Direct and Indirect Effect of Bt Cotton and No Bt Cotton on the Development and Reproduction of the Predator <i>Podisus nigrispinus</i>(Dallas, 1851) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

This paper aimed to evaluate the direct and indirect effects of Bt cotton and no Bt cotton on the development and reproduction of the predator Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas). The experiments related to the direct and indirect effects on immature and adult stages of the predator were conducted, respectively, in greenhouse and laboratory of the Embrapa Agropecuária Oeste in Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. To evaluate the indirect effects of Bt cotton and non-Bt, larvae of Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) were fed with these plants and later offered to the predator. To evaluate the direct effect of the Bt cotton and non-Bt, the predator P. nigrispinus was kept in contact with these plants and fed with pupae of Tenebrio molitor (L.). The direct and indirect effects were evaluated by the biological parameters as follows: period of nymphal development, nymphal survival, and duration of pre-oviposition and oviposition periods and longevity of adults (females and males) of P. nigrispinus. It was observed higher period of second instar of P. nigrispinus in Bt cotton, when compared to the development in its isoline non-Bt. All other biological parameters evaluated, have no influence of the Bt cotton plants considering the direct and indirect effects.

Evaluation of DNA Extraction Methods for Detection of <i>Leishmania</i>by Polymerase Chain Reaction

There are several methods used to obtain DNA from cells;however, the quantity, integrity, and purity of DNA vary among the methods, which may interfere with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results. The objective was to determine the most efficient and cost-effective method that provides the best DNA yield and PCR results. Three methods of DNA isolation were compared: 20% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), guanidine isothiocyanate-phenol-chloroform (GTPC), and DNA extraction using a commercial kit (GE Healthcare GenomicPrep Blood DNA Isolation KitTM). Human peripheral blood samples were inoculated with 104 promastigotes of Leishmania infantum. DNA was quantified and PCR was performed with 13A/13B primers. The results showed that a higher DNA yield was obtained using the GTPC technique (214.51 ng/μL), followed by SDS (26.16 ng/μL) and the commercial kit (10.99 ng/μL). We concluded that while all of the techniques were effective for obtaining DNA, the GTPC method provided the best yield and the brightest bands.

Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System(DRIS)to Assess the Nutritional State of Cotton Crop in Brazil

The diagnosis of nutritional state is an important tool to understand the nutritional requirement of plants and the influence of the nutritional balance on the yield. The proposed in this study was to apply the Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) to assess the nutritional state of cotton crop through the order of nutrient requirement and nutritional balance. Yield data from plots (average acreage 100 ha) and foliar concentrations of macro and micronutrients of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum r. latifolium) plants were stored in a database. The criterion to define the reference population consisted of plots with above-average yields + 2/3 standard deviation (over 4785 kg·ha-1 seed cotton yield). The DRIS method was efficient to evaluate the nutrition state of cotton. It was feasible to identify the order of plant requirement and nutritional balance. It was feasible to observe that when minor the Nutritional Balance Index (NBI) it’s higher the yield. It means that to reach high yield it is necessary to show low NBI. The Sulphur, Boron and Zinc showed the higher frequency as the most required nutrients by plant. The Magnesium and Manganese were the less required by the cotton plant, this means that both of them were limiting the yield by excess in the tissue.

Common beans (<i>Phaseolus vulgaris L.</i>) in the rations for cattle in feedlot

To evaluate the inclusion of common beans in the diet of cattle in feedlot on characteristics of productive performance, nutrient digestibility and ruminal fermentation parameters, 15 bulls crossed were used in a completely randomized design. The animals were confined for 64 days, and 21 days of adaptation. We evaluated the inclusion common beans at levels of 0%, 13% and 26%. All diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous with a 45:55 forage: concentrate ratio. The addition of beans in the diet did not affect animal performance, dry matter intake and feed efficiency. Inclusion bean changed the nutrient digestibility of DM, CP, EE, TC and OM, where the best digestibility was observed with the inclusion 13% and the lowest concentration of ruminal NH3-N. The general behavior of ruminal pH in relation to levels of inclusion of beans was 6.2. The inclusion of up to 13% of beans in the diet of feedlot cattle did not alter the apparent digestibility, ruminal and animal performance.

Quality of <i>Jatropha curcas</i>L. Seeds Harvested at Different Stages of Fruit Maturation

The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological quality of Jatropha curcas L. seeds harvested at different stages of fruit maturation and two threshing methods. To analyze the mechanical damage rate an experiment was carried out with five stages of fruit maturation (green, yellow, ripe, dried on the ground and dried on the plant) threshed mechanically and manually. To evaluate the physiological quality, three tests were made;germination, vigor and electrical conductivity, all of them were applied in each storage (0, 120 and 240 days after harvest) and five stages of fruit maturation. It was feasible to infer that the maturation stage of yellow, ripe and dried on the plant fruits showed the best results of the physiological quality of the Jatropha curcas L. seeds. The manual threshing is also recommended in order to preserve the physiological quality of Jatropha curcas L. seeds. When the fruits were harvested at the appropriate stage of maturation (yellow, ripe and dry fruit on the plant) and threshing without mechanical damage, the Jatropha curcas L. seeds are possible to store for 240 days without loss in their germination. Regardless of the threshing system and the maturation stage, the seeds of Jatropha curcas L. lost their vigor from 120 days after harvested, when these seeds were stored in the shadow and in an environment without control on the relative humidity and air temperature.

Do Bt Transgenic Events Alter the Phenotypic Stability of Maize Hybrids?

Transgene insert location in the genome through different methods is random. Thus, alterations in the expression of desired trait may occur, as well as alterations in the expression of other characteristics of receptor plant. The purpose of this study was to compare Bt transgenic maize hybrids and the respective conventional isogenic hybrid in relation to adaptability and phenotypic stability. Field trails were set up in four locations of Minas Gerais, Brazil (Campo do Meio, Lavras, Madre de Deus and Paragua?u). A randomized complete block design was used, with three replications, and the treatment structure was a factorial 6 × 2, with six hybrids in the transgenic and conventional versions. Plant and ear height and grain yield were evaluated. To estimate stability, the Anicchiarico, Wricke and AMMI methodologies were used. Grain yield and ear height of the transgenic hybrids and their respective conventional isogenic hybrid did not differ. There are differences in the phenotypic stability between transgenic hybrids with Bt technology and their counterpart conventional isogenic hybrid.

Sustainability and Market Orientation in the Brazilian Beef Chain

The demand for natural resources, energy and food facing the contemporary perception of sustainability is imposing challenges to the productive sectors in accordance with market guidelines. In this context, the Brazilian agribusiness seeks to maintain external competitiveness and to satisfy growing domestic demands. In beef production, this competitiveness pervades traceability, food safety and sustainability. This article aims to identify the sustainability state of the art in agribusiness and characterize it within the Brazilian beef chain. Descriptive methodology, combining a literature review and a documentary data survey were adopted. An outline of the dimensions of agribusiness sustainability, drawn from benchmark practices, indicates that environmental, social and technological demands have become part of the industry＇s agenda. The data for beef cattle point to a growth in production but demonstrate that expansion has occurred in areas of environmental tension, which creates a demand for sustainability in the beef chain. A table of guidelines for sustainability demonstrates that although perceptions are not yet harmonized among the links in the whole beef chain, many of the technological guidelines for sustainable production may increase the producer＇s economic efficiency. In the Brazilian case, the increment of initiatives and dissemination of sustainable practices among the beef chain is desirable to provide a coordinated response of production, processing and distribution organizations facing market opportunities for sustainable livestock.

Storage of Campomanesia adamantium(Cambess.)O.Berg Seeds:Influence of Water Content and Environmental Temperature

The present work evaluated the conservation of Campomanesia adamantium seeds under different conditions. The fruits used in the study were collected from matrices located in the city of Ponta Por&atilde-MS, Brazil. After processing, the seeds were slowly dried to different water content levels and subsequently exposed to various environmental conditions: 25&degC ± 2&degC, 35% relative humidity (laboratory);16&degC ± 1&degC, 40% relative humidity (cold and dry);8&degC ± 1&degC, 35% relative humidity (refrigeration);and -18&degC ± 1&degC, 42% relative humidity (freezing). Each treatment was conducted for 0 (recently processed seeds, with superficial drying of 40 minutes), 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 days. Seed potential was physiologically evaluated based on radicle protrusion, percentage of normal seedlings, seedling length (primary root, shoot and total), and dry mass of the seedlings. The experimental design was a completely randomized factorial scheme with split-split plots (4 temperatures/environments × 5 water content × 7 storage periods). C. adamantium seeds tolerated a reduction in the water content to 15.3% but did not tolerate the storage period, confirming the recalcitrant behavior of the seeds.

Molecular and Pathogenic Study of <i>Guignardia</i>spp. Isolates Associated to Different Hosts

Fungi of Guignardia genus are commonly isolated from different plant species and most of the time, they are characterized as endophytes. However, some species of this genus, like G. citricarpa and G. psidii are known as causal agents of serious diseases that affect important crops such as Citrus Black Spot and guava fruit rot, respectively. They are also responsible for diseases that cause foliar spots in different fruit species and also in other crops, but cause minor damages. Despite evidences that G. mangiferae colonizes different plant species, there are few studies about its genetic diversity associated with different hosts. This work has the objective to characterize Guignardia isolates obtained from different hosts and tissues by RAPD, fAFLP and DNA sequence of ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region, as well as to develop pathogenicity tests through cross inoculation in citrus and guava fruits. It was observed that molecular markers were able to discriminate isolates of different Guignardia species. Pathogenicity tests showed that G. citricarpa caused CBS symptoms on citrus fruits, but it did not produce any symptoms in guava fruits. G. mangiferae isolates were able to cause rot symptoms on guava fruits, but they have not produced any symptoms on citrus fruits. Guignardia isolates obtained from mango leaves that have not been classified in species have not presented any symptoms in citrus and guava fruits. Although G. mangiferae is commonly isolated asymptomatically in different plants, this work supports the evidence that this species has a latent pathogen behavior, at least for guava plants.

Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilization Promotes Aerial Part Development and Affect Nutrient Uptake by Carobinha of the Brazilian Cerrado

Producing Brazilian Cerrado plants, especially ones endangered, is essential for your maintenance. In this way, fertilization is furthermore uncertain. Here, we demonstrate the impact of soil addition of nitrogen (N, 4.20, 18.90, 31.50, 44.10 and 59.85 mg&middot;dm-3) and phosphorus (P, 9.56, 57.38, 95.62, 133.86 and 181.67 mg&middot;dm-3) fertilizers levels on the development and on nutrients uptake by Jacaranda decurrens subsp. symmetrifoliolata (carobinha), species of the Brazilian Cerrado, in a long term pot trial. The N and P addition together increased plant height and N concentration in roots. N and P also increased the P concentration and content on the roots in young plants, but in the older plants, isolated effect of both was stronger than their combined action. The N addition promoted branching, production of dry leaves and dry xylopodium, contents of K, Ca and P on the leaves, and N content on the roots. However, the N reduced xylopodium diameter, leaf area, and Mg contents in the young plants, but increased them in the older plants. The P addition increased stem diameter and dry biomass, P concentration and N content on the leaves, Ca content on the roots and also reduced N concentration on the leaves. However, the P addition increased Mg concentration on the roots in the young plants and reduced it in the older plants. In general, N levels ranging between 25.69 - 38.85 mg&middot;dm-3 and P levels between 84.39 - 109.23 mg&middot;dm-3 promote more effectively the plant development. Thus, N and P fertilization can promote the aerial development of plant and a differential allocation of nutrients between the carobinha tissues.

Allelopathic Potential of Wheat on Sourgrass Resistant to Glyphosate

We aimed with this study to assay the allelopathic potential of wheat genotypes in inhibiting germination and initial growth of sourgrass (Digitaria insularis) resistant to the herbicide glyphosate. Two experiments were installed under greenhouse conditions: the first one aimed to assay the potential of wheat genotypes in inhibiting emergence and initial growth of two test plants, and the second aimed to evaluate the potential of those wheat genotypes which performed better at the first experiment, inhibiting the emergence and initial growth of sourgrass biotypes resistant to the herbicide glyphosate. Five doses of aqueous cool-extracted extract from 32 wheat genotypes were applied to tomato and cucumber (Experiment 1) aiming to identify the ones with higher inhibitory effect. The five most inhibitory wheat genotypes were selected for Experiment 2, where the same doses of extract were applied on sourgrass. For both experiments, shoot fresh and dry mass, as well as water content, were assessed. Sourgrass germination is affected by wheat extracts, but initial seedling growth seems not to be affected;wheat genotypes differ in terms of their allelopathic potential in inhibiting sourgrass germination;wheat presents little inhibitory effect on sourgrass.

Evaluation of Toxicity of Phenolic Compounds Using Aedes aegypti(Diptera:Culicidae)and Artemia salina

Nowadays, dengue fever, a mosquito-borne tropical disease, has become widely distributed in Brazil. In order to prevent such disease, the population of Aedes aegypti mosquito has to be controlled. Then, the aim of this study is to assess the toxicological effects of phenolic compounds against dengue mosquitos. Hence, the larvicidal activity and toxicity of phenolic compounds against Ae. aegypti larvae and A. salina, are evaluated, respectively. The phenolic compounds 2,6-diiodophenol and 4-chloro-2,6-diiodophenol have different toxicity and larvicidal activity. The compound 4-chloro-2,6-diiodophenol shows the highest toxicity for larvae of Ae. aegypti, exhibiting higher toxicity than 2,6-diiodophenol. Although less toxic than Temephos?(organophosphate), the phenolic compounds evaluated by this research, are proved to be effective against Ae. aegypti larvae. This study demonstrates the importance of controlling the dengue mosquito, considering toxicological aspects of phenolic compounds to prevent environmental impacts.