Yield and mineral nutrition of soybean, maize, and Congo signal grass as affected by limestone and slag

The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of superficial application of limestone and slag, and their effects on soil chemical attributes and on yield and mineral nutrition of soybean, maize, and Congo signal grass (Urochloa ruziziensis). The experiment was carried out in a Rhodic Hapludox under no tillage system. The treatments consisted of the use of limestone or slag (silicates of calcium and magnesium) to correct soil acidity, and of a control treatment without the use of soil correctives. Rates were calculated in order to raise soil base saturation up to 70%. Soybean was sown in November 2006 and maize in December 2007. Congo signal grass was sown right after the harvests of soybean and maize, and it was cropped during the off-seasons. Soil chemical attributes were evaluated at 6, 12, and 18 months after the application of the corrective materials. Slag is an efficient source for soil acidity correction, being able to raise the exchangeable base levels in the soil profile faster than lime. Both limestone and slag increase dry matter yield of Congo signal grass, and grain yield of soybean and maize. Slag is more effective in improving maize grain yield.

Comparative study of the mandarin hybrid fruit characteristics: Nova, Murcott and Ortanique in Capão Bonito SP, Brazil

The Murcott tangor represent 20% of the tangerines trees in São Paulo State being the second more grown. Their fruits have good acceptance in the market cause of the good characteristics presented as: size, attractive internal and external color, transport resistance, high juice rate and industry potential. It is necessary to study the behavior of others varieties, in order to amplify the diversity of tangerine industry, which show suitable characteristics to the fresh fruit market and that make possible different harvest season. Many tangerine varieties, selected from the Citrus Germplasm Bank of the do Centro Avançado de Pesquisa Tecnológica do Agronegócio de Citros "Sylvio Moreira"/IAC, belong to trials carried out in 15 places in São Paulo State. The Capão Bonito area, south-west of the state, is one of this places where the Nova tangelo, the Ortanique and the Murcott tangors are showing quite good results about their fruit qualities. This paper had as an objective to compare the fruit characteristics of the Nova tangelo, the Murcott and the Ortanique tangors grafted on two rootstocks: Rangpur lime and Cleopatra mandarin. Accordingly to the gotten results, is possible to conclude that Nova and Ortanique had shown weight, width, fruit shape and juice percent, similar to the Murcott. In compliance with the harvest season, the Nova present suitable conditions to fresh fruit market in May and June. By the other hand the Murcott fruits can be harvested in July to August and the Ortanique in August to September. For this reason, is possible extend the harvest season of this mandarin-like, from two to five month, occurring inclusive in a period out of the crop at the north hemisphere.

Morte súbita dos citros: suscetibilidade de seleções de limão-cravo e uso de interenxertos

A morte súbita dos citros é uma doença que afeta cultivares de laranjas e tangerinas enxertadas nos limões-Cravo e Volkameriano. Ela foi observada em plantas com dois a seis anos de idade que, após mostrarem sintomas gerais de declínio, entraram em colapso e morreram. A retirada da casca dos porta-enxertos suscetíveis revela o amarelecimento na região cambial, sendo esse o sintoma-diagnóstico da doença e que precede os sintomas da copa. As plantas enxertadas nas tangerinas Cleópatra e Sunki, no trifoliata e no citrumelo Swingle, não mostram sintomas da doença. A transmissão por borbulha e a evolução espacial sugerem que a morte súbita dos citros seja causada por patógeno transmitido por vetor alado. Com o objetivo de selecionar porta-enxertos tolerantes à doença, laranjeiras Valência enxertadas em 254 porta-enxertos foram plantadas em maio de 2003 e 2004 em solos onde foram erradicados pomares afetados pela morte súbita dos citros e próximos a pomares afetados pela doença. Em novembro de 2006, o sintoma-diagnóstico da doença estava presente em dez seleções de limão-Cravo: Santa Barbara red lime, Borneo red lime, Limão-Cravo Taquaritinga, Rangpur India C-26-1, Rangpur rose lemon, Rangpur Kusaie lime, Rangpur red lime D-33-40, Rangpur Egyptian lime, Rangpur lemon India e Japanshe citroen. A presença de interenxerto de trifoliata ou de tangerina Cleópatra, entre o limão-Cravo e a laranja Valência, não impediu a manifestação da doença.

Use of the heat dissipation method for sap flow measurement in citrus nursery trees1

Sap flow could be used as physiological parameter to assist irrigation of screen house citrus nursery trees by continuous water consumption estimation. Herein we report a first set of results indicating the potential use of the heat dissipation method for sap flow measurement in containerized citrus nursery trees. 'Valencia' sweet orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] budded on 'Rangpur' lime (Citrus limonia Osbeck) was evaluated for 30 days during summer. Heat dissipation probes and thermocouple sensors were constructed with low-cost and easily available materials in order to improve accessibility of the method. Sap flow showed high correlation to air temperature inside the screen house. However, errors due to natural thermal gradient and plant tissue injuries affected measurement precision. Transpiration estimated by sap flow measurement was four times higher than gravimetric measurement. Improved micro-probes, adequate method calibration, and non-toxic insulating materials should be further investigated.

Soil carbon and nitrogen mineralization under different tillage systems and Permanent Groundcover cultivation between Orange trees

The objective of this work was to evaluate the alterations in carbon and nitrogen mineralization due to different soil tillage systems and groundcover species for intercropped orange trees. The experiment was established in an Ultisol soil (Typic Paleudults) originated from Caiuá sandstone in northwestern of the state of Paraná, Brazil, in an area previously cultivated with pasture (Brachiaria humidicola). Two soil tillage systems were evaluated: conventional tillage (CT) in the entire area and strip tillage (ST) with a 2-m width, each with different groundcover vegetation management systems. The citrus cultivar utilized was the 'Pera' orange (Citrus sinensis) grafted onto a 'Rangpur' lime rootstock. The soil samples were collected at a 0-15-cm depth after five years of experiment development. Samples were collected from under the tree canopy and from the inter-row space after the following treatments: (1) CT and annual cover crop with the leguminous Calopogonium mucunoides; (2) CT and perennial cover crop with the leguminous peanut Arachis pintoi; (3) CT and evergreen cover crop with Bahiagrass Paspalum notatum; (4) CT and cover crop with spontaneous B. humidicola grass vegetation; and (5) ST and maintenance of the remaining grass (pasture) of B. humidicola. The soil tillage systems and different groundcover vegetation influenced the C and N mineralization, both under the tree canopy and in the inter-row space. The cultivation of B. humidicola under strip tillage provided higher potential mineralization than the other treatments in the inter-row space. Strip tillage increased the C and N mineralization compared to conventional tillage. The grass cultivation increased the C and N mineralization when compared to the others treatments cultivated in the inter-row space.

Avaliação genética de seleções e híbridos de limões cravo, volkameriano e rugoso como porta-enxertos para laranjeiras Valência na presença da morte súbita dos citros

Este estudo teve como objetivo realizar a avaliação genética da produção de frutos, eficiência produtiva e altura de laranjeiras Valência (Citrus sinensis) enxertadas em seleções e híbridos dos limões Cravo (C. limonia), Volkameriano (C. volkameriana) e Rugoso (C. jambhiri), em área endêmica para morte súbita dos citros (MSC). Foram avaliados 36 genótipos desses porta-enxertos, representados por cinco plantas cada, avaliados em cinco safras, do terceiro ao sétimo ano após o plantio. Sete dos genótipos avaliados apresentaram plantas com sintomas de MSC até o sétimo ano: Rangpur Otaheite orange 12901 (859), Rangpur Red Lime D.33.30 (866), Limão-Cravo EEL (871), Rangpur Borneo red (874), Citrus kokhai (1649), Limão-Rugoso 58329 (1655) e Limão- Cravo x Swingle B (1695). Para os genótipos que não manifestaram sintomas da doença, foram estimados parâmetros genéticos e fenotípicos e realizada a predição de valores genéticos dos indivíduos, visando à seleção e ao melhoramento genético para as características citadas, empregando-se o método REML/BLUP (máxima verossimilhança restrita/melhor predição linear não viciada). A análise de produção de frutos de cinco safras mostrou acurácia seletiva de 84,59%, tornando-se desnecessária a avaliação de maior número de safras. A seleção dos sete melhores genótipos proporcionou ganhos genéticos de 11,5% na produção de frutos, enquanto a do melhor genótipo conferiu ganho genético de 16,3%. As maiores médias genéticas preditas (>70,0 kg.pl-1) para produção de frutos foram obtidas pelos genótipos Limão-Cravo- Ipanema (1522), Santa- Bárbara-Red- Lime (884), Limão- Cravo- Limeira (863), Limão- Cravo- Taquaritinga (869), Limão- Rugoso- do -Cabo (1643), Rangpur- Rose Lime (868) e Limão- Cravo- da- Califórnia (1467). Já a acurácia seletiva da eficiência produtiva, para quatro colheitas, foi 77,4%. Para este caráter, as maiores médias genéticas (>8,0 kg.m-3) foram dos genótipos Rangpur- Lime x Trifoliata 3810 (1648), Rangpur- Lime x Trifoliata 5320 (1644), Limão- Cravo x Citrange- Carrizo (1524), Citrus pennivesiculata (880), Limão- Cravo x Trifoliata- Swingle A (1707), Rangpur- Rose- Lemon 124684 (864), Rangpur- Red -Lime D33.47 (867) e Limão- Cravo -Ipanema (1522). Dentre os 10 melhores genótipos para produção de frutos e para eficiência produtiva, apenas três são coincidentes: Rangpur- Rose -Lime (868), Citrus pennivesiculata (880) e Limão- Cravo-Ipanema (1522).

Monitoring the viability of citrus rootstocks seeds stored under refrigeration

The citrus nursery tree is produced through the bud grafting process, in which rootstock is usually grown from seed germination. The objective of this research was to evaluate, in two dissimilar environmental conditions, the viability and polyembryony expression of five citrus rootstocks seeds stored in different periods under refrigeration. The rootstock varieties evaluated were: Rangpur lime (Citrus limonia Osb. cv. Limeira), Trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata Raf. cv. Limeira), Citrumelo (P. trifoliata x C. paradisi Macf. cv. Swingle), Sunki mandarin (C. sunki Hort. ex Tanaka) and Volkamer lemon (C. volkameriana Ten. & Pasq. cv. Catania 2). The experimental design was the randomized blocks in a 11 x 5 x 2 factorial scheme, evaluating from time zero to the tenth month of storage, the five varieties of rootstock in two environments: germination and growth B.O.D type chamber (Biological Oxygen Demand - Eletrolab Brand Model FC 122) at 25 °C; and greenhouse seedbed with partial temperature control (22 °C to 36 °C) and humidity control (75-85%). The plot had 24 seeds in four replicates, using trays with substrate in greenhouse and Petri dishes with filter paper in B.O.D. chamber. The seed germination rate and polyembryony expression were evaluated monthly. It was concluded that Trifoliate and Citrumelo Swingle seeds can be stored for up to seven months, while Volkamer lemon, Rangpur lime and Sunki seeds can be stored for up to ten months. The polyembryony expression rate was slightly higher when measured in greenhouse than in B.O.D. chamber and remained stable in both environments until the seventh month, from which dropped sharply. Citrumelo Swingle seeds expressed the highest polyembryony rate (18.8%), followed by Rangpur lime and Volkamer lemon (average value of 13.7%), Sunki (9.4%) and Trifoliate (3.2%). Despite some differences among varieties, the viability of rootstock stored seeds can be monitored either in the greenhouse or in B.O.D. germination chamber, the latter being the faster and more suitable method.

Reações de Cp'(CO)2MnPPH2H com CH3COCl e CH3S(O)2Cl em THF/trietilamina: evidências da primeira estabilização por complexação de um fósforo-homólogo das sulfonamidas

Cp'Mn(CO)3 (Cp'=h5-C5H4-CH 3) reacts with P(C6H5)2H in THF to give Cp'(CO)2MnPPh2H (Ph = Phenyl) (1), by substitution of one CO ligand. The reaction of 1 with CH3COCl and CH3S(O)2Cl in the presence of triethylamine occurs under electrophilic substitution on the diphenylphosphan ligand to yield the acetyl- and sulfonylphosphane complexes of manganese(I) Cp'(CO)2MnPPh2COCH3 (2) and Cp'(CO)2MnPPh2S(O)2 CH3 (3). The complex stabilisation of these molecules, wich are hitherto unknown in the free state, is only accomplished by blocking the free electron pair on phosphorus by coordination. The new complexes 1, 2 and 3 were analysed by IR, ¹H-NMR and 31P-MNR spectroscopy and their similar structures are discusssed.

Determinação condutométria de carbonato residual do calcário aplicado no solo por análise em fluxo

The objective of this study was to evaluate a flow injection system for determination of residual CO3(2-) in soil amended with lime material. It was used a closed system were the CO2 released from soil sample acidified with 0.5 mol L-1 HCl was capted in a 0.2 mol L-1 NaOH solution. After 16h the capted CO2 was determined by conductivimetry using a flow injection system. The results obtained by the proposed method were significantly correlated with those reported in soil samples used by the International Soil Analytical Exchange Programe. The regression equation was: y = 0.987x -- 0.075 r = 0.996, P > 0.01. For acid soils amended with CaCO3 the method showed a deviation error of 2.7%, detection limit was 0.077 mmol kg-1 of CO3(2-), and a recovery of 99.7% of the total CO3(2-) added in soil sample. The method was easily adapted for routine determination of residual CO3(2-) in soil samples with an analytical frequency of 40 samples per hour.

Determinação em fluxo do carbonatoresidual do solo empregando pervaporação

The objective of this study was to develop a method for the direct determination of residual CO3(2-) in acid soil using a flow system coupled with pervaporation. The gas released from the acidified sample was separated though a hydrophobic membrane and detected by conductivimetry. The detection limit was 0.054 mmol c kg-1 for CO2/CO3(2-) with relative error of 3.1%. The analytical frequency was 20 samples per hour. The method is recommended for studying the reactions and kinetics of lime applied in acid soils.

Incorporação de CuSO4 residual em argamassa, como método de disposição final

Residual CuSO4 was incorporated into the mass utilized for cement preparation. To a cement mass with 1:0.5:5 of cement, lime and sand to 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00% of residual CuSO4 were added. The sulfate was mixed separately with lime and water to induce metal precipitation. The hardened test bodies were submerged in Milli-Q water for three months. No Cu was detected in the water by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. The best proportion for mechanical resistance and porosity is 0.50%. The cement is adequate for non-structural objects.

Descrições de técnicas da química na produção de bens de acordo com os relatos dos naturalistas viajantes no Brasil colonial e imperial

European naturalists explored Brazil in long scientific expeditions and published accounts that make up a rich and still largely untapped historiographic source for the understanding of the history of chemistry. The production of indigo dye, the manufacture of limestone, extraction and purification of saltpeter and the production of salt are discussed. Lime was used to whitewash walls and, mixed with whale oil, as cement to glue stones in buildings of the colonial period. It was prepared by burning seashells in specifically designed ovens. Saltpeter was produced by reacting naturally occurring calcium and magnesium nitrate with potassium-rich wood ashes to yield KNO3. NaCl was obtained by evaporating seawater under the sun. Indigo, a native plant, was cultivated and processed to produce the renowned dye, which was exported to Europe.

Uma perspectiva computacional sobre catálise enzimática

Enzymes are extremely efficient catalysts. Here, part of the mechanisms proposed to explain this catalytic power will be compared to quantitative experimental results and computer simulations. Influence of the enzymatic environment over species along the reaction coordinate will be analysed. Concepts of transition state stabilisation and reactant destabilisation will be confronted. Divided site model and near-attack conformation hypotheses will also be discussed. Molecular interactions such as covalent catalysis, general acid-base catalysis, electrostatics, entropic effects, steric hindrance, quantum and dynamical effects will also be analysed as sources of catalysis. Reaction mechanisms, in particular that catalysed by protein tyrosine phosphatases, illustrate the concepts.

Arsenic mobilization from sulfidic materials from gold mines in Minas Gerais State

Acid drainage results from exposition of sulfides to the atmosphere. Arsenopyrite is a sulfide that releases arsenic (As) to the environment when oxidized. This work evaluated the As mobility in six sulfidic geomaterials from gold mining areas in Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Grained samples (<2 mm) were periodically leached with distilled water, during 70 days. Results suggested As sorption onto (hydr)oxides formed by oxidation of arsenopyrite. Low pH accelerated the acid generation, dissolving Fe oxihydroxides and releasing As. Presence of carbonates decreased oxidation rates and As release. On the other hand, lime added to a partially oxidized sample increased As mobilization.

Óleo essencial de limão no ensino da cromatografia em camada delgada

This paper describes a simple experiment employing the essential oil of limes which can be applied in undergraduate organic chemistry laboratory classes for the teaching of thin layer chromatography (TLC). The experiment consists in submit lime peel oil to TLC separation employing hexane and dichloromethane as the eluents and five different systems for visualization of the chromatogram. In one experiment it is possible to teach the different variables of the TLC technique. This experiment may also be performed following vapor distillation and liquid-liquid extraction technique in experimental classes.