Changes in the incidence of ragwort (Senecio jacobaea L.) infestation of grassland over a 4-year period in NE Scotland

A roadside survey of 4749 fields in eight areas of NE Scotland was conducted annually from 1979 to 1982. The proportion of grass fields infested with ragwort remained steady at 18–19% from 1979 to 1981 but fell to 13·5% in 1982. This fall resulted from fewer fields becoming newly infested and from more fields that had remained in grass ceasing to be infested. The proportion of infested fields remaining in grass that showed a reduction of two or more points on a 0–5 logarithmic scale of ragwort density (a possible indication of the frequency of control measures) was 24·0% in 1979–1980, 21·7% in 1980–1981 and 36·3% in 1981–1982. The incidence of ragwort infestation was consistently higher in some areas than in others and was not related to the proportion of arable crops. The change in incidence of infestation varied greatly between different areas, as did the proportion of infested fields whose score on the 0–5 scale fell by two or more points. In 1979–1980 and 1980–1981 this proportion had to exceed 22% to effect a net decrease in the incidence of infestation in an area, but in 1981–1982 no relationship was evident between these two measures of change. The incidence of infestation in all areas increased with increasing sward age but one area (Moray and Nairn) had a much higher proportion of young grass infested than any of the others. Over 99% of ragwort infestations consisted of Senecio jacobaea, infestations of S. aquatints Huds. being rare.     

Effects of treatments to perennial ryegrass on the development of Septoria spp. in a subsequent crop of winter wheat

An experiment started in spring 1979 tested the effects of different treatments to perennial ryegrass, established as pure stands or undersown in spring wheat, on the severity of septoria diseases on the grass and in a following crop of winter wheat, sown in autumn 1980. Other plots were fallowed in 1979 and 1980 before sowing to winter wheat, also in autumn 1980.
Septoria tritici was most severe in winter wheat after fallow and least severe in wheat that had been direct-drilled after ryegrass. These effects were attributed to differences in amounts of available nitrogen, and consequent differences in crop growth, rather than to any differences in primary inoculum.
Symptoms attributed to S. nodorum on the ryegrass were more common where the grass had been established under spring wheat than where it had been sown as a pure stand. They also tended to be more common where ryegrass had been inoculated with spores of S. nodorum than where it had been sprayed with captafol. Similar effects on symptoms attributed to Septoria spp. (mostly S. tritici ) on the wheat were apparent in July. The results support the conclusion that the greater severity of septoria diseases that often occurs on wheat after grass than after non-graminaceous breaks, is probably due in part to survival of the pathogens on grass and, in some circumstances, on debris remaining from a previous wheat crop. However, other factors are also likely to be involved.     

Reservoirs of plant virus disease: Occurrence of wheat dwarf virus and barley/cereal yellow dwarf viruses in Sweden

Non-crop plants such as grasses and volunteer plants are an inseparable part of the flora of crop fields and can influence virus incidence in crop plants. The presence of grasses as virus reservoirs can lead to a higher probability of virus incidence in crop plants. However, the role of reservoirs as an inoculum source in agricultural fields has not been well studied for many viral diseases of crops. Grasses have been found to constitute potential reservoirs for cereal-infecting viruses in different parts of the world. This study revealed that cereal-infecting viruses such as wheat dwarf virus (WDV), barley yellow dwarf viruses (BYDVs), and cereal yellow dwarf virus-RPV (CYDV-RPV) can be found among ryegrass growing in or around winter wheat fields. Phylogenetic analysis showed that a WDV isolate from ryegrass was a typical WDV-E isolate that infects wheat. Similarly, a ryegrass isolate of barley yellow dwarf virus-PAV (BYDV-PAV) grouped in a clade together with other BYDV-PAV isolates. Inoculation experiments under greenhouse conditions confirmed that annual ryegrass of various genotypes can be infected with WDV to a very low titre. Moreover, leafhoppers were able to acquire WDV from infected ryegrass plants, despite the low titre, and transmit the virus to wheat, resulting in symptoms. Information from the grass reservoir may contribute to improving strategies for controlling plant virus outbreaks in the field. Knowledge of the likely levels of virus in potential reservoir plants can be used to inform decisions on insect vector control strategies and may help to prevent virus disease outbreaks in the future.     

Barley yellow dwarf virus in ryegrass and its detection by ELISA

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) effectively detected PAV- and MAV-like strains of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) in ryegrass. MAV-like BYDV was found in a large proportion of ryegrass plants with foliar symptoms. There was a poor association between foliar symptoms and PAV-like virus, which occurred with similar frequency in plants with and without symptoms. By August 1982, plots of perennial, Italian and hybrid ryegrass sown at Auchincruive in 1980 were extensively infected with PAV- and MAV-like strains of BYDV. Tests on samples from 1981- and 1982-sown plots in August 1983 also indicated early invasion by BYDV. Infection levels of 7–80% were found in 13 commercial crops of perennial ryegrass surveyed near Auchincruive in May 1983. PAV-like BYDV occurred with greater frequency than did MAV-like strains of the virus.     

Survey for Phytophthora fragariae var. fragariae in Finland

A survey for the possible occurrence of red-core disease ( Phytophthora fragariae var. fragariae ) was carried out on 250 strawberry production sites in Finland. The fields were inspected visually. A total of 1080 samples of strawberry roots were taken in spring and autumn 1995 and examined visually, microscopically and by isolation in the laboratory. Root-tip bait-plant tests were performed in the glasshouse to look for the latent presence of the fungus. No red-core disease was detected in any of the inspected fields or in the examined samples.     

Control of benomyl-resistant strains of Colletotrichum coffeanum, the cause of coffee berry disease

Sprays containing difolatan, dithianon, chlorothalonil and cuprous oxide were tested for the control of coffee berry disease (CBD) in 1979 and 1980 at an estate in Kenya with abundant benomyl-resistant strains of Colletotrichum coffeanum. In 1979 all fungicides gave good CBD control and increased yields of coffee. In 1980 only difolatan increased yield. Isolates of C. coffeanum capable of growing on agar with 8 μg/ml benomyl were detected throughout the 2 years of these trials.     

Improved physical control of glyphosate‐resistant Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) on rice paddy levees in Japan

Italian ryegrass ( Lolium multiflorum Lam.) is a non‐native annual winter grass that has seriously infested rice paddy levees and wheat fields in Japan. Recently, glyphosate‐resistant Italian ryegrass was found on paddy levees in central Japan, thereby making control of the grass by using glyphosate less effective. In this study, physical control methods were tested that combined the timing and frequency of mowing in order to more effectively control glyphosate‐resistant Italian ryegrass on rice paddy levees. A 3 year field experiment was conducted from 2012 to 2014 in a western region of Shizuoka Prefecture, where glyphosate‐resistant Italian ryegrass has become dominant. Five treatments were tested: (i) mowing once before the flowering of the grass (i.e. conventional mowing measure); (ii) mowing once during flowering; (iii) mowing twice during flowering; (iv) glyphosate application before flowering (i.e. one of the conventional mowing measures); and (v) no treatment. The above‐ground biomass, seed production, soil seed bank and seedling occurrence of Italian ryegrass were measured to determine the effectiveness of these treatments. Mowing during the flowering period resulted in reduced above‐ground biomass, seed production and soil seed bank when compared with the other treatments. Additionally, mowing twice during the flowering period resulted in a lower seedling density than mowing once. The results suggest that, in this region, physical control by mowing during the flowering period would be more effective than conventional measures for controlling glyphosate‐resistant Italian ryegrass.     

Late Blight Forecasting in Norway 1957–19801

A regular late-blight warning service was established in Norway in 1957, run by the Plant Protection Service. The service was revised in 1965 and from that year the warnings were distributed by the Norwegian Institute of Meteorology. The criteria for warnings are described. A regression analysis of the relationship between warnings and intensity of late-blight epidemics in 1957–1980 showed no significant differences between locations, but significant differences in the relationship between years and periods. The weather in the years 1973 to 1978 caused unfavourable conditions for late blight in all parts of the country. In 1979 and 1980 the weather changed and favourable climate to late blight occurred in most regions of the country, but the progress of epidemics in 1979 was slower than expected due to reduced inoculum potential. In 1980 a more normal progress of epidemics was observed, which indicated a reestablishment of the inoculum potential in the autumn of 1979.     

Volunteer winter wheat: its effects and control in ryegrass seed production

The effects of different populations of volunteer winter wheal and their control with ethofumesate and TCA on growth, seed yield and yield components of S.24 perennial ryegrass were investigated in lield experiments in 1978 and 1979. Reductions in ryegrass seed yield due to the presence of wheat depended on the density of wheat and the number and dry weight of ryegrass tillers. The greatest percentage reduction in ryegrass seed yield occurred at high densities of wheat (300 plants m^?2) when the number of ear-bearing tillers and 1000 seed weight of ryegrass were reduced. When Ihe density of wheat was low (80 plants m^?2) a smaller reduction in ryegrass seed yield occurred and the number of live wheat plants remaining gradually decreased. Within the range of wheat densities in these experiments (0–300 plants m ^?2) a 1% loss in ryegrass seed yield occurred for every 10 wheal plants m^?2 present in the crop post winter. Both herbicides caused a reduction in number of ryegrass tillers during growth but, except where TCA was applied at 12 kg ha^?1 in November, ryegrass seed yields were not significantly reduced (in comparison with a wheat-free control) and were always greater than those obtained in the presence of wheat where no herbicides had been applied. Levels of volunteer infestation of 300 wheat plants m^?2 were controlled with minimum risk of crop damage by applications of 6 kg ha^?1 TCA in either October or November, or by application of 1–9 kg ha^?1 ethofumesate in November.     

Resistance to benzimidazoles in Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides1

In a long-term monitoring experiment in winter wheat between 1976 and 1980 no substantial change in the benzimidazole resistance of Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides was observed; carbendazim or related chemicals were applied twice a year. In 1982, a high percentage of the fungus population was benzimidazole-resistant. There is no conclusive explanation for this sudden change. Paralleling this development, since 1982 farmers in northern Germany complain about failures in eyespot control with benzimidazole-type fungicides. In a survey in 1983 (52 fields from all over the country; 10 haulms per field), spore germination tests (on 2 ppm carbendazim) in nearly 50% of the fields showed the fungus population to be carbendazim-resistant. This result was confirmed by other findings (disease assessment, yield data). In 1984, plants were again taken from more than 150 unsprayed plots all over the country. This time benzimidazole resistance was expressed by the frequency of isolates on carbendazim-containing medium (100 haulms per field). The previous results were confirmed. Benzimidazole resistance is still much more a problem in northern than in southern Germany. There seems to be some relationship between benzimidazole resistance in the field and the history of benzimidazole-type applications on the plot.     

Barley yellow dwarf viruses in Japanese pasture grasses and lack of correlation with the presence of fungal endophytes

Pasture grasses from temperate Japan were tested for infection with barley yellow dwarf viruses (BYDVs) and fungal endophytes. BYDVs from both the MAV and RPV subgroups were detected, but no symptoms attributable to BYDV infection were observed. Not all isolates from the MAV subgroup could be clearly discriminated as MAV or PAV solely on ELISA results, and may have been intermediate serotypes or mixed infections. BYDVs were found to infect fescue ( Festuca arundinacea : 17%), ryegrass ( Lolium perenne : 41%), timothy ( Phleum pratense : 94%) and Poa spp. (20%). Fescue and ryegrass were predominantly infected with RPV and PAV, respectively. The small collections of Poa spp. were only infected with PAV, while timothy was only tested for MAV subgroup viruses. In fescue 26% of tillers were infected with Acremonium coenophialum , and 60% of ryegrass tillers from an ecotype collection were infected with Acremonium lolii. There was no correlation between BYDV infection and the presence of endophytes for the above species or for Epichloe typhina -infected (50%) timothy. An ELISA test for A. lolii did not detect A. coenophialum in fescue or E. typhina in timothy but showed good agreement with epidermal staining of A. lolii in ryegrass leaf sheaths.     

Contrasting genetic structure between Magnaporthe grisea populations associated with the golf course turfgrasses Lolium perenne (perennial ryegrass) and Pennisetum clandestinum (kikuyugrass)

Gray leaf spot (GLS) disease of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and kikuyugrass (Pennisetum clandestinum) in golf courses in California was first noted in 2001 and 2003, respectively, and within 5 years had become well established. The causal agent of the disease is the fungus Magnaporthe grisea, which is known to consist primarily of clonal lineages that are highly host specific. Therefore, our objective was to investigate host specificity and population dynamics among isolates associated primarily from perennial ryegrass and kikuyugrass since the disease emerged at similar times in California. We also obtained isolates from additional hosts (tall fescue, St. Augustinegrass, weeping lovegrass, and rice) and from the eastern United States for comparative purposes. A total of 38 polymorphic amplified fragment length polymorphism makers were scored from 450 isolates which clustered by host with high bootstrap support (71 to 100%). Genetic structure between kikuyugrass and perennial ryegrass isolates differed significantly. Isolates from kikuyugrass were genotypically diverse (n = 34), possessed both mating types, and some tests for random mating could not be rejected, whereas isolates from perennial ryegrass were less genotypically diverse (n = 10) and only consisted of a single mating type. Low genotypic diversity was also found among the other host specific isolates which also only consisted of a single mating type. This is the first study to document evidence for the potential of sexual reproduction to occur in M. grisea isolates not associated with rice (Oryza sativa). Moreover, given the significant host specificity and contrasting genetic structures between turfgrass-associated isolates, the recent emergence of GLS on various grass hosts in California suggests that potential cultural practices or environmental changes have become conducive for the disease and that the primary inoculum may have already been present in the state, despite the fact that two genotypes associated with perennial ryegrass and St. Augustinegrass in California were the same as isolates collected from the eastern United States.     

Mapping and Comparative Analysis of QTL for Crown Rust Resistance in an Italian x Perennial Ryegrass Population

ABSTRACT Crown rust (Puccinia coronata f. sp. lolli) is a serious fungal foliar disease of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and Italian ryegrass (L. multiflorum Lam.), which are important forage and turf species. A number of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for crown rust resistance previously were identified in perennial ryegrass under growth chamber or greenhouse conditions. In this study, we conducted a QTL mapping for crown rust resistance in a three-generation Italian x perennial ryegrass interspecific population under natural field conditions at two locations over 2 years. Through a comparative mapping analysis, we also investigated the syntenic relationships of previously known crown rust resistance genes in other ryegrass germplasms and oat, and genetic linkage between crown rust resistance QTL and three lignin genes: LpOMT1, LpCAD2, and LpCCR1. The interspecific mapping population of 156 progeny was developed from a cross between two Italian x perennial ryegrass hybrids, MFA and MFB. Because highly susceptible reactions to crown rust were observed from all perennial ryegrass clones, including two grandparental clones and eight clones from different pedigrees tested in this study, two grandparent clones from Italian ryegrass cv. Floregon appeared to be a source of the resistance. Two QTL on linkage groups (LGs) 2 and 7 in the resistant parent MFA map were detected consistently regardless of year and location. The others, specific to year and location, were located on LGs 3 and 6 in the susceptible parent MFB map. The QTL on LG2 was likely to correspond to those previously reported in three unrelated perennial ryegrass mapping populations; however, the other QTL on LGs 3, 6, and 7 were not. The QTL on LG7 was closely located in the syntenic genomic region where genes Pca cluster, Pcq2, Pc38, and Prq1b resistant to crown rust (P. coronata f. sp. avenae) in oat (Avena sativa L.) were previously identified. Similarly, the QTL on LG3 was found in a syntenic region with oat genes resistant to crown rust isolates PC54 and PC59. This indicates that the ortholoci for resistance genes to different formae speciales of crown rust might be present between two distantly related grass species, ryegrass and oat. In addition, we mapped four restriction fragment length polymorphism loci for three key ryegrass lignin genes encoding caffeic acid-O-methyltransferase, cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase, and cinnamoyl CoA-reductase on LG7. These loci were within a range of 8 to 17 centimorgans from the QTL on LG7, suggesting no tight linkage between them. The putative ortholoci for those lignin biosynthesis genes were identified on segments of rice (Oryza sativa L.) chromosomes 6 and 8, which are the counterparts of ryegrass LG7. Results from the current study facilitate understanding of crown rust resistance and its relationship with lignin biosynthesis, and also will benefit ryegrass breeders for improving crown rust resistance through marker-assisted selection.     

Occurrence of metalaxyl-resistant isolates of Pseudoperonospora cubensis in Israel: a 5-year survey1

The occurrence of metalaxyl-resistant isolates of Pseudoperonospora cubensis, the causal agent of downy mildew in cucurbits, was surveyed during 1980–1984 subsequent to their first appearance in December 1979. Metalaxyl use was abandoned in mid-1981 and resistant isolates diminished in late 1981. Metalaxyl use was renewed in 1982 and a gradual increase in frequency of resistant (R) strains was detected. In 1983, 31 out of 40, and in 1984, 43 out of 47 isolates tested were highly resistant to the fungicide with 65 and 91% of them, respectively, collected from plastic houses or fields not treated with metalaxyl. The survey indicates a rapid build-up of R strains of the fungus and the need for alternative chemicals for combating downy mildew in cucurbits.     

Changes in fungicide sensitivity and relative species abundance in Oculimacula yallundae and O. acuformis populations (eyespot disease of cereals) in Western Europe

Changing fungicide sensitivities in populations of Oculimacula yallundae and O. acuformis , the species responsible for cereal eyespot in Western Europe, were determined over a 17 year period between 1984 and 2000. The data were collected by Aventis Crop Science as part of their long-term survey to monitor changes in sensitivity to prochloraz and the methyl benzimidazole carbamate (MBC) fungicides in eyespot populations. The results show evidence for reduced sensitivity to both fungicides over the period of the survey. The decline in MBC sensitivity is in agreement with reports of practical resistance (a detectable loss of disease control in the field) to this fungicide which were widely reported from the mid 1980s onward. Prochloraz sensitivity was more complex, with the emergence of a higher resistance category of isolates in the late 1980s and early 1990s which then decreased in frequency towards the end of the survey. This may be partly explained by the introduction and increased use of cyprodinil in the mid 1990s. Although all trends were similar across Europe, differences were observed between the two eyespot species. A higher frequency of O. yallundae isolates showed decreased sensitivity to MBC, whereas decreased sensitivity to prochloraz was at a higher frequency in O. acuformis populations. The relative abundance of the two eyespot species was influenced by their differential levels of fungicide sensitivity, with the ratio increasing toward the species with the highest level of resistance to the prevailing fungicide.     

Identification and incidence of virus diseases of Capsicum annuum in the Lusaka Province of Zambia

Commercial capsicum fields in Lusaka Province were surveyed for the presence of viruses during 1996-01/06. The survey demonstrated the occurrence of five viruses in 13 fields. Virus identification was based on field disease syndrome, host range studies, DAS-ELISA and electron microscopy. The identified viruses were alfalfa mosaic alfamovirus (AMV), potato Y potyvirus (PVY), tobacco mosaic tobamovirus (TMV), cucumber mosaic cucumovirus (CMV) and pepper mild mottle tobamovirus (PMMV). The most prevalent and widespread virus, recovered from 70% of the surveyed fields, was AMV, and this was followed by PVY and TMV, which were detected in 50% and 40% of the fields respectively. CMV and PMMV were less common and occurred in 30% of fields. The study also showed that PVY could infect capsicum plants alone or in combination with CMV or TMV. The average plant infections caused by AMV was 80–100% and by TMV and PVY 50% and 60% respectively. The disease incidence in the case of CMV was 15–60% and for PMMV 30–40%. This is a first report on the identification of viruses that infect capsicum in Zambia.     

Glyphosate‐resistant Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) on rice paddy levees in Japan

The rapid range expansion of naturalized Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) in farmland is a serious problem in Fukuroi city in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Glyphosate has been used to control Italian ryegrass in the levees of rice paddy fields and wheat fields for ～20 years, but this weed in Fukuroi city is poorly controlled by glyphosate. In order to elucidate the level of resistance to glyphosate in Italian ryegrass populations, seed bioassays and a foliar application experiment, using seeds collected from 16 wild populations in and around Fukuroi city and from three susceptible cultivars, were conducted. For the susceptible cultivars and one population from a site where glyphosate had not been applied for >10 years, the shoot length in the seed bioassays was greatly suppressed at a glyphosate concentration of 10 mg ai L^?1 and no seedling survived after the foliar application of glyphosate at a rate of 2.3 kg ai ha^?1. Nine wild populations from levees in the southern part of Fukuroi city showed vigorous shoot growth at a glyphosate concentration of 10 mg ai L^?1 and had at least a 78% survival rate after the application of glyphosate at 2.3 kg ai ha^?1. Four wild populations from levees in the northern part of Fukuroi city showed a slight suppression of the shoot growth as a result of the glyphosate treatment and their survival rates ranged from 20 to 64%. The results suggested that resistance to glyphosate has evolved in the wild populations of Italian ryegrass that are growing on the levees. This is the first report of a glyphosate‐resistant weed in Japan.     

广西南宁甘蔗赤条病调查及分子检测

2020年在广西南宁市金光农场发现'桂糖58'和'柳城05-136'疑似感染甘蔗赤条病,为明确其病原,本研究对不同甘蔗品种进行了发病率调查,并采集病样进行了PCR检测分析.田间调查结果表明:不同品种自然发病率不同,'桂糖58'发病率为29％～52.33％,发病严重田块平均发病率为49.67％,发病中等田块平均发病率为3...     

Forecasting the national incidence of sugar-beet powdery mildew from weather data in Britain

In a national survey of the incidence of powdery mildew (Erysiphe betae) in sugar beet in Britain, between 1980 and 1989, in which between 335 and 717 fields were inspected at the end of August each year, the average crop area infected ranged from 2% in 1986 to 68% in 1989. The effect of various climatic factors that might be expected to influence powdery mildew development over this period was examined, using meteorological records from Broom's Barn Experimental Station, Using simple linear regression analyses, a significant association was found between disease incidence and both air temperature and rainfall incidence in the period April-August, However, air temperature and frost incidence in some winter months were also closely associated with the incidence of powdery mildew in the following crop.
Combinations of these variables were examined in stepwise multiple-regression analyses, The model of best fit, incorporating winter frost incidence with summer temperature and rainfall incidence, accounted for 95% of the variation. Model validation procedures demonstrated the superiority of this model over those involving single variables. Nevertheless, for forecasting purposes, the best correlation was found between the crop area infected at the end of August each year and the number of days with a ground frost in the preceding February and March. This single climatic variable accounted for 82% of the variation and its potential use to forecast powdery mildew incidence in the national sugar-beet crop is discussed.     

The incidence of strains of barley yellow dwarf virus in perennial ryegrass crops in south-west and central Scotland

The incidence of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) in perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne ) crops in four areas of south-west and central Scotland was investigated between March 1988 and February 1989. BYDV was detected in 93·8% of the grass swards using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). This enabled the seasonal periodicity of the BYDV strains to be monitored over 12 months for the first time in Scotland. The incidence of the RPV, PAV and MAV strains of BYDV declined between March and July 1988, before gradually rising in August. Incidence increased markedly in September, especially of the RPV and MAV strains, and then gradually decreased over the winter months, before stabilizing in February 1989. The incidence of the different strains in perennial ryegrass leys varied between geographical areas and between fields within areas. Most ryegrass samples contained a mixture of the three strains of BYDV. RPV was the most common strain in Ayrshire, while the incidence of PAV was highest in Wigtownshire and that of MAV was highest in Dumfriesshire and Stirlingshire. The incidence of BYDV increased with the age of the sward. The role of perennial ryegrass as a source of virus for the infection of cereals is discussed.