Agroforestry education and training in Latin America

Regional/Country Report

Agroforestry education and training in Latin America     

Lipid composition of lees from Sherry wine

In this paper, we describe the study and characterization of the lipids from lees of Sherry wine, one of the main byproducts from the wine-making industry in the Jerez/Xeres/Sherry denomination of the origin zone in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. The lipid content, extractability, classification, fatty acid composition, and its main chemical characteristics have been determined in order to evaluate their potential use as a food or food additive.     

Assessment of Boron Application in Chestnuts: Nut Yield and Quality

A field trial was conducted between 2006 and 2009 in order to quantify the effect of boron (B) application on the yield and quality of chestnuts. The trial was established in an acid soil derived from siliceous schist and two levels of B were applied. Fruit abortion and nut yield per tree were measured, and nut quality parameters and chemical composition of the kernel were determined. Foliar B concentration was 8.6 mg kg^?1 in the control trees and 48.4 mg kg^?1 in fertilized chestnuts. Boron improved fruit setting and promoted nut production by 77%. In 2008, the occurrence of cold temperatures enhanced the effect of B on fruit setting, which was four-fold, whereas with the normal temperatures of 2009 the increase was lower. The drought of 2009 was responsible for the ruinous chestnut caliber and shell cracking. Boron induced a significant increase in the crude fat of chestnut kernel.     

Changes in xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase (XTHs) expression and XET activity during apple fruit infection by Penicillium expansum Link. A

Although the plant cell wall is an extremely effective physical barrier against attack by pathogens, most phytopathogenic microorganisms produce enzymes that are capable of degrading cell wall polymers such as pectin and hemicelluloses. In this work we investigate the possible implication of the cell wall enzyme XET in the host-pathogen interaction as well as the XTH gene regulation during apple fruit infection by Penicillium expansum Link. A. We characterized the time course of fungal infection in apple fruit, and the XET activity and the expression of eleven MdXTHs. The results showed an important decrease in XET specific activity in the fruits after 24, 48 and 72 h of fruit infection (42.9 %, 73.1 % and 95.1 % respectively as compared with the controls). The expression analysis of the MdXTHs showed an important decrease in expression, as the infection progressed, in MdXTH2 and MdXTH10, as well as in MdXTH3, MdXTH4 and MdXTH5, but mainly after 72 h of fruit infection; and in MdXTH1, and MdXTH9 after 24 and 48 h of infection. These results suggested that the decrease in XET activity during infection could be mainly attributed to the decrease in expression of MdXTH2 and MdXTH10, since those were the MdXTHs that showed the highest expression levels during ripening, particularly MdXTH10. These results support the suggestion that inhibition of MdXTHs expression, and consequently the decrease in XET specific activity, could represent a pathogenicity factor, since the potential reconstructing role of the enzyme also decreased and the infection could progress.     

Use of haloperidol and azaperone for stress control in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) captured by means of drive-nets

The physical capture of wild ungulates is performed for different purposes when anaesthesia in field conditions is not possible or advisable. The use of tranquilizers may contribute to improved welfare of captured animals. We studied the effect of haloperidol and azaperone on the stress response of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) through the study of physiological, haematological and serum biochemical parameters. Thirty one roe deer were drive-net captured and randomly injected with haloperidol (0.30 ± 0.04 mg/kg IM; n = 13), azaperone (0.43 ± 0.07 mg/kg IM; n = 11) or saline (0.5 mL IM; n = 7), and restrained for 3 h. The interindividual variability of heart rate was lower in the treated deer, suggesting a calming effect, and erythrocyte and biochemical parameters indicated vasodilation, splenic sequestration, hemodilution, improvement of renal perfusion and a protective effect on muscle. These results support the suitability of using either azaperone or haloperidol in capture operations of roe deer, in order to reduce stress and prevent its adverse effects.     

Neutrophilic myeloperoxidase index and mean light absorbance in neonatal septic and nonseptic foals

Background: Two neutrophilic indices reported by the ADVIA 120 Hematology Analyzer, neutrophilic myeloperoxidase index (MPXI), and mean light absorbance (neutrophil X mean [NXM]) have been proposed as indicators of systemic inflammatory disease in horses and of neutrophil activation in coronary ischemic syndromes in people. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate NXM and MPXI in healthy, sick nonseptic, and sick septic foals to determine whether conditions likely associated with neutrophil activation result in decreases in these variables. Methods: In this retrospective study, CBC data from 61 neonatal foals presented to the Equine Teaching Hospital of Barcelona were evaluated for correlations between MPXI, NXM, percentage of large unstained cells, neutrophil count, and percentage of band neutrophils. Results obtained in septic (n=32), sick nonseptic (n=22), and healthy foals (n=7) were compared. In addition, results recorded in septic/neutropenic (n=12), septic/non‐neutropenic (n=20), nonseptic/neutropenic (n=8), nonseptic/non‐neutropenic (n=14), and healthy foals (n=7) were also compared. Results: A weak negative correlation was found between MPXI and neutrophil count and between NXM and percentage of band neutrophils. Septic/neutropenic foals had significantly higher MPXI values (median 17.9, minimum–maximum 4.7–42.5) than did septic/non‐neutropenic (1.5, ?24.4 to 22.3), nonseptic/neutropenic (6.6, 0.6–17.9), and nonseptic/non‐neutropenic foals (8.8, ?10.1 to 16.8) but did not differ significantly from controls (12.8, ?8.5 to 20.4). Conclusions: Significant differences in NXM or MPXI were not found when disease groups were compared with controls; however, septic/neutropenic foals had significantly higher median MPXI than other groups of sick foals. Further prospective studies are needed to clarify if this finding is related to decreased neutrophil function or activation in septic/neutropenic foals.     

EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF BORON DEFICIENCY IN CHESTNUT

This study aims to identify an alternative plant tissue to be used in the early diagnosis of boron (B) deficiency in chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.). A B-deficient orchard was selected, and 16 trees were submitted to two levels of B fertilization. When flowers were in bloom, the following tissues were sampled: leaves, androgynous catkins and flowers. There was a significant increase in B content in plant tissues due to B application. In July, the highest B content was observed in flowers in B0, but leaves had the greatest content in B1. Boron content in the tissues collected in July was positively correlated with B contents in leaves sampled in September. Foliar B concentrations, irrespective of the sampling period, were correlated with chestnut productivity, while the other tissues did not. These results suggest that the leaves, sampled in bloom, were the most efficient tissue for the early diagnosis of B deficiency.