Plant Protection Science, 2014 (vol. 50), issue 2

Fifty-year anniversary of Plant Protection ScienceOriginal Paper

Aleš LEBEDA, Věra Kroftová, Václav KŮDELA, Marcela BRAUNOVÁ

Plant Protect. Sci., 2014, 50(2):53-63 | DOI: 10.17221/29/2014-PPS  

In 2014, the journal Plant Protection Science (PPS) completes 50 years of publication (1965-2014). However, its roots extend back to the year 1921. Today, it is an international scientific journal focused on all aspects of plant protection sciences, fully published in English. This occasion offers a fitting opportunity to describe some of the most important historical stages of the journal's development. In our brief historical overview, we summarise the changes in journal title, chief-editors, and editorial policy during the last fifty years, and with an examination of its importance, scope and readership. We present analyses of the journal's development,...

Antibacterial and biochemical activity of pseudoguaianolide sesquiterpenes isolated from Ambrosia maritima against plant pathogenic bacteriaOriginal Paper

Mohamed E. I. Badawy, Samir A. M. Abdelgaleil, Toshihiko Suganuma, Makoto Fuji

Plant Protect. Sci., 2014, 50(2):64-69 | DOI: 10.17221/28/2013-PPS  

Five pseudoguaianolide sesquiterpenes (neoambrosin, damsinic acid, damsin, ambrosin, and hymenin) isolated from the aerial parts of Ambrosia maritima were tested for their antibacterial activity against two plant pathogenic bacteria, Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Erwinia carotovora. The tested compounds exhibited variable degree of antibacterial activity against both tested bacteria as minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ranged 90-520 mg/l. Neoambrosin showed the highest antibacterial activity among the tested sesquiterpenes with MIC values of 150 and 90 mg/l against A. tumefaciens and E. carotovora,...

Pea Fusarium wilt races in western AlgeriaOriginal Paper

Aoumria Merzoug, Lakhdar Belabid, Mokhtar Youcef-Benkada, Fouzia Benfreha, Bassam Bayaa

Plant Protect. Sci., 2014, 50(2):70-77 | DOI: 10.17221/20/2013-PPS  

The fungus Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. pisi (FOP), the pea wilt pathogen, causes appreciable yield losses under favourable environmental conditions in Algeria. Studies on the pathogen variability and distribution of races are essential to identify effective sources of resistance to this disease. In this study, a survey was conducted during the period 2007-2011 in four different agro-climatic zones. Pathogenic variability in 52 isolates of FOP, collected from different pea-growing areas of western Algeria, were evaluated using 7 genotypes as differential hosts. Results indicated that the disease was prevalent in all fields prospected...

Possibility of using seed treatment to suppress seed-borne diseases in poppyOriginal Paper

Tomáš Spitzer, Dagmar Spitzerová, Pavel Matušinský, Jan Kazda

Plant Protect. Sci., 2014, 50(2):78-83 | DOI: 10.17221/76/2012-PPS  

In experiments using Petri dishes in the laboratory and pots in a greenhouse and climate chamber, we examined the influence of seed treatment on emergence of poppy. Four types of fungi (Alternaria spp., Dendryphion penicillatum, Fusarium spp., and Penicillium spp.) were detected on poppy seeds, with the highest infection rate being 72% for D. penicillatum. Surface disinfection decreased infection rate chiefly in D. penicillatum (by 32%) and in Alternaria spp. (by 16%). Seed treatment increased emergence by 9-10% in laboratory experiments but by only 0-6% in greenhouse...

Biochemical characterisation of α-amylase in two aphid species, Aphis fabae Scopoli (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and A. gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae)Original Paper

Ali Darvishzadeh, Ali Reza Bandani, Seyed Qasem Mousavi

Plant Protect. Sci., 2014, 50(2):84-89 | DOI: 10.17221/71/2012-PPS  

We identify and characterise α-amylases of the two aphid species, A. fabae and A. gossypi. To do this, α-amylases of the two insect species were extracted and their activities were determined using 1% soluble starch. Results showed that α-amylase, which hydrolyses starch, is present in both aphids. Also, it was shown that optimum pH and temperature for the α-amylases of both species is 7.0 and 40°C, respectively. Gel assays using zymogram analysis showed that in both aphid species more than one isoform (two isoforms) of α-amylases hydrolyszing carbohydrates are present.

Double-attraction method to control Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) in pepper crops in TunisiaOriginal Paper

Mohamed Elimem, Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva, Brahim Chermiti

Plant Protect. Sci., 2014, 50(2):90-96 | DOI: 10.17221/15/2013-PPS  

Blue sticky traps with and without pheromone capsules were used to monitor and control Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande (1895) (Thysanoptera; Thripidae) in pepper crop greenhouses in Tunisia. Traps containing pheromone capsules could catch significantly more thrips than those without capsules, proving their efficiency in attracting and controlling this pest. In fact, greenhouses with traps with pheromone capsules caught 585.1, 526.7, and 668.8 adults/trap in a greenhouse with 10 traps with pheromone capsules on April 12, 19, and 26, 2012, respectively. The capture in a greenhouse with five traps with pheromone capsules was about 456.2,...

Geostatistical tools for the study of insect spatial distribution: practical implications in the integrated management of orchard and vineyard pestsOriginal Paper

Andrea Sciarretta, Pasquale Trematerra

Plant Protect. Sci., 2014, 50(2):97-110 | DOI: 10.17221/40/2013-PPS  

Spatial heterogeneity in agricultural systems is recognised as an important source of variability to be investigated. In the evolution of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), patterns and processes that influence spatio-temporal dynamics in insect populations tend to assume more importance compared to the classical theory. Geostatistics represent a valuable tool to investigate the spatial pattern of insect populations and to support pest control. After an explanation of the geostatistical analysis, in the present paper we provided an overview of practical applications in managing pests, focusing on fruit orchards and vineyards. The utility of geostatistical...

Abiotikózy rostlin: poruchy,poškození a poranění - Plant abioticosis: disorders, damage and injuriesBook Review

Evženie Prokinová

Plant Protect. Sci., 2014, 50(2):111 | DOI: 10.17221/7377-PPS