Genetic parameters of morphometric measurements in Criollo horses.

The aim of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters for the morphometric measurements of withers height (WH), thoracic circumference (TC) and cannon bone circumference (CBC) of Criollo horses, stratified for maternal and paternal effects. Statistical genetic design of factor crossings was used to evaluate the offspring of full siblings and half-siblings. Fifty stallions were selected (n = 50) who had been crossed with six mares each (n = 6), to provide 300 parental pairings in which two offspring were born per mare (n = 600). WH in females and TC in males were highly influenced by additive genetic effects, while the other morphometric measures were found to be closely related to the general effects of the environment. WH had the greatest additive genetic influence on female offspring (47.06%), while TC presented the greatest additive genetic influence on male offspring (58.73%). When comparing the parental influence on the morphometric characteristics evaluated, TC and CBC had greater additive genetic influence from maternal effects, regardless of offspring sex. However, the WH in female offspring showed greater maternal additive genetic contribution, while in males this characteristic presented greater paternal additive genetic influence. For WH in male offspring, narrow sense heritability ( h r 2 : 0.26) was more influenced by paternal effects, while for WH in females ( h r 2 : 0.47), TC in females ( h r 2 : 0.08) and males ( h r 2 : 0.59), and CBC in females ( h r 2 : 0.07) and males ( h r 2 : 0.05) the maternal effects were the most important. Therefore, the phenotypic expression of WH in males and females and TC in males is influenced by the additive genetic effect of the genes. On the other hand, the TC in female progenies and CBC in progenies of both sexes are closely related to the effects of the environment. The results obtained in this study could be useful in the selection process of Criollo horses.

Nitrate supply decreases fermentation and alleviates oxidative and ionic stress in nitrogen-fixing soybean exposed to saline waterlogging.

Nitrate (NO3 - ) nutrition is known to mitigate the damages caused by individual stresses of waterlogging and salinity. Here, we investigated the role of NO3 - in soybean plants exposed to these stresses in combination. Nodulated soybean cultivated under greenhouse conditions and daily fertilised with a nutrient solution without nitrogen were subjected to the following treatments: Water, NO3 - , NaCl, and NaCl+NO3 - . Then, plants were exposed to waterlogging (6days) and drainage (2days). Compared to plants exposed to isolated stress, the saline waterlogging resulted in higher concentrations of H2 O2 , O2 ˙- , and lipid peroxidation at the whole-plant level, mainly during drainage. Furthermore, saline waterlogging increased fermentation and the concentrations of Na+ and K+ in roots and leaves both during waterlogging and drainage. NO3 - supplementation led to augments in NO3 - and NO levels, and stimulated nitrate reductase activity in both organs. In addition, NO3 - nutrition alleviated oxidative stress and fermentation besides increasing the K+ /Na+ ratio in plants exposed to saline waterlogging. In conclusion, NO3 - supplementation is a useful strategy to help soybean plants overcome saline waterlogging stress. These findings are of high relevance for agriculture as soybean is an important commodity and has been cultivated in areas prone to saline waterlogging.

A meta-analysis of physicochemical changes in the rhizosphere and bulk soil under woodlands

Monoculture for timber production has been replacing natural environments as the demand for renewable energy sources increases. The lack of nutrient compensation may increase the risk of soil depletion, thus changing soil properties. To summarize the impact of forestry activities in edaphic environments, we present a meta-analysis on the rhizosphere effects of coniferous and broadleaved trees established as monoculture and natural regeneration on soil physicochemical properties. Records of soil attributes published in peer-reviewed journals from eight countries were collected. Clay content changed only in monoculture sites, decreasing 55.51% in the rhizosphere, while silt and sand presented significant variations in both monoculture and naturally regenerated areas. Conifers affected the soil more than broadleaved trees, evidenced by higher pH reduction (-2.96% vs. -1.98%) and higher increase of Al3+ (197.43% vs. 50.68%), K+ (80.40% vs. 69.90%), CEC (24.61% vs. 17.35%), and total organic carbon (82.21% vs. 69.89%). Also, the rhizosphere affected regeneration soils more than monoculture, indicated by higher Al3+ (50.68% vs. ns) and available P (32.31% vs. ns), K+ (203.44% vs. ns), CEC (34.90% vs. 20.93), and total organic carbon (91.55% vs. 63.23%). These results indicate higher nutrient availability in naturally regenerated than monoculture sites, as higher species diversity and better plant litter quality are expected. This meta-analysis shows that coniferous and naturally regenerated trees had a higher influence on the rhizosphere and soil properties than broadleaved and monocultures. Management practices must be revisited to ensure the long-term sustainability of forestry activity, and studies in tropical zones must be intensified.

Changes in Phenolic Acid and Isoflavone Contents during Soybean Drying and Storage.

The changes in phenolic acid and isoflavone profile of soybean genotypes ( Nidera 5909 RR and BMX Força RR) dried at different temperatures and stored for 12 months were investigated. In both cultivars, there was a reduction of the germination capacity and an increase of fungal incidence with the increase of drying temperature and storage time. Multivariate analysis of phenolic acids allowed for the differentiation among treatments. Cultivar Nidera 5909 RR, dried at 110 °C, showed an interaction with characters of greater relevance for differentiation, being influenced by the increase of bound coumaric, and syringic, and free-hydroxybenzoic, syringic, and coumaric acids. Multivariate analysis of isoflavones showed a strong affinity of the aglycone isoflavones (genistein, glycitein, and daidzein) within the Nidera 5909 RR cultivar at all drying temperatures and with BMX Força RR cultivar at the highest temperatures. These results indicate that the release and interconversion of isoflavone malonyl-ß-glucosides and ß-glucosides into aglycone forms are simultaneous reactions during storage.

ABA-dependent salt and drought stress improve strawberry fruit quality.

Strawberry crop is very sensitive to osmotic stress conditions. We investigated the effect of the stress induced by mild drought (DS) and salt (SS) stresses, on molecular, physiological, and metabolic processes in the strawberry crop (Fragaria ananassa), cv. Camarosa. The results showed that the fruit yield was not affected. Mild DS and SS also resulted in an increased content of phenolics, anthocyanins, and l-ascorbic acid, and an increased antioxidant activity. These effects were accompanied by increased levels of ABA and its derivatives (phaseic and dehydrophasic acids), alongside the upregulation of several genes involved on their synthesis. Therefore, the results obtained in this study suggest that mild DS and SS improve the functional quality of strawberry fruits through and ABA-dependent mechanism.

Butia spp. (Arecaceae) LC-MS-Based Metabolomics for Species and Geographical Origin Discrimination.

The metabolic variability of fruit from Butia spp. (Arecaceae) genotypes from different geographical locations was characterized using untargeted metabolomics by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) followed by multivariate data analyses. Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) from LC-MS data sets showed a clear distinction among Butia catarinensis, Butia odorata, Butia paraguayensis, and Butia yatay. The major metabolites that contributed to species discrimination were primary metabolites including sugars and organic acids and specialized metabolites such as tetrahydroxy-trans-stilbene and rutin. B. odorata fruit from Tapes, RS, Brazil, showed a high content of organic acids and flavonoids, whereas B. odorata fruits from Capão do Leão, RS, Brazil, showed a high sugar content. The results demonstrate that LC-ESI-qToF-MS-based metabolic profiling coupled with chemometric analysis can be used to discriminate among Butia species and between geographical origins of B. odorata and to identify primary and specialized metabolites responsible for the discrimination.

Crop succession and its reflections on soybean performance

The fluctuations in yield and consequently in production occurred due to climatic adversities in the main producing states of Brazil. Farming has changed over time, and past scenarios have shown high exploitation of natural resources focusing on soil tillage and conventional seeding methods. This study aimed to determine the yield performance of soybean grown under 10 consolidated crop succession systems. The experiment was conducted during the 2018/2019 crop season, before the research project entitled "Sustainable production systems with better use of biological and natural resources, with treatments arranged in a randomized block design and four replications". The treatments consisted of the following predecessor crops: Avena sativa, Avena strigosa, Triticum aestivum, Secale cereale, Brassica napus, Raphanus sativus, Avena strigosa + Raphanus sativus + Vicia sativa, Fallow, Avena strigosa + Lolium multiflorum, and Triticum aestivum ­ Fodder. Soybean was subsequently sown across winter crops. The succession that showed superior yield was Avena strigosa + Lolium multiflorum. This attribute was established by associating taller plants with the maximization of the number of grains per pod, hundred-grain mass, grain mass, and plant dry mass; in contrast, there was a lower emphasis on plant residue. The determining attributes for soybean yield were plant stand, plant height, the number of pods per plant, and total grain mass, with contrasts among groups composed of the succession of Avena sativa, Avena strigosa, Triticum aestivum, Secale cereale, and Brassica napus, distanced from Raphanus sativus, Avena strigosa + Raphanus sativus + Vicia sativa, Fallow, Avena strigosa + Lolium multiflorum, and Triticum aestivum - Fodder.

Seedling length and soybean seed vigor / Comprimento de plântulas e vigor de sementes de soja

ABSTRACT: The differentiation of seedling growth and development is the result of the vigor level of the seed lot. Because of this, knowing the seedling growth curve is essential for the evaluation of the seedling length test, to be carried out at the moment when any differences in vigor really manifest, thus being able to reduce the time of evaluation of the test. In this research, the objective was to determine the most efficient time interval to perform the seedling length test in soybean seeds, depending on the vigor levels. The evaluated characteristics were percentage of seed germination, first germination count, emergency, days for emergence, aerial, root and total length (evaluated every 12 hours), aerial, root and total dry mass in completely randomized design. High vigor seeds originated seedlings with higher growth rates (cm. h-1), with vigor being one of the factors that interfere in the seedling length test. After 96 hours of the seedling length test, there was a statistical differentiation between the three vigor levels tested. The soybean seedling length test between lots, with different vigor, can be performed 96 hours after sowing.

RESUMO: A diferenciação do crescimento e desenvolvimento das plântulas, é resultado do nível de vigor do lote das sementes. Em virtude disto, conhecer a curva de crescimento das plântulas é fundamental para que a avaliação do teste de comprimento de plântulas, seja realizada no momento em que realmente se manifestem as eventuais diferenças de vigor, podendo assim reduzir o tempo de avaliação do teste. No trabalho, o objetivo foi determinar o intervalo de tempo mais eficiente para realizar o teste de comprimento de plântula em sementes de soja, em função dos níveis de vigor. As características avaliadas foram germinação, primeira contagem de germinação, emergência, dias para emergência, comprimento de parte aérea, raiz e total (avaliados de 12 em 12 horas), massa seca de parte aérea, raiz e total em delineamento inteiramente casualizado. As sementes de alto vigor originaram plântulas com maiores taxas de crescimento (cm. h-1), sendo o vigor um dos fatores que interfere no teste de comprimento de plântulas. Após 96 horas do teste de comprimento de plântula ocorreu a diferenciação estatística entre os três níveis de vigor testados. O teste de comprimento de plântula de soja entre lotes, com vigor distinto, pode ser realizado 96 horas após a semeadura.

Use and response to phosphorus by potato clones in two cropping systems / Utilização e resposta ao fósforo por clones de batata em dois sistemas de cultivo

The selection of potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L.) that are efficient in the use of phosphorus (P) plays an important role in increasing crop productivity, reducing the cost of production due to the high price of phosphate fertilizers, as well as reducing the pollution of the environment due to the better use of the applied fertilizers. The objective of this work was to compare the method of selection of potato clones for the efficiency of use and response to P between in vitro and off - soil systems with the use of sand as substrate. To that end, potato clones SMIC 148-A, Dakota Rose, SMINIA 793101-3, SMIB 106-7, SMIF 212-3, SMIJ 319-1 and P 150 were cultivated at low and high levels of P in the culture systems in vitro (1,935 and 19,346 mg P L-1) and off-soil (2.32 and 23.2 mg P L-1). The selection of potato clones using only as a criterion the accumulation of P under low nutrient level is not adequate, both in off-soil and in vitro cultivation. Clones selected as being more efficient in the use of P in in vitro cultivation do not prove to be necessarily more efficient in off-soil cultivation. No clone remains in the same classification group regarding the efficiency of use and response to P, based on the production of dry mass, in the two cropping systems.

A seleção de plantas de batata (Solanum tuberosum L.) que são eficientes no uso de fósforo (P) desempenha um papel importante no aumento da produtividade das culturas. reduzindo o custo de produção devido ao alto preço dos fertilizantes fosfatados. além de reduzir a poluição do meio ambiente devido ao melhor uso dos fertilizantes aplicados. O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar o método de seleção de clones de batata quanto à eficiência de uso e resposta ao P entre sistemas in vitro e fora do solo com o uso de areia como substrato. Para o efeito. os clones de batata SMIC 148-A. Dakota Rose. SMINIA 793101-3. SMIB 106-7. SMIF 212-3. SMIJ 319-1 e P 150 foram cultivados a baixos e altos níveis de P nos sistemas de cultivo in vitro (1.935 e 19.346 mg P L-1) e fora do solo (2.32 e 23.2 mg P L-1). A seleção de clones de batata utilizando apenas como critério o acúmulo de P em baixo nível de nutrientes não é adequada. tanto no cultivo fora do solo quanto no in vitro. Clones selecionados como mais eficientes no uso de P em cultivo in vitro não se mostraram necessariamente mais eficientes no cultivo fora do solo. Nenhum clone permanece no mesmo grupo de classificação quanto à eficiência de uso e resposta ao P. baseado na produção de massa seca nos dois sistemas de cultivo.

Sowing density and clipping management: effects on the architecture and yield of dual-purpose wheat / Densidade de semeadura e manejo da corte: efeitos na arquitetura e rendimento do trigo de duplicação

The dual-purpose wheat stands out as a complementary alternative for forage supply during the winter period. Therefore, this work had the objective of evaluate the performance characteristics in five genotypes of dual-purpose wheat submitted to different sowing densities and different clipping managements. The experiment was carried out during the 2016 and 2017 harvests. The experimental design was a randomized block design, organized in a factorial scheme, with five dual-purpose wheat genotypes (BRS Tarumã, BRS Umbu, BRS Figueira, BRS Guatambu and BRS 277) x five sowing densities (75, 150, 225, 300 and 375 seeds m²) x four clipping operations (zero, one, two and three clippings), arranged in three replicates. The measuring of characters were number of fertile tillers, seeds yield, angle of flag leaf, chlorophyll content and flowering. The genotype BRS Tarumâ is superior in number of fertile tillers and chlorophyll index for all the sowing densities, as well, the flowering is influenced direct by clipping managements. The sowing density of 75 seeds m-2 is not indicated for dual-purpose wheat independent of the clipping management. The seeds yield is amplified thought the increase in sowing density, however, advancing in clipping levels there is a decrease in forage yield.

O trigo de duplo propósito se destaca como uma alternativa complementar para o fornecimento de forragem durante o período de inverno. Portanto, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar as características de desempenho de cinco genótipos de trigo de duplo propósito submetidos a diferentes densidades de semeadura e diferentes manejos de corte. O experimento foi realizado durante as safras de 2016 e 2017. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, organizado em esquema fatorial, com cinco genótipos de trigo de duplo propósito (BRS Tarumã, BRS Umbu, BRS Figueira, BRS Guatambu e BRS 277) x cinco densidades de semeadura (75, 150, 225, 300 e 375 m² de sementes) x quatro operações de clipagem (zero, um, dois e três recortes), dispostos em três repetições. As medidas dos caracteres foram número de perfilhos férteis, rendimento de sementes, ângulo de folha de bandeira, teor de clorofila e floração. O genótipo BRS Tarumâ é superior em número de perfilhos férteis e índice de clorofila para todas as densidades de semeadura, assim como o florescimento é influenciado diretamente pelos manejos de corte. A densidade de semeadura de 75 sementes m-2 não é indicada para trigo de dupla finalidade independente do manejo de corte. O rendimento das sementes é amplificado pelo aumento da densidade de semeadura, entretanto, avançando nos níveis de recorte, há uma diminuição no rendimento de forragem.

Association of secondary traits with yield in maize F 1 's / Associação de caracteres secundários com o rendimento em F 1 's de milho

ABSTRACT: The objective was to identify phenotypic and genotypic associations, and cause-and-effect relations of secondary components on primary components to establish criteria in the indirect selection process for maize. Partial diallel crosses were conducted in Clevelândia. F1's were evaluated in five environments. For the purpose of increasing the yield of corn grain, breeders should seek to reduce the characters distance from the last node to the first branch of the tassel, tassel length and number of branches. The indirect selection for distance from the last node to the first branch of the tassel would be effective to increase the grain yield. The selection for smaller leaf angle, larger stem diameter and thousand grain weight are favorable for increasing grain yield in maize.

RESUMO: O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar associações fenotípicas, genotípicas e relações de causa e efeito de componentes secundários sobre componentes primários para se estabelecer critérios nos processos de seleção indireta para milho. Os cruzamentos do dialelo parcial foram conduzidos em Clevelândia. Os F1's foram avaliados em cinco ambientes. Para fins de aumento do rendimento de grãos de milho, os melhoristas devem buscar a redução dos caracteres distância do último nó até primeira ramificação do pendão, comprimento do pendão e número de ramificações. A seleção indireta para menor distância do último nó até a primeira ramificação do pendão seria eficiente para o aumento do rendimento de grãos. A seleção para menor ângulo de folha, maior diâmetro de colmo e massa de mil grãos mostram-se favoráveis para o aumento do rendimento de grãos em milho.