Whitefly population dynamics in okra plantations

The control of whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) biotype B (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) consists primarily in the use of insecticides, due to the lack of information on other mortality factors. The objective of this study was to evaluate the spatial and temporal population dynamics of the whitefly B. tabaci biotype B on two successive A. esculentus var. "Santa Cruz" plantations. Leaf chemical composition, leaf nitrogen and potassium contents, trichome density, canopy height, plant age, predators, parasitoids, total rainfall and median temperature were evaluated and their relationships with whitefly on okra were determined. Monthly number estimates of whitefly adults, nymphs (visual inspection) and eggs (magnifying lens) occurred on bottom, middle and apical parts of 30 plants/plantation (one leaf/plant). Plants senescence and natural enemies, mainly Encarsia sp., Chrysoperla spp. and Coccinellidae, were some of the factors that most contributed to whitefly reduction. The second okra plantation, 50 m apart from the first, was strongly attacked by whitefly, probably because of the insect migration from the first to the second plantation. No significant effects of the plant canopy on whitefly eggs and adults distribution were found. A higher number of whitefly nymphs was found on the medium part than on the bottom part.

Dynamics of coherent vortices in mixing layers using direct numerical and large-eddy simulations

Coherent vortices in turbulent mixing layers are investigated by means of Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) and Large-Eddy Simulation (LES). Subgrid-scale models defined in spectral and physical spaces are reviewed. The new "spectral-dynamic viscosity model", that allows to account for non-developed turbulence in the subgrid-scales, is discussed. Pseudo-spectral methods, combined with sixth-order compact finite differences schemes (when periodic boundary conditions cannot be established), are used to solve the Navier- Stokes equations. Simulations in temporal and spatial mixing layers show two types of pairing of primary Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH) vortices depending on initial conditions (or upstream conditions): quasi-2D and helical pairings. In both cases, secondary streamwise vortices are stretched in between the KH vortices at an angle of 45° with the horizontal plane. These streamwise vortices are not only identified in the early transitional stage of the mixing layer but also in self-similar turbulence conditions. The Re dependence of the "diameter" of these vortices is analyzed. Results obtained in spatial growing mixing layers show some evidences of pairing of secondary vortices; after a pairing of the primary Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH) vortices, the streamwise vortices are less numerous and their diameter has increased than before the pairing of KH vortices.

Análise temporal da heterogeneidade florística e estrutural em uma floresta ribeirinha

Neste trabalho, foram estudadas a composição florística e a estrutura fitossociológica da vegetação em um fragmento de floresta ribeirinha, ao longo do rio Passa Cinco, Ipeúna, SP. Foram amostradas 157 parcelas contínuas de 5 x 10 m, em uma área de 0,785 ha. Foram feitas medidas de diâmetro e mapeados todos os indivíduos com DAP maior ou igual a 5 cm, em 1989 e 1998. Constatou-se a presença de um mosaico vegetacional e discutiram-se os possíveis fatores definidores deste mosaico. Foram, também, verificadas as alterações florísticas e fitossociológicas na área após nove anos. As análises multivariadas da vegetação mostraram a presença de três grupos vegetacionais com grande sobreposição aos três tipos de solo identificados na área. As análises quantitativas da estrutura da comunidade mostraram diferenças em cada um destes grupos, que se mantiveram ao longo do tempo, indicando associações florísticas próprias com grande correlação à cada tipo de solo. O grupo vegetacional sobre solo aluvial, na faixa imediatamente paralela ao curso d’água, apresentou diferenças florísticas mais pronunciadas, e maior diversidade de espécies, área basal e densidade de indivíduos. Em nove anos, poucas alterações na estrutura fitossociológica foram observadas para as espécies de maior valor de importância na área, com um aumento de 2,01% do número total de indivíduos e 2,80% na área basal total.

The succession dynamics of a macroalgal community after a flood disturbance in a tropical stream from São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil

The succession dynamics of a macroalgal community in a tropical stream (20º58' S and 49º25' W) was investigated after disturbance by a sequence of intensive rains. High precipitation levels caused almost complete loss of the macroalgal community attached to the substratum and provided a strong pressure against its immediate re-establishment. After this disturbance, a weekly sampling program from May 1999 to January 2000 was established to investigate macroalgal recolonization. The community changed greatly throughout the succession process. The number of species varied from one to seven per sampling. Global abundance of macroalgal community did not reveal a consistent temporal pattern of variation. In early succession stages, the morphological form of tufts dominated, followed by unbranched filaments. Latter succession stages showed the almost exclusive occurrence of gelatinous forms, including filaments and colonies. The succession trajectory was mediated by phosphorus availability in which community composition followed a scheme of changes in growth forms. However, we believe that deterministic and stochastic processes occur in lotic ecosystems, but they are dependent on the length of time considered in the succession analyses.