Trap induction and trapping in eight nematode-trapping fungi (Orbiliaceae) as affected by juvenile stage of Caenorhabditis elegans.

This study measured trap induction and trapping on agar disks as affected by juvenile stages (J1, J2, J3, and J4) of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and by species of nematode-trapping fungi. Eight species of nematode-trapping fungi belonging to the family Orbiliaceae and producing four kinds of traps were studied: adhesive network-forming Arthrobotrys oligospora, A. vermicola, and A. eudermata, constricting ring-forming Drechslerella brochopaga, and Dr. stenobrocha, adhesive column-forming Dactylellina cionopaga, and adhesive knob-forming Da. ellipsospora, and Da. drechsleri. The number of traps induced generally increased with increasing juvenile stages of C. elegans. The ability to capture the juveniles tended to be similar among isolates that produced the same kind of trap but differed among species that produced different kinds of traps. Trapping by Dr. stenobrocha and Da. cionopaga was correlated with trap number and with juvenile stage. A. oligospora and A. vermicola respectively captured more than 92 and 88% of the J1, J3, and J4 but captured a lower percentage of J2. The knob-producing isolates captured more younger than elder juveniles. Partial correlation analyses demonstrated that the trap induction of the most fungal species positively correlated with the juvenile size and motility, which was juvenile stage dependent. Overall, trap induction and trapping correlated with C. elegans juvenile stage (size and motility) in six species of trapping fungi.

Evaluation of plant activator and chemical fungicides on leaf blight (Bipolaris sorokiniana) development and yield of wheat.

Bion 50 WG (Benzothiodiazole), Tilt-250 EC (Propiconazole) and Amistar (Azoxystrobin) either alone and some of their combinations were evaluated against leaf blight/spot (Bipolaris sorokiniana) development and yield of wheat. All the treatments significantly reduced leaf spot reaction of wheat over untreated control. But Bion in combination with Amistar resulted significantly highest reduction of leaf spot reaction of wheat (p = 0.05) against all the tested pathotypes inoculated at flag leaf stage. In the field, Bion reduced leaf spot severity at heading and flowering stage in 2000-2001 and at hard dough stage in 2001-2002. Number of grains/ear not significantly increased by treating seeds with Bion though 1000-grain weight is significantly increased (p = 0.05) in 2000-2001 by Bion. Statistically higher grain yield was obtained from the experimental plot by treating seeds with Bion and Amistar. Bion resulted 53.33% higher grain yield in compare to untreated control.