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In 1990, a broadleaf weed growing on a cattle ranch in Hendry County in southwest Florida was identified as tropical soda apple (Solanum viarum Dunal), a species native to Argentina and Brazil (5) (Figure 1). Tropical soda apple (TSA) was apparently collected in Florida from Glades County in 1988 (University of Florida Herbarium) but was observed on the Hendry County ranch as early as 1987. Having foliage unpalatable to livestock, this noxious weed can infest a pasture or rangeland within one to two years resulting in lower stocking rates (animals per hectare). However, livestock and wildlife (feral hogs, deer, raccoons) will eat the fruit and disseminate the seed via feces. Fruit production occurs throughout the year (primarily September through May) thus providing high numbers (40000 to 50 000 per plant) of viable seed (75% germination) for seed dispersal. Our objectives are to alert those concerned with weed control of the presence of TSA in subtropical regions of the U.S., to discuss the ecology and taxonomy of this weed, and to indicate areas for future research.

Hexazinone (1.12 kg ai/ha), triclopyr (1.12 kg ai/ha), metsulfuron (0.008 kg ai/ha), dichlorprop + 2,4-D, glyphosate (2.8%), and triclopyr (2%) + diesel oil (98%), applied as a broadcast or spot (individual plant) treatment, were evaluated over two years in south Florida for tropical soda apple (TSA) control and their effects on grass ground cover. For broadcast treatments, triclopyr (98%) and hexazinone (93%), had significantly (P < 0.05) higher percent control of marked TSA plants 90 d after herbicide application. However, triclopyr (99%) had significantly higher grass ground cover than hexazinone (78%). Hexazinone severely damaged Pangola digitgrass, but had no effect on bahiagrass. For spot treatments, dichlorprop + 2,4-D (100%) had the highest percent total control of TSA and least effect on grass ground cover (96%) 90 d after herbicide application, followed by glyphosate (96% control) and triclopyr + diesel oil (95% control). Based on acceptable (>90%) TSA control and grass ground cover, triclopyr broadcast or dichlorprop + 2,4-D spot provided the greatest control. With either application method, repeated herbicide applications will be necessary to eliminate TSA because of rapid seedling emergence following control of existing plants.

Three new steroidal glycosides, named solaviasides A, B, and C, have been isolated from the fruits of Solanum viarum DUNAL (syn. S. khasianum var. chatterjeeanum, Solanaceae), along with seven known ones. Their chemical structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic data and chemical evidence.

Three new steroidal glycosides, named solaviasides A, B, and C, have been isolated from the fruits of Solanum viarum DUNAL (syn. S. khasianum var. chatterjeeanum, Solanaceae), along with seven known ones. Their chemical structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic data and chemical evidence.

Biological control of forest weeds by using microbial plant pathogens has been tried in a few cases with some notable success. Diverse weed targets such as broad-leaved exotic invasive tree species, native tree and shrub species that recolonize following clearcutting, and invasive shrubs, annual and perennial herbs, and vines have been targeted. Examples of several programs, some highly successful and others with outcomes still uncertain, are described including the control of Acacia saligna by the introduced rust fungus Uromycladium tepperianum in South Africa, broad-leaved tree species by Chondrostereum purpureum in the Netherlands and Canada, Clidemia hirta in Hawaii by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides f.sp. clidemiae, Ageratina riparia by the foliar smut fungus Entyloma ageratinae in Hawaii and New Zealand, Hedychium gardnerianum by the bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum in Hawaii, Passiflora tarminiana by Septoria passiflorae in Hawaii, Imperata cylindrica, an exotic invasive grass in the southeastern USA, by Bipolaris sacchari and Drechslera gigantea, Eichhornia crassipes by fungal pathogens in integration with arthropods, and Solanum viarum by Tobacco mild green mosaic tobamovirus (TMGMV). This list of examples is not complete but it is meant to illustrate the classical vs. bioherbicide strategies, integrated control using pathogens and insects, and different types of pathogens (biotrophic vs. necrotrophic fungi, a bacterium, and a virus). Pathogens that are easily disseminated from initial release sites through rapid buildup of secondary disease cycles have produced some of the highly successful programs compared with pathogens that require postrelease augmentation in the form of multiple releases, inundative applications, or technological aids.

Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-27T16:24:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ZOORECZOOR14508047274.pdf: 132892 bytes, checksum: 5a734a53886dbfed91273a7cb811004d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-10-01 Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-30T19:25:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ZOORECZOOR14508047274.pdf: 132892 bytes, checksum: 5a734a53886dbfed91273a7cb811004d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-10-01 Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-20T15:34:55Z No. of bitstreams: 1 ZOORECZOOR14508047274.pdf: 132892 bytes, checksum: 5a734a53886dbfed91273a7cb811004d (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-20T15:34:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ZOORECZOOR14508047274.pdf: 132892 bytes, checksum: 5a734a53886dbfed91273a7cb811004d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-10-01 Feeding preference of adults of Metriona elatior Klug (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae) for different hybrids of Solanum melogena Linnaeus (Solanaceae). Metriona elatior Klug is a potential biocontrol agent for Solanum viarum Dunal (tropical soda apple), because larvae and adults feed on its leaves and this species shows a low dispersion rate. Specificity plays a major role in the feasibility of an organism as a biological control agent, especially in the inundative strategy. The feeding preference of M. elatior adults was evaluated to 14 eggplant (Solanum melogena Linnaeus) hybrids. Mass rearing was carried out under lab conditions, with the insect feeding directly on S. viarum leaves. The study started with dual and multiple choice tests in 24 and 48 hour feeding times, by offering leaf disks in Petri dish conditions. Survival and leaf consumption analysis were performed in newly adults in tropical soda apple and eggplant leaves kept turgid by immersing the petioles in water. The leaf area was measured before and after four days of insect exposure. M. elatior showed higher feeding preference, survival and consumption of the weed species, especially in comparison with the hybrid Ryoma. The highest feeding preference among the eggplant hybrids was observed in 'Minikuro Kowishiki'. Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Biol Aplicada Agropecuaria, Via Acesso Prof Paulo Donato Castellane S-N, BR-14884900 São Paulo Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Biol Aplicada Agropecuaria, Via Acesso Prof Paulo Donato Castellane S-N, BR-14884900 São Paulo

Survival assays were conducted with beet armyworm Spodoptera exigua (Hubner) and southern armyworm S. eridania (Stoll) with tropical soda apple Solanum viarum Dunal, a relative of tomato. In addition, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzyme assays were conducted to determine if plant defense compounds are being produced by tropical soda apple in response to herbivory. Both S. exigua and S. eridania induced plant defenses in tropical soda apple. Significantly more S. exigua and S. eridania neonate larvae survived to 2nd instar on non-induced plants and artificial diet when compared with plants with induced defenses. Tropical soda apple plants fed on by S. exigua and S. eridania had significantly increased PPO activity.

s, Orlando, FL, USA, p. 30. Mullahey, J.J. and Colvin, D.L. (1993) Tropical soda apple: a new noxious weed in Florida. University of Florida, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Fact Sheet WRS

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:30:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2007-09-28Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:20:37Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 patricio_gb_me_rcla.pdf: 2982674 bytes, checksum: de54c07500e9014cf1e6fb466fb9530c (MD5) Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Estudos realizados em ambientes fragmentados revelam que vários processos ecológicos são afetados pelo tamanho, forma e grau de isolamento dos remanescentes de vegetação nativa. A abundância local de polinizadores pode ser explicada pela relação de atratividade planta - polinizador e pela disponibilidade de sítios de nidificação e recursos florais. Este trabalho teve como objetivo geral, avaliar o efeito da heterogeneidade de habitats sobre a interação planta - polinizador em áreas com forte influência antrópica. A hipótese testada foi a de que a heterogeneidade de habitats afeta a disponibilidade de polinizadores e, conseqüentemente, a produção de frutos e sementes. Para isso, a espécie seleciona foi S. viarum. Foram selecionadas 12 áreas dentro da região da Bacia do Rio Corumbataí - SP, sendo 6 áreas mais homogêneas, com H < 0,9, e 6 mais diversificadas, com H > 1,4. Os pontos amostrais foram distribuídos nas áreas centrais desses habitats segundo as possibilidades de acesso. Para cada ponto amostral foi estabelecida uma estação de coleta de dados, onde foram instaladas as plantas para os estudos sobre polinização. Foram realizados 4 períodos de coletas de dados. Em um mesmo período, tanto áreas de alta como de baixa heterogeneidade foram observadas quanto à fenologia e à visitação por abelhas. Em relação à porcentagem de frutos formados de S. viarum Dun., evidenciando seu sucesso reprodutivo, houve diferença significativa entre as áreas localizadas na região de Rio Claro e as localizadas na região de Ipeúna, mas não entre as áreas de alta e baixa heterogeneidade. A análise da paisagem na escala de 600m mostrou que essas duas regiões diferem significativamente quanto à porcentagem de cobertura de mata. Isso pode, em parte, explicar a diferença encontrada entre as duas regiões, mas não entre áreas de alta e baixa heterogeneidade... Studies carried through in fragmented environments disclose that some ecological processes are affected by the size, form and degree of isolation of the remainders of native vegetation. The local abundance of pollinators can be explained by the relation of plant-pollinator attractiveness and the availability of nest site and floral resources. This study it aimed to evaluate the effect of the heterogeneity of habitats on the interaction plant-pollinator in areas with strong antropogenic influence. The tested hypothesis was of that the heterogeneity of habitats affects the availability of pollinators and, consequently, the production of fruits and seeds. 12 areas inside of the region of the Basin of Rio Corumbataí - SP had been selected, being 6 more homogeneous areas, with H' < 0,9, and 6 more diversified, with H' > 1,4. The sampling points had been distributed in the central areas of these habitats according to access possibilities. For each sampling point, a period of collection of data was established, where the plants had been installed for pollination studies. Four periods of data collecting had been carried through. In a same period, as many areas of high as of low heterogeneity had been observed according the phenology and the visitation for bees. The percentage of formed fruits of S. Viarum Dun., evidencing the reproductive success, had significant difference between the located areas in the region of Rio Claro and the located ones in the region of Ipeúna, but not between the areas of high and low heterogeneity. The analysis of the landscape in the scale of 600m showed that these two regions differ significantly as for the percentage of bush covering. This can, in part, to explain the difference found between the two regions, but not between areas of high and low heterogeneity. A very small number of bees were collected in the flowers... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a anatomia das folhas das espécies de plantas daninhas Nicandra physaloides (joá-de-capote), Solanum viarum (joá-bravo), Solanum americanum (maria-pretinha) e Raphanus raphanistrum (nabiça), visando obter melhor entendimento sobre as barreiras que cada espécie impõe à penetração dos herbicidas. Folhas completamente expandidas do terceiro ao quinto nó foram coletadas de plantas de ocorrência espontânea no campo. Das folhas de cada espécie foram obtidas três amostras da região central mediana, com aproximadamente 1 cm2, as quais foram utilizadas em estudos da estrutura, clarificação e nas observações em microscópio eletrônico de varredura (MEV). Todas as espécies avaliadas são anfiestomáticas. O principal obstáculo foliar à penetração de herbicidas constatado em N. physaloides foi a alta densidade tricomática. Já em relação a S. viarum, baixa densidade estomática na face adaxial, alta densidade tricomática, presença de placas de cera epicuticular e grande espessura das cutículas foram as principais barreiras detectadas. S. americanum apresentou como principais obstáculos foliares à penetração de herbicidas a baixa densidade estomática na face adaxial e a grande espessura da cutícula da face adaxial, sendo esta última a única barreira constatada nas folhas de R. raphanistrum. This research aimed to study the leaf anatomy of the weed species Nicandra physaloides, Solanum viarum, Solanum americanum and Raphanus raphanistrum to acquire a better understanding of the barriers each species imposes upon herbicide penetration. Completely expanded leaves from the third to the fifth node were collected from plants spontaneously occurring in field. Three samples, with approximately 1 cm2, were taken at the central portion of the leaves in each species. These samples were used in structural studies, clarification and observation using a scanning-electron microscope (SEM). All species are amphistomatic. The main leaf barrier against herbicide penetration in N. physaloides was high trichomic density, whereas in S. viarum, the main barriers were low stomatic density in the adaxial side, high trichomic density, high content of epicuticular wax and high cuticle thickness. S. americanum's main leaf barriers were low stomatic density and high cuticle thickness in the adaxial side. High cuticle thickness in the adaxial side was the only barrier observed in leaves of R. raphanistrum.

Gratiana boliviana Spaeth, 1926 is redescribed, compared with G. conformis (Boheman, 1854), G. graminea (Klug, 1829), G. insculpta (Boheman, 1855), G. inurbana Weise, 1921, G. lutescens (Boheman, 1854), G. pallidula (Boheman, 1854) and G. spadicea (Klug, 1829). The host plant of G. boliviana is Solanum viarum Dun (Solanaceae).

Aspects of the biology of Metriona elatior (Klug) (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae) on Solanum viarum were studied in laboratory. To setup the tests the insects came from a rearing stock maintained on plants of Solanum viarum Dunal (Solanaceae). From this population tests were done in order to study the following parameters: mean number of egg cases per day; mean number eggs in egg clusters; mean number of larvae generated per egg clusters; incubation period and eggs viability; number, duration and viability of each instar; period and viability of pre-pupal and pupae stages; duration and viability of period from egg to adult; longevity of adult; and the mean of the leaf area fed by larvae and adults. The most important results were:mean number of egg cases per day 16.23 ± 0.60; the mean number eggs in egg clusters 5.90 ± 1.08 the mean number of larvae per egg clusters 5.12± 0.15 incubation period of 7.85 ± 0.72 days, the number of instars was 5; larvae period of 3.76 ± 0.14; 3.56 ± 0.17; 3.88 ± 0.24; 5.69 ± 0.36; 6.46 ± 0.22 days, respectivelly from the first to fifth instars; pre-pupal period of 2.54 ± 0.14, pupae period of 9.31 ± 0.13 days; longevity of adult of 115.82 ± 11.57 days. The fifth instars and adults were the development stage that the showed major potential of leaf area feeding

Solasodine--a steroid present in the mucilaginous exotesta of the seed in Solanum viarum Dunal (syn. S. khasianum var. chatterjeeanum) is a major source of steroidal raw material. Evidence for the site of solasodine synthesis was sought through reciprocal grafts involving steroid-bearing S. viarum (both diploid and autotetraploid) and steroid-free, edible Solanum melongena L. (brinjal). The results indicate that the synthesis of solasodine is scion-specific.

Surveys were conducted in southwest and west central Florida to identify naturally occurring weed hosts of the whitefly-transmitted tomato mottle geminivirus (TMoV). More than 780 samples representing 42 species in 14 families were collected from 35 field sites over 3 yr. Detection procedures included nucleic acid spot hybridization assays with confirmation by polymerase chain reaction amplification, Southern blot analysis, and virus inclusion visualization. Experimental transmission of TMoV was also attempted to more than 340 plants representing 20 species in seven families by using whiteflies (Bemisia argentifolii [B. tabaci biotype B])

The somatic chromosome number in Solanum viarum Dunal syn. S. khasi anum var. chatterjeeanum Sengupta is 24, however, about 20.64% of plants are either with one or two B-chromosomes. The seeds of normal plant (2n=24) were treated with gamma rays and plants from R2 generation were selected for the study of effect of fragments on the flowering and pollen fertility and the probable origin of B-chromosomes.The change in the behaviour from self-incompatibility to self-compatibility along with variability in the flowering period, due to fragment bearing S-genes, induces higher adaptability in this plant to cope with changing ecological conditions. Increasing breakability and heterochromatization pave the way for S-gene-bearing fragments to reach the status of neutral and dispensable B-chromosomes.

Electric field pulses, ranging from 250 to 2000 V and of 10 to 50 μsec duration, were assessed for their effect on the growth in culture of isolated protoplasts ofGlycine canescens, Prunus avium × pseudocerasus, Pyrus communis, Solanum dulcamara andSolanum viarum. Three successive voltage pulses between 250 and 1000 V caused a small decrease in protoplast viability, but promoted cell division and enhanced significantly the plating efficiency. A higher percentage of electro-pulsed protoplasts showed sustained growth in culture to the microcallus stage compared to untreated protoplasts. The rate of cell division was also stimulated in electro-treated protoplasts. These observations are discussed in relation to present knowledge of the effects of electrical treatments on plant and animal cells.

Twelve pairs of chromosomes of Solanum viarum Dunal are described in detail. Morphological characters of chromosomes at pachytene stage as total length, relative length, centromere index and position of eu- and heterochromatic regions are used as parameters for identification. The nucleus is not persistant at pachytene. There is complete pairing between all homologous chromosomes. There is also a striking similarity between the chromosome V and VI as well as IX and X, suggesting that chromosomes VI and IX might have been evolved from chromosome V and X, respectively through duplication. The present structure of the chromosomes could have been achieved after structural modifications had been effected through the process of meiosis during the course of evolution. Therefore, it is assumed that Solanum viarum with n=12 might have originated from a plant with n=10.

Intensive production of vegetables in greenhouses can increase the amount of inoculum of soil-borne pathogens, such as the root-knot nematode. Thus, in this study we aimed to evaluate the potential of Solanaceae as rootstocks resistant to Meloidogyne javanica nematodes as an alternative to tomato grafting. The experiment consisted of seven treatments: wild species joá-vermelho (Solanum capsicoides), joá-bagudo (Solanum palinacanthum), joá-bravo (Solanum viarum), jurubeba (Solanum spp.) and the commercial tomato cultivars Santa Cruz Kada, Batalha and Guardião. The analyzed variables were gall index; egg mass index; final nematode population; reproduction factor (FR) and reaction: susceptibility, resistance and immunity; fresh shoot and root mass and number of eggs per gram of roots. The wild species joá-vermelho, joá-bagudo and jurubeba showed resistance, with the lowest indexes of galls, egg mass, final population of nematodes and number of eggs per gram of root, not differing from the resistant control treatment (hybrid rootstock Guardião), with a reproduction factor less than 1, showing potential to be used as a resistant rootstock to M. javanica. Joá-bravo species showed susceptibility to the root-knot nematode, with a FR>1, not differing from the susceptible tomato Santa Cruz Kada. These results confirm the resistance of wild species to nematode parasitism, which can prove the viability of use as possible alternative rootstocks, and reinforce the idea that more studies should be carried out aiming to provide more viable options for farmers and plantlet producers.

Summary Anthers of Solanum viarum Dunal at different stages of pollen development (late-uninucleate, mitotic and early-binucleate), when cultured on Murashige and Skoog's (1962) medium supplemented with 2 mg/1 of indole acetic acid and 1-3 mg/1 of kinetin, produced mixed calli with haploid (n = 12), diploid and polyploid cells within five weeks. The participation of pollen grains in callusing could be revealed from cytological studies of the cultured anthers. Occasionally, the somatic anther tissues also formed calli.