First report of Leveillula clavata causing powdery mildew on Euphorbia leucocephala from India

In December 2020, Euphorbia leucocephala plants exhibiting symptoms of powdery mildew were observed in the Botanical Garden of Tuljaram Chaturchand College, Baramati, Maharashtra, India. Based on morphological identification, DNA sequence analysis, and pathogenicity, the fungal pathogen of the disease was identified as Leveillula clavata. This is the first report of L. clavata on Euphorbia leucocephala from India and in general.     

Evaluation of vinification lees as a general medium for lactobacillus strains

Lactobacillus species present high nutritional requirements, so it is necessary to find new low-cost nutrient components for fermentation media. This work compares the utilization of vinification lees (an important residue of wineries) from red and white winemaking technology, distilled or not. An amount of 20 g of lees/L was used as the unique nutrient to obtain lactic acid from glucose using Lactobacillus strains with different properties: L. plantarum CECT-221, L. pentosus CECT-4023, L. casei CECT-5275, and L. coryniformis subsp. torquens CECT-25600. Only L. casei using distilled lees showed values (Pmax = 92.1 g/L and Y(P/S) = 1.05 g/g) similar to those obtained with the MRS broth. The UV spectra of white and red lees, distilled or not, allowed an interpretation of the different phenolic compounds present and their influence on the fermentation. Their detoxification by extraction with organic compounds and fermentation with L. pentosus was also considered. Time courses of glucose and lactic acid were modeled according to reported models to obtain more information about the process.     

Effects of body condition and supplementation on ovarian function,growth factors and response to estrus synchronization in postpartum beef cows in Tamaulipas,Mexico

ABSTRACT

Eighteen beef cows with their calves were assigned to 3 groups considering body conditions scores at calving (BCSC): T1 (high BCSC, maintained throughout the study); T2 (low BCSC, increased during the study); and T3 (low BCSC, maintained throughout). An estrus synchronization protocol was implemented, with fixed time artificial insemination on day 70. Follicular or luteal growth, and pregnancy rate were similar between groups. Of all cows, five showed multiple ovulations (2–6); increasing number of ovulations reduced preovulatory follicle diameter and individual luteal volume (P?<?0.05), but total luteal volume was greater in cows with 2 or 3 ovulations on day 14 after insemination (P?<?0.05). Estradiol and progesterone levels were associated to follicular and luteal growth, respectively. No difference was found in IGF1 or GDF9 levels between groups or associated to fertility. No association was found between BCS, IGF1 or GDF9 levels and the reproductive process.     

Local knowledge helps select species for forest restoration in a tropical dry forest of central Veracruz, Mexico

Species for restoration forestry on degraded lands in the tropics are often restricted to a few well-known exotic timber species. This selection frequently leads to failed projects, as local people expect trees to cover a number of uses, not only timber. We studied local knowledge of the usefulness, scarcity and importance for wildlife of native tree species in central Veracruz, Mexico, a region with mainly secondary vegetation and remnants of tropical dry forest. Data were obtained from several workshops, in depth interviews of 40 key informants, field walks with informants, and botanical collections. Analysis included indices for cultural importance, scarcity and wildlife relevance. We documented 76 species in one or more of the categories, from primary, secondary, agroforestry and riparian habitats. Fabaceae was the most important family. All of the species were useful for humans, mainly for rural construction, food, fence posts and fuel. Two-thirds of the species were considered scarce though they were not necessarily rare??some were highly useful, overexploited species with populations insufficient for demand; this category included five of the ten most important species culturally. Also, two-thirds of the tree taxa were considered important for wildlife, especially species of Moraceae. The study shows that the local population is highly aware of the varying functions of trees in the landscape. However, few of the important species are available from regional nurseries. We propose a number of species for restoration forestry, agroforestry systems and enrichment plantings that would be valued by landowners.     

Evaluation of the efficacy of a topically administered combination of imidacloprid and permethrin against Phlebotomus perniciosus in dog

The phlebotomine sand fly Phlebotomus perniciosus is one of the main vectors of Leishmania infantum, responsible for human and canine leishmaniasis in the Mediterranean Basin. The objective of this study was to evaluate the repellent and insecticidal efficacy of imidacloprid 10% (w/v)/permethrin 50% (w/v) spot-on against sand flies (P. perniciosus) on dogs. The dogs used in this trial were laboratory-bred beagles: eight were impregnated with the solution (treated group), while the other eight were left untreated (control group). On day 0 the animals in the treatment group received 0.1 ml/kg body weight of the combination imidacloprid/permethrin spot-on. Dogs were exposed for 1h to about 100 female sand flies at weekly intervals for a period of 4 weeks, on day 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28 after applying the product. The repellency criterion was based on the feeding rate of sand flies in the treated compared to the untreated group. The insecticidal efficacy criterion was based on comparison of the survival rate of sand flies between the two groups. The product had an insecticidal efficacy on female sand flies of 53.2% (day 1), 49.4% (day 7), 15.1% (day 14), 13.2% (day 22), and 2.9% (day 29). The product showed a repellent effect of 97.7% (day 1), 96.3% (day 7), 96.5% (day 14), 92.7% (day 22), and 74.0% (day 29). Within the first week of application the insecticidal effect was significant; however it did not surpass 50%. On the other hand, the product showed a potent anti-feeding effect of over 90% during the first 3 weeks of this trial. Therefore, the application of this product every 3 weeks would be a good tool to significantly reduce sand fly bites over the period of transmission of vectorial diseases such as leishmaniasis and several arbovirosis such as Toscana virus.     

Relationships among twelve genotypes of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) cultivated in western Mexico

The aim of this study was to characterize agromorphological and molecular relationships between twelve genotypes of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) grown in western Mexico. Variables related to crop yield and management at two localities were used for agromorphological characterization. Data were analyzed using principal component analysis. The first four components explained 75.77% of the variation between genotypes. Molecular characterization was conducted using the inverse sequence-tagged repeat marker, which separated the 12 genotypes into two main groups. Three of the genotypes that grouped together at the molecular level had a similar leaf phenotypic characteristic (the number of lobes), which differed from that of the other genotypes. Variation between genotypes was evident in respect of molecular variables, which were used as genetic markers to distinguish between genotypes. Grouping of genotypes according to agromorphological variables, which reflect the response of a genotype to the environment, yielded similar results to molecular grouping. Genetic structure analysis indicated that the China, Fresa, Diamante, and Gigante genotypes probably share a common origin.     

Purification and characterization of chymotrypsin from viscera of vermiculated sailfin catfish, Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus, Weber, 1991

Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus viscera chymotrypsin was purified by fractionation with ammonium sulfate (30–70 % saturation), gel filtration, affinity, and ion exchange chromatography. Chymotrypsin molecular weight was approximately 29 kDa according to sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), shown a single band in zymogram. Electrofocusing study suggested being an anionic enzyme (pI ≈ 3.9), exhibiting maximal activity at pH 9 and 50 °C, using Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-p-nitroanilide (SAAPNA) as substrate. Enzyme was effectively inhibited by phenyl methyl sulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) (99 %), and N-tosyl-l-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone (TPCK) (94 %). Enzyme activity was affected by the following ions in decreasing order: Hg²⁺, Fe²⁺, Cu²⁺, Li¹⁺, Mg²⁺, K¹⁺, Mn²⁺, while Ca²⁺ had no effect. Chymotrypsin activity decreased continuously as NaCl concentration increased (from 0 to 30 %). K _m and V _max values were 0.72 ± 1.4 mM and 1.15 ± 0.06 μmol/min/mg of protein, respectively (SAAPNA as substrate). Results suggest the enzyme has a potential application where low processing temperatures are needed, such as in fish sauce production.