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Lorenzo P, Morais MC. Strategies for the Management of Aggressive Invasive Plant Species. Plants (Basel) 2023; 12:2482. [PMID: 37447043 DOI: 10.3390/plants12132482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Current control methods for invasive alien plants (IAPs) have acceptable short-term outcomes but have proven to be unfeasible or unaffordable in the long-term or for large invaded areas. For these reasons, there is an urgent need to develop sustainable approaches to control or restrict the spread of aggressive IAPs. The use of waste derived from IAP control actions could contribute to motivating the long-term management and preservation of local biodiversity while promoting some economic returns for stakeholders. However, this strategy may raise some concerns that should be carefully addressed before its implementation. In this article, we summarize the most common methods to control IAPs, explaining their viability and limitations. We also compile the potential applications of IAP residues and discuss the risks and opportunities associated with this strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Lorenzo
- University of Coimbra, Department of Life Sciences, Centre for Functional Ecology (CFE)-Science for People & the Planet, TERRA Associate Laboratory, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Maria Cristina Morais
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), Inov4Agro, Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-Food Production, University of Trás-of-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
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Gonçalves B, Pinto T, Aires A, Morais MC, Bacelar E, Anjos R, Ferreira-Cardoso J, Oliveira I, Vilela A, Cosme F. Composition of Nuts and Their Potential Health Benefits-An Overview. Foods 2023; 12:942. [PMID: 36900459 PMCID: PMC10000569 DOI: 10.3390/foods12050942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The possibility that nut intake may defend human health is an interesting point of view and has been investigated worldwide. Consequently, nuts are commonly promoted as healthy. In recent decades, the number of investigations proposing a correlation between nut consumption and a decrease in the risk of key chronic diseases has continued to increase. Nuts are a source of intake of fiber, and dietary fiber is associated with a reduced occurrence of obesity and cardiovascular diseases. Nuts likewise provide minerals and vitamins to the diet and supply phytochemicals that function as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and phytoestrogens agents and other protective mechanisms. Therefore, the main goal of this overview is to summarize current information and to describe the utmost new investigation concerning the health benefits of certain nuts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berta Gonçalves
- CITAB, Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, Inov4Agro, Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-Food Production, University of Trás-of-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Teresa Pinto
- CITAB, Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, Inov4Agro, Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-Food Production, University of Trás-of-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Alfredo Aires
- CITAB, Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, Inov4Agro, Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-Food Production, University of Trás-of-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Maria Cristina Morais
- CITAB, Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, Inov4Agro, Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-Food Production, University of Trás-of-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Eunice Bacelar
- CITAB, Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, Inov4Agro, Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-Food Production, University of Trás-of-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Rosário Anjos
- CITAB, Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, Inov4Agro, Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-Food Production, University of Trás-of-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Jorge Ferreira-Cardoso
- CITAB, Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, Inov4Agro, Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-Food Production, University of Trás-of-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Ivo Oliveira
- CITAB, Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, Inov4Agro, Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-Food Production, University of Trás-of-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Alice Vilela
- CQ-VR, Chemistry Research Centre—Vila Real, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Fernanda Cosme
- CQ-VR, Chemistry Research Centre—Vila Real, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
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Morais MC, Cabral JA, Gonçalves B. Seasonal Variation in Selected Biochemical Traits in the Leaves of Co-Occurring Invasive and Native Plant Species under Mediterranean Conditions. Plants 2022; 11:plants11091171. [PMID: 35567172 PMCID: PMC9103028 DOI: 10.3390/plants11091171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The success of invasive alien species (IAS) is often linked to differences in functional traits in relation to other, either native or non-invasive, species. Two of the most problematic IAS in the Mediterranean area belong to Hakea and Acacia genera that often invade pine plantations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the seasonal variations in photosynthetic pigments, total phenolics, and non-structural carbohydrates (NSC), including total soluble sugars (SS) and starch (St), and lipid peroxidation, in terms of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the leaves of evergreen species, two IAS (Hakea sericea and Acacia melanoxylon) and one native (Pinus pinaster), throughout 2019. All parameters showed a pronounced seasonal variability while also differing across species. Generally, the lowest contents of photosynthetic pigments, phenolics and SS were noted in early spring, along with the highest St and NSC values. On the other hand, higher photosynthetic pigment and lower NSC contents were measured in early autumn and early winter. When these parameters were compared across the three species, the IAS had significantly higher content of photosynthetic pigments, mainly chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll, and lower total phenolics and MDA concentrations in their leaves than Pinus pinaster. Differences in seasonal patterns were also observed. Hakea sericea and Acacia melanoxylon had considerably higher chlorophyll, SS and NSC contents in the early autumn, while Pinus pinaster had higher St and MDA contents in early summer. Overall, the biochemical characteristics of leaves of the studied IAS can explain their success in the Mediterranean area, in terms of tolerance to stressful environmental conditions.
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Gonçalves B, Morais MC, Pereira S, Mosquera-Losada MR, Santos M. Tree–Crop Ecological and Physiological Interactions Within Climate Change Contexts: A Mini-Review. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.661978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The effects of climate change are increasingly noticed worldwide, and crops are likely to be impacted in direct and indirect ways. Thus, it is urgent to adopt pliable strategies to reduce and/or mitigate possible adverse effects to meet the growing demand for sustainable and resilient food production. Monoculture cropping is globally the most common production system. However, adaptation to ongoing climate change, namely, to more extreme environmental conditions, has renewed the interest in other practices such as agroforestry, agroecology, and permaculture. This article provides an overview of ecological and physiological interactions between trees and crops in Mediterranean agroforestry systems and compares them with those from monocultures. The advantages and disadvantages of both systems are explored. The added value of modeling in understanding the complexity of interactions within agroforestry systems, supporting decision-making under current and future weather conditions, is also pinpointed. Several interactions between trees and crops might occur in agroforestry systems, leading to mutual positive and/or negative effects on growth, physiology, and yield. In this sense, selecting the most suitable combination of tree/crop species in mixtures may be best be indicated by complementary traits, which are crucial to maximizing trade-offs, improving productivity, ecosystem services, and environmental sustainability.
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Pinto T, Aires A, Cosme F, Bacelar E, Morais MC, Oliveira I, Ferreira-Cardoso J, Anjos R, Vilela A, Gonçalves B. Bioactive (Poly)phenols, Volatile Compounds from Vegetables, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. Foods 2021; 10:foods10010106. [PMID: 33419090 PMCID: PMC7825428 DOI: 10.3390/foods10010106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Polyphenols, as well as volatile compounds responsible for aromatic features, play a critical role in the quality of vegetables and medicinal, and aromatic plants (MAPs). The research conducted in recent years has shown that these plants contain biologically active compounds, mainly polyphenols, that relate to the prevention of inflammatory processes, neurodegenerative diseases, cancers, and cardiovascular disorders as well as to antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiparasitic properties. Throughout the years, many researchers have deeply studied polyphenols and volatile compounds in medicinal and aromatic plants, particularly those associated with consumer's choices or with their beneficial properties. In this context, the purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the presence of volatile and nonvolatile compounds in some of the most economically relevant and consumed vegetables and medicinal and aromatic plants, with an emphasis on bioactive polyphenols, polyphenols as prebiotics, and, also, the most important factors that affect the contents and profiles of the volatile and nonvolatile compounds responsible for the aromatic features of vegetables and MAPs. Additionally, the new challenges for science in terms of improving polyphenol composition and intensifying volatile compounds responsible for the positive characteristics of vegetables and medicinal and aromatic plants are reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Pinto
- CITAB, Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, Department of Biology and Environment, School of Life Sciences and Environment, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, P-5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (E.B.); (I.O.); (J.F.-C.); (R.A.); (B.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +351-259-350-345
| | - Alfredo Aires
- CITAB, Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, P-5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (A.A.); (M.C.M.)
| | - Fernanda Cosme
- CQ-VR, Chemistry Research Centre, Department of Biology and Environment, School of Life Sciences and Environment, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, P-5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (F.C.); (A.V.)
| | - Eunice Bacelar
- CITAB, Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, Department of Biology and Environment, School of Life Sciences and Environment, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, P-5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (E.B.); (I.O.); (J.F.-C.); (R.A.); (B.G.)
| | - Maria Cristina Morais
- CITAB, Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, P-5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (A.A.); (M.C.M.)
| | - Ivo Oliveira
- CITAB, Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, Department of Biology and Environment, School of Life Sciences and Environment, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, P-5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (E.B.); (I.O.); (J.F.-C.); (R.A.); (B.G.)
| | - Jorge Ferreira-Cardoso
- CITAB, Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, Department of Biology and Environment, School of Life Sciences and Environment, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, P-5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (E.B.); (I.O.); (J.F.-C.); (R.A.); (B.G.)
| | - Rosário Anjos
- CITAB, Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, Department of Biology and Environment, School of Life Sciences and Environment, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, P-5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (E.B.); (I.O.); (J.F.-C.); (R.A.); (B.G.)
| | - Alice Vilela
- CQ-VR, Chemistry Research Centre, Department of Biology and Environment, School of Life Sciences and Environment, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, P-5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (F.C.); (A.V.)
| | - Berta Gonçalves
- CITAB, Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, Department of Biology and Environment, School of Life Sciences and Environment, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, P-5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (E.B.); (I.O.); (J.F.-C.); (R.A.); (B.G.)
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Gonçalves B, Morais MC, Sequeira A, Ribeiro C, Guedes F, Silva AP, Aires A. Quality preservation of sweet cherry cv. 'staccato' by using glycine-betaine or Ascophyllum nodosum. Food Chem 2020; 322:126713. [PMID: 32283370 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.126713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Pre-harvest application of exogenous compounds has been employed in many crops, as a cultural practice, to promote their adaptation to a new climate-changing environment. Effect of foliar pre-harvest application of salicylic acid, glycine-betaine complex and seaweed extract (Ascophyllum nodosum) on the cherry quality from 'Staccato' cultivar was studied. Treatments significantly affected (p < 0.01) the fruit size, soluble solids content, pH, colour, polyphenols, vitamin C and antioxidant activity. Glycine-betaine and A. nodosum treated cherries presented higher dimensions, soluble solids content and pH and lower acidity. In addition, these cherries had a higher content of polyphenols and vitamin C and antioxidant capacity, but lower values of L*, C*ab and hue angle, meaning that both treatments can rise the fruit ripening process. Therefore, the pre-harvest application of glycine-betaine and A. nodosum can be a good alternative to promote the adaptation of sweet cherry tree to stressful environmental conditions, without compromising the fruit quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berta Gonçalves
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, CITAB, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal; Departament of Biology and Environment, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal.
| | - Maria Cristina Morais
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, CITAB, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Alex Sequeira
- University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Carlos Ribeiro
- Departament of Agronomy, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Francisco Guedes
- Cermouros- Cerejas de São Martinho de Mouros, Lda., Quinta da Ribeira, Bulhos, 4660-210 Resende, Portugal
| | - Ana Paula Silva
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, CITAB, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal; Departament of Agronomy, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Alfredo Aires
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, CITAB, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal
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Correia S, Queirós F, Ferreira H, Morais MC, Afonso S, Silva AP, Gonçalves B. Foliar Application of Calcium and Growth Regulators Modulate Sweet Cherry ( Prunus avium L.) Tree Performance. Plants (Basel) 2020; 9:plants9040410. [PMID: 32224852 PMCID: PMC7238238 DOI: 10.3390/plants9040410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Cracking of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) fruits is caused by rain events close to harvest. This problem has occurred in most cherry growing regions with significant economic losses. Several orchard management practices have been applied to reduce the severity of this disorder, like the foliar application of minerals or growth regulators. In the present study, we hypothesized that preharvest spray treatments improve the physiological performance of sweet cherry trees and could also mitigate environmental stressful conditions. Effects of repeated foliar spraying of calcium (Ca), gibberellic acid (GA3), abscisic acid (ABA), salicylic acid (SA), glycine betaine (GB), and the biostimulant Ascophyllum nodosum (AN) on the physiological and biochemical performance of ‘Skeena’ sweet cherry trees during two consecutive years (without Ca in 2015 and in 2016 with addition of Ca) were studied. Results showed that in general spray treatments improved the physiological performance and water status of the trees. AN and ABA sprays were demonstrated to be the best compounds for increasing yield and reducing cherry cracking as well as improving photosynthetic performance and leaf metabolites content. In conclusion, AN and ABA might be promising tools in the fruit production system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Correia
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (H.F.); (M.C.M.); (S.A.); (A.P.S.); (B.G.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Filipa Queirós
- National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinary Research (INIAV, I.P.), Pólo de Alcobaça, Estrada de Leiria, 2460-059 Alcobaça, Portugal;
| | - Helena Ferreira
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (H.F.); (M.C.M.); (S.A.); (A.P.S.); (B.G.)
| | - Maria Cristina Morais
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (H.F.); (M.C.M.); (S.A.); (A.P.S.); (B.G.)
| | - Sílvia Afonso
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (H.F.); (M.C.M.); (S.A.); (A.P.S.); (B.G.)
| | - Ana Paula Silva
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (H.F.); (M.C.M.); (S.A.); (A.P.S.); (B.G.)
| | - Berta Gonçalves
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (H.F.); (M.C.M.); (S.A.); (A.P.S.); (B.G.)
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Padilha AC, Piovesan B, Morais MC, de B Pazini J, Zotti MJ, Botton M, Grützmacher AD. Toxicity of insecticides on Neotropical stingless bees Plebeia emerina (Friese) and Tetragonisca fiebrigi (Schwarz) (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini). Ecotoxicology 2020; 29:119-128. [PMID: 31863232 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-019-02150-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Use of pesticides in agroecosystems is considered a major cause of bees diversity losses in the Neotropics, where Plebeia emerina (Friese) and Tetragonisca fiebrigi (Schwarz) (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini) are wild pollinators of native and crop plants. The aim of this study was to know the acute lethal toxicity of acetamiprid, malathion, phosmet and spinosad insecticides on P. emerina and T. fiebrigi. We obtained the mean concentration and mean lethal dose (LC50 and LD50) and the mean survival of workers after oral and topical exposure to insecticides, respectively. The LC50 values (ng a.i./μl of diet) and the decreasing order of toxicity for P. emerina was spinosad (4.96) > malathion (18.75) > phosmet (97.33) > acetamiprid (4204.06), and for T. fiebrigi also was spinosad (5.65) > malathion (8.39) > phosmet (53.91) > acetamiprid (9841.32), when orally exposed. The LD50 values (ng a.i./bee) and the decreasing order of toxicity for P. emerina was spinosad (1.90) > malathion (10.90) > phosmet (19.54) > acetamiprid (6216.55) and for T. fiebrigi was malathion (29.29) ≥ spinosad (29.79) > phosmet (41.95) > acetamiprid (1421.23), when topically exposed. The mean survival (hours) of contaminated bees by malathion, phosmet, and spinosad, was 11.81, 7.20, and 12.32 for P. emerina and 8.55, 7.20, and 13.34 for T. fiebrigi when orally exposed; and was 4.87, 9.87 and 11.17 for P. emerina, and 4.87, 4.76, and 19.05 for T. fiebrigi when topically exposed. Malathion, phosmet, and spinosad were highly toxic, while acetamiprid was moderately toxic. Our results indicated that the insecticides tested, mainly malathion, phosmet, and spinosad may be harmful to P. emerina and T. fiebrigi, making it essential to propose measures to minimize their impact on wild pollinators.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C Padilha
- Departament of Plant Protection, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), P.O. Box 354, Postal Code 96010-900, Capão-do-Leão, RS, Brazil.
| | - B Piovesan
- Departament of Plant Protection, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), P.O. Box 354, Postal Code 96010-900, Capão-do-Leão, RS, Brazil
| | - M C Morais
- Departament of Plant Protection, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), P.O. Box 354, Postal Code 96010-900, Capão-do-Leão, RS, Brazil
| | - J de B Pazini
- Departament of Plant Protection, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), P.O. Box 354, Postal Code 96010-900, Capão-do-Leão, RS, Brazil
| | - M J Zotti
- Departament of Plant Protection, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), P.O. Box 354, Postal Code 96010-900, Capão-do-Leão, RS, Brazil
| | - M Botton
- Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), Embrapa Grape & Wine, P.O. Box 130, Postal Code 95701-008, Bento Gonçalves, RS, Brazil
| | - A D Grützmacher
- Departament of Plant Protection, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), P.O. Box 354, Postal Code 96010-900, Capão-do-Leão, RS, Brazil
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Krüger AP, Scheunemann T, Vieira JGA, Morais MC, Bernardi D, Nava DE, Garcia FRM. Effects of Extrinsic, Intraspecific Competition and Host Deprivation on the Biology of Trichopria anastrephae (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae) Reared on Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae). Neotrop Entomol 2019; 48:957-965. [PMID: 31364009 DOI: 10.1007/s13744-019-00705-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The pupal parasitoid Trichopria anastrephae Lima (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae) shows potential to control Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), and understanding the behavior of this parasitoid in challenging environments is important to obtain a higher efficiency in mass rearing and in biological control programs. This study aimed to verify the effects of extrinsic intraspecific competition and the absence of host on the parasitism of T. anastrephae in D. suzukii pupae. Therefore, to evaluate the parasitism of T. anastrephae under intraspecific competition, groups of 20 pupae (24 h old) of D. suzukii were offered for different densities of parasitoids (1, 3, 5, or 10 couples) during a 7-day period. Whereas to evaluate the effects of host deprivation on parasitism of T. anastrephae, we tested different treatments: T1-no deprivation, T2-complete deprivation, T3-deprivation every other day, T4-deprivation for 3 days, and T5-deprivation for 7 days. The increase of density of parasitoids resulted in an increase of oviposition scars on pupae and a longer biological cycle, suggesting the occurrence of superparasitism. Increased density also resulted in a higher percentage of attacked pupae, but did not affect parasitoids emergence nor sex ratio. Host deprivation affected number of parasitized pupae, number and sex ratio of offspring, and the longevity of females. Based on our findings, competition among females do not impair offspring viability, and host deprivation for a period up to 7 days do not influence parasitism capacity, indicating that it can be used as a pre-release strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- A P Krüger
- Programa de pós-graduação em Fitossanidade, Univ Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, 96010900, Brasil.
| | - T Scheunemann
- Programa de pós-graduação em Fitossanidade, Univ Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, 96010900, Brasil
| | - J G A Vieira
- Programa de pós-graduação em Fitossanidade, Univ Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, 96010900, Brasil
| | - M C Morais
- Faculdade de Agronomia Eliseu Maciel, Univ Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, 96010900, Brasil
| | - D Bernardi
- Programa de pós-graduação em Fitossanidade, Univ Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, 96010900, Brasil
| | - D E Nava
- Programa de pós-graduação em Fitossanidade, Univ Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, 96010900, Brasil
- EMBRAPA Clima Temperado, Pelotas, RS, 96010-971, Brasil
| | - F R M Garcia
- Programa de pós-graduação em Fitossanidade, Univ Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, 96010900, Brasil
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10
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González-Moreno P, Lazzaro L, Vilà M, Preda C, Adriaens T, Bacher S, Brundu G, Copp GH, Essl F, García-Berthou E, Katsanevakis S, Moen TL, Lucy FE, Nentwig W, Roy HE, Srėbalienė G, Talgø V, Vanderhoeven S, Andjelković A, Arbačiauskas K, Auger-Rozenberg MA, Bae MJ, Bariche M, Boets P, Boieiro M, Borges PA, Canning-Clode J, Cardigos F, Chartosia N, Cottier-Cook EJ, Crocetta F, D'hondt B, Foggi B, Follak S, Gallardo B, Gammelmo Ø, Giakoumi S, Giuliani C, Guillaume F, Jelaska LŠ, Jeschke JM, Jover M, Juárez-Escario A, Kalogirou S, Kočić A, Kytinou E, Laverty C, Lozano V, Maceda-Veiga A, Marchante E, Marchante H, Martinou AF, Meyer S, Minchin D, Montero-Castaño A, Morais MC, Morales-Rodriguez C, Muhthassim N, Nagy ZÁ, Ogris N, Onen H, Pergl J, Puntila R, Rabitsch W, Ramburn TT, Rego C, Reichenbach F, Romeralo C, Saul WC, Schrader G, Sheehan R, Simonović P, Skolka M, Soares AO, Sundheim L, Tarkan AS, Tomov R, Tricarico E, Tsiamis K, Uludağ A, van Valkenburg J, Verreycken H, Vettraino AM, Vilar L, Wiig Ø, Witzell J, Zanetta A, Kenis M. Consistency of impact assessment protocols for non-native species. NB 2019. [DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.44.31650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Standardized tools are needed to identify and prioritize the most harmful non-native species (NNS). A plethora of assessment protocols have been developed to evaluate the current and potential impacts of non-native species, but consistency among them has received limited attention. To estimate the consistency across impact assessment protocols, 89 specialists in biological invasions used 11 protocols to screen 57 NNS (2614 assessments). We tested if the consistency in the impact scoring across assessors, quantified as the coefficient of variation (CV), was dependent on the characteristics of the protocol, the taxonomic group and the expertise of the assessor. Mean CV across assessors was 40%, with a maximum of 223%. CV was lower for protocols with a low number of score levels, which demanded high levels of expertise, and when the assessors had greater expertise on the assessed species. The similarity among protocols with respect to the final scores was higher when the protocols considered the same impact types. We conclude that all protocols led to considerable inconsistency among assessors. In order to improve consistency, we highlight the importance of selecting assessors with high expertise, providing clear guidelines and adequate training but also deriving final decisions collaboratively by consensus.
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11
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Aires A, Morais MC, Barreales D, Rodrigues MÂ, Ribeiro AC, Gonçalves B, Silva AP. Variation of almond yield, biometry, α‐tocopherol levels, and antioxidant properties with nitrogen fertilization. J Food Biochem 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/jfbc.12685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Aires
- Centre for the Research and Technology for Agro‐Environmental and Biological Sciences CITAB, Universidade de Trás‐os‐Montes e Alto Douro Vila Real Portugal
| | - Maria Cristina Morais
- Centre for the Research and Technology for Agro‐Environmental and Biological Sciences CITAB, Universidade de Trás‐os‐Montes e Alto Douro Vila Real Portugal
| | - David Barreales
- Mountain Research Centre CIMO, Escola Superior Agrária, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança Bragança Portugal
| | - Manuel Ângelo Rodrigues
- Mountain Research Centre CIMO, Escola Superior Agrária, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança Bragança Portugal
| | - António Castro Ribeiro
- Mountain Research Centre CIMO, Escola Superior Agrária, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança Bragança Portugal
| | - Berta Gonçalves
- Centre for the Research and Technology for Agro‐Environmental and Biological Sciences CITAB, Universidade de Trás‐os‐Montes e Alto Douro Vila Real Portugal
- Departament of Biology and Environment Escola das Ciências da Vida e Ambiente, Universidade de Trás‐os‐Montes e Alto Douro Vila Real Portugal
| | - Ana Paula Silva
- Centre for the Research and Technology for Agro‐Environmental and Biological Sciences CITAB, Universidade de Trás‐os‐Montes e Alto Douro Vila Real Portugal
- Departament of Agronomy Universidade de Trás‐os‐Montes e Alto Douro, UTAD Vila Real Portugal
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12
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Morais MC, Freitas H. The acclimation potential of Acacia longifolia to water stress: implications for invasiveness. Plant Sci 2012; 196:77-84. [PMID: 23017901 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2012.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2012] [Revised: 08/01/2012] [Accepted: 08/06/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The ability of an invasive species to establish and spread to new areas may depend on its ability to tolerate a broad range of environmental conditions. Due to climate change, increasing occurrences of extreme events such as droughts are expected in the Mediterranean region and invasive species may expand if they cope with water stress. Limited information is available on the responses of Acacia longifolia, one of the most aggressive plant species in Portuguese coastal sand dune ecosystems, to prolonged water stress. In this study, we exposed A. longifolia plants from two distinct populations, one from the wet (northern) and another from the dry (southern) climate regions of Portugal, to drought conditions, and monitored morphological, physiological and biochemical responses. One-month-old seedlings were submitted to three different water treatments which involved watering twice a week, every 7 days and every 10 days, respectively, for three months, under controlled conditions. Overall, the progressive drought stress significantly affected most of the growth parameters considered, except the root:shoot ratio. Water stress also increased the uptake of ions (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺ and Na⁺) and N concentration. On the contrary, the C/N ratio decreased under water stress conditions. Isotopic analysis did not reveal significant differences in δ¹³C with water treatments but the same pattern was not observed in δ¹⁵N values. Compared with the wet climate population, the dry climate population showed somewhat differing responses to water stress, indicating a genetic difference between populations. These results provide insights into limitations and opportunities for establishment of A. longifolia in a drought-prone scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cristina Morais
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
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Morais MC, Panuccio MR, Muscolo A, Freitas H. Salt tolerance traits increase the invasive success of Acacia longifolia in Portuguese coastal dunes. Plant Physiol Biochem 2012; 55:60-5. [PMID: 22543107 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2012.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2012] [Accepted: 03/21/2012] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Salt tolerance of two co-occurring legumes in coastal areas of Portugal, a native species--Ulex europaeus, and an invasive species--Acacia longifolia, was evaluated in relation to plant growth, ion content and antioxidant enzyme activities. Plants were submitted to four concentrations of NaCl (0, 50, 100 and 200 mM) for three months, under controlled conditions. The results showed that NaCl affects the growth of both species in different ways. Salt stress significantly reduced the plant height and the dry weight in Acacia longifolia whereas in U. europaeus the effect was not significant. Under salt stress, the root:shoot ratio (W(R):W(S)) and root mass ratio (W(R):W(RS)) increased as a result of increasing salinity in A. longifolia but the same was not observed in U. europaeus. In addition, salt stress caused a significant accumulation of Na+, especially in U. europaeus, and a decrease in K+ content and K+/Na+ ratio. The activities of antioxidant enzymes were higher in A. longifolia compared to U. europaeus. In A. longifolia, catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6) and glutathione reductase (GR, EC 1.6.4.2.) activities increased significantly, while ascorbate peroxidase (APX, EC 1.11.1.11) and peroxidase (POX, EC 1.11.1.7) activities remained unchanged in comparison with the control. In U. europaeus, NaCl concentration significantly reduced APX activity but did not significantly affect CAT, GR and POX activities. Our results suggest that the invasive species copes better with salinity stress in part due to a higher rates of CAT and GR activities and a higher K+/Na+ ratio, which may represent an additional advantage when competing with native species in co-occurring salty habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cristina Morais
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, P.O. Box 3046, 3001-401 Coimbra, Portugal.
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Simpson AA, Tao Y, Leiman PG, Badasso MO, He Y, Jardine PJ, Olson NH, Morais MC, Grimes S, Anderson DL, Baker TS, Rossmann MG. Structure of the bacteriophage phi29 DNA packaging motor. Nature 2000; 408:745-50. [PMID: 11130079 PMCID: PMC4151180 DOI: 10.1038/35047129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 400] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Motors generating mechanical force, powered by the hydrolysis of ATP, translocate double-stranded DNA into preformed capsids (proheads) of bacterial viruses and certain animal viruses. Here we describe the motor that packages the double-stranded DNA of the Bacillus subtilis bacteriophage phi29 into a precursor capsid. We determined the structure of the head-tail connector--the central component of the phi29 DNA packaging motor--to 3.2 A resolution by means of X-ray crystallography. We then fitted the connector into the electron densities of the prohead and of the partially packaged prohead as determined using cryo-electron microscopy and image reconstruction analysis. Our results suggest that the prohead plus dodecameric connector, prohead RNA, viral ATPase and DNA comprise a rotary motor with the head-prohead RNA-ATPase complex acting as a stator, the DNA acting as a spindle, and the connector as a ball-race. The helical nature of the DNA converts the rotary action of the connector into translation of the DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Simpson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-1392, USA
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Morais MC, Zhang W, Baker AS, Zhang G, Dunaway-Mariano D, Allen KN. The crystal structure of bacillus cereus phosphonoacetaldehyde hydrolase: insight into catalysis of phosphorus bond cleavage and catalytic diversification within the HAD enzyme superfamily. Biochemistry 2000; 39:10385-96. [PMID: 10956028 DOI: 10.1021/bi001171j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Phosphonoacetaldehyde hydrolase (phosphonatase) catalyzes the hydrolysis of phosphonoacetaldehyde to acetaldehyde and phosphate using Mg(II) as cofactor. The reaction proceeds via a novel bicovalent catalytic mechanism in which an active-site nucleophile abstracts the phosphoryl group from the Schiff-base intermediate formed from Lys53 and phosphonoacetaldehyde. In this study, the X-ray crystal structure of the Bacillus cereus phosphonatase homodimer complexed with the phosphate (product) analogue tungstate (K(i) = 50 microM) and the Mg(II) cofactor was determined to 3.0 A resolution with an R(cryst) = 0.248 and R(free) = 0.284. Each monomer is made up of an alpha/beta core domain consisting of a centrally located six-stranded parallel beta-sheet surrounded by six alpha-helices. Two flexible, solvated linkers connect to a small cap domain (residues 21-99) that consists of an antiparallel, five-helix bundle. The subunit-subunit interface, formed by the symmetrical packing of the two alpha8 helices from the respective core domains, is stabilized through the hydrophobic effect derived from the desolvation of paired Met171, Trp164, Tyr162, Tyr167, and Tyr176 side chains. The active site is located at the domain-domain interface of each subunit. The Schiff base forming Lys53 is positioned on the cap domain while tungstate and Mg(II) are bound to the core domain. Mg(II) ligands include two oxygens of the tungstate ligand, one oxygen of the carboxylates of Asp12 and Asp186, the backbone carbonyl oxygen of Ala14, and a water that forms a hydrogen bond with the carboxylate of Asp190 and Thr187. The guanidinium group of Arg160 binds tungstate and the proposed nucleophile Asp12, which is suitably positioned for in-line attack at the tungsten atom. The side chains of the core domain residue Tyr128 and the cap domain residues Cys22 and Lys53 are located nearby. The identity of Asp12 as the active-site nucleophile was further evidenced by the observed removal of catalytic activity resulting from Asp12Ala substitution. The similarity of backbone folds observed in phosphonatase and the 2-haloacid dehalogenase of the HAD enzyme superfamily indicated common ancestry. Superposition of the two structures revealed a conserved active-site scaffold having distinct catalytic stations. Analysis of the usage of polar amino acid residues at these stations by the dehalogenases, phosphonatases, phosphatases, and phosphomutases of the HAD superfamily suggests possible ways in which the active site of an ancient enzyme ancestor might have been diversified for catalysis of C-X, P-C, and P-O bond cleavage reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Morais
- Department of Physiology, Structural Biology Group, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118-2394, USA
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Morais MC, Baker AS, Dunaway-Mariano D, Allen KN. Crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of phosphonoacetaldehyde hydrolase. Acta Crystallogr D Biol Crystallogr 2000; 56:206-9. [PMID: 10666607 DOI: 10.1107/s0907444999015899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Phosphonoacetaldehyde hydrolase, a C-P bond-cleaving enzyme which utilizes an unusual bicovalent catalytic strategy, has been crystallized by the hanging-drop vapor-diffusion method using PEG 4000 as the precipitant. The crystals belong to the monoclinic system and belong to space group C2, with unit-cell parameters a = 210.5, b = 45.5, c = 64.7 A, beta = 105.0 degrees. The asymmetric unit contains a dimer related by a non-crystallographic dyad. In addition to a 2.7 A native data set, the following data sets have been collected: a 2.4 A data set from crystals complexed with the intermediate analog vinyl sulfonate, a 3.0 A three-wavelength MAD data set from crystals complexed with the product analog WO(4)(2-), as well as several heavy-atom data sets to 3.0 A or better, of which only three have proven useful for MIR calculations. Examination of the native Patterson map revealed NCS that made previously uninterpretable derivative data useful. Independent phase sets were first calculated and refined for the MAD and MIR experiments separately and were then combined. The combined phase set was further improved by solvent flattening, histogram matching and NCS averaging. Interpretation of the resulting electron-density map is currently under way.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Morais
- Department of Physiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118-2394, USA
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