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The aim of this study was to assess the effect of soil management and planting spacing on establishment performance of mixed swards of purple stargrass (Cynodon nlemfuensis cv. BRS Lua) and forage peanut (Arachis pintoi cv. Belmonte). The treatments comprised two methods of soil management (conventional tillage, with desiccation followed by harrowing; and no-tillage, with sequential desiccation with glyphosate) and two planting spacing (50 and 100 cm between rows). The experimental design was in randomized blocks, arranged in split-plot. Both methods of soil management ensured rapid pasture establishment, with canopy cover greater than 94 % at 84 d after planting, with the notillage surpassing the conventional tillage, and at a cost of no-tillage 7 % lower. Reducing planting spacing from 100 cm to 50 cm accelerated canopy cover and reduced weed incidence. The initial contribution of forage peanut in the botanical composition was relatively small, declining by 3.8 % on average at 36 d after planting to less than 1.2 % at 84 d. No-tillage was as efficient in establishing mixed swards as conventional tillage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to evaluate the environmental perception of dweelers around the Mata de Cazuzinha Forest Reserve, in the town of Cruz das Almas, Bahia, Brazil, in relation to the hunting process in the protected area. The focus of this research was centralized on 32 community members living around the area, which allowed to evaluate their perception about hunting, through field observation and semi structured interviews and questionnaire. The results point out to the non-promotion of hunt or capture activities. About half the community believes that adults and young people are among the responsible for this activity. Pleasure is pointed out as the main cause for killing animals in the forest, but even though they are not in favor of hunting, a considerable parcel of the interviewed are in favor of hunting for family survival. Considering the legal aspects of this activity, most of the people considered hunting as an illegal act. It is concluded that the lack of supervision and control that represses the destruction of habitats and the insufficiency of the approaches of environmental education, evidences the need for greater investments by the public power for the preservation of fauna and other natural resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Azospirillum genus includes plant growth-promoting bacteria found in different soil regions worldwide. When associated with plant roots these bacteria help augment productivity by increasing both the aerial and root portions. These benefits derive from excretion of growth phytonutrients, especially auxins. Use of Azospirillum spp. can help to bridge the gap between productivity and sustainability since inoculants based on this microorganism can reduce use of nitrogen fertilizers without affecting productivity, and generate savings and greater profitability. Inoculation of Azospirillum spp. strains with forage grasses can result in greater forage mass gains and less need for nitrogen fertilizer, improving pasture production system sustainability. Co-inoculation with other strains such as Bradyrhizobium sp. apparently potentiates growth promotion. Proper application methods must be followed for these growth-promoting bacteria to be effective. Growth promotion in response to Azospirillum has been described in grasses such as sugarcane, maize and forages, but further research is needed under different conditions to support adoption by producers. Application of bacterial inoculates can increase competitiveness vis-'-vis conventional agriculture methods. Inoculation of grasses in livestock systems can raise forage mass production, mitigate degradation risks and improve productive indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]