Inter-relationship between shoot weight,severity of root rot and survival rate of subterranean clover inoculated with certain pathogenic fungi

Summary Plant survival rate, root disease index and fresh shoot weight of subterranean clover seedlings inoculated with fungal pathogens (Fusarium avenaceum, F. oxysporum, Phoma medicaginis, Pythium irregulare andRhizoctonia solani, both singly and in combinations) were generally inter-correlated over a wide range of temperature (10, 15, 20 and 25°C) and moisture conditions (45, 65% water holding capacity and flooding). There was a negative correlation between root disease index and shoot weight for all treatments exceptF. avenaceum + P. irregulare. Root disease index and seedling survival rate were negatively correlated except forF. oxygsporum, Phoma medicaginis, P. irregulare andF. oxysporum + F. avenaceum. However, a good positive correlation was found between the survival rate and shoot weight for all treatments with the exception ofPhoma medicaginis.     

贵州半夏块茎腐烂病病原菌的分离与鉴定

【目的】对贵州省半夏块茎腐烂病病原菌进行分离和鉴定,为开发有效的防治技术体系提供依据。【方法】采用组织分离法进行病原菌分离,根据柯氏法则进行致病性测定,结合形态学、生理生化特性和分子生物学方法进行鉴定。【结果】从贵州3个半夏产地患病样品中分离出12株病原细菌和5株病原真菌。经形态学、生理生化特性和分子生物学方法鉴定,12株病原细菌为胡萝卜软腐果胶杆菌胡萝卜软腐亚种;ZJ、Z3病原真菌为尖孢镰刀菌,D3、D5、H1为茄病镰刀菌。【结论】贵州省半夏块茎腐烂病的病原菌有病原细菌和病原真菌。     

Sorghum-sudan green manure; Its effect on nursery stock

Summary The use of sorghum-sudan green manure has recently attained popularity among nurserymen because of the assumption that toxic excretions of these hybrids control root-rot fungi. Greenhouse trials of 2-year duration have revealed that green manure of sorghum-sudan inflicts severe damage of tree seedlings, largely by eradication of mycorrhiza-forming fungi. Early plowing under of green manure, periodic watering, and late fall seeding of nursery crop may alleviate phytotoxicity of the sorghum-sudan residues, but the biocidic properties of these plants defeat the primary purpose of using green manure in contemporary nurseries, namely the biodegradation of toxic compounds.Research supported by the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.     

Interaction of Meloidogyne javanica and Macrophomina phaseoli in Kenaf Root Rot

Incidence and severity of root-rot caused by the fungus Macrophomina phaseoli was increased in screenhouse-grown kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) seedlings simultaneously infected by the nematode Meloidogyne javanica. In seedlings inoculated at 5, 10 and 15 days of age, root rot lesions increased 70.3, 44.1 and 21.8%, and nematode penetration increased 49.0, 36.7, and 12.3% when both fungus and nematode were present.     

Effect of different soil types,pH and phosphorus levels on the wheat seedling and the incidence ofPythium graminicolum

Summary In the present study, the effect of different types of soil, pH and phosphorus levels on root, shoot development and browning extent on shoot of wheat seedlings growth in soil inoculated withPythium graminicolum; was studied. Out of the four soil types the development of root and shoot was better in Domatta soil where as the disease development was more in black clay soil. The pH values below 5.5 and above 8.0 are favourable for the root and shoot development whereas these values are unfavourable for the development of the Pythium and consequently for infection by it. The percentage of browning of the collar region was more in soils near neutral (pH 6.5–7.1) and it was less in acidic (pH 5.0) or alkaline (pH 8.6) soils. The development of wheat roots and shoot in soil with 30 lb/acre phosphorus was good as compared to that in soil with P₀, P_15,45 and P₆₀ lb/acre in inoculated soil. The percentage of extent of browning on collar region was less at 15 lb and 30 lb/acre P, due to less development of the disease.     

Rhizotron studies on Zea mays L. to evaluate biocontrol activity of Bacillus subtilis

The effect of Bacillus as a biocontrol agent against some root-rot fungi was tested using maize (Zea mays L.) in rhizotrons placed in a growth chamber with relative humidity 60% with a 12 h photoperiod and day and night temperatures of 24 and 18°C respectively. Rhizoctonia solani Kühn caused pre-emergence damping-off in the untreated maize seeds showing weak and soft roots as observed through the perspex rhizotrons. Image analysis was used to quantify the effects of Bacillus treatment on seedlings infected with Pythium sp. Bacillus B77 and B81 were most effective in the control of the pathogen, R. solani which achieved a biocontrol activity of 24 and 35% respectively with regard to shoot dry biomass while B81 achieved 48% biocontrol with reference to root dry biomass. There was no effect on the root area. For root dry biomass, B81, B69, B11 and B77 showed higher biocontrol activity in comparison to the control. Pythium sp. caused pre- and post emergence damping- off in the untreated seeds. Root rot of the maize seedlings caused by Pythium sp. was slightly controlled by Bacillus B69 and B81 which achieved biocontrol activity of 18 and 11% respectively. For the biocontrol of Fusarium solani, Bacillus B77, B69, B81 achieved biocontrol activity of 50, 48 and 33% respectively with reference to root dry biomass.     

Water relations of rough lemon (Citrus jambhiri Lush.) citrus seedlings infected withFusarium solani

Summary Rough lemon citrus seedlings were inoculated withFusarium solani and evaluated for changes in water relations of leaves, stems, and roots. Inoculated seedlings had decreased leaf stomatal conductance, lower leaf water potential, lower water content, and higher leaf osmotic values compared to healthy plants. Visible wilt symptoms occurred as early as 24 h after inoculation. Transpiration and root conductivity were lower in diseased plants but stem conductivity in diseased plants did not differ from the control. Thus, wilting appears to be due to the inability of roots to supply water to the leaves.     

Epicoccum Nigrum as biocontrol agent of Pythium damping-off and root-rot of cotton seedlings

Efficacy of Epicoccum nigrum and its exudate was tested in control the pre- and post-emergence damping-off and root-rot of Egyptian cotton (cv. Giza 83) in vitro and in vivo. Different isolates of Epicoccum nigrum reduced the radial growth of both Pythium debaryanum and P. ultimum significantly, by production considerable inhibition zones. In liquid cultures E. nigrum exudate showed a high fungicidal effect resulting in a significant reduction of the mycelial dry weight of the two investigated Pythium spp. Also E. nigrum exudate inhibited cellulase and pectinase activity by P. debaryanum and P. ultimum. Soaking of cotton seeds in E. nigrum exudate for different intervals resulted in significant reduction of root-rot severity of seedlings as well as the contamination of seeds and seedlings by fungi during and after germination. These treatments also stimulated germination of cotton seeds and enhanced the seedlings vigour significantly. In pot experiments, the use of E. nigrum as a soil mixture or seed dressing significantly alleviated the hazard effect of P. debaryanum. Pythium ultimum seemed to be weak or non pathogen to the used cotton cultivar (Giza 83). Application of E. nigrum or its exudate not only involved in protection of cotton seedlings against Pythium damping-off and root-rot but also enhanced their vigour and growth characteristics. The main conclusion of this study is that E. nigrum could be used successfully as environmentally safe and economic biological control agent to protect cotton (cv. Giza 83) from damping-off and root-rot diseases caused by P. debaryanum.     

Variation in traits associated with parasitism and saprotrophism in a fungal root-rot pathogen invading intensive pine plantations

Armillaria ostoyae, the causal agent of root- and butt-rot in several forest trees, has a lifecycle consisting of alternating parasitic and saprotrophic stages. It causes high levels of mortality in the intensively managed monospecific plantations of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) in south-western France (Landes forest). In this region, the pathogen was native to the forests, pre-dating the large plantations of the 19th century. The first objective of this study was to estimate the variation in aggressiveness on maritime pine, determined as rate of host mortality caused by the infection process. The second objective was to characterize relationships between aggressiveness and traits likely to be involved in parasitism (i.e. rhizomorph production and colonization of host tissues) and saprotrophism (ability to decompose wood). The A. ostoyae isolates studied caused high rates of mortality in maritime pine, with significant differences between isolates. However, there was no variation of aggressiveness between A. ostoyae isolates from ancient forested and from more recently afforested areas, and did not support the hypothesis of a higher aggressiveness linked to a recent range expansion and the intensification of silviculture in this area. Rhizomorph production and aggressiveness were significantly correlated. In addition, we did not detect any trade-off between components of parasitism and saprotrophism, suggesting no significant evolutionary constraint driving these traits.