Despite numerous studies on cadmium (Cd) uptake and accumulation in crops, relatively little is available considering the temporal dynamic of Cd uptake and responses to stress focused on the root system. Here we highlighted the responses to Cd-induced stress in roots of two tomato genotypes contrasting in Cd-tolerance: the tolerant Pusa Ruby and the sensitive Calabash Rouge. Tomato genotypes growing in the presence of 35 μM CdCl exhibited a similar trend of Cd accumulation in tissues, mainly in the root system and overall plants exhibited reduction in the dry matter weight. Both genotypes showed similar trends for malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide accumulation with increases when exposed to Cd, being this response more pronounced in the sensitive genotype. When the antioxidant machinery is concerned, in the presence of Cd the reduced glutathione content was decreased in roots while ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities were increased in the presence of Cd in the tolerant genotype. Altogether these results suggest APX, GR and GST as the main players of the antioxidant machinery against Cd-induced oxidative stress.

No abstract

Chlorotic spots have been observed in plants of Clerodendrum x speciosum growing in residential gardens and parks in Piracicaba, SP, Brazil. Thin sections of diseased tissues revealed characteristic cytopathic effects of the nuclear type of the Brevipalpus (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) mitetransmitted viruses (BTrV). Brevipalpus mites, identified as B. phoenicis, infesting symptomatic C. x speciosum plants transmitted the pathogen to healthy C. x speciosum and to C. thomsonae, Gomphrena globosa, Hibiscus cannabinus, H. coccineus, H. schizopetalus, Salvia leucantha, Spathiphyllum wallasi and Tetragonia expansa causing chlorotic spots on their leaves. Mechanical inoculation using leaf extracts from infected C. x speciosum resulted in chlorotic spots on inoculated C. x speciosum, Chenopodium quinoa, C. amaranticolor, G. globosa, H. cannabinus, H. coccineus and T. expansa leaves. C. amaranticolor and C. quinoa kept at 28 -30°C became systemically infected. The same cytopathic effects caused by the nuclear type of BTrV were seen in tissues from all infected test plants by electron microscopy. The virus was purified from systemically infected leaves of C. amaranticolor and C. quinoa. A polyclonal antiserum obtained from an immunized rabbit presented a strong reaction with the homologous antigen in ELISA tests. The results suggest that this chlorotic spot disease of C. x speciosum is caused by a new species of the nuclear type of BTrV, tentatively named Clerodendrum chlorotic spot virus (ClCSV). 2006b). The only exception is OFV which has been found worldwide in orchids (Kondo et al., 2003). This study presents a detailed description of the transmission and host range of a new species of a nuclear type of BTrV isolated from the chlorotic spots on leaves of C. x speciosum, which is tentatively named Clerodendrum chlorotic spot virus (ClCSV). Results of cytopathology, purification and serology are also reported. MATERIAL AND METHODSVirus source -Clerodendrum x speciosum plants growing in Piracicaba, State of São Paulo, Brazil (22º43'S and 47º38'W) exhibiting chlorotic spots on the leaves and heavily infested with B. phoenicis were used as source of inoculum of the virus. Infection was confirmed by the presence of the nuclear type of BTrV by electron microscopy.Mite transmission assays -adult mites, identified as B. phoenicis were collected with a fine needle from symptomatic C. x speciosum plants and transferred to 39 species of test-plants (Tables 1 and 2) grown in pots in a greenhouse. Three plants of each species were used in the transmission tests, placing ten adult mites on four leaves of each tested plant. C. x speciosum plants not infested by mites were used as control. The mites were kept on the plants for five days. After eliminating the mites with chemical sprays, they were kept for symptom development and, subsequently, analyzed by electron microscopy.

No abstract

Beach bean (Canavalia rosea) plants showing mosaic symptoms were found at Massaguaçú beach, Caraguatatuba, Brazil. A potyvirus was found to be responsible for the symptoms, based on transmission assays and electron microscopy. A positive reaction in ELISA was obtained against cowpea aphid-borne mosaic (CABMV) antisera. Viral identity was confirmed by RT-PCR using specific primers to amplify part of the NIb and the entire CP coding region of the genome and the 3'NTR. Comparison of the amplified sequences with that of CABMV showed a nucleotide sequence identity of 97% for the CP coding region. Thus, the potyvirus from beach bean should be considered a CABMV isolate, referred to as CABMV-Cr.

-Teak (Tectona grandis) is one of the main timber species in the world with high economic value, famous for its beauty, strength and durability. The objective of this work was to characterize the genetic diversity of teak genotypes used in Brazilian plantations. Nine microsatellite primers were used to assess 60 teak genotypes, including 33 genotypes from seeds of plantations and 14 clones from Cáceres municipality, Mato Grosso State, Brazil, and 13 clones from Honduras, Malaysia, India, Indonesia, Ivory Coast and Solomon Islands. Two groups of genotypes were detected using the Bayesian Structure analysis: 80% were placed in group 1, represented by genotypes from Cáceres and one from Malaysia, and 20% allocated in group 2, composed of clones from India, Solomon Islands, Malaysia and Honduras and the clones from the Ivory Coast. Most of the genetic variability (73%) was concentrated within groups according to AMOVA analysis. Genetic parameters were estimated for the two groups obtained in the analysis of Structure. Moderate genetic diversity was found, with 4.1 alleles per locus, on average, and an average heterozygosity of 0.329, which was lower than the expected heterozygosity (H e = 0.492). Group 1 showed the lowest values for these parameters. Suggestions were made concerning the identification of contrasting genotypes to be used as parents in breeding programs.Keywords: Genetic characterization; Germplasm; Molecular markers. DIVERSIDADE GENÉTICA DE TECA (Tectona grandis L.F.) DE DIFERENTES PROCEDÊNCIAS USANDO MARCADORES MICROSSATÉLITES

Over the last few decades, the concentration of cadmium (Cd) in the environment has increased considerably in many countries due to anthropogenic activities. Cd is one of the most toxic pollutants in the environment and affects many metabolic processes in plants. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the response of the production, nutritional, and enzymatic antioxidant system of two tomato genotypes (Calabash Rouge and CNPH 0082) grown in tropical soils that were treated with doses of Cd. Soil samples were collected from the layer of earth at a depth of 0-0.2 m in areas subjected to a minimum of human disturbance. The concentrations of Cd applied to the soil samples were 0, 1, 2, and 4 times (0, 3, 6, and 12 mg kg −1 of Cd) the agricultural intervention value adopted by current environmental legislation in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Analysis of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, guaiacol peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase activities, formation of stress indicator compound (malondialdehyde-MDA and hydrogen peroxide), parameters of production-dry mass of the shoot and root system (here in after "shoots" and "roots"), as well as nutrition, and both the bioavailable and total levels of this metal in the soil were performed. When the bioavailable content and total levels of Cd in the soil increased as a result of this metal doses applied, the biomass of both shoots and roots decreased in both genotypes (with the exception of the CNPH 0082 grown in clay soil) and displayed lower SPAD (relative chlorophyll index) values when exposed to contaminated environments with Cd concentrations. Cadmium treatment resulted in nutritional imbalances, mainly in terms of N, P, and Mn metabolism. Plants subjected to an elevated available content of metal in the soil exhibited increases in content of MDA and hydrogen peroxide and increased activity of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and guaiacol peroxidase in plant tissues when grown in both clay soil and sandy soil. Cadmium was phytotoxic to the plants causing a nutritional imbalance, especially on the metabolisms of N, P, and Mn. An oxidative stress condition was established in response to the Cd treatments applied, which led to changes in peroxidase activity.

ABSTRACT.The in vitro organogenesis of woody species plays an essential role in the improvement of forest products by providing saplings with high commercial value. Furthermore, mineral nutrition plays an important role in the induction of organogenic responses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of boron and calcium in the organogenesis of nodal segments from seedlings of Eucalyptus grandis growing under in vitro conditions. The concentration of boron and calcium in MS medium was modified to induce organogenic responses in 45-day-old nodal segments used as explants. After 60 days, the fresh weight, dry weight, ratio of fresh and dry weight, relative water content and relative matter content accumulated by the explants were evaluated. The concentrations of boron and calcium in the culture medium influenced the in vitro organogenic control of Eucalyptus grandis. Reduced combinations of boron and calcium induced callus formation and dry matter accumulation in the explants. A boron concentration of 100% (1.10 mg L ) of calcium allowed the induction of well-developed buds, which can be used for the regeneration of micro-plants.Keywords: bud induction, callogenesis, tissue culture, mineral nutrition. Efeitos do boro e cálcio na organogênese in vitro de Eucalyptus grandis RESUMO.A organogênese in vitro de espécies lenhosas caracteriza-se como fator fundamental para a obtenção de mudas com interesse comercial, gerando aplicações práticas na área do melhoramento florestal. Adicionalmente, a nutrição mineral desempenha papel importante nas respostas de indução organogênica. Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito do boro e cálcio na organogênese de segmentos nodais oriundos de plântulas de Eucalyptus grandis germinadas in vitro. Segmentos nodais com 45 dias após a germinação foram utilizados como explantes. Os explantes foram submetidos a combinações de boro e cálcio em meio de cultura MS, visando induzir diferentes respostas organogênicas. Ao final de 60 dias de cultivo in vitro foram avaliados a matéria fresca, a matéria seca, relação entre matéria fresca e matéria seca, conteúdo relativo de água e conteúdo relativo de matéria acumulada pelos explantes. As concentrações de boro e cálcio no meio de cultura influenciaram o controle organogênico in vitro de Eucalyptus grandis. Combinações reduzidas de boro e cálcio induziram a formação de calo e acúmulo de matéria nos explantes.