Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Root-knot nematodes cause a significant reduction in the productivity of the gilo due to physiological stress. Incorporating organic residue into the soil has a positive effect in reducing nematode infestation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the addition of organic residue on the reproduction of Meloidogyne javanica and its role in the physiology of the gilo. One-litre pots, each containing one gilo seedling, were inoculated with 5000 eggs of M. javanica and the following treatments evaluated: 1) no inoculation and no residue (NIR); 2) NIR; 3) 12.5 g L-1 poultry manure; 4) 25 g L-1 cattle manure; 5) 20 g L-1 filter cake; 6) 5 g L-1 of the shoots of Tagetes patula; 7) 6.25 g L-1 of the shoots of Brassica oleracea var. capitata; 8) 20 mL L-1 vinasse and 9) 1 mL Abamectin-based commercial product (18 g L-1 a.i.). A randomised block design was used, with six repetitions. Gas exchange variables were evaluated 15, 30 and 45 days after inoculation with the nematode (DAI) and the vegetative and nematological variables at 60 DAI. The treatments that included cattle manure and filter cake afforded the best physiological rate and development in the gilo. The best results in controlling the nematode were given by the poultry manure, cattle manure and filter cake, reducing the reproduction of M. javanica by 41.76, 51.44 and 52.40%, respectively. Based on the results, poultry manure, cattle manure and filter cake are efficient in controlling M. javanica and show potential to be used in the integrated management of M. javanica in the gilo.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT The use of non-conventional feeds in poultry farming can reduce production costs, mainly because of its low cost, availability and chemical composition. Thus, parboiled whole rice bran (PWRB) appears as a potential use in feeding quails. Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of the inclusion of PWRB in the diet of quails. In each experiment, a total of 288 seven-day-old European quails of both sexes, were distributed in a completely randomized design with six treatments and six replicates of eight quails each. The treatments consisted in the inclusion of PWRB in the proportions of 0; 5; 10; 15; 20 and 25% (first) and 0; 8; 16; 24; 32 and 40% (second). In the first experiment, a linear reduction in feed intake and weight gain was observed with the inclusion of PWRB above 5%, with no significant effect on feed conversion and carcass characteristics. However, there was no loss in the performance and carcass characteristics of quails fed with different levels of PWRB in comparison to the control group. In the second, it was observed that the inclusion of PWRB above 8% promoted a linear reduction in feed intake, weight gain and improvement in feed conversion, with no significant effect on carcass characteristics. However, quails fed 40% PWRB showed reduced intake and weight gain when compared to the control group. The use of PWRB provided an improvement in economic viability. Considering the effect on growth, PWRB can be used in the feeding of meat quails up to 32%.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Phosphorous is a limiting nutrient in sugarcane cultivated in Argisols in the Northeast of Brazil, and understanding its availability in the soil, as well as determining sufficiency ranges in the plants is essential when recommending levels of phosphorus fertiliser. The aim of this study was to: (i) Define classes for interpreting P availability in Argisols of the Northeast using the Mehlich-1 and Anion Exchange Resin (AER) extractors; (ii) Evaluate P extraction by the same extractors; and (iii) Correlate the P content of the soil with the P content of the plants, and establish sufficiency ranges in the plants. Three field trials were carried out in a sandy (PVAd1), medium (PAdx) and clayey (PVAd2) Argisol, applying the following amounts of P: 0, 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 kg ha-1 P2O5. The AER extracted more P than did Mehlich-1 from each of the soils. The P content of the classes for interpreting P availability determined by the AER were higher than those determined by Mehlich-1. AER was the best extractor to represent P availability in the Argisol with the clayey texture (PVAd2), and Mehlich-1 in the Argisol with the sandy texture (PVAd1). The ranges of P sufficiency in the leaves of the sugarcane varied between soils, with values of 0.66-0.73 g kg-1 in PVAd1, 0.59-0.69 g kg-1 in PVAd2 and 0.34-0.47 g kg-1 in PAdx. As such, the texture of Argisols cultivated with sugarcane in the Northeast of Brazil should be a criterion for choosing the P extractor used in assessing its availability.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate agronomic performance in cultivars of the Cavendish banana under the soil and climate conditions of the microregion of Assis in the state of São Paulo over three production cycles. The experiment was set up at the Fazenda São José Farm, Água do Pau d´Alho, in Palmital, São Paulo. The Grande Naine, IAC2001 and FHIA02 cultivars were evaluated, considering the following variables: cultivar; plant height; pseudostem perimeter; number of leaves at flowering and harvest; number of days from planting to flowering, from planting to harvest, and from flowering to harvest; weight of the bunch, stalk and fruit per bunch; number of hands per bunch; productivity of the fruit and pulp; weight and number of fingers on the second hand; weight, length and diameter of the finger; pulp diameter; and weight and thickness of the peel. The data were subjected to multivariate statistical techniques (principal component factor analysis, tree clustering, two-way joining, and correspondence). The results showed the extraction of three principal factors that accounted for 89.63% of the total variance of the characteristics under analysis: banana production (Factor 1), vegetative development (Factor 2), and cultivars and fruit diameter (Factor 3). The productive performance of the FHIA02 cultivar was homogeneous and inferior to that of the other cultivars, as seen in the two-way joining cluster analysis. Only the Grande Naine and IAC2001 cultivars are recommended for cultivation in the micro-region of Assis, São Paulo, with Grande Naine showing the largest fruit and, especially, the largest pulp diameter.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Physiological dormancy of Vitis vinifera seeds jeopardises breeding programs and biodiversity evolution. To increase the knowledge on dormancy breaking, seeds of white and black Sardinian grape cultivars (cvs) were exposed to different pre-germination treatments. To shed light on the physiological and structural factors involved in seed dormancy, the contents of oil, abscisic acid, gibberellic acid, 3-indolacetic acid, condensed tannins, and total polyphenols were determined. In addition, sectioned seeds were observed by SEM to determine the morphological and anatomical characteristics. Dormancy break in white, but not in black grape seeds, occurred under almost all imposed pre-germination treatments. Among red cvs, only seeds from ‘Cagnulari’ germinated when kept at 25 °C. Chilling seeds of the white cvs ‘Malvasia sarda’ and ‘Vernaccia di Oristano’ for 30 d resulted in the most effective treatment. Compared to white cvs, seeds of red ones owned 7 times higher levels of abscisic acid however, gibberellic acid content resulted 4 times less. Concerning the coat characteristics, red cv seeds had a thicker cuticle (6-10 µm) than white (4-6 µm) ones, however the most significant diversities were found for the inner integument, where in addition to size variances, palisade cell wall were structurally different.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Stress caused by defoliation can compromise the physiological quality of soybean seeds. However, there is evidence that the application of nitrogen (N) can be an alternative to reduce the qualitative losses in seeds caused by defoliating insects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of topdressing N fertilization in improving the physiological quality of soybean seeds from plants subjected to artificial defoliation. The experimental design was a randomized block arranged in a 2×4 factorial scheme with four replicates. The treatments consisted of two levels of defoliation (33 and 66%) and four doses of N (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg ha-1), using urea (45% N), applied two days after defoliation. Artificial defoliation was performed during the R3 stage by removing one (33%) and two leaflets (66%) from each trifoliate leaf under field conditions. At stage R5.1, leaf area was quantified, and after harvesting, germination, emergence, length, total dry mass, electrical conductivity, total protein content, mass of 1000 seeds, and tetrazolium (vigor and viability) tests were carried out. It was concluded that increasing the defoliation from 33 to 66% impaired the physiological quality of soybean seeds. The use of nitrogen fertilization for coverage after defoliation at the beginning of the reproductive phase cannot minimize qualitative losses in seeds.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Kidneywood (E. polystachya) is a medicinal plant used for urinary and digestive system infections and inflammations in humans and animals. In addition, kidneywood is used as fodder and its wood is employed in rural housing construction. Populations of this plant have been reduced by the extraction that occurs in its natural habitat; in addition, the germination of its seeds is slow. To improve its germination, this research aimed to evaluate the effect of pre-germination treatments on seed germination and seedling growth of E. polystachya. Seven pre-germination treatments and a control were evaluated in a completely randomized experimental design with four replicates per treatment and 25 seeds per replicate. The results indicated that all treatments applied to the seeds produced higher germination percentages (100 to 182%) and greater seedling growth (14,6 to 59,8% more in height) than the control, with the exception of soaking in water. The pretreatment that generated the best response was the application of AG3 at 600 ppm for 30 min, with 96% germination, 19,4 cm height, 3,9 mm stem diameter, 20 cm root length, 21 leaves per plant and 375 mg dry matter per seedling. Mechanical scarification generated 86% germination, 16,1 cm height, 2,9 mm stem diameter, 18 cm long roots, 12,5 leaves, and 354 mg dry matter, added to which it initiated emergence in less time (3,7 d), also making it a good and less costly option.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Harvest delay can alter the physiological and sanitary quality of sorghum seeds due to the longer exposure time of seeds to adverse environmental conditions in the field. In this study, we investigated the impact of delayed Sorghum sp. harvest on the physiological and sanitary quality of seeds in four hybrids grown in the tropical soil of the Brazilian Cerrado region. Plants from four Sorghum sp. hybrids (IPA SUDAN 4202, BRS 658, BRS 810, and BRS 373) were grown and submitted to four seed harvest periods (0, 7, 14, and 21 days after stage 9 - seed physiological maturity). The treatments were arranged in a completely randomized block design in a 4 × 4 factorial, with four replicates. At each harvest period, the thousand-seed weight, water content, first count of the germination test, germination, seedling emergence, emergence speed index, seedling dry matter, accelerated aging, electrical conductivity, and sanitary quality of seeds were determined. Seeds of higher physiological and sanitary quality of the IPA SUDAN 4202 and BRS 658 sorghum hybrids can be obtained when the harvest is carried out up to 7 days after the physiological maturity stage. However, the delay in seed harvesting at 14 and 21 days after physiological maturity results in a higher incidence of Colletotrichum sp., Curvularia sp., Rhizoctonia sp., and Alternaria sp. on the seeds of these hybrids. Delaying the harvest of sorghum seeds from 7 days after the physiological maturity stage compromises seed vigor and viability and increases the incidence of pathogens.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT The work was intended to evaluate the effect of different organic compounds originating from the mixture of agroindustrial and urban wastes, as well as their doses in the physiology and production of cowpea. The experiment was conducted under a randomized block design, in a 4 x 5 + 2 factorial arrangement, with four organic fertilizers (3 composed obtained from of sewage sludge, green coconut shell, carnauba butt; and sewage sludge biochar), five doses (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 t ha-1) and two additional treatments (without fertilization and mineral fertilization). We evaluated the leaf gas exchange in three phenological stages and the productive aspects. Regarding the physiological variables, the compounds with carnauba butt and green coconut shell promoted the best results and throughout the crop cycle, the gas exchange decreased. The productive aspects were increased by about 60%, especially due to the treatments with organic compounds. The PCA can confirm the univariate results, with emphasis on compounds with green coconut shell and carnauba butt. The high percentage of explanation found in axis 1 (60.49%) may be associated with the fact that the gas exchange and production variables are highly responsive to fertilization. The treatment with biochar caused a reduction in both in the physiological and in the productive aspects. The compounds with carnauba tip and green coconut shell promote satisfactory results, being viable alternatives to complement chemical fertilization with an indicated dose of 300g pot-1 or 60 t ha-1.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Agroecological management is considered a model of sustainable agriculture that offers social, environmental and economic benefits. The hypotheses of this study were that agroecological production systems can promote changes in the physical fractions of soil organic matter (SOM) associated with aggregates of different origins, and that the greater diversity of plant species in the production system may favour an increase in the carbon concentration of these aggregates. The aim of this study was to a) determine the mass of the free light fraction (FLF), intra-aggregate light fraction (ILF) and light organic matter fraction (LOM) of biogenic and physiogenic soil aggregates; and b) quantify the organic carbon content of the three light SOM fractions and the residual particulate SOM fraction. Five production systems were evaluated: AgF - Agroforestry system; CSun - Coffee grown in full sun; CSha - Coffee grown in shade; FLE - Flemingia grown in alleys; and NT - No-tillage. The aggregates were separated, identified and classified according to their origin or formation pathway into biogenic (formed by biological processes) or physiogenic aggregates (resulting from chemical and physical actions). From these, the mass and carbon content of the FLF, ILF, LOM and residual particulate fractions were quantified. The greater diversity of plant species found in the AgF system has not yet favoured an increase in the carbon content of the aggregates. The longer set-up time and the management practices of the CSun system has led to an increase in the carbon content of the organic fractions of the aggregates (3.44-1.63 g kg-1 for C-LOM; 1.93-1.13 g kg-1 for C-FLF). The lowest overall mean values for LOM and ILF were found mainly in the aggregates of the NT system (1.22-1.67 and 1.55-2.20 g kg-1, respectively), being associated with the shorter time and greater mobilisation of the arable layer. Biogenic aggregation afforded the highest overall mean values for LOM, and increased the mass of the light fractions (15.5%-27.8% for FLF; 23.4%-8.0% for ILF) and the carbon in the C-LOM, C-FLF and residual particulate fractions (42.3%, 12.9%, and 35.0%, respectively) in the surface layer, suggesting an improvement in soil quality.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The domestic grape germination eco-physiology is a little studied aspect since reproduction occurs predominantly agamically, despite the sexual reproduction remains the main form for the selection of new cultivars. In this study, two international cultivars grown all over the world -Chardonnay and Syrahwere chosen as models of the domestic grape for the experiments in the eco-physiology of germination. The experimental design consisted of chemical, mechanical pre-treatments and combination of them as the bird ingestion pre-treatment that simulates the transit through the digestive tract of birds. Furthermore, seeds were submitted to different periods of cold stratification - 0, 15, 30, 60 and 90 days - to simulate the winter effect. Seeds were placed to germinate at different incubation temperatures, to find the optimal germination protocol. The results showed that domestic grapes retain the need for cold stratification, and the best germination temperature is represented by the fluctuating temperature that simulates spring conditions. Our results help to understand what the best germination conditions of domestic grapes are and offer a contribution to extend the knowledge on how the process of domestication may have affected the biology of Vitis vinifera L. subsp. vinifera.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT The use of carp pituitary extract (CPE) in fish reproduction may have drawbacks, whereas analogues of mammalian (aGnRHm) or salmon (aGnRHs) gonadotropins containing dopamine inhibitor (DI) may offer greater advantages. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different hormone inducers on the reproduction of Prochilodus brevis males. A total of 44 specimens of P. brevis were divided into six groups, namely, CPE 4.0 mg; saline solution 1.0 mL; aGnRHm + DI 0.3 mg and 0.5 mg; and aGnRHs + DI 0.25 mL and 0.35 mL kg-1 of live weight. The number of ejaculates, seminal volume, curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight-line velocity (VSL), average path velocity (VAP), sperm morphology and concentration, and membrane and DNA integrity were determined. Sample normality was examined using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and homogeneity using the Levene test. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted, followed by Tukey's test to compare means, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Notably, all fish induced with CPE 4.0 and aGnRHm + DI demonstrated ejaculation, yielding a greater seminal volume. Sperm concentration under aGnRHs + DI 0.35 exceeded that with aGnRHm + DI 0.3 and CPE 4.0. Regarding velocity, aGnRHm + DI 0.3 outperformed aGnRHs + DI 0.35 in VCL, while aGnRHm + DI 0.3 and 0.5 and aGnRHs + DI 0.25 led to higher VSL than aGnRHs 0.35. Additionally, VAP was elevated under aGnRHm + DI 0.3 and CPE, in contrast to aGnRHs + DI 0.35. Improved sperm morphology was observed with aGnRHm + DI 0.5 and aGnRHs + DI 0.25 compared to aGnRHm + DI 0.3. The remaining parameters did not differ significantly.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT This work aimed at investigating the viability of near infrared spectrometry (NIR), associated with chemometric methods, in order to identify differences at the levels of vigor of naturally and artificially aged soybean seeds. Seeds of six soybean genotypes were analyzed when freshly harvested, after natural aging in storage for eight months, and after artificial aging at the temperature of 41 °C for 96 hours. The seed moisture content, germination potential and vigor were evaluated. Also, there were measured the content of protein, oil and of the fatty acids: palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic and linolenic. The NIR spectra were obtained from the freeze-dried and grinded seeds. The natural and artificial aging of the seeds promote deterioration at distinct levels, reflecting in differences in seed vigor. The regions of the electromagnetic spectrum between wavelengths of 1000-1200 nm, 1350-1450 nm, 1800-1900 nm and 2300-2400 nm are important to distinguish the levels of quality of the soybean seeds. The contents of oil and protein have a relationship with the physiological quality of the seeds. Also, the most relevant wavelengths for the classification of seed vigor present a relationship with these compounds. NIR spectroscopy, in combination with chemometric methods, presents potential to be used in the classification of soybean seeds regarding their physiological quality.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate intake, digestibility and performance in dairy heifers fed diets containing increasing levels of babassu cake (0, 100, 200 and 300 g kg-1 dry matter - DM) as a substitute for sugarcane treated with calcium oxide. Twenty-four heifers with an initial mean weight of 190.8 + 40.8 kg were used, distributed in a completely randomised design. The dry matter intake (DMI), neutral detergent fibre intake (NDFI) and acid detergent fibre intake (ADFI), as %BW and g BW-0.75 , showed an increasing linear response. The organic matter intake (OMI) showed a linear increase of 40 g day-1, 0.017%BW and 0.66 g BW-0.75 for each 10 g kg-1 increase in babassu cake in the diet. The apparent digestibility of the dry matter (ADDM) and organic matter (ADOM) showed a quadratic response (P < 0.05), with a minimum of 493 g kg-1 DM for 150 g kg-1 DM and 526.5 g kg-1 DM for 320 g kg-1 DM as a substitute for the sugarcane, respectively. The final mean weight was not altered, presenting a value of 299.7 + 45.5 kg. Daily weight gain (DWG) showed a quadratic response, with the highest value at a substitution level of 190 g kg-1 DM. The feed conversion rate of the DM was not affected by the addition of babassu cake, with an average of 4.6 + 0.74 kg DM kg-1 in weight gain. Babassu cake can substitute hydrolysed sugarcane in heifer diets up to 300 g kg-1 DM, with the greatest weight gain seen at a substitution level of 190 g kg-1 DM.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT During experiment planning, determining the number of replicates for tested treatments is important because it directly affects the accuracy of the obtained results. This study was conducted to determine the number of measurements (repetitions) necessary to evaluate the yield traits and soluble solids in Cantaloupe and Gália melon hybrid trials. The study comprised twenty-one experiments, nine for evaluating eight Cantaloupe melon hybrids, and twelve for evaluating nine Galia melon hybrids, conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replicates each. Analysis of variance was performed, and repeatability and genotypic determination coefficients were estimated for each experiment. The use of three repetitions allowed identification of superior genotypes with 83.6 and 80.7% predictions of the real values for the yield and soluble solids, respectively, for Cantaloupe melons. Evaluating the trials with Galia melon using three repetitions allowed prediction of the true value of the genotypes with 86.1 and 98.6% accuracy for fruit yield and soluble solids, respectively. Therefore, the use of three replicates was determined to be sufficient for detecting superior genotypes both for fruit yield and soluble solid content, with more than 80% certainty for their true values.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT The physical and microbiological characteristics of the soil are indicators considered in the assessment of the conditions of anthropized areas and are tools to identify levels of degradation, define the best crops, and thus, propose actions that help the producer to choose the appropriate soil management. In this regard, the aim of this work was to analyze the physical and microbiological properties of the soil in different agricultural production systems and in a preserved area. The research was carried out at a property located in the municipality of Campo Novo do Parecis - MT, Cerrado`s Biome. For the physical analysis, samples at depths of 0-0.10 m, 0.10-0.20 m and 0.20-0.30 m in five locations were collected randomly, within each production system and in the forest fragment. To evaluate the microbial activity of the soil, soil samples were collected at the 0-0.10 m layer also in five locations. All uses showed changes in physical characteristics, when compared to natural conditions. In the microbiological analysis, the integrated systems did not present significant differences in relation to the organic matter and the basal respiration of the soil when compared with the conventional systems and the forest fragment. The carbon of the microbial biomass of the soil and the metabolic quotient showed a difference between the systems of use and the preserved area.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT In this study, chemical changes during the development of acerola, cultivar Okinawa, were evaluated. The biochemical alterations during the development of the acerola cultivar Okinawa were evaluated, to determine the peroxidase activity (POD) and its thermal stability. Peroxidase (POD) has been considered the main enzyme responsible for the quality deterioration of fruits. Additionally, characteristics evaluated in this study can be important postharvest quality criteria for fruit processing, screening and breeding. Changes in physiological development were evaluated by the determination of moisture content, ascorbic acid, ashes, total and reducing sugars, pectin, chlorophyll a and b, amounts of anthocyanins, flavonols and total carotenoids. These biochemical determinations may serve as a basis for further improvement of techniques for predicting and modeling the optimal harvesting time. The values of chlorophylls, anthocyanins, flavonols, and carotenoids were higher in the peel rather than in the pulp (p < 0.05). Acerola presents high levels of ascorbic acid. The development of acerola (from opening of flowers to maturation of fruits) was of 25 days. The increase of the values for total and reducing sugars, anthocyanins, carotenoids, the solubilization of pectic acid and degradation of chlorophyll suggested that physiological maturation and harvest day occurred on days 19 and 23 after anthesis, respectively. The specific activity of POD was higher in the green stage. Maximum POD activity was observed at pH 6.5 and 45 ºC. Total inactivation was not achieved, suggesting the presence of isoenzymes with high thermal resistance. A loss of 50% of activity occurred after 4 minutes of treatment at 80 °C.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT The use of residues resulting from the processing of agricultural products is an widely studied topic, which is justified by the need to reduce costs and by the search for productive sustainability, which has as one of its principles the full use production, reducing waste and therefore increasing the amount of products extracted per unit of area. Residual seeds, resulting from the production of fruit pulps, are rich in nutrients and with the potential to be further improved by the application of germination, increasing the protein content and the content of bioactive compounds. However, in the germination process, the product acquires a high water content, requiring immediate drying and control of the water adsorption kinetics after dehydration. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the water adsorption isotherms of germinated seeds flours from pumpkins of three varieties at temperatures of 15, 25 and 35 °C, to obtain the most appropriate mathematical model to describe the hygroscopic behavior and to determine the thermodynamic properties of water adsorption, through the values of the integral isosteric heat, differential entropy, differential enthalpy and Gibbs free energy for the studied conditions. The GAB and Peleg models fit the experimental data well. With increasing water activity, there was a reduction in isosteric heat and entropy. The enthalpy-entropy compensation theory was confirmed. Gibbs free energy was negative for all temperatures, increasing with increasing equilibrium water content, demonstrating that it is a spontaneous process.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Brazil is a benchmark in sugarcane production, with the state of São Paulo standing out as the largest Brazilian producer. However, for sugarcane suppliers and mills to sustain this activity, there is a need to improve productivity per hectare and reduce production costs. In this regard, this study aimed to propose fuzzy systems to estimate sugarcane productivity based on planted area (Area) and total cost of soil tillage (TCST) for raw material suppliers and mills. To this end, two fuzzy inference systems were constructed for the output variable (productivity) from two input variables (Area and TCST), considering five membership functions (very low, low, medium, high, and very high). Additionally, a survey on 42 sugarcane suppliers and 31 mills in the state of São Paulo was used for model construction. The results showed that the relationship between Area and TCST reflects on the productivity of sugarcane suppliers and mills in distinct ways. For suppliers, an increase in productivity is observed when there is an almost negative relationship between both input variables. For mills, productivity rises when these variables fluctuate in the same direction. Therefore, the proposed method is viable and provides relevant information for conjecturing survival strategies for agents in the sugarcane energy sector.

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ABSTRACT Shade-tolerant soybean genotypes will allow their greater adoption for use in agroforestry or intercropped systems in tropical and subtropical regions. These genotypes can be obtained from the selection of existing superior genotypes or through breeding programs. This study, was verified such genetic variability and select those genotypes with cultivation potential at reduced levels of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). Morphophysiological and yield characteristics of 16 soybean genotypes were evaluated in two experiments conducted in a controlled environment and laid in a randomized block design with three replications. Genetic parameters, correlations and genetic diversity were estimated and path analysis was performed. The soybean cultivars used showed genetic variability with a high variation index and heritability, which is advantageous for the selection of superior cultivars. Leaf area showed genotypic correlation and had a direct effect on seed weight per plant, regardless of shading. Additionally, the number of pods, hypocotyl diameter, and leaf area, all indirectly contributed to seed weight per plant regardless of shading. Seven genotypes (NS7780, NS8338, NS7667, NS7901, RK8115, CZ37B43 and 8579RSF) were selected based on genetic gain obtained by the Mulamba and Mock index at the two levels of PAR reduction tested. Furthermore, five of these genotypes (CZ37B43, RK8115, NS7901, NS8338 and 8579RSF) were identified by the Unweighted Pair-Group method Arithmetic Mean, as suitable either as a shaded crop or, as parental materials in breeding programs.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Second-generation glyphosate-tolerant maize (Roundup Ready 2, RR2) is characterised by the expression of the cp4epsps gene. Despite some studies suggesting possible undesirable effects from the application of glyphosate in RR2 maize, other reports have demonstrated glyphosate selectivity for RR2 plants, with minor damage symptoms, if any, and with no negative effects on the chlorophyll indices. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different types of glyphosate management, formulations and rates of application on chlorophyll indices and the agronomic performance of an RR2 maize genotype expressing the cp4epsps gene. Five experiments were conducted in a full factorial design (2 x 5 x 5) to evaluate two types of management, two formulations and five rates of glyphosate. Damage symptoms, chlorophyll indices and variables related to agronomic performance (plant height, stem diameter, yield and 100-grain weight) were evaluated. Similar crop responses were found for each of the glyphosate formulations (potassium salt and isopropylamine salt) and types of management (single application and sequential application) under test, indicating that the use of glyphosate-based commercial products affords flexibility in terms of formulation and frequency of application. Glyphosate formulated as potassium salt or isopropylamine salt and applied to RR2 maize either in a single application (full rate) or in two sequential applications (each at half rate) has a similar effect and may therefore be used without distinction. However, it is important to consider the rate of application since high rates of glyphosate (especially greater than 1,440 g ae ha-1) may affect the development and production of RR2 maize.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Seed vigor is one of main attributes of the physiological quality from seed lot. Thus, identify which mechanisms are used by seeds of higher vigor that favor the formation of seedlings with better performance is a key aspect in agriculture. The enzyme activity of phytase and alpha-amylase favor the availability of phosphorus and sugars, respectively, during germination and can be determinants of seed vigor. Thus, the objective of the present work was to identify the association of phytase and alpha-amylase enzymes with the vigor of a seed lot of common beans. The results showed a positive correlation between seed vigor and the enzymes evaluated. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that seeds with high vigor have a high capacity to form seedlings with better performance, because they present high enzymatic activity. Also, in seed lots of the same genotype, they can be used to determine seed vigor during germination.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to determine the behaviour of bacterial biocontrol agents (BBAs) selected to control disease in irrigated rice, in the presence of pesticides, and to study changes in the soil microbiota. We assessed the compatibility between these BBAs and pesticides using different doses of each compound, besides the impact of the BBAs on the quality and diversity of the soil microbiota under field conditions. For the microbial evaluations, rice seeds were treated with the same BBAs, in addition to the following combinations: DFs-C6 (DFs185 (Pseudomonas synxantha)/DFs306 (/unidentified)); DFs-C7 (DFs306/DFs416 (Bacillus sp.)) and DFs-C8 (DFs185/DFs306/DFs416). Saline solution was used for the control treatment. Soil samples were collected close to the roots to evaluate basal respiration, organic matter, carbon, and microbial biomass. EcoPlateTM microplates were used to determine the activity and diversity of the microbial metabolic profile. All the BBAs (DFs185, DFs223 (P. fluorescens), DFs306 and DFs416) were tolerant to the fungicides and herbicides regardless of the dose, whereas tolerance to the insecticides occurred only in the DFs416 isolate. Resistance, however, was only seen in the DFs185 (pyraclostrobin + epoxiconazole) and DFs223 (azoxystrobin) isolates. There were significant changes to the soil microbiota, especially with the DFsC06 treatment, which was the only treatment to increase the microbial biomass and quotient. Little or no difference was found in microbial metabolic activity or diversity. These results suggest the potential use of these bacterial treatments in integrated pest management, as they are resistant/tolerant to many pesticides used in rice cultivation, and some of them had a positive impact on the soil microbiota.

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ABSTRACT The aim of the present study was to characterise the surface properties of chicken breasts, and evaluate the wettability properties of edible coatings based on carrageenan and glycerol, using varying concentrations of the biopolymer and plasticiser. The surface of the chicken breasts was characterised as of low energy, with a surface tension of 54.56 mN/m, whose polar and dispersive components were 39.79 mN/m and 14.77 mN/m, respectively. The results showed that with an increase in the carrageenan concentration of the film-forming solution there was a reduction in the values for adhesion and spreading. Coatings with a higher glycerol concentration also obtained a lower spreading coefficient. Solutions 1 (carrageenan 1% and glycerol 0%), 2 (carrageenan 1% and glycerol 1%) and 3 (carrageenan 1% and glycerol 2%) did not differ statistically, obtaining the highest values for spreadability. Solution 1 (carrageenan 1% and 0% glycerol) presented the highest numerical values. For carrageenan coatings on chicken breasts, the best spreading coefficient was -4.49 mN/m.

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ABSTRACT The method of applying fertiliser to the soil affects grain productivity. The aim of this study was to determine the dynamics of phosphorus, potassium and sulphur in the arable layer of the soil during the third year of agricultural production, as a function of the method of application. The study took place in the district of Diamantino, Mato Grosso, in an area of soybean-maize succession under minimum tillage. Five treatments were tested in a randomised block design: no phosphorus or potassium (P0-K0); broadcast phosphorus and in-furrow potassium (Pb-Kf); in-furrow phosphorus and potassium (Pf-Kf); in-furrow phosphorus and broadcast potassium (Pf-Kb); broadcast phosphorus and potassium (Pb-Kb). When the soybeans reached physiological maturity, soil samples were collected from the 0-0.05, 0.05-0.10, 0.10-0.15 and 0.15-0.20 m layers for analysis of the pH, and P, K, S and organic matter content. The soil attributes were submitted to analysis of variance and Tukey’s test at 5%, and the nutrient dynamics in the soil profile were analysed by regression. The in-furrow application of phosphorus (Pf-Kb and Pf-Kf) improved P availability in the 0-0.05 m layer by 69.12% and 46.54% compared to the Pb-Kb treatment, by 73.93% and 50.71% compared to the Pb-Kf treatment, and by 136.77% and 105.16% compared to the P0-K0 treatment. The in-furrow application of phosphate fertiliser proved to be more effective in terms of phosphorus availability in the soil. The residual effect of broadcasting phosphate fertiliser on phosphorus availability in the soil can be seen from the third year of production onwards.

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ABSTRACT The resistance of a weed to a herbicide may be accompanied by an ecological disadvantage, which can hinder the establishment of resistant biotypes when the herbicide is not used. The aim of this study, therefore, was to evaluate the growth and phenology of two biotypes of Raphanus raphanistrum, one susceptible and the other resistant to ALS inhibitors. The research was carried out from August to December 2020, conducting two simultaneous experiments, with the susceptible and resistant biotypes grown as single crops or together with wheat. The parameters under evaluation were plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, shoot dry weight, growth rate, leaf area ratio, net assimilation rate, and phenology - determined using the BBCH scale. The results showed not only that development and growth in the sensitive biotype was greater compared to the resistant biotype, but also the precocity of the biotype. The only variable for which the resistant biotype was superior was root dry weight. Cross-resistance to ALS inhibitors resulted in a difference in the growth and phenology of the resistant biotype that should be better evaluated, as the populations present large genetic differences.

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ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to fit the Logistic growth model for plant height and number of nodes of two buckwheat cultivars at sowing times, as well as comparing the cultivars and sowing times. Twenty uniformity trials were carried out, formed by the combination of two buckwheat cultivars (IPR91-Baili and IPR92-Altar), sown at five times, for two consecutive years. Evaluations were carried out twice a week throughout the vegetative stage until the end of flowering. In each evaluation, five plants were randomly collected from each trial to measure plant height and count the number of nodes on the main stem. The logistic model was fitted with the values of the five plants of each evaluation. Model parameters were estimated, as well as their respective confidence intervals. The goodness of fit of the model was assessed through the coefficient of determination, Akaike information criterion, and residual standard deviation. The plant height and number of nodes of buckwheat, cultivars IPR91-Baili and IPR92-Altar, were described by the Logistic model. The Logistic model satisfactorily describes the growth of buckwheat plants, and a specific fit considering each cultivar and sowing time is needed.

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ABSTRACT The pressing of green coconut shell, aiming at the production of powder or fiber, used as raw material by the industry, generates large amounts of the green coconut shell liquid (GCSL), whose incorrect disposal results in environmental impacts. This study evaluated the potential use of GCSL as a source of potassium for young dwarf coconut plants. The experiment was carried out in pots, in a completely randomized design, applying seven treatments, comprising five doses of GCSL, which corresponded to 0% (G0), 50% (G50), 100% (G100), 150% (G150) and 200% (G200) of the need for K2O of the plants, a treatment with mineral fertilizer, corresponding to 100% of K2O supplied as KCl (K100), and another containing 50% of K2O as KCl and 50% as GCSL (G50 + K50), with five replicates. One hundred and twenty days after transplanting the seedlings, soil chemical attributes as well as growth and nutritional status of dwarf coconut plants were evaluated. Increase in GCSL doses altered soil fertility and reduced the percentage of live leaves of dwarf coconut. The G50 + K50 treatment did not differ from K100 for all variables of growth, except for % of live leaves, indicating the possibility of replacing 50% of the K2O dose recommended for the first year of dwarf coconut cultivation with GCSL.

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ABSTRACT This study investigated the effectiveness of using the X-ray technique to assess the viability of papaya seeds. The X-ray images were performed in eight replicates of 25 seeds, placed on transparent acrylic plates on double-sided adhesive tape, previously identified, and then submitted to radiation in X-ray equipment "HP Faxitron". After exposure to X-ray radiation, the seeds were submitted to the germination test in rolls of germitest paper and kept in a germination chamber at 20-30 °C for 30 days. Seedlings were photographed and evaluated as normal seedlings, abnormal and non-germinated seeds. Afterward, the X-ray images and the seedlings from the same seeds were visually compared, and the X-ray images clearly showed seeds with and without internal filling. All abnormal seedlings were full seeds; therefore, X-ray images were not able to separate normal and abnormal. A 100% accuracy was verified by comparing the X-ray images and their respective seedlings, full seeds originated normal or abnormal seedlings, and empty seeds corresponded to non-germinated seeds. Therefore, using X-ray images is a promising technique to identify the viability of papaya seeds. The automated analysis of X-ray images is a simple, fast, and efficient technique to provide information on seed viability and generate parameters related to their germination capacity.

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ABSTRACT The quality perception of fruits and vegetables is a key factor for marketing and consumption. Quality determination is carried out subjectively by the consumer and with objective methods, many of which are destructive. The use of optical techniques and real-time screening, including determination of quality attributes by non-destructive methods, represents operational advantages for grading and selection systems. This work aimed to search for correlation between the tomato ripeness indexes with Biospeckle Laser (BSL) data. The epidermis color (CIE L*a*b), firmness, pH, Total Titratable Acidity (TTA), Total Soluble Solids (TSS), (oBrix), and respiration were measured. These data were correlated with BSL numerically by the Moment of Inertia (MI) and the Average Value of Difference (AVD). A high correlation was found with respiration and pH by the MI method, and with TTA, flavor, and respiration by the AVD method.

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ABSTRACT Segmental liming involves the incorporation of lime into the subsoil in narrow strips, typically associated with deep ripping. This study aimed to evaluate the vertical and horizontal distribution of soil acidity and nutrient availability in a Ferralsol under no-tillage five months after segmental liming. The equipment used for lime application featured a chisel of seven rods with a spacing of 70 cm, and a working depth of 40 cm. The lime rate used was 1.0 Mg ha-1 of limestone with high effective neutralizing value (ENV = 170%). Soil samples were taken at eight layers (0-5, 5-10, 10-15, 15-20, 20-25, 25-30, 30-35, and 35-40 cm), in the passage line of the equipment and at 10, 20, and 30 cm to the side between rods. The available soil phosphors (P) and potassium (K) did not exhibit any horizontal and vertical changes as a result of segmental liming. Conversely, within the 10-25 cm depth along the rod application line, the soil pH increased from 5.3 to 5.9. Additionally, the exchangeable Ca increased from 60 to 78 mmolc dm-3 and the exchangeable Mg increased from 21 to 32 mmolc dm-3. The base saturation also increased from 56 to 73%, and the Al saturation decreased from 11 to 2%, when compared to samples collected at 10, 20, and 30 cm from the segmental liming application line. Therefore, the correction of soil acidity through segmental liming was limited to the chisel line, accounting for the correction of soil acidity in only 14.2% of the cultivation area.

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ABSTRACT The use of substances that can mitigate the harmful effects of salt stress is a promising alternative for the use of saline water, especially in semi-arid regions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide in mitigating salt stress in the mini watermelon grown in a hydroponic system. The study was carried out in a greenhouse, in an area belonging to the Federal University of Campina Grande, Pombal, Paraíba. The experimental design was completely randomised using a split-plot factorial scheme with four levels of electrical conductivity for the nutrient solution-ECns (2.1, 3.1, 4.1, and 5.1 dS m-1) considered the plots, and four concentrations of hydrogen peroxide-H2O2 (0, 20, 40, and 60 μM) the subplots, with five replications. The foliar application of hydrogen peroxide in concentrations of between 17 and 20 µM mitigated the effects of salt stress on stomatal conductance, the rate of CO2 assimilation, carboxylation efficiency, and carotenoid content in the mini watermelon up to an ECns of 5.1 dS m-1. Foliar application of hydrogen peroxide in concentrations greater than 20 µM intensified the effects of salt stress on gas exchange and the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments in the mini watermelon. Furthermore, there was an increase in electrolyte leakage in the leaf blade.

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ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the drying adjuvants maltodextrin, gum Arabic and albumin on the physical and physicochemical characteristics of freeze-dried bacuri pulp powder. The adjuvants were added to the pulp at a concentration of 20% (w/w), giving three samples that were dehydrated in a freeze-dryer. The samples were analysed for moisture content, colour using the CIELab scale, phenolic compounds, hygroscopicity, particle morphology and density. The fluidity of the powders was evaluated using the Carr index and Hausner ratio. The moisture ranged from 2.33% to 2.76%, the powder containing albumin having the lowest moisture content (p < 0.05). A difference (p < 0.05) was seen in the colour parameters of the samples, except for luminosity in the samples containing maltodextrin or albumin. The level of phenolic compounds ranged from 183.22 to 386.90 mg GAE/100 g of solids, with the sample containing albumin again showing the lowest value (p < 0.05). The hygroscopicity of the powders ranged from 6.22% to 6.92%, the densities ranged from 287.9 to 433.1 kg/m3, and the wall friction angle from 12.2° to 13.55°. The Carr index and Hausner ratio varied from 23.21% to 25.80% and 1.30 to 1.34, respectively. The bacuri pulp powder was classified as having acceptable fluidity regardless of the adjuvant; however, the adjuvants had an effect on particle morphology and on the composition of the powder.

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ABSTRACT Lippia dulcis is a medicinal species used by communities in the Amazon region for the control of diabetes and as a tranquilizer. The objective of this study was to evaluate the plant biomass production, antioxidant defense, and chemical profiles of the phenolic compounds and essential oil of plants grown under different doses of cattle, quail, and chicken manure. Chicken and quail manure at a dose of 6 kg m-2 reached the highest values of dry weight and essential oil yield of the leaves and positively influenced bisabolol production. Cattle manure affected the content and yield of the essential oil of the inflorescences, the antioxidant defense performance, and the chemical composition of phenolic compounds and essential oil. Plants grown with cattle manure showed a linear increase in the amounts of these substances with increasing dose. Chicken and quail manure led to the highest values of these components at doses between 0 and 3 kg m-2. The evaluation of phenolic compounds and antioxidant defense showed the highest values at doses of 0, 1.5, and 3 kg m-2, regardless of the manure used. The essential oil concentration was higher in the inflorescences, and its total yield was higher in the leaves. The chemical composition varied between these vegetative organs.

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ABSTRACT The pineapple, the most important fruit in the state of Paraíba, is characterized as an important generator of employment, income and regional development. With the increase in production, challenges arise in reaching distant competitive markets, including exports, making refrigerated storage necessary. However, pineapple, a tropical fruit, is subject to Chilling Injury (CI) when stored under sub-optimal temperatures, below 12 °C, which provide internal browning (IB) and quality loss. The use of pulsed electric field (PEF), a non-thermal technology, can be an alternative in ensuring the control of IB in pineapple. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of PEF application on IB, enzyme expression and activity, bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of ‘Pérola’ pineapple. Initially, to define the best strategy, 8 kV/cm of PEF was applied to pineapples directly and indirectly (drinking water), in 4 levels of electrical pulses: 0 (control), 5, 20 and 35, proving to be the most efficient the indirect pulses. From these results, a completely randomized design was used, with indirect application of PEF at the four levels in pineapples, with 5 periods of evaluations at refrigeration at 5 °C, followed by transferring at each period for two more days to the room condition, in 4 replicants (3 fruit / rep). The indirect application of 35 pulses provided a reduction in expression and enzyme activity, IB and maintained the functional potential, being a promising alternative for the storage of pineapple under sub-optimal temperatures.

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ABSTRACT Sourgrass (Digitaria insularis) is one of the principal weeds in Brazil, and there are reports of its being glyphosate-resistant. The aim of this study was to determine the coexistence period of the TMG7063 IPRO soybean cultivar with a weed community predominated by D. Insularis, with no negative interference on final production (period prior to interference - PPI), as well as to determine the period for which the crop might remain free of such interference (total period of interference prevention) in Brazil. The coexistence and control periods under study were 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, and 120 days after sowing (DAS) the soybean, with the experiment arranged in a randomized block design with four replications. At the end of each coexistence period and at the end of the control-period experiment (single collection), there was an increase in weed density, dry matter, and the relative importance of D. insularis as the coexistence period increased. The number of pods was reduced from 87 (from 120 DAS in the control) to 49 (from 75 DAS for coexistence), and maximum yield was reduced from 5,551.3 kg ha-1 (from 120 DAS in the control) to 3,998.6 kg ha-1 (from 60 DAS for coexistence) due to coexistence with the weed community. The PPI was estimated at nine DAS, with losses of 5.0%. It can be concluded that a weed community predominated by D. insularis reduces soybean yield by up to 59.3%. The ‘TMG 7063 IPRO’ soybean can coexist with a weed community predominated by D. insularis for up to nine days after sowing and tolerate a loss in yield of up to 5%.

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ABSTRACT High-sugar dehydrated foods have strong hygroscopicity, which can be avoided by using drying aids. One way to assess the hygroscopic behavior is through sorption isotherms. The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of maltodextrin concentration on sorption isotherms of powdered cajá-manga pulp in spray-dryer, lyophilization and fluidized bed spray drying processes. The dryings were carried out in a spray-dryer, lyophilizer and fluidized bed, with 10%, 20% and 30% of maltodextrin. Adsorption isotherms were determined by the static gravimetric method using salt solutions for a relative humidity range of 21% to 90%. The GAB, BET, Henderson, and Oswin models were adequate to the experimental data. The relative deviation between the experimental values and the estimated values was calculated for each curve, in order to assess which equation best fit the experimental data. The mean relative error value of less than 10% was considered one of the criteria for selecting the models. The BET (A), BET (B) and GAB (C) models had the lowest error means, 3.35%, 3.35% and 5.28%, for cajá-manga powders obtained by spray-dryer, lyophilization and fluidized bed spray drying processes, respectively, and coefficients of determination above 0.99. It is concluded that the type of drying process did not influence the behavior of the adsorption isotherms, and that increases in maltodextrin concentration and temperature are significant in reducing equilibrium moisture contents.

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ABSTRACT This study aimed to assess the effect of different doses and times of application of the growth regulator trinexapac-ethyl on the productive performance of white oat cultivars. The experiment was carried out in Londrina, Paraná State, Brazil, in the 2019 and 2020 seasons using the white oat cultivars IPR Artemis and URS Corona. The experimental design was a randomized block with four replications arranged in a 4 × 3 factorial scheme, conducted separately for each cultivar, with four doses of trinexapac-ethyl (0, 50, 100, and 150 g ha-1) and three times of application (T1, first node noticeable; T2, first node visible and second node noticeable; and T3, second node visible and third node noticeable). The following agronomic characters were evaluated: plant height, panicle length, panicles per square meter, spikelets per panicle, grains per spikelet, grains per panicle, thousand grain weight,lodging percentage, and grain yield. Application of trinexapac-ethyl at doses of 100 or 150 g ha-1 at T2 or T3 reduced panicle length, spikelets per panicle, and grains per panicle in IPR Artemis and URS Corona. However, it also reduced plant height and increased panicles per square meter and yield in both cultivars. These same doses and times of application resulted in a significant reduction in lodging.

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ABSTRACT Techniques such as fertilization can be used more frequently to achieve higher crop yields. The problem of excessive use of fertilizers is related to losses of nutrients by leaching contaminating water bodies. Adopting controlled-release fertilizers may favor the reduction of losses and the total cost of fertilization as the number of applications is reduced. This research aimed to study the dynamics of nutrients from polymer-coated fertilizers (KNO3 controlled-release polymers) in sandy soil and analyze the spatial variation of soil solution storage at different depths when drip irrigation is adopted. Four soil boxes filled with Quartzipsamment and equipped with a mesh of 19 TDR probes were used to monitor soil moisture and electrical conductivity. Three soil boxes received the treatment of 50 g of the controlled-release polymer, and one soil box was used as a control. One liter of water was applied weekly through a drip irrigation system for ten weeks, followed by readings from the TDR probes to monitor the spatial variation of the soil solution storage in the soil profile. This monitoring allowed verifying that the release of nutrients happened slowly and gradually over the period without water retention by the material. The solution was displaced by advection (mass flow) and dispersion along with the irrigation water, which advanced more than the nutrients within the profile, reducing their leaching. Thus, controlled-release polymers maintained a slow and variable release over time.

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ABSTRACT Effluent from fish farming with saline water is a source of water, also rich in organic matter and nutrients, that can be used in irrigation of cultivated plants and even fully or partially replace mineral fertilization. The objective was to evaluate the growth, biomass production and quality of P. maximum cultivars fertigated with fish farming effluent in a greenhouse experiment, using a randomized block design with eight replicates. Treatments were arranged in a split-split-plot scheme, with three irrigation managements in the plot (irrigation with public-supply water, irrigation with public-supply water + conventional fertilization, and irrigation with fish farming effluent), three cultivars of P. maximum (Tanzania, Mombasa, and Massai) in the sub-plot, and four cutting times in the sub-sub-plot (45, 90, 135, and 180 days after sowing). Plant height, number of tillers, production of fresh biomass, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, ether extract, crude protein, dry matter, and mineral matter contents were analyzed. The highest growth, production, and quality of P. maximum grass occurs when irrigated with public-supply water and under conventional NPK fertilization. Fertigation with fish farming effluent reduces the growth and production of P. maximum grass, but allows obtaining better quality forage. It is possible to irrigate P. maximum grass using fish farming effluent with satisfactory yields. The growth of cv. Massai was more sensitive to irrigation with fish farming effluent than those of the cultivars Tanzania and Mombasa.

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ABSTRACT Blockchain technology, initially applied to the financial market, is recognized for its security in storing information in a decentralized manner and its ease of access to this information. An application of blockchain technology is the establishment of traceability systems for production chains. Food traceability systems are becoming increasingly important in guaranteeing the quality and safety of food to the final consumer, who, in turn, values and exercises confidence in the traceability system, recognizing its importance. This study was conducted to provide a systematic literature review on the importance of applying blockchain technology to the traceability of products of animal origin. Two scientific databases were consulted: Scopus and Web of Science. After classification based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 12 articles were selected for the study. The application of blockchain technology is recent, emerging, and promising in the traceability of animal products, and it has attracted research interest worldwide. The use of blockchain technology in the traceability of products of animal origin is used in several production chains, providing consumers with long-awaited information about the origin of their food such as beef, milk, fish, meat, pork, and eggs.

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ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to assess the effect of increasing levels of babassu cake on the ingestive behaviour of dairy heifers in confinement. Twenty-four heifers with an average initial weight of 190.8 ± 40.8 kg were fed diets containing babassu cake (0, 100, 200, 300 mg kg-1 (dry matter basis) as a substitute for sugar cane, in a completely randomised design with four treatments and six replications. Observations were made every five minutes for 24 hours, assessing rumination, feeding, idle time, sleeping and other activities, in addition to the frequency with which the heifers searched for water, urinated and defecated. The time spent on feeding and rumination decreased by 0.1138% and 0.3106%, respectively, for every 10 g kg-1 substitute, while idle time increased by 0.3368% for every 10 g kg-1 substitute. The time spent sleeping and on other activities was not affected. Longer feeding times were seen whenever feed was offered, with more rumination activity at night. There was no effect on the specific activities (urination, defecation or drinking); however, urination and drinking were affected by the period, and was more frequent during the day. There was a linear increase in intake, and in feed and rumination efficiency for dry matter and neutral detergent fibre, with a reduction in total chewing time. Substituting babassu cake for sugar cane affects both the ingestive behaviour of dairy heifers and the rumination process as it does not stimulate chewing.

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ABSTRACT Careful implementation of a filtration system is essential for maintaining the operation of an irrigation system. Failure to maintain a filtration system can have a negative eff ect on irrigation pressure and uniformity. To avoid this problem, it is important to clean the filters, which can be done either manually or automatically. Predicting the correct time to clean the filters helps maintain the pressure and efficiency of the system. The aim of this study was to model backwash pressure as a function of water quality and the filter inlet pressure load using artificial neural networks. The characteristics of the water were determined using sensors to measure the pH (hydrogen potential), turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), and temperature. A pressure transducer was used to quantify the drop in pressure and the need to clean the filters. To predict the need for cleaning the irrigation filters, a hydraulic structure was constructed that included a screen filtration system with a mesh size of 120, cleaned by backwashing. The need for cleaning estimated by the multilayer perceptron feedforward artificial neural networks with 2-4-1 architecture performed well in modelling the temporal evolution of the pressure load in the screen filtration system (120 mesh), whereas adjusting the pressure load based on the water quality characteristics (pH, turbidity, total dissolved solids and temperature) performed poorly.

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ABSTRACT Processing residues are still one of the main obstacles in the fishing industry due to waste and environmental impact. With that, ways of reusing these residues are researched to generate new products with different applications. The objective of this work was to develop and evaluate protein films obtained from mechanically separated meat (MSM) of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) filleting residues. To get the films, the casting technique was used, varying their composition in relation to the amount of protein (1.0, 1.5 and 2.0%) and glycerol (0.0, 0.1 and 0.2%), creating a 32 factorial plan, with 9 treatments. The films were characterized in terms of color, opacity, water solubility, mechanical properties and water vapor permeability (WVP). In the end, a yield of 18.70% of Nile tilapia myofibrillar proteins (MPs) and a post-lyophilization protein content of 87.33% were obtained. It was concluded that the film that presented the best result in all the characteristics analyzed was the one with 1.0% of MPs and 0.1% of glycerol.

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ABSTRACT The high Brazilian dependence on potash fertilizers has encouraged the agricultural and forestry use of silicate rock powders. Dozens of rock powders, including glauconitic rocks produced in several states in Brazil are currently registered with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) as Soil Remineralizers, being generally known as alternative sources of K. The indication of these materials as potassium fertilizers is based on the high Brazilian dependence on K from abroad, which reached around 96% in the 2021 and 2022 harvests. Glauconitic rocks, such as verdetes, slates, and glauconitic siltstones occur in extensive areas in the State of Minas Gerais (Abaeté, Quartel Geral, Cedro do Abaeté, Sete Lagoas, Matutina, and São Gotardo), predominating in the Serra da Saudade formation as the sedimentary cover of the São Francisco Craton. In these rocks, K-K2O contents generally vary in the range of 5-12% m/m. It is soluble in water (0.1-1.4%) and 2% citric acid (0.7-2.3%). In these rocks, the degree of glauconite crystallinity is variable due to different formation conditions and degree of alteration by weathering, especially in rocky outcrops. The use of natural glauconitic rocks as potassium fertilizers has shown low agronomic efficiency due to their low solubility and reactivity. Physical and thermal treatments in the presence of fluxing, chemical (acid or alkaline attacks), and biological (Acidithiobacillus sp.) agents have shown potential for dissolving glauconites. However, studies showing the financial viability of these materials are necessary for both such treatments and their direct use as fertilizers.