Volatile components from mango (Mangifera indica L.) cultivars

The volatile components of 20 mango cultivars were investigated by means of simultaneous distillation-extraction, GC, and GC-MS. Three hundred and seventy-two compounds were identified, of which 180 were found for the first time in mango fruit. The total concentration of volatiles was approximately 18-123 mg/kg of fresh fruit. Terpene hydrocarbons were the major volatiles of all cultivars, the dominant terpenes being delta-3-carene (cvs. Haden, Manga amarilla, Macho, Manga blanca, San Diego, Manzano, Smith, Florida, Keitt, and Kent), limonene (cvs. Delicioso, Super Haden, Ordonez, Filipino, and La Paz), both terpenes (cv. Delicia), terpinolene (cvs. Obispo, Corazon, and Huevo de toro), and alpha-phellandrene (cv. Minin). Other qualitative and quantitative differences among the cultivars could be demonstrated.     

Evaluation of parenteral drugs for anesthesia in the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of several parenteral anesthetics in blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus). Thirty-one animals were administered one or more of the following drugs by injection into the hemolymph (i.v.) through an arthrodial membrane: etomidate, ketamine, lidocaine, pentobarbital, propofol, tiletamine-zolazepam, xylazine, and ketamine-xylazine. A subset of crabs received intracardiac ketamine. Etomidate had no effect. Lidocaine effects were ultrashort (<3 min). Pentobarbital had prolonged inductions (2 min) and often caused violent excitement and poor anesthesia. Propofol induced light anesthesia accompanied by distress and limb autotomy. Inductions with ketamine, xylazine, tiletamine-zolazepam, and ketamine-xylazine were usually fast (<60 sec). Their anesthetic effects were generally very short (5-10 min) but predictable, smooth, and with good muscle relaxation. The latter two protocols induced a deep plane of anesthesia more consistently but also more significant bradycardia. Intracardiac ketamine injection was fatal in four of five crabs. In conclusion, the anesthetic protocols were considered unsuitable for prolonged anesthesia. However, if very short-term anesthesia is desired, then tiletamine-zolazepam or ketamine-xylazine is recommended. Further studies are indicated to identify a safe anesthetic protocol of longer duration in C. sapidus as well as in other crab species.     

Chemical control of two Phytophthora species infecting the canopy of Monterey pine (Pinus radiata)

Twelve active ingredients were screened for their ability to control foliage disease caused by Phytophthora kernoviae and Phytophthora pluvialis. Inhibition of mycelial growth and sporangial production of both pathogens were assessed in in vitro assays after exposure to three concentrations of each active ingredient. While most of these active ingredients inhibited mycelial growth in vitro, due to their widespread use, phosphite, copper oxychloride and metalaxyl‐M were selected for further study. Four rates of each active ingredient were applied to two Pinus radiata genotypes, and detached needle assays at 6 and 90 days post‐treatment were used to determine treatment efficacy and persistence. Untreated needles showed significantly larger lesions than all fungicide‐treated needles after exposure to P. pluvialis or P. kernoviae on both sampling dates. Efficacy and persistence of the three active ingredients did not increase with increase in concentration. Larger lesions were formed on more susceptible genotype after inoculation with both Phytophthora species, even when higher rates of active ingredients were applied. Phosphite, copper oxychloride and metalaxyl‐M have potential to protect commercially planted P. radiata from these two Phytophthora species.     

Real-time PCR Quantification and Mycotoxin Production of Fusarium graminearum in Wheat Inoculated with Isolates Collected from Potato, Sugar Beet, and Wheat

ABSTRACT Fusarium graminearum causes Fusarium head blight (FHB) in small grains worldwide. Although primarily a pathogen of cereals, it also can infect noncereal crops such as potato and sugar beet in the United States. We used a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method based on intergenic sequences specific to the trichodiene synthase gene (Tri5) from F. graminearum. TaqMan probe and primers were designed and used to estimate DNA content of the pathogen (FgDNA) in the susceptible wheat cv. Grandin after inoculation with the 21 isolates of F. graminearum collected from potato, sugar beet, and wheat. The presence of nine mycotoxins was analyzed in the inoculated wheat heads by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. All isolates contained the Tri5 gene and were virulent to cv. Grandin. Isolates of F. graminearum differed significantly in virulence (expressed as disease severity), FgDNA content, and mycotoxin accumulation. Potato isolates showed greater variability in producing different mycotoxins than sugar beet and wheat isolates. Correlation analysis showed a significant (P < 0.001) positive relationship between FgDNA content and FHB severity or deoxynivalenol (DON) production. Moreover, a significant (P < 0.001) positive correlation between FHB severity and DON content was observed. Our findings revealed that F. graminearum causing potato dry rot and sugar beet decay could be potential sources of inoculum for FHB epidemics in wheat. Real-time PCR assay provides sensitive and accurate quantification of F. graminearum in wheat and can be useful for monitoring the colonization of wheat grains by F. graminearum in controlled environments, and evaluating wheat germplasms for resistance to FHB.     

Stem injection of a systemic insecticide to control Uraba lugens on urban Lophostemon confertus trees

BACKGROUND: Uraba lugens Walker (Lepidoptera: Nolidae) has the potential to become a serious pest of susceptible forestry and urban trees in New Zealand. Stem injection of insecticides provides a method for the control of U. lugens in public locations where foliar applications are not suitable. Field and laboratory studies were conducted in 2009 and 2010 to determine a dose response profile of U. lugens larvae to acephate injected at 0.0, 0.25, 0.50 and 1.00 g cm^?1 tree diameter measured at breast height (dbh). The concentration of the injected solution varied across years. RESULTS: The highest mortality (85–100%) of U. lugens larvae occurred at 1.00 g acephate injected cm^?1 dbh. The lower rates (0.25 and 0.50 g acephate cm^?1) were more effective in 2010 than in 2009, a factor attributed to the change in volume of injected solution. CONCLUSION: Systemic injections of acephate at rates above 0.50 g cm^?1 dbh provide a tool for the management of U. lugens in public places. It is recommended that stem injection operations for control of U. lugens larvae be timed to coincide with the emergence of first instars so that larvae are exposed to lethal insecticide doses. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Potential for Cleopus japonicus to control the weed Buddleja davidii in plantation forests in New Zealand

Buddleja davidii (buddleia) is an invasive weed in commercial Pinus radiata D. Don plantation forests in New Zealand. For the first time, forestry managers are assessing the potential of a newly established biological control agent to manage B. davidii. Initial releases of the leaf feeding weevil Cleopus japonicus Wingelmüller (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) were made in 2006 at three P. radiata plantations located in cool temperate areas within the North Island in New Zealand. At each site, 1000 adults were released at a central point and their movement monitored along four 150 m transects, radiating outwards from the point of release, for three years. Measurements included the establishment and rates of spread of C. japonicus and damage to B. davidii by the weevils.C. japonicus established at all sites. Feeding damage to B. davidii was strongly seasonal, with damage peaking each autumn, and achieving up to 95% defoliation within three years. A model of adult dispersal probability from the central release point predicted the population front was moving on average 65 m, 42 m and 27 m per annum at each of the three sites. There was an initial time lag of approximately one year between the arrival of the weevil dispersal front, and the agent causing damage of greater than 30% defoliation to B. davidii.Effective B. davidii control needs to occur in the first few years after planting. Our results suggest that C. japonicus could be quite effective at controlling B. davidii during this time if integrated with a complementary weed management technique, such as the spot application of herbicides around plantation seedlings, rather than broadcast application. This would maximize C. japonicus establishment throughout stands.     

An integrated analysis of 33 Eucalyptus trials linking the onset of competition-induced tree growth suppression with management, physiographic and climatic factors

One of the greatest difficulties associated with controlling competitive vegetation during the establishment of eucalypts relates to the timing and planning of ‘weeding’ operations. This may be due to site related variability in vegetation species distribution and abundance, climatic conditions and methods of site preparation. Using data from 33 eucalypt vegetation management trials, multivariate statistical techniques were used to determine whether any climatic, physiographic or management related variables could be related to the time taken for competition-induced tree growth suppression to occur. Altitude, the method of site preparation (burning versus not burning) and the interaction between these two factors were significantly related to the timing of tree growth suppression. Regardless of the method of site preparation, the onset of competition-induced tree growth suppression occurred earlier at lower altitudes, where the vegetation was more diverse and vigorous. At higher altitudes, burning appears to stimulate the earlier growth of vegetation, reducing the time for competition-induced tree growth suppression to occur.     

Leaf proteins as markers useful in the genetic improvement of coconut palms

There is a need to identify genetic markers that can assist coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) breeding programs. With that objective, electrophoretic patterns of leaf peroxidases, endopeptidases and coomassie blue stained proteins were analysed in four cultivars (‘West African Tall’, ‘Rennell Tall’, ‘Malayan Yellow Dwarf’, ‘Cameroon Red Dwarf’), and in the hybrids PB121 (‘Malayan Yellow Dwarf’ × ‘West African Tall’) and PB111 (‘Cameroon Red Dwarf’ × ‘West African Tall’). The polymorphisms detected fit the expression of two alleles of a dimeric peroxidase, two alleles of a monomeric endopeptidase, and a pair of active and null alleles of a coomassie blue stained protein. Four distinctive genotypes were identified. One for each of the tall cultivars, another for both of the dwarf cultivars, and the last for both of the hybrids. Applications of the markers in breeding programs, and in research concerning reproductive biology and phylogeny, are discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.