This item was digitized as part of the Million Books Project led by Carnegie Mellon University and supported by grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Cornell University coordinated the participation of land-grant and agricultural libraries in providing historical agricultural information for the digitization project; the University of Arizona Libraries, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and the Office of Arid Lands Studies collaborated in the selection and provision of material for the digitization project.

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Verticillium wilt, caused by the soil-borne Verticillium dahliae Klebahn is a serious problem in the production of sunflower worldwide. To date, information on sunflower resistance to Verticillium spp. is very scarce, although it is critical for an effective management of this pathogen. In this study, two highly aggressive (Vd1396-9 and Vd1398-21) and two weakly aggressive V. dahliae isolates (Vs06-07 and Vs06-14) were used to inoculate moderately resistant (IS6111) and susceptible (IS8048) sunflower hybrids. VdNEP (V. dahliae necrosis and ethylene-inducing protein), an elicitor from V. dahliae, was also used to infiltrate sunflower plants. Our results indicate that VdNEP has a dual role in the interaction between sunflower and V. dahliae. VdNEP acted not only as a pathogenicity factor on sunflower by inducing wilting symptoms such as chlorosis, necrosis and vascular discoloration, but also as an elicitor triggering defense responses of the host. VdNEP induced the hypersensitive cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves and sunflower cotyledons. Moreover, VdNEP activated the production of reactive oxygen species and the accumulation of fluorescent compounds in sunflower leaves. Pathogenesis-related genes (Ha-PR-3, and Ha-PR-5), two defensin genes (Ha-PDF and Ha-CUA1) and genes encoding Ha-ACO, Ha-CHOX, Ha-GST and Ha-SCO were up-regulated by VdNEP, suggesting that multiple signaling pathways are involved in this interaction. Two SA-related genes (Ha-PAL and Ha-NML1) were slightly suppressed after infiltration with VdNEP, suggesting a possible involvement of VdNEP in affecting sunflower defenses.

Verticillium wilt, caused by the soil-borne Verticillium dahliae Klebahn is a serious problem in the production of sunflower worldwide. To date, information on sunflower resistance to Verticillium spp. is very scarce, although it is critical for an effective management of this pathogen. In this study, two highly aggressive (Vd1396-9 and Vd1398-21) and two weakly aggressive V. dahliae isolates (Vs06-07 and Vs06-14) were used to inoculate moderately resistant (IS6111) and susceptible (IS8048) sunflower hybrids. VdNEP (V. dahliae necrosis and ethylene-inducing protein), an elicitor from V. dahliae, was also used to infiltrate sunflower plants. Our results indicate that VdNEP has a dual role in the interaction between sunflower and V. dahliae. VdNEP acted not only as a pathogenicity factor on sunflower by inducing wilting symptoms such as chlorosis, necrosis and vascular discoloration, but also as an elicitor triggering defense responses of the host. VdNEP induced the hypersensitive cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves and sunflower cotyledons. Moreover, VdNEP activated the production of reactive oxygen species and the accumulation of fluorescent compounds in sunflower leaves. Pathogenesis-related genes (Ha-PR-3, and Ha-PR-5), two defensin genes (Ha-PDF and Ha-CUA1) and genes encoding Ha-ACO, Ha-CHOX, Ha-GST and Ha-SCO were up-regulated by VdNEP, suggesting that multiple signaling pathways are involved in this interaction. Two SA-related genes (Ha-PAL and Ha-NML1) were slightly suppressed after infiltration with VdNEP, suggesting a possible involvement of VdNEP in affecting sunflower defenses.

Zugl.: Berlin, Humboldt-Univ., Diss., 2007

Techn. Hochsch., Diss., 2002--Aachen.

Soil-borne pests and pathogens, such as Verticillium dahliae, can devastate a wide range of annual and perennial crops. Current management options for organic production are limited and sustainable management of pathogens, weeds, and arthropods is important for staying profitable and reducing the use of harmful chemicals. Organic soil amendments play an important role in supplying some of the nutritional needs of vegetable crops and improving soil structure, while also contributing to pest control. The objective of this research was to determine the effects of grape and olive-based composts on soil pathogen load, arthropod communities, and weed biomass and diversity. Field experiments were conducted in both organic and conventionally grown bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) systems during the summer growing season of 2018 on the Cal Poly campus in San Luis Obispo, California. Four different organic amendment treatments were tested including: olive based compost, grape based compost, dairy manure compost, and plant waste compost. Abundance of the fungal pathogen Verticillium dahliae was assessed from composite soil samples collected at several time points throughout the growing season. Olive, grape, and plant waste composts all displayed significant reduction of V. dahliae abundance between two to eight weeks post application of treatment when compared to the control. Insufficient evidence was found correlating farm management type with V. dahliae abundance after adjusting for treatment and time. Total dry weed biomass was assessed after one month of unhindered growth. The organic amendments tested appeared to alter weed species composition but not overall biomass though no significant differences were found. The soil arthropods symphylans and collembolans were sampled throughout the growing season, significant trends in population were found over time but not across treatments. This research demonstrates how agricultural waste-based compost amendments have potential as tools in pest management.

Studies on plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and fungi (PGPF) as biostimulants have shown significant positive effects on plant health, fruit yield, or pest management. However, very few published studies to date have been specific regarding their effects on strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa), particularly on soilborne disease prevalence in organically grown strawberries. Empirical data on the results of using these products in commercial growing applications under various conditions would be highly valuable, especially for organic growers who have limited synthetic chemical pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers registered for use. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of biostimulant supplementation on strawberries for improving fruit yield, fruit quality, and plant health in both high-tunnel, open-sided ‘hoophouse’ and field conditions. This study consisted of two research projects. The first project investigated the effects of commercially available PGPR-based biostimulant products on strawberry plant health. The three products contained differing proprietary combinations of PGPR, primarily from the Bacillus and Lactobacillus genera. Plants were grown in two different soil types: sandy and clay, in order to investigate the effects of biostimulant supplementation in different soil conditions. In fall of 2018, 160 ‘Monterey’ strawberry plants were grown in an outdoor hoophouse in 3-gallon pots. Plants were either treated monthly with a single bacterial biostimulant product (EM-1, Accomplish LM, or Armory), or left untreated as a control. Plants were grouped into 20 blocks, each block comprised of 8 plants (each of the four treatments replicated in both soil types). Fruit yield (g), fruit sugar content (Brix), and leaf SPAD absorbance levels were measured weekly from January 27 to June 26, 2019. The treatments tested had no significant effects on fruit yield, leaf SPAD absorbance or Brix; soil type, however, did significantly impact fruit yield, with higher yields in sandy soil. The second project was a field trial beginning in spring of 2020, in collaboration with Rutiz Farms in Arroyo Grande, CA, involving a total of 480 ‘Chandler’ strawberry plants. The farm is organically managed and has a history of soilborne diseases, including Verticillium dahliae. These plants were either treated monthly with one of three microbial biostimulant products: a product containing a proprietary strain of Trichoderma harzianum biocontrol fungus (TrichoSym), and two of the same PGPR-based products used the previous year (Accomplish LM and Armory); or left untreated as a control. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with four blocks, with each block consisting of 4 plots for each of the 4 treatments; each plot contained 30 plants. Fruit yield (g) per plot was measured weekly throughout the 2020 growing season and phenotypic disease incidence was measured biweekly. Soil samples were taken at three different points throughout the season, cultured on selective media, and analyzed to obtain estimates of V. dahliae colony-forming units (CFU) per gram soil. The treatments tested had no significant effect on fruit yield, phenotypic disease incidence, or V. dahliae CFU/g soil. The results are inconclusive as to whether this lack of effect is due to viability of the products themselves, ineffective application techniques resulting in lack of rhizosphere colonization, or some combination of these. Further research is needed to determine whether or not supplementation with microbial biostimulants can produce reliable, beneficial results in strawberries.