Effect of temperature and leaf wetness duration on infection of sweet oranges by Asiatic citrus canker

Asiatic citrus canker, caused by Xanthomonas smithii ssp. citri , formerly X. axonopodis pv. citri , is one of the most serious phytosanitary problems in Brazilian citrus crops. Experiments were conducted under controlled conditions to assess the influence of temperature and leaf wetness duration on infection and subsequent symptom development of citrus canker in sweet orange cvs Hamlin, Natal, Pera and Valencia. The quantified variables were incubation period, disease incidence, disease severity, mean lesion density and mean lesion size at temperatures of 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 42°C, and leaf wetness durations of 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 h. Symptoms did not develop at 42°C. A generalized beta function showed a good fit to the temperature data, severity being highest in the range 30–35°C. The relationship between citrus canker severity and leaf wetness duration was explained by a monomolecular model, with the greatest severity occurring at 24 h of leaf wetness, with 4 h of wetness being the minimum duration sufficient to cause 100% incidence at optimal temperatures of 25–35°C. Mean lesion density behaved similarly to disease severity in relation to temperature variation and leaf wetness duration. A combined monomolecular-beta generalized model fitted disease severity, mean lesion density or lesion size as a function of both temperature and duration of leaf wetness. The estimated minimum and maximum temperatures for the occurrence of disease were 12°C and 40°C, respectively.     

Glyphosate sustainability in South American cropping systems

South America represents about 12% of the global land area, and Brazil roughly corresponds to 47% of that. The major sustainable agricultural system in South America is based on a no-tillage cropping system, which is a worldwide adopted agricultural conservation system. Societal benefits of conservation systems in agriculture include greater use of conservation tillage, which reduces soil erosion and associated loading of pesticides, nutrients and sediments into the environment. However, overreliance on glyphosate and simpler cropping systems has resulted in the selection of tolerant weed species through weed shifts (WSs) and evolution of herbicide-resistant weed (HRW) biotypes to glyphosate. It is a challenge in South America to design herbicide- and non-herbicide-based strategies that effectively delay and/or manage evolution of HRWs and WSs to weeds tolerant to glyphosate in cropping systems based on recurrent glyphosate application, such as those used with glyphosate-resistant soybeans. The objectives of this paper are (i) to provide an overview of some factors that influence WSs and HRWs to glyphosate in South America, especially in Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay soybean cropped areas; (ii) to discuss the viability of using crop rotation and/or cover crops that might be integrated with forage crops in an economically and environmentally sustainable system; and (iii) to summarize the results of a survey of the perceptions of Brazilian farmers to problems with WSs and HRWs to glyphosate, and the level of adoption of good agricultural practices in order to prevent or manage it.     

Mechanical behavior of composites reinforced with fibers caroa

Composites were prepared with 13, 23 30 and 40 % fiber and evaluated the mechanical performance in tensile, flexural and impact. The mechanical properties of these composites were also evaluated function of time at 110 °C thermal exposure. Caroa fibers were characterized by techniques such as thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that the best mechanical properties were achieved for composites containing 23 to 30 % fiber. The incorporation of 23 % fiber caroa increased both the modulus of elasticity in the tensile test as the flexural strength and impact, the composite with 30 % fiber caroa showed higher tensile strength. The results show that the tensile and flexural strength of the composite decreased with time of thermal exposure. The thermal aging at 110 °C caused a decrease in tensile properties of the composites.     

The Content of Dietary Fibre and Polyphenols in Morphological Parts of Buckwheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fagopyrum tataricum</Emphasis>)

In this report, we presented the profile of polyphenolic substances in flowers, leaves, stalk and roots of Fagopyrum tataricum estimated by using RP–UHPLC–ESI-MS equipment (reversed-phase ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry). The neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, acid detergent lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose were also determined. Flowers, leaves, stalk and roots showed varying levels of dietary fibre and polyphenols. The highest content of neutral and acid detergent fibre were found in the roots (63.92 and 45.45% d.m., respectively) while the most rich in phenolic compounds were flowers (4.8 mg/1 g d.m.). Root and stalk contained the highest level of cellulose, 38.70 and 25.57% d.m., respectively. Among the investigated polyphenolic substances such as: 2,6-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 4-hydrobenzoic acid, caffeic acid, catechin, chlorogenic acid, fagopyrin, ferulic acid, myricetin, gallic acid, isovanilic acid, isovitexin, kaempferol, luteolin, p-coumaric acid, procyanidin B2, quercetin, quercetin 3-D galactoside, rutin, syringic acid and vitexin, we observed that the contents of rutin and chlorogenic acid were the highest. We found some correlation between dietary fibre fractions and individual phenolic substances. The levels of acid detergent fibre (ADF), cellulose and hemicellulose were negatively correlated with isovitexin, kaempferol, vitexin, fagopyrin, caffeic acid and procyanidin B2 content. In this investigation, two solvents (water and methanol) were estimated regarding their extraction efficiency of phenolic compounds. Taking these results into consideration, we recommend using methanol as the extractor to isolate chlorogenic acid, fagopyrin, kaempferol, procyanidin B2, quercetin, quercetin 3-D-galactoside, rutin, vitexin, and water for other investigated polyphenolic substances obtained from Fagopyrum tataricum.     

Release of doxycycline through cellulose acetate symmetric and asymmetric membranes produced from recycled agroindustrial residue: Sugarcane bagasse

Cellulose acetate is one of the components employed in drug controlled-release systems in the form of membranes. The aim of this study was to examine the controlled-release of doxycycline employing cellulose acetate symmetric and asymmetric membranes as matrices. The cellulose triacetate was produced from sugarcane bagasse through a homogeneous acetylation reaction, using acetic acid as the solvent, acetic anhydride as the acetylating agent and sulfuric acid as the catalyst. The viscosity average molecular weight of the cellulose acetate produced was 39,000 g mol⁻¹. The symmetric membranes were produced using a system solvent of dichloromethane/ethanol (9:1, v/v) and the asymmetric membranes were produced from the same solvent system and 10% of water. For the formulation of both, 5% of doxycycline was used. The membranes were characterized by thermal analysis (DSC and TGA) and scanning electron microscopy SEM. The release of doxycycline through cellulose triacetate matrices was examined using spectrophotometric analysis in the ultraviolet-visible region, at 275 nm. The results revealed that asymmetric membranes release 80% of the drug in 100 min, while symmetric membranes release 14% of the drug during the same time interval.     

Reproductive biology of pink dentex Dentex gibbosus (Rafinesque) from the Adriatic Sea, Croatia

A 4‐year study (May 1997–December 2000) of the reproductive biology of pink dentex Dentex gibbosus (Rafinesque) from the Adriatic Sea revealed that this species is a rudimentary hermaphrodite. The smallest mature males and females captured were 38.70 cm in total length (T_L) and 39.80 cm in total length (T_L) respectively. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters estimated for the entire population were: L_∞=107.24, K=0.12 and t₀=−0.90. Fifty per cent of the population were sexually mature at 41.50 cm T_L, while 100% of the specimens were sexually mature at 57.00 cm T_L. Both monthly gonadosomatic index and macroscopically determined gonad stages strongly indicate that the pink dentex from the Adriatic Sea spawn partially in August, September and October. The mean value of absolute fecundity (F) was 1672 × 10⁶ eggs. The results of great fertility of the pink dentex, partial spawning and relatively late sexual maturation suggest that the pink dentex has a high potential for commercial culture.     

Soil Solution Chemical Response to Two Decades of Experimental Acidification at the Bear Brook Watershed in Maine

We examined long-term changes in soil solution chemistry associated with experimental, whole watershed-acidification at the Bear Brook Watershed in Maine (BBWM). At BBWM, the West Bear (WB) watershed has been treated with bimonthly additions of ((NH₄)₂ SO₄) since 1989. The adjacent East Bear (EB) watershed serves as a biogeochemical reference. Soil solution chemistry in the EB watershed was relatively stable from 1989?C2007, with the exception of declining SO₄?CS concentrations associated with a progressive decline in SO₄?CS deposition during this period. Soil solution chemistry in WB reflected a progressive change in acid-neutralization mechanisms from base cation buffering to Al buffering associated with treatment during this period. Total dissolved Al concentrations progressively increased over time and were ~4× higher in 2007 than in 1989. Treatment of WB was also associated with long-term increases in soil solution H⁺, SO₄?CS, and NO₃?CN, whereas soil solution dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was unresponsive to treatment. For solutes such as Ca, H⁺, and SO₄?CS, changes in stream chemistry were generally parallel to changes in soil solution chemistry, indicating a close coupling of terrestrial and aquatic processes that regulate the chemistry of solutions in this first-order stream watershed. For other solutes such as Al and DOC, solute concentrations were higher in soil solutions compared with streams, suggesting that sorption and transformation processes along hydrologic flow-paths were important in regulating the chemistry of solutions and the transport of these solutes.     

Cross‐effects of dietary probiotic supplementation and rearing temperature on growth performance,digestive enzyme activities,cumulative mortality and innate immune response in seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

Probiotic influence on fish immune response and digestive capacity is extensively discussed in aquaculture. In this experiment, a feeding trial was carried out for 100 days to evaluate the cross‐effects of probiotic supplementation and rearing temperature (17, 20 and 23°C) in juvenile seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax). The experimental diet was supplemented with a commercial probiotic blend (Biomin AquaStar Growout) at 3 g/kg diet (5.23 × 10⁸ CFU/kg diet), and tested against a non‐supplemented diet (control). Growth performance and innate immune responses were analysed at 70 and 100 days of feeding, whereas digestive enzyme activities were determined at 100 days of feeding. At the end of the feeding trial, fish were subjected to a handling stress and cumulative mortality was recorded. Digestive enzyme activities were influenced by temperature, with α‐amylase and lipase activities peaking at the higher temperature (23°C) and trypsin at the lower temperature (17°C). Immune parameters showed a significant temperature versus feeding duration effect, with complement system (ACH50) and peroxidase peaking at 70 and 100 days of feeding, respectively. Poststress cumulative mortality was higher at the lowest temperature (17°C), especially in fish fed the control diet. In conclusion, water temperature was the main variable affecting the studied parameters, whereas the dietary probiotic supplementation had influence on the chymotrypsin activity and survival rate in seabass reared at 17°C.     

Promoting connectivity between priority freshwater sites for conservation in intermittent hydrological systems

1. Systematic conservation planning in freshwater ecosystems faces multiple challenges because of the dynamic nature of rivers and their multiple dimensions of connectivity. In intermittent hydrological systems connectivity is functional when water is available, allowing the exchange of aquatic individuals between isolated freshwater ecosystems. Integrating these isolated systems in their hydrological context is essential when identifying priority areas for conservation, in order to try to minimize the propagation of threats into target water bodies (management units) from the surrounding landscape.
2. Here, the use of a systematic planning approach is demonstrated to identify a set of priority management units to preserve freshwater biodiversity in an arid system of fragmented water bodies immersed in a landscape subject to a range of impacts.
3. Twenty-six water-dependent taxa from 59 mountain rock pools (gueltas) of three southern Mauritanian mountains were used as a case study. A conservation planning tool (marxan ) was used to find priority conservation areas to integrate intermittent hydrological systems in their hydrological context, promote connectivity, and minimize the downstream propagation of threats. Three types of connectivity were analysed: (i) no connectivity, (ii) connectivity between gueltas, and (iii) connectivity between gueltas and sub-catchments.
4. Considering different types of longitudinal connectivity affects the number and spatial allocation of the priority gueltas selected, and the conservation status of the gueltas and their upstream areas. Incorporating connections between gueltas and upstream locations in the modelling resulted in the selection of gueltas in areas with a low human footprint and in the increased connectivity of the solutions.
5. The results obtained revealed important locations for local biodiversity conservation, and the method presented can be used when assessing the propagation of potential waterborne threats into isolated management units. The framework developed allows connectivity to be addressed in conservation planning. It can be replicated in regions with similar isolated habitats that connect through intermittent hydrological systems and can also be applied to lateral and vertical hydrological connectivity.

     

Reports on establishing an ex situ site for ‘beautiful’ vavilovia (Vavilovia formosa) in Armenia

Vavilovia (Vavilovia Fed.) is one of the five genera in tribe Fabeae and consists of only one species, ‘beautiful’ vavilovia (Vavilovia formosa (Stev.) Fed.). The main centre of distribution is the Central and Eastern Caucasus, with a disjunct distribution among high alpine areas in the region, extending as far as West Turkey, Lebanon and Iran. In Armenia, in situ studies on Vavilovia started in the late 1930s. In July and August 2009, three expeditions were conducted to two locations: two to the Ughtasar Mountain and one to the Geghama Mountains. The first expedition to Ughtasar resulted in fresh plant collections and soil analysis for one of the sites. The expedition to Geghama established the existence of Vavilovia in the region of Lake Aknalitch. The second expedition to Ughtasar provided immature fruits and seeds. Collected plant material was transplanted into the Flora and Vegetation of Armenia plot of the Yerevan Botanic Garden established in 1940. Today, along with other plants the plot contains more than 200 species of wild relatives of cultural plants from 130 genera, including indiginous species of tribe Fabeae such as Vavilovia. The transplanted plants will continue to be monitored to see if the plants go on to successfully flower and set seed or whether further sites, possibly at higher altitudes might need to be tested to meet the long term conservation requirements of this iconic legume. These co-ordinated efforts provide a good example of an ex situ conservation strategy for Vavilovia formosa, which, if successful will improve access and utility for the whole legume research community.