Life table parameters of large white butterfly Pieris brassicae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) on different cabbage varieties

Effect of four different cole crops (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis, Brassica oleracea var. capitata, Brassica oleracea var. italica and Brassica oleracea var. viridis) on biological parameters of the large white butterfly Pieris brassicae was evaluated at temperature 26 ± 1 °C, 60 ± 5% R. H. and a photoperiod of 16: 8 (L:D) h. The shortest larval and pupal period stages were recorded on B. oleracea var. botrytis (22.18 ± 0.20 days) and (13.32 ± 0.17 days), respectively. The life span was longest on B. oleracea var. viridis (60.43 ± 2.34 days) and shortest on B. oleracea var. botrytis (50.19 ± 0.51 days). The highest percentage of larval and pupal mortality was observed on B. oleracea var. viridis (74%), and (53%), respectively. We found that P. brassicae prefers B. oleracea var. botrytis and B. oleracea var. capitata among cole crops; it is due to the lowest percentage of larval and pupal mortality and the highest rate of life table parameters, including survival rate (lx) and life expectancy (ex), which makes them to be susceptible varieties to this pest. Contrary, a longer developmental time on B. oleracea var. viridis may be attributed to poor nutritional status and reduced survival of the cohort, resulting in high rates of mortality, which was partial resistance to pest. Knowledge of the biology and life table parameters of P. brassicae on different cole crops could be effective in detecting and monitoring the pest infestation, variety selection and crop breeding.     

Detection and analysis of QTLs based on RAPD markers for polygenic resistance to Plasmodiophora brassicae Woron in Brassica oleracea L.

Resistance to Plasmodiophora brassicae Woron, the causal fungus of clubroot, was examined in an F₂ population of a cross between a clubroot-resistant kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala) and a susceptible cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis). QTL detection was performed with RAPD markers. Two resistance notations, carried out at different times after inoculation, were used. Three markers were associated with these two notations and three were specifically linked to only one notation. QTL analysis suggests the existence of at least two genetic mechanisms implicated in the resistance phenomenon.     

Johnkarlingia,a new genus of the synchytriaceae

A chytridiaceous fungous species was found parasitic in the roots of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) and cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata) in the heavy soil fields of Varanasi, U.P. The morphology of resting sporangia and life cycle of the pathogen revealed that no fungus species has hitherto been described befitting its developmental pattern. A new genus Johnkarlingia Pavgi & Singh has been proposed to accommodate the fungus with Johnkarlingia brassicae Singh & Pavgi as its type species. The taxonomy and affinities of the genus are discussed.     

Some new hosts to leptosphaerulina McAlp from India-II

Summary In this paper seven new and economically important hosts to the genusLeptosphaerulina are reported and the morphology of the fungi described.Leptosphaerulina ricini onRicinus communis, L. brassicae onBrassica nigra, B. oleracea var.capitata andB. oleracea var.botrytis; Leptosphaerulina australis McAlp. onCyamopsis tetragonoloba, Phaseolus sp., andLeptosphaerulina oryzae comb. nov. onOryza sativa.     

Occurrence of beet western yellows virus in sugar beet in Czechoslovakia

The beet western yellows virus (BWYV) was identified in sugar beet plants with leaf yellowing symptoms. When transmitted toSinapis alba L. the virus isolate caused severe symptoms of yellowing and violetting of the interveinal leaf tissue of this plant. By aphidsMyzus persicae (Sulz.) the virus isolate was transmitted toLactuca sativa L.,Raphanus sativus L. var.radicula Pers.,Baphanus sativus L. ssp.sativus L. ap., and toBrassica oleracea L. var.gemmifera DC. InLactuca sativa plants the virus induces a yellowing along with thickenning and brittleness of leaves and with mild dwarfing of the plants. InBaphanus sativus var.radicula andBaphanus sativus ssp.sativus plants it brings about a yellowing of the leaf margins with a change in consistency as was the case in lettuce, and inBrassica oleracea var.gemmifera it causes violet spots on the lower leaf sides. The transmission was proved in repeated experiments by a backtransmission to beet andSinapis alba and further transmission from beet toSinapis alba. The transmission of the virus isolate toVicia faba L.,Datura stramonium L., andPetunia hybrida hort. was unsuccessful. In the course of transmissions the isolate properties did not change. In its host range the virus resembles the Duffus’ strain 3 BWYV, isolated from beet in the U.S.A. This is the first characteristic of an Europian BWYV isolate, as obtained from naturally infected beet plants.     

Biochemical Activities and Compounds in Seeds: Possible Tools for Seed Quality Evaluation

The rate and final percentage of field emergence (seed quality)was measured in 55 seed-lots of carrots (Daucus carota L.),45 seed-lots of onion (Allium cepa L.) and 32 seed-lots of cabbage(Brassica oleracea var. capitata), together with the followingbiochemical indices: rates of ATP-synthesis; reduction of tetrazoliumby seed powder; AMP and malate content. Differences in field performance of seed-lots (seed quality)showed some correlation with particular biochemical indices.Seed quality was most significantly correlated with AMP contentand ATP synthesis in carrot, with malate content, reductionof tetrazolium and ATP synthesis in onion and with malate andAMP content and reduction of tetrazolium in cabbage. Daucus carota L., Allium cepa L., Brassica oleracea var capitata, carrot, onion, seed quality, ATP, biochemical indices     

Characteristic of parasitism of diamondback moth by two larval parasites

Laboratory and greenhouse studies were conducted to investigate the suitability of 2 hymenopterous parasites,Diadegma eucerophaga Horstmann andApanteles plutellae Kurdjumov for introduction to control diamondback moth (DBM),Plutella xylostella (L.), a destructive pest of crucifers in tropical to subtropical Southeast Asia. Parasitism byD. eucerophaga was high at temperature range of 15°C to 25°C and that ofA. plutellae, at 20°C to 35°C. Both parasites were active in searching for host and oviposited only during photophase. No parasitism was observed during darkness. WhereasA. plutellae could parasitize all instars of DBM larvae,D. eucerophaga parasitized only the first 3 instars and failed to parasitize the 4^th. Parasitism byD. eucerophaga was greater when DBM larvae were feeding on common cabbage (Brassica oleracea var.capitata L.), than on cauliflower (B. oleracea var.italica L.), broccoli (B. oleracea var.botrytis L.) or Chinese cabbage [Brassica campestris L. ssp.pekinensis (Lour) Olsson].A. plutellae parasitism was greater when DBM larvac were feeding on Chinese cabbage than on common cabbage, cauliflower or broccoli. Storage of pupae at 0°C and 4°C to 6°C for up to 2 weeks reduced emergence ofD. eucerophaga adults more than that ofA. plutellae. A non-selective insecticide, deltamethrin, was toxic to adults of both parasites but selective ones such asBacillus thuringiensis, teflubenzuron, and pirimicarb were not. Pupae were more tolerant than adults to insecticides. The insecticide-resistant Luchu strain and susceptible laboratory strain of DBM suffered an equal level of parasitism by both parasites.      

The influence of colonizing methylobacteria on morphogenesis and resistance of sugar beet and white cabbage plants to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Erwinia carotovora</Emphasis>

The influence of colonization of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris var. saccharifera (Alef) Krass) and white cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) plants by methylotrophic bacteria Methylovorus mays on the growth, rooting, and plant resistance to phytopathogen bacteria Erwinia carotovora was investigated. The colonization by methylobacteria led to their steady association with the plants which had increased growth speed, root formation and photosynthetic activity. The colonized plants had increased resistance to Erwinia carotovora phytopathogen and were better adapted to greenhouse conditions. The obtained results showed the perspectives for the practical implementation of methylobacteria in the ecologically clean microbiology substances used as the plant growth stimulators and for the plant protection from pathogens.     

Brassinolide promotes adventitious shoot regeneration from cauliflower hypocotyl segments

When hypocotyl segments of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. boturytis L.) were cultured on MS medium containing brassinolide (BR) in the light, a significant stimulation of adventitious shoot regeneration was observed. Cytokinins (zeatin and iso-pentenylaminopurine) also promoted shoot regeneration. When BR was added together with these cytokinins, the maximal regeneration was strongly improved and the dose–response curve of cytokinin was shifted to the left. Regeneration was much lower in the dark. This was not due to a possible increased ethylene synthesis in the dark.     

Walking patterns of Trichogramma chilonis and Trichogrammatoidea bactrae upon vegetable leaf surfaces

Trichogramma chilonis Ishii (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) and Trichogrammatoidea bactrae Nagaraja (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) are egg parasitoids of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae). We observed and recorded the walking patterns of T. chilonis and T. bactrae females on leaves of Raphanus sativus L., Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. et Coss., Brassica campestris L. ssp. chinensis var. utilis Tsen et Lee, and Brassica oleracea L. Our analysis indicated that Trichogramma females spent more time and moved more slowly on R. sativus leaf surface, compared with the other vegetable leaf surfaces. In addition, Trichogramma females were more likely to walk in straight line on B. oleracea leaf surfaces than R. sativus, B. juncea, and B. campestris leaf surface. Compared to T. bactrae females, T. chilonis females spent significantly less time on the leaf surface, and the walking path of T. chilonis was less affected by leaf surface characters (e.g., trichomes, wrinkle, and waxes). During the period of residence on the leaf surface, parasitoid females spent more than 87.8% of their time moving. This study demonstrates that vegetable leaf surface can influence Trichogramma's walking pattern while they are foraging for hosts.     

Organoselenides from Nicotiana tabacum genetically modified to accumulate selenium

Nicotiana tabacum L. (tobacco) plants were transformed to overexpress a selenocysteine methyltransferase gene from the selenium hyperaccumulator Astragalus bisulcatus (Hook.) A. Gray (two-grooved milkvetch), and an ATP-sulfurylase gene from Brassica oleracea L. var. italica (broccoli). Solvent extraction of leaves harvested from plants treated with selenate revealed five selenium-containing compounds, of which four were identified by chemical synthesis as 2-(methylseleno)acetaldehyde, 2,2-bis(methylseleno)acetaldehyde, 4-(methylseleno)-(2E)-nonenal, and 4-(methylseleno)-(2E,6Z)-nonadienal. These four compounds have not previously been reported in nature.     

Olpidium brassicae in cabbage roots

Morphology and development of the vegetative, asexual and sexual cycle Olpidium brassicae (Woronin) Dangeard parasitic in the roots of cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata) seedlings was studied in detail. Release of zoo-spores through an exit tube from zoosporangia, their motility and encystment on the epidermal cells and root hairs, process of infection/host entry and later thallus development were described. Motility and fusion of 2 planogametes resulting in zygote formation were observed in slide cultures and described. The process of infection by zygotes and developmental stages of resting sporangia were also studied and described.     

Die Wirkung einer Vorbestrahlung auf den Wuchsstoffgehalt von X-2-Pflanzen bei Brassica oleracea var. acephala Von

The Effect of Pre-irradiation on the Content of Growth Substances in Xi-Plants of Brassica oleracea var. acephala. The auxin content of growth stimulated young plants (Brassica oleraceav ar. acephala) of the X2-generation, originating from X-ray irradiated seeds (75 kR) was determined. Methanolic extracts were separated on thin-layer-chromatograms, which were analyzed by ultra-violet light and various chemical reactions. Quantitative determinations of growth substances were made using the Avena-coleoptile-cylinder-test. The following results were obtained: 1. X2-plants had a higher content of IAN compared with unirradiated control samples; 2. IAAm was detectable in only two out of 40 experiments; 3. Two fluorescent substances were detected: a hydroxycinnarmc acid derivative and a long chained unsatu-rated ketone or aldehyde, which is still unknown.     

Valuable New Resistances Ensure Improved Management of Sclerotinia Stem Rot (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) in Horticultural and Oilseed Brassica Species

Field resistances against Sclerotinia rot (SR) (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) were determined in 52 Chinese genotypes of Brassica oleracea var. capitata, 14 Indian Brassica juncea genotypes carrying wild weedy Brassicaceae introgression(s) and four carrying B‐genome introgression, 22 Australian commercial Brassica napus varieties, and 12 B. napus and B. juncea genotypes of known resistance. All plants were individually inoculated by securing an agar disc from a culture of S. sclerotiorum growing on a glucose‐rich medium to the stem above the second internode with Parafilm tape. Mean stem lesion length across tested genotypes ranged from <1 to >68 mm. While there was considerable diversity within the germplasm sets from each country, overall, 65% of the B. oleracea var. capitata genotypes from China showed the highest levels of stem resistance, a level comparable with the highest resistance ever recorded for oilseed B. napus or B. juncea from China or Australia. One Indian B. juncea line carrying weedy introgression displayed a significant level of both stem and leaf resistance. However, the vast majority of commercial Australian oilseed B. napus varieties fell within the most susceptible 40% of genotypes tested for stem disease. There was no correlation between expressions of stem versus leaf resistance, suggesting their independent inheritance. A few Chinese B. oleracea var. capitata genotypes that expressed combined extremely high‐level stem (≤1 mm length) and leaf (≤0.5 mean number of infections/plant) resistance will be particularly significant for developing new SR‐resistant horticultural and oilseed Brassica varieties.     

The influence of plant species on attraction and host acceptance inCotesia glomerata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Females of the larval parasitoidCotesia glomerata (L.) use plant-associated cues to locate their lepidopteran host,Pieris rapae L. In this study we investigated the influence of four host plant species,Brassica oleracea var.acephala (‘Vates’ kale),Tropaeolum majus (nasturtium),Lunaria annua (honesty), andCleome spinosa (spider flower), on two components of the host selection process inC. glomerata, namely, attraction and host acceptance. Choice tests in a flight tunnel showed that parasitoids were attracted to some host plant species more than to others in the absence of host larvae.B. oleracea was the most attractive plant species, followed byL. annua, T. majus, andC. spinosa. In previous studies it was shown thatB. oleracea carries highly suitable hosts forC. glomerata and that, in the field, parasitization rates on this plant were the highest. When host larvae were reared on the four host plant species and then transferred to a common substrate (B. oleracea var.capitata, cabbage), plant species that had served as diet for the hosts did not have a significant effect on acceptance for parasitization. Thus, parasitoids were attracted to host plant species differentially, but they did not discriminate among host larvae based on the dietary history of their hosts. ForC. glomerata, it appears that phytochemistry mediates host selection more by influencing parasitoid attraction than it does by affecting host acceptance.     

The distribution of BoCAL-a alleles in Brassica oleracea is consistent with a genetic model for curd development and domestication of the cauliflower

The characteristic curd of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) consists of proliferating, arrested inflorescence and floral meristems. However, the origins and events leading to the domestication of this important crop trait remain unclear. A similar phenotype observed in the ap1-1/cal-1 mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana led to speculation that the orthologous genes from B. oleracea may be responsible for this characteristic trait. We have carried out a detailed molecular and genetic study, which allows us to present a genetic model based on segregation of recessive alleles at specific, mapped loci of the candidate genes BoCAL and BoAP1. This accounts for differences in stage of arrest between cauliflower and Calabrese broccoli (B. oleracea var. italica Plenck), and predicts the intermediate stages of arrest similar to those observed in Sicilian Purple types. Association of alleles of BoCAL-a with curding phenotypes of B. oleracea is also demonstrated through a survey of crop accessions. Strong correlations exist between specific alleles of BoCAL-a and discrete inflorescence morphologies. These complementary lines of evidence suggest that the cauliflower curd arose in southern Italy from a heading Calabrese broccoli via an intermediate Sicilian crop type. PCR-based assays for the two key loci contributing to curd development are suitable for adoption in marker-assisted selection.     

Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transformation of Brassica oleracea var. sabauda and B. oleracea var. capitata

Agrobacterium rhizogenes A4M70GUS-mediated transformation of Savoy cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. sabauda) and two local lines of cabbage (B. oleracea L. var. capitata) was obtained using hypocotyl and cotyledon explants. The percentage of explants which formed roots was very high in all genotypes: 92.3 % in Savoy Gg-1, 64.4 % in cabbage P₂₂I₅, and 87.2 % in P₃₄I₅. Spontaneous shoot regeneration of excised root cultures grown on the hormone-free medium occurred in all three genotypes. In cabbage lines P₂₂I₅ and P₃₄I₅ shoot regeneration was higher (9.3 and 2.6 % respectively) than in Savoy cabbage Gg-1 (1.3 %). Transgenic nature of hairy root-derived plants was evaluated by GUS histological test and PCR analysis. All the tested cabbage shoots were GUS positive whilst in a Savoy cabbage GUS expression was registered only in 55 % of tested clones. PCR analysis demonstrated the presence of the GUS gene in regenerated shoot clones and in T₁ progeny.     

Fine mapping of a male sterility gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">MS-cd1</Emphasis> in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica oleracea</Emphasis>

A dominant male sterility (DGMS) line 79-399-3, developed from a spontaneous mutation in Brassica oleracea var. capitata, has been widely used in production of hybrid cultivars in China. In this line, male sterility is controlled by a dominant gene Ms-cd1. In the present study, fine mapping of Ms-cd1 was conducted by screening a segregating population Ms79-07 with 2,028 individuals developed by four times backcrossing using a male sterile Brassica oleracea var. italica line harboring Ms-cd1 as donor and Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra as the recipient. Bulked segregation analysis (BSA) was performed for the BC₄ population Ms79-07 using 26,417 SRAP primer SRAPs and 1,300 SSRs regarding of male sterility and fertility. A high-resolution map surrounding Ms-cd1 was constructed with 14 SRAPs and one SSR. The SSR marker 8C0909 was closely linked to the MS-cd1 gene with a distance of 2.06 cM. Fourteen SRAPs closely linked to the target gene were identified; the closest ones on each side were 0.18 cM and 2.16 cM from Ms-cd1. Three of these SRAPs were successfully converted to dominant SCAR markers with a distance to the Ms-cd1 gene of 0.18, 0.39 and 4.23 cM, respectively. BLAST analysis with these SCAR marker sequences identified a collinear genomic region about 600 kb in scaffold 000010 on chromosomeA10 in B. rapa and on chromosome 5 in A. thaliana. These results provide additional information for map-based cloning of the Ms-cd1 gene and will be helpful for marker-assisted selection (MAS).     

Impact of a glossy collard trap crop on diamondback moth adult movement, oviposition, and larval survival

One component of developing a systematic approach for deployment of trap crops is to understand how the trap crop modifies pest behavior. Glossy‐leafed collards, Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala (Brassicaceae), were evaluated as a potential trap crop for diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), because they are attractive to P. xylostella adults and are a poor host for P. xylostella larvae compared to cabbage, Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata. We used large field plots to measure the changes in adult, egg, and larval P. xylostella densities in cabbage when the trap crop was planted in the field. Furthermore, we planted the trap crop in dispersed and concentrated spatial arrangements to determine the impact of trap crop arrangement on the behavior of P. xylostella. In 2002, results showed that the presence of collards within a cabbage field reduced larval density on cabbage. In 2003, neither trap crop arrangement had a significant impact on P. xylostella larval density on cabbage. Adult moths aggregated in proximity to collards in 2002, but not in 2003. Egg and larval data in both years in all treatments showed that total oviposition was highest near a central release point, indicating that females lay many eggs before dispersing very far when suitable host plants are available. The mean direction of P. xylostella movement and oviposition from a central release point was not consistent or correlated to wind direction. Plant size of the trap crop in relation to the main crop and environmental factors may have been responsible for the inconsistent effectiveness of the trap crop.