Characterization of Rhizoctonia Species Associated with Foliar Necrosis and Leaf Scorch of Clonally-propagated Eucalyptus in Brazil

The objective was to identify and characterize the causal agent of foliar necrosis and leaf scorch of Eucalyptus spp. in Brazil. Nineteen putative isolates of Rhizoctonia obtained from Eucalyptus plants during clonal propagation were compared with isolates from other hosts and with tester strains of anastomosis groups of Rhizoctonia solani. Features compared were morphological characteristics of anamorphs and teleomorphs, numbers of nuclei per cell in the vegetative hyphae, anastomosis of hyphae, and ability to produce necrotic lesions on cuttings and damping-off of E. grandis×E. urophylla hybrid seedlings. Rhizoctonia solani AG1 (AG1-IB like) was the most frequent causal agent isolated from Eucalyptus plants and cuttings with symptoms of leaf scorch and foliar necrosis respectively. These isolates were highly virulent on Eucalyptus cuttings and presented naturally epiphytic growth on Eucalyptus shoots. Binucleate isolates and isolates of R. solani AG4 were also virulent on cuttings and were most virulent on Eucalyptus seedlings causing pre- and post-emergence damping-off. Virulence on Eucalyptus cuttings and seedlings was not restricted to a single species or anastomosis group of Rhizoctonia.     

Histopathology of durable adult plant resistance to leaf rust in the Brazilian wheat variety Toropi

Leaf rust, caused by the fungus Puccinia triticina is a major disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum) worldwide. This disease is prevalent in southern South America where the environmental conditions and high genetic variability of P. triticina favour epidemics. The primary means of controlling pathogenic P. triticina races has been through using wheat varieties containing race-specific resistance genes. The defence mechanisms involved in durable race non-specific resistance to P. triticina are probably distinct from those involved in non-durable race-specific resistance. We investigated the histological components of resistance to P. triticina present in three wheat genotypes: the race non-specific resistant Brazilian variety Toropi; the race-specific resistant line RL6010 Lr9; and the susceptible Brazilian variety BRS 194. Plants of these three genotypes were inoculated with P. triticina race MFP and tissue samples excised from flag leaves at various times after inoculation to assess the number of infective structures, frequency of cell death and the accumulation of autofluorescent cells and hydrogen peroxide. The genotypes showed different resistance mechanisms active at different times during the infection process. Our results for Toropi indicate that there was a reduction in the extent of formation of stomatal appressoria and all subsequent structures. During attempted penetration we also observed the production of autofluorescent compounds and late cell death, but not peroxide formation. This non-specific resistance to P. triticina involves both pre-haustorial and post-haustorial mechanisms which may be responsible for maintaining the low disease severity observed in this variety even under high inoculum pressure.     

Influence of forest cover on in-stream large wood in an agricultural landscape of southeastern Brazil: a multi-scale analysis

Large wood (LW) is critical to the structure and function of streams and forests are the main LW source to stream channels. To assess the influence of forest cover changes at different spatial scales on in-stream LW quantity, we selected eighteen catchments (2nd–4th order) in Southeastern Brazil with forests at different levels of alterations. In each catchment we quantified the pattern of forest cover (% cover and relative catchment position), the physical characteristics of catchments (elevation and slope), the characteristics of channels (wetted channel width and depth), the abundance and volume of in-stream LW, and the frequency of LW pools. We used simple and multiple linear regression to assess the response of LW variables to landscape and stream reach variables. Most of the LW was relatively small; 72 % had a diameter <20 cm, and 66 % had a length <5 m. Although percent forest cover at reach scale had substantial support to explain LW variables, the best predictors of LW variables were forest cover at broader scales (LW abundance and LW pool frequency were best predicted by forest at intermediate distance at the catchment scale and LW volume was best predicted by forest cover at the drainage network scale), suggesting that downstream transport is an important process in addition to local processes in our study area. These findings have important management implications because although low forested reaches receive less LW from local forests (or no LW in the case of deforested stream reaches), they are receiving LW from upstream forested reaches. However, the material is generally small, unstable and likely to be easily flushed. This suggests that not only should riparian forest conservation encompass the full drainage network, but forests should also be allowed to regenerate to later successional stages to provide larger, higher quality LW for natural structuring of streams.     

Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of cDNAs encoding for Boophilus microplus, Haemaphysalis longicornis and Rhipicephalus appendiculatus actins

The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the actins from ticks, Boophilus microplus, Haemaphysalis longicornis and Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, have been determined. Nucleotide sequence analysis showed open reading frames of 1128-nucleotide-long encoding proteins of 376 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 41.82 kDa each. Comparison between the nucleic acid and deduced amino acid sequences as well as structural and phylogenetic analyses of these genes confirmed the high similarity among actins from ticks in comparison to other species.     

Intracellular distribution of copper and zinc in the liver of copper-exposed cattle from northwest Spain

The intracellular distribution of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in the livers of normal and moderately Cu-exposed cattle was investigated with the aim of improving understanding of the pathophysiology of Cu accumulation in cattle. At total liver Cu concentrations within the generally accepted normal range (25-100 mg/kg fresh weight) the large-granule fraction was the main subcellular compartment for Cu accumulation, followed by the cytosol and the nucleus, whereas in the microsomal fraction Cu accumulation was very low. With increasing Cu exposure, the capacity of the large-granule fraction to accumulate Cu decreased, proceeding towards a plateau (estimated at about 80 mg/kg at a projected total liver Cu concentrations of 450 mg/kg), accompanied by progressively greater Cu accumulation in the nucleus and cytosol. Total liver Cu concentration had little influence on subcellular Zn distribution, with hepatic Cu concentrations being only moderately correlated with Zn concentration in the large-granule fraction. There was a strong association between the proportion of total Cu bound to metallothionein (MT) and the proportion of total Zn in the large-granule fraction, suggesting that Zn displaced from MT is taken up by the lysosomes for excretion. This pattern of Cu accumulation, as in sheep, may be due to the limited capacity for metallothionein binding of Cu and excretion in bile.     

Observations on the Fetal Morphology in Myocastor Coypus Bonariensis (Coypu) (Rodentia,Myocastoridae)

The goal of this work was to characterize the morphology of fetuses of Myocastor coypus bonariensis (coypu) after 60, 90, 120 and 135 days post‐coitus (d.p.c.). At all the ages, gestational sacs showed an elliptical shape. Placentas were discoidal, with a unilobular external appearance in fetuses of 60 d.p.c. and with lobulations separated by a groove in fetuses of other ages. The umbilical cord, wrapped around the fetal body, showed a proximal dilatation in 60‐d.p.c. fetuses, being its course uniform and a little spiral in the other ages. The 60‐d.p.c. fetuses showed differentiation of corporal regions, prominent encephalic vesicles and little developed earlobes located in the laterals of the skull, in the limit with the cervical area and in straight line with the optical vesicles. The primitive forelimbs showed differentiation of arm, forearm and hand. In the hindlimbs, the inter‐digital membrane was observed joining the fingers along all their length. Fetuses of 90 d.p.c. showed developed eyelids and closed palpebral cleft, developed auricular pavilions (earlobes), hairy follicles in the facial region (vibrissae) and in the skull and bent limbs. Fetuses of 120 and 135 d.p.c. showed a bodily cover constituted by a dense pilous covering, spread palpebral clefts, open mouth, bent limbs and inter‐digital membranes in the hindlimbs.     

Evaluation of IFA, MAT, ELISAs and immunoblotting for the detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in paired serum and aqueous humour samples from experimentally infected pigs

The study evaluated the efficiency of diagnostic laboratory methods to detect anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in paired serum and aqueous humour samples from experimentally infected pigs. 18-mixed breed pigs were used during the experiment; these were divided into two groups, G1 (infected group, n=10) and G2 (uninfected group, n=8). Infection was performed with 4 x 10(4) VEG strain oocysts at day 0 by the oral route in G1 animals. All pigs were euthanized at day 60, when retina, aqueous humour, and blood samples were collected. Anti-T. gondii antibody levels were assessed in serum (s) and aqueous humour (ah) by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), modified agglutination test (MAT), m-ELISA (using crude membranes from T. gondii tachyzoites as antigen) and r-ELISA (using rhoptries from T. gondii tachyzoites as antigen). Polymerase chain reactions (PCR) of samples from the retina were performed by using Tox4 and Tox5 primers. Antibody titers of G1 animals ranged from 128 to 1024 and from 16 to 256 in serum and aqueous humour, respectively. There were differences in the correlation coefficients between IFA(s) x IFA (ah) (r=0.62, P=0.05), MAT(s) x MAT (ah) (r=0.97, P<0.0001); however, there was no significant difference between r-ELISA(s) x r-ELISA (ah) (r= 0.14, P=0.7). Antibodies present in serum and aqueous humour recognized similar antigens. Samples of retina were positive by PCR in 30% (3/10) of infected pigs. G2 animals remained without antibody levels and were PCR negative throughout the experiment. These results suggest that the use of a combination of tests and immunoblotting for paired aqueous humour and serum samples could improve the sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis.     

Morphometric measurements and zootechnical indices of the Pantanal in race horses of different ages and gender

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The aim of this study was to perform linear measurements and assess morphometric indices of equines of the Pantanal race of different ages in the...     

Productive performance and reproductive characteristics of Morada Nova male lambs fed with high-energy diet

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Morada Nova breed sheep are without wool, tropicalized, small-sized animals, known for their high-quality meat and skin. Their body development naturally...