Efeito de agentes de controle sobre a qualidade reprodutiva de rainhas de Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) africanizadas

The agriculture with the use of products with less environmental impact is expanding. In it, the producers offer their products without the use of synthetic chemical inputs, solving the phytosanitary problems with the use of biological or alternative control agents such as parasites, predators, entomopathogenic, alternative products, plant extracts and essential oils. These products can be considered safe to non-target organisms, but studies are needed to find these features on natural enemies and on the beneficial insects such as bees, common frequenter of cultures. In this sense, this study aims to evaluate the effects of control over reproductive quality queens of Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Africanized. For this, it tested the action of control products on the production of A. mellifera queens, using the commercial entomopathogenic fungus Boveril® 1,0x108 (Beauveria bassiana) and aqueous extract of pomegranate (Punica granatum) at a concentration of 5% sterile distilled water with Tween (0.01%) and sterile distilled water (controls). The treatments were incorporated into a tissue type gauze, wrapped in an acrylic plate and packed inside minirrecrias type colonies for the production of queens on the day before the transfer of larvae. The next day were introduced battens with 30 domes with larvae to produce queens, so the workers have contacted the agent tested. From the emergence of all the queens, they were monitored to determine the measures of body weight (mg), length and width of wing and abdomen, length, width and height of the chest (mm) as well as the time of emergence of queens. The next step was evaluated the influence of the control agents in production creates, performing measurements of creating areas in cm2 for six straight weeks. It was found that the area creates Queens did not differ among the treatments. Histological analysis of hipofaringeanas of workers glands that came into contact with the control agents and the midgut of virgin queens were also held. Histological analysis differences were observed in the tissues when the treatments were compared with the respective controls.

Crescimento micelial de Ganoderma lucidum em diferentes substratos e relação com concentração de β-Glucanas, atividade antioxidante e efeitos sobre o desempenho de coelhos

Ganoderma lucidum is a medicinal mushroom traditionally consumed in Asian countries that presents several beneficial effects already verified. Despite all studies about their bioactive compounds, the best cultivation media enrichment aiming to increase the production of these compounds is still uncertain. Besides, few studies are related to the performance of production animals. In order to test different cultivation media for G. lucidum mycelia, agricultural residues (solid state fermentation) and different sugars and aminoacids (in culture media with agar), were tested to evaluate G. lucidum mycelium growth. Supply of flour with G. lucidum mycelia obtained by solid state fermentation (wheat grain) for rabbits was also evaluated. Mycelium of G. lucidum developed very well in all agricultural residues, soybean hulls was the residue that presented higher growth rate and higher concentration of β-glucans. In the cultivation media experiment, G. lucidum also developed well, media that contained cellobiose and tyrosine, despite presenting lower growth rates and total growth within 10 days, produced mycelia with higher concentration of β-glucans and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), respectively. Rabbits did not show any sign of intolerance to feed with different concentrations of flour with G. lucidum mycelium. All performance parameters and dressing percentages were adequate to the age at which they were slaughtered. Histological evaluation of organs presented alterations in renal cells (tubular and glomerulus), indicating a possible renal lesion according to the increase of flour with mycelium in feed. Histomorphometric evaluation showed increased vilous height in ileum and decreased vilous width of jejunus at 0.5% concentration, and decrease in crypt diameter according to the increase of concentration of flour with mycelium in feed. These results indicate the possibility of more studies regarding the aspects about cellobiose and tyrosine utilization for the production of bioactive compounds, and about toxicity of this mushroom mycelia, assuring the safety in supplying this product for animails.

Desempenho de sulcadores no desenvolvimento e produtividade da soja em solo submetido a diferentes níveis de compactação

On the national scene, soybean crop occupies a prominent position in cultivated area and volume production, being cultivated largely in the no tillage system. This system, due to the intense traffic of machines and implements on its surface has caused soil compaction problems, which has caused the yield loss of crops. In order to minimize this effect the seeder-drill uses the systems to opening the furrow by shank or the double disc type. The use of the shank has become commonplace for allowing the disruption of the compacted surface layer, however requires greater energy demand and may cause excessive tillage in areas where there is not observed high levels of compaction. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of furrowers mechanisms and levels of soil compacting on traction requirement by a seeder-drill and on the growing and productivity of soybean in an Oxisol texture clay, in a two growing seasons. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks with split plots with the main plots composed of four levels of soil compaction (N0 – no tillage without additional compaction, N1, N2 and N3 – no tillage subjected to compaction through two, four and six passes with tractor, respectively) corresponding to densities of soil 1.16, 1.20, 1.22 and 1.26 g cm-3, and subplots by two furrowers mechanisms (shank and double disc) with four replicates. To evaluate the average, maximum and specific traction force requested by the seeder-drill, was used a load cell, with capacity of 50 kN and sensitivity of 2 mV V-1, coupled between the tractor and seeder-drill, whose data are stored in a datalogger system model CR800 of Campbell Scientific. In addition, were evaluated the bulk density, soil mechanical resistance to penetration, sowing depth, depth and groove width, soil area mobilized, emergence speed index, emergence operation, final plant stand, stem diameter, plant height, average number of seeds per pod, weight of 1,000 seeds, number of pods per plant and crop productivity. Data were subjected to analysis of variance, the mean of furrowers were compared by Tukey test (p≤0.05), while for the factor soil compaction, polynomial regression analysis was adopted, selected models by the criterion of greater R2 and significance (p≤0.05) of equation parameters. Regardless of the crop season, penetration resistance increase as soil compaction levels up to around 0.20 m deep, and bulk density influenced the sowing quality parameters, however, did not affect the crop yield. In the first season, there was a higher productivity with the use of the shank type. In the second crop season, the shank demanded greater energetic requirement with the increase of bulk density and opposite situation with the double disc. The locking of sowing lines allow better performance of the shank to break the compacted layer.

Efeitos diretos e indiretos de parâmetros dos semivariogramas referentes aos atributos químicos do solo sobre a produtividade de grãos de soja

In order to add value to soybens crops, and hence the marketing, medium and large producers have been using precision agriculture techniques (PA), as the Remote Sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and positioning satellite, to assist the management of crops. Thus, given the economic relevance of that culture to the southwest of Paraná State and Brazil, scientific studies to increase their productivity and profitability are of main importance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the chemical soil properties and soybean yield for each estimated parameter of semivariogram (range, nugget and level effect), and the deployment of these correlations in direct and indirect effects, aiming to improve the mapping process of spatial variability of soil chemical properties for use in PA. The hypothesis is that not all attributes of soil used to estimate the semivariogram parameters has a direct effect on productivity, and that even in groups of plants within a larger area it is possible to estimate the parameters of the semivariograms. The experiment was conducted in a commercial area of 19.7 ha, located in the city of Pato Branco - PR, central geographic coordinates 26º 11 '35 "South, 52 43' 05" West longitude, and average altitude of 780 m. The area is planted with soybeans for over 30 years, currently being adopted to cultivate Brasmax Target RR - Don Mario 5.9i, with row spacing of 0.50 m and 13 plants m-1, totaling 260,000 plants ha-1. For georeferencing of the area of study and sampling points was used a couple of topographic ProMarkTM3 receptors, making a relative positioning to obtain the georeferenced coordinates. To collect data (chemical analyzes of soil and crop yield) were sampled 10 blocks in the experimental area, each with an area of 20 m2 (20 meters long x 1 meter wide) containing two spaced adjacent rows of 0.5 m. Each block was divided into 20 portions of 1 m2, and from each were collected four subsamples at a distance of 0.5 m in relation to the lines of blocks, making up a sample depth for 0-10 cm a sample to 10-20 cm for each plot, totaling 200 samples for each depth. The soybean crop was performed on the blocks depending on maturity, and in each block was considered a bundle at each meter. In the data analysis, it was performed a diagnosis of multicollinearity, and subsequently a path analysis of the main variables according to the explanatory variables (range of chemical attributes: pH, K, P, Ca, etc.). The results obtained by the path analysis of the parameters of the semivariogram of soil chemical properties, indicated that only the Fe, Mg, Mn, organic matter (OM), P and Saturation by bases (SB) exerted direct and indirect effects on soybean productivity, although they have not presented spatial variability, indicating that the distribution of blocks in the area was unable to identify the spatial dependence of these elements, making it impossible to draw up maps of the chemical attributes for use in PA.

Seleção de jabuticabeiras juvenis considerando o vigor, o potencial antioxidante e a tolerância a geadas

The jabuticaba tree has great potential for commercial exploitation. However, its is very little used. This fact shows to be necessary to do studies that allow understand their growth behavior during the year and, if it is tolerant to frost. So that it can establish management strategies for cultivation in orchard. Other point, it is the fact that the long juvenile period of jabuticaba tree limits its use. However, many species have compound leaves that characterize them as functional compounds, what to posible its commercialization. If the leaf jabuticaba tree also present such nutraceutical compounds, this it may become an alternative source of income until the plant to start its yield. The objectives of this study were to analyze the growth behavior, the occurrence of flowering and fruit set, and the frost tolerance of jabuticaba tree genotypes present in the collection of Native Fruit from UTFPR – Câmpus Dois Vizinhos. Associated growth analysis was made evaluation of genetic divergence among these genotypes, checking the adaptive behavior in orchard condition through adaptability and stability analysis based on growth measures to stem and shoots; estimating the repeatability coefficient of stem length of characters and primary shoots, and determine the minimum number of evaluations able to provide certain levels of prediction of the actual value of these individuals. Also determined the genetic divergence among genotypes as the leaves of antioxidant activity by DPPH and ABTS methods, as well as the determination of total phenolics. The genotypes studied were put in orchard in 2009. The growth response in the three cycles was variable between months and genotypes, what it can be difficult the practices in the orchard if it do not use clones. Genotypes 'Silvestre' and 'Açú' showed greater width and leaf area compared with other genotypes, but such behavior is not favored for increased stem growth and primary shoots. Foliar increments in most genotypes occurred in the fall for leaf width, spring for length and leaf area, despite the winter also arise with genotypes, it showed superiority to width and leaf area. Most jabuticabas trees were juvenile stage with only four starting at its transition between the vegetative and reproductive phase. Tolerance to frost was observed in 26 families jabuticabeira of the 29 present in the collection. The diversity among the genotypes was to change with the time, already in each cycle, there was the formation of different groups by the methods used. The methods tested for adaptability and stability of the jabuticaba tree growth behavior did not show the same pattern in the results. The number of measurements needed to predict the actual value of genotypes based on variables evaluated was approximately one to the stem length and four for the shoots based on the method of main components of covariance with 90% probability. he antioxidant activity of the extracts of leaves of jabuticaba tree genotypes were demonstrated high when compared to other species by methods DPPH and ABTS, as well as the amount of phenolic compounds. Genotype 'Silvestre' and 'IAPAR' showed the highest antioxidant activity in the leaves. However, the genetic divergence among genotypes jabuticaba tree from collection of Native Fruit trees at UTFPR - Câmpus Dois Vizinhos for antioxidant activity leaves showed that they have great homogeneity among them and the low divergence. However, it is recommended as possible hybridization the use as parents, José 4, IAPAR 4 and Fernando Xavier genotypes.

Atributos do solo sob modelos em estágio inicial de restauração de floresta subtropical

The replacement of native vegetation by other land uses is one of the main degrading ecosystem agents, being the most important component of terrestrial environments, natural or with different levels of human disturbance, besides being the main substrate used by plants to obtain conditions soil for its development. In this context, there is the need to adopt the use and sustainable management of land systems. The study aimed to evaluate what is forest restoration system more efficient degraded areas, based on the potential recovery of physical, chemical, carbon and biological activity in the soil. The work was conducted in a forest restoration area UTFPR- Campus two neighbors, whose experiment was established in October 2010. The experimental design is completely randomized, with four replications and experimental plot of 40 m wide by 54 m long ( 2160 m2) were collected and six sampling points per plot. The soil is classified as a Typic. The models evaluated are: 1 - natural or passive regeneration; 2 - Nucleation; 3 - Planting trees in the total area under lines fill and diversity (total planting); 4 - Reference area (forest). The collection of soil samples in layers of 0.0-0.05, 0.05-0.10, 0.10-0.20 and 0.20-0.40 m was carried out in October 2013 and evaluated physical attributes of texture, bulk density, total porosity, microporosity and soil macroporosity and stability of water in households, chemical properties, and total organic carbon (TOC) and physical particle size fractionation and soil biological activity. To find the best forest restoration model, we designed a Restoration Quality Weighted Index for each variable analyzed. Natural regeneration and total plantation showed generally better soil aggregation over 0.10 m and nucleation volume of similar porosity the forest for these layers. There were no differences between the models below 0.10 m for the variables aggregation and soil porosity. The nucleation template had the lowest bulk density, but being greater than the density in the layer forest 0.05-0.10 m, however, was similar to below 0.10 m above the ground. The models had chemical properties similar to or greater than the forest. The forest had the highest stock of COT and carbon associated with minerals (CAM), but natural regeneration was similar to the particulate organic carbon (POC) in the superficial layers of the soil (0-0.10 m), below 0, 10 m, the forest showed higher stock of COT and COP on the ground. The highest peak of C-CO2 emissions occurred in the 28-35 day range where the total plantation was similar to forest. After four years of experiments, it was found that the effect of restoration methods on physical attributes and soil carbon restricted to 0.10 m deep.

Acousto-optic modulation of optical reflection properties in fiber Bragg gratings and the application in fiber lasers

This thesis aims to investigate the interaction of acoustic waves and fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) in standard and suspended-core fibers (SCFs), to evaluate the influence of the fiber, grating and modulator design on the increase of the modulation efficiency, bandwidth and frequency. Initially, the frequency response and the resonant acoustic modes of a low frequency acousto-optic modulator (f < 1.2 MHz) are numerically investigated by using the finite element method. Later, the interaction of longitudinal acoustic waves and FBGs in SCFs is also numerically investigated. The fiber geometric parameters are varied and the strain and grating properties are simulated by means of the finite element method and the transfer matrix method. The study indicates that the air holes composing the SCF cause a significant reduction of the amount of silica in the fiber cross section increasing acousto-optic interaction in the core. Experimental modulation of the reflectivity of FBGs inscribed in two distinct SCFs indicates evidences of this increased interaction. Besides, a method to acoustically induce a dynamic phase-shift in a chirped FBG employing an optimized design of modulator is shown. Afterwards, a combination of this modulator and a FBG inscribed in a three air holes SCF is applied to mode-lock an ytterbium doped fiber laser. To improve the modulator design for future applications, two other distinct devices are investigated to increase the acousto-optic interaction, bandwidth and frequency (f > 10 MHz). A high reflectivity modulation has been achieved for a modulator based on a tapered fiber. Moreover, an increased modulated bandwidth (320 pm) has been obtained for a modulator based on interaction of a radial long period grating (RLPG) and a FBG inscribed in a standard fiber. In summary, the results show a considerable reduction of the grating/fiber length and the modulator size, indicating possibilities for compact and faster acousto-optic fiber devices. Additionally, the increased interaction efficiency, modulated bandwidth and frequency can be useful to shorten the pulse width of future all-fiber mode-locked fiber lasers, as well, to other photonic devices which require the control of the light in optical fibers by electrically tunable acoustic waves.

Método para reconhecimento de vogais e extração de parâmetros acústicos para analises forenses

Forensic speaker comparison exams have complex characteristics, demanding a long time for manual analysis. A method for automatic recognition of vowels, providing feature extraction for acoustic analysis is proposed, aiming to contribute as a support tool in these exams. The proposal is based in formant measurements by LPC (Linear Predictive Coding), selectively by fundamental frequency detection, zero crossing rate, bandwidth and continuity, with the clustering being done by the k-means method. Experiments using samples from three different databases have shown promising results, in which the regions corresponding to five of the Brasilian Portuguese vowels were successfully located, providing visualization of a speaker’s vocal tract behavior, as well as the detection of segments corresponding to target vowels.