First Report of Cercospora carotae, Causal Agent of Cercospora Leaf Spot of Carrot, in Serbia

Carrot (Daucus carota L. subsp. sativus [Hoffm.] Arcang.) is an important vegetable in Serbia, where it is grown on nearly 8,000 ha. In August 2012, ~1,500 ha of carrot fields were inspected in southern Bačka in North Serbia. In nearly 40% of the fields, severe foliar and stem symptoms characteristic of cercospora leaf spot of carrot, caused by Cercospora carotae (Pass.) Solheim (3), were observed. Lesions on stems were oblong, elliptical, and more or less sunken, while those on the leaves were amphigenous, subcircular, light brown in the center, and surrounded by a dark brown margin. Conidiophores emerging from the lesions formed very loose tufts but sometimes were solitary. Conidiophores were simple and straight to subflexuous with a bulbous base (17 to 37 × 3 to 5 μm). Conidia were 58 to 102 × 2 to 4 μm, solitary, cylindrical to narrowly-obclavate, and hyaline to subhyaline with 2 to 6 septa. To obtain monosporial isolates, the conidia from one lesion were placed on water agar plates at 25°C in the dark for 24 h, after which single germinated conidia were selected and each placed on a petri dish containing potato dextrose agar (PDA). To confirm pathogenicity of three of the isolates, Koch's postulates were tested on carrot seedlings (3-true-leaf stage of growth) of a Nantes cultivar, SP-80, with 12 plants tested/isolate and 12 non-inoculated plants used as a control treatment. The leaves were atomized until runoff with the appropriate C. carotae spore suspension (104 conidia/ml sterilized water), while control plants were atomized with sterile water. All plants were then incubated in a dew chamber for 72 h, then transferred to a greenhouse at 25 ± 2°C. After 2 weeks, characteristic symptoms resembling those observed in the field developed on all inoculated plants; control plants were asymptomatic. The pathogen was re-isolated from all inoculated plants, and identity of the re-isolated fungi confirmed morphologically as described above, and molecularly as described below. The pathogenicity test was repeated with no significant differences in shape and size of lesions, or dimensions of conidiophores and conidia among isolates. To verify the pathogen identity molecularly, the 28S rDNA was amplified and sequenced using the V9G/LR5 primer set (2,4) as well as internal primers OR-A (5′-ATACCCGCTGAACTTAAGC-3′) and 2R-C (5′-AAGTACTTTGGAAAGAG-3′); the ITS region of rDNA using the ITS1/ITS4 universal primers (5); and histone H3 gene (H3) using the CylH3F/CylH3R primers (1). The sequences for the three isolates were deposited in GenBank as Accession Numbers KF468808 to KF468810, KF941306 to KF941308, and KF941303 to KF941305 for the 28S rDNA, ITS and H3 regions, respectively. BLAST results for the ITS sequences indicated 94% similarity to the ITS sequence of an isolate of Pseudocercosporella capsellae (GU214662) and 92% similarity to the ITS sequence of an isolate of C. capsici (HQ700354). The H3 sequences shared 91% similarity with that of several Cercospora spp., e.g., C. apii (JX142548), C. beticola (AY752258), and C. capsici (JX142584), all of which shared the same amino acid sequence of the encoded H3 protein. Also, the 28S rDNA sequences had 99% similarity (identity of 318/319, with 0 gaps) with the single sequence of C. carotae available in GenBank (AY152628), which originated from Norway. This is, to our knowledge, the first report of C. carotae on carrot crops in Serbia as well as southeastern Europe. References: (1) P. W. Crous et al. Stud. Mycol. 50:415, 2004. (2) G. S. de Hoog and A. H. G. Gerrits van den Ende. Mycoses 41:183, 1998. (3) W. G. Solheim. Morphological studies of the genus Cercospora. University of Illinois, 1929. (4) R. Vilgalys and M. Hester. J. Bacteriol. 172:238, 1990. (5) T. J. White et al. PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications. Academic Press, Inc., San Diego, CA, 1990.

Cercospora carotae. [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria].

A description is provided for Cercospora carotae, a colonizer of leaves, and less frequently, other overground parts of cultivated carrot and other species of Daucus. Some information on its habitat, dispersal and transmission, and conservation status is given, along with details of its geographical distribution (Africa (Ghana, Kenya, Libya, Morocco, Somalia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe), North America (Canada (British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Quebec), Mexico and USA (California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin)), Central America (El Salvador, Guatemala and Panama), South America (Argentina, Brazil (Distrito Federal, Rio Grande do Sul), Chile, Guyana and Venezuela), Asia (Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, Georgia, India (Jammu and Kashmir), Japan, Jordan, Nepal, Pakistan, South Korea and Taiwan), Australasia (Australia (New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia) and New Zealand), Caribbean (American Virgin Islands, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Martinique, Puerto Rico, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago), Europe (Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia (Kabardino-Balkaria Republic, Stavropol krai, Republic of Tatarstan), Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and UK) and Ukraine), Indian Ocean (Mauritius) and Pacific Ocean (Fiji, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Tonga and USA (Hawaii)) and hosts.

Nitrogen and Fungicide Applications for the Management of Fungal Blights of Carrot

Alternaria leaf blight (ALB) caused by Alternaria dauci (Kühn) Groves and Skolko and Cercospora leaf spot (CLS) caused by Cercospora carotae (Pass.) Solheim are the major foliar diseases of carrot in Ontario, Canada. In addition to reducing photosynthetic area, the diseases can weaken carrot tops, which can break during mechanical harvesting, reducing harvested yields. Fungicides are commonly used to manage the disease, but there is potential to reduce fungicide applications through nitrogen (N) management. Trials were conducted on mineral soils from 2006 to 2008 to determine the importance of applied N and fungicide applications to control fungal leaf blights of carrot. Three rates of N (0, 110, and 220 kg·ha−1) and 0, 3, or 5 (2006 and 2007) or 6 (2008) fungicide applications were applied. Leaf blight severity was assessed biweekly throughout the season and at harvest. The severity of both ALB and CLS and combined disease severity index at harvest decreased with increasing N and fungicide application. In some cases, disease severity of carrots treated with high N and no fungicides was equivalent to carrots treated with no N and five fungicide sprays. Total and marketable yield increased with increasing number of fungicide sprays in 2006 and 2007, but N application did not affect yield. Results suggest that severity of ALB and CLS can be minimized through a combination of N and fungicide applications, but rates of N higher than 110 kg·ha−1 may reduce marketable yield through a decrease in stand and an increase in oversized roots.

Impact of commercial foliage trimming on disease suppression and yield of processing carrots in Nova Scotia, Canada

McIsaac, G., Sanderson, K. R., Peters, R. D., Garbary, D. J. and Fillmore, S. A. E. 2013. Impact of commercial foliage trimming on disease suppression and yield of processing carrots in Nova Scotia, Canada. Can. J. Plant Sci. 93: 1155–1163. Carrot side-trimming opens the carrot canopy, permitting greater sunlight penetration and airflow. This reduces moisture build-up and creates unfavorable conditions for the development of common carrot pathogens such as Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary. This study was carried out during the 2008 and 2009 growing seasons and was the first to examine the effects of foliage trimming on disease development in the processing carrot production region of Nova Scotia, Canada. Research focused on the effects of foliage trimming on disease suppression and yield using a commercial-sized trimmer in processing slicer carrots over consecutive growing seasons. This study was also the first to look at the effect of trimming on the suppression of Alternaria dauci (J.G. Kühn) J.W. Groves & Skolko and Cercospora carotae (Pass.), two economically important carrot pathogens causing leaf blight diseases in this region of Canada. Plots were established in commercial fields throughout Colchester County, Nova Scotia. Each field had a trimmed and an untrimmed section. All plots were assessed for disease presence at the time of trimming and again at harvest. Foliage trimming was found to have no significant (P=0.05) effect on biological and marketable yield and generated anecdotal reports of ease of crop maintenance and harvest. The severity of diseases caused by Alternaria, Cercospora and Sclerotinia varied among cultivars and significant cultivar×trimming interactions were noted in some cases. Foliage trimming is becoming standard practice in the carrot industry as several commercial carrot producers in North America have adapted the technology to suit their production needs after the prototype foliage trimmer was designed, built, and demonstrated by researchers at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

Managing Foliar Blights on Carrot Using Copper, Azoxystrobin, and Chlorothalonil Applied According to TOM-CAST

Alternaria dauci and Cercospora carotae cause foliar blight on carrot, causing yield reductions in severely blighted fields. Currently, fungicides are used on either a 7-day schedule or according to the TOM-CAST disease forecasting system. Organic production prohibits applications of most fungicides for blight control but does allow select copper-based products. The objective of this study was to use the TOM-CAST weather forecasting system to (i) assess the efficacy of copper hydroxide treatments for organic operations and (ii) evaluate the efficacy of reduced-risk products in an alternating spray program. Chlorothalonil, azoxystrobin, and copper hydroxide were applied alone or in alternating programs in 2001 and 2002. Reapplications were made on a 7-day schedule or according to TOM-CAST using disease severity value (DSV) thresholds of 10, 15, and 20. Area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) data revealed that all application intervals significantly limited disease incidence on the foliage and petioles, resulting in healthier petioles at harvest compared with the untreated. The 7-day and TOM-CAST 10 DSV programs had comparable rating values for all parameters assessed and were more effective than the TOM-CAST 15 and 20 DSV programs in limiting petiole disease and maintaining overall petiole health. Copper hydroxide treatments resulted in higher AUDPC values and significantly different petiole health ratings compared with other treatments, yet P values indicated significant disease control compared with the untreated. The TOM-CAST 15 DSV program reduced sprays up to 40% compared with a 7-day interval and produced mean savings of $127/ha in 2001 and $137/ha in 2002.

Effect of Foliar Trimming and Fungicides on Apothecial Number of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Leaf Blight Severity, Yield, and Canopy Microclimate in Carrot

Foliar trimming of the carrot canopy has potential for reducing the severity of Sclerotinia (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) rot of carrot (Daucus carota subsp. sativus). The effect of trimming the carrot foliage once or twice, with and without fungicide application, was examined on carrot plants grown on organic soil for 3 years at the University of Guelph–Muck Crops Research Station in Ontario, Canada. The number of S. sclerotiorum apothecia, carrot leaf blight (CLB; Alternaria dauci and Cercospora carotae) severity, canopy microclimate, and total and marketable yield were assessed. The number of apothecia of S. sclerotiorum and relative humidity in the canopy were reduced by trimming done at either the first observation of apothecia or at 100 days after seeding (DAS). In both cases, the effects of trimming on canopy microclimate lasted between 2 and 4 weeks. Trimming the canopy twice during the season did not reduce the number of apothecia compared with trimming the canopy once at 100 DAS. Foliar trimming had little effect on CLB severity. This was attributed mainly to the lower requirement of the CLB pathogens for prolonged periods of high relative humidity and leaf wetness compared with S. sclerotiorum. Foliar trimming did not improve the efficacy of fungicide applications for CLB control. Trimming the canopy once or twice had no effect on total or marketable yield. Thus, trimming has potential to improve the management of Sclerotinia rot of carrot, and trimming both at first observation of apothecia and at 100 DAS could reduce apothecia production and relative humidity within the canopy.

Comparing Disease Forecasters for Timing Fungicide Sprays to Control Foliar Blight on Carrot

Alternaria dauci and Cercospora carotae cause foliar blight on carrot and can reduce yield in severely blighted fields. Historically, fungicides are applied every 7 to 14 days even though applications may be made when environmental conditions do not favor blight development. The purpose of this study was to compare a calendar-based application schedule with three disease forecasting systems for timing fungicide sprays to limit foliar blight, and included (i) an A. dauci disease forecaster, (ii) TOM-CAST, using a threshold of 15 disease severity values, and (iii) a disease forecaster developed to control C. apii on celery. Chlorothalonil was applied weekly or according to the forecasting systems to blight-susceptible ‘Cellobunch’ carrot plants in 2001 and 2002. Overall petiole health was poor ≥8.3; 10 = 100% petiole necrosis) when fungicides were not used. Although all disease forecasters maintained petiole health (≤5.3; 1 = healthy and vigorous), the TOM-CAST program had the best petiole health rating each year (≤2.8). TOM-CAST prompted 38 to 54% fewer applications than the weekly application schedule, resulting in a fungicide savings of $105 and $147/ha in 2001 and 2002, respectively, while providing similar blight control. The number of sprays also was reduced when fungicides were applied according to the A. dauci and C. apii forecasters, but acceptable blight control was not always achieved.

(219) Nitrogen Relationships to Yield and Quality of Carrots Grown on Mineral and Organic Soil in Ontario

In previous work with carrots (Daucus carota L.), little effect of nitrogen could be found on yield, but low nitrogen increased foliar disease. To determine if residual soil nitrate supplies sufficient nitrogen for carrots, plots were located on the same site for 3 years. Two sites were selected, one sand (pH 8.1, 2.6% OM), one organic (pH 6.0, 75% OM). Treatments consisted of 0%, 50%, 100%, 150%, and 200% of recommended levels (kg·ha-1) for organic (60) and mineral soils (110), plots were spilt in half with one fertilized every year, one in 2002 and were arranged in a split plot design with four replications. Foliar and soil samples were taken for nitrate analysis plus levels of Alternariadauci and Cercospora carotae foliar blight were recorded each year. Applied nitrogen had no effect on yield on muck soils. Over 3 years on mineral soils, total yield ranged from 36 to 48 t·ha-1 with no applied N. On mineral soils, yield was maximized at (kg·ha-1) 110, over 165, and 55-165 in 2002, 2003, and 2004, respectively. Stands on mineral soils were reduced at or above recommended rates in 2004. It is possible that carrots obtained considerable nitrogen perhaps deep in the soil profile. As in previous studies, applied nitrogen reduced foliar blights. Thus, nitrogen application is required for pest management purposes even if there is almost sufficient residual nitrogen for yield.

Produtividade, florescimento prematuro e queima-das-folhas em cenoura cultivada em sistema orgânico e convencional

Quatro ensaios foram implantados no verão para avaliar a produtividade, o florescimento prematuro e a queima-das-folhas em genótipos de cenoura conduzidos em sistema orgânico e convencional. Os ensaios foram instalados em Brazlândia e na Embrapa Hortaliças. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos ao acaso, com oito tratamentos (genótipos Alvorada, Brasília RL, Brasília Bionatur, Kuronan, Nantes 3 Tip Top, Carandaí AG 106, Brazlândia e Pop. 0212246) e cinco repetições. Os nutrientes foram incorporados ao solo através de composto orgânico, no sistema orgânico e, fertilizantes químicos, no sistema convencional. Aos 70 dias da semeadura as plantas foram avaliadas no campo para incidência de doenças. Foi também identificada a prevalência de patógenos. A colheita foi realizada 95 dias após a semeadura. O florescimento prematuro foi mais freqüente no genótipo Brasília Bionatur, no sistema convencional, em Brazlândia. Foi observada diferença entre genótipos para queima-das-folhas nos dois sistemas. Nantes foi a mais suscetível, enquanto a Pop. 0212246 foi uma das mais resistentes nos dois sistemas de cultivo. Alternaria dauci prevaleceu em Brazlândia, enquanto Cercospora carotae foi observado em ambas as localidades, no sistema orgânico. Quanto à produção comercial e total os genótipos Pop. 0212246 e Brazlândia estiveram entre os mais produtivos, independente do sistema de cultivo. Para produtividade comercial e total, número e peso de raízes refugadas o sistema convencional apresentou resultados superiores ao orgânico. As cultivares Brasília RL, Brazlândia e a Pop. 0212246 podem ser recomendadas para plantio no período de verão, no DF, independente do sistema de cultivo. A Pop. 0212246 apresenta características agronômicas desejadas pelo mercado e poderá futuramente ser disponibilizada para produtores da região.

Comparison of decision methods to initiate fungicide applications against cercospora blight of carrot

In 1991 and 1992, two thresholds of a forecasting model were compared with two other decision methods for effectiveness in timing the first fungicide application against Cercospora blight of carrot induced by Cercospora carotae. The first fungicide application was made when : 1) the plants reached 15 cm in height (conventional method); 2) the intermediate (middle) leaves of 50% of the plants were diseased (50% disease incidence threshold method); 3) the cumulative infection equivalence (CE) was 14 (forecasting model CE 14); and 4) the CE was 18 (forecasting model CE 18). In all four treatments, subsequent applications of fungicide were made at 10-d intervals when there was no rain, and at 7-d intervals when there was rain. The CE was calculated based on duration of leaf wetness and temperature during the wet period, corrected for high humidity and interrupted wet periods, and was cumulative starting at crop emergence. For thresholds of CE 14 and CE 18, no yield losses were observed and the total number of fungicide applications needed was lower compared to conventional and 50% disease incidence threshold methods. In a separate study, the CE thresholds were related to the percentage of commercial fields that reached disease incidence thresholds of 50, 80 and 100% to establish low risk (CE 11-15) and high risk (CE 16-20) thresholds. The forecasting of low and high risk CE thresholds were too late for 3 and 19% of the commercial fields because those fields had more than 50 and 80% of the plants diseased, respectively.