Ocean dispersal modelling for propagules of pond apple (Annona glabra L.)

Pond apple invades riparian and coastal environments with water acting as the main vector for dispersal. As seeds float and can reach the ocean, a seed tracking model driven by near surface ocean currents was used to develop maps of potential seed dispersal. Seeds were ‘released’ in the model from sites near the mouths of major North Queensland rivers. Most seeds reach land within three months of release, settling predominately on windward-facing locations. During calm and monsoonal conditions, seeds were generally swept in a southerly direction, however movement turns northward during south easterly trade winds. Seeds released in February from the Johnstone River were capable of being moved anywhere from 100 km north to 150 km south depending on prevailing conditions. Although wind driven currents are the primary mechanism influencing seed dispersal, tidal currents, the East Australian Current, and other factors such as coastline orientation, release location and time also play an important role in determining dispersal patterns. In extreme events such as tropical cyclone Justin in 1997, north east coast rivers could potentially transport seed over 1300 km to the Torres Strait, Papua New Guinea and beyond.

Buoyancy and germination of pond apple (Annona glabra L.) propagules in fresh and salt water

Stephen Setter, Melissa Setter, Michael Graham and Joe Vitelli recently published their paper 'Buoyancy and germination of pond apple (Annona glabra L.) propagules in fresh and salt water' in Proceedings of the 16th Australian Weeds Conference. Stephen also presented this paper at the conference. Pond apple is an aggressive woody weed which has invaded many wetlands, drainage lines and riparian systems across the Wet Tropics bioregion of Far North Queensland. Most fruit and seed produced by pond apple during the summer wet season fall directly into creeks, river banks, flood plains and swamps from where they are dispersed. They reported that pond apple seeds can float for up to 12 months in either fresh or salt water, with approximately 38% of these seeds germinating in a soil medium once removed from the experimental water tanks at South Johnstone. Their study suggested that the removal of reproductive trees from areas adjacent to creeks and rivers will have an immediate impact on potential spread of pond apple by limiting seed input into flowing water bodies.

Pond apple (Annona glabra L.) - Investigating novel mechanical control options

Pond apple usually occurs in swampy areas, but mechanical control may be a viable option in some locations during drier periods. Two machines, the Positrack™ and the Tracksaw™, have been trialled for initial kill rate, amount of follow-up control required, safety to field operators, cost-efficiency and selectivity (effect on native vegetation), compared to other control options. The Positrack™ is a tracked bobcat with a slasher-type attachment that cuts individual trees off near ground level and mulches them. It has no on-board herbicide application capability and requires an additional on-ground operator to apply herbicide by hand. The Tracksaw™ is a tracked mini-excavator with a chainsaw bar and spray applicator on the boom that cuts individual trees off near ground level and applies chemical immediately to the cut stump, requiring only a single operator. Initial trials were done in infestations of similar sizes and densities at the Daintree (Positrack™) and in Innisfail (Tracksaw™) in late 2009. Kill rates to date are 83% for Positrack™ mechanical, 95% for Positrack™ mechanical plus herbicide, and 78% for the Tracksaw™ combined treatment. If ongoing comparison proves either of these machines to be more cost effective, selective, and safer than traditional control methods, mechanical control methods may become more widely used.

Cassowary dispersal of the invasive pond apple in a tropical rainforest: the contribution of subordinate dispersal modes in invasion.

Dispersal is a significant determinant of the pattern and process of invasions; however, weed dispersal distances are rarely described and descriptions of dispersal kernels are completely lacking for vertebrate-dispersed weeds. Here, we describe dispersal kernels generated by a native disperser, the endangered southern cassowary (Casuarius casuarius, L.) for an invasive, tropical rainforest plant, pond apple (Annona glabra, L.). Pond apple is primarily water-dispersed and is managed as such. We consider whether cassowary dispersal, as a numerically subordinate dispersal mode, provides an additional dispersal service that may modify the invasion process. In infested areas, pond apple seed was common in cassowary dung. Gut passage had no effect on the probability of single seed germination but deposition in clumps or as whole fruits reduced the probability of germination below that of single seeds. Gut passage times ranged from 65 to 1675 min. Combined with cassowary movement data, this resulted in estimated dispersal distances of 12.5-5212 m, with a median distance of 387 m (quartile range 112-787 m). Native frugivores can be effective dispersers of weeds in rainforest and even terrestrial dispersers can provide long-distance dispersal. Importantly, though pond apple might be expected to be almost entirely dispersed downstream and along the margins of aquatic and marine habitats, cassowaries provide dispersal upstream and between drainages, leading to novel dispersal outcomes. Even through the provision of small quantities of novel dispersal outcomes, subordinate dispersal modes can play a significant role in determining invasion pattern and influence the ultimate success of control programs by providing dispersal to locations unattainable via the primary mode.

Evaluating the efficacy of the EZ-Ject herbicide system in Queensland, Australia

The EZ-Ject herbicide system was evaluated as a stem injection method for controlling woody weeds in a range of situations where traditional chemical application methods have limited scope. The equipment was trialled on three Queensland weed species; pond apple (Annona glabra), velvety tree pear (Opuntia tomentosa) and yellow oleander (Cascabela thevetia); at five different cartridge densities (0, 1, 2, 3 and 4) and with two herbicides (glyphosate and imazapyr). Cartridges filled with imazapyr were significantly more effective at controlling the three woody weed species than those filled with glyphosate. Injecting plants with three imazapyr cartridges resulted in plant kills ranging from 93 to 100%, compared with glyphosate kills of 17 to 100%. Pond apple was the most susceptible species, requiring one imazapyr cartridge or two glyphosate cartridges to kill 97 and 92% of the treated plants. Plant mortality increased as the number of cartridges injected increased. Mortality did not differ significantly for treatments receiving three and four imazapyr cartridges, as these cartridge densities met the criterion of injecting one cartridge per 10-cm basal circumference, a criterion recommended by the manufacturers for treating large plants (>6.35 cm in diameter at breast height). The cost of treating a weed infestation of 1500 plants ha–1 with three cartridges per tree is $1070 ha–1, with labour costs accounting for 16% of the total. The high chemical costs would preclude this technique from broad-scale use, but the method could have application for treating woody weeds in sensitive, high conservation areas.

Diversidad florística del bosque de galería en dos localidades del departamento de Carazo, Nicaragua

En las localidades Los Encuentros y Chacocente, en el departamento de Carazo, se realizó un estudio sobre la composición florísticas de las especies arbóreas en el bosque de galería. Los resultados corresponden a un inventario completo de los árboles de 1 O cm de diámetro a la altura del pecho (Dap) y regeneración natural en parcelas con área neta de muestreo de 1 hectárea en cada sitio, con sub-parcelas de 100 m2 para el muestreo de regeneración. Los bosques estudiados son Chacocente (360 msnm) y Los Encuentros (180 msnm). Ambos bosques son de galería y pertenecen a la zona de Vida Bosque Tropical Seco con transición a subtropical. , según el sistema de clasificación de Holdridge. En ambos bosques se encontraron un total 65 especies, pertenecientes a 39 familias y 53 géneros. En el bosque localizado en Los Encuentros, se encontraron 24 especies, siendo las mas frecuentes el Papaturro (Coccoloba caracasana), anona (Annona glabra) y Chaperno blanco (Lonchocarpus minimiflorus). En Chacocente se encontraron 41 especies, siendo las mas frecuentes Palo de piojo (Trichilia hirta), Naranjillo (Capparis odoratisima) y Melero (Thoudinium decandrum). La abundancia de árboles con Dap mayor de 10 cm fue de 333 en Chacocente y 379 en Los Encuentros. Los cocientes de mezcla obtenidos fueron 1:8 para el bosque del Refugio de Vida Silvestre, Chacocente y 1:15 para el de los Encuentros. En ambas comunidades difieren las familias mayormente representadas. Los valores de los coeficientes de Jaccard (4.4 %) y Sorensen (8.4 %) revelan poca similitud florística entre ambos sitios. La regeneración natural presentó en algunos aspectos el mismo comportamiento de la vegetación con Dap mayor o igual a los 10 cm, siendo la única diferencia los valores del coeficiente de mezcla que presentan al bosque de la comunidad Los Encuentros con mayor diversidad florística (l :50 en comparación con 1:16 de Chacocente). La abundancia de individuos de la regeneración natural fue de 242 individuos por hectárea en Los Encuentros y de 860 individuos por hectarea en Chacocente.

Clonagem de quatro espécies de Annonaceae potenciais como porta-enxertos

O trabalho objetivou o estudo da capacidade de enraizamento de quatro espécies de Annonaceae potenciais como porta-enxertos (Annona glabra L., Annona montana Macfad, Rollinia emarginata e Rollinia mucosa Baill.) em três épocas do ano (verão, outono e inverno). Experimento conduzido em câmara de nebulização intermitente pertencente à UNESP/FCAV (21º15'22S e 48º18'58W), utilizando-se de estacas apicais enfolhadas em tratamento rápido (5 segundos) com ácido indolbutírico (IBA) (0; 1000; 3000; 5000 e 7000 mg.L-1), em esquema fatorial. Após 90 dias, avaliaram-se a porcentagem de estacas enraizadas, sobrevivência, comprimento e número de raízes. Como resultados, o IBA não incrementou a capacidade de enraizamento das espécies. A época do ano foi grande influente no sucesso de enraizamento, sendo o verão mais adequado. A. glabra e A. montana mostraram-se promissoras na propagação vegetativa via estaquia (clonagem). R. emarginata apresentou baixos valores para as características avaliadas, devendo ser intensificados experimentos na promoção do enraizamento em relação aos atuais valores obtidos. R. mucosa não apresentou resultados satisfatórios, ocorrendo necrose de tecido na base das estacas, devendo as causas serem melhor investigadas. O sucesso no enraizamento de Annonaceae é dependente da espécie, tendo aquelas do gênero Annona apresentado resultados superiores em relação às do gênero Rollinia.

Distribuição, tamanho populacional, hábitat e conservação do bicudinho-do-brejo Stymphalornis acutirostris Bornschein, Reinert e Teixeira, 1995 (Thamnophilidae)

The Marsh Antwren (Stymphalornis acutirostris) is restricted to the lowlands between Antonina Bay, in the coastal plain of the state of Paraná, and Itapocu river, in the northern coastal plain of the state of Santa Catarina (from 0 to c. 5 m a.s.l.). It doesn't occur continuously in this region, being found in eight populations that span over an total area of about 6,060 ha (= area of occupancy; 4,856.67 in Paraná and c. 1,200 in Santa Catarina). Nine habitat types used by the Marsh Antwren were defined, based on vegetation physiognomy, localization, dominancy of botanical species, dominant life-form and history of the region. Five of these are herbaceous (marshes), while four have an upper arboreal stratum and an herbaceous lower stratum with marsh plants. According to the classification criteria of the Brazilian vegetation proposed by the Radambrasil Project, they were classified as Pioneering Formation of Fluvial Influence, Pioneering Formation of Fluvial-marine Influence, and/or Pioneering Formation of Lacustrine Influence. They occur as patches or narrow strips ranging from 0.001 to 203.0 ha in the state of Paraná. They are found mainly in the interior of bays, in the lower courses of rivers that drain into bays, in alluvial plains, and between sand dunes in the coastal plain. Characteristic herbaceous species are cattail (Typha domingensis), bulrush (Scirpus californicus), Crinum salsum, Panicum sp. cf. P. mertensii, saw grass (Cladium mariscus) and Fuirena spp. Hibiscus pernambucensis is the characteristic bush species, and Calophyllum brasiliense, Tabebuia cassinoides, Annona glabra and Laguncularia racemosa are the characteristic arboreal species. The Marsh Antwren lives in herbaceous vegetation, but also uses bushes and branches of small tress. It has low flight capacity and a single flight of more than 25 m was never recorded. Territories of 0.25 ha were estimated in one kind of habitat (tidal marsh) (= 8 individuals per hectare) and of 3.2 ha in another one (saw grass marsh) (= 0.62 individual per hectare). The global population estimate is of about 17,700 mature individuals (13,700 in Paraná and 4,000 in Santa Catarina). The species is really under threat of extinction, mainly because of it's restricted geographical distribution and habitat loss by human activities and biological contamination caused by invasion of exotic grasses (Urochloa arrecta and Brachiaria mutica).

Avaliação in vitro da atividade antifúngica de óleos essenciais e extratos de plantas presentes na região amazônica sobre cepa de Candida albicans

A candidíase é uma doença fúngica oportunista causada pela proliferação de espécies de Candida, principalmente a Candida albicans, sendo a espécie mais patogênica em humanos. Muitos antifúngicos existentes no mercado apresentam efeitos colaterais indesejáveis ou podem induzir a resistência fúngica, principalmente em indivíduos imunodeprimidos. Em odontologia, as pesquisas com produtos naturais têm aumentado nos últimos anos, devido à busca por novos produtos com maior atividade farmacológica, com menor toxicidade e mais acessíveis à população. Dentro dessa perspectiva, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar in vitro a atividade antifúngica de óleos e extratos vegetais presentes na região Amazônica e determinar a concentração inibitória mínima das espécies que apresentaram atividade antifúngica frente à cepa padrão de Candida albicans (ATCC 90028). A atividade antifúngica dos óleos essenciais Copaifera multijuga, Carapa guianenses, Piper aduncum e Piper hispidinervum foi realizada pelo método de difusão em meio sólido utilizando cavidades em placa “in natura” e em diluições de 32 a 2% para determinação da concentração inibitória mínima. Os extratos Annona glabra, Azadiractha indica, Bryophyllum calycinum, Eleutherine plicata, Mammea americana, Psidium guajava e Syzygium aromaticum foram testados nas concentrações de 500mg/mL, 250mg/mL, 125mg/mL e 62,5 mg/mL e a atividade antifúngica foi realizada pelo método de difusão em meio sólido utilizando discos de papel filtro. Os óleos testados, não apresentaram efeito antifúngico sobre a cepa de Candida albicans, e dos extratos testados somente os extratos de Eleutherine plicata, Psidium guajava e Syzygium aromaticum apresentaram atividade antifúngica com concentração inibitória mínima, respectivamente, de 250mg/mL, 125mg/mL e 62,5mg/mL Diante dos resultados apresentados, os extratos de Eleutherine plicata, Psidium guajava e Syzygium aromaticum apresentam potencial efeito inibitório para crescimento de Candida albicans, servindo de guia para a seleção de plantas com atividades antifúngicas para futuros trabalhos toxicológico e farmacológico.

Propagação de espécies de Annonaceae com estacas caulinares

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Impact of Aqueous Plant Extracts on Trigona spinipes (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

The stingless bees are an important component of the insect biomass in many tropical areas, due to their collection of nectar and pollen. Trigona spinipes is a widely distributed species in South America, and described as a pollinator of many crops that can be used in a commercial pollinating system. The effects of plant extracts on insects are studied because of the demand for organic food and their selectivity to natural enemies. Plant insecticides are reported as a potential agent for the control of insect pests, however little is known about their impact on beneficial insects. This study investigated the survival of Trigona spinipes (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Meliponini) Fabricius, after exposure to the leaf extracts of Azadiracha indica (Meliaceae), Lippia sidoides (Verbenaceae), Sapindus saponaria (Sapindaceae), Anonna squamosa (Anonnaceae) Cymbopogon winterianum (Poaceae), Corimbia citriodora (Myrtaceae), Jatropha curcas (Euphorbiaceae) and Ricinus communis (Euphorbiaceae) and of seeds of Azadiracha indica, Ricinus communis Nordestina and AL Guarany varieties and Jatropha curcas. The extracts that had the greatest influence on the survival of the bees were A. indica at 3% and 7% of concentration, A. squamosa at a concentration of 10% with 68.89% survival and green leaf of R. communis at a concentration of 7%. The results show that although the extracts were effective in controlling pests, they may also affect the pollinator Trigona spinipes.

Caracterización y evaluación preliminar in situ de sesenta y nueve accesiones de guanábana (Annona muricata L.) en la región del Pacífico y norte de Nicaragua

El presente estudio se desarrolló durante el período de mayo-2001 a septiembre-2002 con el objetivo de establecer la relación del germoplasma de guanábana (Annona muricata L) en los departamentos de Chinandega, León, Managua, Masaya, Granada, Rivas, Matagalpa y Jinotega, mediante taxonomía numérica. La matriz estuvo conformada por 69 accesiones y 20 variables cuantitativas y cualitativas. Esta especie florece todo el año, la mayor producción se obtiene entre agosto y septiembre en la región norte, y entre mayo y en la región del Pacifico. La fruta se consume fresca, las hojas tienen uso medicinal, y las semillas poseen propiedades insecticidas. El comercio es más frecuente en Masaya, Granada y Managua, siendo estos frutos de buena calidad (dulces, aromáticos y jugosos). La erosión genética está condicionada principalmente por la competencia con otros frutales, avance de la frontera agrícola, industrialización incipiente, entre otras. El análisis de componentes principales determinó que el 50.5% de la variación total la aportan los 3 primeros componentes (28.6 %, 12.9% y 9.0 %, respectivamente), éstos conformados por caracteres de frutos y semilla. Asimismo, a través del análisis de agrupamiento según el método Ward y el coeficiente de correlación Pearson como distancia resultó un fenograma de 2 grandes grupos, los cuales a una distancia de 16.5 formaron 4 clusteres que presentan características comunes y varianzas mínimas; de éstos se logró agrupar los materiales de los departamentos de Chinandega y León, Matagalpa y Jinotega, Masaya, Granada y Managua, y un cuarto grupo por accesiones que presentan los mayores promedios en los caracteres de frutos.

Evaluar el crecimiento de estacas de veranera (Bouganvillea glabra choisy) bajo el efecto de biofertilizante liquido a base de estiercol vacuno

El presente trabajo se realizó en la finca “Las Mercedes”, propiedad de La Universidad Nacional Agraria (UNA), ubicada en el Municipio de Managua, en el período comprendido entre el mes de Octubre del 2006 a Marzo del 2007.Esta investigación se hizo con la finalidad de establecer una nueva alternativa para la propagación de veranera (Bougainvillea glabra) aplicando diferentes dosis de biofertilizante líquido a base de estiércol vacuno y determinar como influye en el crecimiento. En el ensayo se utilizaron estacas de 30 centímetros sembradas directamente en las bolsas de polietileno y el sustrato utilizado para la propagación de la misma fue Compost en un 100%. La parcela experimental constó de 100 bolsas de polietileno de las cuales 36 bolsas fueron bordes y 64 al área útil, se tomaron 20 bolsas al azar a las cuales se les midió las variables en estudio. Para el estudio se recurrió a un diseño completamente azarizado (DCA) y en él se evaluaron diferentes tratamientos, (A) 2.0 litros (B) 1.5 litros (C) 1.0 litros de biofertilizante y (D) solamente agua, se analizaron las variables número de brotes, diámetro del brote, altura del brote, número de raíces y sobrevivencia de plantas. Se encontró diferencia significativa en el número de brotes en el tratamiento C (2.72) en el número de raíces el tratamiento A presento el mayor número (8) y la sobrevivencia el tratamiento A presentó el mayor porcentaje (87).