Multilocus sequence typing analysis of Italian Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris strains suggests the evolution of local endemic populations of the pathogen and does not correlate with race distribution

Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) is the causal agent of black rot in Brassicaceae. It is widespread in Italy and severe outbreaks occur under conditions that favour disease development. In this study a multilocus sequence typing approach (MLST) based on the partial sequence of seven loci was applied to a selection of strains representative of the main areas of cultivation and hosts. The aim was to investigate whether the long tradition of brassica crops in Italy has influenced the evolution of different Xcc populations. All loci were polymorphic; 14 allelic profiles were identified of which 13 were unique to Italian strains. Based on the seven loci, the most common genotype within the Italian Xcc strains (AP1) was also the most representative genotype found in worldwide Xcc strains. This genotype was included in a new clonal complex in addition to three other clonal complexes already identified in Xcc populations. The phylogenetic reconstruction using a concatenated dataset of four conserved protein-coding genes, dnaK, fuyA, gyrB and rpoD, showed that the Italian strains belonged to two genetic groups. Physiological races were also investigated for the first time in Italy. The race structure of Xcc was determined by inoculating eight differential Brassica lines belonging to five species and showed that, in Italy, race 4 is the most widespread, followed by races 1 and 6. No correlation was found between allelic profiles, host of isolation, geographical origin and races, although a prevalent race was identified within the same clonal complex.     

Genetic diversity of the pine pathogen Lecanosticta acicola in Slovenia and Croatia

Brown spot needle blight (BSNB), a disease of pine trees caused by the fungus Lecanosticta acicola, has been known in Slovenia since 2008 and in Croatia since 1975. Recent outbreaks in Slovenia prompted this study to compare L. acicola populations in these two neighbouring European countries. Sixty-nine isolates collected from three pine species (Pinus mugo, P. halepensis and P. nigra) were used to determine the phylogenetic relationships, genetic structure, and reproductive strategy of the pathogen. EF1-α sequences showed that Slovenian and Croatian isolates share a common ancestry with individuals from central and northern Europe. Population structure analysis revealed four distinct population clusters of L. acicola in these two countries, generally corresponding to their respective geographic location and host. An unequal ratio of mating types and a low overall genetic diversity in the population indicated a strong influence of asexual reproduction. Although some of the oldest recorded European occurrences of BSNB are from Croatia, this study provided no evidence that the population studied in Croatia was the source of the sampled outbreaks in Slovenia. Recent outbreaks of L. acicola in Slovenia are most likely due to introductions from other, yet to be identified, sources.     

Population dynamics of the potato cyst nematode,Globodera pallida,in relation to temperature,potato cultivar and nematicide application

The impact of increasing temperatures on the population dynamics of the soil-dwelling nematode Globodera pallida, a persistent and economically important pest of potatoes, was investigated. The reproductive factor (final population⁄initial population) and length of life cycle were found to be temperature sensitive. Pot experiments performed over 4 months allowed comparison of the effect on development of G. pallida of two temperature regimes: an average temperature comparable to current field conditions (14.3 °C) and an average temperature above current field conditions (17.3 °C). A larger second generation of juveniles was observed at 17.3 °C compared to 14.3 °C. Multiplication of G. pallida at field sites in Shropshire and East Lothian (average soil temperatures of 15.5 and 14.1 °C, respectively, during potato cropping) was also examined. A quantitative PCR assay and visual examination of roots were used to monitor the dynamics of the G. pallida populations in both field sites at 4-weekly intervals. Four cultivars, Desirée, Cara, Maris Piper and Estima, were grown with and without nematicide treatments. Nematicide treatments suppressed population increases at both sites. Females were observed on the roots of cvs Cara and Desirée at the end of the growing season in Shropshire, but not at East Lothian, and are likely to represent a second generation.     

Molecular identification of blast resistance genes in rice landraces from northeastern India

Rice blast disease caused by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae is one of the most devastating diseases causing huge losses worldwide. In the present study, major blast resistance genes were investigated in landraces originating from northeastern India. Based on phenotypic evaluation, 288 landraces were classified into three distinct groups: resistant (75), moderately resistant (127) and susceptible (86). The genetic frequencies of the 18 major blast resistance genes were between 6.2% and 27.4%, with only two genotypes possessing a maximum of nine blast resistance genes. The cluster and population structure analysis grouped the landraces into two groups. Through principal coordinate analysis, the scatter plots partitioned the resistant and moderately resistant landraces into different groups. Analysis of molecular variance showed maximum (96%) diversity within populations and least (4%) diversity between populations. Association analysis identified six markers, CRG4_2, RM72, tk59-2, pi21_79-3, RM1233 and RM6648, that are significantly associated with blast disease and explained a phenotypic variance of 1.1–6.5%. The associated genes could be used in marker-assisted rice breeding programmes for gene pyramiding to develop rice varietal resistance against blast disease. The present study represents a valuable blast resistance genetic resource that could be used for identification of new R genes, donors for blast resistance, and genomic studies.     

草地贪夜蛾缅甸虫源迁入中国的路径分析

草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda(J.E. Smith)对非洲和南亚国家的入侵已对全球粮食安全造成重大影响,该虫2018年年底已在缅甸形成虫源基地,并零星进入中国云南西南部地区。本文利用历史数据分析了缅甸和华南地区春、夏两季(3-8月)925 hPa夜间平均风温场,并模拟预测了缅甸地区草地贪夜蛾在此期间进入中国的迁飞轨迹以及主要降落和波及的地区。结果表明:3-4月盛行的微弱西风不利于远距离迁移,但成虫的自主飞行可形成对云南和广西局部地区的近距离入侵;进入5月份后,随着西南夏季风的加强,云南和广西全境成为缅甸虫源的主要迁入地,并可能波及贵州、广东、海南和湖南等省。因此,4月份之前要重点监控云南和广西地区草地贪夜蛾的发生与为害,此后,应将监控区域扩大至中国中南部地区的各个省份。     

草地贪夜蛾种群性诱测报方法研究

草地贪夜蛾已经成为中国农业生产的重大害虫,准确地预测预报是指导防治的基础。本研究采用国产草地贪夜蛾性诱剂诱陷多测试了3种不同类型诱捕器对草地贪夜蛾的田间诱捕效果。结果表明,诱陷多有效期可达60 d以上,3种诱捕器中以桶型诱捕器诱捕量最高。实验室研究显示,不同日龄草地贪夜蛾雄虫精巢长轴长度有显著性差异,精巢长轴长度随日龄增加不断减小。据此规律,制定了按照精巢长轴大小判断雄蛾日龄的指标,并反演重构了田间雌、雄虫种群羽化的动态曲线。本研究表明,可以利用性诱到的雄虫的精巢发育状况推算田间种群的年龄结构,进而达到通过预测雌虫产卵与幼虫孵化动态指导防治的目的。     

猕猴桃溃疡病菌biovar 3群体MLVA分型技术的建立与应用

 丁香假单胞菌猕猴桃致病变种生物型3(Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae biovar 3,Psa3)是猕猴桃溃疡病菌的世界流行群体,但仅在中国存在复杂的遗传多样性。开发适于Psa3群体分型的MLVA(multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis)技术是探索中国Psa3起源与流行学特性的基础。本研究对7个Psa3菌株进行了全基因组测序,结合已公布的86个全基因组数据,进行比较分析发现,中国Psa3至少存在7个亚群;在各亚群间存在多态性的24个串联重复序列中,其中10个可以通过琼脂糖凝胶电泳区分开且变异指数合适,据此建立了适于Psa3的MLVA技术。采用该技术对分别来自贵州和陕西的62和9个Psa3菌株进行群体分型,分型结果与全基因组分析高度一致,证明该MLVA体系分型准确。MLVA分型结果表明:贵州主产区修文县Psa3有3个MLVA群体,其中亚群4的组内分化明显,代表最早发生的群体;而亚群 1和3的结构单一,且多在新果园发现,是新传入群体。总之,本研究建立了一套可用于Psa3群体分型的MLVA技术,将有助于解析中国各猕猴桃产区Psa3群体结构,以及探索中国Psa3的起源、传播和流行学特征。     

Responses of subshrub sagebrush rangeland in North-Western China to changes in livestock numbers and rainfall over 10 years (2004–2013)

Seriphidium transiliense, or subshrub sagebrush, is one of the most important forage resources for livestock in many arid lands, but such resources have been threatened by overgrazing for a long time. A 2013 vegetation survey of an original sagebrush rangeland (2400?ha) in the Tianshan Mountains revealed that nearly half of the area once under sagebrush has been replaced by annual species. This is due to the continual and rapid increase in livestock numbers over the past 30?years. Three smaller sites with different grazing scenarios: no grazing (Site N), a decline (Site 1), and an increase (Site 2) in livestock numbers, were selected to monitor recent changes (from 2004 to 2013) in vegetation biomass and the degree of dominance by sagebrush. Supplanting happened at Site 2 but little occurred at Site 1. There were significant differences between Site 2 and Site 1 in standing biomass in Spring and Summer, but no significant differences in Summer between Site 1 and Site N. The supplanting of sagebrush marks the completion of a dynamic process – in which rainfall plays a crucial role – of damage to sagebrush from heavy grazing in drought years and its rehabilitation by light grazing in some good years. Plant biomass loss was greatest when the land was first subjected to heavy grazing. Sagebrush tends to exist as a sole-dominant species rather than a companion species in sagebrush communities. This suggests that sagebrush continued to survive in pockets where grazing pressure had declined.