Water table effects on bean yield and nitrate distribution in the soil profile

In order to evaluate the bean yield under different water table levels as well as the moisture and nitrate distribution in the soil profile, a field experiment was carried out in the experimental area of the College of Agricultural Sciences - UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil. Beans were grown in field lysimeters under five water table depths: 30; 40; 50; 60 and 70 cm. The moisture in the soil profile was determined gravimetrically using samples collected at 10; 20; 30; 40; 50; 60 and 70 cm deep. The water table depths of 30cm and 40cm showed the highest productivities (3,228.4kg.ha-1 and 3,422.1kg.ha-1, respectively), with no statistical differences between them. The highest productivity was related to the two highest water table levels (30 and 40cm), which provided the highest moisture average values on the basis of volume in the soil profile (33.3 e 31%) as well as the consumptive use of water (416 and 396mm). The nitrate content during the bean cycle at the extraction depth of 60cm was below the safe drinking limit of 10mg.1-1 for water table depths of 30; 40; 50 and 60cm, which shows the denitrification efficiency as a way of controlling nitrate pollution in water tables. The management of water table can lead to high levels of bean yield and to a better control of nitrate pollution in underground water.

Implementation of filters for image pre-processing for leaf analyses in plantations

In this work an image pre-processing module has been developed to extract quantitative information from plantation images with various degrees of infestation. Four filters comprise this module: the first one acts on smoothness of the image, the second one removes image background enhancing plants leaves, the third filter removes isolated dots not removed by the previous filter, and the fourth one is used to highlight leaves' edges. At first the filters were tested with MATLAB, for a quick visual feedback of the filters' behavior. Then the filters were implemented in the C programming language. At last, the module as been coded in VHDL for the implementation on a Stratix II family FPGA. Tests were run and the results are shown in this paper. © 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Nitrogênio em cobertura e molibdênio via foliar em feijoeiro de inverno no sistema plantio direto II - Características agronômicas e produtividade

Nitrogen is the nutrient most uptaken by common bean plant, and molybdenum besides its importance to N fixation process, it is associated to N metabolism. The objective of this work was to evaluate, on common bean crop Pérola cultivar, the effect of N levels application at side dressing (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg ha-1) as well as the leaf application of Mo (0, 80 and 160 g ha-1) at development stadium V3 or V4 under no tillage system. The experimental design was the randomized blocks with 30 treatments and 4 replications. The research was conducted in Selviria-MS on soil previously cropped with corn. The application of nitrogen levels at side dressing provided increasing on dry mass weight, number of pod and seeds per plant and grain yield, in the 2004; the Mo application at V3 or V4 stadia did not effect the production components and grain yield; as well as different doses of Mo depended on the N application at side dressing, in the 2004.

Crescimento de cultivares de mamoneira em função da aplicação de boro, durante a formação de mudas

It was objectified to quantify the initial growth of varieties of castor bean with boron fertilization. Had been tested to cultivate they AL-Guarani, Mirante 10 and Nordestina to the doses of 0; 0.25; 0.50; 0.75 and 1.0 mg kg -1 of B in controlled environment of greenhouse in the Sector of Cafeicultura of the Department of Agriculture of the UFLA. The characteristics valued were: height of plants, length of roots, leaf number, diameter of stem, mass of dry substance (MS) of leafs, of stem, the root and total. To cultivate Mirante 10 it was the one that got minor growth of the system of root. For leaf number to cultivate AL-Guarani it was superior to Mirante 10 and Nordestina. Also to cultivate better AL-Guarani if it detached how much to the production of total mass of MS, while to cultivate Mirante 10 produced more mass of MS than Nordestina.

Pyrearinus termitilluminans larval click beetle luciferase: Active site properties, structure and function relationships and comparison with other beetle luciferases

Several beetle luciferases have been cloned and sequenced. However, most studies on structure and function relationships and bioanalytical applications were done with firefly luciferases, which are pH sensitive. Several years ago we cloned Pyrearinus termitilluminans larval click beetle luciferase, which displays the most blue-shifted bioluminescence among beetle luciferases and is pH insensitive. This enzyme was expressed in E. coli, purified, and its properties investigated. This luciferase shows slower luminescence kinetics, KM values comparable to other beetle luciferases and high catalytic constant. Fluorescence studies with 8-anilino-1-naphtalene-sulfonic acid (1,8-ANS) and modeling studies suggest that the luciferin binding site of this luciferase is very hydrophobic, supporting the solvent and orientation polarizability effects as determining mechanisms for bioluminescence colors. Although pH insensitive in the range between pH 6-8, at pH 10 this luciferase displays a remarkable red-shift and broadening of the bioluminescence spectrum. Modeling studies suggest that the residue C312 may play an important role in bioluminescence color modulation. Compared to other beetle luciferases, Pyrearinus termitilluminans luciferase also displays higher thermostability and sustained luminescence in a bacterial cell environment, which makes this luciferase particularly suitable for in vivo cell analysis and bioimaging. © The Royal Society of Chemistry and Owner Societies 2009.

Proteína e qualidade de sementes de feijão (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) em função da adubação nitrogenada em plantio direto

Nitrogen limitation in the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) produces reduced productivity and seeds with low protein content and physiological quality. We assessed the effects of nitrogen fertilizer side dressing on the protein content and physiological quality of the seeds of P. vulgaris L. cultivars (cv.) IPR Juriti and Pérola grown in plots (soil type = Dystrophic Red Latosol) using a no-tillage system under a thick mulch of millet residues at the Experimental Station of UNESP-Ilha Solteira campus, located in Selvíria, MS (Köppen climate type = Aw) during autumn (March/June) and winter (June/September) 2005. For each cultivar, a randomized block experimental design was used with four replicates and factorially arranged treatments equivalent to 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg.ha-1 added nitrogen (as urea, containing 45% of N) applied as a side dressing during the V4-3 and V4-6 phenological stage corresponding to the 3rd and 6th completely opened trifoliolate leaf on the main stem. Supplementation with up to 120 kg.ha-1 nitrogen promoted a greater increase in crude protein at V4-3 (unsupplemented = 17.6% and 16.3%; 120 kg.ha-1 N = 24.1% and 22.3% for cv. IPR Juriti and Pérola, respectively) than at V4-6 (unsupplemented = 19.2% and 18.3%; 120 kg.ha-1 N = 21.3% and 20.3% for cv. IPR Juriti and Pérola, respectively). About 90% of the crude protein from cv. IPR Juriti was composed of soluble protein compared to 72% for the cv. Pérola. Albumins and globulins represented about 80% of the soluble protein and prolamins were lower at 0.6%. In conclusion, nitrogen fertilization up to 120 kg.ha-1 applied as a side dressing at the V4-3 phenological stage in no-tillage under a thick mulch of millet promoted a greater increase of crude protein in common bean seeds than at the V4-6 stage. The highest accumulation of soluble protein occurred at 90 kg.ha-1 applied nitrogen without having a significant influence on the physiological quality of the seeds.

Leaf spray fertilization of boron and zinc on productivity and fruit quality of Japanese pear tree

The cultivation of fruit plants from temperate climate in tropical or subtropical regions can be a good income alternative for the producer. However, due to the little existent information about cultivation of those fruit plants, the producers use imported techniques of other producing areas, or even an association of practices used for other fruit plants, pointing out the leaf spray fertilization of micronutrients without appropriate scientific base. In this context, the objective of this study was to verify the effect of the leaf spray fertilization of B and Zn on productivity and fruit quality of Japanese pear tree. The experiment was conducted from 2004 to 2005, in Ilha Solteira, in northwestern São Paulo State-Brazil. The climate is, according to the Köpppen Classification, tropical wet and dry (Aw). The 'Okusankichi' cultivar, grafted on Pyrus communis L. rootstock was used as well as doses of 110 g.ha-1 of B and 250 g.ha-1 of Zn in each application. The treatments were: T1. water, T2. boric acid, T3. zinc sulfate, T4. T2 + T3, T5. boric acid + urea + citric acid + EDTA, T6. zinc sulfate + urea + citric acid + EDTA, T7. T5 + T6, T8. boric acid + urea + citric acid + EDTA + sodium molibdate + sulfur + calcium chloride, T9. zinc sulfate + urea + citric acid + EDTA + Fe sulfate + Mn sulfate + Mg sulfate and, T10. T8+T9. A randomized blocks design was used and the averages were compared by Tukey test. In the first crop the mixture of boric acid with quelating agents were efficient to supply B to the plants and zinc sulfate plus quelating agents were efficient to increase Zn leaf content. However, the productivity and the fruit quality were not influenced by the leaf spray of B and Zn. In the second crop the leaf content of B and Zn and the productivity were not influenced by the leaf spray; the boric acid and the zinc sulfate with or without quelating agents increased the contents of total soluble solids and, the boric acid with or without quelating agents increased the contents of total titratable acidity.

SEM studies on the leaf indumentum of six Melastomataceae species from Brazilian Cerrado

The wide diversity of their trichomes, which vary from simple unicellular to very complex structures, is a remarkable characteristic in Melastomataceae. This paper characterizes the leaf indumentum of Miconia albicans (Sw.) Triana, M. chamissois Naudin, M. fallax DC., M. ligustroides (DC.) Naudin, Microlepis oleaefolia (DC.) Triana and Rhynchanthera dichotoma DC., typical species from Brazilian cerrado. Samples collected from the median third of young and mature leaf blades were processed following the usual scanning electron microscopy techniques (SEM). We observed ten morphological types of trichomes and four of emergences. With five different types, four of which are reported for the first time, Rhynchanthera dichotoma is the species that presents the most diverse indumenta. A mixed type of trichome formed by a glandular and a branched non-glandular portion called lateral-gland was observed in M. ligustroides. Such non-glandular portion presents different degrees of development. A correlation is suggested between the stage of development of the non-glandular portion and the exposition to light of these lateral gland on young leaves.

Measuring and analyzing color and texture information in anatomical leaf cross sections: An approach using computer vision to aid plant species identification

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

Anti-nociceptive effects of Carpolobia lutea G. Don (Polygalaceae) leaf fractions in animal models

Leaves from Carpolobia lutea (Polygalaceae) were screened to establish the antiulcer ethnomedicinal claim and to quantitatively isolate, elucidate the active compounds by semi-preparative HPLC. The anti-nociceptive effects of Carpolobia lutea (CL) G. Don (Polygalaceae) organic leaf extracts were tested in experimental models in mice. The anti-nociceptive mechanism was determined using tail-flick test, acetic acid-induced abdominal constrictions, formalin-induced hind paw licking and the hot plate test. The fractions (ethanol, ethyl acetate, chloroform, n-hexane) and crude ethyl acetate extract of CL (770 mg/kg, i.p.) produced significant inhibitions of both phases of the formalin-induced pain in mice, a reduction in acetic acid-induced writhing as well as and an elevation of the pain threshold in the hot plate test in mice. The inhibitions were greater to those produced by indomethacin (5 mg/kg, i.p.). Ethyl acetate fraction revealed cinnamic and coumaric acids derivatives, which are described for the first time in literature. These cinnamalglucosides polyphenols characterised from CL may in part account for the pharmacological activities. These findings confirm its ethnomedical use in anti-inflammatory pain and in pains from gastric ulcer-associated symptoms. © 2011 Springer Basel AG.

Evaluation of the toxicity of Virola sebifera crude extracts, fractions and isolated compounds on the nest of leaf-cutting ants

The phytochemical study of Virola sebifera leaves led to the isolation of three lignans: (+)-sesamin, (-)-hinokinin, and (-)-kusunokinin and three flavonoids: quercetin-3-O - L-rhamnoside, quercetin-3-O - D-glucoside, and quercetin-3-methoxy-7-O - D-glucoside by using techniques as high-speed counter-current chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. The crude extracts, fractions, and isolated compounds were evaluated for their insecticidal and fungicidal potential against Atta sexdens rubropilosa and its symbiotic fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus. The bioassay results showed a high insecticidal activity for the methanol crude extract of the leaves of V. sebifera and its n-hexane, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate fractions. The fungicidal bioassay revealed high toxicity of the lignans against L. gongylophorus. © 2012 Keylla Utherdyany Bicalho et al.

Impact of climate change on the phoma leaf spot of coffee in Brazil

The potential impact of global climate change on the spatial-temporal distribution of phoma leaf spot of coffee in Brazil was evaluated. Maps were prepared with the favorability of the climate to the occurrence of the disease in the current period and future. The future scenarios used were centered for the decades of 2010-2030, 2040-2060, and 2070-2090 (scenarios A2 and B2). These scenarios were obtained from six global climate models (GCM's) provided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Assuming the future scenarios outlined by the IPCC, a reduction will occur in the occurrence of climatic favorability of phoma leaf spot in Brazil in both future scenarios (A2 and B2). As with the temporal distribution, the period of greatest risk of phoma leaf spot will tend to diminish in future decades. These planned changes will be larger in the A2 scenario compared to the predicted scenario B2. Despite the decrease in the favorability of phoma leaf spot in the country, some regions still present a potential risk of this disease. Furthermore, the increased frequency of extreme weather was not taken in to account. These will certainly influence the magnitude of potential impacts of climate change on the phoma leaf spot in Brazil.

Controle da mancha angular do feijoeiro com uso de fungicidas e seu efeito na produção das plantas

The angular leaf spot of dry bean caused by the fungus Phaeoisairopsis griseola is a very important disease on dry bean crops in Brazil. In propitious weather conditions, susceptible cultivars have significant losses due to this disease. In these conditions, fungicide usage is an important step for angular leaf spot management. Since the effects of this method of control on plant physiology are not known, this study had the following objectives: a) Verify the action of fungicide in physiological changes in dry beans (photosynthesis rate and stomatal conductivity); b) evaluate the efficacy of some fungicides for the control of angular leaf spot; and c) examine the effects of these fungicides on other agronomic parameters; weight of 100 grains, number of grains per pod and number of pods per plant. The dry bean cultivar used in this study was Perola. Four trials were conducted, two in a net greenhouse and two trials under field conditions. A spray of piraclostrobin, tebuconazol and tebuconazol+ trifloxistrobin increased photosynthesis rates, although stomatal conductivity was not changed. In addition, sprays of tebuconazol, piraclostrobin, metiram+piraclostrobin and azoxistrobin provided better levels of disease control and also higher weight of 100 grains, with the exception of azoxystrobin for this parameter.

Antiulcer effects of Ethyl acetate fraction of Carpolobia lutea leaf

Carpolobia lutea leaves (CLL) (Polygalaceae) were earlier screened and the antiulcer ethnomedicinal claim established. This article seeks to quantitatively isolate, elucidate the active compounds from most active CLL fraction. Fractionation was by semi-preparative HPLC; the active fraction was subjected to radical scavenging assays (RSA) and quantification of the total phenolic content (TPC) were also executed. Results: Ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) was observed to be the most pharmacologically active antiulcer fraction when screened using acute ulcer models induced in rodents. The EAF demonstrated significant (p < 0.05-0.001) antiulcer activity in various in vivo induced ulceration models by reducing the ulcer index and increasing the preventive ratio. The EAF demonstrated > 70% in TPC and < 20 % in RSA. Cinnamic and coumaric acids derivatives were isolated from EAF. Cinnamic acids have been implicated and patented as antiulcer agent. Isolated compounds could in part mediate the observed pharmacological activities which lend credence to its ethnobotanical uses.

Queen lipid content and nest growth in the leaf cutting ant (Atta sexdens rubropilosa) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The relationship between the queens' lipid content and nest growth (population size, biomass and nest architecture) was studied from founding up to 1 year. Nests aged 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 and 12 months were dug in the field, and their dimensions were measured. The ant nest population and fungus garden was also collected. The sample was taken to the laboratory where we counted the worker population and weighed the biomass (fungus plus offspring) and queens. Queens were separated for the determination of lipids. The lipid content in the bodies of queens decreased in the first months, then stabilized (at 4-6 months) before increasing in months 9 and 12. Nest biomass (symbiotic fungus and offspring) and worker population increased over time. The structural growth of the nests was observed by excavating around them. Initially nests (3 months old) had one chamber at an average depth of 15 cm. By 1 year, the nests had three or four deep chambers, and were about 3-4 m deep. Our study contributes to knowledge of the dynamics of the energy-reserve expenditure by queens during colony founding and colony development for up to 1 year. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.