Stepwise development of laboratory resistance to DMI-fungicides in Penicillium italicum

Isolates ofPenicillium italicum with differential levels of resistance to imazalil were obtained via step-wise mass selection of conidia of the fenarimol-resistant isolate E300-3 on imazalilamended PDA. Three out of five selection steps were successful. The resistance level to imazalil of isolates acquired after the two last selection steps was on average 122 and 197. The differential level of resistance was also apparent in decay control on oranges by imazalil inoculated with the various isolates. The isolates showed a similar cross-resistance pattern to other fungicides which inhibit C-14 demethylation of sterols (DMIs), although the level of resistance to these fungicides was significantly higher. All isolates displayed negatively-correlated cross-resistance to tridemorph and dodine. Most isolates had a normal virulence on oranges. In competition experiments with mixed-inocula of the wild-type and a resistant isolate, the proportion of the wild-type increased in successive generations on untreated oranges and the proportion of the resistant isolate increased on imazalil-treated oranges. The lower competitive ability of the resistant isolate on untreated oranges may be due to a decrease in spore production as compared with the wild-type.Since isolate E300-3 was obtained in two selection steps on fenarimol-amended PDA, the isolates obtained in the last selection steps on imazalil-amended PDA may have at least five different genes for resistance to DMIs. This is consistent with resistance to DMIs being under polygenic control, with the genes involved having an additive interaction, although this is not the only possible explanation of the results.     

Characterisation of energy-dependent efflux of imazalil and fenarimol in isolates of Penicillium italicum with a low,medium and high degree of resistance to DMI-fungicides

Differential accumulation of [¹⁴C]imazalil and [¹⁴C]fenarimol by germlings of wild-type and DMI-resistant isolates ofPenicillium italicum was studied at various pH values. At pH 7 and 8 the low-resistant isolate E_300–3 accumulated 22% and 35%, respectively, less imazalil than the wild-type isolate W₅. Imazalil accumulation at pH 5 and 6 was similar. Isolate E_300–3 also accumulated less fenarimol as compared with the wild-type isolate. This difference was much more obvious than for imazalil and was observed at all pH values tested. Differences in accumulation of both imazalil and fenarimol between low (E_300–3), medium (H₁₇) and high resistant (I₃₃) isolates were not observed. These results suggest that decreased accumulation of DMIs is responsible for a low level of resistance only and that additional mechanisms of resistance might operate in isolates with a medium and high degree of resistance. With all isolates fenarimol accumulation was energy-dependent. This was not obvious for imazalil.The wild-type and DMI-resistant isolates had a similar plasma membrane potential as determined with the probe [¹⁴C]tetraphenylphosphonium bromide ([¹⁴C]TPP⁺). Various test compounds, among which ATPase inhibitors, ionophoric antibiotics and calmodulin antagonists, affected the accumulation of [¹⁴C]TPP⁺, [¹⁴C]imazalil and [¹⁴C]fenarimol. No obvious correlation between the effects of the test compounds on accumulation levels of the fungicides and [¹⁴C]TPP⁺ could be observed. These results indicate that the plasma membrane potential does not mediate the efflux of DMI fungicides byP. italicum.     

Biochemical Mechanisms Involved in Selective Fungitoxicity of Two Sterol 14α-Demethylation Inhibitors,Prochloraz and Quinconazole: Accumulation and Metabolism Studies

The selective fungitoxic actions of prochloraz (an imidazole) and a triazole fungicide, quinconazole (3-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1 H- 1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)- 4(3H)-quinazolinone: II ), were studied with selected phytopathogenic fungi. With the exception of Ustilago maydis, all the fungi tested were more sensitive to prochloraz than to II. A number of DMI-resistant mutants of Penicillium digitatum and P. italicum showed positive cross-resistance to both DMIs, but except for P. italicum isolate H17, the levels of resistance to II were much higher than to prochloraz. The generally higher toxicity of prochloraz to the fungi investigated, as compared to II , could not be ascribed to the slightly higher accumulation of prochloraz. With regard to prochloraz, there was no general correlation between the sensitivity of the fungi tested and the amount of fungicide accumulated. A similar situation was evident for II. However, the DMI-resistant mutants of P. italicum did show a reduced accumulation of both azoles, which may account for a low level of acquired DMI-resistance in this fungus. Since accumulation levels of the test compounds in the isolates with different degrees of resistance were the same, additional mechanisms of resistance may be involved in isolates with relatively high degrees of DMI-resistance. No detectable amounts of fungicide metabolites were found in most fungi tested over a 16-hour incubation period. Therefore, fungal metabolism is not generally responsible for the differences in sensitivity between fungi to each azole tested. It also does not generally explain the differential toxicities of prochloraz and II to each individual species. The exception to this was Rhizoctonia solani which metabolized prochloraz to a non-fungitoxic compound. This correlated with its low prochloraz sensitivity.     

Effects of imazalil on sterol composition of sensitive and DMI-resistant isolates of Penicillium italicum

Imazalil differentially inhibited dry weight increase of 10-hour-old germlings of wild-type and DMI-resistant isolates ofPenicillium italicum in liquid malt cultures. EC₅₀ values ranged from 0.005 to 0.27 g ml^–1. In all isolates ergosterol constituted the major sterol (over 95% of total sterols) in the absence of the fungicide. Therefore, DMI-resistance cannot be associated to a deficiency of the C-14 demethylation enzyme in the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway. Imazalil treatment at concentrations around EC₅₀ values for inhibition of mycelial growth resulted in a decrease in ergosterol content and a simultaneous increase in 24-methylene-24,25-dihydrolanosterol content in all isolates. A correlation existed between the imazalil concentration necessary to induce such changes in sterol composition and the EC₅₀ values for inhibition of mycelial growth of the different isolates. The reason for the differential effects of imazalil on sterol composition in the variousP. italicum isolates may be due to decreased accumulation of the fungicide in the mycelium and to other yet non-identified mechanisms of resistance.Imazalil remt differentieel de toename in drooggewicht van 10-uur-oude gekiemde sporen van wild-type en DMI-resistente isolaten vanPenicillium italicum in vloeistofcultures van moutextract. De EC₅₀ waarden voor groei van de verschillende isolaten lopen uiteen van 0,005 tot 0,27 g ml^–1. In afwezigheid van het fungicide is in alle isolaten ergosterol het belangrijkste sterol (meer dan 95% van het totaal). DMI-resistentie kan daarom niet in verband staan met deficiëntie van het C-14 demethyleringsenzym in de ergosterol biosynthese. Imazalilbehandeling van mycelium bij concentraties rond de EC₅₀ waarde voor groeiremming, resulteerde bij alle isolaten in een afname van het ergosterolgehalte en een gelijktijdige toename van het gehalte aan 24-methyleen-24,25-dihydrolanosterol. Er bestaat dus een nauwe correlatie tussen de imazalilconcentratie die noodzakelijk is om vergelijkbare veranderingen in sterolsamenstelling te induceren en de EC₅₀ waarde voor remming van myceliumgroei van de verschillende isolaten. De differentiële effecten van imazalil op de sterolsamenstelling van de verschillendeP. italicum isolaten kunnen worden veroorzaakt door verminderde accumulatie van het fungicide in het mycelium en door andere, nog niet geïdentificeerde resistentiemechanismen.     

Effects of imazalil on sterol composition of sensitive and DMI-resistant isolates of Penicillium italicum

Imazalil differentially inhibited dry weight increase of 10-hour-old germlings of wild-type and DMI-resistant isolates ofPenicillium italicum in liquid malt cultures. EC₅₀ values ranged from 0.005 to 0.27 μg ml^?1. In all isolates ergosterol constituted the major sterol (over 95% of total sterols) in the absence of the fungicide. Therefore, DMI-resistance cannot be associated to a deficiency of the C-14 demethylation enzyme in the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway. Imazalil treatment at concentrations around EC₅₀ values for inhibition of mycelial growth resulted in a decrease in ergosterol content and a simultaneous increase in 24-methylene-24,25-dihydrolanosterol content in all isolates. A correlation existed between the imazalil concentration necessary to induce such changes in sterol composition and the EC₅₀ values for inhibition of mycelial growth of the different isolates. The reason for the differential effects of imazalil on sterol composition in the variousP. italicum isolates may be due to decreased accumulation of the fungicide in the mycelium and to other yet non-identified mechanisms of resistance.     

Laboratory resistance to fungicides which inhibit ergosterol biosynthesis in Penicillium italicum

Laboratory isolates ofPenicillium italicum with varying levels of resistance to fenarimol were obtained via mass selection of conidia on fenarimol-amended PDA. All fenarimol-resistant isolates showed cross-resistance to other fungicides which inhibit ergosterol biosynthesis (bitertanol, etaconazole, fenapanil, and imazalil), but not to fenpropimorph. In contrast, all isolates with a relatively high degree of resistance to fenarimol, exhibited increased sensitivity to fenpropimorph (negatively correlated cross-resistance). The varying degrees of resistance to ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitors (EBI's) suggest that different mutations for resistance are involved. Isolates with a high degree of resistance were selected from conidial populations of isolates with a low resistance level. This indicates that in sich strains different mutations for resistance are present simultaneously.Somein vitro growth parameters of resistant isolates slightly differed from those of the wild type. Virulence of most resistant isolates on oranges was visually normal and in competition experiments with mixed inocula of wild-type and resistant isolates, the latter could still be isolated after five successive infection cycles on fungicide-free oranges. Nevertheless, the proportion of resistant conidia in the successive inocula gradually decreased.Decay of oranges inoculated with EBI-resistant isolates could still be controlled by a curative dip treatment with imazalil at dosage rates recommended in practice (500 g ml^–1). However, with the highly resistant isolates, decay control was not complete at half this dosage, indicating only a marginal control at the full dosage rate.On the basis of the results described it is assumed that at a high selection pressure of EBI's in practice, gradual accumulation of different mutations for resistance, together with selection of normal fitness may eventually lead to loss of control ofPenicillium decay. Therefore, desease control strategies with a low selection pressure of EBI's are advisable.Samenvatting Laboratoriumisolaten vanPenicillium italicum met uiteenlopende resistentieniveau's tegen fenarimol werden verkregen door massaselectie van conidiën op fenarimolbevattende PDA. Alle fenarimol-resistente isolaten vertoonden kruisresistentie tegen andere fungiciden die de ergosterolbiosynthese remmen (bitertanol, etaconazool, fenapanil, imazalil), maar niet tegen fenpropimorf. Alle isolaten met een relatief hoge graad van fenarimolresistentie waren zelfs gevoeliger voor dit laatste fungicide (negatief gecorreleerde kruisresistentie). De uiteenlopende graden van resistentie tegen ergosterolbiosynthese remmers (EBI's) suggereren dat verschillende mutaties een rol kunnen spelen. Isolaten met een hoge resistentiegraad werden geselecteerd in conidiënpopulaties van isolaten met een lage resistentiegraad. Dit duidt erop dat in dergelijke stammen verschillende mutaties gelijktijdig aanwezig zijn.Er werden kleine verschillen in parameters voorin vitro groei tussen resistente en gevoelige isolaten geconstateerd. De virulentie van vrijwel alle stammen op sinaasappels was normaal; in competitie-experimenten met mengpopulaties van gevoelige en resistente isolaten konden laatstgenoemde isolaten nog na vijf oppenvolgende infectiecycli op fungicide-vrije sinaasappels worden geïsoleerd. Desalniettemin nam het percentage resistente conidiën in de opeenvolgende inocula geleidelijk af. Penicillium-rot op sinaasappel, geïnoculeerd met EBI-resistente isolaten, kon nog worden bestreden door een curatieve dompelbehandeling met imazalil bij een dosering die in de praktijk wordt aanbevolen (500 g ml^–1). Bij een halvering van deze dosering werd echter op sinaasappels, geïnoculeerd met de hoog-resistente isolaten nog rot waargenomen, hetgeen erop duidt dat de bestrijding bij de volle dosering slechts marginaal is.Op grond van de beschreven resultaten kan worden verondersteld dat in de praktijk onder hoge selectiedruk van EBI's een geleidelijke accumulatie van verschillende mutaties, gepaard gaande met selectie van een normale fitheid, kan plaatsvinden, hetgeen uiteindelijk zou kunnen leiden tot onvoldoende bestrijding vanPenicillium-rot. Bestrijdingsstrategieën met een lage selectiedruk van EBI's zijn daarom wenselijk.     

Steric structure–activity relationships of the rice blasticide,S-2900 (diclocymet)

The four diastereomers of 2-cyano-N-[1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]-3,3-dimethyl-butyramide were prepared by a direct HPLC separation with chiral columns. The [(S)acid, (R)amine]-isomer (was the most antifungal among the diastereomers tested. Because of the lability of the clinical group in the acid moiety, the (RS)-(R)-isomer is being developed as a rice blasticide. (S-2900, proposed common name diclocymet).     

Effects of imazalil on a wild-type and fungicide-resistant strain of Aspergillus nidulans

The effects of different incubation conditions on toxicity and uptake of imazalil by mycelium of a wild-type (003) and fungicide-resistant (R264) strain of Aspergillus nidulans were determined. In agar plate and liquid shake culture, imazalil was 200 and 40 times less toxic to the R264 strain, respectively, than to the wild-type strain. Inhibition of C-4 desmethyl sterol (ergosterol) biosynthesis occurred rapidly in mycelium of both strains at minimum growth inhibitory concentrations. Imazalil was neither detoxified nor converted into a toxic compound by mycelial suspension. Increased uptake of imazalil by the two strains occurred as concentrations of the fungicide were increased. However, the percentage uptake of imazalil by the wild-type strain was highest at the lowest concentration. These results suggest that binding in the wild-type strain involved a small number of high-affinity sites which became saturated as fungicide concentrations increased; and that at higher concentrations considerable nonspecific binding occurred in both strains. Uptake of imazalil during the initial 10 min of incubation was considerably lower in resistant than in the wild-type strain. However, upon prolonged incubation, both strains took up near equal amounts of fungicide. Uptake of fungicide by both strains was not inhibited by incubation at low temperature but was stimulated by respiratory inhibitors. These data support, in part, the hypothesis that resistance to imazalil, as reported previously for fenarimol (M. A. de Waard and J. G. M. van Nistelrooy, Pestic. Biochem. Physiol. 13, 255 (1980)), is based on reduced uptake of fungicide by mycelium of the resistant mutant.     

Differential accumulation of fenarimol by a wild-type isolate and fenarimol-resistant isolates of Penicillium italicum

Accumulation of [¹⁴C] fenarimol by mycelium ofPenicillium italicum was studied with isolates having varying levels of laboratory resistance to fenarimol. All resistant isolates tested showed a significantly lower accumulation than the wild-type isolate.Various metabolic inhibitors enhanced accumulation to relatively high levels in both wildtype and resistant isolates. it indicates that accumulation is governed by two processes viz. a non-mediated influx and an energy-dependent efflux. A relatively high fenarimol efflux in resistant isolates probably accounts for low accumulation and for fenarimol resistance. One of the inhibitors which annihilated fenarimol efflux and enhanced fenarimol accumulation was sodium orthovanadate. The synergistic action of fenarimol and orthovanadate to both wildtype and resistant isolates in crossed-paper strip bioassays is probably related to the effect of the latter compound on fenarimol accumulation. Synergistic action between the chemicals in control ofPenicillium decay of oranges could not be detected.Samenvatting De accumulatie van [¹⁴C]fenarimol door mycelium vanPenicillium italicum werd bestudeerd bij isolaten met een uiteenlopende graad van laboratorium-resistentie tegen fenarimol. Alle getoetste resistente isolaten vertoonden een lagere opname dan de wild-stam.Verschillende antimetabolieten verhoogden de accumulatie tot relatief hoge waarden die voor gevoelige en resistente isolaten ongeveer gelijk waren. Deze waarneming duidt erop dat accumulatie wordt bepaald door twee processen: nonmediated influx en energie-afhankelijke efflux. Een hogere fenarimol efflux in resistente isolaten vormt waarschijnlijk de verklaring voor de lagere accumulatie en voor het resistentiemechanisme. Een van de remmers die de fenarimolefflux te niet doet, en de accumulatie van fenarimol verhoogt, is natriumorthovanadaat. De synergistische werking van fenarimol en orthovanadaat tegen zowel wild-type als resistente isolaten in crossed-paper strip biotoetsen houdt waarschijnlijk verband met het effect van laatstgenoemde stof op de accumulatie van fenarimol. Synergistische werking van deze verbindingen bij de bestrijding vanPenicillium-rot op sinaasappels werd niet waargenomen.     

Metabolism of a phosphoramidate by Pyricularia oryzae in relation to tolerance and synergism by a phosphorothiolate and isoprothiolane

Metabolism of dibutyl N-methyl-N-phenylphosphoramidate (BPA) by mycelial cells of Pyricularia oryzae was studied to elucidate the mechanism of synergism and negatively correlated cross-resistance in fungicidal action between phosphoramidates and phosphorothiolate derivatives. Rapid metabolism of BPA by a wild-type strain through hydroxylation and N-demethylation was observed. The metabolism was inhibited by diisopropyl S-benzyl phosphorothiolate (IBP; Kitazin P) and by isoprothiolane (diisopropyl 1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidenemalonate; Fuji-One). This inhibition of BPA metabolism is probably the mechanism of synergistic fungicidal action between the phosphoramidate and the thiol derivatives. The metabolism was, however, not inhibited by S-1358 (S-butyl S′-p-tert-butylbenzyl N-3-pyridyldithiocarbonimidate; Denmert) or triarimol [α-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-α-phenyl-5-pyrimidinemethanol; EL-273], both of which are considered to be inhibitors of hydroxylation of a methyl radical in ergosterol biosynthesis. The metabolism of BPA by P. oryzae was much slower when mutants selected for IBP resistance and for isoprothiolane resistance were used. This phenomenon probably explains the differential sensitivity to phosphoramidate of wild-type strains and mutants resistant to the thiol derivatives.     

Toxicity of fenpropimorph to fenarimol-resistant isolates of Penicillium italicum

Fenarimol-resistant isolates ofPenicillium italicum with cross-resistance to imidazole and triazole fungicides which inhibit ergosterol biosynthesis were tested for their sensitivity to fenpropimorph. Radial growth tests on PDA showed that the isolates (n=6) lacked cross-resistance to fenpropimorph or displayed enhanced sensitivity to the fungicide (negatively correlated cross-resistance). Control of blue mold decay of oranges incited by the wild-type isolate could be achieved by dipping fruits in suspensions of fenpropimorph at a concentration of 100 mg ml^–1. Decay of oranges incited by the fenarimol-resistant isolates was controlled at the same or at a lower concentration (30 mg ml^–1), thus showing that the normal or increased sensitivity to fenpropimorph is also expressed under in vivo conditions.Samenvatting Fenarimol-resistente isolaten vanPenicillium italicum met kruisresistentie tegen imidazool-en triazoolfungiciden die de ergosterolbiosynthese remmen, werden getoetst op hun gevoeligheid voor fenpropimorf. Radiale groeiproeven op PDA toonden aan dat de isolaten (n=6) geen kruisresistentie bezaten met fenpropimorf of een verhoogde gevoeligheid voor het middel vertoonden (negatief gecorreleerde kruisresistentie). Op sinaasappels konPenicillium-rot, veroorzaakt door het wild-type bestreden worden door middel van een dompelbehandeling met fenpropimorf bij een dosering van 100 g ml^–1). Bestrijding van rot veroorzaakt door fenarimil-resistente isolaten werd verkregen bij dezelfde of een lagere dosering (30 g ml^–1); aldus werd aangetoond dat de normale of verhoogde gevoeligheid voor fenpropimorf ook in vivo tot uiting komt.     

Further studies of the inheritance of benomyl resistance in Venturia pirina isolated from pear orchards in Israel

Fourteen single-spore cultures of benomyl-resistant Venturia pirina were isolated from pear scab lesions at four sites in Israel. According to the ability of the isolates to germinate and grow at varying benomyl concentrations, four levels of resistance were determined in vitro : three isolates with low resistance (LR) grew at 0.5 but not at 5 μg/ml benomyl: five moderately resistant (MR) isolates grew at 5 but not at 50 μg/ml benomyl: five highly resistant (HR) isolates grew at 50 μg/ml but their hyphae were curled: and one isolate with very high resistance (VHR) grew unaffected at 50 μg/ml benomyl. The difference between the HR and the VHR phenotypes was clearly shown on medium amended with N -(3.5-dichlorophenyl) carbamate (MDPC): only the VHR isolate showed negative cross-resistance to 1 μ g/ml MDPC. whereas HR isolates grew unaffected. Crosses between resistant isolates and sensitive wild types, as well as between different resistant isolates, showed that the various levels of resistance are conferred by four allelic mutations that constitute a polymorphic series at a single locus.     

Fitness of isolates of Sphaerotheca fuliginea resistant or sensitive to fungicides which inhibit ergosterol biosynthesis

Isolates ofSphaerotheca fuliginea resistant to fungicides which inhibit ergosterol biosynthesis (EBIs: bitertanol, fenarimol, imazalil) had been collected from glasshouses in the Netherlands. Fitness of these isolates was compared to that of isolates with a wild-type sensitivity to EBIs. Fitness parameters studied were germination of conidia, growth of germ tubes and mycelium, penetration, sporulation and competitive ability.In an experiment in which 10 EBI-resistant isolates were compared to 7 wild-type isolates, one or more values of fitness parameters for EBI-resistant isolates were slightly lower than those for the wild-type isolates. However, within the group of resistant isolates no relation existed between the degree of resistance to EBIs and the degree of fitness. In an experiment with fewer isolates but with more replicates, differences in fitness between EBI-resistant and wild-type isolates were not detected over a three-month period.In competition experiments in which no crowding was present, resistant isolates competed well with the wild-type isolate.It is concluded that the hypothesis that resistance to EBIs is unlikely to develop under practical conditions because of decreased fitness of EBI-resistant strains, does not seem to hold forS. fuliginea.Samenvatting Uit kassen in Nederland waren isolaten vanSphaerotheca fuliginea verzameld, die resistent waren tegen fungiciden die de ergosterol-biosynthese remmen (EBR's: bitertanol, fenarimol, imazalil). De fitness van deze isolaten werd vergeleken met die van isolaten met een wild-type gevoeligheid voor EBR's. De volgende fitness-parameters werden bestudeerd: sporekieming, groei van kiembuizen en mycelium, penetratie, sporulatie en competitievermogen.In een proef, waarin 10 EBR-resistente isolaten werden vergeleken met 7 wild-type isolaten, waren één of meer fitness-parameters iets lager dan die van de wild-type isolaten. Binnen de groep van de resistente isolaten bestond geen relatie tussen de mate van resistentie tegen EBR's en de waarden van de fitness-parameters. In een proef met iets minder isolaten maar met meer herhalingen in de tijd, werden geen verschillen in fitness waargenomen tussen de EBR-resistente en wild-type isolaten. In competitieproeven waarin een epidemie zich kon ontwikkelen, concurreerden de resistente isolaten goed met het wild-type isolaat.Er wordt geconcludeerd dat de hypothese dat resistentie tegen EBR's in de praktijk waarschijnlijk niet zou optreden vanwege een verminderde fitness van de EBR-resistente isolaten, niet van toepassing is opS. fuliginea.     

Metabolic fate of methazole in purple and yellow nutsedge

The mechanisms for the tolerance of purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) and susceptibility of yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L.) to methazole [2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazolidine-3,5-dione] were studied. Both species absorbed and translocated[¹⁴C]methazole and metabolites from nutrient solution; however, greater amounts of ¹⁴C per unit weight were detected in yellow than in purple nutsedge. Although intact plants and excised leaves of both species rapidly metabolized methazole to DCPMU [1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-methylurea], detoxification of DCPMU to DCPU [1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl) urea] occurred more slowly in yellow than in purple nutsedge. Compared to yellow nutsedge, a greater percentage of the radioactivity in purple nutsedge was recovered as polar products. Polar products were converted to the free forms of the parent herbicide and to phytotoxic DCPMU by proteolytic enzyme digestion. Based on the findings of this study, at least three mechanisms (differential absorption, metabolism, and formation of polar products) account for the differential tolerance of these two species to methazole.     

Determination and persistence of imazalil in post-harvest-treated apples during cold storage

A method to determine imazalil (allyl 1 -(2, 4-dichlorophenyl)-2-imidazol- 1-ylethyl ether) on apples using high performance liquid chromatography is described. After harvest, fruits were immersed in an aqueous suspension (1 g litre-1) and cold stored (0-2°C) at 85-90% r.h. Samples were taken monthly and imazalil was determined in the peel, outer pulp, inner pulp and on whole fruit. Residues were 3.8-4.9 mg imazalil kg-1 and decreased during storage. Most imazalil was found on the peel and amounts in the pulp decreased toward the core.     

Negatively correlated cross-resistance to phenylcarbamate fungicides in benomyl-resistant Venturia inaequalis and V. pirina

Isolates ofVenturia inaequalis and ofV. pirina sensitive (S) or resistant (R) to benomyl were examined in vitro on media amended with two phenylcarbamate fungicides. There was a negatively correlated cross-resistance (NCCR) to both methyl N-(3,5-dichlorophenyl) carbamate (MDPC) and isopropyl N-(3,4-diethoxyphenyl) carbamate (NPC) in some benomylresistant isolates. InV. inaequalis, isolates with low benomyl resistance (LR) did not show NCCR to MDPC, whereas isolates with medium (MR), high (HR) and very high (VHR) resistance to benomyl were more sensitive to MDPC than were the benomyl-sensitive isolates. To NPC, MR and VHR isolates showed NCCR whereas LR and HR isolates reacted similarly as sensitive isolates. InV. pirina only HR and VHR isolates showed NCCR to MDPC. The VHR isolates were sensitive to NPC, whereas the reactions of S, LR, MR and HR to NPC were similar.Crosses between benomyl-sensitive and benomyl-resistantV. pirina as well as between different resistant isolates showed that NCCR is inheritable and controlled by a single Mendelian gene.Samenvatting Benomyl-gevoelige en-resistente isolaten vanVenturia inaequalis enV. pirina werden in vitro onderzocht op media met de fungiciden methyl N-(3,5-dichlorophenyl) carbamate (MDPC) en isopropyl N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl) carbamate (NPC). Een aantal benomyl-resistente isolaten van deze pathogeen bleken een negatief gecorreleerde kruisresistentie (NCCR) te vertonen ten opzichte van MDPC en NPC.Isolaten vanV. inaequalis met matige (MR), hoge (HR) en zeer hoge (VHR) benomyl-resistentie vertoonden NCCR. Ten opzichte van NPC vertoonden alleen MR en VHR isolaten NCCR, en niet de LR en HR isolaten. InV. pirina vertoonden HR en VHR isolaten NCCR ten opzichte van MDPC, maar alleen de VHR isolaten ten opzichte van NPC.Kruisingen tussen benomyl-gevoelige en-resistenteV. pririna, en tussen verschillende benomyl-resistente isolaten onderling, toonden aan dat NCCR erfelijk is en berust op een enkel gen.Contribution No. 1712-E, 1986 series, from the ARO.     

Sensitivity of Drechslera teres and Septoria nodorum to sterol-biosynthesis inhibitors

The sensitivity of 282 isolates ofSeptoria nodorum was tested on prochloraz, propiconazole and guazatine, and of 129 isolates ofDrechslera teres on prochloraz, propiconazole, imazalil and triadimefon. There was a great variation in sensitivity between isolates particularly at relatively low concentrations of the fungicides. However, none of the isolates was considered resistant towards the sterol biosynthesis inhibitors tested. Some isolates ofS. nodorum grew on concentrations of guazatine that may present difficulties in controlling them under practical conditions.Samenvatting Isolaten vanSeptoria nodorum (n=282) werden getoetst op gevoeligheid voor prochloraz, propiconazool en guazatine en vanDrechslera teres (n=129) voor prochloraz, propiconazool, imazalil en triadimefon. Er waren grote verschillen in de gevoeligheid van de isolaten, in het bijzonder bij lage concentraties van de fungiciden. Geen van de isolaten kan echter als resistent tegen sterolbiosynthese-remmers worden opgevat. Het feit, dat sommige van de isolaten vanS. nodorum zich ontwikkelden op media die hoge concentraties guazatine bevatten, kan echter duiden op moeilijkheden bij de bestrijding onder praktische omstandigheden.     

Isolation of microsomal cytochrome-p450 isozymes from Ustilago maydis and their interaction with sterol demethylation inhibitors

A procedure for the isolation of microsomes containing cytochrome-P450 isozymes from Ustilago maydis is described. Yields of P450 amount to approximately 19(±+ 6) pmol mg^?1 of microsomal protein. The wavelength of maximum absorbance of the reduced carbon monoxide difference spectrum is 448-449 nm. The azole fungicides prochloraz, etaconazole, imazalil, triadimefon and 3-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-4(3H)-quinazoline, which differ markedly in toxicity to U. maydis, all induce type II binding difference spectra at extremely low concentrations (10^?9-10^?8 M). The DMI concentrations which cause half saturation of type II binding difference spectra (IC₅₀) do not correlate with the fungicidal activities of the azoles. Binding of carbon monoxide to ferrous cytochrome-P450 was only slightly inhibited to different degrees by the DMIs tested. However, the inhibition of carbon monoxide binding also does not correlate with fungitoxicity of the DMIs. The results in this paper suggest that the spectrophotometric studies with this preparation are not useful for evaluating selective toxicity of DMIs to intact sporidia of U. maydis.     

Survey of mutations of a histidine kinase gene BcOS1 in dicarboximide-resistant field isolates of Botrytis cinerea

Previously, we cloned a putative osmosensing histidine kinase gene (BcOS1) and revealed that a single amino acid substitution, isoleucine to serine at codon 365, conferred dicarboximide resistance in field isolates of Botrytis cinerea. This point mutation (type I) occurred within the restriction enzyme TaqI site of the wild-type BcOS1 gene. Thus, a procedure was developed for detecting the type I mutation of the BcOS1 gene using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in combination with restriction fragment-length polymorphism (RFLP). Diagnosis by PCR-RFLP was conducted on the 105 isolates isolated from 26 fields in Japan. All dicarboximide-sensitive isolates (49 isolates) had the wild-type BcOS1 gene, and the 43 isolates with the type I mutation were resistant to dicarboximides without exception. These data indicate that dicarboximide-resistant isolates with type I mutation are widespread throughout Japan. However, other types of dicarboximide resistance were detected among isolates from Osaka; among the 24 resistant isolates from Osaka, 12 had the BcOS1 gene without the type I mutation. BcOS1 gene sequencing of these resistant isolates classified them into two groups, type II and type III. The type II isolates have three amino acid substitutions within BcOS1p (³⁶⁸Val to Phe, ³⁶⁹Gln to His, and ⁴⁴⁷Thr to Ser). The type III isolates have two amino acid substitutions within BcOS1p (³⁶⁹Gln to Pro and ³⁷³Asn to Ser). These amino acid changes are located on the amino acid repeat domain in BcOS1p. The three types of resistant isolates were all moderately resistant to dicarboximides without significant osmotic sensitivity, and their pathogenicity on cucumber leaves was also very similar to that of the wild-type isolate.     

Relative parasitic fitness of isolates of Pyricularia oryzae Cav. with different sensitivities to fungicides

The relative parasitic fitness of isolates of Pyricularia oryzae with different sensitivities to isoprothiolane (di-isopropyl 1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidenemalonate) and IBP (S-benzyl O, O-di-isopropyl phosphorothioate) was studied in the absence of fungicides. Four field isolates (S-1,S-2,MR-1 and MR-2) and two in-vitro mutants (Rvt-1 and Rvt-2) were used for disease epidemics. S-l and S-2 were wild types; MR-1 and MR-2 were sensitive to isoprothiolane and moderately resistant to IBP, and Rvt-1 and Rvt-2 were resistant to both fungicides. Twelve epidemics were made by inoculating rice seedlings with mixed conidial suspensions of two isolates or mutants. The value of relative parasitic fitness (W = 0-1.0) was calculated for each isolate and epidemic. S-l and S-2 were stronger (W = 1.0) than MR-2, Rvt-1 and Rvt-2; but weaker (W = 0.75, 0.73, respectively) than MR-1. MR-1 was strongest among all isolates and mutants used. MR-2 was slightly weaker (W = 0.9-1.0) than S-l and S-2, but stronger than Rvt-1 and Rvt-2. Rvt-1 and Rvt-2 had smaller values of W, ranging from 0.25-0.58, in the epidemics with each field isolate. These results suggest that the proportions of in-vitro mutants do not increase unless intensive selection pressure is given, and would be expected to decrease rapidly after the selection pressure is removed. Isolates moderately resistant to IBP, such as MR-1 and MR-2, however, had high values of W, suggesting that they would increase or would not decrease rapidly in the absence of selection pressure. These results may well explain why isolates highly resistant to isoprothiolane and IBP have seldom been found, and why a large number of isolates moderately resistant to IBP but sensitive to isoprothiolane have been observed in the field.