Dynamics of soilborne Rhizoctonia solani in the presence of Trichoderma harzianum: effects on stem canker, black scurf and progeny tubers of potato

Stem canker and black scurf are diseases of potato caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani . Spatiotemporal experimentation and empirical modelling were applied for the first time to investigate the effect of antagonistic Trichoderma harzianum on the dynamics of soilborne R. solani on individual potato plants. Trichoderma harzianum reduced the severity of symptoms, expressed as 'rhizoctonia stem lesion index' (RSI), during the first 7 days post-inoculation when the inoculum of R. solani was placed at certain distances (30–60 mm) from the host. For example, with inoculum at 40 mm from the host, RSI was 6 and 40 with and without T. harzianum , respectively. At later observation times, the antagonistic effect was overcome. Trichoderma harzianum reduced the severity of black scurf on progeny tubers. Furthermore, the mean number of progeny tubers per potato plant was reduced by the biocontrol treatment (means of 6·5 ± 1·1 and 9·9 ± 2·7 tubers per plant with and without T. harzianum , respectively), as was the proportion of small (0·1–20·0 g) tubers (48% and 66% with and without T. harzianum , respectively). Additionally, there were fewer malformed and green-coloured tubers in pots treated with T. harzianum than in those without T. harzianum .     

Evidence for inbreeding and apomixis in close crosses of Phytophthora capsici

A series of inbreeding crosses, recurrent backcrosses and successive sibling crosses were completed up to the sixth generation in the plant pathogen Phytophthora capsici , generating a total of 692 oospore-derived isolates. All of the crosses stemmed from an initial mating between two wild-type P. capsici isolates. The heterozygosity level, as measured through the inheritance of 20 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers, decreased incrementally with continued inbreeding and was reduced by ~60–75% by the second consecutive sibling cross. Of the eight crosses analysed, all but one cross produced a proportion of oospore-derived progeny that were identical to one or other parent, indicating that apomixis can play a role in P. capsici intraspecific crosses. There was no evidence of isolates emerging through selfing or generation of homothallic isolates. Overall, these results indicate that back and sibling crosses are possible and that the large reservoirs of naturally occurring genetic variation in P. capsici may be useful for developing inbred lines to characterize complex genetic traits in Phytophthora .     

Application of Trichoderma and Gliocladium in alginate pellets for control of Rhizoctonia damping-off

Alginate pellets were prepared from wet fermentor biomass of 11 isolates of Trichoderma spp. and Gliocladium virens , with wheat bran as a food base carrier. Pellets with eight of the isolates reduced survival (34-78%) of Rhizoctonia solani in infested beet seed in soil. Pellets containing a T. harzianum isolate (Th-58) and a T. hamatum isolate (TRI-4) were the most effective. All isolates significantly reduced growth of the pathogen from infested beet seed into natural soil. Populations of isolates proliferated in soil to 10⁶−10¹¹ colony-forming units/g (cfu) from propagules within the pellets. Pellets with TRI-4 reduced pathogen survival and growth (>70%) in six different soils and were effective against six R. solani isolates in a natural loamy sand. Survival of R. solani in infested beet seed was not reduced when TRI-4 pellets were added to soil 1-6 weeks before the pathogen; however, saprophytic growth was prevented. Small amounts of biomass (3.0–7.5 g wet weight) in pellets were as effective as a large amount (300 g) in suppressing the pathogen. The storage of pellets for more than 6 weeks at 5 or 25C reduced their effectiveness against R. solani. Pellets prepared with four and three of the 11 isolates prevented damping-off of cotton and sugar beet in the greenhouse, respectively.     

Integrated control of Rhizoctonia solani by methyl bromide and Trichoderma harzianum

Under laboratory conditions, isolate TH–203 of Trichoderma harzianum was found to be tolerant of up to 20 000 ppm methyl bromide (MB) (v/v), whereas the plant pathogen Rhizoctonia solani was susceptible to a dose of less than 9000 ppm (v/v). Exposure to sub–lethal concentrations of MB had no effect on the in vitro antagonistic ability of T. harzianum . Soil fumigation with MB at the equivalent of a commercial dose of 500 kg/ha did not reduce the population of Trichoderma in soil and allowed rapid colonization of Trichoderma to develop in the soil.
Under greenhouse conditions a combination of T. harzianum and a reduced dose of MB (equivalent to 200 kg/ha) completely controlled disease incidence of R. solani in bean seedlings compared with controls in untreated soils. Similar disease control was achieved with the recommended dose of MB. Under field conditions, the combination of 200 kg/ha MB and T. harzianum gave a significant synergistic effect on damping–off of carrot seedlings caused by R. solani , and had a similar effect on growth, yield and disease control to that of the recommended dose.
T. harzianum was also able to prevent reinfestation by R. solani in fumigated soils.     

Antagonism of Nutrient-Activated Conidia of Trichoderma harzianum (atroviride) P1 Against Botrytis cinerea

ABSTRACT The effect of preliminary nutrient activation on the ability of conidia of the antagonist Trichoderma harzianum (atroviride) P1 to suppress Botrytis cinerea was investigated in laboratory, greenhouse, and field trials. Preliminary nutrient activation at 21 degrees C accelerated subsequent germination of the antagonist at temperatures from 9 to 21 degrees C; at >/=18 degrees C, the germination time of preactivated T. harzianum P1 conidia did not differ significantly from that of B. cinerea. When coinoculated with B. cinerea, concentrated inocula of preactivated but ungerminated T. harzianum P1 conidia reduced in vitro germination of the pathogen by >/=87% at 12 to 25 degrees C; initially quiescent conidia achieved this level of suppression only at 25 degrees C. Application of quiescent T. harzianum P1 conidia to detached strawberry flowers in moist chambers reduced infection by B. cinerea by >/=85% at 24 degrees C, but only by 35% at 12 degrees C. Preactivated conidia reduced infection by >/=60% at 12 degrees C. Both quiescent and preactivated conidia significantly reduced latent infection in greenhouse-grown strawberries at a mean temperature of 19 degrees C, whereas only preactivated conidia were effective in the field at a mean temperature of 14 degrees C on the day of treatment application. An antagonistic mechanism based on initiation of germination in sufficiently concentrated inocula suggests that at suboptimal temperatures the efficacy of Trichoderma antagonists might be improved by conidia activation prior to application.     

接种体密度、土壤水分基质势和土壤温度对辣椒疫病死苗率的影响

 在生长箱内控制条件下分析测定了接种体密度、土壤水分基质势和土壤温度对辣椒疫病死苗率的影响。结果表明,在每克干土中接种1个辣椒疫霉菌孢子囊就能造成侵染,引致辣椒死苗,随着接种体密度升高死苗率增大,直至接种体孢子囊密度达到50~80个/g干土时死苗率达到最高。土壤温度和土壤水分状况是决定辣椒疫病死苗率的重要因子,病菌侵染的最适土温是22~28℃,土壤水分接近饱和,即土壤水分基质势(Ψ_m值)为0时最容易侵染发病,土壤过于干燥和过饱和都不利于侵染发病。辣椒疫病死苗率与土壤温度、土壤水分基质势及其互作之间可用数学模式描述。     

Interactive Effects of Two Soilborne Pathogens, Phytophthora capsici and Verticillium dahliae, on Chile Pepper

ABSTRACT Phytophthora capsici and Verticillium dahliae are two mycelial microorganisms associated with wilt symptoms on chile pepper (Capsicum annuum). Both pathogens occur in the same field and can infect a single plant. This study examined the nature of the co-occurrence of P. capsici and V. dahliae. Chile pepper plants were inoculated with each pathogen separately or with both pathogens concomitantly or sequentially. In concomitant inoculations, plants were inoculated with a mixture of zoospores of P. capsici and conidia of V. dahliae. In sequential inoculations, plants were inoculated with zoospores of P. capsici 4 days prior to inoculation with conidia of V. dahliae, or plants were inoculated with conidia of V. dahliae 4 days prior to inoculation with zoospores of P. capsici. Stem necrosis and leaf wilting were visible 3 to 4 days earlier in plants inoculated with both P. capsici and V. dahliae than in plants inoculated with P. capsici alone. Stem necrosis and generalized plant wilting were observed in plants inoculated with P. capsici alone, and stem necrosis, generalized plant wilting, and vascular discoloration were observed in plants inoculated with both P. capsici and V. dahliae by 21 days after inoculation. These symptoms were not observed in control plants or plants inoculated with V. dahliae alone. The frequency of recovery of V. dahliae from stems was approximately 85 to 140% higher across inoculum levels when plants were inoculated with both P. capsici and V. dahliae than when plants were inoculated by V. dahliae alone. Similarly, the frequency of recovery of V. dahliae from roots was approximately 13 to 40% higher across inoculum levels when plants were inoculated with both P. capsici and V. dahliae than when plants were inoculated by V. dahliae alone. There was no apparent antagonism between the two pathogens when they were paired on growth media. In general, when P. capsici and V. dahliae were paired on growth media, mycelial growth of each pathogen grown alone was not significantly different from mycelial growth when the pathogens were paired. Results suggest that wilt development is hastened by the presence of both P. capsici and V. dahliae in the same plants. The presence of P. capsici and V. dahliae in the same inoculum court enhanced infection and colonization of chile pepper by V. dahliae.     

Effect of analogues of plant growth regulators on in vitro growth of eukaryotic plant pathogens

FGA (furfurylamine; 1,2,3,4 tetra- O -acetyl-β- d -glucose; adipic acid monoethyl ester), a chemical mixture of three analogues of plant growth regulators that increases the protection of tomato plants against phytopathogens, was demonstrated to have direct antimicrobial activity. It reduced the growth in vitro of the filamentous fungi Alternaria solani and Botrytis cinerea , and the oomycetes Phytophthora capsici and Phytophthora citrophthora (ED₅₀ 0·18–0·26% w/v, depending on species). The components of this mixture were also active against these phytopathogens, but sensitivity to the compounds was different for each pathogen. Adipic acid monoethyl ester (E) showed the highest and widest range of activity. Experiments on B. cinerea and A. solani indicated that this compound prevented spore germination in addition to mycelial growth and at high concentrations (0·5% w/v), inhibiting both the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the bacterium Escherichia coli . This ester retarded A. solani infection of tomato leaves, providing evidence for its efficacy in a biological context and its potential use in plant disease prevention.     

Induced systemic resistance in Trichoderma harzianum T39 biocontrol of Botrytis cinerea

Biocontrol of Botrytis cinerea with Trichoderma spp. is generally believed to result from direct interaction of the biocontrol agent with the pathogen or from a Trichoderma-induced change in environmental conditions that affects B. cinerea development. In this work we provide arguments for the participation of induced plant defence in T. harzianum T39 control of B. cinerea. In tomato, lettuce, pepper, bean and tobacco, T. harzianum T39 application at sites spatially separated from the B. cinerea inoculation resulted in a 25–100%percnt; reduction of grey mould symptoms, caused by a delay or suppression of spreading lesion formation. Given the spatial separation of both micro-organisms, this effect was attributed to the induction of systemic resistance by T. harzianum T39. The observation that in bean the effect of T. harzianum T39 was similar to that of the rhizobacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa KMPCH, a reference strain for the induction of systemic resistance, confirmed this hypothesis. Since B. cinerea control on tobacco leaves sprayed with T. harzianum T39 was similar to the control on leaves from T. harzianum T39 soil-treated plants, induction of plant defence might also participate in biocontrol on treated leaves.     

普城沙雷菌A21-4根际定殖能力及其对辣椒生长和诱导抗病性的影响

 本文探讨了辣椒疫病生防菌普城沙雷菌A21-4在辣椒根际的定殖能力及其对辣椒的促生长和诱导抗病性影响。以10⁸cfu·mL^-1A21-4菌液处理辣椒苗,A21-4能够有效地定殖在辣椒根际土壤和辣椒根部,移栽第30 d在根际土壤和辣椒根部均保持10⁶cfu·g^-1以上定殖密度。辣椒根际土壤中A21-4的定殖密度和病原菌存在与否无显著差异,而辣椒根部A21-4的定殖密度在病原菌存在时显著高于没有病原菌的;A21-4处理有效促进了辣椒地上部和根部的各项生育指标,同时,显著提高了辣椒叶绿素含量和根系活力。A21-4处理的辣椒苗叶绿素含量和根系活力比对照各提高86.1%和481.8%;经A21-4处理后,辣椒根部和叶部的SOD、POD和PAL活性明显提高,辣椒根部的SOD、POD和PAL活性峰值分别比对照提高44.7%、64.2%和77.0%,辣椒叶部SOD、POD和PAL活性峰值分别比对照提高27.9%、134.9%和87.0%;此外,A21-4浸根处理还能够提高辣椒叶部对辣椒疫霉菌的抗性。     

Effects of soil moisture and sowing depth on the development of bean plants grown in sterile soil infested by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizoctonia solani</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoderma harzianum</Emphasis>

The effects of soil moisture (varying from 15% to 42% (v/v)) and sowing depth (1.5–6.0 cm) on the development of bean plants grown in sterile soil infested by the pathogen Rhizoctonia solani and its antagonist Trichoderma harzianum were studied under greenhouse conditions. The four possible combinations of soil infestation with both fungi were tested. Disease severity, percentage of plants emerged, plant height and dry weight were evaluated 3 weeks after sowing. Emergence rate and growth of plants inoculated only with R. solani were not affected by soil moisture, but in the presence of both fungi, plant emergence, plant height and dry weight significantly decreased when soil moisture diminished. Deep sowing significantly reduced the emergence rate and growth of those plants that were inoculated with R. solani only. However, when the soil was infested with both fungi, the effect of sowing depth was not significant. At a sowing depth of 6.0 cm, the percentage of plants emerged was 50% in the presence of T. harzianum, but only 6.7% when the pathogen was inoculated alone. The antagonist protected bean seedlings from pre-emergence damping-off, reduced disease severity and increased plant growth in the presence of R. solani, especially in moist soil.     

拮抗真菌HTC的鉴定及其对辣椒疫病的生物防治潜力

为明确拮抗真菌HTC对辣椒疫霉Phytophthora capsici的拮抗机制,采用平板对峙、形态学鉴定和18S rDNA序列比对分析等方法对菌株HTC进行了鉴定,并研究其发酵液与抗生物质粗提液对辣椒疫霉不同发育阶段的影响。经鉴定,菌株HTC为金色毛壳菌Chaetomium aureum。在平皿对峙试验中,菌株HTC的红色分泌物能抑制辣椒疫霉菌丝的生长,抑制率为59.1%,后期HTC菌丝可缠绕并降解辣椒疫霉菌丝。发酵液与抗生物质粗提液对辣椒疫霉不同发育阶段均有抑制作用,发酵液对辣椒疫霉菌丝生长的抑制率高达97.58%,对辣椒疫病的防治效果均高于70%。浇灌发酵液后,可提高辣椒苗的苯丙氨酸解氨酶、过氧化物酶、多酚氧化酶的活性,并明显促进辣椒苗生长,鲜重和干重增加32.27%和18.09%。研究表明,金色毛壳菌菌株HTC是一株具有开发潜力的生防菌株。     

The effects of white clover mosaic virus on vegetative growth and yield of clones of S.100 white clover

Ramet of eight clones of cultivar S.100 white clover were infected with white clover mosaic virus (WCMV) and compared with uninfected ramets. Infection reduced herbage yield over two cuts by between 25 and 75%, with a mean of 40% at both. Petiole length was reduced significantly by 8% at the first cut, but not at the second. There was an overall reduction of about 6% in mid-rib length. The mean length of the longest stolon was reduced by about 20% at both cuts, but this did not reflect the reaction of whole plants as total stolon length was reduced by a mean of 43%, within a range of 25–75%. The mean dry weight of stolon was reduced by 47%, while stolon specific weight (weight per unit length) was reduced by 7%. The reduced leaf yield in WCMV-infected plants was caused mainly by a reduction in stolon growth and not by a reduction in leaf size. Virus infection reduced the total number of growing points per plant by over 30%, but the number per metre of stolon was increased by over 20%. The total acid-soluble carbohydrate content of stolons was unaffected.
For all growth parameters measured, there was considerable variation between the eight clones in their reaction to WCMV infection, most clones being affected detrimentally. In one clone, however, leaf dry weight yield of infected plants at the first cut was double that of healthy plants. At the second cut, both leaf and total stolon dry weights were greater by 40%, the total number of growing points by 80%, and the growing points per metre of stolon by 30%.     

紫外-氯化锂复合诱变哈茨木霉产生多菌灵抗药性菌株的研究

多菌灵是植物病害防治中常用的化学杀菌剂,野生型哈茨木霉对多菌灵比较敏感。为了能够更好地将哈茨木霉菌应用于实践,本试验采用紫外线-氯化锂复合诱变的方法,实现哈茨木霉菌株对多菌灵的抗性改良。试验共获得315株正向突变菌株,其中hcb-35菌株抗性能力较强。利用毒力测定方法检测了多菌灵对hcb-35有效抑菌中浓度,及hcb-35对多菌灵的抗药遗传稳定性;并利用对峙试验及显微观察检测其抑菌能力。结果显示,与哈茨木霉出发菌株hc相比,多菌灵对哈茨木霉突变株hcb-35菌株的有效抑菌中浓度提升285%;连续转接12代后,hcb-35菌株抗药性相对稳定且抑菌效果较出发菌株无明显差异,表明应用紫外-氯化锂复合诱变哈茨木霉可以获得遗传稳定的耐多菌灵突变株。     

Application of Trichoderma harzianum Strain KABOFT4 for Management of Tomato Bacterial Wilt Under Greenhouse Conditions

Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis is a very important pathogen that causes bacterial wilt of tomato (BWT). Biological control of plant diseases is a critical tool for protecting the environment from chemical pollution. Twenty-five isolates of the genus Trichoderma were obtained from a healthy tomato root. Of the 25 isolates, KABOFT4 showed highly antagonistic activity that controlled the growth of C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (Cmm7) under in vitro conditions. The 5.8S ribosomal RNA gene and internal transcribed spacer identified the isolate as Trichoderma harzianum KABOFT4. The effect of this isolate as a soil drench and/or foliar application on bacterial wilt under greenhouse conditions was studied. The germination percentage of tomato seed treated with KABOFT4 increased by 36.7% compared to infected seed treated with only the pathogen Cmm7. Under greenhouse conditions, tomato seedlings treated with KABOFT4 as a soil drench, foliar and soil treatment, and foliar treatment had a 61.3, 26.7, and 40% reduced disease severity relative to the infected control, respectively. All treatments had a positive effect on tomato plants that presented as greater vegetative growth and accumulation of dry matter. The best fresh and dry weight was recorded when plants were treated with KABOFT4 as a soil and foliar application. Tomato plants treated with KABOFT4 also had increased total phenol and flavonoid contents in inoculated and non-inoculated plants compared to untreated plants. Under greenhouse conditions, T. harzianum strains can be used as an environmentally friendly way to manage the most economically important tomato disease. The results showed that a native endophytic strain of T. harzianum was a potent biocontrol agent against C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis. Application of this strain to tomatoes in the greenhouse resulted in a decrease in disease severity and an increase in crop biomass.

     

Effects of timing and method of application of Penicillium oxalicum on efficacy and duration of control of Fusarium wilt of tomato

The effects of timing and method of application of Penicillium oxalicum on the control of fusarium wilt of tomato were investigated. Application of P. oxalicum to tomato seedlings in seedbeds reduced disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici in a growth chamber by 45–49% and in glasshouse experiments by 22–69%. Disease suppression was maintained for 60–100 days after inoculation with the pathogen in the glasshouse. No disease reduction was observed in tomato plants where P. oxalicum was applied to seeds. Treatment with P. oxalicum did not affect the population of F. oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici in the rhizosphere.     

Inoculum prevalence, host infection and biological control of Colletotrichum acutatum: causal agent of blueberry anthracnose in British Columbia

To identify the causal organism of anthracnose (ripe-rot), which reduces yield and postharvest quality of blueberries grown in British Columbia, Canada, 80 isolates were recovered from diseased fruits collected from commercial blueberry fields during 2002–04 and identified as Colletotrichum acutatum using colony morphology, growth rate and species-specific PCR primers. In vitro incubation of replicated sets of inoculated detached berries at various temperatures produced infection at temperatures of 7–30°C, with an optimum at 20°C. Colletotrichum acutatum could not survive on the soil surface as mummified berries but the pathogen was detected mostly within flower buds and less so in blueberry twigs and fruit trusses. Infection of developing flower buds in May–June of the preceding growing season gave the highest inoculum recovery in the following year. Two commercial fungal biocontrol agents, Prestop ( Gliocladium catenulatum ) and PlantShield ( Trichoderma harzianum ), each reduced anthracnose development in 2003 and 2004 by up to 45% when sprayed three times onto plants between flowering and fruit ripening.     

Use of Trichoderma harzianum in combination or alternation with fungicides to control cucumber grey mould (Botrytis cinerea) under commercial greenhouse conditions

A preparation of Trichoderma harzianum was sprayed on cucumber plants in greenhouses in order to control fruit and stem grey mould. Up to 90% control was achieved by the biocontrol agent (0·5–1·0 g/l) which in most experiments under commercial conditions was as effective as the dicarboximide fungicides iprodione or vinclozolin (0·5 g/l each) alone or alternated with diethofencarb + carbendazim (0·25 g/l each). However, in one experiment disease incidence in Trichoderma -treated plots did not differ significantly from the control. A mixture of T. harzianum with a dicarboximide fungicide resulted in up to 96% control of grey mould. In this case control was always significant ( P =0·05) but improvement of control compared with each treatment alone was not significant ( P =0·05). The alternation of sprays with the biocontrol preparation and with a dicarboximide fungicide was tested in three out of the five experiments and was found to be effective, thus enabling a reduction in the use of chemical sprays. Populations of T. harzianum were on a level of 3 × 10⁵-8 × 10⁵ c.f.u. per leaf and ten times lower on one fruit. They remained high after the second and third sprays. Conditions favouring the ability of T. harzianum to control grey mould were temperatures above 20°C and relative humidity between 80 and 97%.     

大葱水提物对辣椒疫病的控制作用及其活性成分分析

为明确大葱水提物对辣椒疫病的控制效果及其主要活性成分,通过室内毒力、田间防效以及GC-MS联用测定发现,大葱茎叶与根水提物均对辣椒疫病菌有一定抑制作用,且浓度越高抑制作用越强。在含300 mg/mL根水提物的平板上培养2 d,辣椒疫病菌菌丝生长的抑制率高达81.50%;但随着时间的推移,抑制作用减弱,5 d后,200 mg/mL根和茎叶水提物对病菌的抑制率仅为34.18%和25.62%。用300 mg/mL大葱水提物灌根,对辣椒疫病的防效可达50%左右。将大葱与辣椒轮作或混栽可有效降低田间辣椒疫病的病情,防病效果分别为40.67%和41.21%。GC-MS测定结果表明,大葱根和茎叶水提物中分别含有14种和28种挥发性物质,且均以有机硫化物为主,分别占总挥发性物质的82.17%和99.40%,这些硫化物对辣椒疫病菌的生长均有较强的抑制作用。这些结果表明,大葱产生的挥发性物质在辣椒疫病的绿色防控上有很好的应用前景。     

Differential susceptibility of barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli var. crus-galli) ecotypes to Exserohilum longirostratum

Ten barnyard grass ( Echinochloa crus-galli var. crus-galli ) ecotypes collected from several locations in Malaysian and Indonesian granaries were tested for variation in their susceptibility to the leaf blight pathogen ( Exserohilum longirostratum ). Four phenological growth stages of the ecotypes were sprayed with E. longirostratum at the rate of 1 × 10⁷ conidia mL⁻¹ under glasshouse conditions. The results of the study showed that plants inoculated with 1 × 10⁷ conidia mL⁻¹ and exposed for 24 h dew periods were severely infected and the percentage dry weight reduction of all ecotypes significantly increased. The 1–2 and 2–3-leaf stage plants were completely killed within 6 days after inoculation. However, susceptibility reactions among the ecotypes were observed at the 4–5-leaf stage, while the 6–7-leaf stage was resistant. The ecotypes, K-02, PK-04, KN-02, CJ-01, and L-01, were the most susceptible ecotypes as indicated by a higher area under disease progress curve value. The apparent disease progress rates for these ecotypes were significantly faster compared to the other ecotypes. The dry weight reduction among the four growth stages was variable. These findings show that the 1–2 and 2–3-leaf stages are the most susceptible, while the 6–7-leaf stage was resistant. This study has confirmed that a variable response to the fungal pathogen occurred within an intraspecific barnyard grass collection.