Temporal patterns of parasitism in Diatraea saccharalis Fabr. (Lep., Crambidae) populations at different spatial scales in sugarcane fields in Brazil

Biological control of Diatraea saccharalis is regarded as one of the best examples of successful classical biological control in Brazil. Since the introduction of the exotic parasitoid, Cotesia flavipes, from Pakistan at the beginning of the 1970s, decrease in D. saccharalis infestation in sugarcane fields has been attributed to the effectiveness of this agent. Recently, the native Tachinidae fly parasitoids (Lydella minense and Paratheresia claripalpis) have also been implicated in this success. However, quantitative data confirming the actual contribution of these agents to the control of D. saccharalis are rather limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate the dynamics of the interactions between D. saccharalis and its parasitoids, emphasizing the temporal patterns of parasitism. To investigate this question, a large data set comprising information collected from two sugarcane mills located in the state of São Paulo, Brazil (Barra and Sao Joao sugarcane mills), was analysed. Basically, the data set contained monthly information about the number of D. saccharalis larvae and their parasitoids in each sample (man-hour per sample), the sugarcane varieties cultivated, the age of the sugarcane plants (only at the Sao Joao sugarcane mill) as well as the sugarcane cut at sampling time. The data were collected from March 1984 to March 1997 and from May 1982 to December 1996 for the Barra and Sao Joao sugarcane mills, respectively. Temporal inverse density-dependent parasitism was predominant for both parasitoid species with respect to all spatial scales. Although the temporal pattern of parasitism was not directly density dependent, it was evident that the tachinids and C. flavipes presented positive numerical responses according to variations in D. saccharalis densities through time.

Gota suspensa para avaliação de aldeído total no ar interno e externo do ambiente

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

A new fluorescence method for determination of ozone in ambient air

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Atividade da urease em latossolos sob influência da cobertura vegetal e da época de amostragem

O presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o efeito do tipo de vegetação e da época de amostragem na atividade da urease em dois diferentes solos tropicais. O experimento foi instalado em Latossolo Vermelho Aluminoférrico típico e Latossolo Vermelho distrófico típico sob cinco diferentes culturas: pinus, eucalipto, citrus, soja e milho. As amostragens de solo foram efetuadas mensalmente, de abril de 1990 a março de 1991, determinando-se a atividade da urease, o N-total e o C-orgânico. A atividade da urease variou de acordo com a época de amostragem, apresentando valores mais elevados nos meses mais quentes e úmidos. A cobertura vegetal influenciou a conversão de N-uréia a N-NH4, observando-se maior atividade da urease nas amostras de solo sob pinus e eucalipto, embora, no início do ciclo das culturas da soja e do milho, a atividade da urease também tenha sido elevada.

Análise de crescimento na cultura da batata submetida a diferentes lâminas de irrigação

Conduziu-se um experimento na Fazenda São Manoel, localizada em São Manuel, SP, pertencente à Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas da Universidade Estadual Paulista, com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos de diferentes lâminas de irrigação no crescimento da cultura da batata (Solanum tuberosum ssp. tuberosum), cultivar Aracy. O ensaio foi instalado em um Latossolo Vermelho-Escuro, textura arenosa, sob uma cobertura de plástico. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos, cinco coletas de plantas para fins de análise de crescimento, e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos consistiam em irrigar a batata quando a tensão da água no solo atingia 15, 35, 55, 75 e 1.500 kPa. O aumento nas lâminas de irrigação induz incremento no índice de área foliar, na duração da área foliar, na taxa de crescimento relativo e na taxa assimilatória líquida.

Variação sazonal da concentração de macronutrientes em folhas de diferentes genótipos de aceroleira

A aceroleira produz durante o ano inteiro, e seus frutos são ricos em vitaminas e sais minerais. Para a obtenção de produções elevadas e frutos de boa qualidade, é necessário conhecer as necessidades nutricionais e as épocas mais apropriadas para a adubação das plantas. Este trabalho, conduzido em área do Campo Experimental da Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA) Agroindústria Tropical, em Pacajus, Ceará, de dezembro de 1999 a outubro de 2000, teve por objetivo estudar a variação sazonal dos teores de nutrientes (N, P, K, Ca, Mg e S) e determinar a época mais indicada para a análise foliar de seis genótipos (P 52, P 66, P 78, P 91, P 93 e P 97) de aceroleira (Malpighia emarginata D.C.). Adotou-se o delineamento de blocos ao acaso, em esquema de parcelas subdivididas no tempo, com 4 repetições e uma planta por unidade experimental. Existem poucas diferenças no teor de macronutrientes das folhas de distintos genótipos de aceroleiras. O mês de dezembro é a época mais apropriada para diagnosticar os teores de macronutrientes em genótipos de aceroleira no Estado do Ceará, pois é o período menos influenciado pela falta ou excesso de chuva ou pela demanda dos órgãos em formação na planta.

População protozoários ciliados e degradabilidade ruminal em búfalos e bovinos zebuínos sob dieta à base de cana-de-açúcar

Três búfalos e três bovinos zebuínos adultos com cânulas ruminais foram alimentados à vontade com dieta de cana-de-açúcar fresca e picada, suplementada com 3 kg de concentrado/animal, durante 13 semanas. Após duas semanas de adaptação, amostras do conteúdo ruminal foram coletadas semanalmente, em dois tempos de amostragem: antes da alimentação e 40 minutos após para determinação da concentração e composição da fauna ruminal. Na quinta semana do experimento, os conteúdos ruminais foram misturados e reinoculados entre animais de mesma espécie e, na última semana, estimadas as degradabilidades in situ da MS, PB e FDN da cana-de-açúcar e MS e PB do concentrado. A concentração média de protozoários foi maior em bovinos, de 4,85 x 10(5)/mL, que em búfalos, de 3,82 x 10(5)/mL. As composições genéricas para Entodinium e subfamília Diplodiniinae foram 79,2 e 6,2% em bovinos e 32,0 e 54,9% em búfalos, respectivamente. Não houve interação significativa entre espécies animais e tempo de amostragem. Houve aumento da concentração média dos holotricos após 40 minutos da alimentação. As degradabilidades efetivas dos nutrientes estudados foram semelhantes entre as duas espécies animais, observando-se diferenças na cinética da degradação. Concluiu-se que os búfalos apresentaram menor concentração de ciliados no rúmen, maior composição de Diplodiniinae e menor de Entodinium que os bovinos; os holotricos exibiram capacidade de migração e seqüestro no rúmen em ambas as espécies; e as diferenças na fauna ruminal não influenciaram a degradabilidade efetiva dos nutrientes da cana-de-açúcar e do concentrado.

Measurements of ambient ozone using indigo blue-coated filters

Ozone monitoring techniques utilize expensive instruments that are often large and heavy. These instruments are not easy to handle in the field, and their size also limits some sampling schemes, principally for indoor ozone determination. We have developed a lightweight, inexpensive, and sensitive method that offers flexibility to undertake measurements of ambient ozone in many environments, both indoor and outdoor. The method is based on the reaction of ozone with indigo blue dye. The indigo molecule contains 1 carbon double bond (C = C) that reacts with ozone and results in nearly colorless reaction products. During sample collection, 2 cellulose filters coated with 40 mu L of 1.0 x 10(-3) M indigo blue were used. The determinations were done spectrophotometrically at 250 and 600 nm. The analytical parameters studied were sampling time and flow rate. Analytical curves were constructed with concentrations ranging from 37 to 123 parts per billion by volume (ppbv) of standard ozone, at 0.4 L/min and 15 min sampling time. The detection limits achieved were 6 and 9 ppbv, respectively, at 250 and 600 nm. Considering interferences, measurements made at 250 nm gave more reliable and specific values for ozone.

Colorimetric determination of ammonia in air using a hanging drop

A simple and sensitive method for determining atmospheric ammonia (NH3), using a hanging drop, is described. A colorimetric sensor is composed of two optical fibers and the source of monochromatic light implemented was a red light emitting diode (LED) (635 nm). Preliminary experiments were carried out in order to optimize the geometry of the sensor. These tests showed that the best signal absorbance was obtained using a 22 muL deionized water drop for sampling the gas and as addition of 4 muL of each of the reactants to form the blue dye (indophenol). Some important analytical parameters were also studied, including sampling time and flow rate. The analytical curve was constructed with a concentration range of 3-20 ppbv of gaseous NH3 standard. The detection limit reached was of ca 0.5 ppbv. It was observed that formaldehyde and diethylamine did not interfere. However, studies showed that hydrogen sulfide caused a negative interference of 20%, when present in the atmosphere in a concentration equal to that of NE3. The method considered here was shown to be easy to apply, making it possible to make a determination every 17 min.

Construction and performance of a drop cell for the nephelometric determination of sulfur dioxide

A nephelometric technique based on a liquid drop is described for the measurement of atmospheric sulfur dioxide. A 40-mul drop of barium chloride and hydrogen peroxide solution is suspended in a flowing-air sampling stream. The sulfur (IV) collected is oxidized to sulfur (VI) and finally precipitated as barium sulfate. Nephelometric detection of drop is achieved by an appropriate arrangement consisting of an optical fiber contacting the drop and a photodiode placed at 90degrees relative to the fiber. The design and characteristics of this drop-based gas sensor system are described. The analytical response, as photocurrent, is proportional to the product of the sampling period and the sulfur dioxide concentration. The detection limit is ca. 1.1 mg m(-3) for a 10-min sampling time. The present technique is fairly rapid and simple, uses a small amount of reagent and is set up with low-cost equipment, making this system economically viable. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

A Method for Determination of Ammonia in Air using Oxalic Acid-Impregnated Cellulose Filters and Fluorimetric Detection

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

A Semi-Continuous Analyzer for the Fluorimetric Determination of Atmospheric Formaldehyde

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Distribuição de poros e densidade de latossolos submetidos a diferentes sistemas de uso e manejo

Man cultivates the soil for centuries, but the intensive business and use of the soils under Cerrado vegetation for agricultural production grew out of the seventies. The objective of this study was to evaluate soil physical characteristics as a function of sampling time and the soil uses in a Cerrado area in Uberlandia City - MG, Brazil. The managements were adopted: degraded pasture (M-1), conventional tillage (M-2), minimum tillage (M-3), tillage absence (M-4), no-tillage (NT) for three years (M-5); NT for nine years (M-6), NT for three years after Pinus (M-7), PD for one year after Pinus (M-8) and Pinus forest (M-9) with 25 years old. The evaluations were conducted in 2002/03 growing season, in two areas. The soils were: area 1, an Oxisol (Red Latosol - LV-1, M-1 through M-5) and area 2, two Oxisols (Red Latosol and Red-Yellow Latosol - LVA and LV-2, M-6 through M-9). The physical attributes studied changed depending of the soil class, sampling time and management systems, with emphasis on the area 2 soils, which, in general, better preserved its main physical attributes. Managements with intense tillage, such as the M-2, are the most soil physically degrade, presenting mostly negative changes to soil bulk density, total porosity, microporosity and macroporosity. Since the systems which promote less tillage, in short term, to preserve desirable physical attributes. The M-9 system had the lowest attributes range, compared to the others.

Influence of endogenous and synthetic female sex hormones on human blood cells in vitro studied with comet assay

The comet assay has been conducted with numerous cell lines to assess in vitro genotoxicity. In order to use the comet assay as part of an in vitro test for evaluating genotoxicity, however, there are cell-specific factors that need to be better understood. In this present study we have evaluated some factors that may impact upon the DNA damage detected in whole blood (WB) cells and lymphocytes (ILs). Experiments were conducted comparing responses of both cells, and investigating the effects of the female hormonal cycle, and oral contraceptive (OC) use on DNA damage detection in the in vitro comet assay, at three sampling time. No significant differences were detected in the basal levels of DNA damage detected in ILs and WB cells from women OC users and non-users and from men. Basal DNA damage in ILs was unaffected by gender and stage of the menstrual cycle or the stage of the treatment schedule. Our results also indicated that the H2O2 induces DNA damage in human lymphocytes independently of gender, low-dose OC use and hormonal fluctuation. However, data showed that in 3rd sampling of menstrual cycle, lymphocytes were more resistant to H2O2-induced DNA damage than those from OC users and men. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Nitrogênio no sistema solo-planta após a dessecação de brachiarias

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)