Effects of the fungus Pestalotiopsis maculans (Ascomycota: Amphisphaeriales) on the gametophytic development of the fern Lygodium venustum (Lygodiaceae)

Lygodium Sw. is the only genus of the family Lygodiaceae, with around 25 to 40 species inhabiting mostly tropical regions worldwide. In Argentina two species develop; one of them, L. venustum, grows in the Northeast of the country. Some species of Lygodium are invasive whereas medicinal uses have been reported for some taxa. As part of a project to ascertain on the reproductive biology of native ferns in Argentina, a fungus was found during in vitro spore culture of L. venustum. Dark brown spots and eruptive pustules were also observed in fertile leaves. Thus, emerged as objectives of this work: 1) to retrieve and identify the fungus from the sporophyte and from the spores cultures, 2) to inquire on the impact of the fungus on gametophyte generation, and 3) to perform experiments with untreated spores to demonstrate that the fungus is associated to the spores collected from infested sporophytes. Phytopathological techniques were applied in order to isolate the fungus and then to achieve monosporic cultures. The morpho-biometric features of the conidia corresponded with those of Pestalotiopsis maculans (Corda) Nag Raj [= Pestalotiopsis guepinii (Desm.) Steyaert] (Amphisphaeriales, Ascomycota). Re-inoculation of conidia on healthy gametophytes conducted to their necrosis and death. The percentages of spore germination were initially higher in unsterilized cultures, suggesting that disinfection protocol may have affected spore germination. This is the first report of Pestalotiopsis maculans on the sporophytes of Lygodium venustum. The information that emerges from our work could be useful for the biocontrol of other species of Lygodium, considered weeds in other regions of the world.

Efectos del hongo Pestalotiopsis maculans (Ascomycota: Amphisphaeriales) en el desarrollo gametofítico del helecho Lygodium venustum (Lygodiaceae). Lygodium Sw. es el único género de la familia Lygodiaceae, con alrededor de 25 a 40 especies que habitan en su mayoría en regiones tropicales del mundo. En Argentina se desarrollan dos especies; uno de ellas, L. venustum, crece en el noreste del país. Algunas especies de Lygodium son invasivas, mientras que para algunos taxones se han reportado usos medicinales. Como parte de un proyecto para indagar sobre la biología reproductiva de los helechos nativos en Argentina, se encontró un hongo durante el cultivo in vitro de esporas de L. venustum. Asimismo, se observaron manchas marrones oscuras y pústulas eruptivas en hojas fértiles. Así, surgieron como objetivos de este trabajo: 1) recuperar e identificar el hongo presente en el esporofito y en los cultivos de esporas, 2) investigar el impacto del hongo en la generación gametofítica y 3) realizar experimentos con esporas no tratadas para demostrar que el hongo está asociado a las esporas recolectadas de esporofitos infestados. Se aplicaron técnicas fitopatológicas para aislar el hongo y luego lograr cultivos monospóricos. Las características morfo-biométricas de los conidios correspondieron a las de Pestalotiopsis maculans (Corda) Nag Raj [= Pestalotiopsis guepinii (Desm.) Steyaert] (Amphisphaeriales, Ascomycota). La re-inoculación de conidios en gametofitos sanos condujo a su necrosis y muerte. Los porcentajes de germinación de esporas fueron inicialmente más altos en los cultivos no esterilizados, lo que sugiere que el protocolo de desinfección pudo haber afectado la germinación de las esporas. Este es el primer reporte de Pestalotiopsis maculans sobre los esporofitos de Lygodium venustum. La información que surge de nuestro trabajo podría ser útil para el control biológico de otras especies de Lygodium, consideradas malezas en otras regiones del mundo.

Espectro de gotas de pulverização e controle de doenças em duas cultivares de trigo / Spectrum spray droplets and control of diseases in two wheat cultivars

O objetivo do trabalho foi determinar a influência do número de gotas na penetração dos fungicidas e na sua eficácia de controle em diferentes momentos de aplicação. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi de Blocos ao acaso em parcelas subsubdivididas em quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram constituídos por duas cultivares de trigo, 'Fundacep Cristalino' e 'Fundacep Nova Era'; três pontas de pulverização: XR 11002, TJ 60 11002 e TX 8002 e o tratamento controle com e sem fungicida. Foi avaliada a densidade de gotas por centímetro quadrado, diâmetro mediano volumétrico (DMV), severidade das doenças, peso hectolitro e produtividade da cultura. O espectro de gotas gerado pela ponta de pulverização XR 11002, nas condições do presente trabalho, apresentaram os melhores resultados em termos de deposição de gotas, controle das doenças e produtividade nas duas cultivares de trigo. O controle das manchas foliares e ferrugem -da- folha do trigo proporciona proteção do potencial produtivo da cultura, variando em função da suscetibilidade de cultivares e da cobertura e penetração de fungicidas.

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of the number of drops in the penetration of fungicides and their effectiveness in control at different times of application. The experimental design was randomized blocks in split split plots, totalizing 20 treatments in four replications, consisting of two wheat cultivars ('Fundacep Cristalino' and 'Fundacep Nova Era'); three spray nozzles (XR 11002, TJ 60-11002 and TX 8002), and control with and without fungicide. Was evaluated the density of droplets per square centimeter, volume median diameter (VMD), severity of disease, test weight and yield. The spectrum of droplets generated by the spray tip XR 11002 under the conditions of this study show the best results in terms of droplet deposition, disease control and yield in both wheat cultivars. The control of leaf spot and leaf rust of wheat provides protection of crop yield potential, varying depending on the susceptibility of cultivars and fungicides coverage and penetration.

Tuberous Sclerosis in a Child.

A female child presented with the complaints of seizure and learning difficulties. On examination various types of skin lesion were found, including adenoma sebacum, hypomelanic macules ("ash leaf spots"), Shagreen patches. On investigation, CT scan of brain showed subepedymal nodule in walls of ventricle. B scan of eyes revealed multiple tiny nodular lesions in posterior chamber of eyes called astrocytic hamartomas (or "phakomas"). Antiepileptic drugs started, now patient is seizure free.