Root‐lesion nematodes of potato: current status of diagnostics, pathogenicity and management

Root‐lesion nematodes of the genus Pratylenchus are migratory endoparasites with worldwide economic impact on several important crops including potato, where certain species like P. penetrans, P. neglectus and P. scribneri reduce the yield and quality of potato tubers. Morphological identification of Pratylenchus spp. is challenging, and recent advancements in molecular techniques provide robust and rapid diagnostics to differentiate species without need of specialist skills. However, the fact that molecular diagnostics are not available for all Pratylenchus species means that there are limitations in worldwide application. In general, root‐lesion nematodes are difficult to manage once introduced into agricultural land and damage can be related to pathogenicity and population densities. In addition, root‐lesion nematodes interact with fungi such as V. dahliae, resulting in disease complexes that enhance the damage inflicted on the potato crop. Management interventions are often focused on limiting nematode reproduction before planting crops and include the application of nematicides, and cultural practices such as crop rotation, cover crops, biofumigation, and biological control. Understanding the limitations of the available crop protection strategies is important and there are many gaps for further study. This review discusses the status of the diagnosis, distribution, pathogenicity and management of the main species of root‐lesion nematodes, reported to infect potatoes worldwide, and highlights areas for potential future research

Pests and pathogens of yams in storage

Pests and pathogens in storage are frequently identified as constraints to yam (Dioscorea spp.) production in West Africa. At a one-day workshop (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, May 1995), it was recognized that nematodes, a range of fungal pathogens and insect pests cause economic losses of both seed and ware yams in storage, although damage is often initiated prior 10 harvest. Yam scientists described examples of strategic and applied research on biotic constraints in storage that are being undertaken within the yam zone of West Africa. Working groups were subsequently established to develop research initiatives on the use of survey work to quantify the problems 01 pests and pathogens in storage, mechanisms of resistance and strategies for control. Despite the importance of yam as an indigenous staple food and also as a cash crop, the crop has received inadequate research and funding. It was, therefore, concluded that by forming cross-institutional linkages among yam scientists, it could be possible to present a stronger case to donor agencies for funding in yam research

Seed treatment with Trichoderma species for control of dampingoff of cowpea caused by Macrophomina phaseolina

Published online: 28 Jun 2010Cowpea seeds treated with three Trichoderma spp. at four inoculum doses, and at four exposure times in three different formulations were planted in soils amended with Macrophomina phaseolin a, and assessed for stand establishment and post-emergence damping off. The highest percentage plant stands at 21 days after planting were 66% for T. koningii and T. harzianum , and 51% for Trichoderma sp., at 6.8 &#50 10 7 , 2.0 &#50 10 10 , and 1.0 &#50 10 7 colony forming units (CFUs) ml -1 , respectively. Across sampling dates and irrespective of time of exposure to the formulations, the T. harzianum and T. koningii formulations resulted in significantly greater percentage plant stands than the seeds treated with a Trichoderma sp. and the controls. Seed treatment formulations with Trichoderma spp. were derived from propagule suspensions at the most effective inoculum dose in Tween 80, in suspension with cooked cassava starch as an adhesive, or in a slurry with uncooked cassava starch. At 21 days, the suspensions with Tween 80 and cooked starch resulted in significantly higher percentage plant stands than the control, while stands from seeds treated in a slurry formulation and starch solutions were not different. Seed exposure to the different formulations for 10, 20, 30, or 40 min, provided mixed results. Seeds treated with benomyl at 0.5 g a.i/50 g resulted in 95 and 100% stands for the two sets of experiments, respectively

Endometrial expression of the insulin-like growth factor system during uterine involution in the postpartum dairy cow☆

Rapid uterine involution in the postpartum period of dairy cows is important to achieve a short interval to conception. Expression patterns for members of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) family were determined by in situ hybridisation at day 14 ± 0.4 postpartum (n = 12 cows) to investigate a potential role for IGFs in modulating uterine involution. Expression in each uterine tissue region was measured as optical density units and data were analysed according to region and horn. IGF-I mRNA was localized to the sub-epithelial stroma (SES) of inter-caruncular and caruncular endometrium. Both IGF-II and IGF-1R expression was detected in the deep endometrial stroma (DES), the caruncular stroma and myometrium. IGFBP-2, IGFBP-4 and IGFBP-6 mRNAs were all localised to the SES of inter-caruncular and caruncular uterine tissue, and in the DES and caruncular stroma, with IGFBP-4 mRNA additionally expressed in myometrium. IGFBP-3 mRNA was only detectable in luminal epithelium. IGFBP-5 mRNA was found in myometrium, inter-caruncular and caruncular SES and caruncular stroma. These data support a role for IGF-I and IGF-II in the extensive tissue remodelling and repair which the postpartum uterus undergoes to return to its non-pregnant state. The differential expression of binding proteins between tissues (IGFBP-3 in epithelium, IGFBP-2, -4, -5 and -6 in stroma and IGFBP-4 and -5 in myometrium) suggest tight control of IGF activity within each compartment. Differential expression of many members of the IGF family between the significantly larger previously gravid horn and the previously non-gravid horn may relate to differences in their rate of tissue remodelling