In vitro evaluation of the antagonistic properties of Trichoderma spp. against Pyrenochaeta lycopersici and Phomopsis sclerotioides1

In vitro evaluation of the antagonistic properties of Trichoderma spp. against Pyrenochaeta lycopersici and Phomopsis sclerotioides was carried out, using two different methods: the cellophane-agar plate method and the duaí culture method. With these methods, the direct interaction between pathogen and antagonist was demonstrated, showing very remarkable differences between the different isolates. Growth inhibition ranging from 20 to 100% was found. Proliferation in non-sterilized soil was investigated for the isolates showing the most interesting antagonistic properties. A Belgian isolate of Trichoderma hamatum was found to be able to proliferate very well in soil and to maintain a high population density during the whole experimental period.     

Rhizobacteria with broad-spectrum antifungal activity*

Antifungal rhizobacteria were obtained from maize, barley and chicory using direct or indirect isolation procedures. Effective isolates were tested for broad-spectrum activity against a set of phytopathogenic fungi. Isolates with broad-spectrum activity were identified as Pseudomonas fluorescens, P. cepacia, Serratia liquefaciens, S. plymuthica and Bacillus sp. Broad-spectrum compounds produced by P. cepacia and Erwinia herbicola were characterized as pyrrolnitrin and herbicolin-like compounds respectively.     

Germination of Chromolaena odorata (L.) K. & R. achenes: effect of temperature, imbibition and light

Chromolaena odorata (L.) K. & R. (= Eupatorium odoratum L.) has invaded large areas of the coastal belt of Natal province in South Africa. Propagation is predominantly by means of windborne achenes. The germination of these achenes was investigated. Of the temperatures tested, alternating 15/30°C was optimal for germination. These achenes are positively photoblastic and an imbibition period prior to exposure was required to sensitize the achenes to light. The promotive effect of red light on the germination of imbibed achenes could be reversed by subsequent exposure to far-red light while the inhibitory effect of far-red light could be nullified by a subsequent red light treatment. This is typical of a phytochromemediated germination response. Germination d'akènes de Chromolaena odorata (L.) K. & R.: effets de la température, de l'imbibition el de la lumière Chromolaena odorata (L.) K. & R. (= Eupatorium odoratum L.) a envahi de grandes superficies dans le littoral de la province de Natal en Afrique du Sud. La plante se répand surtout par moyen d'akènes portés par le vent. La germination de ces akènes a fait l'objet d'une étude. Parmi les températures essayées, 15/30°C s'est révélée optimale pour la germination. Les akènes font preuve d'une photoblasticité positive et pour les sensibiliser à la lumière, il leur faut une période d'imbibition avant de les y exposer. La promotion de germination provoquée par la lumière rouge chez les akènes imbibés a pu etre inversée par une exposition ultérieure à la lumière extrême-rouge (700 à 750 nm) tandis que l'effet inhibiteur de celle-ci s'est trouvé annulé par un traitement ultérieur à la lumière rouge. Cette réaction est caractéristique d'une germination réglée par le phytochrome. Die Keimung von Achaenen von Chromolaena odorata (L.) K. & R.: der Einfluss von Temperatur, Quellung und Licht. Chromolaena odorata (L.) K. & R. (= Eupatorium odoratumL.) hat sich auf grossen Flächen des Küstengürtels der Provinz Natal (Südafrika) ausgebreitet. Durch den Wind verbreitete Achaenen sind hauptsächlich für die Vermehrung verantwortlich. Thema der vorliegenden Untersuchung war die Keimung dieser Achaenen. Alternierende Temperaturen von 15° und 30°C waren optimal für die Keimung. Die Achaenen waren positiv photoblastisch; eine Quellungsperiode war notwendig um die Achaenen für die Lichtreaktion zu sensibilisieren. Der die Keimung vorgequollener Achaenen fördernde Einfluss von Rotlicht konnte durch eine nachfolgende‘Fern-Rot'-Exposition rückgängig gemacht werden. Hingegen wurde der Hemmungseffekt von ‘Fern-Rot’ durch eine darauffolgende Rotlicht-Exposition aufgehoben. Dieser Befund ist charakteristisch für eine phytochromregulierte Samenkeimung.     

Regional Perfusion of the Equine Carpus for Antibiotic Delivery

Regional perfusion of carpal tissues by forced intramedullary administration of fluids was evaluated in 10 horses. Results of subtraction radiography after perfusion with a contrast medium demonstrated that perfusate was delivered to the carpal tissues by the venous system. Perfused India ink was distributed uniformly in the antebrachiocarpal and middle carpal synovial membranes. Histologically, the ink was within the venules of the synovial villi. Immediately after perfusion with gentamicin sulfate (1 g), the gentamicin concentrations in the synovial fluid and synovial membrane of the antebrachiocarpal joint were 349 +/- 240 micrograms/mL and 358 +/- 264 micrograms/g, respectively. When gentamicin concentrations in the synovial fluid of the antebrachiocarpal joint and serum were measured 0, 0.5, 1, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours after carpal perfusion, the mean peak gentamicin concentration in the synovial fluid was 589 +/- 429 micrograms/mL. At hour 24, the mean gentamicin concentration in the synovial fluid was 4.8 +/- 2.0 micrograms/mL. The resulting peak gentamicin concentration in the serum was 23.7 +/- 14.5 micrograms/mL immediately after the perfusion; it decreased below the desired trough level of 1 micrograms/mL between hours 4 and 8.     

A dynamic model simulating infection of apple leaves by Venturia inaequalis

A new dynamic model of the infection of apple leaves by Venturia inaequalis is described. The model begins with the release of spores by rain and incorporates the effect of light on the discharge of ascospores from pseudothecia. The model then simulates infection through the sub-processes of germination, appressorium formation and penetration, separately for ascospores and conidia landed concurrently on wet leaves. The rate of the infection process is determined using different equations for ascospores and conidia. Spore mortality when leaves dry is determined by the stage of infection and RH in the dry period. The infection process is driven by surface wetness, temperature and RH. The progress of each infection period is measured as infection efficiency (IE), namely the percentage of landed spores which have penetrated and thereby infected leaves. The final IE quantifies the favourability of weather in each infection period. In orchard tests in each of three years, the new model detected crucial infection periods in spring and early summer which accounted for outbreaks of leaf scab. These periods were not detected by a static model based on Mills'criteria. The models performed similarly in detecting infection periods later in summer.     

Rhizoctonia leaf spot of tobacco in South Africa

Leaf spot of tobacco caused by Rhizoctonia solani isreported forthe first time from South Africa. All the leaf spot isolates anastomosed with the AG-3 tester strain.     

基于植物功能-结构模型的玉米-大豆条带间作光截获行间差异研究

间作种植形成了异质冠层空间结构,但因此导致的作物生长、表型和光截获的行间差异目前还少有定量化。为解析条带间作生产力的行间差异,本研究基于田间观测数据构建植物功能-结构模型（Functional-Structural Plant Model,FSPM）,量化间作系统中光截获的行间差异。于2017—2018年开展了玉米和大豆单作、2行玉米和2行大豆的2:2 MS间作以及3行玉米和6行大豆的3:6 MS间作田间试验。基于植物生长平台GroIMP开发了玉米-大豆间作的FSPM,模型较好地模拟了叶面积指数（Leaf Area Index,LAI）、株高和光截获系数动态三个指标,均方根误差（Root Mean Square Error,RMSE）分别为0.24～0.70 m²/m²、0.06～0.17 m和0.06～0.10。田间试验结果表明,间作种植显著增加了玉米节间直径。受玉米遮阴影响,大豆节间变长、变细,且随大豆条带变窄差异越明显。模型模拟的2:2 MS间作玉米光截获比单作玉米高35.6%,3:6 MS边行玉米和内行玉米的光截获分别比单作玉米高27.8%和20.3%。2:2 MS与3:6 MS边行大豆的光截获比单作大豆分别少36.0%和28.8%;3:6 MS大豆内I行和内II行比单作大豆的光截获分别少4.1%和1.8%。基于三维FSPM,未来可进行不同生长环境下间作种植模式等的布局优化,以达到最佳系统光截获优势。