Distribution and genetic diversity of Dothistroma septosporum in Pinus brutia forests of south-western Turkey

Dothistroma needle blight (DNB) is a serious disease of the Pinaceae, mainly Pinus species, caused by the fungi Dothistroma septosporum and D. pini. Both species are regarded as invasive forest pathogens worldwide, with rising incidence in central and northern Europe over the last three decades. In this work, 29 sites were investigated between 2013 and 2015 in south-western Turkey. Morphological examination of needles confirmed DNB infection (i.e., Dothistroma conidiospores observed) at 18 sites, and a total of 108 Dothistroma sp. isolates were obtained from 11 of the sites. Host age seemed to be an important factor in both occurrence and severity of DNB in Pinus brutia forests. Continuous rainy days, especially in December, may increase severity of disease; however, extreme rain events may reduce available conidiospores on plant tissues or in the air. Species-specific mating type primers showed that all isolates were D. septosporum; D. pini was not detected. The mating type ratio was close to 1:1, indicating sexual recombination was occurring. Eleven microsatellite markers revealed 59 unique multilocus haplotypes (MLHs) among the 73 isolates originating from different conidiomata. The majority of MLHs were represented by a single isolate (n = 52) and only one MLH was shared between two localities. Analyses showed high genetic diversity, isolation-by-distance, and clear population clusters. These findings suggest that D. septosporum is well established in south-western Turkey and is probably not a recent introduction.     

Prevalence and economic significance of bovine hypodermosis in Afyonkarahisar province of Turkey

This study was carried out to investigate the prevalence and economic losses due to in cattle of hypodermosis between May 2008 and April 2009 in Afyonkarahisar province of Turkey. A total of 6,598 cattle—3,498 in pasture and 3,100 in slaughterhouse—were examined for hypodermosis. One hundred ninety-five out of 6,598 cattle (2.96%) were found positive. Concerning this infestation rate, the prevalence of hypodermosis in field was 5.3%, whereas the prevalence was 0.3% in slaughter house. Hypoderma bovis and Hypoderma lineatum were recorded in slaughter house. First-stage Hypoderma spp. larvae weren’t found in cattle organs in slaughterhouse. The annual economic loss on skins is estimated to be about 18,288 TL (currency exchange rate is 1 USD:1.499 TL).     

Embryonic and larval development of black skirt tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi,Boulenger, 1895) under laboratory conditions

The embryonic and larval development of black skirt tetra, Gymnocorymbus ternetzi, are described under controlled laboratory conditions. In addition, major histomorphological changes and the allometric growth patterns during larval development have been described. The laboratory‐reared broodstock, that is 1 year of age, were spawned. Hatching occurred 20–21 h after spawning at 24 ± 0.5°C. The cleavage was finished in 2 h and the early blastula stage occurred at 2:04 hours after spawning. The gastrulation started at 3:20 hours and 30% epiboly was observed at 3:34 hours after spawning. Eight‐somite stage was observed at 08:33 hours. And embryonic developmental stage was completed at 21 h after spawning. The newly hatched larvae were 1442 ± 14.3 μm in mean total length (TL). The mouth opened at 3 days after hatching (DAH). The yolk sac had been totally absorbed and the larvae started to swim actively within 3–4 days. Notochord flexion began at 11 DAH. The metamorphosis was completed and the larvae transformed into juveniles at 32 DAH. In this paper, the full developmental sequence from egg to juvenile of G. ternetzi is described for the first time.     

Matrix metalloproteinase expression in sheep with listerial meningoencephalitis

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several central nervous system (CNS) diseases. In this study, we investigated the presence of Listeria monocytogenes antigens and detected the expression of MMP-9 and MMP-7 in the brains of 22 sheep with clinical signs and histopathological findings characteristic of listerial meningoencephalitis. Archived sections from the brainstem, cerebrum, and cerebellum were stained for immunohistochemistry. L. monocytogenes antigens were located mainly in the cytoplasm of neutrophils and some macrophages and/or extracellularly within microabscesses of the brainstem. MMP-9 was mainly immunolocalised in the endothelial cells, microglial cells, and neurons especially in inflammatory areas. MMP-7 immunoreactivity was detected in perivascular cuffs, microglial cells, and only a few neurons. Overall, immunohistochemistry in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues is a useful tool for the diagnosis of encephalitic listeriosis caused by L. monocytogenes, and MMP-9 and MMP-7 may contribute to the pathogenesis of listerial meningoencephalitis.     

Characterization of Pseudoperonospora cubensis isolates from Europe and Asia using ISSR and SRAP molecular markers

Downy mildew caused by Pseudoperonospora cubensis is a major disease of cucurbits worldwide. New genotypes of the pathogen have recently appeared in the USA, EU and Israel causing breakdown of genetic resistance, expansion of host range, and the appearance of a new A2 mating type. Seventy-eight P. cubensis isolates were collected during 1996–2011 from cucurbits fields in different regions of Turkey, Israel and the Czech Republic and genetic diversity was analysed using highly polymorphic ISSR and SRAP molecular markers. The data acquired showed remarkable genetic diversity within and among the isolates. While isolates from Turkey and Czech Republic exhibited uniform genetic background, the isolates from Israel were clearly distinguished from the others. The results may indicate on migration and/or frequent sexual reproduction of the pathogen in Israel. Moreover the selected markers can be suggested for monitoring genetic diversity within P. cubensis isolates in further studies.     

Antioxidant secoiridoids from fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus L.)

Recently, a number of studies on health benefits associated with natural compounds have been demonstrated. Phenolics in fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices possess potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic activities. The fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus) is used as a raw material by pharmaceutical industries for the preparation of homeopathy tinctures. The potential antioxidant activities of two secoiridoids from root bark of fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus L.) were investigated to evaluate their potential value as the natural products for foods or cosmetic applications. In this study, antioxidant activities were measured by 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl free radical (DPPH·) scavenging, superoxide anion (O ₂ ^·? ) radical scavenging, total antioxidant activity, reducing activity, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) scavenging and ferrous metal chelating activity assays. These secoiridoids, as antioxidants neutralized the activities of radicals and inhibited the peroxidation reactions of linoleic acid emulsion. Total antioxidant activity was measured according to ferric thiocyanate method. Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), α-tocopherol and trolox, a water-soluble analog of tocopherol, were used as the reference antioxidant compounds. Ligustroside (3.70 × 10^?3 M) and oleuropein (3.80 × 10^?3 M) showed 71.9, 82.4, 80.7 and 90.4% inhibition on lipid peroxidation of linoleic acid emulsion, at the concentrations of 10 and 20 μg/mL. On the other hand, 20 μg/mL of standard antioxidant such as α-tocopherol (4.64 × 10^?3 M), trolox (7.98 × 10^?3 M), BHA (10.08 × 10^?3 M) and BHT (9.06 × 10^?3 M) exhibited 61.5, 29.8, 74.4 and 71.2% inhibition on peroxidation of linoleic acid emulsion, respectively. In addition, ligustroside and oleuropein had effective DPPH·, ABTS^·+ and superoxide anion radicals scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, total reducing power and metal chelating on ferrous ions activities. Also, those various antioxidant activities were compared to BHA and BHT, α-tocopherol and trolox that are references antioxidants.     

Involvement of Phytophthora cryptogea in sweet cherry decline in Turkey

Sweet cherry is a major commercial crop in Turkey, the most important producer of the fruit worldwide. Sweet cherry decline was observed in an orchard in Ankara province of Turkey. Affected young trees exhibited reduced tree vigor, yellowing and wilting of leaves, and dieback symptoms resulted in tree death. A Phytophthora sp. was consistently isolated from necroses that appeared on taproots and crowns. The pathogen was identified as Phytophthora cryptogea based on several morphological features and DNA sequence of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. P. cryptogea was pathogenic on excised shoots and 1-year-old cherry rootstocks. This is the first report of P. cryptogea causing disease of sweet cherry in Turkey.     

Evaluating the long-term effects of tillage systems on soil structural quality using visual assessment and classical methods

Current agricultural practices and their impacts on the sustainability of crop production can be evaluated by simple and reliable soil structure assessment tools. The study was conducted to determine the effects of long-term (2006–2017) tillage systems on structural quality of a clayey soil using the visual evaluation of soil structure (VESS) and classical field and laboratory measurements. A field experiment with seven tillage systems, representing both traditional and conservation tillage methods, was conducted on a clayey soil in the Cukurova region, Turkey. Soil samples from 0–10, 10–20 and 20–25 cm depths were analysed for mean weight diameter (MWD), porosity and organic carbon. Penetration resistance (PR) was determined in each treatment plot. The VESS scores (<2) of upper 0–5 cm indicated a good structural quality for all tillage systems. The VESS scores were positively related to PR and MWD and negatively to macroporosity (MaP) and total porosity. In reduced and no-till systems, poorer soil structures were observed in subsurface layers where firm platy and angular blocky structures were defined. Mean VESS score (3.29) in 20–25 cm depth where PR was 3.01 MPa under no-till indicated a deterioration of soil structural quality; thus, immediate physical interventions would be needed. Lower VESS scores and PR values under strategic tillage which was created by ploughing half of no-till plots in November 2015 indicated successful correction of compaction caused by long-term no-till. The results suggest that the VESS approach is sensitive and useful in distinguishing compacted layers within the topsoil.     

Identification by culture, PCR, and immunohistochemistry of mycoplasmas and their molecular typing in sheep and lamb lungs with pneumonia in Eastern Turkey

This study used cultures, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and immunoperoxidase to examine samples from 216 lungs from sheep and lambs with macroscopic pneumonia lesions for the presence of Mycoplasma species. DNA was extracted from lung tissue samples and broth cultures with the help of a DNA extraction kit and replicated using genus-specific and species-specific primers for mycoplasma. The lung samples were examined by the immunoperoxidase method using hyperimmune Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae serum. The randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) test was used for the molecular typing of M. ovipneumoniae isolates. Mycoplasma was isolated in the cultures of 80 (37.03 %) of a total of 216 lung samples. Genus-specific mycoplasma DNA was identified by PCR in 96 (44.44 %) samples in broth cultures and 36 (16.66 %) directly in the lung tissue. Of these 96 cases in which genus-specific identification was made, 57 (59.37 %) were positive for reaction with species-specific primers for M. ovipneumoniae and 31 (32.29 %) for Mycoplasma arginini. The DNA of neither of the latter two species could be identified in the remaining eight samples (8.33 %) where mycoplasma had been identified. As for the immunoperoxidase method, it identified M. ovipneumoniae in 61 of 216 lung samples (28 %). Positive staining was concentrated in the bronchial epithelium cell cytoplasm and cell surface. RAPD analysis resulted in 15 different profiles. Our results suggest that PCR methods could be successfully used in the diagnosis of mycoplasma infections as an alternative to culture method and identifying this agent at the species level.     

Susceptibility of tomato borer,Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) populations from Turkey to 7 different insecticides in laboratory bioassay

The tomato borer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), was first recorded in Turkey in August 2009 and rapidly became a serious pest in the Mediterranean and Aegean coastal regions in field and greenhouse grown tomatoes. Currently, insecticides are considered one of the major tools for the management of T. absoluta in Turkey. This study, investigated the efficacy of 7 different insecticides, against T. absoluta in laboratory bioassays. To determine the lethal concentration (LC) values and feeding activity of the larvae, tomato leaf parts mined by 1–3 day old L1 larvae were dipped into different insecticide concentrations. Mortality was recorded 5 days after insecticide treatments. Spinosad, chlorantraniliprole + abamectin or indoxacarb treatment resulted in 100% mortality with minimal or no feeding in all populations at their recommended doses of 120, 50.4 and 60 mg a.s. L^?1, respectively. In general, the LC₉₉ values of populations for these insecticides were similar and also lower than that of the recommended field doses. The effect of pyridalyl was low, resulting in low mortality with serious feeding damage at the dose of 125 mg a.s. L^?1. The efficacies of abamectin, metaflumizone and azadirachtin were found to be moderate to low at the recommended doses (4.5, 240 and 50 mg a.s. L^?1, respectively). However, these insecticides may affect pupation and adult emergence rates hence further studies are recommended to investigate these insecticides.