Biodiversity in the Cladosporium herbarum complex (Davidiellaceae,Capnodiales), with standardisation of methods for Cladosporium taxonomy and diagnostics

The Cladosporium herbarum complex comprises five species for which Davidiella teleomorphs are known. Cladosporium herbarum s. str. (D. tassiana), C. macrocarpum (D. macrocarpa) and C. bruhnei (D. allicina) are distinguishable by having conidia of different width, and by teleomorph characters. Davidiella variabile is introduced as teleomorph of C. variabile, a homothallic species occurring on Spinacia, and D. macrospora is known to be the teleomorph of C. iridis on Iris spp. The C. herbarum complex combines low molecular distance with a high degree of clonal or inbreeding diversity. Entities differ from each other by multilocus sequence data and by phenetic differences, and thus can be interpreted to represent individual taxa. Isolates of the C. herbarum complex that were formerly associated with opportunistic human infections, cluster with C. bruhnei. Several species are newly described from hypersaline water, namely C. ramotenellum, C. tenellum, C. subinflatum, and C. herbaroides. Cladosporium pseudiridis collected from Iris sp. in New Zealand, is also a member of this species complex and shown to be distinct from C. iridis that occurs on this host elsewhere in the world. A further new species from New Zealand is C. sinuosum on Fuchsia excorticata. Cladosporium antarcticum is newly described from a lichen, Caloplaca regalis, collected in Antarctica, and C. subtilissimum from grape berries in the U.S.A., while the new combination C. ossifragi, the oldest valid name of the Cladosporium known from Narthecium in Europe, is proposed. Standard protocols and media are herewith proposed to facilitate future morphological examination of Cladosporium spp. in culture, and neotypes or epitypes are proposed for all species treated.Taxonomic novelties: Cladosporium antarcticum K. Schub., Crous & U. Braun, sp. nov., C. herbaroides K. Schub., Zalar, Crous & U. Braun, sp. nov., C. ossifragi (Rostr.) U. Braun & K. Schub., comb. nov., C. pseudiridis K. Schub., C.F. Hill, Crous& U. Braun, sp. nov., C. ramotenellum K. Schub., Zalar, Crous& U. Braun, sp. nov., C. sinuosum K. Schub., C.F. Hill, Crous& U. Braun, sp. nov., C. subinflatum K. Schub., Zalar, Crous& U. Braun, sp. nov., C. subtilissimum K. Schub., Dugan, Crous& U. Braun, sp. nov., C. tenellum K. Schub., Zalar, Crous & U. Braun sp. nov., Davidiella macrocarpa Crous, K. Schub. & U. Braun, sp. nov., D. variabile Crous, K. Schub. & U. Braun, sp. nov.     

Aroma profiles of the curry leaf, Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng. chemotypes: Variability in north India during the year

Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng. (Rutaceae) is characterized by a large chemical intraspecific variability among the land races. This fact makes it difficult to detect real changes occurring in their essential oil composition during annual cycle. Based on this, variations of essential oil yield and composition in two chemotypes (‘A’ and ‘B’) of M. koenigii were assessed in spring, summer, rainy, autumn and winter seasons under foot hill conditions of northern India. The essential oil yield ranged from 0.15% to 0.18% in chemotype ‘A’, while it varied from 0.12% to 0.14% in chemotype ‘B’. Essential oils of both chemotypes from different seasons were analysed by gas chromatography (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of fifty-eight constituents representing 93.7-98.8% of chemotype ‘A’ and fifty-six constituents forming 96.1-98.7% of the total composition of chemotype ‘B’ were identified. Chemotype ‘A’ was characterized by higher percentages of α-pinene (34.6-41.9%), sabinene (26.1-36.1%), (E)-caryophyllene (2.4-5.4%) and terpinen-4-ol (1.5-5.3%), whereas chemotype ‘B’ was dominated by higher amount of α-pinene (52.7-65.3%), β-pinene (10.7-12.9%), (E)-caryophyllene (3.1-10.3%) and limonene (5.1-7.8%). Comparative results showed considerable variations in the essential oil composition of both chemotypes due to season of collection. Present study concluded that the M. koenigii leaves of desired quality may be obtained by selecting suitable chemotype and season.     

Cladosporium leaf-blotch and stem rot of Paeonia spp. caused by Dichocladosporium chlorocephalum gen. nov.

Cladosporium chlorocephalum (= C. paeoniae) is a common, widespread leaf-spotting hyphomycete of peony (Paeonia spp.), characterised by having dimorphic conidiophores. During the season, one stage of this fungus causes distinct, necrotic leaf-blotch symptoms on living leaves of Paeonia spp. In late autumn, winter or after overwintering, a second morphologically distinct conidiophore type occurs on dead, blackish, rotting stems. Conspecificity of the two morphs, previously proposed on the basis of observations in culture, was supported by DNA sequence data from the ITS and LSU gene regions, using cultures obtained from leaf-blotch symptoms on living leaves, as well as from dead stems of Paeonia spp. Sequence data were identical, indicating a single species with two morphs. On account of its distinct conidiogenous loci and conidial hila, as well as its sequence-based phylogenetic position separate from the Davidiella/Cladosporium clade, the peony fungus has to be excluded from Cladosporium s. str., but still belongs to the Davidiellaceae (Capnodiales). The leaf-blotching (cladosporioid) morph of this fungus morphologically resembles species of Fusicladium, but differs in having dimorphic fruiting, and is phylogenetically distant from the Venturiaceae. The macronematous (periconioid) morph resembles Metulocladosporiella (Chaetothyriales), but lacks rhizoid conidiophore hyphae, and has 0-5-septate conidia. Hence, C. chlorocephalum is assigned to the new genus Dichocladosporium.Taxonomic novelties: Dichocladosporium K. Schub., U. Braun& Crous, gen. nov., Dichocladosporium chlorocephalum (Fresen.) K. Schub., U. Braun & Crous, comb. nov.     

Simulating the susceptibility of clusters to grape black rot infections depending on their phenological development

In the years 2006–2008, clusters of Vitis vinifera (cv. Riesling) were inoculated with a conidia suspension of Guignardia bidwellii, the causal agent of grape black rot, at weekly intervals from one week before until eight weeks after bloom. Berries’ susceptibility turned out to be strongly linked to the speed of the phenological development in the respective season. In view of this, a degree day-based model simulating the relative susceptibility as a function of the phenological development was established. Infections on inflorescences were already possible prior to bloom. The period of highest susceptibility for direct infection on berries lasted from fruit set to the beginning of bunch closure. Successful infections took place until the end of bunch closure. Ontogenic resistance occurred clearly before veraison. Consequently, control measures should focus on the period between directly prior to bloom and bunch closure. Thus, the time span of black rot control coincides with the period in which vineyards need to be protected against the two major grape pathogens, Erysiphe necator and Plasmopara viticola. Applications of fungicides aimed at powdery and downy mildew control, also effective against G. bidwellii (e.g. strobilurins, triazoles and dithiocarbamates), offer a simultaneous control strategy for these three fungal diseases.     

Inheritance pattern and genetics of yield and component traits in opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.)

Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) is an important medicinal plant produces more than 80 alkaloids belonging to various tetrahydrobenzylisoquinoline derived classes. These alkaloids are obtained from the capsules and straw of the plant. Information on the nature and magnitude of gene effects are required for genetic improvement. Therefore, the continuous assessment of newer breeding materials is mandatory on part of breeders. The objective of this study was undertaken to understand the particular gene action involved in the inheritance of yield and component traits. Two families (VG26 × VG20 and SG35II × VE01) of opium poppy were analyzed to study the gene actions involved in the inheritance of yield and component traits (plant height, leaves per plant, capsules per plant, peduncle length, capsule index, seed and straw yield per plant and morphine content). Simple additive, dominance, and epistatic genetic components were found to be significant. Dominance effect (‘h’) was higher than additive effect (‘d’) for capsule index and morphine content. Digenic interaction indicated the prevalence of dominance × dominance (‘l’) followed by additive × dominance (‘j’) type epistasis. The opposite sign of dominance (‘h’) and dominance × dominance (‘l’) indicated duplicate epistasis for all the traits. Biparental mating followed by recurrent selection involving desired recombinants may be utilized to improve the component traits.     

Water-deficit and high temperature affected water use efficiency and arabinoxylan concentration in spring wheat

This study was conducted in a controlled environment to evaluate the combined effects of water-deficit (imposed at the stem elongation stage) and high temperature (imposed at the booting stage) on the water use efficiency (WUE) and arabinoxylan concentration of two spring wheat varieties (‘Superb’ and ‘AC Crystal’) commonly grown in Canada. The temperature treatments were 22/12 (day/night, T1) and 32/22 °C (T2). Overall, time to maturity under high temperature was 10 days shorter for ‘Superb’ than for ‘AC Crystal’, indicating that ‘Superb’ was more sensitive to high temperature stress. Leaf relative water content (RWC) and specific leaf area (SLA) were more sensitive to drought than to high temperature for both varieties. Drought and high temperature decreased (P < 0.05) biomass, water use and grain yield but increased WUE of ’Superb’ and ‘AC Crystal’. Without temperature stress, significant drought and variety effects were found on CID (carbon isotope discrimination) which was negatively correlated with WUE. All gas exchange parameters declined under drought and high temperature. High temperature increased the grain arabinoxylan concentration (especially the water-extractable arabinoxylans). The different arabinoxylan fractions were positively correlated with WUE suggesting that arabinoxylans can be increased by selecting for increased WUE.     

Determinants of fenhexamid effectiveness against grey mould on grapevine: Respective role of spray timing,fungicide resistance and plant defences

Botrytis bunch rot of grapes is mainly controlled by applying fungicides at three crop growth stages: the end of flowering (BBCH 68), bunch closure (BBCH 77) and the beginning of veraison (BBCH 81). The hydroxyanilide derivative fenhexamid is among the most effective fungicides registered to control Botrytis cinerea. Its effectiveness was examined in relation to spray timing, fungicide resistance and defense responses of grapevine. Overall, the earlier fenhexamid was applied, the more effective it was at controlling B. cinerea. Frequencies of B. cinerea strains which were resistant to fungicides were evaluated at harvest. The frequencies of resistant phenotypes were similar among treatments and years with the exception of a class of multidrug resistant strain (MDR 2) whose frequency appeared to increase after fenhexamid applications. If current spray programs including fenhexamid appear to control bunch rot at the current MDR frequency, a propagation of MDR 2 strains might lead to a decline in disease control. Finally, defense responses were studied in grapevine flowers/berries following fenhexamid application. None of the defense processes tested was induced in flowers/berries at stages 68 and 77. Only an increase in chitinase activity was observed in treated-berries at stage 81, suggesting that fenhexamid effectiveness was not related to a stimulation of defense responses.     

Single versus multiple releases of predatory mites combined with spinosad for the management of western flower thrips in strawberry

Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), is a major pest of strawberry and other horticultural and ornamental crops. Biological control of F. occidentalis with predatory mites is recommended as an additional management strategy to chemical control in glasshouse and protected crops. However, it is not known whether multiple (two or three) species releases of predatory mites are more effective than single species releases. The effect of an application of spinosad followed by mite releases could further increase suppression of F. occidentalis. In a series of trials in the glasshouse, we evaluated three commercially available predatory mite species, Typhlodromips montdorensis (Schicha), Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) and Hypoaspis miles (Berlese). Strawberry plants were sprayed once with either spinosad at the recommended rate or with water. F. occidentalis adults were released onto plants 24 h after spraying, and mites were released six days later. Spinosad significantly reduced F. occidentalis compared to the control (water). T. montdorensis, N. cucumeris and H. miles significantly reduced F. occidentalis compared to the ‘no mite’ treatment. Spinosad had no effect on T. montdorensis and N. cucumeris, as their numbers did not differ between the spinosad and control treatments; H. miles was not recovered. When mites were released after an application of spinosad, greater suppression of F. occidentalis was achieved than with releases of predatory mites alone. When released as a double species combination, ‘T. montdorensis and H. miles’ was the most effective combination. There was no difference in efficacy between releases of ‘T. montdorensis and H. miles’ or ‘T. montdorensis, N. cucumeris and H. miles’. We conclude that multiple species releases are more effective than single species releases, and that biological control of F. occidentalis with predatory mites can be used together with spinosad.     

Occurrence and characterization of fungi and oomycetes transmitted via potting mixtures and organic manures

A study was conducted to investigate the most common fungal and oomycete pathogens introduced into farms in Oman via potting mixtures and organic manures. A total of 37 commercial types of potting mixtures (2 local and 35 imported from overseas), 4 commercial types of organic manures and 11 non-commercial types of organic manures were included in the study. Identification of the isolated species was based on morphological characteristics, except for the most common species which were further identified using sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region of the ribosomal DNA (ITS rDNA). Fusarium spp. (14%), Pythium aphanidermatum (3%), Alternaria spp. (5%), Helminthosporium spp. (5%) and Cladosporium spp. (3%) were recovered at different frequencies from samples of potting mixtures. Fusarium solani (40%) and Fusarium equiseti (47%) were recovered at high frequencies from samples of organic manures. Isolations from organic manures also yielded Pythium periplocum (7%), Rhizoctonia solani (7%), Fusarium lichenicola (7%), Helminthosporium spp. (27%) and Alternaria spp. (27%). Trichoderma spp., Penicillium spp., Aspergillus spp. and Rhizopus spp. were found to be common in samples of potting mixtures and organic manures. Investigating sensitivity to hymexazol among 9 isolates of F. equiseti and 13 isolates of F. solani revealed variations among different isolates. The EC₅₀ values ranged from 1 to over 1200 (avg. 192 μg ml⁻¹) for F. equiseti isolates and from 135 to 789 (avg. 324 μg ml⁻¹) for F. solani isolates, indicating presence of resistance to this important fungicide among some Fusarium isolates. This appears to be the first report of contamination with R. solani, P. periplocum, F. solani, F. equiseti and F. lichenicola of organic manures. This study appears to report for the first time F. lichenicola in Oman and appears to be the first report of occurrence of resistance to hymexazol among F. equiseti and F. solani isolates.     

Pests and diseases contribute to sugar beet yield difference between top and averagely managed farms

Crop yield has to increase to meet the expanding demand for food, feed and bio-energy, caused by world population growth and increasing wealth. Raising sugar yield is also the key to sustaining the profitability of the sugar beet crop. This paper describes the factors that impacted on yield differences between 26 ‘top’ and 26 ‘average’ growers based on four years yield data (2000-2004). In 2006 and 2007, the top growers had 20% higher sugar yields compared to their neighbouring average growers. Heterodera schachtii and Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) were mainly found on clay soils. Top growers on clay soil had significantly lower infestation levels of H. schachtii (4.4x lower, P = 0.008), BNYVV (2.7x lower, P = 0.016) and other foliar symptoms (Pseudomonas, Phoma betae and Verticillium spp. combined) (1.5x lower, P < 0.001), than the average growers, respectively. On sandy soils, infestation levels of Meloidogyne spp. (P = 0.016), Cercospora beticola (P = 0.005) and Erysiphe betae (P = 0.027) were significantly lower (5x, 1.4x and 1.8x, respectively) for the top growers. The top growers on clay or sand sowed 5 and 6 days earlier respectively, and made more fungicide applications and thus used more fungicides than the average growers. Insect pests were not observed at levels damaging for sugar yield: Insecticidal seed treatments provided sufficient control of insect pests. In multiple regression, 35% of the variance in sugar yield on clay soils was explained by H. schachtii and BNYVV infestation levels and by sowing date. On sandy soils, the infestation levels of Heterodera betae and Aphanomyces cochlioides, number of fungicide applications and sowing date explained 71% of the variance in sugar yield. Despite crop protection measures, the calculated yield losses due to pests and diseases for the top growers were 30.2 and 13.1% and for average growers were 37.1 and 16.7% on sandy and clay soils, respectively. Therefore, pest and disease infestation levels partly explained the differences in sugar yield between top and average growers analysed. The skills and knowledge of the grower are important to reducing damage by pests and diseases. Communication of knowledge, obtained by research, towards growers is vital for the long-term raising of yield and increasing of productivity in sugar beet, as well as in other crops.     

Management of peanut diseases with reduced input fungicide programs in fields with varying levels of disease risk

Field experiments were conducted in 2003 and 2004 to evaluate full and reduced input fungicide programs in peanut fields with varying levels of risk for the peanut leaf spot complex (caused by Cercospora arachidicola and Cercosporidium personatum). Fungicides applications were made on a 14-, 21-, or 28-day interval (d.i.). Leaf spot intensity was similar for all programs in fields considered to be low or moderate risk; however, there was more leaf spot in plots treated on a 28-d.i. for high risk fields. Incidence of stem rot (caused by Sclerotium rolfsii) was lower in plots treated with soilborne-based programs than those treated with foliar-based programs. Control for the 21- and 28-d.i. soilborne-based programs was comparable to that for the 14-d.i. program in all trials except the high risk situations where plots treated on the 28- d.i. had higher levels of stem rot. Pod yields were similar among application intervals for all trials. Based on these results, reductions in the number of fungicide applications can be made without compromising leaf spot control, stem rot control, or yield.     

Hybanthus parviflorus (Violaceae): Insecticidal activity of a South American plant

Hybanthus parviflorus is a perennial shrub, widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions of America, and is known as ‘violetilla’ in Argentina. Previous phytochemical studies of this species led us to the isolation and determination of the primary structure of a novel macrocyclic polypeptide, the cyclotide hypa A. Here the insecticidal activities of extracts of H. parviflorus were determined against Ceratitis capitata Wied., the Mediterranean fruit fly or ‘Medfly’. Mortality in the different life stages of Medfly, total mortality and modifications of the insect’s physiology caused by 50% EtOH and CH₂Cl₂ extracts of H. parviflorus were evaluated. In addition, we determined the occurrence of ursolic acid, β-sitosterol and the polyphenols quercetin, quercetin-3-methyl ether, apigenin, luteolin, kaempferol, rutin, caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid. The promising insecticidal activity of 50% EtOH extracts of H. parviflorus and its purified fractions was related to the presence of cyclotides. The insecticidal activity of CH₂Cl₂ extracts could be related to the presence of polyphenols, ursolic acid and β-sitosterol.     

Effect of biocontrol agent Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and 1-methyl cyclopropene on the control of postharvest diseases and maintenance of fruit quality

Efficacy of biocontrol agent Bacillus amyloliquefaciens PPCB004 was evaluated on the control of anthracnose and phomopsis rot in ‘Solo’ papaya pre-treated with 1-methyl cyclopropene (100 μl) (1-MCP) during storage. This treatment was compared to the untreated control, commercial treatment (washing in chlorinated water), stand alone 1-MCP and PPCB004 treatment. Although fruit pre-treated with 1-MCP delayed the ripening (100% yellow) after cold storage by 9-10 d, it showed higher incidence and severity of anthracnose and phomopsis rot than the fruit subjected to commercial treatment. Application of PPCB004 after 1-MCP pre-treatment (1-MCP + PPCB004) reduced the anthracnose and phomopsis incidence and severity after cold storage (10 °C, 85% RH for 14 d) and ripening at 25 °C. The 1-MCP + PPCB004 treatment helped to retain the fruit firmness, overall quality and uniform yellow skin (100%) and flesh colour after ripening. The PPCB004 was effectively recovered from stand alone PPCB004 and 1-MCP + PPCB004 treated fruit after cold storage and ripening. The PPCB004 population showed an increase by 1 log units after ripening in 1-MCP + PPCB004 treated fruit. After ripening the recovery of PPCB004 population was higher (0.7 log units) in 1-MCP + PPCB004. The total recovery of fungal population on the fruit surface after ripening was lower in 1-MCP + PPCB004 and stand alone PPCB004 treated fruit. It can be concluded that application of B. amyloliquefaciens PPCB004 with 1-MCP pre-treated papaya (at 25-30% skin yellow stage) can significantly reduce disease incidence associated with 1-MCP treatment. This treatment has the potential for commercial application in the ‘organic’ papaya industry.     

Associative effects of leaf roll and ring rot on disease expression and yield of potatoes

Netted Gem potato plants infected with either the ring rot bacterium (Corynebacterium sepedonicum) or the potato leaf roll virus alone exhibited typical symptoms of the respective diseases. Plants infected with both the bacterium and the virus exhibited severe leaf roll. Typical ring rot symptoms were masked in dual infections, thereby increasing the difficulty in detection of the bacterial disease. The combined yield-reducing effect of the two pathogens was greater than that of the potato leaf roll virus and was similar to that caused by ring rot alone.     

Quantification of yield loss due to coffee leaf scorch

Coffee leaf scorch caused by Xylella fastidiosa is widespread in major coffee-growing regions of Brazil. This study was done to quantify the yield loss caused by this disease. The severity data of the disease were collected during the 2006, 2007 and 2008 seasons at commercial plantations growing Coffea arabica ‘Catuaí’ in São Gotardo-MG in 250 plants of three blocks of 7000 coffee plants each. Fifty selected plants per block with different disease severities were determined. The linear regression showed a significant relationship (P < 0.01) between disease severity and bean yield and between disease severity and grain size in all years. The relationship between yield and the disease severity was significant (P < 0.01). For each 1% increase in the disease severity, there was a decrease of 1.22, 1.34 and 2.02 bags of bean yield/ha in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively, thus showing the importance of the disease in reducing coffee bean yields.     

Fungal diseases of spring wheat in central Saudi Arabia

Fungal diseases of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Central Saudi Arabia (AlGassim region) were surveyed in 1984 and 1985. Over 95% of the wheat fields were planted to the Yecora Rojo cultivar. Root and crown rots (Fusarium spp. and Helminthosporium spp.); brown root rot (Pythium spp.); leaf and head blotches (Helminthosporium spp.) and take-all (Gaeumannomyces sp.) were the most serious fungal diseases observed in the fields. Several H. sativum isolates were pathogenic to seedling leaves of most or all local and imported wheat cultivars (22 cultivars). Numerous soil-borne fungi were isolated from wheat roots and tested for pathogenicity to Yecora Rojo seedlings in the greenhouse. Alternaria sp., Helminthosporium spp. (two isolates), Fusarium spp. (three isolates), Pythium spp., Stemphylium spp. (two isolates) and Gaeumannomyces sp. were pathogenic to the inoculated wheat plants in the greenhouse.     

Field assessment of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) cultivars in Meloidogyne exigua-infested or –free fields in Rio de Janeiro State,Brazil

A five-year field assessment of Meloidogyne exigua-susceptible and –resistant coffee cultivars was conducted in two fields, nematode-infested or –free, in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. The nematode-susceptible cultivars ‘IAC Catuaí Vermelho 144’, ‘Obatã’ and ‘Tupi’, own-rooted or grafted onto the nematode-resistant ‘IAC Apoatã 2258’, were compared in their vegetative development (plant height, number of plagiotropic branches and collar diameter) and productivity (during four harvests) with the nematode-resistant ‘Acauã’, ‘Catucaí 785/15’ and ‘Iapar 59’. In the infested field, the high nematode population drastically reduced the vegetative development and productivity of all cultivars, regardless of their nematode-resistance. This indicates that measures aimed to reduce the M. exigua population must be taken prior to planting any of the currently available resistant genotypes to avoid enormous yield losses. In the nematode-free field, the susceptible cultivars (own-rooted) achieved higher productivity, followed close by ‘Catucaí 785/15’ and ‘Iapar 59’. Therefore, these M. exigua-resistant cultivars should be recommended for nematode-free areas to prevent severe yield loss in the event of field infestation during the plantation's life span.     

Contamination of soil and transmission of seedborne potato dry rot fungi (Fusarium spp.) to progeny tubers

A survey of selected potato soils in Maine was made to determine the species and populations ofFusarium spp. present.Fusarium solani ‘Coeruleum’ was most often isolated butFusarium roseum ‘Sambucinum’ was not recovered from any soil. Crops or cropping sequences in general showed no direct relationship to observed Fusaria populations or tuber dry rot. Field studies were conducted to determine the effect ofFusarium contaminated seed on soil and daughter tuber contamination. Whole and cut seed were inoculated withFusarium roseum ‘Sambucinum’ and half of each lot treated with thiabendazole (1500 ppm) to controlFusarium seed decay. Soil populations ofF. roseum ‘Sambucinum’ were higher near plants produced from non-treated, cut seed tubers. No increase inFusarium populations was found between plants or near plants produced from whole or thiabendazole treated seed. Daughter tuber contamination was greatest from plants produced from non-treated contaminated cut seed, and lowest from whole or treated seed. Whole non-treated seed produced daughter tubers with contamination equal to treated whole seed. This indicates that the use of whole seed could be a method to reduce daughter tuber contamination and reduce reliance on chemical treatments. Cut seed contaminated withFusarium spp. is an important source of daughter tuber contamination which can result in a high amount of tuber dry rot in storage.     

The contribution of ear photosynthesis to grain filling in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The contribution of ear photosynthesis to grain filling in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is not well known. The main objective of this work was to evaluate this contribution through three different experimental approaches: (1) ear photosynthesis was reduced by removing awns or shading the ears (in combination with a defoliation treatment), (2) grain weight per ear was compared in an ‘all shaded’ crop versus plants where only the vegetative parts were shaded (‘ear emerging’), and (3) ear photosynthesis was reduced with DCMU (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea), a specific inhibitor of photosystem II.     

Effect of temperature on seed germination parameters in Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata Wall. ex Nees.)

Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata Wall. ex Nees) is a medicinal herb of tropical south east Asia and native to India and Sri Lanka. It has been used herb for liver ailment in all prevailing systems of medicine viz. Ayurvedic, Unani, Homeopathic and modern throughout most of the south East Asian countries viz. China, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand, Burma, and Vietnam, etc. Commercially cultivation of Kalmegh is done through seeds. Optimal germination potential, temperature and first as well as final count day are three primary parameters for developing the seed quality standards. Germination of Kalmegh variety ‘CIM-Megha’ was carried out at six constant temperatures at an interval of every ‘5 °C’ from ‘15 to 40 °C’ temperatures coupled with 16 h light and 8 h dark photo period. The temperature of ‘25 °C’ was found optimally suitable with ‘94.6’ and ‘23.6’ percentage of germination and germination energy, respectively, while the temperature at ‘40 °C’ was deleterious with no germination. Significant decrease in percentage of germination and germination energy was observed at ‘15 °C’, ‘20 °C’, ‘30 °C’ and ‘35 °C’ of temperature in comparison to ‘25 °C’. The study further revealed that days 5-6 and days 7-9 after seed sowing were the ideal for first and final count, respectively for seed germination of Kalmegh.