Salinity is one of the most destructive environmental challenges for citriculture worldwide, and all climate change scenarios are predicting an increased impact of salinity on citrus orchards. Citrus cultivars are grown as grafts on various rootstocks to provide specific adaptation to abiotic stress and tolerance to major diseases such as citrus tristeza virus. To understand rootstock–scion interactions with regard to salinity, transcriptome profiling of mRNA expression was analyzed for 12 candidate genes in leaves, shoots, and roots of five Hernandina clementine scions grafted on Rangpur lime (LR), Volkamer lemon (CV), Carrizo citrange (CC), sour orange (Big), and Cleopatra mandarin (MC) rootstocks in response to moderate and severe salinity. qRT-PCR analysis revealed differential gene expression that varied by rootstock, salinity level, and tissue. The majority of induced genes were those involved in ion transporter proteins (mainly NHX1 and HKT1 genes), Cl⁻ homeostasis (CCC1 gene), biosynthesis and accumulation of compatible osmolytes, proline (P5CS gene) and glycine betaine (CMO gene), accumulation of proteins (LEA2 gene), and ROS scavenging antioxidant activity (mainly APX). We show that these expression patterns could explain the relative tolerance of the used rootstocks and report new insights on the main salt tolerance mechanisms activated by these rootstocks.

The small hive beetle (Aethina tumida Murray) is a serious threat to beekeeping and crops that rely on honeybees for pollination. The small hive beetle not only causes significant damage to honeybees by feeding on pollen and honey, attacking bee brood and causing stored honey to ferment, but also might serve as a vector of diseases. In addition, the small hive beetle has developed resistance to the pyrethroid and organophosphate insecticides registered for control of honeybee pests in the United States. The development of resistance in small hive beetle populations is a great concern to the beekeeping industry; thus, there is an urgent need for strategies to manage that resistance. Therefore, we used synergist probes to determine the mechanisms of resistance in a small hive beetle population to these insecticides. Our studies on the toxicity of insecticides alone or with the synergists piperonyl butoxide (PBO) and S,S,S,-tributyl phosphorotrithionate (DEF) suggested that mixed-function oxidases and esterases were the major resistance factors to these insecticides in a studied population of the small hive beetle. In contrast, there was no synergism with diethyl maleate (DEM), triphenyl phosphate (TPP) and formamidine. Therefore, glutathione-S-transferase, carboxylesterase and target site were not involved in insecticide resistance in the small hive beetle. Rotation of classes of insecticides (with different modes of action) and metabolic synergists were suggested for the development of successful resistance management programs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of the mechanisms of resistance in small hive beetle populations in Florida and suggests an urgent need for alternative control strategies for these serious pests of honeybee colonies.

Fruit allergens are proteins from fruits or pollen that cause allergy in humans, an increasing food safety concern worldwide. With the globalization of food trade and changing lifestyles and dietary habits, characterization and identification of these allergens are urgently needed to inform public awareness, diagnosis and treatment of allergies, drug design, as well as food standards and regulations. This study conducted a phylogenetic reconstruction and protein clustering among 60 fruit and pollen allergens from 19 species, and analyzed the clusters, in silico, for cross-reactivity (IgE), 3D protein structure prediction, transmembrane and signal peptides, and conserved domains and motifs. Herein, we wanted to predict the likelihood of their interaction with antibodies, as well as cross-reactivity between the many allergens derived from the same protein families, as the potential for cross-reactivity complicates the management of fruit allergies. Phylogenetic analysis classified the allergens into four clusters. The first cluster (n = 9) comprising pollen allergens showed a high risk of cross-reactivity between eight allergens, with Bet v1 conserved domain, but lacked a transmembrane helix and signal peptide. The second (n = 10) cluster similarly suggested a high risk of cross-reactivity among allergens, with Prolifin conserved domain. However, the group lacked a transmembrane helix and signal peptide. The third (n = 13) and fourth (n = 29) clusters comprised allergens with significant sequence diversity, predicted low risk of cross-reactivity, and showed both a transmembrane helix and signal peptide. These results are critical for treatment and drug design that mostly use transmembrane proteins as targets. The prediction of high risk of cross-reactivity indicates that it may be possible to design a generic drug that will be effective against the wide range of allergens. Therefore, in the past, we may have avoided the array of fruit species if one was allergic to any one member of the cluster.

Cassava plays an important role in the life and diet of several communities worldwide. It is used in various processed forms and has become the focus of research and innovation in recent years. Bioprocessing techniques, such as fermentation, have been utilized to create new avenues for its application in food and functional products. The fermentation of cassava can enhance its nutritional value, improve its shelf life, and increase its digestibility. However, the effect of salt-mediated fermentation on microbial diversity and potential benefits has not been widely reported. In this study, the effect of six levels of salt (NaCl), ranging from 0 to 25% after 50 days of spontaneous cassava fermentation at 25–30 °C, was investigated. A total of 30 bacterial isolates were selected for molecular characterization. A proprietary pool of universal 16S rRNA primers and species-specific primers were used to amplify a wide variety of species in clonal samples. The bacteria observed include Lactiplantibacillus, Limosilactobacillus, and Weissella. The population of Lactiplantibacillus in the cassava microflora increased with and without salt treatment, while Weissella, a new genus, was detected in 20 and 25% of salt-treated samples. Lactiplantibacillus and Weissella accounted for 32 and 68% and 60 and 40% of the bacterial populations detected at 20 and 25% salt treatment, respectively. A total of 17 strains and sequences were identified from the 30 isolates screened. Sequencing results classified the 30 isolates into four groups, of which 76.67% were Limosilactobacillus. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all 17 strains were divided into three clusters. These results show that high salt-mediated fermentation of cassava can trigger a shift in dominance in the bacterial community, changing the diversity of the microbial community.

The agricultural policy environment in sub-Saharan Africa in the last 15 years has been erratic, especially with regard to adoption of biotechnology. While many biotech products such as tissue culture (TC) banana, hybrid maize, and others are now frequent at farm level, the adoption of some of the technologies remains relatively low, partly due to political and regulatory bottlenecks that have hampered farm deployment and entry into market systems of genetically engineered crops and products. This chapter reviews the political landscape of biotech crops across sub-Saharan Africa; analyses the state of enabling policy environment in key countries; discusses the impact of push-pull factors on food security, research, and training; and identifies the opportunities for investment in biotechnology and agribusiness in sub-Saharan Africa.

The croton scale Phalacrococcus howertoni Hodges & Hodgson gen. nov., sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Coccidae), was first found in Florida, USA. This scale has become a pest because of its high reproductive rate and production of sooty mold. Here, we evaluated predation potential of the predatory beetle, Thalassa montezumae Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), as a biological control agent. To our knowledge, this is the first study of predation by T. montezumae on P. howertoni. Results of our studies showed that the predation by 4th instar T. montezumae was higher on 2nd stage nymphs than on 3rd stage nymphs P. howertoni; predation on adults was lowest. Mean consumption by adult T. montezumae was highest on 2nd stage nymphs followed by 3rd stage nymphs, and adult P. howertoni. There were no significant differences between male and female adult T. montezumae in the prey first visited when offered a choice of 2nd or 3rd instar nymphs, or adults of P. howertoni. Thus, the levels of acceptance did not vary significantly between stages of prey visited by the males and females. Females chose prey faster than males and used less energy to search for food. Egg fecundity did not vary among female beetles fed with different stages of croton scales. Should P. howertoni become a major pest, T. montezumae could be used as a biological control agent within a biologically based integrated pest management program.