Resistance to the root-lesion nematode Pratylenchus thornei of Iranian landrace wheat.

Pratylenchus thornei is widespread throughout the wheat-growing regions in Australia and overseas and can cause yield losses of up to 70% in some intolerant cultivars. The most effective forms of management of P. thornei populations are crop rotation and plant breeding. There have been no wheat accessions identified as completely resistant to P. thornei, therefore breeding programs have used moderately resistant parents. The objective of the present research was to evaluate 274 Iranian landrace wheats for resistance to P. thornei and identify accessions with resistance superior to the current best resistance source (GS50a). Plants were grown in P. thornei inoculated soil under controlled conditions in a glasshouse pot experiment for 16 weeks. Ninety-two accessions found to be resistant or moderately so were retested in a second experiment. From combined analysis of these experiments, 34 accessions were identified as resistant with reproduction factors (final population per kg soil/initial inoculum rate per kg soil) <= 1. In total, 25 accessions were more resistant than GS50a, with AUS28470 significantly (P < 0.05) more resistant. The resistant Iranian landraces identified in the present study are a valuable untapped genetic pool offering improved levels of P. thornei resistance over current parents in Australian wheat-breeding programs.

Evaluation of transgenic bananas expressing anti-apoptotic genes for resistance against Fusarium wilt

The banana industry worldwide is under threat from a fungal disease known as Fusarium wilt, a disease for which there is no chemical control. Conventional breeding approaches to generate resistant banana varieties are lengthy and very difficult. As such, genetic engineering for disease resistance is considered the most viable control option. In this PhD thesis, genetically modified banana plants were generated using several different stress tolerance genes. When challenged with Fusarium wilt in glasshouse trials, some lines showed increased resistance to the disease. The promising elite lines generated in this study will now require testing in field trials.

Resistance to root-lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus thornei and P-neglectus) in synthetic hexaploid wheats and their durum and Aegilops tauschii parents.

Root-lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus thornei Sher and Allen and P. neglectus (Rensch) Filipijev and Schuurmans Stekhoven) cause substantial yield loss to wheat crops in the northern grain region of Australia. Resistance to P. thornei for use in wheat breeding programs was sought among synthetic hexaploid wheats (2n= 6x = 42, AABBDD) produced through hybridisations of Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum (Desf.) Husn (2n= 4x = 28, AABB) with Aegilops tauschii Coss. (2n= 2x = 14, DD). Resistance was determined for the synthetic hexaploid wheats and their durum and Ae. tauschii parents from the numbers of nematodes in the roots of plants grown for 16 weeks in pots of pasteurised soil inoculated with P. thornei. Fifty-nine (32%) of 186 accessions of synthetic hexaploid wheats had lower numbers of nematodes than Gatcher Selection 50a (GS50a), a partially resistant bread wheat. Greater frequencies of partial resistance were present in the durum parents (72% of 39 lines having lower nematode numbers than GS50a) and in the Ae. tauschii parents (55% of 53 lines). The 59 synthetic hexaploids were re-tested in a second experiment along with their parents. In a third experiment, 11 resistant synthetic hexaploid wheats and their F-1 hybrids with Janz, a susceptible bread wheat, were tested and the F(1)s were found to give nematode counts intermediate between the respective two parents. Synthetic hexaploid wheats with higher levels of resistance resulted from hybridisations where both the durum and Ae. tauschii parents were partially resistant, rather than where only one parent was partially resistant. These results suggest that resistance to P. thornei in synthetic hexaploid wheats is polygenic, with resistances located both in the D genome from Ae. tauschii and in the A and/or B genomes from durum. Five synthetic hexaploid wheats were selected for further study on the basis of (1) a high level of resistance to P. thornei of the synthetic hexaploid wheats and of both their durum and Ae. tauschii parents, (2) being representative of both Australian and CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre) durums, and (3) being representative of the morphological subspecies and varieties of Ae. tauschii. These 5 synthetic hexaploid wheats were also shown to be resistant to P. neglectus, whereas GS50a and 2 P. thornei-resistant derivatives were quite susceptible. Results of P. thornei resistance of F(1)s and F(2)s from a half diallel of these 5 synthetic hexaploid wheats, GS50a, and Janz from another study indicate polygenic additive resistance and better general combining ability for the synthetic hexaploid wheats than for GS50a. Published molecular marker studies on a doubled haploid population between the synthetic hexaploid wheat with best general combining ability (CPI133872) and Janz have shown quantitative trait loci for resistance located in all 3 genomes. Synthetic hexaploid wheats offer a convenient way of introgressing new resistances to P. thornei and P. neglectus from both durum and Ae. tauschii into commercial bread wheats.

The host range of Isturgia deeraria, an insect considered for the biological control of Acacia nilotica in Australia

The geometrid caterpillar Isturgia deerraria was imported from Kenya into quarantine facilities in Australia as a potential biological control agent for prickly acacia, Acacia nilotica subsp. indica (Benth.) Brenan (family Mimosaceae). The insect was then tested on 30 plant species presented to neonate larvae as a no-choice cut foliage test and 13 plant species presented as a no-choice potted plant test. In these tests the insect was able to complete its life cycle on 13 native Acacia spp. and also on Acacia farnesiana and the exotic ornamental Delonix regia (family Caesalpiniaceae). The tests supported field observations that the insect has a host range spanning many leguminous species and as such the insect could not be considered for release in Australia.

Studies on the rust Prospodium tuberculatum, a new classical biological control agent released against the invasive alien weed Lantana camara in Australia. 2. Host range

A strain of the rust Prospodium tuberculatum from Brazil was screened as a potential biocontrol agent against 40 Australian Lantana camara forms and 52 closely related, non-target plant species. Results under glasshouse conditions showed that the Brazilian rust strain is pathogenic to only two flower colour forms: pink and pink-edged red. Macro- and microsymptoms were recorded using 11 assessment categories and four susceptibility ratings. No macrosymptoms were observed on any of the non-target plants.

Simulating the evolution of glyphosate resistance in grains farming in northern Australia.

Background and Aims: The evolution of resistance to herbicides is a substantial problem in contemporary agriculture. Solutions to this problem generally consist of the use of practices to control the resistant population once it evolves, and/or to institute preventative measures before populations become resistant. Herbicide resistance evolves in populations over years or decades, so predicting the effectiveness of preventative strategies in particular relies on computational modelling approaches. While models of herbicide resistance already exist, none deals with the complex regional variability in the northern Australian sub-tropical grains farming region. For this reason, a new computer model was developed. Methods: The model consists of an age- and stage-structured population model of weeds, with an existing crop model used to simulate plant growth and competition, and extensions to the crop model added to simulate seed bank ecology and population genetics factors. Using awnless barnyard grass (Echinochloa colona) as a test case, the model was used to investigate the likely rate of evolution under conditions expected to produce high selection pressure. Key Results: Simulating continuous summer fallows with glyphosate used as the only means of weed control resulted in predicted resistant weed populations after approx. 15 years. Validation of the model against the paddock history for the first real-world glyphosate-resistant awnless barnyard grass population shows that the model predicted resistance evolution to within a few years of the real situation. Conclusions: This validation work shows that empirical validation of herbicide resistance models is problematic. However, the model simulates the complexities of sub-tropical grains farming in Australia well, and can be used to investigate, generate and improve glyphosate resistance prevention strategies.

The infectivity and host range of Orgyia anartoides nucleopolyhedrovirus.

The painted apple moth (PAM), Teia anartoides (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) made a recent incursion into New Zealand. A nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV), Orgyia anartoides NPV (OranNPV), originally isolated from PAM in Australia, was tested for its pathogenicity to PAM and a range of non-target insect species found in New Zealand, to evaluate its suitability as a microbial control for this insect invader. Dosage-mortality tests showed that OranNPV was highly pathogenic to PAM larvae; mean LT50 values for third instars ranged from 17.9 to 8.1 days for doses from 102 to 105 polyhedral inclusion bodies/larva, respectively. The cause of death in infected insects was confirmed as OranNPV. Molecular analysis established that OranNPV can be identified by PCR and restriction digestion, and this process complemented microscopic examination of infected larvae. No lymantriid species occur in New Zealand; however, the virus had no significant effects on species from five other lepidopteran families (Noctuidae, Tortricidae, Geometridae, Nymphalidae and Plutellidae) or on adult honeybees. Thus, all indications from this initial investigation are that OranNPV would be an important tool in the control of PAM in a future incursion of this species into New Zealand.

Molecular convergence of hexosamine biosynthetic pathway and ER stress leading to insulin resistance in L6 skeletal muscle cells

Augmentation of hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HBP) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress were independently related to be the underlying causes of insulin resistance. We hypothesized that there might be a molecular convergence of activated HBP and ER stress pathways leading to insulin resistance. Augmentation of HBP in L6 skeletal muscle cells either by pharmacological (glucosamine) or physiological (high-glucose) means, resulted in increased protein expression of ER chaperones (viz., Grp78, Calreticulin, and Calnexin), UDP-GlcNAc levels and impaired insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. Cells silenced for O-glycosyl transferase (OGT) showed improved insulin-stimulated glucose uptake (P < 0.05) but without any effect on ER chaperone upregulation. While cells treated with either glucosamine or high-glucose exhibited increased JNK activity, silencing of OGT resulted in inhibition of JNK and normalization of glucose uptake. Our study for the first time, demonstrates a molecular convergence of O-glycosylation processes and ER stress signals at the cross-road of insulin resistance in skeletal muscle.

A comparison of alternative plant mixes for conservation bio-control by native beneficial arthropods in vegetable cropping systems in Queensland Australia.

Cucurbit crops host a range of serious sap-sucking insect pests, including silverleaf whitefly (SLW) and aphids, which potentially represent considerable risk to the Australian horticulture industry. These pests are extremely polyphagous with a wide host range. Chemical control is made difficult due to resistance and pollution, and other side-effects are associated with insecticide use. Consequently, there is much interest in maximising the role of biological control in the management of these sap-sucking insect pests. This study aimed to evaluate companion cropping alongside cucurbit crops in a tropical setting as a means to increase the populations of beneficial insects and spiders so as to control the major sap-sucking insect pests. The Population of beneficial and harmful insects, with a focus on SLW and aphids, and other invertebrates were sampled weekly oil four different crops which could be used for habitat manipulation: Goodbug Mix (GBM; a proprietary seed Mixture including self-sowing annual and perennial herbaceous flower species); lablab (Lablab purpureus L. Sweet); lucerne (Medicago sativa L.); and niger (Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass.). Lablab hosted the highest numbers of beneficial insects (larvae and adults of lacewing (Mallada signata (Schneider)), ladybird beetles (Coccinella transversalis Fabricius) and spiders) while GBM hosted the highest numbers of European bees (Apis mellifera Linnaeus) and spiders. Lucerne and niger showed little promise in hosting beneficial insects, but lucerne hosted significantly more spiders (double the numbers) than niger. Lucerne hosted significantly more of the harmful insect species of aphids (Aphis gossypii (Glover)) and Myzus persicae (Sulzer)) and heliothis (Heliothis armigera Hubner). Niger hosted significantly more vegetable weevils (Listroderes difficillis (Germar)) than the other three species. Therefore, lablab and GBM appear to be viable options to grow within cucurbits or as field boundary crops to attract and increase beneficial insects and spiders for the control of sap-sucking insect pests. Use of these bio-control strategies affords the opportunity to minimise pesticide usage and the risks associated with pollution.

Resistance to the root-lesion nematode Pratylenchus thornei in wheat landraces and cultivars from the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region.

Resistance to the root-lesion nematode Pratylenchus thornei was sought in wheat from the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region in the Watkins Collection (148 bread and 139 durum wheat accessions) and the McIntosh Collection (59 bread and 43 durum wheat accessions). It was considered that landraces from this region, encompassing the centres of origin of wheat and where P. thornei also occurs, could be valuable sources of resistance for use in wheat breeding. Resistance was determined by number of P. thornei/kg soil after the growth of the plants in replicated glasshouse experiments. On average, durum accessions produced significantly lower numbers of P. thornei than bread wheat accessions in both the Watkins and McIntosh Collections. Selected accessions with low P. thornei numbers were re-tested and 13 bread wheat and 10 durum accessions were identified with nematode numbers not significantly different from GS50a, a partially resistant bread wheat line used as a reference standard. These resistant accessions, which originated in Iran, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Sudan, Morocco, and Tunisia, represent a resource of resistance genes in the primary wheat gene pool, which could be used in Australian wheat breeding programs to reduce the economic loss from P. thornei.

Austropleospora osteospermi gen. et sp nov and its host specificity and distribution on Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp rotundata in Australia.

Hendersonia osteospermi was found for the first time in Australia on leaf spots of the introduced invasive plant Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. rotundata (bitou bush) in coastal regions of New South Wales. Pathogenicity tests on species from 11 tribes in the family Asteraceae, demonstrated that H. osteospermi caused severe necrosis on leaves and stems of C. monilifera ssp. rotundata and its congener C. monilifera ssp. monilifera (boneseed). Small necrotic spots also developed on Osteospermum fruticosum and Dimorphotheca cuneata in the Calenduleae and on Helianthus annuus (sunflower) in the Heliantheae. None of the other plant species tested developed leaf spots, although H. osteospermi was re-isolated from senescent leaves of Cynara scolymus (globe artichoke) in the Cynareae and Vernonia cinerea in the Vernonieae. Single ascospores from ascomata of a Pleospora-like fungus found on diseased stems of bitou bush produced H. osteospermi in culture, which proved the anamorph/teleomorph connection. The ITS region of both a single-ascospore isolate and a single-conidium isolate were sequenced and found to be identical. The taxonomic status of H. osteospermi is re-examined and Austropleospora osteospermi gen. et sp. nov. is described as its teleomorph based on morphology, host range tests and DNA sequence analysis. The potential of A. osteospermi for the biological control of bitou bush and boneseed in Australia is discussed.

Species and Hybrids: Chemical and Physical Foliar Attributes and Implications for Herbivory.

Hybridization is an important biological phenomenon that can be used to understand the evolutionary process of speciation of plants and their associated pests and diseases. Interactions between hybrid plants and the herbivores of the parental taxa may be used to elucidate the various cues being used by the pests for host location or other processes. The chemical composition of plants, and their physical foliar attributes, including leaf thickness, trichome density, moisture content and specific leaf weight were compared between allopatric pure and commercial hybrid species of Corymbia, an important subtropical hardwood taxon. The leaf-eating beetle Paropsis atomaria, to which the pure taxa represented host (C. citriodora subsp. variegata) and non-host (C. torelliana) plants, was used to examine patterns of herbivory in relation to these traits. Hybrid physical foliar traits, chemical profiles, and field and laboratory beetle feeding preference, while showing some variability, were generally intermediate to those exhibited by parent taxa, thus suggesting an additive inheritance pattern. The hybrid susceptibility hypothesis was not supported by our field or laboratory studies, and there was no strong relationship between adult preference and larval performance. The most-preferred adult host was the sympatric taxon, although this species supported the lowest larval survival, while the hybrid produced significantly smaller pupae than the pure species. The results are discussed in relation to plant chemistry and physical characteristics. The findings suggest a chemical basis for host selection behavior and indicate that it may be possible to select for resistance to this insect pest in these commercially important hardwood trees.

Characterising insect plant host relationships facilitates understanding multiple host use

Weed biocontrol relies on host specificity testing, usually carried out under quarantine conditions to predict the future host range of candidate control agents. The predictive power of host testing can be scrutinised directly with Aconophora compressa, previously released against the weed Lantana camara L. (lantana) because its ecology in its new range (Australia) is known and includes the unanticipated use of several host species. Glasshouse based predictions of field host use from experiments designed a posteriori can therefore be compared against known field host use. Adult survival, reproductive output and egg maturation were quantified. Adult survival did not differ statistically across the four verbenaceous hosts used in Australia. Oviposition was significantly highest on fiddlewood (Citharexylum spinosum L.), followed by lantana, on which oviposition was significantly higher than on two varieties of Duranta erecta (‘‘geisha girl’’ and ‘‘Sheena’s gold’’; all Verbenaceae). Oviposition rates across Duranta varieties were not significantly different from each other but were significantly higher than on the two non-verbenaceous hosts (Jacaranda mimosifolia D. Don: Bignoneaceae (jacaranda) and Myoporum acuminatum R. Br.: Myoporaceae (Myoporum)). Production of adult A. compressa was modelled across the hosts tested. The only major discrepancy between model output and their relative abundance across hosts in the field was that densities on lantana in the field were much lower than predicted by the model. The adults may, therefore, not locate lantana under field conditions and/or adults may find lantana but leave after laying relatively few eggs. Fiddlewood is the only primary host plant of A. compressa in Australia, whereas lantana and the others are used secondarily or incidentally. The distinction between primary, secondary and incidental hosts of a herbivore species helps to predict the intensity and regularity of host use by that herbivore. Populations of the primary host plants of a released biological control agent are most likely to be consistently impacted by the herbivore, whereas secondary and incidental host plant species are unlikely to be impacted consistently. As a consequence, potential biocontrol agents should be released only against hosts to which they have been shown to be primarily adapted.

Electric-field-dependent average resistance and the resistance fluctuation in one-dimensional disordered systems

Following an invariant-imbedding approach, we obtain analytical expressions for the ensemble-averaged resistance (ρ) and its Sinai’s fluctuations for a one-dimensional disordered conductor in the presence of a finite electric field F. The mean resistance shows a crossover from the exponential to the power-law length dependence with increasing field strength in agreement with known numerical results. More importantly, unlike the zero-field case the resistance distribution saturates to a Poissonian-limiting form proportional to A‖F‖exp(-A‖F‖ρ) for large sample lengths, where A is constant.