The potential for controlling Megalurothrips sjostedti (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on cowpea,Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp flowers using extracts of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) products

Abstract

The efficacy of aqueous extracts of cashew, Anacardium occidentale L. products was tested on Legume flower bud thrips on field cowpea in the 1999 and 2000 seasons using nutseed and nutshell at 10% w/v, bark and leaf at 20% w/v. Aqueous extract of cashew nutshell was superior to other cashew products in reducing thrip populations in cowpea flowers and compared favourably with cypermethrin + dimethoate. Pod density per plant was significantly enhanced on cowpea plants sprayed with aqueous extract of cashew nutshell compared to other extracts. Cashew extract contains cardole (a caustic substance) and anacardic acid, which may have been responsible for its insecticidal effect on thrips. This result indicates the potential of cashew products especially the nutshell for integrated management of thrips in legume crops.     

Glutamine Synthetase Activity, Relative Water Content and Water Potential in Maize Submitted to Drought

Primer screening and optimization for random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) was investigated. Among four series (A, B, D and N) of 10-mer primers, A-series performed better amplification of fragments than other series. The maximum amplification fragments was obtained using OPA-02, OPA-03, OPA-09, OPB-06, OPB-10, OPD-03, OPD-05 and OPN-03 primers. The primers OPA-02 and OPN-03 produced maximum number of DNA fragments in Anacardium occidentale cv. H-320. Primers (OPB-08 and OPN-05 performed a least number of amplification fragments. RAPD profile also indicate that some primer did not produce good amplification. The primer OPA-02 amplified 12 number of polymorphic bands in 20 cultivars of cashew. Only one DNA fragment was produced in A. occidentale cv. Vridhachalam - 2 (M-44/3) by using the primer OPA-02. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Characterization and PCR multiplexing of polymorphic microsatellite loci in cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) and their cross‐species utilization

Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) is the most economically important tropical nut crop in the world, and yet there are no sequence tagged site (STS) markers available for its study. Here we use an automated, high‐throughput system to isolate cashew microsatellites from a non‐enriched genomic library blotted onto membranes at high density for screening. Sixty‐five sequences contained a microsatellite array, of which 21 proved polymorphic among a closely related seed garden population of 49 genotypes. Twelve markers were suitable for multiplex analysis. Of these, 10 amplified in all three related tropical tree species tested: Anacardium microcarpum, Anacardium pumilum and Anacardium nanum.     

In vitro Organogenesis and Plantlet Formation in Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.)

Rapid induction of multiple plantlets of Anacardium occidentalewas obtained from cotyledonary explants. Lin and Staba medium,containing 05 mg 1^–1 of both IAA and KN, promoted directorganogenesis and plantlet formation. Plantlets developed froman organized hemispherical mass of meristematic tissue arisingfrom single epidermal cells. Bipolar differentiation resultedin the formation of shoot and root primordia in a sequentialmanner Anacardium occidentale L., cashew, cotyledon explant, organogenesis, plantlet formation     

Tropidacris collaris (Orthoptera: Romaleidae) expands its damage in orchards of the dwarf cashew,Anacardium occidentale (Anacardiaceae)

The giant grasshopper Tropidacris collaris (Stoll, 1813) (Orthoptera: Romaleidae) is a Neotropical species that causes economic damage to diverse and unrelated crops. We report herein the occurrence of this grasshopper in orchards of dwarf cashew Anacardium occidentale L. (Anacardiaceae) located in the state of Ceará, one of the main cashew‐producing areas of Brazil. Nymphs and adults were observed feeding on cashew leaves during June and July 2016, causing partial or total defoliation of some plants. This report updates the feeding plants of T. collaris and its distribution in Brazil and serves as an early warning of possible future attacks by the pest on cashew orchards in the northeastern region of the country.     

Cry2A toxins from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus thuringiensis</Emphasis> expressed in insect cells are toxic to two lepidopteran insects

The cry2Aa and cry2Ab genes from a Brazilian Bacillus thuringiensis strain were introduced into the genome of the baculovirus Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) in order to evaluate the heterologous proteins expression in insect cells and their toxicity to different insects. The recombinant viruses (vAcCry2Aa and vSynCry2Ab) were amplified in Trichoplusia ni (BTI-Tn5B1-4) cells and used to infect Spodoptera frugiperda larvae. Total extracts from S. frugiperda infected with the recombinant viruses were analysed by SDS-PAGE, which detected the presence of polypeptides around 65 kDa. Cuboid-shaped protein crystals were observed in insect extracts by light and scanning electron microscopy. Bioassays, using the heterologous proteins showed toxicity against second instar A. gemmatalis larvae (Cry2Aa) with a LC₅₀ of 1.03 μg/ml and second instar S. frugiperda larvae (Cry2Ab) with a LC₅₀ of 3.45 μg/ml. No toxic activity was detected for Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquenfaciatus.     

Insecticidal potential of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) for control of the beetle,Callosobruchus subinnotatus (Pic.) (Bruchidae) on bambarra-groundnut (Voandzeia subterranea L.) Verde

Abstract

The nut and shell of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) were evaluated for insecticidal efficacy at concentrations of 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5% per 150 g bambarra groundnut (Voandzeia subterranea L.) Verde seeds against Callosobruchus subinnotatus (Pic.) (Bruchidae). Cashew nut shell was highly toxic to C. subinnotatus and achieved 100% insect mortality within 48 hours at 7.5% and 100% mortality within 72% hours at 2.5 and 5.0% concentrations. Oviposition and progeny development of the insect were severely suppressed while seeds were protected from damage by the bruchid. Seed germination was, however, impaired at all concentrations, suggesting that seed treated with cashew products may be suitable for consumption but not be suitable as planting stock.     

Enzymatic synthesis and curing of polycardol from renewable resources

For the first time, oxidative polymerization of cardol derived from cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL), which is a cheap, useful, and renewable substance, has been carried out using a fungal peroxidase from Coprinus cinereus (CiP). Cardol, one of the major components of CNSL, is a resorcinol derivative mainly having a C15 unsaturated hydrocarbon chain with 1–3 double bonds at a meta position. To date cardol has not been completely exploited as a monomer for enzymatic polymerization. Enzymatic polymerization of cardol proceeded with higher yield in an equivolume mixture of tert-butanol and phosphate buffer (pH 7.0). The yield and molecular weight of polycardol depended on the hydrogen peroxide concentration. Polycardol was rapidly cured at room temperature within 4 h to give harden dry and dark brown color coatings. Pencil scratch hardness data indicated that the curing rate of polycardol was superior to those of polycardanol. Thermogravimetric analysis implied that the cured product from polycardol was thermally more stable than that from polycardanol. We expect that polycardol from renewable resources, which is similar to or superior to polycardanol, can find many applications in the near future.     

In vitro micrografting of cashew

Shoot tips excised from glasshouse-raised seedlings and field-grown plants of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) were micrografted by a modified side-grafting procedure using in vitro-raised seedling rootstocks. Factors affecting graft-take were optimised. The micro-scion take obtained was in the range 60–80%. The best growth of micro-scions was obtained with hypocotyls rather than with epicotyls as stock tissue. Rooting of micrografted shoots of mature tree origin was poor (13.3%) because the shoots were only partially rejuvenated. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Rheological properties of cashew gum

Solubilities and rheological properties of dissolved fractions of cashew gum from Anacardium occidentale were investigated. A fraction of gum (64.2%) dissolved in water at 30 °C. A further 13.4% dissolved when the remaining suspension was heated. The fraction that dissolved at 30 °C produced greater solution viscosity than the other fraction or the whole gum. When the pH was raised above 5.5, the solution viscosity dropped sharply.     

Acoustic detection of stem and root borer Neoplocaederus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in cashew

Stem and root borer Neoplocaederus ferrugineus (Linnaeus) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is a severe pest of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L), which affects the cashew tree heavily. The larvae are tissue borers that remain concealed inside the tree and are very difficult to detect at the initial stage of infestation. Adult attractants are not identified, and manual checking of each tree in a plantation is not feasible and laborious. Acoustic technologies have been developed for the non-invasive and early detection of wood borers. The present study was conducted to characterize the acoustic sounds of various larval instars, tissues and field evaluation of the commercially available acoustic device. Burst analysis of different larval instars in cashew logs shows that there are no significant differences between the number of bursts and various larval instars. A relatively less number of bursts are found when the larvae are in the sapwood region than the cambium region. The empty cashew log and healthy trees do not produce any significant noise. The number of burst counts and impulses are used to predict the likelihood of infestation. The detection performance of the acoustic device under field conditions shows that infested trees are correctly detected with 91% accuracy. The possibility of not detecting healthy trees is 85%. This is the first report on the acoustic behaviour of cashew stem and root borer. The results of the study will help in better understanding the acoustic behaviour of the hidden pest and also be useful in the timely identification of stem and root borer-affected trees in cashew plantations.     

Effects of immature cashew nut-shell liquid (Anacardium occidentale) against oxidative damage in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity

The cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale) represents one of the major cheapest sources of non-isoprenoid phenolic lipids, which have a variety of biological properties: they can act as molluscicides, insecticides, fungicides, have anti-termite properties, have medicinal applications, and demonstrate antioxidant activity in vitro. Immature cashew nut-shell liquid (iCNSL) is a unique natural source of unsaturated long-chain phenols. Their use has stimulated much research in order to prepare drug analogues for application in several fields. The objective of the present study was to determine whether iCNSL has antioxidant properties when used in strains of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and to measure the inhibitory activity of acetylcholinesterase. The constituents were identified using thin-layer chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and (1)H and (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance. The iCNSL contains anacardic acid, cardanol, cardol, and 2-methyl cardol. Immature cashew nut oil contains triacylglycerols, fatty acids, alkyl-substituted phenols, and cholesterol. The main constituents of the free fatty acids are palmitic (C(16:0)) and oleic acid (C(18:1)). iCNSL has excellent protective activities in strains of S. cerevisiae against oxidative damage induced by hydrogen peroxide and inhibits acetylcholinesterase activity. iCNSL may have an important role in protecting DNA against damage induced by reactive oxygen species, as well as hydrogen peroxide, generated by intra- and extracellular mechanisms.     

In Vitro Root Formation in Anacardium Occidentale Microshoots

Cultural conditions affecting the induction of rhizogenesis in vitro were evaluated in cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) shoot-node-derived microshoots. The application of auxins was essential for the formation of adventitious roots. A 5-d indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) induction period was more suitable than continuous IBA treatment or a shorter induction period. N⁶-[2-Isopentenyl]adenine in low concentrations (0.3 – 1 µM) in the root induction medium supported root formation. Precultivation of microshoots with gibberellic acid (GA₃) suppressed the subsequent rhizogenesis. Activated charcoal did not affect rooting. No significant differences in rooting abilities of cashew shoots were observed between 25, 29 and 35 °C and roots did not develop at 19 °C. Salts of low osmotic composition were more suitable than richer media. Microshoots originated from cotyledonary nodes showed higher rooting when compared to standard microshoots.     

Partial oxidative protection by enzymatic and non-enzymatic components in cashew leaves under high salinity

The work evaluated the role of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in cashew (Anacardium occidentale) leaves under 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mM NaCl. Salt stress increased protein oxidation and decreased the lipid peroxidation, indicating that lipids are less susceptible to oxidative damage. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was not changed, ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity steadily decreased while the catalase (CAT) activity strongly increased with the increasing NaCl concentration. High salinity also induced alterations in the ascorbate (AsA) and glutathione (GSH) redox state. The salt resistance in cashew may be associated with maintaining of SOD activity and upregulation of CAT activity in concert with the AsA and GSH antioxidants.     

Characterization of novel Brazilian Bacillus thuringiensis strains active against Spodoptera frugiperda and other insect pests

Brazilian strains of Bacillus thuringiensis, namely S701, S764 and S1265 were analysed regarding their cry gene and protein contents, crystal type, and activity against larvae of the lepidopteran fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda Smith), the velvet caterpillar (Anticarsia gemmatalis), the dipterans (Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti) and the coleopteran (Tenebrio molitor). The LC₅₀ of the strains against second instar larvae of S. frugiperda or A. gemmatalis revealed a high potency against those insect species. The spore–crystal mixtures of the isolates were analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) and showed similar protein pattern as the B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki strain HD‐1 (proteins approximately 130 and 65 kDa) for isolates S701 and S764, respectively, and only one major protein of approximately 130 kDa for isolate S1265. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using total DNA of the isolates and general and specific primers showed the presence of cry1Aa, cry1Ac, cry1Ia and cry2Ab genes in the two isolates serotyped as B. thuringiensis kurstaki (S701 and S764) and the presence of cry1D and cry2Ad in B. thuringiensis morrisoni S1265 strain. Scanning electron microscopy of strains S701 and S764, showed the presence of bipyramidal, cuboidal and round crystals, like in strain HD‐1 and bipyramidal and round crystals like in strain S1265.     

Distribution of Cashew Flower Sex-types between Clones and Sides of Tree Canopies in Tanzania

Production of male, hermaphrodite and abnormal flowers was studiedon the north, east, south and west sides of the cashew treecanopy from Jul. to Dec. 1992 at the Agricultural Research InstituteNaliendele, Southern Tanzania. Flowers were recorded daily onselected clones throughout the main flowering season and subsequentlyyield of each clone was also recorded. Results showed differencesin the number of flower types both between clones and betweensides; however, there were consistently more male than othertypes of flower. Significant yield differences between cloneswere not detected and so could not be used to provide unambiguousevidence of the relationship between yield and flower characteristicsbut did indicate that clonal differences were present in termsof earliness of yield production. Anacardium occidentale L.; cashew; flowering; sex-types; clones; Tanzania; sides of canopy; yield     

Larvicidal potential of the polyol sweeteners erythritol and xylitol in two filth fly species

The house fly, Musca domestica (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae), and the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae), are two filth flies responsible for significant economic losses in animal production. Although some chemical control products target adults of both species, differences in mouthpart morphology and behavior necessitates distinct modalities for each. For these reasons, larvicides are an attractive means of chemical control. We assessed the potential of the polyol sweeteners erythritol and xylitol as larvicides to the house fly and stable fly. LC₅₀ values of erythritol against 2^nd instar larvae were 34.94 mg/g media (house fly) and 22.10 mg/g media (stable fly). For xylitol, LC₅₀ values were 74.91 mg/g media (house fly) and 41.58 mg/g media (stable fly). When given a choice, neither species showed a preference for ovipositing in media treated with either sweetener at various concentrations or in media without sweetener. Significantly lower development from egg to adult was observed when the 2^nd instar LC₅₀ equivalent of each sweetener was present in the media compared to controls. Erythritol and xylitol both have larvicidal qualities, however their effective concentrations would necessitate creative product formulation and deployment methods to control all stages of developing flies.     

Effects of a nucleopolyhedrovirus in mixtures with azadirachtin on Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae and viral occlusion body production

Abstract

The combined and alone effects of azadirachtin (AZA) and Spodoptera frugiperda multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (SfMNPV) on the mortality of S. frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were evaluated in the laboratory. For this, diet surface contamination bioassays were performed on S. frugiperda in the third instar. LC₅₀ values for SfMNPV alone were determined to be 430 and 373 viral occlusion bodies (OBs)/mm² at 192 and 216 h after treatment, respectively. LC₅₀ values for AZA alone were estimated for two periods of continuous exposure (4 or 5 days). In this case, LC₅₀ values were 45.5 and 16.8 mg L^?1 at 216 h after treatment (4 or 5 days of larval exposition to insecticide, respectively). We observed that although the interaction of AZA with SfMNPV increased viral pathogenicity, such improvements were of greater magnitude and more consistent at the lower OB concentration used (177 OBs/mm²). Application of SfMNPV (430 OBs/mm²), AZA (26.4 mg L^?1) or SfMNPV–AZA mixtures resulted in a significant reduction in the mean weight of larvae treated in the third instar across the experiment, by 23–41%, 17–95% and 26–97%, respectively, compared to control. The duration of larval development during the third and fourth instars increased significantly in larvae exposed to SfMNPV–AZA mixtures and AZA alone compared to SfMNPV alone and control treatments. The yield of OBs/mg weight of larvae treated with SfMNPV alone was 1.8-fold higher than OB yields from insects inoculated with SfMNPV–AZA mixtures. We conclude that AZA + SfMNPV mixtures are unlikely to be useful for the mass production of this virus and laboratory observations on the value of AZA + SfMNPV mixtures as a potentiator of biological insecticides require validation in field studies under commercial growing conditions.     

Design,Synthesis, and Insecticidal Activities of Novel meta-Diamide Compounds Containing Ethyl Acetate and Their Derivatives

In this study, a series of meta-diamide compounds containing ethyl acetate group and their derivatives were designed and synthesized. Their insecticidal activities against Plutella xylostella, Spodoptera frugiperda and Alfalfa sprouts were evaluated. Preliminary bioassays showed that some of the title compounds exhibited excellent insecticidal activities. Especially compound ethyl N-(3-((2-bromo-4-(perfluoropropan-2-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)carbamoyl)-2-fluorophenyl)-N-(4-cyanobenzoyl)glycinate and ethyl N-(3-((2-bromo-4-(perfluoropropan-2-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)carbamoyl)-2-fluorophenyl)-N-(6-fluoronicotinoyl)glycinate showed 100 % mortality at 0.1 mg/L against Plutella xylostella and Spodoptera frugiperda, same to broflanilide. Their LC₅₀ against Plutella xylostella is 0.286 mg/L and 0.0218 mg/L, respectively. Moreover, compound ethyl N-(3-((2-bromo-4-(perfluoropropan-2-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)carbamoyl)-2-fluorophenyl)-N-(6-fluoronicotinoyl)glycinate displayed faster control efficacy than broflanilide at 0.1 mg/L. The results indicated that meta-diamide compounds containing ethyl acetate group could be developed as novel and promising insecticides.     

Hyaluronic acid depolymerization by ascorbate-redox effects on solid state cultivation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptococcus zooepidemicus</Emphasis> in cashew apple fruit bagasse

The cashew fruit (Anacardium occidentale L.) has been used as a promising agricultural resource for the production of low-molecular weight (M_W) hyaluronic acid (HA) (10⁴–10⁵ Da). The cashew juice is a rich source of vitamin C containing, 1.2–2.0 g L⁻¹. This work explores the effects of the initial concentration of the ascorbate on the solid fermentation of the juice-moisturized bagasse from the cashew apple fruit. The results show that the M_W reduction of HA is proportional to the initial ascorbate concentration. The presence of ascorbate did not influence the Streptococcus zooepidemicus metabolism. However, the HA productivity was increased from 0.18 to 0.28 mg g⁻¹ h⁻¹ when the ascorbate concentration ranged from 1.7 to 10 mg mL⁻¹. These findings contribute to the controlled production of HA in a low M_W range, which is important in cell signalization, angiogenesis and nanoparticles production.