Integrated management of faba bean chocolate spot caused by Botrytis fabae in Gondar,Ethiopia

Abstract

Integrated management of faba bean chocolate spot (Botrytis fabae Sard.) was studied using moderately tolerant variety, “Hachalu” and the local cultivar at Chilga district during 2016 main cropping season. The objective was to evaluate effect of host resistance, intercropping and fungicide applications on epidemics of faba bean chocolate spot, yield and yield components of faba bean, and sole and intercrop systems productivity. The experiment was randomised complete block design in a factorial combination of two faba bean cultivars, two cropping systems (Hachalu- and local-barley intercropping in 2:1 ratio) and four levels of fungicide (Chlorothalonil) spray and integration in three replications of faba bean and barley, respectively. Cultivars and spray intervals significantly (p?<?.01) affected the seed yield while cultivars alone had significant variation (p?<?.01) on 100-seed weight as a main effect. Therefore, 21-days fungicide spray intervals integrated with Hachalu sole and Hachalu-barley intercropping may be considered for chocolate spot management.     

Variety‐specific Epidemiology of Cercospora beticola Sacc. and Consequences for Threshold‐based Timing of Fungicide Application in Sugar Beet

In Central Europe, fungicides to control leaf spot disease in sugar beet caused by Cercospora beticola are applied based on thresholds of disease incidence (DI, per cent of infected plants). As variety‐specific fungicide application was not analyzed to date, the epidemiology of C. beticola and its effect on white sugar yield (WSY) in varieties with different susceptibility were investigated at seven sites in Germany and Austria in 2004 and 2005. All varieties reached the summary thresholds 5 / 15 / 45% DI in all environments. Fitting a logistic growth curve to DI revealed significant differences among varieties. At high disease pressure, susceptible varieties reached a considerably higher disease severity (DS, per cent of infected leaf area) at harvest and a larger area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) than resistant varieties. Fitting a logistic growth curve to DS showed an increasing differentiation among varieties with time. The growth rate estimated based on the logistic growth curve was the only variable that performed equally well in differentiating varieties under low and high disease pressure. With increasing disease pressure, varieties differed considerably in WSY, but differences between susceptible and resistant varieties were significant only in some environments. The disease‐loss relation between AUDPC and relative WSY was variety‐specific. Resistant varieties had an approximately identical WSY with and without infection and compensated for negative infection effects even at higher AUDPC. Therefore, at high disease pressure, resistant varieties had a higher relative yield compared to susceptible ones. However, our results indicate that there is no need to develop variety‐specific thresholds, but resistant varieties reach the established thresholds later than susceptible ones. Consequently, the time of fungicide application can be delayed in resistant varieties. This will help to reduce the use of fungicides to the bare essentials as requested for the integrated crop protection management.     

Genetic diversity analysis of isolates of the fungal bean pathogen Pseudocercospora griseola from central and southern Brazil

Planting resistant varieties is the most effective control measure against the angular leaf spot of dry beans, a fungal disease caused by Pseudocercospora griseola. However, dry bean varieties with durable resistance are not easily obtained. Knowledge about the genetic variability of the pathogen population is key for the success of dry bean breeding programs aimed at developing resistant materials, but finding suitable operationally simple and genetically accurate markers is not an easy task. The aim of this study was to assess the suitability of the ISSR-PCR technique to quantify the genetic variability of P. griseola isolates. Total DNA of 27 P. griseola isolates from Goiás, Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, and Paraná States was extracted and amplified using specific primers for ISSR. Using cluster analysis, 27 genotypes were identified. The ISSR-PCR technique was suitable for assessing intraspecific variability of P. griseola. The ISSR-PCR marker was found to be highly sensitive to genetic variation and can aid in elucidating the genetic structure of the population of this plant pathogen as a support tool for the dry bean breeding programs.     

Assessment of resurgence of bacterial blight and its effect on cotton yield in northern Nigeria

Abstract

Cotton production in Nigeria causes fluctuating socio-economic and biotic factors. Bacterial blight induced by Xanthomonas campestris pv malvacearum causes the greatest yield loss annually. A study was therefore carried out to investigate the resurgence of the disease on 10 different cotton genotypes in Dowaya, Kem and Ngurore which are the major cotton areas of Adamawa state of Nigeria under field conditions. Other objectives were to determine the relationship between the different manifestations of bacterial blight and the yield of seed cotton and to identify resistance in the selected genotypes to the disease manifestations. Results revealed the presence of angular leaf spot, vein and boll rot manifestations of the disease in the study areas. The absence of vein blight symptoms in the Kem location did not result in higher yield because the severity of the leaf spot for this location was relatively higher than for the other two locations. Results also revealed that despite the high severity of angular leaf spot, high boll rot and vein blight incidences observed particularly on SAMCOT-11, SAMCOT-13 and ex-Benin in these locations with a high yield of seed cotton was recorded. The three multi-adversity resistant genotypes (MAR), TX-CDP37HH-1-83, TAMCOT SP-21S and TAMCOT CAMD-E recorded relatively lower severity and incidences in both cases. There was, however, a significantly negative correlation between angular leaf spot severity, boll rot incidence and yield at Kem location, significant negative correlation between angular leaf spot severity, boll rot incidence, vein blight and yield at Dowaya location, as well as significant negative correlation between angular leaf spot severity, vein blight and yield at Ngurore location. The tolerant and high yielding SAMCOT-11, SAMCOT-13 and ex-Benin should through breeding work be improved to be used for production in this area and its surroundings.     

Tests for resistance to Aphis fabae in field beans (Viciafaba)

Two lines of Viciafaba were as resistant to Aphis fabae as Rastatt, one of their progenitors, when compared with susceptible control varieties in glasshouse experiments. In short experiments, fewer adult aphids settled on plants of resistant varieties, which subsequently bore smaller total numbers of aphids. In a longer experiment, the aphids multiplied more slowly on the resistant varieties, which survived after susceptible beans had been killed. The bean varieties did not vary in numbers of aphids on the stem or growing point but resistant varieties had markedly smaller proportions of the total on the abaxial surface of the leaves; in particular the smaller veins supported fewer aphids. V. narbonensis was very resistant to A. fabae but was susceptible to Myzus persicae, indicating that its resistance mechanism is distinct from that within V. faba. In infested field trials most of the variation in yield of bean varieties was attributable to the size of A. fabae colonies, and resistant varieties outyielded susceptible varieties. Yields of resistant varieties in the presence of large numbers of aphids were, however, less than those from trials without aphids. In uninfested trials susceptible varieties usually gave the largest yields. The significance of these observations is discussed in relation to policies and methods for breeding for resistance to A. fabae in V. faba.     

Gas Exchange and Emission of Chlorophyll Fluorescence during the Monocycle of Rust, Angular Leaf Spot and Anthracnose on Bean Leaves as a Function of their Trophic Characteristics

Measurements related to gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence emission were taken from healthy and diseased bean leaves with rust, angular leaf spot, and anthracnose during lesion development for each disease. The experiments were performed at different temperatures of plant incubation, and using two bean cultivars. The main effect of temperature of plant incubation was in disease development. There was no significant difference between cultivars in relation to disease development and in magnitude of physiological alterations when disease severity was the same for each cultivar. These diseases reduced the net photosynthetic rate and increased the dark respiration of infected leaves after the appearance of visible symptoms and the differences between healthy and diseased leaves increased with disease development. The transpiration rate and stomatal conductance were stable during the monocycle of rust, however, these two variables decreased in leaves with angular leaf spot and anthracnose beginning with symptom appearance and continuing until lesion development was complete. Carboxylation resistance was probably the main factor related to reduction of photosynthetic rate of the apparently healthy area of leaves with rust and angular leaf spot. Reduction of the intercellular concentration of CO₂, due to higher stomatal resistance, was probably the main factor for leaves with anthracnose. Chlorophyll fluorescence assessments suggested that there was no change in electron transport capacity and generation of ATP and NADPH in apparently healthy areas of diseased leaves, but decreases in chlorophyll fluorescence emission occurred on visibly lesioned areas for all diseases. Minimal fluorescence was remarkably reduced in leaves with angular leaf spot. Maximal fluorescence and optimal quantum yield of photosystem II of leaves were reduced for all three diseases. Bean rust, caused by a biotrophic pathogen, induced less damage to the regulation mechanisms of the physiological processes of the remaining green area of diseased leaves than did bean angular leaf spot or anthracnose, caused by hemibiotrophic pathogens. The magnitude of photosynthesis reduction can be related to the host–pathogen trophic relationships.     

Possible explanations of synergism in fungicide mixtures against Phytophthom infestans

Single foliar sprays of oxadixyl, mancozeb or cymoxanil alone or the mixtures oxadixyl/mancozeb and oxadixyl/cymoxanil were applied to tomato plants (cv. Baby) one day before inoculating with a sensitive or a phenylamide-resistant strain of Phytophthora infestans. Fungicide mixtures were far more effective in controlling both sensitive and resistant strains compared to the individual components alone, representing significant levels of synergistic interactions. When analysed by the Abbott method, synergy ratios continuously decreased with increasing amounts of fungicides in the mixture. All fungicide mixtures showed higher synergy ratios against resistant strains when using the Abbott method, whereas only mixtures containing cymoxanil showed this phenomenon when using the Wadley method for interpretation of interactions. Synergism significantly decreased when the components were used as foliar split applications with intervals of 48 and 72 h. A combination of a drench application of oxadixyl and a single spray application of mancozeb or cymoxanil resulted in a high level of synergism. The explanation of synergism may be that the exposure of sporangia to sublethal concentrations of one fungicide affects them to an extent that sublethal doses of the other fungicide becomes detrimental.     

Methodology to Improve the Efficiency of Evaluation of the Severity of Angular Leaf Spot in Common Bean

Disease severity assessment by means of a scoring scale, especially for angular leaf spot (Pseudocercospora griseola) in common bean, is hindered in experiments for assessment of progenies and/or breeding lines due to lack of uniformity of occurrence of the pathogens and segregation within progenies. The purpose of this study was to estimate the efficiency of the use of one plant per plot in assessing the severity of angular leaf spot in experiments for assessment of progenies and/or breeding lines in the common bean crop. To that end, two experimental strategies were used – one of them using one plant per plot and another using a standard size plot (SPP) (2–4‐m length rows). The experiments were conducted in the period from November 2011 to May 2012 in the municipalities of Lavras and Lambari, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Forty‐one lines from the breeding programme of the Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA) and from other research institutions were assessed, which differed in regard to their degree of susceptibility to P. griseola. The lines were assessed in regard to the severity of said disease using a five‐degree diagrammatic scale. In all the one plant per plot experiments, severity scores of angular leaf spot from the beginning of its occurrence, and later in intervals ranging from 7 to 12 days, were obtained. In the experiment with the SPP, assessment was made a few days prior to grain harvest. Estimates of the correlations between severity scores and grain yield (GY) were mostly of small magnitude. There was good coincidence between the lines classified as more resistant or more susceptible to the pathogen under the two conditions.     

Effects of Disease Intensity and Application Type on Efficacy and Synergy of Fungicide Mixtures Against Phytophthora infestans

Of eleven tomato cultivars ‘Baby’ was the most susceptible to Phytophthora infestans. The sporangium concentration of the fungus and the methods of fungicide application had a significant effect on the efficacy of oxadixyl, mancozeb and cymoxanil when tested singly or in mixture against sensitive and phenylamide resistant strains of P. infestans on tomato. Mancozeb was the least effective fungicide, its activity decreased significantly with increasing numbers of sporangia used for inoculation (increasing disease pressure) and its efficacy was dependent on the method of application. Oxadixyl and cymoxanil showed much stronger antifungal activities (except oxadixyl against resistant strains) which did not depend on the number of sporangia or method of fungicide application. The mixture of oxadixyl, mancozeb and cymoxanil was equally active and was independent of application type, sporangium concentration and level of sensitivity of the fungus. Mixtures of the single components showed synergistic interactions up to levels of 20, depending on the activity of the individual fungicide and the different disease intensities. Three-way mixtures containing oxadixyl, mancozeb, and cymoxanil represent therefore promising possibilities in practice for strong disease pressure, even when resistance problems are expected.     

黑龙江省高粱种质抗丝黑穗病、靶斑病、高梁蚜和亚洲玉米螟鉴定

对黑龙江省种植的114份高粱种质资源进行丝黑穗病、靶斑病、高粱蚜及亚洲玉米螟病虫害鉴定,筛选出抗丝黑穗病材料6份、抗靶斑病材料7份、抗高粱蚜材料3份及1份高抗亚洲玉米螟材料。这些抗病虫材料可为今后进行种质创新及杂交种选育提供理论和实用价值。     

Methods for assessment of light leaf spot (Pyrenopeziza brassicae) on winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus) in the UK

Light leaf spot (Pyrenopeziza brassicae) was assessed as % plants with light leaf spot, % leaves with light leaf spot or % leaf area with light leaf spot in winter oilseed rape field experiments done at different sites (Rothamsted, Hertfordshire; Boxworth, Cambridgeshire; near Aberdeen, Scotland), with different cultivars (e.g. Bristol and Capitol), different fungicide treatments, on plants sampled at different dates. Regression analyses on data from these experiments showed that there were consistently good relationships between % leaves with light leaf spot and % plants with light leaf spot for plants sampled during the autumn and winter, until the % plants with light leaf spot approached 100%. The slopes and positions of regression lines were sometimes affected by cultivar, fungicide treatment or sampling date, but not by site. The relationship between % leaf area with light leaf spot (square root-transformed) and % leaves with light leaf spot was less consistent than that between % leaves with light leaf spot and % plants with light leaf spot and was sometimes affected by cultivar, fungicide treatment or sampling date but not by site. The relationship between % leaf area with light leaf spot (square root-transformed) and % plants with light leaf spot was also inconsistent and was sometimes affected by cultivar, fungicide treatment, sampling date and site.     

The effect of drought on the development and yielding of two different varieties of the fodder broad bean (Vicia faba minor)

A factorial experiment was performed in the fodder broad bean to analyse effects of soil drought on the development and yield components of two varieties of different morphotype: 'Nadwi?lański' (traditional) and 'Tim' (determinate growth habit). Plants were grown in Mitscherlich's pots under three different soil moistures: 70%, 50% and 30% of field water capacity. The soil water shortage contributed to a considerable depression in the developmental characteristics and yield traits of both varieties. Under all conditions, the variety 'Nadwi?lański yielded more seeds than did 'Tim'. The traditional variety was more resistant to drought than the new 'Tim'.     

Cocoa biotechnology: status, constraints and future prospects

Current status and future prospects of cocoa biotechnology are reviewed. Potential for improving and modifying cocoa bean yield and quality are discussed. Prospects for producing cocoa components in vitro and cocoa butter substitutes in crops other than cocoa are examined. Application of complementary research tools is expected to allow significant enhancements in cocoa bean yield. Furthermore, cocoa varieties with modified characteristics are likely to become available, in particular varieties with increased cocoa butter content and modified fatty acid patterns. In vitro production of cocoa components is less likely.     

Genome-Wide Association Studies of Anthracnose and Angular Leaf Spot Resistance in Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is the world’s most important legume for human consumption. Anthracnose (ANT; Colletotrichum lindemuthianum) and angular leaf spot (ALS; Pseudocercospora griseola) are complex diseases that cause major yield losses in common bean. Depending on the cultivar and environmental conditions, anthracnose and angular leaf spot infections can reduce crop yield drastically. This study aimed to estimate linkage disequilibrium levels and identify quantitative resistance loci (QRL) controlling resistance to both ANT and ALS diseases of 180 accessions of common bean using genome-wide association analysis. A randomized complete block design with four replicates was performed for the ANT and ALS experiments, with four plants per genotype in each replicate. Association mapping analyses were performed for ANT and ALS using a mixed linear model approach implemented in TASSEL. A total of 17 and 11 significant statistically associations involving SSRs were detected for ANT and ALS resistance loci, respectively. Using SNPs, 21 and 17 significant statistically associations were obtained for ANT and angular ALS, respectively, providing more associations with this marker. The SSR-IAC167 and PvM95 markers, both located on chromosome Pv03, and the SNP scaffold00021_89379, were associated with both diseases. The other markers were distributed across the entire common bean genome, with chromosomes Pv03 and Pv08 showing the greatest number of loci associated with ANT resistance. The chromosome Pv04 was the most saturated one, with six markers associated with ALS resistance. The telomeric region of this chromosome showed four markers located between approximately 2.5 Mb and 4.4 Mb. Our results demonstrate the great potential of genome-wide association studies to identify QRLs related to ANT and ALS in common bean. The results indicate a quantitative and complex inheritance pattern for both diseases in common bean. Our findings will contribute to more effective screening of elite germplasm to find resistance alleles for marker-assisted selection in breeding programs.     

Progress of cassava mosaic virus disease and whitefly vector populations in single and mixed stands of four cassava varieties grown under epidemic conditions in Uganda

Progress curves of cassava mosaic virus disease (CMD) and populations of the whitefly vector (Bemisia tabaci) were assessed using four cassava varieties grown alone and as a random mixture in two experiments established under epidemic conditions at a site near Kampala in southern Uganda. There were significant differences in final CMD incidence and in the areas under the disease progress curves between varieties when grown alone and as a mixture in both experiments. Variety Ebwanateraka had the highest incidence and SS4 the lowest, even though it supported the largest populations of adult whiteflies. The overall incidence of CMD in the mixture was similar to that in pure stands of the partially resistant Nase 2 and greater than in the resistant Migyera and SS4. Compared to pure stands, incidence of CMD in each component of the mixture was reduced significantly only in Ebwanateraka, whereas vector populations were less only in SS4 and Nase 2. On several observation dates the actual incidence of CMD and populations of adult whiteflies in the mixture were significantly less than expected values estimated from the results for the four varieties when each was grown alone. A highly significant positive relationship was established for each variety between peak populations of adult whitefly and leaf area index at the time. The implications of the findings and the scope for future research on the use of varietal mixtures for the management of CMD are discussed.     

A comparative screening of hybrid,modern varieties and local rice cultivar for brown leaf spot disease susceptibility and yield performance

Five rice cultivars, one hybrid (WR96), three modern (BR16, BR26, and BRRI Dhan27) and one local (Pari) were screened for reaction to brown leaf spot disease caused by Cochliobolus miyabeanus and performance of yield-related characters. The severity of brown leaf spot varied with growth stages of rice plant as well as different cultivars tested under field condition. Low disease severity was observed at maximum tillering stage compared to moderate to high at dough stage, with hybrid cultivar WR96 showing highest disease, while local cultivar Pari had the lowest. Brown spot disease severity in different cultivars under induced epiphytic condition also followed the similar trend. The results also revealed that most of the yield-contributing characters examined showed wide variations among the cultivars. Modern cultivar BR16 produced the highest panicle length, number of grain per panicle and grain yield per hectare. At the same time as local cultivar Pari generated the lowest number of tiller per plant, panicle length, grain number per panicle and grain yield per hectare. Moreover, hybrid cultivar WR96 produced the highest percentage of spotted grain per panicle and seed yielding C. miyabeanus, and also the lower percentage of seed germination, while the reverse was observed in local cultivar Pari. These findings may allow producers and breeders to select rice cultivar, resistant or tolerant to brown leaf spot disease and to avoid significant reductions in grain yields.     

The relationship between leaf blotch caused by Rhynchosporium secalis and losses in grain yield of spring barley

Two methods were used to investigate the loss in grain yield associated with specific levels of leaf blotch. Yields from plots sprayed with fungicide were compared with those from unsprayed plots and yields of varieties of different susceptibility to the disease were compared with one another. A disease assessment key is presented, which was used to assess the percentage laminar area of the top two leaves affected by the disease. A linear relationship between disease on the upper two leaves and yield was established. Results from nine trials showed a consistent relationship between the disease level, at growth stage 11·1 (Feekes scale), and loss in yield. The loss in yield expressed as a percentage of the yield of an uninfected crop was equivalent to approximately two-thirds of the percentage of the flag-leaf area visibly infected, or one-half of the infected area on the second leaf. The predicted loss in yield is the average of these two estimates.     

RAPD and SCAR Markers Linked to a Gene Conferring Resistance to Angular Leaf Spot in Common Bean

Angular leaf spot, caused by the fungus Phaeoisariopsis griseola , is one of the most important bean diseases in Brazil. The objectives of this study were to determine the inheritance of angular leaf spot resistance and to identify random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers linked to the resistance gene present in cv. Cornell 49-242, in a cross between this cultivar and susceptible cv. Rudá. The parents, F₁, F₂ and backcross-derived plants were inoculated with P. griseola pathotype 31-17 under environmentally controlled greenhouse conditions. The results indicate that one single dominant gene controls the resistance in Cornell 49–242. Two RAPD markers, OPN 02_890c and OPE 04_650c, were found to be linked in the coupling phase, at 3.2 and 12.5 c m of the resistance gene, respectively. To increase the reproducibility of the detection of marker OPN02_890c it was converted into a SCAR marker. It is proposed that the designation of Phg-2 be used for the angular leaf spot resistant gene present in Cornell 49-242.     

Evaluation of improved and local/landrace/sorghum varieties for covered kernel smut

Twelve varieties of improved and local (landrace) sorghum were tested under artificial inoculation conditions. Out of 12 sorghum varieties evaluated with covered kernel smut, notably local cultivar ‘Tetron’ was found to be highly resistant. Disease incidence and severity on the rest of the cultivars varied from 21 to 47% and 40 to 53% respectively. Differences among cultivars in yield loss were also observed. The highest yield loss (40%) was recorded on 97 MW 6129 (NVT-11 4) and for Tetron yield loss was nil. The effect of disease on germination was noticed but cannot be considered as conclusive due to moisture stress at the time of germination.     

Crop Growth, Disease and Yield Components of Rusted Phaseolus Beans in Ethiopia

Crop growth and disease epidemics in sprayed and non-sprayed bean plots, artificially infected with rust (Uromyces appendiculatus) 3 weeks after emergence. were assessed weekly in two cultivars, at two locations for two seasons. Disease intensity was regulated by the application of a fungicide at 5 spray frequencies. Fungicide application influenced leaf area index (LAI) and reduced rust intensity. The fungicide had no significant effect on other diseases and dead leaf area. Fungicide application increased seed yield (SY) by increased numbers of pods per plant (PP). Rust severity was strongly correlated with pustule density but the overall relationships among rust assessment parameters depended on cultivar and location. Seed yield and pods per plant were highly correlated with LAI. The relationships between LAI and seeds per pod or seed weight depended on cultivar and location. Overall rust assessment parameters (rust severity and pustule density) showed close, negative relationships with seed yield. seed weight and pods per plant but not with seeds per pod. The relationships obtained in the partially resistant line 6-R-395 were less definite than those in the susceptible line Mexican 142. The yield parameters seed yield and pods per plant, showed strong positive relationships.