内蒙古马铃薯黑胫病病原菌的分离和鉴定

 马铃薯是我国的第四大主粮。内蒙古是我国最大的马铃薯生产基地,马铃薯产业是当地农民收入的主要来源。2017年8月,内蒙古锡林郭勒盟部分马铃薯田块发生了一种细菌性黑胫病,发病面积约为200亩,发病率约为20%。发病初期,植株的茎基部变色、发黑,伴有臭味,严重时茎秆腐烂,植株死亡。为明确该地区马铃薯细菌性黑胫病的病原菌种类,本研究对该病原菌进行了分离,并利用生理生化测定,Biolog分析和分子生物学手段将该病原菌鉴定为胡萝卜软腐果胶杆菌巴西亚种(Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. brasiliense)。据以往报道,我国马铃薯黑胫病主要由黑腐果胶杆菌(P. atrosepticum)和胡萝卜软腐果胶杆菌胡萝卜亚种(P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum)两种病原菌引起,本研究是P. carotovorum subsp. brasiliense引起马铃薯黑胫病在国内的首次报道。     

胡萝卜软腐果胶杆菌巴西亚种(Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp.brasiliense)引起的黄瓜细菌性软腐病在中国发生

2014—2015年,在中国山东、山西、河北、河南、辽宁等省的黄瓜茎叶上发生了毁灭性的细菌性软腐病,造成了黄瓜产业严重的经济损失。黄瓜叶片、茎、叶柄和果实表面出现流胶;茎基部呈深褐色进而出现湿腐。受侵染的黄瓜叶边缘出现黄斑和湿腐症状,并逐渐扩散至叶片中心。从受侵染组织中分离出45个细菌菌株,在形态学特性鉴定、生理学、生物化学和16Sr RNA基因序列分析的基础上,将病原体鉴定为胡萝卜软腐果胶杆菌(Pectobacterium carotovorum)。多位点序列分析(MLSA)证实,分离菌株是胡萝卜软腐果胶杆菌巴西亚种[Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp.brasiliensis(Pcb)],病原菌归入进化枝II。重新分离获得与原始菌株相同的菌株,证实了分离菌株的致病力。寄主范围测试表明,该菌株具有广泛的寄主范围。目前为止,这是对Pcb引起的黄瓜软腐病——这一对黄瓜生产具有重要经济影响的病害在中国乃至全球范围内的首次报道。     

贵州魔芋软腐病菌多基因分子鉴定及其致病力分析

为明确贵州魔芋软腐病菌种类?致病力及分布特点, 采用组织分离法对贵州主要魔芋种植区软腐病样进行病原菌分离, 对icdA, mdh, mtlD, proA, rpoS 等5个管家基因进行了扩增?序列测定, 分别用单基因和多基因联合系统发育树对病菌进行鉴定, 同时采用组织块接种方法测定了不同菌株的致病力?通过组织分离法共分离魔芋软腐病菌株47株; 采用5个管家基因进行分子鉴定, 将病菌分别鉴定为海芋果胶杆菌Pectobacterium aroidearum?胡萝卜果胶杆菌Pectobacterium carotovorum和方中达迪基氏菌Dickeya fangzhongdai 3个种, 其中海芋果胶杆菌P.aroidearum为贵州魔芋软腐病主要致病菌, 占分离菌株的70%, 广泛分布在多个地区; 其次为方中达迪基氏菌D. fangzhongdai, 占分离菌株的28%, 也普遍存在于贵州各魔芋种植区; 胡萝卜果胶杆菌P. carotovorum最少, 占分离菌株的2%?致病力测定结果表明, 菌株间致病力存在一定的差异, 其中海芋果胶杆菌不同菌株之间致病力差异较大, 低?中?高致病力菌株都有, 方中达迪基氏菌差异较小, 仅有中?高致病力菌株?本研究确定了贵州魔芋软腐病菌种类?致病力及在贵州的分布特点, 首次报道了海芋果胶杆菌?方中达迪基氏菌是贵州魔芋软腐病的主要病原菌, 进一步加深了对魔芋软腐病及其发生流行的认识, 为软腐病的科学防控提供了科学依据?     

芹菜细菌性软腐病病原的分离与鉴定

 由植物病原细菌引起的芹菜软腐病在北京地区普遍发生,其中以顺义及通州区县较为严重。自发病芹菜茎段中分离细菌,通过接种芹菜进行致病性测定,确定了54个致病菌株。虽然菌株间致病力有一定的差异,但大多数菌株对芹菜致病力强。通过培养性状和菌体形态观察、生理生化反应和Biolog测定,结合胡萝卜软腐果胶杆菌Pectobacterium carotovorum 6个管家基因(pgi、rpoS、mdh、proA、mtlD、icdA)的基因扩增、序列测定和多基因联合系统发育分析,将病原菌鉴定为胡萝卜软腐果胶杆菌P. carotovorum的3个亚种。其中45个菌株为P. carotovorum subsp. odoriferum,频数为83.33%;6个菌株为P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum,频数为11.11%;3个菌株为P. carotovorum subsp. brasiliensis,频数为5.56%。上述结果显示,北京地区芹菜细菌性软腐病的病原菌为胡萝卜软腐果胶杆菌P. carotovorum的3个亚种,其中以P. carotovorum subsp. odoriferum为优势种。     

朝鲜蓟细菌性根茎腐烂病病原的分离与鉴定

 在湖南省常德市西洞庭管区种植的朝鲜蓟（Cynara scolumus  L.）上发现了一种新的病害,其症状表现为地上部分从外层叶片开始逐步枯萎,随后根部和主茎杆的髓部腐烂变褐,最后整株枯萎。从田间感病朝鲜蓟茎杆的病健交界处用NA培养基分离,获得10个菌株,分别指定为HNXDT001~010,并进行了致病性测定、形态观察和细菌学特征分析,同时对HNXDT002菌株进行分子生物学鉴定。结果表明,该系列菌株在NA培养基上均形成灰白色圆形菌落,稍突起,有光泽,半透明。在显微镜下菌体呈短杆状,两端钝圆,具有2～8根周生鞭毛,革兰氏阴性。10个菌株通过针刺法接种均可导致朝鲜蓟茎杆、胡萝卜、辣椒、白菜、土豆、番茄和莴苣茎杆软腐,经科赫法则验证为致病病原菌。该菌株的16S rDNA序列和果胶酶基因片段测序(分别用16S rDNA通用引物16SF/16SR和果胶酶基因引物Y1/Y2扩增)与系统发育学分析表明,其16S rDNA序列(GenBank Accession No. JF721958)与胡萝卜软腐果胶杆菌胡萝卜亚种（Pectobacterium carotovorum  subsp.  carotovorum）菌株ATCC15713 (GenBank Accession No. U80197)序列同源性高达99％;果胶酶基因序列(GenBank Accession No. JF721960)与胡萝卜软腐果胶杆菌胡萝卜亚种（Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum）PC1菌株(GenBank Accession No. CP001657)序列同源性为93%。结果表明：朝鲜蓟细菌性根茎腐烂病病原为胡萝卜软腐果胶杆菌胡萝卜亚种。     

大白菜软腐病新病原菌Pectobacterium aroidearum的鉴定及其生物学特性

细菌性软腐病是大白菜生产上主要发生病害之一,其病原菌通常为胡萝卜软腐果胶杆菌Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp.carotovorum(Pcc)。从北京房山区大白菜软腐病样中分离获得一株菌株KC20,其在LB固体培养基上的菌落呈圆形、乳白色、半透明、表面光滑且边缘整齐,在半选择性培养基CVP上产生典型的杯状凹陷。致病性测定结果表明,该菌株侵染引发的大白菜软腐症状与田间大白菜软腐自然发病症状相同。利用果胶杆菌属特异引物Y1/Y2可扩增出预期大小为434 bp的目的片段;ITS-PCR和ITS-PCR-RFLP结果发现,KC20与P.carotovorum菌株带型均不相同。KC20的16S rDNA基因完整序列与已报道的标准菌株P.aroidearum SCRI 109T(JN600323)的相应序列相似性高达99%以上;该序列系统发育关系分析表明,KC20与已报道的P.aroidearum菌株聚集,并形成了明显的P.aroidearum类群,基于pmrA基因序列和基于果胶杆菌8个看家基因(acnA、icd、gapA、mdh、mtlD、pgi、proA和rpoS)的MLSA-多位点序列分析进一步支持了这一结果。以上结果表明,引发北京地区大白菜软腐病的病原菌株KC20为果胶杆菌P.aroidearum。人工接种条件下,KC20还可侵染马蹄莲、虎眼万年青、马铃薯、鳄梨、西葫芦、胡萝卜、生菜和芹菜等植物;该菌株具备在37℃以及含有7%NaCl培养基中生长的能力,能液化明胶;可利用棉籽糖、纤维素二糖、蜜二糖,不能利用异麦芽酮糖、D-麦芽糖、D-阿拉伯糖、D-山梨醇、菊糖等。大白菜软腐病新病原菌Pectobacterium aroidearum的发现加深了我们对该病害的了解,为该病害的有效防治提供了参考。     

菊欧文氏菌分子检测技术的研究

 蝴蝶兰细菌性软腐病对蝴蝶兰的生长危害严重, Erwinia chrysanthemi(菊欧文氏菌)、Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora(胡萝卜软腐欧文氏菌胡萝卜软腐亚种)是引起蝴蝶兰软腐病的主要病原细菌, 其中E.chrysanthemi被列入我国三类检疫性有害生物。本文对菊欧文氏菌分子检测技术进行了研究, 设计出针对该病原细菌的特异性引物, 应用实时荧光PCR方法检测样品中存在的菊欧文氏菌, 检测灵敏度达到10²cfu/mL。     

芦蒿细菌性软腐病的病原鉴定

芦蒿是一种因其具有独特气味而广受市民欢迎的野菜,尤其在南京被广泛种植与消费。南京的八卦洲地区每年因芦蒿可获得数亿的产值。自2012年,该地区芦蒿在8~9月份相继出现一种新病害。病害发生初期,扦插在土壤下部的植株茎秆外皮变褐色,伴有臭味,随着病害发生严重,植株表现枯萎直至全株死亡。在八卦洲每年该病害的发生率在10%~20%左右,部分田块绝产。本研究采集发病植株,进行组织分离,通过科赫氏法则验证,共获得了30余株具有致病性的分离物。随机挑选了12株细菌,通过生理生化反应、Biolog测定以及多位点序列分析,将该病原菌鉴定为胡萝卜软腐果胶杆菌胡萝卜亚种(Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp.carotovorum)。本研究为芦蒿细菌性软腐病的首次报道。     

半夏细菌性软腐病原菌的分离及鉴定

 在浙江省人工栽培的半夏[Pinellia ternata(Thunb.) Breit.]上发现一种新的软腐病害,软腐症状常常表现在块茎上,高温高湿条件可导致叶面腐烂和整株死亡。为了对病原菌进行鉴定,从软腐的半夏病株块茎中分离到10个菌株,分别指定为RF1~RF10,并进行了致病性测定、形态观察和细菌学特性分析,同时对RF1菌株进行了分子鉴定。结果表明,10个菌株均可经人工接种导致半夏、胡萝卜、马铃薯、番茄、黄瓜和白菜软腐。在电镜下菌体呈短杆状,两端钝圆,具有4~6根周生鞭毛。兼性厌氧、革兰氏阴性,DNA中G+C mol%为51。RF1菌株的16S rDNA测序和系统发育学分析表明,其与胡萝卜软腐果胶杆菌胡萝卜软腐亚种(Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum)M1菌株报告的序列相同点为99%,与该亚种另2个菌株(E161和441)的序列相同点达97%。结果表明,半夏软腐病原菌应归属于胡萝卜软腐果胶杆菌胡萝卜软腐亚种。     

拮抗链霉菌26B的筛选及其在不同含水量土壤中对白菜软腐病的防病效果

为挖掘防治白菜软腐病的生防菌,本研究采用牛津杯法从38株白菜根际放线菌中筛选到一株拮抗放线菌26B,通过形态学观察和16S rRNA基因序列分析将菌株26B初步鉴定为链霉菌。该菌除菌发酵滤液对供试的白菜软腐病菌Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. brasiliensis BC1及3种马铃薯黑胫病菌均表现较高的抑菌活性,其中对白菜软腐病菌抑菌直径达到23.97mm。萌发试验表明,白菜种子经26B除菌发酵滤液浸种后发芽势、发芽指数、根长及鲜重显著增加。采用浸根法测定菌株26B除菌发酵滤液对软腐病菌荧光标记菌株BC1-gfp在白菜根部定殖量的影响,浸根处理后48h,白菜根上BC1-gfp的数量达到2.3×109CFU/g;未从26B除菌发酵滤液与BC1-gfp菌悬液混和处理（体积比10%）的白菜根上检测到病原菌。盆栽防病试验结果表明,在含水量为14%和20%的土壤中,菌株26B除菌发酵滤液对白菜软腐病的防效分别达96.0%和89.8%。上述结果表明,链霉菌26B是一株具有潜在开发应用价值的生防菌株,将链霉菌26B应用与土壤水分管理相结合可进一步提高其防病效果。     

Characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pectobacterium carotovorum</Emphasis> subsp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">carotovorum</Emphasis> causing soft-rot disease on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinellia ternata</Emphasis> in China

Pinellia ternata is a traditional Chinese herb which has been used in China for over 1,000 years. A soft-rot disease characterized by water-soaked lesions and soft-rot symptoms with a stinking odour was commonly observed in cultivated fields of this plant, and Pectobacterium-like bacteria were consistently isolated from the infected tissues. Two typical strains (SXR1 and ZJR1), isolated from Shanxi and Zhejiang, respectively, were identified. Pathogenicity tests revealed that these strains were virulent to P. ternata and induced the same symptoms as observed in the field. Characterization involving fatty acid profile, metabolic and physiological properties, 16S rDNA sequence and PCR-RFLP identified both isolates as P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pcc). The 16S rDNA of both isolates shared 97–99% sequence similarity with that of Pcc strains. The phylogenetic trees showed that both isolates were clustered in the group of Pcc and P. carotovorum subsp. odorifera and both PCR-RFLP profiles were consistent with the pattern E produced by the minority of Pcc strains. Thus, isolates SXR1 and ZJR1 were characterized as Pcc in spite of some differences. This is the first report that Pcc has been proven as a causal agent of soft-rot disease on P. ternata.     

Genes responsible for coronatine synthesis in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas syringae</Emphasis> present in the genome of soft rot bacteria

Primers for the PCR amplification of homologous genes encoding polyketide coronafacic acid and coronafacic ligase in the cells of Pectobacterium atrosepticum SCRI1043 (BX950851) were developed to study the presence of these genes in the genome of Pectobacterium sp. and Dickeya sp. Coronafacic ligase catalyses the formation of coronatine from polyketide coronafacic acid and coronamic acid. Coronatine is a toxin produced by Pseudomonas syringae and is one of the major virulence factors in this bacterium. This study using several strains of P. atrosepticum, P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum and Dickeya sp. isolated in different countries, indicated that all strains of P. atrosepticum possess genes coding coronafacic acid (cfa gene cluster) and coronafacic ligase (cfl). However, these genes were present only in the genome of five out of 50 tested P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum strains and two out of 34 strains of Dickeya sp. tested. The PCR products homologous to the sequence of cfa7 and cfl gene fragments were sequenced in order to check the level of homology between genes of P. atrosepticum, P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum and Dickeya sp. The sequences of the gene fragments amplified from all P. atrosepticum strains were almost identical (100% and 99.97%, respectively). The homology of the sequences obtained for P. atrosepticum and sequences of five P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum and two Dickeya sp. was lower, between 89.69% to 95.00% for the cfl gene fragment, and about 94% for the cfa7 gene fragment.     

Bacterial leaf and peduncle soft rot caused byPectobacterium carotovorum on tulips in Konya, Turkey

The etiology of a new soft rot disease of tulips, causing leaf spots, leaf blight, neck and bulb rot in Konya, Turkey, was investigated. This disease occurred in tulip fields grown for seed bulbs of various varieties in 2002. Bacteria were isolated from the lesions on leaf, bud neck and bulbs and the causal bacterium was identified asPectobacterium carotovorum on the basis of biochemical and physiological tests. Cells were Gram-negative, rod-shaped, fermentative, potato-rot positive. Colonies were capable of growth at 37°C. On nutrient agar the colonies were creamy-white. The isolates were non-fluorescent on King’s B medium, positive for acetoin production, gelatin liquefaction, acid-production-from-lactose, and catalase; and negative for gas from glucose, reducing substances from sucrose, and phosphatase activity. Additionally, tests for egg yolk (lecithin), sensitivity to erythromycin, and pigmentation on yeast dextrose carbonate agar were negative; growth on 5% sodium chloride was positive. All the bacterial isolates obtained from the leaf, bud neck and bulbs produced the original symptoms following inoculation to the susceptible tulip variety ‘Gander’. The rate of damage caused by this bacterium was evaluated on several tulip varieties under field and storage conditions. Gander was the most susceptible variety in the field whereas ‘Salmon Parrot’ exhibited the highest rate of bulb rot in storage. Disease severity was lower in 2003 than 2002. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting May 14, 2006.     

蔬菜细菌性软腐病防治药剂活体组织筛选技术

为探索快速、高效的蔬菜细菌性软腐病防治药剂的筛选技术,采用多因素分析法对茎段材料、接种方式、菌液浓度等因素进行筛选,建立芹菜茎段筛选技术,并采用所建立的筛选法评价28种枯草芽胞杆菌Bacillus subtilis可湿性粉剂对细菌性软腐病菌的杀菌活性。结果表明,建立的芹菜茎段筛选法可较好地评价细菌性软腐病防治药剂的药效,即芹菜茎段一端在细菌性软腐菌液中浸泡20 min后自然风干,再于待测药剂中浸泡处理1 h,在温度26~30℃、相对湿度70%~85%条件下保湿培养36 h后调查发病指数。采用该方法可快速从23种新型枯草芽胞杆菌可湿性粉剂中筛选出对细菌性软腐病具有较高防效的IVF001、IVF002、IVF004、IVF015、IVF018、IVF021、IVF035、IVF041制剂,防效分别为81.70%、94.77%、83.01%、92.16%、84.31%、96.08%、80.39%和89.55%。芹菜茎段筛选法及室内盆栽法对5种已登记的枯草芽胞杆菌可湿性粉剂的筛选结果显著相关,相关系数为0.878。表明芹菜茎段筛选法可以有效代替盆栽筛选法,并对杀菌剂的药效进行评价,是一种实用性强的蔬菜细菌性软腐病防治药剂筛选方法。     

Tumours of Begonia and some other ornamentals,induced by Corynebacterium fascians

In 1975 many tumours were observed in plants ofBegonia Schwabenland grown in Aalsmeer. Submersion of the roots ofNicotiana megalosiphon seedlings in a homogenate of tumorous tissue, induced tumours after two weeks. Short periods of submergence yielded results similar to those obtained after longer periods. Tumour homogenates lost their infectivity after ten min at 50°C. Aphids transmitted the infectious agent.Treatment with propylene oxide did not inhibit infectivity completely. Filtration through a 450 nm filter removed the infectious agent.Tobacco tumor virus or a viroid could not be isolated. Cultures ofCorynebacterium fascians, isolated from tumours ofN. megalosiphon were highly infectious and induced tumours in healthyN. megalosiphon andBegonia. Tumorous tissue homogenates ofPelargonium zonale, Dahlia sp.,Gladiolus sp., andLilium sp. also caused tumours inN. megalosiphon, from whichC. fascians was isolated. It was not possible to produce tumours inN. megalosiphon with homogenates from roses with symptoms of bud proliferation.Samenvatting In 1975 werden vele tumoren waargenomen inBegonia Schwabenland op Aalsmeerse bedrijven (Fig. 1). De infectiositeit van tumorweefsel kon goed en snel worden vastgesteld door de wortels van zaailingen vanNicotiana megalosiphon in een homogenaat van tumorweefsel te dompelen. Tumoren ontstonden na twee weken, de eindbeoordeling geschiedde na een maand (Fig. 2). Ook verschillende andereNicotiana spp.,Melilotus officinalis (Fig. 3) enPisum odoratum (Fig. 4) werden aangetast.Bij de infectiositeitstoets gaven zeer korte dompeltijden even goede resultaten als langere (Tabel 1). Infectieus sap verloor zijn infectievermogen na 10 min verhitting bij 50°C. Bladluizen brachten de smetstof over. Propyleenoxide verminderde de infectiositeit wel, doch onderdrukte deze niet totaal. Bij filtratie door een 450 nm filter bleef het infectieuse agens op het filter achter. Het tumor-inducerende agens was ook aanwezig in die delen van planten met tumoren welke gezond leken en het ging voor een gering deel over met zaad (Tabel 2).Uit tumoren konden wij geen tabakstumorvirus of een viroïde isoleren. Culturen vanCorynebacterium fascians, geïsoleerd uit tumoren vanN. megalosiphon bleken zeer infectieus en veroorzaakten tumoren inN. megalosiphon enBegonia. Homogenaten van tumorweefsel vanPelargonium zonale, dahlia (Fig. 5), gladiool (Fig. 6) enLilium Mid Century Hybrid Enchantment (Fig. 7) veroorzaakten ook tumoren opN. megalosiphon, waaruitC. fascians werd geïsoleerd. Met sap van kroeskopzieke rozen konden wijN. megalosiphon niet besmetten.     

Epidemiology and simulation of population development of Sitobion avenae in winter wheat

The epidemiology ofSitobion avenae and its natural enemies in winter wheat was studied in 1975, 1976 and 1977. Immigration was important until the end of flowering. The alate immigrants had apterous offspring. These became the driving force in population growth. Their offspring were mostly alatae which usually left the field. A model of the epidemic was developed. Quantitative relations between the aphids and their environment were obtained from literature or established in laboratory trials. The model simulated population development and population composition from the beginning of June till the population peak at the end of June or early in July. Because quantitative data on relations between aphids and their natural enemies and pathogens are scarce, and since the knowledge on wing formation is still limited, the population collapse could not be predicted. In the future, prognosis over a period of three weeks seems possible.Samenvatting De toenemende betekenis van graanbladluizen (vooralSitobion avenae) gepaard gaande met een sterke toename van het gebruik van insecticiden op granen maakte verbetering van de prognose over het schadelijk optreden wenselijk. Door gedetailleerde tellingen in het veld (Fig. 1–7) werden gegevens verkregen over het verloop van de epidemie en het optreden van natuurlijke vijanden in 1975, 1976 en 1977.Een immigratieperiode tot in de bloei kon worden vastgesteld. Daarna lijkt de aantrekkelijkheid van het gewas voor alate luizen te verminderen. De alate immigranten krijgen aptere nakomelingen. Deze vormen de stuwende kracht van de populatiegroei. De nakomelingen van apteren zijn merendeels alaat. Zij verlaten het gewas.Een model van de populatieontwikkeling gedurende de epidemie werd opgesteld. De relatiediagrammen Fig. 9 en 10 laten groei en ontwikkeling vanS. avenae en een predator (Syrphus corollae) zien. Kwantificering van de betrekkingen werd mogelijk door literatuurgegevens en laboratoriumexperimenten.Met het model kon de populatieontwikkeling vanS. avenae vanaf begin juni tot aan de populatiepiek in 1975, 1976 en 1977 vrij goed worden gesimuleerd (Fig. 12). Ook de populatieopbouw kon worden gesimuleerd (Fig. 14). De teruggang van de populatiedichtheid blijkt moeilijker te voorspellen door het ontbreken van gegevens over natuurlijke vijanden.Het lijkt waarschijnlijk dat in de toekomst met het model een prognose over de piek van de bladluispopulatie circa 3 weken tevoren mogelijk zal zijn.     

Inactivation of soil-borne plant pathogens during small-scale composting of crop residues

Samples of heavily infested crop residues were incorporated in static compost heaps (2.5–4.6 m³) of the Indore type. Temperature increased to 50–70°C within 6 days depending on the type of crop residues used and the location within the heap. The heat phase (>40 °C) lasted 2–3 weeks and was followed by a c. 5-months maturation phase (<40 °c).=" among=" the=" 17=" pathogens=" tested,=">Olpidium brassicae and one of the four formae speciales ofFusarium oxysporum that were tested survived composting, but also their inoculum was greatly reduced.Survival during specific phases of composting was studied by incorporation and retrieval of samples at various stages of the process.F. oxysporum f. sp.melonis was completely inactivated andO. brassicae andPlasmodiophora brassicae were almost completely inactivated during the short heat phase. The three pathogens survived the long-lasting maturation phase without loss of viability. Heat evolved during composting was found to be the most important factor involved with sanitation of crop residues. The possible involvement of fungitoxic conversion products and microbial antagonism is discussed.     

Functional analysis of the 3′ end of avrBs3/pthA genes from two Xanthomonas species

The phytopathogens Xanthomonas oryzae pathovar (pv.) oryzae and Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri each contain several avrBs3/pthA family genes. Structural features of these genes important for avirulence and/or virulence functions include a central region of multiple direct repeats and three nuclear localization signals (NLSs) and an acidic activation domain (AAD) at the 3′ end. To identify other regions critical to function in the 3′ ends of these genes, we constructed several chimeras using apl1 and apl2 from X. axonopodis pv. citri and avrXa10 and avrXa7 from X. oryzae pv. oryzae and evaluated their functions by inoculation to citrus and rice. The apl1 and avrXa7 genes are major virulence determinants in citrus and rice, respectively, while the contributions of apl2 and avrXa10 to virulence are negligible or not measurable. Constructs that contained a 417 bp HincII-SphI fragment from the 3′ end of apl1 in combination with the repeats from avrXa7, avrXa10, and apl1 caused a canker phenotype on citrus. Interchange of the HincII-SphI fragment between avrXa7 and avrXa10 abolishes avrXa7 avirulence function and reduces its virulence but it does not affect avrXa10 avirulence function in rice. avrXa7 caused a hypersensitive response (HR) in citrus and replacement of it's 3′ end with that of apl1 resulted in loss of canker and induction of HR. Thus, the HincII-SphI fragment of the avrBs3/pthA gene family is important for avirulence and virulence functions in two different plant species, Oryza sativa and Citrus natsudaidai HAYATA.     

Nematicidal Activity of Chrysanthemum coronarium

Organic amendments and green manure are potential alternatives to the harmful chemical control means currently used against plant-parasitic nematodes. In this work, Chrysanthemum coronarium was applied to the soil as a green manure to control the root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica. Chrysanthemum coronarium significantly reduced nematode infection of tomato roots and improved plant-top fresh weight, both in the greenhouse and in microplots. Other green manures, derived from Anthemis pseudocotula, wild chickpea (Cicer pinnatifidum), Geranium spp. and wheat, were not as effective as C. coronarium. Chrysanthemum coronarium, retained its nematicidal activity even when applied as a dried material. Only mature C. coronarium plants, in their flowering stage, exhibited nematode control activity, but the green plant parts were more effective than the flowers. An aqueous extract of C. coronarium exhibited in vitro, nematostatic activity towards M. incognita and M. javanica second-stage juveniles and inhibited their hatching from eggs and egg-masses; its nematostatic activity was expressed also against other phytonematode species such as Heterodera avenae and Pratylenchus mediterraneus, but did not affect the beneficial entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema feltiae.     

Identification,incidence and characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium proliferatum</Emphasis>on ornamental palms in Spain

During a survey conducted from 1998 to 2002, Fusarium proliferatum was found associated with young and adult palms belonging to the genera Chamaerops, Phoenix, Trachycarpus and Washingtonia showing symptoms of wilt and dieback. The fertility and toxicological profile of 36 strains representing different locations and hosts were studied. All of them except two, which were infertile, belonged to mating population D. Both mating types (MATD-1 and MATD-2) were isolated from the same host species, showing a high potential of genetic recombination in the field. Additionally, eight strains were fertile once crossed as female. Toxin analysis showed differences in the ability of strains to produce fumonisin B₁, moniliformin, beauvericin, fusaric acid and fusaproliferin. Only 17 of them produced all the toxins analyzed. Pathogenicity tests were conducted on Phoenix dactylifera and P. canariensis using nine F. proliferatum Spanish strains and two reference strains from Saudi Arabia. Eight months after inoculation all strains caused disease, with palms showing lesions on the bases of leaves and development of wilt symptoms similar to those originally observed in affected plants. This is the first report on the occurrence of F. proliferatum on P. dactylifera in Spain and also the first report of this pathogen on C. humilis, P. canariensis, P. reclinata, T. fortunei, W. filifera and W. robusta.