Rearing the southern green stink bug using an artificial dry diet and an artificial plant

Laboratory and greenhouse studies were conducted with an artificial dry diet to rear nymphs, and with an artificial plant as substrate for egg laying by the southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (L.). The artificial diet was composed of: soybean protein (15 g); potato starch (7.5 g); dextrose (7.5 g); sucrose (2.5 g); cellulose (12.5 g); vitamin mixture (niacinamide 1 g, calcium pantothenate 1 g, thiamine 0.25 g, riboflavin 0.5 g, pyridoxine 0.25 g, folic acid 0.25 g, biotin 0.02 mL, vitamin B12 1 g - added to 1,000 mL of distilled water) (5.0 mL); soybean oil (20 mL); wheat germ (17.9 g); and water (30 mL). Nymphs showed normal feeding behavior when fed on the artificial diet. Nymphal development time was longer than or similar to that of nymphs fed on soybean pods. Total nymphal mortality was low (ca. 30%), both for nymphs reared on the artificial diet, and for nymphs fed on soybean pods. At adult emergence, fresh body weights were significantly (P<0.01) less on the artificial diet than on soybean pods. Despite the lower adult survivorship and fecundity on artificial plants than on soybean plants, it was demonstrated for the first time that a model simulating a natural plant, can be used as a substrate for egg mass laying, in conjunction with the artificial diet.

Influence of micronutrients on dry matter yield and interaction with other nutrients in annual crops

The objective of this work was to determine the influence of Zn, Mn and Cu on shoot dry matter yield and uptake of macro and micronutrients in upland rice, common bean and corn. Six greenhouse experiments were conducted using a Dark Red Latosol (Typic Haplusthox). Treatments consisted of application of Zn at 0, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80 and 120 mg kg-1, of Mn at 0, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160, 320 and 640 mg kg-1 and of Cu application at 0, 2, 4, 8, 32, 64 and 96 mg kg-1. Zinc increased yield of rice, Mn increased yields of corn and bean and Cu improved yields of rice and bean. Uptake of N, Ca, and Cu in rice was decreased by zinc treatment. In common bean, uptake of N, Mg, and Cu was increased by zinc application, whereas, uptake of P was decreased. Manganese increased uptake of Mg, Zn and Fe and decreased uptake of Ca, in corn. Uptake of K, Zn and Mn was increased and uptake of P and Cu was decreased by Mn application, in bean. Copper had positive and negative interactions in the uptake of macro and micronutrients, depending on crop species and nutrients involved.

Toxicity of neem oil to Bemisia tabaci biotype B nymphs reared on dry bean

The objective of this work was to determine the most susceptible nymphal stage of Bemisia tabaci biotype B to neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) oil applied to dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in a screenhouse. A solution of commercial oil (Dalneem) extracted from neem seeds was sprayed directly on each nymphal instar at 0, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2% concentrations for lethal concentration (LC) determination, and at 0, 0.5 and 1% concentrations for lethal time (LT) determination. The number of living and dead nymphs was recorded five days after spraying for LC determination, and daily during six days for LT determination. The LC50 estimated for fourth instar nymphs occurred at 0.56% concentration. For all instars, LC50 and LC95 were estimated at 0.32 and 2.78% concentrations, respectively. The estimated values of LT50 at 1% concentration were 2.46, 4.45, 3.02 and 6.98 days for the first to fourth instars, respectively. The LT50 occurred at five days for 0.5% and at four days for 1% concentration in all instars. A mortality rate of over 80% was observed on the 6th day for the first to third instars at 1% concentration. The first three nymphal stages were more susceptible to neem oil when compared to the fourth nymphal stage.

Variabilidade genética em cultivares de soja determinada com marcadores microssatélites em gel de agarose

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a variabilidade genética de cultivares de soja com marcadores microssatélites selecionados e caracterizados quanto à informatividade para uso em gel de agarose. O DNA de 23 cultivares de soja foi amplificado com 283 marcadores microssatélites em gel de agarose a 3%. Posteriormente, 53 marcadores que apresentaram polimorfismo facilmente detectável nos géis de agarose foram utilizados na caracterização de 53 cultivares. Nessas cultivares foram detectados 124 alelos, com média de 2,34 alelos por loco, e os valores de conteúdo de informação polimórfica variaram entre 0,16 e 0,66, com média de 0,47. As frequências alélicas variaram de 0,02 a 0,91, com média de 0,43. A distância genética calculada variou de 0,02 a 0,73, com média de 0,47. A menor distância observada foi entre as cultivares CD201 e CD208, e a maior distância entre CD210 e BRSMT Uirapuru. Os marcadores utilizados possibilitaram a identificação das 53 cultivares avaliadas. Os locos microssatélites de soja, avaliados em gel de agarose, apresentam elevada informatividade. É possível detectar variabilidade significativa no germoplasma brasileiro de soja avaliado, mesmo entre cultivares elite, quando se usa marcadores moleculares microssatélites selecionados por sua informatividade.

Dry matter production of Tanzania grass as a function of agrometeorological variables

The objective of this work was to develop and validate linear regression models to estimate the production of dry matter by Tanzania grass (Megathyrsus maximus, cultivar Tanzania) as a function of agrometeorological variables. For this purpose, data on the growth of this forage grass from 2000 to 2005, under dry‑field conditions in São Carlos, SP, Brazil, were correlated to the following climatic parameters: minimum and mean temperatures, degree‑days, and potential and actual evapotranspiration. Simple linear regressions were performed between agrometeorological variables (independent) and the dry matter accumulation rate (dependent). The estimates were validated with independent data obtained in São Carlos and Piracicaba, SP, Brazil. The best statistical results in the development and validation of the models were obtained with the agrometeorological parameters that consider thermal and water availability effects together, such as actual evapotranspiration, accumulation of degree‑days corrected by water availability, and the climatic growth index, based on average temperature, solar radiation, and water availability. These variables can be used in simulations and models to predict the production of Tanzania grass.

Resistance to Fusarium dry root rot disease in cassava accessions

The objective of this work was to identify sources of resistance to dry root rot induced by Fusarium sp. in cassava accessions. A macroconidial suspension (20 µL) of 11 Fusarium sp. isolates was inoculated in cassava roots, from 353 acessions plus seven commercial varieties. Ten days after inoculation, the total area colonized by the pathogen on the root pulp was evaluated by digital image analysis. Cluster analysis revealed the presence of five groups regarding resistance. The root lesion areas ranged from 18.28 to 1,096.07 mm² for the accessions BGM 1518 and BGM 556, respectively. The genotypes BGM 1042, BGM 1552, BGM 1586, BGM 1598, and BGM 1692 present the best agronomical traits.

Alterações fisiológicas e bioquímicas em sementes de café secas em sílica gel e soluções salinas saturadas

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar alterações fisiológicas e bioquímicas em sementes de café submetidas à secagem rápida, em sílica gel, e à secagem lenta, em soluções salinas saturadas. As sementes foram secas até que atingissem os seguintes teores de água: 40, 30, 20, 15, 10 e 5% (base úmida). Após a secagem, uma parte das sementes foi imediatamente avaliada quanto ao desempenho fisiológico e ao perfil de enzimas do processo oxidativo, e outra parte foi avaliada após armazenagem em condição hermética, em câmara fria e seca, por quatro meses. A velocidade de secagem e o teor final de água tiveram efeito significativo sobre a qualidade fisiológica das sementes. Após a secagem rápida em sílica gel, as sementes toleraram teores finais de água mais baixos. No entanto, após a secagem lenta, as sementes com teores finais de água mais elevados apresentaram maior qualidade. O período de armazenamento não afetou a germinação, mas prejudicou o vigor das sementes. A secagem rápida apresenta maior potencial de dano ao endosperma do que aos embriões. O perfil enzimático das sementes de café é afetado pelo teor final de água e pela velocidade de secagem.

Dry matter accumulation and mineral nutrition of arracacha in response to nitrogen fertilization

Abstract:The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen fertilization on the growth and yield of arracacha (Arracacia xanthorrhiza), as well as on the plant's nutrient uptake, distribution, and removal. The experiment was carried out in a typical Oxisol, with sandy texture. A randomized complete block design was used, with four replicates. The treatments consisted of five N rates: 0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 kg ha-1. The plots were composed of three 8-m-length rows, spaced at 0.60 m between rows and 0.40 m between plants. The plants were harvested after an 8-month cycle. Nitrogen fertilization significantly increased the proportion of N and S accumulated in stems, and of Ca, Mg, Fe, and Mn in leaves. N supply increased Zn distribution to stems and leaves, whereas high N rates increased Cu allocation to stems more than to the rootstock. High N rates increase plant dry matter (DM) production and nutrient uptake and removal, but do not result in the greatest yield due to the greater development of leaves and stems, and to the lower allocation of DM in storage roots.

Organo-gel: um novo sistema para a imobilização de lipases e sua aplicação em síntese orgânica

Lipases have been immobilized in microemulsion-based organogels (MBG's) and successfully utilized for the enantioselective esterification, diesterification and transesterification reactions, in organic solvents at 25ºC. This methodology is described as a new alternative for the use of enzymes in organic solvents. High enzymic stability has been observed. We have also used this methodology for the successful resolution of chiral secondary alcohols. This is a convenient way of using this catalyst in organic solvents which employs small amounts of the enzyme (250mg/mL).

Optical characterization of sol-gel glasses derived from Eu3+ complex-forming precursors

Fabrication of new optical devices based upon the incorporation of rare earth ions via sol-gel methods depends on elimination of dopant ion clusters and residual hydroxyl groups from the final material. The optical absorption and/or luminescence properties of luminescent rare earth ions are influenced by the local bonding environment and the distribution of the rare-earth dopants in the matrix. Typically, dopants are incorporated into gel via dissolution of soluble species into the initial precursor sol. In this work, Eu3+ is used as optical probe, to assess changes in the local environment. Results of emission, excitation, fluorescence line narrowing and lifetimes studies of Eu3+-doped gels derived from Si(OCH3)4 and fluorinated/chelate Eu3+ precursors are presented. The precursors used in the sol-gel synthesis were: tris (6,6,7,7,8,8,8-heptafluoro-2,2-dimethyl-3,5-octanedionate) Eu(III), Eu (III) trifluoromethanesulfonate, Eu(III) acetylacetonate hydrate, Eu (III) trifluoroacetate trihidrate, tris (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5- heptanedionate) Eu(III) and Eu(NO3)3.6H2O. The results were interpreted in terms of the evolution of the Eu3+ fluorescence in systems varying from solution to the gels densified to 800ºC. The lifetimes studies indicate that the fluorinated precursors are effective at reducing the water content in densified gels.

Connectivity in sol-gel silica glasses

In this work it is carried out a review on structural parameters related to the evaluation of pore connectivity of nanostructures. The work describes parameters and methods of evaluation of geometric parameters. The concepts of connectivity are applied to silica gels and glasses obtained from sol-gel process. The study of pores connectivity was carried out using a combination of geometric modeling and experimental evaluation of specific surface area and pore volume. The permeability of the pore structure is evaluated and a permeability geometric factor, Pg, is proposed.

Organo-gel de heptano: diagrama de fases e aplicações sintéticas

The phase diagram formation of microemulsion-based gels composed of an anionic surfactant aerosol-OT sodium bis (2-ethylhexyl)-sulphosuccinate), water, gelatin and an organic solvent is presented for heptane. The stability of this organo- gel, when an enzyme is immobilized is discussed in terms of its reutilization in various esters synthesis.

Adsorção do complexo H[Ru(III)Cl2(H2EDTA)] sobre a superfície da sílica gel modificada com [3-(2-aminoetil) aminopropil]trimetoxissilano em soluções etanólicas

Silica gel was functionalized with [3-(2-aminoethyl)aminopropyl]trimethoxysilane group (SF-AEATS) and the characterization by chemical analysis (N) and infrared spectroscopy confirmed the functionalization. The capacity of the modified silica to adsorb the complex Ru(III)-EDTA from ethanolic solution was studied. The selectivity coefficients of the complex formed on the support obtained was (Gñ), 2,07 x 10(4) L/mol and the average number of ligand bonded by one metal ion on the support (ñ) was ~ 1.

Imobilização de 8-hidroxiquinoleína em sílica gel. Melhorias na tradicional rota de diazotação

Some modifications made at silanization step and the introduction of r-nitrobenzil bromide as an alternative reagent to the 8-hydroxiquinolein immobilization in silica gel were important points that brought up the reduction of synthesis time, efficency improvement of the immobilization process and better hydrolysis stabilization to the final materials. The caracterization was made by infrared spectroscopy, elementary analysis, complexing capacity and acid-base properties.

Determinação de Cd, Ni e Zn por espectrometria de emissão atômica com plasma indutivamente acoplado, após separação e pré-concentração em coluna contendo p-dimetilaminobenzilidenorodanina adsorvida sobre sílica gel

A column packed with 5-(4-dimethylaminobenzylidene)rhodanine adsorbed on silica gel was used for the preconcentration of Cd, Ni and Zn at different spiked solutions prior to their determination by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. This column allowed recoveries over than 98% for the above elements and accurate analyses of coastal sea-water certified reference material were also achieved.