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Evaluation of a method for quantification of Pythium aphanidermatum in cucumber roots at different temperatures and inoculum densities

Evaluierung einer Methode zur Quantifizierung von Pythium aphanidermatum in Gurkenwurzeln bei verschiedenen Temperaturen und Inokulumdichten

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Abstract

A method for the quantification of Pythium aphanidermatum density in cucumber roots based on an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Elisa) was established and tested. This approach was applied in three experiments under various environmental conditions. In addition, different inoculum densities were applied to vary the disease severity but also, to search for suitable inoculum densities in long-term epidemiological studies. Cucumber plants were grown in containers with aerated nutrient solution in a growth chamber at air temperatures of 15, 20, 25 and 30°C, and were inoculated with 0, 10, 103 and 105 oospores of P. aphanidermatum per litre nutrient solution. The pathogen density in the roots increased with inoculum density and temperature and resulted in growth reduction of the cucumber plants. Clearly, low temperatures delayed the development of the disease in the plant, while high temperatures combined with high inoculum densities led to sudden death of some plants. Therefore, inoculum densities not higher than 103 oospores per litre should be applied in long-term experiments. Independent of inoculum density and temperature, correlations were established between the mycelium density in the roots and the crop biomass, indicating that the indirect Elisa produces robust estimates of P. aphanidermatum density in cucumber roots under various conditions.

Zusammenfassung

Eine Methode zur Bestimmung der Dichte von Pythium Aphanidermatum in Gurkenwurzeln wurde durch Anwendung eines indirekten enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) entwickelt und in drei Experimenten mit unterschiedlichen klimatischen Bedingungen getestet. Dabei wurde auch die Inokulumdichte variiert, um weitere Abstufungen der Erkrankung zu erhalten, aber auch, um geeignete Inokulumdichten für Langzeitstudien zur Epidemiologie herauszufinden. Gurkenpflanzen wurden in Gefäýen mit belüfteter Nährlösung in Klimakammern bei Lufttemperaturen von 15, 20, 25 und 30°C kultiviert und mit 0, 10, 103 and 105 Oosporen von P. aphanidermatum pro Liter Nährlösung inokuliert. Die Pathogendichte in der Wurzel stieg mit der Inokulumdichte und der Temperatur, wodurch sich das Wachstum der Pflanzen verringerte. Bei 20°C war die Krankheitsentwicklung deutlich verzögert, während 25 und 30°C in Kombination mit hoher Inokulumdichte zum vorzeitigen Absterben einiger Pflanzen führten. Deshalb sollten Inokulumdichten von mehr als 103 Oosporen je Liter in Langzeitexperimenten nicht verwendet werden. Über alle Inokulumdichten und Temperaturen wurden Korrelationen zwischen der Myzeldichte in der Wurzel und der Pflanzenbiomasse gefunden. Diese Korrelationen zeigen, dass der indirekte ELISA eine robuste Schätzung der Dichte von P. aphanidermatum in Gurkenwurzeln unter verschieden Bedingungen liefert.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Theodor-Echtermeyer-Weg 1, D-14979, Grossbeeren, Germany

    M. A. Kyuchukova, R. Grosch & H.-P. Kläring

  2. Institute for Horticultural Science, Humboldt-University Berlin, Lentzeallee 55-57, D-14195, Berlin, Germany

    C. Büttner

  3. Institute of Resistance Research and Pathogen Diagnostics, Federal Centre for Breeding Research on Cultivated Plants, Theodor-Roemer-Weg 4, D-06449, Aschersleben, Germany

    J. Gabler

  4. Agricultural Research Organization, Bet-Dagan 50-250, Israel

    B. Bar-Yosef

Authors
  1. M. A. Kyuchukova
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  2. C. Büttner
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  3. J. Gabler
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  4. B. Bar-Yosef
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  5. R. Grosch
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  6. H.-P. Kläring
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Correspondence to H.-P. Kläring.

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Kyuchukova, M.A., Büttner, C., Gabler, J. et al. Evaluation of a method for quantification of Pythium aphanidermatum in cucumber roots at different temperatures and inoculum densities. J Plant Dis Prot 113, 113–119 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03356167

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03356167

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