Screening of plant extracts from the Brazilian Cerrado for their in vitro trypanocidal activity

In this study we report the screening of the in vitro trypanocidal activity of 20 extracts obtained from 10 different plant species growing in the Brazilian Cerrado: Aspidosperma macrocarpum Mart. (Apocynaceae), Aegiphila sellowiano Cham. (Verbenaceae), Byrsonima intermedia Juss. (Malpighiaceae), Cyperus rotundus L. (Cyperaceae), Leandra lacunosa Cogn. (Melastomataceae), Miconia ligustroides (DC.) Naudin. (Melastomataceae), Miconia sellowiana Naudin.(Melastomataceae),Myrcia variabilis Mart.ex DC. (Myrtaceae), Solanum lycocarpum St. Hil. (Solanaceae), and Tibouchina stenocarpa Cogn. (Melastomataceae). The most active extracts were submitted to phytochemical analyses. High-resolution gas chromatography analysis of the n-hexane extract of T. stenocarpa (IC(50) = 23.6 mu g/mL), the most active extract amongst all the tested samples, allowed the identification of beta-amyrin, alpha-amyrin, lupeol, friedelin, beta-friedelanol, campesterol, stigmasterol, and beta-sitosterol. Oleanolic and ursolic acids were isolated from the methylene chloride extract of T stenocarpa (IC(50) = 51.5 mu g/mL), while ursolic acid was isolated from the methylene chloride extract of M. variabilis (IC(50)=38.4 mu g/mL). Solasonine and solamargine were identified as major compounds by mass spectrometry analysis in the hydroalcoholic extract of the fruits of S. lycocarpum (IC(50)=57.1 mu g/mL).The results showed that the trypanocidal activity may be related to the major compounds identified in the crude active extracts.

Potential of biologically active plant oils to control mosquito larvae (Culex pipiens, Diptera: Culicidae) from an egyptian locality

The insecticidal effect of six commercially available plant oils was tested against 4th larval instars of Culex pipiens. Larvae were originally collected from Meit El-Attar, Qalyubia Governorate, Egypt, and then reared in the laboratory until F1 generation. The LC50 values were 32.42, 47.17, 71.37, 83.36, 86.06, and 152.94 ppm for fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-grecum), earth almond (Cyperus esculentus), mustard (Brassica compestris), olibanum (Boswellia serrata), rocket (Eruca sativa), and parsley (Carum ptroselinum), respectively. The tested oils altered some biological aspects of C. pipiens, for instance, developmental periods, pupation rates, and adult emergences. The lowest concentrations of olibanum and fenugreek oils caused remarkable prolongation of larval and pupal durations. Data also showed that the increase of concentrations was directly proportional to reduction in pupation rates and adult emergences. Remarkable decrease in pupation rate was achieved by mustard oil at 1000 ppm. Adult emergence was suppressed by earth almond and fenugreek oils at 25 ppm. In addition, the tested plant oils exhibited various morphological abnormalities on larvae, pupae, and adult stages. Consequently, fenugreek was the most potent oil and the major cause of malformation of both larval and pupal stages. Potency of the applied plant oils provided an excellent potential for controlling C. pipiens.

Adaptação fenotípica de raízes de várias plantas com frutos de Dictyosperma rubra Wendl. & Drude encontrados no solo

Resumimos, neste trabalho, os resultados das observações sobre a adaptação fenotípica de raízes de várias plantas, tais como grama-batatais - Paspalum notatum, quebra-pedra ou erva-pombinha Phyllathus ninuri, maria-preta - Solanum nigrum, carurú - Amaranthus sp., tiririca - Cyperus rotundus e outras, com os frutos encontrados no solo da palmeira Dictyosperma rubra Wendl. & Drude, cultivada como ornamental no Parque da Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz". Essa adaptação caracteriza-se pela penetração das raízes através de orifícios circulares, existentes no pericarpo dos frutos, e produzidos por uma broca da família Bostriquide, da ordem Coleoptera. As raízes assim assemelham-se a um colar. Diante desse fato, decidimos montar um experimento que nos permitisse elucidar o mecanismo dessa curiosa adaptação fenotípica.

Ação alelopática de alguns extratos de plantas daninhas na germinação do arroz (Oryza sativa L. cv. IAC - 165)

O efeito do extrato aquoso de três plantas daninhas, Cynodon dactylon (l.)Pers., Cyperus rotundus l. e Sorghum halepense (l.) Pers. sobre a germinação e o crescimento de plântulas de arroz (Oryza salina L. cv. IAC-165) foi estudado, com a finalidade de investigar a sensibilidade do arroz aos efeitos alelopáticos dessas plantas. Foram utilizados, na preparação dos extratos, raizes de Cynodon daclylon, tubérculos de Cyperus rolundus: e riomas de Sorglun halepense, os quais foram homoneizados em solução aquosa, submetidos a filtração e centrifugação. O sobrenadante foi aplicado no substrato de germinação das sementes, verificando-se, aos sete dias após a se meadura, que apenas os extratos de Cy-nodon daetylon e Sorghum halepense afetaram a porcentagem de germinação das sementes de arroz. Entretanto, o crescimento da radícula e da parte aérea das plântulas foi prejudicado pelos três extratos testados, sendo o efeito mais drástico causado pelo extrato de Cyperus, retundus.

Bone anabolic potential of soy isoflavones and plant extracts and genomic changes during differentiation of hPOB-tert osteoblast-like cells

Summary For the nutritional management of bone health and the prevention of osteoporosis it is important to identify nutrients that positively influence the bone remodeling process at the cellular level. Soy isoflavones show promising osteoprotective effects in animals and humans but their mechanism of action in bone cells is yet poorly understood. Firstly, soy tissue cultures were characterized as a new and optimized source of isoflavones. A large variability in the isoflavone content was observed and high-producing strains (46.3 mg/g dry wt isoflavones) were identified. In the Ishikawa cells bioassay, the estrogenicity of isoflavones was confirmed to be 1000 to 10000 less than 17Mestradiol and that of the malonyl forms was shown for the first time (EC50 of 350 nM and 1880 nM for malonylgenistin and malonyldaidzin, respectively). The estrogenic activity of soya tissue culture extracts correlated to their isoflavone content. Secondly, the effects of phytonutrients on BMP-2 gene expression and on the mevalonate synthesis pathway, as key mediators of bone formation, were investigated. Dietary achievable concentrations of genistein and daidzein (10vM), and statins (4xM) but not 17M estradiol (10nM), induced BMP-2 gene expression (by up to 3-fold) and inhibited the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway (by up to 50%) in the human osteoblastic cell line hP0B¬tert. In addition, several plant extracts (Cyperus rotundus, Lindera benzoin and Cnidium monnieri) induced BMP-2 gene expression but this induction was not restricted to the inhibition of the cholesterol synthesis pathway neither to the estrogenicity. Finally, the gene expression profiles during hP0B-tert differentiation induced by vitamin D and dexamethasone were analyzed with the Affymetrix human GeneChip. 1665 different genes and 98 ESTs were significantly regulated. The expression profiles of bone-related genes was largely in agreement with previously documented patterns, supporting the physiological relevance of the genomic results and the hP0B-tert cell line as a valid model of human osteoblast differentiation. The expression of alternative differentiation markers during the osteogenic treatment of hP0B-tert cells indicated that the adipocyte and myoblast differentiation pathways were repressed, confirming that these culture conditions allowed only osteoblast differentiation. The gene ontology analysis identified further sub-groups of genes that may be involved in the bone formation process. Aims of the thesis In order to define new strategies for the nutritional management of bone health and for the prevention of osteoporosis the major goal of the present work was to investigate the potential of phytonutrients to positively modulate the bone formation process at the cellular level and, in particular: 1.To select and optimise alternative plant sources containing high levels of isoflavones with estrogenic activity (Chapter 3). 2.To compare the effects of statins and phytonutrients on BMP-2 gene expression and on the mevalonate synthesis pathway and to select new plant extracts with a bone anabolic potential (Chapter 4). 3.To further characterize the new human periosteal cell line, hP0B-tert, as a bone- formation model, by elucidating its gene expression profile during differentiation induced by vitamin D and dexamethasone (Chapter 5).

Relatório Preliminar sobre a Biodiversidade - Complexo de Árias protegidas do Leste da Ilha da Boa Vista

O Complexo de Áreas Protegidas do Leste da Ilha da Boa Vista (CAPLBV) inclui áreas terrestres, costeiras e marinhas bem como algumas colinas de baixa altitude em suas zonas terrestres (como a Ponta de Chã de Tarafe e o Monumento Natural de Monte Estância) na parte oriental da ilha da Boa Vista e estende-se por uma vasta área desde a Ponta de Ajudante a sul até a Ponta de Chã de Tarafe a norte. A biodiversidade da ilha da Boa Vista é caracterizada pela existência de várias comunidades de fauna e flora representativas dos ecossistemas costeiros e marinhos de Cabo Verde, da qual se destaca a tartaruga marinha Caretta caretta que aqui tem a sua principal área de desova em Cabo Verde. A vegetação costeira inclui Sporobolus spicatus, Cakile maritima, Sesuvium sesuvioides, Zygophylum fontanesii e Zygophylum simplex, sendo que as espécies mais representativas nas áreas lagunares são Arthrocnemum glaucum, Zygophylum waterlotii, Zygophylum fontanesii, Sporobolus minutus, Sporobolus spicatus e Cyperus bulbosus. A avifauna associada inclui Charadrius alexandrinus, Himantopus himantopus, Arenaria interpres, Pluvialis squatarola, Tringa nebularia, Ardea cinerea, Egretta garcetta, Ibis bulbucus, Platalea leucorodia, Pandion haliaetus, Fregata magnificens, Calonectris edwardsii, Sula leucogaster, Phaethon aethereus, Pelagodroma marina e Oceanodroma castro. As comunidades de corais ao longo da costa da ilha da Boa Vista, nomeadamente no ilhéu de Sal Rei e na baía das Gatas são das mais diversificadas e abundantes de todo o território de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde 2000, 2001). As espécies do género Conus apresentam uma elevada diversidade e um elevado grau de endemismo. Várias espécies de tubarões e peixes pelágicos bem como mamíferos marinhos se reproduzem nas águas costeiras da Boa Vista. O presente relatório tem como objectivo caracterizar o ambiente terrestre, costeiro e marinho em geral, identificar e avaliar a situação da biodiversidade na área proposta para fazer parte do CAPLBV e nas áreas circundantes, através do levantamento, com recurso à pesquisa bibliográfica e saídas de campo, da diversidade e abundância da flora e fauna, em especial das espécies em vias de extinção e as endémicas, das espécies com importância ecológica no contexto internacional decorrente da posição biogeográfica do arquipélago e das espécies com importância ecológica e económica para a ilha da Boa Vista bem como para o arquipélago de Cabo Verde.

Soil solarization for weed control in carrot

Soil solarization is a technique used for weed and plant disease control in regions with high levels of solar radiation. The effect of solarization (0, 3, 6, and 9 weeks) upon weed populations, carrot (Daucus carota L. cv. Brasília) yield and nematode infestation in carrot roots was studied in São Luís (2º35' S; 44º10' W), MA, Brazil, using transparent polyethylene films (100 and 150 mm of thickness). The maximum temperature at 5 cm of depth was about 10ºC warmer in solarized soil than in control plots. In the study 20 weed types were recorded. Solarization reduced weed biomass and density in about 50% of weed species, including Cyperus spp., Chamaecrista nictans var. paraguariensis (Chod & Hassl.) Irwin & Barneby, Marsypianthes chamaedrys (Vahl) O. Kuntze, Mitracarpus sp., Mollugo verticillata L., Sebastiania corniculata M. Arg., and Spigelia anthelmia L. Approximately 40% of species in the weed flora were not affected by soil mulching. Furthermore, seed germination of Commelina benghalensis L. was increased by soil solarization. Marketable yield of carrots was greater in solarized soil than in the unsolarized one. It was concluded that solarization for nine weeks increases carrot yield and is effective for controlling more than half of the weed species recorded. Mulching was not effective for controlling root-knot nematodes in carrot.

Efeitos da solarização do solo na densidade populacional da tiririca e na produtividade de hortaliças sob manejo orgânico

Foi conduzido um ensaio de campo em Seropédica, Estado do Rio de Janeiro, para avaliar o efeito da solarização do solo na população infestante de tiririca (Cyperus rotundus) e na produtividade de hortaliças submetidas a manejo orgânico. A solarização correspondeu à cobertura do solo com polietileno transparente (50 mim) por um período de 210 dias. Houve um aumento da temperatura média da camada superficial do solo (0-10 cm) da ordem de 23%, em relação ao das parcelas não-solarizadas. Após a retirada do plástico, cultivaram-se: cenoura (Daucus carota 'Brasília'), repolho (Brassica oleracea var. capitata 'Astrus'), beterraba (Beta vulgaris 'Tall Top Early Wonder') e vagem-anã (Phaseolus vulgaris 'Alessa'). Em termos gerais, a solarização reduziu em 59% a reinfestação pela tiririca. Nas parcelas solarizadas, houve significativo incremento das produtividades de cenoura (28%), vagem (32%), beterraba (37%) e repolho (34%). A fixação biológica do nitrogênio, a julgar pela nodulação da vagem, não foi afetada pela solarização, mas a população de nematóides do solo sofreu considerável redução.

Yellow and purple nutsedges survey in the southeastern Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

A survey of 79 fields was conducted between December 1993 and January 1994, to determine the distribution and relative importance of species of the genus Cyperus, to justify developing management strategies in the southeastern of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Yellow and purple nutsedge were found in 43% and 9% respectively of the surveyed fields. Thirty eight per cent of the surveyed area showed a heavy infestation of yellow nutsedge, and in 90% of cases yellow nutsedge was invading fields cultivated with summer crops and associated with one or more of other seven perennial weeds, mainly bermudagrass.

Phytochemical investigation of alpine plants : the cottonsedges Eriophorum scheuchzeri Hoppe, E. angustifolium Honck. and E. latifolium Hoppe (CYPERACEAE)

Résumé: Alpine plants living at high altitudes undergo a series of climatic stress factors (chilling, enhanced UV radiation, short growing season, low nutriment supply...) which may influence their secondary compounds composition. Many publications showed in these last years that plants under stress conditions do synthesize a range of specific defence compounds (terpenes, flavonoids, coumarines...). A careful phytochemical investigation of those plants could therefore lead to the discovery of active molecules. Thus, for the biological and chemical screening, about 30 alpine plants have been collected above 2000 metres, in the alpine grass-lands. Eriophorum scheuchzeri Hoppe (Cyperaceae), not yet investigated phytochemically, revealed in its lipophilic and polar extracts the presence of various radical scavengers in a TLC autography with the DPPH (2,2-dipheny1-1- picrylhydrazyl) radical as spray reagent, as well as several antifungal compounds acitve against Cladosporium cucumerinum and Candida albi cans. The first part of this study consisted in the detection, isolation and characterization of the bioactive natural compounds present in the lipophilic extract of Eriophorum scheuchzeri. Among the eight isolated compounds, six were isoflavones. No isoflavones have been reported in the Cyperaceae family yet, nor in related families such as Poaceae or Juncaceae. Besides, isoflavones are generally rare in the plant kingdom and and they occur only in some families, such as Fabaceae, Rosaceae or Myristicaceae. In addition, out of these six isoflavones, three were new isoflavones. The known compounds were parvisoflavone A and B and cajanin which are already known isoflavones in the Fabaceae family. Two of the new isoflavones were particular, as they were C-methylated on the B-ring at the C-3' position. Methylated flavonoids are particularly rare in the plant kingdom. At present, no C-methylated isoflavones with methyl groups on the B-ring have ever been reported. The fourth new compound was a prenylated flavanone. Flavanones are also rare in the Cyperaceae family since they were found only in two genera (Cyperus and Schoenus). Finally, the widespread flavone tricin, characteristic of the Cyperaceae and Poaceae family has also been isolated. The second part of this study consisted in the characterization of the polar components present in the Me0H extract. In order to obtain mass and UV information about the secondary compounds present in the Eriophorum scheuchzeri methanolic extract, a LC-UV/DAD-APCl/MSn analysis has been performed as a first dereplication step. The UV/DAD spectra showed the presence of polyphenol compounds (phenylpropanoids and flavonoids). The LC-APCI/MSn analysis allowed the determination of the molecular weight of these compounds. Moreover, the fragmentation pattern of the [M+H]+ ions indicated presence of mono-, di- and tri-glycosides. LC-UV in combination with UV shift reagents added post-column was used in a second phase for the structural elucidation of the flavonoids. It allowed the positioning of the sugars on the aglycones. Finally, LC-NMR was used for a more detailed structural investigation of the compounds present in the crude MEOH extract. Thus, 10 fiavonoids have been totally or partially characterized by LC-UV-MS and LC-1H-RMN and UV-shift reagents added post column. However, the information obtained on-line was not always sufficient to allow a complete identification of all the compounds. Some of these compounds especially those with more than two sugar units attached to them, have been isolated in order to proceed to their complete characterization. Moreover, the Eriophorum scheuchzeri species was compared to two other species from the same genus. A LC-UV-ESI/MS analysis enabled a survey of the chemical composition of the DCM extracts of two related species E. angustifolium (Honck) and E. latifolium (Hoppe). The chromatograms of the three species showed some similarities in their flavonoid contents, especially by the recurrent presence of three compounds. The MEOH extracts of all three species have been compared by means of LC-UV-APCl/MS analyses. The chromatographic profile of all the three species showed even closer similarities than those found in the DCM extracts. E. angustifolium Honck. and E. latifolium species showed 7 compounds in common. Finally, the pure compounds obtained from the DCM (CH2Cl2) fraction were tested at different concentration, in order to evaluate their chemical and biological activities. All eight compounds showed an anti-scavenger activity against the DPPH radical, and four compounds showed antifungal activities against Cladosporium cucumerinum and Candida albicans. The pure compounds isolated from the MeOH extract were tested only for their biological activities as their antioxidant activity is already well documented in the literature. No compound showed a biological activity against Cladosporium cucumerinum and Candida albicans. Résumé: De nombreux travaux ont démontré ces dernières décennies que les plantes soumises à différents types de stress (basse température, UV, stress hydrique) synthétisent des composés secondaires (fiavonoides, coumarines, terpènes...) de protection et de défense. Les plantes d'altitude par exemple qui sont exposées à des conditions climatiques et environnementales difficiles, ont tendance à synthétiser des substances antioxydantes et antiradicalaires. Une investigation phytochirnique de ces plantes a conduit à la découverte de nouvelles molécules actives. Ainsi plusieurs plantes alpines ont été sélectionnées en fonction de leur habitat en vue de les soumettre aux tests biologiques (antifongiques) et chimiques (antiradicalaires) menés en routine dans notre laboratoire. Dans ce criblage biologique préliminaire, les extraits d'Eriophorum scheuchzeri Hoppe (Cyperaceae) ont réagi positivement aux différents tests. Il a donc été décidé d'entreprendre l'isolement des composés actifs. La première partie de ce travail a consisté à détecter, isoler et caractériser les composés naturels actifs présents dans l'extrait apolaire d' Eriophorum scheuchzeri. Parmi les huit composés isolés, quatre d'entre eux sont nouveaux. Un de ces produits est une flavanone et trois sont de nouvelles isoflavones, particulièrement intéressantes car elles possèdent des groupements C-méthylés au niveau du cycle B. Les flavonoides C-méthylés sont peu répandus dans le règne végétal et les rares exemples connus sont généralement C-méthylés sur le cycle A. Les quatre autres composés isolés n'ont jamais été décrits dans cette famille. Il s'agit d' isoflavones, les parvisoflavones A et B et la cajanine. Enfin, la flavone tricine, flavonoide caractéristique des Cyperaceae et des Poaceae a également été isolée. La deuxième partie de ce travail a consisté à caractériser les constituants polaires présents dans l'extrait methanolique. L'extrait a été analysé par chromatographie analytique couplée à différentes méthodes spectroscopiques (LC-UV-MS et LC-UV-1H RMN). De cette façon, douze flavonoides et un dérivé du phénylpropane, l'acide chlorogénique ont été identifiés. Les flavonoides tri-glycosylés ont dû être isolés afin de déterminer la nature et l'enchaînement des sucres. Finalement, l'espèce Eriophorum scheuchzeri a été comparée à deux autres espèces d' Eriophorum, soit E. angustifolium et E. latifolium. En conclusion, cette étude phytochimique a abouti à l'isolement de plusieurs nouvelles isoflavones aux activités antioxydantes et antifongiques ainsi qu'oestrogéniques.

Comportamento de espécies herbáceas em misturas de solo com diferentes graus de contaminação com metais pesados

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar, em casa de vegetação, o comportamento de espécies herbáceas em relação ao excesso de Cd e Zn no solo. O gradiente de contaminação foi estabelecido a partir de mistura de solo contaminado com solo sem contaminação em diferentes proporções. As sementes foram semeadas em tubetes contendo 250 mL de solo, e após 90 dias as plantas foram colhidas e avaliadas. A maioria das espécies apresentou redução no crescimento com aumento da contaminação do solo e elevadas concentrações de Cd e Zn na matéria seca da parte aérea (MSPA), na mistura com 15% de solo contaminado. A espécie Pffafia sp. mostrou-se tolerante à contaminação, crescendo em misturas de solo contendo até 90 mg kg-1 de Cd e 1.450 mg kg-1 de zinco. Além disso, apresentou concentração superior a 100 mg kg-1 de Cd na MSPA, sendo considerada hiperacumuladora desse metal. Sida glaziovii, Bidens pilosa, Rhynchelytrum repens, Cenchrus echinatus e Nicandra physaloides, por sua vez, foram severamente afetadas pela contaminação, ao contrário de Trifolium repens, Euchlaena mexicana, Cynodon dactylon, Avena strigosa, Cenchrus ciliares e Cyperus sp. que apresentaram crescimento satisfatório. As espécies avaliadas mostram-se promissoras para estudos adicionais sobre a reabilitação de áreas contaminadas com metais pesados.

Carbon and oxygen isotope working standards from C-3 and C-4 photosynthates

A preparation of organic working standards for the online measurement of C-13/C-12 and O-18/O-16 ratios in biological material is presented. The organic working standards are simple and inexpensive C-3 and C-4 carbohydrates ( sugars or cellulose) from distinct geographic origin, including white sugar, toilet and XEROX papers from Switzerland, maize from Ivory Coast, cane sugar from Brazil, papyrus from Egypt, and the core of the stem of a Cyperus papyrus plant from Kenya. These photosynthetic products were compared with International Atomic Energy standards CH-3 and CH-6 and other calibration materials. The presented working standards cover a 15 parts per thousand range of C-13/C-12 ratios and 9 parts per thousand for O-18/O-16, with a precision < +/- 0.2 parts per thousand for n > 10.

Herbicidas na cultura do feijão (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.): controle, fitotoxicidade e persistência no solo

A presente pesquisa foi conduzida através de dois ensaios com os herbicidas trifluralin, nitralin e EPTC em duas doses cada, procurando-se verificar o controle das plantas daninhas, observar os possíveis efeitos fitotóxicos à cultura após reaplicação no mesmo ano agrícola e determinar os possíveis resíduos no solo, no início do ano agrícola seguinte, que pudessem afe tar culturas rensiveis. O desenvolvimento da cultura foi observado por meio de pesos de matéria seca de folhas, caules e vagens, durante o ciclo, obtendo -se, também, a produção de vagens no fim do ciclo. A determinação dos possíveis residuos no solo, foi realizada através de bio-ensaios de radículas e caulículos, utilizando-se o sorgo (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.) como planta teste. Houve um bom controle das plantas daninhas pelos herbicidas utilizados. A tiririca (Cyperus rotundus L.) só foi controlada pelo EPTC. O picão-preto (Bidenspilosa L.) e a guanxuma (Sida spp.) não foram controlados. Nenhum dos herbicidas apresentou fitotoxicidade à planta de feijão, mesmo após reaplicação no mesmo ano agrícola, e não foram constatados resíduos no ano agrícola seguinte no solo, após a reaplicação no ano agrícola anterior.

Efeito do bentazon e bentazon + dichlorprop na cultura do arroz irrigado e sobre as plantas daninhas

Foi instalado um experimento de campo, em solo barrento, com a finalidade de se verificar o efeito do bentazon e da mistura de bentazon + dichlorprop sobre o desenvolvimento do arroz em cultura irrigada e sobre o controle das plantas daninhas. Os tratamentos utilizados foram os seguintes: bentazon á 0,75-1,00 e1,50 kg/ha; bentazon + dichlorprop a 0,80 + 1,00 e 1,00 + 1,40 kg/ha; propanil a 4,20 kg/ha (tratamento padrão); testemunha capinada e testemunha sem capina. Todas as pulverizações foram realizadas em pósemergência. As plantas daninhas encontradas no experimento foram: capituva - Echinochloa colonum (L) Link, tiririca amarela - Cyperus esculentus L., beldroega - Portulaca oleracea L. e carurú comum - Amaranthus viridis L. Bentazon a 1,00 e 1,50 kg/ha e bentazon + dichlorprop a 1,00 + 1,40 kg/ha foram eficientes no controle de P. oleracea, A. viridis e C. esculentus; já a dose menor de bentazon apresentou bons resultados contra P. oleracea e A. viridis, enquanto que a dose menor de bentazon + dichlorprop controlou apenas P. oleracea. Propanil, de uma maneira geral, proporcionou eficiente ação sobre as plantas daninhas. Nas condições em que foi realizado o experimento nenhum dos herbicidas, nas suas respectivas doses, apresentou fitotoxicidade para as plantas de arroz da variedade IAC-435 ou prejudicou a produção da cultura.

Controle de plantas daninhas na cultura do milho (Zea mays L.) por meio de herbicidas

Com o objetivo de se verificar a ação do butylate, aplicado isoladamente e em mistura com atrazine, no controle de plantas daninhas da cultura do milho, foi instalado um experimento de campo em solo fino areno-argiloso. Foram utilizados os seguintes tratamentos: butylate a 2,80; 3,60 e 4,32 kg/ha (p.p.i.); butylate + atrazine a 3,24 + 0,80; 3,24 + 1,20 e 3,60 + 0,96 kg/ha (p.p.i.); atrazine a 3,00 kg/ha e atrazine + metolachlor a 1,40 + 2,10 kg/ha, ambos aplicados em pré-emergência e empregados como herbicidas padrão para a cultura. As plantas daninhas encontradas foram: tiririca - Cyperus rotundus L., carurú comum - .:maranthus viridis L., capim de colchão - Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. e capim pé-de-galinha Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. Butylate nas três doses apresentou-se bem contra C. rotundus e E. indica; nas doses de 3,60 e 4,32 kg foram obtidos bons resultados sobre D. sanguinalis. Butylate + atrazine controlou, nas três doses, todas as espécies incidentes, o mesmo ocorrendo com a mistura atrazine + metolachlor. Atrazine foi mais eficiente para A. viridis e E. indica. Nas condições em que foi conduzido o experimento nenhum dos herbicidas foi prejudicial para a cultura.