SOIL CHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND GROWTH OF SUNFLOWER (HELIANTHUS ANNUUS L.) AS AFFECTED BY THE APPLICATION OF ORGANIC FERTILIZERS AND INOCULATION WITH ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI

The use of organic fertilizers and the inoculation of mycorrhizal fungi in the cultivation of oil crops is essential to reduce production costs and minimize negative impacts on natural resources. A field experiment was conducted in an Argissolo Amarelo (Ultisol) with the aim of evaluating the effects of fertilizer application and inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the growth attributes of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) and on soil chemical properties. The experiment was conducted at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, using a randomized block design with three replicates in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement consisting of four treatments in regard to application of organic fertilizer (liquid biofertilizer, cow urine, mineral fertilizer, and unfertilized control) and two treatments in regard to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (with and without mycorrhizal fungi). The results showed that the physiological attributes of relative growth rate and leaf weight ratio were positively influenced by fertilization, compared to the control treatment, likely brought about by the supply of nutrients from the fertilizers applied. The growth and productivity attributes were positively affected by mycorrhization.

EFFECT OF ALTERNATIVE MULTINUTRIENT SOURCES ON SOIL CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

The current high price of potassium chloride and the dependence of Brazil on imported materials to supply the domestic demand call for studies evaluating the efficiency of alternative sources of nutrients. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of silicate rock powder and a manganese mining by-product, and secondary materials originated from these two materials, on soil chemical properties and on brachiaria production. This greenhouse experiment was conducted in pots with 5 kg of soil (Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo distrófico - Oxisol). The alternative nutrient sources were: verdete, verdete treated with NH4OH, phonolite, ultramafic rock, mining waste and the proportion of 75 % of these K fertilizers and 25 % lime. Mixtures containing 25 % of lime were heated at 800 ºC for 1 h. These sources were applied at rates of 0, 150, 300, 450 and 600 kg ha-1 K2O, and incubated for 45 days. The mixtures of heated silicate rocks with lime promoted higher increases in soil pH in decreasing order: ultramafic rock>verdete>phonolite>mining waste. Applying the mining waste-lime mixture increased soil exchangeable K, and available P when ultramafic rock was incorporated. When ultramafic rock was applied, the release of Ca2+ increased significantly. Mining subproduct released the highest amount of Zn2+ and Mn2+ to the soil. The application of alternative sources of K, with variable chemical composition, altered the nutrient availability and soil chemical properties, improving mainly plant development and K plant uptake, and are important nutrient sources.

SPATIAL DEPENDENCE OF ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF THE SOIL BY ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION

Brazilian soils have natural high chemical variability; thus, apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) can assist interpretation of crop yield variations. We aimed to select soil chemical properties with the best linear and spatial correlations to explain ECa variation in the soil using a Profiler sensor (EMP-400). The study was carried out in Sidrolândia, MS, Brazil. We analyzed the following variables: electrical conductivity - EC (2, 7, and 15 kHz), organic matter, available K, base saturation, and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Soil ECa was measured with the aid of an all-terrain vehicle, which crossed the entire area in strips spaced at 0.45 m. Soil samples were collected at the 0-20 cm depth with a total of 36 samples within about 70 ha. Classical descriptive analysis was applied to each property via SAS software, and GS+ for spatial dependence analysis. The equipment was able to simultaneously detect ECa at the different frequencies. It was also possible to establish site-specific management zones through analysis of correlation with chemical properties. We observed that CEC was the property that had the best correlation with ECa at 15 kHz.

Organic and Nitrogen Fertilization of Soil under ‘Syrah’ Grapevine: Effects on Soil Chemical Properties and Nitrate Concentration

ABSTRACT Viticulture is an activity of great social and economic importance in the lower-middle region of the São Francisco River valley in northeastern Brazil. In this region, the fertility of soils under vineyards is generally poor. To assess the effects of organic and nitrogen fertilization on chemical properties and nitrate concentrations in an Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo (Typic Plinthustalf), a field experiment was carried out in Petrolina, Pernambuco, on Syrah grapevines. Treatments consisted of two rates of organic fertilizer (0 and 30 m3 ha-1) and five N rates (0, 10, 20, 40, and 80 kg ha-1), in a randomized block design arranged in split plots, with five replications. The organic fertilizer levels represented the main plots and the N levels, the subplots. The source of N was urea and the source of organic fertilizer was goat manure. Irrigation was applied through a drip system and N by fertigation. At the end of the third growing season, soil chemical properties were determined and nitrate concentration in the soil solution (extracted by porous cups) was determined. Organic fertilization increased organic matter, pH, EC, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, sum of bases, base saturation, and CEC, but decreased exchangeable Cu concentration in the soil by complexation of Cu in the organic matter. Organic fertilization raised the nitrate concentration in the 0.20-0.40 m soil layer, making it leachable. Nitrate concentration in the soil increased as N rates increased, up to more than 300 mg kg-1 in soil and nearly 800 mg L-1 in the soil solution, becoming prone to leaching losses.

Effects of soil management systems on soil microbial activity, bulk density and chemical properties

The objective of this experiment was to study the effects of soil management systems on the bulk density, chemical soil properties, and on the soil microbial activity on a Latossolo Vermelho distrófico (Oxisol). Soil samples were collected from plots under the following management conditions: a) natural dense "cerrado" vegetation (savanna); b) degraded Brachiaria decumbens pasture, 20 years old; c) no-tillage treatment with annual crop sequence (bean, corn, soybean and dark-oat in continuous rotation), 8 years old; d) conventional tillage treatment with crop residues added to the soil, and annual crop sequence, 10 years old. The continuous use of no-tillage system resulted in an increase in microbial biomass and decrease in soil basal respiration, therefore displaying evident long-term effects on the increase of soil C content. The no-tillage system also provided an improvement in bulk density and chemical properties of the soil. Hence, the no-tillage management system could be an alternative for the conservation and maintenance of physical and chemical conditions and the productive potential of "cerrado" soils.

Effect of physico-chemical conditions and operating parameters on flux and retention of different components in ultrafiltration and nanofiltration fractionation of sweet whey

Tässä väitöstutkimuksessa tutkittiin fysikaaliskemiallisten olosuhteiden ja toimintaparametrien vaikutusta juustoheran fraktiointiin. Kirjallisuusosassa on käsitelty heran ympäristövaikutusta, heran hyödyntämistä ja heran käsittelyä kalvotekniikalla. Kokeellinen osa on jaettu kahteen osaan, joista ensimmäinen käsittelee ultrasuodatusta ja toinen nanosuodatusta juustoheran fraktioinnissa. Ultrasuodatuskalvon valinta tehtiin perustuen kalvon cut-off lukuun, joka oli määritetty polyetyleeniglykoliliuoksilla olosuhteissa, joissa konsentraatiopolariosaatioei häiritse mittausta. Kriittisen vuon konseptia käytettiin sopivan proteiinikonsentraation löytämiseksi ultrasuodatuskokeisiin, koska heraproteiinit ovat tunnetusti kalvoa likaavia aineita. Ultrasuodatuskokeissa tutkittiin heran eri komponenttien suodattumista kalvon läpi ja siihen vaikuttavia ominaisuuksia. Herapermeaattien peptidifraktiot analysoitiin kokoekskluusiokromatografialla ja MALDI-TOF massaspektrometrillä. Kokeissa käytettävien nanosuodatuskalvojen keskimääräinen huokoskoko analysoitiin neutraaleilla liukoisilla aineilla ja zeta-potentiaalit virtauspotentiaalimittauksilla. Aminohappoja käytettiin malliaineina tutkittaessa huokoskoon ja varauksen merkitystä erotuksessa. Aminohappojen retentioon vaikuttivat pH ja liuoksen ionivahvuus sekä molekyylien väliset vuorovaikutukset. Heran ultrasuodatuksessa tuotettu permeaatti, joka sisälsi pieniä peptidejä, laktoosia ja suoloja, nanosuodatettiin happamassa ja emäksisessä pH:ssa. Emäksisissä oloissa tehdyssä nanosuodatuksessa foulaantumista tapahtui vähemmän ja permeaattivuo oli parempi. Emäksisissä oloissa myös selektiivisyys laktoosin erotuksessa peptideistä oli parempi verrattuna selektiivisyyteen happamissa oloissa.

Physico-chemical characterization and oxidative reactivity evaluation of aged brake wear particles

Brake wear dust is a significant component of traffic emissions and has been linked to adverse health effects. Previous research found a strong oxidative stress response in cells exposed to freshly generated brake wear dust. We characterized aged dust collected from passenger vehicles, using microscopy and elemental analyses. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was measured with acellular and cellular assays using 2′7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein dye. Microscopy analyses revealed samples to be heterogeneous particle mixtures with few nanoparticles detected. Several metals, primarily iron and copper, were identified. High oxygen concentrations suggested that the elements were oxidized. ROS were detected in the cell-free fluorescent test, while exposed cells were not dramatically activated by the concentrations used. The fact that aged brake wear samples have lower oxidative stress potential than fresh ones may relate to the highly oxidized or aged state of these particles, as well as their larger size and smaller reactive surface area.

Potassium fertilization for pineapple: effects on soil chemical properties and plant nutrition

A field experiment was carried out on an Ultisol located at the city of Agudos (22º30'S; 49º03'W), in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, in order to determine the effects of rates and sources of potassium fertilizer on nutritional status of 'Smooth Cayenne' pineapple and on some soil chemical properties. The experiment was a complete factorial design with four rates (0, 175, 350, and 700 kg ha-1 of K2O) and three combinations of K sources (100% KCl, 100% K2SO4 and 40% K2SO4 + 60% KCl). Soil samples were taken from the depths 0-20 cm, 20-40 cm and 40-60 cm at planting and 14 months after. Nutritional status of pineapple plants was assessed by means of tissue analysis. Soil K availability increased with application of K fertilizer, regardless of K sources. Soil chlorine and Cl concentration in pineapple leaves increased with application of KCl or K2SO4+KCl. Plant uptake of potassium was shaped by soil K availability and by the application rates of K fertilizer, independently of K sources.

Chemical, physico-chemical and sensory characterization of mixed açai (Euterpe oleracea) and cocoa´s honey (Theobroma cacao) jellies

Four formulations of mixed açaí (Euterpe oleracea) (A) and cocoa´s honey (Theobroma cacao) (CH) jellies were prepared according to the following proportions: T1 (40% A:60% CH), T2 (50% A:50% CH), T3 (60% A: 40% CH) and T4 (100% A - control). All formulations were prepared using a rate 60:40 (w/w) of sucrose and pulp, plus 0.5% pectin and the products reached to average of 65% soluble solids content. The jellies were analyzed by chemical and physicochemical (titratable acidity, pH, soluble solid content, dry matter, total protein, lipids, vitamin C and calories) and sensory characteristics; also were evaluated levels of P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn. It was used a hedonic scale of 7 points to evaluate the attributes: overall impression, spreadability, brightness, flavor, texture and color, and also was verified the purchase intention score. The titratable acidity and pH ranged from 0.46 to 0.64% and 3.35 to 3.64, respectively, that are within the range found at most fruit jellies. The soluble solids content ranged between 65.2 and 65.5 ºBrix. The sensory acceptance results showed that all treatments (T1, T2, T3 and T4) presented means of sensory attributes above 4, demonstrating good acceptance of the product, but the treatment T1 presented the higher scores for the evaluated attributes. Cocoa´s honey added a positive influence on the attributes of color, texture and spreadability.

The effect of lignin as a natural adhesive on the physico-mechanical properties of Vitis vinifera fiberboards

Lignin was used as a natural adhesive to manufacture Vitis vinifera fiberboards. The fiberboards were produced at laboratory scale by adding powdered lignin to material that had previously been steam-exploded under optimized pretreatment and pressing conditions. The kraft lignin used was washed several times with an acidic solution to eliminate any contaminants and low molecular weight compounds. This research studied the effects of amounts of lignin ranging from 5% to 20% on the properties of Vitis vinifera fiberboards. The fiberboard properties evaluated were density, water resistance in terms of thickness swelling, water absorption, and the mechanical properties in terms of modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, and internal bond. Results showed that fiberboards made from Vitis vinifera without lignin addition had weaker mechanical properties. However, the fiberboards obtained using acid-washed kraft lignin as a natural adhesive had good mechanical and water resistance properties that fully satisfied the relevant standard specifications

Comparative analysis of the trypanocidal activity and chemical properties of E-lychnophoric acid and its derivatives using theoretical calculations

E-Lychnophoric acid 1, its derivative ester 2 and alcohol 3 killed 100% of trypomastigote blood forms of Trypanosoma cruzi at the concentrations of 13.86, 5.68, and 6.48 µg/mL, respectively. Conformational distribution calculations (AM1) of 1, 2 and 3 gave minimum energies for the conformers a, b, c, and d, which differ from each other only in the cyclononene ring geometry. Calculations (DFT/BLYP/6-31G*) of geometry optimization and chemical properties were performed for conformers of 1, 2, and 3. The theoretical results were numerically compared to the trypanocidal activity. Calculated values of atomic charge, orbital population, and vibrational frequencies showed that the C-4-C-5 pi-endocyclic bond does not affect the trypanocidal activity of the studied compounds. Nevertheless, the structure of the group at C-4 strongly influences the activity. However, the theoretical results indicated that the intra-ring (C-1 and C-9) and pi-exocycle (C-8 and C-14) carbons of caryophyllene-type structures promote the trypanocidal activity of these compounds.

Comparison of some properties of Cu(II) 2,3- , 3,5- and 2,6-dimethoxybenzoates

The physico-chemical properties and thermal stability in air of Cu(II) 2,3- , 3,5- and 2,6-dimethoxybenzoates were compared and the influence of the position of -OCH3 substituent on their thermal stability was investigated. The complexes are crystalline, hydrated salts with blue colour. The carboxylate ion is a bidentate chelating or bridging group. The thermal stability of analysed Cu(II) dimethoxybenzoates was studied in the temperature range of 293-1173 K. The positions of methoxy- groups in benzene ring influence the thermal properties of studied complexes. Their different thermal properties are markedly connected with the various influence of inductive, mesomeric and steric effects of -OCH3 substituent on the electron density in benzene ring. The magnetic susceptibilities of the complexes were measured over the range of 76-300 K and the magnetic moments were calculated. The results show that they form dimers.

Magnetic, thermal and spectral properties of Ni(II) 2,3- , 3,5- and 2,6-dimethoxybenzoates

Complexes of Ni(II) 2,3-, 3,5- and 2,6-dimethoxybenzoates have been synthesized, their physico-chemical properties have been compared and the influence of the position of -OCH3 substituent on their properties investigated. The analysed compounds are crystalline, hydrated salts with green colour. The carboxylate ions show a bidentate chelating or bridging coordination modes. The thermal stabilities of Ni(II) dimethoxybenzoates were investigated in air in the range of 293-1173 K. The complexes decompose in three steps, yelding the NiO as the final product of decomposition. Their solubilities in water at 293 K are in the order of 10-2-10-4 mol×dm-3. The magnetic susceptibilities for the analysed dimethoxybenzoates of Ni(II) were measured over the range of 76-303 K and the magnetic moments were calculated. The results reveal that the complexes are the high-spin ones and the ligands form the weak electrostatic field in the octahedral coordination sphere of the central Ni(II) ion. The various position -OCH3 groups in benzene ring cause the different steric, mesomeric and inductive effects on the electron density in benzene ring.

Physico-chemical characterization of nanoparticle coated paper

Förståelse av olika ytors vätningsegenskaper är viktig i många pappers-relaterade industriella processer eftersom vätningen påverkar materialbeteendet, t.ex. vid bestrykning, tryckning och laminering. Förmågan att kontrollera vätningen är av intresse, därför att den ger nya möjligheter till modifikation av ytor. Vätningen styrs av ytans struktur och kemi. Kunskap om dessa egenskaper krävs både i fundamentala studier och för industriella applikationer. Nanopartiklar används ofta för att skapa funktionella ytor med mångsidiga egenskaper. Detta arbete strävar till att förstå de fysikalisk-kemiska egenskaperna hos papper och kartong som är bestrukna med nanopartiklar, för att sedan kunna förklara de observerade förändringarna i ytornas vätningsförmåga. Funktionella ytor med justerbar vätningsförmåga tillverkades genom att deponera nanopartiklar i en rulle-till-rulle vätskeflammasprutningprocess (LFS). TiO2 -nanopartikelbeläggningen skapar en superhydrofob yta som har över 160° kontaktvinkelmed vatten, medan SiO2-nanopartikelbeläggningar skapar mycket hydrofila ytor med kontaktvinklar så låga som 21° med vatten. Superhydrofobiciteten eller hydrofiliteten är ett resultat av den kombinerade effekten hos ytstrukturen och ytkemin, såsom nanopartiklarnas oxidationsnivå eller karbonatiseringsnivå. Kartongytor som är bestrukna med TiO2-nanopartiklar kan vara såväl superhydrofoba som hydrofila. Hydrofilitet kan induceras genom UVA-strålning, medan behandling i hög temperatur i ugn resulterar i en superhydrofob yta. Ett mål med arbetet var att förstå mekanismerna hos de kemiska för ändringar som sker under UVA-bestrålning och värmebehandling av ytor, bestrukna med TiO2-nanopartiklar. Ytornas abrasions- och kompressionsmotstånd samt relaterade förändringar i funktionella egenskaper undersöktes. Resultaten skapar en bättre förståelse för potentiell användning av LFS-nanopartikelbeläggningar i pappersrelaterade applikationer. En förståelse för stabiliteten hos nanopartikelbeläggningarna när de exponeras för externa krafter är viktig för att försäkra deras funktionalitet i industriella applikationer och för att garantera beläggningarnas miljö-, hälso- och säkerhetsaspekter. ------------------------------------------ Pinnan kastumisominaisuuksien hallinta on tärkeää monissa paperiteollisuuden prosesseissa, sillä pinnan kastuminen vaikuttaa esimerkiksi päällystämiseen, painamiseen ja laminointiin. Pinnan kastuvuuden säätäminen avaa mielenkiintoisia uusia mahdollisuuksia pintojen ominaisuuksien hallintaan. Pinnan kastuvuus määräytyy pinnan rakenteesta ja kemiasta, ja näiden ominaisuuksien ymmärtäminen on tärkeää sekä perustutkimuksessa että teollisissa sovelluksissa. Nanopartikkeleita käytetään usein toiminnallisten ja hallitusti kastuvien pintojen aikaansaamiseksi. Tässä työssä on tarkasteltu nanopartikkelipinnoitetun paperin ja kartongin fysikaalis-kemiallisia pintaominaisuuksia, jotka selittävät havaittuja muutoksia pinnan kastuvuudessa. Toiminnalliset pinnat säädettävillä kastuvuusominaisuuksilla valmistettiin nesteliekkiruiskutus (LFS) nanopartikkelipinnoituksella rullalta rullalle-menetelmällä. TiO2-nanopartikkelipäällystys saa aikaan superhydrofobisen pinnan, jonka veden kontaktikulma on suurempi kuin 160°. Toisaalta SiO2-nanopartikkelipäällystys muuttaa pinnan hyvin hydrofiiliseksi, veden kontaktikulman ollessa vain 21°. Pinnan superhydrofobisuus tai hydrofiilisyys riippuu nanopartikkelipinnan rakenteesta ja pintakemiasta kuten pinnan hapettumisasteesta ja hiilipitoisuudesta. TiO2-nanopartikkelipinnoitetun kartonkipinnan kastumista voidaan säätää superhydrofobisen ja hydrofiilisen välillä. Pinnan hydrofiilisyys saadaan aikaan UVA-valolla, kun taas superhydrofobinen pinta voidaan palauttaa korkeassa lämpötilassa uunissa. Tämän työn tavoitteena oli selvittää, millaisia muutoksia TiO2-nanopartikkelipäällystetyn pinnan kemiassa tapahtuu UVA-valon ja lämpökäsittelyn vaikutuksesta. Työssä tarkasteltiin myös pinnan mekaanisen hankauksen ja kokoonpuristuksen vaikutusta toiminnallisiin ominaisuuksiin. Työssä saavutetut tulokset auttavat ymmärtämään LFS-nanopartikkelipäällystettyjen pintojen soveltuvuutta paperiin liittyvissä sovelluksissa. Nanopartikkelipäällystettyjen pintojen stabiilius ulkoisten voimien alaisena on tärkeää toiminnallisten päällystysten ympäristö-, terveys- ja turvallisuusnäkökulmia tarkasteltaessa.