Maize yield and rainfall on different spatial and temporal scales in Southern Brazil

This study aimed to establish relationships between maize yield and rainfall on different temporal and spatial scales, in order to provide a basis for crop monitoring and modelling. A 16-year series of maize yield and daily rainfall from 11 municipalities and micro-regions of Rio Grande do Sul State was used. Correlation and regression analyses were used to determine associations between crop yield and rainfall for the entire crop cycle, from tasseling to 30 days after, and from 5 days before tasseling to 40 days after. Close relationships between maize yield and rainfall were found, particularly during the reproductive period (45-day period comprising the flowering and grain filling). Relationships were closer on a regional scale than at smaller scales. Implications of the crop-rainfall relationships for crop modelling are discussed.

Artificial diet for aphids - thirty years' experience

Myzus persicae (Sulzer) was reared continuously for over thirty years (until it died out in December 2008) on a totally defined synthetic artificial diet, the procedure for which is described. Development time was extended on diet compared with rearing on Brussels sprout plants (Brassica oleracea L. var. gemmifera L.), and generation time was further increased by an added pre-reproductive period of 4 days. Fecundity was reduced by about two-thirds, and mean relative growth rate in weight (MRGR) was only 60% in comparison with plant-reared aphids. Applying 2 kg/cm(2) pressure to a 10% sucrose solution extended the adult longevity of Aphis fabae Scopoli by less than I day. In contrast, a short experience of half-strength diet Caused a sharp rise in honeydew excretion by A. fabae for several hours, and alternating full-strength diet with diluted diets (including water) Caused a greater weight increase. The poor performance of aphids on diet thus seems to have a behavioural rather than a mechanical explanation. The diet, designed to give optimal performance of the aphids, has proved not to be useful for nutritional studies, as any change is deleterious. Areas of aphid research where the diet has been useful, however, are studies on repellents/attractants/toxins, role of symbionts, maintenance of genotype collections, work on parasitoid behaviour in relation to plant chemistry, and collection of aphid saliva.

Ecologia alimentar e reprodutiva da piaba-do-rabo-amarelo, Astyanax cf. lacustris (Reinhardt, 1874) (Osteichthyes: Characidae) na Lagoa do Piató, Assu, Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil

The feeding habits and biological aspects of the reproductive cycle of two-spot astyanax, Astyanax cf. lacustris (Reinhardt, 1874) were investigated. Fish samples were captured on a monthly basis, using gillnets of 4 cm mesh size, from the Piató Lake, Assu, Rio Grande do Norte, during the period of September, 2006 to August, 2007. Physico-chemical parameters, such as, temperature, electrical conductivity and dissolved oxygen of the lake were registered. The monthly values of rainfall also were obtained. The 360 individuals captured, were measured, weighed, dissected, and stomach weight and the stage of gonadal maturity were registered. The stomach contents analyses were carried out based on volumetric method, points, frequency of occurrence and applying the Index of Relative Importance. The degrees of repletion of the stomachs were determined besides the Index of Repletion relating to feeding activity variations and frequency of ingestion with limnological parameters and rainfall. The food items identified were separated into distinct groups according to their origin. Sex ratio and Gonadosomatic Relation of females were verified to determine the spawning period and fecundity. The physico-chemical parameters presented the following annual mean values: temperature = 28.8ºC, electrical conductivity = 992.5 µS.cm-1; dissolved oxygen = 4.9 mg.L-1 during the study period. The annual mean of the rainfall was 63.5 mm. The results indicate that this species present an omnivorous feeding habit with a tendency towards insectivory, with an increase in feeding activity during the dry season. The aquatic oxygen to interfere very importance in the feeding activity than the others factors physico-chemicals of water and rainfall. There was a predominance of females, with a sex proportion of 1M:7F. The macroscopic characteristics of the ovaries and testicles revealed four stages of gonadal development: immature, maturing, mature and spent. A temporal variation was observed for the gonadal development of males and females. There was reproductive activity through out the year, with peaks in the months of February, April and June to correspond with the rain of precipitation of the region. The mean fecundity was 7.681 mature oocytes, varying from 4.476 to 12.036, with mean of 7.681. There was positive relation between fecundity and body mass. Condition Factor is not an efficient indicator of the reproductive period of this species. The species A. cf. lacustris is an opportunist and is well adapted to the conditions of the semi-arid Caatinga Biome

Diversidade Ictiofaunística e Ecologia reprodutiva de uma espécie nativa de peixe da Bacia Piranhas-Assu, RN

The Caatinga biome is rich in endemic fish species fauna. The present study the results of fish faunal surveys conducted in the hydrographic basin of Piranhas-Assu of the Brazilian Caatinga biome. The fish samples collected were distributed in four orders (Characiformes, Perciformes, Siluriformes and Synbranchiformes), 11 families (Characidae, Curimatidae, Auchenipteridae, Anostomidae, Prochilodontidae, Erythrinidae, Cichlidae, Sciaenidae, Heptapteridae, Loricariidae, Synbranchidae) and 22 species, of which 17 are endemic and five have been introduced from other basins. The order Characiformes was the most representative in number of species (46,35% ) followed by Perciformes (35,38%), Siluriformes (17,44%) and Synbranchiformes (0,5%). The Nile tilapia, Oreochomis niloticus, the only exotic species, was most expressive in number of individuals (24.92%) followed by the native species piau preto, Leporinus piau (18,77 %). Considering the relative frequency of occurrence of the 22 species, 13 were constant, five were accessory and four were occasional. This study investigated the reproductive ecology of an endemic fish black piau, Leporinus piau from the Marechal Dutra reservoir, Acari, Rio Grande do Norte. Samplings were done on a monthly basis from January to December 2009, and a total of 211 specimens were captured. The environmental parameters such as rainfall, temperature, pH, electrical conductivity and dissolved oxygen of water were recorded. The sampled population showed a slight predominance of males (55%), however females were larger and heavier. Both sexes of L. piau showed positive allometric growth, indicating a higher increase of weight than length. The first sexual maturation of males occurred at smaller size, with 16.5 cm in total length than females (20.5 cm). During the reproductive period, the condition factor and gonadosomatic index (GSI) of L. piau were negatively correlated. This species has large oocytes with a high mean fecundity of 54.966 with synchronous oocyte development and total spawning

Biologia reprodutiva da |Tainha, Mugil curema valencientes, 1836 (osteichthyes: mugilidade) nas águas costeiras do Rio Grande do Norte

The marine fish white mullet, Mugil curema Valenciennes, 1836 (Osteichthyes: Mugilidae) exhibits a wide geographical distribution, being common in the Brazilian coast and is an important component of the artisanal fisheries. The objective of this study was to investigate the reproductive biology of M. curema in the coastal waters of Rio Grande do Norte. Fish samples were captured on a monthly basis during August, 2008 to July, 2009. The fish specimens were numbered, weighed, measured, dissected and their gonads were removed, weighed, their sex and gonadal development were identified. The length-weight relationship was determined for males and females. The sex ratio, the size at first gonadal maturation and gonadosomatic index (GSI) were calculated and ovarian development was investigated using macroscopic and histological techniques. The fecundity, spawning type and the reproductive period of the species were determined. A total of 366 specimens (186 males and 180 females) were captured. The sex ratio was 1:1 and the females were heavier than males. The estimated values of the angular coefficient for both sexes suggest that the species has isometric growth. The size at which 50% of the population began the process of maturation was 25.9 cm of total length for grouped sex. The macroscopic characteristics of the ovaries showed four stages of development: immature, maturing, mature and spent. However, the microscopic characteristics of the ovaries showed five stages of development: immature, early maturing, late maturing, mature and spent. The development of oocytes indicated five phases: Chromatin-nucleolus (phase I), initial perinucleolar (phase II), final perinuclear (phase II), formation of vitelline vesicle or yolk (phase III), vitellogenic (phase IV) and complete vitellogenesis (phase V). The species has a prolonged spawning period, with two peaks coinciding with the rainy season.

Estratégia reprodutiva do peixe hermafrodita mussum, Synbranchus marmoratus Osteichthyes, Synbranchidae em um açude do Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil

Reproductive strategy of the hermaphrodite fish the marbled swamp eel, Synbranchus marmoratus (Bloch, 1795) (Osteichthyes: Synbranchidae) was investigated in the Marechal Dutra reservoir, Acari, Rio Grande do Norte, using fish samples captured monthly during the period of July 2010 to July 2011. The limnological parameters and rainfall were verified. The captured fish specimens were numbered, weighed, measured, dissected and their gonads and liver were removed, weighed and identified as to sex and developmental stages of gonads. The length-weight relationship was determined for grouped sex. The size of first gonadal maturation, gonadosomatic index (GSI), condition factor (K) and hepatosomatic index (HSI) were calculated. The development stages of the gonads were investigated using macroscopic and histological techniques, besides the fecundity and reproductive period. The macroscopic characteristics and the histological development of gonads confirmed the four different sexual types in the sampled population: primary males, females, intersex and secondary males. The secondary males were bigger and heavier than all the other types. This species showed a negative allometric growth with a higher increase in length than weight. The size at which 50% of the females began the process of gonadal maturation was 43.5 cm of total length, and for secondary males it was 58.5 cm. Condition factor showed two peaks in February and in April 2011. IGS indicated a reproductive period from July to September 2010 and was negatively correlated with the condition factor and rainfall. IGS showed a negative correlation when compared with the condition factor and the rainy season. HSI was highest in February ad lowest in December. The reproductive period of this species occurs between the end of the rainy season and the beginning of the dry season. S. marmoratus presents a seasonal reproductive strategy which optimizes its reproductive success under the semiarid climatic conditions

Maturation and growth curves of Macrobrachium Carcinus (Linnaeus) (Crustacea, Decapoda, Palaemonidae) from Ribeira de Iguape River, southern Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Relative abundance and population biology of the non-indigenous crab Charybdis hellerii (Crustacea: Brachyura: Portunidae) in a southwestern Atlantic estuary-bay complex

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

Aspectos biológicos de Cycloneda sanguínea (Coleóptera: Coccinellidae) alimentadas con pulgones criados en algodón transgénico Bollgard I

Cycloneda sanguinea is an important biological control agent of aphid cotton. The objective of this study was to evaluate the biological aspects of C. sanguinea fed with nymphs and adults of Aphis gossypii reared in DeltaOPAL and NuOPAL cultivars (Bollgard I). The experiment was conducted in the laboratory under controlled temperature (25 +/- 1 degrees C), humidity (70 +/- 10%) and photophase (12 hours). The experimental design was completely randomized, and treatments aphids fed on the two cultivars, and replicates 40 individuals. Each larva was individually until adult emergence of the predator in Petri dishes of 9 cm in diameter with moistened filter paper. For evaluation of individual adults were five couples newly emerged in plastic pots 12 cm in diameter and 9 cm tall, with filter paper for oviposition. The parameters evaluated were: duration and viability of the larval stage, pupal stage duration and survival, adult longevity, reproductive period, post-reproductive and total number of eggs per female. The duration of the larval stage of C. sanguinea was lower when fed aphids reared on the cultivar NuOPAL, while adult longevity and the reproductive period were higher. The female fertility and egg viability were also lower.

Resistance of squash cultivars to Aphis gossypii

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

Efeitos de fungicidas sobre os aspectos biológicos de Aphis gossypii Glover, 1877 (Hemiptera: Aphididae) em plantas de pepino

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Análise de sobrevivência aplicada ao desenvolvimento do pulgão Aphis gossypii Glover, 1877 (Hemiptera: Aphididae) em plantas de pepino (Cucumis sativus L.) contaminadas com fungicidas

It was aimed to evaluate the influence of fungicides utilized in cucumber on the development of the aphid Aphis gossypii Glover under greenhouse conditions. The experimental design was completely randomized with four treatments and 45 replicates, being each plot consisting of a first instar nymph coming from an apterous female in early reproductive period. The fungicides utilized and their respective dosages at g i.a.L(-1) were 800 PM sulphur (1.6), 800 PM mancozeb (1.6) and 840 PM copper oxichloride (1.5). The control was made up of water only. The products did not influence the median time of life in each instar and the nymphal stage, being respectively 1 and 4 days. Copper oxychloride and mancozeb increased the median time of life in days and the total life cycle of the adult stage of this species.

Acúmulo de nutrientes em gérbera de vaso em função de fontes e doses de potássio

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Composição ictiofaunística e estratégias reprodutivas de quatro espécies de peixes nativos da Bacia Hidrográfica Piranhas - Assu, Rio Grande do Norte

This study focuses on the fish fauna composition and reproductive strategies of four native fish species in relation to environmental variables of the Piranhas-Assu hydrographic basin of the Caatinga biome, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Fish and environmental data were collected monthly during the period September 2008 to February 2010, in the Marechal Dutra reservoir and River Acauã a tributary of Piranhas- Assu. The fish were measured, weighed and dissected, and the gonads were removed, weighed and examined macroscopically for identification and determination of gonad maturation stages. The results of this work generated seven articles. The first article is about the fish fauna composition of the Piranhas-Assu hydrographic basin, Rio Grande do Norte. The 602 fish samples captured were distributed in four orders (Characiformes, Perciformes, Siluriformes and Synbranchiformes), 11 families and 22 species, of which 17 are endemic to the Caatinga ecoregion. The order Characiformes was more representative followed by Perciformes, Siluriformes and Synbranchiformes. The second article is about the length-weight relationship and growth of seven native fish species Crenicichla menezesi, Cichlasoma orientale, Triportheus angulatus, Psectrogaster rhomboides, Pimelodella gracilis, Prochilodus brevis and Leporinus piau from a semiarid Brazilian reservoir. The third article is about the reproductive aspects of Crenicichla menezesi. Males were larger, heavier and with a slight predominance as compared to females. Four stages of gonadal development were characterized, being immature, maturing, mature and spent. The females reached sexual maturity earlier than males, with an average fecundity of 398 oocytes per batch. The spawning was partial with a long reproductive period. The fourth article deals with the reproductive strategy of Leporinus piau a neotropical freshwater fish in semi-arid region of Brazil. The population of L. piau (n = 211) showed a slight predominance of males (55%), with larger and heavier females. The males matured earlier than the females. This species presented total spawning, with an average fecundity of 55,000 mature oocytes. Rainfall and concentration of dissolved oxygen acted as influential factors during the spawning season. L. piau shows a seasonal reproductive strategy. The fifth article is related to the morphometric-meristic characteristics and reproductive aspects of freshwater sardine, Triportheus angulatus from River Acauã of the Caatinga biome. There was a predominance of larger females, reaching first maturation before males. There was total spawning during the rainy period of the region. The sixth article reports on the reproductive strategy of Psectrogaster rhomboides. The sex ratio was 1M: 1F, with negative allometric growth. Males reached sexual maturity earlier than females Females and males showed four stages of gonadal development and spawned during the rainy season. The fecundity was low and this species presented total spawning. The seventh article reports on the dynamics of territorial behavior of Crenicichla menezesi. Ten agonistic behaviors displayed by the males were observed: frontal and lateral threat, chasing, circular chasing, perpendicular, lateral and mouth attacks, escape, parallel positioning and stationary. The formation of four social groups was observed among males: without interaction; interaction with submission and escape; with frontal and lateral agonistic interactions. In social interactions between males and females, it was observed that the larger males interacted more among themselves and with the larger females. The large male established its territory and the two small males along with the small female were excluded from the other groups. These studies clarified the fish fauna composition and reproductive strategies of four native species Crenicichla menezesi, Leporinus piau, Triportheus angulatus and Psectrogaster rhomboides of the Piranhas- Assu hydrographic basin of the Caatinga biome, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.

Produtividade e componentes da produção do amendoim da seca em razão da época de semeadura e da aplicação de cálcio

Este trabalho teve por objetivo estudar o efeito do calcário, como fornecedor de cálcio, em diferentes épocas de semeadura, na cultura do amendoim cultivar Tatu, sobre os componentes da produção e a produtividade de vagens em semeadura na época considerada seca. O experimento foi conduzido em um Latossolo Vermelho-Escuro, argiloso, em Selvíria, MS. Foram estudadas quatro épocas de semeadura do amendoim da seca (21/1, 4/2, 18/2 e 4/3), combinadas com quatro doses de Ca (0, 45, 90 e 135 kg ha-1 de Ca), aplicadas no sulco de semeadura, usando como fonte calcário dolomítico com PRNT de 90,1% e com teores de 21% de CaO e 18% de MgO. Foram avaliados o número de vagens por planta, o número de grãos por vagem e por planta, o peso de 100 grãos, o rendimento e a produtividade das vagens. Conclui-se que: 1) à medida que se atrasa a semeadura, há a probabilidade de ocorrer deficiência hídrica nos períodos vegetativo e reprodutivo, reduzindo a produtividade do amendoim da seca; 2) há boa produtividade de vagens quando a semeadura é realizada até o início do mês de fevereiro; 3) a resposta do amendoim da seca ao Ca é baixa em solos onde inicialmente se tem alto teor de Ca e saturação por bases considerada média, principalmente, quando a disponibilidade hídrica também é um fator limitante; 4) a aplicação de calcário no sulco de semeadura como meio de fornecimento de Ca para a cultura do amendoim é uma prática viável.