Ravines in Angola. Causes and restraint methods

The Earth we know today was not always so. Over millions of years have undergone significant ch an g e s brought about by numerous geological phenomena aimed at your balance, some internal order, creating new geological formations and other external order smoothing formations previously created. From t h e tectonic standpoint, Angola is located in a relatively stable area which gives it a certain p ri v i l e g e w h e n compared with some Asian countries or even Americans where quite often occur earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. However, the same cannot be said in relation to the occurrence of an external geodynamics phenomena, such as the ravines, which in recent years has taken shape in many provinces, especially due to anthropogenic activity, giving rise to geological hazards, increasing the risk of damage in buildings and others infrastructures, losses direct or indirect in economic activities and loss of human lives. We understand that the reducing of these risks starts, in particular, by their identification, for later take preventive measures. This work is the result of some research work carried out by the authors through erosion courses of s o i l and stabilization of soils subject to erosion phenomena, carried out by Engineering Laboratory of Angola (LEA). For the realization of this work, we resorted to cartographic data query, literature, listening to s o m e o f the provincial representatives and local residents, as well as the observation in lo co o f s o m e af f e ct ed areas. The results allow us to infer that the main provinces affected by ravine phenomenon are located in Central and Northern highlands, as well as in the eastern region, and more recently in Cuando-Cub an go province. Not ruling out, however, other regions, such as in Luanda and Cabinda [1]. Relatively the causes, we can say that the ravines in Angola are primarily due to the combination of three natural factors: climate, topography and type of soil [2]. When we add the anthropogenic activit y , namely the execution of construction works, the drainage system obstructio n, exploration of m i n e ral s, agriculture and fires, it is verified an increasing of the phenomenon, often requiring immedi at e act i o n . These interventions can be done through structural or engineering measures and by the stabilization measures on the degraded soil cover [3]. We present an example of stabilization measures throu g h t h e deployment of a local vegetation called Pennisetum purpureum. It is expected that the results may contribute to a better understanding of the causes of the ravine phenomenon in Angola and that the adopted stabilization method can be adapted in other affected provinces in order to prevent and making the contention of the ravines.

Qualidade da biomassa em híbridos de capim-elefante para fins energéticos.

Além do uso como forrageira, o capim-elefante vem sendo utilizado como fonte de energia alternativa. Isso se deve pela sua alta capacidade de produção de biomassa. É desejável que essa biomassa tenha alto teor de fibras e baixo de cinzas, por isso há necessidade de se obter materiais genéticos com essas características. Com isso, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as características químicas dos híbridos de capim-elefante e dos seus genitores para produção de biomassa energética. O experimento foi conduzido na Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, localizada em Campos dos Goytacazes, nos anos de 2011 e 2012. Foram efetuados dois cortes onde foram avaliadas: Porcentagem de cinzas (%CIN); fibra de detergente neutro (%FDN) e ácido (%FDA); celulose (%CEL); hemicelulose (%HEM); e lignina (%LIG). O delineamento foi em blocos ao acaso, com três repetições. Os tratamentos foram quatro genitores femininos, quatro genitores masculinos, 16 híbridos obtidos em esquema de cruzamento em dialelo parcial e uma testemunha. As médias foram comparadas pelo teste de Tukey (P < 0,05). Em relação às características avaliadas no presente estudo, as combinações híbridas H1, H3, H5, H7, H9 e os genitores P4 e P6 possuem boas qualidades de biomassa e, com isso, apresentam potencial para uso para fins energéticos.

Adubação de capim-elefante com composto orgânico produzido com resíduos animais.

A utilização do composto orgânico proveniente de resíduos da criação e abate de pequenos ruminantes pode elevar a produção de matéria seca do capim-elefante, tendo em vista o teor de nutrientes contidos nesse fertilizante orgânico, diminuindo os impactos da produção animal sobre o ambiente e reduzindo os custos de produção na área de capineira de capim-elefante. Dada à escassez de informações na literatura e a importância do manejo adequado da adubação orgânica na agropecuária, objetivou-se avaliar os atributos químicos e físicos do solo, o estado nutricional e a produção do capim-elefante submetido à aplicação de doses do composto orgânico proveniente de resíduos da produção e abate de pequenos ruminantes. O delineamento experimental adotado foi em parcelas subdivididas, com medidas repetidas no tempo, sendo as parcelas as doses (0; 13,3; 26,6; 39,9; 52,3; 79,8 t ha-1) de composto orgânico e um tratamento adicional com adubos minerais e as subparcelas os ciclos (1, 2, 3 e 4) com 4 blocos, totalizando 28 parcelas. As variáveis mensuradas foram atributos físicos e químicos do solo, a diagnose foliar e a produtividade de capim-elefante. Para o fator ciclo, a adubação orgânica incrementou a umidade gravimétrica e umidade volumétrica e ainda houve diminuição da densidade de partículas em função dos ciclos. Com as doses do fertilizante orgânico houve aumento nas concentrações da matéria orgânica, amônio, nitrato, amônio + nitrato, fósforo e saturação por base; houve redução do valor da acidez potencial, além da elevação dos teores de nitrogênio e fósforo nas plantas. As doses de composto orgânico aumentaram a biomassa de forragem total de capimelefante. A adubação mineral proporcionou maior incremento da produção do capim em relação à adubação orgânica no decorrer dos ciclos. Abstract: The use of organic compost from residues of production and slaughter of small ruminants can increase dry matter production of elephant grass, in due function of quantity nutrients in this compost, thus reducing the animal production impacts in the environment and production costs in elephant grass fields. Due to the Lack of information in literature and the importance regarding organic fertilization in agriculture, the aim of this work was evaluate chemical and physical soil attributes, nutritional status in plants and production of elephant grass in function of doses of organic compound of residues of production and slaughter of small ruminants. The experimental design was in split-plot, with the main treatment the doses (0; 13,3; 26,6; 39,9; 52,3; 79,8 t ha-1 ) of organic compost and one additional treatment with mineral fertilization and secondary treatments was the cycles (1, 2, 3 and 4) with 4 blocks, and 28 plots. The measured variables were physical and chemical attributes in the soil, nutritional diagnosis in plants and production of elephant grass. For cycle factor the organic fertilization increased gravimetric and volumetric humidity, yet, occurred decrease of density in function of cycles. With the doses of organic compost increased organic matter, ammonium, nitrate, ammonium + nitrate, phosphor and base saturation; and decreased the value of potential acidity; and increased content of N and P in plants. The doses of organic compost increased the elephant grass production. The mineral fertilization increased the elephant grass production in relation of organic fertilization over the cycles.

Geração de energia a partir de sorgo biomassa e capim elefante com adição de óleos residuais.

2016

Phenotypic and genotypic variation within populations of kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) in Australia.

Experiments at 2 sites in subtropical eastern Australia investigated the variation in agronomic attributes, quality and genetic structure existing within: naturally-occurring populations of kikuyu ( Pennisetum clandestinum) from within Australia; selections produced from the treatment of Whittet seed with mutagenic chemicals; and available cultivars. Runners were collected from coastal areas extending from Western Australia to the Atherton Tableland in north Queensland. One experiment evaluated 10 mutagenic selections and 4 cultivars in a lattice design and the other evaluated 12 ecotypes and 3 cultivars in a randomised block design. The experimental unit was single plants, which were sown on a 1.5 m grid into a weed-free seed-bed (Mutdapilly) or a killed kikuyu stand (Wollongbar), both of which were kept clear of weeds and other kikuyu plants for the duration of the experiments. Foliage height, forage production and runner yield were assessed. Leaf material was analysed for concentrations of crude protein (CP), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and for in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDDM) in autumn, winter and spring. DNA was extracted from each plant in the ecotype comparison and subjected to a modified DAF (DNA amplification fingerprinting) analysis to determine the level of genetic relatedness. In the first experiment, none of the mutagenic lines derived from Whittet yielded significantly more or was more digestible than commercial Whittet material, although some selections were superior to the other commercial kikuyu cultivars, Noonan and Crofts, and 'common' kikuyu. However, there were significant differences in plant height and runner expansion. In the second experiment, significant differences in plant height, foliage yield, runner development, and leaf CP, ADF, NDF and IVDDM concentrations were demonstrated between the ecotypes, mutagenic selections and cultivars. There was a 4- to 6-fold difference in plant yield and a 6- to 10-fold difference in runner production between the ecotypes at the 2 sites. Quality of the leaf ranged from 200 to 270 g/kg (CP), from 700 to 770 g/kg (IVDDM), from 170 to 250 g/kg (ADF) and from 470 to 550 g/kg (NDF). Improvements in quality and agronomic attributes were not mutually exclusive. Genetic fingerprint analysis of the kikuyu lines indicated that they formed 2 broad groupings. Most of the regional ecotypes were grouped with 'common' kikuyu as represented by the material collected from Wollongbar, and the Beechmont, Atherton Tableland and Gympie ecotypes were grouped with the registered cultivars Whittet, Noonan and Crofts. Two lines produced by mutagenesis from Whittet remained closely linked to Whittet. These results suggest that there was variation between populations of kikuyu in yield, quality and genetic diversity but that mutagenesis by treating seed with sodium azide and diethylene sulphide did not achieve a significant change in the digestibility of leaf over cv. Whittet.

The efficacy and potential risks of controlling sprouting in Finnish birches (Betula spp.) with the fungal decomposer Chondrostereum purpureum

Sprouting of fast-growing broad-leaved trees causes problems in young coniferous stands, under power transmission lines and along roads and railways. Public opinion and the Finnish Forest Certification System oppose the use of chemical herbicides to control sprouting, which means that most areas with problems rely on mechanical cutting. However, cutting is a poor control method for many broad-leaved species because the removal of leaders can stimulate the sprouting of side branches and cut stumps quickly re-sprout. In order to be effective, cutting must be carried out frequently but each cut increases the costs, making this control method increasingly difficult and expensive once begun. As such, alternative methods for sprout control that are both effective and environmentally sound represent a continuing challenge to managers and research biologists. Using biological control agents to prevent sprouting has been given serious consideration recently. Dutch and Canadian researchers have demonstrated the potential of the white-rot fungus Chondrostereum purpureum (Pers. ex Fr.) Pouzar as a control agent of stump sprouting in many hardwoods. These findings have focused the attention of the Finnish forestry community on the utilization of C. purpureum for biocontrol purposes. Primarily, this study sought determines the efficacy of native C. purpureum as an inhibitor of birch stump sprouting in Finland and to clarify its mode of action. Additionally, genotypic variation in Finnish C. purpureum was examined and the environmental risks posed by a biocontrol program using this fungus were assessed. Experimental results of the study demonstrated that C. purpureum clearly affects the sprouting of birch: both the frequency of living stumps and the number of living sprouts per stump were effectively reduced by the treatment. However, the treatment had no effect on the maximum height of new sprouts. There were clear differences among fungal isolates in preventing sprouting and those that possessed high oxidative activities as measured in the laboratory inhibited sprouting most efficiently in the field. The most effective treatment time during the growing season was in early and mid summer (May July). Genetic diversity in Nordic and Baltic populations of C. purpureum was found to be high at the regional scale but locally homogeneous. This natural distribution of diversity means that using local genotypes in biocontrol programs would effectively prevent the introduction of novel genes or genotypes. While a biocontrol program using local strains of C. purpureum would be environmentally neutral, pruned birches that are close to the treatment site would have a high susceptibility to infect by the fungus during the early spring.

Diagnose das principais doenças do cupuaçuzeiro (Theobroma grandiflorum (Willd. ex Spreng.) Schum.) e seu controle.

Cupuaçu: vassoura-de-bruxa, morte progressiva, podridao vermelha, mancha de Phomopsis.

Produção de mudas de cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum (Willd. ex Spreng. Schum.).

Informacoes tecnicas sobre producao de mudas de cupuacu: propagacao por sementes (selecao, preparo e conservacao), embalagem, preparo do substrato, semeadura, propagacao vegetativa por enxertia (borbulhia: obtencao das hastes, preparo do porta-enxerto e execucao da enxertia), viveiro (escolha do local, construcao, arrumacao e cuidados), transporte das mudas, legislacao e orcamento para producao de 10.000 mudas de cupuacu, em Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil.

Alguns aspectos sobre a biologia, comportamento, infestacao e perdas causadas pela broca-do-fruto (Conotrachelus sp.) do cupuacuzeiro (Theobroma grandiflorum Schum.), em Manaus-AM.

Estudo sobre a biologia, comportamento, intensidade de infestacao e quantificacao das perdas causadas pela broca-do-fruto no cupuacuzeiro para fornecer informacoes e, desse modo, aumentar os conhecimento de como melhorar o manejo dessa praga. O trabalho foi realizado em duas fases: a) campo - coleta semanal dos frutos caidos ao chao, registando o numero de furos na casca e o de larvas no interior do fruto; b) laboratorio - as larvas do ultimo instar foram colocadas dentro de garrafas de plastico de 2l contendo mistura de vermiculita esterilizada por 1h, a 160°C, na proporcao de 2:1. O substrato foi umedecido com agua destilada e as garrafas mantidas a 27°C±2°C, em umidade relativa de 80%±10% e fotoperiodo de 12h:12h, para o desenvolvimento pupal. A regiao mediana dos frutos foi a preferida para a perfuracao de saida das larvas. O numero de larvas foi crescente de fevereiro a abril, epoca de maior producao de frutos. A duracao media para transformacao da larva do ultimo instar para a emergencia dos adultos foi de 65,34 dias, a viabilidade foi de 81,62%, e a raza sexual, 1:1. a intensidade de infestacao foi de 85,0% a 93,33%, com altas perdas na producao.

A cultura do cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum (Willd. ex Spreng.) Schum.).

Cupuaçu: classificacao botanica, origem e distribuicao, condicoes climaticas e fenologia, propagacao, implantacao da cultura, tratos culturais, doencas e pragas e seu controle, produtividade, colheita e beneficiamento, produtos derivados, comercializacao, coeficientes tecnicos, no Estado do Amazonas (Brasil).

Avaliação da intensidade de infestação natural e nível de infestação após o uso de métodos culturais de controle da broca-do-fruto (Conotrachellus sp. Fiedler, 1940. Coleoptera: Curculionidae) do cupuaçuzeiro (Theobroma grandiflorum Schum.).

Foi realizada a avaliação dos níveis de infestação natural de Conotrachelus sp. e após tratamento cultural, em plantio de cupuaçu, e em frutos de cupuaçu protegidos por sacos de papel e sacos de plástico.

Estudo preliminar da cadeia produtiva do cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum (Willd. ex Spreng.) Schum) no Amazonas.

Caracterização geral da cadeia produtiva do cupuaçu. Setor produtivo. Agregação de valores - Agroindústria. Comercialização. Consumidor final. Análise diagnóstica. Análise prognóstica. Identificação de limitações estruturais e tecnológicas da cadeia produtiva do cupuaçu. Demandas identificadas.