旱地垄作膜面胡麻精量播种机设计和仿真

针对西北旱区胡麻种植利用谷物条播机代播,人工种植效率低、质量差、出苗率低等问题,设计了一种旱地垄作膜面胡麻精量播种机。为提高播种机转向和运输时穴播轮提升、下降的精确性,采用平行四杆机构和摇杆装置,并确定其各项尺寸参数;为保证穴播轮播种深度,采用四连杆仿形机构,且计算出最大上、下仿形量均为89.87 mm,并验证了仿形机构的可行性;为提高该播种机播种精度,设计了一种新型取种装置;利用Solidworks软件中的插件motion对成穴器成穴过程进行运动仿真分析,研究了不同滑移率δ、机具前进速度v、成穴器入土深度h₁对穴孔宽度（固定鸭嘴入出土位移）的影响,并得到最优组合参数：当δ=11%,v=0.5 m·s^-1,h₁=0.03 m时,该成穴器具有较小的滑移量,且不易产生挑膜、撕膜等现象。     

沼液穴灌入渗特征及Philip入渗模型拟合

为探求沼液穴灌条件下土壤入渗特征及适宜入渗模型,通过室内试验研究了沼液配比（沼液∶水,体积比,1∶4、1∶6、1∶8及纯水）、穴孔直径（3、5、7 cm）和土壤容重（1.35、1.45 g·cm-3）对土壤入渗特征的影响,利用数理统计方法分析影响沼液穴灌入渗的因素和湿润体变化规律,同时应用Philip入渗模型对沼液穴灌累积入渗量进行了拟合分析。结果表明：沼液穴灌累积入渗量均随沼液配比和土壤容重的增大而降低,随着穴孔直径的增加而增大,当入渗历时180 min时,土壤容重1.35 g·cm^-3和1.45 g·cm^-3的CK处理累积入渗量分别是沼液配比为1∶4、1∶6、1∶8处理的3.62、3.12、2.77倍和3.47、2.64、2.16倍;湿润体形状随穴孔直径的增加逐渐由水平轴大于垂直轴的椭球体趋向于水平轴小于垂直轴的椭球体,土壤容重1.35 g·cm^-3和1.45 g·cm^-3对应各穴孔直径（3、5、7 cm）的垂向最大湿润距离（V）与水平最大湿润距离（H）的比值(V/H)分别为0.929、1.081、1.111和0.957、1.048、1.064;幂函数能够准确描述湿润锋最大湿润距离与时间的函数关系;建立的多元线性方程能够较好描述累积入渗量与土壤容重、穴孔直径和沼液配比的关系,偏回归系数检验均达到显著或极显著水平;Philip入渗模型能够准确描述沼液穴灌累积入渗量随时间的变化规律,决定系数（R²）在0.98以上;Philip入渗模型中的土壤吸渗率(S)随穴孔直径的增大而增加,随沼液配比和土壤容重的增加而降低;土壤稳定入渗率（A）为负值与沼液的粘性及所含有的有机悬浮颗粒有关。基于以上分析,在农业生产中建议实施方案为：土壤容重1.35 g·cm^-3、穴孔直径5 cm、沼液配比1∶6和土壤容重1.45 g·cm^-3、穴孔直径7 cm、沼液配比1∶8。     

不同矿化度水源膜下滴灌棉田土壤水盐动态和作物生长模拟

为构建适用于干旱区膜下滴灌条件的土壤水盐动态分布和棉花生长模型，基于2020—2021年的田间试验，经过对SWAP模型的土壤、土壤水力功能和作物生长等模块进行率定和验证，对灌溉水矿化度为1、2、3、4、5、6 g·L^-1时的土壤水盐分布特征、作物生长过程和干物质累积分配进行数值模拟。结果表明：（1）土壤含水率与土壤含盐量的模拟精度以20～100 cm土层较好，0～20 cm土层模拟精度较差，其中土壤含水量的模拟效果优于土壤含盐量；随着灌溉水源矿化度的增加，土壤含水率和含盐量的模拟误差逐渐变小。（2）不同矿化度水源膜下滴灌棉花叶面积指数模拟效果较好（R²=90.72%，RMSE=0.35 cm²·cm^-2，NRMSE=8.73%，IOA=0.98）。（3）不同矿化度水源膜下滴灌棉花茎干物质累积量模拟效果较好（R²=89.08%，RMSE=6.12 g，NRMSE=23.16%，IOA=0.96）。研究结果表明，SWAP模型可以较好地对不同矿化度水源膜下滴灌的土壤水盐动态分布和棉花生长过程进行模拟。     

配置模式对枣棉间作棉花光合及干物质积累特征的影响

在新疆自然生态条件下,研究了不同密度下宽窄行（45 cm+15 cm）和等行距（30 cm）配置模式对枣棉间作棉花光合及干物质积累特征的影响。结果表明：枣棉间作条件下,不同配置模式棉花在盛花期以前LAI、SPAD及Pn差异未达显著水平,盛花期后差异显著。棉花Pn全生育期呈抛物线形态变化,蕾期以低密度等行距较高,随密度增大各处理Pn呈下降趋势,Pn在盛花期达到峰值,中密度宽窄行最高,为34　μmol·m^-2·s^-1,盛铃期、吐絮期以高密度宽窄行最高,各时期均以冠外区高于冠下区。高密度种植利于降低宽窄行t0,提高Vm,Vm最大值为269.8 kg·d^-1,分别比中、低密度高11 %、52.8%,而中、低密度等行距Vm高于宽窄行,高密度反之。△t、t₁、t₂表现为高密度>中密度>低密度。因此,枣棉间作棉花适宜宽窄行、高密度种植。     

基于HYDRUS模型的暗管排水水盐运移模拟

为了探索暗管排水条件下膜下滴灌农田的水盐运移规律,本文设计了埋深1 m,间距4 m的暗管排水模型试验,研究分析灌水淋洗过程中土壤水分和盐分的动态变化规律,并利用HYDRUS模型对暗管排水条件下的水盐运移规律进行数值模拟分析与验证。结果表明：经过3次灌水淋洗后,表层0~20 cm土层内盐分含量下降至2 g·kg^-1,达到了非盐化土水平,20~60 cm土体内上层土壤脱盐效果高于下层,总盐分含量下降至8 g·kg^-1以下;经过实测值与模拟值的验证,土壤盐分和水分的均方根误差RMSE最大分别为0.632和1.324,决定系数R²最小分别为0.992和0.906,说明模拟结果与实测结果吻合度较好,HYDRUS模型能够较好地模拟暗管排水过程中水盐运移规律。通过模型模拟6次灌水（共90 d）后暗管排水条件下不同土层深度的水盐动态变化特征,模拟结果表明,0~40 cm土层内盐分含量下降至2 g·kg^-1,40~80 cm土层内盐分含量下降至4 g·kg^-1左右,基本达到轻度盐化水平;距离暗管不同间距处的土壤剖面盐分含量呈波动变化,距离暗管越远,土壤剖面含盐量越大,盐分含量在0~8 g·kg^-1范围内变化。     

豫西旱地烟薯间作模式下不同株距对烤烟生长及产量质量的影响

为探索适宜豫西旱地烤烟高质量发展的烟薯产业综合体模式，以烤烟‘LY1306’和鲜食甘薯‘普薯32’为材料，采用田间试验研究“烟垄栽薯”2∶2间作模式下烤烟不同株距（65、60 cm和55 cm）配置对烟株生长及产量质量的影响。结果表明：在烟株移栽后90 d，与烤烟单作相比，烤烟株距为65 cm时，烟薯间作烟叶的最大叶长和最大叶宽分别提高5.09%~5.12%和5.17%~8.17%，叶绿素相对含量（SPAD值）提高4.90%~6.81%，净光合速率（P_n）、气孔导度（G_s）和蒸腾速率（T_r）分别提高16.39%~21.50%、23.82%~27.72%和36.21%~45.31%，土传根茎病害发病率降低74.38%~78.42%；烤烟株距为60 cm时，烟薯间作烟叶的最大叶长和最大叶宽分别提高3.71%~4.79%和4.69%~7.61%，SPAD值提高3.80%~5.55%，P_n、G_s和T_r分别提高14.03%~19.77%、15.68%~22.49%和29.83%~35.78%，土传根茎病害发病率降低75.30%~78.11%；两种株距下烤后烟叶内在化学成分配比较烤烟单作更为合理。随着烤烟株距的减小，间作处理的土地当量比（LER）、总产值及烤烟感官评吸总分表现为先增加后减小；当烤烟株距为60 cm时，烟薯间作的总产值在2021年和2022年分别达82 855.40 CNY·hm^-2和81 654.55 CNY·hm^-2，较烤烟单作提高15.85%和22.43%。综上，豫西旱地采用“烟垄栽薯”2∶2间作模式的LER>1，具有间作优势，且烤烟株距调整为60 cm时（烤烟单作株距65 cm），烟株生长较好，产量质量指标最优，综合效益最大。     

不同行距配置对机采棉生长发育及光合特性的影响

以新疆兵团第七师胡杨河市推荐棉花品种Z1112和中棉641为供试材料,设置一膜六行、一膜四行和一膜三行3种行距配置模式,研究不同行距配置模式对棉花生长发育及光合特性的影响。结果表明,一膜三行配置模式生育期较一膜六行和一膜四行缩短2~6 d,株高较一膜六行、一膜四行分别增加7.3 cm和6.8 cm,果枝数较一膜六行、一膜四行分别增加1.1台和0.8台,始果节位和始果节高受行距配置影响较小。棉花叶面积指数（LAI）从苗期到盛铃前期随生育时期推进而逐渐增大;在盛铃前期到达峰值,进入盛铃期后,各处理LAI逐渐开始减小,不同行距配置模式下,Z1112和中棉641的LAI总体表现为一膜六行>一膜四行>一膜三行。所有处理叶片叶绿素相对含量（SPAD值）在现蕾至吐絮期均呈现出先增后降趋势,生育前期,棉株叶片SPAD值和干物质积累量随行距的增加而降低;生育后期,一膜三行配置模式的叶片SPAD值和干物质积累量迅速上升,高于一膜六行和一膜四行配置模式。单株结铃数、单铃重和子指随行距的增大而增加,一膜三行处理下的单株结铃数、单铃重、子指较一膜六行和一膜四行分别增加4.9个·株^-1和2.7个·株^-1、0.5 g和0.4 g、0.7 g和0.4 g;但棉花总铃数、产量和衣分受行距影响较小。一膜三行配置模式可加快生育进程、增加棉花株高和果枝数、提高光合作用,能保持较高的产量,具有较好的推广潜力。     

土壤含水量对夏玉米蒸发蒸腾量和光合性能的影响

采用盆栽控水试验,研究了5种土壤水分条件（分别为土壤田间持水量的50%、60%、70%、80%、90%,记为T1~T5）对夏玉米蒸发蒸腾量（ET）及抽雄期光合性能的影响。结果表明：土壤含水量对夏玉米生长过程中的ET、株高、叶面积和光合性能均有显著影响。与T1处理相比较,T2~T5水分处理下的夏玉米主要生育期内ET依次增加了23.66%、39.17%、43.33%和49.84%,呈线性增大的趋势;在夏玉米耗水强度最旺盛的抽雄期,与T1处理相比较,T2~T5处理下的蒸腾速率（T_r）分别增长了63.74%、75.65%、78.83%和81.77%,气孔导度（G_s）分别增长了71.97%、82.63%、83.91%和84.87%,二者均随着土壤含水量的增大呈指数函数变化,但土壤含水量超过田间持水量的70%后增幅显著减小;光合速率（P_n）分别增长了47.51%、60.65%、57.51%和55.87%,P_n、株高、叶面积随着土壤含水量的增大呈现抛物线形变化趋势,即先增加后减小的规律,在T3和T4处理水平下达到最大值,依次为28.14 μmol·m^-2·s^-1（T3）、256.5 cm（T4）、628.6 cm²（T3）。从提高夏玉米光合效率和水分生产效率、减少无效蒸发蒸腾耗水的角度考虑, 夏玉米抽雄期的土壤含水量控制在田间持水率的80%左右为宜。     

环境风速及飞行参数对多旋翼植保无人机雾滴飘移特性的影响

为评估植保无人机低空低容量施药下的喷雾飘移风险,以国内市场主流机型电动多旋翼植保无人机为施药机械,研究不同环境风速及飞行参数（高度和速度）下喷雾雾滴飘移特性,构建雾滴飘移率与飘移距离之间的函数关系,并将测试结果与侧风速度及飞行参数进行相关性分析和回归分析。结果表明：在温度为16.5~25.2℃,相对湿度为21.7%~64.4%的条件下,植保无人机喷雾地面雾滴飘移率与下风向距离的关系满足指数函数λ=a·e^bx,相关系数R²均大于0.914;在侧风速度为1.1~7.0 m/s的条件下,雾滴累计飘移率在13.0%~56.2%之间,90%飘移雾滴沉降在喷雾区下风向7.0~27.3 m距离范围内;侧风速度、飞行高度均与雾滴累计飘移率和90%累计飘移距离呈极显著正相关,且3个因素对雾滴飘移率的影响大小为侧风速度 > 飞行高度 > 飞行速度,对90%累计飘移距离的影响大小为飞行高度 > 侧风速度 > 飞行速度,对喷幅内沉积率的影响大小为飞行高度 > 侧风速度 > 飞行速度。研究结果可用于多旋翼植保无人机实际作业中雾滴飘移风险的控制及飘移缓冲距离的确定。     

雨水导入表土以下不同深度土壤蒸发变化研究

通过蒸发装置模拟试验,将雨水引入到表土层以下不同深度,从而改变土壤接受雨水的深度,测定土壤蒸发量,分析土壤蒸发强度、蒸发量、蒸发率和蒸发量的动态变化,确定改变雨水接受深度对土壤蒸发规律的影响。结果表明：雨水接受深度增加,土壤蒸发强度大幅度减少,雨水接受深度（H）为30 cm时,降水量（P）为30、20、10 mm处理的第1天蒸发强度分别为1.6、1.3、0.9 mm·d^-1,仅为地表接受雨水处理蒸发强度的21.02%、15.85%和12.98%。土壤蒸发量与雨水接受深度和降雨量大小有关,随时间的延长,相同接受深度条件下,蒸发量随雨量增大而增大。地面接受雨水的土壤蒸发量与时间呈对数相关（R²=0.9959）,雨水接受深度为30 cm则呈线性相关（R²=0.9924）。与地面接受雨水相比,地表以下土层接受雨水可降低土壤蒸发损失,随深度增加,土壤蒸发率降低,P10H0、P10H10、P10H20和P10H30处理18 d蒸发率分别为141.14%、109.03%、49.16%和24.75%;土壤水分的蒸发率也与降雨量有关,雨水接受深度为20 cm,降雨量分别为10、20、30 mm时,6 d内土壤水分蒸发率分别为26.76%、13.57%和9.71%%。     

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.