Potato plant response to seed tuber bacterization in the field in various rotations

The effects of a seed tuber treatment with antagonistic isolates of fluorescentPseudomonas spp. were investigated on potato plants from 1981 to 1984. The experimental plots were located in fields in short and long rotations of potato. The short rotations are characterized by serious yield reductions which are caused by unknown microbial factors. The reductions varied from 30% in 1982 to only 3% in 1983 in the 3-year rotations. A statistically significant increase in yield (four to five months after planting) of ware potatoes varying from 9 to 20% was obtained in these plots through tuber bacterization, but only in 1981. In 1982 and 1983 initially significant improvements in shoot or tuber weight of seed potatoes were no longer detectable at ware potato harvest at the end of the growing period. Seed tuber bacterization had no effect on tuber yield in long rotations. Initial colonization of basal root parts by 53×10⁴ colony forming units (cfu) of antibiotic-resistant mutants per gram of root (fresh) dropped significantly to 20×10⁴ cfu per gram after three months. The bacterization effect on tuber yield depended on the development of harmful microbial activity and of introduced antagonists during the growing period. Seed tuber bacterization is more promising for seed potatoes than for ware potatoes in short rotations, the latter being harvested two months later.Samenvatting De invloed van pootgoedbehandeling met antagonistische isolaten van fluorescerendePseudomonas-soorten op de aardappelteelt, werd onderzocht in de periode van 1981 tot en met 1984. De proefvelden maakten deel uit van zowel ruime als nauwe rotaties met aardappelen. Kenmerkend voor de nauwe rotatie is, dat de opbrengst aanzienllijk gereduceerd wordt als gevolg van de aanwezigheid van nog onbekende microbiële factoren. Deze opbrengstverlaging varieerde van 30% in 1982 tot slechts 3% in 1983 in de 3-jarige rotaties. Pootgoedbacterisatie had in deze proefvelden een significante toename van de eindopbrengst (vier tot vijf maanden na pootdatum) van consumptieaardappelen tot gevolg, die varieerde van 9 tot 20%, echter allen in 1981. In 1982 en 1983 werd het effect van bacterisatie ook in de loop van de groeiperiode onderzocht. Aanvankelijk significante toenames van zowel spruit-als knolgewicht waren aan het einde van het groeiseizoen niet meer aantoonbaar. Pootgoedbacteristie bleek geen effect te hebben op aardappel in ruimte rotaties. Aanvankelijk werden de basale wortelgedeelten gekoloniseerd door antibioticum-resistente mutanten met 53×10⁴ kolonievormende eenheden (kve) per gram wortel(vers); dit aantal liep (drie maanden na pootdatum) echter significant terug tot 20×10⁴ kve per gram. Het effect van bacterisatie op de eindopbrengst werd bepaald door de ontwikkeling van de schadelijke microbiële activiteit en de ontwikkeling van de geïntroduceerde antagonisten tijdens het groeiseizoen. Pootgoedbacterisatie in nauwe rotaties biedt meer mogelijkheden voor de teelt van pootaardappelen dan die van consumptieaardappelen, die geruime tijd later geoogst worden.     

Evaluation of treatment and prophylaxis with nitrofurans and comparison with alternative antimicrobial agents in experimental Salmonella enterica Serovar enteritidis infection in chicks

The ability of the nitrofuran antimicrobial agents furazolidone and furaltadone to prevent, reduce or eliminate Salmonella enterica serovar enteritidis PT4 infection in artificially challenged day-old chicks was evaluated. Treating the birds with the nitrofurans failed to eliminate established infections with either furazolidone-resistant (Fz^R) or furazolidone-sensitive (Fz^S) strains. Simultaneous administration of the nitrofurans to day-old chicks challenged with Fz^S failed to prevent infection but reduced colonization significantly (p<0.05) compared to unmedicated controls. No reduction of colonization occurred with Fz^R. Challenging birds with Fz^S and simultaneous dosing with nitrofurans for 1 week, followed by a second week of continued treatment, resulted in an increase in the level of colonization in the second week rather than a decrease. Dosing with the nitrofurans (200 ppm) for 1 week prior to challenge with Fz and continued medication for a further week prevented colonization of the caecum, liver and spleen. However, cessation of dosing at the time of challenge with salmonella resulted in colonization. Chloramphenicol and tetracycline at concentrations of 200 ppm were both independently capable of preventing colonization by salmonella. Sulphadiazine initially reduced colonization but failed to eliminate the infection. Only when furazolidone was combined with chloramphenicol or when sulphadiazine was combined with trimethoprim, and the combined drugs were administered concurrently with the challenge, was colonization prevented.     

Development and evaluation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the serodiagnosis of pythiosis in dogs

Pythiosis (caused by the aquatic oomycete Pythium insidiosum) is a devastating and often fatal cause of either severe transmural gastroenteritis or locally invasive subcutaneous disease in dogs living in the southeastern United States. Although early diagnosis is essential for successful treatment, tools available for this task are limited. Therefore, we developed and evaluated an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of anti-P insidiosum antibodies in canine serum. A soluble mycelial extract of P insidiosum was utilized as antigen in the ELISA, which was used to evaluate serum from 43 dogs with pythiosis, 8 dogs with lagenidiosis (another canine oomycosis), 16 dogs with nonoomycotic fungal or algal infections, 22 dogs with nonfungal gastrointestinal or skin disease, and 55 healthy dogs. Results were expressed as percent positivity (PP) relative to a strong positive control serum run on each plate. Medians and ranges for each of the 5 groups were as follows: pythiosis (81.7%, 50.6-98.5%), lagenidiosis (17.3%, 11.3-29.2%), other fungal or algal infections (8.2%, 4.7-15.4%), nonfungal gastrointestinal or skin disease (6.2%, 3.9-20.7%), and healthy dogs (6.7%, 3.0-15.2%). When using a cutoff value of 40% PP, the sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA both were 100%. In addition, ELISA values measured after successful surgical therapy in 2 dogs showed a decrease of anti-P insidiosum antibody concentrations into the normal range as early as 2 months after treatment. We conclude that the ELISA is a sensitive and specific test for the diagnosis of canine pythiosis, and may be a useful tool for monitoring response to medical or surgical therapy.     

香菇开放式接种中环境微生物的变化和接种效果

对四个香菇开放式接种场所内不同时间点环境中霉菌和细菌的数量、温度和湿度进行测定,结果表明,在同一测试场所,不同测试时间点环境中霉菌和细菌的数量有所变化。总体上,消毒前和接种结束时环境中霉菌和细菌的数量相对较多,接种开始和接种进行一半时环境中霉菌和细菌的数量较少。各场所环境中的温度、湿度与霉菌和细菌的数量无相关性。消毒前环境中霉菌、细菌数量与菌棒污染率成正相关,相关系数分别为0.83和0.96;接种开始时环境中霉菌、细菌数量与菌棒污染率的相关系数分别为0.64和0.94;接种进行一半和接种结束时环境中的霉菌数量与菌棒污染率无相关性,而这两个时间点细菌数量与菌棒污染率的相关系数分别为0.62和0.88。     

Complementary host–pathogen genetic analyses of the role of fumonisins in the Zea mays–Gibberella moniliformis interaction

Zea mays often is colonized with the fungus Gibberella moniliformis, which produces fumonisin toxins. The role of fumonisins in seedling colonization and blight was studied using complementary genetic analyses of host and pathogen. Only one of two fumonisin B1 (FB1)-insensitive maize backcross lines was more resistant than the FB1-sensitive parent to seedling blight, indicating that the increase in FB1-insensitivity was not associated with an increase in resistance. FB1-producing and nonproducing isogenic fungal strains did not differ in ability to cause seedling blight, but the FB1-producing strain was more effective in systemic colonization of seedlings in reciprocal strain challenge tests. Together, these and previous results indicate that the role of fumonisins depends on complex environmental and genetic contexts in this host–pathogen interaction.     

Effects of three esca-associated fungi on Vitis vinifera L.: V. Changes in the chemical and biological profile of xylem sap from diseased cv. Sangiovese vines

A vineyard of Vitis vinifera cv. Sangiovese was surveyed for incidence of esca and xylem sap collection. Sap samples were collected from healthy vines and from those with dual infection by Phaeomoniella chlamydospora (Pch) and Togninia minima (Tmi) or triple infection by Pch, Tmi and Fomitiporia mediterranea (Fme), during each early spring in a 3-year period (2001–2003). In order to analyse the possible trends in the climatic data, temperature and rainfall were assessed. At sap harvesting, aliquots of sap were assayed for phytotoxicity and extracted with ethyl acetate for phytotoxin recovery. Moreover, the exopolysaccharide (EPS) content was evaluated on several sap samples during the bleeding period. Conidia of Pch and Tmi, mycelium of Fme and their secondary metabolites were found in the sap of the esca-affected vines, indicating that the pathogens and their by-products together with some defence substances were accumulated and then translocated. Bioactivity tests showed toxicity of the sap from esca-affected vines to healthy detached leaves of cv. Sangiovese. The daily amount of sap, the pH, and the volume (J_v) and solute (J_s) fluxes were analysed as a function of the infecting fungi. Pullulan, glucogalactomannan(s) and arabinogalactan(s) are the main EPS in the esca-infected vines, whereas in the sap of healthy vines no traces of pullulan were found. Scytalone and isosclerone usually produced in vitro by Pch and Tmi were also detected in the sap of vines infected by Pch and Tmi or by Pch, Tmi and Fme. The endogenous phytohormone content of healthy vines evaluated by the cutting bioassay was different from that of infected vines. Four phenolics belonging to three classes e.g., benzoic acid derivatives, stilbenes and flavonol-glycosides were separated and identified by HPLC.     

抗香蕉枯萎病菌拮抗菌的鉴定及其定殖

通过逐步提高药物浓度方法,获得了抗利福平400μg/ml、对香蕉枯萎病菌拮抗活性稳定的T2WF和W10标记菌株。初步确定两菌株为芽孢杆菌属细菌。采用灌根接种法,在香蕉苗根际土和香蕉苗体内定殖结果表明,拮抗菌液接种浓度为5×104cfu/ml,两菌株均可从香蕉根际土和香蕉体内分离到,并在香蕉体内定殖和传导。在香蕉根际土、根部、球茎和假茎中,T2WF标记菌的菌量高峰分别出现在接种后5、5、11和3d,分别为707、437、273、117cfu/mg;而W10标记菌的菌量高峰分别出现在接种后5、3、5和5d,分别为784、260、253、110cfu/mg。两菌株在香蕉根际土和香蕉体内1~15d的消长动态均有一个共同的“由升到降”趋势。从数量和数量变动幅度上看,香蕉根部的菌量明显高于茎部的菌量。     

油菜内生生防菌BY-2在油菜体内的定殖与对油菜菌核病的防治作用

 从油菜植株体内分离出的内生细菌BY-2,经过生物学鉴定为枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis)。用BY-2回接油菜,重新分离到具有BY-2相同形态特征和抑制病原真菌能力的内生菌株。油菜接种后的第10 d,体内的BY-2菌数达(2.24~9.02)×10³ cfu/g鲜植株,25 d仍然保持在(3.13~8.59)×10³ cfu/g鲜植株。BY-2与油菜核盘菌[Sclerotinia sclerotiorum(Lib.) de Bary]对峙培养可以形成直径为3.1 cm的抑菌圈;可使油菜核盘菌菌丝细胞浓缩变短,细胞壁破裂,原生质外溢,从而抑制真菌生长发育;同时还能抑制菌核的萌发,抑制率达60%~70%;在油菜离体叶片试验中,BY-2对菌核病的防治效果达100%。     

Stimulation of the bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue of goats and its effect on in vitro colonization by Pasteurella haemolytica

Twenty goats of about 7 months of age were divided into five groups. The goats in groups 1 and 2 were exposed once, using an intranasal spray to 2 ml of an inoculum containing 10⁶ colony-forming units/ml of living or dead Pasteurella haemolytica A2, respectively. The goats in groups 3 and 4 were similarly exposed twice at a 2-week interval. Group 5 was the untreated control. The number and size of the bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) in goats exposed twice to either living or dead organisms were significantly (p>0.05) increased compared with those exposed once and with the unexposed control. In vitro colonization by living P. haemolytica A2 onto the lung tissue in which the BALT had been stimulated by two exposures of either living or dead organisms was significantly (p>0.05) reduced. The study indicates that stimulation of the respiratory mucosal immunity may prevent P. haemolytica A2 infection.     

Predicting the spread of postharvest disease in stored fruit,with application to apples

Postharvest diseases can cause considerable damage to harvested fruit in controlled atmosphere storage. Since there is a large cost associated with opening the storage rooms, regular assessment of damage levels is not feasible, and many experts agree on the need for a reliable predictive model. Presented here is a simulation model that predicts the overall incidence of disease in a bin of stored fruit as a function of initial infection levels and the fruit's susceptibility to fungal attack. Uninfected fruit tissue, infected fruit tissue, and fungal growth are modelled by a system of three ordinary differential equations. Simulations of the growth and spread of the pathogen in storage were conducted, with disease incidence measured monthly. The model provides insight into the dynamics of postharvest fungal disease, and forms the basis of a predictive model that could be used by packinghouses to determine how long a given crop of fruit can be stored before the infection risk rises above a predetermined tolerable level.