Compostagem dos dejetos da bovinocultura de corte: influência do período, do genótipo e da dieta

O objetivo neste estudo foi identificar possíveis alterações na composição e no processo de compostagem dos dejetos produzidos por bovinos Canchim e Nelore em diferentes períodos do confinamento alimentados com diferentes proporções de volumoso e concentrado. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial com parcelas subdivididas no tempo. As parcelas foram compostas por quatro tratamentos: dejetos provenientes de duas dietas (40% de volumoso e 60% de concentrado e 60% de volumoso e 40% de concentrado) e dois genótipos (Canchim e Nelore) e as subparcelas pelos três períodos de coleta dos resíduos (início, meio e final). A eficiência do processo de compostagem foi avaliada pelas reduções de volume, sólidos totais, sólidos voláteis, frações fibrosas, carbono orgânico e temperatura, além do número mais provável de coliformes totais e termotolerantes e teores de nitrogênio e macro e microminerais. Não houve efeito do genótipo nem do período de coleta dos resíduos sobre a composição dos dejetos, no entanto o aumento da proporção de volumoso na dieta levou a menor eficiência do processo de compostagem dos dejetos. Também foram observadas reduções de 100% no número mais provável de coliformes totais e termotolerantes e aumento no teor dos nutrientes no composto final.

Meat characteristics of Nellore steers fed whole cottonseed

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Qualidade e composição química da carne de bovinos de corte inteiros ou castrados de diferentes grupos genéticos Charolês x Nelore

Seventy beef males of three breeding systems (BS), straightbreds Charolais (Ch) and Nellore (Ne), G1 crossbreds: 1/2 Ch + 1/2 Ne (1/2 Ch) and 1/2 Ne + 1/2 Ch (1/2 Ne) and G2 crossbreds: 3/4 Ch + 1/4 Ne (3/4 Ch) and 3/4 Ne + 1/4 Ch (3/4 Ne) were used. The number of animals by genetic group was, respectively, 15, 12,8, 12,14 and 9. Thirty-five males were castrated (C) at seven months and 35 were kept intact (1). The animals were feedlot finished from 20 to 24 months. The longissimus dorsi muscle was used for the meat evaluation. No significant interaction was observed between genetic composition and sexual condition, for the variables studied. The I males displayed meat with darker color (3.05 vs. 3.78 points) with less amount of marbling (4.26 vs. 5.75 points) and less amount of ether extract (1.73 vs. 2.88%). However they presented larger (66.03 vs. 60.50 cm(2)) longissimus dorsi area and meat with better palatability, juiciness and tenderness. Ch animals had larger longissimus dorsi than the Ne. In the G I group, the 1/2 Ch meat showed larger amount of marbling and ether extract and less cooking losses than the 1/2 Ne meat. Between G2 animals, the 3/4 Ne showed meat with larger thawing losses and larger amount of ether extract. In G1 animals meat, the heterosis level reached 18.54% for longissimus dorsiarea, 28.10% for ether extract and 64.01% for amount of marbling. In G2, the heterosis was -17.30% for lean texture and 10.40% for longissimus dorsi area.

Avaliação da vinhaça líquida em substituição à água na terminação de bovinos em confinamento 2. Parâmetros etológicos e perfil metabólico

Fifteen animals from Canchim group and fifteen from Nelore were observed in the following treatments: water (A), molasses soluble + magnesium oxide (V) and molasses soluble + magnesium oxide + sodium bicarbonate (V+B). They were observed during continuous 24 hours every 30 days up to 90 days periods. During the weighting, every 28 days blood samples were collected to determine metabolic outline. Treatments did not affect (P>.05) animal behaviour on metabolic and the obtained mean values were within the normal range. They were, respectively for Canchim and Nelore: Feeding 270 and 223 minutes; Rumination 374 and 356 minutes; Idleness 745 and 863 minutes; Glicose 86 and 88 mg/dl; Urea 10 and 23 mg/dl: Uric acid 1,3 and 1,2 mg/dl; Total protein 7,0 and 6,8 g/dl; Albumin 3,1 and 3,1 g/dl; Creatinin 1,5 and 1,6 mg/dl; Sodium 140 and 142 meq/dl; Potassium 4,2 and 4,3 meq/1 and Calcium 10,0 and 9,8 mg/dl. It was concluded that molasses soluble as a substitute of water has not changed the ethologic parameters neither metabolic outline of both genetic group when in finishing feedlot.

Effect of tillage on fractal indices describing soil surface microrelief of a Brazilian Alfisol

Soil surface roughness is known to influence water infiltration, runoff and erosion. Soil surface roughness changes with management and weather and its mathematical description still remains an important issue. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of tillage on the two fractal indices, fractal dimension, D, and crossover length, 1, currently used in characterizing soil surface microrelief. The statistical index random roughness, RR, was also assessed. Field experiments were done on an Alfisol located at Rio Grande do Sul State (Brazil). Two tillage treatments (conventional versus direct drilling) were tested. The soil surface microrelief was assessed by point elevation measurements in 16 plots for each treatment. The sampling scheme was a square grid with 20 x 20 mm between point spacing and the plot size was 280 x 280 mm, so that each data set consisted of 225 individual elevation points. All indices were calculated after trend removal, both by slope correction, i.e., oriented microrelief, and by slope plus tillage marks correction, i.e., random microrelief. The implemented algorithm for estimating D and 1 consisted in evaluating the roughness around the local root mean square deviation (RMS) of the point elevation values. Irrespective of tillage treatment and detrending procedure, fractal behavior extended only over a bounded range of scales, from 40 to 100 mm, due to the experimental setup. In these conditions, assessing fractal indices was not always straightforward. The statistical index RR and the fractal index I were significantly different between tillage treatments for oriented and random surface conditions. D values of random soil surfaces were not affected by tillage treatment, whereas D values of oriented microrelief were significantly lower in the direct drilled plots. Removal of tillage marks trend resulted in a significant increase in D values. Within each tillage treatment, 1 and D were significantly correlated. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Avaliação das Farinhas de Peixe e Pena, no Confinamento de Bezerros Leiteiros Desmamados, Através de Dietas Calculadas em Termos de Proteína Bruta ou de Proteína Metabolizável

The objectives of this work were to evaluate three protein sources - soybean meal, fish meal and feather meal - and two methods of calculation of rations - the calculated in terms of crude protein (CP), according to recommendations of NRC (1988); and the proposed by the AFRC (1993), and calculated in terms of metabolizable protein (MP) - through the performance of calves. The animals were confined and submitted to five diets, that varied only protein sources in its composition, thus discriminated: SM- Soybean Meal, FsM- Fish Meal, FeM- Feather Meal, FsMU- Fish Meal and Urea, and FeMU Feather Meal and Urea. A complete diet was supplied, composed of 40% of sorghum silage and 60% of concentrate. All treatments possessed about of 2.56 Mcal/kg DM of metabolizable energy, being the treatments SM, FsM and FeM calculated by the system of CP, with 18% of CP, and the treatments FsMU and FeMU, calculated by the system of MP, with 16.3% of CP and a same amount of metabolizable protein than the treatment SM, with 112.0 grams of MP/day. Individually, the treatments did not present significant differences (P > 0.05) in the final alive weight, in daily gain weight and in dry matter intake, having differences only in the feed:gain ratio. The best feed:gain ratio happened in the treatment FsM and the worst in the treatment FeMU. It is concluded that the MP method provides similar results to the method of CP. The treatments with fish meal provide larger weight gains, smaller intake and better feed:gain ratio than the treatments with feather meal, staying the treatment soybean meal with intermediary daily gain.

From Plinthic Acrisols to Plinthosols and Gleysols: iron and groundwater dynamics in the tertiary sediments of the upper Amazon basin

Topography has been reported to be the major factor ruling the spatial distribution of Acrisols, Plinthosols and Gleysols on the seasonally flooded, low elevation plateaux of the upper Amazon basin occupied by Tertiary (Ica & Solimoes) sediments. In this study, detailed morphological and mineralogical investigations conducted in a representative 25-ha site were combined with hydro-geochemical data to relate the vertical and lateral soil differentiations observed to the hydro-geological history of that part of the basin. As a result of the uplift of the Andes, several cuts in the extensive Tertiary marshlands have formed, at first, slightly incised plateaux of low elevation. There, weathering under hot and humid climates would have generated a reddish, freely drained and bioturbated topsoil layer and the vertical differentiation in subsoil sediments of a plinthite over an iron-depleted mottled clay. The second episode of soil differentiation is linked to the replacement of the forest by a savannah under the drier climates of the late Pleistocene, which favours surface runoff and the infill of the incisions by fine particles. This infill, combined with the return to the present humid climate, has then enabled the local groundwater to rise on the plateaux and to generate episaturation at the topsoil/subsoil transition close to the depressions. Nowadays, ferrous iron is released from the partly iron-depleted topsoil weathering front at high water levels during the rainy seasons. It moves from footslope to low-lying positions and from top to bottom in the soil profile according to the groundwater dynamics. The present general trend is thus to the lateral export of iron at high water levels due to subsurface and overland flows, its vertical transfer during the recession of the groundwater and accumulation in a nodular plinthite. In the latter, ferrous iron is adsorbed onto its softest iron masses where it feeds the neoformation of ferrihydrite that rapidly dehydrates into haematite.

Efeito da niacina e da monensina sódica no desempenho de novilhos em confinamento

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementation of combined and single monensin and niacin on the productive performance of crossbred young bulls (european/zebu) aged 11 months and initial average liveweight of 248 kg. The experimental design was a factorial randomized arrangement. The treatments were: T1-check, T2-niacin, T3-monensin and T4-niacin+monensin. All the treatments were isoproteic (11 %CP) and isoenergetic (78% TDN), composed of 57.3% roughage and 42.7% concentrate (soybean meal, maize, minerals and buffer). Data was collected over a period of 85 days, with liveweight measured every 28 days. It was conclued that, for this diet, the single supplementation of niacin does not increase the performance of bulls, and therefor it is not recommended. However, the ionophore monensin, single or on in combination with niacin, improves the performance of the animals up to 56 days of feedlot.

Desempenho Produtivo de Animais de Quatro Raças Zebuínas, Abatidos em Três Estádios de Maturidade. 1. Ganho de Peso e de Carcaça e Eficiência de Ganho

This research was conducted to evaluate the productive performance (live weight gain and carcass weight gain and gain efficiency) of animals from four zebu breed slaughtered in three maturity stages. Thirty-six bulls from Gyr, Guzera, Mocho Tabapua and Nellore with twenty-four months of average age and average initial live weight of 357.6, 362.0, 368.6 and 376.4 kg, respectively, were used. The bulls, from each breed, were randomly assigned to individual pens and were full-fed a diet containing 50% concentrate (DM basis) and distributed to three category (1, 2 and 3) of slaughter weights. The bulls from category 1, 2 and 3 were slaughtered when reached the individual live weight of 405, 450 and 500 kg, respectively. At slaughter the empty body weight was determined. The Nellore breed bulls showed greater average empty body weight gain and carcass gain in relation to the other breeds, which did not differ among themselves. There were no differences among breeds regarding to feed efficiency (empty body weight gain efficiency and carcass gain efficiency per unit of metabolizable energy intake). The slaughter weight did not influence the empty body weight gain and carcass gain, but animals slaughtered at higher slaughter weights showed lower gain efficiency and spent more time in feedlot.

Chemical composition and tenderness of longissimus dorsi muscle from non- castrated Murrah buffaloes slaughtered at different weights

Buffalo meat production has been arising interest breeder and emerges as alternative to consumer, more and more demanding of the quality products. Thus, this research was conducted to study the chemical composition and tenderness of Longissimus dorsi muscle from 10 non-castrated Murrah buffaloes slaughtered at different weights. The research was carried in feedlot of School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of the São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil. Animals were divided in two groups, received diet ad libitum and slaughtered when reached 450 and 500 kg of live weight. The experiment design was completely randomized, with five repetitions to each treatment. Meat sample from Longissimus dorsi muscle, taken between 12(th) and 13(th) ribs, were carried analysis of moisture, crude protein, fat, ash, Longissimus muscle area (LMA), fat thickness (FT), marbling, calorie and tenderness. It did not have significant difference between the groups. Average values at of 76.0; 20.7; 2.1 and 1.2 of moisture, crude protein, fat and ash respectively, were obtained. Calorie, tenderness, LMA, FT and marbling were obtained at average values of 132 kca1/100g; 3.94 kgf; 34.2 cm(2); 5.9 mm and 2 points, respectively. Values obtained for tenderness are similar in the literature and has been proving that buffalo meat is tender (< 5kgf). Positive correlation was observed between the protein percentage and the shear force of the meat. The buffalo meat is excellent alternative source of red protein of high biological value to feeding of Brazilian consumers.

Avaliação da vinhaça líquida em substituição à água na terminação de bovinos em confinamento. 1. Desempenho

During 90 days 243 finishing feedlot animals from two genetic groups, were weighed every 28 days in a randomized experimental procedure in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement, with two breeds - Nelore (Nel) and Canchim (Can) - and three treatments: water (A), cane stillage + magnesium oxide (V) and cane stillage + magnesium oxide + sodium bicarbonate (V + B). The diet for all treatments was composed of 70% of corn silage and 30% of chopped sugar cane ad libitum plus 1 kg of ground corn and 1,5 kg of soluble yeast per animal. Results showed higher weight gain (P < 0,01) of the Can group relation to those of Nel, having respectively 1,35 and 1,22 kg/head/day. Both Can and Nel groups showed higher weight gain (P <.01) when fed with V + B, with 1,44 and 1,32 kg/head/day respectively when comparing to the other diets: Can (A) = 1,30; Can (V) = 1,31; Nel (A) = 1,16 and Nel (V) = 1,20 kg/head/day. The diet using V + B has also showed a tendency (.05

Saprophytic colonization of citrus twigs by Diaporthe citri and factors affecting pycnidial production and conidial survival

Melanose, caused by Diaporthe citri, produces reddish brown lesions on the fruit, leaves, and twigs of citrus trees, and greatly reduces the marketability of fresh fruit. Most of the inoculum is produced in pycnidia on dead twigs in the tree canopy, which exude large numbers of conidia in slimy masses. In this study, detached twigs inoculated with conidia were readily colonized and produced large numbers of pycnidia within 30 to 40 days when they were soaked 3 to 4 h on alternate days. Conidial production was measured by wetting twigs in a rain tower periodically and collecting the conidia in the runoff water. Production began after 80 days and continued for nearly 300 days. In other experiments, production of mature pycnidia on detached twigs was greatest at 94 to 100% relative humidity (RH) and at 28 degrees C. Low RH and temperature, however, favored survival of conidia in exuded masses on twigs. In the field, colonization of detached twigs by D. citri was high in rainy season, moderate in spring and early fall, and minimal in late fall and winter. Twig colonization was positively related to the number of rain days and average temperature, but not to total rainfall. In another experiment, inoculated twigs placed in the tree canopy developed pycnidia and then produced conidial masses for about 200 days. D. citri is a serious pathogen, but a weak parasite, that survives primarily by colonization and reproduction on dead twigs.

Impact of Z-R relationship on flow estimates in central São Paulo

Mean areal radar rainfall over catchments in the State of São Paulo is an operational product under development by the Meteorological Research Institute - IPMet. A pilot project is being carried out which focuses on the important Corumbatai River basin, under surveillance by the IPMet-operated Bauru radar. Previous work on the project explored the relative impact of factors like time resolution of radar data and reflectivity to rain-rate conversion relationships, when the relevance of the latter was verified. This paper deals with the stratification of those relationships by daily intervals and its impact on flow estimates. Daily values of radar mean rainfall using gauges and different conversion relationships are plotted against the corresponding flow at the basin outlet. Flow estimates derived by applying the rainfall from the different relationships to a previously obtained rainfall-runoff curve for the basin is compared to the historical hydrograph. Preliminary results suggest stratification has hydrological significance.

Environmental Behaviour of Metolachlor and Diuron in a Tropical Soil in the Central Region of Brazil

The environmental behaviour of metolachlor and diuron was studied in the Central-western region of Brazil, by means of a field study where six experimental plots were installed. The soil was classified as a Latosol, and the soil horizons were characterized. Sorption of metolachlor and diuron was evaluated in laboratory batch experiments. Metolachlor and diuron were applied to the experimental plots on uncultivated soil in October 2003. From this date to March 2004, the following processes were studied: leaching, runoff and dissipation in top soil. K (oc) of metolachlor varied from 179 to 264 mL g(-1) in the soil horizons. K (oc) of diuron in the Ap horizon was 917 mL g(-1), decreasing significantly in the deeper horizons. Field dissipation half-lives of metolachlor and diuron were 18 and 15 days, respectively. In percolated water, metolachlor was detected in concentrations ranging from 0.02 to 2.84 mu g L-1. In runoff water and sediment, metolachlor was detected in decreasing concentrations throughout the period of study. Losses of 0.02% and 0.54% of the applied amount by leaching and runoff, respectively, were observed confirming the high mobility of this herbicide in the environment. In percolated water, diuron was detected with low frequency but in relatively high concentrations (up to 6.29 mu g L-1). In runoff water and soil, diuron was detected in decreasing concentrations until 70 days after application, totalizing 13.9% during the whole sampling period. These results show the importance of practices to reduce runoff avoiding surface water contamination by these pesticides, particularly diuron.