Penicillium oxalicum reduces the number of cysts and juveniles of potato cyst nematodes.

AIM: To test the biocontrol potential of Penicillium oxalicum, a biocontrol agent against fungal diseases and against the potato cyst nematodes (PCNs), Globodera pallida and Globodera rostochiensis. METHODS AND RESULTS: We tested the effect of P. oxalicum on the nematode cysts under laboratory conditions or in soil microcosms. A reduction in the rate of G. pallida juveniles hatching by P. oxalicum was observed when root diffusates from the 'Monalisa' and the 'Désirée' potato cultivar were used (98·6 and 74·1% reduction, respectively). However, the rate of G. pallida juveniles hatching was not significantly reduced when root diffusates from the 'San Pedro' tomato cultivar were used. Penicillium oxalicum also significantly reduced the ability of the G. rostochiensis juveniles to hatch (30·9% reduction) when root diffusates of the 'Désirée' potato cultivars were used. Penicillium oxalicum treatment of the soil significantly reduced the number of G. pallida cysts that were recovered from the soil of each pot that contained the 'Désirée' potato cultivar. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that P. oxalicum is a potential biocontrol inoculant for protecting potato crops against PCNs. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Penicillium oxalicum has potential to be used in order to reduce PCNs.

Analysis of triallate residues in cereals and soil by gas chromatography with ion-trap detection.

Triallate residues in barley seedlings and soil samples were determined by gas chromatography with ion-trap detection. Soil was extracted with methanol on a mechanical shaker, and plants were extracted with acetonitrile in a Sorvall homogenizer. After evaporation of the organic solvents, the residue was dissolved in hexane, and plants extracts were cleaned-up on an alumina column. Gas chromatographic analysis was carried out using a BP-1 fused-silica capillary column with helium as carrier gas. To quantitate residues the total-ion chromatogram was obtained and then the selected-ion monitoring chromatograms were displayed at m/z 86 for triallate and at m/z 154 for the internal standard, methyl-(4-amino-2-chloro)-benzoate. The average recovery through the method from barley and soil samples was always higher than 80%. The limit of detection in the selected-ion mode was 0.01 mg/kg. Barley and soil samples treated with triallate were also analysed. A good agreement was observed between results obtained by this method and by gas chromatography with nitrogen-phosphorus detection.