Susceptible Reaction Research Articles

Screening of Sesame Genotypes against Powdery Mildew and Macrophomina phaseolina Stem/Root Rot Diseases

An investigation was carried out with fifty sesame genotypes to identify source of resistance to powdery mildew and macrophomina stem/root rot diseases during late kharif 2022 at RARS, Jagtial under protected conditions. Among the genotypes screened, four genotypes JCS 4047, JCS 4026, JCS 3880 and GT 10 were found resistant to powdery mildew. The powdery mildew PDI was ranged from 25.1%-73.3%. Based on the PDI score, fifty genotypes were classified into Resistant (4), moderately resistant (27) and Susceptible (19) categories. From fifty genotypes, JCS 4047 showed highly resistant reaction and EC 182833 showed highly susceptible reaction to powdery mildew. The macrophomina stem/root rot incidence was ranged from 65%-100%. FFAT 04 shown the lowest root rot incidence (65%) among fifty genotypes screened. None of the genotypes found to be immune. Identified resistant genotypes can be utilized as parents in breeding programme for development of resistant varieties.

Detection of some registered barley varieties reactions to barley leaf stripe disease

Cereals are a significant agricultural product group with the highest cultivation area and production in Turkey. Among these cereals, barley is an important cereal used in human and animal nutrition, and the most widelycultivated plant after wheat. There are biotic and abiotic factors which affect the yield and quality parameters of barley. Of the biotic factors, barley leaf stripe (agent: Pyrenophora graminea (anamorph: Drechslera graminea) is an important fungal disease. Infections can occur in diseased seeds and in the presence of suitable environmental conditions. Hence, the use of disease-free seeds and resistant cultivars (cvs.) against this pathogen are crucial. With this in mind, this study was carried out with a highly virulent isolate of Pyrenophora graminea, obtained from the Disease and Pest Resistance Unit culture collection in 57 registered barley cultivars in the greenhouses of the Central Research Institute of Field Crops (TARM) in 2021. The experiments were conducted in 3 replications in a randomized block design. Of 57 registered barley cultivars 62%, 15% and 36% of these barley cultivars expressed resistance, moderate resistance, and susceptible reactions, respectively. As a result of the analysis of variance performed on the results obtained, it was concluded that the difference between the mean values of 57 varieties was statistically significant at 1% level (P

Screening of Okra Genotypes against Powdery Mildew under Natural Epiphytotic Conditions

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) is a globally crucialannual vegetable belonging to family malvaceae, it is the most broadly distributed vegetable all over the world. Among the fungal diseases affecting okra crops, powdery mildew caused by Erysiphecichoracearum DC. is the most crucial disease-causing considerable yield losses. Host plant resistance is one of the most practical, economical and feasible methods of management of plant diseases. An attempt was made to identify sources of resistance which could be used in developing resistant variety to mitigate loss in farmer’s field.Fifty okra genotypes were screened for their response to powdery mildew under natural epiphytotic conditions during Rabi, 2020-21Results revealed that, out of fifty genotypes screened, none of them showed immune and resistant reactions to powdery mildew. However, one genotype i.e., EC329404 showed a moderately resistance reaction. Twenty genotypes showed a moderately susceptible reaction. While twenty-two genotypes showed susceptible reaction, and one genotype viz., IC42531 showed a highly susceptible reaction. The average ‘r’ value ranged from 0.070 to 0.123. The highest average ‘r-value (0.123) was observed in genotypes IC42524 and EC329405, with the least average ‘r’ value in genotype EC329415 (0.070). For yield, It was found that most of the genotypes screened were potential yielders and recorded good yield despite the pathogen attack. Thus these high-yielding genotypes can be utilised in back cross-breeding along with disease resistant parent (EC 329404) to obtain resistant variety with high-yielding potential.

Pattern formation and bifurcation analysis of delay induced fractional-order epidemic spreading on networks

The spontaneous emergence of ordered structures, known as Turing patterns, in complex networks is a phenomenon that holds potential applications across diverse scientific fields, including biology, chemistry, and physics. Here, we present a novel delayed fractional-order susceptible–infected–recovered–susceptible (SIRS) reaction–diffusion model functioning on a network, which is typically used to simulate disease transmission but can also model rumor propagation in social contexts. Our theoretical analysis establishes the Turing instability resulting from delay, and we support our conclusions through numerical experiments. We identify the unique impacts of delay, average network degree, and diffusion rate on pattern formation. The primary outcomes of our study are: (i) Delays cause system instability, mainly evidenced by periodic temporal fluctuations; (ii) The average network degree produces periodic oscillatory states in uneven spatial distributions; (iii) The combined influence of diffusion rate and delay results in irregular oscillations in both time and space. However, we also find that fractional-order can suppress the formation of spatiotemporal patterns. These findings are crucial for comprehending the impact of network structure on the dynamics of fractional-order systems.

Genetic Diversity Studies and Fusarium Wilt Screening in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Germplasm

Background: The genetic base of chickpea has narrowed substantially during the domestication process (Thudi et al., 2016). Therefore, increasing the genetic divergence of chickpea has been a major goal for breeders. The assessment of genetic diversity of chickpea germplasm can provide a valuable information to the breeder for parental selection strategies in plant breeding programs. Method: Two hundred and eighty chickpea germplasm including two checks (JG-11 and SA-1) were tested with an objective to explore the genetic divergence by using Mahalanobis D2 statistics. The field experiment was carried out during Rabi 2021-22 at Zonal Agricultural Research Station (ZARS), Kalaburagi. The magnitude of genetic divergence was studied using data obtained from five quantitative traits. Results: The 280 genotypes including checks were divided into seventeen clusters based on their D2 values. Out of seventeen clusters, cluster II (89 genotypes) was the largest followed by cluster I (83 genotypes), cluster III (31 genotypes), cluster VIII (29 genotypes), cluster VII (24 genotypes), cluster VII (15 genotypes). Same set of germplasm were also screened for fusarium wilt in wilt sick plot, 30 germplasm lines showed resistant (10.71%), 83 moderately resistant (29.64%), 44 moderately susceptible (15.71%), 31 susceptible (11.07%) and 92 highly susceptible reaction to fusarium wilt. Clusters XIV and XVI had extreme genetic distance and the germplasm lines in these cluster also showed moderate resistance to fusarium wilt.

Identification of Blast Resistant Breeding Lines through Uniform Blast Nursery in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Rice blast disease caused by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae is the most devastating disease of rice causing considerable yield losses. Development of resistant varieties is the most effective and environment friendly strategy to combat losses. RNR 15048 (Telangana sona) (IET23746) is a popular local variety possessing a desirable, short-slender grain type with low glycemic index, good cooking quality and having Pi2 gene for blast. However, it is moderately susceptible to bacterial blight disease and having no durable resistance to blast disease with weak culm. In this context, improvement of RNR 15048 for blast, bacterial leaf blight is important to reduce yield losses. Present study was carried out to screen and identify blast resistant breeding lines in Rice at Regional Agricultural Research station, Polasa, Jagtial, PJTSAU during Rabi, 2022-2023. 18 F3 breeding lines were screened in uniform blast nursery along with parents RNR 15048, MTU 1010 NILs, ISM NILs. TN1 and NLR 34449 were used as the susceptible and resistant checks, respectively for screening blast resistance. Screening was done by following 0-9 Standard Evaluation Scale (SES) for leaf blast. Among the studied 18 F3 breeding lines 12 lines were found resistant with score of 3 and 6 lines were found moderately resistant to screening reaction with score of 5. TN1 showed highly susceptible reaction with score of 9 and NLR 34449 showed highly resistant reaction with score of 1.

Screening of recombinant inbred lines for resistance to bacterial leaf blight pathotypes in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

In the present investigation 16 recombinant inbred lines (RIL’s) developed from the intra-specific cross between YH3 and AKDRMS 21-54 through Marker Assisted Pedigree Breeding Method were screened along with their parents and the checks, namely, BPT 5204, TN1 and Improved Samba Mahsuri (ISM) against IxoPt-20 pathotype at the ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad during Rabi 2021-22 and a new pathotype of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae causing Bacterial Leaf Blight disease in rice at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Maruteru during Kharif 2022 to identify pathotype specific resistant sources. Morpho-Molecular screening was adopted to evaluate the recombinant inbred lines over two locations in the consecutive seasons of Rabi 2021-22 and Kharif 2022. Based on per cent diseased leaf area, the genotypes were scored and categorised as per the Standard Evaluation System (SES) scale provided by International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). The results revealed all 16 RIL’s to be either resistant (10) or moderately resistant (6) to IxoPt-20 pathotype. However, only five RIL’s were found to be resistant, while four RIL’s were moderately resistant for the new virulent pathotype. Seven RIL’s with resistant to moderately resistant reaction for IxoPt-20 pathotype, showed moderately susceptible reaction for the new virulent pathotype. Among the resistant RIL’s identified for each pathotype, BPT-1901-72-10-6, BPT-1901-108-4-1 and BPT-1901-111-3-2 were found to be uniformly resistant, while, BPT-1901-45-8-6 and BPT-1901-163-1-18 were uniformly moderately resistant to both IXoPt-20 and the new virulent pathotype at Hyderabad and Maruteru, respectively, indicating their potential as genetic stocks for development of new cultivars resistant to bacterial leaf blight disease.

Assessment of Incidence of Chilli Leaf Curl Virus, Role of Environment and Disease Management

The present study “Assessment of incidence of chilli leaf curl virus, role of environment and its management” was carried out at Chilli LCV pone are of Bundelkhand region at Tikamagarh location of Madhya Pradesh. Among diseases affecting chilli crop, leaf curl virus is one of the major threat. In experiment, 10 chilli cultivars namely ZH-927, Gypsy, Pusa Jawala, Surya Pariksha, Surya-31, Meenam-(074), Mahy-Yasash, Disha, Pride and Arka Harita were screened under open field conditions for leaf curl virus. Six insecticides viz., Methyle dematon 25 EC @ 0.025%, Imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 0.003%, Acetamaprid 20 SL @ 0.025%, Diamethoate 30 EC @ 0.5%, Thiamethoxam 70 WG@ 0.005% and Neem seed kernel extract @ 5% were tested against disease. In screening among all cultivers, ZH-927 was identified as resistant whereas Surya Pariksha, Disha and Arka Harita showed susceptible reaction. In case of management of leaf curl virus vector, Imidacloprid and Acetamaprid were found effective in inhibiting the leaf curl disease incidence followed by Thiomethoxam, NSKE, Methyl demeton and dimethoate. Temperature was found positive correlation with disease incidence. As the temperature increases, there is a corresponding increase in the incidence of the disease. Relative humidity and rainfall showed negative correlation with disease incidence as relative humidity and precipitation increased the disease incidence will decrease.

Phenotypic Evaluation of Soybean Genotypes for Their Reaction to a Mississippi Isolate of Phakopsora pachyrhizi Causing Soybean Rust.

Soybean rust (SBR) caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi Syd. and P. Syd. is one of the most important foliar diseases of soybean. SBR has the potential to cause major economic damage to global and U.S. soybean production. Analysis of reactions of soybean genotypes to P. pachyrhizi is an important step towards breeding for resistance to SBR. Fifty-four diverse soybean genotypes with both known and unknown Rpp resistance genes were tested for their reactions to a Mississippi P. pachyrhizi isolate. PI 567102B (Rpp6) had a near-immune reaction with the lowest disease severity score and no sporulation. Among seventeen genotypes with resistant or incomplete resistant reddish-brown (RB) reactions, eight are improved breeding lines that are available to researchers through material transfer agreements (MTAs). Thirty-six genotypes had the susceptible TAN reaction. Four soybean lines (RN06-32-1(7-b, GC 00138-29, G01-PR16, and GC 84051-9-1) had RB reactions and significantly lower SBR severity and sporulation than three of the six resistant checks, PI 230970 (Rpp2), PI 462312 (Rpp3), and PI 459025B (Rpp4). G01-PR16 is a publicly released germplasm. This research provides new information about reactions of different soybean genotypes to a midsouthern USA isolate of P. pachyrhizi and thereby aids in breeding for resistance to SBR.

Virulence and genetic variability among Colletotrichum lindemuthianum (Sacc. & Magnus) Briosi & Cavara isolates from common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Colletotrichum lindemuthianum is a fungus that causes bean anthracnose. This study analyzed the virulence and genetic variability among and within C. lindemuthianum isolates occurring in bean-growing areas of southern Ethiopia. Symptomatic common bean leaves and pods were collected from southern Ethiopia. Forty single-spore isolates obtained from the bean leaves and pods were used for this study. The isolates were grouped into 31 physiological races based on their responses to a differential set of common beans. Five of the physiological races (2047, 4031, 2052, 2064, 2174 and 2176) were extremely virulent, causing susceptible reactions on 10 to 11 different cultivars. Rep-polymerase chain reaction revealed high polymorphism, with an average of 87.5% polymorphic loci. The mean Na, Ne, He and I were 1.83, 1.465, 0.278 and 0.427, respectively, within C. lindemuthianum races. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) partitioned a larger part of the total genetic variation within populations (80%). Our collection includes highly virulent races that infected the differential cultivars G2333, Perry marrow and Pi207262 as a possible source of resistance. The differential cultivar G2333 showed strong resistance and can be a potential source of resistance, while the differential cultivars Perry marrow and Pi207262 would be alternative donor parents as sources of resistance in breeding programs for the development of varieties with broader resistance. This study could be a scientific basis for disease prevention and for development of common bean cultivars resistant to bean anthracnose. Identification of a wider range of isolates must be carried out, collecting common bean in different seasons.

Glutathione Contribution in Interactions between Turnip mosaic virus and Arabidopsis thaliana Mutants Lacking Respiratory Burst Oxidase Homologs D and F.

Respiratory burst oxidase homologs (Rbohs) play crucial and diverse roles in plant tissue-mediated production of reactive oxygen species during the development, growth, and response of plants to abiotic and biotic stress. Many studies have demonstrated the contribution of RbohD and RbohF in stress signaling in pathogen response differentially modulating the immune response, but the potential role of the Rbohs-mediated response in plant-virus interactions remains unknown. The present study analyzed, for the first time, the metabolism of glutathione in rbohD-, rbohF-, and rbohD/F-transposon-knockout mutants in response to Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) infection. rbohD-TuMV and Col-0-TuMV interactions were characterized by susceptible reaction to TuMV, associated with significant activity of GPXLs (glutathione peroxidase-like enzymes) and induction of lipid peroxidation in comparison to mock-inoculated plants, with reduced total cellular and apoplastic glutathione content observed at 7-14 dpi and dynamic induction of apoplast GSSG (oxidized glutathione) at 1-14 dpi. Systemic virus infection resulted in the induction of AtGSTU1 and AtGSTU24, which was highly correlated with significant downregulation of GSTs (glutathione transferases) and cellular and apoplastic GGT (γ-glutamyl transferase) with GR (glutathione reductase) activities. On the contrary, resistant rbohF-TuMV reactions, and especially enhanced rbohD/F-TuMV reactions, were characterized by a highly dynamic increase in total cellular and apoplastic glutathione content, with induction of relative expression of AtGGT1, AtGSTU13, and AtGSTU19 genes. Moreover, virus limitation was highly correlated with the upregulation of GSTs, as well as cellular and apoplastic GGT with GR activities. These findings clearly indicate that glutathione can act as a key signaling factor in not only susceptible rbohD reaction but also the resistance reaction presented by rbohF and rbohD/F mutants during TuMV interaction. Furthermore, by actively reducing the pool of glutathione in the apoplast, GGT and GR enzymes acted as a cell first line in the Arabidopsis-TuMV pathosystem response, protecting the cell from oxidative stress in resistant interactions. These dynamically changed signal transductions involved symplast and apoplast in mediated response to TuMV.

Chlorination of microcystin-LR in natural water: Kinetics, transformation products, and genotoxicity

Microcystin-LR (MC-LR), a type of cyanotoxin commonly found in natural water bodies (sources of drinking water), poses a threat to human health due to its high toxicity. It is essential to successfully remove this cyanotoxin from drinking water sources. In this study, chlorine was used to oxidize MC-LR in Milli-Q water (MQ) (control test) and natural water collected from Lake Longhu (LLW) as a drinking water source. The removal efficiency, proposed transformation pathways, and genotoxicity were investigated. In the chlorine dose range investigated (4.0 mg L−1 - 8.0 mg L−1), the apparent second-order rate constants for MC-LR chlorination varied from 21.3 M−1s−1 to 31.9 M−1s−1 in MQ, higher than that in LLW (9.06 M−1s−1 to 17.7 M−1s−1) due to a faster chlorine decay attributed to the water matrix (e.g., natural organic matter) of LLW. Eleven transformation products (TPs) of MC-LR were identified in the two waters. The conjugated diene moieties and benzene ring of Adda moiety (3-amino-9-methoxy-2,6,8-trimethyl-10-phenyldeca-4,6-dienoic acid), and the double bond of Mdha moiety (N-methyldehydroalanine) were the major susceptible reaction sites. Attacking unsaturated bonds by hydroxyl and chlorine radicals to generate monochloro-hydroxy-MC-LR was the primary initial transformation pathway, followed by nucleophilic substitution, dehydration, and cleavage in MC-LR. Chlorine substitution on the benzene ring was also observed. Based on the bacterial reverse-mutation assay (Ames assay), TPs in treated natural water did not induce genotoxicity/mutagenicity. These findings shed light on the role of chlorination in controlling the risk of cyanotoxins in drinking water treatment plants.

Field Screening of Maize (Zea mays L.) Genotypes against Turcicum Leaf Blight (TLB) under Artificial Conditions

Background: There are a variety of critical problems facing tropical maize cultivation, such as disease infestation, insect/pest and weed problems. Foliar diseases in particular cause significant losses in agricultural yield. Leaf blight, known as northern leaf blight, is a disease of maize leaves caused by an overgrowth fungus. Therefore, it was necessary to develop sources of resistance to TLB and then a field experiment was conducted to study the performance of 64 (44 test crosses, 11 lines, 4 examiners and 5 assays) During Spring 2021-22 at the Agricultural College Farm, Babatla.
 Methods: Screening was carried under field conditions by adopting an artificial disease inoculation technique Disease score was recorded at tasseling, 20 DAT and maturity stages by using 1-9 scale.
 Results and Discussion: At maturity stage 12 crosses, seven lines and one check showed resistant reaction (R); 25 crosses, 4 inbreds, one check showed moderately resistant reaction (MR); 7 crosses, 3 inbreds and one check showed moderately susceptible reaction (MS) and one inbred, two checks showed susceptible reaction (S) under field screening. 
 Conclusion: The lines VL171488-2, VL18828, VL19705-8, VL18142, VL175869, SNL19582-22 and tester LM13 showed resistant disease reaction for TLB pathogen at phenotypic level. These lines can be used in future TLB resistance breeding programmes.

In vivo and in vitro validation of powdery mildew resistance in garden pea genotypes

Powdery mildew is one of the serious diseases of garden pea which causes a large number of yield losses. Genetic resistance is quite effective, being cost-effective and environment friendly than fungicide applications. In the present studies an initial attempt has been made to identify resistant genotypes against powdery mildew disease developed from hybridization followed by validation of the disease. The experimental material comprised of 48 genotypes that includes 44 advanced breeding lines was evaluated for powdery mildew incidence in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications at two locations under field conditions [Palampur (winter 2017–18 and 2018–19) and Kukumseri (summer 2018)] and in vitro at Palampur [detached leaf method and polyhouse conditions]. Ten lines viz., SP7, SN-1, SN-6-1, SN-7-1, SN-2, SN-5-2, SN-6-2, SN-10, SN-21 and SP-281 showed resistant reaction along with check Palam Sumool while 27 lines were identified as moderately resistant in comparison to susceptible check Azad P-1. Besides, six lines namely, SP-2, SP-5, SP-10, SP-24, SA-4 and SP-12-1 gave moderately susceptible reaction along with checks Pb-89 and Palam Priya. Only, SP-19 was categorized as susceptible. The high yielding lines SP-3, SP-6 and SP-22 showed moderately resistant reaction in both natural and artificial conditions. Validation of resistance using molecular markers revealed that neither the parental genotypes nor the progenies possess the er1 gene of JI1559. The er2 linked marker ScOPX-171700 was polymorphic between Palam Sumool and Palam Priya but the marker didn’t show polymorphism between er2 harboring line (JI2480). These results suggested that the lines showing resistance under field conditions may have some other genes or alleles for resistance and further confirmation is needed by developing mapping populations with specific gene or gene combinations.

Žuta rđa pšenice u Srbiji - izazovi kontrole i perspektive

The causal agent of yellow rust (Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici) gained special attention in Serbia since the 2013/2014 production year, although its presence in the genetic collection at Rimski šančevi was noted by Jevtić et al. as early as 1997. Considering the mode of transmission of the yellow rust and its high ability to overcome host plant resistance, the aim of this study is to highlight the factors that influence the dynamics of its occurrence and the main challenges in controlling this pathogen in Serbia. The climatic factors in 2023 favored occurrence of wheat yellow rust in Serbia, similar to 2014, 2016, and 2018. However, it should be noted that the race composition of this pathogen can change from year to year, and the susceptibility and/or resistance of wheat genotypes to yellow rust depends on the combined effect of abiotic and biotic stressors. The complexity of factors influencing the level of susceptibility or resistance breakdown in wheat towards yellow rust has also been confirmed in the genetic collection at Rimski šančevi in 2023 when a significantly higher number of genotypes (80%) were infected with yellow rust compared to previous years, with a disease index exceeding 41%. The percentage of genotypes showing susceptibility reaction to yellow rust (DI>41%) was 47.7% in 2016 and 43% in 2018.

Evaluation of Incidence, Some Wheat Lines and Fungicides for their Performance against Leaf Rust of Wheat in Sindh Province of Pakistan

Rusts cause considerable qualitative and quantitative losses to the wheat crop. However, their severity and losses can be minimized through the deployment of resistant cultivars. Current investigations were made to conduct surveys for leaf rust in Sindh province to scrutinize wheat germplasm against the disease and to check the efficacy of potential fungicides in controlling leaf rust of wheat. Experiments were conducted under artificial conditions at Nuclear Institute for Agriculture, Tandojam. Cobb's scale was used for disease ratings. Among screened wheat lines, one was rated as resistant, two were found moderately resistant, six showed moderately resistant and moderately susceptible type reactions, and one line exhibited moderately susceptible reaction. Moreover, the correlation between severity ratings (area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) and yield traits unveiled that there was a negative correlation between AUDPC and spike length, awn length, plants/sq.ft., and grain yield while a positive correlation for remaining traits. Among fungicides, Tilt and Bloom were found to be the most effective in controlling leaf rust. It is, therefore, recommended that the resistant genotypes should be used in future breeding programs to evolve resistant materials against leaf rusts of wheat and the most effective fungicides be used for the management of the disease to minimize yield losses.

Influence of Plant Resistance in Certain Genotypes of Green Gram on Insecticide Tolerance on Spotted Pod Borer, Maruca vitrata (Geyer)

Ten genotypes of green gram viz., WGG-42, LGG-407, PM-115, MGG-360, PM-110, LGG-410, PM-112, TM-962, LGG-450 and LGG-460 were screened for their susceptibility to Spotted pod borer, Maruca vitrata (Geyer) infestation at wetland farm, S.V.Agricultural College, Tirupati in a randomized block design (RBD) during the late Kharif season of 2014. Two crops were raised one at during last week of August-2014 and second was raised durin second week of September-2014. Readings on the number of Maruca webbings per plant, total number of caterpillars per plant and per cent infestation were taken at weekly intervals. Field screening experiments which were conducted on green gram genotypes against M. vitrata infestation revealed that WGG-42, TM-962 and MGG-360 were observed resistant, moderately resistant and susceptible reaction based on number of webbings per plant and number of caterpillars per plant. Further investigation on feeding preference of Maruca by free-choice and no-choice techniques on selected genotypes of green gram in the laboratory to confirm the resistance ranking observed in the field screening have yielded similar resistance reaction to Maruca infestation. Larvae of the first instar were allowed to feed on the susceptible and resistant genotypes of green gram upto third instar. At the third instar stage, they were allowed for topical bioassay application with Chlorpyriphos insecticide after taking the larval weights. The larvae which fed on the WGG-42 (resistant) gave LC50 (Lethal Concentration) and LD50 (Lethal Dose) values of 1.39 µL/ml and 36.98 µg/g and the larvae which fed on the MGG-360 (susceptible) gave LC50 and LD50 values of 1.63 µL/ml and 36.85 µg/g.

Evaluation of resistance and determination of stability of different sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) genotypes in rhizomania-infected conditions.

Plant diseases are considered one of the main factors reducing yield and quality of crops, which are constantly developing and creating more virulent races and cause the resistance of more genes to break. Identifying resistance sources and including them in breeding programs will improve resistant genotypes. Rhizomania is the most common, widespread, and devastating disease of sugar beet in Iran and worldwide. Breeding genotypes with disease resistance genes is one of the most important ways to deal with this destructive disease. Twenty sugar beet genotypes along with five controls were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with four replications in rhizomania-infected conditions in four regions of Mashhad, Shiraz, Miandoab, and Hamedan for 2 years. The results of genotypic reaction to rhizomania showed that the genotypes with resistance reaction were much more frequent than those with susceptibility reaction. The analysis of multiplicative effects of the AMMI model showed that the first six components were significant and explained 98.80% of the interaction variations. The biplot obtained from the mean white sugar yield and the first interaction principal component confirmed the superiority of the RM5 genotype due to its high white sugar yield and stability in infected conditions. The results obtained from the first three principal components biplot showed that the RM9 genotype with a mean white sugar yield of 11.91 t. ha-1 was a genotype with vast general stability in all disease-infected environments. Based on the results of the MTSI index, RM3, RM17, RM9, RM13, and RM15 are introduced as stable genotypes under rhizomania-infected conditions. In conclusion, it seems that the studied genotypes have valuable and useful genes inherited from their parents to deal with rhizomania disease. Applying these genotypes in sugar beet breeding programs can effectively prevent the threat of rhizomania.

Automated Variable Electric-Field DFT Application for Evaluation of Optimally Oriented Electric Fields on Chemical Reactivity

Recent theoretical work and experiments at molecular junctions have provided a strong conceptualization for the effects of oriented electric fields (OEFs) on organic reactions. Depending on the axis of application, OEFs can increase (or decrease) the reaction rate or distinguish between isomeric pathways. Despite the conceptual elegance of OEFs, which may be applied externally or induced locally, as tools for catalyzing organic reactions, implementation in synthetically relevant systems has been hampered by inefficiencies in evaluating reaction sensitivity to field effects. Herein, we describe the development of the Automated Variable Electric-Field DFT Application (A.V.E.D.A.) for streamlined evaluation of a reaction's susceptibility to OEFs. This open-source software was designed to be accessible for nonexpert users of computational and programming tools. Following initiation by a single command (and with no subsequent intervention) the Linux workflow manages a series of density functional theory calculations and mathematical manipulations to optimize local-minimum and transition-state structures in oriented electric fields of increasing magnitude. The resulting molecular and reaction dipole moments, field-perturbed geometries, and net effective activation energies are compiled for user interpretation. Ten representative pericyclic reactions that showcase the development and evaluation of A.V.E.D.A. are described.

Comparing the infection biology and gene expression differences of Plasmodiophora brassicae primary and secondary zoospores.

Plasmodiophora brassicae (Wor.) is an obligate plant pathogen affecting Brassicae worldwide. To date, there is very little information available on the biology and molecular basis of P. brassicae primary and secondary zoospore infections. To examine their roles, we used microscope to systematically investigate the infection differences of P. brassicae between samples inoculated separately with resting spores and secondary zoospores. The obvious development of P. brassicae asynchrony that is characterized by secondary plasmodium, resting sporangial plasmodium, and resting spores was observed at 12 days in Brassica rapa inoculated with resting spores but not when inoculated with secondary zoospores at the same time. Inoculation with resting spores resulted in much more development of zoosporangia clusters than inoculation with secondary zoospores in non-host Spinacia oleracea. The results indicated that primary zoospore infection played an important role in the subsequent development. To improve our understanding of the infection mechanisms, RNA-seq analysis was performed. Among 18 effectors identified in P. brassicae, 13 effectors were induced in B. rapa seedlings inoculated with resting spores, which suggested that the pathogen and host first contacted, and more effectors were needed. Corresponding to those in B. rapa, the expression levels of most genes involved in the calcium-mediated signaling pathway and PTI pathway were higher in plants inoculated with resting spores than in those inoculated with secondary zoospores. The ETI pathway was suppressed after inoculation with secondary zoospores. The genes induced after inoculation with resting spores were suppressed in B. rapa seedlings inoculated with secondary zoospores, which might be important to allow a fully compatible interaction and contribute to a susceptible reaction in the host at the subsequent infection stage. The primary zoospores undertook an more important interaction with plants.