Trichoderma harzianum antagonistic activity and competition for seed colonization against seedborne pathogenic fungi of sunflower.

This study investigated the antagonistic effects of Trichoderma harzianum isolate (TRIC8) on mycelial growth, hyphal alteration, conidial germination, germ tube length and seed colonization by the seedborne fungal pathogens Alternaria alternata, Bipolaris cynodontis, Fusarium culmorum and F. oxysporum, the causes of seedling rot in over 30% of sunflowers. The antagonistic effect of TRIC8 on mycelial growth of pathogens was evaluated on dual culture that included two inoculation assays: inoculation of antagonist at 48 h before pathogen (deferred inoculation) and inoculation at the same time with pathogen (simultaneous inoculation). TRIC8 inhibited mycelial growth of the fungal pathogens between 70·67 and 76·87% with the strongest inhibition seen with deferred inoculation. Alterations in hyphae were observed in all pathogens. Conidial germination of F. culmorum was inhibited by most of the fungal pathogens (38·28%) by TRIC8. Inhibition of germ tube length by the antagonist varied from 31·83 to 37·67%. In seed colonization experiments, TRIC8 was applied in combination with each pathogen to seeds of a sunflower genotype that is highly tolerant to downy mildew. Seed death was inhibited by TRIC8 and the antagonist did not allow growth of A. alternata, B. cynodontis and F. culmorum on seeds and inhibited the growth of F. oxysporum at the rate of 58·32%.

Can platelet-rich plasma be used safely in intra-abdominal operations?

OBJECTIVES: In this study, it was aimed to investigate whether or not platelet­rich plasma (PRP) causes intra-abdominal adhesions and therefore, whether or not PRP can be used safely in intra-abdominal operations. METHODS: Of the total of 35 animals, 5 were used as donors for the preparation of platelet­rich plasma (PRP). The surgical procedures were performed on the remaining 30 animals. These rats were randomized and divided into 3 groups of 10. In Group 1, no adhesion induction was performed. Adhesion was induced by cecal abrasion and peritoneal resection model in Groups II and IIII. In Group 2, no treatment was given. In Group 3, 1 cc PRP was applied on the cecum. The rats were sacrificed on postoperative day 21. RESULTS: According to adhesion scores, the difference between the sham and PRP groups was not statistically significant. There was also no significant difference between the control and PRP groups, but the adhesion scores in the PRP group was lower than those in the control group. On histopathological evaluation, the difference between the sham and PRP groups was not statistically significant. There was also no significant difference between the control and PRP groups, but the average fibrosis and inflammation scores in the PRP group were lower than those in the control group. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study have demonstrated that PRP neither reduced nor exacerbated postoperative adhesions. Thus, PRP can be used safely in experimental and clinical studies where it will be applied intra-abdominally (Tab. 2, Fig. 3, Ref. 11).