Hyphal branching systems in Phytophthora and other phycomycetes

The hyphal branching systems at the periphery of a fungal colony growing on cleared V-8 juice agar medium were analyzed quantitatively. A comparative study of Phytophthora cactorum, cinnamomi, P. megasperma, Pythium aphanidermatum, Saprolegnia ferax, Mucor hiemalis and Rhizopus homothallicus indicated that the characteristics of a hyphal branching system might be useful in taxa delineation.     

Effect of hymexazol on growth and reproduction of low temperature Phytophthora species

The effect of hymexazol (3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole or HMI) on growth and reproduction of low temperature Phytophthora species with growth maxima under 30 °C, was studied on clarified V-8 juice agar medium at 50 g/ml and 5 g/ml. HMI severely inhibited growth of P. infestons, P. phaseoli, P. porri and P. syringae, retarded the growth of P. hibernalis and P. lateralis but enhanced the growth of P. fragariae and P. ilicis. Phytophthora cactorum and P. pseudotsugae with a maximal temperature of 30 °C were moderately inhibited.HMI reduced or prevented sporangial production on agar medium by P. cactorum, P. hibernalis, P. ilicis, P. infestons, P. lateralis, P. phaseoli, P. porri and P. primulae, and suppressed chlamydospore formation in P. porri and to a lesser extent, P. lateralis. The production of sex organs was prevented by HMI in P. phaseoli, P. porri, and P. syringae, reduced in P. hibernalis and P. ilicis but unaffected in P. cactorum, P. primulae and P. psuedotsugae.     

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.     

Isolation and In Vivo and In Vitro Antifungal Activity of Phenylacetic Acid and Sodium Phenylacetate from Streptomyces humidus

The antifungal substances SH-1 and SH-2 were isolated from Streptomyces humidus strain S5-55 cultures by various purification procedures and identified as phenylacetic acid and sodium phenylacetate, respectively, based on the nuclear magnetic resonance, electron ionization mass spectral, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectral data. SH-1 and SH-2 completely inhibited the growth of Pythium ultimum, Phytophthora capsici, Rhizoctonia solani, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae at concentrations from 10 to 50 μg/ml. The two compounds were as effective as the commercial fungicide metalaxyl in inhibiting spore germination and hyphal growth of P. capsici. However, the in vivo control efficacies of the two antifungal compounds against P. capsici infection on pepper plants were similar to those of H₃PO₃ and fosetyl-AI but less than that of metalaxyl.     

辣椒疫病拮抗菌株筛选、鉴定及其防效

从疫病发病严重田块的健康辣椒植株根际分离到98株拮抗菌,从中筛选出两株具有广谱抗性并可在贫营养条件下生长良好的高效拮抗菌株HL-3和LZ-8.通过形态观察、生理生化特性和16S rDNA序列分析,确定HL-3为多粘类芽孢杆菌,LZ-8为短小芽孢杆菌.HL-3和LZ-8对辣椒疫霉菌丝生长抑制率分别为72%和68%.HL-3和LZ-8还对黄瓜枯萎病菌、辣椒枯萎病菌、棉花黄萎病菌、黄瓜立枯病菌、烟草黑胫病菌和番茄青枯病菌具有显著的抑制作用.盆栽试验表明,HL-3和LZ-8对辣椒苗期疫病防治效果分别为72%和83%,且对辣椒生长表现出明显的促生作用.     

Genetic transformation of the plant pathogens Phytophthora capsici and Phytophthora parasitica.

Phytophthora capsici and P.parasitica were transformed to hygromycin B resistance using plasmids pCM54 and pHL1, which contain the bacterial hygromycin B phosphotransferase gene (hph) fused to promoter elements of the Ustilago maydis heat shock hsp70 gene. Enzymes Driselase and Novozyme 234 were used to generate protoplasts which were then transformed following exposure to plasmid DNA and polyethylene glycol 6000. Transformation frequencies of over 500 transformants per micrograms of DNA per 1 x 10(6) protoplasts were obtained. Plasmid pCM54 appears to be transmitted in Phytophthora spp. as an extra-chromosomal element through replication, as shown by Southern blot hybridization and by the loss of plasmid methylation. In addition, transformed strains retained their capacity of infecting Serrano pepper seedlings and Mc. Intosh apple fruits, the host plants for P.capsici and P.parasitica, respectively.     

New antifungal activity of penicillic acid against Phytophthora species

Penicillic acid was isolated from a culture filtrate of Aspergillus sclerotiorum. It had a high in vitro antifungal activity against Phytophthora spp., which has not been previously reported. MICs of penicillic acid were from 1 to 25 microg ml(-1) against Phytophthora spp. Penicillic acid induced abnormal branch formation, apical branching, and swelling in P. capsici, in P. cactorum mycelia contained irregular branching and small spherical swelling at apices, in P. cambivora there was irregular branching and swelling, and in P. drechsleri there was irregular multiple spherical swelling at or near hyphal apices.     

猪场沼液对蔬菜病原菌的抑制作用

用不同贮存时间的猪场沼液对7种蔬菜病原菌的抑制作用进行了研究。结果表明,新鲜猪场沼液原液对番茄灰霉病菌、番茄早疫病菌、辣椒疫病菌、黄瓜炭疽病菌和茄子灰霉病菌有较强的抑制作用,沼液贮存对番茄灰霉病菌、番茄早疫病菌和茄子灰霉病菌的抑制效果没有显著影响,但对辣椒疫病菌和黄瓜炭疽病菌的抑制效果影响显著;新鲜猪场沼液滤液对番茄灰霉病菌和茄子灰霉病菌有较强的抑制作用,沼液滤液贮存对番茄灰霉病菌和茄子灰霉病菌的抑菌效果没有显著影响。     

The Top 10 oomycete pathogens in molecular plant pathology

Oomycetes form a deep lineage of eukaryotic organisms that includes a large number of plant pathogens which threaten natural and managed ecosystems. We undertook a survey to query the community for their ranking of plant‐pathogenic oomycete species based on scientific and economic importance. In total, we received 263 votes from 62 scientists in 15 countries for a total of 33 species. The Top 10 species and their ranking are: (1) Phytophthora infestans; (2, tied) Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis; (2, tied) Phytophthora ramorum; (4) Phytophthora sojae; (5) Phytophthora capsici; (6) Plasmopara viticola; (7) Phytophthora cinnamomi; (8, tied) Phytophthora parasitica; (8, tied) Pythium ultimum; and (10) Albugo candida. This article provides an introduction to these 10 taxa and a snapshot of current research. We hope that the list will serve as a benchmark for future trends in oomycete research.     

PCR amplification of species-specific DNA sequences can distinguish among Phytophthora species.

We used PCR to differentiate species in the genus Phytophthora, which contains a group of devastating plant pathogenic fungi. We focused on Phytophthora parasitica, a species that can infect solanaceous plants such as tomato, and on Phytophthora citrophthora, which is primarily a citrus pathogen. Oligonucleotide primers were derived from sequences of a 1,300-bp P. parasitica-specific DNA segment and of an 800-bp P. citrophthora-specific segment. Under optimal conditions, the primers developed for P. parasitica specifically amplified a 1,000-bp sequence of DNA from isolates of P. parasitica. Primers for P. citrophthora similarly and specifically amplified a 650-bp sequence of DNA from isolates of P. citrophthora. Detectable amplification of these specific DNA sequences required picogram quantities of chromosomal DNA. Neither pair of primers amplified these sequences with DNAs from other species of Phytophthora or from the related genus Pythium. DNAs from P. parasitica and P. citrophthora growing in infected tomato stem tissue were amplified as distinctly as DNAs from axenic cultures of each fungal species. This is the first report on PCR-driven amplification with Phytophthora species-specific primers.     

Evidence for mitochondrial gene control of mating types in Phytophthora

When protoplasts carrying metalaxyl-resistant (Mr) nuclei from the A1 isolate of Phytophthora parasitica were fused with protoplasts carrying chloroneb-resistant (Cnr) nuclei from the A2 isolate of the same species, fusion products carrying Mr nuclei were either the A2 or A1A2 type, while those carrying Cnr nuclei were the A1, A2, or A1A2 type. Fusion products carrying Mr and Cnr nuclei also behaved as the A1, A2, or A1A2 type. The result refutes the hypothesis that mating types in Phytophthora are controlled by nuclear genes. When nuclei from the A1 isolate of P. parasitica were fused with protoplasts from the A2 isolate of the same species and vice versa, all of the nuclear hybrids expressed the mating type characteristics of the protoplast parent. The same was true when the nuclei from the A1 isolate of P. parasitica were fused with the protoplasts from the A0 isolate of Phytophthora capsici and vice versa. These results confirm the observation that mating type genes are not located in the nuclei and suggest the presence of mating type genes in the cytoplasms of the recipient protoplasts. When mitochondria from the A1 isolate of P. parasitica were fused with protoplasts from the A2 isolate of the same species, the mating type of three out of five regenerated protoplasts was changed to the A1 type. The result demonstrated the decisive effect of mitochondrial donor sexuality on mating type characteristics of mitochondrial hybrids and suggested the presence of mating type genes in mitochondria. All of the mitochondrial hybrids resulting from the transfer of mitochondria from the A0 isolate of P. capsici into protoplasts from the A1 isolate of P. parasitica were all of the A0 type. The result supports the hypothesis of the presence of mating type genes in mitochondria in Phytophthora.     

中国橡胶树疫霉种的研究

疫病是我国植胶区的主要病害。近年来,作者从云南西双版纳和广东海南岛的橡胶树和胶园土共分离出57株疫霉菌种。通过分类研究,共鉴定出4个种:恶疫霉 Phytophthoracactorum(Leb.＆ Cohn)Schroeter,辣椒疫霉 P.capsici Leoman,柑桔褐腐疫霉 P.citrophthora(Sm.＆ Sm.)Leonian,和棕榈疫霉 P.palmivora(Butl.)Butler。其中辣椒疫霉是首次在橡胶树上发现。我国橡胶树疫霉的种群结构与东南亚和南亚的有所不同,除棕榈疫霉外,其余3种在东南亚和南亚均未发现。而东南亚常见种:簇囊疫霉(P.botryosa)、橡胶疫霉(P.heveae)和蜜色疫霉(P.meadii),在我国却迄今尚未发现或有待证实。以前报道分离自胶园土壤中的芋疫霉(P.colocasiae),可能系柑桔褐腐疫霉之误。绝大多数分离物经配对培养均可产生性器官:辣椒疫霉的A~1交配型和A~2交配型大致相等;柑桔褐腐疫霉和棕榈疫霉的A~2交配型则明显多于A~1交配型。     

中国橡胶树疫霉种的研究*

疫病是我国植胶区的主要病害。近年来,作者从云南西双版纳和广东海南岛的橡胶树和胶园土共分离出57株疫霉菌种。通过分类研究,共鉴定出4个种:恶疫霉 Phytophthoracactorum(Leb.＆ Cohn)Schroeter,辣椒疫霉 P.capsici Leoman,柑桔褐腐疫霉 P.citrophthora(Sm.＆ Sm.)Leonian,和棕榈疫霉 P.palmivora(Butl.)Butler。其中辣椒疫霉是首次在橡胶树上发现。我国橡胶树疫霉的种群结构与东南亚和南亚的有所不同,除棕榈疫霉外,其余3种在东南亚和南亚均未发现。而东南亚常见种:簇囊疫霉(P.botryosa)、橡胶疫霉(P.heveae)和蜜色疫霉(P.meadii),在我国却迄今尚未发现或有待证实。以前报道分离自胶园土壤中的芋疫霉(P.colocasiae),可能系柑桔褐腐疫霉之误。绝大多数分离物经配对培养均可产生性器官:辣椒疫霉的A~1交配型和A~2交配型大致相等;柑桔褐腐疫霉和棕榈疫霉的A~2交配型则明显多于A~1交配型。     

Isolation and in vivo and in vitro antifungal activity of phenylacetic acid and sodium phenylacetate from Streptomyces humidus

The antifungal substances SH-1 and SH-2 were isolated from Streptomyces humidus strain S5-55 cultures by various purification procedures and identified as phenylacetic acid and sodium phenylacetate, respectively, based on the nuclear magnetic resonance, electron ionization mass spectral, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectral data. SH-1 and SH-2 completely inhibited the growth of Pythium ultimum, Phytophthora capsici, Rhizoctonia solani, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae at concentrations from 10 to 50 microg/ml. The two compounds were as effective as the commercial fungicide metalaxyl in inhibiting spore germination and hyphal growth of P. capsici. However, the in vivo control efficacies of the two antifungal compounds against P. capsici infection on pepper plants were similar to those of H(3)PO(3) and fosetyl-AI but less than that of metalaxyl.     

Creation of hybrid vigor through nuclear transplantation in Phytophthora

When isolated nuclei of a diploid oomycete, Phytophthora parasitica, were fused with protoplasts of another strain of the same species, the regenerated nuclear hybrids grew faster than the parental isolates. Such a phenomenon did not occur in hybrids regenerated from mitochondrion-protoplast or protoplast-protoplast fusion products between these two strains. These results indicate that hybrid vigor is the result of the interaction between two different kinds of nuclei, but not between mitochondria, and they suggest that the presence of mitochondria from nuclear donor cells represses the expression of increased vigor. The nuclear hybrids also expressed increased fungicide resistance and propagule production. Increased vigor in growth was also observed in the interspecific nuclear hybrids when isolated nuclei of P. parasitica were transferred into protoplasts of Phytophthora capsici, and vice versa. This phenomenon may have potential applications, such as the creation of superior fungal strains and plant cultivars with improved commercial traits for usage in industry and agriculture.     

Cocoa-based media for culturing Phytophthora palmivora (Butl.) Butl., causal agent of black pod disease of cocoa

Green cocoa pod husk agar (GCPA), ripe cocoa pod husk agar (RCPA), green cocoabean agar (GCBA), ripe cocoa bean agar (RCBA), green cocoa mucilage agar (GCMA)and ripe cocoa mucilage agar (RCMA) were prepared and assessd for their clarity andfor potential to support mycelial growth and sporulation of P. palmivora. Oatmeal agar (OMA), potato-dextrose agar (PDA), vegetable 8 juice agar (V8JA) and pineapple crown agar (PCA) were included for comparison. The highest radial growth rates of 8.3 and 7.2 mm/day were recorded, respectively, on OMA and GCPA but these were not significantly different (P ≤ 0 05) from each other. The two media also supported good aerial mycelial growth but were not clear. Radial mycelial growth rates of 6.5, 7.0 and 6.6 mm/day were obtained on GCMA, RCPA and V8JA, respectively, and these rates were also not significantly different from each other. Of the three media, only the GCMA was clear and supported the best aerial mycelial growth. In comparison, the RCMA supported a significantly lower radial growth (4.6 mm/day) of P. palmivora than the three media. Growth rates were least on RCBA, PCA and PDA but sporulation was poorest on PDA, PCA and V8JA. GCMA was found to be the best medium based on all the growth parameters and media characteristics. GCMA has been used effectively to isolate/detect P. palmivora from infected cocoa pod tissues. Apart from differences in radial growth rate, both the GCMA and RCMA were similar in all other respects and are recommended for culturing P. palmivora. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A Survey of Phytophthora Species on Hainan Island of South China

During the period 1997–2007, a comprehensive study of the occurrence and distribution of Phytophthora species was conducted on Hainan Island of South China. To date, 14 species of Phytophthora have been recovered and their distribution determined. Phytophthora nicotianae ( =P. parasitica ) is the most important species attacking a wide variety of crops, followed by Phytophthora capsici and Phytophthora citrophthora . In contrast to Phytophthora colocasiae attacking taro leaves throughout the entire island, Phytophthora cyperi was found only once on Digitaria ciliaris in Danzhou. It is of interest to note that Phytophthora heveae, Phytophthora katsurae and Phytophthora insolita are commonly found in forest soil/water of protected mountains without causing any plant diseases. Although Phytophthora species are usually terrestrial or found in fresh water, one isolate of Phytophthora resembling closely the asexual isolates of P. insolita in Hainan was obtained from decaying Rhizophora leaves submerged in seawater. An unidentified Phytophthora species producing non-papillate; internally proliferating sporangia was isolated from the soil in which Ceriops tagel and Bruguiera serangula were growing in a salt water shrimp farm.     

Species of Phytophthora and Pythium as Nematode-destroying Fungi

Pythium monospermum,, P. aphanidermatum, and Phytophthora palmivora were found to be capable of destroying certain nonstylet-bearing nematodes through endozoic parasitism by hyphae from ingested zoospores. Hyphae of P. monospermum parasitized nematode eggs but could not capture or otherwise prey upon living nematodes. We suggest that endoparasitism of free-living nematodes may be common among Oomycetes in nature.     

进境美国加州脐橙中丁香疫霉Phytophthora syringae的截获

从产自美国加利福尼亚州的新鲜脐橙样品中发现多个腐烂病果,通过分离培养得到3个疑似丁香疫霉Phytophthora syringae菌株,对3个菌株进行形态学研究、致病性测定和分子序列比对分析。结果表明病菌在V8A培养基上菌落稀疏、平铺,呈星状,菌丝紧贴培养基生长或埋于基质内生长;在PDA培养基上菌落呈菊花花瓣状,菌丝致密,乳白色;游动孢子囊和菌丝膨大体在无菌水和土壤浸出液中黑暗条件下48h后产生;菌株为同宗配合,卵孢子在带有新鲜脐橙果实组织或杜鹃叶片的V8A培养基中大量产生;创伤接种脐橙果实,7d后接种脐橙出现典型的褐腐症状;通用引物ITS1/ITS4扩增测序,Blastn分析表明序列与GenBank中P. syringae序列相似性为99%。依据上述研究结果,将分离获得的3株菌鉴定为丁香疫霉Phytophthora syringae,系国内首次截获的一种植物检疫性真菌病害。