Pathogenicity of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica on potato

Host–parasite relationships and pathogenicity of Meloidogyne javanica on potatoes (newly recorded from Malta) were studied under glasshouse and natural conditions. Potato cvs Cara and Spunta showed a typical susceptible reaction to M. javanica under natural and artificial infections, respectively. In potato tubers, M. javanica induced feeding sites that consisted of three to four hypertrophied giant cells per adult female. Infection of feeder roots by the nematode resulted in mature large galls which usually contained at least one mature female and egg mass. In both tubers and roots, feeding sites were characterized by giant cells containing granular cytoplasm and many hypertrophied nuclei. Cytoplasm in giant cells was aggregated alongside the thickened cell walls. Stelar tissues within galls appeared disorganized. The relationship between initial nematode population density ( P ) [0–64 eggs + second-stage juveniles (J2s) per cm³ soil] and growth of cv. Spunta potato seedlings was tested under glasshouse conditions. A Seinhorst model [ y = m  + (1 −  m ) z ^{( P − T )}] was fitted to fresh shoot weight and shoot height data of nematode-inoculated and control plants. Tolerance limits ( T ) for fresh shoot weight and shoot height of cv. Spunta plants infected with M. javanica were 0·50 and 0·64 eggs + J2s per cm³ soil, respectively. The m parameter in that model (i.e. the minimum possible y -values) for fresh shoot weight and shoot height were 0·60 and 0·20, respectively, at P  = 64 eggs + J2s per cm³ soil. Root galling was proportional to the initial nematode population density. Maximum nematode reproduction rate was 51·2 at a moderate initial population density ( P  = 4 eggs + J2s per cm³ soil).     

Effect of Heterodera cajani on biomass and grain yield of pigeon pea on vertisol in pot and field experiments

Glasshouse and field trials were conducted to determine the effects of the cyst nematode, Heterodera cajani on biomass and grain yield of pigeon pea, Cajanus cajan. Shoot length, fresh and dry shoot masses, leaf area and pod yields of pigeon pea were significantly reduced by H. cajani. In glasshouse pot experiments, an initial density of 1.0 juveniles per cm³ soil caused 14 to 24% reduction in plant height, root and shoot mass and leaf area. Application of carbofuran 3G (1·5, 3·0 and 6·0 kg a.i./ha) in H. autoclaved soil in pots did not improve growth of pigeon pea; however, its application (6 kg a.i./ha) in H. cajani -infested fields reduced the nematode density ( P < 0·05) and improved plant growth and yield. The densities of eggs and juveniles of H. cajani were 72 and 48% lower in the carbofuran-treated plots than in the control plots 35 and 52 days, respectively, after sowing. No such differences were observed at 70 days after sowing. The tolerance limit for pod yield in field experiments was 2·6 eggs and juveniles of H. cajani per cm³ soil at sowing time. Grain yield was 20 to 25% higher in the carbofuran-treated plots than in the control plots. Application of carbofuran protected the roots from nematode damage during the early stages of plant growth and resulted in good plant growth and yield.     

Nematicidal activity of essential oils and organic amendments from Asteraceae against root-knot nematodes

The essential oil of Chrysanthemum coronarium flowerheads showed strong nematicidal activity in vitro and in growth-chamber experiments. Essential oil concentrations of 2, 4, 8 and 16  µ L mL⁻¹, significantly reduced hatch, J ₂ survival (determined by final value and area under curves of cumulative percentage hatch or mortality) and reproduction rate of Meloidogyne artiellia in vitro , with the lowest values occurring at 16  µ L mL⁻¹. In pot trials with chickpea cv. PV 61, essential oil concentrations of 10–40  µ L per 500 cm³ soil, applied on sterile cotton pellets, also significantly reduced the nematode's reproduction rate. The biological processes of mortality and hatching/reproduction were adequately described by the monomolecular and expanded negative exponential models, respectively. Effectiveness of soil amendment with either flowers, leaves, roots or seeds of C. coronarium , and flowers from several species of Asteraceae ( Chrysanthemum segetum , Calendula maritima , Calendula officinalis and Calendula suffruticosa ) at 5 g per 500 cm³ soil was tested for suppression of M. artiellia and growth of chickpea cv. PV 61 under growth-chamber conditions. In these tests, flowers of all five Asteraceae species and various parts of C. coronarium significantly reduced reproduction rates of M. artiellia , by 83·0–95·9%, with the minimum rates occurring in infected chickpea plants amended with flowers of C. officinalis and C. suffruticosa . The in vitro and in planta results suggest that the essential oil of C. coronarium and organic amendments from Asteraceae species may serve as nematicides.     

The interaction between Meloidogyne arenaria and Cylindrocladium parasiticum in runner peanut

Cylindrocladium black rot (CBR), caused by Cylindrocladium parasiticum , and root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne arenaria , both infect and cause damage to the roots of peanut. Greenhouse and microplot experiments were conducted with the runner type peanut genotypes C724-19-15, C724-19-25 and Georgia-02C with different levels of resistance to nematode and CBR to better understand the interactions between the two pathogens. In the greenhouse, inoculation of 500–3000 eggs per plant of M. arenaria did not affect the level of root rot induced by 1·0 to 5·0 microsclerotia of C. parasiticum per g soil. In microplots, the root rot ratings from Georgia-02C and C724-19-25 were higher in plots infested with M. arenaria (0·4–2·0 eggs per cm³ soil) and C. parasiticum than in plots with C. parasiticum alone; however, M. arenaria did not increase the root rot ratings on the nematode resistant C724-19-15. This was inconsistent with results in the greenhouse. Gall indices were not affected by C. parasiticum inoculations in the greenhouse or microplots. In both 2006 and 2007, a significant interaction between C. parasiticum inoculum densities and nematode level was observed on plant mortality. CBR inoculum greatly increased mortality on C724-19-25 and Georgia-02C, but not on C724-19-15, in the presence of M. arenaria . The mortality increase was more apparent at lower inoculum levels of both pathogens, but on the nematode-susceptible cultivars plant mortality was more with co-inoculations of the two pathogens than from either alone. Simultaneous inoculation with the two pathogens decreased yield of C724-19-25 and Georgia-02C as C. parasiticum inoculum levels increased, but even the largest inoculum of M. arenaria (2·0 eggs per cm³ soil) did not decrease yield of C724-19-15.     

Aggressiveness and host specificity of Brazilian isolates of Phytophthora infestans

The population of Phytophthora infestans in Brazil consists of two clonal lineages, US-1 associated with tomatoes and BR-1 associated with potatoes. To assess whether host specificity in these lineages resulted from differences in aggressiveness to potato and tomato, six aggressiveness-related epidemiological components – infection frequency (IF), incubation period (IP), latent period (LP), lesion area (LA), lesion expansion rate (LER) and sporulation at several lesion ages (SSLA) – were measured on detached leaflets of late blight-susceptible potato and tomato plants. Infection frequency of US-1 was similar on potato and tomato leaflets, but IF of BR-1 was somewhat reduced on tomato. Incubation period was longer on both hosts with US-1, although this apparent lineage affect was not significant. Overall there was no host effect on IP. On potato, BR-1 had a shorter LP (110·3 h) and a larger LA (6·5 cm²) than US-1 (LP = 162·0 h; LA = 2·8 cm²). The highest LER resulted when isolates of BR-1 (0·121 cm² h⁻¹) and US-1 (0·053 cm² h⁻¹) were inoculated on potato and tomato leaflets, respectively. The highest values of the area under the sporulation capacity curve (AUSC) were obtained for isolates of US-1 inoculated on tomato leaflets (6146) and for isolates of BR-1 on potato leaflets (3775). In general, higher values of LA, LER, SSLA and AUSC, and shorter values of LP were measured when isolates of a clonal lineage were inoculated on their original host than with the opposite combinations. There is evidence that there are quantitative differences in aggressiveness components between isolates of US-1 and BR-1 clonal lineages that probably contribute to host specificity of P. infestans populations in Brazil.     

Effect of inoculum type and timing of application of Coniothyrium minitans on Sclerotinia sclerotiorum: influence on apothecial production

The effects of different inocula of the mycoparasite Coniothyrium minitans on carpogenic germination of sclerotia of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum at different times of year were assessed. A series of three glasshouse box bioassays was used to compare the effect of five spore-suspension inocula of C. minitans , including three different isolates (Conio, IVT1 and Contans), with a standard maizemeal–perlite inoculum. Apothecial production, as well as viability and C. minitans infection of S. sclerotiorum sclerotia buried in treated soil, were assessed. Maizemeal–perlite inoculum at 10⁷ CFU per cm³ soil reduced sclerotial germination and apothecial production in all three box bioassays, decreasing sclerotial recovery and viability in the second bioassay and increasing C. minitans infection of sclerotia in the first bioassay. Spore-suspension inocula applied at a lower concentration (10⁴ CFU per cm³ soil) were inconsistent in their effects on sclerotial germination in the three box bioassays. Temperature was an important factor influencing apothecial production. Sclerotial germination was delayed or inhibited when bioassays were made in the summer. High temperatures also inhibited infection of sclerotia by C. minitans . Coniothyrium minitans survived these high temperatures, however, and infected the sclerotia once the temperature decreased to a lower level. Inoculum level of C. minitans was an important factor in reducing apothecial production by sclerotia. The effects of temperature on both carpogenic germination of sclerotia and parasitism of sclerotia by C. minitans are discussed.     

Response of interspecific Brassica juncea/Brassica rapa hybrids and their advanced progenies to Albugo candida (white blister)

Transfer of factors for resistance to white blister disease caused by Albugo candida between Brassica species involving two genotypes each of B. juncea and B. rapa was studied in hybrids. More hybrids were obtained by in vivo than in vitro techniques, although an in vitro phase was a prerequisite for the establishment of in vivo hybrids. Hybrids were identified by PCR-based inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers with both male and female species-specific bands being identified. There was a positive correlation between disease severity and number of days after sowing ( r  > 0·93), the highest being towards pod formation and plant maturity at 110 days after sowing. The plants from F₂ and BC₁ progeny showed higher resistance to A. candida than either of the parents. Plants of B. juncea and B. rapa with high field resistance (disease index < 1·0) were selected from BC₂ and F₂BC₁ generations. The frequency of plants classified as resistant in BC₂ progeny ranged from 4·5 to 39·0% in cross-combinations involving B. juncea genotypes as female parent, compared with 100% in the reciprocal cross involving B. rapa as female parent.     

A new selective medium for Burkholderia caryophylli, the causal agent of carnation bacterial wilt

A new selective medium (APCA medium) was developed for the isolation of Burkholderia caryophylli , the causal agent of carnation bacterial wilt, from both plants and soil. The optimal concentration and combination of antibiotics was investigated to determine the most selective condition for growing B .  caryophylli . The resultant composition of the medium per litre was: 0·79 g (NH₄)₂SO₄, 1·0 g KH₂PO₄, 0·5 g MgSO₄ · 7H₂O, 0·2 g KCl, 2·0 g D-arabinose, 5 mg crystal violet, 50 mg cycloheximide, 50 mg polymyxin B sulphate, 50 mg ampicillin sodium, 10 mg chloramphenicol, 25 mg blue tetrazolium, and 15 g agar. Plating efficiency ranged from 119 to 174% with an average of 141% compared to that of nutrient agar. The bacterium was successfully isolated from contaminated soil and plant tissues with this medium. Moreover, the medium almost completely inhibited the growth of other plant pathogenic bacteria and soil saprophytes. This selectivity was high enough to detect B . caryophylli in contaminated soil.     

Sensitivity of Sclerotinia homoeocarpa to demethylation-inhibiting fungicides in Ontario, Canada, after a decade of use

In late 2003, nine populations of Sclerotinia homoeocarpa in Ontario Canada (seven of which had been previously sampled in early 1994, prior to the registration of sterol demethylation-inhibiting (DMI) fungicides for turf disease control in Canada) were sampled and tested for sensitivity to propiconazole. Four of the nine populations had not been treated with DMI fungicides during the intervening years, and isolates from these locations were sensitive to propiconazole (geometric mean EC₅₀ values of 0·005–0·012 µ g mL⁻¹, compared with 0·005–0·008 µ g mL⁻¹ for the original 1994 populations). Among the five populations from 2003 that had been exposed to DMI fungicides, mean EC₅₀ values were significantly greater, ranging from 0·020 to 0·048 µ g mL⁻¹. A significant correlation of determination was found between estimated number of fungicide applications and log EC₅₀ ( R ² = 0·832, P  = 0·0001), and the equation predicted that 42·3 applications of propiconazole would be needed to bring a sensitive population (EC₅₀ < 0·01  µ g mL⁻¹) to a resistant level (EC₅₀ > 0·10  µ g mL⁻¹). Fungicide sensitivity vs. duration of fungicide efficacy was also tested, and it was found that isolates with decreased sensitivity were able to more quickly overcome the inhibitory effects of fungicide application, reducing the duration of control from 3 weeks to 2 weeks.     

Resistance to Sphaerotheca pannosa in roses induced by 2,6-dichloroisonicotinic acid

The susceptible rose cv. Madelon and the partially resistant cv. Sonia both responded with reduced development of rose powdery mildew when they were treated with the synthetic inducer 2,6-dichloroisonicotinic acid (INA). The EC₅₀ for number of colonies cm⁻² was approximately 0.4 mg L⁻¹ in both cultivars when treated 4 days prior to inoculation. However, conspicuous differences were observed with respect to number of spores per cm². For sporulation, the EC₅₀ was 0.37 mg L⁻¹ in cv. Madelon and only 0.08 mg L⁻¹ in cv. Sonia. A comparison with the pathosystems cucumber/ Sphaerotheca fuliginea and red cabbage/ Peronospora parasitica is made and the importance of the observed phenomenon for the selection of parents in a breeding programme for (partial) resistance is discussed.     

Inheritance of tolerance to metribuzin in durum wheat

The inheritance of tolerance to the herbicide metribuzin was studied in two durum wheat cultivars, one of which, 'Anton', is resistant and one, 'Nita', susceptible. Parents, F₁, F₂ and F₃ of the crosses 'Anton' × 'Nita' and 'Nita' × 'Anton' were tested for herbicide response. The character evaluated was the increase in weight of plants treated with the herbicide. As there were no significant differences between progenies of reciprocal crosses, cytoplasm was not involved in tolerance. Tolerance was semi-dominant with means values of F₁, F₂ and F₃ progenies in the range of mid-parent. The heritability of this trait estimated by regression of the average of progeny F₃ in their parent F₂ had a value of 0.23 ± 0.063 and a value of 0.52 ± 0.150 estimated by the relation V _G/ V _P for full-sib F₂ families.     

Reduced sensitivity of Cercospora beticola isolates to sterol-demethylation-inhibiting fungicides

In a survey conducted during October 1995, single-lesion isolates of the sugar beet leaf-spot fungus, Cercospora beticola , were tested for sensitivity to the sterol demethylation inhibiting fungicides (DMIs) flutriafol and bitertanol. The isolates were collected from fields in three different areas of northern Greece. Fields at Serres and Imathia had been sprayed with DMIs for about 15 years to control sugar beet leaf-spot. At the third site, Amyndeon, DMI fungicides had not been used. From each area 150 isolates were tested. ED₅₀ values were calculated for individual isolates by regressing the relative inhibition of colony growth against the natural logarithm of the fungicide concentration. The mean ED₅₀ values for flutriafol for the Serres, Imathia and Amyndeon populations were 1·07, 0·73 and 0·5 µg mL⁻¹, respectively (significantly different at P  = 0·05). For bitertanol the mean ED₅₀ values for the Serres and Imathia populations were 0·72 and 0·81 µg mL⁻¹, respectively, which were not significantly different at P  = 0·05. The mean ED₅₀ value of the Amyndeon population was 0·48 µg mL⁻¹, which was significantly lower than those of the other two populations ( P  < 0·05). A cross-resistance relationship was found to exist between the two triazole fungicides tested when log transformed ED₅₀ values of 60 isolates were subjected to a linear regression analysis ( r  = 0·81).     

Plant sensitivity to atrazine and chlorsulfuron residues in a soil-free system

The sensitivity of 22 major crops, pastures and weeds from the north-east grain region of Australia to atrazine and chlorsulfuron residues was determined in a glasshouse using a soil-free bioassay system. A logistic equation was fitted to the seedling fresh weights as a function of the logarithm of herbicide concentration by non-linear regression and used to calculate the doses for 10%, 30% and 50% inhibition of seedling growth (ID₁₀, ID₃₀ and ID₅₀). The ID₅₀ for atrazine ranged from 0.03 to 0.04 mg a.i. L^–1 for Salvia reflexa Hornem. and barley to 1.47 mg a.i. L^–1 for sorghum. The ID₅₀ for chlorsulfuron ranged from 0.19 to 0.21 μg a.i. L^–1 for lucerne and snail medic to 102 μg a.i. L^–1 for wheat. Based on ID₅₀ values measured, the predicted responses of each species to a range of concentrations of atrazine and chlorsulfuron were classified into four categories ranging from no damage to severe damage. These sensitivity data will assist in planning cropping sequences in soils previously treated with atrazine or chlorsulfuron.     

Identification and mapping of a rice blast resistance gene Pi-g(t) in the cultivar Guangchangzhan

A single dominant blast resistance gene was identified in Chinese indica rice ( Oryza sativa ) cv. Guangchangzhan (GCZ), which shows complete resistance to Japanese isolate Ken53-33 of Magnaporthe grisea . Genetic analysis of the backcross (BC₁) and second-generation (F₂) populations from a cross between susceptible cv. Lijiangxintuanheigu (LTH) and GCZ indicated that the resistance was conferred by one dominant gene. This gene was mapped on the long arm of chromosome 2 and flanked by RM166 and RM208 at distances of 4·00 ± 4·90 and 6·30 ± 4·89 cM (centiMorgans), respectively. It was designated tentatively as Pi-g(t) .     

Some properties of a virus-like agent found in Brachypodium sylvaticum in the United Kingdom

A spherical virus–like agent ($$32 nm in diameter) was isolated from a plant of Brachypodium sylvaticum (Huds.) Beauv. growing in a botanic garden in England and showing yellow streaks in the leaves. The agent was readily purified and sedimented as a single component in sucrose density rate gradients. The particles had a sedimentation coefficient at infinite dilution of $$122S and a buoyant density of 1.35 g/cm³ in CsCl and 1·33 in CS₂SO₄. The particles were stable at acid pH but above pH 7·0 in the presence of EDTA dissociated. A protein having a major polypeptide with a molecular weight of $$3·76 × 10⁴ and a species of single stranded RN A with a MW of 1·67 × 10⁶ were detected in the particles. The agent was not transmitted by manual inoculation, by the insects Myzus persicae Sulzer, Rhopalosiphum padi L. or Nephotettix virescens Distant, through soil by leakage from roots or by seed. The particles had physicochemical properties in common with tombus– and sobemoviruses but were not serologically related to 10 members of these groups or to 57 other small spherical RNA plant viruses.     

Occurrence of Corynespora cassiicola isolates resistant to boscalid on cucumber in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan

A total of 651 isolates of cucumber corynespora leaf spot fungus ( Corynespora cassiicola ) collected from cucumber in Japan, either with (438 isolates) or without (213 isolates) a prior history of boscalid use, were tested for their sensitivity to boscalid by using a mycelial growth inhibition method on YBA agar medium. Additionally, seven isolates of C. cassiicola obtained from tomato, soybean, eggplant (aubergine) and cowpea in different locations in Japan were tested before boscalid registration. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and 50% effective concentration (EC₅₀) values for 220 isolates from crops without a prior history of boscalid use ranged from 0·5 to 7·5 μg mL⁻¹ and from 0·04 to 0·59 μg mL⁻¹, respectively. Two hundred and fourteen out of 438 isolates collected from ten cucumber greenhouses in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, which received boscalid spray applications showed boscalid resistance, with MIC values higher than 30 μg mL⁻¹. Moreover, resistant isolates were divided into two groups: a moderately resistant (MR) group consisting of 189 isolates with EC₅₀ values ranging from 1·1 to 6·3 μg mL⁻¹, and a very highly resistant (VHR) group consisting of 25 isolates with EC₅₀ values higher than 24·8 μg mL⁻¹. MR isolates were detected from all ten greenhouses, but VHR isolates were detected from only three. As a result of fungus inoculation tests which used potted cucumber plants, control failures of boscalid were observed against resistant isolates. Efficacy of boscalid was remarkably low against VHR isolates in particular. This is the first known report on boscalid resistance in Japan.     

Pathogenicity and host‐parasite relationships of the root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita on celery

Pathogenicity and host‐parasite relationships in root‐knot disease of celery (Apium graveolens ) caused by Meloidogyne incognita race 1 were studied under glasshouse conditions. Naturally and artificially infected celery cv. D’elne plants showed severe yellowing and stunting, with heavily deformed and damaged root systems. Nematode‐induced mature galls were spherical and/or ellipsoidal and commonly contained more than one female, males and egg masses with eggs. Feeding sites were characterized by the development of giant cells that contained granular cytoplasm and many hypertrophied nuclei. The cytoplasm of giant cells was aggregated along their thickened cell walls and consequently the vascular tissues within galls appeared disrupted and disorganized. The relationship between initial nematode population density (Pi) and growth of celery plants was tested in glasshouse experiments with inoculum levels that varied from 0 to 512 eggs and second‐stage juveniles (J₂) mL^?1 soil. Seinhorst's model y = m + (1 – m)z^P–T was fitted to height and top fresh weight data of the inoculated and control plants. The tolerance limit with respect to plant height and fresh top weight of celery to M. incognita race 1 was estimated as 0·15 eggs and J₂ mL^?1 soil. The minimum relative values (m) for plant height and top fresh weight were 0·37 and 0·35, respectively, at Pi ≥ 16 eggs and J₂ mL^?1 soil. The maximum nematode reproduction rate (Pf/Pi) was 407·6 at an initial population density (Pi) of 4 eggs and J₂ mL^?1 soil.     

Evaluation of carrot resistance to alternaria leaf blight in controlled environments

The objective of this study was to find a technique for plant resistance screening to alternaria leaf blight (ALB), caused by the fungus Alternaria dauci , in controlled environments. Glasshouse and laboratory screening methods were compared using three cultivars and F₂ genotypes segregating for ALB resistance evaluated against self-pollinated F₃ field-grown plants. Plant disease was assessed through a disease index obtained from the size and number of symptoms on carrot leaves. The results indicated the value of glasshouse evaluation and the inadequacy of detached leaf and hypocotyl assays for carrot screening for ALB resistance. Spearman's rank correlation, applied to results obtained with both F₂ plants and their progeny, indicated that the optimal evaluation stage for ALB resistance in carrot is 20 days after inoculation. This test was powerful enough to be used as a prescreening test in breeding programmes.     

Genetics of resistance to cotton leaf curl disease in Gossypium hirsutum

Twenty-two cotton varieties were screened for resistance to cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD), a disease of viral origin, using three procedures: field evaluation, whitefly transmission assay and graft inoculation. Viral infection of cotton varieties was determined by visual symptom assessment as well as dot-blot and multiplex PCR diagnostic techniques. Crosses were made between the most susceptible variety (S-12) and highly resistant varieties (CP-15/2, LRA-5166 and CIM-443). All F₁ plants of these crosses were resistant, showing dominant expression of the resistance as well as the absence of extrachromosomal inheritance. The F₂ plants of the crosses CP-15/2 × S12, LRA-5166 × S-12 and CIM-443 × S12 exhibited a ratio of 13 resistant (symptomless) to three susceptible (with symptoms). Screening of the F₂ generation for virus infection by multiplex PCR further subdivided the resistant class into those exhibiting a high level of resistance (HR; PCR-negative) and those exhibiting resistance (R; symptomless, yet showing virus replication by PCR analysis). Hence, the final ratio was 3:10:3 (HR:resistant:susceptible). The F₃ progeny of susceptible F₂ plants segregated for resistance, indicating the probable presence of a suppressor gene ( S ). These findings are consistent with three genes being involved in G. hirsutum resistance to CLCuD, two for resistance ( R _1CLCuDhir and R _2CLCuDhir ) and a suppressor of resistance ( S _CLCuDhir ).     

Sensitivity of fungi from cereal roots to fluquinconazole and their suppressiveness towards take-all on plants with or without fluquinconazole seed treatment in a controlled environment

The take-all fungus, Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici , was highly sensitive to fluquinconazole ( in-vitro EC₅₀ 0·016–0·018 mg L⁻¹), a fungicide developed for use as a seed treatment to control take-all, and to prochloraz (EC₅₀ 0·006 mg L⁻¹). Fungi of other genera that were commonly isolated from cereal roots were sensitive in varying degrees to prochloraz but were relatively insensitive (e.g. Fusarium culmorum , EC₅₀ > 20 mg L⁻¹) or slightly sensitive (e.g. Epicoccum purpurascens , EC₅₀ 0·514 mg L⁻¹) to fluquinconazole. Gaeumannomyces graminis var. graminis and G. cylindrosporus , weak parasites that can protect roots against take-all, and an unnamed Phialophora sp., all closely related to the take-all fungus, were highly or moderately sensitive to fluquinconazole. Alternaria infectoria and E. purpurascens were most consistently effective in suppressing development of take-all on pot-grown wheat plants dual-inoculated with G. graminis var. tritici and the nonpathogen. Take-all was decreased more on dual-inoculated wheat plants grown from seed treated with fluquinconazole or fluquinconazole plus prochloraz than when only an antagonistic fungus ( A. infectoria , E. purpurascens , Fusarium culmorum or Idriella bolleyi ) or a seed treatment was applied. These fungi were less effective in combination with seed treatments on barley. Gaeumannomyces graminis var. graminis and G. cylindrosporus , tested on wheat, suppressed take-all only in the absence of fungicides. It is suggested that the performance of seed treatment containing fluquinconazole against take-all may in some circumstances be enhanced by its partial specificity for the take-all fungus.