The damage caused by Cd toxicity to photosynthesis, cellular ultrastructure, antioxidant metabolism, and gene expression in young cacao plants are mitigated by high Mn doses in soil.

Manganese (Mn) is one of the essential mineral micronutrients most demanded by cacao. Cadmium (Cd) is highly toxic to plants and other living beings. There are indications that Mn can interact with Cd and mitigate its toxicity.

Soil flooding and its outcome on cadmium and nutrient uptake affect photosynthetic activity in Inga laurina plants.

Urban areas next to mangroves are subject to progressive heavy metal contamination. Treelets of Inga laurina were collected in this ecosystem and cultivated for 30 days in waterlogged conditions and closed pots (WC) and at field capacity (FC), while exposed to different Cd concentrations (0, 50 and 100 mg·kg). Soil water conditions did not affect total Cd in plants, with Cd accumulating in roots and WC inducing less leaf chlorophyll while increasing carotenoids and chlorophyll ratio.

Mechanical stress caused by wind on leaves of Theobroma cacao: Photosynthetic, molecular, antioxidative and ultrastructural responses.

Theobroma cacao is cultivated in the shade, in a so-called 'Cabruca' system, in intercropped with Erithryna or other tree species of economic value, and in full sun as a monoculture in irrigated or chemically-irrigated systems. Since it is a species quite intolerant to wind, it is practically impossible to implant cacao crops under full exposure to the sun, or in areas of frequent winds, without the protection of windbreaks, using arboreal species around the area of culture in the form of box. Wind can cause mechanical stimuli in plants, affecting their growth and development.

Antimicrobial activity of allylic thiocyanates derived from the Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction.

Bacterial resistance to commonly used antibiotics has been recognized as a significant global health issue. In this study, we carried out the screening of a family of allylic thiocyanates for their action against a diversity of bacteria and fungi with a view to developing new antimicrobial agents. Allylic thiocyanates bearing halogenated aryl groups, which were readily obtained in two steps from the Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts, showed moderate-to-high activity against selective pathogens, including a methicillin-resistant S.