Generalized Height-Diameter Models for Pinus montezumae Lamb. and Pinus pseudostrobus Lindl. Plantations in Michoacan, Mexico

Tree height (H) in a natural stand or forest plantation is a fundamental variable in management, and the use of mathematical expressions that estimate H as a function of diameter at breast height (d) or variables at the stand level is a valuable support tool in forest inventories. The objective was to fit and propose a generalized H-d model for Pinus montezumae and Pinus pseudostrobus established in forest plantations of Nuevo San Juan Parangaricutiro, Michoacan, Mexico. Using nonlinear least squares (NLS), 10 generalized H-d models were fitted to 883 and 1226 pairs of H-d data from Pinus montezumae and Pinus pseudostrobus, respectively. The best model was refitted with the maximum likelihood mixed effects model (MEM) approach by including the site as a classification variable and a known variance structure. The Wang and Tang equation was selected as the best model with NLS;the MEM with an additive effect on two of its parameters and an exponential variance function improved the fit statistics for Pinus montezumae and Pinus pseudostrobus, respectively. The model validation showed equality of means among the estimates for both species and an independent subsample. The calibration of the MEM at the plot level was efficient and might increase the applicability of these results. The inclusion of dominant height in the MEM approach helped to reduce bias in the estimates and also to better explain the variability among plots.

Initial floristic composition of rehabilitated gullies through bioengineering in the Mixteca Region, Sierra Madre del Sur, Mexico

Re-vegetation plays a fundamental role for erosion control and plant recovery in lands affected by gully erosion. Bioengineered practices facilitate the gullies rehabilitation. Objectives of the research were: 1) Identify taxonomically the pioneer vegetation on each gully section; 2) Characterize vegetation distribution preferences and 3) Assess structural/functional traits to recognize erosion control key species. Bioengineering was applied in a watershed belonging to Sierra Madre del Sur, at Oaxaca, Mexico, on eight gullies, with local support and minimal investment. "La Mixteca" is a poor ecological and socio-economic region, comparable to other regions of the world. The Initial Floristic Composition(IFC) inventory is the baseline of the successional process. The transect method was used to determine the colonization of species. Cover abundance of registered species was estimated using the semi-quantitative scale of Braun-Blanquet. This procedure was repeated in five different positions(floor, hillslopes and tops), in the cross section of the gully. Throughcorrespondence analysis and clustering, the distribution of species was analyzed. Adequate responses were obtained in soil retention(quantity) and plant cover(existence and diversity); as measurable indicators of the bioengeneering works efficiency. Occupation of soil by native species from the Tropical Deciduous Forest was favored using live barriers. We detected species guilds with spatial distribution preferences in the gullies cross section. Plant cover characterization includes: native colonizer species, herbaceous, shrubby and trees of the forest community bordering the gully area, with cover abundance and structural/functional traits, useful to protect degraded areas. This spatial occupation process of plants responds to a secondary succession in gullies, where the proposed IFC model is correctly represented through bioengineering. Natural establishment of plants was successful by traits of species such as extensive root system and sexual/vegetative reproduction.

Influence of climatic conditions,topography and soil attributes on the spatial distribution of site productivity index of the species rich forests of Jalisco,Mexico

This paper presents an approach based on field data to model the spatial distribution of the site productivity index （SPI） of the diverse forest types in Jalisco, Mexico and the response in SPI to site and cli-matic conditions. A linear regression model was constructed to test the hypothesis that site and climate variables can be used to predict the SPI of the major forest types in Jalisco. SPI varied significantly with topog-raphy （elevation, aspect and slope）, soil attributes （pH, sand and silt）, climate （temperature and precipitation zones） and forest type. The most important variable in the model was forest type, which accounted for 35% of the variability in SPI. Temperature and precipitation accounted for 8 to 9% of the variability in SPI while the soil attributes accounted for less than 4% of the variability observed in SPI. No significant differences were detected between the observed and predicted SPI for the individual forest types. The linear regression model was used to develop maps of the spatial variability in predicted SPI for the individual forest types in the state. The spatial site productivity models developed in this study provides a basis for understanding the complex relationship that exists between forest productivity and site and climatic conditions in the state. Findings of this study will assist resource managers in making cost-effective decisions about the management of individual forest types in the state of Jalisco, Mexico.

Inhibition of the growth and development of mosquito larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus(Diptera:Culicidae) treated with extract from leaves of Pseudocalymma alliaceum(Bignonaceae)

Objective:To determine larvicidal activity of the essential oil,hydrolat and botanical extracts derived from leaves ol Pseudocalymma alliaceum an mosquito larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus.Methods:Groups of twenty lanae were used in the larvicidal assays.The mortality,relative growth rate,the larval and pupal duration and viability was estimated.The essential oil was analyzed by solid phase microextraction using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry.Results:Essential oil at 800 ppm showed larvicidal activity at 24 h with lethal values of LC_(50) and LC_(90) of 267.33 and 493.63 ppm.The hvdrolat at 20% and 10% on 2nd stage larvae showed 100%effectiveness after 24 h.The aqueous extract at 10% had a relative growth index of 0.58.while the ethanolic and methanolic extract obtained values of 0.76 and 0.70 and control reached 0.99.Larvae treated with 10% of methanol,ethanol and aqueous extract showed a reduction in larval duration of 5.00,2.20 and 4.35 days;ethanol extract at 1% provoke decrease of 2.40 days in the development and exhibited an increment of 3.30 days when treated with 0.01%.Aqueous,ethanol and methanol extracts at 10%reduced in 6.15,3.42 and 5.57 days pupal development.The main compounds were diallyl disulfide(50.05%),diallyl sulfide(11.77%) and disulfide di-2-propenyl(10.37%).Conclusions:The study demonstrated for the first time,the larvicidal activity of the essential oil and hydrolat of Pseudocalymma alliaceum:aqueous,ethanol and methanol extracts inhibited the normal growth and development of mosquito larvae,prolonging and delaying larval and pupal duration.

Determination of the Biodiesel Content in Petrodiesel/Biodiesel Blends: A Method Based on Uv-Visible Spectroscopy and Chemometrics Tools

In this work, we developed an analytical method based on UV-visible spectroscopy to determine the concentration of biodiesel from African palm in blends of petrodiesel. Seventy-five samples with biodiesel concentrations between 0-100 wt% were prepared. The spectral fingerprints that were obtained from the analysis of the samples by UV-visible spectroscopy were used to build predictive model using PLS regression. The predictive ability of the models was evaluated through statistical parameters: the standard error of calibration (SEC), the standard error of validation (SEV), the correlation coefficient of calibration (r Cal) and validation (r Val), the ratio (SEC/SEV), the coefficient of determination R2, the paired data Student’s t-test, cross-validation and external validation. The results indicate that the PLS model predicts the concentration of biodiesel from African palm with high precision in mixtures with petrodiesel. The method developed in this study can be applied to determine the concentration of biodiesel African palm in mixtures of petrodiesel in a more rapid and economical way. Moreover, this method has less analytical errors and is more environmentally friendly than the conventional methods.

Ultrastructural and Physiological Characterization of YELP, a Novel, Yellow, Chlorophyll-Deficient Cell Mutant Line That Develops Etioplast-Like Plastids in the Light

In this work, we present an ultrastructural and physiological description of a novel chlorophyll-deficient, yellow cell line of the grass Bouteloua gracilis that develops etioplast-like plastids in presence of light (YELP). These mutant cells were compared to the parental, wild-type, highly chlorophyllous cells from which they were isolated. Growth analysis, based on fresh and dry weights, indicated that YELP accumulates biomass at a slower rate than the parental, green cells. Besides, YELP developed very low levels of photosynthetic pigments, reaching only 9.3% and 38.4% of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b, respectively, developed by the wild-type cells. Likewise, the accessory pigments, carotenes and xanthophylls, were only synthesized at 8.0% and 5.4%, respectively, of the levels reached by the green cells. Electron microscopy revealed remarkable differences in plastid ultrastructure between the wild-type and mutant cells. Plastids of YELP were heterogeneous and smaller than those found in wild-type cells. YELP plastids were abnormal with poorly developed membrane systems that prevented the accumulation of chlorophyll and accessory pigments in the mutant cell line. We expect this novel, mutant cell line will provide new tools for studying plastid development and differentiation.

Multielemental Microanalysis in Root and Leaves, Growth and Biomass in Tomato Seedling in Response to Ca Levels and Induction of Stress: Non-Destructive Spectroscopy

Tomatoes are one of the main vegetables in the food industry that are consumed fresh and processed. A multi-element microanalysis was performed with the use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in conjunction with energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS), to see changes in nutrient concentration in roots and leaves, as well as fresh and dry biomass in tomato seedlings. Exposed in nutrient solution (NS) with different levels of Ca (control, 25, 50 and 100 mM). The root was put in also to H2O2 for 8 hours to observe the changes that occurred. It was observed that NS with 100 mM Ca in fresh stem biomass and fresh leaf biomass increased by 25% and 38% compared to the control. It was observed that the NS with 100 and 50 mM of Ca, the content of Ca and Cl in foliar tissue increased by 34.50% and 13.15% compared to the control. Treatment with H2O2 and with 25 and 100 mM of Ca at NS increased the height of the seedling and fresh leaf bio-mass by 19.75% and 60.80% compared to the control. The treatment with H2O2 and with the different levels of Ca in the NS increased the content of C, P, K, Ca and Cl in the leaf tissue. Only S was significant for the control. Treatment with H2O2 and 100 mM Ca in the NS increased Ca and Mg by 83.48% and 40.47% for the root compared to the control. The K and Cl in the root was higher in the control treatment by 47.61% and 55% respect to the highest level of Ca. It is concluded that multielemental microanalysis is a powerful, non-destructive, fast and accurate tool for the determination of plant nutrients. Also, it is applicable for the areas like horticulture, physiology and agronomy.

Physiological Response of Advanced Lines of Rice under Water Deficit in Campeche, Mexico

Yields of rice (Oryza sativa L.) respond to complex interactions between the genotype and the environment;rice has the particularity of being a semi-aquatic crop, and as a result of this, it presents lower adaptation to the limiting water content of soil and is extremely sensitive to stress from drought;therefore, it is the most important limiting factor in rice production. The objective of this study was to research the physiological response of rice genotypes to water stress. The grain yield and its components, leaf area and transpiration efficiency under irrigation (I) and drought (D) were evaluated in eight advanced lines from the nursery of the Latin American Fund for Irrigated Rice (Fondo Latinoamericano para Arroz de Riego, FLAR) and a control variety of rice. The experiment was established in Campeche, in the 2015 autumn-winter cycle. The grain yield and its components, as well as the leaf area were greater under irrigation conditions than under drought. The transpiration from the water stress was reduced and the plants under drought increased their transpiration efficiency. The genotypes P-V 2006 and P-V 2009 were identified, with genealogies FL05392-3P-12-2P-2P-M and FL08224-3P-2-1P-3P-M, respectively, as the most outstanding compared to the rest of the genotypes in the grain yield and its components, leaf area, total root biomass, and transpiration efficiency.

The Cytological Studies on Neglected and Underutilized Cucurbit Species with Special Reference to Chayote,an Under-Exploited Species

Cucurbitaceae family contains important economic and medical crops, they can be divided into two categories according to the worldwide consumption, use, and production. The Cucurbit Popular Crops (CuPoC) are comprised of cucumber, the Cucurbita group (pumpkin and squash), melon and watermelon. On the other hand, Neglected and Underutilized Cucurbit Species (NUCuS) group has been used as food sources, medicinal properties and elements in the elaboration of different types of items. The NUCuS is represented in this review work by bitter gourd, bottle gourd, chayote, ridge gourd, and snake gourd, which are recognized mainly in Asia. The center of origin of the majority of NUCuS was proposed to be in the Old World. In contrast, the origin of chayote or Sechiumedule (Jacq.) Sw. was suggested in the New World, precisely in Mesoamerican region based on linguistic uses and distribution of wild relatives. The environmental factors along with artificial selection, production systems and traditional knowledge have been influenced the evolutionary history of NUCuS, Infraspecific variation of chayote has been reported in Mexico over-described varietal groups. These descriptors were determined based on biochemical and morpho-structural traits;however, cytogenetic analyses are scarce. Specifically, chromosome and nuclear content analyses are important to support botanical groups, analyze artificial selection history, developing breeding and conservation programs. The present review paper discusses agronomic and evolutionary importance based on cytological evidence in NUCuS, mainly in the prominent chayote;with the perspective to prompt breeding, conservation, cytology, structural and functional genomics research for its sustainable utilization.

Role of quorum sensing in bacterial infections

Quorum sensing(QS) is cell communication that is widely used by bacterial pathogens to coordinate the expression of several collective traits, including the production of multiple virulence factors, biofilm formation, and swarming motility once a population threshold is reached. Several lines of evidence indicate that QS enhances virulence of bacterial pathogens in animal models as well as in human infections; however, its relative importance for bacterial pathogenesis is still incomplete. In this review, we discuss the present evidence from in vitro and in vivo experiments in animal models, as well as from clinical studies, that link QS systems with human infections. We focus on two major QS bacterial models, the opportunistic Gram negative bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the Gram positive Staphylococcus aureus, which are also two of the main agents responsible of nosocomial and wound infections. In addition, QS communication systems in other bacterial, eukaryotic pathogens, and even immune and cancer cells are also reviewed, and finally, the new approaches proposed to combat bacterial infections by the attenuation of their QS communication systems and virulence are also discussed.

Isolation, characterization and effect of plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria on pine seedlings(Pinus pseudostrobus Lindl.)

In this study,10 bacterial strains were isolated from the rhizosphere of coniferous trees on Mount Tla′loc in Mexico.The strains were characterized by their capacity to produce auxins,solubilize phosphates and stimulate mycelial growth of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Suillus sp.All isolates were identified at the molecular level.Moreover,an experiment was established to evaluate the response of Pinus pseudostrobus seedlings to inoculation with the rhizobacteria strains.The isolated strains belonged to the species Cupriavidus basilensis,Rhodococcus qingshengii,R.erythropolis,Pseudomonas spp.,P.gessardii,Stenotrophomonas rhizophila and Cohnella sp.All of the strains produced auxins;the best producer was R.erythropolis CPT9(76.4 lg mL^-1).P.gessardii CPT6 solubilized phosphate at a significant level(443 lg mL^-1).The strain S.rhizophila CPT8 significantly increased the radial growth of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Suillus sp.by 18.8%.Five strains increased the dry mass of the shoots;R.qingshengii CPT4 and R.erythropolis CPT9 increased growth the most,by more than 20%.Inoculation with plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria can be a very useful practice in a forest nursery to produce healthy,vigorous plants.

META-R:A software to analyze data from multi-environment plant breeding trials

META-R(multi-environment trial analysis in R)is a suite of R scripts linked by a graphical user interface(GUI)designed in Java language.The objective of META-R is to accurately analyze multi-environment plant breeding trials(METs)by fitting mixed and fixed linear models from experimental designs such as the randomized complete block design(RCBD)and the alpha-lattice/lattice designs.META-R simultaneously estimates the best linear and unbiased estimators(BLUEs)and the best linear and unbiased predictors(BLUPs).Additionally,it computes the variance-covariance parameters,as well as some statistical and genetic parameters such as the least significant difference(LSD)at 5%significance,the coefficient of variation in percentage(CV),the genetic variance,and the broad-sense heritability.These parameters are very important in the selection of top performing genotypes in plant breeding.META-R also computes the phenotypic and genetic correlations among environments and between traits,as well as their statistical significance.The genetic correlations between environments or traits can be visualized in a biplot graph or a tree diagram(dendrogram).Genetic correlations are very important for identifying environments with similar behavior or making indirect selection and identifying the most highly associated traits.META-R performs multi-environment analyses by using the residual maximum likelihood(REML)method;these analyses can be done by environment,across environments by grouping factors(stress conditions,nitrogen content,etc.)and across environments;the analyses across environments can be done with a pre-defined degree of heritability.

Genomic prediction of the performance of hybrids and the combining abilities for line by tester trials in maize

The two most important activities in maize breeding are the development of inbred lines with high values of general combining ability(GCA)and specific combining ability(SCA),and the identification of hybrids with high yield potentials.Genomic selection(GS)is a promising genomic tool to perform selection on the untested breeding material based on the genomic estimated breeding values estimated from the genomic prediction(GP).In this study,GP analyses were carried out to estimate the performance of hybrids,GCA,and SCA for grain yield(GY)in three maize line-by-tester trials,where all the material was phenotyped in 10 to 11 multiple-location trials and genotyped with a mid-density molecular marker platform.Results showed that the prediction abilities for the performance of hybrids ranged from 0.59 to0.81 across all trials in the model including the additive effect of lines and testers.In the model including both additive and non-additive effects,the prediction abilities for the performance of hybrids were improved and ranged from 0.64 to 0.86 across all trials.The prediction abilities of the GCA for GY were low,ranging between-0.14 and 0.13 across all trials in the model including only inbred lines;the prediction abilities of the GCA for GY were improved and ranged from 0.49 to 0.55 across all trials in the model including both inbred lines and testers,while the prediction abilities of the SCA for GY were negative across all trials.The prediction abilities for GY between testers varied from-0.66 to 0.82;the performance of hybrids between testers is difficult to predict.GS offers the opportunity to predict the performance of new hybrids and the GCA of new inbred lines based on the molecular marker information,the total breeding cost could be reduced dramatically by phenotyping fewer multiple-location trials.

Aroma profile of two commercial truffle species from Yunnan and Sichuan,China:inter-and intraspecific variability and shared key compounds

Aroma is central to the worldwide success of truffles as gourmet food and the high prices paid for these edible mushrooms.In this study,volatile organic compounds(VOCs)from fruiting bodies of two Chinese truffles of commercial relevance,Tuber indicum and Tuber pseudohimalayense,were analyzed using headspace solid-phase microextraction(HS-SPME)coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS).We aimed to characterize the aroma profile and determine whether it would be influenced by provenance and stage of maturation.We thus collected and analyzed young,middle mature and mature fruiting bodies of each species from different locations in Yunnan and Sichuan provinces,located in southwestern China.Overall,76 VOCs were identified,belonging to different chemical classes,i.e.alcohols and phenols,aldehydes and ketones,benzenes and methoxy compounds,hydrocarbons and amines.A large number of volatiles identified in T.indicum and T.pseudohimalayense are reported here for the first time for these truffles.While more than 50%of identified VOCs were produced by both truffle species,considerable differences were present in the aroma profiles of fruiting bodies collected at various maturation stages,revealing a dynamic pattern in the biosynthesis of VOCs.Furthermore,truffles of different provenance had distinct proportions of volatile constituents,suggesting that,besides genetic factors,edaphic and microclimatic conditions influence the synthesis of VOCs in a complex manner.

紫茎泽兰入侵前后根部蜡样芽孢杆菌含量比较及其对化感物质处理的响应

【目的】比较紫茎泽兰入侵地种群根部有益菌蜡样芽孢杆菌含量与原产地种群的差异,及其对化感物质的响应,为揭示紫茎泽兰与有益菌互作在入侵前后的变化及其机制提供参考。【方法】分别以紫茎泽兰原产地墨西哥的3个种群(M1、M2、M3)和入侵地云南的3个种群(C1、C2、C3)为材料,采用同质园试验方法和蜡样芽孢杆菌分子定量的技术,检测原产地和入侵地紫茎泽兰种群植株根部(根系、根际土壤)蜡样芽孢杆菌的含量;使用不同种群紫茎泽兰植株叶片淋溶液和根系分泌液处理入侵地土壤,检测化感物质对土壤中蜡样芽孢杆菌含量的影响。【结果】紫茎泽兰入侵地种群根系蜡样芽孢杆菌含量高于原产地种群,其中入侵地种群C2的含量比原产地种群M1高1172%;在根际土壤中,2年生紫茎泽兰入侵地3个种群的蜡样芽孢杆菌含量显著高于原产地种群M1和M3。紫茎泽兰叶片淋溶液和根系分泌液处理均促进了土壤蜡样芽孢杆菌含量增加,入侵地种群叶片淋溶液处理的土壤的蜡样芽孢杆菌增加量高于原产地种群,根系分泌液处理的后期测定中也如此。【结论】与原产地相比,紫茎泽兰入侵后,根系与根际土壤蜡样芽孢杆菌含量均有所增加,增强了有益菌对入侵地种群的正反馈效应。

Bayesian regularized quantile regression:A robust alternative for genome-based prediction of skewed data

Genomic prediction(GP)has become a valuable tool for predicting the performance of selection candidates for the next breeding cycle.A vast majority of statistical linear models on which GP is based rely on the assumption of normality of the residuals and therefore on the response variable itself.In this study,we propose to use Bayesian regularized quantile regression(BRQR)in the context of GP;the model has been successfully used in other research areas.We evaluated the prediction ability of the proposed model and compared it with the Bayesian ridge regression(BRR;equivalent to genomic best linear unbiased predictor,GBLUP).In addition,BLUP can be used with pedigree information obtained from the coefficient of coancestry(ABLUP).We have found that the prediction ability of BRQR is comparable to that of BRR and,in some cases,better;it also has the potential to efficiently deal with outliers.A program written in the R statistical package is available as Supplementary material.

Ecological distribution and population structure of Litsea glaucescens(Lauraceae)in the ravines of Sierra Fría and Sierra Laurel,Central Mexico

Litsea glaucescens Kunth(Mexican bay leaf,laurel)has a wide distribution in Mexico,growing at both riparian and rupicolous environments in the mountainous region of the Central Highlands of the country.Sierra Fría-Sierra Laurel is a protected natural area covered by a dry forest.The Mexican bay leaf is associated with the oak forest,especially on ravines.The species has been considered at risk in recent years.This research is focused on analyzing the elements of the environment of the ravines,which are influencing the distribution and establishment of laurel populations in the region.Two mountainous regions of Aguascalientes were selected,Sierra Fría and Sierra Laurel.Three ravines of the basin were selected to obtain environmental data.Variables registered were topographic,edaphic,and biotic.Principal component analysis was used to identify ecological factors associated with the presence of L.glaucescens.Mexican bay leaf populations were registered in 10 ravines.At the structural level in the community,29 woody species were registered,Mexican bay leaf had an Importance Value Index of 15.8,ranking 10th among all species.Individuals of laurel were classified by size classes(S,individuals with heights ranging from 0 to 20 cm;S,heights ranging from 0.2 to 1.0 m;S,heights between 1 and 2 m with light trace of flowering;S,heights greater than 2 m with flowering greater than 30% of the canopy;and S,individuals with heights greater than 5 m,curved trunk and basal regrowth)to obtain the population structure.The importance index value for all the species in the riparian community was calculated to the community level.Edaphic factors that characterized the presence of Mexican bay leaf were a high percentage of rock coverage(90%),less mulch depth,and sandy loam shallow soils.Sites that showed higher cation exchange capacity had a higher presence of individuals of the S,S,and Ssize classes.Class Sindividuals were found in shady places with 97% of intercepted light.Individuals of classes Sand Sendure less shady places(75%–85% of intercepted light),and individuals class Sand Sare more frequent in open canopies and crag conditions.Regarding the ecological site factors,such as riverside stream,and rocks on mountain slopes,L.glaucescens life form is riparian and rupicolous.Cation exchange capacity,sodium and calcium levels play an important role in the presence of Mexican bay leaf.Distribution on the ravine and recruitment of the Mexican bay leaf populations are associated with shaded sites,mainly for individuals of size classes Sand S,versus sunny places for individuals of size classes Sand S.The overall population structure had a positive kurtosis with all plant size categories well represented;statistically,the population structure of L.glaucescens is very close to the normal distribution.The information obtained allows us to affirm that the laurel populations in the mountainous areas of Sierra Fría and Sierra Laurel from central Mexico are in good demographic condition.

Species diversity of thrips (Thysanoptera) in selected avocado orchards from Mexico based on morphology and molecular data

Avocado is one of the most important crops in the world, and Mexico is the largest producer of this fruit. Several insect pests affect its production, and thrips are amongst the most important. A key step in the design of control methods is accurate species identification. Despite this, formal reports on species diversity of thrips in Mexico are very scarce. Morphological identification can sometimes be time-consuming and inconclusive. Therefore, we explored the species diversity of thrips in Mexican avocado orchards （Michoacan state） based on partial sequences of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase subunit I （COl）. Forty-four specimens were analysed, which represented approximately 8% of all individuals collected from five localities distributed in three Municipalities. All specimens were analysed using the COl marker, and specimens within the genera Frankliniella were also analysed using a marker within the D2 domain of the 28S （28SD2） nuclear ribosomal DNA. Molecular identifications were confirmed using morphological taxonomy. Overall, six genera were found （Neohydatothrips, Scirtothrips, Frankliniella, Arorathrips, Caliothrips and Leptothrips）. AII genera contained only one species, except Frankliniella, for which there were six species. Data from the two molecular markers suggest the existence of cryptic species within Mexican F. occidentalis populations.

Suppression Effects on Pineapple Soil-Borne Pathogens by Crotalaria juncea,Dolomitic Lime and Plastic Mulch Cover on MD-2 Hybrid Cultivar

The development and implementation of sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices are indispensable as alternatives to pesticide use and to keep populations of soil-borne plant pathogens at levels that do not affect crop productivity.The present research evaluates the incidence of soil-borne phytopathogens on the pineapple variety MD-2,which was subjected to different treatments:Incorporation of Crotalaria juncea into the soil(organic amendment),application of dolomitic lime to soil(inorganic amendment),and the use of plastic mulch covering the soil.During the crop cycle(15 months),the following variables were evaluated:plant height(cm),fruit weight(kg·plant^(−1)),crop yield(ton·ha^(−1)),the bud root disease incidence caused by Phytophthora nicotianae,number of soil phytoparasitic nematodes and colony-forming-units(CFUs)of soil fungi and oomycetes.The results indicate that Crotalaria juncea treatment reduced the pathogen population(nematode and oomycetes)at levels that did not affect crop development,so that yield increased(18–20%).The incorporation of C.juncea into the soil as an organic amendment favors the populations of fungi disease suppressors(Trichoderma-Aspergillus).The phytoparasitic nematodes(Meloidogyne sp.,Pratylenchus sp.,and Mesocriconema sp.)and oomycetes(Phytophthora spp.,and Pythium spp.)showed a reduction of their population levels by effects of organic amendment(C.juncea).The plastic mulch was also effective,probably due to the maintenance of optimal condition to crop growth and weed control.However,the dolomitic lime application had the poorest effect under the conditions of the study area on the variables analyzed.The described observations are characteristics of a system-based approach for the potential management of soil-borne pathogens of pineapple MD-2 in Veracruz,México.

FTIR-ATR and Multivariate Calibration for the Prediction of Biodiesel Concentration in Petrodiesel Blends

The increasing use of petrodiesel-biodiesel fuel blends throughout the world requires fast, economic and efficient analytical techniques that can be used for the quality control of these fuels. In this work, we developed an analytical method for determining the concentration of African palm biodiesel in blends with petrodiesel;the method is based on infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR). To build a prediction model, nineteen petrodiesel-biodiesel blends were prepared in triplicate with biodiesel concentrations for 0%-100% by weight. The blends were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, the spectral fingerprint data were used to build a prediction model through PLS regression. The optimal number of principal components (PCs), the standard error of calibration (SEC), the standard validation error (SEV), the correlation coefficient of calibration (r Cal) and the validation correlation coefficient (r Val) were used to validate the predictive ability of the model. The results show that the model obtained in this work has a good ability for determining the concentration of African palm biodiesel in petrodiesel-biodiesel blends.