Influência da Cultura do Pimentão (capsicum Annuum L.) Nos Elementos Ambientais em Ambiente Protegido

No presente trabalho foram avaliados os elementos ambientais: temperatura do solo, temperatura e umidade relativa do ar, nas condições de ambiente protegido (coberto com polietileno) e de campo, num período sem cultura (solo sem cobertura vegetal) e num outro com a cultura do pimentão, em anos diferentes, nas condições climáticas de Botucatu, SP. O híbrido de pimentão utilizado foi o Margarita, que apresenta frutos vermelhos quando maduros. A temperatura do solo foi monitorada por dois sensores eletrônicos instalados a 0,1m de profundidade, sendo um na condição de ambiente protegido e outro na condição de campo, e a temperatura e umidade do ar foram monitoradas por dois sensores eletrônicos instalados a 2m de altura (ambiente protegido e campo). O efeito do pimentão alterando o microclima de cultivo foi observado na temperatura do solo, que apresentou menores valores do índice no período com a cultura, uma vez que o dossel funcionou como uma barreira física que impediu que a radiação solar chegasse ao solo. Os valores encontrados para o índice da temperatura e umidade relativa do ar no período sem a cultura foram muito próximos aos encontrados no período com a cultura, não caracterizando o efeito do pimentão sobre essas variáveis.

Ecossistemas de referência para restauração de matas ciliares: existem padrões de biodiversidade, estrutura florestal e atributos funcionais?

A utilização de ecossistemas naturais como meta a ser atingida e a seleção de indicadores para monitoramento dos projetos são temas controversos na ciência e na prática da restauração. Analisamos a vegetação ripária em quatro remanescentes de Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, para verificar se alguns atributos dessas comunidades se repetem em diferentes locais, podendo ser referência para esta região fitogeográfica. Instalamos dez parcelas de 100 m² em cada local, amostramos plantas lenhosas com altura ≥ 0,5 m, divididas em estrato regenerante (DAP < 5 cm) e estrato arbóreo (DAP ≥ 5 cm) e classificamos as espécies com base em atributos funcionais, raridade e status de ameaça. Contabilizamos lianas, pteridófitas e árvores com epífitas. As variáveis estruturais de densidade (estrato arbóreo e regenerante e árvores com epífitas), área basal e cobertura de copas não diferiram entre locais. Foram pouco variáveis entre as áreas a riqueza rarefeita para 100 indivíduos no estrato arbóreo, a riqueza total estimada por Jackknife e as proporções de espécies raras, tolerantes à sombra, de crescimento lento e zoocóricas. Porém, analisando-se a proporção de indivíduos na comunidade, somente a tolerância à sombra foi pouco variável. Para as outras variáveis analisadas não existem padrões que possam ser considerados referência para esta região fitogeográfica. No entanto, ainda que para algumas variáveis existam padrões, sua utilização como meta da restauração depende de: 1) prazos longos para monitoramento de projetos e, sobretudo, 2) estudos que demonstrem que os ecossistemas restaurados podem, um dia, igualar aos ecossistemas pré-existentes.

Influence of spray mixture volume and flight height on herbicide deposition in aerial applications on pastures

The objective of the present study was to analyze the influence of spray mixture volume and flight height on herbicide deposition in aerial applications on pastures. The experimental plots were arranged in a pasture area in the district of Porto Esperidião (Mato Grosso, Brazil). In all of the treatments, the applications contained the herbicides aminopyralid and fluroxypyr (Dominum) at the dose of 2.5 L c.p. ha-1, including the adjuvant mineral oil (Joint Oil) at the dose of 1.0 L and a tracer to determine the deposition by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) (rhodamine at a concentration of 0.6%). The experiment consisted of nine treatments that comprised the combinations of three spray volumes (20, 30 and 50 L ha-1) and three flight heights (10, 30 and 40 m). The results showed that, on average, there was a tendency for larger deposits for the smallest flight heights, with a significant difference between the heights of 10 and 40 m. There was no significant difference among the deposits obtained with the different spray mixture volumes.

Frugivory by the White-bearded Manakin (Manacus manacus, Pipridae) in restinga forest, an ecosystem associated to the Atlantic forest

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Initial height of pasture deferred and utilized in winter and tillering dynamics of signal grass during the following spring

Tillering dynamics during regrowth in the spring (September to December 2009) on signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk) pastures deferred in the beginning of April 2009 is evaluated. Four pasture heights were evaluated at the beginning of deferment (10, 20, 30 and 40 cm). The experimental design consisted of completely randomized blocks with two replications. Rise in pasture height at the beginning of deferment decreased the appearance rate, increased the mortality rate and reduced the survival rate, the balance between appearance and mortality and the stability index of the tiller population at the beginning of the spring. Pastures deferred at initial height of 30 and 40 cm presented relatively stable tiller appearance rate between the beginning and end of spring. However, these pastures presented greater mortality rate, lower survival rate, lower balance between appearance and mortality and lower stability index of the tiller population at the beginning of spring when compared to rates at the end of spring. Pastures managed with shorter initial heights (10 and 20 cm) provided more tissue renewal in the subsequent growth season after their utilization in the winter.

Cobertura e depósito de calda fitossanitária em plantas de café pulverizadas com equipamento original e adaptado para plantas altas

The objective of this study was to evaluate the coverage of spray droplets on coffee plants as well as their deposition using a sprayer with and without adaptation of an auxiliary branch for tall plants. The experiment was conducted following a randomized block design with six treatments and four replications to evaluate the percentage of coverage for the spraying liquids in water sensitive paper fixed at four quadrants and two heights (lower and upper) of the plants, and the spray deposit with metallic marker (MnSO4) on sheets in the same positions of the water sensitive paper in two spray volumes (450 and 750 L h(-1)). The experiment was conducted in October 2011 in the town of Patroc nio-MG, and the experimental plots consisted of 30 plants of Catua IAC-99, with approximately 12 years of age and average height of 3.50 meters. The experiments were conducted following a randomized block design with six treatments and four replications to evaluate the coverage and deposition, in two spray volumes (450 and 750 L ha(-1)). Leaves were collected in four positions and also at the top four in the lower canopy. The results of the evaluations were analysed statistically by F test and for comparison of means by Tukey test at 5% probability. The auxiliary branch installed at the rear of the equipment is the most suitable when compared to use of equipment without this feature or installed in the front of the equipment. Furthermore, the application volume of 450 L ha(-1) results in coverages and deposits of spraying liquids equivalents to volume of 750 L ha(-1), considered sufficient according to the parameters evaluated.

Broad-scale spatial patterns of canopy cover and pond morphology affect the structure of a Neotropical amphibian metacommunity

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

Estrutura, composição florística e caracterização sucessional em remanescente de Floresta Estacional Semidecidual no Sudeste do Brasil

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

Nutrição do porta-enxerto 'Flying Dragon'

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

Optimizing row spacing and plant population arrangement for a new short-height castor genotype in fall-winter

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

A new probabilistic canopy dynamics model (SLCD) that is suitable for evergreen and deciduous forest ecosystems

There are strong uncertainties regarding LAI dynamics in forest ecosystems in response to climate change. While empirical growth & yield models (G&YMs) provide good estimations of tree growth at the stand level on a yearly to decennial scale, process-based models (PBMs) use LAI dynamics as a key variable for enabling the accurate prediction of tree growth over short time scales. Bridging the gap between PBMs and G&YMs could improve the prediction of forest growth and, therefore, carbon, water and nutrient fluxes by combining modeling approaches at the stand level.Our study aimed to estimate monthly changes of leaf area in response to climate variations from sparse measurements of foliage area and biomass. A leaf population probabilistic model (SLCD) was designed to simulate foliage renewal. The leaf population was distributed in monthly cohorts, and the total population size was limited depending on forest age and productivity. Foliage dynamics were driven by a foliation function and the probabilities ruling leaf aging or fall. Their formulation depends on the forest environment.The model was applied to three tree species growing under contrasting climates and soil types. In tropical Brazilian evergreen broadleaf eucalypt plantations, the phenology was described using 8 parameters. A multi-objective evolutionary algorithm method (MOEA) was used to fit the model parameters on litterfall and LAI data over an entire stand rotation. Field measurements from a second eucalypt stand were used to validate the model. Seasonal LAI changes were accurately rendered for both sites (R-2 = 0.898 adjustment, R-2 = 0.698 validation). Litterfall production was correctly simulated (R-2 = 0.562, R-2 = 0.4018 validation) and may be improved by using additional validation data in future work. In two French temperate deciduous forests (beech and oak), we adapted phenological sub-modules of the CASTANEA model to simulate canopy dynamics, and SLCD was validated using LAI measurements. The phenological patterns were simulated with good accuracy in the two cases studied. However, IA/max was not accurately simulated in the beech forest, and further improvement is required.Our probabilistic approach is expected to contribute to improving predictions of LAI dynamics. The model formalism is general and suitable to broadleaf forests for a large range of ecological conditions. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Comportamento ingestivo de bovinos mantidos em pastos de Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraés manejado em diferentes alturas de pastejo

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of grazing heights on daytime behavioral activities of Nellore beef cattle in the rainy season. The experimental area was 12 hectares divided into paddocks of one hectare each. The treatments consisted of four defoliation heights (15, 30, 45 and 60 cm) in pastures of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraes with three replicates each. It was used the continuos grazing method, with variable stocking rate. Forage samples collected on the plots were sent to the laboratory for separation of the botanical components, weighing and determination of dry matter, with the material collected by simulated grazing. The variables: grazing time, idle time and ruminating time were evaluated for 12 consecutive hours on days 15 and 16 February 2011, considering the morning and afternoon periods. It was used a completely randomized design. The height of the canopy significantly influenced the daily grazing time and ruminating time, with a quadratic response as a function of time of defoliation. The bite rate decreased as a function of heights studied. However the chemical composition of the material collected by simulated grazing did not differ between treatments. Xaraes grass swards grazed at around 45 cm height provide greater ease of apprehension by grazing cattle.

Regeneração natural em ecounidades maduras e em reorganização de fragmentos de Floresta Estacional Semidecídua

The Atlantic Rainforest biome has been going through fragmentation processes caused by agriculture and urbanization in green areas. Structural studies associated with the silvigenetic approach allow the understanding of what the past has caused in the present structure and predict future conditions of disturbed fragments. The objective of this study was to compare the composition and diversity of arboreous natural regeneration of steady-state and reorganization ecounits in two Seasonal Semideciduous Forest fragments. The hypothesis was that specific composition varies in these two different ecounits due to differential adaptation of species in canopy gaps and closed canopy. The survey was made in three areas with different perturbation backgrounds of 0,5 ha each. 60 permanent plots of 4m² each (2m x 2m) were stablished along the studied fragments following the proportion of ecounits presented in a previous mapping. Each plot was divided in 4 sub-plots of 1m² and arboreous individuals between 0,20m and 1,30m height were sampled and posteriorly separated in two height classes: I) individuals between 0,20m and 0,50m height (2m² sampling) and II) individuals between 0,51m and 1,30m height (4m² sampling). It was sampled 338 individuals from 53 families and 23 species. The Shannon index was 3,26 (Area A), 2,27 (Area B) and 2,42 (Area C) whereas Areas B and C values are considered low in our state Semidecidous Forests. Steady-state ecounits presented the highest values for abundance and species richness. Chi-square test pointed out species’ selection for determined ecounits in the studied community. Rarefaction method analysis showed diversity increase in steady-state ecounits and a stablishment in species richness curves for reorganization ecounits

Estado nutricional e avaliação de caracteres secundários da produção em dois clones jovens de seringueira em São José do Rio Preto, SP

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

Phytoseiidae mites associated with Hevea spp. from the Amazon region: a hidden diversity under the canopy of native trees

Despite the Amazon Forest being the largest tropical forest in the world, and cradle of rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis), no studies have aimed to report the occurrence of mites associated with native trees from this ecosystem. Our survey investigates the phytoseiid mites associated with five species of native rubber trees from nine sites of the Amazon Forest, and also presents a major review of phytoseiid species from natural vegetation in Brazil. We found a total of 1305 mites, belonging to 30 species, of which seven were new to science, Amblydromalus akiri sp. nov., Amblyseius chicomendesi sp. nov., Amblyseius duckei sp. nov., Amblyseius manauara sp. nov., Iphiseiodes katukina sp. nov., Iphiseiodes raucuara sp. nov. and Typhlodromips igapo sp. nov.; beyond two new records for Brazil, Iphiseiodes kamahorae and Amblyseius martus. Our results emphasize the importance of Amazon native trees as an unexplored source of predator mites, which in turn may be further studied as biological control agents of pest mites on rubber trees. The impressive diversity, endemism and rate of new species found highlight the importance of studies on arthropod communities associated with the Amazon vegetation.