Phoma exigua var. inoxydabilis var. nov. predominated among fungal isolates obtained from diseased stem runners and leaves of periwinkle ( Vinca minor). The growth of the fungus was observed at temperature ranges from 7.5 to 30°C with optimum at 25°C. Abundant formation of picnidia was noticed mainly on malt extract agar at temp. I 5-25°C. On potato-dextrose agar picnidia were observed 3-5 days later. On inoculated leaves of periwinkle, development of necrosis was observed at temperature I0-25°C with optimum 20°C. On field grown periwinkle the first necrosis on the base of stem runners was observed 2 weeks after inoculation and during the next I O weeks discoloration of tissues occurred on about 1/2 of their length.

The paper present results from the studies carried out in the years 1999-2000 on the effectiveness of seed dressing of spring barley with the insecticide Gaucho 350 FS (a.i. irnidachloprid) to control frit flies, gout flies, aphids and thrips in piedmont conditions.

This work presents some properties of Sunn-hemp mosaic tobamovirus (SHMV) orginally isolated from bean plants. Virus infected host range and induced symptoms that were typical for SHMV Following plant species distinguished SHMV from tobacco mosaic tobamovirus (TMVJ: Phaseolus vulgaris, Pisum sativum, Lupinus albus and Lycopersicon esculentum. In immunobloning the serum against SHMV did not react with TMV and Tomato mosaic tobamovirus (ToMV). The electrophoretical patterns of whole virions and capsid proteins were characteristic for SHMV and different from that of TMV and ToM.

The aim of the experiments was to evaluate the effect of Sekator 6,25 WG used for broad leaved weeds control in winter and spring cereals. Sekator 6.25 WG herbicide is composed of iodosulfuron 1.25%, amidosulfuron 5% and mephenpyr diethyl 12.5%. The field trials were conducted over the period 1997-1999 at experimental station, which belonged to the Institute of Plant Protection. The results showed that Sekator 6,25 WG effectively controled Ga/ium aparine, Anthemis arvensis, Myosotis arvensis, Chenopodium album, Polygonum sp., Sinapis arvensis, Stel/aria media, Capsela bursa-pastoris, Thlaspi arvense and Lamium purpureum. The obtained yield of winter and spring cereals was increased by Sekator 6,25 WG application. Sekator 6,25 WG herbicide used in all experiments was safe for both winter and spring cereals.

The purpose of the studies carried out in the years 1996-1998 was to establish the composition of bacteria and fungi communities in the potato rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil. Besides, in the examined samples the studies established the proportion of bacteria and fungi antagonistic towards soilbome pathogens. The microbiological analysis of 1 g of dry weight of soil coming from the rhizosphere of potato revealed from 3.96 x 10' to 7 .26 x 10 6 bacteria colonies and from 51.38 x 103 to 69.96 x 103 fungi colonies. In the case of nonrhizosphere soil of 1 g of dry weight of soil revealed from 3.50 x 10' to 4.75 x 106 bacteria colonies and from 16.16 x 103 to 34.1 0 x 103 fungi colonies. Moreover, potato cultivation had a positive effect on the increase of numbers of antagonistic bacteria (Bacillus spp. and Pseudomonas spp.) and fungi (Gliocladium spp., Penicillium spp., Trichoderma spp.). A larger number of the communities of bacteria and fungi, including antagonistic ones, in the root area of potato, indicates considerable biological activity, which contributes to a better phytosanitary condition of the soil.

Two experimental methods were used in the study. The aim of the first one was focused on a detection of Arabis mosaic nepovirus (ArMY) particles and tubules with viruses in extracts obtained from crushed leaves of bean. Second one consisted on investigation of ultrastructural changes occwing in the bean leaf tissues with symptoms caused by ArMY. Characteristic membranous inclusions in the cytoplasm were observed and described. ArMY occured either as irregularly scattered particles in the cytoplasm, crystal-like aggregates or semiconcentric and concentric layers. Not numerous but sometimes very long tubules with viruses were mainly observed near the cell wall. Protrusion of the cell wall into the protoplast very often containing viruses in the plasmodesmata were observed many times. Plasmalemmasomes were frequently situated near the cell wall.

The research was conducted to evaluate the impact of sulphur compounds on the sex of Colorado potato beetle in the region of sulphur factory in Chmielów near Tarnobrzeg in 1995. The control plantations were situated in the village of Zarębki, about 30km from Chmielów. The object of the study was the average body mass of female and male specimen of the insect after full spring beetle appearance in potato plantations as well as the average body female and male mass after pupation of the larvae of the first generation and emerging from the soil. After six and twelve days of starvation, the average female and male body mass was determined. After twelve days of starvation the incident of cannibalism was noticed among the beetles of the first zone polluted by sulphur compounds.

Ulloa M., Hahlin T.T. 2000. Illustrated Dictionary of Mycology. APS Press - The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, Minnesota, 448 pp. ISBN 0-89054-257-0.

Prusky D., Freeman S., Dickman M.B. (eds.). 2000. Colletotrichum: Host Specificity, Pathology and Host-Pathogen lnteraction. APS - The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, Minnesota, 393 pp. ISBN 0-89054-258-9.

Sygonyavev E.S., Monastyrskii A.L. 1999. An Introduction in Ecological Integrated Lepidopteroid Rice Pest Management in North Vietnam (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Russian-Vietnamese Research and Tropical Centre. Hanoi 291 pp. (In Russian and English).

Perry R.N., Wright D.J. (Editors). 1998. The Physiology and Biochemistry of Free-living and Plant-parasitic Nematodes. CABI Publishing, Wallingford, 438 pp., ISBN 0851992315.

Mordkovich, Ya. B., Sokolov, E.A. 1999. Spravochnik - Opredelitel Karantinnykh i Drugikh Opasnykh Vrediteley Syrya, Produktov Zapasa i Posevnego Materiala [A Guide-book for Identification of Quarantine and Other Noxious Pests of Raw and Stored Plant Products and Seeds]. Kolos, Moskva, 384 pp. ISBN 5-10-003499-8.

Disappearance of chlorothalonil, dichlofluanid, vinclozolin and carbendazim, as active ingredients of agrochemicals commonly used for the protection of greenhouse vegetables against fungal diseases, was studied comparatively. It was found that initial residues of chlorothalonil and dichlofluanid dropped by halfwithin 4 and 2 weeks after treatment, respectively, while the deposits of vinclozolin and carbendazim were the most persistent and after 5 weeks still constituted 50% of their initial levels. Therefore, the obtained results indicated that iprodione, procymidone and vinclozolin should ensure the longest effective protection of greenhouse tomatoes while chlorothalonil, and especially dichlofluanid, for the shortest.

Studies carried out for many years in the experimental field in Winna Góra refer to the biocenotic regulation of aphids in agricultural cultivations by aphidophagous Diptera of Syrphidae. Experiments were carried out in conditions of an agricultural lanscape differentiated by the presence of field afforestation.

The research on the occurrence ofCurculionoidea carried out in 1990-1995, in south-eastern Poland showed thatSitona hu mera/is Steph. was the most numerous species. Its participation among all the collected Curculionoidea was 69.4%. Other species occurring on alfalfa crops were: Hypera postica (Gyll.)- 7.7%, Si tona linea/us (L.)-5.0%, Sitona hispidulus (Fabr.)- 4.7% and Apion tenue Kirby 4.4% of the entire entomological material. In the spring, the highest numbers of adult Curculionoidea appeared in mid May and in the second half of September.

The numbers of Curculionoidea showed a growing tendency during the initial four years of alfalfa crop use for green fodder, but in the subsequent years they decreased significantly. The number of species increased with the plantation age.

Sitona hunieralis Steph. has one generation per year. Adults survive through the winter. Full life cycle from egg to adult lasts 54 days on average, including about I O days for embryo, 30 days for larval and 14 days for pupa stage.

Adults of Si tona humeralis Steph. damage leaves of alfalfa, causing bay-shaped leaf holes characteristic for the Sitona spp. The larvae damage root nodules, taproots and open the infection paths for pathogenic fungi which occur in soil and on the root surface which results in the withering of plants.

The quantity and quality of spears from asparagus plants infected with Asparagus virus 2 was lower in comparison to healthy plants. The total number of spears was decreased in 16% and mass of spears in 24.7%. Asparagus virus 2 reduced the number of marketable spears in 31.9%, and increased the number of unmarketable spears in 20.2%. The green mass of stem brushes of infected plants was reduced in 19.4% in field conditions and in 20% in seedlings growing in a greenhouse.

A total of 94 pectolytic and 60 nonpectolytic Pseudomonas isolates were obtained from 250 samples of rotted vegetable specimens representing various economically important vegetables. The isolates were identified on the basis of standard biochemical tests. Pseudomonas fluorescens biovar V and II and Pseudomonas putida were the most abundant species among pectolytic isolates and Pseudomonas fluorescens biovar I among nonpectolytic ones. Only 3 Pseudomonas viridiflava isolates were identified and all of them were obtained from potato. Isolates of pectolytic phenotype were scattered among nonpectolytic ones irrespective of their taxonomical status. Isolates identified biochemically, as Pseudomonas marginalis were also present in nonpectolytic group. PCR method is unsuitable for identification and differentiation of bacteria belonging to pectolytic fluorescens Pseudomonas group due to great diversity of species. However, the results of PCR amplification of the genes encoding pectate lyase suggest that genes responsible for production of this enzyme may also be present in isolates of nonpectolytic phenotype.

Experimental cucumber and tomato plants were cultivated under glasshouse conditions with or without PGPR. Young plants were infested with spider mites (T urticae - cucumber and T cinnabarinus - tomato). Leaves were analysed for protein and amino acid concentration. In infested leaves of the cucumber cultivar, susceptible to spider mites (Corona), an important decrease in protein content occurred in both bacterized and nonbacterized plants. Amino acid content was higher in mite infested leaves and the presence of PGPR did not influence this phenomenon. The content of proteins was also studied in the leaves of the less susceptible cucumber cultivar (Aramis). Spider mite feeding caused a small decrease in their concentration. The presence of bacteria in the root system caused an increase of soluble proteins in the leaves. In infested leaves of the highly susceptible tomato cultivar (Rornatos), cultivated without bacteria, an evident increase of amino acid content was found opposite to plants with PGPR. The protein concentration was also increased in injured leaves of this cultivar but the presence of bacteria in the root system of mite infested plants caused a decrease of these compounds in their leaves. Injured foliage of the less susceptible tomato cultivar (Sionka) had a lower protein concentration in bacterised plants as compared to those nonbacterised and both controls.

Three Polish, four other European and three tropical isolates of the nematophagous fungus Verticillium chlamydosporium were screened for their ability to colonise the surface of barley roots, produce chlamydospores and infect eggs of Meloidogyne incognita in laboratory tests. PCR-fingerprinting of different Polish isolates and YclO was used to detect differences between isolates. Among the European isolates, the Polish isolate which came from a field fertilised with manure produced the greatest number of viable chlamydospores, the largest proportion of infected eggs of Meloidogyne incognita and the most prolific root colonisation. Among the tropical isolates, an isolate A produced the largest number of chlamydospores and an isolate B was the most prolific root coloniser and parasitised most of M. incognita eggs.