Ozonated water and chlorine effects on the antioxidant properties of organic and conventional broccoli during postharvest

There is growing interest in studies on sanitizers other than chlorine that can maintain the quality of organic products without affecting their phytochemical content. The effects of using chlorinated and ozonized water treatments, as sanitizing procedures, on the post-harvest quality of organic and conventional broccoli (Brassica oleracea L.) cv. Italica was evaluated. The biochemical parameters (chlorophyll, polyphenols, flavonoids, vitamin C and antioxidant capacity) of the broccoli samples were analyzed at day (C) (arrival of the plant from the field, original features), and 1, 4 and 7 days after harvest. The polyamine analysis was performed on arrival of the plant from the field and on the first and seventh days. The cultivation procedure influenced polyphenol, vitamin C and total chlorophyll content, and the highest value was observed in organic broccoli after the fourth day. Flavenoid content was higher in organic broccoli. The use of ozone appears not to have had an influence on the amount of polyphenolic, flavonoids and vitamin C during storage. Total chlorophyll content was less affected by ozonized water than by the chlorine treatment as at the first and fourth days of storage. The highest content of putrescine was found in conventional broccoli, while the highest levels of spermidine and spermine were found in organic broccoli. Antioxidant capacity was highest in organic broccoli after day 4 of storage and was affected by the bioactive compounds analyzed. Methods of cultivation influenced natural antioxidant and chlorophyll contents in broccoli under cold storage.

Produção de repolho em função de doses e fontes de potássio em cobertura

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of rates and sources of potassium in top dressing on yield of cabbage hybrid Kenzan. Two experiments were conducted (15/07 to 22/11/2010 and 28/09/2010 to 27/01/2011) and nine treatments, resulted from a factorial 4 rates (45; 90; 135 and 180 kg ha(-1) of K2O) x 2 sources (KCl and K2SO4) + 1 control (without K in top dressing) were evaluated at randomized block design, with 4 replicates. After the harvest, fresh and dry weight of cabbage head and of external leaves; leaf number (from cabbage and external); diameter and height of cabbage head were evaluated. It was evaluated soil chemical characteristics at the end of first experiment and content of macro and micronutrients in plants. It was observed that potassium rates and sources did not influence most of evaluated characteristics. K content in plant increased linearly with KCl application. Results obtained show that, probably, it is not necessary application of K in top dressing when base fertilization is done with this nutrient, besides existing recommendations for this crop.

Uso de ácido ascórbico e cloreto de cálcio na qualidade de repolho minimamente processado

The objective of this trial was to evaluate the effect of ascorbic acid (AA) and calcium chloride (CaCl2) applied by immersion at temperatures of 20 and 40 degrees C on the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of minimally processed cabbage, stored under refrigeration. Cabbages were processed in an industrial food processing equipment to be cut in slices with thickness of 3 mm. Slices were immersed in sodium hypochlorite (50 ppm) during 5 minutes for sanitization. After, the following treatments were carried out T1= control (immersion in water during 5 minutes at 20 degrees C); T2= immersion in 1% AA solution, during 5 minutes at 20 degrees C; T3= immersion in 2% AA solution, during 5 minutes at 20 degrees C; T4= immersion in 1% CaCl2 solution during 5 minutes at 20 degrees C; T5= immersion in 2% CaCl2 solution during 5 minutes at 20 degrees C, T6= immersion in 1% CaCl2 solution during 5 minutes at 40 degrees C; and T7= immersion in 2% CaCl2 solution during 5 minutes at 40 degrees C; with four replications each one. After application of treatments, cabbage was centrifuged during one minute, wrapped with polyvinyl chloride, 20 mu m, in trays of expanded polystyrene and maintained in refrigerated environment, at 6 +/- 1 degrees C and 85-90% of relative humidity, during eight days. Little increasing was observed in pH and titratable acidity values and reduction in soluble solids during conservation period on all treatments. Treatment with AA did not differ from control for color and general appearance, while treatment with 2% CaCl2 at 20 degrees C maintained the best quality, with less intensity of browning, best general appearance and purchase intent and least strange odor at the end of evaluation period.

Germination, vigor and pathogen incidence in broccoli seeds treated with Carboxin + Thiram

The purpose of treating seeds chemically is to eradicate their pathogens and/or protect them against soil pathogens, mainly by germination time. However, there is little research on vegetables investigating the effect of this treatment on seed quality. Therefore, this study evaluates the effects of Carboxin + Thiram doses on germination and vigor of three lots of broccoli seeds, as well as on the incidence of fungi in treated seed. The 15 treatments were evaluated in a factorial system (3x5), with the first factor consisting of three lots of 'Avenger' broccoli seeds (lots 82744, 82745 and 82749), and the second factor consisting of five doses (0, 0.04, 0.06, 0.10 and 0.12% of a.i.) of Carboxin + Thiram fungicide (commercial name Vitavax-Thiran). The germination and seed vigor were evaluated, in addition to the presence of pathogens in seeds after treatment (blotter test). All lots showed high levels of germination and vigor. The lot 82749, however, showed higher value in plug test in substrate emergence (99%) than lot 82745 (95%). Regarding the treatment with Carboxin + Thiram, no changes in germination average (98%) and vigor were noticed (average for the first germination count, length, and dry weight of seedling, plug test at 10 days after sowing of 97%, 4.9 cm, 4.0 mg and 96%, respectively), showing that this fungicide, in the evaluated doses, does not affect the quality of broccoli seeds. As to seeds health, the pathogens Alternaria spp. and Fusarium spp. were detected, in addition to saprophytic species such as Penicillium, Aspergillus, Trichoderma, and Rhizopus. The higher incidence of Fusarium spp. was noticed in lot 82744, and the lowest in lot 82749. As to Penicillium spp., lot 82479 was the most contaminated. Regarding other fungi, the general incidence was very low and there was no difference between lots and doses used.

Isozyme systems as markers of genetic deterioration in stored seeds of Brassicaceae species

The main objective of this study was to determine if isozyme systems can be used as markers of genetic deterioration in Brassicaceae seed accessions under different storage conditions. Seed samples of Brassica oleracea, Cardaria draba, Erysimum cheiri, Iberis sempervirens and Rapistrum rugosum were stored for periods of 9 to 30 years at -10°C and 3-4% seed moisture content (long-term or LT conditions) and at 5°C and uncontrolled relative humidity (RH) (short-term or ST conditions). Starch Gel Electrophoresis (SGE) was used to analyse six enzyme systems oriented to determine the genetic deterioration of the accessions studied. The results obtained show that long-term storage conditions (LT) were extremely effective in maintaining the viability of seeds of the five Brassicaceae species studied. The final germination percentages reached by seeds from LT samples ranged from 75 to 100%, while the germination percentages of ST samples (except for B. oleracea) were very low (from 0 to 10%). Similar conclusions were obtained studying the integrity of electrophoretic bands for several isozymes. Two enzyme systems were of special interest: malate dehydrogenase and alcohol dehydrogenase.

Extensive purification of a putative RNA polymerase I holoenzyme from plants that accurately initiates rRNA gene transcription in vitro

RNA polymerase I (pol I) is a nuclear enzyme whose function is to transcribe the duplicated genes encoding the precursor of the three largest ribosomal RNAs. We report a cell-free system from broccoli (Brassica oleracea) inflorescence that supports promoter-dependent RNA pol I transcription in vitro. The transcription system was purified extensively by DEAE-Sepharose, Biorex 70, Sephacryl S300, and Mono Q chromatography. Activities required for pre-rRNA transcription copurified with the polymerase on all four columns, suggesting their association as a complex. Purified fractions programmed transcription initiation from the in vivo start site and utilized the same core promoter sequences required in vivo. The complex was not dissociated in 800 mM KCl and had a molecular mass of nearly 2 MDa based on gel filtration chromatography. The most highly purified fractions contain ≈30 polypeptides, two of which were identified immunologically as RNA polymerase subunits. These data suggest that the occurrence of a holoenzyme complex is probably not unique to the pol II system but may be a general feature of eukaryotic nuclear polymerases.

Arabidopsis Sec21p and Sec23p Homologs. Probable Coat Proteins of Plant COP-Coated Vesicles1

Intracellular protein transport between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the Golgi apparatus and within the Golgi apparatus is facilitated by COP (coat protein)-coated vesicles. Their existence in plant cells has not yet been demonstrated, although the GTP-binding proteins required for coat formation have been identified. We have generated antisera against glutathione-S-transferase-fusion proteins prepared with cDNAs encoding the Arabidopsis Sec21p and Sec23p homologs (AtSec21p and AtSec23p, respectively). The former is a constituent of the COPI vesicle coatomer, and the latter is part of the Sec23/24p dimeric complex of the COPII vesicle coat. Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea) inflorescence homogenates were probed with these antibodies and demonstrated the presence of AtSec21p and AtSec23p antigens in both the cytosol and membrane fractions of the cell. The membrane-associated forms of both antigens can be solubilized by treatments typical for extrinsic proteins. The amounts of the cytosolic antigens relative to the membrane-bound forms increase after cold treatment, and the two antigens belong to different protein complexes with molecular sizes comparable to the corresponding nonplant coat proteins. Sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation of microsomal cell membranes from cauliflower suggests that, although AtSec23p seems to be preferentially associated with ER membranes, AtSec21p appears to be bound to both the ER and the Golgi membranes. This could be in agreement with the notion that COPII vesicles are formed at the ER, whereas COPI vesicles can be made by both Golgi and ER membranes. Both AtSec21p and AtSec23p antigens were detected on membranes equilibrating at sucrose densities equivalent to those typical for in vitro-induced COP vesicles from animal and yeast systems. Therefore, a further purification of the putative plant COP vesicles was undertaken.

Structure, Properties, and Tissue Localization of Apoplastic α-Glucosidase in Crucifers1

Apoplastic α-glucosidases occur widely in plants but their function is unknown because appropriate substrates in the apoplast have not been identified. Arabidopsis contains at least three α-glucosidase genes; Aglu-1 and Aglu-3 are sequenced and Aglu-2 is known from six expressed sequence tags. Antibodies raised to a portion of Aglu-1 expressed in Escherichia coli recognize two proteins of 96 and 81 kD, respectively, in vegetative tissues of Arabidopsis, broccoli (Brassica oleracea L.), and mustard (Brassica napus L.). The acidic α-glucosidase activity from broccoli flower buds was purified using concanavalin A and ion-exchange chromatography. Two active fractions were resolved and both contained a 96-kD immunoreactive polypeptide. The N-terminal sequence from the 96-kD broccoli α-glucosidase indicated that it corresponds to the Arabidopsis Aglu-2 gene and that approximately 15 kD of the predicted N terminus was cleaved. The 81-kD protein was more abundant than the 96-kD protein, but it was not active with 4-methylumbelliferyl-α-d-glucopyranoside as the substrate and it did not bind to concanavalin A. In situ activity staining using 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-α-d-glucopyranoside revealed that the acidic α-glucosidase activity is predominantly located in the outer cortex of broccoli stems and in vascular tissue, especially in leaf traces.

Nectria brassicae; Hypocreaceae

Nectria brassicae Ellis & Sacc. in Sacc.

Contrary effects of jasmonate treatment of two closely related plant species on attraction of and oviposition by a specialist herbivore

Elevated jasmonic acid (JA) concentrations in response to herbivory can induce wounded plants to produce defences against herbivores. In laboratory and field experiments we compared the effects of exogenous JA treatment to two closely related cabbage species on the host-searching and oviposition preference of the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella. JA-treated Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris) was less attractive than untreated Chinese cabbage to ovipositing DBM, while JA-treatment of common cabbage (B. oleracea) made plants more attractive than untreated controls for oviposition by this insect. Similar effects were observed when plants of the two species were damaged by DBM larvae. In the absence of insect-feeding, or JA application, Chinese cabbage is much more attractive to DBM than common cabbage. Inducible resistance therefore appears to occur in a more susceptible plant and induced susceptibility appears to occur in a more resistant plant, suggesting a possible balance mechanism between constitutive and inducible defences to a specialist herbivore.

Análisis preliminar de la fitotoxicidad del material particulado sedimentable de la zona urbana de Cuenca

Este artículo informa sobre la valoración de la fitotóxicidad del Material Particulado Sedimentable (MPS) en la zona urbana del cantón Cuenca. El MPS se recolectó en tres sitios de la zona urbana, mediante el método descrito en el Texto Unificado de Legislación Ambiental Secundaria del Ministerio del Ambiente (TULASMA). Por el material particulado se realizó la determinación de la concentración de los componentes utilizando el análisis gravimétrico, la de los metales pesados por espectroscopía de absorción atómica, y la de aniones por método adaptado de referencia EPA 300.1. Posteriormente se evaluó su fitotóxicidad en cuatro especies, mediante el bioensayo de germinación y elongación de raíz e hipocótilo, en semillas de Lactuca sativa, Brassica oleracea itálica, Allium cepa y Raphanus sativus. En el bioensayo las semillas se expusieron a diferentes diluciones de la suspensión acuosa de MPS. Los resultados muestran que el efecto de los MPS dependió de la concentración y de la especie analizada, evidenciando diferentes grados de fitotóxicidad.

Caracterização de um ecossistema sujeito a desflorestação e conversão do uso do solo na região de Quibala, Angola

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Instituto Superior de Agronomia - UL

Teor de clorofila na couve-flor em função de fontes e doses de boro.

O boro (B) é um dos micronutrientes mais importantes na cultura da couve flor (Brassica oleracea) sendo a sua deficiência comum nesta espécie, causando sintomas característicos e severos, inviabilizando em alguns casos a produção de inflorescências comercializáveis. De maneira geral, a couve-flor responde à adubação boratada e a intensidade da resposta esta relacionada ao teor do nutriente no solo, tipo de solo e a cultivar. Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da adubação com fontes e doses de B via solo na cultura da couve-flor, foi realizado um experimento em ambiente protegido na Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualisado com quatro repetições num fatorial 4 x 2, sendo quatro doses de B (0; 0,5; 1,0 e 2,0 mg kg-1) e duas fontes de B [ácido bórico (17% de B) e Solubor® (21% de B)]. A semeadura da cultivar Piracicaba Precoce foi realizada em vasos de 3,0 L preenchidos com solo. Antes da semeadura foi realizada a calagem para elevar a saturação por bases a 70%. A adubação de semeadura foi realizada com uma solução completa N (150 mg L-1), P K (100 mg L-1), Cu (1,5 mg L-1), Zn (5 mg L-1) e Fe Mn (2,5 mg L-1). A adubação com B foi realizada no solo via solução logo após a semeadura. A adubação com N e K foi parcelada, sendo ½ na semeadura e ½ em cobertura aos 15 dias após a semeadura. Avaliou-se o teor de clorofila, determinado indiretamente no terço médio da folha mais desenvolvida, aos 45 dias após a semeadura, por meio de leituras SPAD com auxílio de um clorofilômetro digital (Minolta 502). Os maiores teores de clorofila nas folhas de couve flor foram observados na aplicação de ácido bórico, entretanto, não houve diferença significativa entre as doses de B. Conclui-se que independente da dose de B, a adubação com boro via solo na forma de ácido bórico aumentou o teor de clorofila das folhas de couve flor Piracicaba Precoce.

Fontes e doses de boro no desenvolvimento vegetativo da couve-flor.

A couve-flor (Brassica oleracea) faz parte de um grupo de plantas exigentes em boro (B), necessitando de boa disponibilidade, que muitas vezes pode não ser suprido suficientemente pela matéria orgânica do solo (MOS). Existe uma série de variáveis com distintas respostas a adubações com B, principalmente nas relacionadas ao tipo de solo, teor de argila, cultivar, diferentes fontes de nutrientes. A deficiência nutricional causa sintomas característicos da espécie, resultando em danos como a má formação do caule, folhas e inflorescências. No caso desta ultima, podendo inviabilizar a comercialização das mesmas. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a couve-flor, sob a aplicação de duas fontes de B, sendo ácido bórico e solubor®, com aplicação de cinco doses. Experimento conduzido sob ambiente protegido, na Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualisado com quatro repetições, em esquema fatorial 5 x 2, sendo, cinco doses de (0; 0,5; 1,0; 1,5 e 2,0 mg kg-1 de solo) e duas fontes de B [ácido bórico (17% de B) e solubor® (21% de B)]. A semeadura da cultivar ?Piracicaba Precoce? foi realizada em vasos de 3,0 litros de capacidade, preenchidos com um solo de textura argilosa com 520 g kg-1 de argila. Antes da semeadura foi realizada a calagem para elevar a saturação por bases a 70%. A adubação de semeadura foi realizada com uma solução completa N (150 mg L-1), P e K (100 mg L-1), Cu (1,5 mg L-1), Zn (5 mg L-1) e Fe e Mn (2,5 mg L-1). A adubação com B foi realizada no solo via solução logo após a semeadura, enquanto a com N e K foi parcelada, sendo ½ na semeadura e ½ em cobertura aos 15 dias após a primeira. Avaliaram-se aos 90 dias após a semeadura, a altura da planta, a partir do nível do solo até a inserção da ultima folha, a massa fresca e massa seca das plantas de couve-flor. Não houve diferença significativa na altura de plantas. Os maiores valores de massa fresca e massa seca das plantas de couve-flor foram obtidos nas aplicações de ácido bórico (H3BO3), independente da dose utilizada.

Natural parasitism of lepidopteran eggs by Trichogramma species (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) in agricultural crops in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

The genus Trichogramma Westwood (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) includes insect egg parasitoids that are widely used throughout the world as control agents of pest insects. The aim of this study was to identify the species of Trichogramma naturally associated with the eggs of lepidopteran pests of the following agricultural and horticultural crops: collards, Brassica oleracea L. (Brassicales: Brassicaceae); papaya, Carica papaya L. (Capparales: Caricaceae); tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. (Solanales: Solanaceae); cassava, Manihot esculenta Crantz (Malpighiales: Euphorbiaceae); banana, Musa sp. L. (Zingiberales: Musaceae); passion fruit, Passiflora sp. Degener (Malpighiales: Passifloraceae); sugarcane, Saccharum sp. L. (Poales: Poaceae); and corn (maize), Zea mays L. (Poales: Poaceae); and an invasive species (Sodom?s apple milkweed, Calotropis procera Aiton; Gentianales: Apocynaceae) in the semiarid region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. We report natural parasitism by Trichogramma in eggs of Agraulis vanillae vanillae (L.) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), Antichloris eriphia F. (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae), Danaus sp. (L.) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), Diatraea saccharalis F. (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), Erinnyis ello L. (Lepidopera: Sphingidae), and Protambulyx strigilis L. (Lepidopera: Sphingidae). In total, 2,242 specimens of Trichogramma were obtained, belonging to the species T. pretiosum Riley, T. manicobai Brun, Moraes & Soares, T. marandobai Brun, Moraes & Soares, and T. galloi Zucchi. These species of Trichogramma may be candidates for biological control programs of lepidopteran pests in the semiarid region of Minas Gerais and in other semiarid regions.