Cover

Abstract

On the cover

Azuki brown stem rot is a soil-borne disease caused by Cadophora gregata. The infection leads to browning of the vascular tissues at the base of the petiole, followed by leaf wilting, premature defoliation, poor seed development, and yield loss. The cover image compares the susceptible cultivar ‘Erimo-shozu’, which shows premature defoliation under disease pressure, with the resistant cultivar ‘Erimo 167’, which maintains healthy foliage (This issue, p. 400–407).

(H. Sato: Hokkaido Research Organization (HRO) Central Agricultural Experiment Station (AES))