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%.

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

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.

Influência do pericarpo no teste de condutividade elétrica em sementes de crambe (Crambe abyssinica HOCHST) submetidas a métodos de secagem.

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of five drying systems on the quality of crambe seed and the influence of the pericarp in its electrical conductivity. The experimental design adopted was randomized blocks with four replications. The following drying methods were applied: drying in the field, on the patio, under shade, with heated air, and non-heated air. To evaluate the electrical conductivity and the fat acidity, the seeds, from the cultivar FMS Brilhante, were analyzed with and without pericarp. . An analysis of variance was performed and the means were compared by Tukey test (p≤0,05). We also performed the Pearson linear correlation between electrical conductivity and fat acidity in order to evaluate the pericarp influence. The 4 drying system using shades cause less damage to the seeds; and the presence of pericarp decreased the sensitivity of the electrical conductivity

Qualidade do óleo bruto de grãos de crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst) sob diferentes métodos de secagem

The Culture of crambe became promising since its grains presents high oil content. The methods of drying may influence the quality of crude oil extracted from the beans, depending on the way it is managed. This study goal was to evaluate the influence of different drying methods on the quality of the crude oil extracted from crambe grain. The experimental design was completely randomized with five treatments (drying with heated air, natural air, yard, shade, and at the field), and with four tests for each. In order to check the quality of the grains, we performed an analysis of fat acidity, and to evaluate the crude oil quality, we conducted analysis of iodine value, acid value, water content, density at 20ºC, and a kinematic viscosity at 40°. After obtaining the data, the results were submitted to analysis of variance. When significant means were detected, they were compared by t-test (p ≤ 0.05). The method of drying with heated air provided a lower rate of fatty acid in grains. The drying methods evaluated did not compromise the quality of the oil extracted from the crambe grain.

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.

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.

Weeds occurrence in areas submitted to distinct winter crops

In the Western Region of Brazil, it is usual to have two agricultural harvests in the same cropping season. Usually the first crop is soybean, followed by corn. In areas where corn is not planted due to a delayed harvest of soybean, farmers generally do not use winter crops. For these areas, the planting of winter oilseed crops aiming at the production of bio-fuels is one of the best alternatives; in addition, this would help in reducing the occurrence of weed species at the following summer crop. This study aimed to assessing the weed community in distinct winter crops post soybean crop, in terms of species composition, level of infestation and severity of occurrence. The following treatments were evaluated: agriculture under a no-till system with winter fallow, winter oilseed crops (crambe, radish, rapeseed) with no-till agriculture in the summer, and agriculture under a conventional tillage system with winter fallow. Phytosociological evaluations of all treatments were carried out 75 DAE of the oilseed crops, and the diversity indexes of Margalef, Menhinick, Simpson, and Shannon-Weiner were determined. Areas were also grouped by cluster analysis based on UPGMA applied at Jaccard's similarity matrix. Among the treatments with winter coverage, radish was the most efficient crop in suppressing the occurrence of weed species. The area with conventional tillage agriculture and winter fallow allowed for a higher occurrence of troublesome weeds. On the other hand, the area under fallow showed the highest absolute level of infestation. Overall, oilseed crops in the winter contribute to lower levels of infestation by weed species in these areas.

Infestation of weed species in pre-planting of soybean in succession to winter crops

This study aimed to evaluate different crops and plant species planted after soybeans for one year, in terms of their potential to inhibit the occurrence of weed species. The following crops that were planted as second crop after soybeans were evaluated: (1) corn (Zea mays) planted at spacing of 90 cm between rows, intercropped with Brachiaria ruziziensis in the inter-rows; (2) sunflower (Helianthus annuus); (3) crambe (Crambe abyssinica); (4) radish (Raphanus sativus); (5) rapeseed (Brassica napus); and (6) winter fallow - no plantation after soybeans. Phytosociological characterization of weed species was carried out at the pre-planting of soybeans in the following cropping season. Estimations of relative abundance, relative frequence, relative dominance and Importance Value Index were made for each species present. Areas were also intra-characterized by the diversity coefficients of Simpson and modified Shannon-Weiner, and areas were compared using the Jaccard similarity coefficient for presence-only, by multivariate cluster analysis. In the short‑term (a single cropping season), cultivation of winter crops do contribute for lower occurrence of weed species at the pre-planting of soybeans on the subsequent cropping season. The suppressive effects depend both on the species grown in the winter and in the amount of straw left on the soil by these winter crops. Radish was more efficient in inhibiting the occurrence of weed species and rapeseed showed composition of infestation similar to that observed at the area under fallow.

Occurrence of weed species in Jatropha curcas intercropping systems

This study aimed to evaluate the level of infestation by weed species in a consolidated Jatropha plantation, as a function of the plant species grown in interrows. The experiment was installed in 2006 at the district of Itahum, city of Dourados, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, made possible through a partnership between Embrapa Western Agriculture and Paraiso Farm. Treatments consisted of (1) Jatropha in monocrop, with no plant at the interrrows; or the following plants cultivaded at the interrows of Jatropha: (2) Stylosanthes spp.; (3) Brachiaria ruziziensis; (4) Brachiaria ruziziensis + Stylosanthess pp.; (5) Brachiaria humidicola; (6) Panicum maximum cv. massai; (7) Cajanus cajan cv. anão; (8) Crotalaria spectabilis; (9) Crop rotation system 1 - (maize second crop -Crambe abyssinica - soybean - peanut); and (10) Crop rotation system 2 - (cowpea - radish - maize - cowpea) conducted for two years. Phytosociological characterization of weed species was accomplished in 2011 based on the Ecological Approach. Estimations of relative abundance, frequency, dominance and Importance Value Index were obtained. Areas were also characterized by the diversity coefficients of Simpson and modified Shannon-Weiner, and then grouped by cluster analysis. Areas with low soil coverage resulted in higher infestation levels; crop rotation in the interrows of Jatropha produced a significant reduction in weed infestation, but the lowest infestation levels were observed when grasses were grown intercropped with Jatropha. Lower diversity coefficients were associated with occurrence of the most troublesome weed species. In the first years after planting Jatropha, species of Brachiaria or a crop rotation involving species with high mulching ability and whose biomass exhibit a high C:N ratio, should be established in the interrows to avoid problems with weeds infestation.

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

Effects of ocean acidification on sponge communities

The effects of ocean acidification on lower invertebrates such as sponges may be pronounced because of their low capacity for acid-base regulation. However, so far, most studies have focused on calcifiers. We present the first study of the effects of ocean acidification on the Porifera. Sponge species composition and cover along pH gradients at CO2 vents off Ischia (Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy) was measured at sites with normal pH (8.1-8.2), lowered pH (mean 7.8-7.9, min 7.4-7.5) and extremely low pH (6.6). There was a strong correlation between pH and both sponge cover and species composition. Crambe crambe was the only species present in any abundance in the areas with mean pH 6.6, seven species were present at mean pH 7.8-7.9 and four species (Phorbas tenacior, Petrosia ficiformis, Chondrilla nucula and Hemimycale columella) were restricted to sites with normal pH. Sponge percentage cover decreased significantly from normal to acidified sites. No significant effect of increasing CO2 levels and decreasing pH was found on spicule form in Crambe crambe. This study indicates that increasing CO2 concentrations will likely affect sponge community composition as some demosponge species appear to be more vulnerable than others. Further research into the mechanisms by which acidification affects sponges would be useful in predicting likely effects on sessile marine communities.