Activity of plant and mineral oils in the control of Puccinia pelargonii-zonalis

Effectiveness of plant oils from corn, olive, rape, soya and sunflower, oils recommended for plant protection (Dedal 90 EC, Olejan 80 EC) and mineral oils (Atpolan 80 EC, Ikar 95 EC, Olemix 84 EC and Promanal 60 EC) in the control of pelargonium rust (Puccinia pelargonii-zonalis) was studied. Oils were applied curatively as a plant spray at concentration 1%, 4 times at 7-day-intervals. After 4-week experiment more than 11 uredia per leaf were noted on control plants. At the same time, on plants protected with oils from olive or soya, Ikar 95 EC or Olemix 84 EC uredia number decreased at least 50%. The other oils were not effective in a suppression of uredia formation. On control plants no uredia were destroyed as compared to 11 to 71% destruction on plants protected with the tested oils. Oils from olive, soya and also Atpolan 80 EC, Ikar 95 EC, Olemix 84 EC caused drying off more than 50% uredia. Furthermore, some oils inhibited germination of urediospores on PDA medium (potato dextrose agar). Fourteen days after the last spraying more than 83% of germinating urediospores were found on control leaves. At the same time spores collected from protected plants germinated in 17 to 70%. Among tested products oils from rape, corn, sunflower and Dedal 90 EC, Ikar 95 EC, Olemix 84 EC were the most effective. In the next part of experiment, plants with visible sporulation of P. pelargonii-zonalis were sprayed with 1% oils. After 1 and 7 days of incubation, total number of spores and number of germinating spores were counted. One day after treatment, urediospores collected from leaf blades protected with oils germinated in 20 - 60%. Oils from olive, corn, Atpolan 80 EC and Ikar 95 EC caused inhibition of spore germination at least in 40%. Whereas urediospores from nontreated plants germinated in 86%. After 7 days, urediospores collected from untreated plants germinated in 65% whereas from plants sprayed with tested oils in 23 - 68%. Oils from olive, sunflower and Dedal 90 EC, Atpolan 80 EC were the most effective in suppressing urediospores germination.     

Chitosan (biochikol 020 PC) in the control of some ornamental foliage diseases

Chitosan, (Biochikol 020 PC) a potential elicitor of plant defence and also an active inhibitor of fungal growth was used in experiments. The compound was used at concentrations 0.01 to 0.2% as a plant spray for rose protection against Sphaerotheca pannosa var. rosae, Peronospora sparsa and Diplocarpon rosae, Oidium chrysanthemi and Puccinia horiana on chrysanthemum, against Melampsora epitea on willow. Myrothecium roridum on dieffenbachia and against Lophodermium spp on Scots pine. Effectiveness of this product, applied curatively 2-times at 7-day-intervals after appearance of rose powdery mildew symptoms on most of plant parts, was about 32%. When compound was applied just after the first disease symptoms appearance, after 2-week-protection its effectiveness was about 43-60%. After 4 weeks, effectiveness of chitosan (Biochikol 020 PC) increased and ranged from 67 to 77%. In the control of P. sparsa on rose shrubs, growing in plastic tunnel, chitosan at conc. 0.025% was applied 4 times at weekly intervals. Effectiveness of chitosan against this pathogen was over 72%, similar as standard fungicide. Increase of chitosan (Biochikol 020 PC) concentration resulted in decrease of its effectiveness. In case of D. rosae control, chitosan used 9 times at weekly intervals was applied after first disease symptoms. After 3-week-protection effectiveness of the compound varied from 18 to 60% according to used concentration. After 9 weeks of protection effectiveness of tested product ranged from 16 to 23% and was connected with used concentration. Increase of chitosan concentration resulted in better protection of rose shrubs. Effectiveness of chitosan (Biochikol 020 PC) used 4-times at conc. 0.01 to 0.05% as chrysanthemum spray in the control of Oidium chrysanthemi ranged from 69 to 79%, whereas against Puccinia horiana from 54-97%. Two-time-spraying of willow with rust symptoms (Melampsora epitea) with chitosan at conc. 01-0.04% caused decrease of disease severity from 26 to 47%. Additionally about 10 to 25% of uredinia were dried up. Chitosan (Biochikol 020 PC) applied for leaf spraying inhibited the development of Myrothecium leaf spot on dieffenbachia more than 85%. Curative application of the compound controlled Myrotecium leaf spot at about 40%. Chitosan efficacy was also tested against one-year-old Pinus sylvestris seedlings growing in field conditions. Plants were sprayed fortnightly 14-times (long programme) or 5-times (short programme) against Lophodermium spp. Observations made during next spring showed that effectiveness of chitosan (Biochikol 020 PC) was more than 50% (long programme) and below 50% (short programme).     

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

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

Oils activity against Melampsora epitea on willow

Willow trees cv. Iwa growing in open field conditions in the sandy soil and naturally infected with Melampsora epitea were used. Effectiveness of paraffin oil (Atpolan 80 EC) and plant oils (Olejan 85 EC, rape and sunflower) in the control of pathogen was evaluated. When first uredinia were seen on the lower leaf surface, plants were sprayed 2-times at 7-day intervals with tested compounds at concentration from 0.25 to 2%. Also Surfactant Tergitol (TM) 15-S-9 at conc. 0.3% was added to plant oil suspension. After 2 sprayings a number of uredinia per leaf and number of browned and destroyed uredinia were counted. In the first trial Atpolan 80 EC suppressed uredinia formation about 2-4-times whereas rape or sunflower oil about 1.8 to 3-times. Additionally about 11 to 30% of uredinia were dried. In the next trials effectiveness of tested oils was higher than in previous experiment. After 2-weeks of willow trees protection with Atpolan 80 EC formation of uredinia was inhibited from 7 to 17-times, whereas Olejan 85 EC suppressed their production about 4 to 14-times. Additionally about 9-62% (Atpolan 80 EC) or 10-25% (Olejan 85 EC) of uredinia were browned and dried depend on used concentration. In the third experiment after 2-week-protection of plants with Atpolan 80 EC inhibition of uredinia formation varied from 6 to 10-times. In the case of Olejan 85 EC about 2 to 10-times less uredinia were observed on protected plants than on control, untreated leaf blades. About 48-72% (Atpolan 80 EC) or 17-61% (Olejan 85 EC) of uredinia were dried.     

Tea polyphenol is a potential antifungal agent for the control of obligate biotrophic fungus in plants

Tea polyphenol (TP) exhibits broad‐spectrum antimicrobial properties. In this study, the in vitro and in vivo antifungal activities of TP on Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici (Pst), which is an obligate biotrophic fungus that causes severe wheat stripe rust disease, were evaluated to investigate the control efficacy of TP. In vitro experiments showed that, at a concentration of 1.0 mg/ml, TP significantly suppressed urediniospore germination and caused the aberrant growth of germ tubes. The inhibition ratio reached 100% by increasing the TP concentration. In vivo experiments showed that TP reduced incidence rate and the uredia coverage rate in a dose‐ and application time‐dependent manner. TP treatment also induced the aberrant differentiation of Pst on wheat leaves. Results suggest that the ideal TP concentration range is 20–40 mg/ml, and TP may be a potential antifungal agent for the control of obligate biotrophic fungus in plants.     

Effect of light exposure on in vitro germination and germ tube growth of eight species of rust fungi

The effects of light on urediniospore germination and germ tube elongation was studied with eight species of rust fungi that infect ornamental plants or row crops. Exposure of six species of fungi to cool white fluorescent light at 400 or 600 micromol s(-1) m(-2) for 24 h significantly reduced germination with largest decreases typically observed at 600 micromol s(-1) m(-2). Germination and germ tube elongation did not recover during 24 h dark incubation after 18 h exposure to fluorescent light at 600 micromol s(-1) m(-2), indicating the effects were not reversible. Germ tube elongation of all fungi was negatively affected by increased length of exposure to fluorescent light. Increased exposure to fluorescent light differentially affected germination of the fungi with Puccinia hemerocallidis, Phakopsora pachyrhizi, Pucciniastrum vaccinii and Puccinia menthae negatively affected and Puccinia sorghi, Puccinia triticina, Puccinia pelargonii-zonalis and Puccinia iridis relatively unaffected in 10 h incubation. Exposure of Ph. pachyrhizi and P. triticina urediniospores to sunlight rapidly reduced germination and germ tube elongation with no germination observed for Ph. pachyrhizi after 2.5 h. Germ tube elongation but not germination of hydrated urediniospores of Ph. pachyrhizi and P. triticina was significantly reduced compared to dry urediniospores exposed to 10 h fluorescent light followed by 24 h dark incubation. Exposure to fluorescent light (all fungi) or sunlight (two fungi) negatively affected urediniospore germ tube elongation. Differences observed in urediniospore germination between fungi suggest some species have co-evolved with their host for differing light conditions. Our data suggests exposure of urediniospores to strong light could inactivate rust fungi on plant surfaces or in the atmosphere.     

Aphanocladiutn album, a fungus inducing teliospore production in rusts

The hyphomycetous fungus Aphanocladiutn album can grow over and around uredia of the rusts Puccinia coronata, P. hordei, P. graminis f.sp. avenae and P. recondita f.sp. triticina when host plants are kept under very humid conditions, but not on such plants not infected with rusts; uredia are adversely affected and telia develop in their vicinity. Plants inoculated with these rusts and with five isolates of A. album (one from a dead insect) showed: (1) much earlier development of telia on detached and non-detached rusted leaves inoculated with A. album than on corresponding leaves not thus inoculated; (2) telial induction by A. album in some isolates of rust species which hitherto had rarely or never produced telia; (3) precocious telial formation, in comparison with controls, when A. album spores were sprayed on leaves as much as 3 days before and 9 days after rust inoculation, and occasionally after uredia had already matured. As affected leaves remained green until the whole leaf became moribund, senescence is apparently not the factor inducing telia formation. The normal-appearing teliospores of some isolates were induced to germinate, whereas others did not. Rhamnus palaestina inoculated with basidiospores of one isolate of A. album-treated P. coronata f.sp. avenae produced pycnia and fertile aecia. The importance of A. album as a working tool in rust research and as a possible means for biological control of rust epiphytotics is discussed.     

Teliospore Germination of Soybean Rust Fungus (Phakopsora pachyrhizi Syd.)

Teliospores of the soybean rust fungus (Phakopsora pachyrhizi Syd.) germinated after treatment with 10—12 wetting and drying cycles at room temperature. Spores swelled, vacuolated and germinated with a slightly curved basidium bearing 1—4 sterigmata with basidiospores. High germination rates were observed when telia were stored at 5 °C for 5—6 months before breaking dormancy.     

Methyl jasmonate stimulates polyamines biosynthesisand resistance against leaf rust in wheat plants

Abstract

Leaf rust of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), incited by Puccinia recondita ex Desm. f. sp. tritici Eriks, is one of the most important wheat diseases in Egypt. Methyl jasmonate (MJ) is a potential plant elicitor which induces a wide range of chemical and anatomical defense reactions in conifers and might be used to increase systemic resistance against biotic damage. In the greenhouse, different concentrations of MJ (10, 20 and 30 mM) were applied as seed soaking plus foliar spray or only as foliar spray to control leaf rust and induction of secondary compound production in leaves of wheat plants. Foliar spray was applied after 30 and 50 days of sowing. Results indicated that all concentrations and treatments reduced the severity of rust disease caused by P. recondita f. sp. tritici in wheat leaves during 45 days of inoculations. Disease incidence was decreased significantly in MJ-treated plants as seed soaking plus foliar spray with 20 and 30 mM when compared to 10 mM MJ or control plants. The study revealed that, with increasing concentrations of MJ, the secondary metabolites were greatly increased. Endogenous levels of both free and conjugated putrescine, spermidine and spermine increased in response to the elicitor. Activities of polyamine biosynthetic enzymes of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and polyamine oxidase (PAO) displayed up to threefold increases relative to untreated control. Moreover, significant increases in activities of plant defense-related protein, enzymes as peroxidase and chitinase as well as free and conjugated phenols contents were recorded in treated plants compared with untreated and infected plants. Furthermore, MJ treatment increased the chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b and carotenoids pigments contents, the higher increase was obtained with combined treatment between seeds soaking plus foliar spray at 20 and 30 mM of MJ. Under field conditions, three concentrations of MJ, i.e. 10, 20 and 30 mM as combined treatment between seeds soaking plus foliar spray or only as foliar spray were applied to study their effect against rust disease. Foliar spray was applied after 30 and 80 days of sowing. Results showed that the high reduction in disease severity was obtained with combined treatments between seeds soaking plus foliar spray with MJ at 20 and 30 mM compared with other treatments and control. At the same time, all treatments increased the growth and grain yield of wheat plants. It could be suggested that combination treatment between seeds soaking plus foliar spray with methyl jasmonate might be used commercially for controlling rust disease of wheat plants under field conditions.     

Control of smoulder (Botrytis narcissicold) in narcissus with fungicides

Smoulder, caused by Botrytis narcissicola, is the most widespread foliar disease of narcissus (Narcissus cultivars) in the UK and causes significant losses in bulb and flower yield. A range of current and novel fungicide treatments was examined to determine if control of the disease could be improved and to measure the effect of treatments on bulb yield. In assays on pot-grown plants, carbendazim+flusilazole, epoxiconazole, iprodione + thiophanate-methyl, tebuconazole and vinclozolin reduced lesion size by more than 90%, compared with untreated plants, when applied 1 day before inoculation with the fungus; vinclozolin and tebuconazole were also effective when applied 2 days after inoculation. In field experiments in Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire, significant reductions were observed in secondary smoulder symptoms (leaf lesions and stem rot) following fungicide sprays. Spray programmes of the novel fungicides azoxystrobin, cyprodinil, kresoxim-methyl, tebuconazole and pyrimethanil were as effective, or more so, than the standard treatments (chlorothalonil, vinclozolin) used by growers. Mixtures of carbendazim + tebuconazole and azoxystrobin + tebuconazole also gave effective control of smoulder. Programmes of four to six sprays, using two or three fungicides with different modes of action, applied alternately, reduced smoulder by 35–69% and increased bulb yields by 7–59%. Although treatment around and after flowering resulted in the greatest control of secondary smoulder, treatment before flowering was required for the highest bulb yields. The choice of fungicides for use in spray programmes to provide effective and reliable control of smoulder, and the possibility of control using fewer sprays, are discussed.     

Surveys of diseases of spring barley in England and Wales, 1976–1980

Samples from 200–300 randomly selected spring barley crops were taken annually at growth stage 73–77 (milky ripe) from 1976 to 1980. The number of samples from each region was proportional to the area of barley grown in each region. The percentage of the area of the top two leaves affected by diseases was recorded. Mildew (Erysiphe graminis) was the most widespread and severe disease recorded. Brown rust (Puccinia hordei) and rhynchosporium (Rhyn-chosporium secalis) occurred frequently but at relatively low levels. Yellow rust {Puccinia striiformis) and septoria (Septoria nodorum) were seen on less than 50% of the samples in most years, and halo spot (Selenophoma donacis) and net blotch (Pyrenophora teres) were rarely recorded. There was an association between the severity of rhynchosporium and the number of rain days in May and June. The highest levels of brown rust occurred in the south and east and rhynchosporium was more common in Wales and the south-west than in the east, but there were no differences in the regional distribution of other diseases. Cultivar resistance, sowing date, previous cropping and fungicide usage were all found to be associated with altered disease levels. The proportion of crops treated with a foliar fungicidal spray rose from 26% in 1976 to 47% in 1980. The use of tridemorph declined but that of triadimefon increased reaching 29% of crops treated by 1980. The use of ethirimol as a seed treatment declined from 16% of crops grown from treated seed in 1976 to 7% in 1980. Estimated yield losses between 1976 and 1980 varied between 4% and 9% due to mildew, between 0.3% and 0.8% due to brown rust and between 0.2% and 0.5% due to rhynchosporium.     

Effect of foliar‐applied potassium silicate on coffee leaf infection by Hemileia vastatrix

Coffee leaf rust, caused by Hemileia vastatrix, is the most devastating disease of coffee. Since limited information is available in the literature on silicon (Si) affecting plant diseases in coffee, this study was designed to investigate foliar application of potassium silicate (PS), a source of soluble (Si), on infection process of coffee leaf rust at the microscopic level. The foliar Si concentration for plants sprayed with water and PS has no significant difference (0.24 and 0.30 dag kg^?1, respectively). X‐ray microanalysis indicated that the deposition of Si on the leaves of the plants that were sprayed with PS was greater in comparison to the leaf samples from the plants sprayed with water. Rust severity on leaves of plants sprayed with water or sprayed with PS reached 44% and 32%, respectively, at 36 days after inoculation (dai). Plates of polymerised PS were observed on the leaf surfaces of the plants sprayed with the product, in contrast to its absence on the leaf surfaces of plants sprayed with water. At 36 dai, a greater number of uredia were observed on the leaf surfaces of plants sprayed with water in comparison to the leaf surfaces of plants sprayed with PS. On fractured leaf tissues that were sprayed with PS, less fungal colonisation was observed in comparison to the leaves of plants sprayed with water. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that the effect of foliar‐applied Si on the control of the coffee leaf rust development may be attributed to the physical role of the polymerised PS, its osmotic effect against urediniospores germination, or both.     

Metabolism of phenol,chloro- and nitrophenols by the Penicillium strain Bi 7/2 isolated from a contaminated soil

The Penicillium strain Bi 7/2 able to grow on phenol as sole source of carbon and energy was isolated from a contaminated soil in Bitterfeld (East Germany). The strain is adapted to high phenol concentrations. Spores germinated still at a phenol concentration of 1.5 g/l. Phenol is degraded by the ortho-pathway with catechol as first intermediary product. The Penicillium strain metabolizes 4-, 3- and 2-chlorophenol with decreasing rates with phenol or glucose as cosubstrate. In the case of 4-chlorophenol 4-chlorocatechol was detected as intermediary product, further degraded as indicated by release of about 35% of the bound chlorine of the aromatic molecule. The strain also cometabolically metabolizes 4-, 3- and 2-nitrophenol. The final product of 3- and 4-nitrophenol is 4-nitrocatechol.     

Proceedings: Preservation of rust fungi in liquid nitrogen

Spores of rust fungi can be expected to retain viability without loss of infectivity for at least several years when stored in liquid nitrogen (?196 °C). Addition of liquid suspending media is harmful and not necessary. Some rust fungi experience cold-induced dormancy when exposed to less than 0 °C for a minute or longer but germinability is dependably restored on applying a heat shock by heating the spores to 40 °C for at least 15 sec during or after thawing. Most rust fungi are not sensitive to moisture content at the time of freezing but Puccinia striiformis must be vacuum dried before freezimg. The need for heat shock may not show up until several days after thawing. All of the rust strains tested to date have retained their properties to the extent tested and for the duration of storage. Data are available for up to 11 years. Preliminary experiments to preserve saprophytic mycelial cultures of P. graminis have so far failed, with and without use of 10% glycerol and 5% DMSO. The successful preservation of rust spores has made feasible the development of a collection of living rust fungi at ATCC beginning in 1965 and which now has over 80 strains in 20 species in 7 genera.     

The biology of Puccinia chondrillina a potential biological control agent of skeleton weed

During investigations on the parasites of Chondrillajuncea in the Mediterranean region, the rust, Puccinia chondrillina, was found to be one of the most damaging. This macrocyclic and autoecious rust which is specific to the genus Chondrilla, remains active throughout the year and attacks all stages and all parts of the plant. In the Mediterranean region the rust appears to multiply solely by the uredo-stages and the teleutospores produced at the end of the summer have no obvious role in the life-cycle of the fungus. The uredospores germinated at temperatures of 0–36 °C and were used for inoculation of Chondrilla seedlings in the greenhouse. The rust occurs from the cold continental climates of southern Siberia to the hot, Mediterranean ones of Portugal and North Africa. In many situations the rust has been found to play an important role in the reduction of C. juncea populations. Young seedlings were highly susceptible to attack and were often destroyed. Older rusted plants gave many fewer viable seeds than healthy plants and were also often unable to produce new rosettes from their roots.     

球孢白僵菌分生孢子乳悬剂对甘蓝上桃蚜的田间控制效果

利用液-酵法生产球孢白僵菌(Beauveria bassiana)SG8702菌株的分生孢子粉,配制成含孢量为10^10个.ml^-1的孢子乳悬剂Ⅰ,在此基础上按1％(W／V)的比例舔加10％砒虫琳可湿性扮剂而得孢子乳悬剂Ⅱ．于2001年7月对两种孢子乳悬剂在云南昆明进行了自然条件下甘蓝上桃蚜(Myzus persicae)的田间小区(5．5m×4．8m)药效试验,各3个浓度(含孢量分别为10^7、10^6及10^5个·ml^-1常规喷雾处理,重复设清水喷雾对照,重复3次,随机区组排列．在喷菌后连续28d的田间蚜虫密度定期抽样调查中,乳悬剂Ⅱ的1000倍稀释液喷雾有效抑制了蚜虫数量增长,喷后策7—28天防效始终在90％以上．乳悬剂Ⅰ的相同稀释液喷雾对桃蚜的控制略逊于乳悬剂Ⅱ,但喷后第7天的相对防效也达到85％,此后维持防效70％以上达两周,策24天和28天才分别降至64．4％和52．6％．用含孢量10^6和10^5个·ml^-1的菌液喷雾,乳悬剂Ⅰ仍表现出明显的控蚜效果,而舔加微量砒虫琳的乳悬剂Ⅱ的控蚜效果总是优于同一浓度下的乳悬剂Ⅰ,昆明地区夏季温和而多小雨的气候有利于孢子乳悬剂发挥作用．     

Antifungal activity against plant pathogenic fungi of chaetoviridins isolated from Chaetomium globosum

The Chaetomium globosum strain F0142, which was isolated from barnyard grass, showed potent disease control efficacy against rice blast (Magnaporthe grisea) and wheat leaf rust (Puccinia recondita). Two antifungal substances were purified from broth from this organism and identified as chaetoviridins A and B. Chaetoviridin A exhibited higher antifungal activity than chaetoviridin B against plant pathogenic fungi both in vitro and in vivo. Treatment with chaetoviridin A at 62.5 microg/mL suppressed the development of rice blast and wheat leaf rust by over 80%. The molecule also exhibited moderate control of tomato late blight, resulting in 50% control following the application of 125 microg/mL chaetoviridin A.     

Effects of Foliar Sprays of Phosphates on Powdery Mildew (Sphaerotheca pannosa) of Roses

Powdery mildew on plants of a local clone of Rosa indica Major was significantly controlled by a single spray of 25 mM aqueous solutions of K₂HPO₄, KH₂PO₄ plus KOH, or NaHCO₃, all plus Tween 20 (0.5 ml/l) or bupirimate (Nimrod) at 0.5 ml/l, which was applied 4 days before inoculation with conidial suspension of Sphaerotheca pannosa var. rosae. Disease incidence was reduced by 79, 71, 54 and 50%, as compared to controls on plants sprayed with KH₂PO₄ plus KOH, K₂HPO₄, NaHCO₃ or bupirimate, respectively. Phosphates were suppressive and expressed by disappearance of 99% of the pustules and conidia, as early as 2 days after a single spray on mildewed foliage. This treatment was efficient for at least 9 days after the first application when large infected greenhouse-grown plants were used. Re-application of these salts on the same plants reduced the lesion area by about 90% from that recorded before the application. Phosphate and bicarbonate were more suppressive than the systemic fungicide bupirimate in the early period (up to 2 days). The suppresion effects of bicarbonate and bupirimate, however, were short-term and not persistent, while the phosphate treatments remained significantly suppressive for up to 23 days, when the experiment was terminated. The inhibitory and suppressive effectiveness of phosphate salts is discussed in the light of their possible acceptance as ideal foliar fertilizers which should be considered for use in the field for disease control.     

Competition in mixtures of susceptible and resistant genotypes of Chondrilla juncea differentially infected with rust

Plants of two genotypes of Chondrilla juncea (skeleton weed), one susceptible to and the other resistant to one isolate of the rust Puccinia chondrillina, were grown as pure and mixed populations both in the presence and absence of rust. Weights of individual plants were obtained at two harvests, one when the plants were rosettes and the other when flowering had begun. Distributions of plant weights of each genotype became progressively more positively skewed with time, with rust infection of plants of the susceptible genotype and with increasing competition between plants of both genotypes. The results show that genetic differences may be an important factor in determining which individuals become dominant or are suppressed in competing mixtures, and that differential disease pressure may alter dominance of individuals in plant populations.     

QTL identification and microphenotype characterisation of the developmentally regulated yellow rust resistance in the UK wheat cultivar Guardian

Yellow rust (causal agent: Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici) resistance in the UK wheat cultivar Guardian is developmentally regulated, resistance increasing as the plant matures. Yellow rust resistance was assessed under field conditions on plants after ear emergence to ensure maximum expression of resistance. Three quantitative trait loci (QTL) for yellow rust resistance were identified, being located on chromosomes 1B (QPst.jic-1B), 2D (QPst.jic-2D) and 4B (QPst.jic-4B). The largest resistance effect, QPst.jic-1B located to the same position on the long arm of chromosome 1B as the known durable source of yellow rust resistance, Yr29. Microscopic studies were carried out to determine what effect the resistance in Guardian had on the development of P. striiformis f.sp. tritici. While the adult plant resistance in Guardian did not prevent germinated urediniospores from establishing an effective infection site, the growth of hyphae within flag leaf tissue was significantly inhibited, slowing the development of microcolonies. 3,3-diaminabenzadine (DAB) and trypan blue staining indicated that this inhibition of hyphal growth was not associated with hydrogen peroxide accumulation or extensive plant cell death.