Market and production of agroecological seeds / Mercado e produção de sementes agroecológicas

In recent decades, agriculture has been changing mainly in terms of organic production, consumption and market. This increase is due to people's interest in pesticide-free products that meet all environmental, cultural and social issues, presenting itself as a highly competitive and lucrative market niche. For this reason, this bibliographic review aims to describe the market scenario and the production of agroecological seeds, in addition to characterizing the production of organic seeds and evaluating the potential of this market niche, which is increasingly the target of investments and demand for food., but it is important to have more studies about it, as well as specific legislation for organic seeds.(AU)

Nas últimas décadas, a agricultura vem mudando principalmente em termos de produção orgânica, consumo e mercado. Esse aumento se deve ao interesse das pessoas por produtos livres de agrotóxicos que atendam a todas as questões ambientais, culturais e sociais, apresentando-se como um nicho de mercado altamente competitivo e lucrativo. Por esse motivo, esta revisão bibliográfica tem como objetivo descrever o cenário de mercado e a produção de sementes agroecológicas, além de caracterizar a produção de sementes orgânicas e avaliar o potencial desse nicho de mercado que é cada vezmais alvo de investimentos e demanda por alimentos, porém é importante que se tenha mais estudos a respeito, bem como uma legislação especifica para sementes orgânicas.(AU)

Yield performance of oat cultivars in response to sowing dates and densities / Desempenho produtivo de cultivares de aveia em resposta a épocas e densidades de semeadura

Adjustment of seeding density oriented by genotype and conditions of the growing environment may favor growth, development and yield performance of the oat crop. This study aimed to evaluate the growth, lodging, yield components, and grain yield of oat cultivars grown at different sowing dates and densities. Two independent experiments were conducted at two sowing dates (May 5 and June 24) in Londrina-PR under a randomized block design in a 4 × 2 factorial scheme, with four replications. Treatments consisted of four sowing densities (180, 240, 300, and 360 viable seeds m-²) and two cultivars (IPR Afrodite and IPR Artemis). Plant height, number of panicles.m-², number of spikelets per panicle, number of grains perspikelet, number of grains per panicle, thousand-grain weight, plant lodging, and grain yield were evaluated. The data were submitted to the analysis of joint variance for sowing dates, separately for the cultivars. The averages of sowing dates were compared by the F test and densities submitted to polynomial regression analysis up to 2nd degree, at 5% probability. The first sowing date favors most yield components and grain yield of the cultivars IPR Afrodite and IPR Artemis. In contrast, the number of panicles m-² was reduced during this growing season for both cultivars. The late sowing date for the IPR Artemis cultivar resulted in a high percentage of lodging at all evaluated densities. However, this phenomenon is more intense at higher sowing densities during the first sowing date. Yield components and grain yield varied according to sowing dates and densities and the cultivar. The highest grain yield of the cultivar IPR Afrodite at the first sowing date was achieved with a lower sowing density than in the later date. However, the highest grain yield of the IPR Artemis cultivar was achieved at density of 280 viable seeds m-², regardless of the growing season.

O ajuste da densidade de semeadura orientado pelo genótipo e pelas condições do ambiente de cultivo pode favorecer o crescimento, o desenvolvimento e o desempenho produtivo na cultura da aveia branca. Neste sentido, objetivou-se avaliar o crescimento, o acamamento, os componentes de rendimento e a produtividade de grãos de cultivares de aveia branca granífera cultivadas em diferentes épocas e densidades de semeadura. Dois experimentos independentes, conduzidos em duas épocas de semeadura (05/05 e 24/06), foram realizados em Londrina-PR, em delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados em esquema fatorial 4 x 2, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos constaram de quatro densidades de semeadura (180, 240, 300 e 360 sementes viáveis m-²) e duas cultivares (IPR Afrodite e IPR Artemis). Foram avaliados: altura de plantas, número de panículas m-², número de espiguetas por panícula, número grãos por espigueta, número de grãos por panícula, massa de mil grãos, acamamento de plantas e produtividade de grãos. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância conjunta para épocas de semeadura, separadamente para as cultivares. As médias de épocas foram comparadas pelo teste F e de densidades submetidas à análise de regressão polinomial até 2° grau, a 5% de probabilidade. A primeira época de semeadura favorece a maioria dos componentes de rendimento e a produtividade de grãos das cultivares IPR Afrodite e IPR Artemis, com exceção do número de panículas m-², que é reduzido nesta época de cultivo para ambas as cultivares. Para a cultivar IPR Artemis, a semeadura tardia resulta em maior acamamento de plantas em todas as densidades avaliadas, entretanto, na época 1, este fenômeno apresenta maior intensidade nas maiores densidades de semeadura. Os componentes de rendimento e a produtividade de grãos variam de acordo com as épocas e densidades de semeadura e a cultivar utilizada. A maior produtividade de grãos da cultivar IPR Afrodite, na primeira época [...].

Yield performance of oat cultivars in response to sowing dates and densities / Desempenho produtivo de cultivares de aveia em resposta a épocas e densidades de semeadura

Adjustment of seeding density oriented by genotype and conditions of the growing environment may favor growth, development and yield performance of the oat crop. This study aimed to evaluate the growth, lodging, yield components, and grain yield of oat cultivars grown at different sowing dates and densities. Two independent experiments were conducted at two sowing dates (May 5 and June 24) in Londrina-PR under a randomized block design in a 4 × 2 factorial scheme, with four replications. Treatments consisted of four sowing densities (180, 240, 300, and 360 viable seeds m-²) and two cultivars (IPR Afrodite and IPR Artemis). Plant height, number of panicles.m-², number of spikelets per panicle, number of grains perspikelet, number of grains per panicle, thousand-grain weight, plant lodging, and grain yield were evaluated. The data were submitted to the analysis of joint variance for sowing dates, separately for the cultivars. The averages of sowing dates were compared by the F test and densities submitted to polynomial regression analysis up to 2nd degree, at 5% probability. The first sowing date favors most yield components and grain yield of the cultivars IPR Afrodite and IPR Artemis. In contrast, the number of panicles m-² was reduced during this growing season for both cultivars. The late sowing date for the IPR Artemis cultivar resulted in a high percentage of lodging at all evaluated densities. However, this phenomenon is more intense at higher sowing densities during the first sowing date. Yield components and grain yield varied according to sowing dates and densities and the cultivar. The highest grain yield of the cultivar IPR Afrodite at the first sowing date was achieved with a lower sowing density than in the later date. However, the highest grain yield of the IPR Artemis cultivar was achieved at density of 280 viable seeds m-², regardless of the growing season.(AU)

O ajuste da densidade de semeadura orientado pelo genótipo e pelas condições do ambiente de cultivo pode favorecer o crescimento, o desenvolvimento e o desempenho produtivo na cultura da aveia branca. Neste sentido, objetivou-se avaliar o crescimento, o acamamento, os componentes de rendimento e a produtividade de grãos de cultivares de aveia branca granífera cultivadas em diferentes épocas e densidades de semeadura. Dois experimentos independentes, conduzidos em duas épocas de semeadura (05/05 e 24/06), foram realizados em Londrina-PR, em delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados em esquema fatorial 4 x 2, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos constaram de quatro densidades de semeadura (180, 240, 300 e 360 sementes viáveis m-²) e duas cultivares (IPR Afrodite e IPR Artemis). Foram avaliados: altura de plantas, número de panículas m-², número de espiguetas por panícula, número grãos por espigueta, número de grãos por panícula, massa de mil grãos, acamamento de plantas e produtividade de grãos. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância conjunta para épocas de semeadura, separadamente para as cultivares. As médias de épocas foram comparadas pelo teste F e de densidades submetidas à análise de regressão polinomial até 2° grau, a 5% de probabilidade. A primeira época de semeadura favorece a maioria dos componentes de rendimento e a produtividade de grãos das cultivares IPR Afrodite e IPR Artemis, com exceção do número de panículas m-², que é reduzido nesta época de cultivo para ambas as cultivares. Para a cultivar IPR Artemis, a semeadura tardia resulta em maior acamamento de plantas em todas as densidades avaliadas, entretanto, na época 1, este fenômeno apresenta maior intensidade nas maiores densidades de semeadura. Os componentes de rendimento e a produtividade de grãos variam de acordo com as épocas e densidades de semeadura e a cultivar utilizada. A maior produtividade de grãos da cultivar IPR Afrodite, na primeira época [...].(AU)

Econometric ridge regression models of risk-sensitive sunflower yield / Modelos economométricos de regressão de rendimento de girassol sensível ao risco

The article considers econometric ridge regression models of the risk-sensitive sunflower yield on the example of an export-oriented agricultural crop. In particular, we have proved that despite the functional mulcollinearity of the predictors in the sunflower yield model with respect to risk caused by the algorithm peculiarities of the hierarchy analysis methods, the ridge regression procedure makes it possible to obtain its complete specification and provide biased but stable estimates of the forecast parameters in the case of uncertain input variables. It has been substantiated that the rational value of the displacement parameters is expedient to be established using a graphical interpretation of the ridge wake as the border of fast and slow fluctuations in the estimates of the ridge regression coefficients. Econometric models were calculated using SPSS Statistics, Mathcad and FAR-AREA 4.0 software. The empirical basis for forecast calculations was the assessment of trends in sunflower production in all categories of farms in the Rostov region of Russia for the period of 2008-2018. The calculation results of econometric models made it possible to develop three author's scenarios for the sunflower production in the region, namely, inertial, moderate, and optimistic ones that consider the export-oriented strategy of the agro-industrial complex.(AU)

O artigo considera modelos econométricos de regressão de rendimento de girassol sensível ao risco sobre o exemplo de uma cultura agrícola orientada para a exportação. Em particular, provamos que apesar da multicolinearidade funcional dos preditores no modelo de rendimento de girassol com relação ao risco causado pelas peculiaridades dos algoritmos dos métodos de análise hierárquica, o procedimento de regressão de cristas permite obter sua especificação completa e fornecer estimativas tendenciosas, mas estáveis dos parâmetros de previsão no caso de variáveis de entrada incertas. Foi comprovado que o valor racional dos parâmetros de deslocamento é conveniente de ser estabelecido usando uma interpretação gráfica da esteira da crista como fronteira das flutuações rápidas e lentas nas estimativas dos coeficientes de regressão da crista. Os modelos econométricos foram calculados usando o software SPSS Statistics, Mathcad e FAR-AREA 4.0. A base empírica para os cálculos de previsão foi a avaliação das tendências da produção de girassol em todas as categorias de fazendas na região de Rostov na Rússia para o período de 2008-2018. Os resultados dos cálculos dos modelos econométricos permitiram desenvolver três cenários de autor para a produção de girassol na região, a saber, os cenários inercial, moderado e otimista que consideram a estratégia orientada à exportação do complexo agroindustrial.(AU)

Assessing whether the best land is cultivated first: A quantile analysis.

Classical land rent theories imply that the best land is cultivated first. This principle forms the basis of many land-use studies, but empirical evidence remains limited, especially on a global scale. In this paper, we estimate the effects of agricultural suitability and market accessibility on the spatial allocation of cultivated areas at a 30 arc-min resolution in 15 world regions. Our results show that both determinants often have a significant positive effect on the cropland fraction, but with large variations in strength across regions. Based on a quantile analysis, we find that agricultural suitability is the dominant driver of cropland allocation in North America, Middle East and North Africa and Eastern Europe, whereas market accessibility shows a stronger effect in other regions, such as Western Africa. In some regions, such as South and Central America, both determinants have a limited effect on cropland fraction. Comparison of high versus low quantile regression coefficients shows that, in most regions, densely cropped areas are more sensitive to agricultural suitability and market accessibility than sparsely cropped areas.

Postharvest practices, challenges and opportunities for grain producers in Arequipa, Peru.

Little is known about the major issues leading to postharvest losses in Peru, which are estimated to be 15-27%. We surveyed 503 farmers from the lowlands and Andean regions of Arequipa to learn more about the major grains produced and issues encountered during drying and storage. Rice, common bean, and quinoa were the most grown crops in the lowlands while starchy maize was the most cultivated crop in the highlands. Most farmers (90%) dried their crops in-field directly on the ground, which exposes them to rodents, birds, and insect pests. The majority of farmers (92%) used subjective methods to assess grain moisture content. About 77% of farmers identified insects as a major challenge during storage but only 44% said they used preventive measures such as the application of insecticides. Among farmers who stored grain, the main reason was for household consumption (61%); while among those who did not store, the main reason was the need for immediate cash at harvest (75%). Farmers who experienced insect problems, who stored seed or grain for sale, who stored longer, or farmers from the lowlands were more likely to apply insecticides on their stored products. These findings provide an opportunity for researchers, development organizations, and government agencies to improve postharvest handling and storage in Arequipa by disseminating drying technologies, moisture assessment tools and hermetic storage solutions among farmers.

The Value of Crop Production and Pollination Services in the Eastern Amazon.

Nature safeguards living organisms and the ecosystem functions and services delivered by them. Animal pollination is an important Ecosystem Service since it plays a key role for achieving the sustainable development goals by safeguarding worldwide food production. Thus, conservation of pollination services is a major priority for guaranteeing global food security in the long term. Here we evaluate the crop pollination services in Pará state (Eastern Amazon, Brazil) focusing on two questions: (1) What is the economic value of crop production and pollination service in Pará? (2) Which municipalities are most dependent on pollination services considering local economies? We found 36 crops produced in the state; 20 (55%) crops are dependent on animal pollinators. In 2016, crop production value (CPV) for Pará state was US$ 2.95 billion and total pollination service value (PSV) was US$ 983.2 million, corresponding to 33% of CPV in Pará. Highest PSV value crops were açaí palm (US$635.6 million), cocoa (US$187.6 million), soybean (US$98.4 million), and watermelon (US$26.1 million), accounting for 96% of Pará's PSV. Two municipalities (Medicilândia and Igarapé Miri) presented more than 50% of their GDP based on pollination services. In general, we found low crop diversity in the municipalities of Pará, suggesting an economic rural vulnerability for the state, mainly supported by the high productions of soy and açaí. Pollinator conservation and ecological intensified farming practices are urgent for supporting sustainable development for the state.

A low cost alternative, using mycorrhiza and organic fertilizer, to optimize the production of foliar bioactive compounds in pomegranates.

AIM: To select the best combination of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and efficient vermicompost dose in maximizing the production of leaf metabolites in Punica granatum seedlings. METHODS AND RESULTS: The experimental design was in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement: three inoculation treatments (inoculated with Gigaspora albida, inoculated with Acaulospora longula and control not inoculated) × 3 doses of vermicompost (0, 5 and 7·5%). After 120 days of inoculation, biomolecules, plant growth parameters and mycorrhizal colonization were evaluated. The combination of 7·5% of vermicompost and A. longula was favourable to the accumulation of leaf phenols, with an increase of 116·11% in relation to the non-inoculated control. The total tannins was optimized/enhanced when G. albida and 7·5% of fertilizer were used, registering an increase of 276·71%. CONCLUSIONS: The application of 7·5% of vermicompost associated with A. longula and G. albida is a low cost alternative to increase the levels of bioactive compounds in pomegranate leaves. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first published report of optimization of bioactive compound production in P. granatum by the combined use of mycorrhiza and vermicompost doses.

Determining of agricultural credit impact on agricultural production value in Turkey / Determinação do impacto do crédito agrícola no valor da produção agrícola na Turquia

Agriculture is an indispensable activity for all countries. Depending on the increasing population, food needs can be met by increasing agricultural production. In this respect, it is of great importance to investigate the value of agricultural production and the factors affecting agricultural production. This study aimed to examine the impact on the agricultural production value of agricultural bank credit in Turkey. In the study, with the aim of examining the relationship between agricultural credit and agricultural production value in Turkey, 1998-2016 real agricultural loans and agricultural real gross domestic product annual data covering the period given above were used. The statistical analysis tool is ordinary least squares (OLS) techniques. According to OLS regression, the purposed model explains 83.94% of total variance. Regression coefficients show that effect of term is higher than effect of agricultural credits. The reason for this difference may be explained as dependency of credits on macroeconomic indicators and political structure of the country. This study proposes that agricultural credit mechanism in the country needs to be developed to increase the financing opportunities for the realization of technology and modernization investments by farmers.(AU)

A agricultura é uma atividade indispensável para todos os países. Dependendo do aumento da população, as necessidades alimentares podem ser atendidas através do aumento da produção agrícola. A esse respeito, é de grande importância investigar o valor da produção agrícola e os fatores que afetam a produção agrícola. Este estudo teve como objetivo examinar o impacto no valor da produção agrícola do crédito bancário agrícola na Turquia. No estudo, com o objetivo de examinar a relação entre crédito agrícola e valor da produção agrícola na Turquia, foram utilizados os empréstimos reais para 1998-2016 e os dados anuais do produto interno bruto agrícola real, cobrindo o período indicado acima. A ferramenta de análise estatística é uma técnica de mínimos quadrados ordinários (OLS). De acordo com a regressão OLS, o modelo proposto explica 83,94% da variância total. Os coeficientes de regressão mostram que o efeito do prazo é superior ao efeito dos créditos agrícolas. O motivo dessa diferença pode ser explicado como dependência de créditos em indicadores macroeconômicos e estrutura política do país. Este estudo propõe que o mecanismo de crédito agrícola no país precise ser desenvolvido para aumentar as oportunidades de financiamento para a realização de investimentos em tecnologia e modernização pelos agricultores.(AU)

Chemical Recovery of Degraded Soil and Consequence in the Cost of Corn Production

Abstract Improper management degrades the soil, decreases corn productivity and is reflected in the cost of production. The objective of this research was to evaluate the soil recovery in non-conservationist treatments after the change of management and cultivation to the conservation condition direct sowing, and compare these systems to consolidated direct seeding; This evaluation was based on the soil responsiveness to crop production and water erosion control, and based on the financial cost of soil recovery and corn production when soil management was converted from non-conservationist (tillage rotation - RT, minimum tillage - MT, conventional tillage - CT and bare soil - BS) to no-tillage (NT) condition, in a Humic Cambisol. The transition from managements to no-tillage occurred in 2015 year, after 27 years of conducting the preexisting managements. The chemical recovery was carried out with the application of limestone, phosphorus, and potassium. At the end of the research the yield of the corn crop, the cost of recovering the soil fertility and the cost of crop production were evaluated. Previous soil management influenced the cost of soil chemical recovery. The cost of production showed a financial loss for the previous treatments CT and BS, on the average of the three corn crops.

Decrease in the number of agricultural farms in the state of Paraná, Brazil / Queda no número de empreendimentos agrícolas do Estado do Paraná, Brasil

Issues related to farms have begun to be discussed in a global context due to their importance in the economic development process, as they have a direct impact on the social transformations within and away from the countryside and are an important part of the system ensuring the food supply and food security for the population. Thus, the aim of this study was to characterize the trends in the number of farms in the rural areas of Paraná, Brazil, by main type of activity and by land size category for the period from 2002 to 2014. Data from the National Household Sample Survey were used, and the mean annual variation rates were calculated via Students t-test using a log-linear ordinary least squares regression model. A reduction of 3.5% per annum (pa) was seen in the number of farms, both in relation to main activities and land size. There was a sharper decline in the number of farms dedicated to soybean (8.9% pa) and corn (6.3% pa) production and in the number of farms ranging in size from 10 ha to < 100 ha of land (7.09% pa). This information may support the establishment of public actions focused on the farming sector in Paraná.(AU)

As questões relacionadas aos empreendimentos agrícolas vêm sendo discutidas em um contexto global, o que se deve à sua importância no processo de desenvolvimento econômico, uma vez que eles possuem impactos diretos nas transformações sociais dentro e fora do campo, além de ser parte importante no sistema de garantia do abastecimento e da segurança alimentar da população. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar as tendências de variação no número de empreendimentos agrícolas no meio rural paranaense, por tipo de atividade principal e por estrato de área, para o período de 2002 a 2014. Para tanto, foram utilizados dados da Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios e calculadas as taxas médias de variação anual, por meio do teste t de Student, utilizando-se uma regressão dos mínimos quadrados ordinários na forma log-linear. Verificou-se redução de 3,5% a.a. no número de empreendimentos agropecuários, tanto com relação às atividades principais, quanto para os extratos de área. Houve queda mais intensa no número de empreendimentos dedicados a soja (8,9% a.a.) e milho (6,3% a.a.) e naqueles de 10 ha a < 100 ha (7,09% a.a.). Essas informações podem subsidiar o delineamento de ações públicas voltadas à agropecuária paranaense.(AU)

Decrease in the number of agricultural farms in the state of Paraná, Brazil / Queda no número de empreendimentos agrícolas do Estado do Paraná, Brasil

Issues related to farms have begun to be discussed in a global context due to their importance in the economic development process, as they have a direct impact on the social transformations within and away from the countryside and are an important part of the system ensuring the food supply and food security for the population. Thus, the aim of this study was to characterize the trends in the number of farms in the rural areas of Paraná, Brazil, by main type of activity and by land size category for the period from 2002 to 2014. Data from the National Household Sample Survey were used, and the mean annual variation rates were calculated via Students t-test using a log-linear ordinary least squares regression model. A reduction of 3.5% per annum (pa) was seen in the number of farms, both in relation to main activities and land size. There was a sharper decline in the number of farms dedicated to soybean (8.9% pa) and corn (6.3% pa) production and in the number of farms ranging in size from 10 ha to < 100 ha of land (7.09% pa). This information may support the establishment of public actions focused on the farming sector in Paraná.

As questões relacionadas aos empreendimentos agrícolas vêm sendo discutidas em um contexto global, o que se deve à sua importância no processo de desenvolvimento econômico, uma vez que eles possuem impactos diretos nas transformações sociais dentro e fora do campo, além de ser parte importante no sistema de garantia do abastecimento e da segurança alimentar da população. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar as tendências de variação no número de empreendimentos agrícolas no meio rural paranaense, por tipo de atividade principal e por estrato de área, para o período de 2002 a 2014. Para tanto, foram utilizados dados da Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios e calculadas as taxas médias de variação anual, por meio do teste t de Student, utilizando-se uma regressão dos mínimos quadrados ordinários na forma log-linear. Verificou-se redução de 3,5% a.a. no número de empreendimentos agropecuários, tanto com relação às atividades principais, quanto para os extratos de área. Houve queda mais intensa no número de empreendimentos dedicados a soja (8,9% a.a.) e milho (6,3% a.a.) e naqueles de 10 ha a < 100 ha (7,09% a.a.). Essas informações podem subsidiar o delineamento de ações públicas voltadas à agropecuária paranaense.

Technical and economic feasibility of irrigated wheat as a function of nitrogen doses, sources, and inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense / Viabilidade técnica e econômica do trigo irrigado em função de doses e fontes de nitrogênio e à inoculação com Azospirillum brasilense

Azospirillum brasilense is a bacterium known for its biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in wheat crops. However, there is a lack of comprehensive research defining how much mineral N should be applied to maximize the efficiency of BNF and attain high, economically sustainable yields. Moreover, it would be interesting to investigate whether adding urea with N- (n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) urease inhibitor might increase BNF in grasses. The objective was to study the effect of inoculation with A. brasilense, associated with varying doses and sources of N, and economically evaluating the yield of irrigated wheat. The experiment was conducted in Selvíria - MS in crop years 2014 and 2015 in Oxisol soil type that was not-tilled. The experimental design was a randomized block with four replications, in a 2 × 5 × 2 factorial scheme, where 2 N sources (urea and Super N - urea with urease inhibitor enzyme), 5 nitrogen fertilization doses in top-dressing (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha-1), were applied to wheat crops with or without the inoculation of A. brasilense. Our results showed that the supply of N through Super N was not economically superior to the use of conventional urea; therefore, we recommend the use of urea because of the ease of acquisition. The application of 140 kg ha-1 of N combined with inoculation with A. brasilense showed higher grain yield. However, the...(AU)

O Azospirillum brasilense se destaca na fixação biológica de nitrogênio (FBN) em cultivo de trigo. Contudo, faltam maiores pesquisas para definição do quanto se pode aplicar de N mineral quanto à eficiência da FBN, para alcançar altas produtividades economicamente sustentáveis. Além disso, seria interessante analisar se a ureia com inibidor da enzima urease NBPT pode ser menos prejudicial, beneficiando a FBN em gramíneas. Sendo assim, objetivou-se estudar o efeito da inoculação com Azospirillum brasilense, associado às doses e fontes de N, avaliando economicamente a produtividade de grãos de trigo irrigado. O experimento foi desenvolvido em Selvíria - MS, nos agrícolas de 2014 e 2015, em sistema plantio direto, em Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos aoacaso, com quatro repetições, dispostos em um esquema fatorial 2 x 5 x 2, sendo: 2 fontes de N (ureia e Super N - ureia com inibidor da enzima urease; 5 doses de N em cobertura (0, 50, 100, 150 e 200 kg ha-1); com e sem inoculação de sementes com A. brasilense. O fornecimento de N por meio do Super N não foi economicamente superior ao uso de ureia convencional, portanto recomenda-se utilizar a ureia em função da facilidade de aquisição. A aplicação de 140 kg ha-1 de N aliada à inoculação com A. brasilense proporcionou maior produtividade de grãos, entretanto a dose de 50 kg ha-1, na ausência...(AU)

Technical and economic feasibility of irrigated wheat as a function of nitrogen doses, sources, and inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense / Viabilidade técnica e econômica do trigo irrigado em função de doses e fontes de nitrogênio e à inoculação com Azospirillum brasilense

Azospirillum brasilense is a bacterium known for its biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in wheat crops. However, there is a lack of comprehensive research defining how much mineral N should be applied to maximize the efficiency of BNF and attain high, economically sustainable yields. Moreover, it would be interesting to investigate whether adding urea with N- (n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) urease inhibitor might increase BNF in grasses. The objective was to study the effect of inoculation with A. brasilense, associated with varying doses and sources of N, and economically evaluating the yield of irrigated wheat. The experiment was conducted in Selvíria - MS in crop years 2014 and 2015 in Oxisol soil type that was not-tilled. The experimental design was a randomized block with four replications, in a 2 × 5 × 2 factorial scheme, where 2 N sources (urea and Super N - urea with urease inhibitor enzyme), 5 nitrogen fertilization doses in top-dressing (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha-1), were applied to wheat crops with or without the inoculation of A. brasilense. Our results showed that the supply of N through Super N was not economically superior to the use of conventional urea; therefore, we recommend the use of urea because of the ease of acquisition. The application of 140 kg ha-1 of N combined with inoculation with A. brasilense showed higher grain yield. However, the...

O Azospirillum brasilense se destaca na fixação biológica de nitrogênio (FBN) em cultivo de trigo. Contudo, faltam maiores pesquisas para definição do quanto se pode aplicar de N mineral quanto à eficiência da FBN, para alcançar altas produtividades economicamente sustentáveis. Além disso, seria interessante analisar se a ureia com inibidor da enzima urease NBPT pode ser menos prejudicial, beneficiando a FBN em gramíneas. Sendo assim, objetivou-se estudar o efeito da inoculação com Azospirillum brasilense, associado às doses e fontes de N, avaliando economicamente a produtividade de grãos de trigo irrigado. O experimento foi desenvolvido em Selvíria - MS, nos agrícolas de 2014 e 2015, em sistema plantio direto, em Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos aoacaso, com quatro repetições, dispostos em um esquema fatorial 2 x 5 x 2, sendo: 2 fontes de N (ureia e Super N - ureia com inibidor da enzima urease; 5 doses de N em cobertura (0, 50, 100, 150 e 200 kg ha-1); com e sem inoculação de sementes com A. brasilense. O fornecimento de N por meio do Super N não foi economicamente superior ao uso de ureia convencional, portanto recomenda-se utilizar a ureia em função da facilidade de aquisição. A aplicação de 140 kg ha-1 de N aliada à inoculação com A. brasilense proporcionou maior produtividade de grãos, entretanto a dose de 50 kg ha-1, na ausência...

Greater post-Neolithic wealth disparities in Eurasia than in North America and Mesoamerica.

How wealth is distributed among households provides insight into the fundamental characters of societies and the opportunities they afford for social mobility. However, economic inequality has been hard to study in ancient societies for which we do not have written records, which adds to the challenge of placing current wealth disparities into a long-term perspective. Although various archaeological proxies for wealth, such as burial goods or exotic or expensive-to-manufacture goods in household assemblages, have been proposed, the first is not clearly connected with households, and the second is confounded by abandonment mode and other factors. As a result, numerous questions remain concerning the growth of wealth disparities, including their connection to the development of domesticated plants and animals and to increases in sociopolitical scale. Here we show that wealth disparities generally increased with the domestication of plants and animals and with increased sociopolitical scale, using Gini coefficients computed over the single consistent proxy of house-size distributions. However, unexpected differences in the responses of societies to these factors in North America and Mesoamerica, and in Eurasia, became evident after the end of the Neolithic period. We argue that the generally higher wealth disparities identified in post-Neolithic Eurasia were initially due to the greater availability of large mammals that could be domesticated, because they allowed more profitable agricultural extensification, and also eventually led to the development of a mounted warrior elite able to expand polities (political units that cohere via identity, ability to mobilize resources, or governance) to sizes that were not possible in North America and Mesoamerica before the arrival of Europeans. We anticipate that this analysis will stimulate other work to enlarge this sample to include societies in South America, Africa, South Asia and Oceania that were under-sampled or not included in this study.

Reflexos da perda do controle estatal sobre os agrotóxicos no Brasil e sua regulação pelo mercado / Reflections of the loss of state control of pesticides in Brazil and their regulation by the market / Reflejos de la pérdida del control estatal de plaguicidas en Brasil y su regulación por el mercado

Nos últimos anos, o Brasil tem se revelado um dos maiores produtores de commodities agrícolas como soja, milho e açúcar. Este modelo depende do uso de insumos químicos, tornando o país um dos maiores consumidores de agrotóxicos do mundo. A expansão das commodities agrícolas e, consequentemente, do uso de agrotóxicos, se dá em função do neodesenvolvimentismo que orienta a reprimarização da economia brasileira, ocorrida no âmbito das políticas neoliberais. O presente artigo fundamenta-se em trabalho que objetiva evidenciar a perda da função reguladora do Estado no que se refere ao registro de agrotóxicos no Brasil diante da reprimarização econômica. A lógica capitalista de rentabilidade busca substituir o Estado pelo mercado como forma de socialização e enquanto mecanismo regulatório. Em meio à expansão do agronegócio, a flexibilização da função regulatória estatal tende a desproteger a população dos efeitos nocivos dos agrotóxicos, principalmente seus segmentos de maior vulnerabilidade como trabalhadores e moradores de áreas rurais.(AU

In the recent years, Brazil has established itself as one of the largest producers of agricultural commodities such as soybeans, corn and sugar. As this model is dependent on the use of chemical inputs, Brazil has become one of the largest consumers of pesticides in the world. The expansion of agricultural commodities and, consequently, the use of agrochemicals is due to the neo developmentalism, which drives the reprimarization of the Brazilian economy within the scope of neoliberal policies. This paper is based ona study that aims to evidence the loss of the regulatory function of the state regarding the registration of pesticides in Brazil. The capitalist logic of profitability seeks to replace the state by the market as a form of socialization and also as a regulatory mechanism. With the expansion of agribusiness, the flexibilization of the state's regulatory function tends to give no protection to the population against the harmful effects of agrochemicals, especially to those segments of greater vulnerability as workers and residents in rural are

En los últimos años Brasil se ha destacado como uno de los mayores productores de commodities agrícolascomo la soja, el maíz y el azúcar. En vista de este modelo ser dependiente del uso de insumos químicos,Brasil se ha convertido en uno de los mayores consumidores de plaguicidas del mundo. La expansión de las commodities agrícolas y, consecuentemente, del uso de plaguicidas, se da en función del neo-desarrollismoque orienta la reprimarización de la economía brasileña como consecuencia de la reestructuración productiva, en el contexto de las políticas neoliberales. Este artículo es fundado en estudio que tiene como objetivo evidenciar la pérdida de la función reguladora del Estado concerniente al registro de plaguicidasen Brasil ante la reprimarización de la economía. La lógica capitalista de rentabilidad busca sustituir al Estado por el mercado como forma de socialización y como mecanismo de regulación. Con la expansión del agronegocio, la flexibilización de la regulación estatal tiende a dejar la población sin protección contra los efectos nocivos de los plaguicidas, principalmente aquellos de mayor vulnerabilidad como trabajadores y habitantes de áreas rurales

Groundwater depletion embedded in international food trade.

Recent hydrological modelling and Earth observations have located and quantified alarming rates of groundwater depletion worldwide. This depletion is primarily due to water withdrawals for irrigation, but its connection with the main driver of irrigation, global food consumption, has not yet been explored. Here we show that approximately eleven per cent of non-renewable groundwater use for irrigation is embedded in international food trade, of which two-thirds are exported by Pakistan, the USA and India alone. Our quantification of groundwater depletion embedded in the world's food trade is based on a combination of global, crop-specific estimates of non-renewable groundwater abstraction and international food trade data. A vast majority of the world's population lives in countries sourcing nearly all their staple crop imports from partners who deplete groundwater to produce these crops, highlighting risks for global food and water security. Some countries, such as the USA, Mexico, Iran and China, are particularly exposed to these risks because they both produce and import food irrigated from rapidly depleting aquifers. Our results could help to improve the sustainability of global food production and groundwater resource management by identifying priority regions and agricultural products at risk as well as the end consumers of these products.

Bases bioquímicas de la tolerancia al estrés osmótico en hongos fitopatógenos: el caso de Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid / Biochemical basis of tolerance to osmotic stress in phytopathogenic fungus: The case of Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid

El hongo Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid., agente causal de la enfermedad denominada «pudrición carbonosa¼, provoca pérdidas significativas en la producción de cultivos como maíz, sorgo, soya y frijol en México. Este hongo, parásito facultativo, muestra amplia capacidad de adaptación a ambientes estresantes, donde existen altas temperaturas y deficiencia hídrica, condiciones frecuentes en gran parte de la agricultura de dicho país. En este trabajo se describen algunos aspectos básicos de la etiología y la epidemiología de M. phaseolina. Asimismo, se revisa la importancia que guardan las respuestas de este hongo a ambientes estresantes, particularmente la deficiencia hídrica, de acuerdo con caracteres morfológicos y del crecimiento, así como fisiológicos, bioquímicos y de patogenicidad. Finalmente, se presentan algunas perspectivas de estudio del género, que enfatizan la necesidad de mejorar su conocimiento, con base en la aplicación de herramientas tradicionales y de biotecnología, y de dilucidar mecanismos de tolerancia al estrés ambiental, extrapolables a otros microorganismos útiles al hombre.

Fungus Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid. is the causative agent of charcoal rot disease which causes significant yield losses in major crops such as maize, sorghum, soybean and common beans in Mexico. This fungus is a facultative parasite which shows broad ability to adapt itself to stressed environments where water deficits and/or high temperature stresses commonly occur. These environmental conditions are common for most cultivable lands throughout Mexico. Here we describe some basic facts related to the etiology and epidemiology of the fungus as well as to the importance of responses to stressed environments, particularly to water deficits, based on morphology and growth traits, as well as on physiology, biochemistry and pathogenicity of fungus M. phaseolina. To conclude, we show some perspectives related to future research into the genus, which emphasize the increasing need to improve the knowledge based on the application of both traditional and biotechnological tools in order to elucidate the mechanisms of resistance to environmental stress which can be extrapolated to other useful organisms to man.

Análise do processo de trabalho de produtores de tabaco no Brasil e sua possível relação com os casos de suicídios em áreas fumicultoras do país

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo analisar o processo de trabalho relacionado ao cultivo de tabaco no Brasil, com vistas a identificar elementos que possam estar associados aos casos de suicídios em municípios produtores de tabaco no sul do país - Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Paraná, e do nordeste Alagoas, Bahia e Sergipe. Para alcance dos objetivos a pesquisa foi delineada em duas etapas. Na primeira etapa foi analisado o processo de trabalho na produção de fumo no Brasil, e na segunda etapa foram analisadas ocorrências dos suicídios em 52 municípios produtores e 52 não produtores de fumo que compartilhassem características e indicadores sociais e econômicos semelhantes. A análise do processo de trabalho mostrou todas as etapas da produção do fumo pelo agricultor e sua família, os insumos necessários, as horas de trabalho, dentre outros aspectos. O processo apontou existir nesse tipo de atividade uma série de riscos aos quais os trabalhadores estão expostos, e que podem comprometer sua saúde física e mental. Na segunda etapa foram levantados dados sociodemográficos em banco oficial de acesso irrestrito do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística – IBGE, e no Departamento de Informática do SUS - DATASUS, os dados de suicídios dos maiores municípios produtores de fumo em Alagoas, Sergipe, Bahia, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina e Paraná. Igual procedimento foi adotado com 52 municípios não fumicultores dos mesmos estados, que guardavam similaridades sociodemográficas com os municípios fumicultores. Como resultado dessa etapa foram encontrados no período de 2004 a 2013, um total de 1.247 registros de suicídios nos municípios fumicultores, caracterizados nesta pesquisa, e 837 registros de suicídios nos municípios não fumicultores no mesmo período...

This work aims to analyze the work process related to tobacco cultivation in Brazil, with aview to identifying elements that could be linked to cases of suicides in tobacco producingin the south area of the country – Rio Grande Sul, Santa Catarina, Paraná, and northeastern Alagoas, Bahia and Sergipe. To reach the research objectives, two steps were outlined. The first step was to analyze the process of work in tobacco production in Brazil, and in the second stage the suicides occurrences were analyzed in 52 counties and producers also in 52 counties that don’t produce smoke and share similar characteristics and social and economic indicators.The work process analysis showed all stages of production of tobacco by the farmer and his family, the necessary inputs, working hours, among other things. The process pointed exist in this type of activity a number of risks to which workers are exposed, which can compromise their physical and mental health. In the second stage were collected demographic data on official bank of unrestricted access to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics - IBGE, and the SUS Department of Informatics - DATASUS were checked the number and character of suicides major producing municipalities of smoke in Alagoas, Sergipe, Bahia, Rio Grande Sul, Santa Catarina and Parana. A similar process was executed with equal number of non tobacco growing municipalities in the same states, guarding socio-demographic similarity with tobacco growers municipalities. As a result of this phase were found from 2004 to 2013, a totalof 1,247 records of suicides in growers municipalities, featured in this survey, and 837 recordsof suicides in the municipalities not tobacco growers in the same period...