Occurrence of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner, 1808) on citrus in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil

The occurrence of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner, 1808) was first reported in citrus orchard in the state of São Paulo (SP). High infestation levels of H. armigera were observed in October 2012, in the city of Botucatu, SP. The larvae was fed of all parts of the plants. The injuries on the leaves caused drastic reduction in the leaf area and the fruits attack occurred from an early stage of development to the ripe fruit. Thus, the first occurrence of H. armigera in this citrus culture adds to the list of hosts of this pest, and is of great importance, because it confirms H. armigera potential dispersion and polyphagia.

Topworking of 'Bengal' lychee trees in the state of São Paulo, Brazil

This study aimed to evaluate the performance of 'Feizixiao', 'Nuomici', 'Heiye', 'Kway May Pink' and 'Bengal' lychee cultivars topworked onto bearing 'Bengal' trees. The experiments were carried out in commercial orchard at Rio das Pedras Farm in Jundiaí, state of São Paulo. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks in a subdivided parcel arrangement, in which the parcel consisted of five cultivars and the sub-parcel consisted of six evaluation periods. Five replicates of three plants per parcel and six grafts per plant, (with two grafts per main branch) were used. The trees were approximately 10 years old propagated by air layering and planted with 6 x 4 m (416 plants/ha) spacing. The following characteristics were evaluated: success rate of the grafts, number of shoots, shoot length, number of nodes, number of leaves and chlorophyll content (SPAD). The control ('Bengal'/'Bengal') had the highest grafting success rate with 89.9%. On the other hand, 'Heiye', 'Feizixião', 'Nuomici' and 'Kway May Pink' had, respectively, 60.6, 55.0, 52.6 and 47.0% grafting success rates. All of the shoot grafts had normal growth with no signs of incompatibility. Therefore, the cultivars studied are compatible with 'Bengal' and may be used on commercial orchards.

Plants of the Annonaceae traditionally used as antimalarials: a review

Species of the Annonaceae family are used all over the tropics in traditional medicine in tropical regions for the treatment of malaria and other illnesses. Phytochemical studies of this family have revealed chemical components which could offer new alternatives for the treatment and control of malaria. Searches in scientific reference sites (SciFinder Scholar, Scielo, PubMed, ScienceDirect and ISI Web of Science) and a bibliographic literature search for species of Annonaceae used traditionally to treat malaria and fever were carried out. This family contains 2,100 species in 123 genera. We encountered 113 articles reporting medicinal use of one or more species of this family including 63 species in 27 genera with uses as antimalarials and febrifuges. Even though the same species of Annonaceae are used by diverse ethnic groups, different plant parts are often chosen for applications, and diverse methods of preparation and treatment are used. The ethanol extracts of Polyalthia debilis and Xylopia aromatica proved to be quite active against Plasmodium falciparum in vitro (median inhibition concentration, IC50 < 1.5 µg/mL). Intraperitoneal injection of Annickia chlorantha aqueous extracts (cited as Enantia chlorantha) cleared chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium yoelii nigeriensis from the blood of mice in a dose-dependant manner. More phytochemical profiles of Annonaceous species are required; especially information on the more commonly distributed antimalarial compounds in this family.

TWIG BLIGHT AND DEFOLIATION CAUSED BY Colletotrichum horii IN PERSIMMONS IN BRAZIL

Persimmon anthracnose has been a great concern to Brazilian producers. This study aimed to identify and characterized the causal species from Brazilian persimmons byassessing morphological and molecular characteristics and pathogenicity tests. Five fungal isolatesobtained from diseased twigs and fruits were identified as Colletotrichum horii, based on morphologicalcharacteristics and nucleotide sequences of ITS region. Inoculation tests revealed that the fungal isolates caused necrotic spots followed by defoliation of leaves, blight of twigs and buds of potted persimmon plants.

Química Medicinal: 25 anos de planejamento racional de fármacos

The Sociedade Brasileira de Química is commemorating its 25th anniversary, and this paper is intended to draw an overview of the Brazilian Medicinal Chemistry over all these years. In 1977 Brazil had almost no activities at all in the field, albeit many efforts were already on the way for encouraging Brazilian Scientists to enter the area. Among many different endeavours to help medicinal chemists to fulfil their proposals and the establishment of an on-going research with the help of networks, the Sociedade Brasileira de Química created, in 1991, its own Division on Structure and Activity Relationship, which became the Division of Medicinal Chemistry, in 1997.

Preparative separation of flavonoids from the medicinal plant Davilla elliptica St. Hill. by high-speed counter-current chromatography

High-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) is a major tool for the fast separation of natural products from plants. It was used for the preparative isolation of the flavonoid monoglucosides present in the aerial parts of the Davilla elliptica St. Hill. (Dilleniaceae). This species is used in Brazilian folk medicine for the treatment of gastric disorders. The optimum solvent system used was composed of a mixture of ethyl acetate-n-propanol-water (140:8:80, v/v/v) and led to a successful separation of quercetin-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside and myricetin-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside in approximately 3.0 hours with purity higher than 95%. Identification was performed by ¹H NMR, 13C NMR and HPLC-UV-DAD analyses.

Determination of chemical elements in africanized Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) honey samples from the State of Piauí, Brazil

Honey is a food used since the most remote times, appreciated for its characteristic flavor, considerable nutritional value and medicinal properties; however, little information exists about the presence of chemical elements in it. The objectives of this work were to determine the chemical elements present in 38 honey samples, collected directly from beekeepers from the State of Piauí, Brazil and to verify whether they presented any contamination. The chemical elements were determined by means of Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence. The means of three replicates were: K (109.671 ± 17.487), Ca (14.471 ± 3.8797), Ti (0.112 ± 0.07), Cr (0.196 ± 0.11), Mn (0.493 ± 0.103), Fe (1.722 ± 0.446), Co (0.038), Ni (0.728 ± 0.706), Cu (0.179 ± 0.0471), Zn (0.967 ± 0.653), Se (not detected), Br (not detected), Rb (0.371 ± 0.097), Sr (0.145 ± 0.45), Ba (11.681), Hg (not detected), and Pb (0.863) µg g-1.

Metodologia de ensino jigsaw em disciplina de química medicinal

In this paper, we describe an educational experience involving the use of the jigsaw method on the Medicinal Chemistry course at the University of São Paulo, Brazil. The goal of this proposal was to investigate acceptance and contributions of the method to undergraduate chemistry teaching. Feedback on the jigsaw method collected from the focus groups and questionnaires showed that participants generally acknowledged the advantages of the jigsaw method in helping them learn the Medicinal Chemistry subject. Suggestions for improving the jigsaw method were also received from participants.

Variation of essential oil composition of Tapirira guianensis Aubl. (Anacardiaceae) from two sandbank forests, north of Brazil

Tapirira guianensis (Anacardiaceae) is used in traditional medicine and is important for the recovery of degraded areas and riparian forests because the T. guianensis fruits are highly consumed by wildlife. Volatile components from dried leaves and branches of five individual plants of T. guianensis were collected in two sandbank forests of the State of Pará (Extractive Reserve Maracanã and Area of Environmental Protection Algodoal/Maiandeua), extracted by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus, and analyzed by GC/MS. The ten oils obtained are comprised mostly of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (58.49 to 100%), with (E)-caryophyllene, β-selinene, α-selinene, β-sesquiphellandrene, and α-zingiberene being the most prominent. The results of the oil compositions were processed by Hierarchical Component Analysis (HCA) allowing the establishment of three groups of essential oils for T. guianensis differentiated by the content of β-selinene/α-selinene (Type I), (E)-caryophyllene (Type II), and β-sesquiphellandrene/α-zingiberene (Type III).

Garlic viral complex: identification of Potyviruses and Carlavirus in Central Brazil

Garlic viruses often occur in complex infections in nature. In this study, a garlic virus complex, collected in fields in Brazil, was purified. RT-PCR was performed using specific primers designed from the consensus regions of the coat protein genes of Onion yellow dwarf virus, a garlic strain (OYDV-G) and Leek yellow stripe virus (LYSV). cDNA of Garlic common latent virus (GCLV) was synthesized using oligo-dT and random primers. By these procedures individual garlic virus genomes were isolated and sequenced. The nucleotide sequence analysis associated with serological data reveals the presence of two Potyvirus OYDV-G and LYSV, and GCLV, a Carlavirus, simultaneously infecting garlic plants. Deduced amino acid sequences of the Brazilian isolates were compared with related viruses reported in different geographical regions of the world. The analysis showed closed relations considering the Brazilian isolates of OYDV-G and GCLV, and large divergence considering LYSV isolate. The detection of these virus species was confirmed by specific reactions observed when coat protein genes of the Brazilian isolates were used as probes in dot-blot and Southern blot hybridization assays. In field natural viral re-infection of virus-free garlic was evaluated.

Sequence analysis of the capsid protein gene of an isolate of Apple stem grooving virus, and its survey in Southern Brazil

Apple stem grooving virus (ASGV) is one of the most important viruses infecting fruit trees. This study aimed at the molecular characterization of ASGV infecting apple (Malus domestica) plants in Santa Catarina (SC). RNA extracted from plants infected with isolate UV01 was used as a template for RT-PCR using specific primers. An amplified DNA fragment of 755 bp was sequenced. The coat protein gene of ASGV isolate UV01 contains 714 nucleotides, coding for a protein of 237 amino acids with a predicted Mr of approximately 27 kDa. The nucleotide and the deduced amino acid sequences of the coat protein gene showed identities of 90.9% and 97.9%, respectively, with a Japanese isolate of ASGV. Very high amino acid homologies (98.7%) were also found with Citrus tatter leaf capillovirus (CTLV), a very close relative of ASGV. These results indicate low coat protein gene variability among Capillovirus isolates from distinct regions. In a restricted survey, mother stocks in orchards and plants introduced into the country for large scale fruit production were indexed and shown to be infected by ASGV (20%), usually in a complex with other (latent) apple viruses (80%).

Identification of Phaeoisariopsis griseola pathotypes from five States in Brazil

Due to the increased importance of angular leaf spot of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in Brazil, monitoring the pathogenic variability of its causal agent (Phaeoisariopsis griseola) is the best strategy for a breeding program aimed at developing resistant genotypes. Fifty one isolates of P. griseola collected in five Brazilian States were tested on a set of 12 international differential cultivars in the greenhouse. When inoculated plants showed symptoms but no sporulation was observed, they were transferred to a moist chamber for approximately 20-24 h. After this period of time, if no sporulation was observed, the plants were considered resistant; otherwise, they were considered susceptible. From the fifty-one tested isolates, seven different pathotypes were identified. No Andean pathotypes were identified; consequently, all isolates were classified as Middle American pathotypes. Pathotype 63-31 was the most widespread. Pathotype 63-63 overcame resistance genes present in all differential cultivars and also the resistance gene(s) present in the cultivar AND 277. This fact has important implications for breeding angular leaf spot resistance in beans, and suggests that searching for new resistance genes to angular leaf spot must be pursued.

Mosaic in Senna occidentalis in southern Brazil induced by a new strain of Soybean mosaic virus

Plants of Senna occidentalis (sin. Cassia occidentalis) with mosaic symptoms were collected near a soybean (Glycine max) field where some plants exhibited symptoms of mosaic and blistering. A preliminary examination of leaf tissue from diseased S. occidentalis by electron microscopy revealed the presence of pinwheel inclusions as well as long flexuous particles, indicating the presence of a potyvirus. Host range, serology, and amino acid sequence from this potyvirus were similar to those from other Brazilian isolates of Soybean mosaic virus (SMV). The 3'- terminal region of the genomic RNA was cloned and a cDNA sequence of 1.9 kb upstream of the poly (A) tract was determined. The sequence contains a single open reading frame and a 3'- non-translated region (NTR) of 259 bp. The nucleotide sequence of the CP gene of SMV-Soc was 98% identical to that of Brazilian isolates SMV-B, SMV-L, and SMV-FT10. The percentage of nucleotide identity of their 3'-NTR's was 91, 98, and 99% in relation to SMV-L, SMV-B, and SMV-FT10, respectively. In contrast to other Brazilian SMV isolates studied, SMV-Soc was able to infect sunflower (Helianthus annuus). Based on these results, the S. occidentalis isolate was identified as a new strain of SMV belonging to the SMV strain, group G5 and was named SMV-Soc. This is the first report of naturaly occurring SMV infecting plants of S. occidentalis in Brazil, adding this weed as a new source of SMV in the field.

Genetic diversity of begomovirus infecting tomato and associated weeds in Southeastern Brazil

The genetic diversity of begomovirus isolates from tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) fields in the Southeastern region of Brazil was analyzed by direct sequencing of PCR fragments amplified by using universal oligonucleotides for the begomovirus DNA-A, and subsequent computer-aided phylogenetic analysis. Samples of tomato plants and associated weeds showing typical symptoms of virus infection were collected at seven locations in the states of Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo and Rio de Janeiro. A total of 137 out of 369 samples were infected with a begomovirus based on PCR analysis. Phylogenetic analysis indicated a high degree of genetic diversity among begomoviruses infecting tomatoes in the sampled area. One species (Tomato chlorotic mottle virus, TCMV) occurs predominantly in Minas Gerais, whereas in Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo a distinct species, not yet fully characterized, predominates. Phylogenetic analysis further indicates the presence of an additional four possible new species. This high degree of genetic diversity suggests a recent transfer of indigenous begomovirus from wild hosts into tomatoes. The close phylogenetic relationship verified between begomovirus infecting tomato and associated weeds favors this hypothesis.

Progress of soybean charcoal rot under tillage and no-tillage systems in Brazil

The increase in incidence of charcoal rot caused by Macrophomina phaseolina on soybeans (Glycine max) was followed four seasons in conventional and no-till cropping systems. In the 1997/98 and 2000/01 seasons, total precipitation between sowing and harvest reached 876.3 and 846.9 mm, respectively. For these seasons, disease incidence did not differ significantly between the no-till and conventional systems. In 1998/99 and 1999/00 precipitation totaled 689.9 and 478.3 mm, respectively. In 1998/99, in the no-till system, the disease incidence was 43.7% and 53.1% in the conventional system. In 1999/00 the final incidence was 68.7% and 81.2% for the no-till and conventional systems, respectively. For these two seasons, precipitation was lower than that required for soybean crops (840 mm), and the averages of disease incidence were significantly higher in the conventional system. The concentration of microsclerotia in soil samples was higher in samples collected in conventional system at 0 - 10 cm depth. However, analysis of microsclerotia in roots showed that in years with adequate rain no difference was detected. In dry years, however, roots from plants developed under the conventional system had significantly more microsclerotia. Because of the wide host range of M. phaseolina and the long survival times of the microsclerotia, crop rotation would probably have little benefit in reducing charcoal rot. Under these study conditions it may be a better alternative to suppress charcoal rot by using the no-till cropping system to conserve soil moisture and reduce disease progress.