Identifying the Fusarium species cause Fusarium head blight (FHB) and produces mycotoxins in wheat and other cereal is difficult and time consuming because of confusing phenotypic classification systems.

Fungicide resistance in plant pathogens is often caused by a single point mutation in a gene encoding fungicide target proteins. Such is the case for resistance to MBI-D (inhibitors of scytalone dehydratase in melanin biosynthesis) fungicides in rice blast fungus (Magnaporthe oryzae), which is caused by a mutation in the scytalone dehydratase gene that results in a replacement of valine with methionine at codon 75 of the fungicide target protein.PCR-Luminex, a novel system developed for highthroughput analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was successfully introduced to diagnose MBI-D resistance using specific oligonucleotide probes coupled with fluorescent beads. The PCR-Luminex system was further tested for its potential in identifying species causing Fusarium head blight on wheat. Four major pathogens, Fusarium graminearum (=F. asiaticum), F. culmorum, F. avenaceum, and Microdochium nivale, known to cause the disease, were tested, and the species were identified using the PCR-Luminex method. So far, this report is the first on the application of the DNA-based PCR-Luminex system in the area of crop protection and/or agricultural sciences.

No abstract

Puccinia chrysanthemi on Chrysanthemum morifolium has been described as a hemi-form rust with uredinial and telial states. However, spermogonial state was found on leaves of C. morifolium inoculated with teliospores and also on infected leaves of C. morifolium collected from fields in early summer. P. chrysanthemi, therefore, has a brachy-form life cycle and is an autoecious species. In teliospore germination, two kinds of basidia were observed; the one with a binucleate cell and two uninucleate cells, the other with four uninucleate cells. Both binucleate and uninucleate basidiospores were formed.