Tolylfluanide + tebuconazole in the control of some ornamental foliage diseases

In the control of Sphaerotheca pannosa var. rosae on rose Tolylfluanide + tebuconazole (Folicur Multi 50 WG at concentration 0.1%) was used for spray 2 -times at 14-day-intervals or 4-times at 7-day-intervals. After 4 weeks of plants protection effectiveness of tested product was about 75%. In the control of Diplocarpon rosae, the product was applied when first disease symptoms appeared on rose shrubs. Application was repeated 5-times at 14-day-intervals or 9-times at 7-day-intervals. After 9 week-protection effectiveness of tested product was about 85% and depended on frequency of sprayings. In the control of Puccinia horiana on chrysanthemum, Tolylfluanide + tebuconazole was used as plant spray twice at 14-day-intervals or 4-times at 7-day-intervals. After 4 week-protection the product suppressed of new telia formation about 55%. Application of the product for willow rust (Melampsora epitea) control suppressed formation of new uredia about 86% and half of them were dried. In the control of pelargonium rust (Puccinia pelargonii-zonalis) the product was used as plant spray 4-times at 7-day-intervals. It suppressed formation of new uredia about 90% and 1/3 of them were dried. It was found that 1 or 7 days after rose spray, spores of D. rosae collected from leaf blades only in 6% germinated. Spores taken from nonspraying leaves germinated in 90%. In case of P. pelargonii-zonalis, after 1 or 7 days after spraying, spores collected from protected plants germinated at 3%, compared to 90% on untreated plants. Spores of B. cinerea, collected from protected plants germinated at about 10%, whereas on control leaves at 90%.     

Observations on the vapour phase activity of some foliage fungicides

By means of a Botrytis fabae/Vicia faba bio-assay technique it has been demonstrated that phenyl mercury chloride, maneb, mancozeb, dichlo-fluanid and oxythioquinox protect areas of leaf beyond the visible limits of the fungicide deposits. The evidence suggests that the extended areas of protection are due to the release of fungicidal vapours. For a given dose of mancozeb the area of protection was related to the number of conidia of B. fabae dusted on to the leaves and for a given inoculum density it extended with increasing fungicide dose applied in standard drop sizes. When the same dose of fungicide was applied in increasing volumes of water, producing widening areas of deposit, the area of protection also increased. Fungicide deposits aged on leaves for up to 4 weeks continued to release toxic vapours. Contact between the fungicides and leaves or between fungicides and spores was not necessary for the demonstration of the phenomenon since vapours diffused from deposits on glass and inhibited the germination of spores in water droplets placed at a distance from the fungicide source. For a given distance separating the fungicide and the spores inhibition increased with increasing fungicide dose. For a standard fungicide dose, inhibition decreased with increasing distances between the fungicide and the spores. The fungicidal vapours inhibited the germination of spores of test fungi other than B. fabae. The practical implications of these observations are examined in the light of evidence that vapour phase protection can occur on leaves incubated in large cabinets; on leaves pre-incubated at unsaturated humidities; and on leaves incubated in a moving stream of air.     

Nutritive value of spruce muka (foliage) for the growing chick

Three experiments were conducted with broiler type chicks to determine the nutritive value of spruce (Picea glauca) muka for growing birds to 4 weeks of age. Up to 10% of a diet of maize, soya bean meal and fishmeal was replaced with muka, alfalfa meal or cellulose. Growth, feed consumption, mortality and organ: body weight ratios were examined.The addition of muka, untreated or steam distilled, to the basal diet reduced growth except in the case of 2.5% steam distilled muka, for which growth was comparable to that for the basal diet. When the protein content of the basal diet was reduced, up to 5% untreated or steam distilled muka could be introduced without significant growth depression. However, at the 10% level, growth depression was significant (P < 0.05). Pelleting the supplemented diets significantly stimulated growth.Feed consumption was usually depressed by the addition of the supplements to the basal diet. Mortality was not influenced by treatment. Organ: body weight ratios were not influenced by treatment × sex interactions. Muka, cellulose or alfalfa, each incorporated as 10% of the diet, did not influence the organ: body weight ratio of the heart, proventriculus, caeca, spleen or gall bladder. All the experimental feeds increased the size of the remaining components of the digestive tract, as well as the liver and pancreas.     

Activity of six fungicides against cereal foliage and root diseases

During 1970 and 1971 six systemic fungicides were compared as seed dressings and sprays against foliage and root diseases of cereals. The fungicides differed greatly in effectiveness against mildew, loose smut, rusts and eyespot but none controlled take-all. Effects were also noted on germination, seedling growth and leaf-surface microflora.     

Effectiveness of some substances in the control of carrot and parsley roots against fungal diseases

Field experiments were carried out in the years 2005 and 2006 on carrot cv. 'Koral' and 'Perfekcja', and parsley cv. 'Berlinska' and 'Cukrowa'. Effectiveness of substances: Biochikol 020 PC (biologically active substances BAS--chitosan 20 g/dm3), Bioczos BR (extract of garlic 10 g/1 brick) and Biosept 33 SL (extract of grapefruit 33%) on seedling roots of carrot and parsley was studied. As the standard fungicide Zaprawa Funaben T (carbendazim 20% + tiuram 45%) was used. Roots of carrot and parsley were treated one of tested substances spring immediately before planting seedling roots. During vegetation period the growth of seedling shoots and setting of seeds, and their infestation by fungal and bacterial pathogens was noticed. Among substances used for spring dressing of carrot and also parsley seedling roots, the best efficacy exhibited Zaprawa Funaben T in both years of observation. The highest yield of carrot seeds had combination roots cv. 'Koral' and parsley seeds roots cvs 'Berlińska' and 'Cukrowa' dressed Zaprawa Funaben T. Effectiveness of biopreparates Biochikol and Biosept was lower in comparison with the standard fungicide, but their protective effect was significantly higher than in control. Bioczos had the lowest control efficacy.     

Biodeterioration of ornamental marble statues in the Boboli Gardens (Florence, Italy)

The colonisation of ornamental marble statues in theBoboli Gardens of Florence (Italy) by photosyntheticmicro-organisms was investigated. The greenmicroalga Coccomyxa was the first colonizer ofnewly restored marble surfaces, appearing one yearafter the periodic cleaning and restoration of thestatues. Two years after restoration this alga gaverise to very thin green biofilms, with densitiesreaching about 3 × 10² cells cm^-2. Later,the biofilms were enriched by cyanobacterial forms,which became dominant. In about six years, aphotosynthetic microbial community, amounting to about3 × 10⁴ cells cm^-2, and structurally similarto that occurring on the unrestored statues wasdeveloped. This epilithic community showed amarked biodiversity; the main representative formsincluded Chroococcidiopsis, Leptolyngbya,Pleurocapsa, Coccomyxa and Apatococcus.Coccomyxa initiated the colonisation of themarble surfaces, favoured in this process by itsfacultative oligotrophic capacity and high cellsurface hydrophobicity, combined with tolerance ofhigh light intensity. The other investigated isolatedstrains did not show this set of features. Thesecretion of polysaccharidic substances and cellsurface hydrophobicity enhancing the capacity toadhere, favoured permanent colonisation of thecyanobacterial population. Indeed, the majority of thecyanobacterial strains (90%), were shown to besurrounded by exopolysaccharidic envelops, whichcontributed to the formation of stable microbialbiofilms, and possessed variable cell surfacehydrophobicity.     

Genetic analysis of an interspecific cross in ornamental Viburnum (Viburnum)

A genetic analysis was performed on a population derived from crosses between Viburnum lantana and Viburnum carlesii. Linkage maps were developed for each species using AFLP, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), and sequence-tagged site markers and a half-sib approach that took advantage of both the polymorphism between the species and the heterozygosity within each parent. The map for V. lantana consisted of 153 DNA markers and spanned approximately 750 cM, whereas that for V. carlesii contained 133 markers and covered 700 cM. These maps were used to determine the location of several major genes influencing leaf spot resistance, Verticillium wilt resistance, bud color, and flower scent. Both species contained moderate levels of heterozygosity. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that the genome of V. lantana was 40% larger than that of V. carlesii, and this difference was paralleled by a proportionally greater number of intercross markers (markers segregating 3:1) from V. lantana than from V. carlesii. In addition, V. lantana (n = 9) displayed a 10th linkage group for which no homolog in V. carlesii (n = 9) could be found and which contained only markers present in the former species and absent in the latter. These results suggest that Viburnum could be an interesting genetic model for Caprifoliaceae sensu lato.     

The Antiviral Activity of Chitosan (Review)

Data on the inhibitory effect of chitosan on viral infections in animals, plants, and microorganisms are reviewed. The effects of the physicochemical parameters and structure of chitosan on its antiviral activity are analyzed. Possible mechanisms of the inhibitory effect of chitosan on viral infections are discussed.     

Genetic control of chlorophyll biosynthesis by the plastome in some Oenothera species (subgenus Munzia)

Reciprocal differences in the rates of chlorophyll (Chl) formation during early stages of greening are observed in hybrid seedlings with identical genomes derived from reciprocal crosses between Oenothera berteriana (=villaricae) and Oe. odorata (=picensis), subgenus Munzia. In the presence of levulinic acid (LA), a competitive inhibitor of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) dehydratase, ALA accumulated in the cotyledons and chlorophyll production was reduced in a stoichometric ratio. Accumulation of both Chl in untreated tissue and of ALA in seedlings incubated with LA is much more rapid in cotyledons with berteriana plastids than in those with odorata plastids. No difference was found between the inhibitor constants for LA of ALA dehydratase extracted from seedlings with either berteriana or odorata plastids. ALA formation is not limited by the availability of possible precursors. ALA dehydratase and the porphobilinogenase complex (PBGase) are present in abundance and in equal amounts in cotyledons with either berteriana or odorata plastids. It is concluded that the different capacities of the ALA synthesizing system fully account for the different rates of Chl formation in the seedlings with identical genomes and different plastid types.Abbreviations Chl chlorophyll - ALA 5-aminolevnlinic acid - ALAD 5-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase - LA levulinic acid - PBG porphobilinogen - PBGase porphobilinogenase - Oe Oenothera - bert berteriana - od odorata - Pl plastids     

Digestion and metabolism of high-tanninEucalyptus foliage by the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) (Marsupialia: Phalangeridae)

Summary The digestion and metabolism ofEucalyptus melliodora foliage was studied in captive brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula). The foliage was low in nitrogen and silica but high in lignified fibre and phenolics compared with diets consumed by most other herbivores. The high lignin content was suggested as the main cause of the low digestibility ofE. melliodora cell walls (24%); microscopic observations of plant fragments in the caecum and faeces revealed few bacteria attached to lignified tissues. The conversion of digestible energy (0.34 MJ·kg^–0.75·d^–1) to metabolizable energy (0.26 MJ·kg^–0.75·d^–1) was low compared to most other herbivores, probably because of excretion of metabolites of leaf essential oils and phenolics in the urine. When the inhibitory effect of leaf tannins on fibre digestion was blocked by supplementing the animals with polyethylene glycol (PEG), intake of dry matter, metabolizable energy and digestible fibre increased. These effects were attributed to the reversal by PEG of tanninmicrobial enzyme complexes. It was concluded that the gut-filling effect of a bulk of indigestible fibre is a major reason why the brushtail possum does not feed exclusively onEucalyptus foliage in the wild.Abbreviations ADF acid-detergent fibre - AL acid-lignin - DE digestible energy - DM dry matter - ME metabolizable energy - NDF neutral-detergent fibre - PEG polyethylene glycol     

Biometrical variability of foliage and cone characters inCupressus bakeri (Cupressaceae)

Biometrical variability of foliage, cones, and seeds were analyzed in 8 native populations (throughout the range) of a relictual species,Cupressus bakeriJeps. (Cupressaceae) from California and Oregon. The partition of variation within and among populations for this rare plant was investigated and the justification for subspecies status was reviewed. Morphological characters varied significantly, with more of the variation among populations than at the population level. Multivariate analyses indicated close affinities among populations on serpentine sites suggesting the presence of a serpentine race. However, the high degree of variation among populations did not permit their clear separation into the two subspecies described byWolf (1948). We conclude thatC. bakeri should be treated as a monotypic species.     

Aphids (Hemiptera,Aphididae) on ornamental plants in greenhouses in Bulgaria

Investigations on the species composition and host range of aphids on ornamental greenhouse plants in Bulgaria was conducted over a period of five years, from 2008 to 2012. Twenty greenhouses, growing ornamentals for landscaping, plant collections and other purposes were observed. They were located in the regions of Sofia, Plovdiv, Smolyan, Pavlikeni, Varna and Burgas. The total number of collected aphid samples was 279. Their composition included 33 aphid species and one subspecies from 13 genera and 5 subfamilies. Twenty-eight species were found to belong to subfamily Aphidinae. Almost 70 % of all recorded species were polyphagous. The most widespread aphid species was Myzus persicae, detected in 13 greenhouses all year round, followed by Aulacorthum solani (10 greenhouses) and Aphis gossypii (9 greenhouses). The widest host range was shown by Myzus persicae (43 hosts), Aulacorthum solani (32 hosts) and Aulacorthum circumflexum (23 hosts).The list of host plants includes 114 species from 95 genera and 58 families. The greatest variety of aphid species was detected on Hibiscus (9 species). Out of all aphid samples 12.9 % were collected on Hibiscus and 6.8 %, on Dendranthema. The greatest variety of aphid species was detected on Hibiscus (9 species).Periphyllus californiensis and Aphis (Aphis) fabae mordvilkoi are reported for the first time for Bulgaria. Furthermore, Aphis spiraecola has been found in new localities and has widened its host range in this country.     

Soil-borne viruses occurring in nursery soils and infecting some ornamental species of Rosaceae

Soil from twelve of twenty-six sites on ten nurseries growing ornamental trees and shrubs contained viruliferous nematodes, transmitting arabis mosaic virus (AMV) at eight sites, tomato black ring virus at three and tobacco rattle virus at one site. Tobacco necrosis virus was detected at two sites. Xiphinema spp. were found at nine sites, Longidorus spp. at sixteen and Trichodorus spp. at thirteen sites. Thirty-one ornamental species of Rosaceae were tested for virus infections and AMV was found in Spiraea bumalda, Spiraea japonica alba and Kerria japonica.     

Adaptive advantages of matriphagy in the foliage spider, Chiracanthium japonicum (Araneae: Clubionidae)

Young of the Japanese foliage spider, Chiracanthium japonicum, show matriphagy, whereby they consume their own mothers before dispersal. By removing mothers in the laboratory, I examined the importance of this sacrificial habit for offspring survival and dispersal behavior. Spiderlings that cannibalized their mothers gained weight more than threefold and dispersed from their breeding nests after molting into the third instar. The third-instar spiderlings had relatively longer legs than the previous instars and appeared to be more adapted to a solitary hunting life style. On the other hand, most spiderlings separated from their mothers could not molt into the third instar and dispersed significantly earlier than those with matriphagy. Furthermore, the lack of matriphagy decreased the survival rate of predispersal spiderlings. These results showed that matriphagy of C. japonicum has a great advantage in allowing offspring to disperse at a more developed and active instar. Received: October 23, 2000 / Accepted: March 15, 2001