近55年来青海省海东市气候变化特征 及影响因子分析

利用青海省海东市5个气象台站1961-2015年气候资料,采用线性回归和Mann-Kendall突变检测等方法,对海东市近55年的年和季平均气温、降水量、日照时数、风速、沙尘日数、云量和相对湿度等气候要素以及降水日数、潜在蒸散量和湿润指数的变化趋势和变化特征进行了研究,结果表明：（1）近55年海东市随着气候变暖降水减少(减少速率-4.9 mm·(10a)^-1）,总体呈现不明显的“暖干化”趋势。年平均气温和潜在蒸散量呈现显著的上升趋势(上升速率0.33℃·(10a)^-1和7.9 mm·(10a)^-1),年降水日数、平均风速、沙尘暴日数、日照时数、云量和相对湿度表现为显著减少趋势（减少速率分别为-2.3 d·(10a)^-1、-0.13 m·s^-1·(10a)^-1、-6.3 d·(10a)^-1、-36.6 h·(10a)^-1、-0.12成·(10a)^-1和-0.7％·(10a)^-1）,湿润指数和降水量表现为不显著的减少趋势。（2）海东市年平均气温和潜在蒸散量分别在1995-1996年和2001年发生了显著的突变性升高,年平均风速、降水日数、日照时数、总云量和相对湿度分别于1982年、1993-1994年、2002-2003年、1984年、2009-2010年呈显著突变性减小,降水量和湿润指数的变化未达到突变标准。（3）海东市冬季气温变化与青藏高原指数、北极涛动指数和西风环流指数有明显的正相关关系,青藏高原的动力和热力作用对高原东北侧的海东市气温变化有很重要的影响,而该地区温度还受由北极涛动引起的冬季风和西风环流的影响。海东市夏季降水量与南亚夏季风指数和北极涛动指数有较好的负相关,南亚夏季风的进退以及所携带的水汽是影响该区域降水量变化的主要因素之一。     

干旱区县域绿洲气候变化特征分析——以鄯善县为例

根据鄯善县1971—2010年气温、降水量、风速等资料,利用线性趋势法和距平及累积距平等方法对鄯善县绿洲气候变化进行分析。结果表明：(1) 近40 a鄯善县年平均气温呈波动上升趋势,线性拟合气候倾向率为0.49℃·10a^-1,各季变暖趋势相同,春夏秋冬四季平均气温线性拟合气候倾向率分别为0.35、0.33、0.4℃·10a^-1及0.43℃·10a^-1。年平均最高气温缓慢上升,年平均最低气温增温明显。(2) 近40 a降水量总体为波动减少趋势,线性拟合气候倾向率为-0.55 mm·10a^-1,夏季和秋季降水量减少明显。(3) 近40 a平均风速总体呈缓慢减小趋势,线性拟合气候倾向率为-0.05 m·s^-1·10a^-1。综合气温与降水变化状况,鄯善县绿洲气候呈暖干化发展趋势,气温与降水存在突变情况,年代分布有明显的阶段性、季节差异性特征。     

玉米幼苗对风速变化的逆境生理响应

为了解玉米幼苗对不同强度风吹危害的逆境生理响应特征,2013年在内蒙古东部科尔沁沙地研究了0（CK）、9、15 m·s^-1和18 m·s^-1净风吹袭20 min下玉米幼苗丙二醛含量（MDA）、膜透性、保护酶活性和渗透调节物质含量的变化。结果表明：随着风吹强度增加,玉米的株高、茎粗生长量和地上生物量下降,其中18 m·s^-1处理的株高和茎粗生长量及地上生物量分别较CK下降4.48%、11.28%和13.23%;风吹胁迫下玉米幼苗丙二醛含量与CK没有显著差异,但各处理膜透性均显著高于CK,其中15 m·s^-1和18 m·s^-1处理膜透性分别较CK增加84.36%和116.62%;随着风吹强度增强,SOD、POD和CAT活性均趋于增加,其中18 m·s^-1处理分别较CK增加37.45%、94.65%和82.14%;随着风吹强度增强,可溶性糖含量明显增加,脯氨酸含量趋于下降,和CK相比,18 m·s^-1处理的可溶性糖含量增加31.48%,脯氨酸含量下降40.26%。结果表明,20 min风吹处理已对玉米生长产生抑制作用,虽未导致玉米幼苗明显的膜脂过氧化,却使其细胞膜受损,SOD、POD和CAT在防止其膜脂过氧化过氧化过程中共同发挥了保护细胞膜的作用,可溶性糖起到了渗透调节作用。     

干旱区不同谷子品种叶片光合特性对光强的响应

以本地品种小红毛、常规品种陇谷11号、晋谷29号和杂交品种张杂谷5号、华大3号为供试材料,在宁夏同心县旱作田比较孕穗期和灌浆中期不同谷子品种叶片光强-光合响应曲线及光合参数的变化特点。结果表明：在孕穗期,不同谷子品种的表观量子效率在0.044~0.079 μmol·m^-2·s^-1之间,光补偿点的变化范围在14.11~50.59 μmol·m^-2·s^-1之间;最大光合速率的变化范围为38.53~50.01 μmol·m^-2·s^-1,暗呼吸速率变化范围为2.16~5.28 μmol·m^-2·s^-1。本地品种小红毛在孕穗期的表观量子效率高（0.079 μmol·m^-2·s^-1）,利用低光强的能力较强,而常规品种和杂交品种的最大光合速率较高（陇谷11号和晋谷29号分别为38.53、47.53 μmol·m^-2·s^-1、张杂谷5号和华大3号分别为44.06、50.01 μmol·m^-2·s^-1）,利用强光的能力强,且杂交品种大于常规品种。常规品种和杂交品种的光合能力强,可为谷子获得高产奠定基础。     

1960—2015年吉林省玉米生长季有效降水和水分亏缺指数的变化特征

利用吉林省1960—2015年50个气象站的气象数据、1981—2014年玉米生育期观测资料,分别采用FAO推荐的Penman-Monteith方法、参考作物蒸散量和降水量的比率法,计算玉米生长季及各阶段的需水量、有效降水量,进而计算水分亏缺指数并分析其变化特征。结果表明：吉林省近56年玉米生长季平均有效降水量为242～374 mm,变化趋势在-12.0～4.9 mm·10a^-1,多数呈下降趋势,营养生长期有效降水在中西部大部、东部个别地区呈上升趋势,其它各生育时段以下降趋势为主。玉米生长季平均需水量为452～637 mm,气候倾向率在-16.5～10.3 mm·10a^-1,以下降趋势为主,生殖生长期需水量多数呈上升趋势,其它生育时段多数呈下降趋势。玉米生长季平均水分亏缺指数在23%～58%,气候倾向率在-0.8～1.9·10a^-1之间,以上升趋势为主,玉米营养生长期水分亏缺指数以下降趋势为主,其它生育阶段以上升趋势为主。中西部是有效降水量的低值区,需水量的高值区,水分亏缺严重;东部是有效降水量的高值区,需水量的低值区,水分亏缺相对较轻。     

贺兰山东麓不同种植年限葡萄地土壤生态化学计量特征

以宁夏贺兰山东麓葡萄产区不同种植年限（1 a、7 a、20 a）葡萄地土壤为研究对象,未开垦的荒漠草原为对照（CK）,采集0~100 cm土层土壤,分析不同种植年限、不同土层深度土壤有机碳（SOC）、全氮（TN）、全磷（TP）、全钾（TK）含量及其生态化学计量特征。结果表明：（1）该地区土壤贫瘠,土壤C、N、P含量均值分别为4.88 、0.56 g·kg^-1和0.24 g·kg^-1,均低于全国平均水平（11.12、1.06 g·kg^-1和0.65 g·kg^-1）,土壤K含量均值为28.88 g·kg^-1,高于全国水平（16.6 g·kg^-1）。各年限土壤SOC均值变化范围为3.93~5.36 g·kg^-1,TN均值变化范围为0.39~0.73 g·kg^-1,TP均值变化范围为0.21~0.37 g·kg^-1,TK均值变化范围为27.88~30.16 g·kg^-1。随荒漠草原的开垦及种植年限的增加,土壤C、N含量呈现先降低后增加的趋势,土壤P含量逐渐增加,土壤K含量虽表现为逐渐减少但各年限之间并无显著性差异。（2）土地利用方式及植被覆盖的转变对土壤生态化学计量特征的影响程度各有不同。研究区土壤C∶N均值变化范围为8.70~10.60,C∶P均值变化范围为16.78~33.29,C∶K均值变化范围为0.14~0.22。随种植年限的增加,土壤C∶P、C∶K、N∶P都呈现先降低后增加的趋势,土壤C∶N虽趋于降低,但不同种植年限之间差异未达显著水平。不同种植年限葡萄地土壤N∶P在1.66~3.61之间,低于我国土壤N∶P的平均值（5.2）,表明贺兰山东麓葡萄生长主要受N的限制。在宁夏贺兰山东麓地区酿酒葡萄的种植过程中,应考虑合理匹配不同营养元素和适当增施有机肥,防止土壤肥力的下降。     

4LZY-7型全喂入油菜联合收获机的设计与试验

为解决西北地区油菜机械化收获中存在损失率高、作业效率低等问题,设计并试制了一种可一次性完成收割、脱粒、分离、清选、入仓等一体化作业的4LZY-7型全喂入油菜联合收获机。结合现有稻麦联合收获机,并针对油菜的生物特性及其收获时的农艺要求,对样机核心部件的作业机理进行了分析,并对样机关键部件进行了设计,确定了割台系统、脱粒系统和清选系统的工作参数。田间试验结果表明,当作业速度在0.8~1.2 m·s^-1之间,拨禾轮线速度在1.4~1.8 m·s^-1之间,即速比取1.5~2.25时割台损失率为2.35%;脱粒滚筒的圆周速度在15~20 m·s^-1之间,脱粒间隙为20 mm时,滚筒的脱净率大于96.9%;风机出口处风速为4.07 m·s^-1,筛面倾斜角度为16±2°时,筛出物菜籽含量为0.11%,粮仓含杂率为2.83%。即整机损失率最高为3.95%,粮仓含杂率最高为2.83%,机械破碎率最高为0.2%。各项试验指标均符合国家和行业标准要求,试验结果满足设计和实际作业要求。     

1961—2010年中国降水量变化分区及其区域特征

为研究中国近50 a(1961—2010年)降水量变化的空间分区及其区域特征,利用598个气象站1961—2010年逐旬降水资料,计算各站的降水量距平百分率,通过经验正交函数（ROF）和旋转经验正交函数（REOF）对降水量变化进行空间分析,进而对中国50 a降水量变化特征进行分区,同时采用线性趋势分析及5 a滑动平均分析方法,分析了全区及各个分区降水量变化特征。结果表明：根据1961—1990年、1971—2000年和1981—2010年3个时段可分别将中国分成12、11和11个降水量变化区。综合3个时间段降水量变化特征,可将中国分为江淮地区、东北中南部地区、中国北部地区、新疆地区、江南和华南东部地区、黄淮地区、西南地区东部和江南西部地区、东北北部地区、华南中西部、青藏地区、西南地区西部11个区域。通过降水量变化特征分析,近50 a中国降水呈现减少趋势,且存在区域差异。降水量减少幅度最大的是黄淮地区,气候倾向率为-13.9415 mm·10 a^-1,降水量增加幅度最大的是江南和华南东部地区,气候倾向率为23.2075 mm·10 a^-1。     

北方寒区日光温室冬季基质袋培番茄蒸腾量模拟

北方寒区日光温室冬季生产基本无通风,为了探寻室内弱光、高湿、低温及低风速环境下的番茄蒸腾量模拟模型,基于Penman-Monteith（P-M）方程及适应此特定环境的边界层空气动力学阻力、气孔平均阻力、土壤热通量等参数模拟了温室长季节栽培番茄（Lycopersicon esculentum Mill）单株的蒸腾速率并进行了试验验证,揭示了蒸腾速率与净辐射、饱和水汽压差的日变化规律,确定了蒸腾速率与植株上方净辐射的定量关系,检验了土壤热通量取值对蒸腾速率的影响。结果显示：2017-12-11—2018-01-03室内太阳总辐射最大值367 W·m^-2、夜晚及阴天相对湿度接近100%、室内风速接近0 m·s^-1的情况下,单株植株边界层空气动力学阻力变化范围晴天为147~438 s·m^-1,阴天为 211~365 s·m^-1;气孔平均阻力晴天69~1 506 s·m^-1,阴天132~1 151 s·m^-1;P-M方程模拟的单株番茄逐时蒸腾速率在晴天、阴天中午的平均值分别为0.06、0.02 mm·h^-1,模拟值与实测值比较,平均相对误差约为10%。研究还表明,单株番茄上方净辐射量的43.5%通过蒸腾作用转化为潜热;试验环境下,土壤热通量的取值变化对蒸腾速率影响不大。研究确定的蒸腾速率估算模型可为北方寒区冬季日光温室基质袋培番茄蒸腾量估算以及水分管理提供参考。     

燥红土微咸水滴灌下水盐运移规律的试验研究

为了探讨燥红土地区微咸水滴灌的水盐运移规律,对该地区容重为1.2 g·cm^-3的红壤土,进行了不同灌水矿化度（2.88 g·L^-1,4.86 g·L^-1,8.33 g·L^-1）的单、双点源入渗试验及不同滴头流量（2.68 L·h^-1,3.74 L·h^-1,4.68 L·h^-1）的单点源入渗试验,采用室内三维土箱入渗,分析滴头流量及矿化度对该地区红壤土水盐运移规律的影响。结果表明：单点源入渗试验中,矿化度一定（2.88 g·L^-1）的条件下,灌溉时间在150 s后, 3.74 L·h^-1滴头流量下湿润锋运移速率快且稳定,平均推进速率达1.65 cm·s^-1,最终推进深度达22 cm,可以达到灌溉要求,优于4.68 L·h^-1滴头流量的综合性能且节省灌溉水;在滴头流量一定（3.74 L·h^-1）的条件下,湿润锋推进深度随矿化度的增加而增加,其速率排序为：2.88 g·L^-1<4.86 g·L^-1<8.33 g·L^-1,其推进深度分别为21.5、22.4、22.78 cm。双点源试验中,矿化度为8.33 g·L^-1和4.86 g·L^-1的滴头正下方及交汇部分含水率均达到0.4 g·g^-1左右;但8.33 g·L^-1矿化度下含盐量可达0.4%,不适合作物生长,而矿化度为4.86 g·L^-1的微咸水灌溉时,在交汇部分会形成一个含盐量0.1%左右的适合作物生长的低盐区域。在滴头流量为3.74 L·h^-1时,将单、双点源入渗试验的同一入渗深度处进行对比分析发现,随着矿化度增大,地表湿润比由87%增加到90.8%;8.33 g·L^-1矿化度下交汇时间比2.88 g·L^-1矿化度下提前16 min;矿化度为8.33 g·L^-1时在0～15 cm土层,交汇区含盐量相对于相同湿润位置处单点源的含盐量增加了37%,而矿化度不大于4.86 g·L^-1时,含盐量增加比率几乎为负值,可知矿化度为4.86 g·L^-1的土壤积盐不显著且含水率高。在灌溉水资源匮乏的云南燥红土地区推广应用微咸水滴灌时,可参考滴头流量3.74 L·h^-1,微咸水矿化度≤4.86 g·L^-1用于作物栽培实践。     

Dermestid beetles in ‘evolution Canyon’, lower Nahal Oren, Mt. Carmel, including new records for Israel

Fifteen species of dermestid beetles were recorded at ‘Evolution Canyon’ (EC), Lower Nahal Oren, Mt. Carmel, Israel. They represent ~35% of known Israeli dermestid species. The following three species were recorded for the first time in Israel:Trogoderma svriaca Dalla Torre, 1911;Ctesias svriaca Ganglbauer, 1904; andAnthrenus (s.str.) jordaniens Pic, 1934. Adults of 13 species were collected on the more solar radiated, warmer and climatically more fluctuating south-facing slope (SFS); ten species were collected on the opposite, north-facing slope (NFS), which was cooler and climatically more stable. The abundance of adult dermestid beetles was 1.9 times higher on the SFS than on the NFS (86 and 47, respectively). Species richness and abundance distribution at EC (three collecting stations on each slope and one at the valley bottom) were significantly negatively correlated with the plant cover that consisted of trees and bushes (Spearmanr _s ,P=0.007 and 0.039, respectively) and perennials (Spearmanr _s ,P=0.039 and 0.077, respectively), indicating that non-woody plants were preferred by adult dermestid beetles.     

Epidemiology of Toxigenic Fungi and their Associated Mycotoxins for Some Mediterranean Crops

Recent data on the epidemiology of the common mycotoxigenic species of Fusarium, Alternaria, Aspergillus and Penicillium in infected or colonized plants, and in stored or processed plant products from the Mediterranean area are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on the toxigenicity of the causal fungal species and the natural occurrence of well known mycotoxins (aflatoxins, ochratoxins, fumonisins, trichothecenes, zearalenone, patulin, Alternaria-toxins and moniliformin), as well as some more recently described compounds (fusaproliferin, beauvericin) whose toxigenic potential is not yet well understood. Several Fusarium species reported from throughout the Mediterranean area are responsible of the formation of mycotoxins in infected plants and in plant products, including: Fusarium graminearum, F. culmorum, F. cerealis, F. avenaceum, F. sporotrichioides and F. poae, which produce deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, fusarenone, zearalenone, moniliformin, and T-2 toxin derivatives in wheat and other small grains affected by head blight or scab, and in maize affected by red ear rot. Moreover, strains of F. verticillioides, F. proliferatum, and F. subglutinans, that form fumonisins, beauvericin, fusaproliferin, and moniliformin, are commonly associated with maize affected by ear rot. Fumonisins, were also associated with Fusarium crown and root rot of asparagus and Fusarium endosepsis of figs, caused primarily by F. proliferatum. Toxigenic A. alternata strains and associated tenuazonic acid and alternariols were commonly found in black mould of tomato, black rot of olive and citrus, black point of small cereals, and black mould of several vegetables. Toxigenic strains of A. carbonarius and ochratoxin A were often found associated with black rot of grapes, whereas toxigenic strains of A. flavus and/or P. verrucosum, forming aflatoxins and ochratoxin A, respectively, were found in moulded plant products from small cereals, peanuts, figs, pea, oilseed rape, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, pistachios, and almonds. Finally, toxigenic strains of P. expansum and patulin were frequently found in apple, pear and other fresh fruits affected by blue mould rot, as well as in derived juices and jams.     

A survey of the genera of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Microgaster</Emphasis> latreille and<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hygroplitis</Emphasis> thomson (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Microgastrinae) from China

The genera ofMicrogaster Latreille 1804 andHygroplitis Thomson 1895 from China are presented systematically in this paper. Thirty-two species ofMicrogaster and three species ofHygroplitis are known in China. Diagnosis, character variation, distribution and host of each species among the two genera are presented, including its host and distribution. Keys to the species ofMicrogaster andHygroplitis are given. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Dec. 19, 2006.     

Plant Viruses Transmitted by Whiteflies

One-hundred and fourteen virus species are transmitted by whiteflies (family Aleyrodidae). Bemisia tabaci transmits 111 of these species while Trialeurodes vaporariorum and T. abutilonia transmit three species each. B. tabaci and T. vaporariorum are present in the European–Mediterranean region, though the former is restricted in its distribution. Of the whitefly-transmitted virus species, 90% belong to the Begomovirus genus, 6% to the Crinivirus genus and the remaining 4% are in the Closterovirus, Ipomovirus or Carlavirus genera. Other named, whitefly-transmitted viruses that have not yet been ranked as species are also documented. The names, abbreviations and synonyms of the whitefly-transmitted viruses are presented in tabulated form together with details of their whitefly vectors, natural hosts and distribution. Entries are also annotated with references. Whitefly-transmitted viruses affecting plants in the European–Mediterranean region have been highlighted in the text.     

Broad bean mottle virus in Morocco; curculionid vectors,and natural occurrence in food legumes other than faba bean (Vicia faba)

Broad bean mottle virus (BBMV) was transmitted from infected to healthy faba-bean plants by the curculionid weevilsApion radiolus Kirby,Hypera variabilis Herbst,Pachytychius strumarius Gyll,Smicronyx cyaneus Gyll, andSitona lineatus L. The latter appeared to be an efficient vector: acquisition and inoculation occurred at the first bite, the rate of transmission was c. 41%, and virus retention lasted for at least seven days.S. lineatus transmitted the virus from faba bean to lentil and pea, but not to the three genotypes of chickpea tested. This is the first report on the generaHypera, Pachytychius, andSmicronyx as virus vectors, and onA. radiolus, H. variabilis, P. strumarius, andS. cyaneus as vectors of BBMV.Out of 351 samples of food legumes with symptoms suggestive of virus infection, 16, 11, 19, and 17% of the samples of chickpea, lentil, pea, and common bean, respectively, were found infected when tested for BBMV in DAS-ELISA. This is the first report on the natural occurrence of BBMV in chickpea, lentil, pea, and common bean. The virus should be regarded as a food-legume virus rather than a faba-bean virus solely, and is considered an actual threat to food legume improvement programmes.     

Characterization of potato potyvirus Y (PVY) isolates from seed potato batches. Situation of the NTN, Wilga and Z isolates

A collection of 38 PVY isolates from seed potato batches, originating from several Western European countries, was characterized by using current biological, serological and molecular tools differentiating PVY strains and groups. The correlation between the three kinds of tests was good but not absolute. No single serological or PCR method was able to discriminate among the five isolate groups found. Twenty-nine isolates belonged to the PVY^N strain and six to the PVY^O strain. No PVY^C was found. Two other isolates reacted serologically like PVY^O, but were unable to elicit a hypersensitive response from the Ny_tbr gene and probably represent the PVY^Z group. At the molecular level, these two isolates showed a combination of both PVY^O and PVY^N and could be recombinants of these strains. Another isolate reacted serologically like PVY^O, but induced vein necrosis in tobacco, like PVY^N-Wilga. Some PVY^N isolates caused tuber ring necrosis in glasshouse conditions. These might belong to the PVY^NTN group. The PVY^NTN, PVY^N-Wilga and PVY^Z groups probably represent pathotypes within strains PVY^N and PVY^O, respectively. The present study also confirms previous reports showing a high genetic variation at the 5 end within the PVYN strain.     

The autumn leafroller: Phenology,damage and parasitoids in a Dutch apple orchard

The phenology of the autumn leafroller,Syndemis musculana, a local pest of apple, was studied in order to forecast larval emergence. From 1983–1986, peak flight as determined with sexpheromone traps was always between 13–18 May. The duration of embryonic development was determined at various constant temperatures and used to estimate the periods of egg hatch in these four years. Each year, most eggs should have hatched in the second decade of June.Differences in attack rates between apple cultivars seem to be explained largely by the variation in picking time. Larvae are only half grown at the beginning of harvest (cv. James Grieve), and have gone into hibernation when the latest variety (cv. Golden Delicious) is picked. Moreover, the varieties Cox's Orange Pippin and Belle de Boskoop, picked about half time, are liable to receive additional damage by caterpillars brought with the picked fruits into storage.Various hymenopterous parasites were reared from caterpillars. As the only leafroller in the orchard which hibernates as mature larva,S. musculana may promote winter survival of some parasitoids, like the eulophidColpyclypeus florus.Samenvatting De fenologie van de herfstbladroller (Syndemis musculana Hübner), een incidentele plaag op appel, werd nader bepaald met het doel het uitkomen van de eieren te kunnen voorspellen. In 1983–1986 viel de piekvlucht, bepaald met behulp van feromoonvallen, steeds tussen 13 en 18 mei.De ontwikkelingsduur van de eieren bij verschillende constante temperaturen werd gebruikt om de periode van uitkomen te schatten. De meeste eieren zullen ieder jaar in de eerste helft van juni uitkomen.Geconstateerde verschillen in schade tussen appelrassen blijken goeddeels terug te voeren op verschillen in pluktijdstip. De rupsen van de herfstbladroller zijn pas half-was als de eerste appels eind augustus geplukt worden, terwijl tegen het einde van de oogst begin oktober de meeste al in winterslaap zijn. Met name tussentijdse rassen, als Cox's Orange Pippin and Schone van Boskoop, lopen extra schade op doordat grotere rupsen met de geplukte vruchten in de kist terecht komen.Uit de rupsen werden negen, al van andere boomgaardbladrollers bekende, sluipwespen gekweekt, Omdat deze bladrollersoort, als enige in de boomgaard, als volgroeide rups overwintert, lijkt zij bij uitstek geschikt als winterwaard.This study was carried out at the Experimental Orchard De Schuilenburg, Schuilenburg 3, 4041 BK Kesteren, the Netherlands, to which address correspondence should be addressed.     

Diagnostics,genetic diversity and pathogenic variation of ascochyta blight of cool season food and feed legumes

Molecular diagnostic techniques have been developed to differentiate the Ascochyta pathogens that infect cool season food and feed legumes, as well as to improve the sensitivity of detecting latent infection in plant tissues. A seed sampling technique was developed to detect a 1% level of infection by Ascochyta rabiei in commercial chickpea seed. The Ascochyta pathogens were shown to be genetically diverse in countries where the pathogen and host have coexisted for a long time. However, where the pathogen was recently introduced, such as A. rabiei to Australia, the level of diversity remained relatively low, even as the pathogen spread to all chickpea-growing areas. Pathogenic variability of A. rabiei and Ascochyta pinodes pathogens in chickpea and field pea respectively, appears to be quantitative, where measures of disease severity were based on aggressiveness (quantitative level of infection) rather than on true qualitative virulence. In contrast, qualitative differences in pathogenicity in lentil and faba bean genotypes indicated the existence of pathotypes of Ascochyta lentis and Ascochyta fabae. Therefore, reports of pathotype discrimination based on quantitative differences in pathogenicity in a set of specific genotypes is questionable for several of the ascochyta-legume pathosystems such as A. rabiei and A. pinodes. This is not surprising since host resistance to these pathogens has been reported to be mainly quantitative, making it difficult for the pathogen to overcome specific resistance genes and form pathotypes. For robust pathogenicity assessment, there needs to be consistency in selection of differential host genotypes, screening conditions and disease evaluation techniques for each of the Ascochyta sp. in legume-growing countries throughout the world. Nevertheless, knowledge of pathotype diversity and aggressiveness within populations is important in the selection of resistant genotypes.     

Characterization of Sclerotinia minor populations in Texas peanut fields

In the summer of 2004 an epidemic of sclerotinia blight of peanut, a disease caused by Sclerotinia minor, occurred in Texas in fields where the disease was never previously detected. The disease was observed on many plants within one of the fields (>3000 disease foci), although most foci were <1 m. It is hypothesized that these observations were inconsistent with the recent introduction of a monocyclic pathogen, even if disease developed under conducive environmental conditions. The pattern of disease is most suggestive of the presence of foliar (ascospore) infections, although air temperature was above the known limits for apothecia development if the pathogen had arrived in the field in 2004 peanut seed. To further examine this epidemic, 232 isolates were collected, across a variety of spatial scales spanning this field and other Texas peanut fields, and evaluated for aggressiveness, fungicide sensitivity and genotypic diversity. There was wide variation among isolates for the phenotypic characteristics measured, but there was no evidence that a genotypically unique, highly aggressive, and fungicide resistant isolate had been introduced or evolved. The predominant genotype, TX1, which contained 154 isolates, was found in every county and field population.     

Eyespot of Cereals Revisited: ITS phylogeny Reveals New Species Relationships

Four species so far classified in Pseudocercosporella or Ramulispora (hyphomycetes) are associated with eyespot disease symptoms of cereals. Two of these have been linked to teleomorphs that were described in Tapesia. Sequence data derived from the Internal Transcribed Spacer region (ITS1, 5.8S and ITS2) of the rDNA operon showed, however, that the eyespot fungi associated with Tapesia are not congeneric with Ramulispora sorghi, the type of Ramulispora. The genus name Tapesia is now rejected in favour of the conserved name Mollisia, which appears to comprise heterogeneous fungi. Tapesia yallundae is not closely related to the type of Mollisia, M. cinerea, but clusters separately, being more closely allied to species with Cadophora anamorphs. A new holomorph genus, Oculimacula, is therefore proposed for teleomorphs of the eyespot fungi, while the anamorphs are accommodated in Helgardia gen. nov.