Performance of 'BRS Magna' vines grown under different training systems, rootstocks and production cycles

Over the past decade, the business of producing juice from grapes (Vitis labrusca L. and hybrids) has been expanding in response to increasing consumption encouraged by campaigns promoting the benefits grape juice can have on health. This study aimed to determine the effect of the production cycle, vine training system, and rootstock on the yield and physical and physical-chemical characteristics of 'BRS Magna' grapes grown in the Vale do Submédio São Francisco in the northeastern region of Brazil. The study was conducted in Petrolina, Pernambuco, over eight production cycles (2017 to 2020). The grapevines were trained in three vine training trellis systems: espalier, lyre, and pergola; and grafted onto two rootstocks: IAC 572 and IAC 766. The production cycle, training system, and rootstocks affected the yield components, vigor, and physical characteristics of the BRS Magna grapes. The combination of the pergola training system and rootstock IAC 766 stood out from the others, providing mean yields estimated at 26 t ha -1 per production cycle. The soluble solids content (SS), titratable acidity (TA), and SS TA -1 ratio were affected neither by the training system nor the rootstock, and higher values for SS and lower values for TA were obtained in the first, second, fourth and eighth production cycles. Thus, the pergola training system and rootstock IAC 766 are recommended for promoting yield gains in the 'BRS Magna' grape in the Vale do Submédio São Francisco.(AU)

Agronomic performance of Humuluslupulus L. varieties cultivated in organic and conventional systems in São Paulo center-west, Brazil / Desempenho agronômico de variedades de Humulus lupulus L. cultivadas em sistema orgânico e convencional no centro-oeste paulista, Brasil

Hop is a multifunctional specie; however, a large part of its production is destined for the beer market. In Brazil, all hop demand is imported, which has aroused interest in national production. Genetic material and cultivation systems can influence hops production. Thus, this study evaluated morphological and productive performance of hop varieties grown under organic and conventional management in the central-west region of São Paulo, Brazil. The hop yard was installed in the experimental area of the FCA/UNESP (São Paulo State University, School of Agriculture) - Botucatu, in November 2018, the data were collected in second year of production. A randomized block design was adopted, in 2 x 5 Split-Plot, being the main factor: cultivation systems (organic and conventional), and secondary factor: hop varieties (Columbus, Chinook, Nugget, Cascade, and HallertauMittelfrüeh), with four blocks and four plants per plot. Crop-specific morphological and productive parameters were evaluated. The results showed no significant influence of cultivation systems in morphological parameters. Regarding the varieties, Chinook, Cascade, and Nugget stand out for cone length. Columbus, Chinook and Cascade showed higher yields when grown in organic system, obtaining 1100.66, 1088.27 and 940.40 g of cones per plant, respectively. While, HallertauMittelfrüeh variety was the least productive in both systems, in organic system with 160.50 g per plant production, and 267.84 g per plant in conventional system, and, also showing lower cycle compared to the others.

O lúpulo é uma espécie multifuncional, entretanto, grande parte de sua produção é destinada ao mercado cervejeiro. No Brasil, toda a demanda de lúpulo é importada, o que tem despertado interesse pela produção nacional. Fatores como o material genético e sistemas de produção podem influenciar na produção do lúpulo, sendo assim, o trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o desempenho morfológico e produtivo de variedades de lúpulo cultivadas sob manejo orgânico e convencional na região centro-oeste paulista, Brasil. O campo de lúpulo foi instalado na área experimental da FCA/UNESP - Botucatu, em novembro de 2018 e os dados coletados no segundo ano de produção. Foi adotado o delineamento de blocos casualizados, em esquema de parcelas subdivididas 2 x 5, sendo o fator principal os dois sistemas de cultivo (orgânico e convencional) e fator secundário as cinco variedades selecionadas (Columbus, Chinook, Nugget, Cascade e Hallertau Mittelfrüeh), com quatro blocos e quatro plantas por parcela. Foram avaliados os parâmetros morfológicos e produtivos específicos da cultura. Os resultados demonstraram que os sistemas de cultivo não promovem alterações significativas nos parâmetros morfológicos. Quanto às variedades, destaca-se Chinook, Cascade e Nugget para comprimento de cone. Columbus, Chinook e Cascade apresentaram maiores produções quando cultivadas em sistema orgânico, obtendo 1100,66; 1088,27 e 940,40 g de cones por planta, respectivamente. Enquanto que, a variedade Hallertau Mittelfrüeh foi a menos produtiva em ambos os sistemas, no sistema orgânico com produção de 160,50 g por planta, enquanto que no convencional 267,84 g por planta, apresentando também menor ciclo quando comparada com as demais.

A arte de inseminar éguas com sêmen congelado / The art of inseminating mares with frozen semen

Nos últimos quinze anos, a equideocultura foi uma atividade em destaque com significativo crescimento no Brasil e no mundo. O Brasil é o segundo país no mundo que mais utiliza transporte de sêmen equino, ficando atrás apenas dos Estados Unidos e a utilização do sêmen congelado no país vem expandido a cada dia. O índice de prenhez por ciclo, com sêmen equino congelado é variável e oscila entre 25 e 40%. Adicionalmente, sabe-se que o sêmen de alguns garanhões apresenta baixa viabilidade após o descongelamento. A primeira prenhez obtida com sêmen equino congelado foi relatada há cinco décadas. Segundo Cazalez, 2020, é muito difícil recomendar uma dose inseminante padrão para sêmen congelado em equinos. A maioria dos estudos científicos não consegue controlar o efeito de outros fatores "de confusão" como método de processo, fator égua, fator garanhão, técnica de inseminação etc., tornando difícil uma comparação crítica dos mesmos. Rigby et al. (2001) obtiveram taxas de prenhez similares ao se comparar a inseminação artificial profunda em corno uterino com endoscópio e pipeta flexível.(AU)

In the last fifteen years, equine breeding has been a prominent activity with significant growth in Brazil and in the world. Brazil is the second country in the world that most uses equine semen transport, second only to the United States, and the use of frozen semen in the country is expanding every day. The pregnancy rate per cycle with frozen equine semen is variable and ranges from 25 to 40%. Additionally, it is known that the semen of some stallions has low viability after thawing. The first pregnancy obtained with frozen equine semen was reported five decades ago. According to Cazalez, 2020, it is very difficult to recommend a standard insemination dose for frozen semen in horses. Most scientific studies cannot control for the effect of other "confounding" factors such as processing method, mare factor, stallion factor, insemination technique, etc., making it difficult to critically compare them. Rigby et al. (2001) obtained similar pregnancy rates when comparing deep artificial insemination in the uterine horn with an endoscope and flexible pipette.(AU)

Reproducibility of double agar gel immunodiffusion test using stored serum and plasma from paracoccidioidomycosis patients

Background: Serological evaluation performed by double agar gel immunodiffusion test (DID) is used for diagnosis, evaluation of severity, management of paracoccidioidomycosis patients, and development of new clinical studies. For these reasons, the Botucatu Medical School of UNESP maintains a serum bank at the Experimental Research Unit with patient clinical data. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the freeze-thaw cycle and different blood matrices on the titration of circulating antibodies. Methods: The study included 207 patients with confirmed (etiology-demonstrated) or probable (serology-demonstrated) paracoccidioidomycosis, and DID was performed with culture filtrate from Paracoccidioides brasiliensis B339 as antigen. First experiment: the antibody levels were determined in serum samples from 160 patients with the chronic form and 20 with the acute/subacute form, stored at ­80o C for more than six months. Second experiment: titers of 81 samples of serum and plasma with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) or heparin, from 27 patients, were compared according to matrix and effect of storage at ­20o C for up to six months. Differences of titers higher than one dilution were considered discordant. Results: First experiment: test and retest presented concordant results in serum stored for up to three years, and discordant titers in low incidence in storage for four to six years but high incidence when stored for more than six years, including conversion from reagent test to non-reagent retest. Second experiment: serum, plasma-EDTA and plasma-heparin samples showed concordant titers, presenting direct correlation, with no interference of storage for up to six months. Conclusions: Storage at ­80o C for up to six years has no or little influence on the serum titers determined by DID, permitting its safe use in studies depending on this parameter. The concordant titrations in different blood matrices demonstrated that the plasma can be used for immunodiffusion test in paracoccidioidomycosis, with stability for at least six months after storage at ­20o C.(AU)

Utilização de métodos alternativos como indutor de muda forçada em codornas poedeiras / Use of alternative methods as an inducer of forced molting in laying quail

Objetivou-se avaliar métodos alternativos de restrição alimentar qualitativa e quantitativa em comparação à técnica convencional de muda forçada em codornas japonesas para o segundo ciclo de produção. O período de muda forçada teve duração de 10 dias e dois períodos de 21 dias de pós-muda. Foram utilizadas 72 codornas japonesas fêmeas, emfinal de produção com 72 semanas deidade. As aves foram distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com três tratamentos e quatro repetições cada, com seiscodornas por repetição. Os tratamentos experimentais foram:T1 ­aves submetidas a três dias de jejum com posterior fornecimento de ração de postura à vontade por setedias; T2 ­aves que receberam alimentação controlada (10 g/ave/dia) por 10 dias; T3 ­aves que receberam farelo de arroz à vontade por 10 dias. Durante todo o experimento todasas aves foram submetidas a iluminação natural com média de 12 horas de luz diária e água a vontade e após os 10 dias de muda foi fornecido ração de postura a vontade. A utilização do T2 (10 g/ave/dia de ração de postura) e de farelo de arroz como alimentoalternativo no programa de muda forçada foi viável. Mesmo a perda de peso sendo abaixo do recomentado, as aves que receberam 10 g de ração ave/dia e farelo de arroz à vontade apresentaram resultados de desempenho e qualidade do ovo pós muda semelhantes àsaves que ficaram em jejum, além de possibilitar melhores condições de bem-estar animal.(AU)

The objective was to evaluate alternative methods of qualitative and quantitative feed restriction compared to theconventional technique of forced moulting in Japanese quails for the second production cycle. The forced moulting period lasted 10 days and two 21-day post-molt periods. 72 female Japanese quails were used, at the end of production at 72 weeks of age. Thebirds were distributed in a completely randomized design with three treatments and four replications each, with sixquails per replicate. The experimental treatments were: T1 ­birds submitted to three days of fasting with subsequent provision of layingfeed ad libitum for sevendays; T2 ­birds that received controlled feeding (10 g/bird/day) for 10 days; T3 ­birds that received rice bran ad libitum for 10 days. Throughout the experiment, all birds were submitted tonatural lighting with an average of12hours of daily light and water ad libitum and after 10 days of molting, laying feed was provided ad libitum. The use of T2 (10 g/bird/day of laying ration) and ricebran as an alternativefood in the forced molt program was feasible. Even the weight loss being below the recommended, the birds that received 10 g of poultry feed/day and rice bran ad libitum showed similar post-moult performance and egg quality results to birds that were fasted, in addition to enabling better conditions. of animal welfare.(AU)

Multivariate analysis of sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids, selenium, and chromium on the productive performance of second-cycle laying hens

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of the intake of a mixture of fish and sacha inchi oils (iOM), organic selenium (iSe), and organic chromium (iCr) on egg production (EP) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of Isa Brown second-cycle laying hens (SCLH) for 16 weeks (91-106 weeks old). Egg production and FCR were evaluated using multivariate models that included conventional equations and artificial neural networks (ANN) to study multiple nutritional interactions as alternatives to univariate dose-response models. Based on the best models, iOM, iSe, and iCr levels were optimized, and a global sensitivity analysis was implemented to quantify their influence on EP and FCR. The modified logistic model was selected as the best strategy to represent EP. In the case of FCR, an ANN model with a feed-forward architecture and softmax transfer function was selected as the best alternative. One of the scenarios to simultaneously optimize EP (89.1%) and FCR (1.94 kg feed/kg egg) at 16 weeks of production was established with 3.3 g/hen·day of iOM, 0.132 mg/ hen·day of iSe, and 0.176 mg/hen·day of iCr. However, optimization considering only FCR results in much lower optimal iCr levels (between 0.083 and 0.105 mg/hen·day) with a slight decrease in EP (87.9%). The global sensitivity analysis showed that iSe is an essential factor associated with the increase in EP, and iCr is the most influential factor for the decrease in FCR. When both criteria were taken into account simultaneously from a desirability function, iSe was the most critical factor.(AU)

Biomorphometry of Automeris liberia Cramer (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) in oil palm in the Amazon / Biomorfometria de Automeris liberia Cramer (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) em palma de óleo, Amazônia Oriental

Automeris liberia Cramer are found in South America, with documented sightings in Ecuador, Peru, some regions of Mexico and, more recently, the Brazilian Amazon. These moths cause damage to several plant species. We designed an experiment to study the biology and morphometry of A. liberia in the laboratory and provide information for the management of the pest in oil palm cultivation in the Brazilian Amazon. Caterpillars for rearing were collected from commercial areas of oil palm cultivation, where they cause defoliation of the plant. They were fed a natural diet of oil palm leaves of the Tenera variety and observed from second generation onwards. Sex, behavior, posture, mass, body length, wingspan, body diameter, sex ratio, average growth ratio, and antenna were quantified. The embryonic stage lasted 14 days, followed by seven larval instar stages over 36 days. The pupal stage lasted 21 days. Adults had a longevity of 4.5 and 6 days and a total biological cycle of 78.5 and 80 days, for males and females, respectively. The growth ratio was 1.49. The antennae showed sexual dimorphism, with bipectinate morphology in males and filiform in females. In the adult stage, morphological variables were evaluated (body length, thoracic diameter, wingspan, forewing length, forewing height, hindwing length, hindwing height, antenna length, number of antennomeres, and body mass), and they showed significant differences between males and females (Newman-Keuls test, P < 0.05).(AU)

A espécie Automeris liberia Cramer tem ocorrência na América do Sul, com registro no Equador, Peru, algumas regiões no México e, mais recentemente, na Amazônia brasileira, causando danos a várias espécies de plantas. Objetivou-se estudar pioneiramente a biologia e a morfometria de A. liberia em laboratório, visando subsidiar informações para o manejo da praga na cultura da palma de óleo, na Amazônia brasileira. A criação, foi oriunda de lagartas coletadas em áreas comerciais de palma de óleo, onde as quais estavam causando desfolhamentos. Foram alimentadas com dieta natural a base de folhas de palma de óleo da var. Tenera. As observações foram iniciadas a partir da segunda geração. Foram avaliados sexagem, comportamento, posturas, massa, comprimento, envergadura, diâmetro do corpo, razão sexual, razão da média de crescimento e antena. O estágio embrionário durou 14 dias e o larval apresentou sete instares em 36 dias. O estágio pupal foi de 21 dias. Os adultos apresentaram longevidade de 4,5 e 6 dias e ciclo biológico total de 78,5 e 80 dias, para machos e fêmeas, respectivamente. A razão de crescimento foi de 1,49. As antenas apresentaram dimorfismo sexual, sendo do macho tipo bipectinada e da fêmea filiforme. Na fase adulta foram avaliadas variáveis morfológicas (comprimento do corpo, diâmetro do tórax, envergadura, comprimento da asa anterior, altura da asa anterior, comprimento da asa posterior, altura da asa posterior, comprimento da antena, número de antenômeros e massa corpórea) entre machos e fêmeas, as quais apresentaram diferença estatística pelo teste Newman-Keuls (P < 0,05).(AU)

Phytotechnical performance and resistance to leaffooted bugs of green maize intercropped with Poaceae in the Amazon savannah / Desempenho fitotécnico e resistência ao percevejo pé-de-folha do milho verde consorciado com Poaceae na Savana Amazônica

Green maize has great economic value, and the consumer market increasingly demands the production of ears for fresh consumption that are free from damage by pest attacks. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of varieties of AG1051 green maize and Roraima maize (ethnovariety Milhão) intercropped with dwarf grain sorghum, forage sorghum and millet in an environment of the Amazon savannah. We evaluated phytotechnical characteristics of the maize and damage from the leaf-footed bug (Leptoglossus zonatus). The experiment was set up in a 2 x 4 factorial randomised block design with four replications, where the two maize varieties corresponded to the first factor and four intercropping systems to the second factor. Regarding vegetative and reproductive components, Milhão had a longer cycle, greater plant growth and smaller stem diameter than AG1051, causing plant lodging. The intercropping systems had no influence on the production or quality of maize ears for any of the cultivars under study. Milhão did not differ from the AG1051 hybrid in any ear quality variable (ear length, number of grains per ear, cob diameter, ear weight and total number of ears). The AG1051 cultivar was preferred by L. zonatus, but had the highest yield of commercial ears. The intercropping systems had no influence on the damage caused by the leaf-footed bug.(AU)

O milho verde possui grande valor econômico, e o mercado consumidor exige cada vez mais a produção de espigas para consumo in natura livres de danos por ataques de pragas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho de variedades de milho verde AG1051 e milho Roraima (etnovariedade Milhão) consorciadas com sorgo granífero anão, sorgo forrageiro e milheto em ambiente da savana Amazônica. Avaliamos as características fitotécnicas do milho e os danos causados pelo percevejo pé-de-folha (Leptoglossus zonatus). O experimento foi instalado em um delineamento fatorial 2 x 4 de blocos casualizados com quatro repetições, onde as duas variedades de milho corresponderam ao primeiro fator e quatro sistemas de consórcio ao segundo fator. Com referência aos componentes vegetativos e reprodutivos, o Milhão apresentou ciclo mais longo, maior crescimento de plantas e menor diâmetro do colmo que o AG1051, causando acamamento de plantas. Os sistemas de consórcio não influenciaram a produção ou qualidade de espigas de milho de nenhuma das cultivares em estudo. O Milhão não diferiu do híbrido AG1051 em nenhuma variável de qualidade da espiga (comprimento da espiga, número de grãos por espiga, diâmetro da espiga, massa da espiga e número total de espigas). A cultivar AG1051 foi a preferida pelo L. zonatus, mas apresentou maior produtividade de espigas comerciais. Os sistemas de consórcio não influenciaram os danos causados pelo percevejo pé-de-folha.(AU)

Physiological and sanitary quality of ryegrass seeds submitted to different defoliation frequencies / Qualidade fisiológica e sanitária de sementes de azevém-anual submetidas a diferentes frequências de desfolha

This study determined the effect of different defoliation frequencies in a long-cycle ryegrass cultivar on yield components and the physiological and sanitary quality of seeds. Four defoliation frequencies were applied (without, one, two, and three defoliations). The time between defoliations was 350 degree-days. At the first, second, and third defoliation time, the plants were 15 cm, 20 cm, and 35 cm, respectively, and were lowered to half their height. The yield components and plant structure were evaluated through the tillers, along with the physiological quality of the seeds, which was verified by germination tests, first germination count, accelerated aging, tetrazolium test, field emergence, and weight of a thousand seeds. For the sanitary quality analysis, the percentage (%) of fungi incidence in the seeds was verified. The second defoliation determined the seeds' high physiological and sanitary quality due to the higher amount of primary and secondary tillers produced concerning the other treatments. However, there was no significant difference for the third defoliation since the aerial tillers issued the same quality of seeds originated from primary and secondary tillers. The average incidence of fungi such as Colletotrichum sp., Fusarium sp., Phoma sp., and Dreshslera spp. was lower in ryegrass plants subjected to three defoliations.

O presente estudo teve como objetivo determinar o efeito de diferentes frequências de desfolha em uma cultivar de azevém de ciclo longo, sobre os componentes de rendimento e a qualidade fisiológica e sanitária das sementes. Foram aplicadas quatro frequências de desfolhas (sem, uma, duas e três). O tempo entre desfolhas foi de 350 graus-dia. No momento da primeira, segunda e terceira desfolha as plantas estavam com 15 cm, 20 cm e 35 cm, respectivamente e foram rebaixadas para metade de suas alturas. Avaliaram-se os componentes de rendimento e a estrutura das plantas por meio dos perfilhos, juntamente com a qualidade fisiológica das sementes, a qual foi verificada por testes de germinação, primeira contagem de germinação, envelhecimento acelerado, teste de tetrazólio, emergência a campo e peso de mil sementes. Para a análise da qualidade sanitária verificou-se a porcentagem (%) de incidência de fungos nas sementes. A segunda desfolha determinou alta qualidade fisiológica e sanitária das sementes devido a maior quantidade de perfilhos primários e secundários produzidos em relação aos demais tratamentos. No entanto não houve diferença significativa para a terceira desfolha, visto que nos perfilhos aéreos emitidos observou-se a mesma qualidade das sementes originadas de perfilhos primários e secundários. A incidência média de fungos como Colletotrichum sp., Fusarium sp., Phoma sp. e Dreshsleras pp. foi menor em plantas de azevém submetidas a três desfolhas.

Protocolo para diagnóstico molecular de imunodeficiência e leucemia em gatos domésticos / Protocol for molecular diagnosis of immunodeficiency and leukemia, in domestic cats

Diversas afecções que acometem os felinos domésticos, como as retroviroses, não possuem tratamento efetivo. Tal fato torna relevante o estudo dessas doenças, em virtude da baixa eficácia de cura e caráter majoritariamente vitalício. Entre as retroviroses que mais acometem os felinos estão a imunodeficiência felina (FIV) e a leucemia felina (FeLV). O diagnóstico é obtido pela associação do exame clínico, geralmente inconclusivo, com exames laboratoriais complementares. Testes moleculares, como a reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR), são eficientes para a detecção do DNA proviral e podem ser utilizados na rotina diagnóstica. Diante disso, o objetivo deste estudo foi comprovar a eficiência do protocolo molecular Nested PCR para diagnosticar FIV e FeLV. Para tal, amostras de sangue e/ou medula de 41 gatos domésticos foram coletadas por meio de punção venosa ou de medula e encaminhadas ao laboratório Oncells Biotecnologia. Os seguintes pares de primers foram adotados para o Nested PCR: FF1 e FF2 para o primeiro ciclo, com um amplicon de 1325pb para FIV e 490pb para a FeLV. Para o segundo foi utilizada a combinação F14, F15, FE4 e FE7, com um amplicon de 1138pb para FIV e 306pb para FeLV. As bandas correspondentes às esperadas para FeLV foram detectadas pela observação dos géis, porém, além de outras bandas inespecíficas, não foram observadas bandas correspondentes à FIV. Os resultados confirmam a capacidade de detecção do patógeno da FeLV pela técnica empregada. No entanto, novos ajustes do protocolo são necessários.

Several affections that affect domestic cats, such as retroviruses, do not have effective treatment. This fact makes the study of these diseases relevant, due to the low healing efficacy and mostly lifelong character. Among the retroviruses that most affect felines are feline immunodeficiency (FIV) and feline leukemia (FeLV). The diagnosis is obtained by associating the clinical examination, which is generally inconclusive, with complementary laboratory tests. Molecular tests, such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), are efficient for proviral DNA detection and can be used in the diagnostic routine. Therefore, this study aimed to prove the efficiency of the molecular protocol Nested PCR to diagnose FIV and FeLV. For this purpose, blood and/ or bone marrow samples from 41 domestic cats were collected through venipuncture or bone marrow and sent to the Oncells Biotechnology laboratory. The following primer pairs were adopted for the Nested PCR: FF1 and FF2 for the first cycle, with an amplicon of 1325bp for FIV and 490bp for FeLV. For the second, the combination F14, F15, FE4, and FE7 was used, with an amplicon of 1138bp for FIV and 306bp for FeLV. The bands corresponding to those expected for FeLV were detected by observing the gels; however, in addition to other non-specific bands, bands corresponding to FIV were not observed. The results confirm the ability to detect the FeLV pathogen by the technique employed. Nevertheless new protocol adjustments are required.

Growth stanza in fish life history using otoliths shape: the protandric Centropomus case (Carangaria: Centropomidae)

Morphoanatomical or physiological changes coupled with changes in body size are known as allometric relationships. The objective of this study was to identify the points of growth changes in Centropomus based on otolith morphometry and morphogeometry. For this purpose, 455 individuals of C. undecimalis and 176 of C. parallelus were collected from artisanal fishermen of the coast of the state of Alagoas, Brazil. The sagittal otoliths were measured for length, height, perimeter, area and weighed. The potential and polyphasic models were fitted between total fish length and otolith length. The morphotypes otoliths wen describe by form Fourier descriptors and shape indices. The polyphasic model detected three growth phases. The first stanza for C. undecimalis was at 46.8 cm and the second at 75.9 cm. For C. parallelus, it was at 18.8 cm and at 41.2 cm. Each stanza has a specific otoliths morphotype in both species. The otoliths of C. undecimalis and C. parallelus exhibited ontogenetic allometric changes in their growth pattern with two stanzas changing points. The stanzas corresponded to specific lengths reached by individuals over their life cycles, such as their size at maturity and length at sexual reversion.(AU)

Mudanças morfoanatômicas ou fisiológicas em conjunto com mudanças no tamanho do corpo, são conhecidas como relações alométricas. O objetivo do estudo foi identificar os pontos de mudanças de crescimento de Centropomus com base na morfometria e morfogeometria dos otólitos. Foram coletados 455 indivíduos de C. undecimalis e 176 de C. parallelus, adquiridos com pescadores artesanais do estado de Alagoas, Brasil. Os otólitos sagitta foram medidos quanto ao comprimento, altura, perímetro, área e pesados. Os modelos potencial e polifásico foram ajustados entre o comprimento do peixe e o comprimento do otólito. Os morfotipos de otólitos são descritos por descritores de Fourier e índices de forma. O modelo polifásico detectou três fases de crescimento. A primeira stanza para C. undecimalis foi em 46,8 cm e a segunda em 75,9 cm. Já C. parallelus, a primeira foi em 18,8 cm e segunda em 41,2 cm. Cada stanza possui um morfotipo específico de otólitos em ambas as espécies. Os otólitos de C. undecimalis e C. parallelus exibiram mudanças alométricas ontogenéticas em seu padrão de crescimento com dois pontos de mudança de stanzas. As stanzas corresponderam a comprimentos específicos alcançados por indivíduos ao longo de seus ciclos de vida, como seu tamanho na maturidade e comprimento na reversão sexual.(AU)

Growth stanza in fish life history using otoliths shape: the protandric Centropomus case (Carangaria: Centropomidae)

Morphoanatomical or physiological changes coupled with changes in body size are known as allometric relationships. The objective of this study was to identify the points of growth changes in Centropomus based on otolith morphometry and morphogeometry. For this purpose, 455 individuals of C. undecimalis and 176 of C. parallelus were collected from artisanal fishermen of the coast of the state of Alagoas, Brazil. The sagittal otoliths were measured for length, height, perimeter, area and weighed. The potential and polyphasic models were fitted between total fish length and otolith length. The morphotypes otoliths wen describe by form Fourier descriptors and shape indices. The polyphasic model detected three growth phases. The first stanza for C. undecimalis was at 46.8 cm and the second at 75.9 cm. For C. parallelus, it was at 18.8 cm and at 41.2 cm. Each stanza has a specific otoliths morphotype in both species. The otoliths of C. undecimalis and C. parallelus exhibited ontogenetic allometric changes in their growth pattern with two stanzas changing points. The stanzas corresponded to specific lengths reached by individuals over their life cycles, such as their size at maturity and length at sexual reversion.(AU)

Mudanças morfoanatômicas ou fisiológicas em conjunto com mudanças no tamanho do corpo, são conhecidas como relações alométricas. O objetivo do estudo foi identificar os pontos de mudanças de crescimento de Centropomus com base na morfometria e morfogeometria dos otólitos. Foram coletados 455 indivíduos de C. undecimalis e 176 de C. parallelus, adquiridos com pescadores artesanais do estado de Alagoas, Brasil. Os otólitos sagitta foram medidos quanto ao comprimento, altura, perímetro, área e pesados. Os modelos potencial e polifásico foram ajustados entre o comprimento do peixe e o comprimento do otólito. Os morfotipos de otólitos são descritos por descritores de Fourier e índices de forma. O modelo polifásico detectou três fases de crescimento. A primeira stanza para C. undecimalis foi em 46,8 cm e a segunda em 75,9 cm. Já C. parallelus, a primeira foi em 18,8 cm e segunda em 41,2 cm. Cada stanza possui um morfotipo específico de otólitos em ambas as espécies. Os otólitos de C. undecimalis e C. parallelus exibiram mudanças alométricas ontogenéticas em seu padrão de crescimento com dois pontos de mudança de stanzas. As stanzas corresponderam a comprimentos específicos alcançados por indivíduos ao longo de seus ciclos de vida, como seu tamanho na maturidade e comprimento na reversão sexual.(AU)

Growth and production of 'Prata Anã Gorutuba' banana under different planting densities

Increased planting density, different types of thinning management, and the use of beneficial microorganisms have been adopted as strategic tools in the effort to increase crop yields in a sustainable manner. This investigation evaluated the growth and production of ‘Prata Anã Gorutuba’ banana ( Musa spp., AAB) under different plant densities during two production cycles in the semiarid region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Micropropagated plantlets were also inoculated with endophytic bacteria and cultivated as part of two mat management strategies. Planting density varied between 1,680 and 3,920 plant ha–1. During the experiment, water was less than optimal because of rationing due to drought in the region. Under field conditions, there was no difference between bacterially inoculated and non-inoculated plants. The dense planting system increased the crop cycle. The highest-density planting treatment (3,920 plant ha–1) resulted in the highest yield in the first cycle, but no net income was observed. However, the high-density planting treatments resulted in the highest yields and gross incomes in the second production cycle. Management with thinning of plants up to 10-months-old and thinning up to harvest associated with high planting density increased the length of the production cycles. Although the water restriction experienced in the first and second crop cycles, the vegetative and productive traits of ‘Prata Anã Gorutuba’ banana did not compromise the objectives of this study.

Growth and production of 'Prata Anã Gorutuba' banana under different planting densities

Increased planting density, different types of thinning management, and the use of beneficial microorganisms have been adopted as strategic tools in the effort to increase crop yields in a sustainable manner. This investigation evaluated the growth and production of ‘Prata Anã Gorutuba banana ( Musa spp., AAB) under different plant densities during two production cycles in the semiarid region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Micropropagated plantlets were also inoculated with endophytic bacteria and cultivated as part of two mat management strategies. Planting density varied between 1,680 and 3,920 plant ha–1. During the experiment, water was less than optimal because of rationing due to drought in the region. Under field conditions, there was no difference between bacterially inoculated and non-inoculated plants. The dense planting system increased the crop cycle. The highest-density planting treatment (3,920 plant ha–1) resulted in the highest yield in the first cycle, but no net income was observed. However, the high-density planting treatments resulted in the highest yields and gross incomes in the second production cycle. Management with thinning of plants up to 10-months-old and thinning up to harvest associated with high planting density increased the length of the production cycles. Although the water restriction experienced in the first and second crop cycles, the vegetative and productive traits of ‘Prata Anã Gorutuba banana did not compromise the objectives of this study.(AU)

Multivariate modeling strategies to predict nutritional requirements of essential amino acids in semiheavy second-cycle hens

An experiment with 23 diets was performed to evaluate the effect of digestible lysine (Lys), digestible methionine + cysteine (Met+Cys), and digestible threonine (Thr) on egg production of H&N Brown second-cycle laying hens (SCLH) for 20 weeks (92-111 weeks of age) in cages under environmental conditions. Body weight (BW), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), egg weight (EW), number of hen-housed eggs, and livability were also evaluated during the experiment. Diets were formulated from a central composite design that combined five levels of Lys, Met+Cys, and Thr ranging from 727 to 1159, 662 to 1055, and 552 to 882 mg/kg, respectively. Egg production (EP) data were evaluated through three different modeling strategies: egg production models, multivariate polynomial models, and artificial neural networks (ANN). A cascade-forward neural network with logsigmoid transfer function was selected as the best model according to goodness-offit statistics in both identification and validation data. One of the best scenarios for EP of H&N Brown SCLH under specific outdoor conditions was established at Lys, Met+Cys, and Thr levels of 1138, 1031, and 717 mg/hen·day, respectively. The ANN model may be an appropriate tool to study and predict EP of H&N Brown SCLH based on the combination of three different levels of essential digestible amino acids. The strategies included in this work may contribute to improving poultry performance based on modeling techniques to study other production parameters in terms of different nutritional requirements and productive conditions.

Mombaça grass yield as a function of nitrogen fertilization based on the use of the chlorophyll meter / Produtividade do capim mombaça em função da adubação nitrogenada baseada no uso do clorofilômetro

The objective of this study was to evaluate the yield and agronomic efficiency of mombaça grass achieved with the management of nitrogen fertilization, based on the nitrogen sufficiency index (NSI) calculated using measurements obtained with a chlorophyll meter. The experiment was conducted in the field, in São Luís de Montes Belos - GO, Brazil, from November 2016 to May 2018, as a randomized-block design with six treatments and five replicates. Treatments consisted of six N fertilization management strategies (M), namely, M1 - reference, with 150 kg ha-1 N per application; M2 - recommended, with 50 kg ha-1 N per application; M3 - 50 kg ha-1 N when NSI < 98%; M4 - 50 kg ha-1 N when NSI < 94%; M5 - 50 kg ha-1 N when NSI < 90%; and M6 - control treatment, without N application. The NSI was monitored based on the relative chlorophyll content obtained with the chlorophyll meter. Forage canopy height, tiller density, and yield were evaluated. At the end of the 2nd cycle, the recommended, reference, NSI98%, NSI94%, and NSI90% treatments had received 1,050, 350, 300, 250, and 0 kg N ha-1. Control treatment obtained the lowest dry biomass yield, whereas the recommended, NSI98%, and NSI94% treatments showed the highest. Thus, N doses between 1,950 and 300 kg ha-1, in the second cycle, provided statistically equivalent yields in mombaça grass. Considering the DM of both evaluation cycles, the highest yield was achieved with the NSI98% and NSI94% treatments. The application of N doses of 250 to 1050 kg ha-1 provided similar yields. Therefore, the adoption of a nitrogen sufficiency index below 98% and 94% as a parameter allows a reduction and rational use of nitrogen fertilizer.(AU)

Objetivou-se com esse trabalho avaliar a produtividade e eficiência agronômica do capim Mombaça, obtidas com o manejo da adubação nitrogenada, baseada no ISN calculado com as medidas do clorofilômetro. O experimento foi conduzido a campo em São Luís de Montes Belos, GO, de novembro de 2016 a maio de 2018. O delineamento utilizado foi em blocos casualizados, com seis tratamentos e cinco repetições. Os tratamentos foram constituídos por seis manejos de adubação nitrogenada: M1 - Referência com aplicação de 150 kg ha-1 N por aplicação; M2 - Recomendado com 50 kg ha-1 N por aplicação; M3 - 50 kg ha-1 de N quando o ISN < 98%, M4 - 50 kg ha-1 de N quando o ISN < 94%, M5 - 50 kg ha-1 de N quando o ISN < 90% e M6 - Tratamento controle, sem aplicação do N. O monitoramento do ISN foi realizado em função do Índice Relativo de Clorofila (IRC) obtido com o clorofilômetro. Avaliou-se altura do dossel forrageiro, densidade populacional de perfilhos e produtividade. Para matéria seca (MS), ao fim do 2º ciclo, os tratamentos recomendados, referência, ISN 98, 94 e 90% haviam totalizado 1.050, 350, 300, 250 e 0 kg N ha-1. O tratamento controle apresentou a menor produção e os tratamentos recomendado, ISN 98% e 94% as maiores. Portanto doses entre 1.950 e 300 kg N ha-1, no segundo ciclo, promoveram produções estatisticamente equivalentes no capim Mombaça. Considerando a MS dos dois ciclos de avaliação, as maiores produtividades foram nos tratamentos ISN 98% e 94%. A aplicação de doses de 250 a 1050 kg N ha-1 proporcionaram produções semelhantes. Portanto o uso do ISN 98% e 94% como parâmetros possibilita redução e uso racional do fertilizante nitrogenado.(AU)

Superdosing Phytases in the Diets of Light Laying Hens: Productive Performance and Bone Quality

Two experiments were carried out with the objective of evaluating the effect of superdosing of two phytases on performance, egg quality, digestive organ biometry and bone quality of light hens in the first (58 weeks) and second (87 weeks) productive cycle. In the first cycle, 270 light hens were used, in which a completely randomized design was adopted in a 2 x 2 + 1 factorial scheme (bacterial phytase or fungal phytase x 450 FTUs or 900 FTUs + control diet). In the second cycle, 270 hens were used, following the same design as the previous experiment. The performance and quality of the eggs were evaluated in both cycles, and the biometry of the digestive organs and bone characteristics were also evaluated in the first experiment. There was no effect in the comparison between the means for the performance and egg quality (in both experiments), or for the biometric variables and bone characteristics (first experiment). There was no significant interaction between the factors for any of the variables in the two experiments. In the first experiment, egg production was higher with bacterial phytase and egg weight with fungal phytase. The mineral matter showed greater value with 450 FTUs. It is recommended to use bacterial phytase produced from Escherichia coli as it improves the performance of light laying hens. The dosage of 450 FTUs improves the mineral content of light laying hens and the use of phytase in the laying hen diet implies a lower feed cost.

Soluções nutritivas na produção de mudas de morangueiro e a sua influência no desempenho agronômico / Nutrient solutions in the production of strawberry seedlings and their influence on agronomic performance

Objetivou-se avaliar o desempenho agronômico de cultivares de morangueiro, a partir de mudas ‘plug plant produzidas com diferentes soluções nutritivas, em sistema de cultivo sem solo. Os experimentos foram realizados em casa de vegetação com a utilização de mudas das cultivares Aromas e Camarosa, as quais foram produzidas com quatro soluções nutritivas. Foram avaliados dois ciclos de cultivo. O primeiro, de abril de 2017 à março de 2018, foram avaliados o desempenho agronômico de duas cultivares (Camarosa e Aromas) e quatro soluções nutritivas (SN1, SN2, SN3 e SN4), em esquema fatorial 2 x 4. No segundo ciclo, de abril a dezembro de 2018, foram avaliadas duas cultivares (Camarosa e Aromas) e duas soluções nutritivas (SN3 e SN4), em esquema fatorial 2 x 2. Em ambos os ciclos, avaliaram-se variáveis fenológicas, produtivas e matéria seca de folhas, coroas e estolões. A utilização das diferentes soluções nutritivas na fase de produção dos propágulos não influenciou a maioria das variáveis analisadas, uma vez que o ciclo do morangueiro é longo e o efeito das mesmas acaba se diluindo no decorrer do mesmo. No entanto, o efeito do fator cultivar foi significativo, sendo que, no geral, ‘Camarosa foi mais precoce que ‘Aromas em relação às variáveis fenológicas referentes à floração, frutificação e estolonamento. As cultivares apresentaram produção de frutas similares entre si nos doisciclos de cultivo. ‘Camarosa apresenta maior produção de matéria seca de folhas e estolões em comparação com a cultivar Aromas.(AU)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the agronomic performance of strawberry cultivars established from plug plant plantlets produced with different nutrient solutions in a soilless system. The experiments were carried out in a greenhouse using seedlings of the Aromas and Camarosa cultivars, produced with four different nutrient solutions. Two cycles were evaluated. In the first, from April 2017 to March 2018, the agronomic performance of two cultivars (Camarosa and Aromas) and four nutrient solutions (NS1, NS2, NS3, and NS4) was assessed in a 2 x 4 factorial scheme. In the second cycle, from April to December 2018, two cultivars (Camarosa and Aromas) and two nutrients solutions (NS3 and NS4) were evaluated in a 2 x 2 factorial scheme. In both cycles, phenological, productive variables and the dry matter of leaves, crowns, and stolons were evaluated. The use of different nutrient solutions in the tip production stage did not influence most of the analyzed variables since the strawberry cycle is long, so their effects end up being diluted over time. However, the effect of the cultivar factor was significant, and, in general, the Camarosa cultivar was more precocious than the Aromas regarding the phenological variables related to flowering, fruiting, and tipping. The cultivars presented fruit production similar to each other in the two crop cycles, with Camarosa presenting greater production of dry matter of leaves and stolons than the Aromascultivar.(AU)

Soluções nutritivas na produção de mudas de morangueiro e a sua influência no desempenho agronômico / Nutrient solutions in the production of strawberry seedlings and their influence on agronomic performance

Objetivou-se avaliar o desempenho agronômico de cultivares de morangueiro, a partir de mudas ‘plug plant’ produzidas com diferentes soluções nutritivas, em sistema de cultivo sem solo. Os experimentos foram realizados em casa de vegetação com a utilização de mudas das cultivares Aromas e Camarosa, as quais foram produzidas com quatro soluções nutritivas. Foram avaliados dois ciclos de cultivo. O primeiro, de abril de 2017 à março de 2018, foram avaliados o desempenho agronômico de duas cultivares (Camarosa e Aromas) e quatro soluções nutritivas (SN1, SN2, SN3 e SN4), em esquema fatorial 2 x 4. No segundo ciclo, de abril a dezembro de 2018, foram avaliadas duas cultivares (Camarosa e Aromas) e duas soluções nutritivas (SN3 e SN4), em esquema fatorial 2 x 2. Em ambos os ciclos, avaliaram-se variáveis fenológicas, produtivas e matéria seca de folhas, coroas e estolões. A utilização das diferentes soluções nutritivas na fase de produção dos propágulos não influenciou a maioria das variáveis analisadas, uma vez que o ciclo do morangueiro é longo e o efeito das mesmas acaba se diluindo no decorrer do mesmo. No entanto, o efeito do fator cultivar foi significativo, sendo que, no geral, ‘Camarosa’ foi mais precoce que ‘Aromas’ em relação às variáveis fenológicas referentes à floração, frutificação e estolonamento. As cultivares apresentaram produção de frutas similares entre si nos doisciclos de cultivo. ‘Camarosa’ apresenta maior produção de matéria seca de folhas e estolões em comparação com a cultivar Aromas.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the agronomic performance of strawberry cultivars established from plug plant plantlets produced with different nutrient solutions in a soilless system. The experiments were carried out in a greenhouse using seedlings of the Aromas and Camarosa cultivars, produced with four different nutrient solutions. Two cycles were evaluated. In the first, from April 2017 to March 2018, the agronomic performance of two cultivars (Camarosa and Aromas) and four nutrient solutions (NS1, NS2, NS3, and NS4) was assessed in a 2 x 4 factorial scheme. In the second cycle, from April to December 2018, two cultivars (Camarosa and Aromas) and two nutrients solutions (NS3 and NS4) were evaluated in a 2 x 2 factorial scheme. In both cycles, phenological, productive variables and the dry matter of leaves, crowns, and stolons were evaluated. The use of different nutrient solutions in the tip production stage did not influence most of the analyzed variables since the strawberry cycle is long, so their effects end up being diluted over time. However, the effect of the cultivar factor was significant, and, in general, the Camarosa cultivar was more precocious than the Aromas regarding the phenological variables related to flowering, fruiting, and tipping. The cultivars presented fruit production similar to each other in the two crop cycles, with Camarosa presenting greater production of dry matter of leaves and stolons than the Aromascultivar.

Spatio-temporal sublittoral macrobenthic distribution and dominant species in Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil / Distribuição espaço-temporal do macrobentos de infralitoral e espécies dominantes na Baía de Guanabara, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Soft-bottom macrobenthic invertebrates are sensitive to natural or anthropogenic changes in aquatic ecosystems. The distribution patterns of sublittoral macrobenthic species in Guanabara Bay were studied from 2005 to 2007. Samples were collected at ten stations during six surveys throughout the rainfall regime (dry, early and late rainy). Ten replicates were collected at each station by Gravity corer or skin diving. Van Dorn bottles (bottom water) and by Ekman sediment sampler (granulometry) provided material for abiotic data. Stations were grouped into sectors (Entrance, Intermediary and Inner) based on abiotic data and location. The Redundancy Analysis (RDA) and Parsimonious RDA for all years and each annual cycle showed indicator taxa with high dominance in each sector. PERMANOVA indicated a regular seasonality between the surveys for the first annual cycle (p 0.05), and an atypical pattern for the second (p> 0.05), possibly due the low rainfall observed during this period. The mosaic of soft-bottom substrates infers structural variables, and patterns of temporal distribution were basically influenced by parameters those indicating pollution and the SACW (South Atlantic Central Water) intrusion, as well as ecological attributes among species, such as: predation, competition. The Ervilia concentrica and Cypridinidae could be used as indicators for anthropic and natural impacts in the Guanabara Bay for the Entrance sector, while Cyprideis salebrosa and Cyprideis sp. for the Intermediary sector and Heleobia australis for the Inner sector.(AU)

Os invertebrados macrobentônicos são sensíveis as alterações naturais e antrópicas nos ecossistemas aquáticos. O padrão de distribuição das espécies macrobentônicas do infralitoral da Baía de Guanabara foram estudados de 2005 até 2007. Amostras foram coletadas em dez estações durante seis campanhas em todo o regime pluviométrico (seco, pré e pós chuvoso). Dez réplicas foram coletadas em cada estação por meio do amostrador Gravity corer ou por mergulho livre. Os dados abióticos foram coletados por meio de garrafa oceanográfica do tipo van Dorn (água de fundo) e por busca fundo do tipo Ekman (granulometria). As estações foram agrupadas em setores (Entrada, Intermediária e Interna) baseada nos dados abióticos e localização. A Análise de Redundância (RDA) e RDA Parcimoniosa para todos os anos e em cada ano evidenciou taxa indicadores como elevada dominância em cada setor. A PERMANOVA indicou sazonalidade regular entre as campanhas para o primeiro ciclo anual (p 0.05), padrão atípico para o segundo ano (p> 0.05), possivelmente por causa da baixa pluviosidade observada durante esse período. O mosaico do substrato não consolidado infere que as variáveis estruturais, e os padrões de distribuição temporal foram basicamente influenciadas por parâmetros que indicam poluição e intrusão de ACAS (Água Central do Atlântico Sul), bem como atributos ecológicos entre espécies, tais como: predação, competição, entre outros. Ervilia concentrica e Cypridinidae podem ser utilizados como indicadores de alterações naturais e antrópicos no setor da Entrada da Baía de Guanabara, enquanto Cyprideis salebrosa e Cyprideis sp. para o setor Intermediário e Heleobia australis para o setor Interno.(AU)