Phytophthora cryptogea root rot of tomato in rockwool nutrient culture. I. Analysis of root infection

The spatial and temporal colonisation of tomato plants by Phytophthora cryptogea was studied in rockwool nutrient culture. Root growth and the distribution and progress of infection were measured on dissected root fragments obtained from a detailed destructive sampling of the substrate. Dissected fragments of root or roots and fibres were plated on BNPRA agar, a selective Phytophthora medium. Roots colonised all parts of the rockwool substrate 60 days after planting with the exception of surface marginal and central areas of the slab which had a lower solution content. Most root biomass occurred in and immediately beneath the original growing block. The distribution of P. cryptogea closely followed the pattern of root colonisation. An alternative, novel method for root analysis involved the dissolution of the mineral fibre and its formate bonding resin by digestion in 1 m H₃PO₄ for 45 min. Comparative recoveries of P. cryptogea from plated fragments of dissected root and fibre or comminuted samples of acid-released or dissected root showed that the acid treatment initially reduced the number of Phytophthora colonies in block and slab roots by 67% and 61% respectively. After 28 days, colony recovery from acid-released roots in the rockwool slab increased and was between 4% and 13% lower than from other plating methods. Since 1 m H₃PO₄ was lethal to zoospores and surface sporangia, the colonies recovered were interpreted as originating exclusively from root lesions. Root fresh weight of healthy and inoculated plants declined during the initial period of fruit formation. P. cryptogea infection led to a progressive reduction in root weight in the growing block and main slab and 28 days after inoculation, was approximately 50% of the controls. The acid digestion of rockwool fibre is proposed as a new approach to the problem of root and pathogen analysis in this substrate.     

Phytophthora cryptogea root rot of tomato in rockwool nutrient culture:

The effect of root temperature on growth and yield of rockwool-grown tomato plants infected with Phytophthora cryptogea was investigated. Measurements of shoot and root growth were taken at high (25^oC) and low (15^oC) root temperatures during the generative phase of growth. The growth of roots of healthy and P. cryptogea-infected tomato plants in rockwool blocks was higher in plants grown with roots at 25^oC than at 15^oC after 60 days and a similar effect was found in slabs after 98 days. Under sub-optimal conditions for growth the disease became severe when root temperatures were low. Growth of roots was greatest when roots were maintained at a high temperature in combination with an ambient air temperature of c. 15^oC and the response was greater in cv. Counter than cvs Calypso and Marathon. Water-soluble carbohydrates of roots were higher in those produced in blocks than slabs and were reduced by infection compared to healthy plants with roots at 15^oC and 25^oC. Reduced transpiration rates were found 17 days after inoculation in symptomless plants grown at a root temperature of 25^oC. Infection, regardless of the temperature of the roots or cultivar, led to reduced stem growth. The plants grown at 25^oC were taller than those with a root temperature of 15^oC. After 9 wk of harvest, the cumulative fruit yields in infected cvs Counter and Calypso grown at 25^oC were comparable to that in healthy plants grown at either temperature and cumulative fruit numbers followed a similar pattern. High root temperatures led to delayed fruit ripening between weeks 3–10 and a larger number of unripe fruit. The weight of unripe fruit from infected plants grown at 25^oC at the terminal harvest was higher than from healthy plants with roots maintained at 15^oC.     

Evaluation of fungicides and biocontrol products for the control of Phytophthora root rot of hydrangeas

Abstract

Phytophthora root rot is one of the most important diseases in almost all hydrangeas of nursery production. In this study, the efficacy of fungicides and biocontrol products against Phytophthora root rot of hydrangea was assessed in greenhouse and field experiments. Treatments used in field or greenhouse experiments were RootShield PLUS⁺, MBI110, IT-5103, Grotab, OxiPhos, TerraClean 5.0?+?TerraGrow program, Segovis, Pageant Intrinsic, Empress Intrinsic and Subdue Maxx. Pots/plots were inoculated with Phytophthora nicotianae grown on rice grains, sterilised rice grains were used for negative controls. After the trials, plant growth data (total plant weight, root weight, plant height, plant width) were recorded, and roots were assessed for disease severity using a scale of 0–100%. The treatments most effective in reducing Phytophthora root rot severity were Segovis, Empress Intrinsic, Subdue Maxx, TerraClean 5.0?+?TerraGrow program in both greenhouse and field experiments. This study will help nursery producers make proper management decisions by using recommended fungicides and biocontrol products of this study in a rotation or alone to manage Phytophthora root rot of hydrangea.     

The effect of chemical and biological treatment on root and crown rot disease caused by Phytophthora cryptogea Pethybr. & Lafferty in Gerbera

Phytophthora root and crown rot (Phytophthora cryptogea) on gerbera is difficult to manage because most gerbera cultivars are susceptible to P. cryptogea. This study was conducted in order to determine the in vivo (pot experiment) efficacy of some fungicides and biofungicides. In pot experiments, fungicides were applied 7 days after inoculation with P. cryptogea, while biofungicide was applied 7 days before inoculation. In this study, soil drenches of five fungicides were tested. “Ametoctradin+dimethomorph (100 ml/day),” “mandipropamid+difenoconazole (60 ml/day),” “propamocarb+fosetyl‐Al (200 ml/day),” “mancozeb+metalaxyl‐M (250 g/day)” and “azoxystrobin+difenoconazole (100 ml/day)” active substances were used. Similarly, one biofungicide Bacillus amyloliquefaciens syn. MBI 600 (50 g/100 L) was applied by soil drenching. Efficacy of treatments was assessed according to the percentage of the root system which was visibly rotten at the end of the experiment. Root and crown rot severity was rated on a scale of 0 = 0% root system necrotic, 1 = 1%‐25% necrotic, 2 = 26%‐50% necrotic, 3 = 51%‐75% necrotic and 4 = 76%‐100% necrotic from 12 to 21 days. In this experiment, “azoxystrobin 200 g/L + difenoconazole 125 g/L” exhibited the highest efficacy against P. cryptogea with a ratio of 43.75%. The other fungicides and biofungicides ametoctradin 300 g/L + dimethomorph 225 g/L, mandipropamid 250 g/L + difenoconazole 250 g/L, propamocarb 530 g/L + fosety‐Al 310 g/L, mancozeb 64%+metalaxyl‐M 4% and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens syn. MBI 600 11% were ineffective. Importance should be given to management strategies of P. cryptogea of and more experiments should be carried out for a better understanding of the use of registered fungicides and biofungicides.     

Thermal sensitivity of Phytophthora cinnamomi and long-term effectiveness of soil solarisation to control avocado root rot

Root rot caused by the fungus Phytophthora cinnamomi is a major disease of avocados worldwide. Heat sensitivity of a collection of P. cinnamomi isolates was determined by exposing agar discs containing mycelium or mycelium plus chlamydospores at various temperatures for different periods. Long‐term effectiveness of soil solarisation to control Phytophthora root rot was evaluated in two field trials. In the first, soil disinfestation by solarisation was applied in 1990 to a naturally infested plot before planting avocado (Persea americana) and viñatigo (Persea indica) seedlings. In the second trial, established avocado trees were solarised for four consecutive summers (1996–1999). Results for heat sensitivity showed that fungal mycelium was inactivated after 1–2 h at 38°C. However, 1–2 h at 40°C was needed to kill all propagules when chlamydospores were present. Fungal growth inhibition after thermal treatments was related to levels of time and temperature, and detrimental effects occurred as consequence of sublethal thermal doses. Soil solarisation presented long‐term positive effects when applied as a preplanting treatment. Five years after solarisation, disease severity (0–5 scale where 0 = healthy and 5 = dead plant) of avocado and viñatigo planted in solarised soil was 2.03 and 0.71, respectively, compared with 4.65 and 4.84 in controls. Eleven years after solarisation, the percentage of dead plants in solarised soil was 73% for avocado and 43% for viñatigo but 100% in controls. In contrast, an insufficient level of control was observed in established orchards, probably because of the lower temperature reached during solarisation under the shade of tree canopy. In this situation, maximum temperatures at 5‐cm depth were 10–13.7°C lower than under solar‐heated mulch, only exceeding 40°C in 1997.     

Development of a system simulating commercial production conditions for assessing the potential spread of Phytophthora cryptogea root rot of hardy nursery stock in recirculating irrigation water

A system was developed for monitoring the potential spread of Phytophthora cryptogea root rot of the hardy nursery stock (HNS) species Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, Erica x darlyensis and Calluna vulgaris in recirculating irrigation water on semi-commercial scale production beds. The spread of disease was monitored by measurements of symptoms and by baiting bioassays. A range of baits was tested and the most sensitive was found to be shoot segments of Lupinus angustifolius. The pathogen spread rapidly throughout the system from infected plants in the recirculating irrigation water. Although the percentage of plants infected was high (in Chamaecyparis 73% in 1994 and 93% in 1995), the percentage of infections actively sporulating at any one sample date was much less (47% in 1994 and 63% in 1995) and shoot symptoms were even less evident (in Chamaecyparis 22% in 1994 and 38% in 1995). In Chamaecyparis the incidence of shoot symptoms was less than expected from results of inoculations of similar plants not irrigated with recirculated water (80% infected, 60% with symptoms). The reason for this difference is not known but it poses a serious threat to the quality of HNS produced using recirculated irrigation water and underlines the need for reliable pathogen control methods.     

Effect of sub-optimal root zone temperatures at varied nutrient supply and shoot meristem temperature on growth and nutrient concentrations in maize seedlings (Zea mays L.)

Maize seedlings were grown for 10 to 20 days in either nutrient solution or in soils with or without fertilizer supply. Air temperature was kept uniform for all treatments, while root zone temperature (RZT) was varied between 12 and 24°C. In some treatments the basal part of the shoot (with apical shoot meristem and zone of leaf elongation) was lifted up to separate the indirect effects of root zone temperature on shoot growth from the direct effects of temperature on the shoot meristem.Shoot and root growth were decreased by low RZT to a similar extent irrespective of the growth medium (i.e. nutrient solution, fertilized or unfertilized soil). In all culture media Ca concentration was similar or even higher in plants grown at 12 as compared to 24°. At lower RZT concentrations of N, P and K in the shoot dry matter decreased in unfertilized soil, whereas in nutrient solution and fertilized soil only the K concentration decreased.When direct temperature effects on the shoot meristem were reduced by lifting the basal part of the shoot above the temperature-controlled root zone, shoot growth at low RZT was significantly increased in nutrient solution and fertilized soil, but not in unfertilized soil. In fertilized soil and nutrient solution at low RZT the uptake of K increased to a similar extent as plant growth, and thus shoot K concentration was not reduced by increasing shoot growth rates. In contrast, uptake of N and P was not increased, resulting in significantly decreased shoot concentrations.It is concluded that shoot growth at suboptimal RZT was limited both by a direct temperature effect on shoot activity and by a reduced nutrient supply through the roots. Nutrient concentrations in the shoot tissue at low RZT were not only influenced by availability in the substrate and dilution by growth, but also by the internal demand for growth.     

Effect of tissue wounding and time of soil inoculation on pepper root rot development

Five-week-old pepper plants with wounds created on stems and roots were transplanted to soils having inoculum of Phytophthora capsici incorporated for different lengths of time. Disease severity (39.99%) on root trimmed seedlings was not significantly different (P ≤ 0.05) from the severity (36.24%) obtained on stem lacerated seedlings. The wound treatments did not result in significantly different rates of lesion extension per day; stem lacerated seedling had the fastest, 1.99 mm/day lesion extension rate, followed by 1.90 and 1.89 mm/day extension rates obtained on root trimmed and unwounded treatments, respectively. However, time of soil inoculation had significant effect on severity; root trimmed and stem lacerated treatments had 46.3% and 39.8% severities, respectively. Tissue wounding × time of soil inoculation interaction did not have significant effect on disease severity; stem lacerated seedlings transplanted to 1-day and 3-day inoculated soils gave highest severity (49.9%), followed by seedlings inoculated at the time of transplantation. Root trimmed seedlings inoculated at the time of transplantation had highest severity (61.1%), while the lowest severity was obtained on seedlings transplanted to 5-day inoculated soil.     

Interactions of soil pH,nutrients and moisture on phytophthora root rot of avocado

Summary This experiment employed a factorial design combining 4 soil pH levels, 3 soil moisture levels, with and without the addition ofPhytophthora cinnamomi to the soil to evaluate the conditions that lead to Phytophthora root rot of avocado.An inverse relation between soil pH and leaf production (and root-weight) was observed in nondiseased plants. In soil infested withP. cinnamomi, plant growth and root weights were much depressed by low soil pH, and especially by low soil pH coupled with high soil moisture contents. These interactions were statistically highly significant. Root weights in pots withP. cinnamomi were closely related to the incidence of disease. A disease index was used to visually assess the conditions of roots. Isolation of the pathogen from diseased plant roots confirmed the accuracy of the disease index.A process of elimination suggsts that favorable soil Ca level and not high pHper se was responsible for disease suppression and that the devastating effects of low soil pH was produced by high Mn (and possibly Al) and associated low levels of Ca and P in soil solutions, which led to breakdown of biological control mechanisms.Journal Series No. 2801, Hawaii Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.     

Disease development of Pythium root rot in bulbous Iris and Crocus

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

Uneven distribution of nutrients in the root zone affects the incidence of blossom end rot and concentration of calcium and potassium in fruits of tomato

Tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. var. DRK) were grown hydroponically to determine the effect of an uneven distribution of nutrients in the root zone on blossom end rot (BER) and Ca and K concentrations in the fruits. The plants were grown in rockwool with their root system divided into two portions. Each portion was irrigated with nutrient solutions with either the same or the different electrical conductivity (EC) in the range 0 to 6 dS m^–1. Solutions with high EC supplied to both sides of the root system significantly increased the incidence of BER. However, when only water or a solution of low EC was supplied to one portion, BER was reduced by 80%. Fruit yields were significantly higher (P<0.01) for plants that received solutions of the uneven EC treatments (6/0 or 4.5/0 EC treatment). Plants supplied with solutions of uneven EC generally had higher leaf and fruit concentrations of Ca but lower concentrations of K than those supplied with solutions of high EC. There was no difference in Ca concentration at the distal end of young fruits of the uneven EC treatment but it was reduced in the high EC treatments. The concentration of K in the mature fruits of the uneven EC treatments was lower than that of the high EC treatments and higher or similar that of the 3/3 or 2.5/2.5 EC treatments (controls). A clear relationship was found between the incidence of BER and the exudation rate. High rate of xylem exudation was observed in the uneven EC treatments. Reduction of BER in the uneven EC treatments is most likely to be the effect of high exudation rate on Ca status in the young fruits. It was concluded that high EC of solution had positive effects on Ca concentration and incidence of BER provided that nutrient solution with low EC or water is supplied to the one portion of the root system.     

Effect of mycorrhiza and biofertilisers on reducing the incidence of Fusarium root and pod rot diseases of peanut

Pathogenicity tests of twenty-six fungal isolates were tested on peanut plants (Giza 5 cv.) and the results revealed that, Fusarium oxysporum isolate (No. I) followed by F. solani (No. II) then F. moniliforme (No III) significantly caused highest incidence of root rot disease. Also, F. moniliforme (No III) followed by F. solani (No II) then F. oxysporum (No I) gave the highest incidence of pod rot disease. The effectiveness of vescular arbuscular-mycorrhiza (VAM) at different application rates on the incidence of root rot, pod rot diseases and plant growth parameters of peanut was studied. All soil treatments with each rate of VAM significantly reduced root and pod rot diseases compared with control (rate 0%). The best reduction in the severity of both diseases with VAM was found at the rate of 3%. Application of rhizobacterin, microbin and cerialin biofertilisers at the different concentrations decreased the severity of both root rot and pod rot severity diseases compared with non-treated seeds. The greatest reduction in both diseases was achieved at a concentration of 8/100?g seeds. The highest number of pods and fresh weight (g) was achieved in seed supplemented with each biofertiliser at concentration of 8/100?g seed.     

Susceptibility of Thirty Cherry Genotypes on Phytophthora cactorum, P. citrophthora, P. citricola and P. parasitica

The diseases Phytophthor a crown and root rot consist of the most important problems in cherry cultivation. In this study, the susceptibility of 30 cherry genotypes to Phytophthora cactorum , P. citrophthora, P. parasitica and P. citricola was evaluated by using excised twig assay, excised shoot method and stem inoculation method. The results showed that all cherry genotypes tested were susceptible to all Phytophthora isolates used. Phytophthora parasitica and P. citrophthora were the most aggressive species. Host specificity of the Phytophthora isolates used in this study was not found although these isolates were from different plant species. In conclusion, because none of the cherry genotype showed a level of resistance to these pathogens, caution should be taken when these genotypes are used in locations, where these diseases are endemic.     

Potential of endophytic Streptomyces spp. for biocontrol of Fusarium root rot disease and growth promotion of tomato seedlings

Sixteen endophytic actinobacteria isolated from roots of native plants were evaluated for their antagonistic potential against soil-borne phytopathogenic fungi. Among them, three strong antagonistic isolates were selected and characterised for in vitro plant-growth-promoting and biocontrol traits, including production of hydrogen cyanide, indole-3-acetic acid and siderophores, chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase activities, and inorganic phosphate solubilisation. In all trials, the strain Streptomyces sp. SNL2 revealed promising features. The selected actinobacteria were investigated for the biocontrol of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis lycopersici and for growth promotion of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Aïcha) seedlings in autoclaved and non-autoclaved soils. All seed-bacterisation treatments significantly reduced the root rot incidence compared to a positive control (with infested soil), and the isolate SNL2 exhibiting the highest protective activity. It reduced the disease incidence from 88.5% to 13.2%, whereas chemical seed treatment with Thiram® provided 14.6% disease incidence. Furthermore, isolate SNL2 resulted in significant increases in the dry weight, shoot and root length of seedlings. 16S rDNA sequence analysis showed that isolate SNL2 was related to Streptomyces asterosporus NRRL B-24328^T (99.52% of similarity). Its interesting biocontrol potential and growth enhancement of tomato seedlings open up attractive uses of the strain SNL2 in crop improvement.     

控制性分根交替灌溉下氮形态对番茄生长、果实产量及品质的影响

以高产大果型西红柿品种中研988为材料,采用分根培养的方法,研究了控制性分根交替灌溉(APRI)条件下,不同氮素形态(硝态氮、铵态氮)对番茄生长、产量及果实品质的影响.结果表明: 同一灌溉方式或下限处理下,铵态氮对番茄植株前期生长有利,而硝态氮促进番茄植株后期生长,并促进果实产量增加.在APRI同一灌水下限下,硝态氮处理可提高果实维生素C含量及糖酸比,提高营养品质.同一氮素形态供应下,APRI番茄的株高和叶面积均小于正常灌溉(CK),但灌水下限为60%田间持水量(θ_f)的APRI处理番茄茎粗在生长后期有所增加.在同一氮素形态下,与CK相比,APRI各处理的产量均下降,其中灌水下限在40%θ_f的APRI处理产量下降了22.4%～26.3%;而灌水下限在60% θ_f的APRI处理仅下降了5.3%～5.4%,下降幅度相对较小,而品质显著提高,并具有明显的节水效果.因此,控制灌水下限在60%θ_f、供应硝态氮的APRI处理为番茄高产、优质、节水的最佳处理.
     

Effect of temperature,cultivars, injury of root and inoculums load of Ralstonia solanacearum to cause bacterial wilt of tomato

Bacterial wilt, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum , is responsible for severe losses in tomato crops in the world. In the present study, the effect of temperature, cultivars of tomato, injury of root system and inoculums load of R. solanacearum to cause bacterial wilt disease under control conditions was undertaken. Three strains UTT-25, HPT-3 and JHT-5 of R. solanacearum were grown at 5–40?°C in vitro to study, the effect of temperature on the growth of bacteria and maximum growth was found at 30?°C after 72?h in all the strains. Twenty-one days old seedlings of two cultivars of tomato i.e. N-5 (moderately resistant) and Pusa Ruby (highly susceptible) were transplanted into the pots and inoculated with R. solanacearum strain UTT-25 (5 × 10⁸?cfu/ml), mechanically injured and uninjured roots of the plant. The plants were allowed to grow at 20, 25, 30 and 35?°C at National Phytotron Facility, IARI, New Delhi to study the effect of temperature on intensity of bacterial wilt disease. Maximum wilt disease intensity was found 98.73 and 95.9 % in injured roots of Pusa Ruby and N-5 cultivars of tomato at 35?°C on 11th days of inoculation, respectively. However, no wilt disease was observed in both the cultivars at 20?°C up to 60?days. For detection of R. solanacearum from asymptomatic tomato plants, hrpB-based sequence primers (Hrp_rs2F and Hrp_rs2R) amplified at 323?bp was used in bio-PCR to detect R. solanacearum from crown, mid part of stem and upper parts of the plant. Another experiment was conducted to find out the inoculum potential of R. solanacearum strain UTT-25 to cause bacterial wilt in susceptible cultivar Pusa Ruby. The bacteria were inoculated at concentration of bacterial suspension 10 to 10¹⁰?cfu/ml in injured and uninjured roots of the plants separately and injured root accelerated wilt incidence and able to cause wilt disease 63.3% by 100?cfu/ml of R. solanacearum, while no disease appeared at 10?cfu/ml on the 11th day of inoculation in injured and uninjured roots of the plant.     

Pink root rot,a revised name of brown root rot of gentian,and the causal fungi,Pyrenochaeta gentianicola sp. nov. andP. terrestris in Japan

Cultivated gentian (Gentiana scabra var.buergeri) has been seriously damaged by pink root rot since the 1970s. Diseased plants finally collapse after wilting and stunting. More than 40 fungal genera were found to be associated with roots of mature and immature diseased plants or seeds. Among these fungi,Pyrenochaeta gentianicola sp. nov. andP. terrestris were almost always associated with the diseased plants. Their morphologies and temperature responses were compared, and their pathogenicity was also demonstrated by artificial inoculation tests.Part of this work was conducted at the National Institute of Agricultural Sciences (presently National Institute of Agro-Environmental Sciences), Tsukuba S.C., Ibaraki 305, Japan by T. Watanabe.     

Performances of improved cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) cultivars against root rot disease and yield in cassava-maize intercropping systems under natural infection

This study examined the performances of 21 cassava cultivars in two cropping seasons on the field against root rot disease and the yield in cassava-maize intercrop. Data were collected on number of root/plant, weight of root (t/ha) and disease severity (DS) on rotted roots at 12 and 16 months after planting (MAP), respectively. There were significant (P ≤ 0.05) differences for DS at 12 and 16 MAP in both seasons with cultivar TMS 97/JW2 having the least DS score. TMS 97/JW2 was resistant to the root rot pathogen, while eleven other cultivars were moderately resistant to the disease at 16 MAP. There was no consistency in the roots weight for the cultivars over the two cropping seasons but higher roots weight was recorded at 16 MAP than 12 MAP with different cultivars having highest roots weight at these periods. Intercropping maize with cassava does not have any management potential on root rot development.     

Efficacy of antioxidants on incidence of Fusarium root and pod rot diseases in peanut

Several antioxidants namely ascorbic acid, salicylic acid, sodium benzoates, thiouria and catechol were used as seed treatment and foliar spraying to reduce the incidence of root and pod rot diseases of peanut caused by (Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani and Fusarium moniliforme) as well as to determine of phenolic compounds and oxidative enzymes in the treated plants. Each antioxidant was used at different concentrations (2, 4, 6 and 8 mM) against tested pathogenic fungi in vitro. All antioxidants at 8 mM showed the greatest reduction of mycelial growth of the pathogens. In greenhouse experiments, treated seeds (Giza 5 cv.) or foliar spraying of peanut plants after 30 and 60 days from planting date with each antioxidant at 8 mM reduced severity of both diseases. The treated plants with antioxidants increased accumulation of phenolic compounds and activity levels of oxidative enzymes (catalase, peroxidase and polyphenoloxidase) in infected plants compared to healthy plants.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:AF539C90-4B38-4BFE-B77B-5F2A5D764D7A