Fungus-based bioherbicides on circular economy.

This review aimed to show that bioherbicides are possible in organic agriculture as natural compounds from fungi and metabolites produced by them. It is discussed that new formulations must be developed to improve field stability and enable the commercialization of microbial herbicides. Due to these bottlenecks, it is crucial to advance the bioprocesses behind the formulation and fermentation of bio-based herbicides, scaling up, strategies for field application, and the potential of bioherbicides in the global market. In this sense, it proposed insights for modern agriculture based on sustainable development and circular economy, precisely the formulation, scale-up, and field application of microbial bioherbicides.

New perspectives for weeds control using autochthonous fungi with selective bioherbicide potential.

The prospection of bioherbicides has been an alternative to weed control, aiming at mitigating chemical risks to human, animal and environmental health due to extreme use of synthetic herbicides. In the present study, various fungi were isolated from plants with symptoms of fungal diseases for bioherbicide purposes against weeds (Urochloa plantaginea, Euphorbia heterophylla and Bidens pilosa). Fungi isolated were identified by molecular methods and enzymatic products obtained by fungi fermentation (cellulase, lipase, peroxidase, and amylase) were quantified. Bioherbicide selectivity study was performed on crops (soybean and corn), as well as on resistant weeds. Among the isolated fungi, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium ploriferatum, and Trichoderma koningiopsis presented bioherbicide potential. T. koningiopsis, in particular, presented the highest effect on Euphorbia heterophylla (popular name - Mexican fire plant), causing up to 60% of foliar damage, without presenting phytotoxicity against corn crop. New perspectives for weeds control and their use in corn crops were prospected, considering the bioherbicide selectivity described in this study.

Characterization of blueberry cultivar ‘climax’ / Caracterização da cultivar ‘climax’ de mirtileiro

The objective of this work was to characterize the blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) cultivar Climax, Rabbiteye group (Vaccinium ashei Reade). In order to achieve that, a survey with blueberry plants (cultivar Climax), in full production, was conducted during the 2012/13 and 2013/14 seasons in the mesoregion of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Data regarding the distribution of flower and vegetative buds on branches of two lengths (long and short) was collected. Another evaluation, considering three positions of flower buds in the branch (apical, medial and basal), the number of flower primordia, open flowers and fruits formed was performed. Data were subject to ANOVA and, when significant, the averages were compared using either the F or Tukey’s HSD test (p ≤ 0.05). The results demonstrate the presence of flower buds intercalated with vegetative ones. The total number of flower and vegetative buds, flower primordia, flowers and fruits was influenced by the length of the branch. Likewise, the position of the bud on the branch affected the results, with a greater number of flower primordia on the basal, a greater number of flowers on the medial and a greater number of fruits on the apical portions of the branches.

Objetivou-se realizar a caracterização do mirtileiro (Vaccinium spp.), cultivar Clímax, grupo Rabbiteye (Vaccinium ashei Reade). Para tanto, foi conduzida a pesquisa com plantas da cultivar Clímax, em plena produção, durante as safras de 2012/13 e 2013/14. Foram coletados dados referentes à distribuição das gemas floríferas e vegetativas nos ramos de dois comprimentos (longos e curtos). Bem como, sob estes, foi avaliado, considerando-se três posições de gemas floríferas no ramo (apical, mediana e basal), o número de primórdios florais, flores abertas e frutos formados. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e quando houve efeito significativo suas médias foram comparadas pelo teste de F e/ou Tukey (p ≤ 0,05). Os resultados demonstraram a presença de gemas floríferas intercaladas às vegetativas. O número total de gemas floríferas e vegetativas, de primórdios florais, flores e frutos foi influenciado pelo comprimento do ramo. Da mesma forma, a posição da gema no ramo, influenciou os resultados, sendo observado maior número de primórdios florais na gema basal, maior número de flores na porção mediana e maior número de frutos na apical.

PAHs in corn grains submitted to drying with firewood.

Grain drying using firewood as fuel for air heating, with direct fire, is still widely used in Brazil. The combustion of organic material, such as wood, can generate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which are known to have carcinogenic potential. In the present work corn grain drying was carried out at three drying air temperatures: 60°C, 60/80°C and 80°C. Following the drying process, the presence and quantification of PAH in the corn grains was investigated. After extracting the PAHs of the matrix, the material was subjected to analysis by gas chromatography with mass detector. he results showed the presence of seven compounds: fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo(a)anthracene and chrysene.