Response of Passiflora setacea to Mycorrhization and Phosphate Fertilization in a Semiarid Region of Brazil

The Caatinga is a unique biome that encompasses nearly 11% of Brazil's territory and contains diverse vegetation composed of trees and bushes that have been scarcely studied from the economic perspective. In this context, Passiflora setacea may constitute a strategic alternative for agriculture because it produces fruit that has commercial potential and is tolerant to some diseases. Some species of Passiflora show more robust growth when associated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and are dependent on mycorrhization. In this study, the response of P. setacea to phosphate (P) fertilization and mycorrhization with Claroideoglomus etunicatum was evaluated. The experimental design included eight replicates of four randomized treatments: non-inoculated plants (NI), plants fertilized with phosphorus (P), mycorrhized plants (AMF), and plants that were both fertilized and mycorrhized (P+AMF). The plant height, leaf number, leaf area, fresh biomass (FB), and dry biomass (DB) of the shoots and roots, nutrient content, mycorrhizal colonization (MC), and the number of glomerospores (NG) in the rhizosphere were evaluated. The MC and the NG were reduced by phosphate fertilization. The development of the mycorrhized plants was significantly better than the NI and P treated plants for all of the variables tested. Inoculation with C. etunicatum promoted the growth of P. setacea seedlings even in the absence of phosphate fertilization, reducing production costs and strengthening the potential of P. setacea as a viable agricultural alternative for the semiarid region.     

Chromosome and genome composition of a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum</Emphasis> × <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thinopyrum</Emphasis> hybrid by classical and molecular cytogenetic techniques

Triticum–Thinopyrum amphiploids arose from the need to obtain forage grasses highly resistant to pest, drought, soil salinity and frost and they can be used as efficient bridges to transfer desired genes from wheatgrass species to wheat. One of them is trigopiro SH16 INTA, it was introduced in Argentina in 1947 but its genomic composition was unknown. The aim of this work was to determine the chromosome number and genomic and chromosome composition of trigopiro SH16 INTA in order to use it in breeding programs. The simultaneous use of the in situ hybridization technique with different probes (genomic DNA of Th. ponticum (Podp.) Barkworth et D.R. Dewey, pSc119.2 and pAs1) allowed us to conclude that the chromosome number of trigopiro SH16 is 2n = 42 and the genome composition would be: 14 chromosomes of the B genome, the 2D and 4D chromosome pairs of wheat, 14 chromosomes of the J genome of Thinopyrum and the remaining chromosomes probably belong to the A genome of wheat.     

Dune whitening and inter-dune freshwater ponds in NE Brazil

The changes in color of sand dunes from white to yellow or red is often interpreted to signify their age or their source materials. In this study we demonstrate the effect seasonal inter-dune freshwater ponds have on the bleaching of the color of sand dunes by iron reduction in the anaerobic conditions they create. By combining spectral measurements of field samples of dune sand together with the analysis of satellite images covering three dune fields in NE Brazil (Lençóis Maranhenses, Jericoacoara and Canoa Quebrada) we demonstrate its existence in the field. In areas where ponds cover 41% of the dune field (as in Lençóis Maranhenses) an almost total bleaching in the color of the sand occurs after which the dunes remain white with no relation to distance from the coastline. In areas with less ponds (e.g. Jericoacoara or Canoa Quebrada) dune whitening is less active, and there are areas where dune rubification occurs. As this process may have occurred in other dune fields during past climate conditions that may have been different from current ones, interpretations of dunes age based on their color should be handled with care.     

Diffusion of dye after perineural injection of the palmar/plantar nerves in two different sites in horses: an ex-vivo study

Veterinary Research Communications - This study aimed to evaluate the distribution of dye at two perineural injection sites of the palmar/plantar nerves and describe their anatomical variations of...     

Systemic Immunosuppression by Methylprednisolone and Pregnancy Rates in Goats Undergoing the Transfer of Cloned Embryos

The presence of the zona pellucida has been perceived as a requirement for the oviductal transfer of cloned embryos at early stages of development while protecting the embryo from an immune system response. We hypothesized that steroid hormone therapy could reduce a potential cellular immune response after the transfer of zona‐free cloned embryos into the oviduct of recipient female goats. In Experiment 1, seven does were used to study the systemic immunosuppressant effect of the methylprednisolone administration (for 3 days) on blood cell counts. Whole blood was collected prior to treatment with methyprednisolone and then on Days 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 14, 21 and 28 after the first dose of methylprednisolone for the analysis of haematological parameters. Methylprednisolone treatment significantly reduced circulating white blood cells and neutrophils in comparison with pre‐treatment levels, demonstrating a systemic immunosuppressant effect. In Experiment 2, a group of 58 does were used as recipient females to study the effect of administration of methylprednisolone for 3 days on the establishment of pregnancies after the transfer of zona‐free cloned embryos into the oviducts. No effects on pregnancy rates on Day 30 were observed regarding the distinct treatment groups (control vs. methylprednisolone), the source of oocytes (in vivo‐ vs in vitro‐matured) or the presence or absence of the zona pellucida in embryos. In summary, methylprednisolone was effective at inducing a systemic immunosuppressed state in goats, but the treatment prior to embryo transfer did not affect pregnancy rates. Moreover, pregnancy rates were similar between zona‐free and zona‐intact goat cloned embryos.     

Assessment of Genetic Variability in the Coding Sequence of Melatonin Receptor Gene (MTNR1A) in Tropical Arid Sheep Breeds of India

Seasonal behaviour in sheep, which varies in tropical and temperate environmental conditions, is a matter of study, because it can provide a clue to address the problem of seasonality in sheep. Melatonin receptor is the membrane‐bound G‐coupled receptor, sensing the message of photoperiodic cues thorough melatonin. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) studies were carried out to assess the variability of gene at G612A and C606T SNPs in MTNR1A gene, which have been studied to be markers for out‐of‐season breeding. Allelic frequency distribution corresponded to higher frequency of GG and CC genotype, in tropical arid sheep breed in comparison with temperate region sheep breed. PCR amplification of MTNR1A gene of 30 animals was performed and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identification was carried out using Lasergene software. Seven SNPs/mutations were identified, but most of them were synonymous, except the one G706A, leading to substitution of valine by isoleucine. Polyphen‐2 analysis of G706A mutation revealed that it is a benign mutation. Two important SNPs C426T and G555A, which were identified in temperate sheep breeds, could not be traced in Magra and Marwari breeds of sheep. Thus, the Magra and Marwari breeds of tropical, arid region demonstrated the presence of both polymorphic SNPs markers G612A and C606T, associated with out‐of‐season breeding. GG and CC genotypes were having a higher prevalence in the studied population.     

FraxForFuture—research on European ash dieback in Germany

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - European ash dieback caused by the alien, invasive ascomycete species Hymenoscyphus fraxineus currently represents, along with its side effects, the...     

Evaluation of a wettable powder formulation for the nuclear polyhedrosis virus of Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lep.: Noctuidae)

The influence of different carriers on the physical and biological stability of Baculovirus anticarsia wettable powder formulations was studied. The formulations were obtained by mixing the purified polyhedra of B. anticarsia with a carrier and drying the suspension in a bench spray dryer. Bioassays with Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner showed that activity was maintained with the amorphous silica, attapulgite and kaolinite after a year of storage. In the presence of bentonite, activity declined 50% in the same period. All formulations, except kaolinite, maintained the physical parameters required of a good wettable powder. Kaolinite formulation showed reduction in wettability and particle agglomeration in storage. © 1997 SCI