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Amorphophallus spp. is an important group of crop and medicinal plants, but it is susceptible to infection by soft rot disease during both field growth and storage stages. This results in huge economic and yield losses, which must be properly addressed. Combined applications of Biological Control Agents (BCAs) and compatible chemicals have been recently considered as a more effective and reliable method to control bacterial soft rot. In the present study, we investigated the control effects against soft rot pathogenic bacteria Pectobacterium aroidearum MY11, using a BCA strain (i.e. Bacillus velezensis BCP6) and screening for three different bactericides, i.e. Jinggangmycin (JGM), Thiodiazole copper and Qingkulike. After exploring a joint application of BCP6 with chemicals, we found that JGM was the most effective and compatible bactericide to be compounded with BCP6. First, in the in vitro experiment, the mixture of JGM (34 mg/L) and suspension of BCP6 (1.0 × 108 cfu/mL) at 4:6 volume ratio performed with the strongest inhibitory effect on P. aroidearum MY11 (53.40%) and synergistic effect (1.78); this combination also significantly increased the biofilm production by BCP6, and constrained the swimming motility of P. aroidearum MY11 in agar plates and inhibited activities of cell wall-degrading enzymes. Second, the combined application of JGM and BPC6 reached up to 95.81% of control efficacy against P. aroidearum MY11 in a greenhouse experiment, and compared to JGM or BCP6 alone, combined application effectively increased konjac plant resistance to soft rot in the field, showing a synergistic action. Collectively, these results provided an alternative method for the management of soft rot disease in konjac planting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was carried out in the agricultural landscape (mosaic of an urban environment, gardens, grassland, fields, small forests and semi-natural non-forest habitats) in central Europe (southeast Czechia) in 2021. A light trap was used for trapping (207 nights). A total of 485 moth species and 5 170 individuals were captured. Eurytopic species dominated the area, 72% of species and 89% of individuals. Fifty-nine species are considered pests (12%), representing 25% of individuals. The seasonal dynamics of selected harmful species were evaluated and discussed. Species of seminatural dry and wet habitats were represented by 14%, i.e. a proportion comparable to pests, but with only 4% of individuals. The numbers of species and individuals recorded and the Shannon-Wiener diversity and evenness indices are lower than at natural sites. Yet, overall biodiversity is relatively high, including the presence of some rare, ecologically, or zoogeographically remarkable species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus (TSWV) is destroying tomato and pepper resistance all over the world, including Antalya (Türkiye). Two greenhouses that show infection of TSWV in the Serik (coastal) and Elmali (highland) areas were chosen for research between 2019 and 2021 to better understand the disease's life cycle. During the surveys, we focused on weed hosts to better understand TSWV disease's cycle. TSWV infection was determined in 58 peppers, 34 tomatoes, 270 weeds, and 20 other vegetable samples. Weed samples revealed essentially no symptoms, however, grown plants showed classic TSWV symptoms. The Asteraceae family had the highest infection rate among infected weeds, followed by weed species from the Poaceae and Solanaceae families. In addition, to determine the viral strain in the infected plant samples, qRT-PCR and Melt-curve analysis were done using a specially designed primer pair for the study. This primer identifies the point mutation on the NSm-movement protein in the viral genome's medium segment. The non-resistance breaking isolate of TSWV was included in the optimisation studies to evaluate differences between the two isolates at two thermal melting values established by this comparison. These findings demonstrated that the kits, procedures, and primers employed in this investigation can serve as a quick and reliable diagnostic tool for identifying TSWV isolates and that weeds are a key intermediate source for new TSWV infection, as confirmed by sequence data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on the occurrence of powdery mildews in the Lamiaceae family in the Czech Republic. A comprehensive analysis of morphological characteristics supported by molecular analysis of partial ITS sequences and analysis of host species gained important insights regarding the occurrence and diversity of powdery mildews. Thirty-four plant samples of the Lamiaceae family infected by powdery mildew collected in the Czech Republic between 2015-2022 were analysed. In these samples, the occurrence of all newly described species within the former Golovinomyces biocellatus complex was confirmed (G. biocellatus, G. salviae, G. neosalviae and G. monardae), and Neoërysiphe galeopsidis was also verified. Moreover, our study expands the already reported host species list of G. biocellatus complex within the Lamiaceae family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meloidogyne hapla is a serious pest of many cultivated plants. In response to the economic significance of the species, efforts are being made to develop a new method to reduce its harmful effects on crops. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of diffusates from seeds of selected species of legumes on the motility of second-stage juveniles and to evaluate the effect of meal from seeds of selected species of legume on the capacity to infect the roots of tomato plants by the J2 stage. The experiment examined the effect of diffusates on the motility of the J2 stage performed in Petri dishes, at temperatures of 10 °C, 17 °C and 21 °C. The evaluation of the J2 stage infectivity was estimated in a pot experiment performed under controlled conditions of 20 ± 1 °C. The pots were filled with sterile substrate mixed with meal from the seeds of selected plants at 1%, 5% and 10% of the substrate weight. The studies carried out in the Petri dishes showed varying effects of the seed diffusates from selected legume plants on the motility of the J2 stage of Meloidogyne hapla. J2 were found to lose their motility within 24 h after immersion in water containing seed diffusates from Melilotus albus, Trifolium pratense T. repens, in the temperature ranges investigated (10 °C, 17 °C and 21 °C). However, in a mixture of seed diffusates and soil filtrate from the root zone of tomato plants, the absence of motility in the second-stage juveniles was observed after 24 h at 17 °C and 21 °C, with seed diffusates from Lotus corniculatus, Medicago sativa, Medicago × varia, Melilotus officinalis, as well as Onobrychis viciifolia, Ornithopus sativus, Vicia sativa, used in the mixture. Galega officinalis Risa (GoR) seed diffusates were found to have an inhibiting effect on the motility of the J2 stage of M. hapla 24 h following the immersion of the J2 stage in the solution of the soil filtrate containing tomato root diffusates, at 21 °C. The J2 stage were not rendered immotile in all the experiment set-ups involving the seeds of V. faba, Lupinus spp., likewise in the control set-ups. In the pots studied, a significant effect of the addition of legume seed meal on the development of M. hapla nematodes and tomato plants was found. The introduction of Lotus corniculatus, Onobrychis viciifolia and Vicia sativa seed meal into the substrate in the proportion of 1%, 5% and 10% resulted in the inhibition of the J2 stage penetration into the roots of tomato plants at temperatures of 17 °C and 21 °C. With the admixture of the M. sativa and T. repens seed meal, within the temperature range investigated, no nematode infection was observed in the roots, regardless of the seed meal content in the substrate. As regards to the fresh weight, tomato plants grown in a substrate containing 1% and 5% of the V. sativa cv. Jaga seed meal were characterised by significantly higher plant weight values as compared to those grown in the control set-up. The obtained results imply that is advisable to expand the scope of research to include other economically important crops damaged by the northern root-knot nematode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insecticidal interventions at critical stages of maize are an important strategy for managing invasive insect pest fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith). Conventional spraying systems cannot be used over larger areas, and the insecticide application using unmanned aerial vehicles is becoming popular among peasants. As the FAW resides inside the maize whorls, targeted insecticide application is necessary for effective management. The efficacy of (UAV) spray with different types of nozzles was compared with the conventional spray system, namely high-volume spray and Control droplet applicator. The other spray systems' droplet density, efficacy, and residues of insecticides in plants, soil and water were studied. The UAV droplet density up to 5 m swath recorded no significant variation for both nozzles. A UAV with an atomizer nozzle was as effective as a high-volume spray in reducing the FAW infestation. The residue analysis of leaf samples from the study area revealed more residues in the control droplet applicator and UAV atomizer nozzle. The per cent reduction of initial deposits in the top, middle and bottom maize leaves was least in the UAV atomizer nozzle. The insecticide residues in the study sample area were also below the detectable limit. UAV usage in maize saves time and reduces FAW damage as that of high-volume sprayers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine the antifungal effects of nine monoterpenes on Sclerotinia sclerotiorum via the mycelial growth rate method. The effects of carvacrol on the morphological structures of hyphae were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The oxalic acid (OA), total protein contents, and the activity of cell wall- -degrading enzymes, including chitinase, cellulase and β-1,3-glucanase, were assessed. The results showed that the antifungal rates of carvacrol, thymol and eugenol reached 100% at a concentration of 400 mg/L, and the EC50 values of carvacrol, thymol, and eugenol were 43.40, 56.22, and 86.63 mg/L, respectively. The treatment of S. sclerotiorum with carvacrol had no significant effect on sclerotia formation, but the mycelial surface was shrivelled, uneven and broken, with cytoplasm flowing out. The OA content of S. sclerotiorum was significantly reduced to 133.78 μg/mL after treatment with carvacrol. Additionally, the total protein content of S. sclerotiorum mycelia in the carvacrol treatment group was significantly reduced to 15.67 μg/mL compared with that of the control group, and the activity of cellulase in the carvacrol treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Verticillium dahliae is a broad host-range pathogen that causes vascular wilt in plants. The Verticillium wilt disease severity assay on plants caused by V. dahliae mainly includes two methods, one is a plant disease grade classification based on disease severity statistics [namely the disease index (DI)], and the other is the V. dahliae biomass quantification in plants (namely the fungal biomass). In this study, the relationships of pathogenicity with the DI, pathogenicity with the biomass, and the correlation analysis of the DI and relative fungal biomass were analysed. The results showed that pathogenicity assessment of V. dahliae strains using the DI method was able to give an intuitive reflection of the pathogenic ability for defoliating and non-defoliating strains; moreover, the method of quantitative PCR for fungal biomass also had high repeatability and stability. As a whole, the correlation coefficient between the DI and fungal biomass values of 28 strains was 0.728, indicating that the two data sets were highly correlated; however, the correlation coefficients of the defoliating strains and non-defoliating strains were only 0.5384 and 0.4547, respectively. In conclusion, the correlation coefficient between the DI and the fungal biomass presented high consistency, which could provide some meaningful exploration for the more accurate pathogenicity identification of V. dahliae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Alternaria has a global distribution and consists of a diverse group of pathogens. Plant-pathogenic Alternaria spp. can reduce the crop yield and pose serious threats to agricultural production. The pathogen A. mali is recognised as the key the pathogenic mechanism in the early defoliation of apples, which produces the host specific toxin (HST) that was named as an apple specific toxin (a specialised toxin of A. alternata pv. mali, AM toxin). The phenomenon of horizontal transfer of the AM toxin gene from different strains of A. alternata was found, and the relationship between the AM toxin and pathogenicity was confirmed. The representative strain A. tuberculata with the AM toxin gene was co-cultured with sixteen Alternaria strains without the AM toxin gene. As a result, four strains from different Alternaria species obtained the AM toxin gene, which indicated that the AM toxin gene can transfer among different Alternaria species. The AM toxin gene is easy to be lost after subculture, and high temperature and low nutrition can promote this loss. The symptoms of the Alternaria pathogen with or without the AM toxin gene are obviously different on the host. When infected by a pathogen with the AM toxin gene, green spots formed on the apple leaves, and rotten disease spots appeared in the fruit carpels. Contrary to this, when infected by a pathogen without this gene, only small epidermal spots without chlorosis formed on the apple leaves, and mildew-heart spots appeared in the fruit carpels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Results of a vast research activity carried out worldwide in the last decades have demonstrated that endophytic fungi hold a fundamental role in improving plant fitness based on their aptitudes as growth promoters and/or defensive mutualists. These properties may have applicative perspectives in crop production, particularly for tree species such as hazelnut (Corylus avellana), which is mostly cropped extensively in semi-natural contexts of highland regions throughout the temperate zones. The available data on the occurrence, ecological roles, and applications in biotechnology of endophytic fungi associated with hazelnuts are revised in this paper in view to provide a reference supporting future investigations and projects aimed at exploiting the potential of this component of the plant microbiome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neoscytalidium dimidiatum isolates are the most pathogens associated with sooty canker and dieback in the stem and twigs of eucalyptus and chinaberry trees in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Young trees showed branch dieback and yellowing leaves. The symptoms were further developed to sooty canker and dieback appeared on the main branch and trunk. N. dimidiatum colonies on potato dextrose agar were dense white at first and became dark gray to black within seven to 10 days. Arthric dark brown conidia (6.6 × 4.3 µm) were observed in the chain of mycelium. The color of the colonies was white at the beginning, then eventually turned greenish in seven days, and finally became black. The fungus produced white to olivaceous aerial mycelium with chains of chlamydospores and arthroconidia. Conidia were initially hyaline, ellipsoidal to globose, 4.1-9.8 × 2.8-3.5 m, with muriform septa. The inoculated eucalyptus and chinaberry seedlings displayed necrosis streaks along with the barks and xylem of the inoculation points. Combined dataset of internal transcribed spacer, nuclear ribosomal large subunite, and beta tubulin 2a using maximum likelihood and maximum parsimony analysis support the monophyletic on N. dimidiatum isolates from Iraq [N. hyalinum (No. B21), and N. novaehollandiae (No. B22)]. This is the first time to report N. dimidiatum on chinaberry in Iraq. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought stress is among the significant forms of abiotic stresses that unfavourably affects maize survival as well as the development from germination to maturity. This paper, therefore, reviewed drought stress effects in maize plants and expatiated on the plausible adoptable mitigation measures to employ in curbing these effects as well. Water shortage prompts drought stress that alters the morphological, physiological and biochemical activities in maize plants. The major drought stress implications on the plant's survival are mostly in the area of altered metabolic functions, including nutrient metabolism, cell membrane integrity, water relationships, plant yield, photosynthetic processes, osmotic adjustment, and the pigment content. Mitigating strategies, such as the breeding of drought-tolerant varieties, genomic applications for drought tolerance enhancement in maize plants, as well as the use of rhizobacteria and endophytic bacteria, can be employed in alleviating drought stress and ensuring optimal maize productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil-borne pathogens such as Verticillium species, invade into the roots of many herbaceous and woody hosts. The xylem environment supplies these pathogens with a continuous flow of nitrogen-rich nutrition. Detailed quantitative increases in amino acids in the stems, petioles, leaflets and roots of young tomato plants infected with Verticillium. albo-atrum the causal agent of wilt disease, are described in this paper for the first time. Results focus in particular on the vascular environment prior to the emergence of visual symptoms. Total amino acid concentrations in infected stems and petioles increased substantially at 144 and 216 h after inoculation. This effect was evident in leaflets at 216 h after inoculation. By 216 h most amino acid concentrations were substantially increased in stems, petioles and leaflets of infected plants relative to healthy controls. Earlier at 144 h in stems substantial increases were recorded for aspartic acid, threonine, serine, glutamic acid, glycine and ethanolamine. A similar picture emerged for petioles with the addition of increases in proline but not glycine. Amino acids increasing substantially in infected leaflets at 216 h were aspartic acid, glutamic acid and ethanolamine. In the infected roots there was relatively little difference in amino acid concentrations relative to healthy controls with the particular exceptions of proline and ethanolamine. By 18 days (432h), when visual symptoms were well advanced marked increases in amino acid concentrations were found for threonine, serine, a-alanine, valine, methionine, iso-leucine, leucine, tyrosine, ethanolamine, ornithine, lysine, histidine and arginine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predators of aphids on apples were studied during the growing season in 2021 and 2022 in the region of East Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Eleven predator species were found on eight apple cultivars in the colonies of three aphid species, Aphis spp., Dysaphis plantaginea Passerini and Dysaphis devecta Walker. Seven species were identified from the family Syrphidae: Episyrphus balteatus (De Geer), Meliscaeva (Episyrphus) auricollis (Meigen, 1822), Eupeodes flaviceps (Rond.), Eupeodes corolae (Fabr.), Scaeva pyrastri (L.), Syrphus ribesii (L.) and Syrphus vitripennis Mg. The larvae of syrphids were more numerous in the Kula location, 99 (52 in 2021 and 47 in 2022), while their number in the Klek location was 59 (35 in 2021 and 24 in 2022). The most abundant species was E. balteatus (40.50%), followed by E. flaviceps (12.65%), S. ribesii (10.75%), M. auricollis (10.12%), S. pyrastri (10.12%) and S. vitripennis (6.96%). The family Coccinellidae is represented by three species: Adalia bipunctata L., Coccinella septempunctata L., and Harmonia axyridis Pallas. From the family Cecidomyiidae, one species Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Rondani), was detected. The largest number of predatory species (nine) was found on the Idared cultivar (in D. plantaginea colonies), where the colonies of this aphid species were the most abundant. The least numerous predatory species were identified on the Gloster cultivar in D. devecta and Aphis spp. colonies. E. balteatus was the most common and numerous of all the predatory species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugarcane in southern Florida suffers from sugarcane rust mite (SRM) infestations, Abacarus sacchari, from summer to early fall. The mite’s sex ratio is important in understanding the mite's demography and population dynamics. This is the first report on the sex ratio of the field population of the SRM. The objectives of the study were to determine the sex ratio of the SRM and the factors that affect any changes in the sex ratio. To determine the sex ratio, mites were sampled from a sugarcane canopy each month over a 12-month period and the sex ratio was expressed as the proportion of females to the total number of sexed mites. The population density and aerial mites were monitored weekly for 8 and 6 months, respectively. The total number of sexed mites from the sugarcane canopy was 27 941 mites, while 2 248 airborne mites were recorded. The result showed that the sex ratio of the SRM in the canopy was dynamic during the study, with a female bias more common than a male bias among the samples, which ultimately resulted in a slightly female bias. An obvious change from a female bias to a male bias occurred simultaneously with the increased mite density and dispersal. The factors affecting the oscillation of the sex ratio are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of several important pests that attack tomato plants is the silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). An eco-friendly method to control B. tabaci utilizes the entomopathogenic fungus, namely Aschersonia aleyrodis. This study aimed to determine the effect of A. aleyrodis conidia density and the frequency of its application to control silverleaf whitefly (B. tabaci) pest on tomato plants under screen house conditions. This study used a randomized completely block design (RCBD) to test ten combination treatments. Each treatment was repeated three times. The results showed that application of A. aleyrodis at conidia densities of 106 conidia/mL, 107 conidia/mL, and 108 conidia/mL with an application frequency of up to once every three weeks was still effective in controlling B. tabaci populations on tomato plants. The highest population suppression rates for B. tabaci (90.6%), tomato yield (1 009 g/plant and 16 fruits/plant), percentage of mycosis (96.6%), and percentage of mummification (97.3%) were found to occur at a conidia density of 108 conidia/mL with the application frequency of once a week. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Olive mill wastewater (OMW) has serious environmental implications due to its high organic matter content, particularly its phenolic compounds. Using OMW in crop protection has been suggested as an environmentally friendly alternative to reduce the impact of chemical pesticides on human health and the environment. This study aimed to investigate the antifungal activity of fresh and stored OMW, as well as its ethyl acetate extract, against several phytopathogenic fungi: Syncephalastrum racemosum, Paramyrothecium roridum, Fusarium oxysporum, and Verticillium dahliae. OMW was stored at 25 °C and 45 °C for three months, and both fresh and stored OMW were used in non-sterile, sterile, and centrifuged conditions. Phenolic and flavonoid compounds were extracted and identified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Results showed that fresh OMW and its derivative compounds significantly inhibited the studied fungi. In contrast, OMW storage, sterilization, and centrifugation increased the mycelium growth of the fungi, particularly S. racemosum, which demonstrated relative resistance to stored OMW and its ethyl acetate extract. During storage, some phenolic and flavonoid compounds disappeared (resorcinol and vanillic acid), while the concentration of others increased (gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, and quercetin). This work highlights the potential use of fresh OMW as a bio-agent to protect plants from fungal diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytophthora blight of pepper, caused by Phytophthora capsici Leonian, is a destructive disease in pepper production. Extracts of the plant species Stellera chamaejasme Linn, previously known in China as a source of herbal medicine, were also used in former years as a toxin against aphids, mites, and plant-pathogenic fungi. Extracts of S. chamaejasme (SC) and seven commercial fungicides were investigated for their inhibition of mycelial growth and germination of cysts of the pathogen in vitro. The SC alone, infinito (fluopicolide + propamocab + hydrochloride), fluazinam, dimethomorph, and their mixtures with SC strongly inhibited both mycelial growth and germination of cysts of P. capsici. Tests were conducted in a commercial field in Fenggang County, Zunyi City, Guizhou Province, China, in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 to validate these results for growers. A soil application (7 days before transplanting) and three foliar sprays at 7, 10, or 15 days were tested. One soil application of SC followed by three successive foliar sprays of infinito, fluazinam, and dimethomorph at 7- or 10-day intervals, as well as tank-mixed applications of these synthetic fungicides with SC at 15-day intervals, limited Phytophthora blight incidence to < 10% on the non-treated control treatment. Disease incidence was limited to < 3% to < 5% when alternating SC, SC + infinito, SC + fluazinam, and SC + dimethomorph three times at 7-, 10- or 15-day intervals, plus one soil application of SC. When treatments were applied from early April to May, disease incidence was < 10% in the non-treated control during June and July. The optimal concentration of SC was determined to be 0.25 g/L, which effectively controlled Phytophthora blight and protected marketable yield. SC also significantly (P < 0.05) outperformed treatments in a nearby commercial pepper field that relied on applications of a single synthetic chemical fungicide. The findings of this study provide a foundation for guiding growers to implement an efficient and environmentally safe spray program against Phytophthora blight of pepper in Guizhou Province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical plant protection methods have been used for decades. For some time now, society has paid attention to the hazards to human health resulting from the excessive use of chemical protection products. The presence of plant protection agent residues in crops causes changes in the natural environment, including biodiversity loss and the appearance of organisms harmful to plants, resistant to plant protection agents. To protect the health of humans, animals, and the environment, the principles of integrated plant protection have been introduced, giving priority to biological plant protection methods, for example, the use of biological active substances containing microorganisms (bacteria, yeasts, fungi) and natural substances. Microorganisms, as well as other natural substances, can accelerate the degradation of chemical plant protection products present in the environment and agricultural products. This review paper focuses on the effect of natural and biological pesticides on the degradation of synthetic pesticides. The most important and most perspective in integrated pest management (IPM) systems are Bacillus spp. and Trichoderma spp. because their effectiveness in pesticide degradation and the large number of commercial preparations containing these microorganisms available on the market. The application of biological pesticides recommended in IPM systems could significantly improve the quality of the soil, environment, and human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the behavioural responses of mated granary weevils to blends of cereal volatiles. Four doses were applied on filter paper (1, 10, 100, and 1000 ng/min in 50 μl of hexane applied on filter paper). A Y-tube experiment revealed that mated females of Sitophilus granarius were attracted to blend 1, 4, and 5 at concentrations of 1000, 100, 1, and 10 ng/min, respectively. Mated males were attracted only to blend 5 at a concentration of 10 ng/minute. Yet, the mated weevil females and males were repelled by the highest concentration (1000 ng/min) for all tested blends. Moreover, both mated sexes were repelled by 100 ng/min in blends 2, 3, 5, and 6. Additionally, females were repelled by 10 ng/min in blend 6. We claim that the blend of volatiles and their concentration can induce the insect behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the first record of the oleander aphid (Aphis nerii Boyer de Fonscolombe, 1841; Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Slovakia, and also one of the most northern record of this natural pest on the invasive common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca Linnaeus.; Apocynaceae) in Central Europe. Modern social media crowdsourcing has achieved comprehensive distribution data in the horticultural community, and a total of 35 new distribution sites were discovered in 28 Slovak settlements, one new site in Austria, and one in the Czech Republic. It was further established that the oleander aphid could survive in anthropogenic refuges during the winter months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to evaluate the efficiency of basalt with two botanical aqueous extracts of Citrus aurantium and Nerium oleander (50g/L) against Aphis punicae and Planococcus citri in an organic pomegranate orchard. Basalt was applied as a foliar spray with two doses (1.5% and 3%), in the ground as a fertiliser (1.5%), and as a combined application (1.5%). Phenolic compounds of both plants were identified by HPLC-PDA/ESI-MS analysis. Seven and six flavonoids were detected in C. aurantium and N. oleander extracts, respectively. Hesperidin was more abundant in C. aurantium extracts; however, N. oleander extracts contained more quercetin rutinoside. A. punicae populations were significantly higher in control trees compared to the treated ones. A. punicae mortality rates reached high values above 90% for basalt and plants extracts and efficacy rates exceeded 80%. P. citri mortality rates reached 88% and 77%, and efficacy rates exceeded 75% and 66% for basalt and plant extracts, respectively. These findings may help to plan Integrated pest management strategies in organic orchards to avoid toxic chemical pesticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mungbean seeds [Vigna radiata (L.)] are easily damaged by insects during storage, and essential oils (EOs) have proved effective for controlling insect infestation. This research study assessed the bioactivity of EO from Jasminum sambac (L.) Aiton against Callosobruchus maculatus (F.). The chemical composition of EO was analysed by a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). All experiments were conducted following a completely randomised design (CRD) with four replications of the residual contact and seed dressing bioassays. Results indicated that J. sambac EO contained 35 compounds (97.587%), with the main component 3-hexen-1-ol benzoate. Residual contact toxicity LC50 values of this EO on adult C. maculatus at 24, 48, and 72 h were 5.01, 4.00, and 3.13 µL/mL, respectively. J. sambac EO at 8 µL/L showed the highest residual contact efficacy against C. maculatus, killing up to 100% in 72 hours. The highest concentration of J. sambac EO (1 mL/kg) gave optimal protection against C. maculatus within 4 and 5 days with 100% mortality. This concentration showed 100% inhibition of adult F1 progeny emergence, with no seed damage and weight loss of V. radiata L. after 30 days of exposure, and not significantly different from 0.8 mL/kg. Results indicated that J. sambac EO effectively prevented C. maculatus infestation and it could be used as an alternative to commercial chemical insecticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Centaurea cyanus is an annual weed mostly infesting winter cereals and rape. The aim of the study was to provide insights into the association between the seed germination characteristics and the herbicide sensitivity in C. cyanus in the presence of the genetic background control. Four populations of this species resistant to acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors were tested. A germination study was conducted in a growth cabinet. Plants were sprayed at the 2- to 3-leaf stage with a field dose of florasulam (5 g/ha). There were four herbicide treatments dates, which included plants that germinated up to the seventh day, between eight and 12, 13 and 15, 16 and 20 days of the germination study. The germination dynamics of the four tested populations of C. cyanus resistant to florasulam was diversified. Three of them reached their maximum germination on the fourth day after sowing, however, the germination of the fourth population was spread over time with the highest number of germinated seeds found seven and twelve days after sowing. The germination time of the plants belonging to the resistant C. cyanus populations differentiated their reaction to florasulam. The conducted study indicated that the germination biology of ALS inhibitor-resistant populations of C. cyanus is diverse, which makes it difficult to introduce universal management strategies of this species into agricultural practice. Integration of control methods is recommended, including delaying the crop sowing date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glyoxal oxidase (GLOX, EC 1.2.3.15) is a class of hydrogen peroxide synthases involved in lignin degradation. Several GLOX genes of biotrophic and necrotrophic phytopathogenic fungi have been confirmed to contribute to fungal growth, development, and pathogenicity. However, the composition, sequence characteristics and functions of genes in the GLOX family of hemi-biotrophic phytopathogenic fungi remain poorly understood. This study identified a GLOX- -encoding gene CsGLOX in the hemi-biotrophic phytopathogenic fungus Colletotrichum siamense by bioinformatics analysis and PCR cloning. The encoded protein contains a signal peptide and five cell wall stress-responsive component (WSC) domains at the N terminus, followed by a catalytic structural domain (AA5_1). CsGLOX-deficient mutants were constructed by homologous replacement, which significantly increased the formation of conidia and reduced the pathogenicity and the high-osmotic stress tolerance of the fungus. However, the deletions did not influence fungal filamentous growth. This study proposes that the CsGLOX gene is involved in pathogen conidial formation, pathogenicity, and osmotic stress response, which deepens our understanding of the pathogenic mechanism of hemi-biotrophic phytopathogenic fungus C. siamense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The APETALA 2/ethylene response factors (AP2/ERFs) are considered essential in plant disease resistance responses. In this study, a novel eggplant AP2/ERF transcription factor gene, StPti5, was identified and functionally described from wild eggplant (Solanum torvum Sw.). The results of bioinformatics analysis show that StPti5 protein contains a DNA-binding AP2/ERF domain and shares high degree of amino acid similarity with the other known AP2/ ERF domain. Subcellular localization assay shows that StPti5 protein was localized in the nucleus. Expression of StPti5 was induced by infection with Verticillium dahliae, ethylene, and methyl jasmonate. Analysis of expression patterns suggests that the function of StPti5 in resistance to Verticillium wilt was most closely linked to ethylene signaling. Overexpression of StPti5 in Arabidopsis thaliana could improve disease resistance to V. dahliae and activate genes linked to the ethylene signaling pathway. Studies on the A. thaliana defence response revealed that the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) increased considerably following overexpression of StPti5. In summary, our analysis suggest that StPti5 gene is a functional gene that could improve eggplant's resistance to V. dahliae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The symptomatic samples were taken from five districts in Yogyakarta and Central Java provinces of Indonesia to survey the genetic diversity of Begomovirus, α and β satellites. Fourteen samples tested positive by PCR for infections of tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus, pepper yellow leaf curl Indonesia virus, mungbean yellow mosaic India virus, and ageratum yellow vein China virus. For the first time, the Ageratum yellow vein alpha satellite (AYVA) was identified in Indonesia and the tomato leaf curl Java beta satellite (ToLCJaB) was detected in different hosts. The partial genome sequences of begomoviruses and complete sequences of the α and β satellites were obtained and deposited in NCBI GenBank (OP846592-OP846615). The phylogenetic study revealed that AYVA and ToLCJaB each had two separate lineages. Coherent with the other reports, the polymorphism and diversity analyses confirmed that the βC1 coding region of the ToLCJaB genome is highly conserved. The comparison of phylogroups 1 and 2 of ToLCJaB produced a high Fixation index (FST) value, indicating genetic isolation between them. This report could serve as a basis for future work on the poorly studied genetic variation of α and β satellites in Indonesia and other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial antagonists are effective as an alternative to synthetic bactericides in the control of potato soft rot. The use of bioagents reduces the application of synthetic bactericides, which are harmful to humans and the environment. However, the mechanisms of some bioagents, such as some fungi and bacteria, are not yet understood. This paper reviews the current situation of potato soft rot, biological controls, antagonistic bioagents and their mechanisms, application strategies and future directions in today's agriculture. These mechanisms include mycoparasitism, competition, rhizosphere colonisation, synthesis and release of metabolites. Bioagents increased the defensive system of plants by increasing the antioxidants genes, such as superoxide dismutase, peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT), and eventually increased the plant growth and yield production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the toxicity and repellent activities of essential oils (EOs) against Sitophilus granarius (Linnaeus, 1758), both in vitro and in vivo conditions. The EOs obtained from Thymus pallescens Noë. (Lamiaceae) and Cymbopogon citratus Stapf. (Poaceae) were analyzed by GC-MS, and revealed that carvacrol (56.64%) and geraniol (20.8%) as the respective major components. T. pallescens EO was found to be a more effective toxicant, with LC50 and LC90 values of 9.3 and 34.6 µL/mL, respectively, in the contact test vs 8.2 and 25.3 µL/mL in the fumigation test. T. pallescens EO showed also a stronger repellent effect with values ranging from 83.4% to 100%. In the in vivo test, the survival probability decreased from 99.9 to 2.48% among insects exposed to T. pallescens EO. These data demonstrated that EOs could be considered effective alternatives to chemical insecticides, providing pest control for stored products in an ecologically sustainable manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Steinernema glaseri is a potential biocontrol agent against white grubs of the Phyllophaga spp. complex; however, its suitability for in vitro multiplication has been scarcely investigated. In this study, the effects of the surface culture of NJ-43 strain with its symbiotic bacteria Xenorhabdus poinarii on egg-yolk agar (P2), chickenliver agar and nutrient meat-peptone (MP) agar on infective juvenile (IJ) productivity and their virulence against Galleria mellonella larvae were investigated. The bacteria on the surface of the agar were first incubated in darkness at 30 °C for 54-102 h, and then 100 surface-sterilised IJs were added. After two harvests, the accumulated productivity was higher on chicken-liver agar (536 × 10³ IJs/m² day) and P2 agar (534 × 10³ IJs/m² day) than on nutrient MP agar (58 × 10³ IJs/m2 day). The mean virulence of the in vitro produced IJs was 46-60% and showed no statistically significant difference among the three culture media. In conclusion, the maximum multiplication factor of S. glaseri NJ-43 on solid media was 385, and its original virulence was retained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particle drift happens during herbicide application when droplets travel outside the intended site. Different nozzles produce various range of droplets, so they play a very important role in coverage and drift occasions. When nozzles produce small droplets, the potential for off-target movement is very high. Another important factor determining particle drift is the distance between crops. Wind velocity gives the energy to herbicide particles to move away from the target place. Therefore, a drift simulation of herbicide (mesotrione and rimsulfuron plus thifensulfuron-methyl mixture) was done in a wind tunnel, using different nozzles Extended Range (XR) and Turbo TeeJet Induction (TTI). The wind speed was set at 4.4 m/s, representing the least favourable conditions where applications are possible. In the wind tunnel, eight crops (cantaloupe, cotton, green bean, pumpkin, soybean, sunflower, wheat, and watermelon) were positioned at 4, 6, 9, and 12 m downwind distances from the nozzle, and drift was simulated. Following treatments, plants were returned to a greenhouse for 28 days, and biomass reduction was recorded. Artificial collectors (Mylar cards) and water sensitive cards were positioned alongside plants. According to obtained results, spraying with XR nozzle influences higher injuries than TTI nozzle. Tracer deposition was higher at all distances when XR nozzle was used. Accordingly, droplet numbers, covered area, Volume Median Diameter (VMD), and deposition were higher on water sensitive cards when spraying were done using XR nozzle. As a consequence, higher biomass reduction occurred using the XR nozzle. The most sensitive crops were cantaloupe, pumpkin and sunflower, while the most tolerant were soybean and wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) is the most important virus of brassica crops. In our study, we compare the genetic structure of two Czech TuMV populations sampled in the country's 25-year interval of virus presence. The 21 isolates, mainly infecting rutabaga and horseradish, were collected from four farms under organic production, and nearly complete genome sequences, 9 596-9 787 nt in length, were obtained using Sanger sequencing for all of them. The analysis of variability and polymorphism showed differences in genetic structure but the relative stability of both populations and moderate negative selection as a factor affecting the current TuMV population. The newly collected isolates are characterised by a relatively high frequency of intralineage recombinants; interlineage recombinants were not detected compared to the 25-year-old population. The phylogenetic analysis allowed the classification of all Czech isolates into world-B phylogroup, with the prevalence of isolates of subgroup B2. The spread of isolates belonging to the other phylogenetic groups posing higher phytopathological risk, which were present in the old population and some surrounding countries, was not found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of the study was to examine the potential of crops, such as soybeans (Glycine max), sun- flowers (Helianthus annuus), alfalfa (Medicago sativa), and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), as trap crops for Halyomorpha halys. We monitored the abundance and seasonal dynamics of H. halys (egg clusters, larvae, and adults) on a selected number of various crops at 10-day intervals. The experiment was performed in two different regions of Slovenia (western and central) and in two different years (2021, 2022). The results varied depending on the location and the year. In the first experiment, data from the entire year showed that sorghum was the most attractive for H. halys adults (1.56 ± 0.12), followed by sunflowers (0.61 ± 0.05), soybeans (0.37 ± 0.03) and alfalfa (0.41 ± 0.21). In the second experiment, the abundance numbers of the pest were significantly lower compared to those of the first experiment [sorghum and soybeans (0.003 3 ± 0.002), sunflowers (0.000 3 ± 0.000 3)]. In both cases, the abundance numbers increased when all the crops entered the fruit development stage (BBCH 70+). Overall, the lower density of the H. halys population and the experimental design could also be some of the factors for such a low incidence of stink bugs in the central region of the country. More research will be needed to further develop effective control methods for this invasive pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gliding arc cold plasma treatment of wheat seeds is an alternative to chemical seed dressing, but this treatment is not very effective. This study was focused on testing the addition of salt, water and nitrogenous compounds during plasma treatment to increase the efficiency of the plasma seed treatment. The additives were not supplied in the gaseous state, as usual, but in an aqueous solution by spraying under a plasma nozzle during the treatment. The phytosanitary effect of the plasma treatment was evaluated based on the germination of Tilletia caries spores from artificially infected seeds on water agar. The viability of the seeds, growth and yield characteristics of the plasma-treated seeds were evaluated in the laboratory, greenhouse and even in field experiments with the primary goal of reducing spore vitality. The germination of T. caries spores was mostly limited to the variant with the addition of water during plasma treatment, where spore germination reached only 32.7% of the control variant while maintaining sufficient growth properties. The experiment demonstrated the suitability of using the addition of various substances during plasma treatment in the form of aqueous solutions and increasing the effectiveness of this treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to isolate and characterise a fungal pathogen associated with stem canker on dragon fruit and to evaluate the efficacy of sodium salt as an alternative control against it. The fungal pathogen was isolated and identified by morphological and cultural methods. SMNND11 and ARPN11 isolates, which are morphologically alike Neoscytalidium sp., were selected for the present study. The colony's mycelial mass was greyish-white and turned to dark greenish-grey. The shape of the arthroconidia was ellipsoid to ovoid and hyaline to dark brown with septate arthrospores. The hyphae were brown in colour, septate, branched and constricted into spore chains before disarticulation. Based on the blast analysis using the aligned sequences of the internal transcribed spacer, the SMNND11 isolate was highly genetically identical (100%) to Neoscytalidium dimidiatum, the ARPN10 isolate was 98.6% identical to Neoscytalidium sp. and the neighbour-joining analysis revealed that both isolates were grouped into the same genus, Neoscytalidium sp. The in vitro study revealed that sodium salt at a concentration of > 3% showed high potential in suppressing the mycelial growth of the SMNND11 isolates. In a field trial, a sodium salt solution at 30 g/L applied twice a week, along with rotating chemical fungicides applied once a week, were able to reduce the disease severity of the stem canker disease on the dragon fruit. This study revealed that Neoscytalidium sp., as well as N. dimidiatum, is the positive pathogen that infects dragon fruit plants in IP2TP Sumani and Aripan West Sumatra. Thus, the culture and field studies support the potential control technique to alternating chemical fungicide on dragon fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tan spot, caused by Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, is a severe worldwide wheat foliar disease and has become common in Tunisia. Two hundred wheat field surveys were conducted in northern Tunisia during the 2017-2019 seasons to determine disease intensity and the correlation of the tan spot with agricultural practices and environmental factors. The disease infested 67% of the visited regions. The highest prevalence (87.5%), incidence (> 30%), and severity (> 10%) were observed in sub-humid regions, contrary to the middle semi-arid regions. Logistic regression was used to analyse the correlation of incidence and severity with various factors as independent variables. In a multiple variable model, the bioclimatic stages, variety, previous crop, humidity, and rainfall were significantly associated with tan spot incidence and severity. High incidence and severity were significantly correlated to the sub-humid regions, varieties Maâli, Razzak, Karim, and Carioca, rainfall, high level of humidity, and monoculture. The correlation between the tan spot and several environmental factors must be considered to ensure successful and sustainable disease management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the compatibility between adzuki bean and Bradyrhizobium USDA strains and the relation between the genetic diversity of indigenous adzuki bean-nodulating bradyrhizobia and their geographical distribution in Japan. Six Bradyrhizobium USDA strains were used in the inoculation test, and B. elkanii USDA 94 showed higher symbiotic efficiency than other strains. Two adzuki bean cultivars were used to isolate indigenous adzuki bean-nodulating bradyrhizobia. Their genetic diversity and community structure were analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphisms of PCR amplicons to target the 16S-23S rRNA gene internal transcribed spacer region, using 11 USDA Bradyrhizobium strains as reference strains. Furthermore, we performed diversity analysis, non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis based on the Chao index, and polar ordination analysis to explain the relation between community structure and geographical distribution of the adzuki bean-nodulating bradyrhizobia. The major clusters were Bj123 in Hokkaido and Kyoto, Bd110 in Fukushima and Shimane A, Be76 in Shimane B and Fukuoka, Bj6 in Miyazaki, and Bj6 and BeOK in Okinawa. Japan's indigenous adzuki bean-nodulating bradyrhizobial community was strongly and signi- ficantly correlated with latitude, longitude, annual mean temperature, and electrical conductivity. This result suggests that the adzuki bean-nodulating bradyrhizobial community is influenced by multiple environmental factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glycosphingolipids in filamentous fungi are significant components of the plasma membrane and are vital for different cellular processes, such as growth, morphological transition or signal transduction. Fungal growth inhibitors targeting glycosylinositolphosphoceramide (GIPCs) biosynthesis or antifungal compounds binding to GIPCs present in membranes could present a safe way of preventing fungal growth on crops since GIPCs are not present in mammalian cells. Mass spectrometry-based shotgun lipidomics was used to analyze sphingolipids of 11 fungal strains isolated from plant material. Molecular species with inositol ceramides containing zero to five carbohydrates were identified. Differences in the amount of individual molecular species were influenced by the taxonomic affiliation. All tested strains exhibited a relatively high content (more than 40 mol.%) of GIPCs with three and more saccharides attached to the polar head. It could be assumed that the sphingolipid profiles of the tested plant pathogens would be an adaptation mechanism to antifungal plant defensins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial fruit blotch (BFB) caused by Acidovorax citrulli, represents one of the most destructing diseases of cucurbits, especially to watermelon- and melon producing-regions. This disease has been spread sporadically to many countries globally, due to the unintentionally dispersal of contaminated commercial seeds. The BFB causes massive yield losses up to 100% under conducive conditions. Once infected, all parts of the host plants are extremely susceptible to this bacterium, especially the seedlings and fruits parts. In recent years, various management approaches and detection tools have been employed to control A. citrulli. Genotypic characterization methods revealed two distinct groups of A. citrulli strains; (i) group I strains primarily isolated from non-watermelon cucurbits and consist of moderate to highly aggressive strains from wide range of cucurbit hosts, and (ii) group II strains isolated from watermelon which are highly aggressive on watermelon, but mildly aggressive on non-watermelon hosts. In this paper, an attempt has been made to review research findings where the impact of diverse methods and management approaches were applied in detection and controlling of A. citrulli infection. A better understanding of this devastating bacterium will serve as guidelines for agricultural practitioners in developing the most efficient and sustainable BFB control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Colorado potato beetle (CPB) and the western corn rootworm (WCR) are among the world's most expansive insect pests. The aim of the study was to assess, for the first time in Poland, the levels of susceptibility to deltamethrin and tau-fluvalinate in the WCR and to determine the current status of susceptibility to those active substances in the CPB. In addition, the role of oxidative metabolism in the detoxification of pyrethroids was determined using piperonyl butoxide (PBO). The study found pyrethroid resistance in the CPB populations. The WCR populations exhibited "high susceptibility", "susceptibility", "low resistance" and "medium resistance" to the pyrethroids tested. Experiments using PBO showed that oxidative enzymes are involved in the deltamethrin detoxification mechanism in the CPB, although the effectiveness of this mechanism in Poland is decreasing. PBO was found to be highly toxic to the WCR populations. The findings from this study should be taken into account when developing a strategy to prevent the development of resistance in the pest species. The results for the toxicity of PBO to Polish WCR populations demonstrated that the enzymes inhibited by PBO are involved in important metabolic processes, which should be considered when developing innovative control methods for this pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fourteen fungicides and three marine-derived fungi were tested for their activities in the promotion of rice seedling development and their efficacy in controlling rice sheath blight disease in two rice varieties, RD43 and KMDL105, under greenhouse conditions. The results showed that the rice seeds treated with carbendazim 50%SC and azoxystrobin 25%SC displayed the best promotion of rice growth in root length and shoot height at seven and 14 days in rice var. RD43. Rice seeds from var. KMDL105 treated with thiophanate-methyl 70%WP exhibited significant stimulation of rice seedling growth resulting in the greatest increase in root length and shoot height at seven and 14 days. In pot experiments with rice var. RD43, spraying with triforine 19%EC, propiconazole 25%EC, trifloxystrobin 50%WG, and validamycin 3%SL showed a high level of fungicidal activity in controlling sheath blight disease, with this evidenced by significant suppression of the disease severity by 71-75% and 61-73% at seven and 14 days after inoculation, respectively. The treatment of rice var. KMDL105 with validamycin 3%SL exhibited the best activity in controlling sheath blight disease by reducing disease severity by up to 62% and 64% at seven and 14 days, respectively. The antagonistic marine fungi tested in this study displayed low activity against sheath blight disease and low effects on rice seedling promotion compared to fungicides. Specifically, Trichoderma harzianum KUFA 0689 and T. asperellum KUFA 0677 reduced sheath blight disease severity by 42-46% and 27-37% at seven and 14 days, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presented study is concerned with infectivity of select entomopathogenic nematode species under different temperature conditions (15, 20 and 25 °C) in the presence of competing species. Two species of nematodes of the genus Steinernema (S. kraussei, S. feltiae) and two of the genus Heterorhabditis (H. bacteriophora and H. megidis) were included in the analysis. Different experimental variants were adopted in which the selected two entomopathogenic nematode species were mixed between Steinernema and Heterorhabditis. The study showed that Heterorhabditis and Steinernema cannot coexist together in a single host and one genus will always prevail. H. megidis, under co-occurrence with S. feltiae separately infected Galleria mellonella larvae most commonly at 15 °C, while H. bacteriophora at 20 °C. The study showed that the main determinant of nematode activity towards the host is not temperature, but the presence of co-existing nematode species. The results of the experiment encourage further research to determine the effects of a variety of concurrent biotic and abiotic factors on entomopathogenic nematodes and their biological activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is a key cash crop, and its production is influenced by a variety of phytopathogens in different parts of the world. During consecutive field surveys, sugarcane stalks with red rot symptoms were observed in three provinces of Pakistan (Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa). Cane samples with visible symptoms were plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) media. Morphological and microscopic observations identified this pathogen as Colletotrichum falcatum. Comparative molecular study of amplified sequences of ß-tubulin (Bt) and actin (ACT) genes showed 100% similarity and ITS sequence showed 99% similarity with C. falcatum. For in vitro control of red rot, eight bacterial strains from the rhizosphere of sugarcane were isolated. These strains showed variable growth inhibition of C. falcatum in dual culture method. Among all tested strains, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and B. altitudinis exhibited best antifungal activities. Based on these results, tested bacterial strains (B. amyloliquefaciens and B. altitudinis) can be recommended as effective biocontrol agents to manage red rot disease of sugarcane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant viruses, and aphids as their vectors, are limiting factors in sugar beet production. Viral plant diseases are currently impossible to treat, but knowing the flight patterns of aphids can help reduce the number of potential virus vectors. Monitoring of aphid flight activities in sugar beet fields was done using yellow water traps from April to the end of November. During the two years of investigation, a total of 5 514 specimens from 75 different taxa were collected. All localities recorded the highest number of individuals at the end of May/beginning of June. This is the period when sugar beet develops intensively, so the risk of virus infection is the highest. The most numerous species were Aphis fabae Scopoli, Aphis spiraecola Patch., Phyllaphis fagi (L.), Myzus persicae (Sulzer), Rhopalosiphum padi (L.), Sitobion avenae (Fabr.), Acyrthosiphon pisum (Haris) and Therioaphis trifolii (Monell). The most important vectors are A. fabae, A. spiraecola and M. persicae. Aphis fabae is a species that feeds on sugar beet and causes significant damage by feeding and its vector activity. Myzus persicae was the most abundant in autumn, A. spiraecola was present throughout the whole flight-monitoring period. Among the caught aphids, twelve species alien to Europe were collected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aims to separate the antimicrobial lipopeptides from fermentation by Aureobasidium pullulans PA-2, and to verify its antimicrobial activity and the optimum conditions of the lipopeptide production. Using a high--performance liquid chromatography analysis, the lipopeptides with antimicrobial activity were evaluated with the agar well diffusion test. Response surface methodology was used to determine the optimum conditions for lipopeptides from A. pullulans PA-2. The lipopeptides with antimicrobial activity in the fermentation supernatant of the PA-2 strain was found to be aureobasidin A (AbA). The in vitro antagonistic tests showed that the minimal inhibitory concentration of AbA against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was 0.5 and 1.0 mg/mL, respectively. The optimal fermentation conditions were an inoculum size of 6.8% (v/v) (OD600 = 0.25), a rotation speed of 216 rpm, a culture temperature of 26 °C, a liquid volume of 125 mL and an initial pH of 7. Under these conditions, the predicted yield of the antimicrobial lipopeptides by the model was 940 mg/L, the observed yield was 920 mg/L, which was 51% more than that before the optimisation (610 mg/L). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fungus Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) is an important threat to wheat production because it can cause wheat stripe rust. The present study aimed to identify new stripe rust resistance genes and to provide a theoretical and practical basis for breeding wheat varieties with broad spectrum, stable, and durable resistance. Wheat leaves inoculated with wheat stripe rust fungus Chinese yellow rust 34 were collected at different time points for transcriptomic analysis based on the wheat stripe rust susceptible varieties AVOCET S (AVS) and AVSYr15NIL [near-isogenic line (NIL) derived from AVS]. The results showed that the number of upregulated genes in the two varieties was 294, 364, 398, and 604, and the number of downregulated genes was 520, 178, 570, and 345 on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th days post inoculation, respectively. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genomes enrichment analyses found enrichment of differentially expressed genes in the peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor signaling pathways, plant-pathogen interaction, and styrene acrylic acid biosynthesis that encoded protein kinases, signal transduction, transcription factors, and functional protein components. Differentially expressed genes were randomly selected for quantitative reverse transcription PCR analysis, and the change trend was the same as in the transcriptome data. The results of this study suggest that genes in AVSYr15NIL related to the stripe rust response could be valuable for understanding the mechanisms involved in stripe rust resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus canker is an important disease caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri that affects citrus species. We isolated a bacterium denominated QC-Y with a strong inhibitory effect on citrus canker from navel orange leaves. The isolate was identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens based on the morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics and the 16S rDNA sequence analysis. The inhibitory activity of the pathogen was significantly affected by environmental factors such as the medium, inoculation amount, media volume, and pH. The biocontrol strain QC-Y effectively colonised on navel orange leaves, and the colonisation gradually decreased with time. Twelve days after inoculation, the isolate maintained a certain population level in the leaves. Mancozeb demonstrated a strong inhibitory effect on the growth of QC-Y; Chlorpyrifos at high concentrations inhibited QC-Y. Thiophanate-methyl, Bordeaux mixture, Kasugamycin, Imidacloprid, amino acid, Difenoconazole, Etoxazole, Alphacypermethrin, Buprofezin, Spirodiclofen, Avermectin, and Pyraclostrobin had no effect on the growth of QC-Y. In the detached leaf assay, compared with the leaves inoculated with the pathogens only, the disease incidence of the leaves treated with QC-Y was reduced by 77.5% and the lesions were smaller. Our findings reveal that Bacillus amyloliquefaciens QC-Y can be used as a potential biocontrol agent against the citrus canker disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SNF1-related protein kinase (SnRK2) is a critical positive regulatory factor in the abscisic acid (ABA) signalling pathway. However, the roles of the HbSnRK2 gene family members in the rubber tree, especially in response to stress, have not been thoroughly characterised. Here, we cloned six HbSnRK2 genes from the rubber tree. Based on the phylogenetic analysis, the HbSnRK2 family genes were divided into three groups. The motifs and intron numbers of HbSnRK2 were conserved. Analysis of cis-regulatory element sequences of all HbSnRK2 genes identified ABRE and TC-rich elements in the prompter of all the HbSnRK2 genes, illustrating that HbSnRK2 could be adjusted by the ABA and stress responsiveness. The qRT-PCR analysis showed that the expression patterns of the six HbSnRK2 genes differed in different tissues. The expression of these genes also differed under treatment with the plant hormone ABA, the HbSnRK2.2 gene was especially significantly expressed under the ABA treatment. Moreover, the HbSnRK2.2 gene responded to glyphosate, powdery mildew, heat stress and cold stress processes, which indicates that the HbSnRK2.2 gene plays an important role in phytohormone signalling and stress response in rubber trees. Taken together, the study provides valuable information to further define the role of the HbSnRK2 gene in rubber trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

White root disease is a significant disease of cashew caused by Rigidoporus sp. Five endophytic fungal isolates, namely AR31D (Fusarium proliferatum), AR42D (Penicillium citrinum), BR32C (Trichoderma asperellum), VNTB1 (Chaetomium sp.), and EAGS14 (Curvularia lunata), were assessed as the biocontrol agents against Rigidoporus sp. in vitro and in planta. The research objective was to obtain endophytic fungi that effectively control Rigidoporus sp. and their mechanisms. The in vitro test results showed that all isolates could inhibit Rigidoporus sp. and promote plant growth by producing volatile organic compounds, chitinase enzymes, and indole acetic acid. Meanwhile, only four isolates could solubilize phosphate with low-medium solubilization efficiency. The isolates successfully colonized the root of cashew saplings in 10-65%. The effectiveness of endophytic fungal isolates in controlling white root disease was determined by the mechanisms involved, such as resistance induction (increased activity of defense enzymes like polyphenol oxidase), chitinase enzyme production, indole acetic acid production, phosphate solubilization, and suppression of plant stress which observed from decreased malondialdehyde concentrations in saplings' roots. Trichoderma asperellum and Chaetomium sp. were the best isolates with the highest control effectiveness and stimulating plant growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The susceptibility of 14 pear cultivars to the bacterium Erwinia amylovora, the causal agent of fire blight disease, was evaluated using three different methods of in vivo inoculation - the leaf inoculation method on detached shoots of pear cultivars in a climate chamber, and the terminal shoot and blossom inoculation methods on potted trees of the same pear cultivars in a net house. The results of the artificial inoculations of the European and Asian pear cultivars were compared using the susceptibility score scale, as well as the ANOVA and post hoc methods. The differences among the pear cultivar susceptibility increased during the evaluation periods in the given year, but there were no significant differences between the annual evaluation in 2020 and 2021. The results of the pear cultivar susceptibility after inoculation of the detached shoots differed significantly from the results of the terminal shoot and blossom inoculation. The detached shoot susceptibility under pathogen-favourable conditions in the climate chamber was lower than the terminal shoot and blossom susceptibility in the net house for most pear cultivars. In both years, the highest values of the terminal shoot and blossom susceptibility were coincidently calculated for the Ananaska česká European old cultivar and the Nijissejkii Asian cultivar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]