Evaluation of the performance of a castor-oil based formulation in limiting pesticide residues in strawberry crops

A study was made to evaluate the effect of a castor oil-based detergent on strawberry crops treated with different classes of pesticides, namely deltamethrin, folpet, tebuconazole, abamectin and mancozeb, in a controlled environment. Experimental crops of greenhouse strawberries were cultivated in five different ways with control groups using pesticides and castor oil-based detergent. The results showed that the group 2, which was treated with castor oil-based detergent, presented the lowest amount of pesticide residues and the highest quality of fruit produced.

Development of a potentiometric sensor for the determination of saccharin in instant tea powders, diet soft drinks and strawberry dietetic jam

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Two-spotted spider mite and its natural enemies on strawberry grown as protected and unprotected crops in Norway and Brazil

Cultivation of strawberry in plastic tunnels has increased considerably in Norway and in southeastern Brazil, mainly in an attempt to protect the crop from unsuitable climatic factors and some diseases as well as to allow growers to expand the traditional production season. It has been hypothesized that cultivation under tunnels could increase the incidence of one of its major pests in many countries where strawberry is cultivated, including Norway and Brazil, the two spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the use of tunnels on the incidence of T. urticae and on its natural enemies on strawberry in two ecologically contrasting regions, Norway (temperate) and southeastern Brazil (subtropical). In both countries, peak densities of T. urticae in tunnels and in the open fields were lower than economic thresholds reported in the literature. Factors determining that systematically seem to be the prevailing relatively low temperature in Norway and high relative humidity in both countries. The levels of occurrence in Norway and Brazil in 2010 were so low that regardless of any potential effect of the use of tunnel, no major differences were observed between the two cropping systems in relation to T. urticae densities. In 2009 in Norway and in 2011 in Brazil, increase in T. urticae population seemed to have been restrained mainly by rainfall in the open field and by predatory mites in the tunnels. Phytoseiids were the most numerous predatory mite group of natural occurrence on strawberry, and the prevalence was higher in Brazil, where the most abundant species on strawberry leaves were Neoseiulus anonymus and Phytoseiulus macropilis. In Norway, the most abundant naturally occurring phytoseiids on strawberry leaves were Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) rhenanus and Typhlodromus (Typhlodromus) pyri. Predatory mites were very rare in the litter samples collected in Norway. Infection rate of the pest by the fungus Neozygites floridana (Neozygitaceae) was low. The results of this work suggest that in Norway the use of tunnels might not affect the population densities of T. urticae on strawberry in years of lower temperatures. When temperature is not a limiting factor for the development of T. urticae in that country (apparently always the case in southern Brazil), strawberry cultivation in the tunnels may allow T. urticae to reach higher population levels than in open fields (because of the provided protection from the direct impact of rainfall), but natural enemies may prevent higher levels from being reached.

Effects of UV-B radiation on the antagonistic ability of Clonostachys rosea to Botrytis cinerea on strawberry leaf disc

Human activities are altering the concentrations of ozone in the troposphere and hence in the incidence of ultraviolet-B (UV-B) on Earth’s surface. Although representing only five percent of UV-B radiation striking the Earth's surface, this radiation has the potential to cause effects on biologically active molecules. Sensitivity to UV-B radiation is one of the limitations of biological control of plant pathogens in the field. The objectives of this work were to evaluate the effects of UV-B on several isolates of Clonostachys rosea, and the ability of an isolate of C. rosea, previously selected for its tolerant to UV-B radiation, to control Botrytis cinerea on strawberry leaves in controlled conditions (strawberry leaf discs). The germination of C. rosea conidia was inversely proportional to the irradiance. The most tolerant strain (LQC62) had relative germination of about 60% after irradiation of 4.2kJ/m2, and this strain was selected to be used in the subsequent studies. The data showed that even with exposure to UV-B radiation, C. rosea LQC62 controlled the pathogen. Conidial concentrations of strain LQC62 above 105 conidia/ml showed higher tolerance to UV-B radiation and increased ability to control more than 75% of the B. cinerea even with exposure to radiation. According to our results, in addition to showing less growth under UV-B, conidia of C. rosea had lower antagonistic ability. Further studies are needed to observe the tolerance of B. cinerea conidia to UV-B radiation and thereby prove that an environment with increased UV-B radiation may be favoring the pathogen due to a lower ability of C. rosea to control the pathogen in conditions of increased UV-B.

Efeito de extratos de plantas medicinais no controle de Colletotrichum acutatum, agente causal da flor preta do morangueiro

A flor preta do morangueiro, causada por Colletotrichum acutatum, acarreta sérios problemas à cultura. Com o objetivo de verificar a utilização de extratos vegetais no controle da doença, testes in vitro foram realizados com 11 extratos vegetais hidroalcoólicos produzidos de plantas utilizadas na medicina popular. Os extratos foram preparados a partir de diferentes partes da planta, de acordo com a espécie, utilizando água e álcool no processo de extração por maceração. Foi verificada a influência dos extratos no crescimento micelial, esporulação e germinação de esporos de C. acutatum, e também no controle do patógeno em folhas e frutos destacados. de acordo com a metodologia utilizada, os extratos vegetais que apresentaram maior eficiência foram os de folha e ramos de Ruta graveolens, Artemisia absinthium e bulbos de Allium sativum, indicando ter essas plantas potencial fungitóxico para o controle de C. acutatum.

Evaluation of physicochemical, microbiological and sensorial characteristics of fermented milk beverages with buttermilk addition

This study evaluated three fermented milk beverages to which had been added sugar strawberry puree post-fermentation. The base was composed of 70% of milk, with whey and buttermilk in the concentrations of 30% and 0%, 15% and 15%, and 0% and 30%, respectively. The starter culture developed well with all formulations reaching pH 4.74.9 in 180 min of fermentation. Lactic acid bacteria in the products were above 8 log cfu/mL throughout the study. The beverages presented similar pH, acidity and viscosity. Buttermilk and whey can be interesting ingredients to be added into fermented milk beverages, because the consumers liked all the products equally, which had an average acceptance score exceeding liked moderately.

Modelagem matemática e simulação numérica do resfriamento rápido de morango com ar forçado

Este trabalho abordou o resfriamento rápido com ar forçado de morango via simulação numérica. Para tanto, foi empregado o modelo matemático que descreve o processo de transferência de calor, com base na lei de Fourier, escrito em coordenadas esféricas e simplificado para descrever o processo unidimensional. A resolução da equação expressa pelo modelo matemático deu-se por meio da implementação de um algoritmo, fundamentado no esquema explícito do método numérico das diferenças finitas, executado no ambiente de computação científica MATLAB 6.1. A validação do modelo matemático foi realizada a partir da comparação de dados teóricos com dados obtidos num experimento, no qual morangos foram resfriados com ar forçado. Os resultados mostraram que esse tipo de investigação para a determinação do coeficiente de transferência de calor por convecção é promissora como ferramenta no suporte à decisão do uso ou desenvolvimento de equipamentos na área de resfriamento rápido de frutos esféricos com ar forçado.

Utilização de biofilmes na conservação pós-colheita de morango (Fragaria Ananassa Duch) cv IAC Campinas

O presente trabalho objetivou estudar o uso de biofilmes de fécula de mandioca, na conservação pós-colheita de morango, armazenados em condição ambiente (21ºC; 64,5% UR). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado, com análise de regressão, com 3 repetições, constituindo dos seguintes tratamentos: testemunha, 1, 2, 3, 4 e 5% de revestimento com biofilme de fécula de mandioca. Foram avaliados 540 frutos durante 10 dias, determinado perda de peso, análise sensorial, aspecto visual (cor e textura). Verificou que houve diminuição da perda de peso nos tratamentos com 1, 2 e 3% de biofilme e aumento de textura, prolongando em até 5 vezes a vida pós-colheita dos frutos. Na análise sensorial não foi detectado sabor e aroma estranho em todos os tratamentos.

Armazenamento refrigerado de morango submetido a altas concentrações de CO2

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

Postprandial plasma carotenoid responses following consumption of strawberries, red wine, vitamin C or spinach by elderly women

This study investigated the postprandial plasma responses of carotenoids for 24 h after feeding five specific breakfast beverages; four of which had low or no carotenoid content. In seven fasting healthy elderly female subjects a blood sample (baseline) was obtained, after which they were given a breakfast beverage, containing one of the following: 1) strawberries (240 g); 2) ascorbic acid (1250 mg); 3) spinach (294 g); 4) red wine (300 mL); and 5) control (breakfast beverage only). Blood samples were collected at 0.5, 1, 4, 7, 11, 15 and 24 h. Plasma carotenoids were measured using HPLC. No significant differences were found in the levels of the plasma carotenoids measured among the various treatments at baseline. In the spinach treatment, plasma lutein, zeaxanthin and β-carotene levels at 7, 11, 15 and 24 h were significantly higher than those at baseline, as expected. All of the carotenoids measured in the control and vitamin C treatments, at subsequent sampling times were not significantly different from those at baseline. However, for most carotenoids, strawberry and red wine feeding resulted in significantly lower carotenoids values from baseline at 11 and 15 h. Subjects who received a diet with low levels of carotenoids, but whose postprandial plasma levels of carotenoids remain steady, might be explained by a mechanism that promotes secretion of carotenoids into the circulation. Assuming that plasma carotenoids are being used over time, we hypothesize that strawberries and red wine contain some substances that interfere with the secretion of carotenoids into the circulation.

Morphological alterations on human radicular dentin after exposure to different fruit juice drinks

Purpose: This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the effect of different fruit juice drinks available in the Brazilian market on smear layer removal and dentinal tubules opening, as well as to verify the effect of toothbrushing subsequently to the juices exposure. Methods: Dentin specimens were prepared and randomly distributed into the control group (distilled water) and twelve types of fruit juice drinks (cashew, orange, mandarin, apple, passion fruit, guava, strawberry, grape, mango, pear, peach, pineapple). The following treatments were applied: immersion or immersion + brushing. After preparation for SEM, photomicrographs were assessed using an index of smear layer removal. Results: No significant differences regarding smear layer removal and dentinal tubules exposure could be observed between the groups after both treatments (Kruskal-Wallis, post-hoc paired comparisons, P>0.05). The control solution and the fruit juice drinks were not able to remove smear layer and to open dentinal tubules. Significant difference between the applied treatments was detected only for the mango juice group (Mann-Whitney, P<0.05). Conclusion: Under the experimental conditions, the different fruit juice drinks did not promote significant alterations on human radicular dentin morphology regardless of the subsequent application of brushing procedures. Copyright: © 2011 Zandim et al.

Análise das tensões de água no solo cultivado com morangueiro sob poda

Strawberry yield and quality was evaluated after drastic pruning (second cycle), under different soil water tensions, drip irrigation. The experiment was conducted on beds at a greenhouse, located at Engineering Department, Federal University of Lavras (UFLA), from April to December of 2010. An experimental design was in randomized blocks with three replicates. The treatments were composed of six different soil water tension, 15, 25, 35, 45, 55 e 70 kPa. Results obtained allowed to verify that to higher values of: total and commercial fresh weight of fruits per plant, total and commercial number fruits per plant and total and commercial yield, it is necessary to irrigate when soil water tension gets approximately to 15 kPa, at 0.15 m deep. Commercial average fruit mass and noncommercial fresh weight of fruits per plant, were not reduced under different soil water tensions applied.

Desenvolvimento de uma sobremesa probiótica mista de tofu e extrato hidrossolúvel de soja fermentado

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Alternativas no controle fitossanitário em diferentes cultivares de morangueiro como ferramenta na produção integrada

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Eficiência no uso de água e de potássio no cultivo e na produção do morangueiro

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Irrigação e Drenagem) - FCA