Number Of Conidia Research Articles

Resistance in leaf blades assessed by counting conidia correlates with whole-plant-specific resistance in leaf sheaths in a compatible rice–Magnaporthe oryzae interaction

Resistance in the leaf blades of rice plants against a virulent race of the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae was quantitatively examined using a modified spot inoculation method. Numbers of conidia produced in the lesions were affected by plant age and paralleled the frequency of resistance infection types, which is indicative of whole-plant-specific resistance (WPSR), in the inoculated leaf sheaths of the corresponding plants. Exogenous abscisic acid treatment, which suppresses WPSR, also increased the susceptibility of the leaf blades. These results indicate a correlation between the resistance of the leaf blades and the WPSR in the leaf sheaths.

Seasonal Dynamics of Conidial Production Potential of Fusicladium carpophilum on Twig Lesions in Southeastern Peach Orchards.

Conidia produced on overwintered lesions on 1-year-old twigs constitute the only source of primary inoculum for the peach scab fungus, Fusicladium carpophilum; however, there is little quantitative information about the dynamics of sporulation throughout the season. Starting in late winter and continuing until midsummer over a 4-year period, twig segments were sampled every 1 to 2 weeks from peach trees untreated with fungicide from a total of 18 trials (site-cultivar-year combinations) in Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina. Twig samples were incubated in a moist chamber in the laboratory for 48 h and washed on a wrist-action shaker, and conidial production potential was determined by microscopic counts in aliquots of the wash water. When plotted against calendar date (day of the year), there was considerable variation among cultivars, sites, and years in the temporal pattern of conidial numbers of F. carpophilum. For example, conidia first were detected on samples collected between mid-February and late March, and the highest peak in conidial numbers was observed between late March and mid-May. In contrast, when conidial numbers were expressed as cumulative totals in relation to phenological time (either days after full bloom or days after calyx-split), temporal progress was very similar among trials. Conidial production summarized in this manner generally commenced before bloom and reached 25 and 90% of the seasonal total by calyx-split and 10 weeks after bloom, respectively. A two-parameter sigmoidal function described the relationship between cumulative conidial production and phenological time very well (R2 = 0.9727 and 0.9790 for days after full bloom and days after calyx-split, respectively; P < 0.0001, n = 260). Expression of time in degree-days did not improve the relationship between cumulative conidial numbers and phenological time. Thus, knowledge of host tree phenology may be sufficient to derive strategic estimates of disease risk based on the predictable seasonal pattern of conidial production potential; this seasonal, inoculum-based risk estimate may be used to adjust daily infection risk estimates based on models that consider microclimatic conditions affecting pathogen growth and infection.

A detached fruit study on the post-inoculation activity of lime sulfur against brown rot of peach (Monilinia fructicola)

Fungicides with curative activity are important tools for disease management in stone fruits. Lime sulfur (LS) is the only fungicide registered for organic fruit production with demonstrated curative activity against apple scab, but such activity against Monilinia fructicola is unknown. In this study, the 6, 12, and 24 h post-infection activity of 1.5% lime sulfur (LS) against M. fructicola was investigated on two peach fruit cultivars (early- and mid-season cultivars, Coronet and Contender, respectively) at two maturity stages (commercially mature and immature fruit) in a wound-inoculation detached fruit study. Brown rot incidence, sporulating area, and production of conidia per fruit were higher on commercially mature fruit in all treatments as compared with immature fruit, and LS treatments showed consistent results for both cultivars tested. All three disease measurements were significantly lower (P=0.05) for the 6 and 12 h post-inoculation applications of LS compared with either the untreated or 24 h post-inoculation applications of LS, irrespective of fruit maturity stages or cultivar. Disease incidence was reduced from 98.5–100% in the control treatment to 9–12% in the 6 h post-inoculation application. Both the 6 and 12 h post-inoculation applications reduced sporulating area from 64–72% in the control treatment to 0.0–1.3%. Disease incidence was not significantly (P=0.05) different between the water-treated control and the 24 h post-inoculation treatment with LS, while percent sporulating area and number of conidia per fruit were significantly different (P=0.05). Our results show up to 12 h post-inoculation activity of LS on M. fructicola in controlled environment studies and indicate that LS has potential for post-infection brown rot control in organic stone fruit production. Additional keywords: disease management, organic fruit production, stone fruits.

Sources and seasonal dynamics of inoculum for brown spot disease of pear

The dynamics of the production of Stemphylium vesicarium conidia and Pleospora allii ascospores from different inoculum sources on the ground were compared in a model system of a wildflower meadow mainly composed of yellow foxtail, creeping cinquefoil and white clover. The meadow was either inoculated (each October) or not inoculated with a virulent strain of S. vesicarium, and either covered or not covered with a litter of inoculated pear leaves. Spore traps positioned a few centimetres above the ground were exposed for 170 7-day periods between October 2003 and December 2006. Ascospores and conidia were trapped in 46 and 25% of samples, respectively. Ascospore numbers trapped from the pear leaf litter were about five times higher than those from the meadow, while conidial numbers were similar from the different inoculum sources. The ascosporic season was very long, with two main trapping periods: December–April, and August–October; the former was most important for the leaf litter, the latter for the meadow. The conidial season lasted from April to November, with 92% of conidia caught between July and September. The fungus persistently colonized the meadow: the meadow inoculated in early October 2003 produced spores until autumn 2006. The present work demonstrates that orchard ground is an important source of inoculum for brown spot of pear. Thus, it is important to reduce inoculum by managing the orchard ground all year long.

Monitoring conidial density of Monilinia fructigena in the air in relation to brown rot development in integrated and organic apple orchards

In a three-year Hungarian study, conidial density of Monilinia fructigena in the air determined from mid-May until harvest was related to brown rot disease progress in integrated and organic apple orchards. Conidia of M. fructigena were first trapped in late May in both orchards in all years. Number of conidial density greatly increased after the appearance of first infected fruit, from early July in the organic and from early August in the integrated orchard. Conidial number continuously increased until harvest in both orchards. Final brown rot incidence reached 4.3–6.6% and 19.8–24.5% in the integrated and organic orchards, respectively. Disease incidence showed a significant relationship with corresponding cumulative numbers of trapped conidia both in integrated and organic orchards, and was described by separate three-parameter Gompertz functions for the two orchards. Time series analyses, using autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models, revealed that the temporal patterns of the number of airborne conidia was similar in all years in both integrated and organic orchards. Conidia caught over a 24-h period showed distinct diurnal periodicity, with peak spore density occurring in the afternoon between 13.00 and 18.00. Percent viability of M. fructigena conidia ranged from 48.8 to 70.1% with lower viability in dry compared to wet days in both orchards and all years. Temperature and relative humidity correlated best with mean hourly conidial catches in both integrated and organic apple orchards in each year. Correlations between aerial spore density and wind speed were significant only in the organic orchard over the 3-year period. Mean hourly rainfall was negatively but poorly correlated with mean hourly conidial catches. Results were compared and discussed with previous observations.

Penicillium frequentans population dynamics on peach fruits after its applications against brown rot in orchards

The study provides useful information on the temporal population dynamics of the biological control agent, Penicillium frequentans, after its applications against brown rot in orchards. Population dynamics of P. frequentans were studied on peach flower and fruit surfaces after different field treatments. Eight experiments were carried out in commercial peach orchards in Spain, over four growing seasons from 2002 to 2005. Six different formulated P. frequentans conidia were applied four to six times from blossom to harvest and P. frequentans population sizes were monitored using conidial numbers and colony forming units (CFU) per flower or fruit. A consistent population of P. frequentans, ranging from 10(5) to 10(6) number of conidia or 10(3) to 10(4) CFU of P. frequentans per flower or fruit, was obtained. Colonization of peach surfaces by all P. frequentans formulation are similar and it appears to follow a general pattern: (i) higher colonization of fruits at preharvest than on the flowers at bloom; (ii) high populations just after treatments, especially after preharvest treatments; and (iii) a slight decline between treatments, especially in cool and moist springs. The exponential model was the most appropriate for fitting and comparing the P. frequentans dynamic populations on peaches and nectarines over time. The linearization of the P. frequentans population curve was essential to determine dynamic population and for population levels forecast. A positive relationship between number of blossom and preharvest applications, temperature, relative humidity and dynamic of P. frequentans population applied on peaches was studied using a multiple regression model. Blossom and preharvest applications were the most important spray times for obtaining the highest population of P. frequentans on peach surfaces. The study provides useful information on dynamic P. frequentans population and its effects on the brown rot biocontrol.

Development of Beauveria bassiana dry formulation for vectoring by honey bees Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) to the flowers of crops for pest control

Using bee pollinators as a means for the dissemination of microbial control agents, such as Beauveria bassiana, against insect pests of agricultural crops is a novel and interesting approach to biological control. In four laboratory trials, one in Canada and three in Jordan, factors affecting the acquisition of B. bassiana by honey bees were evaluated using hive-mounted inoculum dispensers. The numbers of conidia carried by bees emerging from the dispensers differed according to the type of carrier used. Bees that passed through corn flour acquired more inoculum than did those that walked through wheat flour, durum semolina, corn meal, potato starch, potato flakes, oat flour or barley flour. The numbers of conidia acquired by the bees increased with decreasing particle size and moisture content of the carrier, and with increasing density of B. bassiana conidia in the formulation. Time required for a bee to pass through the dispenser did not significantly affect the acquisition of conidia. This study indicated that honeybees (Apis mellifera carnica) have a great potential for vectoring B. bassiana in crop systems. It also opens more avenues for studies on bee delivery of other microbial biological control agents.

The Influence of Silicon on the Components of Resistance to Gray Leaf Spot in St. Augustinegrass

ABSTRACT Soil fertilization with silicon (Si) has been shown to reduce the severity of gray leaf spot, caused by Magnaporthe grisea, in St. Augustinegrass. However, to understand how Si reduces gray leaf spot, it is necessary to study the effects of Si on the components of host resistance. In a greenhouse, six rates (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, and 10 t ha−1) of calcium silicate were evaluated for their ability to affect the components of resistance to gray leaf spot in the susceptible (‘Floratam’) and resistant (‘FX-10’) St. Augustinegrass cultivars. Components of resistance assessed were incubation period, latent period, lesion number, lesion area, daily rate of lesion expansion, and number of conidia per lesion. Percent leaf area diseased, a result of the components of resistance, was also evaluated. In this study, the only component of resistance affected by Si was lesion number. Silicon application significantly reduced the number of lesions 26 to 61% when compared to the untreated control in the susceptible cultivar ‘Floratam’. In the resistant cultivar ‘FX-10’, as the rate of calcium silicate increased the number of lesions decreased significantly from 43 to 57%. The percent leaf area diseased in ‘Floratam’ was significantly reduced (18–57%) by increasing rates of silicon when compared to the control. Silicon was the only element to increase significantly in the plant tissue from the amendment of soil with calcium silicate. Integrated disease management strategies for reducing gray leaf spot in both sod production and home lawn settings can be augmented by using Si fertilization to increase plant resistance to gray leaf spot, especially in soils deemed to be low in plant available Si.

Identification of resistance to Cercospora leaf spot of cowpea

Twelve selected cowpea cultivars were screened for resistance to Cercospora leaf spot (CLS) disease caused by Pseudocercospora cruenta and Cercospora apii s. lat. under artificial epiphytotic conditions in a replicated field trial, with the objective of developing a quantitative measure of disease resistance. CLS incidence, leaf spotting score, lesion density, lesion size, proportion of nodes infected, diseased leaf area, conidia number mg−1 and fascicle density were assessed in 12 cowpea genotypes at crop maturity. Proportion of nodes infected and leaf spotting score were best able to quantitatively differentiate between the levels of resistance, and allow the exploitation of quantitative resistance to the disease. Both lesion density and lesion size were important in determining the final leaf spotting score but the former was epidemiologically more important than the latter, indicated by its correlation to most of the CLS symptom measures. There was differential resistance to the P. cruenta and C. apii s. lat. among the cowpea varieties screened. Among the cowpea lines screened, resistance to P. cruenta was more common than resistance to C. apii s. lat. Nevertheless, P. cruenta was considered the more aggressive and epidemiologically more important than C. apii s. lat. on the varieties tested evidenced by the strong correlation of P. cruenta incidence with acropetal spread of CLS, intensity of leaf spotting, conidia number mg−1 and fascicle density. The highly susceptible varieties namely VRB7, Los Banos Bush Sitao no.1 and CB27 were susceptible to both Cercospora pathogens. The cowpea variety VRB-10 was completely resistant to both pathogens and is a useful source of resistance in CLS breeding programmes.

Aspergillus sp. PS-104의 분생포자 생활력에 미치는 첨가제 효과

포자의 장기보존 풍 생활력 유지를 위하여 계면활성제(Tween 80, SDS, Triton X-100) 및 2가 금속이온 <TEX>$Ca^{2+}$</TEX>, <TEX>$Fe^{2+}$</TEX>, <TEX>$Cu^{2+}$</TEX>, <TEX>$Zn^{2+}$</TEX> 및 3가 금속이온 <TEX>$Mo^{3+}$</TEX>을 각각 0, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1.0%(v/v) 농도로 첨가하여 생활력에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. 또한 각종 유기물(PEG 200, glycerol, 식용유, 종합 vitamin, 설탕, 당밀)도 각각 0, 0.01, 0.1, 1.0, 5.0%(v/v) 농도로 첨가하여 2주, 4주, 2개월, 4개월, 6개월간 보관하면서 생활력을 검정하였다. 계면활성제 중 Tween 80을 <TEX>$0.01%\sim1.0%$</TEX> 농도로 첨가하여 6개월 저장시 상대생존율이 80%에 이르렀으며, 이에 비해 대조구는 약 50% 수준이었다. 이때 분생포자수는 대조구에 비해서 약 100배 높은 수준이었다. 계면활성제 처리 후 저장기간에 따른 균의 생활력은 Tween <TEX>$80{\geq}SDS>Triton$</TEX> X-100 순으로 감소하였다. 유기물 중에서 1.0% 맥반석, 5.0% glucose 및 설탕을 첨가하였을 때가 장기보존시 우수함을 확인하였으며 6개월 경과시 대조구는 초기에 비해 50%의 상대생존율을 보였으나 1.0% 맥반석 첨가시 상대생존율은 약 80%의 높은 수준을 유지하였다. 각종 금속이온을 0.1% 농도로 처리 후 저장기간에 따른 균의 생활력은 <TEX>$Cu^{2+}>Ca^{2+}>Mo^{3+}>Zn^{2+}>Fe^{2+}$</TEX> 순으로 감소하였다. A fungus, Aspergillus sp. PS-104, with the high phosphate-solubilizing activities was isolated from Korean upland soil and formulated into a solid powder type with various additives. For the long-time preservation of conidia, some additives (Tween 80, SDS, Triton X-100, glucose, glycerol, corn oil, bio-ceramic, PEG 200, <TEX>$Cu^{++}$</TEX>, <TEX>$Mo^{+++}$</TEX>, <TEX>$Fe^{++}$</TEX>, <TEX>$Ca^{++}$</TEX> and <TEX>$Zn^{++}$</TEX>) were supplemented in the rice-cooked hard medium with various concentrations (0, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1.0 and 5.0%). In case of surfactants. the highest relative viability of the Aspergillus sp. PS-104 conidia was recorded nearly to 80% by the addition of 0.01 to 0.1% Tween 80, while 50% in control. The number of conidia were found to be about 100 times higher when treated at 0.01 to 0.1% Tween 80 as compared to control. Relative viability of the conidia was decreased in order of Tween 80 <TEX>$\geq$</TEX> SDS > Triton X-100 during the storage at <TEX>$25^{\circ}C$</TEX>. As regards the organic additives, the relative viability of Aspergillus sp. PS-104 conidia was also recorded nearly to 80% by the addition of 1.0% bio-ceramic, and 5.0% glucose and sucrose during the storage at <TEX>$25^{\circ}C$</TEX>. In case of metal ions, the relative viability of Aspergillus sp. PS-104 conidia was decreased in order of <TEX>$Cu^{2+}>Ca^{2+}>Mo^{3+}>Zn^{2+}>Fe^{2+}$</TEX> during the storage at <TEX>$25^{\circ}C$</TEX>.

Effects of manipulating spray-application parameters on efficacy of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana against western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, infesting greenhouse impatiens crops*

The effects of various spray application parameters on the efficacy of a clay-based wettable powder formulation of Beauveria bassiana strain GHA conidia against western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, were evaluated in a series of greenhouse tests. With the aim of optimizing spray application methods to maximize biopesticide efficacy, a series of independent experiments was conducted that varied four spray parameters: application interval, rate, volume, and spray-program timing. Impatiens crops infested with western flower thrips were treated with (1) multiple sprays at the rate of 5×1013 conidia in 935 L aqueous carrier ha−1 applied at 3-, 5-, and 7-day intervals, (2) weekly sprays at rates of 5×1013, 1×1014, and 2.0×1014 conidia in 935 L carrier ha−1, (3) weekly sprays at a rate of 2.0×1014 conidia in volumes of 935, 1870, and 3740 L water ha−1, and (4) multiple sprays at the rate of 2.0×1014 conidia in 3740 L carrier ha−1 applied at 5-day intervals in spray programs initiated before versus after the onset of flowering. Pollen-bearing impatiens flowers were sampled twice weekly to estimate thrips population density, and adult female and second-instar thrips were collected 24 h post application for determination of acquired dose (conidia/insect). Numbers of conidia inoculated onto thrips increased with increasing spray frequency and volume. Dose was unexpectedly not directly correlated with application rate when volume was held constant, suggesting that thrips avoided concentrated spray residues. Statistically significant thrips population reductions relative to controls were achieved only when three to four sprays were applied at the highest label rate in the highest volume at < 7-day intervals. Applications against thrips infesting young, preflowering impatiens crops were not consistently more effective than applications in older crops. The most effective treatment programs reduced pest populations by 30–40% compared to untreated controls; this slowed, but did not stop, the growth of pest populations. Results indicate that use of fungi for thrips management will require integration with other control agents.

Nutritional quality of Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle and its effects on a fungal pathogen Mycoleptodiscus terrestris (Gerd.) Ostazeski

The submersed macrophyte, Hydrilla verticillata, was grown using different nutritional regimes under greenhouse conditions to obtain plants that were significantly different in percent nitrogen-free extract, crude fiber, ether-extractable compounds, crude protein, and ash in shoot tissue. Shoots were then challenged by the biological control fungal pathogen, Mycoleptodiscus terrestris, to determine the effects of plant nutritional status on disease severity, growth, and reproduction. Fourteen days post-inoculation, shoots from plants grown in high-fertility sediment had significantly greater disease severity ratings than shoots from plants grown in low-fertility sediment. The nutritional status of the plants also impacted asexual reproduction of the pathogen by thin-walled conidia and melanized survival structures called microsclerotia. At 14 days post-inoculation, significantly higher numbers of conidia were produced in flasks containing hydrilla plants grown in high-fertility sediment. In contrast, microsclerotia increased almost fourfold in leaf tissues of hydrilla grown in low-fertility sediment. It appears from these studies that the nutritional condition of target plants cannot be excluded as an important factor in efficacy of pathogens used as biological control agents. The nutritional status of the host tissues influences M. terrestris ingress into host tissues, vegetative growth, production of secondary inoculum in the form of disseminative spores or conidia, and production of survival structures, the microsclerotia.

Use of chitin to improve a Beauveria bassiana alginate-pellet formulation

A study was undertaken to evaluate optimum concentrations of chitin in sodium alginate pellet formulations to enhance conidia production. Chitin concentrations tested were 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 4% (w/v), with (2%, w/v) or without wheat bran. The different chitin-wheat bran pellet combinations were prepared with Beauveria bassiana isolate Qu-B306 at 108 conidia mL–1. After 21 days of incubation in a humid chamber at 28°C, conidia production was assessed. Improvements up to three times the initial conidia number were achieved using 2% chitin and 2% wheat bran. Higher levels of chitin decreased the number of conidia per pellet. For all chitin concentrations, conidia number increased with the addition of wheat bran (P≤0.05). Contamination by saprophytic fungi was reduced by the incorporation of chitin in the pellet formulation.

Spray retention for liquid and mycoherbicide inoculum in three weed-biocontrol systems

Spray retention is often used to measure herbicide delivery to optimize application parameters, but little is known about retention characteristics of mycoherbicide inoculum applied for weed biocontrol. This study examined inoculum retention of three mycoherbicide agents, Pyricularia setariae, Colletotrichum truncatum and C. gloeosporioides f. sp. malvae, on their respective weed targets: green foxtail, scentless chamomile and round-leaved mallow. Conidium suspensions of these fungal pathogens containing a sodium-fluorescein tracer dye were applied at 500, 1000 and 2000 L ha−1 using a cabinet sprayer, and the liquid volume and number of conidia retained on the plants were quantified. On all three weed species, liquid and conidium retention showed a high degree of correlation at varying application volumes although slight differences existed depending on the weed species. Based on the analysis of regression slopes, liquid retention reflected conidium retention most closely on green foxtail but slightly overestimated the number on scentless chamomile and round-leaved mallow, possibly due to different plant morphology and spray run-off at extremely high application volumes. Liquid retention can generally be used as an indicator in studying effects of spray quality on mycoherbicide retention for improved delivery and biocontrol in these weed-biocontrol systems.

Resistance of the termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki to Metarhizium anisopliae due to grooming

Termites, Coptotermes formosanus, reared individually, were highly susceptible to the entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae, while termites reared in␣groups were highly resistant. When reared in groups, the termites treated with M.␣anisopliae conidia on the body surface were groomed by their nestmates and more than 80% of the conidia were removed from the cuticle within 3 h. However, there was not a significant reduction in the numbers of conidia on the body surfaces of termites reared individually. For the termites maintained in groups, conidia were found in foreguts, midguts and hindguts, but very few conidia were detected in the guts of termites reared individually. Conidia in the alimentary tracts did not germinate, but some of were alive. As a result, it seems that the removal of foreign bodies, such as fungal conidia, from the␣cuticle is one function of termite mutual grooming behavior and that conidia removed from the cuticle are eliminated through alimentary tracts. This study indicates that mutual grooming behavior is very effective in protecting these termites from M.␣anisopliae infection.

Factors affecting sporulation and germination of Pandora nouryi (Entomophthorales: Entomophthoraecae), a pathogen of Myzus persicae (Homoptera: Aphididae)

Pandora nouryi discharged large numbers of primary conidia between 8 and 25°C from cadavers on the surface of water-agar. At 8°C conidial discharge lasted for 120 h, but most conidia were produced within 48 h when temperature was >15°C. Saturated humidity alone was not enough to allow for sporulation to occur freely and where RH < 95%, no conidia were discharged. Light did not affect the pattern of conidial production nor the total number of conidia. Germination percentages of conidia on the surface of water-agar were 40 and 66% at 8 and 30°C, respectively, and were significantly lower than that at 15–25°C where germination was >95%. Conidia on leaves germinated well when RH > 74%, while no germination occurred when RH < 100% on cover slips. All eight insecticides tested entirely inhibited conidial germination at recommended doses (R), in particular, both the organophosphorus pesticides Lorsben (chlorpyrifos) and the organochlorine pesticides Thiodan (endosulfan) completely inhibited conidial germination even at 0.2R dose.

New Media for Increasing Sporulation and Germination of Phaeoisariopsis Griseola Conidia

The slow growth rate of the fungus Phaeoisariopsis griseola and the availability of a homogeneous highly concentrated inoculum is an important constraint for pathogenicity or virulence studies, where plant inoculations are needed. Therefore, the purpose of this paper was to evaluate the effect of supplementing culture media with Amaranthus cruentus seed meal on fungal growth and sporulation of isolates of P. griseola belonging to the Mesoamerican and Andean groups. The amendment of PDA or V8 media with A. cruentus seed meal resulted in a considerable increase in the number of conidia and also in their capacity to germinate; this depended mostly on the stage of maturity of conidia. Mesoamerican and Andean isolates produced a different number of conidia when cultured in vitro. Furthermore, while in Mesoamerican isolates a second degree polynomial represented the relationship between number of conidia and amount of A. cruentus supplementation, in Andean isolates the relationship was linear. It seems that either one or several of the nutritional factors provided by A. cruentus contributed to the increased production of conidia and their development, resulting in faster development of the disease and an earlier appearance of symptoms. Therefore, for cultural studies, especially for inoculum production and for pathogenicity evaluations, supplementation of the media with A. cruentus seed meal proved to be a good alternative.

Optimising sporulation and virulence in Drechslera avenacea

Studies were conducted on agar media to optimise sporulation of Drechslera avenacea, a fungal pathogen being evaluated as a biological control agent for Avena species (wild oats). Conidium production was affected by nutrition, pH, temperature and light conditions. Of the agar media tested, Czapek Dox agar (CZA) and half-strength oatmeal agar (½OMA) were the only media where sporulation occurred at all temperatures tested under a 12-h light:12-h dark photoperiod (L/D). The optimum temperature for conidium production was 20°C on ½OMA, whereas there was no optimum temperature on CZA. Under a 12-h near-ultraviolet (NUV):12-h dark photoperiod (NUV/D), similar numbers of conidia were produced on CZA at 6.66, 14.56, and 22.78 W m−2, whereas on ½OMA conidium production was the highest at 14.56 W m−2. When NUV/D and L/D conditions were compared, similar numbers of conidia where produced on CZA, whereas ½OMA conidium production was superior under the NUV/D photoperiod. Considerable variation in sporulation and degree of virulence of D. avenacea was detected among isolates from different geographic areas. The most virulent conidia were obtained on ½OMA at 20°C incubated under continuous illumination NUV light. Therefore, the most suitable conditions for conidium production of D. avenacea were growth for 1 week on ½OMA at 20°C under continuous NUV at an intensity of 14.56 W m−2. Under these conditions, 1.1×105 conidia mL−1 were produced which is the highest sporulation yet reported for any Drechslera spp., which are traditionally poor sporulators.

Changes in pectinase and cellulase activity of Colletotrichum capsici mutants and their effect on Anthracnose disease on capsicum fruit

Colletotrichum capsici was identified as a major pathogen that causes Anthracnose disease on capsicum (Capsicum frutescence L.), fruits accounting for 25 – 30% post-harvest loss during storage and marketing. The infection was found to be latent in nature. Towards understanding the latent nature of the pathogen, experiments were carried out to obtain non-pathogenic strain of C. capsici by UV radiation treatment. Exposure of three days old mycelial mat to UV light (312 nm wavelength at 12 in distance from the source) for 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 minutes was tried. The UV light exposure for 45 minutes was found to be optimum to get less virulent pathogenic strain of C. capsici. It showed a reduction in 42.86% cellulase and 40% pectinase activity. The reduction in activity of these enzymes resulted in 3.5 days delay in manifestation of Anthracnose disease and also reduces the rate of spreading of disease. The UV treatment was found to reduce 40% of the vegetative growth of fungi and 10% decrease in the production of number of conidia. However, no linear response was obtained with increase in dosage of UV treatments.

Influence of Temperature and Relative Humidity on Sporulation of Cercospora zeae-maydis and Expansion of Gray Leaf Spot Lesions on Maize Leaves

Controlled environment studies were conducted to determine the effects of temperature on the expansion of lesions of gray leaf spot, and the effects of temperature and relative humidity on the sporulation of Cercospora zeae-maydis on maize (Zea mays). For the lesion expansion experiment, potted maize plants were spray inoculated at growth stage V6, bagged, and incubated at 25 to 28°C and 100% relative humidity for 36 to 40 h. Symptomatic plants were transferred to growth chambers and exposed to constant temperatures of 25, 30, and 35°C. Lesion area (length by width) was measured at 4-day intervals for 17 days. For sporulation studies, lesions were excised from naturally infected maize leaves, measured, and incubated at constant temperature (20, 25, 30, or 35°C) and relative humidity (70, 80, 90, or 100%) for 72 h. Sporulation was estimated as the number of conidia per square centimeter of diseased leaf tissue. A quadratic function was used to model the relationship between log-transformed conidia per square centimeter at 100% relative humidity and temperature. Temperature had a significant effect on lesion expansion (P ≤ 0.05). At 25 and 30°C, the rate of lesion expansion was significantly higher than at 35°C (P ≤ 0.05). The largest lesions and the highest mean rate of lesion expansion were observed at 30°C; however, the mean lesion expansion rate at this temperature was not significantly different from that at 25°C. The interaction effect of temperature and relative humidity on the log of conidia per square centimeter of diseased tissue was significant (P ≤ 0.05). At 100% relative humidity, the effect of temperature on sporulation was significant (P ≤ 0.05), with maximum spore production occurring at 25 and 30°C. The quadratic model explained between 49 and 80% of the variation in the log of conidia per square centimeter at 100% with variation in temperature. These results suggest that the rapid increase in gray leaf spot severity generally observed during mid- and late summer may be due to favorable conditions for lesion expansion during this period. When relative humidity is >95%, expanding lesions may serve as a source of inoculum for secondary infections.