Nitrogen availability patterns in white-sand vegetations of Central Brazilian Amazon

Addressing spatial variability in nitrogen (N) availability in the Central Brazilian Amazon, we hypothesized that N availability varies among white-sand vegetation types (campina and campinarana) and lowland tropical forests (dense terra-firme forests) in the Central Brazilian Amazon, under the same climate conditions. Accordingly, we measured soil and foliar N concentration and N isotope ratios (delta(15)N) throughout the campina-campinarana transect and compared to published dense terra-firme forest results. There were no differences between white-sand vegetation types in regard to soil N concentration, C:N ratio and delta(15)N across the transect. Both white-sand vegetation types showed very low foliar N concentrations and elevated foliar C:N ratios, and no significant difference between site types was observed. Foliar delta(15)N was depleted, varying from -9.6 to 1.6aEuro degrees in the white-sand vegetations. The legume Aldina heterophylla had the highest average delta(15)N values (-1.5aEuro degrees) as well as the highest foliar N concentration (2.1%) while the non-legume species had more depleted delta(15)N values and the average foliar N concentrations varied from 0.9 to 1.5% among them. Despite the high variation in foliar delta(15)N among plants, a significant and gradual (15)N-enrichment in foliar isotopic signatures throughout the campina-campinarana transect was observed. Individual plants growing in the campinarana were significantly enriched in (15)N compared to those in campina. In the white-sand N-limited ecosystems, the differentiation of N use seems to be a major cause of variations observed in foliar delta(15)N values throughout the campina-campinarana transect.

Understanding the Influences of Spatial Patterns on N Availability Within the Brazilian Amazon Forest

Nitrogen variations at different spatial scales and integrated across functional groups were addressed for lowland tropical forests in the Brazilian Amazon as follows: (1) how does N availability vary across the region over different spatial scales (regional x landscape scale); ( 2) how are these variations in N availability integrated across plant functional groups ( legume 9 non-legume trees). Leaf N, P, and Ca concentrations as well the leaf N isotope ratios (delta(15)N) from a large set of legume and non-legume tree species were measured. Legumes had higher foliar N/Ca ratios than non-legumes, consistent with the high energetic costs in plant growth associated with higher foliar P/Ca ratios found in legumes than in non-legumes. At the regional level, foliar delta(15)N decreased with increasing rainfall. At the landscape level, N availability was higher in the forests on clayey soils on the plateau than in forests on sandier soils. The isotope as well as the non-isotope data relationships here documented, explain to a large extent the variation in delta(15)N signatures across gradients of rainfall and soil. Although at the regional level, the precipitation regime is a major determinant of differences in N availability, at the landscape level, under the same precipitation regime, soil type seems to be a major factor influencing the availability of N in the Brazilian Amazon forest.

Functional specialization of Eucalyptus fine roots: contrasting potential uptake rates for nitrogen, potassium and calcium tracers at varying soil depths

1. Little is known about the role of deep roots in the nutrition of forest trees and their ability to provide a safety-net service taking up nutrients leached from the topsoil. 2. To address this issue, we studied the potential uptake of N, K and Ca by Eucalyptus grandis trees (6 years of age - 25 m mean height), in Brazil, as a function of soil depth, texture and water content. We injected NO(3)(-)- (15)N, Rb(+) (analogue of K(+)) and Sr(2+) (analogue of Ca(2+)) tracers simultaneously in a solution through plastic tubes at 10, 50, 150 and 300 cm in depth in a sandy and a clayey Ferralsol soil. A complete randomized design was set up with three replicates of paired trees per injection depth and soil type. Recently expanded leaves were sampled at various times after tracer injection in the summer, and the experiment was repeated in the winter. Soil water contents were continuously monitored at the different depths in the two soils. 3. Determination of foliar Rb and Sr concentrations and (15)N atom % made it possible to estimate the relative uptake potential (RUP) of tracer injections from the four soil depths and the specific RUP (SRUP), defined as RUP, per unit of fine root length density in the corresponding soil layer. 4. The highest tracer uptake rates were found in the topsoil, but contrasting RUP distributions were observed for the three tracers. Whilst the RUP was higher for NO(3)(-)- (15)N than for Rb(+) and Sr(2+) in the upper 50 cm of soil, the highest SRUP values for Sr(2+) and Rb(+) were found at a depth of 300 cm in the sandy soil, as well as in the clayey soil when gravitational solutions reached that depth. 5. Our results suggest that the fine roots of E. grandis trees exhibit contrasting potential uptake rates with depth depending on the nutrient. This functional specialization of roots might contribute to the high growth rates of E. grandis trees, efficiently providing the large amounts of nutrients required throughout the development of these fast-growing plantations.

Effect of binders and surface finish on wear resistance of HVOF coatings

The high velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) thermal spray process produces highly wear and/or corrosion resistant coatings. Tungsten carbide with a metallic binder is often used for this purpose. In this work, tungsten carbide coatings containing cobalt or nickel binder were produced by HVOF and characterised by optical and electron microscopy, hardness and a dry sand/rubber wheel abrasion test. The HVOF process produced dense coatings with low porosity levels and high hardness. The wear resistance of the specimens, which were surface treated, increased as the roughness percentage decreased. Tungsten carbide nickel based coating yielded the best wear resistance in the as sprayed condition. However, the wear rate and wear of the two coatings converged to the same values as the number of revolutions increased. Wear behaviour in the ground condition was similar, although the tungsten carbide cobalt based coating yielded better performance with increasing distance travelled during the wear test.

Cyclone washer adapted from an American-type cyclone separator

A modified cyclone washer was designed, fabricated, and its collection efficiency evaluated. This equipment consists of an American-type cyclone separator with a triple cone and a spray nozzle was introduced into its cylindrical body. The study consisted of an experimental evaluation of the operating conditions at ambient and higher than ambient temperatures, varying chimney height and water flow rate, with the purpose of humidifying the dust. The collection efficiency of the cyclone washer was evaluated particles of micronized quartz with an average diameter of 7.48 mu m and a density of 2.650 g/cm(3). The amount of particles varied from 20-100 mg/m(3) of air. An average efficiency of 97.07 +/- 1.03 % was obtained with four spray nozzles, a chimney height of 0.645 m and 0.358 m(3)/s of gas.

Improved moisture and hydrocarbons barrier of epoxy resin-based coating

To improve the surface characteristics of epoxy resin coatings, a treatment by fluorine-containing plasma was used to develop a coating with low surface free energy and improved chemical resistance. Through the coating analysis it was possible to verify information about the CF(n) bond formation and the fluorination depth. The best plasma process parameters presented the best fluorination depth, 90 nm, and fluorine concentration was nearly 30%. The improvement in contact angle of water was 50% and of raw petroleum was 130%. Salt spray test proves that the coating fluorination decreases the chance of substrate corrosion.

Study of an alternative phosphate sealer for replacement of hexavalent chromium

This study evaluates the possibility of replacing the hexavalent chromium passivation treatment used as a sealer after phosphating of carbon steel (SAE 1010) by a treatment with niobium ammonium oxalate (Ox). Samples of carbon steel (SAE 1010) after being phosphated in a zinc phosphate bath (PZn + Ni) were immersed in solution of niobium ammonium oxalate (250 mg L(-1) of Nb) either at pH 3.0 or pH 8.0. A passivation treatment with a solution with CrO(3) (200 mg L(-1) of Cr(6+)) was also used for reference. The corrosion resistance of the phosphated samples after passivation treatments was analyzed in a NaCl 0.5 mol L(-1) solution using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and anodic polarization curves. Salt spray tests were also performed to evaluate their corrosion resistance. The results showed that the highest corrosion resistance was obtained by passivation in a solution with (250 mg L(-1) of Nb) at pH 8.0. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Microencapsulation of propolis extract by complex coacervation

The propolis has potential to be a natural food additive However its application is limited because It is alcohol-soluble and has strong flavour Microencapsulation may be an alternative for reducing these problems The aim of this study was to encapsulate propolis extract by complex coacervation using isolated soy protein and pectin as encapsulant agents The coacervation was studied as a function of pH (5 0 4 5 4 0 and 3 5) and the concentration of encapsulants and core (2 5 and 5 0 g/100 mL) Samples obtained at pH 4 0 in both concentrations were lyophilized and analyzed for hygroscopicity encapsulation efficiency particle size morphology thermal behavior stability of phenolic and flavonoids during storage as well as antioxidant and antimicrobial activities It was possible to encapsulate propolis extract by complex coacervation and to obtain it in the form of powder alcohol-free stable with antioxidant property antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and with the possibility of controlled release in foods (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved

Why don`t our stands grow even faster? Control of production and carbon cycling in eucalypt plantations

The growth of Eucalyptus stands varies several fold across sites, under the influence of resource availability, stand age and stand structure. We describe a series of related studies that aim to understand the mechanisms that drive this great range in stand growth rates. In a seven-year study in Hawaii of Eucalyptus saligna at a site that was not water limited, we showed that nutrient availability differences led to a two-fold difference in stand wood production. Increasing nutrient supply in mid-rotation raised productivity to the level attained in continuously fertilised plots. Fertility affected the age-related decline in wood and foliage production; production in the intensive fertility treatments declined more slowly than in the minimal fertility treatments. The decline in stem production was driven largely by a decline in canopy photosynthesis. Over time, the fraction of canopy photosynthesis partitioned to below-ground allocation increased, as did foliar respiration, further reducing wood production. The reason for the decline in photosynthesis was uncertain, but it was not caused by nutrient limitation, a decline in leaf area or in photosynthetic capacity, or by hydraulic limitation. Most of the increase in carbon stored from conversion of the sugarcane plantation to Eucalyptus plantation was in the above-ground woody biomass. Soil carbon showed no net change. This study and other studies on carbon allocation showed that resource availability changes the fraction of annual photosynthesis used below-ground and for wood production. High resources (nutrition or water) decrease the partitioning below-ground and increase partitioning to wood production. Annual foliage and wood respiration and foliage production as a fraction of annual photosynthesis was remarkably constant across a wide range of fertility treatments and forest age. In the Brazil Eucalyptus Productivity Project, stand structure was manipulated by planting clonal Eucalyptus all at once or in three groups at three-monthly intervals, producing a stand where trees did not segregate into dominants and one that had strong dominance. The uneven stand structure reduced production 10-15% throughout the rotation.

Progeny evaluation for resistance to Phaeosphaeria leaf spot in tropical maize

Maize breeding programmes in Brazil and elsewhere seek reliable methods to identify genotypes resistant to Phaeosphaeria leaf spot. The area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) is an accurate method to evaluate the severity of foliar diseases. However, at least three data points are required to calculate the AUDPC, which is unfeasible when there are thousands of genotypes to be assessed. The aim of this work was to estimate the heritability of disease resistance, evaluate disease severity at different times using a nine-point scale in comparison to the AUDPC, and establish the most suitable phenological period for disease assessment. A repeated experiment was conducted in a 11 x 11 lattice experimental design with three replications. Disease assessments were carried out at flowering, 15 and 30 days post-anthesis for the parental lines DS95, DAS21, the F1 generation and 118 F2:3 progenies. Then, the AUDPC was obtained and results compared with the single-point evaluations used to calculate it. Individual and joint analyses of variance were conducted to obtain heritabiliy estimates. The assessments performed after the flowering stage gave higher estimates of heritability and correlation with AUDPC. We concluded that one assessment between the 15th and 30th day after flowering could provide enough information to distinguish maize genotypes for their resistance to Phaeosphaeria leaf spot under tropical conditions.

Effect of acibenzolar-S-methyl and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on the activation of Eucalyptus defences against rust

Tree defence mechanisms against the fungus Puccinia psidii were examined by comparing the activities of defence-related enzymes (chitinase, peroxidase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase) of two Eucalyptus grandis x E. urophylla (urograndis) hybrids, previously classified as either susceptible to rust (VR hybrid) or moderately resistant to rust (C0 hybrid). Furthermore, the potential of disease control by artificial activation of host defences using either acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM) or Saccharomyces cerevisiae extract was also investigated. Greenhouse inoculation trials revealed that the C0 hybrid had lower disease severity than the VR hybrid but following foliar applications of either ASM or S. cerevisiae extract treatment, disease severity (evaluated at 15 days after inoculation) was reduced in both hybrids. This enhanced resistance was associated with the induction of a hypersensitive reaction which appeared to be effective in controlling rust in both clones. The activity of all enzymes differed between clones and inducer treatment. The role of the defence-related enzymes in imparting resistance to eucalypt hybrids against rust is discussed.

Occurrence of phytoplasma associated with sugarcane yellow leaf syndrome in three regions of Sao Paulo State, Brazil

Sugarcane yellow leaf syndrome caused serious damage to crops in the Sao Paulo State, Brazil, in the 1990`s. The syndrome was also reported in other countries and investigations into the etiology revealed an association between the disease and virus and/or phytoplasma. The disease is potentially important and occurs endemically in that State, and for this reason the present study was conducted in order to demonstrate the occurrence of phytoplasma in three traditional sugarcane-producing areas, in Sao Paulo State, through molecular detection From naturally infected plants. Symptomatic plants belonging to varieties SP71-6163, SP71-6180 and SP89-1115 were sampled from Piracicaba, Jau and Ribeirao Preto, and total DNA was extracted from foliar tissues. Nested PCR was conducted with primer pairs P1/ Tint-16F2n/R2, and the amplified products were analyzed by electrophoresis on agarose gels. Amplified DNA fragments of 1.2 kb evidenced the presence of phytoplasma in 36% of symptomatic plants and revealed its Occurrence in all sampled regions. The results demonstrated that phytoplasma is associated with the disease and that it is important to keep a safe inspection of nurseries and monitoring plants in the field, as well as to Select Sugarcane genotypes with a good level of resistance in breeding programs.

Zn uptake, physiological response and stress attenuation in mycorrhizal jack bean growing in soil with increasing Zn concentrations

The influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation on Canavalia ensiformis growth. nutrient and Zn uptake, and on some physiological parameters in response to increasing soil Zn concentrations was studied. Treatments were applied in seven replicates in a 2 x 4 factorial design, consisting of the inoculation or not with the AMF Glomus etunicatum, and the addition of Zn to soil at the concentrations of 0, 100, 300 and 900 mg kg(-1). AMF inoculation enhanced the accumulation of Zn in tissues and promoted biomass yields and root nodulation. Mycorrhizal plants exhibited relative tolerance to Zn up to 300 mg kg(-1) without exhibiting visual symptoms of toxicity, in contrast to non-mycorrhizal plants which exhibited a significant growth reduction at the same soil Zn concentration. The highest concentration of Zn added to soil was highly toxic to the plants. Leaves of plants grown in high Zn concentration exhibited a Zn-induced proline accumulation and also an increase in soluble amino acid contents; however proline contents were lower in mycorrhizal jack beans. Plants in association or not with the AMF exhibited marked differences in the foliar soluble amino acid profile and composition in response to Zn addition to soil. In general, Zn induced oxidative stress which could be verified by increased lipid peroxidation rates and changes in catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase activities. In summary, G. etunicatum was able to maintain an efficient symbiosis with jack bean plants in moderately contaminated Zn-soils, improving plant performance under those conditions, which is likely to be due to a combination of physiological and nutritional changes caused by the intimate relation between fungus and plant. The enhanced Zn uptake by AMF inoculated jack bean plants might be of interest for phytoremediation purposes. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Transgenic Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) Expressing the attacin A Gene for Resistance to Xanthomonas citri subsp citri

Genetic transformation with genes that code for antimicrobial peptides has been an important strategy used to control bacterial diseases in fruit crops, including apples, pears, and citrus. Asian citrus canker (ACC) caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri Schaad et al. (Xcc) is a very destructive disease, which affects the citrus industry in most citrus-producing areas of the world. Here, we report the production of genetically transformed Natal, Pera, and Valencia sweet orange cultivars (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) with the insect-derived attacin A (attA) gene and the evaluation of the transgenic plants for resistance to Xcc. Agrobacterium tumefaciens Smith and Towns-mediated genetic transformation experiments involving these cultivars led to the regeneration of 23 different lines. Genetically transformed plants were identified by polymerase chain reaction, and transgene integration was confirmed by Southern blot analyses. Transcription of attA gene was detected by Northern blot analysis in all plants, except for one Natal sweet orange transformation event. Transgenic lines were multiplied by grafting onto Rangpur lime rootstock plants (Citrus limonia Osbeck) and spray-inoculated with an Xcc suspension (10(6) cfu mL(-1)). Experiments were repeated three times in a completely randomized design with seven to ten replicates. Disease severity was determined in all transgenic lines and in the control (non-transgenic) plants 30 days after inoculation. Four transgenic lines of Valencia sweet orange showed a significant reduction in disease severity caused by Xcc. These reductions ranged from 58.3% to 77.8%, corresponding to only 0.16-0.30% of leaf diseased area as opposed to 0.72% on control plants. One transgenic line of Natal sweet orange was significantly more resistant to Xcc, with a reduction of 45.2% comparing to the control plants, with only 0.14% of leaf diseased area. Genetically transformed Pera sweet orange plants expressing attA gene did not show a significant enhanced resistance to Xcc, probably due to its genetic background, which is naturally more resistant to this pathogen. The potential effect of attacin A antimicrobial peptide to control ACC may be related to the genetic background of each sweet orange cultivar regarding their natural resistance to the pathogen.

Low glyphosate rates do not affect Citrus limonia (L.) Osbeck seedlings

BACKGROUND: Glyphosate is used to control weeds in citrus orchards, and accidental spraying or wind drift onto the seedlings may cause growth arrest owing to metabolism disturbance. Two experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of non-lethal rates (0, 180, 360 and 720 g Al ha(-1)) of glyphosate on four-month-old `Cravo` lime, Citrus limonia (L.) Osbeck, seedlings. Photosynthesis and the concentrations of shikimic acid, total free amino acids and phenolic acids were evaluated. RESULTS: Only transitory effects were observed in the! contents of shikimate and total free amino acids. No visual effects were observed. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that glyphosate at non-lethal rates, which is very usual when accidental spraying or wind drift occurs in citrus orchard, did not cause severe metabolic damage in `Cravo` lime seedlings. (C) 2009 Society of Chemical Industry