A dynamic simulation model for powdery mildew epidemics on winter wheat*

A system dynamic model for epidemics of Blumeria graminis (powdery mildew) on wheat was elaborated, based on the interaction between stages of the disease cycle, weather conditions and host characteristics. The model simulates the progress of disease severity, expressed as a percentage of powdered leaf area, on individual leaves, with a time step of one day, as a result of two processes: the growth of fungal colonies already present on the leaves and the appearance of new colonies. By means of mathematical equations, air temperature, vapour pressure deficit, rainfall and wind are used to calculate incubation, latency and sporulation periods, the growth of pathogen colonies, infection and spore survival. Effects of host susceptibility to infection, and of leaf position within the plant canopy, are also included. Model validation was carried out by comparing model outputs with the dynamics of epidemics observed on winter wheat grown at several locations in northern Italy (1991–98). Simulations were performed using meteorological data measured in standard meteorological stations. As there was good agreement between model outputs and actual disease severity, the model can be considered a satisfactory simulator of the effect of environmental conditions on the progress of powdery mildew epidemics.     

Application of fuzzy logic for the simulation of Plasmopara viticola using agrometeorological variables*

A mechanistic model called PLASMO was developed earlier to simulate grapevine downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola) and has been applied in several viticultural areas of Italy since 1988 by the collaboration of several research institutions of Firenze. In this study, a new simulation model based on fuzzy logic has been developed for the same structure (biological cycle of P. viticola). This approach allows classical quantitative information to be used together with qualitative information. Vague concepts can also be handled. Agrometeorological data is used, with an hourly time step, starting from budbreak to the end of the growing season. Air temperature, relative humidity, rainfall and leaf wetness are required. The simulated processes are the growth of grapevine leaf area and the main phases of the biological cycle of the pathogen: incubation, sporulation, germination, spore survival and inoculation. The main epidemiological outputs are timing of infection events and disease intensity. The performance of the model is evaluated and the mechanistic and fuzzy logic approaches are compared.     

A model estimating the risk of Fusarium head blight on wheat*

A dynamic simulation model for the risk of Fusarium head blight on wheat was elaborated based on systems analysis. The model calculates a daily infection risk based on sporulation, spore dispersal and infection of host tissue of the four main species causing the disease (Gibberella zeae, Fusarium culmorum, Gibberella avenacea, Monographella nivalis). Spore yield and dispersal are calculated as functions of temperature, rainfall and relative humidity, while the main factors affecting the infection rate are temperature, wetness and the host growth stage. The model also calculates a risk for mycotoxin production by G. zeae and F. culmorum in the infected head tissue. First validations against field data, collected in some wheat‐growing areas in northern Italy and not used in model elaboration, produced satisfactory results.     

Estimating the potential development of Diaporthe helianthi epidemics in Italy*

Diaporthe helianthi is the causal agent of a severe sunflower disease but, in Italy, disease outbreaks are sporadic with no significant losses. The present work investigates the role of meteorological conditions on the potential development of D. helianthi epidemics in Italy, using the French model Asphodel, which simulates the effect of air temperature, relative humidity and rainfall on ascospore maturation and dispersal, infection establishment, disease onset and severity during the period of host susceptibility. Meteorological data measured in eight stations distributed from north to south Italy, over a 5‐year period (1995–99), was used as model input. Results showed that meteorological conditions in Italy are frequently favourable for D. helianthi infections on sunflower, and severe epidemics are possible. Therefore, climatic conditions are not a limiting factor for disease development in the Italian sunflower‐growing areas. The lack of disease epidemics in Italy may be related to differences in the pathogen populations compared with the French ones.     

Multi#ex—CAPS技术及其在番茄遗传鉴定中的应用

 ：应用Multiplex—PCR和CAPS(Cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence)原理研究建立了Mutiplex—CAPS技术。该技术包括：(1)在PCR扩增反应体系加入2对、3对或多对核苷酸引物，经30～40个扩增循环后得到每对引物的特异扩增片段；(2)应用同一种限制性内切酶消化这些不同引物经扩增后获得的特异片段；(3)琼脂糖凝胶电泳溴化乙锭染色检测酶切片段长度的多态性。利用该技术对番茄(Lycopersicon es—cdentum)TA517及其近等基因系的分析表明，Multiplex—CAPS能同时检测2个、3个或多个CAPS标记的多态性，其效果等同于每个CAPS标记的多态性的叠加，重复性好，分析效率高，降低成本数倍。     

Biological control of cereal seed-borne diseases by seed bacterization with greenhouse-selected bacteria

About 400 bacterial strains, isolated from roots of wild and cultivated plants, were screened for effects against diseases caused by Drechslera teres and/or Microdochium nivale in greenhouse tests and against common bunt caused by Tilletia caries in field tests. Four of the strains showed good biocontrol activity <70% disease reduction) against D. teres and T. caries both in screenings and field tests. One Pseudomonas isolate, MA 342, strongly and reliably suppressed both D. teres and T. caries in the field, while effects against M. nivale were weaker. The effects could not be enhanced by varying pre-application or seed application procedures. This isolate could be stored as a suspension in a refrigerator, frozen or applied to seeds for at least one month without loosing its disease controlling ability.