First Report of Phytophthora ramorum Infecting Grand fir in California

2011 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 37
Author(s):  
Kathleen L. Riley ◽  
Gary A. Chastagner ◽  
Cheryl Blomquist

Phytophthora ramorum was detected on grand fir in 2003 and 2005 in a Christmas tree plantation near Los Gatos, CA, in association with infected California bay laurel. Isolates derived from stem lesions were used to inoculate grand fir seedlings in two tests. Isolations from lesions on inoculated plants were positive for P. ramorum in both tests. This work provides the completion of Koch's postulates to establish grand fir as a host of P. ramorum. The potential for grand fir to be infected within its native range is unknown. Accepted for publication 1 February 2011. Published 1 April 2011.

Plant Disease ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 86 (6) ◽  
pp. 696-696 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. P. Mulrooney ◽  
N. Fisher Gregory ◽  
S. D. Walker ◽  
A.-M. Webster

In August and September of 2000, soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) plants from two fields in Sussex County, Delaware, and one field from Somerset County on the eastern shore of Maryland exhibited typical symptoms of sudden death syndrome. The season had been wetter and cooler than normal. Leaf symptoms ranged from small chlorotic spots to elongated regions of interveinal necrosis. Leaflets dropped leaving attached petioles in the upper canopy. Severely infected plants were easily pulled from the soil and had taproots with blue sporodochia, necrotic cortical tissue, and necrosis of secondary roots (2). Initial isolations from the infected plants were made from the basal stems, discolored taproots, vascular tissue, and directly from blue sporodochia. Sections were plated on water agar (WA) amended with neomycin and streptomycin, WA with antibiotics and chloramphenicol, and acidified potato dextrose agar (PDA). The isolates were slow growing on PDA, often staining agar dark maroon, produced little aerial mycelium, and formed macroconidia in blue sporodochia. The fungus was identified as Fusarium solani (Mart.) Sacc. based on spore morphology. Plugs (5 mm) of the fungus from 14-day-old cultures were placed next to the stem just below the soil line of 14-day-old plants of soybean cvs. Essex and Lee 74. Eighteen plants of each cultivar (three per pot) were inoculated and placed on a greenhouse bench for 43 days at 21°C (±2°C). Six noninoculated control plants were also included. Plants were rated for the presence of stem lesions and foliar symptoms. Of the inoculated plants, 70% had mottling, rugosity, and leaf cupping, 6% had severe interveinal leaf necrosis, and 52% had distinct stem lesions at the soil line. Control plants were symptomless. F. solani was recovered from all symptomatic plants and presumed to be F. solani f. sp. glycines based on spore morphology, color, lack of microconidia, and symptoms (1). A more extensive test was conducted to confirm Koch's postulates. Eleven isolates of F. solani f. sp. glycines were grown as before and used to inoculate Essex soybeans as previously described. Inoculated and control plants were randomized on the greenhouse bench and watered using an individual pot irrigation system. Fifty-six days after inoculation plant height was reduced 12% compared with the noninoculated controls. Lesions produced on the lower stem and taproot of the inoculated plants averaged 4.5 cm long. Most plants had mild foliar symptoms that included mottling, rugosity, and leaf cupping. Only three plants had severe foliage symptoms. F. solani f. sp. glycines was recovered from 56% of inoculated plants, completing Koch's postulates for all 11 isolates. Noninoculated controls were symptomless. Sudden death syndrome was not observed in 2001. Soybean is an important crop in the region; 250,000 ha were harvested in 2000 on the Delmarva Peninsula, which includes the three counties of Delaware, nine eastern shore counties of Maryland, and two counties of Virginia. Sudden death syndrome could be a serious threat to profitable soybean production. To our knowledge, this is the first report of sudden death syndrome from this area and represents the most eastern occurrence of this disease reported in the United States. References: (1) K. W. Roy. Plant Dis. 81:259, 1997. (2) K. W. Roy et al. Plant Dis. 81:1100, 1997.


2011 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen L. Riley ◽  
Gary A. Chastagner

In 2005 and 2006, white fir and Douglas-fir growing in a Christmas tree plantation near Los Gatos, CA, under a black walnut tree infected with mistletoe tested positive for Phytophthora ramorum, the cause of Sudden Oak Death. Isolation from a symptomatic mistletoe inflorescence stalk was positive for P. ramorum. In 2007, fresh mistletoe leaves, stems, inflorescence stalks, and berries were inoculated with a zoospore suspension of the mistletoe isolate. All of the plant parts developed symptoms, and P. ramorum was isolated from each of them. This is the first report of an infection of a hemiparasite with P. ramorum. Accepted for publication 20 January 2011. Published 9 February 2011.


2010 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Mathew ◽  
B. Kirkeide ◽  
T. Gulya ◽  
S. Markell

Widespread infection of charcoal rot was observed in a commercial sunflower field in Minnesota in September 2009. Based on morphology, isolates were identified as F. sporotrichioides and F. acuminatum. Koch's postulates demonstrated pathogencity of both species. To our knowledge, this is the first report of F. sporotrichoides and F. acuminatum causing disease on Helianthus annuus L. in the United States. Accepted for publication 23 August 2010. Published 15 September 2010.


Plant Disease ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 92 (4) ◽  
pp. 650-650 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Thomidis ◽  
T. J. Michailides

In Greece, kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa) is mostly found in the northern part of the country where approximately 440,000 ha are grown. In the summer of 2006, a Stemphylium sp. was frequently isolated from leaves of kiwi (cv. Hayward) grown in the province of Imathia. Symptomatic leaves were covered with irregular, necrotic, brown areas. Lesions had a distinct margin that, in some cases, covered a wide part of the diseased leaves. Intense symptoms were frequently observed and associated with defoliation. This Stemphylium sp. was consistently isolated from diseased leaves onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) after surface sterilization with 0.1% chlorine solution. On the basis of morphological characteristics of mycelia, dimensions (length 20 to 29 μm and width 14 to 21 μm) and mean length/width ratio (1.42 μm) of conidia, and width and apical cell width of condiophores, the fungus was identified as Stemphylium botryosum (Wallr.) (2,3) Koch's postulates were completed in the laboratory by inoculating leaves of kiwi (cv. Hayward) with an isolate of S. botryosum originated from a symptomatic leaf of a Hayward kiwi. Twenty leaves were surface sterilized by dipping them into 0.1% chlorine solution for 2 to 3 min, washing in sterile distilled water, and allowing them to dry in a laminar flow hood. A leaf was then placed into a petri plate containing a wet, sterilized paper towel. Inoculation was made by transferring a 5-mm-diameter mycelial disc from the margins of a 7-day-old culture onto the center of each leaf surface. Petri plates were closed and incubated at 25°C with 12 h of light for 6 days. Koch's postulates were satisfied when the same S. botryosum was reisolated from 100% of inoculated leaves that developed symptoms similar to those observed in the vineyards. Leaves inoculated with a PDA plug alone (with no S. botryosum) did not develop any symptoms. Previously, Alternaria alternata was reported as the causal agent of a leaf spot pathogen of kiwi (1,4). To our knowledge, this is the first report of the occurrence of S. botryosum causing leaf blight of kiwi in Greece and worldwide. This pathogen can cause a high level of defoliation in diseased plants. References: (1) L. Corazza et al. Plant Dis. 83:487, 1999. (2) M. B. Ellis. Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes. Mycology Institute. London, England, 1971. (3) E. G. Simmons. Mycologia 61:1, 1969. (4) C. Tsahouridou and C. C. Thanassoulopoulos. Plant Dis. 84:371, 2000


2011 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 1019-1022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giselda Alves ◽  
Francineia Silva Verbiski ◽  
Themis J. Michaelides ◽  
Louise Larissa May-de Mio

During 2006 to 2009 season symptoms of a canker disease were observed on twigs and branches of young and mature persimmon trees (Diospyros kaki L.) cv. Fuyu in the States of Santa Catarina and Paraná in the Southern Brazil. The cankers result in severe damage and reduced production. Isolations from the margins of these cankers revealed a genus of Pestalotiopsis. Koch's postulates were confirmed using two isolates of the pathogen which was identified as Pestalotiopsis diospyri.


2005 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheryl Blomquist ◽  
Nancy Osterbauer ◽  
Paul Reeser

This study completes Koch's postulates for P. hibernalis on rhododendron. P. hibernalis has previously been described as causing brown rot of citrus. This report expands the pathogen's known natural host range. P. hibernalis does not appear to be widespread in the California and Oregon nursery industries, but was recovered in both states for three consecutive years. Accepted for publication 8 July 2005. Published 28 July 2005.


2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 52
Author(s):  
David H. Gent ◽  
George Mueller-Warrant ◽  
Joanna L. Woods ◽  
Melodie L. Putnam ◽  
Megan C. Twomey

During July 2007, symptoms including weak growth and death of plants of cultivar Fuggle were reported by a hop grower in Marion Co., OR. Phomopsis tuberivora H.T. Güssow & W.R. Foster 1932 was consistently recovered from affected plants. Koch's postulates were fulfilled with three isolates of the fungus, establishing the pathogen and the disease red crown rot as the cause of the damage. This is the first report of red crown rot on hop in Oregon, which may have important management implications for affected hop yards and farms. Accepted for publication 19 March 2013. Published 24 June 2013.


Plant Disease ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 99 (2) ◽  
pp. 289-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Z. Zhu ◽  
W. J. Liao ◽  
D. X. Zou ◽  
Y. J. Wu ◽  
Y. Zhou

In May 2014, a severe leaf spot disease was observed on walnut tree (Juglans regia L.) in Hechi, Guangxi, China. Leaf spots were circular to semicircular in shape, water-soaked, later becoming grayish white in the center with a dark brown margin and bordered by a tan halo. Necrotic lesions were approximately 3 to 4 mm in diameter. Diseased leaves were collected from 10 trees in each of five commercial orchards. The diseased leaves were cut into 5 × 5 mm slices, dipped in 75% ethanol for 30 s, washed three times in sterilized water, sterilized with 0.1% (w/v) HgCl2 for 3 min, and then rinsed five times with sterile distilled water. These slices were placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA), followed by incubating at 28°C for about 3 to 4 days. Fungal isolates were obtained from these diseased tissues, transferred onto PDA plates, and incubated at 28°C. These isolates produced gray aerial mycelium and then became pinkish gray with age. Moreover, the reverse of the colony was pink. The growth rate was 8.21 to 8.41 mm per day (average = 8.29 ± 0.11, n = 3) at 28°C. The colonies produced pale orange conidial masses and were fusiform with acute ends, hyaline, sometimes guttulate, 4.02 to 5.25 × 13.71 to 15.72 μm (average = 4.56 ± 0.31 × 14.87 ± 1.14 μm, n = 25). The morphological characteristics and measurements of this fungal isolate matched the previous descriptions of Colletotrichum fioriniae (Marcelino & Gouli) R.G. Shivas & Y.P. Tan (2). Meanwhile, these characterizations were further confirmed by analysis of the partial sequence of five genes: the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of the ribosomal DNA, beta-tubulin (β-tub) gene, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gene, chitin synthase 3(CHS-1) gene, and actin (ACT) gene, with universal primers ITS4/ITS5, T1/βt2b, GDF1/GDR1, CHS1-79F/CHS1-354R, and ACT-512F/ACT-783R, respectively (1). BLAST of these DNA sequences using the nucleotide database of GenBank showed a high identify (ITS, 99%; β-tub, 99%; GAPDH, 99%; CHS-1, 99%; and ACT, 100%) with the previously deposited sequences of C. fioriniae (ITS, KF278459.1, NR111747.1; β-tub, AB744079.1, AB690809.1; GAPDH, KF944355.1, KF944354.1; CHS-1, JQ948987.1, JQ949005.1; and ACT, JQ949625.1, JQ949626.1). Koch's postulates were fulfilled by inoculating six healthy 1-year-old walnut trees in July 2014 with maximum and minimum temperatures of 33 and 26°C. The 6-mm mycelial plug, which was cut from the margin of a 5-day-old colony of the fungus on PDA, was placed onto each pin-wounded leaf, ensuring good contact between the mycelium and the wound. Non-colonized PDA plugs were placed onto pin-wounds as negative controls. Following inoculation, both inoculated and control plants were covered with plastic bags. Leaf spots, similar to those on naturally infected plants, were observed on the leaves inoculated with C. fioriniae within 5 days. No symptoms were observed on the negative control leaves. Finally, C. fioriniae was re-isolated from symptomatic leaves; in contrast, no fungus was isolated from the control, which confirmed Koch's postulates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of leaf disease on walnut caused by C. fioriniae. References: (1) L. Cai et al. Fungal Divers. 39:183, 2009. (2) R. G. Shivas and Y. P. Tan. Fungal Divers. 39:111, 2009.


Plant Disease ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 458-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Thomidis ◽  
E. Exadaktylou

In June 2011, symptoms of postharvest rot were observed on approximately 3% of all cherries collected from commercial orchards of cultivars Lapen and Ferrovia in the prefectures of Imathia and Pella (northern Greece). Fruit were harvested in a timely manner to avoid overripeness. No wounds or other predisposing injuries were observed on the infected fruits. Lesions enlarged rapidly and separated easily from healthy tissue when pressure was applied. Infected tissues were pale and water soaked and the associated fungal spores were dark and powdery and easily liberated when mature. The fungus grew rapidly and produced black colonies on acidified potato dextrose agar (2.5 ml of 85% lactic acid per liter of nutrient medium) after 5 days at 24°C. Identification of the pathogen was based on morphological characteristics (1). The conidial head was radiate, vesicles were nearly spherical and covered with metulae and phialides (biseriate). Conidia were globose (3 to 5 μm in diameter) and usually very rough with irregular ridges, bars, and verrucae. Koch's postulates were completed in the laboratory by inoculating mature cherry fruits (cv. Lapen). The fruits were surface sterilized by dipping in 10% chloride bleach solution, allowed to dry in a laminar flow hood, and wounded with a sharp glass rod that was 2 mm in diameter. A 40-μl drop of a suspension containing 20,000 conidia per ml of water was placed on each wound. There were 20 inoculated and 20 control fruits (similarly wounded and inoculated with a 40-μl drop of sterile distilled water) in a randomized design and incubated at 24 to 26°C for 6 days. Koch's postulates were satisfied after reisolating the fungus from inoculated fruit that developed symptoms similar to those observed on fruit collected from orchards. Control fruits did not show any symptom of the disease. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the occurrence of Aspergillus niger as the causal agent of postharvest rots of cherries in Greece. Postharvest fruit rots caused by A. niger have been reported in cherry orchards of other countries around the world (2). Because this disease causes postharvest rots of cherry fruits, measures may need to be implemented to manage the pathogen. References: (1) M. A. Klich. Page 12 in: Identification of Common Aspergillus Species. Centraalbureau Voor Schimmelcultures, Utrecht, the Netherlands, 2002. (2) A. Valiuskaite et al. Phytopathol. Pol. 35:197, 2005.


Plant Disease ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dayu Lan ◽  
Fangling Shu ◽  
Yanhui Lu ◽  
Anfa Shou ◽  
Wei Lin ◽  
...  

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.), one of the chief commercial crops, is wildly cultivated worldwide. In June 2020 and 2021, an unknown bacterial leaf spot on tobacco was found in Hezhou and Hechi City, Guangxi, China. 30% of the tobacco were affected and the rate of diseased leaves reached about 10% in the field under high temperature and rainstorm. The disease mainly damaged the middle and top leaves of tobacco plants at vigorous growing stage. The initial symptoms were water-soaked spots on the frontal half of a leaf, and then expanded into circular to irregular spots with a yellow halo at the edge. The spots mostly appeared dark brown at high air humidity, while yellow brown at low humidity and exhibited a concentric pattern. In severe cases, the lesions coalesced and the whole leaf was densely covered with lesions, resulting in the loss of baking value. A bacterium was consistently isolated from diseased leaf tissues on nutrient agar (NA). Growth on NA was predominantly grayish white circular bacterial colonies with smooth margins, and the bacterium is rod-shaped, gram-negative and fluorescent on King’s B medium. Seven isolates (ND04A-ND04C and ZSXF02-ZSXF05) were selected for molecular identification and pathogenicity tests. Genomic DNA of the bacterium was extracted and the housekeeping gene of cts (encoding citrate synthase) was amplified with the primers cts-Fs/cts-Rs (forward primer cts-Fs: 5’-CCCGTCGAGCTGCCAATWCTGA-3’; reverse primer cts-Rs: 5’-ATCTCGCACGGSGTRTTGAACATC-3’) (Berge et al. 2014; Sarkar et al. 2004). 409-bp cts gene sequences were deposited in the GenBank database for seven isolates (accession no. OK105110-OK105116). Sequence of seven isolates shared 100% identity with several Pseudomonas cichorii strains within the GenBank database (accession no. KY940268 and KY940271), and the phylogenetic tree of cts genes of the seven isolates clustered with the phylogroup 11 of Pseudomonas syringae (accession no. KJ877799 and KJ878111), which was classified as P.cichorii. To satisfy Koch’s postulates, a pathogenicity test was tested by using a needle to dip a suspension of the bacterium (108 CFU/ml) and pricking three holes in the tobacco leaf. The control plants leaves were needled with sterile water. Each tobacco plant was inoculated with three leaves, and the test was repeated three times. All plants were placed in transparent plastic boxes and incubated in a greenhouse at 25 ± 3°C. The water-soaked spots appeared 24h after inoculation and quickly expanded through leaf veins. Three days after inoculation, all the inoculated leaves showed symptoms similar to those observed in the field. Control plants remained healthy. Only P. cichorii was successfully re-isolated from the lesions, confirming Koch’s postulates. Pseudomonas cichorii can infect eggplant, lettuce, tomatoand other crops, and has a wide range of hosts (Timilsina et al. 2017; Ullah et al. 2015). To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. cichorii causing leaf spot on tobacco in China.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document