Inactivation of soil-borne plant pathogens during small-scale composting of crop residues

Samples of heavily infested crop residues were incorporated in static compost heaps (2.5–4.6 m³) of the Indore type. Temperature increased to 50–70°C within 6 days depending on the type of crop residues used and the location within the heap. The heat phase (>40 °C) lasted 2–3 weeks and was followed by a c. 5-months maturation phase (<40 °C). Among the 17 pathogens tested, onlyOlpidium brassicae and one of the four formae speciales ofFusarium oxysporum that were tested survived composting, but also their inoculum was greatly reduced.Survival during specific phases of composting was studied by incorporation and retrieval of samples at various stages of the process.F. oxysporum f. sp.melonis was completely inactivated andO. brassicae andPlasmodiophora brassicae were almost completely inactivated during the short heat phase. The three pathogens survived the long-lasting maturation phase without loss of viability. Heat evolved during composting was found to be the most important factor involved with sanitation of crop residues. The possible involvement of fungitoxic conversion products and microbial antagonism is discussed.     

Notes on the role of water potential in the pathogenesis of fire blight,caused by Erwinia amylovora

The rate of multiplication of fire blight causing bacteriumErwinia amylovora (Burrill) Winslow et al. depends on the availability of water. Water availability can be quantified by means of the parameter water potential. The relationship between water potential and relative multiplication rate ofE. amylovora was derived from experiments of L. Shaw (1935). This relationship appears to be applicable toE. amylovora in plant tissues and in nectar of flowers.Multiplication and expansion ofE. amylovora in a restricted space, e.g. an intercellular hole, creates a pressure, which may cause schizogenic cavities in soft tissue. Strong tissue, however, may be able to resist this multiplication pressure of the bacteria, so that symptom progression can be prevented. A hypothesis is formulated on how the multiplication pressure may be quantified by means of the parameter water potential. Expansion of bacterial ooze may alo be due to absorbtion of water without increase of dry weight (e.g. a daily cycle of shrinkage and expansion). This expansion may give rise to a swelling pressure, which again may be quantified by means of the parameter water potential.Samenvatting De vermenigvuldigingssnelheid van de bacterie die bacterievuur veroorzaakt (Erwinia amylovora (Burrill) Winslow et al.,), hangt af van de beschikbaarheid van water. De beschikbaarheid van water kan worden gekwantificeerd met de parameter waterpotentiaal. De relatie tussen waterpotentiaal en relatieve vermenigvuldigingssnelheid vanE. amylovora werd afgeleid uit experimenten van L. Shaw (1935, Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station, Ithaca. Memoir 181). Deze relatie kan zowel worden toegepast op de pathogenese in planteweefsel als op de epifytische ontwikkeling in nektar.Vermenigvuldiging vanE. amylovora in een beperkte ruimte, bijvoorbeeld in een intercellulaire holte, creëert een druk, die tot scheuren van zacht weefsel kan leiden. Sterk weefsel kan de vermenigvuldigingsdruk van de bacteriën vermoedelijk wel weerstaan, zodat uitbreiding wordt verhinderd. In een hypothese wordt beschreven hoe de vermenigvuldigingsdruk zou kunnen worden gekwantificeerd met behulp van de parameter waterpotentiaal. Wateropname door bacterieslijm zonder toename van het drooggewicht (bijvoorbeeld een dagelijkse gang van krimpen en zwellen) kan ook leiden tot een druk. Deze druk kan eveneens worden berekend met de parameter waterpotentiaal.     

Growing plant in space

Space agencies in several countries are planning for the culture of plants in long duration space bases. The challenge of developing crop production procedures suitable for space projects will result in a new approach of problems we may meet today or in the near future in our common production systems. You may keep in mind subjects as: minimizing wastes or pollution problems, saving materials, introductions robotic helps. Discussion between scientists involved with food production for space programmes and protected horticultural cultivation may open new perspectives.