Inoculation of cucumber roots with zoospores of mycoparasitic and plant pathogenic Pythium species: Differential zoospore accumulation, colonization ability and plant growth response

Hydroponically grown cucumber (Cucumis sativus) seedlings were inoculated with zoospores of 1 mycoparasitic (Pythium oligandrum) and 2 pathogenic (Pythium aphanidermatum and Pythium group F) Pythium spp. During the first 2 days after inoculation, all the Pythium spp. caused reduction in the root length. However, roots treated with Pythium oligandrum quickly reached the length of the control and on the 8th day, and for the rest of the experimental period, stimulation of root elongation was noted. Pythium oligandrum was not pathogenic on cucumber and no differences in the fresh weights of control and Pythium oligandrum inoculated plants were observed in the course of the experiment. Pythium group F and Pythium aphanidermatum were pathogenic on cucumber seedlings, but their pathogenicities differed. Thus, while Pythium group F had a constant, negative influence on root length and plant growth, measured as fresh weight, Pythium aphanidermatum caused generalized necroses of the root system, inhibiting consistently root elongation and plant growth and finally causing plant death. Moreover, the zoospores of 2 mycoparasitic species, Pythium oligandrum and Pythium periplocum, were not attracted to roots of cucumber and accumulated on the roots in very low numbers compared to those of the pathogenic species, Pythium aphanidermatum, which were strongly attracted and accumulated in large numbers. Finally, it was also found that Pythium oligandrum colonized the roots very poorly, while Pythium group F and Pythium aphanidermatum were significantly better root colonizers. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to the ecology of Pythium species and biocontrol.     

Selection of biological control agents for controlling soil and seed-borne diseases in the field

Different screening methods for selection of biological control agents (BCAs), for controlling soil and seed-borne diseases, are discussed. The shortcomings of laboratory methods focused on mechanism of action are discussed and we conclude that these methods should be used with caution if candidates with multifactorial or plant mediated mechanisms of control are to be obtained. In vitro screens may be useful for specific groups of microorganisms, thus, screens for antibiotics may be relevant for Streptomyces spp., and promising results have been obtained using soil plating or precolonized agar methods to screen for mycoparasitism and competitive saprophytic ability. Experience with screening in the Nordic programme Biological control of seed borne diseases in cereals is summarized. Research in the four participating countries – Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark – followed the same paradigm: that of obtaining antagonists, well adapted to different Nordic environments, and developing them as effective BCAs. Potential antagonists were isolated from different sources and in planta screening methods were developed in order to optimize selection of antagonists effective against a range of seed borne pathogens. Screens in the laboratory or greenhouse were followed by screening in the field. The different screening procedures are compared and evaluated.     

Identification and Characterisation of Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris Strains from Tanzania by Pathogenicity Tests, Biolog, rep-PCR and Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Analysis

Black rot, caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc), is a major disease constraint to cabbage production by smallholder farmers in Africa. Variability exists within the pathogen, and yet differentiation of Xcc strains from other closely-related xanthomonads attacking crucifers is often difficult. The Biolog system, fatty acid methyl ester analysis using microbial identification system (MIS), rep-PCR and pathogenicity tests were used to identify and characterise Xcc strains from Tanzania. Great diversity was observed among Xcc strains in their Biolog and rep-PCR profiles. Specific rep-PCR genomic fingerprints were linked to some geographical areas in the country. Most of the Xcc strains were clustered in two groups based on their fatty acid profiles and symptom expression in cabbage although some deviant strains were found. Each of the methods allowed a degree of identification from species, pathovar to the strain level. Biolog and MIS identified all Xcc strains at least to the genus level. Additionally, Biolog identified 47% of Xcc strains to the pathovar and 43% to strain level, whereas MIS identified 43% of the strains to pathovar level. In the absence of a database, the utility of rep-PCR for routine diagnosis of strains was limited, although the procedure was good for delineation of Xcc to the strain level. These findings indicate the existence of Xcc strains in Tanzania that are distinct from those included in Biolog and MIS databases. The limitations noticed warrant continued improvement of databases and inclusion of pathogenicity testing, using universally susceptible cultivars, as an integral part of strain identification.     

Field evaluation for resistance to the black rot pathogen <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xanthomonas campestris</Emphasis> pv. <Emphasis Type="Italic">campestris</Emphasis> in cabbage (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica oleracea</Emphasis>)

Black rot, caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris, (Xcc), is one of the most serious diseases of crucifers world-wide. Forty-nine genotypes were evaluated for resistance under field conditions in Tanzania after artificial inoculation with Xcc race 1. Open pollinated white cabbage cultivars were generally susceptible, while Portuguese and pointed cabbages exhibited partial resistance. Some F1 white cabbage cultivars were highly susceptible, whereas others exhibited a high level of partial resistance. The most promising of the hybrid cultivars were T-689 F1, Gianty F1, No. 9690 F1, N 66 F1, and SWR-02 F1. Breeding line Badger I-16 exhibited the highest level of resistance of all genotypes. The genotypes accounted for 72.9–75.5% of the variation of the disease severity when assessed on the leaves, and 71.4% of the variation when assessed as internal black rot in heads at harvest. High correlations (equal to or above 0.7) were found between disease severities assessed on leaves three times during the growing season and also with the amount of internal black rot in heads. Leaf loss also was correlated with disease severity. The high genetic determination of the trait and the high correlations between disease assessments indicate that selection for resistance to black rot will be efficient when field screenings are carried out. Evaluation of genotypes for disease severity on leaves during the growing season combined with evaluations of head resistance in the most promising genotypes may be a simple method to select resistant cultivars.     

Comparative studies on the effects of a yucca extract and acibenzolar-<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>-methyl (ASM) on inhibition of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Venturia inaequalis</Emphasis> in apple leaves

The effect of an extract of Yucca schidigera on the control and infection process of the apple scab pathogen, Venturia inaequalis, was examined and compared with the chemical resistance inducer, acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM). In seedling assays, both materials significantly reduced apple scab symptoms and pathogen sporulation on leaves and both showed similar control efficacies as the reference treatment, sulphur. Whereas yucca extract and sulphur gave significant inhibition of conidial germination in vitro, ASM did not inhibit germination. Histopathological studies of the infection process of V. inaequalis in apple leaves showed that the yucca extract primarily acted by inhibiting pre-penetration events and penetration itself. In contrast, the ASM treatment significantly inhibited more stages of the infection process (pre-penetration, penetration and post-penetration events). These observations suggest that the yucca extract acted mainly by a direct fungitoxic effect whereas ASM, as expected, acted as a resistance inducer. However, expression studies of two genes encoding the PR proteins, PR1 and PR8, in apple seedlings indicated that yucca extract may also affect plant defence as expression of both genes was up-regulated following yucca treatment, to a level similar to that observed after treatment with ASM. The fungitoxic effect of sulphur on V. inaequalis was also confirmed in this study.     

Parasitism of macroconidia, chlamydospores and hyphae of Fusarium culmorum by mycoparasitic Pythium species

Parasitism of macroconidia and endoconidial chlamydospores of Fusarium culmorum by Pythium oligandrum was studied on water agar (WA), corn-meal agar (CMA) and glass slides. Loss of cytoplasmic content in F. culmorum spores was followed by complete degradation, and P. oligandrum produced an abundance of oogonia on the parasitized macroconidia. A simple method for assessing the relative aggressiveness of isolates is presented, based on the percentage of macroconidial cells devoid of cytoplasm. Parasitism of macroconidia by P. acanthophoron , P. oligandrum and P. periplocum , but not by the plant pathogenic species, P. tracheiphilum , was demonstrated by this method. Interactions between hyphae of P. oligandrum and F. culmorum on WA resulted in an increase in the number of oogonia of P. oligandrum and a decrease in the sporulation of F. culmorum . The ability of isolates of P. oligandrum , P. periplocum , P. acanthophoron and P. mycoparasiticum to suppress disease symptoms caused by F. culmorum on barley seedlings was demonstrated in a greenhouse test.     

A review of approaches to assessing equine welfare

Veterinary surgeons are required to assess an animal's welfare in a range of different circumstances in the course of their daily work. These assessments may relate to the long‐term welfare of an individual animal under their care, or the current welfare of a population of animals that are unfamiliar to them as individuals. The welfare assessment made may subsequently have implications for the treatment that an animal receives or for the decision of whether or not an animal should remain in its current home. Yet welfare assessment is not straightforward. Here we review the challenges that welfare assessment presents and review the tools currently available to meet them. Lastly, we look towards the future of equine welfare assessment, with examples of current research to develop tools and optimise welfare assessment.     

Effect of autumn application of urea on saprotrophic fungi in off-season leaf litter of sour cherry and evaluation of fungal isolates to reduce primary inoculum of Blumeriella jaapii

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - The effect of autumn application of urea on the activity and composition of saprotrophic fungi associated with sour cherry (Prunus cerasus) leaf litter...