The insecticide gave too little protection against PVY spread for it to be considered a suitable candidate for the purpose. Finally, oil had no effect on

aphid populations, but was the best option to reduce PVY spread in potato fields. We thank Maud Tallant, Gabriel Goy, Charles Fivaz and Werner Wild for advice and technical assistance and Mélise Jaud for helpful comments. “
“Maize is the third most important cereal after wheat and barley in Syria. Maize plants are attacked by several Fusarium species causing mainly stalk and ear rot of maize which poses a major impact worldwide. Identification RAD001 supplier of Fusarium species is important for disease control and for assessment of exposure risk to mycotoxines. To identify Fusarium species attacking maize in Syria, a total of 32 Fusarium isolates were recovered from maize ears collected from four different geographical regions, mainly from Ghouta surrounding Atezolizumab mouse Damascus. Fusarium isolates were identified based on morphology and on partial DNA sequencing of the TEF1-α and rDNA/ITS genes. The majority (26 of 32) of these isolates was identified as F. verticillioides (subdivided into four groups), whereas three isolates turned out to be F. thapsinum, F. equiseti and F. andiyazi.

The remaining three isolates were close to F. andiyazi, although further investigation is needed to confirm whether they represent a yet undescribed species. Furthermore, our results showed that sequencing the TEF1-α gene is much more informative than sequencing of the rDNA/ITS region for Fusarium identification

at the species level. PCR analysis showed that only F. verticillioides isolates were potentially fumonisin producers and that only the F. equiseti isolate was potentially trichotecene producer. This is the first report on Fusarium thapsinum, F. equiseti and F. andiyazi attacking maize in Syria. “
“A cell line named PVRSV1D11 secreting monoclonal antibody PtdIns(3,4)P2 (McAb) against the prokaryotically expressed coat protein (CP) of Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV) was developed using hybridoma technology including animal immunization, cell fusion, cell line culture and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based for screening. The specificity, titre and detection sensitivity of the McAb were determined by indirect ELISA to establish optimal conditions. The antibody reacted strongly with PNRSV and showed no cross-reactions with the proteins of Plum pox virus, Prunus dwarf virus, Apple stem pitting virus, Apple stem grooving virus, Apple mosaic virus or Apple chlorotic leafspot virus. The ascites developed with PNRSV1D11 cell line showed high absorbance until it was diluted to over 6.6 × 107 fold. The McAb belonged to IgG2a isotype and was diluted by 1.28 × 105 folds as an optimal detection concentration. The detection sensitivity of the monoclonal antibody was 11.7 ng/ml protein of PNRSV.