Antioxidant, icthyotoxicity and brine shrimp lethality tests of Magonia glabrata

The ethanolic extract of the fruit bark from Magonia glabrata yielded shikimic acid, scopoletin, sitosterol glycoside and 2-O-methyl-l-inositol. Antioxidant, icthyotoxicity and brine shrimp lethality activities were observed in this extract. The major constituent, 2-O-methyl-l-inositol, was found to be inactive in two assays but showed moderate activity as a radical scavenger.     

Soil and litter fauna of cacao agroforestry systems in Bahia,Brazil

Agroforestry systems deposit great amounts of plant residues on soil and this leads to high levels of soil organic matter content and has increased soil biodiversity and improved its conservation. This study compares the distribution of meso and macrofaunal communities in soil and litter under cacao agroforestry systems and in a natural forest in the southern Bahia state of Brazil. Soil and litter samples were obtained in September 2003, February 2004, and August 2004 in five cacao agroforestry systems. The systems evaluated included: cacao renewed under Erythrina sp. (Erythrina poeppigiana) (CRE); cacao renewed under natural forest (Cabruca, CRF); an old cacao system under Erythrina sp. (OCE); an old cacao system under a natural forest system (Cabruca, OCF) and a cacao germplasm collection area (CGC). As a reference soil and litter under a natural forest (NF) was included. Organisms were collected over a 15-day period with a Berlese–Tullgren apparatus. The density and richness of total fauna varied distinctly according to sites, sampling time and material sampled (soil and litter). 16,409 of fauna were recovered from soil and litter samples and the density of total fauna was 2,094 individuals m⁻² in the litter and 641 individuals m⁻² in the soil. The richness was 11.8 in the litter and 7.5 in the soil. The cacao agroforestry systems adopted for growing cacao in the southern Bahia region of Brazil have beneficial effects on the soil and litter faunal communities, and such systems of cacao cultivation could be considered as a conservation system for soil fauna. The development of a litter layer resulted in higher abundance and diversity of soil fauna.     

Synthesis of a combinatorial library of amides and its evaluation against the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda

The fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda is a polyphagous pest that causes important damage in different regions of America and mainly affects corn crops in both tropical and subtropical areas. Currently, control relies on both transgenic plants and/or chemical pesticides. In this work we describe the preparation of an indexed combinatorial library of amides and its toxic effect by contact against S. frugiperda . (E)-1-(1-Piperidinyl)-3-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-2-propen-1-one was the most active compound with an LD(50) = 0.793 μg mg(-1) of larva. This amide was also evaluated by ingestion and at the lowest concentration (1 mg kg(-1)) achieved 83.3% mortality.     

Soybean cultivar performance in the presence of soybean Asian rust,in relation to chemical control programs

Soybean rust is caused by an obligate parasite (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) which has spread in Brazil in each new season since 2001 and, despite the efforts to control the disease, losses have occurred every year. Its control demands several tactics amongst which chemical control with fungicides is the main method and remains indispensable. Control strategies such as the use of cultivars with partial resistance are desirable, but are not yet commercially available. The present study analyzed the existing differences in the reactions of short, medium and long cycle soybean cultivars against Asian rust and their responses to fungicide sprays. The experiment was conducted at Uberlandia-MG, Brazil, under field conditions from December 2007 to May 2008, in the Syngenta Seeds Experimental Station. The high pressure of the disease in the experiment simulated the natural pressure that the disease often reaches in Brazil. The studied variables were: visual severity (percentage of infected leaf area), percentage defoliation and productivity (kg ha⁻¹). Disease severity was expressed as AUDPC (area under disease progress curve). Variance analysis and comparison of means by the Tukey test (5% significance) were done for all variables studied. Significant differences were observed between cultivar effects and chemical control programs. The results obtained here indicate that the cultivars M-Soy 8199RR and Emgopa 315RR were less susceptible to disease, and that a control program termed “monitoring” (in which the appearance of new pustules of the pathogen were monitored to make the decision at each fungicide spray) was the most effective.     

Phenotyping Castanea hybrids for Phytophthora cinnamomi resistance

Castanea sativa is susceptible to Phytophthora spp., a serious root pathogen causing ink disease, while C. crenata and C. mollissima show resistance to infection. Interspecific controlled crosses were established for introgression of resistance genes from the resistant species into the susceptible C. sativa, and two mapping populations were created. Phytophthora cinnamomi resistance of each progeny was evaluated by root and excised shoot inoculation tests. The number of days of survival after root inoculation was the best discriminator of resistance to P. cinnamomi while the percentage of shoots with internal lesions was the symptom most associated with survival. The lesion progression rate in the excised shoot inoculation test was strongly and negatively correlated with survival in the root inoculation test. The excised shoot inoculation test appears to be a reliable approach for screening the resistance of chestnut genotypes to P. cinnamomi. Strong genetic correlations were obtained between survival and ink disease symptoms and among symptoms, indicating that common or linked genes might influence resistance to P. cinnamomi. The most resistant genotypes selected from this study will be tested for other commercial variables, such as ease of vegetative propagation and stock–scion compatibility.     

Growth- and leaf-temperature effects on photosynthesis of sweet orange seedlings infected with Xylella fastidiosa

The effects of growth and leaf temperature on photosynthesis were evaluated in sweet orange seedlings ( Citrus sinensis cv. Pera) infected with Xylella fastidiosa (the bacterium that causes citrus variegated chlorosis, CVC). Measurements of leaf gas exchange and chlorophyll  a fluorescence were taken at leaf temperatures of 25, 30, 35 and 40°C in healthy and infected (without visible symptoms) seedlings submitted to two temperature regimes (25/20 or 35/20°C, day/night), not simultaneously. The CO₂ assimilation rates ( A ) and stomatal conductance ( g _s) were higher in healthy plants in both temperature regimes. Values for A and g _s of infected and healthy plants were higher in the 35/20°C regime, decreasing with leaf temperature increase. In addition, differences between healthy and infected plants were higher at 35/20°C, while no differences in chlorophyll  a fluorescence parameters were observed except for potential quantum efficiency of photosystem II, which was higher in infected plants. Low A values in infected plants were caused by low g _s and probably by biochemical damage to photosynthesis. The high alternative electron sink of infected plants was another effect of reduced A . Both high growth and high leaf temperatures increased differences in A between healthy and infected plants. Therefore this feature may be partially responsible for lower growth and/or productivity of CVC-affected plants in regions with high air temperature.     

Geographical distribution and first molecular detection of an <Emphasis Type="Italic">Emaravirus,High Plains wheat mosaic virus</Emphasis>, in Argentina

High Plains wheat mosaic virus (HPWMoV) has recently been assigned to genus Emaravirus and is the causal agent of High Plains disease. In this work the geographical distribution and first molecular detection of HPWMoV in Argentina are reported. The virus was detected in six provinces and nine hosts, including wheat, corn, oat and barley, as well as weeds, which play an important role in the epidemiology of this disease. Molecular and phylogenetic analyses of a portion of RNA3 nucleoprotein gene sequence showed that five HPWMoV isolates from different wheat growing regions of Argentina were identical, and suggest a single introduction of HPWMoV to this country, possibly through corn seeds. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first molecular detection of HPWMoV in South America. These results highlight the importance of certification of viruses-free cereal seeds and strict controls for material transfer between different countries to prevent the entry not only of new pathogens but also of new variants or strain at sites where the pest has already been detected.     

Trichoderma as a biological agent of Fusarium oxysporum species complex and Vigna unguiculata growth promoter

European Journal of Plant Pathology - This study aimed to evaluate the potential antagonistic role of Trichoderma in the control of Fusarium isolates belonging to the Fusarium oxysporum species...     

The role of oocyte-secreted factors GDF9 and BMP15 in follicular development and oogenesis

Ovarian physiology is controlled by endocrine and paracrine signals, and the transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) superfamily has a pivotal role in this control. The Bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) and Growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) genes are relevant members of the TGFβ superfamily that encode proteins secreted by the oocytes into the ovarian follicles. Through a paracrine signalling pathway, these factors induce the follicular somatic cells to undergo mitosis and differentiation during follicular development. These events are controlled by a mutually dependent and coordinated fashion during the formation of the granulosa cell layers. Many studies have contributed to our knowledge concerning the paracrine factors acting within the follicular environment, especially regarding GDF9 and BMP15. We aimed to review the relevant contributions of these two genes to animal reproductive physiology.     

Functional and Nutritional Characteristics of Soft Wheat Grown in No‐Till and Conventional Cropping Systems

The effects of no‐till versus conventional farming practices were evaluated on soft wheat functional and nutritional characteristics, including kernel physical properties, whole wheat composition, antioxidant activity, and end‐product quality. Soft white winter wheat cultivar ORCF 102 was evaluated over a two‐year period from three long‐term replicated no‐till versus conventional tillage studies in Oregon. Wheat from the no‐till cropping systems generally had greater test weight, kernel diameter, and kernel weight and had softer kernels compared with wheat from the conventional tillage systems. Compared with the conventional systems, no‐till whole wheat flour had lower protein and SDS sedimentation volume. Ash content as well as most minerals measured (calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, and zinc), except for manganese and phosphorus, were generally slightly lower in no‐till than in conventional wheat. Whole wheat flour from the no‐till cropping systems generally had slightly lower total phenolic content and total antioxidant capacity. Milling properties, including flour yield, break flour yield, and mill score, were not affected by tillage systems. Refined flour from no‐till systems had lower protein, SDS sedimentation volume, and lactic acid and sucrose solvent retention capacities compared with flour from conventional tillage. No‐till wheat generally had greater sugar‐snap cookie diameter than conventionally tilled wheat. In conclusion, no‐till soft white winter wheat generally had slightly reduced nutritional properties (protein, ash, most minerals, and total antioxidant content) compared with wheat from conventionally tilled systems, and it had equivalent or sometimes superior functional properties for baking cookie‐type products.