Prospection of genetic resistance resources to root-knot nematodes in cucurbit genotypes

ABSTRACT The aim of this research was to prospect genetic resistant sources to root-knot-nematode in Cucurbitaceae accessions. Two assays were conducted, the first to evaluate the resistance to root-knot nematode, M. incognita race 1 in accessions of Lagenaria vulgaris; Sicana odorifera; Cucurbita facifolia; Luffa sp.; Citrullus lanatus cv. Citroides; Lagenaria vulgaris; Cucurbita moschata; Cucurbita moschata x Cucurbita maxima; Cucumis melo and Cucumis metuliferus. The second to evaluate the reaction to nematode M. incognita race 1, M. javanica and M. enterolobii of the three accessions of Cucumis metuliferus (‘Kino’) considered resistant to M. incognita race 1 in the first experiment. The assays were carried out in a greenhouse at Embrapa Hortaliças in a completely randomized design with six replications. The seedlings in pots were inoculated with 5000 eggs and juveniles of 2nd stage (J2) of each Meloidogyne species alone. Fifty-three and eighty-four days after inoculation, respectively in both experiments, the plants were evaluated for egg mass index (IMO), gall index (IG), number of eggs per gram of root (NEGR) and reproduction factor (RF). The melon Cucumis metuliferus known as ‘Kino’ was identified as genetic source of resistance to root-knot nematodes and can be explored in breeding program as resistant rootstock.

Removal of the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid from water by using an ultrahighly efficient thermochemically activated carbon

Lagenaria vulgaris activated carbon (LVAC) was synthesized from Lagenaria vulgaris biomass by treatment with diluted H2SO4 followed by thermo-chemical carbonization and overheated steam activation process and used for removal of the herbicide 2,4-dichlo-rophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated that 2,4-D is adsorbed in micropores of the very porous LVAC (665 m2 g-1). LVAC showed high sorption capacity as compared to many previously used sorbents at optimal conditions: the stirring rate of 300 rpm, the sorbent dose of 1.0 g dm-3 and pH from 2 to 7. The experimental maximum sorption capacity of LVAC was 333.3 mg g-1. The pseudo-second-order model and Chrastil model described the 2,4-D sorption kinetics by LVAC. Thermodynamic studies have indicated that the sorption process was endothermic, spontaneous and physical in nature. LVAC was shown to be an ultrahighly efficient sorbent for removal of 2,4-D from groundwater, which could be also recycled and reused.

Evaluation of the Sleep-Prolonging Effect of Lagenaria vulgaris and Cucurbita pepo Extracts on Pentobarbital-Induced Sleep and Possible Mechanisms of Action

Introduction: Sleeplessness is the most common sleep disorder. In this study, the hypnotic effect of macerated (HAME) and soxhlet (HASE) extract of Lagenaria vulgaris (fruit and seed) and Cucurbita pepo (fruit) were studied in mice. Methods: Extracts and fractions were administered intra-peritoneally (i.p.) in mice 30 min before the sodium pentobarbital (30 mg/kg, i.p.). Moreover, the influence of flumazenil or naloxone on the hypnotic effects of the extract and its toxic effects were evaluated. Results: The HAME and HASE of C. pepo prolonged the pentobarbital-induced sleep duration at dose of 200 mg/kg. The HAME of L. vulgaris (fruit) at dose of 200 mg/kg increased the sleeping time. The HAME and HASE of L. vulgaris (seed) increased sleep duration at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg. Besides, flumazenil (2 mg/kg) reversed the effects of both diazepam (P < 0.001 vs. diazepam group), 200 mg/kg of HAME of C. pepo and 50 mg/kg of HAME and HASE of L. vulgaris (seed). All fractions especially ethyl-acetate fraction (EAF) of L. vulgaris (seed) increased the sleep duration. Naloxone reversed the hypnotic effect of HAME and HASE of L. vulgaris (seed). The extracts showed no neurotoxic effects on PC12 and L929 cell lines. Conclusion: The results showed that L. vulgaris (seed and fruit) and C. pepo potentiated pentobarbital hypnosis without toxic influence. The hypnotic effects of L. vulgaris seed was greater than its fruit and C. pepo. The GABA and opioid receptors may play role in the sleep-induction of L. vulgaris seed.

The biosorption potential of modified bottle gourd shell for phosphate: Equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic studies

In order to preserve the environment and prevent the occurrence of eutrophication, a new quaternary ammonium biosorbent based on the bottle gourd (Lagenaria vulgaris) shell (QALVS) was prepared and characterized in the present study. The results of FTIR and elemental analyses confirmed the successful modification of the lignocellulosic biomass and showed that 15.68 mg N g-1 was incorporated as cationic ?N+R3 group. The biosorbent was tested to remove phosphate from aqueous solution in batch mode. Kinetic studies indicated that the biosorption of phosphate onto QALVS can be fitted by a non-linear pseudo nth-order model (n ? 1) very well. The Freundlich model provided the best description of the biosorption process. The maximum phosphate biosorption capacity was 16.69 mg P g-1 for QALVS at 20?C and pH 6. Thermodynamic parameters indicate that the biosorption of phosphate by QALVS is exothermic. The anion exchange mechanism was the dominant process, in addition to physisorption. Coexisting ions exhibited a distinct effect on phosphate biosorption with the order of NO3 - > SO4 2- > Cl-. The QALVS biosorbent could be repeatedly used in phosphate biosorption with slight losses in initial biosorption capacities