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The aim of the work was to evaluate the development of Podosphaera xanthii (Castagne) U. Braun & Shishkoff in pumpkin crop during the years 2018 - 2019. The crop (Cucurbita pepo L.) (hybrid pumpkin material, Gray Zucchini) was established on a surface of 1 500 m2 where 25 plants were randomly selected, and three leaves per plant were labeled, in which incidence and severity were evaluated weekly using a degree scale. Weather variables were recorded. These results indicate that P. xanthii is present at 14 days after transplantation in the sowing from February to April; while from May to July, it is present after seven days, coinciding with the rainy season, conditions that indirectly favor the increase of relative humidity (23-63 %), causing the progress of the disease. The development of the disease was similar in both years (2018-2019), but not between the two sowing dates, with the first symptoms appearing seven days earlier, and with a severity of 0-9 %, at the second sowing time (May-July). The comparison of major components showed a relationship of temperature with the incidence and severity of the pathogen, but not with rainfall, since this factor does not condition the emergence of the disease. As an important result for Tehuacán region, it is suggested the month of February as the most appropriate date for planting the crop, with a low incidence and severity of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There are few studies concerning the morpho-anatomical and histochemical alterations caused by powdery mildew in H. macrophylla leaves in the scientific literature. Objective: To describe and analyze anatomical and histochemical aspects of this pathosystem. Methods: More than 90 leaves of H. macrophylla (both healthy and infected leaves by powdery mildew) were collected in the nursery El Jardín del Eden, Rionegro, Antioquia, Colombia. To carry out the identification of the mycopathogen, sections were stained with Lactophenol Blue, and contrasted with specialized taxonomic keys. Transverse fragments 1 cm thick were fixed in a mixture of formalin, alcohol, and acetic acid. These were subsequently dehydrated using an ethanol series, clarified in Xylene, and finally embedded in Paraplast plus® to obtain 5 µm sections. Schiff's periodic acid reaction (PAS) was used to detect structural and reserve polysaccharides, Ruthenium Red for pectins, Ponseau S and Lacmoid for callose, ferric chloride for polyphenols, Sudan Black for lipids and Uvitex 2B-Hematoxylin for chitin. The sections were observed using a Nikon 80i eclipse® photon microscope, with Uvitex 2B-Hematoxylin-stained sections examined by epifluorescence using a UV-2A filter. For the observation and description of the samples by scanning electron microscopy, healthy and infected leaves were fixed and dehydrated in 100 % methanol, critical point dried, and coated with gold. Results: H. macrophylla leaves are isobilateral and homobaric, with adaxial and abaxial epidermis of a single cellular layer. The palisade parenchyma consists of a layer of short cells, while the spongy parenchyma forms 6 to 7 cellular layers. All vascular bundles in the leaf blade are closed collaterals. Abundant idioblasts with raphides may be observed in the mesophyll, and starch is the main reserve carbohydrate present in the tissues. The leaves are hypostomatic and exhibit a paracytic pattern of superficial stomata which possess large substomatal cavities. The morphological data observed indicate that the mycopathogen is related to the genus Erysiphe. The epidermal cells affected by the pathogen exhibit thickened walls, granular cytoplasm, and papillae or cell wall appositions in the outer periclinal walls. With the deterioration of the epidermis, the underlying tissues are affected and become necrotic. Histochemical test indicate that infected plants thicken and reinforce their epidermal cell walls with primary wall materials; primarily cutin, pectins, and callose. When stained with Sudan Black, the presence of dark-colored agglomerates in the cytoplasm of epidermal cells may be related to plant defense mechanisms; and those observed in mesophilic cells to the disorganization of membrane systems. Polyphenols accumulate in the cytoplasm of infected epidermal cells. The fungal material present in epidermal tissues was clearly differentiated when stained with fluorochrome to detect chitin. Conclusions: Species of the genus Erysiphe are causative agents of powdery mildew in H. macrophylla. Necrosis of the epidermal cells is observed in response to the mycopathogen, possibly due to hypersensitive response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Powdery mildew, caused by Uncinula necator (Schwein) Burrill is one of the most damaging disease affecting grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) in Mendoza and worldwide, reducing yield and fruit quality. Throughout six growing seasons (2001/02; 2002/03; 2005/06; 2007/08; 2008/09; 2009/10), powdery mildew incidence values (expressed as daily epidemic increment rates) were observed in clusters from flowering to onset of ripening (change of color of the grape berries), in a grapevine planted with the susceptible Chenin cultivar at the EEA INTA Mendoza (Luján de Cuyo). From hourly values of thermal-moisture elements recorded by upper canopy sensors, meteorological variables were calculated in the 15 previous days of each epidemic observation. Using variables which integrate the effects of air temperature and humidity and frequency of light precipitations over the epidemic progress, logistic models were adjusted for estimating the probability of occurrrence of severe, moderate and nil epidemic increment rates, reaching maximum prediction accuracy of 92.5% (two variable models, N=40). Predicted values by the univariate model (selected by Stepwise procedure; prediction accuracy: 87.5%) were validated with the epidemic curve observed during 2000/2001 growing season. These model predictions could complement epidemic observations, giving regional scale to warning systems for improving the decision making process regarding disease chemical control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]