Spatial sampling to detect an invasive pathogen outside of an eradication zone

Invasive pathogens are known to cause major damage to the environments they invade. Effective control of such invasive pathogens depends on early detection. In this paper we focus on sampling with the aim of detecting an invasive pathogen. To that end, we introduce the concept of optimized spatial sampling, using spatial simulated annealing, to plant pathology. It has been mathematically proven (15) that this optimization method converges to the optimum allocation of sampling points that give the largest detection probability. We show the benefits of the method to plant pathology by (i) first illustrating that optimized spatial sampling can easily be applied for disease detection, and then we show that (ii) combining it with a spatially explicit epidemic model, we can develop optimum sample schemes, i.e., optimum locations to sample that maximize the probability of detecting an invasive pathogen. This method is then used as baseline against which other sampling methods can be tested for their accuracy. For the specific example case of this paper, we test (i) random sampling, (ii) stratified sampling as well as (iii) sampling based on the output of the simulation model (using the most frequently infected hosts as sample points), and (iv) sampling the hosts closest to the outbreak point.     

Barberry plays an active role as an alternate host of Puccinia graminis in Spain

Stem rust, caused by Puccinia graminis, is a destructive group of diseases. The pathogen uses Berberis species as alternate hosts to complete its life cycle. B. vulgaris and the endemic species B. hispanica and B. garciae are present in Spain. The objective of this study was to investigate the functionality of the indigenous barberry as alternate hosts. Field surveys were conducted in 2018 and 2019 in Huesca, Teruel and Albacete provinces of Spain. Aecial samples on barberry were analysed via infection assays and DNA analysis. B. garciae was predominant in Huesca and Teruel provinces, often found in the field margins of cereal crops. Aecial infections on B. garciae were observed in May and uredinial infections on cereal crops in June. Scattered B. hispanica bushes were occasionally found near cereal crops in Albacete, where aecial infections on B. hispanica were observed in June when most cereal crops were mature. Infection assays using aeciospores resulted in stem rust infections on susceptible genotypes of wheat, barley, rye and oat, indicating the presence of the sexual cycle for P. graminis f. sp. tritici, f. sp. secalis and f. sp. avenae. Sequence analyses from aecial samples supported this finding as well as the presence of Puccinia brachypodii. This study provides the first evidence that indigenous Berberis species play an active role in the sexual cycle of P. graminis under natural conditions in Spain.     

A Tribute and an Introduction

Introduction

A Tribute and an Introduction     

Isolation and characterization of an attenuated strain of an Orthotospovirus,melon yellow spot virus

Journal of General Plant Pathology - An attenuated mutant strain of melon yellow spot virus (MYSV), an Orthotospovirus, designated as SA08-8, was obtained from a pathogenic isolate, C95S, via high...     

Is bi-seasonal germination an optimal choice for an ephemeral plant living in a cold desert?

Research on germination strategies has been proposed as a tool for understanding the evolutionary patterns of plant species living in extreme climate conditions. Previous research has concentrated on spring-germinated plants, while there has been little investigation on the ecological significance of ephemeral plants that germinate in both autumn and spring. The biological characteristics and life history strategies of autumn-and spring-germinated plants of Hypecoum erectum L. that belongs to Hypecoum in Papaveraceae family in the southern part of the Gurbantunggut Desert, China, were investigated from 2016 to 2017. Results showed that:(1) the interval from seedling emergence to the end of the life cycle in autumn-germinated plants(202–208 d) was significantly longer than that in spring-germinated plants(53–65 d);(2) the height, crown, principal axis and the number of leaves of autumn-germinated plants were much greater than those of spring-germinated plants;(3) allocation of dry mass to reproduction was 30.24%(±2.41%) and 10.12%(±0.68%) in autumn-and spring-germinated plants, respectively. Autumn-germinated seedlings of H. erectum had an advantage in avoiding the competition between annual and perennial herbs that had longer periods of vegetative growth.Spring-germinated seedlings need to ensure the survival of population when only a fewer autumn-germinated seedlings successfully overwinter. In an unpredictable environment, the germination strategy of bet hedging not only utilizes the resources and reduces the competition intensity in offspring,but also ensures the survival of the plant population.     

Lesion expansion as an epidemic component

ABSTRACT A simulator for the enlargement of cohorts of circular lesions on cohorts of host tissue was used to examine five epidemiological parameters: radial rate (mm day(-1)) of lesion expansion, k (exp); maximum basic infection rate, R (m); proportion of lesion area as infectious, f; initial lesion size (mm(2)), z; and proportion of susceptible host sites, s. Based on the proportion of disease severity at day 50 and the proportion of the total disease that originated solely from lesion expansion, k(exp) was the most sensitive of the five parameters. A radial rate of only 0.1 mm day(-1) resulted in a proportion of >0.7 of the diseased area that came from lesion expansion. In an extensive survey of phytopathological literature, many plant pathogens had radial rates greater than 0.1 mm day(-1), which would result in a proportion of >0.95 of the total disease that comes from lesion expansion. Susceptible host sites, s, was a sensitive parameter, as this determined the host area into which lesions could expand. Naturally, R(m) was a sensitive parameter for the proportion of disease on day 50, as it controlled the overall speed of the epidemic. Initial lesion size was a relatively insensitive parameter, although z interacted significantly with s. The greatest proportion of disease that originated from lesion expansion occurred with fast k(exp), small z, and low values of s, R(m), and f. The model was validated with lesion numbers and severities obtained in natural epidemics of Cercospora medicaginis on alfalfa and Exserohilum turcicum on maize. We recommend that the 'epidemic quintuplet' used to describe polycyclic epidemics be expanded to the 'epidemic sextuplet' with the inclusion of k(exp), since lesion expansion is a major component of many polycyclic epidemics.     

Synergistic interactions between an exotic honeybee and an exotic weed: pollination of Lantana camara in Australia

Lantana camara, a woody shrub originating in south and central America, is among the most widespread and troublesome exotic weeds of the old‐world tropics. It invades pasture, crops and native ecosystems, causing substantial economic losses and environmental degradation. In Australia alone, L. camara is currently estimated to cover c. 40 000 km² . In glasshouse studies we demonstrate that L. camara requires cross‐pollination to set fruit, and that honeybee visits result in effective pollination. Field studies carried out in Queensland, Australia, suggest that fruit set is limited by pollinator abundance, and that the main pollinator of L. camara throughout a substantial portion of its Australian range appears to be the honeybee, Apis mellifera. Seed set was strongly correlated with honeybee abundance, and at many sites, particularly in southern Queensland, honeybees were the only recorded flower visitors. Of 63 sites that were visited, seed set was highest at five sites where only honeybees were present. Hives are frequently stationed within and adjacent to areas such as National Parks that are threatened by this noxious weed. Management of honeybee populations may provide a powerful tool for cost‐effective control of L. camara that has previously been overlooked. We suggest that there are probably many other weeds, both in Australia and elsewhere, that benefit from honeybee pollination.     

Ecological network analysis: an application to the evaluation of effects of pesticide use in an agricultural environment

Ecological network analysis is used to evaluate the impact of pesticide use on ecological systems in the context of agricultural farmland environments. The aim is to provide support for the design of effective and minimally damaging pest control strategies. The ecological network analysis can identify species that are important to the integrity of the ecological network. The methodology can be used to monitor the impact of shifts in terms of types of pesticide used on the ecological system. The authors' intention is to use this methodology to provide supporting evidence for the UK Voluntary Initiative programme aimed at convincing farmers voluntarily to make improved choices in the use of a wide range of pesticides.     

Miticidal pyrethroids having an isobutyranilidoxime ether skeleton

Isobutyranilidoxime meta-phenoxybenzyl ethers and related compounds were synthesized. Their insecticidal activities measured against Periplaneta americana by injection were lower than that of phenothrin by factors of at least 1/60. However, some compounds were comparable to or only slightly less potent than phenothrin and tetramethrin in miticidal activity tested by a contact method against Dermatophagoides farinae, D. pteronyssinus and Tyrophagus putrescentiae. © 1998 SCI     

Properties of an Aspergillus nidulans propanil hydrolase

Aspergillus nidulans is able to hydrolyze the herbicide propanil (3′,4′-dichloropropionanilide) with liberation of 3′,4′-dichloroaniline. When the fungus is grown with or without propanil, the hydrolytic activity is identical, but can be increased by starving the mycelium either for carbon, nitrogen, or both carbon and nitrogen. The enzyme which is responsible of this activity is of the aryl acylamidase type (EC 3.5.1 aryl acylamine amidohydrolase). It is also active on propionanilide and acetanilide, two structural analogs of propanil. A value of K_m = 0.13 mM has been obtained for propanil. Temperature optimum is 40°C, when assayed with propanil as substrate. Although the pH optimum is 8, there is a relatively high enzyme activity over a wide range of pH values between 7.8 and 10.2. Carbaryl has been found to effectively inhibit the enzyme activity on propanil (K_i = 0.03 mM). The results indicated that the properties of this aryl acylamidase from A. nidulans are very similar to those of enzymes isolated from a variety of organisms such as rice, mammals and the fungus Fusarium solani.     

The virion,an outdated conception?

The use of the term virion, proposed in 1962, is discussed. From new views on the nature of certain viruses, it is concluded that this term may lead to confusion. The auth orpoints out that the expression virus particle may be maintained, if it is defined more precisely.Samenvatting Een bespreking wordt gegeven van het gebruik van de term virion sedert 1962 toen hij werd voorgesteld. Naar aanleiding van nieuwe inzichten in de aard van bepaalde virussen wordt geconcludeerd dat deze term tot verwarring kan leiden. De schrijver stelt dat de uitdrukking virusdeeltje, mits nader omschreven, kan worden gehandhaafd.     

Seed production by an arable weed community

After cultivation in early April of a sandy loam soil with 9500 apparently viable seeds/m² in 0–10 cm, 295 seedlings/m² emerged of which about half survived to maturity in July. Seeds were dispersed from mid-June to November and 136,460/m² were returned to the soil, representing a 14-fold increase in the seed bank. Application of soil-acting herbicides reduced the numbers of weeds and the total seed output, but that of tolerant species was increased. Maximum numbers of seeds were 59,980/m² for Chenopodium album, 39,430/m² for Sleltaria media and 37,580/m² for Veronica persica.     

Identification of an aphid-transmitted cowpea mosaic virus

A virus disease of cowpea widespread in North Italy has been found to be caused by a virus which has the following properties: a. rod-shaped particles about 750 mµ in length; b. serological affinity with bean common mosaic virus; c. aphid-transmission; d. seed-transmission in cowpea at a percentage of 0.3–1.59; e. fairly wide host range covering 19 species representing 13 genera and 6 families; f. dilution end-point 1:4000; g. thermal inactivation point 60–62°C; h. longevity in vitro 5 days. The virus is tentatively called “cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus”.     

Project management of an eradication campaign1

Applying project management to a task helps to define objectives, resources, timescales, risks and governance arrangements. It can secure commitment of effort and expertise from other organisations, and from other parts of a large organisation, and ensure effective co‐ordination. The UK plant health services are increasingly using project management disciplines and terminology. To direct eradication and containment action against Phytophthora ramorum and Phytophthora kernoviae, a programme board has been established on which three government departments and several different fields of expertise are represented. The board has in turn set up subgroups, accountable to it for specific areas of activity. These comprise a science subgroup; a press and publicity subgroup; a field implementation subgroup; and two geographically based subgroups for the areas with Phytophthora kernoviae outbreaks – Cornwall and South Wales. There is also an industry liaison group comprising representatives from trade associations and providing a regular channel of communication with the nurserymen, retailers and woodland and garden owners most directly affected by measures against these pathogens.     

植物病害定点定量式接种器的研制与应用

 植物病原菌对植物的侵染往往需要一定的水分,这些水很容易在植物叶面移动,因而,无论是喷雾法还是喷粉法,很难实现定量接种。孢子沉降法虽然能够使真菌孢子在一定的空间内比较均匀地沉降,但是对于受体植物的叶片来说,很难保证每张叶片都保持一定的接受角度;沉降塔式接种只能用于室内研究,购买沉降塔也相对比较昂贵。Zheng等     

Soil properties and herbaceous characteristics in an age sequence of Haloxylon ammodendron plantations in an oasis-desert ecotone of northwestern China

Haloxylon ammodendron,a typical desert shrub with C4 pathway of photosynthesis,possessing a strong ability to adapt to an extreme drought environment,has a rapid growth rate in sandy lands and is widely used in sand-fixing shelter-forest systems in oasis-desert ecotones.To assess the effects of H.ammodendron plantation on the soil,we measured soil properties and herbaceous characteristics along a nearly 40-year chronosequence after H.ammodendron was planted in shifting sand dunes in an oasis-desert ecotone.Results showed that silt and clay fractions increased significantly in the topsoil.The accumulation rates of soil organic carbon(SOC),total nitrogen(TN) and total phosphorus(TP) were faster in the early stages(0–9 years) and slower in the late stages(9–39 years).The soil p H and electrical conductivity(EC) were higher than those in the non-vegetation dunes.Moreover,the soil properties in the topsoil(0–5 cm) showed larger variation scope than those in the deeper soil layers(5–20 cm).The significant relationships of the soil silt+clay content with the chemical properties mainly appeared in the topsoil.The wind erosion susceptibility of the soil,evaluated by erodible fraction(EF),decreased significantly with increasing H.ammodendron plantation age.Additionally,the annual pioneer herb,Agriophyllum squarrosum,was gradually substituted by the annual salt-tolerant herb,Bassia dasyphylla,with increasing plantation age.These results showed beneficial effects of H.ammodendron plantation on improving soil conditions.However,the dynamics of the herbaceous species also reminded us that the longterm effects of H.ammodendron plantation,especially on changes in vegetation composition,still need further evaluation.     

Novel use of nanostructured alumina as an insecticide

BACKGROUND: The worldwide need to produce an inexpensive and abundant food supply for a growing population is a great challenge that is further complicated by concerns about risks to environmental stability and human health triggered by the use of pesticides. The result is the ongoing development of alternative pest control strategies, and new, lower‐risk insecticidal molecules. Among the recent technological advances in agricultural science, nanotechnology shows considerable promise, although its development for use in crop protection is in its initial stages. RESULTS: This study reports for the first time the insecticidal effect of nanostructured alumina. Two species were used as model organisms, Sitophilus oryzae L. and Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), which are major insect pests in stored food supplies throughout the world. Both species experienced significant mortality after 3 days of continuous exposure to treated wheat. Nine days after treatment, the median lethal doses (LD₅₀) observed ranged from 127 to 235 mg kg^?1. CONCLUSION: Comparison of these results with recommended rates for commercial insecticidal dusts suggests that inorganic nanostructured alumina may provide a cheap and reliable alternative for control of insect pests. This study expands the frontiers for nanoparticle‐based technologies in pest management. Further research is needed to identify its mode of action and its non‐target toxicity, and to determine the potential of other nanostructured materials as pest control options for insects. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Investigating spatial and temporal variations of soil moisture content in an arid mining area using an improved thermal inertia model

Mining operations can usually lead to environmental deteriorations. Underground mining activities could cause an extensive decrease in groundwater level and thus a dramatic variation in soil moisture content(SMC). In this study, the spatial and temporal variations of SMC from 2001 to 2015 at two spatial scales(i.e., the Shendong coal mining area and the Daliuta Coal Mine) were analyzed using an improved thermal inertia model with a long-term series of Landsat TM/OLI(TM=Thematic Mapper and OLI=Operational Land Imager) data. Our results show that at large spatial scale(the Shendong coal mining area), underground mining activities had insignificant negative impacts on SMC and that at small spatial scale(the Daliuta Coal Mine), underground mining activities had significant negative impacts on SMC. Trend analysis of SMC demonstrated that areas with decreasing trend of SMC were mainly distributed in the mined area, indicating that underground mining is a primary cause for the drying trend in the mining region in this arid environment.