Characterization and pathogenicity of Rhizoctonia isolates associated with cauliflower in Belgium

Sixty-two isolates of Rhizoctonia spp. were collected from Belgian cauliflower fields during 2005 and 2006. The majority of the isolates (60 out of 62) had multinucleate cells and were identified as Rhizoctonia solani . Characterization of anastomosis groups (AGs) was performed using pectic zymograms, PCR-RFLP and sequencing of the rDNA-ITS region. The most prevalent AG was AG 2-1 (55% of isolates), followed by AG 2-1 subset Nt (11%), AG 1-1C (8%), AG 5 (8%), AG 4 HGII (6%), AG 3 (5%) and AG 1-1B (3%). Pathogenic potential towards different vegetable crops and towards maize was determined. Damage to cauliflower and endive was caused by different AGs, with the isolates aggressive towards cauliflower belonging to AG 2-1, AG 2-1 subset Nt, AG 4 HGII, AG 1-1C, AG 1-1B and AG 2-2, and those aggressive towards endive belonging to AG 1-1B, AG 1-1C, AG 2-1 subset Nt, AG 2-2, AG 4 HGII and AG 5. The most aggressive isolates towards bean belonged to AG 2-1 subset Nt and AG 2-2, for lettuce to AG 1-1B and AG 2-1, on carrot to AG 4 HGII and towards maize to AG 2-2. Within the isolates of AG 2-1, variability was observed in PCR-RFLP pattern and in aggressiveness towards several crops, indicating this subgroup to be heterogeneous. This is the first study concerning the occurrence of R. solani AGs causing wirestem in Belgian cauliflower fields and the first report of aggressive isolates of AG 1-1C, AG 2-1 subset Nt and AG 4 HGII associated with cauliflower.     

Identification and Pathogenicity of Rhizoctonia spp. Isolated from Apple Roots and Orchard Soils

ABSTRACT Rhizoctonia spp. were isolated from the roots of apple trees and associated soil collected in orchards located near Moxee, Quincy, East Wenatchee, and Wenatchee, WA. The anastomosis groups (AGs) of Rhizoctonia spp. isolated from apple were determined by hyphal anastomosis with tester strains on 2% water agar and, where warranted, sequence analysis of the rDNA internal transcribed spacer region and restriction analysis of an amplified fragment from the 28S ribosomal RNA gene were used to corroborate these identifications. The dominant AG of R. solani isolated from the Moxee and East Wenatchee orchards were AG 5 and AG 6, respectively. Binucleate Rhizoctonia spp. were recovered from apple roots at three of four orchards surveyed and included isolates of AG-A, -G, -I, -J, and -Q. In artificial inoculations, isolates of R. solani AG 5 and AG 6 caused extensive root rot and death of 2- to 20-week-old apple transplants, providing evidence that isolates of R. solani AG 6 can be highly virulent and do not merely exist as saprophytes. The effect of binucleate Rhizoctonia spp. on growth of apple seedlings was isolate-dependent and ranged from growth enhancement to severe root rot. R. solani AG 5 and AG 6 were isolated from stunted trees, but not healthy trees, in an orchard near Moxee, WA, that exhibited severe symptoms of apple replant disease, suggesting that R. solani may have a role in this disease complex.     

New Anastomosis Groups, AG-T and AG-U, of Binucleate Rhizoctonia spp. Causing Root and Stem Rot of Cut-Flower and Miniature Roses

ABSTRACT Root and stem rot of cut-flower roses (Rosa spp.) was observed in commercial glasshouse-grown roses in 10 prefectures of Japan from 1998 through 2001. Binucleate-like Rhizoctonia spp. were isolated mainly from the disease plants. In all, 670 isolates were divided into two types based on cultural appearance; 168 isolates of light brown to brown type and 502 isolates of whitish type. A hyphal anastomosis reaction using representative isolates from each type revealed that the light brown to brown type belonged to anastomosis group G (AG-G), whereas the whitish type (AG-CUT) failed to anastomose with tester strains of binucleate Rhizoctonia AG-A through AG-S. Neither isolates of AG-G nor AG-CUT anastomosed with tester strains of a previously reported unknown AG (AG-MIN) of binucleate Rhizoctonia spp. collected from miniature roses. In pathogenicity tests, randomly selected isolates of the three groups caused root and stem rot on cut-flower and miniature roses. To differentiate AG-CUT and AG-MIN from known AGs of binucleate Rhizoctonia spp., restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and sequence analyses of a ribosomal (r)DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region were conducted. Among the eight restriction enzymes used, HaeIII produced DNA banding patterns for AG-CUT that differed from those of tester strains and AG-MIN. Additionally, restriction profiles of AG-MIN differed from those of all tester strains. AG-G isolates from cut-flower roses had the same RFLP pattern as the tester strains of AG-G. Based on the results of hyphal anastomosis and RFLP and sequence analysis of an rDNA-ITS region, we propose that AG-CUT be designated AG-T and AG-MIN be designated AG-U, two new AGs of binucleate Rhizoctonia spp. The phylogenetic tree based on the sequence data of the rDNA-ITS region showed that isolates of AG-MIN were in a distinct clade from other AGs, whereas isolates of AG-CUT were in the same clade as those of AG-A. More detailed phylogenetic analysis besides rDNA-ITS region might be necessary for AG classification of binucleate Rhizoctonia spp.     

Phenazines are Involved in Biocontrol of Pythium myriotylum on Cocoyam by Pseudomonas aeruginosa PNA1

Root rot of cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) caused by Pythium myriotylum is the most devastating disease of this important tropical tuber crop with yield reductions of up to 90%. Bioassays were conducted in vitro and in sterile volcanic soil artificially infested with Pythium myriotylum, isolate CRPm, to test whether Pseudomonas aeruginosa PNA1 can control the cocoyam root rot disease. P. aeruginosa PNA1 (wild type) produces phenazine-1-carboxylic acid and phenazine-1-carboxamide (oxychlororaphin), while its tryptophan auxotrophic mutant FM13 is phenazine negative and secretes anthranilate in vitro. PNA1 and FM13 have previously been shown to control Pythium debaryanum and Pythium splendens on lettuce and bean. PNA1 and FM13 significantly inhibited growth of P. myriotylum in dual cultures, while their supernatants highly reduced mycelial dry weight in potato dextrose broth. However, in the presence of tissue culture derived cocoyam plantlets, only strain PNA1 strongly reduced root rot disease severity. Soil experiments involving strain PNA1 in comparison to phenazine-deficient mutants suggested that the biocontrol activity of PNA1 against P. myriotylum may involve phenazines. Phenazine involvement was further strengthened by the fact that FM13 fed with exogenous tryptophan (so that phenazine production is restored) significantly reduced disease severity on cocoyam. The efficiency of PNA1 to control P. myriotylum on cocoyam was significantly improved when the strain and the pathogen were allowed to interact for 24 h prior to transplanting cocoyam plantlets, while doubling the inoculum density of the pathogen negatively affected its efficiency.     

Characterisation of Rhizoctonia solani Anastomosis Groups Causing Bottom Rot in Field-Grown Lettuce in Germany

Bottom rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani is an increasing problem in field-grown lettuce in Germany. During the growing seasons of 1999 and 2000, 95 isolates of R. solani from lettuce plants with bottom rot symptoms were collected from eight locations. The isolates were characterised using hyphal anastomosis, pectic zymograms and morphological characteristics. Ninety-three isolates were identified as anastomosis group (AG) 1-IB, one as AG 1-IC and one as AG 2-1. Optimum hyphal growth was measured over a temperature range of 20–30 °C with an optimum at 25 °C. Aggressiveness of the AG 1-IB isolates varied from weak to strong when tested on detached lettuce leaves. The pathogenic potential of six AG 1-IB isolates was determined on 14 plant species in comparison with lettuce under conditions favourable for the fungus. Radish, broccoli, kohlrabi, spinach and millet seedlings were as severely infected as lettuce seedlings. The same isolates caused little symptoms on maize, tomato and onion. Knowledge about the host range of AGs of R. solani are important for planning an effective crop rotation as part of a control management system.     

Detection and recovery of Rhizoctonia solani in naturally infested glasshouse soils using a combined baiting, double monoclonal antibody ELISA

A combined baiting, double monoclonal antibody immunoassay was developed that allows specific and sensitive detection of the economically important soil-borne plant pathogen Rhizoctonia solani in naturally infested soils. The assay is quick, taking only three days to complete from receipt of soil samples and the immunoassay format allows recovery of Rhizoctonia isolates from colonized baits for determination of anastomosis group (AG) affiliation and pathogenicity. The assay was tested on naturally infested soils from commercial glasshouses used to grow lettuce. Using the immunoassay, conventional anastomosis tests against known AG isolates, and pathogenicity tests, it was shown that R. solani isolates recovered from soil samples were pathogenic towards lettuce and belonged to AG4. Furthermore, those isolates that exhibited strong pathogenicity towards lettuce were recovered from sites that had experienced severe Rhizoctonia damage in previous lettuce crops. The possibility of developing a preplanting test to predict damage to specific crop plants due to the presence of particular AGs in the soil is discussed.     

Bacillus sp. L324-92 for Biological Control of Three Root Diseases of Wheat Grown with Reduced Tillage

ABSTRACT Strain L324-92 is a novel Bacillus sp. with biological activity against three root diseases of wheat, namely take-all caused by Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici, Rhizoctonia root rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG8, and Pythium root rot caused mainly by Pythium irregulare and P. ultimum, that exhibits broad-spectrum inhibitory activity and grows at temperatures from 4 to 40 degrees C. These three root diseases are major yieldlimiting factors for wheat in the U.S. Inland Pacific Northwest, especially wheat direct-drilled into the residue of a previous cereal crop. Strain L324-92 was selected from among approximately 2,000 rhizosphere/rhizoplane isolates of Bacillus species isolated from roots of wheat collected from two eastern Washington wheat fields that had long histories of wheat. Roots were washed, heat-treated (80 degrees C for 30 min), macerated, and dilution-plated on (1)/(10)-strength tryptic soy agar. Strain L324-92 inhibited all isolates of G. graminis var. tritici, Rhizoctonia species and anastomosis groups, and Pythium species tested on agar at 15 degrees C; provided significant suppression of all three root diseases at 15 degrees C in growth chamber assays; controlled either Rhizoctonia root rot, takeall, or both; and increased yields in field tests in which one or more of the three root diseases of wheats were yield-limiting factors. The ability of L324-92 to grow at 4 degrees C probably contributes to its biocontrol activity on direct-drilled winter and spring wheat because, under Inland Northwest conditions, leaving harvest residues of the previous crop on the soil surface keeps soils cooler compared with tilled soils. These results suggest that Bacillus species with desired traits for biological control of wheat root diseases are present within the community of wheat rhizosphere microorganisms and can be recovered by protocols developed earlier for isolation of fluorescent Pseudomonas species effective against take-all.     

Characterization of AG-13, a Newly Reported Anastomosis Group of Rhizoctonia solani

ABSTRACT Rhizoctonia solani anastomosis group (AG)-13 was collected from diseased roots of field grown cotton plants in Georgia in the United States. Isolates of AG-13 did not anastomose with tester isolates of AG-1 through AG-12. Mycelium of all isolates of AG-13 were light brown but darkened as cultures aged. All isolates produced aerial mycelium. Concentric rings were visible after 3 to 4 days of growth but disappeared as cultures aged and darkened. Individual sclerotia were up to 1.5 mm in diameter, similar in color to the mycelium, and generally embedded in the agar. Clumps of sclerotia up to 5 mm in diameter were produced on the agar surface. All attempts to induce basidiospore production were unsuccessful. The 5.8S region of the rDNA from isolates of AG-13 was identical in length and sequence to isolates of all other AGs of R. solani. Length and sequence of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of rDNA from isolates of AG-13 were unique among AGs of R. solani. Similarity between AG-13 and other AGs of R. solani ranged from 68 to 85% for ITS region 1 and 85 to 95% for ITS region 2. Selected isolates of AG-13 caused minor or no damage to barley, cauliflower, cotton, lettuce, potato, and radish in laboratory or greenhouse studies.     

Binucleate Rhizoctonia sp. AG G causing root rot in yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) in Brazil

A new rot caused by a binucleate Rhizoctonia sp. affecting the tuberous root cortex of the domesticated yacon ( Smallanthus sonchifolius ) has been observed in Brazil. Isolates of a binucleate Rhizoctonia sp. were collected from roots with rot symptoms and characterized by the number of nuclei per cell, hyphal anastomosis, RAPD molecular markers, ITS-5·8S rDNA sequence and pathogenicity tests. All isolates had a mean of 1·9–2·2 nuclei per cell and anastomosed with the binucleate Rhizoctonia sp. AG G-tester strain. RAPD analysis was carried out between 11 isolates recovered from yacon and 11 AG (A, Ba, Bb, Bo, C, D, F, G, O, P, Q) standard testers of binucleate Rhizoctonia sp. Genetic similarities of 94·8–100% were observed among isolates of the binucleate Rhizoctonia sp. from yacon and all isolates were genetically more closely related to the AG G tester than other strains according to upgma analysis using RAPD markers. Homologies of complete ITS nucleotide sequences were 100% between binucleate isolates of Rhizoctonia sp. from yacon and the AG G tester. According to pathogenicity tests, the isolates caused typical rot symptoms of yacon tubers 90 days after inoculation     

Population Dynamics of Bacillus sp. L324-92R(12) and Pseudomonas fluorescens 2-79RN(10) in the Rhizosphere of Wheat

ABSTRACT Bacillus sp. L324-92 is suppressive to three root diseases of wheat, namely take-all caused by Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici, Rhizoctonia root rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG8, and Pythium root rot caused by several Pythium species. Populations of strain L324-92R(12), a rifampicin-resistant mutant of L324-92 applied as a seed treatment, were monitored in the rhizosphere and spermosphere of wheat and compared with populations of Pseudomonas fluorescens 2-79RN(10), a known, rhizosphere-competent, biocontrol agent. In growth chamber studies, the population sizes of L324-92R(12) on roots of wheat were approximately 1,000-fold smaller than those of 2-79RN(10) at 5 days after planting, but, thereafter, they increased while those of 2-79RN(10) decreased until the two were equal in size at 45 days after planting. In the field with winter wheat, the population sizes of L324-92R(12) on roots were at least 10-fold smaller than those of 2-79RN(10) during the fall (November 1993) and early spring (March 1994). Thereafter, the population of L324-92R(12) remained constant or increased slightly, while the population of 2-79RN(10) decreased until the two were roughly the same at 10(4) to 10(5) CFU/plant over the period of 150 days (April 1994) until 285 days (harvest) after planting. In growth chamber studies, strain L324-92R(12) remained confined to root sections within 3.5 cm below the seed, whereas 2-79RN(10) was recovered from all root sections ranging from 0.5 to 6.5 cm below the seed. In the field on winter wheat, both strains were recovered from root sections down to 5.0 to 6.5 cm below the seed at 75 days after planting (mid December), but only 2-79RN(10) was recovered at this depth at 90 days after planting. Both strains were recovered from the seed remnants 6 months after planting in the field. Both strains also were recovered from inside the roots and shoots, but population sizes of strain 279RN(10) were greater than those of L324 92R(12).     

A One-Step, Immunochromatographic Lateral Flow Device Specific to Rhizoctonia solani and Certain Related Species, and Its Use to Detect and Quantify R. solani in Soil

ABSTRACT A murine hybridoma cell line GD2 secreting an immunoglobulin (Ig)M monoclonal antibody (MAb) was produced against surface antigens from an anastomosis group (AG) 4 isolate of Rhizoctonia solani (teleomorph: Thanatephorus cucumeris). Ascites were produced in mice using GD2 hybridoma cells and used to develop a rapid immunochromatographic lateral flow device (LFD) for the detection of antigens from R. solani and certain related Rhizoctonia spp. The LFD was tested for specificity against surface antigens from related and unrelated soil fungi. Antigens from representative isolates of R. solani AGs 1, 2-1, 2-3, 2-t, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and BI gave a positive response in LFD tests, as did antigens from Thanatephorus orchidicola, T. praticola, R. fragariae (teleomorph: Ceratorhiza fragariae), Ceratorhiza goodyerae-repentis, Ceratobasidium cornigerum, and binucleate AGE. Antigens from R. solani AGs 2-2, 2-2IIIB, and 2-2IV and from the related fungi R. carotae, R. cerealis (teleomorph: Ceratobasium cereale), R. crocorum (teleomorph: Helicobasidium brebissonii), R. oryzae (teleomorph Waitea circinata), and R. zeae gave negative responses, as did antigens from a range of unrelated fungi and oomycetes including Fusarium, Gliocladium, Trichoderma, Pythium, and Phytophthora spp. The usefulness of the LFD to detect R. solani was demonstrated in soils naturally infested with R. solani AG3. There was close agreement between results of LFD tests and conventional plate enrichment tests employing selective medium. The specificity of the technique was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction PCR using R. solani AG3-specific primers and by analyses based on sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS)1-5.8S-ITS2 rRNA-encoding regions of unrelated fungi recovered from soil samples. The LFD was used to quantify R. solani AG4 in artificially infested soil samples (chopped potato soil inoculum). Estimates of CFU per gram of soil were derived using a most-probable number technique, which was based on the presence or absence of a detectable signal in the LFD. Estimates of CFU obtained in LFD tests and those obtained in a plate-trapped antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay incorporating MAb GD2 were identical (449 CFU g(-1) of soil).     

Survey on the prevalence of Rhizoctonia spp. in European soils and determination of the baseline sensitivity towards sedaxane

The prevalence of Rhizoctonia spp. in European soils was determined by analysing soil samples from 282 locations. Rhizoctonia spp. were found in 68% of these samples from France, Germany, the UK, Poland, Italy, Spain, Hungary and the Czech Republic. Samples from 136 locations were further analysed by pyrosequencing. Seventy‐six percent of the isolates were Rhizoctonia solani and 24% binucleate Rhizoctonia spp. Rhizoctonia solani anastomosis group (AG) 5 was detected most frequently (25%), followed by AG 9 (16%) and AG 4 (13%). For the binucleate Rhizoctonia spp., AG E was most prevalent (13%). Rhizoctonia cerealis was not detected in soil samples. Soil type or cropping history had no effect on the type of Rhizoctonia observed. Rhizoctonia solani AG 5 was the most frequently detected AG irrespective of the previous crop. The spectrum of AGs detected was similar for France, Germany and Poland but was significantly different for the UK (P = 0·0016). Finally, the baseline sensitivity towards sedaxane, a new active ingredient for seed treatment, was analysed for all isolates. The results indicate a low baseline sensitivity (average EC₅₀ of 0·028 p.p.m.) for all Rhizoctonia AGs. No difference in sensitivity was observed with the isolates obtained from different countries.     

木霉对草坪褐斑病的拮抗效果及耐药性

通过木霉属5菌株与大连高尔夫球场上草坪褐斑病菌的对峙培养试验,研究结果表明:哈茨木霉Thar1菌株、哈茨木霉Thar2菌株、深绿木霉Tat菌株、钩状木霉Tha菌株及桔绿木霉Tci菌株对病原菌的抑制率为:66%、73%、71%、77%、55%,而相对抑菌效果分别为2.06、3.94、2.35、3.54、2.27,可以作为草坪褐斑病菌的生防菌加以利用。在这5株木霉中以哈茨木霉Thar2对草坪褐斑病菌的拮抗作用最强。观察结果表明,哈茨木霉Thar2对草坪褐斑病菌的拮抗机制主要表现为生长竞争、重寄生及产生抗菌物质。     

Aetiology of Rhizoctonia in sheath blight of maize in Sichuan

Rhizoctonia isolates obtained from maize grown in commercial fields in 33 representative counties (or cities) in Sichuan province in China were characterized according to colony morphology, hyphal anastomosis and pathogenicity. Of 141 isolates, 116 were identified as R. solani , 23 as R. zeae and two as binucleate Rhizoctonia . The isolates of R. solani were assigned to four anastomosis groups (AG): AG-1-IA (101 isolates, accounting for 71.6% of the total), AG-1-IB (2, 1.4%), AG-4 (9, 6.4%) and AG-5 (4, 2.8%). The two isolates of binucleate Rhizoctonia belonged to AG-K. On maize, isolates of AG-1-IA caused typical sheath blight symptoms. Lesions produced by isolates of AG-4, AG-5, AG-1-IB and AG-K were darker than those of AG-1-IA. Rhizoctonia zeae usually caused discontinuous lesions with a dark brown margin and a brown centre on the leaf sheaths, as well as ear rot. Isolates of AG-1-IA were the most virulent to maize, with an average lesion length of approximately 15 cm. Isolates of R. zeae produced lesions approximately 12 cm long, while those of AG-4, AG-5, AG-1-IB and AG-K were progressively shorter. On potato dextrose agar (PDA; pH 6.4), the minimum temperature for mycelial growth of R. zeae isolates was 14–18°C, the maximum 38–40°C and optimum 30°C. Isolates of R. zeae did not grow on PDA (28°C) at pH 2.0, the optimum for growth being pH 6.4.     

In vitro analysis of host plant specificity in Rhizoctonia solani

Rhizoctonia solani is a plant pathogenic fungus with a wide host range. Host plant specificity within R. solani was analysed on seedlings grown aseptically on agar, which allowed continuous observation of both the fungus and the whole plant without disturbing the interaction. Symptom development on cauliflower, Arabidopsis , eggplant, tomato and potato by 32 R. solani isolates, belonging to six different anastomosis groups (AGs), was studied. Host plant specificity of isolates, as analysed by similarity clustering, was similar to AG-related host plant specificity as observed in the field, with AG3 isolates (except two avirulent strains) separating from the other isolates. Two R. solani isolates with a reciprocal pathogenicity on cauliflower and tomato were selected for further studies. These showed that in the pathogenic combination, R. solani isolates grew over the plant, adhered and formed infection structures, while in the nonpathogenic combination isolates grew over the plant, but neither adhesion nor the formation of infection structures occurred. From these data, it was concluded that host plant specificity is mediated in the early steps of the infection process.     

Characterization of Mycorrhizal Isolates of Rhizoctonia solani from an Orchid, Including AG-12, a New Anastomosis Group

ABSTRACT Isolates of Rhizoctonia solani collected from mycorrhizal orchid (Pterostylis acuminata) plants and adjacent leaf litter were characterized. Of 23 selected isolates, 20 were members of a new anastomosis group (AG-12) and the rest were members of AG-6. There were no bridging anastomosis reactions observed between AG-12 and other AGs of R. solani. Among the 20 isolates of AG-12 evaluated, 18 vegetatively compatible populations were detected, indicating diversity within the AG. Mature cultures were dark brown, as were mature sclerotia. Some cultures produced alternating dark- and light-colored concentric rings, with sclerotia forming in the darker rings. Most cultures were appressed to the agar surface. In tests run to characterize pathogenic potential, selected mycorrhizal isolates of AG-12 and AG-6 did little damage to potato and barley seedlings, moderate damage to head lettuce seedlings, and more extensive damage to seedlings of cauliflower and radish. Isolates of AG-12 have not been observed to fruit in nature, and all attempts to induce formation of the teleomorph (Thanatephorus cucumeris) in the laboratory by selected isolates of AG-12 failed.     

Characterization of Rhizoctonia solani from potato in Great Britain

One hundred and thirty five isolates of Rhizoctonia solani were obtained from British potato crops between 2001 and 2003. Isolates were assigned to anastomosis group (AG) using conventional PCR assays for AG2-1 or AG3 or through the observation of hyphal interactions, where appropriate. A previously published primer set was modified in this study to enhance specificity for AG3PT. Most of the isolates (92·6%) belonged to AG3PT whilst some (6·7%) belonged to AG2-1. Only one isolate recovered (0·7%) belonged to AG5. Isolates of AG2-1 were diverse, with variation in both the length of the rDNA intergenic spacer 1 (IGS1) region and the categories of hyphal interaction observed between pairings of AG2-1 isolates. No variation in the length of the rDNA IGS1 region was observed amongst the AG3 isolates collected. Tests carried out on potato stems with a sub-set of the isolates revealed a wide range of aggressiveness amongst AG2-1 isolates. Sequencing of the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the AG2-1 isolates and construction of a neighbour joining tree with other AG2-1 sequences available indicated that AG2-1 isolates with the short IGS1 region were closely related. This is the first investigation which provides evidence of the relative AG composition of R. solani populations causing disease in potato crops in Great Britain.     

Infection of potato by Rhizoctonia solani: effect of anastomosis group

Glasshouse and field experiments showed that the pathogenicity and disease type on potato varied between different anastomosis groups (AGs) of Rhizoctonia solani. For example, severe stem and stolon disease developed in plants inoculated with a single isolate of AG3PT and AG5. Severe root disease was observed with single isolates of AG8 and to a lesser extent AG3PT, but rarely with single isolates of the other AGs tested. In both field and glasshouse experiments the AG2‐1 isolate (X81) produced only small lesions (<5 mm). However, this was not representative of two other AG2‐1 isolates. When AG2‐1 isolates of the three different rDNA IGS1 types were tested in a glasshouse trial, one caused more severe stem and stolon infection than AG3PT. In the field experiment, the yield of tubers, by weight, was significantly less (P < 0·05) in all inoculated plants than for uninoculated (control) plants. Yield losses were greatest and tuber numbers smallest in plots inoculated with an AG8 isolate, suggesting that root infection is important in determining quantitative yield loss. The incidence of black scurf was greatest in the progeny tubers in plots inoculated with AG3PT (83·9%), whereas only very small amounts of black scurf developed on tubers from plants infected with AG2‐1 (510 bp) or AG5 isolates. This is supported by laboratory tests, where isolates of AG3PT produced significantly more sclerotia on potato dextrose agar than isolates of AGs 2‐1, 4, 5 and 8.     

Nonpathogenic Binucleate Rhizoctonia spp. and Benzothiadiazole Protect Cotton Seedlings Against Rhizoctonia Damping-Off and Alternaria Leaf Spot in Cotton

ABSTRACT Recent reports have shown induction of resistance to Rhizoctonia root rot using nonpathogenic strains of binucleate Rhizoctonia spp. (np-BNR). This study evaluates the biocontrol ability of several np-BNR isolates against root and foliar diseases of cotton in greenhouse trials, provides evidence for induced systemic resistance (ISR) as a mechanism in this biocontrol, and compares the disease control provided by np-BNR with that provided by the chemical inducer benzothiadiazole (BTH). Pretreatment of cotton seedlings with np-BNR isolates provided good protection against pre- and post-emergence damping-off caused by a virulent strain of Rhizoctonia solani (AG-4). Seedling stand of protected cotton was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of nonprotected seedlings. Several np-BNR isolates significantly reduced disease severity. The combination of BTH and np-BNR provided significant protection against seedling rot and leaf spot in cotton; however, the degree of disease reduction was comparable to that obtained with np-BNR treatment alone. Significant reduction in leaf spot symptoms caused by Alternaria macrospora occurred on cotyledons pretreated with np-BNR or sprayed with BTH, and the np- BNR-treated seedlings had significantly less leaf spot than BTH-treated seedlings. The results demonstrate that np-BNR isolates can protect cotton from infections caused by both root and leaf pathogens and that disease control was superior to that observed with a chemical inducer.