This diploma thesis is focused on susceptibility evaluation of gourd (Cucurbita pepo) varieties. The aim was the evaluation of frequency and intensity of infection by Golovinomyces cichoracearum that causes powdery mildew disease of cucurbits and Alternaria cucumerina that causes Alternaria leaf blight of cucurbits. The observing was doing in SEMO a. s. operating conditions in year 2016. The highest resistance against both pathogens was detected in Sunseance and Ambassador varieties. The lowest resistance against Golovinomyces cichoracearum was detected in Startgreen, Goldline and Jigonal varieties and the lowest resistance against Alternaria cucumerina was detected in Delikates variety.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2006-04-17Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T21:04:19Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 ariasbazan_ur_dr_botfca.pdf: 648119 bytes, checksum: ce64f204bab9190fd6f78851bc972a97 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Avaliaram-se 54 germoplasmas de quiabeiro (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) quanto à resistência ao fungo Erysiphe cichoracearum, em cultivo de outono-inverno, no Vale do Ribeira-SP. Dois experimentos foram instalados no município de Pariquera-Açú, em solo orgânico-álico, utilizando-se 10 plantas por introdução, em linhas contínuas com 1,0 x 0,5 m de espaçamento e 3 repetições. No experimento 1 foram utilizadas 31 introduções e no experimento 2, 23 introduções. As avaliações constaram de medidas de número de folhas caídas e presentes na planta, produção, número de ramos laterais e incidência de oídio na folha. A colheita dos frutos foi realizada três vezes por semana, sendo estes colhidos a partir de um comprimento mínimo de 7 cm. A análise dos dados permitiu concluir que houve variação das cultivares quanto a vários fatores estudados: não foi possível encontrar introduções totalmente resistentes; ao oídio, as introduções que mostraram melhores condições de serem aproveitadas em programas de melhoramento, foram N45 (Exp.1) e N25 (Exp.2) quanto à produção, N20 e N50 (Exp1) e N9, N358 (Exp.2) quanto à resistência a oídio, N20, N50 (Exp.1) e N9, N49, N62, N63, N101, N339, N358, N4374, CBVE, CBVC e Sta. Cruz, quanto ao número de folhas caídas... / In the present work, 54 okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L. ) Moench) germoplasms ware evaluated related to the resistance against Erysiphe cichoracearum, in autumn-winter cultivation in the Vale do Ribeira-SP, Brazil. The appraised material consisted of 03 commercial cultivars, 43 introduction from germoplasm bank of the National Center of Vegetables Researches (CNPH), 13 from the Federal University of Viçosa and 02 from V. O. P. R. D. C. (Japan Min. Agric.). The experiment was installed at Pariquera-Açú, in organic-alic soil; it consisted of 10 plants/introduction, in line with 1,0 x 0,5 m of spacing with 03 repetitions. The evaluations consisted of measures of height of the plants, number of fallen leaves, according to the powdery mildew incidence in the leaf, and yield. Thirty one introductions were evaluated in the experiment 1 and 23 introductions in experiment 2. Fruits harvest was done in a frequency of three times a week. Fruits were picked with a minimum length of 7 cm. Analysis of data allowed the following conclusions: a) there was variation among cultivars with relationship to several studied characteristics; b) it was not possible to find a cultivar completely resistant to powdery mildew, appearing presence of polygenic resistance; c) cultivars that showed able conditions to be used at breeding programs were N45 (Exp.1) and N25 (Exp.2), high powdery mildew resistance: N20, N50 (Exp.1), N9,N358 (Exp.2), CBVE and N29; e) fallen leaves N20, N50 (Exp.1) and N45, N49, N62, N63. N101, N339, N358, N4374, CBVE, CBVC and Sta. Cruz. (Exp.2)...

The use of biological control agents (BCAs) in the past has shown limited success as its application has often been done incorrectly, and in addition, management practices are rarely altered to incorporate BCAs. Criteria for the correct application of BCAs have been devised as part of the research, and companies selling these products may use the said criteria. Such application will ensure the correct BCAs are used and, more specifically, used under the correct conditions. The powdery mildew (PM) fungus is often seen to develop resistance to synthetic fungicides and, therefore, alternative control measures are required. BCAs as an alternative pose less risk to the environment, workers and the consumer. A pre-trial has been conducted with a range of BCAs to see if they can control powdery mildew (PM) in a greenhouse environment on hydroponically grown cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) plants using the variety Baccara that has only a moderate tolerance to PM. The BCAs have been compared to the control (synthetic fungicide: Bravo). Comparative work includes Coyier's model, which has been modified and adapted for these trials to determine the percentage of leaf area covered by the PM infection. Furthermore, the number of fruit harvested per treatment, kilogram yield, total mass of yield and average fruit mass is also used to determine the efficacy of the BCAs as these factors have economic significance to commercial growers. The pre-trial showed promise until the fertigation computer failed, resulting in a nutrient shortage and imbalance, confirming that BCAs alone cannot control PM. Synthetic fungicides were applied until control of PM and plant nutrition was regained. BCAs were re-introduced and used until the end of crop production. The confirmation from the pre-trial has led to the inclusion of silicon in conjunction with the BCAs in the two subsequent trials (Trials 1 & 2). Silicon was applied with the BCAs as a foliar spray on a weekly basis. In trials 1 and 2, the cucumber variety, Palladium, with a high genetic tolerance to PM is used, as this variety is suited to form part of the holistic approach used for trials 1 and 2. Trial 1 showed that treatment A, containing Streptomyces griseovirdis and Streptomyces aureofaciens, had the highest yield. Both of these are bacterial BCAs and demonstrated their adaptability to varied climatic conditions, notably when low humidity was experienced. In treatment B, Trichoderma harzianum strains, Rifai and Uppington, show the slowest rate of PM development. In trials 1 and 2, the best actual PM control was obtained by two fungal based BCAs (Trial 1, treatment C was Ampelomyces quisqualis) and (Trial 2, treatment B was Trichoderma harzianum strains, Rifai and Uppington), showing that fungal BCAs have a place for this application, but the growth-enhancing properties of bacterial based BCAs make economic sense and would make them attractive to growers. Treatment A (Streptomyces spp.) had the most number of fruit for the entire growing period and the best overall yield (kg yield) again. Two of the BCA / silicon treatments have marginally better PM control compared to that of the control (E) treatment, although not statistically significant. Treatment E (control) has the highest average fruit mass in this instance but does not have the highest yield (kg yield) when compared to treatments A and B, possibly due to the growth-enhancing properties of most of these BCAs. Therefore, most of these BCA treatments give fairly inconsistent results that vary possibly according to season, humidity and temperature, making it difficult to predict their efficacy. Using combinations or weekly alternations of these BCAs with extremes of climatic adaptation will probably be the most reliable method of obtaining consistent results. Bacterial BCAs are shown to have lower humidity requirements and produce the most consistent results in terms of fruit number, yield and fruit mass and a combination of bacterial and fungal based BCAs would possibly be the best as this would control PM and yet still have the growth enhancing properties from the bacterial based BCAs. From the research, it can be said that some BCAs in trials 1 and 2 produce results similar to that of the control in terms of percentage leaf area covered by PM and some are shown to have improved yields. Results produced from certain BCA treatments are thus equal to the control; yet provide an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic fungicides. Silicon is listed as a beneficial element rather than an essential element; however, literature claims it to be highly effective in treating PM in cucurbits. Results from trials 1 and 2 show that control of PM is possible in most cases, when a holistic approach is used. This approach includes a cucumber variety with a high PM tolerance, optimum nutrition, cultural practices and silicon in combination with the BCAs. A complete change of management practices is necessary to implement such a BCA program. / Agriculture, Animal Health & Human Ecology / M. Tech. (Nature Conservation)

The use of biological control agents (BCAs) in the past has shown limited success as its application has often been done incorrectly, and in addition, management practices are rarely altered to incorporate BCAs. Criteria for the correct application of BCAs have been devised as part of the research, and companies selling these products may use the said criteria. Such application will ensure the correct BCAs are used and, more specifically, used under the correct conditions. The powdery mildew (PM) fungus is often seen to develop resistance to synthetic fungicides and, therefore, alternative control measures are required. BCAs as an alternative pose less risk to the environment, workers and the consumer. A pre-trial has been conducted with a range of BCAs to see if they can control powdery mildew (PM) in a greenhouse environment on hydroponically grown cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) plants using the variety Baccara that has only a moderate tolerance to PM. The BCAs have been compared to the control (synthetic fungicide: Bravo). Comparative work includes Coyier's model, which has been modified and adapted for these trials to determine the percentage of leaf area covered by the PM infection. Furthermore, the number of fruit harvested per treatment, kilogram yield, total mass of yield and average fruit mass is also used to determine the efficacy of the BCAs as these factors have economic significance to commercial growers. The pre-trial showed promise until the fertigation computer failed, resulting in a nutrient shortage and imbalance, confirming that BCAs alone cannot control PM. Synthetic fungicides were applied until control of PM and plant nutrition was regained. BCAs were re-introduced and used until the end of crop production. The confirmation from the pre-trial has led to the inclusion of silicon in conjunction with the BCAs in the two subsequent trials (Trials 1 & 2). Silicon was applied with the BCAs as a foliar spray on a weekly basis. In trials 1 and 2, the cucumber variety, Palladium, with a high genetic tolerance to PM is used, as this variety is suited to form part of the holistic approach used for trials 1 and 2. Trial 1 showed that treatment A, containing Streptomyces griseovirdis and Streptomyces aureofaciens, had the highest yield. Both of these are bacterial BCAs and demonstrated their adaptability to varied climatic conditions, notably when low humidity was experienced. In treatment B, Trichoderma harzianum strains, Rifai and Uppington, show the slowest rate of PM development. In trials 1 and 2, the best actual PM control was obtained by two fungal based BCAs (Trial 1, treatment C was Ampelomyces quisqualis) and (Trial 2, treatment B was Trichoderma harzianum strains, Rifai and Uppington), showing that fungal BCAs have a place for this application, but the growth-enhancing properties of bacterial based BCAs make economic sense and would make them attractive to growers. Treatment A (Streptomyces spp.) had the most number of fruit for the entire growing period and the best overall yield (kg yield) again. Two of the BCA / silicon treatments have marginally better PM control compared to that of the control (E) treatment, although not statistically significant. Treatment E (control) has the highest average fruit mass in this instance but does not have the highest yield (kg yield) when compared to treatments A and B, possibly due to the growth-enhancing properties of most of these BCAs. Therefore, most of these BCA treatments give fairly inconsistent results that vary possibly according to season, humidity and temperature, making it difficult to predict their efficacy. Using combinations or weekly alternations of these BCAs with extremes of climatic adaptation will probably be the most reliable method of obtaining consistent results. Bacterial BCAs are shown to have lower humidity requirements and produce the most consistent results in terms of fruit number, yield and fruit mass and a combination of bacterial and fungal based BCAs would possibly be the best as this would control PM and yet still have the growth enhancing properties from the bacterial based BCAs. From the research, it can be said that some BCAs in trials 1 and 2 produce results similar to that of the control in terms of percentage leaf area covered by PM and some are shown to have improved yields. Results produced from certain BCA treatments are thus equal to the control; yet provide an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic fungicides. Silicon is listed as a beneficial element rather than an essential element; however, literature claims it to be highly effective in treating PM in cucurbits. Results from trials 1 and 2 show that control of PM is possible in most cases, when a holistic approach is used. This approach includes a cucumber variety with a high PM tolerance, optimum nutrition, cultural practices and silicon in combination with the BCAs. A complete change of management practices is necessary to implement such a BCA program. / Agriculture, Animal Health and Human Ecology / M. Tech. (Nature Conservation)

MSCAGR / Department of Plant Production