Spanish Needle Research Articles

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Golovinomyces ambrosiae on Bidens pilosa in China.

Bidens pilosa L., (spanish needle), is a wild, flowering plant of Asteraceae, that is grown in gardens, fields, roadsides, and riverbanks in Fuzhou, China. It is also used in traditional folk medicine for a broad range of ailments in China. In March 2019 and 2020, hundreds of B. pilosa growing along the roadsides, and gardens in the districts of Minhou and Jinshan were observed to be severely affected by a powdery mildew with approximately 80% disease incidence. Symptoms appeared as circular to irregular small white, powdery patches, typically on the adaxial sides of leaves and progressed to coalescent colonies on the leaves. As the disease developed, the infected leaves became wilted and senesced. Mycelia on leaves were superficial and solitary appressoria were slightly to distinctly nipple-shaped. Conidiophores were erect, 120 to 230 × 10 to 12 µm, and produced two to five conidia in chains with a sinuate outline. Foot-cells were erect, cylindrical, and 60 to 110 μm long. Conidia were hyaline, ellipsoid to barrel-shaped, 26 to 40 × 18 to 24 μm, and devoid of distinct fibrosin bodies. Germ tubes were long and produced at the perihilar position of the conidia. No chasmothecia were observed. Morphological characteristics overlapped with Golovinomyces ambrosiae, G. cichoracearum, and G. spadiceus (Braun and Cook 2012) on hosts within the Asteraceae tribe Heliantheae (Takamatsu et al. 2013). For molecular identification, ITS and IGS regions as well as partial LSU of two representative collections (MJU-IM019- MJU-IM020), were amplified using ITS1/ITS4, IGS-12a/ NS1R and LSU1/LSU2 primers (Carbone & Kohn, 1999; Scholin et al. 1994; White et al. 1990), respectively. The resulting sequences were deposited in GenBank (ITS: MW965777, MW965778; LSU: MW965787, MW965788; IGS: MW981256, MW981257). A BLAST search revealed 99 to 100 % sequence similarity to G. ambrosiae sequences (KX987303, AB769421, AB077689, AB769426, AB077643, and AB769425). Phylogenetic analysis of ITS, LSU and IGS also grouped obtained sequences within the G. ambrosiae complex (Qiu et al. 2020). Pathogenicity was confirmed through inoculation by gently pressing infected leaves onto leaves of five healthy, potted, young B. pilosa plants, while five non-inoculated plants served as controls. All plants were maintained in a greenhouse at 25 ± 2°C. Inoculated plants developed symptoms after 7 to 10 days, whereas the control plants remained symptomless. The morphology of the resulting fungus on inoculated plants was identical to that originally observed on diseased plants. Podosphaera spp., have been reported on B. pilosa (Farr & Rossman 2021) from North America, Africa, and Asia. To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew caused by G. ambrosiae on B. pilosa in China and Asia. Wild populations of B. pilosa may be the primary source of powdery mildew inoculum for commercial Asteraceae members and may warrant consideration in the control of this disease.

Occurrence of cucumber mosaic virus Subgroup I on different plant families in Himachal Pradesh and its infection to new hosts

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) has been recorded worldwide, infecting more than 1200 plant species including weeds. In this study, 23 samples of bell pepper, squash, tomato, ornamental (calla lily, French hydrangea, spider lily) and weeds (Arrowleaf dock, Spanish needle) hosts originating from Himachal Pradesh were examined. 20 of 23 samples were identified CMV positive based on electron microscopy, bio-assay, RT-PCR assay and sequence analyses of coat protein (CP) gene. The CMV-CP gene sequences from eight isolates cloned and sequenced in this study shared 96–100% amino acid sequence identities with CMV Subgroup I isolates. This study forms the first report of the natural occurrence of CMV on squash and a weed host, Arrowleaf dock (Rumex hastatus), in India as well as the occurrence of CMV Subgroup I in the cooler hilly regions of India. These findings suggest the expansion of the host range as well as ecological niche of CMV.

Resistant weeds were controlled by the combined use of herbicides and bioherbicides

AbstractThe intensive and abundant use of synthetic herbicides has been questioned in recent decades due to the strong dependence and also the resistance effects that are identified in weeds. Several grain crops suffer from the weed control system because many of the weeds are already resistant to the main herbicides that are used. In recent years, there has been a large gap in the market without the addition of new synthetic herbicides with mechanisms of action that differ from those already existing. The objective of this short piece is to address and overcome this challenge and bring an innovative and alternative solution that proposes a synergistic action system between bioherbicides produced by the fungus Trichoderma koningiopsis and synthetic herbicides (2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, glyphosate, and ammonium glufosinate). The plants included in this study were Bidens pilosa (amor seco, or in the United States, beggar ticks or Spanish needle), Euphorbia heterophylla (adeus‐brasil), and Conyza bonariensis (margaridinha‐do‐campo, or, in the United States, hairy fleabane or asthmaweed). It was verified that, in the application of the biocomposites in the presence of chemical herbicides, potentiation of the phytotoxic action (100%) occurred under the target plants, emphasizing phytotoxicity to the weed, C. bonariensis, which is currently resistant to available herbicides. The bioherbicides studied have promising characteristics to be explored in the biocontrol of weeds.

Metal Contamination Hotspots at Unregulated Firearm Target Shooting Sites in the Everglades.

Hunters and target shooters can introduce metals into the environment in the form of firearm ammunition, elevating environmental levels of these metals, which may cause plant and animal toxicity. We explored metal accumulation in the Florida Everglades at sites used for firearm target shooting that are unlicensed, unregulated, and not patrolled by law enforcement. We compared concentrations of Pb, Cu, and Al in water and soil among study sites, control sites, and a public shooting range. We also tested plants and invertebrates to identify bioaccumulation or biomagnification. Lead and Cu concentrations in the soil at the target sites were elevated (Pb mean: 11,500.1 μg g; Cu mean: 1558.7 μg g) compared with control sites (Pb mean: 35.3 μg g; Cu mean: 49.3 μg g) and were more similar to the shooting range (Pb mean: 3194.7 μg g; Cu mean: 567.1 μg g). Organisms had elevated Pb and Cu at the target sites, indicating bioaccumulation. For example, Spanish needle [ (L.) DC] had a Pb concentration of 356.9 μg g at one site but averaged 80.3 μg g at the control sites. Grass shrimp () had Pb concentrations averaging 416.1 μg g at target sites but only 18.9 μg g at control sites. Water samples did not have elevated metal levels at the sites. Aluminum levels did not correspond to firearms use. We conclude that the illicit shooting sites are hotspots of metal pollution and pose a risk of contamination to several types of organisms. Because these sites are undocumented and unregulated, remediation may be difficult.

Biology and Management of Spanish Needles (Bidens spp.) in Ornamental Crop Production

All eight species of Bidens in Florida are commonly referred to as Spanish needles or beggar-ticks. This document focuses on Bidens alba and B. pilosa, which are common weeds in container nurseries and landscapes in Florida. This 6-page EDIS publication, written by Yuvraj Khamare, Chris Marble, Shawn Steed, and Nathan Boyd and published by the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department, is designed for landowners, gardeners, horticulturalists, and consumers hoping to learn more about Spanish needle classification and management. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep572

Survival pattern of the boll weevil during cotton fallow in Midwestern Brazil

Abstract: The objective of this work was to determine the survival pattern of the cotton boll weevil during fallow in Midwestern Brazil. The percentage of adults that remained in the cotton reproductive structures, the percentage of adults searching for shelters, and the longevity of adults fed on pollen and nectar as alternative food sources were determined. For this, four populations were sampled in cotton squares and bolls, totaling 11,293 structures, from 2008 to 2012. The emergency of cotton weevil adults was monitored from the collection of the structures until the next cotton season. In the laboratory, newly-emerged adults were fed on hibiscus or Spanish needle, and their life span was monitored individually. Most adults (85.73%) left the reproductive structures, regardless of the cotton plant phenology, up to 49 days after the structures were collected. One individual (0.0002%) from 5,544 adults was found alive after the fallow period. The diet with hibiscus and Spanish needle provided adult longevity of 76±38 days, which was enough time for adults to survive during the fallow period. Most of the boll weevils leave the cotton structures at the end of harvest, survive using alternative food sources, and do not use cotton plant structures as shelter during the legal cotton fallow period in Midwestern Brazil.

Alternative products to treat allergic rhinitis and alternative routes for allergy immunotherapy.

Some alternative products instead of immunotherapy are used in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). In this paper, alternative products to treat allergic rhinitis and alternative routes for allergy immunotherapy are reviewed. Alternative products and methods used instead of immunotherapy are tea therapy, acupuncture, Nigella sativa, cinnamon bark, Spanish needle, acerola, capsaicin (Capsicum annum), allergen-absorbing ointment, and cellulose powder. N. sativa has been used in AR treatment due to its anti-inflammatory effects. N. sativa oil also inhibits the cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism. The beneficial effects of N. sativa seed supplementation on the symptoms of AR may be due to its antihistaminic properties. To improve the efficacy of immunotherapy, some measures are taken regarding known immunotherapy applications and alternative routes of intralymphatic immunotherapy and epicutaneous immunotherapy are used. There are alternative routes and products to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy.

English

The phytoremediation of soil contaminated with lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) from industrial wastewater discharge in a farming village near Hanoi City was investigated. The first growing plant species tested were the Spanish needle, water primrose, common willow herb, and water spinach. Uptake by roots and shoots per unit land area for each species was calculated and compared. The uptake of the heavy metals per unit area was higher in shoots than in roots for each plant species and was affected by the higher biomass production of the shoots. For the roots, the uptake did not differ by species, but did differ by heavy metal. For the shoots, the uptake differed by both plant species and heavy metal with the common willow herb having higher Pb and Zn uptake compared to those of the other three species. For the common willow herb, the uptake of heavy metal was in order of Pb > Zn > Cu. The results indicate that common willow herb has a superior phytoremediation capacity among the plants tested, particularly for the uptake of Pb.   Key words: Plant biomass, farming village, industrial wastewater, phytoremediation.

Atividade alelopática de extrato acetato-etílico de folhas de Solanum cernuum Vell

The aim of this study was to evaluate the allelopathic action of an ethyl-acetate extract of the leaves of Solanum cernuum Vell (Solanaceae) relative to the inhibitory effect on seed germination and seedling vigour in Sorghum bicolor L. (sorghum), Lactuca sativa L. (lettuce) and Bidens pilosa L. (Spanish needle). The phytotoxic activity of the ethyl acetate extract was evaluated at concentration s of 0.00; 31.25; 62.50; 125.00; 250.00; 500.00; 750.00 and 1000.00 mg L -1 . The variables analyzed were: percentage of germination; germination speed index; length of shoot and root; and seedling dry weight. The results showed a phytotoxic effect for the ethyl acetate extract of S. cernuum on sorghum, lettuce and Spanish needle for at least one of the variables analysed. For Spanish needle, all the variables except dry mass suffered significant reductions (p<0.05). There are phytotoxic effects for the ethyl acetate extract of Solanum cernuum Vell on seed germination and seedling vigour in sorghum, lettuce and Spanish needle. From the species studied, Spanish needle is the most sensitive, with a 69% reduction in shoot length and an 88% reduction in root length in the presence of the extract of S. cernuum at 100mg L -1 .

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Podosphaera xanthii on the Invasive Weed, Bidens pilosa, in Korea

Bidens pilosa L., known as Spanish needle or cobbler's peg, is a cosmopolitan weed, originating from South America and common in all tropical and subtropical areas of the world. In Korea, this plant was first reported in 1992 (3), and has become naturalized widely by replacing indigenous plants and disrupting native ecosystems. In the autumn of 2012, hundreds of Spanish needles growing around an industrial complex in Milyang in southern Korea were observed to be severely infected with a powdery mildew. Symptoms first appeared as circular to irregular white patches, which subsequently showed abundant hyphal growth on both sides of the leaves, and on young stems and inflorescences. Red-purplish discoloration and crinkling of the leaves were also observed. Appressoria on the mycelium were nipple-shaped or nearly absent. Conidiophores measured 100 to 190 × 11 to 13 μm, and produced 2 to 5 immature conidia in chains with a crenate outline, at the end of 2 to 3 straight cells of the conidiophore. Conidia were hyaline, ellipsoid to barrel-shaped, measured 28 to 42 × 16.5 to 21 μm (length/width ratio of 1.4 to 2.0), and had distinct fibrosin bodies. Dark brown chasmothecia were found partly embedded in the mycelial felt on leaves and stems, were spherical, gregarious to scattered, and 80 to 100 μm in diameter. Each contained a single ascus and had a terminal oculus 17 to 23 μm wide. Asci were sessile, 70 to 90 × 52 to 65 μm, and contained eight ascospores, each 22 to 28 × 16 to 20 μm. The structures and measurements were consistent with those of Podosphaera xanthii (Castagne) U. Braun & Shishkoff (1). Specimens were deposited in the Korea University Herbarium (KUS). To confirm identity of the causal fungus, the complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA of isolate KUS-F27201 was amplified with primers ITS5 and P3 (4), and sequenced directly. The resulting 476-bp sequence was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. KC484700). A GenBank BLAST search of this sequence revealed >99% similarity with those of many P. xanthii isolates on plants in the Asteraceae. Pathogenicity was confirmed through inoculation by gently pressing diseased leaf onto leaves of five healthy, potted, young Spanish needle plants. Five non-inoculated plants served as a control treatment. Plants were maintained in a greenhouse at 25 ± 2°C. Inoculated plants developed symptoms after 8 days, whereas the control plants remained symptomless. The fungus present on the inoculated plants was identical morphologically to that originally observed on diseased plants, fulfilling Koch's postulates. Powdery mildews of B. pilosa caused by Podosphaera species have been reported in North America, Africa, and Asia (India and China), but not from Korea (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew caused by P. xanthii on Spanish needles in Korea. The field observations suggest that the powdery mildew could limit expansion of this invasive weed in Korea.

A comparison of selected plant pollens for rearingEuseius mesembrinus(Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Abstract Effects on development, survivorship and reproduction of Euseius mesembrinus (Dean) were studied in the laboratory using nine different plant pollens: ice plant, Malephora crocea (Jacquin); live oak, Quercus virginiana Miller; castor bean, Ricinus communis L.; cattail, Typha latifolia L.; Spanish needle, Bidens pilosa L.; grapefruit, Citrus paradisi (L.) Osbeck; ‘Sunburst’ tangerine, C. reticulata Blanco (hybrid); ‘Hamlin’ orange, C. sinensis (L.) Osbeck; and pummelo, C. grandis (L.) Osbeck. Following eclosion, 100% of adults developed in 7.6 to 7.9 days when pollen of ice plant, live oak, castor bean or cattail was provided as single food sources at 27 ± 1°C. A total of 30.8 and 30.4 eggs per female were obtained when ice plant and live oak pollens, respectively, were provided compared to 23.0 and 19.2 eggs per female when castor bean and cattail pollens were used. Life table parameters were: mean generation time (T) = 12.38; net reproductive rate (R o) = 17.17; intrinsic rate of natural increas...

Biology ofEuseius mesembrinus (Acari: Phytoseiidae): Life tables on ice plant pollen at different temperatures with notes on behavior and food range

Euseius mesembrinus (Dean) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) was recently reported on Florida citrus for the first time. This mite was able to develop and reproduce when fed plant pollen of Spanish needle,Bidens pilosa L. and ice plant,Malephora crocea (Jacq.) or three spider mite species (Acari: Tetranychidae) including all stages ofTetranychus urticae Koch,Eutetranychus banksi (McGregor), and larval and nymphal stages only ofPanonychus citri (McGregor).