Host-Parasite Co-Evolution in Real-Time: Changes in Honey Bee Resistance Mechanisms and Mite Reproductive Strategies.

Co-evolution is a major driving force shaping the outcome of host-parasite interactions over time. After host shifts, the lack of co-evolution can have a drastic impact on novel host populations. Nevertheless, it is known that Western honey bee (Apismellifera) populations can cope with host-shifted ectoparasitic mites (Varroa destructor) by means of natural selection. However, adaptive phenotypic traits of the parasites and temporal variations in host resistance behavior are poorly understood. Here, we show that mites made adaptive shifts in reproductive strategy when associated with resistant hosts and that host resistance traits can change over time. In a fully-crossed field experiment, worker brood cells of local adapted and non-adapted (control) A.mellifera host colonies were infested with mites originating from both types of host colonies. Then, mite reproduction as well as recapping of cells and removal of infested brood (i.e., Varroa Sensitive Hygiene, VSH) by host workers were investigated and compared to data from the same groups of host colonies three years earlier. The data suggest adaptive shifts in mite reproductive strategies, because mites from adapted hosts have higher probabilities of reproduction, but lower fecundity, when infesting their associated hosts than mites in treated colonies. The results confirm that adapted hosts can reduce mite reproductive success. However, neither recapping of cells nor VSH were significantly expressed, even though the latter was significantly expressed in this adapted population three years earlier. This suggests temporal variation in the expression of adaptive host traits. It also appears as if mechanisms not investigated here were responsible for the reduced mite reproduction in the adapted hosts. In conclusion, a holistic view including mite adaptations and studies of the same parasite/host populations over time appears overdue to finally understand the mechanisms enabling survival of V.destructor-infested honey bee host colonies

Controle de capim-amargoso com diferentes misturas.

A dificuldade no controle de capim amargoso com o herbicida glyphosate gera a necessidade da utilização de outros herbicidas para um manejo adequado da espécie. Assim sendo, objetivou-se com o presente trabalho avaliar o controle de Digitaria insularis (capim-amargoso) por meio de combinações de herbicidas de diferentes mecanismos de ação. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso, com 22 tratamentos e 4 repetições. Os herbicidas foram aplicados quando as plantas estavam com altura próxima a 80 cm. Os resultados mostraram que o herbicida Select foi o graminicida que apresentou melhor níveis de controle para a espécie. Com relação às misturas dos graminicidas com os latifolicidas, verificou-se que pode haver antagonismo entre eles. A possibilidade desta ocorrência foi mais evidente para as misturas Targa + Finale; Targa + Gramocil e Podium + Gramocil; Panther + Gramocil e Podium + Classic

Spatial variability of soil physical attributes in sugarcane using different row spacings.

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of harvesting traffic by evaluating the spatial variability of soil physical attributes on a clayey Oxisol under sugarcane cultivation using different row spacing. Two areas of sugarcane production (RB855156 genotype) were planted in autumn 2013, both using conventional planting systems. Treatments were either sugarcane cultivated using: (i) single-row spacing (SR) of 1.50 m; or (ii) double-row spacing (DR) of 0.40 × 1.50 m. Areas using SR spacing occupied a total of 6 ha areas using DR spacing occupied a total of 2 ha. Assessments of soil physical attributes were performed during the summer of 2016 after the second harvest. Soil measurements in each area were done at 100 points using a grid design with dimensions of 10 m long by 5 m wide. Soil sampling was taken from the 0.00-0.10 m layer, from points distributed along the planted row and the machine?s wheel track. The following soil physical attributes were assessed: bulk density, total porosity, macroporosity, microporosity, soil penetration resistance, and water contentat field capacity. Bd and PR in the single-row spacing showed critical values for adequate sugarcane root development. The highest spatial variability of PR and Ma was found in double-row spacing, however, this spacing arrangement promoted a better soil physical conditions