Using tree population size structures to assess the impacts of cattle grazing and eucalypts plantations in subtropical South America

To evaluate the effects of distinct management of the matrix in which forest fragments are found upon plant populations thriving in forest remnants in south Brazil, we assessed the conservation status of populations of four woody species (Campomanesia rhombea, Diospyros incontans, Myrciaria cuspidata and Sebastiania commersoniana) through analyses of size structure. Analyzes were carried out at two scales. At a local scale, we consider populations in fragments surrounded by pastures or eucalypts forest plantations, and at a regional scale we also consider larger forest tracts taken as reference areas (Rio Grande do Sul Forest Inventory databank). Population size structures were summarized using the symmetry of height distributions. Small individual size classes prevailed at the local scale in fragments surrounded by eucalypts plantations, whereas in areas exposed to cattle ranching, populations of the same species consistently lack small individuals. At the regional scale, populations in fragments surrounded by pastures presented greater skewness (prevalence of small plants) than populations in reference areas, while populations surrounded by eucalypts plantations presented intermediate skewness. These results reinforce the notion that plantations have a higher conservation value for forest ecosystems than other commercial land uses, like cattle ranching. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

Variação genética para caracteres silviculturais e anatômicos da madeira em progênies de Myracrodruon urundeuva (Engler) Fr. Allem

The aims of this study were to evaluate the variation and to estimate genetic parameters for silvicultural anatomic wood traits for genetic breeding of a Myracrodruon urundeuva (Engler) Fr. Allem, population from Selvíria-MS. For this, from samples of a progeny test established in the Fazenda de Ensino, Pesquisa e Extensão da Faculdade de Engenharia de Ilha Solteira/UNESP, macroscopic anatomic wood traits of M. urundeuva (tangential diameter and vases frequency per mm2) and growth traits were measured (height, DBH and stem form). Genetic parameters were estimated in 28 open-pollinated progenies, in three replications and 10 plants per plot, using a REML/BLUP approach. Between the analysed traits, the DBH is the most indicated for selection for timber production, because it presented the highest values of coefficient of genetic variation, heritabilities and selective accuracy. Between the anatomic traits, the vessels frequency in the pith showed the highest values for genetic parameters. For pulp yield, based on the multi-effect index, the strategy of selecting the best trees for vessels frequency in the pith, independent of the progeny, permitted to obtain substantial gains by mass selection, without progeny test.

Seedling growth of Schizolobium parahyba on different substrates and irrigation levels

The present study aimed to assess the behavior of seedlings of Schizolobium parahyba (Vell.) Blake growing on different substrates and irrigation levels, and to study the use of urban waste compost in substrates. The experiment was carried out in the College of Agricultural Sciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Department of Agricultural Engineering, Jaboticabal Campus, state of São Paulo, Brazil. The experimental design used was completely randomized, consisting of 30 treatments in a factorial design with 15 substrates and two irrigation levels in four replicates. The substrates were composed of different materials: urban waste, Plantmax®, dry cattle manure, vermiculite and soil. For the study of seedling growth, the following characteristics were evaluated: height (H), root-collar diameter (D), number of leaves, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, total dry weight, H/D ratio, Dickson's quality index, and the ratio between height and shoot dry weight (H/SDW). Assessments of the first three characteristics were carried out 20, 35, 50 and 65 days after sowing. Results showed that urban waste compost increased the growth of Schizolobium parahyba. There were significant differences for the irrigation levels tested; with better results for 150% ET compared to 100% ET irrigation level.

Crescimento inicial do eucalipto em função da aclimatação em viveiro

This study aimed to evaluate the acclimatization effects in the Eucalyptus grandis vs. Eucalyptus urophylla seedlings nursery in their initial growth in two soils types, clay and sandy. The seedlings were planted in Plantmax substrate and in rice hulls plus vermiculite, and managed, after 60 days of the mass propagation (DAE), during the rustication. There were five different frequencies of subsurface drip irrigation, restoring the soil field capacity condition: F1, F2, F3 and F4, which were irrigated once, twice, three and four times a day, respectively, and FD, kept in continue irrigation until planting at 90 DAE. In a randomized block design with four replications, plant height (HPA) were evaluated at 6 and 13 months after planting and the diameter at breast height (DAP) at 13 months after planting. Findings show that water management at hardening phase seedlings had no influence on growth in both soils.

Comportamento e variação de procedências de Corymbia citriodora em diferentes tipos de solos

The aim of this study was the selection of Corymbia citriodora provenances for three different kinds of soils occurring in Luiz Antônio Experimental Station, São Paulo, Brazil (Latossolo Vermelho, Areia Quartzosa and Latossolo Roxo). The provenance test was established in 1983, with ten Corymbia citriodora provenances and one Eucalyptus grandis as control, original from a seed production area. The trials were established in a random block design with 11 treatments, three repetition and square plots with 25 trees. In 2008, there were evaluations of height, diameter at breast height (DBH, 1.3 m), stem form and survival. Significant differences among soils and provenances were detected for the growth traits, stem form and survival in all those studied soils. Significant provenance and soil interactions were not detected. All provenances showed higher growth in height and DBH in Purple Latosol. The control had a higher growth rate in relation to highness, DBH and stem form than Corymbia citriodora provenances in all the studied soils, but it presented, generally, a lower survival rate than Corymbia citriodora provenances. Pederneiras (11) Corymbia citriodora provenance presented a higher performance in relation to highness and DBH in all kinds of soils, and Gilgandra (4) provenance, original from Australia, had the worst development. Therefore, Pederneiras (11) provenance is, therefore, the best choose for reforestations in all those studied soils.

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT ROOTSTOCKS ON GROWTH, CHLOROPHYLL A FLUORESCENCE AND MINERAL COMPOSITION OF TWO GRAFTED SCIONS OF TOMATO

Two tomato scions (cvs. 'Raf' and 'Gorety') were grafted on three different rootstocks: S. torvum, 'Beaufort' (Lycopersicum esculentum × Lycopersicum hirsutum) and intermediate grafting of eggplant 'Cristal' between tomato and S. torvum (double graft). Plants were grown in Mediterranean greenhouse conditions. The response to grafting was measured through growth parameters, Fv/Fm and leaf macronutrients analysis, and it was compared with non-grafted plants. The scions grafted on S. torvum in simple and double graft showed lower fresh and dry weight of leaves, number of commercial fruits, plant height, Fv/Fm and decreased their capacity to absorb several nutrients resulting in a lower mineral concentration in scions leaves, as a result of a thickened graft union. On the other hand, both scions showed a good response when grafted on the rootstock 'Beaufort', with which growth parameters, yield and photosynthetic capacity were similar to non-grafted plants. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

Micorrização e crescimento de progênies de hymenaea stignocarpa mart. ex. Hayne em subsolo de área degradada degraded area

In tropical ecosystems, little is known about the relationship between arbuscular mycorhizal fungi (AMF) and the host genetic variability, especially among tree species. This study aimed to examine the response of 19 progenies of jatobá-do-cerrado (Hymenaea stignocarpa Mart. Ex. Hayne) inoculated with AMF, the root colonization and seedlings early growth were evaluated, growing in cultivated in subsoil from the loading area, under greenhouse conditions. The seedlings, germinated in the laboratory, were transferred to plastic bags containing subsoil and sand mixture (4:1). For the inoculation, each replicate received 100 g of soil (with about 48 spores of AMF) from a preserved Cerrado area, to reintroduce microorganisms. After 120 days, the mycorrhiza colonization (COL), the number of spores of AMF, the plant height (PH), the weight of shoot dry matter (SDM) and the root fresh matter (RFM) were assessed. The highest values of COL, SDM and RFM were observed in the progenies JC7, JC18, JC29, JC27 and JC14; the JC7 andJC18 also increased number of spores. There were significant and positive correlations between COL and the others variables (AP, NE, RFM and SDM, and between RFM and other variables (NE, AP and SDM). The conclusion is that, there is variability among the genotypes of Hymenaea stignocarpa growth (AP MFSR and DMAP) and mycorrhization (COL and NE), with emphasis on two progenies (JC7 and JC18), that showed the highest values, which can be resulted of a greater affinity to strains of AMF- soil inoculum.

Implications of intrauterine protein malnutrition on prostate growth, maturation and aging

Aims Maternal malnutrition by low protein diet is associated with an increased incidence of metabolic disorders and decreased male fertility in adult life. This study aimed to assess the impact of maternal protein malnutrition (MPM) on prostate growth, tissue organization and lesion incidence with aging. Main methods Wistar rat dams were distributed into two groups, which were control (NP; fed a normal diet containing 17% protein) or a restricted protein diet (RP, fed a diet containing 6% protein) during gestation. After delivery all mothers and offspring received a normal diet. Biometrical parameters, hormonal levels and prostates were harvested at post-natal days (PND) 30, 120 and 360. Key findings MPM promoted low birth weight, decreased ano-genital distance (AGD) and reduced androgen plasma levels of male pups. Prostatic lobes from RP groups presented reduced glandular weight, epithelial cell height and alveolar diameter. The epithelial cell proliferation and collagen deposition were increased in RP group. Incidences of epithelial dysplasia and prostatitis were higher in the RP offspring than in the NP offspring at PND360. Significance Our findings show that MPM delays prostate development, growth and maturation until adulthood, probably as a result of low testosterone stimuli. The higher incidence of cellular dysplasia and prostatitis suggests that MPM increases prostate susceptibility to diseases with aging. © 2013 Elsevier Inc.

Genome-wide association study for birth weight in Nellore cattle points to previously described orthologous genes affecting human and bovine height

Background: Birth weight (BW) is an economically important trait in beef cattle, and is associated with growth- and stature-related traits and calving difficulty. One region of the cattle genome, located on Bos primigenius taurus chromosome 14 (BTA14), has been previously shown to be associated with stature by multiple independent studies, and contains orthologous genes affecting human height. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) for BW in Brazilian Nellore cattle (Bos primigenius indicus) was performed using estimated breeding values (EBVs) of 654 progeny-tested bulls genotyped for over 777,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).Results: The most significant SNP (rs133012258, PGC = 1.34 × 10-9), located at BTA14:25376827, explained 4.62% of the variance in BW EBVs. The surrounding 1 Mb region presented high identity with human, pig and mouse autosomes 8, 4 and 4, respectively, and contains the orthologous height genes PLAG1, CHCHD7, MOS, RPS20, LYN, RDHE2 (SDR16C5) and PENK. The region also overlapped 28 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) previously reported in literature by linkage mapping studies in cattle, including QTLs for birth weight, mature height, carcass weight, stature, pre-weaning average daily gain, calving ease, and gestation length.Conclusions: This study presents the first GWAS applying a high-density SNP panel to identify putative chromosome regions affecting birth weight in Nellore cattle. These results suggest that the QTLs on BTA14 associated with body size in taurine cattle (Bos primigenius taurus) also affect birth weight and size in zebu cattle (Bos primigenius indicus). © 2013 Utsunomiya et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Changes on facial profile in the mixed dentition, from natural growth and induced by Balters' bionator appliance

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the facial profile changes induced by Balters' bionator appliance in Class II division 1 patients, at mixed dentition stage. Methods: The sample consisted of 28 prepubertal individuals at stages 1 and 2 of skeletal maturation (CVM), which were divided in two groups. The experimental group consisted of 14 individuals (7 boys and 7 girls, initial mean age of 8y12m) which were treated with Balters' bionator appliance for 14.7 months. The effects of treatment were compared to a control group of 14 subjects (7 boys and 7 girls, initial mean age of 8y5m) with Class II malocclusion, division 1, not orthodontically treated, which were followed up for 15.4 months. The statistical analysis was performed using Student's t test, at a significance level of 5%. Results: The results showed that the Balters' bionator appliance promoted a significant increase on the mentolabial angle, in addition to demonstrating a tendency to reduce the facial skeletal convexity, to restrict the maxillary growth and to increase the nasolabial angle and the lower anterior facial height. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the Balters' bionator appliance improved the facial profile of children treated at mixed dentition stage. © 2013 Dental Press Journal of Orthodontics.

Comportamento do noni à salinidade da água de irrigação em solo com biofertilizante bovino

Salt excess in soil and water used for irrigation can cause significant loss of production and growth in cultivated plants. Among some options for reduction of negative effects of salts to plants in cultivated areas, fermented bio fertilizer has been used to grow vegetables and fruit tree irrigated with saline water. The study aimed at evaluating the behavior of the noni plant to salinity of the irrigation water in substrate with and with no bio fertilizer. Treatments were arranged in a randomized block design with four replications, using a 5 × 2 factorial arrangement. Five levels of electrical conductivity of irrigation water (0.5, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, 6.0 dS m-1) were used in substrates with and with no bio fertilizer. Parameters were evaluated as follows: plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, leaf area, shoot dry matter and water consumption. All evaluated variables were negatively affected by the increase in salt concentration of the irrigation water, but always with less intense effects in treatments with bio fertilizer.The bio fertilizer does not eliminate, but mitigates the negative effects of salts in noni plants.

Substratos e níveis de irrigação na formação de porta-enxerto utilizando limão-cravo

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Ciência do Solo) - FCAV

Desenvolvimento inicial de duas espécies arbóreas nativas e pioneiras sob tratamentos convencional, orgânico e biodinâmico

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Energia na Agricultura) - FCA

Caracterização morfológica e atributos de qualidade dos frutos de acessos de bananeira em clima subtropical

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Crescimento e qualidade da madeira de plantas jovens de híbridos de Eucalyptus grandis x E. urophylla

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Genética e Melhoramento de Plantas) - FCAV