Host plant development, water level and water parameters shape Phragmites australis-associated oomycete communities and determine reed pathogen dynamics in a large lake

In a 3-year-study, we analysed the population dynamics of the reed pathogen Pythium phragmitis and other reed-associated oomycetes colonizing fresh and dried reed leaves in the littoral zone of a large lake. Oomycete communities derived from internal transcribed spacer clone libraries were clearly differentiated according to substrate and seasonal influences. In fresh leaves, diverse communities consisting of P. phragmitis and other reed-associated pathogens were generally dominant. Pythium phragmitis populations peaked in spring with the emergence of young reed shoots, and in autumn after extreme flooding events. In summer it decreased with falling water levels, changing water chemistry and rising temperatures. Another Pythium species was also highly abundant in fresh leaves throughout the year and might represent a new, as-yet uncultured reed pathogen. In dried leaves, reed pathogens were rarely detected, whereas saprophytic species occurred abundantly during all seasons. Saprophyte communities were less diverse, less temperature sensitive and independent of reed development. In general, our results provide evidence for the occurrence of highly specialized sets of reed-associated oomycetes in a natural reed ecosystem. Quantitative analyses (clone abundances and quantitative real-time PCR) revealed that the reed pathogen P. phragmitis is particularly affected by changing water levels, water chemistry and the stage of reed development.     

Forecasting infections of the red rot disease on Porphyra yezoensis Ueda (Rhodophyta) cultivation farms

Pythium porphyrae is a fungal pathogen responsible for red rot disease of the seaweed Porphyra (Rhodophyta). Infection forecasts of Porphyra by P. porphyrae were estimated from the epidemiological observations of Porphyra thalli and numbers of zoospore of P. porphyrae in laboratory and cultivation areas. Four features of forecasting infections were determined by relating zoospore concentrations to the incidence of thallus infection; infection (in more than 1000 zoospores L⁻¹), microscopic infection [less than 2 mm in diameter of lesion (in from 2000 to 3000 zoospores L⁻¹)], macroscopic infection [more than 2 mm in diameter of lesion (in from 3000 to 4000 zoospores L⁻¹), and thallus disintegration (in more than 4000 zoospores L⁻¹). High zoospore concentrations led to more infection. The tendency that zoospore concentration of P. porphyrae increased with the rate of infection of Porphyra thalli was generally observed in forecasting infections in both the laboratory and in cultivation areas. Based on the Porphyra cultivation areas, the accuracy and consistency of forecasting infections suggest that this method could be employed to manage and control red rot disease.     

Development and Validation of Conventional and Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction Assays for the Detection of Storage Rot Potato Pathogens, Phytophthora erythroseptica, Pythium ultimum and Phoma foveata

The diseases pink rot, watery wound rot and gangrene are important storage rot diseases of potato associated predominantly with Phytophthora erythroseptica (P.), Pythium ultimum (Py.) and Phoma exigua (Phoma) var. foveata respectively. Reliable molecular‐based diagnostic tests are required that will not only allow unequivocal identification of symptoms but will further advance epidemiological studies of these potato diseases to increase our understanding and contribute to more effective management and control strategies to the potato industry. Primers and probes were designed in specific regions of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions to develop conventional and real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays able to detect all possible fungal and oomycete pathogens causing pink rot, watery wound rot and gangrene. The specificity of each diagnostic assay was rigorously tested with over 500 fungal/oomycete plant pathogen isolates from potato and reference culture collections, and both conventional and real‐time PCR methods produced similar results. In terms of sensitivity, the detection limits for real‐time PCR went below ag DNA levels compared with pg DNA levels with conventional PCR. The real‐time PCR assays developed to detect Phoma foveata and Py. ultimum on tubers were suitable for the comparative C_t method (ΔΔCt) of quantification using the cytochrome oxidase gene of potato as a normalizer assay; an advantage as the need for a standard curve is eliminated. Each assay detected Phoma species (var. foveata or exigua) from naturally infected tubers showing symptoms of gangrene, and P. erythroseptica or Py. ultimum were also detected following inoculation of Russet Burbank tubers. Each diagnostic assay developed could reliably detect and distinguish between the pink rot, watery wound rot and gangrene‐causing potato pathogens.     

New Pythium Taxa Causing Root Rot on Mediterranean Quercus Species in South-west Spain and Portugal

Pythium spiculum, a recently described new taxon, has been frequently isolated from declining Quercus rotundifolia and Q. suber roots and rhizosphere since 2003 in southern Iberia. In soils of declining Quercus forests this species was found as frequently as Phytophthora cinnamomi which, until now, was the only oomycete described as a Quercus root rot pathogen in the region. Inoculation tests conducted on young Q. rotundifolia plants showed that Py. spiculum is an aggressive root pathogen, although producing severities of symptoms significantly lower than those of P. cinnamomi. This new pathogen could play a role as decline factor in southern Iberia. Another new species, Py. sterilum, was also found to be pathogenic to Quercus roots but there are presently only few records of this organism isolated from rhizosphere of declining oaks in central Spain. More than an active decline factor, this species should be considered as a potential risk for Quercus forests.     

灭蚊真菌贵阳腐霉孢子囊和游动孢子形成的观察

贵阳腐霉是很有应用前景的灭蚊真菌.其无性繁殖的游动孢子是其侵犯蚊虫体壁的生理阶段.观察了孢子囊形成的时间及影响因素,并观察了游动孢子形成的动态过程.研究结果为其在灭蚊的实际应用提供了有价值的参考资料.     

Morphological and molecular characterisation of Pythium species causing chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) damping-off

Twenty-five Pythium isolates comprising five species viz., Pythium aphanidermatum, P. deliense, P. graminicola, P. heterothallicum and P. ultimum from different geographical locations of Tamil Nadu (Coimbatore, 4; Cuddalore, 6; Dindigul, 1; Dharmapuri, 1; Erode, 1; Madurai, 1; Namakkal, 7; Thanjavur, 1; Theni, 1; Thirunelveli, 1 and Vellore, 1) isolated from chilli crop were analysed with randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Morphological and molecular characteristics of these different species were correlated with the RAPD. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of total genomic DNA with six random primers generated unique banding patterns depending on the primer and the isolate. The isolate I₁₇ produced identical banding patterns, while other isolates produced dissimilar bands within the particular species, indicating the genetic diversity among the isolates within a species. Morphological characters were also different from each other even in isolate I₁₇ which shared identical bands. Cluster analysis showed minimum and maximum per cent similarities among the tested Pythium species which ranged from 49 to 89%, respectively. RAPD markers were better suited for differentiating isolates within a species rather than species.     

A new species of Pythium with filamentous sporangia having pectinolytic activities, isolated in the Burgundy region of France

A new species, Pythium pectinolyticum (F-83.1), isolated from soil samples taken in the Burgundy region is being described here. This species is characterised by its filamentous non-inflated type of sporangia, smooth-walled mostly catenulate oogonia and very rare antheridia. This fungus is a very slow-growing organism on most of the solid media, but it grows well in liquid media and also on those containing pectin as the sole source of carbon. Morphological features are described here together with the sequences of the internal transcribed spacer 1 region of the nuclear ribosomal DNA of the fungus, its comparison with related species, and its pectinolytic behaviour.     

用SDS-PAGE和Vorum银染法比较真菌菌丝体破壁效果

目的:研究不同处理方法对丝状真菌Pythium sp.GY1938菌丝体破壁效果的差异。方法:采用7种方法对真菌菌丝体进行破壁处理,将制备的胞内可溶蛋白质样品通过SDS-PAGE和Vorum法银染处理,比较不同破壁方法处理后蛋白质释放效果的优劣。结果:方法VI(石英砂、液氮、研磨)的破壁效果最好,蛋白质的分离效率和提取质量最高。结论:方法VI适合于丝状真菌Pythium sp.GY1938蛋白组学研究中目的蛋白的提取。     

Influence of Culture Conditions on Growth and Survival of Conidia of Trichoderma spp. Coated on Seeds

Five Trichoderma strains were grown on rice, on vermiculite plus potato-dextrose broth (PDB), on potato-dextrose agar (PDA) or in liquid cultures supplemented with glycerol, KCl or polyethylene glycol (PEG) at -1 MPa or - 2 MPa. Conidia were coated on seeds through a methyl cellulose coating or through an industrial film-coating process. The conidial yield decreased with glycerol, KCl or PEG compared with PDB alone. The percentage viability was from 23 to 44% after methyl cellulose coating, regardless of the culture conditions for conidial production. In general, the industrial coating resulted in lower numbers of living conidia. The viability during storage was enhanced when vermiculite, rice or PDA were used as substrates for fungal growth. Nevertheless, temperature of storage was found to be more critical to spore survival than the substrate used for spore production; conidial viability on seeds did not exceed 4 months at 15 C. Solid and liquid cultures produced conidia able to control R. solani and P. ultimum when applied to seeds through industrial film coating. The level of disease suppression varied with the number of viable conidia/seed and with the culture medium used for conidial production. The three main conditions for further industrial application-high yields, longevity and biocontrol effectiveness-might be optimized by selecting the appropriate medium (liquid or solid), water potential and solutes used.     

A new non-zoosporic species of Pythium from Algeria

Pythium ramificatum n.sp. isolated from Algeria is described. It is a non-zoosporic fungus, reproducing asexually be means of hyphal bodies and sexually by oogonia with much branched antheridia. Its morphological and reproductive characters as well as it relationship with other species of Pythium of the same group are described.