Reproduction of Meloidogyne javanica in soybean genotypes.

Meloidogyne javanica is among the most important nematodes that damage soybean, and although genetic resistance is the ideal control measure, there are few cultivars described as resistant among those recommended for southern Brazil. The objective of this work was to evaluate the reaction of soybean cultivars to M. javanica. The inoculum of nematodes (Est. J3) was obtained from soybean plants and inoculated into tomato plants cultivar "Santa Cruz". Thirty-seven soybean cultivars widely used in the South, Southeast and Midwest of Brazil were used in the experiment. For each plant a suspension of 5,000 eggs + juveniles of second stage of M. javanica was inoculated into a sterile soil hole in 2-liter pots with six replications. The evaluation of root weight, number of galls, number of nematodes was 60 days after M. javanica inoculation. The results were subjected to analysis of variance, and the averages of each treatment were compared to each other by the Scott-Knott cluster test at 5% probability. Even though M. javanica presented RF> 1.00 in all soybean genotypes tested, different levels of susceptibility were observed. Thus, the lowest reproduction of the root-knot nematode was observed in M ​​5947 IPRO, HO AMAMBAY IPRO, BMX GARRA IPRO and FPS ATALANTA.

Phytotoxicity Optimization of Fungal Metabolites Produced by Solid and Submerged Fermentation and its Ecotoxicological Effects.

Research and commercial production of bioherbicides occur to a lesser extent compared to bioinsecticides and biofungicides. In order to contribute to developing new bioherbicides with low environmental impact, this study aimed to increase the phytotoxicity of metabolites of the fungus Mycoleptodiscus indicus UFSM 54 by optimizing solid and submerged fermentation and evaluate the ecotoxicological effects on earthworms (Eisenia andrei). The Plackett-Burman and central composite rotatable designs were used to optimize metabolite phytotoxicity. The variables optimized in the fermentation were temperature, agitation, pH, water volume in the culture medium, glucose concentration, and yeast extract. The fungus was grown on sugarcane bagasse substrate, and its metabolites were applied to detached Cucumis sativus, Conyza sp., and Sorghum bicolor leaves and used in an avoidance test and acute exposure to earthworms. Metabolite phytotoxicity in submerged fermentation was optimized at 35 °C, 50 rpm, and 1.5 g l-1 of glucose and in solid fermentation at 30-37 °C and in 14-32 ml of water. The metabolites severely damaged germination, initial growth, and leaves of the three plants, and at the doses tested (maximum of 113.92 ml kg-1), the metabolites of M. indicus UFSM 54 were not toxic to earthworms.

First report on the production of phytotoxic metabolites by Mycoleptodiscus indicus under optimized conditions of submerged fermentation.

An alternative to controlling weeds resistant to conventional herbicides is the isolation of new active principles. Fungi can produce phytotoxic metabolites that may be used in the development of new herbicides. The objectives of this study were: (1) isolate, select, and identify a fungus producer of phytotoxic metabolites and (2) optimize the culture conditions of this fungus in a low-cost culture medium, with the aim of increasing the phytotoxic effects of their metabolites in weeds and commercial plants. Fungi were isolated from the leaves of Conyza sp. with disease symptoms and selected according to the production of phytotoxic metabolites in solid and submerged fermentation in a low-cost culture medium. A Plackett-Burman Design and Central Composite Rotational Design were used to optimize the conditions of temperature, agitation, pH, and concentrations of glucose and yeast extract in submerged fermentation. The phytotoxic metabolites produced under optimal conditions were tested on 10 commercial plants and weeds that are difficult to control. Of the nine fungi isolated, Mycoleptodiscus indicus UFSM54 produced higher leaf lesions. The production of phytotoxic metabolites was optimized when the fungus was cultivated at 35°C, 50 rpm, and 1.5 g L-1 of glucose in submerged fermentation. The metabolites of M. indicus caused severe phytotoxic effects on germination and seedling growth, and enhanced lesion development on detached plant leaves. The present study is the first to report on the production of phytotoxic metabolites by M. indicus, a potential producer of bioherbicides.

Comparison between cattle manure, organic compost, and vermicompost in the production of Eucalyptus urograndis seedlings / Comparação entre esterco bovino, composto orgânico e vermicomposto na produção de mudas de Eucalyptus urograndis

ABSTRACT: Composting and vermicomposting before addition to the soil is a viable alternative to the disposal of cattle manure. However, this residue has been used in the untreated form for seedling production. This study evaluated the use of cattle manure in natura, and the organic composted or vermicomposted variants of cattle manure on substrates used in the production of Eucalyptus urograndis seedlings. The treatments consisted of substrates formulated by mixing the organic fertilizers with washed sand in 20, 40, 60, 80 or 100 (v/v) percentages, compared to a commercial substrate. The E. urograndis seedlings were grown in tubes in a greenhouse and evaluated after 120 days for shoot and root dry weights, plant height, stem diameter, shoot/root ratio, and Dickson quality index. The substrate formulated from a mixture of 80% (v/v) of cattle manure in natura and washed sand allows for better development in Eucalyptus seedlings. Substrate containing 100% bovine manure vermicompost or organic compost produced seedlings with lower quality than in natura bovine manure but superior to the commercial substrate. Due to the health risks associated with use of untreated bovine manure, organic compost and vermicompost are good alternatives for the production of E. urograndis seedlings.

RESUMO: Uma alternativa para destinar corretamente o esterco bovino é realizar a compostagem e/ou vermicompostagem e depois adicioná-lo ao solo como fonte de nutrientes às plantas. Porém, este resíduo tem sido utilizado na produção de mudas sem tratamento. O estudo teve por objetivo avaliar o uso de esterco bovino in natura, de composto orgânico e de vermicomposto, produzidos a partir do esterco bovino, em substratos para a produção de mudas de Eucalyptus urograndis. Os tratamentos constituíram-se dos substratos formulados pela mistura dos fertilizantes orgânicos com areia lavada nas porcentagens de 20, 40, 60, 80 e 100 (v/v), em comparação com um substrato comercial (SC). As mudas de Eucalyptus urograndis foram cultivadas em tubetes, em casa de vegetação, e avaliadas aos 120 dias quanto a massa seca da parte aérea e raiz, altura da planta, diâmetro do caule, relação parte aérea/raiz e índice de qualidade de Dickson. O substrato formulado pela mistura de 80% (v/v) de esterco bovino in natura com areia lavada proporcionou o melhor desenvolvimento das mudas de eucalipto. O substrato contendo 100% de vermicomposto de esterco bovino ou composto orgânico produziu mudas com qualidade inferior ao esterco bovino in natura, mas superior ao substrato comercial. Devido aos riscos à saúde associados ao uso de esterco bovino não tratado, o composto orgânico e o vermicomposto são boas alternativas para a produção de mudas de E. urograndis.

Chitinase production by Trichoderma koningiopsis UFSMQ40 using solid state fermentation.

The chitinases have extensive biotechnological potential but have been little exploited commercially due to the low number of good chitinolytic microorganisms. The purpose of this study was to identify a chitinolytic fungal and optimize its production using solid state fermentation (SSF) and agroindustry substrate, to evaluate different chitin sources for chitinase production, to evaluate different solvents for the extraction of enzymes produced during fermentation process, and to determine the nematicide effect of enzymatic extract and biological control of Meloidogyne javanica and Meloidogyne incognita nematodes. The fungus was previously isolated from bedbugs of Tibraca limbativentris Stal (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and selected among 51 isolated fungal as the largest producer of chitinolytic enzymes in SSF. The isolate UFSMQ40 has been identified as Trichoderma koningiopsis by the amplification of tef1 gene fragments. The greatest chitinase production (10.76 U gds-1) occurred with wheat bran substrate at 55% moisture, 15% colloidal chitin, 100% of corn steep liquor, and two discs of inoculum at 30 °C for 72 h. Considering the enzymatic inducers, the best chitinase production by the isolated fungus was achieved using chitin in colloidal, powder, and flakes. The usage of 1:15 g/mL of sodium citrate-phosphate buffer was the best ratio for chitinase extraction of SSF. The Trichoderma koningiopsis UFSMQ40 showed high mortality of M. javanica and M. incognita when applied to treatments with enzymatic filtrated and the suspension of conidia.

Enzyme assays and toxicity of pig abattoir waste in Eisenia andrei.

Due to high global demand, large amounts of abbattoir waste are generated from pork production. Mismanagement of abattoir waste on agricultural lands can result in soil and water contamination with pathogens and contaminants like metals and nutrients. Therefore, possible effects on soil organisms prior to application should be evaluated. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of fresh pig abattoir waste (PAWf) and waste after stabilization processes on E. andrei through tests of avoidance behavior, acute toxicity and chronic toxicity. In order to do this, the waste was evaluated fresh (i.e., non-treated), and after aerated composting (PAWa), natural composting (PAWn) and vermicomposting (PAWv). In addition, we used a natural soil with no history of agricultural use as control soil. The evaluation was based on avoidance behavior, mortality, initial and final earthworm weight, and reproduction, in addition to a set of enzyme assays formed by acetylcholinesterase, lipid peroxidation, catalase and glutathione S-transferase measured over time. The ecotoxicological results showed that PAWf and PAWa increased AChE activity at different experimental periods, while PAWn decreased activity at 14 days compared to the control. PAWf and PAWa increased TBARS levels at 7 and 14 days, respectively. CAT activity decreased at 3, 7 and 14 days in PAWv, while GST activity increased at 3 days in PAWa and at 3 and 14 days in PAWf compared to the control. In the acute toxicity test, PAWa and PAWn had a toxic effect on E. andrei, resulting in 100% mortality at 14 days of exposure. Based on our findings, pig abattoir waste should undergo vermicomposting prior to agricultural application to soils.

Earthworms and mycorrhization increase copper phytoextraction by Canavalia ensiformis in sandy soil.

Phytoremediation is an alternative for remediating soil contamination by copper, and its efficiency has been shown to increase when arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and earthworms are separately inoculated into the soil. This study evaluated the isolated and combined effects of inoculating earthworms and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi into a sandy soil on copper phytoremediation by Canavalia ensiformis. The plants were grown in a greenhouse in soil contaminated with 100 mg Cu kg-1 with and without being inoculated with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Rhizoglomus clarum and the earthworm Eisenia andrei. The availabilities of solid-phase Cu and other nutrients in the soil solution and plant growth were evaluated along with Cu phytotoxicity based on photochemical efficiency and oxidative stress enzyme activity. Accumulation of Cu and other nutrients in the shoots and roots; mycorrhizal colonization, nodulation, and reproduction; and Cu accumulation in the earthworm tissues were also evaluated. The copper caused photosynthetic and biochemical damage that reduced the shoot dry weight by 44% and the root dry weight by 29%. However, the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus alleviated the Cu toxicity to the plant and increased the shoot dry weight by 81% in the contaminated soil. The earthworms increased the Cu uptake and translocation to the shoot by 31%. The combined presence of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus and earthworms in the contaminated soil increased the growth and Cu content of the aerial plant tissues, yielding a 200% increase in Cu accumulation (metal content × biomass) in the C. ensiformis shoots. Combined inoculation with earthworms and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi increased copper phytoextraction by Canavalia ensiformis in a sandy soil.

Earthworm diversity in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

The knowledge regarding earthworm species richness in subtropical Brazil is limited, particularly in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), where only a few sites have been sampled. In this study we assessed earthworm richness in different ecosystems of RS, prioritizing un-sampled regions. Fifteen ecosystems, including native vegetation and other ecosystems with variable levels of disturbance were sampled in 30 counties in RS, totaling 77 sampling points, mainly in the Pampa biome. Qualitative sampling was performed by handsorting soil monoliths and fixing the earthworms in 4% formalin solution. Species identification was based on morphological characters, and species richness and Shannon (H) and McIntosh (U) diversity indices were calculated for each ecosystem. Twenty-one earthworm species were identified, belonging to seven families: Glossoscolecidae (8), Rhinodrilidae (2), Ocnerodrilidae (4), Megascolecidae (4), Acanthodrilidae (1), Lumbricidae (1) and Criodrilidae (1). From these, ten are new species belonging to the genera: Glossoscolex (6), Fimoscolex (1), Kerriona (1), Eukerria (1), and one aquatic species of the Criodrilidae family, belonging to a new genus. Most of the native species (Urobenus brasiliensis, Fimoscolex n.sp.1 and the Glossoscolex spp.) predominated in ecosystems little altered by human activity, while exotic (Amynthas gracilis, Amynthas rodericensis, Metaphire californica, Aporrectodea trapezoides) and peregrine species (Pontoscolex corethrurus) predominated in areas with more human disturbance. Native ecosystems with lower disturbance, particularly forests and native pastures had higher diversity than disturbed sites. This is the first record of A. rodericencis for Brazil and most sites represent new collection records for the known species in RS.

Effect of Paecilomyces lilacinus, Trichoderma harzianum and Trichoderma virens fungal extracts on the hatchability of Ancylostoma eggs / Efecto de los extractos de los hongos Paecilomyces lilacinus, Trichoderma harzianum y Trichoderma virens en la eclosionabilidad de huevos de Ancylostoma

Background. Ancylostoma species have demanded attention due to their zoonotic potential. The use of anthelmintics is the usual method to prevent environmental contamination by Ancylostoma eggs and larvae. Nematophagous fungi have been widely used in their biological control due to the fungus ability to capture and digest free nematode forms. Aims. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of four different fungal extracts of Paecilomyces lilacinus (n=2), Trichoderma harzianum (n=1) and Trichoderma virens (n=1) isolates on the hatchability of Ancylostoma eggs. Methods. Fungal extracts consisted of fungal broth culture supernatant without filtration (crude extract) and filtered broth (filtered extract), macerated mycelium (crude macerate), and macerated mycelium submitted to filtration (filtered macerate). The Ancylostoma eggs were obtained from the feces of naturally infected dogs. In vitro assays were performed in five replicates and consisted of four treatments and one control group. Results. The activity of the fungal extracts of each evaluated fungus differed (p<0.05) from those of the control group, showing significant ovicidal activity. The hatching of the eggs suffered reduction percentages of 68.43% and 47.05% with P. lilacinus, and 56.43% with T. harzianum, when crude macerate extract was used. The reduction with the macerate extract of T. virens was slightly lower (52.25%) than that for the filtered macerate (53.64%). Conclusions. The results showed that all extracts were effective in reducing the hatchability of Ancylostoma eggs. The ovicidal effect observed is likely to have been caused by the action of hydrolytic enzymes secreted by the fungi (AU)

Antecedentes. Las especies del género Ancylostoma son de gran importancia debido a su potencial zoonótico. El uso de antihelmínticos es el método habitual en la prevención de la contaminación ambiental por huevos y larvas del género Ancylostoma. Los hongos nematófagos se utilizan ampliamente en el control biológico de aquellos, debido a su capacidad de capturar y digerir nematodos libres. Objetivo. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar el efecto de cuatro extractos diferentes de hongos (Paecilomyces lilacinus [n=2], Trichoderma harzianum [n=1] y Trichoderma virens [n=1]) en la eclosionabilidad de huevos de especies de Ancylostoma. Métodos. Los extractos de hongos constaban del sobrenadante del cultivo en caldo fúngico sin filtración (extracto crudo) y caldo filtrado (extracto filtrado), micelio macerado (macerado crudo) y micelio macerado sometido a filtración (macerado filtrado). Los huevos de Ancylostoma se obtuvieron a partir de heces de perros infectados de manera natural. Se realizaron cinco repeticiones de los ensayos in vitro con cuatro tratamientos y un grupo control. Resultados. La actividad de los extractos fúngicos de cada hongo evaluado difiere (p<0,05) de la de aquellos del grupo control, lo que demuestra una actividad ovicida significativa. Con el extracto crudo macerado, la reducción de la eclosión mostró porcentajes del 68,43 y el 47,05% en el caso de P. lilacinus y del 56,43% para el caso de T. harzianum. El porcentaje de reducción en el uso del macerado crudo en T. virens fue del 52,25%, algo inferior respecto al macerado filtrado (53,64%). Conclusiones. Los resultados mostraron que todos los extractos fueron eficaces en la reducción de la eclosionabilidad de huevos de Ancylostoma. Es probable que el efecto ovicida observado haya sido causado por la acción de enzimas hidrolíticas secretadas por los hongos (AU)

Effect of Paecilomyces lilacinus, Trichoderma harzianum and Trichoderma virens fungal extracts on the hatchability of Ancylostoma eggs.

BACKGROUND: Ancylostoma species have demanded attention due to their zoonotic potential. The use of anthelmintics is the usual method to prevent environmental contamination by Ancylostoma eggs and larvae. Nematophagous fungi have been widely used in their biological control due to the fungus ability to capture and digest free nematode forms. AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of four different fungal extracts of Paecilomyces lilacinus (n=2), Trichoderma harzianum (n=1) and Trichoderma virens (n=1) isolates on the hatchability of Ancylostoma eggs. METHODS: Fungal extracts consisted of fungal broth culture supernatant without filtration (crude extract) and filtered broth (filtered extract), macerated mycelium (crude macerate), and macerated mycelium submitted to filtration (filtered macerate). The Ancylostoma eggs were obtained from the feces of naturally infected dogs. In vitro assays were performed in five replicates and consisted of four treatments and one control group. RESULTS: The activity of the fungal extracts of each evaluated fungus differed (p<0.05) from those of the control group, showing significant ovicidal activity. The hatching of the eggs suffered reduction percentages of 68.43% and 47.05% with P. lilacinus, and 56.43% with T. harzianum, when crude macerate extract was used. The reduction with the macerate extract of T. virens was slightly lower (52.25%) than that for the filtered macerate (53.64%). CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that all extracts were effective in reducing the hatchability of Ancylostoma eggs. The ovicidal effect observed is likely to have been caused by the action of hydrolytic enzymes secreted by the fungi.

Effects of pig slurry application on the diversity and activity of soil biota in pasture areas / Diversidade e atividade da biota do solo na avaliação dos efeitos da aplicação de dejetos de suínos em áreas de pastagem

ABSTRACT: The successive application of pig slurry to pastures is a common practice in southern Brazil, serving as a method of waste disposal as well as an important alternative to chemical fertilization. Although there are economic benefits to the use of manure as fertilizer, it may be associated with environmental hazards and cause changes to composition and activity of soil fauna. This study aimed to study the effects of pig slurry on the soil biota of pastures. Composition and biological activity of pastures where manure was applied successively for 2 years (A2) and 14 years (A14) were evaluated, and native forest (NF) was analyzed as a reference area. Successive application of pig slurry to the soil changed its biological characteristics according to the time of implementation; influenced the composition and diversity of soil fauna, leading to an increase in the total number of individuals, especially springtails; and increased the activity of the soil biota, especially to a depth of 6cm.

RESUMO: O uso sucessivo de dejetos de suínos em áreas de pastagem tem sido uma prática comum na região sul do Brasil, tendo em vista a necessidade de deposição dos dejetos produzidos, além de ser uma importante alternativa à fertilização das pastagens. Embora existam benefícios econômicos do uso dos dejetos como fertilizante, estes podem estar associados a riscos ambientais e causar alterações na composição e atividade da fauna no solo. Este trabalho teve por objetivo estudar os efeitos da aplicação de dejetos de suínos em áreas de pastagem sobre a biota do solo. Foi analisada a composição e a atividade biológica de áreas com uso de dejetos há 2 anos (A2), há 14 anos (A14) e mata nativa (MN), como área referência. O uso sucessivo de dejetos de suínos no solo alterou as características biológicas do solo, de acordo com o seu tempo de aplicação; influenciou a composição e a diversidade da fauna edáfica, aumentando o número total de indivíduos, principalmente de colêmbolos, e aumentou a atividade da biota do solo, especialmente até os 6 cm de profundidade.

Mineralization and efficiency index of nitrogen in cattle manure fertilizers on the soil / Mineralização e índice de eficiência do nitrogênio de fertilizantes de esterco bovino no solo

ABSTRACT: This research aimed to evaluate the mineralization of nitrogen (N) and to define the efficiency index (EI) of N after the addition of organic fertilizers based on cattle manure on the soil under laboratory conditions. A completely randomized statistical design with four replicates was used. The treatments were set as follows: T1) Soil (control); T2) Soil + vermicompost of cattle manure (CMV); T3) Soil + cattle manure and straw compost (CMS); and T4) Soil + cattle manure (CM). Experimental units were constituted by acrylic flasks with 5 x 5cm (height x diameter). Each flask was added with 135g of wet soil and 2.20, 2.45 and 2.27g of CMV, CMS and CM, respectively. Treatments were incubated at 25°C and the amount of mineral N from the soil (N-NH4+ and N-NO2- + N-NO3-) was determined at the beginning of the experiment and after 7, 14, 28, 56 and 112 days of incubation. The highest concentration of N-NO2- + N-NO3- in the soil were observed within the CMS treatment. The EI of N was of 27, 23 and 22% for CMS, CMV and CM, respectively. The mineralization of N from organic fertilizers based on cattle manure occurs on its vast majority within the first 28 days after its addition to the soil. The EI of N from the organic fertilizers based of cattle manure was higher for CMS>CMV>CM and achieved only 80% of what expected for organic fertilizers derived from cattle manure.

RESUMO: Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar em condição de laboratório a mineralização do nitrogênio (N) e determinar o índice de eficiência (EI) do N após adição de fertilizantes orgânicos a base de esterco bovino no solo. Foi utilizado o delineamento inteiramente casualizado com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos avaliados foram: T1) Solo (testemunha); T2) Solo + vermicomposto de esterco bovino (CMV); T3) Solo + composto de palha e esterco bovino (CMS); e T4) Solo + esterco bovino (CM). As unidades experimentais foram frascos de acrílico com 5cm de altura e 5cm de diâmetro. Em cada frasco, foram adicionados 135g de solo úmido e 2,20, 2,45 e 2,27g de CMV, CMS e CM, respectivamente. Os tratamentos foram acondicionados em incubadora a 25°C e os teores de N mineral do solo (N-NH4+ e N-NO2- + N-NO3-) foram determinados na data de instalação, aos 7, 14, 28, 56 e 112 dias de incubação. Os maiores teores de N-NO2- + N-NO3- no solo foram observados no tratamento CMS. O EI do N foi de 27, 23 e 22% para CMS, CM e CMV, respectivamente. A mineralização do N dos fertilizantes orgânicos a base do esterco bovino ocorre em sua grande maioria nos primeiros 28 dias após sua adição ao solo. O EI do N dos fertilizantes orgânicos a base de esterco bovino foi maior para CMS>CMV>CM e atingem apenas 80% do esperado para fertilizantes orgânicos oriundos de esterco bovino.

Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden inoculated with Pisolithus microcarpus (UFSC-Pt116) in land subject to the sandy process in southern Brazil

Eucalypts is one of the main species used for commercial reforestation in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. This study aimed to evaluate the survival and early growth of eucalyptus trees in an area subject to sandy process after three years of growth. The Eucalyptus grandis seedlings were grown in a greenhouse, innoculated or not with the isolated ectomycorrhizal Pisolithus microcarpus (UFSC-Pt116), produced in peat or Entisol. After 120 days, the seedlings were transplanted to an area subject to the sandy process, in the city of São Francisco de Assis, RS. The plants have been evaluated regarding survival, height, stem diameter, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium levels and total phosphorus, inorganic phosphorus, organic phosphorus and wood production on different days after planting. The seedlings grown on the Entisol which was inoculated with the isolated UFSC-Pt116 presented higher survival rates, height, stem diameter, nitrogen concentration and wood production compared to the non-inoculated seedlings. Inoculation with ectomycorrhizal fungi enhanced the production of E. grandis seedlings in survival rates, height, stem diameter.

Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden inoculated with Pisolithus microcarpus (UFSC-Pt116) in land subject to the sandy process in Southern Brazil.

Eucalypts is one of the main species used for commercial reforestation in the Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. This study aimed to evaluate the survival and early growth of eucalyptus trees in an area subject to sandy process after three years of growth. The Eucalyptus grandis seedlings were grown in a greenhouse, inoculated or not with the isolated ectomycorrhizal Pisolithus microcarpus (UFSC-Pt116), produced in peat or Entisol. After 120 days, the seedlings were transplanted to an area subject to the sandy process, in the São Francisco de Assis city, RS. The plants have been evaluated regarding survival, height, stem diameter, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium levels and total phosphorus, inorganic phosphorus, organic phosphorus and wood production on different days after planting. The seedlings grown on the Entisol which was inoculated with the isolated UFSC-Pt116 presented higher survival rates, height, stem diameter, nitrogen concentration and wood production then non-inoculated seedlings. Inoculation with ectomycorrhizal fungi enhanced the production of E. grandis seedlings in survival rates, height, stem diameter.

Soil-borne bacterial structure and diversity does not reflect community activity in Pampa biome.

The Pampa biome is considered one of the main hotspots of the world's biodiversity and it is estimated that half of its original vegetation was removed and converted to agricultural land and tree plantations. Although an increasing amount of knowledge is being assembled regarding the response of soil bacterial communities to land use change, to the associated plant community and to soil properties, our understanding about how these interactions affect the microbial community from the Brazilian Pampa is still poor and incomplete. In this study, we hypothesized that the same soil type from the same geographic region but under distinct land use present dissimilar soil bacterial communities. To test this hypothesis, we assessed the soil bacterial communities from four land-uses within the same soil type by 454-pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA gene and by soil microbial activity analyzes. We found that the same soil type under different land uses harbor similar (but not equal) bacterial communities and the differences were controlled by many microbial taxa. No differences regarding diversity and richness between natural areas and areas under anthropogenic disturbance were detected. However, the measures of microbial activity did not converge with the 16S rRNA data supporting the idea that the coupling between functioning and composition of bacterial communities is not necessarily correlated.

Metais pesados, agrotóxicos e combustíveis: efeito na população de colêmbolos no solo / Heavy metal, pesticides and fuels: effect in the population of collembola in the soil

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desenvolvimento de colêmbolos no solo com diferentes níveis de metais pesados, combustíveis e agrotóxicos em condição de laboratório. Os tratamentos foram: Cádmio (1, 10 e 100mg kg-1 de solo); Cobre (50, 500 e 5000mg kg-1 de solo); Zinco (100, 1000 e 10000mg kg-1 de solo); fungicida epoxiconazol + piraclostrobina (1 e 2L ha-1); fungicida epoxiconazol (0,75 e 1,5L ha-1); herbicida glifosato (2 e 4L ha-1); óleo lubrificante queimado (5, 50 e 100mL kg-1 solo) e óleo diesel (5, 50 e 100mL kg-1 solo) e controle. Na dose de 1mg kg-1 de Cd no solo, houve grande aumento na população de colêmbolos e o pH do solo diminuiu à medida que aumentaram as doses de Cd, Zn e Cu no solo. Na presença de combustíveis, os colêmbolos apresentaram incapacidade de reprodução, independente da dose aplicada no solo. O número de colêmbolos apresentou incremento com o aumento da dosagem de glifosato e epoxiconazol. Os metais pesados Cu e Zn têm ação negativa sobre a população de colêmbolos e somente o Cd (1mg kg-1 solo) proporciona aumento na população de colêmbolos no solo. A presença de óleo lubrificante queimado e óleo diesel no solo inibem o desenvolvimento dos colêmbolos no solo. Os agrotóxicos glifosato, epoxiconazol e epoxiconazol + piraclostrobina não influenciam negativamente sobre a população de colêmbolos no solo.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the collembola development in soils with different levels of heavy metals, fuels and pesticides, in laboratory conditions. Treatments were: Cadmium - 1, 10 and 100mg kg-1 soil; Copper - 50, 500 and 5000mg kg-1 soil; Zinc - 100, 1000 and 10000 mg kg-1 soil; fungicide epoxiconazol + piraclostrobina - 1 and 2L ha-1; fungicide epoxiconazol - 0,75 and 1,5L ha-1; herbicide glyphosate - 2 and 4L ha-1; burned lubricating oil - 5, 50 and 100mL kg-1 soil and diesel oil - 5, 50 and 100mL kg-1 soil and control. In the 1mg kg-1 dose of Cd there was a great increase of the collembola population and the soil pH decreased as the Cd, Zn and Cu doses in the soil increased. In the presence on fuels the collembola presented incapacity to procreate regardless the dose applied in the soil. The number of collembola showed an increase with increasing glyphosate and epoxiconazole level. The heavy metal Cu and Zn have negative impact over the collembola population and just Cd (1mg kg-1 soil) offers increase on their population in the soil. The presence of burned oil and diesel in the soil inhibit the collembolan development in the soil. The pesticides glyphosate, epoxiconazol and epoxiconazol + piraclostrobina do not negatively influence the collembola population in the soil.

Land-use change and soil type are drivers of fungal and archaeal communities in the Pampa biome.

The current study aimed to test the hypothesis that both land-use change and soil type are responsible for the major changes in the fungal and archaeal community structure and functioning of the soil microbial community in Brazilian Pampa biome. Soil samples were collected at sites with different land-uses (native grassland, native forest, Eucalyptus and Acacia plantation, soybean and watermelon field) and in a typical toposequence in Pampa biome formed by Paleudult, Albaqualf and alluvial soils. The structure of soil microbial community (archaeal and fungal) was evaluated by ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis and soil functional capabilities were measured by microbial biomass carbon and metabolic quotient. We detected different patterns in microbial community driven by land-use change and soil type, showing that both factors are significant drivers of fungal and archaeal community structure and biomass and microbial activity. Fungal community structure was more affected by land-use and archaeal community was more affected by soil type. Irrespective of the land-use or soil type, a large percentage of operational taxonomic unit were shared among the soils. We accepted the hypothesis that both land-use change and soil type are drivers of archaeal and fungal community structure and soil functional capabilities. Moreover, we also suggest the existence of a soil microbial core.

Variabilidade genética na região its do rDNA de isolados de trichoderma spp. (Biocontrolador) e Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Chrysanthemi / Genetic variability in rDNA ITS region of Trichoderma spp. (biocontrole agent) and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. chrysanthemi isolates

A análise de características morfológicas e culturais podem não ser suficientes para uma caracterização precisa das espécies de Trichoderma e Fusarium. Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, caracterizar a região do Espaço Interno Transcrito (ITS) do rDNA dos isolados UFSMT15.1, UFSMT16 e UFSMT17 de Trichoderma spp. utilizados no biocontrole de Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. chrysanthemi (isolado) UFSMF6. A extração de DNA de cada isolado foi realizada a partir de micélio produzido em meio líquido Batata-Dextrose. As amostras de DNA genômico foram submetidas à Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR) com os oligonucleotídeos iniciadores universais ITS1 e ITS4 e o produto gerado foi sequenciado. Os fragmentos gerados pela amplificação da PCR foram tratados com as enzimas de restrição HaeIII, HinfI e MboI. As regiões ITS1, ITS2 e 5.8S do rDNA desses isolados fúngicos foram amplificadas com sucesso. A região ITS dos isolados UFSMT15.1, UFSMT16 e UFSMT17 de Trichoderma e o isolado UFSMF6 de Fusarium apresentaram uma banda simples com um fragmento de aproximadamente 600 pares de base (pb). As enzimas de restrição HaeIII, HinfI e MboI geraram polimorfismo de bandas entre os isolados. Com base nas análises da sequência de DNA, os isolados UFSMT15.1, UFSMT16, UFSMT17 e UFSMF6 apresentaram maior similaridade com as espécies Trichoderma koningiopsis, Hypocrea virens, Hypocrea lixii e Fusarium oxysporum, respectivamente.

The analysis of morphological and cultural characteristics may not enough for the characterization of the species of Trichoderma and Fusarium. The aim of this work was to characterize the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region of the rDNA of UFSMT15.1, UFSMT16 and UFSMT17 isolates of Trichoderma spp. used in the biocontrol of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. chrysanthemi UFSMF6. DNA extraction of each isolate was accomplished starting from hyphae produced in liquid medium Potato-Dextrose-Agar. The samples of genomic DNA were submitted to the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) with the primers ITS1 and ITS4, and the product was sequenced. The fragments generated from PCR amplification were digested with the restriction enzymes HaeIII, HinfI and MboI. The ITS region of the Trichoderma's isolates UFSMT15.1, UFSMT16 and UFSMT17 and the Fusarium UFSMF6 isolate showed a simple band with a fragment with 600 base pairs (bp) approximately. The restriction enzymes HaeIII, HinfI and MboI generated band polymorphism among the isolates. The isolates UFSMT15.1, UFSMT16, UFSMT17 and UFSMF6 showed high similarity whit Trichoderma koningiopsis, Hypocrea virens, Hypocrea lixii and Fusarium oxysporum species, respectively.

Organismos edáficos como bioindicadores da recuperação de solos degradados por arenização no Bioma Pampa / Edaphic organisms as bioindicators of restoration of degraded soils by arenização on the Bioma Pampa

Os organismos edáficos, por sua sensibilidade a alterações no meio, têm sido utilizados como indicadores de modificações nos níveis de qualidade do solo, as quais podem ser promovidas por degradação ou agradação. Em Alegrete, Rio Grande do Sul, foram caracterizadas populações de organismos edáficos como bioindicadores dos efeitos da degradação por arenização e da recuperação por revegetação com Lupinus albescens Hook. & Arn., fabácea natural do Bioma Pampa. Os tratamentos constituíram-se de solo com cobertura natural de Lupinus albescens (TN), área arenizada que recebeu revegetação com Lupinus albescens há um ano (T1), área arenizada que recebeu revegetação com Lupinus albescens há três anos (T3), solo arenizado (SA) e campo nativo (CN). As coletas foram feitas em fevereiro e maio de 2006, com armadilhas PROVID. Foram determinados os parâmetros: abundância de organismos em nível de Ordem, riqueza de organismos e índices de diversidade e igualdade de Shannon. A arenização reduziu o desenvolvimento das populações edáficas, enquanto a estratégia de revegetação mostrou efeitos positivos na recolonização da área. O grupo Collembola destacou-se como bioindicador dos efeitos dos processos de degradação e recuperação. O índice de diversidade de Shannon não foi adequado para a avaliação dos efeitos da arenização quando analisado isoladamente.

Edaphic organisms are sensible to environment alterations and have been used as indicators of soil quality changes. These modifications can be promoted by degradation or agradation events. The study area is located in Alegrete, Rio Grande do Sul. It was analyzed the role of epigeic soil fauna as bioindicator of soil degradation by arenização and its restoration by revegetation with Lupinus albescens Hook. & Arn., a native fabaceous of Bioma Pampa. The treatments were constituted of soil under natural covering with Lupinus albescens, degraded area recovered with Lupinus albescens by one year (T1), degraded area recovered with Lupinus albescens by three years (T3), degraded area (SA) and native grass field (CN). The sampling was made in February and May of 2006 with PROVID traps. It was determined the abundance of organisms at Order level, the organisms richness, the diversity and evenness Shannon’ index. The process of Arenização reduced the development of sampled edaphic populations, while revegetation showed positive effects in the recolonization of the area. Colembolla group was a good bioindicator of degradation and restoration effects. The Shannon diversity index was not satisfactory to evaluate the edaphic fauna if disconnected of other parameters.

Utilização de casca de arroz e esterco bovino como substrato Eisenia fetida Savigny (1826) / Rice husk and cattle manure used as substrate for the Eisenia fetida Savigny (1826) multiplication

A utilização de minhocas, principalmente para a alimentação animal, vem sendo adotada e estudada, pois esses organismos apresentam em sua constituição vitaminas e aminoácidos. Entre os materiais possíveis de serem utilizados na minhocultura, atualmenteincentiva-se o aproveitamento de resíduos agroindustriais de alta disponibilidade, como a casca de arroz no Rio Grande do Sul. Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, avaliar a eficiência de substratos à base de casca de arroz e esterco bovino na multiplicação e produção de biomassa de minhocas (Eisenia fetida). A população de minhocas foi avaliada quanto ao número de cocons, ao índice de multiplicação(população final/população inicial) e à biomassa de minhocas frescas e secas. A avaliação foi realizada aos 60 dias após a instalação do experimento, com quatro repetições. A análise estatística dos resultados mostrou que a inclusão de casca de arroz favoreceu o desenvolvimento e a taxa de reprodução das minhocas. A maior biomassa de minhocas foi obtida nos tratamentos: 50% casca de arroz inteira e 50% esterco bovino, esterco bovino mais casca de arroz inteira tratada com hidróxido de amônio a 20 e 40%, e esterco bovino mais casca de arroz moída tratada com hidróxido de sódio a 10 e 40%. Conclui-se que a adição de casca de arroz ao esterco bovino favorece a multiplicação e o desenvolvimento de E. fetida.

The use of earthworms for animal feeding has been adopted and studied, because these organisms are rich in vitamins and essential amino acids. Among the organic materials that could be used in the earthworm breeding, highly available agroindustrial residues such as rice husk are being currently used in Rio Grande do Sul. The aim of this work was to evaluate substrate based on rice husk and cattle manure on the multiplication and biomass of earthworms (Eisenia fetida). In this work, the population of earthworms, the cocoon numbers, the multiplication index, as well as fresh and dry biomass of earthworms were evaluated. The evaluation was performed 60 days after the installation of the experiment and each treatment had four replications. Thestatistical analysis of the results showed that the inclusion of rice husk favored the development and rate of earthwormreproduction. The highest earthworm biomass was obtained in the treatments 50% rice husk and 50% cattle manure, cattle manure plus rice husk with ammonium hydroxide at 20 and 40%, and cattle bovine plus ground rice husk with sodium hydroxide at 10 and 40%. It was concluded that the addition of rice husk to the cattle manure was efficient in the multiplication and development of E. fetida.