Submitted by Gabriela Lopes (gmachadolopesufpel@gmail.com) on 2016-09-27T14:16:41Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Dissertação Raque Bartz Kneib.pdf: 709774 bytes, checksum: ed9b7474064e09348586e51c9221a9fa (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Aline Batista (alinehb.ufpel@gmail.com) on 2016-09-28T17:06:46Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação Raque Bartz Kneib.pdf: 709774 bytes, checksum: ed9b7474064e09348586e51c9221a9fa (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-28T17:06:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação Raque Bartz Kneib.pdf: 709774 bytes, checksum: ed9b7474064e09348586e51c9221a9fa (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-07-31 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / A batata é o terceiro principal alimento produzido no mundo, e é um dos cultivos mais promissores para suprimir a fome em países em desenvolvimento. Cerca de 40 viroses infectam a cultura da batata, entre estas, o Potato virus Y (PVY) é, atualmente, o que causa maior impacto negativo na cultura. O PVY é transmitido de diversas formas, todas com controle e manejo deficitários, tornando a resistência genética a medida de controle mais eficaz. Esta resistência é controlada pelos genes Ry encontrados em espécies silvestres de batata. Marcadores do tipo SCAR (Sequence Characterized Amplified Region), os quais amplificam a região que contém o gene Ry, foram desenvolvidos e estão disponíveis para uso pelos programas de melhoramento de batata. Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de aumentar a eficiência dos programas de melhoramento de batata em relação à resistência ao PVY fazendo uso da seleção assistida por marcadores moleculares. A dissertação foi dividida em dois capítulos. No primeiro, visando estimar a dosagem alélica do gene Ry e selecionar clones com múltiplas cópias do gene Ry para serem usados como genitores no programa de melhoramento de batata, foram genotipadas sete famílias clonais, envolvendo cinco genitores com resistência ao PVY, utilizando os marcadores SCAR RYSC3 e M45. Para o gene Ryadg, com base no marcador RYSC 3, dos cinco genitores resistentes ao PVY avaliados, quatro, C1883-22-97, C2372-02-02, C2388-01-02, e MB9846-1, são simplex, e o genitor C2389-01-02 é duplex. Para o gene Rysto, com base no marcador M45, dois genitores, C2388-01-02 e MB9846-1, são simplex, e o genitor C2389-01-02 é duplex. Para os genitores C1883-22-97 e C2372-02-02, as frequências observadas de presença do gene Rysto, nas progênies avaliadas, não se adequaram estatisticamente a nenhuma das constituições genotípicas propostas. No segundo capítulo, com objetivo de identificar germoplasma de batata com resistência extrema ao vírus Y associada aos componentes da aparência e do rendimento de tubérculos, além verificar as associações entre esses caracteres, foram avaliados clones portadores do gene Ry, oriundos de oito combinações genéticas distintas. As combinações genéticas C2389-01-02 x Asterix, e, BRS Ana x C1883-22-97, mostraram maior potencial para serem exploradas visando agregar a resistência ao vírus Y aos caracteres desejáveis de rendimento e de aparência de tubérculo. O grau de correlação entre caracteres indica fortíssima e direta associação entre aparência geral e aspereza de tubérculo; forte e direta associação da intensidade da cor de película com aspereza e aparência geral de tubérculo, entre número e massa média de tubérculo, entre massa média e cor da película, e entre massa total e número total de tubérculos; e forte e inversa associação de formato com cor da polpa, cor da película e massa média de tubérculos. Os resultados encontrados no nosso estudo mostraram que os marcadores moleculares RYSC3 e M45 são uma importante ferramenta para ser usada pelos programas de melhoramento de batata visando acelerar o processo de desenvolvimento de cultivares com resistência ao PVY. / Potato is the third main food crop in the world, and is one of the most promising crop to suppress hunger in developing countries. From the 40 viruses which infect potato growing fields, Potato virus Y (PVY) is currently considered the most important one. PVY is transmitted by several ways, all of them with limited control, begin genetic resistance the main way to control this important disease controlled by Ry genes. Molecular markers, which amplify the region containing Ry gene have been developed and are available to be used by potato breeding. This work was developed with the aim of increasing the efficiency of potato breeding programs for resistance to PVY making use of molecular assisted selection. The dissertation is divided into two chapters. In the first chapter, in order to estimate allelic dosage of Ry genes in clones used as genitors in the breeding program, progenies from seven families were genotyped with the markers RYSC3 and M45. For Ryadg gene, based on the marker RYSC, from the five PVY resistant parents analysed, four are simplex, C1883-22-97, C2372-02-02, C2388-01-02 and MB9846-1, and one is duplex, C2389- 01-02. For Rysto gene, based on the marker M45, both parents, C2388-01-02 and MB9846-1, are simplex, and the parent C2389-01-02 is duplex. For the C1883-22-97 and C2372-02-02, it was not possible to estimate the allelic dosage of the Rysto gene. In the second chapter, in order to identify germplasm with extreme resistance to PVY associated to desirable agronomic traits, clones carrying the Ry gene, belonging from eight different genetic combinations, were evaluated for characteres related to tuber appearance and yield. The genetic combinations C2389-01-02 x Asterix and BRS Ana x C1883-22-97 showed good potential to be exploited in order to add resistance to virus Y to traits related to yield and tuber appearance. The correlation between traits indicates very strong and direct association between tuber general appearance and roughness of tuber; strong and direct association of the intensity of the periderm color and tuber general appearance; between number of tubers per plant and average tuber weight; between average tuber weight and intensity of the periderm color and between the total mass of tubers per plant and total number of tubers per plant. Also, strong and inverse associations between tuber shape and flesh color and between periderm color and average tuber weight were detected. The results of our study showed that the molecular markers RYSC3 and M45 are important tools to be used by potato breeding programs to accelerate the development of cultivars with resistance to PVY.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T13:59:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao_simone_pohl.pdf: 721649 bytes, checksum: 765dacca6a2a978978dc5be662de9057 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-08-21 / Potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.), even though it is one of the main crops produced worldwide, breeding programs ar difficult and require a great deal of time and energy. Recombinant DNA technology with its potential capacity of isolating and transferring genes from any organism, allows incorporating in plants new characters of agricultural interest. However, consequences of the incorporation of determined genes on physiological characteristics are sometimes unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate growth characteristics, partition of assimilates, morphological atributes and components of the production of potato plants genetically modified with resistance genes to PVY virus, during the plant life cycle. For this, potato tuber of Baronesa cultivar and their respective transformed genotype were planted in pots and kept in greenhouse for 84 days. The transformation of Baronesa cultivar with virus resistant genes also did not alter the majority of the evaluated growth characteristics. / A batata ( Solanum tuberosum L.), embora sendo uma das principais cultivares produzidas mundialmente, seu melhoramento genético é complexo e requer uma grande demanda de tempo e energia. A tecnologia do DNA recombinante, com sua capacidade de isolar e transferir genes a partir de qualquer organismo permite incorporar nas plantas novos caracteres de interesse agrícola. No entanto, as conseqüências de inserção de determinados genes, em relação às características fisiológicas das plantas, muitas vezes são desconhecidas. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar as características de crescimento, partição de assimilados, atributos morfológicos e componentes de produção de plantas de batata modificadas com genes de resistência ao vírus PVY durante o ciclo de vida das plantas. Para isso, tubérculos de batata da cv. Baronesa e seu respectivo genótipo transformado foram plantados em vasos e mantidos em casa de vegetação durante 84 dias. A transformação genética da cv. Baronesa com resistência a vírus não alterou efetivamente a maioria das características de crescimento avaliadas.

AFRIKAANS: Die vraag onstaan of insette by aartappelproduksie deurentyds ekonomies optimaal gebruik word. Hierdie vraag word al hoe meer deur produsente gevra, veral waar die prysknyptang al hoe sterker gevoel word. Uit ‘n opbrengs oogpunt was stikstof nog altyd ‘n baie belangrike inset. Verliese aan opbrengste kan egter baie groot wees as stikstof ondoelmatig bespaar word. Om optimum stikstoftoedienings te kwantifiseer bly problematies. Die stikstofinhoud van die grond kan gemeet word, maar in hierdie studie is bewys dat die inligting uit hierdie ontledings dikwels misleidend en kan sinvolle aanbevelings nie altyd daarvolgens gemaak word nie. Aan die ander kant, kan die aartappelplant as indikator gebruik word. Die afgelope dertig jaar was baie aandag aan petioolsapekstraksie reg oor die wéreld gegee. Meeste navorsers versap die petiool en gebruik duur laboratorium toerusting om die NO3--konsentrasie te bepaal en maak dan daaruit afleidings. Met hedendaagse tegnologiese ontwikkelings, het vinniger ontledingstegnieke beskikbaar geword. Die Reflectoquant (Merck) is ‘n draagbare instrument wat gebruik word om die NO3--konsentrasie in die aartappelpetioolsap direk te meet. Met kalibrasie-proewe wat deur Omnia gedoen was, is ‘n optimale NO3--konsentrasie reeks (OPTI-reeks) opgestel waarmee stikstof bo-bemestings geskeduleer kon word. Die bepaalde OPTI-reeks is oor twee persele getoets. Die twee persele het verskil in grond tekstuur en ligging. Die Delmas perseel het ‘n hoër klei-inhoud gehad as die Bronkhorstspruit perseel. By die Bronkhorstspruit perseel het verskille tussen die behandelings gouer na vore gekom. Die persele wat laer vlakke van stikstof bemes was, en eerste stikstof bemes is het die laagste NO3--konsentrasie lesings gehad. By die Delmas perseel het hierdie tendens nie herhaal nie. In van die lesingtye het die laer stikstofbemestingsbehandelings hoër ontledings gehad. NO3--konsentrasie lesings, soos vermeld is in die meeste literatuur, het afgeneem oor tyd en gedui op ‘n verdunnings-effek van NO3--konsentrasie in die aartappelplant. Die verdunnings-effek kan toegeskryf word aan die fisiese verdunning van NO3- oor ‘n groter wordende plante, knolle en die gebruik van die NO3- in plantmetaboliese aktiwiteite. Opbrengste en bakkwaliteit van die onderskeie behandelings, was nie verlaag deur die OPTI-reeks te gebruik nie. As in ag geneem word dat ten minste, 45 kg ha-1 stikstof bespaar kon word deur gebruik te maak van die OPTI-reeks, is die metode ‘n baie kragtige ontledingstegniek om stikstof doelmatig te skeduleer. Stikstof sal nie die beperkende faktor in produksie wees, indien hierdie tegniek te gebruik word nie. ENGLISH: The question arises whether inputs are used optimally in an economical way for potato production. This is something that is asked more and more by producers. Nitrogen plays a dominating role in determining yield. Yield losses will be considerable if nitrogen is saved in an unnecessary way. To quantify optimum nitrogen applications can be difficult. Determining the nitrogen content of the soil can be one option, but as was shown in this thesis, this method can lead to incorrect nitrogen applications. The potato plant itself can be used as an indicator for nitrogen applications. For the past thirty years, a lot of emphasis has been placed on petiole sap analyses. Petioles were liquified and then expensive laboratory equipment were used to determine the NO3--concentration, whereafter the recommendations for nitrogen application were made. Analyses are made easier today with modern technological methods and equipment. Direct measurement of the NO3--concentrations in the potato petiole are possible by using the Reflectoquant (of Merck). Omnia Fertilizers conducted many experiments to determine an optimal NO3--concentration range (OPTI-range) to schedule nitrogen applications. In this study the OPTI-range was tested at two sites. The two sites differed in soil texture and district. The Delmas site has a higher clay percentage than the Bronkhorstpruit site. Quicker reactions on the treatments were found at the Bronkhorstspruit site. The plots that received lower nitrogen treatments, were fertilized first and had the lowest NO3--concentrations in the sap. This tendency was not replicated at the Delmas site. The lower nitrogen treatment plots sometimes had higher NO3--concentrations than the higher nitrogen treatments. NO3--concentration readings, as mentioned in most literature, declined over time and is explained by the diluting effect of nitrates in the plant. Not only is there an increase in the potato plants above ground growth, but tuber growth also constitute a big proportion of the biomass at the end of the growth period. Nitrogen is used in all these processes, which contribute to the diluting effect. Yield and tuber quality were not lowered by applying the OPTI-range. The OPTI-range is a good method to manage nitrogen requirements of the potato plant. At least 45 kg ha-1 nitrogen could be saved by using the OPTI-range. Therefore this is a powerful method to determine nitrogen scheduling. Nitrogen will not be the limiting factor in potato fertilization if the OPTI-range is used. / Dissertation (MSc(Agric))--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted

Early blight (Alternaria solani Sorauer)is a major foliar disease of potatoes in most growing regions of the world and is underestimated in South Africa. This project studies the epidemiology and control of the disease in South Africa. A decision support system (DSS) for early blight in South Africa was developed and evaluated in field trials. This early blight DSS is the first such system to be developed in South Africa and once incorporated with the late blight model, will represent innovative technology for use in the South African potato industry. Trends in weather variables and concentrations of airborne conidia of A. solani were monitored. Distinct seasonal variation was noted. Peaks in spore concentration coincided with periods favourable for spore formation and dispersal; most notable was diurnal periodicity and interrupted wetting periods. The results obtained from these measurements will be useful in improving early blight DSSs for southern Africa. Isolates of A. solani from various potato-growing regions in South Africa were characterized using virulence, vegetative compatibility (VC) and random amplified microsatellite (RAMS) primers. Neither the virulence assays nor VC tests sufficiently characterised the population. Analysis of RAMS profiles revealed 27% genetic diversity among the isolates. This value is similar to diversity values obtained by previous authors studying A. solani, however, it is relatively high for an asexually reproducing fungus. There was no evidence for geographical clustering of isolates, indicating that isolates are widespread across South Africa. A survey on control practices and grower perceptions of early blight in South Africa was conducted using a questionnaire. These questionnaires were distributed to growers from 10 potato-growing regions in South Africa. Results highlighted the most popular control methods and cultivars in the South African potato industry. The majority of respondents indicated that they would use an accurate, cost-effective early blight DSS, and that more research is necessary on early blight in South Africa. A survey on control practices and grower perceptions of early blight in South Africa was conducted using a questionnaire. These questionnaires were distributed to growers from 10 potato-growing regions in South Africa. Results highlighted the most popular control methods and cultivars in the South African potato industry. The majority of respondents indicated that they would use an accurate, cost-effective early blight DSS, and that more research is necessary on early blight in South Africa. Estimated crop losses ranged from 1% - 60%, with an average of approximately 20%. This is the first comprehensive epidemiological study to be conducted on early blight in South Africa and has highlighted the need for further research. / Thesis (DPhil (Plant Pathology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Microbiology and Plant Pathology / unrestricted

The sequence of 3553 nucleotides corresponding to the 3'-terminal region of potato virus S (PVS) has been determined from cloned cDNA. The sequence obtained contains six open reading frames with the potential to encode proteins of Mr 10,734, Mr 32,515, Mr 7,222, Mr 11,802, Mr 25,092 and at least Mr 41,052. The amino acid sequence of the 33K ORF has been confirmed to be that of the viral coat protein gene. The nucleotide sequence of this ORF was obtained from expression plasmids which were isolated by binding with a specific monoclonal antibody to PVS, and the expression of coat protein fusion products was verified by Western blots of bacterial cell lysates. The deduced amino acid sequence of a 70 amino acid portion from the central region of the PVS coat protein was 59% identical to the analogous region of potato virus X. In addition, the 7K, 12K and 25K ORF's displayed significant sequence homology with similar sized ORF's from a number of potexviruses. The partial 41K ORF was homologous with the C-terminal portion of the viral replicase proteins of potato virus X and white clover mosaic virus. While the biological functions of the 12K and 25K non-structural proteins coded for by PVS and members of the potexvirus group remain unknown, the 12K protein displays a hydropathicity profile consistent with a membrane associated protein and the 25K protein contains a conserved sequence motif found in a number of nucleoside triphosphate binding proteins. Members of the carlavirus group are distinguished from the potexviruses by the presence of a small [11K (PVS, potato virus M) - 16K (lily symptomless virus)] 3' terminal ORF which appears to contain a sequence motif similar to the 'zinc-finger' domain found in many nucleic acid binding proteins. The coat protein gene from potato virus S (PVS) was introduced into Nicotiana debneyii tobacco as well as a commercial potato cultivar, 'Russet Burbank', by leaf disc transformation using Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Transgenic plants expressing the viral coat protein were highly resistant to subsequent infection following mechanical inoculation with the Andean or ME strains of PVS as indicated by a lack of accumulation of virus in the upper leaves. The coat protein mediated protection afforded by these transgenic plants was sufficient to prevent the accumulation of virus in the tissues of non-transformed 'Russet Burbank' shoots which had been grafted onto transgenic plants inoculated with PVS, and in reciprocal grafts, transgenic shoots accumulated less than 2% (6 weeks after grafting) of the concentration of PVS found in non-transformed shoots similarly grafted onto plants systemically infected with PVS. These transgenic plants also displayed a measure of resistance to inoculation with a related carlavirus from potato, potato virus M. In agreement with previous reports for plants expressing PVX coat protein, plants expressing PVS coat protein were also protected from inoculation with PVS RNA. These results provide further evidence that coat protein mediated protection for these two groups of viruses, which share similar genome organizations, may involve inhibition of some early event in infection, other than, or in addition to, virus uncoating. Specific monoclonal antibodies were prepared against a C-terminal derived 18 kDa portion of the 25K protein of PVS expressed as an in-frame chimeric fusion protein with the glutathione S-transferase gene. The in vivo expression of this non-structural protein in virus infected tissue, as well as tissue from transgenic tobacco (var Xanthi-nc) engineered to contain the entire 25K gene, was verified by Western immunoblot labelling. / Medicine, Faculty of / Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of / Graduate

The effect of cytokinin and gibberellin, and in particular a combination of the two, on termination of dormant potato tubers was investigated. The objective was to effectively terminate dormancy through the external application of a combination of cytokinin and gibberellin. Freshly harvested tubers were treated and either cut at the stolon end with the apical portions placed on moist cotton wool, or left intact and dry. Tuber segments treated with a high concentration of cytokinin (0.1g.Lˉ¹) or a combination of cytokinin and gibberellin sprouted within 5 days, whereas high gibberellin concentrations (0.1g.Lˉ¹) stimulated sprouting within 9 days. Untreated tuber segments supplied only with moisture terminated dormancy later than hormonal treated tubers, but much earlier than segments that were kept dry. Tuber segments treated with a combination of cytokinin and gibberellin, or a high concentration of gibberellin (0.1g.Lˉ¹), produced more and longer sprouts than tubers treated with only cytokinin (0.1g.Lˉ¹) or a low concentration of gibberellin (0.005g.Lˉ¹). Sprouts on tuber segments treated with a combination of cytokinin and gibberellin attained maximum sprout growth rate nine days after treatment, but thereafter the growth rate decreased. This decrease may be a consequence of closed plasmodesmata although membrane permeability and its affect on assimilate availability may play a role. This phenomenon deserves further research attention. Removal of wound periderm did not reactivate sprout growth. The wounding of tubers by removing a portion at the stolon end and supplying moisture greatly enhanced the termination of dormancy and subsequent sprout growth, indicating that the availability of water may be a factor in initiation of sprouts. The results are compatible with the hypothesis that cells in dormant buds are arrested in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Cytokinin is needed to initiate cell cycling, but gibberellin is also needed to initiate and maintain cell growth. These two growth regulators are also involved in the opening of the plasmodesmata as well as the creation of new plasmodesmata witch would establish communication between the apical meristem and the rest of the tuber. / Dissertation (MSc(Agric))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted

Submitted by Marco Antônio de Ramos Chagas (mchagas@ufv.br) on 2018-09-26T18:26:26Z No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 2755378 bytes, checksum: 5ebfe5d8ce064b9ec4f37f421ff91315 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-26T18:26:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 2755378 bytes, checksum: 5ebfe5d8ce064b9ec4f37f421ff91315 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-02-24 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar o efeito da temperatura, tempo de armazenamento e dano mecânico nos tubérculos destinados ao processamento de batata pré-frita. Foram realizados dois ensaios. No primeiro, a cultivar Markies foi armazenada em câmara climatizada a 4, 5, 6 e 8 oC (UR ± 90%) por 240 dias, com quantificação do teor de açúcar solúvel total (AST), açúcares redutores (AR), atividade das enzimas peroxidase (POD) e polifenoloxidase (PPO), coloração após a fritura, e incidência da brotação. No segundo ensaio, tubérculos das cultivares Markies e Challenger foram submetidos a danos mecânicos e armazenados em câmaras climatizadas nas temperaturas de 8, 14 e 20 °C (UR ± 90%) por 14 dias para determinação do período de formação da periderme de dano. Após este período, avaliou-se taxas de perda de massa fresca, teor de açúcar solúvel total (AST), açúcares redutores (AR), açúcares não redutores (ANR), coloração dos palitos após a fritura e a taxa de regeneração da periderme após o dano. A cultivar Markies a 6,9 oC, apresentou menores concentrações de AST e AR nos tubérculos aos 78,4 e 92,9 dias de armazenamento, respectivamente. A atividade das enzimas POD e PPO não foram influenciadas pelas temperaturas de 4, 5, 6 e 8 oC, nem pelo tempo de armazenamento de 240 dias apresentando valor médio de 1,91 e 1,42 UA min -1 mg -1 de proteína, respectivamente. Houve variação na coloração dos tubérculos após a fritura, com coloração mais escura nos tubérculos armazenados a 4 e 5 °C, os tubérculos armazenados a 6 e 8 °C mantiveram a coloração dento do padrão aceitável até os 240 dias de armazenamento. As temperaturas de 4 e 5 °C retardaram o início da brotação, iniciando-se aos 150 dias. A 6 e 8°C o início da brotação se deu a partir dos 90 e 60 dias de armazenamento, respectivamente. Para a cura, nas temperaturas avaliadas de 8, 14 e 20 oC, verificou-se taxa de perda de matéria fresca superior nos tubérculos que sofreram danos, sendo que a 14 oC a taxa de perda de ambas cultivares apresentaram comportamento quadrático com taxa de perda mínima nos tubérculos com dano para a cultivar Markies aos 10,8 dias e para a cultivar Challenger em 10,46 dias. Os maiores teores de AST, AR e ANR ocorreram a 8 °C tanto para os tubérculos do controle quanto para os tubérculos submetidos a danos na cultivar Markies, e apenas nos tubérculos com danos para a cultivar Challenger. Entre as cultivares Markies e Challenger verificou-se valores médios de AST, AR e ANR superiores para a cultivar Markies a 8 °C. É possível armazenar a cultivar Markies por 92,9 dias a 6,9 °C sem perda de qualidade para processamento industrial. Além disso, verificou-se que a cura das cultivares Markies e Challenger a 8, 14 e 20 oC causaram modificações anatômicas conspícuas nos tubérculos com dano, sendo que 14 oC foi a temperatura que proporcionou melhor cura. / The objective of this study was to verify the effect of temperature, lenght of storage and mechanical damage on the tubers intended for processing as French fries. Two assays were done. In the first experiment, the cultivar Markies was stored in an air-conditioned room at 4, 5, 6 and 8 oC (RH ± 90 %) for 240 days. Total soluble sugar (AST), reducing sugars (AR) and non-reducing sugars (ANR) levels, peroxidase (POD) and polyphenoloxidase (PPO) enzymes activity, browning after frying, and sprouting incidence were evaluated. In the second experiment, tubers of the cultivars Markies and Challenger were subjected to mechanical damage and stored at 8, 14 and 20 °C (RH ± 90 %) for 14 days to determine the period of formation of the damage peridem. Loss rate of fresh mass, total soluble sugar content (AST), reducing sugars (AR), non-reducing sugars (ANR), French fries color after frying and regeneration rate of the periderm after wounding were evaluated. Markies cultivar stored at 6.9 oC presented the lowest AST and AR concentrations in the tubers at 78.4 and 92.9 days of storage, respectively. POD and PPO enzymes activity were not influenced by temperature (4, 5, 6 and 8 oC), nor by storage period (240 days) presenting average values of 1.91 and 1.42 AU min -1 mg -1 protein, respectively. There was variation in tuber coloration after frying, with darker color in tubers stored at 4 and 5 oC, while those stored at 6 and 8 oC maintained acceptable coloration standard up to 240 storage days. Temperatures of 4 and 5 °C delayed the sprouting onset, starting at 150 days. At 6 and 8 °C the sprouting onset occurred at 90 and 60 days of storage, respectively. For wound healing, at the temperatures of 8, 14 and 20 oC, it was verified higher loss rate of fresh matter in tubers that suffered damages. At 14 oC loss rate of both cultivars presented quadratic behavior with minimum loss rate in tubers that suffered mechanical wounding for Markies cultivar at 10.8 days and in Challenger cultivar at 10.46 days. The highest levels of AST, AR and ANR occurred at 8 °C for both the control tubers and the tubers that suffered wounding for Markies cultivar, and only in the tubers that suffered for cultivar Challenger. Comparing the cultivars Markies and Challenger, the levels of AST, AR and ANR were higher in Markies cultivar at 8 °C. Based on the results, it is possible to store cultivar Markies cultivar for 92.9 days at 6.9 °C without quality loss for industrial processing. Healing of Markies and Challenger cultivars at 8, 14 and 20 ° C caused conspicuous anatomical modifications in the wounded tubers being the best temperature for healing at 14 °C.

Meloiodgyne incognita, one of the most aggressive plant parasitic nematodes species on potato in South Africa, belongs to a group of plant parasitic nematodes commonly known as root knot nematodes (RKN). This group of nematodes is widely distributed throughout the world. Meloidogyne spp. cause major economic losses to important crops such as potato and therefore decrease their market value in many countries across the world. The second stage juveniles are the only mobile and infective phase of the root knot nematode. As they infect host roots, they create wounds that can be used by other plant pathogens to penetrate the host in large numbers. The most effective management strategy for root knot nematodes is the use of nematicides such as Temik and Methyl bromide. However, these have been banned due to adverse on the environment. Therefore, Meloidogyne spp. will inevitably become a big problem in the potato industry of many countries due to the lack of effective alternatives to banned chemicals. Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. brasiliensis (Pcb) is one of the most important soft rot-causing agents in South Africa. This pathogen belongs to a group of pathogens commonly known as soft rot Enterobacteriaceae (SRE). Bacteria belonging to this group of pathogens are known to cause soft rot and blackleg diseases on potato and other crops. Pcb is known as an opportunistic pathogen that can only penetrate host root tissue through natural openings or wounds that result from a variety of agents. Post penetration, the bacteria will increase in number and cause soft rot and blackleg. As rotting plant tissue disintegrates the bacteria escapes into the soil where it serves as inoculum and can infect healthy hosts. Many interactions have been documented between Meloidogyne spp. and other plant pathogens but to our knowledge there are no interactions that have been reported between Meloidogyne spp. and Pectobacterium spp. Considering the life cycles of RKN and SRE, we hypothesised that there could be an interaction between the two pathogen groups. Since both RKN and SRE are potato pathogens, they share the same space in the rhizosphere. This likely can lead to synergies and complex formation between the two pathogens. Likely, the wounds created by RKN J2s as they penetrate plant tissue can potentially be used by opportunistic Pcb to infect various hosts. It is from these identified overlaps that the first part of this study focused on investigating the potential interaction between M. incognita and Pcb. The first objective was to determine whether Pcb can attach onto M. incognita J2s and, if this was the case, to determine whether the J2s can disseminate the bacteria as they move around in the environment. The second objective was to determine whether there is a synergistic interaction between RKN and SRE and the combined effect of the two pathogens on their host Solanum tuberosum cv Mondial. The results obtained in the first part of the study strongly suggested that Pcb can attach onto M. incognita J2s and can be disseminated as the J2s move around in the environment. Thus, this indicated that there is a synergistic interaction between M. incognita and Pcb as there was increased disease severity and incidence in plants inoculated with both pathogens compared to those inoculated with individual pathogens. Significantly higher Pcb concentrations were found in plants inoculated with both pathogens. There was no breakage of tolerance to Pcb-caused blackleg on an otherwise resistant cultivar, BP1. The second aim of this study was to determine whether the induction of natural resistance using environmentally friendly resistance inducing chemicals can potentially be used as an alternative to chemical control. To this end, the effect of three inducers at different concentrations, amongst DL-β-aminobutyric acid, Acibenzolar-s-methyl and Messenger on potato plants infected with RKN was compared. The most effective resistance inducer amongst the three was 20mM BABA as it was able to reduce the number of J2s that penetrated host tissue, the number of females in the roots and the rate of egg production. Furthermore, the galling index observed in potato roots was significantly lower when plants were treated with 20mM BABA. Additionally, the reduced rate of RKN infection in plants primed with 20mM led to a decrease in the rate of Pcb infection. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2013 / Microbiology and Plant Pathology / Unrestricted

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is regarded as one of the single most important vegetable crops in South Africa, with an average annual production of 2 million metric tons. The potato industry contributes to an average of $ 0.37b worth of potatoes annually. Over the years, potato production in South Africa has been affected by, among other factors, diseases and plant parasitic nematodes particularly root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.). In infected potato fields, root-knot nematodes cause great damage to the crop leading to substantial losses in yield and compromised produce quality. The direct and indirect damage caused by Meloidogyne species results in revenue loss due to a high number of table and processing potatoes rejected in markets both locally and internationally. The presence of resistance breaking Meloidogyne populations, the withdrawal of methyl bromide and lack of commercially grown resistant cultivars suggests that growers are likely to experience more losses in the future. Furthermore, distribution of seed tubers harbouring root-knot nematodes, which may also be asymptomatic, inadvertently facilitates transmission of these parasites to new areas thus perpetuating the problem. Therefore, for the potato industry to adequately address the threat of root-knot nematodes, accurate identification and quantification of root knot nematode levels in the field as well as in seed tubers is of importance. Currently most methods of identifying Meloidogyne species largely rely on the use of morphological traits. However, it can be a challenge to accurately differentiate between closely related species using morphology and other classical methods. To resolve this, recent trends globally have focused on the development of DNA-based diagnostics to rapidly and accurately identify different Meloidogyne species. This study therefore sought to; (a) develop a PCR-based diagnostic tool for accurate detection and identification of various Meloidogyne species parasitizing potatoes in South Africa; (b) use this tool to map their distribution and; (c)develop real-time PCR (qPCR) techniques for accurate quantification and characterization of tropical Meloidogyne species from infected potato tubers. In this study, of the 78 composite potato tuber samples collected from various potato growing regions across seven provinces, 24% were found infected with M. javanica, 23% with M. incognita, 17% with M. arenaria, 14% with M. enterolobii, 3% M. chitwoodi, 1% M. hapla and 1% as M. artiellia. The identity of the remaining 17% could not be established. The three tropical species; M. javanica, M. incognita and M. arenaria were identified as the dominant species, occurring almost in every region sampled. Meloidogyne hapla and M. enterolobii occurred in Mpumalanga and KwaZulu–Natal respectively while M. chitwoodi was isolated from two growers located within the Free State. In the study the use of HRMC and real-time PCR was also developed for identification and quantification of tropical Meloidogyne species infesting potato tubers. Using these two techniques, we were able to show that Meloidogyne arenaria populations produced specific melting peaks (79.3183± 0.0295°C, P < 0.05) thus distinguishing themselves from M. incognita (79.5025± 0.0224°C, P < 0.05) and M. javanica (79.96 ± 0.0459°C, P < 0.05). Real-time PCR was also able to detect 1.53/100th of a nematode using second stage juveniles. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Microbiology and Plant Pathology / unrestricted

La producción de alcohol se encuentra relacionada directamente con la producción de Biocombustibles, debido al desplazamiento de importantes volúmenes de alcohol para su conversión en etanol o alcohol anhídrido; usado como complemento o sustituto de la gasolina. Esta situación ha generado que la caña de azúcar, principal materia prima para la elaboración de alcohol se convierta en un “bien escaso” y sea necesario buscar otras potenciales fuentes para su producción. En el Perú, existe también el potencial para producir el mencionado producto, usando los tubérculos como base, especialmente la papa; a través de la conversión de almidones en azúcares y su posterior fermentación y destilación en alcohol etílico. La presente investigación tiene por finalidad demostrar la viabilidad de la instalación de una planta de producción de alcohol de papa en la provincia de Chota, departamento de Cajamarca, con la intención de atender al mercado interno, con un producto de alta calidad, orientado al uso industrial, farmacéutico y cosmético. La metodología desarrollada comprende la determinación de viabilidad de Mercado, Organizacional, Técnico Operativa, Económica financiera y ambiental. Finalmente se concluye que es viable la instalación de una planta de producción de alcohol en la provincia de Chota.