Inheritance of type IV glandular trichome density and its association with whitefly resistance from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum galapagense</Emphasis> accession LA1401

Tomato is affected by a large number of arthropod pests, among which the whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) is considered to be one of the most destructive. Several accessions of the wild species of Solanum galapagense, including accession LA1401, are considered resistant to whitefly (B. tabaci). This resistance has been associated with the presence of type IV glandular trichomes on the leaf surface. Our research aimed to study the inheritance of type IV glandular trichome density and its association with resistance to whitefly (B. tabaci biotype B) in populations derived from the interspecific cross Solanum lycopersicum × S. galapagense ‘LA1401.’ High estimates for both broad-sense and narrow-sense heritabilities of type IV glandular trichome densities suggest that inheritance of this trait is not complex. Whitefly resistance was associated with high density of type IV glandular trichomes. F₂ (S. galapagense × S. lycopersicum) population plants selected for the highest densities of type IV glandular trichomes showed similar levels of resistance to those found in the donor of resistance LA1401.     

Spatial Clusters in EU Productivity Growth

In the last year, a central issue in regional economic growth debate has been represented by the empirical analysis of Verdoorn's law related to the long‐term dynamic relationship between the rate of growth in output and the productivity growth due to increasing returns. Several papers have tested Verdoorn's law on European countries as well as many other world economies. Recently, attempts have been made to provide foundations for a spatial version of the original law specification. The main contributions were dedicated to the inclusion of spatial dependence in the economic model. Surprisingly, in the literature on Verdoom's law the analysis of the spatial heterogeneity is not often considered. The aim of this paper is the regional analysis of the spatial dependence and heterogeneity in Verdoorn's law, identifying spatial regimes that can be interpreted as clusters of productivity growth in European regions at NUTS 2 level. To pursue this objective, an optimization algorithm for the identification of groups is used. This constitutes a modified version of Simulated Annealing.     

Development of a molecular marker for self‐compatible S4′ haplotype in sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) using high‐resolution melting

Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) has stylar gametophytic self‐incompatibility, which is controlled by the multi‐allelic S‐locus and encompasses the highly polymorphic genes for the S‐ribonuclease (S‐RNase) and S‐haplotype‐specific F‐box (SFB), which are female and male determinants, respectively. The self‐compatible mutant SFB4′ corresponds to an allele variant of SFB4 and presents a frameshift mutation. Even though male‐determinant molecular markers can discriminate between SFB4 and SFB4′ alleles, the methods required are laborious, time‐consuming and expensive, and not suitable for massive analysis and integration into breeding programmes. Our aim was to develop molecular markers for the evaluation of self‐compatibility alleles in sweet cherry, that could be used as a high‐throughput screening strategy to identify SFB4 and SFB4′ alleles, based on a marker for male determinacy. Our results were consistent using primers flanking the mutation responsible for the SFB4′ allele. We designed a specific molecular marker and confirmed it in sweet cherry commercial varieties. This new molecular marker is feasible for self‐compatibility alleles in the male determinant in sweet cherry‐assisted breeding programs.     

Genetic analyses for bioactive potential in tetraploid potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

A total of four traits related to bioactive potential of the tetraploid potato were studied in a North Carolina II cross‐experiment. The objectives of this study were to estimate genetic parameters for target bioactive compounds in a tetraploid potato population, to determine phenotypic and genotypic correlations and to calculate combining ability effects of cultivars and breeding lines included in the crossing scheme. Total monomeric anthocyanins, phenolics, carotenoids and hydrophilic antioxidant capacity were measured by spectrophotometric methods. The sources of variation female (GCA_f), male (GCA_m) and their interaction (SCA) were significant for bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity. Narrow‐sense heritability estimates (h²) were moderate for all the traits (0.413–0.657). Both phenotypic and genotypic correlations were highly significant for phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity. As regards combining ability, positive and negative GCA and also SCA effects have been identified for bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity. These results indicate that hybrid breeding lines can be obtained by choosing parents with significant GCA, whose bioactive potential can also be further enhanced if the crosses have a significant SCA.     

Chemical and cellular antioxidant activity of phytochemicals purified from olive mill waste waters

The isolation and identification of a phytocomplex from olive mill waste waters (OMWW) was achieved. The isolated phytocomplex is made up of the following three phenolic compounds: hydroxytyrosol (3,4-DHPEA), tyrosol (p-HPEA) and the dialdehydic form of decarboxymethyl elenolic acid, linked with (3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethanol (3,4-DHPEA-EDA). The purification of this phytocomplex was reached by partial dehydration of the OMWW, followed by liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate and middle pressure liquid chromatography (MPLC) on a Sephadex LH-20 column. The phytocomplex accounted for 6% of the total phenolic content of the OMWW. The phytocomplex and individual compounds were tested for antioxidant capacity by the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) method. The ORAC phytocomplex produced 10,000 ORAC units/g dry weight, whereas the cellular antioxidant activity, measured by the cellular antioxidant activity in red blood cell (CAA-RBC) method, demonstrated that the phytocomplex and all of the components are able to permeate the cell membrane thus exhibiting antioxidant activity inside the red blood cells. Our phytocomplex could be employed in the formulation of fortified foods and nutraceuticals, with the goal to obtain substantial health protective effects due to the suitable combination of the component molecules.     

“Bracatinga” (Mimosa scabrella Bentham), a multipurpose tree growing in Southern Brazil: chromosome number and genetic variation

Mimosa scabrella Bentham, popularly known as “bracatinga” in Brazil, is a very important multipurpose tree especially in the southern region of the country, where it occurs naturally in plant associations called “bracatingais”. The species is presently in danger of losing genetic variability as it normally occurs in regions subjected to intense urbanization, industrialization, agriculture and cattle raising. Aiming at broadening the knowledge about the species we have investigated cytogenetic characteristics and genetic diversity among natural populations. The results show that all populations are tetraploid (2n = 4× = 52) and that there is a high genetic diversity among the populations. There is still time to avoid genetic erosion of M. scabrella if the areas where the species occurs are protected.     

Assessing the environment-benthic fauna coupling in protected and urban areas of southern Brazil

Growing urbanization adjacent to aquatic systems may alter water, sediment and benthic community interactions. The ecological effects of urbanization on regional, local and site-specific spatial variations of benthic macrofauna and of sediment and water properties were investigated in relatively pristine rivers and in urban rivers of southern Brazil. The benthic communities were found to be different in urbanized and protected areas. Their predominant responses to environmental conditions were characterized as either a: (i) sensitive species assemblage, formed by polychaetes Nephtys fluviatilis and Heteromastus similis and the crustacean Kalliapseudes schubarti; or a (ii) tolerant species assemblage, formed by the polychaete Laeonereis acuta and by an unidentified oligochaeta Tubificidae. The relationships between fauna and environment differed between protected and urban rivers. In protected areas the fauna distribution was directly related to grain sorting and phaeophytin a in sediments; and to chlorophyll a, dissolved oxygen and phosphorus in water. In urban sites the strongest determinants of fauna distribution were the presence of lead, copper, dissolved phosphorus, chlorophyll a and phaeophytin a in sediments, and suspended particulate matter, dissolved phosphorus, nitrogen, and silicate in water. The comparison of animal-sediment-water interaction in natural and urban areas can be useful in planning environmental impact mitigation strategies for conservation even in rivers and estuaries with non-point sources of pollution.     

Organic Matter Removal on Oxide Determination in Oxisols Via Portable X-ray Fluorescence

Many factors can influence the results obtained by portable X-ray fluorescence analysis (pXRF). The effect of soil organic matter on pXRF results is not satisfactory understood. Thus, we conducted this study to verify the effect of organic matter removal on oxide determination by pXRF in Oxisols. To obtain soil material with different organic matter contents and maintaining the same elemental composition from soil minerals, six contrasting Oxisols were heated in a muffle furnace for 30 min at the following temperatures (°C): 100; 200; 300; 400; 500 and 600. After heating, the soil samples were scanned using a pXRF Bruker® S1 Titan LE model (Dual Soil mode) for 60 s and the contents of SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, TiO₂, P₂O₅, and MnO were recorded. The soil organic matter presence underestimated the pXRF results for lightest oxides (Si and Al) compared to heaviest oxides (Fe, Ti, and Mn). These oxides are important for tropical soils classification and for many soil-related studies and pXRF technology has been a useful tool for soil chemical characterization. Our findings contribute to more suitable use of pXRF highlighting the possible effect of organic matter.