Resposta de plantas daninhas ao óleo fúsel aplicado em pós-emergência inicial e tardia

This work aimed to study weed response to fusel oil rate applied at early and late post-emergence. The following species were studied at late and early post-emergence: Ipomoea hederifolia, Ipomoea quamoclit, Euphorbia heterophylla, Digitaria spp., Cenchrus echinatus and Panicum maximum.. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with six treatments and four replications. Fusel oil, an alcohol distillation byproduct, was applied at rates of 50, 125, 250, 375 and 500 L ha(-1), plus control without application. The plots were constituted by polyethylene containers with 3 L capacity, filled with topsoil land from a fallow area. Visual symptoms of intoxication were verified at 7 and 30 days after application (DAA) and dry weight at 30 DAA. The variables were submitted to variance analysis according to the design, adjusting the data to obtain the dose-response curve by polynomial regression. The studied species were susceptible only to the application of 500 L ha(-1) of fusel oil at early or late plant post-emergence. The species Digitaria spp. was susceptible and E. heterophylla tolerant to fusel oil applied at early post-emergence, while the other species were moderately tolerant. E. heterophylla was susceptible, Digitaria spp., C. echinatus and P. maximum moderately tolerant and I. hederifolia and I. quamoclit tolerant to fusel oil applied at late post-emergence.

Alelopatia de Leucena sobre soja e plantas invasoras

With the advance of agriculture, there was consequent rising in environment degradation. Therefore, It is interesting the use of plants which have in their chemical composition substances capable of helping in the control of weeds to minimize the use of pesticides. Hence, the objective of this paper was to evaluate solutions of leucena extract on weeds that are frequent on soybean crop. The treatments were leucena extracts at 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% at room temperature water and water heated to 80 degrees C. The extracts were obtained by crushing 200g of leucena leaves and mixing them with one liter of distilled water with the help of a blender. Seeds were kept in B.O.D. at a temperature of 25 degrees C, with a photoperiod of 12 hours of light. Evaluations were done oil a daily basis, from the first to the last day of the experiment, varying according to the species. Results show a negative interference of the extracts, both hot and cold, in the root length of Ipomoea grandifolia, in the percentage of germination and in the root length of Arrowleaf sida and Hair beggarticks. There was no negative interference in the analyzed parameters for soybean seeds. Thus, the results indicate allelopatic potential of Leucaena leuucocephala as an alternative for the management of weeds without interfering on the development of the soybean crop.

Interferência de Brachiaria Ruziziensis sobre plantas daninhas em sistema de consórcio com milho

Regarding tropical forage plants, the specie Brachiaria ruziziensis are prominence for to be most acceptable for cattle when compared with others Brachiaria species, besides the excellent competitive ability with weeds. Then, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of Brachiaria ruziziensis density in intercropping with corn crop, about weeds control and weeds development in the crop-cattle integration system. The experiment was realized during the period between December/2007 to May/2008, in the experimental area of Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz", Piracicaba - SP. The treatment was composed in a factorial arrangement, by combination of four Brachiaria ruziziensis density (0, 10, 15 and 20 kg ha(-1)) and three weed species ((Ipomoea grandifolia, Digitaria horizontalis e Cenchrus echinatus), in intercropping with corn crop. The evaluations realized were: weed infestation (density m(-2)), the dry biomass (g plant(-1)) and leaf area (cm(2) plant(-1)). It was noted that Brachiaria ruziziensis reduced the all of weeds infestation evaluated. Also, it was checked that Digitaria horizontalis and Ipomoea grandifolia were the weeds with most difficult control.

Épocas de consórcio de alho com beterraba perante três manejos do mato sobre a produtividade e o lucro

The research was carried out with intercropped cultivation of garlic and beet, in Caçador, SC, Brazil. Four seeding epochs for beet (0, 15, 30 and 45 days after garlic planting) and three management systems for weeds (with herbicides, without control and with frequent weeding) were tested. It was hoped to determine the effects of this intercropping, in time and space, seeking the benefits in .weed control, efficient land use, productivity, commercial quality, and profitability. The randomized block design was in split-plots. The epochs represented the plots, and the management, the subplots, with four replicates. Napromide at 750 g/ha did not cause symptoms of intoxication in the garlic plants, nor in the beet. All the treatments in epochs at the initiation of intercropping, in three management systems for weeds, presented efficient land use values greater than 1. The profitability of the intercropping of garlic and beet only became evident in the management involving frequent weeding; in all epochs, profits were greater than for the respective epochs of monoculture of beet and monoculture of garlic.

The Bauru Group: A continental Cretaceous unit in Brazil - Concepts based on micropaleontological, oxygen isotope and stratigraphical data

The integration of outcrop and subsurface information, including micropaleontological data, facies and sequence stratigraphic studies, and oxygen isotope analysis, allow us to present a new stratigraphic model for the Cretaceous continental deposits of the Bauru Group, Brazil. Thirty-eight fossil taxa were recovered from these deposits, including 29 species of ostracodes and 9 species of charophytes. Seven of these ostracode species and three subspecies are new and formally described here. The associations of Chara barbosai - Ilyocypris cf. riograndensis, found in the Adamantina Formation, and Amblyochara sp. - Neuquenocypris minor mineira nov. subsp., found in the Marília Formation. Ponte Alta Member, represent two distinct groups that are respectively Turonian-Santonian and Maastrichtian (probably Late Maastrichtian) in age. Therefore, a hiatus, encompassing more than 11 Ma, separates those two formations. From bottom to top, four depositional cycles were recognized in the Bauru Group in western São Paulo: cycles 1 and 2 belong to Caiuá Formation (fluvio-lacustrine and lacustrine deposits in the Presidente Prudente region), cycle 3 to the Santo Anastácio and lower Adamantina Formation (respectively fluvial and lacustrine deposits), and cycle 4 to the upper Adamantina Formation (fluvio-lacustrine facies). An erosional unconformity separates the Caiuá and Santo Anastácio Formations (between cycles 2 and 3). The Marília Formation is a distinct unit from the underlying succession; it does not occur in western São Paulo, but is found in restricted areas of São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso do Sul and Goiás States. During the deposition of the Bauru Group (Aptian? to Maastrichtian) the climate was hot and arid-semiarid. Shallow lakes underwent fluctuations in expansion (wet phases) and contraction (dry phases), as well as variations in salinity. During the deposition of the Adamantina Formation (Turonian-Santonian) there were long, dry periods that caused segmentation of large lakes (due to topographic irregularities in the basaltic substrate) and sometimes exposures of the lake floors; when flooded these lake floors were colonized by extensive meadows of single species of charophytes. Small ephemeral ponds, that were hydrochemically unstable and colonized by multiple species of charophytes, were the depositional sites for the marls and mudstones of Ponte Alta Member (Maastrichtian, Late Maastrichtian?). Our micropaleontological age control, combined with the Late Cretaceous ages of volcanic ashes found in the southeastern Brazil coastal basins, and the stratigraphic position of analcimites from the Jaboticabal-SP region, suggest a Late Coniacian-Santonian age for important magmatic events occurred in the interior of Brazil (north-central São Paulo State, Triângulo Mineiro, and southwestern Goiás State).

Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of extracts of medicinal plants on three tomato phytopathogens

Antimicrobial activity of 45 extracts of medicinal plants were tested on Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria, Ralstonia solanacearum and Clavibacter michiganense subsp. michiganense. Some assays were done to verify the capability of these plants extrats to show an antibiosis. Five extracts (EAFQ, SM1, SM12, SM16, SA1) shown positive activity. The extract EAFQ expressed bactericide activity on C. michiganense. It suggests the possibility of using these actives substances in natura or as a model to synthesize industrialized products, intendind field utilization.

Influência de cultivares de batata-doce resistentes e suscetíveis a Euscepes postfasciatus fairmaire (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) sobre o parasitismo, sobrevivência e a biologia de Catolaccus grandis burks (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)

The influence of four resistant and two susceptible genotypes of sweet potato to Euscepes postfasciatus Fairmaire on parasitism and biology of Catolaccus grandis Burks were evaluated under laboratory conditions. Six sweet potato roots of each genotype were infested with E. postfasciatus adults during 40 days. After this period the larvae were taken, weighted and encapsulated in parafilm. Five larvae were offered in free choice and no choice tests to C. grandis pregnant females for 12h. Five replications were used. The parasitized larvae and the eggs of the parasitoid were counted. Three daily observations were made to determine the developmental time of phases and parasitoid survival. C. grandis females can distinguish E. postfasciatus larvae reared on susceptible and resistant roots, prefering to parasitize larvae reared on susceptible roots. C. grandis survival was higher when the parasitoid was reared on larvae originated from susceptible roots and the number of emerged females was higher on larvae reared on hosts originated from susceptible roots.

Anatomy of Echinodorus (Alismataceae) scapes from northeastern Brazil as applied to taxonomy

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Modulation of the pharmacological effects of enzymatically-active PLA 2 by BTL-2, an isolectin isolated from the Bryothamnion triquetrum red alga

Background. An interaction between lectins from marine algae and PLA 2 from rattlesnake was suggested some years ago. We, herein, studied the effects elicited by a small isolectin (BTL-2), isolated from Bryothamnion triquetrum, on the pharmacological and biological activities of a PLA 2 isolated from rattlesnake venom (Crotalus durissus cascavella), to better understand the enzymatic and pharmacological mechanisms of the PLA 2 and its complex. Results. This PLA2 consisted of 122 amino acids (approximate molecular mass of 14 kDa), its pI was estimated to be 8.3, and its amino acid sequence shared a high degree of similarity with that of other neurotoxic and enzymatically-active PLA2s. BTL-2 had a molecular mass estimated in approximately 9 kDa and was characterized as a basic protein. In addition, BTL-2 did not exhibit any enzymatic activity. The PLA2 and BTL-2 formed a stable heterodimer with a molecular mass of approximately 24-26 kDa, estimated by molecular exclusion HPLC. In the presence of BTL-2, we observed a significant increase in PLA2 activity, 23% higher than that of PLA2 alone. BTL-2 demonstrated an inhibition of 98% in the growth of the Gram-positive bacterial strain, Clavibacter michiganensis michiganensis (Cmm), but only 9.8% inhibition of the Gram-negative bacterial strain, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv passiflorae (Xap). PLA2 decreased bacterial growth by 27.3% and 98.5% for Xap and Cmm, respectively, while incubating these two proteins with PLA2-BTL-2 inhibited their growths by 36.2% for Xap and 98.5% for Cmm. PLA2 significantly induced platelet aggregation in washed platelets, whereas BTL-2 did not induce significant platelet aggregation in any assay. However, BTL-2 significantly inhibited platelet aggregation induced by PLA2. In addition, PLA 2 exhibited strong oedematogenic activity, which was decreased in the presence of BTL-2. BTL-2 alone did not induce oedema and did not decrease or abolish the oedema induced by the 48/80 compound. Conclusion. The unexpected results observed for the PLA2-BTL-2 complex strongly suggest that the pharmacological activity of this PLA2 is not solely dependent on the presence of enzymatic activity, and that other pharmacological regions may also be involved. In addition, we describe for the first time an interaction between two different molecules, which form a stable complex with significant changes in their original biological action. This opens new possibilities for understanding the function and action of crude venom, an extremely complex mixture of different molecules. © 2008 Oliveira et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Avaliação comparativa da eficácia de fitoterápicos e produtos químicos carrapaticidas no controle do boophilus microplus (Canestrini, 1887) por meio do biocarrapaticidograma

The aim of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of plant extracts and chemical products for the control of Boophilus microplus. Three commercial products for the control of Boophilus microplus were in vitro evaluated, chemical compounds of cypermethrin + DDVP and organophosphate as recomended by the manufacturer, and also four plant extracts, Azadirachta indica (1%), Cymbopogon densiflorus, Lippia alba and Ipomoea asarifolia at different concentrations. The results showed that the chemical compounds tested had efficacy lower than 95% against the Boophilus microplus samples in the experiment. The extracts of all plants have shown some biological activity in the mortality of ingurgitated females and inhibition of egg crash, however the extract of Azadirachta indica presented efficacy higher than 95% in all tested concentrations, being the best sample tested in this experiment.

Diferentes níveis de torta de nabo forrageiro (Raphanus sativus) como aditivo na silagem de capim elefante

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of the inclusion of different levels of turnip cake (TNF) on the chemical composition, digestibility and quality of elephant grass silage. Due to the quality of the oil extracted from the seeds, the turnip is being considered as an important option for the biodiesel industry in Brazil. The turnip cake is obtained from the mechanical pressing of the seeds to produce oil, and it differs from the meal by the content of fat. In the meal the fat is less than 1%, due to the use of solvents for the oil extraction. Experimental silos were used in a completely randomized design, in factorial arrangement 2 x 3 (two types of material and four levels of inclusion). The materials were represented for original material (fresh) and ensiled material, with four levels of inclusion of TNF (0, 3, 6, and 9%). Dry matter (DM), ether extract (EE), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), nitrogen indigestible neutral detergent (NIDN), nitrogen indigestible acid detergent (NIDA), ash (MM), lignin (LIG), buffer power (PT), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDDM) were determined in all materials. In silage, additionally, were determined pH and amoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N). There were effects of inclusion of TNF and the type of material on the DM, CP, ADF, NIDA, P, and MM contents and on IVDDM. The interaction of the two factors was observed to the contents of CP, NDF, ADF, NIDA, Ca and IVDDM. In silage, the DM levels were lower (P < 0.05) than in original material. The values of DM were increased linearly as increased levels of inclusion of TNF. The fibrous components, including NIDN and NIDA, decreased linearly when the TNF increased. In all treatments, values of pH and N-NH3 considered ideal for good silage were observed. The IVDDM was reduced, linearly, with the addition of increasing levels of TNF. A negative correlation (-0.95) between IVDDM and content of EE may explain the tendency of this variable, due to the EE content increased linearly with the addition of TNF. The addition of TNF as an additive in silage of elephant diminished IVDDM. Considering the changes observed in the chemical composition and digestibility of elephant grass silage with TNF as additive, suggests that this should not be included at levels exceeding 3%. On the other hand, the silages with TNF as additive showed appropriate fermentation characteristics.

Influence of storage on chemical properties of different peats

The change of chemical properties during storage of 12 fertilized bagged peats of different origins at high temperature was investigated. The average values for N, soluble salts and EC decreased significantly, whereas the pH as well as P and K contents changed only slightly. Differences in N were observed between the peats. The contents of CAT soluble N in the two dredged frozen black peats did not change during storage. However, a decrease in N was found when water extraction was used. In the case of the 10 white peats the loss of N differed considerably, but it was independent of the method of peat harvest. The N decrease resulted mainly from reduced levels of NO3-N. Substances damaging to plant growth do not seem to have developed during storage as shown by trials on the germination and the growth of Chinese cabbage. There were no significant differences between the peats, whether stored or not.

Beta-carotene stability during drying and storage of cassava and sweet potato

The effect of blanching on the β-carotene stability during drying and storage of cassava and sweet potato was evaluated. The orange-fleshed sweet potato showed good retention of β-carotene during the blanching and drying (100% and 96%, respectively), but lower retention (84% and 91%) was observed in cassava. Cassava also showed lower β-carotene stability than sweet potato during the storage of unblanched dried samples. β-Carotene content of dried cassava was reduced from 8.6 μg/g to traces in 20 days of storage while the initial amount of dried sweet potato (463 μg/g) was reduced by about 45% (210 μg/g). Blanching did not affect the β-carotene retention during the drying, but enhanced the stability of this carotenoid during the storage of dried samples at room temperature, especially in cassava. The initial levels of blanched-dried cassava and sweet potato (7.8 and 513 μg/g, respectively) took 70 days to fall by around 50%.

Experimental infection of commercial layers using a Salmonella enterica serovar Gallinarum strain: Leukogram and serum acute-phase protein concentrations

The aim of the present study was to evaluate white blood cell counts and serum protein profiles of commercial layers experimentally infected with Salmonella Gallinarum (SG) in order to better understand the pathophysiology of the disease caused by this bacterium. 180 five-day-old commercial layers were divided into 3 groups (G); G1 and G2 received 0.2 mL of inoculate containing 3.3x10 8 CFU or 3.3×10 5 CFU SG resistant to nalidix acid (Nal r)/mL, respectively, directly into their crops. G3 group did not receive the inoculum. Birds were sacrificed 24 hours before (T1) and 24 hours after the infection (T2), and three (T3), five (T4), seven (T5), and ten (T6) days after the administration of the inoculum. White blood cell counts were carried out in a Neubauer hemocytometer and in blood smears. Serum protein concentrations, including acute-phase proteins, were determined using sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Data were submitted to analysis of variance, and means were compared by Tukey's test (P <0.05). G1 and G2 groups presented higher leukocyte counts on T4 and T5, respectively, due to the increase of circulating lymphocytes and heterophils, with a significant difference relative to G3. In electrophoresis, an increase in the serum levels of ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin, and hemopexin and a decrease in transferrin, which are acute-phase proteins, was verified. IgA serum levels did not change; however, IgG concentration increased during the infection. In conclusion, the results provide information for the better understanding of the pathophysiology of fowl typhoid.

Experimental infection of commercial layers using a Salmonella enterica sorovar Gallinarum strain: Blood serum components and histopathological changes

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the blood serum components and histopathological findings of commercial layers experimentally infected with Salmonella Gallinarum (SG), the microorganism responsible for the fowl typhoid. 180 commercial layers were distributed into three groups (G): G1 and G2 received 0.2mL of inoculum containing 3.3x10 8 and 3.3x10 5 CFU of resistant SG to the nalidix acid (Nal r)/mL, respectively, directly into their crops; G3 did not receive the inoculum (control group). The birds were inoculated when they were 5 days old and the euthanasia was performed 24 hours before and after infection and 3, 5, 7 and 10 days after the administration of the inoculum. In each day of collection, blood samples were obtained for biochemical tests of the blood serum besides macroscopic and histopathological examination of the birds. Data were submitted to analysis of variance by the SAS statistical program and the means were compared by Tukeýs test (P<0,05). In the serum biochemical profile it was observed that the infection interfered in the values of total protein, albumin, calcium, phosphorus, cholesterol, triglycerides, GGT and ALT in the infected groups. The macroscopic examination showed hepatomegaly, alteration of the hepatic color and hemorrhagic spots in the kidneys of animals from G1. The histopathology showed degeneration of hepatocytes in G1 and G2 although other lesions like multifocal hepatic necrosis and inflammatory infiltrate on the liver and kidneys were restricted to G1. The alterations were more evident on G1 which received a higher concentration of bacteria/mL when compared to G2. The results showed that the correlation between biochemical alterations and macroscopic and histopathological lesions can assist the comprehension of the pathophysiology of fowl typhoid, supplying important information for the diagnosis and prognosis of this disease.