Molecular-marker-facilitated investigation of host-plant response to Exserohilum turcicum in maize (Zea mays L.): components of resistance

RFLPs were used to investigate components of host-plant response to Exserohilum turcicum in 150 unselected F₂₃ lines of a B52/Mo17 maize population. Following inoculation with spore suspensions of the pathogen (race 0), components of disease development were measured and then quantitative trait mapping was performed to identify the location and effects of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) determining host-plant response. Components of interest were the average number of lesions per leaf, the average percent leaf tissue diseased (severity) and the average size of lesions (cm²). Based on a LOD threshold of 2.31 (P<0.05), the number of lesions appears to be associated with QTLs on chromosomes 1S, 3L, 5S. Severity was associated with analogous regions and, in addition, QTLs on chromosomes 7L and 8L. Most QTLs, for either of these two components, involve additive gene action and partial dominance or overdominance. In contrast, lesion size was associated with QTLs on chromosomes 7L and 5L; recessive gene action may be involved at 7L.Journal Paper No. J-15178 of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economic Experiment Station, Ames, Iowa. Project No. 3134     

Involvement of carbohydrates and cytokinins in pathogenicity ofHelminthosporium carbonum

Significant stimulation of the number of appressoria, penetration and colonization by conidia ofHelminthosporium carbonum occurred on decolorized maize leaves when exogenous carbohydrates and leaf leachates were added. Germination and germ tube length, however, did not exhibit appreciable differences on decolorized or non-decolorized maize leaves. Lower germination was recorded by leached conidia on decolorized leaves; while appressoria, penetration and colonization were absent. Addition of exogenous nutrients (sucrose>leaf leachates>yeast extract>glucose) enabled conidia to accomplish appressoria, penetration and colonization. Optimum levels for various nutrients observed were 2% (w/v) sucrose/glucose or 0.1% (w/v) yeast extract. Higher concentrations inhibited the infection stages of the pathogen. Depletion of host carbohydrates from green islands/infection sites adversely affect appressoria formation, penetration and colonization; and the loss of carbohydrates from the spore affects germination. Cytokinin-like activity at the infection site/green islands increased with the period of incubation of the host as compared to the surrounding tissue or tissue under water drops. The culture filtrate extracts ofH. carbonum recorded cytokinin-like activity which increased with growth of the fungus. TLC (thin layer chromatography) of cytokinin-like substances (tissue extract and culture filtrate) revealed major activity was confined to Rf zones 0.6 to 0.8 which co-chromatographed with zeatin and zeatin riboside. These substances increase at infection sites by virtue of which carbohydrates accumulate at these sites ensuring a continuous supply to the growing pathogen.     

Carbohydrate involvement during infection of maize by Helminthosporium maydis

Germination and germ tube length of Helminthosporium maydis conidia did not exhibit much difference on fixed decolourized and living green leaves. However, appressoria, penetrations and colonizations were much less on decolourized host leaves and were enhanced significantly when sugars were added in the infection court. Few leached conidia germinated on the decolourized host leaves and appressoria, penetrations and colonizations effected on them by leached conidia were almost negligible. The presence of exogenous sugars and leaf leachates enabled the leached conidia to accomplish some penetrations and colonizations. Carbohydrate content of decolourized leaves and leached conidia was much less than the green leaves and non-leached conidia, respectively. Carbohydrates accumulated at the infection sites/green islands which also exhibited higher chlorophyll content.     

Selection of brown spot-resistant rice plants from Helminthosporium oryzae toxin-resistant calluses

Helminthosporium oryzae toxin induced electrolyte leakage from rice callus tissues and caused their browning and death. A virulent isolate of the pathogen invaded and colonised callus tissues rapidly, while a less virulent and a nonpathogenic isolate colonised calluses only weakly if at all. Addition of the toxin to calluses permitted colonisation of calluses by the nonpathogenic isolate. Four toxin-resistant calluses were selected and plants regenerated from two of these resistant calluses showed resistance to the pathogen. This resistance was heritable and stability of resistance was observed in the R₁, R₂ and R₃ generations.     

Biochemical,antigenic and allergenic characterization of crude extracts ofDrechslera (Helminthosporium) monoceras

In a previous study with airborne mould extracts we verified thatDrechslera (Helminthosporium) monoceras presented stronger reactions than those presented by 42 other moulds isolated in São Paulo city. In the present study, we evaluated the biochemical composition and the antigenicity of crude extracts obtained from vegetative and conidial stage ofD. monoceras using Czapeck broth (CB) modified and tris-HCl for extraction. The maximum values of total proteins and lipids were verified in the crude extract obtained in the 28th day of growth, and maximum values of carbohydrates were observed in the extracts of the 16th, 22nd and 26th days. The fractionated proteins by SDS-PAGE presented bands with molecular weights between 14.4 to 67 Kd; the 28th day extract showed a larger number of bands. The carbohydrates and amino acids were characterized by thin-layer chromatography. The antigenicity of the crude extracts was verified by immunodiffusion reaction in agar against rabbit hyperimmune sera. Precipitation lines were observed in all studied extracts and common antigenic molecular populations. Based on the above results, the 28th day extract was selected to verify the induction of IgE antibody responses in immunizations of Balb/c and cAF-1 mice, and titer by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis test using Wistar rats. The maximum titers obtained were 160 in cAF-1 mice and 1.280 in Balb/c mice. The results suggest that the 28th day extract contains allergenic fractions and should be chosen for future studies related to fractionation, characterization and standardization in diagnostic methods and immunotherapy.Part of the thesis of E.A. Menezes to get degree of Doctor Fractionation and characterization of allergenic extract ofDrechslera (Helminthosporium) monoceras.     

三株长蠕孢属真菌对毛脉酸模幼苗中白藜芦醇、白藜芦醇苷含量和产量的影响

以幼苗期毛脉酸模（Rumex gmelinii Turcz．）为实验材料,研究经长蠕孢属真菌（Helminthosporium carbonum）侵染后毛脉酸模中白藜芦醇和白藜芦醇苷的含量和产量的变化。实验结果表明：幼苗期毛脉酸模中的白藜芦醇在受到外界真菌诱导时对真菌具有一定的选择性。而且同一真菌的不同菌株诱导强度也有一定的差异,主要表现在起效时间上。但白藜芦醇苷含量受外界真菌诱导的专属性不强,且影响强度与诱导浓度有关。对幼苗期毛脉酸模各种诱导处理都没有使其生物量受到明显的抑制。通过试验筛选出大斑病长蠕孢001使幼苗期毛脉酸模中白藜芦醇苷和白藜芦醇产量影响较大,与对照相比分别使其提高1．54和3．99倍。     

三株长蠕孢属真菌对毛脉酸模幼苗中白藜芦醇、白藜芦醇苷含量和产量的影响

以幼苗期毛脉酸模（Rumex gmelini Turcz.）为实验材料, 研究经长蠕孢属真菌（Helminthosporium carbonum）侵染后毛脉酸模中白藜芦醇和白藜芦醇苷的含量和产量的变化。实验结果表明：幼苗期毛脉酸模中的白藜芦醇在受到外界真菌诱导时对真菌具有一定的选择性。而且同一真菌的不同菌株诱导强度也有一定的差异,主要表现在起效时间上。但白藜芦醇苷含量受外界真菌诱导的专属性不强,且影响强度与诱导浓度有关。对幼苗期毛脉酸模各种诱导处理都没有使其生物量受到明显的抑制。通过试验筛选出大斑病长蠕孢001使幼苗期毛脉酸模中白藜芦醇苷和白藜芦醇产量影响较大,与对照相比分别使其提高1.54倍和3.99倍。     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">tumefaciens</Emphasis>-mediated transformation of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Helminthosporium turcicum</Emphasis>, the maize leaf-blight fungus

Agrobacterium tumefaciens has the ability to transfer its T-DNA to plants, yeast, filamentous fungi, and human cells and integrate it into their genome. Conidia of the maize pathogen Helminthosporium turcicum were transformed to hygromycin B resistance by a Agrobacterium-tumefaciens-mediated transformation system using a binary plasmid vector containing the hygromycin B phosphotransferase (hph) and the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) genes controlled by the gpd promoter from Agaricus bisporus and the CaMV 35S terminator. Agrobacterium-tumefaciens-mediated transformation yielded stable transformants capable of growing on increased concentrations of hygromycin B. The presence of hph in the transformants was confirmed by PCR, and integration of the T-DNA at random sites in the genome was demonstrated by Southern blot analysis. Agrobacterium-tumefaciens-mediated transformation of Helminthosporium turcicum provides an opportunity for advancing studies of the molecular genetics of the fungus and of the molecular basis of its pathogenicity on maize.     

A review of wheat diseases—a field perspective

Wheat is one of the primary staple foods throughout the planet. Significant yield gains in wheat production over the past 40 years have resulted in a steady balance of supply versus demand. However, predicted global population growth rates and dietary changes mean that substantial yield gains over the next several decades will be needed to meet this escalating demand. A key component to meeting this challenge is better management of fungal incited diseases, which can be responsible for 15%–20% yield losses per annum. Prominent diseases of wheat that currently contribute to these losses include the rusts, blotches and head blight/scab. Other recently emerged or relatively unnoticed diseases, such as wheat blast and spot blotch, respectively, also threaten grain production. This review seeks to provide an overview of the impact, distribution and management strategies of these diseases. In addition, the biology of the pathogens and the molecular basis of their interaction with wheat are discussed.     

Selection for resistance to Cochliobolus sativus in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.)

Summary Cochliobolus sativus (Ito and Kurib.) Drechsl. ex Dastur is a major foliar pathogen of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) which can greatly reduce the quantity and quality of forages available for animal consumption. A greenhouse screening program was initiated to determine the inheritance of resistance to C. sativus in tall fescue over several cycles of mass selection. Resistance to C. sativus in four tall fescue cultivars was increased with 2–3 cycles of mass selection. Realized heritabilities were low to moderate (0.04 to 0.58) indicating that environmental influences on the expression of resistance are quite high. Variances were unchanged by selection, indicating that further improvement should be possible. However, progress with mass selection can be expected to be slow. Lesion size was decreased in each cultivar by selecting for lesion coverage. Lesion size, being independent of inoculum load and therefore less subject to environmental variation, should be considered as an additional selection criteria to improve the rate of progress.Journal article No. 6370 of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station