The effect of populations of Xanthomonas campestris pv. phaseoli in bean reproductive tissues on seed infection of resistant and susceptible bean genotypes

Surface and internal populations of Xanthomonas campestris pv. phaseoli, causal agent of common bacterial blight of bean, on and in flower buds, blossoms and pods of seven bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) genotypes were studied. Bean plants were grown in the field and artificially inoculated at the seedling stage (18 days old). The pathogen was recovered in high numbers from flower buds, blossoms, pods and seed of both resistant and susceptible bean genotypes. Significant differences (P = 0.05) in population levels of X. c. pv. phaseoli between stages of reproductive tissue development were observed. Infected seed from resistant bean genotypes had no visible symptoms. Such seed may play an important role in the epidemiology of common bacterial blight because they are difficult to detect and may occur at low frequency in seed lots, as was the case in the current study.     

Microbial-induced carbon competition in the spermosphere leads to pathogen and disease suppression in a municipal biosolids compost

The aim of this study was to understand whether competition for fatty acids in plant seed exudates by compost-derived seed-colonizing microbial communities could explain the suppression of plant infections initiated by sporangia of Pythium ultimum. The germination behavior of P. ultimum sporangia in response to cucumber seeds was measured to determine the impact of seed-colonizing microbes on pathogen suppression. Seed-colonizing microbial communities from municipal biosolids compost utilized cucumber seed exudates and linoleic acid in vitro, reducing the respective stimulatory activity of these elicitors to P. ultimum sporangial germination. However, when sporangia were observed directly in the spermosphere of seeds sown in the compost medium, levels of germination and sporangial emptying did not differ from the responses in sand. The percentage of aborted germ tubes was greater after incubating sporangia in compost medium for 12-h than the level of germ tube abortion when sporangia were incubated in sand. Abortion did not occur if previously germinated sporangia were supplemented with cucumber seed exudate. Furthermore, removal of cucumber seed exudate after various stages of germ tube emergence resulted in an increase in aborted germ tubes over time. Adding increasing levels of glucose directly to the compost medium alleviated germ tube abortion in the spermosphere and also eliminated disease suppression. These data fail to support a role for linoleic acid competition in Pythium seedling disease suppression but provide evidence for general carbon competition mediated by seed-colonizing microbial communities as a mechanism for the suppression of Pythium seed infections in municipal biosolids compost.     

浙江省春玉米苗期致病腐霉的研究

作者于１９９０年４、５月间，从浙江省东阳及天台县的玉米病苗上，共分离鉴定到Ｐｙｔｈｉｕｍ ａｃａｎｔｈｏｐｈｏｒｏｍ，Ｐ ａｐｈａｎｉｄｅｒｍａｔｕｍ，Ｐ ｄｅｂａｒｙａｎｕｍ，Ｐ ｇｒａｍｉｎｉｃｏｌａ，Ｐ ｉｒｒｅｇｕｌａｒｅ，Ｐ ｓｐｉｎｏｓｕｍ Ｐ ｔａｒｄｉｃｒｅｓｃｅｎｓ Ｐ ｕｌｔｉｍｕｍ 等８个种的腐霉。接种试验表明，这８种腐霉都能引起玉米苗期根病，造成种子腐烂、根腐和死苗，其中Ｐ     

Identification of a quantitative trait locus for high-temperature adult-plant resistance against Puccinia striiformis f. sp. hordei in 'Bancroft' barley

Sustainable control of plant diseases can be achieved by developing cultivars with durable resistance. 'Bancroft' barley has durable high-temperature, adult-plant (HTAP) resistance to stripe rust caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. hordei. The objectives of this study were to determine the inheritance of the HTAP resistance in Bancroft, develop molecular markers for the HTAP resistance using the resistance gene analog polymorphism (RGAP) technique, map the HTAP resistance quantitative trait locus or loci (QTL) on barley chromosomes, and determine the usefulness of the RGAP markers in other barley cultivars for marker-assisted selection. The parents and F(4) recombinant inbred lines (RIL) and the parents and F(5) RIL were evaluated in 2004 and 2005 in one and three field sites, respectively, in Washington State. Infection type (IT) and disease severity (DS) were recorded three times at each location during each growing season. Area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) was calculated for each parent and RIL based on the DS data. Genetic analyses of IT data of the parents, F(1), and F(2) tested in the adult-plant stage under controlled high-temperature cycle in the greenhouse and the parents, F(4), and F(5) RIL in the field indicated that one dominant gene controlled the HTAP resistance in Bancroft. Using 119 F(5:6) RIL and IT data, a linkage map on chromosome arm 3HL was constructed with eight RGAP markers and three simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Using the QTL analysis, a QTL for HTAP resistance was mapped with the DS and AUDPC data on the same chromosome location as with the IT data. The QTL explained >70% of the total phenotypic variation for the DS and AUDPC. The heritability of the HTAP resistance based on the AUDPC data was 76%. The two markers most close to the QTL peak detected polymorphisms in 84 and 88% of 25 barley genotypes that do not have the Bancroft HTAP resistance when used individually, and detected polymorphism in 100% of the genotypes when used in combination, indicating that the markers could be used in incorporating the HTAP resistance into these barley genotypes to improve the level and durability of resistance to stripe rust.     

Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) Analysis Reveals Both Broad-Spectrum and Isolate-Specific QTL for Scab Resistance in an Apple Progeny Challenged with Eight Isolates of Venturia inaequalis

ABSTRACT The major scab resistance gene Vf, extensively used in apple breeding programs, was recently overcome by the new races 6 and 7 of the fungal pathogen Venturia inaequalis. New, more durable, scab resistance genes are needed in apple breeding programs. F(1) progeny derived from the cross between partially resistant apple cv. Discovery and apple hybrid 'TN10-8' were inoculated in the greenhouse with eight isolates of V. inaequalis, including isolates able to overcome Vf. One major resistance gene, Vg, and seven quantitative trait loci (QTL) were identified for resistance to these isolates. Three QTL on linkage group (LG)12, LG13, and LG15 were clearly isolate-specific. Another QTL on LG5 was detected with two isolates. Three QTL on LG1, LG2, and LG17 were identified with most isolates tested, but not with every isolate. The QTL on LG2 displayed alleles conferring different specificities. This QTL co-localized with the major scab resistance genes Vr and Vh8, whereas the QTL on LG1 colocalized with Vf. These results contribute to a better understanding of the genetic basis of the V. inaequalis-Malus x domestica interaction.     

哈茨木霉菌(Trichoderma harzianum)和终极腐霉菌(Pythium ultimum)对玉米蛋白质组的影响(I)

 哈茨木霉(Trichoderma harzianum) T22菌株已普遍用于防治包括由终极腐霉(Pythium ultimum)引起的苗病或根腐病在内的各种病害。玉米自交系Mo17种子经T22处理后播种在接种腐霉或未接种的田间土壤内,5 d后取幼苗的根系或幼茎提取蛋白。结果表明:在接种腐霉菌的土壤内,未进行T22处理的5 d龄幼苗长势明显比对照差,而经T22处理的幼苗长势明显比对照好。T22和腐霉菌复合处理及T22单独处理对幼苗生长影响基本相同。本研究建立了蛋白质提取和双向电泳分离技术。通过双向电泳及相应的分析软件(PDQuest^TM 2-D softw are)可将不同处理的幼苗自交系蛋白进行分离。T22菌株处理的根系产生104种上游调控蛋白和164种下游调控蛋白,T22与腐霉菌复合处理可产生97种上游调控蛋白和150种下游调控蛋白,而用腐霉菌单一处理诱导的上游或下游蛋白的数量明显少于上述2个处理。T22或腐霉菌单一或复合处理的根系蛋白质组图谱与空白对照相比差异显著,它们与对照的蛋白质组图谱相似系数分别为0.72、0.51和0.49;T22与腐霉菌分别处理的蛋白质组图谱间也相差明显,两者的相似系数仅为0.65。进一步研究发现,T22菌体蛋白质组图谱与上述各种处理的蛋白质组图谱相似系数均很低,说明各种处理诱导后的幼苗根系蛋白质组组分主要来自植物本身,其变化主要因T22或腐霉菌的诱导所致。腐霉菌的侵染对寄主根系蛋白组图谱影响明显高于T22的作用。蛋白质组中各种蛋白质的质谱分析(M ALDI-TOF)与鉴定将另文发表。     

A Cluster of Major Specific Resistance Genes to Leptosphaeria maculans in Brassica napus

ABSTRACT Two types of genetic resistance to Leptosphaeria maculans usually are distinguished in Brassica napus: qualitative, total resistance expressed at the seedling stage and quantitative, partial resistance expressed at the adult plant stage. The latter is under the control of many genetic factors that have been mapped through quantitative trait loci (QTL) studies using 'Darmor' resistance. The former usually is ascribed to race-specific resistance controlled by single resistance to L. maculans (Rlm) genes. Three B. napus-originating specific Rlm genes (Rlm1, Rlm2, and Rlm4) previously were characterized. Here, we report on the genetic identification of two novel resistance genes, Rlm3 and Rlm7, corresponding to the avirulence genes AvrLm3 and AvrLm7. The identification of a novel L. maculans- B. napus specific interaction allowed the detection of another putative new specific resistance gene, Rlm9. The resistance genes were mapped in two genomic regions on LG10 and LG16 linkage groups. A cluster of five resistance genes (Rlm1, Rlm3, Rlm4, Rlm7, and Rlm9) was strongly suggested on LG10. The relation between all these specific resistance genes and their potential role in adult-plant field resistance is discussed. These two Rlm-carrying regions do not correspond to major QTL for Darmor quantitative resistance.     

无菌培养条件下不同基因型小麦耐盐性及其生理机制研究

以4种不同基因型小麦(小偃6号、NR9405、RB6和陕229)种子为材料,研究组培条件下盐胁迫对小麦种子活力、幼苗生物量、保护酶活性、亲合性渗调物质以及Na+、K+ 含量等的影响.结果表明:盐胁迫下,小麦幼苗的生长均受到不同程度的抑制,表现为发芽率、根长、芽长、生物量随着盐浓度的升高而明显下降,并存在显著的基因型差异.盐胁迫下小偃6号与NR9405的生物量显著高于陕229与RB6;小偃6号与NR9405的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD )活性均随着盐浓度的增大而升高;RB6和陕229在0～150 mmol/L盐浓度下SOD酶活性升高,而在2 00 mmol/L盐浓度时,SOD活性急剧下降.随着盐浓度的升高4种不同基因型小麦体内游离脯氨酸累积量增大,在200 mmol/L时RB6的累积量显著高于其它基因型.随着盐浓度的升高,幼苗体内的Na+含量增加,K+含量下降,Na+/K+比值增大.小偃6号和NR9405的耐盐性优于陕229与RB6.     

种子处理对西瓜苗期3种病害的防治效果

为了筛选防治西瓜苗期立枯病、猝倒病和枯萎病的有效种子处理剂,在人工控制的条件下,选择了6.25%精甲·咯菌腈悬浮种衣剂、2.5%咯菌腈悬浮种衣剂、3.5%精甲·咯菌腈悬浮种衣剂、72%霜霉威盐酸盐水剂和50%多菌灵可湿性粉剂5种杀菌剂对西瓜种子进行处理。分析了处理种子的活力和幼苗的生长特性;以及在人工接种3种病原菌的胁迫下不同处理种子在基质中的出苗率和发病情况。结果表明:5种杀菌剂对种子的活力和幼苗的生长特性没有明显的影响,但3.5%精甲·咯菌腈悬浮种衣剂包衣降低了每株幼苗的鲜重,50%多菌灵可湿性粉剂浸种则提高了幼苗的整齐度。接种西瓜立枯病菌和猝倒病菌的种子出苗率降低,接种西瓜枯萎病菌的种子出苗率没有明显变化;6.25%精甲·咯菌腈悬浮种衣剂和2.5%咯菌腈悬浮种衣剂包衣种子对西瓜立枯病的防效最佳,72%霜霉威盐酸盐水剂浸种对西瓜猝倒病有一定的防效,对西瓜枯萎病的防治没有特别有效的药剂。     

Prevalence and pathogenicity of spinach root pathogens of the genus Pythium in Sweden

Several pathogenic Pythium spp. were isolated from spinach roots in a 4-year disease survey in commercial spinach fields in southern Sweden. Heterothallic and zoospore-producing isolates belonging to the filamentous, non-inflated zoosporangia (F) group of van der Plaats-Niterink were most abundant, followed by P. sylvaticum, P. ultimum var. ultimum and P. heterothallicum. The heterothallic hyphal swelling (HS) group and P. tracheiphilum were found in a few plants. Two types of pathogenicity tests were performed, to measure the effects of seedling infection and of root infection of older plants. These tests showed P. ultimum var. ultimum to be the most severe spinach pathogen inducing pre- and post-emergence damping off as well as root rot of older plants. Also P. heterothallicum and P. tracheiphilum damaged both seedlings and older plants, Pythium sylvaticum, Pythium 'group HS' and Pythium 'group F'were pathogenic only to seedlings, P. ultimum var. ultimum and Pythium group F were isolated in significantly higher frequencies from spinach grown in the autumn season than in the spring. No clear relationships were found between Pythium prevalence and disease severity index of surveyed field plants, between Pythium prevalence and plant developmental stage, or between prevalence of Pythium and other pathogens isolated. This is the first report of P. heterothallicum and P. sylvaticum being pathogenic on spinach.     

Biological control of Pythium ultimum–induced damping-off by treating cress seed with the mycoparasite Pythium oligandrum

Incorporation of the aggressive mycoparasite Pythium oligandrum into a carboxymethyl cellulose-based seed coating decreased damping-off of cress seedlings by Pythium ultimum in both naturally infested soil and artificially infested sand. This effect is attributed to the germination of P. oligandrum oospores on the seed surface with subsequent generation of a protectant mycelium around the seedling.
P. oligandrum oospores survived storage periods of 10—20 weeks at zero relative humidity both on glass slides and within seed coatings. The mycoparasite also survived an 18–month burial in natural soil, probably in the form of oospores.
The implications of these observations for biocontrol of seedling diseases by P. oligandrum are discussed.     

Cotton Seedling Preemergence Damping-Off Incited by Rhizopus oryzae and Pythium spp. and Its Biological Control with Trichoderma spp

ABSTRACT Planting the cotton cv. Sure-Grow 747 in cotton seedling disease plots during the 2001 growing season resulted in high levels of preemergence damping-off among the seedlings. Four cotton pathogens, Pythium aphanidermatum, P. ultimum, an unidentified Pythium sp., and Rhizopus oryzae, were isolated from diseased seed embryos and seedlings. Disease incited by the Pythium spp. could be controlled by seed treatment with Metalaxyl, but disease incited by R. oryzae could not. Seed treatment with Metalaxyl in naturally infested field soil was only partially effective; therefore, symptoms in 47% of the diseased seedlings could be attributed to R. oryzae. Susceptibility to disease appeared to be related to release in the spermosphere, by the germinating seeds, of compounds that stimulate pathogen propagule germination, because exudates from seed of the suscept Sure-Grow 747 and extracts from wheat bran induced pathogen germination and growth, whereas exudates from resistant cv. Stoneville 213 did not. However, even Stoneville 213 became susceptible when infested soil was amended with wheat bran. Seed treatment with preparations of Trichoderma virens parent, mutant, and hybrid strains gave effective biological control of preemergence damping-off. Disease control was attributable to metabolism by the biocontrol agent of pathogen germination stimulants released by the seed, because amendment of pathogen-infested soil with the propagule germination stimulants in wheat bran negated the protective effect of the seed treatment.     

Biological Control of Pathogens Causing Root Rot Complex in Field Pea Using Clonostachys rosea Strain ACM941

ABSTRACT Pea root rot complex (PRRC), caused by Alternaria alternata, Aphanomyces euteiches, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. pisi, F. solani f. sp. pisi, Mycosphaerella pinodes, Pythium spp., Rhizoctonia solani, and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, is a major yield-limiting factor for field pea production in Canada. A strain of Clonostachys rosea (syn. Gliocladium roseum), ACM941 (ATCC 74447), was identified as a mycoparasite against these pathogens. When grown near the pathogen, ACM941 often was stimulated to produce lateral branches that grew directly toward the pathogen mycelium, typically entwining around the pathogen mycelium. When applied to the seed, ACM941 propagated in the rhizosphere and colonized the seed coat, hypocotyl, and roots as the plant developed and grew. ACM941 significantly reduced the recovery of all fungal pathogens from infected seed, increased in vitro seed germination by 44% and seedling emergence by 22%, and reduced root rot severity by 76%. The effects were similar to those of thiram fungicide, which increased germination and emergence by 33 and 29%, respectively, and reduced root rot severity by 65%. When soil was inoculated with selected PRRC pathogens in a controlled environment, seed treatment with ACM941 significantly increased emergence by 26, 38, 28, 13, and 21% for F. oxysporum f. sp. pisi, F. solani f. sp. pisi, M. pinodes, R. solani, and S. sclerotiorum, respectively. Under field conditions from 1995 to 1997, ACM941 increased emergence by 17, 23, 22, 13, and 18% and yield by 15, 6, 28, 6, and 19% for the five respective pathogens. The seed treatment effects of ACM941 on these PRRC pathogens were greater or statistically equivalent to those achieved with thiram. Results of this study suggest that ACM941 is an effective bioagent in controlling PRRC and is an alternative to existing chemical products.     

Validation of a QTL for resistance to ascochyta blight linked to resistance to fusarium wilt race 5 in chickpea (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cicer arietinum</Emphasis> L.)

Ascochyta blight caused by Ascochyta rabiei and fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum. f. sp. ciceris are the two most serious diseases of chickpea (Cicer arietinum). Quantitative trait loci (QTL) or genes for ascochyta blight resistance and a cluster of resistance genes for several fusarium wilt races (foc1, foc3, foc4 and foc5) located on LG2 of the chickpea map have been reported independently. In order to validate these results and study the linkage relationship between the loci that confer resistance to blight and wilt, an intraspecific chickpea recombinant inbred lines (RIL) population that segregates for resistance to both diseases was studied. A new LG2 was established using sequence tagged microsatellite sites (STMS) markers selected from other chickpea maps. Resistance to race 5 of F. oxysporum (foc5) was inherited as a single gene and mapped to LG2, flanked by the STMS markers TA110 (6.5 cM apart) and TA59 (8.9 cM apart). A QTL for resistance to ascochyta blight (QTL_AR3) was also detected on LG2 using evaluation data obtained separately in two cropping seasons. This genomic region, where QTL_AR3 is located, was highly saturated with STMS markers. STMS TA194 appeared tightly linked to QTL_AR3 and was flanked by the STMS markers TR58 and TS82 (6.5 cM apart). The genetic distance between foc5 and QTL_AR3 peak was around 24 cM including six markers within this interval. The markers linked to both loci could facilitate the pyramiding of resistance genes for both diseases through MAS.     

Temporal and Spatial Spread of Soybean mosaic virus (SMV) in Soybeans Transformed with the Coat Protein Gene of SMV

ABSTRACT Soybean lines transformed with the coat protein (CP) gene of Soybean mosaic virus (SMV) were evaluated for SMV resistance by quantifying the temporal and spatial spread of SMV strain AL-5 released from a point source in the field. The temporal spread of SMV within field plots during 1999 and 2000 was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The Gompertz model most appropriately described temporal spread. Two SMV CP transformed lines (genotypes) had significantly lower infection rates and significantly lower final SMV incidence values (P 相似文献   

Interaction of common bacterial blight bacteria with disease resistance quantitative trait loci in common bean

Common bacterial blight (CBB) of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. phaseoli and X. fuscans subsp. fuscans, and is the most important bacterial disease of this crop in many regions of the world. In 2005 and 2006, dark red kidney bean fields in a major bean-growing region in central Wisconsin were surveyed for CBB incidence and representative symptomatic leaves collected. Xanthomonad-like bacteria were isolated from these leaves and characterized based upon phenotypic (colony) characteristics, pathogenicity on common bean, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with X. campestris pv. phaseoli- and X. fuscans subsp. fuscans-specific primers, and repetitive-element PCR (rep-PCR) and 16S-28S ribosomal RNA spacer region sequence analyses. Of 348 isolates that were characterized, 293 were identified as common blight bacteria (i.e., pathogenic on common bean and positive in PCR tests with the X. campestris pv. phaseoli- and X. fuscans subsp. fuscans-specific primers), whereas the other isolates were nonpathogenic xanthomonads. Most (98%) of the pathogenic xanthomonads were X. campestris pv. phaseoli, consistent with the association of this bacterium with CBB in large-seeded bean cultivars of the Andean gene pool. Two types of X. campestris pv. phaseoli were involved with CBB in this region: typical X. campestris pv. phaseoli (P) isolates with yellow mucoid colonies, no brown pigment production, and a typical X. campestris pv. phaseoli rep-PCR fingerprint (60% of strains); and a new phenotype and genotype (Px) with an X. campestris pv. phaseoli-type fingerprint and less mucoid colonies that produced brown pigment (40% of strains). In addition, a small number of X. fuscans subsp. fuscans strains, representing a new genotype (FH), were isolated from two fields in 2005. Representative P and Px X. campestris pv. phaseoli strains, an FH X. fuscans subsp. fuscans strain, plus five previously characterized X. campestris pv. phaseoli and X. fuscans subsp. fuscans genotypes were inoculated onto 28 common bean genotypes having various combinations of known CBB resistance quantitative trait loci (QTL) and associated sequence-characterized amplified region markers. Different levels of virulence were observed for X. campestris pv. phaseoli strains, whereas X. fuscans subsp. fuscans strains were similar in virulence. The typical X. campestris pv. phaseoli strain from Wisconsin was most virulent, whereas X. campestris pv. phaseoli genotypes from East Africa were the least virulent. Host genotypes having the SU91 marker-associated resistance and one or more other QTL (i.e., pyramided resistance), such as the VAX lines, were highly resistant to all genotypes of common blight bacteria tested. This information will help in the development of CBB resistance-breeding strategies for different common bean market classes in different geographical regions, as well as the identification of appropriate pathogen genotypes for screening for resistance.     

Development of Co-Dominant Amplified Polymorphic Sequence Markers in Rice that Flank the Magnaporthe grisea Resistance Gene Pi7(t) in Recombinant Inbred Line 29

ABSTRACT Pi7(t), a dominant blast resistance gene derived from the rice cultivar Moroberekan, confers complete resistance against the fungal pathogen Magnaporthe grisea. Pi7(t) previously was positioned on chromosome 11 by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) mapping of a recombinant inbred line population. One derivative of this population, recombinant inbred line (RIL)29, was designated as the representative line for Pi7(t). A segregating F2 population was created from RIL29 in order to determine the location of Pi7(t). The new mapping data indicate a position for Pi7(t) 30 centimorgans distal to the original location. Pi7(t) shares a common position with the previously mapped Pi1 M. grisea resistance gene. RIL29 carries DNA not derived from either parent used to create the RIL population at the newly assigned Pi7(t) locus. RFLP analysis has identified a possible donor source.     

Generation and Molecular Mapping of a Sequence Characterized Amplified Region Marker Linked with the Bct Gene for Resistance to Beet curly top virus in Common Bean

ABSTRACT A random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker directly linked (0.0 cM) with a resistance gene was identified in a snap bean recombinant inbred population (Moncayo x Primo) consisting of 94 F(5:7) recombinant inbred lines that had uniform segregation for disease reaction to Beet curly top virus (BCTV) across three field locations. Resistance was conditioned by a single dominant allele tentatively designated Bct. Seven hundred and fifty decamer primers were screened to obtain the linked RAPD marker that was then converted to a sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker SAS8.1550. The SCAR mapped within a cluster of resistance genes on linkage group B7 of the core map. A survey of 103 BCTV-resistant and -susceptible snap and dry bean genotypes was conducted using SAS8.1550. Results showed that the SCAR would be highly useful for marker-assisted selection of Bct in snap and dry bean originating from the Andean gene pool. Marker-assisted selection for Bct will expedite the development of BCTV-resistant cultivars and minimize the need for cumbersome pathogen tests.     

Pathogenic and coat protein characterization confirming the occurrence of Bean common mosaic virus on common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in Kashmir,India

Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV), belonging to the family Potyviridae, is a serious pathogen of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) causing considerable economic losses owing to seed, sap and aphid transmissibility. The viral nature of the test isolates and identity of the virus as BCMV were confirmed by mechanical transmission and DAS-ELISA using BCMV antiserum. Pathogenic variability studies in BCMV infecting common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Jammu and Kashmir (a northwestern Himalayan state of India), revealed the existence of three pathogroups – PG-I, PG-II and PG-VII, accommodating five strains (NL-1, NL-1n, NL-4, NL-7 and NL-7n). Comparative sequence analysis of coat protein gene revealed that the strains NL-1, NL-4 and NL-7 shared more than 90% amino acid sequence homology with other BCMV isolates from other countries. DAG motif as well as BCMV specific conserved motif MVWCIDN were present in all the three strains. Phylogenetic analysis of coat protein also clustered them in the BCMV group. This study confirmed the occurrence of BCMV and its strains on common bean in Kashmir.     

Infection process of Stagonosporopsis tanaceti in pyrethrum seed and seedlings

Ray blight disease of pyrethrum (Tanacetum cinerariifolium) is caused by Stagonosporopsis tanaceti, with infected seed being a major means of transmission of this fungal pathogen. The infection process of S. tanaceti in pyrethrum seed and seedlings was determined. Infection hyphae only infected the outer and inner layers of the seed coat and not the embryo of naturally infected pyrethrum seed. During the process of germination of infected seed, S. tanaceti from the seed coat infected the developing embryo and cotyledon, resulting in pre‐ and post‐emergence death, depending on the level of infection in the seed coat. Pre‐emergence death occurred due to disintegration of the infected embryo, which was replaced by hyphae and extracellular anthocyanin‐like material (EAM) at 7 days after incubation (dai). Post‐emergence death occurred after both epidermal and cortical tissues of infected cotyledons at the crown/hypocotyl region disintegrated due to colonization by hyphae. Moreover, most of the tissues of the vascular bundles and cortical tissues contained heavy depositions of EAM at 10–14 dai. In 6‐week‐old infected seedlings, hyphae were confined to the epidermis and the cortical tissues at the crown/hypocotyl regions; the vascular bundles of both infected and uninfected regions, and cortical tissues of the uninfected regions of the seedlings were completely free from infection hyphae and EAM. These findings provide a better understanding of the early stages of the disease cycle of S. tanaceti and will lead to improved control measures for seedborne infection using seed treatments.