In Situ Real-Time Quantification of Microbial Communities: Applications to Cold and Dry Volcanic Habitats

We report field tests of an instrument using multi-wavelength excitation and detection of fluorescence capable of detection and discrimination of viable cells, non-viable cells (not metabolically active but not decomposed), and spores in extreme arid environments where low microbial abundances are expected. These new results are presented for cold and dry volcanic habitats worldwide, e.g., the arid core of the Atacama Desert, Mt. Kilimanjaro glacier and Kibo area, Pali Aike caldera, and the western US volcanic and desert soils in Utah, Idaho, Nevada, and California. Our results are comparable to previous studies reported in the literature for the same environments. We find these extreme environments there have a base level of ∼103 - 104 cells/g. This is the lower limit of detectable life on terrestrial soils, as we did not observe any quantities less than this, even though the described instrumentation is capable of such measurements. Samples from more conventional environments show much higher microbial cell densities, ca. 108 cells/g or higher, with this same instrument. This base level of microbial life is nearly equal in all the measurements from the extreme environments both hot and cold, and is likely controlled primarily by the sparse nutrients rather than temperature

In Situ Real-Time Quantification of Microbial Communities: Applications to Cold and Dry Volcanic Habitats

We report field tests of an instrument using multi-wavelength excitation and detection of fluorescence capable of detection and discrimination of viable cells, non-viable cells (not metabolically active but not decomposed), and spores in extreme arid environments where low microbial abundances are expected. These new results are presented for cold and dry volcanic habitats worldwide, e.g., the arid core of the Atacama Desert, Mt. Kilimanjaro glacier and Kibo area, Pali Aike caldera, and the western US volcanic and desert soils in Utah, Idaho, Nevada, and California. Our results are comparable to previous studies reported in the literature for the same environments. We find these extreme environments there have a base level of ∼103 - 104 cells/g. This is the lower limit of detectable life on terrestrial soils, as we did not observe any quantities less than this, even though the described instrumentation is capable of such measurements. Samples from more conventional environments show much higher microbial cell densities, ca. 108 cells/g or higher, with this same instrument. This base level of microbial life is nearly equal in all the measurements from the extreme environments both hot and cold, and is likely controlled primarily by the sparse nutrients rather than temperature

Diagnóstico de la fertilidad química de los suelos de los municipios de Granada y Silvania para la producción de uchuva en Cundinamarca

Adequate plant nutrition is essential to get high crop yields and good export quality for the cape gooseberry. In order to characterize the chemical fertility of soils of cape gooseberry producing areas in Cundinamarca, samples were taken in two major producing municipalities, Granada and Sylvania. To this end, we selected 30 farms for soil sampling and subsequent chemical characterization and determination of the nutrient content available to plants. The two municipalities were compared to determine the feasibility of general soil management recommendations, or zone specific ones. Significant differences were found between the two municipalities, especially for organic matter content, but in general, a serious cationic nutrient unbalance and extreme soil acidity were noticed, so management of soil fertility with technical criteria is required. Moreover, the high level of the micronutrients Zn and Mn found in the soils could reduce crop performance. Principal component analysis was done to produce coherent recommendations by zone that should be adjusted at the level of the farms.  La nutrición de las plantas de uchuva es determinante para obtener un alto rendimiento del cultivo y garantizar el nivel de calidad del producto para exportación. Con el fin de caracterizar la fertilidad química de los suelos de las zonas productoras de uchuva en Cundinamarca, se realizó un muestreo en dos de los principales municipios productores, como son Granada y Silvania. Para tal fin se seleccionaron 30 fincas en las cuales se realizó el muestreo de suelos y la posterior caracterización química y su relación con el contenido de nutrientes disponibles para las plantas. Se hizo la comparación de municipios con el fin de determinar la conveniencia de un manejo similar o, en caso contrario, específico por zona. Se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los dos municipios, relacionadas especialmente con el contenido de materia orgánica en el suelo, pero además se observaron serios problemas de desbalance de cationes y alta acidez, que requieren una planificación adecuada de la fertilización. Además, los altos niveles de micronutrientes Mn y Cu pueden ser limitantes para el cultivo de uchuva. Se analizaron los componentes principales asociados a la fertilidad de los suelos y se hicieron recomendaciones generales por zona que deben ajustarse a nivel de finca.  

Efeito da irrigação e fertirrigação sobre o estado nutricional de macieiras.

A análise foliar permite o diagnóstico nutricional das plantas, podendo indicar desequilíbrios nutricionais durante o ciclo de desenvolvimento da cultura. Situações de déficits hídricos no solo podem afetar a absorção e o estado nutricional das plantas, influenciando a qualidade e produtividade de macieiras. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o estado nutricional de macieiras em função da aplicação de irrigação e fertirrigação, comparadas ao cultivo convencional.(Embrapa Uva e Vinho. Documentos, 99

Second hematopoietic SCT in patients with thalassemia recurrence following rejection of the first graft

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Meiose e viabilidade polínica de Castanheira-do-Brasil (Bertholletia excelsa Bonpl.).

A castanheira-do-brasil (Bertholletia excelsa Bonpl.), configura entre as espécies arbóreas mais importantes da Floresta Amazônica. Estudos de fenologia reprodutiva auxiliam no desenvolvimento de estratégias de polinizações manuais e naturais. A polinização é uma das formas de garantir a sobrevivência de uma espécie por meio da fecundação do óvulo pelo grão de pólen. O objetivo desde trabalho foi caracterizar o comportamento meiótico, estimar a viabilidade polínica e determinar o conteúdo de reserva dos grãos de pólens em B. excelsa nativa da Amazônia mato-grossense. Foram coletados botões florais em vários estádios de desenvolvimento em uma população, e em seguida estes foram fixados em solução de ácido acético 3:1 e álcool 70%. Para as análises meióticas foi utilizado o corante carmim acético, para viabilidade polínica os corantes, carmim acético e reativo de Alexander e para citoquímica os corantes lugol e sudan IV. Todas as observações foram realizadas em microscópio óptico. Foi observado que a espécie possui 2n=2x=26 cromossomos. A meiose foi considerada regular, com índice meiótico de 92,4%, sendo observados alguns cromossomos retardatários na anáfase I, além de segregação irregular dos cromossomos e dissincronia celular na anáfase II. A viabilidade polínica por meio de corantes foi considerada alta, acima de 80%, juntamente com a viabilidade através da germinação do tubo polínico, que foi acima de 50% no melhor meio de cultura. A análise citoquímica revelou positividade para amidos e lipídios, com maior porcentagem de lipídios. A castanheira-do-brasil apresenta meiose regular, viabilidade polínica alta e maior porcentagem de lipídios em seus grãos de pólen

Phenotypic characterization of cassava ethno-varieties in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil.

Brazil is the fourth largest producer of cassava in the world. In the state of Mato Grosso more than 90% of family farmers grow cassava; therefore, studies that evaluate the genetic resources of this species present in the fields of these farmers can be considered essential. The objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic variability among ethnovarieties of cassava grown in five regions of the state of Mato Grosso, at a phenotypic level using morphoagronomic and molecular characteristics. Forty-five ethnovarieties of cassava were evaluated using 45 morphoagronomic descriptors, 36 qualitative descriptors and nine quantitative descriptors, in addition to 15 microsatellite loci. The data were analyzed with the help of the Past and Genes programs. The descriptors of qualitative nature revealed the existence of morphological divergence, with 97.35% polymorphism and the formation of five genetic groups using the UPGMA method. Forty-four ethno-varieties had more than one desirable root characteristic from an agronomic point of view. Among all the varieties, the Amarela I ethno-variety had the most of these characteristics. With the quantitative variables obtained using the UPGMA method, it was possible to form seven distinct groups, which revealed the Branca Comum and Paraguaia ethno-varieties to be the most dissimilar. The characteristic that most contributed to the distinction of the groups was that of root length (30%). The 15 microsatellite loci amplified 109 alleles, and mean heterozygosity observed was higher than the expected heterozygosity. The UPGMA grouping revealed the formation of four distinct groups, and it was possible to verify duplicity of the Mandioca Batatinha and Pramuquem ethnovarities. By using joint analysis of the data, five genetic groups were observed, without duplicity of material; groups III, IV and V were isolated individuals. Between qualitative and quantitative variables, there was a significant correlation of 31% and between qualitative and molecular data the correlation was 12.4%. The collection of ethnovarieties grown in the fields of family farmers in the state of Mato Grosso present genetic divergence at the phenotypic level, based on morphoagronomic and molecular characteristics, and these ethno-varieties have characteristics of interest for genetic improvement and improved marketability