Distribution and phylogenetic analysis of the 3′UTR and coat protein gene of Iranian Beet black scorch virus

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Beet black scorch virus (BBSV) was surveyed in major sugar beet cultivation areas in Iran in 2008–2013 growing seasons. A total of 148 out of 308...     

Plant quarantine inspection,procedures and facilities for the import and export of seeds and vegetative propagules at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi‐Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)

Abstract

The inevitable large‐scale plant germplasm exchanges between countries for crop improvement have led to strict plant quarantine inspections, safeguards, and sometimes restrictions. The paper describes the procedures and techniques adopted for the safe exchange by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi‐Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) plant germplasm in India. Safeguards for the imported germplasm include intermediate quarantine for groundnut (Arachis sp.) cuttings, fumigation, dry seed inspection, and microscopic examination followed by seed treatment and growing of healthy crops in a quarantine isolation area before releasing seeds of disease free progeny to the scientists. Similarly, inspection of crops before collection of seeds followed by fumigation, microscopic examination, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test for groundnut viruses, seed treatment, and finally good packing have been found effective for export of healthy seeds.     

Effects of Erysiphe pisi on protein profiles and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase content in resistant and susceptible pea (Pisum sativum × Pisum fulvum) plants

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - The fate of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) was examined in leaves of both resistant and susceptible plants from a Pisum sativum...     

Can spinosad be effective for the integrated management of Anastrepha ludens (Tephritidae) in soil and fallen fruit,and be compatible with the parasitoid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Braconidae)?

Phytoparasitica - Tephritid fruit flies are susceptible to insecticide treatments when leaving infested fruit to pupate in the soil and when emerging as adults. Laboratory experiments involved...     

Sequence diversity in the coat protein and 3″-untranslated region of Chinese yam necrotic mosaic virus RNA

Sixteen isolates of Chinese yam necrotic mosaic virus (ChYNMV) were collected from nine sites in Japan and one site in Korea, and 1098 nucleotides of the 3-terminal of the genome were sequenced. Identity of the coat protein gene was 95.5%–99.7% among the isolates. Substitution in the deduced amino acids of the coat protein ranged from 0 to 7, mainly in the N-terminal region. The 3-untranslated region consisted of 231 nucleotides, which had 96.5%–100% nucleotide identity among the isolates. Sequence diversity was considerably less in ChYNMV than in Yam mosaic virus or Japanese yam mosaic virus.     

The role of the mealybug Phenacoccus aceris in the spread of Grapevine leafroll-associated virus −1 (GLRaV-1) in two French vineyards

Spread patterns of a Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 1 (GLRaV-1) epidemic and a mealybug infestation survey over 10 year were recorded in two Burgundy French vineyards to investigate the relation between them. The temporal evolution of leafroll spread at both study sites was compared on disease incidence data with logistic regression models. We first tested if the spatial distribution of the disease and the mealybug were aggregated using permutation methods, then we tested the independence between the two spatial patterns by randomly shifting one pattern. In Bonzon, an increase from 5 % to 86 % of leafroll prevalence was observed over an 8-year time span, whereas leafroll prevalence remained stable around 5 % in Marsannay-la-Côte during the same period. In Bonzon, the disease spread rapidly from older neighbouring vineyards in four main patches while no spread of the disease was recorded from infected vines in Marsannay-la-Côte. The mealybug Phenacoccus aceris was recorded on 74 % of vines in Bonzon throughout the study and only 6 % of vines in Marsannay-la-Côte. In the latter location, the disease was not associated with the presence of the mealybug, so that it may have arisen from infected plant material escaping the sanitary inspection. In Bonzon, the significant statistical correlation between the mealybug distribution and diseased plants suggests that P. aceris was responsible for the rapid spread of GLRaV-1 in the vineyard. This is the first report of GLRaV-1 natural spread in Europe.     

Identification and expression profiles of nine glutathione S-transferase genes from the important rice phloem sap-sucker and virus vector Laodelphax striatellus (Fallén) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae)

BACKGROUND: Glutathione S‐transferases (GSTs) have received considerable attention in insects for their roles in insecticide resistance. Laodelphax striatellus (Fallén) is a serious rice pest. L. striatellus outbreaks occur frequently throughout eastern Asia. A key problem in controlling this pest is its rapid adaptation to numerous insecticides. In this research, nine cDNAs encoding GSTs in L. striatellus were cloned and characterised. RESULTS: The cloned GSTs of L. striatellus belonged to six cytosolic classes and a microsomal subgroup. Exposure to sublethal concentrations of each of the six insecticides, DDT, chlorpyrifos, fipronil, imidacloprid, buprofezin and beta‐cypermethrin, quickly induced (6 h) up‐expression of LsGSTe1. The expression of LsGSTs2 was increased by chlorpyrifos, fipronil and beta‐cypermethrin. Furthermore, exposure of L. striatellus to fipronil, imidacloprid, buprofezin and beta‐cypermethrin increased the expression of the LsGSTm gene after 24 or 48 h. CONCLUSION: This work is the first identification of GST genes from different GST groups in Auchenorrhyncha species and their induction characteristics with insecticide types and time. The elevated expression of GST genes induced by insecticides might be related to the enhanced tolerance of this insect to insecticides and xenobiotics. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Susceptibility to neonicotinoids and risk of resistance development in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Homoptera: Delphacidae)

BACKGROUND: In recent years, outbreaks of the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål), have occurred more frequently in China. The objective of this study was to determine the susceptibility of N. lugens to neonicotinoids and other insecticides in major rice production areas in China. RESULTS: Results indicated that substantial variations in the susceptibility to different insecticides existed in N. lugens. Field populations had developed variable resistance levels to neonicotinoids, with a high resistance level to imidacloprid (RR: 135.3–301.3‐fold), a medium resistance level to imidaclothiz (RR: 35–41.2‐fold), a low resistance level to thiamethoxam (up to 9.9‐fold) and no resistance to dinotefuran, nitenpyram and thiacloprid (RR < 3‐fold). Further examinations indicated that a field population had developed medium resistance level to fipronil (up to 10.5‐fold), and some field populations had evolved a low resistance level to buprofezin. In addition, N. lugens had been able to develop 1424‐fold resistance to imidacloprid in the laboratory after the insect was selected with imidacloprid for 26 generations. CONCLUSION: Long‐term use of imidacloprid in a wide range of rice‐growing areas might be associated with high levels of resistance in N. lugens. Therefore, insecticide resistance management strategies must be developed to prevent further increase in resistance. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Coexpression with Auxiliary β Subunits Modulates the Action of Tefluthrin on Rat Na(v)1.6 and Na(v)1.3 Sodium Channels

The erythrocyte, due to its role as O₂ and CO₂ transporter, is under the constant exposure to reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress. The objective of this study was to investigate the ability of 2,4-D to induce oxidative stress in blood of male wistar rats. Rats were randomly divided into four groups: a control group and three treated groups receiving by gavage 15, 75 and 150 mg, respectively, of 2,4-D/kg/BW/day for 28 days. Results showed that 2,4-D caused significant negative changes in the investigated biochemical parameters. In fact, 2,4-D exposition strongly increases LDH, by contrast, there is a statistically significant decrease in Hgb levels. The malondialdehyde level was significantly increased in 2,4-D treated groups. Fatty acid composition of the erythrocytes was also significantly changed with 2,4-D exposure, in favor of the peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Furthermore, antioxidant enzyme (SOD, CAT, GPx, and GR) activities in erythrocytes were significantly decreased. Thus, our results indicated the potential effects of 2,4-D to cause oxidative stress in rat erythrocytes. Therefore, at higher doses, 2,4-D may play an important role in the development of vascular disease via lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress.     

Studies on the biology of Cryphalus piceae (Ratz.) (Coleoptera, Scolytidae) in the Bartin and Karabük regions of Turkey

The purpose of this study is to investigate the biology of Cryphalus piceae (Ratz.) (Col., Scolytidae) living in Abies bornmülleriana (Mattf.) in fir forests in the Western Black Sea region in Turkey. The dates of swarming, tree attack, egg-laying, and different stages of development are given. The species had two generations per year.     

Gamma radiation sensitivity of the eggs, larvae and pupae of Indian meal moth Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

BACKGROUND: This study focused on determining the minimal effective gamma radiation dose that prevents commodity damage caused by the Indian meal moth Plodia interpunctella (Hübner). The study was also designed to assess the effect of releasing either partially sterilized males alone or both partially sterilized males and females on the reproductive potential of P. interpunctella populations. RESULTS: The dose of radiation required to prevent larval emergence from irradiated eggs was 350 Gy, and the same dose was also required to prevent adult emergence from mature larvae. A dose of 300 Gy was not able to prevent adult emergence from irradiated pupae. The dose at which 100% sterility was achieved in treated females mated to treated males was 300 Gy for the parental generation of irradiated pupae. Fertility of the parental males from irradiated pupae was 48.17% at 300 Gy in treated males crossed with untreated females, but male progeny of irradiated male parents had a residual fertility of 11.06% at the same dose. CONCLUSION: F(1) males from irradiated pupae were more sterile than parental males. To prevent larval emergence from irradiated eggs, a dose of 350 Gy is required. The same dose is required to prevent the larvae from reaching the adult stage.     

Males of Ichthyofilaria argentinensis Incorvaia, 1999 and I. bergensis (Wülker, 1930) (Dracunculoidea:Guyanemidae): new morphological aspects and emendation of the generic diagnosis

Abstract: The adult male of dracunculoid nematode Ichthyofilaria argentinensis Incorvaia, 1999 (Guyanemidae) is described for the first time based on specimens found in the swimbladder of its type host, Merluccius hubbsi Marini (Merlucciidae), caught off the coast of Buenos Aires, Argentina (western Atlantic Ocean). In addition, the males of Ichthyofilaria bergensis (Wülker, 1930) K?ie, 1993 are redescribed from specimens collected from the body cavity and visceral surface of Molva macrophthalma (Rafinesque) (Lotidae) caught in the western Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Sardinia. Light and scanning electron microscopy examinations revealed some new morphological features for the genus, such as a pair of deirids located near the end of muscular oesophagus, the body wall conspicuously twisted immediately anterior to the cloaca, the presence of a copulatory plate, one pair of adcloacal papillae and a pair of phasmids situated on the posterior half of the tail. On the basis of this material, the generic diagnosis of Ichthyofilaria is modified to include some of these newly observed features, as well as to indicate the absence of spicules. The diagnosis of Guyanemidae is extended to include that a copulatory plate and/or two spicules may be present as characteristics for this family.