中总黄酮及槲皮素-3-O-葡萄糖苷、槲皮素-3-O-芸香糖苷和山柰酚-3-O-葡萄糖苷均相差不大,但却远高于叶片。金花茶新叶中主要类黄酮成分木犀草素-7-O-芸香糖苷及总类黄酮明显高于老叶。[结论]金花茶中共鉴定出2种花青苷、6种类黄酮和2种儿茶素;槲皮素-3-O-葡萄糖苷等类黄酮是金花茶花朵呈现黄色的主要原因,矢车菊素-3-O-葡萄糖苷是金花茶新叶呈现紫红色的主要原因。     

Foliar nematode,Litylenchus crenatae ssp. mccannii,population dynamics in leaves and buds of beech leaf disease‐affected trees in Canada and the US

A foliar nematode, Litylenchus crenatae ssp. mccannii, is associated with beech leaf disease (BLD) symptoms. Information about the types of tissues parasitized and how nematode populations fluctuate in these tissues over time is needed to improve surveys as well as understand the nematodes role in BLD. During this study, the nematode was detected throughout the known range of BLD by researchers at both Canadian and US institutions using a modified pan method to extract nematodes. Monthly collections of symptomatic and asymptomatic leaves during the growing season (May–October), and leaves and buds between growing seasons (November–March), revealed that nematodes were present in all tissue types. Progressively larger numbers of nematodes were detected in symptomatic leaves from Ohio and Ontario, with the greatest detections at the end of the growing season. Smaller numbers of nematodes were detected in asymptomatic leaves from BLD‐infected trees, typically at the end of the growing season. The nematode was detected overwintering in buds and detached leaves. The discovery of small numbers of nematodes in detached leaves at one location before BLD was detected indicates that nematodes may have been present before disease symptoms were expressed. Other nematodes, Plectus and Aphelenchoides spp., were infrequently detected in small numbers. Our findings support the involvement of the nematode in BLD and indicate that symptoms develop only when certain requirements, such as infection of buds, are met. We also found that the nematode can be reliably detected in buds and leaves using the modified pan extraction method.     

The culturable leaf mycobiome of Viscum album subsp. austriacum

In Poland's pine forests, mistletoe (Viscum album subsp. austriacum) abundance has increased over the past 20 years. This mistletoe infestation has decreased the growth and vigour of Scots pine trees. In this study, we surveyed the culturable fungi from healthy and diseased V. album subsp. austriacum leaves from two stands in Poland. In total, 63 distinct species were identified, 99.8% of which belonged to the phylum Ascomycota. The community compositions of fungi in mistletoe leaves were similar in healthy and diseased leaves as Alternaria alternata, Aureobasidium pullulans, Botryosphaeria visci, Fusarium paeoniae and Microsphaeropsis olivacea were consistently found in leaves of all symptom types. The most frequently isolated fungus from asymptomatic leaves was M. olivacea, followed by A. alternata, A. pullulans and Hypoxylon rubiginosum. In comparison, the most frequently isolated fungi from leaves with rusty-brown necrotic spots were (in decreasing order) M. olivacea, B. visci, F. paeoniae and A. alternata, while the most frequently isolated fungi from leaves with black or dark brown spots were M. olivacea, A. alternata, A. pullulans, Epicoccum layuense and F. paeoniae. This study was the first comprehensive report showing that certain fungal species may be pathogens of V. album subsp. austriacum in Poland. This study was also the first report of F. paeoniae, F. juglandicola, Diaporthe vacuae and Heterotruncatella spartii from V. album, and the first report of D. vacuae and H. spartii in Poland.     

Finnish Cronartium ribicola does not infect alternate hosts of Cronartium flaccidum

Susceptibility of the main alternate hosts of Cronartium flaccidum, Vincetoxicum spp. and Melampyrum spp., to C. ribicola was investigated by artificial inoculations on detached leaves in the laboratory and on whole plants in the greenhouse. Neither uredinia nor telia developed on the leaves of either Vincetoxicum hirundinaria, Vincetoxicum nigrum, Melampyrum sylvaticum, Melampyrum pratense, Melampyrum nemorosum, Melampyrum arvense, Melampyrum cristatum or Melampyrum polonicum following inoculation by the 26 aeciospore sources collected from Pinus strobus, Pinus monticola, Pinus flexilis and Pinus peuce in 2000–2003. The results suggest that Finnish C. ribicola does not infect the main alternate hosts of C. flaccidum. Cronartium ribicola and C. flaccidum can thus be identified reliably by inoculations on their main alternate hosts.     

茉莉酸甲酯和水杨酸甲酯诱导杨树叶片内酚酸含量的变化

用茉莉酸甲酯(MeJa)及水杨酸甲酯(MeSa)熏蒸合作杨(P.Simonii×P.Pyramibalis c.v)和黑杨(P.deltoids)植株,采用高效液相色谱技术(HPLC)检测杨树叶片内没什子酸、儿茶酸、邻苯二酚、咖啡酸、香豆酸、阿魏酸和苯甲酸的含量变化,分析MeJa与MeSa诱导植物叶片内酚酸含量的差异。结果表明:在不同的处理条件下,不同酚酸含量存在显著差异。MeJA及MeSa熏蒸后的黑杨叶片内没什子酸、香豆酸、咖啡酸、阿魏酸和苯甲酸含量均增加,且没什子酸含量在MeJa处理24h后达到最大量,在MeSa处理12天后达到最大量。MeJa及MeSa熏蒸后的合作杨叶片内没什子酸、邻苯二酚和阿魏酸含量也增加,儿茶酸和苯甲酸含量略有下降,咖啡酸和香豆酸在对照叶片和熏蒸叶片内都没有检测到。说明MeJa与MeSa可作为气体信号诱导植株产生防御反应。图4参23。     

Ulocladium chartarum as the causal agent of a leaf necrosis on Quercus pubescens

Summary A necrosis of leaves of Quercus pubescens caused by the fungus Ulocladium chartarum is reported. This fungus causes leaf spots both under natural conditions and following artificial inoculation of unwounded attached leaves. A high incidence of leaf spotting by U. chartarum seems to be associated with wet summers.     

Opelug-ontspanning op Boseiendomme

Insect-induced damage to leaves, and the growth phenology, of Olea europaea subsp. africana and Kiggelaria africana near Stellenbosch (33° 56'S, 18° 52'E) were monitored at weekly intervals between July 1980 and June 1981. The average incidence of damaged leaves was greater in K. africana than in O.e. africana (14 vs 10 %, respectively). In both species, leaf-damage appeared to be slightly more than twice as great in January-June than in July-December, and insect attacks on leaves apparently began to intensify after the plants had completed their main growth and production of new leaves in the austral spring. These findings are discussed in relation to the meagre published information on herbivory in the fynbos biome.     

华山松、油松不同叶龄针叶光合特性对林窗式疏伐的响应

[目的]通过对比研究华山松和油松不同叶龄针叶形态、光合速率、叶绿素和叶氮含量对林窗式疏伐的响应,探讨林窗大小、叶龄和树种对林窗式疏伐后叶光合特性响应的影响。[方法]2008年在30年生华山松和油松混交人工林中,设置对照、小林窗(80 m2)和中林窗(110 m2)处理,2013年以对照样地内和林窗边缘华山松和油松为研究对象,测定其当年生、1年生和2年生叶比叶重(LMA)、单位叶面积叶绿素a(Chl a)、叶绿素b含量(Chl b)、氮含量(N)、最大净光合速率(Amax)、光合氮利用效率(PNUE)等指标。[结果]小林窗和中林窗疏伐对叶光合特性影响一致,均对当年生叶影响不显著,但显著改变了1年生和2年生叶绿素含量、N和PNUE,提高了其Amax。华山松叶LMA、叶绿素含量、N、Amax均低于油松,两树种多年生叶对林窗式疏伐的响应也明显不同:林窗边缘华山松1年生和2年生叶LMA和N与对照差异不显著,但叶绿素含量低于对照,PNUE和Amax显著高于对照;林窗边缘油松1年生和2年生叶LMA和PNUE与对照差异不显著,但N和Amax显著高于对照。[结论]80 110 m2林窗疏伐显著改变叶光合特性,提高其光合潜力;林窗疏伐影响1年生和2年生叶光合特性,对当年生叶影响不显著;华山松和油松对林窗式疏伐的响应特征存在差异。