Testis size, sperm characteristics and testosterone concentrations in four species of shrews (Mammalia, Soricidae).

The aim of this study was to establish and compare the sperm characteristics in four shrew species in the context of the sperm competition hypothesis. As expected, the large relative testis size in promiscuous species was associated with a high number of cauda epididymal spermatozoa and a high concentration of circulating testosterone. In addition, in Sorex and Neomys, species with high intensity of sperm competition, the spermatozoa stored in cauda epididymis were characterized by high percentage of progressive motility whereas in Crocidura and Suncus, the cauda epididymal spermatozoa were motile but with very low percentage of progressive motility. This capability is achieved only following the passage through the vas gland, a specialized region for sperm storage located along the vas deferens in these shrew species. The hypothesis that sperm competition is positively correlated with spermatozoa length could not be confirmed. In Crocidura and Suncus, the total sperm length is increased by the large sperm head due to a big acrosome. This trait, specific to the subfamily Crocidurinae, may results from a selective pressure independent of the context of sperm competition, related to a specific, but as yet unclear role, for the acrosome during the fertilization.

Adubação, produtividade e rentabilidade da rotação entre soja e milho em solo com fertilidade construída

Resumo:O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da adubação sobre os teores de P e K, em solo com fertilidade construída, e identificar as doses de N, P e K necessárias para obtenção de maior rentabilidade com a rotação entre soja e milho nesses solos. O experimento foi realizado durante três safras, em propriedade com alto investimento tecnológico, em Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo argiloso de Cerrado, com elevada fertilidade. Utilizou-se o delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com parcelas subdividas e três repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram de 0, 50, 100 e 150% das doses de fertilizantes NPK recomendadas na semeadura (parcelas) e das doses de KCl (soja) e N (milho) em cobertura (subparcelas). Mesmo após a colheita das três safras, os teores de P (Mehlich-1) se mantiveram inalterados no solo sem adubação. Além disso, não houve decréscimo na produtividade da soja na ausência de adubação. O milho, no entanto, foi mais sensível à redução de adubação, com o máximo retorno econômico obtido com 312 kg ha-1 do adubo formulado 10-32-10, e 263 kg ha-1 de ureia em cobertura. Solos com fertilidade construída demandam ajustes de manejo de adubação, para o uso eficiente dos fertilizantes em lavouras com alto investimento tecnológico.

Sugarcane response to nitrogen rates, measured by a canopy reflectance sensor

Abstract:The objective of this work was to evaluate whether a canopy sensor is capable of estimating sugarcane response to N, as well as to propose strategies for handling the data generated by this device during the decision-making process for crop N fertilization. Four N rate-response experiments were carried out, with N rates varying from 0 to 240 kg ha-1. Two evaluations with the canopy sensor were performed when the plants reached average stalk height of 0.3 and 0.5 m. Only two experiments showed stalk yield response to N rates. The canopy sensor was able to identify the crop response to different N rates and the relationship of the nutrient with sugarcane yield. The response index values obtained from the canopy sensor readings were useful in assessing sugarcane response to the applied N rate. Canopy reflectance sensors can help to identify areas responsive to N fertilization and, therefore, improve sugarcane fertilizer management.

LEAF GAS EXCHANGE CHARACTERISTICS OF FOUR PAPAYA GENOTYPES DURING DIFFERENT STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT

In this research, was used four papaya (Carica papaya L.) genotypes: three from the 'Solo ( Sunrise Solo TJ, Sunrise Solo 72/12 and Baixinho de Santa Amália) group and one from the 'Formosa' group (Know-You 01). They were grown in plastic pots containing a sandy-clay-loam soil subjected to pH correction and fertilization, under greenhouse conditions. Throughout the experimental period plants were subjected to periodic irrigation to maintain the soil humitidy around field capacity. The experiment was conducted 73 days after sowing. In all genotypes, leaf gas exchange characteristics were determined. The net photosynthetic rate (A, mumol m-2 s-1 ), stomatal conductance (g s mol m-2 s-1), leaf temperature (T I, 0C) and intercellular carbon dioxide concentration (ci, muL L-1) on the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th leaves from the plant apex were determined. No significant differences were observed for A, g s, c i, or Tl either among the leaves sampled from any of the genotypes. A was positively correlated with g s and in the other hand T I and g s were negatively correlated. The results suggest that, for 73 DAP, all the sampled papaya leaves functioned as sources of organs.

Metsäteollisuuden lentotuhkien laadun vaikutus hyötykäyttösovellutuksiin

Työn tavoitteena oli kartoittaa metsäteollisuuden tuotantolaitoksissa syntyvän lentotuhkan laadun vaikutusta hyötykäyttökohteisiin. Hyötykäyttökohteista tarkasteltiin tuhkien soveltumista maarakentamiseen, päällystettyyn- ja peitettyyn rakenteeseen, pelto- ja puutarhakäyttöön, maisemointiin ja viherrakentamiseen sekä metsäkäyttöön. Tuhka-analyysien tietojen perusteella tuhkalle määritettiin mahdollinen hyötykäyttökohde verrattaessa niitä lainsäädännönasettamiin raja-arvoihin jokaisessa hyötykäyttökohteessa. Lisäksi tarkasteltiinmahdollisia esteitä tuhkan käytölle tietyissä hyötykäyttökohteissa sekä pyrittiin saamaan tuhkalle järkevämpi loppusijoituspaikka kuin kaatopaikka. Kirjallisuusosaan on koottu metsäteollisuudessa käytössä olevat polttomenetelmät sekä poltettavat raaka-aineet. Eri polttojakeiden tuhkien koostumuksista on tehty yhteenveto kirjallisuudesta löytyvien tietojen perusteella. Lisäksi kirjallisuusosassa on esitetty lentotuhkan fraktiointimenetelmiä sekä eri hyötykäyttökohteet ja niiden vaatimukset lentotuhkalta. Kokeellisessa osassa on vertailtu olemassa olevien tuhkanäytteiden haitta-aineiden pitoisuuksia eri hyötykäyttökohteiden vaadittuihin raja-arvoihin. Tähän työhön valittiin viisi eri metsäteollisuuden tuotantolaitosta Suomesta ja niille jokaiselle pyrittiin löytämään parhaiten soveltuva loppukäyttö. Metsäteollisuuden tuotantolaitoksilla poltetaan useita eri polttojakeita. Lisäksi polttoainekoostumus ja -määrä vaihtelevat vuositasolla. Tämä vaikuttaa tuhkan laatuun ja vaikeuttaa tuhkan hyödyntämistä eri hyötykäyttökohteissa. Jokaiselle tuhkan eri hyötykäyttökohteelle on säädetty omat raja-arvonsa, joka rajoittaa tuhkan hyötykäyttöä. Tällä hetkellä tuhkaa hyödynnetään eniten metsälannoitteena, jolloin puuaineksen mukana poistuneet ravinteet saadaan palautettua takaisin luontoon. Myös tuhkan hyödyntäminen maarakentamisessa on järkevää, koska silloin korvataan maa-ainesta tuhkalla ja vältytään kaatopaikkasijoittamiselta. Yleisesti pelto- ja puutarhakäyttöä ajatellen raja-arvot ovat liian tiukat metsäteollisuuden lentotuhkalle.

Management of slips and its effect on growth and production of 'Pérola' pineapple plants

The lack of good quality planting material has limited the expansion and contributed to yield reduction of the Brazilian pineapple culture. Alternatives of 'Pérola' pineapple slips management were studied aiming at obtaining superior planting material within a shorter time period and making good use of healthy slips of low vigor, that are commonly discarded by growers. Two experiments were carried out at the Experimental Field of Embrapa Cassava & Fruits, Cruz das Almas, Bahia, Brazil, and another one in a commercial plantation in the region of Itaberaba, BA, using blocks or entirely randomized designs with at least four replications. In the first one, the development of slips of different initial sizes (6 to 20 cm long), when grown on mother plants after fruit harvest, was compared with that of slips grown in a nursery after their removal from the mother plants. It became clear that larger slips grow more vigorously and that the removal from the mother plant delays their growth. However, results from the second study showed that those slips grown in nursery had vegetative and agronomic performance similar to that of conventional slips and close to that of plantlets produced from plant stem sections. Independently from the type of planting material used, the larger ones presented a more vigorous growth and produced higher yields. In the third study, it was observed the influence of mineral fertilization, pest control and growth regulator application after fruit harvest on slip development. The treatments applied did not significantly accelerate slip growth. Slips reached 50 cm length and at least 300 g fresh weight within 90 days after fruit harvest, indicating that vigorous plants have enough nutritional storage material for slips development.

Efeito de diferentes substratos e duas formas de adubação na produção de mudas de mamoeiro

Estudou-se o comportamento de plantas de mamoeiro (Carica papaya L. cvs. Sunrise Solo e Tainung 1) crescidas em bandejas de poliestireno (72 células) com substrato (Plantmax Hortaliças® = casca de pínus + vermiculita + turfa), adicionado de 4% de adubo orgânico (húmus; esterco de gado e Nutriplanta®) combinado com 0,05% de adubo químico (Osmocote® NPK 14-14-14 de liberação lenta e NPK 14-14-14 de liberação normal). A germinação das sementes do híbrido Tainung 1 iniciou-se aos 12 dias após a semeadura em todos os tratamentos, e da cultivar Sunrise Solo, aos 14 dias. A cultivar Sunrise Solo e o híbrido Tainung 1 apresentaram maior taxa de germinação nos substratos adubados com Osmocote® e fonte orgânica de húmus e esterco bovino, respectivamente. As mudas de mamoeiros Tainung 1 e Sunrise Solo crescidas nos substratos contendo Osmocote® apresentaram melhor desenvolvimento do que nos substratos com formulado NPK (14-14-14) de liberação normal. Apesar dos bons resultados apresentados pelas mudas de Sunrise Solo e Tainung 1 nos tratamentos constituídos de Nutriplanta®, não foi verificada diferença significativa entre os substratos contendo adubos orgânicos. As mudas desenvolvidas em substrato contendo esterco de curral + NPK de liberação normal tiveram os piores resultados para a maioria das características analisadas (altura, diâmetro do caule, peso seco da parte aérea, caule e raiz, e área foliar total). Os teores de nutrientes (NPK) encontrados na análise foliar das amostras foram superiores nos tratamentos com Osmocote® em relação aos demais, cerca de 20% para o híbrido Tainung 1 e 10% para o Sunrise Solo.

Limitações nutricionais para o cultivo de açaizeiro em latossolo amarelo textura média, Estado do Pará

A região amazônica apresenta condições edafoclimáticas favoráveis ao desenvolvimento de sistemas de cultivos utilizando fruteiras tropicais. O açaizeiro (Euterpe oleracea, Mart.) desponta como uma das espécies de grande importância econômica para a fruticultura regional. A produção de fruteiras ainda é limitada pela carência de conhecimentos sobre diversos segmentos dos sistemas de produção, especialmente com relação a estudos sobre nutrição mineral de plantas. Dessa forma, em amostras superficiais de até 30 cm de profundidade de Latossolo Amarelo textura média do Município de Belém, Estado do Pará, conduziu-se experimento, em casa de vegetação, com plantas de açaizeiro, com o objetivo de identificar os nutrientes limitantes ao seu desenvolvimento, mediante a técnica do elemento faltante. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro repetições e 14 tratamentos: completo (calagem, macro e micronutrientes), NPK; omissão de N; de P; de K; de Ca; de Mg; de S; de B; de Cu; de Fe; de Mn; de Mo e de Zn. Os resultados obtidos neste trabalho permitiram concluir que os macronutrientes mais limitantes para o crescimento de açaizeiros, em Latossolo Amarelo textura média, foram o fósforo, o nitrogênio, o potássio e o magnésio e entre os micronutrientes, o manganês.

Efeito de sistemas de produção e doses de adubo de liberação lenta no estado nutricional de porta-enxerto cítrico

O sistema de produção do porta-enxerto, antes da repicagem, pode modificar o sistema radicular das plântulas e a resposta destas à adubação. Assim, o objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos de três sistemas de produção do limoeiro 'Cravo' e de cinco doses de um adubo de liberação lenta, aplicados após a repicagem, sobre o estado nutricional do limoeiro 'Cravo' no ponto de enxertia. O experimento foi conduzido, sob viveiro telado, em esquema fatorial 3 x 5, com sete repetições e uma planta por parcela. Os sistemas de produção do porta-enxerto foram: 1- produção em tubetes e citrovasos preenchidos com substrato comercial composto por casca de pínus; 2- produção em tubetes e citrovasos preenchidos com substrato composto por bagaço de cana-de-açúcar + torta de filtro (3:2; v:v), e 3- produção em blocos prensados e citrovasos constituídos pela prensagem do substrato utilizado no sistema 2. As doses de adubo de liberação lenta, fórmula NPK 14-14-14, foram: 5; 10; 15; 20 e 25 g/planta. O sistema de produção do porta-enxerto, antes da repicagem, influenciou na resposta do limoeiro 'Cravo' à adubação após a repicagem. No ponto de enxertia, as plantas cultivadas no sistema de blocos prensados apresentaram menores teores foliares de P, K e Fe em relação às plantas provenientes de tubetes, mas apresentaram maiores médias de crescimento (peso seco do sistema radicular, peso seco de folhas, peso seco de caules e diâmetro do caule). Plantas cultivadas no sistema 1 apresentaram sintomas foliares de deficiência de Fe, enquanto as plantas dos outros dois sistemas apresentaram sintomas foliares de deficiência de Mg.

Zn and K influence in fruit sizes of Valencia orange

In orange commercial farms, Zn deficiencies symptoms and small fruits were observed in Corrientes, Argentine. During four years (1995 to 1998), Valencia orange (Citrus sinensis Osb.) on Rough lemon (C. jambhiri Lush.) rootstock, implanted in 1974 in sandy soil, where six treatments were tested. Treatments varied from 1 to 3 Kg KCl.tree-1.year-1 (applied in April and December) with and without Zineb 80, 0,35%. year-1, 20 L. tree-1 (13,3 g Zn.tree-1 applied in December). The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replications, with a single tree and borders in the experimental plot. Foliar sample were taken every year in Autumn and Summer, foliar concentrations of Zn and K were determined by atomic spectrum absorption. Harvested fruits were classified into small, medium and big. Analysis of Variance, Tukey test and Pearson correlations between production and foliar concentrations were performed. Higher fertilization levels of K with Zn increased medium and big fruits production (Kg and percentage). Foliar concentrations of K and Zn were positively correlated with big and medium fruit production and negatively correlated with small one. Chemical names used: Ethilenbis-ditiocarbamate of Zn (Zineb).

Effects of nitrogen supply on wheat and on soil nitrate

Field experiments were conducted at two locations during two growing seasons in the Ebro Valley (Spain), to evaluate the effects of N fertilization on yield and quality of Mediterranean-type wheat in irrigated conditions. Seven N treatments and a control were investigated. The average grain yields ranged from 2117 to 5551 kg ha-1 depending on the year and location. Grain protein ranged from 14.25 to 16.9%, and other quality parameters such as the dough strength (W) also varied with year and location, confirming the suitability of Mediterranean-type wheat and the climate for the production of good bread-making quality wheat. However, grain yields are normally low and both yields and quality can be greatly affected by the variability of this type of climate, even under irrigation. Under these conditions, grain yield increases were mainly due to an increase in the number of grains per m2 without a reduction in the N content per spike, suggesting that N in the grain was not source-limited, possibly due to the lower grain yields and relatively high soil nitrate concentrations. In soils with lower initial soil NO-3N contents, better grain yields could be achieved by applying a N fertilizer rate of about 100 kg N ha-1, whereas in soils with high initial NO-3N contents, no N or a maximum rate of 50 kg N ha-1 is needed to obtain a good grain quality, showing the possibility of producing high-quality wheat with a low amount of N fertilizer and thus increasing the sustainability of the cropping system.

Cultivation of black truffle to promote reforestation and land-use stability

Cultivation of black truffle, Tuber melanosporum Vitt., has become an important agricultural alternative in rural Mediterranean regions due to its success in relatively harsh conditions, its high market value and diminishing production in natural areas. In addition, truffle cultivation requires relatively low agricultural inputs, promotes reforestation and economic restoration of rural lands and land-use stability. However, there remain major issues regarding the management practices to ensure successful black truffle production. We therefore conducted an experiment to evaluate 3 levels of irrigation based on monthly water deficit and the effects of currently applied weed control systems and fertilization. Treatment effects were evaluated by examining the mycorrhizal status of out-planted 1-yr-old Quercus ilex L. seedlings and seedling growth parameters after 18 months in 3 distinct experimental truffle plantations located in the foothills of the Spanish Pyrenees. We found that replacing one-half of the water deficit of the driest month (moderate irrigation) promoted the proliferation of T. melanosporum mycorrhizae, while high irrigation reduced fine root production and truffle mycorrhizae. Glyphosate weed control improved seedling survival by up to 16% over control seedlings without jeopardizing truffle mycorrhizae in the first year. Fertilization did not improve seedling growth or influence its mycorrhizal status. We describe the persistent relationship between this ectomycorrhizal fungus and Q. ilex by quantifying old and new mycorrhizae and we discuss the ecological implications of the symbiosis.

Utilização de substrato composto por resíduos da agroindústria canavieira para produção de mudas de maracujazeiro-amarelo

Um substrato composto por resíduos da agroindústria canavieira vem sendo utilizado com êxito para a produção de mudas de algumas espécies frutíferas e florestais. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o uso deste substrato comparando-o com outros recomendados para a produção de mudas de maracujazeiro-amarelo. Foram avaliados sete substratos: 1- Bagaço de cana + torta de filtro (3:2; v:v); 2- Bagaço de cana + torta de filtro (3:2; v:v) + pulverização foliar semanal com NPK; 3- Bagaço de cana + torta de filtro (3:2; v:v) + 7,3 kg m-3 de Osmocote® (14-14-14); 4- Plantmax®; 5- Plantmax® + pulverização foliar semanal com NPK; 6- Plantmax® + 7,3 kg m-3 Osmocote® (14-14-14), e 7- Areia + esterco bovino + vermiculita (1:1:1; v:v:v) + NPK. De modo geral, as mudas cultivadas no substrato composto por resíduos da agroindústria canavieira e no substrato comercial, ambos fertilizados com adubo de liberação lenta, foram as que apresentaram melhor estado nutricional, comprovado pelos teores de nutrientes associados ao ótimo crescimento. Portanto, o substrato composto pela mistura bagaço de cana e torta de filtro (3:2; v:v) fertilizado com 7,3 kg m-3 de Osmocote® (14-14-14) pode ser utilizado para a produção de mudas de maracujazeiro-amarelo.

Cartografia detallada de sòls en à rees de regadiu de Catalunya

La superfície regada a Catalunya és d'unes 260.00 ha. aproximadament, la qual constitueix el 26 % de l'àrea conreada i el 8 % de l'àrea total; tot i així, en l'àrea regada es produeix, aproximadament, el 68 % del producte final agrari. El pes econòmic de l'àrea regada, la facilitat més gran per introduir noves tecnologies amb una rendibilitat superior i la necessitat que tenen les mateixes tecnologies de disposar d'una informació de base van fer aconsellable iniciar les tasques de cartografia de sòls del Departament d'Agricultura, Ramaderia i Pesca (DARP) en les àrees indicades. La naturalesa del problema plantejat, consistent bàsicament en l'aplicació de tecnologia agrícola (programació de regs, utilització de l'aigua de reg sota condicions de salinitat-sodicitat, plans de fertilització, reg de sòls guixencs, i selecció de sòls segons l'aptitud per als cultius, etc.), i també la grandària de les explotacions i parcel·les, obliguen a disposar d'una acurada informació quantitativa i a plantejar una cartografia de sòls detallada. En aquest treball s'exposen els estudis realitzats fins ara sobre cartografia de sòls i les aplicacions que s'han efectuat o que es preveu que s'efectuaran en un termini curt. Es comenta la problemàtica sorgida en el transcurs de la realització d'aquests treballs cartogràfics, es revisen les aplicacions dutes a terme i les dificultats que s'han trobat en la transmissió i la transferència de la informació generada al sector agrari en general i als tècnics de l'Administració.

A formin-nucleated actin aster concentrates cell wall hydrolases for cell fusion in fission yeast.

Cell-cell fusion is essential for fertilization. For fusion of walled cells, the cell wall must be degraded at a precise location but maintained in surrounding regions to protect against lysis. In fission yeast cells, the formin Fus1, which nucleates linear actin filaments, is essential for this process. In this paper, we show that this formin organizes a specific actin structure-the actin fusion focus. Structured illumination microscopy and live-cell imaging of Fus1, actin, and type V myosins revealed an aster of actin filaments whose barbed ends are focalized near the plasma membrane. Focalization requires Fus1 and type V myosins and happens asynchronously always in the M cell first. Type V myosins are essential for fusion and concentrate cell wall hydrolases, but not cell wall synthases, at the fusion focus. Thus, the fusion focus focalizes cell wall dissolution within a broader cell wall synthesis zone to shift from cell growth to cell fusion.