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Publications

NIBIOs employees contribute to several hundred scientific articles and research reports every year. You can browse or search in our collection which contains references and links to these publications as well as other research and dissemination activities. The collection is continously updated with new and historical material.

2010

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Abstract

A collection of four clonal isolates of Podosphaera aphanis was heterothallic and was composed of two mutually exclusive mating types. Cleistothecial initials approximate to 20 to 30 mu m in diameter were observed within 7 to 14 days after pairing of compatible isolates and developed into morphologically mature ascocarps within 4 weeks after initiation on both potted plants maintained in isolation and in field plantings in New York State and southern Norway. Ascospores progressed through a lengthy maturation process over winter, during which (i) the conspicuous epiplasm of the ascus was absorbed; (ii) the osmotic potential of the ascospore cytoplasm increased, resulting in bursting of prematurely freed spores in water; and, finally, (iii) resulting in the development of physiologically mature, germinable, and infectious ascospores. Release of overwintered ascospores from field collections was coincident with renewed plant growth in spring. Overwintered cleistothecia readily dehisced when wetted and released ascospores onto glass slides, detached strawberry leaves, and leaves of potted plants. Plant material exposed to discharged ascospores developed macroscopically visible mildew colonies within 7 to 10 days while noninoculated controls remained mildew free. Scanning electron and light microscopy revealed that cleistothecia of P. aphanis were enmeshed within a dense mat of hyphae on the persistent leaves of field-grown strawberry plants and were highly resistant to removal by rain while these leaves remained alive. In contrast, morphologically mature cleistothecia on leaves of nine deciduous perennial plant species were readily detached by simulated rain and seemed adapted for passive dispersal by rain to other substrates. Contrary to many previous reports, cleistothecia appear to be a functional source of primary inoculum for strawberry powdery mildew. Furthermore, they differ substantially from cleistothecia of powdery mildews of many deciduous perennial plants in their propensity to remain attached to the persistent leaves of their host during the intercrop period.

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Abstract

Current season needle necrosis (CSNN) has been a serious foliage disorder on true fir Christmas trees and bough material in Europe and North America for more than 25 y. Approximately 2-4 weeks after bud break, needles develop chlorotic spots or bands that later turn necrotic. The symptoms have been observed on noble fir (Abies procera), Nordmann fir (A. nordmanniana) and grand fir (A. grandis) on both continents. CSNN was reported as a physiological disorder with unknown aetiology from USA, Denmark, and Ireland, but was associated with the fungus Kabatina abietis in Germany, Austria and Norway. In 2007, a fungus that morphologically resembled K. abietis was isolated from symptomatic needle samples from Nordmann fir from Austria, Denmark, Germany, Norway, and USA. Sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA of these cultures, plus a K. abietis reference culture from Germany (CBS 248.93), resulted in Hormonema dematioides, the imperfect stage of Sydowia polyspora, and thus the taxonomy is further discussed. Inoculation tests on Nordmann fir seedlings and transplants with isolates of S. polyspora from all five countries resulted in the development of CSNN symptoms. In 2009, S. polyspora was also isolated from symptomatic needles from Nordmann fir collected in Slovakia. (c) 2010 The British Mycological Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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Abstract

The effect of potential resistance inducing chemicals on disease development of Fusarium head blight was studied in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). As a pre-screening test, the effect of different treatments on development of Microdochium majus (syn. Microdochium nivale var. majus) was studied in detached leaves. Based on these tests, DL-3-aminobutyric acid, Bion (benzo-(1,2,3) thiadiazole-7-carbothioic acid S-methyl ester), and a foliar fertilizer containing potassium phosphite were selected for further studies. Greenhouse-grown winter wheat was sprayed with aqueous solutions of the potential resistance inducers 7 days prior to Fusarium culmorum point inoculation of the heads. Disease development was registered as number of bleached spikelets per inoculated spike. Spraying plants with the foliar fertilizer reduced the disease severity of F. culmorum by up to 40%. A reduced disease development of M. majus was also observed in detached leaves pre-treated with the foliar fertilizer. When the foliar fertilizer was added to the growth medium, a reduced in vitro growth of M. majus and F. culmorum was observed, indicating that the effect on disease development is at least partly due to a fungistatic effect. No significant reduction in disease development was observed in wheat pre-treated with DL-3-aminobutyric acid or Bion, although these compounds tended to reduce disease development, especially when applied in combination with other potential resistance inducers. We conclude that spraying winter wheat with a solution containing potassium phosphite can reduce development of M. majus and F. culmorum.