Dinâmica populacional e controle do ácaro Aceria litchii Keifer (Prostigmata: Eriophyidae) em plantas de lichia

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Entomologia Agrícola) - FCAV

Estudo comparativo entre as alterações produzidas pelas biomoléculas floretina e barbaloína na estrutura e na hidratação de membranas modelo negativamente carregadas de DMPG

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Ácido cítrico e quitosana na conservação pós-colheita de lichias ‘Bengal’

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Florescimento e frutificação em lichieiras

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Variação espaço temporal da comunidade zooplanctônica em viveiros de cultivo de camarão branco, Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931), no município Curuçá, Pará-Brasil

Ao longo das últimas décadas, a carcinicultura vem apresentando um grande crescimento em diversas partes do mundo, com o Brasil seguindo esta tendência mundial (FAO, 2004). Nesta atividade três espécies de camarão têm se destacado como as mais cultivadas, sendo elas Penaeus monodon (Fabricius, 1798), Fenneropenaeus chinensis (Osbeck, 1765) e Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931), responsáveis por cerca de 80% da produção mundial (FAO, 2004). No Brasil L. vannamei é a espécie mais cultivada, com a produção brasileira correspondendo a 5% da produção mundial (FAO, 2004). L. vannamei é uma espécie marinha originária do Oceano Pacífico, distribuída do México ao Peru. Por ser eurihalino, este camarão pode se adaptar às mais diversas condições de cultivo, desde águas salgadas até de menores salinidades (BRAY et al., 1993; PONCE-PALAFOX et al., 1997), característica que tem aumentado o interesse dos produtores. Embora seja exótica no Brasil, L. vannamei, mostra maior resistência à variação de temperatura e salinidade do que outros camarões peneídeos nativos (BRITO et al., 2000). O alimento do camarão e as estratégias de seu fornecimento têm merecido uma atenção especial do setor, gerando novas técnicas ou seu aperfeiçoamento. A ração nos sistemas de cultivo intensivo e semi-intensivo, por exemplo, é responsável por 50-60% dos custos totais de produção, demonstrando a importância de novas estratégias para minimizar sue uso. O aumento da biomassa do plâncton (alimento natural), e conseqüentemente, da cadeia alimentar, reduz os custos com a alimentação suplementar, influenciando diretamente os custos finais de produção (AVAULT, 2003). Segundo Nunes (1995), o incremento da produtividade natural é tão importante quanto o uso de uma ração nutricionalmente completa e bem balanceada. Logo após a introdução nos viveiros de cultivo, a base da alimentação de L. vannamei é composta, em parte, pelo alimento natural disponível (NUNES et al. 1997; MARTINEZ-CORDOVA et al. 1997; ROTHLISBERG, 1998) complementada com ração comercial. Martinez-Cordova et al. (2002) mostraram que as concentrações de clorofila ‘a’ diminuem cerca de 50% do início ao fim do cultivo, provavelmente devido a pastagem pelo zooplâncton e por alguns invertebrados bentônicos. Além da importância do zooplâncton como alimento para as pós-larvas de camarão nos viveiros de engorda, o uso destes organismos (principalmente copépodes) como alimento vivo na aqüicultura marinha vem recebendo grande atenção nos últimos anos (DELBARE et al. 1996). Tal fato ocorre por serem ricos em fosfolipídios, ácidos graxos essenciais altamente insaturados e antioxidantes naturais, sendo nutricionalmente superiores aos rotíferos e aos náuplios de artemia, comumente usados na larvicultura marinha (SARGENT et al. 1997, STOTTRUP e NOSKER, 1997) promovendo o sucesso as larviculturas de camarão (PAYNE et al. 1998; SCHIPP et al. 1999; PAYNE e RIPPINGALE, 2000). Desta forma, estudos sobre o cultivo intensivo de camarões marinhos que enfoquem a composição da comunidade planctônica, as variáveis bióticas e abióticas no sistema, e a característica dos efluentes gerados, são de grande importância. Assim, os resultados obtidos podem incrementar a produtividade aquática no cultivo, alem de fornecer subsídios para pesquisas posteriores de avaliação e mitigação dos impactos ambientais causados por esta atividade.

Influência de temperatura, anelamento e reguladores de crescimento, sobre a floração e frutificação de lichieiras

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Produção Vegetal) - FCAV

Aplicação de métodos combinados na conservação da qualidade de lichias ‘Bengal’

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Ácido cítrico e quitosana na conservação de lichias 'Bengal'

The aim of this study was to evaluate citric acid application with or without chitosan on the maintenance of the quality of litchi 'Bengal'. It was used litchi on mature maturation stage. After selection, fruits were immersed for one minute on the solution of citric acid and chitosan: [1]Control - without immersion; [2] citric acid 300g L-1, [3] citric acid 300 g L-1 + chitosan 0,3%, [4]citric acid 300 g L-1 + chitosan 0,6%, [5] citric acid 600 g L-1, [6] citric acid 600 g L-1 + chitosan 0,3%, [7] citric acid 600 g L-1 + chitosan 0,6%. Chitosan of low molecular weight and deacetylation degree of 75,58% (Sigma - Aldrich®) were used. After immersion, fruits were put to drain the excess of solution. Then, they were stored in cool chamber at 5ºC, previously sanitized, for 20 days. The experiment was conducted following a completely randomized design, with a factorial scheme composed by seven coating solutions and five sampling dates. Every five days were evaluated: loss of fresh mass of fruits; color; content of anthocyanins and the activity of peel enzymes polyphenoloxidase and peroxidase. It was verified that the solution of citric acid 600 g L-1, associated or not to chitosan, and the combination of chitosan 0,3% to 300 g L-1 of citric acid were the most efficient to maintain the quality of litchi 'Bengal' for 20 days at 5ºC.

A Method to Estimate the Population Level of Aceria litchii (Prostigmata: Eriophyidae) and a Study of the Population Dynamics of This Species and Its Predators on Litchi Trees in Southern Brazil

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

Development of a Methodology and Evaluation of Pesticides Against Aceria litchii and Its Predator Phytoseius intermedius (Acari: Eriophyidae, Phytoseiidae)

The litchi erineum mite, Aceria litchii (Keifer), is the major pest of litchi, Litchi chinensis Sonnerat (Sapindaceae). This study evaluated the effect of 11 pesticides on the survival of A. litchii as well as on the survival and reproduction of Phytoseius intermedius Evans& McFarlane, the predator most found in association with it in Brazil. The containment of A. litchii in small petri dishes whose bottoms were covered with a solidified paste made of a mixture of gypsum and activated charcoal (9: 1 in volume), kept humid, was shown to be adequate for this type of study. For the evaluation of the effect of pesticides on A. litchii, mites leaving the erinia from the pieces of litchi leaves (removed from the plants approximate to 24 h earlier) were sprayed under a Potter tower and immediately transferred to the 2.5-cm-diameter petri dishes. After 2, 12, 24, and 48 h of the application, the dishes were examined to evaluate the mite survival. The four pesticides causing the highest levels A. litchii mortality, as well as azadirachtin, were tested for the effect on P. intermedius. For this test, experimental units consisted of discs of uninfested litchi leaves also sprayed under a Potter tower before introducing the predators. Survival and oviposition of the predator were evaluated every 24 h for 5 consecutive days; viability of the eggs laid was also evaluated. Highest mortality of A. litchii occurred with the application of fenpyroximate, sulfur, abamectin, and hexythiazox. Azadirachtin was considered moderately harmful to the predator P. intermedius, whereas other pesticides were classified as harmful. Despite the low efficiency of azadirachtin in the control of the pest, its relative selectivity to P. intermedius would encourage the evaluation on field condition, especially for use in organic production systems.

Plantas medicinais do SUS: espécies comuns da região de Bauru-SP

This work deals with present and discuss mainly the chemical composition and pharmacological activities of each species of the National List of Medicinal plants of interest to SUS (RENISUS) contained in scientific articles that are found in the Bauru-SP region. Such information compiled in this study may help in the advancement of scientific research, promoting the speed in bibliographic queries these species. In the present work was carried out consultation papers and described in the form of literature review, published information of the species listed in Renisus specific to the Bauru-SP region are: Aloe spp* (A. vera or A. barbadensis), Schinus terebinthifolius = mastic Schinus, trimera Baccharis, Mikania spp* (M. glomerata and M. laevigata), Vernonia condensata, Tabebuia avellanedeae, Chenopodium ambrosioides, Momordica charantia, Phyllanthus spp* (P. amarus, P. niruri, P. tenellus and P. urinaria), Stryphnodendron adstringens = Stryphnodendron barbatimam, pulegium Mentha, Mentha spp* (M. crispa, M. piperita or M. villosa), Plectranthus barbatus = Coleus barbatus, Persea spp* (gratissima or P. americana P.), Bauhinia spp* (B. affinis, B. forficata or B. variegata), Copaifera spp*, Morus sp*, Eugenia uniflora or brasiliana Myrtus*, Psidium guajava, Syzygium spp* (S. jambolanum or S. cumini), Passiflora spp* (P. alata, P. edulis or P. incarnata), Punica granatum and Casearia sylvestris. Studies have shown that the use of plants as alternatives treatment and sustainable use of Brazilian biodiversity has a breakthrough in research regarding the chemical composition of each species of RENISUS relationship. Many phytochemical studies are reported compiled with possible pharmacological indications of each species. Thus enabling the use and production of herbal medicines in SUS

Fungal Planet description sheets: 320-370

Novel species of fungi described in the present study include the following from Malaysia: Castanediella eucalypti from Eucalyptus pellita, Codinaea acacia from Acacia mangium, Emarcea eucalyptigena from Eucalyptus brassiana, Myrtapenidiella eucalyptorum from Eucalyptus pellita, Pilidiella eucalyptigena from Eucalyptus brassiana and Strelitziana malaysiana from Acacia mangium. Furthermore, Stachybotrys sansevieriicola is described from Sansevieria ehrenbergii (Tanzania), Phacidium grevilleae from Grevillea robusta (Uganda), Graphium jumulu from Adansonia gregorii and Ophiostoma eucalyptigena from Eucalyptus marginata (Australia), Pleurophoma ossicola from bone and Plectosphaerella populi from Populus nigra (Germany), Colletotrichum neosansevieriae from Sansevieria trifasciata, Elsinoë othonnae from Othonna quinquedentata and Zeloasperisporium cliviae (Zeloasperisporiaceae fam. nov.) from Clivia sp. (South Africa), Neodevriesia pakbiae, Phaeophleospora hymenocallidis and Phaeophleospora hymenocallidicola on leaves of a fern (Thailand), Melanconium elaeidicola from Elaeis guineensis (Indonesia), Hormonema viticola from Vitis vinifera (Canary Islands), Chlorophyllum pseudoglobossum from a grassland (India), Triadelphia disseminata from an immunocompromised patient (Saudi Arabia), Colletotrichum abscissum from Citrus (Brazil), Polyschema sclerotigenum and Phialemonium limoniforme from human patients (USA), Cadophora vitícola from Vitis vinifera (Spain), Entoloma flavovelutinum and Bolbitius aurantiorugosus from soil (Vietnam), Rhizopogon granuloflavus from soil (Cape Verde Islands), Tulasnella eremophila from Euphorbia officinarum subsp. echinus (Morocco), Verrucostoma martinicensis from Danaea elliptica (French West Indies), Metschnikowia colchici from Colchicum autumnale (Bulgaria), Thelebolus microcarpus from soil (Argentina) and Ceratocystis adelpha from Theobroma cacao (Ecuador). Myrmecridium iridis (Myrmecridiales ord. nov., Myrmecridiaceae fam. nov.) is also described from Iris sp. (The Netherlands). Novel genera include (Ascomycetes): Budhanggurabania from Cynodon dactylon (Australia), Soloacrosporiella, Xenocamarosporium, Neostrelitziana and Castanediella from Acacia mangium and Sabahriopsis from Eucalyptus brassiana (Malaysia), Readerielliopsis from basidiomata of Fuscoporia wahlbergii (French Guyana), Neoplatysporoides from Aloe ferox (Tanzania), Wojnowiciella, Chrysofolia and Neoeriomycopsis from Eucalyptus (Colombia), Neophaeomoniella from Eucalyptus globulus (USA), Pseudophaeomoniella from Olea europaea (Italy), Paraphaeomoniella from Encephalartos altensteinii, Aequabiliella, Celerioriella and Minutiella from Prunus (South Africa). Tephrocybella (Basidiomycetes) represents a novel genus from wood (Italy). Morphological and culture characteristics along with ITS DNA barcodes are provided for all taxa.

Jasmonates and abscisic acid influence fruit ripening and plant water use: practical, physiological and morphological aspects

The aim of the present thesis was to better understand the physiological role of the phytohormones jasmonates (JAs) and abscisic acid (ABA) during fruit ripening in prospect of a possible field application of JAs and ABA to improve fruit yield and quality. In particular, the effects of exogenous application of these substances at different fruit developmental stages and under different experimental conditions were evaluated. Some aspects of the water relations upon ABA treatment were also analysed. Three fruit species, peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch), golden (Actinidia chinensis) and green kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa), and several of their cvs, were used for the trials. Different experimental models were adopted: fruits in planta, detached fruit, detached branches with fruit, girdled branches and micropropagated plants. The work was structured into four sets of experiments as follows: (i) Pre-harvest methyl jasmonate (MJ) application was performed at S3/S4 transition under field conditions in Redhaven peach; ethylene production, ripening index, fruit quality and shelf-life were assessed showing that MJ-treated fruit were firmer and thus less ripe than controls as confirmed by the Index of Absorbance Difference (IAD), but exhibited a shorter shelf-life due to an increase in ethylene production. Moreover, the time course of the expression of ethylene-, auxin- and other ripening-related genes was determined. Ripening-related ACO1 and ACS1 transcript accumulation was inhibited though transiently by MJ, and gene expression of the ethylene receptor ETR2 and of the ethylene-related transcription factor ERF2 was also altered. The time course of the expression of several auxin-related genes was strongly affected by MJ suggesting an increase in auxin biosynthesis, altered auxin conjugation and release as well as perception and transport; the need for a correct ethylene/auxin balance during ripening was confirmed. (ii) Pre- and post-harvest ABA applications were carried out under field conditions in Flaminia and O’Henry peach and Stark Red Gold nectarine fruit; ethylene production, ripening index, fruit quality and shelf-life were assessed. Results show that pre-harvest ABA applications increase fruit size and skin color intensity. Also post-harvest ABA treatments alter ripening-related parameters; in particular, while ethylene production is impaired in ABA-treated fruit soluble solids concentration (SSC) is enhanced. Following field ABA applications stem water potential was modified since ABA-treated peach trees retain more water. (iii) Pre- and post-harvest ABA and PDJ treatments were carried out in both kiwifruit species under field conditions at different fruit developmental stages and in post-harvest. Ripening index, fruit quality, plant transpiration, photosynthesis and stomatal conductance were assessed. Pre-harvest treatments enhance SSC in the two cvs and flesh color development in golden kiwifruit. Post-harvest applications of either ABA or ABA plus PDJ lead to increased SSC. In addition, ABA reduces gas exchanges in A. deliciosa. (iv) Spray, drench and dipping ABA treatments were performed in micropropagated peach plants and in peach and nectarine detached branches; plant water use and transpiration, biomass production and fruit dehydration were determined. In both plants and branches ABA significantly reduces water use and fruit dehydration. No negative effects on biomass production were detected. The present information, mainly arising from plant growth regulator application in a field environment, where plants have to cope with multiple biotic and abiotic stresses, may implement the perspectives for the use of these substances in the control of fruit ripening.

Raccontare, resistere. La denuncia tra novela negra e testimonio. Affinita' e differenze in tre scrittori ispanoamericani: Serna, Walsh e Bolaño.

La tesi è incentrata sui recenti sviluppi della narrativa testimoniale dell’America Latina. Verranno presi in considerazione gli ultimi contributi critici dedicati al rapporto tra finzione e realtà in letteratura, e sarà dato spazio alla costruzione narrativa della realtà e alla nascita del testimonio, come genere a sé, che raccoglie alcune delle principali opere latinoamericane degli ultimi quaranta anni. Nello specifico, l’indagine riguarderà la rappresentazione letteraria della violenza nella narrativa di denuncia di tre autori ispoanoamericani: la novela negra di Enrique Serna, il poliziesco testimoniale di Rodolfo Walsh e la scrittura estrema di Roberto Bolaño. Obiettivo della ricerca è capire in che modo i tre scrittori hanno raccontato le loro verità alternative, provando a salvaguardare la memoria, e quali effetti hanno ottenuto. Verranno analizzate non solo le tematiche affrontate, facendo riferimento quindi al contesto storico, politico e sociale al quale si rifanno, ma saranno illustrate anche le differenti tecniche di costruzione del romanzo, dell’intreccio e della trama, e verrà isolato il ruolo del testimone (diretto o indiretto) e delle fonti, per cogliere le differenze ma anche le similitudini stilistiche e narrative di ognuna delle opere. Più in generale, dimostreremo come e quanto i testi di questi autori costituiscano in realtà una forte critica al sistema imperante e diano voce alle categorie sociali altrimenti emarginate.

Detection and molecular characterization of viruses infecting Actinidia spp.

Kiwifruit (genus Actinidia) is an important horticultural crop grown in the temperate regions. The four world’s largest producers are China, Italy, New Zealand and Chile. More than 50 species are recognized in the genus but the principal species in cultivation are A. deliciosa and A. chinensis. In Italy, as well as in many other countries, the kiwifruit crop has been considered to be relatively disease free and then no certification system for this species has been developed to regulate importation of propagation plant material in the European Union. During the last years a number of fungal and bacterial diseases have been recorded such as Botrytis cinerea and Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae. Since 2003, several viruses and virus-like diseases have been identified and more recent studies demonstrated that Actinidia spp can be infected by a wide range of viral agents. In collaboration with the University of Auckland we have been detected thirteen different viral species on kiwifruit plants. During the three years of my PhD I worked on the characterization of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and Pelargonium zonate spot virus (PZSV). The determination of causal agents has been based on host range, symptom expression in the test plant species and morphological properties of the virus particles using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and using specific oligonucleotide primers in reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Both viruses induced several symptoms on kiwifruit plants. Moreover with new technologies such as high-throughput sequencing we detected additional viruses, a new member of the family Closteroviridae and a new member of the family Totiviridae. Taking together all results of my studies it is clear that, in order to minimize the risk of serious viral disease in kiwifruit, it is vital to use virus-free propagation material in order to prevent the spread of these viruses.