scholarly journals First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Erysiphe heraclei on Chervil in California

Plant Disease ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 88 (10) ◽  
pp. 1163-1163
Author(s):  
S. T. Koike ◽  
G. S. Saenz

Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium) is a culinary herb in the Apiaceae family that is grown commercially in California. In 2003 and 2004, shade house plantings of chervil in central coastal California exhibited symptoms and signs of a powdery mildew disease. White, epiphytic mycelia and conidia were present on petioles and leaves. Severely affected leaflets became slightly twisted and bent. Mycelium was amphigenous and effused or in patches. Hyphae measured 5.0 to 7.5 μm in diameter and had lobed appressoria. Conidiophores were straight and had cylindric foot cells measuring 25.0 to 37.5 × 7.5 to 10.0 μm, followed by a longer cell and one to two shorter cells. Conidia formed singly, were cylindric, and measured (37.5-) 40.0 to 50.0 (-52.5) × 15.0 to 17.5 μm. Conidia lacked fibrosin bodies and germinated at the ends with either a very short or a long germ tube forming a lobed appressorium (Polygoni type). No cleistothecia were observed. On the basis of these characteristics, the fungus was identified as Erysiphe heraclei (1). To confirm pathogenicity, severely colonized chervil leaves from a commercial nursery were gently pressed onto leaves of potted chervil plants. Plants were then maintained in a greenhouse (22 to 24°C). After 10 to 12 days, signs of powdery mildew developed on the foliage of inoculated plants, and the pathogen morphology matched that of the originally observed pathogen. Noninoculated control plants did not develop powdery mildew. To investigate the host range of this chervil isolate, parsley (Petroselinum crispum) and celery (Apium graveolens) plants were inoculated in the same way as described. However, after more than 3 weeks, no powdery mildew developed on these two Apiaceae plants. Control chervil plants again developed the disease. To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew of chervil caused by E. heraclei in California. Disease impact was severe, and in some cases, chervil crops were not harvested. The inability of the chervil isolate to infect two other Apiaceae plants that are listed as hosts of E. heraclei indicates that this pathogen may consist of strains having different host ranges. Reference: (1) U. Braun. Nova Hedwigia 89:1, 1987.

Plant Disease ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. T. Koike ◽  
G. S. Saenz

Since 1994, a fungal disease has been affecting celery (Apium graveolens) grown for seed in the central coast region of California. White, ectophytic mycelia and conidia, characteristic of a powdery mildew, were present on compound umbels, including the involucre, rays, raylets, flowers, and fruits. Celery with powdery mildew had twisted flower petals, and the disease possibly contributed to premature senescence and drying of the fruits. Powdery mildew was not observed on leaves. Mycelial growth was effused and amphigenous and had lobed appressoria. Conidiophores were straight, and cylindrical foot cells were followed by a longer cell and one or two shorter cells. Conidia were produced singly and were 36 to 44 × 11 to 16 μm. Fibrosin bodies were not observed. Germ tubes were located at the ends of conidia and formed lobed appressoria. Cleistothecia were not present. Based on these characteristics, the fungus was identified as Erysiphe heraclei (1). In California, parsley (Petroselinum crispum) is a host of E. heraclei (4), and parsley is grown in the same region as celery seed crops. To determine if parsley was an alternative host of the celery powdery mildew, infected celery umbels were gently pressed onto adaxial surfaces of leaves on 2-month-old greenhouse grown parsley cvs. Italian Plain and Triple Curled. Inoculated plants were incubated 48 h in a moist chamber at 22°C, then transferrred to a greenhouse at 22 ± 2°C / 16 ± 2°C day/night temperatures, 75% relative humidity, and natural light. After 12 to 14 days, powdery mildew was observed on both parsley cultivars. Uninoculated control plants did not develop the disease. This is the first report of powdery mildew on celery in North America. Previous reports list E. heraclei on celery in Chile, the former Czechoslovakia, France, Iraq, Italy, and the former USSR (Georgia region). In the U.S., E. heraclei is reported on carrot (Daucus carota) (2), parsley (4), meadow parsnip (Zizia aptera and Z. aurea) (3), and now celery. References: (1) H. J. Boesewinkel. Bot. Rev. 46:167, 1980. (2) D. F. Farr et al. Fungi on Plants and Plant Products in the United States. American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN. (3) K. A. Hirata. Host Range and Geographic Distribution of the Powdery Mildew Fungi. Jpn. Scientif. Soc. Press, Tokyo. (4) S. T. Koike and G. S. Saenz. Plant Dis. 78:1219, 1994.


Plant Disease ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 101 (7) ◽  
pp. 1086-1093 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Laure Desprez-Loustau ◽  
Marie Massot ◽  
Nicolas Feau ◽  
Tania Fort ◽  
Antonio de Vicente ◽  
...  

Mango leaves and inflorescences infected by powdery mildew in southern Spain were analyzed using multigene sequencing (ITS + 4 single-copy coding genes) to identify the causal agent. Erysiphe quercicola was detected in 97% out of 140 samples, collected in six different orchards in the Malaga region. Among these, a small proportion also yielded E. alphitoides (8% of all samples) and E. alphitoides was found alone in 3% of samples. A phylogenetic approach was completed by cross inoculations between oak and mango, which led to typical symptoms, supporting the conspecificity of oak and mango powdery mildews. To our knowledge, this is the first report of E. quercicola and E. alphitoides causing powdery mildew on mango trees in mainland Spain, and thus mainland Europe, based on unequivocal phylogenetic and biological evidence. Our study thus confirmed the broad host range of both E. quercicola and E. alphitoides. These results have practical implications in terms of the demonstrated ability for host range expansion in powdery mildews. They also open interesting prospects to the elucidation of molecular mechanisms underlying the ability to infect single versus multiple and unrelated host plants since these two closely related powdery mildew species belong to a small clade with both generalist and specialist powdery mildews.


Plant Disease ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 91 (4) ◽  
pp. 461-461 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Raid ◽  
C. Miller ◽  
K. Pernezny

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Nym. ex A.W. Hill) is an important leaf crop in the Everglades Agricultural Area of southern Florida. During the spring of 2005 and 2006, disease signs and symptoms resembling those incited by powdery mildew were observed on parsley at a commercial vegetable farm located 15 km east of Belle Glade. Symptoms consisted of leaf chlorosis, particularly in the dense lower canopy, and desiccation of affected tissue. A dense, white-to-light gray fungal growth was visible macroscopically on the surface of affected leaf tissue. Microscopic examinations revealed ectophytic hyphae with lobed appressoria and hyaline, straight conidiophores bearing single conidia. Conidia were short-cylindrical to cylindrical, measured 33 to 44 μm long and 13 to 16 μm wide, and lacked fibrosin bodies. Conidiophore foot cells were also cylindrical, straight, and measured 27 to 37 × 9 to 10 μm. Ascocarps of the teleomorph were not observed. The fungus closely matched the description of Erysiphe heraclei DC, a pathogen previously reported as attacking parsley on the U.S. West Coast (1,2). Pathogenicity was verified by inoculating adaxial leaf surfaces of 12 plants (cv. Dark Green Italian) with conidia collected from infected tissue by using a small brush. Inoculated plants and 12 noninoculated plants were lightly misted, held in a moist chamber for 48 h (22°C), and then incubated in a growth chamber for 4 weeks at 22°C with a photoperiod of 16 h. Symptoms that developed on inoculated plants were similar to those observed in the field, with no symptoms evident on the controls treated in a similar manner. To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew on parsley in Florida, even though parsley has been grown in the area for at least six decades. Noted as being somewhat unique among fungal pathogens because it favors dry rather than moist climatic conditions, it is probably no coincidence that powdery mildew was observed both years during the month of April, the height of Florida's dry season. The fact that monthly rainfall totals of 22 and 35 mm were recorded during April of 2004 and 2005, respectfully, well below the historical average of 72 mm, may have been a contributing influence. Glawe et al. (1), in issuing a first report of E. heraclei on carrots and parsley in the state of Washington and observing ascocarps on carrot tissue, mentioned the prospect of contaminated seed serving as a potential source of dissemination. Although they did not observe the teleomorph on parsley, prospects for its occurrence seem likely. With the bulk of parsley seed planted in Florida being produced in Washington, Oregon, or California, the observations reported herein may provide credence to such a hypothesis. References: (1) D. A. Glawe et al. Online publication. doi:10.1094/PHP-2005-0114-01-HN. Plant Health Progress, 2005. (2) S. T. Koike and G. S. Saenz. Plant Dis. 78:1219, 1994.


Plant Disease ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 92 (8) ◽  
pp. 1254-1254 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Tian ◽  
H.-Y. Liu ◽  
S. T. Koike

Recently, Apium virus Y (ApVY) was detected in field-grown cilantro (Coriandrum sativum), celery (Apium graveolens), and parsley (Petroselinum crispum) in California. In 2003, cilantro plants growing in three different fields in California (Monterey, San Joaquin, and San Luis Obispo counties) expressed symptoms of mosaic, vein clearing, and stunting. When plant sap was examined by transmission electron microscopy, flexuous, rod-shaped virus particles were observed. Total RNA was extracted from the symptomatic cilantro plants and used as a template in reverse transcription (RT)-PCR using universal potyvirus primers according to Chen et al. (1). The RT-PCR product was cloned into pGEM-T (Promega, Madison, WI) and the insert of 1,713 bp was sequenced (GenBank Accession No. EU515125). Nucleotide sequences from clones derived from three different infected cilantro plants were 89 to 97% identical to ApVY sequences encoding partial sequence of polyprotein in GenBank (Accession Nos. AY049716, EU127499, AF207594, AF203529, and EU255632). In 2007, celery plants showing necrotic line patterns and necrotic lesions on lower leaves and petioles were observed in several fields in two coastal counties in California (Monterey and Santa Clara counties). Flexuous, rod-shaped virus particles were also observed in the sap of those plants. ELISA for Cucumber mosaic virus and RT-PCR for Celery mosaic virus were negative. ApVY specific primers were designed on the basis of a consensus sequence of ApVY identified from cilantro in 2003; reverse primer 5′-GGCTCTTGCTATAGACAAATAGT-3′ and forward primer 5′-GAAGACCAAGCCAATGTGTGTA-3′. The sequence of RT-PCR products (GenBank Accession No. EU515126) amplified from infected celery had 90 to 98% nucleotide identity to ApVY. When the deduced amino acid sequences of NIb and CP regions from both cilantro and celery were used for comparison, they showed 95 to 99% identity with the known ApVY GenBank sequences mentioned above. More than 10 asymptomatic parsley plants growing in fields adjacent to the infected celery were also tested for ApVY and found to be infected. ApVY was previously identified in three Apiaceae weeds in Australia (2) and in celery in New Zealand (3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of ApVY on cilantro, celery, and parsley in California. References: (1) J. Chen et al. Arch. Virol. 146:757, 2001. (2) J. Moran et al. Arch. Virol. 147:1855, 2002. (3) J. Tang et al. Plant Dis. 91:1682, 2007.


2004 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Dean A. Glawe

Wood forget-me-not cultivars are popular ornamentals in the Pacific Northwest. In western Washington, this species frequently displays symptoms and signs of powdery mildew after anthesis. This report records the disease from King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Skagit counties and describes and illustrates symptoms of the disease as well as taxonomically important features of the causal organism. Accepted for publication 29 October 2004. Published 24 November 2004.


Plant Disease ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 98 (7) ◽  
pp. 1013-1013 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Y. Choi ◽  
B. S. Kim ◽  
S. E. Cho ◽  
J. H. Park ◽  
H. D. Shin

Gypsophila paniculata L. (baby's breath, family Caryophyllaceae), native to Central and Eastern Europe, is commonly cultivated as a commercial cut flower crop in greenhouses in Korea. Since 2011, baby's breath cv. Cassiopeia has been observed affected by a powdery mildew with nearly 100% disease incidence at the stage of harvesting in Iksan City. Powdery mildew colonies first appeared as thin white patches on stems and both sides of the leaves. As disease progressed, plants were covered with dense masses of spores, followed by senescence and reduction of quality of cut flowers. A voucher specimen was deposited in the Korea University Herbarium (Accession KUS-F27313). Appressoria were well-developed, multilobed or moderately lobed, and single or opposite in pairs. Conidiophores were straight, 95 to 150 × 7 to 10 μm, and composed of 3 to 4 cells. Foot-cells were cylindric or slightly sinuous at the base and 37 to 53 μm long. Singly produced conidia were cylindrical to oblong-elliptical, 35 to 56 × 12.5 to 18 μm with a length/width ratio of 2.1 to 3.6, devoid of fibrosin bodies, and with angular/rectangular wrinkling of outer walls. Germ tubes were in the perihilar position on conidia, and ended with lobed appressoria. No chasmothecia were found. These structures are typical of the Pseudoidium anamorph of the genus Erysiphe. Specific measurements and host range were consistent with those of E. buhrii U. Braun (2). To confirm identification, the complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA of isolate KUS-F27313 was amplified with primers ITS1/ITS4, and sequenced directly. The resulting 725-bp sequence was deposited in GenBank (KJ530705). A GenBank BLAST search of the Korean isolate showed 99% similarity with E. buhrii on Acanthophyllum sp. (Caryophyllaceae) from Iran (AB128924). Pathogenicity was confirmed through inoculation by gently dusting conidia onto leaves of five healthy, potted baby's breath cv. Cassiopeia. Five non-inoculated plants served as controls. Inoculated plants were isolated from non-inoculated plants in separate rooms in a greenhouse at 25 ± 2°C. Inoculated plants developed signs and symptoms after 7 days, whereas the control plants remained symptomless. The fungus present on the inoculated plants was identical morphologically to that originally observed on diseased plants. Pathogenicity test was repeated twice. The powdery mildew disease caused by E. buhrii on baby's breath has been recorded in the former Soviet Union (Armenia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine), Romania, Turkey, Iran, Mongolia, and Argentina (1,3). Also, a fungus occurring on baby's breath was recorded as Oidium sp. from Japan (4). To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew caused by E. buhrii on baby's breath in Korea. Powdery mildew infections pose a serious threat to production of this cut flower crop. References: (1) K. Amano. Host Range and Geographical Distribution of the Powdery Mildew Fungi. Japan Scientific Societies Press, Tokyo, 1986. (2) U. Braun and R. T. A. Cook. Taxonomic Manual of the Erysiphales (Powdery Mildews), CBS Biodiversity Series No. 11. CBS, Utrecht, 2012. (3) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases. Syst. Mycol. Microbiol. Lab., Online publication, ARS, USDA, Retrieved February 18, 2014. (4) M. Satou et al. Ann. Phytopathol. Soc. Jpn. 62:541, 1996.


Plant Disease ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 98 (6) ◽  
pp. 847-847
Author(s):  
S. E. Cho ◽  
M. J. Park ◽  
J. H. Park ◽  
J. Y. Kim ◽  
H. D. Shin

Parsley, Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Nyman, is a minor but important leaf crop in Korea. In June 2010, parsley plants (cv. Paramount) showing typical symptoms of powdery mildew were found with approximately 90% incidence (percentage of plants showing symptoms) in polyethylene-film-covered greenhouses in an organic farm in Icheon County of Korea. Symptoms first appeared as thin white colonies, which subsequently showed abundant growth on the leaves with chlorosis and crinkling. Most diseased plantings were unmarketable and shriveled without being harvested. The damage due to powdery mildew infections on parsley has reappeared in Icheon County and Gangneung City with confirmation of the causal agent made again in 2011 and 2012. Voucher specimens were deposited in the Korea University Herbarium (KUS). Appressoria on the mycelium were multilobed or moderately lobed. Conidiophores were cylindrical, 75 to 125 × 8 to 10 μm, straight in foot-cells, and produced conidia singly, followed by 2 to 3 cells. Conidia were oblong-elliptical to oblong, 32 to 55 × 14 to 20 μm with a length/width ratio of 1.7 to 2.9, lacked fibrosin bodies, and produced germ tubes on the perihilar position, with angular/rectangular wrinkling of the outer walls. First-formed conidia were apically conical, basally subtruncate to rounded, and generally smaller than the secondary conidia. Chasmothecia were not found. These structures are typical of the powdery mildew Pseudoidium anamorph of the genus Erysiphe. The specific measurements and morphological characteristics were consistent with those of E. heraclei DC. (1). To confirm the identity of the causal fungus, the complete ITS region of rDNA from isolate KUS-F25037 was amplified with primers ITS5 and P3 (3) and sequenced directly. The resulting 606-bp sequence was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. KF680162). A GenBank BLAST search of this sequence revealed 100% identity with that of E. heraclei on Anethum graveolens from Korea (JN603995) and >99% similarity with those of E. heraclei on Daucus carota from Mexico (GU252368), Pimpinella affinis from Iran (AB104513), Anthriscus cerefolium from Korea (KF111807), and many other parsley family (Apiaceae) plants. Pathogenicity was verified through inoculation by gently pressing diseased leaves onto leaves of five healthy potted parsley plants. Five non-inoculated plants served as negative controls. Inoculated plants developed symptoms after 7 days, whereas the control plants remained symptomless. The fungus present on the inoculated plants was morphologically identical to that originally observed on diseased plants. Parsley powdery mildew caused by E. heraclei has been known in Europe, North America, Brazil, and Japan (2,4). To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew infections by E. heraclei on parsley in Korea. Since cultivation of parsley was only recently started on a commercial scale in Korea, powdery mildew infections pose a serious threat to safe production of this herb, especially those grown in organic farming where chemical options are limited. References: (1) U. Braun and R. T. A. Cook. Taxonomic Manual of the Erysiphales (Powdery Mildews), CBS Biodiversity Series No. 11. CBS, Utrecht, 2012. (2) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases. Syst. Mycol. Microbiol. Lab., Online publication, ARS, USDA, retrieved September 17, 2013. (3) S. Takamatsu et al. Mycol. Res. 113:117, 2009. (4) Y. Tsuzaki and K. Sogou. Proc. Assoc. Plant Prot. Shikoku 24:47, 1989.


Plant Disease ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irum Mukhtar ◽  
Ruanni Chen ◽  
Yunying Cheng ◽  
Jianming Chen

Astragalus sinicus L., (Chinese milk vetch) is a traditional leguminous green manure that plays a significant role in maintaining paddy soil fertility to enhance yield and the quality of rice in China. It is also found in gardens, roadsides, farms, fields, riverbanks, open wastelands, and is often used as livestock feed. From February 2019 to 2021, severe powdery mildew infections were observed on hundreds of A. sinicus grown in gardens and at roadsides of Fuzhou city, China. The disease incidence was up to 100% on leaves and stems of A. sinicus. White superficial fungal colonies (circular to irregular patches) were present on both sides of the leaves. Hyphae were flexuous to straight, branched, 4 to 8 µm in width, and septate. Hyphal appressoria were lobulate and solitary or in opposite pairs. Conidiophores were erect and straight, hyaline, and 60 to 120 × 8 to 10 µm (n=30). Foot cell was cylindrical, straight to slightly curved, 22 to 38 × 8 to 10 µm, followed by two to three shorter cells. Conidia were cylindrical-oval to doliiform, 30 to 48 × 13.5 to 24 μm with a length/width ratio of 1.6 to 2.4 (n = 30), formed singly, and without fibrosin bodies. Conidial germ tubes were produced subterminal position. No chasmothecia were found in the collected samples. The morphological characteristics of asexual structures were consistent with the descriptions of E. trifoliorum (Wallr.) U. Braun in Braun and Cook (2012). To verify the identification of the pathogen, the ITS and the part of large subunit (LSU) rDNA gene of the isolates were amplified using ITS1/ITS4 and LSU1/ LSU2 primers (Scholin et al. 1994 and White et al. 1990, respectively) and sequences were deposited in GenBank (ITS: MZ021332, MZ021333; LSU: MZ021334, MZ021335). In BLASTn searches, the ITS and LSU sequences were 99 to 100% identical with those of E. trifoliorum parasitic on Lathyrus magellanicus (LC010015), Medicago littoralis (LC270860), Melilotus officinalis (LC009924) and Trifolium spp., (MN216308, KY660821), as well as E. baeumleri (Bradshaw et al. 2021) on Vicia nigricans (LC010014). Pathogenicity test was performed by gently pressing a diseased leaf onto 10 young leaves of three healthy potted plants, while three non-inoculated plants were used as controls. All plants were maintained in a greenhouse at 20 to 25°C, without humidity control, and natural light. Symptoms developed 7 days after inoculation, whereas the control leaves remained symptomless. The morphology of the fungus on the inoculated leaves was identical to that observed on the originally diseased leaves. Powdery mildew on A. sinicus has been reported as E. pisi and E. polygoni from Korea and China (Shin, 2000; Tai 1979), respectively. Amano (1986) listed E. pisi and Microsphaera astragali (now E. astragali) on A. sinicus from China and Japan. To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew caused by E. trifoliorum on A. sinicus in China and in general. E. astragali is the most common and widespread powdery mildew species on Astragalus spp. (Braun and Cook 2012) and would be expected on A. sinicus, but this species is genetically clearly different from E. trifoliorum (Bradshaw et al. 2021). The E. trifoliorum complex (clade) is composed of several morphologically well-distinguishable species, besides E. trifoliorum also including E. baeumleri (on Vicia spp.), E. hyperici (on Hypericum spp.), and E. euonymi (on Euonymus spp.), but based on a combination of sequence plus host identity, the collection on A. sinicus can be assigned to E. trifoliorum (Bradshaw et al. 2021). The information in this study extended the host range of E. trifoliorum as well as future studies on A. sinicus in relation to powdery mildew outbreaks in China. References: Amano (Hirata), K. 1986. Host Range and Geographical Distribution of the Powdery Mildew Fungi. Japan Scientific Societies Press, Tokyo, 741 pp. Bradshaw, M., et al. 2021. Mycologia. (In press) Braun, U., Cook, R. T. A. 2012. Taxonomic Manual of the Erysiphales (Powdery Mildews), CBS Biodiversity Series No. 11. CBS, Utrecht, the Netherlands. Scholin, C. A., et al. 1994. J. Phycol. 30:999. Shin, H.D. 2000. Erysiphaceae of Korea. National Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology, Suwon, Korea, 320 pp. Tai, F.L. 1979. Sylloge Fungorum Sinicorum. Sci. Press, Acad. Sin., Peking, 1527 pp. White, T. J., et al. 1990. Page 315 in: PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications. Academic Press, San Diego, CA.


Plant Disease ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 90 (9) ◽  
pp. 1263-1263
Author(s):  
G. E. Holcomb ◽  
D. M. Ferrin

A group of five cv. Red Formosa azaleas (also known as cv. Dixie Beauty, an evergreen indica type of Rhododendron indicum) was observed with powdery mildew symptoms in Baton Rouge, LA in early March 2006. Symptoms included leaf distortion, purple leaf pigmentation at infection sites, and irregular necrotic areas. White, sparse, superficial fungal mycelium was present on both leaf surfaces. There was no active conidia production at this time and no cleistothecia were found on the old infected leaves. Infected plants were 5 years old and growing in heavy shade beneath a large deciduous oak tree. Two other groups of powdery mildew-free cv. Red Formosa, containing 6 and 11 plants each, were growing in mostly shade-free areas within 30 and 140 m, respectively, of the infected plants. Of 5,091 azaleas surveyed in and around Baton Rouge, only three other infected plants were found beside the original five. Among the plants surveyed were 167 additional cv. Red Formosa azaleas. The three additional infected azaleas, all the same unidentified indica type cultivar and growing in dense shade, showed severe leaf distortion and leaf drop. Conidia were produced abundantly on these plants in April and early May, but the teleomorph was not found. Pathogenicity tests were performed by rubbing leaves with sporulating powdery mildew from infected cv. Red Formosa plants on terminal leaves of two branches each of three 1-gallon-container plants of the same cultivar. A clear plastic bag containing a damp paper towel was placed over each inoculated branch for 48 h and then removed. Noninoculated branches on the same plants served as controls. Plants were maintained in a greenhouse (21 to 27°C). After 5 days, the first symptoms and signs of infection appeared on inoculated leaves in the form of purple pigment formation and white sporulating mycelia. After 12 days, terminal leaves on all inoculated branches showed symptoms and signs of powdery mildew, and after 18 days, leaf puckering and irregular necrotic spotting was common; purple pigmentation often outlined infected areas in which white mycelia and conidia production occurred. Some sporulation was present on petioles and some leaf drop occurred. The foliage on noninoculated branches remained disease free. Conidia from original infected plants were produced singly, ellipsoid to cylindric, lacked fibrosin bodies, and measured 27 to 54 μm long (mean = 37.4, standard error (SE) = 0.19, n = 102) × 15 to 23 μm wide (mean = 17.4, SE = 0.13, n = 102). Conidia sometimes formed short chains of two to four on inoculated plants held in the greenhouse. Conidiophores measured 77 to 123 μm long (mean = 106, SE = 1.1, n = 12) × 7 to 10 μm wide (mean = 8.9, SE = 0.26, n = 12) and had curved or twisted bases. Appressoria were multilobed. On the basis of these characters, the anamorph of the azalea powdery mildew was identified as Oidium ericinum Erikss. = Erysiphe (Microsphaera) azaleae (U. Braun) U. Braun & S. Takam. (1,2,4). To our knowledge, this is the first report on the occurrence of azalea powdery mildew in Louisiana. Powdery mildew is more common on deciduous than on evergreen azaleas and is more common in northern parts of the United States, especially in the Pacific Northwest (3). References: (1) U. Braun. Nova Hedwigia Suppl. 89:1, 1987. (2) U. Braun and S. Takamatsu. Schlechtendalia 4:5, 2000. (3) M. L. Daughtrey and D. M. Benson. Rhododendron diseases. Page 339 in: Diseases of Woody Ornamentals and Trees in Nurseries. R. K. Jones and D. M. Benson, eds. The American Phytopathological Society. St. Paul, MN, 2001. (4) A. J. Inman et al. J. Phytopathol. 148:17, 2000.


Plant Disease ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 161-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Y. Choi ◽  
S. H. Hong ◽  
S. E. Cho ◽  
J. H. Park ◽  
H. D. Shin

Peucedanum japonicum Thunb., belonging to the family Apiaceae, is distributed in many Asian countries, including Korea. This plant was recently developed as an edible green and is cultivated under organic farming in Korea. In June 2013, plants showing typical symptoms of powdery mildew were found with approximately 50% disease incidence in polyethylene-film-covered greenhouses in Iksan City, Korea. Symptoms first appeared as circular white colonies, which subsequently showed abundant mycelial growth on the leaves, often covering the whole surface. Infected plants were unmarketable mainly due to signs of white fungal growths and reddish discoloration on the leaves. The same symptoms were found on P. japonicum in poly-tunnels in Iksan City and Jinan County of Korea in 2014. Voucher specimens (n = 3) were deposited in the Korea University Herbarium (KUS). Appressoria were lobed, and solitary or in opposite pairs. Conidiophores were cylindrical, 80 to 145 × 8 to 10 μm, and composed of three to four cells. Foot-cells of conidiophores were straight to substraight, cylindrical, and 25 to 63 μm long. Singly produced conidia were oblong-elliptical to oblong, occasionally ovate, 35 to 50 × 13 to 16 μm with a length/width ratio of 2.3:3.1, with angular/rectangular wrinkling of outer walls, and lacked distinct fibrosin bodies. Germ tubes were produced on the perihilar position of conidia. Primary conidia were apically conical, basally truncate, and generally smaller than the secondary conidia. No chasmothecia were found. These structures are typical of the powdery mildew Pseudoidium anamorph of the genus Erysiphe. The specific measurements and morphological characteristics were consistent with those of E. heraclei DC. (2). To confirm the identification, the complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA from KUS-F27872 was amplified with primers ITS1/ITS4 and sequenced. The resulting 560-bp sequence was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. KM491178). The obtained ITS sequence shared >99% similarity with those of E. heraclei from apiaceous hosts, e.g., Daucus carota (KC480605), Pimpinella affinis (AB104513), and Petroselinum crispum (KF931139). Pathogenicity was confirmed through inoculation by gently dusting conidia onto leaves of five healthy potted plants. Five non-inoculated plants served as controls. Inoculated plants developed symptoms after 6 days, whereas the control plants remained symptomless. The fungus present on the inoculated plants was identical in morphology to those observed in the field. Powdery mildew of P. japonicum caused by E. heraclei has been reported in Japan (4), and numerous reports of E. heraclei on various species of Peucedanum plants have been made in most part of Europe and East Asia (Japan and far eastern Russia) (1,3). However, this is the first report of powdery mildew caused by E. heraclei on P. japonicum in Korea. Occurrence of powdery mildews is a threat to the quality and marketability of this plant, especially in organic farming. References: (1) K. Amano. Host Range and Geographical Distribution of the Powdery Mildew Fungi. Japan Scientific Societies Press, Tokyo, 1986. (2) U. Braun and R. T. A. Cook. Taxonomic Manual of the Erysiphales (Powdery Mildews), CBS Biodiversity Series No.11. CBS, Utrecht, 2012. (3) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases, Syst. Mycol. Microbiol. Lab., online publication. ARS, USDA. Retrieved August 18, 2014. (4) S. Tanda and C. Nakashima. J. Agric. Sci., Tokyo Univ. Agric. 47:54, 2002.


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