Area Under The Disease Progress Curve Values Research Articles

Cercospora leaf spot in Toona ciliata: Epidemiology and infection process of Cercospora cf. alchemillicola

AbstractThe biology of Cercospora leaf spot (Cercospora cf. alchemillicola) of Toona ciliata was examined in terms of the effects of temperature and duration of foliage wetting on the progress of disease and the mechanism of pathogen infection. To evaluate the effect of temperature on mycelial growth, cercosporin production and conidial germination, experiments were conducted in a 4 × 5 factorial design, with four isolates (HR01, HR02, HR03 and CML3059) at five temperatures (15, 19, 23, 26 and 30°C). The area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) was calculated in a 3 × 5 factorial design at three temperatures (20, 23 and 29°C) and five leaf wetness durations (0, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hr). Penetration of C. cf. alchemillicola into leaves was examined by scanning electron microscopy. Maximum mycelial growth of all isolates occurred at 24.8°C. HR02 and HR01 produced higher quantities of cercosporin compared with CML3059 and HR03. Temperatures between 21.6 and 23.0°C favoured production of the toxin among isolates. Higher conidial germination rates occurred in isolates HR02 and HR01 compared with other isolates, with optimum germination occurring at 24.2–26.3°C. A leaf wetting period of 72 hr at 23.3°C gave the highest AUDPC value. No hyphal penetration was observed through natural openings. However, germ tubes grew inside wounds on the leaf epidermis. In addition, Phyllachora balansae (cause of tar spot) opened fissures on the leaf epidermis, thus creating wounds enabling C. cf. alchemillicola to infect.

Impact of bacterial spot outbreaks on the phytosanitary quality of tomato and pepper seeds

The impact of disease outbreaks on the phytosanitary quality of seeds was investigated for two pathosystems: tomato–Xanthomonas vesicatoria and pepper–Xanthomonas euvesicatoria. This study, which was performed in Italy and Serbia, aimed to evaluate the season‐to‐season transmission of phytopathogenic regulated bacteria associated with phytosanitary risks posed by seeds produced in areas where bacterial infections are possible. For each pathosystem, field plots were experimentally inoculated to simulate an initial infection rate of 1%, 5% and 15%. The area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) was calculated for each field plot, the seeds produced were analysed to determine the contamination level and rate, and the plant‐to‐seed transmission was evaluated by a seedling grow‐out (SGO) assay. To investigate transmission under field conditions, a second‐year experiment was performed, wherein seeds collected from the first year were used to establish new field plots. During the first growing season, AUDPC values were positively correlated with the percentages of initial infection for each pathosystem. Seed contamination levels in pepper ranged from 34 to 100 CFU g−1, and the contamination rate ranged from 1.50% up to 3.17% for X. euvesicatoria, whereas processing and fresh market tomato seeds produced both in Italy and Serbia were not infected by X. vesicatoria. During SGO assays and the second cropping year, no symptoms were observed in either tomato or pepper plants. Therefore, the calculated pepper seed contamination rate for X. euvesicatoria appeared to be less than the threshold necessary to initiate a disease outbreak. Finally, all seeds obtained during the second cropping year were uninfected.

Epidemiological Significance of Crown Rot in the Fruiting Field in Relation to Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Infection of Strawberry Nursery Plants.

Anthracnose crown rot (ACR), caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, is a serious disease of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) in the southeastern United States, and there is a need to determine the link between nursery and fruiting-field disease risk. A 2-year study in 2007, repeated in 2008, was conducted at the North Carolina State University Horticultural Crops Research Station, Clinton, using 'Chandler', the most popular cultivar in North Carolina and one that is highly susceptible to ACR. Mother plants in a summer nursery were inoculated midseason with three pathogenic strains of C. gloeosporioides at an incidence level of 0, 5, 10, or 25%. Asymptomatic runner plants were selected at maturity (85 to 88 days after inoculation) from the nursery in early to mid-October from within a 0.5-m (inner) or 0.5- to 1.0-m (outer) radius around inoculated mother plants and planted into a plasticulture fruiting field system, with fruit harvest in April to June the following spring. Plants collected from the 25%-inner treatment had the greatest area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) values, with a terminal ACR-related plant mortality of 32 and 20% by the end of fruit harvest and marketable yield losses of 30.5 and 30.2% in 2007-08 (Yr1) and 2008-09 (Yr2) seasons, respectively. All treatments increased AUDPC values compared with noninoculated treatments except the 10%-outer (O) and 5%-O treatments in Yr1 and Yr2, respectively. Marketable yield decreased 291.6 kg/ha for every percent increase in inoculum level (i.e., 0 to 25%, R2 = 0.696, P = 0.001). Levels of quiescent infection (QI) incidence (percentage of sampled leaves) assessed 25 to 28 days before digging runner plants also directly affected yield. For example, yield decreased 131.0 kg/ha for every percent increase in QI incidence in mother plants (R2 = 0.744, P = 0.001). Immersion of plants in fungicide solutions prior to planting decreased AUDPC values and improved plant stand by 7 to 11% but did not affect marketable yield compared with controls. This study provides results that can enable nursery and fruit growers to assess risk and implement mitigation measures to limit nursery plant and fruit yield losses.

Effect of two-component cultivar mixtures on development of wheat yellow rust disease in the field and greenhouse in the Nepal Himalayas

Wheat yellow rust (WYR), caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (PST), is a major disease of wheat, and deployment of a single cultivar often leads to disease epidemics. Effect of inoculum level, foliar fungicide spray, and wheat cultivar mixtures were evaluated on disease development in the field and greenhouse in Nepal. Treatments were arranged in a split–split plot design with three replications in both experiments. Two inoculum levels of PST (low and high) were main plot factors; nontreated control and foliar spray of fungicides (Mancozeb and Bayleton) were subplot factors; and two-component cultivar mixtures, composed of different ratios of a susceptible (S) and a resistant (R) cultivars (90:10, 80:20, and 50:50, 100:0, and 0:100) were sub–subplot factors. WYR severity was assessed at different time intervals, and disease development was calculated as area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC). Inoculum level did not cause significant differences in AUDPC in the field but did in the greenhouse. Foliar spray of fungicides reduced the AUDPC in the greenhouse and field. In both experiments, AUDPC values were low in cultivar mixtures compared with a pure stand of a susceptible cultivar. As the proportion of resistant cultivar increased compared with the susceptible cultivar in the S:R mixture component, disease severity decreased with a consequent increase in grain yield. The greater yield obtained with cultivar mixtures compared with only the susceptible cultivar, independent of inoculum level and fungicide spray in the field, revealed a promising strategy to manage WYR in Nepal.

Optimization of the number of evaluations for early blight disease in tomato accessions using artificial neural networks

Summary The efficacy of artificial neural networks (ANN) to solve complex problems can optimize evaluation processes for early blight disease on tomato plants, reducing required time and resources. The objective of the study was to verify the efficiency of ANN to predict the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) to reduce the number of assessments and establish the best time to evaluate early blight disease in tomato accessions. The severity of this disease was evaluated in one hundred and thirty-five tomato accessions from the Germplasm Vegetable Bank of the Federal University of Vicosa (BGH-UFV) in three experiments. The area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) was calculated with data from six evaluations of the disease’s severity. Several ANN MLP types (Multi-Layer-Perceptron) were trained, taking into account AUDPC values for ​ desired output. Different numbers and assessment combinations for early blight disease severity were used as input. ANN’s were efficient at predicting AUDPC and reduced the number of evaluations from six to two. The twelfth and eighteenth days after pathogen inoculation are the best to evaluate the severity of early blight disease. Genotype by environment affects the efficiency in predicting the AUDPC. ANNs were efficient at predicting the area under the early blight disease progress curve (AUDPC) with fewer evaluations, and as such optimized assessment of this disease in tomato accessions.

Stripe Rust Partial Resistance Increases Spring Bread Wheat Yield in South‐eastern Anatolia, Turkey

AbstractStripe rust caused by Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici is the most serious disease of wheat globally including south‐eastern Anatolia of Turkey, where wheat originated. In this study, 12 spring wheat genotypes were artificially inoculated and preserved in two locations, Diyarbakır and Adıyaman, during the 2011–2012 season to investigate loss in yield and yield components. Genotypes were evaluated at the adult plant stage using two partial resistance parameters: final disease severity and area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC). AUDPC ranged from 14.8 to 860 in Diyarbakır, and 74 to 760 in Adıyaman. Yield loss ranged from 0.6 to 68.5% in Diyarbakır and 9.8 to 56.8% in Adıyaman. Genotypes G1, G5, G7 and G8 were found to lose less yield, while higher yield loss was observed in G3, G4 (Nurkent), G5 and G9 (Karacadağ‐98). The highest loss in thousand kernel weight was observed in a susceptible cultivar Karacadağ‐98 in Diyarbakır followed by 43.4 and 24.4% in Adıyaman. Test weight loss reached 8.89% in Diyarbakır and 20.8% in Adıyaman. Yield loss and AUDPC had a positive significant relationship. Based on the values of AUDPC, final disease severity and yield loss, three major clusters were formed for 12 wheat genotypes. Partially resistant genotypes were found to lose less grain yield and seemed to be stronger against severe stripe rust pressure.

SEVERITY OF RAMULARIA LEAF SPOT AND SEED COTTON YIELD IN DIFFERENT SOWING TIMES

ABSTRACT The ramularia leaf spot (RLS) disease causes cotton yield losses. Choosing a less susceptible cultivar and a sowing time that are less favorable to the pathogen contribute to the management of this disease. The objective of this work was to evaluate the severity of ramularia leaf spot on cotton cultivars sowed in two different times. The experiment was conducted in a triple factorial design (4x3x2), consisted of four cultivars, the three thirds of the plant and two sowing times, with four replications. Each plot was divided in two twin plots, one with fungicide application (with disease control) and the other without fungicide application (without disease control). The severity assessments were performed every seven days, considering each third of the plant with a diagrammatic scale. Yield was evaluated in each plot. There was a significant interaction between sowing times and the thirds of the plant in the plots without disease control for RLS severity, with the highest values of area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) in the first sowing time (ST1) and in the lower third of the plant. The FMT705 cultivar had the highest and FM951LL the lowest value of AUDPC. The AUDPC of these cultivars were no statistically different in the second sowing time (ST2), but they had higher AUDPC values in the lower third. Highest yields were found with ST1 in plots with disease control, with no differences between the cultivars, however, lower yields were found in plots without disease control.

Characterization of soybean genotypes for Asian soybean rust reaction under screen house condition

Inayati A, Yusnawan E. 2016. Characterization of soybean genotypes for Asian soybean rust reaction under screen house condition. Biodiversitas 17: 609-613. Asian soybean rust (ASR) caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi is one of the major diseases limiting soybean yield. This disease has widely spread on soybean crops in Indonesia. The use of resistant cultivars is one of the economical approaches to control ASR. The objectives of this study were to assess the resistance of soybean lines derived from crossing two largeseeded cultivars (Baluran and Grobogan) with a broad adaptive cultivar (Kaba) and to identify resistant genotype characteristics under screen house conditions. All genotypes were artificially inoculated with P. pachyrhizi uredospores. Number of pustules per leaf, the development of ASR, and yield components including number of intact pods per plant, number of empty pods, and weight of pods per plant were observed. Thirteen lines of Baluran pedigrees had higher resistant response to ASR compared to Grobogan pedigrees. Fewer numbers of pustules (8 pustules cm-2), lower value of area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC), and redish brown (RB) lesion type were observed in resistant lines. In contrast, susceptible lines had more pustules (> 21 pustules cm-2), higher AUDPC value, and had mixed lesion type (RB and Tan). ASR reduced seed size and yield. The average weight of 100 seeds of resistant lines was 10.2 g while on susceptible lines, the 100-seed weight ranged from 8.7 to 12.6 g. The average yield per plant varied from 2.7 to 6.1 g.Baluran/Grobogan pedigrees were more susceptible to ASR than Baluran/Kaba pedigrees, however, those pedigrees showed better yield per plant and were supposedly more tolerant to ASR.

Genetic resistance of maize inbred lines to anthracnose leaf blight

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the resistance of maize inbred lines to anthracnose leaf blight (Colletotrichum graminicola Ces.), and to estimate genetic parameters associated with resistance. Sixteen lines (S5) were evaluated for resistance to anthracnose leaf blight in three experiments, in a randomized block design with four replications. From three evaluations of severity, it was estimated the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC), and the genetic parameters associated with resistance. Results showed the existence of genetic variability for resistance to anthracnose leaf blight in the set of studied lines. Five lines stood out for the high resistance pattern to anthracnose leaf blight, presenting the lowest AUDPC values in the three experiments, and thus were considered important sources of C. graminicola resistance genes. Estimates of genetic parameters indicated low participation of the environment and highlighted the possibility of genetic gains with artificial selection for resistance in this pathosystem.

Fungicide efficacy of dry bean white mold [Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary, causal organism] and economic analysis at moderate to high disease pressure

White mold [Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary, causal organism] is an economically damaging disease of dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Producers often require fungicides to control moderate to high disease levels. Evaluation of fungicide efficacy and cost is critical to make cognisant management decisions. Four field studies were conducted at the Huron Research Station, near Exeter, Ontario in 2012 and 2013. Commercially available synthetic fungicides and a biofungicide seed treatment were evaluated for efficacy in suppressing white mold of dry bean and a subsequent economic analysis was conducted. Area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) was calculated using disease intensity (incidence×severity) ratings. The untreated control and biofungicide seed treatment had the highest AUDPC values, and in addition to the two applications of the low rate of fluxapyroxad + pyraclostrobin and two applications of penthiopyrad, had the lowest yields. The most efficacious products with regard to disease suppression and yield response were two applications of boscalid, all rates of fluazinam and thiophanate-methyl, and two applications of the high rate of fluopyram + prothioconazole. Two applications of the high rate of fluazinam had the lowest AUDPC, which was nearly 60% lower than the untreated control. Two applications of the high rate of thiophanate-methyl was the highest yielding treatment, recovering 70% of yield lost from untreated plots. Economic impacts varied with planting dates. For the first planting, profit margins for all fungicide treatments, with the exception of two applications of penthiopyrad, two applications of the low rate of fluxapyroxad + pyraclostrobin, and the biofungicide seed treatment, were significantly greater than the untreated control. For the second planting, only profit margins for all fluazinam treatments were significantly greater than the untreated control. This study identifies new economically viable fungicide options for dry bean producers to control white mold.

Effect of watered-in demethylation-inhibitor fungicide and paclobutrazol applications on foliar disease severity and turfgrass quality of creeping bentgrass putting greens

Preventive, watered-in applications of DMI fungicides provide control of several soilborne turfgrass diseases on golf putting greens. The objectives of this two-year field study were to determine the impact of these applications on foliar diseases, and evaluate the impact of application timing of paclobutrazol, a plant growth regulator, on disease severity and turfgrass quality. Triadimefon (1.58 kg a.i. ha−1), tebuconazole (0.82 kg a.i. ha−1), metconazole (0.43 kg a.i. ha−1), and triticonazole (0.64 kg a.i. ha−1), were applied twice in late April and May and immediately watered in to the soil profile with 5 mm of post application irrigation. Paclobutrazol (0.28 kg a.i. ha−1) was applied alone, in a tank-mix with the fungicide application, 7 days or 14 days after the fungicide application. Overall dollar spot severity, assessed as area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC), was significantly lower in fungicide treated plots than non-treated plots in both trial years. The date of threshold symptom observation (≥5 infection centers per plot), however, was not different between fungicide treated and non-treated plots in 2011. Triadimefon treated plots had lower AUDPC values than other fungicide treatments. Brown patch severity was not significantly different among treatments. Paclobutrazol applied alone did not reduce dollar spot or brown patch severity, however, paclobutrazol + fungicide treatments resulted in lower dollar spot severity than plots treated with fungicide alone. Short-lived phytotoxicity (bronze discoloration) was observed in plots treated with triadimefon or paclobutrazol + fungicide. Spring preventive fungicide applications targeted at soilborne disease control also provided residual control of dollar spot in this study.

Reaction of selected common bean germplasm accessions to bacterial brown spot in South Africa

Bacterial brown spot (BBS), caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae (Pss), is a disease of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in South Africa. Planting of pathogen-free seed and application of copper-based chemicals do not guarantee disease control. Genetic resistance is considered the most effective control measure. BBS occurs regularly in major dry bean production areas. The aim of this study was to screen selected accessions for their reaction to BBS. Twenty-seven common bean accessions were assessed over three seasons and locations for resistance to BBS. Trials were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications and artificially inoculated with Pss (1 × 108 CFU/mL) using a Stihl mistblower at 21, 28 and 36 days after planting. Plots were rated for disease reaction on a modified 1–9 CIAT scale with 1 being resistant and 9 being susceptible. Ratings were done at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after the first inoculation. Trials were harvested manually and yield data were recorded. Disease ratings were used to construct the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC). Highly significant genotype × environment interactions were recorded and additive main effects and multiplicative interaction analysis was used to identify lines in which disease response and yield were significantly affected by environment. VAX 4 and VAX 2 had lowest disease ratings of 1.8 and 2.0, and AUDPC values of 38.6 and 41.6, respectively, and are therefore potential resistance sources.

Resistance to Cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus in species and hybrids of Passiflora: advances for the control of the passion fruit woodiness disease in Brazil

The potyvirus-induced passion fruit woodiness disease (PWD) is considered the most important limiting factor for passion fruit production in several countries. In Brazil, PWD is caused by the Cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus (CABMV), and to date there are no reports on the existence of P. edulis genotypes resistant to this virus. Thus, resistance gene introgression from wild Passiflora species for a commercial species, via interspecific hybridization, is one of the strategies adopted in order to control the disease. The current study’s goals were to: confirm CABMV occurrence under field conditions; assess the resistance to CABMV in 178 Passiflora genotypes constituted by interspecific hybrids and their parents (P. edulis and P. setacea), as well as to estimate genetic parameters for the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC), in order to obtain cultivars of sour passion fruit resistant to CABMV in future. The experimental design was set according to unbalanced randomized blocks with two repetitions. Data referring to the AUDPC were analyzed by means of the mixed models methodology (REMI/BLUP). CABMV infections were confirmed in sour passion fruit plants and in interspecific hybrids by observing foliar mosaic symptoms and by PTA-ELISA with specific antiserum against CABMV. There was a difference on the intensity of symptoms induced by CABMV for the 178 Passiflora genotypes assessed under natural occurrence conditions. The higher AUDPC values were obtained for 41 hybrids and for all P. edulis genotypes. In turn, lower values were estimated for 115 hybrid genotypes and for all P. setacea individuals. Of the 31 genotypes assessed by PTA-ELISA, 28 were considered resistant, out of those three P. setacea genotypes and 25 hybrids. Estimated AUDPC heritability values (0.99) and accuracy (0.99) enable inferring that resistance to CABMV within the assessed population was highly inheritable, allowing high selective efficiency. Resistant hybrid plants will be able to be selected and recombined with P. edulis genotypes and, again, assessed in order to corroborate the resistance to the virus, providing means of following up with the breeding genetic program on CABMV resistance.

Banana Moko disease management with resistance inducers and chlorine dioxide

The plant disease Moko, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, is the most important bacterial disease in banana and plantain crops worldwide. In the present study, chlorine dioxide and seven resistance inducers in banana plants (Musa sp.) infected with this bacterium were evaluated under greenhouse conditions. For the evaluation of chlorine dioxide, three doses were used (10, 30 and 50 mg L-1). The evaluation of the resistance inducers included the following: sodium salicylate 0.4 g L-1; hydrogen peroxide 1 mM; potassium phosphite 1.5 mL L-1; 3-aminobutanoic acid 1.0 g L-1; methyl jasmonate 0.2 g L-1; acibenzolar-s-methyl 0.3 mL L-1 and chitosan 3.0 mg mL-1. The results showed a significant reduction of 74% in the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) value, which was calculated for the disease development when the injected chlorine dioxide dose was 50 mg L-1. The AUDPC value for the resistance inducers was reduced by 45.4% for chitosan, 75.5% for methyl jasmonate and 65.5% for 3-aminobutanoic acid. Therefore, the results indicated that these molecules have the potential to be used for control of the Moko disease.

Optimizing Conditions of a Cell-Free Toxic Filtrate Stem Cutting Assay to Evaluate Soybean Genotype Responses to Fusarium Species that Cause Sudden Death Syndrome.

Cell-free toxic culture filtrates from Fusarium virguliforme, the causal fungus of soybean sudden death syndrome (SDS), cause foliar symptoms on soybean stem cuttings similar to those obtained from root inoculations in whole plants and those observed in production fields. The objectives of this study were to (i) optimize the production conditions for F. virguliforme cell-free toxic culture filtrates and the incubation conditions of the stem cutting assay used to test the toxicity of the cell-free toxic culture filtrates, and (ii) use the optimized assay and a whole plant root inoculation assay to compare four SDS-causing isolates on a panel of selected soybean genotypes. Area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) values were highest (P = 0.05) when cuttings were immersed in culture filtrate of fungus grown in soybean dextrose broth, in filtrate produced from the fungus grown for 18 or 22 days, and when stem cuttings were incubated at 30°C. AUDPC values and shoot dry weights from the whole plant root inoculations and the AUDPC values from the stem cutting assay differed (P < 0.05) among nine soybean genotypes tested with F. virguliforme and F. tucumaniae isolates, and the AUDPC values from the two assays were positively correlated (r = 0.44 at P < 0.0001).

Reação de híbridos de pepino a Corynespora cassiicola no Amazonas.

A mancha-alvo, causada pelo fungo Corynespora cassiicola, é a principal doença da parte área do tomateiro na região Norte do Brasil. No Estado do Amazonas o patógeno em plantas de pepino, causa severos danos à produção tanto em cultivo protegido quanto em campo aberto. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a reação de dez genótipos de pepino a C. cassiicola. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso com dez tratamentos e dez repetições. Foram avaliados a cultivar Aodai e os híbridos tipo japonês General Lee F1, Hokushim, Japonês Híbrido F1 (Soudai), Jóia, Marketmore 76 (verde comprido), Natsubayashi, Natsu Suzumi, Sprint 440 II e Tsuyataro. Os isolados do patógeno foram obtidos a partir de folhas de plantas de pepino naturalmente infectadas, e multiplicado em meio de cultura BDA. As plantas foram inoculadas nas duas primeiras folhas definitivas com suspensão de inóculo na concentração 104 conídios mL-1 e mantidas em câmara úmida por 48 horas. A severidade foi avaliada e calculada a área abaixo da curva de progresso da doença (AACPD) para cada tratamento. Houve variação na reação dos genótipos ao patógeno e a cultivar Aodai apresentou menor AACPD considerada como resistente. Os híbridos Hokuchim, Soudai, Verde Comprido e Natsubayashi apresentaram menores valores de AACPD entre os híbridos avaliados em contraposição ao Tsuyataro o mais suscetível.

Response of dry bean white mould [Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary, causal organism] to fungicides

Mahoney, K. J., McCreary, C. M. and Gillard, C. L. 2014. Response of dry bean white mould [ Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary, causal organism] to fungicides. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 905–910. White mould [Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary, causal organism] is a serious disease of dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Producers frequently rely on preventative fungicides, yet, this represents a significant production cost. Studies were conducted in 2009, 2010, and 2011 to determine fungicide efficacy under conditions optimized for white mould. Disease incidence×severity ratings were used to calculate the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC). After harvest, a return on investment (ROI) was calculated. AUDPC values were similar across boscalid, fluazinam, fluopyram, and thiophanate-methyl and lower than Bacillus subtilis, CaCl2, and the untreated. Yield was greatest for fluazinam and fluopyram, followed by thiophanate-methyl. Bacillus subtilis and CaCl2 yields were similar to the untreated. In early-planted environments, using fluazinam and fluopyram resulted in a $500 ha−1 greater ROI than the untreated with $554 gained for every tonne per hectare of dry bean harvested. In late-planted environments, fluazinam and fluopyram averaged about $200 ha−1 greater ROI than the untreated and $494 was returned for every tonne per hectare of dry bean. When dry bean yield potential is reduced under conditions of increased white mould severity, profit margins become narrowed and producers may have to select fungicides that are both efficacious and economical.

Slow-Rusting Resistance in Native Spearmint to Puccinia menthae.

Rust, caused by Puccinia menthae, is often a serious yield-reducing problem on native and Scotch spearmint in south-central Washington State. Rust resistant mint cultivars would reduce a dependence on fungicides for disease management; however, conventional breeding practices are not possible because commercial mint plants are sterile. Mutant Scotch and native spearmint lines induced by irradiation were evaluated for partial resistance to rust. Latent period and number of uredinia per leaf from urediniospore inoculations in the greenhouse and aecial and uredinial development in the field were quantified. Length of latent period, number of uredinia per leaf, incidence of shoots with aecia, and area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) for uredinia development all varied significantly among lines and standard cultivars. Length of latent period was significantly longer and number of uredinia per leaf was significantly lower for native spearmint line N87-1 than for most of the other mutant lines, native spearmint, and Scotch spearmint. Line N87-1 had the lowest AUDPC values of all lines and standard cultivars for 3 years in the field. However, line N87-1 had a relatively high incidence of shoots with aecia both of two years in the field. Length of latent period was significantly and negatively correlated with AUDPC 2 of 3 years. Mean incidence of shoots with aecia was not correlated with AUDPC or with length of latent period after urediniospore infection. Rust in native spearmint in south-central Washington State could be satisfactorily managed with slow-rusting resistance when coupled with good irrigation water management and sanitation tactics that limit aecia development on early spring mint foliage.

Grafting Tomato to Manage Bacterial Wilt Caused by Ralstonia solanacearum in the Southeastern United States.

Bacterial wilt, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, can result in severe losses to tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) growers in the southeastern United States, and grafting with resistant rootstocks may be an effective strategy for managing this disease. However, R. solanacearum populations maintain considerable diversity, and little information is known regarding the efficacy of commercially available rootstocks to reduce bacterial wilt incidence and subsequent crop loss in the United States. In this study, tomato plants grafted onto 'Dai Honmei' and 'RST-04-105-T' rootstocks had significantly lower area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) values compared with nongrafted plants (P < 0.05). Across three locations in North Carolina, final bacterial wilt incidence for non- and self-grafted plants was 82 ± 14 to 100%. In contrast, bacterial wilt incidence for the grafted plants was 0 to 65 ± 21%. Final bacterial wilt incidence of plants grafted with Dai Honmei rootstock was 0 and 13 ± 3% at two locations in western North Carolina but 50 ± 3% at a third site in eastern North Carolina. Similarly, grafting onto RST-04-105-T rootstock significantly reduced AUDPC values at two of the three locations (P < 0.05) compared with that of the nongrafted plants, but performed poorly at the third site. Total fruit yields were significantly increased by grafting onto resistant rootstocks at all three sites (P < 0.05). Regression analyses indicated that yield was significantly negatively correlated with bacterial wilt AUDPC values (R2 was 0.4048 to 0.8034), and the use of resistant rootstocks enabled economically viable tomato production in soils naturally infested with R. solanacearum.

Stability of Slow-Rusting Resistance to Puccinia asparagi and Managing Rust in Asparagus.

The stability of slow-rusting resistance to Puccinia asparagi in several asparagus cultivars was evaluated in two replicated field trials. Rust epidemics were monitored in each trial for 8 years spanning a period of 13 years (1983-1990 and 1987-1995). Inoculum of P. asparagi, an autoecious macrocyclic rust, originated each year as teliospores. In the first trial, the cultivars Jersey Titan, Jersey Centennial, Jersey Giant, Delmonte-361, and UC-157 had consistently lower area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) values than Wash T2 and WSU-1. Cultivar Mary Washington was intermediate between the two groups of resistant and susceptible cultivars in 6 of 8 years. Jersey Titan consistently ranked number 1 for resistance with the lowest AUDPC values all 8 years. In the second trial, Jersey Giant, Delmonte-361, and UC-157 had consistently lower AUDPC values than Larac, Gynlim, Cito, Largo 17-3, and Franklim in each of 8 years. Jersey Giant, Delmonte-361, and UC-157 always ranked low (1, 2, or 3) for AUDPC. A shift from rust-susceptible to rust-resistant asparagus cultivars began in central Washington around 1996. In 2011, resistant cultivars made up nearly 96% of the asparagus plantings. From 1996 to 2011, rust was not considered a problem in commercial fields with slow-rusting resistant cultivars. Use of durable, slow-rusting cultivars, along with sanitation practices that reduced levels of aecia in nonharvested nurseries and on volunteer asparagus plants and judicious irrigation management, has effectively managed asparagus rust in commercial fields for at least 29 years in south-central Washington.