Diversity and geographical distribution of phytoplasmas infecting China-tree in Argentina

Yellows diseases associated with phytoplasmas cause high mortality in China-tree (Melia azedarach) in Argentina, but there has been no previous large-scale survey to determine their diversity and geographical distribution. To assess the presence and identity of phytoplasmas affecting this species throughout the country, 425 samples of symptomatic trees collected at different geographic locations were analysed by a polymerase chain reaction (using universal and group-specific primers) and restriction fragment length polymorphism. Phytoplasmas belonging to 16SrIII-B group were detected at almost every location sampled, whereas 16SrXIII-C group phytoplasmas, reported for the first time in Argentina, were only found in two regions sharing similar agro-ecological characteristics (Northeast provinces and Tucuman). Double infections with 16SrIII-B and 16SrXIII-C group phytoplasmas were also recorded. Nucleotide sequencing of the 16S rDNA of three Argentinian 16SrXIII-C group phytoplasma isolates revealed high identity (99.6-99.3%) with the CbY1 isolate reported from Bolivia.

Interferência e estudo fitossociológico da comunidade infestante na cultura da beterraba transplantada

The objective of this research was to Study the phytosociological and critical interference periods of weed communities Oil transplanted beets. The treatments consisted of increasing weekly weedy/weed-free periods, starting it the second week after seedling transplanting. The weed community was evaluated based oil the number of individuals and their corresponding accumulated dry mass, for each weed population and evaluated period. The beets were harvested 91 days after transplanting, followed by evaluation of the cross-sectional diameter and marketable yield. The weed communities were composed mainly of Amaranthus viridis, Coronopus didymus, Galinsoga parviflora, Nicandra physaloides and Solanum americanum, and the populations were very similar. The period before weed interference and the total period of weed interference prevention were 51 and 35 days after transplanting, respectively. The beet yield in the weed-free treatment was 44.92 t ha(-1) and the reduction from weed interference was more than 70%.

Fiber fermentability effects on energy and macronutrient digestibility, fecal traits, postprandial metabolite responses, and colon histology of overweight cats

Considering the different potential benefits of divergent fiber ingredients, the effect of 3 fiber sources on energy and macronutrient digestibility, fermentation product formation, postprandial metabolite responses, and colon histology of overweight cats (Felis catus) fed kibble diets was compared. Twenty-four healthy adult cats were assigned in a complete randomized block design to 2 groups of 12 animals, and 3 animals from each group were fed 1 of 4 of the following kibble diets: control (CO; 11.5% dietary fiber), beet pulp (BP; 26% dietary fiber), wheat bran (WB; 24% dietary fiber), and sugarcane fiber (SF; 28% dietary fiber). Digestibility was measured by the total collection of feces. After 16 d of diet adaptation and an overnight period without food, blood glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride postprandial responses were evaluated for 16 h after continued exposure to food. on d 20, colon biopsies of the cats were collected under general anesthesia. Fiber addition reduced food energy and nutrient digestibility. of all the fiber sources, SF had the least dietary fiber digestibility (P < 0.05), causing the largest reduction of dietary energy digestibility (P < 0.05). The greater fermentability of BP resulted in reduced fecal DM and pH, greater fecal production [g/(cat x d); as-is], and greater fecal concentration of acetate, propionate, and lactate (P < 0.05). For most fecal variables, WB was intermediate between BP and SF, and SF was similar to the control diet except for an increased fecal DM and firmer feces production for the SF diet (P < 0.05). Postprandial evaluations indicated reduced mean glucose concentration and area under the glucose curve in cats fed the SF diet (P < 0.05). Colon mucosa thickness, crypt area, lamina propria area, goblet cell area, crypt mean size, and crypt in bifurcation did not vary among the diets. According to the fiber solubility and fermentation rates, fiber sources can induce different physiological responses in cats, reduce energy digestibility, and favor glucose metabolism (SF), or improve gut health (BP).

Organic and conventional fertilisation procedures on the nitrate, antioxidants and pesticide content in parts of vegetables

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

Épocas de consórcio de alho com beterraba perante três manejos do mato sobre a produtividade e o lucro

The research was carried out with intercropped cultivation of garlic and beet, in Caçador, SC, Brazil. Four seeding epochs for beet (0, 15, 30 and 45 days after garlic planting) and three management systems for weeds (with herbicides, without control and with frequent weeding) were tested. It was hoped to determine the effects of this intercropping, in time and space, seeking the benefits in .weed control, efficient land use, productivity, commercial quality, and profitability. The randomized block design was in split-plots. The epochs represented the plots, and the management, the subplots, with four replicates. Napromide at 750 g/ha did not cause symptoms of intoxication in the garlic plants, nor in the beet. All the treatments in epochs at the initiation of intercropping, in three management systems for weeds, presented efficient land use values greater than 1. The profitability of the intercropping of garlic and beet only became evident in the management involving frequent weeding; in all epochs, profits were greater than for the respective epochs of monoculture of beet and monoculture of garlic.

Reação de genótipos de feijoeiro comum a Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli, Macrophomina phaseolina e Xanthomonas campestris pv. phaseoli

The behavior of dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genotypes PI 150414, PI 163117, PI 175829 white, PI 175829 purple, PI 175858, PI 197687, A 417, A 420, A 429, Xan 160, Xan 161, WISHBR 40, and IAC Carioca inoculated with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli, Macrophomina phaseolina, and Xanthomonas campestris pv. phaseoli was evaluated under greenhouse condition. The bean genotypes Xan 160, PI 150414, A 417, PI 175829 purple, Xan 161, A 420, PI 163117, and PI 175829 white were resistant to F. oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli, and only PI 155829 white had a good level of resistance to M. phaseolina. All bean genotypes were susceptible to Feij-4 strain, and only Xan 161 had some level of leaf resistance to Feij-41 strain of X. campestris pv. phaseoli.

Fermentation characteristics of several carbohydrate sources for dog diets using the in vitro gas production technique

Fermentable carbohydrates are an important part of the canine diet. They can improve gastrointestinal health by modifying gut microbial population and metabolic activity. The present study compared the fermentation characteristics and kinetic patterns of 10 carbohydrate sources using the in vitro gas production technique (IVGPT) with dog faecal inoculum. The substrates tested were: pure cellulose (PC), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), sugar-cane fibre (SCF), beet pulp (BP), wheat bran (WB), fructooligosaccharides (FOS), inulin, yeast cell wall (YCW), ground psyllium seed (PS), pea hulls (PH). All substrates were incubated at 39°C under anaerobic conditions with faeces collected from dogs as microbial inoculum. Gas production of fermenting cultures was recorded and after 48 h, pH, shortchain fatty acids (SCFA) and organic matter disappearance (OMD) were determined. The results confirm high fermentation by dog faecal bacteria of FOS and inulin that produced high amounts of propionate and that underwent very rapid fermentation. Three substrates (SCF, CMC and PC) were not able to support bacterial growth, with low gas and SCFA production, and high BCFA formation. The PH and BP showed moderate OMD and SCFA production. Wheat bran B underwent rapid fermentation and generated a high proportion of butyrate. Psyllium seeds underwent slow fermentation with delayed gas production, supporting a high formation of SCFA, with an adequate amount of butyrate for bacterial growth while YCW, which showed a delayed fermentation, gave moderate SCFA production. The fermentation characteristics of PS and YCW suggest their potential use in promoting a more distal fermentation on intestinal tract. © Copyright S. Calabrò et al., 2013 Licensee PAGEPress, Italy.

Sugarcane vinasse: Environmental implications of its use

The inadequate and indiscriminate disposal of sugarcane vinasse in soils and water bodies has received much attention since decades ago, due to environmental problems associated to this practice. Vinasse is the final by-product of the biomass distillation, mainly for the production of ethanol, from sugar crops (beet and sugarcane), starch crops (corn, wheat, rice, and cassava), or cellulosic material (harvesting crop residues, sugarcane bagasse, and wood). Because of the large quantities of vinasse produced, alternative treatments and uses have been developed, such as recycling of vinasse in fermentation, fertirrigation, concentration by evaporation, and yeast and energy production. This review was aimed at examining the available data on the subject as a contribution to update the information on sugarcane vinasse, from its characteristics and chemical composition to alternatives uses in Brazil: fertirrigation, concentration by evaporation, energy production; the effects on soil physical, chemical and biological properties; its influence on seed germination, its use as biostimulant and environmental contaminant. The low pH, electric conductivity, and chemical elements present in sugarcane vinasse may cause changes in the chemical and physical-chemical properties of soils, rivers, and lakes with frequent discharges over a long period of time, and also have adverse effects on agricultural soils and biota in general. Thus, new studies and green methods need to be developed aiming at sugarcane vinasse recycling and disposal. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Aspectos higiênicos-sanitários de vegetais minimamente processados e perfil de resistência das leveduras isoladas frente ao hipoclorito de sódio e ozônio

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Adubação orgânica e biodinâmica na produção de chicória (cichorium endivia) e de beterraba (beta vulgaris), em sucessão

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Horticultura) - FCA

Produção de beterraba em função de doses de bokashi e torta de mamona em cobertura

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Horticultura) - FCA

Fertirrigação e controle da salinidade no cultivo de beterraba em ambiente protegido

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

Avaliação do vigor de sementes de beterraba (Beta vulgaris L.)

Pós-graduação em Agronomia - FCAV

Efeitos de períodos de interferência na comunidade infestante e na produtividade da beterraba

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Pseudomonas cichorii em tomateiro: ocorrência no Estado de São Paulo, gama de hospedeiras e reação de genótipos

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)