Subcellular localization of beta-1,3-glucanase in Puccinia recondita f.sp. tritici-infected wheat leaves.

An antiserum raised against the purified 33-kDa beta-1,3-glucanase of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was employed to investigate the ultrastructural localization of the enzyme in wheat leaves infected with Puccinia recondita Rob. ex Desm. f.sp. tritici Eriks. and Henn. using a post-embedding immunogold labelling technique. In both compatible and incompatible interactions, beta-1,3-glucanase was detected in the host plasmalemma and in the domain of the host cell wall near the plasmalemma of the mesophyll cells, but higher concentrations of the enzyme were detected in infected resistant wheat leaves than in infected susceptible ones. beta-1,3-Glucanase was also found in the secondary thickening of xylem vessels and in the walls of guard cells, epidermal cells and phloem elements, while no labelling was observed in host organelles, viz. vacuoles, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi bodies, nuclei and chloroplasts. A low concentration of the enzyme was detected on the intercellular hyphal wall and in the hyphal cytoplasm. In the compatible interaction, beta-1,3-glucanase was demonstrated to accumulate predominantly in the haustorial wall and extrahaustorial matrix. In the incompatible interaction, strong labelling for beta-1,3-glucanase was found in host cell wall appositions, in the extracellular matrix in the intercellular space, and in electron-dense structures of host origin which occurred in the incompatible interaction only.

Frequency and Timing of Fungicide Applications for the Control of Gray Leaf Spot in Maize.

Timing and frequency of fungicide treatments for management and control of gray leaf spot of maize, caused by Cercospora zeae-maydis, were quantified with the logistic model and area under disease progress curve (AUDPC). Control was most effective when spraying commenced as disease severity levels reached 2 to 3% of the leaf area blighted and when lesions were restricted to the basal five leaves of the maize plant. Highest grain yields were achieved with treatments providing disease control until the crop was physiologically mature. To provide this length of control, the frequency and number of fungicide applications varied with the stage of host development when disease was first apparent; with early infections, more fungicide treatments were necessary to provide protection until physiological maturity. Yield responses to fungicides appeared to be a function of the growth stage of the host when sprays were initiated, the amount of disease at spray date, the length of fungicide control, and effective control through to physiological maturity.