We report here the complete genome sequences of two Ralstonia pseu-dosolanacearum strains, isolated from the warm northeast region of Brazil. They display divergent (compatible versus incompatible) interactions with the resistant tomato line Hawaii 7996. Polymorphisms were detected in a subset of effector genes that might be associated with these contrasting phenotypes. R alstonia pseudosolanacearum is a soilborne pathogen and one of the main causal agents of the bacterial wilt (BW) disease of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and other crops (1). R. pseudosolanacearum is currently classified as a distinct species within the R. solanacearum complex, which comprises strains of phylotypes I and III (2-5). Although they are of putative exotic origin, R. pseudosolanacearum phylotype I isolates are currently disseminated in Brazil (north, northeast, and central regions) and infect mainly Solanaceae crops (tomato, peppers, eggplant, and scarlet eggplant) (6, 7). In this study, two tomato-infecting R. pseudosolanacearum strains from the warm Brazilian northeast region were sequenced in order to analyze candidate genes associated with their divergent (compatible versus incompatible) interactions with the tomato line Hawaii 7996, which is the main breeding source of BW resistance in this vegetable crop (8, 9). Strain RS 476 (sequevar I-18 from Maranhão state) is characterized by its ability to induce severe BW symptoms on Hawaii 7996 (60% incidence), whereas strain CRMRs218 (also sequevar I-18 from Pernambuco state) is able to induce severe BW symptoms in a wide range of tomato cultivars, but it is avirulent to Hawaii 7996.

Bemisia tabaci is one of the most threatening pests in agriculture, particularly in Solanaceous crops such as tomato and pepper that are cultivated in the open field. Pesticide application is often not effective and hazardous to humans and environment. The exploitation of plant natural defenses that are present in wild relatives of tomato, may offer a solution. To evaluate resistance parameters and to identify plant material with high levels of resistance, we screened a number of accessions of tomato wild relatives using three methods; a free-choice test in a screenhouse in Indonesia, a no-choice test with clip-on cages in a greenhouse and a leaf disc test in a climate-room in the Netherlands. Antibiosis resulting in low adult survival was the major component for resistance in tomato. However, other resistance component(s) may play a role as well. In some accessions there was a change in the resistance level over time. Several resistance parameters used in the different tests were well correlated. The best resistance source was an accession of Solanum galapagense, which had not been identified as being resistant in the past. This is of particular interest as this species is closely related to the cultivated tomato, which may facilitate introgression of the resistance component(s). Whitefly non-preference and resistance were associated with the presence of type IV trichomes. Other mechanisms might be involved since some accessions without type IV trichomes showed low nymphal density. The leaf disc test is a good in vitro alternative for the clip-on cage whitefly resistance screening, as shown by the high correlation between the results obtained with this test and the clip-on cage test. This offers breeders the possibility to carry out tests more efficiently.

Solanum galapagense is closely related to the cultivated tomato and can show a very good resistance towards whitefly. A segregating population resulting from a cross between the cultivated tomato and a whitefly resistant S. galapagense was created and used for mapping whitefly resistance and related traits, which made it possible to study the genetic basis of the resistance. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) for adult survival co-localized with type IV trichome characteristics (presence, density, gland longevity and gland size). A major QTL (Wf-1) was found for adult survival and trichome characters on Chromosome 2. This QTL explained 54.1 % of the variation in adult survival and 81.5 % of the occurrence of type IV trichomes. A minor QTL (Wf-2) for adult survival and trichome characters was identified on Chromosome 9. The major QTL was confirmed in F3 populations. Comprehensive metabolomics, based on GCMS profiling, revealed that 16 metabolites segregating in the F2 mapping population were associated with Wf-1 and/or Wf-2. Analysis of the 10 most resistant and susceptible F2 genotypes by LCMS showed that several acyl sugars were present in significantly higher concentration in the whitefly resistant genotypes, suggesting a role for these components in the resistance as well. Our results show that whitefly resistance in S. galapagense seems to inherit relatively simple compared to whitefly resistance from other sources and this offers great prospects for resistance breeding as well as elucidating the underlying molecular mechanism(s) of the resistance.

Bemisia tabaci is one of the most threatening pests in many crops. We sequenced part of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene from fifty whitefly populations collected in Indonesia, Thailand, India and China. Nineteen unique sequences (haplotypes) of the cytochrome oxidase I were identified in these populations. They were combined with sequences available in databases, resulting in a total of 407 haplotypes and analyzed together with nine outgroup accessions. A phylogenetic tree was calculated using the maximum likelihood method. The tree showed that all groups that were found in previous studies were also present in our study. Additionally, seven new groups were identified based on the new haplotypes. Most B. tabaci haplotypes grouped based on their geographical origin. Two groups were found to have a worldwide distribution. Our results indicate that our knowledge on the species complex around B. tabaci is still far from complete.

No abstract

High incidences of yellow mosaic symptoms were observed in soybean and yard-long bean crops in Indonesia in 2009 and in mungbean crops in Vietnam in 2011. All five soybean and 20 yard-long bean samples from Java, Indonesia, and 15 mungbean samples from Vietnam with symptoms tested positive for begomovirus infection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primer pair PAL1v1978B/PAR1c715H. On the basis of collection location and the nucleotide sequence comparisons of the 1.5 kb begomoviral DNA-A components amplified, a subset of samples comprising two soybean and six yard-long bean isolates from Indonesia and five mungbean isolates from Vietnam were taken forward for more detailed examination. Sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis of the full-length sequences of all Indonesian and Vietnam isolates alongside other legume-infecting begomoviruses revealed that all the isolates from Indonesia were Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus (MYMIV) strain-A, and all from Vietnam were Mungbean yellow mosaic virus (MYMV) strain-B. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first identification of MYMIV and MYMV associated with yellow mosaic of legumes in Indonesia and Vietnam, respectively. The epidemiological implications and potential consequences of the emergence of legume-infecting begomoviruses on legume production in these areas of Southeast Asia are discussed.

This study aims to determine the effect of giving different types of nutrients on the growth of kale in hydroponic wick system. The study was a single factor experiment with two treatments using Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 7 replications. The treatment given was inorganic fertilizer AB Mix and NPK plus inorganic fertilizer. Nutritional concentration was given as much as 10 ml/liter. The results showed that the type of nutrient treatment was significantly affected the growth of plant height at age 14 days after planting (DAP) and 21 DAP. At age 28 DAP there was no real effect. The producing of leaves number was differences at all stages. Provision of nutrition AB mix produced higher plant height at 14 DAP (15.9 cm) and 21 DAP (19.3 cm). The parameter of leaf number, AB mix yield more leaves at 14 hst (8,1 strand), 21 hst (11,1 strands) and 28 DAP (13,4 strands) respectively.

A phenolic acid had been isolated from chloroform soluble fractions of a methanol extract of stem bark of Syzygium litorale, Fam. Myrtaceae. The structure of the isolated compound was elucidated and established as gallic acid through extensive spectroscopic studies (UV-Vis, FTIR, and NMR) and by comparison with literature data and authentic sample. This is the first report of the isolation of compound from this plant, although it has previously been found in Myrtaceae family such as S. aromaticum, S. cumini, S. polyanthum, S. cordatum, etc. The chloroform fraction, isolated compound, and vitamin C showed very strong antioxidant activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) with IC50 value of 23.2, 7.5, and 12.5 mg/mL, respectively.