This is the first report of the B biotype completing its development on maize plants. This surprising anomaly indicates that the B biotype is capable of adapting to monocotyledonous host plants, and importantly, broadens the host range to include at least one species in the Poaceae. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

The sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (Fabr., 1794) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is one of the main pests of sugarcane. This pest can reduce the quality and yield of the crop. Information on the quality and yield of cultivars in relation to the attack of sugarcane borer are necessary, since they guide the choice of the best materials for use in joint with other management tactics. Two field experiments were conducted in 2011 and 2012 to compare the quality and yield of 16 commercial sugarcane cultivars (IACSP93-3046, IACSP94-2094, IACSP94-2101, IAC91-1099, IACSP95-5000, IAC87-3396, RB92579, RB867515, RB966928, CTC2, CTC4, CTC9, CTC11, CTC15, CTC18 and SP86-0042) relative to the natural infestation of D. saccharalis. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replications. There was no difference between treatments for infestation index, with averages of 1.2 to 8.7% of bored internodes. Higher percentages of internodes with red rot were observed for CTC9, CTC2 and RB966928. The cultivars CTC4 and RB92579 infested with D. saccharalis resulted in lower technological quality, due the reduction in the contents of brix, apparent sucrose content (POL) and purity; and increase of the reducing sugars and, consequently, lower theoretically recoverable sugar (TRS). On the other hand, the lowest yields (t of cane ha-1) were observed for CTC18, IACSP94-2094, IACSP94-2101 and RB966928. Therefore, according to the hierarchical cluster analysis (UPGMA), the cultivars RB867515, CTC11, IAC91-1099, CTC15, SP86-0042, CTC2 and IACSP94-3046 were resistant to D. saccharalis.

Non-ruminants Full-length research article Effects of Curcuma longa on the intestinal health of chicks infected with Salmonella Typhimurium ABSTRACT-This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Curcuma longa on the growth performance, intestinal integrity, and antimicrobial activity of chicks colonized by Salmonella Typhimurium. The study included 672 one-day-old male chicks of the Cobb TM lineage, which were divided into eight treatment groups with 14 birds per group and six repetitions, for a total of 48 experimental units per treatment. A randomized 4×2 factorial design scheme (C. longa levels × inoculation by Salmonella Typhimurium) was used. Chicks were orally inoculated with 1.2×10 4 cfu/mL of Salmonella Typhimurium in 0.5 mL of 0.85% buffered saline solution. Curcuma was added to the feed of chicks at 0, 1, 2, and 3% for 35 days. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance and Tukey's test. Optimal feed conversion was observed in chicks given feed supplemented with 1% C. longa, regardless of infection, and 1% C. longa prevented intestinal colonization by Salmonella Typhimurium. Supplementation and bacterial infection influenced the histomorphometry and pH of the intestine. Bacterial infection reduced the intestinal pH, whereas C. longa supplementation increased the pH, but only in infected chicks. Thus, supplementation with 1% C. longa favors feed conversion, inhibits intestinal colonization by Salmonella Typhimurium, and does not alter intestinal integrity. In contrast, supplementation with 3% Curcuma longa decreases feed intake, affecting the performance of 35-day-old chicks.