Evaluation of Iron Chlorin e6 disappearance and hydrolysis in soil and garlic using salting-out assisted liquid-liquid extraction coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet-visible detection.

Iron Chlorin e6 (ICE6), a star plant growth regulator (PGR) with independent intellectual property rights in China, has demonstrated its efficacy through numerous field experiments. We innovatively employed salting-out assisted liquid-liquid extraction (SALLE) with HPLC-UV/Vis to detect ICE6 residues in water, soil, garlic seeds, and sprouts. Using methanol and a C18 column with acetonitrile: 0.1% phosphoric acid mobile phase (55:45, v:v), we achieved a low LOQ of 0.43 to 0.77 µg kg-1. Calibration curves showed strong linearity (R2 > 0.992) within 0.01 to 5.00 mg kg-1. Inter-day and intra-day recoveries (0.05 to 0.50 mg kg-1) demonstrated high sensitivity and accuracy (recoveries: 75.36% to 107.86%; RSD: 1.03% to 8.78%). Additionally, density functional theory (DFT) analysis aligned UV/Vis spectra and indicated ICE6's first-order degradation (2.03 to 4.94 days) under various environmental conditions, mainly driven by abiotic degradation. This study enhances understanding of ICE6's environmental behavior, aids in risk assessment, and guides responsible use in agroecosystems.

Proanthocyanidins isolated from the leaves of Ficus glomerata evaluated on the activities of rumen enzymes: in vitro and in silico studies.

Two new proanthocyanidins (2S:3S)-(-)-epicatechin-(4α→8)4-(2R:3R)-(+)-catechin (Compound 1) and (2R, 3R)-3-O-galloyl-(+)-catechin (4ß→8)3-(2R, 3R)-3-O-galloyl-(+)-catechin (Compound 2) were isolated from Ficus glomerata and characterized by ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), 13C NMR, and heteronuclear multiple bond correlation . The bioactivity and drug scores of isolated compounds were predicted using OSIRIS property explorer applications with drug scores of 0.03 (compound 1) and 0.05 (compound 2). Predictive drug scores provided an indication of the compounds' potential to demonstrate desired biological effects. Furthermore, the newly discovered proanthocyanidins tended to interact with protein due to their chemical structure and molecular conformation. With the aim of maintaining this focus, compounds 1 and 2 were subjected to in vitro testing against ruminal enzymes to further explore their potential impact. Both compounds showed significant inhibition activities (p < 0.01) against glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase in both protozoa and bacterial fractions, with an effective concentration (EC50) of 12.30-18.20 mg/mL. The compounds also exhibited significant inhibition (p < 0.01) of ruminal glutamic pyruvic transaminase activity, with EC50 values ranging from 9.77 to 17.38 mg/mL. Furthermore, the inhibition was recorded in R-cellulase between EC50 values of 15.85 and 23.99 mg/mL by both compounds. Additionally, both compounds led to a decrease in protease activity with increasing incubation time and concentration. In conclusion, the results indicate that these novel proanthocyanidins hold the potential to significantly impact rumen enzyme biology. Furthermore, their promising effects suggest that they could be further explored for drug development and other important applications.

The haplotype-resolved telomere-to-telomere carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) genome reveals the correlation between genome architecture and gene expression.

Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) is one of the most valuable commercial flowers, due to its richness of color and form, and its excellent storage and vase life. The diverse demands of the market require faster breeding in carnations. A full understanding of carnations is therefore required to guide the direction of breeding. Hence, we assembled the haplotype-resolved gap-free carnation genome of the variety 'Baltico', which is the most common white standard variety worldwide. Based on high-depth HiFi, ultra-long nanopore, and Hi-C sequencing data, we assembled the telomere-to-telomere (T2T) genome to be 564 479 117 and 568 266 215 bp for the two haplotypes Hap1 and Hap2, respectively. This T2T genome exhibited great improvement in genome assembly and annotation results compared with the former version. The improvements were seen when different approaches to evaluation were used. Our T2T genome first informs the analysis of the telomere and centromere region, enabling us to speculate about specific centromere characteristics that cannot be identified by high-order repeats in carnations. We analyzed allele-specific expression in three tissues and the relationship between genome architecture and gene expression in the haplotypes. This demonstrated that the length of the genes, coding sequences, and introns, the exon numbers and the transposable element insertions correlate with gene expression ratios and levels. The insertions of transposable elements repress expression in gene regulatory networks in carnation. This gap-free finished T2T carnation genome provides a valuable resource to illustrate the genome characteristics and for functional genomics analysis in further studies and molecular breeding.

Nutrient and Rumen Fermentation Studies of Indian Pasture Legumes for Sustainable Animal Feed Utilisation in Semiarid Areas.

This study evaluated 5 annual and 11 perennial Indian pasture legumes species for their nutritive value, dry matter and mineral contents and in vitro fermentation parameters. Legume species differed significantly (p < 0.05) in various nutritional aspects such as organic matter, crude protein (CP), ether extract, fibres and protein fractions. Perennial Clitoria ternateaa had higher (p < 0.05) buffer soluble protein (477), while neutral detergent soluble protein was highest in annually grown Lablab purpureus (420 g/kg CP). Atylosia scarabaeoides (AS) had higher levels of nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs) (392 g/kg dry matter (DM)) than structural carbohydrates (SC) (367 g/kg DM). Its rapidly degradable fraction (51.7 g/kg (total carbohydrate) tCHO) was lower (p < 0.05) than other fractions of carbohydrates. Total digestible nutrients, digestible energy and metabolisable energy varied, with Desmodium virgatus (DV) having higher values and Stylosanthas seabrana (SSe) having the lowest. Predicted dry matter intake, digestible dry matter and relative feed value also showed significant differences (p < 0.05). Annual grasses such as Dolichos biflorus, Macroptilium atropurpureum, Rhynchosia minima (RM) were found to be better balanced with micro minerals. In vitro dry matter degradability, partition factor, short-chain fatty acids and microbial protein production of legumes varied significantly (p < 0.05). Gas and CH4 production (mL/g and mL/g (digestible DM) DDM) also varied, with Clitoria ternatea-blue having the highest gas production and C. ternatea -white (CT-w) and AS having lower CH4 production. Methane in total gas was low for DV, RM and CT-w (8.99%, 9.72% and 9.51%). Loss of DE and ME as CH4 varied (p < 0.05) among the legumes. Each legume offers unique benefits, potentially allowing for tailored combinations of annual and perennial legumes to optimize rumen feed efficiency.

Rice residue promotes mobilisation and plant acquisition of soil phosphorus under wheat (Triticum aestivum)-rice (Oryza sativa) cropping sequence in a semi-arid Inceptisol.

Disposal of significant tonnages of rice straw is expensive, but using it to mobilise phosphorus (P) from inorganically fixed pools in the soil may add value. This study was carried out to determine whether the use of rice straw mixed with phosphorus-solubilizing microbes could solubilize a sizable portion fixed soil P and affect P transformation, silicon (Si) concentration, organic acid concentrations, and enzyme activity to increase plant growth. Depending on the soil temperature, the application of rice straw at 12 Mg ha-1 with phosphorus-solubilizing microbes could solubilize 3.4-3.6% of inorganic P, and minimised the hysteresis impact by 6-8%. At plant maturity, application of rice straw at 12 Mg ha-1 with phosphorus-solubilizing microbes and 75% of recommended P application raised the activity of dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase activity, cellulase, and peroxidase by 77, 65, 87, and 82% in soil, respectively. It also boosted Si concentration in the soil by 58%. Wheat grain yield was 40% and 18% higher under rice straw at 12 Mg ha-1 with phosphorus-solubilizing microbes with 75% of recommended P application than under no and 100% P application, respectively. Rice grain yield also increased significantly with the same treatment. Additionally, it increased root volume, length, and P uptake by 2.38, 1.74 and 1.62-times above control for wheat and 1.98, 1.67, and 2.06-times above control for rice, respectively. According to path analysis, P solubilisation by Si and organic acids considerably increased (18-32%) P availability in the rhizosphere. Therefore, cultivators could be advised to use rice straw at 12 Mg ha-1 with phosphorus-solubilizing microbes with 75% P of mineral P fertiliser to save 25% P fertiliser without reducing wheat and rice yield.

A high-quality Bougainvillea genome provides new insights into evolutionary history and pigment biosynthetic pathways in the Caryophyllales.

Bougainvillea is a perennial ornamental shrub that is highly regarded in ornamental horticulture around the world. However, the absence of genome data limits our understanding of the pathways involved in bract coloration and breeding. Here, we report a chromosome-level assembly of the giga-genome of Bougainvillea × buttiana 'Mrs Butt', a cultivar thought to be the origin of many other Bougainvillea cultivars. The assembled genome is ~5 Gb with a scaffold N50 of 151 756 278 bp and contains 86 572 genes which have undergone recent whole-genome duplication. We confirmed that multiple rounds of whole-genome multiplication have occurred in the evolutionary history of the Caryophyllales, reconstructed the relationship in the Caryophyllales at whole genome level, and found discordance between species and gene trees as the result of complex introgression events. We investigated betalain and anthocyanin biosynthetic pathways and found instances of independent evolutionary innovations in the nine different Caryophyllales species. To explore the potential formation mechanism of diverse bract colors in Bougainvillea, we analyzed the genes involved in betalain and anthocyanin biosynthesis and found extremely low expression of ANS and DFR genes in all cultivars, which may limit anthocyanin biosynthesis. Our findings indicate that the expression pattern of the betalain biosynthetic pathway did not directly correlate with bract color, and a higher expression level in the betalain biosynthetic pathway is required for colored bracts. This improved understanding of the correlation between gene expression and bract color allows plant breeding outcomes to be predicted with greater certainty.

Comparison of fumigation efficacy of methyl bromide alone and phosphine applied either alone or simultaneously or sequentially against Bactrocera correcta in Selenicereus undatus (red pitaya) fruit.

BACKGROUND: Bactrocera correcta (Bezzi) is a significant pest of the red pitaya fruit (Selenicereus undatus). This study investigated the insecticidal effects of methyl bromide (MB) alone, phosphine (PH3 ) alone, both applied simultaneously (PH3 + MB), and PH3 application followed sequentially by MB (PH3 → MB) against B. correcta in red pitaya fruits. RESULTS: The 3rd instar larvae of B. correcta were the most tolerant to MB alone and the combined treatments, whereas eggs were the most susceptible stage. Both the PH3 + MB and PH3 → MB treatments resulted in higher mortality at all stages than MB alone, demonstrating a synergistic effect between MB and PH3 . The toxicity of the combined treatments increased with increasing PH3 concentrations, with the optimal concentration recorded being 1.42 to 2.84 g m-3 . Further probit analysis revealed that compared to the MB treatment alone, the median lethal dose values of MB in PH3 + MB and PH3 → MB treatment, were reduced to 63.73% and 66.82%, respectively. Fruit quality was not adversely affected by either of the combined treatments. CONCLUSION: This work provides robust evidence that combining MB and PH3 to control B. correcta is highly effective, especially the PH3 → MB treatment. This combination decreased the amount of MB required for effective control at all life stages, while protecting fruit quality against MB phytotoxicity to a greater extent than conventional MB fumigation alone. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Humidity stress and its consequences for male pre- and post-copulatory fitness traits in an insect.

Global declines in insect abundance are of significant concern. While there is evidence that climate change is contributing to insect declines, we know little of the direct mechanisms responsible for these declines. Male fertility is compromised by increasing temperatures, and the thermal limit to fertility has been implicated as an important factor in the response of insects to climate change. However, climate change is affecting both temperature and hydric conditions, and the effects of water availability on male fertility have rarely been considered. Here we exposed male crickets Teleogryllus oceanicus to either low or high-humidity environments while holding temperature constant. We measured water loss and the expression of both pre- and postmating reproductive traits. Males exposed to a low-humidity environment lost more water than males exposed to a high-humidity environment. A male's cuticular hydrocarbon profile (CHC) did not affect the amount of water lost, and males did not adjust the composition of their CHC profiles in response to hydric conditions. Males exposed to a low-humidity environment were less likely to produce courtship song or produced songs of low quality. Their spermatophores failed to evacuate and their ejaculates contained sperm of reduced viability. The detrimental effects of low-humidity on male reproductive traits will compromise male fertility and population persistence. We argue that limits to insect fertility based on temperature alone are likely to underestimate the true effects of climate change on insect persistence and that the explicit incorporation of water regulation into our modeling will yield more accurate predictions of the effects of climate change on insect declines.

The study of structure and effects of two new proanthocyanidins from Anogeissus pendula leaves on rumen enzyme activities.

Two novel proanthocyanidins, (2R, 3R)-(+)-Gallocatechin-(4ß â†’ 8)4-(2R, 3R)-(+)-gallocatechin (compound 1) and 3-O-galloyl-(2S, 3S)-(-)-epicatechin-(4α → 8)-[3-O-galloyl-(2S, 3S)-(-)-epicatechin (4α → 8)]2-(2S, 3S)-(-)-epicatechin (compound 2), were structurally characterized from leaves of Anogeissus pendula. The structures were determined by ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), 13C NMR, and heteronuclear multiple bond correlation. Molinspiration and Osiris property explorer applications were used to predict bioactivity and drug score. Drug scores of 0.08 and 0.05 were predicted for compounds 1 and 2, respectively. Predicted bioactivity scores were high. Due to their molecular weight, chemical structure, and conformation, the newly discovered proanthocyanidins possess an inclination to interact with proteins. Based on this premise, both compounds were subjected to in vitro testing against ruminal enzymes. They exhibited significant inhibition activities (p < 0.01) with a range of half maximal effective concentration (EC50) of 14.80-17.88 mg/mL of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase in both protozoa and bacteria fractions. The ruminal glutamic pyruvic transaminase activity was significantly inhibited (p < 0.01) from EC50 12.59-16.29 mg/mL, and R-cellulase inhibition was recorded with EC50 18.20-21.98 mg/mL by compounds 1 and 2, respectively. Protease activity decreased with increasing incubation time and concentration of both compounds. The novel proanthocyanidins have potential roles in improving feed conversion ratios and in drug development.

Ethyl Formate Fumigation for Control of the Scale Insect Asiacornococcus kaki, a Quarantine Pest on Sweet Persimmon, Diospyros kaki: Efficacy, Phytotoxicity and Safety.

Sweet persimmons are a valuable export commodity. However, the presence of live insects such as Asiacornococcus kaki limits their access to many export markets. Methyl bromide, traditionally used for pest control, is damaging to human health and the environment. Ethyl formate (EF) is a viable alternative; however, its effectiveness against A. kaki on sweet persimmon fruit is unknown. We evaluated the effectiveness of EF fumigation in controlling A. kaki present under the calyx of persimmon fruit. The hatching rate of eggs and the survival rates of nymphs and adults of A. kaki at low temperatures, its LCt50 and LCt99 after EF exposure, and phytotoxic damage caused by EF were evaluated in laboratory-scale and commercial-scale tests. The dose-response tests showed that the EF LCt99 at 5 °C was 9.69, 42.13, and 126.13 g h m-3 for adults, nymphs, and eggs, respectively. Commercial-scale tests demonstrated EF efficacy against all A. kaki stages without causing phytotoxic effects on persimmons, though the eggs of A. kaki were not completely controlled in linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE)-packaged fruit. This study demonstrated that EF is a potential fumigant for quarantine pretreatment, especially before persimmon fruit is packed with LLDPE film, to control A. kaki infesting sweet persimmon fruit.

Fuzzy model for quantitative assessment of the epidemic risk of African Swine Fever within Australia.

African Swine Fever (ASF) has spread rapidly across different continents since 2007 and caused huge biosecurity threats and economic losses. Establishing an effective risk assessment model is of great importance for ASF prevention, especially for those ASF-free countries such as Australia. With a vast territory and an economy heavily relying on primary industry, Australia faces a threat from the spread of ASF. Although ordinary quarantine measures have been well-performed throughout Australia, there is still a need to develop an effective risk assessment model to understand the spread of ASF due to the strong transmission ability of ASF. In this paper, via a comprehensive literature review, and analyzing the transmission factors of ASF, we provide a fuzzy model to assess the epidemic risk of Australian states and territories, under the assumption that ASF has entered Australia. As demonstrated in this work, although the pandemic risk of ASF in Australia is relatively low, there is a risk of irregular and scattered outbreaks, with Victoria (VIC) and New South Wales (NSW) - Australia Capital Territory (NSW-ACT) showed the highest risk. The reliability of this model was also systematically tested by a conjoint analysis model. To our knowledge, this is the first study to comprehensively analyze the ASF epidemic risk in a country using fuzzy modeling. This work can provide an understanding of the risk ASF transmission within Australia based on the fuzzy modeling, the same methodology can also provide insights and useful information for the establishment of fuzzy models to perform the ASF risk assessment for other countries.

Metabolite Variation between Nematode and Bacterial Seed Galls in Comparison to Healthy Seeds of Ryegrass Using Direct Immersion Solid-Phase Microextraction (DI-SPME) Coupled with GC-MS.

Annual ryegrass toxicity (ARGT) is an often-fatal poisoning of livestock that consume annual ryegrass infected by the bacterium Rathayibacter toxicus. This bacterium is carried into the ryegrass by a nematode, Anguina funesta, and produces toxins within seed galls that develop during the flowering to seed maturity stages of the plant. The actual mechanism of biochemical transformation of healthy seeds to nematode and bacterial gall-infected seeds remains unclear and no clear-cut information is available on what type of volatile organic compounds accumulate in the respective galls. Therefore, to fill this research gap, the present study was designed to analyze the chemical differences among nematode galls (A. funesta), bacterial galls (R. toxicus) and healthy seeds of annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) by using direct immersion solid-phase microextraction (DI-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography−mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The method was optimized and validated by testing its linearity, sensitivity, and reproducibility. Fifty-seven compounds were identified from all three sources (nematode galls, bacterial galls and healthy seed), and 48 compounds were found to be present at significantly different (p < 0.05) levels in the three groups. Five volatile organic compounds (hexanedioic acid, bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester), (carbonic acid, but-2-yn-1-yl eicosyl ester), (fumaric acid, 2-ethylhexyl tridec-2-yn-1-yl ester), (oct-3-enoylamide, N-methyl-N-undecyl) and hexacosanoic acid are the most frequent indicators of R. toxicus bacterial infection in ryegrass, whereas the presence of 15-methylnonacosane, 13-methylheptacosane, ethyl hexacosyl ether, heptacosyl acetate and heptacosyl trifluoroacetate indicates A. funesta nematode infestation. Metabolites occurring in both bacterial and nematode galls included batilol (stearyl monoglyceride) and 9-octadecenoic acid (Z)-, tetradecyl ester. Among the chemical functional group, esters, fatty acids, and alcohols together contributed more than 70% in healthy seed, whereas this contribution was 61% and 58% in nematode and bacterial galls, respectively. This study demonstrated that DI-SPME is a valid technique to study differentially expressed metabolites in infected and healthy ryegrass seed and may help provide better understanding of the biochemical interactions between plant and pathogen to aid in management of ARGT.

Agroecological Zone-Specific Diet Optimization for Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) through Nutritional and In Vitro Fermentation Studies.

The water buffalo faces challenges in optimizing nutrition due to varying local feed resources. In response to this challenge, the current study introduces originality by addressing the lack of region-specific feeding strategies for water buffaloes. This is achieved through the formulation of 30 different diets based on locally available resources, offering a tailored approach to enhance nutritional optimization in diverse agroecological contexts. These diets were segmented into three groups of ten, each catering to the maintenance (MD1 to MD10), growth (GD1 to GD10), and lactation/production (PD1 to PD10) needs of buffaloes. Utilizing local feed ingredients, each diet was assessed for its chemical composition, in vitro gas and methane emissions, and dry matter (DM) disappearance using buffalo rumen liquor. The production diets (127 and 32.2 g/kg DM) had more protein and fats than the maintenance diets (82.0 and 21.0 g/kg DM). There was less (p < 0.05) fiber in the production diets compared to the maintenance ones. Different protein components (PB1, PB2) were lower (p < 0.05) in the maintenance diets compared to the growth and production ones, but other protein fractions (PB3, Pc) were higher (p < 0.05) in the maintenance diet. Furthermore, the growth diets had the highest amount of other protein components (PA), while the maintenance diets had the highest amount of soluble carbohydrates (586 g/kg DM), whereas the carbohydrate fraction (CB1) was highest (p < 0.05) in the production diets (187 g/kg DM), followed by the growth (129 g/kg DM) and maintenance diets (96.1 g/kg DM). On the contrary, the carbohydrate CA fraction was (p < 0.05) higher in the maintenance diets (107 g/kg DM) than in the growth (70.4 g/kg DM) and production diets (44.7 g/kg DM). The in vitro gas production over time (12, 24, and 48 h) was roughly the same for all the diets. Interestingly, certain components (ether extract, lignin, NDIN, ADIN, and PB3 and CC) of the diets seemed to reduce methane production, while others (OM, NPN, SP, PA and PB1, tCHO and CB2) increased it. In simple words, this study reveals that different diets affect gas production during digestion, signifying a significant step towards a promising future for buffalo farming through tailored, region-specific formulations.

Predicting potential global distribution and risk regions for potato cyst nematodes (Globodera rostochiensis and Globodera pallida).

Potato cyst nematodes (PCNs), golden (yellow) cyst nematode (Globodera rostochiensis, gPCN) and pale (white) cyst nematode (G. pallida, pPCN), are important invasive pests in many countries and regions where they can cause significant yield and economic loss for agriculture. Prediction and identification of habitats suitable for PCNs are critical for developing biosecurity strategies, both pre and post border, to maximise the potential for early elimination should an incursion occur. To date, the potential global distribution of PCNs has not been thoroughly studied. Therefore, this study conducted a species distribution model to illustrate the potential global distribution of PCNs and risk regions. In this study, the Maximum Entropy Model (Maxent) associated with the Geographic Information System (GIS) was employed to reveal the potential distribution of the gPCN and pPCN. In addition to bioclimate, soil quality was also included in the model. The global cultivated lands, whether the susceptible hosts were present or not, were used to assess the maximum potential risk regions. The limitation factors for PCNs distribution were also assessed. Results showed that 66% of the global land surface was suitable for gPCN or pPCN or both, and both species can colonise more than 75% of the global cultivated lands. The coldest quarter's mean temperature and precipitation were critical limitations in unsuitable regions. In summary, the global risk maps of PCNs contribute valuable additional information that complements previous national/regional distribution predictions. The results of this distribution research will contribute practical support for decision-makers and practitioners to implement biosecurity strategies from a global perspective, that incorporate prevention or promptly enforce control practices to limit the damage caused by future incursions.

The chromosome-level genome of female ginseng (Angelica sinensis) provides insights into molecular mechanisms and evolution of coumarin biosynthesis.

Coumarins are natural products with important medicinal values, and include simple coumarins, furanocoumarins and pyranocoumarins. Female ginseng (Angelica sinensis) is a renowned herb with abundant coumarins, originated in China and known for the treatment of female ailments for thousands of years. The molecular basis of simple coumarin biosynthesis in A. sinensis and the evolutionary history of the genes involved in furanocoumarin biosynthesis are largely unknown. Here, we generated the first chromosome-scale genome of A. sinensis. It has a genome size of 2.37 Gb, which was generated by combining PacBio and Hi-C sequencing technologies. The genome was predicted to contain 43 202 protein-coding genes dispersed mainly on 11 pseudochromosomes. We not only provided evidence for whole-genome duplication (WGD) specifically occurring in the Apioideae subfamily, but also demonstrated the vital role of tandem duplication for phenylpropanoid biosynthesis in A. sinensis. Combined analyses of transcriptomic and metabolomic data revealed key genes and candidate transcription factors regulating simple coumarin biosynthesis. Furthermore, phylogenomic synteny network analyses suggested prenyltransferase genes involved in furanocoumarin biosynthesis evolved independently in the Moraceae, Fabaceae, Rutaceae and Apiaceae after ζ and ε WGD. Our work sheds light on coumarin biosynthesis, and provides a benchmark for accelerating genetic research and molecular breeding in A. sinensis.

Evaluation of the Likelihood of Establishing False Codling Moth (Thaumatotibia leucotreta) in Australia via the International Cut Flower Market.

Kenya and some other African countries are threatened by a serious pest Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), the false codling moth. The detection of T. leucotreta is quite difficult due to the cryptic nature of the larvae during transportation and is therefore a concern for Australia. This insect is a known pest of agriculturally important crops. Here, Maxent was used to assess the biosecurity threat of T. leucotreta to Australia. Habitat suitability and risk assessment of T. leucotreta in Australia were identified based on threatened areas under suitable climatic conditions and the presence of hosts in a given habitat. Modeling indicated that Australia is vulnerable to invasion and establishment by T. leucotreta in some states and territories, particularly areas of western and southern Australia. Within these locations, the risk is associated with specific cropping areas. As such, invasion and establishment by T. leucotreta may have serious implications for Australia's agricultural and horticultural industries e.g., the fruit and vegetable industries. This study will be used to inform the government and industry of the threat posed by T. leucotreta imported via the cut flower industry. Targeted preventative measures and trade policy could be introduced to protect Australia from invasion by this pest.

Role of Lipids in Phosphine Resistant Stored-Grain Insect Pests Tribolium castaneum and Rhyzopertha dominica.

Insects rely on lipids as an energy source to perform various activities, such as growth, flight, diapause, and metamorphosis. This study evaluated the role of lipids in phosphine resistance by stored-grain insects. Phosphine resistant and susceptible strains of the two main stored-grain insects, Tribolium castaneum and Rhyzopertha dominica, were analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LC-MS) to determine their lipid contents. Phosphine resistant strains of both species had a higher amount of lipids than susceptible stains. Significant variance ratios between the resistant and susceptible strains of T. castaneum were observed for glycerolipids (1.13- to 53.10-fold) and phospholipids (1.05- to 20.00-fold). Significant variance ratios between the resistant and susceptible strains of R. dominica for glycerolipids were 1.04- to 31.50-fold and for phospholipids were 1.04- to 10.10-fold. Glycerolipids are reservoirs to face the long-term energy shortage. Phospholipids act as a barrier to isolate the cells from the surrounding environment and allow each cell to perform its specific function. Thus, lipids offer a consistent energy source for the resistant insect to survive under the stress of phosphine fumigation and provide a suitable environment to protect the mitochondria from phosphine. Hence, it was proposed through this study that the lipid content of phosphine-resistant and phosphine-susceptible strains of T. castaneum and R. dominica could play an important role in the resistance of phosphine.

Proanthocyanidins Modulate Rumen Enzyme Activities and Protein Utilization In Vitro.

This study investigated the principal leaf protein (rubisco) solubilization and in vitro ruminal enzyme activity in relation to the molecular structure of proanthocyanidins extracted from leaves of Anogeissus pendula and Eugenia jambolana. Six proanthocyanidin fractions were extracted by 50% (v/v) methanol−water followed by 70% (v/v) acetone−water and then distilled water from leaves of A. pendula (AP) and E. jambolana (EJ) to yield EJ−70, EJ−50, EJ−DW, AP−70, AP−50 and AP−DW. Fractions were examined for their molecular structure and their effects on sheep ruminal enzymes and solubilization of rubisco in vitro. All fractions significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited the activity of ruminal glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and glutamic pyruvic transaminase. The fractions AP−50 and EJ−50 significantly inhibited the activity of the R-cellulase enzyme. Most of the fractions inhibited R-glutamate dehydrogenase activity (p < 0.05) by increasing its concentration, while protease activity decreased by up to 58% with increasing incubation time and concentration. The solubilization of rubisco was observed to be comparatively higher in A. pendula (16.60 ± 1.97%) and E. jambolana (15.03 ± 1.06%) than that of wheat straw (8.95 ± 0.95%) and berseem hay (3.04 ± 0.08%). A significant (p < 0.05) increase in protein solubilization was observed when wheat straw and berseem hay were supplemented with A. pendula and E. jambolana leaves at different proportions. The efficiency of microbial protein was significantly (p < 0.05) greater with the supplementation of leaves of A. pendula in comparison to E. jambolana. The overall conclusion is that the proanthocyanidins obtained from E. jambolana exhibited greater inhibitory activities on rumen enzymes, whereas A. pendula recorded higher protein solubilization. Thus, PAs from A. pendula and E. jambolana appear to have the potential to manipulate rumen enzyme activities for efficient utilization of protein and fiber in ruminants.

Sequential Extraction of Proanthocyanidin Fractions from Ficus Species and Their Effects on Rumen Enzyme Activities In Vitro.

Three proanthocyanidin fractions per species were sequentially extracted by 50% (v/v) methanol−water, 70% (v/v) acetone−water, and distilled water from leaves of Ficus racemosa (fractions FR) and F. religiosa (fractions FRL) to yield fractions FR-50, FR-70, FR-DW, FRL-50, FRL-70, and FRL-DW. Fractions were examined for their molecular structure, effect on ruminal enzyme activities, and principal leaf protein (Rubisco) solubilization in vitro. All fractions except FRL-70 contained flavonoids including (+) catechin, (−) epicatechin, (+) gallocatechin, (−) epigallocatechin, and their -4-phloroglucinol adducts. The fractions FRL-50 and FRL-DW significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited the activity of ruminal glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and glutamic pyruvic transaminase. All fractions inhibited glutamate dehydrogenase activity (p < 0.05) with increasing concentration, while protease activity decreased 15−18% with increasing concentrations. Fractions FRL-50 and FRL-DW completely inhibited the activity of cellulase enzymes. Solubilization of Rubisco was higher in F. religiosa (22.36 ± 1.24%) and F. racemosa (17.26 ± 0.61%) than that of wheat straw (WS) (8.95 ± 0.95%) and berseem hay (BH) (3.04 ± 0.08%). A significant (p < 0.05) increase in protein solubilization was observed when WS and BH were supplemented with FR and FRL leaves at different proportions. The efficiency of microbial protein was significantly (p < 0.05) greater in diets consisting of WS and BH with supplementation of F. racemosa leaves in comparison to those supplemented with F. religiosa leaves. The overall conclusion is that the fractions extracted from F. religiosa showed greater inhibitory effects on rumen enzymes and recorded higher protein solubilization in comparison to the F. racemosa. Thus, PAs from F. religiosa are potential candidates to manipulate rumen enzymes activities for efficient utilization of protein and fiber in ruminants.

Ontogeny can provide insight into the roles of natural and sexual selection in cricket cuticular hydrocarbon evolution.

The often complex cocktails of hydrocarbon compounds found on the cuticles of insects can serve both naturally and sexually selected functions, contributing to an individual's ability to withstand water loss and attract mating partners. However, whether natural and sexual selection act synergistically or antagonistically on a species' cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profile remains unclear. Here, we examined the ontogeny of the CHC profile in a species of cricket, Teleogryllus oceanicus, while manipulating humidity during development. We predicted that juvenile crickets should produce only those compounds that contribute to desiccation resistance, while those compounds contributing specifically to male attractiveness should be produced only at sexual maturity. Further, if attractive CHCs come at a cost to desiccation resistance as predicted by some models of sexual selection, then males reared under low humidity should be constrained to invest less in attractive CHCs. Crickets reared under low humidity produced more long-chain methyl-branched alkanes, alkenes and alkadienes than did crickets reared under high humidity. The abundance of n-alkanes was unaffected by humidity treatment. Sexual dimorphism in the CHC profile was not apparent until adult emergence and became exaggerated 10 days after emergence, when crickets were sexually mature. Males produced more of the same compounds that were increased in both sexes under low humidity, but the humidity treatment did not interact with sex in determining CHC abundance. The data suggest that CHC profiles which protect crickets from desiccation might have synergistic effects on male attractiveness, as there was no evidence to suggest males trade-off a CHC profile produced in response to low humidity for one associated with sexual signalling.