Trichoderma spp. as elicitors of wheat plant defense responses against Septoria tritici

Leaf blotch of wheat is a widespread and highly active disease that affects wheat production. In addition to the use of chemicals and proper cultivation methods, microbial antagonists are used to control plant pathogens. Trichoderma spp. stimulate a systemic induced response in plants. Therefore, the efficacy of Trichoderma spp. against wheat leaf blotch was evaluated under greenhouse conditions. The susceptible plants were sprayed with Septoria tritici conidiospores. In order to select an efficient method of pretreatment with Trichoderma spp., leaf spraying and seed coating with 14 isolates were tested in 2003 and 2004. The extent of leaf necrosis area and pycnidial coverage was estimated. Antagonism was assessed by the capacity of each Trichoderma spp. isolate to restrict the progress of leaf blotch, 21 days after inoculation. Of the two methods, seed coating was more efficacious against leaf blotch than leaf spraying. Amongst the 14 isolates tested, the isolate prepared from T. harzianum (Th5) produced the highest level of protection. None of the treatments caused changes in plant stem diameter or dry weight. Trichoderma spp. did not get into leaves while S. tritici was present, even in asymptomatic leaf extracts. In addition, the leaf apoplast antifungal proteolytic activity was measured in plants 7, 15, and 22 days after sowing. This antifungal action decreased in plants only inoculated with S. tritici, but increased in those grown from seeds coated with the T. harzianum (Th5) isolate. This increase conferred resistance to the susceptible wheat cultivar. The endogenous germin-like protease inhibitor coordinated the proteolytic action. These results suggest that T. harzianum stimulates a biochemical systemic induced response against leaf blotch.     

Effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoderma</Emphasis> spp. isolates for biological control of tan spot of wheat caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pyrenophora tritici-repentis</Emphasis> under field conditions in Argentina

Trichoderma spp. have been used as biocontrol agents to protect plants against foliar diseases in several crops, but information from field assays is scarce. In the present work, experiments were carried out to determine the effect of six isolates of Trichoderma harzianum and one isolate of T. koningii on the incidence and severity of tan spot, caused by Pyrenophora tritici-repentis (anamorph: Drechslera tritici-repentis) under field conditions. Significant differences between years, wheat cultivars and treatments were found. In 2003, two of the isolates assayed (T5, T7) showed the best performance against the disease applied as seed treatments or sprayed onto wheat leaves at different stages. The application of six of the treatments on wheat plants significantly reduced disease severity by 16 to 35% in comparison with the control. Disease control provided by isolate T7 was similar to that provided by the fungicide treatment (56% reduction). This is the first report on the efficacy of Trichoderma spp. against tan spot under field conditions in Argentina.     

昆虫肠道木霉及其对芒果炭疽病菌拮抗作用

为获得优良生防木霉菌株,本研究以昆虫肠道为样本,从中分离鉴定木霉菌株,并以芒果炭疽病菌盘长孢状刺盘孢为靶标菌,通过对峙培养、挥发性物质和非挥发性物质筛选拮抗效果最优的木霉菌株,测定其孢子悬浮液对芒果炭疽病的室内防效研究.结果 显示,从105份昆虫肠道中共分离获得10株木霉,通过形态学特征和Tef1-Rpb2双基因联合建...     

Dominant fungi in the rhizosphere of established tea bushes and their interaction with the dominant bacteria under in situ conditions.

Species of Penicillium and Trichoderma were found to dominate the rhizosphere of established tea bushes in a detailed study conducted from various tea growing locations in India. Penicillium erythromellis, P. janthinellum, P. raistrickii, Trichoderma pseudokoningii and T. koningii were found to be closely associated with tea roots. While seasonal fluctuation was observed in the case of Penicillium spp., the population of Trichoderma spp. showed less variation during the year. Both species were sensitive to low temperatures. In general, fungi associated with the tea rhizosphere were found to prefer a mesophillic temperature range (15 °C to 35 °C). The dominant species of Penicillium and Trichoderma also exhibited tolerance to lower temperatures, i.e., 5 to 10 °C on agar plates. Most fungi were able to grow in a wide range of pH (4 to 12). Lowering of soil pH in the rhizosphere of tea bushes was positively correlated with the age of the bush and may have affected the development of a specific microbial community in the rhizosphere.

The populations of Penicillium and Trichoderma species were inversely correlated with the populations of two most dominant rhizosphere bacteria, Bacillus subtilis and B. mycoides. Both Bacillus species have been shown to have antagonistic activity against these two fungi under in vitro conditions. The present study demonstrates the existence of a similar antagonism under in situ conditions in the rhizosphere of established tea bushes.     

The Influence of the Application of Mineral Fertilizers with the Biopreparation Supresivit ( Trichoderma Harzianum ) on the Health and the Yield of Different Crops

The biopreparation Supresivit based on spores from the fungus Trichoderma harzianum was applied as a dressing mixed with mineral fertilizers: NPK, LAV (ammonium nitrate with limestone) and DASA (ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulphate). Our experimental plots with spring barley, winter wheat, winter oil rape, maize and potatoes were fertilized with the mixtures of the biopreparation (1 g, 0.5 g and 0.1 g per 1 kg of fertilizer). There were two check variants, the first variant without any fertilization and without biopreparation, the second with fertilizer and without biopreparation. We observed the infestation of plants with pathogenic fungi and yield parameters. In our experiments it was indicated that Trichoderma harzianum suppresses pathogenic fungi at the concentration 0,5 g of Supresivit per 1 kg of the fertilizer and higher ones. The plants from treated plots had lower infestation - decreasing about 5-15% superficial infestation: tan spot of barley - yellow leaf spot on cereals and leaf blotch of barley, winter wheat - leaf spot of wheat, tan spot of wheat, take-all etc., winter oil-seed rape - black leg and collar rot, potatoes - blight fungus etc. Simultaneously the effect on higher yields was observed.     

Interaction Between the Entomopathogens Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus and the Mycoparasites Clonostachys spp., Trichoderma harzianum and Lecanicillium lecanii

Biocontrol agents of numerous insect pests and fungal pathogens exist but virtually nothing is known about their interaction if used simultaneously. Our objective was to investigate the compatibility of the entomopathogens Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus, and the broad host-range mycoparasites Clonostachys spp., Trichoderma harzianum and Lecanicillium lecanii. In vitro host-range tests revealed that M. anisopliae was highly susceptible to all mycoparasites tested. B. bassiana was attacked by Clonostachys rosea, and P. fumosoroseus. was resistant to mycoparasites. M. anisopliae but not P. fumosoroseus killed nymphs of Bemisia tabaci in bioassays. B. bassiana and M. anisopliae proved lethal to Cosmopolites sordidus, Diatraea saccharalis and Sitophilus oryzae. Coapplication of mycoparasites with entomopathogens did not affect their biocontrol efficacy in vivo, although the reisolation success of entomopathogens could be significantly reduced, especially from smaller insect species. Trichoderma spp. were reisolated from mycoparasite-treated insects more frequently than C. rosea. The coapplication of the highly susceptible M. anisopliae generally enhanced mycoparasite recovery. Mycofungicide preparations caused some insect mortality but less than a copper hydroxide fungicide which is still permissible in organic agriculture. We concluded that the tested entomopathogens and mycoparasites are compatible elements of integrated pest management.     

Prey-Dependent Life Attributes of an Aphidophagous Ladybird Beetle, Propylea dissecta (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Predation potential, development, immature survival and reproduction of an aphidophagous ladybeetle, Propylea dissecta (Mulsant) was studied when fed on seven aphid prey, viz. Aphis gossypii, Aphis craccivora, Lipaphis erysimi, Uroleucon compositae, Brevicoryne brassicae, Rhopalosiphum maidis and Myzus persicae. A. gossypii was most suitable and consumed by the larvae and adults of P. dissecta, while M. persicae, the least. Pre-imaginal development of P. dissecta was fastest (0.080 day^-1) when A. gossypii was used as prey, whilst slowest (0.061 day^-1) on M. persicae. The immature survival, adult emergence, adult male and female longevity of P. dissecta was maximal (i.e., 77.10±0.04 and 93.21±0.79%, 57.10±1.62 and 62.40±1.93 days, respectively) on A. gossypii and minimal (i.e., 63.01±1.87 and 81.73±1.79%, 42.50±1.21 and 49.40±2.32 days, respectively) when M. persicae was provided as prey. Oviposition period, fecundity, percent egg viability and mean reproductive rate was maximum (i.e., 50.30±2.03 days, 856.00±30.00 eggs, 96.40±0.31% and 17.02 eggs per day) on A. gossypii, and minimum (i.e., 18.00±1.40 days, 212.00±18.21 eggs, 72.46±2.81% and 11.78 eggs per day) on M. persicae. Adult weight and developmental rate of P. dissecta have a positive correlation, which suggests that if immature stages of ladybeetle developed faster, they should grow into heavier adults. Female longevity and fecundity also have a positive correlation. The findings also reveal that all seven aphid species tested are essential food. Rank order of prey species was consistent in all experimental parameters.     

热带、亚热带典型森林-土壤系统植硅体碳演变规律

分别选取中国亚热带毛竹林、马尾松林、青冈林、杉木林和热带青梅林、芭蕉林、橡胶林、马占相思林8种森林类型,采集其鲜叶、凋落叶以及0～10和10～30 cm土层土壤,通过微波消解法提取其中的植硅体,并采用碱溶法测定植硅体中碳含量.结果表明: 4种亚热带森林类型鲜叶、凋落叶和0～10 cm土层中植硅体碳含量均以马尾松林(230.24、229.17、20.87 g·kg^-1)最高,毛竹林(30.55、37.37、3.38 g·kg^-1)最低,10～30 cm土层则以青冈林(18.54 g·kg^-1)最高,毛竹林(2.90 g·kg^-1)最低.热带森林鲜叶中植硅体碳含量以马占相思林(377.66 g·kg^-1)最高,青梅林(46.83 g·kg^-1)最低,凋落叶中则是橡胶林(218.23 g·kg^-1)最高,芭蕉林(27.66 g·kg^-1)最低,而0～10和10～30 cm土层土壤中均以马占相思林(23.84、24.90 g·kg^-1)最高,芭蕉林(3.89、3.93 g·kg^-1)最低.与0～10 cm表层土相比,杉木林、青冈林、马尾松林、毛竹林、橡胶林、马占相思林、芭蕉林和青梅林鲜叶植硅体碳含量分别下降97.4%、94.9%、90.9%、88.9%、95.9%、93.7%、93.3%和63.7%.青冈林、芭蕉林和马占相思林鲜叶植硅体碳含量显著高于凋落叶,而毛竹林、马尾松林、杉木林、青梅林和橡胶林之间无显著差异.8种森林类型土壤植硅体碳含量均显著低于鲜叶和凋落叶,表明植硅体在通过凋落物释放到土壤的过程中是不稳定的.     

Fungal antagonists of the plant pathogen Rhizoctonia solani: selection, control efficacy and influence on the indigenous microbial community

A broad spectrum of fungal antagonists was evaluated as potential biocontrol agents (BCAs) against the soil-borne pathogen Rhizoctonia solani using a new combination of in vitro and in vivo assays. The in vitro characterisation of diverse parameters including the ability to parasitise mycelium and to inhibit the germination of Rhizoctonia sclerotia at different temperatures resulted in the selection of six potential fungal antagonists. These were genotypically characterised by their BOX-PCR fingerprints, and identified as Trichoderma reesei and T. viride by partial 18S rDNA sequencing. When potato sprouts were treated with Trichoderma, all isolates significantly reduced the incidence of Rhizoctonia symptoms. Evaluated under growth chamber conditions, the selected Trichoderma isolates either partly or completely controlled the dry mass loss of lettuce caused by R. solani. Furthermore, the antagonistic Trichoderma strains were active under field conditions. To analyse the effect of Trichoderma treatment on indigenous root-associated microbial communities, we performed a DNA-dependent SSCP (Single-Strand Conformation Polymorphism) analysis of 16S rDNA/ITS sequences. In this first assessment study for Trichoderma it was shown that the pathogen and the vegetation time had much more influence on the composition of the microbiota than the BCA treatment. After evaluation of all results, three Trichoderma strains originally isolated from Rhizoctonia sclerotia were selected as promising BCAs.     

Biocontrol of Pythium tracheiphilum in Chinese Cabbage by Clonostachys rosea under Field Conditions

Control of leaf and head rot of Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L. ssp. pekinensis), caused by Pythium tracheiphilum, was obtained by Clonostachys rosea (isolate IK726) in field trials conducted in 1995 and 1999 on naturally infested land in a commercial crop in Denmark. A significant 2-3-fold disease reduction was obtained at an application rate of 10⁸-10⁹ conidia m^-2 (high application rate) in both years, but not at a 10-fold reduced rate in 1999. Disease reduction by Trichoderma harzianum (Supresivit) was almost significant at the high application rate (1 g product m^-2 corresponding to 7×10⁹ colony forming units (CFUs) m^-2) in both years, but not at a 10-fold reduced rate applied in 1999. In both 1995 and 1999 trials, the percentage of marketable heads increased significantly by 10% following a full application rate of C. rosea. Supresivit applied at the full application rate gave a significant 13% yield improvement in 1995 but not in 1999. No yield improvement was found when the two agents were applied at 10-fold reduced rates. A Danish T. harzianum isolate significantly increased yield by 13% in 1995, but gave no disease control. Plant growth promotion may have been responsible for yield improvements obtained by Supresivit and the Danish isolate of T. harzianum. The 1995 trial also evaluated the products Binab T (T. harzianum+T. polysporum), Mycostop (Streptomyces griseoviridis), Polyversum (P. oligandrum) and Aliette (fosetyl-Al) and Danish isolates of P. oligandrum (2) and T. virens (1), none of which gave disease control or yield effects.     

亚热带红壤侵蚀区马尾松不同套种模式生态系统碳平衡

以福建省长汀县红壤侵蚀区马尾松低效林套种杨梅、无患子、油茶及黄栀子的改造模式林分为研究对象,对林分各组分生物量年净生长量、含碳率及土壤异养呼吸进行定位观测,分析套种模式对低效马尾松林分生态系统碳储量格局及碳平衡的影响。结果表明: 杨梅、无患子、油茶、黄栀子和马尾松不同器官含碳率的变化范围分别为41.1%～50.1%、42.2%～50.6%、45.1%～48.9%、44.7%～49.6%和46.1%～51.9%。不同树种同一器官之间的含碳率存在显著差异。马尾松套种杨梅及马尾松套种无患子模式植被层碳储量及年净增碳储量最高,分别为67.62～68.42 t·hm^-2和9.21～9.45 t·hm^-2·a^-1,马尾松套种油茶和马尾松套种黄栀子模式较小,分别为31.96～36.24 t·hm^-2和4.09～4.16 t·hm^-2·a^-1,马尾松纯林对照最小,分别为17.01 t·hm^-2和2.00 t·hm^-2·a^-1。土壤异养呼吸年通量从高到低依次为马尾松套种杨梅模式(7.41 t·hm^-2·a^-1)>马尾松套种油茶模式(5.89 t·hm^-2·a^-1)>马尾松套种无患子模式(5.86 t·hm^-2·a^-1)>马尾松套种黄栀子模式(4.95 t·hm^-2·a^-1)>马尾松纯林对照(2.45 t·hm^-2·a^-1)。马尾松套种杨梅和马尾松套种无患子模式的年净生态系统碳平衡分别为2.04和3.27 t C·hm^-2·a^-1,表现为“碳汇”,马尾松套种油茶和马尾松套种黄栀子模式及马尾松纯林对照的年净生态系统碳平衡分别为-1.80、-0.80和-0.45 t C·hm^-2·a^-1,表现为“碳源”。总体上,短期内马尾松低效林套种杨梅或无患子能够提升林分的固碳增汇效益。     

巴茅草水浸提液对3种作物种子萌发及幼苗生长的化感作用

本文以发芽率、发芽速度指数、发芽指数、根长、茎长和生物量为种子萌发和幼苗生长参数,研究不同生长时期巴茅草叶片和茎秆水浸提液对白菜、生菜、水稻的化感作用。结果表明: 巴茅草叶水浸提液化感作用强于茎秆水浸提液,叶水浸提液处理后受体植物的发芽指数和生物量均显著低于茎水浸提液。枯萎期巴茅草的化感作用强于生长旺盛期。不同浓度巴茅草叶水浸提液对3种作物的化感作用存在明显的量效关系,浸提液浓度越高,巴茅草的化感抑制作用越强。巴茅草叶水浸提液对白菜和生菜各萌发指标100%抑制的浓度分别为0.075和0.10 g·mL^-1;而0.10 g·mL^-1巴茅草叶水浸提液对水稻发芽率、发芽速度指数、发芽指数的抑制率分别为13.8%、27.2%、19.3%。巴茅草叶水浸提液对白菜和生菜各生长指标100%抑制的浓度分别为0.05和0.10 g·mL^-1;而0.10 g·mL^-1巴茅草叶水浸提液对水稻根长、茎长、生物量的抑制率分别为64.6%、92.9%、21.8%。结合种子萌发和幼苗生长的综合化感指数,3种供试作物对巴茅草化感作用的敏感程度为白菜>生菜>水稻。     

温室条件下条形柄锈菌体细胞重组的分子确证

为了获得温室条件下条形柄锈菌发生体细胞重组而导致毒性变异的直接证据,本研究选取7个美国条形柄锈菌小麦专化型菌系和2个美国条形柄锈菌大麦专化型菌系按照夏孢子颜色和专化型与毒性差异组成9对菌系组合,对于室内混合接种产生的子代菌系用具有不同抗性的小麦或大麦品种进行筛选,采用毒性分析及SSR分子标记技术对条形柄锈菌体细胞重组现象进行了研究。对获取的413个单孢子代菌系进行的毒性分析结果显示,有84个单孢子代菌系的毒性谱表现与亲本菌系不同,初步证明体细胞重组过程的存在。SSR标记分析结果显示,11对SSR引物中有6对引物在5对菌系组合的28个毒性谱不同的单孢子代菌系中,检测发现3个单孢菌系的扩增条带与其亲本菌系不同,且表现为亲本菌系扩增条带的重组,为体细胞重组菌系。这一结果从分子水平上证明了条形柄锈菌在室内接种条件下可以通过体细胞重组产生新小种而导致毒性变异。     

Prospects for exploitation of disease resistance from Hordeum chilense in cultivated cereals

Hordeum chilense is a South American wild barley with high potential for cereal breeding given its high crossability with other members of the Triticeae. In the present paper we consider the resistance of H. chilense to several fungal diseases and the prospects for its transference to cultivated cereals. All H. chilense accessions studied are resistant to the barley, wheat and rye brown rusts, the powdery mildews of wheat, barley, rye and oat, to Septoria leaf blotch, common bunt and to loose smuts, which suggests that H. chilense is a non-host of these diseases. There are also lines resistant to wheat and barley yellow rust, stem rust and to Agropyron leaf rust, as well as lines giving moderate levels of resistance to Septoria glume blotch, tan spot and Fusarium head blight. Some H. chilense lines display pre-appressorial avoidance to brown rust. Lines differ in the degree of haustorium formation by rust and mildew fungi they permit, and in the degree to which a hypersensitive response occurs after haustoria are formed. Unfortunately, resistance of H. chilense to rust fungi is not expressed in tritordeum hybrids, nor in chromosome addition lines in wheat. In tritordeum, H. chilense contributes quantitative resistance to wheat powdery mildew, tan spot and loose smut. The resistance to mildew, expressed as a reduced disease severity, is not associated with macroscopically visible necrosis. Hexaploid tritordeums are immune to Septoria leaf blotch and to common bunt although resistance to both is slightly diluted in octoploid tritordeums. Studies with addition lines in wheat indicate that the resistance of H. chilense to powdery mildew, Septoria leaf blotch and common bunt is of broad genetic basis, conferred by genes present on various chromosomes.     

木霉菌对芸芥生长相关生理指标的影响

芸芥(Eruca sativa)是当今我国蔬菜市场中一种颇具开发价值的新特芳香蔬菜。为了研制促进芸芥生长和提高品质的生防木霉菌剂,本研究以芸芥为试材,在大田条件下,采用本实验室分离鉴定的哈茨木霉T8进行浸种和浇根处理,分析木霉菌对一个生长季内连续栽培三茬30 d龄芸芥的生长相关生理指标的影响。结果表明,施用木霉菌能显著提高芸芥的生物量,改善其光合特性,增强其防御酶活性和脯氨酸含量,提高其产量和营养价值。     

Isolate Virulence and Cultivar Response in the Winter Wheat: Pyrenophora tritici-repentis (Tan Spot) Pathosystem in Oklahoma

Prevalence of tan spot of wheat caused by the fungus Pyrenophora tritici-repentis has become more prevalent in Oklahoma as no-till cultivation in wheat has increased. Hence, developing wheat varieties resistant to tan spot has been emphasized, and selecting pathogen isolates to screen for resistance to this disease is critical. Twelve isolates of P. tritici-repentis were used to inoculate 11 wheat cultivars in a greenhouse study in split-plot experiments. Virulence of isolates and cultivar resistance were measured in percent leaf area infection for all possible isolate x cultivar interactions. Isolates differed significantly (P < 0.01) in virulence on wheat cultivars, and cultivars differed significantly in disease reaction to isolates. Increased virulence of isolates detected increased variability in cultivar response (percent leaf area infection) (r = 0.56, P < 0.05) while increased susceptibility in cultivars detected increased variance in virulence of the isolates (r = 0.76, P < 0.01). A significant isolate × cultivar interaction indicated specificity between isolates and cultivars, however, cluster analysis indicated low to moderate physiological specialization. Similarity in wheat cultivars in response to pathogen isolates also was determined by cluster analysis. The use of diverse isolates of the fungus would facilitate evaluation of resistance in wheat cultivars to tan spot.     

The Association Between Leaf Malondialdehyde and Lignin Content and Resistance to Spot Blotch in Wheat

Spot blotch (causative pathogen Bipolaris sorokiniana (Sacc.) Shoem) is a common disease of wheat in the Eastern Gangetic Plains region of India. The association of leaf malondialdehyde and lignin contents with the severity of spot blotch disease was studied using a correlation analysis based on a population of recombinant inbred lines bred from the cross cvs. Yangmai 6 (resistant) × Sonalika (susceptible). The material was field‐tested over two consecutive years and inoculated artificially with a highly virulent strain of the pathogen. Disease severity was assessed at three growth stages around and after anthesis. Leaf lignin content tended to be higher in the more resistant RILs, while the opposite was the case for leaf malondialdehyde content. Lesion size showed a positive correlation with disease severity and leaf malondialdehyde content, while disease severity and leaf lignin content were negatively correlated with one another, as were leaf malondialdehyde and leaf lignin content. Leaf malondialdehyde and/or leaf lignin content could be informative as markers for selection for higher levels of resistance against spot blotch in wheat.     

Biology, herbivory, and host specificity of Antiblemma leucocyma (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Miconia calvescens DC. (Melastomataceae) in Brazil

Miconia calvescens DC. (Melastomataceae) is an invasive tree considered one of the greatest threats to natural ecosystems of Hawaii and other Pacific islands. The potential for using the defoliator Antiblemma leucocyma (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) as a biological control agent of M. calvescens was evaluated in the native habitat of the insect in Brazil. Impact assessment in the field showed that 37.2% of leaves presented damage by A. leucocyma, and among damaged leaves, 1.5-51.9% of the leaf area (16.3% on average) was affected. Damage was found in young to fully expanded leaves (28-915 cm² in area). Individual A. leucocyma developing as third through sixth instars in the laboratory consumed an average of 1348 cm² of M. calvescens leaf material in about 11 days. Populations of A. leucocyma in the field were heavily impacted (up to 83% parasitism) by a braconid parasitoid. Observations in the field and single- and two-host choice tests in the laboratory indicated that A. leucocyma has a narrow host range restricted to M. calvescens. Usefulness of this herbivore for biological control in Hawaii appears low, however, because of its probable susceptibility to generalist parasitoids.     

Wheat Resistance to Spot Blotch Potentiated by Silicon

Spot blotch, caused by the fungus Bipolaris sorokiniana, is one of the most important diseases on wheat. The effects of silicon (Si) on this wheat disease were studied. Plants of wheat cultivars BR‐18 and BRS‐208 were grown in plastic pots containing Si‐deficient soil amended with either calcium silicate (+Si) or calcium carbonate (?Si). The content of Si in leaf tissue was significantly increased by 90.5% for the +Si treatment. There was no significant difference between Si treatments for calcium content, so variations in Si accounted for differences in the level of resistance to spot blotch. The incubation period was significantly increased by 40% for the +Si treatment. The area under spot blotch progress curve, number of lesions per cm² of leaf area, and real disease severity significantly decreased by 62, 36 and 43.5% in +Si treatment. There was no significant effect of Si on lesion size. The role played by total soluble phenolics in the increased resistance to spot blotch of plants from both cultivars supplied with Si was not clear. Plants from cultivar BR‐18 supplied with Si showed the highest values for concentration of lignin‐thioglycolic acid derivatives during the most advanced stages of fungus infection. Chitinase activity was high at the most advanced stages of fungus infection on leaves from both cultivars supplied with Si and may have had an effect on fungus growth based on the reduction of the components of resistance evaluated. Peroxidase activity was found to be high only at 96 h after inoculation of both cultivars supplied with Si. Polyphenoloxidase activity had no apparent effect on resistance regardless of Si treatments. Results revealed that supplying Si to wheat plants can increase resistance against spot blotch.     

Evaluation of the bioherbicide Myrothecium verrucaria for weed control in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum)

An isolate of the fungus Myrothecium verrucaria was evaluated for its biocontrol potential against common purslane, horse purslane, spotted spurge, and prostrate spurge, all serious weed pests in commercial tomato fields in the southeastern US. In greenhouse and field tests, M. verrucaria was highly virulent against these weeds when applied as conidial sprays formulated in 0.2% Silwet L-77 surfactant, even in the absence of dew. In field test plots naturally infested with these weeds, seedlings in the two-to-three leaf growth stage treated with M. verrucaria at 2×10⁷ conidia mL^-1 in 0.2% Silwet, exhibited leaf and stem necrosis within 24 h following inoculation, with mortality occurring within 96 h. After 7 days, M. verrucaria had killed 90-95% of both purslane species and 85-95% of both spurge species. Tomatoes that were transplanted into plots treated with M. verrucaria remained healthy and vigorous throughout the growing season. Since M. verrucaria effectively controlled several common weeds under field conditions, this fungus appears to have potential as an effective bioherbicide for pre-plant weed control in production systems with transplanted tomato.