Production of discernible disease phenotypes in Canna by five plant viruses belonging to the genera Potyvirus,Cucumovirus and Badnavirus

Cannas are tropical and subtropical flowering perennial plants. The genus contains many species but most commercially grown cultivars are interspecific hybrids selected for their attractive foliage and flowers. Canna production is so lucrative that there are farmers and nurseries dedicated solely to its production. The specific issue that the canna industry faces is virus diseases. In this study, rhizomes of 24 canna cultivars were gathered and diagnostics conducted to detect Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV, Potyvirus), Canna yellow mottle virus (CaYMV, Badnavirus), Canna yellow streak virus (CaYSV, Potyvirus), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV, Cucumovirus) and Tomato aspermy virus (TAV, Cucumovirus). Visual assessment of disease symptoms and diagnostic tests were carried out to identify the prevalent diseases and describe the symptoms that are associated with virus infection. BYMV, CaYMV and CaYSV caused severe mosaic and necrosis either in the leaf lamina or veins of infected leaves. Potyvirus infection suppressed red colouration in the foliage of some varieties. CaYMV and CaYSV often appeared in the same plant, suggesting they might represent a viral complex. CMV and TAV were rarely seen in these populations. Interestingly, CaYMV but not CaYSV could be mechanically inoculated to Phaseolus vulgaris plants.     

Role of woody biochar and fungal-bacterial co-inoculation on enzyme activity and metal immobilization in serpentine soil

Purpose

In this study, we investigated the effect of biochar (BC) and fungal bacterial co-inoculation (FB) on soil enzymatic activity and immobilization of heavy metals in serpentine soil in Sri Lanka.

Materials and methods

A pot experiment was conducted with tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) at 1, 2.5, and 5 % (w/w) BC ratios. Polyphenol oxidase, catalase and dehydrogenase activities were determined by idometric, potassium permanganate oxidisable, and spectrophotometric methods, respectively. Heavy metal concentrations were assessed by 0.01 M CaCl₂ and sequential extraction methods.

Results and discussion

An increase in BC application reduced polyphenol oxidase, dehydrogenase, and catalase activity. The application of FB increased soil dehydrogenase activity, with the maximum activity found in 1 % BC700?+?FB treatment. Moreover, the CaCl₂ extractable metals (Ni, Mn, and Cr) in 5 % BC700 amended soil decreased by 92, 94, and 100 %, respectively, compared to the control. Sequential extraction showed that the exchangeable concentrations of Ni, Mn, and Cr decreased by 55, 70, and 80 % in 5 % BC700, respectively.

Conclusions

Results suggest that the addition of BC to serpentine soil immobilizes heavy metals and decreases soil enzymatic activities. The addition of FB to serpentine soil improves plant growth by mitigating heavy metal toxicity and enhancing soil enzymatic activities.

     

Influence of soil water content and soil amendments on trace metal release and seedling growth in serpentine soil

Journal of Soils and Sediments - This study was conducted to evaluate the synergistic effects of organic amendments and soil water status on trace metal release from serpentine soil. Two organic...