Lychee propagation (Litchi chinensis Sonn.): A comparative study of rootstocks

The lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonnerat), of the family Sapindaceae, is a highly valued fruit throughout the world. It is native to southern China, but it is cultivated in many parts of the world. In Brazil, the cultivation of the lychee was initiated in the 1970s in the State of São Paulo and has been increasing in production even though the crop size still averages only 1.4 ha per producer. The low crop size is attributed to the high cost of seedlings and the amount of time required for the plant to bear fruit. These factors discourage planting in large areas. The purpose of this research is to study some aspects of what is vitally important for the production of lychee seedlings on a large scale, with low cost and good genetic quality. Tests were performed using rootstocks from seeds of lychee and longan (Euphoria longan Lam.). Scions for grafting were taken from plants of lychee 'Bengal' in the collection of fruit species from FCAV-UNESP, Campus of Jaboticabal, Brazil. The experiments were started in September 2007 and the grafting process was performed in each month of the year finishing in August 2008. During this period the influence of these criteria were evaluated: 1) time of the year; 2) species of rootstock; 3) percentage of grafting success; 4) stem height at grafting point; 5) stem diameter at grafting point. Therefore, through statistical analysis we obtained significant differences in relation to the rootstock used, the months of the year in which the grafting was performed and the interaction between rootstock and the month in which the grafting was performed.

Falhas reprodutivas associadas com a presença de do vírus da artrite-encefalite caprina, toxoplasma gondii e neospora caninum em caprinos no estado de São Paulo, Brasil

This study aimed at assessing the occurrence of antibodies against the caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV), Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum, as well as the associations between the presence of antibodies and the occurrence of reproductive failures in goats. Serum samples were collected from 923 goats of both sexes, over 3 months of age, from 17 dairy farms located in different municipalities of São Paulo State, Brazil. Infections by T. gondii, N. caninum and CAEV were evaluated by indirect methods of diagnosis based on indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT), Neospora agglutination test (NAT), and agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID), respectively. A survey was conducted on the farms to obtain information about reproduction dates (abortions, stillbirths and births of weak and premature kids) and zoosanitary management. Antibodies against CAEV, T. gondii and N. caninum was found in 37.81%, 23.62% and 17.23% respectively. There was no significant association between the presence of anti-CAEV antibodies and CAEV/T. gondii or CAEV/N. caninum co-infection, suggesting that CAEV does not predispose goats to infection by these agents. However, when CAEV/T. gondii (p<0.01) or CAEV/N. caninum (p<0.001) co-infection was present, the occurrence of reproductive failures was significantly higher what could indicate that CAEV-induced immunosuppression may predispose goats to develop the clinical symptoms of toxoplasmosis and neosporosis increasing the risks of the reproductive failures.

México: evolución económica durante 2008 y perspectivas para 2009

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Estudo de modelos não-lineares na descrição do crescimento de fêmeas da raça Canchim

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

La evolución reciente de las relaciones comerciales internacionales: VI informe

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Análisis socioeconómico del Departamento de Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia

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Respostas de frangos de corte às ingestões de metionina+cistina e treonina: desempenho, impacto ambiental e econômico

Pós-graduação em Zootecnia - FCAV

Eletroejaculação em caititus (Tayassu tajacu): características seminais pré e pós-refrigeração

Para implementar um sistema de criação de Tayassu tajacu é necessário estudar sua biologia reprodutiva, principalmente os aspectos referentes aos machos. O objetivo do trabalho foi testar a eficiência da eletroejaculação para obtenção de sêmen, descrever o perfil seminal e testar a capacidade de conservação de gametas masculinos sob refrigeração. Foram selecionados 11 machos adultos (76,8±37,8 meses, 19,5±2,7 kg) para a avaliação da biometria testicular, e 8 deles foram submetidos à eletroejaculação (45±13 estímulos, 12 volts, 3 segundos/pulso e descanso de 3 segundos). As amostras colhidas foram avaliadas quanto às características físicas (aspecto, cor, volume total, concentração, pH, motilidade e vigor espermáticos) e características morfológicas (viabilidade e defeitos espermáticos). As amostras foram divididas e diluídas em BTS (diluidor de curta duração) ou X-Cell® (longa duração) e mantidas sob refrigeração a 17º C. As amostras foram avaliadas imediatamente após a diluição (T0), após 24 horas (T24) e 48 horas (T48) de resfriamento. Os animais apresentaram testículo esquerdo com comprimento de 3,8±0,4 cm, largura de 2,6±0,3 cm e consistência de 2,3±0,2, e testículo direito com 3,8±0,5 cm de comprimento, 2,7±0,3 cm de largura e 2,3±0,2 de consistência. A taxa de sucesso obtida com a eletroejaculação foi de 75,21%. O sêmen apresentou: volume 0,81±0,86 mL, concentração 137,44±153 x 106 sptz/mL, pH 7,92±0,73, motilidade 52,66±28,79%, vigor 2,2±0,8, viabilidade 55,84±28,55%, defeitos maiores 22,87±12,93%, defeitos menores 9,11±5,88% e defeitos totais 31,52±13,81%. Não houve variações expressivas na produção e qualidade seminal ao longo dos meses do ano. Não houve diferença significativa entre os diluidores testados, com relação à capacidade de manutenção dos parâmetros seminais durante o período de estocagem, havendo influência significativa do tempo de armazenamento (P<0,05). Nos tempos T0, T24 e T48, o sêmen diluído em BTS apresentou motilidade espermática média de 56,1±17,6 %, 17,9±23,3 % e 7,7 ±19,6%, a viabilidade espermática média de 60,2±17,2%, 27,9±23,8% e 11,7±20,2%, e defeitos totais médios de 28,1±10,8%, 37,5±12,1% e 41,28±11,4%., respectivamente. Amostras seminais diluídas em X-Cell® apresentaram motilidade média de 54,2±22,1%, 27,0±28,0% e 14,0±24,2%, viabilidade média de 57,8±21,7%, 33,0±26,9% e 19,9±25,6% e defeitos totais médios de 30,8±11,2%, 41,2±13,4% e 44,2±14,4% nos três tempos avaliados. Assim, a eletroejaculação é eficiente e segura para a obtenção de ejaculados de caititus, o sêmen produzido possui potencial para estocagem, e pode ser conservado sob 17ºC até 24 horas.

Sperm depletion: a cost for single mated females of Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas, 1851) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

Entre os heterópteros, o declínio da concentração de esperma pode ser um fator limitante para o sucesso reprodutivo desses insetos. Acasalamentos múltiplos conferem um reabastecimento de esperma e podem permitir um aumento do valor adaptativo das fêmeas. Neste estudo foi testada a hipótese de que a poliandria aumenta a viabilidade dos ovos. A longevidade de fêmeas de Podisus nigrispinus, bem como seus parâmetros reprodutivos em resposta a diferentes números de acasalamentos (0, 1, 2, 3 ou em coabitação com o mesmo macho) foi avaliada. Esse percevejo vem sendo usado em programas de controle biológico de pragas em reflorestamentos de Eucalipto no Brasil. Apesar da diminuição no tempo de sobrevivência das fêmeas, acasalamentos múltiplos mantiveram a viabilidade dos ovos e o período reprodutivo das fêmeas, permitindo um maior número de descendentes produzidos. Tais resultados indicam que um número mínimo de três acasalamentos antes da primeira postura permite uma maximização do sucesso reprodutivo dessa espécie.

Influência da infecção pelo vírus da artrite-encefalite caprina nos perfis soro-epidemiológicos em caprinos infectados pelo Toxoplasma gondii e Neospora caninum

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FMVZ

Produção de frutos e características morfofisiológicas de Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi., na região do baixo São Francisco, Brasil

Forest species with economic potential, such as aroeira (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi.), require selection of individuals with superior characteristics for use in forest restoration projects and for establishment of commercial plantations. These plantations can contribute to the sustainability of natural populations of species in the remaining forest fragments, in areas of permanent preservation, legal reserves or other areas of ecological significance. It was evaluated the fruits' yield, morphometry and viability of seeds from 15 individuals of aroeira, collected in different fragments in the region of Lower São Francisco river, Sergipe State. The fruit yield was estimated by Fornier's intensity index, and the morphometric characteristics were obtained with a digital paquimeter and analytical balance. The viability and vigor were evaluated by germination percentage and germination speed index (GSI), under controlled conditions. The results of fruit yield were subjected to variance analysis, and the means were compared by Tukey (p <0.05). The other variables means were compared by Scott-Knott test (p<0.05). The individuals differed in Fournier's indices (indices 1, 2, 3 and 4) and in the size of fruits and seeds. The germination varied from 0 to 83% and the GSI from 0.00 to 0.98. The phenotypic differences observed among individuals for fruit yield, and morphophysiological characteristics can be used in forest restoration and establishment of provenances/progenies tests, aiming discrimination of superior material for future commercial plantations.

Endophytic fungi producing of esterases: evaluation in vitro of the enzymatic activity using pH indicator

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

Serologic survey of West Nile virus in horses from Central-West, Northeast and Southeast Brazil

Processo FAPESP: 08/50167-6

Differential distribution of sperm subpopulations and incidence of pleiomorphisms in ejaculates of captive howling monkeys (Alouatta caraya)

The aim of this study was to develop an objective method to determine the incidence of pleiomorphisms and its influence on the distribution of sperm morphometric subpopulations in ejaculates of howling monkeys (Alouatta caraya) by using a combination of computerized analysis system (ASMA) and principal component analysis (PCA) methods. Ejaculates were collected by electroejaculation methods on a regular basis from five individuals maintained under identical captive environmental, nutritional, and management conditions. Each sperm head was measured for dimensional parameters (Area [A, (square micrometers)], Perimeter [P, (micrometers)], Length [L, (micrometers)], and Width [W, (micrometers)]) and shape-derived parameters (Ellipticity [(L/W)], Elongation [(L - W)/(L + W)], and Rugosity [(4 pi A/P-2)]). PCA revealed two principal components explaining more than the 96 % of the variance. Clustering methods and discriminant analyzes were performed and seven separate subpopulations were identified. There were differences (P < 0.001) in the distribution of the seven subpopulations as well as in the incidence of abnormal pleiomorphisms (58.6 %, 49.8 %, 35.1 %, 66.4 %, and 55.1 %, P < 0.05) among the five donors tested. Our results indicated that differences among individuals related to the incidence of pleiomorphisms, and sperm subpopulational structure was not related to the captivity conditions or the sperm collection method, since all individuals were studied under identical conditions. In conclusion, the combination of ASMA and PCA is a useful clinical diagnostic resource for detecting deficiencies in sperm morphology and sperm subpopulations in A. caraya ejaculates that could be used in ex situ conservation programs of threatened species in Alouatta genus or even other endangered neotropical primate species.

Efeito do alumínio sobre o crescimento de duas espécies florestais

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