A long‐term study of burning effects on a plant pathogen in tallgrass prairie

Tallgrass prairie species have evolved with regular exposure to fire. However, burning has been used as a management tool for reducing plant disease in agricultural systems, posing the question of how plant pathogens of tallgrass prairie would be affected by burning. The rust fungus Puccinia dioicae, infecting Erigeron strigosus (Asteraceae), was studied for 8 years in long‐term experiments to evaluate the effects of burning in native tallgrass prairie. This experiment also allowed evaluation of the effects of nutrient additions, although E. strigosus was rare in the plots with added nutrients in most years. Burning reduced rust severity in most years, but effects from additions of nutrients were rarely observed. There was high interannual variation in rust severity within a location, suggesting that weather may be the most important of these three abiotic factors in determining infection. An analysis of weather variables associated with disease severity found that solar radiation in the month prior to sampling was associated with severity in unburned plots; temperature approximately 2 months prior to sampling was also associated with severity in burned plots. High interannual variation also suggests that the effects of this pathogen on its host would be sporadic and difficult to study in short‐term experiments.     

Volume Contents

Volume Contents

Volume Contents     

Bacterial pathogens of rice in the Kingdom of Cambodia and description of a new pathogen causing a serious sheath rot disease

A study of rice diseases in Cambodia from 2005 to 2007 showed widespread occurrence of diseases caused by Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae, Burkholderia gladioli, B. cepacia and Pantoea ananatis. This is the first report of these pathogens in Cambodia. Additionally, a pseudomonad causing a widespread disease similar to sheath brown rot (caused by Pseudomonas fuscovaginae) was isolated. The studied strains were pathogenic to rice cvs Sen Pidau and IR 66, producing similar, though slightly less severe, symptoms to those observed in the field. Based on comparative 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis, combined with cell wall fatty acid analysis and metabolic profiles, the isolated strains were allocated to the genus Pseudomonas. The novel species were differentiated from Pseudomonas fuscovaginae and P. putida by their inability to metabolize d ‐fructose, d ‐galactose, d ‐galactonic acid lactone, d ‐galacturonic acid, d ‐glucosaminic acid, d ‐glucuronic acid, p‐hydroxy phenylacetic acid, d ‐saccharic acid and urocanic acid. The major fatty acids were C_16:0, summed feature 3 (C_16:1ω7c and C_16:1ω6c) and summed feature 8 (C_18:1ω7c), representing 80% of the total. Partial 16S rRNA gene sequences (1460 bp) were identical, except for two nucleotide changes amongst the six strains. Alignment of the causal strains within type‐culture databases revealed similarities of 99·7% with Pseudomonas parafulva AJ 2129^T, 99·2% with P. fulva IAM 1592^T, 98·9% with P. plecoglossicidia FPC 951^T, and 98·1% with P. fuscovaginae MAFF 301177^T. On the basis of data from this polyphasic study, it is proposed that the unknown strains isolated from rice represent a novel species of the genus Pseudomonas.     

Genetic diversity of the root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne enterolobii and development of a SCAR marker for this guava‐damaging species

The objectives of this work were to evaluate the genetic variability of Meloidogyne enterolobii by molecular markers, and develop species‐specific molecular markers for application in detection. Sixteen M. enterolobii isolates from different geographical regions (Brazil and other countries) and hosts were used in this study. The identification and purification of the populations were carried out based on isoenzyme phenotype. The DNA amplification of the intergenic region (IGS) of the rDNA and of the region between the cytochrome oxidase subunit II (COII) and 16S rRNA genes (mtDNA) produced specific fragments of the expected size for this nematode, i.e. 780 and 705 bp, respectively. Intraspecific variability among the isolates was evaluated with three different neutral molecular markers: AFLP, ISSR and RAPD. The results showed a low level of diversity among the isolates tested, indicating that M. enterolobii is a genetically homogeneous root‐knot nematode species. The RAPD method allowed the identification of a species‐specific RAPD fragment for M. enterolobii. This fragment was cloned and sequenced, and from the sequence obtained, a set of primers was designed and tested. The amplification of a 520‐bp‐long fragment occurred only for the 16 isolates of M. enterolobii and not for the 10 other Meloidogyne species tested. In addition, positive detection was achieved in a single individual female, egg‐mass and second stage juvenile of this nematode. This SCAR species‐specific marker for M. enterolobii represents a new molecular tool to be used in the detection of this nematode from field samples and as a routine diagnostic test for quarantine devices .     

Distribution of fenvalerate and permethrin residues on cattle hair following variable application rates of impregnated ear tags

Fenvalerate and permethrin residues on hair of groups of cattle that received either two tags per adult animal or one tag for every other adult animal were determined using gas chromatography over a three-month period in 1987 and 1988. Cattle with two tags had consistently higher residues than cattle with one tag. This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05) in the first month for residues on the head and in the first two weeks for residues from the body in 1987. Residues on cattle with one tag and without a tag in the same herd were similar (P > 0.05) on each sampling day on all regions. Residues on the hair from the head of cattle with two tags were greater than on the body and rump (P < 0.05) during the first 28 days. Residues found on hair on days 14 and 84 following tag application declined by 80–86% on the head, 73–78% on the body, and 36–86% on the rump. Isomeric compositions of fenvalerate (range 51–61% SR, RS: 39–49% SS, RR) and permethrin (range 61–67% trans: 33–39% cis) were consistent during the study. Rainfall reduced residues on hair.     

Crude protein in low‐fish meal diets for juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei can be reduced through a well‐balanced supplementation of essential amino acids

The use of supplemental essential amino acids (EAAs) has been shown to provide an opportunity to minimize excess levels of crude protein (CP) in animal feeds. The present study investigated the effect of reducing the amount of CP in low‐fish meal diets (5%) for juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei. Four sets of diets were prepared containing (% on a fed basis, mean ± SD) 31.24 ± 0.71, 33.70 ± 0.41, 36.90 ± 0.44, and 39.63 ± 0.14% CP, with each protein level containing a total dietary methionine (Met) (Met + Cys) level of 0.56 ± 0.02 (1.07 ± 0.23), 0.71 ± 0.01 (1.22 ± 0.20), 0.88 ± 0.02 (1.38 ± 0.22), or 1.04 ± 0.02% (1.55 ± 0.18%). Shrimp of 1.00 ± 0.08 g were stocked in 84 outdoor tanks of 1 m³ at a rate of 100 shrimp/m² and raised for 75 days. Final survival ranged from 83 to 97% and was unaffected by Met content. Both survival and yield were significantly depressed when shrimp were fed the 31% CP diet. Shrimp grew at a weekly rate of between 0.79 and 0.97 g, achieving a final body weight (BW) in excess of 10.8 g. There was a significant interaction between CP and Met over BW. Shrimp fed 0.56% Met achieved the lowest BW at harvest. Increasing CP beyond 34% did not enhance BW. With a dietary Met content of 0.71%, the highest BW was achieved with 34% CP compared to other levels. There was a significant improvement in Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) when CP was raised from 31 to 34%. Similarly, dietary Met levels above 0.71% resulted in a significantly better FCR compared to 0.56%. Our study has shown that, if dietary Met (Met + Cys) meets a minimum of 0.71% (1.22%), levels of CP could be reduced from 40 to 34% without adverse effects on shrimp performance.     

Does sand content in spawning substrate result in early larval emergence? Evidence from a lithophilic cyprinid fish

The spawning success of lithophilic salmonids is strongly influenced by the fine sediment content (“fines”) of spawning substrates, yet knowledge on the impacts of fines on the spawning of non‐salmonid lithophiles remains limited, despite their ecological and socio‐economic importance in European rivers. Consequently, the aim here was to use an ex‐situ experiment to investigate the impact of sand content on egg survival and timing of larval emergence of the surface‐spawning cyprinid European barbel Barbus barbus. Thirty incubator boxes within a recirculating system were filled with one of five experimental sediment mixtures (0%–40% sand by mass) that each contained 300 fertilised eggs at a depth of 50 mm. Emerged, free‐swimming larvae were captured and counted daily to assess grain‐size effects on larval survival and emergence. Specifically, total proportion of emerged larvae, cumulative daily proportion of emerged larvae and time required to reach 50% emergence were measured during the study. Whilst the proportion of sand in the sediments did not have a significant impact on egg‐to‐emergence survival (mean survival per treatment 75%–79%), it significantly affected the timing of larval emergence to the water column; early emergence was detected in treatments with elevated sand content (on average, 50% emergence after 12–13 days versus 19 days in the control). Similar to findings from salmonid studies, these results suggest high sand content in spawning gravels can influence timing of larval emergence and potentially cyprinid lithophilic fish survival.     

Overcoming hybridization barriers between pea and some of its wild relatives

Pea would benefit from the plasticity and adaptability of its cross-incompatible relatives Pisum fulvum and Lathyrus sativus L., and we have tested reciprocal sexual crossings by manually cross-pollinating plants of genotypes of these three species. Studies of in situ germination of pollen grains on stigmata showed that pollen tubes were generally unable to germinate or could not reach the ovary. A few putative hybrid pods were nevertheless harvested, with one grain per pod germinated in vitro, then micropropagated for flow cytometry, isoenzyme, molecular (ribosomal ITS PCR-RFLP) and genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) studies. One such grain was recovered from an inter-generic cross of P. sativum x L. sativus and four from an inter-specific P. sativum x P. fulvumcross. A strong cross-incompatibility was shown between pea and grass pea, where the putative hybrid turned out to be pea. Conversely, with the interspecific, P. sativum x P. fulvum cross, flow cytometry and isoenzymes with leaf tissues strongly suggested hybridity, while molecular approaches and GISH confirmed the production of inter-specific hybrids, and without the need for a wild type P. sativum accession as a bridging cross.     

The effect of introgressions of wheat D-genome chromosomes into 'Presto' triticale

Hexaploid triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) (2n= 6x= 42, AABBRR) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (2n= 6x= 42, AABBDD) differ in their R and D-genomes. This produces differences in both agronomic and end-use quality characteristics. Our objective was to determine how introgressions of individual chromosomes from the D-genome of wheat affect these characteristics of a winter triticale 'Presto'. We studied the effects of 18 D-genome chromosome substitution lines, 15 sib-lines as controls, and five check cultivars at Lincoln, NE in 1996, using a randomized complete block design with two replications. The experiment was repeated at Lincoln and Mead, NE in 1997 and 1998 with 15 substitution lines that survived the first winter in Lincoln, along with their 12 control sibs and five check cultivars. Few D-genome chromosomes had positive effects. Chromosomes 2D, 4D, and 6D significantly reduced plant height when substituted for 2R, 4B, and 6R, respectively. No grain yield increases were associated with any of the D-genome chromosomes tested, but three substitutions decreased the grain yield. Depending on the allele of the hardness gene present, chromosome 5D increased or decreased kernel hardness when substituted for 5R or 5A, respectively. Introgressions of chromosomes 1D and 6D improved end-use quality characteristics of Presto. These results suggest that apart from beneficial effects of individual loci located on the D-genome chromosomes, no major benefit can be expected from D-genome chromosome substitutions.     

Light-enhanced free radical formation and trypanocidal action of gentian violet (crystal violet)

Transmission of Chagas' disease by transfusion of blood containing Trypanosoma cruzi has often been reported, and gentian violet, a triarylmethane dye, is widely used by blood banks in attempts to eliminate such transmission. In a study of intact trypanosomes, gentian violet was found to undergo a one-electron reduction to produce a carbon-centered free radical as demonstrated by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. Either reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide or the reduced dinucleotide phosphate could serve as a source of reducing equivalents for the production of this free radical by homogenates of Trypanosoma cruzi. The formation of this free radical, and the trypanocidal action of gentian violet, were enhanced by light. The enhanced free radical formation may be the basic cause of the selective toxicity of gentian violet to Trypanosoma cruzi.