Effect of Azolla on flooded rice production

O experimento foi conduzido com arroz irrigado (Oryza sativa L.), em campo, na Estação Experimental Palmital, do Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Arroz e Feijão - CNPAF, em Goiânia, GO. Os tratamentos testados foram: testemunha, Azolla, 60 kg/ha de N, e 60 kg/ha de N + Azolla. Com a consorciação de Azolla, houve um aumento de, aproximadamente, 15% na produção em relação à testemunha. Os tratamentos de 60 kg/ha de N e 60 kg/ha de N + Azolla apresentaram aumentos de produção de 46 e 56%, respectivamente, em comparação com a testemunha. Estes resultados preliminares mostram que existe possibilidade de uso de Azolla como fonte de nitrogênio para a cultura de arroz irrigado.A field experiment with Azolla and flooded rice (Oryza sativa L.) was conducted at the Estação Experimental  Palmital of the Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Arroz e Feijão, in Goiânia - GO, Brazil. The treatments included: control (no added nitrogen), Azolla, 60 kg of N/ha, and Azolla + 60 kg of N/ha. An increase of 15% in the grain yield of rice was observed with the Azolla treatment. Additions of 60 kg N/ha and Azolla + 60 kg N/ha resulted in rice grain yield increase of 46 and 56%, respectively, in relation to the control. The results indicate that it is possible to use Azolla as a source of N for flooded rice culture

Evaluating Eucalyptus leaf colonization by Brasilonema octagenarum (Cyanobacteria, Scytonemataceae) using in planta experiments and genomics

Background. Brasilonema is a cyanobacterial genus found on the surface of mineral substrates and plants such as bromeliads, orchids and eucalyptus. B. octagenarum stands out among cyanobacteria due to causing damage to the leaves of its host in an interaction not yet observed in other cyanobacteria. Previous studies revealed that B. octagenaum UFV-E1 is capable of leading eucalyptus leaves to suffer internal tissue damage and necrosis by unknown mechanisms. This work aimed to investigate the effects of B. octagenarum UFV-E1 inoculation on Eucalyptus urograndis and to uncover molecular mechanisms potentially involved in leaf damage by these cyanobacteria using a comparative genomics approach. Results. Leaves from E. urograndis saplings were exposed for 30 days to B. octagenarum UFV-E1, which was followed by the characterization of its genome and its comparison with the genomes of four other Brasilonema strains isolated from phyllosphere and the surface of mineral substrates. While UFV-E1 inoculation caused an increase in root and stem dry mass of the host plants, the sites colonized by cyanobacteria on leaves presented a significant decrease in pigmentation, showing that the cyanobacterial mats have an effect on leaf cell structure. Genomic analyses revealed that all evaluated Brasilonema genomes harbored genes encoding molecules possibly involved in plant-pathogen interactions, such as hydrolases targeting plant cell walls and proteins similar to known virulence factors from plant pathogens. However, sequences related to the type III secretory system and effectors were not detected, suggesting that, even if any virulence factors could be expressed in contact with their hosts, they would not have the structural means to actively reach plant cytoplasm. Conclusions. Leaf damage by this species is likely related to the blockage of access to sunlight by the efficient growth of cyanobacterial mats on the phyllosphere, which may hinder the photosynthetic machinery and prevent access to some essential molecules. These results reveal that the presence of cyanobacteria on leaf surfaces is not as universally beneficial as previously thought, since they may not merely provide the products of nitrogen fixation to their hosts in exchange for physical support, but in some cases also hinder regular leaf physiology leading to tissue damage.Peer reviewe

The effect of Azolla species on growth response of flooded rice.

Realizou-se um experimento em casa de vegetação com o objetivo de verificar o efeito de sete diferentes espécies deAzolla no desenvolvimento de arroz inundado quando empregada como fonte alternativa de nitrogênio (N), incorporada ao solo ou cultivada simultaneamente com o arroz. Os tratamentos utilizados foram: sem adição de fonte de N (testemunha), 30kg/ha de N, 60kg/ha de N, incorporação e cultivo simultâneo da Azolla. O melhor desenvolvimento do arroz foi alcançado com a aplicação de 30 e 60kg/ha de N e incorporação de Azolla no solo. As maiores contribuições foram dadas pela A. caroliniana, A.filiculoides, A. mexicana e A. microphylla. Os resultados indicam a necessidade de selecionar espécies de Azolla que ofereçam maior potencial de utilização do N-Azolla pelo arroz, bem como confirmam os benefícios desse adubo verde no desenvolvimento dessa cultura.An experiment was carried out under greenhouse conditions to assess the effect of seven different Azolla species on the growth of flooded rice using Azolla as an alternative source of nitrogen, incorporated into the soil of grown in dual culture. The treatments used were: no added nitrogen (control), 30 and 60 kg/ha of N, Azolla incorporated into the soil and grown in dual culture. Rice development was better using 30 and 60 kg/ha of N and when Azolla was incorporated into the soil. The A. caroliniana, A. filiciloides, A. mexicana and A. microphyllashowed good response. The results suggest the necessity of selecting Azolla species with a high potential as nitrogen source to flooded rice, as well as confirm their value as green manure for this culture

Komarekiella atlantica gen. et sp. nov. (Nostocaceae, Cyanobacteria): a new subaerial taxon from the Atlantic Rainforest and Kauai, Hawaii

Six strains of Cyanobacteria sampled in the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest and one strain from Kauai, Hawaii, were studied using morphological and molecular approaches, including 16S rRNA gene phylogenies and 16S–23S ITS secondary structures, and are herein described as Komarekilla atlantica gen. et sp. nov.. Morphologically they are similar to Nostoc, Desmonostoc, Halotia, and Mojavia and indistinguishable from Chlorogloeopsis. The parsimony and Bayesian phylogenies of the 16S rDNA show that these strains are close to nostocacean strains, in strongly supported clades and separated from all other genera. The secondary structures of the 16S–23S ITS were very consistent between strains of K. atlantica, but distinctly different from structures in other close taxa. Of special note, the Hawaiian strain of K. atlantica had 16S sequence identities of 99.5– 100% to the Brazilian strains, and 16S–23S ITS sequence identities of 99.4–99.8% to the Brazilian strains, and consequently likely represents a very recent introduction of the species to Kauai from South America, the geographic source of many of the non–native plants in the Hawaiian Archipelago

Description of Aliinostoc alkaliphilum sp. nov. (Nostocales, Cyanobacteria), a New Bioactive Metabolite-Producing Strain from Salina Verde (Pantanal, Brazil) and Taxonomic Distribution of Bioactive Metabolites in Nostoc and Nostoc-like Genera

Cyanobacteria are a group of oxygenic photosynthetic prokaryotes found in almost all habitats on earth including those characterized as extreme environments. It has been observed that the number of studies dealing with the biodiversity of extremophilic cyanobacteria is limited while studies exploring their bioactive potential are even scarcer. The taxonomy of three Nostoc-like cyanobacterial strains isolated from a shallow lake in Brazil was studied by applying a polyphasic approach. The bioactive potential of the strains was also evaluated using antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The metabolites present in the bioactive HPLC fractions were identified by UPLC/ESI/Q-TOF. Based on our phylogenetic inferences in combination with morphological and ecological information, we describe Aliinostoc alkaliphilum sp. nov., exhibiting antibacterial and antifungal activities. The main bioactive metabolite in all three strains was nocuolin A, which represents the first report of this metabolite in Aliinostoc. Our phylogenetic studies also revealed that many bioactive metabolite-producting strains that are currently assigned to Nostoc belong to other distinct evolutionary lineages. These findings highlight the importance of polyphasic approach studies in both cyanobacterial taxonomy and natural product discovery programs

Hepatotoxin microcystin-LR extraction optimization

Several cyanobacterial genera produce toxic secondary metabolites, the most well-known of which are the hepatotoxic microcystins (MCYSTs). Microcystin analyses in drinking water are a requirement of the Health Ministry (Regulation 518/2004) in Brazil, but this regulation does not establish which extraction and analytical method should be used; toxin quantification is usually carried out by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) or HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography), the efficiency of which depends on the extraction method used. In this work a simple, fast and cheap method of extraction was developed for the isolation and identification of MCYSTs. For this, the strain Microcystis aeruginosa NPLJ-4, reported to be a MCYST-LR producer, was selected. Eight different treatments were tested to determine the best MCYST extraction. Samples were applied in LC-MS (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry), ELISA and Q-TOF (quadrupole time-of-flight). The most efficient extraction was achieved by sonicating samples diluted in water. The proposed method permits rapid sample processing, and establishes an extraction method for both the analysis and identification of MCYST-LR and other variants.Vários gêneros de cianobactérias produzem metabólitos secundários tóxicos, entre eles as hepatotoxinas microcistinas. A análise de microcistinas em águas para abastecimento humano é uma exigência do Ministério da Saúde (Portaria 518/2004), mas essa portaria ainda não estabelece o método de extração e análise a serem usados e a quantificação da toxina é comumente realizada por ELISA ("enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay") ou HPLC (cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência), cuja eficiência depende do método de extração utilizado. Neste trabalho foi desenvolvido um método simples, rápido e barato de extração para o isolamento e identificação de microcistinas. Para isso, selecionou-se a linhagem Microcystis aeruginosa NPLJ-4 descrita como produtora de microcistina-LR. Oito diferentes tratamentos foram testados para determinar a melhor extração da toxina. As amostras foram analisadas por LC-MS (cromatografia líquida acoplada a espectrometria de massas), ELISA e Q-TOF ("quadrupole time-of-flight"). Os resultados mostraram que a melhor extração foi a que usou sonicação das amostras diluídas em água. O método proposto permite o processamento rápido das amostras e estabelece um método de extração para análise e identificação de microcistina-LR e outras variantes.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Dereplication of Natural Products with Antimicrobial and Anticancer Activity from Brazilian Cyanobacteria

Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic organisms that produce a large diversity of natural products with interesting bioactivities for biotechnological and pharmaceutical applications. Cyanobacterial extracts exhibit toxicity towards other microorganisms and cancer cells and, therefore, represent a source of potentially novel natural products for drug discovery. We tested 62 cyanobacterial strains isolated from various Brazilian biomes for antileukemic and antimicrobial activities. Extracts from 39 strains induced selective apoptosis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cancer cell lines. Five of these extracts also exhibited antifungal and antibacterial activities. Chemical and dereplication analyses revealed the production of nine known natural products. Natural products possibly responsible for the observed bioactivities and five unknown, chemically related chlorinated compounds present only in Brazilian cyanobacteria were illustrated in a molecular network. Our results provide new information on the vast biosynthetic potential of cyanobacteria isolated from Brazilian environments.Peer reviewe

Dereplication of Natural Products with Antimicrobial and Anticancer Activity from Brazilian Cyanobacteria

Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic organisms that produce a large diversity of natural products with interesting bioactivities for biotechnological and pharmaceutical applications. Cyanobacterial extracts exhibit toxicity towards other microorganisms and cancer cells and, therefore, represent a source of potentially novel natural products for drug discovery. We tested 62 cyanobacterial strains isolated from various Brazilian biomes for antileukemic and antimicrobial activities. Extracts from 39 strains induced selective apoptosis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cancer cell lines. Five of these extracts also exhibited antifungal and antibacterial activities. Chemical and dereplication analyses revealed the production of nine known natural products. Natural products possibly responsible for the observed bioactivities and five unknown, chemically related chlorinated compounds present only in Brazilian cyanobacteria were illustrated in a molecular network. Our results provide new information on the vast biosynthetic potential of cyanobacteria isolated from Brazilian environments.Peer reviewe