Microbial Properties of Composts That Suppress Damping-Off and Root Rot of Creeping Bentgrass Caused by Pythium graminicola

Composts prepared from a variety of feedstocks were tested for their ability to suppress seedling and root diseases of creeping bentgrass caused by Pythium graminicola. Among the most suppressive materials in laboratory experiments were different batches of a brewery sludge compost and a biosolids compost from Endicott, N.Y. Batches of these composts that were initially not suppressive to Pythium damping-off became more suppressive with increasing compost age. Leaf, yard waste, food, and spent mushroom composts as well as certain biosolids, cow manure, chicken-cow manure, and leaf-chicken manure composts were not suppressive to Pythium damping-off. In some cases, turkey litter, chicken manure, chicken-leaf, and food waste composts were inhibitory to creeping bentgrass seed germination in laboratory experiments. Microbial populations varied among all of the composts tested. Bacterial populations were high in all composts except the turkey litter compost, in which populations were 1,000- to 10,000-fold lower than in the other composts tested. Among the highest populations of heterotrophic fungi and antibiotic-producing actinomycetes were those found in all batches of the brewery sludge compost, whereas the lowest populations were found in turkey litter, chicken manure, and food waste composts. Heat treatment of suppressive composts reduced populations of bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes in all composts tested. Disease suppressiveness was also reduced or eliminated in heated composts. Amending heated composts with small amounts of nonheated compost restored suppressive properties and partially restored microbial populations to wild-type levels. A strong negative relationship between compost microbial activity (as measured by the hydrolysis of fluorescein diacetate) and Pythium damping-off severity was observed. When composts were applied to creeping bentgrass in field experiments, a significant level of suppressiveness was evident with some composts when disease pressure was high (i.e., disease ratings high in uninoculated plots). A 1991 batch of turkey litter compost and the 1990 batch of Endicott biosolids were consistently suppressive to foliar symptoms of Pythium root rot on creeping bentgrass. This study indicates that suppression of Pythium diseases of creeping bentgrass in batches of brewery sludge and Endicott biosolids composts, and possibly in other suppressive composts examined in less detail in this study, is related directly to the microbial activities in the composts. On the other hand, the mechanisms of Pythium suppression in turkey litter and perhaps other poultry-based composts is not related directly to the compost microbial activity. Although turkey litter showed a lack of suppressiveness in laboratory bioassays and low microbial populations and activity, it resulted in a significant and consistent level of suppressiveness in field experiments. Therefore, the microbiological properties of Pythium-suppressive composts may differ substantially, and measurements of microbial populations and activity may not be predictive of the level of disease suppression in all composts.     

Indole-3-Acetic acid production in Pseudomonas fluorescens HP72 and its association with suppression of creeping bentgrass brown patch

Pseudomonas fluorescens HP72, which suppresses the brown patch disease on bentgrass, produces several secondary metabolites, 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (2,4-DAPG), HCN, siderophore, and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). In this study, IAA biosynthesis in strain HP72 was investigated. After several repeated subcultures, the spontaneous IAA low-producing mutant HP72LI was isolated. The IAA low production of the strain HP72LI was due to the low tryptophan side chain oxidase (TSO) activity. Colonization of strain HP72 on the bentgrass root induced root growth reduction, while strain HP72LI did not induce such growth reduction. The colonization ability of strain HP72 on the bentgrass root is higher than that of strain HP72LI. However, as for biocontrol ability, a significant difference in both strains was not detected. IAA production by strain HP72 may play a role in the construction of short root systems and take advantage of root colonization, but does not contribute to the biocontrol properties of P. fluorescens HP72.     

一株抗玉米纹枯病内生细菌的分离鉴定及其抗病促生作用

玉米纹枯病是玉米主要的真菌病害,从优良玉米品种川单13号中分离到一株对玉米纹枯病菌具有明显抑制作用并能够促进玉米生长的内生细菌.通过形态、生理生化特性分析以及16SrDNA序列同源性比较,鉴定该菌株为枯草芽孢杆菌.盆栽试验表明,菌株能够抑制玉米纹枯病的发生,抑菌率为 43.01%,促生试验表明,该菌能够显著促进玉米苗的生长,促生作用与植物生长刺激素(IAA)和效果相似,显示出良好的开发前景.     

Activity of some aminoglycoside antibiotics against true fungi, Phytophthora and Pythium species

AIMS: To investigate the in vitro antifungal and antioomycete activities of some aminoglycosides against true fungi and Phytophthora and Pythium species and to evaluate the potential of the antibiotics against Phytophthora late blight on plants. METHODS AND RESULTS: Antifungal and antioomycete activities of aminoglycoside antibiotics (neomycin, paromomycin, ribostamycin and streptomycin) and a paromomycin-producing strain (Streptomyces sp. AMG-P1) against Phytophthora and Pythium species and 10 common fungi were measured in potato dextrose broth (PDB) and on seedlings in pots. Paromomycin was the most active against Phytophthora and Pythium species with a minimal inhibitory concentration of 1-10 microg ml(-1) in PDB, but displayed low to moderate activities towards other common fungi at the same concentration. Paromomycin also showed potent in vivo activity against red pepper and tomato late blight diseases with 80 and 99% control value, respectively, at 100 microg ml(-1). In addition, culture broth of Streptomyces sp. AMG-P1 as a paromomycin producer exhibited high in vivo activity against late blight at 500 microg freeze-dried weight per millilitre. CONCLUSIONS: Among tested aminoglycoside antibiotics, paromomycin was the most active against oomycetes both in vitro and in vivo. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Data from this study show that aminoglycoside antibiotics have in vitro and in vivo activities against oomycetes, suggesting that Streptomyces sp. AMG-P1 may be used as a biocontrol agent against oomycete diseases.     

Simultaneous infection by red rot and chytrid diseases in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Porphyra yezoensis</Emphasis>Ueda

This paper presents the results of a study on the diseases of Porphyra yezoensisUeda along the north coast of China, where red rot (Pythium porphyrae) and the chytrid Olpidiopsis sp. diseases were both found to be present. Infection by the mycelia of Pythium porphyraeand the thallus of Olpidiopsis sp. was studied in detail. At the early stage of infecton the mycelia of Pythium porphyraeand the fungus of chytrid can be found in host cells at the same time. In the middle and late stages of the complication, it mainly appears as red rot disease, toward the end appearing almost completely as red rot disease. The complication even can be found on the cells of fronds from the freeze-storage nori nets. However, the freeze-storage nets can help prevent spread of the infection and improve nori quality.     

Wilt and vascular root rot (<i>Pythium tracheiphilum</i>) of lettuce in Bahía Blanca,Argentina

A new disease of lettuce has been observed in the surroundings of Bahía Blanca, Argentina. The symptoms include dwarfing, general chlorosis, wilting, root rot, and leaf blight, sometimes followed by plant death. Pythium tracheiphilum Matta was found to be consistently associated with those symptoms. The morphological and morphometric characteristics of this oomycete are described. Isolates obtained from field-infected lettuce plants were inoculated to lettuce and caused similar symptoms as those found in natural infections. Seedling emergence was also severely affected following experimental inoculation. Koch’s Postulates were fulfilled by recovering the fungus from inoculated plants. The new disease shows a high destructive potential but currently has a limited prevalence and incidence.     

In planta production of indole-3-acetic acid by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides f. sp. aeschynomene

The plant pathogenic fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides f. sp. aeschynomene utilizes external tryptophan to produce indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) through the intermediate indole-3-acetamide (IAM). We studied the effects of tryptophan, IAA, and IAM on IAA biosynthesis in fungal axenic cultures and on in planta IAA production by the fungus. IAA biosynthesis was strictly dependent on external tryptophan and was enhanced by tryptophan and IAM. The fungus produced IAM and IAA in planta during the biotrophic and necrotrophic phases of infection. The amounts of IAA produced per fungal biomass were highest during the biotrophic phase. IAA production by this plant pathogen might be important during early stages of plant colonization.     

In Planta Production of Indole-3-Acetic Acid by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides f. sp. aeschynomene

The plant pathogenic fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides f. sp. aeschynomene utilizes external tryptophan to produce indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) through the intermediate indole-3-acetamide (IAM). We studied the effects of tryptophan, IAA, and IAM on IAA biosynthesis in fungal axenic cultures and on in planta IAA production by the fungus. IAA biosynthesis was strictly dependent on external tryptophan and was enhanced by tryptophan and IAM. The fungus produced IAM and IAA in planta during the biotrophic and necrotrophic phases of infection. The amounts of IAA produced per fungal biomass were highest during the biotrophic phase. IAA production by this plant pathogen might be important during early stages of plant colonization.     

Indole-3-Acetic Acid Production in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas fluorescens</Emphasis> HP72 and Its Association with Suppression of Creeping Bentgrass Brown Patch

Pseudomonas fluorescens HP72, which suppresses the brown patch disease on bentgrass, produces several secondary metabolites, 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (2,4-DAPG), HCN, siderophore, and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). In this study, IAA biosynthesis in strain HP72 was investigated. After several repeated subcultures, the spontaneous IAA low-producing mutant HP72LI was isolated. The IAA low production of the strain HP72LI was due to the low tryptophan side chain oxidase (TSO) activity. Colonization of strain HP72 on the bentgrass root induced root growth reduction, while strain HP72LI did not induce such growth reduction. The colonization ability of strain HP72 on the bentgrass root is higher than that of strain HP72LI. However, as for biocontrol ability, a significant difference in both strains was not detected. IAA production by strain HP72 may play a role in the construction of short root systems and take advantage of root colonization, but does not contribute to the biocontrol properties of P. fluorescens HP72. RID= ID= <E5>Correspondence to: </E5>S. Suzuki. Received: 9 September 2002 / Accepted: 7 October 2002     

Some fungal endophytes from vegetable crops and their anti-oomycete activities against tomato late blight

AIMS: To isolate endophytic fungi from vegetable plants and examine their in vivo anti-oomycete activity against Phytophthora infestans in tomato plants. METHODS AND RESULTS: Endophytic fungi were isolated from surface-sterilized plant tissues and anti-oomycete activity was measured by in vivo assay using tomato seedlings. Endophytic fungi showing potent anti-oomycete activity were identified by morphological characteristics and nuclear ribosomal ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 sequence analysis. A total of 152 isolates were obtained from 66 healthy tissue samples of cucumber, red pepper, tomato, pumpkin and Chinese cabbage and the fermentation broths of 23 isolates showed potent in vivo anti-oomycete activity against tomato late blight with control values over 90%. The Fusarium oxysporum strain EF119, which was isolated from roots of red pepper, showed the most potent disease control efficacy against tomato late blight. In dual-culture tests, it inhibited the growth of Pythium ultimum, P. infestans and Phytophthora capsici. CONCLUSIONS: Among endophytic fungi isolated from healthy tissues of vegetable plants, F. oxysporum EF119 showed the most potent in vivo anti-oomycete activity against tomato late blight and in vitro anti-oomycete activity against several oomycete pathogens. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Endophytic fungi showing anti-oomycete activity in vitro and in vivo may be used as biocontrol agents particularly of tomato late blight.     

A monoclonal antibody and the lectin wheat germ agglutinin induce zoospore encystment in Pythium porphyrae, a marine microbial pathogen

Pythium porphyrae (Oomycota) is a microbial pathogen which causes red rot disease in the commercially cultivated red seaweed Porphyra. This disease is initiated by the motile zoospores of the fungus, which it has been suggested to recognize and process host specific signals by membrane bound receptors. Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were developed against the surface components of zoospores and cysts of this fungus in order to try and identify the putative receptor molecules involved in the zoospore encystment process. Screening of MAbs by immunofluorescence assays has revealed three different patterns of surface epitope binding, while labeling of zoospore and cysts components by FITC-conjugated lectins has identified different carbohydrate moieties. Of the MAbs and lectins tested, MAb 1A3 and wheat germ agglutinin have induced zoospore encystment under in vitro conditions. MAb 1A3 identified a 109 KDa band of a glycoprotein in western blot analysis which could be a putative receptor responsible for the induction of zoospore encystment.     

Materials forPythium flora of Japan VIII Two species ofPythium:P. pyrilobum andP. oligandrum

Two species ofPythium (P. pyrilobum, P. oligandrum) having spherical sporangia with complex subglobose elements were isolated from the crown of creeping bentgrass [Agrostis palustris (cv. Penncross)] and from vegetable field soil, respectively. They are reported for the first time in Japan.     

玉米种质资源对六种重要病虫害的抗性鉴定与评价

在2003-2005年间,对604份玉米种质进行了抗弯孢菌叶斑病和玉米螟鉴定,筛选出抗弯孢菌叶斑病的材料93份,抗玉米螟材料22份。2006-2009年间,对836份玉米种质进行了抗大斑病、茎腐病、穗腐病和瘤黑粉病的鉴定与评价,筛选出一批高抗和多抗的资源。在836份资源中,对大斑病1、2和N号3个生理小种具有抗性的材料均为50%左右;抗茎腐病材料为41.3%,高抗和抗性种质分别为264和81份;穗腐病高抗和抗性种质分别为5和171份,占比为21.1%;瘤黑粉病高抗和抗性种质各261和14份,占总鉴定材料的32.9%。上述结果表明抗大斑病、茎腐病和瘤黑粉病的种质资源较为丰富。通过对抗性结果进行对比分析,发现不同生态区玉米种质的抗性强弱以及抗性多样性存在明显差异,黑龙江和内蒙古的种质对病虫害的抗性强弱及多样性程度明显高于四川种质。此外,玉米自交系对病虫害的抗性强弱以及多抗性程度高于农家种。     

Low-fluence red light increases the transport and biosynthesis of auxin

In plants, light is an important environmental signal that induces photomorphogenesis and interacts with endogenous signals, including hormones. We found that light increased polar auxin transport in dark-grown Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) hypocotyls. In tomato, this increase was induced by low-fluence red or blue light followed by 1 d of darkness. It was reduced in phyA, phyB1, and phyB2 tomato mutants and was reversed by far-red light applied immediately after the red or blue light exposure, suggesting that phytochrome is involved in this response. We further found that the free indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) level in hypocotyl regions below the hook was increased by red light, while the level of conjugated IAA was unchanged. Analysis of IAA synthesized from [13C]indole or [13C]tryptophan (Trp) revealed that both Trp-dependent and Trp-independent IAA biosynthesis were increased by low-fluence red light in the top section (meristem, cotyledons, and hook), and the Trp-independent pathway appears to become the primary route for IAA biosynthesis after red light exposure. IAA biosynthesis in tissues below the top section was not affected by red light, suggesting that the increase of free IAA in this region was due to increased transport of IAA from above. Our study provides a comprehensive view of light effects on the transport and biosynthesis of IAA, showing that red light increases both IAA biosynthesis in the top section and polar auxin transport in hypocotyls, leading to unchanged free IAA levels in the top section and increased free IAA levels in the lower hypocotyl regions.     

The auxin transport inhibitor 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA) inhibits the stimulation of in vitro lateral root formation and the colonization of the tap-root cortex of Norway spruce (Picea abies) seedlings by the ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria bicolor

Norway spruce ( Picea abies (L.) Karst.) seedlings were inoculated with the ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria bicolor ((Marie) Orton), strain S238 N, in axenic conditions. The presence of the fungus slowed tap–root elongation by 26% during the first 15 d after inoculation and then stimulated it by 136%. In addition, it multiplied in vitro lateral root formation by 4.3, the epicotyl growth of the seedlings by 8.4 and the number of needles by 2. These effects were maintained when the fungus was separated from the roots by a cellophane membrane preventing symbiosis establishment, thus suggesting that the fungus acted by non-nutritional effects. We tested the hypothesis that IAA produced by L. bicolor S238 N would be responsible for the stimulation of fungal induced rhizogenesis. We showed in previous work that L. bicolor S238 N can synthesize IAA in pure culture. Exogenous IAA supplies (100 and 500 μ m ) reproduced the stimulating effect of the fungus on root branching but inhibited root elongation. The presence of 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA) in the culture medium significantly depressed lateral root formation of inoculated seedlings. As TIBA had no significant effect on IAA released in the medium by L. bicolor S238 N, but counteracted the stimulation of lateral rhizogenesis induced by an exogenous supply of IAA, we suggest that TIBA inhibited the transport of fungal IAA in the root. Furthermore TIBA blocked the colonization of the main root cortex by L. bicolor S238 N and the formation of the Hartig net. These results specified the role of fungal IAA in the stimulation of lateral rhizogenesis and in ectomycorrhizal symbiosis establishment.     

Morphology and comparative ecology of the fairy ring fungi, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vascellum curtisii</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bovista dermoxantha</Emphasis>, on turf of bentgrass,bluegrass, and Zoysiagrass

We identified the causal fungi of fairy rings as Vascellum curtisii and Bovista dermoxantha on the turf of bentgrass, bluegrass, and Zoysiagrass. Observing the fairy rings developed in the turfgrass study site in Chiba City for 5 years from 1998, V. curtisii, producing sporophores during June and November except midsummer, formed darker-green rings than the adjacent turf and withered the three kinds of turf. B. dermoxantha produced sporophores exclusively in midsummer. The fungus formed dark green rings on the three kinds of turf but withered only bentgrass and bluegrass. The optimum mycelial growth temperature of V. curtisii was 30°C. Whereas that of B. dermoxantha ranged between 35° and 40°C. The infection test of the fungi to the seedlings revealed that V. curtisii damaged Zoysiagrass more severely than bentgrass and that B. dermoxantha was more injurious to bentgrass than Zoysiagrass.     

水稻纹枯病菌的矿质营养生态位

运用生态位原理与方法,研究了水稻纹枯病菌的矿质元素营养生态位.结果表明,在分蘖盛期、孕穗期、抽穗期和蜡熟期,水稻纹枯病菌矿质营养生态位宽度指数分别为0.2710、0.3865、0.4252和0.4817,即随着水稻的生长而逐渐增大,但各生育期的生态位宽度总体上仍偏小.表明在水稻生长的各时期水稻纹枯病菌只占有了矿质营养类型中的较少部分.水稻纹枯病菌总是优先占有低Mg、低Zn、低Si的营养位,说明Mg、Zn、Si的含量与水稻对纹枯病的抗性紧密相关.     

ITS region of the rDNA of Pythium longandrum, a new species; its taxonomy and its comparison with related species

Pythium longandrum (F-73.0) was isolated, from soil samples taken in Lille in northern France. Morphologically the fungus resembles closely Pythium rostratum, however its antheridial characters are unique. The oogonia of this species are provided with hypogynous and monoclinous antheridia. The antheridial cells are inflated and are probably the largest and longest for the genus. The internal transcribed spacer region of its nuclear ribosomal DNA indicates that it is entirely different from all other species of Pythium. This new species is characterized by its spherical to elongated sporangia, smooth-walled oogonia and hypogynous to monoclinous antheridia bearing long antheridial cells closely applied to the oogonia. Morphological features of this new species, together with the sequences of the ITS region of its nuclear ribosomal DNA and comparison with related species are discussed here.     

Far red light control of elongation in light-grown bean hypocotyl: Effect on different age zones and interaction with indole-3-acetic acid

The effect of far red light on the light-grown bean hypocotyland its interaction with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) were studied.Elongation of younger zones of the hypocotyl was inhibited butthat of older zones was promoted by far red light. This wascontrolled by phytochrome. Both the hook and shank portionscould receive far red light and its effect could be transmittedto either portions of the hypocotyl. When IAA was applied to the upper cut surface of the hypocotylunit, elongation of the shank portion was promoted even withoutfar red irradiation. IAA did not change the aspect of the growthcurves but amplified the elongation of each zone. When IAA wasapplied to each zone of the shank portion, elongation of zonesolder than the treated one was promoted but that of youngerzones was inhibited. This effect was emphasized by far red light.When IAA was applied to the older shank portion, elongationof the treated zone was synergistically promoted by IAA andfar red light, but when applied to the elbow or younger shankportion, far red light completely nullified the promoting effectof IAA. (Received October 1, 1979; )