ABSTRACT
Abstract Crotalaria (Fabaceae) occurs abundantly in tropical and subtropical regions and has about 600 known species. These plants are widely used in agriculture, mainly as cover plants and green manures, in addition to their use in the management of phytonematodes. A striking feature of these species is the production of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), secondary allelochemicals involved in plant defense against herbivores. In Crotalaria species, monocrotaline is the predominant PA, which has many biological activities reported, including cytotoxicity, tumorigenicity, hepatotoxicity and neurotoxicity, with a wide range of ecological interactions. Thus, studies have sought to elucidate the effects of this compound to promote an increase in flora and fauna (mainly insects and nematodes) associated with agroecosystems, favoring the natural biological control. This review summarizes information about the monocrotaline, showing such effects in these environments, both above and below ground, and their potential use in pest management programs.
Resumo Crotalaria (Linnaeus, 1753) (Fabaceae) ocorre abundantemente em regiões tropicais e subtropicais e tem cerca de 600 espécies conhecidas. Estas plantas são amplamente utilizadas na agricultura, principalmente como cobertura e adubos verdes, além da sua utilização no manejo de fitonematoides. Uma característica marcante destas espécies é a produção de alcalóides pirrolizidinicos (APs), aleloquímicos secundários envolvidos na defesa das plantas contra os herbívoros. Nas espécies de Crotalaria, a monocrotalina é a AP predominante, que tem muitas atividades biológicas relatadas, incluindo citotoxicidade, tumorigenicidade, hepatotoxicidade e neurotoxicidade, além de uma vasta gama de interações ecológicas. Assim, estudos têm procurado elucidar os efeitos desse composto para promover um incremento na flora e fauna (principalmente insetos e nematoides) associados aos agroecossistemas, favorecendo o controle biológico natural. Esta revisão compila informações sobre a monocrotalina, mostrando tais efeitos nesses ambientes, tanto acima como abaixo do solo e a sua potencial utilização em programas de manejo de pragas.
ABSTRACT
Abstract Crotalaria (Fabaceae) occurs abundantly in tropical and subtropical regions and has about 600 known species. These plants are widely used in agriculture, mainly as cover plants and green manures, in addition to their use in the management of phytonematodes. A striking feature of these species is the production of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), secondary allelochemicals involved in plant defense against herbivores. In Crotalaria species, monocrotaline is the predominant PA, which has many biological activities reported, including cytotoxicity, tumorigenicity, hepatotoxicity and neurotoxicity, with a wide range of ecological interactions. Thus, studies have sought to elucidate the effects of this compound to promote an increase in flora and fauna (mainly insects and nematodes) associated with agroecosystems, favoring the natural biological control. This review summarizes information about the monocrotaline, showing such effects in these environments, both above and below ground, and their potential use in pest management programs.
Resumo Crotalaria (Linnaeus, 1753) (Fabaceae) ocorre abundantemente em regiões tropicais e subtropicais e tem cerca de 600 espécies conhecidas. Estas plantas são amplamente utilizadas na agricultura, principalmente como cobertura e adubos verdes, além da sua utilização no manejo de fitonematoides. Uma característica marcante destas espécies é a produção de alcalóides pirrolizidinicos (APs), aleloquímicos secundários envolvidos na defesa das plantas contra os herbívoros. Nas espécies de Crotalaria, a monocrotalina é a AP predominante, que tem muitas atividades biológicas relatadas, incluindo citotoxicidade, tumorigenicidade, hepatotoxicidade e neurotoxicidade, além de uma vasta gama de interações ecológicas. Assim, estudos têm procurado elucidar os efeitos desse composto para promover um incremento na flora e fauna (principalmente insetos e nematoides) associados aos agroecossistemas, favorecendo o controle biológico natural. Esta revisão compila informações sobre a monocrotalina, mostrando tais efeitos nesses ambientes, tanto acima como abaixo do solo e a sua potencial utilização em programas de manejo de pragas.
Subject(s)
Animals , Arthropods , Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids , Crotalaria , Fabaceae , Monocrotaline/toxicityABSTRACT
Nanocellulose of different morphologies was extracted from Sunn Hemp (Crotalaria Juncea) using acid hydrolysis. The work focused on two objectives: first, to valorize the Sunn Hemp fibers for nanocellulose (NC) production, and second, to study the effects of acid concentration on different morphologies of NC and their properties. The study extracted nanocellulose at five different concentrations of H2SO4: 16 %, 32 %, 48 %, 64 %, and 72 %. Obtained nanocellulose was characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). AFM and FE-SEM confirmed the production of three different morphologies of nanocellulose. The NC-32 had a web-like structure typically observed for cellulose nanofibrils (CNF), whereas NC-48 and NC-64 were observed as cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) with rod-like and needle-like shapes, respectively, and NC-72 displayed spherical particles termed cellulose nanospheres (CNS). The total crystallinity index of NC was calculated using FTIR, and a similar trend of crystallinity was also observed from XRD analysis. NC-32 was obtained with the highest yield of 94.83 %, followed by 91.40 % and 81.70 % for NC-48 and NC-64, respectively, whereas NC-72 yielded the lowest yield of 12.03 %. NC-72 had the highest thermal stability among other NC morphologies.
Subject(s)
Cannabis , Crotalaria , Nanofibers , Nanospheres , Cellulose/chemistry , Nanofibers/chemistryABSTRACT
Sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) cultivar Tropic Sun plants, stunted and displaying mottle and mosaic symptoms on foliage, were observed at a seed farm in Maui County, Hawaii. Lateral flow assays indicated the presence of either tobacco mosaic virus or a serologically related virus. High-throughput sequencing results coupled with real-time PCR experiments recovered the 6,455-nucleotide genome of a virus with an organization typical of tobamoviruses. Nucleotide and amino acid sequence comparisons and phylogenetic analyses indicated that this virus was most closely related to sunn-hemp mosaic virus but represents a distinct species. Sunn-hemp mottle virus (SHMoV) is being proposed as the common name of this virus. Transmission electron microscopy of virus extracts purified from symptomatic leaves revealed rod-shaped particles approximately 320 by 22 nm in size. In inoculation studies, the experimental host range of SHMoV appeared limited to members of the plant families Fabaceae and Solanaceae. Greenhouse experiments demonstrated plant-to-plant transmission of SHMoV that increased with ambient wind speed. Seeds from SHMoV-infected Tropic Sun were collected and were either surface disinfested or directly planted. A total of 924 seedlings germinated; 2 were positive for the virus, resulting in a seed transmission rate of 0.2%. Both infected plants came from the surface disinfestation treatment, suggesting that the virus might be unaffected by the treatment.
Subject(s)
Cannabis , Crotalaria , Tobamovirus , Crotalaria/chemistry , Hawaii , Tobamovirus/genetics , Phylogeny , NucleotidesABSTRACT
After being discovered in Taiwan for the first time in June 2019, the polyphagous invasive fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), has since spread throughout the entire nation. In Taiwan, this insect has a significant impact on the quality and output of wheat, corn, sorghum, and millet. It may further infest more crops in Taiwan due to its diverse range of hosts and alternate hosts. Maize and other staple crops have already been the subject of several study. The biology of FAW has not yet been studied in relation to the alternative hosts, particularly those commonly found in Taiwanese farmlands. Therefore, this study proposed to investigate the effects of napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum), natal grass (Melinis repens), and sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea) on the development, reproduction, survivorship, and population growth of FAW under laboratory conditions. According to the results, the developmental duration was considerably the shortest when FAW was reared on sunn hemp while the longest on natal grass. Furthermore, female adults reared on napier grass had a longer adult pre-oviposition period, total pre-oviposition period, oviposition period, longevity, highest fecundity, and highest net reproductive rate (Ro: 465.12). Among the tested three alternative host plants evaluated, sunn hemp had the highest intrinsic rate of increase (r: 0.1993), finite rate of increase (λ: 1.2206), and shortest mean generation time (T: 29.98). Therefore, this study suggests that all hosts plants can contribute to the development and outbreak of this pest in the absence of its primary host; however, sunn hemp was a relatively more suitable host plant for this insect. The possibilities for the FAW's growth and development vary depending on the host plant. Thereby, all potential host plants in the area should be extensively examined while developing an IPM program against FAW.
ABSTRACT
This work evaluated the competence of two strains of cadmium (Cd)-resistant Streptomyces, namely Streptomyces rapamycinicus K5PN1, an indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) producer, and Streptomyces cyaneus 11-10SHTh, a siderophore producer on promoting Cd phytoextraction by sunn hemp. The results showed that S. rapamycinicus improved root elongation of sunn hemp seedlings under Cd stress conditions. S. rapamycinicus and S. cyaneus were colonized on the root surface of sunn hemp at concentrations of 2.3 × 104 and 6.4 × 103 CFU g-1 root fresh weight, respectively. The results of pot-culture experiments showed that S. rapamycinicus increased the root and shoot lengths, and dry biomass of sunn hemp planted in high Cd-contaminated soil. The Cd concentration in the leaves of sunn hemp inoculated with S. cyaneus (73.82 ± 2.20 mg kg-1 plant dry wt) was higher than that of plants with S. rapamycinicus inoculation and the uninoculated control. The phytoextraction of Cd by sunn hemp was significantly increased with Cd-resistant Streptomyces inoculation. In conclusion, both strains of Cd-resistant Streptomyces had potential on enhancing Cd phytoextraction efficiency of sunn hemp. Our study suggests the application of Cd-resistant Streptomyces can improve Cd phytoextraction by sunn hemp for restoration of Cd-polluted sites.
Our study demonstrated the potential of two strains of Cd-resistant Streptomyces to stimulate Cd phytoextraction from soil by sunn hemp. Cadmium-resistant Streptomyces strongly stimulated Cd uptake and accumulation in sunn hemp planted in high level of Cd-polluted soil, supporting sunn hemp to be a superior Cd accumulator.
Subject(s)
Crotalaria , Soil Pollutants , Streptomyces , Cadmium , Soil Pollutants/analysis , Biodegradation, Environmental , Soil , Plant Roots/chemistryABSTRACT
Sting nematode is acutely damaging to a wide range of crops and is relatively common in sandy soils in the southeastern United States. Sweetpotato is an important crop in this region, and its production may be expanding to localities where sting nematode is an important pest. Despite this, the relationship between sweetpotato and sting nematode is not well-defined. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to assess (1) the relative host status of sweetpotato for sting nematode and (2) damage potential of sting nematode on sweetpotato in repeated greenhouse experiments. A known sting nematode host (field corn), a known poor host (sunn hemp), and sweetpotato cultivars susceptible ('Beauregard') and resistant ('Covington') to southern root-knot nematode were challenged with sting nematode. In both trials, field corn supported greater final soil sting nematode abundances than sunn hemp or either sweetpotato cultivar. Based on the average reproductive factor, field corn was confirmed as a susceptible host, whereas sunn hemp and sweetpotato were poor hosts. Sting nematode did not impair the growth of any crop, suggesting greenhouse conditions were not conducive to damage since field corn sustains damage in field conditions. These results suggest that sunn hemp and sweetpotato could be useful rotation crops for managing sting nematode, but future work is needed to assess sting nematode pathogenicity on these crops under field conditions.
ABSTRACT
Sunn hemp, Crotalaria juncea L., is a warm-season legume that can be planted in rotation to cash crops to add nitrogen and organic matter to the soils, for weed growth prevention, and to suppress nematode populations. Sunn hemp flowers also provide nectar and pollen for pollinators and enhance biological control by furnishing habitat for natural enemies. Experiments were conducted in Northern and North Central Florida to evaluate bee populations that visited flowers within mixed plots of sunn hemp and sorghum-sudangrass and plots of two sunn hemp germplasm lines. Collections of bees that visited 'AU Golden' and Tillage Sunn flowers indicated that Xylocopa virginica (L.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae), Xylocopa micans Lepeletier (Hymenoptera: Apidae), Megachile sculpturalis Smith (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), Megachile mendica (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), and Megachile georgica Cresson (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) were present in large numbers in May through July and then again in October. Although Tillage Sunn seeds planted in March flowered in May, percent bloom and number of bee visits were low. Compared with short day sunn hemp cultivars, 'AU Golden' plants produced flowers early in the season to provide food and habitat for pollinators and have the potential to produce an abundant seed crop in Northern and North Central Florida.
Subject(s)
Bees , Fabaceae , Pollination , Animals , FloridaABSTRACT
The oil extracted from Crotalaria juncea (Sunn-hemp) contains 70% of gum. Several methods of degumming are attempted in order to maximize the yield of gum. During appropriate water induced degumming, about 95-98% of phosphatides are separated. The maximum oil yield for two types of degummimg processes are 0.59% and 0.69% corresponding to hot water and pure O-phosphoric acid (19.88â¯N) treatment respectively. The % oil yield obtained for TOP degumming is about 0.78%. Physico-chemical characteristics of the isolated gum such as moisture, ash, protein, fat and aqueous solubility along with FTIR and TGA analysis are studied in order to evaluate the effect of extraction process. The behaviour of gum on the molecular scale is evaluated through alcohol treatment. Chromatographic analysis determines the monosaccharide content of the gum with glucose: xylose: arabinose::54: 34:1. Rheological characterization shows that the juncea gum solutions are shear rate dependent and the behaviour is shear-thinning (or pseudoplastic). Results show that the temperature dependent viscosity decreases with increasing shear rate.
Subject(s)
Crotalaria/chemistry , Plant Gums/chemistry , Rheology , Seeds/chemistry , Arabinose/chemistry , Glucose/chemistry , Plant Gums/biosynthesis , Viscosity , Water/chemistry , Xylose/chemistryABSTRACT
Water infiltration, soil carbon content, aggregate stability and yields increased in conservation agriculture practices compared to conventionally ploughed control treatments at the Henderson research station near Mazowe (Zimbabwe). How these changes in soil characteristics affect the bacterial community structure and the bacteria involved in the degradation of applied organic material remains unanswered. Soil was sampled from three agricultural systems at Henderson, i.e. (1) conventional mouldboard ploughing with continuous maize (conventional tillage), (2) direct seeding with a Fitarelli jab planter and continuous maize (direct seeding with continuous maize) and (3) direct seeding with a Fitarelli jab planter with rotation of maize sunn hemp (direct seeding with crop rotation). Soil was amended with young maize plants or their neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and incubated aerobically for 56 days, while C and N mineralization and the bacterial community structure were monitored. Bacillus (Bacillales), Micrococcaceae (Actinomycetales) and phylotypes belonging to the Pseudomonadales were first degraders of the applied maize plants. At day 3, Streptomyces (Actinomycetales), Chitinophagaceae ([Saprospirales]) and Dyella (Xanthomonadales) participated in the degradation of the applied maize and at day 7 Oxalobacteraceae (Burkholderiales). Phylotypes belonging to Halomonas (Oceanospirillales) were the first degraders of NDF and were replaced by Phenylobacterium (Caulobacterales) and phylotypes belonging to Pseudomonadales at day 3. Afterwards, similar bacterial groups were favoured by application of NDF as they were by the application of maize plants, but there were also clear differences. Phylotypes belonging to the Micrococcaceae and Bacillus did not participate in the degradation of NDF or its metabolic products, while phylotypes belonging to the Acidobacteriaceae participated in the degradation of NDF but not in that of maize plants. It was found that agricultural practices had a limited effect on the bacterial community structure, but application of organic material altered it substantially.
Subject(s)
Bacteria/metabolism , Carbon/metabolism , Fertilizers/analysis , Nitrogen/metabolism , Soil/chemistry , Zea mays/microbiology , Microbiota , Soil Microbiology , Zea mays/metabolism , ZimbabweABSTRACT
A field study was conducted in 2008 and 2009 at the USDA, ARS, Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit in Griffin, GA, to investigate weed suppression by sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L). The objectives were to (1) evaluate the effects of apical meristem removal (AMR) at three dates [5, 6, and 7 wks after planting (WAP) on May 14, 2008 and May 21, 2009] and (2) assess the impact of seeding rates (11, 28, and 45 kg ha(-1)) on weed biomass reduction. Weed species were identified at 4, 8, and 12 wks after sunn hemp planting. Sunn hemp cutting date had no significant effect on weed suppression in 2008 but significant differences for grass weeds at 4, 8, and 12 WAP and for yellow nutsedge at 8 and 12 WAP did occur when compared to the control in 2009. In comparison to the sunn hemp-free control plot in 2009, all three seeding rates had reduced grass weed dry weights at 4, 8, and 12 WAP. The total mass of yellow nutsedge when grown with sunn hemp was reduced compared to the total mass of yellow nutsedge grown in the weedy check for all seeding rates at 8 and 12 WAP. Lower grass weed biomass was observed by 12 WAP for cutting dates and seeding rates during 2008 and 2009. Sunn hemp cutting date and seeding rate reduced branch numbers in both years. The reduction in sunn hemp seeding rates revealed a decrease in weed populations.
Subject(s)
Agriculture/methods , Crotalaria , Plant Weeds , Biomass , Georgia , Plant Weeds/growth & development , Poaceae/growth & developmentABSTRACT
Two greenhouse experiments were conducted to examine the effect of Crotalaria juncea amendment on Meloidogyne incognita population levels and growth of yellow squash (Cucurbita pepo). In the first experiment, four soils with a long history of receiving yard waste compost (YWC+), no-yard-waste compost (YWC-), conventional tillage, or no-tillage treatments were used; in the second experiment, only one recently cultivated soil was used. Half of the amount of each soil received air-dried residues of C. juncea as amendment before planting squash, whereas the other half did not. Crotalaria juncea amendment increased squash shoot and root weights in all soils tested, except in YWC+ soil where the organic matter content was high without the amendment. The amendment suppressed the numbers of M. incognita if the inoculum level was low, and when the soil contained relatively abundant nematode-antagonistic fungi. Microwaved soil resulted in greater numbers of M. incognita and free-living nematodes than frozen or untreated soil, indicating nematode-antagonistic microorganisms played a role in nematode suppression. The effects of C. juncea amendment on nutrient cycling were complex. Amendment with C. juncea increased the abundance of free-living nematodes and Harposporium anguillulae, a fungus antagonistic to them in the second experiment but not in the first experiment. Soil histories, especially long-term yard waste compost treatments that increased soil organic matter, can affect the performance of C. juncea amendment.
ABSTRACT
Effect of sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea) hay amendment on nematode community structure in the soil surrounding roots of yellow squash (Cucurbita pepo) infected with root-knot nematodes was examined in two greenhouse experiments. Soils were from field plots treated long-term (LT) with yard-waste compost or no yard-waste compost in LT experiment, and from a short-term (ST) agricultural site in ST experiment. Soils collected were either amended or not amended with C. juncea hay. Nematode communities were examined 2 months after squash was inoculated with Meloidogyne incognita. Amendment increased (P < 0.05) omnivorous nematodes in both experiments but increased only bacterivorous nematodes in ST experiment (P < 0.05), where the soil had relatively low organic matter (<2%). This effect of C. juncea amendment did not occur in LT experiment, in which bacterivores were already abundant. Fungivorous nematodes were not increased by C. juncea amendment in either experiment, but predatory nematodes were increased when present. Although most nematode faunal indices, including enrichment index, structure index, and channel index, were not affected by C. juncea amendment, structure index values were affected by previous soil organic matter content. Results illustrate the importance of considering soil history (organic matter, nutrient level, free-living nematode number) in anticipating changes following amendment with C. juncea hay.
ABSTRACT
Effect of cover crops intercropped with pineapple (Ananas comosus) on Rotylenchulus reniformis population densities and activity of nematode-trapping fungi (NTF) were evaluated in two cycles of cover crop and pineapple. Sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea), rapeseed (Brassica napus), African marigold (Tagetes erecta), or weeds were intercropped with pineapples. Beds planted with sunn hemp or rapeseed had lower population densities of R. reniformis than African marigold, weeds, or pineapple plots during cover crop growth, and the subsequent pineapple-growing periods. Rapeseed was a good host to Meloidogyne javanica and resulted in high population densities of M. javanica in the subsequent pineapple crop. Fireweed (Erigeron canadensis) occurred commonly and was a good host to R. reniformis. Bacterivorous nematode population densities increased (P
ABSTRACT
The effects of intercycle cover crops on Rotylenchulus reniformis population densities in pineapple were evaluated in one greenhouse and two field experiments. In the greenhouse, Crotalaria juncea, Brassica napus, and Tagetes erecta were planted for 3 months and then incorporated. These treatments were compared to weedy fallow with or without 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) in three soils (Makawao fallow, Wahiawa fallow, and Wahiawa pineapple) naturally infested with R. reniformis. All cover crop incorporation suppressed R. reniformis numbers in cowpea more than did the weedy treatment in the Makawao (P < 0.05) but not in the Wahiawa soils. Crotalaria juncea treatment increased bacterivorous nematodes and nematode-trapping fungal population densities more than the other treatments in Makawao fallow and Wahiawa pineapple-planted soils. The field trials included the same plants as well as Sinapis alba. Treatments with Crotalaria juncea and 1,3-D maintained lower R. reniformis population densities on pineapple longer than other cover crops or weedy fallow treatments. Crotalaria juncea could have suppressed R. reniformis because it is a poor host and because it enhances nematode-trapping fungi when incorporated into soil. Treatment with 1,3-D reduced microbial activities but produced the greatest pineapple yield.
ABSTRACT
Several potential cover crops were evaluated for their susceptibility to Meloidogyne arenaria race 1, M. incognita race 1, and M. javanica in a series of five greenhouse experiments. No galls or egg masses were observed on roots of castor (Ricinus communis), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata cv. Iron Clay), crotalaria (Crotalaria spectabilis), or American jointvetch (Aeschynomene americana). Occasional egg masses (rating
ABSTRACT
Twenty-two cover crops were evaluated for their ability to reduce damage by root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne javanica, to taro, Colocastia esculenta, in a tropical cropping system. Cover crops were grown and incorporated into the soil before taro was planted. Barley, greenpanic, glycine, marigold, sesame, sunn hemp, and sorghum x sudangrass DeKalb ST6E were poor or nonhosts to the nematode as measured by low population changes of nematodes in soil between cover crop planting and taro planting. Alfalfa, buckwheat, cowpea, lablab, Lana vetch, mustard, oat, okra, rhodes grass, ryegrain, ryegrass, siratro, sweet corn, and wheat allowed nematode populations to increase dramatically. Taro yields were greatest in the marigold plots and lowest in the ryegrain plots. Taro corm weight decreased with increasing initial nematode population (Pi) (r = 0.22, P = 0.056). Siratro, ryegrass, and Blizzard wheat plots had higher taro yield than plots with similar Pi's but planted to other cover crops. These cover crops may have antagonism to other soil microorganisms or their decomposition products may be toxic or adversely affect the nematodes. Cover crops can be an effective and valuable nematode management tactic for use in minor tropical cropping systems such as taro.
ABSTRACT
The influence of Chloris gayana, Crotalaria juncea, Digitaria decumbens, Tagetes patula, and a chitin-based soil amendment on Hawaiian populations of Rotylenchulus reniformis was examined. Chloris gayana was a nonhost for R. reniformis. The nematode did not penetrate the roots, and in greenhouse and field experiments, C. gayana reduced reniform nematode numbers at least as well as fallow. Tagetes patula was a poor host for reniform nematode and reduced reniform nematode numbers in soil better than did fallow. Crotalaria juncea was a poor host for R. reniformis, and only a small fraction of the nematode population penetrated the roots. Crotalaria juncea and D. decumbens reduced reniform nematode populations at least as well as fallow. A chitin-based soil amendment, applied at 2.24 t/ha to fallow soil, did not affect the population decline of reniform nematode.
