Is it necessary to soak rice grains to prepare Rhizoctonia solani AG-4 inoculum?

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects on the development of root rot on common bean, cv. 'Dufrix' after treatment with four volumes of water (0, 30%, 60%, and 90%, v/w) added to rice grains previously immersed in water for 24 hours before autoclaving and colonization of grains by Rhizoctoniasolani AG-4. Colonized rice grains and non-infested rice grains were mixed in pots with sterilized soil and sand (2:1), where beans were sown. Based on results of area under plant emergence curve, plant height, plant dry weight, and disease severity, we conclude that inoculum is more effective in causing disease when no water is added to the rice grains before autoclaving.

Susceptibility of leguminous green manure species to Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotium rolfsii

We studied the susceptibility of species used as green manure in common bean fields to root rot (Rhizoctonia solani) and southern blight (Sclerotium rolfsii). Seeds of Crotalaria breviflora, Canavalia ensiformis, Cajanus cajan, Dolichos lablab, Stizolobium cinereum, S. aterrimum, and the bean cvs. "Pérola", "Valente" and "Carnaval" were sown in soil infested by either R. solani AG-4 or S. rolfsii in greenhouse. The emergence of D. lablab seedlings in soil infested by R. solani dropped to 62%. C. breviflora, C. ensiformis and cv. "Valente" presented the lowest root rot severity. The pathogen S. rolfsii drastically reduced seedling emergence in all species; no C. cajan and S. cinereum seedling emerged. All plant species presented high southern blight severity. We conclude that leguminous crops are not suitable as green manure for areas of bean cultivation with high R. solani and S. rolfsii populations.

Macrophomina phaseolina: density and longevity of microsclerotia in soybean root tissues and free on the soil, and competitive saprophytic ability

In field experiments, the density of Macrophomina phaseolina microsclerotia in root tissues of naturally colonized soybean cultivars was quantified. The density of free sclerotia on the soil was determined for plots of crop rotation (soybean-corn) and soybean monoculture soon after soybean harvest. M. phaseolina natural infection was also determined for the roots of weeds grown in the experimental area. To verify the ability of M. phaseolina to colonize dead substrates, senesced stem segments from the main plant species representing the agricultural system of southern Brazil were exposed on naturally infested soil for 30 and 60 days. To quantify the sclerotia, the methodology of Cloud and Rupe (1991) and Mengistu et al. (2007) was employed. Sclerotium density, assessed based on colony forming units (CFU), ranged from 156 to 1,108/g root tissue. Sclerotium longevity, also assessed according to CFU, was 157 days for the rotation and 163 days for the monoculture system. M. phaseolina did not colonize saprophytically any dead stem segment of Avena strigosa,Avena sativa,Hordeum vulgare,Brassica napus,Gossypium hirsutum,Secale cereale,Helianthus annus,Triticosecalerimpaui, and Triticum aestivum. Mp was isolated from infected root tissues of Amaranthus viridis,Bidens pilosa,Cardiospermum halicacabum,Euphorbia heterophylla,Ipomoea sp., and Richardia brasiliensis. The survival mechanisms of M. phaseolina studied in this paper met the microsclerotium longevity in soybean root tissues, free on the soil, as well as asymptomatic colonization of weeds.

Identificação de espécies de Fusicoccum causadoras de podridão em frutos de abacate

ABSTRACT The Fusicoccum genus of fungi are known to cause stem-end rot in various fruit plants, such as mango, guava, peach and avocado. Several species of this fungus are reported attacking avocado (Persea americana) in several countries. Based on this information, the present study aimed to identify species of Fusicoccum associated with rot in avocado fruits in the State of São Paulo. Samples were collected (fruits with rot symptoms) from regions of Bauru, Bernadino de Campos and Piraju. All isolates obtained had its pathogenicity confirmed by inoculation of healthy avocado fruits. After confirming its pathogenicity, these isolates had their DNA extracted and the ITS-5.8S rDNA region was amplified. After editing, these sequences were used to search for similar sequences in the NCBI. Eleven samples were identified as Neofusicoccum parvumand others were identified as Botryosphaeria dothidea(F. aesculi). Both species were found in all regions of collection.

Evaluation of cotton stalks destroyers

The destruction of the cotton crop residues (cotton stalks) is a mandatory procedure in Brazil for prophylactic issues, but is a subject unexplored by the research and there are few studies that deal with this issue. However, this is not encouraged in recent decades, studies aimed at developing and evaluating equipment for this purpose. The present study had the objective to evaluate six methods for mechanical destruction of cotton crop residues. Each method was defined based on the principle of operation of the active parts of the equipment, which were tested in medium texture soil and in a clayey one. The variables used to evaluate the efficiency of the equipment were the regrowth rate, the theoretical field capacity and energy demand. The equipment with convergent concave disks (DCC) and flat cutters discs from manufacturer A (CPS-a) showed the best results in cotton stalks destruction in both soil types. The harrow disc (GPD) was efficient only in clay soil. It was concluded that the equipment with convergent concave disks, among those tested, was the most efficient to destroy cotton stalks, regardless of soil type, and that the harrow disc was not included among the best performers.

Development, structure and distribution of colleters in Mandevilla illustris and M. velutina (Apocynaceae)

Colleters of Mandevilla illustris and M. velutina are present on the cotyledons, shoot apices, mature leaves and on the nodal region, where they are interpetiolar and intrapetiolar. In M. velutina there are two colleters on the adaxial basal part of the leaf blade, and in M. illustris, this number varies. The differentiation of the colleters occurs in the early stages of leaf development. When colleters are mature, they consist of a long head on a short stalk. The central core of the colleter is made up of parenchymatous cells that may exhibit phenolic compounds and is surrounded by radially elongated epithelial cells. The foliar and intrapetiolar colleters can exhibit vascularization. The colleters produce a translucient sticky substance that reacts positively to polysaccharides and, before senescence, they produce lipophilic substances. The Mandevilla colleters data can give support to the taxonomy and phylogeny of the Apocynaceae.

Development and some histochemical aspects of foliar glandular trichomes of Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.) Bert. - Asteraceae

The ten-celled biseriate glandular trichome of Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.) Bert.-Asteraceae, found on both leaf surfaces, originates from a single protruding, protodermal cell undergoing an anticlinal division. A subsequent series of periclinal divisions, occurring in acropetal sequence, leads to the formation of the trichome, composed of five pairs of cells, one pair of basal cells, another of stalk cells and three pairs of secretory head cells. Developing, still two-celled glandular trichomes already occur on leaf primordia of the second pair (these primordia measuring, in some cases, ca. 0.30 mm in length), and most of the glandular trichomes are at the mature phase on very young, expanding leaves, for example on those of the sixth pair. The secretory material released by the head cells is stored in the trichome cavity (subcuticular space). Basic histochemical tests reveal that such material is lipophilic (mainly) and hydrophilic in nature.

Dinâmica espaço-temporal de Melocactus ernestii subsp. ernestii (Cactaceae) no Nordeste do Brasil

Melocactus ernestii Vaupel subsp. ernestii ocorre em afloramentos rochosos descontínuos no leste do Brasil. O presente estudo investigou o padrão espaço-temporal dos eventos de mortalidade e sobrevivência de plântulas da M. ernestii e a relação com as plantas perenes, a partir da utilização de parcelas, alocadas com auxílio de trenas, onde foram tomadas as coordenadas cartesianas do centróide dos estádios de desenvolvimento, com posterior análises de padrões de ponto baseado na função K de Ripley. Foram mapeados nas parcelas 686 indivíduos da M. ernestii. O padrão espacial variou em função da escala, do estádio de desenvolvimento e do grau de intemperização dos afloramentos. Os eventos de recrutamento e mortalidade foram espacialmente estruturados e influenciados por pulsos de precipitação sazonais. As plântulas emergiram a ca. 50 cm do centróide dos adultos. Das 136 plântulas monitoradas em 18 meses, 84% morreram. Os resultados mostraram que microsítios inicialmente eficazes na manutenção de sementes e promotores da germinação não necessariamente podem ser eficazes para o estabelecimento das plântulas. A magnitude das interações bióticas em ambientes estressantes é espécie-específica e indica que associação positiva entre plantas adultas e sobrevivência de plântulas não é consistente com o tempo. Este tipo de modelagem populacional permite melhor compreensão sobre o papel das interações positivas e negativas como forças estruturadoras de comunidades e pode ajudar a entender a complexidade das interações bióticas em gradientes ambientais severos.

Calcium antagonism and the vasorelaxation of the rat aorta induced by rotundifolone

The vasorelaxing activity of rotundifolone (ROT), a major constituent (63.5%) of the essential oil of Mentha x villosa, was tested in male Wistar rats (300-350 g). In isolated rat aortic rings, increasing ROT concentrations (0.3, 1, 10, 100, 300, and 500 µg/ml) inhibited the contractile effects of 1 µM phenylephrine and of 80 or 30 mM KCl (IC50 values, reported as means ± SEM = 184 ± 6, 185 ± 3 and 188 ± 19 µg/ml, N = 6, respectively). In aortic rings pre-contracted with 1 µM phenylephrine, the smooth muscle-relaxant activity of ROT was inhibited by removal of the vascular endothelium (IC50 value = 235 ± 7 µg/ml, N = 6). Furthermore, ROT inhibited (pD2 = 6.04, N = 6) the CaCl2-induced contraction in depolarizing medium in a concentration-dependent manner. In Ca2+-free solution, ROT inhibited 1 µM phenylephrine-induced contraction in a concentration-dependent manner and did not modify the phasic contractile response evoked by caffeine (20 mM). In conclusion, in the present study we have shown that ROT produces an endothelium-independent vasorelaxing effect in the rat aorta. The results further indicated that in the rat aorta ROT is able to induce vasorelaxation, at least in part, by inhibiting both: a) voltage-dependent Ca² channels, and b) intracellular Ca2+ release selectively due to inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate activation. Additional studies are required to elucidate the mechanisms underlying ROT-induced relaxation.

Microbiological and physicochemical evaluations of juice extracted from different parts of sugar cane stalks from three varieties cultivated under organic management

The artisanal production of cachaça, a beverage obtained by the fermentation of sugar cane juice after distillation, especially by small-sized producers, has traditionally used natural ferment ("fermento caipira") which consists of sugar cane juice with crushed corn, powdered rice, or citrus fruits. In despite of the difficulties in quality control due to the high level of contaminants and longer periods of preparation, the sensorial quality of the beverage may be attributed to the physiological activities of wild yeasts and even bacteria present during fermentation when this ferment is used. In this context, the aim here was to evaluate the microbiological (yeasts) and physicochemical characteristics of sugar cane juice extracted from different parts of three different varieties (RB72454, RB835486, and RB867515) of the cane stalk (lower, medium, and upper sections) in three harvesting periods (from May to December 2007) in an area under organic management. The juice from the upper section (from the eleventh internode to the top) of the sugar cane stalk could be indicated for the preparation of the natural ferment since it is as a source of yeasts and reducing sugars, especially the variety RB867515. Due to the seasonality, the best period for using this part of the sugar cane stalk is at the beginning of harvesting when the phenolic compounds are at low concentration, but there are higher number of Saccharomyces population and other yeast species. The high acidity in this section of the plant could result in a better control of bacterial contamination. These findings explain the traditional instructions of adding the upper sections for the preparation of natural ferment and can help its management in order to get a better performance with respect to organic cachaça production.

Oxidative enzymes activity in sugarcane juice as a function of the planting system

In Brazil, the largest producer of sugarcane in the world, the industrial process transforms this crop into ethanol and/or granulated sugar. Some cultivars exhibit enzymatic browning in the extracted sugarcane juice at levels harmful to the manufacturing process of white granulated sugar. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of sugarcane straw used as soil coverage, the use of different planting systems, and treatments with hydrogel polymer on enzymatic activity. The cultivar RB 86 7515 was sampled for 8 months; the first sample was obtained by cutting the upper portion of the stalk at the internode, which was taken to the laboratory for determination of the enzymatic activity of polyphenoloxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD). The soil coverage with different forms of straw as well as the planting systems did not change the enzymatic activity of polyphenoloxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD). The polyphenoloxidase (PPO) activity increased with the use of a polymer due to increased polyphenoloxidase (PPO) activity in the groove system. The enzymes studied showed changes in activity during the experimental period. The production of sugar at the end of the season (August to November) avoids the periods of highest enzymatic activity.

Yleispiirteinen kartta Iin pitäjästä

Kartan esitystekniikka: maastokartta.

Comparing the alternative utilization method for coconut in Nzema, Ghana

There are many opportunities to utilise coconut in Nzema to support farmers. Coconut oil that is mainly used for food preparation in Nzema can be utilized as fuel to support overcoming of the energy crisis in the Ghana. Coconut oil in Nzema is not used in both transportation and electricity generation. A few of the waste husk and shell are mainly used as fuel in homes for heating but greater amount is left to rot or burn the coconut plantation. In addition, some portion of the granulated coconut kernel is sometime used as feed for piggery feed and the rest of the granulated kernel are left as waste on the oil processing site. In this thesis, the author identified alternative utilization of cocoanut, for instance the use of coconut husk and shell for charcoal production, and the use of coconut trunks as construction materials. It is envisaged that exploring these alternatives will not only reduce carbon emission in the country but will also contribute significantly to the sustainability of the local agro-industry.

Little Red Riding Hood

Kuvitusta satuun Punahilkka.

Recueil de pièces en vers et en prose du XVIe siècle, à savoir.

Contient : 1 « Definition d'amour », par « S[AINT] G»[ELAIS] ; 2 « Rondeau », par « S[AINT] G»[ELAIS] (fol. 2). Refrain : « Mal ou bien » ; 3 « Le Courtisant » [par BALTHASARD DE CASTIGLIONE] ; 4 « Epistre » ; 5 Épigramme contre le duc de Guise et le cardinal de Lorraine ; 6 « Epistre de J[ACQUES] C»[OLIN] ; 7 « Epistre du chevalier navré et prins devant Pavie à sa dame negligente de luy escribre » ; 8 « Epistre » ; 9 « Epistre » ; 10 « Compte d'amour fugitif, translaté de grec en latin par POLITIAN, et de latin en françois par CLEMENT MAROT » ; 11 « Six Dames de Paris à Clement Marot », épître, par « JANNE DEMONT » ; 12 « Epistre de CLEMENT MAROT à trois sortes de dames parisiennes » ; 13 « A six dames, Dieu sçait quelles, qui luy envoierent une epistre pleine de ce qu'elles sçavent dire », par le même ; 14 « A celles de qui ledict MAROT ne vouldroit perdre la grace » — Commençant (fol. 60) par: Et vous aultres bien saiges... » ; 15 « CLEMENT MAROT aux gentilz veaulx « Qui ont faict les adieux nouveaulx » ; 16 Huit rondeaux, par « C[LEMENT] M»[AROT]. Refrains ; 1 « Au temps passé » ; 2 « Avant mes jours » ; 3 « En la baisant » ; 4 « Toutes les nuictz » ; 5 « S'il est ainsy » ; 6 « D'avoir le pris » ; 7 « Tout à par soy » ; 8 « De nuict » ; 17 « Dixain », par « C[LEMENT] M»[AROT] ; 18 Cinq rondeaux, par « J[ACQUES] C»[OLIN]. Refrains ; 1 « Je le voy bien » ; 2 « Quand j'ay voulu » ; 3 « Taire ou cryer » ; 4 « En me taisant » ; 5 « Incontinent » ; 19 Sept rondeaux, par « J. G ». Refrains ; 1 « De m'acquiter » ; 2 « Sy ne revient » ; 3 « Si longuement » ; 4 « L'honesteté » ; 5 « Tout vient de Dieu » ; 6 « Oultre mon gré » ; 7 « De ton ennuyt » ; 20 Cinq rondeaux, par « J[EAN] MA»[ROT]. Refrains ; 1 « Contre le coup » ; 2 « Plus chault que feu » ; 3 « Dont vient cela » ; 4 « D'un seul regard » ; 5 « Pour le deduyt » ; 21 Quatorze rondeaux. Refrains ; 1 « Au feu d'amours » ; 2 « Aupres du vif » ; 3 « Comme ung phoenix » ; 4 « Mort ou mercy » ; 5 « Faict ou failly » ; 6 « Sy mieulx ne vient » ; 7 « De grise teste » ; 8 « D'estre amoureux » ; 9 « A ma requeste » ; 10 « Je n'en veuls point » ; 11 « Au tour de vous » ; 12 « Maulgré moy » ; 13 « Quand je vous voy » ; 14 « Ung jour » ; 22 « Dixain » ; 23 Trois stances amoureuses sur les mêmes rimes ; 24 « Dixain » ; 25 « Huittain » ; 26 Deux quatrains, par « L[A] M»[AISONNEUVE] ; 27 Huitain ; 28 Deux quatrains ; 29 Deux huitains ; 30 Deux huitains ; 31 « Epitaphe » ; 32 Deux huitains ; 33 Huitain ; 34 Deux huitains ; 35 Huitain ; 36 « La Royne de Navarre, du dieu Cupido » ; 37 « Dixain » ; 38 « Complaincte fort lugubre » ; 39 « In amorem furem », épigramme latine ; 40 Traduction de l'épigramme précédente, par « STROSIUS, poeta ferrariensis » ; 41 « AUSONIUS e greco », texte latin et « translat » de l'épigramme suivante ; 42 Trois quatrains amoureux, par « le roy » [FRANÇOIS Ier] ; 43 « Dixain » ; 44 Pièce de vers de « CHAP»[UIS] ; 45 Epigramme sur « les Blancs Manteauls » ; 46 « Response » de « MAROT » à l'épigramme précédente ; 47 Deux huitains ; 48 « Response » aux huitains précédents ; 49 Rondeau, par « CHAP»[UIS]. Refrain : « Che foeu » ; 50 Deux rondeaux. Refrains ; 51 Rondeau, par [LA] « M[AISON] N»[EUVE]. Refrain ; 52 Rondeau (fol. 97). Refrain : « En bone foy » ; 53 Dixain « pour les dames de la rue S. Antoine », par « S[AINT] G»[ELAIS] ; 54 En envoyant un portrait, par « H. J. » ; 55 Huitain, par « CHAP»[UIS] ; 56 Vers sur l'«amour », par « S[AINT] G»[ELAIS] ; 57 Deux quatrains, par « COLIN » ; 58 Quatrain, par « CHAP»[UIS] ; 59 « Rondeau » (fol. 100). Refrain : « A Dieu » ; 60 Dixain ; 61 Huitain ; 62 Dixain, par [LA] « M[AISON] N»[EUVE] ; 63 Trois sixains, par « CHAP»[UIS] ; 64 Douzain, par « le roy » [FRANÇOIS Ier] et « CHAP»[UIS] ; 65 Dixain, par « S[AINT] G»[ELAIS] ; 66 Vers sur une « amitié... decousue », par « S[AINT] G»[ELAIS] ; 67 Deux quatrains, par « C[LAUDE] C»[OLLET] ; 68 Quatrain, par « CHAP»[UIS] ; 69 « Blason de couleurs », par « BRO»[DEAU] ; 70 Huitain, par « S[AINT] G»[ELAIS] ; 71 « Enigme » ; 72 Huitain, par « CHAP»[UIS] ; 73 Dixain, par « CHAP»[UIS] ; 74 Plainte d'amour, par « CHAP»[UIS] ; 75 ; 76 « Dixain », par « CHAP»[UIS] ; 77 « Response d[e] MACAULT » ; 78 Dixain ; 79 « Dixain », par « CHAP»[UIS] ; 80 Huitain, par « CHAP»[UIS] ; 81 « Dixain », par « CHAP»[UIS] ; 82 Huitain, par « S»[AINT-GELAIS] ; 83 Dixain, par « CHAP»[UIS] ; 84 Sept vers d'amour, par « CHAP»[UIS] ; 85 A une dame qui avait mêlé sa voix au son du luth de « SAINCT GELAIS » ; 86 Huitain, par « M. T. » ; 87 Huitain, par « M. T. » ; 88 Dixain, par « T. » ; 89 Huitain, par « T. » ; 90 Huitain, par « T. » ; 91 Dixain, par « le roy » [FRANÇOIS Ier] ; 92 « Rithme françoise tirée d'un epigramme latin de JONI PONTAN » ; 93 Huitain, par « CHAP»[UIS] ; 94 Dixain ; 95 Dixain, par « CHAP»[UIS] ; 96 Dixain, par « S[AINT] G»[ELAIS] ; 97 « Envoy » ; 98 Huitain, par « LA M»[AISONNEUVE] ; 99 Dixain, par « GHAP»[UIS] ; 100 Dixain ; 101 Neuf vers d'amour, par « CHAP»[UIS] ; 102 Cinq quatrains d'amour ; 103 Huitain, par « CHAP»[UIS] ; 104 Dixain, par « CHAP»[UIS] ; 105 Sept vers d'amour, par « CHAP»[UIS] ; 106 « Pour monsieur de S. », dixain ; 107 Huitain ; 108 « Response » ; 109 Dixain ; 110 Dixain « du roy » [FRANÇOIS Ier] ; 111 Unzain « d'une qui allumat le foeu de la S. Jehan » ; 112 Douzain « de monseigneur le cardinal DE TOURNON » ; 113 Quatrain, par « M. D. L. »