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- Prediction of the Potential Distribution of Drosophila suzukii on Madeira Island Using the Maximum Entropy ModelingPublication . Macedo, Fabrício Lopes; Ragonezi, Carla; Reis, Fábio; Freitas, José G. R. de; Lopes, David Horta; Aguiar, António Miguel Franquinho; Cravo, Délia; Carvalho, Miguel A. A. Pinheiro deDrosophila suzukii is one of the main pests that attack soft-skinned fruits and cause significant economic damage worldwide. Madeira Island (Portugal) is already affected by this pest. The present work aimed to investigate the potential distribution of D. suzukii on Madeira Island to better understand the limits of its geographical distribution on the island using the Maximum Entropy modeling (MaxEnt). The resultant model provided by MaxEnt was rated as regular discrimination with the area under the curve (AUC, 0.7–0.8). Upon scrutinizing the environmental variables with the greatest impact on the distribution of D. suzukii, altitude emerged as the dominant contributor, with the highest percentage (71.2%). Additionally, elevations ranging from 0 to 500 m were identified as appropriate for the species distribution. With the results of the model, it becomes possible to understand/predict which locations will be most suitable for the establishment of the analyzed pest and could be further applied not only for D. suzukii but also for other species that hold the potential for substantial economic losses in this insular region.
- Structure and floristic composition associated with an endangered species Beta patula Aiton (Amaranthaceae) in the Islands of Madeira ArchipelagoPublication . Nóbrega, Humberto; Freitas, Gregório; Zavattieri, M. A.; Ragonezi, Carla; Carvalho, Miguel Â. A. Pinheiro deTwenty-two native Crop Wild Relatives (CWR) occur in specific dry environments of Madeira Archipelago, like Desembarcadouro islet in Ponta de São Lourenço and Chão islet in Desertas Islands. Nine of them share the same gene pool with crop species included in Annex I of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Amongst them, Beta patula Aiton, an IUCN Critically Endangered species, has been studied in detail for in situ and ex situ conservation. The present paper summarises the information recorded during the Beta patula population assessment. Valuable information on plant communities associated with this species was obtained.
- Viral diagnosis in cultivars of Ipomoea batatas (L.) LamPublication . Andrade, Carlos G.; Silva, Emanuel M. da; Ragonezi, Carla; Carvalho, Miguel Â. A. Pinheiro deIpomoea batatas (L.) Lam. commonly known as sweet potato, is an important staple food worldwide, mainly due to its high nutritional value and yield. However, vegetative reproduction of sweet potato makes it more susceptible to viral infections, which threatens its productivity, quality, and difficult long-term preservation in germplasm banks. Also, it can act as a virus reservoir infecting the rest of the plant accessions in the bank collections. Hence, this work aimed to screen Begomovirus, Potyvirus, and Carlavirus infections in 16 traditional sweet potato cultivars from the germplasm collection of the ISOPlexis Germplasm Bank, Madeira, Portugal. The infection prevalence by these viruses among cultivars was 81.25%, 25.00%, and 6.25%, respectively; being ISOP1011 the only accession coinfected by Potyvirus and Carlavirus. The accessions ISOP1006, ISOP1010, and ISOP1047 were also coinfected by Begomovirus and Potyvirus, highlighting their vulnerability to viral infections. The ISOP1005 and ISOP1027 accessions were the only ones not infected by any of these viruses. The analysis of the partial sequence obtained from the Carlavirus detected in the accession ISOP1011, revealed the existence of an ORF that encodes for 93 amino acids of the catalytic domain of an RNA-directed RNA polymerase related to the Tymovirus protein family, as could be confirmed by comparison with proteins stored in UniProtKB. Multiple sequence alignment with these proteins showed that Motifs A and B of the catalytic domain were conserved. The search for sequence similarity with sequences deposited in GenBank reported a high sequence identity with Sweet potato yellow mottle virus (SPYMV) and Sweet potato chlorotic fleck virus (SPCFV). However, the 9-11% discrepancy in nucleotide sequence identity and a phylogenetic analysis carried out using the maximum probability method suggests the virus isolated from ISOP1011 is a new divergent strain of the SPCFV species.
- Nutraceutical potential of Asparagopsis taxiformis (Delile) Trevisan extracts and assessment of a downstream purification strategyPublication . Nunes, N.; Valente, S.; Ferraz, S.; Barreto, Maria Carmo; Carvalho, M. A. A. Pinheiro deThe main goal of the present work was to determine the nutraceutical potential of Asparagopsis taxiformis D. extracts from Madeira Archipelago south coast. Extraction methodologies consisted either/or in 72 hours stirring, at room temperature (M1), or 6 cycles of Soxhlet extraction (M2), both with re-extraction. Solvents used were distilled water, ethanol, methanol and ethyl acetate. M1 allowed to obtain the highest values for extraction yield (31.65 g.100g 1 dw) using water, whereas iodine content (3.37 g.100g 1 dw), TPC (1.71 g GAE.100g 1 dw) and chlorophyll a (45.96 mg.100g 1 dw) were obtained using ethanol, and TCC (36.23 mg.100g 1 dw) with methanol. Extracts that showed higher reduction activity in M1 were derived from ethanol extraction (1,908 mg AAE.100g 1 dw). Water and ethanol were the best solvents for higher DPPH scavenging activity in M2, both with same result (IC50 1.37 mg.mL 1 ). The lowest value of IC50 for chelating activity (1.57 mg.mL 1 ) was determined in M1, using ethyl acetate. The remaining residue was used to obtain other products, i.e. lipid extraction (M1, 2.05 g.100g 1 dw), carrageenans (M2, 21.18 g.100g 1 dw) and cellulose (M1, 23.81 g.100g 1 dw) with subsequent FTIR ATR analysis. Our results show that A. taxiformis is a valuable source of bioactive compounds. The M1 extraction methodology using ethanol is the most effective solvent to produce an iodine rich bioactive extract with potential of being used as a nutraceutical supplement. Also, we have demonstrated a possible downstream strategy that could be implemented for multiple compound extraction from A. taxiformis residue. This has a vital importance for future feasibility, when using this biomass as an industrial feedstock for multiple products production. Statistical analysis, using SPSS 24.0, was also performed and important correlations were found between assays and methods.
- The Expected Impact of Climate in the Grapevine Culture, in Madeira Region, PortugalPublication . Macedo, Fabrício Lopes de; Carvalho, Miguel Ângelo Almeida Pinheiro deIt's increasingly important to know the effects of climate change on crops. This study aimed to determine the bioclimatic indices for the main wine-growing areas of Madeira island, for the current period and for two simulated climate scenarios to understand the potential and limits that will be imposed on the development of vine culture. The climate characterization process was mainly based on the Multicriteria Climatic Classification System (Géoviticulture MCC System) and used for the Winkler Index (WI), used to describe the suitability of crop cultivation in different climates. Heliothermal Index (HI) in general, showed that the regions analysed will not change in terms of heat accumulation, except for the region of Quinta Grande and Santana. For the Night Cold Index (CI), the regions of Quinta Grande, São Vicente, and Santana currently have minimum ideal temperatures for a good maturation of the vineyards. The Dryness Index (DI) showed that currently and in the simulated scenarios, all regions have not suffered from drastic water restrictions. In the regions of Quinta Grande, São Vicente, Ponta do Pargo, and Santana according to the Winkler Index (WI), the quality of the wines will change if the results of the simulations come true.
- Monitoring system and in situ conservation of endemic and threatened Beta patula Aiton populations in Madeira RegionPublication . Nóbrega, H.; Freitas, G.; Zavattieri, M. A.; Ragonezi, C.; Frese, L.; Carvalho, M. A. A. Pinheiro det Madeira Archipelago is a hotspot for crop wild relatives (CWR) of crop cultures. Some of these CWR are present in very specific environments, such as, in Ponta de Sa˜o Lourenc¸o or Desertas Islands. One such species is Beta patula Aiton, a Critically Endan gered species which belongs to the Gene Pool 1b of cultivated beets. A continuous effort has been devel oped for its ex situ conservation through the storage of accessions (ISOP2512 and ISOP1911) in the ISO Plexis GeneBank at the University of Madeira Simultaneously, a series of studies have been carried out to understand the species’ ecogeographic and ecological requirements, to validate populations’ boundaries and sizes, and to establish population dynamics. This study includes a complete floristic survey at the B. patula locations of, Desembar cadouro islet (DI) with 12 (DI1–DI12) sampling sites, and Cha˜o islet (CI) with 3 (CI1–CI3). Several Biodiversity indices were calculated for these loca tions. Plot DI3 exhibited the highest values for Corrected Evenness (E0 = 0.77 ± 0.07), Shannon– Weaver Diversity Index (H0 = 2.48 ± 0.12), and Hill’s Index (N2 = 4.47 ± 0.72), with a total sum of 306 individuals of B. patula. The demographic status of B. patula populations in DI and CI was determined yearly between 2014 and 2018. The results show an average population size of 16,906 and 2917 plants, respectively. These data will be used for the estab lishment of a protocol to monitor and manage a genetic reserve for B. patula and other CWR. By doing so, our work will contribute to the implemen tation of the European genetic reserve network.
- Encapsulation with Natural Polymers to Improve the Properties of Biostimulants in AgriculturePublication . Jiménez-Arias, David; Morales-Sierra, Sarai; Silva, Patrícia; Carrêlo, Henrique; Gonçalves, Adriana; Ganança, José Filipe Teixeira; Nunes, Nuno; Gouveia, Carla S. S.; Alves, Sónia; Borges, João Paulo; Carvalho, Miguel Â. A. Pinheiro deEncapsulation in agriculture today is practically focused on agrochemicals such as pes ticides, herbicides, fungicides, or fertilizers to enhance the protective or nutritive aspects of the entrapped active ingredients. However, one of the most promising and environmentally friendly technologies, biostimulants, is hardly explored in this field. Encapsulation of biostimulants could indeed be an excellent means of counteracting the problems posed by their nature: they are easily biodegradable, and most of them run off through the soil, losing most of the compounds, thus becoming inaccessible to plants. In this respect, encapsulation seems to be a practical and profitable way to increase the stability and durability of biostimulants under field conditions. This review paper aims to provide researchers working on plant biostimulants with a quick overview of how to get started with encapsulation. Here we describe different techniques and offer protocols and suggestions for introduction to polymer science to improve the properties of biostimulants for future agricultural applications.
- Prospeção e caracterização dos recursos genéticos de macieira, Malus domestica Borkh, na MadeiraPublication . Gouveia, Carla S.S.; Ascarini, Fabio; Nóbrega, Humberto G. M. de; Freitas, José G. R. de; Carvalho, Miguel Â. A. Pinheiro deA Madeira possui condições agroecológicas únicas, que permitem o desenvolvimento de grande diversidade de espécies frutícolas. A macieira é uma fruteira tradicional na Madeira que se distribui pelas suas freguesias montanhosas, desde o Oeste, Achadas da Cruz, até o Este, Faial. O cultivo da macieira desenvolve-se em pequenos pomares, que albergam uma diversidade de cultivares, cuja produção é consumida em fresco ou utilizada na produção de sidra. A prospeção e inventariação dos recursos genéticos desta fruteira procura aprofundar os conhecimentos sobre a sua diversidade, tendo resultado no registo de 10 variedades de conservação no Catálogo Nacional de Variedades, entre as quais o Pero Domingos, a Maçã Barral, a Maçã Cara de Dama e o Pero Calhau. Os dados desta inventariação são disponibilizados, através das plataformas GRIN-Global e GBIF. Está em curso um projeto que visa a valorização destas variedades locais, através da sua caracterização morfo-agronómica e nutricional. O presente trabalho apresenta os resultados preliminares da caracterização morfométrica de 4 dessas variedades. Os parâmetros utilizados incluem o hábito de crescimento, época de floração, frutificação e colheita, e 10 caracteres morfológicos do fruto. Os resultados obtidos permitem-nos inferir que as 4 variedades são distintas entre si e apresentam características agronómicas que lhes conferem valor comercial. Adicionalmente, o fruto do Pero Domingos foi analisado em relação a 5 parâmetros nutricionais e físico-químicos, e à sua aptidão para consumo em fresco ou processado (desidratado, compotas, sidra). O Pero Domingos apresentou um bom tempo de conservação no pós-colheita. No entanto, recomenda-se o seu uso na produção de sidra ou confeção de compotas até 1 semana de pós-colheita. O teor de sólidos solúveis variou significativamente nas compotas. O pH da sidra diminuiu significativamente com a profundidade da coluna na pipa.
- Phenotypic flexibility and drought avoidance in taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott)Publication . Gouveia, Carla S. S.; Ganança, José F. T.; Nóbrega, Humberto G. M.; Freitas, José G. R. de; Lebot, Vincent; Carvalho, Miguel Â. A. Pinheiro deTaro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) is a substantial staple food in most of the tropical regions. Prolonged exposure to drought impairs crop production worldwide. Tolerant crops have the best capability to cope and avoid drought, through phenotypic flexibility mechanisms. The water use efficiency (WUE) is well known in taro crops, but very scarce information is available relating to their nutrient efficiency (NER) in drought conditions. Our work provided pertinent information about the physiological variation of seven taro accessions subjected to seven months of drought, by recording the differences for nutrient allocation, chlorophyll canopy, biomass loss, and stress intensity. Significant relationships between control and drought treatments on WUE (+85%), total plant biomass (TPB, -26.8%), chlorophyll content index (CCI, +1.8%), and nutrient harvest index (NHI, +0.2%) were detected. Drought led to a generalized loss of TPB as drought avoidance strategy, although distinct phenotypic flexibility was observed through the root: shoot ratio (R:S) and stress index (SI) from the corm and shoot organs. The nutrient allocation from the corms to shoots, with NER increase registered in drought conditions, can be a valuable tool to complement the TPB and WUE productivity traits, to be used in taro breeding programs.
- Screening of elite and local taro (Colocasia esculenta) cultivars for drought tolerancePublication . Ganança, José Filipe T.; Freitas, José Gregório F.; Nóbrega, Humberto Gil M.; Rodrigues, Vanessa; Antunes, Gonçalo; Rodrigues, Miguel; Carvalho, Miguel Ângelo A. Pinheiro de; Lebot, VincentTaro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) is a vegetative propagated tropical root occupying the 9th position among world food crops. Taro is an important staple food for many local populations of Asia and Africa. The crop is dependent of wet and highly irrigated growth conditions. Under the scenario of undergoing climatic changes, is estimated that taro production could decrease in the next 30 years as result of drought constraints. The project EU Aid Taro, DCI-Food/2009/45 “adapting propagated crops to climatic and commercial changes” aims to study ways to adapt this clonally propagated root to these climatic changes. A set of drought stress assays were realized at ISOPlexis Genebank (Madeira University), using local taro cultivars (Macaronesian taro genepool) and elite cultivars and seedlings provided by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC). The 1st pilot assay was realized in a small greenhouse, included 3 local cultivars and aimed to modelate the wattering regimes and their influence on crop growth. The 2nd full assay was realized in two greenhouses, during a full plant growth cycle. Thirty four taro cultivars, 15 elite lines provided by SPC, and 19 local cultivars, from Madeira (10), Canary Islands (6), Azores (2), and Cyprus (1) were screened. Plants were individually cultivated in pots under 2 contrasting wattering regimes, high (0,36 liters/day) and low (0,18 liters/day ). Data for 14 morpho-agronomic traits, biomass and yield parameters were collected from 5 plants for each cultivar, per treatment.