Field surveys were conducted in 3 major grapevine growing districts in Tamil Nadu viz., Coimbatore, Theni and Dindugal. The downy mildew infection on leaves was the highest (PDI 76.92 in Cumbum of Theni district. In the survey on the incidence of powdery mildew showed that the highest incidence of PDI on leaves, inflorescence and fruits in Cumbum of Theni with records of 65.49, 63.56, 61.23 per...

The presence of Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris, a thermoacidophilic and spore-forming bacterium, in pasteurized acidic juices poses a serious problem for the processing industry. Therefore, the use of other more effective techniques, such as high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) and supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCD), is considered for preserving juices in order to inactivate these bacteria, while...

The morphogenesis of single cells depends on their ability to coordinate surface mechanics and polarity. During germination, spores of many species develop a polar tube that hatches out of a rigid outer spore wall (OSW) in a process termed outgrowth. However, how these awakening cells reorganize to stabilize this first growth axis remains unknown. Here, using quantitative experiments and modeli...

Germination of Bacillus anthracis spores into the vegetative form is an essential step in anthrax pathogenicity. This process can be triggered in vitro by the common germinants inosine and alanine. Kinetic analysis of B. anthracis spore germination revealed synergy and a sequential mechanism between inosine and alanine binding to their cognate receptors. Because inosine is a critical germinant ...

To assess the influence of diabetes mellitus in predisposing to pulmonary mucormycosis, a murine model of streptozotocin-induced diabetes was used. Intranasal inoculation of Rhizopus oryzae into diabetic mice resulted in mucormycotic infection with histopathology resembling pulmonary mucormycosis observed in humans. There was no mortality nor infection in inoculated normal mice. Diabetic mice h...

The potential for using Pichia guilliermondii BCC 5389 or Bacillus subtilis ABS-S14 by themselves or in combination for the control Penicillium digitatum in citrus, and their effects on postharvest quality of fruit was investigated. The percentage of disease with the combined antagonists was completely inhibited. Rapid colonization of P. guilliermondii was observed in the wounds during the firs...

In North America, spring black stem and leaf spot, caused by Phoma medicaginis, is one of the most important diseases of alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Symptoms appear initially as small, dark brown to black spots that eventually enlarge and on leaves the spots are associated with chlorosis and defoliation. The infection process of P. medicaginis was previously investigated on susceptible alfalfa g...

Protease activities were detected in quiescent and germinating spores of the ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris [L.] Todaro). Peak endopeptidase, aminopeptidase, and carboxypeptidase activities were detected 12 to 24 hours after spores began imbibing under light. There was a correlation between activities of proteases, the onset of a decline in levels of soluble protein, and an increase in...

Larkin, J. M. (Washington State University, Pullman), and J. L. Stokes. Isolation of psychrophilic species of Bacillus. J. Bacteriol. 91:1667-1671. 1966.-Ninety psychrophilic isolates of Bacillus were obtained from soil, mud, and water by selective enrichment at 0 C. They grew well at 0 C, optimally at 20 to 25 C, and failed to grow at 30 or 35 C. Their minimal and maximal growth temperatures w...