Chemical and environmental factors driving germination of Solanum americanum seeds

Solanum americanum Mill. is a weed that occurs with a number of crops, and it is known for its high seed production and its staggered germination. The objective of this work was to evaluate the germination behavior of S. americanum seeds under the influence of chemical and environmental factors. In the laboratory, we tested the effect on germination of (i) constant and alternating temperatures, (ii) seed washing, (iii) exposure time and concentration of chemical treatments and (iv) seeding depth and soil covered with plant residue on seedling emergence. The variables analyzed were germination percentage, germination rate index, seedling emergence and length of the seedlings. The results indicated that alternating temperatures are the main way to promote germination of S. americanum; however, chemical treatments can help to increase the germination percentage and rate index. There was no increase in germination with seed washing, with the exception of KNO₃ application. A GA₃ concentration of 0.84 g L^?1 and an exposure time of 21.22 h in 0.2% of KNO₃ promoted the highest germination of S. americanum. Germination occurs when seeds remain on the soil surface and are not covered by crop residue.     

Inside Cover: Cover Image,Volume 75, Issue 1

The inside cover image is based on the Research Article Carfentrazone‐ethyl and glyphosate drift inhibits uredinial formation of Austropuccinia psidii on Eucalyptus grandis leaves by Samuel Alves dos Santos et al., DOI: 10.1002/ps.5163 .

     

Essential oils in diets for Nile tilapia juveniles: Productive performance and plasmatic biochemistry

The objective of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of increasing levels of a commercial mix of essential oils (EOs) from cashew (Anacardium occidentale) and castor bean (Ricinus communis) as an additive in diets for Nile tilapia. Thus, 240 juveniles with an initial weight of 35.06 ± 1.02 g were distributed in a completely randomized design (four treatments and six replicates) in 24 cylindrical‐tapered tanks; the fish were fed for 60 days, four times a day, diets containing increasing levels of EO (0.10, 0.15 and 0.20%) and a control diet (without the additive). After the experimental period, the animals were desensitized, and an aliquot of blood was collected for the biochemical analysis; they were subsequently euthanized for the evaluation of productive performance and fillet chemical composition. No significant differences (p > .05) were observed in the analyses of productive performance, fillet chemical composition, and triglycerides, VLDL, total proteins, urea and glucose. However, significant differences (p < .05) were observed in the analyses of total cholesterol, HDL and LDL. Inclusion above 0.15 of the additive showed an improvement in the levels of lipoprotein carriers, increasing HDL levels and decreasing LDL values, without interfering with the fish productive performance.     

Disentangling the trophic interactions between American bullfrogs and native anurans: Complications resulting from post‐metamorphic ontogenetic niche shifts

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Investigations of exogenous applications of carbohydrates on the growth and vitality of live oaks

Some practitioners within the green industry have lauded the application of sugar-containing products to the soil around trees as a method to improve plant health. A research study was initiated to evaluate the effects of exogenous applications of glucose and starch on the growth and vitality of healthy live oaks (Quercus virginiana P. Miller). Glucose, starch, or a 50:50 mixture of both carbohydrates were applied as soil drenches around 60 young live oaks growing at a field nursery. Carbohydrates were dissolved in water and applied at concentrations of 0, 40, 80, and 120 g L^?1 within 0.5 m from the trunk. Solutions were applied using 10 L per application every four months during an 18-month period. Trunk diameter, root and canopy growth, and carbohydrate content of twigs and roots were measured every four months, and net photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll fluorescence, and soil respiration were measured every six months. Tissue samples from twigs and roots were collected after 16 months to measure carbon isotope composition (δ¹³C) as an indicator of carbohydrate uptake. Chlorophyll fluorescence varied throughout the experiment but did not demonstrate a clear trend. Higher carbohydrate applications did influence the concentration of glucose in twigs although the results did not clearly indicate that this effect was caused by an uptake of glucose from roots. δ¹³C signatures did not provide any evidence about potential carbohydrate uptake. Even though there was a significant increase in soil respiration after being treated with starch, no significant increase in growth or vitality was detected on healthy live oaks.     

Variability of duration of pre-anthesis phases as a strategy for increasing wheat grain yield

In wheat, stem elongation phase (SEP) duration is critical for grain number (GN) per unit of area determination, as it is the phase in which the spikes grow. Lengthening SEP, for instance by photoperiodic sensitivity, without altering the cycle to anthesis (AT) has been proposed as an alternative way to increase spike dry weight, and in turn GN. As most works supporting this idea have modified only SEP by artificial manipulation (e.g. photoperiod extensions), it is relevant to evaluate this hypothesis in populations segregating for this attribute in natural conditions. The aim of this work was to analyse the variability in SEP duration relative to AT in two F4 populations; in order to select contrasting phenotypes to evaluate the impact of this attribute on grain yield components and to analyse the selection response of this attribute. These segregating populations (Las Rosas INTA × Triguero 230 (A) and Klein Estrella × ProINTA B. Alazán (B)) were derived from parental lines with similar flowering time but different relative duration of their pre-anthesis phases. Two field experiments with previous vernalization treatment in cool chamber were carried out. In 2006, F4 populations were characterized and from one of them (population B, which presented higher variability) four groups were selected, which presented contrasting phenotypes in the attribute under study. Progenies of these groups (F5), together with remnant F4 full-sib of each one, were studied during 2007. Grain yield per plant was higher, due to GN increases, when duration of the SEP was lengthened. However, selection response to longer SEP with similar cycle to AT could not be found, possibly as the result of a high environmental influence on this attribute. The phenotypic variability evidenced in this attribute was not clearly associated with major adaptation genes evaluated (i.e. Ppd and/or Vrn), suggesting that other minor genes could be associated.     

Assessment of rocky reef fish assemblages close to seaweed farming

The seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii (Doty) Doty ex P. C. Silva, a red algal species, is the main global source of Kappa carrageenan. The introduction of such exotic species in regions outside their original locale can change the community structure of the areas into which they are introduced. The possible influence of seaweed farming on the rocky reef fish assemblage was assessed in Paraty, Brazil. The reef fish assemblage in the seaweed farming area was compared before and after the commencement of farming with two undisturbed control areas. Among the ten species ranked as the most frequently occurring in each area, eight were the same. The fish community structure close to the seaweed farming area did not change from that of the control areas, over the months of the study. Neither the fish diversity and richness indices, nor the total average abundance among areas was significantly altered. The average abundance of the different trophic groups varied over time in both the farm and control areas, revealing similar patterns. These results suggest that K. alvarezii can be cultivated up to at least 50 m from a rocky coast without altering the fish community structure of the surrounding waters.     

Carbohydrate tolerance in the fruit‐eating fish Piaractus mesopotamicus (Holmberg, 1887)

Some fish species have a limited ability to metabolize dietary carbohydrates. An important tool for understanding carbohydrate metabolism is the application of the glucose tolerance test, which can be performed orally or intraperitoneally. To evaluate carbohydrate tolerance in the fruit‐eating fish pacu, two experiments were performed, one with oral administration by gavage of three carbohydrate types (glucose, fructose and starch, 2.0 g/kg body weight (BW)) and the other with intraperitoneal injection (IP) of glucose (500 mg/kg BW). Oral glucose resulted in an increase in plasma glucose 2 hr later with the peak at 4 hr (8.30 mmol/L), and return to baseline between 6 and 12 hr; starch administration promoted a peak after 4 hr (7.70 mmol/L), returning to the baseline at 6 hr. The administration of fructose promoted a moderate peak after 2 hr (5.71 mmol/L), and return to baseline for the time points that followed. Elevated serum cholesterol levels were observed 2 and 24 hr after administration of glucose and starch. Hepatic glycogen levels increased within 24 hr, regardless of the type of carbohydrate administered. IP glucose load resulted in a peak of plasma glucose 3 hr post injection (6.91 mmol/L), returning to baseline 6 hr later. There was a reduction in the concentration of triglycerides at 24 hr. The results demonstrate that pacu metabolize both oral (glucose or starch) and intraperitoneal (glucose) carbohydrate loads after 6 hr, suggesting good ability to deal with dietary carbohydrates.     

Biogeochemical cycles of nutrients in tropical Eucalyptus plantations: Main features shown by intensive monitoring in Congo and Brazil

The sustainability of fast-growing tropical Eucalyptus plantations is of concern in a context of rising fertilizer costs, since large amounts of nutrients are removed with biomass every 6–7 years from highly weathered soils. A better understanding of the dynamics of tree requirements is required to match fertilization regimes to the availability of each nutrient in the soil. The nutrition of Eucalyptus plantations has been intensively investigated and many studies have focused on specific fluxes in the biogeochemical cycles of nutrients. However, studies dealing with complete cycles are scarce for the Tropics. The objective of this paper was to compare these cycles for Eucalyptus plantations in Congo and Brazil, with contrasting climates, soil properties, and management practices.The main features were similar in the two situations. Most nutrient fluxes were driven by crown establishment the two first years after planting and total biomass production thereafter. These forests were characterized by huge nutrient requirements: 155, 10, 52, 55 and 23 kg ha^?1 of N, P, K, Ca and Mg the first year after planting at the Brazilian study site, respectively. High growth rates the first months after planting were essential to take advantage of the large amounts of nutrients released into the soil solutions by organic matter mineralization after harvesting. This study highlighted the predominant role of biological and biochemical cycles over the geochemical cycle of nutrients in tropical Eucalyptus plantations and indicated the prime importance of carefully managing organic matter in these soils. Limited nutrient losses through deep drainage after clear-cutting in the sandy soils of the two study sites showed the remarkable efficiency of Eucalyptus trees in keeping limited nutrient pools within the ecosystem, even after major disturbances. Nutrient input–output budgets suggested that Eucalyptus plantations take advantage of soil fertility inherited from previous land uses and that long-term sustainability will require an increase in the inputs of certain nutrients.