Rhizospheric streptomycetes as potential biocontrol agents of Fusarium and Armillaria pine rot and as PGPR for Pinus taeda

Pinus taeda is one of the main timber trees in Brazil, occupying 1.8 million ha with an annual productivity of 25-30 m(3) ha(-1). Another important species is Araucaria angustifolia, belonging to the fragile Rainforest biome, which for decades has been a major source of timber in Brazil. Some diseases that affect the roots and/or the stem of these trees and cause "damping-off" of the seedlings, with economic and environmental losses for the forest sector, are caused by the plant pathogenic fungi Fusarium sp. or Armillaria sp. This research project intended to isolate actinobacteria from the Araucaria rhizosphere, which present an antagonistic effect against these fungi. After the selection of the best pathogen inhibitors, morphologic characteristics, enzyme production, and their effect on the growth of Pinus taeda were studied. The actinobacteria were tested for their antagonistic capacity against Fusarium sp. in Petri plates with PDA as substrate. The inhibition zone was measured after 3, 5, 7, and 10 days. Of all the isolates tested, only two of them maintained inhibition zones up to 4 mm for 10 days. The inhibition of Armillaria sp. was tested in liquid medium and also in Petri dishes through the evaluation of the number of the fungal rhizomorphs in dual culture with the actinobacteria. It was found that all five isolates were able to inhibit the rhizomorph production, with the best performance of the isolate A43, which was capable of inhibiting both fungi, Fusarium and Armillaria. In a greenhouse experiment, the effect of five isolates on the growth of Pinus taeda seedlings was tested. Plant height, stem diameter, root and shoot dry matter were determined. The Streptomyces isolate A43 doubled plant growth. These results may lead to the development of new technologies in the identification of still unknown bacterial metabolites and new management techniques to control forest plant diseases.

Two periods of total testicular regression are peculiar events of the annual reproductive cycle of the black Myotis bat, Myotis nigricans (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Structure, histochemistry, ultrastructure and seasonal variations of the male prostatic complex in the black Myotis bat, Myotis nigricans (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

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

Antiageing mechanisms of a standardized supercritical CO2 preparation of Black Jack (Bidens pilosa L.) in human fibroblasts and skin fragments

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

New records of feather mites (Acari: Astigmata) from Brazil, with description of a new species from the Black Vulture (Aves: Cathartidae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Nasal, oral and rectal microbiota of Black lion tamarins (Leontopithecus chrysopygus)

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

Potential use of bioagents in the control of postharvest rot in melon

Rot caused by Fusarium pallidoroseum has had a severely negative impact on the export of melons from Brazil. Uncertainty regarding the health of the fruit due to the quiescent infection of the pathogen has led producers to use fungicides in the postharvest treatment of the fruit, thereby causing contamination and risking the health of consumers. Consequently, there is a demand for clean and safe natural technologies for the postharvest treatment of melons, including biological control. The present study aimed at evaluating bioagents for use in controlling Fusarium rot in 'Galia'melon. The following bioagents were evaluated: two isolates of Bacillus subtilis, B. licheniformis and a mixture of B. subtilis and B. licheniformis, as well as the yeasts Sporidiobolus pararoseus, Pichia spp., Pichia membranifaciens, P. guilliermondii, Sporobolomyces roseus, Debaryomyces hansenii and Rhodotorula mucilagenosa. Treatment with imazalil and water were used as controls. Two experiments were conducted in a completely randomised design with 10 replicates per treatment with four fruit per replicate; the disease incidence was evaluated in the first experiment, and the disease severity was evaluated in the second. Similarity analysis of the temporal evolution profiles of rot incidence caused by F. pallidoroseum allowed the evaluated treatments to be clustered into four groups. In the first experiment, the yeasts P. membranifaciens and D. hansenii produced results similar to that of the fungicide imazalil. The second experiment highlighted the yeasts P. guilliermondii and R. mucilaginosa. Electron microscopy studies confirmed that once applied to the fruit, the yeasts colonised the skin and damaged the pathogen mycelium; the action of the yeasts affected the mycelium of F. pallidoroseum, which had infected wounds on the fruit's surface. Bacillus spp. did not provide good disease control. These results demonstrated that yeasts have the potential to control postharvest rot caused by F. pallidoroseum in 'Galia'melon.

Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of two hair dyes used in the formulation of black color

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), some hair dyes are considered mutagenic and carcinogenic in in vitro assays and exposed human populations. Epidemiological studies indicate that hairdressers occupationally exposed to hair dyes have a higher risk of developing bladder cancer. In Brazil, 26% of the adults use hair dye. In this study, we investigated the toxic effects of two hair dyes, Basic Red 51 (BR51) and Basic Brown 17 (BB17), which are temporary dyes of the azo group (R-N=N-R'), used in the composition of the black hair dye. To this end, MTT and trypan blue assays (cytotoxicity), comet and micronucleus assay (genotoxicity) were applied, with HepG2 cells. For cytotoxic assessment, dyes were tested in serial dilutions, being the highest concentrations those used in the commercial formula for hair dyes. For genotoxic assessment concentrations were selected according to cell viability. Results showed that both dyes induced significant cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in the cells, in concentrations much lower than those used in the commercial formula. Genotoxic effects could be related to the azo structure present in the composition of the dyes, which is known as mutagenic and carcinogenic. These results point to the hazard of the hair dye exposure to human health.

Preliminary report of epiphytic and endophytic colonization of black oat (Avena strigosa) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) by Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens in Brazil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Biological control of root rot caused by Pythium aphanidermatum and growth promotion in hydroponic cucumber with microorganisms from mangrove

The prospection of biological control agents in similar environments to the microbe application improves the chances of microorganisms establishment added to the environment. The low survival of these beneficial microorganisms added to hydroponic environment is a problem for the growth promotion and root rot biological control success in hydroponic crops. Because of the environmental similarity between hydroponic systems and mangrove ecosystems, the aim of this work was to evaluate the ability of mangrove microbes to control root rot caused by Pythium aphanidermatum and to improve plant growth in hydroponic cucumbers. Among the 28 strains evaluated for disease control in small-hydroponic system using cucumber seedlings, Gordonia rubripertincta SO-3B-2 alone or in combination with Pseudomonas stutzeri (MB-P3A- 49, MB-P3-C68 and SO-3L-3), and Bacillus cereus AVIC-3-6 increased the seedlings survival and were subsequently evaluated in hydroponic cucumbers in a greenhouse. Bacillus cereus AVIC-3-6 protected the plants from stunting caused by the pathogen and Gordonia rubripertincta SO-3B-2 and Pseudomonas stutzeri MB-P3A-49 increased the plant growth. We concluded that microorganisms from mangroves are useful as biocontrol agents and for improving plant growth in hydroponic crops.

Genetic isolation and morphological divergence of Black Sea bottlenose dolphins

The Black Sea is a semi-enclosed body of water that differs from the adjacent Mediterranean Sea in terms of its biodiversity, oceanographical and ecological characteristics. There is growing international concern about pollution in the Black Sea and other anthropogenic threats to its fauna. The bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is one of three species of cetaceans living in the Azov-Black Sea basin. Despite considerable research on bottlenose dolphins elsewhere, the extent of human impacts on the Black Sea populations is unknown. Previous attempts to award special conservation status to Black Sea cetaceans have failed specifically because policy makers have viewed their ecological and evolutionary uniqueness as equivocal. This study assessed divergence between Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean bottlenose dolphins for 26 cranial measurements (n = 75 adult bottlenose dolphin skulls) and mitochondrial DNA (n = 99 individuals). Black Sea bottlenose dolphins are smaller than those in the Mediterranean, and possess a uniquely shaped skull. As in a previous study, we found the Black Sea population to be genetically distinct, with relatively low levels of mtDNA diversity. Population genetic models suggest that Black Sea bottlenose dolphins have so little gene flow with the Mediterranean due to historical isolation that they should be managed separately.

In-Burrow Application of Rozol to Manage Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs

Our experiment demonstrated that black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) will consume rodenticide underground in their burrows. We demonstrated the efficacy of Rozol Pocket Gopher Bait containing the active ingredient chlorophacione (0.005%) 21 days post treatment for managing black-tailed prairie dogs in their burrows in Kansas. Active prairie dog burrows were reduced 90% when 54 grams of Rozol was placed in the burrow without prebaiting. Results indicate use of this toxicant when placed in the burrow can be an effective means of managing prairie dogs. In-burrow application of rodenticides for black-tailed prairie dog management should markedly reduce exposure of birds to toxic bait.

Black Faculty Recruitment and Retention in the Voices of Black Faculty

“Black faculty focus groups explored major issues and concerns, examined awareness levels of Black faculty, and identified factors that have positive impact on recruitment and retention efforts.”

Spatial reference of black capuchin monkeys in Brazilian Atlantic Forest: egocentric or allocentric?

Wild primates occupy large home ranges and travel long distances to reach goals. However, how primates are able to remember goal locations and travel efficiently is unclear. Few studies present consistent results regarding what reference system primates use to navigate, and what kind of spatial information they recognize. We analysed the pattern of navigation of one wild group of black capuchin monkeys, Cebus nigritus, at Atlantic Forest for 100 days in Carlos Botelho State Park (PECB), Brazil. We tested predictions based on the alternative hypotheses that black capuchin monkeys navigate using a sequence of landmarks as an egocentric reference system or an allocentric reference system, or both, depending on availability of food resources. The group location was recorded using a GPS device collecting coordinates at 5 min intervals, and route maps were generated using ArcView v9.3.1. The study group travelled through habitual routes during less than 30% of our study sample, and revisited resources from different starting points, using different paths and routes, even when prominent landmarks near feeding locations were not visible. The study group used habitual routes more frequently when high-quality foods were scarce, and navigated using different paths when revisiting food sources. Results support the hypothesis that black capuchin monkeys at PECB navigate using both egocentric and allocentric systems of reference, depending on the quality and distribution of the food resource they find. (C) 2010 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Black carbon affects the cycling of non-black carbon in soil

Black carbon (BC) is an important fraction of many soils worldwide and plays an important role in global C biogeochemistry. However, few studies have examined how it influences the mineralization of added organic matter (AOM) and its incorporation into soil physical fractions and whether BC decomposition is increased by AOM. BC-rich Anthrosols and BC-poor adjacent soils from the Central Amazon (Brazil) were incubated for 532 days either with or without addition of (13)C-isotopically different plant residue. Total C mineralization from the BC-rich Anthrosols with AOM was 25.5% (P < 0.05) lower than with mineralization from the BC-poor adjacent soils. The AOM contributed to a significantly (P < 0.05) higher proportion to the total C mineralized in the BC-rich Anthrosols (91-92%) than the BC-poor adjacent soils (69-80%). The AOM was incorporated more rapidly in BC-rich than BC-poor soils from the separated free light fraction through the intra-aggregate light fraction into the stable organo-mineral fraction and up to 340% more AOM was found in the organo-mineral fraction. This more rapid stabilization was observed despite a significantly (P < 0.05) lower metabolic quotient for BC-rich Anthrosols. The microbial biomass (MB) was up to 125% greater (P < 0.05) in BC-rich Anthrosols than BC-poor adjacent soils. To account for increased MB adsorption onto BC during fumigation extraction, a correction factor was developed via addition of a (13)C-enriched microbial culture. The recovery was found to be 21-41 % lower (P < 0.05) for BC-rich than BC-poor soils due to re-adsorption of MB onto BC. Mineralization of native soil C was enhanced to a significantly greater degree in BC-poor adjacent soils compared to BC-rich Anthrosols as a result of AOM. No positive priming by way of cometabolism due to AOM could be found for aged BC in the soils. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.