Physiological and biochemical responses to low non-freezing temperature of two Eucalyptus globulus clones differing in drought resistance

We have compared the metabolic responses of leaves and roots of two Eucalyptus globulus L. clones CN5 and ST51 that differ in their sensitivity to water deficits (ST51 is more drought sensitive), with regard to the effect of chilling (10/5 °C, day/night). We studied changes in growth, osmotic potential and osmotically active compounds, soluble proteins, leaf pigments, and membrane lipid composition. Our data showed that both clones have the ability to acclimatize to chilling temperatures. As a result of 10 days of acclimation, an increase of soluble sugars in leaves of treated plants of both clones was observed that disappeared later on. Differences between clones were observed in the photosynthetic pigments and soluble protein content which were more stable in CN5 under chilling. It also was apparent that CN5 presented a less negative predawn water potential (ψ_pd) and a higher leaf turgor than ST51 throughout the chilling treatment. In the case of the CN5, increased total lipids (TEA) and concomitant increase of linolenic acid (C18:3) in leaves after acclimatization may be related to a better clone performance under chilling temperatures. Moreover, a higher constitutive investment in roots in the case of CN5 as compared to ST51 may benefit new root regeneration under low temperatures favoring growth after cold Mediterranean winter.     

Transplacental Transfer of Iron in the Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis): Uteroferrin and Erythrophagocytosis

The objectives of this investigation were to understand transplacental transport of iron by secreted uteroferrin (UF) and haemophagous areas of water buffalo placenta and clarify the role(s) of blood extravasation at the placental‐maternal interface. Placentomes and interplacentomal region of 51 placentae at various stages of gestation were fixed, processed for light and transmission electron microscopy, histochemistry and immunohistochemistry. Haemophagous areas were present in placentomes collected between 4 and 10 months of pregnancy. Perl’s reaction for ferric iron was negative in placentomes, but positive in endometrial glands. Positive staining for UF indicated areas in which it was being taken up by phagocytosis and/or fluid phase pinocytosis in areolae of the interplacentomal mesenchyme, with little staining in endometrial stroma. Imunohistochemistry detected UF in trophectoderm of haemophagous regions of placentomes and in other parts of the foetal villous tree, but the strongest immunostaining was in the epithelial cells and lumen of uterine glands. Ultrastructural analyses indicated that erythrophagocytosis was occurring and that erythrocytes were present inside cells of the chorion that also contained endocytic vesicles and caveolae. Results of this study indicate that both the haemophagous areas of placentomes and the areolae at the interface between chorion and endometrial glands are important sites for iron transfer from mother to foetal‐placental tissues in buffalo throughout pregnancy.     

Potential of terracing to reduce glyphosate and AMPA surface runoff on Latosol

Journal of Soils and Sediments - Glyphosate is the world’s most used herbicide and monitoring glyphosate in the environment is a relevant topic. The present study aims to develop a...     

Application of multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction methods to detect common bacterial fish pathogens in Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus,hatcheries in Costa Rica

Edwardsiella spp., Streptococcus spp., and Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis are some of the most important fish pathogens affecting global tilapia, Oreochromis spp., aquaculture. In Costa Rica, the aquaculture industry is dominated by freshwater‐cultured Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, which are raised in all seven national provinces. At present, little is known regarding the diversity of pathogens present in these facilities, and definitive identification of agents associated with disease outbreaks are rare. To evaluate the prevalence of common bacterial pathogens in these systems, this study used multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays targeting Edwardsiella, Streptococcus, and Francisella species as a diagnostic and surveillance tool. In 2017, seven different tilapia hatcheries were visited, and 350 fingerlings were subjected to necropsy and molecular diagnostic evaluation. Fish exhibiting gross signs of disease were subjected to histological and microbiological analysis. For the first time, Edwardsiella anguillarum was recovered and molecularly confirmed from diseased tilapia in Costa Rica. In addition, F. noatunensis subsp. orientalis was identified in a region of Costa Rica where it had not been previously reported.     

Silicon amendment improves wheat defence against Fusarium graminearum and complements the control by fungicide of Fusarium head blight

A three-year field experiment with two wheat cultivars evaluated the effect of soil-applied silicon (Si), with and without fungicide spraying, on Fusarium head blight (FHB) control. Silicon treatment alone reduced FHB severity and the percentage of damaged wheat kernels, regardless of the cultivar. The best disease control was obtained for the cultivar with moderate disease resistance (MR), supplied with silicon and treated with fungicide during flowering. Silicon treatment alone promoted an increase in deoxynivalenol (DON) concentration in the disease-susceptible cultivar; however, in the MR cultivar, silicon amendment associated with fungicide treatment led to a reduction in DON concentration. Greenhouse experiments evaluated the effect of silicon combined with different timings of fungicide application on wheat defences against Fusarium graminearum. Plants supplied with silicon had a longer pathogen incubation period, lower FHB severity and lower DON concentration when compared to plants without silicon. In addition, silicon-supplied plants had higher soluble phenolic content and altered antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, POX and PPO) that favoured early accumulation of hydrogen peroxide when compared to plants without silicon. Greater control of FHB and lower DON concentration in plants treated with silicon and fungicide before inoculation and up to 1 day after inoculation was associated with increased levels of defence-associated metabolites. Silicon contributed to the reduction of FHB and DON concentration in wheat, especially for the MR cultivar and, when combined with fungicide spraying, both MR and disease-susceptible cultivars had enhanced performances upon silicon amendment.     

Metabolic responses to water deficit in two Eucalyptus globulus clones with contrasting drought sensitivity

We compared the metabolic responses of leaves and roots of two Eucalyptus globulus Labill. clones differing in drought sensitivity to a slowly imposed water deficit. Responses measured included changes in concentrations of soluble and insoluble sugars, proline, total protein and several antioxidant enzymes. In addition to the general decrease in growth caused by water deficit, we observed a decrease in osmotic potential when drought stress became severe. In both clones, the decrease was greater in roots than in leaves, consistent with the observed increases in concentrations of soluble sugars and proline in these organs. In roots of both clones, glutathione reductase activity increased significantly in response to water deficit, suggesting that this enzyme plays a protective role in roots during drought stress by catalyzing the catabolism of reactive oxygen species. Clone CN5 has stress avoidance mechanisms that account for its lower sensitivity to drought compared with Clone ST51.     

Different roughage:concentrate ratios with and without liquid residue of cassava for lambs

This aim of this study was to evaluate the intake and apparent digestibility of nutrients, ingestive behavior, blood parameters, and performance of lambs fed two roughage:concentrate (R:C) ratios, with or without liquid residue of cassava (LRC). Forty lambs (19.5?±?1.45 kg body weight) were distributed in a completely randomized 2?×?2 factorial design. The intake of dry matter (1311 g/day) and total digestible nutrients (755 g/day), and the intake (172 g/day) and digestibility (552 g/kg) of crude protein were higher for lambs fed R:C of 40:60. The R:C ratio of 80:20 promoted a higher intake (585 g/day) and digestibility (461 g/kg) of neutral detergent fiber. There was an intake of LRC of 1.37 L/day for lambs fed R:C of 80:20 and 0.42 L/day for lambs fed R:C of 40:60. The lambs fed R:C of 80:20 spent more time in feeding (326 m/day) and rumination (530 m/day). The metabolic profile and performance of lambs were not affected by LRC inclusion. The body weight gain (220 g/day) was higher in lambs fed R:C of 40:60. A roughage:concentrate ratio of 40:60 is recommended for lambs because it resulted in the best performance, regardless of supplementation with liquid residue of cassava.     

An outbreak of poisoning by Kalanchoe blossfeldiana in cattle in northeastern Brazil

Tropical Animal Health and Production - In the world, Kalanchoe species are primarily ornamentals and houseplants, but some have escaped cultivation and can be found in the field. In Latin America,...