Evaluation of biological control agents for managing cucurbit powdery mildew on greenhouse-grown melon

An evaluation was made of the ability of two mycoparasite-based products AQ10® ( Ampelomyces quisqualis ) and Mycotal® ( Lecanicillium lecanii ), as well as three strains of Bacillus subtilis , to manage powdery mildew disease, caused by Podosphaera fusca on melon seedlings maintained under different regimes of relative humidity and on plants grown under greenhouse conditions in Spain. In every case fungal and bacterial biocontrol agents (BCAs) performed better under conditions of high relative humidity (90–95% RH). In greenhouse experiments, the effectiveness of the mycoparasites to manage powdery mildew was absolutely dependent on mineral oil. The strains of B. subtilis provided disease control similar to that achieved with the mycoparasites or the fungicide azoxystrobin. Microscopic analysis showed the ability of these bacterial strains to efficiently colonize leaf surfaces and revealed the occurrence of antagonistic interactions between biological agents and P. fusca structures. These results confirmed the usefulness of these BCAs for managing powdery mildew on greenhouse-grown cucurbits either as single products or as a component of integrated control programmes.     

特谱唑防治小麦白粉病研究

特谱唑对小麦白粉病效果优异，用药量低，持效期长，内吸传导性能强，使用安全，而且比目前常用的高效药剂粉锈宁效果更好，剂量更少。温室测定结果表明，特谱唑对白粉病菌的毒力和粉锈宁更强，其ＥＣ５０的毒力指数（以粉锈宁为１００），治疗作用的为５７３，保护作用的为２０９６；具有较强的内吸向上传导性能，采用喷雾法，在施药后长成的第１叶片（即第２叶）可保持很高的药效，而长成的第２叶片的效果则明显下降。田间试验和示     

Screening of alternative products for integrated pest management of cucurbit powdery mildew in Sweden

Cucurbit powdery mildew (CPM) is one of the most important plant protection problems in Swedish cucumber production. CPM fungi have developed resistance to the commonly used fungicide (Imazalil) rendering its current use less effective. We therefore screened a selection of alternative products, evaluating their ability to control CPM in seven small-scale, semi-commercial, greenhouse experiments. Products were screened for their ability to suppress CPM on a susceptible cultivar, in 2013. In 2015, the best treatments were tested in different combinations, in different intervals on a susceptible and a partially resistant cultivar. The treatment that gave the best CPM control was Sakalia in combination with wetting agent Yuccah, (based on Reynoutria sachaliensis and Yucca schidigera respectively) applied at 7-day intervals. This treatment was highly efficient on both cucumber cultivars. Sakalia mixed with Yuccah applied at 14-day intervals had an almost equally controlling effect on CPM. The microbial pesticides, Polyversum (Pythium oligandrum) and AQ10 (Ampelomyces quiscalis) and the fungicide Imazalil, provided no to poor control of CPM compared to control treatments. Hortistar (Silicon) partially reduced CPM infections and was more efficient on the partially resistant cultivar. We conclude that Sakalia in combination with wetting agent Yuccah could efficiently control the disease even under the severe conditions caused by artificial inoculation. Further testing of this combination in commercial greenhouses will enable evaluation of the potential effects on yield and beneficial or pest insects. The knowledge gained from this study can be used to develop IPM tools for commercial production systems.     

Crop damage caused by powdery mildew on hop and its relationship to late season management

Powdery mildew of hop (Podosphaera macularis) may cause economic loss due to reductions in cone yield and quality. Quantitative estimates of crop damage from powdery mildew remain poorly characterized, especially the effect of late season disease management on crop yield and quality. Field studies in Washington State evaluated cone yield, bittering acid content and quality factors when fungicide applications were ceased at different stages of cone development. The incidence of cones with powdery mildew was linearly correlated with yield of cones, bittering acids and accelerated cone maturation. In cultivar Galena, the cumulative effect of every 1% increase in cones powdery mildew incidence was to reduce alpha‐acid yield by 0·33%, which was due to direct effects on cone yield but also indirect effects mediated by dry matter. In the more susceptible cultivar Zeus, alpha‐acid yield was increased 20% by controlling powdery mildew through the transition of bloom to early cone development compared to ceasing fungicide applications at bloom: additional applications provided only modest improvements in alpha‐acid yield. In both cultivars, the impact of powdery mildew on aroma characteristics and bittering acid content were less substantial than cone yield. The damage caused by powdery mildew to cone colour and alpha‐acid yield, as well as the effectiveness of fungicide applications made to manage the disease, appears inseparably linked to dry matter content of cones at harvest. Realising achievable yield potential in these cultivars requires control of the disease through early stages of cone development and harvest before maturity exceeds c. 25% dry matter.     

Variation in the response of cashew genotypes to the targeted application of fungicide to flower panicles for control of powdery mildew disease

Application of the fungicide triadimenol (Bayfidan) directly to inflorescences of cashew was investigated as a means of controlling powdery mildew disease caused by Oidium anacardii. Disease development and nut production were studied in 12 cashew genotypes that differed in their susceptibility to mildew. Panicle colonization by O. anacardii reached 100% coverage in all genotypes without fungicide treatment, but rates of infection differed significantly. Triadimenol sprays reduced mildew to less than 9%, even in panicles of highly susceptible genotypes. In the absence of disease, particularly good yield responses with more than nine times more nuts set than untreated controls were achieved by AM6 and AC1, which were categorized as highly susceptible and intermediate, respectively, in reaction to powdery mildew. By contrast, the partially resistant genotypes AZA2 and AC6 both produced yield response ratios of less than 3·0. The targeted treatment of flower panicles to control mildew is recommended, rather than the current practice of wastefully treating whole trees on which all mature leaves are naturally immune to infection.     

Silicon amendment improves wheat defence against Fusarium graminearum and complements the control by fungicide of Fusarium head blight

A three-year field experiment with two wheat cultivars evaluated the effect of soil-applied silicon (Si), with and without fungicide spraying, on Fusarium head blight (FHB) control. Silicon treatment alone reduced FHB severity and the percentage of damaged wheat kernels, regardless of the cultivar. The best disease control was obtained for the cultivar with moderate disease resistance (MR), supplied with silicon and treated with fungicide during flowering. Silicon treatment alone promoted an increase in deoxynivalenol (DON) concentration in the disease-susceptible cultivar; however, in the MR cultivar, silicon amendment associated with fungicide treatment led to a reduction in DON concentration. Greenhouse experiments evaluated the effect of silicon combined with different timings of fungicide application on wheat defences against Fusarium graminearum. Plants supplied with silicon had a longer pathogen incubation period, lower FHB severity and lower DON concentration when compared to plants without silicon. In addition, silicon-supplied plants had higher soluble phenolic content and altered antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, POX and PPO) that favoured early accumulation of hydrogen peroxide when compared to plants without silicon. Greater control of FHB and lower DON concentration in plants treated with silicon and fungicide before inoculation and up to 1 day after inoculation was associated with increased levels of defence-associated metabolites. Silicon contributed to the reduction of FHB and DON concentration in wheat, especially for the MR cultivar and, when combined with fungicide spraying, both MR and disease-susceptible cultivars had enhanced performances upon silicon amendment.     

白粉寄生孢寄生黄瓜白粉菌的特性研究

采用白粉寄生孢（Ampelomyces quisqualis Ces.AQ）接种离体条件下赛璐酚上黄瓜白粉菌［Sphaerotheca fuliginea (Schlecht)Poll.］和活体条件下黄瓜白粉菌后,通过棉兰染色和显微观察分析,初步明确了白粉寄生孢的侵染寄生过程。白粉寄生孢分生孢子产生芽管可入侵黄瓜白粉菌的分生孢子、菌丝、分生孢子梗;有时黄瓜白粉菌串生的分生孢子、分生孢子梗可被2~3条白粉寄生孢的菌丝寄生,随着寄生过程的进一步发展,黄瓜白粉菌的分生孢子梗基部膨大成无色的椭圆形或球形,其上逐渐产生由黄色至褐色的白粉寄生孢的分生孢子器,器内含有大量的分生孢子。     

The Effect of Film-Forming Polymers on Powdery Mildew of Cucumber

In pot experiments, powdery mildew of cucumber, caused bySphaerotheca fuliginea, was reduced by 64-82% by the film-forming polymer Vapor Gard and by up to 55% by Wilt Pruf. In experiments in polyethylene-covered greenhouses, no harmful effect to the crop was caused by these materials. In one experiment significant disease reductions of 19-67% and 60-96% were obtained by 3% Safe Pack and by the fungicide fenarimol (Rubigan), respectively. The combined treatment of Safe Pack with the fungicide was significantly more effective than either treatment alone, 72-78 days after planting. In another experiment, disease that appeared late in the season was reduced by up to 80, 100, 30 and 96% by Vapor Gard, Folicote, Wilt Pruf and fenarimol, respectively, and was statistically different from the nontreated control in some of the treatments and dates. Most tested substances inhibited germination ofS. fuliginea conidia and growth of its hyphae on leaves of cucumber.     

小麦品种混种对白粉病的调控及其对部分产量性状及蛋白质含量的影响

对品种混合种植控制小麦白粉病的效果以及对小麦穗重、千粒重、蛋白质等指标的影响进行了研究,为混合种植控制白粉病提供理论依据和品种组合。在对37个小麦品种进行SSR多样性分析的基础上,选用8个生产品种（后备品种）,按品种数3、4、5、6、8进行组合,在田间以随机区组设计种植混播组合和单播小区,人工接种白粉菌,比较各小区中小麦白粉病的AUDPC值、穗重、千粒重和粗蛋白差异。结果表明,8个品种亲缘关系较远;4品种混种时AUDPC最小,穗重最重。26个品种混种组合中有防治效果的组合占到73.08%,相对防效为1.23%~56.65%;混种未对穗重和粗蛋白含量造成负面影响。品种多样性种植可以用做调控小麦白粉病的一项措施。     

Effects of foliar- and root-applied silicon on the enhancement of induced resistance to powdery mildew in Cucumis sativus

Two cucumber ( Cucumis sativus ) cultivars differing in their resistance to powdery mildew, Ningfeng No. 3 (susceptible) and Jinchun No. 4 (resistant), were used to study the effects of foliar- and root-applied silicon on resistance to infection by Podosphaera xanthii (syn. Sphaerotheca fuliginea ) and the production of pathogenesis-related proteins (PRs). The results indicated that inoculation with P. xanthii significantly suppressed subsequent infection by powdery mildew compared with noninoculation, regardless of Si application. Root-applied Si significantly suppressed powdery mildew, the disease index being lower in Si-supplied than in Si-deprived plants, regardless of inoculation treatment. The resistant cultivar had a more constant lower disease index than the susceptible cultivar, irrespective of inoculation or Si treatment. Moreover, with root-applied Si, activities of PRs (for example peroxidase, polyphenoloxidase and chitinase) were significantly enhanced in inoculated lower leaves or noninoculated upper leaves in inoculated plants of both cultivars. Root-applied Si significantly decreased the activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase in inoculated leaves, but increased it in noninoculated upper leaves. However, Si treatment failed to change significantly the activity of PRs in plants without fungal attack. Compared to the control (no Si), foliar-applied Si had no effects either on the suppression of subsequent infection by P. xanthii or on the activity of PRs, irrespective of inoculation. Based on the findings in this study and previous reports, it was concluded that foliar-applied Si can effectively control infections by P. xanthii only via the physical barrier of Si deposited on leaf surfaces, and/or osmotic effect of the silicate applied, but cannot enhance systemic acquired resistance induced by inoculation, while continuously root-applied Si can enhance defence resistance in response to infection by P. xanthii in cucumber.     

The development of the leaf rust,Puccinia hordei,population during winter,spring and early summer in 11 winter barley cultivars

The overwintering and the epidemic development in spring of leaf rust was studied in 11 winter barley cultivars at two different sites near Wageningen in 1976/1977. The amount of leaf rust decreased through the winter at both sites. Cultivars differed considerably in the amount of leaf rust in late winter. Both the moment and the rate of increase of leaf rust after the winter varied with cultivars. The ultimate amount of leaf rust in a cultivar was therefore determined by three factors: The amount of overwintering leaf rust, the onset of leaf rust increase and the rate of increase. The latter was determined by the partial resistance of the cultivar. Why the epidemics did not start at the same moment is yet unknown. The differential overwintering could be explained from the amounts of leaf rust and powdery mildew at the start of the winter, the effect of powdery mildew being a negative one. The correlation coefficient between the values observed in March and those predicted from the December leaf rust and powdery mildew readings was 0.93. In a second experiment carried out in 1979/1980 with six winter barley cultivars chosen from the first experiment the powdery mildew was succesfully excluded by treatment with fungicides. There was no decrease in the leaf rust over the winter nor a differential cultivar effect on overwintering.     

The epidemiology of powdery mildew on concord grapes

ABSTRACT Vitis labruscana 'Concord' is a grape cultivar widely grown in the United States for processing into juice and other grape products. Concord grapes are sporadically but sometimes severely damaged by the grape powdery mildew pathogen, Uncinula necator. Although the foliage is often reported to be moderately resistant to powdery mildew, severe fruit infection occurs in some years. We observed the seasonal development of powdery mildew on leaves, rachises, and berries of unsprayed Concord grapevines. Inoculations of flower and fruit clusters revealed a brief period of berry susceptibility and a protracted period of rachis susceptibility. The rachis remained highly susceptible to infection, and the severity of rachis infection increased throughout the growing season until the rachis formed a periderm shortly before harvest. In contrast, berries were nearly immune to infection within 2 weeks after fruit set. Rachis and berry infections were detected before the disease was observed on foliage, and the incidence of rachis and berry infection often exceeded disease incidence observed on foliage until after fruit acquired substantial ontogenic resistance. Excellent control of fruit infection, and adequate control of leaf infection, was achieved by two fungicide applications targeted at the peak period of fruit susceptibility. Although Concord is thought to be moderately resistant to powdery mildew, the rachis is highly susceptible, and may be the avenue by which prebloom infections make their way onto the developing fruit. Late-season infection of the rachis neither spread to the fruit, nor did it cause fruit to drop prematurely, and may be of little economic consequence on fruit destined for processing. Although fruit of V. vinifera cultivars have been reported to remain susceptible to infection until berry sugar levels reach 8 to 15%, Concord fruit become nearly immune to infection nearly 6 weeks before this stage of development. Because powdery mildew does not become conspicuous on foliage until late summer, it is generally regarded as a late-season problem on Concord grapes, and previous management programs have reflected this belief. However, the greatest contribution to control of fruit infection is due to fungicides applied during the peak period of fruit susceptibility, from bloom until shortly after fruit set, long before the disease is observed on foliage.     

Effects of cucumber genotype on the induction of resistance to powdery mildew, Sphaerotheca fuliginea, by 2, 6-dichloroisonicotinic acid

Conspicuous differences in inducibility of resistance to powdery mildew between susceptible and partially resistant cucumber cultivars were found when 2, 6-dichloroisonicotinic acid (INA) was used as a model substance. In the partially resistant cv. Flamingo, EC₅₀ was approximately 0·25 mg/1. In the susceptible cvs Corona and Lange Groene Gigant it was approximately 6mg/1. In greenhouse experiments with cv. Flamingo, powdery mildew could be well controlled with fortnightly applications in doses as low as 0·5 mg/1. The effect was highly cumulative.     

Seed treatment for the control of Sphaerotheca fuliginea in muskmelon seedlings

The effects of powdery mildew (caused by Sphaerotheca fuliginea )on muskmelon seedlings and the efficacy of seed treatment with systemic fungicides were examined under controlled environmental conditions. The fresh weight of seedlings infected with powdery mildew was substantially less than that of uninoculated seedlings 5 weeks after inoculation, and the inoculated seedlings shrivelled 1 week later. The fungicides fenarimol and triadimenol applied to the seeds did not affect germination and suppressed powdery mildew effectively when applied at a rate equivalent to 8 g fungicide product per kg seed. Under conditions moderately conducive to the pathogen, fenarimol markedly reduced disease severity and its effect when applied as a seed treatment was as effective as foliar treatment. When conditions were highly conducive to the pathogen, seed treatment with fenarimol was not effective. Development of powdery mildew and efficacy of the seed treatments were related to soil type: disease developed earlier and more intensely on seedlings grown in sandy soil than those in organic medium, and seed treatment had a more pronounced effect on seedlings grown in sandy soil. The results indicate that fungicidal treatment of muskmelon seeds may offer an adequate means of reducing powdery mildew infections on seedlings.     

防治葡萄白粉病新型杀菌剂的筛选及增效剂的增效作用

为了筛选防治葡萄白粉病的绿色高效新型药剂和适宜的增效剂,以达到减量增效防病的目的,本研究选用10种杀菌剂对葡萄白粉病进行田间药效试验,同时评价5种增效剂对杀菌剂的减量增效作用。结果表明,20%氟唑菌酰羟胺·苯醚甲环唑悬浮剂和29%吡萘·嘧菌酯悬浮剂效果最好,对葡萄白粉病的防效分别为75.75%、63. 80%。在推荐剂量下Silwet 636、Silwet 806、Y-20079、杰效利等4种增效剂对29%吡萘·嘧菌酯悬浮剂具有明显的增效作用,当减少30%药剂使用量或减少30%药液量时添加这4种增效剂的处理防效均优于单一药剂处理,其中Silwet 636表现最佳。推荐施用20%氟唑菌酰羟胺·苯醚甲环唑悬浮剂1 500倍液和29%吡萘·嘧菌酯悬浮剂2 000倍液田间防治葡萄白粉病。在减30%药剂量或药液量条件下,在29%吡萘·嘧菌酯悬浮剂中添加Silwet 636、Silwet 806、Y-20079、杰效利等增效剂也可达到同等或更优防效。     

白粉寄生孢生物学特性及其生防应用研究进展

白粉寄生孢Ampelomyces quisqualis是寄生在白粉菌上的一种重寄生菌,作为白粉菌的生防因子,一直受到人们普遍关注。本文从白粉寄生孢的生物学形态、分类、寄主范围、最佳生长条件、分离鉴定以及生防效果和应用前景等方面进行论述,提出了目前白粉寄生孢研究中存在的一些问题以及今后的研究重点,并对白粉寄生孢的生防效果及应用前景进行讨论。     

Integrated Control of Powdery Mildew on Field-grown Mango Trees by Foliar Sprays of Mono-potassium Phosphate Fertilizer, Sterol Inhibitor Fungicides and the Strobilurin Kresoxym-methyl

Foliar sprays of solutions of di-potassium hydrogen orthophosphate, K2HPO4 (DKP) and potassium di-hydrogen orthophosphate, KH2PO4 (MKP), commercial systemic fungicides, and an alternating treatment with phosphate fertilizer and systemic fungicides inhibited development of the powdery mildew fungus, Oidium mangiferae, on flowers and bloom clusters of field-grown mango trees. The effectiveness of the alternation treatments with an appropriate systemic fungicide and 1% solution of mono-potassium phosphate (MKP) in controlling powdery mildew on bloom clusters was similar to that of the commercial treatment with the systemic fungicides. However, application of the systemic fungicides alone, on the same dates on which they were applied in the alternation treatment, without application of the phosphate treatment was significantly less effective in controlling the disease than either the phosphate or the alternation treatment. This indicates that the use of phosphate fertilizer has a significant role in disease control and that it can reduce the number of fungicide treatments necessary against powdery mildew by up to 50%. These results were confirmed in large-scale demonstration trials conducted in commercial orchards in 1994 and 1995. Our 1997 findings also revealed that tank-mix treatments of 1% MKP solution with half the recommended quantity of sterol inhibitor fungicide applied at 14-day intervals provided a protection against powdery mildew comparable with or superior to that given by the standard fungicides-based treatment applied at 7-day intervals. Tank-mix treatments of MKP (1%) with sterol inhibitor at the recommended rate or with the new strobilurin Kresoxym-methyl (BAS 490F, strobi), or the BAS 490F alone, were the most effective, and provided >95% protection against O. mangiferae, compared with the control. Phosphate solutions were found not to be phytotoxic to plant tissue. These treatments affected the yield of mango trees: a significantly lower yield was observed on control untreated trees, probably because of powdery mildew infection on flowers. The inhibitory effectiveness of phosphate salts makes them a potential major component of an integrated pest management program.     

Ultrastructural and Cytochemical Investigations of the Antagonistic Effect of Verticillium lecanii on Cucumber Powdery Mildew

ABSTRACT Chronological events of the intercellular interaction between Verticillium lecanii and cucumber powdery mildew, caused by Sphaerotheca fuliginea, were investigated at different times after inoculation by transmission electron microscopy. V. lecanii hyphae colonized host structures by tight binding, apparently mediated by a thin mucilaginous matrix. As early as 24 h after application of the antagonist, increased vacuolation and disorganization of the cytoplasm of the pathogen hyphae were easily detected. By 36 h after treatment, plasmalemma retraction and local cytoplasm aggregation were typical features of damage. Labeling chitin with the wheat germ agglutinin (WGA)/ovomucoid-gold complex showed that intracellular invasion of S. fuliginea by V. lecanii did not cause extensive host cell wall alterations, except in the area of hyphal penetration. By 48 h after inoculation, further cytoplasm disorganization was observed, as evidenced by the loss of cell turgor and contortion of the cell wall. Such deformation suggests that penetration of the antagonist results from mechanical pressure or localized enzymatic hydrolysis through the action of chitinases, as confirmed by the pattern of labeling obtained with the WGA/ovomucoid-gold complex. By 72 h after contact between the fungi, S. fuliginea cells were markedly collapsed, depleted of their protoplasm due to extensive multiplication of the antagonist, and totally encircled by the antagonist. Based on the current observations, the antagonism of S. fuliginea by V. lecanii appears to involve the following events: (i) attachment of the antagonist to the powdery mildew fungus; (ii) mechanical pressure and production of cell-wall degrading enzymes such as chitinases; (iii) penetration and active growth of the antagonist inside the pathogen hyphae; and (iv) digestion of host tissues and release of the antagonist from dead cells of S. fuliginea. The interaction between V. lecanii and S. fuliginea also affected the morphological and structural features of the haustorial bodies, as shown by increased vacuolation, distortion, and necrotization of the haustorial lobes. These observations provide the first experimental evidence that V. lecanii, primarily known as an entomopathogenic fungus, also has the potential to colonize mycelial structures of S. fuliginea. V. lecanii, therefore, may become a valuable alternative to current management of cucumber powdery mildew in greenhouses.     

Effects of fungicides on powdery mildew, tree growth and cropping of apple

In a 6-year orchard experiment, seven fungicide programmes were assessed for control of powdery mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha) and for long-term effects on growth and cropping of the apple cultivar Cox's Orange Pippin. Programmes based on binapacryl, bupirimate, fenarimol, nitrothal-isopropyl and triadimefon gave better control than dinocap or triforine. The heaviest cumulative yields of marketable fruit were obtained with the non-systemic fungicides binapacryl and nitrothal-isopropyl, the former significantly outyielding triadimefon and triforine over 6 years. Tree vigour, as assessed by extension shoot length and internode length, was found to be better after 4-5 years of programmes based on binapacryl than on triadimefon or fenarimol. A relation was demonstrated between cumulative marketable yield and mean annual mid-season incidence of secondary mildew on extension shoot leaves.