EFFECT OF MIXED ORGANIC AND INORGANIC FERTILIZERS ON GROWTH, LEAF MACRONUTRIENT CONTENTS AND YIELD OF PITAYA [(HYLOCEREUS UNDATUS) UNDER FIELD CONDITIONS

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the pitaya’s Hylocereus undatus performance under field conditions. The experimental design used was Completely Randomized Block Design (CRBD). Five treatments consisting of the four different fertilizer dosages were included in this study, namely T1 (00-120-320-120); T2 (04-080-160-080); T3 (06-060-100-060); T4 (08-000-000-000) and T5 (Control:  00-000-000-000) of bovine manure (kg pit-1), urea (g pit-1), super simple (g pit-1) and potassium chloride (g pit-1), respectively. Parameters such as height, number, length, width, area, and volume of the cladodes were assessed at 20 and 320 days after planting. The number of fruits produced and mineral composition (N, K, Ca, Mg, P, and S) of H. undatus plants were also assessed. The results on morphometric characteristics of the cladodes, macronutrient composition, and fruit yield have been recorded with higher values in treatments 3 and 4. However, according to the principal component analysis performed, treatment 3 was the one that correlated with the evaluated characteristics. The results have indicated clearly the importance of combination of adequate dose of mineral and organic fertilizer for better vegetative performance and yield of pitaya crop

Witch’s Broom Disease of Lime (Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia):Identifying High-Risk Areas by Climatic Mapping

Biological invasions of vectorborne diseases can be devastating. Bioclimatic modeling provides an opportunity to assess and predict areas at risk from complex multitrophic interactions of pathogens, highlighting areas in need of increased monitoring effort. Here, we model the distribution of an economically critical vectorborne plant pathogen ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia’, the etiological agent of Witches’ Broom Disease of Lime. This disease is a significant limiting factor on acid lime production (Citrus aurantifolia, Swingle) in the Middle East and threatens its production globally. We found that temperature, humidity, and the vector populations significantly determine disease distribution. Following this, we used bioclimatic modeling to predict potential novel sites of infections. The model outputs identified potential novel sites of infection in the citrus producing regions of Brazil and China. We also used our model to explore sites in Oman where the pathogen may not be infectious, and suggest nurseries be established there. Recent major turbulence in the citrus agricultural economy has highlighted the importance of this work and the need for appropriate and targeted monitoring programs to safeguard lime production

ESTUDO PRELIMINAR DA MORFOMETRIA DA CABEÇA ESPERMÁTICA DO MACACO-DE-CHEIRO DE VIDA LIVRE

The objectiveofthisstudywastodescribeand compare theheadmorphometryof normal andpathologicalspermfromSaimirimacrodon. In themorphologicalanalysis, 39% ofthespermhad normal morphology, and 61% had major orminordefects, withpathology in thetailsbeingthemostfrequentwith 47% (38% curledtail, 7% foldedtailand 2% stronglyfoldedtail). Amongtheevaluatedheadmorphometryparameters, area (A), width (L) andellipticity (E) showedstatisticaldifference (p<0.05) between normal andpathologicalsperm. The averageheadareaandwidthwaslower in normal sperm (p=0,01 e p=0,04, respectively), andthemeanellipticitywashigher (p=0,038), whencomparedtopathologicalsperm. ThisdefinitionofthespermmorphometricparametersofS. macrodonisimportant for the samples selectiondestinedtoreproductionbiotechnologiesand for theclarificationoftaxonomicandevolutionaryissues in the genus Saimiri.The objectiveofthisstudywastodescribeand compare theheadmorphometryof normal andpathologicalspermfromSaimirimacrodon. In themorphologicalanalysis, 39% ofthespermhad normal morphology, and 61% had major orminordefects, withpathology in thetailsbeingthemostfrequentwith 47% (38% curledtail, 7% foldedtailand 2% stronglyfoldedtail). Amongtheevaluatedheadmorphometryparameters, area (A), width (L) andellipticity (E) showedstatisticaldifference (p<0.05) between normal andpathologicalsperm. The averageheadareaandwidthwaslower in normal sperm (p=0,01 e p=0,04, respectively), andthemeanellipticitywashigher (p=0,038), whencomparedtopathologicalsperm. ThisdefinitionofthespermmorphometricparametersofS. macrodonisimportant for the samples selectiondestinedtoreproductionbiotechnologiesand for theclarificationoftaxonomicandevolutionaryissues in the genus Saimiri

ANÁLISE MORFOMÉTRICA DA CABEÇA ESPERMÁTICA EM Saimiri cassiquiarensis

The objective was to evaluate the sperm morphometry between normal and pathological cells in Saimiri cassiquiarensis aiming at the future use of data in CASA (Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis). Semen was collected from a male (S. cassiquiarensis) by electroejaculation. After collection, a smear in the proportion of 1: 1 (semen and eosin-nigrosin stain) was performed, and 100 sperm were measured and morphologically classified as normal and pathological defects (major and minor). Of the total sperm analyzed, 48% were classified as normal and 52% pathological. Of the pathologies, the most frequent was a folded tail (40%), followed by a strongly folded tail (5%), curled tail (2%) and isolated head (5%). The morphometric data showed no statistical difference (p<0.05) between normal and pathological defects. This is the first description for the sperm morphometry in Saimiri cassiquiarensis, therefore, from this database, future assessments at CASA can be conducted for this species.O objetivo foi avaliar a morfometria espermática entre células normais e patológicas em Saimiri cassiquiarensis visando futura utilização de dados em CASA (Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis). O sêmen foi coletado de um macho (S. cassiquiarensis) por eletroejaculação. Após a coleta, foi realizado esfregaço na proporção de 1:1 (sêmen e coloração eosina-nigrosina), sendo mensurados 100 espermatozoides e classificados morfologicamente em normais e defeitos patológicos (maiores e menores). Do total de espermatozoides analisados, 48% foram classificados como normais e 52% patológicos. Das patologias, a mais frequente foi cauda dobrada (40%), seguida de cauda fortemente dobrada (5%), cauda enrolada (2%) e cabeça isolada (5%). Os dados morfométricos não mostraram diferença estatística (p<0,05) entre defeitos normais e patológicos. Esta é a primeira descrição da morfometria espermática em Saimiri cassiquiarensis, portanto, a partir desta base de dados, futuras avaliações no CASA poderão ser realizadas para esta espécie.   &nbsp

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear un derstanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5–7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8–11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world’s most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepre sented in biodiversity databases.13–15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may elim inate pieces of the Amazon’s biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological com munities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple or ganism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region’s vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most ne glected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lostinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear understanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5,6,7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8,9,10,11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world's most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepresented in biodiversity databases.13,14,15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may eliminate pieces of the Amazon's biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological communities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple organism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region's vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most neglected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lost

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear understanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5,6,7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8,9,10,11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world's most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepresented in biodiversity databases.13,14,15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may eliminate pieces of the Amazon's biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological communities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple organism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region's vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most neglected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lost

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Interactions between the citrus pathogen Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia and hemipteran vectors

O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi obter as informações e ferramentas necessárias para implantar medidas de controle contra a vassoura de bruxa do limão galego (WBDL-sigla em inglês), doença causada por 'Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia‟, examinando em especial o papel de insetos vetores. Aqui, nós consideramos os fitoplasmas de limão galego (Citrus aurantifolia) no Brasil e em Omã, que estão intimamente relacionados, mas que têm sintomatologias muito diferentes - no Brasil, plantas infectadas são assintomáticas, enquanto em Omã e no Oriente Médio em geral, os sintomas são aparentes, constituindo uma grave ameaça para a citricultura. Em ambos os casos, a infecção de plantas de Citrus aurantifolia por 'Ca. Phytoplasma aurantifolia' teve um efeito positivo no inseto vetor Diaphorina citri, como é esperado para patógenos transmitidos de maneira persistente. Isto foi baseado em um estudo sobre o crescimento populacional e a capacidade reprodutiva usando parâmetros obtidos a partir de tabelas de vida de fertilidade, uma vez que estes parâmetros ajudam a entender o crescimento populacional de insetos. A taxa intrínseca de crescimento (r m ) de D. citri foi quase o dobro em plantas infectadas por fitoplasma do que plantas não infectadas. Este aumento foi devido a maior taxa de oviposição, uma vez que o tempo de geração e de sobrevivência não foram afetados. Além disso, também investigamos vários aspectos deste sistema em Omã. Nós identificamos duas espécies, D. citri e Hishimonus phycitis, como insetos vetores de 'Ca. Phytoplasma aurantifolia' e ambas as espécies estão presente no campo durante todo o ano. Finalmente, também identificamos duas plantas hospedeiras alternativas deste fitoplasma em Omã.The main goal was to obtain the information and tools necessary to implement control measures against Witches‟ Broom Disease of Lime (WBDL), disease caused by Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia‟ in Oman, examining in particular the role of vectors. We consider phytoplasmas of acid lime (Citrus aurantifolia) in Brazil and in Oman, that are closely related yet that have very different symptomatology in Brazil, the infected plants are asymptomatic while in Oman and the Middle East in general, the symptoms are apparent and represent a severe threat to the citrus industry. In both cases, infection of Citrus aurantifolia plants by Ca. Phytoplasma aurantifolia‟ had a positive effect on the vector Diaphorina citri, as is expected for pathogens transmitted in a persistent manner. This was based on a study of the population growth and reproductive capacity using parameters obtained from fertility life tables, which are an important aid for understanding the insect‟s population growth. The intrinsic rate of increase (r m ) of this insect was almost doubled on phytoplasma-infected plants than uninfected plants. The increase was due to a tripling of oviposition rates, while generation and survival times were unaffected. Furthermore, we also investigated several aspects of this system in Oman. We identified two species, Diaphorina citri and Hishimonus phycitis, as insect vectors of 'Ca Phytoplasma aurantifolia ' and found both species to be present in the field all year round, in four field sites. Finally, we identified two alternative host plants of this phytoplasma in Oman.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológic