Performance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus suber</Emphasis> L. at nursery stage—application of two bio-inoculants under two distinct environments

Key message

Despite the fact that the technique of application of bioinoculants improved the quality of Quercus suber L. seedlings produced in nurseries, these benefits are dependent on the ecological conditions of the site and the composition of the applied inoculum, which interferes with the profile of the local fungal community.

Context

Quercus suber L. plays a key ecological and socio-economical role in the Iberian Peninsula. Symbiotic ectomycorrhizal fungi-ECM are crucial partners of several tree species, and assessing the efficacy of bioinoculants at nursery stage helps devising tools to increase plant resilience.

Aims

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two inocula formulations of mixed ECM fungi and bacteria on the quality of seedlings produced in two forest nurseries, differing in environmental conditions and forest embedment.

Methods

Quercus suber L. seedlings were inoculated with a commercial product containing Pisolithus tinctorius (Pers) Coker & Couch, Scleroderma sp., and six bacterial species and with a non-commercial fungal and bacterial dual inoculum (Suillus granulatus (L.) Roussel + Mesorhizobium sp.). Biometric and nutritional parameters and morphological quality indexes were determined on seedlings. The ECM community was assessed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and cloning-sequencing.

Results

In both nurseries, the seedling quality index in inoculated was up to 2-fold higher than in non-inoculated seedlings. Plant biomass differed significantly among nurseries. The inoculum influenced the profile of the fungal community. S. granulatus and P. tinctorius persisted for 6 months in the inoculated seedlings.

Conclusion

The nursery ecosystem influenced plant growth. Inoculation treatments increased plant performance; however, the dual inoculum resulted in more consistent improvements of Q. suber at nursery stage, highlighting the importance of inocula selection.

     

Confirmation and characterization of interspecific hybrids of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Passiflora</Emphasis> L. (Passifloraceae) for ornamental use

Three new varieties of Passiflora hybrids were developed from crosses between P. sublanceolata J. M. MacDougal (ex P. palmeri var. sublanceolata Killip) versus P. foetida var. foetida L. Twenty putative hybrids were analyzed. Hybridizations were confirmed by RAPD and SSR markers. The RAPD primer UBC11 (5′-CCGGCCTTAC-3′) generated informative bands. The SSR primer A08FP1 amplified species-specific fragments and heterozygote status was observed with the two parent bands 240 and 280 bp. The molecular markers generated by primers were analyzed in terms of the presence or absence of specific informative bands. The morphological characterization of the hybrids enabled their differentiation into three groups, identified as: (1) Passiflora ‘Alva’, composed of five hybrid plants with white flowers, large corona, light purple filaments at base, white and purple/white banding to apex; (2) P. ‘Aninha’, composed of six hybrid plants with pale pink flowers, corona filaments reddish/purple at base, white, purple/white banding to apex; (3) P. ‘Priscilla’, composed of nine hybrid plants with white flowers, small corona, filaments dark purple at base, white and purple to apex. The genomic homology of parent plants was verified by cytogenetic analysis. Both parents were 2n = 22. Meiosis was regular in genitors and hybrids. Aneuploidy was observed at hybrid groups P. ‘Alva’ and P. ‘Priscilla’ (2n = 20). Other authors had already observed the same number of chromosomes for some P. foetida genotypes. Obtaining valuable interspecific hybrids opens up new perspectives to offer opportunities in agribusiness for producers and to arouse the interest of consumers into using passion flowers in the Brazilian ornamental plant market.     

Vernalization response and earliness per se in cultivars representing different eras of wheat breeding in Argentina

Argentine wheat cultivars are assumed to be essentially vernalization insensitive or very slightly sensitive. However, there are only speculations on this lack of vernalization requirement and a greater unawareness on the variation in earliness per se. The aims of this research have been to determine the extent of variability in vernalization requirement and earliness per se, and how the variability in both traits was produced by breeding programs, through the release of wheat cultivars from the 1930's to the 1990's in Argentina. Sixty-eight cultivars, selected among those of highest performance in each era, were evaluated under field and glasshouse conditions for their vernalization response and earliness per se. Forty per cent of the cultivars showed some vernalization response. There was a decrease in this requirement along the first decades of the analysed breeding period, likely in response to the considerable introgression of CIMMYT germplasm. This initial trend to release earlier cultivars was also evidenced in a clear decrease in earliness per se. As this tendency in both characteristics was reverted during the last two decades, it may denote that certain vernalization response and not extreme earliness per se, may contribute to achieve higher yield cultivars in our area. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Inheritance of shelf life and other quality traits of tomato fruit estimated from F<Subscript>1</Subscript>’s,F<Subscript>2</Subscript>’s and backcross generations derived from standard cultivar, <Emphasis Type="Italic">nor</Emphasis> homozygote and wild cherry tomato

A tomato cultivar with high quality fruit and a long shelf life is a main goal in tomato breeding and it would be achieved using wild germplasm. The objective of this work was to explore the inheritance for fruit quality traits, especially fruit shelf life, in three tomato crosses using a standard Argentinean cultivar (Ca, cv ‘Caimanta’), a ripening mutant (nor, homozygous for the nor gene) of Solanum lycopersicum, and a wild cherry type (Ce, LA1385 of S. lycopersicum var. cerasiforme). The wild parent had a shorter fruit shelf life than the mutant genotype but higher than Ca. When the Ce genotype was analyzed in hybrid combination, the F₁ (Ca×Ce) was similar to the wild genotype for shelf life whereas the F₁ (nor × Ce) had a longer shelf life. Both F₁ crosses and backcrosses to the cherry type genotype had significantly lower fruit weight than the cultivated genotypes but higher than the cherry type parent. In the F₂ analysis, it was found that the inheritance underlying quality traits is complex since non allelic interactions were detected. A significant additive genetic variance was found for fruit shelf life as well as for other fruit quality traits in each cross. The genetic parameters analyzed by mean values and variances in parental, F₁ and F₂ and backcross generations indicated that the cross between the normal ripening cultivar and LA1385 of S. lycopersicum var. cerasiforme offers the best possibility to obtain long shelf life tomato genotypes with good fruit quality.     

Ecosystem service supply and vulnerability to global change in Europe

Global change will alter the supply of ecosystem services that are vital for human well-being. To investigate ecosystem service supply during the 21st century, we used a range of ecosystem models and scenarios of climate and land-use change to conduct a Europe-wide assessment. Large changes in climate and land use typically resulted in large changes in ecosystem service supply. Some of these trends may be positive (for example, increases in forest area and productivity) or offer opportunities (for example, "surplus land" for agricultural extensification and bioenergy production). However, many changes increase vulnerability as a result of a decreasing supply of ecosystem services (for example, declining soil fertility, declining water availability, increasing risk of forest fires), especially in the Mediterranean and mountain regions.     

Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity from algae of the genus Caulerpa

Marine natural products have been the focus of discovery for new products of chemical and pharmacological interest. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antinociceptive activity of the methanolic (ME), acetate (AE), hexanic (HE) and chloroform (CE) extracts obtained from Caulerpa mexicana, and ME, CE and HE obtained from Caulerpa sertularioides. These marine algae are found all over the world, mainly in tropical regions. Models such as the writhing test, the hot plate test and formalin-induced nociception test were used to evaluate antinociceptive activity in laboratory mice. In the writhing test, all the extracts were administered orally at a concentration of 100 mg/kg, and induced high peripheral antinociceptive activity, with a reduction in the nociception induced by acetic acid above 65%. In the hot plate test, treatment with extracts from C. sertularioides (100 mg/kg, p.o.) did not significantly increase the latency of response, although the ME, AE and HE from C. mexicana showed activity in this model. This result suggests that these extracts exhibit antinociceptive activity. In the formalin test, it was observed that ME, AE and HE obtained from C. mexicana reduced the effects of formalin in both phases. On the other hand only CE from C. sertularioides induced significant inhibition of the nociceptive response in the first phase. To better assess the potential anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts, the carrageenan-induced peritonitis test was used to test Caulerpa spp. extracts on cell migration into the peritoneal cavity. In this assay, all extracts evaluated were able to significantly inhibit leukocyte migration into the peritoneal cavity in comparison with carrageenan. These data demonstrate that extracts from Caulerpa species elicit pronounced antinociceptive and anti-inflamatory activity against several nociception models. However, pharmacological and chemical studies are continuing in order to characterize the mechanism(s) responsible for the antinociceptive action and also to identify the active principles present in the Caulerpa species.     

Just Aquatic Governance: The Amazon basin as fertile ground for aligning participatory conservation with social justice

1. Governance of natural resources in the Amazon has changed over time, especially when it comes to participatory regimes. Yet these regimes have rarely focused on the conservation of aquatic systems or have failed to fully deliver social justice.
2. Participatory regimes in the Amazon basin that rely on the provision of freshwater ecosystem services can potentially favour transformative and just conservation. A framework referred to as the ‘Just Aquatic Governance’ model is proposed to organize and facilitate the transition of continuing and future endeavours that seek conservation while also supporting distinct aspects of social justice.
3. If conservation of aquatic systems can be reconciled with all aspects of social justice, then transformative and just governance regimes could emerge without further burdening those at the forefront of conservation.
4. The Just Aquatic Governance framework is divided into three aspects of social justice, organized according to the following pillars: (i) recognitional – support for cultural diversity and the maintenance of livelihoods, including food security; (ii) procedural – the right to autonomy and territory, and support for participatory forms of governance; and (iii) distributional – promotion of gender equality and fair distribution of economic benefits.
5. Although not a panacea, the model proposed here, which can also influence policy strategies, can potentially align both conservation demands and social aspirations in the Amazon – a historical, yet still imperative, need in the region.

     

Modelling the potential distribution of two tropical freshwater fish species under climate change scenarios

1. Climate change is causing shifts in the distribution patterns of freshwater fish at various spatio-temporal scales. Tropical freshwater fish are vulnerable, especially in areas where a high impact of climate change is predicted; thus, there is an increasing need to predict these shifts to determine conservation and adaptation strategies.
2. Ecological niche models offer a reliable way to predict the effects of climate change on species distribution. Potential shifts in the distribution of tropical fish were tested under two scenarios (4.5 – moderate and 8.5 – extreme) with three general circulation models for years 2050 and 2070 using maximum entropy software using as models two predatory species – the tropical gar Atractosteus tropicus and the giant cichlid Petenia splendida.
3. The potential distribution of both species was associated with warm and humid–sub-humid conditions. Future projections showed a higher availability of suitable areas for both species resulting from the expansion of warmer conditions in the middle and upper basins of the Central American mountain range and centre of the Yucatan Peninsula.
4. Ecological niche models of keystone or umbrella species such as A. tropicus and P. splendida could be useful to support conservation plans of protected areas. The potential distribution of both species covers areas of high suitability including six important biosphere reserves in Mexico, three protected areas in Guatemala and part of the Mesoamerican biological corridor.
5. Despite the potential expansion of the present distribution range suggested by the models, it is important to consider the biological and ecological requirements of the species and the ecological implications of these potential shifts in distribution. Both scenarios could have several implications at genetic, population, and ecosystem levels.

     

Nickel adsorption in two Oxisols and an Alfisol as affected by pH,nature of the electrolyte,and ionic strength of soil solution

Background, aim, and scope  The retention of potentially toxic metals in highly weathered soils can follow different pathways that variably affect their mobility and availability in the soil–water–plant system. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of pH, nature of electrolyte, and ionic strength of the solution on nickel (Ni) adsorption by two acric Oxisols and a less weathered Alfisol. Materials and methods  The effect of pH on Ni adsorption was evaluated in surface and subsurface samples from a clayey textured Anionic ‘Rhodic’ Acrudox (RA), a sandy-clayey textured Anionic ‘Xantic’ Acrudox (XA), and a heavy clayey textured Rhodic Kandiudalf (RK). All soil samples were equilibrated with the same concentration of Ni solution (5.0 mg L⁻¹) and two electrolyte solutions (CaCl₂ or NaCl) with different ionic strengths (IS) (1.0, 0.1 and 0.01 mol L⁻¹). The pH of each sample set varied from 3 to 10 in order to obtain sorption envelopes. Results and discussion  Ni adsorption increased as the pH increased, reaching its maximum of nearly pH 6. The adsorption was highest in Alfisol, followed by RA and XA. Competition between Ni²⁺ and Ca²⁺ was higher than that between Ni²⁺ and Na⁺ in all soil samples, as shown by the higher percentage of Ni adsorption at pH 5. At pH values below the intersection point of the three ionic strength curves (zero point of salt effect), Ni adsorption was generally higher in the more concentrated solution (highest IS), probably due to the neutralization of positive charges of soil colloids by Cl⁻ ions and consequent adsorption of Ni²⁺. Above this point, Ni adsorption was higher in the more diluted solution (lowest ionic strength), due to the higher negative potential at the colloid surfaces and the lower ionic competition for exchange sites in soil colloids. Conclusions  The effect of ionic strength was lower in the Oxisols than in the Alfisol. The main mechanism that controlled Ni adsorption in the soils was the ionic exchange, since the adsorption of ionic species varied according to the variation of pH values. The ionic competition revealed the importance of electrolyte composition and ionic strength on Ni adsorption in soils from the humid tropics. Recommendations and perspectives  The presence of NaCl or CaCl₂ in different ionic strengths affects the availability of heavy metals in contaminated soils. Therefore, the study of heavy metal dynamics in highly weathered soils must consider this behavior, especially in soils with large amounts of acric components.     

Selection of Leguminous Trees Associated with Symbiont Microorganisms for Phytoremediation of Petroleum-Contaminated Soil

Leguminous trees have a potential for phytoremediation of oil-contaminated areas for its symbiotic association with nitrogen-fixing bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). This study selects leguminous tree associated with symbiotic microorganisms that have the potential to remediate petroleum-contaminated soil. Seven species of trees were tested: Acacia angustissima, Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia holosericea, Acacia mangium, Mimosa artemisiana, Mimosa caesalpiniifolia, and Samanea saman. They were inoculated with AMF mix and nitrogen-fixing bacteria mix and cultivated over five oil levels in soils, with five replicates. The decreasing of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) values occurred especially with S. saman and its symbiotic microorganisms on highest oil soil contamination. Despite the large growth of A. angustissima and M. caesalpiniifolia on the highest level of oil, these species and its inoculated microorganisms did not reduce the soil TPH. Both plants were hydrocarbon tolerant but not able to remediate the polluted soil. In contrast were significative hydrocarbon decrease with M. artemisiana under high oil concentrations, but plant growth was severely affected. Results suggest that the ability of the plants to decrease the soil concentration of TPH is not directly related to its growth and adaptation to conditions of contamination, but the success of the association between plants and its symbionts that seem to play a critical role on remediation efficiency.