Diagnoses of fipronil resistance in Brazilian cattle ticks (Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus) using in vitro larval bioassays

Fipronil is a phenylpyrazolic insecticide that is widely used in agriculture and has been recently used to control the cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. Because of the serious problems associated with resistance to the available acaricides, this product has been used as an important alternative to control acaricide-resistant ticks. The objective of this work was to analyse the fipronil sensitivity of ticks that were collected from farms with a history of fipronil use by larval bioassays. A total of 11 Brazilian tick populations were studied: one population from Rio Grande do Sul, one population from Mato Grosso do Sul and nine populations from Sao Paulo. To validate the assays, susceptible reference strains, POA (Porto Alegre, Brazil) and Mozo (Dilave, Uruguay), and ticks from six different farms that never used fipronil were tested. The resistance of various tick populations to technical grade fipronil (95.3%) was primarily evaluated using the larvae immersion test (LIT) and the larval packet test (LPT), when a sufficient number of larvae was collected. Using the LIT, the resistance ratios (RR(50)) of the tick populations from Rio Grande do Sul and Mato Grosso do Sul were 14.9 and 2.6, respectively, and the populations derived from Sao Paulo had RR(50)s ranging from 2.5 to 6.9. Four populations were evaluated with the LPT, and two populations displayed lower RR(50), while other populations displayed higher RR(50) than those determined by the LIT. This article reports the first cases of fipronil resistance in Brazil and highlights the LIT as a more sensitive technique for the evaluation of fipronil resistance in R. (B) microplus ticks. We suggest the use of the LIT as an evaluation tool for monitoring fipronil resistance in the control programmes of R. (B) microplus. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Acari: Ixodidae) resistance to fipronil in Uruguay evaluated by in vitro bioassays

Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus obtained from four local populations in Uruguay (2007-2008) were subjected to various bioassay techniques to determine the presence of fipronil resistance within the country. Resistance ratios (RRs) obtained by larval immersion test varied between 3.3 and 3635 for tick populations subjected to treatment with fipronil for the last 3-7 years. The highest RR was observed in the population which received fewer treatments. Using discriminating concentration (8 ppm) for larval immersion test, all field strains were correctly diagnosed as fipronil-resistant. This study presents the first diagnoses of cattle tick resistance to fipronil in Uruguay`s field populations. It also highlights the importance of the possible conflict between programs to control agricultural pests and cattle ticks. The findings provide valuable information for selection and adoption of new control alternatives to manage drug resistance exhibited by cattle ticks. (C) 2009 Elsevier BM. All rights reserved.

In vitro tests to establish LC(50) and discriminating concentrations for fipronil against Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Acari: Ixodidae) and their standardization

Laboratory test was carried out on larvae and adults of the cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, to determine fipronil toxicity. Adult immersion test (AIT, N = 26), larval immersion test (LIT, N = 71) and larval packet test (LPT, N = 41) were standardized using susceptible strain (Mozo). Dose-response curves were compared with a fipronil resistant strain. Four variables were analyzed from AIT results: mortality, weight of eggs on day 7 and on day 14, index of fertility, and index of fecundity. For larval test, dose mortality curves were analyzed. In spite of the high LC(50) variability, all variables determined for AIT were appropriate to discriminate both strains. AIT and LIT had more sensitivity than LPT, with larger resistance factors. It was used two times LC(99.9) as discriminating doses (DCs) following FAO suggestion. For mortality by AIT, LIT and LPT the DCs were estimated: 4.98 ppm, 7.64 ppm and 2365.8 ppm, respectively, for Mozo strain. DCs mortality values estimated for resistant strain by AIT, LIT and LPT were: 6.96 x 10(5) ppm, 343.26 ppm and 5.7 x 10(3) ppm, respectively and their respective resistant factors were: 202.4, 5.36 and 1.52. Protocols for AIT, LIT and LPT have been presented in this paper. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Determination of the susceptibility of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Acari: Ixodidae) to ivermectin and fipronil by Larval Immersion Test (LIT) in Uruguay

Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus is an important cattle pest in Uruguay, and the law regulates its control. It is resistant to organophosphates, synthetic pyrethroids and, as recently discovered, to fipronil. Resistance to macrocyclic lactones (MLs) and amitraz have not been documented; however, veterinarians and farmers have reported treatment failures. The objective of the present work was to study the susceptibility of cattle tick strains from different Uruguayan counties to ivermectin (IVM) and fipronil by using the Larval Immersion Test (LIT). The Mozo strain was used as the susceptible reference strain. From 2007 to 2009, twenty-eight tick populations were collected from different cattle farms with and without history of IVM or fipronil use. A probit analysis estimated dose-mortality regressions, lethal concentrations (LC), and confidence intervals. The resistance ratio (RR) was determined at the LC(50) and LC(90) estimates. To classify a tick population in relation to resistance, three categories based on a statistical analysis of LC and RR between field populations and Mozo strains were defined: susceptible (no differences), incipient resistance (differences and RR(50) < 2) and resistant (differences and RR(50) >= 2). Eighteen field populations were tested with IVM and five of them presented a RR(50) range between 1.35 and 1.98 and the LC(50/90), which is statistically different from the Mozo strain (incipient resistance). However, the RR(90) increases >= 2 in four of the populations, confirming that tick resistance to IVM is emergent. The low RR values obtained could be a result of a low frequency of treatments with IVM. Twenty-seven tick populations were tested with fipronil and six were diagnosed as resistant according to the LIT. Cross-resistance was not observed between fipronil and IVM on these tick populations. The current study presents different R. (B.) microplus populations with an incipient resistance to IVM, and indicates that the fipronil tick resistance is restricted to certain areas in Uruguay. (c) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Are price limits on futures markets that cool? evidence from the brazilian merchantile & futures exchange

This paper investigates the impact of price limits on the Brazil- ian future markets using high frequency data. The aim is to identify whether there is a cool-off or a magnet effect. For that purpose, we examine a tick-by-tick data set that includes all contracts on the São Paulo stock index futures traded on the Brazilian Mercantile and Futures Exchange from January 1997 to December 1999. Our main finding is that price limits drive back prices as they approach the lower limit. There is a strong cool-off effect of the lower limit on the conditional mean, whereas the upper limit seems to entail a weak magnet effect on the conditional variance. We then build a trading strategy that accounts for the cool-off effect so as to demonstrate that the latter has not only statistical, but also economic signifi- cance. The resulting Sharpe ratio indeed is way superior to the buy-and-hold benchmarks we consider.

Volatility modelling in the forex market: an empirical evaluation

We compare three frequently used volatility modelling techniques: GARCH, Markovian switching and cumulative daily volatility models. Our primary goal is to highlight a practical and systematic way to measure the relative effectiveness of these techniques. Evaluation comprises the analysis of the validity of the statistical requirements of the various models and their performance in simple options hedging strategies. The latter puts them to test in a "real life" application. Though there was not much difference between the three techniques, a tendency in favour of the cumulative daily volatility estimates, based on tick data, seems dear. As the improvement is not very big, the message for the practitioner - out of the restricted evidence of our experiment - is that he will probably not be losing much if working with the Markovian switching method. This highlights that, in terms of volatility estimation, no clear winner exists among the more sophisticated techniques.

Are price limits on futures markets that cool?: evidence from the Brazilian Mercantile and Futures Exchange

This paper investigates the impact of price limits on the Brazilian futures markets using high frequency data. The aim is to identify whether there is a cool-off or a magnet effect. For that purpose, we examine a tick-by-tick data set that includes all contracts on the S˜ao Paulo stock index futures traded on the Brazilian Mercantile and Futures Exchange from January 1997 to December 1999. The results indicate that the conditional mean features a floor cool-off effect, whereas the conditional variance significantly increases as the price approaches the upper limit. We then build a trading strategy that accounts for the cool-off effect in the conditional mean so as to demonstrate that the latter has not only statistical, but also economic significance. The in-sample Sharpe ratio indeed is way superior to the buy-and-hold benchmarks we consider, whereas out-of-sample results evince similar performances.

Análise do desempenho de regras da análise técnica aplicada ao mercado intradiário do contrato futuro do índice Ibovespa

Este artigo tem como objetivo verificar a robustez do contéudo preditivo de regras da análise técnica, usando informações intradiárias do mercado futuro do índice de ações da Bolsa de Valores de São Paulo (Ibovespa Futuro). A metodologia sugerida foi a avaliacão em grupos, conforme os resultados de Baptista (2002), tal que as regras são obtidas conforme os resultados em alguns dos subperíodos estudados, sendo testadas em períodos subsequentes. Como resultado, obteve-se robustez ao longo do tempo e à taxa de amostragem dos dados no desempenho das regras acima do benchmark (buy-and-hold), porém considerações realistas acerca do momento de compra, assim como da corretagem (exceto grande investidor), podem reduzir substancialmente os ganhos

As intervenções do Banco do Central do Brasil no mercado de câmbio e seus efeitos no nível intradiário da taxa de câmbio

Este trabalho tem como objetivo investigar o efeito das intervenções cambiais realizadas pelo Banco Central do Brasil sobre o nível intradiário da taxa de câmbio no Brasil. Para isso é utilizada uma abordagem de estudo de eventos, cruzando as cotações tick-by-tick dos contratos de dólar futuro negociados na BM&FBOVESPA com o instante em que ocorreram as intervenções, no período de outubro de 2011 a março de 2014. Foram considerados nas análises não apenas o momento da intervenção como também o momento do anúncio. Os resultados indicaram que o mercado reage de forma distinta a cada tipo de intervenção, sendo a reação acentuada quando a intervenção não é anunciada previamente ao mercado. As intervenções via swap cambial ou dólar pronto geraram efeitos significativos e relevantes no nível da taxa de câmbio. Por outro lado, as intervenções através de leilão de linha não afetaram significativamente a taxa de câmbio.

Germinação de sementes e otimização de técnicas de micropropagação de umbuzeiro (spondias tuberosa, arr.) anacardiaceae

The brazilian-plum (Spondias tuberosa, His) is a tropical fruit tree that has been consolidated in the market for agribusiness processing, due to its characteristic flavor of fruit. Accordingly, studies to optimize the propagation of plants are necessary for production of seedlings with agronomic and quality assurance measures. This study aimed at determining the efficient techniques for uniform seed germination, as brazilian-plum seed present mechanical dormancy, and establish optimal culture media for multiplication of shoots from the in vitro micropropagation. Firstly, in a greenhouse at the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, was evaluated the influence of different methods of breaking dormancy in the emergence of seedlings of brazilian-plum and speed of germination (IVG) of seeds. After 60 days of cultivation, it was found that splay in the distal portion of the seed was the best treatment, with rates of 85.33% in germinability and 3.415 of IVG, compared with the treatment of seed-soaking in water for 12h + humus and the control group. Subsequently, new sources of seedling explants were obtained in studies of tissue culture. Laboratory of Plant Biotechnology that the university, was used stem apex, nodal segments and internodes in search of decontamination with various concentrations of calcium hypochlorite [Ca(OCl)2] and micropropagation, inoculating them in half WPM (1980) with various concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). We used 10 sample units with three replications for different concentrations of [Ca(OCl)2], BAP and explants type. After thirty days, which was observed for the control of contamination, during the establishment in vitro, concentrations of [Ca(OCl)2] between 0.5% and 2.0% were effective in combating exogenous contamination of the apex. In nodal segments and internodes, concentrations of [Ca(OCl)2] between 1.0% and 2.0% and 1.5% and 2.0% were respectively, sufficient to reduce the percentage of losses in these infestations explants. For micropropagation, the culture medium supplemented with 0.1 mg.L-1 BAP promotes better development of multiple shoots per explants from nodal segment. However, success does not get to shoot training in internodal segment

Flutuação populacional e distribuição vertical de Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) em couve

O conhecimento da dinâmica populacional e da distribuição vertical de insetos pragas em plantas hospedeiras é fundamental para o desenvolvimento de programas de manejo integrado de pragas. No presente trabalho efetuou-se um levantamento populacional de formas ápteras do pulgão Brevicoryne brassicae (L.), visando determinar a época de maior densidade populacional e a distribuição vertical em plantas de couve, (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala DC.), cultivadas em Jaboticabal, SP. O estudo foi realizado durante as safras de brássicas de 1998 e 1999, efetuando-se correção da acidez do solo por meio de aplicação de calcário apenas no campo utilizado em 1998. A amostragem dos pulgões foi feita visualmente em folhas classificadas em três categorias: apical, mediana e basal. Nas duas safras estudadas, a infestação de B. brassicae na couve atingiu a maior densidade populacional em setembro, diminuindo rapidamente a seguir. Nos dois campos não se observou a mesma distribuição de B. brassicae em folhas apicais, medianas e basais. Os fatores que podem ter contribuído para as diferenças observadas no padrão de distribuição do pulgão devem estar relacionados com a precipitação pluvial e o calcário magnesiano.

Desenvolvimento e composição mineral do picão-preto sob diferentes níveis de pH

Visando estudar a tolerância do picão-preto (Bidens pilosa) a diferentes níveis de pH do substrato, conduziu-se um ensaio em condições de câmara de crescimento e utilizando-se a técnica de hidroponia, no qual três plântulas foram transplantadas para recipientes contendo solução nutritiva de Hoagland & Arnon, com pH ajustado para 3,5, 4,0, 5,0, 6,0, 7,0 e 8,0. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado com três repetições. Ao final do período experimental, 42 dias após o transplante, observou-se que as plantas que se desenvolveram nos pHs 3,5 e 8,0 apresentaram-se menores, com menor comprimento e volume do sistema radicular, menor número de folhas vivas e, consequentemente, menor peso de matéria seca das folhas, caule e raízes. Os teores de N e S nas raízes diminuiram com o aumento do pH do substrato, enquanto os de Ca e Mg aumentaram e os de K e P diminuiram no pH 5,0 a 6,0. No caule, apenas o teor de Mg foi afetado pelo pH, mostrando resposta positiva. Na folha obteve-se os maiores teores de P, S, Ca e Mg quando a planta se desenvolveu em pH 6,0. Não se constatou diferença significativa entre os efeitos dos pHs 5,0, 6,0 e 7,0 nos parâmetros avaliados, sendo que foi no pH 6,0 que se estimou, através de análise de regressão, melhor desenvolvimento do picão-preto. Concluiu-se que o picãopreto apresenta melhor desenvolvimento em pHs próximo ao neutro, com certa tolerância a pHs extremos (3,5 e 8,0).

Resistência de genótipos de batata, Solanum spp., a afídeos (Homoptera: Aphididae) e influência sobre parasitóides

Avaliou-se a resistência de genótipos de batata aos afídeos Myzus persicae (Sulz.), Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas) e Aphis gossypii (Glover), e a influência desses genótipos sobre parasitóides, em dois ensaios em plantios de inverno (1996 e 1997), em condições de campo, em Jaboticabal, SP. Os genótipos plantados no primeiro ano foram: Achat, Baronesa, Bintje, BR-2, Contenda, Monalisa, N 140-201 e NYL 235-4, distribuídos em quatro blocos ao acaso. Dois levantamentos foram efetuados, aos 70 e 85 dias após o plantio, avaliando-se o número de pulgões/folha e pulgões parasitados, nos terços superior, médio e inferior da planta. em 1997 plantaram-se os mesmos genótipos, excetuando-se o N 140-201, com levantamentos aos 72 e 80 dias. O genótipo NYL 235-4 mostrou-se suscetível a M. euphorbiae, sob infestações médias de 2,90 (1996) e 1,19 pulgões/folha (1997); dentre as cultivares comerciais, Baronesa foi a menos atacada por M. persicae (0,12 e 0,10 pulgões/folha em 1996 e 1997), enquanto BR-2 foi bem suscetível (1,10 e 0,66 pulgões/folha). Os afídeos ocorreram em maior população nas partes média e inferior das plantas; maior número de pulgões mumificados por Aphidius ervi Hal. e Diaretiella rapae (McIntosh), com parasitismo variando de 15 a 36%, foi observado em NYL 235-4, que foi o genótipo mais infestado pelos afídeos.

Controle de plantas daninhas na cultura de soja resistente ao glyphosate

O objetivo da pesquisa foi avaliar o controle de plantas daninhas em área cultivada com soja resistente ao herbicida glyphosate, sem a utilização de práticas complementares de manejo de plantas daninhas. Foram desenvolvidos experimentos, em condições de campo, nos anos agrícolas 2005/2006 e 2006/2007 em Jaboticabal (SP). Foram avaliadas duas cultivares de soja resistentes ao glyphosate (CD 214 RR e M-SOY 8008 RR), oito tratamentos de herbicidas (glyphosate, em aplicação única, nas doses de 0,48; 0,72; 0,96 e 1,20 kg ha-1 de equivalente ácido, associadas ou não a aplicação sequencial na dose de 0,48 kg ha-1), além de duas testemunhas, uma capinada e outra mantida infestada. As cultivares de soja influenciaram na infestação das espécies de plantas daninhas na área. Sem a aplicação de glyphosate, houve o predomínio de X. strumarium na área, desfavorecendo a ocorrência de outras espécies. Quando utilizado glyphosate, independentemente da dose, a infestação contabilizada aos 35 e 40 dias após a primeira aplicação, no primeiro e segundo ano, respectivamente, foi baixa. O controle de plantas daninhas na cultura da soja transgênica é diretamente influenciado pela dose de glyphosate, havendo controle satisfatório com a aplicação única de 0,96 kg ha-1 ou a sequencial de 0,48 + 0,48 kg ha-1 de glyphosate. em situação de menor infestação (2006/2007), a aplicação única de 0,48 kg ha-1 de glyphosate é suficiente para o controle das plantas daninhas. As cultivares de soja transgênica CD 214 RR e M-SOY 8008 RR influenciam diferencialmente a dinâmica das espécies de plantas daninhas, sendo o controle químico mais efetivo na situação de cultivo de M-SOY 8008 RR, em que houve menor diversidade e desenvolvimento das plantas daninhas.

Injúrias causadas por mosca-das-frutas sul-americana em cultivares de videira

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)