Showing papers in "Phytoparasitica in 1999"

Current status of vegetative compatibility groups in fusarium oxysporum

Abstract: Thirty-eightformae speciales (ff.sp.) ofFusarium oxysporum which have been subjected to vegetative compatibility grouping (VCG) analysis are listed, along with their updated 3-digit numerical codes. The number of VCGs identified within a forma specialis ranges from one (in 11 cases) to 24. Between two and six VCGs were identified in each of 20 ff.spp., whereas seven VCGs or more were identified in the remaining ff.spp. VCGs to which 4-digit numerical codes have been given are listed for 30 ff.spp.

Differential Interactions of a Colletotrichum gloeosporioides isolate with green and red pepper fruits

Abstract: Differential interactions ofColletotrichum gloeosporioides isolate KG 13 with green and red pepper fruits (Capsicum annuum were found when it was inoculated on unwounded and wounded fruits. The isolate produced the typically necrotic, sunken anthracnose symptom on unwounded and wounded green fruits, and wounded red ones, but not on unwounded red ones. Appressorial formation of the fungus on the surfaces of compatible green fruits was higher than on incompatible red ones up to 12 h after inoculation. More and longer infection pegs from appressoria were produced on green than on red fruits. When cuticular wax layers of green and red fruits were removed by dipping in chloroform, red ones only produced larger lesions and more conidia than water-dipped controls did. However, differences in lesion diameter and conidial production were not observed between green and red fruits wounded by pin-pricking. In addition, concentrations of wax extracted from the surface of green and red fruits affected conidial germination and appressorial formation of the fungus. These findings suggest that the isolate KG 13 ofC. gloeosporioides may react differentially to green and red pepper fruits, probably due to the physical and chemical differences in cuticular layers of the fruits.

The role of the monoterpene composition inPinus spp. needles, in host selection by the pine processionary caterpillar,Thaumetopoea pityocampa

Abstract: This paper presents preliminary results on attempts to extract and characterize the volatile secondary metabolites contained in needles of differentPinus species and to ascertain the role played by these substances on the behavior ofThaumetopoea pityocampa (Denis et Schiffermuller) females, which show a marked preference, during the oviposition period, for some indigenous and exotic species of host plants existing in mixed formation. Limonene is the most abundant monoterpene extracted fromP. pinea needles, the least favored species of pine processionary caterpillar (PPC) females, although it is present in only very low amounts in otherPinus species. An increase was observed in limonene production byP. pinea at the start of the flight period of the PPC adult, and subsequently at the beginning of the females’ oviposition period. Assays carried out in two pine stands in central Italy showed that limonene, emulsified with water and sprayed on foliage of four different pine species plants,P. sylvestris, P. nigra, P. pinaster andP. radiata, during the PPC oviposition period, provided a satisfactory degree of protection. In fact, the number of egg clusters collected from treated plants was often lower than the number of egg clusters collected from control plants and was comparable to the number of egg clusters laid onP. pinea plants. In particular (R)-(+)-limonene, although not produced in nature by pines, was the most effective deterrent. However, the effect of (S)-(-)-limonene, the enantiomer biosynthesized by pines, was also adequate.

Survey of Bacterial and Fungal Seedborne Diseases in Imported and Domestic Potato Seed Tubers

Abstract: Potato seed tubers are imported to Israel from northern Europe and planted in spring; tubers harvested early from the spring crop are used as seed for the autumn crop. Although only seed lots registered as certified are imported, a previous survey (1984–1994) indicated that most imported lots were affected by latent or active infections caused byErwinia carotovora,Streptomyces scabies, Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium spp. andSpongospora subterranae. The survey was extended until 1998, and included additional pathogens:Ralstonia solanacearum,Helminthosporium solani, Colletotrichum coccodes andVerticillium dahliae. Most of these pathogens were also monitored in domestic seed tubers, and are reported for the first time. Brown rot was not observed in any of the imported lots. Blackleg and soft rot caused byErwinia spp. were detected in most of the imported lots; however, less than 7% of the lots were contaminated at high levels, while approximately 65% were contaminated at moderate levels. Common scab was detected in most of the imported lots; 51% of the imported lots were contaminated at moderate or high levels, whereas only 6.5% of the domestic seed lots were contaminated at these levels. Black scurf was detected in most of the imported lots; on average, 47.3%, 44.2% and 1.4% of the lots were contaminated at low, moderate and high levels, respectively, and only 7.1% were disease-free. In contrast, most of the domestic lots were either disease-free (45.4%) or had a low disease incidence (37.3%). Only 16.7% of the lots were moderately infected and 0.2% were highly contaminated. Silver scurf was observed in most of the imported lots during all years of the survey, with no differences among the producing countries; on average, 22.7%, 66.1% and 7.5% of the lots were contaminated at low, moderate and high levels, respectively, and only 3.7% were disease-free. Most of the domestic lots (76%) were disease-free and only 6.6% were infected at moderate or high levels. Black dot was observed in a considerable portion of the shipments from Holland during all years of the survey, particularly in 1998, when 34% of the lots were infected. The shipments from France and Germany were infected at low levels, except in 1998, when 19% and 11% of the lots, respectively, arrived infected. In shipments from Scotland and Ireland low incidences of the disease were observed in 1994 and 1995. In the domestic lots, black dot incidence was low ( 5%. The survey findings demonstrate transmission of seedborne pathogens; most of these pathogens can become established in the soil and eventually cause severe outbreaks of disease in potatoes grown in Israel.

Current Status of Vegetative Compatibility Groups in Fusarium oxysporum: Supplement (1999)

Abstract: Thirty-fourformae speciales (ff.sp.) ofFusarium oxysporum which have been subjected to vegetative compatibility group (VCG) analysis are listed, along with their updated 3-digit numerical codes. Ten of these ff.sp. are listed for the first time, bringing to 49 the total number of VCG-analyzed, listed ff.sp. New and corrected entries are tabulated for the remaining 24 ff.sp.

Threat to Date Palms in Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority by the Red Palm Weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus

Abstract: The date palm, Phoenix dactylifera L., is the most important fruit crop in the Middle East, cultivated since prehistoric times. Since the mid-1980s a dreaded pest of palms, the red pahn weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Col., Curculionidae), has been reported to cause serious damage to date palms in the Gulf region (1). It was recorded for the first time in the United Arab Emirates in 1986; then found in Saudi Arabia in 1987 and in the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1992 (4). It crossed the Red Sea into North Africa and was recorded in Egypt in 1993 (2). The weevil is widely distributed in Southern Asia and Melanesia, where it feeds on a broad range of palms including coconut, sago, date, and oil palms (6). Until recently, Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority were thought to be free of this dangerous pest. Eggs of the RPW are laid into the trunk of the palms and the larval stages feed on the soft plant tissue within the trunk, which leads to the formation of tunnels inside the palm. Under heavy attack the tree is weakened and dies. In infested plantations yields have been estimated to drop from 10 tons to 0.7 tons per ha (3). Because of the concealed nature of the larvae, early detection is very difficult and usually the pest is detected only after most damage has already been inflicted. In this respect pheromone traps may serve as an effective warning device to indicate early invasion by the pest (5). Due to the importance of this pest to all date palm growers in the region, The Peres Center for Peace, Israel, and Novartis Agro AG, Switzerland, initiated an Israeli-Arabs cooperative project. The project aims at developing an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program for the control of this pest. Within the framework of this project, pheromone traps were installed during early January t999 in different date plantations in Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Jordan. On 21 April and 5 May 1999, specimens of RPW were captured in pheromone traps located in Jericho. This is the first record of RPW from the Palestinian Authority. During early May 1999, RPWs were captured in traps located in a Jordanian date plantation near Shunnae (on the Jordanian side of the Jordan Valley). To the best of our knowledge this is the first record of the RPW's occurrence in Jordan. On 14 May and 2 June 1999, RPWs were captured in traps located on the Israeli side of the Jordan Valley (at Yafit and Yitav). This is the first confirmation of the occurrence of the RPW in Israel. Thus, it appears that the RPW has already invaded Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority. This early detection enables the authorities to initiate suitable monitoring and control measures at an early stage when the population level is low and to prevent further buildup of the pest population. The Israeli, Palestinian and Jordanian plant protection organizations, in cooperation with The Peres Center for Peace, are now taking the necessary measures to control the pest.

Induction of Chitinase and β-1,3-Endoglucanase Proteins by UV Irradiation and Wounding in Grapefruit Peel Tissue

Abstract: UV irradiation enhanced the resistance of grapefruit against the development of green mold decay caused byPenicillium digitatum, the main postharvest pathogen of citrus fruit, and significantly inhibited the fungus’ growth at the fruit wound sites Immunoblotting analysis using specific citrus chitinase and β-1,3-endoglucanase antibodies, showed that UV irradiation, wounding of the fruit, or a combination of these two treatments, induced the accumulation of a 25 kD chitinase protein in the fruit’s peel tissue On the other hand, UV irradiation or wounding of the fruit alone was unable to induce the accumulation of 39 and 43 kD β-1,3-endoglucanase proteins, but the combination of the two treatments increased these protein levels It is suggested that both chitinase and β-1,3-endoglucanase may play a role in the UV-induced resistance of grapefruit againstP digitatum

Efficacy of neem seed derivatives against nematodes affecting banana

Abstract: Soil applications of powdered neem seed or neem cake at 100 g/plant at planting and, subsequently, at 3-month intervals, reduced the populations ofPratylenchus goodeyi Sher & Allen andMeloidogyne spp. on par with Furadan 5G (carbofuran) applied at 40 g/plant at planting and then at 6-month intervals to banana plants grown in 100-/ containers with controlled levels of banana nematode infestations. Eight months after planting, banana plants treated with powdered neem cake, seed or kernel or with neem oil had 4 to 95 times fewer parasitic nematodes than the untreated control. However, only neem cake powder or neem seed powder applied to unpared banana plants kept the nematode population below the economic threshold.

Influence of rate of soil fertilization on alternaria leaf blight (Alternaria dauci) in carrots

Abstract: The possibility of suppressingAlternaria dauci (Kuhn) Groves & Skolko, the causal agent of Alternaria leaf blight in carrot, by excess application of fertilizer was examined in greenhouse and field experiments. Reducing the rate of fertilization by one half from the optimal rate (100 ppm N, 19 ppm P and 74 ppm K) resulted in a 23–30% increase in the severity of Alternaria leaf blight. However, doubling the rate of fertilization resulted in only a 10–15% decrease in disease severity. Inoculating with different concentrations ofA. dauci spores (103 or 104 spores/ml) did not alter the response of the plants to the fertilization rate, although significantly higher disease severity was observed in plants inoculated with the higher spore concentration. These results were corroborated in the field, where neither disease severity nor harvested yield was significantly affected by tripling the amount of soil fertilization. Application of foliar fungicides, on the other hand, had substantial effects on both disease and yield. Therefore, it was concluded that carrot crops should be fertilized and maintained for optimum yield, and thatA. dauci should be managed by properly timed applications of fungicides during the growing season.

Lyctidae (coleoptera) of israel, their damage and its prevention

Abstract: Seven species of Lyctidae are recorded from Israel:Lyctus linearis (Goeze) andL. planicollis Le Conte for the first time; as well asL. africanus Lesne;L. brunneus (Stephens);L. parallelocollis Blackburn;Minthea rugicollis Walker;Trogoxylon impression (Comolli); andAcantholyctus comifrons Lesne for the first time from Sinai. The extent of damage and its reduction and prevention are described.

Antibiosis of maize inbred lines to the carmine spider mite, tetranychus cinnabarinus

Abstract: The antibiosis of tenZea mays L. inbred lines to the carmine spider mite,Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval) (Acari: Tetranychidae), was evaluated. Two maize inbred lines previously reported as resistant to this spider mite and a susceptible inbred line were compared with B96 (formerly called 41:2504B), reported as being resistant to the two-spotted spider mite T. urticae and to the European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis Hubner). Other lines were derived from B96. All lines originated in the U.S.A. and were tested in Israel at two different growth stages. Four days after inoculation of detached leaf squares with adult mites, significant differences in susceptibility were observed among lines. At the 3-leaf stage lines B68, B96, B79, A619, B65, B49 and B64 reduced the average mite daily fecundity by 43%, 64%, 66%, 67%, 77%, 81% and 87%, respectively, as compared with the most susceptible line, B52. At the flowering stage, the average reduction in mite daily fecundity was much lower: inbred lines B64, A619 and B96 reduced the average mite daily fecundity by 48%, 51% and 86%, respectively, whereas the seven other genotypes had an intermediate or a susceptible reaction to the carmine spider mite, with A661 being the most susceptible. Our results show that B96 could be used as a source of resistance in developing improved resistance of inbred lines of maize to carmine spider mites.

Integrated pest management: Constructive criticism or revisionism?

Abstract: Marcos Kogan, born 1933. Director, Integrated Plant Protection Center (IPPC) and Prof. of Entomology, College of Agricultural Sciences, Oregon State U., Corvallis, OR. B.Sc. Agronomy, U. Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (1961); Ph.D. in Entomology, Biological Control, U. of California, Riverside (1969). 1969, Post-Doctoral Research Associate, U. of Calitornia, Riverside. 1969-1976, Associate Entomologist and Associate Professor, Illinois Natural History Survey and College of Agriculture, U. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 1976-1990, Entomologist and Professor, Illinois Natural History Survey, and Depts. of Entomology and Agricultural Entomology, U. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 1991Director IPPC, and Prof. of Entomology, College of Agricultural Sciences, Oregon State U. Numerous fellowships, honors and awards. Member of the editorial committees of Annual Review of Entomology (1984-88), Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata ( 1984-89); Entomological Society of America Miscellaneous Publications (1985-90); IPM Reviews (1994-); Anais da Sociedade Entomologica do Brasil (1995-). Research interests: Theory and practice of and international cooperation in IPM; management of grain legume insect pests, plant resistance to insects and insect/plant interactions in general; nutrition and chemical ecology of phytophagous insects; comparative community ecology; bionomics of Strepsiptera (stylopids).

Pesticides, IPM and training

Abstract: Graham Anthony Matthews, born 1936. Prof. of Pest Management, Int. Pesticide Application Research Center (IPARC), Imperial College (IC) of Science, Technology and Medicine at Silwood Park, Berks, UK. B.Sc. Assoc. of the Royal College of Science, IC (1957); Ph.D., U. of London (1974); D.Sc., U. of London (1989). 195867, Research Entomologist on cotton in Central Africa, under the auspices of the UK Government Colonial Office/Nyasaland Government. 1967, joined IC, but was seconded to Malawi to continue cotton research until 1972. 1972-, scientist in charge of IPARC. 1992-93, Visiting Professor at New Mexico State U., USA. Specialization: Pest Management and Pesticide Application. Work has concentrated on manually-carried equipment, such as knapsack, spinning disc and electrostatic sprayers, but also included tractor and aerial application. Developed post-graduate and post-experience courses in crop protection technology in the UK (IC and Reading) and overseas (Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Malaysia, India, West Indies). Consulting work for international organizations and commercial companies has included cotton (Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Egypt, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Cameroons, Pakistan, India, Thailand, China, Uzbekistan, Brazil, Paraguay); tree / beverage crops (Malaysia, Brazil, Colombia); locusts (FAO); mosquito control (WHO); and olive fly (FAO; Greece). Awards: British Crop Protection Council Medal (1992); Int. Plant Protection Congress Award of Distinction (1995). Fellow and member of several learned societies. Author and editor of numerous books. Tutor of over 30 Ph.D. students at IC.

Circadian dynamics of locomotor activity and deltamethrin susceptibility in the pine weevil, hylobius abietis

Abstract: Rhythmic locomotor activity and daily susceptibility to deltamethrin were tested in the pine weevil,Hylobius abietis (L.) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae), a pest of young conifer plants. In constant darkness, beetles revealed a free-running circadian pattern of locomotor activity (average period 22h : 20min). Under long photoperiod, L:D 18:6, entrainment of motor activity was observed. In the entrained population of the weevils, a peak of locomotor activity occurred at about the beginning of the dark phase, and the minimum occurred in the middle of the light phase. Fluctuations of susceptibility to a standard dose of deltamethrin (0.5 μg/g body weight) varied across the day, and were inversely correlated to the changes in locomotor activity. The importance of considering the daily organization of insect biology in studying insect resistance to pesticides is re-emphasized.

Effect of Milbemectin on the Sweetpotato Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci

Abstract: Milbemectin has a chemical structure close to the group of avermectins, which are derived fromStreptomyces avermitilis, and is considered primarily an efficient miticide. Effects of milbemectin on the sweetpotato whitefly,Bemisia tabaci Gennadius, were investigated under laboratory and field conditions. In bioassays conducted under controlled chamber conditions, the compound affected 1st instars ofB. tabaci, resulting in a LC90 of 0.06 mg a.i. I-1. Later stage larvae were much less affected. Milbemectin is highly photodegradable in sunlight. In laboratory assays, when treated cotton seedlings were subjected to 3 h of sunlight before being exposed toB. tabaci adults, no mortality of the whiteflies was observed. Milbemectin at a concentration of 2 mg a.i. I-1 applied in combination with 0.2% ‘Ultra Fine’ mineral oil showed a residual activity of 67% adult mortality 10 days after application, whereas milbemectin alone had no appreciable activity. The effect of milbemectin on whitefly populations in a cotton field was compared with that of cypermethrin and of untreated control. Although milbemectin was not applied with mineral oil, it was more effective than cypermethrin in controlling the whitefly populations. This insecticide/miticide seems not to affect appreciably natural enemies ofB. tabaci. Milbemectin may be considered a compound with the potential for controllingB. tabaci populations. Mineral oils enhanced the potency of milbemectin on both whitefly larvae and adults.

Interaction betweenSclerotinia sclerotiorum andConiothyrium minitans strains with different aggressiveness

Abstract: The effects ofSclerotinia sclerotiorum live and autoclaved sclerotia, and sclerotial exudates, and commercial oxalic acid were testedin vitro on sevenConiothyrium minitans strains differing in aggressiveness towardsS. sclerotiorum. Only sclerotial exudates and autoclaved sclerotia affected the mycelial growth rate of almost all the strains tested, whereas a change in theC. minitans mycelial growth pattern was observed in the presence of autoclaved sclerotia and live sclerotia germinating by the myceliogenic eruptive germination. In addition, sclerotial exudates had a stimulatory effect on spore germination. These findings indicate that the various treatments could influence theC. minitans strains regardless of their aggressiveness.

An annotated list of Cleridae and Thanerocleridae (Coleoptera) of Israel.

Abstract: Thirty-five species of Cleridae and Thanerocleridae are recorded from Israel, 15 for the first time. General and local distribution, phenology, prey insect and their host plants are listed.

The occurrence of Thaumetopoea processionea L. (Lep.: Thaumetopoeidae) on Mt. Hermon.

Abstract: The south-eastern oak processionary caterpillar (Thaumetopoea processionea pseudosolitaria Daniel) has been found on Mt. Hermon. In a survey of the entomofauna of woody vegetation on Mt. Hermon in mid June 1992, 18ram-long processionary caterpillars, believed to be Thaumetopoea processionea L., were observed on Quercus boissieri trees growing at an elevation of 1300 m. Because the nearest occurrence of this European insect is known from northern Anatolia, at a distance of more than 1000 km, the caterpillars were taken to the laboratory located in the coastal plain of Israel. After 2 weeks they ceased feeding, and 2 days later entered the soil Ibr pupation. Adults emerged 2 months later. Surprisingly, the moths were not like Th. processionea, but rather resembled Th. solitaria Frr., a common pest of Pistacia trees in Israel (5). Adults were provisorily identified by the second author as Th. processionea pseudosolitaria Daniel. This taxon was first described in 1951 (2) in Macedonia and is known also from Sicily, Greece and Turkey (2,3). The distribution of the nominal form is central and southern Europe, from Portugal to Moldavia and northwest Turkey (1), where it is considered as a pest of young oak stands, and a nuisance to humans, because of the urticarian hairs of the larvae (4). Some hikers on Mt. Hermon after resting or passing near the infested trees suffered from symptoms of urticaria. Further taxonomical studies are required. We wish to thank Dr. Leah Gavish for supplying information on an additional occurrence of this insect on Mr. Hermon.

Pathogenicity of fungi affecting black locust(Robinia pseudoacacia) in Greece

Abstract: The main fungi affecting black locust(Robinia pseudoacacia L.) were recorded during a survey which took place in northern Greece in 1997. It was found thatPhomopsis oncostoma (Thum.) v. Hohn,Aglaospora profusa (Fr.) de Not. andCucurbitaria elongata (@#@ Fr.) Grev. cause necroses of twigs, branches and even entire trees. The pathogenicity of these fungi was confirmed by inoculation experiments in which typical disease symptoms appeared with re-isolation of the respective fungi from the inoculated plants.

Single-site root inoculations on eggplant with microsclerotia of verticillium dahliae

Abstract: For many soilborne plant pathogens, disease results from multiple root infections. Studying the infection dynamics of single or multiple propagules of these pathogens applied at one site of the root system may be the basis for understanding the development of disease caused by multiple root infections. The effect of single-site inoculations of roots of eggplant seedlings with microsclerotia of the wilt-causing fungusVerticillium dahliae, was studied. Experiments were conducted using specially designed pots which enabled the incorporation and removal of inoculum in the soil. Inoculations were carried out by placing microsclerotia, firmly embedded in small sections of polypropylene screen filter, directly below the growing tip of the main root of young eggplant seedlings. Three to 4 days after inoculation, the root had grown over the screen filter, and the filter was removed. Root platings showed high infection levels at the inoculation site, but also several (discrete) root infections were noted some distance above and below the site of inoculation. Exposure of the root to the lowest number of microsclerotia (26/inoculation site) was sufficient to lead to up to 65% root infections. Number of plants with root infections declined over time, ranging from a maximum of 65–100% 2–4 wk after inoculation, to 10–29% at 6–7 wk after inoculation. Apparently,V. dahliae died in nonsystemic infections after some time.

Collar rot caused by Phytophthora citrophthora on pear trees in Greece

Abstract: A severe crown rot of pear trees of cultivar ‘Kondoula’ grafted on quince rootstock was observed in Greece. Isolations from the affected tissues repeatadly yielded aPhytophthora sp. that was determined by morphological and physiological characteristics to beP. citrophthora. The pathogenicity of two of theP. citrophthora isolates was tested by inoculating trunks of 2-year-old pear trees by mycelial agar disks. Thirty-two days after inoculation all inoculated trees were infected. Although the pear isolates could not be differentiated from isolates ofP. palmivora orP. nicotianae based on isozyme profiles of α-esterase or lactate dehydrogenase, RAPD profiles with one selected primer differentiated the pear isolates from the other species and revealed an electrophoretic banding pattern similar to that of aP. citrophthora standard. This is the first report ofP. citrophthora on pear trees in Greece.

Rejection of dyed field rodent baits by Feral Pigeons and Chukar Partridges

Abstract: Whole wheat grain bait, treated with sodium fluoroacetate, is used to control field rodents in Israel. However, this bait constitutes a potential primary non-target hazard to seed-eating birds. In the present study black-, red-, green- and yellow-dyed whole wheat and sorghum grains, as well as undyed ones, were offered to feral pigeons,Columba livia, and to chukar partridges,Alectoris chukar, in the laboratory during 4 days. Grains were offered either piled on trays, or scattered. Consumption levels varied significantly (P 0.05) was observed in the consumption of the differently dyed grains.

Two diseases of dimorphotheca caused by lettuce mosaic potyvirus and tomato spotted wilt tospovirus

Abstract: In 1997, virus-like symptoms were observed in dimorphotheca plants(Dimorphotheca sinuata) at two different locations in Greece. In a greenhouse near Heraklion (Crete), plants showed chlorotic patches mainly in the older leaves, and a mild stunting; near Katerini (Macedonia), garden plants showed chlorotic rings. Sap inoculation of healthy dimorphotheca plants with extracts from diseased plants from the two regions, reproduced each of the two diseases. Examination by electron microscopy (EM) of samples from diseased plants from the first region revealed filamentous particles, whereas samples from the second region showed quasi-spherical particles. The filamentous particles were decorated in EM with antibodies specific to lettuce mosaic potyvirus (LMV). Samples from the second location reacted with antibodies specific to tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (TSWV) in EL1SA tests. It is concluded that LMV and TSWV are the causal agents of the disease noticed in Heraklion and in Katerini, respectively.

Abstracts of papers presented at the 16th conference of the Entomological Society of Israel Research on thrips in Israel Dedicated to the Memory of Prof. E. Rivnay on the 100th Anniversary of his Birth

Abstract: T H E 16TH C O N F E R E N C E O F T H E E N T O M O L O G I C A L S O C I E T Y O F ISRAEL* R E S E A R C H ON THRIPS IN ISRAEL Dedicated to the Memory of Prof. E. Rivnay on the 100th Anniversary of his Birth**

Building awareness and facilitating the. Use of neem as a source of natural pesticides and other useful products in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract: Dr. Ramesh Chandra Saxena, born 1939, principal scientist and coordinator, Neem Awareness Project, at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Nairobi, Kenya. M.Sc. in Tropical Entomology, U. of Hawaii (1966); Ph.D. in Plant Resistance to Insect Pests, Delhi U. (1973); 1975-77, postdoctoral fellow in Entomology, 1977-91, entomologist in the Genetic Evaluation and Utilization Program, both at The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the Philippines; 1987-91, Affiliate Prof. of Entomology, U. of Philippines at Los Bafios; Feb.-July 1991, Visiting Prof. of Entomology at Michigan State U., East Lansing; 1991, principal scientist, ICIPE. Maior contributions: Development of methodologies for efficient insect rearing and screening of rice germplasm and wild rices for insect resistance, studies of biochemical plant-insect interactions, insect biotypes, and biointensive pest management. Concentrated on the potential of neem, Azadirachta indica, and other non-edible oil seed trees for pest management. Obtained $1.2 million grants for research on neem and botanical pest control in Rice-Based Cropping Systems in South and Southeast Asia in 1986-91. Pioneered the introduction and large-scale planting of neem in the Philippines, several Latin American countries, and Caribbean islands. Presently coordinating a $1.3 million Neem Awareness Project in seven countries in Eastern Africa funded by the Government of Finland and the U.N. Environment Programme. Published nearly 270 articles in refereed journals and in books. Served as mentor for 30 scholars and postdoctoral fellows.

The antihistaminic chlorpheniramine inhibits in vitro growth of several fungi isolated from harvested fruits

Abstract: Chlorpheniramine (CPA) is an antihistaminic that changes the conformation of DNA and inhibits polyamine biosynthesis in mammalian cells. In the present work, we tested the effect of CPA on four genera of fungi species (Altemaria alternata, Botrytis cinerea, Cladosporium cladosporioides and threePenicillium spp.) grownin vitro. Similar growth inhibitions of these genera were produced by 0.5 raM iprodione, CPA and histidinol, but CPA was the most effective. The CPA sensitivities of the twoB. cinerea strains were different. Putrescine did not restore the fungal growth inhibited by CPA.