Key factors to inoculate Botrytis cinerea in tomato plants

Studies addressing the biological control of Botrytis cinerea have been unsuccessful because of fails in inoculating tomato plants with the pathogen. With the aim of establishing a methodology for inoculation into stems, experiments were designed to assess: i. the aggressiveness of pathogen isolates; ii. the age at which tomato plants should be inoculated; iii. the susceptibility of tissues at different stem heights; iv. the need for a moist chamber after inoculation; and v. the effectiveness of gelatin regarding inoculum adhesion. Infection with an isolate from tomato plants that was previously inoculated into petioles and then re-isolated was successful. An isolate from strawberry plants was also aggressive, although less than that from tomato plants. Tomato plants close to flowering, at 65 days after sowing, and younger, middle and apical stem portions were more susceptible. There was positive correlation between lesion length and sporulation and between lesion length and broken stems. Lesion length and the percentage of sporulation sites were reduced by using a moist chamber and were not affected by adding gelatin to the inoculum suspension. This methodology has been adopted in studies of B. cinerea in tomato plants showing reproducible results. The obtained results may assist researchers who study the gray mold.

GFP-fluorescent protein on the study of blister spot in coffee plants

In Brazil, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is associated with a complex of symptoms in coffee culture. Although this pathogen had its pathogenesis observed and identified, its importance has still been questioned due to its several endophytic forms, raising doubts as to the real importance of the pathosystem. The aim of this study was to demonstrate, by using an isolate transformed with the gene gfp, the infection and colonization capability of C. gloeosporioides in coffee seedlings. After the fourth day of inoculation, manifestation of symptoms as punctual necrosis could be observed, which progressed during the evaluation period, culminating in the death of seedlings. Epifluorescence microscopy confirmed the presence of the pathogen in the seedlings, as well as the visualization of internal colonization of tissues, acervulus formation and conidium production, confirming that it was responsible for the observed symptoms.

RF disturbances produced by high-power photovoltaic solar plants

In this thesis, analysis of electromagnetic compatibility of high-power photovoltaic solar plant is made. Current standards suitable for photovoltaic applications are given. Measurements of antenna factor for experimental setup are shown. Also, measurements of common mode disturbance voltages in high-power solar plant are given. Importance of DC-side filter is shown. In the last part of the work, electromagnetic simulations are made. These simulations show influence of several factors to EMC of power plant. Based on these simulations and measurements recommendations are given.

Optimization of invertase assay conditions in rubber tree plants (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.)

The objective of this work was to define the optimal conditions for invertase assay, seeking to determine the ideal parameters for the different isoenzymes of leaf and bark tissues in adult rubber trees. Assays of varying pH, sucrose concentration and temperature of the reaction medium were conducted for the two investigated isoenzymes. The results pointed out the existence of two different pH related isoforms for the two analyzed tissues, with an isoenzyme being more active at pH 5,5 and the other at neutral/alkaline pH. Leaf blade isoenzymes presented similar values for substrate concentration, whereas the bark isoenzyme presented maximum values below those previously reported. The assays at different temperatures presented similar values for leaf isoenzymes, though they have differed significantly among the obtained values.

Measurement and simulation of solar radiation availability in relation to the growth of coffee plants in an agroforestry system with rubber trees

Solar radiation is an important factor for plant growth, being its availability to understory crops strongly modified by trees in an Agroforestry System (AFS). Coffee trees (Coffea arabica - cv. Obatã IAC 1669-20) were planted at a 3.4 x 0.9 m spacing inside and aside rows of monocrops of 12 year-old rubber trees (Hevea spp.), in Piracicaba-SP, Brazil (22º42'30" S, 47º38'00" W - altitude: 546m). One-year-old coffee plants exposed to 25; 30; 35; 40; 45; 80; 90; 95 and 100% of the total solar radiation were evaluated according to its biophysical parameters of solar radiation interception and capture. The Goudriaan (1977) adapted by Bernardes et al. (1998) model for radiation attenuation fit well to the measured data. Coffee plants tolerate a decrease in solar radiation availability to 50% without undergoing a reduction on growth and LAI, which was approximately 2m².m-2 under this condition. Further reductions on the availability of solar radiation caused a reduction in LAI (1.5m².m-2), thus poor land cover and solar radiation interception, resulting in growth reduction.

GAS EXCHANGE IN YOUNG PLANTS OF Tabebuia aurea(Bignoniaceae Juss.) SUBJECTED TO FLOODING STRESS1

ABSTRACT The Paratudo (Tabebuia aurea) is a species occurring in the Pantanal of Miranda, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, an area characterized by seasonal flooding. To evaluate the tolerance of this plant to flooding, plants aged four months were grown in flooded soil and in non-flooded soil (control group). Stomatal conductance, transpiration and CO2 assimilation were measured during the stress (48 days) and recovery (11 days) period, totalling 59 days. The values of stomatal conductance of the control group and stressed plants at the beginning of the flooded were 0.33 mol m-2s-1 and reached 0.02 mol m-2 s-1 (46th day) at the end of this event. For the transpiration parameter, the initial rate was 3.1 mol m s-1, and the final rate reached 0.2 or 0.3 mol m-2 s-1 (47/48 th day). The initial photosynthesis rate was 8.9 mmol m-2s-1 and oscillated after the sixth day, and the rate reached zero on the 48th day. When the photosynthesis rate reached zero, the potted plants were dried, and the rate was analyzed (11th day). The following values were obtained for dried plants: stomatal conductance = 0.26 mol m-2 s-1, transpiration rate = 2.5 mol m-2 s-1 and photosynthesis rate = 7.8 mmol m-2 s-1. Flooded soil reduced photosynthesis and stomatal conductance, leading to the hypertrophy of the lenticels. These parameters recovered and after this period, and plants exhibited tolerance to flooding stress by reducing their physiological activities.

Use of data mining and spectral profiles to differentiate condition after harvest of coffee plants

This study aimed at identifying different conditions of coffee plants after harvesting period, using data mining and spectral behavior profiles from Hyperion/EO1 sensor. The Hyperion image, with spatial resolution of 30 m, was acquired in August 28th, 2008, at the end of the coffee harvest season in the studied area. For pre-processing imaging, atmospheric and signal/noise effect corrections were carried out using Flaash and MNF (Minimum Noise Fraction Transform) algorithms, respectively. Spectral behavior profiles (38) of different coffee varieties were generated from 150 Hyperion bands. The spectral behavior profiles were analyzed by Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm considering 2; 3; 4 and 5 clusters. T-test with 5% of significance was used to verify the similarity among the wavelength cluster means. The results demonstrated that it is possible to separate five different clusters, which were comprised by different coffee crop conditions making possible to improve future intervention actions.

Evapotranspiration and crop coefficients of melon plants measured by lysimeter and estimated according to FAO 56 methodology

Aiming at contributing to an adequate management of water resources, this study aimed to analyze and compare evapotranspiration (ETc) and crop coefficients (Kc) of melon plants measured by a lysimeter and estimated according to the FAO 56 methodology, in the city of Mossoró, state of Rio Grande do Norte (RN), Brazil. In order to measure ETc, weighing lysimeters with an area of 2.25m² were used, with two repetitions. The Penman-Monteith equation parameterized by FAO was used to estimate the reference evapotranspiration, and crop coefficients were those recommended in FAO-56 Bulletin adjusted to local climatic conditions. The required climatic data and lysimeter measurements were collected by an automatic weather station installed at the site. The results were compared by means of statistical indicators: of precision (r), of accuracy (d), and performance (c), in daily and weekly intervals. The data estimated by the FAO 56 methodology were adjusted optimally to the values measured by the lysimeters in accordance with index "c" in the two time scales assessed, indicating the potential of the method proposed by FAO to irrigation management in the climatic conditions of Agripole Assú-Mossoró.

Leaf concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in phaseolus vulgaris l. Plants under high CO2 concentration and drought stress

This study aims to evaluate the leaf concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus correlated to the production of photoassimilates in beans plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under high [CO2] and drought stress. The experiment was conducted in Viçosa (Brazil), during the period from April to July 2009, by using open-top chambers equipped with CO2 injection system. The drought stress was applied, through the irrigation suspension, during the period from flowering to maturation. The experimental design was randomized blocks in split-plot scheme with four replication, where the plots with plants grown in [CO2] of 700 mg L-1 and [CO2] environment of 380 mg L-1 and the subplots with plants with and without drought stress. The results were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey test (p < 0.05). In the plants under high [CO2] with and without drought stress, the photosynthetic rate increased by 59%, while the dry matter presented an increment of 20% in the plants under high [CO2] without drought stress. Reductions in [N] and [P] occurred in plants grown under high [CO2], resulting in greater efficiency in nitrogen use for photosynthesis. The high [CO2] increase only the total dry matter and not the total mass of grains. The drought stress reduces the dry matter and mass of grain, even at high [CO2].

Modern Metallic Materials for Arctic Environment

This thesis is part of the Arctic Materials Technologies Development –project, which aims to research and develop manufacturing techniques, especially welding, for Arctic areas. The main target of this paper is to clarify what kind of European metallic materials are used, or can be used, in Arctic. These materials include mainly carbon steels but also stainless steels and aluminium and its alloys. Standardized materials, their properties and also some recent developments are being introduced. Based on this thesis it can be said that carbon steels (shipbuilding and pipeline steels) have been developed based on needs of industry and steels exist, which can be used in Arctic areas. Still, these steels cannot be fully benefited, because rules and standards are under development. Also understanding of fracture behavior of new ultra high strength steels is not yet good enough, which means that research methods (destructive and non-destructive methods) need to be developed too. The most of new nickel-free austenitic and austenitic-ferritic stainless steels can be used in cold environment. Ferritic and martensitic stainless steels are being developed for better weldability and these steels are mainly developed in nuclear industry. Aluminium alloys are well suitable for subzero environment and these days high strength aluminium alloys are available also as thick sheets. Nanotechnology makes it possible to manufacture steels, stainless steels and aluminium alloys with even higher strength. Joining techniques needs to be developed and examined properly to achieve economical and safe way to join these modern alloys.

Advanced welding technologies used for arctic metal structures

Rapid depletion of easy-to-access fossil fuel, predominantly, oil and gas resources has now necessitated increase in need to develop new oil and gas sources in ever more remote and hostile environments. This is necessary in order to explore more oil and gas resources to meet rapidly rising long-term energy demand in the world, both at present and in the nearest future. Arctic is one of these harsh environments, where enormous oil and gas resources are available, containing about 20% of the world total oil and gas, but the environmental conditions are very harsh and hostile. However, virtually all the facilities required for the exploration and development of this new energy source are constructed with metals as well as their alloys and are predominantly joined together by welding processes and technologies. Meanwhile, due to entirely different environment from the usual moderate temperate region, conventional welding technologies, common metals and their alloys cannot be applied as this Arctic environment demand metals structures with very high toughness and strength properties under extremely low temperature. This is due to the fact that metals transit from ductility to brittleness as the temperature moves toward extreme negative values. Hence, this research work investigates and presents the advanced welding technologies applicable to Arctic metal structures which can give satisfactory weldments under active Arctic service conditions. .

Russian metals for arctic offshore structures

With an increasingly growing demand for natural resources, the Arctic region has become an attractive area, holding about 15% of world oil. Ice shrinkage caused by global warming encourages the development of offshore and ship-building sectors. Russia, as one of the leading oil and gas production countries is participating actively in cold resistant materials research, since half of its territory belongs to the Arctic environment, which held considerable stores of oil. Nowadays most Russian offshore platforms are located in the Sakhalin Island area, which geographically does not belong to the Arctic, but has com-parable environmental conditions. Russia recently has manufactured several offshore platforms. It became clear that further development of the Arctic off-shore structures with necessary reliability is highly depending on the materials employed. This work pursues the following objectives:  to provide a comprehensive review on Russian metals used for Arctic offshore structures on the base of standards, books, journal articles and companies reports  to overview various Arctic offshore structures and its structural characteristics  briefly discuss materials testing methods for low temperatures Master`s thesis focuses on specifications and description of Russian metals which are already in use and can be used for Arctic offshore structures. Work overviews several groups of steel, such as low carbon, low alloy, chromium containing steels, stainless steels, aluminium and nanostructured steels. Materials under discussion are grouped based on the standards, for instance the work covers shipbuilding and structural steels at the different sections. This paper provides an overview of important Russian Arctic offshore projects built for use in Russia and ordered by foreign countries. Future trends in development of the Arctic materials are discussed. Based on the information provided in this Master`s thesis it is possible to learn about Russian metals used for ships and offshore platforms operated in the Arctic region. Paper can be used as the comprehensive review of current materials, such as various steels, aluminium and nanomaterials.

Climbing in the Arctic Mountains

kuv., 10 x 22 cm

Use of Medicinal Plants with Teratogenic and Abortive Effects by PregnantWomen in a City in Northeastern Brazil

Purpose The purpose of this study is to verify the use ofmedicinal plants by pregnant women treated at four Basic Health Units and at a public maternity facility in Brazil s northeast. Methods This is a cross-sectional, quantitative study, performed between February and April 2014. The subjects were 178 pregnant women, aged 18 to 42 years. To collect data, a structured questionnaire with dichotomous and multiple choice questions was used. To verify the correlation between the variables, Pearson s chi-square test was used. Results The study showed that 30.9% of the pregnant women used medicinal plants, and boldo was the most cited (35.4%). All the plants utilized, except lemongrass, have toxic effects in pregnancy, according to Resolution SES/RJ N° 1757. There was no statistically significant correlation between social class and use of medicinal plants. Conclusion The health of the study participants and their unborn children is at risk due to the inappropriate use of medicinal plants.

Taxonomy, species richness and biogeography of Finnish crane flies (Diptera, Tipuloidea).

Biodiversity is unequally spread throughout terrestrial ecosystems. The highest species richness of animals and plants is encountered around the Equator, and naturalists observe a decrease in the number of creatures with increasing latitude. Some animal groups, however, display an anomalous species richness pattern, but these are exceptions to the general rule. Crane flies (Diptera, Tipuloidea) are small to large sized, non-biting nematoceran insects, being mainly associated with moist environments. The species richness of crane flies is highest in the tropics, but these insects are species rich and abundant in all biogeographic realms, boreal and arctic biomes included. The phylogeny and systematics of crane flies are still at an early stage and somewhat controversial. New species are constantly discovered even from temperate Europe, faunistically the best known continent. Crane flies have been rather neglected group of insects in Finland. The history of Finnish crane fly taxonomy and faunistics started in 1907, the year when Carl Lundström published his two first articles on tipuloids. Within roughly 100 years there have been only a handful of entomologists studying the Finnish fauna, and the species richness and natural history of these flies have remained poorly understood and mapped. The aim of this thesis is to clarify the taxonomy of Finnish crane flies, present an updated and annotated list of species and seek patterns in regional species richness and assemblage composition. Tipula stackelbergi Alexander has been revised (I). This species was elevated to a species rank from a subspecific rank under T. pruinosa Wiedemann and T. stackelbergi was also deleted from the list of European crane flies. Two new synonyms were found: T. subpruinosa Mannheims is a junior synonym of T. freyana Lackschewitz and T. usuriensis Alexander is a junior synonym of T. pruinosa. A new species Tipula recondita Pilipenko & Salmela has been described (II). Both morphology and COI (mtDNA) sequences were used in the assessment of the status of the species. The new species is highly disjunct, known from Finland and Russian Far East. A list of Finnish crane flies was presented, including the presence of species in the Finnish biogeographical provinces (III). A total of twenty-four species were formally reported for the first time from Finland and twenty-two previously reported species were deleted from the list. A short historical review on the studies of Finnish crane flies has been provided. The current list of Finnish species consists of 338 crane flies (IV, Appendix I). Species richness of all species and saproxylic/fungivorous species is negatively correlated with latitude, but mire-dwelling species show a reversed species richness gradient (i.e. an increase in the number of species toward north). Provincial assemblages displayed a strong latitudinal gradient and faunistic distance increased with increasing geographical distance apart of the provinces. Nearly half (48 %) of the Finnish crane flies are Trans-Palaearctic, roughly one-third (34 %) are West Palaearctic and only 16 and 2 % are Holarctic and Fennoscandian, respectively. Due to the legacy of Pleistocene glaciations, endemic Fennoscandian species are problematic and it is thus concluded that there are probably no true endemic crane flies in this region. Finally, there are probably species living within Finnish borders that have hitherto remained unnoticed. Based on subjective assessment, the number of “true” (i.e. recorded + unknown species) species count of Finnish crane flies is at minimum 350.