bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inheritance of Resistance toVerticillium dahliaein Diploid Interspecific Potato Hybrids
Authors: Jansky Shelley , Rouse D. I. , Kauth P. J.
Published: May 2007

Verticillium wilt is a serious disease in potato and is caused primarily by the soilborne fungi Verticillium dahliae and V. albo-atrum. Host plant resistance to the disease offers an option for long-term, inexpensive, and environmentally sound control. High levels of resistance to stem colonization have been identified in two diploid hybrids between the cultivated potato and wild Solanum spp. An intercross between the two clones produced a 3:1 ratio of resistant to susceptible clones. A cross between a susceptible clone and one of the resistant clones also produced a 3:1 resistant:susceptible ratio. These data can be explained by a two-gene model, in which dominant alleles of both genes must be present to confer resistance. The two-gene model also explains data from previous research with wild Solanum spp. A simple mode of inheritance should improve the probability of producing resistant offspring when resistant hybrids are used as parents in a breeding program.
High Sequence Variability Among Little cherry virus Isolates Occurring in British Columbia
Authors: Theilmann J. , Orban S. , Rochon D.
Published: May 2007

The LC5 isolate of Little cherry virus (LChV-LC5) is one of at least two distinct viruses contributing to a severe disease of cherry (Little cherry disease [LChD]) in British Columbia. A near-complete nucleotide sequence of LChV-LC5 is available as well as polyclonal antibodies against LChV-LC5 coat protein produced in bacterial cells. A survey for LChV-LC5-infected trees in the Okanagan Valley and Kootenay region of British Columbia was carried out using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and LChV-LC5 antibodies. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and sequence analysis of four different regions of the genomes of 31 of these isolates have been conducted. A high level of sequence variability was found: nucleotide sequence divergence between LChV-LC5 and the other sequenced isolates ranged from 0 to 19.7%, and amino acid sequence divergence ranged from 0 to 9.1%. Further examination of RT-PCR and sequence data identified six discrete groups of isolates, including a group identical to LChV-LC5. The high level of divergence in LChV-LC5 isolates occurring in British Columbia suggests that caution should be used in the selection of methods used for diagnosis during surveys for this virus.
Traits of Soybean-Infecting Phytophthora Populations from Illinois Agricultural Fields
Authors: Malvick D. K. , Grunden E.
Published: May 2007

Phytophthora rot caused by Phytophthora sojae is a common and significant disease of soybean (Glycine max) in Illinois and throughout the Midwestern United States. The pathogenic characteristics of P. sojae populations in several Midwestern states have been reported recently, but pathogenicity and fungicide sensitivity traits of populations in Illinois were poorly understood. Isolates (n = 121) of soybean-infecting Phytophthora spp. were baited using susceptible cv. Sloan seedlings from soybean field soils with a history of seedling diseases in 24 counties across Illinois. The pathotype and race of isolates of P. sojae were characterized using 11 differential soybean cultivars in greenhouse tests using a hypocotyl inoculation method. Sensitivity to the fungicidal compounds metalaxyl and mefenoxam was tested with 63 isolates in vitro. Most (96%) of the Phytophthora isolates sampled from Illinois soybean fields were P. sojae, but 4% were an unidentified Phytophthora sp. as determined by phenotypic and genotypic traits. We present a preliminary description of another Phytophthora sp. from soybean fields in a restricted region of Illinois that is pathogenic and capable of killing soybean. Based on eight Rps gene differentials (Rps1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1k, 3a, 6, and 7 ), 22 virulence pathotypes of P. sojae were identified and 88% of all isolates were characterized to a defined race. The four most common races, which were 58% of all isolates, were races 1 (21%), 4 (15%), 33 (12%), and 28 (10%). Based on 11 differentials, (those noted above and Rps 2, 4, and 5), 31 virulence pathotypes were identified. The mean virulence complexities, which are the number of susceptible interactions on the sets of 8 and 11 Rps gene differentials, were 3.3 and 3.7, respectively. All isolates tested were sensitive to Apron XL, Allegiance, technical grade mefenoxam, and technical grade metalaxyl at 1.0 μg a.i./ml. The population of P. sojae is diverse and composed of multiple pathotypes and races in Illinois, and the results suggest that pathogen virulence partially explains poor performance of Phytophthora-resistant cultivars in many Illinois soybean fields.
Effects of Timing of Ethofumesate Application on Severity of Gray Leaf Spot of Perennial Ryegrass Turf
Authors: Uddin W. , Soika M. D. , McNitt A. S. , Fidanza M.
Published: May 2007

Ethofumesate is a widely used herbicide for control of annual bluegrass (Poa annua) in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) fairways on golf courses in the United States. Effect of timing of ethofumesate application on development of gray leaf spot was evaluated on perennial ryegrass turf treated with six classes of fungicide. Two applications of ethofumesate (2.28 kg a.i./ha) were made to perennial ryegrass turf maintained at a 2-cm height, at 4-week intervals, each fall (October and November 1999 and 2000) or spring (April and May 2000 and 2001). In addition, turf was treated with the fungicides, azoxystrobin, chlorothalonil, flutolanil, iprodione, propiconazole, or thiophanate-methyl at the label rates at 14-day intervals. There were significant effects (P ≤ 0.05) of ethofumesate application timing and fungicide regime on gray leaf spot development. There also were significant interactions between the ethofumesate application timing and fungicide. Severity of gray leaf spot was significantly greater in turf plots treated with ethofumesate in spring compared to turf treated in fall or nontreated control plots treated with fungicides, flutolanil, iprodione, and propiconazole that were relatively less effective in control of gray leaf spot. There was no significant difference in disease severity in turf treated with ethofumesate in fall or to turf not treated with herbicide regardless of the fungicide used. Results of this study indicate that spring application of ethofumesate contributes to development of gray leaf spot epidemics, and the application timing interacts with the classes of fungicides. This study suggests that ethofumesate should be applied only in fall for control of P. annua, particularly in golf courses with a chronic gray leaf spot problem, as part of an integrated management of gray leaf spot in perennial ryegrass fairways.
Occurrence of Podosphaera xanthii Race 2 on Cucumis melo in Brazil
Authors: Kobori R. F. , Suzuki O. , Wierzbicki R. , Della Vecchia P. T. , Camargo L. E. A.
Published: May 2007

Powdery mildew is an important disease of melons (Cucumis melo L.) cultivated in greenhouses in Brazil. Currently, there are 5 races of Podosphaera xanthii (formerly known as Sphaerotheca fuliginea) and 2 races of Golovinomyces cichoracearum (formerly known as Erysiphe cichoracearum) described on melons worldwide, but only race 1 of P. xanthii has been reported in Brazil (1). However, typical whitish powdery fungal growth was observed on an experimental hybrid yellow melon resistant to race 1 of P. xanthii during the summer of 2000 in a greenhouse in Bragança Paulista, State of São Paulo. Conidia collected from diseased leaves were spread onto 0.5% water agar medium and maintained at 22°C for 24 h with 12 h of light and 12 h of darkness. Most of the germinated conidia displayed fibrosin inclusion bodies when observed in a solution of 3% potassium hydroxide (KOH), and approximately 1 of 50 also displayed forked germ tubes. These features allowed us to identify P. xanthii as the causal agent. Conidia raised on the susceptible yellow melon ‘Amarelo CAC’ were used to inoculate cotyledons of the differential melon lines (2) ‘Hale's Best Jumbo’ (susceptible to races 1, 2, and 3 of P. xanthii), ‘PMR-45’ (resistant to race 1 and susceptible to races 2 and 3), and ‘PMR-6’ (resistant to races 1 and 2 and susceptible to race 3). Inoculations were performed on 10 plants of each differential line and replicated four times. The presence or absence of symptoms was evaluated 18 days after inoculation. ‘Hale's Best Jumbo’ and ‘PMR-45’ were rated as susceptible while ‘PMR-6’ was rated as resistant, thus indicating the presence of race 2 of P. xanthii in Brazil. During field surveys from 2001 to 2003, this race was found on squash (Cucurbita moschata), summer squash (C. pepo), and melons in São Paulo.

References: (1) F. J. B. Reifschneider et al. Plant Dis. 69:1069, 1985. (2) C. E. Thomas et al. Cucurbit Genet. Coop. 7:126, 1984.
First Report of Spot Type of Barley Net Blotch Caused by Pyrenophora teres f. sp. maculata in Uruguay
Authors: Pereyra S. A. , Germán S. E.
Published: May 2007

In September 2003, leaves exhibiting spot-type lesions similar to those produced by Cochliobolus sativus Drechs. ex Dastur were widely observed in six commercial barley crops of cvs. Norteña Daymán, Norteña Carumbé, and MUSA 936 in Soriano and Río Negro provinces, the main barley production region in western Uruguay. Spot lesions were tan to dark brown, circular to elliptical, and 3 to 10 mm in diameter. Larger lesions were surrounded by a chlorotic margin of varying width. Affected leaf pieces (10 to 15) from each field were placed in a moist chamber for 2 days to promote sporulation. A fungus identified morphologically as Pyrenophora teres (Died.) Drechs. (1) was consistently isolated from infected leaves. However, symptoms did not correspond to the net-type lesions of net blotch commonly produced by P. teres f. sp. teres in Uruguay. Three monoconidial cultures were obtained by transferring single conidia to potato dextrose agar and then to 10% V8 juice agar and incubated at 20 to 22°C with a 12-h photoperiod for 10 days. Adding sterile water to each plate and gently rubbing the surface with a microscope slide prepared inoculum for pathogenicity tests. Conidia concentration was adjusted to 1 × 104 conidia per ml. Sixty-eight barley genotypes from Uruguay, ICARDA/CIMMYT, and North Dakota were grown in the greenhouse for 2 weeks at 20 to 22°C with a 14-h photoperiod. For each monoconidial isolate, three seedlings of each genotype were inoculated at the three-leaf stage 15 to 16 days after seeding with 0.4 ml of the inoculum suspension with an airbrush inoculator. A drop of Tween 20 was added per 40 ml of inoculum suspension. One set of each genotype was inoculated with sterile water as a control. Seedlings were placed in a dew chamber at 20°C and 100% relative humidity in the dark for 24 h and then returned to prior conditions. The first lesions developed after 7 to 9 days. Leaves two and three of the plants were visually rated for disease (3) 13 days after inoculation. Control plants were disease free. The most susceptible reactions were observed on cvs. Norteña Daymán, MUSA 936, and line CLE 230 (Uruguay). Symptoms were similar in shape and size to those observed in the fields. The most resistant infection types were observed on several Uruguayan and North Dakota advanced lines. The fungus was consistently reisolated from inoculated plants. On the basis of morphology and symptoms produced, the pathogen was identified (2) as P. teres. f. sp. maculata Smedeg. To our knowledge, this is the first report of this fungus causing spot-like symptoms of net blotch in Uruguay.

References: (1) M. B. Ellis. Dematiaceous hyphomycetes, CABI, Oxon, UK, 1971. (2) V. Smedergaard-Petersen. Pages 124–144 in: R. Vet. Agr. Univ. Yearbook, Copenhagen, 1971. (3) A. Tekauz. Can. J. Plant Pathol.7:181, 1985.
First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Erysiphe heraclei on Chervil in California
Authors: Koike S. T. , Saenz G. S.
Published: May 2007

Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium) is a culinary herb in the Apiaceae family that is grown commercially in California. In 2003 and 2004, shade house plantings of chervil in central coastal California exhibited symptoms and signs of a powdery mildew disease. White, epiphytic mycelia and conidia were present on petioles and leaves. Severely affected leaflets became slightly twisted and bent. Mycelium was amphigenous and effused or in patches. Hyphae measured 5.0 to 7.5 μm in diameter and had lobed appressoria. Conidiophores were straight and had cylindric foot cells measuring 25.0 to 37.5 × 7.5 to 10.0 μm, followed by a longer cell and one to two shorter cells. Conidia formed singly, were cylindric, and measured (37.5-) 40.0 to 50.0 (-52.5) × 15.0 to 17.5 μm. Conidia lacked fibrosin bodies and germinated at the ends with either a very short or a long germ tube forming a lobed appressorium (Polygoni type). No cleistothecia were observed. On the basis of these characteristics, the fungus was identified as Erysiphe heraclei (1). To confirm pathogenicity, severely colonized chervil leaves from a commercial nursery were gently pressed onto leaves of potted chervil plants. Plants were then maintained in a greenhouse (22 to 24°C). After 10 to 12 days, signs of powdery mildew developed on the foliage of inoculated plants, and the pathogen morphology matched that of the originally observed pathogen. Noninoculated control plants did not develop powdery mildew. To investigate the host range of this chervil isolate, parsley (Petroselinum crispum) and celery (Apium graveolens) plants were inoculated in the same way as described. However, after more than 3 weeks, no powdery mildew developed on these two Apiaceae plants. Control chervil plants again developed the disease. To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew of chervil caused by E. heraclei in California. Disease impact was severe, and in some cases, chervil crops were not harvested. The inability of the chervil isolate to infect two other Apiaceae plants that are listed as hosts of E. heraclei indicates that this pathogen may consist of strains having different host ranges.

Reference: (1) U. Braun. Nova Hedwigia 89:1, 1987.
Root Collar Excavation for Postinfection Control of Armillaria Root Disease of Grapevine
Authors: Baumgartner Kendra
Published: May 2007

Root collar excavation for control of Armillaria root disease of grapevine was investigated in two California vineyards (vineyard K1 and vineyard N1) from 2002 to 2004. The hypothesis tested was that root collar excavation, when timed in early stages of root collar infection, may cause mycelial fans of the pathogen Armillaria mellea to recede from the root collar before severe disease results from vascular tissue decay. In vineyard N1, excavation significantly increased yield and cluster weight of symptomatic grapevines; symptomatic-excavated grapevines had the same high mean cluster weight as healthy grapevines, and there were no significant effects of excavation on yield or pruning weight of healthy grapevines. In vineyard K1, where excavated root collars frequently refilled with soil, excavation had no significant effects on yield or pruning weight of symptomatic grapevines, and significantly reduced pruning weight and shoot weight of healthy grapevines. Reexamination in March 2004 revealed that mycelial fans had receded from root collars of symptomatic-excavated grapevines, but remained on root collars of symptomatic-nonexcavated grapevines. Root collar excavation appears to be a promising cultural approach for control of Armillaria root disease, as long as excavated root collars are kept clear of soil.
Viroid Prevalence in Tunisian Citrus
Authors: Najar A. , Duran-Vila N.
Published: May 2007

The citrus industry in Tunisia is based mainly on the production of local cultivars of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis), common mandarin (C. reticulata), clementine (C. clementina), and lemon (C. limon). Sour orange (C. aurantium) is the only rootstock presently being used in the major growing area located at Cap Bon where 80% of citrus is being produced. The presence of tristeza disease in the Mediterranean basin is a threat to the Tunisian citrus industry, and new rootstocks giving tristeza tolerant rootstock/scion combinations are urgently needed as an alternative to sour orange. Since some promising rootstocks are known to be sensitive to viroids (1), a survey was conducted to determine if the cultivars grown presently in Tunisia were infected with viroids. Following a preliminary report (2), an extensive survey was conducted from 1995-2001 that included 174 symptomless sources being grown at Cap Bon: 26 Maltaise demi-sanguine, 9 Maltaise sanguine, 20 Maltaise blonde, 4 orange doublefine, 16 Washington navel, 12 Valencia late, 29 common mandarin, 42 Cassar clementine, 5 Lunari lemon, and 11 Eureka lemon. These sources were graft-inoculated into Etrog citron that subsequently developed symptoms characteristic of viroid infection. Sequential polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis and molecular hybridization using viroid-specific probes (1) revealed that all sources were infected with at least two viroids. Citrus exocortis viroid (CEVd), Hop stunt viroid (HSVd), and Citrus viroid III (CVd-III) were widespread and accounted for 68.4, 67.8, and 81.0% of the sources tested, respectively. Citrus bent leaf viroid (CBLVd) and Citrus viroid IV (CVd-IV) were only found in 32.7 and 2.3% of the sources. The most frequent viroid combinations were CEVd+HSVd+CVd-III (17.8%) and CEVd+CVd-III (17,2%), whereas HSVd+CVd-IV and CEVd+CBLVd+CVd-III+CVd-IV were found in a single source (0.6%).

References: (1) N. Duran-Vila and J. S. Semancik. Pages 178–194 in: Viroids. CSIRO Publishing, Australia, 2003. (2) A. Najar et al. Pages 398–400 in: Proc. 15th Conf. Int. Org. Citrus Virol, 2002.
Association of Enterobacter cloacae with Rhizome Rot of Edible Ginger in Hawaii
Authors: Nishijima K. A. , Alvarez A. M. , Hepperly P. R. , Shintaku M. H. , Keith L. M. , Sato D. M. , Bushe B. C. , Armstrong J. W. , Zee F. T.
Published: May 2007

Edible ginger is a popular spice crop that is grown in Hawaii primarily for the fresh market, and as such, rhizome quality is of paramount importance. In our studies, a Gram-negative, facultative anaerobic, rod-shaped bacterium was consistently isolated from decayed as well as symptomless ginger rhizomes. The bacterium was identified as Enterobacter cloacae by biochemical assays and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Rot symptoms, which usually occurred in the central cylinder of the rhizome, were characterized by yellowish-brown to brown discolored tissue and firm to spongy texture. In inoculation experiments, ginger strains of E. cloacae produced basal stem and root rot, with foliar chlorosis and necrosis in tissue-cultured ginger plantlets, and discolored and spongy tissue in mature ginger rhizome slices and whole segments. In other hosts, ginger strains of E. cloacae caused internal yellowing of ripe papaya fruit and internal rot of onion bulbs. All strains that caused symptoms in inoculated plants were reisolated and identified as E. cloacae. Our studies suggest that E. cloacae can exist as an endophyte of ginger rhizomes, and under conditions that are favorable for bacterial growth, or host susceptibility, including maturity of tissues, rhizome rot may occur. Rhizome quality may be impacted by the presence of E. cloacae under conditions such as high temperature, high relative humidity, and low oxygen atmosphere that may affect the development of decay, and such conditions should be avoided during post-harvest handling and storage. The association of E. cloacae with a rhizome rot of ginger is a new finding.
Alternaria Leaf Spot, Twig Blight, and Fruit Rot of Highbush Blueberry in Argentina
Authors: Wright E. R. , Rivera M. C. , Esperón J. , Cheheid A. , Rodríguez Codazzi A.
Published: May 2007

Disease symptoms have been observed since October 1997 on highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) cvs. Georgia Gem, O'Neal, and Sharpblue cultivated in Buenos Aires. Lesions were observed on recently planted, as well as mature plants, in commercial fields. Circular-to-irregular, light brown-to-gray leaf spots with brownish red borders, initially 3 to 7 mm in diameter, enlarged and coalesced. Blight developed on twigs. Reddish circular spots appeared on stems, developing small cankers. Dark sunken lesions were observed on attached ripening berries. During December 2002, postharvest fruit rot was noted. Small pieces of diseased leaves, twigs, stems, and fruits were surface sterilized with 0.2% NaOCl, plated on 2% potato dextrose agar (pH 7), and incubated at 20 ± 3°C. Symptomatic fruits were placed in plastic trays in humid chambers. In all cases, olive mycelium developed after 3 days with septate hyphae and abundant ovoid and obclavate muriformly septate conidia. The isolate obtained from diseased leaves of cv. O'Neal was used to test pathogenicity on micropropagated potted plants of 20-cm height and ripe fruits contained in plastic trays. Both plants and fruits belonged to cv. O'Neal. A suspension of 2 × 105 conidia per ml was sprayed on needle-punctured young stems, fully expanded leaves, and mature fruits. Plants and trays were covered with polyethylene bags and kept at 24 ± 3°C under fluorescent light (12-hr photoperiod). The bags were removed after 72 hr. Symptoms appeared after 3 days on fruits and 8 days on leaves and stems. Controls remained symptomless. The inoculated pathogen was recovered from diseased organs and identified as Alternaria tenuissima (Kunze:Fr.) Wiltshire (1). To our knowledge, this is the first report on the presence of A. tenuissima affecting blueberry crops in Argentina.

Reference: (1) E. G. Simmons. Mycotaxon 70:325, 1999.
Detection of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis Race 1 in Soil in Colima State, Mexico
Authors: de Cara M. , Fernández E. J. , Blanco R. , Tello Marquina J. C. , Estrada F. J. , Montoya S.
Published: May 2007

During the winters of 2002 and 2003, a wilt occurred in melons cultivated on 1,500 ha in Colima State, Mexico. Yield losses reached 25% of final production, despite soil disinfestation with 60% methyl bromide and 40% chloropicrin. On the basis of the observation of plants with necrotic xylem, yellowing, and wilting of leaves, this disease was identified provisionally as Fusarium wilt. During February 2003, four soil samples from affected fields were plated onto a Fusarium-selective medium (1), which resulted in the detection of 2,260 ± 357, 179 ± 76, 668 ± 357, and 1,391 ± 256 CFU/g of F. oxysporum (3). Thirty-one randomly chosen isolates were used to inoculate differential cultivars of melon as described by Risser et al. (4). The cultivars were Amarillo Canario (susceptible to all races), Diana (resistant to races 0 and 2), Tango (resistant to races 0 and 1), and Vulcano (resistant to races 0, 1, and 2) (2). Ten plants of each cultivar, grown on sterilized vermiculite, were inoculated at the first true-leaf stage by drenching with 200 ml of a conidial suspension (1 × 105 CFU/ml) of each isolate. Noninoculated plants of each cultivar served as controls. Plants were maintained in a growth chamber with a 16-h photoperiod (18 × 103 lux) and temperatures at 23 to 25°C. Yellowing, wilt, and vascular discoloration symptoms developed on cvs. Amarillo Canario and Diana following inoculation with each of the 31 isolates, while noninoculated plants remained symptomless. F. oxysporum was consistently reisolated on potato dextrose agar from the affected plants. On the basis of the combination of affected cultivars, all isolates were identified as F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis race 1. To our knowledge, this is the first report of F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis race 1 in Colima State, Mexico.

References: (1) H. Komada. Rev. Plant Prot. Res. 8:114, 1975. (2) J. Marín Rodríquez. Portagrano 2004. Vadmecum de Variedades Hortícolas. Agrobook, Spain. 2004. (3) P. E. Nelson et al. Fusarium Species: An Illustrated Manual for Identification. Pennsylvania State University Press, University Park, 1983. (4) G. Risser et al. Phytopathology 66:1105, 1976.
Effect of Inoculum Concentration and Calcium Salts on Infection of Apple Fruit by Botryosphaeria dothidea
Authors: Biggs Alan R.
Published: May 2007

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of calcium salts on growth of Botryosphaeria dothidea and incidence of white rot. The relative virulence of five B. dothidea isolates was determined using the apple cultivars Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Liberty, and York. Cultivar and isolate differences in lesion diameter were significant. Cultivar differences occurred between Fuji, which was most susceptible, and Gala, which was least susceptible. Isolates PA-1 and PA-2 were most virulent. Isolate PA-4 was used at conidia concentrations of 1 × 104, 1 × 105, 1 × 106, and 1 × 107 conidia per ml on Golden Delicious fruit to test the effects of four inoculum concentrations on fruit infection by B. dothidea. Incidence of infection on detached, nonwounded fruit increased as inoculum concentration increased. The effects of four calcium salts on infection of wounded fruit by conidia were examined in field and laboratory experiments. In the field experiments, lesion size was slightly reduced on fruit treated with either calcium hydroxide or calcium silicate after wounding and prior to inoculation with conidia of B. dothidea, whereas lesions that developed at wounds treated with calcium chloride or calcium propionate were similar to those of the control. In the laboratory experiments, in several instances supplementation with calcium salts resulted in increased lesion diameter relative to the control. Two of five isolates tested showed increased percent germination with all four calcium salts, and one isolate showed increased germination in the presence of two of the four calcium salts. Germ tube elongation was not affected by calcium salts for four out of five isolates tested. There was significant variation among isolates and calcium salts on the growth of B. dothidea in liquid culture. Calcium chloride and calcium hydroxide enhanced the growth of three isolates and had no effect on the other three isolates. Calcium propionate inhibited the growth of four isolates and had no effect on the other two isolates. Calcium silicate inhibited the growth of one isolate and had no effect on the other five isolates.
Effect ofCercosporella rubion Blackberry Floral Bud Development
Authors: Lyman Melinda R. , Curry Kenneth J. , Smith Barbara J. , Diehl Susan V.
Published: May 2007

Rosette, caused by the fungus Cercosporella rubi, is an important blackberry disease in the southeastern United States. This disease severely reduces fruit production, and its management has been erratic due to a limited understanding of the host-pathogen relationship. In this study, we expand on previous histological investigations of the development of C. rubi on blackberry at tissue and cellular levels from floral bud initiation through senescence of the flower. Symptomatic and asymptomatic floral buds were examined with light microscopy and both scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM, respectively). Fungal development on the surface of floral buds was examined with SEM. Previous light microscope histological studies were unclear about whether C. rubi penetrated host tissue. With TEM, we demonstrated an intimate association between fungal and host cells with no penetration prior to death of the host tissue. C. rubi was present on symptomatic floral buds before development and through senescence. No morphological differences were seen between healthy and diseased floral buds ≤5.0 mm in diameter other than the presence of C. rubi. Necrosis was observed in symptomatic buds at the 6.0-mm-diameter stage and progressed through floral senescence.
Pepper golden mosaic virus Affecting Tomato Crops in the Baja California Peninsula, Mexico
Authors: Holguín-Peña R. J. , Juárez R. Vázquez , Rivera-Bustamante R. F.
Published: May 2007

In the state of Baja California Sur, tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) are cultivated on approximately 1,000 ha. Occurrence of viral diseases is currently causing low yields and severe losses. Virus-like symptoms (severe leaf curling, stunting, reduced leaf size, and mosaic patterns) were observed on 99% of tomato plants in 2002 in La Paz, Baja California Sur. Whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci Gennadius) were present in affected fields and appeared to be associated with the disease. The virus was experimentally transmitted from infected plants to tomato and peppers seedlings by whiteflies and as infectious DNA (replicative form) by mechanical and biolistic inoculation. Symptoms similar to those found in the field were observed in experimental transmission assays. DNA from inoculated plants was extracted and analyzed by DNA hybridization and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using degenerate (1) and specific (2) primers. The PCR products (1.1 kb) obtained from the common region (GenBank Accession No. AY368336) suggested the presence of a bipartite geminivirus. The nucleotide sequence of the PCR products showed a 98% identity to Pepper golden mosaic virus-Tamaulipas strain (PepGMV-Tam) in the intergenic region (IR). Similar identities (97%) were obtained by using the predicted amino acid sequences of the amino termini of the coat proteins. Identities in the replication proteins (92%) and IR iterative sequence analyses show that the PepGMV-La Paz isolate is a closely related strain of PepGMV-Tam. To our knowledge, this is the first report of PepGMV affecting tomato crops in Baja California Sur, Mexico.

References: (1) M. R. Rojas et al. Plant Dis. 77:340. 1993. (2) I. Torres-Pacheco et al. Phytopathology 86:1186, 1996.
Effect of Seedborne Potato virus Y on Performance of Russet Burbank, Russet Norkotah, and Shepody Potato
Authors: Nolte Phillip , Whitworth Jonathan L. , Thornton Michael K. , McIntosh Christopher S.
Published: May 2007

Potato virus Y (PVY) is one of the most important of the potato viruses, but little is known about the impact on yield of seedborne infection levels below 100%. Blending infected and healthy seed from different seed lots introduces the variable of performance differences between the seed lots, which may obscure the effect of virus alone. Seed lots containing various levels of seedborne PVY (0, 2, 10, 20, and 50% incidence of infected tubers) were created by combining in different proportions seed pieces from healthy and infected tubers from the same seed source. These seed lots were planted in replicated field plots at the University of Idaho Parma R & E Center in Parma, ID from 1995 to 1997. Regression analyses on data from the three consecutive seasons indicate that seedborne PVY has virtually the same negative impact on yield for all three cultivars.
Field Evaluation of Tomato spotted wilt virus Resistance in Transgenic Peanut (Arachis hypogaea)
Authors: Yang H. , Ozias-Akins P. , Culbreath A. K. , Gorbet D. W. , Weeks J. R. , Mandal B. , Pappu H. R.
Published: May 2007

Spotted wilt, caused by Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), is a devastating disease of many crops including peanut (Arachis hypogaea). Because the virus has a broad host range and is spread by ubiquitous thrips, disease management by traditional means is difficult. Developing new peanut cultivars with resistance to TSWV presents a significant challenge since existing genetic resistance in peanut germ plasm is limited. A genetic engineering approach appears to have great potential for resistance enhancement to TSWV. Transgenic peanut progenies that expressed the nucleocapsid protein of TSWV were subjected to natural infection of the virus under field conditions during the growing seasons of 1999 and 2000 in Tifton, GA, and in three locations (Tifton, GA, Marianna, FL, and Headland, AL) in 2001. Significantly lower incidence of spotted wilt was observed for the transgenic progeny in comparison to the nontransgenic checks in the field (in multiple years and locations) as well as during challenge inoculation under controlled environmental conditions. This transgenic event could potentially be used in a traditional breeding program to enhance host resistance.
Differences in Etiology Affect Mefenoxam Efficacy and the Control of Pink Rot and Leak Tuber Diseases of Potato
Authors: Taylor Raymond J. , Salas Bacilio , Gudmestad Neil C.
Published: May 2007

Data supplementing a previously published survey of North American isolates of Phytophthora erythroseptica and Pythium ultimum demonstrated that the proportion of the populations sensitive to mefenoxam remains high, 79.6 and 96.9% with EC50 sensitivities ranging from <0.01 to 0.9 µg ml-1 and <0.01 to 0.8 µg ml-1, respectively. Mefenoxam should provide control of these pathogens in most potato production areas. Factors affecting the development of pink rot and leak in potato tubers and the efficacy of mefenoxam to control these diseases with different etiologies were examined. Results confirmed that P. erythroseptica is capable of directly infecting potato tubers causing pink rot, whereas Pythium ultimum requires a wound to infect and cause leak. Mefenoxam was applied to replicated field plots as a single in-furrow application at planting, as an in-furrow application at planting followed by an additional sidedress application 3 weeks after planting, as a single foliar application when tubers were 7 to 8 mm in diameter, and as two foliar applications when the tubers were 7 to 8 mm in diameter and 14 days later. The recommended label rate plus two additional lower application rates were used with each method. For tubers challenge-inoculated after harvest, mefenoxam was found to be more effective in controlling pink rot relative to leak over all application methods. The greatest level of pink rot control (89%) was attained with the in-furrow at planting and sidedress application. All rates tested provided similar levels of control with this application method, but this method provided only a modest level of leak control (35%), and leak was not controlled by foliar applications of mefenoxam at any rate tested. In contrast, the foliar applications of mefenoxam resulted in 10 to 50% control of pink rot. Since the isolates of both pathogens were highly sensitive to me-fenoxam, disease-specific control was attributed to differences in disease etiology. Therefore, the use of mefenoxam to control pink rot in the field and storage appears to be well founded.
First Report of Pythium irregulare on Lentils in the United States
Authors: Paulitz T. C. , Dugan F. , Chen W. , Grünwald N. J.
Published: May 2007

In late June and early July 2002, stunted, chlorotic, and partially defoliated lentils (Lens culinaris Medik.) were observed throughout the lentil-growing areas of eastern Washington. These symptoms were investigated in two fields near Garfield, WA and one field near Genesee, ID. Cv. Mason was more affected than cv. Brewer. Roots were dry and brittle with black discoloration in some cases. Isolates of Fusarium oxysporum and F. solani were obtained from washed roots plated on water agar, but they were nonpathogenic in greenhouse testing in pasteurized field soil and peat-based growing mixes. On 21 April 2003, volunteer lentils growing in the same fields showed symptoms of root rot, and Pythium oospores were observed in the roots. Pythium spp. were isolated by using a selective medium (2). Oospores were aplerotic, intercalary, 12.6 to 21 μm long × 11.2 to 18.2 μm wide, mostly smooth, and often formed in chains. Isolates resembled P. paroecandrum Drechs. and P. irregulare Buisman on the basis of morphological characters (3), but DNA sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region were closer to P. irregulare on the basis of a comparison with a worldwide database of Pythium sequences (C. A. Lévesque, personal communication). Isolates were deposited with the USDA-ARS Western Regional Plant Introduction Station, Pullman, WA. Four hyphal-tip isolates were tested in the greenhouse with inoculum grown in autoclaved sandy loam amended with 1% ground rolled oats. Experiments were performed twice in Thatuna silt loam, first in pasteurized and then in nonpasteurized soil. Inoculum was added to the soil at 500 CFU/g, and seeds were planted on the same day. Each isolate was tested on cvs. Brewer and Mason, with five replicates per treatment. Plants were grown in 4- × 20.5-cm plastic tubes (two plants per tube) for 1 month at 16 to 22°C and supplemented with 14 h of light per day. P. irregulare was reisolated from infected roots in both experiments. Damping-off, stunting, chlorosis, and root rot were observed in the Pythium-inoculated treatments, which corresponded to symptoms observed in the field in 2002. In pasteurized soil, only one isolate reduced the whole, dry, plant weight of Brewer, but the other three isolates reduced the dry weight of Mason. All isolates reduced the root dry weight of Mason in natural soil, but only two isolates reduced the root dry weight of Brewer. To our knowledge, Pythium spp., but not P. irregulare, have been reported previously from lentils (1). P. irregulare also causes root rot on winter wheat, which is rotated with lentils, and this pathogen likely causes yield reduction in both crops.

References: (1) D. F. Farr et al. Fungi on Plants and Plant Products in the United States. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN, 1989. (2) S. M. Mircetich and J. M. Kraft. Mycopathol. Mycol. Appl. 50:151, 1973. (3) A. J. van der Plaats-Niterink. Stud. Mycol. 21:1, 1981.
First Report of Stem and Leaf Blight Caused by Sclerotinia minor on Geranium carolinianum in North Carolina
Authors: Hollowell J. E. , Shew B. B.
Published: May 2007

The soilborne fungus Sclerotinia minor Jagger is a major pathogen of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in North Carolina and overwinters in soil, on crop debris, or on winter annual weed species (1). Bleached stems and small, black sclerotia are typically seen on peanut plants infected by S. minor. Carolina geranium (Geranium carolinianum L.) is one of several winter annual weed species found during winter fallow in peanut production areas of northeastern North Carolina. During a March 2002 survey of previously harvested peanut fields, plants of Carolina geranium were observed with typical signs and symptoms of infection caused by S. minor. Symptomatic plants with bleached stems and signs of small, black sclerotia were collected in the field and returned to the laboratory. Pathogen isolation and fungal identification were performed from the symptomatic tissues by placing 1- to 2-cm sections of stems on potato dextrose agar after rinsing with tap water and towel drying. Pure cultures of S. minor were obtained and observed to have white, fluffy mycelium and small, black irregular-shaped sclerotia (<2 mm) produced abundantly and scattered over the culture surface. Pathogenicity was tested by inoculating stems of three symptom-free Carolina geranium plants with 2-day-old fungal mycelium from pure isolation. Mycelial agar plugs, 4 mm in diameter, were held in place with self-sticking bandaging gauze. Plants were misted, enclosed in plastic bags, and incubated at ambient temperature (24°C) on the laboratory counter top. Bleached water-soaked lesions developed on the stems, and leaves became chlorotic after 8 days. Following 8 days of incubation, S. minor was reisolated from all inoculated plants. Three noninoculated plants remained healthy over the incubation period. The performance of Koch's postulates confirmed that Carolina geranium is a host of S. minor. To our knowledge, this is the first report of S. minor on G. carolinianum. These results indicate that G. carolinianum is a potential overwintering host for S. minor in peanut fields. Infected weed hosts allow reproduction of the fungus in the winter, potentially resulting in more disease on peanut planted in the spring.

Reference: (1) J. E. Hollowell et al. Plant Dis. 87:197, 2003.
Mycelial Compatibility Grouping and Aggressiveness of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
Authors: Kull L. S. , Pedersen W. L. , Palmquist D. , Hartman G. L.
Published: May 2007

Population variability of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, the causal organism of Sclerotinia stem rot of soybean, was determined by mycelial compatibility grouping (MCG) and isolate aggressiveness comparisons. MCG and aggressiveness of S. sclerotiorum isolates from diverse hosts and geographic locations (Diverse Set, 24 isolates), from a soybean field in Argentina (Argentine Set, 21 isolates), and from soybean fields in DeKalb and Watseka, Illinois (DeKalb Set, 124 isolates, and Watseka Set, 130 isolates) were assessed. Among 299 isolates tested, 42 MCGs were identified, and 61% were represented by single isolates observed at single locations. Within the Diverse Set, 17 MCGs were identified; 1 MCG consisted of six isolates, and 16 MCGs consisted of one isolate each. Nine MCGs were identified within the Argentine field with two MCGs composed of either five or six isolates, two MCGs composed of two isolates, and the remaining composed of one isolate each. Each Illinois field was a mosaic of MCGs, but MCG frequencies differed between the two fields. Common MCGs were identified among the Diverse, DeKalb, and Watseka Sets, but no MCGs within the Argentine Set were observed with other sets. MCG 8 was the most frequently sampled and widely dispersed MCG and occurred at a frequency of 29, 36, and 62% in the Diverse, DeKalb, and Watseka Sets, respectively. Variation in isolate aggressiveness was assessed using a limited-term, plug inoculation technique. Isolate aggressiveness varied (P = 0.001) within the Diverse, Argentine, DeKalb, and Watseka Sets. Within widely dispersed MCGs, isolate aggressiveness varied (P ≤ 0.10); however, within locally observed MCGs detected only in single fields, isolate aggressiveness did not vary. Additionally, individual MCGs within the DeKalb and Watseka Sets differed in isolate aggressiveness. Using six soybean cultivars and six S. sclerotiorum isolates, no cultivar-isolate interaction was detected, but resistant and susceptible cultivars performed similarly when inoculated with either less or highly aggressive isolates. Pathogen population structure and variability in isolate aggressiveness may be important considerations in disease management systems.
Races of Phytophthora sojae in Arkansas Soybean Fields and Their Effects on Commonly Grown Soybean Cultivars
Authors: Jackson T. A. , Kirkpatrick T. L. , Rupe J. C.
Published: May 2007

Isolates of Phytophthora sojae were collected during 1995 to 1998 from soil samples collected in 23 Arkansas soybean fields in 14 counties, and characterized by race. A total of seven races (races 2, 10, 14, 15, 24, 26, and 38) were found. Races 10, 24, and 15 were the most common and comprised 47, 22, and 9% of the 32 isolates, respectively. A single isolate each of races 2, 14, 26, and 38 also was found. Three of the isolates collected could not be characterized to race due to inconsistent results. In 1997 and 1998, a portion of a single soybean field at the University of Arkansas Southeast Research and Experiment Center near Rohwer, AR was surveyed intensively for P. sojae. The area was planted each year to the P. sojae-susceptible cv. Williams and both plants and soil were collected to assay for P. sojae from 16 and 28 plots (4.9 by 7.6 m) in 1997 and 1998, respectively. A total of 83 isolates were collected (11 from plants and 72 from soil), and found to represent 13 pathotypes, including 6 with virulence formulae that have not been described previously. Nine commercial soybean cultivars representing a range of reported resistance and tolerance to Phytophthora root and stem rot were screened for resistance to races 10, 15, and 26 of P. sojae using both hypocotyl injection and inoculum layer techniques. Cvs. Manokin, Hartz Variety 5545, and Riverside 499 were consistently resistant to all of the races using both inoculation methods. These results indicate that, although considerable pathogenic variability in P. sojae exists in soybean fields in Arkansas, cultivars with effective resistance are available to help growers manage Phytophthora root and stem rot.
Development of Papaya Breeding Lines with Transgenic Resistance toPapaya ringspot virus
Authors: Davis Michael J. , Ying Zhentu
Published: May 2007

Papaya (Carica papaya) was transformed via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation with four constructs containing either the unmodified or modified coat protein (CP) gene of Florida isolate H1K of Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV). The CP genes were in the sense orientation (S-CP), antisense orientation (AS-CP), sense orientation with a frame-shift mutation (FS-CP), or sense orientation mutated with three-in-frame stop codons (SC-CP). In all, 256 putative transgenic lines with the CP constructs were inoculated mechanically with PRSV H1K. None of the lines was immune to PRSV; however, highly resistant lines were found in each CP transgene group. For breeding purposes, 21 PRSV-resistant lines representing the four transgene constructs were selected and crossed with six papaya genotypes. The lines from the FS-CP and SC-CP transgene groups were highly fertile, but those from the S-CP and AS-CP transgene groups were practically infertile. Plants derived from 54 crosses and representing 17 transgenic lines were planted in the field. After 1 year in the field, 293 of the 1,258 the plants (23.3%) became naturally infected with PRSV; whereas, 29 of 30 of the nontransgenic control plants (96.7%) became infected. The incidence of PRSV infection varied in the R1progeny depending on both the transgenic line and the nontransgenic parent.
Effect of Temperature on Thekopsora minima Urediniospores and Uredinia
Authors: Pfister S. E. , Halik S. , Bergdahl D. R.
Published: May 2007

Thekopsora minima is a heteroecious rust, with spermogonia and aecia occurring on the needles of hemlock (Tsuga spp.) and uredinia, telia, and basidia occurring on the leaves of ericaceous genera, including species of Rhododendron. The effect of temperature was determined for urediniospore germination, germ tube growth, and infection efficiency on Rhododendron ‘White Lights’. Percent germination and germ tube growth were assessed at 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30°C after 3 h of incubation on 1.5% water agar in the dark. Polynomial regression analyses revealed a significant effect of temperature on both germination (P < 0.001, R2adj = 0.936) and germ tube growth (P < 0.001, R2adj = 0.933), with predicted optimum temperatures of 21.5 and 22.0°C, respectively. Germination and germ tube growth were reduced greatly at 30°C and below 15°C. Temperature also was found to have a significant effect on infection efficiency, as measured by incubation period (P < 0.001, R2adj = 0.808) and uredinia produced (P < 0.001, R2adj = 0.866). On excised leaf disks of Rhododendron ‘White Lights’ maintained under a 14-h photoperiod, the shortest mean incubation periods of 10.7 and 10.0 days were at 20 and 25°C, respectively, with a predicted optimum of 23°C. The mean incubation period at 15 and 30°C was approximately 4 and 3 days longer, respectively, than at the predicted optimum temperature. The number of uredinia produced was similar at 15, 20, and 25°C, but was reduced sixfold at 30°C. The predicted optimum temperature for uredinial production was 19.5°C, with a 5% variation in uredinia production between 17.5 and 22°C.