Eucalyptus ESTs involved in the production of 9-cis epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase, a regulatory enzyme of abscisic acid production

Abscisic acid (ABA) regulates stress responses in plants, and genomic tools can help us to understand the mechanisms involved in that process. FAPESP, a Brazilian research foundation, in association with four private forestry companies, has established the FORESTs database (https://forests.esalq.usp.br). A search was carried out in the Eucalyptus expressed sequence tag database to find ESTs involved with 9-cis epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED), the regulatory enzyme for ABA biosynthesis, using the basic local BLAST alignment tool. We found four clusters (EGEZLV2206B11.g, EGJMWD2252H08.g, EGBFRT3107F10.g, and EGEQFB1200H10.g), which represent similar sequences of the gene that produces NCED. Data showed that the EGBFRT3107F10.g cluster was similar to the maize (Zea mays) NCED enzyme, while EGEZLV2206B11.g and EGJMWD2252H08.g clusters were similar to the avocado (Persea americana) NCED enzyme. All Eucalyptus clusters were expressed in several tissues, especially in flower buds, where ABA has a special participation during the floral development process

Fauna de Homoptera: Auchenorrhyncha em Pomares de Ameixeira em Santa Catarina / Homoptera: Auchenorrhyncha Fauna of Plum Orchards in Santa Catarina State

The Homoptera: Auchenorrhyncha fauna of plum orchards in an area of epidemic spread of plum leaf scald disease in mid-west Santa Catarina State, Brazil were surveyed in 1991 and 1992 to search for plum leaf scald vectors. The homopterans were sampled by sweeping net and yellow water pan traps and when possible submitted to ELISA assay to detect Xylella fastidiosa bacteria. A total of 112 species were caught, distributed in the families Aethalionidae (1 species), Cercopidae (7), Cicadellidae (64), Cixiidae (3), Delphacidae (5), Issidae (2), Membracidae (18), Tropiduchidae (1) and Psyllidae (11). X. fastidiosa was detected in cicadellids Agallia spp. (two species), Balclutha hebe (Kirk.), Bucephalogonia xanthophis (Berg), Chlorotettix minimus (Baker), Exitianus obscurinervis (Stal), Haldorus sp., and Plesiommata corniculata Young; and in cercopids Deois schach (F.) and Deois flavopicta (Stal). The arborean cicadellids collected in water traps, like Dilobopterus dispar (Germar) and Oncometopia sp., could not be tested in ELISA assay because of their bad conditions of conservation.

A fauna de Homoptera:Auchenorrhyncha de pomares de ameixeira, situados numa área de disseminação da escaldadura-das-folhas no meio-oeste do estado de Santa Catarina, foi estudada durante 1991 e 1992 para se identificarem possíveis vetores da doença. Os homópteros foram coletados com rede de varredura e bandejas d'água amarelas e, quando possível, submetidos a teste ELISA para detecção da bactéria Xylella fastidiosa. Um total de 112 espécies foram capturadas, distribuídas nas famílias Aethalionidae (1 espécie), Cercopidae (7), Cicadellidae (64), Cixiidae (3), Delphacidae (5), Issidae (2), Membracidae (18), Tropiduchidae (1) e Psyllidae (11). A bactéria X. fastidiosa foi detectada nos cicadelídeos Agallia spp. (2 espécies), Balclutha hebe (Kirk.), Bucephalogonia xanthophis (Berg), Chlorotettix minimus (Baker), Exitianus obscurinervis (Stal), Haldorus sp. e Plesiommata corniculata Young; e nos cercopídeos Deois schach (F.) e Deois flavopicta (Stal). Os cicadelídeos arborícolas coletados em bandeja d'água, como Dilobopterus dispar (Germar) e Oncometopia sp., não puderam ser processados em teste ELISA em função do mal estado de conservação.