Paenibacillus brasilensis sp nov., a novel nitrogen-fixing species isolated from the maize rhizosphere in Brazil

Sixteen nitrogen-fixing strains isolated from the rhizosphere of maize planted in Cerrado soil, Brazil, which showed morphological and biochemical characteristics similar to the gas-forming Paenibacillus spp., were phenotypically and genetically characterized. Their identification as members of the genus Paenibacillus was confirmed by using specific primers based on the 16S rRNA gene. SDS-PAGE of whole-cell proteins, API 50CH, morphological and biochemical tests, amplified rDNA-restriction analysis (ARDRA), DNA-relatedness analyses, denaturing-gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and 16S rRNA gene sequence determinations were performed to characterize the novel isolates and to compare them to strains of other nitrogen-fixing Paenibacillus spp. Phenotypic analyses showed that the 16 strains were very homogeneous and shared a high level of relatedness with Paenibacillus polymyxa and Paenibacillus peoriae. However, none of the novel isolates was able to ferment glycerol (positive test for P. polymyxa), L-arabinose or D-xylose (positive tests for P. polymyxa and P. peoriae) or utilize succinate (positive test for P. peoriae). Genetic approaches also indicated a high level of similarity among the novel isolates and P. polymyxa and P. peoriae, but the novel strains clearly could not be assigned to either of these two recognized species. On the basis of the features presented in this study, the 16 novel isolates were considered to represent members of a novel species within the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus brasilensis is proposed. The type strain is PB172(T) (=ATCC BAA-413(T)=DSM 14914(T)

Secondary zoospores in the algal endoparasite Maullinia ectocarpii (Plasmodiophorea).

The present paper deals with the ultrastructure of zoospores produced by the plasmodiophorid Maullinia ectocarpii , living in the marine algal host Ectocarpus siliculosus. The zoospores described here are very similar to secondary zoospores of Polymyxa graminis and Phagomyxa sp. (the latter an algal endopara- site, also). Our results indicate that M. ectocarpii produces two types of plasmodia, and suggest that is a species with a complete life cycle, as it is known for all the Plasmodiophormycota that have been studied. Sporogenic and sporangial plasmodia produce, respectively, primary zoospores with parallel flagella within thick walled resting sporangia, and secondary zoospores with opposite flagella within thin walled sporangia.Fil: Parodi, Elisa Rosalia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Caceres, Eduardo Jorge. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Laboratorio de Ficología y Micología; ArgentinaFil: Westermeier, Renato. Universidad Austral de Chile; ChileFil: Muller, Dieter G.. Universität Konstanz; Alemani

Occurrence of Ribotypes in Germany and Their Association with Different Host Plants and Viruses

The plasmodiophorid Polymyxa graminis transmits plant viruses to cereal crops such as wheat, rye, barley and triticale. Soil samples from different locations and cereal host plants were analyzed for the presence of P. graminis ribotypes I and II, and tested for the occurrence of soil-borne viruses. P. graminis sequences mainly from fields in Germany used for virus resistance trials, but also from a site each in Poland and Denmark were obtained and deposited in the European Nucleotide Archive. The interactions between the components of the pathogen complex – vector ribotype and virus – and the host are discussed

Management of plant health risks associated with processing of plant-based wastes: A review

The rise in international trade of plants and plant products has increased the risk of introduction and spread of plant pathogens and pests. In addition, new risks are arising from the implementation of more environmentally friendly methods of biodegradable waste disposal, such as composting and anaerobic digestion. As these disposal methods do not involve sterilisation, there is good evidence that certain plant pathogens and pests can survive these processes. The temperature/time profile of the disposal process is the most significant and easily defined factor in controlling plant pathogens and pests. In this review, the current evidence for temperature/time effects on plant pathogens and pests is summarised. The advantages and disadvantages of direct and indirect process validation for the verification of composting processes, to determine their efficacy in destroying plant pathogens and pests in biowaste, are discussed. The availability of detection technology and its appropriateness for assessing the survival of quarantine organisms is also reviewed

Beet necrotic yellow vein virus accumulates inside resting spores and zoosporangia of its vector Polymyxa betae BNYVV infects P. betae

BACKGROUND: Plasmodiophorids and chytrids are zoosporic parasites of algae and land plant and are distributed worldwide. There are 35 species belonging to the order Plasmodiophorales and three species, Polymyxa betae, P. graminis, and Spongospora subterranea, are plant viral vectors. Plasmodiophorid transmitted viruses are positive strand RNA viruses belonging to five genera. Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) and its vector, P. betae, are the causal agents for rhizomania. RESULTS: Evidence of BNYVV replication and movement proteins associating with P. betae resting spores was initially obtained using immunofluorescence labeling and well characterized antisera to each of the BNYVV proteins. Root cross sections were further examined using immunogold labeling and electron microscopy. BNYVV proteins translated from each of the four genomic and subgenomic RNAs accumulate inside P. betae resting spores and zoospores. Statistical analysis was used to determine if immunolabelling detected viral proteins in specific subcellular domains and at a level greater than in control samples. CONCLUSION: Virus-like particles were detected in zoosporangia. Association of BNYVV replication and movement proteins with sporangial and sporogenic stages of P. betae suggest that BNYVV resides inside its vector during more than one life cycle stage. These data suggest that P. betae might be a host as well as a vector for BNYV

Sources for resistance to Soil-Borne Cereal Mosaic Virus (SBCMV) among cultivated accessions of common wheat and its wild relatives

Relatório de estágio do mestrado em Ensino da Educação Física nos Ensinos Básico e Secundário, apresentado à Faculdade de Ciências do Desporto e Educação Física da Universidade de CoimbraO Relatório Final de Estágio insere-se no plano curricular do 2º ano do Mestrado em Ensino da Educação Física nos Ensinos Básico e Secundário, da Faculdade de Ciências do Desporto e Educação Física da Universidade de Coimbra. Este pretende que o professor estagiário demonstre competências de análise crítica fundamentada e reflexão aprofundada a partir da sua experiência de Estágio Pedagógico. O Estágio Pedagógico caracteriza-se por um período de formação curricular onde é permitido ao professor estagiário, de uma forma orientada, exercer e cumprir com todas as funções inerentes ao cargo docente. Este constitui portanto, a componente prática da aplicação dos saberes teóricos adquiridos durante a formação inicial. A transição entre a teoria e a prática só é possível através de um olhar crítico sobre o contexto real de prática pedagógica, de modo a serem utilizados os meios mais eficazes para o desenvolvimento de aprendizagens significativas face à especificidade da realidade em que nos inserimos. No meu caso, o Estágio Pedagógico foi realizado na Escola Básica e Secundária da Quinta das Flores, no ano letivo de 2013/2014, sendo lecionada a disciplina de Educação Física à turma do 11ºA. Este estágio representa o culminar da formação académica e a aproximação à prática profissional, em que todas as experiências vivenciadas, aprendizagens realizadas e conhecimentos adquiridos devem representar as competências necessárias para o desenvolvimento de uma prática docente na área da Educação Física. O Relatório de Estágio pretende assim englobar toda a descrição e reflexão sobre as atividades desenvolvidas e aprendizagens realizadas durante o estágio pedagógico. Este relatório divide-se em três áreas fundamentais. A primeira trata-se de uma contextualização da prática desenvolvida. A segunda consiste numa análise reflexiva sobre a prática pedagógica. A terceira é o aprofundamento de um tema-problema, uma investigação realizada sobre: "A pertinência do uso do modelo de ensino "Teaching Games for Understanding" no ensino de jogos desportivos coletivos de invasão. Comparação da evolução de desempenhos entre duas turmas na modalidade de Andebol." The Final Training Report is part of the curriculum of the second year of the Master in Physical Education Teaching in Basic and Secondary Education at the School of Sport Science and Physical Education in Coimbra University. This report is intended to demonstrate the ability to make a reasoned critical analysis and deep reflection based on the experience as a Trainee Teacher. The Pedagogical Training is characterized by a period of training curriculum where the trainee teacher is allowed to exert and fulfill with all the functions inherent to the teaching in a supervised manner.Thus, this is the practical component of the theoretical knowledge acquired during the initial education. The transition between the theory and practice is only possible through a critical eye on the real context of pedagogical practice in order to use the most effective means for the development of significant learning experiences in contrast to the specificity of the reality in which we live. In my own case, the Pedagogical Training was carried out in the Basic and Secondary School of Quinta das Flores in the school year of 2013 - 2014, where Physical Education was taught to the 11th A class. This training represents the culmination of the academic education and the approach to the professional practice, in which all the experiences, learnings and knowledge acquired previously shall represent the required skills for the development of a teaching practice in the area of Physical Education. In this way, the Training Report intends to encompass the entire description and reflection on the developed activities and apprenticeships carried out during the pedagogic training. This report is divided in three basic areas. The first area refers to a contextualization of the practice developed. The second consists of a reflective analysis of the pedagogical practice. The third is the deepening of a theme-problem, a research on "The relevance of the use of the teaching model "Teaching Games for Understanding” in teaching collective sport invasion games. A comparative study on the evolution of performances between two Handball teams.

Fast and Sensitive Detection of Soil-Borne Cereal Mosaic Virus in Leaf Crude Extract of Durum Wheat

Soil-borne cereal mosaic virus (SBCMV) is a furovirus with rigid rod-shaped particles containing an ssRNA genome, transmitted by Polymyxa graminis Led., a plasmodiophorid that can persist in soil for up to 20 years. SBCMV was reported on common and durum wheat and it can cause yield losses of up to 70%. Detection protocols currently available are costly and time-consuming (real-time PCR) or have limited sensitivity (ELISA). To facilitate an efficient investigation of the real dispersal of SBCMV, it is necessary to develop a new detection tool with the following characteristics: no extraction steps, very fast results, and high sensitivity to allow pooling of a large number of samples. In the present work, we have developed a reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) protocol with such characteristics, and we have compared it with real-time PCR. Our results show that the sensitivity of LAMP and real-time PCR on cDNA and RT-LAMP on crude extracts are comparable, with the obvious advantage that RT-LAMP produces results in minutes rather than hours. This paves the way for extensive field surveys, leading to a better knowledge of the impact of this virus on wheat health and yield