Toxin production in soybean (Glycine max L.) plants with charcoal rot disease and by Macrophomina phaseolina, the fungus that causes the disease

Charcoal rot disease, caused by the fungus Macrophomina phaseolina, results in major economic losses in soybean production in southern USA. M. phaseolina has been proposed to use the toxin (-)-botryodiplodin in its root infection mechanism to create a necrotic zone in root tissue through which fungal hyphae can readily enter the plant. The majority (51.4%) of M. phaseolina isolates from plants with charcoal rot disease produced a wide range of (-)-botryodiplodin concentrations in a culture medium (0.14-6.11 μg/mL), 37.8% produced traces below the limit of quantification (0.01 μg/mL), and 10.8% produced no detectable (-)-botryodiplodin. Some culture media with traces or no (-)-botryodiplodin were nevertheless strongly phytotoxic in soybean leaf disc cultures, consistent with the production of another unidentified toxin(s). Widely ranging (-)-botryodiplodin levels (traces to 3.14 μg/g) were also observed in the roots, but not in the aerial parts, of soybean plants naturally infected with charcoal rot disease. This is the first report of (-)-botryodiplodin in plant tissues naturally infected with charcoal rot disease. No phaseolinone was detected in M. phaseolina culture media or naturally infected soybean tissues. These results are consistent with (-)-botryodiplodin playing a role in the pathology of some, but not all, M. phaseolina isolates from soybeans with charcoal rot disease in southern USA. © 2019 by the authors

Soybean Seed Sugars: A Role in the Mechanism of Resistance to Charcoal Rot and Potential Use as Biomarkers in Selection

Charcoal rot, caused by Macrophomina phaseolina, is a major soybean disease resulting in significant yield loss and poor seed quality. Currently, no resistant soybean cultivar is available in the market and resistance mechanisms to charcoal rot are unknown, although the disease is believed to infect plants from infected soil through the roots by unknown toxin-mediated mechanisms. The objective of this research was to investigate the association between seed sugars (sucrose, raffinose, stachyose, glucose, and fructose) and their role as biomarkers in the soybean defense mechanism in the moderately resistant (MR) and susceptible (S) genotypes to charcoal rot. Seven MR and six S genotypes were grown under irrigated (IR) and non-irrigated (NIR) conditions. A two-year field experiment was conducted in 2012 and 2013 at Jackson, TN, USA. The main findings in this research were that MR genotypes generally had the ability to maintain higher seed levels of sucrose, glucose, and fructose than did S genotypes. Conversely, susceptible genotypes showed a higher level of stachyose and lower levels of sucrose, glucose, and fructose. This was observed in 6 out of 7 MR genotypes and in 4 out of 6 S genotypes in 2012; and in 5 out of 7 MR genotypes and in 5 out of 6 S genotypes in 2013. The response of S genotypes with higher levels of stachyose and lower sucrose, glucose, and fructose, compared with those of MR genotypes, may indicate the possible role of these sugars in a defense mechanism against charcoal rot. It also indicates that nutrient pathways in MR genotypes allowed for a higher influx of nutritious sugars (sucrose, glucose, and fructose) than did S genotypes, suggesting these sugars as potential biomarkers for selecting MR soybean plants after harvest. This research provides new knowledge on seed sugars and helps in understanding the impact of charcoal rot on seed sugars in moderately resistant and susceptible genotypes

Field studies on the deterioration of microplastic films from ultra-thin compostable bags in soil

In recent years, some countries have replaced single-use plastic bags with bags manufactured from compostable plastic film that can be used for collecting food wastes and composted together with the waste. Because industrial compost contains undeteriorated fragments of these bags, application to field soil is a potential source of small-sized residues from these bags. This study was undertaken to examine deterioration of these compostable film microplastics (CFMPs) in field soil at three different localities in Italy. Deterioration of CFMPs did not exceed 5.7% surface area reduction during the 12-month experimental period in two sites located in Northern Italy. More deterioration was observed in the Southern site, with 7.2% surface area reduction. Deterioration was significantly increased when fields were amended with industrial compost (up to 9.6%), but not with home compost. Up to 92.9% of the recovered CFMPs were associated with the soil fungus Aspergillus flavus, with 20.1%–71.2% aflatoxin-producing isolates. Application of industrial compost resulted in a significant increase in the percentage of CFMPs associated with A. flavus. This observation provides an argument for government regulation of accumulation of CFMPs and elevation of hazardous fungi levels in agricultural soils that receive industrial compost

Environmental Levels of the Antiviral Oseltamivir Induce Development of Resistance Mutation H274Y in Influenza A/H1N1 Virus in Mallards

Oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) is the most widely used drug against influenza infections and is extensively stockpiled worldwide as part of pandemic preparedness plans. However, resistance is a growing problem and in 2008–2009, seasonal human influenza A/H1N1 virus strains in most parts of the world carried the mutation H274Y in the neuraminidase gene which causes resistance to the drug. The active metabolite of oseltamivir, oseltamivir carboxylate (OC), is poorly degraded in sewage treatment plants and surface water and has been detected in aquatic environments where the natural influenza reservoir, dabbling ducks, can be exposed to the substance. To assess if resistance can develop under these circumstances, we infected mallards with influenza A/H1N1 virus and exposed the birds to 80 ng/L, 1 µg/L and 80 µg/L of OC through their sole water source. By sequencing the neuraminidase gene from fecal samples, we found that H274Y occurred at 1 µg/L of OC and rapidly dominated the viral population at 80 µg/L. IC50 for OC was increased from 2–4 nM in wild-type viruses to 400–700 nM in H274Y mutants as measured by a neuraminidase inhibition assay. This is consistent with the decrease in sensitivity to OC that has been noted among human clinical isolates carrying H274Y. Environmental OC levels have been measured to 58–293 ng/L during seasonal outbreaks and are expected to reach µg/L-levels during pandemics. Thus, resistance could be induced in influenza viruses circulating among wild ducks. As influenza viruses can cross species barriers, oseltamivir resistance could spread to human-adapted strains with pandemic potential disabling oseltamivir, a cornerstone in pandemic preparedness planning. We propose surveillance in wild birds as a measure to understand the resistance situation in nature and to monitor it over time. Strategies to lower environmental levels of OC include improved sewage treatment and, more importantly, a prudent use of antivirals

Fate and Uptake of Pharmaceuticals in Soil–Plant Systems

Pharmaceuticals have been detected in the soil environment where there is the potential for uptake into crops. This study explored the fate and uptake of pharmaceuticals (carbamazepine, diclofenac, fluoxetine, propranolol, sulfamethazine) and a personal care product (triclosan) in soil–plant systems using radish (Raphanus sativus) and ryegrass (Lolium perenne). Five of the six chemicals were detected in plant tissue. Carbamazepine was taken up to the greatest extent in both the radish (52 μg/g) and ryegrass (33 μg/g), whereas sulfamethazine uptake was below the limit of quantitation (LOQ) (<0.01 μg/g). In the soil, concentrations of diclofenac and sulfamethazine dropped below the LOQ after 7 days. However, all pharmaceuticals were still detectable in the pore water at the end of the experiment. The results demonstrate the ability of plant species to accumulate pharmaceuticals from soils with uptake apparently specific to both plant species and chemical. Results can be partly explained by the hydrophobicity and extent of ionization of each chemical in the soil

Luigi Settembrini. Periodico letterario educativo mensile. A. 2, n.1(1892)-A. 3, n.10(1894)

A.2, n.1(nov.1892): G. Olivieri, Ad Antonio Bartolini, P. 1-2 ; G. Olivieri, Prospero Viani, P. 2-11; R. Sabbatini, Ancora Quom o Quum?, P. 11-2 ; Pensieri del Settembrini, P. 12-3 ; E. Perito, Ad nubem, P. 13; F. Lagrance, Dell’educazione fisica, p. 14-15 ; Cronaca dell’Istituto L. Settembrini, P. 15-6.A. 2, n. 2(dic. 1892): G. Lanzalone, La morale nell’arte, P. 17-23 ; B. ( dal Bibliografo), Per i libri di testo nelle scuole elementari, P. 23-5 ; V. Notari, In Gutembergium artis typograficae inventorem, P. 25; Progressi della navigazione aerea, P. 26-8 ; Pensieri del Settembrini, P. 28-9 ; Il nostro concorso, P. 29 ; G. Lanzalone, La prima pioggia d’autunno, P. 30-1A. 2, n.3(gen. 1893): Bonghi, Una lettera del Bonghi, P. 33-4 ; G. Lanzalone, Ancora della morale nell’arte, P. 34-8 ; Pensieri del Settembrini, P. 38-9 ; C. Arlìa, Buon dì e tre anguille, P. 39-41 ; G. Lanzalone , All’amico G. Olivieri , P. 42-3 ; P. Lioy, Bagni e villeggiature, P. 43-5.A. 2, n. 4(feb. 1893): C. A. Alemagna, Per la morale nell’arte, P. 49-55.A. 2, n. 5(mar. 1893): R. Sabbatini, L’epistola di Saffo a Faone, P. 65-6 ; G. Lanzalone, Il drammaturgo(caricatura), P. 66-7 ; G. Lanzalone, Ancora per la morale dell’arte, P. 67-70 ; F. De Falco, Un’altra lettera!, P. 71-2 ; Il Settembrini, Per una petizione al Parlamento, P. 72; E. Perito, A mia sorella morta, P. 73-4.A. 2, n.6(apr. 1893): Il Settembrini, Petizione al Parlamento, P. 81-3 ; C. Arlia, Noterelle filologiche, P. 84-5 ; G. Bigoni, Ricordi Picentini (2 sonetti), P. 85 ; C. A. Alemagna, Lettera con annotazioni, P. 86-90 ; V. Caputo, Il giuramento, P. 90-1 ; A. Buscaino Campo, Il piè fermo di Dante, P. 92-3.A.2, n.7(apr. 1893): G. Lanzalone, Professori e maestri, P. 97-9 ; il Settembrini, Petizione al Parlamento, P. 100-2 ; Lista delle adesioni, P. 102-4 ; Guido Bigoni, Domenica Rusticana, P. 105 ; Pensieri del Settembrini, P. 105-7 ; Dal Gazzettino d’oro, Utili varietà, P. 107-8 ; G. Lanzalone, Al maggiore Vincenzo Notari, P. 108 ; V. Notarius, Risposta, P. 109 ; F. Accinelli, La poesia della vita, P. 109-10.A. 2, n.8(giu. 1893): C. Arlìa, Noterelle filologiche, P. 113-16 ; Guido Bigoni, La quercia del Tasso, P. 116 ; G. Lanzalone, La ginnastica con la neve, P. 116-17 ; Luigi Settembrini, Una lettera inedita di L. Settembrini, P. 118-19 ; V. Notaro, In Ariostum, P. 119 ; L’arte di respirare, P. 120-21 ; F. De Falco, Il suicidio e la religione, P. 122-24.A.2, n.9/10(lug.-ago. 1893): R. Mariano, Ad un banchetto nunziale, P. 129-132 ; G. Lanzalone, A Cristoforo Colombo, P. 132-34 ; C. Arlìa, Note filologiche, P. 135-36 ; G. Olivieri, Il terzo libro della vita di G. Cristo, P. 136-39 ; F. Persico, La pace, P. 140-41 ; L. A. Villari, Cesare Dalbono, P. 141-45.A.2, n.11/12(sett.-ott. 1893): Luigi Settembrini, Una lettera inedita di L. Settembrini, P. 153-54 ; A. De Leo, Vite di illustri salernitani, P. 154-62 ; G. Franciosi, I sogni, P. 162-63 ; A. Frabasile, Bozzetti ellenici, P. 164-70 ; L. A. Villari , Errori Giudiziari, P. 171-75 ; G. Lanzalone, Verismo, P. 175-76.A.3,n.1/2 (nov.-dic. 1893): M. Giordano, La pubblica educazione e l’ateismo, P. 1-4 ; il Settembrini, Concorso, P. 4 ; Per una forca conservata in un museo, P. 5 ; G. Lanzalone, L’Ora presente, P. 5 ; C. Mariano Pilar, Silvio Spaventa, P. 6-19 ; C. Arlìa, Note filologiche, P. 20-1 ; G. Grammatica, Ideale, P. 22 ; G. Olivieri, Funesta rimembranza, P. 31-2 ; G. Olivieri, La notte della vigilia del Natale, P. 32.A.3, n.3/4(gen.-feb. 1894): G. Lanzalone, E la nostra petizione?, P. 33-5 ; Dall’albo di Luigi Antonio Villari, P. 36 ; G. Olivieri, Una visita inaspettata, P. 37-46 ; A. Frabasile, Alla signora G. P., P. 47 ; M. Giordano, Il Governo, i Municipi e l’istruzione religiosa, P. 48-53 ; G. Lanzalone, Esercizi militari, P. 53 ; C. Arlìa, Note filologiche, P. 54 ; G. Lanzalone, Un dubbio proposto al prof. Sabbadini, P. 54-5 ; G. L., Risultato del passato concorso e concorso nuovo, P. 55-6 ; R. Galdi, Epistola di Catullo ad Ortalo, P. 57.A.3, n.5/6(mar-apr 1894): G. Lanzalone, Dell’educazione nelle scuole classiche, P. 65-70 ; G. L., Un epigramma di Leone XIII, P. 70-1 ; V. Caputo, Vita di borso, P. 72-6 ; C. Arlìa, Note filologiche, P. 76-7 ; G. Lanzalone, Amore, P. 78 ; Aniello Gaeta, Dulcissime Rerum, P. 79-81 ; Francesco De Falco, La duchessa Ravaschieri e il dormitorio, P. 81-2 ; Carmine Zottoli, Risultato del passato concorso e concorso nuovo, P. 82-6.A.3, n. 7/8(mag. – giu 1894): C. Arlìa, Note filologiche, P. 97-8 ; G. Lanzalone, Per il 1°Maggio, P. 98-101 ; M. Giordano, La libertà d’insegnamento e di coscienza, P. 101-10 ; L. A. Villari, Il capitano Tim- Tim, P. 111- 15 ; C. A. Alemagna, L’opera recente di Herbert Spencer, P. 115-16 ; Nicc. Castagna, Sospiro, P. 116 ; G. Cuomo, Sovra un passo del carme “I Sepolcri”, P. 117-20.A.3, n.9(lug. 1894): Concorso nuovo, P. 125 ; C. Arlìa, Note filologiche, P. 126-27 ; Il manicomio dei genii, P. 127 ; G. Lanzalone, Elena, P. 128 ; Giovanni Cuomo, Nunzio del giorno, P. 128-29 ; Giovanni Manfredi, Ofelia, P. 129 ; G. Lanzalone, Da Anacreonte, P. 139.A.3, n.10(ago. 1894): R. Sabbadini, L’anno della nascita di Gasparino Barziza, P. 141-42 ; G. Lanzalone, Il Discredito dei versi, P. 142-46 ; C. Arlìa, Note filologiche, P. 147-48 ; E. Perito, L’ultima rosa d’estate, P. 148 ; D’Aloja, L’arte e la critica, P. 149-51 ; Epigrammi, P. 151-52