Potato Common Scab: a Review of the Causal Pathogens,Management Practices,Varietal Resistance Screening Methods,and Host Resistance

Potato common scab is a widespread disease in which scab-like lesions develop on tubers. The disease is caused by pathogenic Streptomyces species, which synthesize the phytotoxin thaxtomin. The txtAB operon, responsible for thaxtomin production, can be used as a marker to identify pathogenic strains of the bacterium. Screening methods to assess scab susceptibility in breeding programs are time-consuming and can produce variable results. Management practices to control the disease vary and include crop rotation, tolerant varieties, monitoring soil pH, avoiding low soil moisture at tuber initiation, and application of soil- and/or seed-applied pesticides. There is a wide range in levels of tolerance among potato varieties. Many public research programs are committed to breeding for scab-tolerant varieties and evaluating management methods. Topics reviewed target readers focused on breeding and disease management objectives to reduce the incidence and severity of potato common scab.     

The host range ofSpongospora subterranea f. sp.subterranea in the United States

This study was performed to determine the host range ofSpongospora subterranea f. sp.subterranea on common crops and weeds in the northeastern United States. Seedlings of the plants were grown in nutrient solutions and inoculated with spore balls ofS. subterranea. The roots were microscopically examined for the presence of plasmodia or zoosporangia 14 days after inoculation. The plants were then transferred to a greenhouse and grown in a soilless mix. The roots were examined for the presence of symptoms and spore balls after 4 months. Of 26 species within 10 families from monocotyledons and dicotyledons tested, 16 species were found to be susceptible toS. subterranea. Twelve species were newly recorded hosts forS. subterranea. Gall symptoms were observed on the roots of six species and spore balls were found on three species. Evidence is presented for the first time that galls and spore balls ofS. subterranea might form on non-Solanaceous species. This investigation is important for the cultural management of potato powdery scab disease because there currently are no effective controls.     

Effects of inoculum density and cultivar resistance on common scab of potato and population dynamics ofStreptomyces scabies

The interaction ofStreptomyces scabies, causal agent of common scab, and its potato host was examined under scab-conducive conditions in the greenhouse. Three potato cultivars with different levels of resistance to common scab were inoculated with four levels of two rifampin-resistant strains ofS. scabies. In general, scab severity increased linearly with an increase in log₁₀ of the inoculum, but both cultivar resistance and strain ofS. scabies affected the slope of the regression line. Rhizosphere and rhizoplane populations ofS. scabies also increased with increasing soil population. One strain ofS. scabies consistently had higher rhizosphere and rhizoplane populations than the other strain. However, rhizosphere population was not consistently related to scab severity, scab incidence, cultivar resistance, or strain virulence.     

Evaluation of several wild tuber-bearingSolanum species for scab resistance

One hundred accessions of 18 wild diploid potato species were screened for resistance to scab through three cycles of selection, from which a total of 322 clones were selected as resistant. The putative ancestral species of the cultivated potatoes (Solanum bukasovii, S. canasense andS. multidissectum) produced resistant clones with significantly higher rates. Thus, these are primary gene sources for conferring scab resistance to cultivated potatoes.     

黄淮麦区小麦抗赤霉病种质创制和避病品种选育

为选育黄淮麦区的抗赤霉病高产小麦新品种,对495份普通小麦和长穗偃麦草（十倍体）杂交后代进行赤霉病抗性鉴定,发现兰小偃麦6号、兰小偃麦15号2个与苏麦3号抗性相当的抗赤霉病材料及一批赤霉病抗性中抗以上的种质及新品系,表明利用普通小麦和多年生长穗偃麦草杂交可以选育抗赤霉病且适应黄淮麦区种植的中早熟小麦品种（系）,采用此法选育出天民363、天民369等对赤霉病中抗或中感品种（系）进入黄淮麦区国家或省级试验。分析了黄淮麦区近16年四月份的气象条件,结果发现可以通过选育早抽穗避病品种（系）的途径减轻甚至避免赤霉病的危害。培育出天民198早抽穗避病品种（系）,已累计推广约2.67×10⁶ hm²,其早熟避病、抗倒春寒、稳产高产已经得到充分验证,在黄淮麦区具有较好的应用推广前景。     

Characterization of forty-four potato varieties for resistance to common scab,black scurf and silver scurf

Common scab, black scurf and silver scurf belong to serious diseases of cultivated potato that especially impair tuber quality. Tuber infection in 44 potato (Solanum tuberosum ssp. tuberosum L.) varieties was evaluated using two measures – severity and incidence of infected tubers. Both measures were highly correlated. An important result derived from this study supports fungicide application against potato late blight secondarily acts on reducing tuber infection by all evaluated pathogens. Therefore, the conventional potato growing seems to be more effective compared to ecological growing. The pedigree analysis of 44 varieties indicated the presence of Solanum demissum genotypes in the variety genome may negatively affect variety response to Helminthosporium solani presence.     

Relationship Between Tuber Storage Proteins and Tuber Powdery Scab Resistance in Potato

The potato genotypes (Solanum tuberosum L.) with russet tuber skin are generally resistant to powdery scab (Spongospora subterranea f.sp. subterranea or Sss). Lipoxygenase (LOX; EC 1.13.11.12) and patatin are two key storage proteins that are known to offer resistance to several diseases and insects. The objective of this study was to find out the relationship of these proteins in stored tubers with potato tuber powdery scab resistance, especially in russet skinned potatoes. An evaluation of potato germplasm with different tuber characteristics in a greenhouse environment over several years (2006–’11) suggests that russet skinned tuber genotypes (Mesa Russet, Centennial Russet and Russet Nugget) with negligible tuber disease severity index (DSI) and 100 % marketability were resistant to powdery scab. Higher physiological levels of LOX protein (on a dry weight basis) were negatively correlated with tuber DSI and positively correlated with tuber russet skin. Tuber total protein and patatin-lipase levels did not have a significant relationship with tuber powdery scab resistance. The proposed role of LOX protein in suberin- and/or non-suberin-mediated mechanisms of powdery scab resistance in russet skinned tubers are discussed here. The physiological levels of LOX protein can be considered as a useful marker for powdery scab resistance in potato breeding programs.     

陕西省新育成品种（系）对小麦赤霉病抗性的分析

为了明确陕西省2005-2007年新育成小麦品种及高代品系对赤霉病的抗性,采用单小花接种法对531份小麦品种(系)分年度进行了抗赤霉病鉴定和抗病性分析.结果表明,在这些材料中没有免疫材料;抗病品种(系)仅7份,占1.32%;中抗品种(系)26份,占4.90%;其余498份品种(系)均表现中感～感病,所占频率达93.78%.所有材料发病率均为100%.2005和2006年采用田间人工诱发接种的方法对344份材料的鉴定结果表明,抗病材料37份,占10.76%,发病率为3.3%～20.0%;中抗材料50份,占14.53%,发病率为13.3%～66.7%;中感～感病材料257份,占74.71%,发病率为23.3%～100.0%.由此可见,陕西省新育成小麦品种及高代品系对赤霉病的抗性普遍较差.建议根据各地赤霉病发生程度,选择适度抗性指标,结合现代生物技术,逐步提高新育成品种(系)抗赤霉病水平.     

Do Sesamia nonagrioides (Lepidoptera; Noctuidae) Gravid Females Discriminate Between Bt or Multivitamin Corn Varieties? Role of Olfactory and Visual Cues

The Mediterranean corn borer, Sesamia nonagrioides Lefèbvre, is a key pest of corn and a main target of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn in Northeast Spain. Trends for future biotechnology crops indicate that Bt, non-Bt, and stacked corn varieties with metabolic pathways for vitamin-increased traits could coexist in same region. Knowledge of the oviposition response of gravid females of S. nonagrioides to these different varieties could be extremely important for managing strategies aimed for delaying resistance development. In dual-choice assays, we examined the host preference of gravid females of S. nonagrioides for four corn varieties: a new transgenic corn with increased vitamin levels, its near isogenic counterpart (M37W), a Bt corn plant, and its near isogenic counterpart. Olfactory cues were the predominant ones when gravid females looked for a suitable host to lay eggs, and no synergistic effects were observed when both visual and olfactory cues were present. When the plant was visible, the females preferred the odors emitted by the nontransgenic to its multivitamin transgenic counterpart and when they only could detect the volatiles they also preferred the nontransgenic M37W variety to the Bt corn variety. If gravid females are less attracted to corn with an increased level of vitamins, this could impact insect resistance management and the value of refuge plants, if such traits are stacked with an insect resistance trait.     

Reaction of potato varieties toPotato mop-top virus infection in the andes

The unexpected detection ofPotato mop-top virus (PMTV) in potatoes growing at several locations in the U.S.A. and Canada in 2002 has led to the realization that this soil-borne virus may be widespread throughout the potato-producing regions of both countries. A lack of information concerning the response of U.S. cultivars to PMTV infection caused us to examine the effects of PMTV on field-grown plants at three locations in the Peruvian Andes where the virus and its fungal vector,Spongospora subterranea, are endemic. All 21 U.S. cultivars tested proved susceptible to PMTV infection, especially at La Victoria where the overall incidence of both PMTV and powdery scab was high. Symptom expression in the foliage proved to be an unreliable indicator of virus infection, and thus, more reliable serological (NCM-ELISA) and nucleic acid-based techniques (NASH and RT-PCR) were used to monitor tuber tissue for the presence of PMTV. As much as 25% of field-grown tubers of cvs Kennebec, Monona, and Norland were infected with PMTV, but no correlation between virus infection and either the incidence or severity of powdery scab for any variety was apparent. Although PMTV infection did not result in the appearance of spraing or other internal necrotic reactions resembling those reported from many North American and European locations, a disproportionate proportion of infected tubers did exhibit a reticulate surface cracking. In hydroponic culture, the proportion of cracked tubers increased dramatically when the nutrient solution was seeded with virus-infestedS. subterranea. Comparatively few tubers of cvs Monona and Russet Burbank exhibited this surface cracking, suggesting that these two varieties may be somewhat tolerant to PMTV infection.     

基于PSO-SVR模型的小麦赤霉病病穗率预测方法

为探寻小麦赤霉病病穗率预测方法，基于滁州市2005-2020年小麦赤霉病病穗率资料和对应气象资料，运用相关性及灰色关联分析法(GRA)确定小麦赤霉病主要气象影响因子并作为支持向量回归(SVR)模型的输入向量，再利用粒子群算法(PSO)优化SVR模型的惩罚因子C和核函数参数g,建立基于粒子群算法优化的小麦赤霉病预测支持向量回归模型。同时针对本地不同小麦品种，构建PSO-SVR-SOUTH和PSO-SVR-NORTH的PSO-SVR分模型，应用3种模型对滁州地区小麦赤霉病病穗率进行预测。结果表明，拔节期至灌浆期是影响滁州小麦赤霉病的重要时段，各生育时期内降水量、雨日数、湿度、日照等气象因子与赤霉病有高关联；PSO-SVR赤霉病病穗率预测模型的起报时间越接近灌浆期，其预测精度越高，测试样本的预测值与实测值相关系数最高达0.68,均方根误差最小为9.55%;按照不同小麦品种构建的PSO-SVR-SOUTH和PSO-SVR-NORTH模型的预测效果要优于原PSO-SVR模型，其中最迟起报时间的PSO-SVR-SOUTH和PSO-SVR-NORTH模型的平均绝对误差分别较原PSO-SVR模型减少了...     

2019-2023年度陕西省科企联合体小麦区试品种抗病性鉴定与评价

为掌握陕西省科企联合体小麦区试品种抗病性水平,对2019—2023年度连续5年参加联合体区试的114份品种,采用大田人工接种的方法进行小麦条锈病、白粉病、赤霉病、叶锈病和纹枯病等5种病害的抗性鉴定与评价。结果表明,供试的114份品种对鉴定的5种病害抗性程度差异较大,表现为对条锈病抗性水平较高,对白粉病和赤霉病抗性水平最差。供试品种中,对条锈病表现免疫-中抗的品种61份,占供试品种的53.51%;对白粉病表现免疫-中抗的品种27份,占供试品种的23.68%;对赤霉病表现抗-中抗的品种21份,占供试品种的18.42%;同时鉴定出2份对5种病害均表现抗病的品种,分别为西农968和金麦207。对21份高感条锈病的品种均按陕西省区试品种试验要求终止了试验。     

Review: Powdery Scab of Potato—Increased Knowledge of Pathogen Biology and Disease Epidemiology for Effective Disease Management

The importance of the potato tuber disease powdery scab, caused by the zoosporic pathogen Spongospora subterranea f. sp. subterranea, has increased worldwide, and the disease is one of the most important problems facing potato production in some regions. This soilborne pathogen produces many resting spores which can remain dormant for long periods, are highly resistant to environmental stresses and can spread the disease on seed potatoes and in contaminated soil. The enigmatic nature of this organism exacerbates the development of effective powdery scab control methods. Substantial knowledge has been gained in the last decade on the biology of the pathogen and the epidemiology of the disease, but no single effective control measure is, or is likely to be, available. An integrated approach to powdery scab management is the aim, with host resistance as a substantial and sustainable component. Further research on the epidemiology of powdery scab and population genetics of the pathogen is urgently required. All stakeholders involved in the potato industry must become aware that solution of the powdery scab problem is likely to be a long-term goal. When resistant cultivars with all the other characteristics demanded for marketing high-quality potatoes are available, and when disease risk from the pathogen on seed and/or in soil can be accurately determined, then the mission to develop effective powdery scab control will become achievable.     

The cause of deep-pitted scab of potatoes

By use of a tyrosine-casinate-nitrate medium,Streptomyces atroolivaceous, S. cinerochromogenes, S. corchorusii, S. diastatochromogenes, S. lydicus, S. malachiticus, and three unidentifiedStreptomyces spp. were isolated from deep-pitted scab lesions on potato cultivars Green Mountain, Red Pontiac, Russet Burbank, and Saco. Over 90% of the deep-pitted lesions contained one or more of theseStreptomyces spp., butS. scabies the cause of shallow scab was not isolated. Isolates ofStreptomyces spp. were also consistently isolated from aseptically excised non-necrotic tissue near the edge of lesions. TheseStreptomyces spp. appeared to be the primary colonizers of this tissue. Alternaria spp.,Fusarium spp.,Penicillium spp.,Rhizopus spp.,Trichoderma spp., and several unidentified non-sporulating fungi as well asBacillus spp.,Pseudomonas spp., andMicrococcus spp. were isolated from deep-pitted scab lesions. Fungal and bacterial isolates varied from one scab lesion to another and except for anAlternaria sp., were not pathogenic. Most of theStreptomyces spp. isolates used to infest heat pasteurized field soil caused deep and/or shallow scab on tubers of the potato cultivar Kennebec in greenhouse and outdoor plantings. Re-isolations from resulting scab lesions yieldedStreptomyces spp. similar in morphology to those used as inoculum. We concluded that a number ofStreptomyces spp. probably includingS. scabies (ATCC 3352 = S.griseus) may cause deep and shallow scab.     

New host resistances to Pseudocercosporella capsellae and implications for white leaf spot management in Brassicaceae crops

Effective host resistance is the most cost-effective long term prospect for successful management of white leaf spot disease (Pseudocercosporella capsellae) in Brassicaceae. In two separate field trials, 168 genotypes were screened. In the first trial, lines of Brassica oleracea var. capitata (59), Brassica napus (34), Brassica juncea (6) and B. juncea containing wild weedy Brassicaceae introgression(s) (14) were arranged; and in the second, Australian historic and current B. napus (45) and B. juncea (10) varieties were screened. There was wide variation in expression of resistance, from complete resistance to highly susceptible as assessed by two disease parameters, viz. (i), Area Under Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC) for percent leaves diseased (values 0–221.2) and (ii) Percent Leaf Collapse Index (%LCI) values for leaf collapse due to disease (0–38.7). Brassica oleracea var. capitata was overall the most resistant species, while B. juncea the most susceptible with the majority having AUDPC values >75 and B. napus was intermediate. Five B. oleracea var. capitata genotypes were completely resistant, with 0 AUDPC and %LCI values. Pioneer^® 45Y22 (RR) ‘Mystic’ and ‘Wahoo’ were also highly resistant, with the least %LCI (<3.7) and AUDPC (<20) of the Australian B. napus varieties. In contrast, ‘Thunder TT’ (AUDPC -133.6; %CLI – 15.6) and ‘Carbine’ (AUDPC – 73.8; %CLI – 12.5) were the most susceptible lines in first and second trials, respectively. The particularly high susceptibility of newly released B. juncea varieties such as ‘Xceed OasisCL’ highlights the risk of significant losses in such susceptible varieties when deployed in areas with high degree of pressure for white leaf spot disease. There was no association between AUDPC or % CLI with year of Australian varietal release, indicating that Australian breeding programs not made improvement for resistance to white leaf spot over the past two or more decades. Resistant varieties identified in this experiment can now not only be utilized in breeding programs to significantly improve overall crop resistance and management of white leaf spot disease, but also directly deployed to lower the severe inoculum load challenging current varieties.     

In Search of Better Management of Potato Common Scab

Common scab (CS) is an important disease and quality problem in potato crops worldwide. CS degrades the appearance of the potato tubers, thereby diminishing market value. Knowledge of CS has expanded considerably over recent years, enabling improved detection of the causal pathogens and increased understanding of mechanisms of pathogenicity, and providing potential methods of modulating pathogen response for disease resistance. However, effective control of this disease remains elusive, and will require increased understanding of both the host and the pathogen. Traditional control strategies such as irrigation and reduced soil pH are not sufficient and often fail. Optimizing environmental conditions for reduction of CS can also lead to favorable conditions for other diseases. The most desirable control method would be disease-resistant potato cultivars. However, no currently available commercial potato cultivar has been shown to be completely resistant to CS. In this review, we provide an overview of potato CS caused by plant pathogenic Streptomyces species, recent research on mechanisms and management of the disease, and knowledge gaps that limit successful control of this ubiquitous and troublesome disease.     

Susceptibility to downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola) of different Vitis varieties

The susceptibility of different varieties of Vitis vinifera and other Vitis species to downy mildew (caused by Plasmopara viticola) in field, greenhouse and laboratory tests was compared over a period of three years. Different degrees of susceptibility were detected. The most susceptible V. vinifera varieties were ‘Treixadura’ and ‘Albariño; ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’, ‘Mencía’ and ‘Chasselas Doré’ were the least susceptible. The non-vinifera varieties showed no symptoms of downy mildew in the field. Surprisingly, in laboratory and greenhouse tests, the rootstock 110-R was much more susceptible to infection than S04. No relationship was seen between susceptibility and berry colour, or the time of sprouting or fruit ripening. Neither was any correlation seen between susceptibility and the condition of being a traditional or introduced variety. Better knowledge of the susceptibility to downy mildew of different varieties would allow for growers and breeders to select those that are more resistant.     

Chloropicrin Soil Fumigation Reduces <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spongospora subterranea</Emphasis> Soil Inoculum Levels but Does Not Control Powdery Scab Disease on Roots and Tubers of Potato

The effect of chloropicrin fumigation on the soil populations of Spongospora subterranea and the development of powdery scab, formation of root galls and tuber yield was investigated in seven field trials conducted in Minnesota and North Dakota. Sixteen potato cultivars, with different levels of susceptibility to disease on roots and tubers, were planted in plots treated with chloropicrin at rates ranging from zero to 201.8 kg a.i. ha^?1. The amount of S. subterranea DNA in soil was determined using qPCR. Bioassays were conducted to further assess the effect of chloropicrin fumigation on root colonization by S. subterranea in two potato cultivars with contrasting disease susceptibility. In the field, chloropicrin applied at rates between 70.1 to 201.8 kg a.i. ha^?1 significantly decreased S. subterranea initial inoculum in soil but increased the amount of disease observed on roots and tubers of susceptible cultivars. The effect of increasing disease was confirmed in controlled conditions experiments. Although the amount of S. subterranea DNA in roots of bioassay plants increased with increasing chloropicrin rates, it remained similar among potato cultivars. Chloropicrin fumigation significantly increased tuber yield which in cultivars such as Shepody and Umatilla Russet were associated with the amount root galls (r = 0.30; P < 0.03). Results of these studies contradict earlier reports on the use of chloropicrin fumigation for the control of powdery scab. Factors other than inoculum level, such as environmental conditions that affect inoculum efficiency and host susceptibility, may be significant contributors to the development of powdery scab and root gall formation.     

Effect of nitrogen fertilizer on the growth and survival of Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) and Sitobion avenae (F.) (Homoptera: Aphididae) on different wheat cultivars

Increased nitrogen applications to crops influence plant-insect interactions and potentially increase herbivore population growth. The effect of nitrogen applications on the interactions between a wheat host plant, Triticum aestivum, and its herbivores, Sitobion avenae (Fabricius, 1775) and Rhopalosiphum padi (Linnaeus, 1758) was investigated. Adult body weight, fecundity, maturity rate and longevity of the aphids were measured under different nitrogen application on four wheat varieties, Solstice, Einstein, Deben and Alchemy. Adult body weight of R. padi on Alchemy and of S. avenae on Deben was lowest. Fecundity of R. padi was lesser on Deben and Alchemy while fecundity of S. avenae was least on Alchemy. Days to reach maturity were same on all varieties in S. avenae but in R. padi, Deben positively affected the days to reach maturity. Longevity of S. avenae and R. padi was the same on all varieties. N-fertilizer had a positive effect on the adult weight achieved by S. avenae and R. padi. Fecundity and longevity of both species were also positively correlated with N-fertilizer application. In R. padi, N-fertilizer reduced the time to reach maturity but not in S. avenae.