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Calonectria leaf spot, caused by Calonectria pteridis, is a serious problem in Eucalyptus crops in both nursery and the field. Under ideal conditions, the disease can cause severe defoliation. It is known that calcium and potassium are directly related to the plant's resistance to pathogens. Thus, the knowledge of how a balanced fertilization of Ca and K interferes in the distribution of these nutrients at the infection site would contribute to elucidate the resistance of the plant related to its nutrition. This study investigated the effect of calcium and potassium fertilizer application on the content and distribution of these nutrients in the symptomatic leaf area, transition zone and asymptomatic leaf area over time. Eucalyptus seedlings were grown in nutrient solution under different Ca and K treatments (6 mmol/L K + 4 mmol/L Ca, 6 mmol/L K + 8 mmol/L Ca and 9 mmol/L K + 12 mmol/L Ca) and inoculated with C. pteridis. Leaves were removed at 24, 48 and 72 hr after inoculation (hai) and evaluated by X‐ray microanalysis. The highest calcium content among the different leaf areas was observed in the symptomatic area, and the levels in this area increased over time, with the highest mean value observed at 72 hai in the 6K + 8Ca treatment. In the other treatments, the mean calcium content peaked at 48 hai and then decreased. A similar pattern in asymptomatic tissue was observed for potassium in the 6K + 8Ca treatment. Fertilization with calcium and potassium directly affected the demand and availability of nutrients at different times during infection. These results demonstrate that plant defence responses and their continuity over time during infection rely on balanced calcium and potassium fertilization because these nutrients are directly involved in plant resistance to the pathogen.

Providing adequate nutrition to coffee plants is required to maintain plant health. The effect of five doses (0.05, 0.25, 0.50, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 mg L−1) of boron (B), zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) on the severity of rust on coffee plants grown in nutrient solution was evaluated. Micronutrients were supplied to seedlings having two pairs of fully developed leaves. The seedling plants were inoculated with spores (106 ml−1) of the coffee rust pathogen (Hemileia vastatrix). Five assessments of the severity of the rust symptoms were made starting on the 43rd day after inoculation. The area under the disease progress curve for severity (AUDPCS) was calculated. There was a statistical difference in AUDPCS (p

Diseases of the coffee plant can be effectively managed via well-balanced nutrition. This study assessed the effect of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers on the intensity of coffee (Coffea arabica) rust (Hemileia vastatrix) under greenhouse conditions. The susceptible cultivar New World 376/4 was used as the test species. Treatments included five N rates (3, 7, 11, 15 and 19 mmol L−1) with five K rates (3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 mmol L−1) in a 5 × 5 factorial design, for a total of 25 treatments and three replications with each treatment involving two plants growing in a nutrient solution. The completely randomized experimental design permitted evaluation of N and K on rust incidence and disease severity. The portion below the severity progress curve (AUDPCS) was calculated. Disease severity increased 16.48% with a dose of 7 mmol N L−1 and 11 mmol K L−1. There was an interaction of N with K in the AUDPCS and dried plant mass occurred. The AUDPCS (42.00) was lower when the next dose used was a combination of 19:07 mmol L−1 of N and K. A significant negative correlation was seen with the dry mass of the coffee seedlings.

Occurrence and intensity coffee leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix) depend mainly on the irrigation system, soil fertility and plant nutrition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the spatial distribution of coffee leaf rust relative to soil fertility and plant nutrition in coffee plantations irrigated by drip and center pivot using geostatistics. The experiment was installed in two experimental areas, with a drip and center pivot irrigation system of 11 and 17 ha and 52 and 50 georeferenced sampling points, respectively. The incidence of the disease, soil fertility and plant nutritional status were evaluated at each point. For the drip system, there was no significant correlation between disease incidence and leaf contents of N, P, K, and Ca. Regarding fertility, there was a positive correlation only for P and the disease incidence. For the center pivot system, there was a positive correlation between coffee leaf rust and Ca, P, and K, and negative for P and K in the leaves, varying according to the assessment date. In soil, only Ca correlated negatively whereas K positively correlated with incidence. The spatial distribution of the disease and nutrients varied over the years, being observed a gradient from foci in the kriging maps elaborated after the adjustment of the exponential model.

Silicon (Si) is known to reduce the severity of pathogens on many plants. This study aimed to determine the effect of silicon (Si) in reducing the severity of yellow Sigatoka (Mycosphaerella musicola) on banana plants cultivated in nutrient solution. The treatments included five concentrations of silicic acid (H4SiO4): 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.8 and 3.6 mmol L−1. The area under the disease severity progress curve (AUDSPC) was calculated for each treatment, and the nutrient content of the leaves determined. AUDSPC for plants receiving 3.05 mmol L−1 H4SiO4 was 49.27% lower compared to plants receiving no supplemental H4SiO4. In contrast, plants grown in a solution of 3.6 mmol L−1 H4SiO4 had 23.53% more Si content in the leaves compared to plants cultivated without supplemental H4SiO4. These results suggest Si could be used as a component in the integrated management of yellow Sigatoka.

The supply of nutrients in balanced proportions leads to greater crop yields and represents an alternative practice for the management of plant diseases. Accordingly, we investigated the effect of the doses of and the nutritional balance between calcium (Ca) and potassium (K) on the severity of leaf spot and defoliation caused by the fungus Calonectria pteridis. Moreover, the effect of the treatments on the growth of interspecific hybrid eucalyptus clone seedlings (Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden &times, E. urophylla S.T. Blake), which are highly susceptible to the disease, was evaluated. The 25 treatments comprised combinations of one of five doses of Ca (1.2, 3.0, 6.0, 9.0 and 12.0 mmol L&minus, 1) with one of five doses of K (0.8, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0 and 12.0 mmol L&minus, 1) and five replicates of each treatment were included in the study. The supply of high concentrations of K favoured C. pteridis infection and resulted in high disease severity, although defoliation was not observed. However, the supply of both nutrients in excess (12.0 mmol L&minus, 1 Ca &times, 9.0 mmol L&minus, 1 K) resulted in a higher disease severity and an increased defoliation percentage (82 and 64%, respectively). Defoliation not associated with Calonectria leaf blight disease was observed with the imbalanced treatments, that is, the treatments combining a low concentration of one nutrient and an excess concentration of the other nutrient. The supply of K at a level near the standard dose (6 mmol L&minus, 1) and of Ca at a dose above 4 mmol L&minus, 1 (standard dose) ensured high mean values for the morphological variables root and shoot biomass, plant height and chlorophyll a and b contents. These treatments also resulted in low disease severity and defoliation percentages, indicating that a balanced supply of Ca and K ensures reductions in disease severity and defoliation and contributes to higher growth.

This study aimed at assessing the interaction of potassium (K) and boron (B) in the coffee rust intensity in a nutrient solution. The experiment which was performed in a greenhouse was set up in the randomized complete block design (DBC) with four replicates. The experimental unit involved a single vase with two Catuai Vermelho (IAC 144) cultivars. The treatments included five doses of boron (0.05, 0.50, 1, 2 and 4 mg L -1 ) and five of potassium (4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0 and 8.0 mmol L -1 ), totaling to 25 treatments in a factorial variance analysis. All the coffee seedling leaves were inoculated with Hemileia vastatrix . For the next 24 hours, the vases were covered with a black plastic bag, and left in the greenhouse to ensure favorable conditions for the fungal infection. A significant interaction was observed between the potassium (K) and boron (B) nutrients in coffee rust intensity. As the boron dose increased from 0.05 to 2.0 mg L -1 , the coffee rust intensity was observed to rise. From the 0.50 mg L -1 dose of B a drastic drop in the dry plant mass was observed, which reached zero index at the highest boron dose due to phytotoxicity.

The objective of this work was to assess the incidence of Yellow Sigatoka in banana plants cultivated with deficiencies of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur or boron. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with 8 treatments, 4 repetitions and 1 plant per repetition. The treatments were supplied in solution culture and consisted of all the nutrients (control) or nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulphur (S) or boron (B) deficiency. Leaves 1 and 2 were inoculated on the abaxial surface with a suspension of conidia and assessed every 5 days to with a total of 5 assessments. The average number of lesions were integrated for the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC). The greatest AUDPC occurred in plants deficient in K, N, P, S, or Mg. Plants deficient in N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S or B had lower leaf contents of these nutrients and showed morphological changes expressed in visual deficiency symptoms. Thus, banana plants deficient in K, N, P, S or Mg had a greater incidence of Yellow Sigatoka, compared with plants with full nutrients and plants deficient Ca or B.

This study analyzed the spatial distribution of Yellow Sigatoka Leaf Spot relative to soil fertility and plant nutritional status using geostatistics. The experimental area comprised 1.2 ha, where 27 points were georeferenced and spaced on a regular grid 18 × 18 m. The severity of Yellow Sigatoka, soil fertility and plant nutritional status were evaluated at each point. The spherical model was adjusted for all variables using restricted maximum likelihood. Kriging maps showed the highest infection rate of Sigatoka occurred in high areas of the field which had the highest concentration of sand, while the lowest disease was found in lower areas with lower silt, organic matter, total exchangeable bases, effective cation exchange capacity, base saturation, Ca and Mg in soil, and foliar sulfur (S). These results may help farmers manage Yellow Sigatoka disease more effectively, with balanced fertilization and reduced fungicide application. This practice minimizes the environmental impact and cost of production while contributing to production sustainability.

Knowing the structure and distribution of nutrients in plant tissues can clarify some mechanisms of pathogen attack in plants and plant defense against infection, thus helping management strategies. The aim of this study was verify differences in distribution of mineral nutrients in coffee leaf tissues around foliar lesions of bacterial blight of coffee, blister spot, cercospora leaf, phoma leaf spot and coffee leaf rust. Fragments of leaf tissue surrounding the lesions were dehydrated in silica gel, carbon covered and subjected to X-ray microanalysis (MAX). Thirty-three chemical elements were detected in leaf tissue; however, there was variation in potassium and calcium contents surrounding the lesions. The highest potassium content was found in asymptomatic tissues surrounding the lesions, decreasing toward the transition zone and reaching minimum content in symptomatic tissues. The highest calcium content was found in symptomatic tissues, decreasing toward the transition zone and reaching minimum content in asymptomatic tissues. Therefore, MAX can be used to analyze the composition and distribution of nutrients in plant tissues and, if associated with mineral nutrition, it may help understand host-pathogen relationships and plant disease management.

Coffee is one of the main export commodities of Brazilian agribusiness. Phoma leaf spot [Phoma tarda (Stewart) Boerema & Bollen] is one of the most important coffee fungal diseases in Brazil. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the intensity of Phoma leaf spot in coffee seedlings supplied with different rates of Ca+2 and K+. The study was conducted under controlled conditions in a growth chamber, at the Department of Phytopathology - UFLA, from February 2010 to December 2011. The assay was repeated twice under the same conditions. The nutrient solutions consisted of five concentrations of K+ (3, 4, 5, 6, 7 mmol L-1) and Ca+2 (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 mmol L-1). The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design, with 25 treatments and three replicates, with two plants per plot. The areas under incidence progress curve (AUIPC) and severity (AUSPC) were calculated. At the lowest rate of Ca2+ (2 mmol L-1) and highest K+ (6 and 7 mmol L-1), approximately, the AUIPC was the smallest. For the AUSPC, the lowest rates of Ca+2 and K+ resulted in the lowest severities. Supply of Ca+2 and K+ in nutrient solution reduced AUIPC and AUSPC of Phoma leaf spot, and these nutrients can be recommended for the management of the disease. RESUMO O café é um dos principais itens de exportação do agronegócio brasileiro. A mancha de Phoma, ocasionada pelo fungo Phoma tarda (Stewart) Boerema & Bollen, é uma das mais importantes doenças do cafeeiro no Brasil. Por essa razão, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a intensidade da mancha de Phoma do cafeeiro em mudas supridas com doses de Ca+2 e de K+. O experimento foi conduzido, sob condições controladas, em câmara de crescimento, no Departamento de Fitopatologia da UFLA, de fevereiro de 2010 a dezembro de 2011. O ensaio foi repetido duas vezes sob as mesmas condições. As soluções nutritivas foram compostas por cinco doses de K+ (3, 4, 5, 6 e 7 mmol L-1) e de Ca+2 (2, 4, 6, 8 e 10 mmol L-1). O delineamento foi em blocos casualizados, com 25 tratamentos, três repetições e duas plantas por unidade experimental. As áreas abaixo da curva de progresso da incidência (AACPI) e da severidade (AACPS) foram calculadas. Na menor dose de Ca+2 (2 mmol L-1) e nas maiores de K+ (6 e 7 mmol L-1), aproximadamente, observou-se menor AACPI. Para a AACPS, as menores doses de Ca+2 e de K+ resultaram em menores severidades. Os suprimentos de Ca+2 e de K+ em solução nutritiva reduziram as AACPI e AACPS da mancha de Phoma do cafeeiro e o uso desses nutrientes pode ser recomendado no manejo da doença.

Entre as estratégias para o controle da ferrugem da soja cita-se a nutrição mineral equilibrada. Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, verificar o efeito do cálcio e do potássio na severidade da ferrugem (Phakopsora pachyrhizi), na fotossíntese potencial e na nutrição de plantas de soja. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com 25 tratamentos, 4 repetições e 2 plantas por repetição. Utilizou-se esquema fatorial 5 x 5, com 5 doses de K (4, 5, 6, 7, 8 mmol L^-1), combinadas com 5 doses de Ca (3, 5, 7, 9, 11 mmol L^-1). As plantas foram inoculadas no estádio V4 e, após nove dias, iniciaram-se avaliações da severidade da ferrugem pelas porcentagens de tecido lesionado, as quais foram transformadas em área abaixo da curva de progresso da doença (AACPS).Também foram avaliados a fotossíntese potencial e o teor de nutrientes na matéria seca de raiz, caule e folhas. O suprimento de Ca reduziu a AACPS em todas as doses de K. O suprimento de K também reduziu a AACPS nas doses 5, 7 e 11 mmol L^-1 de Ca. A menor AACPS foi observada na combinação das doses de 8 e 11 mmol L^-1 de K e Ca, enquanto a maior AACPS foi observada nas doses de 4 e 5 mmol L^-1 de K e Ca. As plantas tratadas com as doses 6 e 5 mmol L^-1 de K e Ca e 5 e 5 mmol L^-1 de K e Ca apresentaram melhor resposta fotossintética. Com o incremento das doses de K na solução, houve aumento dos teores foliares de K e redução linear dos teores foliares de Ca. Com o incremento das doses de Ca em solução nutritiva verificaram-se aumentos nos teores desse elemento e redução linear dos teores de K nas folhas. A balanced mineral nutrition is among the strategies for the control of Asian soybean rust. This work aimed to evaluate the severity of the soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi), the potential photosynthesis and the nutrition of soybean plants with different levels of K and Ca. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with 25 treatments, 4 repetitions and 2 plants per repetition. A 5 x 5 factorial scheme with 5 doses of K (4, 5, 6, 7, 8 mmol L^-1) combined with 5 doses of Ca (3, 5, 7, 9, 11 mmol L^-1) was used. Plants were inoculated at growth stage V4 and after nine days weekly evaluations of disease severity were carried out using percentage of injured tissues, which were transformed into area under the disease progress curve (AUDPCS). Potential photosynthesis and nutrient content in the root, stem and leaf dry matter were also evaluated. The supply of Ca reduced AUDPCS at all doses of K. The supply of K also reduced the AUDPCS at the doses of 5, 7 and 11 mmol L^-1 of Ca. The smallest AUDPCS was observed at the combination 8 and 11 mmol L^-1 of K and Ca, respectively, while the largest AUDPCS was observed at the doses of 4 and 5 mmol L^-1 of K and Ca. The plants treated with 6 and 5 mmol L^-1 of K and Ca and 5 and 5 mmol L^-1 of K and Ca showed better photosynthetic response. Increasing doses of K in the solution promoted increase in K leaf contents and linear decrease in Ca leaf levels. Increasing the levels of Ca in nutrient solution promoted an increase in the content of this element and a linear reduction of K levels in the leaves.

Para quantificar a severidade da ferrugem, os teores de clorofilas a e b e os carotenóides e também a nutrição em plantas de soja supridas com silício, implantou-se um experimento em blocos casualizados com 6 tratamentos e 4 repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram em doses de silicato de potássio (0 mg/L, 56 mg/L, 112 mg/L, 168 mg/L, 224 mg/L e 280 mg/L). As plantas foram inoculadas no estádio V4. Nove dias após a inoculação, iniciaram-se as avaliações semanais do número de lesões de ferrugem da soja/cm² de área foliar, no total de cinco. Ao final do experimento, os dados foram integrados ao longo do tempo, obtendo-se a área abaixo da curva do número de lesões/cm² (AACNL). Após o término das avaliações, determinou-se a quantidade de clorofilas a e b, carotenóides e lignina das folhas das plantas de soja com as doses crescentes de silício. Os teores de macro e micronutrientes da parte aérea das plantas também foram analisados. Observou-se redução da AACNL com aumento das doses de silício na solução nutritiva. A AACNL reduziu, enquanto que os teores de fósforo, cálcio, enxofre e zinco, de clorofila b, carotenóides e lignina, na parte aérea, aumentaram com a adição de silício. Aiming to quantify the severity of Asian rust, the content of the chlorophylls a and b and carotenoids as well some nutritional aspects of soybean plants supplied with silicon in the form of soluble potassium silicate solution an experiment was carried out in a random block design with 6 treatments and four replicates. Treatments comprised potassium six silicate doses (0 mg/L, 56 mg/L, 112 mg/L, 168 mg/L, 224 mg/L and 280 mg/L). Plants were inoculated at the V4 stage and evaluated for rust severity five times starting at the 9th day after inoculation weekly. The severity data were integrated with time obtaining the area under the number lesions progress curve (AUNLC). At the end of experiment, shoots from plants that received increasing silicon doses were sampled in order to analyze the chlorophyll a and b, carotenoids, lignin, macro and micronutrients. Adding silicon reduced AUNLC and increase the level of chlorophyll b, carotenoids, lignin, P, Ca, S and Zn in soybean plants.

Foram realizados três experimentos para estudar a influência do silício na redução da antracnose, causada por Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, em feijoeiro (Phaseolum vulgaris). No primeiro experimento plantas tratadas com silicato de cálcio foram inoculadas com 0, 10³, 10(4), 5x10(4), 10(5), 5x10(5) e 10(6) conídios/ml de C. lindemuthianum. Na concentração de 10(6) conídios/ml avaliou-se a diferença entre o silicato de cálcio e uma fonte de cálcio (óxido de cálcio). No segundo experimento foi avaliado o silicato de cálcio e de sódio na redução da antracnose. No terceiro experimento, por meio da microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e da microanálise de raios-X (MAX), estudou-se o efeito do silício nos mecanismos de resistência. Foram realizadas cinco avaliações da doença, utilizadas para calcular a área abaixo da curva de progresso da incidência (AACPI), da severidade (AACPS) e a duração da área foliar sadia (HAD), nos dois primeiros experimentos. Com o aumento da concentração do inóculo houve aumento na AACPI e AACPS e redução na HAD, porém a testemunha inoculada com a maior concentração de inóculo, e tratada apenas com cálcio (CaO), sem silicato, teve maiores AACPI e AACPS do que as plantas tratadas com silicato de cálcio. No segundo experimento, a menor AACPS e maior HAD foram obtidas no tratamento com silicato de sódio via foliar, que proporcionou redução de 62,4% na AACPS. Na MEV e na microanálise de raios X não se observaram a formação de barreira física e o acúmulo de silício externamente com a aplicação de silicato de cálcio, embora o elemento tenha contribuído para reduzir a antracnose. Three experiments were performed to study the influence of the silicon on the reduction of the common bean (Phaseolum vulgaris) anthracnose. The first experiment involved a plant fertilized with calcium silicate and different inoculum concentrations of the Colletotrichum lindemuthianum (0, 10³, 10(4), 5x10(4), 10(5), 5x10(5) and 10(6) conidia/ml). In the concentration 10(6) conidia/ml the difference between calcium silicate and calcium oxide was evaluated for effects on the disease. The second experiment evaluated the influence of sodium and calcium silicate on the reduction of the anthracnose. In the third experiment, the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray micro-analysis (EDAX) were used to study the effect of the silicon on the plant resistance mechanism. Five evaluations of the incidence, severity and leaf area were done, in the first and second experiment. Disease evaluation was made using area under disease progress curve for incidence (AUDPCI) and severity (AUDPCS) and healthy leaf area duration (HAD). Inoculum concentration was found to increase the AUDPCI and AUDPCS. In contrast, the HAD had decreased. Fertilization of plants with calcium silicate significantly reduced the AUDPCI and AUDPCS, when compared to inoculated control and fertilized plants by calcium oxide (CaO) with higher inoculum concentration. On the second trial, the application of sodium silicate on the leaves of the bean plant reduced AUDPCS by 62,4% when compared to control. When the treated leaves were scanned with SEM and EDAX was performed, although the silicon had reduced the disease, no accumulation of an external silicon barrier was observed with application of the element.

Situada no sul de Minas Gerais, principal região cafeeira do país, a Clínica Fitossanitária da Universidade Federal de Lavras tem auxiliado os produtores, dando suporte na diagnose de doenças de origem biótica e abiótica, de modo a gerar subsídios para minimizar as perdas na produção. Nos últimos doze anos, foram analisadas 378 amostras de café. Em 78,6% das amostras, foram detectados fungos, destacando-se Colletotrichum sp. (29%), Rhizoctonia solani (18%), Cercospora coffeicola (13%), Phoma sp. (13%) e Fusarium sp (11%). Ocorreram ainda em números representativos casos de fitotoxidez, deficiência de nutrientes e problemas no sistema radicular. Devido à localização da Clínica, a maior parte das amostras foi proveniente de localidades na região sul do Estado (63%), seguido do Triângulo Mineiro (12%) e Zona da Mata (10%). The Phytossanitary Clinic of the Federal University of Lavras, situated in the south of the State of Minas Gerais has given support to coffee producers providing diagnoses of biotic and abiotic diseases, to generate subsidies to minimize losses in production of this crop. During the last twelve years, 378 samples have been analyzed. Fungi were detected in 78,6% of the samples. The major fungi found were Colletotrichum sp. (29%), Rhizoctonia solani (18%), Cercospora coffeicola (13%), Phoma sp. (13%), e Fusarium sp (11%). Other incidences were caused by phytotoxity, mineral deficiency and bad formation of the roots. Due to the location of the Phytossanitary Clinic, most of the samples came from locations of South of Minas Gerais (63%), followed by Triângulo Mineiro (12%) and Zona da Mata (10%).

Objetivando avaliar a intensidade da mancha-de-olho-pardo do cafeeiro, variedade Catuaí Vermelho, com relação ao estado nutricional das plantas quanto a N e K, realizou-se um experimento no viveiro da Universidade Federal de Viçosa, em Viçosa, MG, utilizando solução nutritiva circulante. Empregaram-se 16 tratamentos, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com três repetições e duas plantas por parcela, em esquema fatorial com quatro doses de K (3, 5, 7 e 9 mmol/L) e quatro doses de N (3, 7, 11 e 15 mmol/L). Após sete inoculações de conídios, e avaliações, colheram-se as plantas. A produção de matéria seca total, a área foliar total, e a área abaixo da curva de progresso (AACP) do número total de folhas não foram influenciadas pelas doses de K, mas aumentaram com o incremento das doses de N. Observou-se elevação, na AACP, do número de lesões por folha, e na desfolha com o aumento das doses de K e a redução das doses de N. A elevação nas doses de K promoveu redução nos teores foliares de Ca e Cu. Os teores foliares de P, Mg, Mn e Fe não foram influenciados pelas doses de K e tiveram pequena redução com o aumento de N na solução, elevando-se a seguir. The experiment was carried out at the coffee nursery of the Universide Federal de Viçosa, in Viçosa, MG, Brazil, using nutrient circulating solution to evaluate the intensity of brown-eye spot (Cercospora coffeicola), variety Catuaí Vermelho, as a function of N and K. Acompletely randomized design with 16 treatments, three replicates, and two plants per plot was used in a factorial with four levels of K (3, 5, 7 and 9 mmol/L) combined with four levels of N (3, 7, 11 and 15 mmol/L). After seven inoculations and evaluations, the plants were picked. Total dry matter production, total leaf area, and the area below the curve of progress (AACP) for the total number of leaves were not influenced by the levels of K, but increased with increasing levels of N. There was increase in AACP areas for the number of lesions per leaf and defoliation, with the increase of K levels, and a reduction of N levels. The increase in K levels reduced the Ca and Cu leaf contents, indicating possible relation between its contents and the increase of the disease. The P, Mg, Mn, and Fe leaf contents were not influenced by the K levels, and had a small reduction with increased N contents in the nutrient solution, increasing thereafter.

The antimalarial drugs artemisinins have been described as inhibiting Ca(2+)-ATPase activity of PfATP6 (Plasmodium falciparum ATP6) after expression in Xenopus oocytes. Mutation of an amino acid residue in mammalian SERCA1 (Glu(255)) to the equivalent one predicted in PfATP6 (Leu) was reported to induce sensitivity to artemisinin in the oocyte system. However, in the present experiments, we found that artemisinin did not inhibit mammalian SERCA1a E255L either when expressed in COS cells or after purification of the mutant expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Moreover, we found that PfATP6 after expression and purification from S. cerevisiae was insensitive to artemisinin and significantly less sensitive to thapsigargin and 2,5-di(tert-butyl)-1,4-benzohydroquinone than rabbit SERCA1 but retained higher sensitivity to cyclopiazonic acid, another type of SERCA1 inhibitor. Although mammalian SERCA and purified PfATP6 appear to have different pharmacological profiles, their insensitivity to artemisinins suggests that the mechanism of action of this class of drugs on the calcium metabolism in the intact cell is complex and cannot be ascribed to direct inhibition of PfATP6. Furthermore, the successful purification of PfATP6 affords the opportunity to develop new antimalarials by screening for inhibitors against PfATP6.