Physiologic races ofFusarium oxysporum f.sp.melonis in the southeastern anatolia region of turkey and varietal reactions to races of the pathogen

Thirty-four isolates ofFusarium oxysporum f.sp.melonis (F.o.m.) obtained from 205 fields in melon-producing areas in the southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey were identified on the basis of colony morphology and pathogenicity by the root dip method. In this region the mean prevalence of wilt disease was 88.1% and the mean incidence of disease was 47.5%. Physiologic races 0, 1, 2, and 1,2 of the pathogen were determined by their reactions on differential melon cultivars ‘Charentais T,’ ‘Isoblon’, ‘Isovac’ and ‘Margot’ in the greenhouse. Race 1,2, representating 58.8% (20/34) of all isolates, was widely distributed. Of the other pathogenic isolates, eight were identified as race 0, five as race 1, and one as race 2. This is the first report of physiologic races ofF.o.m. in Turkey. Of 44 melon cultivars tested in the greenhouse for resistance toF.o.m. races, 36 were found to be moderately resistant to race 0, 17 were susceptible to race 1,2, 34.1% were highly resistant to race 1, and 52.2% had moderate resistance to race 2. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting July 16, 2002.     

Application of alternative fumigants through drip irrigation systems

ABSTRACT Strawberry fields in California (9,500 ha annually) are pre-plant fumigated with methyl bromide and chloropicrin to prevent serious soil pest and disease problems. Although soil fumigation with methyl bromide has ensured stability of strawberry production, its use is being discontinued because of its effect on stratospheric ozone. The likely short-term alternatives such as 1,3-dichloropropene, chloropicrin, and metham sodium, although not ozone depleters, are potentially hazardous to the environment and humans if applied improperly. Water-soluble formulations of alternative fumigants can be applied through drip irrigation systems established to irrigate crops. In comparison to conventional shank methods of injection, application of soluble formulations through drip irrigation systems would be economical and environmentally friendly, reduce worker exposure, and allow for simultaneous or sequential application of a combination of fumigants. This paper discusses techniques developed to apply alternative fumigants through drip irrigation systems, and reviews ongoing studies to determine optimum application rates, soil conditions, plastic mulches, and amount of irrigation water used to apply these alternative fumigants.     

Identification of ALS inhibitor‐resistant Amaranthus biotypes using polymerase chain reaction amplification of specific alleles

Summary Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of specific alleles (PASA) was adapted as a molecular marker‐based method for the rapid detection of point mutations in Amaranthus retroflexus and Amaranthus rudis leading to ALS inhibitor resistance. Two pairs of primers were designed for the specific amplification of alleles of the ALS gene of susceptible and resistant biotypes. The allele‐specific primer matched the desired allele, but mismatched the different allele at its 3′ end. Differentiation was carried out by comparison of the amplified DNA fragments in gel electrophoresis after PASA‐PCR. In A. rudis, differentiation was possible with one PCR and genomic DNA as probe. A ‘nested’ PCR was necessary for the differentiation of sensitive and resistant A. retroflexus. PASA is useful for the identification of resistant weed biotypes and also as a monitoring tool to map resistance occurrence and distribution. Advantages include the fast and clear separation of those plants with and without mutations at an early stage of development, its easy and consistent performance and quick results compared with existing resistance detection tests. These advantages, when combined with management strategies, enable further activities to reduce herbicide resistance.     

First molecular genotyping of voltage gated sodium channel alleles in Culex quinquefasciatus populations in Malaysia

A nationwide investigation was performed to detect the presence of 1014 mutation(s) in voltage gated sodium channel (kdr) gene of Culex quinquefasciatus from 14 residential areas across 13 states and a federal territory in Malaysia. Molecular genotyping of kdr mutation was performed via a modified three tubes allele-specific-polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR) and direct sequencing of kdr gene. Based on the results of AS-PCR, homozygous susceptible (SS) genotype was found in nine out of 14 populations with 38 individuals from a total sample size of 140. Heterozygous (RS) genotype was most predominant (99 individuals) and distributed across all study sites. Homozygous resistance (RR) genotype was detected in Perak (one individual) and Selangor (two individuals). The resistance kdr allele frequencies ranged from 0.1 to 0.55, with the highest being detected in Cx. quinquefasciatus population from Selangor. This study has documented the first field-evolved instance of 1014F mutation in Malaysian mosquitoes and the findings of this study could be utilized in the implementation of strategic measures in vector control programs in Malaysia.     

The pyrethroid resistance status and mechanisms in Aedes aegypti from the Guerrero state,Mexico

Dengue is one of the most important vector-borne diseases worldwide and is a public health problem in Mexico. Most programs in dengue endemic countries rely on insecticides for Aedes control. In Mexico, pyrethroid insecticides (mainly permethrin and deltamethrin) have been extensively used over a decade as adulticides and represented a strong selection for insecticide resistance for dengue vectors in several parts of the country. We studied the type, frequency and distribution of insecticide resistance mechanisms in Aedes aegypti from six municipalities in the state of Guerrero selected on the basis of historically intense chemical control and a high risk for dengue transmission. Ae. aegypti eggs were collected from October 2009 to January 2010 using ovitraps. F₁ adults, emerged from these collections, were exposed to permethrin, deltamethrin and DDT in WHO diagnostic tests and showed high resistance levels to both pyrethroids and DDT. This was consistent with the presence of increased metabolic enzyme activities and target site insensitivity due to kdr mutations. Biochemical assays showed elevated esterase and glutathione S-transferase activities in the six municipalities. The V1016I kdr mutation on the IIS6 domain of the sodium channel gene was present in an overall frequency of 0.80. A second mutation, F1534C on the IIIS6 domain of the same gene was also detected, being the first report of this mutation in Guerrero. The multiple resistance mechanisms present in Ae. aegypti from Guerrero state represent a warning for the efficacy of the pyrethroid usage and consequently for the success of the dengue control program.     

Co‐infection by Botryosphaeriaceae and Ilyonectria spp. fungi during propagation causes decline of young grafted grapevines

Decline of newly planted, grafted grapevines is a serious viticultural problem worldwide. In the Riverina (New South Wales, Australia), characteristic symptoms include low fruit yields, very short shoots and severely stunted roots with black, sunken, necrotic lesions. To determine the cause, roots and wood tissue from affected plants in 20 vineyards (Vitis vinifera cv. Chardonnay grafted to V. champini cv. Ramsey rootstock) were assayed for microbial pathogens. Ilyonectria spp. (I. macrodidyma or I. liriodendra, producers of phytotoxin brefeldin A, BFA, and cause of black foot disease of grapevines) and Botryosphaeriaceae spp. (predominantly Diplodia seriata) were isolated from rootstocks of 100 and 95% of the plants, respectively. Togninia minima and Phaeomoniella chlamydospora (cause of grapevine Petri disease) were isolated from 13 and 7% of affected plants, respectively. All Ramsey rootstock stems of grafted plants sampled from a supplier nursery were infected with Ilyonectria spp. and D. seriata. Diplodia seriata, but not Ilyonectria spp., was also isolated from 25% of canes sampled from the rootstock source block. Root inoculation of potted, disease‐free Chardonnay plants with Ilyonectria isolates from diseased vineyards caused typical disease symptoms, while co‐inoculation with Botryosphaeriaceae spp. increased disease severity. This is the first study to show that a major cause of young grapevine decline can be sequential infection by Botryosphaeriaceae from rootstock cuttings and Ilyonectria spp. from nursery soil. Although the Petri disease fungi were less common in young declining grafted grapevines in the Riverina, they are likely to contribute to the decline of surviving plants as they mature.     

Groundnut Rust (Puccinia arachidis) in Brunei

Abstract

A field trial was conducted during the cotton growing seasons of 1978-79 and 1979-80 at Hissar, Haryana (India) to determine the capture threshold of male pink bollworm moths in traps baited with gossyplure for timing the insecticidal application. It was found that application of insecticides when the number of male moths averaged 4 or 8 per trap per night was superior to fixed spray schedule (spraying at an interval of 13-14 days starting from middle of August) in reducing the pink bollworm incidence and obtaining higher yield of seed cotton. For effective and economic control of the pest, insecticides should be applied within 24-48 hours when the number of male moths captured in gossyplure baited traps reaches 8 per trap per night.     

Conservation tillage systems for sorghum production under semi‐arid conditions in India

Abstract

Field research was conducted near Hyderabad, India, during 1981 and 1982 to investigate zero‐tillage and reduced‐tillage systems for production of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.) under semi‐arid tropical conditions. Part of the investigation compared post‐seeding hand weeding and herbicide treatments for weed control efficacy. The results showed that shallow pre‐seeding tillage was just as effective as deep cultivations in producing high sorghum fodder and grain yields provided weeds were controlled after crop emergence. Both tillage regimes were more effective than a no tillage regime which received only a mixture of glyphosate and 2,4‐D prior to seeding. Post‐seeding weed control practices were essential to maintain high fodder and grain yields of sorghum. Hand weeding and inter‐row blade harrowing were more effective than atrazine applied pre‐emergence or 2,4‐D applied post‐emergence.     

Comparative biology of Mallada desjardinsi (navas) and Chrysoperla congrua (walker) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), predators of Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and aphis gossypii (glover) (Homoptera: Aphididae) on cotton in eastern Tanzania

The developmental biology of Mallada desjardinsi (Navas) and Chrysoperla congrua (Walker) on the American bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera and the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii was studied in the laboratory at 28–32°C. Total larva! periods of M. desjardinsi and C. congrua on H. armigera eggs were 14.4 and 14.8 days respectively. However, when reared on A. gossypii larval periods of M. desjardinsi and C. congrua were 14.9 and 13.5 days respectively. When reared on H. armigera 52.9% and 25% respectively of third instars of M. desjardinsis and C. congrua sp. died before pupation. However, when reared on A. gossypii 82.6% and 46.9% respectively of third instars of M. desjardinsi and C. congrua died before pupation. Thus, H. armigera eggs and A. gossypii nymphs were both adequate but not optimal diets for chrysopid larval development. The number of prey consumed by M. desjardinsi and C. congrua increased with instar. Total larval consumption of H. armigera by M. desjardinsi and C. congrua was determined to be 135.5 and 169.8 eggs respectively. However, total larval consumption of A. gossypii by M. desjardinsi and C. congrua was found to be 189.0 and 171.8 nymphs respectively. Because of its longer larval period, and higher consumption of A. gossypii, M. desjardinsi would be better suited for use against A. gossypii than C. congrua. In contrast, C. congrua whose consumption of H. armigera was higher than that of M. desjardinsi although their larval periods were similar, would appear promising for control of H. armigera.