Leaf concentration of macronutrients in oil palm plants fertilized with phosphorus, potassium and magnesium in the Eastern Amazon

The concentrations of nutrients in the leaves allow a better understanding of the nutritional status of oil palm plants, making it a tool for diagnosing the origins of nutritional problems and assisting in fertilizer recommendations. In this sense, the objective of the current research was to evaluate the leaf concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S in the oil palm under fertilization with phosphate, potassium and magnesium in edaphoclimatic conditions of Eastern Amazon. The experiment was conducted at the AGROPALMA® Company in the municipality of Tailândia, state of Pará, Brazil. The experimental design used was randomized blocks in a factorial scheme 4 x 2 x 3 x 2, with four levels of phosphorus, two sources of phosphorus (natural phosphate and triple superphosphate), three levels of potassium and two levels of magnesium. Phosphorus fertilization increased the leaf concentrations of N, P, Ca and Mg, providing higher levels when triple superphosphate was applied. However, in adult oil palm plants (12 years old), there was different on leaf concentrations of N, P, K and S between phosphorus sources aphid. Potassium and magnesium fertilization only increased the leaf concentrations of K and Mg, respectively. Fertilization with P, K and Mg promotes adequate leaf concentrations of K, Ca, Mg e S in oil palm plants grown in the Eastern Amazon.

Water quality in the Lachuá Ecoregion Landscape: Comparing streams from Forest, Milpa, and an Oil Palm plantation / Calidad del agua en el paisaje de la Ecorregión Lachuá: Comparando arroyos en bosques, milpa y palma africana

The hydrological network in the Lachuá Ecoregion (EL), Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, hosts high levels of biodiversity and supplies water to 44 Mayan communities. Despite this critical fact, this network has been threatened by scarcely monitored industrial activities including the rapidly expanding oil palm monoculture (Elaeis guineensisJacq). Regardless of Lachua's freshwaters importance, there is little information on how this monoculture impacts them. We compared water-quality properties from streams in oil palm plantations (P), paddock and milpa systems (M), and primary forests (F) in the EL. During 2015-2016, 13 rivers were sampled (5 times) for water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), conductivity, hardness, chemical and biochemical oxygen demand (COD and BOD), and concentration of silica, nitrates, phosphates, and ammonia. Several parameters showed significant differences. P were 2.7 ºC and 1.8 ºC warmer than M and F and carried 1.4 mg/L more nitrates than F. F carried 10.8 mg/L and 11.8 mg/L more silica than M and P. M showed intermediate temperatures and silica concentrations, as well as 14.8 µS/cm and 8.9 µS/cm lower conductivities than P and F, respectively. Additionally, COD in M was 9.9 mg/L and 4.6 mg/L lower than P and F, respectively. We believe higher temperatures and lower silica in P are due to the loss of riparian forest and their role in buffering temperatures and recycling silicon. In addition, the existence of secondary forest (guamil) in M might explain the intermediate temperatures and silica concentrations. Our results highlight the contributions of forests to waterways and suggest potential water-quality depletion from the oil palm expansion in the EL.

La red hídrica en la Ecorregión Lachuá (EL), Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, alberga una alta biodiversidad y abastece de agua a 44 comunidades mayas. Sin embargo, recientemente se ha visto amenazada por actividades industriales escasamente monitoreadas, incluido el creciente monocultivo de palma africana (Elaeis guineensis Jacq) del cual se desconocen sus impactos en la EL. Este estudio explora la calidad del agua de arroyos en plantaciones de palma africana (P), bosques primarios (B), y sistemas de potrero y milpa (M) en Lachuá. Durante 2015-2016, se tomaron muestras de 13 ríos (5 veces) para medir la temperatura del agua, pH, oxígeno disuelto (OD), conductividad, dureza, demanda química y bioquímica de oxígeno (DQO y DBO) y la concentración de sílice, nitratos, fosfatos, y amoníaco. Varios parámetros mostraron diferencias significativas. P fue 2.7 ºC y 1.8 ºC más calientes que M y F y portó 1.4 mg/L más nitrato que F. F portó 10.8 mg/L y 11.8 mg/L más sílice que M y P. M mostró temperaturas y concentraciones de sílice intermedias y conductividades 14.8 µS/cm y 8.9 µS/cm menores que P y F. La DQO en M fue 9.9 mg/L y 4.6 mg/L menor que P y F. El aumento de temperatura y la disminución de sílice en P podría deberse a la pérdida de bosques ribereños los cuales amortiguan la tempe-ratura y reciclan el silicio. La presencia de bosque secundarios (guamil) en M podría explicar las temperaturas y las concentraciones de sílice intermedias resaltando la importancia de los bosques en la red hídrica. Se predice un posible deterioro en el agua resultado de la expansión de palma africana en la EL.

Calidad de la canal y la carne en pollos de ceba que consumen Roystonea regia / Meat and carcass quality in broilers that intake Roystonea regia

RESUMEN Objetivo. Estudiar la calidad de la canal y la carne en pollos de ceba que consumen harina de frutos de Roystonea regia (palmiche). Materiales y métodos. Se utilizaron 40 pollos de ceba distribuidos según diseño completamente aleatorizado en cuatro tratamientos: control (maíz-pasta de soya) y la inclusión de 5, 10 y 15% de harina de palmiche. Se estudió el rendimiento de la canal, grasa abdominal y la calidad de la carne (tecnológicos y composición de ácidos grasos). Para los parámetros de apariencia se realizó análisis de varianza no paramétrico de clasificación simple. Resultados. No se encontraron diferencias entre tratamientos para el peso de la canal y pH a los 45 minutos y 24 horas postmortem. Hubo reducción de la grasa abdominal con 5 y 15 % respecto al control (13.00 y 11.96 vs 17.02 g/kg), en tanto que el 10% no difirió del resto (15.10 g/kg) (p<0.01). No se encontraron diferencias en el color, excepto para la luminosidad en el muslo que fue superior con la inclusión de 10 y 15% (48.62 y 49.22) respecto al 5% (45.32) y el control no difirió entre tratamientos (47.53) (p<0.05). La composición de ácidos grasos en las diferentes porciones comestibles mostró que las aves depositaron los ácidos oleico, linoleico y palmítico en mayor concentración. Conclusiones. La inclusión hasta el 15 % de harina de palmiche a las dietas de pollos de ceba no modifica el rendimiento de la canal, reduce la grasa abdominal e incide positivamente en los indicadores de calidad de la carne.

ABSTRACT Objective. To study meat and carcass quality in broilers fed Roystonea regia (royal palm nut) fruits meals. Materials and methods. A total of 40 broilers distributed according to a completely randomized design were used in four treatments: control (corn-soybean paste) and the inclusion of 5, 10 and 15 % royal palm nut meal. The carcass yield, abdominal fat and meat quality (technological and fatty acid composition (FA)) were studied. For the appearance parameters, a non-parametric analysis of simple classification was performed. Results. There were no differences between treatments for carcass weight and pH at 45 minutes and 24 hours postmortem. There was a reduction in abdominal fat by 5 and 15 % compared to the control (13.00 and 11.96 vs. 17.02 g / kg), while 10 % did not differ from the rest (15.10 g/kg) (p<0.01). There were no differences in color, except for the luminosity in the drumstick that was superior with the inclusion of 10 and 15 % (48.62 and 49.22) with respect to 5 % (45.32) and the control did not differ between treatments (47.53) (p<0.05). The composition of FA in the different edible portions showed that the broilers deposited oleic, linoleic and palmitic acids in higher proportions. Conclusions. The inclusion of royal palm nut meal in broiler diets does not change the carcass yield, reduces abdominal fat and positively affects meat quality indicators.

Oil palm age and genotype interfere with defoliator lepidopteran infestation

The state of Pará has oil palm plantings of different ages and distinct genotypes. The understanding of which factors influence the occurrence and abundance of defoliating caterpillars in palm groves is paramount for control strategies based on integrated pest management (IPM). This study quantified the effect of oil palm age independently, and that of oil palm age and genotype, on the occurrence and abundance of defoliating caterpillars. Data were collected from 1994­2014 and consisted of counting the average number of caterpillars/leaf/parcel. For Opsiphanes invirae and Talima sp., leaf 17 was sampled; for Acharia spp., Euclea sp., Euprosterna elaeasa, Natada sp., and Automeris liberia, leaf 25 was sampled. For Oiketicus kirbyi, Antaeotricha sp., and Brassolis sophorae no specific leaf was considered. Palm trees were classified into three groups: young palm trees (0­8 years after planting), adult palm trees (9­19 years after planting), and old palm trees (over 20 years after planting). Talima sp. showed the highest population peak followed by O. invirae, Acharia spp., Elaeis elaeasa and Euclea sp. This study concludes that genotype has an impact on the infestation by defoliating caterpillars. Also, oil palms at reproductive age are more prone to higher infestation levels than young trees. While population levels of defoliating caterpillars are low in general, outbreaks are frequent. Importantly, intraspecific genotypes are more vulnerable than interspecific genotypes to infestations by defoliating caterpillars. This study contributes to the bioecological knowledge on defoliating caterpillars on oil palm and therefore provides important information to strengthen integrated pest management practices.

Biological efficiency and nutritional value of Pleurotus ostreatus cultivated in agroindustrial wastes of palm oil fruits and cocoa almonds / Eficiência biológica e valor nutricional de Pleurotus ostreatus cultivados em resíduos agroindustriais de dendê e amêndoa de cacau

The cocoa and palm oil agro-industries active in the state of Bahia, Brazil, generate high quantities of lignocellulosic wastes that could be recycled through their use in the formulation of substrates to cultivate edible mushrooms. Pleurotus ostreatus, also known as oyster mushroom, is the second most cultivated mushroom in the world due to its highly appreciated gastronomic, nutritional, and medicinal characteristics. This work evaluated the vertical mycelium growth, biological efficiency, mushroom yield, and nutritional composition of P. ostreatus produced in substrates formulated with a combination of palm oil fruit mesocarp (POFM) and cocoa almond peels (CAP) processing wastes. The substrates were formulated with the following POFM/CAP proportions (%/%): S1 ­ 86.4/9.6; S2 ­ 76.8/19.2; S3 ­ 67.2/28.8; S4 ­ 57.6/38.4, and S5 ­ 48.0/48.0. Substrates also received 3% powdered charcoal and 1% calcium carbonate. Substrates S1, S2, S3, and S4 were superior for vertical mycelium growth. S2 promoted the best biological efficiency (148.8%) and yield (560.5g·kg-1).The mushrooms produced in all substrates presented good nutritional values, although mushrooms produced using the S2 presented the highest crude protein content. Overall, S1 is the recommended substrate as it results in higher yields of nutrient rich mushrooms. Production of P. ostreatus in substrates composed of POFM and CAP represents a good alternative for recycling these wastes with potential economic and ecological benefits to regions where palm oil and cocoa are grown.(AU)

As indústrias de cacau e óleo de dendê no estado da Bahia, Brasil, geram grandes quantidades de resíduos lignocelulósicos que podem ser reciclados na formulação de substratos para o cultivo de cogumelos comestíveis. Pleurotus ostreatus ou cogumelo ostra é o segundo cogumelo mais cultivado no mundo por apresentar características gastronômicas, nutricionais e medicinais muito apreciadas. Este estudo avaliou o crescimento micelial vertical, a eficiência biológica, a produção e a composição nutricional de P. ostreatus produzido em substratos formulados com a combinação de resíduos do processamento de frutos de dendê (mesocarpo do fruto de dendê ­ MFD) e de amêndoas de cacau (tegumento de amêndoas de cacau ­ TAC). Os substratos foram formulados com as seguintes proporções de MFD e TAC (%/%): S1: 86,4/9,6; S2: 76,8/19,2; S3: 67,2/28,8; S4: 57,6/38,4 e S5: 48,0/48,0. Os substratos também receberam 3% de carvão e 1% de carbonato de cálcio. Os substratos S1, S2, S3 e S4 foram superiores quanto ao crescimento micelial vertical. S2 promoveu os melhores resultados para eficiência biológica (148,8%) e produção (560.5 g·kg-1). Os cogumelos produzidos em todos os substratos apresentaram valores nutricionais promissores. Entretanto, os cogumelos produzidos com o substrato S2 apresentaram o maior conteúdo de proteína bruta. De modo geral, S1 é o substrato recomendado por resultar na maior produção de cogumelos ricos em nutrientes. A produção de P. ostreatus em substratos compostos por MFD e TAC representa uma boa alternativa para a reciclagem desses resíduos com potenciais benefícios econômicos e ecológicos para as regiões produtoras de dendê e cacau.(AU)

Calidad durante el almacenamiento de huevos de gallinas alimentadas con dietas con aceite de palma / Egg quality during storage of eggs from hens fed diets with crude palm oil

RESUMEN Objetivo. Evaluar el efecto del aceite crudo de palma (ACP) sobre la calidad del huevo almacenado por varios días a diferentes temperaturas. Materiales y métodos. Un total de 240 gallinas de 28 semanas se alimentaron con dietas con 30g/kg de aceite de soya (AS) o ACP. Después de 12 semanas, muestras de huevos se almacenaron durante 0, 4, 8 y 12 días a 4, 12 y 24°C. Las características de calidad del huevo fueron evaluadas. Resultados. El huevo y la albúmina de gallinas en la dieta con ACP fueron más pesados que aquellos en la dieta con AS (p<0.05). La alta temperatura de almacenamiento redujo el peso del huevo, albúmina y yema, unidades Haugh (UH), altura de la albúmina y la yema, pH y color (p<0.05), pero aumentó el ancho de la albúmina y la yema, y la longitud de la albúmina (p<0.05). A medida que aumentaba el tiempo de almacenamiento, el peso del huevo, el peso y la altura de la albúmina, y la altura de la yema, el pH y el color se redujeron (p<0.05). Sin embargo, el peso y el ancho de la yema, el ancho y la longitud de la albúmina aumentaron (p<0.05). La interacción aceite x tiempo de almacenamiento (p<0.05) indico que la altura de la albumina, UH y el color de la yema de los huevos de la dieta con ACP fueron mejores a los 12 días de almacenamiento que en la dieta con AS. Conclusiones. Las gallinas en la dieta con ACP tuvieron huevos y albuminas más pesadas que las de las de la adieta con AS. La calidad del huevo disminuyó conforme el tiempo y temperatura de almacenamiento se incrementó, pero, los huevos de las gallinas suplementadas con ACP tuvieron mejor calidad en algunas características a los 12 días de almacenamiento.

ABSTRACT Objective. Evaluate the effect of crude palm oil (CPO) on quality traits of eggs stored various days at different temperatures. Material and Methods. A total of 240 hens, 28 weeks of age were fed diets with 30 g/kg of soybean oil (SO) or CPO. After 12 weeks, sample of eggs were stored during 0, 4, 8 and 12 days at 4, 12 and 24 °C. Egg quality traits were evaluated. Results. Egg and albumen from hens in CPO diet were heavier than those in SO (p<0.05). High storage temperature reduced egg, albumen and yolk weights, Haugh units (HU), albumen and yolk heights, pH and color (p<0.05), but increased albumen and yolk widths and albumen length (p<0.05). As storage time increased, egg weight, albumen weight and height, and yolk height, pH and colour were reduced (p<0.05). However, yolk weight and width, albumen width and length increased (p<0.05). Oil x storage time interaction (p<0.05) indicated that albumen height, HU and yellowness of yolk from hens in CPO diets were better at 12 days of storage than for hens fed SO. Conclusions. Hens in CPO diet had heavier eggs and albumen than those in SO diet. Egg quality traits decreased as temperature and days of storage increased, but, eggs from hens supplemented CPO had better quality in some traits at 12 days of storage.

Digestibilidade aparente do farelo de palmiste em tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) / Apparent digestibility of palm kernel meal to tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a digestibilidade do farelo de palmiste (Elaeis guineensis) para o tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum), em duas classes de peso: 1 (210 alevinos de 4,45±1,18g) e 2 (54 juvenis de 115,91±4,01g). Os coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente (CDA) da matéria seca, proteína bruta e energia bruta do farelo de palmiste foram avaliados pela metodologia de substituição da dieta referência, utilizando-se 0,1% de óxido crômico como indicador externo. Os dados foram analisados pelo teste t de Student, a 5% de probabilidade. Os CDAs da matéria seca, proteína bruta e energia bruta do ingrediente foram iguais (P>0,05) nas classes de peso avaliadas. Os CDAs observados nas classes 1 e 2, respectivamente, foram: matéria seca (17,52% e 20,75%), proteína bruta (62,83% e 63,75%) e energia bruta (14,16% e 22,43%). A capacidade do tambaqui para digerir os nutrientes do farelo de palmiste não foi influenciada pelo peso corporal, e o aproveitamento satisfatório da proteína (63,29%) faz desse ingrediente uma potencial fonte alternativa de proteína em dietas para a espécie.(AU)

The objective of this work was to determine the digestibility of palm kernel meal (Elaeis guineensis) in tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum), in two weight classes: 1 (210 fingerlings of 4.45±1.18g) and 2 (54 juveniles of 115.91±4.01g). The apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of dry matter, crude protein and crude energy of the palm kernel meal were evaluated by the substitution of the reference diet methodology, using 0.1% chromic oxide as an external indicator. Data were analyzed by Student's t-test at 5% probability. The dry matter, crude protein and crude energy ADCs of the ingredient were the same (P> 0.05) in the weight classes evaluated. The ADCs observed in classes 1 and 2, respectively, were: dry matter (17.52% and 20.75%), crude protein (62.83% and 63.75%) and crude energy (14.16% and 22.43%). The ability of tambaqui to digest the nutrients of palm kernel meal was not influenced by body weight, and satisfactory protein utilization (63.29%) makes this ingredient a potential alternative source of protein in diets for the species.(AU)

Spatial dependency and correlation of properties of soil cultivated with oil palm, Elaeis guineensis, in agroforestry systems in the eastern Brazilian Amazon / Dependência espacial e correlação das propriedades do solo cultivado com dendezeiro, Elaeis guineensis, em sistemas agroflorestais na Amazônia Oriental

Geostatistics is a tool that can be used to produce maps with the distribution of nutrients essential for the development of plants. Therefore, the present study aimed to analyze the spatial variation in chemical attributes of soils under oil palm cultivation in agroforestry systems in the eastern Brazilian Amazon, and their spatial dependence pattern. Sixty spatially standardized and georeferenced soil samples were collected at each of three sampling sites (DU1, DU2, and DU3) at 0-20 cm depth. Evaluated soil chemical attributes were pH, Al3+, H+Al, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, cation exchange capacity (CEC), P, and organic matter (OM). The spatial dependence of these variables was evaluated with a semivariogram analysis, adjusting three theoretical models (spherical, exponential, and Gaussian). Following analysis for spatial dependence structure, ordinary kriging was used to estimate the value of each attribute at non-sampled sites. Spatial correlation among the attributes was tested using cokriging of data spatial distribution. All variables showed spatial dependence, with the exception of pH, in one sampling site (DU3). Highest K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and OM levels were found in the lower region of two sampling sites (DU1 and DU2). Highest levels of Al3+ and H+Al levels were observed in the lower region of sampling site DU3. Some variables were correlated, therefore cokriging proved to be efficient in estimating primary variables as a function of secondary variables. The evaluated attributes showed spatial dependence and correlation, indicating that geostatistics may contribute to the effective management of agroforestry systems with oil palm in the Amazon region.

A geoestatística é uma ferramenta utilizada para produzir mapas de distribuição de nutrientes essenciais para o desenvolvimento das plantas. O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar a variação espacial dos atributos químicos do solo sob cultivo de dendê em sistemas agroflorestais na Amazônia Oriental brasileira, e seu padrão de dependência espacial. Sessenta amostras de solo espacialmente padronizadas e georreferenciadas foram coletadas em cada um de três locais de amostragem (UD1, UD2 e UD3), na profundidade de 0-20 cm. Os atributos químicos do solo avaliados foram: pH, Al3+, H+Al, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, capacidade de troca catiônica do solo (CTC), P e matéria orgânica (MO). A dependência espacial dos atributos foi avaliada com análise semivariográfica, ajustando-se três modelos teóricos (esférico, exponencial e gaussiano). Após a análise de dependência espacial, a krigagem ordinária foi empregada para estimar os valores de cada atributo em locais não amostrados. A correlação espacial entre os atributos foi testada utilizando a cokrigagem para espacialização dos dados. Todas as variáveis mostraram dependência espacial, exceto pH em UD3. Os maiores teores de K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ e MO foram encontrados na região mais baixa da paisagem, em UD1 e UD2. Os maiores teores de Al3+ e H+Al foram observados na região mais baixa da paisagem, em UD3. Algumas variáveis foram correlacionadas, portanto a cokrigagem mostrou-se eficiente na estimativa das variáveis primárias em função das secundárias. Os atributos avaliados mostraram dependência e correlação espacial, indicando que a geoestatística pode contribuir para o manejo efetivo de sistemas agroflorestais com dendê na região amazônica.

Micronutrients content in Pueraria phaseoloides L. on soils under oil palm plantations in Tailândia, state of Pará / Acúmulo de micronutrientes em Kudzu tropical (Pueraria phaseoloides L) em solos sob plantações de dendê em Tailândia ­ Pará

The adoption of cover crops in commercial plantations has been shown to be an alternative to promote greater soil protection, enhancement in its structure and aggregation, optimization of accumulation and nutrient cycling to obtain greater production of biomass and higher nitrogen fixation. To determine the accumulation of micronutrients of Pueraria phaseoloides L., according to age, established as a soil cover in industrial oil palm crops, an experiment was carried out at Companhia Agroindustrial (CRAI) in the municipality of Tailândia, State of Pará, in an Oxisol. The experimental design was a randomized block with four replicates. The results allow to conclude that the accumulation of nutrients, except for Mn and Cu in the live Pueraria phaseoloides L. plant cover reduced over the years and those of B, Mn, Zn, and Cu were greater in the dead Pueraria phaseoloides L. plant cover and for Cl it was in the live Pueraria phaseoloides L. plant cover. The decreasing order of total micronutrient extraction was the following: Cl> Mn> B> Zn> Cu.

A adoção de plantas de cobertura em plantios comerciais tem se mostrado uma alternativa para promover ao solo maior proteção, melhorias em sua estrutura e agregação e otimização de acúmulo e ciclagem de nutrientes visando maior produção de biomassa e maior fixação de N2. Com o objetivo de determinar o acúmulo de micronutrientes puerária (Pueraria phaseoloides L.), em função da idade, estabelecida como cobertura de solo em plantações industriais de dendezeiros, instalou-se experimento na Companhia Real Agroindustrial (CRAI) no município de Tailândia, Estado do Pará, em Latossolo Amarelo. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições. Os resultados permitem concluir que: o acúmulo de nutrientes com exceção do Mn e Cu na cobertura verde de Pueraria phaseoloides L., reduziu com o decorrer dos anos; os de B, Mn, Zn e Cu foram maiores na cobertura morta, enquanto que o de Cl na cobertura verde. A ordem decrescente da extração total de micronutrientes foi: Cl > Mn > B > Zn > Cu.

Brechas de rendimiento en el cultivo de palma de aceite: una revisión cuantitativa de factores determinantes / Yield Gaps in Oil Palm: A Quantitative Review of Contributing Factors

Las brechas de productividad en el cultivo de palma de aceite son amplias. No obstante, existe un margen considerable para mejorar los rendimientos y el desempeño ambiental de este cultivo agroindustrial. La respuesta del rendimiento a las inundaciones, el drenaje, la aplicación de fertilizantes con micronutrientes y al estrés biótico en plantaciones maduras es un tema que no ha sido comprendido suficientemente bien. Existe un número de procesos básicos subyacentes a la producción de racimos que requiere de investigación adicional, especialmente respecto a la determinación del sexo y al malogro de racimos. Igualmente, se debe esclarecer el entendimiento de las señales del cultivo en respuesta al estrés por déficit hídrico con el fin de desarrollar aún más las estrategias en torno al mejoramiento de materiales genéticos y al diseño de sistemas de riego

The productivity gaps in oil palm cultivation are wide. However, there is a considerable margin to improve the yields and environmental performance of this agro-industrial crop. The performance response to floods, drainage, the application of fertilizers with micronutrients and biotic stress in mature plantations is a subject that has not been understood sufficiently well. There are a number of basic processes underlying the production of clusters that require additional research, especially with regard to sex determination and cluster failure. Likewise, the understanding of crop signals in response to stress due to water deficit should be clarified in order to further develop strategies around the improvement of genetic materials and the design of irrigation systems

Adição de óleo de palma na dieta sobre a lipidemia e a qualidade do sêmen de bubalinos (Bubalus bubalis) / Addition of palm oil to diet on serum lipid profile and seminal quality of buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

O estudo visou investigar o efeito da suplementação dietética com óleo de palma sobre o perfil sérico lipídico e as características seminais de touros bubalinos (Bubalus bubalis), bem como suas correlações. Doze touros foram alocados no Grupo CONT (n=5) ou Grupo ÓLEO (n=7) e receberam alimentação isoproteica composta por silagem de milho e concentrado (milho triturado, farelo de trigo e ureia), com proporção volumoso/concentrado de 50%, durante 130 dias (Períodos 1 e 2). Diferencialmente, óleo de palma foi adicionado ao concentrado (2% MS) do Grupo ÓLEO. Sêmen e sangue foram colhidos quinzenalmente. Houve aumento nas concentrações séricas de colesterol, HDL e lipídios totais nos animais do Grupo ÓLEO, enquanto o período influenciou nas taxas de colesterol, LDL, lipídios totais e VLDL (P<0,05). Houve decréscimo no turbilhonamento e discreta redução na integridade de membranas nos animais do Grupo ÓLEO (P<0,05). Correlações significativas foram encontradas entre triglicerídeos e defeitos menores (r=-0,412; P=0,006), LDL e defeitos totais (r=-0,333; P=0,030), lipídios totais e defeitos menores (r=-0.366; P= 0,017), lipídios totais e defeitos totais (r=-0.309; P= 0,046), e VLDL e viabilidade espermática (r=0,381; P=0,012), apontando efeitos positivos da maior lipidemia na morfologia e na viabilidade espermática. O uso de óleo de palma alterou o perfil lipídico sérico, mas não favoreceu per se os parâmetros seminais relacionados com o potencial de fertilidade dos touros.

The study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with palm oil on serum lipid profile, the seminal characteristics of buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) and the correlations between them. Twelve bulls were divided into Group CONT (n = 5) or Group OIL (n = 7). Animals in both groups were fed with isoproteic diets composed of corn silage and concentrated (ground corn, wheat bran and urea), with 50% forage/concentrate ratio, during 130 days (Periods 1 and 2). Palm oil (2%DM) was added to diet offered to Group OIL. Semen and blood samples were collected every two weeks. Increased serum levels of cholesterol, HDL and total lipids were observed for Group OIL, while the period influenced on cholesterol, LDL, total lipids and VLDL (P<0,05). Treatment decreased gross motility (P<0.05) and slightly reduced sperm membrane integrity (P<0.05) in animals of Group OIL. There were significant correlations between triglycerides and minor defects (r=-0.412, P=0.006), LDL and total defects (r=-0.333, P=0.030), total lipids and minor defects (r=-0.366, P=0.017), VLDL and spermatic viability (r=0.381, P=0.012), and total lipids and totals defects (r=-0.309, P=0.046), highlighting positive effects of higher lipid serum levels on sperm morphology and viability. The incorporation of palm oil in the diet altered the serum lipid profile, but it showed no positive effect on seminal parameters related to the potential of bull fertility.

Qualidade do óleo de palma bruto (Elaeis guineensis): matéria-prima para fritura de acarajés / The quality of crude palm oil (Elaeis guineensis): raw material for deep-frying acarajés

Uma característica marcante da produção do óleo de palma na Bahia é o modo de extração, além da variedade de produtos comercializados em feiras e supermercados. Com o objetivo de conhecer os critérios adotados pelas baianas de acarajé na escolha do óleo para fritura, foram analisadas as características de qualidade desses produtos. Foram coletados 15 tipos de óleos, em embalagens originais, comumente empregados na fritura de acarajé, na cidade da Salvador. A qualidade do óleo foi verificada por meio de análises de acidez (mg KOH/g), peróxidos (mEq/kg), índice de refração (40 °C) e análise da cor (CIELab). Nas entrevistas realizadas, 48 por cento das baianas de acarajé mostraram preferência pelo óleo de palma rotulado, composto por oleína e estearina (89 por cento), para fritura dos acarajés. Em 73,33 por cento das amostras a acidez foi superior ao limite estabelecido pela legislação (10mg KOH/g); o índice de peróxidos variou entre 0,5-4,5mEq/kg e o índice de refração entre 1,4500-1,4590; as amostras contendo somente a fração oleína apresentaram-se mais luminosas e vermelhas em relação àquelas com as duas frações. Observou-se heterogeneidade entre os índices analíticos dos óleos, destacando-se a elevada acidez, condição que, quando associada às altas temperaturas de fritura, favorece a formação de ácidos graxos oxidados, altamente absorvíveis e citotóxicos.

Repetibilidade da produção de cachos de híbridos interespecíficos entre o caiaué e o dendezeiro / Repeatability for bunch production in interspecific hybrids between caiaué and african oil palm

A hibridação interespecífica entre o caiaué (Elaeis oleífera (Kunth) Cortés) e o dendezeiro (E. guineensis Jacq.) tem sido explorada com o objetivo de desenvolver cultivares tão produtivas quanto as de dendezeiro, aliada à resistência a pragas e doenças, principalmente o amarelecimento fatal, elevada taxa de ácidos graxos insaturados e redução de porte características do caiaué. Por ser uma cultura perene com longo ciclo de produção, além dos altos custos para manutenção e avaliação dos experimentos de melhoramento genético, é necessário definir o período mínimo de avaliação para que a seleção dos híbridos seja realizada com eficiência e mínimo dispêndio de tempo e recursos. Este estudo teve como objetivo estimar os coeficientes de repetibilidade dos caracteres número de cachos, peso total de cachos e peso médio de cachos de híbridos interespecíficos e definir o número de anos consecutivos de avaliação necessário para seleção eficiente dos melhores cruzamentos e indivíduos. Os coeficientes de repetibilidade foram estimados pelos métodos da análise de variância, componentes principais com base na matriz de covariância (CPCV) e de correlações, e análise estrutural com base na matriz de correlações. O método dos CPCV demonstrou ser o mais adequado para o estudo da repetibilidade da produção de cachos, indicando quatro anos consecutivos de avaliação para selecionar progênies, representadas por dez plantas, com coeficientes de determinação (R²) superiores a 85 por cento, e que para seleção individual de plantas são necessários pelo menos seis anos consecutivos de avaliação para atingir R² superior a 80 por cento.

Interspecific hybridization between the caiaué (Elaeis oleífera (Kunth) Cortés) and the african oil palm (E. guineensis Jacq.) has been exploited with the objective of developing varieties as productive as African oil palm and with the pest and disease resistance, reduced height and high levels of insaturated oils characteristic of the caiaué. Perennial crops with long production cycles and high costs for maintenance and evaluation of improvement experiments require definition of minimum evaluation periods for efficient and low cost selection of hybrids. This study estimated the repeatability coefficients of the characters bunch number, total weight of bunches and average bunch weight of interspecific hybrids and determined the number of consecutive years of evaluation required for efficient selection of the best crosses and individuals. The repeatability coefficients were estimated by four methods: analysis of variance, principal components based on the covariance (CPCV) and correlation matrix, and structural analysis based on the correlation matrix. The CPCV method was the most appropriate for the study of the repeatability of bunch production. Four consecutive years of evaluation are required to select progenies, represented by ten plants, with determination coefficients (R²) up to 85 percent, and at least six consecutive years of evaluation are necessary to select individuals, with R² up to 80 percent.