Changes in abundance and infectivity of powdery mildew conidia from cucumber plants treated systemically with lithium chloride

Systemic treatment of cucumber plants with lithium chloride reduced the numbers of conidia produced by colonies of powdery mildew, Sphaerotheca fuliginea , growing on leaves, and lowered the infectivity of conidia produced from those leaves when they were applied to leaves of untreated plants. Production of conidiophores was lower in both lithium-treated and calcium-deprived plants, and lithium slightly decreased the calcium content of leaves. When the lithium-containing growth medium was supplemented with phosphate, conidiophore production was still markedly reduced, although leaves had normal levels of calcium. Fungal development was not correlated with either the calcium or phosphorus content of leaves. It is concluded that, although severe calcium deficiency can inhibit fungal development, the inhibitory effects of lithium are not mediated through alterations in calcium or phosphorus uptake by host tissues.     

über ein massenauftreten von Haarmückenlarven (Dipt., Bibionidae) in Südtirol und deren Bedeutung für den Wald

Es wird über ein Massenauftreten von Larven der HaarmükkenBibio sp. (Dipt., Bibionidae), in Nadelwaldgebieten Südtirols im Herbst 1994 berichtet, die sich im Frühjahr 1995 alsBibio varipes (Meig.) herausstellten. Im näher untersuchten oberen Eisacktal (Wipptal) zwischen Franzensfeste und Sterzing, traten die Haarmückenlarven im Nov./Dez. zwischen 750 und 1100 m auf rund 1000 ha Fichtenmischwaldgebiet in solchen Mengen unter der Nadelstreu auf, daß es stellenweise zu Abrutschungen derselben auf der erzeugten Kotschicht kam. Es wird geschätzt, daß pro Hektar Millionen von Larven vorhanden waren, deren Fraßtätigkeit mindestens 2,5–5 m³ Kot/ha lieferte. Es wird auf die enorme ökologische Bedeutung solcher Massenauftreten von Bibionidenlarven als wichtige Waldhumusbildner hingewiesen und betont, daß ihre Nützlichkeit derjenigen von parasitoid oder räuberisch lebenden Dipterenlarven, wie etwa den Tachiniden oder den Syrphiden, bedeutungsmäßig kaum nachsteht.In autumn of 1994 a very large number of larvae of aBibio sp. (in spring 1995 the adultes resulted to beBibio varipes Meig.) occured in the top layer of soils in coniferous forests between Franzensfeste and Sterzing, South Tyrol, Italy. The larvae populated an area of about 1000 ha and their production of dung is amounted to 2–5 m³ pro ha. The ecologic importance of this phenomenon is considered.

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Clinical features of dilated cardiomyopathy in Great Danes and results of a pedigree analysis: 17 cases (1990-2000)

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical features of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in Great Danes and to determine whether DCM is familial in this breed. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 17 Great Danes with DCM. PROCEDURE: Medical records of Great Danes in which DCM was diagnosed on the basis of results of echocardiography (fractional shortening < 25%, end-systolic volume index > 30 ml/m2 of body surface area) were reviewed. Pedigrees were obtained for affected animals, as well as for other Great Danes in which DCM had been diagnosed. RESULTS: Dilated cardiomyopathy appeared to be familial and was characterized by ventricular dilatation, congestive heart failure (left-sided or biventricular), and atrial fibrillation. Pedigree analysis suggested that DCM was inherited as an X-linked recessive trait, but the mode of inheritance could not be definitively identified. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that DCM may be an X-linked recessive trait in Great Danes. Thus, dogs with DCM probably should not be used for breeding, and female offspring of affected dogs should be used cautiously. Male offspring of affected females are at an increased risk of developing DCM and should be evaluated periodically for early signs of disease. Results of pedigree analysis were preliminary and should be used only as a guide for counseling breeders, rather than as a basis for making breeding decisions.     

Partial characterization of a closterovirus associated with apple mealybug-transmitted little cherry disease in north america

ABSTRACT Little cherry disease (LChD) is a serious economic problem of sweet cherry production in western North America where apple mealybug is the principle vector. LChD is associated with a distinct species of double-stranded (ds) RNA. In this study, filamentous virus particles were purified from LChD-infected trees and shown to contain single-stranded RNA corresponding to the previously reported dsRNA isolated from infected trees. The virus particles were characterized and were similar to monopartite members of the genus Closterovirus. A portion of the genome was sequenced and found to be most closely related to the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of Grapevine leafroll-associated virus-3, a mealybug-transmitted closterovirus. The characteristics of the mealybug-transmitted Little cherry virus in North America are very different from those of a closterovirus associated with a similar disease in Europe.