Cavity Spot (cavity + spot)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


PCR-based identification of Pythium spp. causing cavity spot in carrots and sensitive detection in soil samples

PLANT PATHOLOGY, Issue 5 2008
S. S. Klemsdal
On the basis of ITS sequences PCR primers were designed for the identification of the five Pythium species found to be most important for the development of carrot cavity spot in Norway: P. intermedium, P. sulcatum, P. sylvaticum, P. violae and P. ,vipa'. The P. ,vipa' isolates had a unique ITS sequence, differed morphologically from all other Pythium isolates, and thus probably represent a new species. The PCR primers were species-specific with no cross-reaction to other Pythium species or to fungal isolates from carrot tested. The detection limits varied for the different primer pairs. The two most sensitive assays allowed detection of as little as 5 fg DNA. All five Pythium species could be detected in lesions from diseased carrots. Weak positive signals were obtained from some carrot samples without symptoms. PCR assays allowed detection of pathogens in soil. In samples of soil known to produce cavity spots on cropped carrots, strong signals were obtained. In several soil samples more than one of the five Pythium species could be detected. The utilization of this diagnostic PCR assay in analysis of field soil and carrot tissue might in the future be exploited to reduce the incidence of this serious carrot disease. [source]


Modulation of primary and secondary infections in epidemics of carrot cavity spot through agronomic management practices

PLANT PATHOLOGY, Issue 1 2008
F. Suffert
The relative importance of primary and secondary infections (auto- and alloinfections) in the development of a carrot cavity spot (CCS) epidemic caused by Pythium spp. were investigated. Three cropping factors: fungicide application, soil moisture and planting density, were selected as the key variables affecting the disease tetrahedron. Their effects on: (i) disease measurements at a specific time, (ii) the areas under the disease progress curves (AUDPCs) and (iii) a time-dependent parameter in a pathometric incidence-severity relationship, were studied. Mefenoxam applications 5 and 9 weeks after sowing reduced the intensity of a field CCS epidemic that involved both primary and secondary infections. In microcosm experiments, mefenoxam reduced secondary infections by Pythium violae obtained by transplanting infected carrot roots and slowed disease progress (1·6 lesions per root in treated versus 5·8 lesions in non-treated microcosms). A deficit of soil moisture limited the movement of Pythium propagules to host tissue, and thus reduced primary infections in the field; it also promoted the healing of lesions, limiting lesion expansion and the potential for alloinfections (6·8,7·5 lesions per root in irrigated plots compared with 2·4 lesions in non-irrigated plots). A negative relationship between the mean root-to-root distance and the rate of alloinfections was established in microcosms; a reduction in mean planting density was also effective in limiting CCS development (0·5, 1·6 and 2·0 lesions per root in microcosms containing 8, 16 and 31 roots, respectively). An integrated disease management system based on a combination of cultural methods, such as optimized fungicide application, date of harvest versus soil moisture content, and host density versus planting pattern, may make a useful contribute to the control of CCS. [source]


Pythium species associated with cavity spot on carrots in Norway

ANNALS OF APPLIED BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2007
A. Hermansen
Abstract Carrot roots with cavity spot lesions from eight different counties in Norway were sampled and Pythium species were isolated on selective medium. Pythium spp. were characterised morphologically and by species-specific PCR. Laboratory experiments with inoculations of carrot roots were performed. A total of 130 isolates out of 230 Pythium -like isolates tested with PCR were identified as pathogenic species of Pythium. These were P. intermedium (29%), P. sulcatum (23%), P. sylvaticum (16%), P. violae (15%) and a possible new Pythium species designated P. ,vipa' (18%). There were some differences between geographical regions and ages of cavities regarding the frequency of the different species isolated. When rating sunken lesions in the laboratory inoculation experiments, P.,vipa' was the most aggressive and P. violae the least aggressive species. P. intermedium and P.,vipa' caused more discolouration of the infected carrot tissue than the other species. The importance of the different Pythium spp. as agents of cavity spot in Norway is discussed. [source]


PCR-based identification of Pythium spp. causing cavity spot in carrots and sensitive detection in soil samples

PLANT PATHOLOGY, Issue 5 2008
S. S. Klemsdal
On the basis of ITS sequences PCR primers were designed for the identification of the five Pythium species found to be most important for the development of carrot cavity spot in Norway: P. intermedium, P. sulcatum, P. sylvaticum, P. violae and P. ,vipa'. The P. ,vipa' isolates had a unique ITS sequence, differed morphologically from all other Pythium isolates, and thus probably represent a new species. The PCR primers were species-specific with no cross-reaction to other Pythium species or to fungal isolates from carrot tested. The detection limits varied for the different primer pairs. The two most sensitive assays allowed detection of as little as 5 fg DNA. All five Pythium species could be detected in lesions from diseased carrots. Weak positive signals were obtained from some carrot samples without symptoms. PCR assays allowed detection of pathogens in soil. In samples of soil known to produce cavity spots on cropped carrots, strong signals were obtained. In several soil samples more than one of the five Pythium species could be detected. The utilization of this diagnostic PCR assay in analysis of field soil and carrot tissue might in the future be exploited to reduce the incidence of this serious carrot disease. [source]