• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.58-65
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• 2016

Powdery mildew is an important disease of the melon (Cucumis melo L.). Seven isolates of powdery mildew fungi were collected from five locations in Korea; Anseong (DH487), Icheon (BN103, BN625, BN968), Yeongam (YA141), Changnyeong (CN582), and Suncheon (SN102). All 7 fungi had a similar trend of conidial chain and conidiophore development as Podosphaera xanthii with fibrosin bodies in mature conidia. Among them, 2 isolates of powdery mildew fungi; CN582 and SN102 showed similar responses to resistance against powdery mildew as the previously reported race 1 and race N2. The isolates YA141 and BN103 showed similar responses as like as race A. However, three isolates of powdery mildew fungi (BN625, BN968, and DH487) showed different responses compared to the previously reported races (1, N1, N2, A, S, and 5). Therefore, these three isolates could be designated as new races in melon. Nine out of 15 commercial melon cultivars in Korea showed resistance to race 1 (CN582). However, the new race BN968 invaded all 15 cultivars. Results of the two molecular markers were consistent in response to disease development by race 1 of Podosphaera xanthii in case of the above mentioned cultivars. This study confirmed the presence of new melon powdery mildew fungi in Korea which are similarly notorious as like as the previously reported race 1. Therefore, breeders can use these two molecular markers for breeding melon in Korea that is resistant to race 1 and as well as to some other races.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.83-90
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• 2018

Melon powdery mildew, caused by Podosphaera fusca, is one of the serious diseases of melon plant in Korea. In this study, we evaluated the effect of selected antagonistic bacteria on the inhibition of mycelial growth of various plant pathogens, and control of melon powdery mildew. Based on the 16S rDNA and gyrA gene sequences, the selected antagonistic bacteria, M09, M70, and M99-1, were identified as Bacillus velezensis. These bacteria not only inhibited the mycelial growth of 47~69% in various plant pathogens, but also significantly reduced the incidence of powdery mildew. The three strains selected in this study could be used as potential biological control agents for various plant diseases as well as melon powdery mildew.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.1071-1081
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• 2020

Essential oils (EOs) have been shown to be plant-extracted antimicrobial agents. However, there are limited studies investigating the efficacy of EOs against pathogens. Among them, tea tree oil (TTO) is extracted from Melaleuca alternifolia, which is also used as an antifungal agent. In this study, the effect of TTO was investigated on the suppression of melon powdery mildew caused by Podosphaera xanthii and tomato leaf mold disease caused by Passalora fulva. Both powdery mildew and leaf mold diseases were significantly suppressed by a spray of TTO. Eighty percent of powdery mildew and 81% of leaf mold disease of the control value were suppressed by 0.5% TTO liquid, when sprayed 3 times every 7 days on the melon and tomato leaves. Inhibition of mycelial growth was also greatly affected by different concentrations of TTO against four different fungal pathogens. Ninety-eight percent of Pseudocercospora fuligena, 97% of P. fulva, 95% of Botrytis cinerea, and 94% of Phytophthora infestans mycelial growth were inhibited by 0.2% to 1.0% of TTO contained in plate media, respectively. However, phytotoxicity in plants by the TTO treatments was revealed when melon and tomato leaves were sprayed with a 1% and 2% concentration of TTO, respectively. Therefore, our findings show that TTO has high antifungal effects against various plant pathogens that occur during crop cultivation. We also suggest that when applying TTO to plant leaves, it is necessary to establish an accurate treatment concentration for different crops.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 2012

Powdery mildew and root-knot nematode are very important diseases occurred in cucurbits. This study was conducted to evaluate the resistance of commercial cucurbit cultivars (21 cultivars of cucumber, 9 cultivars of watermelon, 7 cultivars of oriental melon, and 2 cultivars of melon) to powdery mildew and root-knot nematode. At 60 days after transplanting, disease severity of powdery mildew of commercial cucurbit cultivars was investigated. Two cucumber cultivars, 'Gangryeogsamcheok' and 'Sunhobaegchimdadagi' were moderately resistant but the rest of cucumber cultivars were susceptible to powdery mildew. All examined watermelon and oriental melon cultivars were susceptible to powdery mildew, while two melon cultivars ('PMR Turbo' and 'PMR Victory') were resistant. At 45 days after inoculation of seedlings, disease severity of root-knot nematode of commercial cucurbit cultivars were investigated. One cucumber cultivars, 'Baegbongdadagi' was moderately resistant and the others were susceptible to root-knot nematode. In case of watermelon, 'Dalgonakkul' was resistant and the others were moderately resistant or susceptible to root-knot nematode. All examined oriental melon and melon cultivars were susceptible to root-knot nematode. On these results, we recommend that resistant cultivars to powdery mildew and/or root-knot nematode will be more suitable in cultivation of cucurbits for organic farming.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.182-190
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• 2018

Powdery mildew caused by the obligate biotrophic fungus Podosphaera xanthii poses a serious threat to melon (Cucumis melo L.) production worldwide. Frequent occurrences of the disease in different regions of South Korea hints at the potential existence of several races which need to be identified. The races of five isolates collected from different powdery mildew affected regions were identified based on the pathogenicity tests of these isolates on eight known differential melon cultigens namely, SCNU1154, PMR 45, WMR 29, PMR 5, MR-1, PI124112, Edisto 47 and PI414723. None of the isolates have shown same disease responses to those of the known races tested in this study and in previous reports on these identical differential melon cultigens. This indicates that the tested uncharacterized isolates are new races. Among the isolates, the isolates from Hadong, Buyeo, Yeongam and Gokseong have shown same pathogenicity indicating the possibility of these isolates being one new race, for which we propose the name 'race KN1'. The isolate of Janghueng have also shown unique disease response in the tested differential melon cultigens and hence, we identified it as another new race with a proposed name 'race KN2'. Report of these new races will be helpful in taking effective control measures in prevalent regions and for future breeding programs aimed at developing varieties that are resistant to these race(s).

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.284-289
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• 2015

Powdery mildew (Podosphaera xanthii) commonly occurs in cultivated fields of melon (Cucumis melo L.). It inflicts a lot of damages. Therefore, breeding resistant lines is essential. Development of a resistant line by integrating resistance gene takes a long time. In addition, break down of developed resistance by generating new virulent fungus strains increases disease susceptibility. This phenomenon was related to races of powdery mildew. Therefore, it is important to develop a DNA marker to genetically analyze race-specific resistance genes of melon powdery mildew to breed resistant lines. To date, a total of 28 races of Podosphaera xanthii have been reported in the literature. In Japan, 10 races have been reported in the Ibaraki region. We developed a system to characterize the races of Podosphaera xanthii and confirmed eight out of those 10 races in the Ibaraki region. In Korea, only one race has been characterized to date. However, some different races were detected. Through genetic analysis of resistant lines and susceptible lines of powdery mildew, resistance genes of race1 (Pm-X, PXB, and Pm-R 1), race N1 (PXA), race 2 (Pm-w and Pm-R 2), race 3 (Pm-X3), and race 5 (Pm-X5 and Pm-R5) were identified in melon. These related genes of race 1, 3, N1, 5, and race 1, 2, 5 were located at linkage group II and V, respectively. In race 1, resistance gene was located in the linkage group XII. In addition, each race-specific marker related to specific resistance gene was developed. Using race information and race selection system obtained in this study, resistant line can be bred to develop resistant cultivar for several areas. Furthermore, this will make it more easily and economically to breed resistant lines by using selected markers.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.1011-1020
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• 2020

Efficient management systems of facilities make it possible to manage environmental conditions properly, such as the temperature, humidity and light source required for the best growth of the crops, as well as for the mass production of fruit and vegetables with high quality every year through an advanced and protected cultivation system. Powdery mildew is a type of chronic disease that is difficult to control during the production of Korean melons under a protected cultivation system, the use of which is increasing in production areas in Korea. Two Bacillus strains isolated from soil samples showed antagonistic activities against several pathogens, specifically Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, and Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. melonis; they were identified as Bacillus velezensis M2 and B. amyloliquefaciens M3 in a molecular biological test of the nucleotide sequences of gyrase subunit A (gyrA). The treatment was given three times at intervals of five days with 400-fold diluted cultures of B. velezensis M2 and B. amyloliquefaciens M3. This led to the inhibition of the incidence of powdery mildew disease in Korean melon leaves, which resulted in effective control efficiency against the incidence of powdery mildew disease with control values of 87% and 65%, respectively. Cultures of antagonistic microbes tested in this study can be used to increase the efficiency as part of an environmentally friendly management scheme to prevent powdery mildew disease during the protected cultivation of crops, including Korean melons.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.63-66
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• 2008

The fermentation broth (FB) of Streptomyces griseofuscus 200401 isolated from non-farming soil showed antagonistic activity against powdery mildew fungus both in melon leaf/seedling assay and in field trials. The FB of S. griseofuscus 200401 was tested at different concentrations. In primary test, the control value of 2-fold diluted FB of S. griseofuscus 200401, compared to control, reached to 82.8%. The protective activity recorded 80.5% in 2-fold dilution of FB. The effect was reduced to 28.9% in high dilution (100-fold) treatment. The curative effect was relatively lower than protective activity. In field test, the antifungal activities of S. griseofuscus 200401 remained low in blocks sprayed with 100-fold diluted FB and the control values were 15.2 and 15.9% in 2005 and 2006, respectively. However, the activities were as high as 65% and 67.3% in the blocks treated with 2-fold dilution of FB during the same period.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.183-189
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• 2020

Powdery mildew is a common and serious disease of the Cucurbitaceae including cucumber (Cucumis sativus) in most areas of the world. To identify causal agents of the powdery mildew and their physiological race(s), we collected cucumber leaves displaying typical symptoms of powdery mildew from different locations in Korea. Based on morphological and molecular characteristics, all powdery mildew isolates were identified as an obligate biotrophic fungal pathogen, Podosphaera xanthii. After inoculation at melon (Cucumis melo) differentials to identify the fungal race(s), P. xanthii isolate MI180427 and IC190611 were identified as race 1 which has been repeatedly reported as dominant race in Korea. However, another isolate SE180328 produced different disease response in the tested differentials, being identified as race 2 which has not been reported in Korea. To confirm the race of SE180328, we inoculated additional melon differentials and determined the isolate as race 2F that is the prevalent race of powdery mildew in Beijing, China. Report of this new race 2F in Korea will be helpful for future breeding programs to develop resistant varieties to this race.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.255-260
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• 2003

Silicon is known to accumulate in plants and results in greater resistance to diseases and insect pests. In this study, we investigated the effect of silicate fertilizer applied in soil on the development of powdery mildew of oriental melon. Oriental melon seedlings of four-leaf stage were transplanted and grown in a plastic film house. Silicate fertilizer was applied to maintain soil available $SiO_2$ level of 200 mg/kg one week before transplanting. Fungicide triflumizol was sprayed three times; one, two, and three weeks after transplanting. Sphaerotheca fuliginea was inoculated 2 weeks after transplanting. The number of infected leaf and the number of fungal colony in leaves were measured one, two, and three weeks after the inoculation. Three weeks after the fungal inoculation, in the treatment of fungicide triflumizol. infected leaf numbers and number of colony per leaf were reduced by 10 and 58%, respectively. In the silicate fertilizer treatment, infected leaf numbers and numbers of colony per infected leaf were suppressed only by 6 and 16%, respectively, and the efficacy was lower than that of the fungicide triflumizol. The combined treatment of silicate fertilizer and the fungicide suppressed powdery mildew more effectively, and infected leaf numbers and numbers of colony per leaf were reduced by 31 and 80%, respectively. These results indicate that although silicate fertilizer itself is not much effective in the suppression of powdery mildew, it can significantly enhance the efficacy of the fungicide.