Studies of the infection of the winged bean by Synchytrium psophocarpi in Papua New Guinea

Infection of leaves and stems of Psophocarpus tetragonolobus by Synchytrium psophocarpi only occurred following spray inoculation of motile zoospore suspensions and incubation for a minimum of 12 h in polyethylene bags or a mist chamber. The incubation period was 7 days and generation time 22 days at temperatures of 31 ^oC max, 24 ^oC min and r.h. of 90% max, 70% min. Young, 1–2 day-old leaves were most susceptible; there was no infection on 10 day-old leaves and susceptibility was not increased by the removal of leaf waxes. No infection occurred when plants were grown from seed from infected pods, seed inoculated with zoospores or sporangia and seed sown in soil containing infected leaf debris. Resting spores were not found in infected tissues stored for 12 wk or in plant debris. S. psophocarpi did not infect Arachis hypogaea, Glycine max, Phaseolus aureus, P. coccineus, P. vulgaris, Pisum sativum, Psophocarpus scandens, Vicia faba, Vigna sesquipedalis and V. unguiculata. S. minutum did not infect winged bean. Inoculation confirmed the susceptibility of the winged bean lines UPS 62, UPS 122, UPS 126 and resistance of two Thai winged bean lines 1602/1 and 1611/2.     

Further evidence on the origin of the cultivated winged bean,Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC. (Fabaceae): Chromosome numbers and the presence of a host-specific fungus

Further evidence on the origin of the cultivated winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC.) is presented. Recent evidence concerning chromosome numbers of previously unavailable species in the genus and observational evidence of false rust (Synchytrium psophocarpi (Rac.) Gäumann) onP. grandiflorus Wilczek in Zaïre is discussed. Consideration includes previously published studies on morphology and cytology to support an African center of origin and points toP. grandiflorus as the progenitor species of the cultivated winged bean.     

Generality and Diversity of Winged Bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) Protein in Eight Various Lines

Protein components from eight lines of winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) seeds which were originally introduced from Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Ishigaki, and cultivated in Okinawa and Fukuoka, were investigated. Two major peaks which had sedimentation coefficients, s₂₀, of about 2.5S and about 6.5S (6.0 to 6.6 for the 8 lines), and no larger component were observed in all specimens with more than 90% extraction. Electrophoretic profiles of the “6.5S” component(s) which was separated with Sepharose 6B column chromatography showed a main broad band and a few minor bands which seemed to be essentially similar among the eight lines of winged bean. Thus the “6.5S” protein surely could be regarded as the common storage protein in winged bean seeds. The subunit structure of the “6.5S” component(s) in SDS solution consisted of four major bands. The “2.5S” components were mixtures and combinations of various proteins which were distinctly different from one selection to another.     

牛紏吴茱萸柄锈菌新种

本文描述了采自海南省琼中县牛紏吴茱萸Evodia trichotoma (Lour.) Pierre(芸香科)上的柄锈菌一新种——Puccinia evodiae-trichotomae J. -y. Zhuang。本种与巴布亚一新几内亚产的吴茱萸Evodia sp.上的另一种柄锈菌Puccinia evodiae Cumm.略近似,但冬孢子堆裸露呈垫状,而后者则深埋于病瘿中。冬孢子形状与大小和后者相仿,然而少数孢子可长达60μm,顶壁有时略增厚,颜色很浅或近几色。镜下可见一些孢子已萌发,推测可能属无眠冬孢型。芸香科植物上的柄锈菌目前仅知10种,本种特征与它们均不相同,故鉴定为新种。本新种模式标本保藏在中国科学院微生物研究所真菌标本室。     

The Strongylophthalmyiidae (Diptera) of Papua New Guinea,with descriptions of five new species and a world checklist

Eight species of the Strongylophthalmyiidae are reported from Papua New Guinea. Of these, five species (Strongylophthalmyia gigantica sp. nov., S. papuana sp. nov., S. rubella sp. nov., S. sedlaceki sp. nov. and S. shatalkini sp. nov.) are described as new to science. Strongylophthalmyia puncticollis Frey is recorded for the first time from Papua New Guinea. Faunistic remarks, a key to the species of the Strongylophthalmyia in Papua New Guinea and a world checklist are provided.     

Field performance of chitinase transgenic silver birches (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Betula pendula</Emphasis>): resistance to fungal diseases

A field trial of 15 transgenic birch lines expressing a sugar beet chitinase IV gene and the corresponding controls was established in southern Finland to study the effects of the level of sugar beet chitinase IV expression on birch resistance to fungal diseases. The symptoms caused by natural infections of two fungal pathogens, Pyrenopeziza betulicola (leaf spot disease) and Melampsoridium betulinum (birch rust), were analysed in the field during a period of 3 years. The lines that had shown a high level of sugar beet chitinase IV mRNA accumulation in the greenhouse also showed high sugar beet chitinase IV expression after 3 years in the field. The level of sugar beet chitinase IV expression did not significantly improve the resistance of transgenic birches to leaf spot disease. Instead, some transgenic lines were significantly more susceptible to leaf spot than the controls. The level of sugar beet chitinase IV expression did have an improving effect on most parameters of birch rust; the groups of lines showing high or intermediate transgene expression were more resistant to birch rust than those showing low expression. This result indicates that the tested transformation may provide a tool for increasing the resistance of silver birch to birch rust.     

Effects of Temperature and Photoperiod on Winged Beans [Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) D.C.]

The effects of temperature and photoperiod on winged beans werestudied using 15 University of New Guinea (UPS) selections andfive Sri Lanka (SL) selections. They were grown at 25/20 or30/25 °C day/ night temperature at 11 or 14 h photoperiodwith 12 h thermoperiod. Differences in stomatal density wereobserved among selections and between photoperiods. Higher densitiesoccurred at 14 h photoperiod than at 11 h photoperiod. Whenstomatal density was high due to a photoperiod or temperatureeffect, there was a corresponding increase in leaf area andd. wt of plants. Total chlorophyll content at 25/20 °C was higher at 11 hphotoperiod than at 14 h photoperiod in all selections whilethe total chlorophyll content at 30/25 °C varied with thephotoperiod and selection. Leaf area of SL selections was greater than that of UPS selections.Also greater leaf area was observed at 14 h photoperiod thanat 11 h photoperiod, irrespective of the growing temperature. Temperature was as important as photoperiod in controlling floweringof winged beans. All the UPS selections and two SL selectionsflowered at 11 h photoperiod at 25/20 °C but failed to flowerat the same photoperiod at 30/25 °C indicating an interactionbetween temperature and photoperiod. It is likely that wingedbeans have a narrow photoperiodic range, particularly the SLselections. Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) D.C., winged bean, stomatal density, leaf area, flowering, temperature, photoperiod     

Evolutionary origins of taro (Colocasia esculenta) in Southeast Asia

As an ancient clonal root and leaf crop, taro (Colocasia esculenta, Araceae) is highly polymorphic with uncertain genetic and geographic origins. We explored chloroplast DNA diversity in cultivated and wild taros, and closely related wild taxa, and found cultivated taro to be polyphyletic, with tropical and temperate clades that appear to originate in Southeast Asia sensu lato. A third clade was found exclusively in wild populations from Southeast Asia to Australia and Papua New Guinea. Our findings do not support the hypothesis of taro domestication in Papua New Guinea, despite archaeological evidence for early use or cultivation there, and the presence of apparently natural wild populations in the region (Australia and Papua New Guinea).     

High species richness and genetic diversity of the genus Caloglossa (Delesseriaceae,Rhodophyta) in New Ireland,Papua New Guinea

Distribution patterns and genetic diversity of Caloglossa species have been studied in various regions but are still poorly understood around the tropical western Pacific where many marine organisms show high species richness. We explored the diversity of Caloglossa species in New Ireland, Papua New Guinea using morphological and genetic analyses. Seven species of Caloglossa (C. adhaerens, C. leprieurii, C. ogasawaraensis, C. bengalensis, C. postiae, C. saigonensis and C. vieillardii) were collected from eight sites; the latter four species are new records in Papua New Guinea. All specimens collected were cultured to compare their morphology under the same culture condition. Reproductive structures of gametophytes and/or sporophytes were described for the first time in some species from these collections. In C. leprieurii, gall‐like structure appeared in most gametophyte strains but not in tetrasporophytes. Such galls were produced from wing cells, and spermatangia and/or procarps were formed on many galls. The LSU rDNA and rbcL analyses revealed high intraspecific diversity in many species although the number of samples was limited and the sampling sites were within 200 km. We revealed high species richness and intraspecific genetic variation in Papua New Guinea, suggesting a hot spot for the diversity of Caloglossa.     

Effects of Nitrate Level on Nitrogen Metabolism in Winged Bean and Soya Bean

The effects of high (15 mM) and low (0.75 mM) solution nitratelevels on nitrogen metabolism in three genotypes (IL 7A, IL13 and IL 21) of winged beans [Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.)DC.] and one genotype (Williams) of soya bean [Glycine max (L.)Merrill] were investigated. Plants were grown for 42 days ina greenhouse in solution culture prior to sampling. The 15 mM nitrate treatment resulted in greater growth of allplant parts except roots. Growth of soya beans was more responsiveto nitrate level than was growth of winged beans. The high nitratelevel inhibited nodulation in all plants. The IL 13 and IL 21winged bean genotypes had similar nitrogenase activity (acetylenereduction per plant) as the soya bean and IL 7A winged beangenotype had lower activity. However, the IL 13 winged beangenotype had higher nitrogenase activity (acetylene reductionper unit nodule mass) than the other three genotypes which allhad similar activity. The 15 mM solution nitrate level stimulatedleaf and root nitrate reductase (NR) activity for all plants.All winged bean genotypes had higher leaf NR activity and higherpercentage reduced- and nitrate-nitrogen contents of leavesand stems compared with soya beans. However, total protein (reducednitrogen) was greater in soya beans when sampled indicatingthat more nitrate had been metabolized by soya beans than bywinged beans during the 42-day growth period. Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC., winged bean, Glycine max (L.) Merrill, Soya bean, nitrate reductase, nitrogen fixation, nitrogenase activity, nodulation     

Two unusual species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Physalacria</Emphasis> (Basidiomycetes,Agaricales) collected in New Zealand and Papua New Guinea during mycological expeditions by the National Science Museum,Tokyo

Two unusual species of Physalacria from New Zealand and Papua New Guinea are described and illustrated. Physalacria pseudotropica from South Island in New Zealand and P. tropica from Papua New Guinea are recorded for the first time.     

Winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC) as a substrate for growth and aflatoxin production by aflatoxigenic strains of Aspergillus spp

The mold flora of seeds of twelve varieties of winged beans was determined both before and after surface disinfections. When seeds were surface disinfected, mold fungi were detected in 73% of the seeds whereas 81% of the seed that was not disinfected produced mold fungi. Aspergillus spp. was most frequently present while Penicillium spp. occurred in seed of 4 varieties and in less than 4% of the seed. Twelve isolates oiA. flavus and A. parasiticus were examined for their ability to produce aflatoxins. Whether aflatoxins were produced and the amount of each varied according to the origin of the isolate and the species of Aspergillus. For example all A. parasiticus isolates produced at least 2 aflatoxins whereas 4 of the A. parasiticus isolates were non-toxigenic. When ground seeds of winged beans were inoculated with an aflatoxigenic strain of A. parasiticus the level of aflatoxins that occurred varied with the variety, however, the level of aflatoxin was higher in winged bean than in peanut tissue and 6 of the 12 winged bean varieties contained higher levels of aflatoxins than rice.     

Cross-inoculation specificity ofPsophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC

Summary Only legumes of the cowpea cross-inoculation group, including the winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) were found to form nodules in a temperate zone soil with no previous history of legume cropping. Isolates from root nodules from uninoculated winged beans grown in the field only nodulated legumes in the cowpea cross-inoculation group.Rhizobium japonicum formed ineffective nodules with the winged bean. Contribution No.5852, Scientific Article No.A2802 of the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station, Department of Botany.     

Mass spawning of Caesio teres (Pisces: Caesionidae) at Enewetak Atoll,Marshall Islands

Synopsis Mass spawning of Caesio teres occurred between March and August, 1983 on a reef emerging from deep water just inside the East Channel of Enewetak Atoll, Marshall Islands. Aggregations and spawning were observed from one day before until three days after the full moon. Spawning aggregations were not observed during the new or quarter moons. Spawning commenced after high tide, when the current began to flow out the pass from lagoon to ocean. The spawning aggregation of close to 1000 individuals migrated to the spawning site. Spawning occurred when the aggregate ascended to near the water's surface. Subgroups dashed horizontally within the aggregate, releasing a highly visible gamete cloud. Predation on spawning adults was not observed. Predation on spawned eggs was noted. The eggs of C. teres are described. Mid-Pacific Research Laboratory, Enewetak Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands Present address: Motupore Island Research Station, P.O. Box 320, University of Papua New Guinea, Papua New Guinea     

Raillietina melomyos n. sp. (Cestoda,Davaineidae) from mosaic-tailed rats in Papua New Guinea

Raillietina melomyos n. sp. from the small intestine ofMelomys rufescens in the Western Highlands of Papua New Guinea differs from related species in combinations of the number (170–190) and length (8–11 m) of the rostellar hooks, the number of testes (21–36) and of egg capsules per gravid proglottid (56–92), and in that the cirrus-sac does not reach the longitudinal osmoregulatory canals.     

A Leaf and Fruit Disease of Pandanus conoideus caused by Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora in Papua New Guinea

A disease of Pandanus conoideus which causes leaf necrosis and fruit rot is reported from Morobe Province of Papua New Guinea. Biochemical, physiological and pathogenicity tests show the causal organism to be a strain of Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora. The disease is common on P. conoideus and also affects leaves but not fruit of P. julianettii, another pandanus widely grown in the area.     

QTL mapping of multiple foliar disease and root-lesion nematode resistances in wheat

A genetic linkage map, based on a cross between the synthetic hexaploid CPI133872 and the bread wheat cultivar Janz, was established using 111 F₁-derived doubled haploid lines. The population was phenotyped in multiple years and/or locations for seven disease resistance traits, namely, Septoria tritici blotch (Mycosphaeralla graminicola), yellow leaf spot also known as tan spot (Pyrenophora tritici-repentis), stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici), leaf rust (Puccinia triticina), stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici) and two species of root-lesion nematode (Pratylenchyus thornei and P. neglectus). The DH population was also scored for coleoptile colour and the presence of the seedling leaf rust resistance gene Lr24. Implementation of a multiple-QTL model identified a tightly linked cluster of foliar disease resistance QTL in chromosome 3DL. Major QTL each for resistance to Septoria tritici blotch and yellow leaf spot were contributed by the synthetic hexaploid parent CPI133872 and linked in repulsion with the coincident Lr24/Sr24 locus carried by parent Janz. This is the first report of linked QTL for Septoria tritici blotch and yellow leaf spot contributed by the same parent. Additional QTL for yellow leaf spot were detected in 5AS and 5BL. Consistent QTL for stripe rust resistance were identified in chromosomes 1BL, 4BL and 7DS, with the QTL in 7DS corresponding to the Yr18/Lr34 region. Three major QTL for P. thornei resistance (2BS, 6DS, 6DL) and two for P. neglectus resistance (2BS, 6DS) were detected. The recombinants combining resistance to Septoria tritici blotch, yellow leaf spot, rust diseases and root-lesion nematodes from parents CPI133872 and Janz constitute valuable germplasm for the transfer of multiple disease resistance into new wheat cultivars.     

CHROMOSOMES OF CORSIA (CORSIACEAE)

A chromosome number of 2n = 18 is reported for Corsia cornuta (plus karyotype) and Corsia clypeata of the Corsiaceae from Papua New Guinea.     

A survey of mixed Begomovirus infection in solanaceae and fabaceae at different altitudes in East Java,Indonesia

A multiplex primer set was developed to detect four Begomoviruses in East Java, Indonesia, i.e. Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV), Tomato yellow leaf curl Kanchanaburi virus (TYLCKaV), Pepper yellow leaf curl Indonesia virus (PepYLCIV) and Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus (MYMIV). Survey at different altitudes found that begomoviruses infecting pepper, tomato and long bean were more variable, while in eggplant and string bean were more uniform. As a single virus, TYLCKaV infected eggplant, and sometimes tomato and pepper; PepYLCIV infected pepper, tomato and long bean; ToLCNDV only infected long bean and tomato at low frequency; and MYMIV infected beans. Mixed infection occurred more frequently in the low altitude areas. Subsequent examination indicated that Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and potyviruses were also responsible for diseased fabaceous. Our data suggest a relationship between altitudes and virus species occurrence. However, which viral species infects a crop is mainly influenced by the crop rather than by altitude.     

Winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC) as a substrate for growth and aflatoxin production by aflatoxigenic strains of Aspergillus spp.

The mold flora of seeds of twelve varieties of winged beans were determined both before and after surface disinfections. When seeds were surface disinfected, molds were detected in 73% of the seeds whereas 81% of the seed that was not disinfected produced molds. Aspergillus spp. were most frequently present while Penicillium spp. occurred in seed of 4 varieties and in less than 4% of the seed. Twelve isolates of A. flavus and A. parasiticus were examined for their ability to produce aflatoxins. Whether aflatoxins were produced and the amount of each varied according to the origin of the isolate and the species of Aspergillus. For example all A. flavus isolates produced at least 2 aflatoxins whereas 4 of the A. parasiticus isolates were nontoxigenic. When ground seeds of winged beans were inoculated with an aflatoxigenic strain of A. parasiticus the level of aflatoxins that occurred varied with the variety. All of the varieties supported greater aflatoxin production than peanuts and 6 of the 12 winged bean varieties gave higher levels of aflatoxins than rice.