Plant Pathology Science

Introduction: Cereal cyst nematodes (CCN), Heterodera species, are important parasitic nematodes of cereal. Potato cyst nematodes (PCN), Globodera species, are also serious pests of potato world-wide. Continuous monitoring of these nematodes is necessary to prevent their damage to their host plants. This study was conducted to determine the distribution and density of these nematodes in Ardabil province, northwest of Iran, where potatoes are planted in rotation with cereals. Materials and Methods: One hundred and two soil samples were collected from potato fields in the suburbs of Ardebil, Nair and Namin cities in the first year, and 116 soil samples were collected from the wheat fields that were cultivated in the rotation with potato in the second year. The samples were transferred to the laboratory and examined for cyst nematodes. After isolating the cysts, identification of the species was performed based on morphological and morphometrical characteristics of the cysts and the second stage larvae. Results: Examination of the collected samples in both of two years indicated the presence of CCN in some soil samples, but PCN were not observed in none of the soil samples. The morphological and morphometrical data of isolated cereal cysts and comparison with valid identification keys led to the identification of Heterodera filipjevi. Mean numbers of the cysts with eggs and larvae in those samples that were collected in the first and second year were respectively 0.76 and 0.11 in 100 g of the soil. Wheat fields of Ardebil had the highest and fields of Nair had the least number of cyst nematode.  Conclusions: The results of this study showed that some of the wheat fields in the province were infected with H. filipjevi and potato fields were not infected with any cyst nematode.

Introduction: Powdery mildew caused by Podosphaera pannosa is one of the most important diseases of peaches and nectarines worldwide, including Iran. The aim of this research was to investigate the response of peaches and nectarines under cultivation in Iran to the disease. Materials and Methods: Reaction of ten peach cultivars vs. Robin, Early Red, Red Top, Shasta, Amesdn, Velvet, Anjiri, Paeizeh, Dixi Red, and Sun Crest, and ten nectarine cultivars vs. Independence, Stargold, Sangold, Sanking, Giuta, Shabrang Karaj, Vega, Orion, Jiova and Veinberger were evaluated for disease in natural and artificial infection conditions in two experiments in a randomized complete block design with three replications over two years at the Meshgin Shahr Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Station. Results: Analysis of variance of experimental data showed that there was a significant difference between cultivars of each plant at a probability level of 1%. Peach cultivars Anjiri and Red top were very resistant, Velvet, Shasta and Early red ‎were resistant; Amesdn, Dixi red and Robin were moderately resistant; Sun ‎crest was susceptible and Paeizeh was in very susceptible. Weinberger nectarine cultivars were resistant and Independence, Stargold, Sanking, Giuta, Shabrang Karaj, Vega, Orion and Jiova cultivars were semi-resistant and Sangold was very susceptible to disease.  Conclusion: Eighty percent of the studied peach cultivars are very resistant to semi-resistant and 20% sensitive and very sensitive, 90% of the studied nectarine cultivars are resistant to semi-resistant and 10% susceptible to powdery mildew. Findings of this research should be considered in the management of peach and nectarine powdery mildew.