POTASSIC FERTILIZATION FOR CRAMBE CROP

There are few studies for the crambe crop (Crambe abyssinica Hochst), and studies that characterize the sufficiency level of K in the soil and leaves are indispensable to support future programs potassium fertilization for this crop of fall/winter. An experiment was carried out to investigate the response of crambe to K soil. The experiment was carried out on a clayey Red Latossol under no-till in Botucatu, S (a) over tildeo Paulo State, Brazil. Treatments consisted of seven K levels in the soil, resulting from the application year (2000 to 2010), the summer crop (soybean), 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 kg ha(-1) K2O. Before starting the experiment, soil samples were collected at depths of 0-20 cm and soil K contents determined by the resin and Mehlich-1 method. The sufficiency levels of K in soil and leaves were obtained considering the relative yield of 90%. When the levels of soil K extracted by resin and Mehlich-1, are above 88 and 94 mg dm(-3), respectively, equivalent to 26 g kg(-1) K in the leaves, the increase in crop yield of crambe is unlikely. These values should match the sufficiency level of crop and are sufficient to achieve relative grain yield of 90%.

Accelerated aging and electrical conductivity tests in crambe seeds

The aim of this study was to adapt the methodology of the accelerated aging and electrical conductivity tests for determination of physiological potential in crambe seeds. Six seed lots of crambe (cv. FMS Brilhante) were subjected to determination of moisture content, germination test, first count germination, emergence, and emergence speed index. For the accelerated aging test, the traditional methodology was used with water, and with a saturated potassium chloride and sodium chloride solution in three periods of exposure (24, 48, and 72 hours) at 41 degrees C; the electrical conductivity test was performed with four pre-soaking treatments (0, 2, 4, and 8 hours) and four soaking periods (4, 8, 16, and 24 hours) at 25 degrees C. The accelerated aging test with water for 72 hours and the electrical conductivity test with 2 hours of pre-soaking and assessment after 16 hours were effective for classification of the crambe seed lots in regard to physiological quality.

Efeito imediato do método de secagem na qualidade de sementes de crambe

Crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst) seeds have high oil contents and its growth in Brazil aims to produce bio diesel. The crambe seeds production and commercialization began a few years ago. Research in technology production is essential and it is also important to use high quality seeds regardless of the technological level employed in the crop production. One of the factors that affect seed quality there is the drying process. Seed drying performed properly can reduce seed moisture content for storage without decrease in its qualitative characteristics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immediate effect of natural and artificial drying methods (using heated and unheated air) on crambe seeds quality. The seeds were produced at Fazenda Lageado, Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas, UNESP, Botucatu/SP, on April 2009. Seeds were submitted to the following drying methods: a) seed drying in the shade with natural ventilation; b) artificial drying method using heated air; c) artificial drying method using unheated air; d) drying on ceramic patio; e) drying on the mother plant. The seeds were evaluated immediately after drying. The following tests were performed: seed moisture content; standard germination; first count of germination; seedling emergence; emergence speed index and electrical conductivity. The experimental design was randomized blocks and the data obtained was subjected to analysis of variance, worth means being compared by Tukey test at 5% probability. There was no significant difference among drying treatments in relation to: germination rate, first count of germination, electrical conductivity, seedling emergence and emergence speed index. The highest percentage of abnormal seedlings was obtained on treatment with heated air drying. The drying on the mother plant method showed the lower percentage of dead seeds. The drying methods studied did not cause an immediate effect on crambe seeds quality, which showed high percentage of dormant seeds post-harvest.

Comparação do custo de produção do crambe (Cambe abyssinica Hochst) com outras culturas oleaginosas em sistema de plantio direto

Biodiesel is a reality in Brazil, due to the National Program of Biodiesel Production and Use (PNPB), which became mandatory in 2008 in adding 2% biodiesel in all diesel sold in a blend known as B2. The agribusiness sector responded to the federal program, facing many difficulties in biodiesel production, which highlights the supply of raw material. Problems related to biodiesel production were mainly the shortage of vegetable oil, because of demand from domestic and foreign markets, and rising prices of raw materials available for production, making this biofuel production economically feasible, even in Brazil, where agricultural production costs are among the most competitive in the world. The crambe is a specie that has aroused the interest of Brazilian producers due to oil content, hardiness, and mechanized cultivation, mainly for being a winter crop, it becomes one more option for farmers in this period. In addition, you can compose systems of crop rotation as well as being used as ground cover in winter. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential for productive and cost of production of crambe, conducted in no-tillage system, to compare these parameters with other oil crops such as sunflower, canola and soybean. The trial was conducted in the agricultural year 2008 at the Experimental Farm Lageado belonging to the Faculty of Agronomic Sciences - UNESP, located in Botucatu - SP. The estimated yield was 1.507,05 kg ha-1, resulting in a production of 561,94 liters of oil per hectare. The cost of installation and conduct of crambe per hectare was R$ 875,87, resulting in a cost of R$ 1,56 per liter of oil, the lowest cost among the oilseed crops analyzed.

Germinação e vigor de sementes de crambe sob estresse hídrico

This study aimed to evaluate crambe seeds germination and vigor under water stress conditions induced by polyethylene glycol solutions. The seeds were germinated on substrate moistened with polyethylene glycol solutions, using the osmotic potentials of 0 (control), -0.2, -0.4, -0.6, -0.8, -1.0, -1.2 and -1.4 MPa. The seeds germination was evaluated by normal seedlings and root emission percentages. Vigor was evaluated by germination average time, relative frequency, velocity and synchronization index. It was observed that more negative osmotic potential caused significant reduction in crambe seed germination and vigor, and no normal seedlings was observed at potentials below -0.6 MPa.

Resíduo sólido orgânico urbano e níveis de irrigação no cultivo de crambe

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Produção Vegetal) - FCAV

Efeito do armazenamento na qualidade dos grãos e do óleo de crambe, para produção de biodiesel

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Energia na Agricultura) - FCA

Comparison of lipase production on crambe oil and meal by Fusarium sp (Gibberella fujikuroi complex)

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

Calagem superficial e aplicação de gesso em sistema plantio direto de longa duração: efeitos no solo e na sucessão milho/crambe/feijão-caupi

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Agricultura) - FCA

Erythrina abyssinica prevents meningoencephalitis in chronic Trypanosoma brucei brucei mouse model

Human African trypanosomiasis is prevalent in Sub-sahara African countries that lie between 14° North and 29° south of the equator. Sixty million people are at risk of infection. Trypanosoma brucei gambesience occurs in West and Central Africa while Trypanosoma brucei rhodesience occurs in East and Southern Africa. The neurological stage of the disease is characterized by neuroinflammation. About 10% of patients treated with the recommended drug, melarsoprol develop post treatment reactive encephalopathy, which is fatal in 50% of these patients, thus melarsoprol is fatal in 5% of all treated patients. This study was aimed at establishing the potential activity of Erythrina abyssinica in reducing neuroinflammation following infection with Trypanosoma brucei brucei. Swiss white mice were divided into ten groups, two control groups and eight infected groups. Infected mice received either methanol or water extract of Erythrina abyssinica at 12.5, 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg body weight. Parasite counts were monitored in peripheral circulation from the third day post infection up to the end of the study. Brains were processed for histology, immunohistochemistry scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Following infection, trypanosomes were observed in circulation 3 days post-infection, with the parasitaemia occurring in waves. In the cerebrum, typical brain pathology of chronic trypanosomiasis was reproduced. This was exhibited as astrocytosis, perivascular cuffing and infiltration of inflammatory cells into the neuropil. However, mice treated with Erythrina abyssinica water extract exhibited significant reduction in perivascular cuffing, lymphocytic infiltration and astrocytosis in the cerebrum. The methanol extract did not have a significant difference compared to the non-treated group. This study provides evidence of anti-inflammatory properties of Erythrina abyssinica and may support its wide use as a medicinal plant by various communities in Kenya.

A comparison of alternative plant mixes for conservation bio-control by native beneficial arthropods in vegetable cropping systems in Queensland Australia.

Cucurbit crops host a range of serious sap-sucking insect pests, including silverleaf whitefly (SLW) and aphids, which potentially represent considerable risk to the Australian horticulture industry. These pests are extremely polyphagous with a wide host range. Chemical control is made difficult due to resistance and pollution, and other side-effects are associated with insecticide use. Consequently, there is much interest in maximising the role of biological control in the management of these sap-sucking insect pests. This study aimed to evaluate companion cropping alongside cucurbit crops in a tropical setting as a means to increase the populations of beneficial insects and spiders so as to control the major sap-sucking insect pests. The Population of beneficial and harmful insects, with a focus on SLW and aphids, and other invertebrates were sampled weekly oil four different crops which could be used for habitat manipulation: Goodbug Mix (GBM; a proprietary seed Mixture including self-sowing annual and perennial herbaceous flower species); lablab (Lablab purpureus L. Sweet); lucerne (Medicago sativa L.); and niger (Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass.). Lablab hosted the highest numbers of beneficial insects (larvae and adults of lacewing (Mallada signata (Schneider)), ladybird beetles (Coccinella transversalis Fabricius) and spiders) while GBM hosted the highest numbers of European bees (Apis mellifera Linnaeus) and spiders. Lucerne and niger showed little promise in hosting beneficial insects, but lucerne hosted significantly more spiders (double the numbers) than niger. Lucerne hosted significantly more of the harmful insect species of aphids (Aphis gossypii (Glover)) and Myzus persicae (Sulzer)) and heliothis (Heliothis armigera Hubner). Niger hosted significantly more vegetable weevils (Listroderes difficillis (Germar)) than the other three species. Therefore, lablab and GBM appear to be viable options to grow within cucurbits or as field boundary crops to attract and increase beneficial insects and spiders for the control of sap-sucking insect pests. Use of these bio-control strategies affords the opportunity to minimise pesticide usage and the risks associated with pollution.

Physical and chemical characterization of dovyalis fruits

The objective of this work was to establish physical and chemical characterizations of dovyalis hybrid fruits (Dovyalis abyssinica and D. hebecarpa). Samples of 25 fruits were characterized by evaluation of length and width, weight, percentage and number of seeds per fruit, peel percentage, pulp percentage, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), vitamin C and TSS/TA ratio. Dovyalis fruit has good physical quality for market with an average of 75% pulp. Vitamin C content averaged 120.3 mg/100 g of fresh fruit, characterizing dovyalis as a good source of vitamin C. © 2005 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

Sustainable production of biologically active molecules of marine based origin

The marine environment offers both economic and scientific potential which are relatively untapped from a biotechnological point of view. These environments whilst harsh are ironically fragile and dependent on a harmonious life form balance. Exploitation of natural resources by exhaustive wild harvesting has obvious negative environmental consequences. From a European industry perspective marine organisms are a largely underutilised resource. This is not due to lack of interest but due to a lack of choice the industry faces for cost competitive, sustainable and environmentally conscientious product alternatives. Knowledge of the biotechnological potential of marine organisms together with the development of sustainable systems for their cultivation, processing and utilisation are essential. In 2010, the European Commission recognised this need and funded a collaborative RTD/SME project under the Framework 7-Knowledge Based Bio-Economy (KBBE) Theme 2 Programme 'Sustainable culture of marine microorganisms, algae and/or invertebrates for high value added products'. The scope of that project entitled 'Sustainable Production of Biologically Active Molecules of Marine Based Origin' (BAMMBO) is outlined. Although the Union is a global leader in many technologies, it faces increasing competition from traditional rivals and emerging economies alike and must therefore improve its innovation performance. For this reason innovation is placed at the heart of a European Horizon 2020 Strategy wherein the challenge is to connect economic performance to eco performance. This article provides a synopsis of the research activities of the BAMMBO project as they fit within the wider scope of sustainable environmentally conscientious marine resource exploitation for high-value biomolecules. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Produção de lipase por Fusarium oxysporum em fermentação em estado sólido e sua aplicação em reações de síntese de ésteres de biodiesel

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Microbiologia Aplicada) - IBRC

Estudo eletroquímico de revestimentos ambientalmente amigáveis aplicados para proteção da liga de alumínio 1200

Pós-graduação em Química - IQ