Post-seminal structure and development of the hemiparasitic plant Escobedia grandiflora (Orobanchaceae)

Escobedia grandiflora(L.f.) Kuntze is a wild hemiparasitic plant with orange roots. Little is known about the development of initial parasitism with the host, despite the significant value of roots for Central and South American communities. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize post-seminal structure and development of E. grandiflorain Pennisetum purpureumhost. To analyze the structure and development of E. grandiflora, seedlings, stems and roots samples were processed and examined underlight, confocal and scanning electron microscopy. Escobedia grandifloraseeds are composed of seed coat, perisperm, and embryo. Emergence of the radicle began eleven days after imbibition. Seedlings showed a root hair collar encircling the axis at the root-hypocotyl junction with elongation of internal cortical cells. Seedlings formed haustoria and successfully reached of the host roots 22 days following root emergence. In the root many starch grains were observed, albeit more scarce in the hypocotyl. After 43 days of root emergence, the seedling stage was finished with the formation of the definitive leaves, and star of the plant stage. After 64 days, root ramification, amount of starch, and orange pigmentation increased with formation of haustoria. The developmental pattern of E. grandiflora plants was slow, but the roots grew faster than the stem. Escobedia grandifloraseeds were not endospermic and have limited nutritional value. After root emergence, the young seedling must develop roots and starch storage towards to haustorium formation and attachment to host roots.

Metodologia para determinação da zona de abscisão foliar em pomáceas / Methodology to determine abscission zone in apple trees

Estudos anatômicos e de ontogênese da abscisão foliar em pomáceas são escassos. A queda foliar promovida após formada a zona de abscisão é um processo natural nas pomáceas, e prolonga-se durante o outono, até que ocorram as primeiras geadas no Sul do Brasil. Ainda não se conhece até quando as folhas de macieiras permanecem funcionais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver uma metodologia que permita estudar o início e o fim das zonas de abscisão foliar de macieiras. O trabalho foi realizado nas cultivares 'Galaxy' e 'Fuji' em pomares comerciais de macieira, de Vacaria, Rio Grande do Sul. O método proposto consistiu em coletar,ramos do ano, com 10cm a 20cm de comprimento, e utilizar um segmento contendo uma parte do caule, uma gema axilar e a base do pecíolo, descartando a parte das quatro folhas do ápice. Os segmentos foram fixados, seccionados e corados para a observação da zona de abscisão em microscopia óptica. Os resultados mostraram que a metodologia utilizada permitiu descrever a zona de abscisão em macieiras e que ela é formada por células alongadas com parede celular delgada, apresentando lignificação junto à parede celular. O processo manteve a gema intacta e ocorreu no sentido adaxial para o abaxial. A abscisão foliar natural, em plantas de Galaxy e Fuji em sintomas de doença e em condições ambientais favoráveis, pode ser acompanhada 7 e 14 dias antes e depois da colheita, e após, com intervalos de 14 e 21 dias até maio. A partir de maio, as coletas devem ser feitas semanalmente. Essas informações serão úteis na tomada de decisão para realizar práticas culturais e/ou de controle químico, para a manutenção das folhas sadias, resultando no maior acúmulo de reservas de carboidratos e/ou redução do número de aplicações de fungicidas.(AU)

Studies about anatomical and ontogeny of leaf abscission in pome fruit trees are scarce. The leaf fall occurs after the abscission zone is promoted, being a natural process in pome fruit, and it lasted from the fall until the first frost in southern Brazil. It is not known yet how long the leaves of apple trees remained functional. The aim of this study was to develop a methodology to study the beginning and the end zones of leaf abscission of Galaxy and Fuji apple trees. The study was conducted in commercial apple orchards in Vacaria, Rio Grande do Sul. The proposed method consisted of collecting branches to 10cm to 20cm in length, and use a segment containing a portion of the stem, an axillary bud and the base of the petiole, discarding the part of the four-leaf apex. The segments were fixed, sectioned and stained for observation of the abscission zone in optical microscopy. The methodology allowed the understanding of the abscission zone on apple trees. The abscission zone was formed by elongated cells with thin walls, presenting cell wall lignification. The process kept the bud intact and occurred from the adaxial to abaxial surface. The natural leaf abscission in Galaxy and Fuji plants without symptoms of disease and favorable environmental conditions , can be accompanied by 7 and 14 days before and after harvest, and after intervals of 14 and 21 days until May. From May, collections should be weekly. This information will be useful in making a decision to carry out cultural practices and / or chemical control, for the maintenance of healthy leaves, resulting in greater accumulation of carbohydrate reserves and / or reducing the number of fungicide applications.(AU)

Aplicação da gestão de qualidade no restaurante da Universidade Estadual de Londrina: desperdício de alimentos / Application of the management of quality in the restaurant of the Universidade Estadual de Londrina: food losses

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desperdício de alimentos no Restaurante Universitário (RU) da Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL) e propor um possível programa para sua redução. O monitoramento do funcionamento do RU foi realizado durante os meses de abril e maio de 2004, considerando o número de refeições servidas no almoço e jantar, quantidade de alimentos preparados (kg) e materiais descartáveis como copos e guardanapos de papel. Foi constatado o desperdício anual de 49.720 kg de alimentos, suficiente para servir 82.940 refeições de 500g. O custo desse desperdício é cerca de R$ 157.586,00 por ano, representando 12,30 por cento do gasto da matéria prima dos gêneros alimentícios do RU, enquanto que o desperdício pelo uso indevido de copos plásticos foi de R$ 3.984,20 e o de guardanapos R$ 738,70, respectivamente, representando 21,28 por cento e 20,01 por cento dos seus custos anuais. Um programa em larga escala está sendo organizado e consistirá no treinamento dos servidores do restaurante e conscientização dos usuários, através de campanhas educativas, utilizando a mídia universitária (jornal, radial), pôsteres e fôlderes.(AU)

The objective of this work was to evaluate the food waste at Universidade Estadual de Londrina University Restaurant(RU) and to propose a possible program to reduce it. This survey was carried out for two months, April and May of 2004. The items considered were the number of meals served during lunch and dinner, an average of 600 g each, the quantity of prepared food in kg, and disposable plastic cups and napkins. The results showed that there was an annual waste of 49,720 kg of food left over enough to serve 82,940 of 500g of individual food portion. The calculated cost was around R$1S7 ,586.ooyearly, comprising of 12.30% of total acquired food raw material and R$ 3,984.20 for inappropriate used plastic cups and R$ 738.70 for napkins representing 21.3% and 20.0% ofeach cost annually, respectively. A program of staff training and collaboration for all users of RU is currently under organization and it will be presented through pamphlets, posters and particularly using the University midia (radio, campus newsletters) in order to diminish this waste thus the cost of restaurant maintenance. (AU)