Two-Part and Related Regression Models for Longitudinal Data.

Statistical models that involve a two-part mixture distribution are applicable in a variety of situations. Frequently, the two parts are a model for the binary response variable and a model for the outcome variable that is conditioned on the binary response. Two common examples are zero-inflated or hurdle models for count data and two-part models for semicontinuous data. Recently, there has been particular interest in the use of these models for the analysis of repeated measures of an outcome variable over time. The aim of this review is to consider motivations for the use of such models in this context and to highlight the central issues that arise with their use. We examine two-part models for semicontinuous and zero-heavy count data, and we also consider models for count data with a two-part random effects distribution.

Osteoarthritic changes in vervet monkey knees correlate with meniscus degradation and increased matrix metalloproteinase and cytokine secretion.

OBJECTIVE: Meniscus injury increases osteoarthritis risk but its pathobiology in osteoarthritis is unclear. We hypothesized that older adult vervet monkeys would exhibit knee osteoarthritic changes and the degenerative menisci from these animals would secrete matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and pro-inflammatory cytokines that contribute to the development of osteoarthritis. DESIGN: In a cross sectional analysis of healthy young adult (9-12 years) and old (19-26 years) adult female vervet monkeys, knees were evaluated in vivo with computed tomography (CT) imaging, and joint tissues were morphologically graded at necropsy. Meniscus explants were subsequently cultured to evaluate meniscal MMP and cytokine secretion. RESULTS: CT images revealed significant bony osteoarthritic changes in 80% of older monkeys which included increases in osteophyte number and meniscal calcification. Meniscus and cartilage degradation scores were greater in the older monkeys and were positively correlated (r > 0.7). Menisci from older animals exhibiting osteoarthritic changes secreted significantly more MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-8 than healthy menisci from younger monkeys. Older menisci without significant osteoarthritic changes secreted more IL-7 than healthy young menisci while older osteoarthritic menisci secreted more IL-7 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor than healthy older menisci. CONCLUSIONS: Aged vervets develop naturally occurring knee osteoarthritis that includes involvement of the meniscus. Degenerative menisci secreted markedly increased amounts of matrix-degrading enzymes and inflammatory cytokines. These factors would be expected to act on the meniscus tissue and local joint tissues and may ultimately promote osteoarthritis development. These finding also suggest vervet monkeys are a useful animal model for studying the progression of osteoarthritis.

Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is increased in osteoarthritis and regulates chondrocyte catabolic and anabolic activities.

OBJECTIVE: We determined if the epidermal growth factor receptor ligand HB-EGF is produced in cartilage and if it regulates chondrocyte anabolic or catabolic activity. METHODS: HB-EGF expression was measured by quantitative PCR using RNA isolated from mouse knee joint tissues and from normal and osteoarthritis (OA) human chondrocytes. Immunohistochemistry was performed on normal and OA human cartilage and meniscus sections. Cultured chondrocytes were treated with fibronectin fragments (FN-f) as a catabolic stimulus and osteogenic protein 1 (OP-1) as an anabolic stimulus. Effects of HB-EGF on cell signaling were analyzed by immunoblotting of selected signaling proteins. MMP-13 was measured in conditioned media, proteoglycan synthesis was measured by sulfate incorporation, and matrix gene expression by quantitative PCR. RESULTS: HB-EGF expression was increased in 12-month old mice at 8 weeks after surgery to induce OA and increased amounts of HB-EGF were noted in human articular cartilage from OA knees. FN-f stimulated chondrocyte HB-EGF expression and HB-EGF stimulated chondrocyte MMP-13 production. However, HB-EGF was not required for FN-f stimulation of MMP-13 production. HB-EGF activated the ERK and p38 MAP kinases and stimulated phosphorylation of Smad1 at an inhibitory serine site which was associated with inhibition of OP-1 mediated proteoglycan synthesis and reduced aggrecan (ACAN) but not COL2A1 expression. CONCLUSION: HB-EGF is a new factor identified in OA cartilage that promotes chondrocyte catabolic activity while inhibiting anabolic activity suggesting it could contribute to the catabolic-anabolic imbalance seen in OA cartilage.

Pro-inflammatory stimulation of meniscus cells increases production of matrix metalloproteinases and additional catabolic factors involved in osteoarthritis pathogenesis.

OBJECTIVE: Meniscus injury increases the risk of osteoarthritis; however, the biologic mechanism remains unknown. We hypothesized that pro-inflammatory stimulation of meniscus would increase production of matrix-degrading enzymes, cytokines and chemokines which cause joint tissue destruction and could contribute to osteoarthritis development. DESIGN: Meniscus and cartilage tissue from healthy tissue donors and total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) was cultured. Primary cell cultures were stimulated with pro-inflammatory factors [IL-1ß, IL-6, or fibronectin fragments (FnF)] and cellular responses were analyzed by real-time PCR, protein arrays and immunoblots. To determine if NF-κB was required for MMP production, meniscus cultures were treated with inflammatory factors with and without the NF-κB inhibitor, hypoestoxide. RESULTS: Normal and osteoarthritic meniscus cells increased their MMP secretion in response to stimulation, but specific patterns emerged that were unique to each stimulus with the greatest number of MMPs expressed in response to FnF. Meniscus collagen and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) gene expression was reduced. Expression of cytokines (IL-1α, IL-1ß, IL-6), chemokines (IL-8, CXCL1, CXCL2, CSF1) and components of the NF-κB and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family were significantly increased. Cytokine and chemokine protein production was also increased by stimulation. When primary cell cultures were treated with hypoestoxide in conjunction with pro-inflammatory stimulation, p65 activation was reduced as were MMP-1 and MMP-3 production. CONCLUSIONS: Pro-inflammatory stimulation of meniscus cells increased matrix metalloproteinase production and catabolic gene expression. The meniscus could have an active biologic role in osteoarthritis development following joint injury through increased production of cytokines, chemokines, and matrix-degrading enzymes.

Review and recommendations for zero-inflated count regression modeling of dental caries indices in epidemiological studies.

Over the past 5-10 years, zero-inflated (ZI) count regression models have been increasingly applied to the analysis of dental caries indices (e.g. DMFT, dfms). The main reason for that is linked to the broad decline in children's caries experience, such that dmf and DMF indices more frequently generate low or even zero counts. This article specifically reviews the application of ZI Poisson and ZI negative binomial regression models to dental caries, with emphasis on the description of the models and the interpretation of fitted model results given the study goals. The review finds that interpretations provided in the published caries research are often imprecise or inadvertently misleading, particularly with respect to failing to discriminate between inference for the class of susceptible persons defined by such models and inference for the sampled population in terms of overall exposure effects. Recommendations are provided to enhance the use as well as the interpretation and reporting of results of count regression models when applied to epidemiological studies of dental caries.

Physiologic Specialization of Puccinia triticina on Wheat in the United States in 2010.

Collections of Puccinia triticina were obtained from rust-infected leaves provided by cooperators throughout the United States and from wheat fields and breeding plots by United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service personnel and cooperators in the Great Plains, Ohio River Valley, southeastern states, Oregon, and Washington State in order to determine the virulence of the wheat leaf rust population in 2010. Single uredinial isolates (537 total) were derived from the collections and tested for virulence phenotype on 19 lines of 'Thatcher' wheat and a winter wheat line that are near-isogenic for 20 leaf rust resistance genes. In 2010, 38 virulence phenotypes were described in the United States. Virulence phenotypes MLDSD, TDBJG, and TCRKG were the three most common phenotypes. Phenotype MLDSD is virulent to Lr17 and Lr39/Lr41 and was widely distributed throughout the United States. Phenotype TDBJG is virulent to Lr24 and was found in both the soft red winter wheat and hard red winter wheat regions. Phenotype TCRKG is virulent to Lr11, Lr18, and Lr26 and was found mostly in the soft red winter wheat region in the eastern United States. Virulence to Lr21 was found for the first time in North America in isolates collected from spring wheat cultivars in North Dakota and Minnesota.

Physiologic Specialization of Puccinia triticina on Wheat in the United States in 2009.

Collections of Puccinia triticina were obtained from rust-infected leaves provided by cooperators throughout the United States and from surveys of wheat (Triticum aestivum) fields and wheat breeding plots by United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service personnel in the Great Plains, Ohio River Valley, southeast, California, and Washington State in order to determine the virulence of the wheat leaf rust population in 2009. Single uredinial isolates (591 in total) were derived from the collections and tested for virulence phenotype on lines of Thatcher wheat that are near-isogenic for leaf rust resistance genes Lr1, Lr2a, Lr2c, Lr3a, Lr9, Lr16, Lr24, Lr26, Lr3ka, Lr11, Lr17a, Lr30, LrB, Lr10, Lr14a, Lr18, Lr21, and Lr28 and a winter wheat line with Lr39/41. Forty-one virulence phenotypes were described. Virulence phenotypes MLDSD, TCRKG, and TDBGG were the three most common phenotypes. Phenotype MLDSD is virulent to Lr17 and Lr39/Lr41 and was widely distributed throughout the United States. Phenotype TCRKG is virulent to Lr11, Lr18, and Lr26 and is found mostly in the soft red winter wheat region in the eastern United States. TDBGG is virulent to Lr24 and was found in both the soft red winter wheat and hard red winter wheat regions. Virulence to Lr21 was not found in any of the tested isolates. Virulence to Lr11, Lr18, and Lr26 increased in 2009 in the soft red winter wheat regions. Virulence to Lr17 and Lr39/Lr41 increased in the Great Plains region. Two separate epidemiological zones of P. triticina in the soft red winter wheat region of the southern and eastern states and in the hard red wheat region of the Great Plains were described.

p38gamma mitogen-activated protein kinase suppresses chondrocyte production of MMP-13 in response to catabolic stimulation.

OBJECTIVE: The signaling protein p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase is required for inflammatory signaling in chondrocytes that regulates matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) production. We sought to determine the role of specific p38 isoforms in chondrocyte catabolic signaling in response to IL-1beta and fibronectin fragments (Fn-f). METHODS: Human articular chondrocytes isolated from normal ankle cartilage from tissue donors or from osteoarthritic knee cartilage obtained during knee replacement were stimulated with IL-1beta or Fn-f, with or without pretreatment with p38 inhibitors (SB203580 or BIRB796) or growth factors (IGF-1 and OP-1). p38 isoform phosphorylation was measured by antibody array and immunoblotting. MMP-13 expression was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and immunoblotting. Chondrocytes were transfected with plasmids expressing constitutively active (CA) p38gamma or with adenovirus expressing dominant negative (DN) p38gamma. RESULTS: Stimulation of chondrocytes with either IL-1beta or Fn-f led to enhanced phosphorylation of p38alpha and p38gamma, with little phosphorylation of p38beta or p38delta isoforms. p38alpha localized to the nucleus and p38gamma to the cytosol. Inhibition of both p38alpha and p38gamma with BIRB796 resulted in less inhibition of MMP-13 production in response to IL-1beta or FN-f than did inhibition of only p38alpha with SB203580. Transfection with CA p38gamma resulted in decreased MMP-13 production while transduction with DN p38gamma resulted in increased MMP-13 production. IGF-1 and OP-1 pretreatment inhibited p38alpha phosphorylation but not p38gamma phosphorylation. CONCLUSIONS: p38gamma is activated by catabolic stimulation of human articular chondrocytes, but interestingly suppresses MMP-13 production. Treatments that increase p38gamma activation may be of therapeutic benefit in reducing chondrocyte production of MMP-13.

Physiologic Specialization of Puccinia triticina on Wheat in the United States in 2008.

Collections of Puccinia triticina were obtained from rust-infected wheat (Triticum aestivum) leaves provided by cooperators throughout the United States and from surveys of wheat fields and wheat breeding plots by USDA-ARS personnel in the Great Plains, Ohio River Valley, Southeast, and Washington State in order to determine the virulence of the wheat leaf rust population in 2008. Single uredinial isolates (730 in total) were derived from the collections and tested for virulence phenotype on lines of Thatcher wheat that are near-isogenic for leaf rust resistance genes Lr1, Lr2a, Lr2c, Lr3, Lr9, Lr16, Lr24, Lr26, Lr3ka, Lr11, Lr17, Lr30, LrB, Lr10, Lr14a, Lr18, Lr21, Lr28, and a winter wheat line with Lr41. Forty-eight virulence phenotypes were described. Virulence phenotypes TDBGG, TCRKG, and MLDSD were the three most common phenotypes. TDBGG is virulent to Lr24 and was found in both the soft red winter wheat and hard red winter wheat regions. Phenotype TCRKG is virulent to Lr11, Lr18, and Lr26 and is found mostly in the soft red winter wheat region in the eastern United States. Phenotype MLDSD is virulent to Lr17 and Lr41 and was widely distributed in the Great Plains. Virulence to Lr21 was not found in any of the tested isolates. Virulence to Lr11 and Lr18 increased in 2008 in the soft red winter wheat regions. Two separate epidemiological zones of P. triticina in the soft red winter wheat region of the southern and eastern states and in the hard red wheat region of the Great Plains were described.

Physiologic Specialization of Puccinia triticina on Wheat in the United States in 2007.

In 2007, leaf rust of wheat was severe throughout the Great Plains region of North America. Yield losses in wheat due to leaf rust were estimated to be 14% in Kansas. Collections of Puccinia triticina were obtained from rust-infected leaves provided by cooperators throughout the United States and from surveys of wheat fields and nurseries in the Great Plains, Ohio River Valley, southeast, California, and Washington State in order to determine the virulence of the wheat leaf rust population in 2007. Single uredinial isolates (868 in total) were derived from the collections and tested for virulence phenotype on lines of Thatcher wheat that are near-isogenic for leaf rust resistance genes Lr1, Lr2a, Lr2c, Lr3a, Lr9, Lr16, Lr24, Lr26, Lr3ka, Lr11, Lr17a, Lr30, LrB, Lr10, Lr14a, Lr18, Lr21, and Lr28, and on winter wheat lines with genes Lr41 and Lr42. Fifty-two virulence phenotypes were found. Virulence phenotypes TDBJG, MFPSC, and TDBJH were among the four most common phenotypes and were all virulent to resistance gene Lr24. These phenotypes were found throughout the Great Plains region. Phenotype MLDSD, with virulence to Lr9, Lr17, and Lr41, was also widely distributed in the Great Plains. In the soft red winter wheat region of the southeastern states, phenotypes TCRKG, with virulence to genes Lr11, Lr26, and Lr18, and MFGJH, with virulence to Lr24, Lr26, and Lr11, were among the common phenotypes. Virulence phenotypes with virulence to Lr16 were most frequent in the spring wheat region of the northern Great Plains. Virulence phenotypes with virulence to Lr11, Lr18, and Lr26 were most common in the soft red winter areas of the southeastern states and Ohio Valley. Virulence to Lr21 was not found in any of the tested isolates.

Physiologic Specialization of Puccinia triticina on Wheat in the United States in 2006.

Collections of Puccinia triticina were obtained from rust-infected leaves provided by cooperators throughout the United States and from surveys of wheat fields and nurseries in the Great Plains, Ohio River Valley, southeast, California, and Washington State in order to determine the virulence of the wheat leaf rust population in 2006. Single uredinial isolates (718 in total) were derived from the collections and tested for virulence phenotype on lines of Thatcher wheat that are near-isogenic for leaf rust resistance genes Lr1, Lr2a, Lr2c, Lr3a, Lr9, Lr16, Lr24, Lr26, Lr3ka, Lr11, Lr17a, Lr30, LrB, Lr10, Lr14a, Lr18, Lr2, and Lr28 and winter wheat lines with genes Lr41 and Lr42. In the United States in 2006, 56 virulence phenotypes were found. Virulence phenotypes TDBJG, TDBGG, and TDBJH were among the four most common phenotypes and were all virulent to resistance gene Lr24. These phenotypes were found throughout the Great Plains region. Phenotype MLDSD with virulence to Lr9, Lr17, and Lr41 was also widely distributed in the Great Plains. In the soft red winter wheat region of the southeastern states, phenotypes TCRKG and MBRKG with virulence to genes Lr11, Lr26, and Lr18 were among the common phenotypes. Virulence phenotypes with virulence to Lr16 were most frequent in the spring wheat region of the northern Great Plains. Virulence to Lr21 was not found in any of the tested isolates.

Physiologic Specialization of Puccinia triticina on Wheat in the United States in 2005.

Collections of Puccinia triticina were obtained from rust-infected wheat leaves by cooperators throughout the United States and from surveys of wheat fields and nurseries in the Great Plains, Ohio River Valley, southeast, California, and Washington State, in order to determine the virulence of the wheat leaf rust population in 2005. Single uredinial isolates (797 in total) were derived from the collections and tested for virulence phenotype on lines of Thatcher wheat that are near-isogenic for leaf rust resistance genes Lr1, Lr2a, Lr2c, Lr3a, Lr9, Lr16, Lr24, Lr26, Lr3ka, Lr11, Lr17a, Lr30, LrB, Lr10, Lr14a, Lr18, Lr21, Lr28, and winter wheat lines with genes Lr41 and Lr42. In the United States in 2005, 72 virulence phenotypes of P. triticina were found. Virulence phenotype TDBGH, selected by virulence to resistance gene Lr24, was the most common phenotype in the United States, and was found throughout the Great Plains region. Virulence phenotype MCDSB with virulence to Lr17a and Lr26 was the second most common phenotype and was found widely in the wheat growing regions of the United States. Virulence phenotype MFPSC, which has virulence to Lr17a, Lr24, and Lr26, was the third most common phenotype, and was found in the Ohio Valley region, the Great Plains, and California. The highly diverse population of P. triticina in the United States will continue to present a challenge for the development of wheat cultivars with effective durable resistance to leaf rust.

Physiologic Specialization of Puccinia triticina on Wheat in the United States in 2004.

Collections of Puccinia triticina were obtained from rust-infected wheat leaves by cooperators throughout the United States and from surveys of wheat fields and nurseries in the Great Plains, Ohio Valley, southeast, California, and Pacific Northwest, in order to determine the virulence of the wheat leaf rust population in 2004. Single uredinial isolates (757 in total) were derived from the collections and tested for virulence phenotype on lines of Thatcher wheat that are near-isogenic for leaf rust resistance genes Lr1, Lr2a, Lr2c, Lr3a, Lr9, Lr16, Lr24, Lr26, Lr3ka, Lr11, Lr17a, Lr30, LrB, Lr10, Lr14a, Lr18, Lr21, and Lr28, and winter wheat lines with genes Lr41 and Lr42. In the United States in 2004, 52 virulence phenotypes of P. triticina were found. Virulence phenotype MCDSB, selected by virulence to resistance genes Lr17a and Lr26, was the most common phenotype in the United States and was found in all wheat growing areas. Virulence phenotype TBBGG, with virulence to Lr2a, was the second most common phenotype and was found primarily in the spring wheat region of the north-central states. Virulence phenotype MBDSB, which has virulence to Lr17a, was the third most common phenotype and was found in all wheat growing areas except California. Phenotype TNRJJ, with virulence to genes Lr9, Lr24, and Lr41, was the fourth most common phenotype and occurred in the southeastern states and throughout the Great Plains region. Virulence phenotypes avirulent to a second gene in the Thatcher differential line with Lr1 increased in frequency in the United States in 2004. The highly diverse population of P. triticina in the United States will continue to present a challenge for the development of wheat cultivars with effective durable resistance.

Efficacy of a Novel Nematicidal Seed Treatment against Meloidogyne incognita on Cotton.

The efficacy of abamectin as a seed treatment for control of Meloidogyne incognita on cotton was evaluated in greenhouse, microplot, and field trials in 2002 and 2003. Treatments ranging from 0 to 100 g abamectin/100 kg seed were evaluated. In greenhouse tests 35 d after planting (DAP), plants from seed treated with abamectin were taller than plants from nontreated seed, and root galling severity and nematode reproduction were lower where treated seed were used. The number of second stage juveniles that had entered the roots of plants from seed treated with 100 g abamectin/kg seed was lower during the first 14 DAP than with nontreated seed. In microplots tests, seed treatment with abamectin and soil application of aldicarb at 840 g/kg of soil reduced the number of juveniles penetrating seedling roots during the first 14 DAP compared to the nontreated seedlings. In field plots, population densities of M. incognita were lower 14 DAP in plots that received seed treated with abamectin at 100 g/kg seed than where aldicarb (5.6 kg/ha) was applied at planting. Population densities were comparable for all treatments, including the nontreated controls, at both 21 DAP and harvest. Root galling severity did not differ among treatments at harvest.

Physiologic Specialization of Puccinia triticina on Wheat in the United States in 2003.

Collections of Puccinia triticina were obtained from rust infected wheat leaves by cooperators throughout the United States and from surveys of wheat fields and nurseries in the Great Plains, Ohio Valley, Southeast, California, and the Pacific Northwest, in order to determine the virulence of the wheat leaf rust fungus in 2003. Single uredinial isolates (580 in total) were derived from the wheat leaf rust collections and tested for virulence phenotype on lines of Thatcher wheat that are near-isogenic for leaf rust resistance genes Lr1, Lr2a, Lr2c, Lr3, Lr9, Lr16, Lr24, Lr26, Lr3ka, Lr11, Lr17, Lr30, LrB, Lr10, Lr14a, and Lr18. In the United States in 2003, 52 virulence phenotypes of P. triticina were found. Virulence phenotype MBDS, which has been selected by virulence to resistance gene Lr17, was the most common phenotype in the United States. MBDS was found in the Southeast, Great Plains, the Ohio Valley, and California. Virulence phenotype THBJ, which has been selected by virulence to genes Lr16 and Lr26, was the second most common phenotype, and was found in the southern and northern central Great Plains region. Phenotype MCDS, which has been selected by virulence to genes Lr17 and Lr26, was the third most common phenotype and occurred in the same regions as MBDS. The use of wheat cultivars with leaf rust seedling resistance genes has selected leaf rust phenotypes with virulence to genes Lr9, Lr16, Lr17, Lr24, and Lr26. The population of P. triticina in the United States is highly diverse for virulence phenotypes, which will continue to present a challenge for the development of wheat cultivars with effective durable resistance.

Leaf Rust and Stem Rust Resistance in Triticum dicoccoides Populations in Israel.

A total of 742 single plant accessions of Triticum dicoccoides were collected from 26 locations in Israel. All accessions were evaluated for leaf rust (Puccinia triticina) resistance in field plots at Tel Aviv, and subsets of 284 and 468 accessions were tested in the greenhouse in Tel Aviv and St. Paul, MN, respectively, for seedling resistance to leaf rust; 460 accessions were also tested for seedling resistance to stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici) in St. Paul. One accession was highly resistant to leaf rust in seedling tests in Tel Aviv, and 21 others had moderately susceptible to moderately resistant seedling resistance. Four accessions were highly resistant to leaf rust in seedling tests in St. Paul, and 11 were resistant to at least one stem rust race. Adult resistance to leaf rust was more common than seedling resistance among the accessions; 21 accessions had less than 25% leaf rust severity in field plots compared with 80 to 90% severity for highly susceptible accessions. Most of the accessions with effective adult plant resistance came from two nearby locations in Upper Galilee, a region where populations of T. dicoccoides are most extensive and genetically diverse. These accessions may provide valuable new partial resistance genes for durable protection against leaf rust in cultivated wheat.

Resistance to Leaf Rust, Stripe Rust, and Stem Rust in Aegilops spp. in Israel.

In all, 1,323 single plant accessions of Aegilops bicornis, A. kotschyi, A. longissima, A. ovata, A. searsii, A. sharonensis, A. speltoides, and A. variabilis collected from 18 regions in Israel and 2 adjacent regions in Lebanon and Egypt were evaluated for leaf rust (Puccinia triticina) and stripe rust (P. striiformis) resistance in field plots and for seedling resistance to leaf rust and stem rust (P. graminis f. sp. tritici) in greenhouse tests. Nearly all accessions of A. speltoides were highly resistant to leaf rust, stripe rust, and stem rust. A. longissima and A. ovata were highly resistant to stripe rust, whereas A. bicornis and A. kotschyi were highly susceptible. A. searsii was highly susceptible to stem rust, but 24 to 51% of accessions of A. bicornis, A. longissima, A. ovata, and A. variabilis were resistant to stem rust. Except for A. ovata and A. speltoides, more than 95% of the Aegilops accessions were susceptible to leaf rust caused by P. recondita alternating on Anchusa spp. Only Aegilops ovata was susceptible to P. recondita from Echium spp. A. bicornis, A. koschyi, and A. searsii were highly susceptible as seedlings to common wheat leaf rust caused by P. triticina. Most accessions of A. variabilis and about half of the accessions of A. longissima had good seedling resistance to P. triticina. Few accessions of A. ovata showed seedling resistance to the P. triticina population in Israel, but 30% were resistant to U.S. isolates. In field tests, A. bicornis showed high susceptibility to common wheat leaf rust, but more than 90% of the accessions of the other Aegilops spp. developed little or no leaf rust on adult plants. The Aegilops spp. in Israel and adjoining countries provide a rich and varied source of rust resistance for wheat breeding.

Physiologic Specialization of Puccinia triticina on Wheat in the United States in 2002.

Collections of Puccinia triticina were obtained from rust-infected wheat leaves by cooperators throughout the United States and from surveys of wheat fields and nurseries in the Great Plains, Ohio Valley, Southeast, California, and the Pacific Northwest, in order to determine the virulence of the wheat leaf rust fungus in 2002. Single uredinial isolates (785 in total) were derived from the wheat leaf rust collections and tested for virulence phenotype on lines of Thatcher wheat that are near-isogenic for leaf rust resistance genes Lr1, Lr2a, Lr2c, Lr3, Lr9, Lr16, Lr24, Lr26, Lr3ka, Lr11, Lr17, Lr30, LrB, Lr10, Lr14a, and Lr18. In the United States in 2002, 52 virulence phenotypes of P. triticina were found. Virulence phenotype MBDS, which is virulent to resistance gene Lr17, was the most common phenotype in the United States. MBDS was found in the Southeast, Great Plains, and the Ohio Valley regions, and also in California. Phenotype MCDS, virulent to Lr17 and Lr26, was the second most common phenotype and occurred in the same regions as MBDS. Virulence phenotype THBJ, which is virulent to Lr16 and Lr26, was the third most common phenotype, and was found in the southern and northern central Great Plains region. Phenotype TLGJ, with virulence to Lr2a, Lr9, and Lr11, was the fourth most common phenotype and was found primarily in the Southeast and Ohio Valley regions. The Southeast and Ohio Valley regions differed from the Great Plains regions for predominant virulence phenotypes, which indicate that populations of P. triticina in those areas are not closely connected. The northern and southern areas of the Great Plains were similar for frequencies of predominant phenotypes, indicating a strong south to north migration of urediniospores.