Delaying senescence of wheat with fungicides has interacting effects with cultivar on grain sulphur concentration but not with sulphur yield or nitrogen: sulphur ratios

Winter wheat was grown in three field experiments, each repeated over two or three seasons, to investigate effects of extending flag leaf life by fungicide application on the concentration, kg ha(-1) and mg grain(-1) of nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S) as well as N:S ratio and sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) sedimentation volume. The experiments involved up to six cultivars and different application rates, timings and frequencies of azoxystrobin and epoxiconazole. For every day the duration to 37 % green flag leaf area (m) was extended, N yield was increased by 2.58 kg ha(-1), N per grain by 0.00957 mg, S yield by 0.186 kg ha(-1) and S per grain by 0.000718 mg. The N:S ratio decreased by 0.0135 per day. There was no evidence that these responses varied with cultivar. In contrast, the relationship between flag leaf life and N or S concentration interacted with cultivar. The N and S concentrations of Shamrock, the cultivar that suffered most from brown rust (Puccinia rccondita), increased with the extension of flag leaf life whereas the concentrations of N and S in Malacca, a cultivar more susceptible to Septoria tritici, decreased as flag leaf senescence was delayed. This was because the relationships between m and N and S yields were much better conserved over cultivars than those between m and thousand grain weight (TGW) and grain yield ha(-1). (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of straw and silicon soil amendments on some foliar and stem-base diseases in pot-grown winter wheat

Four foliar and two stem-base pathogens were inoculated onto wheat plants grown in different substrates in pot experiments. Soils from four different UK locations were each treated in three ways: (i) straw incorporated in the field at 10 t ha−1 several months previously; (ii) silicon fertilization at 100 mg L−1 during the experiment; and (iii) no amendments. A sand and vermiculite mix was used with and without silicon amendment. The silicon treatment increased plant silica concentrations in all experiments, but incorporating straw was not associated with raised plant silica concentrations. Blumeria graminis and Puccinia recondita were inoculated by shaking infected plants over the test plants, followed by suitable humid periods. The silicon treatment reduced powdery mildew (B. graminis) substantially in sand and vermiculite and in two of the soils, but there were no effects on the slight infection by brown rust (P. recondita). Phaeosphaeria nodorum and Mycosphaerella graminicola were inoculated as conidial suspensions. Leaf spot caused by P. nodorum was reduced in silicon-amended sand and vermiculite; soil was not tested. Symptoms of septoria leaf blotch caused by M. graminicola were reduced by silicon amendment in a severely infected sand and vermiculite experiment but not in soil or a slightly infected sand and vermiculite experiment. Oculimacula yallundae (eyespot) and Fusarium culmorum (brown foot rot) were inoculated as agar plugs on the stem base. Severity of O. yallundae was reduced by silicon amendment of two of the soils but not sand and vermiculite; brown foot rot symptoms caused by F. culmorum were unaffected by silicon amendment. The straw treatment reduced severity of powdery mildew but did not detectably affect the other pathogens. Both straw and silicon treatments appeared to increase plant resistance to all diseases only under high disease pressure.

Impacts of changing air composition on severity of arable crop disease epidemics

This review assesses the impacts, both direct and indirect, of man-made changes to the composition of the air over a 200 year period on the severity of arable crop disease epidemics. The review focuses on two well-studied UK arable crops,wheat and oilseed rape, relating these examples to worldwide food security. In wheat, impacts of changes in concentrations of SO2 in air on two septoria diseases are discussed using data obtained from historical crop samples and unpublished experimental work. Changes in SO2 seem to alter septoria disease spectra both through direct effects on infection processes and through indirect effects on soil S status. Work on the oilseed rape diseases phoma stem canker and light leaf spot illustrates indirect impacts of increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases, mediated through climate change. It is projected that, by the 2050s, if diseases are not controlled, climate change will increase yields in Scotland but halve yields in southern England. These projections are discussed in relation to strategies for adaptation to environmental change. Since many strategies take10–15 years to implement, it is important to take appropriate decisions soon. Furthermore, it is essential to make appropriate investment in collation of long-term data, modelling and experimental work to guide such decision-making by industry and government, as a contribution to worldwide food security.

Accounting for the economic risk, caused by variation in disease severity, in fungicide dose decisions: exemplified for Mycosphaerella graminicola on winter wheat

A method is presented to calculate economic optimum fungicide doses accounting for the risk-aversion of growers responding to variability in disease severity between crops. Simple dose-response and disease-yield loss functions are used to estimate net disease-related costs (fungicide cost, plus disease-induced yield loss) as a function of dose and untreated severity. With fairly general assumptions about the shapes of the probability distribution of disease severity and the other functions involved, we show that a choice of fungicide dose which minimises net costs on average across seasons results in occasional large net costs caused by inadequate control in high disease seasons. This may be unacceptable to a grower with limited capital. A risk-averse grower can choose to reduce the size and frequency of such losses by applying a higher dose as insurance. For example, a grower may decide to accept ‘high loss’ years one year in ten or one year in twenty (i.e. specifying a proportion of years in which disease severity and net costs will be above a specified level). Our analysis shows that taking into account disease severity variation and risk-aversion will usually increase the dose applied by an economically rational grower. The analysis is illustrated with data on septoria tritici leaf blotch of wheat caused by Mycosphaerella graminicola. Observations from untreated field plots at sites across England over three years were used to estimate the probability distribution of disease severities at mid-grain filling. In the absence of a fully reliable disease forecasting scheme, reducing the frequency of ‘high loss’ years requires substantially higher doses to be applied to all crops. Disease resistant cultivars reduce both the optimal dose at all levels of risk and the disease-related costs at all doses.

Fungicide-resistance management tactics: impacts on Zymoseptoria tritici populations

Azoles and Succinate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors (SDHIs) are the main fungicides available for septoria tritici blotch control, causal agent Zymoseptoria tritici. Decline in azole sensitivity, in combination with European legislation, poses a threat to wheat production in Ireland. Azole fungicides select CYP51 mutations differentially; it was hypothesised that using combinations of azoles could be an effective anti-resistance tool. Naturally inoculated field experiments were carried out in order to understand the impacts of using combinations of azoles, epoxiconazole and metconazole, on azole sensitivity. Approximately 3700 isolates were isolated and their sensitivity to both azoles analysed. Findings showed that limiting the number of applications, by alternating each fungicide, slowed selection for reduced azole sensitivity. Limiting azole use by reducing doses did not reduce selection for decreased azole sensitivity. Although not complete, cross-resistance was observed between the two azoles, which will lead to general reduction in azole sensitivity. A sub-selection of isolates from each treatment at each location were analysed for changes in the CYP51 gene. Sequence analysis identified 49 combinations of mutations in the CYP51 gene, and three different inserts in the CYP51 promoter. Intragenic recombination also featured in these populations. Baseline studies of five new SDHIs were carried out on 209 naturally infected, non-SDHI-treated isolates. With the exception of fluopyram, cross-resistance was apparent between the SDHIs. Analysis of 2300 isolates found that when compared to the solo products, mixing the SDHI isopyrazam and the azole epoxiconazole increased epoxiconazole sensitivity, but had no apparent effect on isopyrazam sensitivity. SDHI resistance-conferring mutations were absent in the baseline and experimental isolates. As long as azoles are used, Z. tritici populations will continue to evolve towards resistance. Combining different modes-of-action, SDHIs and multi-sites, with azoles will relieve some of that selective pressure. To get the best out of available fungicides, they should be used in combination with host resistance and good crop management practices.

Efeito de biofertilizantes sobre o crescimento micelial e a germinação de esporos de alguns fungos fitopatogênicos

The biofertilizer was produced through anaerobic fermentation of cow manure adding milk, sugar, salts, cow liver parts and bone powder. After 73 days of fermentation it was evaluated the effect on micelial growth of Pythium aphanidermatum, Alternaria solani, Stemphylium solani, Septoria licopersici, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Botrytis cinerea, Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli and spores germination of B. cinerea, A. solani, Hemileia vastatrix and Coleosporium plumierae. In relation to micelial growth inhibition, the growth rate was calculated and it was found that, in general, concentrations over 10% caused a total inhibition of growth for the majority of fungi assayed. In case of spores germination, biofertilizer concentration over 20% has inhibited completely the germination of B. cinerea, over 10% inhibited A. solani, 5 and 1% of C. plumierae and H. vastatrix, respectively. Three different biofertilizers were also tested and one of them was less effective, which was the one produced with manure from confined cows opposed to the others produced with grazing cows.

Aplicação de fungicida via irrigação por gotejamento na cultura do tomateiro em cultivo protegido

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Irrigação e Drenagem) - FCA

Levantamento de raças de Bremialactucae em 2011 nas principais áreas produtoras de alfaces do Estado de São Paulo e avaliação da resistência em cultivares comerciais

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Interações do Lettuce mosaic vírus (LMV) x afídeos vetores nas regiões produtoras de alface (Lactuca sativa L.) do cinturão verde de São Paulo

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Aplicação de Fungicida Na Cultura do Tomateiro Via Água de Irrigação em Cultivo Protegido

O presente trabalho objetivou estudar os efeitos de uma nova técnica de aplicação de fungicida, através da água de irrigação (gotejamento), na cultura do tomate híbrido “Débora Plus”, no controle da doença causada pelo fungo Septoria lycopersici Sepg. Além de estudar a comparação dos tipos de aplicação, foi estudado também 6 (seis) doses do fungicida benomyl na fungigação. As doses utilizadas foram: 75% (59,5 mg/vaso), 50% (119,0 mg/vaso), 25% a menos da dose recomendada (178,5 mg/vaso), 100% da dose recomendada (238,0 mg/vaso), 25% (297,5 mg/vaso) e 50% superior à dose recomendada (357,0 mg/vaso). As doses utilizadas nas aplicações via pulverização foram de 100% da dose recomendada pelo fabricante (238,0 mg/vaso). Para efeito de comparação entre os tratamentos avaliaram-se o número e pesos das matérias fresca e seca dos frutos colhidos e a altura das plantas. Na instalação do experimento adotou-se o delineamento em blocos casualizados com oito tratamentos e cinco repetições. De acordo com os resultados obtidos verificou-se que a aplicação convencional do benomyl, para controle da septoriose do tomateiro, foi superior à fungigação. Não houve diferença significativa entre as diferentes dosagens do produto na fungigação, mas houve o controle da doença. O parâmetro altura das plantas foi semelhante para todos os tratamentos, evidenciando que tanto a fungigação como a pulverização convencional não interferiu no crescimento das mesmas. O cultivo das plantas em casa de vegetação, utilizando vasos, proporcionou excelente resultado no controle de pragas e doenças, pois os tomateiros não apresentaram pragas tampouco outras doenças, além da Septoria lycopersici, que foi inoculada. Mesmo nas plantas testemunhas não houve disseminação da septoriose e, a irrigação com garrafas individuais também indicou bons resultados, pois deste modo sabe-se a quantidade de exata de fertilizantes, defensivos e água aplicada na planta.

Obtaining resistant lettuce progenies to downy mildew

A alface é a hortaliça folhosa mais consumida no Brasil. No entanto, a dificuldade em produzi-la vem aumentando, principalmente pela infestação das áreas de produção por Bremia lactucae, sendo o uso de cultivares com resistência horizontal, a alternativa mais viável no controle da doença. Diante do exposto, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi obter progênies de alface crespa resistentes às raças de míldio SPBl:01, SPBl:02, SPBl:03, SPBl:04, SPBl:05, SPBl:06 e SPBl:07. O trabalho de melhoramento consistiu de duas etapas: cruzamento dos parentais para obtenção das progênies de alface crespa resistentes e teste de resistência das progênies às raças de B. lactucae. Os parentais utilizados na obtenção das progênies resistentes foram Argeles e linhagem JAB 4-13-7, visando a obtenção de progênies de alface do tipo crespa, com os fatores de resistência R-18 e R-38. Para tanto, adotou-se o método genealógico, tendo como padrão, para as seleções, a cultivar Hortência e o genótipo JAB 4-13-7. Após a seleção e autofecundação das plantas no campo, efetuou-se o teste de resistência ou suscetibilidade, por meio da inoculação nas progênies oriundas dos cruzamentos, de uma mistura de água destilada + esporângios de B. lactucae das raças SPBl:01, SPBl:02, SPBl:03, SPBl:04, SPBl:05, SPBl:06 e SPBl:07 obtidas de isolados coletados nos anos de 2008 a 2010. Quinze dias após a inoculação, as plântulas foram selecionadas, descartando aquelas que possuíam esporulação e pontos necróticos causados por B. lactucae. Pelo método genealógico, selecionaram-se 69 progênies F3 com boas características agronômicas. No entanto, após o teste de resistência ou suscetibilidade, somente 19 apresentaram todas as plantas resistentes ao míldio.

Levantamento de raças do agente causador do míldio da alface no estado de São Paulo em 2012 e 2013

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Genética e Melhoramento de Plantas) - FCAV

Avaliação de resíduos orgânicos para o manejo de Fusariose em diferentes patossistemas

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Effect of Fungicides and Plant Populations on Soybean Disease and Yield

Applications of foliar fungicides on soybeans have been shown to reduce disease pressure and protect yield under the right conditions, especially in environments that have very wet or humid conditions. In the past decade, fungicide use in Iowa has increased. Initially, growers were concerned with the potential threat of soybean rust, which is controlled effectively by foliar fungicides. In Iowa, however, there has not been any case of yield reduction due to soybean rust. New potential purposes for foliar fungicides include “plant health” benefits and the reduction of foliar diseases endemic in Iowa such as Septoria brown spot, Cercospora leaf blight, and frogeye leaf spot. Currently what is not known is how the efficacy of fungicides is affected when agricultural practices change. Our question: How does plant population affect the efficacy of fungicides?

Comportamiento de clones de álamos en Barreal : San Juan, Argentina

Con el objetivo de estudiar el comportamiento de diferentes clones de álamos en el valle cordillerano de Barreal, ubicado en la provincia de San Juan, Argentina, en 1995 se instaló un ensayo con los siguientes clones: 7 Populus x canadensis: Cima, Fogolino, Giorgione, Schiavone, Conti 12, I-214, Veronese y 7 Populus x deltoides: Harvard, Fierolo, I-72, 67/67, 71/67, Catfish 2 y Catfish 5. El sitio se encuentra a 31°36'55'' S, 69°27'30'' W y una altura de 1.628 msnm. El suelo es aluvial, de textura franca con cantos rodados de tamaño medio a partir de los 70 cm de la superficie. El marco de plantación fue de 5 x 2,5 m y el riego superficial por surcos. Se tomaron periódicamente datos dasométricos del diámetro altura de pecho (DAP) de todos los individuos, y altura total de árboles de diámetro promedio de cada clon. Además se observó cada una de las plantas a fin de determinar la presencia o ausencia de cancrosis del álamo y taladrillo de los forestales. Los resultados a la fecha muestran que los clones con mayor producción de madera, expresada en m3/ha son: Schiavone, I-214, Veronese, Conti 12 y Giorgione.