Defining the resistance risk of the new powdery mildew fungicide quinoxyfen

The new powdery mildew fungicide quinoxyfen belongs to the novel quinoline class of chemistry. Although its biochemical mode of action is unknown, quinoxyfen does not act in the same way as other cereal fungicides. It is a systemic protectant which inhibits the early stages of mildew infection on a wide range of crops, and provides season-long protection from a single early-season spray applied around GS 31. The base-line sensitivity profile of quinoxyfen was defined for barley powdery mildew (Erysiphe graminis f.sp. hordei) from over 340 field isolates collected from different parts of the UK from 1991 onwards. Sensitivities ranged from <0·0001→0·16 mg litre^-1 with a mean of 0·003 mg litre^-1. Current work is extending the base-line sensitivity studies to wheat powdery mildew (E. graminis f.sp. tritici), and includes isolates from European trials, but so far this new data set has shown no differences from barley powdery mildew. Quinoxyfen-resistant mutants were generated in the laboratory, and some similar resistant strains were obtained from treated field crops. These laboratory and field strains were always defective, in some way, for sporulation and, curiously, all required the presence of quinoxyfen for survival in culture. Attempts to generate resistant mutants that sporulated normally were unsuccessful. These studies suggested that the resistance risk for quinoxyfen is low. The recommended anti-resistance strategy accompanying introduction of quinoxyfen avoids seed treatments and late-season applications. Instead, a single early (GS 31) treatment using either pre-formulated mixtures or alternating with a fungicide with different mode of action is recommended. This strategy will be supported by continued monitoring of wheat and barley powdery mildew. ©1997 SCI     

Lactose Synthase Components in Milk: Concentrations of α-Lactalbumin and β1,4-Galactosyltransferase in Milk of Cows from Several Breeds at Various Stages of Lactation

It is believed that milk production is determined by the number and activity of mammary secretory cells. Secretory activity, as assessed by milk volume, depends on secretion of the major osmole in milk, lactose, which is produced by lactose synthase. The amount of either of the two proteins in lactose synthase may regulate milk production. The objective of this study was to determine whether the concentrations in milk of the two components of lactose synthase, α‐lactalbumin (α‐LA) and β1,4‐galactosyltransferase (B4GALT), were related to genetic background, stage of lactation, breed or parity of dairy cows. α‐Lactalbumin and B4GALT concentrations were measured by ELISA and by enzyme assays, respectively, from single milk samples. Two herds with a total of 279 cows were used in the analysis. One herd contained Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Holstein and Jersey cows; the second herd contained two groups of cows; Holsteins selected for high milk production and Holsteins with 1960s genetics. The α‐LA concentration in milk was greater in Jerseys and Ayrshires than in Holsteins and Brown Swiss. However, no difference in α‐LA concentration was observed in milk from high and low genetic merit cows in the Minnesota herd or among different genetic backgrounds in the Illinois herd. β1,4‐Galactosyltransferase concentrations were similar for all groups that were analyzed. α‐Lactalbumin concentrations were positively correlated with milk protein concentration, milk fat concentration and lactose concentration. β1,4‐Galactosyltransferase concentration in milk exhibited a strong positive correlation with number of days in milk. Although the concentration of B4GALT increased as lactation progressed, the values did not show any correlation with persistency of lactation or late lactation milk production. In conclusion, this survey shows that the two components of lactose synthase are each correlated to protein concentration and individually correlated to the concentration of other milk components and stage of lactation.     

Environmental mastitis in intensive high‐producing dairy herds in New South Wales

Objective To determine the prevalence of mastitis pathogens in high‐producing intensive dairy herds in New South Wales. Design Field survey. Procedure Milk samples from the mastitis‐affected quarter were collected from cows on five high‐producing dairy farms in NSW. The 820 samples were cultured using standard microbiological culture techniques. Results Bacteria or fungi were isolated from 83.3% of samples (683/820). More than two colony types were isolated from 16.7% of samples (137/820), two types from 6.6% (54/820), and one type from 52.3% (429/820). No bacteria were isolated from 24.4% (200/820) of the primary cultures, but enrichment cultures of these samples yielded single colony type bacterial isolates from 36.5% (73/200) of samples. Environmental pathogens, including coliforms, environmental Streptococcus and Staphylococcus spp., made up 91% (555/610) of isolates and accounted for 33.6% (205/610), 41.6% (254/610) and 15.7% (96/610), respectively, of isolates. Escherichia coli accounted for 76.1% (156/205) of the coliform isolates, Streptococcus uberis and Streptococcus dysgalactiae accounted for 32.3% (82/254) and 28.0% (71/254), respectively, of the environmental streptococcal isolates. Contagious pathogens were uncommon, comprising only 2.5% (15/610) of the total isolates. Conclusion The incidence and causes of mastitis are largely influenced by farm management. The relatively high prevalence of coliform mastitis in the intensive high‐producing herds in this survey contrasts with the low incidence reported in surveys of pasture‐based herds in Victoria. If the Australian dairy industry continues its current trend of intensification, coliform intra‐mammary infections may emerge as an increasingly important cause of mastitis.     

The tryptophan-rich domain of puroindoline is directly associated with the starch granule surface as judged by tryptic shaving and mass spectrometry

The starch granule surface is a frontline of microbial attack and defence, operating in the background of normal starch granule metabolism. Puroindoline, a wheat protein which binds starch granule surfaces, contains a unique tryptophan-rich domain likely responsible for this property, though direct evidence is lacking. To test puroindoline’s tight association, prime starch granule extracts were water-washed 8 or 20 times and residual puroindoline removed using a solution of 50% isopropanol/50 mM NaCl. We found that this solvent was consistent in the amount of protein extracted from wheat flour and washed starch, regardless of initial protein content. Relative quantification of puroindoline following water-washing was performed using dot blot. Washing more than 8 times did not further reduce puroindoline content of starch granules suggesting a strong association with the starch granule surface. To identify the tryptophan-rich domain tightly associated with the starch granule surface, a combination of in situ tryptic digestion and mass spectrometry was used. Following digestion and water-washing, 50% isopropanol/50 mM NaCl was used to remove tightly-associated peptides for identification by mass spectrometry. Using this method, we identified the tryptophan-rich domain of puroindoline directly bound to the starch granule surface of wheat.     

Mitochondria and Cytoplasmic Male Sterility as Related to Southern Corn Leaf Blight

Abstract

The use of one source of cytoplasmic male steriity, leading to widespread uniformity of maize, coupled with the appearance of a new virulent race of Helminthosporium maydis made the Southern Corn Leaf Blight epidemic possible. The weather during 1970 was very suitable for the spread of the disease and thus the epidemic occurred. The possible role of cytoplasmic DNA, carried most probably by the mitochondria, in the susceptibility or resistance of various maize lines in discussed. The relationship of cytoplasmic male sterility and disease resistance or susceptibility is considered. The effects of the pathotoxin, produced by H. maydis, its uses as an experimental tool in research, and its potential uses in further investigations are described in detail.     

Utilization of potatoes for life support systems in space. I. Cultivar-photoperiod interactions

The productive potential of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L. cvs. Norland, Superior, Norchip, and Kennebec) was assessed for life support systems being proposed for space stations and/or lunar colonies. Plants were grown in walk-in growth rooms for 15 weeks at 20 C under 12-, 16- and 20-h photoperiods of 400 μmol m^t-2s^t-1 photosynthetic photon flux (PPF). Norland yielded the greatest tuber fresh weight, producing 2.3, 2.4, and 2.9 kg/plant under 12-, 16-, and 20-h photoperiods, respectively. The respective yields for the other cultivars under 12-, 16-, and 20-h were: Superior, 1.9, 1.5, and 1.8 kg/plant; Norchip, 1.8, 1.4, and 2.0 kg/plant; and Kennebec, 2.3, 0.2, and 0.8 kg/plant. Shoot and total plant biomass increased with lengthening photoperiods except for Kennebec, which showed increased shoot growth but no change in total growth with the longer photoperiods. Kennebec shoot growth under the 20-h photoperiod, and to some extent under 16-h, was noticeably stunted with shortened internodes. In addition, leaves of these plants showed mild chlorosis with rusty “flecking” of the surfaces. The harvest index (ratio of tuber yield/total biomass) was highest for all cultivars under the 12-h photoperiod, with a maximum of 0.69 for Norland. Similarly, the tuber yield per input of irradiant energy also was highest under 12-h for all cultivars. The tuber yield expressed on an area basis for the highest yielding treatment (Norland under 20-h) equaled 2.2 kg dry matter m^t-2. Over 15 weeks this equates to a productivity of 20.7 g tuber dry matter m^t-2 day^t-1. Assuming 3.73 kcal per g tuber dry matter and a daily human dietary requirement of 2800 kcal, then 36 m² of potatoes could supply the daily energy requirement for one human. Potential for increasing productivity is discussed.