Abscisic acid is a potent inhibitor of growth and sporidial formation inneovossia indica cultures: Dual mode of actionvia loss of polyamines and cellular turgidity

The inhibition of polyamine biosynthesis inNeovossia indica (Mitra) Mundkur by D,L— α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) caused an effective reduction of mycelial growth and sporidial production underin vitro conditions, which was reversed by ornithine application. Abscisic acid proved to be similarly effective, not only in inhibiting mycelial growth and sporidial formation but also the germination of teliospores, which constitute the primary inoculum of the pathogen. ABA-mediated inhibition resulted in decreased polyamine levels and loss of cellular turgidity of mycelial cultures. Scanning electron microscopy of ABA-treated cultures revealed extremely shrunken hyphae, in marked contrast to the turgid controls. It is suggested that the manipulation of ABA levels and/or tissue sensitivity in wheat could be a strategy to combat ‘Karnal’ bunt, the disease caused byN. indica.     

Effects of the host, the pathogen, the environment and their interactions, on fusarium wilt in carnation

Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.dianthi causes severe wilting in carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) worldwide. The pathogen is present in the soil profile in which carnation roots are distributed and may infect the plants at any time during the growing season. To minimize the losses induced by Fusarium wilt, growers use carnation cuttings free ofFusarium spp. and fumigate the soil with methyl bromide prior to planting. The severity of epidemics and the resulting losses are governed by the main and interacting effects of the three components of the disease syndrome: the host, the pathogen and the environment. Host variables include the type and the degree of cultivar resistance (i.e., complete, partial or tolerance); pathogen variables include the race, its virulence and infectivity, and the amount of initial inoculum; environmental variables include solar radiation intensity, photoperiod, temperature and the growth substrate. In the present review the information available on the effect of the host, the pathogen and the environment, and their interactions, on Fusarium wilt in carnation is summarized.     

Biological control and plant health in the UK1

The protected crop environment has long been recognized as offering particularly good opportunities for the application of biological control and this is reflected in the predominance of integrated pest management programmes and the wide range of biological control agents available. The introduction of new pest species of quarantine concern can often occur in glasshouse crops, as a result of international trade in plant material, and can have a highly disruptive impact upon well established, integrated pest management programmes. The use of biological control agents against quarantine pests is discussed, including both the use of exotic species and those established in the UK. The relevant legislation in the UK is outlined in relation to the introduction of non-native species, including both plant protection and conservation interests. Environmental safety aspects such as the impact of such introductions on non-target species and issues of quality control to prevent the introduction of contaminants are noted as of particular plant health interest.     

猪附红细胞体病的诊断和防治

近年我县发生了一种类似猪瘟症状的疾病 ,表现为高热、嗜睡、全身发红等 ,导致猪群 (特别是仔猪 )大批死亡。经采用注射青霉素、链霉素、磺胺类药、退烧解毒药等治疗 ,效果不理想。特别是在使用磺胺类药物后 ,会加重病情。该病在我县呈蔓延趋势 ,给广大养殖户造成了很大的经济损失。后与省畜牧研究所联合研究 ,根据临床症状、病理剖检、实验室检查等 ,确诊为猪附红细胞体病。经对症下药 ,很快控制了该病的流行和蔓延 ,确保养殖业的健康稳定发展。1流行病学特点本病一年四季均可发生 ,但以夏秋多发。蚊等吸血节肢昆虫可传播该病 ,各种年龄、…     

胞质雄性不育性在叶用芥菜上的利用

以从美国威斯康星大学引进的叶用芥菜胞质雄性不育系叶用4-4为母本,以泰国清迈大学选育出的8个优良叶用芥菜品种为转育父本,杂交后连续回交4代(BC4),再将BC4与优良叶用芥菜品种40R2-3-4配制8个杂交组合,其中2个组合(4-4 × 19-H-12)×40R2-3-4和(4-4 × 2R2)×40R2-3-4结球率为100％,产量比商用品种分别高34％和13％,比其亲本分别高25％和5％。     

Kaolin treatment to reduce pomegranate sunburn

The aim of this study was to reduce pomegranate losses due to sunburn in south-western Spain. Summer temperatures may rise above 45 °C, resulting in sunburn damage to the fruits, which may inflict losses of up to 40% of the total yield. Data were obtained in two consecutive years. Surround^® WP, a product comprising processed, refined kaolin, was sprayed over the whole canopy and fruits four times at 2–3-week intervals from mid-June to early August, the first application at 5% and the other three at 2.5%. The resulting white coating significantly reduced fruit and leaf surface temperatures relative to the control by averages of 4.9 and 2.5 °C, respectively. Sunburn damage of fruits was reduced from 21.9% in untreated control to 9.4% in the Surround WP-treated fruits.     

Ecotonal changes and altered tree spatial patterns in lower mixed-conifer forests, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, U.S.A.

This research analyzes patch development and determines tree spatial patterns along the lower mixed-conifer ecotone on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona (U.S.A.). Patterns of patch development were interpreted from spatial analyses, based on tree age and size, and past records of disturbance and climate. Five plots in the ecotone between mixed conifer forests and monospecific stands of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) were studied for patterns of patch development. The methods used include: (1) size-structure analyses, to compare species patch development; (2) dendrochronological dating of tree establishment; (3) tree ring master chronology, to determine periods of suppressed growth, compared to a Palmer Drought Severity Index; and (4) spatial analyses by species composition, size and age, with univariate and bivariate analyses of spatial association and spatial autocorrelation. We found an increased density of shade-tolerant and fire-intolerant species namely clusters of pole-sized white fir, and fewer large ponderosa pine. This revised version was published online in May 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.