Ultrastructure of teliospores and promycelium and basidiospore formation in the two-spored form of Gymnoconia nitens, one of the causes of orange rust of Rubus

Gymnoconia nitens (Schwein.) Kern & H. W. Thurston consists of two forms that cause orange rust of Rubus . The teliospores of both of these forms are morphologically identical to aeciospores, but upon germination form promycelia that give rise to either two or four basidiospores. In this study, we examined the teliospores and the sequence of events leading to basidiospore development in the two-spored form of G. nitens. The teliospores of this species are formed in chains from uninucleate sporogenous cells that line the base of each sorus on infected Rubus argutus Link. (blackberry) leaves. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that approximately 90% of the mature teliospores were uninucleate. During germination, the teliospore nucleus migrated into the developing promycelium and underwent a single mitotic division. A transverse septum formed between the two daughter nuclei creating two uninucleate cells. A tapered sterigma arose from each cell and gave rise to a basidiospore. These findings indicate that the basidiospores of the two-spored form of G. nitens were formed in an asexual fashion.

Highbush Blackberry (Rubus argutus) Control in Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum)

A 3-yr study investigated highbush blackberry control in bahiagrass turf using selective herbicides. Triclopyr applied alone at ≤ 0.56 kg/ha and in combination with other herbicides provided best (75 to 95%) control for up to 52 wk after treatment with minimal damage to bahiagrass turf. Triclopyr formulations (3A vs 4EC) provided similar highbush blackberry control and bahiagrass tolerance. The addition of either 2,4-D, dicamba, hexazinone, or sulfometuron to triclopyr provided slightly better blackberry control, but increased bahiagrass turf damage. Fluroxypyr applied at 0.14 to 0.28 kg/ha provided 60 to 80% control of highbush blackberry 12 WAT. Glyphosate and glufosinate treatments provided unacceptable highbush blackberry control and/or unacceptable bahiagrass turf injury. The addition of oxadiazon for residual control of subsequent highbush blackberry emergence was ineffective.