Growth and development of Cuscuta chinensis Lam. and its impact on selected crops

The growth and development of Cuscuta chinensis Lam., and the effects of the holoparasite on the growth and yield of tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum ), chilli ( Capsicum annuum ) and rice ( Oryza sativa ) were investigated in pot experiments under glasshouse conditions. 'Mature' and 'immature' seeds of C. chinensis showed 15 and 47% germination, respectively. The independent life duration of seedlings from 'immature' seeds was 6 days shorter than 'mature' seeds (19 days). Cuscuta chinensis formed haustoria on chilli and tomato, but not on rice seedlings. Infection with three C. chinensis seedlings per host plant reduced leaf area, dry weight, carbon and nitrogen content by 78–84% and 27–44% in tomato and chilli plants, respectively. Dry weight of C. chinensis was 0.63 g per pot in tomato, and 0.24 g per pot in chilli. Carbon and nitrogen content of C. chinensis was 0.189 and 0.028 g per pot, respectively, when grown with tomato. When it was grown with chilli, the carbon and nitrogen content of C. chinensis was 0.001 and 0.007 g per pot, respectively. Cuscuta chinensis reduced the fruit yield of tomato and chilli by 72 and 29%, respectively. The results indicated that tomato is a preferred host of C. chinensis compared with chilli, and rice is not preferred. In the host–parasite associations, C. chinensis suppressed growth and yield of chilli and tomato by diverting the elaborated products of metabolism of the hosts.     

Synthesis and antifungal activity of a series of N-substituted [2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)]propylamines

A series of N-mono- or N, N-disubstituted [2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl-3-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)]propylamines and N-[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl-3-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propyl]amides were synthesized and tested for their fungicidal activity in vitro and in vivo against a group of plant pathogenic fungi. Some compounds exhibited a fairly good in vitro activity. The replacement of the ether group of tetraconazole with a secondary or tertiary amino group leads to compounds that maintain the antifungal activity on several phytopathogenic fungi, provided that the substituents are not too bulky or lipophilic. The allyl, propargyl, and cyclopropyl groups appear particularly suitable. Although these compounds have some structural similarities with terbinafine and naftifine, which act as squalene epoxidase inhibitors, they maintain the usual mechanism of action of the other triazoles.     

Phenolics composition and antioxidant activity of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)

The antioxidant activity of a methanolic extract of Ocimum basilicum L. (sweet basil) was examined using different in vitro assay model systems. The crude extract was fractionated on a Sephadex LH-20 column, and six fractions were identified. The DPPH scavenging assay system and the oxidation of the soy phosphotidylcholin liposome model system were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity of each fraction. Fraction IV showed the strongest activity followed by fractions V and VI. Phenolic compounds responsible for the antioxidative activity of the fractions were characterized by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The major antioxidant compound in fraction IV was confirmed as rosmarinic acid by (1)H NMR and characteristic fragmentations in the mass spectrum. Moreover, the native of antioxidant activity of rosmarinic acid in the liposome system was examined. The results showed that one rosmarinic acid can capture 1.52 radicals, and furthermore, the existence of a synergistic effect between alpha-tocopherol and rosmarinic acid was revealed.     

A fungistatic chromene from<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ageratum conyzoides</Emphasis>

Ageratum conyzoides L. is an annual herb in the tropics and subtropics whose extracts are known to possess pharmacological and biocidal activity. We report on the bioactivity of a secondary metabolite (a chromene) isolated from the shoots ofA. conyzoides against some plant pathogenic fungi. Organic solvent extracts from the shoots were tested for antifungal activity against the plant pathogenic fungiRhizoctonia solani, Sclerotium rolfsii, Botryodiplodia theobromae, Phomopsis theae andFusarium species growingin vitro on potato dextrose agar medium. The cruden-hexane extract completely inhibited the growth ofR. solani andS. rolfsii. Then-hexane extract was chromatographed over a column of silica gel followed by activity-guided fractionation to give an antifungal principle. Structure elucidation by detailed analysis of¹H,¹³C NMR and mass spectroscopy identified the active compound as precocene II. The growth ofR. solani andS. rolfsii was completely inhibited by precocene II at a concentration of 80–100 ppm. The sclerotia ofR. solani andS. rolfsii were also completely suppressed by 150 ppm of precocene II. Sub-culture of these inhibited fungi onto precocene II-free medium restored growth of the fungus, indicating that precocene II is fungistatic. Crude or refined extracts fromA. conyzoides offer the possibility of biocontrol of plant pathogenic fungi. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Feb. 11, 2004.     

Evaluation of screening methods against Corynespora leaf fall disease of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis)

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Identification of resistant clones is a major strategy in the management of Corynespora leaf fall disease (CLFD) of rubber. Several methods to identify...     

SYNTHETIC SOIL AGGREGATES AS A POTTING MEDIUM FOR ORNAMENTAL PLANT PRODUCTION

Synthetic aggregates (SA) were developed as alternative potting media for ornamental plant production. Four different types of SA were developed from low productive acidic soil and paper waste with adding different types of compost amendments. Compost amendments used in the experiment were cattle manure compost, chicken manure compost, and leaf manure compost. Popular ornamental plant french marigold (Tagetes patula) was used in this experiment. SA with different compost amendments gave considerable physical and chemical parameters compared to commercial zeolite media. Moreover, plant grown in SA media showed better growth and nutritional parameters compared to plant grown in zeolite media. The plant height, number of flowers per plant, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root length, root fresh weight and root dry weight obtained from three different compost based SA were increased by in the ranges of 8.14--14.41%, 5.66--9.46%, 25.52--31.47%, 9.44--16.13%, 6.14--9.23%, 2.40--8.47% and 8.85--17.05%, respectively, compared to zeolite control.     

Colletotrichum species causing anthracnose disease in A. andraeanum,manifested as spathe rot also in addition to spadix rot and leaf spot.

European Journal of Plant Pathology - Anthurium is an ornamental flowering plant, cultivated in tropical and sub-tropical climates. Anthracnose is a major disease in anthurium, known to be...     

Hippeastrum mosaic virus and another filamentous virus in Eucharis grandiflora

Two viruses were found in mosaic-diseased plants ofEucharis grandiflora in a glasshouse of the laboratory. One virus with a normal particle length of 733 nm caused local lesions onHyoscyamus niger and mosaic symptoms in leaves of healthy-lookingEucharis andHippeastrum plants. On the basis of its host range, physical properties and serology it was identified asHippeastrum mosaic virus, a member of the potyvirus group. This was confirmed by the presence of spherical nuclear inclusions and pinwheels in different tissues of diseasedEucharis plants. The second virus with a normal particle length of 598 nm was present in both healthy-looking and mosaic-diseasedEucharis plants, and it inconsistently induced local lesions onGomphrena globosa. According to its morphology and its reaction onGomphrena, it might be identical or related toHippeastrum latent virus. Crystal-like inclusions were observed in the cytoplasm of cells of both healthy-looking and mosaic-showingEucharis leaves. As no virus-free seedlings ofEucharis were available, the virus nature of these inclusions could not be established.     

An evaluation of the role and impacts of alien finfish in Asian inland aquaculture

Asia dominates global aquaculture production accounting for over 80% of the total and the mainstay in Asian aquaculture is finfish. Over the years, Asia has experienced a number of inter‐continental and intra‐continental transfers/introductions/translocation of finfish species, between nations and watersheds, beyond their natural range of distribution, primarily for aquaculture development. In this article all such species are referred to as alien species. An attempt is made to evaluate the importance of the production of alien species in selected Asian nations, using statistics of the Food and Agriculture Organization. Also, negative effects, if any, based on literature surveys, of alien species in relation to displacement of indigenous species, and on biodiversity and/or genetic diversity together with associated pathogen transfers are evaluated. The major alien species, based on their significance to Asian inland aquaculture considered, are the tilapias, catfish, Chinese and Indian major carps and common carp. It is estimated that currently alien species account for nearly 12% of the cultured finfish production (2.6 million tonnes) in Asia, valued at US$ 2.59 billion, and the contribution exceeds 40% when Asian countries excluding China are taken into consideration. Inland finfish aquaculture in some Asian nations, such as Indonesia and the Philippines, is predominated by alien species, and in some others, e.g. Bangladesh and India, the contribution from alien species has been increasing steadily. It is suggested that overall alien finfish species have done little ecological harm to native flora and fauna. However, in the wake of increasing anthropogenic development taking place in watersheds the resulting environments are often made unconducive to indigenous species but not to some alien species, thereby potentially and indirectly making the latter invasive.