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.

     

Photochromic fabrics with improved durability and photochromic performance

Previously, we have reported a method for producing photochromic wool fabric by applying a thin layer of hybrid silica-photochromic dye onto the wool surface. While the photochromic coating showed a very fast optical response and had little influence on the fabric handle, its durability was poor. In this study, the durability of the photochromic coating layer was improved by introducing epoxy groups into the silica matrix via co-hydrolysis and co-condensation of an alkyl trialkoxysilane compound (ATAS) and 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS). The presence of epoxy groups in the silica enhanced both washing and abrasion durability or fastness. In addition, the optical response speed was slightly increased as well. Effects of the type of alkyl silane and the GPTMS/alkyl silane ratio on the coating durability, fabric handle and optical response were examined.     

Field variability and vulnerability index to identify regional precision agriculture opportunity

Innovations in precision agriculture (PA) have created opportunities to achieve a greater understanding of within-field variability. However, PA adoption has been hindered by uncertainty about field-specific performance and return on investment. Uncertainty could be better addressed by using innovative analyses that provide insights into variability among fields and across a region. The objectives of this research were to: (1) generate a within-field soil clay-content variability index (VI_c), (2) create a regional-scale growing-season precipitation variability index (VI_p), and (3) integrate the soil and weather indices with the USDA NRCS soil erosion vulnerability index (SVI) to produce a final index that incorporated both variability and vulnerability (VVI). The interpretation of the outcomes represented by each objective supports unique decisions that land managers may consider for reducing uncertainty about implementing PA. All indices were derived using publically available information for Missouri, USA. The VI_c was the ratio between the maximum and minimum clay content within fields. The VI_p was calculated as the standard deviation of the total growing-season precipitation from 2006 to 2015. Significant clustering of VI_c and VI_p were observed along the Missouri River corridor, northeast and northwest Missouri. Fields with high VVI were mostly in the claypan soil region of northeast Missouri, and along a portion of the Missouri River dominated by loess soils on steep slopes. Southeast Missouri displayed the greatest diversity in soil and weather variability, but had low vulnerability. This research could be used as a decision-support tool to aid producers and PA service and product providers in determining where PA opportunities exist.     

Six Edible Wild Fruits as Potential Antioxidant Additives or Nutritional Supplements

Total antioxidant activity of six non-cultivated but traditionally collected fruits from the south of Europe was assessed by measuring their ability to reduce the hydroxyl radical ( OH^· ) \left( {{\hbox{O}}{{\hbox{H}}^\bullet }} \right) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and their Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC). This antioxidant activity was compared with that shown by the synthetic antioxidants BHA (E-320), BHT (E-321) and propyl gallate (E-310). Total phenolics, ascorbic acid and the carotenoid content of the fruits were also analyzed. All fruits showed a high ability to scavenge the OH^· {\hbox{O}}{{\hbox{H}}^\bullet } radical, ranging from 60.61% to 81.04% inhibition for Rosa canina and Crataegus monogyna, respectively. The H₂O₂ scavenging capacity and the TEAC value varied widely, ranging between 3.63% and 87.26% inhibition of H₂O₂ and between 0.47 and 416.64 mM trolox g⁻¹ FW for Sorbus domestica and Rosa canina, respectively. The antioxidant activity of fruits was higher than that of the synthetic additives analyzed, except in the TEAC assay. The phenolic and carotenoid content of R. canina was much higher than that of the other fruits analyzed and its ascorbic acid concentration was also high, reflecting its higher efficacy towards ABTS ^·- {\hbox{ABT}}{{\hbox{S}}^{ \bullet - }} (TEAC assay) and H₂O₂ species_. In spite of these associations, the correlation coefficients between total antioxidant activity and the antioxidant compounds analyzed were not very significant; only phenolics and carotenoids showed a marginal correlation with the TEAC assay. The results support the possible use of R. canina as natural antioxidant to replace the synthetic additives, as well as their use in the production of functional foods with a high antioxidant activity.