Processes hindering activation of lipid peroxidation in cold-tolerant plants under hypothermia

The reasons why the rate of lipid peroxidation (POL) associated with a long-term action of low above-zero temperature (5°C, 6 days) on 6-week-old plants of two potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars (cold-tolerant cv. Desnitsa and less tolerant cv. Desiree) did not rise were investigated. Upon a long-term action of low hardening temperatures on the plants of both cultivars, there was an equilibrium between the rate of generation of superoxide anion (O₂^·− and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), which inactivated it with the formation of H₂O₂. Among the enzymes breaking up hydrogen peroxide, the highest activity was observed for guaiacol peroxidases, which was an order of magnitude greater than the activity of catalase. In potato cultivars, POL processes were not considerably activated; however, activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, catalase, and guaiacol peroxidases) in cold-tolerant cv. Desnitsa and less tolerant cv. Desiree differed. It was concluded that, upon a long-term action of hardening temperatures, cold-tolerant plants could sup-press POL processes. Moreover, a test for tolerance to damaging temperature (−3°C, 18 h) showed that detected preservation of the prooxidant/antioxidant equilibrium not only maintained vital activities at low above-zero temperatures but also elevated tolerance to short-term frosts, with this adaptability being cultivar-specific.     

Cross adaptation of potato plants to low temperatures and potato cyst nematode infestation

Effect of short-term (2 h a day) and long-term (6 days) exposure to low temperature (5°C) on cold tolerance was investigated in two cultivars of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.): resistant (Sudarynya) and susceptible (Nevskii) to potato cyst nematode (Globodera rostochiensis Woll.). The extent of their infestation and changes in the expression of the genes of resistance to nematode (H1 and Gro1-4) were also analyzed. In both cultivars, exposure to low temperature enhanced cold resistance of potato plants. Enhancing cold resistance of cv. Sudarynya induced by a short-term exposure to chilling did not affect the extent of nematode infestation, whereas in susceptible cv. Nevskii, the extent of infestation decreased by almost three times. The level of expression of H1 gene in the leaves of the susceptible cultivar rose almost twofold both after short-term and long exposure to chilling, while in the resistant cultivar, gene expression increased only after a short-term effect of cold. The level of Gro1-4 gene expression increased after both temperature treatments only in the resistant cv. Sudarynya. Thus, the expression of genes for potato resistance to nematode infestation became more active in the susceptible cultivar as regards the gene H1 and in the resistant cultivar, regarding the gene Gro1-4. In the nematode-susceptible cv. Nevskii, the level of infestation decreased and cold resistance increased, apparently indicating cross adaptation to two factors of different nature.     

Changes in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and ribonucleases activities during PVY-RNA biosynthesis in infected potato plants

Changes in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, ribonucleases activities and chlorophyll content were studied in leaves of plants systemically infected by potato virus Y, necrotic strain (PVY^N). Potato cultivars Jara and Adretta differing in resistance to potato virus Y were used. No statistically significant differences were observed between healthy and infected plants of both cultivars in chlorophyll content. Activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase slowly increased in connection with virus multiplication and reached 203.4% of the values of non-infected control in susceptible cv. Jara and 160.4% in the resistant cv. Adretta. Differences between cultivars were significant from 60 d after inoculation (P≤0.05). The activity of ribonucleases quickly increased in the initial period of the experiment and then slowly decreased. Their activities reached 195.6% in susceptible cultivar and 183.5% in the resistant one. Significant differences (P≤0.01) between susceptible and resistant cultivars was found from 18 to 35 d after inoculation. The activities of enzymes corresponded to PVY^N multiplication which was since 40 d considerably higher (P<0.01) in susceptible cultivar in comparison with the resistant one. Thus the activities of studied enzymes could be considered as markers of resistance of potato cultivars to PVY^N multiplication.     

Comparison of Some Isolates of Potato Leaf Roll Virus in Poland

18 PLRV isolates differed in severity of symptoms induced on Physalis floridana and on three potato cultivars (Osa, Pola, and Giewont). Reactions of potato cultivars to individual isolates were not always related. Some isolates induced more severe symptoms than others in all host plants. Isolates producing more severe symptoms reached a higher concentration in potato cultivars (evaluated with ELISA test) and were more virulent to Capsella bursa-pastoris. An interaction between PLRV isolates and host plants could be demonstrated. In general, the severity of the reaction of cv. Pola was related to that of P. floridana but not to the reaction of cvs. Osa and Giewont. The reactions of cvs. Osa and Giewont were closely related. All six isolates selected for a more detailed study could infect C. bursa-pastoris with obvious disease symptoms if potato cv. Osa served as source of the virus. Some isolates failed to infect this plant when other cultivars were used.     

Systemically Induced Resistance in Potato Cultivars with Different Degree of Resistance to Late Blight caused by Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary

Systemically induced resistance in potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L.) against late blight Phytophthora infestans was studied macroscopically on three potato cultivars with different degrees of resistance to late blight. The cultivars, were Bintje(2), Elin(3) and Matilda(4). Figures within brackets represent resistance to leaf late blight on a scale from 1 to 5, where 5 denotes the highest level of resistance. In vitro propagated cuttings were used in the experiments, which were, performed under controlled environmental conditions. Disease resistance was induced by a local pre-infection with P. infestans or with the nonpathogen P. cryptogea. Induced resistance was observed on all cultivars. The protection causedby, induced resistance tended to be most intense on cv. Matilda, with 50–60% reduction in lesion formation 4 days after challenge inoculation.     

Tuber induction and initiation during production and early field growth of transplants from in vitro-derived potato plants

In transplants from in vitro‐derived plantlets from very early potato (Solanum tuberosum) cultivars, a lower degree of tuber induction at the time of field planting is thought to increase tuber production. Leaf‐bud cuttings were used to assess the progress to tuber induction in in vitro‐derived potato plantlets during the transplant production phase and after subsequent transplanting into the field. Induction and initiation of tubers on the same plants were assessed to study the effects of the duration of transplant production and conditions during transplant production for cv. Gloria (very early) and cv. Bintje (mid‐early). In vitro‐produced plantlets were not induced by the time of planting but rapidly progressed to the induced state thereafter. The progress in induction with time and the change in percentage of plants showing tubers fitted typical sigmoid curves. Plantlets achieved 50% induction ca 15 days after planting into in vivo conditions, and 50% tuber initiation usually occurred 10 days later. Shorter transplant production periods reduced the degree of induction of the transplants at field planting. Transplant production for more than 2 weeks was required to allow conditions during that period to affect induction or initiation. Long‐term non‐inducing conditions delayed the progress to tuber induction in cv. Gloria and delayed tuber initiation in both cultivars. Cv. Gloria showed no faster progress to induction than cv. Bintje but initiated tubers earlier. The results suggest that the relation between progress to induction and tuber initiation is cultivar dependent and that leaf‐bud cuttings can be used successfully in very young in vitro‐derived plants for assessing the progress to tuber induction.     

Changes in Peroxidase Activity during Potato Ring Rot Infection

The effects of the ring rot causal agent Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus (a virulent strain 5369) on the peroxidase activity of various tissues of potato plants grown under axenic conditions were studied. Root infection enhanced peroxidase activity in all plant tissues (roots, leaves, and stems). In the resistant cv. Lugovskoi, peroxidase activity was much higher than in the susceptible cv. Luk'yanovskii. Co-culturing of the suspension cells of these potato cultivars with the bacterial pathogen also activated peroxidase in the cells of the resistant cultivar; in the cells of the susceptible cultivar, peroxidase activation was less pronounced. Treating suspension cell with exopolysaccharides secreted by the pathogen enhanced the activity of extra- and intracellular peroxidases, and the degree of this enhancement differed in the two potato cultivars.     

Restricted distribution of potato leafroll virus antigen in resistant potato genotypes and its effect on transmission of the virus by aphids

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the concentration of potato leafroll virus (PLRV) antigen in different parts of field-grown secondarily infected plants of three potato genotypes known to differ in resistance to infection. The antigen concentration in leaves of cv. Maris Piper (susceptible) was 10–30 times greater than that in cv. Pentland Crown or G 7445(1), a breeder's line (both resistant). Differences between genotypes in antigen concentration were smaller in petioles and tubers (5–10-fold) and in above-ground stems (about 4-fold), and were least in below-ground stems, stolons and roots (about 2-fold). PLRV antigen, detected by fluorescent antibody staining of tissue sections, was confined to phloem companion cells. In Pentland Crown, the decrease in PLRV antigen concentration in leaf mid-veins and petioles, relative to that in Maris Piper, was proportional to the decrease in number of PLRV-containing companion cells; this decrease was greater in the external phloem than in the internal phloem. The spread of PLRV infection within the phloem system seems to be impaired in the resistant genotypes. Green peach aphids (Myzuspersicae) acquired < 2800 pg PLRV/aphid when fed for 4 days on infected field-grown Maris Piper plants and < 58% of such aphids transmitted the virus to Physalis floridana test plants. In contrast, aphids fed on infected Pentland Crown plants acquired <120 pg PLRV/aphid and <3% transmitted the virus to P. floridana. The ease with which M. persicae acquired and transmitted PLRV from field-grown Maris Piper plants decreased greatly after the end of June without a proportionate drop in PLRV concentration. Spread of PLRV in potato crops should be substantially decreased by growing cultivars in which the virus multiplies to only a limited extent.     

Multiple hormone analysis indicates involvement of jasmonate signalling in the early defence of potato to potato virus YNTN

The involvement of plant hormones in the very early response of plants to virus infection was studied in potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L.) infected with potato virus Y^NTN (PVY^NTN). Endogenous plant hormones and compounds mediating a stress response (JA-jasmonic acid, OPDA-12-oxo phytodienoic acid, SA-salicylic acid, IAA-indole-3-acetic acid, ABA-abscisic acid) were simultaneously quantified in susceptible cv. Désirée and resistant cv. Santé, one and three hours after inoculation. Of the hormones analysed, only the contents of endogenous JA and its precursor OPDA changed in a way that could be clearly connected with the early resistant response. In comparison to susceptible cultivar, a much more pronounced increase of JA was detected in virus-inoculated leaves of resistant cultivar at both time points. The same trend of changes was also observed with OPDA. However, there were no significant changes of JA and its precursor in upper intact systemic leaves and roots, at either time point. These findings implicate the jasmonate signalling pathway in a very early local but not systemic resistant defence of potato to PVY^NTN.     

Factors affecting the detection of potato leafroll virus in potato foliage by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

Using antiserum globulins that reacted only weakly with plant materials, potato leafroll virus (PLRV) at 10 ng/ml was detected consistently by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The reaction with PLRV particles was slightly impaired in potato leaf extracts that were diluted less than 10^-1 but not at greater dilutions. Antiserum globulins that reacted more strongly with plant materials could be used satisfactorily for coating microtitre plates but were unsuitable for conjugating with enzyme. The detection end-point of PLRV, in leaf sap of potato cv. Cara plants grown from infected tubers in the glasshouse, was about 10^-2 and the virus was reliably detected in extracts of composite samples of one infected and 15 virus-free leaves. PLRV concentration was much less in extracts of roots or stolons than in leaf extracts. The virus was detected in infected leaves of all 27 cultivars tested. PLRV was readily detectable 2 wk before symptoms of secondary infection developed in field-grown plants of cv. Cara and Maris Piper and remained so for at least 5 wk. Its concentration was slightly greater in old than in young leaves and was similar to that in glasshouse-grown plants. In field-grown plants of cv. Maris Piper with primary infection, PLRV was detected in tip leaves 21–42 days after lower leaves were inoculated by aphids; in some shoots it later reached a concentration, in tip leaves, similar to that in leaves with secondary infection. Symptoms of primary infection developed in the young leaves of some infected shoots but were inconspicuous and were not observed until at least a week after PLRV was detected by ELISA.     

Comparison of resistance to potyviruses within Solanaceae: infection of potatoes with tobacco etch potyvirus and peppers with potato A and Y potyviruses

The reaction of several cultivated potato varieties (Solarium tuberosum L.) to three strains of tobacco etch potyvirus (TEV-F, TEV-Mex21 and TEV-ATCC) and the reaction of several pepper lines (Capsicum annuum L. and C. chinense L.) to two strains of potato Y potyvirus (PVY^O and PVY^N) and one strain of potato A potyvirus (PVA-M) was tested. The potato varieties included in this study carried resistance genes against PVY, PVA and potato V potyvirus, but all were susceptible to TEV and developed mottle and mosaic symptoms. TEV was readily transmitted by mechanical inoculation from tobacco and potato to potato, whereas transmission from pepper to potato occurred infrequently. TEV was transmitted through potato tubers, and from pepper to potato plants by aphids. Lack of detectable systemic infection following graft-inoculation indicated extreme resistance to PVY^O and PVA in several pepper lines. No pepper line was systemically infected with PVY^N following mechanical inoculation (graft-inoculation was not carried out with PVY^N). The development of necrotic lesions following mechanical and graft-inoculation indicated hypersensitive response to PVY^O in several pepper lines which resembled the resistance responses to these potyvirus strains in potato. Results of this study together with previous work indicate that C. annuum cv. Avelar is resistant to four potyviruses [PVY, PVA, pepper mottle potyvirus (PepMoV) and some isolates of TEV]; C. annuum cv. Criollo de Morelos and C. chinense PI 152225 and PI 159236 are resistant to three potyviruses (PVY, PepMoV and PVA; and PVY, PepMoV and TEV, respectively); C. annuum 9093–1 and 92016–1 are resistant to PVY and PepMoV; and C. annuum cv. Jupiter and C. annuum cv. RNaky are resistant to PVY^N and PVA.     

Sucrose and light effects on in vitro cultures of potato,chokecherry and saskatoon berry during low temperature storage

Cultures of potato (Solanum tuberosum) cv. Atlantic, chokecherry (Prunus virginiana L.) cv. Garrington and saskatoon berry (Amelancher alnifolia Nutt.) cv. Northline grown in vitro for 3 weeks at 24/22 °C, 16-h photoperiod, 150 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) mixed fluorescent/incandescent light were stored for 6, 9 and 12 weeks at 4 °C under 0 (darkness) and 3 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ PPFD (690 nm red light continuous illumination). Growth regulators free MSMO medium either with or without 30 g l⁻¹ sucrose was used to store the cultures. All cultures retained capacity to re-grow after storage. Tested factors, sucrose, light and the length of the storage period had an impact on shoot quality and re-growth capacity of the cultures. For either light treatment sucrose was essential for the low temperature maintenance of vigorous stock plants of potato, if stored for over 6 weeks. Chokecherry and saskatoon cultures stored well without sucrose; although chokecherry benefited from sucrose in the storage medium when the stock cultures were kept at the low temperature for 12 weeks. Low light significantly improved quality of the stored potato cultures, but had very little effect on both chokecherry and saskatoon berry cultures. The woody plant cultures grew during storage, and the longer the stock plants were stored, the more vigorous cultures they generated. The results indicate that growers can successfully use their existing facilities, small refrigerators and coolers with low light intensity, set at 4 °C, for short term storage of potato, chokecherry and saskatoon berry cultures. The potato cultures, which are known to be sensitive to prolonged low temperature storage, should be frequently monitored and subcultured as required. On the other hand, the woody plant stock cultures do not require any special attention when kept at 4 °C and re-grow the most vigorous shoots if stored for at least 12 weeks. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The novel gene Ny-1 on potato chromosome IX confers hypersensitive resistance to Potato virus Y and is an alternative to Ry genes in potato breeding for PVY resistance

Hypersensitive resistance (HR) is an efficient defense strategy in plants that restricts pathogen growth and can be activated during host as well as non-host interactions. HR involves programmed cell death and manifests itself in tissue collapse at the site of pathogen attack. A novel hypersensitivity gene, Ny-1, for resistance to Potato virus Y (PVY) was revealed in potato cultivar Rywal. This is the first gene that confers HR in potato plants both to common and necrotic strains of PVY. The locus Ny-1 mapped on the short arm of potato chromosome IX, where various resistance genes are clustered in Solanaceous genomes. Expression of HR was temperature-dependent in cv. Rywal. Strains PVY^O and PVY^N, including subgroups PVY^NW and PVY^NTN, were effectively localized when plants were grown at 20°C. At 28°C, plants were systemically infected but no symptoms were observed. In field trials, PVY was restricted to the inoculated leaves and PVY-free tubers were produced. Therefore, the gene Ny-1 can be useful for potato breeding as an alternative donor of PVY resistance, because it is efficacious in practice-like resistance conferred by Ry genes.     

Activity of Enzymes Related to H2O2 Generation and Metabolism in Leaf Apoplastic Fraction of Tomato Leaves Infected with Botrytis cinerea

Hydrogen peroxide generation rates of uninfected and infected leaves of two tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) cultivars showing differential susceptibility to Botrytis cinerea were determined. The superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical, ascorbate contents and changes in NADH peroxidase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and catalase (CAT) activities in the apoplast fraction were analysed. Infected leaves had an increased hydrogen peroxide level. It was greater and generally occurred earlier in plants of the less susceptible cv. Perkoz than in those of the more susceptible cv. Corindo. Induction of nitrotetrazolium blue reducing activity and SOD levels in apoplast were higher in cv. Perkoz 24 h after inoculation. In the controls, NADH peroxidase activity in apoplast was higher in the more susceptible cv. Corindo, but after infection it increased faster and to a higher level in the less susceptible cv. Perkoz. NADH oxidation was inhibited by only 15% by a specific inhibitor DPI (diphenylene‐iodonium) but was completely inhibited by KCN and NaN₃. Similar increases in APX activity after 48 h and a small increase in catalase activities were observed in both cultivars soon after infection. These results indicate that resistance of tomato plants to infection by the necrotrophic fungus B. cinerea may result from early stimulation of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide radical generations by NADH peroxidase and SOD in apoplastic space, and they confirm the important role of their enhanced production in apoplastic spaces of plants.     

The resistance of six potato cultivars to English populations of potato cyst-nematodes, Globodera pallida and G. rostochiensis

Six cultivars of potato (Santé, Morag, Paladin, Glenna and Fingal bred for resistance to both potato cyst-nematodes (Globodera rostochiensis and G. pallida) and Valiant bred for resistance to G. pallida alone) were exposed to 28 English populations of G. pallida and eight English populations of G. rostochiensis in pots. Susceptible cv. Désirée potatoes served as controls for all 36 populations. Inoculum (Pi) was 12000 eggs in cysts per 400ml pot of soil. Average increase of G. rostochiensis (Pf/Pi) on cv. Désirée was 23.5 but on cvs Sante, Glenna and Fingal it was < 1.0 and on cv. Morag it was 2.2. In contrast, cvs Paladin and Valiant were susceptible (average Pf/Pi = 17.4 and 26.5, respectively). Against G. pallida populations, average Pf/Pi for cv. Désirée was 21.7; on cvs Paladin, Santé and Glenna it was 2.9, 2.6 and 2.4, respectively; cvs Morag and Fingal were less resistant (7.4 and 5.6, respectively) and cv. Valiant was quite susceptible (11.0). Resistance to the different populations of G. pallida and G. rostochiensis varied but for the most resistant cultivars (Santé, Glenna and Paladin) the variation was usually small. The value of the six resistant cultivars studied to the integrated control of potato cyst-nematodes in England and the genetic diversity of the nematode populations to which they were exposed are discussed.     

Partitioning of nitrogen from biological fixation and fertilizer in Phaseolus vulgaris

Nitrogen uptake, distribution and remobilization in the vegetative and reproductive parts of the plant were studied in bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars Negro Argel and Rio Tibagi inoculated with either Rhizobium strain C05 or 127 K-17. Greenhouse grown plants were supplied with 2.5 mg N (plant)⁻¹ day⁻¹ as KNO₃ or K¹⁵NO₃ and the relative contribution to total plant nitrogen of mineral and symbiotically fixed nitrogen was determined. Control plants included those entirely dependent on fixed nitrogen as well as uninoculated plants supplied with 10 mg N (plant)⁻¹ day⁻¹. No differences were observed between inoculated treatments in total nitrate reductase activity and in the amount of mineral nitrogen absorbed, but there were considerable differences in the contribution of fixed nitrogen. Nitrogen fixation supplied from 58 to 72% of the total nitrogen assimilated during the bean growth cycle and the symbiotic combinations fixed most of their nitrogen (66 to 78% of total nitrogen) after flowering. Maximum uptake of mineral nitrogen was in the 15-day-period between flowering and mid-podfill (47 to 58% of total mineral nitrogen). Nitrogen partitioning varied with Rhizobium strains, and inoculation with strain C05 increased the nitrogen harvest index of both cultivars. Applied mineral nitrogen had a variable effect and in cv. Negro Argel was more beneficial to vegetative growth, resulting in smaller nitrogen harvest indices. Seed yield was not increased by heavy nitrogen fertilization. In contrast, cv. Rio Tibagi always benefited from nitrogen applications. Among the various nitrogen sources supplying the grain, the most important one was the fixed nitrogen translocated directly from nodules or after a rapid transfer through leaves, representing from 60 to 64% of the total nitrogen incorporated into the seeds.     

Growth and osmotic adjustment of two tomato cultivars during and after saline stress

The effect of a short period of saline stress was studied in two phenotypically different cultivars, one of normal fruit-size (L. esculentum cv. New Yorker) and one of cherry fruit-size (L. esculentum var.cerasiforme cv. PE-62). In both cultivars the relative growth rate (RGR) and the leaf area ratio (LAR) decreased following salinisation. The leaf turgor potential (_p) and the osmotic potential at full turgor (_os) decreased to the same extent in both cultivars. However, the contributions of organic and inorganic solutes to the osmotic adjustment was different between cultivars. New Yorker achieved the osmotic adjustment by means of the Cl^– and Na⁺ uptake from the substrate, and by synthesis of organic solutes. In the cherry cultivar organic solutes did not contribute to the osmotic adjustment, instead, their contribution decreased after salinisation. After the salt stress was removed, the water stress disappeared, the content of organic solutes decreased in plants of both cultivars and, therefore, their growth was not retarded by the diversion of resources for the synthesis of organic solutes. However, the toxic effects of the Cl^– and Na⁺ did not disappear after removal of the salt stress, and the net assimilation rate (NAR) and the rate of growth (RGR) did not recover.     

Strain group specific and virus specific hypersensitive reactions to infection with potyviruses in potato cultivars

When 12 potato cultivars were inoculated with isolates (one each) of potato virus Y (PVY) ordinary (Y^o), C (Y^c) and tobacco veinal necrosis (Yⁿ) strain groups, potato virus A (PVA) and potato virus V (PVV), none of them responded hypersensitively to Yⁿ. However, with Y^o, Y^c, PVA and PW specific hypersensitive reactions developed depending on isolate-cultivar combination which were all independent of each other. When field isolates of PVY thought to be Y^oor Y^cwere inoculated to the same 12 cultivars, two did not fit into either strain group giving hypersensitive reactions in only two cultivars instead of seven with Y^oor eight with Y^c. These two isolates may represent a previously unreported PVY strain group (Y^z). When Y^owas graft-inoculated to seedlings of the cross Desiree × Maris Piper (hypersensitive × non-hypersensitive for Y^o), the segregation ratio obtained for non-hypersensitive:hypersensitive reactions was close to 1:1 suggesting that a single dominant gene (Ny_tbr) determining Y^ospecific hypersensitivity may be present in cv. Desiree (simplex condition). In tests using PVV and Desiree × Maris Piper (non-hypersensitive × hypersensitive for PVV) seedlings, the segregation ratio obtained was close to 1:5 indicating that a single dominant gene (Nv) determining PVV specific hypersensitivity may be present in cv. Maris Piper (duplex condition). Cultivars Corine, Pirola and clone G5457(4) which each carry one of the extreme resistance genes (Ry) from Solanum stoloniferum were graft-inoculated with Yⁿ, Y^o, Y^c, PVV and PVA. G5457(4) gave a strong localised hypersensitive reaction in all instances, while cv. Pirola did so with all except PVA to which it was immune. In cv. Corine a severe localised hypersensitive reaction developed with PVA, generalised hypersensitivity with PVV but an immune response with the three PVY strain groups. Large-scale grafting of Yⁿto plants of cvs Corine and Pirola gave no evidence of selection of a strain which overcomes Ry genes.     

Susceptibility of eight potato cultivars to tuber infection by Phytophthora erythroseptica and Pythium ultimum and its relationship to mefenoxam-mediated control of pink rot and leak

In addition to cultural practices, the application of the fungicide mefenoxam is an important disease management tactic used to control both pink rot and leak on potato tubers grown in the USA. Mefenoxam resistance has been identified in many of the potato growing regions, and therefore resistance management strategies are very important for retaining this fungicide as a tool to manage these storage rot diseases. The relationship between mefenoxam efficacy and cultivar susceptibility to pink rot and leak was assessed in post‐harvest inoculation studies. Mefenoxam was applied to potato (Solanum tuberosum) cultivars known to express varying levels of susceptibility to pink rot and leak caused by Phytophthora erythroseptica and Pythium ultimum, respectfully. Tubers harvested from plants treated with in‐furrow and foliar applications of mefenoxam were inoculated with isolates sensitive to the fungicide. Incidence and severity of both diseases ranged widely among cultivars. Russet Norkotah was the most susceptible to infection by P. erythroseptica, while cvs Pike and Atlantic were the most resistant. Cultivars Dark Red Norland, Russet Norkotah, Goldrush and Russet Burbank were most susceptible to infection by P. ultimum whereas Snowden was most resistant. Control of pink rot differed significantly among cultivars following mefenoxam treatment, ranging from 28% (cv. Goldrush) to 67% (cv. Snowden) and generally provided the greatest level of disease control on susceptible and moderately susceptible cultivars such as Russet Norkotah and Snowden, respectively. In contrast, the impact of mefenoxam on leak development was minimal and disease control did not differ significantly among the cultivars. The fungicide failed to control leak in the susceptible cvs Atlantic and Pike and control ranged from 1.7% to 5.2% in cvs Goldrush, Russet Norkotah, Dark Red Norland, Russet Burbank and Kennebec. The greatest level of leak control was achieved with the moderately resistant cv., Snowden, at 12.7%. Cultivars most likely to benefit from mefenoxam treatments should be targeted as part of a pink rot management programme. Judicious use of the fungicide, when matched with the level of cultivar susceptibility, may prove to be an efficient and effective approach to reduce infection rates and possibly manage mefenoxam resistance thereby maintaining longevity of the compound.     

Effects of Salinity and Relative Humidity on Two Melon Cultivars Differing in Salt Tolerance

The effects of increasing relative humidity on the growth and salt tolerance of two melon (Cucumis melo L.) cultivars, Revigal C-8 (salt sensitive) and Galia (salt tolerant) was investigated. One month after germination, the plants were exposed for 15 d to 0 (control) and 80 mM NaCl, under relative humidity (RH), 30 and 70 %. The growth of the whole plant, leaf, stem and root of cv. Revigal C-8 was increased with increasing RH. On the other hand, cv. Galia showed an increase in root growth with increasing RH only under the NaCl treatment. Under salinity, most of the Na⁺ was withheld in the stems. An increase in RH in the NaCl treatment significantly decreased Na⁺ and Cl^– concentrations in leaves of cv. Revigal C-8, while it had no effect on their concentrations in cv. Galia. In both cultivars, increasing RH under NaCl condition significantly decreased water contents in leaves and stems, and increased osmotic potential in roots. The amount of the root exudate of cv. Galia was significantly decreased with increasing RH, while it was not affected in cv. Revigal C-8. Under the NaCl treatment, cv. Galia had significantly higher leaf osmotic potential than cv. Revigal C-8 at both relative humidities and higher amount of root exudate at 30 % RH.