Evaluation of hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity of methanol extract of Brassica oleracea / 中国天然药物

AIM@#The hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of the methanol extract of Brassica oleracea var. capitata (MEB) was evaluated in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits.@*METHOD@#The study was conducted on twenty-eight healthy white rabbits of either sex. All animals were equally divided into four groups. After confirmation of hyperglycemia, the animals of the treated and standard groups were administered MEB (500 mg·kg(-1)) and glibenclamide (10 mg·kg(-1)), respectively for 15 and 30 days. The animals of the normal and diabetic controls received normal saline 1 mL/day equivalent to the volume of doses given to the test and standard animals. Biochemical tests were performed at the end of dosing, i.e. the 16(th) and 31(st) days.@*RESULTS@#The MEB revealed a decrease of 106.6 mg·dL(-1) in fasting blood glucose as compared to diabetic control, which was almost comparable to glibenclamide; both of these changes were highly significant. The decrease in total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein was 94.3 and 96.5 mg·dL(-1), respectively, whereas the high-density lipoprotein was increased by 26.7 mg·dL(-1), as compared to diabetic control. All of the changes in lipid profile were statistically significant.@*CONCLUSION@#These results suggest the potential of MEB as a hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic agent.

Mortality of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera, Plutellidae) by parasitoids in the Province of Santa Fe, Argentina

Mortality of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera, Plutellidae) by parasitoids in the Province of Santa Fe, Argentina. Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera, Plutellidae) larvae cause severe economic damage on cabbage, Brassica oleracea L. variety capitata (Brassicaceae), in the horticultural fields in the Province of Santa Fe, Argentina. Overuse of broad spectrum insecticides affects the action of natural enemies of this insect on cabbage. The objectives of this work were to identify the parasitoids of P. xylostella and to determine their influence on larva and pupa mortality. Weekly collections of larvae and pupae were randomly conducted in cabbage crops during spring 2006 and 2007. The immature forms collected were classified according to their developmental stage: L1 and L2 (Ls = small larvae), L3 (Lm = medium larvae), L4 (Ll = large larvae), pre-pupae and pupae (P). Each individual was observed daily in the laboratory until the adult pest or parasitoid emergence. We identified parasitoids, the number of instar and the percentage of mortality of P. xylostella for each species of parasitoid. Parasitoids recorded were: Diadegma insulare (Cresson, 1875) (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae), Oomyzus sokolowskii (Kurdjumov, 1912) (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae), Cotesia plutellae (Kurdjumov, 1912) (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) and an unidentified species of Chalcididae (Hymenoptera). Besides parasitoids, an unidentified entomopathogenic fungus was also recorded in 2006 and 2007. In 2006, the most successful parasitoids were D. insulare and O. sokolowskii, while in 2007 only D. insulare exerted a satisfactory control and it attacked the early instars of the pest.

Mortalidade de Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera, Plutellidae) por parasitóides na Província de Santa Fé, Argentina. Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera, Plutellidae) causa danos econômicos severos em repolho, Brassica oleracea variedade capitata L. (Brassicaceae), na área de horticultura localizada na Província de Santa Fé, Argentina. O uso excessivo de inseticidas de largo espectro afeta a ação dos inimigos naturais de P. xylostella em repolho. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo identificar os parasitóides de P. xylostella e determinar sua influência na mortalidade de larvas e pupas em Santa Fé, Argentina. Coletas semanais de larvas e pupas em culturas de repolho foram realizadas aleatoriamente na área durante a primavera de 2006 e 2007, registradas pelo estágio de desenvolvimento: L1 e L2 (Ls = larvas pequenas), (Lm = larvas médias) L3, L4 (Ll = larvas grandes) pré-pupa e pupa (P). Cada indivíduo foi observado diariamente no laboratório até a emergência dos adultos da praga ou dos parasitóides. Foram identificadas as espécies de parasitóides o número de instars e a porcentagem de mortalidade. Os parasitóides registrados foram: Diadegma insulare (Cresson, 1875) (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae), Oomyzus sokolowskii (Kurdjumov, 1912) (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae), Cotesia plutellae (Kurdjumov, 1912) (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) e uma espécie não identificada pertencente à família Chalcididae. Além dos parasitóides, um fungo entomopatogênico não identificado foi registrado. Em 2006, os parasitóides mais bem sucedidos foram D. insulare e O. Sokolowskii; enquanto que em 2007 apenas D. insulare exerceu um controle satisfatório, atacando os instares iniciais da praga.

Genetic diversity of Brassica oleracea var. capitata gene bank accessions assessed by AFLP

The genetic diversity of 20 cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata, including sub.var. alba and rubra) cultivars and landraces from the Gene bank of Crop Research Institute was estimated using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) marker technology. Two cultivars of Brassica pekinensis (syn. Brassica rapa var. pekinensis) were used as outliers in the study. Thirty AFLP primer combinations produced a total of 1084 fragments. A total of 806 fragments, 364 (45 percent) of them polymorphic, were found across 20 Brassica oleracea var. capitata accessions. The accessions were clustered into two main groups. Special subgroups, reflecting place of origin, were observed within these groups. Ten selective primer pairs were found to be most informative because each of these uniquely identified all of the accessions used. Furthermore, two accessions of Brassica pekinensis were clearly differentiated from the Brassica oleracea var. capitata accessions. AFLP is an efficient tool for determination of genetic diversity of cabbage gene bank accessions.

Custo de produção e rentabilidade das culturas de alface, rabanete, rúcula e repolho em cultivo solteiro e consorciadas com pimentão / Production cost and profitability of lettuce, radish, arugula and cabbage sole crop and intercropped with sweet pepper

Realizou-se, o trabalho na UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, com o objetivo de avaliar a rentabilidade das culturas de alface, rabanete, rúcula e repolho, em cultivo solteiro e consorciadas com pimentão. A determinação dos custos de produção das culturas em cultivo solteiro e em consórcio foi realizada com base na metodologia do custo operacional total (COT), com valores referentes a março de 2005. Para o cálculo da receita bruta, considerou-se o preço do setor atacadista, CEAGESP, no mês de março de 2005. Os COT das culturas de repolho, rúcula, alface e rabanete, quando consorciadas com pimentão, tiveram redução de 34,0 por cento, 24,7 por cento, 21,3 por cento e 20,8 por cento em relação aos seus respectivos cultivos solteiros. As culturas de alface e rabanete consorciadas com pimentão apresentaram aumento na receita líquida em 49,6 por cento e 13,9 por cento, respectivamente, quando comparadas com seus cultivos solteiros. A maior rentabilidade foi obtida em consórcio de pimentão com alface. A taxa de retorno e índice de lucratividade dos consórcios foram superiores aos observados nas monoculturas.

This work was carried out at UNESP, in Jaboticabal, SP, with the aim of evaluating the production cost and profitability of lettuce, radish, arugula and cabbage sole crop and intercropped with sweet pepper. The determination of the production cost was accomplished with base on the methodology of the total operational cost (TOC), in March of 2005. For the calculation of the gross revenue, the price of the wholesale sector, CEAGESP, applied in March 2005, was considered,. The TOC of the cultures cabbage, arugula, lettuce and radish when intercropped with sweet pepper had a reduction of 34.0 percent, 24.7 percent, 21.3 percent and 20.8 percent, when compared to their respective single cultivation. The cultures of lettuce and radish intercropped with sweet pepper had net revenue increase of 49.6 percent and 13.9 percent, respectively, when compared to their single cultivation. The largest profitability was obtained when sweet pepper was intercropped with lettuce. The return rate and the profitability index of the intercropping were higher than those of the single cultivation.

Produção da capuchinha em cultivo solteiro e consorciado com os repolhos verde e roxo sob dois arranjos de plantas / Yield of nasturtium in monocrop and intercropped with 'green' and 'purple' cabbage under two arrangements of plants

Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, estudar a produção de flores da capuchinha e das " cabeças" do repolho, cultivadas como culturas solteiras e consorciadas. Foi estudada a capuchinha 'Jewel' (Ca), em cultivo solteiro e consorciado com os repolhos de folhas verdes 'Sooshu' (RV) ou roxas 'Red Extra Early' (RR), sob duas (2) ou três (3) fileiras de plantas no canteiro. Os dez tratamentos resultantes (Ca2, Ca3, RV2, RV3, RR2, RR3, Ca2RV3, Ca3RV2, Ca2RR3, Ca3RR2) foram arranjados no delineamento experimental blocos casualizados, com três repetições. As colheitas das flores da capuchinha foram efetuadas entre 30 e 155 dias após o transplante (DAT) e as das " cabeças" dos repolhos, entre 102 e 140 DAT. O maior número de flores e a maior massa fresca das flores da capuchinha foi em cultivo solteiro (12.022.220 ha-1 e 8,20 t ha-1, respectivamente). No consórcio, os maiores valores foram com o repolho roxo (7.555.560 ha-1 e 5,04 t ha-1, respectivamente). As produções médias de massas fresca das " cabeças" do repolho com folhas verdes em cultivo solteiro e consorciado foram de 33,78 e 35,76 t ha-1 e do repolho roxo foram de 23,19 e 19,50 t ha-1, respectivamente. O cálculo da razão de área equivalente foi de 1,56 (Ca2RV3), 1,33 (Ca3RV2), 1,30 (Ca2RR3) e 1,45 (Ca3RR2), indicando ser viável cultivar em consórcio. Considerando a renda bruta, pode-se concluir que o consórcio da capuchinha e do repolho foi viável para o produtor de repolho, devendo optar-se pelo arranjo Ca2RV3. O produtor de capuchinha deve optar pelo cultivo solteiro, com duas fileiras no canteiro.

This work has as aim to study yield of nasturtium flowers and of cabbage 'heads' that were cultivated as monocrops and intercrops. 'Jewel' nasturtium (Ca) was studied in monocrop and intercropped with 'Sooshu' green leaves (RV) or 'Red Extra Early' purple leaves (RR) cabbages, under two (2) or three (3) rows of plants per plot. The ten resultant treatments (Ca2, Ca3, RV2, RV3, RR2, RR3, Ca2RV3, Ca3RV2, Ca2RR3, Ca3RR2) were arranged in a randomized block experimental outline, with three replications. Harvests of nasturtium flowers were between 30 and 155 days after transplant (DAT) and the ones of cabbages between 102 and 140 DAT. The highest number and the greatest fresh mass of nasturtium flowers (12,022,220 ha-1 and 8.20 t ha-1, respectively) were obtained from monocrop system. For intercropping, the highest values were with purple cabbage (7,555,560 ha-1 and 5.04 t ha-1, respectively. Average yields of fresh mass of cabbage plants of green leaves in monocrop system and intercropped were of 33.78 and 35.76 t ha-1 and of plants with purple leaves were of 23.19 and 19.50 t ha-1, respectively. Land Equivalent Ratios were 1.56 (Ca2RV3), 1.33 (Ca3RV2), 1.30 (Ca2RR3) and 1.45 (Ca3RR2), what indicates that is viable to cultivate in monocrop system. Considering the gross income one may conclude that the intercrop of nasturtium and cabbage was viable for cabbage producer, who must opt for the Ca3RR2 arrangement. For nasturtium producer, the monocrop system with two rows per plot was the best.