Phylogenetic relationships among four species of the guarani group of Drosophila (Diptera, Drosophilidae) as inferred by molecular and morphological analyses

Traditionally, the Drosophila guarani species group has been divided into two subgroups: the guarani and the guaramunu subgroups. Two, out of the four species included in this research, are members of the guarani subgroup (D. ornatifrons Duda, 1927 and D. subbadia Paterson & Mainland, 1943) and two are included in the guaramunu subgroup (D. maculifrons Duda, 1927 and D. griseolineata Duda, 1927). However, some authors have suggested that D. maculifrons and D. griseolineata are much closer to some species of the Drosophila tripunctata group than to some of the species of the guarani group. To add new data to the matter under dispute, Polyacrylamide Gel Eletrophoresis (PAGE-SDS) was used for the analysis and comparison of protein composition and Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis to find differences in genomic DNA, in addition to the analysis of quantitative morphological characters previously described. Analysis of PAGE-SDS results in a dendrogram that pointed out D. subbadia as being the most distant within the Drosophila guarani group. However, these results were not supported either by RAPD analysis or by the analysis of continuous morphological characters, which supplied the clustering of D. subbadia with D. ornatifrons. Although our data give strong support to the clustering of D. subbadia and D. ornatifrons, none of the dendrograms provided a clade comprising D. maculifrons and D. griseolineata. Thus, this research does not support the traditional subdivision of the D. guarani group into those two subgroups.

Relationships between host plant architecture and gall abundance and survival

The plant architecture hypothesis predicts that variation in host plant architecture influences insect herbivore community structure, dynamics and performance. In this study we evaluated the effects of Macairea radula (Melastomataceae) architecture on the abundance of galls induced by a moth (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). Plant architecture and gall abundance were directly recorded on 58 arbitrarily chosen M. radula host plants in the rainy season of 2006 in an area of Cerrado vegetation, southeastern Brazil. Plant height, dry biomass, number of branches, number of shoots and leaf abundance were used as predicting variables of gall abundance and larval survival. Gall abundance correlated positively with host plant biomass and branch number. Otherwise, no correlation (p > 0.05) was found between gall abundance with shoot number or with the number of leaves/plant. From a total of 124 galls analyzed, 67.7% survived, 14.5% were attacked by parasitoids, while 17.7% died due to unknown causes. Larvae that survived or were parasitized were not influenced by architectural complexity of the host plant. Our results partially corroborate the plant architecture hypothesis, but since parasitism was not related to plant architecture it is argued that bottom-up effects may be more important than top-down effects in controlling the population dynamics of the galling lepidopteran. Because galling insects often decrease plant fitness, the potential of galling insects in selecting for less architectural complex plants is discussed.

Comparação entre os métodos da transeção linear e fotográfico na avaliação de cobertura vegetal morta, sob dois métodos de preparo, após a colheita da soja

A eficácia da cobertura vegetal morta no controle da erosão pode ser avaliada através de dois indicadores principais: a porcentagem de cobertura do solo pelos resíduos culturais e sua persistência sobre a superfície ao longo do tempo. O preparo do solo, por sua vez, pode exercer influência significativa sobre esses indicadores. O trabalho foi realizado no campo, no município de Eldorado do Sul, Depressão Central do Rio Grande do Sul. Avaliou-se a persistência da cobertura vegetal morta durante um período de pousio, que foi de maio de 1989 a abril de 1990, em sucessão à cultura da soja. Os resíduos dessa cultura foram manejados sem preparo, por escarificação e por gradagem. A porcentagem de cobertura do solo pelos resíduos culturais foi quantificada pelo método fotográfico e pelo da transeção linear. A cultura da soja produziu cobertura vegetal morta em pequena quantidade e de baixa durabilidade. A distribuição dos resíduos na superfície, sem preparo do solo, foi o tratamento que possibilitou melhor correlação (R²) entre os índices de cobertura obtidos pelos dois métodos testados. Nas áreas sob gradagem ou escarificação do solo, os índices de cobertura obtidos pelo método fotográfico foram superiores aos da transeção linear, enquanto, na área sem preparo do solo, houve similaridade entre os resultados dos dois métodos.

Stratigraphical discontinuities, tropical landscape evolution and soil distribution relationships in a case study in SE-Brazil

On a regional summit surface in the county of Piracicaba (SP) within the Peripheric Depression of São Paulo, formed of discontinued flattened tops, there is an abrupt transition between a Typic Hapludox and a Kandiudalfic Eutrudox, together with two stoneline layers. Using stratigraphical, mineralogical, and cartographic studies, this transition and the soil distribution of this surface were studied, correlating them with the different parent materials and the morphoclimatic model of landscape evolution in Southeastern Brazil. The Typic Hapludox was formed on a sandy Cenozoic deposit (Q) that overlies a pellitic deposit of the Iratí formation (Pi), representing a regional erosive discordance. Westwards to the Piracicaba River, this sequence is interrupted by a diabase sill overlain by a red clayey material which gave origin to the Kandiudalfic Eutrudox. Two post-Permian depositional events were identified by the two stonelines and stratigraphical discontinuities. The first event generated the deposition of a sandy sediment in the form of levelled alveoluses on regional barriers, most of these formed by dikes and diabase sills, probably during a drier phase. The second depositional event, leading to the deposition of the red clay was probably the dissection of the previously formed pediplane during a humid climate, followed by another pedimentation process during a later, drier period.

Relationships between soil class and nutritional status of coffee plantations

Farm planning requires an assessment of the soil class. Research suggest that the Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) has the capacity to evaluate the nutritional status of coffee plantations, regardless of environmental conditions. Additionally, the use of DRIS could reduce the costs for farm planning. This study evaluated the relationship between the soil class and nutritional status of coffee plants (Coffea canephora Pierre) using the Critical Level (CL) and DRIS methods, based on two multivariate statistical methods (discriminant and multidimensional scaling analyses). During three consecutive years, yield and foliar concentration of nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Zn, Mn, Fe and Cu) were obtained from coffee plantations cultivated in Espírito Santo state. Discriminant analysis showed that the soil class was an important factor determining the nutritional status of the coffee plants. The grouping separation by the CL method was not as effective as the DRIS one. The bidimensional analysis of Euclidean distances did not show the same relationship between plant nutritional status and soil class. Multidimensional scaling analysis by the CL method indicated that 93.3 % of the crops grouped into one cluster, whereas the DRIS method split the fields more evenly into three clusters. The DRIS method thus proved to be more consistent than the CL method for grouping coffee plantations by soil class.

Correlação linear e espacial entre o rendimento de grãos do feijoeiro e a resistência mecânica à penetração em um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico

A resistência mecânica à penetração apresentada pelo solo exerce grande influência sobre o desenvolvimento vegetal, uma vez que o crescimento das raízes, assim como o rendimento das culturas, varia de forma inversamente proporcional ao seu valor. No ano agrícola de 2001/2002, na Fazenda Experimental de Ensino e Pesquisa da Faculdade de Engenharia/UNESP - Campus de Ilha Solteira, foram analisados o rendimento de grãos do feijoeiro (PG) e a resistência mecânica à penetração (R), de um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico. O objetivo foi apurar diretrizes relacionadas com o aumento da produtividade agrícola em questão, estudando a correlação linear e a espacial entre a PG e a R. Foi instalada uma rede geoestatística para a coleta dos dados do solo e da planta, estabelecida com espaçamentos de 5 x 5 m e 2,5 x 2,5 m, que continham 120 pontos amostrais distribuídos numa área de 1.875 m². A correlação linear entre a PG e a R foi praticamente nula, uma vez que, dependendo das profundidades estudadas do solo, apresentou coeficientes de correlação (r) menores do que 0,20. A análise geoestatística apresentou boa estrutura de dependência espacial, tanto para a PG quanto para a R, quando analisadas isoladamente. Entretanto, a análise espacial conjunta de tais atributos apresentou-se inconsistente. Assim, com o aumento da resistência mecânica à penetração, em determinada região do solo ocorreu ora aumento, ora diminuição do rendimento de grãos do feijoeiro.

Correlação linear e espacial entre a produtividade de forragem, a porosidade total e a densidade do solo de Pereira Barreto (SP)

Em relação aos sistemas de manejo adotados pelo homem, a porosidade total e a densidade do solo são atributos ativamente alterados, refletindo decisivamente sobre a produtividade vegetal agrícola. No ano agrícola de 2005, na Fazenda Bonança, no município de Pereira Barreto, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, foram analisadas a produtividade de forragem do milho outonal (MSF) no sistema plantio direto irrigado, a porosidade total (PT) e a densidade do solo (DS) em profundidade, em um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico. O objetivo foi estudar a variabilidade e as correlações lineares e espaciais entre os atributos da planta e do solo, visando selecionar um indicador da qualidade física do solo de boa representatividade para produtividade da forragem. Foi instalada a malha geoestatística, para coleta de dados do solo e planta, contendo 125 pontos amostrais, numa área de 2.500 m². Os atributos estudados, além de não terem variado aleatoriamente, apresentaram variabilidade dos dados entre média e baixa e seguiram padrões espaciais bem definidos, com alcance entre 6,8 e 23,7 m. Por sua vez, a correlação linear entre o atributo da planta e os do solo, em razão do elevado número de observações, foi baixa. As observações de melhor correlação com a MSF foram a DS1 e a PT1. Entretanto, do ponto de vista espacial, houve excelente correlação inversa entre a MSF e a DS1, assim como entre a DS1 e a PT1. Nos sítios onde a DS1 aumentou (1,45-1,64 kg dm-3) a MSF variou entre 11.653 e 14.552 kg ha-1; já naqueles onde diminuiu (1,35-1,45 kg dm-3) a MSF, ficou entre 14.552 e 17.450 kg ha-1. Portanto, a densidade global, avaliada na camada de 0-0,10 m (DS1), apresentou-se como satisfatório indicador da qualidade física do solo de Pereira Barreto (SP), quando destinado à produtividade de forragem do milho outonal.

Correlação linear e espsacial entre a produtividade de feijão e a porosidade de um Latossolo Vermelho de Selvíria (MS)

A porosidade do solo exerce grande influência sobre o crescimento e desenvolvimento vegetal, uma vez que o crescimento das raízes, tal como a produtividade das culturas, é limitado pela profundidade que atingem. Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a variabilidade espacial e as correlações lineares entre a produtividade de feijão e a porosidade do solo. No ano de 2004/2005, no município de Selvíria, MS, foram analisadas a produtividade de grãos de feijão (PG), cultivar IAC Carioca, irrigado, a macroporosidade (MA), a microporosidade (MI) e a porosidade total (PT) do solo em quatro profundidades: 1 (0,0-0,10); 2(0,10-0,20); 3(0,20-0,30) e 4(0,30-0,40 m), num Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico. As amostras de solo e planta foram coletadas em uma malha geoestatística com 75 pontos espaçados de 10 x 10 m, mais 60 pontos de quatro malhas de refinamento numa área de 50 x 150 m. Os atributos estudados, além de não terem variado aleatoriamente, apresentaram média e baixa variabilidades. Seguiram padrões espaciais bem definidos, com alcances entre 11,70 e 104,40 m. A correlação linear entre o atributo da planta e os do solo, em função do elevado número de observações, foi baixa. As de melhor correlação linear com a PG foram a MA1, MI1 e a PT3. Entretanto, do ponto de vista espacial, houve excelente correlação inversa entre a PG e a #PT2. Assim, nos sítios onde a #PT2 diminuiu (0,030-0,045 m³ m-3 ), a PG variou entre 2.173 e 3.529 kg ha-1. Já naqueles onde aumentou (0,045-0,076 m³ m-3 ), a PG ficou entre 1.630-2.173 kg ha-1. Assim, a porosidade total do solo, quando avaliada na camada de 0,10-0,20 m (#PT2), indicou a importância do contato raiz/solo e, de modo inverso, apresentou satisfatório indicador da qualidade física do solo estudado, quando destinado à produtividade de grãos de feijão irrigado.

Correlação linear e espacial entre a resistência do solo ao penetrômetro e a produtividade do feijoeiro irrigado

A resistência do solo ao penetrômetro exerce grande influência sobre o crescimento e desenvolvimento vegetal, uma vez que o crescimento das raízes, assim como o rendimento das culturas, varia de forma inversamente proporcional ao seu valor. Dessa forma, a análise da variabilidade espacial da resistência do solo ao penetrômetro e da produtividade, por meio da geoestatística, pode indicar alternativas de manejo para reduzir os efeitos da variabilidade do solo sobre a produtividade e também melhorar a estimativa de respostas das culturas sob determinadas práticas de manejo. Diante do exposto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi relacionar e caracterizar a variabilidade espacial da resistência do solo ao penetrômetro (RP) e a produtividade do feijoeiro irrigado em sistema de semeadura direta, em duas safras consecutivas. O experimento foi realizado em Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico típico, no campo experimental da Faculdade de Engenharia Agrícola da Unicamp, no município de Campinas-SP, cujas coordenadas geográficas são: 22 ° 48 ' 57 " de latitude sul, 47 ° 03 ' 33 " de longitude oeste e altitude média de 640 m. As avaliações foram realizadas em uma malha regular de amostragem de 3 x 3 m, totalizando 60 pontos amostrais por parcela. A análise da dependência espacial foi avaliada pela geoestatística, e os parâmetros dos semivariogramas utilizados para construir mapas de isolinhas, por meio do interpolador de krigagem do programa Surfer 8.0. A regressão linear simples entre mapas (pixel-a-pixel) mostrou correlação negativa entre os valores de RP e a produtividade; no entanto, a produtividade do feijoeiro irrigado apresentou baixa correlação com a resistência do solo ao penetrômetro em sistema semeadura direta nas duas safras.

Relationships between grain yield and accumulation of biomass, nitrogen and phosphorus in common bean cultivars

Shoot biomass is considered a relevant component for crop yield, but relationships between biological productivity and grain yield in legume crops are usually difficult to establish. Two field experiments were carried out to investigate the relationships between grain yield, biomass production and N and P accumulation at reproductive stages of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) cultivars. Nine and 18 cultivars were grown on 16 m² plots in 1998 and 1999, respectively, with four replications. Crop biomass was sampled at four growth stages (flowering R6, pod setting R7, beginning of pod filling R8, and mid-pod filling R8.5), grain yield was measured at maturity, and N and P concentrations were determined in plant tissues. In both years, bean cultivars differed in grain yield, in root mass at R6 and R7 stages, and in shoot mass at R6 and R8.5, whereas at R7 and R8 differences in shoot mass were significant in 1998 only. In both years, grain yield did not correlate with shoot mass at R6 and R7 and with root mass at R6. Grain yield correlated with shoot mass at R8 in 1999 but not in 1998, with shoot mass at R8.5 and with root mass at R7 in both years. Path coefficient analysis indicated that shoot mass at R8.5 had a direct effect on grain yield in both years, that root mass at R7 had a direct effect on grain yield in 1998, and that in 1999 the amounts of N and P in shoots at R8.5 had indirect effects on grain yield via shoot mass at R8.5. A combined analysis of both experiments revealed that biomass accumulation, N and P in shoots at R6 and R7 as well as root mass at R6 were similar in both years. In 1998 however bean accumulated more root mass at R7 and more biomass and N and P in shoots at R8 and R8.5, resulting in a 57 % higher grain yield in 1998. This indicates that grain yield of different common bean cultivars is not intrinsically associated with vegetative vigor at flowering and that mechanisms during pod filling can strongly influence the final crop yield. The establishment of a profuse root system during pod setting, associated with the continuous N and P acquisition during early pod filling, seems to be relevant for higher grain yields of common bean.

Selecting statistical models to study the relationship between soybean yield and soil physical properties

Statistical models allow the representation of data sets and the estimation and/or prediction of the behavior of a given variable through its interaction with the other variables involved in a phenomenon. Among other different statistical models, are the autoregressive state-space models (ARSS) and the linear regression models (LR), which allow the quantification of the relationships among soil-plant-atmosphere system variables. To compare the quality of the ARSS and LR models for the modeling of the relationships between soybean yield and soil physical properties, Akaike's Information Criterion, which provides a coefficient for the selection of the best model, was used in this study. The data sets were sampled in a Rhodic Acrudox soil, along a spatial transect with 84 points spaced 3 m apart. At each sampling point, soybean samples were collected for yield quantification. At the same site, soil penetration resistance was also measured and soil samples were collected to measure soil bulk density in the 0-0.10 m and 0.10-0.20 m layers. Results showed autocorrelation and a cross correlation structure of soybean yield and soil penetration resistance data. Soil bulk density data, however, were only autocorrelated in the 0-0.10 m layer and not cross correlated with soybean yield. The results showed the higher efficiency of the autoregressive space-state models in relation to the equivalent simple and multiple linear regression models using Akaike's Information Criterion. The resulting values were comparatively lower than the values obtained by the regression models, for all combinations of explanatory variables.

Structural changes in latosols of the cerrado region: I - relationships between soil physical properties and least limiting water range

The agricultural potential of Latosols of the Brazilian Cerrado region is high, but when intensively cultivated under inappropriate management systems, the porosity can be seriously reduced, leading to rapid soil degradation. Consequently, accelerated erosion and sedimentation of springs and creeks have been observed. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate structural changes of Latosols in Rio Verde, Goiás, based on the Least Limiting Water Range (LLWR), and relationships between LLWR and other physical properties. Soil samples were collected from the B horizons of five oxidic Latosols representing the textural variability of the Latosols of the Cerrado biome. LLWR and other soil physical properties were determined at various soil compaction degrees induced by uniaxial compression. Soil compaction caused effects varying from enhanced plant growth due to higher water retention, to severe restriction of edaphic functions. Also, inverse relationships were observed between clay content and bulk density values (Bd) under different structural conditions. Bd values corresponding to critical soil macroporosity (BdcMAC) were more restrictive to a sustainable use of the studied Latosols than the critical Bd corresponding to LLWR (BdcLLWR). The high tolerable compression potential of these oxidic Latosols was related to the high aeration porosity associated to the granular structure.

Chronofunctions of Heilu soil developed from Loess in Luochuan, on the chinese Loess plateau

Soil chronofunctions are an alternative for the quantification of soil-forming processes and underlie the modeling of soil genesis. To establish soil chronofunctions of a Heilu soil profile on Loess in Luochuan, selected soil properties and the 14C ages in the Holocene were studied. Linear, logarithmic, and third-order polynomial functions were selected to fit the relationships between soil properties and ages. The results indicated that third-order polynomial function fit best for the relationships between clay (< 0.002 mm), silt (0.002-0.02 mm), sand (0.02-2 mm) and soil ages, and a trend of an Ah horizon ocurrence in the profile. The logarithmic function indicated mainly variations of soil organic carbon and pH with time (soil age). The variation in CaCO3 content, Mn/Zr, Fe/Zr, K/Zr, Mg/Zr, Ca/Zr, P/Zr, and Na/Zr ratios with soil age were best described by three-order polynomial functions, in which the trend line showed migration of CaCO3 and some elements.

Beaufils ranges to assess the cotton nutrient status in the southern region of Mato Grosso

The relationships between nutrient contents and indices of the Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) are a useful basis to determine appropriate ranges for the interpretation of leaf nutrient contents. The purpose of this study was to establish Beaufils ranges from statistical models of the relationship between foliar concentrations and DRIS indices, generated by two systems of DRIS norms - the F value and natural logarithm transformation - and assess the nutritional status of cotton plants, based on these Beaufils ranges. Yield data from plots (average acreage 100 ha) and foliar concentrations of macro and micronutrients of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum r. latifolium) plants, in the growing season 2004/2005, were stored in a database. The criterion to define the reference population consisted of plots with above-average yields + 0.5 standard deviation (over 4,575 kg ha-1 seed cotton yield). The best-fitting statistical model of the relationship between foliar nutrient concentrations and DRIS indices was linear, with R² > 0.8090, p < 0.01, except for N, with R² = 0.5987, p < 0.01. The two criteria were effective to diagnose the plant nutritional status. The diagnoses were not random, but based on the effectiveness of the chi-square-tested method. The agreement between the methods to assess the nutritional status was 92.59-100 %, except for S, with 74.07 % agreement.

Spatial relationships between soil attributes and corn yield in no-tillage system

Soil properties play an important role in spatial variability of crop yield. However, a low spatial correlation has generally been observed between maps of crop yield and of soil properties. The objectives of the present investigation were to assess the spatial pattern variability of soil properties and of corn yield at the same sampling intensity, and evaluate its cause-and-effect relationships. The experimental site was structured in a grid of 100 referenced points, spaced at 10 m intervals along four parallel 250 m long rows spaced 4.5 m apart. Thus, points formed a rectangle containing four columns and 25 rows. Therefore, each sampling cell encompassed an area of 45 m² and consisted of five 10 m long crop rows, in which the referenced points represented the center. Samples were taken from the layers 0-0.1 m and 0.1-0.2 m. Soil physical and chemical properties were evaluated. Statistical analyses consisted of data description and geostatistics. The spatial dependence of corn yield and soil properties was confirmed. The hypothesis of this study was confirmed, i.e., when sampling the soil to determine the values of soil characteristics at similar to sampling intensity as for crop yield assessments, correlations between the spatial distribution of soil characteristics and crop yield were observed. The spatial distribution pattern of soil properties explained 65 % of the spatial distribution pattern of corn yield. The spatial distribution pattern of clay content and percentage of soil base saturation explained most of the spatial distribution pattern of corn yield.