High-throughput sugarcane leaf analysis using a low cost closed-vessel conductively heated digestion system and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy

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

EthoSeq: A tool for phylogenetic analysis and data mining in behavioral sequences

This article introduces the software program called EthoSeq, which is designed to extract probabilistic behavioral sequences (tree-generated sequences, or TGSs) from observational data and to prepare a TGS-species matrix for phylogenetic analysis. The program uses Graph Theory algorithms to automatically detect behavioral patterns within the observational sessions. It includes filtering tools to adjust the search procedure to user-specified statistical needs. Preliminary analyses of data sets, such as grooming sequences in birds and foraging tactics in spiders, uncover a large number of TGSs which together yield single phylogenetic trees. An example of the use of the program is our analysis of felid grooming sequences, in which we have obtained 1,386 felid grooming TGSs for seven species, resulting in a single phylogeny. These results show that behavior is definitely useful in phylogenetic analysis. EthoSeq simplifies and automates such analyses, uncovers much of the hidden patterns of long behavioral sequences, and prepares this data for further analysis with standard phylogenetic programs. We hope it will encourage many empirical studies on the evolution of behavior.

Aplicativos computacionais para geografia: classificacao multivariada por agrupamento

This paper presents a method for multidimensional classification (Cluster Analysis), as well as a 8 bits microcomputer program in BASIC that automates the process. A practical application of the model is also presented. -English summary

A program for terpenoid skeleton prediction based on botanical information

This paper describes a new program developed to the SISTEMAT expert system, the SISOCBOT program. This program employs the botanical data analysis and predicts, at the end of analysis, the probable skeleton of a compound based on the input of family or genus names. The SISOCBOT program was tested with 78 samples involving 302 substances, pertaining to 38 carbon skeletons, and showed a high hit index on skeleton prediction, thus emphasizing the potential importance of these data for structural determination of natural products. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Spontaneous eye blink analysis in the normal individual

Purpose: Spontaneous eye blink activity in the primary eye position and its relationship to age and gender were assessed using digital image processing techniques to quantify blink opening and closing time. Methods: One hundred-and-eighty healthy volunteers (90 males and 90 females), divided into the age groups 0-3, 4-12, 13-20, 21-40, 41-60 and ≥60 years old, were evaluated prospectively. They were videotaped digitally in a standard setting and the images were transferred to a personal computer (Macintosh 400) and processed with the iMovie software. Blink opening and closing time were measured at 30 frames/second. The data were then subjected to statistical analysis. Results: The closing time was significantly longer than the opening time for all ages and both genders. Elderly individuals (≥41 years old) and women had significantly longer closing times. Conclusion: Image processing techniques made possible the observation of differences in spontaneous eye blink opening and closing time in relation to age and gender. Copyright © 2005 Taylor & Francis LLC.

The CND-Goiaba 1.0 software for nutritional diagnosis of guava (Psidium guajava L.) 'Paluma', in Brazil

Computer programs enable the transformation of raw data into useful information for decision making in many fields, including agriculture. Various programs have been developed to assist farmers to make better decisions about crop management practices and plant nutrition parameters. This article introduces the CND-Goiaba 1.0 software (C Sharp) and its use as a tool to perform the mathematical calculations involved in determining the compositional nutrient diagnosis (CND) indexes for the guava tree. This program was developed in Brazil, the world's leading producer of red guavas. A database was created based on 205 leaf samples collected in commercial plots (sampling units) of cultivated 'Paluma' guava trees (Psidium guajava L.) with ages between 5 and 20 years, during the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 growing seasons. The production data were normally distributed according to the Shapiro-Wilk test (W=0.988; p=0.11). The software made it possible to diagnose that 63% of the orchards evaluated needed to improve the nutritional status of their trees. The CND method showed severe nutritional imbalances in Mg and Zn in these orchards. © ISHS.

Estado nutricional de mangueiras determinado pelos métodos DRIS e CND

Different procedures for the integrated method of diagnosis and recommendation may influence the accuracy of foliar diagnosis of mango. Thus, the objective of this study was to compare the diagnosis of nutritional status of mango obtained by different methods of assessing nutritional status, comparing multivariate relations (method CND) with bivariate relationships (DRIS) i.e., variations in the use of specific or preliminary standards and a logarithmic transformation of the data. The macro and micronutrient leaf analysis results of 63 mango orchards of Lower-middle São Francisco River Valley, Brazil, were used. To interpret nutritional status the Potential Response to Fertilization (PRA) criteria was used. The CND and DRIS methods, with and without logarithmic transformation and using specific or preliminary standards, which showed similar performance in assessing the nutritional status of the mango in Lower-middle San Francisco. Mango orchards in the semiarid region of northeast Brazil, the micronutrient deficiencies (Zn, Fe and Cu) were more frequent than macronutrient deficiency.

Trocas gasosas, índices fisiológicos e acúmulo iônico em plantas jovens de Annona emarginata (Schltdl.) H. Rainer em solução nutritiva

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Caracteres estruturais e dimensão fractal da folha de espécies de Arachis e sua relação com a cercosporiose

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Multivariate approach in the selection of superior soybean progeny which carry the RR gene

Efficiency in the use of genetic variability, whether existing or created, increases when properly explored and analysed. Incorporation of biotechnology into breeding programs has been the general practice. The challenge for the researcher is the constant development of new and improved cultivars. The aim of this experiment was to select progenies with superior characteristics, whether or not carriers of the RR gene, derived from bi-parental crosses in the soybean, with the help of multivariate techniques. The experiment was carried out in a family-type experimental design, including controls, during the agricultural year 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 in Jaboticabal in the Brazilian State of São Paulo. From the F3 generation, phenotypically superior plants were selected, which were evaluated for the following traits: number of days to flowering; number of days to maturity; height of first pod insertion; plant height at maturity; lodging; agronomic value; number of branches; number of pods per plant; 100-seed weight; number of seeds per plant; grain yield per plant. Given the results, it appears possible to select superior progeny by principal component analysis. Cluster analysis using the K-means method links progeny according to the most important characteristics in each group and identifies, by the Ward method and by means of a dendrogram, the structure of similarity and divergence between selected progeny. Both methods are effective in aiding progeny selection.

Posição da folha e estádio fenológico do ramo para análise foliar do pinhão-manso

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Correlação entre a produtividade e os resultados de análise foliar e de solo em vinhedos de Niagara Rosada

Realizou-se nos municípios de Jundiaí e Louveira-SP um levantamento do estado nutricional e de produtividade de 20 vinhedos de 'Niagara Rosada' enxertada sobre o porta-enxerto IAC 766 e outros 20 enxertadas sobre o 'Ripária do Traviú'. Coletaram-se amostras de solo a 0-20 e 20-40 cm de profundidade na linha e na entrelinha de plantio e amostras de folha completa, limbo e pecíolo nas épocas de pleno florescimento e no início da maturação das bagas, visando correlacionar com os dados de produtividade. Verificou-se para o porta-enxerto IAC 766 correlações significativas entre a produtividade com os resultados das análises de solo e de folhas. A baixa produtividade verificada esteve relacionada ao excesso de nutrientes no solo, especialmente cálcio e magnésio, em função da calagem e adubação serem realizadas sem levarem em consideração a análise do solo. A produtividade correlacionou-se positivamente com os teores de potássio no solo, a relação K/Mg nas folhas e os teores de potássio nas folhas; e negativamente com a relação (Ca+Mg)/K no solo e os teores de cálcio e magnésio nas folhas, exibindo o antagonismo entre o magnésio e o potássio.

Utilização da medida do clorofilômetro no manejo da adubação nitrogenada em plantas de pimentão

O adequado manejo da adubação nitrogenada ao longo do ciclo da cultura do pimentão é complicado pela falta de um índice do N disponível no solo e por ser a análise química de folhas um método de diagnose demorado. Foi realizado um experimento em vasos, em um túnel de plástico pertencente ao Departamento de Recursos Naturais/Ciência do Solo, da FCA/UNESP, Botucatu (SP), com o objetivo de avaliar o índice de suficiência de nitrogênio (ISN), calculado com base nas medidas do clorofilômetro, como ferramenta auxiliar no manejo da adubação nitrogenada em plantas de pimentão. O experimento foi composto de doses de N (4,9; 9,8; 14,7; 19,6; e 24,5 g de N 50 kg-1 de solo - uma planta) aplicadas de modo convencional ou pela fertirrigação e um tratamento em que as plantas não receberam apenas a adubação nitrogenada, com sete repetições. As medidas do clorofilômetro foram realizadas a cada 15 dias em cinco folhas recém-maduras por planta. O ISN foi calculado pela relação entre a média das medidas do clorofilômetro nas plantas dos tratamentos (MCT) e a média das medidas do clorofilômetro nas plantas que receberam a maior dose (MCR), na área de referência (ISN = MCT/MCR x 100). O ISN pode ser um bom indicador do momento de aplicação do adubo nitrogenado e auxiliar no ajuste da dose de N de acordo com a exigência das plantas de pimentão, com a finalidade de aumentar a eficiência de utilização do N aplicado.

Medida indireta da clorofila e sua relação com o manejo da adubação nitrogenada em plantas cítricas fertirrigadas

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