Phytophthora-Stammbasisfäule an Dieffenbachia maculate (Erreger: P. mexicana Hots. et Hart.)

Stem base rot of Dieffenbachia maculata caused by Phytophthora mexicana During the last years a stem rot of Dieffenbachia maculata (Lodd.) G. Don has been observed in greenhouses of several commercial nurseries, located in different parts of the Federal Republic of Germany. The disease partly caused heavy losses. From all diseased plant parts (stem base, petiole and root) the same fungus could be isolated. It was diagnosed as Phytophthora mexicana Hots, et Hart., which is closely related to P. palmivora (Butl.) Butl. Apparently the former species is recorded for the first time as the causal organism of a Dieffenbachia stem rot and also for the first time in Europe. It is supposed that the fungus was imported to Germany via the Netherlands because all plants had been bought there, which diseased later.     

A cysteine protease of Dieffenbachia maculata.

Plants of the genus Dieffenbachia, very popular as indoor ornamental plants, are known for their toxic as well as therapeutic properties. Their toxic manifestations have been partly attributed to their proteolytic activity. The work described in the present paper shows that stem leaves and petiole of Dieffenbachia maculata Schott, a commonly grown species, contain significant proteolytic activity, different parts showing different types of protease activities. Stem showed the highest enzyme activity and this protease was purified about 55 fold by solvent precipitation, gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography. The enzyme has a relative molecular mass of 61 kDa as determined by SDS-PAGE and has an optimum pH of 8.0 and optimum temperature of 50 degrees C. Effects of various substrates, inhibitors and activators indicate that the enzyme is a cysteine protease with leucylpeptidase activity.     

The Effect of Age and Chilling Temperature on the Concentration of Scopolin and Caffeoylquinic Acids in Tobacco

Through the use of paper chromatographic separation, and fluorometric and spectrophotometric analysis, three caffeoylquinic acid isomers and scopolin have been quantilaed in tobacco as a function of age and chilling temperature. Coldchilled plants exhibited nitrate deficiency symptoms and 4-5 fold increases over control plants in chlorogenic acid (CGA) concentration in all plant sections except the roots. Varying lesser increases in neochlorogenic acid, “Band 510”, and scopolin concentration were also observed in the above ground sections of chilled plants. Roots of cold-chilled plants contained lesser concentrations of CGA and scopolin than control plants after 15 days of treatment. Leaves from the same control plant were found to decrease in CGA, Band 510 and scopolin concentration with age, while neochlorogenic acid concentrations changed little. In stem sections CGA concentration also decreased basipetally while the concentrations of scopolin increased. Similar leaf age studies done with cold-chilled plants revealed phenolic concentration changes comparable to those of control plants, even though their concentrations were appreciably higher.     

Involvement of phenazines and lipopeptides in interactions between Pseudomonas species and Sclerotium rolfsii, causal agent of stem rot disease on groundnut

Aims: To determine the role of phenazines (PHZ) and lipopeptide surfactants (LPs) produced by Pseudomonas in suppression of stem rot disease of groundnut, caused by the fungal pathogen Sclerotium rolfsii. Methods and Results: In vitro assays showed that PHZ‐producing Pseudomonas chlororaphis strain Phz24 significantly inhibited hyphal growth of S. rolfsii and suppressed stem rot disease of groundnut under field conditions. Biosynthesis and regulatory mutants of Phz24 deficient in PHZ production were less effective in pathogen suppression. Pseudomonas strains SS101, SBW25 and 267, producing viscosin or putisolvin‐like LPs, only marginally inhibited hyphal growth of S. rolfsii and did not suppress stem rot disease. In contrast, Pseudomonas strain SH‐C52, producing the chlorinated LP thanamycin, inhibited hyphal growth of S. rolfsii and significantly reduced stem rot disease of groundnut in nethouse and field experiments, whereas its thanamycin‐deficient mutant was less effective. Conclusions: Phenazines and specific lipopeptides play an important role in suppression of stem rot disease of groundnut by root‐colonizing Pseudomonas strains. Significance and Impact of the Study: Pseudomonas strains Phz24 and SH‐C52 showed significant control of stem rot disease. Treatment of seeds or soil with these strains provides a promising supplementary strategy to control stem rot disease of groundnut.     

芒果、香蕉采后病害生物防治的研究进展

芒果、香蕉采后主要病害为炭疽病、蒂腐病、冠腐病、黑腐病、黑星病.生物防治是当前芒果、香蕉采后病害控制的重要研究方向.概述了生物防治芒果、香蕉采后病害的方法,包括诱抗剂、植物提取物、拮抗微生物在芒果、香蕉采后病害防治上的研究与应用.     

Mango stem end rot pathogens - Fruit infection by endophytic colonisation of the inflorescence and pedicel

The stem end rot pathogens of mango (Mangifera indica), (Dothiorella dominicana, Dothiorella mangiferae, Lasiodiplodia theobromae (Syn. Diplodia natalensis Phomopsis mangiferae, Cytosphaera mangiferae, Pestalotiopsis sp. and Dothiorella‘long’), as well as other fungi (including Alternaria alternata), were found to occur endophytically in the stem tissue of mango trees prior to inflorescence emergence. On samples from trees with a record of low stem end rot levels, colonisation did not extend into the most recently produced flush of stem tissue. At a site with a history of high stem end rot levels, sequential monitoring of inflorescence tissue between flowering and harvest by plating out small (c. 8 mm³) tissue pieces revealed, that at least some of the pathogens - Dothiorella spp., P. mangiferae, Pestalotiopsis sp. and C. mangiferae gradually colonised the inflorescence, reaching the pedicel tissue of young fruit - 8 wk after flowering. Subsequently, detection frequency of the pathogens in inflorescence tissue declined, possibly because of interference from copper residues (from field sprays) accumulating on tissue samples. The detection frequency of A. alternata also increased as Dothiorella spp. declined, however these changes could not be attributed to antagonistic interactions between the two fungi. Using larger tissue pieces (1–2 mm thick transverse sections, or a square of tissue 25 mm²× 3 mm thick) in isolations, endophytic colonisation by Dothiorella spp. and P. mangiferae was detected in stem, inflorescence and pedicel tissues of mature-fruit-specimens from two different sites, one unsprayed, and the other regularly sprayed with copper. The fungi were detected more frequently in the samples from unsprayed trees. Fruit from the sprayed orchard subsequently developed a high level of stem end rot caused by D. dominicana, while a lower level of stem end rot developed in unsprayed fruit, possibly because the latter fruit were also extensively diseased by anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Penz.). Endophytic colonisation of inflorescence and pedicel tissue was found to be a primary route of infection for fruit which develop stem end rot during ripening.     

凤尾鸡冠茎腐病综合防治研究

本文根据凤尾鸡冠茎腐病的发生条件、规律和症状,进行该病的防治研究,得出一套从苗床土壤消毒、苗期和生长期到盛花期的定期预防、控制浇水时间和浇水量、合理施用氮、磷、钾肥等的有效防治措施,使该病发生率从15.4%降至1.3%,并使凤尾鸡冠的综合性状明显改善,有效地提高了产量和质量。     

An insight into spore dispersal of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ganoderma boninense</Emphasis> on oil palm

The disease of oil palm caused by Ganoderma boninense, although universally referred to as Ganoderma basal stem rot, occurs in three very distinct phases, with basal stem rot only part of the disease cycle. G. boninense also causes a seedling disease and an upper stem rot. An understanding of spore dispersal provides an insight into where spores of G. boninense have a role in the infection process. This role will be discussed in relation to each of these three infection phases. This understanding is a critical component of developing a successful disease control strategy.     

银杏幼苗死亡原因的探究

造成银杏幼苗死亡的主要原因是日灼、根腐、茎腐以及虫害等。日灼不仅直接导致银杏的幼苗死亡,还可间接诱导茎窝病的发生甚至流行。     

Interactions between Sarocladium oryzae and stem attacking fungal pathogens of rice

In laboratory tests Sarocladium oryzae, the sheath rot pathogen of rice was found to inhibit the mycelial growth of other stem-attacking rice pathogens. Among those inhibited, Sclerotium oryzae and Gaeumannomyces graminis var. graminis were most sensitive while Pyricularia oryzae and Rhizoctonia solani were less sensitive. Tissue-based tests made with rice culm segments established that Sarocladium oryzae inhibits mycelial growth and delays sclerotium formation in R. solani. Cerulenin, the toxin produced by Sarocladium oryzae showed a toxicity pattern towards rice pathogens similar to that of Sarocladium oryzae. The stem rot pathogen, Sclerotium oryzae was most sensitive to cerulenin. In two greenhouse experiments, IR58 rice plants inoculated with Sarocladium oryzae alone or together with Sclerotium oryzae, G. graminis var. graminis or R. solani were found to have reduced plant height and increased tiller number. Sheath rot severity increased when Sarocladium oryzae was inoculated as a single pathogen or together with others. Sheath rot inoculation reduced stem rot in rice plants by 76 and 58%, respectively, in Experiment 1 and 2. By its known antagonistic interaction towards stem rot and crown sheath rot pathogens which are sensitive to it and by other unknown interactions, sheath rot emerges as the dominant disease.     

Chlorogenic acid: A potent molecule that protects cardiomyocytes from TNF‐α–induced injury via inhibiting NF‐κB and JNK signals

The traditional Chinese herb Lonicerae Japonicae Flos has shown significant clinical benefits in the treatment of heart failure, but the mechanism remains unclear. As the main active ingredient found in the plasma after oral administration of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos, chlorogenic acid (CGA) has been reported to possess anti‐inflammatory, anti‐oxidant and anti‐apoptosis function. We firstly confirmed the cardioprotective effects of CGA in transverse aortic constriction (TAC)‐induced heart failure mouse model, through mitigating the TNF‐α–induced toxicity. We further used TNF‐α‐induced cardiac injury in human induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC‐CMs) to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. CGA pre‐treatment could reverse TNF‐α–induced cellular injuries, including improved cell viability, increased mitochondrial membrane potential and inhibited cardiomyocytes apoptosis. We then examined the NF‐κB/p65 and major mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signalling pathways involved in TNF‐α–induced apoptosis of hiPSC‐CMs. Importantly, CGA can directly inhibit NF‐κB signal by suppressing the phosphorylation of NF‐κB/p65. As for the MAPKs, CGA suppressed the activity of only c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK), but enhanced extracellular signal‐regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2) and had no effect on p38. In summary, our study revealed that CGA has profound cardioprotective effects through inhibiting the activation of NF‐κB and JNK pathway, providing a novel therapeutic alternative for prevention and treatment of heart failure.     

Production of chlorogenic acid and isoorientin hypoglycemic compounds in Cecropia obtusifolia calli and in cell suspension cultures with nitrate deficiency

The antidiabetic properties of Cecropia obtusifolia are attributed to chlorogenic acid (CGA) and isoorientin (ISO) phenolic compounds; both compounds possess hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and antioxidant properties. As a potential strategy for an adequate supply of authentic plant raw material, the aim of this study was to establish in vitro conditions for the development of cell suspension cultures that produce these bioactive compounds. Callus cultures of leaf explants from acclimatized tree and in vitro plantlets were set up using different auxin levels; treatments with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) to 8.92 μM with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) at 2.22 μM stimulate highest callus production. Seedling cotyledon, hypocotyl, leaf, and stem explants developed calli bearing roots with 2,4-D. With NAA, hypocotyl, cotyledon, and leaf explants developed morphogenic calli; 75% of stem explants formed calli, and the remaining calli developed shoots. Determined CGA concentrations in calli were similar to those detected in the leaves of wild trees, and ISO was not produced. Cell suspension cultures were established from leaf explants friable calli with 8.92 μM 2,4-D in combination with 2.22 μM BAP, employing 4 and 5% inocula in fresh weight; CGA levels were maintained and ISO was produced only at the end of logarithmic growth. On diminishing nitrate content in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium to 8.0 mM, maximum cell biomasses diminished, CGA production is increased and twice with 16.0 and, instead of CGA production is tripled and quadrupled with 16.0 and 8.0 mM nitrates, respectively, and ISO synthesis was induced earlier and for a longer time period, increasing its levels at the end of culture. Two compounds with ultraviolet spectra similar to those of caffeic and ferulic acids were formed. Our results offer a protocol of cell suspension cultures for C. obtusifolia bioactive production and hypoglycemic property conservation.     

The role of phenolic compounds in disease resistance in geranium

The present study was conducted in the hill station of G B Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Ranichauri, Uttarakhand, which is known for its diversity in medicinal and aromatic plants. The plant geranium, also known as rose or lemon geranium is highly valued for its essential oil which is used in the cosmetic and preferring industries. The plant suffers due to stem and root rot both during summer and winter seasons. In the present study, geranium plants showed maximum stem rot incidence (60.55%) and plant mortality (17.20%) during the winter season, whereas in summer the crops showed maximum root rot and wilt complex incidence (38.33%) with plant mortality up to (12.22%). The average stem rot mortality was comparatively low (16–20%) in summer but increased to 18–26% in winter crop. Several phenolic acids such as as tannic, gallic, caffeic, ferulic and benzoic were detected by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in variable amounts in these plants. The disease intensity varied from 97.77 to 92.46% from season to season. The significance of the phenolic compounds is discussed in relation to disease prevalence.     

EFFECT OF 4'-CHLOROGLUTARANILIC ACID ON GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF SUNFLOWER SEEDLINGS

The potential growth-regulating properties of 4'-chloroglutaranilic acid (CGA) as well as oxygen and nitrogen isosteres were examined in whole-plant bioassay systems utilizing sunflower seedling (Helianthus annuus L.). Test systems included both soil-grown plants and hydroponic studies. Foliar applications of CGA produced growth inhibition which was detectable within 24 hr and which persisted for at least 30 days. Direct application to roots produced a growth inhibition which was 15% greater than foliar applications. Foliar or root application at 10^-5 m or greater concentrations produced gross changes in leaf morphology. Total plant-height inhibition was principally associated with stem growth in an area located between primary leaves and the shoot meristem. CGA was found to be 32 % less active than IAA as a growth promoter, but was 76 % more active than IAA as a growth inhibitor; the most severely affected organ was the leaf and the least affected was the root system. Leaves from soil-grown plants treated wth a 10^-3 m foliar application of CGA possessed several abnormalities. These included an increase in thickness and dry weight, a reduction in chloroplast starch vacuoles, extractable starch, soluble hexoses, and soluble proteins.     

Chromogranin A in neurons of the rat cerebellum and spinal cord: quantification and sites of expression.

Chromogranin A (CGA) is an abundant protein of dense-cored secretory vesicles in endocrine and neuronal cells. The present study, for the first time, compares CGA of neurons of the central nervous system with the CGA of adrenal origin. By S1 nucleus protection assay, we found that the 3' part of the CGA mRNA between exons 5-8 of the cerebellum and the spinal cord of the rat is homologous to that of the adrenal. In situ hybridization histochemistry revealed that CGA mRNA in the cerebellar cortex is present in cell bodies of Purkinje cells and in neurons of the deep cerebellar nuclei. The perikarya of these cells also exhibit CGA-like immunoreactivity. CGA mRNA and CGA-like immunoreactivity are also present in the motoneurons of the ventral, lateral, and dorsal horns of the rat spinal cord. The amounts of CGA, as determined by radioimmunoassay in cerebellum and spinal cord, were about one tenth of the amounts detected in the adrenal, adenohypophysis, or the olfactory bulb. The sites of CGA expression suggest that CGA may be involved in signal transduction in the motor system.     

Production of Pectic Enzymes by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cepae and its Involvement in Onion Bulb Rot

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cepae produced an exo-polygalacturonase (exo-PG) and endopectin-trans-eliminase (endo-PTE) in a mineral medium supplemented with a restricted supply of either D-galacturonic acid or onion cell walls. These enzymes were also extracted from infected onion tissue, but only endo-PTE caused tissue maceration and cell death. The patterns of host tissue colonization and pectic enzyme production were followed during bulb rot development. Stem plates were invaded within two weeks of inoculation. The pathogen then remained confined to the stem plates for several weeks or months, before spreading to the outer fleshy scales to initiate a basal rot. In most cases the inner leaf sheaths containing the lateral bud remained healthy. Exo-PG activity m stem plate tissue was greatest at two weeks after inoculation, then it declined. Endo-PTE was not detected in newly invaded stem plate tissue, but was recovered from infected stem plates before decay and from the bases of bulb scales and leaf sheaths at the onset of bulb rot. There was no pectic enzyme activity in uninvaded onion tissue. Spread of the fungus and pectic enzyme production in two Caledon Globe genotypes susceptible or tolerant to F. oxysporum f. sp. cepae were similar, but the onset of bulb rot in tolerant genotypes was considerably delayed.     

Natural plant volatiles as an alternative approach to control stem‐end rot in avocado cultivars

Stem‐end rot is a postharvest disease associated with multiple important fungal pathogens including Lasiodiplodia theobromae. The incidence of stem‐end rot in avocado during postharvest storage affects the shelf life, quality and marketability of the fruit. This study is aimed at the investigation of the antifungal activities of selected natural plant volatiles (vapour phase): citral, octanal, hexanal and thymol against L. theobromae (causal pathogen of stem‐end rot) in vitro and in vivo in “Hass” and “Fuerte” avocados. Hexanal showed a lower inhibitory effect on the radial mycelial growth of L. theobromae in vitro. However, citral at a minimum concentration of 4 μl/L revealed fungicidal activity and completely inhibited the spore germination of L. theobromae. Artificially inoculated “Hass” and “Fuerte” avocados with L. theobromae were exposed to citral (768 μl) and commercial fungicide prochloraz and stored for 6 days at 20°C and 14 days at 10°C separately and thereafter held at 20°C for 3 days to simulate the retail shelf conditions. Although citral in a volatile phase effectively reduced the development of stem‐end rot in both cultivars, its effect was significant in “Fuerte” with 75% reduction in the incidence of stem‐end rot. The biochemical analysis demonstrated an increase in total phenol contents, phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase, chitinase and β‐1, 3 glucanase activity in fruit exposed to citral when compared to the reference treatment prochloraz and the untreated control for both cultivars. Furthermore, fruits exposed to citral retained the ready‐to‐eat firmness and therefore could be considered a potential alternative treatment to control stem‐end rot at the postharvest stage.     

Calorimetric,volumetric and structural studies of the interaction between chlorogenic acid and dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine bilayers

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is the main component of coffee and an antioxidant. CGA has been reported to bear various good health effects. At the same time, it has been found that the addition of CGA induces an undesirable deformation of red blood cells. This fact suggests that CGA may bind to the proteins or/and membrane lipids of red blood cells. This study aimed to examine how CGA binds the bilayers of phosphatidylcholine (PC), one of red blood cells' primary lipids. To this end, we investigated the effect of CGA on the phase behavior and the structure of dipalmitoyl-PC (DPPC) bilayers in the form of multi-lamellar vesicles. Calorimetry and dilatometry measurements showed that the DPPC chain melting transition cooperativity decreases as increasing CGA concentrations. In addition, X-ray diffraction results showed that the lamellar repeat periodicity becomes disordered, and the periodicity disappears completely at high CGA concentrations. Together with these findings, it can be inferred that the CGA molecules do not penetrate inside the DPPC bilayers but bind to their surface in a negatively charged form.