Egg Mass Index Research Articles

Resistance sources to root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne javanica, M. incognita and M. enterolobii in sweet potato

ABSTRACT One of the main obstacles for food production in many developing countries, as in Brazil, is the damage caused by root-knot nematodes, mainly those belonging to the genus Meloidogyne. This study aimed to assess the resistance levels of 44 sweet potato genotypes to M. javanica, M. incognita race 1 and M. enterolobii. These researches were carried out in 2014, under greenhouse conditions in Brasília-DF, Brazil. A completely randomized design with six replicates of one plant/plot/treatment was used. We determined the gall index (GI) and egg mass index (EMI) in the root system of each plant, the number of eggs and juveniles per gram of root with galls and the nematode reproduction factor. M. javanica was less aggressive and reproduced in only 9.09% of the evaluated genotypes; M. incognita race 1 was intermediate (47.73%); whereas M. enterolobii was more aggressive, with a population increase in 79.55% of the genotypes. The genotypes CNPH 1200, CNPH 1219, CNPH 1292, CNPH 1392, CNPH 60 and ‘Coquinho’ were the most resistant to the three species and can be used in breeding programs for multiple resistance to root-knot nematodes.

Phanerochaete chrysosporiumstrain B-22, a nematophagous fungus parasitizing Meloidogyne incognita.

The root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita has a wide host range and it is one of the most economically important crop parasites worldwide. Biological control has been a good approach for reducing M. incognita infection, for which many nematophagous fungi are reportedly applicable. However, the controlling effects of Phanerochaete chrysosporium strain B-22 are still unclear. In the present study we characterized the parasitism of this strain on M. incognita eggs, second-stage juveniles (J2), and adult females. The highest corrected mortality was 71.9% at 3 × 108 colony forming units (CFU) mL-1 and the estimated median lethal concentration of the fungus was 0.96 × 108 CFU mL-1. Two days after treatment with Phanerochaete chrysosporium strain B-22 eggshells were dissolved. A strong lethal effect was noted against J2, as the fungal spores developed in their body walls, germinated, and the resulting hyphae crossed the juvenile cuticle to dissolve it, thereby causing shrinkage and deformation of the juvenile body wall. The spores and hyphae also attacked adult females, causing the shrinkage and dissolution of their bodies and leakage of contents after five days. Greenhouse experiments revealed that different concentrations of the fungal spores effectively controlled M. incognita. In the roots, the highest inhibition rate for adult females, juveniles, egg mass, and gall index was 84.61%, 78.91%, 84.25%, and 79.48%, respectively. The highest juvenile inhibition rate was 89.18% in the soil. Phanerochaete chrysosporium strain B-22 also improved tomato plant growth, therefore being safe for tomato plants while effectively parasitizing M. incognita. This strain is thus a promising biocontrol agent against M. incognita.

Incidence of Root-Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne graminicola) and Resulting Crop Losses in Paddy Rice in Northern India.

Surveys of major rice growing districts in the state of Uttar Pradesh in Northern India were conducted for 3 consecutive years during 2013 to 2015 under a government-funded major research project to determine the frequency of occurrence and disease incidence of the rice root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne graminicola, in rice paddy fields. More than 800 paddy fields from 88 Tehsils (divisions within a district) in 18 major rice growing districts in Uttar Pradesh were surveyed, where M. graminicola was associated with root-knot disease in rice paddy fields based on morphological and molecular characterization of juveniles and adults. The highest frequency of disease in rice fields was observed in Aligarh (44.6%), followed by Muzaffarnagar, Shahjahanpur, and Kheri Lakhimpur (29.3, 28.0, and 27.4%, respectively). Maximum disease incidence was also recorded in Aligarh (44.6%), followed by Sultanpur, Mainpuri, and Muzaffarnagar (5.7, 5.2, and 4.5, respectively). Gall index and egg mass index values (on a 0 to 10 scale) were highest in Aligarh (3.5 and 2.1, respectively), followed by Muzaffarnagar (2.6 and 2.0) and Mainpuri (2.3 and 1.8). The average soil population of M. graminicola was highest in Aligarh (3,851 ± 297 second-stage juveniles [J2]/kg of soil), followed by Muzaffarnagar (2,855 ± 602 J2/kg of soil), whereas the lowest population was recorded in Barabanki (695 ± 400 J2/kg of soil) at the time of harvesting. Relative yield losses were also determined, and the highest yield loss attributed to M. graminicola infestation was recorded in Aligarh (47%). The yield loss was linearly correlated with the soil population density of M. graminicola and disease incidence.

Effects of chicken manure and summer ploughing on root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne javanica) management in cantaloupe (Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis)

A 2-year trial was performed in two regions of Ardestan (Iran, Isfahan province) to investigate effects of chicken manure and summer ploughing on root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne javanica) in two infested cantaloupe fields. Before planting cantaloupe, summer ploughing and chicken manure (3, 6 and 9 T/ha) separately and combination of these treatments were applied in nematode-infested fields. At the harvest time, the number of galls, egg masses, gall and egg mass indices and multiplication rate were determined. Also, quantitative and qualitative parameters of cantaloupes in different treatments were evaluated. The results revealed that double summer ploughing in combination with 6 T/ha chicken manure treatments had the best effects on the control of M. javanica. By applying this treatment, reduction of the egg mass number, gall number, total population in root and soil and reproduction factor were observed 17, 6.75, 8591 g/root and 3.37 g/root, respectively (compared to control: 132.5, 36.87, 45037 g/root and 23.13, respectively). It also had positive effect on fruit weigh (28 vs. 18.25 kg) and root dry weight (3.8 vs. 2.08 g). According to the results, it seems that decrease in growth parameters and yield reduction due to root-knot nematode could be overcome by incorporation of summer ploughing and applying the chicken manure with the most efficacy in increasing the quantity and quality of the yield.

Reaction of weeds, found in vegetable production areas, to root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne incognita and M. enterolobii

ABSTRACT Root-knot nematodes cause great damage to vegetable crops in Brazil, besides having a large range of host plants, such as weeds. Weeds can maintain the inoculums or even favor the multiplication of these nematodes. In this study we evaluated the reaction of selected weed species, present in a vegetable production area, to root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne incognita and M. enterolobii. The trials were conducted in a greenhouse at Embrapa Hortaliças, Brasília-DF, in a completely randomized design with six replicates. Fifteen weed species were evaluated for M. incognita race 1, and 16 weed species were evaluated for M. enterolobii. Two tomato cultivars were evaluated as resistance and susceptibility standards. Gall index (IG), egg mass index (IMO), number of eggs per gram of roots (eggs/g roots) and reproduction factor (FR) were evaluated. M. enterolobii survives and multiplies more easily in weeds collected in vegetable production areas than M. incognita race 1 and, the great majority of weed species evaluated in this study are hosts of both nematode species. Only the species Urena lobata, Sonchus oleraceus, Euphorbia heterophylla, Melampodium perfoliatum and Tagetes sp. were immune to M. incognita race 1. All evaluated species are either hosts or favor the multiplication of M. enterolobii. The species which are the most susceptible to M. incognita race 1, and therefore require greater control of crops infected by this nematode are Ipomoea nil, I. triloba and Eleusine indica, and for M. enterolobii are I. nil, Solanum americanum, Hyptis suaveolens, Portulaca oleracea, I. triloba and Euphorbia heterophylla.

Resistance of Malpighia emarginata DC. Genotypes to Meloidogyne enterolobii Parasitism

Aims: Considering the inexistence of M. emarginata cultivars resistant to M. enterolobii available for cultivation, and the scarcity of information about the severity of its parasitism in M. emarginata, the present study investigated the response of genotypes from the active germplasm bank of Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco to M. enterolobii parasitism, aiming the selection of resistant genotypes for use as rootstocks for commercial varieties.
 Study Design: The experimental design was completely randomized, with 21 genotypes and one independent matrix (control), with six replicates each. The experimental unit was represented by one plant per plot.
 Place and Duration of Study: Department of Agronomy, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco – UFRPE - Brazil between June 2013 and July 2014.
 Methods: In the experiment, completely randomized design was adopted, with 21 genotypes from the AGB and one as a control for susceptibility. The M. emarginata cuttings were inoculated with 10,000 nematode eggs, and after 150 days, they were evaluated for the following parameters: Egg mass index, gall index, reproduction factor, number of eggs per gram of root, number of eggs per root system.
 Results: Twenty out of the twenty-two genotypes analyzed were susceptible. The genotypes 021-CMF and 037-CMF were considered resistant. To our knowledge, this is the first identification of M. emarginata genotypes resistant to M. enterolobii.
 Conclusions: These results are of great importance for the breeding and cultivation of the species since these two genotypes can be indicated for use as rootstocks and for breeding programs aimed at transferring resistance to other cultivars with desirable production characteristics that are susceptible to the phytonematode.

Prospection of genetic resistance resources to root-knot nematodes in cucurbit genotypes

ABSTRACT The aim of this research was to prospect genetic resistant sources to root-knot-nematode in Cucurbitaceae accessions. Two assays were conducted, the first to evaluate the resistance to root-knot nematode, M. incognita race 1 in accessions of Lagenaria vulgaris; Sicana odorifera; Cucurbita facifolia; Luffa sp.; Citrullus lanatus cv. Citroides; Lagenaria vulgaris; Cucurbita moschata; Cucurbita moschata x Cucurbita maxima; Cucumis melo and Cucumis metuliferus. The second to evaluate the reaction to nematode M. incognita race 1, M. javanica and M. enterolobii of the three accessions of Cucumis metuliferus (‘Kino’) considered resistant to M. incognita race 1 in the first experiment. The assays were carried out in a greenhouse at Embrapa Hortaliças in a completely randomized design with six replications. The seedlings in pots were inoculated with 5000 eggs and juveniles of 2nd stage (J2) of each Meloidogyne species alone. Fifty-three and eighty-four days after inoculation, respectively in both experiments, the plants were evaluated for egg mass index (IMO), gall index (IG), number of eggs per gram of root (NEGR) and reproduction factor (RF). The melon Cucumis metuliferus known as ‘Kino’ was identified as genetic source of resistance to root-knot nematodes and can be explored in breeding program as resistant rootstock.

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL: ISOLATED AND IN MIXTURES AND GENETIC CONTROL OF Meloidogyne exigua IN COFFE

<em>Meloidogyne exigua</em> is one of the most found species of nematodes in coffee plantations in the Brazilian Cerrado. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficiency of biological agents on two coffee cultivars. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse using a completely randomized design. The treatments were arranged in a 2x3 factorial scheme, using repeated measures (two cultivars, 3 nematicides, and 2 additional controls), and were composed of two genotypes (Mundo Novo IAC 376-4 and IPR-100), three biological nematicides (B. methylotrophicus, B. subitilis, and T. asperellum), and two treatments including the three nematicides together, totaling 8 treatments and 2 controls, with 6 replicates each. The plants were inoculated with 3,780 eggs and J2s of the respective nematode. Throughout 150 days, the following variables were evaluated monthly: plant height, stem diameter, number of leaf pairs, and chlorophyll contents. At the end of this period (DAI), the reproductive factor (RF), egg mass and gall index were analyzed. About FR, the results were lower (<1) when using the cultivar IPR-100 when compared to the Mundo Novo genotype, denoting adequate genetic control. On the other hand, in the treatments with the susceptible genotype, high FRs were verified, ranging from 2.64 to 5.68 in the control. It was concluded that the bacterial mixtures were efficient in the control, and B.<em> methylotrophicus</em> contributed to higher plant height in the IPR 100 genotype.

Identification of Chili Pepper Genotypes (Capsicum spp.) Resistant to Meloidogyne enterolobii

Chili pepper has economic importance and is the dominant Solanaceae in the market of spicy spices. Among the pathogens that affect this crop, Meloidogyne enterolobii is one of the most important because it presents a wide range of hosts and there are no resistance genes identified that are efficient against this species. The present study aimed to evaluate the reaction of chili pepper genotypes (Capsicum spp.) to M. enterolobii in order to identifify genetic resistance. Three experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design under greenhouse conditions: Experiment I, with 53 genotypes with ten replications; Experiment II, with twenty genotypes with ten replications; Experiment III in a 16 × 4 factorial scheme, with sixteen Capsicum spp. genotypes and four inoculum concentrations of M. enterolobii and eight replications. Inoculation was performed seven days after transplanting the Capsicum spp. seedlings into 2L plastic bags filled with sterilized soil and sand (2:1), using 4,000 eggs + J2/plant. Ninety days after inoculation (DAI) (Experiments I and II) and 60 DAI (Experiment III) nematode population density, reproduction factor (RF), fresh root mass, egg mass index (EMI) and gall index (GI) were evaluated. Genotypes with RF < 1.0 were considered resistant according to Oostenbrink (1966). Thirty one genotypes of Capsicum spp. showed resistance to M. enterolobii with RF ranging from 0.87 to 0.08. Seventeen resistant genotypes of C. chinensis presented RF lower than 0.85, ten genotypes of C. annuum had the RF lower than 0.75, three genotypes of C. frutescens had the RF lower than 0.87 and only one genotype of C. baccatum was resistant to M. enterolobii, presenting RF = 0.6. EMI and GI weren’t considered reliable variables to determine resistance and susceptibility. Fourteen genotypes rated as resistant in Experiments I and II were submitted to increasing concentrations of inoculum and, nevertheless, remained resistant.

Biological control of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita on tomatoes and carrots by plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria

In the current study 27 plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) strains were screened for biocontrol activity against Meloidogyne incognita on 6-week old carrot seedlings that were inoculated with a suspension of J2 juveniles five days after treatment with the bacteria. Five of the PGPR strains, namely Bacillus firmus T11, Bacillus aryabhattai A08, Paenibacillus barcinonensis A10, Paenibacillus alvei T30, and Bacillus cereus N10w, caused 86.0, 85.2, 84.6, 81.5 and 82.1% reduction in gall numbers, respectively. In a subsequent greenhouse experiment on carrots, treatment with strain T30 caused a significant reduction in gall index and egg mass index compared to the control. The reduction in gall numbers caused by strain T30 was not statistically different from that obtained with CropGuard (furfural). Treatment with B. aryabhattai A08 gave the best results on tomato, significantly reducing gall index and egg mass index compared to the control. In vitro experiments with all five abovementioned strains resulted in second-stage juvenile (J2) paralyses. Induction of resistance was not observed in a split-root experiment conducted in the greenhouse, suggesting that secondary metabolites produced by the bacterial strains are responsible for the biocontrol activity. It is concluded that the bacterial strains P. alvei T30 and B. aryabhattai A08 have potential as biological control agents of M. incognita on carrots and tomatoes respectively.

Survey of root knot nematodes and RMi resistance to Meloidogyne incognita in soybean from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

The root knot nematode (RKN), Meloidogyne spp. is one of the most significant pests limiting the agricultural productivity. The RKN constitute the most widely distributed group among the plant parasitic nematodes. This study was carried out to find the pathogenicity of Meloidogyne incognita in soybean. Occurrence and prevalence of Meloidogyne species in soybean fields along with categorization of soybean varieties on the basis of resistance to M. incognita was also studied. An extensive survey for RKN was carried out from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province of Pakistan. The most prevalent specie in all studied hot spots was M. incognita, followed by M. javanica that was observed in Akbar Pura, Bari Kot, and Dargai. In this study, fifteen soybean varieties were generously provided by agricultural field’s farmers and National Agriculture Research Centre of Pakistan. These selected varieties were assessed against M. incognita in experimental area of National Nematological Research Center, University of Karachi in three separate trials from 2014 to 2016. Internationally known susceptible (Bossier and Lee) and resistant (Gregg and Forrest) soybean varieties were checked as positive controls. The reproduction factor (RF) and damage index (DI) were employed to sort out the varieties as resistant or susceptible. Statistically significant differences (P < 0.01) were noticed amongst the studied varieties for RKN reproduction factors such as egg mass index (EMI), gall index (GI) and Juveniles/250 g soil. Moreover, thirty SSR markers were used for the identification of RMi gene, amongst them only three diagnostic markers exhibited the presence of RMi gene in resistant varieties. The resistant genotypes are potential materials against M. incognita. In the present investigation, molecular results confirmed locus of RMi gene in resistant genotypes and their functional presence in nematode management programs for choosing resistant varieties in the field. For the confirmation of resistance in soybean against RKN different biochemical indicators, which play active role in resistance mechanism, were also studied. Resistant varieties exhibited maximum amount of phenol, salicylic acid, chlorogenic acid and ascorbic acid as compared to susceptible plants.

Reaction of wild Solanaceae rootstocks to the parasitism of (Meloidogyne javanica)

ABSTRACT Intensive production of vegetables in greenhouses can increase the amount of inoculum of soil-borne pathogens, such as the root-knot nematode. Thus, in this study we aimed to evaluate the potential of Solanaceae as rootstocks resistant to Meloidogyne javanica nematodes as an alternative to tomato grafting. The experiment consisted of seven treatments: wild species joá-vermelho (Solanum capsicoides), joá-bagudo (Solanum palinacanthum), joá-bravo (Solanum viarum), jurubeba (Solanum spp.) and the commercial tomato cultivars Santa Cruz Kada, Batalha and Guardião. The analyzed variables were gall index; egg mass index; final nematode population; reproduction factor (FR) and reaction: susceptibility, resistance and immunity; fresh shoot and root mass and number of eggs per gram of roots. The wild species joá-vermelho, joá-bagudo and jurubeba showed resistance, with the lowest indexes of galls, egg mass, final population of nematodes and number of eggs per gram of root, not differing from the resistant control treatment (hybrid rootstock Guardião), with a reproduction factor less than 1, showing potential to be used as a resistant rootstock to M. javanica. Joá-bravo species showed susceptibility to the root-knot nematode, with a FR&gt;1, not differing from the susceptible tomato Santa Cruz Kada. These results confirm the resistance of wild species to nematode parasitism, which can prove the viability of use as possible alternative rootstocks, and reinforce the idea that more studies should be carried out aiming to provide more viable options for farmers and plantlet producers.

Hatching and Mortality of Meloidogyne enterolobii Under the Interference of Entomopathogenic Nematodes In vitro

Plant parasitic nematodes have become one of the main problems in the tomato cultivation. Among these, Meloidogyne enterolobii presents great challenges to the farmer, since it is a polyphagous species and difficult to control. The entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) present as potential for biological control of this pathogen. The objective of the study was to evaluate the interference of EPNs S. brazilense, S. feltiae, S. rarum, H. amazonensis and H. bacteriophora on hatching and mortality of M. enterolobii. 500 eggs of this nematode and 1.000 infective juveniles of each EPN species were placed in a plastic pot totaling 25 mL of suspension and kept in an incubator at 25°C. The number of juveniles hatched in the suspension was counted every 2 days, until 10 days. After 10 days of evaluations, the remaining suspension (15 mL) containing M. enterolobii and EPNs was inoculated into Rutgers tomato seedlings. The suspension contained approximately in 300 eggs of M. enterolobii occasional juveniles and 600 IJ of each nematode species. Sixty days after inoculation were evaluated gall indexes, egg mass indexes, total number of eggs and juveniles of M. enterolobii and reproductive factor was calculated. In the mortality experiment, 500 infective juveniles of M. enterolobii and 1.000 juveniles of each EPN species were placed in a plastic pot totaling 25 mL of suspension. The evaluation of juvenile mortality was performed by counting of the mobile and immotile nematodes, by adding two drops of NaOH to the nematode suspension. It was verified that on the 10th day all ENPs provided reduction in the hatching of M. enterolobii. In the pot experiment it was found thato gall index, egg mass indexm, nematodes total number and reproduction factor were significantly reduced in treatments with all species of EPNs tested. However, in the mortality test, only EPNs S. brazilense and S. rarum provided mortality on the second day and H. bacteriophora affected mortality on the 4th day. In the other evaluations, there was no statistical difference. The results highlight the potential of the use of EPNs in programs of integrated management of M. enterolobii in tomato.

Response of lettuce cultivars to Meloidogyne javanica and Meloidogyne incognita race 1 and 2

The aim of this study was to evaluate resistance to Meloidogyne javanica and Meloidogyne incognita race 1 and 2 in the American group of lettuce cultivars. Two days after transplanting, the plants were inoculated with 5,000 eggs and potential second-stage juveniles of the nematode under test per pot. The Rutgers tomato was used as the standard for the viability of Meloidogyne javanica and Meloidogyne incognita race 1 and 2. The variables to be evaluated were gall index, egg mass index and nematode reproduction factor, which were evaluated 60 days after inoculation. The results showed that the Ithaca, RS-1397, Raider Plus, Challenge, L-104, IP-11, Salinas 88, Calona, Desert Queen, Classic and Vanguard 75 cultivars were resistant to Meloidogyne incognita race 1, with a reproduction factor which ranged from 0.19 to 0.88, and that the Desert Queen, L-104, Salinas 88, Vanguard 75, Robinson, RS-1397, Challenge, Raider Plus, Classic, Calona, Ithaca, Lady, IP-11 and Winterset cultivars were resistant to Meloidogyne incognita race 2, with a reproduction factor of between 0.23 and 0.93. All the cultivars under evaluation were resistant to Meloidogyne javanica, with a reproduction factor of less than 1.0.

Turmeric and Vitamin E on the Performance and Quality of Eggs from White Layers

A 112-day experiment was conducted to evaluate turmeric and vitamin E levels on the productive performance and quality of hen eggs. A total of 432 20-week-old white layers were used, distributed in an entirely randomized design, in a 4 × 3 factor scheme (turmeric extract levels and vitamin E levels), with 6 repetitions of 6 birds per cage. The treatments consisted of four levels of turmeric extract inclusion (0; 0.1; 0.2 and 0.3) and three levels of vitamin E inclusion (0; 50 and 100 IU/kg). Egg quality was evaluated at each 28-day cycle through the variables specific gravity, yolk percentage, albumen percentage, shell percentage and thickness, Haugh unit, yolk index and staining, and production performance: weight, egg production and mass, feed intake, feed conversion (kg/kg; kg/dz), and mortality. The addition of vitamin E alone worsened feed intake, egg weight and feed conversion of layers. Turmeric added to 100 IU of Vit E improved egg mass indices, Haugh Unit and yolk index and intensified yolk staining. The amount of turmeric used in this experiment was not sufficient to improve the performance or egg quality of the birds.

Reproduction of Meloidogyne chitwoodi Golden et al., 1980 (Tylenchida: Meloidogynidae) on different potato cultivars and its effect on plant growth

The Columbia root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne chitwoodi Golden et al., 1980 (Tylenchida: Meloidogynidae), is one of the most damaging nematode parasites of potato. It can cause economic damage in many cultivated plants and infest weeds. In this study, the reproduction of M. chitwoodi was assessed in 19 potato cultivars and one candidate cultivar under climate chamber conditions, and the effects of M. chitwoodi on plant growth were assessed in a greenhouse in 2014. Meloidogyne chitwoodi reproduced well on the potato cultivars tested based on numbers of egg and egg mass, reproduction factor and egg mass index. There were approximately 2-fold differences between some cultivars according to minimum and maximum values of the number of egg masses (205 in Challenger and 423 in Adora) and reproduction factor (28.2 in Marabel and 58.6 in Adora). Some plant growth parameters were significantly different between nematode inoculated and uninoculated plants for each cultivar according to t-test. Additionally, significant percentage decreases for some plant growth parameters were recorded, including plant height (7.6-13.4%), fresh (14.6-24.5%) and dry (14.2-26.7%) weights of shoots, fresh (15.0-25.1%) and dry (16.2-26.2%) root. It was found that all potato cultivars tested were susceptible to M. chitwoodi , and the degree of adverse effect on their growth varied between cultivar.

EGG PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE, BLOOD BIOCHEMICAL AND IMMUNOLOGICAL RESPONSE OF LAYING JAPANESE QUAIL FED DIET SUPPLEMENTED WITH PROPOLIS AND BEE POLLEN

Increasing productivity, improving product quality and insuring animal welfare are general demands to animal breeders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementing the diet with propolis and/or bee pollen on egg productivity and immunological responses of laying Japanese quail. A total of 200 female quail, 35 days old, were randomly allocated to four equal groups. The first group served as a control group and was fed a basal diet (C). The second group was fed the basal diet supplemented with propolis at 1g/kg diet (Pro). The third group was fed the basal diet supplemented with bee pollen at 2g/kg diet (Bp). The fourth group was fed the basal diet supplemented with both propolis (1g/kg diet) and bee pollen (2g/kg diet) (Pro+Bp). Feed intake, feed conversion, egg mass, shell thickness and yolk index were significantly improved due to different dietary supplementation. Blood total protein and albumin increased, whereas cholesterol and H/L ratio significantly decreased due to diet supplementation. A synergistic effect of Pro+Bp was noticed in blood albumin, calcium and H/L ratio. In conclusion propolis and bee pollen can be supplemented to the diet of laying quail to increase egg production, improve egg quality and enhance blood protein, lipid and immunological responses.

Effect of Chamomile, Wild Mint and Oregano Herbal Extracts on Quality and Quantity of Eggs, Hatchability, and Some Other Parameters in Laying Japanese Quails

According to various reports of beneficial effects of medicinal plants on the performance of broiler chickens and less extensively studies in laying poultries, this study was conducted to find an appropriate and harmless feed additive to enhance the quality and quantity of poultry eggs. The effect of three herbal extracts on quantity and quality of eggs, blood parameters, hatchability, intestinal bacterial population, and intestinal morphology in laying Japanese quail were investigated. The study was applied with 64, ten-week old laying Japanese quails for 8 weeks. The experiment was a completely randomized design with 4 treatments, 4 replications and 4 birds per replicate (the ratio of male to female 1:3). Experimental treatments involved: Control, with no additive in drinking water; chamomile extract; wild mint extract; and oregano extract. Herbal extracts were added 1 mL/L drinking water. The three treatments showed no significant effect on productivity, egg mass, FCR, egg weight, feed intake and qualitative indices of eggs; however, the herbal extracts specially the chamomile extract reduced the cholesterol of eggs (P<0.05). Herbal extracts showed no significantly effects on the hatchability of fertile eggs. Oregano extract showed the best effect on reduction of the intestinal bacterial population and increase the villus height in ileum (P<0.05). Chamomile extract by reducing the yolk cholesterol can improve the egg market’s popularity, and oregano extract by reducing the number of pathogenic bacteria and improving the villus height in ileum can be considered as a beneficial and low-risk additive for laying poultries.

Hospedabilidade de plantas ornamentais e medicinais ao nematoide das galhas (Meloidogyne incognita) raça 2

Em razão do aumento na produção de plantas ornamentais e medicinais no estado do Ceará, da importância agrícola do gênero Meloidogyne e da escassez de dados sobre a hospedabilidade desse patógeno nessas espécies, objetivou-se avaliar a susceptibilidade de 30 espécies, sendo 20 ornamentais (Antirrhimum majus), (Gazania ringens), (Carthamus tinctorius), (Bryophyllum cayicinum), (Ceasalpinia pulcherrima), (Thumbergia alata), (Petunia hibryda), (Exacum affine) (Catharanthus roseus), (Opuntia sp.), (Sansevieria trifasciata), (Asparagus densiflorus), (Hibiscus mutabilis-roreus), (Impatiens balsamiana), (Celosia spicata), (Antirrhimum sp.), (Dianthus chinensis), (Zinnia elegans), (Tagetes patula), (Capsicum annuum) e 10 medicinais (Peumus boldus), (Ocimum gratissimum), (Mentha arvensis), (Mentha x Vilosa), (Plectranthus amboinicus), (Ocimum bassilicum), (Rosmarinus officinalis), (Cymbopogon citratus), (Lippia alba), (Cymbopogon winterianus). Realizou-se o ensaio em casa de vegetação, do Setor de Fitossanidade, Departamento de Fitotecnia, da Universidade Federal do Ceará. A inoculação foi realizada com 4.000 ovos/J2 por vaso. A avaliação das plantas deu-se aos 60 dias após a inoculação. Avaliou-se a reação das plantas, mensurando-se: número de galhas e de ovos, índice de massa de ovos, fator de reprodução e redução do fator de reprodução. A partir dos resultados, classificou-se a reação das plantas ao nematoide por meio de cinco critérios. Verificou-se que das plantas ornamentais apenas a espécie T. patula não apresentou galhas em suas raízes e das medicinais, as espécies M. vilosa, L. Alba, C. citratus, C. winterianus e P. boldus também não apresentaram galhas. Assim, conclui-se que as plantas ornamentais são potenciais introdutoras de nematoide das galhas em áreas indenes e que as medicinais, podem ser utilizadas em programas de rotação de culturas em função da pouca susceptibilidade ao nematoide das galhas.

Biocontrol agents in the management of Meloidogyne incognita in tomato

ABSTRACT: Recognized as prominent among the principal pests of tomato crop, the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) has generated much study with regards to control methods. This study aimed to assess the efficiency of biological products in decreasing the M. incognita population in tomato. Four experiments were conducted under greenhouse conditions. Two of these experiments had the purpose to determine the efficiency of NemOut™ (Bacillus subtilis + B. licheniformis + Trichoderma longibrachiatum), and the other two to assess the efficiency of other different biological products in M. incognita management. Tomato plants of the cultivar Santa Cruz Kada Giant were inoculated using 2000 eggs and J2 of M. incognita. In the first two experiments doses corresponding to 0, 4, 6, 8 and 10kg ha-1 of NemOut™ were applied after inoculation. In the second study, the treatments consisted of the use of biological products containing different other biocontrol agents. Assessments were made at 45 and 65 days after inoculation (DAI) to evaluate plant height, fresh shoot and fresh root weigh, gall index and egg mass index, population density and reproduction factor (RF). The NemOut™ doses reduced the M. incognita population density and RF at 45 DAI. The agent Pochonia chlamydosporia showed greater efficiency in controlling M. incognita on tomato. Biological products and the different doses of NemOut™ had no influence on the tomato plant development.