Induction of lignin and pathogenesis related proteins in dragon fruit plants in response to submicron chitosan dispersions

Chitosan is capable of triggering the induction of defence responses of the plants. This study was carried out to investigate in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity of submicron chitosan dispersions and also to determine the mechanism of induced resistance in dragon fruit plants by strengthening of cell wall and production of pathogenesis related proteins. Highest inhibition in radial mycelial growth (90.2%) was obtained by 600 nm droplet size at 1.0% chitosan concentration. None of the emulsifiers showed any antifungal effect during in vitro studies. Field studies showed the reduction of 22% disease incidence and 66% disease severity in anthracnose on dragon fruit plants treated with 600 nm droplet size as compared to control plants after one month of assessment. Lignin contents in cell wall of dragon fruit plants increased 2 folds in plants treated with 1.0% chitosan at 600 nm droplet size while 11 and 10 folds increase in β-1,3-glucanase and chitinase activity, respectively was also recorded in the plants inoculated with Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. The accumulation of lignin and higher level activity of pathogenesis related proteins in response to submicron chitosan dispersions may bolster in mounting effective resistance against the devastating disease of anthracnose.     

Activities of azoxystrobin and difenoconazole against Alternaria alternata and their control efficacy

Tobacco brown spot caused by Alteraria alternata is a devastating disease of tobacco worldwide. In this study, we reported the effects of a strobilurin fungicide azoxystrobin and a sterol inhibitor difenoconazole on mycelial growth, spore germination, and control of brown spot. Both mycelial growth and spore germination bioassay results showed that sensitivity of A. alternata to difenoconazole was significantly lower than that to azoxystrobin. Azoxystrobin and the compound of azoxystrobin plus difenoconazole provided excellent control efficacy on tobacco brown spot in field. Disease control efficacies for three sprays of azoxystrobin at doses of 0.094, 0.19 and 0.28 Kg a.i./ha, of azoxystrobin plus difenoconazole at 0.15, 0.22 and 0.29 Kg a.i./ha, and of difenoconazole at 0.12 Kg a.i./ha were between 86.00% and 89.67%, between 86.14% and 89.23%, and between 55.14 and 58.41%, respectively. No phytotoxic symptoms were observed for the fungicides in field. These fungicides could potentially be used for brown spot control in tobacco.     

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.     

Combination effect of chitosan and methyl jasmonate on controlling Alternaria alternata and enhancing activity of cherry tomato fruit defense mechanisms

The effect of chitosan treatment alone or in combination with methyl jasmonate (MeJA) against Alternaria alternata in vitro and in vivo, and defense related enzyme activities were investigated. 100–500 μl/l MeJA significantly inhibited mycelial growth of A. alternata. The inhibitory activity of MeJA on mycelial growth, spore production, spore germination and germ tube length of A. alternata in vitro could be enhanced by 0.1% chitosan. The combination of 0.1% chitosan and 500 μl/l methyl jasmonate was more effective to reduce the disease incidence and lesion diameter of postharvest decay of cherry tomato than the application of MeJA or chitosan alone. The combined treatments resulted in higher activities of PPO (polyphenol oxidase), POD (peroxidase) and PAL (phenylalanine ammonialyase) than the control. This work indicated that the combination of chitosan and methyl jasmonate is a promising method to control postharvest decays of fruit and vegetables.     

肉桂精油复合壳聚糖涂膜对采后番木瓜炭疽病的防治效果及作用机制分析

番木瓜是我国著名的热带、亚热带水果之一,但番木瓜属于呼吸跃变型果实,采后不耐贮运,其中由炭疽病引起的腐烂损失最为严重。因此,如何防治番木瓜采后炭疽病,降低番木瓜腐烂损失,延长贮藏保鲜期,成了制约番木瓜产业健康发展的瓶颈问题。本文以‘大青’番木瓜为试验材料,以绿色环保的肉桂精油-壳聚糖复合保鲜液为处理手段,研究其对采后番木瓜炭疽病的防治效果及作用机制,为我国番木瓜采后贮运保鲜产业发展提供理论依据和应用参考。分别用0.5%壳聚糖、0.5%壳聚糖+0.3%肉桂精油、0.5%壳聚糖+0.5%肉桂精油、0.5%壳聚糖+0.7%肉桂精油溶液对采后番木瓜果实进行喷雾处理,清水处理作为对照,处理后的番木瓜分为2组,其中一组处理后置于25℃下恒温贮藏,定期测定果实病情指数;另一组处理后置于25℃下恒温贮藏24 h后,在果面刺伤接种番木瓜炭疽菌,定期调查果实病斑直径,并对果皮进行取样,测定不同处理果实的抗病相关物质含量和抗病相关酶活性的变化情况。番木瓜炭疽菌的离体抑菌实验采用含药PDA平板抑菌法进行测定。研究结果表明:0.5%壳聚糖+0.3%肉桂精油处理对番木瓜炭疽病的防治效果最好,复合处理可完全抑制离体番木瓜炭疽菌的生长和产孢,复合处理显著降低了番木瓜果实的病斑直径,提高了抗病相关物质木质素、总酚(TP)和过氧化氢(H₂O₂)的含量,提高了抗病相关酶苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)、过氧化物酶(POD)和β-1,3葡聚糖酶(β-1,3-GA)的活性,但对几丁质酶(CHI)活性影响不大。由此可见,肉桂精油复合壳聚糖涂膜对番木瓜炭疽菌有较好的防控效果,一方面是由于复合处理抑制了番木瓜炭疽菌的生长,另一方面是复合处理诱导番木瓜果实提高了抗病性。因此,适宜浓度的肉桂精油复合壳聚糖涂膜处理为防控番木瓜采后炭疽病提供了一种绿色新途径。     

肉桂精油复合壳聚糖涂膜对采后番木瓜炭疽病的防治效果及作用机制分析

番木瓜是我国著名的热带、亚热带水果之一,但番木瓜属于呼吸跃变型果实,采后不耐贮运,其中由炭疽病引起的腐烂损失最为严重。因此,如何防治番木瓜采后炭疽病,降低番木瓜腐烂损失,延长贮藏保鲜期,成了制约番木瓜产业健康发展的瓶颈问题。本文以‘大青’番木瓜为试验材料,以绿色环保的肉桂精油-壳聚糖复合保鲜液为处理手段,研究其对采后番木瓜炭疽病的防治效果及作用机制,为我国番木瓜采后贮运保鲜产业发展提供理论依据和应用参考。分别用0.5%壳聚糖、0.5%壳聚糖+0.3%肉桂精油、0.5%壳聚糖+0.5%肉桂精油、0.5%壳聚糖+0.7%肉桂精油溶液对采后番木瓜果实进行喷雾处理,清水处理作为对照,处理后的番木瓜分为2组,其中一组处理后置于25℃下恒温贮藏,定期测定果实病情指数;另一组处理后置于25℃下恒温贮藏24 h后,在果面刺伤接种番木瓜炭疽菌,定期调查果实病斑直径,并对果皮进行取样,测定不同处理果实的抗病相关物质含量和抗病相关酶活性的变化情况。番木瓜炭疽菌的离体抑菌实验采用含药PDA平板抑菌法进行测定。研究结果表明:0.5%壳聚糖+0.3%肉桂精油处理对番木瓜炭疽病的防治效果最好,复合处理可完全抑制离体番木瓜炭疽菌的生长和产孢,复合处理显著降低了番木瓜果实的病斑直径,提高了抗病相关物质木质素、总酚(TP)和过氧化氢(H₂O₂)的含量,提高了抗病相关酶苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)、过氧化物酶(POD)和β-1,3葡聚糖酶(β-1,3-GA)的活性,但对几丁质酶(CHI)活性影响不大。由此可见,肉桂精油复合壳聚糖涂膜对番木瓜炭疽菌有较好的防控效果,一方面是由于复合处理抑制了番木瓜炭疽菌的生长,另一方面是复合处理诱导番木瓜果实提高了抗病性。因此,适宜浓度的肉桂精油复合壳聚糖涂膜处理为防控番木瓜采后炭疽病提供了一种绿色新途径。     

The efficacy of combined application of edible coatings and thyme oil in inducing resistance components in avocado (Persea americana Mill.) against anthracnose during post-harvest storage

Avocado fruit has high economic value; however, major post-harvest losses are encountered throughout the supply chain mostly due to anthracnose disease caused by the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Increasing consumer concern regarding food safety and demand for organically produced fruits makes it necessary to search for natural environmentally friendly alternative products and processes for the fruit industry; particularly in disease control. Antifungal effects of Gum Arabic (GA) (10%), Aloe vera (AL) (2%), chitosan (CH) (1%) alone or in combination with thyme oil (1%) were investigated in vitro. CH + thyme oil and AL + thyme oil [1:1 or 3:1 v/v] showed fungicidal effects while AL, CH, GA and GA + thyme oil [3:1 v/v] showed fungistatic effects on mycelial growth of C. gloeosporioides in vitro. CH and AL coatings alone or in combination with thyme oil [3:1 v/v], either as preventative or curative treatments in comparison with commercial treatment (prochloraz, 0.05%) and untreated control were evaluated on incidence and severity (lesion diameter) of anthracnose in vivo. Preventative CH + thyme oil treatments significantly reduced the severity of anthracnose (8.9 mm) compared to thyme oil (12.7 mm), AL + TO (14.4 mm), CH (17.8 mm), AL (20.6 mm), PZ (18.3 mm) and untreated samples (34.8 mm). As curative method, the CH + thyme oil combination also reduced the severity of anthracnose by at least 4 mm compared to the other treatments. The total phenols, polyphenol oxidase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, β-1,3-glucanase, chitinase, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities, firmness and flesh colour were also determined. Results showed an increase in peroxidase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, β-1,3-glucanase, chitinase, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities and total phenolics with reduced loss of firmness and flesh colour following CH + thyme oil treatments. This investigation recommends CH + thyme oil [3:1 v/v] combination treatment as a suitable alternative to the currently adopted prochloraz applications in controlling anthracnose disease in avocado fruit during storage.     

Biocontrol action mechanisms of Cryptococcus laurentii on Colletotrichum gloeosporioides of mango

Mechanisms of action and effectiveness of the antifungal yeast Cryptococcus laurentii [(Kuff.) C.E. Skinner] strain L5D, were examined against the causal agent of anthracnose Colletotrichum gloeosporioides ((Penz.) Penz. & Sacc.) in mango (Mangifera indica L.). C. laurentii showed a high antagonistic potential in vivo, with significant inhibition of anthracnose (75.88%). Different mechanisms of action were examined in C. laurentii among them competition for nutrients, specifically for sucrose (p < 0.05). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed that the yeast biofilm adheres to the fruit and to C. gloeosporioides hyphae showing competition for space; C. laurentii was not washed off from treated Colletotrichum hyphae as observed with SEM. According to statistical analysis, only nagase and chitinase were significantly stimulated on wounded fruit. Activity of all three hydrolytic enzymes was detected in vitro but only nagase was induced by addition of autoclaved pathogen mycelium. Treated wounds with the yeast biocontrol stimulated glucanase activity and suppressed chitinase activity on fruit wounds with or without presence of autoclaved pathogen mycelium but did not affect nagase significantly (p = 0.05). Parasitic activity of yeast on pathogen was not detected.     

Using electrolyzed oxidizing water combined with an ultrasonic wave on the postharvest diseases control of pineapple fruit cv. ‘Phu Lae’

The effects of ultrasound (US) and electrolyzed oxidizing (EO) water on postharvest decay of pineapple cv. Phu Lae were investigated using Fusarium sp. isolated from pineapple fruits. The effect of EO water and US irradiation on in vitro growth inhibition of Fusarium sp. was studied. Spore suspensions were treated EO water with free chlorine at 100, 200 and 300 ppm and different frequencies of 108, 400, 700 KHz and 1 MHz US irradiation for 0, 10, 30 and 60 min and incubated at 27 °C for 48 h The study showed that all treatments of EO water totally inhibited the spore germination of the fungus. Additionally, US irradiation of 1 MHz for 60 min was the most effective to suppress the spore germination when compared with the control. When the fruits inoculated with Fusarium sp. were washed in EO water at 100 ppm and US irradiation or combination of US and EO water significantly inhibited the decay incidence and prolonged the shelf life of the pineapple for 20 days. Treatments had no effect on fruit quality (weight loss percentage, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH, and ascorbic acid). The potential for EO water in combination with US in pineapple handling systems is high, due to marked synergistic effects against fungal decay of decrowned pineapple fruit during storage.     

Evaluation of systemic acquired resistance inducers for control of downy mildew on basil

Basil downy mildew, caused by Peronospora belbahrii Thines sp. nov., is a devastating foliar disease of fresh-cut basil first discovered in the U.S. in South Florida in 2007. Since then the pathogen has been found in over 20 U.S. states and has become a major threat to sweet basil production. In this study, acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM, Actigard 50WG), DL-3-aminobutyric acid (BABA), isonicotinic acid (INA), salicylic acid (SA) and sodium salicylate (SS) were evaluated for their potential to control basil downy mildew in the greenhouse. Efficacy of these systemic acquired resistance (SAR) inducers varied in control of basil downy mildew depending on the rate, method and timing of application. Foliar sprays of ASM applied pre-, post- or pre- + post-inoculation at rates ranging from 25 to 400 mg l⁻¹ significantly (P = 0.05) reduced disease severity compared to the non-treated control in all experiments. ASM sprayed at 50 mg l⁻¹ three times on a weekly basis starting 3 and 7 days post- inoculation resulted in a 93.8 and 47.1% reduction in disease severity, respectively. Six weekly foliar sprays of BABA as pre- + post-inoculation at rates equal or higher than 125 mg l⁻¹ significantly suppressed downy mildew compared to the non-treated control. Foliar treatments of ASM or BABA followed by one or two post-inoculation sprays of a mixture of potassium phosphite (Prophyt) and azoxystrobin (Quadris) significantly improved efficacy for disease control. Sporangia counted on ASM treated leaves were significantly lower than leaves sampled from the non-treated control. ASM and BABA at concentrations lower than 1.0 mM did not inhibit sporangial germination in vitro. The effect of INA, SA and SS on disease reduction was generally inconsistent and not significant compared to the non-treated control.     

Dry heat treatment of Andean lupin seed to reduce anthracnose infection

The potential of dry heat treatment of Andean lupin seed to reduce seed–borne infection of the anthracnose pathogen, Colletotrichum acutatum, was investigated. First, the effect of dry heat (65 °C) over duration times of 0–96 h on germination and disease incidence after germination was evaluated for artificially– and naturally–infected seed. Dry heat treatment from 8 to 96 h reduced disease incidence after germination to undetectable levels in four cultivars compared with 7.5% disease incidence after germination in seed maintained at room temperature. Moreover, heat treatments of 4–12 h showed seed germination rates that were equivalent to the non–treated control. Under greenhouse conditions, dry heat treatments for 8 or 12 h reduced transmission of the pathogen from seed by 75 or 85%, respectively and dry heat treatment increased emergence of seedlings in comparison the non-treated control. Dry heat treatment is an environmentally friendly alternative for reducing anthracnose infections in Andean lupin seed.     

Management of Eumusae leaf spot disease of banana caused by Mycosphaerella eumusae with Zimmu (Allium sativum × Allium cepa) leaf extract

Among extracts of 33 plant species screened against Mycosphaerella eumusae, the causal agent of Eumusae leaf spot disease of banana, water extract of Cassia senna, Zimmu (Interspecific hybrid between Allium cepa × Allium sativum) and Rhincanthus nasutus provided 100% inhibition of spore germination and 1.7–2.0 cm zone of inhibition of mycelial growth under in vitro conditions. The maximum efficacy of mycelial inhibition was observed with Zimmu leaf extract. When Zimmu leaf extract was tested at different concentrations (5, 10, 25, 50 and 100% w/v), all tested concentrations provided complete inhibition of mycelial growth of the pathogen. The field evaluation of Zimmu leaf extract at different concentrations in cv. Grand Naine showed that the application of the water extract of Zimmu leaf at 50% concentration (w/v) provided 55% reduction of disease severity compared to the unsprayed control. Besides, the application of Zimmu leaf extract increased the value of youngest leaf spotted-0 (up to 60.5%) as well as increased the yield of banana (up to 46.8%) as compared to control. The effect of Zimmu in increasing the value of YLS-0 and the bunch yield was comparable with the chemical fungicide Propiconazole 25% EC (0.1%). Thin layer chromatography (TLC) analysis showed that among different major compounds, two lipid compounds (LP-B1 and LP-B2) extracted using methanol had the ability to inhibit M. eumusae growth (0.7–1.5 cm zone of inhibition). The gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis of lipid bands revealed the presence of six different lipid compounds, which may be responsible for the growth inhibition of the pathogen. Since the application of water extract of Zimmu was found to be not only effective in controlling the leaf spot disease severity but also increased the number of green leaves and yield of banana fruits, the Zimmu extract can be used effectively in integrated disease management of Eumusae leaf spot disease for enhancing banana production in an ecologically sustainable manner.     

阿米西达控制杧果果实采后病害的技术

进行了阿米西达控制杧果采后病害的研究。结果表明:在测试的3种药剂中,阿米西达对杧果炭疽病病菌(Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) 的菌丝体生长、产孢及孢子萌发均有明显的抑制作用,而对杧果蒂腐病菌(Botrydiplodiatheobromae) 菌丝体生长的抑制效果较施保功差;采后用100~200μgmL的阿米西达控制杧果贮运期间炭疽病的发生具有较好的效果,而在此质量浓度时,对杧果蒂腐病和酸腐病的防效则不稳定;阿米西达结合热处理防治杧果炭疽病的效果更好。      

Effect of calcium soil amendments on phenolic compounds and soft rot resistance in potato tubers

Nutrients such as boron, nitrogen and calcium stimulate the production of phenols. This research focuses on the role of calcium in increasing phenol metabolism in potato peels and the ensuing tuber resistance to soft rot pathogens was investigated. Two field experiments were conducted at the University of Zimbabwe campus plots in 2008 and 2009 summer seasons. Sprouted tubers of cv. BP1 were planted in plots treated with different fertilizer combinations. The treatments were: 1) compound S (7N: 21P: 8K) + ammonium nitrate (34 %N) 2) compound D (7N: 14P: 7K) + calcium nitrate (19 Ca: 15.5N) 3) compound S + calcium nitrate and 4) compound D + ammonium nitrate. The harvested progeny tubers were inoculated with Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. brasiliense. Calcium amendment increased the activities of enzymes (phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, polyphenol oxidase and peroxidases) involved in the metabolism of phenolics and total soluble phenols. Calcium amendment significantly reduced (P < 0.05) the maceration effect of P. carotovorum subsp. brasiliense in tuber tissues. Chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and calcium, but not ferulic acid content were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in plants grown in calcium treated plots. Calcium positively and significantly correlated with polyphenol oxidase (PPO), phenylalanine (PAL) and peroxidase (POD), while chlorogenic and caffeic acid showed a positive relationship with POD and PPO. Calcium amendment significantly reduced maceration symptom caused by the bacteria (P < 0.05), resulting in smaller decayed zone diameters on inoculated tubers from calcium-treated plots. This study shows that soil amendments of calcium increase concentration of calcium, caffeic and chlorogenic acid in tuber peels and also reduces maceration effect of pectinolytic pathogens. Reduced maceration could be due to increased levels of caffeic and chlorogenic acid which have antimicrobial properties.     

Effect of electrolyzed oxidizing water and continuous ozone exposure on the control of Penicillium digitatum on tangerine cv. ‘Sai Nam Pung’ during storage

The effect of electrolyzed oxidizing (EO) water in combination with ozone to control postharvest decay of tangerine cv. “Sai Num Pung” was investigated. The spore suspension containing 10⁵ conidia ml⁻¹ of Penicillium digitatum was prepared. EO water was generated by electrolysis of various concentrations of NaCl solution (5, 25, 50% and saturated NaCl). The spore suspension was inoculated into EO water and incubated at 27 °C for 1, 2, 4, 8 and 32 min. It was found that the EO water with saturated NaCl completely inhibited the spore germination of the fungus within 1 min. When the fruits inoculated with P. digitatum were washed in EO water at the same concentrations as previous experiment for 4, 8 and 16 min and stored at 5 °C for 18 days, it was found that immersion of the fruit in EO water for 8 min was the most effective to reduce disease incidences. Moreover, washing fruit in EO water and kept in a refrigerated chamber at 5 °C with continuous ozone exposure at a concentration of 200 mg l⁻¹ for 2 h day⁻¹ to extend storage life suppressed the disease incidence until 28 days. However, none of the treatments had any effect on the quality of fruit such as total soluble solids, titratable acidity, percent weight loss and peel color. Therefore EO water may be useful for surface sanitation and ozone has potential to control the recontamination of postharvest diseases in tangerine fruit in storage room.     

Control of postharvest anthracnose of banana using a new edible composite coating

Anthracnose is a postharvest disease of banana caused by the fungus Colletotrichum musae that results in major economic losses during transportation and storage. For the management of banana anthracnose, antifungal effects of Arabic gum (AG) (5, 10, 15 and 20%), chitosan (CH) (1.0%), and the combination of AG with CH were investigated in vitro as well as in vivo. CH at 1.0% and 1.5% had fungicidal effects on C. musae. AG alone did not show any fungicidal effects while the combination of 1.0% CH with all tested AG concentrations had fungicidal effects. However, the potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium amended with 10% AG incorporated with 1.0% CH showed the most promising results among all treatments in suppressing the mycelial growth (100%) and conidial germination inhibition (92.5%). In vivo analysis also revealed that 10% AG incorporated with 1.0% CH was the optimal concentration in controlling decay (80%), showing a synergistic effect in the reduction of C. musae in artificially inoculated bananas. The 10% AG incorporated with 1.0% CH coatings significantly delayed ripening as in terms of percentage weight loss, fruit firmness, soluble solids concentration and titratable acidity. The results showed the possibility of using 10% Arabic gum incorporated with 1.0% chitosan as a biofungicide for controlling postharvest anthracnose in banana.     

阿米西达对芒果炭疽病的防治

进行了室内药剂对芒果炭疽病菌的毒力测定及2 a大田喷药防治芒果炭疽病的试验。结果表明,阿米西达具有很好的抑制产孢和孢子萌发的能力,在芒果刚抽嫩稍或花穗抽出3 cm时,每隔7-10 d喷150-200μg·mL-1阿米西达SC可有效地控制芒果叶片炭疽病的为害程度,防效达44.84％-87.06％;同时还可减少炭疽病的潜伏侵染菌量,并减轻果实贮藏期间的病情。      

Antagonistic yeasts with potential to control Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Penz. & Sacc. and Colletotrichum acutatum J.H. Simmonds on avocado fruits

Avocado is an economically important fruit that is severely affected by anthracnose disease due to the infection with Colletotrichum spp. In this study, avocado fruits with anthracnose symptoms were collected in Morelos, Mexico. Two phytopathogenic fungi were isolated from these fruits and identified as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Colletotrichum acutatum using ITS sequences. Further, eleven yeasts from avocado (three from fruits, four from leaves and four from rhizospheric soil) were isolated; of which three showed in vitro antagonistic activity against C. gloeosporioides and C. acutatum. ITS sequence analysis of the isolated yeasts revealed that the strains obtained from fruits belonged to Candida intermedia while those isolated from leaves belonged to Wickerhamomyces anomalus. C. intermedia reduced disease incidence caused only by C. gloeosporioides, whereas, W. anomalus caused a significant reduction in the incidence and severity of disease caused by both C. gloeosporioides and C. acutatum. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the antagonistic activity of W. anomalus or C. intermedia against Colletotrichum acutatum. Thus, W. anomalus is a potential natural alternative for controlling anthracnose infection and associated loss in avocado crops.     

Assessment of the antimicrobial activity of Lentinula edodes against Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria

Bacterial spot of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria (Xcv) is a devastating disease of tomato world-wide. In the southeastern United States, high summer temperatures and humidity are ideal conditions for this disease, resulting in defoliation, fruit spotting and a significant reduction in fruit yield. Current organic production practices restrict the use of synthetic chemicals for disease control; hence, there is a need for the development of new and effective biopesticides to mitigate plant diseases. Among several biological agents with potential for disease control, Lentinula edodes (shiitake mushroom) has been shown to have antibacterial properties. A controlled-environment study was therefore conducted to validate L. edodes mycelia culture filtrate (Le_mcf) foliar application to control bacterial spot of tomato using the cultivar Agriset 761. Lentinula edodes mycelia culture filtrate foliar spray significantly suppressed bacterial spot incidence in tomato foliage in vitro but was not effective in vivo. The phytotoxicity symptoms in Le_mcf-treated tomato foliage were attributed to the presence of 422.78 μg of oxalic acid per milliliter of Le_mcf (quantified by high-pressure liquid chromatography). Plant height and flowering were normal in Le_mcf-treated plants. Additionally, Le_mcf seed treatment did not adversely impact tomato germination but significantly enhanced the germination of marginal tomato seeds subjected to biotic stress (Xcv). Our results suggest that after eliminating oxalic acid from Le_mcf, the product may be a potential biopesticide for managing bacterial spot of tomato. Future greenhouse or field experiments should be conducted after eliminating oxalic acid from L. edodes culture filtrates.     

萘乙酸对橡胶树胶胞炭疽菌生长速率、孢子萌发率和附着胞形成率的影响

橡胶树炭疽病是影响橡胶树割胶生产的重要病害之一,主要由胶孢炭疽菌和尖孢炭疽菌侵染引起的,在世界各大植胶地区引起了无数橡胶树叶片脱落,甚至整株死亡,给当地的橡胶产业发展造成了严重损失。本实验主要采用菌落生长速率法、孢子萌发测试法等常规植物病理学方法研究萘乙酸对橡胶树胶胞炭疽菌RC169生长速率、孢子萌发率和附着胞形成率的影响。结果表明,低浓度时萘乙酸对RC169菌丝生长、孢子的萌发和附着胞的形成具有促进作用,但随着用药浓度的升高,其促进作用变为抑制作用,且抑制作用随之规律性增强。