Inter-relation between soybean yield and soil compaction under degraded pasture in Brazilian Savannah

The Cerrado (Brazilian Savannah) plays an important economic and financial role in the nation, since the pastures of this biome feed cattle for half of the domestic bovine meat productivity, and its agricultural fields produce a third of the country's grain. The variability and spatial dependence between the soil physical attributes and soybean yield were evaluated in a crop rotation planted on a degraded brachiaria pasture, on a dystroferric Red Latosol of an experimental farm of the State University of São Paulo (UNESP), in the 2005/2006 growing season. The linear and spatial correlations between these attributes were also studied, to determine conditions that would allow increased agricultural productivity. In the above pasture area, a grid was installed with 124 plots, spaced 10.0 x 10.0 m and 5.0 x 5.0 m apart, in a total area of 7,500 m². From the linear and spatial point of view, the high grain yield can be explained by the number of grains per plant and soil macroporosity. The high variability observed for most soil properties indicated that the crop - livestock integration system results in environmental heterogeneity of the soil.

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.

Duration-frequency relationships of heavy rainfall in Santa Catarina, Brazil

The purpose of this study was to adjust equations that establish relationships between rainfall events with different duration and data from weather stations in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. In this study, the relationships between different duration heavy rainfalls from 13 weather stations of Santa Catarina were analyzed. From series of maximum annual rainfalls, and using the Gumbel-Chow distribution, the maximum rainfall for durations between 5 min and 24 h were estimated considering return periods from 2 to 100 years. The data fit to the Gumbel-Chow model was verified by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test at 5 % significance. The coefficients of Bell's equation were adjusted to estimate the relationship between rainfall duration t (min) and the return period T (y) in relation to the maximum rainfall with a duration of 1 hour and a 10 year return period. Likewise, the coefficients of Bell's equation were adjusted based on the maximum rainfall with a duration of 1 day and a 10 year return period. The results showed that these relationships are viable to estimate short-duration rainfall events at locations where there are no rainfall records.

Relationships between microbial activity and soil physical and chemical properties in native and reforested Araucaria angustifolia forests in the state of São Paulo, Brazil

Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Kuntze is the main component of the Mixed Ombrophilous forest and, in the State of São Paulo, it is associated with a high diversity of soil organisms, essential for the maintenance of soil quality, making the conservation of this ecosystem a major and pressing challenge. The objective of this study was to identify the physical and chemical properties that are most closely correlated with dehydrogenase enzyme activity, basal respiration and microbial biomass under native (NF) and replanted (RF) Araucaria angustifolia forests in three regions of the state of São Paulo, in winter and summer. The main differentiating factors between the areas were also determined. Each forest was represented by three true replications; at each site, from around the araucaria trees, 15 soil samples (0-20 cm) were collected to evaluate the soil physical, chemical and microbiological properties. At the same points, forest litter was sampled to assess mass and chemical properties. The following microbiological properties were evaluated: microbial biomass carbon (MBC), basal respiration (CO2-C), metabolic quotient (Q: CO2), dehydrogenase enzyme activity (DHA) as well as the physical properties (moisture, bulk density, macroporosity and total porosity), soil chemical properties [pH, organic carbon (org-C), P, Ca, K, Mg, Al, H+Al], litter dry mass, and C, N and S contents. The data were subjected to analysis of variance (TWO-WAY: ANOVA). A Canonical Discriminant Analysis (CDA) and a Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA) were also performed. In the soil under NF, the values of K, P, soil macroporosity, and litter dry mass were higher and Q: CO2 and DHA lower, regardless of the sampling period, and DHA was lower in winter. In the RF areas, the levels of moisture, porosity and Q: CO2 were higher in both sampling periods, and DHA was higher in winter. The MBC was only higher under NF in the summer, while the litter contents of C, N and S were greater in winter. In winter, CCA showed a high correlation of DHA with CO2-C, pH and H+Al, while in the summer org-C, moisture, Mg, pH and litter C were more associated with DHA and CO2-C. The CDA indicated H+Al, available P, total porosity, litter S content, and soil moisture as the most discriminating variables between NF and RF, but moisture was the most relevant, in both seasons and CO2-C only in winter. The combined analysis of CCA and CDA showed that the contribution of the microbiological variables to a differentiation of the areas was small at both samplings, which may indicate that the period after reforestation was long enough to allow an almost complete recovery of the microbial activity.

Inter-relação entre caracteres de caupi de porte ereto e crescimento determinado

Foram estudados dez caracteres em 32 genótipos de caupi [Vigna unguiculata (L.)Walp.], com o objetivo de avaliar o grau de associação existente entre o rendimento de grãos e seus componentes. Oensaio foi conduzido no Campo Experimental da Embrapa-Centro de Pesquisa Agropecuária do Meio-Norte, em Teresina, PI. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados, com seis repetições. Os dados foram coletados nas duas fileiras centrais, subtraídas das duas primeiras covas em cada extremidade. A floração inicial e o peso de 100 grãos apresentaram, com rendimento de grãos, as maiores correlações genéticas positivas e os maiores efeitos diretos em sentido favorável à seleção, e foram os caracteres mais importantes para o processo de seleção indireta. A seleção, praticada nos caracteres ângulo de inserção dos ramos laterais e número de grãos por vagem, não teve influência direta significativa sobre o rendimento de grãos.

Inter and intra-guild interactions in egg parasitoid species of the soybean stink bug complex

The objective of this research was to evaluate the parasitism behavior of Telenomus podisi Ashmead, Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston) e Trissolcus urichi Crawford (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) on eggs of Nezara viridula L., Euschistus heros F., Piezodorus guildinii Westwood and Acrosternum aseadum Rolston (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), in no choice and multiple choice experiments. For all parasitoid species, the results demonstrated the existence of a main host species that maximizes the reproductive success. The competitive interactions among the parasitoid species were investigated in experiments of sequential and simultaneous release of different combinations of parasitoid pairs on the hosts N. viridula, E. heros and A. aseadum. Exploitative competition was observed for egg batches at the genus level (Telenomus vs. Trissolcus) and interference competition at the species level (T. basalis vs. T. urichi). Trissolcus urichi was the most aggressive species, interfering with the parasitism of T. basalis. Generally, T. basalis showed an opportunistic behavior trying to parasitise eggs after T. urichi had abandoned the egg batch. The selection of parasitoid species for use in augmentative biological control programs should take into account the diversity of pentatomids present in soybean in addition to the interactions among the different species of parasitoids.

Correlações inter e intragerações e herdabilidade de cor de chips, matéria seca e produção em batata

Os objetivos deste trabalho foram determinar correlações inter e intragerações clonais, estimar herdabilidade quanto à cor de chips, teor de matéria seca e produção de batata, e suas implicações na seleção. Duzentos e cinqüenta clones de dez famílias foram escolhidos aleatoriamente de uma população de primeira geração clonal, destinada ao processamento de batatas chips, do programa de melhoramento genético de batata da Embrapa-Centro de Pesquisa Agropecuária de Clima Temperado. Os clones foram avaliados em segunda (G2), terceira (G3) e quarta (G4) gerações, respectivamente, no outono e primavera de 1999, e outono de 2000, em Pelotas, RS. Os coeficientes de correlação entre gerações e as estimativas de herdabilidade dentro das gerações clonais foram baixas em relação à cor de chips, baixas a moderadas quanto à matéria seca e incrementais com as gerações nos componentes de produção. Os coeficientes de correlação entre as características de qualidade e os componentes de produção dentro de cada geração foram baixos e, na maioria, não-significativos. As estimativas de herdabilidade dos dados conjuntos da G3 e G4 foram moderada, moderadamente alta e alta, respectivamente, em relação à cor de chips, teor de matéria seca e produção.

Genetic diversity of Brazilian Pantaneiro horse and relationships among horse breeds

The objective of this work was to evaluate the genetic diversity of Brazilian Pantaneiro horse by microsatellite markers, investigate the effect of genetic bottlenecks and estimate genetic differentiation among four horse breeds. Genetic variation was estimated through allele frequencies and mean breed heterozygosity. Nei's genetic distances among the breeds Pantaneiro, Thoroughbred, Arabian, Spanish Pure Breed (Andalusian), and Uruguay Creole were calculated, and it was used to construct an UPGMA dendrogram. Clustering at different K values was calculated to infer population structure and assign individuals to populations. Nei's distances showed a minimum distance between Pantaneiro horse and Spanish Pure Breed (0.228), and similar distances from Spanish Pure Breed to Thoroughbred and to Arabian (0.355 and 0.332). It was observed a great level of diversity, clear distance from Pantaneiro horse to other breeds, and genetic uniformity within breed. It was verified a certain level of substructure of Pantaneiro horse showing no influences from the other studied breeds.

Normas DRIS regionais e inter-regionais na avaliação nutricional de café Conilon

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho de normas de sistema integrado de diagnose e recomendação (DRIS) regionais e inter-regionais no diagnóstico nutricional de café Conilon (Coffea canephora). Dados foliares de N, P, K, Ca e Mg, referentes a 268 lavouras cafeeiras do Espírito Santo e de Rondônia, foram utilizados para a definição de quatro conjuntos de normas DRIS: três para condições específicas (normas regionais) e um para todas as condições testadas (normas inter-regionais). As lavouras apresentavam grandes diferenças quanto ao manejo e às condições ambientais. Após o estabelecimento das normas, os diagnósticos nutricionais obtidos a partir delas foram confrontados entre si. Todas as normas foram efetivas em proporcionar diagnósticos que distinguissem padrões nutricionais das lavouras, tanto no Espirito Santo como em Rondônia. Na norma DRIS inter-regional, as médias e os desvios-padrão das relações multivariadas entre os nutrientes apresentaram valores intermediários, em comparação aos obtidos nos conjuntos de normas regionais. Não foi constatada aleatoriedade no diagnóstico nutricional com uso das normas inter-regionais, o qual apresentou elevado grau de concordância com o das normas regionais. Normas específicas somente devem ser utilizadas nas condições em que foram geradas, enquanto normas genéricas apresentam aplicabilidade mais ampla sem prejuízo à acurácia dos diagnósticos.

Inter-relações genéticas entre espécies do gênero Spondias com base em marcadores AFLP

O objetivo deste trabalho foi construir um fenograma de trinta indivíduos de seis espécies de Spondias, amostradas em três diferentes locais, baseado em 120 marcadores AFLP das combinações de primers EcoR1/Mse1 para esclarecer as inter-relações entre as espécies, subsidiar a exploração das espécies como porta-enxerto e fornecer informações genômicas dessas espécies. O fenograma UPGMA do coeficiente de Jaccard apresentou boa definição, com valor co-fenético de 0,925 e localização externa de dois "outgroups" das espécies Mangifera indica e Schinopsis brasiliensis da família Anacardeaceae. Todos os indivíduos de S. cytherea, S. tuberosa e S. purpurea foram agrupados dentro de cada espécie, independentemente do local de amostragem, enquanto quatro dos seis indivíduos de Spondias sp (umbu-cajá) e S. mombin foram agrupadas, e outros dois indivíduos foram posicionados fora dos agrupamentos dessas espécies. Os dois indivíduos de Spondias sp (umbuguela) não se posicionaram próximos no fenograma. A posição do umbu-cajá e da umbuguela (PE) entre umbuzeiro e cajazeira, e similaridades entre 50% e 60% sugerem que as mesmas possam ser híbridas entre as duas espécies. O fenograma sugeriu que S. cytherea foi a espécie mais divergente das estudadas.

The effects of inter-crop cultivation Between rows of citrus crop on spreading of Guignardia citricarpa Ascospores and in the citrus black spot occurrence

This study highlighted the effect of planting coast-cross grass and forage peanut cv. Amarilis between rows of Natal oranges on spreading of Guignardia citricarpa ascospores and consequent citrus black spot control. Treatments evaluated were: 1- conventional cultivation, free of fungicides; 2- conventional cultivation, using protective fungicides; 3- inter-crop cultivation of coast-cross grass between rows of citrus crops and; 4- inter-cropping cultivation of forage peanut between the rows of citrus crops. Quest Volumetric Spore SystemTM traps were set in order to determine the number of ascospores released. A total of 33 inspections were conducted weekly, from the end of August until early September the following year. A diagrammatic scale was used to determine the severity of the disease as well as the percentage of fruits having a commercial standard. The coast-cross grass was more effective in reducing the number of ascospores produced, whose average statistics were lower than in the conventional treatments, free-fungicides. The inter-crop and conventional cultivation method coupled with fungicide treatment was more effective in reducing the severity of citrus black spot symptoms, and differs statistically from the fungicide-free control method. These methods also resulted in a higher percentage of fruits of a commercial standard, ranging from the 89% through the 91% percentile, and the cultivation, free of fungicides, fell within the 73%.

Heterosis in papaya: inter and intragroup analysis

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is a typical crop of tropical areas, and Brazil is one of the leading world producers. In recent decades, papaya culture has expanded to different regions of the country, but the number of cultivars available is still limited. In the present study, a complete diallel cross was carried out using eight accessions of papaya from the UENF/Caliman germplasm bank. Four genotypes belong to the Formosa heterotic group and four, to the Solo group. This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence and viability of exploring heterosis in heterotic intragroup hybrids. Fifty-six hybrid progenies were generated and evaluated. Among the Formosa intragroup hybrids, two hybrid combinations (MR x J4 and MR x SK) showed heterosis for all traits, as well as good average total fruit production. Among the Solo intragroup hybrids, three hybrid combinations (WM x GG, WM x SS and WM x SM) stand out for fruit production and high content of soluble solids. In Formosa x Solo hybrids, all hybrid combinations with the parent JS (JS x WM, JS x GG, JS x SS and JS x SM) showed high fruit quality and good average for fruit production. The heterotic profile of the hybrids tested allowed the identification of promising hybrids within Formosa and Solo heterotic groups. The analysis of the canonical variables also allowed the visualization of distinct groups of hybrids, depending on the provenance of the parents.

VARIABILIDAD GENÉTICA DE PARENTALES Y POBLACIONES F1 INTER E INTRAESPECÍFICAS DE Physalis peruviana L. Y P. floridana Rydb.

RESUMENLa uchuva, Physalis peruviana, es un frutal andino de importancia para la exportación; el principal limitante de su producción en Colombia es el marchitamiento vascular ocasionado por Fusarium oxysporum. En el presente trabajo se propuso generar poblaciones F1 entre parentales contrastantes por su respuesta a éste patógeno y evaluarlas molecularmente como apoyo al conocimiento y uso de los recursos genéticos de la especie. Para ello, cuatro genotipos de P. peruviana y uno de la especie relacionada P. floridana, fueron caracterizados a nivel morfo-agronómico empleando 34 variables cualitativas y 20 cuantitativas, y a nivel molecular con 328 marcadores tipoCOSII y 154 IRGs. Dichos genotipos se utilizaron como parentales para la generación y caracterización molecular de poblaciones F1. Las variables cuantitativas permitieron diferenciar las especies P. floridana y P. peruviana así como genotipos cultivados y silvestres dentro de P. peruviana. Se encontró un 100% de viabilidad en cruces F1 intraespecíficos y un 50% en interespecíficos, siendo viables aquellos donde P. floridana fue receptor de polen. A nivel molecular no se identificaron polimorfismos dentro de P. peruviana pero sí entre P. floridana y P. Peruviana. En una población F1 de 51 individuos generada entre las especies se encontró un total de 127 alelos con un promedio de 3,18 por locus, un PIC de 0,358 y altos valores de heterocigocidad (Ho: 0,737 y He: 0,449). Los análisis de PCA y agrupamiento permitieron discriminar la población F1 en tres grupos, en su mayoría con mayor similitud al parental P. floridana. Lo anterior se reflejó en una distorsión mendeliana del 75% favorecida por la presencia de un 63,75% de alelos maternos. El estudio aporta conocimiento sobre la cruzabilidad en uchuva y la variabilidad genética de genotipos parentales y poblaciones F1.

HIBRIDAÇÕES CONTROLADAS INTER E INTRAESPECÍFICAS PARA O MELHORAMENTO GENÉTICO DE PORTA-ENXERTOS DE PEREIRA

RESUMO O objetivo da pesquisa foi a averiguação da compatibilidade de pólen em pereira com marmeleiro (hibridações interespecíficas)e com cultivares de pereira (hibridações intraespecíficas). Foram usadas: ‘Packham’s Triumph’ (genitorfeminino) e ‘William’s’ e ‘Clapp’s Favorite’, ‘Maçã’ e ‘Portugal’ (genitores masculinos). Foi determinada frutificação efetiva (%) no campo aos 40 dias após as hibridações e a germinação in vivopor meio deatribuição de notas, seguindo escala de posição do tubo polínico no ovário. Obteve-se maior frutificaçãoefetiva entre as pereiras ‘Packham’s Triumph’ x ‘Clapp’s Favorite’. Nos cruzamentos interespecíficos, a maiorfrutificação efetiva foi obtida entre ‘Packham’s Triumph’ x ‘Portugal’. Na germinação in vivo, o estádio de desenvolvimento do tubo polínico apresentou variações significativas entre as combinações, porém não se obteve penetração de tubo polínico no óvulo. Como se observou frutificação em todos os cruzamentos, existe possível compatibilidade entre os genótipos estudados. Os resultados indicam que as cultivares doadoras de pólen da espécie P. communis são compatíveis com ‘Packham’s Triumph’. Outros estudos devem ser realizados com pólen de marmeleiro a fim de confirmar essa compatibilidade.

Hückel and Möbius annulenes: relationships between their Hückel-level orbitals and their Hückel-level energies

The problem of convenient access to quantitative Hückel-level descriptions of Möbius and Hückel annulenes for undergraduate lectures about aromaticity is discussed. Frost circle, Zimmerman circle, double circle and Langler semicircular mnemonics are described. The relationship between spectra (complete sets of secular equation roots) for an isoconjugate pair of Hückel and Möbius annulenes and the corresponding acyclic polyene with one less carbon is fully developed. In addition to providing an alternative path to exact spectrum roots, this relationship provides immediate access to almost half of the eigenfunctions for an isoconjugate annulene pair. The remaining eigenfunctions may be obtained very easily.