Atratividade para adultos e preferência para oviposição de Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) biótipo B (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) em genótipos de Cucurbita spp

The objective was to evaluate the oviposition preference and attractiveness of squash genotypes (Cucurbita spp.) to Bemisia tabaci biotype B. For bioassays, B. tabaci rearing biotype B was kept under greenhouse conditions. Twenty genotypes of Cucurbita spp. ('Alicia AF 9354', 'Aline AF 9353', 'Golden Delight', 'Nova Caravela', 'Menina Morena', 'Novita', 'AF-6741', 'Atlas', 'Barbara 305', 'Menina Brasileira', 'Caserta', 'Itapua 301', 'Tamara', 'Samira', 'Canhao Seca Gigante', 'Exposicao', 'Novita Plus', 'Daiane', 'Formosa', 'Sandy') were evaluated in trials (attractiveness and oviposition choice), under laboratory and greenhouse. The attractiveness (adults/cm(2)) was assessed et 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours after release. After 72 hours leaves were collected for counting the number of eggs (free choice). The area of the sheets were measured to obtain the number of eggs/cm(2) number of adults and / cm(2). The attractiveness index s (AI) and oviposition preference index (OPI) were calculated, and the genotype 'Novita' was adopted as the standard susceptible. The genotype 'Golden Delight' was the most attractive to adults of B. tabaci biotype B. 'Sandy' 'Daiane' and 'Formosa' showed low attractiveness and 'Golden Delight' was the most atractive to B. tabaci biotype B adults. 'Sandy', 'Exposicao', 'Daiane', 'Atlas', 'Tamara' and 'Formosa' expressed no preference for free choise assay. According to the attractiveness index (AI) the genotype 'Golden Delight' was the most attractive to adults of B. tabaci biotype B, and between repellents stood out 'Sandy', 'Daiane', 'Formosa', 'Novita Plus', 'Atlas', 'Barbara 305', 'Canhao Seca Gigante' and 'Menina Brasileira'. The genotypes 'Nova Caravela', 'Golden Delight', 'Aline AF 9353' and 'Samira' are considered by stimulating oviposition preference index (OPI), while the genotypes 'Sandy', 'Exposicao', 'Daiane', 'Atlas', 'Tamara', 'Formosa', 'Menina Morena' and 'Itapua 301' were considered deterrents.

Aproveitamento de sementes de abóboras (Cucurbita sp) como fonte alimentar

Brazil processes much of its fruit by producing natural juices, candy preserves, extracts and pulps; however, almost 60% of their total weight derives from peels, leaves and seeds. As a result, the emphasis lies most strongly on the use of waste, especially waste that is not commonly used by the food industry or by consumers. The use of seeds would increase the viable sources of raw materials, lower operating costs of industries and would promote the development of new food products, since they are our main sources of protein, fat, fiber, functional compounds, vitamins and minerals salts. This paper presents alternatives for the use of pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita sp), which are often underutilized or discarded. It also demonstrates the bioactive and anti-nutritional compounds and their health effects.

Conservación de zapallos (Cucurbita pepo L.) var. Frontera : cultivo orgánico y tradicional

Objetivos: Determinar el período de conservación de zapallo orgánico respecto del tradicional, en dos condiciones de almacenamiento. Materiales y métodos: Zapallos variedad Frontera se limpiaron en seco y se pesaron individualmente para controlar pérdida de peso; se consignaron características externas. Para determinar deshidratación se midió humedad en la pulpa (estufa 105 °C). Para conservación, acondicionamiento en cajones de madera con viruta, en galpón (temperatura y humedad ambiente) y antecámara (15- 20 °C y 70-85 % HR). Duración 187 días. Comparación sensorial, al inicio y al final de la conservación, considerando: color, olor, sabor, retrogusto, jugosidad, textura y calidad general. Se utilizó planilla con escala mixta estructurada de 9 puntos y participaron jueces semientrenados (n = 10). Evaluación de datos por análisis de varianza = 0.05. Conclusiones: En las condiciones del ensayo, el período de conservación no debe ser superior a los 105 días por aparición de podredumbre. Por deshidratación superior al 60 %, debe ser inferior a 68 días para antecámara, 105 días para orgánicos de galpón y 105-126 días para tradicionales de galpón. Las características sensoriales iniciales de los zapallos orgánicos fueron mejores; al final se destacaron los tradicionales en galpón, luego los orgánicos en galpón y los conservados en antecámara presentaron características inferiores.

El injerto en pepino corto tipo español (Cucumis sativus L.) recomencaciones para su empleo en la zona central española

El injerto en hortalizas es uno de los temas de más actualidad en el panorama hortícola, no solo español, sino occidental, y recalcamos occidental, pues en muchos países que no corresponden a ese ámbito, sobre todo asiáticos: Japón, Corea, China, Filipinas, etc., esta es una técnica que cuenta con una gran difusión desde hace décadas, siendo, por ejemplo en Japón, la mayoría de sus cultivos de cucurbitáceas y solanáceas realizados con planta injertada. A finales de los noventa quedó claro que el empleo de bromuro de metilo tenía una fecha de caducidad y que las zonas que tenían una fuerte dependencia de este desinfectante de suelo debían de buscar alternativas a un plazo lo más corto posible, con un punto añadido sobre etapas anteriores, debían ser alternativas lo más respetuosas posible con el medio ambiente y que no incrementaran, de forma importante, los costes de producción. En la zona centro y concretamente en los invernaderos de la Comunidad de Madrid y zonas cercanas de Toledo y Guadalajara el pepino era y es el cultivo predominante, los horticultores empleaban el bromuro de metilo de forma sistemática para desinfectar sus suelos y la desaparición de este producto les planteaba una gran incertidumbre, lo que llevó a que desde diferentes instancias se buscaran diferentes alternativas. Tras analizar las posibilidades que se podían implementar y conocido el buen resultado que había dado el injerto en sandía en Almería, se decidió acometer los trabajos que conforman esta Tesis Doctoral, planteando en la zona, diferentes ensayos con la idea de conocer, si el injerto en pepino, con los cultivares empleados habitualmente, podía ser una alternativa real para los horticultores, tanto de Madrid, como los de las zonas cercanas de Toledo y Guadalajara. Se pretendía conocer sobre todo las repercusiones agronómicas y si esta técnica podría emplearse en solitario o era necesario complementarla con otras alternativas: desinfectantes químicos, solarización, biofumigación e incluso desinfección con vapor de agua. Los ensayos fueron realizados de forma secuencial entre el año 1999 y el 2011, comprobándose en primer lugar que el empleo de portainjertos híbridos de calabaza era posible con los cultivares de pepino corto tipo español, mayoritariamente empleados en los últimos años del siglo XX y primeros del XXI, fundamentalmente: Serena. Tras los primeros ensayos, Shintoza parecía el portainjerto híbrido de calabaza (Cucurbita maxima x C. moschata) con mejores perspectivas de empleo, pues presentaba la ventaja adicional de ser bien conocido por los semilleros que producen planta injertada al ser, en esos momentos, el portainjerto más empleado en sandía, lo que garantizaba por su lado, su empleo en pepino, y que los horticultores pudiesen disponer de planta injertada. Más adelante los trabajos se encaminaron hacia la determinación de la densidad y tipo de poda más adecuado para la planta injertada, realizándose múltiples ensayos en esta dirección, que culminaron con la conclusión de que el extravigor que los portainjertos conferían a las plantas permitía conducir estas a dos o más brazos (se suelen emplear dos, por mejor adaptación a los trabajos de manejo de la planta por parte de los agricultores), con lo que se podría disminuir la densidad de planta y por tanto ahorrar en este capítulo, cosa que preocupaba y preocupa a los agricultores. Se llegó a determinar que es posible reducir la densidad de plantación en alrededor de un 25%, estando la densidad de brazos más adecuada entre 3 y 3.5 br•m-2. Tras las primeras decisiones tomadas sobre el portainjerto y la densidad más adecuada, se continuó con el estudio de adaptación de estas propuestas a los nuevos cultivares que las empresas de semillas iban proponiendo y los agricultores adoptando. Estas acciones se complementaron con la introducción de nuevos portainjertos susceptibles de sustituir a Shintoza o rotar con él para cambiar de sistema radicular, lo que es conveniente cuando se emplean, como es el caso, portainjertos que no son resistentes a nematodos, principalmente de la especie Meloidogyne incognita, el mayor problema en la zona, debido al suelo. Cultivares como Trópico, en un primer momento, y Urano y Motril más recientemente, se adaptaron muy bien a esta técnica. Entre los portainjertos que mostraron buena adaptación a la técnica de injerto y suficientemente buena compatibilidad con la mayoría de los cultivares ensayados destacan: RS-841, Strongtosa y Camel. Azman también mostró un comportamiento relevante, pero este portainjerto no podrá ser empleado, al ser recientemente retirado del mercado por la empresa que lo obtuvo y comercializó Aunque no era el objetivo principal de esta Tesis Doctoral, se ha comprobado que puede ser interesante combinar el empleo del injerto con otras técnicas alternativas al bromuro de metilo para superar los problemas debidos a enfermedades del suelo o nematodos, pero debe seguirse trabajando pues este es un tema en continua evolución, tanto si se trata de desinfectantes, a la mayoría de los cuales les está siendo retirado el permiso para su comercialización, como de otros métodos como la biofumigación o el empleo de vapor de agua. Queda muy claro que el injerto puede considerarse entre los métodos respetuosos con el medio ambiente, si no el que más, en lo que alternativas al bromuro de metilo se refiere. También en otro momento, se comprobó que con plantas injertadas es posible reducir el aporte de nutrientes, sobre todo nitrógeno, lo que además de un ahorro supone una mejora más desde el punto de vista medioambiental. En definitiva, queda demostrado que es factible el empleo del injerto en pepino corto tipo español, que las selecciones de los híbridos entre Cucurbita maxima y C. moschata que habitualmente se están empleando en sandía son también de aplicación en estos pepinos y que su empleo puede llevarnos a producciones suficientemente remuneradoras, alargándose en muchos casos el ciclo y no modificando, de forma apreciable, la calidad. Queda también demostrado que aunque los portainjertos no sean resistentes a nematodos, su extravigor les hace desarrollarse, desde el punto de vista productivo, suficientemente, llegando por tanto, a “convivir” con ese problema. Al no ser resistentes los portainjertos, y permanecer e incluso agravarse el problema de nematodos es conveniente poder contar con diferentes portainjertos que nos permitan rotar entre ellos y utilizar diferentes sistemas radiculares que harán menos fácil el parasitismo de los nematodos, como recomiendan los nematólogos que se haga. ABSTRACT Vegetable grafting is one of the most current practices in horticulture, not only in Spain, but also in other Western and Asian countries, such as Japan, South Korea, China, the Philippines, etc. This is a decades-old, widespread technique: In fact, most cucurbit and solanaceous crops in Japan and Korea are grafted. At the end of the 1990s, it was clear that methyl bromide had an expiry date. Consequently, the areas strongly dependant on this soil disinfectant had to look for alternatives as quickly as possible. Besides, these had to be as environmentally friendly as possible and should not increase production costs significantly. The cucumber has been and still is the most important crop in greenhouses of the Comunidad de Madrid and in areas near Toledo and Guadalajara. Cucumber growers used methyl bromide systematically to disinfect the soil. The banning of this chemical product brought about uncertainty, which encouraged the search for different alternatives. After analyzing the different possibilities and taking into account the good results of watermelon grafting in Almería, it was decided to carry out the works that make up this doctoral thesis. Different trials were made in order to know if the cultivars used in cucumber grafting might be a real alternative for farmers, not only in Madrid, but also in the areas near Toledo and Guadalajara. The main aim was to assess the agronomic repercussions and whether that technique could be used alone, or if other complementary alternatives, such as chemical disinfectants, solarisation, biofumigation, or even steam disinfection, were necessary. Trials were carried out sequentially from 1999 to 2011. It was observed that the use of pumpkin hybrid rootstocks could be applied to cultivars of Spanish short cucumbers, mainly grown in the late 20th and early 21st centuries eg Serena. After the early trials, Shintoza (Cucurbita maxima x C. moschata), a pumpkin hybrid rootstock, seemed to be the best option, as it had the additional advantage of being well known by nurseries growing grafting plants. Bearing this in mind, Shintoza was then the hybrid rootstock to be used in cucumbers and consequently growers could have grafted plants at their disposal. Later on, research was focused on density and the most adequate type of pruning, by carrying out several trials. These experiments showed that, the extra vigour the rootstocks gave to the plants, allowed them to have two or three stems, (normally nurserymen use two, as it is easier for them to manage the plants). These findings would lead to the lessening the density of the plant and thus reduce costs, something which worried and still worries farmers. It was stated that it would be possible to reduce the density of the plants by about 25%, the optimum density of the stems ranging from 3 to 3.5 stem-m-2. Once decisions were taken both on the rootstock and the appropriate density, we went on to study how to apply these proposals to the new cultivars which the seed companies were proposing and the farmers were applying. These measures were complemented with the introduction of new rootstocks capable of replacing Shintoza, or rotating with it in order to change the root system. This is particularly necessary when rootstocks, non-resistant to nematodes, mainly of the species Meloidogyne incognita, are used. This is the main problem due to the soil of that area. Cultivars such as Trópico, at first, and Urano and Motril, more recently, adapted quite well to this technique. Among the rootstocks which adapted well to grafting and which were compatible with most tested cultivars, were, in particular, RS-841 Strongtosa and Camel. The behaviour of Azman was worth studying, but this rootstock was removed from the market by the company which had bought and commercialized it. Although not the main purpose of the research, it was observed that combining grafting with other alternatives to methyl bromide in order to overcome problems due to soil diseases or nematodes may be worthwhile. However, further research is needed, as this topic is in constant evolution, not only when we come to disinfectants, most of which are being affected by the removal of the permit for commercialization, but also when we refer to other techniques such as biofumigation or the use of steam. Results also showed that grafted plants may reduce the amount of fertilizers, particularly nitrogen, used: This means both saving money and the protection of the environment. We may conclude by saying that grafting Spanish short cucumbers is feasible, that the selections of the hybrids between Cucurbita maxima and C. moschata, habitually used in watermelon grafting, can also be applied to these cucumbers. It can also be concluded that the use of these grafting techniques may lead to profitable yields, by lengthening the growing cycle in many cases and by maintaining the quality to a large extent. Although these rootstocks are not resistant to nematodes, the results showed that their extra vigour enables them to develop in terms of production, and thus they cope with this problem. Since these rootstocks are not resistant to nematodes and the problem with these nematodes may even worsen, it is recommended that different types of rootstocks should be available to enable both the rotation and the use of different root systems, which will encourage the parasitism of nematodes.

Phloem sap proteins from Cucurbita maxima and Ricinus communis have the capacity to traffic cell to cell through plasmodesmata

In angiosperms, the functional enucleate sieve tube system of the phloem appears to be maintained by the surrounding companion cells. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that polypeptides present within the phloem sap traffic cell to cell from the companion cells, where they are synthesized, into the sieve tube via plasmodesmata. Coinjection of fluorescently labeled dextrans along with size-fractionated Cucurbita maxima phloem proteins, ranging in size from 10 to 200 kDa, as well as injection of individual fluorescently labeled phloem proteins, provided unambiguous evidence that these proteins have the capacity to interact with mesophyll plasmodesmata in cucurbit cotyledons to induce an increase in size exclusion limit and traffic cell to cell. Plasmodesmal size exclusion limit increased to greater than 20 kDa, but less than 40 kDa, irrespective of the size of the injected protein, indicating that partial protein unfolding may be a requirement for transport. A threshold concentration in the 20–100 nM range was required for cell-to-cell transport indicating that phloem proteins have a high affinity for the mesophyll plasmodesmal binding site(s). Parallel experiments with glutaredoxin and cystatin, phloem sap proteins from Ricinus communis, established that these proteins can also traffic through cucurbit mesophyll plasmodesmata. These results are discussed in terms of the requirements for regulated protein trafficking between companion cells and the sieve tube system. As the threshold value for plasmodesmal transport of phloem sap proteins falls within the same range as many plant hormones, the possibility is discussed that some of these proteins may act as long-distance signaling molecules.

Three-Dimensional Structure and Disposition of the Air Conducting and Gas Exchange Conduits of the Avian Lung: The Domestic Duck (Cairina moschata)

The anatomy of the domestic duck lung was studied macroscopically, by casting and by light, transmission, and scanning electron microscopy. The lung had four categories of secondary bronchi (SB), namely, the medioventral (MV, 4-5), laterodorsal (LD, 6-10), lateroventral (LV, 2-4), and posterior secondary bronchi (PO, 36-44). The neopulmonic parabronchi formed an intricate feltwork on the ventral third of the lung and inosculated those from the other SB. The lung parenchyma was organized into cylindrical parabronchi separated by thin septa containing blood vessels. Atria were shallow and well-fortified by epithelial ridges reinforced by smooth muscle bundles and gave rise to 2-6 elongate infundibulae. Air capillaries arose either directly from the atria or from infundibulae and were tubular or globular in shape with thin interconnecting branches. The newly described spatial disposition of the conducting air conduits closely resembles that of the chicken. This remarkable similarity between the categories, numbers, and 3D arrangement of the SB in the duck and chicken points to a convergence in function-oriented design. To illuminate airflow dynamics in the avian lung, precise directions of airflow in the various categories of SB and parabronchi need to be characterized.

Studien uber die aromatischen Bestandtheile und Bitterstoffe des Ivakrautes (Achillea moschata) /

Thesis (doctoral)--Friedrich-Alexander-Universitat zu Erlangen, 1890.

Parâmetros de controle de qualidade de Cucurbita ficifolia Bouhé para fitoterápicos

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Departamento de Nutrição, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Nutrição Humana, 2015.

Geographical distribution and conservation of Cucurbita in Brazil.

The collection and conservation of the Cucurbita genus in Brazil happened in so dispersed institutions, an assessment of the storage conditions and the genetic diversity is needed, making it possible to identify new priorities for the genus. This work constitutes diagnosis of geographical distribution, storage conditions in situ and ex situ and on genetic diversity of the Cucurbita genus in Brazil. Research was done in herbariums, databases, literature and in situ (expeditions to rural areas and (markets) to map the areas of occurrence of the species. During these expeditions, questionnaires were applied to obtain information about the property and genus Cucurbita. Questionnaires were sent to 173 Brazilian institutions regarding the preservation conditions ex situ. A genetic variability of the Cucurbita genus was found in traditional Brazilian agriculture. Collections must be prioritized in the northern and southern regions (all states); the southeastern region, all states, except Minas Gerais; central-west, in Mato Grosso do Sul and Mato Grosso; the northeastern region, the states of Alagoas, Maranhão, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Piauí and Sergipe. Currently 5.545 entries are being conserved in the Germplasm banks, however, C. pepo, C. ficifolia, C. argyrosperma and wild species are poorly represented. The characterization level of conserved entries is low in the ex situcollections. Participative research projects must be financed as a way to stimulate the farmers to continue planting their local varieties. A coleta e conservação do gênero Cucurbita no Brasil aconteceu de forma dispersa pelas instituições, sendo necessário um diagnóstico sobre as condições de conservação e sobre a diversidade genética, tornando possível identificar novas prioridades para o gênero. Este trabalho realizou diagnóstico sobre distribuição geográfica, condições de conservação in situ e ex situ e sobre diversidade genética do gênro Cucurbita no Brasil. Para mapear as áreas de ocorrência das espécies, foram realizados levantamentos de informações em herbários, banco de dados, literatura e levantamentos in situ (expedições para áreas rurais, feiras livres e CEASAs). Nessas expedições foram aplicados questionários, buscando informações sobre a propriedade e o gênero Cucurbita. Em relação as condições de conservação ex situ, foram enviados questionários para 173 instituições brasileiras. Foi constatado que existe variabilidade genética do gênero Cucurbita na agricultura tradicional brasileira. Devem ser priorizadas coletas nas regiões Norte e Sul (todos os estados); região Sudeste, todos os estados, exceto Minas Gerais; região Centro-Oeste, no Mato Grosso do Sul e Mato Grosso; região Nordeste, os estados de Alagoas, Maranhão, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Piauí e Sergipe. Atualmente estão sendo conservados nos Bancos de Germoplasma 5.545 acessos, no entanto C. pepo, C ficifolia, C. argyrosperma e espécies silvestres estão pouco representadas. É baixa a taxa de caracterização dos acessos conservados nas coleções ex situ. Devem ser financiados projetos de pesquisa participativa como uma forma de estimular e dar condições aos agricultores de continuarem cultivado suas variedades locais.

Geographical distribution and conservation of Cucurbita in Brazil.

The collection and conservation of the Cucurbita genus in Brazil happened in so dispersed institutions, an assessment of the storage conditions and the genetic diversity is needed, making it possible to identify new priorities for the genus. This work constitutes diagnosis of geographical distribution, storage conditions in situ and ex situ and on genetic diversity of the Cucurbita genus in Brazil. Research was done in herbariums, databases, literature and in situ (expeditions to rural areas and (markets) to map the areas of occurrence of the species. During these expeditions, questionnaires were applied to obtain information about the property and genus Cucurbita. Questionnaires were sent to 173 Brazilian institutions regarding the preservation conditions ex situ. A genetic variability of the Cucurbita genus was found in traditional Brazilian agriculture. Collections must be prioritized in the northern and southern regions (all states); the southeastern region, all states, except Minas Gerais; central-west, in Mato Grosso do Sul and Mato Grosso; the northeastern region, the states of Alagoas, Maranhão, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Piauí and Sergipe. Currently 5.545 entries are being conserved in the Germplasm banks, however, C. pepo, C. ficifolia, C. argyrosperma and wild species are poorly represented. The characterization level of conserved entries is low in the ex situcollections. Participative research projects must be financed as a way to stimulate the farmers to continue planting their local varieties. A coleta e conservação do gênero Cucurbita no Brasil aconteceu de forma dispersa pelas instituições, sendo necessário um diagnóstico sobre as condições de conservação e sobre a diversidade genética, tornando possível identificar novas prioridades para o gênero. Este trabalho realizou diagnóstico sobre distribuição geográfica, condições de conservação in situ e ex situ e sobre diversidade genética do gênro Cucurbita no Brasil. Para mapear as áreas de ocorrência das espécies, foram realizados levantamentos de informações em herbários, banco de dados, literatura e levantamentos in situ (expedições para áreas rurais, feiras livres e CEASAs). Nessas expedições foram aplicados questionários, buscando informações sobre a propriedade e o gênero Cucurbita. Em relação as condições de conservação ex situ, foram enviados questionários para 173 instituições brasileiras. Foi constatado que existe variabilidade genética do gênero Cucurbita na agricultura tradicional brasileira. Devem ser priorizadas coletas nas regiões Norte e Sul (todos os estados); região Sudeste, todos os estados, exceto Minas Gerais; região Centro-Oeste, no Mato Grosso do Sul e Mato Grosso; região Nordeste, os estados de Alagoas, Maranhão, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Piauí e Sergipe. Atualmente estão sendo conservados nos Bancos de Germoplasma 5.545 acessos, no entanto C. pepo, C ficifolia, C. argyrosperma e espécies silvestres estão pouco representadas. É baixa a taxa de caracterização dos acessos conservados nas coleções ex situ. Devem ser financiados projetos de pesquisa participativa como uma forma de estimular e dar condições aos agricultores de continuarem cultivado suas variedades locais.

Análise bayesiana do modelo de herança monogênica no melhoramento vegetal: um exemplo com abobrinha

A common breeding strategy is to carry out basic studies to investigate the hypothesis of a single gene controlling the trait (major gene) with or without polygenes of minor effect. In this study we used Bayesian inference to fit genetic additive-dominance models of inheritance to plant breeding experiments with multiple generations. Normal densities with different means, according to the major gene genotype, were considered in a linear model in which the design matrix of the genetic effects had unknown coefficients (which were estimated in individual basis). An actual data set from an inheritance study of partenocarpy in zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) was used for illustration. Model fitting included posterior probabilities for all individual genotypes. Analysis agrees with results in the literature but this approach was far more efficient than previous alternatives assuming that design matrix was known for the generations. Partenocarpy in zucchini is controlled by a major gene with important additive effect and partial dominance.

Summer squash: a new host of phytoplasm belonging to the 16SrIII group

Summer squash: a new host of phytoplasm belonging to the 16SrIII group In a commercial field located in the Vale do Ribeira, in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil, plants of summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) exhibiting witches` broom and leaf deformation were observed. PCR assays demonstrated the presence of phytoplasma associated with diseased tissues. A phytoplasma belonging to the 16SrIII group was identified by PCR and RFLP analysis performed with five restriction enzymes. The present note is the first report of the presence of phytoplasma representative of the 16SrIII group in summer squash in Brazil.

Determination of carbamate and urea pesticide residues in fresh vegetables using microwave-assisted extraction and liquid chromatography

An analytical multiresidue method for the simultaneous determination of seven pesticides in fresh vegetable samples, namely, courgette (Cucurbita pepo), cucumber (Cucumis sativus), lettuce (Lactuca sativa, Romaine and Iceberg varieties) and peppers (Capsicum sp.) is described. The procedure, based on microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and analysis by liquid chromatography– photodiode array (LC–PDA) detection was applied to four carbamates (carbofuran, carbaryl, chlorpropham and EPTC) and three urea pesticides (monolinuron, metobromuron and linuron). Extraction solvent and the addition of anhydrous sodium sulphate to fresh vegetable homogenate before MAE were the parameters optimised for each commodity. Recovery studies were performed using spiked samples in the range 250–403 µgkg- 1 in each pesticide. The pesticide residues were extracted using 20mL acetonitrile at 60 ºC, for 10 min. Acceptable recoveries and RSDs were attained (overall average recovery of 77.2% and RSDs are lower than 11%). Detection limits ranged between 5.8 µgkg- 1 for carbaryl to 12.3 µgkg- 1 for carbofuran. The analytical protocol was applied for quality control of 41 fresh vegetable samples bought in Oporto Metropolitan Area (North Portugal). None of the samples contained any detectable amounts of the studied compounds.

O período toxêmico da esquistossomose

O A. apresenta seis casos de pacientes observados durante o período toxêmico da esquistosomose mansônica. Dêstes, um foi de mulher cuja sintomatologia datava de um ano. Concebeu e deu à luz durante a enfermidade. Apresentava sinais de fibrose hepática quando do primeiro exame, ainda na vigência de sintomas do período agudo da enfermidade. Todos êstes pacientes apresentavam febre, dores abdominais, hepatoesplenomegalia e outras manifestações que têm sido descritas neste período da parasitose. Como notas dominantes no hemograma, leucocitose com eosinofilia, como ocorre nas infecções por helmintos com ciclo textrino, e anemia. Esta, nem todos apresentavam. Além de alterações do equilíbrio proteico e de resultados da exploração funcional do fígado, o A. chamou a atenção para a hípoglicemia e hipocolesterolemia encontradas em alguns dos observados. Foi digno de registro, também, a positividade tardia da intradermorreação para diagnóstico da esquistosomose. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a tratamento antimonial, com bom resultado. Como reação colateral devemos mencionar a exacerbação da febre forçando, por vêzes à interrupção do mesmo. O A. faz referências a outros recursos terapêuticos empregados no Oriente: o F30.066, um nitrofurano de uso oral, e as sementes de Cucurbita moshata. Sugere a investigação em animais e no homem com sementes de abóbora outrora empregadas como tenifugo

(Nota n.º 3) Nematódeos da aboboreira

In the State of S. Paulo, Brazil, squash plants (Cucurbita spp.) are attacked by the Javanese nematode (Meloidogyne javanica) and by M. incognita acrita. Squash belongs to that group of plants in which the root-knot nematodes break through the root surface, so that the egg-producing females protrude from the root, showing yellowish or brow nish egg masses attached to them. Washed roots show numerous small dark spots, each corresponding to an ootheca, which is adhering to a mature female. A curious abnormal female of M. i. acrita was obtained from a sample of squash roots. This female's body showed two globular parts, separated by a deep constriction. The convoluted ovaries were found to fill both portions of the body.