Ribosomal Tag Pyrosequencing of DNA and RNA Reveals “Rare” Taxa with High Protein Synthesis Potential in the Sediment of a Hypersaline Lake in Western Australia

Little is known about the potential activity of microbial communities in hypersaline sediment ecosystems. Ribosomal tag libraries of DNA and RNA extracted from the sediment of Lake Strawbridge (Western Australia) revealed bacterial and archaeal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) with high RNA/DNA ratios providing evidence for the presence of ‘rare’ but potentially “active” taxa. Among the ‘rare’ bacterial taxa Halomonas, Salinivibrio and Idiomarina showed the highest protein synthesis potential. Rare but ‘active’ archaeal OTUs were related to the KTK 4A cluster and the Marine-Benthic-Groups B and D. We present the first molecular analysis of the microbial diversity and protein synthesis potential of rare microbial taxa in a hypersaline sediment ecosystem.     

Histology of the interactions of Paecilomyces lilacinus with Meloidogyne incognita on Eclipta alba (L.)

Abstract

Under greenhouse conditions, the experiment was conducted to test the efficacy of opportunistic and nematophagous hyphomycete, Paecilomyces lilacinus against root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita on Eclipta alba. The treatment comprised inoculation of E. alba with M. incognita alone (N) and in combination with P. lilacinus (one week before (T₁), simultaneously (T₂), one week after (T₃), two weeks after (T₄) and three weeks after (T₅)). The results showed that the application of P. lilacinus before one week of nematode inoculation (T_l) was more effective than other treatments. A significant enhancement was noticed in the growth and yield of E. alba. Root-knot and egg mass indices were suppressed due to destruction of the mature females and the egg masses. Histopathological studies revealed the presence of P. lilacinus hyphae in and around the females and the eggs.     

Effect of temperature on growth, germination, germ-tube extension and survival of Paecilomyces lilacinus strain 251

Paecilomyces lilacinus and in particular the commercial strain 251 has been intensively tested for biological control of plant parasitic nematodes. Since this species has been mentioned in a number of reports concerning infection of humans, the human health risk for Paecilomyces lilacinus strain 251 was investigated. The effects of time, temperature and growth medium on radial colony growth and germination were determined. Additionally, exposure to 36°C and its effect on germ-tube extension and on survival of conidia was evaluated. Radial growth was significantly affected by temperature, growth medium and their interaction. Optimum temperatures were between 24 and 30°C, but no growth was found at 36°C. Germination rate was significantly influenced by time, medium, temperature and their interactions. The optimum temperature range for germination was between 28 and 30°C. Formulated conidia were capable of germinating at 36°C. However, studies on germ-tube extension conducted at 36°C showed a delay in development for 28-49 h and no further germ-tube extension was found after exposure for 80-95 h. Slopes of survival curves were significantly influenced by the type of conidia tested. In general, conidia did not survive exposure to 36°C for 168 h. These experiments indicate the temperature conditions where the strain is likely to be active and provide supporting data for full environmental and health risk assessments of biocontrol fungi.     

Interactions of Paecilomyces lilacinus strain 251 with the mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices: Implications for Meloidogyne incognita control on tomato

The interactions of Paecilomyces lilacinus strain 251 with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices and their significance for the control of Meloidogyne incognita on tomato were investigated in greenhouse experiments. Application of P. lilacinus had no effect on the frequency and intensity of tomato root colonization by G. intraradices. Likewise, the decline of the nematophagous fungus densities after single application in soil was not affected by the presence of the mycorrhizal fungus. Single application of P. lilacinus, as pre-planting soil treatment, resulted in significant reduction of nematode damage. In contrast, mycorrhizal inoculation did not provide sufficient biocontrol. Combined application of the two agents did not enhance root protection compared to single treatments. Double treatment of mycorrhized seedlings with P. lilacinus, as seedling drench and pre-planting soil treatment, 4 and 1 week before transplanting, respectively, resulted in the highest reduction of the nematode damage. These results indicate the potential of the commercial P. lilacinus strain 251 and mycorrhiza for integration in nematode control strategies.     

Effect of opportunistic fungi on the life cycle of the root-knot nematode ( Meloidogyne javanica) on brinjal

The effect of four opportunistic fungi viz., Paecilomyces lilacinus, Cladosporium oxysporum, Gliocladium virens and Talaromyces flavus on the life cycle of the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne javanica, on brinjal was evaluated under glasshouse conditions. The results revealed that these fungi affected the penetration and development of M. javanica. The life cycle of M. javanica was delayed by 10, 7, 4 and 2 days in the presence of P. lilacinus, C. oxysporum, G. virens and T. flavus respectively. Fecundity, number of eggs per eggmass and number of larvae was also reduced in the presence of these opportunistic fungi. However, the number of males increased in the presence of opportunistic fungi.     

Der Besatz von Beta-Rüubensaatgut rait Wurzelbranderregern und der Einfluß von Umweltfaktoren auf das Auftreten des samenbüurtigen Wurzelbrandes

The root knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita was controlled more effectively when P. lilacinus and G. mosseae were applied together in a pot experiment than either was applied alone. Inoculation of tomato plant with G. mosseae did not markedly increase the growth of plant infected with M. incognita. Inoculation of plant with G. mosseae and P. lilacinus together or alone resulted in a similar shoot and plant height. The highest root development was achieved when mycorrhizal plant were inoculated with P. lilacinus to combat root knot nematode. Inoculation of tomato plant with P. lilacinus suppressed galls/root system and eggs/egg masses, compared to seedling inoculated with M. incognita alone. The mycorrhizal colonization was not affected by inoculation of P. lilacinus.     

Isolation of nematophagous fungi from eggs and females of Meloidogyne spp. and evaluation of their biological control potential

Fungi were isolated from Meloidogyne spp. eggs and females on 102 field-collected root samples in China. Of the 235 fungi isolated (representing 18 genera and 26 species), the predominant fungi were Fusarium spp. (42.1% of the isolates collected), Fusarium oxysporum (13.2%), Paecilomyces lilacinus (12.8%), and Pochonia chlamydosporia (8.5%). The isolates were screened for their ability to parasitise Meloidogyne incognita eggs in 24-well tissue culture plates in two different tests. The percentage of eggs parasitised by the fungi, the numbers of unhatched eggs and alive and dead juveniles were counted at 4 and 7 days after inoculation. The most promising fungi included five Paecilomyces isolates, 10 Fusarium isolates, 10 Pochonia isolates and one Acremonium isolate in test 1 or test 2. Paecilomyces lilacinus YES-2 and P. chlamydosporia HDZ-9 selected from the in vitro tests were formulated in alginate pellets and evaluated for M. incognita control on tomato in a greenhouse by adding them into a soil with sand mixture at rates of 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.6% (w/w). P. lilacinus pellets at the highest rate (1.6%) reduced root galling by 66.7%. P. chlamydosporia pellets at the highest rate reduced the final nematode density by 90%. The results indicate that P. lilacinus and P. chlamydosporia as pellet formulation can effectively control root-knot nematodes.     

基于Maxent的大洋臀纹粉蚧和南洋臀纹粉蚧在中国的适生区分析

大洋臀纹粉蚧Planococcus minor Maskell和南洋臀纹粉蚧P.lilacinus Cockerell是我国有重要检疫意义的有害生物。这两种粉蚧从东盟进口水果口岸检疫中频繁截获,且已在广东、海南、云南等地发现大洋臀纹粉蚧入侵,这对我国热带、亚热带的水果和观赏植物等已构成严重威胁。本研究以大洋臀纹粉蚧和南洋臀纹粉蚧在国内外的分布数据为基础,利用Maxent生态位模型和Arc GIS对两种粉蚧在中国的潜在适生区进行预测。预测结果表明,大洋臀纹粉蚧和南洋臀纹粉蚧的适生区主要分布在长江流域以南地区,其适生区面积分别占全国面积的22.14%、18.17%,其中高度适生区域集中分布在广西、广东、云南、福建、四川、台湾、海南等地区,与我国热带水果的主要种植区域具有高度的一致性。大洋臀纹粉蚧已成功入侵,一旦南洋臀纹粉蚧传入便可迅速扩散蔓延,并对我国热带水果生产造成严重危害。因此,各口岸应加强对东盟进口水果的检验检疫,预防其新的进入和扩散。     

Effects of crop plants on abundance of Pochonia chlamydosporia and other fungal parasites of root‐knot and potato cyst nematodes

The effects of a host plant on reproduction/abundance of fungal populations in relation to soil nutrients released by plants in the rhizosphere were studied. Abundance in the soil and potato rhizosphere of the fungi Paecilomyces lilacinus, Monographella cucumerina (CABI 380408) and Pochonia chlamydosporia var. chlamydosporia (Pc280, potato cyst nematode biotype) and P. chlamydosporia var. catenulata (Pc392, root‐knot nematode biotype) were assessed. The different ability of break crops (oilseed rape, sugarbeet and wheat) in the potato rotation to support Pa. lilacinus, Pochonia isolates Pc280 and Pc392 and abundance of the latter two isolates in soil and rhizosphere of potato plants infected with Meloidogyne incognita were also studied. Potato chits and crop seedlings were planted into boiling tubes containing 5000 chlamydospores or conidia g^?1 in acid washed sand (pH 6) and kept in a growth chamber at 20°C, and 16 h of light for up to 9 weeks. The abundance of the fungi in sand (fallow) differed significantly between fungal species, being in general less abundant in the absence than in the presence of the plant, although there was no interaction between plant species and fungal isolate. There was evidence of a different response to Me. incognita for Pc392 than for Pc280 but there was no significant effect of the presence of the nematode on the rate of increase of the fungus.     

南洋臀纹粉蚧雌成虫主要器官及其蜡泌物的扫描电镜观察

为明确南洋臀纹粉蚧Planococcus lilacinus(Cockerell)雌成虫及其蜡泌物的结构特征,利用扫描电镜观察该虫体表主要器官、蜡质及泌蜡腺体的超微结构.结果表明:南洋臀纹粉蚧雌成虫外覆白色粉状厚蜡被,体缘具18对蜡棒,触角8节、口器和足发达且分布有不同长度的毛形和刺形感受器,眼为单眼,腹脐和背孔唇形、发达;体表蜡质包含带状蜡丝、空心管状蜡丝和月牙形蜡丝,由三格腺和刺孔群分泌的带状蜡丝大量分布于整个虫体,由管状腺分泌的空心管状蜡丝主要分布于虫体腹部腹面和体缘,由多格腺分泌的月牙形蜡丝主要分布于虫体腹部腹面.研究结果初步揭示了南洋臀纹粉蚧雌成虫体表主要器官、蜡质及泌蜡腺体的超微结构特征,可为研究该虫搜索寄主、寻找配偶、群集为害、抵御逆境和传播扩散等行为活动提供支持.