RESUMO Alternaria sp. é um fungo que causa podridão em diferentes culturas agrícolas, causando danos a cadeia de produção. Agentes de controle biológico são uma alternativa para reduzir o uso de agrotóxicos nas lavouras, uma demanda social para a agricultura moderna. O objetivo deste trabalho é demonstrar o efeito antagônico da levedura Trichosporon asahii (3S44) no desenvolvimento micelial de Alternaria sp. e alguns dos mecanismos de ação in vitro. Trichosporon asahii apresenta atividade antagônica frente Alternaria sp., com inibição micelial (57,47%). Os ensaios indicaram a produção de compostos orgânicos voláteis (COVs), competição por nutrientes, formação de biofilme, produção de toxina killer e β-1,3-glucanase como mecanismos de ação de T. asahii. Coletivamente, os resultados demonstraram o potencial de T. asahii no controle do desenvolvimento micelial de Alternaria sp. e mecanismos de ação da levedura, para futuros estudos biotecnológicos.

ABSTRACT Alternaria sp. is a fungus that causes rot in several crops, causing damage to the agricultural production chain. Biological control agents constitute an alternative to reduce the use of pesticides in the crops, a social demand for modern agriculture. The aim of the present study is to demonstrate the antagonistic effect of the yeast Trichosporon asahii (3S44) on the mycelial development of Alternaria sp. and some in vitro mechanisms of action. Trichosporon asahii showed antagonistic activity towards Alternaria sp., presenting mycelial inhibition (57.47%). The assays indicated production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), competition for nutrients, biofilm formation, production of killer toxins and β-1,3-glucanase as mechanisms of action of T. asahii. Collectively, our results showed the potential of T. asahii to control the mycelial development of Alternaria sp. and some mechanisms of action of this yeast for future biotechnological studies.

RESUMO Fungos do gênero Trichoderma são importantes promotores de crescimento vegetal, por aumentarem a eficiência na utilização de nutrientes e atuarem como agentes de biocontrole. Objetivou-se a seleção de isolados de Trichoderma spp. com potencial de solubilização de fosfato e sua aplicação como promotores de crescimento em interação com preparados homeopáticos, em tomateiro cereja. Dentre 16 isolados de Trichoderma spp. obtidos em solos de áreas de produção orgânica de tomateiro testados in vitro, em conjunto com um produto comercial (Trichodermil®), dois apresentaram produção de ácido indolacético e solubilização de fosfato. O Trichoderma “R” foi o isolado de maior índice de velocidade de crescimento micelial, com duas vezes mais esporos do que o produto comercial. Um experimento in vivo também foi conduzido em estufa, para verificar o potencial de isolados de Trichoderma spp. e preparados homeopáticos no crescimento de tomateiro cereja, utilizando-se delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 4 x 3, com três isolados de Trichoderma e dois preparados homeopáticos (Phosphorus 6CH e Carbo vegetabilis 6CH) + tratamento sem homeopatia. Avaliou-se a área foliar e a massa seca das folhas e das raízes. Verificou-se que o isolado “R”, identificado como Trichoderma asperellum, foi eficiente na promoção de crescimento do tomateiro cereja, ao passo que os preparados homeopáticos aplicados não apresentaram efeito.

ABSTRACT Trichoderma fungi are considered relevant plant growth promoters for increasing the efficiency in the use of nutrients, as well as acting as biological control agents. This study aimed to select Trichoderma spp. isolates with potential for phosphate solubilization and their application as growth promoters in interaction with homeophatic preparations, in cherry tomato. Among 16 Trichoderma spp. isolates obtained from soils of organic tomato growing areas tested in vitro, together with a commercial product (Trichodermil®), two of them showed the ability for indole-3-acetic acid production and phosphate solubilization. The Trichoderma “R” had the highest mycelial growth speed index and presented twice as much spores than the commercial product. An in vivo experiment was also conducted in a greenhouse, in order to observe the potential of Trichoderma spp. isolates and homeophatic preparations on the cherry tomato growth promotion, using a randomized block experimental design, in a 4 x 3 factorial arrangement, with three Trichoderma isolates and two homeopathic preparations (Phosphorus 6CH and Carbo vegetabilis 6CH) + treatment without homeopathic preparation. The leaf area and dry mass of leaves and roots were determined. It was possible to observe that the isolate “R”, identified as Trichoderma asperellum, was effective in the cherry tomato growth promotion, while the homeopathic preparations applied did not show any effect.

Abstract Rhizosphere and phylloplane yeasts are able to produce phytohormones, acting as potential plant growth promoters. The aim of this study was to analyze the production of indole acetic acid (IAA) by yeasts using variations in the culture conditions. The yeasts evaluated were Rhodotorula mucilaginosa and Trichosporon asahii, which were cultivated in a potato broth medium with 20 g/L of glucose or sucrose as the carbon source. The cultivation was carried out at 22°C, 25°C or 30°C, and the initial pH was adjusted to 3.0, 4.5 or 6.0. The cultures were analyzed using a colorimetric technique with Salkowski reagent. The cell count was determined in all of the conditions. The results for T. asahii showed that IAA production with sucrose was superior at pH 6.0, and that with glucose was superior at pH 4.5. These results indicate an association between the carbon source and medium pH. Rh. mucilaginosa (2F32) presented a high IAA production when compared with T. asahii (3S44 and 4C06) or even with other microorganisms referenced in the literature. The highest production (0.655 g/L) was obtained at pH 6.0 with glucose as the carbon source. Variations in the culture conditions did not affect the cell growth of the yeasts.

ABSTRACT Objective The present study aimed to evaluate the in vivo response of a resistance training and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on tibias and femurs of rats with diabetes mellitus (DM). Materials and methods Forty male Wistar rats were randomly distributed into four experimental groups: control group (CG), diabetic group (DG), diabetic trained group (TG) and diabetic trained and laser irradiated group (TLG). DM was induced by streptozotocin (STZ) and after two weeks laser and resistance training started, performed for 24 sessions, during eight weeks. At the end of the experiment, animals were euthanized and tibias and femurs were removed for analysis. Histological, histomorphometrical, immunohistochemistry and mechanical analyses were performed. Results Trained groups, with or without laser irradiation, showed increased cortical area, bone density and biomechanical properties. The immunohistochemical analysis revealed that TG and TLG demonstrated an increased RUNX2 expression. RANK-L immunoexpression was similar for all experimental groups. Conclusion In conclusion, it can be suggested that the resistance exercise program stimulated bone metabolism, culminating in increased cortical tibial area, bone mineral content, bone mineral density and biomechanical properties. Furthermore, the association of physical exercises and LLLT produced higher values for bone mineral content and stiffness. Consequently, these data highlight the potential of physical exercise in the management of bone loss due to DM and the possible extra osteogenic stimulus offered by lasertherapy. Further long-term studies should be carried out to provide additional information.

The alteration of minerals in rocks and the availability of elements for plant nutrition require long periods of time, and microorganisms are thought to induce the release of potassium and phosphate from rocks. In this context, this work evaluates the role of the yeast Torulaspora globosa, isolated from the sugar cane rhizosphere, in the solubilization of potassium from alkaline ultramafic rock powder. The experiments were performed in liquid medium, with or without agitation, at 30°C with the following treatments: culture medium + alkaline ultramafic; culture medium + yeast suspension; and culture medium + yeast suspension + alkaline ultramafic. The results showed that as much as 38% of the total potassium in the rock was released in the medium with the yeast during a 15-day period of incubation. Acid production may be the mechanism by which the yeast solubilizes potassium because the total acidity increased during the sampling period. Agitation (which increased oxygen availability) resulted in approximately 20% more biosolubilization of the alkaline ultramafic rock than with the static culture. These data indicate the potential for this yeast in biosolubilization processes and biofertilizer production.

Yeasts isolated from sugar cane and maize rhizosphere, leaves and stalks were screened against the phytopathogenic molds Colletotrichum sublineolum and Colletotrichum graminicola, both causal agents of the anthracnose disease in sorghum and maize, respectively. Strains identified as Torulaspora globosa and Candida intermedia were able to inhibit the mold growth, with the first species also exhibiting killer activity. No previous report on the application and potentiality of these yeasts as biocontrol agents were found neither the killer phenotype in Torulaspora globosa.