Essential Oils from Selected Mediterranean Aromatic Plants-Characterization and Biological Activity as Aphid Biopesticides.

The need for alternatives to synthetic pesticides is a priority today, especially when these pesticides are directed against aphids, one of the more challenging pests facing modern agriculture. Essential oils may be one of these alternatives. We assayed the insecticidal potential of essential oils from , var.

Effect of Abiotic Climatic Factors on the Gonadal Maturation of the Biocontrol Agent (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Syrphidae).

The hoverfly is currently one of the most effective predators commercially available for aphid pest control. However, knowledge of the reproductive system of males and females of this syrphid is limited. The present article aims to report how changes in the temperature and photoperiod may affect development of the gonads (ovaries and testes), oviposition, and fecundity during the lifespan of Four environmental conditions (14L:10D, T: 20 ± 1 °C; 12L:12D, T: 20 ± 1 °C; 14L:10D, T: 25 ± 1 °C; and 12L:12D, T: 25 ± 1 °C) were used to determine oviposition, hatching percentage, and lifespan during a period of 30 days after the adult emergence.

In Vitro Propagation, Genetic Assessment, and Medium-Term Conservation of the Coastal Endangered Species (Vahl) Masters (Cupressaceae) from Adult Trees.

(Vahl) Masters is an endangered tree growing in coastal and arid environments that is widely exploited by the timber and resin industry, among other applications. In this context, the use of in vitro techniques is highly encouraged for its propagation. We present a protocol for micropropagation using twigs from adult trees as a source of explants.

Proteome changes in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) leaves induced by the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae Sulzer).

Background: Aphid attack induces defense responses in plants activating several signaling cascades that led to the production of toxic, repellent or antinutritive compounds and the consequent reorganization of the plant primary metabolism. Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) leaf proteomic response against Myzus persicae (Sulzer) has been investigated and analyzed by LC-MS/MS coupled with bioinformatics tools.

Phytohormone responses in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) leaves under a high density of aphid infestation.

The time course response of selected phytohormones has been evaluated in sweet pepper plants (Capsicum annuum L.) submitted to a high density (200 aphids/plant) of aphid (Myzus persicae Sulzer) infestation. Abscisic acid (ABA), salicylic acid (SA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and jasmonates (JAs), including jasmonic acid (JA), jasmonoyl-l-isoleucine (JA-Ile), and cis-OPDA have been simultaneously identified and quantitated by UHPLC-MS/MS in pepper leaf tissue harvested at 3, 8 hours post-infestation (hpi), 1, 2, 4 and 7 days post-infestation (dpi).

Local and systemic hormonal responses in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) leaves under green peach aphid (Myzus persicae Sulzer) infestation.

This study examined the temporal changes in the leaf content of defence-involved phytohormones in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) plants responding to the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae Sulzer) infestation, at both local and systemic level. Aphid infestation did not alter the content of cis-12-oxo-phytodienoic acid, the jasmonic acid (JA) precursor, even though endogenous levels of JA and its bioactive isoleucine-conjugated form (JA-Ile) significantly increased from 8 to 96 h in local infested leaves.

Changes in the free amino acid composition of Capsicum annuum (pepper) leaves in response to Myzus persicae (green peach aphid) infestation. A comparison with water stress.

Amino acids play a central role in aphid-plant interactions. They are essential components of plant primary metabolism, function as precursors for the synthesis of defense-related specialized metabolites, and are major growth-limiting nutrients for aphids. To quantify changes in the free amino acid content of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.

Acorn consumption improves the immune response of the dung beetle Thorectes lusitanicus.

Thorectes lusitanicus, a typically coprophagous species is also actively attracted to oak acorns, consuming, burying them, and conferring ecophysiological and reproductive advantages to both the beetle and the tree. In this study, we explored the possible relation between diet shift and the health status of T. lusitanicus using a generalist entomopathogenic fungus (Metarhizium anisopliae) as a natural pathogen.

RAPD and phytochemical analysis of Thymus moroderi plantlets after cryopreservation.

Cryopreservation is at present the most reliable strategy to preserve plant germplasm. When aromatic plants are the object of conservation it is necessary to assess not only the genetic but also the phytochemical stability to ensure that plant material maintains its qualities after storage. In this work we present molecular and phytochemical stability data related to a previously described vitrification-based cryopreservation protocol for Thymus moroderi Pau ex Martínez.

Effects of extended exposure to cadmium and subsequent recovery period on growth, antioxidant status and polyamine pattern in in vitro cultured carnation.

The effect of different doses of Cd (0.05, 0.1 and 0.

Cryopreservation of Tetraclinis articulata (vahl.) Masters.

Tetraclinis articulata shoot tips excised from in vitro grown shoots were cryopreserved using a modified PVS2-based vitrification protocol. Preliminary experiments with non-cryostored shoot tips showed that the high concentrations of sucrose in loading (LS), vitrification (PVS2) and unloading (US) solutions employed in the protocol were very toxic for the explants. Replacement of sucrose by sorbitol in equal molar concentration in all these solutions enhanced survival of shoot tips after all treatments.

1,3-Bis[(1H-benzotriazol-1-yl)meth-yl]-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzimidazole.

In the title compound, C(21)H(18)N(8), the two (benzotriazol-1-yl)methyl groups are located in an anti position with respect to the benzimidazoline moiety. The dihedral angles between the benzotriazole ring systems and the central benzimidazoline moiety are 57.03 (4) and 81.

Dung beetles eat acorns to increase their ovarian development and thermal tolerance.

Animals eat different foods in proportions that yield a more favorable balance of nutrients. Despite known examples of these behaviors across different taxa, their ecological and physiological benefits remain unclear. We identified a surprising dietary shift that confers ecophysiological advantages in a dung beetle species.

In vitro propagation of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.).

Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) is one of the most popular ornamental plants worldwide and also among the most studied ones, mainly in cut flower postharvest physiology. Several protocols for the in vitro propagation of this species including nodal segment culture, somatic embryogenesis, and adventitious shoot induction are described in this chapter.