Lithothamnion calcareum Nanoparticles Increase Growth of Melon Plants

The application of alternative fertilizers to the soil in a sustainable way in order to supply nutrients to plants is important for growers and for the environment. Calcareous algae, Lithothamnion calcareum (Lit), is considered an alternative fertilizer because it is rich in nutrients, particularly magnesium and calcium, that are essential for plants. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of different formulations, doses and fertilization intervals of L. calcareum on growth of melon plants. Two experiments were performed. The first experiment aimed to evaluate the effect of various formulations and doses of Lit on the growth of melon plants. The second experiment was carried out to evaluate the use of formulations and fertilization intervals of Lit. Formulations and doses of Lit had a significant effect on the efficiency in the development of melon plants. No impact was observed when using a concentrated suspension of Lit. However, four applications of Lit nanoparticle formulations every 7 days increased the growth of melon plants at doses close to 1 kg ha-1. We provide the first data related to beneficial effects on melon growth of L. calcareum, in different formulations, application intervals and doses, applied to red-yellow soil

Soils of Tropical Dry Forest and with Different Crops Presenting Ascospores of Monosporascus cannonballus

The vine decline caused by Monosporascus cannonballus is a limiting factor in different crops in several countries. The objective of this study was to quantify the M. cannonballus ascospores in soils covered with tropical dry forest and areas cultivated with pineapple, cotton, coconut, corn, mango, melon, papaya, sorghum and watermelon. Five areas were sampled in tropical dry forest and every crop. The M. cannonballus ascospores were extracted using the flotation method of sucrose. Ascospores of M. cannonballus were detected in all soil samples from Rio Grande do Norte and Ceará states, including tropical dry forest. There were significant differences among the ascospores densities of M. cannonballus, which varied from 0.55 to 2.21 ascospores g-1 soil. The lower densities were found in areas with cotton, coconut, mango, pineapple, and melon within the first and fifth years of cultivation, in addition to uncultivated areas of tropical dry forest. The highest ascospores density was found in papaya areas. Up to date, there is no study to prove that this crop is considered host of this phytopathogen. Cultivated areas with cucurbitaceous with more years of cultivation presented higher densities of M. cannonballus ascospores in soils from Brazilian semiarid. However, there is no direct relationship between M. cannonballus population density in the soil and the susceptibility of the host being cultivated in the soil at the time of sampling

Characterization of Five New Monosporascus Species: Adaptation to Environmental Factors, Pathogenicity to Cucurbits and Sensitivity to Fungicides

[EN] In this study, five new recently described Monosporascus species, M. brasiliensis, M. caatinguensis, M. mossoroensis, M. nordestinus, and M. semiaridus, which were found on weeds collected from cucurbit cultivation fields in northeastern Brazil, are characterized regarding mycelial growth at different pH levels and salinity (NaCl) concentrations, their pathogenicity to selected cucurbit species, and their sensitivity to fungicides with different modes of action. Our results reveal great variability among the representative isolates of each Monosporascus spp. All of them showed a wide range of tolerance to different pH levels, and NaCl significantly reduced their in vitro mycelial growth, although no concentration was able to inhibit them completely. In pathogenicity tests, all seedlings of cucurbits evaluated, melon, watermelon, cucumber, and pumpkin, were susceptible to the five Monosporascus spp. In greenhouse experiments using artificial inoculation of roots. Moreover, all Monosporascus spp. were highly susceptible to the fungicides fludioxonil and fluazinam. Our findings provide relevant information about the response of these new Monosporascus spp. to environmental factors, plant genotypes and fungicides.Cavalcante, ALA.; Negreiros, AMP.; Tavares, MB.; Barreto, ÉDS.; Armengol Fortí, J.; Júnior, RS. (2020). Characterization of Five New Monosporascus Species: Adaptation to Environmental Factors, Pathogenicity to Cucurbits and Sensitivity to Fungicides. Journal of Fungi. 6(3):1-14. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof603016911463Martyn, R. D. (1996). Monosporascus Root Rot and Vine Decline: An Emerging Disease of Melons Worldwide. Plant Disease, 80(7), 716. doi:10.1094/pd-80-0716Cohen, R., Pivonia, S., Crosby, K. M., & Martyn, R. D. (2012). Advances in the Biology and Management of Monosporascus Vine Decline and Wilt of Melons and Other Cucurbits. Horticultural Reviews, 77-120. doi:10.1002/9781118100592.ch2Salem, I. B., Correia, K. C., Boughalleb, N., Michereff, S. J., León, M., Abad-Campos, P., … Armengol, J. (2013). Monosporascus eutypoides, a Cause of Root Rot and Vine Decline in Tunisia, and Evidence that M. cannonballus and M. eutypoides Are Distinct Species. Plant Disease, 97(6), 737-743. doi:10.1094/pdis-05-12-0464-reSales, R., Bezerra do Nascimento, I. J., de Souza Freitas, L., Beltrán, R., Armengol, J., Vicent, A., & García-Jiménez, J. (2004). First Report of Monosporascus cannonballus on Melon in Brazil. Plant Disease, 88(1), 84-84. doi:10.1094/pdis.2004.88.1.84bSales, R., Santana, C. V. S., Nogueira, D. R. S., Silva, K. J. P., Guimarães, I. M., Michereff, S. J., … Armengol, J. (2010). First Report of Monosporascus cannonballus on Watermelon in Brazil. Plant Disease, 94(2), 278-278. doi:10.1094/pdis-94-2-0278bYan, L. Y., Zang, Q. Y., Huang, Y. P., & Wang, Y. H. (2016). First Report of Root Rot and Vine Decline of Melon Caused by Monosporascus cannonballus in Eastern Mainland China. Plant Disease, 100(3), 651-651. doi:10.1094/pdis-06-15-0655-pdnMarkakis, E. A., Trantas, E. A., Lagogianni, C. S., Mpalantinaki, E., Pagoulatou, M., Ververidis, F., & Goumas, D. E. (2018). First Report of Root Rot and Vine Decline of Melon Caused by Monosporascus cannonballus in Greece. Plant Disease, 102(5), 1036-1036. doi:10.1094/pdis-10-17-1568-pdnNegreiros, A. M. P., Júnior, R. S., Rodrigues, A. P. M. S., León, M., & Armengol, J. (2019). Prevalent weeds collected from cucurbit fields in Northeastern Brazil reveal new species diversity in the genusMonosporascus. Annals of Applied Biology, 174(3), 349-363. doi:10.1111/aab.12493Porras-Alfaro, A., Herrera, J., Sinsabaugh, R. L., Odenbach, K. J., Lowrey, T., & Natvig, D. O. (2008). Novel Root Fungal Consortium Associated with a Dominant Desert Grass. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 74(9), 2805-2813. doi:10.1128/aem.02769-07Herrera, J., Khidir, H. H., Eudy, D. M., Porras-Alfaro, A., Natvig, D. O., & Sinsabaugh, R. L. (2010). Shifting fungal endophyte communities colonize Bouteloua gracilis: effect of host tissue and geographical distribution. Mycologia, 102(5), 1012-1026. doi:10.3852/09-264Dean, S. L., Warnock, D. D., Litvak, M. E., Porras-Alfaro, A., & Sinsabaugh, R. (2015). Root-associated fungal community response to drought-associated changes in vegetation community. Mycologia, 107(6), 1089-1104. doi:10.3852/14-240Robinson, A. J., Natvig, D. O., & Chain, P. S. G. (2020). Genomic Analysis of Diverse Members of the Fungal Genus Monosporascus Reveals Novel Lineages, Unique Genome Content and a Potential Bacterial Associate. G3 Genes|Genomes|Genetics, 10(8), 2573-2583. doi:10.1534/g3.120.401489Martyn, R. D. (2002). Monosporascus Root Rot and Vine Decline of Melons (MRR/VD). Also referred to as sudden wilt, sudden death, melon collapse, Monosporascus wilt, and black pepper root rot. The Plant Health Instructor. doi:10.1094/phi-i-2002-0612-01Pivonia, S., Cohen, R., Kigel, J., & Katan, J. (2002). Effect of soil temperature on disease development in melon plants infected by Monosporascus cannonballus. Plant Pathology, 51(4), 472-479. doi:10.1046/j.1365-3059.2002.00731.xWaugh, M. M., Kim, D. H., Ferrin, D. M., & Stanghellini, M. E. (2003). Reproductive Potential of Monosporascus cannonballus. Plant Disease, 87(1), 45-50. doi:10.1094/pdis.2003.87.1.45Armengol, J., Alaniz, S., Vicent, A., Beltrán, R., Abad-Campos, P., Pérez-Sierra, A., … Boughalleb, N. (2011). Effect of dsRNA on growth rate and reproductive potential of Monosporascus cannonballus. Fungal Biology, 115(3), 236-244. doi:10.1016/j.funbio.2010.12.007Correia, K. C., Silva, E. K. C., Câmara, M. P. S., Sales Jr., R., Mizubuti, E. S. G., Armengol, J., … Michereff, S. J. (2014). Fitness components of Monosporascus cannonballus isolates from northeastern Brazilian melon fields. Tropical Plant Pathology, 39(3), 217-223. doi:10.1590/s1982-56762014000300005Rhouma, A., Salem, I. B., M’hamdi, M., & Boughalleb-M’Hamdi, N. (2018). Relationship study among soils physico-chemical properties and Monosporascus cannonballus ascospores densities for cucurbit fields in Tunisia. European Journal of Plant Pathology, 153(1), 65-78. doi:10.1007/s10658-018-1541-5Mertely, J. C. (1993). An Expanded Host Range for the Muskmelon PathogenMonosporascus cannonballus. Plant Disease, 77(7), 667. doi:10.1094/pd-77-0667Sales Júnior, R., Balbino, D. A. D., Negreiros, A. M. P., Barboza, H. da S., de Medeiros, E. V., & Armengol, J. (2018). Cotton, cowpea and sesame are alternative crops to cucurbits in soils naturally infested with Monosporascus cannonballus. Journal of Phytopathology, 166(6), 396-402. doi:10.1111/jph.12698Pivonia, S., Gerstl, Z., Maduel, A., Levita, R., & Cohen, R. (2010). Management of Monosporascus sudden wilt of melon by soil application of fungicides. European Journal of Plant Pathology, 128(2), 201-209. doi:10.1007/s10658-010-9644-7Awad, H. M. (2016). Evaluation of Plant Extracts and Essential Oils for the Control of Sudden Wilt Disease of Watermelon Plants. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 5(5), 949-962. doi:10.20546/ijcmas.2016.505.100Sales Júnior, R., Senhor, R. F., Michereff, S. J., & Medeiros, E. V. (2017). Influência da adubação verde no declínio de monosporascus em solo naturalmente infestado. Horticultura Brasileira, 35(1), 135-140. doi:10.1590/s0102-053620170121Cohen, R., Pivonia, S., Shtienberg, D., Edelstein, M., Raz, D., Gerstl, Z., & Katan, J. (1999). Efficacy of Fluazinam in Suppression of Monosporascus cannonballus, the Causal Agent of Sudden Wilt of Melons. Plant Disease, 83(12), 1137-1141. doi:10.1094/pdis.1999.83.12.1137Cervantes-Garcia, D., Saul Padilla-Ramirez, J., Simpson, J., & Mayek-Perez, N. (2003). Osmotic Potential Effects on In Vitro Growth, Morphology and Pathogenicity of Macrophomina phaseolina. Journal of Phytopathology, 151(7-8), 456-462. doi:10.1046/j.1439-0434.2003.00751.xAegerter, B. J., Gordon, T. R., & Davis, R. M. (2000). Occurrence and Pathogenicity of Fungi Associated with Melon Root Rot and Vine Decline in California. Plant Disease, 84(3), 224-230. doi:10.1094/pdis.2000.84.3.224Francisco, de A. S. e S., & Carlos, A. V. de A. (2016). The Assistat Software Version 7.7 and its use in the analysis of experimental data. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 11(39), 3733-3740. doi:10.5897/ajar2016.11522Tonin, R. F. B., Avozani, A., Danelli, A. L. D., Reis, E. M., Zoldan, S. M., & Garcés-Fiallos, F. R. (2013). In vitro mycelial sensitivity of Macrophomina phaseolina to fungicides. Pesquisa Agropecuária Tropical, 43(4), 460-466. doi:10.1590/s1983-40632013000400014Negreiros, A. M. P., Melo, N. J. de A., Medeiros, H. L. de S., Silva, F. H. A., Armengol, J., & Sales Júnior, R. (2020). Characterization of adaptability components of Brazilian isolates of Macrophomina pseudophaseolina. Journal of Phytopathology, 168(7-8), 490-499. doi:10.1111/jph.12927Thangavelu, V., Tang, J., Ryan, D., & Valix, M. (2006). Effect of saline stress on fungi metabolism and biological leaching of weathered saprolite ores. Minerals Engineering, 19(12), 1266-1273. doi:10.1016/j.mineng.2006.02.007Castro, G., Perpiñá, G., Esteras, C., Armengol, J., Picó, B., & Pérez‐de‐Castro, A. (2020). Resistance in melon to Monosporascus cannonballus and M. eutypoides  : Fungal pathogens associated with Monosporascus root rot and vine decline. Annals of Applied Biology, 177(1), 101-111. doi:10.1111/aab.12590Edgington, L. V. (1971). Fungitoxic Spectrum of Benzimidazole Compounds. Phytopathology, 61(1), 42. doi:10.1094/phyto-61-4

Diversidade e métodos de amostragem de Hymenoptera na cultura da melancia no semiárido

The aims of this study were to identify the Hymenoptera fauna associated with watermelon crops and assess the influence of Pitfall, Moericke and McPhail traps in capturing these insects in the semiarid environment of the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The survey was conducted between the months of August and September, 2011, in a commercial watermelon cv Crimson Sweet production area. The collection of the Hymenoptera was conducted weekly during the crop cycle. To capture the insects, three types of traps were used, Pitfall, Moericke and McPhail, in densities 20, 20 and 1 trap per hectare, respectively. The traps were installed seven days after seeding and maintained in the area until harvest. A total of 3,123 Hymenoptera were collected, belonging to 10 superfamilies, and 24 families. Formicidae was the most representative, with a total relative abundance of 54.43%, followed by Apidae with 17.96%. The presence of 18 families of parasitoids (18.89%) was also observed, notably Platygastridae (6.60%), Encyrtidae (2.79%), Chalcididae (2.56%), Mymaridae (2.56%), Pompilidae (1.15%) and Trichogrammatidae (1.09%). The occurrence of predators from the families Crabronidae (6.34 %), Vespidae (2.24 %) and Sphecidae (0.10%) is noteworthy. Among the traps, Moericke captured the greatest diversity of Hymenoptera (24 families), followed by Pitfall (11 families) and McPhail (seven families) traps. © 2016, Sociedade de Olericultura do Brasil. All rights reserved

Reação de genótipos de meloeiro a Myrothecium

A expansão da cultura do meloeiro (Cucumis melo L.) no Nordeste brasileiro tem favorecido a ocorrência de doenças como o cancro-de-mirotécio, causado pelo fungo Myrothecium roridum. Visando selecionar genótipos com potencial de utilização nos programas de melhoramento e/ou no manejo integrado da doença, foram avaliados 150 genótipos de meloeiro. Plantas com 22 dias de idade, desenvolvidas em casa de vegetação, foram feridas no colo e inoculadas com uma suspensão do patógeno (3x10(6) conídios/ml). As avaliações foram realizadas diariamente, até seis dias após a retirada da câmara úmida, com o auxílio de uma escala descritiva de notas de 0 a 4. Com os dados da última avaliação, os genótipos foram distribuídos em cinco classes de reação à doença. Nenhum genótipo foi imune ou altamente resistente ao patógeno, enquanto 26,7% foram medianamente resistentes (MR) e 73,3% foram suscetíveis (S) ou altamente suscetíveis (AS). Esses resultados evidenciam a dificuldade na obtenção de fontes com elevados níveis de resistência a M. roridum. Os grupos Cantaloupe, Charentais, Gália e 'Indefinido' apresentaram a maior freqüência de genótipos com a reação MR e a menor freqüência de genótipos AS. A maioria dos genótipos dos grupos Valenciano Verde (66,7%), Cantaloupe (57,4%), Gália (60,0%) e 'Indefinido' (53,8%) foram S. Os genótipos 'PI 420149', 'Caroline', 'A3', 'Chilton' e 'PS-1 Pele de Sapo' apresentaram os menores valores de severidade final da doença e mostraram-se promissoras fontes de resistência ao patógeno e devem ser preferidos sob condições favoráveis à doença

Post-genomic analysis of Monosporascus cannonballus and Macrophomina phaseolina - potential target selection

Monosporascus cannonballus Pollack & Uecker and Macrophomina phaseolina Tassi (Goid) are phytopathogenic fungi responsible for causing "root rot and vine decline" in melon (Cucumis melo L.). Currently, cultural management practices are predominantly employed to control these pathogens, as the use of pesticides not only has detrimental environmental impacts but has also proven ineffective against them. These fungi have already undergone molecular characterization, and their genomes are now available, enabling the targeted search for protein targets. Therefore, this study aimed to identify novel target proteins that can serve as a foundation for the development of fungicides for effectively managing these pathogens. The genomes of M. cannonballus (assembly ASM415492v1) and M. phaseolina (assembly ASM2087553v1) were subjected to comprehensive analysis, filtration, and comparison. The proteomes of both fungi were clustered based on functional criteria, including putative and hypothetical functions, cell localization, and function-structure relationships. The selection process for homologs in the fungal genomes included a structural search. In the case of M. cannonballus, a total of 17,518 proteins were re-annotated, and among them, 13 candidate targets were identified. As for M. phaseolina, 30,226 initial proteins were analyzed, leading to the identification of 10 potential target proteins. This study thus provides new insights into the molecular functions of these potential targets, with the further validation of inhibitors through experimental methods holding promise for expanding our knowledge in this area

Phenotypic stability of yellow melon hybrids evaluated in the Agricultural Pole Mossoró-Assu

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estimar a participação dos componentes simples e complexo da interação e identificar cultivares com adaptabilidade e estabilidade fenotípica elevadas. Foram avaliados 12 híbridos de melão amarelo em quatro municípios do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte, em 2000, 2001 e 2002, num total de 12 ambientes. Os experimentos foram conduzidos em delineamento em blocos ao acaso, com três repetições. A parcela foi constituída por duas linhas de 5 m. As características avaliadas foram produtividade e teor de sólidos solúveis totais. A fim de decompor a interação híbridos x ambientes nas partes simples e complexa, foi utilizado o método proposto por Cruz e Castoldi. Na identificação de híbridos com adaptabilidade e estabilidade fenotípica, foi utilizado o método proposto por Toler. Observou-se grande variação entre ambientes, híbridos e a interação entre esses fatores. O componente complexo é a maior parte da interação quanto às características produtividade e teor de sólidos solúveis totais dos híbridos de meloeiro. Os híbridos AMR-04 e AMR-12 apresentam elevados valores médios de produtividade e sólidos solúveis totais e respondem à melhoria ambiental.The objective of this work was to estimate the participation of single and complex components of interaction as well as to identify cultivars with high phenotypic adaptability and stability. Twelve hybrids of yellow melon were evaluated in four sites of Rio Grande do Norte in 2000, 2001, 2002 coming to twelve environments. The experiments were carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The experimental plot was constituted by two 5 m long rows. Yield and total soluble solids contents were evaluated. For the partition of the hybrids by environments interaction in single and complex part, the method of Cruz and Castoldi was used. In order to indentify hybrids with high phenotypic adaptability and stability, the Toler method was utilized. Great variation among environments and hybrids as well as interaction were observed between these two factors. The complex part is responsible for most of the environment hybrids interaction. Hybrids AMR-04 and AMR-12, comprising higher means to yield and total soluble solids content, are responsive to the improved environment

Population structure of Monosporascus cannonballus isolates from melons produced in Northeastern Brazil based on mycelial compatibility groups

[EN] The population structure of Monosporascus cannonballus, which causes vine decline in melons, was assessed based on the determination of mycelial compatibility groups (MCGs) in a collection of 58 isolates obtained from seven melon fields in three municipalities of Northeastern Brazil. For comparison, an additional 11 isolates of M. cannonballus from Spain were included in the analysis. MCGs were determined through comparisons of paired isolates growing on PDA culture media in the dark at 30ºC in various combinations. The Brazilian isolates were assigned into four MCGs: MCG-1 (n = 35 isolates), MCG-2 (n = 20), MCG-3 (n = 2), and MGC-4 (n = 1). MCG-1 and MCG-2 included isolates from all surveyed areas. The Spanish isolates were assigned into six different MCGs, and none of them were compatible with the Brazilian isolates. The genetic structure was determined using the frequencies of MCGs and genotypic diversity indices. The maximum genotypic diversity was 6.9 and 54.5% for the Brazilian and Spanish populations, respectively. The low level of genetic diversity in the M. cannonballus population from Northeastern Brazil suggests that breeding melons for disease resistance may be a promising strategy for the region.This research was partially funded by CAPES (Project 203/2009 - International Cooperation CAPES-Brazil/DGU-Spain). We are thankful CNPq for the research fellowships granted to C. S. Bezerra, M. P. S. Camara, R. Sales Junior and S.J. Michereff. We thank Prof. Eduardo S. G. Mizubuti, Universidade Federal de Vicosa, Vicosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, for useful advice on data analyses.De Souza Bezerra, C.; Câmara Correia, K.; Saraiva Câmara, MP.; Sales Júnior, R.; Armengol Fortí, J.; Michereff, SJ. (2013). Population structure of Monosporascus cannonballus isolates from melons produced in Northeastern Brazil based on mycelial compatibility groups. Acta Scientiarum. Agronomy. 35(2):161-167. https://doi.org/10.4025/actasciagron.v35i2.15182S16116735