ABSTRACT. Synthetic pesticides have a positive impact on food production. However, there are concerns due to the outbreak of resistance along with negative side effects on human health and the environment. New active compounds and control strategies are needed for the management of phytopathogens. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are evolutionarily conserved components of the innate immune response in almost all organisms that constitute an interesting source of potential molecules for use as pesticides.

ABSTRACT. The search for environmentally biocompatible and cost-effective methods to control filamentous fungi in agriculture is becoming increasingly urgent. In vitro antimicrobial activity of three synthetic peptides was investigated against some filamentous fungi with agricultural relevance. The peptides were an analog of Temporin called Temporizina, a fragment from Pleurocidin termed Plc-2, and a peptide identified from sesame seeds named Pses3. Antimicrobial activity of these peptides towards filamentous fungi has not been previously reported.

RESUMEN. Se presenta una revisión sobre enfermedades hereditarias letales descritas en nuestro país con énfasis en aquellas que han sido confirmadas por diagnóstico anatomopatológico y molecular. Las enfermedades congénitas y/o hereditarias observadas por el DILAVE para la región Este de nuestro país, se estiman entre un 3% a 9% de morbilidad en el período de 2009 a 2011. Se discute la pertinencia y relevancia de realizar su control considerando la actual legislación uruguaya con el fin de detectar animales portadores sanos y disminuir las pérdidas por mortandad.

ABSTRACT. The aim of the study was to evaluate the antifungal activity of extracts of 10 plant species used in traditional Uruguayan medicine against the phytopathogenic fungus Alternaria spp. The plants were selected on the basis of their reported ethnobotanical uses. Aqueous, saline buffer and acid extracts of different plant species were screened in vitro for their antifungal activity against Alternaria spp. For the antifungal evaluation we used a microspectrophotometric assay.

ABSTRACT. Xylella fastidiosa inhabits the plant xylem, a nutrient-poor environment, so that mechanisms to sense and respond to adverse environmental conditions are extremely important for bacterial survival in the plant host. Although the complete genome sequences of different Xylella strains have been determined, little is known about stress responses and gene regulation in these organisms.

ABSTRACT. Xylella fastidiosa inhabits the plant xylem, a nutrient-poor environment, so that mechanisms to sense and respond to adverse environmental conditions are extremely important for bacterial survival in the plant host. Although the complete genome sequences of different Xylella strains have been determined, little is known about stress responses and gene regulation in these organisms.

ABSTRACT. Several isolates of a novel begomovirus were characterized from tomato samples collected in northern Uruguay exhibiting disease symptoms associated with Bemisia tabaci infestations. Analysis of full-length sequences of DNA-A and DNA-B components revealed the presence of a new begomovirus with the typical genome organization of a New World begomovirus, for which the name tomato rugose yellow leaf curl virus (ToRYLCV) is proposed. A high degree of nucleotide sequence diversity was found for both components, suggesting the presence of a diverse virus population.

RESUMEN En los últimos años los enfoques participativos para el desarrollo, la investigación e innovación en el sector agrario han ido ganando terreno en la búsqueda de respuestas más adaptadas a las necesidades de los productores. Una de las formas de dichos enfoques ha sido la investigación participativa (IP), en la cual investigadores y productores analizan y definen los temas a investigar y producen nuevos conocimientos al compartir perspectivas y experiencias, promoviendo fundamentalmente un aprendizaje social.

RESUMEN La organización de los sistemas agrícolas requiere la verificación de la identidad y pureza genética de los cultivares. El aumento en el número de cultivares de soja a ser evaluados y su estrecha base genética dificulta su identificación mediante evaluación de descriptores fenotípicos. La Unión Internacional para la Protección de las Obtenciones Vegetales (UPOV) ha reconocido la utilidad de marcadores moleculares asociados con caracteres fenotípicos descriptivos.