Attractiveness of Different Citrus Pulps to the Leaf-Cutting Ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The most common control method Uses toxic baits consisted of dehydrated citrus pulp as carrier and attractant. However, the portion of the citrus fruit that is attractive to ants is still Unknown, despite its importance in chemical control. This study compared the attractiveness of different fruit parts of citrus pulps to Atta sexdens rubropilosa workers. Three treatments: pellets of industrial citrus pulp, albedo (mesocarp), and whole citrus pulp were offered randomly to ants and the removal of these substrates by workers was observed. Tie three pulps Were equally attractive to this species (F = 0.8033; p = 0.4633). Although the whole pulp included the epicarp, it was as attractive as the other treatments, possibly because, the material was heated during processing, eliminating any volatile substance that could repel ants.

Low variation in ribosomal DNA and internal transcribed spacers of the symbiotic fungi of leaf-cutting ants (Attini: Formicidae)

Leaf-cutting ants of the genera Atta and Acromyrmex (tribe Attini) are symbiotic with basidiomycete fungi of the genus Leucoagaricus (tribe Leucocoprineae), which they cultivate on vegetable matter inside their nests. We determined the variation of the 28S, 18S, and 5.8S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) gene loci and the rapidly evolving internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2 (ITS1 and ITS2) of 15 sympatric and allopatric fungi associated with colonies of 11 species of leafcutter ants living up to 2,600 km apart in Brazil. We found that the fungal rDNA and ITS sequences from different species of ants were identical (or nearly identical) to each other, whereas 10 GenBank Leucoagaricus species showed higher ITS variation. Our findings suggest that Atta and Acromyrmex leafcutters living in geographic sites that are very distant from each other cultivate a single fungal species made up of closely related lineages of Leucoagaricus gongylophorus. We discuss the strikingly high similarity in the ITS1 and ITS2 regions of the Atta and Acromyrmex symbiotic L. gongylophorus studied by us, in contrast to the lower similarity displayed by their non-symbiotic counterparts. We suggest that the similarity of our L. gongylophorus isolates is an indication of the recent association of the fungus with these ants, and propose that both the intense lateral transmission of fungal material within leafcutter nests and the selection of more adapted fungal strains are involved in the homogenization of the symbiotic fungal stock.

Activity of sesame leaf extracts against the symbiotic fungus of Atta sexdens L.

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

Estimativa da área foliar de plantas daninhas: Brachiaria decumbens Stapf. e Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst.) Stapf

Com o objetivo de obter uma equação que, através de parâmetros lineares dimensionais das folhas, permita a estimativa da área foliar de Brachiaria decumbens Stapf. e Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst.) Stapf., estudaram-se correlações entre a área foliar real (Sf) e parâmetros dimensionais do limbo foliar, como o comprimento ao longo da nervura principal (C) e a largura máxima (L), perpendicular à nervura principal. Todas as equações, exponenciais, geométricas ou lineares simples, permitiram boas estimativas da área foliar. do ponto de vista prático, sugere-se optar pela equação linear simples envolvendo o produto C x L, considerando o coeficiente linear igual a zero. Desse modo, a estimativa da área foliar de B. decumbens pode ser feita pela fórmula Sf = 0,9810 x (C x L), ou seja, 98,10% do produto entre o comprimento ao longo da nervura principal e a largura máxima, enquanto que, para a B. brizantha a estimativa da área foliar pode ser feita pela fórmula SF = 0,7468 x (C x L), ou seja 74,68% do produto entre o comprimento ao longo da nervura principal e a largura máxima da folha.

Estimativa da área foliar de Cissampelos glaberrima usando dimensões lineares do limbo foliar

Com o objetivo de obter uma equação matemática que, através de parâmetros lineares dimensionais das folhas, permitisse a estimativa da área foliar de Cissampelos glaberrima, estudaram-se relações entre a área foliar real (Sf) e os parâmetros dimensionais do limbo foliar, como o comprimento ao longo da nervura principal (C) e a largura máxima (L) perpendicular à nervura principal. As equações lineares simples, exponenciais e geométricas obtidas podem ser usadas para estimação da área foliar da falsa parreira-brava. do ponto de vista prático, sugere-se optar pela equação linear simples envolvendo o produto C x L, usando-se a equação de regressão Sf = 0,7878 x (C x L), que equivale a tomar 78,78% do produto entre o comprimento ao longo da nervura principal e a largura máxima, com coeficiente de correlação de 0,9307.

Estimativa da área foliar de Ipomoea hederifolia e Ipomoea nil Roth: usando dimensões lineares do limbo foliar

Com o objetivo de obter uma equação que, por meio de parâmetros lineares dimensionais das folhas, permitisse a estimativa da área foliar de Ipomoea hederifolia e Ipomoea nil, estudaram-se correlações entre a área foliar real (Sf) e os parâmetros dimensionais do limbo foliar, como o comprimento ao longo da nervura principal (C) e a largura máxima (L), perpendicular à nervura principal. Todas as - equações exponenciais, geométricas ou lineares simples - permitiram boas estimativas da área foliar. do ponto de vista prático, sugere-se optar pela equação linear simples envolvendo o produto C x L, considerando-se o coeficiente linear igual a zero. Desse modo, a estimativa da área foliar de I. hederifolia pode ser feita pela fórmula Sf = 0,7583 x (C x L), ou seja, 75,83% do produto entre o comprimento ao longo da nervura principal e a largura máxima, ao passo que, para I. nil, a estimativa da área foliar pode ser feita pela fórmula Sf = 0,6122 x (C x L), ou seja, 61,22% do produto entre o comprimento ao longo da nervura principal e a largura máxima da folha.

Leaf area prediction models for Zinnia elegans Jacq., Zinnia haageana regel and 'profusion cherry'

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Determination of Merremia cissoides leaf area using the linear measures of the leaflets

O conhecimento da área foliar de plantas daninhas pode auxiliar o estudo das relações de interferência entre elas e as culturas agrícolas. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi determinar uma equação matemática que estime a área foliar de Merremia cissoides, a partir da relação entre as dimensões lineares dos limbos foliares. Folhas da espécie foram coletadas de diferentes locais na Universidade Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, medindo-se o comprimento (C), a largura máxima (L) e a área foliar de três tipos de folíolos. Foram estimadas equações lineares Y = a x (X) para cada tipo de folíolo. Houve sobreposição dos intervalos de confiança das equações dos folíolos primário e secundário, por isso considerou-se uma única equação da média desses folíolos, além da equação do folíolo principal, para caracterização da área foliar de M. cissoides. Assim, a área foliar dessa espécie pode ser estimada pelo somatório das áreas dos limbos foliares dos folíolos principal e primário + secundário, por meio da equação AFnest = 0,501 x (X) + 2,181 x (Z), em que X indica C x L do folíolo principal e Z indica C x L médios dos folíolos primário + secundário, respectivamente.

Effect of temperature, leaf wetness, and rainfall on the production of Guignardia citricarpa ascospores and on back spot severity on sweet orange

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

Dispersion of Seeds of Tree Species by the Leaf-Cutting Ant Acromyrmex subterraneus molestans (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Vicosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Biologia de aphis gossypii em plantas infectadas pelo vírus do mosaico das nervuras do algodoeiro

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Detached leaf culture: Viability to evaluate 2,4-D toxicity symptoms in cotton apex leaves

To study the viability of detached leaf culture technique, studies were carried out with detached leaves from cotton apex (true trilobed leaves). The prepared leaves were sprayed with 2,4-D amine and ester, at rates of 10, 30, 70, and 100% of the recommended doses. Detached leaves without herbicide spray were used as controls. Simultaneously, a greenhouse experiment was conducted with the same treatments as used for the detached leaves experiment. Toxicity was measured through a 0-to-5 grading according to the percentage of affected leaf area in the detached leaves experiment or examining the affected rate of whole plant as indicated in the greenhouse. Results showed that the ester form of the herbicide induced earlier and more severe toxicity symptoms in detached leaves and greenhouse grown plants. Positive and significant correlations (p < 0.001) were found between toxicity results obtained at 7 and 14 days after application in detached leaves and greenhouse plants (r = 0.97 and 0.92, respectively). Negative, significant correlations (p < 0.005) were found between the toxicity levels found at 7 and 14 days after application in detached leaves and dry matter of cotton plants grown in the greenhouse (r = -0.92 and -0.92, respectively).

Effects of Silicon and Drought Stress on Tuber Yield and Leaf Biochemical Characteristics in Potato

Silicon has beneficial effects on many crops, mainly under biotic and abiotic stresses. Silicon can affect biochemical, physiological, and photosynthetic processes and, consequently, alleviates drought stress. However, the effects of Si on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) plants under drought stress are still unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Si supply on some biochemical characteristics and yield of potato tubers, either exposed or not exposed to drought stress. The experiment was conducted in pots containing 50 dm(3) of a Typic Acrortox soil (33% clay, 4% silt, and 63% sand). The treatments consisted of the absence or presence of Si application (0 and 284.4 mg dm(-3)), through soil amelioration with dolomitic lime and Ca and Mg silicate, and in the absence or presence of water deficit (-0.020 MPa and -0.050 MPa soil water potential, respectively), with eight replications. Silicon application and water deficit resulted in the greatest Si concentration in potato leaves. Proline concentrations increased under lower water availability and higher Si availability in the soil, which indicates that Si may be associated with plant osmotic adjustment. Water deficit and Si application decreased total sugars and soluble proteins concentrations in the leaves. Silicon application reduced stalk lodging and increased mean tuber weight and, consequently, tuber yield, especially in the absence of water stress.

Severity of banana leaf spot in an intercropping system in two cycles of banana Prata Ana

Prata Ana is the most planted banana cultivar in northern Minas Gerais, Brazil. It is however susceptible to several pathogens. This study was carried out to evaluate the disease severity of banana leaf spot in the Prata Ana cv. in the first and second cycle under six different planting systems. The randomized block experimental design was used with six treatments and four replications. lit an evaluation of the severity of banana leaf spot, no disease symptoms were found on Thap Maeo and Caipira. The evolution curve of the disease indicated seasonal effects in the first and second cycles. The severity, of banana leaf spot was highest soon after the regional rainy period from November to March. A comparison of the means of the evaluations indicated a reduction in disease severity from the first to the second cycle.

A simple and non-destructive model for individual leaf area estimation in citrus

Introduction. Leaf area is often related to plant growth, development, physiology and yield. Many non-destructive models have been proposed for leaf area estimation of several plant genotypes, demonstrating that leaf length, leaf width and leaf area are closely correlated. Thus, the objective of our study was to develop a reliable model for leaf area estimation from linear measurements of leaf dimensions for citrus genotypes. Materials and methods. Leaves of citrus genotypes were harvested, and their dimensions (length, width and area) were measured. Values of leaf area were regressed against length, width, the square of length, the square of width and the product (length x width). The most accurate equations, either linear or second-order polynomial, were regressed again with a new data set; then the most reliable equation was defined. Results and discussion. The first analysis showed that the variables length, width and the square of length gave better results in second-order polynomial equations, while the linear equations were more suitable and accurate when the width and the product (length x width) were used. When these equations were regressed with the new data set, the coefficient of determination (R(2)) and the agreement index 'd' were higher for the one that used the variable product (length x width), while the Mean Absolute Percentage Error was lower. Conclusion. The product of the simple leaf dimensions (length x width) can provide a reliable and simple non-destructive model for leaf area estimation across citrus genotypes.