Maíra Ignácio

Driving factors of the communities of phytophagous and predatory mites in a physic nut plantation and spontaneous plants associated

Seasonal changes in climate and plant diversity are known to affect the population dynamics of both pests and natural enemies within agroecosystems. In Brazil, spontaneous plants are usually tolerated in small-scale physic nut plantations over the year, which in turn may mediate interactions between pests and natural enemies within this agroecosystem. Here, we aimed to access the influence of seasonal variation of abiotic (temperature, relative humidity and rainfall) and biotic (diversity of spontaneous plants, overall richness and density of mites) factors on the communities of phytophagous and predatory mites found in a physic nut plantation and its associated spontaneous plants. Mite sampling was monthly conducted in dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous leaves of spontaneous plants as well as in physic nut shrubs over an entire year. In the dry season there was a higher abundance of phytophagous mites (Tenuipalpidae, Tarsonemidae and Tetranychidae) on spontaneous plants than on physic nut shrubs, while predatory mites (Phytoseiidae) showed the opposite pattern. The overall density of mites on spontaneous plants increased with relative humidity and diversity of spontaneous plants. Rainfall was the variable that most influenced the density of mites inhabiting physic nut shrubs. Agroecosystems comprising spontaneous plants associated with crops harbour a rich mite community including species of different trophic levels which potentially benefit natural pest control due to increased diversity and abundance of natural enemies.

Reaction of melon genotypes to the gummy stem blight and the downy mildew

The gummy stem blight (Didymella bryoniae) and the downy mildew (Pseudoperonospora cubensis) are two foremost melon (Cucumis melo) diseases, considering their effects on yield and fruit quality. Despite the importance of such diseases, relatively few studies have been done so far on the identification of resistance sources to D. bryoniae and P. cubensis in Brazil. This work aimed at evaluating the resistance of commercial melon genotypes to the gummy stem blight and the downy mildew. Firstly, the most aggressive and representative D. bryoniae isolate was selected. Subsequently, the resistance of 86 melon genotypes to stem infection was studied upon greenhouse conditions by inoculating with the previously selected isolate. Afterwards, the resistance to mildew and leaf infection by D. bryoniae of 28 melon genotypes was evaluated in the field, under natural infection. In the greenhouse, all 86 melon genotypes were infected and showed stem infection symptoms caused by D. bryoniae four days after inoculation. Nevertheless, a significant variation on the resistance levels of the melon genotypes was found. Under field conditions and natural inoculation, genotypes Taslaki and Sary Juliabi were the most susceptible to leaf infection by D. bryoniae, significantly differing from the other genotypes. The lowest levels of susceptibility were identified in genotypes Perlita Busle S1, Valenciano Eliptico, Glaver, MR1, and 2526. All genotypes were susceptible to the downy mildew, albeit differing in susceptibility levels.

Diversidade de Magnaporthe grisea em arroz de terras altas no sul do Estado do Tocantins, na safra 2008/09

The rice blast, caused by the fungus Magnaporthe grisea, is one of the most important rice diseases in Brazil and in the world, mainly in upland conditions. This work aimed to identify the physiological races of M. grisea in commercial fields of rice cultivated in the upland system in Southern Tocantins State. Samples of rice plants containing blast symptoms were collected in the experimental field of the Federal University of Tocantins, Campus of Gurupi and commercial fields in the following municipalities: Alianca, Duere, Figueiropolis and Peixe. For the identification of M. grisea races, monosporic isolates were prepared in the laboratory and differential lineages were planted in a greenhouse. A total of 21 physiological races of M. grisea distributed in six groups of races from the International Standard Differential (ISD), where the most prevalent groups were IA and ID, comprising 52.38% and 14.28% of all isolates, respectively. The four most prevalent races were IA-1, IA-33, IC-1 and ID-9, of which IA-1 is considered the most aggressive. The highest number of races was found in the cultivar Primavera.