Extremely potent antifeedant neo-clerodane derivatives of scutecyprol A

Two known neo-clerodane diterpenoids, scutecyprol A (1) and scutalbin C (2), have been isolated from the acetone extract of the aerial parts of Scutellaria sieberi. The antifeedant activity of scutecyprol A (1), of its 15-oxo derivative (3), and of several halohydrins (4-9), synthesized starting from compounds 1 and 3, against Spodoptera littoralis have been determined and structure-antifeedant relationships are discussed.     

A simple molecular approach for identifying a rare Acronychia (Rutaceae) provides new insights on its multiple hybrid origins

Hybridization plays an important role in the evolution of plant diversity. Nonetheless, it is often difficult to clearly ascertain hybrid origin by assessing morphological characters alone. Acronychia littoralis (Rutaceae) is a recently described rare tree from littoral rainforests in eastern Australia. Two forms have been tentatively distinguished on the basis of different leaf morphology however, because of the variability of the discriminatory characters across populations (and in some cases across single individuals), compiling data on the exact distribution of each form has been a difficult process. To further complicate matters, some of these distinguishing morphological characters are intermediate between those of closely related, sympatric species. As a result, simple molecular techniques were developed to assist the development of adequate conservation and management strategies for A. littoralis and to better understand its evolutionary history. Sequence data from the ITS2 region were obtained and haplotype specific primers that distinguished the two forms and the related taxa were developed. Sequence data suggest that the two forms of A. littoralis are each of hybrid origin but both involve different parental taxa. The findings provide a perspective on the evolutionary dynamics of the local rainforest flora and highlight the need for phylogenetic evaluation of rare taxa where there is taxonomic ambiguity.     

Determination of furan fatty acids in extra virgin olive oil

The presence of 4 different furan fatty acids (F-acids) was detected in 18 samples of transmethylated monovarietal extra virgin olive oil: methyl 10,13-epoxy-11,12-dimethyloctadeca-10,12-dienoate [diMeF(9,5)], methyl 12,15-epoxy-13,14-dimethyleicosa-12,14-dienoate [diMeF(11,5)] and both olefinic derivatives of diMeF(11,5) with one unsaturation on the side chains conjugated with the furan ring. Transmethylated oils were analyzed by normal phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled on-line with capillary gas chromatography. After the gas chromatographic separation step, a more selective detection of F-acids was achieved by using a photoionization detector mounted in series with a flame ionization detector. The concentration of F-acids ranged between 50 ppb (detection limit of the method) and 2.1 ppm in the oil. The olefinic derivatives of diMeF(11,5) acids detected were not artifacts created during the sample preparation or during the chromatographic analysis.     

Olive mill wastewater spreading and AMF inoculation effects in a low-input semi-arid Mediterranean crop succession

ABSTRACT

The study aimed to evaluate, in a marginal semi-arid Mediterranean agro-ecosystem (Sicily-Italy), the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation and raw olive mill wastewater (OMW) (40 and 80 m³ ha^?1) on forage (durum wheat-snail medick intercropping) yield, and grain production of broad bean and chickpea. AMF inoculation significantly increased (+13.6%) forage dry biomass and durum wheat nitrogen (+22.8%) and phosphorus (+32.5%) uptake. AMF inoculation, significantly promoted broad bean phosphorus uptake (+11.5%) and root nodule number (+13.9%) in the absence of OMW. OMW spreading reduced weeds in the forage (?31.3%), root nodule number (?29.7%) and dry weight (?22.7%) in broad bean. OMW also significantly increased snail medick dry biomass (+19.3%) as compared to control treatments (0, 40 and 80 m³ H₂O ha^?1, average production 361 g m^?2), and broad bean grain yield with a production of 2.46 ± 0.12 and 1.94 ± 0.09 Mg ha^?1 with and without OMW, respectively. During the experiment AMF colonization was not affected by OMW volumes. The results obtained showed that in a marginal Mediterranean agro-ecosystem: 1) OMW, notwithstanding spreading volumes, is a valuable amendment to maximize legume yield while 2) AMF inoculation is a valuable practice to improve biomass production and N and P uptake in wheat.     

Synthesis of pyrazole derivatives and their evaluation as photosynthetic electron transport inhibitors

Two series of new pyrazoles, namely six pyrazolo[1,5-a][1,3,5]triazine-2,4-dione and four pyrazolo[1,5-c][1,3,5]thiadiazine-2-one derivatives, were synthesized as potential inhibitors of the photosynthetic electron transport chain at the photosystem II level. The compounds were confirmed by 1H NMR, elemental, and IR analyses. Their biological activity was evaluated in vivo upon both the growth of blue-green algae and the photosynthetic oxygen evolution by eukaryotic algae and in vitro as the ability to interfere with light-driven reduction of ferricyanide by isolated spinach chloroplasts. Some compounds exhibited remarkable inhibitory properties, comparable to those of the reference commercial herbicides lenacil, diuron, and hexazinone. Results suggest that the substitution of triazine with thiadiazine ring may act as amplifier for herbicidal activity.     

Environmental variables influencing occurrence and distribution of Delphinus delphis in the eastern Aegean Sea (eastern Mediterranean Sea)

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Response of rainbow trout gill (Na++K+)-ATPase and chloride cells to T3 and NaCl administration

With the aim of comparing the effects of oral T₃ and NaCl administration on trout hypoosmoregulatory mechanisms, three groups of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum) held in freshwater (FW) were fed a basal diet (C), the same diet containing 8.83 ppm of 3,5,3-triiodo-L-thyronine (T₃) (T) or 10% (w/w) NaCl (N) respectively for 30 d. They were then transferred to brackish water (BW) for 22 d and fed on diet C. Gill (Na⁺+K⁺)-ATPase activity and its dependence on ATP, Na⁺ and pH, number of gill chloride cells (CC), serum T₃ level as well as fish growth, condition factor (K) and mortality were evaluated. During the FW phase, as compared to C trout, T trout showed a two fold higher serum T₃ level, had unchanged gill (Na⁺+K⁺)-ATPase activity and increased CC number, whereas N trout showed higher gill (Na⁺+K⁺)-ATPase activity and CC number. At the end of the experiment the enzyme activity was in the order T>N>C groups and all groups showed similar CC number. Both treatments changed the enzyme activation kinetics by ATP and Na⁺. A transient increase in K value occurred in N group during the period of salt administration. In BW, T and N groups had higher and lower survival than C group respectively. Other parameters were unaffected by the treatments. This trial suggests that T₃ administration promotes the development of hypoosmoregulatory mechanisms of trout but it leaves the (Na⁺+K⁺)-ATPase activity unaltered till the transfer to a hyperosmotic environment.     

Genome scan for the possibility of identifying candidate resistance genes for goat lentiviral infections in the Italian Garfagnina goat breed

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs) are a heterogeneous group of viruses of sheep, goat, and wild ruminants responsible of lifelong persistent infection...     

Allelic variation of the ACCase gene and response to ACCase-inhibiting herbicides in pinoxaden-resistant Lolium spp

BACKGROUND: The repeated use of acetyl‐coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCase) inhibiting herbicides to control grass weeds has selected for resistance in Lolium spp. populations in Italy. The efficacy of pinoxaden, a recently marketed phenylpyrazoline herbicide, is of concern where resistance to ACCase inhibitors has already been ascertained. ACCase mutations associated with pinoxaden resistance were investigated, and the cross‐resistance pattern to clodinafop, haloxyfop, sethoxydim, clethodim and pinoxaden was established on homo/heterozygous plants for four mutant ACCase alleles. RESULTS: Seven different mutant ACCase alleles (1781‐Leu, 1999‐Leu, 2041‐Asn, 2041‐Val, 2078‐Gly, 2088‐Arg and 2096‐Ala) and 13 combinations with two types of mutation were detected in the pinoxaden‐resistant plants. The 1781‐Leu allele appears to confer a dominant resistance to pinoxaden, clodinafop, haloxyfop, sethoxydim and clethodim at 60 g AI ha^?1. The 2041‐Asn and 2041‐Val alleles are associated with dominant or partially dominant resistance to FOPs, no substantial resistance to DIMs and a moderate resistance to pinoxaden. The 2088‐Arg allele endows a partially dominant resistance to clodinafop, sethoxydim and most likely to pinoxaden. In addition, non‐target‐site resistance mechanisms seem to be involved in pinoxaden resistance. CONCLUSION: Almost all the ACCase mutations selected in the field by other ACCase inhibitors are likely to confer resistance to pinoxaden. Although pinoxaden is sometimes able to control FOP‐resistant populations, it should not be considered as a sustainable ACCase resistance management tool. The presence of non‐ACCase‐based resistance mechanisms that could confer resistance to herbicides with different modes of action further complicates the resistance management strategies. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry