Roseane Cavalcanti dos Santos

Allelopathy, an alternative tool to improve cropping systems. A review

Known since ancient times, the phenomenon of allelopathy has recently received greater attention from researchers and farmers worldwide. Crop failures and low yields caused by the reseeding, overseeding, crop rotation and replanting of fruit trees in orchards are believed to be caused by allelopathic activity. Moreover, the expensive and environmentally impacting herbicides for weed control have motivated studies directed at developing cheaper, environmentally-friendly alternatives. Despite the difficulties in separating chemical interference from other mechanisms, more modern approaches have produced consistent and conclusive data on this topic. The release and dynamics of allelochemicals in the soil are discussed herein. Examples of allelopathic crops, the allelochemicals produced and their uses in cropping systems are also presented along with current research trends regarding allelopathy.

Effects of black-eyed pea trypsin/chymotrypsin inhibitor on proteolytic activity and on development of Anthonomus grandis

The cotton boll weevil Anthonomus grandis (Boheman) is one of the major pests of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) in tropical and sub-tropical areas of the New World. This feeds on cotton floral fruits and buds causing severe crop losses. Digestion in the boll weevil is facilitated by high levels of serine proteinases, which are responsible for the almost all proteolytic activity. Aiming to reduce the proteolytic activity, the inhibitory effects of black-eyed pea trypsin/chymotrypsin inhibitor (BTCI), towards trypsin and chymotrypsin from bovine pancreas and from midguts of A. grandis larvae and adult insects were analyzed. BTCI, purified from Vigna unguiculata (L.) seeds, was highly active against different trypsin-like proteinases studied and moderately active against the digestive chymotrypsin of adult insects. Nevertheless, no inhibitory activity was observed against chymotrypsin from A. grandis larval guts. To test the BTCI efficiency in vivo, neonate larvae were reared on artificial diet containing BTCI at 10, 50 and 100 microM. A reduction of larval weight of up to approximately 54% at the highest BTCI concentration was observed. At this concentration, the insect mortality was 65%. This work constitutes the first observation of a Bowman-Birk type inhibitor active in vitro and in vivo toward the cotton boll weevil A. grandis. The results of bioassays strongly suggest that BTCI may have potential as a transgene protein for use in engineered crop plants modified for heightened resistance to the cotton boll weevil.

Molecular cloning of α-amylases from cotton boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis and structural relations to plant inhibitors: An approach to insect resistance

Anthonomus grandis, the cotton boll weevil, causes severe cotton crop losses in North and South America. Here we demonstrate the presence of starch in the cotton pollen grains and young ovules that are the main A. grandis food source. We further demonstrate the presence of α-amylase activity, an essential enzyme of carbohydrate metabolism for many crop pests, in A. grandis midgut. Two α-amylase cDNAs from A. grandis larvae were isolated using RT-PCR followed by 5′ and 3′ RACE techniques. These encode proteins with predicted molecular masses of 50.8 and 52.7 kDa, respectively, which share 58% amino acid identity. Expression of both genes is induced upon feeding and concentrated in the midgut of adult insects. Several α-amylase inhibitors from plants were assayed against A. grandis α-amylases but, unexpectedly, only the BIII inhibitor from rye kernels proved highly effective, with inhibitors generally active against other insect amylases lacking effect. Structural modeling of Amylag1 and Amylag2 showed that different factors seem to be responsible for the lack of effect of 0.19 and α-AI1 inhibitors on A. grandis α-amylase activity. This work suggests that genetic engineering of cotton to express α-amylase inhibitors may offer a novel route to A. grandis resistance.

2DPHOT: A Multi-Purpose Environment for the Two-Dimensional Analysis of Wide-Field Images

We describe 2DPHOT, a general-purpose analysis environment for source detection and analysis in deep wide-field images. 2DPHOT is an automated tool to obtain both integrated and surface photometry of galaxies in an image, to perform reliable star-galaxy separation with accurate estimates of contamination at faint flux levels, and to estimate completeness of the image catalog. We describe the analysis strategy on which 2DPHOT is based, and provide a detailed description of the different algorithms implemented in the package. This new environment is intended as a dedicated tool to process the wealth of data from wide-field imaging surveys. To this end, the package is complemented by 2DGUI, an environment that allows multiple processing of data using a range of computing architectures.

Plant Promoters: An Approach of Structure and Function

With current advances in genomics, several technological processes have been generated, resulting in improvement in different segments of molecular research involving prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems. A widely used contribution is the identification of new genes and their functions, which has led to the elucidation of several issues concerning cell regulation and interactions. For this, increase in the knowledge generated from the identification of promoters becomes considerably relevant, especially considering that to generate new technological processes, such as genetically modified organisms, the availability of promoters that regulate the expression of new genes is still limited. Considering that this issue is essential for biotechnologists, this paper presents an updated review of promoters, from their structure to expression, and focuses on the knowledge already available in eukaryotic systems. Information on current promoters and methodologies available for studying their expression are also reported.

Physiological and biochemical responses of peanut genotypes to water deficit

Abstract The effects of drought on water relations, gas exchanges, solutes accumulation, and catalase (CAT), ascorbato peroxidase (APX), and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) activities were studied in five Arachis genotypes, grown under control or withholding water conditions. Drought stress reduced plant growth of all genotypes; the genotypes A. duranensis 7988 and A. stenosperma SV2411 being characterized as the most drought-sensitive and A. ipaensis as the most drought-tolerant. Data of transpiration and stomatal conductance confirmed the findings that A. ipaensis was more tolerant to drought conditions. Water deficit increased organic solutes content and reduced leaf water potential in all genotypes. The data suggest that solutes accumulation in roots may, at least in part, explain the greater tolerance of A. ipaensis to drought stress. CAT activity showed a significant increase in stressed leaves of sensitive genotypes. APX and GPX activities either increased or were not affected by drought in leaves of all genotypes.

Crescimento e capacidade fotossintética da cultivar de amendoim BR 1 sob condições de salinidade

The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth and photosynthetic capacity of BR 1 peanut cultivar submitted to salinity. The experiment was conducted in greenhouse, using a randomized design, with four levels of salinity, expressed in electrical conductivity of solution (1.0, 3.5, 6.0 and 8.5 dS m-1), with six replications. BR 1 showed physiological mechanisms capable of ensuring their growth in environments prone to salinity. The growth of root system and stability of photosynthetic pigments were the variables related to tolerance to salinity. However, the cultivar is sensitive to salinity when the electrical conductivity is 8.5 dS m-1, affecting the stomatal conductance and photosynthetic assimilation of CO2. BR1 showed resistance to saline environments.

Yield of advanced lines of peanut under rainfed conditions in northeast Brazil

Eleven upright and runner peanut advanced lines were conducted conditions in four states located in the northeast region aiming to evaluate their pod and seed yield. Assays were carried out in the agricultural year 2005/2007 in the states of Pernambuco (Araripina and Parnamirim), Sergipe (Lagarto), Bahia (Cruz das Almas and Caetite) and Paraiba (Campina Grande and Itabaiana). A completely randomized block experimental design with five replications was used with 13 treatments (8 upright and 5 runner genotypes). The analyzed variables were pod and seed yields. Individual and joint variance analysis were carried out and Tukey (p < 0.05) test was used to compare treatments. The BR 1 cultivar was adopted as a control. The highest pod and seed yields were obtained by LN-1B, with 2,450 and 1,665 kg ha-1, respectively, overcoming the mean of upright lines in 22 and 21%, and of the BR 1 cv. in 11 and 10%. As to runner lines, the pod and seed yields were not satisfactory under the conditions, however, LI-3, LI-5 and LI-1 overcame the group, with 1,722 and 1,154 kg ha-1, corresponding to 9.8 and 10% over general mean, respectively.

Mudanças bioquímicas em genótipos de amendoim submetidos a déficit hídrico moderado

Five peanut genotypes, with different growth habits were submitted to moderate water stress in a greenhouse for seven days. Seeds were planted in 15-litre pots containing soil and a substrate (Plantmax®), both optimized for the crop. The adopted experimental design was completely randomized, using a 5 x 2 bi-factorial scheme(5 genotypes × 2 water treatments) with five replications. The enzymatic activities of SOD, CAT, APX and GPX were analyzed, as well as the carbohydrate, starch and proline. An increased activity was shown in SOD and CAT enzymes for all genotypes submitted to water stress, in both leaf and root, especially in the 55 437 and BR1 cultivars and also in LBM Branco line. Proline accumulation and reduced starch were verified in all stressed genotypes, but carbohydrate content was increased just in tolerant materials. Based on results, 55 437 and BR1 were more tolerant to water stress, followed by LBM Branco. The LBR Branco shows intermediate behavior and LViPE- 06 was more sensitive.

Alterações fisiológicas no amendoim submetido ao estresse hídrico

Four peanut cultivars (BR 1, BRS 151 L 7, Senegal and CNPA Havana) were evaluated for water stress effects upon transpiration, diffusive resistance and leaf water potential under greenhouse conditions. The plants were cultivated normally for 15 days after sowing. Following this, one group was watered while the other one was submitted to 45 days watering suppression, after this interval, plants were irrigated again. The evaluations were made every 15 days and after 48 h of irrigation utilizing adult leaflets, on the top of the canopy. The parameters studied were: diffusive resistance (Rs), transpiration (E) and leaf water potential (ψw). The cultivars showed differences in tolerance characteristics to water stress. The BR 1 cultivar showed low stomatic resistance and more negative values of leaf water potential. Thus it was found to be the most tolerant to water stress.