Sewage sludge toxicity in edaphic organism: Analysis of midgut responses in the diplopod Rhinocricus padbergi

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Tunnelling behaviour of the Asian subterranean termite in heterogeneous soils: presence of cues in the foraging area

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Biomonitoring of substrates containing sewage sludge: assessment of the feasibility in using the diplopod Rhinocricus padbergi.

Due to the constant release of potentially harmful substances in the environment, it is necessary the use of biomonitoring as a form to assess the impact of these substances on animals that inhabit this environment. Therefore, there is a better understanding of the possible effects that these exogenous substances may cause in the organisms present there. In the present study it was verified the feasibility of the use of the diplopod Rhinocricus padbergi as bioindicator of impacted soils by their exposition to substrates containing different concentrations of sewage sludge from different Sewage Treatment Stations (STSs). It was observed animals' behavior and the survival rate was analyzed by log-rank test (p=0,05). The analysis showed that the animals exposed to pure sewage sludge presented higher mortality index than the specimens exposed to different concentrations of the sludge mixed with soil. In general, the survival rate and the analysis of the behavior of the diplopod R. padbergi showed efficiency of this species in biomonitoring impacted soils.

Spawning and parental care in Hoplias malabaricus (Teleostei, Characiformes, Erythrinidae) in the Southern Pantanal, Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Avaliação por fotointerpretação das áreas de abrangência dos diferentes estados da erosão acelerada do solo em canaviais e pomares de citros

Este estudo foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar os estados de erosão acelerada do solo presente em áreas com canaviais e pomares de citros localizados na região administrativa de Ribeirão Preto - SP. Foram empregadas fotografias aéreas verticais, na escala aproximada de 1:40.000, do vôo da cobertura aerofotográfica da região citrícola do Estado de 1988. O estudo foi realizado identificando-se e delimitando-se todas as áreas de abrangência de cinco estados da erosão acelerada do solo presentes nos canaviais e pomares de citros. A presença da erosão acelerada severa a extremamente severa foi constatada tanto nos canaviais como nos pomares de citros, nas quatro unidades de solos de ocorrências principais na área de estudo. Os valores da extensão total das áreas de abrangência dos estados da erosão 2 a 5 (processos erosivos intensos a extremamente intensos) revelaram forte impacto sobre o desenvolvimento das culturas, degradando o solo agrícola e afetando a qualidade da água. As principais diferenças, quanto à extensão total das áreas de abrangência dos diferentes estados da erosão presente, foram identificadas principalmente entre os Argissolos e os Latossolos, e entre os dois estágios de desenvolvimento das culturas. As condições de solo exposto foram verificadas nas áreas recentemente plantadas com cana-de-açúcar ou citros, explicitando-se a grande necessidade de empregar, nessas condições, práticas conservacionistas.

Nutrient cycling in a RRIM 600 clone rubber plantation

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Sugarcane molasses and yeast powder used in the Fructooligosaccharides production by Aspergillus japonicus-FCL 119T and Aspergillus niger ATCC 20611

Different concentrations of sucrose (3-25% w/v) and peptone (2-5% w/v) were studied in the formulation of media during the cultivation of Aspergillus japonicus-FCL 119T and Aspergillus niger ATCC 20611. Moreover, cane molasses (3.5-17.5% w/v total sugar) and yeast powder (1.5-5% w/v) were used as alternative nutrients for both strains' cultivation. These media were formulated for analysis of cellular growth, P-Fructosyltransferase and Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) production. Transfructosylating activity (U-t) and FOS production were analyzed by HPLC. The highest enzyme production by both the strains was 3% (w/v) sucrose and 3% (w/v) peptone, or 3.5% (w/v) total sugars present in cane molasses and 1.5% (w/v) yeast powder. Cane molasses and yeast powder were as good as sucrose and peptone in the enzyme and FOS (around 60% w/w) production by studied strains.

Effect of potassium fertilization in 'Rica' guava (Psidium guajava) cultivation

A field experiment was conducted from 1989-90 to 1991-92 to study the effect of potassium fertilization on guava (Psidium guajava L.). using 1-year-old plants of 'Rica', grown in a Kanhapludalf soil in the Jaboticabal region in Brazil. During the first year the K doses used were: 0, 24.9, 49.8, 99.6, 149.4 and 199.2 g K/plant, which were doubled during the second year and tripled during the third. In the third year the increase in g level showed positive response in yield. About 90% of the maximum yield observed was associated with 527 g K/plant and with a leaf content of 18.9 g K/kg.

Development and energy balance of sugarcane in the norte fluminense, Brazil

The growing concern for renewable and cleaner energy sources has increased the demand for biofuels, pointing out the ethanol from sugarcane. The aim of this study was quantify the partition of energy balance components and monitor the physiological development indexes of the sugarcane, relating them to water availability conditions of climate and soil in Campos dos Goytacazes, Norte Fluminense, Brazil. To this end, a micrometeorological station was settled in an area of 13 ha in commercial cultivation. The culture was regularly monitored at 85, 102, 128, 149, 174, 194, 215, 235, 255 and 280 days after cutting (DAC). The variations in water availability directly influenced the rates of crop growth and energy balance. Under the conditions studied most of the available energy (53%) was consumed by the latent heat flux.

Growth, nodulation and nitrogen fixation of cowpea in soils amended with composted tannery sludge

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

INCORPORATION of NEEM LEAVES INTO SOIL TO CONTROL BACTERIAL WILT of TOMATO

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of incorporation of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves into the soil for controlling bacterial wilt of tomato caused by Ralstonia solanacearum. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse of the State University of Maranhao (Brazil). Dry and fresh neem leaves were incorporated in the soil in different amounts (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 g) and kept in it for different periods of time (0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days). After each of these periods, seedlings inoculated with R. solanacearum were transplanted in the amended soil. Results showed positive effects in the disease control by incorporating neem leaves, with a reduction of wilting symptoms up to 100% with dry leaves and 78% with fresh leaves.

Doses and sources of nitrogen fertilizer and their effects on soil chemical properties and forage yield of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraes

Forage plants, particularly the Brachiaria genus, are the main source of nutrients for cattle and are at times the only feed offered. The concentration of elements in the plant is related to the soil, fertilization, climate, season, variety, and cultural practices. An experiment on dystrophic Red-Yellow Latosol soil in Aracatuba, São Paulo was performed to evaluate the effects of the doses and sources of nitrogen fertilizers on the chemical properties of the soil and the dry matter yield of the grass Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraes. A randomized block design was employed involving three replicates in a 3 x 3 factorial, with three doses (100, 200 and 400 kg ha(-1) year(-1)) and three sources (Ajifer (R) L40, ammonium sulfate and urea) of nitrogen and a control treatment without nitrogen (zero). The greatest effects on the chemical properties of the soil as a function of nitrogen fertilization in the Xaraes grass were observed in the topsoil. The use of Ajifer (R) L40 and ammonium sulfate as sources of nitrogen had similar effects, with an increase in the sulfur content and a reduction in the soil pH at the superficial layer. The use of the fertilizers Ajifer (R) L40, ammonium sulfate and urea did not affect the micronutrient contents, except for Fe and Mn, and did not alter the sodium concentration or electrical conductivity of the soil. The dry matter yield of Xaraes grass was similar for all three nitrogen sources.

The deep mycoses in HIV infection

The deep mycoses are uncommon infections, usually acquired from the inhalation or ingestion of fungal spores, sometimes from the soil in areas of endemicity, such as in the Americas and south-east Asia, or from decaying vegetable matter. They are also seen in immunocompromised persons and, increasingly, in HIV-infected persons. Respiratory involvement is frequent, with granuloma formation, and mucocutaneous involvement may be seen. Oral lesions of the deep mycoses are typically chronic but non-specific, though nodular or ulcerative appearances are common. Person-to-person transmission is rare. In HIV disease, the most common orofacial involvement of deep mycoses has been in histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, aspergillosis and zygomycosis. Diagnosis is usually confirmed by lesional biopsy although culture may also be valuable. Treatment is with amphotericin or an azole.

Diagnosis of a compacted area for mining through the mechanical resistance to the penetration using geostatistical methods in the Amazon Forest

The mining process promotes land modification and complete landscape alteration. Those alterations in the surface are shown more obviously in the aesthetical aspect as the visual elements of form, texture, climbs, complexity and color which composes the landscape. As a consequence, mining has impacts on the topography, in the soil, in the vegetation and in the area's drainage, with a direct influence on the enterprise. A quite common problem in the recovery of degraded areas in mineral exploration is the compaction of the soil due to the intense traffic of machines and earth movement. The most common problem of the compaction of a degraded surface is an increase of the mechanical resistance to the penetration of plant roots, a reduction of the aeration, an alteration of the flow of water and heat, also in the availability of water and nutrients. Thus, the present work had the basic objective of diagnosing the compaction of an area degraded by mining in a spacial way, through the mechanical resistance and the penetration, to guide the future subsoiling in the area requiring recovery. Through the studies, it was concluded that the krigagem method in agreement with the space variation allows the division of the area under study into sub areas facilitating a future work to reduce costs and unnecessary interference to the atmosphere. The method was shown to be quite appropriate and it can be used in the diagnosis of compaction in a degraded area by mining, foreseeing the subsoiling requirement.

Fertilizantes orgânicos e resíduo de bauxita na disponibilidade de nutrientes e nutrição da cana-de- açúcar irrigada com água potável e residuária

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of organic fertilizers (urban solid waste and swine manure) as a source of nutrients and residue from bauxite processing as a corrective of soil acidity, in area cultivated with sugar cane irrigated with potable water and served in the availability of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sulfur (S) levels in the soil and plants. For this experiment was carried out in pots, using a Alfisol, assessing the availability of the elements in the 0-20 cm layer and the concentration of these nutrients in the leaves of sugarcane. The data showed that the residues increased the concentrations of Ca and Mg in soil, as the concentration of K was not changed and S was not detected, due to the low concentration in the soil. In the leave +1 of sugarcane the residue of bauxite increased levels of N, P, K, Ca and Mg (15.68, 1.73, 10.43, 3.50 and 1.08 g kg-1, respectively). The application of urban solid waste and swine manure also increased the levels of N, K and Ca (11.56, 9.18 and 2.81 g kg-1, respectively). The quality of irrigation water did not alter the availability of P, K, Ca, Mg and S in the soil as well as the levels of these macronutrients in the plant.