• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.62 no.3
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• pp.139-147
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• 2023

Leaf-spray in vitro bioassays appraise new aphicidal formulations for managing deleterious plant-feeding aphids. The formulation may utilize alternative and integrated strategies. However, leaf spraying even under controlled conditions may affect aphid reproduction and mortality. This study examines leaf spray applications for optimum and reproducible aphicidal results using tobacco leaves overlaid on cotton fabric or water agar surfaces. Infestation of the undersides of tobacco leaves with nymphs of green peach aphids was used in the assays. Spray distance and volume were optimized using water-sensitive paper to ascertain the best surface coverage. Overlays of the leaves on water agar caused less mortality and greater reproduction than the use of cotton fabric. The relative humidity of the insect-rearing chambers changed with the watering regime for the insect - rearing chambers with cotton fabric; 60% relative humidity was optimal. Relative humidity was not affected by the concentration of agar in the water agar chambers. Applications of the chemical aphicidal standard, Sulfoxaflor, under the optimized conditions exhibited similar times for lethality although the rate was faster with leaves on the cotton fabric than on water agar. These studies establish reproducible and sensitive techniques for assessing the lethality and effects on reproduction of potential aphicidal products.

• Weed & Turfgrass Science
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.118-123
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• 2015

Metagenomics is a powerful tool to isolate novel biocatalyst and biomolecules directly from the environmental DNA libraries. Since the metagenomics approach bypasses cultivation of microorganisms, un-cultured microorganisms that are majority of exists can be the richest reservoir for natural products discovery. To discover novel herbicidal substances from soil metagenome, we established three easy, simple and effective high throughput screening methods such as cucumber cotyledon leaf disc assay, microalgae assay and seed germination assay. Employing the methods, we isolated two active single clones (9-G1 and 9-G12) expressing herbicidal activity which whitened leaf discs, inhibited growth of microalgae and inhibited root growth of germinated Arabidopsis seeds. Spraying butanol fraction of the isolated active clones' culture broth led to growth retardation or desiccation of Digitalia sanguinalis (L) Scop. in vivo. These results represent that the screening methods established in this study are useful to screen herbicidal substances from metagenome libraries. Further identifying molecular structure of the herbicidal active substances and analyzing gene clusters encoding synthesis systems for the active substances are in progress.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.338-348
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• 2012

Potato late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans Cooke is one of the major diseases in the cultivation of potatoes in Korea. Effect of chitosan preparations (SH-1 and SH-2) was evaluated on the inhibition of mycelial growth of P. infestans, and protective activity using detached potato leaf assay both in vivo and in the field test. SH-1 and SH-2 were showed protective activity of young plant with control values more than 95% potato late blight by inoculation with pathogens under growth chamber conditions. Mycelial growth was inhibited the radial growth over 74% at a concentration of $300{\mu}g/ml$ of both SH-1 and SH-2. Spraying with SH-1 and SH-2 on the leaves for detached leaf assay reduced disease development. The content of total polyphenol in stem was significantly increased by SH-1 and SH-2 application in the field. In field experiments, foliar application with both SH-1 and SH-2 were significantly reduced the development of late blight on potato plants. Control of late blight disease was obtained with control values of 72% and 53% by application of 1% SH-1 and SH-2, respectively, with 4 times at 7 days interval, and reduced with similar disease control values by application with 3 times at 14 days interval compared with untreated control. SH-1 and SH-2 applications increased the fresh weight of potato, and higher grade potatoes were also increased. The results showed that SH-1 and SH-2 applications can be used as eco-friendly natural fungicide for organic farming for the increase of yields and control of late blight.