Transcriptomics and systems biology analysis in identification of specific pathways involved in cacao resistance and susceptibility to witches' broom disease

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Estabilidade aeróbia, pH e dinâmica de desenvolvimento de microrganismos da cana-de-açúcar in natura hidrolisada com cal virgem

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Uso de aditivos em rações para suínos nas fases de creche, crescimento e terminação

Este trabalho foi conduzido com o objetivo de verificar o efeito da adição de antibiótico, probiótico, prebiótico e gluconato de sódio para suínos no período de 28 a 142 dias de idade, correspondente às fases de creche, crescimento e terminação. Foram utilizados 168 leitões desmamados aos 21 dias de idade, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado em 42 baias com quatro suínos machos castrados em cada unidade experimental, com seis repetições e sete dietas: ração basal (controle negativo); ração basal + antibiótico; ração basal + probiótico; ração basal + prebiótico; ração basal + probiótico + prebiótico (simbiótico); ração basal + gluconato de sódio; ração basal + gluconato de sódio + probiótico. O desempenho dos animais diferiu entre as dietas e foi melhor nos animais que receberam ração com aditivos no período de 28 a 142 dias de idade. Entre os aditivos, o simbiótico foi mais eficiente, pois promoveu os melhores resultados de ganho de peso e conversão alimentar. do mesmo modo, a adição de gluconato de sódio + probiótico, prebiótico e probiótico nas rações foi mais eficiente que a adição de antibiótico. A utilização dos aditivos avaliados em substituição ao antibiótico não compromete as características de carcaça e a morfometria intestinal. A associação do probiótico e prebiótico (simbiótico) estudados melhora o desempenho dos suínos nas fases de creche, crescimento e terminação.

Effect of probiotic and prebiotic inclusion in weaned piglet diets on structure and ultra-structure of small intestine

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Enxertia em plantas de pimentão no controle da murcha de fitóftora em ambiente protegido

Avaliou-se a viabilidade de utilização da enxertia em plantas de pimentão (Capsicum annuum, L.), visando o controle da murcha de fitóftora. A pesquisa foi conduzida de setembro de 2000 a julho de 2001, na UNESP, Botucatu, em ambiente protegido. Adotou-se o delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com 4 repetições e 5 plantas por parcela. Foram utilizados dois porta-enxertos resistentes a Phytophthora capsici, híbridos F1 de Capsicum annuum, e três híbridos comerciais suscetíveis (Elisa, Margarita e Magali-R). A enxertia foi realizada quando porta-enxertos e enxertos apresentavam respectivamente sete e três folhas verdadeiras, pelo método de garfagem fenda simples. Aos 14 dias após o transplante das mudas foi feita a inoculação do fungo, utilizando sementes de trigo infestadas pelo patógeno, depositadas ao redor do colo da planta. Quatro dias após a inoculação, e a partir daí a cada 15 dias, foram feitas avaliações que confirmaram a resistência dos porta-enxertos e a suscetibilidade das plantas não enxertadas. Observou-se bom nível de compatibilidade de enxertia em todas as combinações, precocidade de florescimento das plantas não enxertadas, manutenção de resistência à doença pelas plantas enxertadas durante todo o período e variações na altura das plantas em algumas combinações. Com relação à produção, verificou-se que os frutos mantiveram as características fenotípicas de cada híbrido, revelando que não houve interferência dos porta-enxertos neste aspecto. Concluiu-se haver viabilidade técnica de utilização da enxertia no controle da murcha de fitóftora em ambiente protegido.

Behavioural responses of workers towards worker-produced male larvae and queen-produced worker larvae in Acromyrmex subterraneus brunneus Forel, 1911 (Hym., Formicidae)

Leaf-cutting ant workers care for larvae with an elaborate behavioural repertoire to satisfy the needs of the offspring. In order to investigate worker discrimination ability in the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex subterraneus brunneus, we compared the behavioural responses of workers towards worker-produced male larvae and queen-produced worker larvae, including the following behavioural acts: licking the larval body, transporting larvae, feeding larvae with hyphae, scraping larval mouth parts, ingesting faecal fluid excreted by the larva, and inserting hyphae of the symbiontic fungus on the larval body. We verified that workers behaved differently depending on larval origin, i.e. licking the larval body, transporting larvae and inserting hyphae of the symbiontic fungus on the larval body. Observed differences denote the ability of workers in discriminating among larvae, probably because of their different individual needs.

Physical resistance as a criterion in the selection of foraging material by Acromyrmex subterraneus brunneus Forel, 1911 (Hym., Formicidae)

Leaf-cutting ants forage on a wide variety of plant species using the physical and chemical characteristics of the plants as a selection criterion. In order to determine the influence of the physical factor on the selection of foraging material, inert materials such as floral sponge, polystyrene, plastic and clay, which possess different degrees of physical resistance to cutting, were offered simultaneously to five Acromyrmex subterraneus brunneus colonies, and assessed 12 and 24 h after foraging. No substrate selectivity was observed during foraging. Physical resistance was used as a decision criterion for the incorporation or return of the foraged material. This fact suggests the existence of a second time of selection of the foraged material inside the colony during cultivation of the symbiontic fungus.

Evaluation of the adequacy of diflubenzuron and dechlorane in toxic baits for leaf-cutting ants (Hymenoptera : Formicidae) based on formicidal activity

Studies assessing the characteristics of active ingredients (AIs) of toxic baits for leaf-cutting ants are still scarce, although the need for a delayed action of these compounds on adult workers has been well accepted (mortality <= 15% at 24 h and <= 90% at 21 days). Therefore, we determined the insecticidal action of two AIs used in commercial baits, diflubenzuron and dechlorane, over time in workers, and discussed the control of colonies in relation to the existing literature. Dechlorane presented excellent insecticidal activity with a delayed action at all concentrations tested, although its commercial use has been prohibited due to its organochlorine nature. In contrast, diflubenzuron did not cause significant mortality or symptoms of intoxication, indicating that the successful cases reported with the use of baits containing this AI were in fact due to an accidental contamination with dechlorane. We comment about the ineffectiveness of diflubenzuron on alternative targets, i.e., young forms and the mutualistic fungus, supporting the concept that the AI needs to a have a delayed action on adult workers.

Larval isolation and brood care in Acromyrmex leaf-cutting ants

The larvae of leaf-cutting ants are maintained within the fungus gardens of their colonies and are fed pieces of fungus by the adult workers. However, little else is known about the nature of the worker-larva interaction in these ecologically important ants. To examine whether workers can gauge the needs of individual larvae, we isolated larvae without adult workers for different lengths of time. We then placed workers with the larvae and recorded the type and frequency of the subsequent behaviours of the workers. Workers scraped the mouthparts of larvae, ingested their faecal fluid, fed them with fungal hyphae, transported them around the fungus garden and, most frequently, licked their bodies. The workers were also observed to 'plant' fungal hyphae on the bodies of larvae. Workers interacted more frequently with larvae that had been isolated without workers than with those that had not, but there was no effect of the length of isolation. The results suggest that the interactions are complex, involving a number of behaviours that probably serve different functions, and that workers are to some extent able to assess the individual needs of larvae.

Filamentous fungi found on foundress queens of leaf-cutting ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Decay resistance of thermally-modified Eucalyptus grandis wood at 140 degrees C, 160 degrees C, 180 degrees C, 200 degrees C and 220 degrees C

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effect of acibenzolar-S-methyl and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on the activation of Eucalyptus defences against rust

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Digging effort in leaf-cutting ant queens (Atta sexdens rubropilosa) and its effects on survival and colony growth during the claustral phase

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Avaliação da esporulação de Bionectria ochroleuca em diferentes meios de culturas

The biological control of the plants diseases, caused by fungi, is carried out using others organisms (predator, parasite or pathogen). Among the possible agents of biocontrol, a fungus has been highlighting as promising and it is known as Clonostachys rosea, asexual form of Bionectria ochroleuca. For that, it is necessary the in vitro production of spores of this fungus. In this study were tested several culture media to select those with better conidia production. The study was conducted at Plant Protection Division, in the Plant Production Department, FCA - UNESP, Botucatu campus, São Paulo state, Brazil. We used the isolated CCR64 (Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA)-CNPMA). The means of crops were: BDA; Oats-Agar; Mazeina-Agar; Rice-Agar; V8-5%; V8-10%; V8-20%; TJ-5 %; TJ-10, TJ-20%. The sporulation of the fungus in different culture media was estimated at 8 days after of the incubation. The data were analyzed using method of comparing averages, using the Tukey test, at 5% probability, and the data processed, using (X + 1) 0.5 transformation. All culture media tested were able to produce conidia. It was found that the best culture media for production of conidia of Bionectria ochroleuca is the TJ-5%, followed by TJ-20%, with an sporulation average of 3,5 x 106 conidia / ml.

Nota sobre a biologia de "Microdon tigrinus" (Diptera: Syrphidae), parasito social de "Acromyrmex coronatus" (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The fly of the syrphid Microdon tigrinus is a specific social parasite of leaf-cutting ant, Acromyrmex coronatus. Six colonies of Acromyrmex coronatus were collected in plastic containers, which there was a layer of 1 cm of plaster, with the purpose of maintaining the humidity of fungus culture. Larvae of social parasite were separate for the establishment of instars number, through morphometric study. The data were measured of 165 larvae, using spiracle (length (Ls), width (Ws) and distance between spiracle (Ds)). After that, the morphometric data obtained for the larvae were submitted to cluster analysis by Wong's hybrid method, which produces the adequate number of groups through pseudo F-statistics and pseudo t-squared statistics. The three morphometric variables studied permitted grouping of larvae into the following three distinct groups: cluster 1 [long dash] consisting of 55 larvae (Ls=0.177[plus or minus]0.026, Ws=0.163[plus or minus]0.030, Ds=0.052[plus or minus]0.008 mm); cluster 2 - consisting of 20 larvae (Ls=0.631[plus or minus]0.065, Ws=0.630[plus or minus]0.049, Ds=0.065[plus or minus]0.018 mm); cluster 3 - consisting of 90 larvae (Ls=1.294[plus or minus]0.062, Ws=1.308[plus or minus]0.069, Ds=0.140[plus or minus]0.018 mm). of the all couples, only 1 obtained success in the mating, and the female, after 24 hours, began the oviposition. The female layed 76 eggs in a period of 6 days, after that, her death. The larvae emerged in the seventh day (incubation period [plus or minus] 7 days). From 76 eggs, 54 were viable, with a viability of 71.05%. This study contributes to the knowledge of Microdon tigrinus biology of, a social parasite poorly studied in Brazil.