African Journals Online
African Plant Protection

Issues Available About the Journal

Volume 9, Issue 1, 2003
ABSTRACTS

Field management of the banana weevil, Cosmopolites sordidus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), with Beauveria bassiana

Schoeman, P.S.; Botha, H.

Abstract: A stem-baiting technique originally used for the introduction of insecticides and entomopathogenic nematodes to banana plants in Australia was evaluated in South Africa for the control of banana weevil with Beauveria bassiana. Initially, no weevil control was observed but, with subsequent applications, inoculum of the pathogen built up sufficiently to provide effective control under field conditions. When adult weevils were incubated in the laboratory even the control group showed signs of mycosis, indicating effective transmission of the pathogen or migration of weevils between plants and plots.

Keywords: Banana, Beauveria bassiana, Cosmopolites sordidus, Microbial control

 

 

Revision of the Afrotropical Ctenoplectrini (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Eardley, C.D.

Abstract: The Ctenoplectrini of the Afrotropical Region comprise two genera, Ctenoplectra with six pollen-collecting species, and Ctenoplectrina with two cleptoparasitic species. Ctenoplectra appears to have specific food-plant requirements, having been recorded only from Momordica balsamina and Momordica foetida, two Cucurbitaceae species which secrete oil. A key to the genera and species of the Ctenoplectrini is provided. New synonymies include the following: Ctenoplectra nigrotestacea Magretti and Scrapter lactipennis Friese are synonyms of Ctenoplectrina politula Cockerell; Ctenoplectra fuscipes Friese, Scrapter abessinicus Friese and Ctenoplectra fuscipes var. rufescens Cockerell are synonyms of Ctenoplectra antinorii Gribodo; Ctenoplectra liberica Cockerell, Ctenoplectra liberica ituriensis Cockerell and Ctenoplectra sjostedti Friese are synonyms of Ctenoplectra polita (Strand); Ctenoplectra nitidula Cockerell and Ctenoplectra rodhaini Cockerell are synonyms of Ctenoplectra albolimbata Magretti; Ctenoplectra purpurea Cockerell is a synonym of Ctenoplectra terminalis Smith; and Scrapter terminalis var. sculturatus Strand and Scrapter sculpturata togoensis Strand are synonyms of Ctenoplectra bequaerti Cockerell.

Keywords: Afrotropical bees, Cleptoparasite, Ctenoplectra, Ctenoplectrina, Ctenoplectrini, Cucurbitaceae, Identification key, Momordica, Pollinator

 

 

Polytrichinae, a new subfamily of Bdellidae (Acari: Prostigmata) from the Afrotropical Region

Van der Schyff, J.; Theron, P.D.; Ueckermann, E.A.

Abstract: A new subfamily of the Bdellidae, Polytrichinae, with Polytrichus yemenensis as type genus and species, is described and illustrated. This new subfamily is unique because the venter of the hypostome bears eleven pairs of setae. A key to the subfamilies of the family Bdellidae is provided.

Keywords: Acari, Bdellidae, Polytrichinae subfam.n., Polytrichus yemenensis, Yemen

 

 

First record of Riccardoella limacum (Schrank, 1776) and Riccardoella oudemansi Thor, 1932 (Acari: Ereynetidae) from South Africa

Ueckermann, E.A.; Tiedt, L.R.

Abstract: Riccardoella limacum and R. oudemansi are recorded for the first time in South Africa from the brown garden snail Helix aspersa and an unknown slug species, respectively. The two mite species are compared morphologically using scanning electron micrographs.

Keywords: Acari, Ereynetidae, Molluscs, Riccardoella limacum, Riccardoella oudemansi, Slugs, Snails, South Africa

 

 

Effect of a mycorrhizal Glomus sp. on growth of plantain and on the development of Radopholus similis under controlled conditions

Fogain, R.; Njifenjou, S.

Abstract: Radopholus similis is one of the most damaging nematodes of banana and plantain in Cameroon. Yield loss due to this nematode on plantain can be more than 50% in case of severe infestation. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have been shown to reduce nematode populations in several plant species. Investigations were carried out under controlled conditions to evaluate the effect of a Glomus sp., isolated from plantain in Cameroon, on plant growth and on nematode infestation. Tissue-cultured plants were inoculated with the fungus during the weaning phase. Nematode infestation was done six weeks after AMF infection. Inoculation with the Glomus sp. significantly increased plant growth parameters. Populations of R. similis were significantly lower on mycorrhizal plants than on non-mycorrhizal ones. These preliminary results indicate that the above Glomus sp. can be used to enhance growth of plantain plantlets and as a potential biocontrol agent.

Keywords: Control, Interactions, Nematodes, Musa, Mycorrhiza

 

 

Hoplolaimidae Filip'ev, 1934 (Nemata) from Rwandan banana fields31

Van den Berg, E.; Marais, M.; Gaidashova, S.; Tiedt, L.R.

Abstract: During a survey of banana fields in Rwanda, eight species of Hoplolaimidae were collected, viz. Helicotylenchus dihystera (Cobb, 1893) Sher, 1961, Helicotylenchus egyptiensis Tarjan, 1964, Helicotylenchus multicinctus (Cobb, 1893) Golden, 1956, Helicotylenchus variocaudatus (Luc, 1960) Fortuner, 1984, Hoplolaimus pararobustus (Schuurmans Stekhoven & Teunissen, 1938) Sher, 1963, Rotylenchulus borealis Loof & Oostenbrink, 1962, Scutellonema cavenessi Sher, 1963, and Scutellonema paralabiatum Siddiqi & Sharma, 1994. Except for H. multicinctus, seven are new records for the country. Morphometrics, notes and illustrations are given for four species, H. dihystera, H. egyptiensis, H. multicinctus and R. borealis, while H. variocaudatus and S. paralabiatum are described in full. Helicotylenchus affinis (Luc, 1960) Fortuner, 1984, is made a junior synonym of H. variocaudatus while Rotylenchoides attenuatus Siddiqi, 1995, and Rotylenchoides subterminalis Siddiqi, 1995, are transferred to the genus Helicotylenchus Steiner, 1945.

Keywords: Descriptions, Helicotylenchus variocaudatus, Hoplolaimidae, Rwanda, Scutellonema paralabiatum, SEM, Taxonomy

 

 

Plant nematodes in South Africa. 5. Plant nematodes from the Gouekrans area of the Swartberg Nature Reserve, with descriptions of one new and one known Hemicycliophorinae (Nemata)

Van den Berg, E.; Marais, M.; Tiedt, L.R.

Abstract: Nematodes found during a survey of the Gouekrans area of the Swartberg Nature Reserve in 2000 are listed. Caloosia exigua sp.n. is described and illustrated from Protea punctata. Various specimens of Hemicycliophora demani Edward & Rai, 1971, are described and illustrated. Hemicycliophora nullinca Van den Berg, 1987, Hemicycliophora mangiferae Misra & Edward, 1971, and Hemicycliophora quercea Mehta & Raski, 1984, are regarded as junior synonyms of H. demani.

Keywords: Caloosia, Descriptions, Hemicycliophora, Plant nematodes, South Africa, Survey, Synonyms, Taxonomy

 

 

Inheritance of grey leaf spot resistance in selected maize inbred lines

Wegary, Dagne; Zelleke, Habtamu; Singh, H.; Husien, T.

Abstract: Grey leaf spot (GLS) caused by Cercospora zeae-maydis has become one of the most significant yield-limiting diseases of maize in Ethiopia. Evaluation and selection of local and exotic maize genotypes by the National Maize Improvement Program of Ethiopia has resulted in the identification of entries with fleck-type lesions (resistant reaction). However, information on the inheritance of resistance in these entries is lacking. The present study was undertaken to obtain information on the nature of inheritance of resistance to GLS in maize inbred lines. Eight inbred lines with contrasting reactions to GLS were crossed in a diallel mating system. The resulting 28 F1s and eight inbred parents were evaluated in a randomised complete block field experiment at Bako Research Centre in 2001. Artificial inoculation with C. zeae-maydis was achieved by application of dry, ground, infected leaves into the whorls of young maize plants. Data were recorded on latent period, disease severity, disease incidence and lesion type. Highly significant differences were observed among entries for all GLS disease parameters studied. Mean squares due to general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were highly significant for all disease parameters. However, the magnitude of mean squares due to GCA was higher than that of SCA for all the parameters, indicating the preponderance of additive gene effects. The inbred parent CML-387 was the best general combiner for all disease parameters, while estimates of GCA effects showed that the parental lines A-7016, CML-197 and CML-202 tended to increase susceptibility to the disease.

Keywords: Cercospora zeae-maydis, General combining ability, Grey leaf spot, Inheritance, Resistance, Specific combining ability, Zea mays

 

AJOL Home Page How to order photocopies Order Form INASP Home Page