Infection of potato by Rhizoctonia solani: effect of anastomosis group

Glasshouse and field experiments showed that the pathogenicity and disease type on potato varied between different anastomosis groups (AGs) of Rhizoctonia solani. For example, severe stem and stolon disease developed in plants inoculated with a single isolate of AG3PT and AG5. Severe root disease was observed with single isolates of AG8 and to a lesser extent AG3PT, but rarely with single isolates of the other AGs tested. In both field and glasshouse experiments the AG2‐1 isolate (X81) produced only small lesions (<5 mm). However, this was not representative of two other AG2‐1 isolates. When AG2‐1 isolates of the three different rDNA IGS1 types were tested in a glasshouse trial, one caused more severe stem and stolon infection than AG3PT. In the field experiment, the yield of tubers, by weight, was significantly less (P < 0·05) in all inoculated plants than for uninoculated (control) plants. Yield losses were greatest and tuber numbers smallest in plots inoculated with an AG8 isolate, suggesting that root infection is important in determining quantitative yield loss. The incidence of black scurf was greatest in the progeny tubers in plots inoculated with AG3PT (83·9%), whereas only very small amounts of black scurf developed on tubers from plants infected with AG2‐1 (510 bp) or AG5 isolates. This is supported by laboratory tests, where isolates of AG3PT produced significantly more sclerotia on potato dextrose agar than isolates of AGs 2‐1, 4, 5 and 8.     

Characterization of Rhizoctonia solani from potato in Great Britain

One hundred and thirty five isolates of Rhizoctonia solani were obtained from British potato crops between 2001 and 2003. Isolates were assigned to anastomosis group (AG) using conventional PCR assays for AG2-1 or AG3 or through the observation of hyphal interactions, where appropriate. A previously published primer set was modified in this study to enhance specificity for AG3PT. Most of the isolates (92·6%) belonged to AG3PT whilst some (6·7%) belonged to AG2-1. Only one isolate recovered (0·7%) belonged to AG5. Isolates of AG2-1 were diverse, with variation in both the length of the rDNA intergenic spacer 1 (IGS1) region and the categories of hyphal interaction observed between pairings of AG2-1 isolates. No variation in the length of the rDNA IGS1 region was observed amongst the AG3 isolates collected. Tests carried out on potato stems with a sub-set of the isolates revealed a wide range of aggressiveness amongst AG2-1 isolates. Sequencing of the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the AG2-1 isolates and construction of a neighbour joining tree with other AG2-1 sequences available indicated that AG2-1 isolates with the short IGS1 region were closely related. This is the first investigation which provides evidence of the relative AG composition of R. solani populations causing disease in potato crops in Great Britain.     

Molecular tools to investigate Rhizoctonia solani distribution in soil

Real-time PCR protocols were developed to detect and discriminate 11 anastomosis groups (AGs) of Rhizoctonia solani using ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions (AG-1-IA, AG-1-IC, AG-2-1, AG-2-2, AG-4HGI+II, AG-4HGIII, AG-8) or β-tubulin (AG-3, AG-4HGII, AG-5 and AG-9) sequences. All real-time assays were target group specific, except AG-2-2, which showed a weak cross-reaction with AG-2^tabac. In addition, methods were developed for the high throughput extraction of DNA from soil and compost samples. The DNA extraction method was used with the AG-2-1 assay and shown to be quantitative with a detection threshold of 10⁻⁷ g of R. solani per g of soil. A similar DNA extraction efficiency was observed for samples from three contrasting soil types. The developed methods were then used to investigate the spatial distribution of R. solani AG-2-1 in field soils. Soil from shallow depths of a field planted with Brassica oleracea tested positive for R. solani AG-2-1 more frequently than soil collected from greater depths. Quantification of R. solani inoculum in field samples proved challenging due to low levels of inoculum in naturally occurring soils. The potential uses of real-time PCR and DNA extraction protocols to investigate the epidemiology of R. solani are discussed.     

Characterization and origin of infection of Rhizoctonia solani associated with Brassica oleracea crops in the UK

An extensive study was conducted to determine where in the production chain Rhizoctonia solani became associated with UK module-raised Brassica oleracea plants. In total, 2600 plants from 52 crops were sampled directly from propagators and repeat sampled from the field. Additional soil, compost and water samples were collected from propagation nurseries and screened using conventional agar isolation methods. No isolates of R. solani were recovered from any samples collected from propagation nurseries. Furthermore, nucleic acid preparations from samples of soil and compost from propagation nurseries gave negative results when tested for R. solani using real-time PCR. Conversely, R. solani was recovered from 116 of 1300 stem bases collected from field crops. All the data collected suggested R. solani became associated with B. oleracea in the field rather than during propagation. Parsimony and Bayesian phylogenetic studies of ribosomal DNA suggested the majority of further classified isolates belonged to anastomosis groups 2-1 (48/57) and AG-4HGII (8/57), groups known to be pathogenic on Brassica spp. in other countries. Many R. solani isolates were recovered from symptomless plant material and the possibilities for such an association are discussed.     

Rhizoctonia Blight of Yacon Caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG-1 (IB)

Severe blight of stems and leaves caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG-1 (IB) was found on yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius), a Compositae tuber crop, grown in Ehime Prefecture, Japan, from August to September 1996 and 1999. We named it “Rhizoctonia blight of yacon” as a new disease. Received 15 October 2001/ Accepted in revised form 25 November 2001     

Control of potato powdery scab caused by Spongospora subterranea by foliage cover and soil application of chemicals under field conditions with naturally infested soil

Powdery scab (PS), caused by Spongospora subterranea, reduces the quality and marketability of potatoes worldwide. Disease symptoms include lesions on the tuber surface and root galling, which may lead to yield losses. In the current study we report a sustainable approach to reduce PS by manipulating soil temperature during tuber initiation. Plant cover with nonwoven fabric significantly reduced PS on tubers by 54%–69% in 2017 and 84%–93% in 2019, compared to the control, and root galling by 96% in 2019, due to an increased average minimum and maximum soil temperature of 1.8 and 4.2 °C in respective years. Additional preplanting soil treatments were also evaluated in naturally infested soil. In 2017, disease incidence and severity were significantly reduced using 2.5 or 5 L a.i./ha fluazinam in broadcast application or in-furrow, and by 0.375 or 0.75 L a.i./ha flusulphamide applied in-furrow. In 2019, disease incidence and severity were significantly reduced by the broadcast application of fluazinam, and 75 kg/ha calcium cyanamide, but the latter had a negative impact on yield. Soil fumigation with metam sodium resulted in a 98% reduction in PS. Root galling was significantly reduced by calcium cyanamide, metam sodium, and fluazinam in the 2019 trial only. Foliar application of resistance-inducing phosphonates combined with fluazinam application had no additive effect on PS incidence and severity. Integrated approaches such as tolerant cultivars, soil testing, preplanting fungicide application, and sustainable means of control such as foliage cover for a short period may be implemented in order to control the disease and minimize damage.     

Characterization of Rhizoctonia solani AG 2 isolates causing bare patch in field grown tulips in the Netherlands

During a spring survey in 1991, 130 isolates of R. solani were collected in 25 commercial flower bulb fields from diseased plants occurring in bare patches. On the basis of hyphal fusion frequency and pathogenicity to flower bulbs, tulip isolates were provisionally assigned to AG 2-t to distinguish these isolates from AG 2-1 isolates which were non-pathogenic to bulbs. Hyphal fusion frequency of a subgroup of 7 AG 2-t isolates was highly variable when paired with 7 AG 2-1 isolates (2-75%), thus making assignment of AG 2-t isolates to AG 2-1 inconclusive. The mean hyphal fusion frequency among AG 2-t isolates was 65% (±6%) indicating AG 2-t to be a relatively homogeneous group. Hyphal fusion frequency among AG 2-1 isolates was highly variable with a mean 51% (±25%) indicating AG 2-1 to be a heterogeneous group. The optimum growth temperature for AG 2-t and AG 2-1 isolates on malt peptone agar was 20-25 °C. The host range of AG 2-t and two AG 2-1 isolates comprised tulip, iris, hyacinth and lily at both 9 and 18 °C, and cruciferous, sugarbeet and lettuce seedlings at 18 °C. Six other AG 2-1 isolates were pathogenic to cruciferous seedlings, but not to any of the bulbous crops. The tested narcissus, Tagetes patula, tomato, potato, wheat, leek and maize cultivars were not susceptible to AG 2-t and AG 2-1 isolates. Statistical analysis using a proportional-odds model revealed significant differences in aggressiveness between R. solani AG 2-t isolates and differences in susceptibility between tulip and iris cultivars. At 18 °C, but not at 9 °C, isolates representing AG 2-2, AG 4, AG 5 and AG BI were pathogenic to bulbous crops. In addition to bare patch causing AG 2-t isolates, other anastomosis groups may cause disease in field grown tulips. For the development of optimal crop rotation schedules, the impact of bulb rot causing isolates under field conditions needs further study.     

Dynamics of soilborne Rhizoctonia solani in the presence of Trichoderma harzianum: effects on stem canker, black scurf and progeny tubers of potato

Stem canker and black scurf are diseases of potato caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani . Spatiotemporal experimentation and empirical modelling were applied for the first time to investigate the effect of antagonistic Trichoderma harzianum on the dynamics of soilborne R. solani on individual potato plants. Trichoderma harzianum reduced the severity of symptoms, expressed as 'rhizoctonia stem lesion index' (RSI), during the first 7 days post-inoculation when the inoculum of R. solani was placed at certain distances (30–60 mm) from the host. For example, with inoculum at 40 mm from the host, RSI was 6 and 40 with and without T. harzianum , respectively. At later observation times, the antagonistic effect was overcome. Trichoderma harzianum reduced the severity of black scurf on progeny tubers. Furthermore, the mean number of progeny tubers per potato plant was reduced by the biocontrol treatment (means of 6·5 ± 1·1 and 9·9 ± 2·7 tubers per plant with and without T. harzianum , respectively), as was the proportion of small (0·1–20·0 g) tubers (48% and 66% with and without T. harzianum , respectively). Additionally, there were fewer malformed and green-coloured tubers in pots treated with T. harzianum than in those without T. harzianum .     

Characterization of Rhizoctonia solani Associated with Soybean in Brazil

Rhizoctonia solani causes pre- and post-emergence damping-off, root and hypocotyl rot and foliar blight in soybean. Foliar blight has resulted in yield losses of 31–60% in north and northeast Brazil. The aim of this study was to characterize isolates of R. solani associated with soybean in Brazil. Among 73 Rhizoctonia isolates examined, six were binucleate and 67 were multinucleate. The multinucleate iso1ates were characterized according to hyphal anastomosis reaction, mycelial growth rate, thiamine requirement, sclerotia production, and RAPD molecular markers. Four isolates that caused hypocotyl rot belonged to AG-4 and using RAPD analysis they grouped together with the HGI subgroup. Another isolate that caused root and hypocotyl rots was thiamine auxotrophic, grew at 35°C, and belonged to AG-2-2 IIIB. All 62 isolates that caused foliar blight belonged to AG-1 IA. RAPD analysis of R. solani AG-1 IA soybean isolates showed high genetic similarity to a tester strain of AG-1 IA, confirming their classification. The teleomorph of R. solani, Thanatephorus cucumeris was produced in vitro by one AG-1 IA isolate from soybean. The AG-4 and AG-2-2 IIIB isolates caused damping-off and root and hypocotyl rots of soybean seedlings cv. FT-Cristalina, under greenhouse conditions. The AG-2-2 IIIB isolate caused large lesions on the cortex tissue, that was distinct from the symptoms caused by AG-4 isolates. The AG-1 IA isolates caused foliar blight in adult soybean plants cv. Xingu under the greenhouse and also in a detached-leaf assay.     

Interactions between the root pathogen Rhizoctonia solani AG-8 and acetolactate-synthase-inhibiting herbicides in barley

BACKGROUND: The widespread acceptance of reduced‐tillage farming in cereal cropping systems in the Pacific Northwest of the United States has resulted in increased use of herbicides for weed control. However, soil residual concentrations of widely used imidazalone herbicides limit the cultivation of barley, which is more sensitive than wheat. In addition, increased severity of the root rot disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani is associated with reduction in tillage. Many crops exhibit altered disease responses after application of registered herbicides. In this study, the injury symptoms in barley caused by sublethal rates of two acetolactate synthase (ALS)‐inhibiting herbicides, imazamox and propoxycarbazone‐sodium, were assessed in factorial combinations with a range of inoculum concentrations of the root rot pathogen Rhizoctonia solani AG‐8. RESULTS: Both herbicides and pathogen had negative impacts on plant growth parameters such as root and shoot dry weight, shoot height and first leaf length, and interactions between pathogen and herbicide were detected. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that sublethal rates of herbicides and R. solani could alter severity of injury symptoms, possibly owing to the herbicide predisposing the plant to the pathogen. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Characterization of weeds and rotational crops as alternative hosts of Spongospora subterranea,the causal agent of powdery scab in Israel

Alternative hosts of Spongospora subterranea may allow multiplication and survival of the pathogen over time; thus, host range is important from an epidemiological aspect. Weeds and rotational crops, such as wheat and barley, were sampled from potato fields with a history of powdery scab (PS) and examined for the presence of S. subterranea by root staining followed by microscopic observations and by qPCR analysis after DNA extraction. The pathogen was detected in plants of 16 weed species from eight families and in volunteer plants of potato and wheat. The ability of the pathogen to infect weeds and rotational crops was further examined by artificial inoculations with sporosori in pot experiments. Successful inoculations occurred with 13 weed species from eight families and with 12 rotational crops from five families. The findings of this study indicate a wide host range in Israel; the families Malvaceae and Zygophyllaceae and the following species are reported for the first time as S. subterranea hosts: Solanum elaeagnifolium, Triticum aestivum, Cynodon dactylon, Phalaris paradoxa, Phalaris minor, Setaria verticillata, Rostaria cristata, Sinapis nigra, Arachis hypogaea, Medicago sativa, Astragalus hauraensis, Amaranthus albus, Chenopodium murale, Chenopodium opulifolium, Salsola soda, Malva nicaeensis, Chrysanthemum segetum, Verbesina encelioides, Ammi majus and Tribulus terrestris. Controlling weeds and avoiding the relevant rotational crops observed to be S. subterranea-positive and thus potential hosts, should be taken into consideration in the management of PS, to reduce pathogen inoculum build-up.     

Influence of abiotic factors,inoculum source,and cultivar susceptibility on the potato tuber blemish diseases black dot (Colletotrichum coccodes) and silver scurf (Helminthosporium solani)

Black dot and silver scurf are potato blemish diseases whose economic impact has increased in recent years. Because their symptomatology on tubers is visually similar, disease assessment does not usually differentiate between the two pathogens, which share the same ecological niche. The epidemiology of black dot has been extensively studied, especially in the UK, but the factors that influence silver scurf have been less investigated. In this study, the influence of cultivar, source of inoculum, and environmental conditions on both diseases was studied in field trials over a three-year period (2016–2018) in Switzerland. Planting minitubers did not prevent either disease in daughter tubers, indicating the contribution of soil as an inoculum reservoir. An arbitrary threshold of Colletotrichum coccodes soil inoculum could be set to discriminate between low and high disease risk. For the first time, Helminthosporium solani DNA was detected in stolons, and infections appeared earlier in stolons than in tubers. H. solani stolon and tuber infections usually appeared later in the season than those of C. coccodes. Black dot severity correlated positively with precipitation, while silver scurf severity correlated positively with temperature. Table potato cultivars commonly grown in Switzerland exhibited significant differences in susceptibility to both diseases, and cultivars with low susceptibility to both silver scurf and black dot were identified. These results gave new insights into understanding the factors driving the epidemiology of potato blemish diseases and may contribute to building a risk assessment scheme to manage both diseases simultaneously.     

Medicago truncatula as a model host for studying legume infecting Rhizoctonia solani and identification of a locus affecting resistance to root canker

The broad‐host‐range necrotizing fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia solani is responsible for economically significant diseases to crops as diverse as wheat, maize, barley, canola, sugar beet, potato, soyabean, bean, lupin and alfalfa. Germplasm screens in many of the crop hosts have not identified strong genetic resistance which, together with the lack of effective control, mean the pathogen remains a substantial problem for agriculture in many parts of the world. Following the establishment of a robust inoculation assay, a germplasm collection of the model legume Medicago truncatula was screened with various legume‐infecting isolates of R. solani. While some significant differences in susceptibility/resistance were detected between some lines, in the majority of cases M. truncatula was susceptible to R. solani. Comparison of a legume‐ and cereal‐infecting AG8 isolate with a legume‐specific AG11 isolate revealed no difference in pathogenicity between the two isolates when infecting M. truncatula. The most significant differences in susceptibility occurred with an AG6 isolate, which caused root canker. This included significant differences between the moderate resistance of the M. truncatula reference genotype A17 and the high susceptibility of line A20. The analysis of a recombinant inbred line population derived from A17 and A20 revealed a single locus contributing to the resistance in A17. Interestingly, the locus only affected the development of post‐emergent (late) symptoms, such as necrosis of cotyledons at 11 days after inoculation and root‐ and above‐ground‐weights, but not pre‐emergent seedling damping off. These findings pave the way for further studies to dissect the genetic and molecular mechanisms of resistance.     

Characterization and pathogenicity of Rhizoctonia isolates associated with cauliflower in Belgium

Sixty-two isolates of Rhizoctonia spp. were collected from Belgian cauliflower fields during 2005 and 2006. The majority of the isolates (60 out of 62) had multinucleate cells and were identified as Rhizoctonia solani . Characterization of anastomosis groups (AGs) was performed using pectic zymograms, PCR-RFLP and sequencing of the rDNA-ITS region. The most prevalent AG was AG 2-1 (55% of isolates), followed by AG 2-1 subset Nt (11%), AG 1-1C (8%), AG 5 (8%), AG 4 HGII (6%), AG 3 (5%) and AG 1-1B (3%). Pathogenic potential towards different vegetable crops and towards maize was determined. Damage to cauliflower and endive was caused by different AGs, with the isolates aggressive towards cauliflower belonging to AG 2-1, AG 2-1 subset Nt, AG 4 HGII, AG 1-1C, AG 1-1B and AG 2-2, and those aggressive towards endive belonging to AG 1-1B, AG 1-1C, AG 2-1 subset Nt, AG 2-2, AG 4 HGII and AG 5. The most aggressive isolates towards bean belonged to AG 2-1 subset Nt and AG 2-2, for lettuce to AG 1-1B and AG 2-1, on carrot to AG 4 HGII and towards maize to AG 2-2. Within the isolates of AG 2-1, variability was observed in PCR-RFLP pattern and in aggressiveness towards several crops, indicating this subgroup to be heterogeneous. This is the first study concerning the occurrence of R. solani AGs causing wirestem in Belgian cauliflower fields and the first report of aggressive isolates of AG 1-1C, AG 2-1 subset Nt and AG 4 HGII associated with cauliflower.     

Compatible Biological and Chemical Control Systems for Rhizoctonia solani in Potato

A series of chemical and biological control agents were tested for compatibility with the Rhizoctonia-specific biocontrol fungus Verticillium biguttatum aimed at designing novel control strategies for black scurf (Rhizoctonia solani) and other tuber diseases in potato. The efficacy of chemicals, alone and in combination with V. biguttatum was tested in in vitro assays on nutrient agar plates, in bio-assays with minitubers and in the field. Generally, there were both antagonistic, neutral and additive interactions with V. biguttatum among the combinations tested; there were no indications for synergistic interactions. Broad-spectrum fungicides (azoxystrobin, chlorothalonil, thiabendazole) were fungitoxic to V. biguttatum as shown in in vitro assays, and hampered black scurf control by V. biguttatum in bio-assays. Oomycete-specific chemicals (cymoxanil and propamocarb) and various biocontrol strains (Gliocladium spp., Pseudomonas spp. and Trichoderma spp.) did not interfere with the growth of V. biguttatum on agar nutrient plates and did not affect black scurf control by V. biguttatum in co-applied treatments in the minituber bio-assay. Rhizoctonia-specific (pencycuron, flutalonil) fungicides co-applied with V. biguttatum showed additive effects on black scurf control. When combinations of V. biguttatum and cymoxanil or propamocarb were applied to immature potato tubers at green crop lifting, a reduction of both black scurf and Pythium- or Phytophthora-incited tuber rot was observed at harvest. In conclusion, the biocontrol fungus V. biguttatum is compatible with selected chemical control systems and may improve control efficacy in combination with Rhizoctonia-specific fungicides or may extend control spectrum in combination with Oomycete-specific fungicides.     

Effect of volatile and unstable exudates from underground potato plant parts on sclerotium formation by Rhizoctonia solani AG-3 before and after haulm destruction

The acceleration of black scurf development after haulm destruction was mainly due to changes in the exudation of volatiles from tubers. Volatile products from decomposing potato roots and stolons and, probably, unstable substances in the tuber exudate as well, further promoted sclerotium formation.Sclerotium production byR. solani AG-3 was investigated on agar media, periderm strips and harvested tubers, which were exposed to the volatile exudates from growing subterranean potato plant parts. The volatile exudate from growing tubers contained both inhibitory and stimulatory substances which were not identified definitely. Inhibition dominated during tuber growth, decreased when plants were yellowing and disappeared after the shoots were excised. When the inhibitory components were trapped by KOH, the non-trapped volatile tuber exudates from young growing plants were as stimulatory as those from plants after haulm killing. CO₂ might be an inhibitor as tuber respiration was negatively correlated to black scurf formation. Tests in vitro suggested that inhibition of sclerotium formation by CO₂ can be overcome by stimulatory nutrients. Sclerotium production on agar media was not stimulated by ethylene, although volatiles from harvested ripe apples were very stimulatory.The results imply that after haulm killing, the increase in black scurf development may be prevented by loosening the soil and quick separation of tubers from plant residues thus preventing accumulation of the stimuli.Samenvatting De vluchtige exsudaten van aardappelknollen, die nog aan de plant bevestigd zaten, beinvloedden de produktie van sclerotiën doorRhizoctonia solani AG-3 op agarplaten en op geoogste knollen, die geincubeerd waren in een plant-aarde systeem. Onder dezelfde proef- omstandigheden was de sclerotiënvorming op geincubeerde losse knollen veel hoger dan op de agarplaten, maar op peridermstrips juist lager. Wellicht dragen dus naast stabiele ook instabiele knolexsudaten bij tot de vorming van lakschurft.Het vluchtige knolexsudaat van jonge planten bleek zowel stimulerende als remmende componenten te bevatten. Als de remmende fractie met KOH werd weggevangen, stimuleerden de resterende uitademingsprodukten van jonge groeiende knollen de vorming van sclerotiën even sterk als de uitademingsprodukten van oude afrijpende knollen na loofvernietiging. Tijdens de knolgroei overheerste de invloed van de remmende exsudaten, maar dat nam af als de plant vergeelde en verdween na loofvernietigen. Toename van lakschurft na loofdoding berust dus vooral op het wegvallen van de remmende componenten. In de praktijk zou na loofdoding de effectiviteit van de stimulerende exudaten verminderd kunnen worden door de grond van de teeltrug los te maken waardoor ze niet kunnen ophopen aan het knoloppervlak.De remmende fractie kon worden weggevangen met KOH, wat betekent dat het gaat om koolzuur of een andere zure component. Inderdaad bleek de produktie van koolzuur door knollen geleidelijk af te nemen tijdens de veroudering en zeer snel na loofdoding. Daarnaast is bekend dat lakschurft geleidelijk toeneemt bij veroudering van de plant, en zeer snel na loofdoding. In vitro leek koolzuur de sclerotiënvorming alleen op wateragar te remmen, maar niet op een voedzamer medium. De sclerotiënvorming op agarmedia werd sterk gestimuleerd door gasvormige produkten van appels. Echter, er werd geen bevestiging gevonden voor het idee dat het stress-produkt ethyleen sclerotiënvorming stimuleert. Na het loofafknippen lekte er een veel grotere hoeveelheid water uit de knollen dan uit knollen van intacte planten. Water kan het benutten van voedzame stoffen door de schimmel bevorderen. Daardoor kan een manier van loofdoden die de stolon breekt de kans op lakschurft verkleinen.Gasvormige produkten van afstervende wortels en stolonen hadden geen invloed op de sclerotiënvorming op agarplaten. Maar wel versterkten zij de lichte stimulering die uitging van afrijpende knollen. In de praktijk zouden jonge potaardappelen dus milieuvriendelijker beschermd kunnen worden tegen zowel virusinfectie als zware lakschurft-vorming met een nieuw-te-ontwikkelen methode van groen-rooien die de stolonen breekt en de knollen op het veld laat afharden in losse grond en gescheiden van de overige planteresten.     

Occurrence and survival of potato scab pathogens (Streptomyces species) on tuber lesions: quick diagnosis based on a PCR-based assay

A time-saving and cost-effective polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method was developed for species-specific detection of the scab pathogens ( Streptomyces scabies and S. turgidiscabies ) prevalent in potato ( Solanum tuberosum ) in northern Scandinavia. Species specificity of primers was verified using a collection of previously characterized Streptomyces strains isolated from potato scab lesions in Finland and Sweden. A total of 1245 scab lesions was tested from potato cvs Matilda and Sabina grown in the field in two geographic regions of Finland in 2000 and 2001. Freshly harvested or stored potato tubers were incubated at room temperature (18–21°C) under humid conditions for a few days. Bacterial growth was collected from scab lesions for DNA isolation and PCR. The two scab pathogens were detected in the same potato fields, tubers and scab lesions. The relative incidence of S. scabies was high in freshly harvested tubers but was much lower than that of S. turgidiscabies following storage. Both pathogens were seed-transmitted in Matilda and Sabina after 24 weeks of storage at 4°C.     

Genetic structure of populations of Rhizoctonia solani AG‐4 from five provinces in Iran

Rhizoctonia solani anastomosis group 4 (AG‐4) is a serious pathogen causing damping off and root rot in many important crop plants. A total of 190 isolates of R. solani AG‐4 HG‐I were collected from host fields in five provinces of Iran. The genetic structure of this pathogen was evaluated using seven microsatellite loci, focusing particularly on geographic differentiation. Most of the multilocus genotypes (MLGTs) were unique, with few MLGTs shared among populations. High to moderate levels of gene flow among populations was indicated by low to moderate differentiation between pairs of populations based on the fixation index (F_ST). Gametic equilibrium of most pairs of microsatellite loci and moderate genotypic diversity were found for two out of five populations, indicating that these populations were sexually recombining in structure. High genotypic diversity, moderate clonal fractions and site‐specific genotypes were consistent with mixed reproductive systems for the remaining populations. The findings of departures from Hardy–Weinberg (HW) equilibrium, gametic disequilibrium and a significant excess of homozygotes in half or more than half of the loci were probably caused by the presence of null alleles and the Wahlund effect. This is the first study to consider the population genetics of the root and crown rot pathogen R. solani AG‐4.     

Late blight (Phytophthora infestans (Mont) De Bary) development from potato seed-pieces treated with fungicides

Fungicides were applied as seed-piece treatments to control potato late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, US8, A2 biotype in controlled environment and field experiments. Efficacy of seed treatments for controlling late blight was examined under three disease development regimes simulated by artifical inoculation; (a) seed-borne infection, (b) transmission of infection resulting from spread during the seed-cutting operation, and (c) infection of foliage by aerial inoculation. Emergence of plants from the seed-borne infection was uniformly low (<40%) in controlled environment and field experiments. In controlled environment experiments some of the plants that emerged from fungicide-treated seed-pieces were infected with late blight. Following exposure of tuber surfaces to P infestans, emergence rates from seed-pieces treated with formulated products that included mancozeb in the formulation were comparable to the untreated and non-inoculated control in controlled environment and field experiments. Plants that emerged from non-inoculated seed-pieces treated with fungicides that contained active ingredients known to be effective against foliar late blight had lower percentage foliar infection after inoculation than the untreated control. Leaves close to the base of the stem had fewer infections than leaves attached at the mid region of the main stem, 14 days after inoculation, in some of the controlled environment studies. In contrast, field experiments conducted under conditions conducive to late blight development showed that none of the seed treatments applied to late blight-free seed-pieces delayed the onset and severity of late blight infection. In potato production areas at risk of early season late blight, seed treatments applied to healthy seed may confer limited protection against late blight between planting and the first scheduled applications of prophylactic foliar fungicides. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry