Biocontrol options for Cirsium arvense with indigenous fungal pathogens

As a first step in the development of a mycoherbicide for biological control of Cirsium arvense indigenous fungal pathogens that had been isolated from diseased hosts were tested both singly and in combination on potted plants under environmental conditions. Disease symptoms (necroses, chloroses and macerations) and parameters of growth and development were evaluated to determine the potential for weed control. During 1998, Phoma destructiva, Phoma hedericola, a Mycelia sterilia and Puccinia punctiformis were inoculated singly. With the exception of the obligate biotroph P. punctiformis (local infections), the single inoculations reduced the measured parameters. A combined inoculum of P. punctiformis and Ph. hedericola was less effective than Ph. hedericola alone. In 1999, Ph. hedericola, Ph. destructiva, Ph. nebulosa and the Mycelia sterila were applied both singly and as a combined inoculum. Of all the tested inocula, the mixture of four pathogens had the greatest potential for biocontrol, significantly reducing reproductive capacity of the plants. These results demonstrate the importance of taking advantage of synergisms in developing a mycoherbicide.     

Natural Polyether Ionophores and Their Pharmacological Profile

This review is devoted to the study of the biological activity of polyether ionophores produced by bacteria, unicellular marine algae, red seaweeds, marine sponges, and coelenterates. Biological activities have been studied experimentally in various laboratories, as well as data obtained using QSAR (Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationships) algorithms. According to the data obtained, it was shown that polyether toxins exhibit strong antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal, antitumor, and other activities. Along with this, it was found that natural polyether ionophores exhibit such properties as antiparasitic, antiprotozoal, cytostatic, anti-mycoplasmal, and antieczema activities. In addition, polyethers have been found to be potential regulators of lipid metabolism or inhibitors of DNA synthesis. Further study of the mechanisms of action and the search for new polyether ionophores and their derivatives may provide more effective therapeutic natural polyether ionophores for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. For some polyether ionophores, 3D graphs are presented, which demonstrate the predicted and calculated activities. The data presented in this review will be of interest to pharmacologists, chemists, practical medicine, and the pharmaceutical industry.     

秸秆连续还田对苏打盐碱水稻土养分及真菌群落的影响

为探明水稻秸秆长期还田对苏打盐碱土养分状况以及土壤真菌群落结构的影响,采用盆栽试验,设置0(CK)、3.0(RS1)、7.5(RS2)、12.0(RS3)、16.5(RS4)t·hm-25个梯度秸秆还田量,于连续还田5 a后测定土壤的pH值、有机质、全氮、全磷、全钾、速效养分含量以及真菌的相对丰度、Alpha多样性和群...     

Clinical findings and outcomes of ulcerative keratomycosis in 30 horses in the mid‐Atlantic United States (2006–2007)

The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical course and outcome associated with keratomycosis in horses in the mid‐Atlantic USA. Records of horses diagnosed with keratomycosis at New Bolton Center from November 2006 to November 2007 with positive fungal culture were retrospectively studied. Neither horses with ulcerative keratitis and a negative fungal culture nor those with stromal abscesses were included. Subject details, history, clinical findings, therapy and outcome were recorded. Thirty horses fitted both inclusion criteria (diagnosis of keratomycosis and positive corneal fungal culture). Fourteen of 30 cases occurred during summer. Aspergillus was the most commonly cultured fungal genus (17/30, or 57%) followed by Alternaria (4/30). Seventeen horses had positive bacterial and fungal cultures. Fifteen of 30 horses were treated surgically by a keratectomy and amnion (8) or conjunctival (7) graft. Itraconazole was the most common topical anti‐fungal therapy and was utilised in 25/30 horses. Globe survival was 97% (29/30). All surviving globes had a positive menace response and were visual at the last examination. It was concluded that in the mid‐Atlantic USA, fungal keratitis is common, has the highest incidence in summer, and is usually associated with a positive outcome. Aspergillus may be a relatively more common corneal pathogen in this region than elsewhere in the USA. Surgical cases were more likely to have fungal hyphae identified on cytology and tended to be hospitalised longer than medical cases. There was no apparent association between surgical disease and all other patient, organism and treatment variables.     

Disseminated cryptococcosis including osteomyelitis in a horse

A 4-year-old Arab mare was diagnosed with disseminated cryptococcosis, including osteomyelitis of the proximal phalanx of the left hind limb, osteomyelitis with associated soft tissue granuloma of a rib and disseminated, large cryptococcal nodules in the lungs. The lesion in the dorsoproximal aspect of the proximal phalanx had a large area of cortical lysis with spiculated periosteal new bone and extensive soft tissue swelling. The affected rib had a pathological fracture. Cryptococcal osteomyelitis has not been previously reported in horses but should be considered as a differential diagnosis, particularly in endemic regions.     

芒果采后主要真菌性病害及防治方法研究进展

芒果是热带、亚热带重要经济作物之一,因其独特的口感和丰富的营养价值深受消费者喜爱。由于芒果采收期正值高温多雨季节、果实采后生理代谢旺盛、采收难度大,采后运输、贮藏过程中易遭受真菌的侵染,成为限制芒果产业发展的重要因素。为防治芒果采后真菌性病害,国内外学者对芒果采后防治技术进行了研究与开发。对炭疽病、蒂腐病和曲霉病3种芒果采后主要真菌性病害的症状、危害、病原菌和发生条件进行了综述,总结了芒果采后真菌性病害的防治方法,并对芒果采后病害防治方法进行了展望,为芒果采后真菌性病害防治技术的发展提供理论基础。     

广东省凤梨科观赏植物真菌病害鉴定

为给观赏植物病害的防治提供科学依据,根据病害症状和病原菌的形态特征以及有关文献的分类系统,鉴定了1998-2000年在广东调查的12种凤梨科观赏植物真菌病害,即围小丛壳[Glomerrellacinghlata(Stonem.)Spauld.etSchrenk]、辣椒刺盘孢[Colletotrichumcapsici(Syd.)Butl.etBisby]、水塔花星裂盘菌(PhacidiumbillergiaeL.ZengetP.K.Chi)、凤梨顶多毛孢菌(BartaliniaananassaL.Zeng,Z.D.JiangetP.K.Chi)、可可球二孢(BotryodiplodiatheobromaePat.)、钝头粘盘孢菌(ColletogloeumobtusumSutton)、油球拟茎点霉[Phomopsisdiplodinoides(Sacc.)Punith.]、筒凤梨拟茎点霉(PhomopsisspectabilisV.G.Rao&B.R.D.Yadav)引起的叶斑病,灰霉(BotrytiscinereaPers.)引起的花腐及分别由强雄腐霉(PythiumarrhenomanesDrechsler)、簇囊腐霉(PythiumtorulosumCoker&Patterson)和蕨柱帚霉(Cylindrocladiumpteridis Wolf)引起的根茎腐、叶基茎基腐和茎基腐。其中,星裂盘菌叶斑病、顶多毛孢叶斑病为凤梨科观赏植物的新病害;钝头粘盘孢菌、油球拟茎点霉为中国真菌新记录种。在温室生产中,以围小丛壳引起的叶炭疽病、筒凤梨拟茎点霉引起的叶斑病发生普遍而严重;根茎腐、叶基茎基腐和茎基腐在部分生产单位常引起死苗或死株     

Specific Responses of Soil Microbial Residue Carbon to Long-Term Mineral Fertilizer Applications to Reddish Paddy Soils

Mineral nutrient inputs to soil may alter microbial activity and consequently influence the accumulation of microbial residues. In this study, we investigated the effects of application rates and ratios of mineral fertilizers on the microbial residue carbon(MRC) of reddish paddy soils after long-term(15-year) fertilizer applications in southern China. Contents of three soil amino sugars as microbial residue contents were determined and MRC were calculated based on amino sugars. Results showed that three individual amino sugar contents increased as fertilizer application rates increased until maximum values were reached at a rate of 450-59-187 kg ha~(-1) year~(-1)(N-P-K). The three amino sugar contents then declined significantly under the highest mineral fertilizer application rate of 675-88-280 kg ha~(-1) year~(-1)(N-P-K). In addition, to enhance the microbial residue contents, it was more beneficial to double P(N:P:K= 1:0.26:0.41) in fertilizers applied to the P-deficient reddish paddy soils than to double either N(N:P:K = 2:0.13:0.41) or K(N:P:K= 1:0.13:0.82). The contents of the three individual amino sugars and microbial residues under different fertilizer application rates and ratios were significantly and positively correlated with soil organic carbon(SOC), total N, total P, and p H. Increases in values of the fungal C to bacterial C ratios showed that soil organic matter(SOM) stability increased because of the fertilizer applications over the past 15 years. The contents and ratios of amino sugars can be used as indicators to evaluate the impact of mineral fertilizer applications on SOM dynamics in subtropical paddy soils. The results indicated that fertilizer applications at a rate of 450-59-187 kg ha~(-1) year~(-1)(N-P-K) may improve crop yields, SOC contents, and SOC stability in subtropical paddy soils.     

Relative abundance and activity of melanized hyphae in different soil ecosystems

Here we report on the frequency of melanized fungal hyphae in 323 soils, covering different land use types. The proportion of total hyphae that was melanized averaged 61%. Arable fields with loamy sand, heathlands and city parks on sandy soils had the highest percentage of melanized hyphae. In addition to the frequency determinations, a microcosm study was performed on the role of melanized hyphae in two different ecosystems: an ex-arable field and a forest. Melanized hyphae appeared to be part of the active hyphae in the forest soil but not in the ex-arable soil. In conclusion, our results indicate that (1) melanized hyphae represent a large proportion of the total fungal biomass in soils and that (2) their function might differ between ecosystems.