Use of the heat dissipation method for sap flow measurement in citrus nursery trees1

Sap flow could be used as physiological parameter to assist irrigation of screen house citrus nursery trees by continuous water consumption estimation. Herein we report a first set of results indicating the potential use of the heat dissipation method for sap flow measurement in containerized citrus nursery trees. 'Valencia' sweet orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] budded on 'Rangpur' lime (Citrus limonia Osbeck) was evaluated for 30 days during summer. Heat dissipation probes and thermocouple sensors were constructed with low-cost and easily available materials in order to improve accessibility of the method. Sap flow showed high correlation to air temperature inside the screen house. However, errors due to natural thermal gradient and plant tissue injuries affected measurement precision. Transpiration estimated by sap flow measurement was four times higher than gravimetric measurement. Improved micro-probes, adequate method calibration, and non-toxic insulating materials should be further investigated.

Toxic action of aqueous wheat straw extract on horse e purslane

The toxic action of aqueous wheat (Triticum aestivum) straw extracts was investigated on germination, early seedling growth, some biochemical attributes and the antioxidant enzymes of horse purslane (Trianthemaportulacastrum). Aqueous extracts of wheat straw were prepared by soaking the wheat straw in distilled water in 1:10 w/v ratio and diluted to obtain the concentrations of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%. These were used as pre and post emergence in laboratory and screen house trials. Wheat aqueous extracts exhibited phytotoxicity to horse purslane by inhibiting and delaying its germination and suppressing seedling growth. Wheat phytotoxins in its aqueous extracts suppressed the chlorophyll content and soluble protein, and enhanced soluble phenolics and the activity of antioxidant enzymes as catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in the seedlings of horse purslane compared with the control. Such inhibitory activity is believed to originate from exposure to wheat phytotoxins that are present in its aqueous straw extract. The suppressive effects of wheat straw need to be investigated further under field conditions.

Effect of period of sugarcane cultivation on the abundance and distribution of weed seeds in the soil profile

An experiment was laid down in a screen house to determine the distribution of weed seeds at different soil depths and periods of cultivation of sugarcane in Ilorin, Nigeria. Soil samples from different depth levels (0-10 cm, 11-20 cm and 21-30 cm) were collected after harvesting of canes from three different land use fields (continuous sugarcane cultivation for > 20 years, continuous sugarcane cultivation for < 10 years after long fallow period and continuous sugarcane cultivation for < 5 years after long fallow period) in November, 2012. One kilogram of the sieved composite soil samples was arranged in the screen house and watered at alternate days. Germinating weed seedlings were identified, counted and then pulled out for the period of 8 months. Land use and soil depth had a highly significant (p £ 0.05) effect on the total number of weeds that emerged from the soil samples. The 010 cm of the soil depth had the highest weed seedlings that emerged. There was an equal weed seed distribution at the 11-20 cm and 21-30 cm depths of the soil. Sugarcane fields which have been continuously cultivated for a long period of time with highly disturbing soil tillage practices tend to have larger seed banks in deeper soil layers (11-20 cm and 21-30 cm) while recently opened fields had significantly larger seed banks at the 0-10 cm soil sampling depth.

Influence of pre-plant densities of Meloidogyne incognita on growth and root infestation of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) (Amaranthaceae) – an important dimension towards enhancing crop production

Vegetables represent a main source of micro-nutrients which can improve the health status of malnourished poor in the world. Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) is a popular leafy vegetable in many countries which is rich with several important micro-nutrients. Thus, consuming Spinach helps to overcome micro-nutrient deficiencies. Pests and pathogens act as major yield constraints in food production. Root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne species, constitute a large group of highly destructive plant pests. Spinach is found to be highly susceptible for these nematode attacks. Though agricultural production has largely benefited from modern technologies and innovations, some important dimensions which can minimize the yield losses have been neglected by most of the growers. Pre-plant or initial nematode density in soil is a crucial biotic factor which is directly responsible for crop losses. Hence, information on preplant nematode densities and the corresponding damage is of vital importance to develop successful control procedures to enhance crop production. In the present study, effect of seven initial densities of M. incognita, i.e., 156, 312, 625, 1250, 2,500, 5,000 and 10,000 infective juveniles (IJs)/plant (equivalent to 1000cm3 soil) on the growth and root infestation on potted spinach plants was determined in a screen house. In order to ensure a high accuracy, root infestation was ascertained by the number of galls formed, the percentage galled-length of feeder roots and galled-feeder roots, and egg production, per plant. Fifty days post-inoculation, shoot length and weight, and root length were suppressed at the lowest IJs density. However, the pathogenic effect was pronounced at the highest density at which 43%, 46% and 45% reduction in shoot length and weight, and root length, respectively, was recorded. The highest reduction in root weight (26%) was detected at the second highest density. The Number of galls and percentage galled-length of feeder roots/per plant showed significant progressive increase across the increasing IJs density with the highest mean value of 432.3 and 54%, respectively. The two shoot growth parameters and root length showed significant inverse relationship with the increasing gall formation. Moreover, the shoot and root length were shown to be mutually dependent on each other. Suppression of shoot growth of spinach greatly affects the grower’s economy. Hence, control measures are essentially needed to ensure a better production of spinach via reducing the pre-plant density below the level of 0.156 IJs/cm3.

Uso de subprodutos de carvão vegetal na formação do porta-enxerto limoeiro 'Cravo' em ambiente protegido

O trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito do uso de fino de carvão no substrato e da aplicação de extrato pirolenhoso no substrato e na planta sobre o desenvolvimento de porta-enxertos de limoeiro 'Cravo' (Citrus limonia Osbeck) cultivados em ambiente protegido. O experimento foi desenvolvido no delineamento em blocos casualisados, com análise em esquema fatorial 3 x 2 x 3, sendo: 3 proporções de fino de carvão (0, 100 e 200 cm³ dm-3) em mistura com substrato comercial, 2 concentrações de extrato pirolenhoso (0 e 20 cm³ dm-3) misturadas no substrato (240 cm³ por dm³ de substrato) e 3 concentrações de extrato pirolenhoso (0, 5 e 10 cm³ dm-3) pulverizadas na parte aérea, em 4 repetições. Aos 150 e 180 dias após o plantio foram realizadas avaliações do desenvolvimento das plantas. As misturas de fino de carvão e substrato comercial contendo fino de carvão na proporção de 100 cm³ dm-3 não influíram no desenvolvimento de porta-enxertos de limoeiro 'Cravo' , porém, na proporção de 200 cm³ dm-3 prejudica o desenvolvimento dos mesmos. O umedecimento pré-plantio do substrato com solução diluída (20 cm³ dm-3) de extrato pirolenhoso ou pulverização da parte aérea das plantas com soluções a 5 e 10 cm³ dm-3 provoca redução do desenvolvimento de porta-enxertos de limoeiro 'Cravo' .

Lesão na base e concentrações de ácido indolbutírico no enraizamento de estacas apicais de figueira ‘Roxo de Valinhos’

This work aimed to increase the rhizogenic potential of cuttings collected from the apical portion of the branches of fig trees, performing injuries and treating the cuttings with indolbutyric acid (IBA). Apical cuttings of 'Roxo de Valinhos' fig tree were collected in July. The cuttings were standardized with 20 cm in length and basal diameter of 10 mm. The cuttings received or not incisions at the basis (parallel cuts of 2 cm) and immersed in IBA at 0, 1000, 2000 and 3000 mg L(-1) for 10 seconds. The cuttings were buried (3/4 of the length) in moistened sand, inside a screen house (50% of light). After 60 days it was found that treatment with IBA benefits in the development of apical cuttings, and the concentration that achieved the best results was 2000 mg L(-1); the use of injury at the base of the cuttings helps rooting.

Influência do extrato pirolenhoso na calda de pulverização sobre o teor foliar de nutrientes em limoeiro 'Cravo'

Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da presença do extrato pirolenhoso (EP) na calda de pulverização sobre o teor foliar de nutrientes de limoeiro 'Cravo' (Citrus limonia Osbeck), foi desenvolvido um experimento com seis tratamentos e quatro repetições, em blocos ao acaso, em ambiente protegido. Os tratamentos constituíram da pulverização das soluções: T0 = água; T1 = solução de micronutrientes sem EP; T2 = solução de micronutrientes + EP (1cm³ dm-3); T3 = solução de micronutrientes + EP (2 cm³ dm-3); T4 = solução de micronutrientes + EP (5cm³ dm-3); T5 = solução de micronutrientes + EP (10 cm³ dm-3). A solução de micronutrientes foi preparada com sulfatos de Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn (250 mg dm-3 do elemento) e ácido bórico (42,5 mg dm-3 de B). As plantas foram cultivadas em tubetes cônicos de 0,280 dm³, com substrato sem a adição de micronutrientes na formulação. As soluções foram pulverizadas uma única vez, aos 140 dias após o plantio (DAP), momento em que as plantas apresentavam aproximadamente 20 cm de altura. Ao final do experimento (160 DAP), quantificaram-se a massa seca e os teores de macro e micronutrientes da parte aérea e sistema radicular. A presença do extrato pirolenhoso na solução de micronutrientes não interferiu na concentração foliar de B, Fe e Zn em mudas de limoeiro 'Cravo'. Entretanto, na concentração de 10 cm³ dm-3, aumentou a concentração foliar de Cu e Mn. Observou-se também que as plantas pulverizadas com soluções contendo EP (1 a 10 cm³ dm-3) + micronutrientes apresentaram menor teor de Fe e maior teor de Ca no sistema radicular.

Activity of benomyl for control of postbloom fruit drop of citrus caused by Colletotrichum acutatum

Postbloom fruit drop (PFD) of citrus caused by Colletotrichum acutatum produces orange-brown lesions on petals and induces the abscission of young fruitlets and the retention of the calyces. Despite the fact that C. acutatum is not highly sensitive to benomyl in culture, this fungicide provides good control of the disease under field conditions. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of benomyl on various stages of disease development to understand the basis for its effectiveness in the field. We found that benomyl at 1.0 μg/ml reduced colony area of C. acutatum by about 75% and completely inhibited growth of C. gloeosporioides. Benomyl did not prevent conidial germination even at 100 μg/ml, but reduced germ tube elongation at 10 and 100 μg/ml. When benomyl was applied to flower clusters on screen-house-grown plants before inoculation, disease severity was greatly reduced. Applications at 24 and 48 h, but not at 72 h, after inoculation reduced PFD severity. Application of benomyl to symptomatic petals not bearing conidia did not prevent or reduce production of inoculum. Application to petals bearing conidia reduced viability of these fungal propagules by only about 50%. The viability of appressoria on mature leaves was not affected by benomyl application. Even when appressoria on mature leaves were stimulated to germinate by treatment with flower extracts, subsequent application of benomyl did not reduce propagule numbers below original levels. Benomyl appears to act by preventing infection and early development of the fungus in petals. However, once symptoms have developed, this fungicide has only minimal effects on further disease development and spread.

Uso de sub-produtos da fabricação de carvão vegetal na formação do porta-enxerto limoeiro 'cravo' em ambiente protegido

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Produção Vegetal) - FCAV

Mancha de ramularia do algodoeiro: agente etiológico, produção de inóculo, resistência de genótipos e controle integrado

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Proteção de Plantas) - FCA

Solanum americanum as a reservoir of natural enemies of the tomato red spider mite, Tetranychus evansi (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Brazilian populations of the pathogenic fungus Neozygites floridana (Weiser & Muma) Remaudiere & S. Keller (Entomophthoromycotina: Entomophthorales) and the predatory mite Phytoseiulus longipes Evans (Acari: Phytoseiidae) are potential candidates for introduction into Africa for classical biological control of the tomato red spider mite, Tetranychus evansi Baker & Pritchard (Acari: Tetranychidae). The efficiency of these natural enemies against T. evansi has been demonstrated under laboratory conditions, but little is known about their performance on native Solanaceae in the field. The American nightshade, Solanum americanum Mill., is native to the Americas and may serve as an alternative host plant for T. evansi and its natural enemies in the absence of tomato plants. In this work, we studied the population dynamics of T. evansi and its natural enemies on S. americanum in a screen house, semi-field and field plots in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, to evaluate the potential of natural enemies for controlling T. evansi. Of the four natural enemies found in association with T. evansi, only N. floridana and P. longipes were clearly associated with the reduction of the populations of T. evansi. Neozygites floridana was observed in a screen house, semi-field and field plots, but P. longipes was only detected in the semi-field plots. Increases in the population of T. evansi were always followed by increases in the density of one of these natural enemies, suggesting that they were important factors regulating T. evansi populations on S. americanum. The presence of this host plant near the release sites in Africa thus might increase the chances for the permanent establishment of these natural enemies.

Photograph - Baie Comeau, Paper Store House Construction

A photograph at Baie Comeau with the caption "Cement hoist at work on paper store house construction".

Evaluation of recycled tiles and OSB ceiling materials in closed broiler house prototypes

This study aimed at evaluating the thermal performance of a modular ceiling system for poultry houses. The reduced- and distorted-scale prototypes used ceiling modules made of reforested wood and were covered with recycled long-life package tiles. The following parameters were measured for 21 days: tile internal surface temperature (ST), globe temperature and humidity index (WBGT), and radiant heat load (RHL). Measurements were made at times of highest heat load (11:00 am, 13:00 pm, and 03:00 pm). Collected data were analyzed by "R" statistics software. Means were compared by multiple comparison test (Tukey) and linear regression was performed, both at 5% significance level. The results showed that the prototype with the ceiling was more efficient to reduce internal tile surface temperature; however, this was not sufficient to provide a comfortable environment for broilers during the growout. Therefore, other techniques to provide proper cooling are required in addition to the ceiling.

The right to the screen: from media education to educommunication in Brazil

Nowadays in Brazil, some social organizations, governments and mass media are discussing the need to establish an oversight committee to guarantee the quality of television programmes, as well as the need to set a system to determine what kind of pro, gram is appropriate for every television time slot. Across Brazil, a representative body of children and young people have come to the conclusion that the right to receive quality television programmes is not enough. The children of the new generations think they have the right to access new technologies and the production of their own messages, in accordance with their own creativity, interests and lifestyle projects within society.