Detection of Fusarium langsethiae on wheat in Belgium

In 2010, the populations of Fusarium sp. and Microdochium sp. were monitored in Belgium and 16 strains were identified as Fusarium langsethiae on wheat in Belgium. The other species identified from the sampling were F. poae, F. tritinctum, F. graminearum, F. avenaceum and Microdochium nivale. The pathogenicity potential of the F. langsethiae strains was assessed via an in vitro coleoptile growth rate test on wheat seedlings and compared with strains of F. poae, F. tritinctum, F. graminearum and F. avenaceum known to cause Fusarium head blight. The results showed the ability of F. langsethiae to cause retardation in the wheat coleoptile growth rate, but at a lower rate than F. graminearum, F. avenaceum, F. poae and F. tricinctum. A test for mycotoxin production in vitro showed the ability of the four strains tested to produce T-2 and HT-2 toxins at a rate of up to 290 mg kg^?1. This is the first report on the potential pathogenicity of F. langsethiae on wheat in Belgium, a species known to produce T-2 and HT-2 toxins, which are highly toxic for humans and animals.     

Design of Division Specific Primers of Ralstonia solanacearum and Application to the Identification of European Isolates

A PCR diagnostic test for detection of Ralstonia solanacearum at the infraspecific level was developed, based on polymorphisms within the 16S rRNA gene sequence. Partial sequences of this gene were determined for three French isolates which showed the characteristics of R. solanacearum subdivision 2a described by Taghavi et al. (1996). Oligonucleotide primers were designed to incorporate the nucleotide triplet (at positions 458–460 of the 16S rRNA gene) which differs between divisions 1 and 2 16S rRNA sequences of R. solanacearum isolates. A simple PCR test unambiguously revealed the division of each isolate. The PCR test was useful for identification of isolates of R. solanacearum from Europe.     

Initial distance to Kalmia angustifolia as a predictor of planted conifer growth

New Forests - In the Canadian boreal forest, conifer plantations are mainly used to overcome poor natural regeneration following harvesting or wildfires. However, competitive interactions can...     

Framework for designing and applying peak runoff control structures for peatland forestry conditions

Drainage-induced diffuse pollution and erosion are key water quality problems in peatland forestry. A major part of the pollutant load is transported during peak runoff periods after snowmelt or intense rainfall. This study investigated possibilities to increase retention time of runoff waters in drained peatland catchments on purpose to diminish peak runoff and improve settling conditions of suspended solids (SS). To create retention, a peak runoff control (PRC) structure was developed and its functioning, dimensioning and practical applications were studied in five partly or completely ditch-drained catchments in Central Finland. The method reduced runoff peaks by 10–73% or 5.07–57.63 l⁻¹ s⁻¹ km⁻², and functioned especially well during largest runoff peaks. The effectiveness of the PRC method depended on (i) catchment topography (slope) and available detention volume, (ii) dimensioning and location of the PRC structure, and (iii) runoff rates. The PRC structure is cheap and can easily be created with forest drainage machinery during the ditching and ditch network maintenance operations. Different issues relating to the structural design, water quality benefits, and impacts on forestry are discussed.