MedWorm.com provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest items from the 'Annals of Applied Biology' source. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:31:54 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5673775&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2012.00530.x In this study, an extended BBCH scale was developed, describing precisely the growth stages of A. officinalis. Nine principal growth stages were defined and subdivided into several secondary growth stages resulting in a two‐digit decimal code. Detailed descriptions of the particular stages and illustrations were included to clarify the application of the code system. The scale is proposed to specify and harmonise research activities as well as to enhance comparability of crop management practices for growers of asparagus. (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5673775 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5673775 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5673774&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2012.00533.x AbstractInsect pests continue to exact a high toll on agricultural production, in spite of intense agrochemical input. The movement of insect pests from one place to another underlies their abundance and distribution in space and time, hence, ultimately, the extent of the inflicted crop damage. An improved understanding of dispersal mechanisms assists the deployment of sustainable pest management practices. Here, we review the latest advances in the study of the dispersal of herbivore insect pests in contemporary agro‐ecosystems. We address the factors triggering dispersal in typical agricultural landscapes, the contribution of agro‐ecosystem design and management to dispersal patterns, and the wider implications of natural and human‐mediated dispersal. Integrating practical knowledg... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5673774 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5673774 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5673773&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2012.00531.x AbstractGrapevine virus A (GVA), a member of the genus Vitivirus which belongs to the family Flexiviridae, has a single‐stranded RNA genome of about 7.4 kb that comprises five open reading frames (ORFs). ORF5 encodes a small 10‐kDa protein (p10), which is believed to interact with nucleic acids and to suppress the plant's RNA‐silencing response. We obtained molecular and biological data indicating that ORF5‐encoded product, specifically its N‐terminus, affects the appearance of symptoms in Nicotiana benthamiana plants. The ORF5‐encoded products of the severe GR5 and the mild GTR1‐1 isolates were found to affect RNA silencing similarly in mesophyll cells of N. benthamiana, despite being involved in different expressions of symptoms on this host. (Source: Annals of Applied Bi... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5673773 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5673773 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5673778&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00528.x The objectives were to assess the degree of phenotypic variability in response to terminal drought stress and to test whether the introgression of the wild ancestor into cv. Harrington can increase the terminal drought tolerance of RCSLs of barley. Days from emergence to anthesis and from anthesis to maturity of the 80 RCSLs were reduced in only 2–4 days under water stress, in microplots. Specific leaf area (SLA) and stomatal conductance (gs) of 80 RCSLs and cv. Harrington decreased greatly under water stress in plants growing in microplots and field conditions (in 2004/05 growing season). No G × E interaction was detected except for SLA in the microplot experiment. The principal component analysis provided a clear distinction between RCSLs. Along the first principal component, it was p... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5673778 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5673778 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5673777&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00529.x AbstractRed rot disease of sugarcane caused by Colletotrichum falcatum is one of the most destructive diseases of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) worldwide. The pathogen spreads primarily through infected sugarcane setts and hence the use of disease‐free planting materials is essential for preventing disease development in the field. In the present study a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed for accurate and sensitive detection of C. falcatum in planting materials. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis identified a 566 bp PCR fragment that was specific to C. falcatum. The DNA sequence of this fragment was determined and used to design oligonucleotides amplifying a 442 bp sequence characterised amplified region (SCAR). The specificity of the SCAR primers was... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5673777 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5673777 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5673776&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2012.00535.x AbstractThe unprecedented success of biological control (biocontrol) agents led some of the proponents of this technology to promote its use as a panacea for all pest problems. Following an accumulation of non‐target host interactions, because of generalist or new association introductions, techniques to help ensure classical biocontrol agent's success and reduce non‐target interactions were implemented. Even with these new measures in place, public and scientific mistrust and lack of consistency has resulted in increased regulation of biocontrol introductions. This has likely decreased the probability of effective, sustainable control measures being expeditiously implemented. With the current apprehension concerning the safety of biocontrol, we should incorporate the processes (adapta... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5673776 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5673776 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5673772&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2012.00532.x AbstractPhytophthora blight induced by Phytophthora capsici causes significant yield loss in a number of vegetable crops. It is imperative to understand the diversity and aggressiveness of the pathogen to design more efficient disease management programs. A collection of P. capsici strains isolated from different vegetable crops in Georgia, USA, were characterised in this study. Of the 49 isolates tested, 24 were A1 and 25 were A2 mating type, respectively, with both mating types found in the same fields. Variability of the isolates was assessed in terms of their aggressiveness on six pepper genotypes. The isolates differed in their aggressiveness on different pepper cultivars with 10 pathotypes identified. No correlation between aggressiveness of the isolates and their host origin or geo... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5673772 Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5673772 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5616851&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00527.x AbstractPlant breeders constantly need to introduce desirable new alleles to refresh breeding stocks. This first requires an assessment of potential new sources of material and then identification of genotypes most able to augment existing stocks. Genetic distance analysis is widely used for both purposes, although it measures both haplotype diversity and novel allele abundance. Here, we present a more tailored approach to address these problems. Using oil palm as an exemplar, simple metrics of allelic and genetic richness, graphical genotyping and multivariate analysis were deployed to determine the overall value of Ghanaian germplasm to supplement Sumatra Bioscience (SumBio) breeding material. We next compared three methods to rank individuals. The first was based on multivariate genetic... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5616851 Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5616851 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5592816&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00526.x AbstractA field experiment with 15 Miscanthus genotypes including M. × giganteus, M. sacchariflorus, M. sinensis and M. sinensis hybrids was conducted for 14 years at the experimental Ihinger Hof station of the University of Hohenheim in southwest Germany to evaluate interannual yield performance stability over 14 years of harvests of the different genotypes. In this article, a simple formula is presented which could be used to forecast late winter yields using morphological traits in autumn. The data obtained indicated a shorter establishment period to reach a yield plateau of M. × giganteus and M. sacchariflorus than M. sinensis hybrids and M. sinensis genotypes. The best performing genotype was M. × giganteus (Gig‐2, No. 16.21) with a mean spring harvestable yield of 14.1 t DM ha�... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5592816 Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5592816 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5549619&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00518.x AbstractInsecticide susceptibility varies with the insect life stage and although the egg stage is sometimes perceived as the most vulnerable, it is a difficult target for insecticide application and little studied as such. Egg susceptibility to insecticides is generally considered important for insect growth regulators and insect pests of reduced mobility like leaf miners because of their placement on the host plant part targeted by the insecticidal application. The egg exposure to the juvenile hormone mimic pyriproxyfen was studied here in the tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), a key tomato insect pest, aiming to assess if mortality is achieved due to insecticide ovicidal activity or due to behavioural impairment of the larvae preventing egg hatching. Survival an... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5549619 Thu, 29 Dec 2011 11:46:28 +0100 5549619 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5549618&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00519.x (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5549618 Thu, 29 Dec 2011 11:46:20 +0100 5549618 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5520208&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00525.x AbstractPseudomonas aeruginosa strain UPMP3 labelled with β‐glucuronidase (gusA) and green fluorescent protein (gfp) by electrotransformation yielded ca 1 × 107 transformants µg−1DNA. The data obtained from the dilution plate count showed that over 28 days both epiphytic and endophytic populations of P. aeruginosa strain UPMP3 increased from 5.76 log10 [colony forming unit (CFU) + 1] g−1 fresh weight (FW) to 8.19 log10 (CFU + 1) g−1FW and 4.10 log10 (CFU + 1) g−1FW to 6.23 (CFU + 1) g−1FW, respectively. Confocal laser scanning microscopic analysis of oil palm roots treated with gusA:gfp‐tagged P. aeruginosa strain UPMP3 showed intense root colonisation over the sampling period. The root surface colonisation by P. aeruginosa strain UPMP3 was followed by a second stage, char... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5520208 Mon, 19 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5520208 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5482908&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00521.x Invertebrates are an essential food source for most farmland birds yet their relative abundance and biomass in the most commonly grown arable crops are poorly understood. Dvac suction sampling was used to determine the abundance, biomass and community composition of those invertebrate groups considered important in the diet of farmland birds for the commonest arable crops. Approximately 40 fields were sampled at the edge and mid‐field over 2 years in three different locations in England. In cereals, the fauna was primarily comprised of Araneae (10%), Coleoptera (30%) and Hemiptera (58%), whereas the oilseed rape fauna was dominated by Coleoptera (65%) and peas and potatoes by Hemiptera (89%). Beans contained a high proportion of Coleoptera (39%) and Hemiptera (49%). Aphididae were the mo... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5482908 Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5482908 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5447524&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00520.x The aim of this paper was to study the phenology of commercially cultivated representative genotypes of the Elaeis guineensis Jacq. species in two Colombian growing areas. The frequency of observations was daily, weekly or monthly depending on the stage of development under evaluation, over an 18‐month time period. Observations were made on prenursery and nursery plants and on three‐ to five‐year‐old palms starting from the zero leaf (spear leaf), through development of inflorescence, and ending with maturity and harvesting of fruit bunches. Stem observations were made on different age palms of the same cultivars. The duration of each phenological stage was measured in terms of days. The phenological growth stages were coded according to the BBCH scale (Biologische Bundesantalt, Bu... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5447524 Thu, 24 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5447524 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5427868&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00516.x This study examined the genetic diversity in 20 rice landrace populations from parts of traditional farming areas of the Indian Himalayas using 11 mapped simple sequence repeats (SSR) loci. Twenty‐four individuals sampled from each of the 20 landraces (480 individuals), which were collected from farmers from Northwest to Northeast Himalaya, showed that all landraces showed within population variation and none were homogeneous. The number of polymorphic loci in a landrace population ranged from 5 to 11. A total of 71 alleles were recorded of which 58 were common and 13 were rare. Of the 71 alleles, 46 were common to both Northwest and Northeast regions, whereas 9 were unique to the former and 16 were unique to the latter. The mean number of alleles per locus was 6.45 and for landrace po... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5427868 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5427868 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5520207&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00524.x AbstractA set of 34 quinoa populations from the Northwest Argentina region was characterised using quantitative and qualitative phenotypic traits in an experiment conducted in the province of Jujuy, Argentina. A selection of quinoa descriptors from the Bioversity International (former IBPGR) list was applied, and data were analyzed using descriptive and multivariate techniques. Morphological and phenological traits variation was observed among accessions collected in contrasted ecogeographic zones of this Andean region. On the basis of quantitative traits, both the principal component analysis and the Cluster Analysis differentiated between accessions from the highlands, transition zone, central dry valleys and eastern valleys. On the other hand, the principal coordinates analysis based on... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5520207 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5520207 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5482907&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00522.x A number of horticultural crop landraces are still grown in Piedmont (NW Italy), despite the dominance of improved cultivars and hybrids. Conservation strategies, both in an ex situ and an in situ context are required to prevent their loss. Here we describe an AFLP‐based assessment of the genetic structure of leek, garlic, celery, red beet, cultivated cardoon, sweet pepper and common bean autochthonous landraces. Each landrace was sampled by selecting 3–5 populations representative of the area of cultivation. The genotypic data showed that the crop's breeding system was less important for determining genetic structure than the selection criteria adopted by the producers, the extent of informal seed exchange among producers and natural selection imposed by the local environmental condit... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5482907 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5482907 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5447523&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00523.x The impact of fungicide treatment on fungal infection and blackcurrant juice quality was examined in a series of field experiments over the course of 2 years. Fungicide treatment reduced the incidence of foliar disease and resulted in changes in the concentration of sugars, organic acids, polyphenols and anthocyanins in blackcurrant juice. Treatment with Signum® (containing pyraclostrobin, a strobilurin, and boscalid, a succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor) enhanced glucose, fructose and total sugar content in one treatment year but not in another. Treatment with Signum or Filan® (containing boscalid only) caused a reduction in the key organic acid citrate. Treatment with Signum or Platoon® (containing pyraclostrobin only) enhanced total polyphenol and anthocyanin content of juices. The da... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5447523 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5447523 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5427867&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00517.x AbstractSunshine trees (Senna surattensis) exhibiting unusual stem fasciation symptoms were observed in Yunnan, China. Morphological abnormalities of the affected plants included enlargement and flattening of stems and excessive proliferation of shoots. An electron microscopic investigation revealed presence of single membrane bound mycoplasma‐like bodies in sieve elements of symptomatic plants. With DNA templates extracted from diseased plants and phytoplasma universal primers P1/P7 and P1A/R16S‐SR, nested polymerase chain reactions produced amplicons of 1.5 kb. Subsequent restriction fragment polymorphism and nucleotide sequence analyses of the amplicons indicated that the diseased plants were infected by distinct phytoplasmas affiliated with two phylogenetically distant taxa class... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5427867 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5427867 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5396618&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00515.x In this study, we used two species of entomopathogenic fungi and three species of entomopathogenic nematodes to determine how this community of soil‐borne natural enemies might interact with Bt maize (event 59122, expressing the insecticidal protein Cry34/35Ab1) to affect survival and development of western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera), which is an obligate root feeder and a serious pest of maize. We ran two experiments, one in a greenhouse and one in a growth chamber. Both experiments consisted of a fully crossed design with two maize treatments (Bt maize and non‐Bt maize) and two entomopathogen treatments (present or absent). The community of entomopathogens significantly increased mortality of western corn rootworm, and Bt maize increased larval developmental time ... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5396618 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5396618 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5374948&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00514.x Predator–prey interactions are influenced by nitrogen availability. Wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Solstice) plants were provided with four levels of nitrogen and examined the responses of coccinellid predator, Harmonia axyridis to cereal aphids, Rhopalosiphum padi and Sitobion avenae. Increased nitrogen application improved nitrogen contents of the plants and also the body weight of cereal aphids feeding on them. In no‐choice feeding trials, H. axyridis consumed more aphids on low fertilised plants, suggesting a compensatory consumption to overcome reduced biomass (lower aphid size). Total biomass devoured by H. axyridis on all nitrogen fertiliser treatments was not statistically different. Logistic regression analysis of the proportion of prey consumed demonstrated that all development... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5374948 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5374948 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5330368&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.volcontents_2.x (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5330368 Wed, 19 Oct 2011 18:23:54 +0100 5330368 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5330367&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.kwdindex_2.x (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5330367 Wed, 19 Oct 2011 18:23:53 +0100 5330367 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5330366&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.auindex_2.x (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5330366 Wed, 19 Oct 2011 18:23:51 +0100 5330366 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5330365&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00500.x (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5330365 Wed, 19 Oct 2011 18:23:25 +0100 5330365 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5321401&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00511.x Eelgrass (Zostera marina) populations supply substantial amounts of organic materials to food webs in shallow coastal environments, provide habitat for many fishes and their larvae and abate erosion. The characterisation of eelgrass biomass dynamics is an important input for the assessment of the function and values for this important seagrass species. We here present original allometric methods for the non‐destructive estimation of above‐ground biomass of eelgrass. These assessments are based on measurements of lengths and areas of leaves and sheaths and mathematical models that can be identified by means of standard regression procedures. The models were validated by using data obtained from Z. marina meadows in the Punta Banda estuary B.C., Mexico, and in Jindong Bay, Korea. Using a... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5321401 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5321401 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5321400&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00512.x In this study, we designed a pair of degenerate primers based on the consensus sequence of the genomic region encoding the highly conserved RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase domain from five reference isolates of GRSPaV for which the genome sequence are available. We demonstrate that this set of primers is comparable, if not superior, to the broad‐spectrum primers RSP13&14 in detecting multiple GRSPaV variants. Using these degenerate primers, we identified two new and distinct sequence variants. The 3′ terminal genomic region of one of the new variants, GRSPaV‐ML, spanning the 3′ part of ORF1, through the entire open reading frames 2–4, and the 5′ region of ORF5 were sequenced. Sequence comparison demonstrates that GRSPaV‐ML is distinct from each of the five reference isolat... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5321400 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5321400 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5321399&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00513.x In many areas of the world, Potato virus Y (PVY) is one of the most economically important disease problems in seed potatoes. In Taiwan, generation 2 (G2) class certified seed potatoes are required by law to be free of detectable levels of PVY. To meet this standard, it is necessary to perform accurate tests at a reasonable cost. We used a two‐stage testing design involving group testing which was performed in Taiwan's Seed Improvement and Propagation Station to identify plants infected with PVY. At the first stage of this two‐stage testing design, plants are tested in groups. The second stage involves no retesting for negative test groups and exhaustive testing of all constituent individual samples from positive test groups. In order to minimise costs while meeting government standard... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5321399 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5321399 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5292709&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00503.x This study investigated the genetic structure in a genetic resources collection representing a wide range of the octoploid strawberry cultivars released mainly by North America and western and southern Europe, at different breeding periods and with various pedigrees. The relationship between varieties was examined using 23 microsatellite (simple sequence repeat, SSR) markers. Eight SSR markers were diploid, useful for cultivar discrimination with polymorphic information content (PIC) values between 0.29 and 0.74. Bayesian analyses of genetic structure identified four subpopulations. Three of them, American and modern northern European cultivars (AMNECs), American and modern southern European cultivars (AMSECs) and old European cultivars (OECs), reflected the European breeding history of th... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5292709 Wed, 05 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5292709 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5268444&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00507.x The results of the first detailed screening of a resistance to Bremia lactucae in naturally growing populations of Lactuca saligna are presented here. In total, 146 accessions from 25 populations of L. saligna originating in Israel (N = 136), France (N = 8), Jordan (N = 1) and Turkey (N = 1) were tested at seedling stage for their resistance to 10 highly virulent isolates (races) of B. lactucae from Lactuca sativa (DEG2, Bl:5, Bl:15, Bl:16, Bl:17, Bl:18, Bl:21, Bl:22, Bl:24 and Bl:25). Our study strongly supports the suggestion that L. saligna is indeed generally highly resistant to B. lactucae. However, our results provide evidence that at least at a seedling stage L. saligna may not be a non‐host plant for B. lactucae, as was hypothesised for approximately the last 30 years. Some acces... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5268444 Fri, 30 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5268444 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5268443&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00509.x Nelumbo nucifera (lotus) is a perennial aquatic crop of substantial economical and ecological importance. Currently, the evaluation of the genetic variation of lotus germplasm accessions using codominant simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers is significant, and it is essential for understanding the population structure of N. nucifera. Here we report the genetic diversity and differentiation of 92 N. nucifera accessions (82 cultivated varieties and 10 wild lotus) using 50 polymorphic SSR markers. A total of 195 alleles were detected, with an average of 3.9 alleles/locus. The mean polymorphic information content (PIC) and the mean expected heterozygosity were 0.43 and 0.50, respectively. The genetic relationships among accessions were estimated using an unweighted pair‐group method with ari... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5268443 Fri, 30 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5268443 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5268446&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00501.x Potato virus Y (PVY, genus Potyvirus, family Potyviridae) is transmitted non‐persistently by aphids. It causes major losses in potato production (Solanum tuberosum), especially following seed tuber‐borne infection of plants. To limit the risk of PVY infection, seed potato production is located preferably in regions where vector pressure is low. The northern‐most high‐grade seed potato production area (HG zone) of Europe is in Finland. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of aphid species with documented ability to transmit PVY and to use a modelling approach to determine their relative importance as vectors of PVY in the HG zone of Finland. Winged aphids were caught from six to seven potato fields in each of three growing seasons (2007–09) using yellow pan traps t... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5268446 Wed, 28 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5268446 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5268445&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00502.x Drought is a major environmental factor that limits chickpea production. An improvement in the adaption of crop to the fluctuating environmental conditions is therefore a major aim in chickpea breeding. However, the complexity of the trait has allowed only marginal progress. Our findings provide a solution to the current situation in the form of improved plant‐growth‐promoting effects caused by the biofilm formation of Paenibacillus lentimorbus B‐30488 (B‐30488) under water‐limiting conditions. In vitro assays demonstrating the biofilm‐forming ability of B‐30488 and the factors enhancing it were studied. Greenhouse experiments were conducted for validating the in vitro results and assessing the effect of seed coating supplements in alleviating drought stress effects in chickp... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5268445 Wed, 28 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5268445 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5321398&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00510.x This study presents a straightforward procedure for Plum pox virus (PPV) detection. A modified one‐step reverse transcription loop‐mediated isothermal amplification protocol of Varga and James is applied to virus suspensions from plant extracts obtained by a simplified and standardised procedure. Gel electrophoresis is substituted by a homogenous colour test upon nucleic acid amplification. This procedure takes only 2.5 h from sampling to result and requires minimal technical equipment. With amplification and visualisation homogenously taking place in non‐opened tubes the risk of cross‐contamination of subsequent samples by former amplification products via facilities and equipment is strongly minimised. Hence, the Blue LAMP provides a fast and reliable detection of PPV both for si... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5321398 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5321398 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5301682&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00506.x Leucaena leucocephala (leucaena) is a tropical tree‐legume, known for its high level of tolerance to various stress conditions including drought and diseases. We hypothesised that leucaena contains a specific set of genes for tolerance to various abiotic and biotic stresses, which may be either absent or not expressed in other legumes that are susceptible to these stress conditions. Interspecies suppression subtractive hybridisation (iSSH) was used to identify some leucaena‐specific genes using cDNAs from leucaena and Acacia confusa (acacia) as the tester and driver, respectively. Ninety‐six leucaena genes showing homologies to various plant genes with known functions and 46 other genes encoding hypothetical proteins (hyps) were identified. Twenty‐two genes encoded various stress�... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5301682 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5301682 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5292708&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00505.x Root sugar accumulation was studied in two grapevine varieties contrasting in tolerance to water stress. During a 10‐day water withholding treatment, the drought‐tolerant variety, Grenache, sustained less negative predawn and midday leaf water potentials as well as root water potential compared with the sensitive variety, Semillon. Grenache vines also maintained lower stomatal conductance and transpiration than Semillon vines throughout the drying period. In both varieties there was accumulation of sucrose in the roots and concentrations were inversely correlated to leaf and root water status. In both Grenache and Semillon, elevated root osmolality was associated with decreased soil moisture indicating that sugar accumulation may play a role in osmotic protection. Petiole xylem sap abs... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5292708 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5292708 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5268442&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00508.x Botryosphaeriaceae isolates of six species were assessed for their potential to infect grapevine tissues other than their tissues of isolation, primarily to determine sources of inocula that could contribute to bunch rot. Pathogenicity tests were conducted in vitro on berries and wood and in vivo on dormant buds of cultivars Chardonnay and Shiraz in glasshouse and field experiments. Tissue specificity and variation in virulence for different isolates was assessed. All isolates were able to infect and cause symptoms on detached 1‐year‐old canes and mature berries. Virulence was not affected by origin tissue and varied between isolates and within species. Inoculation of dormant buds did not affect bud burst or further development of shoots and fruit, however, a small number of Botryospha... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5268442 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5268442 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5257144&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00504.x Soil seed banks act as a gene pool for local plant species and, as such, can buffer local populations, especially those experiencing challenging environmental conditions. Seed dormancy has important implications to dynamics of soil seed banks. Therefore, estimating the seed dormancy of transgenic crop–wild hybrids could shed light on the persistence of transgenes in wild‐plant soil seed banks. Individuals from eight populations of wild rice Oryza rufipogon were crossed with those of three insect‐resistant transgenic rice lines. Selfed (F2–F4) and backcrossed populations (BC1, BC1F2 and BC1F3) were then made from the hybrids. Seed germination was tested under three treatments: (a) normal; (b) overwintering in soil; and (c) one‐week heat‐shocking. The effects of transgene, wild p... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5257144 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5257144 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5155439&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00499.x A high‐throughput transformation system previously developed in our laboratory was used for the regeneration of transgenic plum plants without the use of antibiotic selection. The system was first tested with two experimental constructs, pGA482GGi and pCAMBIAgfp94(35S) that contain selective marker and reporter genes. Transformation was monitored by GUS detection, and estimated transformation efficiencies were 5.7% and 17.7% for pGA482GGi and pCAMBIAgfp94(35S), respectively. Subsequently, an intron‐hairpin‐RNA (ihpRNA) construct, carrying the Plum Pox Virus coat protein (ppv‐cp) gene, without selectable or reporter marker genes was designed. Five transgenic lines were regenerated as confirmed by DNA blot analysis. We believe that this is the first report on the production of marker... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5155439 Thu, 25 Aug 2011 07:12:22 +0100 5155439 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5155438&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00498.x One biocontrol and two plant growth‐promoting Pseudomonas spp. isolates were subjected to a safety assessment. Potential risks for human and plant health were investigated and screenings for toxic effects were performed. The antibiotic susceptibility pattern was typical for Pseudomonas and only one of the isolates grew at 37°C. None of the isolates elicited a hypersensitivity reaction in the tobacco test for plant pathogenicity. For toxicity testing, BACTOX, the Lemna growth bioassay, primary root and shoot growth in vitro and a seed germination/early seedling growth assay were performed. In these assays, one of the plant growth‐promoting isolates consistently displayed concentration‐dependent adverse effects not seen with the other isolates. Further investigation is needed to deter... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5155438 Thu, 25 Aug 2011 07:12:20 +0100 5155438 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5155437&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00494.x Anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases and particulate matter have caused continued environmental concerns at both local and global scales. Greenbelts along highways have been implemented to aid in the uptake of emissions along transport sectors. The present study evaluated the capabilities of carbon sequestration and foliar dust retention in 88 woody tree species, and 1520 individuals in the greenbelts along Taiwan National Highways no. 1 and no. 3. More than 2.2 and 1.7 million average annual vehicle passages were respectively recorded for the two highways. Among species, Bischofia javanica, Acacia confusa, Swietenia macrophylla and Alstonia scholaris exhibited optimal carbon sequestration capabilities in trunks and branches, with respective carbon storage levels of 175, 105, 23.8 a... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5155437 Thu, 25 Aug 2011 07:12:05 +0100 5155437 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5048151&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00487.x We progressively reduced the complexity of humic matter by a mild sequential removal of unbound or free components, weakly, and strongly bound molecules. The auxin‐like response of residues from each step was tested using tomato (cv. Micro‐Tom) seedlings expressing DR5 auxin synthetic promoter fused to the β‐glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene and the low auxin‐sensitivity diageotropica (dgt) mutant. Both exogenous auxin and humic matter promoted lateral root emergence in the control, but failed to induce lateral roots in the dgt mutant. When strongly bound components were removed from humic matter by breaking the ester and ether bonds, the humic residues lost their ability to induce the DR5::GUS activity and lateral root emergence. However, these capacities were retained in the fre... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5048151 Tue, 19 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5048151 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5048152&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00492.x The identification and genetic characterisation of adult plant resistance (APR) to crown rust, caused by Puccinia coronata f. sp. avenae (Pca), was carried out in diploid Avena strigosa and tetraploid Avena barbata accessions from diverse geographical regions. Seven accessions were found to carry APR to Pca, six of which (CIav6956, CIav7280, CIav8089, CIav9020, PI292226, PI436082) were diploid and one (PI337865) a tetraploid. All six diploid A. strigosa accessions were postulated to carry the ‘Saia’ seedling resistance to Pca (Pc15, Pc16, Pc17) in addition to the APR. Three of these six accessions (CIav6956, CIav9020, PI292226) were used to study both seedling resistance and APR, using two Pca pathotypes, one avirulent on seedlings and the second virulent on seedlings but avirulent on ... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5048152 Mon, 18 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5048152 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5048153&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00495.x Red fescue (Festuca rubra) is a perennial grass used as both forage and turfgrass. Asymptomatic plants of this species are systemically infected by the fungal endophyte Epichloë festucae, which has a beneficial effect on the infected plants. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the endophyte Epichloë festucae on the allelopathic potential of F. rubra against four associated pasture species that are also considered as weeds in lawns, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Lotus corniculatus and Plantago lanceolata. Two experiments were designed to evaluate the allelopathic effect of extracts from the roots and leaves of endophyte‐infected (E+) and non‐infected (E−) plants on the germination and seedling growth of the four target species. Regardless of the endophyte st... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5048153 Sun, 17 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5048153 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5116943&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00496.x Hardenbergia mosaic virus (HarMV) is an aphid‐borne potyvirus widespread in its natural host Hardenbergia comptoniana, a legume endemic to the isolated flora of southwestern Australia. As populations of wild Lupinus angustifolius (narrow‐leafed lupin) became naturalised in the region in the 1930s and cultivars were introduced in 1967, both species have sometimes grown in close proximity. The aim of this research was to determine whether HarMV, present in H. comptoniana, could be transmitted naturally by aphids to L. angustifolius in the field. Field plots of L. angustifolius cv. Mandelup were established and interplanted with H. comptoniana plants infected with HarMV. Naturally occurring aphids were relied on to spread the virus. Plants were monitored for virus symptoms. Potyvirus infe... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5116943 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5116943 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5085148&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00493.x Two field trials were conducted to investigate different herbage grasses and cereals for their susceptibility to the disease take‐all, for their impact on concentrations of the pathogen, Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici (Ggt), in soil and for their effect on development of take‐all in a subsequent wheat crop. In the herbage grass trial, Bromus willdenowii was highly susceptible to Ggt, produced the greatest post‐senescence Ggt concentrations in soil and highest incidence of take‐all in following wheat crop. Lolium perenne, Lolium multiflorum and Festuca arundinacea supported low Ggt soil concentrations and fallow the least. The relationship between susceptibility to Ggt and post‐senescence concentrations in soil differed between pasture grasses and cereals. In a trial in whic... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5085148 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5085148 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5068475&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00488.x Salix spp. genotypes were grown in random intimate mixtures comprising 5, 10, 15 and 20 components at 3 planting densities (10 000, 15 000 and 20 000 cuttings ha−1). Planted in 1994/95, plots were harvested every 3 years in 1998/99 (previously reported), 2001/02, 2004/05 and 2007/08. Each individual stool in both mono‐ and mixture plots was weighed. The total yield from mixture plots was consistently higher than the mean of the components in mono‐plots and with only limited exceptions higher than the yield of any of the individual components grown in mono‐plots. This occurred despite the loss of a number of disease‐susceptible genotypes. When a stool died the remaining plants were able to colonise the vacant space and compensate for the loss. There was no clear benefit in increas... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5068475 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5068475 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5061368&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00497.x Growth temperature affects flowering and senescence in plants. For example, prolonged exposure to cold temperature, that is vernalisation, is required to induce flowering in winter crops and winter‐annual Arabidopsis lines. In winter‐annual Arabidopsis plants, vernalisation can also accelerate leaf senescence. Cold acclimation, in contrast, delays flowering and senescence, probably by activating the expression of the floral repressor FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC). In addition, it has been shown for Arabidopsis and wheat that a feedback mechanism inhibits cold acclimation once flowering has been initiated. In this review, the interactions between flowering and senescence regulation are analysed based on findings for mutants and transgenic Arabidopsis plants. Both independent and common pathwa... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5061368 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5061368 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5048150&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00491.x Sugarcane yield and quality are affected by a number of biotic and abiotic stresses. In response to such stresses, plants may increase the activities of some enzymes such as glutathione transferase (GST), which are involved in the detoxification of xenobiotics. Thus, a sugarcane GST was modelled and molecular docked using the program LIGIN to investigate the contributions of the active site residues towards the binding of reduced glutathione (GSH) and 1‐chloro‐2,4‐dinitrobenzene (CDNB). As a result, W13 and I119 were identified as key residues for the specificity of sugarcane GSTF1 (SoGSTF1) towards CDNB. To obtain a better understanding of the catalytic specificity of sugarcane GST (SoGSTF1), two mutants were designed, W13L and I119F. Tertiary structure models and the same docking p... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5048150 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5048150 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5017697&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00490.x An intensive process of land deterioration of some regions in Uzbekistan including the Aral Sea basin has led to a significant increase in soil salinity levels and consequently to a considerable reduction of total fertile soil area, as these lands are of little use for plant growth. The area is estimated to be more than 1.4 million ha of seabed. As a result, there was an immediate need to cultivate new crops capable of stopping the movement of sands and the enlargement of saline soils. Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) is considered to be a moderately salt‐tolerant crop and, as such, one of a few crops well suited to the cropping systems of salt‐affected soils. It is used in Uzbekistan as a reserve crop when the culture of the main crop fails. In spite of the great economic importance o... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5017697 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5017697 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4991634&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00489.x Agricultural microbiology is presented as a synthetic research field responsible for knowledge transfer from general microbiology and microbial ecology to the agricultural biotechnologies. The major goal of agricultural microbiology is a comprehensive analysis of symbiotic micro‐organisms (bacteria, fungi) interacting with agriculturally important plants and animals: here we have focussed on plants. In plants, interactions with micro‐organisms are diverse, ranging from two‐partite symbioses (e.g. legume–rhizobia N2‐fixing nodular symbioses or arbuscular mycorrhiza) to multipartite endophytic and epiphytic (root‐associated, phyllosphere) communities. Two‐partite symbioses provide the clearest models for addressing genetic cooperation between partners, resulting in the formatio... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4991634 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4991634 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4959209&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00486.x The persistence and stability of a transgene encoding a Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry1Ac insecticidal protein was investigated in hybrids between crop Brassica napus and a recurrent wild Brassica juncea population. Interspecific hybrids (F1) and backcross progenies (BC1, BC2) containing green fluorescent protein (GFP) and Bt genes were successfully produced in the greenhouse. Stable Bt toxin levels were found in hybrid and advanced backcross progenies formed in wild B. juncea. Bt Cry1Ac concentration was significantly lower in BC2 plants than in transgenic B. napus, F1, BC1, while no significant differences were detected among the latter three plant genotypes. A GFP marker gene was used as a scorable marker and indicator of Bt transgene expression. GFP fluorescence intensity was signific... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4959209 Thu, 23 Jun 2011 06:10:00 +0100 4959209 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4951215&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00483.x Novel lighting technology offers the possibility of improved arthropod integrated pest management (IPM) in artificially lighted crops. This review compiles the current knowledge on how greenhouse pest and beneficial arthropods are directly affected by light, with the focus on whiteflies. The effect of ultraviolet depletion on orientation and colour‐coded phototaxis are to some extent studied and utilised for control of the flying adult stage of some pest species, but far less is known about the visual ecology of commercially used biological control agents and pollinators, and about how light affects arthropod biology in different life stages. Four approaches for utilisation of artificial light in IPM of whiteflies are suggested: (a) use of attractive visual stimuli incorporated into trap... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4951215 Tue, 21 Jun 2011 17:00:45 +0100 4951215 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4901119&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00479.x The effects of a host plant on reproduction/abundance of fungal populations in relation to soil nutrients released by plants in the rhizosphere were studied. Abundance in the soil and potato rhizosphere of the fungi Paecilomyces lilacinus, Monographella cucumerina (CABI 380408) and Pochonia chlamydosporia var. chlamydosporia (Pc280, potato cyst nematode biotype) and P. chlamydosporia var. catenulata (Pc392, root‐knot nematode biotype) were assessed. The different ability of break crops (oilseed rape, sugarbeet and wheat) in the potato rotation to support Pa. lilacinus, Pochonia isolates Pc280 and Pc392 and abundance of the latter two isolates in soil and rhizosphere of potato plants infected with Meloidogyne incognita were also studied. Potato chits and crop seedlings were planted into b... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4901119 Sat, 04 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4901119 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4901118&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00480.x This study refers to the detection of LY phytoplasma DNA using PCR in different coconut plant parts, throughout the development of the disease. Sample analysis of positive palms taken at different stages of disease development (either symptomatic or symptomless) showed differences in the percentage of LY detection between plant parts. Some parts showed a very high level of LY DNA (stem, young leaves, inflorescences, stem apex and root apex), low levels were found in the intermediate leaves and roots without apex, whereas no LY phytoplasma DNA was detected in mature leaves. The detection percentage of LY phytoplasma DNA was lowest in symptomless‐infected palms for all parts, except the stem, where phytoplasma accumulations were consistently detected. This pattern of detection among parts ... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4901118 Sat, 04 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4901118 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4901117&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00478.x Polyphenolic compounds produced by plants can chelate iron, reducing its bioavailability to plant‐associated bacteria. In response to limited iron levels, most bacteria produce siderophores to acquire needed iron quantities. The amount of phenolic compounds detected in methanolic washings of leaves of different plant species varied greatly, being nearly sevenfold higher in Viburnum tinus than in Phaseolus vulgaris. In species with high levels of total phenolics (e.g. Pelargonium hortorum), tannin concentration of leaf washings was also high and accounted for up to 85% of total phenolics. Both stimulation of production of the siderophore pyoverdine in Pseudomonas syringae strain B728a and inhibition of growth of an isogenic mutant I‐1, deficient in pyoverdine production were associated ... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4901117 Sat, 04 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4901117 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4891447&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00482.x Bittersweet (Solanum dulcamara), a European native weed, is widespread across a variety of habitats and often occurs as a coloniser of open, disturbed, ephemeral environments or wetlands, although it is also found in mountain habitats and on forest edges. As recent studies have shown the potential utility of the species in plant breeding programs, we assembled a collection of bittersweet germplasm from natural populations found in Europe. This collection was analysed with conserved DNA‐derived polymorphism (CDDP) and intron‐targeting (IT) markers to assess genetic diversity found within and among the populations. We found that there is limited genetic variability within the collected S. dulcamara accessions, with a greater proportion of allelic variation distributed among populations a... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4891447 Tue, 31 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4891447 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4839534&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00473.x Literature on positive plant microbial interactions in perennial ryegrass dairy pasture systems is reviewed and interactions that have been reported to have a substantial impact on pasture production and/or levels of chemical inputs into or losses from the system are assessed. Utilisation of N2 fixing (rhizobia) white clover as the N input into a perennial ryegrass pasture is likely to give pasture and milk production similar to that with addition of 200 kg inorganic N ha−1 annum−1 and avoid greenhouse gas emissions resulting from N fertiliser production. Use of the nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide that de‐activates the ammonia monooxygenase enzyme in ammonia‐oxidising bacteria can substantially reduce NO3− leaching and N2O emissions from perennial ryegrass pastures while in... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4839534 Tue, 17 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4839534 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4839533&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00474.x Information on disease severity assists greatly with making decisions about crop protection systems. However, there are no published long‐term field trials in different locations to determine the severity of individual diseases. National trials that relate to the agronomic traits of varieties, including disease responses, are available. The current article describes the use of such data to determine disease severity based on official Czech variety trials. In total, 838 and 334 field trials of spring and winter barley, respectively, conducted from 1976 to 2005, were analysed. To compare year to year powdery mildew severity, five parameters were used. Annual disease severity in both crops differed substantially, whereas similarity of the disease severity was rare. During the last 15 years,... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4839533 Tue, 17 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4839533 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4839532&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00475.x In this work we studied the resistance response against Puccinia allii of 533 Allium sp. germplasm accessions under field conditions. Ten resistant accessions were selected to further characterise the defence mechanisms operative. Histological studies showed a range of defence mechanisms, acting alone or combined, that impeded fungal development at different stages. Some accessions showed prehaustorial resistance. In other accessions, mesophyll cells were penetrated by the fungus, but then hypersensitive response leading to cell death hampered fungal development. In some cases, cell death was very fast and early colony abortion was obvious already by 2 days after inoculation (DAI), whereas in others it was slow being marked only by 6 DAI. The fact that resistant accessions studied showed b... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4839532 Tue, 17 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4839532 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4774727&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00471.x This study shows that the co‐inoculation of F. equiseti and Gm resulted in additive effect on the suppression of anthracnose disease in cucumber. (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4774727 Sun, 01 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4774727 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4944115&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00485.x The objective of the present work was to study a collection of T. cylindrosporum strains to evaluate the characteristics of this fungus as a bioacaricide. The pathogenicity of five different strains of T. cylindrosporum was tested against two tick species, Ornithodoros erraticus and Ornithodoros moubata. Both tick species were susceptible to all the fungal strains. Mortality was greater for O. erraticus and differed among the five developmental stages of the ticks tested and among the fungal treatments. Mean mortality rates were close to 60% for O. erraticus, similar to those reported for other entomopathogenic fungi used for this purpose. The responses of 11 different strains of the fungus to 22°C and 30°C were also studied. Significant differences in temperature tolerance occurred amon... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4944115 Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4944115 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4932001&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00484.x Yerba‐mate is a subtropical, evergreen, dioecious, South American tree. Sexual dimorphism in photosynthesis, leaf allometry and foliage distribution was hypothesised. Virtual trees (constructed in VPlants software from detailed measurements of plant morphogenesis) of the two genders were compared considering two contrasted cultivation environments and three developmental stages. The total crown volume, leaf area per plant (LA), leaf area index (LAI) and leaf area density (LAD) were calculated. The light interception and photosynthesis were computed from mock‐ups in VegeSTAR. Structural sexual dimorphism concerned general plant form, internode length, leaf allometry, leaf surface, pattern of leaf area distribution and LAD. Cultivation environment and developmental stage acted strongly o... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4932001 Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4932001 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4901116&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00477.x Herbivore plant damage induces emissions of semiochemicals termed herbivore‐induced plant volatiles (HIPVs). These volatile cues can attract the natural enemies of the attacking herbivores and protect the plant from further damage. Synthetic HIPV application to various crops has also been shown to attract natural enemies. In the present study, nectar plant rewards were combined with HIPVs in an ‘attract and reward’ approach. This combination might attract natural enemies into treated crops and provide them with food and shelter to maximise their survival and residency leading to increased parasitism and lower pest abundance. Trap catches of predators and scelionid parasitoids in treated grapevines were increased by methyl salicylate (MeSA) and methyl anthranilate (MeA) for 1 day and ... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4901116 Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4901116 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4891446&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00481.x Surface traps are recommended to monitor slugs in arable crops, but pastureland differs from arable land in many respects and these may affect the performance of sampling methods. Here, we report on the performance of non‐baited mat refuge traps, permanently placed at the same position over more than 2 years in four established pastures, for the assessment of slug numbers and biomass, in comparison with soil sampling and flooding over 3 days. Despite the high availability of alternative shelters provided by the vegetation, a great many slugs were captured in the traps over the study period and over a wide range of temperatures recorded under the traps. The catches of slugs in traps and soil samples showed significant positive relationships in terms of numbers and biomass per sample unit ... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4891446 Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4891446 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4839531&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00476.x In previous work, Coorg black pepper yellows phytoplasma (CBPYp), a ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris'‐related strain, was identified in association with black pepper plants exhibiting yellows symptoms in southern India. In the present study, multiple gene (16S rRNA, tuf, rplV‐rpsC, secY and secA) sequence analyses were carried out for finer characterisation of CBPYp isolates identified in seven plants. Nucleotide sequences of each gene studied were identical among all the CBPYp isolates here analysed. Comparison of virtual restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns, validated by actual digestion of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products, revealed that CBPYp is a member of subgroups 16SrI‐B, rpI‐L, tufI‐B, secYI‐L and secA1‐A. Interestingly, alignments of nucl... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4839531 Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4839531 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4774726&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00472.x Phytoplasma classification established using 16S ribosomal groups and ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma’ taxon are mainly based on the 16S rDNA properties and do not always provide molecular distinction of the closely related strains such as those in the aster yellows group (16SrI or ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris'‐related strains). Moreover, because of the highly conserved nature of the 16S rRNA gene, and of the not uncommon presence of 16S rDNA interoperon sequence heterogeneity, more variable single copy genes, such as ribosomal protein (rp), secY and tuf, were shown to be suitable for differentiation of closely related phytoplasma strains. Specific amplification of fragments containing phytoplasma groEL allowed studying its variability in 27 ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris'‐related ... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4774726 Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4774726 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4718887&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.volcontents_1.x (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4718887 Sat, 16 Apr 2011 05:50:53 +0100 4718887 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4718886&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.kwdindex_1.x (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4718886 Sat, 16 Apr 2011 05:50:52 +0100 4718886 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4718885&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.auindex_1.x (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4718885 Sat, 16 Apr 2011 05:50:50 +0100 4718885 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4651908&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00466.x Banana leaf streak disease, caused by several species of banana streak virus (BSV), is widespread in East Africa. We surveyed for this disease in Uganda and Kenya, and used rolling‐circle amplification to detect the presence of BSV in banana. Six distinct badnavirus sequences, three from Uganda and three from Kenya, were amplified for which only partial sequences were previously available. The complete genomes were sequenced and characterised. The size and organisation of all six sequences was characteristic of other badnaviruses, including conserved functional domains present in the putative polyprotein encoded by open reading frame (ORF) 3. Based on nucleotide sequence analysis within the reverse transcriptase/ribonuclease H‐coding region of ORF3, we propose that these sequences be r... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4651908 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4651908 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4651907&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00465.x Wild sunflower Helianthus annuus originates from North America and has naturalised in Argentina where it is considered invasive. The present study attempts to assess the genetic diversity using two different molecular marker systems to study the wild genetic patterns and to provide data applicable to conservation and breeding uses. Ten natural populations sampled throughout the wild range and six inbred lines were studied using inter‐simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers. A total of 64 ISSR bands and 29 SSR alleles were produced from 106 wild and cultivated plants. We found 9 ISSR private bands and 21 SSR private alleles in wild accessions, but no private bands/alleles were found in cultivated sunflowers. Molecular variability in wild populations was app... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4651907 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4651907 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4651906&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00468.x An azalea little leaf (AzLL) disease characterised by abnormally small leaves, yellowing and witches'‐broom growth symptoms was observed in suburban Kunming, southwest China. Transmission electron microscopic observations of single‐membrane‐bound, ovoid to spherical bodies in phloem sieve elements of diseased plants and detection of phytoplasma‐characteristic 16S rRNA gene sequence in DNA samples from diseased plants provided evidence linking the disease to infection by a phytoplasma. Results from restriction fragment length polymorphism, phylogenetic and comparative structural analyses of multiple genetic loci containing 16S rRNA, rpsS, rplV, rpsC and secY genes indicated that the AzLL phytoplasma represented a distinct, new 16Sr subgroup lineage, designated as 16SrI‐T, in the a... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4651906 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4651906 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4651905&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00469.x Avocado shows protogynous dichogamy with two complementary cultivar types (A and B) that differ in their floral behaviour. Because of this peculiar flowering system, mixed plantings of cultivars of complementary flower type have been traditionally recommended to increase yield. However, the effect of planting complementary avocado cultivars on outcrossing rate and yield is a subject of controversy. In this work, we have studied the outcrossing rate with microsatellite markers under the growing conditions of Southern Spain. Outcrossing rate was determined at harvest on several ‘Hass’ trees situated in rows at different distances from a ‘Fuerte’ orchard for two consecutive years (2005 and 2006). Outcrossing rate ranged from 0.31 to 0.74 with an average of 0.47 showing a significant d... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4651905 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4651905 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4641518&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00463.x This study was conducted at Bundaberg, Australia to compare the productivity of field‐derived and pathogen‐tested (PT) clones of 14 sweetpotato cultivars and the yield benefits of using healthy planting materials. The field‐derived clonal materials were exposed to the endemic viruses, while the PT clones were subjected to thermotherapy and meristem‐tip culture to eliminate viral pathogens. The plants were indexed for viruses using nitrocellulose membrane‐enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and graft‐inoculations onto Ipomoea setosa. A net benefit of 38% in storage root yield was realised from using PT materials in this study. Conversely, in a similar study previously conducted at Kerevat, Papua New Guinea (PNG), a net deficit of 36% was realised. This reinforced our finding tha... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4641518 Fri, 25 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4641518 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4641517&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00459.x In this study, historical phenotypic data from a potato breeding programme were used with an association mapping approach to identify alleles of candidate genes associated with cold‐induced sweetening of potato. Molecular marker analysis was used to determine allelic variation of candidate genes potentially involved in cold‐induced sweetening. Variations in the UDP‐glucose pyrophosphorylase (UGPase, EC 2.7.7.9) and apoplastic invertase genes (EC 3.2.1.26) were significantly associated with cold‐induced sweetening, and a possible interaction of apoplastic invertase and apoplastic invertase inhibitor was identified. This demonstrates that breeding programme phenotypic data collected over multiple years and environments can be used successfully with pedigree information for associatio... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4641517 Fri, 25 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4641517 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4641516&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00464.x Rhizoctonia solani is an important plant pathogen for a number of crops and maintaining an extensive collection of reference isolates is important in understanding relationships of this pathogen with multiple hosts. Current long‐term storage methods typically call for frequent transfer increasing the risk of changes in morphological, physiological or virulence characteristics. Cryopreservation using storage in liquid nitrogen (LN) was evaluated to examine the potential for storage of a R. solani culture collection containing 106 isolates (primarily from sugar beet). Cultures were stored on autoclaved barley grains in the vapour phase of LN. After 60 days, 5 years and 10 years in storage, all isolates were tested for viability by calculating the percentage of barley grains from which R. s... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4641516 Fri, 25 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4641516 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4651904&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00470.x Knowledge of the energy saving night temperature (i.e. a relatively cool night temperature without affecting photosynthetic activity and physiology) and a better understanding of low night temperature effects on the photosynthetic physiology of Phalaenopsis would improve their production in terms of greenhouse temperature control and energy use. Therefore, Phalaenopsis‘Hercules’ was subjected to day temperatures of 27.5°C and night temperatures of 27.0°C, 24.2°C, 21.2°C, 18.3°C, 15.3°C or 12.3°C in a growth chamber. A new tool for the determination of the energy saving night temperature range was developed based on temperature response curves of leaf net CO2 exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, organic acid content and carbohydrate concentrations. The newly developed method was v... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4651904 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4651904 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4641515&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00467.x (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4641515 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4641515 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4626110&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00460.x Tan spot of wheat caused by Pyrenophora tritici‐repentis (Ptr) is a major leaf spot disease. No single control measure is likely to be successful in controlling tan spot and a fully integrated system of disease management is more likely to achieve a long‐term solution. Research to improve control efficacy has focused on fungicide improvement, resistant cultivars, the use of biological control agents (BCAs) mixtures and combinatorial approaches involving BCAs and plant resistance stimulants with complementary modes of action. Various biotic and abiotic agents can stimulate wheat defence mechanisms and so benefit resistance to Ptr infection. Among them, Trichoderma spp. have been widely used as antagonistic fungal agents against several pathogens as well as plant growth enhancers. Also, ... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4626110 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4626110 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4554187&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00462.x Begomoviruses were found to be the major viruses infecting tomato plants in the Philippines based on the surveys conducted from 2005 to 2006. Pepper‐infecting begomoviruses were also detected. Isolates of four distinct begomovirus species, Ageratum yellow vein virus (AYVV), Tomato leaf curl Cebu virus (ToLCCeV), Tomato leaf curl Mindanao virus (ToLCMiV) and Tomato leaf curl Philippines virus (ToLCPV), were characterised at the DNA sequence level by comparing 20 DNA‐As from tomato samples comprising 13 from Luzon, 2 from Cebu and 5 from Mindanao Islands, along with 3 DNA‐As from pepper samples, 1 each from Luzon, Cebu and Mindanao Islands. Two of these species (ToLCCeV and ToLCMiV) were distinct novel begomoviruses, while AYVV was detected for the first time in the Philippines. By geo... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4554187 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4554187 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4501046&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00461.x This study focused on evaluating the genetic diversity among ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma mali’ (‘Ca. P. mali’) populations in orchards of north‐western Italy, where apple proliferation (AP) disease is widespread and induces severe economic losses. ‘Ca. P. mali’ was detected through restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of PCR‐amplified 16S rDNA in 101 of 114 samples examined. Collective RFLP patterns, obtained by restriction analyses of four amplified genomic segments (16S/23S rDNA, PR‐1, PR‐2 and PR‐3 non‐ribosomal region, ribosomal protein genes rplV‐rpsC and secY gene), revealed the presence of 12 distinct genetic lineages among 60 selected representative ‘Ca. P. mali’ isolates, underscoring an unexpected high degree of genetic heterogeneity ... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4501046 Mon, 21 Feb 2011 16:13:37 +0100 4501046 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4454622&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2011.00458.x Genomic alteration is a common phenomenon associated with plant tissue culture, which often encompasses genetic changes and epigenetic modifications (e.g. cytosine methylation). Here, we studied genomic alteration in maize by assessing calli and regenerated plants derived from three inbred lines (M17, J7 and JC) and two pairs of reciprocal F1 hybrids (pair I: M17/J7 and J7/M17 and pair II: M17/JC and JC/M17). By employing two molecular markers, the amplified fragment length polymorphism and methylation‐sensitive amplified polymorphism, we found that both types of genomic alterations occurred in calli and regenerated plants of all the studied maize inbred lines and F1 hybrids, but the extent and pattern of changes varied substantially across the genotypes. Among the three inbred lines, M1... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4454622 Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4454622 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4418431&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00457.x In conclusion in fruits of trees grafted on Penta following water stress quality indices did not show changes but significant variations in some phytochemicals, i.e. anthocyanins and procyanindins were observed. The results suggest that the regulation of water management is an important factor to maintain a good quality of the fruits. In fact, if irrigation stress can induce a higher biosynthesis of phytochemical compounds and an increase of SSC, at the same time, it can change fruit quality traits, such as a lower FW in Montclar, a higher titratable acidity (TA) in GF 677 and Penta and a lower FF in Gf 677 and Montclar. (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4418431 Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4418431 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4317787&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00452.x Tobacco bushy top disease is caused by a complex of the viruses tobacco bushy top virus (TBTV, a member of the genus Umbravirus) and tobacco vein distorting virus (TVDV, a member of the genus Polerovirus), which acts as a helper virus encapsidating the TBTV genomic RNA. RNA from purified virions is separated as five bands. The two largest (6.0 and 4.2 kb) were shown by Northern blot analysis to be the genomic RNAs of TVDV and TBTV, respectively. A band of about 3 kb was cloned and sequenced and shown to be the RNA of a previously undescribed virus with two open reading frames (ORFs), the second of which is an RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and is probably expressed by readthrough of the ORF1a stop codon. BLAST and phylogenetic analyses of the RdRp show that it is related to two RNAs... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4317787 Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4317787 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4271892&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00455.x The brown planthopper (BPH) Nilaparvata lugens, whitebacked planthopper (WBPH) Sogatella furcifera and smaller BPH Laodelphax striatellus increasingly exhibit resistance to insecticides and adaptation to resistant varieties, so they threaten food security. This review draws together, for the first time, information on the parasitoids of planthopper pests of rice from the non‐English literature published in Asia. This is integrated with the English language literature to provide a comprehensive analysis. Planthopper pests of rice are attacked by a large range of parasitoids from Strepsiptera, Diptera and, especially, Hymenoptera. Levels of field parasitism vary widely between parasitoid species and locations. For many taxa, especially within Mymaridae, there is evidence that non‐crop ha... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4271892 Mon, 20 Dec 2010 09:46:20 +0100 4271892 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4271894&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00456.x An open reading frame (ORF) with 963 nucleotides from Paenibacillus campinasensis BL11 was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. It encodes a pectate lyase (EC 4.2.2.2) of 35.6 kDa, denominated Pel‐BL11. The recombinant Pel‐BL11 was fused with His‐tag and purified. An optimal activity of 1623 IU mg−1 was exhibited at 50°C, pH 10. Significant activities of Pel‐BL11 are demonstrated between 40 and 70°C and from a pH of 7–11. The observed half‐lives are 103 min at 70°C and 288 min at 40°C. Compared to other published acid and alkaline pectate lyases, Pel‐BL11 demonstrated exceptional thermostability and wider pH adaptability. Temperature effects on the cleavage of the pectate α‐1,4‐glycosidic bond by Pel‐BL11 were examined. Continuous cleavage occurred for the f... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4271894 Sun, 19 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4271894 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4271893&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00454.x The term ‘transmissible small nuclear ribonucleic acids' (TsnRNAs) describes well‐characterised viroid RNA species that do not induce any pronounced disease syndromes in specific citrus hosts, but rather act as regulatory genetic elements modifying tree performance. The canopy volume (CV) of 13‐year‐old navel orange trees (Citrus sinensis) on Poncirus trifoliata rootstock treated with TsnRNA‐IIIb (syn. Citrus dwarfing viroid) was reduced by 45% and 53.5% in standard‐density (6 m × 6.7 m) or high‐density (3 m × 6.7 m) plantings, respectively. The total yield of eight consecutive harvests was not affected significantly by the TsnRNA‐IIIb treatments or the two planting densities. However, the yield per land surface unit (Y/LSU) was almost doubled (increased by 97.5%) for the... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4271893 Sun, 19 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4271893 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4196188&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00446.x Water‐use efficiency in grapevines is dependent on the aerial and below‐ground environment of the plant. Specifically, transpiration efficiency, the ratio of net carbon fixation to water loss, may be influenced by soil moisture and the leaf‐to‐air vapour pressure deficit (VPD) in the soil–plant–atmosphere continuum. The interactive effect of these abiotic parameters, however, has not been suitably investigated in field‐grown grapevines. Accordingly, gas exchange of an anisohydric variety, Semillon, was assessed across a number of vineyards in two warm grape‐growing regions of New South Wales (NSW) to ascertain how soil moisture and VPD interact to affect transpiration efficiency at the leaf level. Leaf gas exchange measurements demonstrated that the rate of transpiration (E... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4196188 Wed, 24 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4196188 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4132357&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00447.x Transcription factors (TFs) preferentially expressed in developing endosperm were identified by searching a maize transcriptome database. One thousand and two hundred TFs were annotated, 414 of which were shown to express in the seeds. Of these, 113 presented preferential expression in developing endosperm. Among the endosperm‐preferred TFs 13% were represented by members of the zinc‐finger family, 17% by members of the bZIP family and 11% by members of the NAC family. Among the NAC family TFs, we identified APN‐1, whose expression was detected 5 days after pollination (DAP) and peaked at 20 DAP. Analysis of the promoter sequence of gene encoding APN‐1 revealed the presence of cis‐elements related to endosperm‐specificity, abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellic acid (GA) signallin... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4132357 Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4132357 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4132356&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00449.x In recent years, Mycosphaerella leaf disease (MLD) has become very common in Eucalyptus globulus plantations in Galicia, northwest Spain. The aetiology of MLD is complex and is associated with several species of Mycosphaerella and Teratosphaeria. A survey of the fungal mycobiota associated with juvenile and adult leaves and with leaf litter of the same trees in MLD‐affected plantations was made. The goal was to identify pathogens and endophytes, to determine whether the mycobiota of each leaf type differed and whether leaf litter might be a reservoir of MLD inoculum. Fungi belonging to 113 different species were isolated from the leaves of juvenile and adult trees sampled at 10 locations; 81 species occurred in juvenile and 65 in adult leaves. The average number of species obtained from ... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4132356 Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4132356 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4212699&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00453.x Soil steaming applied in bands is a new technology with the potential to radically lower the burden of hand‐weeding intra‐row weeds in non‐herbicidal vegetable cropping. Preliminary studies with band‐steaming have shown effective control of viable weed seeds when the maximum soil temperatures reach 60–80°C. This temperature range has a particular agronomic interest, and the present study aimed at investigating the influence of soil factors and heat duration on weed seed mortality of soil steaming targeting 60–80°C. Two soil types (sand versus sandy loam) and two moisture levels (moist versus dry) were studied in one experiment (expt) while two levels of structure of a sandy loam (coarse versus fine) were included in a second experiment. A third experiment was focussing on the... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4212699 Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4212699 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4196187&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00451.x Fruit deformation is a phenomenon commonly observed in commercial strawberry cultivars (Fragaria×ananassa) with a negative impact on the economic benefit of crop production. To better understand this physiopathy, we evaluated fruit size and the relative amount of ‘small’ (<0.4 mm) and ‘big’ achenes (>0.6 mm) in misshapen (MF) and well‐formed (WF) fruits from ‘Camarosa’, ‘Ventana’ and ‘Medina’ strawberry cultivars growing in the field. In ‘Camarosa’, size‐dependent achenes functionality was assessed by analysing achenes germinability and differences in time to ripening between MF and WF. We found that the occurrence of fruit deformation was not only strongly dependent on the cultivar (i.e. genetic factor) but also was promoted by low temperatures (i.e. env... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4196187 Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4196187 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4178546&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00450.x In this study, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays found no evidence of phytoplasmas or bacteria‐like organisms (BLOs) in tissues of coconut and oil palm symptomatic for FD and from Z. lobulata feeding on these plants. Further studies involved releasing Z. lobulata adults and nymphs onto caged, potted coconut and oil palms and onto palm fronds enclosed in mesh sleeves. In both experiments, chlorotic symptoms on the palms were observed in the presence of Z. lobulata. Insect‐free control palms did not exhibit chlorotic symptoms of FD. In the frond sleeve experiment, only the fronds where Z. lobulata fed developed chlorosis indicating that the disorder is not systemic. Unlike most yellows‐type diseases associated with Hemiptera, this study indicates that FD is because of a direct fee... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4178546 Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4178546 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4149675&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00441.x Recent studies identified three begomoviruses infecting soybean and bean crops in northwestern (NW) Argentina, bean golden mosaic virus (BGMV), a virus with high capsid protein identity with Sida mottle virus (SiMoV) and a possible new viral species (isolate A). Analysis of complete DNA‐A sequences confirmed that isolate A represents a new viral species for which the authors propose the name soybean blistering mosaic virus (SbBMV), whereas the SiMoV‐like virus is actually an isolate of tomato yellow spot virus (ToYSV). Molecular hybridisation‐based detection of the three begomoviruses was accomplished using a general probe obtained by mixing full‐length DNA‐A clones of the three begomoviruses and specific probes comprising part of the common region of each viral genome. These pro... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4149675 Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4149675 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4132355&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00448.x The distribution, systematics and ecology of Bactrocera tryoni, the Queensland fruit fly, are reviewed. Bactrocera tryoni is a member of the B. tryoni complex of species, which currently includes four named species, viz. B. tryoni ssp., B. neohumeralis, B. melas and B. aquilonis. The species status of B. melas and B. aquilonis is unclear (they may be junior synonyms of B. tryoni) and their validity, or otherwise, needs to be confirmed as a matter of urgency. While Queensland fruit fly is regarded as a tropical species, it cannot be assumed that its distribution will spread further south under climate change scenarios. Increasing aridity and hot dry summers, as well as more complex, indirect interactions resulting from elevated CO2, make predicting the future distribution and abundance of B... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4132355 Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4132355 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4104711&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00445.x This study aimed to determine how sexual recombination can change virulence of the barley pathogen Pyrenophora teres (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4104711 Tue, 26 Oct 2010 10:03:35 +0100 4104711 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4085494&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00444.x Camelina sativa (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4085494 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 20:47:11 +0100 4085494 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4076610&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.volcontents_2.x (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4076610 Mon, 18 Oct 2010 14:50:23 +0100 4076610 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4076609&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.kwdindex_2.x (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4076609 Mon, 18 Oct 2010 14:50:22 +0100 4076609 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4076608&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.auindex_2.x (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4076608 Mon, 18 Oct 2010 14:50:22 +0100 4076608 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4076607&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00438.x This review describes the effects of the current and emerging lighting technologies on plants, and the plant‐mediated effects on herbivorous and beneficial arthropods in high‐technology year‐round greenhouse production, where light quality, quantity and photoperiod differ from the natural environment. The spectrum provided by the current lighting technology, high‐pressure sodium lamp (HPSL), differs considerably from that of solar radiation. The major plant‐mediated effects on arthropods were predicted to result from (a) extended photoperiods and lower light integrals, (b) the attenuation of ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths, particularly UV‐B, (c) the high red: far‐red (R : FR) ratio and lower blue : red (B : R) in comparison with solar radiation and (d) the high proportion of ye... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4076607 Mon, 18 Oct 2010 14:50:20 +0100 4076607 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4076606&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00439.x Plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria are commonly found in the rhizosphere (adjacent to the root surface) and may promote plant growth via several diverse mechanisms, including the production or degradation of the major groups of plant hormones that regulate plant growth and development. Although rhizobacterial production of plant hormones seems relatively widespread (as judged from physico‐chemical measurements of hormones in bacterial culture media), evidence continues to accumulate, particularly from seedlings grown under gnotobiotic conditions, that rhizobacteria can modify plant hormone status. Since many rhizobacteria can impact on more than one hormone group, bacterial mutants in hormone production/degradation and plant mutants in hormone sensitivity have been useful to establis... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4076606 Mon, 18 Oct 2010 14:50:19 +0100 4076606 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4104712&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00443.x We review current knowledge of the most abundant sugars, sucrose, maltose, glucose and fructose, in the world's major crop plants. The sucrose‐accumulating crops, sugar beet and sugar cane, are included, but the main focus of the review is potato and the major cereal crops. The production of sucrose in photosynthesis and the inter‐relationships of sucrose, glucose, fructose and other metabolites in primary carbon metabolism are described, as well as the synthesis of starch, fructan and cell wall polysaccharides and the breakdown of starch to produce maltose. The importance of sugars as hormone‐like signalling molecules is discussed, including the role of another sugar, trehalose, and the trehalose biosynthetic pathway. The Maillard reaction, which occurs between reducing sugars and a... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4104712 Thu, 30 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4104712 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4059562&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00437.x The phyllosphere is a rich and varied microbial community comprising organisms with diverse functional types. Its composition is strongly influenced by both genotypic and environmental factors, many of which can be manipulated by breeding, agronomy and crop protection strategies in an agricultural context. These factors also affect the complex interactions between the microbes, which in turn affect their interaction with their host plant. Whether or not an organism becomes pathogenic and the subsequent expression of disease are also influenced by all these factors. Understanding the population dynamic balance between the organisms of the phyllosphere as an ecological system should lead to new approaches in agronomy, crop protection and breeding that enhance sustainability, where the previo... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4059562 Thu, 30 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4059562 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4059561&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00442.x The invasive slug Arion lusitanicus (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4059561 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4059561 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3997836&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00440.x Problems and concerns in relation to the use of inorganic fertilisers, irrigation, herbicides and pesticides have led to the search for alternative strategies to combat limiting soil nutrient and water levels and the effect of weeds and pests on crops. Greater utilisation of microorganisms in agricultural systems could possibly allow reductions in the use of inorganic fertilisers, water, herbicides and pesticides with no impact on crop yield. Positive plant microbial interactions which are currently under study are considered here. (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3997836 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3997836 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3975972&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00436.x The use of rootstocks that are less susceptible or resistant to natural Plum pox virus (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3975972 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3975972 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3972337&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00435.x The bacteria and fungi involved in diazotrophic and mycorrhizal symbioses with plants have varying degrees of genetic recombination. Those with very limited, or no, recombination are at risk from the progressive accumulation of mutations (‘Müller's ratchet'). This accumulation could be alleviated by complete genetic integration of the parts of the symbiont genomes relating to their function in hospice (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3972337 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3972337 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3972336&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00434.x The insect family Cixiidae includes economically important vectors of plant pathogens. Hyalesthes obsoletus (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3972336 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3972336 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3919973&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00432.x (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3919973 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3919973 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3906855&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00433.x (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3906855 Fri, 27 Aug 2010 08:49:08 +0100 3906855 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3884715&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00430.x (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3884715 Fri, 20 Aug 2010 09:02:14 +0100 3884715 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3876028&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00431.x (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3876028 Wed, 18 Aug 2010 08:51:33 +0100 3876028 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3871829&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00429.x Artemisia petrosa (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3871829 Tue, 17 Aug 2010 08:43:12 +0100 3871829 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3871828&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00426.x (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3871828 Tue, 17 Aug 2010 08:43:06 +0100 3871828 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3812163&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00427.x In this study we have shown the commercial merit of a proportion of these variants through comparison of relative yield and tuber quality with the parent cultivar Russet Burbank. Whilst we showed a weak negative correlation between tuber yield (as assessed by weight of tubers per plant) and relative disease resistance within selected variants, we identified several with equivalent yields to the parent cultivar. Furthermore, two disease-resistant variants (TC-RB8 and NZ-24B) consistently yielded more tuber mass than the parent. The majority of our Russet Burbank variants showed equivalent tuber quality characteristics (occurrence of defects, tuber specific gravity and dry matter content, and flesh colour) and cooking qualities (fry colour and presence of dark end defects) to the parent cult... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3812163 Mon, 02 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3812163 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3805345&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00428.x Dictyothrips betae (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is the predominant thrips species on Polygonum convolvulus and Polygonum dumetorum plants infected with a recently described tospovirus species, Polygonum ring spot virus (PolRSV). Laboratory transmission experiments (leaf disk assays) with adults collected directly in the field demonstrated the competence of this thrips to transmit PolRSV, although only at a rate of 4%. However, this increased to 16% using newly emerged larvae fed on infected leaves. Frankliniella occidentalis and Thrips tabaci failed to transmit PolRSV in leaf disk assays. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with specific primers for the N protein and Western blot analysis of adult thrips to detect the N protein confirmed the presence of the virus in D. be... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3805345 Fri, 30 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3805345 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3805346&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00425.x The knowledge about the distribution of descriptors of a collection constitutes a useful tool for the management of genetic resources. The object of this work was to evaluate the composition and morphological characterisation of the 'in vitro' collection kept at the Gene Bank of the Biological Resources Institute (IRB), INTA Castelar, Argentina, to establish conservation criteria and make available useful data for breeding programmes. This collection, comprising 310 sweetpotato clones, includes landraces, worldwide clones, commercial varieties and breeding material. The descriptors, which presented the highest correlation values, were leaf lobe types, the shape of central leaf lobes and general leaf outline. Cluster analyses showed eight major groups with an average similarity of 0.42 (SE ... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3805346 Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3805346 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3779848&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00419.x Giant reed (Arundo donax) is a promising energy crop of the Mediterranean areas. It has long been associated with humans and has been cultivated in Asia, southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East for thousands of years. It is a perennial herbaceous plant (Poaceae) found in grasslands and wetlands throughout a wide range of climatic zones. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis was used to assess genetic inter and intrarelationships between A. donax and other Arundo species. Furthermore, the development of the sexual apparatus was analysed to understand the basis of sterility in the accession examined. The dendrograms obtained by phenetic and cladistic analysis support the monophyletic origin of giant reed and suggest that it originated in Asia and began to spread in... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3779848 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3779848 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3721376&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00424.x Responses to Potato virus A (PVA, genus Potyvirus) segregate to three phenotypic groups in a diploid cross between Solanum tuberosum subsp. andigena and a highly interspecific potato hybrid. The aim of this study was to compare gene expression between the progeny genotypes which react with hypersensitive response (HR) to PVA, allow PVA accumulation in inoculated leaves but restrict PVA infection to the inoculated leaf by blocking systemic movement [non-necrotic resistance (nnr)], or are susceptible (S) and systemically infected with PVA. Expression levels of ca 10 000 genes were compared using probes arranged in a microarray format, and real-time RT-PCR was applied for quantitative comparison of the expression of selected defense-related genes (DRGs). Results showed that a few DRGs were au... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3721376 Fri, 02 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3721376 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3848217&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00415.x To analyse the resistance of harpinXoo (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3848217 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3848217 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3848216&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00410.x Canola (Brassica napus (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3848216 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3848216 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3848215&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00408.x In this study, an induced systemic resistance (ISR)‐eliciting rhizobacterium Bacillus cereus (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3848215 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3848215 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3709926&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00421.x The objectives of this study were to identify promising microorganisms to improve potato productivity in low-input systems of tropical highlands and to compare results from in vitro, greenhouse and field experiments to advance the development of a screening method for rhizobacteria and develop an efficient assessment of their effect on plant growth in field conditions. A total of 150 bacterial strains were screened in vitro, in greenhouse and field trials. The series of experiments confirmed the plant growth-promoting ability of a range of rhizobacteria. Although in vitro and greenhouse results were promising, the field experiment showed variability and the results require further verification. The in vitro tests might have limited value for screening as no correlation could be found betwe... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3709926 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3709926 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3698989&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00420.x In this study, 94 vines (including Manto Negro, Callet, Moll and wrongly identified samples) were analysed by means of genetic markers. Several varietal identification mistakes related to the clonal selection in Majorca were detected by the amplification of 33 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) or microsatellite loci, mainly because of the close genetic relationships between Manto Negro, Callet, Moll and other varieties. A very low degree of intravarietal genetic diversity, possibly related to high incidence of virus infections, was shown in all three varieties. However, analysis by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), selective amplification of microsatellite loci (SAMPL) and microsatellite-amplified fragment length polymorphism (M-AFLP) was suitable for clone genetic discrimination... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3698989 Fri, 25 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3698989 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3686561&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00422.x A two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) based proteomic approach has been used to study the Medicago truncatula[ndash]Uromyces striatus interaction. The 2-DE leaf protein profile of three M. truncatula genotypes displaying different phenotypes (susceptible and showing prehaustorial and posthaustorial resistance) in both noninoculated and inoculated plants have been compared. Multivariate statistical analysis identified 63 differential protein spots under the experimental conditions (genotypes/treatments). Variable spots were subjected to tandem mass spectrometry (MS, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time of flight, MALDI-TOF/TOF) analysis to identify their possible functions. A total of 27 proteins were identified using a combination of peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF) and... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3686561 Tue, 22 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3686561 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3686562&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00423.x This article reviews the current knowledge on detection, distribution and control of PMTV with focus on the Baltic Sea region. Since the 1980s, PMTV has caused great economic losses to potato production in the Nordic countries (Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland), but its occurrence in other countries of the Baltic Sea region remained unknown. To fill this knowledge gap, harmonised sampling and virus detection procedures including bioassays and serological and molecular methods were employed by 21 research institutions to detect PMTV in potato tubers and soil samples in 2005[ndash]2008. Potato growing areas were widely contaminated with PMTV in the Nordic countries. Only the main seed potato production area in northern Sweden and the High Grade seed potato production zone in Finland were ... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3686562 Mon, 21 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3686562 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3662072&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00418.x The objective of this study was to determine the effects of selected plant growth regulators (PGRs) on tuber initiation and dormancy, using an in vitro system. In two replicated experiments, 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (ethephon, an ethylene source), abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellin (GA3) [ndash] and their inhibitors silver nitrate, fluridone and 2-chloroethyl-trimethylammonium chloride, respectively [ndash] were added at two concentrations to the culture medium prior to explant culture. Dates of micro-tuber initiation and sprouting (end of dormancy) and tuber number were recorded. In the control (no PGR) in Experiment 1, micro-tubers were initiated at the base of the stem after 176 days and sprouted 235 days later, that is 411 days after culturing. Most PGR treatments had only small e... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3662072 Mon, 14 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3662072 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3662073&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00417.x Induced systemic resistance (ISR) is a type of plant defence mechanism typically activated by non-pathogenic root-associated micro-organisms and systemic priming of gene expression in response to subsequent pathogen challenge. ISR was found to be activated by PC1, a mixture of food-grade synthetic isoparaffins and (2R,3R)-butanediol, a volatile organic compound produced by bacteria. In controlled environment tests, application of PC1 or (2R,3R)-butanediol to the soil reduced the diseased leaf area of Agrostis stolonifera by 20[ndash]40% for the fungal pathogens, Microdochium nivale, Rhizoctonia solani or Sclerotinia homoeocarpa compared to the water control. In A. stolonifera, expression of the jasmonate synthesis-related genes, AsAOS1, encoding an allene oxide synthase, and AsOPR4, encodi... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3662073 Sun, 13 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3662073 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3640136&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00414.x The plastochron interval is widely used to calculate age and rates of productivity in many plants, including seagrasses. However, plant responses to changing environmental conditions, including seasonal patterns, can introduce substantial errors in methods for calculating age and rates of growth. We propose a generalised method for characterising seasonal variability in eelgrass plastochron values based on a model that consists of a linear combination of a trend, a seasonality component and a stochastic noise component. The model was validated using data obtained biweekly during 1998[ndash]2003 in a Zostera marina meadow in a coastal lagoon in northwestern Baja California. Plastochron intervals exhibited marked interannual and seasonal variability as well as in the timing of plastochron in... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3640136 Mon, 07 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3640136 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3640137&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00415.x To analyse the resistance of harpinXoo-expressing transgenic cotton T-34 plants to cotton-bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera), bioassays and the silkworm genome-wide microarray were employed. The global transcriptomic level was used to compare the H. armigera larvae fed on T-34 leaves (LFT-34) with larvae fed on leaves of the untransformed cotton line Z35 (LFZ35). The development of LFT-34 was slowed, eventually leading to larval death. The microarray data indicated that 872 genes in LFT-34 were totally deregulated, comparing to their expression in LFZ35. All the preferentially expressed genes were classified into 13 biological functions and were involved in 96 biological pathways. These results indicated that harpinXoo confers T-34 with resistance to H. armigera and influences multiple metabo... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3640137 Sun, 06 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3640137 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3620945&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00410.x Canola (Brassica napus) crops for grazing and grain (dual-purpose) production provide an economic break-crop alternative for dual-purpose cereals in Australian mixed farming systems. Infection by Leptosphaeria maculans is the most prevalent disease in Australian canola crops with airborne inoculum released throughout the autumn and winter when crops are grazed. Glasshouse and field experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of mechanical defoliation (simulated grazing) on disease severity at plant maturity. In glasshouse experiments, stem canker severity increased from 4% to 24% in severely defoliated plants, but light defoliation had no effect compared with undefoliated control plants. Disease severity was increased with defoliation in all field experiments. Defoliation increase... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3620945 Tue, 01 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3620945 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3848214&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00418.x (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3848214 Mon, 31 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3848214 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3848213&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00417.x (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3848213 Mon, 31 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3848213 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3848212&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00423.x (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3848212 Mon, 31 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3848212 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3848211&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00422.x (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3848211 Mon, 31 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3848211 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3848210&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00420.x (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3848210 Mon, 31 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3848210 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3848209&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00424.x (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3848209 Mon, 31 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3848209 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3598820&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00416.x Cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD), caused by cotton leaf curl Burewala virus (CLCuBV), has emerged as a major threat to cotton production in Pakistan. Resistance to CLCuBV was evaluated in cultivated and wild cotton genotypes representing six Gossypium species by visual symptom scoring and virus assessment using PCR tests. Considerable variation in responses was observed when using whitefly and graft transmission to inoculate Gossypium genotypes with CLCuBV in field and greenhouse experiments. Under field evaluation, all cultivated genotypes of Gossypium hirsutum and three genotypes of G. barbadense were susceptible. Eleven genotypes that represented six wild and cultivated Gossypium species were considered to be highly resistant as they were free from infection. Similar results were obtain... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3598820 Tue, 25 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3598820 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3598821&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00412.x This study provides robust relationships for use in modelling organ extension and canopy production under mild to moderate water stress. (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3598821 Mon, 24 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3598821 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3584880&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00413.x Displacement of pathogenic Fusarium species from cereal residues by other fungi is an important mechanism for the effectiveness of fallows and crop rotations on disease management, as well as in potential biological control. The effect of fluctuating environmental conditions on the rate of displacement was assessed using two different approaches. In the first, wetness durations between 4 and 10 h were simulated by spraying water onto straw inoculated with Fusarium pseudograminearum and antagonists in a greenhouse. For a given cumulative period of wetness, displacement of F. pseudograminearum was generally higher for short (4 h) than longer (10 h) wetting durations, indicating that it was the number of wetting events, rather than their individual durations, that determined the rate of displ... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3584880 Thu, 20 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3584880 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3581059&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00409.x Development of phoma leaf spot (caused by Leptosphaeria maculans) on winter oilseed rape (canola, Brassica napus) was assessed in two experiments at Rothamsted in successive years (2003[ndash]04 and 2004[ndash]05 growing seasons). Both experiments compared oilseed rape cultivars Eurol, Darmor, Canberra and Lipton, which differ in their resistance to L. maculans. Data were analysed to describe disease development in terms of increasing numbers of leaves affected over thermal time from sowing. The cultivars showed similar patterns of leaf spot development in the 2003[ndash]04 experiment when inoculum concentration was relatively low (up to 133 ascospores m[minus]3 air), Darmor developing 5.3 diseased leaves per plant by 5 May 2004, Canberra 6.6, Eurol 6.8 and Lipton 7.5. Inoculum concentrati... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3581059 Wed, 19 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3581059 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3545098&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00411.x Water stress in plants affects a number of physiological processes such as photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance as well as the operating efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) and non-photochemical quenching (NPQ). Photochemical reflectance index (PRI) is reported to be sensitive to changes in xanthophyll cycle which occur during stress and could possibly be used to monitor changes in the parameters mentioned before. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the use of PRI as an early water stress indicator. Water stress treatment was imposed in a greenhouse tomato crop. CO2 assimilation, stomatal conductance, light-adapted and dark-adapted fluorescence as well as PRI and relative water content (RWCs%) of the rooting medium were repeatedly measured. The same measurements were also... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3545098 Fri, 07 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3545098 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3545099&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00408.x In this study, an induced systemic resistance (ISR)-eliciting rhizobacterium Bacillus cereus C1L was used to protect maize against SCLB. Application of B. cereus C1L in maize rhizosphere effectively protected maize from SCLB under greenhouse and field conditions. The protection effect of B. cereus C1L was similar to that of Maneb (2 kg active ingredient per hectare), a recommended fungicide. Furthermore, possible factors of B. cereus C1L to elicit ISR and to promote plant growth were investigated. The results indicate that secreted factors and rhizosphere colonisation ability of B. cereus C1L are involved in ISR elicitation. In addition to biocontrol activity, B. cereus C1L was able to promote growth of maize in field. Compared with a non-treated control, leaf length, leaf width, plant hei... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3545099 Thu, 06 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3545099 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3507550&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00407.x In this study, 94 grafted chestnuts corresponding to 26 representative cultivars from Italy were evaluated by seven simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers to establish whether they corresponded to varieties in the narrow sense. The results allowed 20 genotypes to be identified that corresponded to the same number of clones. In total, 52 alleles were identified, eight of which were exclusive. Cases of homonymies and synonymies were detected. Moreover, our results highlighted a considerable genetic uniformity among 'Marrone-type' cultivars and, on the contrary, a high genetic diversity among the evaluated cultivars demonstrating that this is a valuable germplasm and an important genetic resource to be preserved. (Source: Annals of Applied Biology) Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3507550 Mon, 26 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3507550 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3498453&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00406.x This study provides evidence for frequent and multiple invasions of New Zealand's native grasses by exotic cereal and pasture viruses. Fifteen native and three exotic grasses from 29 North Island and six South Island sites were surveyed for the presence of viruses using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Barley yellow dwarf virus and Cereal yellow dwarf virus (BYDV, CYDV: Luteoviridae) and Cocksfoot mottle virus (CoMV, Sobemovirus) are widespread throughout New Zealand. CoMV, previously considered to have a natural host range restricted to Dactylis and Triticum, was detected in Poa anceps, P. cita, Festuca novae-zelandiae, and Chionochloa rubra. New virus host reports include BYDV-PAV in Microlaena stipoides and Dichelachne crinita; BYDV-MAV in P. cita, F. novae-zelandiae and Hiero... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3498453 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3498453 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3486182&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00405.x Factors that determine the epidemiology of Tobacco yellow dwarf virus (TbYDV), including alternative host plants and insect vector(s), were assessed over three consecutive growing seasons at four field sites in Northeastern Victoria in commercial tobacco growing properties. In addition, these factors were assessed for one growing season at three bean growing properties. Overall, 23 leafhopper species were identified at the 7 sites, with Orosius orientalis as the predominant leafhopper. Of the leafhoppers collected, only O. orientalis and Anzygina zealandica tested positive for TbYDV by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The population dynamics of O. orientalis was assessed using sweep net sampling over three growing seasons and a trimodal distribution was observed. Despite large numbers of O... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3486182 Mon, 19 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3486182 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3448163&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00403.x Transmissions of plant viruses between individuals of their vector insects through mating are rare events. Recently, three begomoviruses were found to be transmitted between males and females of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci through mating, and two viruses were shown to be transmitted transovarially to progeny. However, results between reports were not consistent. Here we examined the horizontal and vertical transmission of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) and Tomato yellow leaf curl China virus (TYLCCNV) by the B and Q biotypes of B. tabaci, using virus isolates and whitefly colonies established recently in China. Both TYLCV DNA and TYLCCNV DNA were shown to be transmitted horizontally and vertically by each of the two biotypes of the whitefly, but frequency of transmission was usually... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3448163 Tue, 06 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3448163 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3443145&cid=s_32047_62_f&fid=32047&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1111%252Fj.1744-7348.2010.00402.x The study was performed on apple trees, 'Golden Delicious' cv., which is a scab-susceptible cultivar. The phenolic content of apple fruit was determined in different parts of the peel. The phenolic compounds were analysed in the scab spot, in the tissue around the spot and in the healthy tissue. We determined the concentration of various phenolic compounds and related enzyme activities. Infection with the Venturia inaequalis fungus enhanced the metabolism of phenolic compounds at the scab spot, around the spot and in healthy peel. Compared with the healthy tissue and the tissue around the spot, the scab spot showed higher enzyme activity for all tested enzymes, except for dihydrochalcone 2'-O-glucosyltransferase, which had lower activity in the scab spot. In comparison to the healthy peel,... Annals of Applied Biology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3443145 Tue, 06 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3443145