Delayed flowering in pineapples (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) caused by co-suppression of the ACACS2 gene

Natural flower induction is a major pineapple industry problem. It usually occurs when shortening days and low temperatures give raise to increased ethylene production in the leaf tissue and plant stem apex which in turn stimulates flowering. Natural flowering fruit matures 4 to 6 weeks ahead of the normal summer harvest resulting in the need for extra harvest passes and considerable yield losses. Ethylene is produced through the sequential action of ACC synthase and ACC oxidase. Our team has cloned an ACC synthase gene from pineapple (ACACS2), which is expressed in meristems and activated under the environmental conditions that induce flowering in nature. Genetic constructs have been produced containing ACACS2 in sense orienta¬tion to induce silencing of the host gene in the plant by co-suppression mechanisms. Two independent lines of transgenic plants have been produced and field trials have been conducted in Queensland for four years in order to study the characteristics of the transgenic lines. We have identified a group of transgenic plants demonstrating inherited flowering delay and confirmed co-suppression of the ACACS2 gene due to methylation.

Identificación y fluctuación poblacional de insectos asociados al cultivo de la piña (Ananas comosus L. Merril) Ticuantepe, Nicaragua.

Con el objetivo de contribuir al conocimiento científico de insectos asociadas al cultivo de la piña (Ananas comosus L. Merril), se realizó este estudio en el período de marzo a septiembre del 2014 en la zona piñera del Municipio de Ticuantepe, teniendo como objetivos específicos la identificación, abundancia, riqueza, índice de biodiversidad, fluctuación poblacional y el hábito de las principales familias de insectos asociados al cultivo de la piña. El estudio se desarrolló en seis fincas piñeras donde se ubicaron tres trampas de caída libre (Pitfall traps) para la captura de insectos rastreros, tres trampas de galones de pl��stico con melaza para la captura de insectos voladores y en cada sitio se colectó manualmente insectos del follaje frutos y suelo. En esta investigación se encontró que las principales familias asociadas al cultivo son; Formicidae, Scarabaeidae, Pseudococcidae, Elateridae, Noctuidae, Nymphalidae Cerambicidae y Lycaenidae. La diversidad insectil se estimó utilizando el índice de diversidad Shannon-Weaver, la familia con mayor índice de diversidad fue Formicidae, En cuanto a la riqueza de insectos se encontraron cincuenta y un familias y ochenta y cuatro géneros, siendo los más numerosos pertenecientes a las familias; Formicidae, Scarabaidae, Tenebrionidae y Pentatomidae. En lo que respecta a la fluctuación poblacional, las familias de insectos que presentaron mayor incidencia fueron: Formicidae, Scarabaidae y Pseudococcidae, las fluctuaciones más altas de insectos ocurrieron en los meses de abril, mayo y julio, entre los principales hábitos alimenticios de las especies insectiles asociados al cultivo de la piña se encontraron, defoliadores, plagas del suelo, succionadores de floemas, barrenadores de corteza vegetal, polinizadoras, depredadores, parasitoides y degradadores de materia orgánica.

Funcionalidade dos extratos fenólicos obtidos pelo cultivo semi-sólido de resíduos de abacaxi (Ananas comusus L.) e goiaba (Psidium guajava L.)

Solid substrate cultivation (SSC) has become an efficient alternative towards rational use of agro industrial wastes and production of value-added products, mainly in developing countries. This work presents the production and functional application results of phenolic extracts obtained by solid substrate cultivation of pineapple (Ananas comosus L.) and guava (Psidium guajava L.) residues associated to soy flour and bioprocessed by Rhizopus oligosporus fungus. Two experimental groups were tested: (1) 9g of fruit residue and 1g of soy flour (A9 or G9); (2) 5g of fruit residue and 5g of soy flour (A5 or G5). After SSC, 100ml of distilled water was added to each Erlenmeyer flask containing 10g of bioprocessed material in order to obtain the phenolic extracts. Samples were taken every two days for total phenolic concentration (TPC) and antioxidant capacity evaluation by DPPH test during 12-day cultivation. The 2-day and 10-d ay extracts were selected and concentrated by ebullition until 1/10 of original volume was reached. After that, both non-concentrated and concentrated extracts were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella enterica and a-amylase inhibitory capacity. It was observed an inverse relationship between total phenolic concentration (TPC) and antioxidant capacity during the cultivation. Besides that, the concentrated pineapple samples after two days were able to inhibit both pathogens tested, especially S. aureus. Guava concentrated extracts after 2 days showed expressive inhibition against S. enterica, but negative results against S. aureus growth. When it comes to a-amylase inhibition, A9 extracts after 2 days, both concentrated or not, completely inhibited enzyme activity. Similar behavior was observed for G9 samples, but only for concentrated samples. It was shown that concentration by ebullition positively affected the enzymatic inhibition of G9 and A9 samples, but on the other side, decreased antiamylase activity of A5 and G5 samples

Evaluación de la eficacia del carbón vegetal activado y la gelatina como agentes clarificantes, y sus efectos en la limpidez del vino de piña (Ananas comosus)

El estudio “Evaluación de la eficacia del carbón vegetal activado y la gelatina como agentes clarificantes, y sus efectos en la limpidez del vino de piña (Ananas comosus L)” se desarrolló en la Estación Experimental y de Prácticas (EEP) de la Facultad de Ciencias Agronómicas de la Universidad de El Salvador, ubicada en el Municipio de San Luis Talpa del Departamento de La Paz, en donde se elaboraron 75 litros de mosto para la fermentación y obtención del vino como materia prima para realizar la investigación. Se evaluó la eficacia de carbón vegetal activado y la gelatina como agentes clarificantes en la limpidez del vino de piña (Ananas comosus L), a fin de estudiar los aspectos que permitan la obtención de una bebida l��mpida a un nivel de confianza del 5% (p≤0.05). Se determinó la densidad, contenido de extracto seco, cenizas, y transmitancia previo y posterior a la clarificación; lo cual permitió estimar la eficacia de los agentes clarificantes en estudio a fin de determinar el mejor agente clarificante para vino de piña. La investigación se realizó de agosto 2015 a febrero 2016, regida por el método hipotético deductivo; obteniendo como principales hallazgos que ambos agentes clarificantes produjeron similares efectos en la eficacia de la clarificación del vino, obteniendo un aumento de la transmitancia considerándose tres longitudes de onda (445 nm, 495 nm y 550 nm). No obstante, la dosis de gelatina 0.2 g/L y la dosis de carbón vegetal activado 0.1 g/L se comportaron diferentes entre sí y similar al resto. Independientemente del agente clarificante utilizado, se mejoró considerablemente la limpidez (transmitancia) del vino de piña y los demás parámetros físicos evaluados: densidad, extracto seco y cenizas. Palabras clave: vino, piña, carbón vegetal activado, gelatina, clarificante, eficacia, limpidez

In Vitro Conditions for a Successful Biolistics transformation System of Pineapples (ananas comosus merr.), in 'Contributing to a Sustainable Future'

In order to develop an efficient and reliable biolistics transformation system for pineapples parameters need to be optimised for growth, survival and development of explants pre- and post transformation. We have optimised in vitro conditions for culture media for the various stages of plant and callus initiation and development, and for effective selection of putative transgenic material. Shoot multiplication and proliferation is best on medium containing MS basic nutrients and vitamins with the addition of 0.1 mg/L myo-inositol, 20 g/L sucrose, 2.5 mg/L BAP and 3 g/L Phytagel, followed by transfer to basic MS medium for further development. Callus production on leaf base explants is best on MS nutrients and vitamins, to which 10 mg/L of BAP and NAA each was added. Optimum explant age for bombardment is 17-35 week old callus, while a pre-bombardment osmoticum treatment in the medium is not required. By comparing several antibiotics as selective agent, it has been established that a two-step selection of 2 fortnightly sub-cultures on 50 μg/mL of geneticin in the culture medium, followed by monthly sub-cultures on 100 μg/mL geneticin is optimal for survival of transgenic callus. Shoot regeneration from callus cultures is optimal on medium containing MS nutrients and vitamins, 5% coconut water and 400 mg/L casein hydrolysate. Plants can be readily regenerated and multiplied from transgenic callus through organogenesis. Rooting of shoots does not require any additional plant hormones to the medium. A transformation efficiency of 1 – 3.5% can be achieved, depending on the gene construct applied.

Crecimiento del Schizolobium parahyba var. amazonicum cultivado en presencia de Ananas comosus var. erectifolius en Pará, Brasil.

El incremento en la perturbación ambiental y la presión mundial para preservar la selva amazónica han fomentado el cultivo de especies nativas. Con el objetivo de evaluar el crecimiento de Schizolobium parahyba var. amazonicum (Huber ex Ducke) barneby cultivado en presencia de componentes agrícolas como Ananas comosus var. erectifolius, se desarrolló un estudio en la Estación Experimental de la empresa Tramontina Belem S.A., ubicada en la Ciudad de Aurora do Pará (PA), Brasil. El diseño experimental fue factorial de bloques completos al azar con parcelas subdivididas en el tiempo, para que los arreglos formaron los tratamientos de la parcela y las subparcelas fueron el tiempo de observación, con seis tratamientos y cuatro repeticiones: 1) S. parahyba var. amazonicum, Cordia goeldiana y Switenia macrophylla:GLC; 2) S. parahyba var. amazonicum, C. goeldiana, S. macrophylla y A. comosus var. erectifolius: GLCc; 3) S. parahyba var. amazonicum y C. goeldiana: GL; 4) S. parahyba var. amazonicum, C. goeldiana y A.comosus var. erectifolius; GLCc; 5) S. parahyba var. amazonicum: G; y 6) S.parahyba var. amazonicum y A. comosus var. Erectifolius: Gc. La distancia entre las especies forestales fue 4 x 3 m y para las plantas de A. comosus 0.80 m x 0.50 m. El tamaño de la parcela fue 18 x 24 m con cuatro repeticiones por tratamiento, el total de parcelas fue 24 y de área experimental 10 368 m2. Las variables analizadas para inferir el crecimiento del componente forestal fueron altura (H) y diámetro a la altura del pecho (DAP), cada 6 meses durante 3 años. En los seis sistemas de cultivo la tasa semestral de crecimiento de la altura y DAP de S. parahyba var. amazonicum fue mayor en los dos primeros años, y siguió con una tendencia de crecimiento lento y continuo durante los 36 meses de estudio. El efecto positivo de la presencia de A. comosus var. erectifolius se observó en el crecimiento de las plantas de S. parahyba var.amazonicum.

The influence of different photosynthetically active radiation levels on Ananas comosus (var. erectifolius LB Smith) plant sunder multiple cropping systems in the upland region of the Guama River, eastern Amazonia.

2016

Identification of viral and non-viral reverse transcribing elements in pineapple ( Ananas comosus ), including members of two new badnavirus species

A previously published partial sequence of pineapple bacilliform virus was shown to be from a retrotransposon (family Metaviridae) and not from a badnavirus as previously thought. Two newly discovered sequence groups isolated from pineapple were associated with bacilliform virions and were transmitted by mealybugs. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that they were members of new badnavirus species. A third caulimovirid sequence was also amplified from pineapple, but available evidence suggests that this DNA is not encapsidated, but more likely derived from an endogenous virus.

Influencia de diferentes densidades de siembra y métodos de control de malezas en piña (Ananas comusus L. Merr)

De agosto de 1988 hasta febrero de 1989 se llevo a cabo en el centro Experimental “Campos Azules “ un ensayo en el que se evaluaron dos densidades de siembre y seis métodos de control de malezas con el objetivo de determinar la influencia de diferentes densidades de siembra y métodos de control de malezas sobre el comportamiento de la cenosis. Crecimiento y desarrollo de la piña. Se observó que la mayor abundancia (Ind/M2) se presento en la distancia 1.20x0.40m encontrando que la mezcla Disoprop 1.2 Lt/ha + Fluazifop 0.1 lt/ha provocan fitotoxicidad en la piña. El Glyphosato en aplicaciones dirigidas a la calle, puede ser una buena alternativa por su amplio espectro de control de malezas en piña; Los r mejores resultados n control de malezas y favoreciendo el crecimiento y desarrollo de la piña lo presentaron las variantes limpias mecánicas mensualmente y la mezcla química Diuròn .075 lt/ha +- Atrazina 0.75lt/ha Las dos densidades de siembra no presentaron diferencias significativas en la mayoría de las variables de la piña (Altura de planta, numero de hojas, largo de frutos, diámetro de frutos y número de hijos /planta) favoreciendo generalmente a la distancia (0.90x0.40x0.30m).

In vitro activity of pineapple extracts (Ananas comosus, Bromeliaceae) on Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Acari: Ixodidae)

Measures to control the cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, based only on chemical products are becoming unsustainable, mainly because of the development of resistance. The objective of this study was to test the effect of the aqueous extract of pineapple skin (AEPS) and bromelain extracted from the stem (Sigma-Aldrich®, B4882) on engorged females and larvae of R. (B.) microplus in vitro. These substances were diluted in water and evaluated at eight concentrations. Engorged females were collected and distributed in groups of 10, with three repetitions for each treatment. After immersion in the solutions, the females were placed in an incubator for observation of survival, oviposition and larval hatching. The larval packet method was used, also with three repetitions with about 100 larvae each. The packets were incubated and the readings were performed after 24h. The estimated reproduction and efficacy of the solutions were calculated. The LC50 and LC90 were estimated using the Probit procedure of the SAS program. The eight concentrations were compared within each treatment by the Tukey test. For the experiment with engorged females, the most effective concentrations were 125, 250 and 500mg/mL: 33%, 48% and 59% for the AEPS and 27%, 51% and 55% for the bromelain. The LC50 and LC90 values were, respectively, 276 and 8691mg/mL for AEPS and 373 and 5172mg/mL for bromelain. None of the dilutions tested was effective against the larvae of R. (B.) microplus. This is the first report of the action of pineapple extracts or their constituents on cattle ticks. The results demonstrate that further studies regarding composition of tick cuticle, with evaluation of other solvents and formulations, should be conducted seeking to enhance the effect of pineapple extracts and compounds against this ectoparasite. © 2013 Elsevier Inc.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of the activity of pineapple (Ananas comosus) on Haemonchus contortus in Santa Inês sheep

The development of resistance to anthelmintics has prompted research into alternative methods of controlling intestinal nematodes in ruminants. This study aimed to assess the activity of Ananas comosus on Haemonchus contortus in Santa Inês sheep. The aqueous extract of pineapple skin (AEPS), bromelain from pineapple stems (B4882) and residue from pineapple processing was evaluated in in vitro and in vivo tests. The enzymatic activity of substances was analyzed by the azocasein method. The egg hatch test (EHT) and larval development test (LDT) were performed using the Embrapa2010 isolate of H. contortus. In the in vivo test, 36 sheep artificially infected with H. contortus were divided into six groups: G1: 2g/kg BW of the aqueous extract administered for three days; G2: 2g/kg BW of the industrial pineapple residue for 60 days; G3: 180mg/animal of bromelain in a single dose; G4: negative control I; G5: positive control (levamisole phosphate); and G6: negative control II. The eggs per gram (EPG) in the feces were counted till 28 days after treatment. LC50 and LC90 were obtained by the probit procedure, while the in vivo test results were analyzed by GLM. The aqueous extract in the in vitro and in vivo test, the bromelain and industrial residue presented 0.102, 0.157, 1.864 and 0.048 enzyme units/mL, respectively. In the egg hatch test, the LC50 and LC90 were respectively 31 and 81mg/mL for the aqueous extract and 0.50 and 2mg/mL for bromelain. In the larval development test, the LC50 and LC90 were respectively 1.7 and 7.3mg/mL for the aqueous extract and 0.019 and 0.086mg/mL for bromelain. In the in vivo test, the general efficacies of the treatments in relation to the negative control were 22.6%, 42.2%, 3.65% and 89% for the aqueous extract, industrial pineapple residue, bromelain and positive control respectively. The transformed EPG values were 3.19±0.59, 3.32±0.25, 2.85±0.66, 3.44±0.50, 2.28±0.93 and 2.75±0.94 for the aqueous extract, industrial residue, bromelain, negative control I, positive control and negative control II respectively. The results for all the treated groups differed significantly (p<0.05) from the positive control, and although the residue presented efficacy of 42.2%, there was no statistical difference (p>0.05) in relation to the negative control. Therefore, both the aqueous extract and bromelain were effective in vitro, but showed reduced anthelmintic efficacy in vivo. For the pineapple residue, the 42.2% in vivo efficacy in reducing the EPG and the possibility of reducing environmental contamination through reuse of industrial residue indicate it can also be useful for control of this parasite. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Propriedades termodinâmicas de adsorção de água e cinética de secagem de subprodutos da industrialização de abacaxi (Ananás comosus L.): casca e cilindro central

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

Transcriptional regulation of a pineapple polyphenol oxidase gene and its relationship to blackheart.

Two genes encoding polyphenol oxidase (PPO) were isolated from pineapple (Ananas comosus[L.] Merr. cv. Smooth Cayenne). Sequence analyses showed that both contained a single intron and encoded typical chloroplast-localized PPO proteins, the sequences of which corresponded to two pineapple PPO cDNAs, PINPPO1 and PINPPO2, recently described by Stewart et al. (2001). Southern blot analyses suggested that pineapple contained only two PPO genes. Analysis of expression of PINPPO1 promoter GUS fusion constructs showed this promoter had a low basal activity and was cold- and wound-inducible, consistent with known mRNA expression profiles. Striking homologies to gibberellin response complexes (GARC) were observed in sequences of both the PINPPO1 and PINPPO2 promoters. Transient assays in mature pineapple fruit and stable expression in transgenic tobacco showed that PINPPO1 promoter-GUS fusions were indeed gibberellin (GA) responsive. A role for the element within the putative GARCs in mediating GA-responsiveness of the PINPPO1 promoter was confirmed by mutational analysis. PINPPO2 was also shown to be GA-responsive by RT-PCR analysis. Mutant PINPPO1 promoter-GUS fusion constructs, which were no longer GA-inducible, showed a delayed response to cold induction in pineapple fruit in transient assays, suggesting a role for GA in blackheart development. This was supported by observations that exogenous GA3 treatment induced blackheart in the absence of chilling. Sequences showing homology to GARCs are also present in some PPO promoters in tomato, suggesting that GA regulates PPO expression in diverse species.

La Agricultura de las Antillas: Un aporte substancial al mundo

A partir del 12 de octubre de 1492, el mundo ya no fue el mismo. El almirante Cristóbal Col��n tocada tierras de un nuevo continente, al que llamaría América. Cuando descubrió Las Antillas, encontró que estas islas estaban habitadas por diversas tribus donde la agricultura era el epicentro de sus vidas, de sus usos y costumbres. De ella se han heredado muchas y se encuentran vigentes de uso cotidiano. El presente trabajo hace descripción de algunas de estas vigencias y se citan ejemplos de su variada influencia como los nombres de: maní (Arachis hypogea L.), maíz (lea mays L.) guanábana (Annona muricata L.), pitahaya (Hyfocereus undatus B & G) y tabaco (Nicotiana tabacum L.), en usos particulares en el caso del mamey (Mammea americana L.), icaco (Chysobafanus icaco L.) y yuca (Manihot esculenta C.), con propósito alimenticio el quequisque (Xanthosoma sagittifolium Shott), batata (lpomoea batatas L.) y topee tambo (Caffathea affonia) y de origen autóctono como la piña (Ananas comosus L.), nancite (Byrsonima crassifolia H.B.K.), guayaba (Psidium guajava L.), coco (Cocos nucifera L.), caímito (Chysophylum caimito L.), guayacán (Guayacum sanctum L.) y la caoba ( Swietenia microphyfa L.).

Monitoramento da mucha do abacaxizeiro associado à cochonilha Dysmicoccus brevipes em áreas de sistema de produção integrada no Estado do Tocantins.

O abacaxizeiro, Ananas comosus (L) Merril var. comosus Leal & Coppens, é cultivado na maioria dos estados brasileiros, sendo a cultivar ?Pérola? a mais plantada. Essa planta apesar de seu aspecto rústico, em uma produção comercial, é exigente em tratos culturais e fitossanitários, dentre estes a murcha que está associada à cochonilha Dysmicoccus brevipes, cujas perdas na produção, em cultivares suscetíveis, podem ultrapassar os 80% (SANCHES, 2005). O mercado interno é ainda o mais visado pelos produtores de abacaxi, sendo a aquisição ou venda de mudas entre produtores uma prática muito comum que, propicia, no entanto, a dispersão desse inseto de uma propriedade para outra ou de uma região para outra região.