Sustentabilidade do cultivo de melão no assentamento São Romão em Mossoró/RN

Agriculture is one of the most discussed topics currently in the conceptual field of sustainability. The debates are increasingly recurrent and put in question the model adopted from post-war, so-called green revolution, for its potential of degradation of natural resources. This type of Agriculture put Brazil at the top of the global agribusiness, where stands out in various sectors such as grain, meat, sugar and horticulture. Discussions are focused on aspects related to the use of agrochemicals, monoculture, conversion of native forest in extensive agricultural areas, among other points taken as deleterious to environmental balance. On the other hand, there is a model, called by family farming, which for many researchers, has attributes closer to the understanding of sustainable agriculture. In the state of Rio Grande do Norte, the agricultural potential lies mainly on horticulture, where stands the agropolo AcuMossoró, as one of the greatest tropical fruit producing regions of Brazil, being melon, the major fruit produced. The cultivation of this vegetable was developed in the region in the late 1980s, from the investment of large agricultural enterprises, whose cultivation techniques were grounded by the green revolution. Currently, the melon cultivation is also developed in agroecosystems whose management is characterized by family participation, including small farmers of rural settlements created by Instituto Nacional de Colonização e Reforma Agrária (INCRA). In view of the inclusion of family farming in a field that recently was dominated by large agribusiness companies, some questions arise about the maintenance of attributes that characterise this type of family agriculture management. This research aimed to assess the sustainability of family agroecosystems in São Romão settlement in Mossoró-RN, cultivated with melon. The study was conducted by the Framework for Evaluation of Natural Resources Management Systems Incorporating Sustainability Indicators (MESMIS), in ten agroecosystems of the mentioned settlement. The data were obtained from semi-structured interviews and field observations, so that the answers, considerations and comments made by settlers, were widely used to cycle through the six steps of the MESMIS evaluation. As a result of the work, were determined seven critical points affecting sustainability, being: water resources, soils, reliance on external inputs, biodiversity, quality of life, family income and community organizing, from which was derived twenty-three indicators that sought to reflect the actual state of sustainability of the agroecosystems

Alterações morfofisiológicas e moleculares em resposta a estresses abióticos em mamona (Ricinus communis L.)

The use of fossil fuels has been considered one of reason for the increase of pollution in the atmosphere and it may be related to the climate changes. Then, the research of the new sources of fuels will be important. Considering this, the use of biodiesel has been considered not as bad as petrol. The castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) is an important oilseed, which belongs to Euphorbiaceae family, and the oil found in the seed has important characteristics for biodiesel. This plant is considered as “rustic” as it does not need so much water for its development and oil production. Due to this, this plant has been considered to be ideal in semi-arid regions, such as the Northeast of Brazil. The aim of his study is to better understand the responses to abiotic stresses (drought and salinity) from castor bean plants using morphological, physiological and molecular tools. In order to do this, the castor bean plants were subjected to salt stress (50, 100, 150 and 200 mM NaCl) in a controlled environment and drought stress (5, 10, 15 days and 10 days cyclic). After these treatments, these plants were subjected to different analyzes: a) the expansion and retention of water from leaves; b) anatomy using leaves and roots. Based on these results, we found that castor suffered decrease in leaf area with increase drought stress, however restricted water loss, probably by accumulation of compatible solutes in the leaves. The anatomy data showed modifications in the vascular system. These modifications observed suggested that castor bean plant may be resistant to stress as it was verified in 5 days of drought as well as in 100 mM NaCl. In both conditions, these plants were fine. Probably these plants keep some solutes in the cell and then maintain the cell tugor. The data obtained in this study gave a better idea how castor bean plant responds to abiotic stress conditions - drought and salt stress

Desenvolvimento e avaliação tribológica de emulsão O/A a partir de óleo vegetal epoxidado para aplicação em fluídos de corte

The cutting fluids are lubricants used in machining processes, because they present many benefits for different processes. They have many functions, such as lubrication, cooling, improvement in surface finishing, besides they decreases the tool wear and protect it against corrosion. Therefore due to new environment laws and demand to green products, new cutting fluids must be development. These shall be biodegradable, non-toxic, safety for environment and operator healthy. Thus, vegetable oils are a good option to solve this problem, replacing the mineral oils. In this context, this work aimed to develop an emulsion cutting fluid from epoxidized vegetable oil, promoting better lubrication and cooling in machining processes, besides being environment friendly. The methodology was divided in five steps: first one was the biolubricant synthesis by epoxidation reaction. Following this, the biolubricant was characterized in terms of density, acidity, iodo index, oxirane index, viscosity, thermal stability and chemical composition. The third step was to develop an emulsion O/A with different oil concentration (10, 20 and 25%) and surfactant concentration (1, 2.5 and 5%). Also, emulsion stability was studied. The emulsion tribological performance were carried out in HFRR (High Frequency Reciprocating Rig), it consists in ball-disc contact. Results showed that the vegetable based lubricant may be synthesized by epoxidationreaction, the spectra showed that there was 100% conversion of the epoxy rings unsaturations. In regard the tribological assessment is observed that the percentage of oil present in the emulsion directly influenced the film formation and coefficient of friction for higher concentrations the film formation process is slow and unstable, and the coefficient of friction. The high concentrations of surfactants have not improved the emulsions tribological performance. The best performance in friction reduction was observed to emulsion with 10% of oil and 5% of surfactant, its average wear scar was 202 μm.

Consórcio de cártamo e feijão caupi: alternativa para a produção de biodiesel na agricultura familiar

The new development strategies should operate mainly in the areas of energy efficiency and sustainable agriculture. Thus, the substitution of fossil fuels with biofuels, such as biodiesel, is increasingly on the agenda. The cultivation of oilseed plants for biodiesel production must take place in integrated systems that enable best environmental benefits and are more economically significant. The objectives of this study were to assess the morphological, anatomic, and physiological characteristics of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L., promising oilseed for biodiesel production) grown in monoculture and intercropping with cowpea bean (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.); and identify socioeconomic family farmers and verify their acceptance about safflower as an energy crop. The methodology used for the analysis of safflower growth in monoculture and intercropped with beans, were morphoanatomical and histochemical analyzes, made with samples of plants grown in the field in two cropping systems throughout the range of the life cycle of these plants. There were no changes in growth and anatomy of plants, even in the consortium, which is satisfactory to indicate the intercropping system for those crops and can be a good alternative for the family farmer, who may have safflower as a source of income without giving up planting their livelihood. To check the acceptance of safflower by farmers, interviews were made to family farmers by Canudos agrovila in Ceará-Mirim/RN. It was noticed that many of them accept the introduction of safflower as oil crop, although unaware of the species, and that, being more resistant to drought, safflower help in the stability of families who depend on the weather conditions for success their current crops. In general, it is concluded that safflower has features that allows it to be grown in consortium for biodiesel production combined with the production of food, such as cowpea, and can be used enabling better development for family farmers.

Diagnóstico ambiental da área de influência do complexo sucroalcooleiro Usina Vale do São Simão Ltda

One of the most widespread renewable energy sources in Brazil is ethanol, from sugarcane, therefore, the sugar and alcohol sector is expanding, with positive impacts for the economy of the country. Sugar cane was introduced in Brazil as a crop during its colonization, for the production of sugar, and put the country in the global scenario. The expansion of this crop occurred in the seventies, to reduce the reliance in fossil energy sources and to stimulate the development of the agricultural activity. Thus, the federal government has promoted the sugar cane crop and the production of ethanol as a fuel. However, it is important to minimize possible impacts that the crop may cause to the environment. Sugar cane has expanded in the frontiers of the mesoregion of Triângulo Mineiro and Alto Paranaíba-MG, and, in this perspective, the agroindustrial complex known as Companhia Energética Vale do São Simão Ltda., with the Mill located in the county of Santa Vitória, Minas Gerais, was adopted to evaluate the environmental impacts caused by the sugarcane in the area of influence of the mill. The mill has a polygonal area corresponding to 53,525.20 hectares, and for its establishment a Study and Report of Environmental Impacts (EIA/RIMA) was presented, as required as an environment protection instrument by the Environment National Policy (Law nº 6.938/81), and detailed by the Resolution CONAMA nº 01/1986. These studies pointed that native vegetation fragments in the Area of Influence of the Mill, before its implantation, corresponded to approximately 20.7% of the area. Therefore, this study evaluated the impacts of the installation of Usina Vale do São Simão, between 2007 and 2012, determining its reflex on the environmental regularization of the farms, and the vegetation fragments existing in the area, in the recovery and recomposition of areas defined as Legal Reserve and Permanent Preservation. Previous studies of the area were analyzed, soil use and occupation was mapped for the years 2007 and 2012, and the areas of permanent preservation and native vegetation fragments were marked. In general, there was a decline in native vegetation coverage in the period, although it cannot be stated that such reduction was a direct effect of the milling activity. Therefore, the legal requirement of preserving such areas was not capable of bringing the positive effects of protection and recovery as demanded by the Law, highlighting that the current legislation was not enough to protect such areas.

Diagnóstico de la calidad microbiológica del agua durante un ciclo de cultivo de camarón marino del grupo de cooperativas del sector El Zompopero, Bahía de Jiquilisco, Usulután

La producción global de la acuicultura está creciendo sustancialmente y aporta cada vez mayores volúmenes de alimento de origen acuático que es demandado para el consumo humano y la actual tendencia se mantendrá por mucho tiempo por su aporte proteico y fácil preparación culinaria. El crecimiento de la acuicultura tiene el potencial de satisfacer las necesidades de alimentos y contribuir a la disponibilidad, seguridad alimentaria, la reducción de la pobreza y el desarrollo sostenible y esto es ampliamente reconocido para cumplir con el Desarrollo de los Objetivos del Milenio (FAO, 2007). La acuicultura es un sector muy diverso y está caracterizada por incluir muchos y diferentes sistemas, sitios, prácticas, procesos y productos. También hay una amplia variedad de condiciones políticas, sociales, económicas y ambientales en las cuales se desarrolla. En la medida que ésta crece, adquiere especial importancia por los posibles impactos negativos que provocan sobre el ambiente, las comunidades locales y los consumidores. El entorno y la acción antropogénica en la que se realiza en otras zonas conectadas geográficamente también influyen de manera determinante con variables ambientales que tienen alta incidencia en los rendimientos de la producción.

Caracterización, evaluación preliminar y adaptabilidad de cuatro poblaciones de frijol común (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), evaluadas en cinco localidades de Ciudad Darío, Matagalpa; Postrera, 2013

En el estudio realizado en el municipio de Ciudad Dar í o, Matagalpa, é poca de postrera 2013, se sometieron cuatro variedades de frijol com ú n ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.), a los diferentes ambientes de las localidades El Moj ó n, El Rinc ó n, El Pital, Dulce Nombre de Jes ú s y la Picota donde se evaluaron dos variedades locales (Guanise ñ o, Rojo Maravilla), una aclimatada a la zona (Rojo seda), y una variedad mejorada (INTA sequia). Para el ensayo se establecieron cuatro parcelas de 10 m de largo por 6 m de ancho, en donde la parcela ú til tuvo una dimensi ó n 6 m de largo y 3 m de ancho, cabe mencionar que cada parcela estaba constituida de 5 surcos, de las que se evaluaron 5 plantas por surco para un total de 25 plantas por cada parcela, adem á s cada finca se consider ó una r é plica. Los objetivos planteados fueron 1) Caracterizar y evaluar preliminarmente mediante variables cuantitativas y cualitativas cuatro cultivares de frijol (dos criollas, una acriollada y una mejorada), en cinco localidades de Ciudad Dar í o, Matagalpa, en la é poca de postrera 2013 y 2) Determinar la adaptabilidad de cuatro variedades de frijol com ú n (dos criollas, una acriollada y una mejorada), en base a los rendimientos obtenidos por cada variedad en estudio. En el siguiente estudio se realiz ó un an á lisis de adaptabilidad el cual se llev ó a cabo por medio del an á lisis de regresi ó n lineal, adem á s se evalu ó el comportamiento de los caracteres cualitativos y cuantitativos para determinar la variabilidad gen é tica existentes en las diferentes variedades. En donde se demuestra que en los caracteres cualitativos no existi ó variabilidad dado que estos caracteres son gobernados por uno o pocos genes, en cambio se pudo observar que en los caracteres cuantitativos existe alta heterogeneidad entre los mismos dado que estos caracteres son influenciados por el ambiente, adem á s se conoci ó cu á l de las cuatro variedades en estudio present ó mejor adaptabilidad en las diferentes localidades, tambi é n se informa sobre la variedad por la que el productor debe optar para la siembra del cultivo antes mencionado

Identificación y fluctuación poblacional de insectos asociados al cultivo de la piña (Ananas comosus L. Merril) Ticuantepe, Nicaragua.

Con el objetivo de contribuir al conocimiento científico de insectos asociadas al cultivo de la piña (Ananas comosus L. Merril), se realizó este estudio en el período de marzo a septiembre del 2014 en la zona piñera del Municipio de Ticuantepe, teniendo como objetivos específicos la identificación, abundancia, riqueza, índice de biodiversidad, fluctuación poblacional y el hábito de las principales familias de insectos asociados al cultivo de la piña. El estudio se desarrolló en seis fincas piñeras donde se ubicaron tres trampas de caída libre (Pitfall traps) para la captura de insectos rastreros, tres trampas de galones de plástico con melaza para la captura de insectos voladores y en cada sitio se colectó manualmente insectos del follaje frutos y suelo. En esta investigación se encontró que las principales familias asociadas al cultivo son; Formicidae, Scarabaeidae, Pseudococcidae, Elateridae, Noctuidae, Nymphalidae Cerambicidae y Lycaenidae. La diversidad insectil se estimó utilizando el índice de diversidad Shannon-Weaver, la familia con mayor índice de diversidad fue Formicidae, En cuanto a la riqueza de insectos se encontraron cincuenta y un familias y ochenta y cuatro géneros, siendo los más numerosos pertenecientes a las familias; Formicidae, Scarabaidae, Tenebrionidae y Pentatomidae. En lo que respecta a la fluctuación poblacional, las familias de insectos que presentaron mayor incidencia fueron: Formicidae, Scarabaidae y Pseudococcidae, las fluctuaciones más altas de insectos ocurrieron en los meses de abril, mayo y julio, entre los principales hábitos alimenticios de las especies insectiles asociados al cultivo de la piña se encontraron, defoliadores, plagas del suelo, succionadores de floemas, barrenadores de corteza vegetal, polinizadoras, depredadores, parasitoides y degradadores de materia orgánica.

Evaluación y selección de líneas avanzadas de arroz (Oriza sativa L.) con alto contenido de Zn en condiciones de riego y secano de Nicaragua

Se presentan los resultados de las fases de evaluación - selección de líneas avanzadas de arroz con alto contenido de zinc a nivel de vivero, evaluación de líneas avanzadas y evaluación multi - ambiental. Estos ensayos se establecieron en condiciones de riego y secano del 2014 y 2015, en el Centro Experimental de Arroz “TAINIC” y en diferentes regiones de secano del sub ciclo invierno del 2015. El Diseño empleado fue de Bloques Incompletos No Balanceados (Alpha Latice ). Se midieron datos de comportamiento agronómico, calidad de grano y contenido de zinc en el grano pulido mediante la metodología de fluorescencia de rayos X (FRX). De los genotipos evaluados se seleccionaron cuatro que combinan características agronómicas, industriales y nu tricionales deseables . Se estableció una relación positiva entre la cantidad de zinc disponible en el suelo y su influencia en la cantidad de zinc encontrada en grano pulido. Se determinó diferencias significativas entre los Genotipos, Ambientes e Interacc ión Genotipo*Ambiente. Se seleccionaron genotipos que presentan un comportamiento adaptativo amplio y genotipos con adaptación específica para cada condición agroclimática y de manejo . Se identificaron dos Mega-ambientes con genotipos en común. En el primero formado por los sitios de Pantasma y Jalapa destaca el genotipo IR31917-45-3-2-1-1SR-5-M(T4). El segundo Mega-ambiente formado por los sitios de Masatepe y San Carlos destaca el genotipo CT18504-4-5-3Vi-2-3P(T14). En los ambientes únicos de Posoltega y Darío los mejores genotipos fueron IR75870-5-8-5-B-2-B-1SR-8-M (T6) y CT19298-(100)-1-2-3-1-4MP (T1) respectivamente. Las variables que más influenciaron en la producción son en primer lugar días a madures, confirmando la tendencia de que a ciclo más extenso del cultivo habrá mayor rendimiento; en segundo lugar, la variable más influyente es longitud de panícula.

Parámetros fenotípicos y genéticos de caracteres de la mazorca asociados al rendimiento del cultivo de maíz (Zea mays L.) cv NB-6, en postrera, Managua 2014

Con el propósito de evaluar la influencia del número de hileras en la mazorca de progenitores maternos (10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20) sobre variables asociadas al rendimiento, estimar grados de asociación fenotípica entre rasgos y su variabilidad genética, se estableció un experimento de campo en bloques completos al azar (BCA) con cuatro réplicas, en la Finca Santa Rosa propiedad de la UNA, en época de postrera del 2014. Las variables analizadas fueron: Longitud de la mazorca (LM), diámetro de la mazorca (DM) , número de granos por hilera (NGH), peso de 100 granos (P100G), numero de hileras por mazorca ( NHM),peso de la mazorca (PM),peso en grano por mazorca (PGM), mediante los procedimientos de SAS, con estadísticos descriptivos, correlaciones de Pearson y análisis de varianza con regresión de los caracteres maternos sobre los de progenie. Los tratamientos que presentaron promedios más altos para LMp, DMp, NHMp, PMp, PGMp fueron los de 14 y 18 hileras. El tratamiento con 16 hileras mostró la más alta variación fenotípica (CV). Las correlaciones fenotípicas de progenies más destacadas fueron: PMp con PGMp y DMp; PMp con NGHp; DMp con PGMp; PMp con NGHp; NGHp con PGMp; y LMp con PMp, todas ellas positivas y altamente significativas. Las correlaciones fenotípicas entre variables de la progenie con progenitor materno más notorias fueron LM, con NHM y P100G. Del análisis de varianza, el factor NHMm fue altamente significativo para LMp y NHMp y en menor grado para DMp y P100Gp. Se estimaron niveles de variabilidad genética importante en rasgos como LMp, NHMp y NGHp, con valores de heredabilidad entre 0.36 y 0.46, los cuales son muy promisorios para programas de mejoramiento genético participativo.

Destino no ambiente e comportamento agronômico de atrazina em resposta a doses e níveis de palha de espécies de cobertura de solo

The use of cover crops is a fundamental strategy to the weed management in Southern Brazil. In highly infested areas, the herbicides use is increasing, which increases the costs of the crops production as well as the environmental contamination. Oat and velvet bean plants havecontrasting characteristics regarding to residues decomposition speed and the capacity to immobilize Nitrogen in the soil, providing distinct results of weeds suppression throughout the time, and therefore, requiring distinct management strategies before, during, and after the corn crop establishment. The general objective of the experiment was to evaluate the environmental dynamics of the herbicide atrazine, the corn grain yield, and the efficiency of the weed control, considering areas with distinct history regarding the use of mulching, levels of straw and rates of atrazine. For this, the experiment was carried out in two parts: in the first part, two trials with the corn crop were established, one using oat and the other using velvet bean as cover crops. The experimental design used for both field trials was randomized complete blocks arrangement with four replications. The factor A was constituted by four levels of straw (0; 0.75x; 1.5x; 3x) and the factor B was constituted by four rates of the herbicide atrazine (0; 2100; 4200; 8400 g a i. ha-1). Soil samples were collected for greenhouse trialsto determine the persistence. Atrazine leaching evaluation was performed by chromatography using samples collected over the soil profile.In the field, the weed density, the fresh and dry weight and the yield of the corn were evaluated. In the greenhouse trials, the main variables evaluated were plant height and injury caused by the herbicide toxicity. In the second part, soils with distinct covering history were sampled, and the mineralization and sorption studies, both with 14C-atrazine, were conducted in the laboratory. The experimental design was randomized complete blocks arrangement with four replications. The results from the field experiment show that the high levels of straw above ground, isolated, were not efficient to control completely the weeds, and that high levels of velvet bean`s straw decreased the corn potential yield. The greenhouse trials showed that high levels of oat straw prevent the scape of atrazine to soil, this effect of oat straw upon the herbicide availability on soil was detected up to 12 days after spraying. The half-life of atrazine sprayed over oat straw varied from 7 to 14 days after spraying, while the half-life of atrazine sprayed over velvet bean varied from 5 to 14 days after spraying. Increasing oat straw levels presents the capacity to reduce the lixiviation of atrazine in the soil profile, however, this effect was not verified when using velvet bean straw, because the herbicide was not detected in the soil profile, at 21 days after spraying. The chromatographic analysis indicate thatthe atrazine concentrates closer to the soil surface regardless of amount of straw, not being detected deeper than 8 cm in the soil. The accumulated mineralization of 14C-arazine sprayed over V. sativa is superior if compared to soils with S. cereale or non-covered soils. The sorption coefficient of atrazine is superior when sprayed over straw than over the soil.

Determinaci?n de nitr?geno lixiviado en el cultivo de estevia (Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni) aplicando fertilizantes nitrogenados de lenta liberaci?n por medio de lis?metros de drenaje [recurso electr?nico]

El presente trabajo de grado hace referencia al uso de fertilizantes nitrogenados de lenta liberaci?n, los cuales buscan soluciones de conservaci?n del medio ambiente y pretenden reducir los costos en la aplicaci?n de los fertilizantes. En Colombia, para el establecimiento de productos como la papa, del costo total de producci?n por hect?rea, se encuentra destinado aproximadamente un 29.6% a la aplicaci?n de fertilizantes, mientras que en cultivos como el cacao es el 8% (SAC, 2006). En el Valle del Cauca, se observan rangos que van desde el 11,5% para la arveja, hasta el 41,9% en el repollo (SEDAMA,2010); por lo tanto, existen sectores en los cuales los efectos ser?n mucho m?s cr?ticos, debido al gran consumo de fertilizantes nitrogenados que demanda el desarrollo adecuado del cultivo. Gran parte de los productores agr?colas aplican los fertilizantes de forma emp?rica de acuerdo con la respuesta del cultivo, y en ocasiones se cae en el error de aplicar m?s cantidad de fertilizante que el necesario por el cultivo, lo cual se traduce en una posterior contaminaci?n del medio ambiente y p?rdidas econ?micas para el agricultor.

Cultivo artesanal do cogumelo Shiitake: uma potencial atividade para agroecossistemas sustentáveis

Edible mushroom cultivation has been gaining ground in the agricultural environment throughout the country, creating a new product option in the food market. This activity is linked to cultural and artisanal management with environmentally sustainable principles and generates income for small farms. In this context, the present study evaluated the potential for artisanal cultivation of Shiitake as an activity for sustainable agroecosystems. Initially, the historic of implementation and evolution of artisanal cultivation of Shiitake mushroom on properties considered models in Pato Branco, Guarapuava and São José dos Pinhais (Paraná) and Frei Rogerio, (Santa Catarina) were carried out. Consequently, a comparative analysis between the cultivation systems of these properties and the use of small wooded areas and reforested areas was conducted. Aspects of production, income and pluralism of the farms, were also performed. At the end, the nutritional quality parameters of mushrooms produced in different properties were evaluated. The results show economic potential in Shiitake production. The activity also has potential for the sustainable exploitation of native forest and reforested areas, contributing to the optimal use of physical space small properties. In artisanal cultivation of Shiitake there is a systemic interaction verified by the use of wood from the same farm, assisting in the renewal of biomass of the agroecosystem. Finally, it was found that mushrooms produced on different substrates used in the studied properties have high nutritional quality. Shiitake samples exhibited high contents of protein, fiber, minerals and low fat content.

Caracterização limnológica e determinação da capacidade suporte do reservatório mendubim, (Rio Grande do Norte) para o cultivo de peixes em tanques-rede

The aims of this study were: i) assessing the trophic state of the Mendubim reservoir (semi-arid, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil; 05° 38 99,0 S 36°55 98,0 W) based on chlorophyll-a, total phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations and water transparency; ii) relating the patterns of temporal variation of zooplankton and phytoplankton to the trophic state of the reservoir and iii) investigating the carrying capacity of the reservoir for cage fish farming. The samplingwas done monthly from July 2006 to July 2007 in three stations at the reservoir: next to the dam (barrage), in the central region and in the mouth of the main tributary. The abiotic and biotic variables analyzed were: Secchi depth, volatiles and fixed suspended solids, chlorophyll-a, total phosphorus and nitrogen, TN:TP ratio and mesozooplankton and phytoplankton composition and biomass. The results showed that the reservoir can be considered as mesotrophic with mean concentrations of total nitrogen, phosphorus and chlorophyll-a equal to 1711, 1 μg.L-1, 30,8 μg.L-1 and 5,62 μg.L-1 respectively. The Cyanophyceae class was the most representative in terms of density, with the presence of potentially toxic species such as Microcystis aeruginosa, Planktothrix planctonica, Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, Aphanizomenon sp. ,Aphanocapsa delicatissima and Pseudanabaena acicularis. Among the zooplankton, the genus Notodiaptomus presented the largest biomass values. Overall, our results show that the light limitation should explain the weak relationship between chlorophyll-a and total phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations. We concluded that the water of Mendubim reservoir is suitable for intensive fish cage aquaculture. Based on the carrying capacity calculations for this reservoir, we found that the maximum sustainable yield of tilapias in cages in the reservoir is 126 ton per year assuming a factor of food conversion of 1.5: 1.0 and a phosphorus content in the fish food of 1%

Estudo do crescimento, eficiência de biofiltração e cinética de absorção de nutrientes (N-NH, N-NO e P-PO4³) da macroalga Gracilaria cervicornis (Turner) J. Agardh

The objective of this study was to examine the growth of Gracilaria cervicornis cultured in a shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) pond and to determine the absorption efficiency and the kinetics parameters (Vmax, Ks e Vmax:Ks) of this macroalgae for the nutrients N-NO3-, N-NH4+ and P-PO4-3, aiming at its use as bioremediatory of eutrophicated environments. For this study, two experiments (field and laboratory) were developed. In the field study, the seaweed was examined in relation to the growth and the biomass. In the laboratory experiment, the absorption efficiency of G. cervicornis was measured through the monitoring of the concentration of the three nutrients (N-NO3-, N-NH4+ e P-PO4-3) during 5 hours and the kinetic parameters were determined through the formula of Michaelis-Menten. The results obtained in this study demonstrated that G. cervicornis benefited from the available nutrients in the pond, increasing 52.4% of its biomass value after 30 days of culture. It was evidenced that the variability of the biomass could be explained through the salinity, availability of light (transparency and solid particle in suspension) and concentration of N-NO3- in the environment. In the laboratory experiment, the highest absorption efficiency was found in the treatments with low concentration (5 µmol.L-1), being evidenced a reduction of up to 85,3%, 97,5% and 81,2% of N-NH4+, N-NO3- and P-PO43-, respectively. Regarding the kinetic parameters, G. cervicornis presented better ability in absorbing N-NH4+ in high concentrations (Vmax = 158,5 µmol g-1 dry wt h-1) and P-PO43- in low concentrations (Ks = 5 µmol.L-1 e Vmax:Ks = 10,3). The results of this study show that G. cervicornis could be cultivated in shrimp ponds, presents a good capacity of absorption for the tested nutrients and is a promising candidate for biorremediation in shrimp pond effluent