Plant Root Diseases and Integrated Pest Management

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Pest and Disease Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2021) | Viewed by 24531

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Guest Editor
Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Campus Group T, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With a continuously growing world population (expected to reach over 10 billion by 2050) and increasing consumption and demand for plant-based products, we are facing unprecedented challenges. One of the strategies to tackle this is to improve our agronomy productivity with more efficient crops, higher yields, and reduced crop damage from plant diseases. On a global scale, crop health experts estimate that pathogens and pests are reducing crop yields for the five major food crops by 10%–40%. Moreover, it can be anticipated that climate change will have an impact on the emergence of new pathogens, spread/epidemiology and severity of plant diseases, and associated crop losses. It will also affect disease management with regard to timing, preference, and efficacy. To reduce yield losses in a sustainable way, integrated pest management (IPM) strategies will play a key role, combining early diagnostics, risk assessment, and chemical, physical, and biological measures of disease management.

This Special Issue of Agronomy, entitled “Plant Root Diseases and Integrated Pest Management”, invites submissions covering traditional and well-known as well as emerging plant root diseases and their causative agents (including viruses, bacteria, fungi, oomycetes, and nematodes). Research papers on techniques allowing early diagnostics and the management strategies to tackle plant root diseases, with a particular focus on IPM, are also encouraged. We are also open to transdisciplinary, social, legal, and economic research being submitted, along with the more traditional applied agronomy research.

Dr. Hans Rediers
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • plant root disease
  • plant pathogen
  • diagnostics and disease monitoring
  • biocontrol
  • integrated pest management (IPM)

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 1600 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Volatile Organic Compounds in ‘Rossa di Tropea’ Onion by Means of Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (HS/SPME GC–MS) and Sensory Analysis
by Anna Taglienti, Fabrizio Araniti, Amalia Piscopo and Antonio Tiberini
Agronomy 2021, 11(5), 874; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11050874 - 29 Apr 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3051
Abstract
Background: Plant viral infections induce changes in the host plant, which can potentially impact composition, organoleptic properties, and storability characteristics of plant products. In particular, onion odor and flavor are determined mainly by volatile organic compounds, and changes upon infection with onion yellow [...] Read more.
Background: Plant viral infections induce changes in the host plant, which can potentially impact composition, organoleptic properties, and storability characteristics of plant products. In particular, onion odor and flavor are determined mainly by volatile organic compounds, and changes upon infection with onion yellow dwarf virus may deeply influence these characters. Methods: A time-course study of volatile organic compounds in onion yellow dwarf virus-infected versus healthy ‘Rossa di Tropea’ onion bulbs was performed using headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography–mass spectrometry; sensory analysis performed at marketability stage of onion production was used to correlate such changes to the taste characteristics perceived by consumers. Results: Volatile organic compounds regulated in infection conditions were identified, mainly belonging to mono- and poly-sulfides classes. The most abundant compounds in the analyzed samples were propyl disulfide, allyl-isopropyl disulfide, and propanethiol; significantly different concentrations were observed for 7 out of 11 VOCs in virus-infected compared to healthy bulbs. Statistical analysis based on a partial least squares discriminant analysis model and hierarchical cluster analysis allowed us to cluster samples based on phytosanitary status and storage time and to identify the most responsible compounds for such classification. Conclusions: Onion yellow dwarf virus infection induces changes in volatile organic compounds in onion during storage. The impact of such regulated compounds on ‘Rossa di Tropea’ onion odor and flavor and correlation with sensory analysis are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Root Diseases and Integrated Pest Management)
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11 pages, 1673 KiB  
Article
Optimizing Biocontrol Activity of Paenibacillus xylanexedens for Management of Hairy Root Disease in Tomato Grown in Hydroponic Greenhouses
by Pablo Vargas, Lien Bosmans, Stefan Van Kerckhove, Bart Van Calenberge, Jos M. Raaijmakers, Bart Lievens and Hans Rediers
Agronomy 2021, 11(5), 817; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11050817 - 21 Apr 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3785
Abstract
Hairy root disease (HRD) caused by rhizogenic Agrobacterium biovar 1 strains affect tomato, cucumber, eggplant, and bell pepper grown in hydroponic greenhouses and can cause considerable yield losses worldwide. Recently, Paenibacillus xylanexedens strains (ST15.15/027 and AD117) with antagonistic activity against rhizogenic agrobacteria were [...] Read more.
Hairy root disease (HRD) caused by rhizogenic Agrobacterium biovar 1 strains affect tomato, cucumber, eggplant, and bell pepper grown in hydroponic greenhouses and can cause considerable yield losses worldwide. Recently, Paenibacillus xylanexedens strains (ST15.15/027 and AD117) with antagonistic activity against rhizogenic agrobacteria were identified. In this study, we present results of greenhouse trials of two consecutive growing seasons (2019 and 2020) to examine the potential of these two biocontrol organisms (BCOs) under practical conditions. BCO-treatment at a 107 colony forming units (CFU)/mL density resulted in a considerable reduction of the HRD infestation rate, confirming the biocontrol potential of the two P. xylanexedens strains. Results revealed that a single BCO strain (ST15.15/027) performed equally well as the mixed inoculum of both strains. The same level of biocontrol activity was even achieved when the BCO inoculum density was reduced to 105 CFU/mL. qPCR analysis further showed that Paenibacillus was still present in rockwool substrate near the end of both trials, indicating that they persist well in a rockwool environment and that application at the start of the trial is sufficient to protect tomato plants until the end of the trial. Altogether, these results are highly valuable for further optimization and exploitation of P. xylanexedens as a biocontrol product for the control of HRD in hydroponic greenhouses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Root Diseases and Integrated Pest Management)
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15 pages, 2920 KiB  
Article
A New Identification Method Reveals the Resistance of an Extensive-Source Radish Collection to Plasmodiophora brassicae Race 4
by Haohui Yang, Yuxiang Yuan, Xiaochun Wei, Xiaohui Zhang, Haiping Wang, Jiangping Song and Xixiang Li
Agronomy 2021, 11(4), 792; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11040792 - 17 Apr 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3001
Abstract
Raphanus sativus, an important cruciferous vegetable, has been increasingly affected by clubroot disease. Establishing a stable and accurate resistance identification method for screening resistant germplasms is urgently needed in radish. In this study, the influence of inoculum concentration, inoculation methods, and pH [...] Read more.
Raphanus sativus, an important cruciferous vegetable, has been increasingly affected by clubroot disease. Establishing a stable and accurate resistance identification method for screening resistant germplasms is urgently needed in radish. In this study, the influence of inoculum concentration, inoculation methods, and pH of the substrate on disease occurrence was studied. The result showed that the disease index (DI) was highest at 2 × 108 spores/mL, the efficiency of two-stage combined inoculation methods was higher than others, and pH 6.5 was favorable for the infection of P. brassicae. By using this new method, DIs of 349 radish germplasms varying from 0.00 to 97.04, presented significantly different levels of resistance. Analysis showed that 85.06% germplasms from China were susceptible to P. brassicae, whilst 28 accessions were resistant and mainly distributed in east, southwest, northwest, and south-central China. Most of the exotic germplasms were resistant. Repeated experiments verified the stability and reliability of the method and the identity of germplasm resistance. In total, 13 immune, 5 highly resistant and 21 resistant radish accessions were identified. This study provides an original clubroot-tolerance evaluation technology and valuable materials for the development of broad-spectrum resistant varieties for sustainable clubroot management in radish and other cruciferous crops. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Root Diseases and Integrated Pest Management)
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11 pages, 8929 KiB  
Article
Isolates of the Nematophagous Fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia Are Endophytic in Banana Roots and Promote Plant Growth
by Cristina Mingot-Ureta, Federico Lopez-Moya and Luis Vicente Lopez-Llorca
Agronomy 2020, 10(9), 1299; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10091299 - 1 Sep 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3830
Abstract
The biocontrol fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia colonizes banana roots endophytically. Root hairs and root surface were colonized by a stable GFP (green fluorescent protein) transformant of the fungus. Hyphal penetration in root cells was also observed. Spores of P. chlamydosporia 123, significantly increase root [...] Read more.
The biocontrol fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia colonizes banana roots endophytically. Root hairs and root surface were colonized by a stable GFP (green fluorescent protein) transformant of the fungus. Hyphal penetration in root cells was also observed. Spores of P. chlamydosporia 123, significantly increase root and leaf length and weight in banana plantlets (Musa acuminata cv. ‘Dwarf Cavendish’) in growth chamber experiments 30 days post-inoculation. In greenhouse 8-L pot experiments, P. chlamydosporia 123 spore inoculation significantly increases root, corm and leaf length, and leaf weight in banana plants (75 days post-inoculation). Spore inoculation of P. chlamydosporia strains from diverse origin (Pc21, Pc123, Pc399, and Pccat), significantly increase root, corm and leaf length and weight in banana plantlets. Pc21 from Italy was the best colonizer of banana roots. Consequently, this strain significantly increases banana root and leaf length most. Root colonization by P. chlamydosporia was also detected using cultural techniques and qPCR. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Root Diseases and Integrated Pest Management)
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Review

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19 pages, 7387 KiB  
Review
Corm Rot of Saffron: Epidemiology and Management
by Vishal Gupta, Akash Sharma, Pradeep Kumar Rai, Sushil Kumar Gupta, Brajeshwar Singh, Satish Kumar Sharma, Santosh Kumar Singh, Rafakat Hussain, Vijay Kumar Razdan, Devendra Kumar, Shazia Paswal, Vinod Pandit and Rohit Sharma
Agronomy 2021, 11(2), 339; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11020339 - 14 Feb 2021
Cited by 28 | Viewed by 10073
Abstract
Saffron, comprising of dried stigmas of the plant known as Crocus sativus, is one of the most important and scantly cultivated agricultural products. It has been used as a precious spice for the last at least 3500 years. Due to its numerous medicinal [...] Read more.
Saffron, comprising of dried stigmas of the plant known as Crocus sativus, is one of the most important and scantly cultivated agricultural products. It has been used as a precious spice for the last at least 3500 years. Due to its numerous medicinal qualities and pharmacological applications, it is considered as a “golden condiment”, and its demand and consumptions has risen over a period of time. Although efforts are continuously being made to enhance the productivity in the traditional areas and promote the cultivation of saffron in the newer areas, there are several constraints hindering these efforts. Prevalence of corm rot is one such limiting factor which results in the reduction in saffron production and decline in the area under its cultivation. The disease not only reduces the yield substantially, but also adversely affects the production of daughter corms. Complete understanding and knowledge about the disease is still lacking due to the inadequate information about its etiology and epidemiology. Moreover, due to the non-availability of resistant genotypes and lack of improved cultural practices, presently no effective and sustainable management strategies are available. This review article gives an overall account of the history and impact of saffron corm rot, its present status, yield losses caused by it, dynamics of the pathogens associated with the disease, their survival and dispersal, factors influencing disease intensity, epidemiology and sustainable management strategies. As comprehensive information on the disease is presently not available, an attempt has been made to review the current knowledge regarding corm rot of saffron. The information about the disease discussed here can eventually be beneficial for the growers, students, researchers, plant protection organizations, development departments, extension workers, policy makers, government agencies and public organizations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Root Diseases and Integrated Pest Management)
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