bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic Structure ofRhynchosporium secalisin Australia
Authors: McDonald B. A. , Zhan J. , Burdon J. J.
Published: May 2007

Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers were used to determine the genetic structure of Australian field populations of the barley scald pathogen Rhynchosporium secalis. Fungal isolates were collected by hierarchical sampling from five naturally infected barley fields in different geographic locations during a single growing season. Genetic variation was high in Australian R. secalis populations. Among the 265 fungal isolates analyzed, 214 distinct genotypes were identified. Average genotype diversity within a field population was 65% of its theoretical maximum. Nei's average gene diversity across seven RFLP loci was 0.54. The majority (76%) of gene diversity was distributed within sampling site areas measuring ≈1 m2; 19% of gene diversity was distributed among sampling sites within fields; and 5% of gene diversity was distributed among fields. Fungal populations from different locations differed significantly both in allele frequencies and genotype diversities. The degree of genetic differentiation was significantly correlated with geographic distance between populations. Our results suggest that the R. secalis population in Western Australia has a different genetic structure than populations in Victoria and South Australia.
Effects of Temperature and Wetness Duration on Infection of Peanut Cultivars by Cercospora arachidicola
Authors: Wu Lijun , Damicone J. P. , Duthie J. A. , Melouk H. A.
Published: May 2007

The effects of temperature and duration of wetness (relative humidity ≥95%) on infection of three peanut cultivars by Cercospora arachidicola were determined under controlled conditions. Plants of the Spanish cv. Spanco and the runner cvs. Florunner and Okrun were exposed to constant temperatures of 18 to 30°C during 12-h periods of wetness each day that totaled 12 to 84 h following inoculation of leaves with conidia. Severity of disease, measured by either lesion density (number per leaf) or lesion size (diameter), was greatest for ‘Spanco’, intermediate for ‘Florunner’, and lowest for ‘Okrun’ in each of two experiments. Lesion density was evaluated further because it was an indicator of both the occurrence and degree of infection. Nonlinear regression analysis was employed to evaluate the combined effects of temperature (T) and wetness duration (W) on lesion density (Y). In the regression model, the Weibull function characterized the monotonic increase of Y with respect to W, while a hyperbolic function characterized the unimodal response of Y with respect to T. Parameters for the intrinsic rate of change with respect to W (b), the intrinsic rate of change with respect to T (f), the optimal value of T (g), and the upper limit (e) when T is optimum (T = g) were estimated for each cultivar and experiment. The effect of cultivar was characterized primarily by differences in the upper limit parameter e. In each experiment, e was greatest for ‘Spanco’, intermediate for ‘Florunner’, and least for ‘Okrun’. The effect of cultivar on b followed a pattern similar to that for e in experiment 1, but not in experiment 2. Differences among cultivars for estimates of f and g were small and inconsistent. Estimates for g were precise for each cultivar and experiment and fell within the range of 22.3 to 23.2°C. Cultivar responses to T and W were further evaluated using data pooled over the two experiments. Parameter e was estimated for each cultivar, but common values of b, f, and g were estimated. At e = 22.8°C, lesion density approached an upper limit of 96, 17, and 6 lesions per leaf for the cvs. Spanco, Florunner, and Okrun, respectively. These fitted values approximated the observed values of 86, 25, and 9 lesions per leaf for the respective cultivars. Cultivars varied in their response to W at a given T. At 22.8°C, one lesion per leaf was expected following 26, 30, and 36 h of wetness for ‘Spanco’, ‘Florunner’, and ‘Okrun’, respectively. If temperature was increased to 28°C, one lesion per leaf was expected following 36, 44, and 54 h of wetness for the respective cultivars.
A Single Locus Leads to Resistance of Arabidopsis thaliana to Bacterial Wilt Caused by Ralstonia solanacearum Through a Hypersensitive-like Response
Authors: Ho Gan-Der , Yang Chang-Hsien
Published: May 2007

Strains of Ralstonia solanacearum have been shown to cause bacterial wilt in some, but not all, ecotypes of Arabidopsis thaliana. We demonstrate here that after inoculation of the leaves of resistant ecotype S96 with R. solanacearum strain Ps95 necrosis around the inoculation site rapidly appeared and no further symptoms developed in the plant. Leaves of susceptible ecotype N913 completely wilted 7 days after inoculation with Ps95, and symptoms spread systemically throughout the whole plant within 2 weeks after inoculation. These results suggest that the resistance of Arabidopsis S96 to R. solanacearum is due to a response similar to the hypersensitive response (HR) observed in other plant diseases. Northern blot analysis of the expression of defense-related genes, known to be differentially induced during the HR in Arabidopsis, indicated that pathogenesis-related protein PR-1, glutathione S-transferase (GST1), and Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) mRNAs increased significantly in S96 leaves between 3 to 12 h after infiltration with Ps95. The induction of these genes in susceptible ecotype N913 by Ps95 was clearly delayed. Genetic analysis of crosses between resistant ecotype S96 and susceptible ecotype N913 indicated that resistance to Ps95 is due to a single dominant locus.
An Effective Sample Size for Predicting Plant Disease Incidence in a Spatial Hierarchy
Authors: Madden L. V. , Hughes G.
Published: May 2007

For aggregated or heterogeneous disease incidence, one can predict the proportion of sampling units diseased at a higher scale (e.g., plants) based on the proportion of diseased individuals and heterogeneity of diseased individuals at a lower scale (e.g., leaves) using a function derived from the beta-binomial distribution. Here, a simple approximation for the beta-binomial-based function is derived. This approximation has a functional form based on the binomial distribution, but with the number of individuals per sampling unit (n) replaced by a parameter (v) that has similar interpretation as, but is not the same as, the effective sample size (ndeff ) often used in survey sampling. The value of v is inversely related to the degree of heterogeneity of disease and generally is intermediate between ndeff and n in magnitude. The choice of v was determined iteratively by finding a parameter value that allowed the zero term (probability that a sampling unit is disease free) of the binomial distribution to equal the zero term of the beta-binomial. The approximation function was successfully tested on observations of Eutypa dieback of grapes collected over several years and with simulated data. Unlike the beta-binomial-based function, the approximation can be rearranged to predict incidence at the lower scale from observed incidence data at the higher scale, making group sampling for heterogeneous data a more practical proposition.
Response of Six Potato Cultivars to Amount of Applied Water and Verticillium dahliae
Authors: Arbogast M. , Powelson M. L. , Cappaert M. R. , Watrud L. S.
Published: May 2007

Six potato cultivars were grown with or without the addition of Verticillium dahliae inoculum and were watered at 50, 75, or 100% estimated consumptive use. The applied water × cultivar interaction was significant (P = 0.009 and P = 0.001 for 1996 and 1997, respectively) for the relative area under the senescence progress curve (RAUSPC). With a decrease in water, there was an increase in RAUSPC. A significant interaction of inoculum density × cultivar also was found, based on RAUSPC (P = 0.0194 and P = 0.0033 for 1996 and 1997, respectively). In V. dahliae-infested plots, ‘Katahdin’ and ‘Ranger Russet’ were resistant to Verticillium wilt. Population size of V. dahliae in stem apices was significantly lower in ‘Katahdin’ in both 1996 and 1997 (P = 0.0001) and in ‘Ranger Russet’ in 1997 (P = 0.0001) than in the other cultivars. ‘Russet Burbank’ and ‘Shepody’ had large apical stem populations of V. dahliae and higher RAUSPC values associated with both V. dahliae inoculum and decreased amount of applied water. Marketable tuber yield was unaffected by V. dahliae in both years. Cultivar resistance to Verticillium wilt was related to cultivar tolerance to moisture deficit stress. Results suggest that moisture deficit stress response has the potential to be a useful tool in protocols for screening potato for Verticillium resistance.
Chromosome Sizes of Phytoplasmas Composing Major Phylogenetic Groups and Subgroups
Authors: Marcone C. , Neimark H. , Ragozzino A. , Lauer U. , Seemüller E.
Published: May 2007

Chromosome sizes of 71 phytoplasmas belonging to 12 major phylogenetic groups including several of the aster yellows subgroups were estimated from electrophoretic mobilities of full-length chromosomes in pulsed-field gels. Considerable variation in genome size, from 660 to 1,130 kilobases (kb), was observed among aster yellows phytoplasmas. Chromosome size heterogeneity was also observed in the stolbur phytoplasma group (range 860 to 1,350 kb); in this group, isolate STOLF contains the largest chromosome found in a phytoplasma to date. A wide range of chromosome sizes, from 670 to 1,075 kb, was also identified in the X-disease group. The other phytoplasmas examined, which included members of the apple proliferation, Italian alfalfa witches' broom, faba bean phyllody, pigeon pea witches' broom, sugarcane white leaf, Bermuda grass white leaf, ash yellows, clover proliferation, and elm yellows groups, all have chromosomes smaller than 1 megabase, and the size ranges within each of these groups is narrower than in the aster yellows, stolbur, and X-disease groups. The smallest chromosome, ≈530 kb, was found in two Bermuda grass white leaf phytoplasma isolates. This not only is the smallest mollicute chromosome found to date, but also is the smallest chromosome known for any cell. More than one large DNA band was observed in several phytoplasma preparations. Possible explanations for the occurrence of more than one band may be infection of the host plant by different phytoplasmas, the presence of more than one chromosome in the same organism, or the presence of large extrachromosomal DNA elements.
Biological Control of Bipolaris sorokiniana on Tall Fescue by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Strain C3
Authors: Zhang Z. , Yuen G. Y.
Published: May 2007

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia strain C3 was evaluated for control of leaf spot on tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana. In growth chamber experiments, C3 inhibited conidial germination on leaf surfaces and reduced lesion frequency and percent diseased leaf area compared with nontreated controls. The amount of leaf spot suppression was related to the C3 dose applied. The highest dose tested, 109 CFU/ml, prevented nearly all B. sorokiniana conidia from germinating on treated leaf surfaces and provided nearly complete suppression of lesion development. When colloidal chitin was added to C3 cell suspensions of 107 or 108 CFU/ml, biocontrol efficacy was significantly increased over C3 applied alone, whereas addition of chitin to a C3 cell suspension of 109 CFU/ml had no effect. In field experiments, application of C3 to tall fescue turf resulted in significant reductions in infection frequency and disease severity compared with nontreated controls. Strain C3 applied at 109 CFU/ml was more effective than C3 applied at 107 CFU/ml, and amendment of the lower dose with colloidal chitin enhanced its efficacy. Populations sizes of C3 established on foliage in a growth chamber and in the field were directly related to dose applied. Chitin amendments did not affect C3 population size.
Effects of Herbicides on Fusarium solani f. sp. glycines and Development of Sudden Death Syndrome in Glyphosate-Tolerant Soybean
Authors: Sanogo S. , Yang X. B. , Scherm H.
Published: May 2007

Sudden death syndrome of soybean, caused by Fusarium solani f. sp. glycines, is a disease of increasing economic importance in the United States. Although the ecology of sudden death syndrome has been extensively studied in relation to crop management practices such as tillage, irrigation, and cultivar selection, there is no information on the effects of herbicides on this disease. Three herbicides (lactofen, glyphosate, and imazethapyr) commonly used in soybean were evaluated for their effects on the phenology of F. solani f. sp. glycines and the development of sudden death syndrome in four soybean cultivars varying in resistance to the disease and in tolerance to glyphosate. Conidial germination, mycelial growth, and sporulation in vitro were reduced by glyphosate and lactofen. In growth-chamber and greenhouse experiments, there was a significant increase in disease severity and frequency of isolation of F. solani f. sp. glycines from roots of all cultivars after application of imazethapyr or glyphosate compared with the control treatment (no herbicide applied). Conversely, disease severity and isolation frequency of F. solani f. sp. glycines decreased after application of lactofen. Across all herbicide treatments, severity of sudden death syndrome and isolation frequency were lower in disease-resistant than in susceptible cultivars. Results suggest that glyphosate-tolerant and -nontolerant cultivars respond similarly to infection by F. solani f. sp. glycines after herbicide application.
Survival of Phytophthora infestans Sporangia Exposed to Solar Radiation
Authors: Mizubuti Eduardo S. G. , Aylor Donald E. , Fry William E.
Published: May 2007

The effect of solar irradiance (SI) on the viability of sporangia of isolates belonging to two clonal lineages, US-1 and US-8, of Phytophthora infestans was assessed. Exposure during a 3-h period on sunny days (SI > 600 W/m2) drastically reduced germination regardless of the time of day of the exposure. After 1 h of exposure on sunny days, the viability of sporangia decreased by ≈95%, and the effective time necessary to inactivate 95% of the sporangia was 1.1 h. The effective dose to inactivate 95% of the sporangia on sunny days was 2.6 MJ/m2. On overcast (SI < 300 W/m2) days, survival after 3 h was reduced only slightly. Thus, other variables being equal, sporangia will survive hours longer in the atmosphere on cloudy days than on sunny days.
Analysis of Host Species Specificity of Magnaporthe grisea Toward Wheat Using a Genetic Cross Between Isolates from Wheat and Foxtail Millet
Authors: Murakami J. , Tosa Y. , Kataoka T. , Tomita R. , Kawasaki J. , Chuma I. , Sesumi Y. , Kusaba M. , Nakayashiki H. , Mayama S.
Published: May 2007

A genetic cross was performed between a Setaria isolate (pathogenic on foxtail millet) and a Triticum isolate (pathogenic on wheat) of Magnaporthe grisea to elucidate genetic mechanisms of its specific parasitism toward wheat. A total of 80 F1 progenies were obtained from 10 mature asci containing 8 ascospores. Lesions on wheat leaves produced by the F1 progenies were classified into four types, which segregated in a 1:1:1:1 ratio. This result suggested that the pathogenicity of the F1 population on wheat was controlled by two genes located at different loci. This idea was supported by backcross analyses. We designated these loci as Pwt1 and Pwt2. Cytological analyses revealed that Pwt1 and Pwt2 were mainly associated with the hypersensitive reaction and papilla formation, respectively.
Sprinkling Irrigation Enhances Production of Oospores of Phytophthora Infestans in Field-Grown Crops of Potato
Authors: Cohen Yigal , Farkash Sonja , Baider Alexander , Shaw David S.
Published: May 2007

Two field experiments were conducted to study the effect of overhead sprinkling irrigation on oospore formation by the late blight fungus Phytophthora infestans in potato. Total rain (natural + sprinkling) accumulated in treatments of experiment 1 (winter 1997 to 1998) were 765, 287, and 219 mm and treatments of experiment 2 (winter 1999 to 2000) were 641, 193, and 129 mm. Sporangia from 11 isolates of P. infestans were combined in eight pairs, seven of A1 and A2 and one of A2 and A2 mating type, and were sprayed on field-grown potato crops (42 plants per plot at 7 m2 each) and examined for their ability to form oospores in the host tissues. In experiment 1, oospores were recorded in a total of 132 of 1,680 leaflets (7.9%), 24 of 105 stems, and 2 of 90 tubers. In experiment 2, oospores were recorded in 40 of 519 leaflets (7.7%), but not in any of the 90 stems or the 45 tubers examined. Both the proportion of leaflets containing oospores and the number of oospores per leaflet increased with time after inoculation and were dependent on the rain regime, the position of leaves on the plant, and the isolate pair combination. In both field trials, increasing the rainfall significantly enhanced oospore production in leaves. Leaf samples collected from the soil surface had significantly more oospores than those collected from the midcanopy. Two pairs in experiment 1 were more fertile than the others, whereas the pair used in experiment 2 was the least fertile. The total number of oospores per leaflet usually ranged from 10 to 100 in experiment 1, but only from 2 to 10 in experiment 2. Maximal oospore counts in the field were 200 and 50 in experiments 1 and 2, respectively, but ranged from ≈2,000 to 12,000 oospores per leaflet in detached leaves in the laboratory. We concluded that P. infestans can produce oospores in the foliage of field-grown potato crops, especially when kept wet by regular overhead sprinkling irrigation, but production was far below that in the laboratory.
Temporal and Spatial Patterns of Genetic Structure of Phytophthora infestans from Tomato and Potato in the Del Fuerte Valley
Authors: Jaime-Garcia R. , Trinidad-Correa R. , Felix-Gastelum R. , Orum T. V. , Wasmann C. C. , Nelson M. R.
Published: May 2007

The temporal and spatial patterns of Phytophthora infestans population genetic structure were analyzed in the Del Fuerte Valley, Sinaloa, Mexico, during the crop seasons of 1994 to 1995, 1995 to 1996, and 1996 to 1997 by geographical information systems. Isolates of P. infestans were obtained from infected tissue of tomato and potato collected from two areas: (i) where both potatoes and tomatoes are grown, and (ii) where only tomatoes are grown. The isolates were characterized by mating type, allozymes at the glucose-6-phosphate isomerase and peptidase loci, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) fingerprint with probe RG57, metalaxyl sensitivity, and aggressiveness to tomato and potato. The results suggest presence of an asexual population with frequent immigrations from outside the valley. There was a shift of mating type in the population from predominantly A2 to completely A1 in this period. The co-occurrence of mating types was restricted to very few fields in the area around Los Mochis where tomato and potato crops are grown. Genotype variation based on allozyme analysis and mating type was low with only one genotype affecting both crops each year. The genotypes affecting both crops were the only genotypes highly aggressive to both tomato and potato in laboratory aggressiveness tests and the only genotypes widespread on both the tomato and potato crops in the valley each year. These predominant genotypes were highly resistant to the fungicide metalaxyl. Data on metalaxyl sensitivity indicate that allozyme analysis can discriminate between sensitive and resistant isolates in the Del Fuerte Valley. RFLP analysis with the probe RG57 gives further discrimination of genotypes within an allozyme genotype. In the 1995 to 1996 season, four different RFLP genotypes were found within an allozyme genotype. However, there were five other dilocus allozyme genotypes that could not be further split by RFLP analysis in 1995 to 1996 and 1996 to 1997 seasons. Spatial analysis of genotypes suggests that each season individual fields near Los Mochis became infected with one or more genotypes, but only a single genotype, aggressive on both potato and tomato, occurred south and east to the Guasave area.
Infection Behavior ofVenturia nashicola, the Cause of Scab on Asian Pears
Authors: Park P. , Ishii H. , Adachi Y. , Kanematsu S. , Ieki H. , Umemoto S.
Published: May 2007

The infection of Japanese pear by Venturia nashicola, the cause of scab on Asian pears (Japanese pear, Pyrus pylifolia var. culta; Chinese pear, P. ussuriensis), was examined using light and electron microscopy to determine the mechanism of resistance in pears. Early stages of infection were similar on the susceptible cv. Kosui, the resistant cv. Kinchaku, and the nonhost European pear (P. communis) cv. Flemish Beauty. V. nashicola penetrated only the cuticle layer on pear leaves and formed subcuticular hyphae on all three cultivars. Hyphae were localized in the pectin layer of pear leaves and never penetrated into the cytoplasm of epidermal cells. This restriction of fungal growth suggested that pectinases released by infection hyphae or subcuticular hyphae may be important in infection. Subcuticular hyphae were modified ultrastructurally in the pectin layer of resistant pear cultivars accompanied by fungal cell death. In contrast, fungal cells appeared intact in susceptible pear cultivars, suggesting the existence of resistance mechanisms.
Population Dynamics of Postharvest Decay Antagonists Growing Epiphytically and Within Wounds on Grapefruit
Authors: McGuire Raymond G.
Published: May 2007

Coating formulations of shellac, sucrose ester, and cellulose were tested that support populations of bacterial and yeast antagonists of postharvest Penicillium decay of grapefruit. Surface populations of Pseudomonas syringae, P. fluorescens, and P. putida were stable between 103and 104CFU/cm2on shellacked fruit over 4 months at 13°C, but numbers of the yeast Candida oleophila rose steadily from 2.35 × 103to nearly 105. Through the first 15 days of cold storage, surface populations of P. syringae and C. oleophila were greater when applied to fruit within the pH 7.2 shellac than when applied by dipping fruit into an antagonist suspension and drying the fruit prior to shellacking; numbers were generally equivalent thereafter. Within wounds of shellacked fruit, populations of P. syringae were equal regardless of the method of application and increased from 104to more than 1.2 × 107CFU within 2 weeks. In contrast, numbers of C. oleophila in wounds over the first 2 weeks of storage were greater in fruit dipped and coated with shellac than when the antagonist was incorporated in this material; populations stabilized at ≈6 × 106CFU after 2 weeks. Incorporation of P. syringae and C. oleophila into ester and cellulose coatings, however, initially fostered greater numbers of both antagonists in wounds (≈106CFU) than did the preliminary dip application, and significant population differences persisted for several weeks. In cold storage, although application method did not affect the efficacy of P. syringae, C. oleophila was more efficacious after 3 and 4 months when applied in the shellac than when applied by a preliminary immersion and subsequent drying of fruit prior to shellacking.
Resistance of Gibberellin-Treated Persimmon Fruit to Alternaria alternata Arises from the Reduced Ability of the Fungus to Produce Endo-1,4-β-Glucanase
Authors: Eshel Dani , Ben-Arie Ruth , Dinoor Amos , Prusky Dov
Published: May 2007

Black-spot symptoms, caused by Alternaria alternata, developed in persimmon fruits during prolonged storage at -1°C. A preharvest treatment with gibberellic acid (GA3) extended the storage life of the fruit by delaying both black-spot development and fruit softening. Conversely, treatment of persimmon fruits with paclobutrazol (PBZ), an inhibitor of gibberellin (GA) synthesis, enhanced black-spot development and fruit softening during storage. Production of endo-1,4-β-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.4, EG) by A. alternata in culture and in the presence of cell walls from PBZ-treated fruits as the carbon source, was enhanced by 150% over production in the presence of cell walls from control fruits, whereas endoglucanase (EG) production in the presence of cell walls from GA3-treated fruits was reduced by 49% relative to controls. To determine the importance of EG in symptom development, A. alternata EG was purified from a culture-inducing medium. It had a molecular mass of 41 kDa, its optimal pH and temperature for activity were 5.5 and 47°C, respectively, and the pI was 4.3. Its Km and Vmax were 0.43 mg ml-1 and 18 μmol reducing groups minute per milligrams of protein, respectively. The internal sequence of a 21-mer amino acid peptide from the purified EG showed 62% similarity and 38% identity to the EG-1 of Trichoderma reesei and of T. longibrachiatum. Purified EG induced black-spot symptoms on the fruit, similar to those caused by A. alternata, whereas boiled enzyme caused only pricking signs. Our results suggest that the black-spot symptoms caused by A. alternata, in persimmon, are related to the ability of the fungus to produce EG in developing lesions.
Assessment of Environmental Factors Influencing Growth and Spread of Pantoea agglomerans on and Among Blossoms of Pear and Apple
Authors: Johnson K. B. , Stockwell V. O. , Sawyer T. L. , Sugar D.
Published: May 2007

We evaluated effects of both physical and biological components of the environment on growth of Pantoea agglomerans on inoculated pear and apple blossoms and on spread of the bacterium to blossoms on non-inoculated trees. The center three rows of 0.35- to 0.5-ha blocks of four pear cultivars and four apple cultivars were sprayed with a suspension of streptomycin-resistant P. agglomerans strain C9-1S (C9-1S) at 20 to 60% and 60 to 90% bloom. Cultivars were chosen to create a sequence of continuous bloom from late March (d'Anjou pear) through mid-May (Red Rome apple). Each cultivar block was quartered into plots; two plots were treated twice with streptomycin sulfate near mid- and full bloom to suppress populations of indigenous bacterial epiphytes and the other two plots were treated with water. Colonization of blossoms by C9-1S and by indigenous bacterial epiphytes were monitored on inoculated trees and along transects of noninoculated trees. Immediately after spraying, C9-1S was detected principally on blossoms sampled from inoculated trees. As bloom progressed, trees up to 18 m from inoculated trees had high proportions of blossoms colonized by C9-1S. Streptomycin significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced incidence of isolation and size of detectable populations of culturable bacteria (indigenous bacteria plus C9-1S) from pear blossoms in 1998 and from apple blossoms in both 1998 and 1999, but the antibiotic treatment did not affect incidence of isolation, size of detectable populations, or spread of C9-1S compared to the water-treated control in any experiment. Across all cultivars, relative area under the curve for size of detectable populations of C9-1S on inoculated trees and for incidence of isolation of C9-1S from noninoculated trees was positively correlated with mean degree hours per day during bloom (r= 0.61 to 0.73) and negatively correlated with the proportion of days with rain (r = -0.79 to -0.84). The results indicate that establishment and growth of C9-1S on pome fruit flowers was not strongly affected by streptomycin or by competition from indigenous bacterial epiphytes and, as with Erwinia amylovora, temperature is an important environmental variable affecting successful spread of this biological control agent from blossom to blossom.
Selection for Increased Spore Efficacy by Host Genetic Background in a Wheat Powdery Mildew Population
Authors: Villaréal Lorys M. M. A. , Lannou Christian
Published: May 2007

A field experiment was designed to test the hypothesis of for increased reproductive ability on different host genetic backgrounds within a wheat powdery mildew population. Studies have suggested that, in host mixtures, such selection could increase the reproduction rate of simple patho-types that always develop on the same host genetic background, whereas complex pathotypes should not be affected because they infect different host genotypes. In our experiment, the Erysiphe graminis population reproduced for successive generations on cvs. Orkis and Etecho, either grown as pure stands or in a mixture. In an additional treatment, the host cultivar changed after each generation. Isolates were sampled in April and, after seven pathogen generations, in July. At the second sampling date and for pure stands only, mean spore efficacy was greater on the host from which isolates were sampled than on the other one. This was attributed to selection within the pathogen population for better spore efficacy on the host genetic background. This selection was independent of the virulence genes carried by the isolates. The possibility of a phenotypic plasticity effect was tested and rejected.
Prevalence of Sclerotinia Stem Rot of Soybeans in the North-Central United States in Relation to Tillage, Climate, and Latitudinal Positions
Authors: Workneh F. , Yang X. B.
Published: May 2007

Since the early 1990s, Sclerotinia stem rot, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, has caused considerable damage to soybean production in the north-central United States. To determine the extent of its distribution and associated factors, investigations were conducted in 1995 and 1996 in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Ohio. Investigations also were conducted in 1997 and 1998 in Iowa, Minnesota, and Missouri. In each state, soybean fields were randomly selected in collaboration with the National Agricultural Statistics Service. From each field, 20 soybean stems 20 cm long (from the base) in 1995 and 1996 and full-length stems in 1997 and 1998 were sampled in a zigzag pattern. During the 4-year period, stem samples were collected from 1,983 fields and assessed for the presence or absence of the disease. Of the five states, Sclerotinia stem rot was most prevalent in north-central Iowa and southern Minnesota. Sclerotinia stem rot was not detected in Missouri during the 4-year investigation period. The disease was most prevalent in 1996 and least prevalent in 1995. The prevalence of the disease was strongly related to cumulative departures from normal maximum and minimum temperatures in July and August. The disease was more prevalent when yearly temperatures were below normal than when they were above normal. In 1996, a year with a cooler-than-normal summer, the disease was detected farther south than in 1995. In both years, the prevalence of the disease was exponentially related to latitudinal positions of the fields (R2 = 0.93 and 0.83 for 1995 and 1996, respectively) reflecting the effect of the north-south variations in temperature. During the 4-year period, there was no relationship between precipitation and the prevalence of the disease. The lack of relationship may suggest that there was no shortage of moisture since it is one of the primary factors for disease development. The prevalence of Sclerotinia stem rot was less in no-till than in minimum-till or conventional-till fields (P = 0.001 and 0.007, respectively) and greater in minimum-till than in conventional-till fields (P = 0.07). Fields that had Sclerotinia stem rot, however, did not differ in incidence of the disease regardless of the tillage system.
Pathogenic Interactions Between Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri and Cultivars of Pummelo (Citrus grandis)
Authors: Shiotani H. , Ozaki K. , Tsuyumu S.
Published: May 2007

The aggressiveness of strains of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri on seven Citrus species, including Citrus sinensis (navel orange), C. paradisi (grapefruit), C. unshiu (Satsuma mandarin), C. junos (Yuzu), C. aurantifolia (‘Mexican’ lime), C. tachibana (Tachibana), and C. grandis (pummelo: ‘Otachibana’, ‘Banpeiyu’, and ‘Anseikan’), were assessed by comparing lesion expansion and growth in planta, using a prick inoculation method. The existence of two groups distinct in aggressiveness was demonstrated on the pummelo cultivars, whereas the remaining species tested were uniformly susceptible. The two groups of strains were distinct in lesion expansion and growth in planta; however, both caused canker lesions on the ‘Otachibana’ pummelo. The sensitivity of the bacterial strains to phages Cp1 and Cp2 was associated with differences in aggressiveness. Namely, all the strains sensitive to Cp2 but resistant to Cp1 were aggressive to ‘Otachibana’, whereas all the strains sensitive to Cp1 but resistant to Cp2 were weakly aggressive. When a repetitive sequence-based polymerase chain reaction amplification was carried out by enterobacterial repetitive intergeneric consensus (ERIC) sequences (ERIC1R and ERIC2) as the primers, these two groups were also distinguishable by the presence or absence of a 1.8-kb DNA fragment among otherwise identical fragments. The 1.8-kb fragment was amplified only from the strains aggressive to C. grandis.
Broad bean wilt virusCauses Necrotic Symptoms and Generates Defective RNAs inCapsicum annuum
Authors: Lee U. , Hong J. S. , Choi J. K. , Kim K. C. , Kim Y. S. , Curtis I. S. , Nam H. G. , Lim P. O.
Published: May 2007

A virus was isolated from hot pepper (Capsicum annuum cv. Hyang Chon) growing in Korea and displaying necrotic spots or streaks on leaves and stems followed by stunting and death of plants. Morphological and host range analyses of extracts from infected plants suggested that the causal agent of disease was a Broad bean wilt virus (BBWV), and the virus was tentatively named a Korean isolate of BBWV (BBWV-K). When the isolate was back-inoculated onto hot pepper plants, it induced symptoms similar to those of naturally infected hot pepper in the field. Two coat proteins (CPs) of 44 and 22 kDa, corresponding to a large CP and a small CP, respectively, were identified from the virus, and both reacted specifically with polyclonal antibody to BBWV 2. The complete nucleotide sequences of RNA 1 and RNA 2 of the isolate were determined from cDNA clones. The deduced amino acid sequence data from the putative proteins encoded by RNA 1 and 2 of the BBWV-K indicated a closer relationship with the isolates of BBWV 2 than BBWV 1. However, sequence comparison of the 5′ noncoding regions of the viruses differentiates BBWV-K from other BBWV 2 isolates. Another distinctive feature of the BBWV-K is that it generates defective RNAs in hot pepper exhibiting necrotic symptoms, which is the first report of defective RNAs in the Fabavirus genera of BBWVs.
Characterization of Pyricularia grisea in the United States Using Independent Genetic and Molecular Markers
Authors: Correll J. C. , Harp T. L. , Guerber J. C. , Zeigler R. S. , Liu B. , Cartwright R. D. , Lee F. N.
Published: May 2007

A total of 540 isolates of Pyricularia grisea from rice in the United States were examined for vegetative compatibility, MGR586 DNA fingerprint diversity, and mating type based on hybridization with the mat1-1 and mat1-2 sexual mating type alleles. The collections contained both archived and contemporary field isolates representative of the known MGR586 lineages and races that occur throughout the United States. Complementary nitrate nonutilizing (nit) or sulfate nonutilizing (sul) mutants were used to assess vegetative compatibility in P. grisea. There was a complete correspondence between vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs), MGR586 lineage, and mating type among 527 contemporary isolates (collected between 1991 and 1997) from Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, and Texas; all isolates in MGR586 lineages A, B, C, and D belonged to VCGs US-01, US-02, US-03, and US-04, respectively. In addition, all isolates tested in VCGs US-01 and US-04 had the mat1-1 mating type allele whereas those in VCGs US-02 and US-03 had the mat1-2 allele. The strict association of independent markers during this sample period was consistent with a strictly asexual mode of reproduction. However, examination of archived isolates collected in the 1970s and 1980s and contemporary isolates revealed an incongruent relationship between the independent markers. MGR586 C and E isolates were vegetatively compatible which indicated that multiple robust MGR586 delineated lineages could be nested within certain VCGs. Although isolates in lineages C and E were vegetatively compatible, they were of opposite mating type. Several hypotheses, including recombination, could account for the incongruence between the various markers. Among the eight MGR586 lineages (A through H) that occur in the United States, all isolates in lineages A, D, E, G, and H had the mat1-1 allele, whereas isolates in lineages B, C, and F had the mat1-2 allele. Nit mutants can be recovered relatively easy from P. grisea and should allow large numbers of individuals within a population to be assessed for vegetative compatibility. VCGs may prove to be an effective multilocus marker in P. grisea. Thus, VCGs should be a useful means for characterizing genetic structure in populations of the rice blast fungus worldwide, provide a useful genetic framework to assist in interpreting molecular population data, and may provide insight into potential sexual or asexual recombination events.
Impact of Wheat Cultivation on Microbial Communities from Replant Soils and Apple Growth in Greenhouse Trials
Authors: Mazzola Mark , Gu Yu-Huan
Published: May 2007

Studies were conducted to assess the impact of short-term rotations of wheat on microbial community composition and growth of apple in soils from replant orchard sites. Soils from two orchards were cultivated with three successive 28-day growth cycles of ‘Eltan’, ‘Penewawa’, or ‘Rely’ wheat in the greenhouse and subsequently planted to ‘Gala’ apple seedlings. Cultivation of orchard replant soils with any of the three wheat cultivars enhanced growth of apple relative to that achieved in untreated soils. Improved growth was associated with a marked reduction in apple root infection by species of Rhizoctonia and Pythium. Populations of plant-parasitic nematodes were below damage threshold levels in these orchard soils; however, apple seedlings grown in wheat-cultivated soils had significantly lower root populations of Pratylenchus spp. than did seedlings grown in untreated soils. Growth of apple in ‘Penewawa’-cultivated soils often was superior to that observed in soils planted with ‘Eltan’ or ‘Rely’. In untreated orchard soils, fluorescent pseudomonad populations isolated from soil and the apple rhizosphere were dominated by Pseudomonas fluorescens biotype C and Pseudomonas syringae. Cultivation of replant soils with wheat induced a characteristic transformation of the fluorescent pseudomonad population, and Pseudomonas putida dominated the population of this bacterial group recovered from wheat-cultivated replant orchard soils. Results from this study suggest that use of short-term wheat cropping sequences during orchard renovation could be useful in management of replant disease and that this disease-control option may operate, in part, through modification of the fluorescent pseudomonad community.
Effect of the Indigenous Microflora on the Development of Root and Crown Rot Caused by Pythium aphanidermatum in Cucumber Grown on Rockwool
Authors: Postma Joeke , Willemsen-de Klein Margarit J. E. I. M. , van Elsas Jan Dirk
Published: May 2007

The capacity of the microflora in rockwool to suppress Pythium aphanidermatum, the causative agent of root and crown rot in cucumber, was assessed. Disease development of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) grown on rockwool was evaluated in an “ebb-and-flood” system with a recirculating nutrient solution after inoculation with P. aphanidermatum. In five independent experiments from 1995 to 1998, 11 batches of used rockwool were tested. All batches without P. aphanidermatum problems in the preceding cucumber crop had significantly lower numbers of diseased plants in nonautoclaved than in autoclaved used rockwool; the disease incidence was reduced by 52 to 100%. Suppressiveness also was present in rockwool previously used to grow other vegetable crops. Rockwool originating from a cucumber crop that was severely attacked by Pythium resulted in a high disease incidence. Previously unused (new) rockwool had higher or similar percentages of diseased plants than did nonsterilized used rockwool. Disease suppression in used rockwool could also be measured in a smaller test system. In both systems, autoclaved rockwool became suppressive to Pythium after recolonization with the indigenous microflora. Population sizes of total culturable aerobic bacteria as well as of fluorescent pseudomonads did not correlate with disease suppressiveness, as numbers of bacteria and pseudomonads were similar or lower in nonautoclaved (suppressive) than in autoclaved (nonsuppressive) rockwool. Differences in the structure of the bacterial populations could be visualized by using eubacterial polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Interestingly, the nonautoclaved and the recolonized used rockwool, which were both suppressive, showed different dominating bacterial groups as compared with the autoclaved rockwool. PCR-DGGE patterns obtained at different sampling times showed that the composition of the bacterial populations changed during plant growth. Fungal populations were present in the treatments that yielded suppressive rockwool, i.e., the nonautoclaved and the recolonized rockwool, but they were absent or present in low numbers in the autoclaved rockwool, which permitted a high disease incidence. Suppressiveness of rockwool to Pythium root and crown rot is a hitherto undescribed phenomenon, and knowledge of the mechanism and microorganisms involved will stimulate the development of microbially balanced soilless growing systems.
Inheritance of Carboxin Resistance in a European Field Isolate of Ustilago nuda
Authors: Newcombe G. , Thomas P. L.
Published: May 2007

Two carboxin-resistant field isolates of Ustilago nuda from Europe were crossed with a carboxin-sensitive field isolate from North America. Meiotic tetrads isolated from germinating F1 teliospores of one of the hybrids were tested for carboxin resistance and mating type. Carboxin resistance was shown to be controlled by a single gene (CBX1R), because a 1:1 segregation of carboxin resistance was observed in all 27 tetrads. Tetrad analysis indicated that the loci for carboxin resistance (Cbx1) and mating type (MAT1) segregate independently but may be located on the same chromosome. Tetrad analysis was not possible with the F1 hybrid of he other field isolate, and its resistance cannot yet be attributed to CBX1R. Carboxin resistance was qualitatively dominant to sensitivity in vitro, as demonstrated by triad analysis of germinating F1 teliospores. Quantitative in planta infection percents supported the conclusion that CBX1R is dominant, although incompletely, in the F1 hybrid of one of the field isolates. Also, fewer than expected carboxin-sensitive F2 individuals were observed in planta. However, inoculations of host plants with U. nuda have resulted in similar, unexpected variation in the past.
Investigating Intraspecific Variation of Acidovorax avenae subsp. citrulli Using DNA Fingerprinting and Whole Cell Fatty Acid Analysis
Authors: Walcott R. R. , Langston D. B. , Sanders F. H. , Gitaitis R. D.
Published: May 2007

To assess the diversity of Acidovorax avenae subsp. citrulli, 121 strains from watermelon, cantaloupe, and pumpkin were compared using pulse field gel electrophoresis of SpeI-digested DNA and gas chromatographic analysis of fatty acid methyl esters. Twenty-nine unique DNA fragments resulted from DNA digestion, and 14 distinct haplotypes were observed. Based on cluster analysis, two subgroups, I and II, were recognized, which accounted for 84.8% (eight haplotypes) and 15.2% (six haplotypes) of the strains, respectively. Results of cellular fatty acid analysis varied quantitatively and qualitatively for the A. avenae subsp. citrulli strains and supported the existence of the two subgroups. Group I includes strains from cantaloupe and pumpkin as well as the ATCC type strain, which was first described in the United States in 1978, whereas group II represents the typical watermelon fruit blotch-causing strains that appeared in the mainland United States in 1989. Knowledge of the two A. avenae subsp. citrulli groups may be useful in screening for watermelon fruit blotch resistance.
A Novel Population of Phytophthora, Similar to P. infestans, Attacks Wild Solanum Species in Ecuador
Authors: Ordoñez M. E. , Hohl H. R. , Velasco J. A. , Ramon M. P. , Oyarzun P. J. , Smart C. D. , Fry W. E. , Forbes G. A. , Erselius L. J.
Published: May 2007

Twenty-six isolates of a Phytophthora population from two wild solanaceous species, Solanum tetrapetalum (n 11) and S. brevifolium (n = 15), were characterized morphologically, with genetic and phenotypic markers, and for pathogenicity on potato and tomato. Based on morphology, ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region 2 (ITS2) sequence, and pathogenicity, all isolates closely resembled P. infestans and were tentatively placed in that species. Nonetheless, this population of Phytophthora is novel. Its primary host is neither potato nor tomato, and all isolates had three restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) bands (probe RG57) and a mitochondrial DNA haplotype that have not been reported for P. infestans. All the isolates were the A2 mating type when tested with a P. infestans A1 isolate. The A2 mating type has not been found among isolates of P. infestans from potato or tomato in Ecuador. Geographical substructing of the Ecuadorian A2 population was detected. The three isolates from the village of Nono, identical to the others in all other aspects, differed by three RFLP bands; those from Nono lacked bands 10 and 16, but possessed band 19. Most of the Ecuadorian A2 isolates were nonpathogenic on potato and tomato, but a few caused very small lesions with sparse sporulation on necrotic tissue. Cluster analysis of multilocus genotypes (RFLP, mating type, and two allozymes) dissociated this A2 population from genotypes representing clonally propagated populations of P. infestans worldwide. The current hypotheses for the historical global movements of P. infestans do not satisfactorily explain the origin or possible time of introduction into Ecuador of this A2 population. Assuming the population is P. infestans, its presence in Ecuador suggests either a hitherto unreported migration of the pathogen or an indigenous population that had not previously been detected.
Interactions Between Fusarium verticillioides, Aspergillus flavus, and Insect Infestation in Four Maize Genotypes in Lowland Africa
Authors: Cardwell K. F. , Kling J. G. , Maziya-Dixon B. , Bosque-Pérez N. A.
Published: May 2007

An experiment was designed to compare cycles of selection of four maize genotypes for ear- and grain-quality characteristics, interactions with Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium verticillioides infection, and insect ear infestation in two seasons. Mean infection levels by A. flavus and F. verticillioides were significantly higher in inoculated rows than in the controls. The F. verticillioides-inoculated rows had significantly more coleopteran beetles and lepidopteran borers per ear than the controls and A. flavus-inoculated rows. Genotypes and cycles of selection within genotype were not different with respect to number of insects or percent fungal incidence in the ear, but they were different for husk extension, field weight, 100-grain weight, and grain density. Inoculation with either fungus resulted in significantly higher percentage of floaters (i.e., loss of grain density) and lower grain weight than the controls. Aflatoxin (B1 and B2) in A. flavus-inoculated rows averaged 327 ppb in the first season and 589 ppb in the second (dryer) season. Fumonisin levels in F. verticillioides-inoculated rows did not differ between seasons, with an average of 6.2 ppm across seasons. In the noninoculated control rows, fumonisin was significantly higher in the first (5.3 ppm) than in the second (3.1 ppm) season. For all genotypes, husk extension and yield parameters decreased in the fungal-inoculated treatments. General ear-rot scoring was significantly correlated with incidence of F. verticillioides in kernels and grain-weight loss but not with A. flavus in the grain.