Resistance to infection by stealth: <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica napus</Emphasis> (winter oilseed rape) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pyrenopeziza brassicae</Emphasis> (light leaf spot)

Light leaf spot (Pyrenopeziza brassicae) is an important disease on winter oilseed rape crops (Brassica napus) in northern Europe. In regions where economically damaging epidemics occur, resistance to P. brassicae in commercial cultivars is generally insufficient to control the disease without the use of fungicides. Two major genes for resistance have been identified in seedling experiments, which may operate by decreasing colonisation of B. napus leaf tissues and P. brassicae sporulation. Much of the resistance present in current commercial cultivars is thought to be minor gene-mediated and, in crops, disease escape and tolerance also operate. The subtle strategy of the pathogen means that early colonisation of host tissues is asymptomatic, so a range of techniques and molecular tools is required to investigate mechanisms of resistance. Whilst resistance of new cultivars needs to be assessed in field experiments where they are exposed to populations of P. brassicae under natural conditions, such experiments provide little insight into components of resistance. Genetic components are best assessed in controlled environment experiments with single spore (genetically fixed) P. brassicae isolates. Data for cultivars used in the UK Recommended List trials over several seasons demonstrate how the efficacy of cultivar resistance can be reduced when they are deployed on a widespread scale. There is a need to improve understanding of the components of resistance to P. brassicae to guide the development of breeding and deployment strategies for sustainable management of resistance to P. brassicae in Europe.     

Alternaria Leaf Spot on Mealycup Sage (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Salvia farinacea </Emphasis>Benth.) Caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alternaria alternata </Emphasis>(Fr.) Keissler

In June 1995, a disease causing round to irregular-shaped, water-soaked, brown to blackish brown spots on mealycup sage (Salvia farinacea Benth.) was found in Atsugi-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The symptoms were seen only on leaves, not on neither flower petals or stems. The disease was also found in Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Memambetsu-cho, Hokkaido and Shimoda-shi and Matsuzaki-cho, Shizuoka. An Alternaria sp. was frequently isolated from these diseased plants. The isolates were severely pathogenic to mealycup sage and caused lesions on the inoculated leaves. The isolates were also weakly pathogenic on scarlet sage (S. splendens Sellow ex Roem. and Schult.) but not on any other Labiatae plants tested. Based on morphological characteristics, such as size of conidia, chain number, and the short beak on conidia, the causal fungus was identified as Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler. This report is the first on a mealycup sage disease caused by A. alternata. Because the symptom was restricted to the leaf, the common name of Alternaria leaf spot was proposed. Received 30 August 2002/ Accepted in revised form 18 November 2002     

Indirect interactions between rust (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Melampsora epitea</Emphasis>) and leaf beetle (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phratora vulgatissima</Emphasis>) damage on<Emphasis Type="Italic">salix</Emphasis>

Willows (Salix spp.) are beneficial as a potential source of renewable energy, riparian barriers and riverbank control, yet are considered invasive weeds when they clog watercourses and lead to erosion and flooding. Interactions between willow rustMelampsora epitea (Thüm.) (Uredinales: Melampsoraceae) and leaf beetlePhratora spp. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) feeding damage have an impact on effective pest management and biological control. The present study investigated the effects of(a) prior mechanical leaf damage on rust development, and(b) rust infection on beetle feeding under laboratory conditions for different time intervals and levels of damage. Willow rust infection significantly reduced the amount of leaf area consumed by beetles. The result was similar when a compatible or an incompatible rust pathotype was sprayed ontoSalix viminalis (L.) ‘Mullatin’ plants. There were no overall significant effects of mechanical damage on rust development, although the lowest level of rust infection was found with the incremental damage treatment. There were, however, differences of significance for leaf position and damage status, with damaged leaves at all positions having fewer pustules and a smaller pustule area than the corresponding undamaged leaves. There was no detectable effect of possible volatile emissions from crushed willow leaves on rust infection and development, although the volatile compoundcis-3-hexenyl acetate significantly reduced pustule diameter and overall pustule area. The results are discussed in terms of the implications for pest management and biological control. Corresponding author http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting April 6, 2003.     

Contribution à l'étude de la biologie de Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. (Solanacées), adventice des cultures dans le périmètre irrigué du Tadla (Maroc)

A contribution to the study of the biology of Solanum elaeagnifoloium Cav. (Solanaceae), a weed of crops in the irrigated perimeter of the Tadla (Morocco) Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. currently infests 100 000 ha of irrigated crops in the Tadla perimeter (Central Morocco). Its remarkable capacity for vegetative reproduction is associated on the one hand with the intensity of the tillage and on the other with its biological type as a geophyte. Moreover it is equally capable of sexual reproduction. It produces large numbers of seeds which germinate from February onwards, just as the vegetative shoots appear, a fact which increases its aggressiveness. In Morocco, the species flowers in May and starts fruiting in July while in winter it is vegetatively dormant. Consequently, it presents a threat in general and in particular to spring crops (cotton, maize, sesame, etc.).     

Liste des nématodes phytoparasites (Tylenchida et Dorylaimida) des départements français d'Amérique (Guadeloupe, Martinique et Guyane) et dispositions réglementaires

Cet article présente les premières listes de nématodes parasites des plantes (Tylenchida et Dorylaimida) des départements français d'Amérique: Guadeloupe, Martinique et Guyane. Ces listes ont étéétablies suite aux nombreuses enquêtes faunistiques en nématologie conduites dans ces départements depuis les premiers résultats d'analyses nématologiques de Scotto La Massèse en 1968. L'inventaire général comporte 171 entrées taxinomiques, réparties en 42 genres et 18 nouvelles espèces. Ainsi, à la Guadeloupe, 82 espèces ont été inventoriées dont 3 espèces nouvelles; à la Martinique, 87 espèces ont été inventoriées dont 7 espèces nouvelles; et en Guyane, 97 espèces ont été inventoriées dont 8 espèces nouvelles. Quelques-unes de ces espèces sont sur les listes A1 et A2 de l'OEPP ( Aphelenchoides besseyi A2/122, Radopholus similis A2/126, Xiphinema americanum sensu lato A1/150 et Xiphinema rivesi A2/262). L'intérêt de telles études en nématologie est discuté ainsi que les dispositions réglementaires quant à la présence d'espèces économiquement importantes ou réglementées, au regard de l'accroissement des échanges inter-îles ou intercontinentaux et des risques phytosanitaires encourus, que ce soit dans les départements français d'outre-mer (DOM) ou les pays et territoires d'outre-mer (PTOM).     

Aloe ring spot,a new disease of aloe caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Haematonectria haematococca</Emphasis> (Berk. &; Broome) Samuels &; Nirenberg (anamorph: <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium</Emphasis> sp.)

A ring spot disease of Aloe vera was found on leaves of potted seedlings of Aloe vera in Hachijojima and Chichijima Islands, Tokyo. From tissue of ring spot lesions, a fungus producing Fusarium-type conidia was consistently isolated. After 1 month, reddish perithecia of nectriaceous fungus had formed on the colonies of this isolate on PDA. These nectriaceous and Fusarium fungi were identified as Haematonectria haematococca and Fusarium sp., respectively. From a single ascospore isolation, the former was confirmed to be the teleomorph of the Fusarium sp. Typical ring spot lesions were reproduced by artificial inoculations using single ascospore and single conidium isolates. Inoculations of five species of genus Aloe revealed that they were highly susceptible except for A. arborescens. This is the first report of a disease on Aloe caused by H. haematococca (anamorph: Fusarium sp.) in Japan, and it was named aloe ring spot.     

Genetics of host-pathogen interactions in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pyrenophora teres</Emphasis> f. <Emphasis Type="Italic">teres</Emphasis> (net form) – barley (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hordeum vulgare)</Emphasis> pathosystem

The genetics of host-pathogen interactions in the Hordeum vulgare – P. teres f. teres pathosystem was studied in twelve resistant barley accessions, i.e. CI 9825, CI 9819, Diamond, CI 4922, CI 5401, Harbin, c-8755, c-21849, c-8721 c-23874, c-19979, c-15811. F₂ analyses of crosses with susceptible genotypes employing various isolates (from Europe, USA, Canada, and Australia) revealed that resistance is mostly isolate-specific and controlled by one or two genes. Segregation in ascospore progeny from two crosses between isolates of different origin revealed that avirulence in P. teres is also determined by one or two genes. An epistatic effect of suppressor genes on avirulence genes is proposed for the genetics of virulence to Diamond, Harbin, CI 5401 and c-8721 in the fungal crosses D (181-6 × A80) and F (H-22 × 92-178/9). Segregation in F₂ of crosses of three new sources of resistance (c-23874, c-19979, c-15811) to the susceptible cv. Pirkka was studied in laboratory and greenhouse tests by using seven P. teres isolates, i.e. 181-6, d8-3, d8-4, d9-1, d9-4, F4 and F74. In addition, virulence to these barley accessions of ascospore progeny from crosses of the same isolates was studied. Based on these studies it was concluded that depending on the isolate used, resistance of c-23874 is determined at least by two genes and in c-19979 and c-15811 by three genes. The results of this parallel analyses of genetics of resistance and genetics of virulence allows the postulation of a gene–for–gene interaction in the P. teres – H. vulgare pathosystem.     

Genetic diversity of giant reed ( A rundo donax) in Australia

The perennial grass, Arundo donax, has shown potential as a promising biomass crop. However, it has become invasive in a number of areas and declared a noxious weed in some jurisdictions, making proposals to grow A. donax for commercial use in Australia controversial. Evidence of asexual reproduction and the presence of a single genetic clone in Australia was investigated, as such characteristics would indicate a limited risk of escape and invasion. Using amplified fragment length polymorphism markers, the genetic diversity of 218 A. donax samples from across Australia was examined. The samples were found to separate into two distinct genetic groups, or clades. There was only a small amount of genetic diversity within a clade (0.9 and 1.5%). However, there was a larger difference between the clades of 19.8%, suggesting the presence of two distinct A. donax genotypes in Australia. The low level of genetic variation in Australian A. donax that was found in this study indicates that spread is essentially by vegetative means and suggests that if grown in areas where it is separated from natural water dispersal events, A. donax poses a low risk of becoming invasive.     

Note: Tachinid parasitoids (Diptera: Tachinidae) of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Mythimna (Acantholeucania) loreyi</Emphasis> in the southeast Anatolian region of Turkey

The loreyi leaf worm,Mythimna (Acantholeucania) loreyi (Duponchel) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a serious pest of gramineous crops and reduces yields in maize plantations. This study was undertaken to determine the tachinid parasitoid complex ofM. loreyi in the southeast Anatolian region of Turkey. Four tachinid species were found:Pseudogonia rufifrons (Wiedemann),Exorista larvarum (Linnaeus),Drino imberbis (Wiedemann) andLinnaemya neavei Curran were reared from field-collectedM. loreyi larvae. Of the four tachinid speciesM. loreyi is a new host record forE. larvarum andD. imberbis. L. neavei was recorded for the first time in Turkey and was the most frequently encountered parasitoid in this study. Total parasitism level was 7.1% in 2003 and 15.5% in 2004. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Jan. 16, 2007.     

New Mediterranean records of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trabutina mannipara</Emphasis> (Hemprich &amp; Ehrenberg 1829) (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae)

The occurrence of Trabutina mannipara (Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1829) (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) is reported for the first time at Linosa (Pelagian Islands, Sicily Channel, Italy) and Libya. T. mannipara was approved by USA authorities for release as biocontrol agent against invasive saltcedars. The potential impact of this species, that in the Mediterranean area showed to be occasionally invasive, is discussed.     

Slow wilting components in pigeonpea (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cajanus cajan</Emphasis>(L.) Millsp.)

Partial resistance to Fusarium wilt was characterized based on root inoculation on seven pigeonpea genotypes with a virulent isolate of Fusarium udum. Resistance to wilt seems to be mainly due to localization of the pathogen in roots and vascular systems in the stem. Three components of resistance (wilting rate or incubation period, weighted wilt index and number of colonized plants) were determined and compared to those of susceptible genotypes Bahar and TTB7. There were significant differences between the genotypes for the resistance components. The mechanisms of resistance in the genotypes appeared to be different, with genotype ICP8863, having a longer incubation period, minimum wilt index and minimum pathogen colonization as compared to other resistant genotypes (ICP9174, ICP87119 and ICP8858). Wilting rate or incubation period and number of colonized plant were significantly correlated with resistance in adult plants in the field (AUDPC). Wilt index was useful in discriminating between genotypes that had a similar incubation period and number of colonized plants. The partial character of resistance is probably based on quantitative differences in localization capacity among the genotypes. A quantitative relationship between components, incubation period and number of colonized plants and the AUDPC, if verified for a large number of genotypes, may be used to obtain an index of resistance that may predict resistance levels in the field.     

Demography and population projection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Myzus persicae</Emphasis> (Sulz.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on five pepper (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Capsicum annuum</Emphasis> L.) cultivars

The green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is a major pest of pepper. In this study, we collected data on the development, survival, fecundity, and proportion of apterous and alate forms of green peach aphid reared on five commercial pepper cultivars (Amiral, Erciyes, Mert, Mertcan, and Naz) at 25?±?1°C, 60?±?5% RH, and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) h. We analyzed the life history raw data by using the age-stage, two-sex life table. The shortest development time (6.66 days) and highest fecundity (62.68 individuals) occurred on the Erciyes cultivar. The highest intrinsic rate of increase (r?=?0.332 d^?1), finite rate of increase (λ?=?1.394 d^?1), net reproductive rate (R₀?=?62.7 offspring) and shortest mean generation time (T?=?12.45 d) also occurred on the Erciyes cultivar; while the lower fitness occurred on the Amiral, Mertcan and Naz cultivars. Our results compared differences in the population growth rate of M. persicae on different pepper cultivars. This information will be useful to individuals working in pest management programs particularly those involving M. persicae.     

Host status and reaction of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Medicago truncatula</Emphasis> accessions to infection by three major pathogens of pea (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pisum sativum</Emphasis>) and alfalfa (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Medicago sativa</Emphasis>)

Ditylenchus dipsaci, the stem nematode of alfalfa (Medicago sativa), Mycosphaerella pinodes, cause of Ascochyta blight in pea (Pisum sativum) and Aphanomyces euteiches, cause of pea root rot, result in major yield losses in French alfalfa and pea crops. These diseases are difficult to control and the partial resistances currently available are not effective enough. Medicago truncatula, the barrel medic, is the legume model for genetic studies, which should lead to the identification and characterization of new resistance genes for pathogens. We evaluated a collection of 34 accessions of M. truncatula and nine accessions from three other species (two from M. italica, six from M. littoralis and one from M. polymorpha) for resistance to these three major diseases. We developed screening tests, including standard host references, for each pathogen. Most of the accessions tested were resistant to D. dipsaci, with only three accessions classified as susceptible. A very high level of resistance to M. pinodes was observed among the accessions, none of which was susceptible to this pathogen. Conversely, a high level of variation, from resistant to susceptible accessions, was identified in response to infection by A. euteiches.     

Relating plant and pathogen development to optimise fungicide control of phoma stem canker (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Leptosphaeria maculans</Emphasis>) on winter oilseed rape (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">napus</Emphasis>)

In winter oilseed rape experiments at Rothamsted in 2000/01 to 2002/03 growing seasons, the severity of phoma stem canker epidemics in summer depended on the timing of phoma leaf spot epidemics in the previous autumn, and hence on the timing of Leptosphaeria maculans ascospore release. The first major release of L. maculans ascospores was earlier in 2000 (26 September) and 2001 (18 September) than in 2002 (21 October). Consequently, the autumn phoma leaf spot epidemic was also earlier in 2000 and 2001 than in 2002. The resulting stem canker epidemics were severe by harvest (July) in 2001 and 2002 but not in 2003. No correlation was found between the severity or duration of phoma leaf spotting (lesion days or lesion °C-days) and the subsequent severity of phoma stem canker epidemics. Rates of leaf production and loss were similar in the three growing seasons. Out of ca. 25 leaves produced on plants during each season, leaf numbers 10–14 generally remained on plants for the longest. Treatment with flusilazole + carbendazim in autumn decreased the severity of phoma leaf spotting for several weeks after treatment, decreased the severity of stem canker the following summer and increased yield significantly in 2001 and 2002 but not in 2003. The most effective timings for flusilazole + carbendazim application were when leaves 7–11 were present on most plants and at least 10% of plants were affected by phoma leaf spot. Two half-dose applications of fungicide reduced phoma stem canker and increased yield more than a single full dose application when phoma leaf spot epidemics were early (<800 °C-days after sowing).