Spray adjuvant characteristics affecting agricultural spraying drift

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Avaliação de pontas de jato plano na deposição da calda de pulverização com diferentes combinações de plantas de feijão, Brachiaria plantaginea e Bidens pilosa

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a ponta XR na deposição da calda de pulverização com diferentes combinações de plantas de feijão, Brachiaria plantaginea e Bidens pilosa, em dois volumes de aplicação, com e sem a adição de surfatante Silwet. Foi utilizado como traçador o corante Azul Brilhante FDC -1 na concentração de 500 ppm para quantificar a deposição. Os tratamentos constituíram-se de sete combinações de plantas: (feijão), (B. plantaginea), (B. pilosa), (feijão + B. plantaginea), (feijão + B. pilosa), (B. plantaginea + B. pilosa) e (feijão + B. plantaginea + B. pilosa). O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado. Foram avaliadas as pontas de jato plano XR 110015 VS e XR 11002 VS com volumes de aplicação de 150 e 200 L ha-1, respectivamente, com e sem a presença do Silwet a 0,05% v v-1. Após a aplicação, as plantas foram imediatamente coletadas e, em seguida, lavadas em 100 mL de água destilada, para posterior quantificação do traçador em espectrofotômetro. As pontas XR apresentaram comportamento distinto na deposição das gotas de pulverização nas espécies estudadas; a adição de um surfatante à calda de pulverização aumentou a uniformidade da deposição nos alvos e contribuiu para a redução do volume de aplicação.

Métodos de coleta de deposição para ensaios de deriva em aplicações aéreas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Arranjo de semeadura da soja sobre o rendimento da cultura e da tecnologia de aplicação de produtos fitossanitários

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Adjuvantes na deposição de aplicações aéreas e terrestres

The Asian rust currently is the main disease of soybean culture, having as characteristics the difficult control, by start at the bottom of plants where penetration of the droplets is harder. The fine droplets has been used with the intention of improve the penetration and increase efficiency of agrochemicals, but that are losses by drift easily. New products have been developed to increase deposition of the drops at targets. The aim of this work was evaluate the TA- 35 capacity to improving the deposition of fungicides spray solution with or without mineral oil by aerial and ground applications. Was used a factorial 3x2, three spray solutions composed by Priori Xtra (concentrated suspension of azoxystrobin 200 g L-1 + cyproconazole 80 g L-1 ) mixed with adjuvants, Nimbus (emulsifiable concentrate containing aliphatic hydrocarbons 428 g L-1 ) and TA-35 (soluble concentrate containing sodium lauryl ether sulfate, surfactants, sequestering agents and emulsifiers), in aerial and ground applications. In ground applications was used 50 L ha-1 , TXA 8002 VS spray nozzles and on aerials was used 15 L ha-1 , Turboaero atomizer, both applying fine droplets. Was utilized the Brilliant Blue (FD & C n. 1) tracer to determine the deposits. There were used glass slides as targets to collect spray droplets. After to extract the tracer of the targets using distilled water, the samples were analyzed by spectrophotometry, thereby was possible quantify the tracer deposited on each glass slide. A study to evaluate possible losses of the tracer by degradation or retention also was done. The comparative analysis of treatments was done by statistical method "Confidence Interval for Differences Between the Averages" with 95% of confidence degree (IC95%). There was degradation or retention of the tracer between the processes of application of the droplets and the processing of the samples. The deposition averages with the presence of TA-35 were greatest for both sprayers however, there were not significant differences among the treatments. The viability of TA-35 use may consider other parameters or complementary studies.

Caracterização física e química e potencial de deriva de caldas contendo surfatantes em pulverizações agrícolas

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of the addition of different surfactants in physical and chemical properties of spray solutions, droplets spectra and drift potential on agricultural spraying. The surfactants and concentrations (v v-1) were: Haiten (0.1%), Antideriva and Intec (0.05% and 0.1%). The following characteristics were analyzed: surface tension, viscosity, density and electric conductivity. The droplet size spectrum was determined by a laser particle analyzer (Mastersizer S®, version 2.15) including measurements of volume medium diameter (VMD), the percent of droplets below 50 and 100 μm (V50 e V100) and index span. In order to estimate the drift potential, a series of wind tunnel tests were performed with a Teejet XR 8003 flat fan nozzle at 200 kPa (medium droplets) used to apply the spray solutions containing water, the adjuvants and a food color dye (Brilliant blue FD & C no 1) at 0,6% m v-1. The drift was collected on nylon strips transversally fixed along the tunnel at different distances from the nozzle and different high from the bottom part of the tunnel. Drift deposits were evaluated by spectrophotometry. The results showed that the addition of adjuvants changed physical and chemical properties of spray solutions in different magnitudes according to the surfactant. Surfactants changed the droplet spectrum and drift potential, indicating that higher VMD and smaller V100 induced higher percentage of drift.

The variable colours of the fiddler crab Uca vomeris and their relation to background and predation

Colour changes in fiddler crabs have long been noted, but a functional interpretation is still lacking. Here we report that neighbouring populations of Uca vomeris in Australia exhibit different degrees of carapace colours, which range from dull mottled to brilliant blue and white. We determined the spectral characteristics of the mud substratum and of the carapace colours of U. vomeris and found that the mottled colours of crabs are cryptic against this background, while display colours provide strong colour contrast for both birds and crabs, but luminance contrast only for a crab visual system. We tested whether crab populations may become cryptic under the influence of bird predation by counting birds overflying or feeding on differently coloured colonies. Colonies with cryptically coloured crabs indeed experience a much higher level of bird presence, compared to colourful colonies. We show in addition that colourful crab individuals subjected to dummy bird predation do change their body colouration over a matter of days. The crabs thus appear to modify their social signalling system depending on their assessment of predation risk.

Structural fruit coloration in Delarbrea michieana (Araliaceae)

The brilliant blue fruit color of Delarbrea michieana (F. Muell.) F. Muell. (Araliaceae), a Queensland understory rain forest tree, is caused by iridisomes (structures) in the epidermal cells that are produced beneath the cell wall and probably outside of the cytoplasm. Layers within these iridisomes are of such a thickness that they interfere constructively with light at 420–440 nm and produce the color. Such color production may aid in attracting mammals and large frugivorous birds (which may disperse the fruits) and may also allow ripe fruits to continue photosynthetic carbon assimilation.

Multifunctional anthraquinone-based sensors: UV, O2and time

An anthraquinone dye, Remazol brilliant blue R, RBBR, is used to create an indicator which can function as: (i) a UV dosimeter, (ii) an O2 indicator and (iii) a ‘Consume within’ indicator, CWI, for fresh, refrigerated foods. The dye is encapsulated in an ink containing a polymer, glycerol and a UV-activated semiconductor photocatalyst, titanium dioxide. When cast as a film, the dye is readily reduced by the TiO2 photocatalyst nanoparticles, thereby changing the colour of the film from blue to yellow, via a transitional green colour. The RBBR indicator is appropriately formulated, and covered with a film of Sellotape, which acts as an O2 barrier, so as to act as a sunburn warning indicator for people with skin type II. In the absence of the layer of Sellotape the RBBR indicator is used as an, albeit slow, sensor for measuring ambient levels of O2. Finally, by keeping the Sellotape layer, a UV-activated, yellow-coloured, RBBR indicator film is found to take ca. 42 h at 5 °C in ambient air to attain a green colour, and, on this basis, it is demonstrated as a possible CWI for refrigerated fresh foods.

A pea plasma membrane protein exhibiting blue light-induced phosphorylation retains photosensitivity following triton solubilization.

Phosphorylation of a polypeptide of approximately 120 kD in pea (Pisum sativum L.) plasma membranes in response to blue light has been shown to be involved in phototropic curvature, but the relationship of this protein to the kinase and photoreceptor acting upon it is uncertain. Using two-phase aqueous partitioning to isolate right-side-out plasma membrane vesicles, we have obtained evidence suggesting that the photoreceptor, kinase, and substrate are localized to the plasma membrane fraction. Latent phosphorylation accessible through Triton X-100 or freeze/thaw treatments of purified plasma membrane vesicles indicates that at least the kinase moiety is present on the internal face of the plasma membrane. Effects of solubilization of vesicles on fluence-response characteristics and on phosphorylation levels provide evidence that the receptor, kinase, and protein substrate are present together in individual mixed detergent micelles, either as a stable complex or as domains of a single polypeptide. In vivo blue-light irradiation results in a small but significant decrease in mobility of the 120-kD phosphorylated protein on sodium dodecylsulfate gel electrophoresis. This mobility shift is evident on Coomassie-stained gels and on western blots probed with polyclonal antibodies raised against the 120-kD protein. Among the plasma membrane proteins bound to the reactive nucleotide analog fluorosulfonylbenzoyladenine (FSBA), a distinct protein band at 120 kD can be detected on blots probed with anti-FSBA antibodies. This band exhibits an in vivo light-dependent mobility shift identical to that observed for the protein band and antibodies specific for the 120-kD protein, implying that the 120-kD protein has an integral nucleotide binding site and consistent with the possibility that the substrate protein is also a kinase.

Caracterização eletroforética do perfil protéico e análise bioquímica do plasma seminal canino

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

Platinum Blue Staining Of Cells Grown In Electrospun Scaffolds.

Fibroblast cells grown in electrospun polymer scaffolds were stained with platinum blue, a heavy metal stain, and imaged using scanning electron microscopy. Good contrast on the cells was achieved compared with samples that were gold sputter coated. The cell morphology could be clearly observed, and the cells could be distinguished from the scaffold fibers. Here we optimized the required concentration of platinum blue for imaging cells grown in scaffolds and show that a higher concentration causes platinum aggregation. Overall, platinum blue is a useful stain for imaging cells because of its enhanced contrast using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In the future it would be useful to investigate cell growth and morphology using three-dimensional imaging methods.

Genetic evaluation of the mating system in the blue-and-yellow macaw (Ara ararauna, Aves, Psittacidae) by DNA fingerprinting

More than 90% of birds are socially monogamous, although genetic studies indicate that many are often not sexually monogamous. In the present study, DNA fingerprinting was used to estimate the genetic relationships between nestlings belonging to the same broods to evaluate the mating system in the socially monogamous macaw, Ara ararauna. We found that in 10 of 11 broods investigated, the nestlings showed genetic similarity levels congruent with values expected among full-sibs, suggesting that they shared the same parents. However, in one brood, the low genetic similarity observed between nestlings could be a result of intraspecific brood parasitism, intraspecific nest competition or extra-pair paternity. These results, along with available behavioral and life-history data, imply that the blue-and-yellow macaw is not only socially, but also genetically monogamous. However, the occurrence of eventual cases of extra-pair paternity cannot be excluded.

Influence of Caffeine and Chondroitin Sulfate on Swine Sperm Capacitation and In Vitro Embryo Production

Background: The establishment of an in vitro production (IVP) of embryo in swine allows the generation of embryos with the same quality as in vivo produced embryos with less costs and time. In order to achieve successful fertilization under normal circumstances in vivo, mammalian spermatozoa must first undergo capacitation and then acrosome reaction. The purpose of this study was compared the efficacious of IP/CFDA fluorescence and Coomassie Blue G (CB) staining to detect capacitated sperm cells in refrigerated and fresh semen. Morever, it was investigated the efficacious of caffeine and chondroitin sulphate to promote in vitro sperm capacitation and in vitro embryo produced (IVP) of swine embryos. Materials, Methods & Results: A sperm-rich fraction from ejaculate was obtained using the gloved-hand method and the gel-free fraction was separated using sterile gauze. The semen was diluted in BTS at a final concentration of 1.5 x 10(8) cells/mL. The sperm suspension was incubated for 2 h at 25 degrees C, refrigerated and maintained for 1 h at 15-18 degrees C (refrigerated group) or used immediately (fresh group). Sperm capacitation was assessed by IP/CFDA fluorescence and CB staining for both fresh and refrigerated semen. For PI/CFDA evaluation, a final solution containing 1.7 mM formaldehyde, 7.3 mM PI and 20 mM CFDA in 950 mu L saline was prepared. In the dark, 40 mu L PI/CFDA final solution was added to 10 mu L semen and after 8 min, slides were analyzed on epifluorescence microscopy. For CB evaluation, sperm cells were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde for 10 min and centrifuged twice at 320 x g in ammonium acetate pH 9 for 8 min. A smear was made and stained with 2.75 mg/mL CB in solution containing 12.5% methanol, 25% glacial acetic acid and 62.5% water, for 2 min. The smear was washed in running water, air dried and sealed with Permount (R), diluted 2:1 in xilol to avoid staining oxidation. Our results showed that refrigeration did not affect sperm capacitation and comparing staining methods, the PI/CFDA combination was more efficient to detect capacitated sperm, when compared to CB staining. In experiment 2, we evaluated the effect of different incubation time (1 - 5 h) with chondroitin sulfate and caffeine on sperm capacitation. For in vitro fertilization, oocytes were obtained from slaughterhouse ovaries. Oocytes with a thick and intact cumulus oophurus layer and cytoplasm with homogenous granules were selected for in vitro maturation for 44 h. According to the results of experiment 2, it was used for in vitro fertilization refrigerated semen was capacitated with 50 mu g/mL chondroitin sulfate for 2 h or capacitated with 5 mu g/mL caffeine for 3 h. Six hours after insemination, cumulus oophorus cells were mechanically removed and oocytes were washed and incubated in microdrops of culture medium. Embryo development after fertilization with sperm capacitated with caffeine or chondroitin sulfate was evaluated on days 3, 5 and 7 of culture. No differences were observed in days 3 or 5 of in vitro culture. However, it was observed an increase on blastocyst rate on Day 7 of culture when caffeine was used as the capacitor agent. Discussion: Molecular basis of sperm capacitation is still poor understood. Sperm capacitation can occur in vitro spontaneously in defined media without addition of biological fluids. We observed that sperm capacitation increased as incubation period enlarged and it was observed using Coomassie blue G and PI/CFDA for fresh semen and for refrigerated semen. It can be concluded that the cooling of semen did not change their pattern of sperm capacitation and this is best assessed by IP/CFDA than by CB. In addition to the use of caffeine in sperm capacitation produces more blastocysts than the chondroitin sulfate after in vitro fertilization.

Photodynamic Therapy Mediated by Methylene Blue Dye in Wound Healing

Objective: We sought to investigate the wound-healing process after photodynamic therapy (PDT) mediated by methylene blue dye (MB). Background Data: Few scientific studies show the PDT roles in wound healing. Materials and Methods: One hundred rats were given a circular wound on the back, inflicted with a 6-mm-diameter punch. The animals were divided into four groups: control (no treatment); dye (topical application of MB); laser (InGaAlP, 117.85 J/cm(2), 100 mW, 660 nm, single point); and PDT (topical application of MB followed by laser irradiation). After 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14 days, the cutaneous wounds were photographed and assessed with histopathologic examination by using light microscope. Changes seen in edema, necrosis, inflammation, granulation tissue, re-epithelialization, and number of young fibroblasts were semiquantitatively evaluated. The wound-area changes were measured with special software and submitted to statistical analysis. Results: The laser group demonstrated the smallest wound area at 14 days after the surgical procedure (p<0.01). Concerning complete re-epithelialization, the laser group showed it at 5-7 days after surgery, whereas the PDT and the other groups showed it at 14 days. Conclusions: Laser interaction with tissue is somehow changed when exposed to the MB. PDT mediated by MB was not prejudicial to wound healing, as no delay occurred compared with the control group.