Effects of Leaf Wetness Duration and Inoculum Level on Resistance of Wheat Genotypes to Pyrenophora tritici-repentis

Percent leaf necrosis and lesion length on wheat genotypes increased markedly with increasing duration of leaf wetness (up to 24h or 48 h) following inoculation with Pyrenophora tritici-repentis. A long wetting duration favoured less disease development on resistant (Fink's'), and moderately resistant (Bon/YR/3/F3570/KAL/BB) genotypes than on susceptible Glenlea. No significant difference in percent necrosis was detected among the upper three leaf positions within a genotype. A long wetnessduration had a varying effect on the resistance of wheat genotypes, depending upon the inoculum level. Increasing the inoculum level along with the leaf wetness period increased the per cent leaf necrosis on all three wheat genotypes tested. However, the, ranking of the genotype for resistance did not alter even after prolonged duration of leaf wetness (up to 96 h) and/or high inoculum level (12000 conidia/ml water). Various post-inoculation wet-periods in combination with high conidia concentrations in inoculum should be used in identifying highly resistant germplasm in breeding populations at the seedling stage of the wheats.     

Factors affecting incidence and severity of leaf spot disease on lettuce caused by Septoria birgitae

In the 1990s during wet seasons a new disease causing brown leaf spots on lettuce (Lactuca sativa) was found for the first time in many lettuce‐growing areas of Austria and Germany. The causal agent, a new pathogenic species called Septoria birgitae, may be responsible for total crop loss. To study how temperature, inoculum density and leaf wetness period influence disease incidence and severity of leaf spot on lettuce caused by S. birgitae, we carried out in vivo experiments in growth chambers and in the field. Additionally, we evaluated the relevance of infected plant debris acting as a primary inoculum source in soil for subsequent crops. S. birgitae produces spores over a wide temperature range between 5°C and 30°C, and can infect plants at temperatures between 10°C and 30°C, with an optimum between 20°C and 30°C. Spores of S. birgitae at a density of at least 10³ conidia mL^–1 are essential for disease outbreak on lettuce. Because leaf wetness is crucial for releasing conidia from pycnidia, we studied the impact of leaf wetness duration on disease development under various temperature conditions. For relevant leaf spot disease development on lettuce in vivo, a leaf wetness duration of at least 24 h and temperatures higher than 10°C were necessary. Leaf spot disease development in the field required several leaf wetness periods longer than 20 h at approximately 15°C at the beginning of crop cultivation. Incorporating S. birgitae infected plant debris in soil as a primary inoculum was not relevant for leaf spot disease outbreak in the next year. However, in cases of continuous cropping of lettuce on the same field and in the same season, Septoria‐infected lettuce debris may become more relevant.     

Effects of Ozone Exposure on Resistance of Wheat Genotypes to Pyrenophora tritici-repentis

Three spring wheat genotypes, susceptible, moderately resistant or resistant to Pyrenophora tritici-repentis (tan spot fungus) were exposed to charcoal-filtered air and to approx. 80, 160, 240 (g m^?3 ozone for five consecutive days (7 h per day). Visible leaf injury on seedling plants (three-leaf stage) was only observed after fumigation with 160 or 240 (g m^?3 O₃. Amount of injury was four-fold and 10-fold on the susceptible genotype when compared to resistant or moderately resistant genotype at the two highest concentration of ozone, respectively. Genotypic differences to O₃ tolerance were detected at the seedling growth stage (three-leaf stage) and flowering stage but not at the stem elongation stage. A significant increase in tan spot lesion area was observed only on O₃ predisposed second top most leaves of the susceptible genotype at all the three levels of ozone. Predisposition did not enhance tan spot development in resistant and moderately resistant genotypes. In a test with 12 wheat genotypes, a highly significant positive correlation (r = 0· 986, p < 0· 0001) was observed between ozone sensitivity (percent leaf area damaged due to 240 (g m^?3 ozone exposure) and tan spot development (mm² lesion area) following inoculation with P. tritici-repentis. It indicates that wheat genotypes resistant to the tan spot fungus might be tolerant to ozone damage.     

Effects of inoculum concentration, leaf age and wetness period on the development of dark leaf and pod spot (Alternaria brassicae) on oilseed rape (Brassica napus)

Experiments were done under controlled environment and glasshouse conditions to study the effects of inoculum concentration, leaf age and wetness period on the development of dark leaf and pod spot (Alternaria brussicae) on oilseed rape (Brassica napus). On leaves of potted oilseed rape plants (cv. Bienvenu) inoculated with A. brassicae conidial suspensions, the severity (number of lesions cm^-2) of dark leaf spot increased as inoculum concentration increased from 80 to 660 spores ml^-1and as leaf age increased from 4 to 14 days. On pods on detached racemes of spring oilseed rape (cv. Starlight), the incidence of dark pod spot (% of pods diseased) increased as inoculum concentration increased from 80 to 10⁴spores ml^-1. Increasing inoculum concentration above 10⁴spores ml^-1did not increase the incidence but did increase the severity of dark pod spot. A minimum wetness period of 4 h was needed for infection of oilseed rape leaves (cv. Envol) by A. brussicue at 18°C and disease severity increased with increasing wetness period up to 12 h. The length of dry interruptions after 3–8 h of initial wetness affected the severity of dark leaf spot. A second wetness period increased the severity of dark leaf spot if the dry interruption was ≤ 6 h and if the first wetness period was ≤ 8 h. The incubation period of A. brassicae decreased from 3.5 to 2.5 days as inoculum concentration increased from 80 to 660 spores ml^-on leaves (cv. Bienvenu) at 17–25°C and from 3.8 to 1.0 day as inoculum concentration increased from 80 to ≥2 ≥ 10³spores ml^-1on pods (cv. Starlight) at 18°C.     

Genotypic variation in partitioning of dry matter and manganese between source and sink organs of rice under manganese stress

Key message

Genetic variability in dry matter and manganese partitioning between source and sink organs was the key mechanism for Mn efficient rice genotypes to cope with Mn stress.

Abstract

Considerable differences exist among cereal genotypes to cope manganese (Mn) deficiency, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Minimal information regarding partitioning and/or remobilization of dry matter and Mn between source and sink organs exists in rice genotypes differing in Mn efficiency. The present study was aimed to assess the growth dynamics in terms of dry matter and Mn remobilization in the whole plant (leaves and tillers as source and panicles and grains as sink) during the grain development in diverse rice genotypes. The efficient genotypes accumulated higher dry matter than inefficient genotypes under low Mn level. The translocation index i.e., uptake in grain/total uptake was 0.11 in efficient genotype (PR 116) and 0.04 in inefficient genotypes (PR 111). The efficient genotype had higher grain Mn utilization efficiency of 0.71 in comparison to 0.48 of inefficient genotype indicating that in efficient genotype, Mn in grain produces more dry matter than inefficient genotypes. The efficient genotypes also had higher flag leaf area and nitrate reductase activity. The source of efficient genotypes contributed to a greater extent to developing sink but further mobilization to grain was hindered by panicle. The panicle of inefficient genotypes had higher per cent of Mn uptake than efficient genotypes indicating that Mn was least mobilized from panicle to grain in inefficient genotypes. The lower per cent uptake of Mn in efficient genotypes indicated that Mn was mobilized from panicle to developing grain and this led to higher Mn translocation index in grain of efficient genotypes. The uptake partitioning revealed that source of all genotypes mobilized the Mn towards the sink to almost same extent but it was the panicle where highest per cent uptake per plant was in inefficient genotypes and lowest in efficient genotypes. The lowest per cent uptake in panicle of efficient genotypes revealed that it supported developing grain to have highest translocation index.     

Leaf surface wetness in sorghum and resistance to shoot fly, Atherigona soccata: role of soil and plant water potentials

In experiments with potted plants, the relationships between soil matric potential, plant water potential and production of water droplets (leaf surface wetness) on the folded central whorl leaf of seedlings of sorghum genotypes that are either resistant or susceptible to shoot fly (Atherigona soccata) damage were investigated. Differences in soil matric potentials in the pots affected the plant water status, which in turn had profound effects on the production of water droplets on the central whorl leaf of the sorghum genotype susceptible to shoot fly. There was no consistent variation in the relationship between plant water potential and soil matric potential of resistant and susceptible sorghum genotypes. However, there was very little or practically no water droplets on the central whorl leaf of the resistant genotypes, indicating that the production of water droplets is not solely the result of internal water status of the plant. It is suggested that leaf surface wetness is genetically controlled and that an understanding of the mechanism by which water is transferred to the leaf surface will enhance breeding for resistance to shoot fly.     

Efficacy of Beauveria bassiana (Hyphomycetes) for control of Russian wheat aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) on resistant wheat under field conditions

The Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov) (Homoptera: Aphididae) is considered the most important pest of wheat produced under dryland field conditions in South Africa. As part of an integrated pest management strategy, the entomopathogenic hyphomycete Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin was evaluated in combination with antibiotic host plant resistance under dryland field conditions during 1998 and 1999. A commercial formulation, Mycotrol® ES, was applied at a rate of 2.4 L (5×10¹³ conidia) per hectare +0.1% organosilicone surfactant. During both years, two applications were administered, i.e., on growth stages 31 (first node detectable) and 39 (early flag leaf). An additional treatment, application at growth stage 39 only, was included during 1999. Over the duration of the 1998 trial, ca. 65% fewer aphids were observed on treated plots compared with controls. A similar level of population reduction was observed during the 1999 trial; however, treatment effects were only briefly evident due to a rapid field-wide decline in aphid populations caused by adverse (cool, wet) weather conditions. The early application (GS 31) resulted in some level of control only during 1998. It was hypothesized that this phenomenon was the result of greater exposure to the spray applications and/or greater secondary pick-up of fungal inoculum by the aphids due to the higher level of aphid activity observed on the cultivar employed during that year. In this regard, migration of D. noxia onto the flag leaves should be further investigated as a behavioural trait for possible exploitation when considering the use of a mycoinsecticide.     

Powdery mildew of tobacco (Erysiphe cichoracearum DC)

A Hirst volumetric spore trap, at a height of 30 cm., was used to assess the diurnal distribution of Erysiphe conidia in the air in tobacco crops infected with E. cichoracearum in Rhodesia. Air temperature and humidity, and the length of time leaves were wet each day, were also recorded at the same height, amongst the plants. In four seasons, most conidia were caught between 13.00 and 15.00 hr. There were close positive correlations in 1962 between numbers of conidia per m.3 of air per hour and saturation deficit and air temperature during the same hours (10.00–18.00 hr.) Correlations of total Erysiphe conidia per day with temperature and humidity were very variable; temperature had no apparent effect during three seasons, but in one (1961)there was a highly significant positive correlation between numbers of conidia and the daily duration of temperatures > 25d? C. More conidia were also caught when the air was dry for long periods that season, though temperature probably had the greater effect. In 1962, more conidia were caught per day the longer the air was humid (s.D. 0–1 mb.) In 1961, the amount of rain per day had no apparent effect on numbers of conidia, but in 1962 more were caught the greater the daily rainfall. However, rain, which nearly always fell in the afternoon, also removed most conidia from the air that afternoon. Neither windspeed nor duration of leaf wetness appeared to affect spore dispersion.     

Prepenetration Stages of Guignardia psidii in Guava: Effects of Temperature, Wetness Duration and Fruit Age

This study examined the effects of temperature and wetness duration in vitro and in vivo as well as the effects of fruit age on germination and appressoria formation by conidia of Guignardia psidii , the causal agent of black spot disease in guava fruit. The temperatures tested for in vitro and in vivo experiments were 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40°C. The wetness periods studied were 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 h in vitro and 6, 12 and 24 h in vivo . Fruit 10, 35, 60, 85 and 110-days old were inoculated and maintained at 25°C, with a wetness period of 24 h. Temperature and wetness duration affected the variables evaluated in vitro and in vivo . All variables reached their maximum values at between 25 and 30°C with a wetness duration of 24 h in vivo and 48 h in vitro . These conditions resulted in 31.3% conidia germination, 33.6% appressoria formation and 32.5% appressoria melanization in vitro , and 50.4% conidia germination and 9.5% appressoria formation in vivo . Fruit age also influenced these factors. As fruit age increased, conidia germination and appressoria formation gradually increased. Conidia germination and appressoria formation were 10.8% and 2.3%, respectively, in 10-day-old fruits. In 110-day-old fruits, conidia germination and appressoria formation were 42.5% and 23.2% respectively.     

Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity in alfalfa suspension cultures treated with conidia and elicitors of Verticillium albo-atrum

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cell suspension cultures of Verticillium albo-atrum resistant and susceptible genotypes were established from leaf callus tissues. Treatment of cultures with conidia and heat-released elicitors of V. albo-atrum induced a large increase in the activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, only in the cells of the resistant genotypes with a maximum after 12 h. In co-cultivation with the fungal conidia and resistant cell lines, the production of spores were inhibited. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Screening for Barley Yellow Dwarf Luteovirus Resistance in Barley on the Basis of Virus Movement

The movement of barley yellow dwarf luteovirus (BYDV) was evaluated in susceptible and resistant barley and bread wheat genotypes. After leaf inoculation, the virus infected the root system and the growing point of susceptible earlier than resistant, barley genotypes. No difference in virus movement occurred in resistant and susceptible wheat genotypes. It was possible to reliably differentiate susceptible from resistant genotypes when root extracts of 41 barley genotypes were tested by DAS-ELISA 3 or 4 days after inoculation at the oneleaf stage. When barley plants inoculated at the two- or three-leaf stage were assayed by tissue-blot ELISA on nitrocellulose membrane, virus was detected in the phloem vessels of the growing points of the susceptible, but not of the resistant genotype, 4–6 days after inoculation. Our results thus suggest that screening for BYDV resistance in barley could be done quickly and cheaply especially when assays are made by the tissue-blot test.     

Temperature and leaf wetness duration affect phenotypic expression of Rlm6-mediated resistance to Leptosphaeria maculans in Brassica napus

Near-isogenic Brassica napus lines carrying/lacking resistance gene Rlm6 were used to investigate the effects of temperature and leaf wetness duration on phenotypic expression of Rlm6-mediated resistance. Leaves were inoculated with ascospores or conidia of Leptosphaeria maculans carrying the effector gene AvrLm6. Incubation period to the onset of lesion development, number of lesions and lesion diameter were assessed. Symptomless growth of L. maculans from leaf lesions to stems was investigated using a green fluorescent protein (GFP) expressing isolate carrying AvrLm6. L. maculans produced large grey lesions on Darmor (lacking Rlm6) at 5-25 degrees C and DarmorMX (carrying Rlm6) at 25 degrees C, but small dark spots and 'green islands' on DarmorMX at 5-20 degrees C. With increasing temperature/wetness duration, numbers of lesions/spots generally increased. GFP-expressing L. maculans grew from leaf lesions down leaf petioles to stems on DarmorMX at 25 degrees C but not at 15 degrees C. We conclude that temperature and leaf wetness duration affect the phenotypic expression of Rlm6-mediated resistance in leaves and subsequent L. maculans spread down petioles to produce stem cankers.     

Effects of Infection Density on the Size of Barley and Wheat Leaf Rust Colonies before and on the Size of Uredia after the Start of Sporulation

Three barley genotypes were exposed to four different inoculum densities of barley leaf rust, Puccinia hordei. Colony area well before first sporulation and uredia size well after the start of sporulation were measured. In a second series two barley and two wheat cultivars were exposed to four different inoculum densities of barley and wheat leaf rust (P. recondita f. sp. tritici), respectively. Before the sporulation is initiated the colony size was independent of the uredia density. This was valid for densities ranging from approximately 7 to over 200 uredia per cm² leaf area. After the sporulation had started the uredia size was strongly dependent on the uredia density. The size of the uredia was approximately halved when the uredia density increased from about 10 to about 150 per cm². The urediospore production per uredium decreased much stronger with increased uredia density.     

Germination of Erysiphe gratninis f.sp. hordei conidia on barley leaves

Germination of Erysiphe graminis f.sp. hordei conidia on leaves of several barley cultivars was studied in the laboratory. On both detached leaves and intact plants, within 48 h of inoculation a higher proportion of conidia had germinated on the basal and middle portions of the adaxial leaf surface than on the corresponding portions of the abaxial surface. Such differences between surfaces were not observed near the leaf tip. Similar results were obtained with all the cultivars and growth stages tested, and with five isolates of E. graminis, and are consistent with the observation that there is usually less powdery mildew on the abaxial than the adaxial surface of barley leaves. With most of the barley genotype/mildew isolate combinations tested, within 48 h of inoculation higher proportions of conidia germinated on seedlings and juvenile plants than on older plants. Inherited characteristics which affect spore germination on the leaf surface may be important factors in the development of adult-plant resistance of barley to powdery mildew, particularly in certain genotypes.     

Morphological traits of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) associated with resistance to shoot fly,Atherigona approximata Malloch

Shoot flies (Atherigona spp.) are the members of muscidae family which have got economic importance as pest of several crops of Gramineae family mostly cereals and millets. One of the most effective management strategies for controlling shoot fly is the use of resistant wheat cultivars carrying specific resistant traits. Among thirty wheat genotypes screened at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad-Karnataka (India), two advanced germplasms UAS BW-12417 and UAS BW-11110 recorded least oviposition and dead heart due to shoot fly and found to be less preferred by Atherigona approximata Malloch. The morphological traits of different wheat genotypes revealed a significant negative correlation of shoot fly oviposition and dead heart with leaf length, leaf length to breadth ratio, seedling height, average seedling growth rate, seedling vigour, leaf glossiness and trichome density of wheat leaves, which indicated the enhanced shoot fly infestation as decrease in the values of above-mentioned morphological traits. Meanwhile, increase in leaf breadth and leaf area of wheat genotype aggrandised the oviposition and dead heart damage by shoot fly. Under the changing climate where, the minor insect pests attaining major pest status, the present investigation would pave way for breeders to tailor future breeding programmes to evolve shoot fly resistant hybrids with high yielding traits.     

Resistance in sorghum to the shoot fly, Atherigona soccata: epicuticular wax and wetness of the central whorl leaf of young seedlings

Sorghum genotypes known to be resistant or susceptible to shoot fly, Atherigona soccata Rondani were examined by scanning electron microscopy for differences in epicuticular wax structure and wetness of the central leaf whorl. Two major types of wax structures were observed: shoot fly resistant and moderately resistant genotypes were characterised by a smooth amorphous wax layer and sparse wax crystals while susceptible genotypes possessed a dense meshwork of crystalline epicuticular wax. The density of wax crystals decreased from the third leaf to the seventh leaf stage and was related to both seedling age and leaf position. Water droplets on susceptible genotypes with dense wax crystals showed spreading at the edges indicating a tendency to wet easily. In resistant genotypes with less dense wax crystals the droplets remained intact and did not spread.     

The Occurrence of Cell Wall Appositions in Flag Leaves of Spring Wheats, Susceptible and Partially Resistant to Wheat Leaf Rust

In two experiments, the presence of cell wall appositions in flag leaves of spring wheat genotypes susceptible and partially resistant to wheat leaf rust was studied. More cell wall appositions were observed near aborted infection structures than in estabhshed colonies. There was not a marked difference in the number of cell wall appositions per colony between susceptible and partially resistant genotypes. More cell wall appositions per unit area colony were present in partially resistant genotypes. It was concluded that the low number of cell wall appositions could not be responsible for the observed difference in colony size between susceptible and partially resistant genotypes. Partial resistance in wheat to wheat leaf rust can be divided into two phases. The first phase is pre-haustorial and results in a reduction of the number of colonizing infection structures. In the second phase a post-haustorial retardation of fungal growth rate occurs. The latter appears to be the more important phase.     

Septoria Leaf Spot of Stevia rebaudiana in Canada and Methods for Screening for Resistance

The herb Stevia rebaudiana is a potential source of low-calorie sweeteners. In 1995, a severe leaf spot and blight was observed in stevia production fields and research plots in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia, Canada. The disease was characterized by angular, shiny, olive-grey lesions that rapidly coalesced and were often surrounded by a chlorotic halo. Leaves quickly became necrotic and often dropped off the plant. The disease progressed upwards in the foliage during the growing season. A Septoria sp. was isolated from diseased leaves. Ten isolates (five from each of the two provinces) of the Septoria sp. were compared with respect to conidial size. Across isolates, conidia lengths and widths overlapped (grand means for length and width were 71.4 μm and 1.4 μm, respectively). Conidiogenesis was holoblastic. Morphological characteristics and disease symptoms were similar to those of Septoria steviae, previously reported only from Japan. It was concluded that the Canadian isolates belonged to S. steviae. Isolates from Canada did not differ significantly from one another with respect to effects of temperature on colony growth or germination of conidia. Optimum temperatures for these parameters were between 20 and 25°C. In field trials, the pathogen was shown to successfully over-winter in diseased leaf tissue. In order to develop procedures for identification of resistant germplasm and greenhouse screening of candidate fungicides, effects of leaf wetness period, inoculum concentration, and plant age on disease development were determined. Thirty-six hours of leaf wetness were required for consistent development of leaf spots. Inoculum concentrations of 5 × 10⁵ conidia/ml or more were required to produce high disease severities; 6-week-old plants were more susceptible than older plants. In the growth chamber, greenhouse, and field trials, germplasm selections with high levels of resistance to S. steviae were identified. This is the first report of resistance to this disease in S. rebaudiana.     

Some factors influencing spore germination and penetration of Alternaria longipes

The ranges over which the germination of conidia of Alternaria longipes was > 50% were 10–35 °C on agar and 15–30 °C on tobacco leaf disks. Germination was optimal at 22.5 °C; so was germ-tube growth, reaching c. 300 and 102 μm on agar and leaf disks respectively after 12 h. On average, 27% more conidia germinated and germ-tubes were 62% longer on disks from leaves washed for 5 min under running water than on disks from unwashed leaves. At controlled saturation deficits germination after 8 h at 1.1 and 2.3 mb was 42.3 and 9.3% respectively and the rate of germ-tube growth was < 0.8 μm/h, compared with 94.4% and 8.3 μm/h in standing water. These results, together with some field data, suggests that germination in the field is largely restricted to periods when free moisture is present on leaves. In Malawi, leaf temperatures and the duration of dew at night were adequate to allow germination and penetration in the absence of rain. Pollen, when applied with the inoculum, had little effect on the number of germinated conidia, but caused a c. tenfold increase in the number of successful penetrations.     

Effects of exogenous application of polyamines on wheat anther cultures

Androgenesis of wheat genotypes was evaluated by pretreating anthers or embryo-like structures (ELS) with polyamines. Anthers of the genotype DH were pretreated with different concentrations of putrescine, spermidine, and spermine for 1, 3, and 6 h, and those of drought-tolerant International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) wheat accessions were treated for 1 and 3 h. ELS of two genotypes were also treated for 30 and 60 min with the same polyamines and evaluated for green plant regeneration. The pretreatment of anthers with polyamines enhanced the development of ELS in all genotypes. The formation of ELS varied significantly with genotype. Pretreated anthers showed that four treatments improved significantly green plant regeneration with the genotype ICR 17. However, two treatments (1 mM putrescine or spermine for 1 h) significantly improved green plant regeneration per 100 ELS of only two ICARDA genotypes. ELS treated with polyamines for 30 min were greener and formed more adventitious roots. The chloroplasts of these greener ELS examined with a transmission electron microscope had agranal to grana thylakoids, while those of the control had plastids with mostly starch globules. Although exogenous application of polyamines to anthers improved the production of ELS and green plants, the effects of putrescine, spermidine, and spermine was dependent on genotype and the duration of pretreatment of anthers with the polyamines.