Browsing by Author "Crozier, James Brooks"

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    Abiotic stressors in the dogwood anthracnose complex
    Crozier, James Brooks (Virginia Tech, 1994-03-15)
    Acidic precipitation reportedly enhances disease severity of dogwood anthracnose (DA) caused by Discula destructiva, on Cornus florida, the flowering dogwood. Seedlings were subjected to acidic fog episodes at pHs 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, and 5.5, using a simulated acidic rain solution. Leaf discs from these and non-treated plants were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Damage was noted at all pH levels. Discula destructiva conidia may germinate at trichome bases where damage may cause the leaching of nutrients. Also, the difference in stomatal damage may account, in part, for differences in disease susceptibility. Cardinal growth temperatures and response to thermal stress regimes were determined for isolates of Discula destructiva. This information may lead to an understanding of possible climatic barriers, and the thermal treatment of plant material.
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    Evaluation of Agents for the Suppression of Take-all of Wheat in Virginia in Greenhouse and Field Studies, and Characterization of Isolates of Gaeumannomyces graminis varieties
    Crozier, James Brooks (Virginia Tech, 2004-06-17)
    Take-all of wheat, caused by Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici (Ggt ) is a problem wherever wheat is grown. Crop rotation is currently the only method for control. Our objectives were to develop a greenhouse bioassay and to evaluate the efficacy of mineral, chemical, and or biological agents for control, test promising agents in the field, and characterize Ggt isolates collected in Virginia. 'Jackson' soft red winter wheat seeds were planted in a Kempsville loam containing millet seed infested with Ggt or sterile millet seed in the greenhouse. Root necrosis ratings, and root and shoot weight were determined as a measure of disease severity. In the field, plots were set up with or without addition of Ggt inoculum. Effectiveness of nitrogen source, reduced manganese, and fungicide seed treatments to control take-all was determined. In greenhouse tests and in field trials plants did not yield better, significantly gain root and shoot weight due to either ammonium ions or reduced manganese, and the severity of root necrosis was not affected. Fungicide seed treatments did not significantly control take-all in the field. MON 65500, an experimental chemical, fungicides, and biological agents were tested either alone or in combination in the presence and absence of Ggt. Plants from seeds treated with MON 65500 alone or in combination with difenoconazole gained significantly greater root and shoot weight and in field trials had significantly greater grain yield over control plots. In greenhouse tests, two Bacillus spp. and a fluorescent pseudomonad were tested. Plants from bacteria-treated seeds gained root and shoot weight in only one of several tests. USDA-maintained bacterial isolates did not perform well in greenhouse bioassays or in the field, and plants from Gustafson-product-treated seed, including biological agents yielded poorly over two seasons in field trials. Little information is available on the variability of Ggt, with most information coming from Britain and Australia. Virginia and Montana Ggt, and Gga and Ggg (British isolates) were tested for virulence against 'Jackson' wheat in the greenhouse. Seeds were planted with two Ggt mycelial plugs or two sterile PDA plugs. Colony morphology, growth rates, and vegetative compatibility groups were determined. Growth rate per day and total growth was related to disease severity in greenhouse assays. For the first time, bacterial Rep primers were used to amplify Ggt DNA. Molecular techniques as well as chemical markers were used to study anastomosis between "incompatible" strains. A useful technique was developed to quickly induce perithecial formation on soybean pods which lead to ecological and agricultural concerns.