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Crystals may modify the food quality, reduce a plant palatability, and choice to insects, or defend against pests. Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is considered one of the most damaging pests in field crops in the world, and is usually associated with several hosts. We examined relations between the choices of whitefly with calcium oxalate crystals (COC) presence in weeds. The treatments were weed species Amaranthus viridis L., Amaranthus viridis L., Bidens pilosa L., Chenopodium album L., Nicandra physalodes L., and Solanum americanum Mill., and, as control, Brassica oleraceae var. capitata L. B. tabaci infestation was evaluated at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after infestation (DAI), the height and shoot dry mass at 28 DAI, and leaf blades were prepared from all treatments. B. oleraceae var. capitata, S. americanum, and B. pilosa showed greater B. tabaci infestation in this order, respectively. In the presence of COC, the reverse occurred, since in these plants there was a lower presence of COC. It is concluded that the presence of COC influences B. tabaci preference in the choice of its hosts.

The central Africa is a center of diversity and speciation for the Solanaceae. The objective of this study was to inventory and to examine the diversity of the specimens of herbaria of the Solanaceae harvested in the central Africa region (Rwanda Burundi-DR Congo) and, to establish the ecological characters of species inventoried in the Herbarias. The specimens of Herbarias of BR, P, BRLU and IUK of the University of Kinshasa have been studied. An analysis of 3650 specimens of herbaria indicates that the Solanaceae in central Africa are only represented with 15 kinds for 61 species. The Capsicum kinds (2 species), Solanum (36 species), Brugmansia (2 species), Physalis (3 species), Solandra (1 species), Petunia (1espece), Discopodium (1 species), Datura (3 species), Nicandra (1 species), Whitania (1 species), Nicotiana (2 species), Cestrum (2 species), Brunfelsia (1 species), Physalis (3), Cestrum (2 species), Petunia (1 species), Datura (3 species). The Solanum, kind alone, is represented with 36 species for the central Africa. In this geographical area of central Africa the Solanaceae are distributed in all countries which compose the phytogeographic regions of central Africa.

Nicandra physalodes (Linn.) Gaertn. polysaccharide (NPGP) was previously recognized as a pectic polysaccharide, with a high galacturonic acid content (87.8%) and a low methoxylation degree (28%). In the present study, it was found that NPGP can form self-supporting gels when cooling its heated solutions (2.0%, w/v) acidified by citric acid. It was demonstrated that the decrease in pH led to the suppression in electrostatic repulsions between the pectin chains, thereby promoting pectin chain-chain association mainly through hydrogen bonding. As the pH decreased from 3.2 to 2.4, the gel strength and gel thermal stability were continuously increased. Moreover, it was shown that sucrose addition slightly promoted the gelation and gel thermal stability of NPGP, but the effect of monovalent ions (Na+) and divalent ions (Ca2+) was not significant. Conclusively, our results indicate that NPGP is a new gelling polysaccharide that shows great potential in formulation of acidic gel foods.

O objetivo deste estudo foi estudar a fitossociologia das espécies de ervas daninhas em áreas de pastagem cultivadas com Brachiaria decumbens e Cynodon sp. (Tifton 85), no estado do Ceará, no Brasil. A metodologia de inventário quadrado foi utilizada para avaliar a comunidade de ervas daninhas. As amostras de ervas daninhas foram quantificadas e classificadas por família, gênero e espécie, usando livros e chaves de classificação. Os dados de classificação e quantificação das espécies permitiram calcular as seguintes variáveis fitossociológicas: frequência (F), frequência relativa (Fr), densidade (D), densidade relativa (DR), dominância absoluta (DoA), dominância relativa (DoR), importância índice de valores (IVI) e índice de similaridade (IS). A família Amaranthaceae foi aquela com maior intensidade de espécies em ambas as áreas, representada principalmente por Alternanthera tenera colla e Amaranthus viridis. Na área cultivada com B. decumbens, Cyperus rotundus apresentou maiores resultados de frequência, densidade e abundância. Na área de Tifton 85, os physalodes de Nicandra apresentaram maiores valores de densidade e abundância. A semelhança das populações de plantas daninhas em áreas de pastagem foi de 42,11%, com quatro espécies comuns a ambas as áreas.

Solanaceae é uma das maiores famílias de plantas vasculares, com 100 gêneros e ca. de 2.500 espécies, com distribuição subcosmopolita e maior diversidade na região Neotropical. Este trabalho realizou um levantamento florístico das espécies de Solanaceae no município de Vitória da Conquista, Bahia, em área ecotonal entre Caatinga e Mata Atlântica. Foram realizadas coletas semanais de agosto/2019 a março/2020, totalizando 30 espécimes, depositados nos herbários HUESBVC e HVC. Foram registradas 19 espécies, distribuídas em nove gêneros: Brunfelsia (2 spp.), Capsicum (1 sp.), Cestrum (1 sp.), Datura (1 sp.), Iochroma (1 sp.) Nicandra (1 sp.), Nicotiana (1 sp.), Physalis (1 sp.) e Solanum (10 spp.). Dentre as espécies coletadas, cinco são endêmicas para o Brasil e 11 foram novos registros para o município. Nossos resultados demonstram que Solanaceae é uma família de elevada riqueza de espécies no município, contribuindo para o conhecimento da flora local.

Weed residues can influence nutrient cycling in agroecosystems. Quantifying this potential nutrient source may influence weed control and fertilisation practices. Nicandra physalodes (L.) Gaertn. is a weed with a short life cycle and a great ability to accumulate dry matter. Field observations suggest that N. physaloides residues are easily decomposed in soil. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of increasing of N, P and K doses on the growth of N. physalodes, as well as the nutrient content, chemical characteristics and C/N ratio of the weed. A randomised block design, arranged in split-plot with three replications, was utilised. The main plots were given four doses of NPK (Dose 1 - 0, 0.3 and 17.2 mg dm-3; Dose 2 - 30, 450.3 and 75.4 mg dm-3; Dose 3 - 60, 900.3 and 133.4 mg dm-3; and Dose 4 - 120, 1800.3 and 249.68 mg dm-3), and the subplots were harvested at ten time points after emergence (26, 33, 40, 47, 54, 61, 76, 91, 106 and 121 days). Higher dry matter production and N, P and K content were observed in plants grown on higher levels of fertiliser. The increase of N, P and K levels in the soil resulted in greater total accumulation of these macronutrients. The highest macronutrient contents were K and N. The treatments did not affect neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and C/N ratio of plant. N. physalodes had low C/N ratio, low NDF and ADF levels, and great nutrient accumulation, suggesting that this plant is quickly decomposed, providing a rapid cycling of nutrients. RESUMO Os resíduos de plantas daninhas são importantes para a ciclagem de nutrientes nos agroecossistemas. A quantificação desta potencial fonte de nutrientes pode influenciar o manejo dessas plantas e as práticas de adubação. Nicandra physalodes (L.) Gaertn. (joá-de-capote) é uma planta daninha de ciclo curto com rápido crescimento e grande capacidade de acumular biomassa. Dessa forma, objetivou-se conhecer o potencial de acúmulo e ciclagem de nutrientes de N. physalodes e avaliar se o aumento de nitrogênio (N), fósforo (P) e potássio (K) no solo influenciam essas características. Utilizou-se delineamento de blocos casualizados, arranjado em parcelas subdivididas com três repetições. As parcelas foram constituídas de quatro doses crescente de N, P e K (Dose 1 - 0, 0,3 e 17,2; Dose 2 - 30, 450,3 e 75,4; Dose 3 - 60, 900,3 e 133,4 e Dose 4 - 120, 1800,3 e 249,68 mg dm-3) e as subparcelas de dez épocas de coleta das plantas (26, 33, 40, 47, 54, 61, 76, 91, 106 e 121 dias após emergência). O aumento nos níveis de N, P e K no solo proporcionou maiores produções de massa seca e acúmulo total desses macronutrientes em plantas de N. physalodes, sendo que os maiores acúmulos foram de K e N. A adubação não influenciou os teores de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), fibra em detergente ácido (FDA) e a relação carbono/ nitrogênio da planta. N. physalodes apresenta baixa relação C/N, o que aliado aos baixos teores de FDN e FDA e ao bom acúmulo de nutrientes, sugere que o material vegetal dessa planta seja rapidamente decomposto, proporcionando uma ciclagem rápida de nutrientes no solo.

Physalis L., an important genus of the family Solanaceae, includes many commercially important edible and medicinal species. Traditionally, species identification is based on morphological traits; however, the highly similar morphological traits among species of Physalis make this approach difficult. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of using a popular DNA barcode, the chloroplast psbA–trnH intergenic region, in the identification of species of Physalis. Thirty-six psbA–trnH regions of species of Physalis and of the closely related plant Nicandra physalodes were analyzed. The success rates of PCR amplification and sequencing of the psbA–trnH region were 100%. MEGA V6.0 was utilized to align the psbA–trnH sequences and to compute genetic distances. The results show an apparent barcoding gap between intra- and interspecific variations. Results of both BLAST1 and nearest-distance methods prove that the psbA–trnH regions can be used to identify all species examined in the present study. In addition, phylogenetic analysis using psbA–trnH data revealed a distinct boundary between species. It also confirmed the relationship between species of Physalis and closely related species, as established by previous studies. In conclusion, the psbA–trnH intergenic region can be used as an efficient DNA barcode for the identification of species of Physalis.

Twenty withanolides, including previously unknown nicanlodes A-M, were isolated from aerial parts of Nicandra physalodes. Their structural elucidations were unambiguously achieved through interpretation of extensive spectroscopic data (NMR and HRMS) and by comparison with literature data. Nicanlodes A and B have an unusual aromatic amine moiety. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against five human cancer cell lines.

Nicandra physaloides is a traditional folk medicine in China, and its seeds are used to make jelly. Phytochemical investigation of the active ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract of its fruits led to the isolation and identification of two new phenolic amides, (7 R , 8S)-7-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-8-hydroxymethyl-1′-[N-7″-(4″-hydrxyphenyl)ethyl]carbamoylethenyl-3′-methoxybenzodihydrofuran ( 1 ) and cis -N-phydroxycinnamoyl-7′-methoxyethyltyramine ( 2 ), together with twelve known compounds ( 3 – 14 ). Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analyses. All these compounds are reported from the genus Nicandra for the first time. Compounds 1 – 14 were investigated for their protective effects on 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridiniumion (MPP + )-induced damage in human dopaminergic neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y), and compounds 4 , 6 and 7 showed significant protective activities at a certain concentration. Further, the cell protection mechanism of compound 4 was proved to be through inhibiting MPP + -induced apoptosis and inducing cytoprotective autophagy in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Herein, a plausible biosynthetic pathway of compounds 1 – 14 was also discussed. This study suggested that phenolic amides were potential candidate drugs for treating PD and the fruits of N. physaloides could be used as a functional food ingredient to improve the symptoms of memory loss, and possibly to prevent or treat PD.

Nicandra physaloides, finds its extended phyto-geographical range from Deccan peninsula to part of Eastern Ghats in Odisha, India. The detailed description, correct nomenclature, ecological notes and distribution along with photographs of the taxon has been provided.

At the beginning of 2000, a damaging disease developed on protected tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) crops grown in polyethylene greenhouses in different regions of Spain. Production losses were estimated at 15 to 80%. The tomato plants showed a variety of symptoms. The most common symptoms were leaf distortion, chlorosis, and mosaic. Some plants showed a dark green mosaic and bubbling of the leaf surface. Green striations were also observed on the stem and sepals. Most of the diseased plants had discolored fruits. Symptoms decreased as environmental temperature increased. The involvement of Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) was suspected. To identify the etiological agent, ≈500 symptomatic tomato plants were collected from several locations in Alicante, Murcia, Almeria and the Canary Islands. Flexuous viral particles 510 nm long were observed by transmission electron microscopy, suggesting the presence of a potexvirus in the tissue extracts analyzed. All samples were tested by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), using polyclonal antibodies to Narcissus mosaic virus (Adgen, Auchincriuve, Scotland), a virus serologically related to PepMV, and two antisera specific to PepMV (Adgen, Scotland and DMSZ, Braunschweig, Germany). PepMV was detected in 35% of the samples. Like PepMV, the virus infected (as confirmed by ELISA) greenhouse-grown Datura stramonium, Nicandra physalodes, Nicotiana benthamiana, N. clevelandii, Solanum tuberosum, and Vigna sinensis and did not infect Capsicum anuum, Cucumis sativus, Chenopodium amaranticolor, C. quinoa, Petunia × hybrida, Phaseolus vulgaris, Physalis floridana, N. glutinosa, N. rustica, or N. tabacum. The virus did infect Gomphrena globosa, which normally is not infected by PepMV. The first report of PepMV was on pepino (Solanum muricatum) in Peru in 1974 (1), but this virus has been recently reported in the Netherlands, England, Germany, and France on protected tomato crops (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of PepMV in Spain, including the Canary Islands. References: (1) R. A. C. Jones et al. Ann. Appl. Biol. 94:61, 1980. (2) European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organisation (EPPO). Alert List Viruses. On-line publication/2000/003.

Petunia plants from a nursery in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, showed pronounced vein banding and contained isometric particles with diameters of approximately 45 and 30 nm. The larger ones apparently represent a caulimovirus, while the smaller ones, which included both empty shells and full particles, were identified as those of a new tymovirus for which we propose the name Petunia vein banding virus (PetVBV). Originally, PetVBV was transmitted only with difficulty to healthy petunia plants. However, from an experimentally infected petu-nia, it was later readily transmitted also to Nicotiana benthamiana and Nicandra physalodes, but not to other species in the Solanaceae or other plant families. It produces cytopathic effects typical for tymovirus infections. Its coat protein shows approximately 65% amino acid sequence identity with those of Eggplant mosaic and Andean potato latent viruses, to which it is also serologically more closely related than to any other tymoviruses.

During 2007–2012, Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) was detected in volunteer cultivated, wild and native plants during studies to determine whether Pospiviroids occur within the isolated, sub-tropical, Gascoyne Horticultural District (GHD) in central coastal Western Australia (WA). PSTVd was detected infecting volunteer crop plants of tomato, pepper and chilli; introduced weed species Solanum nigrum (blackberry nightshade), Datura leichhardtii (thornapple) and Nicandra physalodes (apple-of-Peru) (Solanaceae), and Conyza bonariensis (flaxleaf fleabane) (Asteraceae); and Australian native species Atriplex semilunaris (annual saltbush), Rhagodia eremaea (thorny saltbush) (Chenopodiaceae), and Streptoglossa sp. (Asteraceae). PSTVd was also detected infecting Physalis angulata (wild gooseberry) in the Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA), Kimberley region in north-west WA. Comparison of sequences from the three complete and 18 partial RNA nucleotide sequences obtained from 20 GHD and one ORIA isolates with those of published sequences showed that their highest nucleotide sequence identities were to isolate AY962324 belonging to the Chittering strain from south-west WA. On phylogenetic analysis, the three completely sequenced GHD PSTVd isolates grouped within a cluster of isolates from tomato and P. peruviana. These results show that a naturally occurring PSTVd inoculum reservoir is present in the GHD. This reservoir explains the occurrence of repeated PSTVd infections in different years in field crops of tomato, pepper and chilli growing in its market gardens and small farms. These findings have implications concerning PSTVd spread in intensive solanaceous crop field production systems in other subtropical regions of the world.

Five new withanolides, designated as 15-oxo-nicaphysalin B, 6 β ,7 α -dihydroxynicandrenone 10, 24 α ,25 β -dihydroxy-nicandrenone-2 and a mixture of the epimers 17-(1 α /1 β -methylpropanone)- nicandrenone, in addition to six known others, were isolated from the leaf acetone extract from Nicandra physalodes . The complete structures of the five new withanolides, particularly their relative stereochemistries, were established by extensive spectroscopic analyses, including 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS). The main isolated withanolides were evaluated for their antibacterial, antifungal and larvicidal properties, but, except nicandrenone, which showed marginal larvicidal activity, none of them was active.

Nicandra physalodes is an alien plant in southern China, possessing important medicinal values. In this study, we sequenced complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequence of N. physalodes and investigated its phylogenetic relationship in the family Solanaceae. The total length of the chloroplast genome was 156,729 bp, with 37.8% overall GC content and exhibited typical quadripartite structure, a pair of IRs (inverted repeats) of 25,529 bp was separated by a small single copy (SSC) region of 18,560 bp and a large single copy (LSC) region of 87,111 bp. The cp genome contained 113 genes, including 79 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and four rRNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis indicated N. physalodes was closely related to Datura stramonium.

Three new glycosides (1–3) and 15 known ones (4–18) were isolated and identified from the fruits of Nicandra physaloides. The structures of these compounds were established by 1D and 2D NMR spectra and HR-ESI-MS. The compounds (4–18) were the first time isolated from the Nicandra genus and they (except 8, 10, 14) exhibited inhibitions on the NO release of LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells with IC50 values from 26.9 to 47.5 μM.

Apple of Peru (Nicandra physalodes [L.]) is a member of the Solanaceae family and one of the serious weed threats in crop fields. It is tolerant to commonly used herbicides and competes with cultivated crops (Watanabe et al. 2002). Additionally, apple of Peru and other solanaceous weeds are known as an alternative host of several viruses (Barbosa et al. 2009; Hobbs et al. 2000). Pepper mottle virus (PepMoV) in the genus Potyvirus (family Potyviridae) is a monopartite, positive-sensed, single-stranded RNA virus. PepMoV causes economic losses to peppers and tomatoes in Honduras, South Korea, and Hawaii (Kim et al. 2009; Melzer et al. 2012). In February 2018, we observed apple of Peru plants with severe virus-like symptoms: mosaic, mottling, and crinkling of leaves in a fallow area at the University of Hawaii in Manoa, HI. Six samples with severe symptoms and three asymptomatic samples were collected and tested for potyvirus infection using a potyvirus-specific ELISA (Agdia, Elkhart, IN) and universal potyvirus-specific reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) (Zheng et al. 2010). All of the symptomatic apple of Peru plants tested positive for potyviruses in both tests, whereas three asymptomatic plants tested negative. To identify the specific potyvirus involved, amplicons (328 bp) of the nuclear inclusion body (NIb) region of potyviruses that were generated by RT-PCR using universal potyvirus-specific primers were directly sequenced (GenBank accession MH476197). BLASTn analysis of the sequences showed that this virus isolate shared 95% nucleotide sequence identity with a PepMoV isolate from Florida (AF501591). Two additional primer pairs were used to further characterize the isolate: PepMoV coat protein (CP) gene primers 900/S (Melzer et al. 2012) and PepMoV NIb gene primers PMoVFP (5′-GTGATTTCAACAACCAGTTT-3′)/PMoVRP (5′-CCACTGTTATTGCCTCTGAA-3′) designed from the sequence generated by the universal potyvirus-specific primers (GenBank accession MH476197). The cDNA (1 µl) was subjected to PCR in a 20-µl reaction mixture containing 10 µl of GoTaq Master Mix (Promega) and 10 pmol of PMoVFP and PMoVRP primers. The thermal cycler program was as follows: 94°C for 5 min; followed by 35 cycles of amplification at 94°C for 30 s, 48°C for 30 s, and 72°C for 30 s; and a final extension at 72°C for 10 min. BLASTn analysis of the 670-bp CP amplicon (GenBank accession MH499458) shared 98% nucleotide sequence identity to a Hawaii isolate of PepMoV (JQ429788) infecting tomato. BLASTn analysis of the 310-bp NIb amplicon (GenBank accession MH476198) shared 97% nucleotide sequence identity to a PepMoV isolate from Florida (AF501591). These samples also tested positive for PepMoV by triple-antibody sandwich (TAS) ELISA using PepMoV-specific antibodies (Agdia). In June 2018, nine new apple of Peru samples with severe symptoms and three asymptomatic samples were collected from the same area and tested again. All of the symptomatic apple of Peru plants tested positive for PepMoV in TAS-ELISA using PepMoV-specific antibodies, whereas three asymptomatic plants tested negative. This study is the first report of apple of Peru as a host of PepMoV in Hawaii. Apple of Peru is an invasive weed in tomato and pepper fields in Hawaii, and our results indicate eliminating solanaceous weeds is an important management step to mitigate potential losses by PepMoV in these commercial crops.

CARRERO, Diego Alejandro Silva. Prospesçao química e farmacológica das folhas de Nicandra physalodes Garent (L). 2016. 155 f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Química)-Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, 2016. This work describes the isolation and characterization of nine compounds isolated from dichloromethane and ethyl acetate from leaves of Nicandra physalodes. The study was initiated with extract preparations, followed by successive classics chromatographic fractionations as: chromatography over silica gel, Sephadex LH- 20 gel and C18 cartridge solid phase extraction (SPE), as well as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The isolated compounds were analyzed by spectroscopic techniques 1H and 13C NMR, one and two-dimensional, and spectrometric techniques as IR and HR-ESI-MS. In total were isolated nine withanolides which are derivates from ergostane skeleton, being four belonging withanolides to group II, named as Np1, Np2, Np7 and Np9 (withanolides with the basic skeleton modified) and five belonging to group I, named as Np3, Np4, Np5, Np6 and Np8 (withanolides with the basic skeleton unmodified). According with a literature survey compounds nic-10 (Np1), nicandrenone (Np2), nic-7 (Np3), nic-2 (Np4) and nicaphysaline B (Np5) were previously reported to this species, but compounds 15 oxo-nicaphysaline B (Np6), 6-7dihidroxy-nicandrenone-10, (Np7), 24 -25dihidroxy-nicandrenone-2 (Np8), and 17-(1-metylpropan-2-one)- nicandrenone-10 (Np9) are being reported for the first time in the literature. Biological assays (antimicrobial, antifungal and larvicidal) were performed for the main compounds; however, the results were either negative or weakly active. Neste trabalho é descrito o isolamento e caracterização de nove compostos isolados dos extratos diclorometano e acetato de etila, obtidos das folhas de Nicandra physalodes. O estudo foi iniciado com a preparação dos extratos, seguido de sucessivos fracionamentos cromatográficos clássicos como: cromatografia em coluna aberta utilizando sílica gel, gel de dextrana Sephadex LH-20, cartucho C-18 (SPE), além de cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE). Os compostos isolados foram caracterizados através de técnicas espectroscópicas como RMN de 1H e 13C, uni e bidimensional, além de técnicas espectrométricas como IV e EMAR-ESI. No total foram isolados nove vitanolidos que são derivados do esqueleto ergostano, sendo quatro pertencentes ao grupo II, denominados Np1, Np2, Np7 e Np9 (vitanolidos com esqueleto base modificado) e cinco pertencentes ao grupo I, denominados Np3, Np4, Np5, Np6 e Np8 (vitanolidos com esqueleto base não modificado). De acordo com pesquisas realizadas na literatura e mediante comparação com dados de RMN de 1H e 13C, os compostos nic-10 (Np1), nicandrenona (Np2), nic-7 (Np3), nic-2 (Np4) e nicafisalina B (Np5), já haviam sido relatados na espécie, enquanto os compostos denominados como 15-oxo-nicafisalina B (Np6), 6-7dihidróxi-nicandrenona-10, (Np7), 24-25dihidróxi-nicandrenona-2, (Np8) e 17-(1-metilpropan-2-ona)-nicandrenona-10 (Np9), estão sendo relatados pela primeira vez. Foram realizados ensaios antimicrobiano, antifúngico e larvicida com os compostos isolados em maiores quantidades, porém os resultados forma negativos, ou fracamente ativos.

Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) as vectors for important diseases and parasites causing millions of deaths every year. The use of synthetic pesticides against Culicidae leads to resistance and environmental concerns. Therefore, eco-friendly control tools are a priority. In this research, Nicandra physalodes-mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) was conducted, in order to control larval populations of three important mosquito vectors, Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. Biofabricated Ag NPs were characterized using UV-vis spectrophotometry, XRD, FTIR spectroscopy, SEM, and TEM analyses. Ag NPs were highly toxic against the three mosquito vectors. Maximum efficacy was detected against A. stephensi (LC50=12.39μg/mL), followed by Ae. aegypti (LC50=13.61μg/mL) and Cx. quinquefasciatus (LC50=14.79μg/mL). Interestingly, Ag NPs were safer for the non-target aquatic organism Diplonychus indicus sharing the same aquatic habitats of mosquito larvae. LC50 and LC90 values were 1032.81 and 19,076.59μg/mL, respectively. Overall, our results highlight that N. physalodes-fabricated Ag NPs are a promising for development of eco-friendly larvicides against mosquito vectors, with negligible toxicity against non-target aquatic water bugs.

Successful management of weed infestations requires an understanding of their biology including seedbank longevity. The controlled ageing test used by the Millennium Seed Bank, Kew Gardens, was evaluated for several grass and broadleaf weed seeds. The method aims to estimate seed longevity from a seed survival curve, using a controlled environment to accelerate seed ageing. Eight species were tested: nodding thistle (Carduus nutans), white bryony (Bryonia cretica), bat-wing passion flower (Passiflora apetala), butterprint (Abutilon theophrasti), thorn apple (Datura stramonium), apple of Peru (Nicandra physalodes), broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum) and yellow bristle grass (Setaria pumila). The suggested measure of longevity is the point where germination has fallen by 50% (P50). Seed survival tested here did not follow the ideal logistic model for analysis. Because of rapid decline in germination, the point where seeds no longer germinate (P0) is considered to be a better measure of seed longevity.

Geminiviruses belong to a rapidly growing group of plant pathogens that contribute to crop losses in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Geminivirus infection is a model for plant DNA replication and virus/host interactions. Geminiviruses are also used as vectors to induce silencing of endogenous genes in several plant species. A method was analyzed for inoculating geminiviruses using plasmid DNA rubbed onto leaves in the presence of an abrasive (DNA abrasion). Although the use of DNA abrasion to inoculate geminiviruses has been described previously, the technique has fallen out of favor and has not been systematically optimized. However, consistent efficiencies of 100% infection rates can be achieved by DNA abrasion. The symptoms of Tomato Golden Mosaic Virus or Cabbage Leaf Curl Virus infection on Nicotiana benthamiana were similar in timing and appearance to the symptoms observed in plants inoculated using Agrobacterium as the delivery method. More importantly, silencing of an endogenous gene was highly efficient when a geminivirus silencing vector was inoculated by the DNA abrasion method. Other plant species successfully inoculated with geminiviruses by DNA abrasion were Nicotiana tabacum, Capsicum annuum and Nicandra physalodes. Unfortunately, Arabidopsis thaliana could not be infected with Cabbage Leaf Curl Virus using leaf abrasion, demonstrating limitation of the method. However, leaf abrasion to inoculate geminiviruses is an easy and inexpensive method that should be considered as an accessible technique to the growing number of researchers using geminiviruses.

Eleven new withanolides (1-11) were isolated and characterized from the aerial parts of Nicandra john-tyleriana. Five of these withanolides have an unmodified skeleton (1-5), two are acnistins (6, 7), and four are withajardins (8-11). These new isolates were fully characterized using a combination of spectroscopic techniques (including multidimensional NMR) and mass spectrometry. All compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial activity against Bacillus, Enterococcus, Escherichia, Listeria, Pseudomonas, and Staphylococcus strains. Fil: Gutiérrez Nicolás, Fátima. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina Fil: Reyes, Maria Guadalupe. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química; Argentina Fil: Audisio, Marcela Carina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química; Argentina Fil: Uriburu Monasterio, Maria Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química; Argentina Fil: Leiva González, Segundo. Universidad Privada Antenor Orrego de Trujillo; Perú Fil: Barboza, Gloria Estela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina Fil: Nicotra, Viviana Estela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina

In this work a morphoanatomical comparative characterization was carried out between the leaves of Nicandra physalodes (L.) Gaertn. and Physalis angulata L. (Solanaceae) species used in folk medicine, whose leaves are indicated as diuretic and febrifuge. The botanical identification and macroscopical morphodiagnosis were made after morphological studies. The microscopical morphodiagnosis were carried out by paradermic and transversal cuts of the leaves (blade and petiole), clarified and coloured with safranin and astrablue. Moreover the morphological characters of the flower and fruit, of the two species can be distinguished by the following characters: N. physalodes has the bundle vascular of the middle vein in arc format; P. angulata has the vascular bundle of the middle vein in a semi-circle format; druses in the mesophyll of P. angulata; andthe presence of trichomes glandular-estipitate with bisseriate head in N. physalodes. The morphology of flower and fruit and the anatomy of mesophyll, the vascular bundles of middle vein are the principal distinctive characters between them.

Areas surrounding the glasshouses of 60 growers, and 16 plant markets, were surveyed in 2001/ 2003 to determine the distribution of dipterous leafminers in Lithuania, including regulated species. In total, 152 species belonging to 7 families were discovered, and the infested host plants represented 46 families. The relative frequency of Liriomyza bryoniae was 32% in the vicinity of glasshouses and 19% in market places. This species attacked plant genera such as: Amaranthus, Beta, Bryonia, Chenopodium, Cucwnis, Datura, Gypsophila, Lycopersicon, Nicandra, Nicotiana, Physalis, Petunia, Sisymbrium, Solanum, Spinacia and Viola. The same plant genera also potentially provide sites for the survival of economically important species, Liriomyza huidobrensis and Liriomyza trifolii, in Lithuania.

An experiment to determine weed spectrum, weed seedling numbers, temperature and nutrient changes in manure heaped for one to five months was undertaken over two seasons. Weed seedling numbers in manure heaped for one to five months decreased significa ntly by 65–70%. The weed spectrum comprised 17 broadleaf weed species of which Amaranthus hybridus, Leucasmartinicensis and Nicandra physalodes were most prevalent. There were six grasses with Eleusine indica and Cynodon dactylon being dominant. Temperature increased from 20 °C in the unheaped manure to averages of 34 and 42 °C in manure heaped for three and five months respectively in the two seasons. In both season s nitrogen and potassium became more available as the period of manure heaping increased while phosphorus decreased. It was concluded that heaping manure for three months significantly reduces weed seed viability and enhances the availability of some nutr ients.

Summary Various in-vitro grafts of explanted internodes - the heterografts Nicandra physaloides on Lycopersicon esculentum and Vicia faba on Helianthus tuberosus as well as autografts of Nicandra physaloides and Vicia faba - were established in sterile culture. The histology of the graft union was studied by light and electron microscopy at different stages of development following the grafting procedure. Callus proliferation at the graft union started mainly in close association with the cut vascular bundles, while in the pith region an isolation layer was formed. Wound vascular elements differentiated either directly from parenchyma or, as a rule, from callus cells 3–5 days after grafting. Continuous wound xylem and wound phloem reconnecting the cut vascular bundles of both partners across the graft interface were formed in Nicandra as well as in Vicia autografts after 5 days. In the interfamiliar graft Nicandra/Lycopersicon continuous phloem connections were found 7 days after grafting. Wound cambium giving rise to secondary phloem and xylem elements was established in Nicandra autografts 7–10 days following grafting. Functioning of the wound phloem across the graft union has been examined at different developmental stages of in-vitro grafts using 14C-sucrose. One to 3 days after grafting there was only a small import of labelled sucrose into the stock, likely due to symplasmic or apoplasmic diffusion across the callus of the graft union. The translocation rate increased with the onset of phloem regeneration about 5-7 days after grafting. In the less compatible Nicandra/Lycopersicon graft about 4 weeks after grafting the import into the stock decreased again and abnormal vascular complexes were found in the scion at the same time; finally the whole graft withered away. Incompatibility of the interfamiliar graft Vicia faba on Helianthus tuberoses was characterised by a complete loss of vascular regeneration between the scion and stock and - consequently - by an extremely low rate of 14C-translocation into the stock.

A leaf-feeding tortoise beetle (Gratiana spadicea) was screened as a potential biological control agent for the invasive exotic weed Solanum sisymbriifolium in South Africa. Favorable biological characteristics of G. spadicea include a high rate of increase, long-lived and mobile adults, several generations per year, and a high per capita feeding rate. Host range was investigated in larval survival tests and adult choice tests under laboratory conditions. Larvae were successfully reared on 8 of 11 indigenous Solanum species, on 4 of 5 exotic Solanum species (apart from S. sisymbriifolium), and on economically important S. melongena (eggplant) but not on any of the species of Datura, Nicandra, and Physalis tested. Very limited adult feeding and oviposition occurred on several of the indigenous Solanum species and on eggplant. These trials were conducted under quarantine conditions with the potential for laboratory artifacts. The poor larval survival on nonhosts and the inability of the agent to recognize nonhosts as oviposition sites supported a request for release of this agent, which was subsequently granted.

The small genusExodeconus Rafinesque (Solanaceae) from Ecuador and Peru is revised for the first time. Six species are recognised. Key, descriptions, lectotypifications, illustrations, and distribution maps are provided. The new combinationExodeconus integrifolius (Philippi)Axelius is made. A hypothesis of the phylogenetic relationships within the genus, based on parsimony analyses of morphological data, is presented in form of a cladogram. A method to reveal hybrids by comparing their placement in cladograms based on morphological or on chloroplast DNA data, respectively, is presented. In light of this, a hypothesis of a hybrid origin ofExodeconus, or of the related genusNicandra Adanson, is discussed.

Mixed instars of Thrips tabaci were allowed to feed on test seedlings of cucumber, the thrips were removed and wounds caused by thrips feeding dusted with tobacco streak virus (TSV) carried in tomato pollen. Transmission of TSV occurred in three out of the four experiments conducted. When Chenopodium amaranticolor test seedlings were dusted with infective tomato pollen, and thrips introduced for varying periods before being killed with insecticide, TSV transmission occurred after exposure to thrips for 1 h, 5 h, 1 day or 2 days, but not 5 min. Pollen‐washing experiments indicated that TSV was carried both internally and externally in pollen of tomato and several weed hosts. T. tabaci was able to transmit TSV from pollen of Nicotiana clevelandii and Nicandra physalodes, and TSV from tomato pollen was transmitted to several weed species. It is concluded that T. tabaci transmits TSV associated with tomato pollen by a mechanical mechanism whereby virus carried externally, or released from inside the pollen, infects feeding wounds.

Atropa physalodes Linnaeus, Species Plantarum 1: 181. 1753. "Habitat in Peru. D.B. Jussieu." RCN: 1440. Lectotype (Schönbeck-Temesy in Rechinger, Fl. Iranica 100: 2. 1972): Herb. Linn. No. 246.3 (LINN). Current name: Nicandra physalodes (L.) Gaertn. (Solanaceae)., Published as part of Jarvis, Charlie, 2007, Chapter 7: Linnaean Plant Names and their Types (part A), pp. 252-342 in Order out of Chaos. Linnaean Plant Types and their Types, London :Linnaean Society of London in association with the Natural History Museum on page 340, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.291971

A determinação da gama de hospedeiros de begomovírus isolados de tomateiro (Lycopersicon esculentum) é de elevada importância nos estudos conduzidos com esses patógenos, uma vez que contribui para o entendimento da larga disseminação dos vírus em condições de campo e oferece subsídios para o estudo da variabilidade genética de espécies e estirpes identificadas em diversas regiões do país. Visando a determinação e a comparação da gama de hospedeiros de dois isolados de begomovírus de tomateiro obtidos de lavouras da região de Anápolis-GO (GO-ANPL) e do Distrito Federal (DF-BR2) inocularam-se 31 espécies vegetais pertencentes a oito famílias botânicas, sob duas modalidades de inoculação: mecânica e com a mosca branca, Bemisia tabaci biótipo B. Constatou-se que o GO-ANPL e o DF-BR2 infetaram exclusivamente plantas da família Solanaceae como Datura stramonium, Nicandra physalodes e Nicotiana benthamiana. Para o GO-ANPL, o número de espécies vegetais infetadas com o emprego do inseto vetor foi superior ao obtido pela inoculação mecânica, diferindo dos resultados obtidos para o DF-BR2 em que as plantas hospedeiras foram igualmente infetadas em ambos os métodos de inoculação. A comparação entre as hospedeiras dos dois isolados e destes com as de outros begomovírus de tomateiro da região Nordeste revelaram que há variação tanto nas espécies hospedeiras como na sintomatologia exibida pelas plantas infetadas. Os testes foram todos confirmados com hibridização com sondas moleculares, em "dot blot". Determination of the begomovirus host range determination in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) is an important feature in unveiling the genetic variability of species and strains of the virus and how it spreads under field conditions. In order to determine the host range of two begomoviruses isolated from tomato, denoted GO-ANPL and DF-BR2, 31 plant species of eight botanical families were tested via mechanical and vector inoculation. Both isolates only infected plants of the family Solanaceae as Datura stramonium, Nicandra physalodes e Nicotiana benthamiana. The GO-ANPL isolate infected a higher number of plants when they were inoculated by the insect vector. Results were distinct from those obtained with the DF-BR2 isolate, where both inoculation methods were equally effective. Comparison between these two isolates with other begomoviruses reported in Northeast Brazil revealed different patterns in host range and symptomss. Virus infection was confirmed by dot blot hybridization using specific molecular probes to begomovirus isolates.

The configuration and conformation of nicandrenone, isolated from Nicandra physalodes, are described using molecular modeling and NMR NOESY techniques. Amsterdam Density Functional (ADF) software was used, and the structures were those reduced to minimum energy molecular models, utilizing B3LYP executions and Density Functional Theory (DFT). The first spectral proof that this withanolide has a 22-R configuration is also provided. This method may be adaptable to other natural products.

The isolation and identification of 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-1α,2β,3α,6α-tetrahydroxy- nor -tropane from Nicandra physalodes Boehm. fruits (Solanaceae) is reported.

Potato virus A (PVA; genus Potyvirus, family Potyviridae) occurs wherever potatoes are grown and may reduce tuber yields as much as 40%. Its host range consists of six experimental hosts (Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium (Jusl.) P. Mill., Nicandra physalodes (L.) Gaertn., Nicotiana tabacum L., Solanum demissum Lindl., S. demissum × S. tuberosum [2], and Nicotiana debneyi Domin.) and two natural hosts (S. tuberosum L. and S. betaceae (Cav.) Sendt.) (2). Aphids transmit PVA in a stylet-born manner. Its difficult mechanical transmission, caused by a low virus concentration in potato and other hosts (1), has constrained pathological research on the virus. In routine studies to identify virus isolates from the field, we discovered that N. megalosiphon Van Heurck & Mull. Agr. is a superior host of PVA that markedly facilitated diagnosis, selection for resistance to PVA, and other research applications. The efficiency of mechanical transmission of PVA to potato (5 duplicated assays and 10 plants per assay) ranged from 0 to 10% with PVA-infected potato as the virus source, 0 to 30% with Nicandra physalodes, 10 to 30% with N. tabacum cv. Samsun, and 20 to 80% with N. megalosiphon as the source of virus. The efficiency of mechanical transmission to four systemic hosts of PVA with potato (cv. Russet Burbank) as the source of virus (5 duplicated assays and 10 plants per assay) ranged from 0 to 20% to potato, 0 to 30% to Nicandra physalodes, 10 to 40% to N. tabacum cv. Samsun, and 80 to 100% to N. megalosiphon. The superiority of N. megalosiphon as a host and source of PVA was associated with a high virus concentration in tissues. Infected potato leaves yielded 0.32 to 0.54 mg of virus per kg of infected leaves, Nicandra physalodes yielded 0.37 to 0.66 mg per kg, N. tabacum cv. Samsun yielded 0.78 to 1.22 mg per kg, and N. megalosiphon yielded 5.16 to 9.39 mg per kg of infected leaves in five different purification experiments. These yields are based on the amount of virus isolated in sucrose gradients subjected to rate-zonal centrifugation as the last step in purification (3). The virus antigen concentrations of the original PVA-infected tissues measured using quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ranked virus concentrations in the same relative order as purification but were nearly 2 times higher than were the purification yields. Similarly, local lesion assays on S. demissum A leaves (4) ranked infectious virus concentrations in the same order as did purification. Efficiency of aphid transmission from the four hosts was not assayed. Infected N. megalosiphon plants survived and served as sources of PVA for at least 1 year in a greenhouse. N. megalosiphon is an important new host of PVA because it facilitates the routine transmission of the virus and other manipulations essential for efficient research on control of the virus disease. References: (1) R. Bartels. No. 54 in: Descriptions of Plant Viruses. CMI, Kew, Surrey, UK, 1971. (2) A. Brunt. Page 77 in: Virus and Virus-Like Diseases of Potatoes and Production of Seed Potatoes. G Loebenstein et al., eds. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, the Netherlands, 2001. (3) P. E. Thomas and W. K. Kaniewski. Page 285 in: Virus and Virus-Like Diseases of Potatoes and Production of Seed Potatoes, G. Loebenstein et al., eds. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, the Netherlands, 2001. (4) R. E. Webb and R. W. Buck. Am Potato J. 32:248, 1955.

Potato virus A (PVA; genus Potyvirus, family Potyviridae) occurs wherever potatoes are grown and may reduce tuber yields as much as 40%. Its host range consists of six experimental hosts (Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium (Jusl.) P. Mill., Nicandra physalodes (L.) Gaertn., Nicotiana tabacum L., Solanum demissum Lindl., S. demissum × S. tuberosum, and Nicotiana debneyi Domin.) and two natural hosts (S. tuberosum L. and S. betaceae (Cav.) Sendt.) (1). N. physalodes and Nicotiana tabacum sometimes grow in nature in the eastern and southern United States (2) but have not been reported to be PVA sources in nature. PVA is known to survive winter in temperate climates only in tubers used for potato propagation and potato volunteers. We detected PVA in all six Black Nightshade (S. nigrum L.) and all six Hairy Nightshade (S. sarrachoides Sendt.) weeds expressing mild mosaic symptoms and growing in PVA-infected potato fields near Prosser, WA in September of 2002. PVA was not detected in any of the 24 Cutleaf Nightshade (S. trifolium) plants selected from the same fields. The virus was detected using double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with a test kit obtained from Agdia, Inc. (Elkhart, IN) and by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction using primers designated 3 (gta-ctg-aac-tgg-aaa-agt-act) and 4 (ccc-tga-cag-ttg-aaa-cat-aag) (3). One positive control for these assays was a PVA virus isolate from the “Shultz Collection” provided by Robert Goth (USDA, ARS, Beltsville, MD) in 1986. The Agdia, Inc. test kit also provided a positive control. We also transmitted PVA from one of the Black Nightshade and one of the Hairy Nightshade weeds to greenhouse-produced Nicotiana megalosiphon Van Heurck & Mull. Agr., Nicotiana tabacum cv. Samsum NN, S. tuberosum cv. Russet Burbank, S. sarrachoides, and S. nigrum plants by Myzus persicae Sulzer in a stylet-borne manner. The virus was transmitted from the greenhouse test plants back to S. sarrachoides and S. nigrum plants where it produced mild mosaic symptoms identical to virus from the original sources. PVA was not transmitted from weedy sources to Datura tatula L., Physalis floridana Rydb., or S. trifolium. M. persicae readily colonized S. sarrachoides, S. nigrum, and S. trifolium in the field and greenhouse. Since black and hairy nightshade are frequently found in potato fields (4) and our findings show these weeds to be hosts of PVA, their role in the epidemiology of this disease should be more fully evaluated. References: (1) A. Brunt. Potyviruses. Pages 77–86 in: Virus and Virus-Like Diseases of Potatoes and Production of Seed Potatoes. G. Loebenstein et al., eds. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston, 2001 (2) A. Ogg and B. S. Rogers. Rev. Weed Sci. 4:25, 1989. (3) M. Rajamaki et al. Virology 88:311, 1998. (4) USDA, NTPD, National Plant Data Center, Version 3.5 On-line Publication, 2004.

Potato leafroll virus (PLRV) was the most frequently detected virus in potato crops grown at a trial site in the Lockyer Valley. Queensland. Levels of infection with PLRV were significantly higher in autumn crops grown from one-off certified (saved) seed (maximum 51%) than in crops grown directly from certified seed (maximum 6%). Potato viruses S and X were very uncommon (maximum incidence each of 1%) and potato virus Y was not detected in these crops. Tomato, Nicandra physalodes and Physalis sp. were identified as field hosts of PLRV in Queensland and, additionally, Stachys aruensis (Labiatae), Nicotiana benthamiana, Nicotiana tabacum and Solanum americanum (Solanaceae) were shown to be experimental hosts. In field trials in the Lockyer Valley and the Redlands district, PLRV was detected in 45-65% of symptomless tomato plants growing within 300 m of the nearest source of PLRV-infected potatoes. Virus levels were lower in the leaves of potato cv. Pontiac than in those of cvv. Bison and Sebago 5 weeks after primary (aphid-borne) infection, but these differences were no longer apparent after 11 weeks. Four weeks after emergence, virus levels in cv. Bison were markedly higher than in cvv. Pontiac and Sebago in plants with secondary (tuber-borne) infection. After 9 weeks, virus levels in all cultivars were similar and were greater in lower than in upper leaves.

The androstenolone derivative (4) has been converted to the aromatic ring D ketone (16), in which the former C/D angular methyl is incorporated into the new D-ring, as in biosynthesis of Nicandra steroids.

SUMMARY Cassava latent virus (CLV) is almost entirely confined in East Africa to upland cassava-growing areas west of the Rift Valley, where it is often associated with cassava mosaic disease (it was isolated from 27 of 38 cassava plants with mosaic, but not from 24 without mosaic). However, it is not the causal agent, because it was not recovered from any of 31 mosaic-diseased plants in coastal districts. All attempts to return CLV to cassava failed. The host range of CLV appears to be limited to Euphorbiaceae (Manihot) and Solanaceae (Nicotiana, Datura, Nicandra, Solanum). N. clevelandii proved the most useful assay and propagation host. The dilution end-point of CLV was about 10-3, thermal inactivation point about 55°C, and longevity in vitro about 3 days. CLV was purified by clarification of leaf extracts with butanol/chloroform mixtures. Purified preparations (A 260/A 280 ratio c. 16) contained numerous 30 20 nm paired particles with a sedimentation coefficient (s20w) of 76 S. Treatment with RNase and DNase showed that the viral nucleic acid is DNA; CLV closely resembles maize streak virus but is not related to it serologically. The cryptogram for CLV is D/1: 0.8/*: S/S: S/*, geminivirus group.

SUMMARY A previously undescribed plant virus, Solanum apical leaf curling virus (SALCV), was found in cultivated potato and indigenous wild solanaceous plants in an area of high jungle near San Ramon, Peru. Symptoms in potato consisting of red, purple or pink discoloration, curling, crinkling and dwarfing of apical leaves develop soon after infection. Symptoms from tuber-borne infection may also include dwarfing and stunting, dormancy may be prolonged and sprouts may be filiform producing small plants with very thin stems. The virus is transmissible by grafting, but was not transmitted through seed, by aphids or leafhoppers tested, nor by mechanical inoculation of sap. Infected Datura tatula and D. stramonium, the most useful indicator hosts, developed yellowing of the small veins of newly formed leaves followed by distortion, dwarfing, and cupping of subsequently formed leaves. Tomato, Solanum nigrum, Nicandra physalodes and Nicotiana benthamiana were also infected experimentally. N. physalodes, Solanum basendopogon, D. tatula and Physalis peruviana were naturally infected in the field. Antiserum produced in rabbits was suitable for ELISA which detected SALCV in a range of graft-inoculated and naturally infected plants. Most virus particles in purified preparations and those trapped on antiserum sensitised grids treated with infective sap were c. 52 times 17 nm and consisted of three quasi-isometric units in a straight chain. This particle morphology although novel, suggests possible affinities with geminiviruses.

SUMMARY A species of the flea beetle (Epitrix sp.) transmitted Andean potato latent virus (APLV) from Datura stramonium to D. stramonium, Nicandra physalodes and potato, and from N. physalodes to N. physalodes and D. stramonium. Although the acquisition and inoculation feeding times used were varied, this transmission always occurred at low efficiency. By contrast, APLV was very readily transmitted in tests in which infected plants of D. stramonium, N. physalodes, Nicotiana bigelovii and potato were brushed against healthy plants of one or more of these species. A low level of seed transmission of APLV occurred in potato.

The acarian Eriophyes cladophthirus Nal. causes necrosis of the vegetative shoots of tomato and Nicandra and an inhibition and a modification of their apical growth, which are often accompanied by fasciation phenomena, the development of supernumerary buds and the proliferation of various shapes on the leaves. The foliar proliferations are warts, simple outgrowths, radially or dorsiventrally symmetrical appendices looking like small leaves and neoformed buds. In both species, intermediate forms of the various categories are found. The radially or dorsiventrally symmetrical appendices are simple or branched, vascularized or not, irregularly grouped or laid out in a more or less obvious phyllotaxy. They may appear directly on the leaf or may be the result of the activity of a neoformed apex. In this great diversity of shapes, many morphological continua, based on a number of criteria (symmetry, vascularization, etc.), have been identified. Some of them are common to both species, others only pertain to one or the other. [Journal translation]

Tlie known or actual host-plant range of Lema trilineata (Olivier) sensu latu was compiled from literature records, host records in insect collections, and original observations. The potential host range of L. trilineata daturaphila Kogan & Goeden was defined by means of a paired comparison test using leaf discs punched from 30 species of test plants and from Datura meteloides A. DC, the standard of comparison. Feeding was quantitatively evaluated using a photometric technique. Lema t. daturaphila apparently is restricted to the Solanaceae, showing a marked feeding preference for plants belonging to the genera Datura, Physalis, Atropa, Nicandra, and Salpichroa .

Green peach aphids reared on turnip stecklings acquired a virus that was transmitted to plants of Physalis floridana Rydb. and P. pubescens L., hosts used in potato leaf roll studies. Symptoms on these hosts consisted of a yellowing of the veins of the leaves. Nicandra physalodes L., when infected, showed severe stunting and chlorosis. The virus was carried without symptoms on turnips and showed only slight stunting on several species of Brassica. It was not transmitted by mechanical inoculation and it does not appear to be similar to any of the viruses previously reported in turnips. The aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) acquired the virus during a seven-hour feeding period, and after a latent period of approximately 23 hr., transmitted the virus during a one-hour test-feeding period. Once infective, aphids remained so for several days.