Publications by authors named "Robert L Nichols"

Cotton is widely grown in the southern US and is its most significant pathogen. The germplasm line M-120 RNR is highly resistant to due to two resistance QTLs (quantitative trait loci), and . Both QTLs reduce total egg production, but the QTLs affect development at different life stages.

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Investigation of cotton response to nematode infection will allow us to better understand the cotton immune defense mechanism and design a better biotechnological approach for efficiently managing pest nematodes in cotton. In this study, we firstly treated cotton by root knot nematode (RKN, Meloidogyne incognita) infections, then we employed the high throughput deep sequencing technology to sequence and genome-widely identify all miRNAs in cotton; finally, we analyzed the functions of these miRNAs in cotton response to RKN infections. A total of 266 miRNAs, including 193 known and 73 novel miRNAs, were identified by deep sequencing technology, which belong to 67 conserved and 66 novel miRNA families, respectively.

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Plants evolve innate immunity including resistance genes to defend against pest and pathogen attack. Our previous studies in cotton ( spp.) revealed that one telomeric segment on chromosome (Chr) 11 in cv.

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Background: Protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase 2 (PPO2) inhibitors are important for the management of glyphosate- and acetolactate synthase-resistant Palmer amaranth [Amaranthus palmeri (S.) Wats.].

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Virus-like disease symptoms consisting of leaf cupping, shortened internodes, and overall stunting were observed in commercial cotton fields in Alabama in 2017 to 2018. To determine the complete genome sequence of the suspected causal polerovirus, symptomatic leaf samples were collected in Macon County, Alabama, and subjected to Illumina RNA sequencing. Based on BLASTn analysis, the Illumina contig of 5,771 nt shared the highest nucleotide identity (approximately 95%) with members of the species (CLRDV) (genus ; family ) from Argentina and Brazil.

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MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an extensive class of small regulatory RNAs. Knowing the specific expression and functions of miRNAs during root-knot nematode (RKN) () development could provide fundamental information about RKN development as well as a means to design new strategies to control RKN infection, a major problem of many important crops. Employing high throughput deep sequencing, we identified a total of 45 conserved and novel miRNAs from two developmental stages of RKN, eggs and J2 juveniles, during their infection of cotton ().

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Host plant resistance is the most practical approach to control the Southern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita; RKN), which has emerged as one of the most serious economic pests of Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Previous QTL analyses have identified a resistance locus on chromosome 11 (qMi-C11) affecting galling and another locus on chromosome-14 (qMi-C14) affecting egg production.

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A highly virulent cotton wilt pathogen, f. sp. VCG0114 (race 4) was found in West Texas in 2017, after being known in California since 2001.

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The interaction between f. sp. (Fov) and (root-knot nematode) resulting in Fusarium wilt (FW) of cotton is well-known.

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Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and impart a high level of resistance to in cotton. Breeders had previously backcrossed both QTLs into the susceptible Coker 201 to create the highly resistant M-120 RNR, and we crossed Coker 201 and M-120 RNR to create near-isogenic lines with either or . Previous work suggests different modes of action for and .

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Bacterial blight, historically a seed-borne disease of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) is caused by Xanthomonas citri pv. malvacearum, resulted in significant economic losses prior to development of resistant varieties and implementation of acid-delinting of planting seed. Periodic outbreaks have been associated with seed since the early twentieth century; of note, the disease has experienced a resurgence since 2011.

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Article Synopsis
  • A highly virulent strain of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum (Fov) was first discovered in California’s cotton fields in 2002, affecting cotton production.
  • The cotton varieties 'Seabrook Sea Island 12B2' and 'Pima S-6' show resistance to this Fov race 4, with 'SBSI' demonstrating a quicker defense response through the production of antimicrobial compounds.
  • Research indicates that separate resistance genes are present in these two cultivars, as evidenced by the varying susceptibility in their offspring from hybrid crosses.
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Amaranthus palmeri (Amaranthaceae) is a noxious weed in several agroecosystems and in some cases seriously threatens the sustainability of crop production in North America. Glyphosate-resistant Amaranthus species are widespread, prompting the use of alternatives to glyphosate such as glufosinate, in conjunction with glufosinate-resistant crop cultivars, to help control glyphosate-resistant weeds. An experiment was conducted to analyze the transcriptome of A.

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MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a large class of small regulatory RNA molecules, however no study has been performed to elucidate the role of miRNAs in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) response to the root knot nematode (RKN, Meloidogyne incognita) infection. We selected 28 miRNAs and 8 miRNA target genes to investigate the miRNA-target gene response to M. incognita infection.

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Fusaric acid (FA) produced by Fusarium oxysporum plays an important role in disease development in plants, including cotton. This non-specific toxin also has antibiotic effects on microorganisms. Thus, one expects a potential pool of diverse detoxification mechanisms of FA in nature.

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Locally severe outbreaks of Fusarium wilt of cotton (Gossypium spp.) in South Georgia raised concerns about the genotypes of the causal pathogen, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.

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Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum race 4 (VCG0114), which causes root rot and wilt of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum and G.

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Background: The southern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita; RKN) is one of the most important economic pests of Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Host plant resistance, the ability of a plant to suppress nematode reproduction, is the most economical, practical, and environmentally sound method to provide protection against this subterranean pest.

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Background: The widespread occurrence of ALS inhibitor- and glyphosate-resistant Amaranthus palmeri has led to increasing use of protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO)-inhibiting herbicides in cotton and soybean. Studies were conducted to confirm resistance to fomesafen (a PPO inhibitor), determine the resistance frequency, examine the resistance profile to other foliar-applied herbicides and investigate the resistance mechanism of resistant plants in a population collected in 2011 (AR11-LAW B) and its progenies from two cycles of fomesafen selection (C1 and C2).

Results: The frequency of fomesafen-resistant plants increased from 5% in the original AR11-LAW-B to 17% in the C2 population.

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The root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita is among the most damaging plant-parasitic pests of several crops including cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) and tomato (Lycopersicon escultentum). Recently, a genome has become available for M. incognita, which greatly facilitates investigation of the interactions between M.

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In 1999, crop consultants scouting for stink bugs (Hemiptera spp.) in South Carolina discovered a formerly unobserved seed rot of cotton that caused yield losses ranging from 10 to 15% in certain fields. The disease has subsequently been reported in fields throughout the southeastern Cotton Belt.

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Fusaric acid (FA) is a key component in virulence and symptom development in cotton during infection by Fusarium oxysporum. A putative major facilitator superfamily (MFS) transporter gene was identified downstream of the polyketide synthase gene responsible for the biosynthesis of FA in a region previously believed to be unrelated to the known FA gene cluster. Disruption of the transporter gene, designated FUBT, resulted in loss of FA secretion, decrease in FA production and a decrease in resistance to high concentrations of FA.

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We report a second major QTL for root-knot nematode resistance in the highly resistant Upland cotton line M-120RNR and show epistasis between two resistant QTLs with different mechanisms conferring resistance. In an earlier study, we identified a major QTL on Chromosome 11 associated with resistance to root-knot nematode in the M-120 RNR Upland cotton line (Gossypium hirsutum L.) of the Auburn 623 RNR source.

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