Rice affected by seed treatment, soil compaction and nitrogen at no-tillage and conventional tillage.

The objective of this study was to determine the best combination of management options for upland rice production: seed treatment, N management and soil compaction in zero and conventional tillage methods.

Longevity of horseweed seed bank depending on the depth of burial.

2016

In vitro seed germination and multiplication of Calophyllum brasiliense.

Calophyllum brasiliense é uma espécie arbórea com sistema de propagação natural limitada. A germinação in vitro pode ser uma alternativa para obtenção de plântulas de qualidade. Sementes foram mantidas em água antes da desinfestação e comparadas com sementes controle (não imersas), sem diferença entre os tratamentos. HgCl2 usado durante a desinfestação reduziu a contaminação das culturas. A contaminação fúngica foi reduzida com fungicida adicionado ao meio (23 para 6,4%), mas a porcentagem de bactérias foi aumentada (24 para 36%). Em outro experimento, as sementes foram imersas em plant preservative mixture (PPM?) antes da desinfestação. Combinando a imersão por 48 h e 2 mL L-1 no meio de cultura, a contaminação foi de 6%. A imersão das sementes em GA3 antes da desinfestação reduziu a formação de raízes conforme a concentração foi aumentada. A germinação e o IVG foram reduzidos, respectivamente, de 72% e 0,129 (24 h) para 60% e 0,092 (48 h), de acordo com o tempo de exposição a GA3. Após 90 dias em meio de multiplicação contendo benzilaminopurina, o número médio de brotações por segmento nodal foi 3,4. A germinação in vitro de C. brasiliense é viável em meio WPM sem sacarose, com até 93,3% de sobrevivência.

99% - Dall’1% dell'idea al 99% della fase Pre-Seed: ciò che serve sapere (e forse non tutti dicono) su questo percorso, visto dalla prospettiva di un Service Designer

Oggigiorno, quando una persona “ha un’idea” e vuole concretizzarla si rivolge agli incubatori: la diffusa metodologia Lean Startup è determinante nel far comprendere agli aspiranti founders la portata della propria “idea” abbattendo i rischi. Tuttavia, ci sono due problemi: accedere ai percorsi di incubazione non è scontato e, una volta concluso il percorso, si hanno diverse conoscenze per passare dalla validazione alla fase Seed, ma non sufficienti per un’efficace Execution. Partendo dalla personale esperienza del progetto Climby, si cercherà di dare un’overview sugli aspetti più importanti da considerare, evidenziando ciò che si potrebbe sottovalutare. Il fine è dunque supportare chi “ha un’idea” nell’intraprendere il percorso di incubazione in modo più consapevole e illustrare i limiti dei percorsi stessi, suggerendo approfondimenti di immediata applicazione ed utilità nelle diverse fasi citate, come integrazioni tratte dal Service Design. Pertanto, sarà posta particolare attenzione a ciò che è stato appreso in prima persona, considerando errori e aspetti positivi del percorso di un’“idea” nata nel 2019 e trasformatasi drasticamente durante l’incubazione, fino a ciò che accade dopo il Pitch Day. In tal modo, si intende anche esplicitare alcuni aspetti importanti, talvolta trascurati, ma rilevanti per le scelte da compiere prima ancora di iniziare un percorso. Il fine, quindi, è quello di produrre un contenuto complementare agli autorevoli scritti che trattano di Lean Startup, invece di proporne trattazione alternativa. Infine, conducendo queste riflessioni, si proporrà anche un confronto più specifico tra le metodologie e gli strumenti di Lean Startup e Service Design e - anticipando le conclusioni - suggerendo che sarebbe interessante approfondire l’integrazione di questi due ambiti, di cui emerge ancora una forte mancanza di reciproca conoscenza e che, invece, potrebbero rappresentare reciprocamente una risorsa se considerati senza visioni di parte.

Molecular And Biochemical Characterization Of Caffeine Synthase And Purine Alkaloid Concentration In Guarana Fruit.

Guarana seeds have the highest caffeine concentration among plants accumulating purine alkaloids, but in contrast with coffee and tea, practically nothing is known about caffeine metabolism in this Amazonian plant. In this study, the levels of purine alkaloids in tissues of five guarana cultivars were determined. Theobromine was the main alkaloid that accumulated in leaves, stems, inflorescences and pericarps of fruit, while caffeine accumulated in the seeds and reached levels from 3.3% to 5.8%. In all tissues analysed, the alkaloid concentration, whether theobromine or caffeine, was higher in young/immature tissues, then decreasing with plant development/maturation. Caffeine synthase activity was highest in seeds of immature fruit. A nucleotide sequence (PcCS) was assembled with sequences retrieved from the EST database REALGENE using sequences of caffeine synthase from coffee and tea, whose expression was also highest in seeds from immature fruit. The PcCS has 1083bp and the protein sequence has greater similarity and identity with the caffeine synthase from cocoa (BTS1) and tea (TCS1). A recombinant PcCS allowed functional characterization of the enzyme as a bifunctional CS, able to catalyse the methylation of 7-methylxanthine to theobromine (3,7-dimethylxanthine), and theobromine to caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine), respectively. Among several substrates tested, PcCS showed higher affinity for theobromine, differing from all other caffeine synthases described so far, which have higher affinity for paraxanthine. When compared to previous knowledge on the protein structure of coffee caffeine synthase, the unique substrate affinity of PcCS is probably explained by the amino acid residues found in the active site of the predicted protein.

Impact Of Chemical Changes On The Sensory Characteristics Of Coffee Beans During Storage.

Sensory changes during the storage of coffee beans occur mainly due to lipid oxidation and are responsible for the loss of commercial value. This work aimed to verify how sensory changes of natural coffee and pulped natural coffee are related to the oxidative processes during 15 months of storage. During this period, changes in the content of free fatty acids (1.4-3.8 mg/g oil), TBARS values (8.8-10.2 nmol MDA/g), and carbonyl groups (2.6-3.5 nmol/mg of protein) occurred. The intensity of rested coffee flavour in the coffee brew increased (2.1-6.7) and 5-caffeoylquinic acid concentration decreased (5.2-4.6g/100g). Losses were also observed in seed viability, colour of the beans and cellular structure. All the results of the chemical analyses are coherent with the oxidative process that occurred in the grains during storage. Therefore, oxidation would be also responsible for the loss of cellular structure, seed viability and sensory changes.

Occurrence Of Isoflavonoids In Brazilian Common Bean Germplasm (phaseolus Vulgaris L.).

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) is present in the daily diet of various countries and, as for other legumes, has been investigated for its nutraceutical potential. Thus, 16 genotypes from different gene pools, representing seven types of seed coats and different responses to pathogens and pests, were selected to verify their isoflavone contents. The isoflavonoids daidzein and genistein and the flavonols kaempferol, myricetin, and quercetin were found. Grains of the black type showed the highest concentrations of isoflavonoids and were the only ones to exhibit daidzein. IAC Formoso, with high protein content and source of resistance to anthracnose, showed the greatest concentration of genistein, representing around 11% of the content present in soybean, as well as high levels of kaempferol. Arc 1, Raz 55, and IAC Una genotypes showed high content of coumestrol. The results suggest the use of IAC Formoso to increase the nutraceutical characteristics in common bean.

Whole Cortical And Default Mode Network Mean Functional Connectivity As Potential Biomarkers For Mild Alzheimer's Disease.

The search for an Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarker is one of the most relevant contemporary research topics due to the high prevalence and social costs of the disease. Functional connectivity (FC) of the default mode network (DMN) is a plausible candidate for such a biomarker. We evaluated 22 patients with mild AD and 26 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. All subjects underwent resting functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in a 3.0 T scanner. To identify the DMN, seed-based FC of the posterior cingulate was calculated. We also measured the sensitivity/specificity of the method, and verified a correlation with cognitive performance. We found a significant difference between patients with mild AD and controls in average z-scores: DMN, whole cortical positive (WCP) and absolute values. DMN individual values showed a sensitivity of 77.3% and specificity of 70%. DMN and WCP values were correlated to global cognition and episodic memory performance. We showed that individual measures of DMN connectivity could be considered a promising method to differentiate AD, even at an early phase, from normal aging. Further studies with larger numbers of participants, as well as validation of normal values, are needed for more definitive conclusions.

Comparative Metagenomic Analysis Of Coral Microbial Communities Using A Reference-independent Approach.

By comparing the SEED and Pfam functional profiles of metagenomes of two Brazilian coral species with 29 datasets that are publicly available, we were able to identify some functions, such as protein secretion systems, that are overrepresented in the metagenomes of corals and may play a role in the establishment and maintenance of bacteria-coral associations. However, only a small percentage of the reads of these metagenomes could be annotated by these reference databases, which may lead to a strong bias in the comparative studies. For this reason, we have searched for identical sequences (99% of nucleotide identity) among these metagenomes in order to perform a reference-independent comparative analysis, and we were able to identify groups of microbial communities that may be under similar selective pressures. The identification of sequences shared among the metagenomes was found to be even better for the identification of groups of communities with similar niche requirements than the traditional analysis of functional profiles. This approach is not only helpful for the investigation of similarities between microbial communities with high proportion of unknown reads, but also enables an indirect overview of gene exchange between communities.

Microsatellite In Aeschynomene Falcata (leguminosae): Diversity, Cross-amplification, And Chromosome Localization.

Aeschynomene falcata is an important forage species; however, because of low seed production, it is underutilized as forage species. Aeschynomene is a polyphyletic genus with a challenging taxonomic position. Two subgenera have been proposed, and it is suggested that Aeschynomene can be split in 2 genera. Thus, new markers, such as microsatellite sequences, are desirable for improving breeding programs for A. falcata. Based on transferability and in situ localization, these microsatellite sequences can be applied as chromosome markers in the genus Aeschynomene and closely related genera. Here, we report the first microsatellite library developed for this genus; 11 microsatellites were characterized, with observed and expected heterozygosities ranging from 0.0000 to 0.7143 and from 0.1287 to 0.8360, respectively. Polymorphic information content varied from 0.1167 to 0.7786. The departure from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium may have resulted from frequent autogamy, which is characteristic of A. falcata. Of the 11 microsatellites, 9 loci were cross-amplified in A. brevipes and A. paniculata and 7 in Dalbergia nigra and Machaerium vestitum. Five of these 7 cross-amplified microsatellites were applied as probes during the in situ hybridization assay and 2 showed clear signals on A. falcata chromosomes, ensuring their viability as chromosome markers.

In Vitro Biological Screening Of The Anticholinesterase And Antiproliferative Activities Of Medicinal Plants Belonging To Annonaceae.

The aim of this research was to investigate the antiproliferative and anticholinesterase activities of 11 extracts from 5 Annonaceae species in vitro. Antiproliferative activity was assessed using 10 human cancer cell lines. Thin-layer chromatography and a microplate assay were used to screen the extracts for acetylcholinesterase (AchE) inhibitors using Ellman's reagent. The chemical compositions of the active extracts were investigated using high performance liquid chromatography. Eleven extracts obtained from five Annonaceae plant species were active and were particularly effective against the UA251, NCI-470 lung, HT-29, NCI/ADR, and K-562 cell lines with growth inhibition (GI50) values of 0.04-0.06, 0.02-0.50, 0.01-0.12, 0.10-0.27, and 0.02-0.04 µg/mL, respectively. In addition, the Annona crassiflora and A. coriacea seed extracts were the most active among the tested extracts and the most effective against the tumor cell lines, with GI50 values below 8.90 µg/mL. The A. cacans extract displayed the lowest activity. Based on the microplate assay, the percent AchE inhibition of the extracts ranged from 12 to 52%, and the A. coriacea seed extract resulted in the greatest inhibition (52%). Caffeic acid, sinapic acid, and rutin were present at higher concentrations in the A. crassiflora seed samples. The A. coriacea seeds contained ferulic and sinapic acid. Overall, the results indicated that A. crassiflora and A. coriacea extracts have antiproliferative and anticholinesterase properties, which opens up new possibilities for alternative pharmacotherapy drugs.

Classificação e padronização dos tomates cv. Carmem e Débora dentro da CEAGESP - SP

The creation of the Brazilian Program for the Modernization of the Horticulture by the Secretariat of Agriculture and Supplying of the State of São Paulo at CEAGESP, determined the standardization of fruit and vegetables in the follow aspects: degree of coloration, format, calibers, defects and packing. Therefore, the main goal of this research is to correlate the classification given by the Brazilian Program with the one used by the wholesalers at CEAGESP, verifying if the established norms are being fulfilled for cultivar Carmen and Debora (SAKATA SEED). The results showed, that for cultivar Carmem, for the averages of the observed values it does not move away from the norms created by the Program for sizes small and medium. However, for the case of cultivar Debora, the results showed differences between the adopted classifications. The tomatoes were devaluated, because had been commercialized below of the standardization indicated for the Brazilian Program.

Profundidade de deposição de semente de milho na região dos Campos Gerais, Paraná

No Tillage system is fully incorporated to farming in the region of Campos Gerais, state of Paraná. Accuracy and precision in the planting process are items of great importance for the success of this system. In order to evaluate the planting process, thirty eight farms were selected as sites for analysis of the placement depth of seeds. The research area was 4 or 5 planting rows, evaluating 10 plantlets per row. The average seed depth was around 46 mm, and significant differences between rows were observed in 21 areas. The average coefficient of variation was around 20%, the statistical limit between medium and high. Analyses of other parameters show that those coefficients may represent different errors in the process. The planting process in Campos Gerais can be considered efficient regarding to the average seed depth. However, the analysis of variability implies de need of actions concerning to anthropic and machinery factors.

Caracterização morfológica das sementes e plântulas de seis espécies invasoras do gênero Solanum L

Morphological caracterization of the seeds and seedlings of six weed especies of the genus Solanum L. The seeds of the genus Solanum are very similar, however, the association of their external characteristics with the anatomical features, such as hilum shape, the texture and the type of the seed coat sculptures, as well as the curved (circulated or coiled) shape of the embryo, are parameters of great importance in the taxonomical identification at the species level. It is are presented the morphological descriptions of the genus Solanum and a more detailed description of each studied species in terms of seed and seedling structures, including illustrations and taxonomical keys for the identification of Solanum aculeatissimum Jacq., S. americanum Mill., S. ciliatum Lam., S. sisymbriifolium Lam., S. sordidum Sendt. e S. viarum Dunal. There are also indications of the common names, the type of reproduction and dispersion, the crops in which the species is considered as a weed and the agricultural seeds in which it is found as a weed seed.

Germinação de esporos de Polypodium pleopeltifolium: resultados preliminares

Polypodium pleopeltifolium is an epiphytic fern which occurs in cerrado vegetation of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. The species is light sensitive for germination but some spores germinate in the absence of light. Short treatments at 40 or 5ºC and alternating temperatures did not increase the germination in dark conditions. Germination was not affected by IAA but it was reduced by GA3, CEPA and ABA. Red light (short treatments) promoted germination.