Monitoring and baseline of glyphosate-resistant sourgrass in the main soybean growing regions of Brazil / Monitoramento e baseline da resistência de capim-amargoso ao herbicida glifosato nas principais regiões produtoras de soja no Brasil

Frequent application of glyphosate for consecutive years has enhanced the selection pressure on sourgrass (Digitaria insularis) populations, which resulted in the development of glyphosate-resistant biotypes. Therefore, this work was developed with the objective of monitoring sourgrass resistance to glyphosate, develop a baseline of sourgrass susceptibility to this molecule and, consequently, identify the discriminatory dose between resistant and susceptible populations. This work was divided into three steps. The first step consisted of identifying and sorting sourgrass resistant and susceptible biotypes among 30 samples. In the second step, glyphosate baseline was elaborated considering exclusively the glyphosate-susceptible biotypes, which allowed the definition of a discriminatory dose. At the end, the third step, monitoring of glyphosate-resistant biotypes was achieved, considering five growing seasons (2016 ­2020) and 809 samples of sourgrass populations, collected throughout 12 states of Brazil. Glyphosate baseline was elaborated to sourgrass and ideal discriminatory rate was identified as 960 g ha-1.Glyphosate-resistant populations of sourgrass were found in all soybean growing regions sampled. Among 809 populations, 25.96% were considered resistant to glyphosate. The states with the highest frequency of glyphosate-resistant populations were Rio Grande do Sul, Mato Grosso do Sul, Bahia, Mato Grosso and Paraná.

Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de monitorar a resistência de capim-amargoso ao herbicida glyphosate desenvolver uma baseline de suscetibilidade da espécie e, por consequência, identificar a dose discriminatória de glifosato entre populações resistentes e suscetíveis de capim-amargoso. Todo o trabalho foi dividido em três fases. A primeira fase consistiu da análise de 30 amostras de capim-amargoso, identificando-as e classificando-as em resistentes ou suscetíveis. Na segunda fase, foi elaborada uma baseline para suscetibilidade do capim-amargoso ao herbicida glyphosate, o que permitiu a definição de uma dose discriminatória. Ao final, na terceira fase, obteve-se o monitoramento dos biótipos de capim-amargoso quanto à resistência, considerando-se cinco safras (2016 ­2020) e 809 amostras de capim-amargoso, oriundas de 12 estados brasileiros. Assim sendo, a baseline de suscetibilidade de capim-amargoso ao glyphosate foi estimada, cuja dose discriminatória ideal foi de 960 g ha-1. Populações de capim-amargoso resistentes ao glyphosate foram encontradas em todas as regiões produtoras de soja amostradas. Dentre 809populações, 25,96% foram consideradas resistentes ao glyphosate. Os estados com maior frequência de populações resistentes foram: Rio Grande do Sul, Mato Grosso do Sul, Bahia, Mato Grosso e Paraná.

Competitive ability of soybean cultivars with Ipomoea indivisa / Habilidade competitiva de cultivares de soja com Ipomoea indivisa

Among the weeds that infest soybeans, the morning glory (Ipomoea indivisa) stands out for competing with water, light, nutrients and also interfering in the crop harvesting process. The aim of this study was to test the competitive ability of soybean cultivars in the presence of I. indivisa, in substitutive experiments. The experiments were carried out in a completely randomized design, with four replicates, using the soybean cultivars M 5838, DM 53i54, DM 57i52, DM 66i68, NS 5445, and NS 6601. A constant final yield for soybean and I. indivisa was observed with 24 plants per pot. Relative and total productivities were analyzed using diagrams applied to substitutive experiments with soybean and I. indivisa plants proportions of 24:0, 18:6, 12:12, 6:18, and 0:24 plantspot-1(crop:weed). On 35 days after the emergence of the culture and the I. indivisa, the morphophysiological characteristics of the plants were assessed and the relative competitiveness indices were calculated considering the 50:50 plant ratio (12:12 plantspot-1). Morning glory affected the morphophysiological characteristics of soybean cultivars, demonstrating superior competitive ability for environmental resources. There wasa competition between soybean cultivars and I. indivisa, which caused reductions in the shoot dry matter for both species. In this study, interspecific competition was more harmful than intraspecific competition.

Dentre as plantas daninhas que infestam a soja, a corda-de-viola (Ipomoea indivisa) se destaca por competir por água, luz, nutrientes e também interferir no processo de colheita da cultura. O objetivo deste trabalho foi testar a habilidade competitiva de cultivares de soja na presença de I. indivisa, em experimentos substitutivos. Os experimentos foram conduzidos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições, utilizando as cultivares de soja M 5838, DM 53i54, DM 57i52, DM 66i68, NS 5445 e NS 6601. Observou-se produtividade final constante para soja e I. indivisa com 24 plantas por vaso. As produtividades relativa e total foram analisadas por meio de diagramas aplicados a experimentos substitutivos com plantas de soja e I. indivisanas proporções de 24:0, 18:6,12:12, 6:18 e 0:24 plantasvaso-1 (cultivar:planta daninha) . Aos 35 dias após a emergência da cultura e da I. indivisa, foram avaliadas as características morfofisiológicas das plantas e calculados os índices de competitividade relativa considerando a proporção de plantas de 50:50 (12:12 plantas vaso-1). A corda-de-viola afetou as características morfofisiológicas das cultivares de soja, demonstrando superior capacidade competitiva por recursos ambientais. Houve competição entre as cultivares de soja e I. indivisa, o que ocasionou reduções na matéria seca da parte aérea para ambas as espécies. Neste estudo, a competição interespecífica foi mais prejudicial do que a competição intraespecífica

RNAi Crop Protection Advances.

RNAi technology is a versatile, effective, safe, and eco-friendly alternative for crop protection. There is plenty of evidence of its use through host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) and emerging evidence that spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) techniques can work as well to control viruses, bacteria, fungi, insects, and nematodes. For SIGS, its most significant challenge is achieving stability and avoiding premature degradation of RNAi in the environment or during its absorption by the target organism. One alternative is encapsulation in liposomes, virus-like particles, polyplex nanoparticles, and bioclay, which can be obtained through the recombinant production of RNAi in vectors, transgenesis, and micro/nanoencapsulation. The materials must be safe, biodegradable, and stable in multiple chemical environments, favoring the controlled release of RNAi. Most of the current research on encapsulated RNAi focuses primarily on oral delivery to control insects by silencing essential genes. The regulation of RNAi technology focuses on risk assessment using different approaches; however, this technology has positive economic, environmental, and human health implications for its use in agriculture. The emergence of alternatives combining RNAi gene silencing with the induction of resistance in crops by elicitation and metabolic control is expected, as well as multiple silencing and biotechnological optimization of its large-scale production.

Compatibility of Bt biopesticides and adjuvants for Spodoptera frugiperda control.

Spodoptera frugiperda is a pest of economic importance for several crops with resistance reports to Bt crops and pesticides. Eco-friendly Bt biopesticides may be an alternative to chemical insecticides due to their selectivity and specificity. However, the efficacy of Bt biopesticides may be influenced by the association with other chemicals, such as adjuvants. This study evaluated the compatibility and toxicity of Bt biopesticides mixed with adjuvants for the control of S. frugiperda. The treatments included the association of Dipel SC and Dipel PM with adjuvants. Compatibility tests were used to evaluate the Bt mixture. Bt suspensions obtained from mixtures of Bt and adjuvants at 106 and 3 × 108 spores/mL-1 were used to evaluate S. frugiperda mortality and distilled water was used as the control. The addition of the adjuvant LI increased growth and sporulation, indicating compatibility with Bt biopesticides. The other adjuvants were toxic to reducing Bt growth and sporulation. Only the mixture of Bt with LI and Bt alone was effective to S. frugiperda. The addition of adjuvants to Bt biopesticide affect the Bt sporulation, growth and mortality.

Livestock integration into soybean systems improves long-term system stability and profits without compromising crop yields.

Climate models project greater weather variability over the coming decades. High yielding systems that can maintain stable crop yields under variable environmental scenarios are critical to enhance food security. However, the effect of adding a trophic level (i.e. herbivores) on the long-term stability of agricultural systems is not well understood. We used a 16-year dataset from an integrated soybean-beef cattle experiment to measure the impacts of grazing on the stability of key crop, pasture, animal and whole-system outcomes. Treatments consisted of four grazing intensities (10, 20, 30 and 40 cm sward height) on mixed black oat (Avena strigosa) and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) pastures and an ungrazed control. Stability of both human-digestible protein production and profitability increased at moderate to light grazing intensities, while over-intensification or absence of grazing decreased system stability. Grazing did not affect subsequent soybean yields but reduced the chance of crop failure and financial loss in unfavorable years. At both lighter and heavier grazing intensities, tradeoffs occurred between the stability of herbage production and animal live weight gains. We show that ecological intensification of specialized soybean systems using livestock integration can increase system stability and profitability, but the probability of win-win outcomes depends on management.

Lethal and antifeedant effects of Bordeaux mixture on the marsh slug (Deroceras laeve).

The marsh slug, Deroceras laeve (Müller), is a generalist pest of agricultural crops. Slugs are mainly managed with synthetic pesticides that can also have high toxicity toward vertebrates and nontarget arthropods. Besides, they are not labeled for use in organic crop systems. Bordeaux mixture (BM) is an alternative product often used in organic crops for controlling plant diseases. The molluscicidal activity of BM has been reported; however, to our knowledge, no study has determined its efficacy to control D. laeve. This study aimed to determine the lethal (concentration- and time-mortality curves, and foliar persistence) and antifeedant (reduction in leaf consumption) effects of BM-treated cabbage leaves on D. laeve. The LC50 of BM was 28.15%, and the LT50 was 8.83 h. The BM LC25 reduced D. laeve leaf consumption by 3.31-fold. Furthermore, high control effectiveness (mortality > 90%) was attained until the 7th day after spraying. These findings reveal that BM reduces damage by killing D. laeve in a fast faction and by reducing foliar consumption. Therefore, BM can be an alternative to D. laeve management in both conventional and organic systems.

A simple PCR-based method for the rapid and accurate identification of spider mites (Tetranychidae) on cassava.

The morphological identification of mites entails great challenges. Characteristics such as dorsal setae and aedeagus are widely used, but they show variations between populations, and the technique is time consuming and demands specialized taxonomic expertise that is difficult to access. A successful alternative has been to exploit a region of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene to classify specimens to the species level. We analyzed the COI sequences of four mite species associated with cassava and classified them definitively by detailed morphological examinations. We then developed an identification kit based on the restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction of subunit I of the COI gene focused on the three restriction enzymes AseI, MboII, and ApoI. This set of enzymes permitted the simple, accurate identification of Mononychellus caribbeanae, M. tanajoa, M. mcgregori, and Tetranychus urticae, rapidly and with few resources. This kit could be a vital tool for the surveillance and monitoring of mite pests in cassava crop protection programs in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Peering into the Cuba phytosanitary black box: An institutional and policy analysis.

To mitigate the movement of non-native organisms with trade, phytosanitary systems have been implemented within and between countries. In some countries such as Cuba, little is known about the within-state plant health system. To facilitate the development of future trade partnership between Cuba and the United States, agencies need to understand the organizational structure and diagnostic capacity of the Cuban Plant Protection System, identify potential synergies between the United States and Cuban systems, and identify steps towards cooperation. This paper fills this critical void by presenting a descriptive analysis of the plant health system in Cuba. Information was integrated from available literature, informal interviews with Cuban experts, and workshops focused on Cuban policies, risk, and potential collaboration attended by Cuban and American experts. We identify the next practical steps in improving cooperation, including building trust and capacity. Mutual understanding of phytosanitary systems will be crucial for the regional economic and environmental stability of a post-embargo United States-Cuban relationship.

Expression of Pinellia ternata leaf agglutinin under rolC promoter confers resistance against a phytophagous sap sucking aphid, Myzus persicae

BACKGROUND: Piercing/sucking insect pests in the order Hemiptera causes substantial crop losses by removing photoassimilates and transmitting viruses to their host plants. Cloning and heterologous expression of plantderived insect resistance genes is a promising approach to control aphids and other sap-sucking insect pests. While expression from the constitutive 35S promoter provides broad protection, the phloem-specific rolC promoter provides better defense against sap sucking insects. The selection of plant-derived insect resistance genes for expression in crop species will minimize bio-safety concerns. RESULTS: Pinellia ternata leaf agglutinin gene (pta), encodes an insecticidal lectin, was isolated and cloned under the 35S and rolC promoters in the pGA482 plant transformation vector for Agrobacterium-mediated tobacco transformation. Integration and expression of the transgene was validated by Southern blotting and qRT-PCR, respectively. Insect bioassays data of transgenic tobacco plants showed that expression of pta under rolC promoter caused 100% aphid mortality and reduced aphid fecundity up to 70% in transgenic tobacco line LRP9. These results highlight the better effectivity of pta under rolC promoter to control phloem feeders, aphids. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested the potential of PTA against aphids and other sap sucking insect pests. Evaluation of gene in tobacco under two different promoters; 35S constitutive promoter and rolC phloemspecific promoter could be successfully use for other crop plants particularly in cotton. Development of transgenic cotton plants using plant-derived insecticidal, PTA, would be key step towards commercialization of environmentally safe insect-resistant crops.

Herbicides employed in sugarcane plantations have lethal and sublethal effects to larval Boana pardalis (Amphibia, Hylidae).

The increasing demand for biofuels favored the expansion of sugarcane and, as a consequence, in the consumption of pesticides in Brazil. Amphibians are subject to pesticide exposure for occurring in or around sugarcane fields, and for breeding at the onset of the rainy season when pesticide consumption is common. We tested the hypothesis that herbicides used in sugarcane crops, although employed for weed control and manipulated at doses recommended by the manufacturers, can cause lethal and sublethal effects on amphibian larvae. Boana pardalis was exposed to glyphosate, ametryn, 2,4-D, metribuzin and acetochlor which account to up to 2/3 of the volume of herbicides employed in sugarcane production. High mortality was observed following prolonged exposure to ametryn (76%), acetochlor (68%) and glyphosate (15%); ametryn in addition significantly reduced activity rates and slowed developmental and growth rates. AChE activity was surprisingly stimulated by glyphosate, ametryn and 2,4-D, and GST activity by ametryn and acetochlor. Some of these sublethal effects, including the decrease in activity, growth and developmental rates, may have important consequences for individual performance for extending the larval period, and hence the risk of dessication, in the temporary and semi-permanent ponds where the species develops. Future studies should seek additional realism towards a risk analysis of the environmental contamination by herbicides through experiments manipulating not only active ingredients but also commercial formulations, as well as interactions among contaminants and other environmental stressors across the entire life cycle of native amphibian species.

[Biomonitoring in exposure to pesticides, its contribution to epidemiological surveillance of pesticide applicators in Cordoba, Argentina]. / Biomonitoreo en exposición a plaguicidas y su aporte en vigilancia epidemiológica en agroaplicadores en Córdoba, Argentina.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the level of exposure to pesticides and its correlation with perceived health indicators and injury biomarkers (genotoxic alterations and those caused by butyrylcholinesterase enzyme activity) in the population of pesticide applicators in extensive crops (PAEC) in Córdoba, Argentina. METHODS: Transversal study, in PAEC (n = 47) randomly selected from a sample of 2000, and non-exposed subject controls (n = 52). The sociodemographic variables, exposure conditioning, and perceived health were surveyed by means of a self-administered questionnaire; biological indicators of genotoxicity: micronuclei, chromosomal aberrations and kite assay, and butyrylcholinesterase activity. RESULTS: 40% of PAEC have over 10 years' length of service and almost 50% of them reside less than 500 m from the sprinkled fields; they report low rates of personal protective equipment use while mixing, applying, or repairing the equipment. General, cardio-respiratory, and dermatological symptoms were greater among PAEC (p <0.05) as well as indicators of genotoxic injury (p <0.001). The butyrylcholinesterase activity was negatively associated with levels of exposure to pesticides. CONCLUSIONS: The PAEC show an important negative impact on health linked to exposure to pesticides. The exposure scales associated to the use of biomarkers were a useful tool for monitoring pesticide applicators' health.

Assessing herbicide symptoms by using a logarithmic field sprayer.

BACKGROUND: In field experiments, assessment of herbicide selectivity and efficacy rarely takes advantage of dose-response regressions. The objective is to demonstrate that logarithmic sprayers, which automatically make a logarithmic dilution of a herbicide rate, can extract biologically relevant parameters describing the efficacy of herbicides in crops, and compare localities and time of assessment. RESULTS: In a conventional and an organic field, canola, white mustard, and no crop plots were sprayed with diflufenican and beflubutamid. A mixed effect log-logistic dose-response regression, with autoregressive correlation structure, estimated ED50 and ED90 for visual and Excess Green Index symptoms at various days after treatment (DAT). For visual assessment, ED50 differed within no crop between locations for beflubutamid at 12 DAT and 26 DAT. For diflufenican, the ED50 was different within crops at the two fields at 12 DAT, but not at 26 DAT. The Excess Green Indices at ED50 were not different among herbicides, locations, and corps; ED90 differed for white mustard and canola for beflubutamid but not for diflufenican. CONCLUSION: Suitable nonlinear regression models are now available for fitting dose-response data from a logarithmic sprayer in field experiments. The derived parameters (e.g. ED50 ) can compare selectivity and efficacy at numerous cropping systems. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Extracellular biosynthesis of bactericidal Ag/AgCl nanoparticles for crop protection using the fungus Macrophomina phaseolina.

Synthesis of noble metal nanoparticles using natural products and living organisms has drawn a lot of interest owing to economic prospects and potential applicability in different fields. For this work we used the exudate of the soil fungus Macrophomina phaseolina for a low-cost method of green synthesis to obtain stable silver-silver chloride nanoparticles (Ag/AgCl-NPs). Reaction parameters including media and AgNO3 concentration were further optimized for NPs production. Spectral analysis revealed a peak at 420 nm that corresponds to the surface plasmon resonance of silver NPs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis unveiled NPs spherical morphology with a size range of 5-30 nm. The crystalline nature of the synthesized NPs was examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The green synthesized NPs showed activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. No effect in fungi or yeast cells was detected, though a high inhibitory effect was observed on bacteria growth kinetics. Interaction of bacteria with Ag/AgCl-NPs led to cell membrane damage as observed by SEM, followed by an increase in oxidative stress, being this the possible mechanism behind the strong bactericidal activity depicted. In order to test its possible applicability as a seed protection agent the effect of Ag/AgCl-NPs dosage on soybean (Glycine max L.) seed's germination was also examined. Interestingly, not only the germination process was not affected by the NPs dosage or time of seeds incubation, but also no oxidative damage was detected in seeds after exposure to the biogenic nanoparticles.

Space-time variability of citrus leprosis as strategic planning for crop management.

BACKGROUND: Citrus leprosis is the most important viral disease of citrus. Knowledge of its spatiotemporal structure is fundamental to a representative sampling plan focused on the disease control approach. Such a well-crafted sampling design helps to reduce pesticide use in agriculture to control pests and diseases. RESULTS: Despite the use of acaricides to control citrus leprosis vector (Brevipalpus spp.) populations, the disease has spread rapidly through experimental areas. Citrus leprosis has an aggregate spatial distribution, with high dependence among symptomatic plants. Temporal variation in disease incidence increased among symptomatic plants by 4% per month. CONCLUSIONS: Use of acaricides alone to control the vector of leprosis is insufficient to avoid its incidence in healthy plants. Preliminary investigation into the time and space variation in the incidence of the disease is fundamental to select a sampling plan and determine effective strategies for disease management. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

RNA interference technology in crop protection against arthropod pests, pathogens and nematodes.

Scientists have made significant progress in understanding and unraveling several aspects of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-mediated gene silencing during the last two decades. Now that the RNA interference (RNAi) mechanism is well understood, it is time to consider how to apply the acquired knowledge to agriculture and crop protection. Some RNAi-based products are already available for farmers and more are expected to reach the market soon. Tailor-made dsRNA as an active ingredient for biopesticide formulations is considered a raw material that can be used for diverse purposes, from pest control and bee protection against viruses to pesticide resistance management. The RNAi mechanism works at the messenger RNA (mRNA) level, exploiting a sequence-dependent mode of action, which makes it unique in potency and selectivity compared with conventional agrochemicals. Furthermore, the use of RNAi in crop protection can be achieved by employing plant-incorporated protectants through plant transformation, but also by non-transformative strategies such as the use of formulations of sprayable RNAs as direct control agents, resistance factor repressors or developmental disruptors. In this review, RNAi is presented in an agricultural context (discussing products that have been launched on the market or will soon be available), and we go beyond the classical presentation of successful examples of RNAi in pest-insect control and comprehensively explore its potential for the control of plant pathogens, nematodes and mites, and to fight against diseases and parasites in beneficial insects. Moreover, we also discuss its use as a repressor for the management of pesticide-resistant weeds and insects. Finally, this review reports on the advances in non-transformative dsRNA delivery and the production costs of dsRNA, and discusses environmental considerations. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Brachiaria physiological parameters in agroforestry systems / Parâmetros fisiológicos da braquiária em diferentes arranjos do sistema agrossilvipastoril

This study aimed to assess the effects of Eucalyptus and maize shading on characteristics related to water use by Brachiaria in agroforestry systems. Treatments were arranged in a split-split-plot design, with plots consisting of different spacing between Eucalyptus plants (12.0×2.0m and 12.0×4.0m), split-plots of different distances between Brachiaria and Eucalyptus (6.0, 4.0, and 2.0m), and split-split-plots of Brachiaria sowing sites (maize row and inter-row). One treatment with Brachiaria under full sunlight was included. Bread grass intercropping in maize inter-rows associated with the densest Eucalyptus spacing and bread grass proximity to Eucalyptus tree crowns adversely affected the stomatal conductance, internal carbon, and transpiration rate of bread grass. Water use efficiency of bread grass intercropped in maize rows decreased, regardless of the Eucalyptus plot design and distance between forages and trees.

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar os efeitos do sombreamento ocasionado por plantas de eucalipto e milho nas características relacionadas ao uso da água da braquiária em sistema agrossilvipastoril. O experimento foi realizado no delineamento em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram arranjados em esquema de parcelas subsubdivididas, comas parcelas representadas constituídas pelos espaçamentos de plantio do eucalipto (12x2 e 12x4m), as sub-parcelas da distância da braquiaria e o eucalipto (6; 4 e 2m) e a subparcela do local de cultivo da braquiária (linha e entrelinha do milho). Além disso, foi adicionado um tratamento composto pela braquiária cultivada a pleno sol. O cultivo do capim-maradu na entrelinha do milho associado ao sombreamento intenso proporcionado pelo espaçamento mais adensado de eucalipto (12x2m) e a proximidade das plantas de capim-marandu às copas das árvores de eucalipto altera negativamente a condutância estomática, o carbo interno e a taxa transpiratória das plantas de capim-marandu. A eficiência no uso da água das plantas de capim - maradu é reduzida independente do arranjo espacial do eucalipto e da distância entre aforrageira e as árvores quando a forrageira é cultivada na linha do milho.

Brachiaria physiological parameters in agroforestry systems / Parâmetros fisiológicos da braquiária em diferentes arranjos do sistema agrossilvipastoril

This study aimed to assess the effects of Eucalyptus and maize shading on characteristics related to water use by Brachiaria in agroforestry systems. Treatments were arranged in a split-split-plot design, with plots consisting of different spacing between Eucalyptus plants (12.0×2.0m and 12.0×4.0m), split-plots of different distances between Brachiaria and Eucalyptus (6.0, 4.0, and 2.0m), and split-split-plots of Brachiaria sowing sites (maize row and inter-row). One treatment with Brachiaria under full sunlight was included. Bread grass intercropping in maize inter-rows associated with the densest Eucalyptus spacing and bread grass proximity to Eucalyptus tree crowns adversely affected the stomatal conductance, internal carbon, and transpiration rate of bread grass. Water use efficiency of bread grass intercropped in maize rows decreased, regardless of the Eucalyptus plot design and distance between forages and trees.(AU)

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar os efeitos do sombreamento ocasionado por plantas de eucalipto e milho nas características relacionadas ao uso da água da braquiária em sistema agrossilvipastoril. O experimento foi realizado no delineamento em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram arranjados em esquema de parcelas subsubdivididas, comas parcelas representadas constituídas pelos espaçamentos de plantio do eucalipto (12x2 e 12x4m), as sub-parcelas da distância da braquiaria e o eucalipto (6; 4 e 2m) e a subparcela do local de cultivo da braquiária (linha e entrelinha do milho). Além disso, foi adicionado um tratamento composto pela braquiária cultivada a pleno sol. O cultivo do capim-maradu na entrelinha do milho associado ao sombreamento intenso proporcionado pelo espaçamento mais adensado de eucalipto (12x2m) e a proximidade das plantas de capim-marandu às copas das árvores de eucalipto altera negativamente a condutância estomática, o carbo interno e a taxa transpiratória das plantas de capim-marandu. A eficiência no uso da água das plantas de capim - maradu é reduzida independente do arranjo espacial do eucalipto e da distância entre aforrageira e as árvores quando a forrageira é cultivada na linha do milho.(AU)

Interception of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma solani' in Brazil in apple tree propagative material imported from France / Interceptação de 'Candidatus Phytoplasma solani' no Brasil em material propagativo de macieira importado da França

Apple plants from France introduced in Brazil for research purposes were subjected to a phytosanitary analysis at the Plant Quarantine Laboratory of Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (Cenargen). After grafting onto healthy apple rootstock, some plants showed phytoplasma-infection symptoms. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests yielded DNA fragments of the expected size for phytoplasmas. DNA sequencing revealed an identity of the 16S rDNA nucleotide sequence of 98-99% with 'Candidatus Phytoplasma solani'. This phytoplasma species is responsible for losses in European apple orchards and has not been reported in Brazil. According to the Federal Legislation on Plant Protection, the plants were incinerated to avoid the introduction of this exotic pest in Brazil.(AU)

Plantas de macieira originárias da França introduzidas no Brasil para fins de pesquisa foram submetidas à análise no Laboratório de Quarentena Vegetal da Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia (Cenargen). Após realizar a enxertia em porta-enxertos sadios, algumas plantas apresentaram sintomas típicos de infecção por fitoplasmas. Os testes por meio da técnica de reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) obtiveram fragmentos de DNA do tamanho esperado para fitoplasmas. O sequenciamento de DNA revelou uma identidade de 98-99% da região 16 rDNA dos fitoplasmas encontrados com o fitoplasma 'Candidatus Phytoplasma solani'. Essa espécie de fitoplasma é responsável por perdas em pomares de maçã europeus e não foi relatada no Brasil. De acordo com a Legislação Federal de Proteção de Plantas, as plantas de macieira foram incineradas para evitar a entrada dessa praga exótica no Brasil.(AU)

Interception of Candidatus Phytoplasma solani in Brazil in apple tree propagative material imported from France / Interceptação de ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ no Brasil em material propagativo de macieira importado da França

Apple plants from France introduced in Brazil for research purposes were subjected to a phytosanitary analysis at the Plant Quarantine Laboratory of Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (Cenargen). After grafting onto healthy apple rootstock, some plants showed phytoplasma-infection symptoms. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests yielded DNA fragments of the expected size for phytoplasmas. DNA sequencing revealed an identity of the 16S rDNA nucleotide sequence of 98-99% with Candidatus Phytoplasma solani. This phytoplasma species is responsible for losses in European apple orchards and has not been reported in Brazil. According to the Federal Legislation on Plant Protection, the plants were incinerated to avoid the introduction of this exotic pest in Brazil.

Plantas de macieira originárias da França introduzidas no Brasil para fins de pesquisa foram submetidas à análise no Laboratório de Quarentena Vegetal da Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia (Cenargen). Após realizar a enxertia em porta-enxertos sadios, algumas plantas apresentaram sintomas típicos de infecção por fitoplasmas. Os testes por meio da técnica de reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) obtiveram fragmentos de DNA do tamanho esperado para fitoplasmas. O sequenciamento de DNA revelou uma identidade de 98-99% da região 16 rDNA dos fitoplasmas encontrados com o fitoplasma Candidatus Phytoplasma solani. Essa espécie de fitoplasma é responsável por perdas em pomares de maçã europeus e não foi relatada no Brasil. De acordo com a Legislação Federal de Proteção de Plantas, as plantas de macieira foram incineradas para evitar a entrada dessa praga exótica no Brasil.

Interception of Candidatus Phytoplasma solani in Brazil in apple tree propagative material imported from France / Interceptação de ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani no Brasil em material propagativo de macieira importado da França

Apple plants from France introduced in Brazil for research purposes were subjected to a phytosanitary analysis at the Plant Quarantine Laboratory of Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (Cenargen). After grafting onto healthy apple rootstock, some plants showed phytoplasma-infection symptoms. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests yielded DNA fragments of the expected size for phytoplasmas. DNA sequencing revealed an identity of the 16S rDNA nucleotide sequence of 98-99% with Candidatus Phytoplasma solani. This phytoplasma species is responsible for losses in European apple orchards and has not been reported in Brazil. According to the Federal Legislation on Plant Protection, the plants were incinerated to avoid the introduction of this exotic pest in Brazil.(AU)

Plantas de macieira originárias da França introduzidas no Brasil para fins de pesquisa foram submetidas à análise no Laboratório de Quarentena Vegetal da Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia (Cenargen). Após realizar a enxertia em porta-enxertos sadios, algumas plantas apresentaram sintomas típicos de infecção por fitoplasmas. Os testes por meio da técnica de reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) obtiveram fragmentos de DNA do tamanho esperado para fitoplasmas. O sequenciamento de DNA revelou uma identidade de 98-99% da região 16 rDNA dos fitoplasmas encontrados com o fitoplasma Candidatus Phytoplasma solani. Essa espécie de fitoplasma é responsável por perdas em pomares de maçã europeus e não foi relatada no Brasil. De acordo com a Legislação Federal de Proteção de Plantas, as plantas de macieira foram incineradas para evitar a entrada dessa praga exótica no Brasil.(AU)