Trading nitrogen for carbon: Nitrogen and carbon translocation in a plant/fungal (Metarhizium spp.) symbiosis

While nitrogen is critical for all plants, they are unable to utilize organically bound nitrogen in soils. Therefore, the majority of plants obtain useable nitrogen through nitrogen fixing bacteria and the microbial decomposition of organic matter. In the majority of cases, symbiotic microorganisms directly furnish plant roots with inorganic forms of nitrogen. More than 80% of all land plants form intimate symbiotic relationships with root colonizing fungi. These common plant/fungal interactions have been defined largely through nutrient exchange, where the plant receives limiting soil nutrients, such as nitrogen, in exchange for plant derived carbon. Fungal endophytes are common plant colonizers. A number of these fungal species have a dual life cycle, meaning that they are not solely plant colonizers, but also saprophytes, insect pathogens, or plant pathogens. By using 15N labeled, Metarhizium infected, wax moth larvae (Galleria mellonella) in soil microcosms, I demonstrated that the common endophytic, insect pathogenic fungi Metarhizium spp. are able to infect living soil borne insects, and subsequently colonize plant roots and furnish ts plant host with useable, insect-derived nitrogen. In addition, I showed that another ecologically important, endophytic, insect pathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana, is able to transfer insect-derived nitrogen to its plant host. I demonstrated that these relationships between various plant species and endophytic, insect pathogenic fungi help to improve overall plant health. By using 13C-labeled CO2, added to airtight plant growth chambers, coupled with nuclear magnetic resosnance spectroscopy, I was able to track the movement of carbon from the atmosphere, into the plant, and finally into the root colonized fungal biomass. This indicates that Metarhizium exists in a symbiotic partnership with plants, where insect nitrogen is exchanged for plant carbon. Overall these studies provide the first evidence of nutrient exchange between an insect pathogenic fungus and plants, a relationship that has potentially useful implications on plant primary production, soil health, and overall ecosystem stability.

Développement d'un indice de vulnérabilité à l'érosion éolienne à partir d'images satellitales, dans le Bassin arachidier du Sénégal : cas de la région de Thiès.

L’érosion éolienne est un problème environnemental parmi les plus sévères dans les régions arides, semi-arides et les régions sèches sub-humides de la planète. L’érosion des sols accélérée par le vent provoque des dommages à la fois localement et régionalement. Sur le plan local, elle cause la baisse des nutriments par la mobilisation des particules les plus fines et de la matière organique. Cette mobilisation est une des causes de perte de fertilité des sols avec comme conséquence, une chute de la productivité agricole et une réduction de la profondeur de la partie arable. Sur le plan régional, les tempêtes de poussières soulevées par le vent ont un impact non négligeable sur la santé des populations, et la déposition des particules affecte les équipements hydrauliques tels que les canaux à ciel ouvert ainsi que les infrastructures notamment de transport. Dans les régions où les sols sont fréquemment soumis à l’érosion éolienne, les besoins pour des études qui visent à caractériser spatialement les sols selon leur degré de vulnérabilité sont grands. On n’a qu’à penser aux autorités administratives qui doivent décider des mesures à prendre pour préserver et conserver les potentialités agropédologiques des sols, souvent avec des ressources financières modestes mises à leur disposition. Or, dans certaines de ces régions, comme notre territoire d’étude, la région de Thiès au Sénégal, ces études font défaut. En effet, les quelques études effectuées dans cette région ou dans des contextes géographiques similaires ont un caractère plutôt local et les approches suivies (modèles de pertes des sols) nécessitent un nombre substantiel de données pour saisir la variabilité spatiale de la dynamique des facteurs qui interviennent dans le processus de l’érosion éolienne. La disponibilité de ces données est particulièrement problématique dans les pays en voie de développement, à cause de la pauvreté en infrastructures et des problèmes de ressources pour le monitoring continu des variables environnementales. L’approche mise de l’avant dans cette recherche vise à combler cette lacune en recourant principalement à l’imagerie satellitale, et plus particulièrement celle provenant des satellites Landsat-5 et Landsat-7. Les images Landsat couvrent la presque totalité de la zone optique du spectre exploitable par télédétection (visible, proche infrarouge, infrarouge moyen et thermique) à des résolutions relativement fines (quelques dizaines de mètres). Elles permettant ainsi d’étudier la distribution spatiale des niveaux de vulnérabilité des sols avec un niveau de détails beaucoup plus fin que celui obtenu avec des images souvent utilisées dans des études environnementales telles que AVHRR de la série de satellites NOAA (résolution kilométrique). De plus, l’archive complet des images Landsat-5 et Landsat-7 couvrant une période de plus de 20 ans est aujourd’hui facilement accessible. Parmi les paramètres utilisés dans les modèles d’érosion éolienne, nous avons identifiés ceux qui sont estimables par l’imagerie satellitale soit directement (exemple, fraction du couvert végétal) soit indirectement (exemple, caractérisation des sols par leur niveau d’érodabilité). En exploitant aussi le peu de données disponibles dans la région (données climatiques, carte morphopédologique) nous avons élaboré une base de données décrivant l’état des lieux dans la période de 1988 à 2002 et ce, selon les deux saisons caractéristiques de la région : la saison des pluies et la saison sèche. Ces données par date d’acquisition des images Landsat utilisées ont été considérées comme des intrants (critères) dans un modèle empirique que nous avons élaboré en modulant l’impact de chacun des critères (poids et scores). À l’aide de ce modèle, nous avons créé des cartes montrant les degrés de vulnérabilité dans la région à l’étude, et ce par date d’acquisition des images Landsat. Suite à une série de tests pour valider la cohérence interne du modèle, nous avons analysé nos cartes afin de conclure sur la dynamique du processus pendant la période d’étude. Nos principales conclusions sont les suivantes : 1) le modèle élaboré montre une bonne cohérence interne et est sensible aux variations spatiotemporelles des facteurs pris en considération 2); tel qu’attendu, parmi les facteurs utilisés pour expliquer la vulnérabilité des sols, la végétation vivante et l’érodabilité sont les plus importants ; 3) ces deux facteurs présentent une variation importante intra et inter-saisonnière de sorte qu’il est difficile de dégager des tendances à long terme bien que certaines parties du territoire (Nord et Est) aient des indices de vulnérabilité forts, peu importe la saison ; 4) l’analyse diachronique des cartes des indices de vulnérabilité confirme le caractère saisonnier des niveaux de vulnérabilité dans la mesure où les superficies occupées par les faibles niveaux de vulnérabilité augmentent en saison des pluies, donc lorsque l’humidité surfacique et la végétation active notamment sont importantes, et décroissent en saison sèche ; 5) la susceptibilité, c’est-à-dire l’impact du vent sur la vulnérabilité est d’autant plus forte que la vitesse du vent est élevée et que la vulnérabilité est forte. Sur les zones où la vulnérabilité est faible, les vitesses de vent élevées ont moins d’impact. Dans notre étude, nous avons aussi inclus une analyse comparative entre les facteurs extraits des images Landsat et celles des images hyperspectrales du satellite expérimental HYPERION. Bien que la résolution spatiale de ces images soit similaire à celle de Landsat, les résultats obtenus à partir des images HYPERION révèlent un niveau de détail supérieur grâce à la résolution spectrale de ce capteur permettant de mieux choisir les bandes spectrales qui réagissent le plus avec le facteur étudié. Cette étude comparative démontre que dans un futur rapproché, l’amélioration de l’accessibilité à ce type d’images permettra de raffiner davantage le calcul de l’indice de vulnérabilité par notre modèle. En attendant cette possibilité, on peut de contenter de l’imagerie Landsat qui offre un support d’informations permettant tout de même d’évaluer le niveau de fragilisation des sols par l’action du vent et par la dynamique des caractéristiques des facteurs telles que la couverture végétale aussi bien vivante que sénescente.

An agroclimatic assessment of the crop growth potential of south india

Usually, under rainfed conditions the growing period exists in the humid months. Hence, for agricultural planning knowledge about the variabilities of the duration of the humid seasons are very much needed. The crucial problem affecting agriculture is the persistency in receiving a specific amount of rainfall during a short period. Agricultural operations and decision making are highly dependent on the probability of receiving given amounts of rainfall; such periods should match the water requirements of different phenological phases of the crops. While prolonged dry periods during sensitive phases are detrimental to their growth and lower the yields, excess of rainfall causes soil erosion and loss of soil nutrients. These factors point to the importance of evaluation of wet and dry spells. In this study the weekly rainfall data have been analysed to estimate the probability of wet and dry periods at all selected stations of each agroclimatic zone and the crop growth potentials of the growing seasons have been analysed. The thesis consists of six Chapters.

Diversity, local uses and availability of medicinal plants and wild yams in the Mahafaly region of south-western Madagascar

Short summary: This study was undertaken to assess the diversity of plant resources utilized by the local population in south-western Madagascar, the social, ecological and biophysical conditions that drive their uses and availability, and possible alternative strategies for their sustainable use in the region. The study region, ‘Mahafaly region’, located in south-western Madagascar, is one of the country’s most economically, educationally and climatically disadvantaged regions. With an arid steppe climate, the agricultural production is limited by low water availability and a low level of soil nutrients and soil organic carbon. The region comprises the recently extended Tsimanampetsotsa National Park, with numerous sacred and communities forests, which are threatened by slash and burn agriculture and overexploitation of forests resources. The present study analyzed the availability of wild yams and medicinal plants, and their importance for the livelihood of the local population in this region. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted recording the diversity, local knowledge and use of wild yams and medicinal plants utilized by the local communities in five villages in the Mahafaly region. 250 households were randomly selected followed by semi-structured interviews on the socio-economic characteristics of the households. Data allowed us to characterize sociocultural and socioeconomic factors that determine the local use of wild yams and medicinal plants, and to identify their role in the livelihoods of local people. Species-environment relationships and the current spatial distribution of the wild yams were investigated and predicted using ordination methods and a niche based habitat modelling approach. Species response curves along edaphic gradients allowed us to understand the species requirements on habitat conditions. We thus investigated various alternative methods to enhance the wild yam regeneration for their local conservation and their sustainable use in the Mahafaly region. Altogether, six species of wild yams and a total of 214 medicinal plants species from 68 families and 163 genera were identified in the study region. Results of the cluster and discriminant analysis indicated a clear pattern on resource, resulted in two groups of household and characterized by differences in livestock numbers, off-farm activities, agricultural land and harvests. A generalized linear model highlighted that economic factors significantly affect the collection intensity of wild yams, while the use of medicinal plants depends to a higher degree on socio-cultural factors. The gradient analysis on the distribution of the wild yam species revealed a clear pattern for species habitats. Species models based on NPMR (Nonparametric Multiplicative Regression analysis) indicated the importance of vegetation structure, human interventions, and soil characteristics to determine wild yam species distribution. The prediction of the current availability of wild yam resources showed that abundant wild yam resources are scarce and face high harvest intensity. Experiments on yams cultivation revealed that germination of seeds was enhanced by using pre-germination treatments before planting, vegetative regeneration performed better with the upper part of the tubers (corms) rather than the sets of tubers. In-situ regeneration was possible for the upper parts of the wild tubers but the success depended significantly on the type of soil. The use of manure (10-20 t ha¹) increased the yield of the D. alata and D. alatipes by 40%. We thus suggest the promotion of other cultivated varieties of D. alata found regions neighbouring as the Mahafaly Plateau.

Characterization of a highly biodiverse floodplain meadow using hyperspectral remote sensing within a plant functional trait framework

We assessed the potential for using optical functional types as effective markers to monitor changes in vegetation in floodplain meadows associated with changes in their local environment. Floodplain meadows are challenging ecosystems for monitoring and conservation because of their highly biodiverse nature. Our aim was to understand and explain spectral differences among key members of floodplain meadows and also characterize differences with respect to functional traits. The study was conducted on a typical floodplain meadow in UK (MG4-type, mesotrophic grassland type 4, according to British National Vegetation Classification). We compared two approaches to characterize floodplain communities using field spectroscopy. The first approach was sub-community based, in which we collected spectral signatures for species groupings indicating two distinct eco-hydrological conditions (dry and wet soil indicator species). The other approach was “species-specific”, in which we focused on the spectral reflectance of three key species found on the meadow. One herb species is a typical member of the MG4 floodplain meadow community, while the other two species, sedge and rush, represent wetland vegetation. We also monitored vegetation biophysical and functional properties as well as soil nutrients and ground water levels. We found that the vegetation classes representing meadow sub-communities could not be spectrally distinguished from each other, whereas the individual herb species was found to have a distinctly different spectral signature from the sedge and rush species. The spectral differences between these three species could be explained by their observed differences in plant biophysical parameters, as corroborated through radiative transfer model simulations. These parameters, such as leaf area index, leaf dry matter content, leaf water content, and specific leaf area, along with other functional parameters, such as maximum carboxylation capacity and leaf nitrogen content, also helped explain the species’ differences in functional dynamics. Groundwater level and soil nitrogen availability, which are important factors governing plant nutrient status, were also found to be significantly different for the herb/wetland species’ locations. The study concludes that spectrally distinguishable species, typical for a highly biodiverse site such as a floodplain meadow, could potentially be used as target species to monitor vegetation dynamics under changing environmental conditions.

The influence of shade and organic fertilizer treatments on the physiology and establishment of Theobroma cacao clones

Aims: This experiment aimed to determine whether the soil application of organic fertilizers can help the establishment of cacao and whether shade alters its response to fertilizers. Study Design: The 1.6 ha experiment was conducted over a period of one crop year (between April 2007 and March 2008) at the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana. It involved four cacao genotypes (T 79/501, PA 150, P 30 [POS] and SCA 6), three shade levels (‘light’, ‘medium’ and ‘heavy’) and two fertilizer treatments (‘no fertilizer’, and ‘140 kg/ha of cacao pod husk ash (CPHA) plus poultry manure at 1,800 kg/ha). The experiment was designed as a split-plot with the cacao genotypes as the main plot factor and shade x fertilizer combinations as the sub-plots. Methodology: Gliricidia sepium and plantains (Musa sapientum) were planted in different arrangements to create the three temporary shade regimes for the cacao. Data were collected on temperature and relative humidity of the shade environments, initial soil nutrients, soil moisture, leaf N, P and K+ contents, survival, photo synthesis and growth of test plants. Results: The genotypes P 30 [POS] and SCA 6 showed lower stomatal conductance under non-limiting conditions. In the rainy seasons, plants under light shade had the highest CO2 assimilation rates. However, in the dry season, plants under increased shade recorded greater photosynthetic rates (P = .03). A significant shade x fertilizer interaction (P = .001) on photosynthesis in the dry season showed that heavier shade increases the benefits that young cacao gets from fertilizer application in that season. Conversely, shade should be reduced during the wet seasons to minimize light limitation to assimilation. Conclusion: Under ideal weather conditions young cacao exhibits genetic variability on stomatal conductance. Also, to optimize plant response to fertilizer application shade must be adjusted taking the prevailing weather condition into account.

Evaluation of some metals in Brazilian coffees cultivated during the process of conversion from conventional to organic agriculture

The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of nutrients and toxic elements in coffees cultivated during the process of conversion, on organic agriculture, in southwest Bahia, Brazil. Levels of the nutrients and toxic elements were determined in samples of soils and coffee tissues from two transitional organic farms by atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The metals in soil samples were extracted by Mehlich1 and USEPA-3050 procedures. Coffee samples from both farms presented relatively high levels of Cd, Zn and Cu (0.75,45.4 and 14.9 mu g g(-1). respectively), but were still below the limits specified by the Brazilian Food Legislation. The application of statistical methods showed that this finding can be attributed to the addition of high amounts of organic matter during the flowering tree period which can act on the bioavailability of metal ions in soils. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Impacto técnico e econômico das perdas de solo e nutrientes por erosão no cultivo da cana-de-açúcar

O objetivo geral foi demonstrar o impacto técnico e econômico das perdas de solo e nutrientes por erosão no cultivo da cana-de-açúcar. Propôs-se avaliar as perdas de nutrientes por erosão (P, K, Ca e Mg), o custo de reposição de nutrientes e o de produção da cana em dois sistemas de colheita (cana crua e queimada) em Catanduva - SP, em área de 100 ha para cada sistema, formadas e colhidas no mesmo período (2002 a 2007), com similaridade quanto ao tipo de solo, variedade, topografia e numero de cortes. A metodologia baseou-se na equação universal da perda de solos e teoria dos custos de produção e de reposição de nutrientes. A maior perda de solo e de nutrientes por erosão ocorreu nas áreas de cana queimada; a cana queimada (corte manual), na média dos cinco cortes, perde 48,82% por hectare a mais de solo, 56,45 % de potássio (K) e 60,78 % de fósforo (P) do que a cana crua (corte mecanizado); o custo de reposição de nutrientes, em média, na cana queimada (R$ 33,92 ha-1 ano-1), foi superior ao da cana crua (R$ 21,12 ha-1 ano-1); a cana crua apresentou menor custo de produção (R$ 29,60 Mg-1) quando comparado à cana queimada (R$ 32,71 Mg-1); a cana crua apresentou maior retorno médio (R$ 5,70 Mg-1ano-1) com relação à cana queimada (R$ 2,59 Mg-1).

Resposta de mudas de goiabeira à aplicação de zinco

O subsolo, normalmente utilizado para produção de mudas de frutíferas, apresenta baixa concentração de zinco e, assim, existe grande probabilidade de resposta à aplicação deste micronutriente. Considerando a falta de informações sobre o assunto, procurou-se avaliar o efeito da aplicação de zinco ao substrato de produção das mudas de goiabeira e acompanhar os efeitos no desenvolvimento, na produção de matéria seca e no estado nutricional das plantas. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos e cinco repetições. As doses de zinco, na forma de sulfato de zinco, foram: 0; 2; 4; 6 e 8 mg dm-3 de Zn. No plantio, as mudas receberam doses de N, P, K e B de 300; 100; 150 e 0,5 mg dm-3, respectivamente. O experimento foi conduzido em viveiro telado, em vasos com 2,8 dm³ de substrato de um Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo. Após 135 dias do plantio, avaliaram-se: a altura, a área foliar e a matéria seca da parte aérea e das raízes, bem como os teores de macronutrientes e de Zn. As mudas de goiabeira responderam positivamente à aplicação de zinco. O maior desenvolvimento das mudas esteve associado à dose de 2 mg dm-3 de Zn. Doses iguais ou superiores a 4 mg dm-3 causaram redução significativa no desenvolvimento e no acúmulo de macronutrientes nas mudas de goiabeira.

Efeitos da aplicação de zinco no desenvolvimento, no estado nutricional e na produção de matéria seca de mudas de maracujazeiro

Sabe-se que os solos das regiões tropicais, devido ao intemperismo, apresentam baixas concentrações de micronutrientes, especialmente zinco. Desse modo, objetivou-se avaliar a aplicação de zinco ao substrato de produção de mudas de maracujazeiro, acompanhando seus efeitos no desenvolvimento, no estado nutricional e na produção de matéria seca das plantas. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições. As doses de zinco, na forma de sulfato de zinco, foram: 0; 2; 4; 6 e 8 mg de Zn dm-3 de solo. As mudas receberam doses de N, P, K e B de 300; 450; 150 e 0,5 mg dm-3, respectivamente, sendo o N e o K parcelados em três vezes (15; 30 e 45 dias após a semeadura). O experimento foi conduzido em condições de casa de vegetação, em vasos com 2 dm³ de substrato de um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico. Após 70 dias do plantio, avaliaram-se: o diâmetro do caule, a altura, a área foliar e a matéria seca da parte aérea e das raízes, bem como os teores de macro e micronutrientes. As mudas de maracujazeiro responderam positivamente à aplicação de zinco. O maior desenvolvimento das mudas esteve associado à dose de 5 mg de Zn dm-3.

Efeito de escória de alto forno no crescimento radicular e na produtividade de arroz

A utilização agrícola de resíduos industriais como fertilizantes decorre da necessidade de diminuir o efeito nocivo do acúmulo de nutrientes nos centros de produção. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos de escória de alto forno no crescimento radicular e na produtividade do arroz de terras altas irrigado por aspersão. O experimento foi realizado no campo, adotando-se o delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados, com cinco doses de escória de alto forno (0, 2.550, 5.100, 10.200 e 15.300 kg ha-1) com quatro repetições. A utilização de escória melhorou a condição química do solo, aumentou o crescimento e a superfície radicular, diminuiu o diâmetro das raízes e elevou os teores de silício no solo e na planta, resultando em aumento da produtividade.

Correlação entre a produtividade e os resultados de análise foliar e de solo em vinhedos de Niagara Rosada

Realizou-se nos municípios de Jundiaí e Louveira-SP um levantamento do estado nutricional e de produtividade de 20 vinhedos de 'Niagara Rosada' enxertada sobre o porta-enxerto IAC 766 e outros 20 enxertadas sobre o 'Ripária do Traviú'. Coletaram-se amostras de solo a 0-20 e 20-40 cm de profundidade na linha e na entrelinha de plantio e amostras de folha completa, limbo e pecíolo nas épocas de pleno florescimento e no início da maturação das bagas, visando correlacionar com os dados de produtividade. Verificou-se para o porta-enxerto IAC 766 correlações significativas entre a produtividade com os resultados das análises de solo e de folhas. A baixa produtividade verificada esteve relacionada ao excesso de nutrientes no solo, especialmente cálcio e magnésio, em função da calagem e adubação serem realizadas sem levarem em consideração a análise do solo. A produtividade correlacionou-se positivamente com os teores de potássio no solo, a relação K/Mg nas folhas e os teores de potássio nas folhas; e negativamente com a relação (Ca+Mg)/K no solo e os teores de cálcio e magnésio nas folhas, exibindo o antagonismo entre o magnésio e o potássio.

Fontes e doses de NPK em milho irrigado sob plantio direto

A utilização de fertilizantes revestidos pode proporcionar menores perdas e maior disponibilidade de nutrientes no solo, passíveis de absorção pelas plantas, tendo em vista a liberação gradativa dos nutrientes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de doses e fontes de N, P e K, nos componentes de produção e na produtividade da cultura de milho irrigado no Cerrado. O delineamento experimental adotado foi o de blocos casualizados, com 4 doses em cobertura (0 kg ha-1 40 kg ha-1 80 kg ha-1e 120 kg ha-1 e 2 fontes (ureia e ureia revestida), para o N; 4 doses (0 kg ha-1 50 kg ha-1 100 kg ha-1e 150 kg ha-1 e 2 fontes (superfosfato triplo e superfosfato triplo revestido), para o P; e 4 doses (0 kg ha-1 40 kg ha-1 80 kg ha-1e 120 kg ha-1 e 2 fontes (cloreto de potássio e cloreto de potássio revestido), para o K, com 4 repetições. Os fertilizantes revestidos por polímeros (ureia, superfosfato triplo e cloreto de potássio) não foram eficientes nas condições edafoclimáticas estudadas, pois proporcionaram resultados semelhantes aos mesmos fertilizantes convencionais, para os teores foliares de N, P e K, componentes de produção e produtividade de grãos de milho irrigado. O incremento das doses de N aumentou linearmente o teor de N foliar, número de espigas por hectare e a produtividade de grãos de milho. A aplicação de doses de K2O e P2O5 não influenciou a produtividade de grãos da cultura.

Níveis críticos de boro no solo e na planta para cultivo de mudas de maracujazeiro-amarelo

Objetivou-se avaliar a aplicação de boro ao substrato de produção de mudas de maracujazeiro-amarelo, para o estabelecimento dos níveis críticos do B no solo e na planta. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições. As doses de boro, na forma de ácido bórico, foram: 0; 0,25; 0,50; 0,75 e 1,0 mg de B dm-3 de solo. As mudas receberam doses de N, P, K e Zn, de 300; 450; 150 e 5 mg dm-3, respectivamente, sendo o N e o K parcelados em três vezes (15; 30 e 45 dias após o plantio). O experimento foi conduzido em condições de casa de vegetação, em vasos com 2 dm-3 de substrato de um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico. Após 70 dias do plantio, foram avaliados: o diâmetro do caule, a altura da planta, o número de folhas e a matéria seca da parte aérea e das raízes, bem como os teores de macro e micronutrientes. As mudas de maracujazeiro responderam à aplicação de boro em substrato com baixa concentração (0,06 mg dm-3), extraído com água quente. O maior desenvolvimento das plantas esteve associado à dose próxima de 0,5 mg de B dm-3 e à concentração de 0,4 mg de B dm-3 no substrato e um teor de 22 mg de B kg-1 na parte aérea.

Environmental diagnosis in areas with different use and occupation using the perception of diverse biological activity

In Brazil, the degradation of soil and landscape by urban and agricultural frontiers expansion leads to the need for comprehensive studies and consider the diverse biological activities generated from different interventions in the landscape, becoming an instrument for assessing the impacts and the decision for its environmental management. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of different forms of occupation of the landscape, considering ecological elements and their interactions. The work was carried out on the Instituto Agronômico in the county of Jundiai, in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The area under study has been subjected to different use and occupancy for a period of about 40 years. During this period the landscape has been transformed, with the current scenario can be classified as a degraded area mining; grassy area; Araucaria forest and pasture. These areas were evaluated by means of a transect, from which ten sampling sites were selected for the description of diverse biological activities, which included: evaluation and description of ground cover, identifying the presence of fungus and insect species. Furthermore, we evaluated in these points the pH, fertility and porosity of the topsoil (0-0.10 m). The results showed a variation of the elements analyzed and a relationship between the use and occupation of land in the different scenarios of the current landscape. The biological activity was more diverse in the Araucaria forest, reflected by the abundance of litter, higher content of organic matter and soil nutrients, demonstrating the effectiveness of the technique for assessing the level of degradation of the landscape used, which is expeditious and inexpensive.