Dispersion and Persistence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichogrammatoidea bactrae</Emphasis> (Nagaraja) over <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tuta absoluta</Emphasis> (Meyrick), in Tomato Greenhouses

Inundative biological control depends on the ability of natural enemies to disperse and persist in the environment. The objective was to evaluate the dispersion and persistence of Trichogrammatoidea bactrae (Nagaraja) on Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) eggs. Inundative releases of this parasitoid were performed in experimental tomato greenhouses. For vertical dispersion, leaves of the upper and middle third of plants were artificially infested with T. absoluta eggs; for horizontal dispersion, plants at increasing distances from a release point were infested. These eggs were renewed at days 2 and 4 to evaluate persistence. The amount of parasitized patches was registered. Logistic regression analysis was used. The position of the eggs in the plant did not affect the DE (discovery efficiency: proportion of parasitized patches). Time since release negatively affected the DE, while distance affected it only when plants were higher. These results could be used to adjust the release methodology of T. bactrae.     

Development,Reproduction, Survival,and Demographic Patterns of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tuta absoluta</Emphasis> (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) on Different Commercial Tomato Cultivars

The increase in the production of tomato, Solanum lycopersicon Mill. (Solanaceae), has favored the proliferation of pests, especially Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). In this study, the development, reproduction, survival, and demographic parameters of T. absoluta reared on six commercial tomato cultivars (Cherry, Cordilheira, Giuliana, Nemoneta, Paron, and Santa Clara) were evaluated. Tuta absoluta completed its development in all tomato cultivars. Development from newly hatched caterpillar to newly emerged adult varied between 24.8 and 28.2 days. Female fecundity ranged from 126.3 to 166.9 eggs, with fertility from 54.2 to 84.1%. Mortality during egg-adult development varied between 21.4 and 46.4% for insects reared on cultivars Cherry and Giuliana, respectively. The cultivars Cordilheira, Giuliana, and Santa Clara are promising options to tomato producers in order to decrease the attack and proliferation of T. absoluta. However, the development and population growth of T. absoluta is faster on the tomato cultivar Cherry.     

Humic Fertilizer and Vermicompost Applied to the Soil Can Positively Affect Population Growth Parameters of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichogramma brassicae</Emphasis> (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) on Eggs of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tuta absoluta</Emphasis> (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

The tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), is a devastating pest of tomato worldwide. One of the control measures of T. absoluta is the use of biological control agents, such as Trichogramma wasps. Interactions between natural enemies and insect pests may be affected by application of fertilizers, because changes in plant quality through the fertilizer application may therefore affect herbivore characteristics and suitability of them to parasitism. Laboratory tests were carried out to evaluate the life table parameters of Trichogramma brassicae Bezdenko on T. absoluta eggs reared on tomato plants treated either with vermicompost (40%), humic fertilizer (2 g/kg soil), or control (suitable mixture of field soil and sand). Population growth parameters of T. brassicae were affected by fertilizer treatments. Significant differences were found for immature life period and total fecundity of T. brassicae on the treatments. Differences of intrinsic rate of natural increase (r _m), finite rate of increase (λ), net reproductive rate (R ₀), mean generation time (T), and doubling time (DT) of T. brassicae among treatments were also significant. The lowest values of r _m, λ, and R ₀ were recorded for T. brassicae developed on T. absoluta eggs on control treatment, whereas the highest values of these parameters were observed on 2 g/kg humic fertilizer. Furthermore, T. brassicae had the shortest T and DT values on 2 g/kg humic fertilizer and 40% vermicompost treatments. Our results showed that application of humic fertilizer and vermicompost could positively affect population growth parameters of T. brassicae on eggs of T. absoluta fed on tomato plants.     

A review of the history of research and control of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhipicephalus</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Boophilus</Emphasis>) <Emphasis Type="Italic">microplus</Emphasis>, babesiosis and anaplasmosis in Uruguay

The effect of five constant temperatures (16, 20, 24, 28 and 32 °C) on the development, survival and reproduction of Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval) [=?Tetranychus urticae Koch (red form)] fed on cassava leaves was examined in the laboratory at 85% relative humidity. Development time of various immature stages decreased with increasing temperature, with total egg-to-adult development time varying from 27.7 to 6.7 days. The lower thermal threshold for development was 10.8 °C and the thermal constant from egg to adult was 142.4 degree-days. Pre- and post-oviposition period and female longevity all decreased as temperature increased. The longest oviposition period was observed at 20 °C with 20.4 days. Under different temperatures, mated females laid, on average, 1.0, 2.9, 4.7, 4.7 and 4.9 eggs per day, respectively. The maximum fecundity (81.5 eggs per female) was at 28 °C and the intrinsic rate of increase (r _m ) was highest (0.25) at 32 °C. The results of this study indicate that T. cinnabarinus population could increase rapidly when cassava leaves serve as a food source. At the appropriate temperature T. cinnabarinus could seriously threaten growth of cassava.     

Efficiency of spinosad, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus thuringiensis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichogramma brassicae</Emphasis> against the tomato leafminer in greenhouse

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of three eco-friendly control agents, either singly or in a pairwise combination, for the control of the tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lep: Gelechiidae). They include the naturally derived pesticide spinosad, a commercially available formulation of Bacillus thuringiensis var. Kurstaki (Bt), and a native population of Trichogramma brassicae Bezdenko (Hym: Trichogrammatidae). Tomato plants containing the T. absoluta were treated with one of the seven following treatments in a greenhouse: (1) a single release of T. brassicae against the eggs; (2) two applications of Bt (2 kg ha^?1); (3) and (4) one application of spinosad at two rates (60 and 120 g a.i. ha^?1); (5) T. brassicae release?+?Bt spray; (6) T. brassicae release?+?spinosad spray; and (7) spinosad spray?+?Bt spray. The highest mortality rate was recorded for the spinosad?+?Bt (88.33?±?1.43%) and T. brassicae?+?spinosad (78.33?±?3.74%) combinations, respectively; while the lowest mortality rate was obtained through the single application of T. brassicae (31.67?±?4.84%). Based on our results, the Bt and spinosad seem to be suitable candidates for combination with other biological and cultural techniques towards an integrated management of the tomato leafminer.     

Performance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bemisia tabaci</Emphasis> Biotype B on Soybean Genotypes

Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) has been recognized as an important pest of many agricultural systems including soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] crops. As an alternative to chemical control, the use of resistant genotypes represents an important tool for integrated pest management (IPM). This study aimed to evaluate the biological development of Bemisia tabaci biotype B confined on 13 soybean genotypes under greenhouse conditions. Initially, the nymphal period, complete development period (egg–adult), and the viability of the silverleaf whitefly nymphs were evaluated in all genotypes. Then, four genotypes promising for resistance (‘Jackson,’ UX-2569-159, ‘P98Y11,’ and ‘TMG132 RR’) and a susceptible genotype (PI-227687) were selected for further assays, where two insect populations were compared: a first population from the initial rearing (cabbage plants) and another corresponding to insects previously reared out on the selected genotypes. In addition to the parameters evaluated in preliminary tests, we also determined the viability and incubation period of eggs. Moderate levels of resistance (antibiosis/antixenosis) to B. tabaci biotype B were found in three genotypes. ‘P98Y11’ and ‘TMG132 RR’ were less suitable for insect development, extending the development cycle, and UX-2569-159 caused high nymphal mortality. We did not observe a significant increase in the level of plant resistance by the use of previously stressed insects. This suggests that the evaluation of a single whitefly generation may be sufficient to make correct decisions on promising soybean genotypes.     

Allele-specific CAPS marker in a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ve1</Emphasis> homolog of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Capsicum annuum</Emphasis> for improved selection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Verticillium dahliae</Emphasis> resistance

Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae) is an economically important disease for many high-value crops. The pathogen is difficult to manage due to the long viability of its resting structures, wide host range, and the inability of fungicides to affect the pathogen once in the plant vascular system. In chile pepper (Capsicum annuum), breeding for resistance to Verticillium wilt is especially challenging due to the limited resistance sources. The dominant Ve locus in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) contains two closely linked and inversely oriented genes, Ve1 and Ve2. Homologs of Ve1 have been characterized in diverse plant species, and interfamily transfer of Ve1 confers race-specific resistance. Queries in the chile pepper WGS database in NCBI with Ve1 and Ve2 sequences identified one open reading frame (ORF) with homology to the tomato Ve genes. Comparison of the candidate CaVe (Capsicum annuum Ve) gene sequences from susceptible and resistant accessions revealed 16 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and several haplotypes. A homozygous haplotype was identified for the susceptible accessions and for resistant accessions. We developed a cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) molecular marker within the coding region of CaVe and screened diverse germplasm that has been previously reported as being resistant to Verticillium wilt in other regions. Based on our phenotyping using the New Mexico V. dahliae isolate, the marker could select resistance accessions with 48% accuracy. This molecular marker is a promising tool towards marker-assisted selection for Verticillium wilt resistance and has the potential to improve the efficacy of chile pepper breeding programs, but does not eliminate the need for a bioassay. Furthermore, this work provides a basis for future research in this important pathosystem.     

An NB-LRR gene, <Emphasis Type="Italic">TYNBS1</Emphasis>, is responsible for resistance mediated by the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ty</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">2 Begomovirus</Emphasis> resistance locus of tomato

Key message

An NB-LRR gene, TYNBS1, was isolated from Begomovirus-resistance locus Ty-2. Transgenic plant analysis revealed that TYNBS1 is a functional resistance gene. TYNBS1 is considered to be synonymous with Ty-2.

Abstract

Tomato yellow leaf curl disease caused by Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) is a serious threat to tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production worldwide. A Begomovirus resistance gene, Ty-2, was introduced into cultivated tomato from Solanum habrochaites by interspecific crossing. To identify the Ty-2 gene, we performed genetic analysis. Identification of recombinant line 3701 confirmed the occurrence of a chromosome inversion in the Ty-2 region of the resistant haplotype. Genetic analysis revealed that the Ty-2 gene is linked to an introgression encompassing two markers, SL11_25_54277 and repeat A (approximately 200 kb). Genomic sequences of the upper and lower border of the inversion section of susceptible and resistant haplotypes were determined. Two nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat-containing (NB-LRR) genes, TYNBS1 and TYNBS2, were identified around the upper and lower ends of the inversion section, respectively. TYNBS1 strictly co-segregated with TYLCV resistance, whereas TYNBS2 did not. Genetic introduction of genomic fragments containing the TYNBS1 gene into susceptible tomato plants conferred TYLCV resistance. These results demonstrate that TYNBS1 is a functional resistance gene for TYLCV, and is synonymous with the Ty-2 gene.

     

Effect of Gonadotropic Hormones on Stress Resistance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Drosophila melanogaster</Emphasis> Females Infected with Different <Emphasis Type="Italic">Wolbachia pipientis</Emphasis> Genotypes

The effect of gonadotropic hormones (juvenile (JH) and 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E)) on heat stress resistance was for the first time studied in wild type D. melanogaster line females infected with different genotypes of the Wolbachia pipientis alpha-proteobacterium. It was found that an experimental increase in JH level induces a decrease in the heat stress resistance, while an increase in 20E level induces its increase in sixday females both uninfected with the Wolbachia and infected with different bacterium strains (wMelCS, wMelPop, and wMel). However, the intensity of response differs: a decrease in the survival with an increase in JH level and its increase with an increase in 20E level are more pronounced in females infected with pathogenic wMelPop strain and less pronounced in females infected with the wMelCS genotype than in uninfected females and females infected with the wMel genotype. Data obtained suggest that the wMelCS genotype induces a decrease and wMelPop induces an increase in the level of stress hormone (dopamine), since previously we demonstrated that an increase in the JH level in mature females increases the dopamine level, an increase in the 20E level decreases it, and an increase/decrease in the dopamine level, in turn, leads to a decrease/increase of the Drosophila female resistance to heat stress.     

Population responses by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Orius insidiosus</Emphasis> to vegetational diversity

The abundance of different life stages of Orius insidiosus (Say) (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) and its prey were recorded in vegetationally diverse (soybean and agronomic weeds) and monoculture (soybean only) fields. Orius insidiosus adults and nymphs were more abundant in diversified plots than in monocultures. A similar number of O. insidiosus eggs were found in the two treatments, but twice as many eggs were laid on non-crop plants than on soybeans within the vegetationally diverse plots. Prey densities were equivalent in the two treatments. In olfactometer assays, naïve O. insidiosus females were unresponsive to odors from three weed species (morning glory, redroot pigweed and velvetleaf). The current results, coupled with previous experimental observations, lead us to believe that higher abundance of O. insidiosus in vegetationally diverse habitats could be related to improved fitness of the predator, which in turn is related to certain plant qualities (e.g., nutrition, plant architecture, etc.). Proximal cues are likely more influential to oviposition decisions by O. insidiosus females than volatile signals.     

The <Emphasis Type="Italic">Adh</Emphasis> locus and adaptation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">cn</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">vg</Emphasis> mutants in experimental populations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Drosophila melanogaster MEIG</Emphasis>

A complex study on the adaptation of cn and vn mutants and the allozymes of alcoholdehydrogenase (ADH) was carried out in initially pure lines, and their panmixia populations during exchange of the mutant genotype with that of wild-type flies (C-S) and D) through saturating crossings. The relative adaptation of the genotypes was estimated by their effect on reproductive efficiency in the experimentally obtained population. Fecundity, lifespan, and the resistance of the studied genotypes to hyperthermia were investigated individually. It was shown that the high level of adaptation of the cn mutants and the low level of adaptation of the vg mutants was correlated with the presence of different ADH allozymes. In the studied population, the F-allozyme of ADH accompanied the vg mutation, while the S-allozyme of the enzyme was detected in cn mutants. Saturating crossings of C-S(Adh ^S)×vg(Adh ^F) and D(Adh ^F) × cn(Adh ^S), along with the parallel determination of the allele composition of the Adh locus, demonstrated that the complete substitution of the F-allozyme of ADH in the vg mutants by the S-allozyme in D flies, as well as the substitution of the S-allozyme of ADH in the cn mutants by the F-allozyme in D flies was realized only after the 15th–20th backcrosses. These results favor the coadaptation of cn and vg marker genes with alleles of the Adh locus and indicate the important role of the latter in the adaptation of genotypes. In the studied population, selection acted primarily against the vg mutants, which were inferior to the cn mutants, and heterozygote genotypes in indices of the main adaptation components.     

Maternal environmental effects of competition influence evolutionary potential in rapeseed (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">rapa</Emphasis>)

Maternal environmental effects reflect the contribution of the maternal environment to the offspring phenotype. Maternal effects are prevalent in plants and animals and may undergo adaptive evolution and affect patterns of natural selection within and across generations. Here, we raise two generations of a rapeseed (Brassica rapa) population derived from a cross between a rapid-cycling and an oilseed genotype in competitive and noncompetitive settings. Maternal environment had little effect on average offspring phenotypes. Maternal genotypes, however, differed in the sensitivity of almost all offspring phenotypes to the maternal environment, demonstrating genetic variation in maternal effects for traits expressed throughout ontogeny. Maternal environment did not significantly affect progeny seed production, and maternal genotypes were not variable for this trait, indicating no evidence for direct maternal effects on offspring fitness. Maternal environment influenced natural selection in the progeny generation; disruptive selection acted on seed mass among seeds matured in the noncompetitive maternal environment versus no significant selection on this trait for seeds matured in the competitive maternal environment. Although maternal effects did not directly increase fitness, they did affect evolutionary potential and selection in the progeny generation. These results suggest that diverse phenotypes of both wild and cultivated B. rapa genotypes will depend on the maternal environment in which the seeds are matured.     

Identifying molecular markers suitable for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Frl</Emphasis> selection in tomato breeding

Modern plant breeding heavily relies on the use of molecular markers. In recent years, next generation sequencing (NGS) emerged as a powerful technology to discover DNA sequence polymorphisms and generate molecular markers very rapidly and cost effectively, accelerating the plant breeding programmes. A single dominant locus, Frl, in tomato provides resistance to the fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici (FORL), causative agent of Fusarium crown and root rot. In this study, we describe the generation of molecular markers associated with the Frl locus. An F₂ mapping population between an FORL resistant and a susceptible cultivar was generated. NGS technology was then used to sequence the genomes of a susceptible and a resistant parent as well the genomes of bulked resistant and susceptible F₂ lines. We zoomed into the Frl locus and mapped the locus to a 900 kb interval on chromosome 9. Polymorphic single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the interval were identified and markers co-segregating with the resistant phenotype were generated. Some of these markers were tested successfully with commercial tomato varieties indicating that they can be used for marker-assisted selection in large-scale breeding programmes.     

Resource-Dependent Clutch Size Decisions and Size-Fitness Relationships in a Gregarious Ectoparasitoid Wasp, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bracon brevicornis</Emphasis>

Gregarious parasitic wasps, which lay more than one egg into or onto a host arthropod’s body, are usually assumed to lay an optimal number of eggs per host. If females would lay too few eggs, some resources may be wasted, but if females lay too many eggs, offspring may develop into substantially smaller-sized adults or may not develop successfully and die. The availability of hosts can further influence a female’s clutch size decision, as more eggs should be laid when hosts are scarce. Here, we analyzed clutch size decisions and the fitness consequences thereof in the ectoparasitic wasp Bracon brevicornis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a potential biocontrol agent against pest moth species. For experiments, larvae of the Mediterranean flower moth, Ephestia kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) were used. Using artificially created as well as naturally laid clutches of eggs, the effects of clutch size on fitness of first (F1) and second (F2) generation offspring were investigated. Our results revealed that the fitness consequences of large clutches included both increased mortality and smaller adult sizes of the emerging offspring (F1). Smaller F1 females matured fewer eggs during their lifetime and their offspring (F2) had reduced egg-to-adult survival probability. Naturally laid clutches varied with host size up to a maximum, which probably reflects egg limitation. Clutches remained smaller than the calculated optimal (Lack) clutch size and females responded to high host availability with a decreased number of eggs laid. We thus conclude that large clutches may result in significantly smaller offspring with reduced fitness, and that host size as well as host availability influence the clutch size decision made by B. brevicornis females.     

Association between expression levels and growth trait-related SNPs located in promoters of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">MC4R</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">MSTN</Emphasis> genes in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spinibarbus hollandi</Emphasis>

Melanocortin 4 receptor: (MC4R) and Myostatin (MSTN) are two important growth trait-related genes in animals. In this study, we showed that two SNPs, MC4R-719A>G and MSTN-519C>T, found in the promoters of the MC4R and MSTN genes, respectively, are both associated with growth traits in Spinibarbus hollandi. Furthermore, we observed that there were significant associations between the expression levels of the MC4R and MSTN genes and these two growth trait-related SNPs. The expression level of MC4R gene in brain was lower in GG genotype fish with extremely high growth performance than that in AA genotype fish with extremely low growth performance. Expression level of the MSTN gene in muscle was lower in TT genotype fish with extremely high growth performance than that in CC and CT genotype fish with lower growth performance. The results indicated that these SNPs located in the promoters of MC4R and MSTN are associated with growth-related traits through modification of gene expression levels. The MSTN and MC4R SNPs may have useful application in effective marker-assisted selection aimed to increase output in S. hollandi.