The pathogen is morphologically barely distinguishable from Phyllactinia moricola. However, it exhibits several new morphological characteristics which 2–3 conidia could be formed in short chains at the apex of the conidiophores and the conidia could produce two germ tubes in any position. Phylogenetic analyses of ITS sequences show that the pathogen has a close genetic relationship with P. moricola and Ph. broussonetiae-kaempferi, two GS-1101 molecular weight species on hosts belonging to family Moraceae. However, the ITS differences between Japanese sequences and

the Chinese sequence derived from mulberry are greater than expected for a single species and suggest a cryptic species in China, but the present data are not sufficient for a final conclusion. Therefore, the Morus powdery mildew in Yunnan can currently only be classified as Phyllactinia sp. Morphological features, including conidial germination pattern of this powdery mildew are described in detail, and the local climatic conditions of the disease are analysed,

which will provide the base for finding an effective method, including bio-control, to control the disease under local conditions. “
“A this website real-time quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was employed to investigate the transcriptional levels of putative defence genes expressed during postharvest storage of Actinidia chinensis‘Hort16A’ kiwifruit. Significant decreases (80% reduction) in normalized gene expression over time relative to the basal levels of gene expression at harvest in control fruit were observed for thaumatin-like protein (TLP), class IV acidic

chitinase, chalcone-flavonone isomerase (CHI) and glucan Telomerase endo-1,3-beta-glucosidase (β-1,3-glucosidase). Reduction in transcript abundance for these genes paralleled the significant increase in postharvest ripe rot disease incidence over time (P = 0.0008). Gene expression levels were approximately the same in control vs. inoculated fruit for all the four genes described above, except for β-1,3-glucosidase where expression was significantly greater (P = 0.007) in inoculated than in control fruit. For one of the genes of interest that we had studied by qRT-PCR, TLP, a small amount of protein was purified and assayed in vitro for activity against Cryptosporiopsis actinidiae and Phomopsis spp., the causal agents of ripe rots of ‘Hort16A’ kiwifruit. TLP from kiwifruit did not appear to be directly toxic to either pathogen. TLP does not prevent ripe rots, but it may be useful as a marker of resistance given the temporal correlation between decreased TLP and increased ripe rots that was demonstrated by qRT-PCR. “
“A method for long-term storage of spores of Phakopsora pachyrhizi was optimized.