Criniviruses associated with cucurbit yellows disease in Greece and Cyprus: an ever-changing scene

Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV), Cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus (CCYV) and Beet pseudo-yellows virus (BPYV) are whitefly-transmitted criniviruses that cause foliar interveinal yellowing symptoms and result in high economic losses for cucurbit production. CYSDV and CCYV are transmitted by Bemisia tabaci, whereas BPYV is transmitted by Trialeurodes vaporariorum. During 2012–2017, an extensive survey was conducted to identify the viruses causing cucurbit yellows disease in Greece and Cyprus. The study sampled the main cucurbits and alternative hosts in these regions to determine crinivirus incidence, to identify the whitefly species present in the two countries and to characterize molecularly the virus populations. Results showed that CYSDV was the most widespread virus in Greece (49.9%), followed by CCYV (20.3%) and BPYV (18.4%). Bemisia tabaci and T. vaporariorum were identified in 54.5% and 45.6% of whitefly samples, respectively. In Cyprus, CYSDV was predominant (96.7%), followed by CCYV (19.2%), while no BPYV infection was detected. Approximately 15% of weed samples from 17 different species that belong to 12 botanical families were identified as hosts for one or more of these criniviruses. Finally, sequencing of the capsid protein gene of the crinivirus isolates revealed very low levels of genetic diversity, further supporting the genetic stability of crinivirus populations. The results of this long-lasting epidemiological study in two countries of the eastern Mediterranean revealed substantial changes in the relative incidence and distribution of cucurbit-infecting criniviruses and their whitefly vectors over the past 15 years, suggesting the need for adoption of novel management strategies.     

Molecular,biological and serological variability of Zucchini yellow mosaic virus in Tunisia

A study was conducted to better understand the population structure of Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), a severe virus affecting cucurbit crops worldwide, in Tunisia and to estimate whether the use of resistant cultivars may provide durable control. Analysis of the polymerase and coat protein (NIb‐CP) partial sequences of 83 isolates collected in the three main cucurbit‐growing areas in Tunisia showed that ZYMV grouped into two distinct clusters within ZYMV molecular group A. An important variability was observed in the MREK motif of the P3 protein, a motif associated with tolerance breaking in ZYMV‐tolerant zucchini squash cultivars. Interestingly, significant differences were found in the distribution of the MREK variants in the two clusters defined by the partial NIb‐CP sequences, MREK and MKEK sequences being more common in cluster 1 and cluster 2, respectively. When combining NIb‐CP and P3 sequence information, ZYMV molecular variability was shown to be significantly higher in the Cap Bon region than in the Bizerte area. An important biological variability was observed in a subset of 23 isolates regarding symptomatology in susceptible or resistant cucurbits. Some isolates overcame ZYMV tolerance or resistance in zucchini squash and melon, but not in cucumber. Three serotypes were differentiated using a set of 13 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Seven parameters characterizing the 23 isolates, including molecular, serological and biological properties, were used for a multiple component analysis (MCA). This analysis revealed that symptom intensity of a given isolate was similar in different susceptible cucurbit hosts, suggesting similar degrees of aggressiveness in different hosts.     

陕西关中地区瓜类白粉病菌生理小种的鉴定

【目的】对陕西关中地区瓜类白粉病菌的生理小种进行了鉴定,为有效防治陕西关中地区瓜类白粉病及进行抗白粉病新品种的选育奠定基础。【方法】采用国际通用的一整套甜瓜白粉病菌生理小种鉴别寄主,对陕西关中地区不同栽培条件下瓜类作物上收集的38份白粉病菌进行了显微观察和生理小种鉴定。【结果】显微和超显微观察结果表明,采集的38份白粉病菌均是单囊壳白粉菌,其中对IranH、Topmark、Vedrantais、PMR45和NantaisOblong等5个甜瓜鉴别寄主高度感病,而对PMR5、PMR6、Edisto47和WMR29等4个甜瓜鉴别寄主免疫,对PI124111、PI124112、PI414723和MR1等4个甜瓜鉴别寄主表现抗病,与单囊壳白粉菌的生理小种2F.的抗感反应一致。【结论】初步确定陕西关中地区瓜类白粉病菌生理小种为单囊壳白粉菌的生理小种2F.,未发现其他生理小种。     

Developmental Biology of Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Three Cucurbitaceous Hosts at Different Temperature Regimes

Fruit flies are key pests of cucurbits in many parts of the world, including Tanzania. Developmental biology of Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett) has been determined across temperature regimes in some cucurbitaceous hosts, in limited geographies. This study was conducted to determine duration and survival rates of immature stages of Z. cucurbitae in three cucurbitaceous hosts, at different temperature regimes. It was hypothesized that temperature and cucurbitaceous hosts influence duration and survival of immature stages of Z. cucurbitae. We conducted experiments in the environmental chamber set at 75 ± 10% RH and a photoperiod of 12:12 (L:D) h, at temperatures of 20, 25, and 30°. Our results showed that duration and survival of immature stages of Z. cucurbitae differed significantly among the temperature regimes but not among the hosts. Egg incubation period as well as larval and pupal stages were significantly longer (P < 0.0001) at low temperature in all three hosts Likewise, survival rate of all immature stages were significantly higher (P < 0.0001) at higher than lower temperatures. The three hosts, cucumber (Cucumis sativus), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. and Nakai), and pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) did not significantly affect duration or survival rates of immature stages of Z. cucurbitae. The low developmental thresholds were estimated at 15.88, 13.44, and 12.62 for egg, larva and pupa, respectively. These results further confirm that Z. cucurbitae is well adapted to warm climate, which dominates many areas of Tanzania.     

Tomato waste compost as an alternative substrate to peat moss for the production of vegetable seedlings

Different proportions of tomato waste compost (TWC) were combined with peat moss and vermiculite as growth substrates used to evaluate the quality of seedlings of economic vegetables, including tomato, hot pepper, cucumber and summer squash. The seeding substrates used were: (T0), vermiculite: peat moss: TWC (4: 1: 0, by weight), 0% TWC; (T1), vermiculite: peat: TWC (4: 0.75: 0.25), 5% TWC; (T2), vermiculite: peat: TWC (4: 0.5: 0.5), 10% TWC; (T3), vermiculite: peat: TWC (4: 0.25: 0.75), 15% TWC; and (T4), vermiculite: peat: TWC (4: 0: 1), 20% TWC. The best seedling response was recorded in substrate mixtures supplemented with 5% and 10% TWC, which hastened seed germination and improved seedling morphology. Since vegetable seedlings produced with TWC-amended substrate were of higher quality, compared to those produced exclusively on peat substrate, we suggest that TWC may be used to replace partially peat-based substrate used for vegetable transplants production in nurseries.     

5种瓜类植物多聚半乳糖醛酸酶抑制蛋白的诱导表达及活性测定

多聚半乳糖醛酸酶抑制蛋白(PGIP)是一种富含亮氨酸重复单位的糖蛋白,能非竞争性地抑制真菌多聚半乳糖醛酸酶(PG)的活性,从而提高植物的抗病性.以黄瓜、苦瓜、冬瓜、节瓜和甜瓜幼苗为材料,研究PGIP的诱导表达特性及在不同组织中的含量差异.通过比较经孢子诱导、SA诱导和黑暗诱导的黄瓜幼苗中的PGIP的相对含量,发现经病原菌孢子悬浮液处理48 h时PGIP的表达量最高.对经孢子诱导48 h的黄瓜幼苗的根、茎、叶中的PGIP含量进行比较,发现茎中PGIP的相对含量最高.测定这5种瓜类的PGIP对6种尖孢镰刀菌粗PG的抑制作用,发现苦瓜PGIP的相对活性较高,并证实了不同的PGIP能够特异性地识别不同的PG,PGIP对不同PG存在着选择性抑制.     

Identification of tetraploid regenerants from cotyledons of diploid watermelon cultured in vitro

Summary Adventitious shoots were obtained from the diploid watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai] cultivars Dixielee, Jubilee II, Mickylee, Minilee, and Royal Sweet by culturing excised cotyledons on shoot regeneration medium for six weeks. Tetraploid and diploid regenerants were identified by counting the number of chloroplasts per guard cell pair from leaves of regenerated plants. Cross fertilization of putative tetraploids with diploid pollinators and the production of triploid seed confirmed the efficacy of this approach. The mean number of chloroplasts for tetraploid regenerants was 19.1 whereas diploids averaged 11.2. These values were similar to tetraploid and diploid plants from seed. Ovary diameter, petal, and anther diameter of male flowers, and leaf length by width ratio were also good indicators of plant ploidy. Progeny obtained from self-fertile tetraploids of Mickylee were crossed with various diploid pollinators to produce triploid hybrid seed. All triploid plants from tissue culture-derived tetraploids produced fruit comparable in quality to fruit produced by currently-available triploid hybrids, demonstrating that in vitro tetraploid induction can be used to produce high quality tetraploid plants for use in triploid hybrid seed production.     

瓜类细菌性果腐病病原IAS-PCR检测研究

本研究采用免疫磁珠吸附与PCR相结合的技术,对瓜类细菌性果腐病病原快速检测方法进行了研究。对新疆昌吉、海南、上海等地的西、甜瓜细菌性果腐病病叶、种子进行检测结果表明,用特异性引物,带菌病叶、种子均出现360bp特异条带,该方法对该菌悬浮液最低检出量为1×10cfu/mL,检出种子最低带菌率1‰。与常规PCR方法相比,检测时间周期为4h,且不需进行细菌DNA提取,灵敏度高出常规PCR100倍。这一方法的建立对于田间该病原的准确诊断,控制西、甜瓜种子带菌传播及进出口西、甜瓜种子检疫将起到重要作用。