A Circular Bioeconomy Approach to Using Post-Bioadsorbent Materials Intended for the Removal of Domestic Wastewater Contaminants as Potential Reinforcements.

Agro-industrial residue valorization under the umbrella of the circular bioeconomy (CBE) has prompted the search for further forward-thinking alternatives that encourage the mitigation of the industry's environmental footprint. From this perspective, second-life valorization (viz., thermoplastic composites) has been explored for agro-industrial waste (viz., oil palm empty fruit bunch fibers, OPEFBFs) that has already been used previously in other circular applications (viz., the removal of domestic wastewater contaminants). Particularly, this ongoing study evaluated the performance of raw residues (R-OPEFBFs) within three different size ranges (250-425, 425-600, 600-800 µm) both before and after their utilization in biofiltration processes (as post-adsorbents, P-OPEFBFs) to reinforce a polymer matrix of acrylic resin. The research examined the changes in R-OPEFBF composition and morphology caused by microorganisms in the biofilters and their impact on the mechanical properties of the composites. Smaller R-OPEFBFs (250-425 µm) demonstrated superior mechanical performance. Additionally, the composites with P-OPEFBFs displayed significant enhancements in their mechanical properties (3.9-40.3%) compared to those with R-OPEFBFs. The combination of the three fiber sizes improved the mechanical behavior of the composites, indicating the potential for both R-OPEFBFs and P-OPEFBFs as reinforcement materials in composite applications.

Infection of Phytophthora palmivora Isolates on Arabidopsis thaliana.

Phytophthora palmivora, a hemibiotrophic oomycete, causes diseases in several economically important tropical crops, such as oil palm, which it is responsible for a devastating disease called bud rot (BR). Despite recent progress in understanding host resistance and virulence mechanisms, many aspects remain unknown in P. palmivora isolates from oil palm. Model pathosystems are useful for understanding the molecular interactions between pathogens and hosts. In this study, we utilized detached leaves and whole seedlings of Arabidopsis thaliana Col-0 to describe and evaluate the infection process of three P. palmivora isolates (CPPhZC-05, CPPhZC-04, CPPhZOC-01) that cause BR in oil palm. Two compatible isolates (CPPhZC-05 and CPPhZOC-01) induced aqueous lesions at 72 h post-inoculation (hpi), with microscopic visualization revealing zoospore encysting and appressorium penetration at 3 hpi, followed by sporangia generation at 72 hpi. In contrast, an incompatible isolate (CPPhZC-04) exhibited cysts that could not penetrate tissue, resulting in low leaf colonization. Gene expression of ten P. palmivora infection-related genes was quantified by RT-qPCR, revealing overexpression in compatible isolates, but not in the incompatible isolate. Additionally, key genes associated with salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), and ethylene (ET) in Arabidopsis exhibited regulation during interaction with the three isolates. These findings demonstrate that P. palmivora can infect Arabidopsis Col-0, and variability is observed in the interaction between Arabidopsis-Col-0 and P. palmivora isolates. Establishing this pathosystem is expected to enhance our understanding of P. palmivora's pathology and physiology.

Temporal Dynamics of Airborne Concentrations of Ganoderma Basidiospores and Their Relationship with Environmental Conditions in Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis).

Basal Stem Rot (BSR), caused by Ganoderma spp., is one of the most important emerging diseases of oil palm in Colombia and is so far restricted to only two producing areas in the country. However, despite the controls established to prevent its spread to new areas, containment has not been possible. This study aimed to understand BSR's propagation mechanisms and related environmental conditions by measuring Ganoderma basidiospores' concentrations at various heights using four 7-day Burkard volumetric samplers in a heavily affected plantation. Meteorological data, including solar radiation, temperature, humidity, precipitation, and wind speed, were also recorded. Analysis revealed higher basidiospore concentrations below 4 m, peaking at 02:00 h, with increased levels towards the study's end. Spore concentrations were not directly influenced by temperature, humidity, or precipitation, but showed higher releases during drier periods. A significant correlation was found between wind speed and spore concentration, particularly below 1.5 m/s, though higher speeds might aid long-distance pathogen spread. This study highlights the complexity of BSR propagation and the need for continued monitoring and research to manage its impact on Colombia's oil palm industry.

Water and sediment pesticide contamination on indigenous lands surrounded by oil palm plantations in the Brazilian Amazon.

Large-scale oil palm cultivation with intensive pesticide use has been growing worldwide and reached the Brazilian Amazon. The rapid expansion of this crop over the last decade has reached vast areas, including the boundaries of different indigenous lands. This study aimed at assessing the occurrence of pesticide residues in surface and ground waters as well as drainage sediments in the Turé-Mariquita Indigenous Territory, in addition to other nearby indigenous villages in the northeastern state of Pará. Thirty-three (33) water samples were collected from streams, springs and from active and abandoned wells at 19 sampling points, as well as 16 sediment samples at 9 sampling sites both during dry and rainy seasons. In total, 49 environmental samples were taken during fieldworks and subsequently analyzed by means of liquid chromatography and mass-mass spectrometry. The analytical determination of pesticide residues showed the occurrence of three pesticides in the water both from streams and from wells, two of them knowingly used by the oil palm company: glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) and endosulfan insecticides. Although the highest glyphosate and endosulfan levels as well as the maximum concentration of glyphosate found in ground water are within the Brazilian environmental regulatory guidelines, all the values for human consumption found in the glyphosate-containing samples are well above the European Union regulatory standards. Our results draw the attention to the risks of biota contamination and human exposure to multiple-pesticide residues.

Parthenocarpy-related genes induced by naphthalene acetic acid in oil palm interspecific O × G [Elaeis oleifera (Kunth) Cortés × Elaeis guineensis Jacq.] hybrids.

Parthenocarpy is the development without fertilization of seedless fruits. In the oil palm industry, the development of parthenocarpic fruits is considered an attractive option to increase palm oil production. Previous studies have shown the application of synthetic auxins in Elaeis guineensis, and interspecific O×G hybrids (Elaeis oleifera (Kunth) Cortés × E. guineensis Jacq.) induces parthenocarpy. The aim of this study was to identify the molecular mechanism through transcriptomics and biology system approach to responding to how the application of NAA induces parthenocarpic fruits in oil palm O×G hybrids. The transcriptome changes were studied in three phenological stages (PS) of the inflorescences: i) PS 603, pre-anthesis III, ii) PS 607, anthesis, and iii) PS 700, fertilized female flower. Each PS was treated with NAA, Pollen, and control (any application). The expression profile was studied at three separate times: five minutes (T0), 24 hours (T1), and 48 h post-treatment (T2). The RNA sequencing (RNA seq) approach was used with 27 oil palm O×G hybrids for a total of 81 raw samples. RNA-Seq showed around 445,920 genes. Numerous differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were involved in pollination, flowering, seed development, hormone biosynthesis, and signal transduction. The expression of the most relevant transcription factors (TF) families was variable and dependent on the stage and time post-treatment. In general, NAA treatment expressed differentially more genes than Pollen. Indeed, the gene co-expression network of Pollen was built with fewer nodes than the NAA treatment. The transcriptional profiles of Auxin-responsive protein and Gibberellin-regulated genes involved in parthenocarpy phenomena agreed with those previously reported in other species. The expression of 13 DEGs was validated by RT-qPCR analysis. This detailed knowledge about the molecular mechanisms involved in parthenocarpy could be used to facilitate the future development of genome editing techniques that enable the production of parthenocarpic O×G hybrid cultivars without growth regulator application.

Dynamic Removal of Nickel (II) on Elaeis guineensis Waste Bed: Study of the Breakage Curve and Simulation.

This research focused on the use of residual fiber from oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) for Ni (II) adsorption in a packed bed column. An analysis was conducted on the effect and statistical incidence of changes in temperature, adsorbent particle size, and bed height on the adsorption process. The results showed that particle size and bed height significantly affect the adsorption of Ni (II) ions, reaching adsorption efficiencies between 87.24 and 99.86%. A maximum adsorption capacity of 13.48 mg/g was obtained in the bed with a break time of 180 min. The Ni (II) adsorption in the dynamic system was evaluated by the analysis of the breakage curve with different theoretical models: Yoon-Nelson, dose-response, and Adams-Bohart; the dose-response model was the most appropriate to describe the behavior of the packed bed with an R2 of 84.56%. The breakthrough curve obtained from Aspen Adsorption® appropriately describes the experimental data with an R2 of 0.999. These results indicate that the evaluated bioadsorbent can be recommended for the elimination of Ni (II) in aqueous solutions in a dynamic system, and the simulation of the process can be a tool for the scalability of the process.

Characterization dataset of oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fibers - Natural reinforcement/filler for materials development.

Natural fibers used as reinforcements or fillers for materials development greatly affect properties and performance of end-use applications. As a consequence of conditioning processes such as grinding and sieving, average fiber length varies significantly. It is thus necessary to estimate the length as statistical data distribution rather than a single mean value. This approach implies length measurement of a significant number of fibers; however, a very high number of data points requires not only long-time frames but also significative amount of work. To address these issues, this article details a facile methodology to measure the length of a large number of natural fibers of oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) together with a statistical analysis to verify the correspondence between theoretical distributions and experimental data. Moreover, further information related to spectrophotometric, physico-chemical, mechanical, thermal, and morphological characteristics of OPEFB fibers coming from oil palm cultivation in Ecuador are presented. The data will contribute to comprehensively and rigorously describe the overall effects of natural fiber lengths on material properties.

Insights from a Multi-Omics Integration (MOI) Study in Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) Response to Abiotic Stresses: Part Two-Drought.

Drought and salinity are two of the most severe abiotic stresses affecting agriculture worldwide and bear some similarities regarding the responses of plants to them. The first is also known as osmotic stress and shows similarities mainly with the osmotic effect, the first phase of salinity stress. Multi-Omics Integration (MOI) offers a new opportunity for the non-trivial challenge of unraveling the mechanisms behind multigenic traits, such as drought and salinity resistance. The current study carried out a comprehensive, large-scale, single-omics analysis (SOA) and MOI studies on the leaves of young oil palm plants submitted to water deprivation. After performing SOA, 1955 DE enzymes from transcriptomics analysis, 131 DE enzymes from proteomics analysis, and 269 DE metabolites underwent MOI analysis, revealing several pathways affected by this stress, with at least one DE molecule in all three omics platforms used. Moreover, the similarities and dissimilarities in the molecular response of those plants to those two abiotic stresses underwent mapping. Cysteine and methionine metabolism (map00270) was the most affected pathway in all scenarios evaluated. The correlation analysis revealed that 91.55% of those enzymes expressed under both stresses had similar qualitative profiles, corroborating the already known fact that plant responses to drought and salinity show several similarities. At last, the results shed light on some candidate genes for engineering crop species resilient to both abiotic stresses.

Water Absorption Behavior of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (OPEFB) and Oil Palm Kernel Shell (OPKS) as Fillers in Acrylic Thermoplastic Composites.

In recent years, the use of oil palm wastes has been an interesting approach for the development of sustainable polymer matrix composites. Nevertheless, the water absorption behavior of these materials is one of the most critical factors for their performance over time. In this study, the water uptake characteristics of acrylic thermoplastic matrix composites reinforced separately with oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) and oil palm kernel shell (OPKS) were evaluated through immersion test in distilled water. The specimens of both composites were manufactured using the compression molding technique at three temperatures (80, 100, and 120 °C) using different particle sizes (425−600 and 600−850 µm). The composites, before and after the absorption test, were characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. The evaluation was complemented by the application of the Fickian diffusion model. Overall results showed that water absorption capacity decreased at a higher processing temperature and a larger particle size. In particular, it was observed that the type of reinforcement also influenced both water absorption and diffusivity. OPKS/acrylic and OPEFB/acrylic composites reached a maximum absorption of 77 and 86%, with diffusivities of 7.3 × 10−9 and 15.2 × 10−9 m2/min, respectively. Experimental evidence suggested that the absorption mechanism of the composites followed a non-Fickian model (n < 1.0).

Insights from a Multi-Omics Integration (MOI) Study in Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) Response to Abiotic Stresses: Part One-Salinity.

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is the number one source of consumed vegetable oil nowadays. It is cultivated in areas of tropical rainforest, where it meets its natural condition of high rainfall throughout the year. The palm oil industry faces criticism due to a series of practices that was considered not environmentally sustainable, and it finds itself under pressure to adopt new and innovative procedures to reverse this negative public perception. Cultivating this oilseed crop outside the rainforest zone is only possible using artificial irrigation. Close to 30% of the world's irrigated agricultural lands also face problems due to salinity stress. Consequently, the research community must consider drought and salinity together when studying to empower breeding programs in order to develop superior genotypes adapted to those potential new areas for oil palm cultivation. Multi-Omics Integration (MOI) offers a new window of opportunity for the non-trivial challenge of unraveling the mechanisms behind multigenic traits, such as drought and salinity tolerance. The current study carried out a comprehensive, large-scale, single-omics analysis (SOA), and MOI study on the leaves of young oil palm plants submitted to very high salinity stress. Taken together, a total of 1239 proteins were positively regulated, and 1660 were negatively regulated in transcriptomics and proteomics analyses. Meanwhile, the metabolomics analysis revealed 37 metabolites that were upregulated and 92 that were downregulated. After performing SOA, 436 differentially expressed (DE) full-length transcripts, 74 DE proteins, and 19 DE metabolites underwent MOI analysis, revealing several pathways affected by this stress, with at least one DE molecule in all three omics platforms used. The Cysteine and methionine metabolism (map00270) and Glycolysis/Gluconeogenesis (map00010) pathways were the most affected ones, each one with 20 DE molecules.

Susceptibility of Demotispa neivai (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) to Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae entomopathogenic fungal isolates.

BACKGROUND: The potential of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae isolates obtained from naturally infected oil palm pests was evaluated to control Demotispa neivai as an alternative for organophosphate insecticide use in oil palm crops in Latin America. Two B. bassiana (Bb-0018 and Bb-0025) and two M. anisopliae (Ma-0002 and Ma-0003) isolates were tested against D. neivai adults for hydrophobicity, virulence, survival, adhesion to host cuticle, and mortality in semi-field conditions. RESULTS: Concentration-mortality bioassays demonstrate that isolates had lethal effect on D. neivai adults with Bb-0025 [median lethal concentration (LC50 ) = 3.45 × 107 conidia mL-1 ] and Bb-0018 (LC50  = 3.75 × 107 conidia mL-1 ) being the most effective followed by Ma-0003 (LC50  = 3.38 × 108 conidia mL-1 ) and Ma-0002 (5.33 × 108 conidia mL-1 ). Adult survival was 99% without exposure to fungal isolates, decreasing to 21.65% in insects exposed to Ma-0002, 19.41% with Ma-0003, 20.13% with Bb-0018, and 0.17% with Bb-0025. Mortality of D. neivai adults caused by the entomopathogenic fungal isolates was similar in both laboratory and semi-field conditions. Also, vegetative growth of the entomopathogenic fungal isolates was found in infected D. neivai adults in the field. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the tested entomopathogenic fungal isolates are effective against D. neivai with potential to be used as biological control agents contributing to the decrease of the use of chemical insecticides to control this oil palm pest. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Root morphological traits of oil palm genotypes with differential resistance to fatal yellowing / Características morfológicas radiculares de genótipos de palma de óleo com resistência diferencial ao Amarelecimento Fatal

Brazil has an extensive area where the climate and soil are suitable for oil palm growing. However, in part of this area, production has been limited by the occurrence of the fatal yellowing (FY) anomaly, whose initial symptom is the rotting of absorptive roots. This symptom can be more severe in oil palm genetic materials with a smaller root system. The aim of this study was to examine morphological traits of roots and shoots of seedlings of three oil palm genotypes with different degrees of resistance to FY, namely, Tenera (sensitive), Caiaué (resistant) and Interspecific Hybrid (resistant) to provide bases to elucidate the differential resistance of these materials to FY. Shoot biomass did not vary statistically between the genetic materials. The mass, length and area of fine and very fine roots were significantly higher in the Interspecific Hybrid than in Caiaué and Tenera. The fine and very fine roots of Interspecific Hybrid had a larger mass than Caiaué (114 and 133%, respectively) and Tenera (216 and 178%, respectively). The Interspecific Hybrid also exhibited higher values for the length of fine and very fine roots than Caiaué (155 and 99% respectively) and Tenera (228 and 94% respectively). The root traits of the Interspecific Hybrid and Tenera are compatible with their differential resistance to FY. Our results demonstrate the importance of expanding the study of the relationship between root morphology and resistance to FY in these genetic materials under conditions that favor the occurrence of the anomaly, such as flooding.

O Brasil possui uma extensa área com clima e solo aptos ao plantio de palma de óleo. No entanto, a produção em parte desta área tem sido limitada pela ocorrência da anomalia Amarelecimento Fatal (AF),cujo sintoma inicial é o apodrecimento das raízes de absorção. Esse sintoma pode ser mais severo em materiais genéticos de palma de óleo que apresentem sistema radicular reduzido. O objetivo foi avaliar características morfológicas de raízes e parte aérea de mudas de três genótipos de palma de óleo com graus diferentes de resistência ao AF: Tenera (sensível), Caiaué (resistente) e Híbrido Interespecífico (resistente)para fornecer subsídios ao entendimento da resistência diferencial desses materiais ao AF. A biomassa da parte aérea não variou estatisticamente entre os materiais genéticos. Massa, comprimento e área de raízes finas e muito finas foram significativamente maiores no Híbrido Interespecífico do que no Caiaué e no Tenera. O Híbrido Interespecífico apresentou valores de massa de raízes finas e muito finas superiores em relação ao Caiaué (114 e 133%, respectivamente) e Tenera (216 e 178%, respectivamente). O Híbrido Interespecífico também apresentou valores superiores de comprimento de raízes finas e muito finas em relação ao Caiaué (155 e 99% respectivamente) e Tenera (228 e 94% respectivamente). As características radiculares do Híbrido Interespecífico e do Tenera são compatíveis com sua resistência diferencial ao AF. Nossos resultados demonstram a importância de ampliar o estudo da relação entre morfologia radicular e resistência ao AF destes materiais genéticos em condições que favoreçam a ocorrência da anomalia, como alagamento.

Root morphological traits of oil palm genotypes with differential resistance to fatal yellowing / Características morfológicas radiculares de genótipos de palma de óleo com resistência diferencial ao Amarelecimento Fatal

Brazil has an extensive area where the climate and soil are suitable for oil palm growing. However, in part of this area, production has been limited by the occurrence of the fatal yellowing (FY) anomaly, whose initial symptom is the rotting of absorptive roots. This symptom can be more severe in oil palm genetic materials with a smaller root system. The aim of this study was to examine morphological traits of roots and shoots of seedlings of three oil palm genotypes with different degrees of resistance to FY, namely, Tenera (sensitive), Caiaué (resistant) and Interspecific Hybrid (resistant) to provide bases to elucidate the differential resistance of these materials to FY. Shoot biomass did not vary statistically between the genetic materials. The mass, length and area of fine and very fine roots were significantly higher in the Interspecific Hybrid than in Caiaué and Tenera. The fine and very fine roots of Interspecific Hybrid had a larger mass than Caiaué (114 and 133%, respectively) and Tenera (216 and 178%, respectively). The Interspecific Hybrid also exhibited higher values for the length of fine and very fine roots than Caiaué (155 and 99% respectively) and Tenera (228 and 94% respectively). The root traits of the Interspecific Hybrid and Tenera are compatible with their differential resistance to FY. Our results demonstrate the importance of expanding the study of the relationship between root morphology and resistance to FY in these genetic materials under conditions that favor the occurrence of the anomaly, such as flooding.(AU)

O Brasil possui uma extensa área com clima e solo aptos ao plantio de palma de óleo. No entanto, a produção em parte desta área tem sido limitada pela ocorrência da anomalia Amarelecimento Fatal (AF),cujo sintoma inicial é o apodrecimento das raízes de absorção. Esse sintoma pode ser mais severo em materiais genéticos de palma de óleo que apresentem sistema radicular reduzido. O objetivo foi avaliar características morfológicas de raízes e parte aérea de mudas de três genótipos de palma de óleo com graus diferentes de resistência ao AF: Tenera (sensível), Caiaué (resistente) e Híbrido Interespecífico (resistente)para fornecer subsídios ao entendimento da resistência diferencial desses materiais ao AF. A biomassa da parte aérea não variou estatisticamente entre os materiais genéticos. Massa, comprimento e área de raízes finas e muito finas foram significativamente maiores no Híbrido Interespecífico do que no Caiaué e no Tenera. O Híbrido Interespecífico apresentou valores de massa de raízes finas e muito finas superiores em relação ao Caiaué (114 e 133%, respectivamente) e Tenera (216 e 178%, respectivamente). O Híbrido Interespecífico também apresentou valores superiores de comprimento de raízes finas e muito finas em relação ao Caiaué (155 e 99% respectivamente) e Tenera (228 e 94% respectivamente). As características radiculares do Híbrido Interespecífico e do Tenera são compatíveis com sua resistência diferencial ao AF. Nossos resultados demonstram a importância de ampliar o estudo da relação entre morfologia radicular e resistência ao AF destes materiais genéticos em condições que favoreçam a ocorrência da anomalia, como alagamento.(AU)

Assessment of Inoculation Methods of Thielaviopsis paradoxa (De Seynes) Höhn into Oil Palm Seedlings under Greenhouse Conditions.

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq. and Elaeis Oleifera Cortes) is one of the most important oil crops in the world. Colombia is the fourth-largest oil palm producer worldwide. However, oil palm diseases are a significant factor affecting yield. Thielaviopsis paradoxa (De Seynes) Höhn is a pathogen that affects young palm trees, causing spear rot. Four disease establishment methods were studied to replicate, in a controlled environment, the symptoms of the disease found in the field. Young palm trees were inoculated with a suspension of endoconidia using either local infiltration, drip, scissor cut, or direct contact with agar blocks bearing mycelia and conidia. The effects of the inoculation methods were studied in dose-method-disease severity experiments conducted in a greenhouse under controlled conditions. All four methods resulted in T. paradoxa infections and the development of symptoms of the disease. The disease severity was correlated with the method and dose of inoculation. In trials to test Koch's postulates, T. paradoxa was isolated from areas of disease progression in the inoculated trees, but the teleomorph Ceratocystis paradoxa (Dade) Moreau was not observed. A photographic record of the infection process at different times post-infection was compiled. Given that establishing the disease through artificial inoculation is essential for assessing plant pathogenesis, this study determined that the local infiltration method (1 × 106 endoconidia mL-1) and a 3-7 day incubation period were critical for the development of symptoms as severe as those observed in natural infections in the field.

Bat Assemblage in an Oil Palm Plantation from the Colombian Llanos Foothills.

The surge of oil palm production in the Neotropics has become a major concern about the potential impacts on biodiversity. In the Colombian Orinoquia, which has shown a massive landscape transformation due to the growth of oil palm plantations, the effects of oil palm agriculture on bats in this region have not been studied up to date. To understand the impact of habitat conversion on bat diversity, we characterised bat assemblages in secondary forest and palm plantations in the Colombian Llanos foothills (Meta, Colombia). We captured 393 individuals (forest = 81, plantation = 312) of 18 species and 3 families. The forest cover presented three exclusive species while the plantation had five. Species diversity (q 1) and evenness (J') were higher in the forest compared to the plantation. These differences derived from the increase in abundances of generalist species (Artibeus sp., Carollia spp.) in the plantation. Despite the habitat simplification caused by oil palm plantations, this monoculture provides a cover that is used by some bats, decreasing their risk of predation and allowing movement between patches of forest habitat as steppingstones. Maintaining forest cover in agricultural landscapes favours diversity by generating a "spillover effect" of the forest towards plantations, which in the case of some bats contributes to the reduction of species isolation and the maintenance of ecosystem services provided by them. It is important to improve management practices of oil palm plantations to minimise negative impacts on biodiversity, considering the expansion of this productive system and the scarcity of protected areas in this region.

Effect of Benzoylphenyl Ureas on Survival and Reproduction of the Lace Bug, Leptopharsa gibbicarina.

The lace bug, Leptopharsa gibbicarina is a vector of Pestalotiopsis fungal complex in oil palm crops in the Americas. The effects of four benzoylphenyl ureas (BPUs) (lufenuron, novaluron, teflubenzuron, and triflumuron) were evaluated against L. gibbicarina for toxicity, survival, reproduction, and mortality in semi-field conditions. Concentration-mortality bioassays demonstrated that novaluron (LC50 = 0.33 ppm), teflubenzuron (LC50 = 0.24 ppm), lufenuron (LC50 = 0.17 ppm), and triflumuron (LC50 = 0.42 ppm) are toxic to L. gibbicarina nymphs. The survival rate was 99% in control nymphs, decreasing to 50% in nymphs exposed to LC50 of triflumuron, 47% in nymphs treated with lufenuron, 43% in nymphs treated with teflubenzuron, and 43% in those treated with novaluron. Sublethal concentrations of BPUs showed detrimental effects on the adult emergence, longevity, fecundity, and fertility of this insect. The mortality of nymphs caused by these insecticides was similar in both laboratory and semi-field conditions. Our results suggest that novaluron, teflubenzuron, and triflumuron are highly effective against L. gibbicarina, and therefore, have potential applications for this oil palm pest.

Pentose-rich hydrolysate from oil palm empty fruit bunches for ß-glucan production using Pichia jadinii and Cyberlindnera jadinii.

Pentose-rich hydrolysate obtained from dilute acid pretreatment of oil palm empty fruit bunches was successfully consumed by pentose-consuming yeasts: Cyberlindnera jadinii (Cj) and Pichia jadinii (Pj). Nitrogen supplementation and no additional detoxification step were required. Pj produced 5.87 g/L of biomass using a C/N ratio of 14 after 120 h of fermentation, with xylose consumption of 71%. Cj produced 10.50 g/L of biomass after 96 h of fermentation with C/N ratio of 11.5, with maximum xylose consumption of 85%. ß-glucans, high value-added macromolecules, were further extracted from the yeast biomass, achieving yields of 3.1 and 3.0% from Pj and Cj, respectively. The isolated polysaccharides showed a chemical structure of ß-(1,3)-glucan with residues of other molecules. Additionally, ß-(1,6) branches seems to have been broken during isolation process. Further studies assessing ß-glucans production at industrial scale should be carried out looking for nitrogen sources and optimizing the ß-glucan isolation method.

Oil palm age and genotype interfere with defoliator lepidopteran infestation

The state of Pará has oil palm plantings of different ages and distinct genotypes. The understanding of which factors influence the occurrence and abundance of defoliating caterpillars in palm groves is paramount for control strategies based on integrated pest management (IPM). This study quantified the effect of oil palm age independently, and that of oil palm age and genotype, on the occurrence and abundance of defoliating caterpillars. Data were collected from 1994­2014 and consisted of counting the average number of caterpillars/leaf/parcel. For Opsiphanes invirae and Talima sp., leaf 17 was sampled; for Acharia spp., Euclea sp., Euprosterna elaeasa, Natada sp., and Automeris liberia, leaf 25 was sampled. For Oiketicus kirbyi, Antaeotricha sp., and Brassolis sophorae no specific leaf was considered. Palm trees were classified into three groups: young palm trees (0­8 years after planting), adult palm trees (9­19 years after planting), and old palm trees (over 20 years after planting). Talima sp. showed the highest population peak followed by O. invirae, Acharia spp., Elaeis elaeasa and Euclea sp. This study concludes that genotype has an impact on the infestation by defoliating caterpillars. Also, oil palms at reproductive age are more prone to higher infestation levels than young trees. While population levels of defoliating caterpillars are low in general, outbreaks are frequent. Importantly, intraspecific genotypes are more vulnerable than interspecific genotypes to infestations by defoliating caterpillars. This study contributes to the bioecological knowledge on defoliating caterpillars on oil palm and therefore provides important information to strengthen integrated pest management practices.

Oil palm age and genotype interfere with defoliator lepidopteran infestation

ABSTRACT The state of Pará has oil palm plantings of different ages and distinct genotypes. The understanding of which factors influence the occurrence and abundance of defoliating caterpillars in palm groves is paramount for control strategies based on integrated pest management (IPM). This study quantified the effect of oil palm age independently, and that of oil palm age and genotype, on the occurrence and abundance of defoliating caterpillars. Data were collected from 19942014 and consisted of counting the average number of caterpillars/leaf/parcel. For Opsiphanes invirae and Talima sp., leaf 17 was sampled; for Acharia spp., Euclea sp., Euprosterna elaeasa, Natada sp., and Automeris liberia, leaf 25 was sampled. For Oiketicus kirbyi, Antaeotricha sp., and Brassolis sophorae no specific leaf was considered. Palm trees were classified into three groups: young palm trees (08 years after planting), adult palm trees (919 years after planting), and old palm trees (over 20 years after planting). Talima sp. showed the highest population peak followed by O. invirae, Acharia spp., Elaeis elaeasa and Euclea sp. This study concludes that genotype has an impact on the infestation by defoliating caterpillars. Also, oil palms at reproductive age are more prone to higher infestation levels than young trees. While population levels of defoliating caterpillars are low in general, outbreaks are frequent. Importantly, intraspecific genotypes are more vulnerable than interspecific genotypes to infestations by defoliating caterpillars. This study contributes to the bioecological knowledge on defoliating caterpillars on oil palm and therefore provides important information to strengthen integrated pest management practices.

Root morphological traits of oil palm genotypes with differential resistance to fatal yellowing / Características morfológicas radiculares de genótipos de palma de óleo com resistência diferencial ao Amarelecimento Fatal

Brazil has an extensive area where the climate and soil are suitable for oil palm growing. However, in part of this area, production has been limited by the occurrence of the fatal yellowing (FY) anomaly, whose initial symptom is the rotting of absorptive roots. This symptom can be more severe in oil palm genetic materials with a smaller root system. The aim of this study was to examine morphological traits of roots and shoots of seedlings of three oil palm genotypes with different degrees of resistance to FY, namely, Tenera (sensitive), Caiaué (resistant) and Interspecific Hybrid (resistant) to provide bases to elucidate the differential resistance of these materials to FY. Shoot biomass did not vary statistically between the genetic materials. The mass, length and area of fine and very fine roots were significantly higher in the Interspecific Hybrid than in Caiaué and Tenera. The fine and very fine roots of Interspecific Hybrid had a larger mass than Caiaué (114 and 133%, respectively) and Tenera (216 and 178%, respectively). The Interspecific Hybrid also exhibited higher values for the length of fine and very fine roots than Caiaué (155 and 99% respectively) and Tenera (228 and 94% respectively). The root traits of the Interspecific Hybrid and Tenera are compatible with their differential resistance to FY. Our results demonstrate the importance of expanding the study of the relationship between root morphology and resistance to FY in these genetic materials under conditions that favor the occurrence of the anomaly, such as flooding.(AU)

O Brasil possui uma extensa área com clima e solo aptos ao plantio de palma de óleo. No entanto, a produção em parte desta área tem sido limitada pela ocorrência da anomalia Amarelecimento Fatal (AF), cujo sintoma inicial é o apodrecimento das raízes de absorção. Esse sintoma pode ser mais severo em materiais genéticos de palma de óleo que apresentem sistema radicular reduzido. O objetivo foi avaliar características morfológicas de raízes e parte aérea de mudas de três genótipos de palma de óleo com graus diferentes de resistência ao AF: Tenera (sensível), Caiaué (resistente) e Híbrido Interespecífico (resistente) para fornecer subsídios ao entendimento da resistência diferencial desses materiais ao AF. A biomassa da parte aérea não variou estatisticamente entre os materiais genéticos. Massa, comprimento e área de raízes finas e muito finas foram significativamente maiores no Híbrido Interespecífico do que no Caiaué e no Tenera. O Híbrido Interespecífico apresentou valores de massa de raízes finas e muito finas superiores em relação ao Caiaué (114 e 133%, respectivamente) e Tenera (216 e 178%, respectivamente). O Híbrido Interespecífico também apresentou valores superiores de comprimento de raízes finas e muito finas em relação ao Caiaué (155 e 99% respectivamente) e Tenera (228 e 94% respectivamente). As características radiculares do Híbrido Interespecífico e do Tenera são compatíveis com sua resistência diferencial ao AF. Nossos resultados demonstram a importância de ampliar o estudo da relação entre morfologia radicular e resistência ao AF destes materiais genéticos em condições que favoreçam a ocorrência da anomalia, como alagamento.(AU)