Current status of wilt/root rot diseases in major chickpea growing areas of Ethiopia

Wilt/root rot diseases are a major chickpea production constraint in Ethiopia causing yield losses by reducing the number of plants. To determine the current status of disease incidence and distribution, surveys were conducted in the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 cropping seasons in major chickpea growing zones of Ethiopia. Despite recent efforts in dissemination of improved varieties, low to high incidence of 0.0–83.4, 0.0–27.6, 1.3–19.8 and 0.0–16.3% and 1.0–81.9, 0.0–25.5, 3.0–13.9 and 1.0–21.5% in East Gojjam, Southwest Shewa, North Shewa and West Shewa in 2013/2014 and 2014/2015, respectively. Therefore, integrated pest management strategies should be developed and availed to farmers.     

Changes in the redox status of chickpea roots in response to infection by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris: apoplastic antioxidant enzyme activities and expression of oxidative stress-related genes

Activity levels of oxidative stress-related enzymes in the root apoplast during the interaction of WR315 (resistant) and JG62 (susceptible) chickpeas ( Cicer arietinum L.) with the highly virulent race 5 of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris were compared. Because this fungus develops asymptomatic infections in the chickpea root cortex in both susceptible and resistant plants, but only intrudes into the root xylem in the susceptible variety, the interactions were compared at three specific stages during disease development in JG62: (i) before symptom development (10 days after inoculation); (ii) at the time of appearance of the first disease symptoms (15–17 days after inoculation) and (iii) when all plants had developed disease symptoms (20–22 days after inoculation). Diamine oxidase (DAO), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), guaiacol-dependent peroxidase and superoxide dismutase (SOD), but not catalase (CAT), were found in the apoplast of chickpea roots. In terms of APX activity, infection by the pathogen caused a different response in the incompatible compared to the compatible plant. In the case of GR, SOD and DAO activities, the pathogen caused the same response, but it developed earlier ( i.e. GR and SOD) or to higher levels ( i.e. DAO) in the incompatible interaction. Expression of apx , cat , sod , lipoxygenase ( lox ) and actin genes was also analysed in infected roots. Infection by F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceris race 5 only caused a significant change in the root expression of lox and actin genes. This up-regulation was earlier ( lox ) or higher ( actin ) in the incompatible than in the compatible interaction. Thus, changes in oxidative metabolism differ in compatible and incompatible interactions in Fusarium wilt of chickpea.     

The talc formulation of Streptomyces antagonist against Mycosphaerella foot rot in pea (Pisum sativum l.) seedlings

Pea is highly susceptible to pre-emergence damping off and foot rot after emergence caused by Mycosphaerella pinodes in western Algerian regions. Rhizosphere Actinomycetes which were antagonistic to the growth of this pathogen were isolated from chellif soils. An isolate of Streptomyces St7c5 provided superior seed protection. An increased in both germination and plant growth were recorded following treatment of seeds with Streptomyces formulated with inert or organic charge when compared to control. Application of the antagonist agent resulted in a significant reduction of Mycosphaerella foot rot to 5% compared with untreated seeds (25%). Hence, the talc formulation of Streptomyces agent can be recommended as one of the crop strategies for the management of foot rotting and blight caused by Mycosphaerella pinodes.     

Virulence diversity of Ascochyta rabiei the causal agent of Ascochyta blight of chickpea in the western provinces of Iran

Chickpea is the third most important food legume in the world. The most important limiting factor for the chickpea production in the world, including Iran, has been the Ascochyta blight. The pathogenic variation of 40 Ascochyta rabiei isolates from the western provinces of Iran was assessed on eight chickpea differential lines. The results revealed that A. rabiei population is diverse in the western provinces of Iran and the virulence rating of isolates across differential lines showed a large but continuous pathogenic variability. Based on the statistical analysis and the continuous response in differential lines, it was not possible to categorise A. rabiei isolates in the present study into pathotypes or races. Information obtained from the current study can be valuable in developing quarantine methods aimed to prevent dissemination of highly virulent isolates and in the development of durable resistant cultivars against the Ascochyta blight of chickpea.     

Effects of temperature on the host–pathogen interaction in Ascochyta blight (Ascochyta lentis) of lentil

The effects of temperature regimes on the radial growth rate of different isolates of Ascochyta lentis and pathogen virulence and host susceptibility were studied in the laboratory and growth chamber using different pathogen isolates, and lentil genotypes with varying levels of resistance to Ascochyta blight. The growth rate of most isolates increased as temperature increased up to 20°C and declined thereafter. In experiment 1, the highest disease severities were observed on cvs. Laird and Eston and the lowest on ILL5588. Mean disease severities were similar from 10 to 20°C but substantially lower at 25°C for all genotypes except ILL5588. In experiment 2, no significant differences were observed between the two mating types, or in their interactions with genotypes and temperatures. The interactions of genotypes with temperature and with isolates indicated that the relative susceptibility of lentil genotypes depended on temperature and on the isolates of A. lentis. These findings indicated that when temperature changes during epidemic development in the field, different isolates could predominate in the pathogen population at different times.     

Histological and Ultrastructural Changes in Leaves and Stems of Resistant and Susceptible Chickpea Cultivars to Ascochyta rabiei

The histo- and cytopathological effects in resistant (ILC-195) and susceptible (Canitez-87) chickpea cultivars were examined by light, transmission and scanning electron microscopy 3, 5 and 7 days after inoculation (d.a.i) of seedlings with Ascochyta rabiei. The fungus produced typical appressoria that penetrated both cuticle and stomata. The resistant plants had physical barriers and a cuticle layer against fungal penetration 3 d.a.i. The fungus spread intercellularly and subepidermally in the leaves and stems of susceptible plants 3 d.a.i., and was followed 5 d.a.i. by cell plasmolysis, degeneration of organelles and of cellulose, but not lignified, walls. Pycnidia formation occurred between 5 and 7 d.a.i. 7 d.a.i., organelle degeneration, pycnidia formation and symptom severity increased. Tracheidal elements, including lignified elements, were almost intact in both resistant and susceptible cultivars. In the susceptible plants, lignin cell walls were slightly degraded after 7 days. There was less cell degeneration and pycnidia formation in resistant plants. Some electron-dense large bodies and lipid granules were observed within intracellular fungal hyphae in infected cells of resistant plants 7 d.a.i.     

Biocontrol of Fusarium sambucinum,dry rot of potato,by Serratia plymuthica 5–6

Serratia grimesii 4–9 and Serratia plymuthica 5–6, isolated from the rhizosphere of pea, Pisum sativum (L), were evaluated for their potential to suppress growth of Fusarium sambucinum in vitro and to reduce Fusarium dry rot in stored potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L). In vitro studies indicated that these bacterial isolates suppressed growth of F. sambucinum by 60% or more at both 15 and 25°C. In a potato tuber slice assay the number of infection sites in potato slices exposed to F. sambucinum and treated with S. grimesii 4–9 and S. plymuthica 5–6 was reduced by 96 and 97%, respectively, at 15°C. The diameter (mm) of the infection sites was reduced 91 and 96%, respectively, when compared to slices treated with F. sambucinum alone. Studies with Fusarium-infected whole potato tubers also showed significant reduction in dry rot formation following treatment with the bacterial isolates or the fungicide thiabendazole. When applied simultaneously with the pathogen, S. grimesii 4–9 and S. plymuthica 5–6 suppressed development of Fusarium dry rot by 60 and 77%, respectively, at 15°C and by 63 and 84%, respectively, at 25°C compared to tubers inoculated with the pathogen alone. Thiabendazole suppressed development of Fusarium dry rot by 66 and 81% at 15 and 25°C, respectively, compared to tubers inoculated with the pathogen alone. These studies demonstrate the potential of soil bacteria as biofungicides for managing post-harvest crop diseases. Due to the potential risks to human health associated with S. grimesii 4–9, S. plymuthica 5–6 is recommended for further study for biofungicide development.     

Occurrence of the Root Rot Pathogen,Fusarium commune,in Forest Nurseries of?the Midwestern and Western United States

Fusarium commune can cause damping‐off and root rot of conifer seedlings in forest nurseries, and this pathogen has been previously reported from Oregon, Idaho, and Washington, USA. We collected Fusarium isolates from additional nurseries in the midwestern and western USA to more fully determine occurrence of this pathogen. We used DNA sequences of the mitochondrial small subunit gene to identify F. commune. In addition to confirming the occurrence of F. commune in Oregon, Idaho, and Washington, USA, we also discovered that F. commune is even more widespread with this first report of F. commune occurring in Nevada, Montana, Nebraska, and Michigan, USA.     

两个不同抗性黄瓜品种和云南黑籽南瓜根系分泌物对黄瓜枯萎病发生的影响

研究了黄瓜品种津研4号（感枯萎病）、津春4号（抗枯萎病）和云南黑籽南瓜根系分泌物对津研4号黄瓜枯萎病发生的影响及其原因.结果表明:感病品种根系分泌物处理的黄瓜枯萎病发病早,接种后第15天病株率显著高于对照,至第20天时病株率与对照相近;而抗病品种根系分泌物处理的病株率一直显著小于对照.感病品种根系分泌物浇灌的植株株高、鲜质量降低,根系活力下降、电导度（伤害度）增加,而抗病品种和云南黑籽南瓜根系分泌物处理对植株影响较小.感病品种根系分泌物促进了黄瓜枯萎病菌的生长,而抗病品种和云南黑籽南瓜根系分泌物则抑制了病菌生长.     

Fusarium Head Blight of Common Polish Winter Wheat Cultivars – Comparison of Effects of Fusarium avenaceum and Fusarium culmorum on Yield Components

The effects of Fusarium avenaceum and Fusarium culmorum on the reduction in yield components, after independent inoculation of 14 winter wheat cultivars, were investigated. Single isolates of F. avenaceum and F. culmorum were independently used in inoculations of winter wheat heads. Reductions in the following yield traits: 1000‐kernel weight (TKW), the weight (WKH) and number (NKH) of kernels per head after inoculation were analysed statistically. The results indicate differences between both pathogens in their effects on yield traits. The statistical calculations were performed using analysis of variance (a three‐factor experiment) for particular yield trait reductions and multivariate analysis of variance for the yield trait reductions jointly. Almost all of the univariate and multivariate hypotheses concerning no differences between pathogens (F. culmorum, F. avenaceum), climatic conditions (years) and cultivars as well as hypotheses concerning no interactions between factors (pathogens, years, cultivars) were rejected at least at P= 0.05 significance level. The reduction of yield traits indicated individual reactions of the tested winter wheat cultivars to different pathogens. Among the tested traits the highest influence on the rejection of the hypothesis concerning the equivalence of F. avenaceum and F. culmorum was observed for TKW and WKH. The effect of the pathogen on yield reduction was greater for F. avenaceum than for F. culmorum during 1996 and 1997. A comparison of the cultivars indicated that the Begra cultivar showed the highest tolerance to inoculation with both Fusarium pathogens. Moreover, this genotype as well as several others showed lower tolerance to F. avenaceum rather than to F. culmorum, whereas Elena was the only cultivar with the opposite tendency.     

Induced systemic resistance in tomato by non-pathogenic Fusarium species for the management of Fusarium wilt

Isolates of non-pathogenic Fusarium moniliforme (Fu3, Fu7 and Fu24), F. oxysporum (Fu2, Fu4), F. solani (Fu25) and F. merismoides (Fu1) that were found to be effective in reducing wilt incidence in tomato were tested for their potential to elicit induced systemic resistance (ISR) in tomato. Talc formulations of these isolates derived from liquid fermentation as well as cell elicitors of these cultures were tested. Changes in the phenol and total protein contents and activities of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase were studied. Isolate Fu3 induced more phenol and total protein contents as well as activities of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase. Elicitors of Fu2 induced more of these compounds and enzymes. Although Fu1, Fu4 and Fu24 were found to give good control against Fusarium wilt incidence in an earlier study, they were less effective in inducing these defense related compounds. Peroxidase activity was increased when plants were treated with Fu3, Fu4, Fu7, Fu24 and Fu25, whereas polyphenol oxidase activity was increased only with the isolate Fu3 and elicitor of Fu2. It is suggested that ISR was the mode of action for the isolates Fu2 and Fu3, whereas for the other isolates, the mode of action may be root colonisation, competition for nutrition and so on. The role of ISR with non-pathogenic isolates of Fusarium spp. is discussed.