bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus-Is in The Bahamas
Authors: Sinisterra X. , Patte C. P. , Siewnath S. , Polston J. E.
Published: May 2007

In December 1996, symptoms of stunting, curling, and marginal chlorosis of leaves, reduced leaf size, and marked reduction in number of fruits were first seen in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) plants on the island of North Andros, The Bahamas. Similar symptoms were observed for the first time during fall 1997 in tomatoes on the island of Eleuthera. Incidences of symptomatic plants were as high as 100% in some fields. Leaves from one symptomatic plant from each island were collected during April 1998. DNA was extracted from the samples and tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification for the presence of one or more geminiviruses (2). Three sets of primers were used to amplify the extracts: PAL1c496 and PAL1v1978, which amplify an ≈1,100- or ≈1,300-bp DNA product from the A component of a wide range of bipartite and monopartite begomoviruses, respectively; primers PCRc154 and PBL1v2042, which amplify an ≈600-bp DNA fragment from the B component of a wide range of bipartite geminiviruses; and primers PCRc154 and PTYC1v2180 (5′ACTACCATGGCCGC-GCAGCGGAATAC3′), which preferentially amplify Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV-Is) (1,2). DNA products of ≈1,300 and ≈780 bp were amplified with PAR1c496 and PAL1v1978 and PCRc154 and PTYC1v2180, respectively, from one sample from each island. No product was obtained from primers PCRc154 and PBL1v2042. The symptoms and PCR results are consistent for the presence of TYLCV. PCR products generated by primers PAL1c496 and PAL1v1978 from each sample were cloned into a pGEM-T Easy Vector (Promega, Madison, WI), and one clone from each was sequenced with vector primers. The sequences of the two 1,300-nt Bahamian clones were identical. The Bahamian clones shared 98.9% sequence homology with equivalent sequences of a TYLCV-Is clone from Florida, 99.2 and 99.4% homology with two TYLCV-Is clones from the Dominican Republic (GenBank Accession no. AF024715, and a full-length infectious clone submitted to GenBank), 98.7% homology with a clone from Cuba (GenBank Accession no. AJ223505), and 98.0% homology with the type sequence from Israel (GenBank Accession no. X15656). A deletion (28 or 29 nt) in the intergenic region was shared by clones from The Bahamas and Florida but was not present in clones from Cuba (AJ223505), the Dominican Republic (AF024715), Egypt (GenBank Accession no. L12219), Israel (X15656), Jamaica (GenBank Accession no. U84146), Lebanon (GenBank Accession no. AF160875), Mexico (GenBank Accession no. AF168709), and Spain (GenBank Accession no. AJ223505). TYLCV-Is appeared in The Bahamas and Florida at almost the same time (1). Because clones from both locations share an unusual deletion, there may be a common source for both introductions. This is the first report of TYLCV-Is in The Bahamas.

Reference: (1) J. E. Polston et al. Plant Dis. 83:984, 1999. (2) M. R. Rojas et al. Plant Dis. 77:340, 1993.
First Report of Aphanomyces Root Rot of Sugar Beet in Nebraska and Wyoming
Authors: Harveson R. M.
Published: May 2007

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) plants exhibiting dull green and chlorotic foliage were first observed in a field near Dalton, NE, in late July 1999. Root symptoms included distal tip rot with internal, yellow-brown, water-soaked tissues. Isolations on MBV medium (1) consistently yielded Aphanomyces cochlioides Drechs. Water cultures produced primary zoospores that encysted at the tips of sporangiophores, followed by release of secondary zoospores within 12 h. Seedlings inoculated with zoospores began to die 2 weeks after emergence in a greenhouse. Symptoms on hypocotyls began as water-soaked lesions that turned black and thread-like. The causal agent was reisolated from infected seedlings, completing Koch's postulates. The disease was subsequently found in more than 15 separate fields, representing 5 of 11 sugar beet-growing counties in Nebraska and 1 county in Wyoming. In October, plants from the same fields were observed with stunted, distorted roots and superficial, scabby lesions associated with latent A. cochlioides infection. The pathogen could not be isolated from this stage but was confirmed by observing mature oospores within thin, stained sections under a microscope. The sections were additionally mixed with sterile potting soil and planted in the greenhouse with sugar beets. Several weeks after emergence, seedlings began to die, and the pathogen was reisolated. This represents the first report of Aphanomyces root rot and its spread in the Central High Plains. It also confirms that the described latent symptoms on sugar beet are caused by A. cochlioides.

Reference: (1). W. F. Pfender et al. Plant Dis. 68:845, 1984.
Distribution of Xylella fastidiosa in Citrus Rootstocks and Transmission of Citrus Variegated Chlorosis Between Sweet Orange Plants Through Natural Root Grafts
Authors: He C. X. , Li W. B. , Ayres A. J. , Hartung J. S. , Miranda V. S. , Teixeira D. C.
Published: May 2007

To study translocation of Xylella fastidiosa to citrus rootstocks, budsticks from citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC)-affected cv. Pera sweet orange (Citrus sinenesis (L.) Osb.) were top grafted on 15 citrus rootstocks. Disease symptoms were conspicuous 3 months later on all 15 rootstocks tested. The presence of X. fastidiosa was confirmed by light microscopy, double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and polymerase chain reaction in rootlets and main roots of CVC-symptomatic Pera sweet orange in 11 of the 15 rootstocks tested. These results suggest that bacterial translocation from the aerial plant parts to the root system occurs but is not essential for X. fastidiosa to induce symptoms in the aerial parts. Bacterial translocation to the roots was not correlated with CVC leaf-symptom severity in the Pera scion. To determine if CVC disease could be transmitted by natural root grafts, two matched seedlings of each of four sweet orange cultivars (Pera, Natal, Valencia, and Caipira) were transplanted into single pots. One seedling rootstock of each pair was inoculated by top grafting with a CVC-contaminated budstick while the other seedling rootstock was cut but not graft inoculated. Transmission of X. fastidiosa from an inoculated plant to a noninoculated plant sharing the same pot was observed in all four sweet orange cultivars tested. Transmission was confirmed by observation of natural roots grafts between the two plants, presence of X. fastidiosa in the root grafts, and disease development in the uninoculated plants. This is the first report of transmission of CVC disease through natural root grafts.
Evaluation of BSPcast Disease Warning System in Reduced Fungicide Use Programs for Management of Brown Spot of Pear
Authors: Llorente I. , Vilardell P. , Bugiani R. , Gherardi I. , Montesinos E.
Published: May 2007

A forecasting model (BSPcast) developed for prediction of brown spot (Stemphylium vesicarium) of pear was evaluated as an advisory system for reduced fungicide use in disease management programs. Eleven trials were performed during 1995, 1996, and 1997 in five orchards in two different climatic areas in Catalunya (Spain) and Emilia-Romagna (Italy). Values of 3-day cumulative daily infection risk (CR) provided by the model were used to determine risk periods during the growing season of pear and were taken as thresholds to schedule fungicide sprays. The fungicide application programs tested using the model consisted of guided schedules with CR action thresholds of 0.4, 0.5, or 0.6, and fixed sprays following a standard commercial schedule. In nine out of 10 trials, no significant differences were observed in disease incidence on fruit at harvest between the fixed-spray commercial schedule and guided sprays using thresholds of 0.4 or 0.5. The average savings in number of fungicide sprays applied using BSPcast compared with the fixed-spray schedule were 20 to 70% when using fungicides with a 15-day protection period (kresoxim-methyl or procymidone) and ranged from 20 to 50% when using a fungicide with a 7-day protection period (thiram).
Biocontrol of Damping-off of Catharanthus roseus Caused by Pythium ultimum with Trichoderma virens and Binucleate Rhizoctonia Fungi
Authors: Burns J. R. , Benson D. M.
Published: May 2007

Four isolates of Trichoderma (Gliocladium) virens (G-45, G-65, G-85, and G-93) and two isolates of binucleate Rhizoctonia spp. (BNR621 and P9023) were evaluated for biocontrol of preemergence damping-off of Catharanthus roseus (vinca) caused by Pythium ultimum. Putative biocontrol agents were amended to a soilless mix 1, 3, or 6 days prior to seeding and pathogen infestation to determine if colonization of the mix before infestation was important for biocontrol efficacy. Biocontrol of preemergence damping-off of vinca with the four isolates of T. virens was variable. Only isolate G-93 gave control of preemergence damping-off (10 to 18% disease) regardless of the length of time the mix was amended prior to seeding and infestation compared to the infested control (43% disease). In contrast, preemergence damping-off was 10 to 15% with SoilGard (based on isolate GL-21 of T. virens). For isolate G-65, preemergence damping-off of vinca was 0% in lots of mix amended 1 day prior to seeding, but over 60% in lots of mix amended 6 days prior to seeding, compared to 43% in the infested control. With the exception of isolate G-65 in the lot amended 6 days before seeding, the isolates of T. virens were as effective as metalaxyl (19% damping-off) for control of P. ultimum in lots of mix amended 1 to 6 days before seeding. In contrast to T. virens, biocontrol efficacy of isolates BNR621 and P9023 of binucleate Rhizoctonia spp. in a Pesta formulation improved as lots of mix were amended up to 6 days before seeding and infestation. As length of initial amendment increased from 1 to 6 days, preemergence damping-off decreased from 37 to 16% for BNR621, and from 42 to 22% for P9023. Preemergence damping-off was observed in vinca in control treatments with only the putative biocontrol agents (BNR621, 14% disease and P9023, 19.6%); therefore, additional bedding plant species were evaluated for susceptibility to the BNR isolates. In the absence of P. ultimum, isolates BNR621 and P9023 in a Pesta formulation caused an average 82.5, 56.5, and 5.8% damping-off of snapdragon, petunia, and impatiens, respectively. Our results suggest that binucleate Rhizoctonia isolates, although effective for biocontrol of P. ultimum on vinca, should be evaluated for pathogenicity on a crop by crop basis before use on other crops.
First Report of Powdery Mildew on Nandina domestica (Berberidaceae) in North America
Authors: Saenz G. S. , Koike S. T. , Scheck H. J.
Published: May 2007

Nandina domestica Thunb. (heavenly bamboo) is an ornamental plant that is widely planted in landscapes in California and other states. Since 1996, powdery mildew disease has been seen on outdoor landscape N. domestica in various regions of California (Alameda, Monterey, Riverside, and Santa Barbara counties). Symptoms consist of reddening of leaf and stem tissues colonized by the fungus and curling and twisting of infected leaves. The following observations were the same for all collected isolates. White ectophytic mycelium was observed on leaves and petioles. Mycelium on leaves was amphigenous, mostly epiphyllous, and effused or in patches. Hyphal appressoria were nipple-shaped to lobed and sometimes opposite in orientation. Conidiophores were cylindrical, straight, sometimes slightly flexuous, 22 to 32 × 6 to 8 μm in dimension, and followed by one to two shorter cells. Conidia were cylindrical, produced singly, and 27 to 42 × 11.5 to 14 μm in dimension. Fibrosin bodies were not observed. Conidial germ tubes were approximately twice the length of the spore, originated from the ends of the spore, and terminated in simple appressoria. Cleistothecia were not present. Based on these characteristics, the fungus was identified as Microsphaera berberidis (DC) Lév. (1). Pathogenicity was confirmed by gently pressing diseased leaves on leaves of healthy N. domestica plants. Plants were incubated in a humidity chamber at 22 to 24°C, and after 10 to 14 days, powdery mildew colonies developed. A voucher specimen was deposited in the University of California Herbarium (UC 1738622). Additional inoculation experiments showed that four other N. domestica cultivars were susceptible (Compacta Nana, Gulf Stream, Harbour Dwarf, and Royal Princess). Helfer (2) noted several possible candidates for the Nandina powdery mildew pathogen in the United Kingdom. However, due to the conidial characteristics of that fungus and the paucity of character descriptions for the several species mentioned, no species name was given to the Edinburgh isolate. In contrast, the mitosporic characteristics of our isolates fit the description for M. berberidis. This is the first report of powdery mildew on N. domestica in North America.

References: (1) U. Braun. Nova Hedwigia 89:1, 1987. (2) S. Helfer. Plant Dis. 79:424, 1995.
Seasonal Infection of the Weed Dyer's Woad by a Puccinia sp. Rust Used for Biocontrol, and Effects of Temperature on Basidiospore Production
Authors: Flint Karen M. , Thomson Sherman V.
Published: May 2007

Potted dyer's woad rosettes exposed to natural rust inoculum at field sites became infected when exposed from late April through early July, depending upon the location. The latent period between exposure and symptom expression varied from 9 to 54 weeks. The length of this latent period was unrelated to either the age of plants at exposure or the exposure period itself. The age of rosettes at the time of exposure did not affect the incidence of infection. Fall infection of potted rosettes occurred, but the incidence was low. When naturalized stands of woad were inoculated with teliosori, either fresh or dried, the incidence of infection was 58 to 76%, compared with 2 to 7% incidence in noninoculated plants. Basidiospores were readily produced from intact teliosori when suspended over water agar, with the highest rate of production between 3 and 6 h of incubation, at 10 to 20°C. The optimum temperature for basidiospore production over a 24-h period was 15°C, but they were produced at temperatures as low as 5°C, although not at 25°C. These lower-than-expected temperatures for spore production corroborate the field evidence that dyer's woad rust most actively infects in springtime, when temperatures are comparatively low and rainfall is more frequent.
Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacterial Mediated Protection in Tomato Against Tomato mottle virus
Authors: Murphy John F. , Zehnder Geoffrey W. , Schuster David J. , Sikora Edward J. , Polston Jane E. , Kloepper Joseph W.
Published: May 2007

Tomato plants treated with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), applied as an industrially formulated seed treatment, a spore preparation mixed with potting medium (referred to as powder), or a combined seed-powder treatment, were evaluated under field conditions for induced resistance to Tomato mottle virus (ToMoV). The PGPR strains used, based on their ability to induce resistance in previous experiments, included Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 937a, B. subtilis 937b, and B. pumilus SE34. Experiments were conducted in the fall of 1997 and the spring and fall of 1998 at the University of Florida's Gulf Coast Research & Education Center, Bradenton. All plants were rated for symptoms and analyzed for the presence of ToMoV DNA at 40 days after transplant (dat). Whitefly densities were determined on individual plants in each trial, and marketable fruit yields were determined at least two times during each trial. The highest level of protection occurred in the fall 1997 trial when, at 40 dat, ToMoV disease severity ratings were significantly less in all PGPR powder-based treatments than in either of the seed or control treatments. Detection of viral DNA using Southern dot blot analyses correlated with symptom severity ratings, as did fruit yields. A reduction in ToMoV symptom severity ratings and incidence of viral DNA were also observed for some PGPR treatments in the spring 1998 trial, although corresponding yield responses were not apparent. Little or no resistance was observed in the fall 1998 trial. No differences in disease severity, detection of ToMoV DNA, or yield occurred among treatments in any of the trials at 80 dat. These data show that up to 40 dat under natural conditions of high levels of vector-virus pressure, some PGPR treatments resulted in reduced ToMoV incidence and disease severity and, in some cases, a corresponding increase in fruit yield. The use of PGPR could become a component of an integrated program for management of this virus in tomato.
First Report of Verticillium dahliae Causing Wilt on Solanum cardiophyllum and Solanum ehrenbergii
Authors: Rodríguez-Alvarado G. , Fernández-Pavía S. P. , Galindo-Alonso J.
Published: May 2007

Solanum cardiophyllum Lindl and Solanum ehrenbergii (Bitt) Rydb are wild edible potato plants found throughout central Mexico (2). These plants are not cultivated, but farmers collect tubers for their own consumption and to sell at local markets (2). Wilted plants were observed in experimental plots of these wild potatoes established near Chapingo, Mexico, during spring 1983. Initial symptoms included wilting and dark yellowing of lower leaves. As the disease advanced, all of the foliage became chlorotic and the plants wilted and eventually died. Disease incidence was 13.4% for S. ehrenbergii and 0.2% for S. cardiophyllum. Verticillium dahliae Kleb. was consistently isolated from the roots and lower stems of diseased plants of both Solanum species. The isolating procedure consisted of thoroughly rinsing roots and lower stems with tap water and cutting roots and stems into 3- to 6-cm sections that were placed in 10% bleach for 3 to 5 min. Bleach excess was removed with sterile paper, and the tissue sections were cut into smaller pieces (0.5 cm) and placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates. Cultures of Verticillium produced numerous dark microsclerotia of various shapes and sizes (0.05 to 0.1 mm); erect, slender, hyaline, and branched conidiophores; and elliptical and hyaline, single-celled conidia characteristic of V. dahliae (1). Pathogenicity studies were conducted in a greenhouse on 2-month-old S. cardiophyllum and S. ehrenbergii plants grown from tubers. Inoculum was obtained from colonies growing on PDA for 10 days producing abundant conidia. Conidial suspensions were obtained by flooding the plate cultures with sterile distilled water, filtering the suspension with two layers of cheesecloth, and adjusting the inoculum to 1.0 × 106 conidia/ml (3). Ten ml of the conidial suspension were applied to each of four holes 5 cm deep and 3 to 5 cm next to the crown of each plant. Symptoms similar to those observed on field-grown plants were observed 15 days after inoculation, and V. dahliae was re-isolated from lower stems and roots. All inoculated plants were dead 4 weeks after inoculation. Water-inoculated plants remained healthy throughout the experiments. This is the first report of V. dahliae on S. cardiophyllum and S. ehrenbergii.

References: (1) G. R. Dixon. Vegetable Crop Diseases. Avi Publishing, Westport, Connecticut. 1981. (2) J. Galindo. Naturaleza 13:175, 1982. (3) H. A. Melouk and C. E. Horner. Phytopathology 65:767, 1975.
Incidence of Infection of Asparagus Spears Marketed in Connecticut byFusariumspp.
Authors: Elmer Wade H.
Published: May 2007

Sixty-seven samples of asymptomatic asparagus spears (avg. 26.5 spears per sample) were obtained during 1995 and 1996 from 22 retail markets in New Haven County, CT, from three commercial growers in Connecticut, and from experimental field plots in Connecticut and North Carolina. Surface-disinfested basal and apical segments were placed on media selective for Fusarium spp. Eight species of Fusarium were identified among 418 isolates from 1,776 spears. Of these, 30 and 62% were F. oxysporum and F. proliferatum, respectively. The incidence of Fusarium colonization was greater from the basal segments (15.5%) than from apical segments (8.1%). Spears shipped from Mexico, Peru, and North Carolina had higher incidence of colonization by F. proliferatum than spears shipped from California, Washington, or the northeastern United States. In both years, spears purchased during June had the highest incidence of F. proliferatum compared with other months. Since F. oxysporum and F. proliferatum are pathogens and infect asparagus crowns and roots, it is probable that infection originated in the field. The less frequent species were found slightly more often on apical segments than on basal segments.
Phytotoxicity of a Culture Filtrate Produced by Stemphylium solani of Cotton
Authors: Mehta Y. R. , Brogin R. L.
Published: May 2007

Stemphylium solani, which causes a new leaf blight of cotton, was suspected of producing a phytotoxin. Studies were conducted to examine the relationship between the reaction of different cotton cultivars and of some unrelated host species to the pathogen and its toxin-containing culture filtrates. Seven single spore isolates of S. solani from cotton and their toxin-containing culture filtrates were used for leaf and root bioassays. An isolate of S. solani from tomato was also used for comparison. The phytotoxic effect was isolate dependent. Culture filtrates of five isolates killed 40 to 60% of the cotton seedlings when incubated for 4 days at 10-1 dilution. At 10-2 dilution, the culture filtrates of most of the isolates affected the development of the root system but failed to kill any seedling. The phytotoxic effect of the culture filtrate was not degraded by autoclaving. A high correlation coefficient between the percentage of the leaf area infected (LAI) by S. solani and the percentage of the necrotic leaf area (LAN) by the culture filtrate was observed when one of the aggressive isolates and its culture filtrate were tested against adult plants of 38 cotton cultivars (r = 0.86). Cultivars CNPA T-1180-23, CNPA-PRECOCE 2, PR 94-215, and PR 94-82 demonstrated resistance to the pathogen as well as insensitivity or moderate sensitivity to its toxin. Cultivars showing intermediate reaction to the pathogen also showed intermediate reaction to its culture filtrate. Similarly, the highly susceptible cultivars Paraná 3, PR 93-129, and PR 94-216 also were highly sensitive to the culture filtrate. Of the 18 plant species belonging to 18 genera, eight were susceptible to the pathogen. With two exceptions, susceptible hosts were also sensitive to the culture filtrate, whereas nonsusceptible hosts were insensitive. A component of the culture filtrate was regarded as a pathogenicity factor.
Interactive Effects of Dodine and the DMI Fungicide Fenarimol in the Control of Apple Scab
Authors: Köller W. , Wilcox W. F.
Published: May 2007

Interactive effects of a mixture of fenarimol and dodine in the inhibition of Venturi inaequalis populations and the risk that resistance will develop when the mixture is used for control of apple scab were investigated. Interactive mixture effects were determined for a composite population (n = 1007) representative of the Great Lakes apple-growing region and for a population (n = 1,295) sampled over three years from a single experimental orchard subjected to various fungicide treatments. Several interactive effects were identified: (i) subpopulations of V. inaequalis isolates resistant to dodine contained a higher proportion of isolates also resistant to fenarimol, (ii) synergistic effects were apparent for a large proportion of dodine- or fenarimol-resistant isolates when tested in mixture, and (iii) the level of fenarimol resistance was higher in the subpopulation resisting the mixture than in the subpopulation resisting fenarimol alone. Interactive effects determined under in vivo test conditions were of low relevance in the control of apple scab. The partly pleiotropic resistance of dodine and fenarimol had no apparent impact on the fenarimol sensitivities of dodine-resistant populations, and expression of synergistic mixture effects were of low or no significance under orchard conditions of scab control. Treatments of apple trees with a half-rate mixture of fenarimol and dodine selected V. inaequalis isolates resistant to the mixture. Such isolates were poorly controlled by the mixture and by each component applied alone at twice their mixture rates; therefore, mixture-resistant isolates will be selected and must be controlled by other means. The level of fenarimol resistance was high for the mixture-resistant subpopulation; therefore, increasing the mixture rate of fenarimol is unlikely to significantly improve control of these isolates. The advantage of a half-rate mixture of fenarimol and dodine in scab management resides in a substantially lower frequency of selectable isolates compared to the frequencies encountered by fenarimol and dodine applied alone.
Soybean Yield Loss to Sudden Death Syndrome in Relation to Symptom Expression and Root Colonization by Fusarium solani f. sp. glycines
Authors: Luo Y. , Hildebrand K. , Chong S. K. , Myers O. , Russin J. S.
Published: May 2007

Field studies were conducted to determine the relationships between soybean yield and foliar disease index (FDX) of sudden death syndrome (SDS) as well as root colonization by Fusarium solani f. sp. glycines, the causal agent. Single-row plots in a soybean field with relatively uniform SDS incidence and severity were identified at growth stage R6 on cultivar Pioneer 9492 in DeSoto, IL, in 1997 and 1998. For each plot, foliar disease index (FDX), yield, and yield components were determined. In 1997, linear relationships between yield (Y, grams per meter of row) and FDX were obtained from the wide-row (Y = 207.84 - 1.09 FDX) and narrow-row (Y = 126.66 - 0.745 FDX) plots, respectively. A linear relationship (Y = 124.23 - 1.11 FDX) also was observed in 1998. Increase in each FDX unit caused yield loss from 18 to 29 kg/ha (0.7 – 1.1 g/m of row). FDX was negatively correlated with seed weight (grams per plant) in both years and with seed size (grams per 100 seeds) in 1997. A no-tilled field at Southern Illinois University planted to soybean cultivar Asgrow 5403 was divided into 25 plots in 1997 and 40 plots in 1998. Root samples were taken from each plot at five or six sampling times during the seasons. Roots were used to isolate and enumerate F. solani f. sp. glycines on a selective medium to obtain the CFU. FDX was assessed and soybean yield was obtained from each plot. Soybean yield correlated negatively with FDX in both years. Both yield and FDX correlated significantly with CFU from slightly before growth stage R1 to R2 in both years, and with area under the pathogen population curve (AUPC) in 1997. An increase in one unit of AUPC or CFU per gram of root at R6 was associated with yield loss of 0.19 or 0.014%, respectively.
First Report of Virulence in Argentine Populations of Puccinia sorghi to Rp Resistance Genes in Corn
Authors: Gonzalez M.
Published: May 2007

Common rust (Puccinia sorghi) is a chronic disease of corn (Zea mays L.) in Argentina. Factors contributing to the disease include relatively susceptible germ plasm, planting late in the season, and variability within populations of P. sorghi. Several genes for race-specific resistance to common rust (i.e., Rp genes) were identified based on virulence in populations of P. sorghi in the United States (1). The objective of this research was to examine the virulence of Argentine populations of P. sorghi against 24 alleles at four Rp loci that condition race-specific resistance to common rust. Rp genes in an R168-inbred background were planted in trials at two locations in the central corn belt of Argentina. In the 1996-97, 1997-98, and 1999-2000 seasons, trials were planted in Pergamino (Province of Buenos Aires). In the 1998-99 season, the trial was planted in Zavalla (Province of Santa Fe). Plants were exposed to naturally occurring local populations of P. sorghi. About 3 to 4 weeks after anthesis, rust severity (percentage of leaf tissue with uredinia) and infection type were rated for all plants. Four categories of infection type were: 1—no rust, necrotic or chlorotic flecks, 2—small uredinia with or without necrotic flecks, 3—large uredinia, and 4—large uredinia with banding. Three lines with Rp genes (Rp1-N, Rp3-A, and Rp3-C) had infection type 1 with necrotic flecks and severity of 0%. Lines with other Rp genes (Rp1-A, Rp1-B, Rp1-C, Rp1-D, Rp1-E, Rp1-F, Rp1-G, Rp1-H, Rp1-I, Rp1-J, Rp1-K, Rp1-M, Rp1-N, Rp3-A, Rp3-B, Rp3-C, Rp3-D, Rp3-E, Rp4-A, Rp4-B, and Rp5) had infection types 2 to 4 and severity ranged from 5 to 35%. Severity was affected by the virulence of the populations and the environmental conditions in each trial. These results are evidence of a wide spectrum of virulence in P. sorghi populations in Argentina.

Reference: (1) W. Hagan and A. Hooker. Phytopathology 55:193, 1965.
First Report of Verticillium dahliae on Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) in North America
Authors: Farrar J. J. , Davis R. M. , Canevari W. M. , Fouche C. F.
Published: May 2007

Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, Asteraceae) is the source of stevioside, a sweet, low-calorie sugar substitute. Acreage of stevia in California has been increasing in recent years. In October 1999, stevia plants in a commercial field exhibited stunting, leaf necrosis, and vascular discoloration. Verticillium dahliae was consistently isolated from diseased root and stem pieces plated on water agar and acidified potato dextrose agar (APDA). Colonies became dark with age on APDA, formed single celled conidia on hyaline verticillate condiophores, and produced dark microsclerotia. Stevia (cv. R-set 1) plants were grown from seed in soilless potting mix in 20-cm-diameter pots. Roots of eight 4-week-old stevia plants were submerged in a 106 conidia per ml suspension of one of the isolates for 2 min. Eight control plants were dipped in sterile water. The plants were then repotted in soilless potting mix in 10-cm-diameter pots. Four weeks later, inoculated plants exhibited stunting, necrotic lower leaves, and discolored vascular systems. Control plants remained healthy. V. dahliae was reisolated on water agar from diseased plants. The experiment was conducted twice and the results were identical. This is the first report of V. dahliae on stevia in North America.
Bacterial Leaf Spot Diseases of Leafy Crucifers in Oklahoma Caused by Pathovars ofXanthomonas campestris
Authors: Zhao Youfu , Damicone John P. , Demezas David H. , Bender Carol L.
Published: May 2007

Fields of kale, spinach mustard, and turnip were severely damaged by bacterial leaf spots during 1994 to 1996. Symptoms included circular to angular necrotic lesions with yellow halos and water-soaking on the abaxial leaf surface. Yellow, mucoid strains isolated from leaf spots were identified as Xanthomonas campestris using Biolog. Four strains caused black lesions on stems of cabbage seedlings in an excised cotyledon assay, leaf spots and sunken dark lesions on petioles of spray-inoculated crucifers, and leaf spots on spray-inoculated tomato. These strains were classified as X. campestris pv. armoraciae. Most other strains from leafy crucifers and all strains from a cabbage field caused black rot in the cotyledon assay and in spray-inoculations. Many of these strains also caused leaf spots on collard and kale but not stem and petiole lesions. The strains causing black rot were classified as X. campestris pv. campestris. Cluster analysis of Biolog profiles yielded a small group that contained local strains of both pathovars, and a large group comprised of reference and local strains of each pathovar, and some local, nonpathogenic strains. Five fingerprint groups were identified by rep-polymerase chain reaction using the BOXA1R primer. Local and reference strains of each pathovar occurred in two of the groups. Two pathovars of X. campestris are involved in the leaf spot diseases. Both pathovars were recovered within several fields, and also were recovered along with Pseudomonas syringae pv. maculicola. This is the first report of Xanthomonas leaf spot caused by X. campestris pv. armoraciae in Oklahoma.
Bacterial Leaf Spot of Leafy Crucifers in Oklahoma Caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. maculicola
Authors: Zhao Youfu , Damicone John P. , Demezas David H. , Rangaswamy Vidhya , Bender Carol L.
Published: May 2007

During 1995 and 1996, bacterial leaf spots severely damaged fields of kale, spinach mustard, and turnip in Oklahoma. Symptoms were small, brown, necrotic spots with irregular edges surrounded by chlorotic halos. Lesion margins were often water-soaked on the abaxial surface. The spots enlarged and coalesced, causing extensive leaf yellowing and necrosis. Nineteen strains of a fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. were isolated from symptomatic plants. LOPAT tests and carbon source oxidation using Biolog GN MicroPlates were used to classify the strains as P. syringae. Cluster analysis of carbon source oxidation profiles for the local strains and selected reference strains of P. syringae pv. maculicola and pv. tomato produced one group with 79.5% similarity. In spray inoculations, all local strains caused chlorotic or water-soaked lesions on collards, kale, cauliflower, and tomato. A few local strains caused necrotic lesions on mustard. Most local strains caused one of the three lesion types on turnip and spinach mustard. Reference strains of P. syringae pv. maculicola caused similar symptoms. All but three of the local strains produced coronatine in vitro. The local strains were thus classified as P. syringae pv. maculicola, the cause of bacterial leaf spot of crucifers. Two distinct groups of P. syringaepv. maculicola were identified by repetitive sequence-based polymerase chain reaction (rep-PCR) with both REP and BOXA1R primers. Three subgroups within each group were further identified using the BOXA1R primer. Except for two strains of P. syringae pv. tomato which were pathogenic on crucifers, the pathovars maculicola and tomato had different genetic fingerprints. The pathogen was recovered from seven of ten fields sampled during 1994 to 1996. In five of the fields with P. syringae pv. maculicola, pathovars of Xanthomonas campestris were also isolated from lesions forming a bacterial disease complex. This is the first report of bacterial leaf spot caused by P. syringaepv. maculicola on leafy crucifers in Oklahoma.
First Report of Alternaria Brown Spot of Citrus in Spain
Authors: Vicent A. , Armengol J. , Sales R. , García-Jiménez J. , Alfaro-Lassala F.
Published: May 2007

In 1998, a new disease of Fortune mandarin trees was detected in orchards in the eastern province of Valencia. This is one of the most important late-maturing cultivars grown in Spain. Symptoms were typical of Alternaria brown spot of citrus (2). Young leaves showed brown necrotic and irregular blighted areas with characteristic yellow halos. The necrosis had a tendency to follow the veins. On fruits, symptoms included light brown, slightly depressed spots to circular and dark brown areas on the external surface. Infected young fruits and leaves often fell and the mature fruits were unmarketable due to lesions, resulting in important economic losses. Isolations on potato dextrose agar supplemented with 0.5 mg/ml of streptomycin sulfate (PDAS) from affected leaves and fruits consistently yielded Alternaria alternata (Fr.:Fr.) Keissl., which was identified based on conidial morphological characteristics. Pathogenicity tests were conducted using 15 isolates from fruit and leaves by inoculating detached immature Fortune leaves with a sterile water suspension of 5 × 105 conidia per ml. Drops of this suspension (40 μl each) were placed on the lower surfaces of each leaflet using four leaves per isolate. Leaves were incubated in a moist chamber in the dark at 27°C (1). After 48 h, most of these isolates caused necrotic lesions on the leaves similar to those observed in the field, and the fungus was reisolated, confirming Koch's postulates. In 1999, the fungus spread to other citrus-growing areas, and to date the disease has been detected affecting Fortune and Nova mandarins and Minneola tangelo. This is the first report of Alternaria brown spot of citrus in Spain.

References: (1) K. Kohmoto et al. Phytopathology 81:719, 1991. (2) J. O. Whiteside. Plant Dis. Rep. 60:326, 1976.
First Report of Heterobasidion annosum on the Endemic Abies hickeli of Southern Mexico
Authors: Garbelotto M. , Chapela I.
Published: May 2007

The basidiomycete Heterobasidion annosum (Fr.:Fr.) Bref. is a pathogen of conifers in the Northern Hemisphere. This fungus has been previously reported from Pinus spp. (1) and from Abies religiosa (H.B.K.) Schl. et Cham. (2) in Central Mexico. In 1998, H. annosum was collected for the first time from stumps of Abies hickeli Flous et Gaussen in the Southern Mexican State of Oaxaca, at an altitude of 2,900 m (Lat 17° 28′ N, Long 96° 31′ W). Although standing trees at the sampled site were asymptomatic, the sapwood and heartwood of several fir stumps were extensively decayed. The white laminated rot was similar to that caused by H. annosum on other Abies spp. Decay pockets extended to the upper surface of the stumps, indicating the fungus had infected and colonized the tree butts prior to tree felling. H. annosum basidiocarps were found both outside the roots in the duff layer and inside the decay pockets. The anamorph of H. annosum (Spiniger meineckellum (A. Olson) Stalpers) was isolated from the context of three basidiocarps. Based on comparative analysis of DNA sequences of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region, all three isolates belonged to the North American S intersterility group (ISG). This report expands the host and the geographic ranges of the North American S ISG, and represents the world's southernmost finding of an Abies species infected by this pathogen.

References: (1) R. Martinez Barrera and R. Sanchez Ramirez. Ciencia Forestal 5(26):3, 1980. (2) M. Ruiz-Rodriguez and L. M. Pinzon-Picaseno. Bol. Soc. Bot. Mexico 54:225, 1994.
Effect of Soil Solarization and Cover Crops on Populations of Selected Soilborne Plant Pathogens in Western Oregon
Authors: Pinkerton J. N. , Ivors K. L. , Miller M. L. , Moore L. W.
Published: May 2007

Field experiments were conducted in silty-clay loam in Corvallis, OR during the summers of 1995 and 1996 to study the effects of green manure cover crops (Sudan grass, rape, and barley), soil solarization, soil fumigation, and combinations of those treatments on population densities of soil pathogens Verticillium dahliae, Phytophthora cinnamomi, Pratylenchus penetrans, and Agrobacterium rhizogenes. Nylon mesh bags containing soil infested with V. dahliae and Phytophthora cinnamomiwere buried 5, 10, 20, and 30 cm deep. Soil solarization was performed over a 54- to 59-day period using a 0.6-mil clear polyethylene film. Maximum soil temperatures recorded at depths of 5, 10, 20, and 30 cm were 53, 48, 39, and 34°C in solarized soil, respectively; these temperatures were 8 to 16°C higher than in corresponding nonsolarized plots. Soil samples were collected before, during, and after solarization to quantify pathogen populations at those four depths. Pot or field studies were conducted subsequent to treatments to determine the effects of treatments on susceptible plants. Soil solarization, cover crops plus solarization, or fumigation with metam sodium resulted in a significant decrease (P< 0.05) in density of P. cinnamomi populations at all four depths and reduced (P< 0.05) V. dahliae at 5 and 10 cm. In greenhouse assays of solarized soils, disease severity was reduced (P< 0.05) for Verticillium spp. on eggplant and Phytophthora spp. on snapdragons. Cover crops alone were not effective in reducing P. cinnamomi and V. dahliae populations. Agrobacterium spp. population densities declined within solarized plots and incidence of crown gall on ‘Mazzard’ cherry rootstock planted in solarized plots was reduced significantly. Population densities of Pratylenchus penetranswere reduced in the upper 30-cm soil profile by solarization.Solarization for an 8-week period during the warmest months of summer could provide an additional management alternative for several important soilborne pathogens in western Oregon.
Comparison of Field, Greenhouse, and Detached-Leaflet Evaluations of Tomato Germ Plasm for Early Blight Resistance
Authors: Foolad M. R. , Ntahimpera N. , Christ B. J. , Lin G. Y.
Published: May 2007

Twenty-nine tomato genotypes (cultivars, breeding lines, and plant introductions), representing three Lycopersicon species, were evaluated for resistance to early blight (EB) caused by the fungus Alternaria solani. Evaluations were conducted in replicated trials in multiple years under field and greenhouse conditions (with whole plants) and in growth chamber (with detached leaflets). In the field experiments, plants were evaluated for disease symptoms, and area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) and final percent defoliation were determined. In the greenhouse experiments, plants were evaluated for percent defoliation following spray-inoculation with isolates of A. solani. In the growth chamber experiments, lesion radius, rate of lesion expansion, and final disease severity were determined for individual detached leaflets inoculated with isolates of A. solani. There were significant differences among genotypes in their response to A. solani infection in the field, greenhouse, and growth chamber experiments. In the field and greenhouse experiments, disease response varied from near-complete resistance in some accessions of the wild tomato species L. hirsutum (e.g., PI126445 and LA2099) to complete susceptibility in tomato cultivar New Yorker and breeding line NC84173. The previously developed EB-resistant breeding lines 88B231, 89B21, C1943, NCEBR-1, NCEBR-2, NCEBR-5, NCEBR-6, NC24E, and NC39E exhibited more resistance than New Yorker and NC84173. Field and greenhouse results were comparable across replications and years, and there were great correspondences (r ≈0.71, P < 0.01) between field and greenhouse resistance across genotypes. In contrast, results from the detached-leaflet assays were inconsistent across experiments and not correlated with either greenhouse or field results. The overall results indicate the utility of greenhouse evaluation and the inadequacy of detached-leaflet assay for screening tomatoes for EB resistance.
A New Leaf Blotch Disease of Sudangrass Caused by Pantoea ananas and Pantoea stewartii
Authors: Azad H. R. , Holmes G. J. , Cooksey D. A.
Published: May 2007

An unreported disease of sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense) was observed in commercial fields in Imperial Valley of California. Symptoms included light-colored necrotic streaks, and white or tan irregular blotches, often associated with reddish purple to dark brown margins. Pantoea ananas was consistently isolated from the blotches with reddish margins, while Pantoea stewartii or mixtures of both species were isolated from necrotic streaks without reddish margins. Fourteen seed samples harvested in different locations were assayed and found to be 0.0 to 3.6% infested with P. ananas. Seed transmission may be a means by which the pathogen is introduced. Symptoms in inoculated plants appeared as early as 2 and as late as 20 days after inoculation, depending on the inoculum level, methods of inoculation, temperature, and available moisture. The initial symptoms caused by inoculations with both bacteria were similar, but as symptoms progressed, P. ananas was associated with white streaks or irregular necrotic blotches often surrounded by a reddish or purplish hue. P. stewartii was associated with light-colored necrotic streaks. A synergistic or antagonistic relationship was not observed between the two pathogens in co-inoculations. In host range studies, both bacteria caused disease on sorghum and sudangrass at similar levels of severity. P. ananas was also pathogenic on corn and oat. P. stewartii from sudangrass was pathogenic on corn but did not cause wilting that was observed with Stewart's wilt strains of P. stewartii from corn. The sudangrass strains of P. stewartii also infected oat and triticale, while the Stewart's wilt strains did not. Both P. ananas and P. stewartii from sudangrass grew at relatively high temperatures (43 and 37°C, respectively) and caused disease at elevated temperatures and conditions of relative humidity similar to those in the Imperial Valley during late summer when epidemics of the disease were common.
Fusarium Root and Crown Rot: A Disease of Container-Grown Hostas
Authors: Wang B. , Jeffers S. N.
Published: May 2007

A previously unreported disease was observed on 11 cultivars of container-grown hosta plants at five wholesale nurseries in South Carolina between 1997 and 1999. Symptoms included leaf yellowing, plant stunting, rotting of and vascular discoloration in roots, and necrosis in the crowns. Fusarium spp. consistently were isolated from symptomatic hosta plants. Four species were recovered: F. solani, F. oxysporum, F. proliferatum, and an undescribed species designated Fusarium sp.; F. solani and Fusarium sp. were recovered most frequently. To demonstrate pathogenicity, four methods were used to inoculate hosta plants with representative isolates of F. solani, F. oxysporum, and Fusarium sp. Two types of inoculum, colonized oat seeds and conidium suspensions, were used to inoculate wounded and nonwounded plants. Disease symptoms occurred consistently only on hosta plants inoculated by dipping wounded roots and crowns into suspensions of conidia. Symptoms were most severe on plants inoculated with Fusarium sp. and much less severe on plants inoculated with F. solani or F. oxysporum. Disease severity increased and fresh weight of inoculated plants decreased when the concentration of inoculum of Fusarium sp. was increased over the range of 1 × 103 to 1 × 107 conidia per ml. Isolates of Fusarium sp., F. solani, and F. oxysporum varied in virulence when Hosta ‘Francee’ plants were inoculated. This study demonstrated that Fusarium root and crown rot of container-grown hostas is caused primarily by Fusarium sp. but that it also can be caused by F. solani and F. oxysporum. Fusarium sp. appears to be taxonomically distinct from other species, and its identity currently is under investigation.
Control of Cucurbit Powdery Mildew with JMS Stylet-Oil
Authors: McGrath M. T. , Shishkoff N.
Published: May 2007

Laboratory and greenhouse studies were conducted to determine the effect of JMS Stylet-Oil on cucurbit powdery mildew. In laboratory studies, JMS Stylet-Oil (1.5%) applied with a low-pressure sprayer (138 kPa) significantly reduced colony size, but did not eradicate pre-existing mildew colonies. Applying oil every 4 days was more effective than a single application. Oil did not significantly reduce spore viability, since spores taken from sprayed colonies readily formed new colonies. Although oil appeared to cause abnormalities of conidiophores and spores immediately after application, this effect was temporary. Tween 20 had an inhibitory effect on mildew growth and increased the effectiveness of oil when the two were applied together. Efficacy of oil was increased by using a high-pressure sprayer (1380 kPa). In the greenhouse experiment, JMS Stylet-Oil (0.75%) applied once to summer squash either 4 h before transfer of conidia to inoculation sites or 5 days after inoculation suppressed the size of the area infected by 48 to 60%. A single application of oil 5 days before inoculation was not effective. A 4-day spray program beginning 5 days after inoculation was effective. Compared with nontreated plants, oil-treated plants had fewer symptomatic leaves (71 vs. 34%, excluding leaf 1 and inoculated leaves) and fewer colonies (244 vs. 26) 20 days after inoculation.