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Effectiveness of fludioxonil, a new‑generation reduced‑risk fungicide, against brown rot pathogens
No full textBrown rot, caused by Monilinia species, is a destructive disease of pome and stone fruits that can lead to significant losses
in production. Disease management is mainly based on fungicide applications during the growing season. Fludioxonil, a
“new-generation reduced-risk fungicide”, is one of the most important fungicide used. The objectives of the present study
were to compare and determine the toxicity of fludioxonil to selected M. laxa, M. fructigena and M. fructicola isolates, to
test its effectiveness in detached fruits and to assess its effectiveness under practical control conditions. A total of 27 isolates
(10 isolates of M. laxa, 8 of M. fructigena and 9 of M. fructicola) were tested for sensitivity to fludioxonil in vitro. Isolates
from each species exhibited a homogeneous response to the fungicide, while differences among the different species were
determined. Based on calculated resistance factors (RF), the examined isolates were classified into two categories: sensitive
and moderately resistant. In vivo testing of the effectiveness of the label concentration of fludioxonil on detached fruit did
not reveal differences between isolates classified into different sensitivity categories; fludioxonil used at the label concentration
(0.1%) inhibited decay development 93.5 to 100%, regardless of the isolate category. Field trials revealed the very high
efficacy of fludioxonil in preventing brown rot on fruits, ranging from 92.2 to 100 for peach, 90.7 to 97.3 for plum and 84.9
to 91.9% for sour cherry. In conclusion, fludioxonil was highly effective according to in vitro sensitivity tests and when used
under practical field conditions for brown rot control.Supplementary file available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00284-024-03808-
Antifungal activity of various essential oils against the causal agent of early blight of tomato (Alternaria solani)
No full textAlternaria solani Sorauer is a soil inhabiting fungus that causes early blight disease in tomato. At optimum temperature, the fungus can survive for more than ten years in the soil, seed or in plant debris, as parasitic and as saprophytic organism. Also, it’s known for its ability of various toxins production. There is an increasing demand to reduce the use of pesticides in control of plant diseases. In this direction, substances derived from plants, such as essential oils, certainly play the most important role. The aim of this study was to provide insights into antifungal activity of various essential oils against Serbian A. solani isolates from tomato.
Four isolates of A. solani were obtained from the Laboratory of Phytopathology collection (Institute of Pesticides and Environmental Protection, Belgrade, Serbia). Antifungal activity of five commercially available essential oils (EOs): cinnamon (Cynnamomum zeylanicum), parsley (Petroselinum crispum), ginger (Zingiber officinale), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.) and anise (Pimpinella anisum) was tested using fumigant macrodilution method. The experiment was caried out on PDA medium in glass Petri plates (R=90 mm) inoculated with mycelial fragments (R=6 mm) placed at the plate center. The different volumes of selected oils were pipetted onto the inner side of plate covers on filter paper cuttings to obtain the final concentrations in the air phase 0.01, 0.03, 0.04, 0.06, and 0.07 µl ml-1 of air. The plates were left upside down, sealed with parafilm to prevent gas exchange with the outside environment and incubated for 7 days at 27°C. Control plates were without essential oils added. The percentage growth inhibition (PGI) was estimated by measuring the radial growth of the isolates treated with different oil concentrations and comparing them with control plates. The experiment was repeated three times.
Among all tested EOs, cinnamon essential oil exhibited foremost antifungal activity with PGI from 69.47% to 95.07% in concentration range from 0.01 to 0.07 µl ml-1. The medium activity was demonstrated by the anise essential oil with PGI values from 18.87% at lowest to 53.57% at highest oil concentration. Parsley oil revealed low antifungal effects (PGI from 17% to 31.5%). Out of the five tested EOs, ginger and eucalyptus essential oils showed the lowest fungicidal effect with PGI rates 6.1%-12.27% and 1.7%-5%, respectively.
The obtained results indicate that cinnamon essential oil possess the highest fumigant antifungal activity against A. solani isolates with 95.07% of mycelial growth inhibition at highest oil concentration tested. This finding makes this oil an eligible candidate for potential in vivo testing. Also, further in vitro work can be directed in finding antifungal potential of anise essential oil at higher, yet acceptable oil concentrations
Fastidious prokaryotic pathogens infecting sugar beet in Central Europe
No full textIn Europe, two phloem-limited pathogens, ′Candidatus Phytoplasma solani′ and ′Ca. Arsenophonus phytopathogenicus′, are associated with rubbery taproot disease (RTD) and syndrome basses richesses (SBR) of sugar beet, respectively. These pathogens can cause severe yield losses, particulary when their infections are accompanied by root rot fungi. Over a five-year span (2019-2024), a comprehensive series of studies was undertaken to evaluate the distribution and infection rates of these bacteria in sugar beet crops across Central Europe, including Serbia, Hungary, Romania, Austria, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Germany and Poland. The research also focused on understanding the epidemiology of RTD, analyzing its occurrence both in epidemic and non-epidemic conditions, and examining its relationship with Macrophomina phaseolina - charcoal root rot. Molecular diagnostics confirmed the presence of both ′Ca. P. solani′ and ′Ca. A. phytopathogenicus′ across Central Europe, with a strong predominance of the phytoplasma. These pathogens were identified in all surveyed regions within the Pannonian and Wallachian Plains but were notably absent in Bohemia, correlating with the observed disease symptoms. In eastern Germany, a particular strain of ′Ca. P. solani′-related phytoplasma emerged as the dominant pathogen, differing from the situation in France, where ′Ca. A. phytopathogenicus′ is typically more prevalent. This German strain was classified into a novel subgroup, designated as 16SrXII-P. Both phytoplasmas were detected in Poland, although their presence there was relatively limited.
The 16S rDNA sequences of ′Ca. P. solani′ 16SrXII-A were found to be highly conserved; however, multi-locus analyses targeting two more variable loci (tuf and stamp genes) revealed distinct patterns of variability across different regions. Interestingly, within Central Eorope, particularly in the Pannonian Plain, the tuf and stamp loci exhibited minimal variability, which contrasts sharply with the high variability observed in Eastern and Western Europe, regions associated with epidemic and sporadic occurrences, respectively. Reptalus quinquecostatus was identified as the vector responsible for transmitting the epidemic strain (tuf-D) of ′Ca. P. solani′ 16SrXII-A, which is linked to the widespread outbreak of RTD in Serbia. Moreover, sugar beet plants affected by RTD were found to be more susceptible to M. phaseolina charcoal root rot, thereby intensifying the losses attributed to phytoplasma infection alone.
These findings emphasize the importance of further research into the interactions between vectors, pathogens, and plant hosts, as well as the ecological factors driving disease outbreaks. The results obtained suggest that greater emphasis should be placed on monitoring phytoplasma infections in sugar beet across Europe
Uklanjanje metomila iz vodenih rastvora upotrebom termički regenerisanih ugljeničnih mikrosfera
No full textMethomyl is a widely used carbamate pesticide, which has been extensively used over the past 60 years, primarily as an insecticide, but also as an herbicide and fungicide. Methomyl production involves a series of complex reactions. During its synthesis, wastewater from pesticide manufacturing plants can contaminate aqueous media. This study provides the results of investigation of effective-ness of methomyl removal from aqueous solutions by adsorption using the thermally regenerated microspheres of activated carbon (RAC). The microstructure of the adsorbent surface was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The change in the relative concentration of the pesticide in the aqueous solution was monitored using UV-Vis spectrophotometry. Methomyl adsorption kinetics and isotherms of regenerated activated carbon microspheres fit the pseudo-first-order and Freun-dlich models. The pseudo-first-order rate constant is 0.0105 min-1 at a temperature of 25 °C. By determinig the thermodynamic parameters of adsorption, it can be concluded that the process is spontaneous and exothermic.Metomil je široko rasprostranjen karbamatni pesticid, koji je u velikoj meri korišćen u poslednjih 60 godina prvenstveno kao insekticid, ali i kao herbicid i fungicid. Proizvodnja metomila uključuje niz složenih reakcija. Tokom njegove sinteze, otpadne vode iz fabrika za proizvodnju pesticida mogu kon-taminirati vodene tokove. U ovom radu prikazani su rezultati ispitivanja efikasnosti uklanjanja metomila iz vodenih rastvora, adsorpcijom, korišćenjem termički regenerisanih mikrosfera aktivnog uglja (RAC). Mikrostruktura površine adsorbenta ispitana je skenirajućom elektronskom mikroskopi-jom (SEM). Promena relativne koncentracije pesticida u vodenom rastvoru praćena je pomoću UV vidljive spektrofotometrije. Kinetika adsorpcije metomila i izoterme regenerisanih mikrosfera aktivnog uglja odgovaraju modelima pseudo-prvog reda i Frojndlihovog modela. Konstanta brzine pseudo-prvog reda iznosi 0.0105 min-1 na temperaturi od 25 °C. Određivanjem termodinamičkih parametara adsorpcije može se zaključiti da je proces spontan i egzotermne prirode
Phytoplasmas infecting sugar beet in central Europe
No full textIn Europe, the cultivation of sugar beet faces significant challenges due to the
emergence of 'basses richesses' syndrome (SBR) and rubbery taproot disease
(RTD) which are associated with fastidious bacteria, 'Candidatus Arsenophonus
phytopathogenicus' and 'Candidatus Phytoplasma solani,' respectively.
A comprehensive study conducted from 2018 to 2022 aimed to elucidate the
prevalence and distribution of these pathogens in sugar beet in central Europe,
focusing on the Pannonian Plain (particularly Serbia and Slovakia where RTD
has been present in epidemic scales) and Germany. Our investigations of sugar
beet revealed that 'Ca. P. solani' was the highely predominant fastidious bacterium
found in the Pannonian Plain, while both 'Ca. A. phytopathogenicus' and
'Ca. P. solani' related phytoplasmas coexist in Germany. Furthermore, we
identified Reptalus quinquecostatus as the vector responsible for transmition
of the epidemic strain of 'Ca. P. solani,' thus contributing to the epidemic occurrence
of RTD. Notably, RTD-infected sugar beet exhibited increased susceptibility
to charcoal root rot (Macrophomina phaseolina), compounding the losses
associated with the phytoplasma infection alone. A phytoplasma strain related
to 'Ca. P. solani' predominated in Saxony-Anhalt (Germany) compared to 'Ca. A.
phytopathogenicus. Moreover, the phytoplasma strain was classified as a novel
subgroup designated as 16SrXll-P and exhibited significant genetic divergence
from the reference and all other reported 'Ca. P. solani' strains, including the
ones from western Germany. Examination of sugar beet samples from previous
years, confirmed the presence of the 16SrXll-P phytoplasma strain in sugar beet
as early as 2020, with additional occurrences in Bavaria in southern Germany.
Furthermore, 16S rDNA analysis of 'Ca. A. phytopathogenicus' strains in SaxonyAnhalt
showed them to be genetically identical to strains found in sugar beet in
other regions of Germany and France, as well as a strain isolated from potatoes
in Germany. Overall, our study underscores the importance of comprehensively
understanding phytoplasma infections in sugar beet across Europe
Linking weed control techniques to anti-inflammatory potential: Comparative analysis of Angelica archangelica L. root essential oil profiles
No full textThe present study aimed to evaluate garden angelica (Angelica archangelica L.) root essential oil composition modulated by weed management techniques. Eight different treatments, including weed free (manual weeding removal), weedy check (untreated control), two organic mulches: sawdust and straw, two physical methods mulches: agro-textile foil and silver-brown foil, and two herbicides: Metamitron and Aclonifen, were employed in open field growing A. archangelica. The composition of the root essential oil was analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results revealed that main compounds in A. archangelica root essential oil was β-phellandrene (6.7–17.2%) and α-pinene (7.8–17.2%), followed by δ-3-carene (4.2–14.1%) and p-cymene (6.4–10.5%). According to molecular docking results and binding energy calculations, there are several compounds present in A. archangelica essential oil that could have modulatory effects on inflammatory pathways. However, α-pinene, osthol, α-terpinol, p-cymene, and β-phellandrene seem to be the most effective anti-inflammatory compounds from the examined oil. Application of herbicides in weed management significantly influences the accumulation α-pinene as a dominant compound in A. archangelica essential oil, while β-phellandrene dominant in straw weed management. Moreover, α-terpineol was the most abundant in sawdust weed management treatment, while osthol was dominant in weed free treatment. In conclusion, organic mulches, especially sawdust, can be recommended for the production of A. archangelica roots with the highest essential oil content, while straw as an organic mulch gives the highest concentration of main compounds with promising anti-inflammatory potential
Evaluation of the phytotoxic effect of Artemisia absinthium L. plant extract and essential oil on weeds and maize
No full textAllelochemicals (secondary metabolites) have great potential as natural components that
can be used for the synthesis of bioherbicides or new synthetic herbicides. A large number of
Artemisia species are distributed worldwide and some of them have a large production of
biologically active chemical compounds. Artemisia absinthium L. is a perennial weed that occurs
sporadically in the flora of Serbia.
The aim of this study was to investigate the phytotoxic effect of the plant extract and
essential oil of A. absinthium on seed germination and seedling growth of weeds (Amaranthus
retroflexus and Setaria viridis) and maize under in vitro conditions. Ultrasound-assisted
extraction with different extraction solvents was performed to obtain the phenol-rich plant
extract, and the essential oil was obtained by steam distillation. The LC/MS (Liquid
Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) technique was used to identify the phenolic compounds
in the plant extract and the GC/MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) technique was
used to identify the compounds in the essential oil. The in vitro experiment involved the
application of plant extracts at concentrations of 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 2.5 and 5% (w/v) to each petri dish of seeds, and essential oil was applied at concentrations of 0.01, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.25
and 0.5% (v/v).
The inhibition of seed germination by the plant extract was between 0-100% (A.
retroflexus), 0-100% (S. viridis) and 1.11-57.78% (maize) at the applied concentrations. In the
essential oil bioassay, the percentages of germination inhibition were 1.39-86.80% (A.
retroflexus), 1.43-100% (S. viridis) and 3.33-65% (maize) for the applied treatments. The
inhibition of seedling growth of A. retroflexus at a concentration of 0.75% was 68.31%, while a
similar effect (71.47%) was obtained with the application of the essential oil at a concentration of
0.10%. The length of S. viridis seedlings was inhibited by 55.63% when the plant extract was
applied at a concentration of 0.50% and by 72.65% when the essential oil was applied at a
concentration of 0.05%. When the highest concentrations of plant extract (5%) and essential oil
(0.5%) were applied, the length of maize seedlings was 91.73% and 87.40%, respectively. Twelve
different compounds were identified in the plant extract and 91 in the essential oils. The
following phenolic compounds stood out due to their content: chlorogenic acid (1.694 mg/g),
astragalin (0.197 mg/g), rutin (0.135 mg/g), narcisin (0.090 mg/g) and hyperoside (0.066 mg/g),
and the following components of the essential oil: B-thujone (18.90%), cis-ocimene epoxide
(7.88%), bicyclogermacrene (7.04%), B-caryophyllene (6.00%) and germacrene D-4-ol (5.35%).
The results obtained indicate a higher phytotoxic potential of the essential oil compared
to the plant extract of A. absinthium, which can be explained by the differences in chemical
composition resulting from different extraction procedures
Biodiversity of spider mites in the Pannonian region of Serbia
No full textBiodiversity of spider mites (Acari:
Tetranychidae) has been studied with emphasis
on agricultural crops and ornamentals in
managed habitats. On the other hand, native
vegetation can act as a reservoir of species that
may occur on cultivated plants. The Pannonian
region of Serbia covers one third of its territory.
It is predominantly a lowland region with mosaic
habitat and vegetation structure. Although a
large percentage of the region was turned into
managed (agricultural) ecosystems, it also
encompasses very diverse natural and seminatural
habitats. Sampling of spider mites in the
Pannonian region was carried out over 11
growing seasons (2013-2023) on native and
cultivated plants at 260 sampling locations. A
total of 37 spider mite species were found on
118 plant species belonging to 33 families,
among which 16 and 12 plant species from the
families Asteraceae and Rosaceae had 7 and 18
mite species, respectively. The plants in natural
and semi-natural habitats had 29 mite species
(25 in woodland, 15 in grassland and 6 in
heathland and scrub habitats), while 26 mite
species were found on the plants in agricultural
habitats (20 in gardens, 11 in orchards and 4 in
greenhouses). A total of 18 species were found
in both agricultural and natural habitats. The
cosmopolitan species Tetranychus urticae was
the most frequent, followed by T. ludeni, T.
turkestani, and T. evansi in agricultural habitats,
and Eotetranychus carpini in natural and seminatural
habitats
Occurrence of the planthopper Reptalus quinquecostatus (Dufour) (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Cixiidae), a vector of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma solani' driving the sugar beet RTD epidemic, in a multi-crop system
No full textReptalus quinquecostatus (Dufour) sensu Holzinger et al (2003) (Hemiptera:
Fulgoromorpha: Cixiidae) is a polyphagous planthopper recently recognized as a key vector of
‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ (stolbur phytoplasma) in the epidemiology of Rubbery Taproot
Disease (RTD) affecting sugar beet. The consistent association of this planthopper with specific
'Ca. P. solani' strains (dStolg) in RTD-affected sugar beet fields from 2020 to 2023, combined with
experimental phytoplasma transmission trials, strongly implicates R. quinquecostatus as a
primary vector driving the RTD epidemic in Serbia. Known for its broad host range, R.
quinquecostatus has been documented in Serbia feeding on various crops apart from sugar
beet, including corn, tobacco, and parsnip, as well as wild plants such as Prunus spp., Crataegus
spp. and common weeds like Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Amaranthus retroflexus, Solanum nigrum,
etc. While crop rotation has been implicated in host shifts for other ‘Ca. P. solani’ planthopper
vectors, such as Reptalus panzeri Léw and Pentastiridius leporinus (Linnaeus), the crop-
associated host shifts for R. quinquecostatus have not been previously explored.
In 2024, populations of adult R. quinquecostatus were monitored in various crops at the
experimental field station of the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad, in Rimski
Sancevi. This location has experienced a continuous RTD outbreak on sugar beet over the past
five years, along with less severe occurrences of other 'Ca. P. solani’-associated diseases in other
crops. Target crops for monitoring the occurrence and abundance of R. quinquecostatus
included sugar beet, sunflower, corn, peas, soybeans, oat, and wheat. Sampling was conducted
using entomological nets and/or mouth aspirators, following different transect sampling
methodology. A total of eight sampling rounds were conducted in June 2024, with a frequency
of twice weekly. All collected planthoppers were subsequently identified morphologically using
Leica S9 stereomicroscope.
The lowest R. quinquecostatus populations were recorded in soybeans and peas, with
approximately 20 individuals per crop. In sunflower, 70 individuals were captured, while in corn
150. Significantly higher populations, totalling 355 sampled individuals, were observed in sugar
beet. Cereal crops supported considerably larger R. quinquecostatus populations, with 628 and
786 individuals caught in oat and wheat, respectively. Population abundance varied spatially
within each crop plot, displaying an aggregated distribution pattern, as confirmed by additional
line and radial transects. In soybean, pea, and sugar beet plots, R. quinquecostatus aggregated at
field edges. Conversely, this planthopper has exhibited a more dispersed distribution within sunflower and corn plots. Oat and wheat plots supported high R. quinquecostatus densities, with
an initially uniform distribution along diagonal transects during the first two weeks of June.
Subsequently, populations showed aggregation and microhabitat displacement patterns, as
evidenced by belt transects. In addition, the prominent ‘Ca. P. solani’ planthopper vector
Hyalesthes obsoletus Signoret was detected in low numbers (~10 individuals) across most
crops/plots, except for peas where higher densities (74 individuals) coincided with the presence
of Convolvulus arvensis, its host plant. Reptalus panzeri was also present in corn (114 individuals)
and at low levels (~10 individuals) in other crops.
The data collected offer novel insights into the occurrence and behavior of R.
quinquecostatus within a complex multi-crop agroecosystem. Unlike the ‘Ca. P. solani’ vector H.
obsoletus, which is associated with non-crop plants in Serbia, R. panzeri completes its life cycle
within wheat-maize rotations in Serbia, while P. leporinus is associated with sugar beet-
potato/wheat rotation systems in France and Germany. The discovery of high R. quinquecostatus
densities in oat and wheat, coupled with its potential for migratory behaviour, suggests that
these crops may serve as adult feeding hosts, complicating existing host plant records for this
planthopper. While previous studies have not reported large R. quinquecostatus populations in
European cereal crops, our findings necessitate further investigation into their potential as both
adult feeding and nymphal development hosts
Biochemical analysis β-carotene and lycopene content in tomato fruits under water stress
No full textDrought can alter the metabolic profile of plants by accumulation or reduction of specific ca-
rotenoids that could affect their adaptive response. Lycopene stands out as one of the most char-
acteristic carotenoids, playing a crucial role in determining the nutritional quality of tomatoes, but
also as an important antioxidant in the response of plants to drought. The aim of this study was
to verify whether changes in carotenoids content (β-carotene and lycopene) in the fruits under
drought stress. Plants of two tomato lines (M7 and R83) previously differed in drought response in
vegetative phase were grown in a glasshouse. Two water regimes were applied (optimal field ca-
pacity and water deficit - reduction of water for 30% compared to control). For analyses were used
the red ripe fruits of tomatoes from 2nd and 4th floral branches. ß-carotene and lycopene content
were determined using the spectrophotometry method. Biochemical analyses of β-carotene and
lycopene indicated on differences in their content between genotypes and treatments. Generally,
higher content, especially of β-carotene, was found in the fruits of the R83 line compared to the
M7 line. The greatest accumulation of both carotenoids, particularly lycopene was detected in the
fruits of the R83 line from 4th floral branch under water deficit. Based on the obtained results, the
duration of plant exposure to stress affected the carotenoid content and the R83 line showed a
potentially better response to drought stress at fruit level