Search

Arguably, nitrogen (N) is an important and essential component for plant growth and development. Ammonium is a major inorganic nitrogen source for plants mobilized by ammonium transporter (AMT) among N available sources. In this study, data mining revealed that in theAnanas comosusL. genome was identified eight AMT family genes. The eight pineapple AcoAMT proteins were identified and phylogenetically clustered into two groups with AMT proteins from other plants. Two pairs ofAcoAMT(AcoAMTaandAcoAMTg) genes located on chromosome 1 and unchromosome appear to be segmental duplications. Based on this information, we conducted a comprehensive analysis using some bioinformatics tools to characterize the identified genes individually. The comprehensive analysis of AMT will provide an essential foundation for further investigation of the regulatory mechanisms ofAcoAMTsinA. comosusL.

Considering the toxic action of P. aquilinumbracken for vertebrates, its insecticidal activity and potential use in agricultural pest control was verified, testing its effects on S. frugiperda. Crude ethanolic extract was made with the aerial part of P. aquilinum, being incorporated into artificialdiet (control or extract-free, 1% and 2%) with 50 replicates (caterpillars). There was significant mortality (34% and 86%) at concentrations of 1% and 2%, respectively, compared to control (10%). In treatments at 1% (20.03 days) and 2% (20.42 days), larval stage prolongation (13.51 days) was observed in the control treatment. On the 3rd, 6th, 9thand 12thdays after treatment, there was weight reduction, and the 2% treatment resulted in larvae 73% lighter than the control did at day 12. The pupae of the 2%treatment were lighter than the others. In conclusion, 1% and 2% of P. aquilinum ethanolic extract extended the larval cycle, decreased the larvae’s and pupae’s weight, and, at a concentration of 2%, caused effective mortality of S. frugiperda.