Germination and development of M1 seedlings of two Selliera radicans Cav. accessions subjected to gamma radiation

Selliera radicans is a creeping plant native to Chile, New Zealand and Australia. It is increasingly used in the ornamental industry, and there is interest in breeding it to create commercial varieties. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of different doses of gamma radiation applied to the seeds on the germination and development of seedlings (M1) and the LD50 of two accessions of Selliera radicans for use in the induction of mutations. Seeds of the Vichuquén and La Serena accessions were exposed to 0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 and 700 Gy from a 60Co source. Weekly germination percentages along with seedling numbers and lengths were recorded. Vichuquén seeds were more sensitive to this physical agent. The LD50 was 243.9 Gy for Vichuquén and 445.6 Gy for La Serena. Seedling lengths reached almost 4 mm for Vichuquén and 11.3 mm for La Serena at 12 weeks after sowing. Doses lower than 200 Gy are recommended since higher doses do not allow the development of seedlings to the extended cotyledon stage. Highlights: This is the first radiosensitivity study for the Goodeniaceae family and therefore for the Selliera genus. This study shows the specific effect of gamma radiation at the level of germination and seedling formation according to accession of origin. This study could be used for the genetic improvement of Selliera radicans via the induction of mutations.

Integration of early disease-resistance phenotyping, histological characterization, and transcriptome sequencing reveals insights into downy mildew resistance in impatiens

Downy mildew (DM), caused by obligate parasitic oomycetes, is a destructive disease for a wide range of crops worldwide. Recent outbreaks of impatiens downy mildew (IDM) in many countries have caused huge economic losses. A system to reveal plant–pathogen interactions in the early stage of infection and quickly assess resistance/susceptibility of plants to DM is desired. In this study, we established an early and rapid system to achieve these goals using impatiens as a model. Thirty-two cultivars of Impatiens walleriana and I. hawkeri were evaluated for their responses to IDM at cotyledon, first/second pair of true leaf, and mature plant stages. All I. walleriana cultivars were highly susceptible to IDM. While all I. hawkeri cultivars were resistant to IDM starting at the first true leaf stage, many (14/16) were susceptible to IDM at the cotyledon stage. Two cultivars showed resistance even at the cotyledon stage. Histological characterization showed that the resistance mechanism of the I. hawkeri cultivars resembles that in grapevine and type II resistance in sunflower. By integrating full-length transcriptome sequencing (Iso-Seq) and RNA-Seq, we constructed the first reference transcriptome for Impatiens comprised of 48,758 sequences with an N50 length of 2060 bp. Comparative transcriptome and qRT-PCR analyses revealed strong candidate genes for IDM resistance, including three resistance genes orthologous to the sunflower gene RGC203, a potential candidate associated with DM resistance. Our approach of integrating early disease-resistance phenotyping, histological characterization, and transcriptome analysis lay a solid foundation to improve DM resistance in impatiens and may provide a model for other crops.

Response of Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson) and sugarbeet to desmedipham and phenmedipham

A prepackaged mixture of desmedipham + phenmedipham was previously labeled for control of Amaranthus spp. in sugarbeet. Currently, there are no effective POST herbicide options to control glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth in sugarbeet. Sugarbeet growers are interested in using desmedipham + phenmedipham to control escaped Palmer amaranth. In 2019, a greenhouse experiment was initiated near Scottsbluff, NE, to determine the selectivity of desmedipham and phenmedipham between Palmer amaranth and sugarbeet. Three populations of Palmer amaranth and four sugarbeet hybrids were evaluated. Herbicide treatments consisted of desmedipham and phenmedipham applied singly or as mixtures at an equivalent rate. Herbicides were applied when Palmer amaranth and sugarbeet were at the cotyledon stage, or two true-leaf sugarbeet stage and when Palmer amaranth was 7 cm tall. The selectivity indices for desmedipham, phenmedipham, and desmedipham + phenmedipham were 1.61, 2.47, and 3.05, respectively, at the cotyledon stage. At the two true-leaf application stage, the highest rates of desmedipham and phenmedipham were associated with low mortality rates in sugarbeet, resulting in a failed response of death. The highest rates of desmedipham + phenmedipham caused a death response of sugarbeet; the selectivity index was 2.15. Desmedipham treatments resulted in lower LD50 estimates for Palmer amaranth compared to phenmedipham, indicating that desmedipham can provide greater levels of control for Palmer amaranth. However, desmedipham also caused greater injury in sugarbeet, producing lower LD50 estimates compared to phenmedipham. Desmedipham + phenmedipham provided 90% or greater control of cotyledon-size Palmer amaranth at a labeled rate but also caused high levels of sugarbeet injury. Neither desmedipham, phenmedipham, nor desmedipham + phenmedipham was able to control 7-cm tall Palmer amaranth at previously labeled rates. Results indicate that desmedipham + phenmedipham can only control Palmer amaranth if applied at the cotyledon stage and a high level of sugarbeet injury is acceptable.

Efficacy of foramsulfuron + thiencarbazone-methyl towards different development stages of weed species in sugar beet cultivation

The currently available weed control system in sugar beet cultivation has low flexibility due to the necessity of applications at the cotyledon stage of the weeds. The aim of the present study was to evaluate a new herbicide providing more flexibility in terms of application time. In 2013 and 2014, efficacy of an ALS-inhibiting herbicide (foramsulfuron + thiencarbazone-methyl) was evaluated in six field trials in Germany. Sugar beet varieties not sensitive to ALS-inhibiting herbicides are currently in the breeding process. The herbicide was tested on five weed species in different development stages (later than cotyledon stage). In the trials, only weeds but no sugar beet were sown. The herbicide was applied with three dosages at five development stages of the weeds. Efficacy towards Brassica napusL. and Galium aparineL. was nearly 100%. Efficacy towards Chenopodium albumL., Matricaria chamomillaL. and Polygonum convolvulusL. was reduced due to unfavorable weather conditions and with decreasing dosages and increasing development stages. Efficacy was lowest in case of Chenopodium album being close to 95% at BBCH 14 and 16 with 0.50L/ha and 1.00L/ha, respectively. It was thus concluded that the herbicide can be applied later than at cotyledon stage. This implies more flexibility of application timing than current herbicides. To develop a comprehensive evaluation of the weed control system, further studies regarding selectivity, duration of efficacy and resistance risks are necessary.

Inheritance of Resistance to Powdery Mildew Race 1W in Watermelon

Powdery mildew caused by Podosphaera xanthii is a major disease of watermelon in Israel. In this study, 291 accessions of Citrullus spp. were evaluated for resistance against P. xanthii race 1W. Only eight accessions exhibited high level of resistance. Inheritance of resistance against P. xanthii race 1W was studied by crossing three resistant accession of Citrullus lanatus var. citroides BIU 119, PI 189225, or PI 482312 with the susceptible cultivar ‘Malali’ or ‘Sugar Baby’. Parents, F1, F2, and back cross progenies were evaluated for resistance in growth chambers at the cotyledon stage and the 4-leaf stage and in the field, at the 15-leaf stage. Resistance at the cotyledon stage was controlled by a single, partially dominant gene, whereas at the 4-leaf stage or the 15-leaf stage resistance was controlled by three complimentary, partially dominant genes. Crosses made among these resistant accessions revealed that BIU 119 and PI 189225 carry the same genes for resistance, whereas PI 482312 shares two out of three genes with both BIU 119 and PI 189225. A breeding line with high resistance level and good fruit qualities was developed from BIU 119 × HA5500.

The effects of PLA biodegradable and polypropylene nonwoven crop mulches on selected components of tomato grown in the field

ABSTRACT The results of two years (2010-2011) of field studies using two types of nonwoven mulches (one biodegradable, polylactic acid PLA 54 g m-2, and traditional polypropylene PP 50 g m-2) on the yield and quality of tomato are presented. Seeds of tomato (‘Mundi’ F1) were sown in a greenhouse, in containers filled with perlite and sand, and then the plants at the cotyledon stage were replanted in multipot trays filled with substrate for vegetable plants. In the last week of May, seedlings were planted on mulches in the field at a spacing of 50 × 100 cm. The mulch was maintained throughout the growing season. A plot that remained unmulched served as the control. Tomatoes were harvested once a week. The fruits were evaluated for L-ascorbic acid, dry matter, soluble sugars and nitrate content. In 2011, the analysis of the plant material showed that the concentration of L-ascorbic acid was about 23% higher in the tomato fruits harvested from plants grown on biodegradable PLA 61 g m-2 mulch in comparison to the control. A similar effect was demonstrated for the soluble sugar concentration in 2011 for both types of nonwovens.

Soybean (Glycine max) Tolerance to Timing Applications of Pyroxasulfone, Flumioxazin, and Pyroxasulfone + Flumioxazin

Four field studies were conducted over a 3-yr period (2011 to 2013) to determine the tolerance of four soybean cultivars to pyroxasulfone (89 and 178 g ai ha−1), flumioxazin (71 and 142 g ai ha−1), and pyroxasulfone + flumioxazin (160 and 320 g ai ha−1) applied either preplant incorporated (PPI), PRE, or at the soybean cotyledon stage (COT). When pyroxasulfone + flumioxazin was applied at 160 and 320 g ai ha−1, at the cotyledon stage soybean yield was decreased by 9 and 14%, respectively. The only other treatment that decreased soybean yield was pyroxasulfone (178 g ai ha−1) applied PPI; yield was decreased by 6% despite minimal injury and dry biomass reductions observed during the season. Soybean tolerance to pyroxasulfone or flumioxazin applied alone was generally similar and injury was less than with pyroxasulfone + flumioxazin. Similarly, herbicides applied PPI and PRE were less injurious to soybean than the COT timing. Results suggest that soybean is tolerant to PPI and PRE applications of pyroxasulfone + flumioxazin but COT applications should be avoided.