Alkaloids, Limonoids and Phenols from Meliaceae Species Decrease Survival and Performance of <i>Hypsipyla Grandella</i>Larvae

Meliaceae plants are distinguished by the attack of the shootborer Hypsipyla grandella and also for the occurrence of limonoids, alkaloids and phenolic compounds. Such compounds extracted from leaves of Meliaceae species Cedrela odorata L., Swietenia macrophylla King, Khaya senegalensis, Toona ciliata, and C. odorata grafted onto T. ciliata plants, were tested on C. odorata leaf disks to determine their effects on survival and performance of H. grandella larvae. Larval survival was assessed 2, 10 and 25 days after starting the bioassays. Leaf consumption and weight gain per larva, days to pupa and to adult stages, pupal weight and length, and moth wing appearance were assessed for larval performance. The three compunds from the four Meliaceae species and the grafted combination affected (P ≤ 0.02) larval leaf consumption, weight gain, time to pupa and to adult stages, wing development and larval survival of H. grandella. Pupa weight (P = 0.78, F = 0.72, d.f. = 18, 160) and length (P = 0.48, F = 0.98, d.f. = 18, 160) were similar regardless of the coumpound used. Limonoid reduced larval survival on the three dates of evaluation. Alkaloids decreased leaf consumption, weight gain of larvae and time needed to reach pupa and adult stages. Alkaloids from T. ciliata and phenols from C. odorata were the best coumpounds to reduce leaf consumption and weight gain. Alkaloids from the grafted plants caused 20% of H. grandella adults to form abnormal wings.

Regeneration of Plants from Embryogenic Cell Suspensions of cv.“Datil”(Musa AA):Morphological Evaluation of Plants in the Field

The full cycle from embryogenic callus(EC)induction to field evaluation of regenerated plants is reported for the first time for banana cv.“Datil”(Musa AA).Immature male flowers were used for EC induction on a modified M1 culture medium.The ideal type of EC was obtained in the presence of 4.5μM and 9.0μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid(2,4-D).Embryogenic cell suspensions were established in both concentrations of 2,4-D;however,only the suspensions from ideal callus(IC)formed with 4.5μM of 2,4-D were regenerated.A histological study revealed the formation of structurally different cell masses during the regeneration phase of cv.“Datil”.The embryos germination was characterized by the growth cellular aggregates,indicating the possible occurrence of secondary embryogenesis.Development and acclimatization of the plants were carried out in a normal manner as observed for other cultivars.Field evaluation of the plants’genetic stability was based on observation of morphological traits.In the vegetative growth phase,6.61%of the plants presented drooping leaves and deformed semi-limbs.These traits,however,did not affect further plant growth during flowering and harvest phases.The produced fruits were of good quality.And the present study indicates that this cultivar may be stable genetically.

Cryopreservation of Seeds and Embryos of Jatropha curcas L.

Jatropha curcas is a species with a variety of uses. It is grown primarily for oil for biodiesel, but also has agronomic and medicinal applications. Two methods were evaluated for cryopreservation of seeds and zygotic embryos of J. curcas: desiccation followed by rapid immersion of seeds and embryos in liquid nitrogen (LN, -196°C), and vitrification of zygotic embryos. Prior to cryo-preservation, seeds were manually scarified and the moisture content (MC) of seeds and embryos was determined. Explants were disinfected after cryopreservation. Seed germination after LN exposure was 100%. Plantlet development was better in sand substrate than that in vitro. Survival of zygotic embryos after cryopreservation was also 100%, without significant differences between treatments. Optimal development (100%) and plantlet length (51.77 mm) were observed with embryos dried for 60 min to 9.4% MC under laminar flow prior to cryopreservation. Zygotic embryos subjected to the vitrification procedure did not withstand LN exposure. Survival data for non-cryopreserved embryos after each step of the vitrification procedure provided information about embryo tolerance to cryoprotectants.

Cultural knowledge of forests and allied tree system management around Mabira Forest Reserve,Uganda

The cultural universe is sometimes confusing,surprising and murky,so many cultural maps get drawn,discussed and envisioned.A study was undertaken around Mabira Forest Reserve in central Uganda to identify the trees and shrubs culturally managed on-farm,assess the cultural practices of forest and tree system management and determine the relationship between farmer gender and forest and tree system management.We engaged 203 farmers in focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews to collect data.Qualitative data were jointly evaluated with farmers;quantitative data were analyzed in SPSS 20.0.The results showed a high likelihood for involvement of local people in tree or forest management for economic gain,as timber and fast-growing species were highly ranked.Food and medicinal species were also regarded as important,suggesting high prospects of integrating them into the local farming system or protecting them in the forest.Numerous cultural practices(including rituals,trenching,bark slashing,ring barking,spot weeding and use of organic manure and pesticides)of forest and tree system management were acknowledged.However,their knowledge was mixed and unclear about distinct cultural and supportive arrangements for natural forest and tree restoration.While gender was not a significant cultural attribute for knowledge of the forest and allied tree system management,age substantially affected farmer propensity for various timber products.Also farmer’s family size influenced the collection of tree wildings and fodder.We encourage considering gender disparities and livelihood needs including income,during selection of cultural practices for forest and tree restoration.

Spatial Organisation Influences Citrus <i>Pseudocercospora</i>Leaf and Fruit Spot Disease Severity in Cocoa-Based Agroforestry Systems

An investigation to assess the spatial structure and severity of Pseudocercospora leaf and fruit spot disease (PLFSD) on citrus trees in cocoa-based agroforests was carried out in three contrasting ecological zones in southern Cameroon, viz: 1) the humid forest zone, 2) the degraded forest zone, and 3) the forest-savannah transition zone. Two main parameters were investigated viz: 1) the spatial structure of cocoa based agroforests, and 2) the disease severity. In total, the spatial structure of 19 cocoa-based agroforests was analysed using the Ripley K(r) function, meanwhile the collection of epidemiological data that consisted of noting the presence of PLFSD spots on leaves and fruits on 438 citrus trees was used to characterise the severity of the disease. Results showed that, the spatial structure of citrus trees in these agroforests investigated were regular in seven plots, random in nine, and aggregated in three. Aggregated plots presented a significantly higher mean of disease severity on leaves and fruits (28.55 and 30.37 respectively), as compared to randomised (20.91 and 16.32 respectively) and regular plots (16.28 and 14.97 respectively), at P-value < 0.05. These results suggest that the spatial structure of citrus trees in the cocoa-based agroforests studied influences the severity of PFLSD. Proper integrated control measures can therefore be initiated, leading to a considerable reduction of the use of manufactured inputs, and thereby, the cost of production of citrus fruits.

Simple Protocol for the Micropropagation of Teak(Tectona grandis Linn.)in Semi-Solid and Liquid Media in RITA^(█) Bioreactors and ex Vitro Rooting

In Latin America the forestry of exotic species such as teak has been increasing in recent decades, due to their advantages in wood quality, rapid growth;and the relative ease of producing clones and their multiplication with respect to native species. Therefore, there is great interest in developing larger-scale propagation strategies that reduce costs and intensive manual labor. Culture in liquid media with temporary immersion and the semi-automation of the system has raised expectations for large-scale micropropagation. We report a protocol for teak, which reuses the primary explants in several culture cycles in semi-solid medium to produce nodal explants for the multiplication phase in temporary immersion bioreactors (RITA&reg;). The control of factors such as cytokinin concentration, explants density, immersion frequencies and culture duration was analyzed. The number of shoots increased with 0.5 mg&middot;l-1 of BA (6-Benzyladenine), alone or in combination with 0.5 mg&middot;l-1 of Kinetin, with 2 daily immersions of 1 minute each;however, these shoots showed a high degree of hyperhydricity. When 0.05 mg&middot;l-1 of BA was used with 1 immersion of 1 minute every 2 days, the hyperhydricity decreased. Although the number of shoots was lower, they showed good length to be used during multiplication and rooting ex vitro. Our results suggest that teak micropropagation can be simplified in two phases in vitro, the establishment and multiplication;followed by rooting ex vitro and acclimatization. This would imply a reduction in production costs, since most of the multiplication would take place in RITA&reg;containers.

Trees as hotspots:Using forests,trees,and agroforestry to foster diverse sustainable landscapes

Forests,trees,and agroforestry(FTA)are ecosystem hotspots.They exemplify the contributions of biodiversity to sustainable and resilient landscapes,green circular economy and to sustainable agriculture and food systems for healthy diets.However,most research on these topics have been performed separately and lack comparison.The International FTA-Kunming Conference'Forests,trees and agroforestry for diverse sustainable landscapes'22nd–24th June 2021,focused on these contributions,brought together scientists NGOs,and policy makers to further the understanding of tree diversity;provided a communication platform for scientists to share their research results;evaluated the role of tree diversity in agroecology and circular agriculture;assessed benefits of landscape restoration;and explored applied research in mountain ecosystems and food security.The goals were to gather evidence that ground the design of solutions that can contribute to the implementation of the post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and towards the UN Food Systems Summit,and the overall implementation of the SDGs.This paper summarizes the outcomes of the international FTA Conference in Kunming 2021 and points out the highlights of research involved in six major themes.

静雅的心灵栖息地

回眸人生,最值得自豪的是什么?这真是个好问题,答案数千个,但在如今这个略显喧嚣的时代,能够在纷繁复杂的城市中寻找到一个舒适的栖息地算得上一个有品质的答案。我们渴求栖息的不仅是身体,更是心灵。世外桃源早已不见,但好在还有旖旎的风光,还有能够带给心灵安宁的酒店,这种美轮美奂的味道分别可以在澳门和青岛这两座城市品尝到。