No abstract

No abstract

Collections of the causal agent of sunflower downy mildew (Plasmopara balstedii) (PH) from several European and North and South American countries were used to inoculate a series of sunflower inbred lines to differentiate races. Race 3 was identified from Argentina; race 4 from France, Hungary, and Bulgaria; race 6 from Canada and France; and race 7 from Argentina. This is the first report of race 3 in South America and of race 4 in Europe, and is the first identification of races 6 and 7. Reactions of USDA lines RHA‐274, RHA‐325, and DM‐2 differentiate races 2, 6, and 7, with RHA‐274 resistant to all three. Thirty‐three commercial hybrids from 11 countries were tested; 70 % were resistant to race 2, only 27 % had resistance to race 6, and none were resistant to race 4. Surveys to determine the relative proportions of the various races within each country are needed to assess their potential impact. The USDA lines HA‐335, HA‐336, HA‐337, HA‐338, HA‐339, RHA‐340, HA‐R4, and HA‐R5 are resistant to all seven mildew races and could be utilized for the production of PH resistant hybrids. For the short term, it appears that seed treatment with metalaxyl may be the most effective control.

The influence of temperature, humidity and light on the conidial germination and germ tube elongation of oak powdery mildew (Microsphaera alphitoides Griff. et Maubl.) was studied in controlled conditions. The maximal germ tube length was attained at 25°C, whereas at lower and higher than optimal temperatures, germ tube growth was significantly lower. Germ tubes begin to develop at all values of relative humidity (10-100%), reaching the maximum length at 90%. The development of germ tubes was the most intense in full light and the lowest in total darkness. The artificial infection of floating leaves showed that an increasing age had an inhibitory effect on the mycelium development and spore formation. Since conidia play a crucial role in powdery mildew epidemiology, it is of particular importance to elucidate the influence of environmental factors in the complex relations that exist between the plant and its pathogen. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 43007: Studying climate change and its influence on the environment: Impacts, adaptation and mitigation