Fenologia de Caryocar brasiliense Camb. (Caryocaraceae) no Alto Rio Grande, sul de Minas Gerais

Phenological studies are important to understand the dynamics in forest ecosystems and also to enable adequate management of their native species. In the Cerrado regions of the high Rio Grande river (south of Minas Gerais State), Caryocar brasiliense species is found in highly distinct morphological forms with variable phenology. The aim of this study was to investigate phenological patterns within and between populations of both the tree and shrub forms of the individuals and to determine any correlation with abiotic factors. Thirty-five observations of the phenophases of the vegetative and reproductive stages were recorded ever), two weeks for 18 months. The activity index was analyzed for each stage and further analyzed to see if there were associations with the climate data by using Spearman linear correlation. The species was deciduous but leaf growth became retarded during the dry season, at which point leaf flushing stopped and total leaf fall occurred throughout the rainy season. The flowering and the fruit production occurred in the rainy season. The reproductive phase can be either annual or sub-annual. The activity index showed high synchronism within populations during the first flowering in all populations studied (> 80%). Flowering and mature fruits were highly synchronized according to Spearman correlations. Tree and shrub individuals of C. brasiliense had very similar times for their phenophases. The best period for collecting mature fruits in these regions is between February and March.

Adubação organomineral e biofertilização líquida na produção de frutos de pinheira ( Annona squamosa L.) no submédio São Francisco, Brasil

The organic production systems based on natural processes do not allow the use of synthetic fertilizers with a high solubility, so it is required the use of technologies in accordance with the organic production legislation in order to make the technical, economical and environmental sustainable activities viable. To evaluate the effects of the usage of mineral and organic natural fertilizers, associated with liquid biofertilizers (BLE= enriched liquid biofertilizer and BF= leaf biofertilizers) on the production of the sugar apple fruit crop Annona squamosa L., replacing totally the chemical fertilizers, used by conventional farming systems, a nine year old orchard was driven in the irrigated plot n degrees 1295, irrigated project Nilo Coelho, district of Petrolina - PE. The experiment was carried out from September 2005 to February 2006. The experimental design was done through randomized blocks with eight treatments and four replications in plots of three plants each, with 96 plants in total. The treatments were the following: T(1) - plants with no fertilizer; T(2) - 60 g de N + 32 g de P(2)O(5) + 48 g de K(2)O; T(3) - 90g de N + 32 g de P(2)O(5) + 48 g de K(2)O; T(4) - 30 g de N + 32 g de P(2)O(5) + 48 g de K(2)O + 15 L de BLE + BF a 5 %; T(5) - 60g de N + 32 g de P(2)O(5) + 48 g de K(2)O + 30 L de BLE + BF a 5 %; T(6)- 90g de N + 32 g de P(2)O(5) + 48 g de K(2)O + 45 L de BLE + BF a 5 %; T(7) - 120g de N + 32 g de P(2)O(5) + 48 g de K(2)O + 60 L de BLE + BF a 5 %; T(8) - 150 g de N + 32 g de P(2)O(5) + 48 g de K(2)O + 75 L de BLE + BF a 5 % The fruit growth analyses (diameter and average length), total yield, productivity, average fruit weight, average number of fruits, fresh weight of the skin and pulp and dry weight of the fruits were used to evaluate the experiment. The results were relevant to the total production, fresh weight of the skin and dry weight of the fruits. The use of organominerals associated with liquid fertilizers increased significantly the productivity in values ranging from 10.44% (T(5) = 1.98 t ha(-1)) to 24.52 % (T(7) = 12.34 %). The treatment T(3) stood out (90g de N + 32g de P(2)O(5) + 48g de K(2)O) with a higher production than the control. The fruit weight increased in the fertilized treatments, with values increasing from treatment (T(2) = 5.26 %) to the treatment (T(7) = 12.34 %) in relation to the control. The fruit development was characterized by an average growth increase of 82 % in length and 84 % in diameter until the 56(th) day, with a sigmoidal growth pattern.

Épocas de aplicação de nitrogênio para híbridos de mamona no sistema plantio direto em safrinha

The castor bean cultivation has a high demand for nitrogen, in addition, the efficiency of nitrogen fertilization in most cases is low, so that this essential nutrient is provided at the appropriate time. The objective was to study the time nitrogen application in castor bean hybrids under no-till system in off-season. The experiment was carried out in an experimental area located in Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil, for two growing off-seasons (2006 and 2007). The experimental design was a randomized block in split plot design, with four replications. The plots were constituted by two castor bean hybrids (Lyra/Savana in 2006 and Lyra/Sara in 2007). Six combination of times out rates (0-0, 0-100, 100-0, 30-70, 70-30, 50-50 kg ha-1 of N) side dressing nitrogen fertilization constituted the subplots. The N source used was ammonium nitrate, applied 20 days after emergence and 40 days after emergence. Measurements were carried out: dry matter production of shoots, nitrate and ammonium leaf, leaf analysis, yield components and nitrogen factor utilization. The highest grain yield was obtained to the hybrid Lyra with nitrogen fertilization. In 2006 the highest nitrogen utilization factor to the hybrid Lyra was obtained with the form 70-30 and in the 2007 with 50-50.

Phytochemical evidence for the plant origin of Brazilian propolis from Sao Paulo state

Propolis and plant secretions from three species, most frequently mentioned as botanical sources of the bee glue in Brazil (Baccharis dracunculifolia, Araucaria angustifolia and Eucalyptus citriodora) have been investigated using GC-MS. Based on chemical evidence, B. dracunculifolia was shown to be the main propolis source in Sao Paulo state. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of all four materials were also tested, the most active being propolis and Baccharis leaf exudate.

Preferência alimentar de adultos de Diabrotica speciosa (Ger.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) por genótipos de feijoeiro

Tests were carried out to evaluate resistance of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to Diabrotica speciosa (Ger.) with the genotypes Goiano Precoce, Jalo Precoce, PR 95105146, PR 95105142 (Andean domestication center, AN), Emgopa 201 Ouro and IAPAR 57 (Middle American domestication center, MA). The experiments were conducted in 1998 and 1999, at the farm of UNESP-FCAV, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil. The genotypes were planted in pots and 20 day-old leaflets were collected and foliar disks were cut of for the test. Two trials, a no-choice test and a free-choice test, were set up in BOD. In free-choice test, two disks of each genotype were kept in a 140-mm-diameter petri dish (total of 12 disks), where 12 adults were confined. In no-choice test, two disks of one genotype and two insects were placed in a 60-mm-diameter petri dish. A field experiment was conducted when 400 adults of D. speciosa were released. Fifteen leaflets per plot were collected 30 days after planting and the leaf area consumption was evaluated. A no-choice experiment was carried out with 20 day-old genotypes protected in individual cages and infested by 10 adults, for 72h. The MA genotypes were the most preferred on feeding tests conducted at BOD, field and individual cages, while the AN genotypes were less eaten.

Adesão de protozoários ̀a superfície de dispositivos intra-uterinos

Intrauterine devices (IUD) have been used by approximately hundred million of women in the world. IUD are unprescribed to women who have pelvic inflammation disease predisposition which is caused in general by non-treated sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Trichomoniasis, one of the most important vaginal infections, is caused by a flagellated protozoan, Trichomonas vaginalis, transmitted by sexual contact and also asyntomatic women are able to transmit it. The objective of this work was verify by scanning microscopy the adhesion of this protozoan on plastic and metalic IUD surfaces. IUD fragments were added in Diamond medium containing T. vaginalis and after 3 days at 37°C incubation, they were taken out and treated as necessary for scanning microscopy. The analysis showed showed the adhesion of the protozoans on plastic and metalic IUD surfaces. Even though the IUD were not yet directly associated with high incidence of the inflammation pelvic disease, it would become an infection reservoir of potencial pathogenic organisms.

Drought tolerance of two field-grown clones of Coffea canephora

We compared tolerance to soil drought of two field-grown clones of Coffea canephora (clone 46, drought-sensitive; and clone 120, drought-tolerant). Under irrigation, there were no marked differences between the clones in water relation parameters, gas exchange and total leaf area. Under rainfed conditions, clone 46 showed osmotic adjustment and increased tissue rigidity. These adjustments, however, were incapable of preventing substantial decreases in xylem pressure potential. By contrast, clone 120 did not exhibit osmotic adjustment, but was able to increase tissue elasticity and to maintain xylem pressure potentials to a greater extent than clone 46 (despite having twice the total leaf area of this clone). Stomatal conductance was lowered by drought in clone 120 but not in clone 46. Carbon assimilation per unit leaf area in both clones remained unaffected under stress. Long-term water use efficiency (WUE), as estimated through carbon isotope discrimination, was consistently greater in clone 120 than in clone 46. Because of these traits, clone 120 was better able to postpone dehydration and to maintain whole-tree photosynthesis. It is proposed that these features should decisively contribute to buffer its productivity in drought-prone areas. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

The effect of temperature on self-etching adhesive penetration.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the penetration of an aggressive self-etching adhesive system at refrigerated and room temperatures into ground and unground enamel surfaces. Thirty extracted human teeth were used to measure adhesive penetration into enamel by light microscopy analysis (x400). The unground enamel surfaces were cleaned with pumice and water using a rotary dental brush. For each specimen, part of the unground enamel was manually ground and part was kept intact. A self-etch adhesive was evaluated for its ability to penetrate ground and unground enamel surfaces at room temperature (25 degrees C), at 30 minutes after removal from the refrigerator, and immediately after removal from the refrigerator (6 degrees C). Data were analyzed using variance and the Tukey test, which revealed significant differences in length of penetration of this material when applied on ground and unground enamel surfaces and between the different temperatures used (P > .05). The self-etching system used in this study had significantly lower penetration into unground enamel and at 6 degrees C (P < .05). No statistical difference was found between the interactions of these factors. It was concluded that the self-etching system produced the best penetration into ground enamel surface at room temperature (25 degrees C) and at 30 minutes after removing the specimens from the refrigerator.

The materno-fetal interface in llama (Lama guanicoe glama)

Samples from 9 llamas (28 through 36 weeks of gestation) were collected and fixed in 4% buffered paraformaldehyde (light microscopy) and in 2.5% buffered glutaraldehyde (transmission and scanning electron microscopy). The material was processed in paraplast and slides (5μm) were stained with HE, PAS, Masson-Trichrome, acid phosphatase and Perl's. The uteroferrin was immunolocalized. The results show that llama placenta is chorioallantoic, diffuse, folded and epitheliochorial, and the fetus is covered with an epidermal membrane. The trophoblast cells have variable morphology: cubic, rounded and triangular cells, with cytoplasm containing PAS-positive granules. Binucleated cells with large cytoplasm and rounded nuclei, as well as giant trophoblastic cells with multiple nuclei were also observed. Numerous blood vessels were observed beneath the cells of the uterine epithelium and around the chorionic subdivided branches. Glandular activity was shown by PAS, Perl's, and acid phosphatase positive reactions in the cytoplasm and glandular lumen, and by immunolocalization of the uteroferrin in the glandular epithelium. The uterine glands open in spaces formed by the areoles, which are filled by PAS-positive material. The llama fetus was covered by the epidermal membrane, composed of stratified epithelium, with up to seven layers of mono-, bi- or trinucleated cells. The high level of maternal and fetal vascularization surfaces indicates an intense exchange of substances across both surfaces. The metabolic activity shown in the uterine glands suggests an adaptation of the gestation to the high altitudes of the natural habitat of this species.

Antimycobacterial activity of some Brazilian indigenous medicinal drinks

Tuberculosis (TB) is a very serious problem worldwide and the increasing number of multiple drugs resistant TB cases makes the search for new anti-TB drugs an urgent need. Indigenous knowledge about the use of native plants to treat illnesses has contributed to the discovery of new medicines. In this study, the antimycobacterial activity of seven medicinal drinks was assessed: Ananas sativus (hydroalcoholic fruit extract), Aristolochia triangularis (aqueous and hydroalcoholic leaf, root and stem extracts), Bromelia antiacantha (hydroalcoholic fruit extract), Stryphnodendron adstringens (hydroalcoholic bark extract), Tabebuia ovellanedae (hydroalcoholic bark extract), Vernonia polyanthes (hydroalcoholic root extract), all used by the Vanuíre indigenous community in the treatment of respiratory diseases. The activity was evaluated by using a time-to-kill assay, in which Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv was cultured on Löwenstein-Jensen medium, after thirty minutes, one, three, six, twelve and twenty-four hours contact of the bacteria with each drink. Within half to one hour contact, the hydroalcoholic drinks of A. triangularis, S. adstringens, T. ovellanedae and V. polyanthes reduced the bacterial growth by 2 orders of magnitude in CFU/mL, and all bacterial growth was absent after three hours contact. In contrast, no mycobactericidal effect was detected in the aqueous extract of A. triangularis or in the hydroalcoholic beverages of A. sativus and B. antiacantha, even after twenty-four hours contact.

Efeitos da luminosidade no crescimento de mudas de Caesalpinia ferrea Mart. ex Tul. (Leguminosae, Caesalpinoideae)

Caesalpinia ferrea is a species used a lot as a medicinal plant, for urban arborization and landscape design in the state of Amapa. Yet there is not much ecophysiological information available on it. Light is an important environment factor that controls processes associates with the accumulation of dry matter, contributing thus for plant growth. The object of this research was to study the effect of different luminosity levels on the growth of seedlings of this species. The seedlings were transplanted to plastics bags containing a mixture of soil and sand (2:1), which were maintained in the full sun, under artificial shade with reduction of 50% and 70% of the luminosity and under natural shade of a closed canopy of forest. The experimental design was completely randomized with five replicates. Seedlings submitted to natural shade showed strong growth inhibition. In the full sun, the seedlings presented higher net assimilatory rate (NAR), lower shoot/root ratio (SRR) and lower leaf area ratio (LAR). The results showed little difference in the growth and biomass allocation between seedlings kept in 50 and 70% shade; the seedlings submitted to this treatment presented higher values of SRR and LAR. This indicates plasticity which influences a possible increase in light capture and is important, therefore, to keep the seedling growth and survival under low light levels. The results as a whole showed morphological and physiological adjustment to different light levels in Caesalpinia ferrea.

Bond strength of a composite resin to an adhesive luting cement

This study evaluated the influence of surface treatment on the shear bond strength of a composite resin (CR), previously submitted to the application of a temporary cement (TC), to an adhesive luting cement. Eight-four CR cylinders (5 mm diameter and 3 mm high) were fabricated and embedded in acrylic resin. The sets were divided into 6 groups (G1 to G6) (n=12). Groups 2 to 6 received a coat of TC. After 24 h, TC was removed and the CR surfaces received the following treatments: G2: ethanol; G3: rotary brush and pumice; G4: air-abrasion; G5: air-abrasion and adhesive system; G6: air-abrasion, acid etching and adhesive system. G1 (control) did not receive TC or any surface treatment. The sets were adapted to a matrix and received an increment of an adhesive luting cement. The specimens were subjected to the shear bond strength test. ANOVA and Tukey's tests showed that G3 (8.53 MPa) and G4 (8.63 MPa) differed significantly (p=0.001) from G1 (13.34 MPa). The highest mean shear bond strength values were found in G5 (14.78 MPa) and G6 (15.86 MPa). Air-abrasion of CR surface associated with an adhesive system provided an effective bond of the CR to the adhesive luting cement, regardless the pre-treatment with the phosphoric acid.

Mechanical tillage of degraded mining areas at Jamari national forest (Amazonian forest, Rondônia - BR)

According to the environmental legislation enforced in Brazil and the process of marketing globalization, the commitment of the nations to the preservation of the environment is intensified. By reason of nature's negative responses to its intensive use, awareness then appears from enterprises and agencies about how the anthropic action over the environment needs to be minimized, becoming a challenge: development and sustainability. In this context, the present work made use of the Mechanical tillage of the soil, as a technique to apply, in a large scale, the strategies and methods to recover mined areas that were researched and developed experimentally by researchers on a theme project about the recovering of degraded areas. This work was conducted in the Amazon ecosystem, inside the Jamari National Forest - Rondônia (FLONA do Jamari), in deactivated cassiterite mines. The objectives of this work were to: Develop a computational program capable of managing a database and assist in the selection of machines and preparation methods to execute the operations of topographical reconstitution and tillage of surfaces in areas degraded by the mineral exploitation of cassiterite. Use the program that was developed in the planning of costs and operational development, for the operations required in the strategies for recovering the areas. Analyze the vegetable productivity in the mobilized areas and the quality of the superficial mobilization, making use of indicators and tillage methods. Evaluate, through biological indicators, the efficiency of the recovery strategies and techniques that were mechanized and applied on the location. The results showed that the developed computational program (SGMAD) served the methodological purposes (the analysis of costs and operational capacity) established for the planning and the selection of the tillage machines and methods in the areas of mineral exploitation of cassiterite. The applied methods and quality of the superficial mobilization were significant to the development of leguminous plants in the areas. The use of biological indicators (microbial biomass and enzymatic activity) in the evaluation of the adopted techniques and strategies revealed that the planting of leguminous plants and their posterior incorporation have been promoting gradually positive alterations in some of the analyzed soil/substract parameters. © 2010 WIT Press.

Análise de crescimento e produtividade de cultivares de arroz de terras altas dos tipos tradicional, intermediário e moderno

The growth analysis allows the characterization and understanding of the upland rice cultivars development. This study aimed at characterizing, by using the growth analysis, the physiological components and agronomic performance, as well as the differences among traditional, intermediate and modern upland rice cultivars. The experiment was conducted under upland rice conditions, favored by the use of supplementary irrigation. The experimental design was randomized blocks, with three treatments consisting of traditional (Caiapó), modern (Maravilha) and intermediate (BRS Primavera) cultivars and eight replications. The leaf area index (LAI), instantaneous growth rate (IGR), relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR) and specific leaf area (SLA), as well as grain yield and yield components, were evaluated. The intermediate and traditional cultivars presented the highest total dry matter accumulation rate, while the traditional and modern ones showed the highest LAI. The intermediate cultivar presented the highest IGR, RGR, NAR and SLA levels, as well as the highest grain yield, as a consequence of the higher spikelet fertility and 1,000 grain mass.

Resposta de cultivares de trigo ao nitrogênio com e sem tratamento fúngico

The fungicide can enhance response of nitrogen fertilization on wheat crop, since the application of higher N rates can provide better conditions for the development of some diseases. The present study investigated the effects of different nitrogen doses and fungicide application in preventive character on the yield of two cultivars of wheat irrigated, in Savannah conditions. The experiment was conducted in Selvíria - MS, in a Distrophic Red Latosol (Typic Haplustox). Treatments were arranged in a randomized block design, in a 4x2x2 factorial scheme: four N rates (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha-1), topdressing at the early boot stage as urea, two wheat cultivars (IAC 24 and IAC 370), and with and without fungicide application (Tebuconazole and Triciclazol), with four replications. The cultivars IAC 24 and IAC 370 present similar grain yield. The increase of N doses influences the mass hectoliter negatively and the leaf N content and number of ears per m2 positively. The increment of N doses increase the grain yield up to dose of 116 kg ha -1 of N, regardless of cultivar and of the fungicide application in preventive character, due to non occurrence of diseases in the experiment.