Insecticidal activity of the organotellurium 2-Phenylethynyl-Butyltellurium on the Drosophila melanogaster model.

2-Phenylethynyl-Butyltellurium (PEBT) is a synthetic organotellurium compound that has shown various pharmacological properties on mammals without any signs of toxicity, but its effects on insects have not been reported before. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess whether acute exposure to PEBT would promote an insecticidal effect against Drosophila melanogaster. The flies were exposed to three concentrations of PEBT (0.

Effects of Trichoderma asperellum on Germination Indexes and Seedling Parameters of Lettuce Cultivars.

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of Trichoderma asperellum on germination indexes and seedling parameters of lettuce cultivars. The trial was arranged in a completely randomized design with three cultivars (Cerbiata, Crespa Grand Rapids, and Mimosa), and two seed-treatment products (quality and organic) containing strain URM 5911 of Trichoderma asperellum plus a control group (untreated), with four repetitions. After seven days, six seedling characters were measured (shoot length, radicle length, total length, shoot diameter, radicle diameter, and seedling dry matter) and eight germination indexes were calculated (germination, first count, mean germination time, germination speed index, coefficient of velocity of germination, mean germination rate, Timson's germination index, and germination rate index).