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. 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.