Konschuh, Michele

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https://hdl.handle.net/10133/6824

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Browsing Konschuh, Michele by Author "Konschuh, Michele"

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    Morpho-anatomy, in vitro culture, and phylogenetic studies of two helicotylenchus species from southern Alberta, Canada
    (MDPI, 2024) Munawar, Maria; Konschuh, Michele; Castillo, Pablo; Yevtushenko, Dmytro P.
    Spiral nematodes (Helicotylenchus spp.) are polyphagous parasitic species exhibiting a broad host range and geographical distribution. However, their diversity in the cultivated regions of southern Alberta remains understudied. Hence, we conducted a comprehensive survey of the region’s arable lands for the presence of spiral nematodes and revealed two Helicotylenchus species, H. crassatus and H. oscephalus. H. crassatus consisted of two distinct morphotypes: one morphotype had a conoid tail with slight ventral projection on the distal end, whereas the other had a broadly rounded tail. This study presents the first documentation of H. crassatus and H. oscephalus from southern Alberta, Canada. Molecular characterization was based on the partial 18S rRNA, the D2–D3 of 28S rRNA, ITS rRNA, and COI gene sequences, complemented by detailed morphological studies using scanning electron microscopy. In this work, Helicotylenchus species were often co-detected with root lesion nematodes, which made the evaluation of their role in crop damage more difficult. To meet the requirements for threshold and pathogenicity assessments, we introduced both spiral nematode species to sterile carrot disks and evaluated the feasibility of their multiplication and mass production in vitro. The present findings expand the taxonomic records of Helicotylenchus spp. and improve diagnostics of these morphologically similar species. Furthermore, our in vitro culture technique will provide a reliable source of the initial inoculum for future plant–nematode interaction studies.
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    Survey of potato early dying disease complex in Alberta's commercial potato fields, 2021-2022
    (Taylor & Francis, 2023) Rahman, A. U.; Munawar, M.; Konschuh, Michele; Tenuta, M.; Harding, M. W.; Yevtushenko, Dmytro P.
    Potato fields were evaluated for inci dence and severity of early dying disease complex in the growing seasons of 2021 and 2022. Disease sure varied among the fields in both years. Fields taining higher inoculum levels of Verticillium dahliae in the fall soil samples as determined by qPCR of soil samples typically showed more potato early dying (PED) symptom development in the subsequent ing season. The incidence of PED was higher in 2022 than in 2021. Results demonstrated the potential of qPCR evaluation of representative soil samples as an aid for risk prediction activities in potato production systems dealing with PED.