Management of cotton bollworms Helicoverpa armigera and Earias vittella by ento mopathogenic nematodes

Background: The bollworm complex consisting of Helicoverpa armigera and Earias vittella is a major threat in cotton production globally. The habit of developing resistance to many insecticides including Bt transgenic cotton necessitates the exploration of an alternate strategy to manage bollworms. The entomopathogenic nematodes(EPN) Steinernema carpocapsae strain APKS2 and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora strains KKMH1 and TRYH1 at different concentrations of 1 × 10^(9) infective juveniles(IJs)·hm^(-2), 2 × 10^(9)IJs.hm^(-2), and 3×10^(9)IJs·hm^(-2) in 500 L of water were evaluated as a foliar spray in fields naturally infested with H.armigera and F.vittella located at Eastern Block and and Cotton Research Farm of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbaotre, India during October 2010–February 2011 and October 2011–February 2012, respectively.Results: In general, all three tested EPN strains reduced the larval population of H. armigera and E. vittella;reduced square and boll damage;and subsequently increased cotton yield compared with the untreated control. The S. carpocapsae APKS2 is most e ective against H. armigera whereas both S. carpocapsae APKS2 and H. bacteriophora KKMH1 were equally effective against E. vittella. The higher dose of 3×10^(9)IJs·hm^(-2) was highly significant in the reduction of H. armigera larvae. However, the doses 2×10^(9)IJs·hm^(-2)and 3×10^(9)IJs·hm^(-2) were equally effective for E. vittella control. The S. carpocapsae APKS2 at 3×10^(9)IJs·hm^(-2) caused a 62.2% reduction of H. armigera larvae, 34% reduction of square damage, 58.5% reduction of boll damage, and yielded 45.5% more seed cotton than the untreated control plots. In E. vittella infested field, S. carpocapsae strain APKS2 and H. bacteriophora strain KKMH1 at 2×10^(9)IJs·hm^(-2)resulted in 60.6%~62.4% larva reduction, 68.4%~70.7% square damage reduction, 66.6%~69.9% boll damage reduction and 45.9% yield increase over the untreated control. The effective EPN treatments were comparable to the chemical insecticide chlorpyriphos 20% emulsifiable concentrate spraying at 2 mL·L^(-1).Conclusions: This study has shown that EPN have great potential in the management of the bollworm complex in cotton. Foliar spraying EPN strain S. carpocapsae(APKS2) at 3×10^(9)IJs·hm^(-2) and S. carpocapsae(APKS2) or H. bacteriophora(KKMH1) at 2×10^(9)IJs·hm^(-2) five times at 10days intervals are the best for the management of H. armigera and E. vittella, respectively.

Diversity of Endophytic Fungi in Banana Cultivars of Assam India

Endophytic fungal isolates(139 no.)were obtained from 143(62 roots,18 fruits and 54 leaves)samples of 15 dif­ferent varieties of banana collected from 10 sites in Assam,India during 2018-2019.Overall isolation frequency from surface-sterilized tissue ranged from 10%-80%(as per site)and 6%-70%(as per variety of banana).All isolates were segregated into 40 different types on the basis of macromorphological and micro morphological characteristics.Forty different fungal taxa were isolated belonging to 14 genera including Absidia,Arthrinium,Aspergillus,Bipolaris,Cla­dosporium,Curvularia,Dendrophion,Fusarium,Humicola,Mortierella,Mucor,Penicillium,Paecilomyces,Verticilli­um and one mycelium sterile.Among them,Cladosporium cladosporioidies and Paecilomyces sp.frequently occurred in most of the sites surveyed whereas Cladospoirum cladosporioides and Aspergillus sp.8,Fusarium graminseram were most frequently isolated from different varieties.However,all sites differed in their fungal diversity.Banana samples from Narigoan and Jorhat have been found with maximum fungal species followed by marigoan samples so as to Banana varieties Amrit Sagar endowed 27 no.of fungi followed by Jehaji and Honda which were associated with a maximum 14 fungal sp.Isolation frequency and relative abundance of Cladosporium cladosporiodes(80%,4.6),Paecilomyces farinosus(80%,4.6)followed by Penicillium ruburm,Aspergillus sp.8&9(70%,4.02)were recorded as maximum comparatively in different sites.However,Aspergillus sp.8,Mortieralla sp.and Pacilomyces farinosus are isolated frequently from different banana varieties(73.33%,4.93).

无菌培养条件下不同碳素和NH_4^+水平对刺线虫生活史的影响

在24℃无菌、无光照、不同碳素和氮素水平培养条件下,观察了以玉米切根根尖为食的长尾刺线虫 Belono-laimus longicaudatus的发育.结果表明,刺线虫完成生活史所需的最短时间没有明显受到不同碳素水平的影响.碳素缺乏时,刺线虫的存活率和成虫的比率明显下降.在5-10倍于标准B5培养基中NH4+水平的环境下,没有观察到NH4+对刺线虫的发育有不良影响.

印度喜马偕尔邦两种松树根际线虫新种(英文)

描述了来自印度喜马偕尔邦的两种松树根际线虫新种。线虫新种Ogma varispinosum sp.n.,分离自喜马拉雅长叶松(Pinus roxburghii Sarg.),雌虫特征:L(体长)=0.41 ～0.46mm;a(体长/最大体宽)=10.5～12.7;b(体长/体前端至食道与肠连接处的距离)=3.2～3.5;c(体长/尾长)=11.0～13.4;c′(尾长/肛门处体宽)=1.3～2.3;V(阴门至头顶距离×100/体长)=83.9 %～85.7 %;Stylet(口针长)为86～88μm;R(体环数)为77～81;Res(唇盘与贲门瓣之间的体环数)为23～25;RV(阴门与尾端之间的体环数)=12～13;RV-an(肛门与阴门之间的体环数)=4～6;8～9纵行的鳞片,第1行为环纹形状。另一线虫新种O.ornamentum sp.n,分离自乔松(P.wallichiana A.B.Jacks)。雌虫特征:L=0.31～0.37 mm;a=8.2～11.6;b=3.2 ～3.8;c=6.8～8.5;V=82.0 %～84.9 %;Stylet为69.9～72.0μm;R=59～62;Res=16～18;Rex=20;RV=11 ～12;RV-an=1～2;具有特殊的表皮结构。

Loci discovery, network-guided approach, and genomic prediction for drought tolerance index in a multi-parent advanced generation intercross (MAGIC) cowpea population

Cowpea is a nutrient-dense legume that significantly contributes to the population’s diet in sub-Saharan Africa and other regions of the world.Improving cowpea cultivars to be more resilient to abiotic stress such as drought would be of great importance.The use of a multi-parent advanced generation intercross(MAGIC)population has been shown to be efficient in increasing the frequency of rare alleles that could be associated with important agricultural traits.In addition,drought tolerance index has been reported to be a reliable parameter for assessing crop tolerance to water-deficit conditions.Therefore,the objectives of this study were to evaluate the drought tolerance index for plant growth habit,plant maturity,flowering time,100-seed weight,and grain yield in a MAGIC cowpea population,to conduct genome-wide association study(GWAS)and identify single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)markers associated with the drought tolerance indices,to investigate the potential relationship existing between the significant loci associated with the drought tolerance indices,and to conduct genomic selection(GS).These analyses were performed using the existing phenotypic and genotypic data published for the MAGIC population which consisted of 305 F8 recombinant inbred lines(RILs)developed at University of California,Riverside.The results indicated that:(1)large variation in drought tolerance indices existed among the cowpea genotypes,(2)a total of 14,18,5,5,and 35 SNPs were associated with plant growth habit change due to drought stress,and drought tolerance indices for maturity,flowering time,100-seed weight,and grain yield,respectively,(3)the network-guided approach revealed clear interactions between the loci associated with the drought tolerance traits,and(4)the GS accuracy varied from low to moderate.These results could be applied to improve drought tolerance in cowpea through marker-assisted selection(MAS)and genomic selection(GS).To the best of our knowledge,this is the first report on marker loci associated with drought tolerance indices in cowpea.

Co-located quantitative trait loci mediate resistance to Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Phytophthora cinnamomi,and P.pini in Juglans microcarpa×J.regia hybrids

Soil-borne plant pathogens represent a serious threat that undermines commercial walnut(Juglans regia)production worldwide.Crown gall,caused by Agrobacterium tumefaciens,and Phytophthora root and crown rots,caused by various Phytophthora spp.,are among the most devastating walnut soil-borne diseases.A recognized strategy to combat soil-borne diseases is adoption of resistant rootstocks.Here,resistance to A.tumefaciens,P.cinnamomi,and P.pini is mapped in the genome of Juglans microcarpa,a North American wild relative of cultivated walnut.Half-sib J.microcarpa mother trees DJUG 31.01 and DJUG 31.09 were crossed with J.regia cv.Serr,producing 353 and 400 hybrids,respectively.Clonally propagated hybrids were genotyped by sequencing to construct genetic maps for the two populations and challenged with the three pathogens.Resistance to each of the three pathogens was mapped as a major QTL on the long arm of J.microcarpa chromosome 4D and was associated with the same haplotype,designated as haplotype b,raising the possibility that the two mother trees were heterozygous for a single Mendelian gene conferring resistance to all three pathogens.The deployment of this haplotype in rootstock breeding will facilitate breeding of a walnut rootstock resistant to both crown gall and Phytophthora root and crown rots.

The Golden Spice Turmeric (<i>Curcuma longa</i>) and Its Feasible Benefits in Prospering Human Health—A Review

From the evolution of the mankind, Turmeric has been used in conventional medication. India is in lead for producing, marketing and exporting the Turmeric and its value added products. Curcuma longa (Turmeric) is an Indian rhizomatous medicinal herb from the Zingiberaceae family that is common and widely available across the globe. The components of Turmeric are curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin and these are collectively known as curcuminoids. Curcumin, the active ingredient of Turmeric is generally investigated by the scientific community for its wide range of antioxidant activity, anti-Inflammatory properties and anti-cancer activity, anti-metabolic syndrome activities, neuroprotective activity, antimicrobial effects, anti-arthritis effects, anti-viral effects, anti-asthma and anti-diabetic effects, anti-obesity, cardio and liver toxicity protection activity, anti-depression and anxiety activities. Turmeric has been widely used as a typical household treatment for cough, sore throat, respiratory ailments and could be an effective immunity booster against SARS-CoV-2 therapy during the ongoing pandemic situation. Safety evaluation studies indicate that both turmeric and curcumin are well tolerated at a very high dose without any toxic effects. Thus, turmeric and its constituents have the potential for the development of modern medicine for the treatment of various diseases. So in this review, we describe the various metabolic roles of curcumin and activities for the benefit of human health.

植物种类、大气二氧化碳和土壤氮素的交互作用或累加效应控制“植物-土壤”系统的碳分配

为了验证土壤氮(N)素和大气二氧化碳(CO2)浓度的增高是交互或者累加性地控制“植物-土壤”系统中的碳(C)分配这一假设,同时为了揭示这种作用是否随着植物种类而变化,在不同的CO2浓度下的高氮和低氮土壤中种植豆科植物紫花苜蓿(Medicago truncatula)和非豆科植物燕麦(Avena sativa),并对植物的生长和土壤微生物等特性在这些条件下的变化进行了测定．结果表明,植物物种和土壤N素的交互作用对土壤微生物和植物的生长有着重要的作用．对于紫花苜蓿而言,CO2和土壤N素的交互作用对土壤可溶性C和土壤微生物生物量有重要影响,但对燕麦则并非如此．尽管CO2和土壤N素都显著影响植物的生长,但它们对植物的影响并不存在交互性,也就是说CO2和土壤N素对植物生长的影响是累加的．豆科植物的固氮特性与CO2的交互作用可能掩盖了土壤N素与CO2的交互作用对豆科植物生长的影响．在低N土壤中,燕麦的冠根比从初期的2．63±0．20降低到后期的1．47±0．03,表明燕麦在生长受到土壤N素的抑制时,分配了更多的能量到根部以加强植物对养分元素的吸收(如N素);在高氮土壤中,紫花苜蓿的冠根比随时间延长显著升高(从2．45±0．30到5．43±0．10),说明当土壤N素不是植物生长限制因子时,更多的能量被分配到地上部分以加强植物对C的同化．在不同土壤N素水平上,大气CO2浓度对植物的冠根比的影响均不显著．

Hemipteran and dipteran pests: Effectors and plant host immune regulators

Hemipteran and dipteran insects have behavioral,cellular and chemical strategies for evading or coping with the host plant defenses making these insects particularly destructive pests worldwide. A critical component of a host plant＇s defense to herbivory is innate immunity. Here we review the status of our understanding of the receptors that contribute to perception of hemipteran and dipteran pests and highlight the gaps in our knowledge in these early events in immune signaling. We also highlight recent advances in identification of the effectors that activate pattern-triggered immunity and those involved in effector-triggered immunity.

Plant species,atmospheric CO_(2)and soil N interactively or additively control C allocation within plant-soil systems

Two plant species,Medicago truncatula (legume) and Avena sativa (non-legume),were grown in low-or high-N soils under two CO2 concentrations to test the hypothesis whether C allocation within plant-soil system is interactively or additively controlled by soil N and atmospheric CO2 is dependent upon plant species. The results showed the interaction between plant species and soil N had a significant impact on microbial activity and plant growth. The interaction between CO2 and soil N had a significant impact on soil soluble C and soil microbial biomass C under Madicago but not under Avena. Although both CO2 and soil N affected plant growth significantly,there was no interaction between CO2 and soil N on plant growth. In other words,the effects of CO2 and soil N on plant growth were additive. We considered that the interaction between N2 fixation trait of legume plant and elevated CO2 might have obscured the interaction between soil N and elevated CO2 on the growth of legume plant. In low-N soil,the shoot-to-root ratio of Avena dropped from 2.63±0.20 in the early growth stage to 1.47±0.03 in the late growth stage,indicating that Avena plant allocated more energy to roots to optimize nutrient uptake (i.e. N) when soil N was limiting. In high-N soil,the shoot-to-root ratio of Medicago increased significantly over time (from 2.45±0.30 to 5.43±0.10),suggesting that Medicago plants allocated more energy to shoots to optimize photosynthesis when N was not limiting. The shoot-to-root ratios were not significantly different between two CO2 levels.