<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium mangiferae</Emphasis> associated with mango malformation in the Sultanate of Oman

Mango malformation, caused by Fusarium mangiferae, represents the most important floral disease of mango. The first symptoms of this disease were noticed in the beginning of 2005 in plantations at Sohar in the Sultanate of Oman. The affected inflorescences were abnormally enlarged and branched with heavy and dried-out panicles. Based on morphology and DNA-sequence data for the genes encoding translation elongation factor 1α and β-tubulin, the pathogen associated with these symptoms was identified as F. mangiferae.     

Leaf spot of tobacco caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium proliferatum</Emphasis>

In 2014 and 2015, an unknown leaf spot disease was found on tobacco in Guangxi, China. The fungus isolated from these spots was identified as Fusarium proliferatum based on morphological characteristics and sequence analysis of translation elongation factor 1 alpha (tef1α). This fungus also reproduced leaf spot symptoms after inoculation and was reisolated from the symptomatic lesions. This is the first report of a new leaf spot caused by Fusarium proliferatum on tobacco.     

Multiplex PCR assay for simultaneous detection of MBI-D and Q<Subscript>o</Subscript>I resistance in rice blast fungus

For sustainable control of rice blast with fungicides, efficient monitoring of the emergence and spread of fungicide-resistant isolates is needed. We developed simple and reliable PCR-based DNA markers to detect isolates resistant to melanin biosynthesis inhibitor targeting scytalone dehydratase (MBI-D) and quinone outside inhibitor (Q_oI) fungicides. Through the use of DNA templates prepared from mycelia on filter paper or from infected leaves, these markers enable rapid (a few hours) genotyping of point mutations that confer resistance. The developed multiplex marker detected resistance to both MBI-D and Q_oI in a single PCR and further reduced the time needed for diagnosis.     

Five plant families support natural sporulation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cronartium ribicola</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">C. flaccidum</Emphasis> in Finland

Fusarium is one of the most destructive fungal genera whose members cause many diseases on plants, animals, and humans. Moreover, many Fusarium species secrete mycotoxins (e.g. trichothecenes and fumonisins) that are toxic to humans and animals. Fusarium isolates from date palm trees showing disease symptoms, e.g. chlorosis, necrosis and whitening, were collected from seven regions across Saudi Arabia. After single-sporing, the fungal strains were morphologically characterized. To confirm the identity of morphologically characterized Fusarium strains, three nuclear loci, two partial genes of translation elongation factor 1 α (tef1α) and β-tubulin (tub2), and the rDNA-ITS region, were amplified and sequenced. Of the 70 Fusarium strains, 70 % were identified as F. proliferatum that were recovered from six regions across Saudi Arabia. Fusarium solani (13 %), as well as one strain each of the following species: F. brachygibbosum, F. oxysporum, and F. verticillioides were also recovered. In addition, five Fusarium-like strains were recognized as Sarocladium kiliense by DNA-based data. The preliminary in vitro pathogenicity results showed that F. proliferatum had the highest colonization abilities on date palm leaflets, followed by F. solani. Although F. oxysporum f. sp. albedinis is the most serious date palm pathogen, F. proliferatum and F. solani are becoming serious pathogens and efforts should be made to restrict and control them. In addition, the potential toxin risks of strains belonging to F. proliferatum should be evaluated.     

Differential expression of molecular rust resistance components have distinctive profiles in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coffea arabica</Emphasis> - <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hemileia vastatrix</Emphasis> interactions

Countering the economic hurdle caused by coffee leaf rust disease is most appealing at this time as it has posed a major threat to coffee production around the world. Establishing differential expression profiles at different times following pathogen invasion in both innate and acquired immunities unlocks the molecular components of resistance and susceptibility. Suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) was used to identify genes differentially over-expressed and repressed during incompatible and compatible interactions between Coffea arabica and Hemileia vastatrix. From 433 clones of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) sequenced, 352 were annotated and categorized of which the proportion of genes expressed during compatible interaction were relatively smaller. The result showed upregulation and downregulation of various genes at 12 and 24 h after pathogen inoculation in both interactions. The use of four different databases in searching for gene homology resulted in different number of similar sequences. BLASTx against EMBL-EBI (European Molecular Biology Laboratory-European Bioinformatics Institute) database being with the maximum (100%) hits for all the annotated sequences. RT-qPCR analysis of seven resistance-signaling genes showed similar expression patterns for most of the genes in both interactions, indicating these genes are involved in basal (non-specific) defense during which immune reactions are similar. Using SSH, we identified different types of resistance related genes that could be used for further studies towards resistant cultivar development. The potential role of some of the resistance related proteins found were also discussed.     

Pheromone Research and Development in Israel 1975–2015

The review describes the history of pheromone research in Israel in 1975–2015. The research focused on sex pheromones of moths that were important agricultural pests. Identification, synthesis and field application of sex pheromones was performed. Synthetic procedures of several known sex pheromones were developed. Monitoring and control of key pest moths was evaluated. The interactions of pheromone components of closely related species were studied in field and laboratory experiments. The sex pheromones of three scale insects, two mealybug species and Matsucoccus josephi were studied. New syntheses were developed and the pheromones were implemented in pest management. Structure activity relationship of the pheromonal and kairomonal of the M. josephi pheromone was investigated. Different pherotypes of P. ficus were identified and evaluated. The aggregation pheromone of sap beetles in combination with food baits was evaluated. The aggregation pheromone of the almond bark beetle was identified and a stereospecific synthesis of its enantiomers was developed. Monitoring the pest in stone fruit orchards was implemented. The activity of the pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN) was studied in Helicoverpa armigera and Heliothis peltigera. The ligation technique was used to assess the effect of PBAN on the production of female and male pheromones. A structure-activity relationship study of PBAN indicated that shorter peptides display activity as the full length PBAN. A series of linear and cyclic peptide analogs was prepared, resulting in the discovery of a lead antagonist. The research and development activity facilitated the intensive integration of pheromones in the pest management regimes in Israeli agriculture.     

Genetic resistance to bacterial blight disease in Persian walnut

Bacterial blight disease of Persian walnut (Juglans regia, L.), caused by Xanthomonas arboricola pv. juglandis (Xaj), leads to significant nut losses in northern, central and western areas of Iran. To identify the natural sources of resistance to disease in the endemic walnut genotypes of Iran, sixteen walnut genotypes, collected from different areas of Hamedan province, were inoculated with Xaj in a randomized complete block design with five replicates for each genotype. Two-year old genotypes were gently sprayed with a suspension of bacteria adjusted to approximately 2 × 10⁹ cfu ml⁻¹ of distilled water in May. Infected leaves were rated for disease 28 and 42 days after inoculation, using a 0 to 5 severity scale, based on the number, size and distribution of lesions on the leaves. Data analyses showed that there were variations among genotypes in response to pathogen. Upon inoculation by bacterial suspension genotype 94 showed the highest resistance to both disease incidence and its progress after 4–6 weeks of infection. Genotype 65 showed high susceptibility to disease and genotype 69 showed high susceptibilities both to disease incidence and its progress after 4–6 weeks of infection.     

Spread of seed-borne <Emphasis Type="Italic">Erwinia rhapontici</Emphasis> in bean,pea and wheat

Studies were conducted in the laboratory and greenhouse to determine the distribution of Erwinia rhapontici in plants arising from naturally infected seeds of pea or artificially inoculated seeds of bean and wheat, and whether the pathogen is transmitted to the subsequent generation of seeds. Infected seeds were planted in pots of Cornell mix in the greenhouse, and sampled at specified intervals throughout the plant growth cycle (seedling stage, elongation stage, flowering stage, seed formation stage, and maturity). Plating of surface sterilized lateral roots, tap roots, basal stems, mid-stems, apical stems, petioles, pods, and seeds of pea and bean, and of lateral roots, sub-crown internodes, basal stems, mid-stems, apical stems, peduncles, glumes, and seeds of wheat revealed that the bacterial pathogen spread from infected seeds to the lower parts of the plant tissues, but failed to spread further to the seeds produced on these plants. The study concludes that E. rhapontici did not establish systemic infection throughout the plants. Possible mechanisms of infection of seeds are discussed.     

Establishment of a comprehensive indicator system for the assessment of biodiversity and ecosystem services

Context

Common indicators are needed to monitor biodiversity loss and the implications for the sustainable provision of ecosystem services (ES). A plethora of different sets of indicators may hinder the identification of major endpoints for large-scale assessments of biodiversity and ecosystem services (BES).

Objectives

We aim to describe the main challenges of indicators for BES assessment and provide suggestions for establishing a comprehensive indicator system.

Methods

An extensive literature review was conducted in this study. We review the main challenges of indicators for BES assessment and propose corresponding improvements from our perspectives of theory and practical applications.

Results

The main theoretical challenges of existing indicators include inconsistent definitions and classifications of ES, misunderstanding of linkages among biodiversity, ecosystem structure, functions and services, and practical problems relate to such issues as indicator representativeness, data availability, and uncertainty. Our suggested improvements include clarifying the main terms, concepts and classification of indicators, establishing a robust conceptual framework with clear interactions among different components and indicators, selecting indicators based on ecosystem properties, streaming existing data into one platform, and strengthening validation of proxies. The steps for constructing a comprehensive indicator system for BES assessment are summarized.

Conclusions

Clear definitions of key terms are indispensable to classify indicators and construct a conceptual framework. Improved understanding of the relations among indicators of biodiversity, ecosystem functions, and ES across multiple scales can guide the development of the indicator system. The integrated indicator system is an important tool for BES assessment to support decision making for sustainable development.