Illustrated Workbook for the Detection of Plant Viruses Infecting Cucurbits: Demonstration of the Use of Direct Immunoblotting Assays

There are at least 5 viruses of cucurbitaceous plants (squash, melons, cucumber, etc.) that frequently cause severe to complete economic loss for cucurbit producers in the tropics. These viruses are: zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), papaya ringspot virus watermelon isolate (PRSV-W, formerly watermelon mosaic virus 1 or WMV I), watermelon mosaic virus 2 (WMV 2), cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and squash mosaic virus (SqMV). To accurately diagnose virus infections you must use a detection technique. Many techniques are available, including host plant range analysis and serological and molecular analysis. The purpose of our workshop and this illustrated workbook is to demonstrate the use of a serological technique called direct immunoblotting. The advantage of this technique is that it requires very little special equipment, the assay is relatively easy to perform and the assay has some characteristics that make it ideal for diagnosing problems associated with surveying island communities.Funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service Grant 99-38826-785

A thrips vector of tomato spotted wilt virus responds to tomato acylsugar chemical diversity with reduced oviposition and virus inoculation.

There is increasing evidence that acylsugars deter insect pests and plant virus vectors, including the western flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), vector of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). Acylsugars are sugar-polyesters composed of saturated, un-saturated, and variously branched short and long chain fatty acids (FAs) esterified to a glucose (acylglucose) or sucrose (acylsucrose) moiety. We sought to understand how acylsucrose amount and composition of associated FA profiles interacted to mediate resistance to WFT oviposition and TSWV inoculation on tomato leaves. Towards this goal, we examined WFT oviposition and TSWV inoculation behavior on tomato lines bred to exude varying amounts of acylsucrose in association with diverse FA profiles. Our data show that as acylsucrose amounts increased, WFT egg-laying (oviposition) decreased and TSWV inoculation was suppressed. Western flower thrips also responded to FA profiles that included iC4, iC11, nC12 and nC10 FA. These findings support improving acylsugar-mediated resistance against WFT by breeding tomatoes exuding greater amounts of acylsucrose associated with specific FA profiles. We show that increasing acylsucrose amount output by type IV trichomes and selecting for particular FA profiles through advanced breeding profoundly affects WFT behavior in ways that benefit management of WFT as direct pests and as TSWV vectors

Genome-enabled insights into the biology of thrips as crop pests

Background The western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), is a globally invasive pest and plant virus vector on a wide array of food, fiber, and ornamental crops. The underlying genetic mechanisms of the processes governing thrips pest and vector biology, feeding behaviors, ecology, and insecticide resistance are largely unknown. To address this gap, we present the F. occidentalis draft genome assembly and official gene set. Results We report on the first genome sequence for any member of the insect order Thysanoptera. Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Ortholog (BUSCO) assessments of the genome assembly (size = 415.8 Mb, scaffold N50 = 948.9 kb) revealed a relatively complete and well-annotated assembly in comparison to other insect genomes. The genome is unusually GC-rich (50%) compared to other insect genomes to date. The official gene set (OGS v1.0) contains 16,859 genes, of which ~ 10% were manually verified and corrected by our consortium. We focused on manual annotation, phylogenetic, and expression evidence analyses for gene sets centered on primary themes in the life histories and activities of plant-colonizing insects. Highlights include the following: (1) divergent clades and large expansions in genes associated with environmental sensing (chemosensory receptors) and detoxification (CYP4, CYP6, and CCE enzymes) of substances encountered in agricultural environments; (2) a comprehensive set of salivary gland genes supported by enriched expression; (3) apparent absence of members of the IMD innate immune defense pathway; and (4) developmental- and sex-specific expression analyses of genes associated with progression from larvae to adulthood through neometaboly, a distinct form of maturation differing from either incomplete or complete metamorphosis in the Insecta. Conclusions Analysis of the F. occidentalis genome offers insights into the polyphagous behavior of this insect pest that finds, colonizes, and survives on a widely diverse array of plants. The genomic resources presented here enable a more complete analysis of insect evolution and biology, providing a missing taxon for contemporary insect genomics-based analyses. Our study also offers a genomic benchmark for molecular and evolutionary investigations of other Thysanoptera species

1989 ADAP Crop Protection Conference Proceedings (University of Hawaii; Honolulu, Hawaii; 18-19 May 1989)

Also issued as Research Extension Series; 134 (HITAHR, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources)The overall purpose of the Crop Protection Conference was to provide crop protection researchers in the Pacific Basin an opportunity to share recent findings as well as provide a forum for issues of impending interest.USDA funded project Agricultural Development in the American Pacific (ADAP

Easy On-Site Tests for Fungi & Viruses in Nurseries and Greenhouses

Now, instead of sending samples to a laboratory and waiting for answers, you can use quick and relatively simple, commercially available test kits to identify common plant viruses and root and crown decay fungi. You'll also learn tips for good sampling technique critical to the effective use and interpretation of the tests

Easy On-Site Tests for Fungi & Viruses in Nurseries and Greenhouses

Now, instead of sending samples to a laboratory and waiting for answers, you can use quick and relatively simple, commercially available test kits to identify common plant viruses and root and crown decay fungi. You'll also learn tips for good sampling technique critical to the effective use and interpretation of the tests