ORCID Profile
0000-0002-6703-8295
Current Organisation
University of Southern Queensland
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Soil Biology | Conservation And Biodiversity | Soil Sciences | Population And Ecological Genetics | Genetics | Plant Pathology | Biotechnology Not Elsewhere Classified
Grain legumes | Field crops | Grapes | Wheat |
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 2014
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 17-07-2018
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-018-29102-5
Abstract: A little known, unculturable ascomycete, referred to as Phyllachora ambrosiae , can destroy the inflorescences of Ambrosia artemisiifolia , an invasive agricultural weed and producer of highly allergenic pollen. The fungus often remains undetectable in ragweed populations. This work was conducted to understand its origin and pathogenesis, a prerequisite to consider its potential as a biocontrol agent. The methods used included light and transmission electron microscopy, nrDNA sequencing, phylogenetic analyses, artificial inoculations, and the examination of old herbarium and recent field specimens from Hungary, Korea, Ukraine and USA. The Eurasian and the North American specimens of this fungus were to represent two distinct, although closely related lineages that were only distantly related to other lineages within the Ascomycota . Consequently, we describe a new genus that includes Cryptophyllachora eurasiatica gen. et sp. nov. and C. ambrosiae comb. nov., respectively. The pathogenesis of C. eurasiatica was shown in A. artemisiifolia . No evidence was found for either seed-borne transmission or systemic infection. Two hypotheses were developed to explain the interaction between C. eurasiatica and A. artemisiifolia : (i) as yet undetected seed-borne transmissions and latent, systemic infections or (ii) alternative hosts.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 2005
DOI: 10.1071/AP05010
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 2005
DOI: 10.1071/AP05013
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2010
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 10-2013
DOI: 10.1021/JF4030618
Abstract: Phomentrioloxin is a phytotoxic geranylcyclohexenetriol produced in liquid culture by Phomopsis sp. (teleomorph: Diaporthe gulyae), a potential mycoherbicide proposed for the control of the annual weed Carthamus lanatus. In this study, seven derivatives obtained by chemical modifications of the toxin were assayed for phytotoxic, antimicrobial, and zootoxic activities, and the structure-activity relationships were examined. Each compound was tested on nonhost weedy and agrarian plants, fungi, Gram+ and Gram- bacteria, and on brine shrimp larvae. The results provide insights into an investigation of the structural requirements for activity. The hydroxy groups at C-2 and C-4 appeared to be important features for the phytotoxicity, as well as an unchanged cyclohexentriol ring. A role seemed also to be played by the unsaturations of the geranyl side chain. These findings could be useful for understanding the mechanisms of action of new natural products, for identifying the active sites, and possibly in devising new herbicides of natural origin.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 09-2015
DOI: 10.1038/SREP13644
Abstract: Fifty complete Bacillus genome sequences and associated plasmids were compared using the “feature frequency profile” (FFP) method. The resulting whole-genome phylogeny supports the placement of three Bacillus species ( B. thuringiensis, B. anthracis and B. cereus ) as a single clade. The monophyletic status of B. anthracis was strongly supported by the analysis. FFP proved to be more effective in inferring the phylogeny of Bacillus than methods based on single gene sequences [16s rRNA gene, GryB (gyrase subunit B) and AroE (shikimate-5-dehydrogenase)] analyses. The findings of FFP analysis were verified using kSNP v2 (alignment-free sequence analysis method) and Harvest suite (core genome sequence alignment method).
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 29-05-2020
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 04-2004
Publisher: Scientific Societies
Date: 05-2012
Abstract: A new disease of jojoba in Australia is described. We have demonstrated that this disease is caused by Elsinoë australis, a pathogen which is normally associated with citrus. This pathogen has not been found previously in Australia on citrus or any other crop. The fungus causes a scab on leaves and stems of jojoba and is widely distributed in eastern Australia. Although molecular analysis of the pathogen indicates that it is closely related to the natsudaidai and the sweet orange pathotypes of E. australis, glasshouse and laboratory experiments demonstrate that it is not pathogenic to a range of citrus cultivars grown in Australia. The data indicate that the isolates from jojoba represent a new pathotype of E. australis.
Publisher: American Society for Microbiology
Date: 02-05-2013
Abstract: Bacillus thuringiensis has been widely used as a biopesticide for a long time. Its molluscicidal activity, however, is rarely realized. Here, we report the genome sequence of B. thuringiensis strain DAR 81934, a strain with molluscicidal activity against the pest snail Cernuella virgata .
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 22-05-2015
DOI: 10.1002/CHIR.22466
Abstract: A new 3-substituted-5-diazenylcyclopentendione named kongiidiazadione was isolated from culture filtrates of Diaporthe kongii, associated with stem cankers on sunflower in Australia. Kongiidiazadione was characterized by spectroscopic (essentially nuclear magnetic resonance [NMR] and high-resolution, electrospray ionization, mass spectrometry [HRESIMS]) methods as (-)-5-diazenyl-3-hydroxymethyl-cyclopent-3-en-1,2-dione. The stereochemistry of the diazenyl group was determined by IR spectroscopy, while the (R) absolute configuration at C(5) was assigned by computational analysis of its electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectrum. When assayed on leaf disks of different plant species at 5 mM, the kongiidiazadione had a differential impact, causing clear necrosis, in particular to Helianthus annuus. Moreover, kongiidiazadione proved to have a weak antibacterial activity against gram-positive Bacillus amyloliquefaciens.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 2010
Publisher: Canadian Science Publishing
Date: 03-2010
DOI: 10.1139/W10-004
Abstract: The ersity of culturable and nonculturable bacterial endophytes of grapevine ( Vitis vinifera L.) was examined using a combination of cultivation and molecular methods. Entire grapevines were s led to characterize bacterial ersity from different locations throughout the vine. Gas chromatography of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) was used to identify culturable isolates prior to subsequent further microbiological characterization, whilst denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) was used to profile the ribosomal DNA of the bacterial endophyte community extracted from grapevines. Gas chromatography of FAMEs identified 75% of culturable bacterial endophytes to genus level (similarity index .3). Many isolates were identified as Bacillus spp., Pseudomonas spp., and Curtobacterium spp. Additionally, actinomycetes are reported for the first time as endophytes of grapevines, with a number of isolates identified as Streptomyces spp. DGGE was successfully used to identify major bands present in s les and indicated a degree of homogeneity of bacterial endophyte community profiles within the grapevines s led. The major bacterial bands were sequenced and used in identification. Comparison with bacterial markers produced from cultured bacterial endophytes suggested that bacteria in the DGGE profiles were not the species most commonly cultured. Additional research demonstrated similarities between epiphytic and endophytic populations and examined potential entry vectors. Endophyte entry was demonstrated in both field-grown and potted grapevines (‘Chardonnay’) using a rif icin-resistant Bacillus cereus mutant. The possibility of grapevine epiphytes becoming endophytes, if the opportunity arises, was supported by comparison of gas chromatography of FAMEs from epiphytic and endophytic populations. This research adds grapevine bacterial endophyte communities to those that have been characterized by a multifaceted approach.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-1998
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 2014
DOI: 10.1614/WS-03-063R1
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 10-2006
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 18-03-2021
DOI: 10.1111/JEN.12879
Abstract: This study investigated the interactions between insecticides (acephate and indoxacarb) and fungal entomopathogens ( Beauveria bassiana [Bals.‐Criv.] Vuill. strain B27, Metarhizium anisopliae [Metschn.] Sorokin strain ECS1, and a commercial B. bassiana product, Velifer ® Biological Insecticide) for controlling the macadamia seed weevil, Kuschelorhynchus macadamiae Jennings and Oberprieler, in the laboratory and glasshouse. In the laboratory, additive interactions between insecticides at their full field concentrations (776 mg AI/L of acephate and 75 mg AI/L of indoxacarb) and fungal entomopathogens at 10 7 conidia/ml (ECS1 and B27) or at full field concentration (0.5 ml of Velifer ® /L) were seen at 6 days and 12 days post‐application. Under the same experimental conditions, synergistic interactions against K. macadamiae were observed 6 days post‐application when fungal entomopathogens at 2.5 × 10 6 conidia/ml or at 25% of full field concentration (Velifer ® ) were co‐applied with insecticides at 25% of their full field concentrations, whilst additive interactions were again observed at 12 days post‐application. In the glasshouse, additive interactions between insecticides (at full field concentrations) and fungal entomopathogens (at 10 7 conidia/ml, or at full field concentration for Velifer ® ) were obtained at 6 days and 12 days post‐application. The results from this study suggest that acephate and indoxacarb have both synergistic and additive effects against K. macadamiae when deployed together with fungal entomopathogens, depending on the initial concentrations of mixture components. Combined application of entomopathogens with compatible insecticides promises to provide more effective management of K. macadamiae than in idual chemical applications.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 14-09-2013
DOI: 10.1111/AAB.12065
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 2009
DOI: 10.1071/AP09037
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 08-02-2012
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 27-10-2016
DOI: 10.1038/SREP35801
Abstract: Phytoplasmas are insect vectored mollicutes responsible for disease in many economically important crops. Determining which insect species are vectors of a given phytoplasma is important for managing disease but is methodologically challenging because disease-free plants need to be exposed to large numbers of insects, often over many months. A relatively new method to detect likely transmission involves molecular testing for phytoplasma DNA in sucrose solution that insects have fed upon. In this study we combined this feeding medium method with a loop-mediated isothermal lification (LAMP) assay to study 627 insect specimens of 11 Hemiptera taxa s led from sites in Papua New Guinea affected by Bogia coconut syndrome (BCS). The LAMP assay detected phytoplasma DNA from the feeding solution and head tissue of insects from six taxa belonging to four families: Derbidae, Lophopidae, Flatidae and Ricaniidae. Two other taxa yielded positives only from the heads and the remainder tested negative. These results demonstrate the utility of combining single-insect feeding medium tests with LAMP assays to identify putative vectors that can be the subject of transmission tests and to better understand phytoplasma pathosystems.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 08-04-2014
DOI: 10.1111/PPA.12060
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-1998
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2012
DOI: 10.1071/SR12185
Abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the long-term changes in some key soil chemical properties at the completion of three long-term trials in south-eastern Australia and the relationship between those soil properties. From a soil organic matter perspective, the build-up of carbon (%C) requires an accumulation of nitrogen (%N), and the build-up of %C and %N fertility comes at the cost of soil acidity. Rotation, tillage, and stubble practices combine to alter the quantity, quality (C : N), and the depth distribution of organic matter in a soil, but the three soil chemical properties reported here seem to also be in quasi-equilibrium at the three long-term sites. The consequence is that if the build-up of soil organic matter leads to soil acidification, then the maintenance of agricultural production will require liming. The emission of CO2 when limestone reacts with soil acids, plus the C cost of limestone application, will negate a proportion of the gains from C sequestration as organic matter in soil. Such cautionary information was doubtless unforeseen when these three long-term trials were initiated.
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 06-05-2015
DOI: 10.1111/AJGW.12144
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2007
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 10-09-2012
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 05-2004
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2010
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 14-11-2014
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-05-2003
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2004
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2004
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2003
DOI: 10.1071/EA02027
Abstract: Surveys of petal infestation and stem infection conducted in 1998, 1999 and 2000 indicated that Sclerotinia sclerotiorum poses a threat to the Australian canola industry. Inoculum was present throughout all canola-growing regions of New South Wales and the stem disease was widespread throughout southern New South Wales. Percentage petal infestation increased over the 3 years surveyed with values ranging from 0 to 99.4%. The highest petal infestation values were observed in 2000 (maximum of 99.4%, mean of 82.2%), with lower mean values in 1998 (38.4%) and 1999 (49.6%). Stem infection ranged from 0 to 37.5% and most fields had less than 10% stem infection. Stem rot incidence before harvest did not relate to percentage petal infestation determined during flowering. This indicated that factors other than percentage petal infestation were important in influencing stem rot incidence. While there was no relationship between percentage petal infestation and stem rot incidence, stem infection never occurred without prior petal infestation.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 08-2021
DOI: 10.1093/GBE/EVAB182
Abstract: Powdery mildews are among the most important plant pathogens worldwide, which are often attacked in the field by mycoparasitic fungi belonging to the genus Ampelomyces. The taxonomy of the genus Ampelomyces is unresolved, but well-supported molecular operational taxonomic units were repeatedly defined suggesting that the genus may include at least four to seven species. Some Ampelomyces strains were commercialized as biocontrol agents of crop pathogenic powdery mildews. However, the genomic mechanisms underlying their mycoparasitism are still poorly understood. To date, the draft genome of a single Ampelomyces strain, designated as HMLAC 05119, has been released. We report a high-quality, annotated hybrid draft genome assembly of A. quisqualis strain BRIP 72107, which, based on phylogenetic analyses, is not conspecific with HMLAC 05119. The constructed genome is 40.38 Mb in size, consisting of 24 scaffolds with an N50 of 2.99 Mb and 96.2% completeness. Our analyses revealed “bipartite” structure of Ampelomyces genomes, where GC-balanced genomic regions are interspersed by longer or shorter stretches of AT-rich regions. This is also a hallmark of many plant pathogenic fungi and provides further evidence for evolutionary affinity of Ampelomyces species to plant pathogenic fungi. The high-quality genome and annotation produced here provide an important resource for future genomic studies of mycoparasitisim to decipher molecular mechanisms underlying biocontrol processes and natural tritrophic interactions.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 2009
DOI: 10.1071/AP09025
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 2010
DOI: 10.3852/08-198
Abstract: A large number of isolates of Phomopsis sp. have been collected from the weed Carthamus lanatus (saffron thistle) in Australia, and their potential as biological control agents for weeds of the Asteraceae has been demonstrated. An analysis of their genetic ersity and a multigene phylogenetic analysis were undertaken to ascertain whether these isolates were distinct from other species of Phomopsis that commonly attack crop species in Australia. Minimal variation was found between the Phomopsis spp. isolated from saffron thistle, except two isolates that appeared to share identity with Diaporthe helianthii and P. viticola. Analysis of the selected isolates from saffron thistle with the nucleotide sequence of the partial ITS and tefl-alpha regions demonstrated that the sequences were distinct from all other species of Phomopsis so far described from crops in Australia. These findings provide strong support for the recognition of these isolates as a separate species of Phomopsis. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to biological control of saffron thistle.
Publisher: Japanese Society of Breeding
Date: 2014
DOI: 10.1270/JSBBS.64.83
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 1991
DOI: 10.1071/APP9910108
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 26-10-2016
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 23-03-2023
DOI: 10.1177/00220345231154569
Abstract: Dentinogenesis imperfecta (DI) is the main orodental manifestation of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) caused by COL1A1 or COL1A2 heterozygous pathogenic variants. Its prevalence varies according to the studied population. Here, we report the molecular analysis of 81 patients with OI followed at reference centers in Brazil and France presenting COL1A1 or COL1A2 variants. Patients were submitted to clinical and radiographic dental examinations to diagnose the presence of DI. In addition, a systematic literature search and a descriptive statistical analysis were performed to investigate OI/DI phenotype–genotype correlation in a worldwide s le. In our cohort, 50 patients had COL1A1 pathogenic variants, and 31 patients had COL1A2 variants. A total of 25 novel variants were identified. Overall, data from a total of 906 in iduals with OI were assessed. Results show that DI was more frequent in severe and moderate OI cases. DI prevalence was also more often associated with COL1A2 (67.6%) than with COL1A1 variants (45.4%) because COL1A2 variants mainly lead to qualitative defects that predispose to DI more than quantitative defects. For the first time, 4 DI hotspots were identified. In addition, we showed that 1) glycine substitution by branched and charged amino acids in the α2(I) chain and 2) substitutions occurring in major ligand binding regions—MLRB2 in α1(I) and MLBR 3 in α2(I)—could significantly predict DI ( P 0.05). The accumulated variant data analysis in this study provides a further basis for increasing our comprehension to better predict the occurrence and severity of DI and appropriate OI patient management.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 06-2002
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 15-07-2006
DOI: 10.1007/S00122-006-0317-Z
Abstract: Understanding the distribution of genetic ersity among in iduals, populations and gene pools is crucial for the efficient management of germplasm collections and breeding programs. Diversity analysis is routinely carried out using sequencing of selected gene(s) or molecular marker technologies. Here we report on the development of Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT) for pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) and its wild relatives. DArT tests thousands of genomic loci for polymorphism and provides the binary scores for hundreds of markers in a single hybridization-based assay. We tested eight complexity reduction methods using various combinations of restriction enzymes and selected PstI/HaeIII genomic representation with the largest frequency of polymorphic clones (19.8%) to produce genotyping arrays. The performance of the PstI/HaeIII array was evaluated by typing 96 accessions representing nearly 20 species of Cajanus. A total of nearly 700 markers were identified with the average call rate of 96.0% and the scoring reproducibility of 99.7%. DArT markers revealed genetic relationships among the accessions consistent with the available information and systematic classification. Most of the ersity was among the wild relatives of pigeonpea or between the wild species and the cultivated C. cajan. Only 64 markers were polymorphic among the cultivated accessions. Such narrow genetic base is likely to represent a serious impediment to breeding progress in pigeonpea. Our study shows that DArT can be effectively applied in molecular systematics and bio ersity studies.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 25-02-2012
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 04-2011
DOI: 10.1007/S12041-011-0050-5
Abstract: With an objective to develop a genetic map in pigeon pea (Cajanus spp.), a total of 554 ersity arrays technology (DArT) markers showed polymorphism in a pigeon pea F(2) mapping population of 72 progenies derived from an interspecific cross of ICP 28 (Cajanus cajan) and ICPW 94 (Cajanus scarabaeoides). Approximately 13% of markers did not conform to expected segregation ratio. The total number of DArT marker loci segregating in Mendelian manner was 405 with 73.1% (P > 0.001) of DArT markers having unique segregation patterns. Two groups of genetic maps were generated using DArT markers. While the maternal genetic linkage map had 122 unique DArT maternal marker loci, the paternal genetic linkage map has a total of 172 unique DArT paternal marker loci. The length of these two maps covered 270.0 cM and 451.6 cM, respectively. These are the first genetic linkage maps developed for pigeon pea, and this is the first report of genetic mapping in any grain legume using ersity arrays technology.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-1992
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 03-2021
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-021-84460-X
Abstract: Fertilisers are essential in modern agriculture to enhance plant growth, crop production and product quality. Recent research has focused on the development of delivery systems designed to prolong fertiliser release. This study introduces a new technology to encapsulate and release molecules of fertilisers by using multi-layered electrospun nanofibre as a carrier. Single-layer poly L-lactic acid (PLLA) nanofibres loaded with urea were fabricated using electrospinning. Triple-layer nanofibrous structures were produced by electrospinning polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) nanofibres as external layers with PLLA nanofibres impregnated with urea fertiliser as the middle layer. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry (FTIR) were employed to characterize the morphology of electrospun nanofibres. Urea release dynamic was analysed using a total nitrogen instrument (TNM-1). The results indicated that triple-layered urea-impregnated nanofibrous structures led to lower initial rate of nitrogen release and slower release rate of cumulative nitrogen which extended for more than three months. It is concluded that triple-layer nanofibrous structures have the potential for slow release delivery of fertilisers.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 03-1999
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 12-2001
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 26-11-2016
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 2008
DOI: 10.1071/AP08045
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.JIP.2017.05.010
Abstract: Metarhizium anisopliae has a wide range of coleopteran hosts, including weevils. Some susceptible insects are known to modify their behavior to prevent infection, typically detecting virulent strains by olfaction, and avoiding physical contact with sources of infection. Laboratory olfactometer assays were conducted on the sweetpotato weevil Cylas formicarius to test the hypothesis that insects would avoid a more virulent strain of M. anisopliae when presented with a strain of low virulence or an untreated control. When adult weevils were allowed to choose between paired test arenas containing sweetpotato roots and M. anisopliae isolates on agar cores, weevils avoided arenas with the highly virulent isolate QS155, showing a preference for either roots with uninoculated agar cores or cores with the low virulence isolate QS002-3. When roots or whole sweetpotato plants were inoculated with M. anisopliae, the preferences of weevils remained broadly similar weevils were repelled by the highly virulent isolate QS155 when tested against either QS002-3 or uninoculated roots and plants, however weevils were not repelled by the low virulence isolate QS002-3 tested against uninoculated controls. When single-sex groups of weevils were tested separately in the olfactometer using uninoculated whole plants and plants treated with isolate QS155, males and females responded similarly and statistically identical preferences were found for the untreated plants. When weevils were released singly at different times of the day the response time for males was significantly shorter in the afternoon compared to the morning. Males were always significantly faster to respond to olfactory stimuli than females. Understanding factors that may lead to avoidance of virulent M. anisopliae strains by C. formicarius will be an essential part of developing an 'attract-and-infect' strategy for the management of C. formicarius.
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 19-12-2019
DOI: 10.1101/2019.12.19.882142
Abstract: Elsinoë fawcettii , a necrotrophic fungal pathogen, causes citrus scab on numerous citrus varieties around the world. Known pathotypes of E. fawcettii are based on host range additionally, cryptic pathotypes have been reported and more novel pathotypes are thought to exist. E. fawcettii produces elsinochrome, a non-host selective toxin which contributes to virulence. However, the mechanisms involved in potential pathogen-host interactions occurring prior to the production of elsinochrome are unknown, yet the host-specificity observed among pathotypes suggests a reliance upon such mechanisms. In this study we have generated a whole genome sequencing project for E. fawcettii, producing an annotated draft assembly 26.01 Mb in size, with 10,080 predicted gene models and low (0.37%) coverage of transposable elements. The assembly showed evidence of AT-rich regions, potentially indicating genomic regions with increased plasticity. Using a variety of computational tools, we mined the E. fawcettii genome for potential virulence genes as candidates for future investigation. A total of 1,280 secreted proteins and 203 candidate effectors were predicted and compared to those of other necrotrophic ( Botrytis cinerea , Parastagonospora nodorum , Pyrenophora tritici-repentis , Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Zymoseptoria tritici ), hemibiotrophic ( Leptosphaeria maculans , Magnaporthe oryzae , Rhynchosporium commune and Verticillium dahliae ) and biotrophic ( Ustilago maydis ) plant pathogens. Genomic and proteomic features of known fungal effectors were analysed and used to guide the prioritisation of 77 candidate effectors of E. fawcettii . Additionally, 378 carbohydrate-active enzymes were predicted and analysed for likely secretion and sequence similarity with known virulence genes. Furthermore, secondary metabolite prediction indicated nine additional genes potentially involved in the elsinochrome biosynthesis gene cluster than previously described. A further 21 secondary metabolite clusters were predicted, some with similarity to known toxin producing gene clusters. The candidate virulence genes predicted in this study provide a comprehensive resource for future experimental investigation into the pathogenesis of E. fawcettii .
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 17-10-2013
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 1990
DOI: 10.1071/EA9900103
Abstract: Three field trials were established at Tamworth in northern New South Wales to quantify the effect of stripe rust on the yield of wheat. The yield parameters were total grain yield per plot, 1000-grain weight, number of grain produced per head. tiller number and grain yield per plant. In addition, grain protein and dough and flour quality were determined. The total yield losses were found to be dependent on the cultivar, the timing of the epidemic and the yield potential of the crop. In most cases, early stripe rust epidemics had a greater effect on yield than late epidemics. Total grain yield and 1000-grain weight were most often affected. Long season epidemics affected all the yield parameters, with losses of up to 50% in grain yield being recorded in susceptible cultivars. The quality of dough and flour was unaffected by the fungicide treatments. The results suggest that the levels of resistance of the currently recommended wheat cultivars were sufficient to protect them from yield losses from stripe rust epidemics in most years.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-11-2020
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-020-76395-6
Abstract: Urea is the most common form of nitrogenous fertiliser. Recently, research has focused on the development of delivery systems to prolong fertiliser release and prevent fertiliser loss through leaching and volatilization. This study investigates and compares single- and double-layered hollow nanofibrous yarns as novel delivery systems to encapsulate and release urea. Single-layered hollow poly l -lactic acid (PLLA) nanofibre yarns loaded with urea fertiliser were fabricated using a customized electrospinning. Double-layered hollow nanofibre yarns were produced by electrospinning polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) nanofibres as an outer layer, with urea-impregnated PLLA nanofibres as the inner layer. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with an energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) was used to characterize the morphology of hollow electrospun nanofibre yarns. A total nitrogen instrument (TNM-1) was used to study the urea release from single- and double-layered hollow nanofibres yarn in water. A Carbon:Nitrogen (CN) elemental analyser determined encapsulated nitrogen in PLLA nanofibres s les. Results indicated that urea-impregnated double-layered hollow nanofibre yarns significantly started nitrogen releasing at much lower amount during first 12 h compared to single-layered hollow nanofibre yarns (P value = 0.000). In conclusion, double-layered hollow nanofibre yarn has potential as an effective alternative to current methods for the slow release of fertilisers and other plant-required chemicals.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 10-2011
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 28-10-2011
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2016
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 30-09-2011
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 16-07-2013
DOI: 10.1111/EPP.12050
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 07-2012
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 02-2004
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 12-2002
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 25-09-2020
Abstract: Weevils are significant pests of horticultural crops and are largely managed with insecticides. In response to concerns about negative impacts of synthetic insecticides on humans and the environment, entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) have been developed as an alternative method of control, and as such appear to be “ready-made” components of integrated pest management (IPM) programs. As the success of pest control requires a thorough knowledge of the biology of the pests, this review summarises our current knowledge of weevil biology on nut trees, fruit crops, plant storage roots, and palm trees. In addition, three groups of life cycles are defined based on weevil developmental habitats, and together with information from studies of EPF activity on these groups, we discuss the tactics for integrating EPF into IPM programs. Finally, we highlight the gaps in the research required to optimise the performance of EPF and provide recommendations for the improvement of EPF efficacy for the management of key weevils of horticultural crops.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 2005
DOI: 10.1071/AP05048
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.JIP.2019.05.002
Abstract: Entomopathogenic Ascomycetes: Hypocreales fungi occur worldwide in the soil however, the abundance and distribution of these fungi in a vineyard environment is unknown. A survey of Australian vineyards was carried out in order to isolate and identify entomopathogenic fungi. A total of 240 soil s les were taken from eight vineyards in two states (New South Wales and Victoria). Insect baiting (using Tenebrio molitor) and soil dilution methods were used to isolate Beauveria spp. and Metarhizium spp. from all soil s les. Of the 240 soil s les, 60% contained either Beauveria spp. (26%) or Metarhizium spp. (33%). Species of Beauveria and Metarhizium were identified by sequencing the B locus nuclear intergenic region (Bloc) and elongation factor-1 alpha (EFT1) regions, respectively. Three Beauveria species (B. bassiana, B. australis and B. pseudobassiana) and six Metarhizium species (M. guizhouense, M. robertsii, M. brunneum, M. flavoviride var. pemphigi, M. pingshaense and M. majus) were identified. A new sister clade made up of six isolates was identified within B. australis. Two potentially new phylogenetic species (six isolates each) were found within the B. bassiana clade. This study revealed a erse community of entomopathogenic fungi in s led Australian vineyard soils.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 18-06-2015
DOI: 10.1111/PPA.12243
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 2003
DOI: 10.1071/AP03022
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 13-06-2012
DOI: 10.1021/NP300200J
Abstract: A new phytotoxic geranylcyclohexenetriol, named phomentrioloxin, was isolated from the liquid culture of Phomopsis sp., a fungal pathogen proposed for the biological control of Carthamus lanatus, a widespread and troublesome thistle weed belonging to the Asteraceae family causing severe crop and pastures losses in Australia. The structure of phomentrioloxin was established by spectroscopic, X-ray, and chemical methods as (1S,2S,3S,4S)-3-methoxy-6-(7-methyl-3-methylene-oct-6-en-1-ynyl)cyclohex-5-ene-1,2,4-triol. At a concentration of 6.85 mM, the toxin causes the appearance of necrotic spots when applied to leaves of both host and nonhost plants. It also causes growth and chlorophyll content reduction of fronds of Lemna minor and inhibition of tomato rootlet elongation. Finally, in preliminary bioassays, phomentrioloxin did not show any antibacterial, fungicidal, or zootoxic activities.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 24-03-2015
DOI: 10.1111/PPA.12369
Publisher: Wildlife Disease Association
Date: 2010
DOI: 10.7589/0090-3558-46.1.55
Abstract: Mucor hibiorum is the only pathogen known to cause significant morbidity and mortality in the free-living platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) in Tasmania. Infection has also been reported in free-ranging cane toads (Bufo marinus) and green tree frogs (Litoria caerulea) from mainland Australia but has not been confirmed in platypuses from the mainland. To date, there has been little genotyping specifically conducted on M. hibiorum. A collection of 21 Mucor isolates representing isolates from the platypus, frogs and toads, and environmental s les were obtained for genotypic analysis. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region sequencing and GenBank comparison confirmed the identity of most of the isolates. Representative isolates from infected platypuses formed a clade containing the reference isolates of M. hibiorum from the Centraal Bureau voor Schimmelcultures repository. The M. hibiorum isolates showed a close sequence identity with Mucor indicus and consisted of two haplotypes, differentiated by single nucleotide polymorphisms within the ITS1 and ITS2 regions. With the exception of isolate 96-4049, all isolates from platypuses were in one haplotype. Multilocus fingerprinting via the use of intersimple sequence repeats polymerase chain reaction identified 19 genotypes. Two major clusters were evident: 1) M. hibiorum and Mucor racemosus and 2) Mucor circinelloides, Mucor ramosissimus, and Mucor fragilis. Seven M. hibiorum isolates from platypuses were present in two subclusters, with isolate 96-4053 appearing genetically distinct from all other isolates. Isolates classified as M. circinelloides by sequence analysis formed a separate subcluster, distinct from other Mucor spp. The combination of sequencing and multilocus fingerprinting has the potential to provide the tools for rapid identification of M. hibiorum. Data presented on the ersity of the pathogen and further work in linking genetic ersity to functional ersity will provide critical information for its management in Tasmanian river systems.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 14-09-2012
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 15-02-2013
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 2008
DOI: 10.1071/AP08023
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-2010
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2001
Publisher: Elsevier
Date: 2005
Publisher: Scientific Societies
Date: 07-2014
DOI: 10.1094/PDIS-09-13-0957-RE
Abstract: The vast amount of data available through next-generation sequencing technology is facilitating the design of diagnostic marker systems. This study reports the use of draft genome sequences from the bacterial plant pathogen Pseudomonas fuscovaginae, the cause of sheath brown rot of rice, to describe the genetic ersity within a worldwide collection of strains representing the species. Based on a comparative analysis with the draft sequences, primers for a loop-mediated isothermal lification (LAMP) assay were developed to identify P. fuscovaginae. The assay reported here reliably differentiated strains of P. fuscovaginae isolated from rice from a range of other bacteria that are commonly isolated from rice and other plants using a primer combination designated Pf8. The LAMP assay identified P. fuscovaginae purified DNA, live or heat-killed cells from pure cultures, and detected the bacterium in extracts or exudates from infected host plant material. The P. fuscovaginae LAMP assay is a suitable diagnostic tool for the glasshouse and laboratory and could be further developed for in-field surveys.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 21-10-2022
DOI: 10.3390/JOF8101114
Abstract: Metarhizium anisopliae infects and kills a large range of insects and is a promising biocontrol agent to manage soil insects, such as wireworm in sweetpotato. The presence of other soil microbes, which exhibit competitive fungistasis, may inhibit the establishment of M. anisopliae in soil. Microbially depleted soil, for ex le, sterilized soil, has been shown to improve the resporulation of the fungus from nutrient-fortified M. anisopliae. Prior to planting, sweetpotato plant beds can be disinfected with fumigants, such as Metham®, to control soil-borne pests and weeds. Metham® is a broad-spectrum soil microbial suppressant however, its effect on Metarhizium spp. is unclear. In the research presented here, fungal resporulation was examined in Metham®-fumigated soil and the infectivity of the resulting granule sporulation was evaluated on mealworm, as a proxy for wireworm. The fungal granules grown on different soil treatments (fumigated, field and pasteurized soil) resporulated profusely (for ex le, 4.14 × 107 (±2.17 × 106) conidia per granule on fumigated soil), but the resporulation was not significantly different among the three soil treatments. However, the conidial germination of the resporulated granules on fumigated soil was %, which was significantly higher than those on pasteurized soil or field soil. The resporulated fungal granules were highly infective, causing 100% insect mortality 9 days after the inoculation, regardless of soil treatments. The results from this research show that the fungal granules applied to soils could be an infective inoculant in sweetpotato fields in conjunction with soil fumigation. Additional field studies are required to validate these results and to demonstrate integration with current farming practices.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2017
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 2002
DOI: 10.1071/AP01070
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 04-2007
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 20-02-2015
DOI: 10.1021/NP500570H
Abstract: A virulent strain of Diaporthe gulyae, isolated from stem cankers of sunflower and known to be pathogenic to saffron thistle, has been shown to produce both known and previously undescribed metabolites when grown in either static liquid culture or a bioreactor. Together with phomentrioloxin, a phytotoxic geranylcyclohexenetriol recently isolated from a strain of Phomopsis sp., two new phytotoxic trisubstituted α-pyrones, named gulypyrones A and B (1 and 2), and two new 1,O- and 2,O-dehydro derivatives of phomentrioloxin, named phomentrioloxins B and C (3 and 4), were isolated from the liquid culture filtrates of D. gulyae. These four metabolites were characterized as 6-[(2S)2-hydroxy-1-methylpropyl]-4-methoxy-5-methylpyran-2-one (1), 6-[(1E)-3-hydroxy-1-methylpropenyl]-4-methoxy-3-methylpyran-2-one (2), 4,6-dihydroxy-5-methoxy-2-(7-methyl-3-methyleneoct-6-en-1-ynyl)cyclohex-2-enone (3), and 2,5-dihydroxy-6-methoxy-3-(7-methyl-3-methyleneoct-6-en-1-ynyl)cyclohex-3-enone (4) using spectroscopic and chemical methods. The absolute configuration of the hydroxylated secondary carbon of the 2-hydroxy-1-methylpropyl side chain at C-6 of gulypyrone A was determined as S by applying a modified Mosher's method. Other well-known metabolites were also isolated including 3-nitropropionic, succinic, and p-hydroxy- and p-methylbenzoic acids, p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, and nectriapyrone. When assayed using a 5 mM concentration on punctured leaf disks of weedy and crop plants, apart from 3-nitropropionic acid (the main metabolite responsible for the strong phytotoxicity of the culture filtrate), phomentrioloxin B caused small, but clear, necrotic spots on a number of plant species, whereas gulypyrone A caused leaf necrosis on Helianthus annuus plantlets. All other compounds were weakly active or inactive.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 2010
DOI: 10.1071/AP09067
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 17-11-2014
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 2008
DOI: 10.1071/AP08014
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 27-08-2015
Publisher: Japanese Society of Breeding
Date: 2013
DOI: 10.1270/JSBBS.63.292
Publisher: International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS)
Date: 03-2016
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 2010
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 28-08-2015
DOI: 10.1017/S1742758415000211
Abstract: The sweet potato weevil (SPW), Cylas formicarius , is a serious pest of sweet potato in Australia and Papua New Guinea. Ten strains of Metarhizium sp. isolated from Australian soil s les were evaluated for their growth characteristics and screened for virulence to adult SPW under laboratory conditions. All isolates except QD62 (48.6%) had moderate to high germination (66–97%), and all took 2 to 4 days to sporulate at 25 °C. The optimal temperature for radial growth for the majority of isolates was 30 °C, and there was a significant interaction between isolate and temperature ( P & 0.05). Isolate QS155 showed the fastest radial growth at 30 °C. The internal transcribed spacer sequences showed slight variations among the isolates however, all isolates were shown to be Metarhizium anisopliae . Isolates varied greatly in their virulence. At 10 days after inoculation (DAI) by immersion in a suspension of 1 × 10 7 conidia/ml, 9 of the 10 isolates were virulent, causing 80–100% mortality of adult SPW. Only two isolates (QS001-6 and QS155) caused more than 50% mortality at 5 DAI. In dose-mortality bioassays, isolate QS155 had the lowest 20-day LC 50 and LC 90 values however, there were no statistically significant differences in mortality among the three most promising isolates tested (QD66, QS001-6 and QS155). These results show that M. anisopliae isolate QS155 has potential as a microbial control agent for SPW, and that further evaluation under glasshouse and field conditions is warranted.
Publisher: International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS)
Date: 12-2015
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 26-01-2021
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-021-81647-0
Abstract: Kuschelorhynchus macadamiae is a major pest of macadamias in Australia, causing yield losses of up to 15%. Our previous studies have shown the weevil is susceptible to Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae . The aim of this study was to investigate horizontal transmission of both fungal species to healthy weevils from both infected adults and weevil cadavers. In a confined environment the mortality of healthy adults caused by the transmission of conidia from live fungus-infected adults was 50%. Under similar experimental conditions, the mortality of healthy adults reached 100% when exposed to conidiated cadavers. However, when conidiated cadavers were used in more spacious environments (insect cages), the mortality of adults was 80%. Using scanning electron microscopy, it was observed that all healthy adults had conidia attached to all external parts of the body. This suggests that although the conidia were readily transferred to the adults, the lower mortality in the larger insect cages could be the result of an unfavourable environmental factor such as low humidity. The presence of conidia attached to all the adults indicated that they did not show any discriminatory behaviour such as avoidance of conidiated cadavers infected by these two fungal species. The results from this study show that there is potential for enhanced control of adult K. macadamiae via transmission from either fungus-infected adults or conidiated cadavers and this could strengthen sustainable pest management in macadamias.
Publisher: The Optical Society
Date: 03-12-2013
DOI: 10.1364/OE.21.030275
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2012
DOI: 10.1071/CP11193
Abstract: Messina [Melilotus siculus (Turra) Vitman ex. B. D Jacks] is a salt- and waterlogging-tolerant annual legume that could be highly productive on saline land. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi form a symbiotic relationship with the majority of terrestrial plant species, and improved productivity of plants inoculated with AM fungi under saline conditions has been attributed to the increased uptake of nutrients such as phosphorus (P). However, the mycorrhizal status of M. siculus under saline or non-saline conditions is unknown, as is the role of AM in improved nutrition and nodulation. In this study, the role of AM fungi in growth improvement and nodulation of M. siculus was examined in saline and non-saline soil. The M. siculus plants were inoculated with either a single AM species or mixed AM species, or remained uninoculated, and were grown at three levels of sodium chloride (NaCl) (0, 80, and 250 mm NaCl). AM-inoculated plants had significantly greater nodulation than plants that did not receive AM inoculum, regardless of salinity level. Plants inoculated with mixed AM species at 250 mm NaCl showed improved survival (90%) compared with the plants inoculated with single AM species or uninoculated control plants (30%). Within each salinity level, plants inoculated with mixed AM species had significantly greater dry weight than all other treatments. In addition, plants inoculated with mixed AM species had increased total uptake of P. It is likely that the increased growth observed in AM-inoculated M. siculus plants is due to improved P nutrition, showing the potential of AM fungi to enhance the growth of M. siculus on saline land.
Start Date: 2008
End Date: 2010
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 2004
End Date: 2007
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 2008
End Date: 06-2011
Amount: $160,000.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 04-2005
End Date: 09-2008
Amount: $70,668.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded Activity