Plant Protection Science, 2012 (vol. 48), issue 2
Modulation of polyamine catabolism in pea seedlings by calcium during salinity stress
Jana Piterková, Lenka Luhová, Ludmila Zajoncová, Marek Šebela, Marek Petřivalský
Plant Protect. Sci., 2012, 48(2):53-64 | DOI: 10.17221/62/2011-PPS 
The relation of polyamine catabolism in the response of Pisum sativum to salinity stress was investigated. Pea seedlings were grown in increasing concentrations of Na+ or K+ or at different concentration ratios of these ions. We studied the effect of Ca2+ supplementation on plants exposed to salinity stress. The parameters measured in the roots and shoots of pea seedlings included biomass production, levels of Na+, K+, Ca2+ and polyamines and activity of enzymes of polyamine catabolism: diamine oxidase, aminoaldehyde dehydrogenase and peroxidases. Salinity induced increased...
Occurrence of Peronospora dianthicola on carnations in the Czech Republic
Ivana Šafránková
Plant Protect. Sci., 2012, 48(2):72-73 | DOI: 10.17221/63/2011-PPS
A downy mildew disease was observed on leaves of Dianthus chinensis L. cv. Scarlet in Brno in June 2011. Characteristics of visual symptoms and microscopic features are described. The morphology of the fungus was typical of Peronospora dianthicola, conforming to the published description by Francis (1983). P. dianthicola causing leaf spots on Dianthus has been recorded for the first time in the Czech Republic.
Evaluation of various plant extracts against the early blight disease of tomato plants under greenhouse and field conditions
Sallam M.A. Nashwa, Kamal A.M Abo-Elyousr
Plant Protect. Sci., 2012, 48(2):74-79 | DOI: 10.17221/14/2011-PPS
The antimicrobial activity of six plant extracts from Ocimum basilicum (Sweat Basil), Azadirachta indica (Neem), Eucalyptus chamadulonsis (Eucalyptus), Datura stramonium (Jimsonweed), Nerium oleander (Oleander), and Allium sativum (Garlic) was tested for controlling Alternaria solani in vitro and in vivo. In in vitro study the leaf extracts of D. stramonium, A. indica, and A. sativum at 5% concentration caused the highest reduction of mycelial growth of A. solani (44.4, 43.3 and 42.2%, respectively), while O. basilicum...
Fusarium verticillioides from sugarcane, vegetative compatibility groups and pathogenicity
Abbas Mohammadi, Reza Farrokhi Nejad, Nasrin Noras Mofrad
Plant Protect. Sci., 2012, 48(2):80-84 | DOI: 10.17221/49/2011-PPS
Sugarcane plant samples affected by the disease pokkah boeng were collected from the major sugarcane producing areas in Iran. Fifty isolates of Fusarium verticillioides were recovered from diseased sugarcanes. Results of pathogenicity tests revealed that all isolates were pathogenic to sugarcane. Four hundred and eighty-five nitrate non-utilising mutants were generated from F. verticillioides isolates. Media used for nit mutant generation included potato dextrose agar, minimal medium and Czapeck agar amended with 1.8%, 2%, 2.5%, and 3% potassium chlorate. Nit mutants were divided into three phenotypic (nit1, nit3, and nitM) classes...
Biochemical characterisation of α- and β-glucosidases and α- and β-galactosidases from red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Col.: Curculionide)
Nasir Saberi RISEH, Mohammad GHADAMYARI, Behnam MOTAMEDINIYA
Plant Protect. Sci., 2012, 48(2):85-93 | DOI: 10.17221/19/2011-PPS
The red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier), is one of the most destructive pests of palm trees in the southeast of Iran. Digestion in the alimentary canal of the red palm weevil is facilitated by some carbohydrases. Results of the in vitro studies indicated the presence of α- and β-glucosidases and α- and β-galactosidases in the digestive system and haemolymph of this pest. In the digestive system of females, the activities of α-glucosidase and β-galactosidase were higher than those of β-glucosidase and α-galactosidase. Also, the specific activity of α- and β-glucosidases...
Apate monachus (Fabricius, 1775), a bostrichid pest of pomegranate and carob trees in nurseries - Short Communication
Carmelo Peter Bonsignore
Plant Protect. Sci., 2012, 48(2):94-97 | DOI: 10.17221/53/2011-PPS
The attacks of adult Apate monachus (Fabricius) on pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) and carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) trees in a plant nursery in southern Italy was described. The adult beetles produce circular holes and large sinuous tunnels on young trees that can involve the trunk and branches. The same plant can be affected by large numbers of such access holes. The adults appear during late June and reach a peak during the first three weeks of July. Given the increase in the spread of cultivation of these trees and, therefore, in the rate of spread of this pest species, further damage to crops is expected.