Aims: To investigate the effects of the endophyte Bacillus subtilis ALB629 on the growth of cacao seedlings at early developmental stage and to evaluate its antimicrobial properties. Methods and Results: Germinating cacao seeds were inoculated with ALB629, and seedlings growth was evaluated 30 days later. Significant increase (P < 0Á05) was observed in the root system (up to 30%), leaf area (14%) and stem height (7Á6%). ALB629 colonized the entire plant, prevailing over indigenous micro-organisms. In addition, it was tested in vitro, by pairing assays, and showed antagonistic effect against the phytopathogenic fungi Moniliophthora perniciosa, Colletotrichum sp. and C. gossypii. When tested in cacao-grafting procedure in the field, ALB629 increased the grafting success rate (24%), indicating its protective effect. In addition, this Bacillus secretes an antagonist compound, as shown by the antifungal activity of the cell-free culture. Conclusions: Bacillus subtilis ALB629 promotes cacao root growth, besides promoting growth of the aerial part of cacao seedlings. It has antimicrobial properties and produces an antifungal compound. Significance and Impact of the Study: ALB629 presented beneficial characteristics for cacao cultivation, being a good biological control agent candidate. Furthermore, it is a potential source of antifungal compound with potential for commercial exploitation.
Brazil nut 2S albumins lack the essential amino acid tryptophan. In order to improve the protein's nutritional value and create a basis for structural investigations, three separate modified Brazil nut 2S albumin genes were constructed. The first mutant contains five consecutive tryptophan codons, while the other two modified genes encode proteins carrying single tryptophan residues at sites that will allow confirmation of the predicted protein structure through fluorescence quenching techniques. The modified genes, under the regulation of the CaMV 35S promoter, were introduced into Nicotiana tabacum. All three modified genes were correctly transcribed and the 2S albumin accumulated in the seeds of transgenic plants.
The cupuassu tree (Theobroma grandiflorum) (Willd. ex Spreng.) Schum. is a fruitful species from the Amazon with great economical potential, due to the multiple uses of its fruit´s pulp and seeds in the food and cosmetic industries, including the production of cupulate, an alternative to chocolate. In order to support the cupuassu breeding program and to select plants presenting both pulp/seed quality and fungal disease resistance, SSRs from Next Generation Sequencing ESTs were obtained and used in diversity analysis. From 8,330 ESTs, 1,517 contained one or more SSRs (1,899 SSRs identified). The most abundant motifs identified in the EST-SSRs were hepta- and trinucleotides, and they were found with a minimum and maximum of 2 and 19 repeats, respectively. From the 1,517 ESTs containing SSRs, 70 ESTs were selected based on their functional annotation, focusing on pulp and seed quality, as well as resistance to pathogens. The 70 ESTs selected contained 77 SSRs, and among which, 11 were polymorphic in cupuassu genotypes. These EST-SSRs were able to discriminate the cupuassu genotype in relation to resistance/susceptibility to witches’ broom disease, as well as to pulp quality (SST/ATT values). Finally, we showed that these markers were transferable to cacao genotypes, and that genome availability might be used as a predictive tool for polymorphism detection and primer design useful for both Theobroma species. To our knowledge, this is the first report involving EST-SSRs from cupuassu and is also a pioneer in the analysis of marker transferability from cupuassu to cacao. Moreover, these markers might contribute to develop or saturate the cupuassu and cacao genetic maps, respectively.
-The boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis Boheman) causes high levels of bud abscission in cotton plants due to feeding or oviposition punctures. It has been reported that abscission is mainly due to enzymes present in the insect's saliva, but mechanical damage could also contribute to square abscission. The objective of this paper was to undertake an analysis of the morphological damages caused by the insect in cotton squares using microscopy. Anthers and ovules are the main target of boll weevil feeding. The process initiates by perforation of young sepal and petal tissues and proceeds with subsequent alimentation on stamen and ovary leading to abscission of floral structures.Index terms: Gossypium hirsutum, Anthonomus grandis, abscission, animal feeding. Danos mecânicos em botões florais de algodão causados pelo bicudo-do-algodoeiroResumo -O bicudo (Anthonomus grandis Boheman) provoca alto porcentual de abscisão de botões florais no algodoeiro causada pelos orifícios de alimentação e oviposição. Embora a abscisão ocorra em virtude principalmente da ação de enzimas presentes na saliva do inseto, o dano mecânico também poderia contribuir para a queda dos frutos. O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar danos morfológicos causados pelo inseto nos botões florais com auxílio da microscopia. O principal alvo de alimentação do bicudo são as anteras e os óvulos. Esse processo, preferencialmente iniciado nas sépalas e pétalas mais novas, inclui a perfuração dos tecidos e posterior mastigação dos estames e ovário levando a abscisão da estrutura floral.Termos para indexação: Gossypium hirsutum, Anthonomus grandis, abscisão, alimentação animal.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.