The influence ofPythium on the growth of barley seedlings as affected by soil water and inoculum density

Summary Pythium spp. were more abundant in the southerly and more temperature regions of the barley growing region of South Australia than in the drier and hotter north. Populations were more abundant in the top 10 cm than in the 10 to 20 cm soil zone. Eleven species ofPythium were identified from barley crops.P. irregulare appeared to be the most abundant and was one of the most pathogenic species on barley.P. volutum was also highly pathogenic; it had not been recorded in South Australia before. A factorial experiment using ninePythium spp. and four levels of soil water indicated that unlike other species,P. irregulare, P. volutum andP. graminicolum were most pathogenic in soils with a water content close to field capacity. A factorial experiment usingP. irregulare at four levels of soil water and six inoculum levels showed that inhibition of growth in barley seedlings byP. irregulare increased as the level of water in the soil increased. The experiments support the hypothesis that inhibition of growth of barley seedlings byPythium spp. is most severe in the southerly parts of the barley growing area of South Australia particularly where there is a combination of high soil water and high population densities.     

Occurrence of Pythium spp. and Phytophthora spp. in Norwegian Greenhouses and their Pathogenicity on Cucumber Seedlings

Samples of tomato, lettuce and cucumber submitted for diagnosis to the Plant Protection Centre at the Norwegian Crop Research Institute and samples of soil, water and cucumber collected from greenhouses employing hydroponic cultures were examined for the occurrence of Pythium spp. and Phytophthora spp. Two species of Phytophthora and 16 species of Pythium were identified. Phytophthora cryptogea was found on tomato and lettuce. Phytophthora nicotianae was found on tomato fruit. Phytophthora was not found on cucumbers. Pythium irregulare and Pythium group F were the two most commonly found Pythium species in hydroponically cultivated cucumbers. A pathogenicity test with 56 isolates was performed on cucumber seedlings. The most aggressive species were Pythium aphanidermatum, P. irregulare, Pythium paroecandrum and Pythium ultimum.     

Disease development of Pythium root rot in bulbous Iris and Crocus

Iris bulbs and Crocus corms were planted at two planting dates in sandy soil infested with Pythium spp. At monthly intervals during the growing season root rot infection was assessed over 3 consecutive years and disease development curves were predicted for both crops. The disease development was remarkably different for Iris and Crocus and the curve shape was determined by the crop rather than by the Pythium species. Planting date had a significant effect on disease development in both crops. No correlation was found between disease development and soil temperature.     

A novel method for detection of viable zoospores of Pythium in irrigation water

A membrane filtration test has been developed for the detection of viable zoospores of Pythium species. Zoospore suspensions were filtered through 5 (m nitrocellulose membranes and the membranes incubated overnight in 0.07 m glucose, rifamycin (30 mg litre^-1) and pimaricin (100 mg litre^-1). Zoospore germlings were detected using a polyclonal antiserum, raised to mycelial surface washings of five Pythium spp., and visualised with Sigma fast red. The assay gave positive results for all Pythium spp. tested and also to zoospores of Phytophthora cryptogea. Of 10 fungal species isolated from commercial irrigation water, two were detected by the polyclonal antiserum in ELISA tests but only one produced detectable zoospore germlings. The latter isolate was later identified as a Pythium sp. Irrigation water samples collected from commercial UK nurseries yielded zoospores of both Pythium and Phytophthora spp. which, using the assay, were positively identified. Results indicated greater sensitivity than was seen with conventional plating methods. This is a test which could be adapted for on-site use in commercial nurseries.     

Survival and recovery of Phytophthora capsici and oomycetes in tailwater and soil from vegetable fields in Florida

A current trend in Florida agriculture to conserve water is to irrigate with surface runoff water (tailwater) recovered in retention ponds and canals. Water filtration and lemon leaf baiting recovered Phytophthora capsici and other plant pathogenic Oomycetes in runoff water from ponds and canals. A total of 196 isolates of Phytophthora spp. and 471 isolates of Pythium spp. were recovered. Phytophthora spp. included P. capsici, P. cinnamomi, P. lateralis, P. nicotianae, P. citricola, P. cryptogea and P. erythroseptica. Species of Pythium were P. aphanidermatum, P. catenulatum, P. helicoides, P. irregulare, P. myriotylum, and Pythium‘group F’. Isolates of P. aphanidermatum, P. irregulare, P. myriotylum, and Pythium‘group F’ were pathogenic on pepper and tomato. Recovery of P. capsici propagules was related to soil moisture‐holding capacity and time interval but not temperature. Recovery of P. capsici propagules at 100% soil moisture‐holding capacity and 30° C was 57 days. In tailwater, recovery of propagules of P. capsici was 63 days at 24°C to 25°C. The potential exists to reintroduce and disseminate species of Phytophthora and Pythium when using tailwater for irrigation or other practices.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pythium apinafurcum</Emphasis>: its morphology,molecular phylogeny,and infectivity for plants

During a survey of Pythium species in soils of Japan, Pythium isolates growing at high temperatures were obtained from an uncultivated field soil in Wakayama Prefecture. All six isolates showed similar morphology to each other and had complexly branched secondary hyphae, globose nonproliferating sporangia, and smooth-surfaced oogonia that have one or two oospores per oogonium. The combination of these characteristics differentiated these isolates from other Pythium species reported. Phylogenetic analyses based on sequences of the ribosomal DNA ITS and D1/D2 region of the large subunit showed that all Pythium isolates were clustered in a single clade that was distantly related to other known clades of the genus. We described these isolates as a new Pythium species, Pythium apinafurcum, based on morphology and molecular phylogeny. The P. apinafurcum isolates nonsymptomatically infected the roots of seedlings of bermudagrass, cabbage, and cucumber in a pot inoculation test.     

The genus Pythium in Taiwan, China (1) — a synoptic review

The genus Pythium, with slightly over 280 described species, has been classified traditionally with other filamentous, coenocytic, sporangia-producing fungi as “Phycomyetes”. However, with recent advances in chemical, ultrastructural and molecular studies, Pythium spp. are now considered as “fungus-like organisms” or “pseudo-fungi” and are placed in the Kingdom Chromista or Kingdom Straminopila, distinct from the true fungi of the Kingdom Fungi or Kingdom Mycota. They are widely distributed throughout the world as soil saprophytes or plant pathogens. Because of the warm moist maritime climate, Taiwan, China, is especially rich in Pythium species. To date, 48 species of Pythium have been reported from Taiwan, China, with the dominant species being Py. vexans, Py. spinosum, Py. splendens, Py. aphanidermatum, Py. dissotocum and Py. acanthicum. There is no definite geographical distribution of Pythium spp. in Taiwan, China. Twenty nine species of Pythium have proven to be plant pathogens attacking a wide variety of woody and herbaceous plants primarily causing pre- and post-emergence seedling damping-off, root rot, stem rot and rotting of fruits, tubers and ginger rhizomes, resulting in serious economic losses. The most important plant pathogenic species include Py. aphanidermatum and Py. Myriotylum, which are most active during the hot and wet summer months; whereas Py. splendens, Py. spinosum, Py. ultimum and Py. irregulare cause the greatest damage in the cool winter. Most Pythium spp. are non-specific pathogens, infecting mainly juvenile or succulent tissues. This review attempts to assess the taxonomic position of the genus Pythium and provide details of the historical development of the study of Pythium as pathogens in Taiwan, China, causing diseases of sugarcane, trees, vegetables, fruits, specialty crops and flowering plants, as well as measures to control these diseases. Of special note is the introduction of the S-H mixture which, when used as soil amendment, effectively controls many soil-borne Pythium diseases during the early stages of plant growth. The diversity of Pythium species in Taiwan, China, is discussed in comparison with the situation in the mainland of China and suggestions are made to fully utilize Pythium spp. as agents for biological control, in industry and medicine.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pythium montanum</Emphasis> sp. nov., a new species from a spruce stand in the Bavarian Alps

During a study on soilborne Pythiaceae in the Bavarian Alps, 3 isolates of a papillate Pythium species with aplerotic oospores were found in rhizosphere soil from a declining spruce stand. The isolates showed a unique combination of sporangial and gametangial characters, and could not be assigned to any known species of the genus. They were characterised by a relatively low growth rate, internally proliferating sporangia and extremely variable, monoclinous, sessile or shortly stalked antheridia. Direct germination of sporangia frequently occurred in water culture. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of the ribosomal DNA showed very low levels of similarity to those of all known species of Pythium. This paper describes the isolates as Pythium montanum sp. nov., gives details on its morphology and provides preliminary information on its pathogenicity. Additional molecular evidence for its status as a new species is also provided. Phylogenetic analyses with a set of Pythium spp. showed that P. montanum groups in a clade together with P. vexans, a species whose taxonomical status still remains unclear, and that is considered a ‘border species’ between Pythium and Phytophthora.     

Effects of Nitrogen, Plant Density, Moisture Stress and Artificial Inoculation with Macrophomina phaseolina on Charcoal Rot Incidence in Grain Sorghum

The occurrence of pythiaceous fungi in pot plant cultures grown in ebb and flow bench systems was investigated monthly from May to December, Phytophthora, Pythium and Saprolegnia (in all 351) were isolated from water samples and identified. Nearly all the isolates of Pythium produced zoospores in water. A pathogenicity test involving 15 isolates of Pythium“group P”, and 7 of Pythium“group F” showed that 73 % were pathogenic on cucumber, 66 % on Gerbera, 59 % on lettuce, 50 % on tomato, and 32 % on cress. Control of Pythium and Phytophthora is important in order to improve the health of plants grown in ebb and flow systems.     

Morphological and phylogenetic analyses of Pythium species in South Africa

The genus Pythium is important in agriculture, since it contains many plant pathogenic species, as well as species that can promote plant growth and some that have biocontrol potential. In South Africa, very little is known about the diversity of Pythium species within agricultural soil, irrigation and hydroponic systems. Therefore, the aim of the study was to characterise a selection of 85 Pythium isolates collected in South Africa from 1991 through to 2007. The isolates were characterised morphologically as well as through sequence and phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS) and the 5.8S gene of the nuclear ribosomal DNA. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the isolates represented ten of the 11 published Pythium clades [Lévesque & De Cock, 2004. Molecular phylogeny and taxonomy of the genus Pythium. Mycological Research 108: 1363–1383]. Characterisation of isolates in clade D and J suggested that the phylogenetic concept of Pythium acanthicum and Pythium perplexum respectively, needs further investigation in order to enable reliable species identification within these clades. Our phylogenetic analyses of Pythium species in clade B also showed that species with globose sporangia group basal within this clade, and are not dispersed within the clade as previously reported. The 85 South African isolates represented 34 known species, of which 20 species have not been reported previously in South Africa. Additionally, three isolates (PPRI 8428, 8300 and 8418) were identified that may each represent putative new species, Pythium sp. WJB-1 to WJB-3.     

Field evaluation of plant growth-promoting Rhizobacteria amended transplant mixes and soil solarization for tomato and pepper production in Florida

Field trials were performed in Florida to evaluate tomato and pepper transplants amended with formulations of several plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in a production system that included soil solarization. Transplants grown in five different formulations of PGPR were planted into plots treated by soil solarization, MeBr fumigation, or untreated soil. Treatments were assessed for incidence of several naturally occurring tomato and pepper pathogens including root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) and species of Pythium, Phytophthora, and Fusarium. Highly significant increases in tomato and pepper transplant growth occurred in response to most formulations of PGPR tested. Transplant vigor and survival in the field were improved by PGPR treatments in both tomato and pepper. Diseases of tomato caused by root-knot nematodes, Fusarium, Phytophthora, and Pythium were not affected by PGPR treatments. PGPR formulation LS261 reduced numbers of root-knot nematode galls on pepper while pepper root condition was improved with formulations LS213, LS256 and LS261. Individual PGPR strains affected the number of Pythium colonies isolated from pepper roots, but did not affect isolation of Pythium from tomato roots. Greater numbers of colonies of Pythium were isolated from pepper roots in the MeBr treatment and fewest in the solarization treatment. Numbers of colony forming units of Fusarium were significantly higher in the untreated soil than in MeBr fumigated or solarized soil with no effect of PGPR on isolation of Fusarium from either crop. Incidence of wilt symptoms on tomato was significantly lower in MeBr treated plots and highest in the untreated plots. Yield of extra large tomato fruit and total yield increased with PGPR formulation LS256. Yield of pepper was increased with formulations LS255 and LS256. Solarization combined with LS256 on pepper produced yields comparable to MeBr.     

Root rot disease incidence and severity on some legume species grown in Samsun and the fungi isolated from roots and soils

Abstract

Root rot disease is very common in the bean, soybean, faba bean and pea plants growing areas in Samsun province. Disease incidence and severity were detected the highest at 93.8% and 55.4% in the bean growing area, and the lowest at 64.0% and 24.3% in the faba bean growing area respectively. In this study, a total of 2714 fungal isolates were obtained from some legume plants and soil samples. The most common fungi isolated from root and soil samples were Fusarium spp., multinucleate Rhizoctonia (MNR), binucleate Rhizoctonia (BNR) and Pythium spp. respectively. Fusarium spp. were isolated at high rates from all the examined areas. MN Rhizoctonia and BN Rhizoctonia were isolated both from inner and coastal areas of the province, whereas Pythium spp. were isolated in costal areas, except for the Vezirköprü district which is situated in the inner area. When looking at the interactions among pathogens causing root rot, it was found the great majority of the samples (30.4%) isolated both Fusarium spp. and MNR-BNR group fungi, whereas Fusarium spp. and Pythium spp. were isolated together from 10.9% of the samples and MNR-BNR and Pythium spp. from only 1.5% of the samples.     

荒漠草原向灌丛转变过程两种优势植物定植土壤水分阈值特征

为探究宁夏东部荒漠草原灌丛转变过程中两种优势种蒙古冰草（Agropyron mongolicum）和柠条锦鸡儿（Caragana korshinskii）植物更新土壤水分需求特征,在前期萌发土壤水势阈值研究的基础上,进一步通过野外观测和室内干旱胁迫试验分析确定转变过程中两种优势植物种的定植土壤水分阈值。结果表明：荒漠草原灌丛近30年人为转变过程中0-200 cm土壤水分呈降低趋势,灌丛地土壤水分含量较荒漠草地显著降低了52.43%（P<0.05）,灌丛转变加速了土壤旱化;柠条锦鸡儿和蒙古冰草幼苗定植过程中叶绿素含量随干旱胁迫程度加深呈先增加后降低趋势,其死亡率逐渐上升。通过渗透势和死亡率的拟合函数以及其对应样地的土壤水势、土壤水分关系分析得出,随样地转变柠条锦鸡儿定植土壤水势、水分阈值均低于蒙古冰草,两者平均土壤水势阈值分别为-9.38—-9.95 kPa、-8.72—-9.28 kPa,平均土壤水分阈值分别为4.93%-5.23%、5.92%-6.50%。与蒙古冰草相比,柠条锦鸡儿更适应灌丛引入下或降雨减少引起的土壤旱化,其旱生条件下的定植成功更易发生。     

Analogous wheat root rhizosphere microbial successions in field and greenhouse trials in the presence of biocontrol agents Paenibacillus peoriae SP9 and Streptomyces fulvissimus FU14

Two Pythium-infested soils were used to compare the wheat root and rhizosphere soil microbial communities from plants grown in the field or in greenhouse trials and their stability in the presence of biocontrol agents. Bacteria showed the highest diversity at early stages of wheat growth in both field and greenhouse trials, while fungal diversity increased later on, at 12 weeks of the crop cycle. The microbial communities were stable in roots and rhizosphere samples across both soil types used in this study. Such stability was also observed irrespective of the cultivation system (field or greenhouse) or addition of biocontrol coatings to wheat seeds to control Pythium disease (in this study soil infected with Pythium sp. clade F was tested). In greenhouse plant roots, Archaeorhizomyces, Debaryomyces, Delftia, and unclassified Pseudeurotiaceae were significantly reduced when compared to plant roots obtained from the field trials. Some operational taxonomic units (OTUs) represented genetic determinants clearly transmitted vertically by seed endophytes (specific OTUs were found in plant roots) and the plant microbiota was enriched over time by OTUs from the rhizosphere soil. This study provided key information regarding the microbial communities associated with wheat roots and rhizosphere soils at different stages of plant growth and the role that Paenibacillus and Streptomyces strains play as biocontrol agents in supporting plant growth in infested soils.     

Characterization of Pythium spp. associated with root rot of tobacco seedlings produced using the float tray system in Zimbabwe

The study was undertaken to identify and characterize Pythium isolates associated with root rot disease of tobacco seedlings as a first step towards developing management strategies for the pathogen. A total of 85 Pythium isolates were collected from diseased tobacco seedlings during 2015–2016 tobacco growing season. The isolates were identified to species level using sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region. Thereafter, a subset of the isolates was tested for sensitivity to the commonly used fungicides, metalaxyl, azoxystrobin and a combination of fenamidone/propamocarbby growing isolates on Potato Dextrose Agar plates amended with the fungicides. The sequence analysis of the ITS‐rDNA identified Pythium myriotylum as the dominant Pythium species associated with the root rot of tobacco seedlings in Zimbabwe. Pythium aphanidermatum and P. insidiosum were also identified albeit at lower frequencies. Phylogenetic analyses of the ITS region of the P. myriotylum isolates showed little sequence diversity giving rise to one distinct clade. The fungicide sensitivity tests showed that metalaxyl provided the best control of P. myriotylum in vitro, as compared to other fungicides. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive study to determine and characterize Pythium species associated with root rot of tobacco in the float seedling production system in Zimbabwe.     

Isolation of Pythium Acanthicum,P. oligandrum,and P. periplocum from Soil and Evaluation of Their Mycoparasitic Activity and Biocontrol Efficacy Against Selected Phytopathogenic Pythium Species

Mycoparasitic Pythium species with spiny oogonia were surveyed in 50 Palestinian agricultural fields subject to different cropping practices using the Sclerotia Bait Technique (SBT) and the Surface-Soil-Dilution-Plate method (SSDP) with the selective VP3 medium. The mycoparasitic Pythium species were obtained from 21 (42%) soils using the SSDP method and from 37 (74%) soils using SBT. Pythium acanthicum and P. oligandrum were isolated by both methods, whereas P. periplocum was isolated only by the SBT. Using a newly modified dual plate culture method (MDPCM), the three mycoparasites showed varying antagonistic performance against several Pythium host species under a range of in vitro conditions. However, P. periplocum and P. oligandrum were found to be active biocontrol agents against P. ultimum, the damping-off organism of cucumber. This pathogen was antagonized, on thin films of water agar, by the three mycoparasites, and was moderately susceptible to P. periplocum while slightly susceptible to P. acanthicum and P. oligandrum. In direct application method in which antagonistic mycoparasites were incorporated into peat/sand mixture artificially infested with P. ultimum under growthroom conditions, Pythium oligandrum and P. periplocum (at 500 CFUg⁻¹) significantly improved seedling emergence and protected seedlings from damping-off. In the seed coating method, biocontrol by two types of seed dressing (homogenate- or oospore coated seeds), was comparable to that achieved by direct application. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

黄土高原典型草原优势种植物及其根际土壤化学计量对降雨变化的响应

为探讨黄土高原典型草原优势种植物及其根际土壤化学计量对不同降水量的响应,以宁夏固原云雾山封育20年典型草原为研究对象,利用遮雨棚技术模拟了3个不同的降水梯度(自然降水量的50%、100%和150%),测定了优势种长芒草(Stipa bungeana)、星毛委陵菜(Potentilla acaulis)和白莲蒿(Artemisia sacrorum)的地上、地下全碳(TC)、全氮(TN)、全磷(TP)含量及其根际土壤有机碳(RSOC)、全氮、全磷含量,分析了各个优势种及其根际土壤化学计量及其之间的相关性。结果表明：(1)3个优势种地上、地下总C含量、地上N含量均在50%降水下较高,星毛委陵菜地上和地下P含量及地上、地下总P含量均在100%降水处理下最高。(2)50%降水与150%降水处理相比较,长芒草地上C/N、C/P及白莲蒿、星毛委陵菜地下C/P均有显著差异(P<0.05),150%降水处理下优势种N/P显著高于50%降水处理(P<0.05)。(3) 3个优势种根际土壤C、N含量高于黄土高原土壤C、N含量且150%降水处理下根际土壤C含量显著高于50%降水处理(P<0...     

Untersuchungen zum Vorkommen von Pythium spp. im Boden

Investigations on the occurrence of Pythium spp. in soil: I. The isolation of Pythium spp., their distinction to macroscopically characteristics and their determination The aim of the present paper consisted in detection of Pythium spp. directly in the soil. This was possible by using a selective medium and by crumbling smallest particles of agar-covered soil on its surface. On the basis of simple morphologically criteria (growth patterns) this method allows to decide concerning the presence of high and less pathogen or apathogen Pythium spp. in a soil sample within 48 hours. About 700 isolates have been cultivated from hyphal tips, determinated and about 230 tested for pathogenicity to sugar beet seedlings in vitro. Most of the Pythia pathogen to sugar beet belong to P. ultimum Trow followed by P. paroecandrum Drechsler and P. debaryanum sensu Drechsler non Hesse. The taxonomically characteristics are demonstrated by figures of the three species.     

Virulence of oomycete pathogens from Phragmites australis‐invaded and noninvaded soils to seedlings of wetland plant species

Soil pathogens affect plant community structure and function through negative plant–soil feedbacks that may contribute to the invasiveness of non‐native plant species. Our understanding of these pathogen‐induced soil feedbacks has relied largely on observations of the collective impact of the soil biota on plant populations, with few observations of accompanying changes in populations of specific soil pathogens and their impacts on invasive and noninvasive species. As a result, the roles of specific soil pathogens in plant invasions remain unknown. In this study, we examine the diversity and virulence of soil oomycete pathogens in freshwater wetland soils invaded by non‐native Phragmites australis (European common reed) to better understand the potential for soil pathogen communities to impact a range of native and non‐native species and influence invasiveness. We isolated oomycetes from four sites over a 2‐year period, collecting nearly 500 isolates belonging to 36 different species. These sites were dominated by species of Pythium, many of which decreased seedling survival of a range of native and invasive plants. Despite any clear host specialization, many of the Pythium species were differentially virulent to the native and non‐native plant species tested. Isolates from invaded and noninvaded soils were equally virulent to given individual plant species, and no apparent differences in susceptibility were observed between the collective groups of native and non‐native plant species.     

Environmental control of plant species abundance in a microtidal Mediterranean saltmarsh

Question: To what extent are environmental factors the main determinants of species abundance in Mediterranean coastal marshlands? Location: The Llobregat delta, Barcelona, Spain. Methods: Vegetation relevés were performed and a set of water table and soil variables were periodically monitored in 43 sampling points randomly distributed in four marsh areas (sites) along a coastal–inland gradient. A canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was performed to identify the primary water and soil correlates of species cover, after considering the effect of site and point spatial location. The realized niches of dominant species were modeled through GLMs performed on the first two axes of CCA. Niche overlapping among these species was compared with their coexistence, assessed through pairwise correlations of relative species cover in each sampling point. Results: Water and soil variables explained more of the variation in species' abundance than site and spatial position. Mean water table level, maximum water conductivity and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), summarized in the two first CCA axes, explained 23.8% of the variability in species' cover. Arthrocnemum fruticosum, Phragmites australis subsp. australis, Juncus acutus, Spartina versicolor and Juncus maritimus dominated the vegetation stands. Niches obtained from GLM response curves showed moderate overlapping among all these species except for A. fruticosum. However, pairwise correlations were mainly negative or non‐significant, indicating low coincidence, and even segregation, between species' cover. Conclusions: The abundance of dominant plants in Mediterranean marshes is only partly explained by the environmental gradients summarized in niche models. The role of other factors such as facilitation or competition between species and random recruitment should be explored.