Soil CO2 flux: a method comparison of closed static chambers in a sugarcane field

A large variety of techniques have been used to measure soil CO2 released from the soil surface, and much of the variability observed between locations must be attributed to the different methods used by the investigators. Therefore, a minimum protocol of measurement procedures should be established. The objectives of this study were (a) to compare different absorption areas, concentrations and volumes of the alkali trapping solution used in closed static chambers (CSC), and (b) to compare both, the optimized alkali trapping solution and the soda-lime trapping using CSC to measure soil respiration in sugarcane areas. Three CO2 absorption areas were evaluated (7; 15 and 20 % of the soil emission area or chamber); two volumes of NaOH (40 and 80 mL) at three concentrations (0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 mol L-1). Three different types of alkaline traps were tested: (a), 80 mL of 0.5 mol L-1 NaOH in glass containers, absorption area 15 % (V0.5); (b) 40 mL of 2 mol L-1 NaOH retained in a sponge, absorption area 80 % (S2) and (c) 40 g soda lime, absorption area 15 % (SL). NaOH concentrations of 0.5 mol L-1 or lower underestimated the soil CO2-C flux or CO2 flux. The lower limit of the alkali trap absorption area should be a minimum of 20 % of the area covered by the chamber. The 2 mol L-1 NaOH solution trap (S2) was the most efficient (highest accuracy and highest CO2 fluxes) in measuring soil respiration.

Molecular Identification of Trichoderma spp. in Garlic and Onion Fields and In Vitro Antagonism Trials on Sclerotium cepivorum

ABSTRACT Trichoderma species are non-pathogenic microorganisms that protect against fungal diseases and contribute to increased crop yields. However, not all Trichoderma species have the same effects on crop or a pathogen, whereby the characterization and identification of strains at the species level is the first step in the use of a microorganism. The aim of this study was the identification – at species level – of five strains of Trichoderma isolated from soil samples obtained from garlic and onion fields located in Costa Rica, through the analysis of the ITS1, 5.8S, and ITS2 ribosomal RNA regions; as well as the determination of their individual antagonistic ability over S. cepivorum Berkeley. In order to distinguish the strains, the amplified products were analyzed using MEGA v6.0 software, calculating the genetic distances through the Tamura-Nei model and building the phylogenetic tree using the Maximum Likelihood method. We established that the evaluated strains belonged to the species T. harzianum and T. asperellum; however it was not possible to identify one of the analyzed strains based on the species criterion. To evaluate their antagonistic ability, the dual culture technique, Bell’s scale, and the percentage inhibition of radial growth (PIRG) were used, evidencing that one of the T. asperellum isolates presented the best yields under standard, solid fermentation conditions.

Escolaridade e inserção no mercado de trabalho

Este artigo pretende situar a relação entre escolaridade e inserção no mercado de trabalho num período marcado pelo impacto das transformações produtivas (1988 e 1995), a partir da análise de dados do mercado de trabalho e escolaridade da População Economicamente Ativa - PEA - referentes à Grande Santiago (Chile) e Grande São Paulo (Brasil). Considera-se que, nesse período, foi elaborado um discurso que ressaltava o valor econômico da educação, sem suficiente sustentação empírica que ajudasse a verificar como a população é afetada pela dinâmica do mercado de trabalho e pelo aumento da oferta do sistema educacional. A competitividade internacional como meta é tida como tendência que dificulta a identificação das condições estruturais em que está inserida a relação entre educação e trabalho não permitindo, assim, conhecer a dinâmica dos atores sociais que se confrontam numa sociedade que constrói consensos excludentes em relação a numerosos setores. Para estes um maior nível educacional não assegurará melhores condições de vida enquanto não se modificarem as desigualdades originadas na estrutura do mercado de trabalho, pois justamente nesse período de transformações estão sendo geradas novas segmentações que tendem a aprofundar a desigualdade.

Description of a pure seed fraction of oat through usual evaluations and radiographic images

The objective of this work was to evaluate the width and length incidence in a single seed fraction of oat [Avena sativa (L.)] cv. Cristal. The seeds were selected by a mechanical divider and by hand, and their correspondence to radiographic images in seeds with glumes and their caryopses. The width and length of the seeds with glumes and their caryopses were measured with electronic calliper, and their weight, with precision balance. Radiographic images of seeds with glumes were taken with an X-ray experimental equipment. The analyst selected seeds with glumes by the width and by the length previously determined and so with more weight, than that obtained by hand selection was slightly narrower, larger and lighter. The presence of the glumes masked the caryopses real dimensions (width and length), and conduced the analyst to select seeds that differed more by the width than by the length. The radiographic images showed the presence, or not, of caryopses inside the seed and its real dimensions. The mechanical partition method for seeds showed to be more efficient because the analyst subjectivity was not considered when the selection upon its dimensions was done. The X-ray analysis was a useful tool that complements the pure seed fraction selection as another factor of seed quality.

Reproducción de Eisenia foetida en suelos agrícolas de áreas mineras contaminadas por cobre y arsénico

El objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar la toxicidad del cobre y arsénico en suelos agrícolas, mediante bioensayos estandarizados de toxicidad aguda y crónica sobre Eisenia foetida y relacionar la respuesta de ésta con las concentraciones de cobre y arsénico en los suelos. Los suelos agrícolas fueram muestreados en las inmediaciones de áreas mineras en la cuenca del río Aconcagua, Chile. E. foetida expuesta a los suelos estudiados mostró una baja mortalidad, indicando la ausencia de toxicidad aguda. Además, se observó una disminución en la producción de capullos y desarrollo de juveniles, indicando la existencia de toxicidad crónica. Dicha disminución fue relacionada con las concentraciones de cobre y arsénico en los suelos. El cobre y arsénico en conjunto disminuyeron la producción de capullos, mientras que sólo el arsénico disminuyó el desarrollo de juveniles. Suelos agrícolas provenientes de áreas mineras de la cuenca poseen potenciales características tóxicas para el desarrollo de la macrofauna edáfica.

Produtividade de milho solteiro ou em aléias de gliricídia adubado com duas fontes orgânicas

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a produtividade de biomassa de milho, solteiro ou consorciado com gliricídia (Gliricidia sepium), e o efeito da adubação, com esterco e ramas de gliricídia, sobre a produtividade de milho e da vegetação espontânea. O trabalho foi conduzido de 2003 a 2005, em uma área com fileiras de gliricídia, espaçadas 6 m entre si e 1 m entre as árvores, em um Neossolo Regolítico, em Esperança, PB. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso e parcelas subdivididas, com dois tratamentos principais (presença e ausência de aléias de gliricídia), três tratamentos secundários (testemunha, adubação com esterco, adubação com ramas de gliricídia), e quatro repetições. Nos 1º, 2º e 3º anos do estudo, a produtividade de grãos de milho, no sistema sem gliricídia, foi 268, 129 e 116% maior que em presença de árvores, respectivamente. Entretanto, a produtividade total de biomassa (soma da biomassa produzida pelo milho, gliricídia e vegetação espontânea) foi 86, 120 e 37% maior no sistema com árvores nos 1º, 2º e 3º anos, respectivamente. A produtividade de milho e de vegetação espontânea não diferiu entre as parcelas adubadas com esterco ou gliricídia, mas essas duas fontes orgânicas aumentaram significativamente a produtividade, comparadas à testemunha.

Fertilización nitrogenada después de la poda del cafeto robusta en Cambisoles

El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la influencia de la fertilización mineral nitrogenada, después de la poda del cafeto robusta, sobre la productividad del cultivo y algunos indicadores químicos (pH, materia orgánica) y microbiológicos (respiración biológica y nitrificación) de dos Cambisoles en Tercer Frente, Santiago de Cuba y La Alcarraza, Holguín, durante los años 2003-2007. Se estudió la respuesta a dosis crecientes de nitrógeno (0 hasta 400 kg ha-1), en presencia de un fondo fijo de P (50 kg ha-1) y K (160 kg ha-1), en un diseño experimental de bloques al azar, con cuatro réplicas. Para productividades entre 0,50 y 0,84 Mg ha-1 de café, son suficientes 75 kg ha-1 de N. Aplicaciones de 100 kg ha-1 de N permitieron productividades de 1,22 a 1,25 Mg ha-1de café. Con dosis de 153 kg ha-1 de N, se logran producciones de 1,80 Mg ha-1 de café, mientras que para productividades superiores a 2 Mg ha-1 se necesita aplicar 200 kg ha-1 en ambos suelos. Se encontró un incremento importante en las productividades del cafeto por cada quilogramo de N aplicado, que osciló entre 2,13 y 7,80. Las dosis propuestas por sitio no afectaron la actividad microbiana y la materia orgánica de los suelos. Se encontró disminución del pH del suelo respecto a su estado inicial.

Inheritance of seed coat color in sesame

The objective of this work was to determine the inheritance mode of seed coat color in sesame. Two crosses and their reciprocals were performed: UCLA37 x UCV3 and UCLA90 x UCV3, of which UCLA37 and UCLA90 are white seed, and UCV3 is brown seed. Results of reciprocal crosses within each cross were identical: F1 seeds had the same phenotype as the maternal parent, and F2 resulted in the phenotype brown color. These results are consistent only with the model in which the maternal effect is the responsible for this trait. This model was validated by recording the seed coat color of 100 F2 plants (F3 seeds) from each cross with its reciprocal, in which the 3:1 expected ratio for plants producing brown and white seeds was tested with the chi-square test. Sesame seed color is determined by the maternal genotype. Proposed names for the alleles participating in sesame seed coat color are: Sc1, for brown color; and Sc2, for white color; Sc1 is dominant over Sc2.

Comportamiento fisiológico de la pera variedad Triunfo de Viena (Pyrus communis L.) durante el período poscosecha

La pera variedad Triunfo de Viena es una fruta producida en Colombia y actualmente no se dispone de una red de frío para su manejo poscosecha. El objetivo de este trabajo fue establecer el comportamiento fisiológico de la pera variedad Triunfo de Viena en tres condiciones de temperatura y humedad relativa: 3ºC y 85%, 11ºC y 80%, 18ºC y 75%. La pera variedad Triunfo de Viena es un fruto climatérico, cuyo punto de máxima intensidad respiratoria puede desplazarse en el tiempo dependiendo de las condiciones de almacenamiento. Para las condiciones estudiadas, el climaterio se presentó en el día 22 (35,87 mg CO2 kg-1 h-1), en el día 36 (28,59 mg CO2 kg-1 h-1) y en el día 93 (15,72 mg CO2 kg-1 h-1) del almacenamiento, para las temperaturas de 18ºC, 11ºC y 3ºC respectivamente. La pérdida de peso presentó una relación lineal y directa respecto al tiempo de almacenamiento, siendo mayor con temperaturas de 18ºC y 11ºC. La acidez titulable y el pH no presentan grandes variaciones durante el almacenamiento. La intensidad respiratoria, la pérdida de peso, la relación SST/AT y la firmeza de la pulpa, son las características que representan mejor la evolución de la madurez de las peras variedad Triunfo de Viena.

Estudio de algunas propiedades físicas y fisiológicas precosecha de la pera variedad Triunfo de Viena

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue establecer algunas propiedades físicas y fisiológicas de desarrollo de la pera (Pyrus communis L.) variedad Triunfo de Viena, producida bajo las condiciones ecuatoriales del clima frío, en los Andes Colombianos. El crecimiento y propiedades de la fruta fueron evaluados en intervalos de 30 días, desde la floración. Las propiedades estudiadas fueron el peso, tamaño de la fruta, firmeza de la pulpa, concentración de sólidos solubles, pH, acidez titulable (% ácido málico) e intensidad respiratoria. La concentración de sólidos solubles y el pH no son propiedades sensibles para determinar el momento apropiado de la cosecha, al presentar valores constantes y de baja dispersión. El fruto presenta forma esférica y su área superficial es función directa del peso de la fruta. La firmeza de la pulpa, la acidez titulable (AT) y la intensidad respiratoria, decrecen en la medida que se desarrolla la pera, presentando valores en el momento de la cosecha de 67,82 N para la firmeza, acidez titulable de 0,24% e intensidad respiratoria de 29,60 mg CO2 kg-1 h-1. Los sólidos solubles (SS) y la relación SS/AT se incrementan en la medida que el fruto va madurando. En el momento de la cosecha los frutos presentan un valor de SS de 12,0ºBrix, una relación SS/AT de 49,36 y un pH de 3,94.

Estudio de algunas propiedades fisicas y fisiológicas precosecha de la ciruela variedad horvin

El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo determinar algunas propiedades físicas y fisiológicas de la ciruela variedad Horvin, durante el periodo precosecha, cuyo conocimiento es indispensable para la determinación del momento oportuno de recolección, lo cual permitirá reducir las pérdidas que se presentan de este producto durante la cosecha, debido a su deficiente manejo. El estudio permitió determinar que la ciruela variedad Horvin debe recolectarse 99 días después de la floración, en cuyo momento presentó valores medios de firmeza de 50,66 N, acidez titulable de 0,78%, sólidos solubles de 11,8 ºBrix, intensidad respiratoria de 19,64 mg CO2 kg-1 h-1 y relación de madurez (SS/AT) de 15,25. La ciruela variedad Horvin en el momento de la recolección, presentó un tamaño medio de 30,59 mm, peso de 22,44 g, esfericidad y redondez de 0,84 y 0,85 respectivamente, densidad real de 1095,65 kg.m-3, densidad aparente de 572,70 kg.m-3, porosidad de 49,89% y área superficial de 32,79 cm².

Dose calibrator linearity test: 99mTc versus 18F radioisotopes

Objective: The present study was aimed at evaluating the viability of replacing 18F with 99mTc in dose calibrator linearity testing. Materials and Methods: The test was performed with sources of 99mTc (62 GBq) and 18F (12 GBq) whose activities were measured up to values lower than 1 MBq. Ratios and deviations between experimental and theoretical 99mTc and 18F sources activities were calculated and subsequently compared. Results: Mean deviations between experimental and theoretical 99mTc and 18F sources activities were 0.56 (± 1.79)% and 0.92 (± 1.19)%, respectively. The mean ratio between activities indicated by the device for the 99mTc source as measured with the equipment pre-calibrated to measure 99mTc and 18F was 3.42 (± 0.06), and for the 18F source this ratio was 3.39 (± 0.05), values considered constant over the measurement time. Conclusion: The results of the linearity test using 99mTc were compatible with those obtained with the 18F source, indicating the viability of utilizing both radioisotopes in dose calibrator linearity testing. Such information in association with the high potential of radiation exposure and costs involved in 18F acquisition suggest 99mTc as the element of choice to perform dose calibrator linearity tests in centers that use 18F, without any detriment to the procedure as well as to the quality of the nuclear medicine service.

Funciones termodinámicas relativas a la transferencia del ketoprófen desde el agua hasta algunos sistemas orgánicos

The thermodynamics of molal partitioning of ketoprofen (KTP) was studied in cyclohexane/buffer (CH/W), octanol/buffer (ROH/W), and dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (DMPC), dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC), and egg lecithin (EGG/W) liposome systems. In all cases the partition coefficients (Kmo/w)were greater than unity; therefore the standard free energies of transfer were negative indicating affinity of KTP for organic media. The Kmo/w values were approximately seventy-fold higher in the ROH/W system compared with the CH/W system. On the other hand, the Kmo/w values were approximately ten or fifty-fold higher in the liposomes compared with the ROH/W system. In all cases, the standard enthalpies and entropies of transfer of KTP were positive indicating some degree of participation of the hydrophobic hydration on partitioning processes.

Estratégias utilizadas no combate a resistência bacteriana

This article provides an overview on the recent achievements to combat Gram-positive bacteria and the mechanisms related to antimicrobial activity and bacterial resistance. Selected synthetic methodologies to access structurally diverse bioactive compounds are presented in order to emphasize the most important substances currently developed to overcome multiresistant strains. The main properties of vancomycin and related glycopeptide antibiotics are also discussed as a background to understanding the design of new chemotherapeutic agents.

Metales pesados y toxicidad de aguas del Río Aconcagua en Chile

The toxicity of surface waters in a zone with mining activity in the Aconcagua River was determined through growth inhibition bioassays of Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, and correlated with heavy metal concentrations. Results show that the waters near the discharge of the mining effluent displayed toxicity during all periods of study; the molybdenum and copper concentration exceeded the norms of water quality. The correlations between the concentrations of metals and the growth rate of P. subcapitata varied in the different periods of the study; inverse and significant correlations with copper stand out in some periods.