Biology and Physiology of <I>Colletotrichum acutatum</I>Strains Causing Strawberry’s Anthracnose

Seven Colletotrichum acutatum strains isolated from strawberries were cultivated on various culture media and tested in vitro and in vivo on Fragaria x ananassa for anthracnose symptoms. PDA caused an optimum growth of all isolates, MEA, ML and Strawberry allowed a good but not optimal growth. Czapeck, Sabouraud and the organic medium from potato gave the lowest growth rate of all isolates. PDA allowed a good sporulation of isolates follow-up by strawberry, MEA;in contrast, ML, Czapeck and Sabouraud gave a low sporulation. The fungal development is maximal at 25&degC and 27&degC for all the isolates studied. No growth was observed at 5&degC and 37&degC. The studied strains developed at all pH values. They didn’t develop at 0.6, 0.65 and 0.7 aw but mycelial growth was perfect at 1 and 0.95 aw. The in vitro test of the pathogenicity caused by C. acutatum strains on strawberry’s leaves showed an increasing percentage of infection with time and different infection rates among C. acutatum strains, strain Ca6 having a pathogenic power very high compared to the other isolates. After in vivo inoculation and incubation of the seedlings, all isolates caused severe symptoms related to anthracnose on leaflets and petioles of the studied strawberry plants.

Effect of Soluble Components From Plant Aggregates on the Setting of the Lime-Based Binder

Plant aggregate-based building materials are a viable solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and providing good thermal and acoustic performances.In this study,the investigated lightweight mortars require a hydraulic reaction.Laboratory and on-site empirical observations about plant aggregate-based materials indicate a delay in setting time and a decrease in the mechanical performances of concretes based on plant aggregates.The natural origin of plant-aggregates causes a lot of variability in their properties.Related studies have shown that the incompatibility between plant aggregates and cement is mainly caused by the dissolved and decomposed components of plant aggregates in alkaline environments.Currently,no research on the specific impact of each component on the setting time of lime-based binder exists.In this work,the impact of some soluble compounds(e.g.,sucrose,glucose,fructose,pectin)on the setting reaction of the lime matrix was studied using Vicat test,thermogravimetric analysis(TGA)and FT-IR spectroscopy.Experimental results showed that carbohydrates such as glucose and sucrose not only affect the setting time but also have a long-term impact on the carbonation of lime.The measure of the setting time by Vicat test appears as a possible indicator to predict the compatibility between the matrix and plant aggregates.

Micropropagation of the Moroccan Endemic Plant <i>Thymus broussonetii</i>Boiss. with Aromatic-Medicinal Value and Conservation Concern

Micropropagation from shoot tips and nodal segments was carried out for the conservation and domestication of spontaneous Moroccan thyme, Thymus broussonetii Boiss. subsp. broussonetii (endemic threatened). The mineral composition of the culture medium, as well as the succession of different growth regulators, influenced the in vitro growth of this species. Sterilized achenes of T. broussonetii were able to germinate on an agar medium containing Gautheret macronutrients with a rate of 25% and a degree of contamination of less than 4%. Shoot apices of 15-day seedlings (two cotyledon leaves) were cultivated on SD + 0.46 μM Kin medium and the explants obtained were transplanted every month. Six macronutrients (MS, B5, SH, SD, MSm and N30K) were tested and N30K was chosen for the following experiments. Seven cytokinins (Kin, BAP, 2iP, DPU, adenine, Zeat and TDZ) at 0.46, 0.93 and 2.32 μM/l were evaluated and the addition of 0.93 μM adenine to N30K medium favored significantly the induction of buds and the elongation of explants. Three polyamines (putrescine, spermidine and spermine) at 2, 5, 10 and 20 μM/l were tested. A better multiplication of buds, shoots and roots was noted for N30K + 10 μM spermine. Cytokinin-auxin combinations led to better root multiplication and an increase in the number of buds and the length of explants, particularly for 0.46 μM Kin + 2.85 μM IAA. Acclimatization was successfully carried out using vitroplants developing a good root system. One month after the start of acclimatization, 97% of T. broussonetii plantlets were healthy. Three months later, they were transplanted into larger pots. 100% of the acclimatized plants developed flowers in the 2nd year between June and August. Re-initiation of the in vitro culture was carried out from sterilized twig segments collected from the acclimatized plants of T. broussonetii with 1 - 2 nodes on the medium N30K + 0.46 μM Kin, and 52.1% of the explants healthily proliferated. Finally, two micropropagation prototypes were developed: shoot tip culture from seedlings obtained after germination of achenes and node culture from acclimatized plants.

Micropropagation and Acclimatization of Common Oregano (Origanum vulgare L. Subsp. vulgare) by Shoot Tip Culture

Origanum vulgare L. is a commercially valued species with remarkable biological properties. It is subject to over-exploitation practices that seriously threaten its sustainability for future generations. Thus, micropropagation serves as a tool for the protection and domestication of this species. In this study, we established an in vitro vegetative propagation protocol for Origanum vulgare. This is done through the axillary bud technique by carrying out various tests. Six culture media (MS, MSm, N30K, SD, SH and B5) were tested. Therefore, SD was chosen for the following experiments. Seven cytokinins (adenine (Ad), N6-(2-isopentenyl) (2ip), zeatin (Zeat), kinetin (Kin), benzyladenine (BAP), 1,3-diphenylurea (DPU) and thidiazuron (TDZ) at 5 concentrations (0.44, 1.33, 2.22, 3.11 and 4.44 μM/L) were evaluated. Thus, Kin at 3.11 μM allowed high regeneration of vitroplants, optimal elongation, total rooting of explants, maximum bud multiplication, and absence of hyperhydric explants. In fact, the integration of auxins (indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA)) into the culture medium and their combinations with 3.11 μM Kinetin contributed to the optimization of the root part. Thus, it was improved in particular in the case of 3.11 μM Kin and 6.27 μM IBA. Three polyamines (Putrescine, Spermidine and Spermine) at different concentrations (1.134, 3.402, 5.67, 7.938 and 11.34 μM/L) combined at 3.11 μM Kin and 6.27 μM IBA were tested. In fact, 1.304 μM putrescine was considered to be the most suitable for in vitro culture of explants, since it allowed optimal propagation of buds and roots, also a high rate of regeneration and rhizogenesis. GA3 at 1.15 μM combined with 3.11 μM Kin and 6.27 μM IBA permitted maximum bud multiplication. The acclimatization was carried out successfully using vitroplants showing good foliar and root development. Thus, three months after acclimatization, the seedlings were transferred into large pots under natural light and temperature conditions. Almost all acclimatized plants developed flowers in the first year between May and July.

Evaluation of Plant Growth Promoting Ability of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Bc2 and Trichoderma harzianum TR In Vivo

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Bc2 and Trichderma harzianum TR were used to evaluate their growth-promoting activity on cultivated strawberries, under laboratory and field conditions, and we have noticed that the percentage of achene germination is important for ones treated with TR (=97%) followed by those treated with Bc2 strain (=90%) and the control (=84%). Inoculations on field showed that on untreated soil with insecticide, TR is effective and allows the development of plants and extends the duration of flowering and fruiting. On treated soil, Bc2 clearly promotes the growth and development of strawberry seedlings and its role as plant growth promoting microorganisms has been proved.

Linking changes in the soil microbial community to C and N dynamics during crop residue decomposition

Crop residues are among the main inputs that allow the organic carbon(C)and nutrients to be maintained in agricultural soil.It is an important management strategy that can improve soil fertility and enhance agricultural productivity.This work aims to evaluate the extent of the changes that may occur in the soil heterotrophic microbial communities involved in organic matter decomposition and C and nitrogen(N)mineralization after the addition of crop residues.Soil microcosm experiments were performed at 28℃ for 90 days with the addition of three crop residues with contrasting biochemical qualities:pea(Pisum sativum L.),rapeseed(Brassica napus L.),and wheat(Triticum aestivum L.).Enzyme activities,C and N mineralization,and bacterial and fungal biomasses were monitored,along with the bacterial and fungal community composition,by the highthroughput sequencing of 16 S rRNA and ITS genes.The addition of crop residues caused decreases in β-glucosidase and arylamidase activities and simultaneous enhancement of the C mineralization and net N immobilization,which were linked to changes in the soil microbial communities.The addition of crop residues decreased the bacterial and fungal biomasses 90 days after treatment and there were shifts in bacterial and fungal diversity at the phyla,order,and genera levels.Some specific orders and genera were dependent on crop residue type.For example,Chloroflexales,Inquilinus,Rubricoccus,Clitocybe,and Verticillium were identified in soils with pea residues;whereas Thermoanaerobacterales,Thermacetogenum,and Hypoxylon were enriched in soils with rapeseed residues,and Halanaerobiales,Rubrobacter,and Volutella were only present in soils with wheat residues.The findings of this study suggest that soil C and N dynamics in the presence of the crop residues were driven by the selection of specific bacterial and fungal decomposers linked to the biochemical qualities of the crop residues.If crop residue decomposition processes showed specific bacterial and fungal operational taxonomic unit(OTU)signatures,this study also suggests a strong functional redundancy that exists among soil microbial communities.

Early exposure to food contaminants reshapes maturation of the human brain-gut-microbiota axis

Early childhood growth and development is conditioned by the consecutive events belonging to perinatal programming. This critical window of life will be very sensitive to any event altering programming of the main body functions.Programming of gut function, which is starting right after conception, relates to a very well-established series of cellular and molecular events associating all types of cells present in this organ, including neurons, endocrine and immune cells. At birth, this machinery continues to settle with the establishment of extra connection between enteric and other systemic systems and is partially under the control of gut microbiota activity, itself being under the densification and the diversification of microorganisms’ population. As thus, any environmental factor interfering on this pre-established program may have a strong incidence on body functions. For all these reasons, pregnant women, fetuses and infants will be particularly susceptible to environmental factors and especially food contaminants. In this review, we will summarize the actual understanding of the consequences of repeated low-level exposure to major food contaminants on gut homeostasis settlement and on brain/gut axis communication considering the pivotal role played by the gut microbiota during the fetal and postnatal stages and the presumed consequences of these food toxicants on the individuals especially in relation with the risks of developing later in life non-communicable chronic diseases.

Biocontrol Potential of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Bc2 and Trichoderma harzianum TR against Strawberry Anthracnose under Laboratory and Field Conditions

The increasingly strict regulation of the use of phytosanitary products and the will of the populations to move towards sustainable development allow bio-sourced products and more particularly for biocontrol in the field of pesticides to progress. The study carried out here concerns the evaluation of the potency of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Bc2 and Trichoderma harzianum to fight against strawberry cultures infected with anthracnose (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.). The studies were carried out in the laboratory and in the field. The results indicate that B. amyloliquefaciens Bc2 and Trichoderma harzianum TR are effective for the biological control of anthracnose, gray mold and powdery mildew on strawberries grown in field conditions. The increase in plant size and the number of fruits produced with these control agents has also been observed.

In Vitro Antagonistic Activity of Trichoderma harzianum and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens against Colletotrichum acutatum

Biological control of plant diseases makes extensive use of the antagonists. The effectiveness of the control depends on the choice of an effective antagonist strains from criteria of implying a good knowledge of biological peculiarities of the material used. In this study, the antagonistic activities of nine isolates of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and one isolate of Trichoderma harzianum were tested in vitro against seven strains of Colletotrichum acutatum, the causal agent of strawberry anthracnose. It was found that T. harzianum and B. amyloliquefaciens strains showed the ability to inhibit the mycelial growth of the pathogen by dual culture technique by more than 50 percent. The nonvolatile substances produced by the antagonists showed high inhibition percentages that are more than 99 percent, meanwhile their volatile compounds inhibited the mycelial growth of C. acutatum strains with low inhibition percentages starting from 30 percent except the substances produced by B. amyloliquefaciens Bc2 that showed a high inhibition percentage of more than 70 percent.

Physicochemical and Mechanical Performances of Technical Flax Fibers and Biobased Composite Material: Effects of Flax Transformation Process

In France,the use of flax fibers as reinforcement in composite materials is growing exponentially in the automotive sector,thanks to their good physicochemical properties,environmental reasons,health neutrality and due to the European Council Directives on the reuse,recycling and valorization of car components and materials.The aim of our study is to investigate biochemical,physicochemical,and mechanical properties of technical flax fibers to evaluate the impact of transformation processes(scutching,hackling,and homogenization)on final properties of associated composite materials.Different chemical analysis such as Van Soest(biochemical fraction measurement),FTIR(Fourier Transform InfraRed spectroscopy),and XRD(X-ray diffraction)were carried out on different process modalities and show that there is no significant difference in terms of biochemical fraction and crystallinity index.By the same token,mechanical behavior shows that Young’s modulus is not affected by the transformation process.This result is also observed for thermal behavior.The results highlight the fact that the transformation processes of technical fibers do not really affect their physicochemical and mechanical performances.

Quality of Life and Depressive Symptoms in Female Models

The purpose of the present study was to analyze quality of life (QoL) levels and depressive symptoms in female models in comparison to non-models. The study was conducted in Estacao Saúde Gym, in Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The sample of the study was composed of ten runaway and/or commercial female models between the ages of 15 and 25 from Cast One Models agency and eight control adolescent and young adult students from public/private schools and universities, all from Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Quality of life and depressive symptoms of all participants were evaluated. Data were described by mean and standard deviation values. The main results were analyzed by independent t-test for comparison between models and non-models, adopting a significance level (α) of 0.05. No differences were found between the groups in the analyzed variables (p > 0.05). The results of our study, suggest that professional runaway and commercial female models have similar QoL and depressive symptoms when compared to their control counterparts.

Interaction Effect of Plant Growth Regulators on Shoot Micropropagation of Aromatic Plant Origanum elongatum (Bonnet) Emberger &Maire

Origanum elongatum (Bonnet) Emb. & Maire, is a medicinal, aromatic and endemic plant of Morocco, characterized by its pharmacological effects, and is commonly used for the production of essential oils and aromas, resulting in high harvest and overexploitation pressure. This is why the present study aims to implement the in vitro micropropagation of Origanum elongatum for optimal vitroplant production. Six macroelements were tested (SH, SD, N30K, MS, MSm and B5) and the SD medium was selected for vegetative propagation of the explants. Seven cytokinins: adenine (Ad), N6-(2-Isopentenyl) adenine, zeatin (Zeat), kinetin (Kin), benzyladenine (BAP), 1,3-diphenylurea (DPU) and thidiazuron (TDZ) were then evaluated at five concentrations (0.44, 1.33, 2.22, 3.11 and 4.44 μM/L) on growth, development, budding, rooting and hyperhydricity. 0.44 μM Kin was selected and combined with three auxins: indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), indole-3-butyric acid (AIB), and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) at four concentrations (1.14, 2.85, 4.56 and 6.27 μM/L) to improve rooting and association with 1.14 μM IAA was shown to be efficient for roots development. Different concentrations of gibberellic acid (0.29, 1.5, 2.60 and 2.89 μM/L), combined with 0.44 μM/L Kin and 1.14 μM/L IAA, were tested and 2.60 μM/L GA3 gave maximum buds and shoots. Then, the combination of three polyamines at five concentrations (1.134, 3.402, 5.67, 7.938 and 11.34 μM/L) with 0.44 μM Kin and 1.14 μM/L IAA showed an increase in the number of buds and shoots for 7.938 μM/L putrescine and 3.402 μM/L spermine. Finally, seedlings with good foliar and root development were acclimatized.

External Morphology and Ultrastructure of Tegumental Glands of Aegla platensis(Crustacea,Anomura,Aeglidae)Pleopods:Might They Play A Role in Egg Attachment?

Egg incubation on the female abdomen is the parental care behavior observed in aeglids,in which eggs are kept adhered to maternal pleopods and maintained,cleaned and aerated.In A.platensis,egg attachment occurs with the aid of pleopodal setae,which are twisted around their axis in the distal region,forming the funiculus,and pleopodal glands,which are responsible for the production of the adhesive substance that seems to be involved in egg fixation to pleopodal setae.Those glands are acini formed by secretory cells arranged concentrically around a central duct,giving them a rosette appearance.Two types of secretory cells were observed,those that produce electron-lucid vesicles and those having electron-dense ones.Both kinds of vesicles are released in a duct whose opening pore is located on the pleopodal surface and constitute the adhesive substance that coats eggs and pleopodal setae,ensuring egg fixation to the female body and maternal care maintenance.This study investigates the internal and external morphology of Aegla platensis pleopods,to understand the egg attachment process and identify the structures involved in this phenomenon.Three microscopy techniques are used:scanning electron microscopy(SEM),transmission electron microscopy(TEM),and optical microscopy(OM).

The Vibrational Behavior of the Mixture Quercetin/Gelucire 50/13 at Room and Body Temperature

The present paper discusses the vibrational properties of the mixture gelucire-quercetin(from 1%to 5%)at room and body temperature.Quercetin is a flavonoid having beneficial properties:biological and antioxidant;it is used in many fields as food,cosmetic and especially pharmaceutics but its use as a drug is affected by its low solubility.The Gelucire 50/13 is used as sustained release matrix forming agent in pharmaceutical applications and it has demonstrated the ability to improve the dissolution as well as the absorption of poorly water-soluble drugs.The mixture Gelucire-quercetin was essentially studied by FTIR(Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy)and Raman spectroscopy.The behavior of these two molecules has been investigated in the spectral range 4000-0 cm-1 in Raman spectroscopy,and 4,000-600 cm-1 in FTIR.

Effect of Different Concentrations of the Suspensions of B.amyloliquefaciens and T.harzianum on the Development of C.acutatum

The effect of nine isolates of Bacillus amyloliquefaciensand one strain of Trichoderma harzianum, TR, on mycelial growth and germination of Colletotrichum acutatum were studied. The nine isolates were identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. The efficacy of isolates was tested, at different concentrations. Results showed that one Bacillus isolates (Bc2) and TR were more effective at the lower concentration tested (3 × 105 CFU/ml and 105 conidia/ml).

Efficiency of KOH-modified rice straw-derived biochar for reducing cadmium mobility, bioaccessibility and bioavailability risk index in red soil

Cadmium(Cd)pollution in agricultural soils has exerted a serious threat due to continuous application of pesticides,fertilizers,and wastewater irrigation.The present study aimed to test the efficiency of KOH-modified and non-modified rice straw-derived biochar(KBC and BC,respectively)for reducing Cd solubility and bioavailability in Cd-contaminated soil.Cadmium-contaminated soil was incubated for 60 d with 15 and 30 g kg-1 BC and KBC.At the end of incubation,Cd mobility was estimated by the European Community Bureau of Reference sequential extraction and toxicity characteristic leaching procedure(TCLP),while bioavailability was determined using 1 molL-1 NH4NO3 extraction.The bioavailability risk index and bioaccessibility,assessed by a simple bioaccessibility extraction test,of Cd were used to examine the potential effects of Cd on living organisms.The results indicated that application of both KBC and BC significantly increased soil p H,cation exchange capacity,nutrients,and organic carbon.The soluble fraction of Cd was significantly decreased by 30.3%and 27.4%,respectively,with the addition of KBC and BC at 30 g kg-1 compared to the control(without biochar addition).Similarly,the bioaccessible Cd was significantly decreased by 32.4%and 25.2%,respectively,with the addition of KBC and BC at 30 g kg-1 compared to the control.In addition,both KBC and BC significantly reduced Cd leaching in the TCLP and NH4NO3-extractable Cd in the amended soil compared to the control.The reduction in Cd solubility and bioaccessibility by KBC and BC may be due to significant increases in soil pH and surface complexation.Overall,KBC at an application rate of 30 g kg-1 demonstrated positive results as soil amendment for Cd immobilization,and reduced bioaccessible Cd in contaminated soil.

AGRI-ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF CONVENTIONAL AND ALTERNATIVE BIOENERGY CROPPING SYSTEMS PROMOTING BIOMASS PRODUCTIVITY

Bioenergy,currently the largest renewable energy source in the EU(64%of the total renewable energy consumption),has sparked great interest to meet the32%renewable resources for the 2030 bioeconomy goal.The design of innovative cropping systems informed by bioeconomy imperatives requires the evaluate of the effects of introducing crops for bioenergy into conventional crop rotations.This study aimed to assess the impacts of changes in conventional cropping systems in mixed dairy cattle farms redesigned to introduce bioenergy crops either by increasing the biomass production through an increase of cover crops,while keeping main feed/food crops,or by substituting food crops with an increase of the crop rotation length.The assessment is based on the comparison between conventional and innovative systems oriented to feed and biogas production,with and without tillage,to evaluate their agri-environmental performances(biomass production,nitrogen fertilization autonomy,greenhouse gas emissions and biogas production).The result showed higher values in the biogas cropping system than in the conventional and feed ones for all indicators,biomass productivity(27%and20%higher,respectively),nitrogen fertilization autonomy(26%and 73%higher,respectively),methanogenic potential(77%and 41%higher,respectively)and greenhouse gas emissions(15%and 3%higher,respectively).There were no negative impacts of no-till compared to the tillage practice,for all tested variables.The biogas cropping system showed a better potential in terms of agri-environmental performance,although its greenhouse gas emissions were higher.Consequently,it would be appropriate to undertake a multicriteria assessment integrating agri-environmental,economic and social performances.