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Abstract Background Traditional agriculture is on the front line of climate change, being most impacted by the increase in the intensity and frequency of extreme events, such as floods, drought and rising temperatures. Local ecological knowledge is a recognized keystone of successfully managed socioecological systems, but loss of soil fertility, water scarcity, incidence of diseases and decreased production due to climate change are linked to the greater vulnerability experienced by traditional farmers. Plant biostimulants are natural products used to stimulate nutrient uptake and efficiency by crops, increase tolerance to abiotic/biotic stress and improve quality without negative impacts on the environment if obtained from renewed sources. Humic substances are some of the most used plant biostimulants in agriculture and play a central role in plant adaptation. Materials and methods We reviewed and discussed a sample set of papers (n = 52) about humic substances to mitigate abiotic stress in crops using data basis from Web of Science (Clarivate Analytics), Scopus—IBM (International Business Machines Corporation), and Scielo (Scientific Electronic Library Online). Results The predominance of authors in the global south is notable, but it is not a coincidence, since this is where the effects of climate change will have the greatest impact. The mechanisms involved in the stress mitigation involve the activation of signaling factors, gene response induction, the accumulation of osmoprotective and anti-oxidant compounds, the induction of antioxidative metabolism, ion homeostasis, membrane transport and adjustment of hormonal balance. The intriguing question is: how can a complex mixture of molecules affect so many distinct effects on plants responsible for plant adaptation? Conclusions The complexity of humic substances challenges our knowledge method, but supramolecular chemistry may provide answers that enable us to broaden our understanding of the plant defense mechanisms modulated by these substances. Graphical Abstract

Del 14 de septiembre al 15 de diciembre de 2023, se llevó a cabo el proyecto educativo “Utilización de Bio4suelo ®, como una alternativa innovadora para el manejo de enfermedades de la raíz en el cultivo de Chile habanero” en la Facultad de Ingeniería en Sistemas de Producción Agropecuaria (FISPA), en Acayucan, Veracruz. México. El experimento consistió en comparar dos tipos de manejo agronómico (convencional y agroecológico) probando el producto de última generación Bio4suelo®, que es un compuesto de hongos micorrízicos del género Glomus y antagónicos como Trichoderma harzianum y T. koninngi, combinado con bacterias de las especies Paenibacillus polymyxa y Bacillus thuringiensis, que permitió un mejor desarrollo radicular y alta tolerancia a las enfermedades de la raíz. El objetivo del proyecto fue mejorar las condiciones de sanidad del suelo del módulo agrícola a través del uso del mejorador del suelo y su evaluación a través del desarrollo de plantas de chile habanero. Los Objetivos particulares de las experiencias educativas participantes fueron la adquisición de nuevos saberes sobre los sistemas de Producción Agropecuaria y la integración de los alumnos. La metodología consistió en el establecimiento del experimento en campo, la asignación de actividades para el manejo del cultivo. Como resultado se obtuvo el mejoramiento sanitario del suelo a través del uso del Bio4suelo®, y la participación y formación de 67 alumnos de las Experiencias educativas de Edafología, Introducción a los sistemas de Producción Agropecuaria y Botánica General.

The cultivation of the olive tree is of great economic importance worldwide. For the 2022-2023 harvest, were produced around 3,010,000 Mg of olive oil and 2,955,500 Mg of table olives of selected varieties, managing to establish itself in approximately 56 countries with different environments. In most of the cultivated areas only monovarietals were used, but mixtures of varieties have been recommended, which act as pollinators, avoiding reproduction problems. Furthermore, global warming also affects production efficiency and the quality of derived products. The olive grove underwent important changes due to genetic improvement. However, despite modern molecular tools, most of the work continues to be based on agronomic classical methods such as crossing and selection in progeny, delaying the development of new varieties. Models with high resolution climate projections are being used, allowing predicting the future evolution of the olive tree. Unfortunately, Brazil produces only 0.2% of its internal consumption and therefore has become the world's second largest importer after the United States to cover the growing demand. Based on this information, this review aims to discuss the adjustments in olive growing, which has been gaining more and more areas dedicated to its cultivation in Brazil.

ABSTRACT: Trypanosoma evansi, the hemoflagellate pathogen that causes “surra,” is a protozoan that infects the widest variety of mammals worldwide, primarily horses, camels, dogs, and wild animals. Cases of canine trypanosomiasis caused by T.evansi have been reported in the Brazilian pantonal region. This study determined the prevalence of T.evansi and investigate risk factors. The study used blood samples from dogs in the municipality of Barão de Melgaço in the pantonal of the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The owner was given a structured epidemiological questionnaire containing information about the risk factors. The quantitative polymerase chain reaction technique was used to detect T.evansi DNA using species-specific oligonucleotides TevF and TevR of the gene encoding a 227-bp portion of the glycoprotein of the variant surface (VSG) T.evansi Rode Trypanozoon (RoTat) 1.2. Two (prevalence of 0.5%) genetic materials of T.evansi were reported in the403 samples. Although, no risk factor was associated with infection (P > 0.05), proximity to vegetation and streams, as well as the presence of tabanids, rodents, and marsupials, which are factors in the occurrence of infection, were observed in positive dogs, implying that the municipality of Barão de Melgaço has epidemiological characteristics that allow canine infection by T.evansi.

Abstract Background Huanglongbing (HLB) is a devastating citrus disease. Before callose deposition, the bacterial infection causes oxidative stress, starting cell damage. Humic substances are among the most efficient antioxidants found in nature. Furthermore, it is also previously reported that humic substances can induce a phenylpropanoid metabolism contributing to the production of antimicrobial compounds. It has been noted by technicians and growers in the Brazil's main citrus belt that orchards continuously treated with humic substances can live well with the symptoms of HLB. Methods We treated two young citrus orchards (Citrus sinensis cultivars Baía and Pera) with soluble humic substances (HS) isolated from peat either combined or not with a plant growth-promoting bacteria consortium. The activity of key enzymes related to the response against biotic stresses, such as peroxidase (POX), β-1,3-glucanase (PR) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), as well as the differential transcription level of target genes linked to plant stress response by qRT-PCR was monitored for six months. Results No differences were obtained between sole humic substances and their application combined with plant growth-promoting bacteria, indicating that the microbial consortium had no modulatory effect on HS-treated plants. The treatments promoted the activities of POX, PAL and β-1,3-glucanase, which remained significantly higher concerning the control throughout the evaluation period. In addition, treatments positively regulated the transcription levels of CsPR-7, CsPR-3 and CsPR-11 genes. The experimental data were qualitatively similar to those found in commercial orange orchards treated continuously for 12 and 6 years with humic substances, where the activity and transcription levels were also more significant than for untreated plants. Conclusion Our results indicate that humic substances can trigger immune-mediated responses in plants and they can be used as a natural chemical priming agent to mitigate disease symptoms and contribute to more resilient citrus cultivation. Graphical Abstract

Nutrition in rabbit farming accounts for about 70% of all costs; in this sense, C. argentea is an excellent alternative as a feed, due to its bromatological composition. Our goal is to evaluate the nutritional value of diets formulated with the dried leaves of C. argentea to feed growing rabbits. Twenty-eight white rabbits of the New Zealand breed, 55 days old, of both sexes, were used. Two treatments (n = 14, 7 males, and 7 females) were evaluated in a randomized block experimental design in a 2 x 2 factorial scheme. The control diet (CTRL) was formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of growing rabbits, and the test diet (DRY) was obtained by replacing 20% of the CTRL diet with dried leaves of C. argentea. The experimental period was comprised of 11 days, with seven days of adaptation and four days of total feces collection. The average daily gain, dry matter intake, feed conversion, and final body weight were not affected by replacing the CTRL diet with the dried leaves of C. argentea. The coefficient of dry matter digestibility showed better results in CTRL rabbits (female: 72.19%, male: 72.48%). Rabbits fed with the CTRL diet exhibited a higher consumption of crude protein compared to those fed with the DRY diet, however, these rabbits showed higher elimination and lower retention of crude protein. It is concluded that C. argentea presents values of 1,400.67 kcal per kg of dry matter, digestible energy, and 3.34% digestible protein per kg of dry matter.

Objetivou-se avaliar o desempenho produtivo e reprodutivo de ovinos da raça Santa Inês e mestiços da raça Dorper criados em sistema tradicional de produção durante a fase de amamentação na época seca do ano no semiárido paraibano. O experimento foi conduzido no Setor de Caprinovinocultura da Universidade Estadual da Paraíba/UEPB/Campus-IV, Catolé do Rocha/PB. Foram utilizadas 24 ovelhas multíparas, sendo 12 da raça Santa Inês e 12 mestiças da raça Dorper (87,5% Dorper + 12,5% Santa Inês) paridas com 30 ovinos jovens, sendo 10 machos e 20 fêmeas. O período experimental se iniciou no momento do parto e os dados foram coletados ao nascimento, aos 30, 60 e 90 dias de idade. Foi utilizada análise de variância para as ovelhas e para os cordeiros esquema fatorial 2 x 2 (dois grupos genéticos e dois sexos). Os cordeiros permaneceram com suas mães em piquetes durante o dia e à noite no aprisco, manejo tradicional da região. As ovelhas Santa Inês e mestiças Dorper produziram quantidades de leite semelhantes (P=0,8310) até os 60 dias de lactação. O grupo genético das ovelhas não influenciou os pesos vivos e escore de corporal ao parto, 30, 60 e 90 dias de lactação, como também a eficiência produtiva e peso total de crias desmamadas por ovelha. Os cordeiros e cordeiras Dorper apresentaram maiores pesos vivos (P=0,0349) e ganhos de peso (P=0,0403), por outro lado, o sexo dos ovinos jovens não influenciou o desempenho até os 90 dias de amamentação.

Conservation, characterization and exploitation of agrobiodiversity are key factors to guarantee food security and face future challenges such as climate changes. These issues are the subject of a series of international agreements, such as the Convention of Biological Diversity, with its Nagoya Protocol, and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) adopted in 2001 and entered into force in 2004. Italy ratified the Treaty in 2004 and instituted a long-lasting program, RGV-FAO, to implement it. CREA is one of the three organizations involved in the RGV-FAO Program, together with the National Research Council (CNR) and Reti Semi Rurali. CREA maintains a total of 40,186 accessions including cereals, vegetables, fruits, forages, industrial crops, forest and woody crops, medicinal and aromatic plants, and their wild relatives. Accessions are conserved using different ex situ conservation systems (seeds, in vivo plants, vegetative organs and in vitro plantlets), and characterized using genetic, morpho-phenological and/or biochemical methods. Herein, we will present the CREA long-lasting program RGV-FAO with some examples of the use of plant genetic resources in breeding programs, including molecular approaches. Some critical issues related to access and benefit sharing in PGRFA, such as the Nagoya Protocol and the Digital Sequence Information, will be discussed, highlighting their potential impact on food security and on the advancement of knowledge.

Wheat landraces are traditional varieties that have evolved over generations in response to local environments and farming practices and therefore exhibit remarkable adaptability to challenging climatic conditions and low-input farming systems. While the suitability of Mediterranean landraces to non-optimal climatic conditions during anthesis and grain ripening stage have been previously assessed, the role of photosynthesis efficiency and stomatal control on this resilience remains unexplored. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between grain yield and the post-anthesis flag leaf gas exchanges of Sicilian wheat landraces under irrigated and rainfed conditions and to compare these traits to modern durum (Triticum turgidum subsp. durum) and bread wheat (T. aestivum) varieties. Results indicate that wheat landraces respond to water availability similarly to modern varieties, reducing stomatal conductance by 26.8% and net photosynthesis by 18.1% under rainfed conditions, resulting in 10.6% lower grain yield compared to irrigated conditions. However, some landraces demonstrate comparable or even higher flag leaf net photosynthesis rates and lower transpiration levels, leading to higher yields in both rainfed and irrigated conditions, confirming their value as a source of gene pool for wheat breeding programs in drought-prone Mediterranean regions.

Seminatural grasslands are among the most threatened habitats in Europe and worldwide, mainly due to changes in/abandonment of their traditional extensive use by grazing animals. This study aimed to develop an innovative model that integrates plant biodiversity, animal husbandry, and geo-informatics to manage and preserve seminatural grasslands in protected areas. With this objective, an integrated study was conducted on the seminatural grasslands in the hilly, montane, and (to a minimum extent) subalpine belts of the Maiella National Park, one of Europe’s most biodiversity-rich protected sites. Plant biodiversity was investigated through 141 phytosociological relevés in homogeneous areas; the pastoral value was calculated, and grasslands’ productivity was measured together with the main nutritional parameters. Uni- and multivariate statistical analyses were performed to identify the main grassland vegetation types, their indicator species and ecological–environmental characteristics, and their pastoral and nutritional values’ variability and differences. A total of 17 grassland types, most of which correspond to habitat types listed in Annex I to the 92/43/EEC Directive, were identified and characterised in terms of their biodiversity and potential animal load. To allow for near-real-time analysis of grasslands, an NDVI-based web interface running on Google Earth Engine was implemented. This integrated approach can provide decision-making support for protected-area managers seeking to develop and implement sustainable grassland management practices that ensure the long-term maintenance of their biodiversity.

ABSTRACT: Pythiosis is the disease caused by aquatic oomycetes of the genus Pythium. In dogs the typical course of the disease involves the gastrointestinal tract, characterized by transmural thickening of the stomach or intestines. However, infection by Pythium spp. has only rarely been recognized as a cause of esophagitis in dogs. Thus, the present reports a case of esophageal and gastric pythiosis in an eight-month-old female pit bull dog. The dog was attended at the hospital after two months presenting regurgitation and dyspnea. It was reported that the dog lived in an urban area and had no previous sanitary issues. At clinical examination it was noted that the dog presented crackling sounds at pulmonary auscultation. A support therapy accompanied by antibiotics has been employed; however, 22 days after hospitalization the clinical condition worsened, and the dog died. At necropsy, the wall of the distal segment of the esophagus and the cardia and part of the fundus of the stomach were expanded by a focal extensive irregular intramural annular mass. Additionally, there was a transmural esophageal fistula. At histology, the walls of the esophagus and stomach were extensively expanded by multifocal extensive areas of necrosis, associated with a pyogranulomatous infiltrate and abundant granulation tissue containing multiple negative images of hyphae that were highlighted by silver impregnation (Grocott). Furthermore, immunohistochemistry and PCR for P. insidiosum were both positive in samples of paraffin-embedded esophageal tissue.

This study aimed to compare the quantification of aqueous flares using laser photometry and subjective clinical determination after phacoemulsification through the V-prechop nucleodissection technique in dogs. Forty-three dogs of different breeds, males and females, aged 3–10 years, with mature (G2, n = 22) and immature (G1, n = 21) cataracts, were included. After surgery, the patients were evaluated weekly for aqueous flares (using laser flare photometry) and clinically evaluated using slit-lamp biomicroscopy over different periods. Intraocular inflammation was more evident in patients with stage G2 disease than in those with stage G1 disease. Over time, it regressed in most animals, persisting to a mild degree in three animals by the end of the observation period. Statistical analyses revealed key differences between the groups in the immediate postoperative period and after 30 days of observation. “Aqueous flare” (ph/ms), quantified using laser flare photometry, was higher in the operated eyes of both groups (G1 and G2). However, a significant difference was observed in the immediate postoperative period and at 45 and 30 days in groups G1 and G2, respectively. Furthermore, when comparing the operated eyes of each group, a significant difference was observed in the preoperative period and 60 days postoperatively; the mean values were always higher in the G2 patients (G1-preop = 25.5 ± 11.4 ph/ms and G2-preop = 45.7 ± 17.7 ph/ms; G1-60d = 23.4 ± 8.9 ph/ms and G2-60d = 39.8 ± 13.4 ph/ms). In conclusion, laser cell and flare photometry showed higher accuracy in evaluating aqueous flares than clinical evaluation based on scores during the postoperative period in phacoemulsification by V-prechop nucleodissection. The quantitative values of flares obtained using this non-invasive method may also be used to evaluate other nucleodissection techniques in phacoemulsification.

ABSTRACT: Surface contamination by pathogenic and deteriorating microorganisms is a constant concern in the food industry. Therefore, in this study we evaluated the antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), produced using the essential oil of Lippia origanoides Kunth and ethanolic extract of Hymenaea martiana Hayne, against bacteria used in milk processing. For this, AgNPs were synthesized and their antimicrobial activity was evaluated for minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations, time-kill, interference on the biofilm, and application on the surfaces of different materials. AgNPs showed bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 33591), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Choleraesuis (ATCC 10708), Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp.,andPseudomonas aeruginosa,and interfered with biofilm formation more than with consolidated biofilms. A 1hour period was sufficient to reduce the bacterial cells, whereas a Minimum Duration for Killing (MDK) of 99% was reached after approximately 30 min. AgNPs were effective against bacteria attached to stainless steel and polyethylene, but ineffective on tile surfaces. Thus, owing to the growing microbial resistance and the need to develop new products based on the concepts of green chemistry, these AgNPs are presented as a new possibility for cleaning processes in the food industry.

Abstract Soil organic matter (SOM) has a critical role in regulating soil phosphorus (P) dynamics and producing phytoavailable P. However, soil P dynamics are often explained mainly by the effects of soil pH, clay contents, and elemental compositions, such as calcium, iron, and aluminum. Therefore, a better understanding of the mechanisms of how SOM influences phytoavailable P in soils is required for establishing effective agricultural management for soil health and enhancement of soil fertility, especially P-use efficiency. In this review, the following abiotic and biotic mechanisms are discussed; (1) competitive sorption between SOM with P for positively charged adsorption sites of clays and metal oxides (abiotic reaction), (2) competitive complexations between SOM with P for cations (abiotic reaction), (3) competitive complexations between incorporation of P by binary complexations of SOM and bridging cations with the formation of stable P minerals (abiotic reaction), (4) enhanced activities of enzymes, which affects soil P dynamics (biotic reaction), (5) mineralization/immobilization of P during the decay of SOM (biotic reaction), and (6) solubilization of inorganic P mediated by organic acids released by microbes (biotic reaction). Graphical Abstract

ABSTRACT: Brucellosis is a chronic contagious infectious zoonosis that affects the reproductive system of animals, causing economic and health losses. This study diagnosed Brucella spp. in commercial kennels, comparing PCR positivity in different biological samples (blood, semen, and vaginal secretion), as well as correlating these findings with reproductive indices. Hence, we analyzed dogs from kennels in the neighboring cities of Cuiabá and Várzea Grande/MT, Brazil. The reproductive histories of the animals were obtained and blood samples were collected from all animals (n=35); in addition, semen samples were collected from males (n=9) and vaginal swabs were collected from females (n=24) to perform polymerase chain reactions (PCR) for brucellosis. The findings indicated that vaginal swab PCR is an effective test to identify Brucella spp. For males, there were more positive results when testing blood samples, possibly because the male animals were at the beginning stage of infection.

Abstract Background Innovative technologies are required in agricultural production to eliminate the environmental risk generated by the intensive use of fertilizers and pesticides. Soil organic matter is a keystone for the transition towards sustainable production. However, it is not an easy task to increase soil organic matter in highly weathered soils without considerable resources and energy. Here, we highlighted the role of biological inputs in plant adaptation to low fertility and water scarcity. The direct use of humic acids and plant growth-promoting bacteria on plants can modify the root architecture systems, including surface area and roots length, thus allowing greater soil exploration. Material and methods Within a socio-historical perspective of concepts and research methods, a case study is presented on the effects of humic acids applied together with plant-growth promoting bacteria, as an efficient tool for supporting the transition to more suitable production system. We implemented this natural ecological approach onto a polyculture system with different tropical fruits (banana, passion fruit, papaya and pineapple) and evaluated crop yields. Results We observed increases of around 50 and 90% in banana and papaya yield, respectively, and 25% in passion fruit productions, with significantly greater yields maintained over four production cycles. No effect was observed in ananas production probably due to the large shading level in the area. Conclusion The biostimulant formulated with endophytic diazotrophic bacteria and humic acids represents a low-cost technology that enhances crop yields and can play an important role in promoting a transition process towards sustainable agriculture. Graphical Abstract

Leptospira spp. é a bactéria causadora da leptospirose, uma doença endêmica, distribuída mundialmente, de caráter zoonótico responsável por gerar impacto sanitário e também econômico. Esse microrganismo, com característica espiralada, infecta mamíferos, dentre eles, os equinos. Estes animais, podem apresentar a doença na forma assintomáticos ou clínica. Desta forma, o atual estudo objetivou analisar amostras equinas na região de Santarém- Pará. Analisou-se 88 amostras de animais que não apresentavam histórico de vacinação contra a leptospirose, através da técnica da Microaglutinação Microscópica (MAT), utilizando um painel de13 sorovares, pertencentes a dez diferentes sorogrupos. Desses animais, 58 foram soropositivos (65,90%), distribuídos em 28 (48,3%) amostras soro reagentes para Pyrogenes, 24 (41,4%) para Autumnalis, 18 (31%) para Icterohaemorrhagiae e 16 (27,6%) para Grippotyphosa. Mesmo não havendo suspeita de leptospirose, os animais apresentaram diferentes frequências sorológicas. Considerando-se o conhecido impacto da leptospirose na saúde humana e animal, nossos resultados apontam que é de suma importância estabelecer medidas de prevenção para reduzir perdas econômicas e não oferecer riscos à saúde pública. Palavras-chave: Leptospira spp.; equídeos; epidemiologia; saúde pública; Pará.

Viticulture in Rio Grande do Sul (RS), the southernmost state of Brazil, has been changing due to its expansion to new areas in the Campanha Region. Located in the south of the state, these areas have different edaphoclimatic conditions from those existing in the Serra Gaúcha, traditional production region. Thus, the estimation of reference values for leaf nutrient contents specific for the conditions of the Campanha is essential for the correct management of vineyards. Methods such as Mathematical Chance (MCh) enable the determination of sufficiency levels of leaf nutrients by evaluating commercial production areas. This work aimed to estimate reference values for nutrients in leaf tissue of grapevines in the region of Campanha by using the MCh method. Nutritional sufficiency ranges differed from those estimated by the official research for the state. However, they revealed high similarity with the results obtained by other studies carried out in the Campanha Region by using DRIS and CND approaches. Our results demonstrated that the MCh was able to estimate the infra- and supra-optimal limits, as well as the optimal levels for nutrients, indicating that there is potential for foliar diagnosis of vineyards in RS to be performed based on regionalized parameters.

ABSTRACT: Bacillus cereus is a Gram-positive bacterium commonly reported in soils and plants that occupy various ecological habitats, and the main source of contamination for cattle is silage. This report described a case of fetal loss associated with B. cereus infection in a cow. An 8-month-old, Nelore female bovine fetus from a beef farm was submitted for necropsy. A gross examination revealed fibrinous pleuropneumonia and fibrin exudation on the liver surface. The morphological diagnosis was restricted to the lungs and liver. In the lungs there was fibrinosuppurative pleuropneumonia associated with numerous aggregates of rod-shaped bacteria. In the liver there was moderate focally extensive fibrinous peri hepatitis.The lungs, liver, thoracic, and abomasal fluid cultures yielded pure cultures of B. cereus, indicating that these bacteria should be recognized as a cause of bovine abortion in fetuses that macroscopically present fibrin in the abdominal and thoracic cavity.

A large portion of the Mediterranean basin suffers from a lack of organic carbon in the soil and low woody cover percentages, resulting in a very high risk of desertification. In such conditions, knowing the effects on below and above ground carbon sequestration of pioneer woody species is of great importance, although barely assessed at the individual level. In this study, we first investigated whether almond-leaved pear (Pyrus spinosa) individuals influence soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration and stock in comparison with surrounding pasturelands inside a natural reserve in Sicily, Italy. Second, we evaluated inter individual variability on such storage, testing the effects of plant height, basal diameter, canopy cover and tree structure (single or multiple stems). Soils under pear presented, on average, a significantly higher SOC than pasturelands (3.86% and 3.16%, respectively) as well as a lower bulk density (1.09 and 1.28 g cm−3, respectively). Due to a lower soil compaction, SOC stocks (130.3 and 113.9 Mg ha−1, respectively) did not differ significantly. Below and aboveground biomass carbon accounted for a small fraction of carbon stock, while neither pear structure, age nor tree structure significantly influenced SOC concentration and SOC stock. Despite the need of further investigations, our results indicate that pear may represent an excellent tree species to improve carbon storage, both while triggering the restoration of Mediterranean woodlands or increasing biodiversity in pasturelands and agroforestry systems, that, indeed, can hold high SOC if well managed.

Over the last several years, the models for organic waste management have changed to implement circular economy in the productive cycle. In this context, new scenarios have emerged, where the management of different organic waste streams by composting is conducted with decentralized models that manage organic wastes in a more local way. However, in these new models, the standardization of the process control and of the end-product characteristics is necessary to guarantee the quality and agronomic value of the compost obtained, avoiding potential risks for human health and the environment. Thus, the aim of this work was to study two different scenarios of community composting of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste separately collected in order to guarantee the effectiveness and reproducibility of the composting processes and the quality of the composts obtained. For this, the development of the process and the characteristics of the composts at agronomic, hygienic–sanitary and environmental levels were assessed in real conditions and during three cycles of the process. The results obtained show high similarity among the different composting cycles, indicating an important degree of reproducibility among the processes. In addition, the composts obtained showed a good sanitary quality, absence of phytotoxicity and low contents of potentially toxic elements, which guarantee their use in agriculture without posing any risk to human health and to the environment.

Soil health is directly related to sustainable development goals (SDGs) and can be affected by inadequate management practices. In this work, soil edaphic respiration and changes in microbial biomass promoted by cover crops in an integrated crop–livestock system (ICLS) were evaluated using soil health indicators with the respirometry method. The design was completely randomized in a 3 × 6 factorial arrangement, and multivariate principal components analysis (PCA) was performed according to MANOVA. Edaphic respiration was determined based on the respirometry technique. The results showed that edaphic soil respiration was significant in the nine evaluation periods, demonstrating the importance of grass cover in edaphic respiration arising from the biological activity of microorganisms, which is directly related to the amount of soil organic carbon. The cover crops increased soil organic matter and consequently microbial respiratory activity.

Germination of castor seeds from five dwarf hybrid genotypes, compared to a ‘Local’ genotype selected by the University of Catania from a Tunisian population well adapted to the Mediterranean environment, was studied at five different salt levels (0, −0.3, −0.6, −0.9, and −1.2 MPa) in order to assess seed germination performance under stress conditions. The results confirmed that optimum moisture (0 MPa) ensured 100% of germination; on the contrary, salt concentration negatively influenced the final germination percentage (FGP) and radicle elongation, causing severe consequences for plant establishment. At a level of −1.2 MPa, no germination occurred, while a level of −0.3 MPa slightly affected the seed germination of the dwarf genotypes, which achieved 77.3% of germination, contrary to the ‘Local’ genotype, in which germination was kept stable. Higher levels of salt (−0.6 and −0.9 MPa) caused a linear decrease in FGP and radicle elongation. Overall, the dwarf hybrid ‘C1019’ performed better at higher salt impositions, as did ‘C857’, confirming these genotypes were the most tolerant among the dwarf hybrids. Conversely, ‘C1013’ turned out to be the most susceptible genotype, followed by ‘C1008’. On the other hand, the ‘Local’ castor genotype was the best-performing genotype at −0.3 MPa and the most tolerant genotype in terms of salt concentration and germination time, which were accurately predicted by the hydrotime model, validating it as a valid method of assessing the germination response of castor seeds to Ψ.

Stability analysis has been extensively employed in evaluating the genotype x environment interaction, but it can also be conveniently applied to cropping systems. This study applied stability analysis to a long-term experiment (1998–2016) conducted in an experimental farm in southern Italy. The experiment involved two standard semi-arid cropping systems (WW—durum wheat monocropping and WP—durum wheat–field pea rotation), with two nitrogen fertilization levels (60 kg ha−1—N60 and 120 kg ha−1—N120), along with an unfertilized control (N0). Soil organic carbon (SOC) was estimated in all treatments at the end of the experiment to investigate the potential for SOC sequestration and soil C saturation by analyzing the stability of all investigated cropping conditions in relation to SOC sequestration. The study also investigated the relationship between C input and SOC sequestration. SOC sequestration per year was higher in WW than in WP, confirming that including legumes in the rotation did not enhance the SOC content. Similarly, the positive impact of nitrogen application on biomass yield did not affect SOC accumulation. The stability analysis revealed that over the long term, WW exhibited greater stability than WP, suggesting that, in semi-arid environments, a more stable cropping system can enhance soil carbon sequestration, with nitrogen fertilization exerting a scarce influence. Segmented regression analysis identified two distinct patterns of SOC accumulation based on C input, separated by a definite threshold of C input (breakpoint) quantified at 14.7 Mg ha−1. It was found that the steady-state C level, achieved after the accumulation of this C input, was reached much faster in WW than in WP, in which it could only be inferred at 23 years. In conclusion, this study underscores the role of cropping system stability in driving SOC sequestration. Furthermore, it emphasizes the potential of stability analysis in assisting stakeholders in refining their strategies for different cropping conditions in dry and rainy environments.

In Spain and other Mediterranean countries, significant quantities of semi-solid olive mill waste are generated, which should be preferentially applied to agricultural soils to close nutrient cycles. However, two-phase olive mill waste (termed alperujo in Spanish) is known to pose risks to soil quality and plant production when applied to soil in large quantities. Alperujo has high contents of polyphenol substances, which can inhibit microbial growth and are also phytotoxic in nature. However, when applied in appropriate quantities and following specific methods, it is possible that the practice may not pose any risks, and this requires evaluation. As a waste management option, direct application of alperujo can supply plant nutrients and organic matter to degradation-prone Mediterranean soils. In order to validate this circular economy fertilization and soil protection strategy, an 18-month field experiment was undertaken, applying moderate quantities of alperujo on permanent crop groves throughout the Spanish region of Valencia. Eleven experimental parcels with permanent crops managed by farmers were identified to test two scenarios: a single application of 10 t/ha, and a second application of 10 t/ha after 10 months. Soil chemical parameters were assessed at 0, 6, 10, and 18 months. Soil organic carbon, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, pH, electrical conductivity, nitrates, and polyphenol contents were modified by alperujo application, but these effects were highly transient in nature, with generally no lasting effects after 4–6 months for either application scenario. Also, qualitative evaluations carried out by farmers revealed few effects, although some reductions in erosive processes and improvements in plant vigor were noted. As such, based on the measured parameters, it is concluded that the direct soil application of alperujo olive mill wastes at low application rates did not lead to any lasting detrimental effects on soil quality or compromise the productivity of permanent crops in this Mediterranean region.

The effect of humic substances (HSs) in combination with or without plant-growth-promoting bacteria on soybean vegetative growth and root nodulation was examined in this study. Seeds were inoculated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 in the presence of HSs from leonardite and Herbaspirillum seropedicae HRC54. Additional HSs and H. seropedicae application at the substrate surface was conducted at the V3 stage. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse using pots filled with a top layer of an Oxisol soil, and plants were harvested at the R1 stage. The HS and H. seropedicae treatments significantly promoted plant shoot and root growth. The number and weight of soybean nodules were higher in the treated plants when compared to a control. The plant nodulation process was affected by the treatments that included activities of malate dehydrogenase (MDH), nitrate reductase (NR) and plasma membrane H+-ATPase (MHA). At low concentrations, the HSs and H. seropedicae increased the nodule quantity, size and weight, favoring plant growth. Combining humic substances and plant-growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) could be a promising approach to promoting soybean nodulation and increasing crop production.

Abstract Background The reliance on chemical inputs to support high yields is the Achilles’ heel of modern crop production. The soil organic matter management is as old as agriculture itself. Recently, the use of soluble humic substances as plant growth promoters has been brought to attention due to their effects on nutrient uptake and water use efficiency. Humic substances applied directly at low concentrations can trigger different molecular, biochemical, and physiological processes in plants. However, how humic substances exert this plethoric regulatory action remains unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in the transcription level of genes coding cell receptors, phosphatases, synthesis, and function of different plant hormones and transcription factors. Materials and methods After seven days of humic acid treatment, we used RNAseq in maize root seedlings. The level of gene transcription was compared with control plants. Results Plant kinase receptors and different phosphatases were regulated by humic acids. Likewise, genes related to plant hormones (auxin, gibberellin, ethylene, cytokinin, abscisic acid, brassinosteroids, jasmonic and salicylic acids) were transcript in differential levels in maize root seedlings as well as the expression of a hundred of transcription factors modifying the signal transduction pathway via alterations of the subsequent gene response. Conclusion We showed a general mechanism for simultaneously regulating the activity of several hormones where humic acids act as a key regulatory hub in plant responses integrating hormonal signalling and response pathways.

The global challenge of feeding two billion more people by 2050, using more sustainable agricultural practices whilst dealing with uncertainties associated with environmental change, requires a transformation of food systems. We present a new perspective for how advances in network science can provide novel ways to better understand, harness, and restore multiple ecological processes in agricultural environments. We describe: (i) a network-focused framework for managing agro-ecosystems that accounts for the multiple interactions between biodiversity and associated ecosystem services; (ii) guidance for incorporating socio-economic factors into ecological networks; and (iii) the potential to upscale network methods to inform efforts to build resilience, including global food-supply chains. In doing so we aim to facilitate the application of network science as a systems-based way to tackle the challenges of securing an equitable distribution of food.

The use of scions grafted onto passionfruit vines has become an alternative to their cultivation in areas with a history of fusariosis. However, the combinations between the graft and rootstock can influence on the productivity and longevity of the passionfruit farm. The objective was to evaluate the productivity and mortality of the passionfruit cv BRS Rubi do Cerrado grafted onto three species of rootstock in Terra Nova do Norte-MT. The design was a randomized block with 4 treatments BRS Rubi do Cerrado (BRS-RC) seedling plant along with those grafted onto three species of rootstock: Passiflora gibertii, Passiflora alata; Passiflora nitida. The scions were grafted through a cleft graft and the planting performed after 70 days. The evaluation was made of the total number and weight of the fruits, along with productivity and mortality of plants. Results showed that the BRS-RC, grafted onto P. gibertii and P. nitida, presented the best performance for weight of fruits, number of fruits and productivity. The cultivar that was grafted onto different rootstocks presented higher productivity in regards to the seedling plant. The BRS-RC, grafted onto P. nitida, presented a zero-mortality rate over the 16.5 months of cultivation. The rootstocks P. nitida and P. gibertii were superior to those of P. alata in reducing mortality in the passionfruit vine by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. passiflorae. The confirmation was made of the pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. passiflorae isolated in the experimental area in scions of the BRS-RC inoculated at 70 days of age.

Weeds negatively influence agricultural production. However, those losses depend on weed specie, its time of emergence, and period of interference on agricultural crops. Synthetic herbicides are commonly used to control these plants species; however, they may cause damage to the environment, human beings and animals health, and this problem justify the need to develop alternative bioherbicides. To evaluate the allelopathic potential of Ricinus communis (Castor bean) and light spectrum variation on the emergence and growth of Cyperus rotundus L., a trial was carried out in a protected environment with 15% of brightness reduction at the Center for Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the Paraíba State University. Four aqueous extract concentrations of R. communis leaves were tested (0, 5, 10, and 15%) and four light spectrums variations (white, purple, blue, and red lights). Variables such as emergence, length, dry matter accumulation and growth rates of shoots and root of C. rotundus seedlings were assessed. Data were analyzed by normality test, analysis of variance, polynomial regression, and averages test. Soot and root emergence, length, and dry matter accumulation of C. rotundus seedlings were reduced due to the allelopathy caused by R. communis aqueous extract leaves (15% concentration) and under purple or red light spectrum radiation.

ABSTRACT: The growing worldwide demand in the pulp market has fostered research that evaluates alternative fiber sources with specific characteristics that attend the needs of the consumer market, with a view to add value to the final product and reduce production costs. Acacia mearnsii De Wild wood is a by-product of the extraction of tannin from the trunk bark, used for firewood, charcoal and pellets. However, its wood is still poorly studied, especially its anatomical characteristics, which can provide important information about its industrial potential. This study evaluated the anatomical characteristics of Acacia mearnsii wood for the production of pulp and paper. Ten trees at approximately seven years old were cut down, five from the seed production area (SPA) and five from the clonal population area (CPA). From each tree, one trunk disc was sectioned at the diameter at breast height (DBH), resulting in 10 (ten) wood samples. From each disc, a sapwood specimen was made oriented in the tangential longitudinal, radial longitudinal and transversal planes, for later obtaining the anatomical cuts and the macerates. The anatomical description of the wood followed the recommendations of the International Association of Wood Anatomists-IAWA. From the dimensions of the fibers, their quality evaluation ratios for the production of pulp and paper were calculated. Results obtained from the anatomical characterization allowed to conclude that the Acacia mearnsii woods from SPA and CPA are indicated as a source of raw material for the pulp and paper production.

To evaluate the performance of dwarf castor hybrids (‘C1012’, ‘C857’, ‘C856’), compared to a local selected genotype, in four subsequent sowing dates (SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4), a trial was conducted at the experimental farm of the University of Catania (Sicily, Italy). The length of the growing season decreased with the increase of the sowing date in the average genotypes from 160 to 94 days, respectively, for the first and the last sowing date. According to the RED—Renewable Energy Directive, the genotype ‘C856’ was the earliest (112 days), resulting in suitability as a catch crop for biomass production. The results showed that early spring sowings negatively impact dwarf hybrid production (1.2 and 1.5 Mg ha−1 in SW1 and SW2, in the average of the three hybrids), which reached the highest yield in the third sowing date (2.0 Mg ha−1), preferring warmer temperatures for the germination of seeds. On the contrary, the ‘Local’ genotype reached the highest yield (1.6 Mg ha−1) in the first sowing date and linearly decreased in the subsequent ones. Nonetheless, the third sowing date positively influenced the oil content and the oil yield in all dwarf genotypes except the ‘Local’ genotype, which showed the highest oil yield in the first sowing date.

The already marked tendency for functional food consumption, low in calories, and with biologically active properties, has been increasing. In this scenario, yacon tuberous roots, with high levels of nutraceutical fructooligosaccharides, gain importance. However, these nutraceutical properties depend on fertilization management. Thus, our study aims to evaluate different doses of potassium fertilization on the physicochemical characteristics of yacon roots. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks, with 4 replications and 5 treatments: four doses of potassium fertilization (50%; 100%; 150%; 200%) of the reference value, corresponding to 178.7 kg.ha-1; 357.4 kg.ha-1; 536.1 kg.ha-1; 714.8 kg.ha-1 of potassium chloride – (KCl), and a control (soil without fertilization). The chemical features evaluated were pH, total titratable acidity, soluble solids, conductivity, turbidity, moisture and ashes. The texture profile was analyzed through toughness, adhesiveness, cohesiveness, chewability index, elasticity, and gooeyness. Most of the variables were influenced by potassium soil fertilization. Only turbidity, conductivity and gumminess showed no response to the applied doses, not fitting the tested models. Potassium fertilization improved both chemical (higher levels of soluble solids and less acidity) and physical characteristics (less hardness, chewability, cohesiveness, and adhesion) of yacon tuberous roots, bringing greater quality to the final product. Highlights • Yacon is considered a prebiotic food. Several immunostimulatory characteristics promote antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activity. • Potassium is associated with root size, shape, texture, color, flavor, acidity, nutrient transport resistance, nutritional value, and even market value. • Texture constitutes an important factor and quality criterion for the sensory acceptance of food. Thus, the results obtained show that potassium fertilization improves both physical and chemical characteristics of yacon roots. • The best results were observed with the maximum dose of potassium fertilization (357.4 kg.ha-1 of KCl).

Abstract In this study, we assessed the effects of multiple land uses and local habitat variables on the composition of fish functional trophic groups (FTG’s) and on the ecomorphological traits of fish in Amazonian streams. We evaluated land use types and local habitat variables in 26 streams distributed within a land use gradient. Land use and habitat variables affected the composition of FTG’s, as evidenced by the increased abundance of diurnal channel drift feeders in areas with high dissolved oxygen and deeper thalweg. At the same time, diurnal surface pickers, as well as diggers, and ambush and stalker predators were more abundant in streams with higher canopy density. Only habitat variables affected the ecomorphological characteristics of the species. Fish with higher values of relative caudal peduncle length were positively associated with high canopy density, while fish with greater relative mouth width were negatively associated with the variables impact in the riparian zone and cover of fish shelter. The stream fish functional structure was mainly affected by the impacts caused to the local habitat resulting from different land uses. Thus, preserving forest remnants, as well as recovering degraded areas, is essential for the maintenance of aquatic biodiversity in the region.

In Rio Grande do Sul, the main rice producer State in Brazil, low temperatures can occur during germination and seedling establishment, and in some cases, during the reproductive stage. When low temperatures occur in the early developmental stages cause delay in germination, resulting in a non-homogeneous growing. In reproductive stage, low temperatures cause spikelet sterility, directly interfering with plant yield. Researchers have shown that some phenolic compounds such as proanthocyanidins and anthocyanin are associated with low temperature tolerance in plants due to their antioxidant capacity. The red and black color in the seeds of some rice genotypes is conferred by the phenolic compounds proanthocyanidins and anthocyanin, respectively. Therefore, tis study aimed to verify whether rice genotypes with red or black seeds are more tolerant to low temperatures during germination. In this study, five rice genotypes were tested, two present seeds without pigmentation and with contrasting response to low temperature tolerance (BRS Bojuru - tolerant and BRS Pampeira - sensitive), two genotypes with red seeds (BRS 902, SCS 119 Rubi) and one black seed genotype (SCS 120 Ônix). As expected, the genotypes with pigmented seeds had a greater total phenolic compounds content. However, under low temperature conditions, the genotypes with pigmented seed showed a similar response to the sensitive genotype. Therefore, the presence of proanthocyanidins and anthocyanin in the seed of the studied genotypes does not provide tolerance to low temperatures during germination.

Rice production (Oryza sativa L.) is among the most economically important activities in the world. However, soil and salinity coming from irrigation water reduce rice yield. Therefore, the identification and/or development of salt-tolerant rice genotypes is a strategy to minimize this problem. The development of new genotypes depends on the presence of genetic diversity, and understanding the heritability of a desired trait can help in the selection process. Thus, this study aimed to identify superior genotypes, analyze the genetic diversity and estimate the heritability for salinity tolerance at the seedling stage in rice genotypes used in Brazil. For this, seedlings of 69 genotypes were kept in hydroponic solution with 40 mM NaCl (4 dSm-1) for seven days. Shoot length, root length, shoot dry weight, and root dry weight) were evaluated and the results were converted into relative performance. Tolerant and moderately salt-tolerant genotypes were identified at the seedling stage, which can be used in breeding programs and can be cultivated in high salinity areas. Principal component analysis showed the presence of genetic diversity for salinity response. Finally, it was shown that most of the observed variation is of genetic origin, which can make the breeding process less difficult.

‘Mavuno’ is a newly released brachiariagrass (Urochloa hybrid) cultivar with limited information available in the literature. The objective of this study was to compare forage characteristics of this cultivar and ‘Marandu’ palisadegrass [Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) R.D. Webster cv. Marandu] harvested at 2 different stubble heights during 2 growing seasons (January‒April). The study was conducted in Araguaína, TO, Brazil in 2017 and 2018. Treatments were the factorial arrangement of 2 brachiariagrass cultivars, Mavuno and Marandu, harvested at 2 harvest intensities, 5 and 15 cm stubble height, distributed in a randomized complete block design with 4 replicates. Response variables were canopy height, forage accumulation, proportion of leaf, stem and dead material, and concentration of crude protein (CP) and in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM). Mavuno and Marandu did not differ (P>0.05) in forage accumulation (mean = 3,800 kg DM/ha/harvest) and IVDOM concentration (mean = 637 g/kg); however, Mavuno had lower CP concentration (101 vs. 110 g/kg), greater proportion of stems (16 vs. 13%) and less dead material (4 vs. 6%) than Marandu (P

Abstract Background Salinity is one of the major environmental threats to agriculture, limiting plant growth and reducing crop yield. The use of humic substances to alleviate salt stress in plants is well reported, but the mechanisms remain unclear. This work aimed to apply humic acids on seedlings to acclimate plants to tolerate further salt stress exposition as a pre-treatment. Materials and methods Two independent experiments with mono (maize) and dicot (tomato) seedlings were carried out. Maize was primed by humic acids (4 mM C) and further submitted to moderate salinity exposition (60 mM NaCl). The acclimation period of maize seedlings was characterized by ion balance and transcriptomic analysis of salt response genes. The tomato seedlings were also primed by humic acids (4 mM C) and exposed further to salinity (200 mM NaCl), and we measured only physiological aspect, including the activity of plasma membrane proton pumps and net photosynthesis rate. Results Seedlings primed by humic acids minimized the salinity stress by changing ion balance, promoting plasma membrane proton pumps activity and enhancing photosynthesis rate and plant growth. We showed for the first time that maize seedlings treated with humic acids had a high transcription level of salt responsive genes and transcription factors even before the salt exposition. Conclusion Humic acids previously activate cellular and molecular salt defence machinery, anticipating the response and reducing salinity stress. This is a key knowledge to manipulate manufactured biostimulants based on humic substances towards a maximized crop protection. Graphic abstract

Abstract Background The bacterial-spot disease caused by different Xanthomonas species is one of the major tomato diseases that reduce crop production and quality. Pesticides indiscriminate usage has resulted in an increase in resistant bacterial strains as well as contamination of farmers, consumers and the environment. Plant growth-promoting bacteria and humic acids can act as elicitors of plant defence mechanism causing extensive transcriptional and metabolic reprogramming which, in turn, produce a range of plant chemical defences. The purpose of this study was to study how humic acids and plant growth-promoting bacteria, when applied to the substrate, affected the severity of bacterial spot symptoms in tomato leaves. Materials and methods One-month-old Micro-Tom tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) were transferred to 3 L pots filled with a sterile mixture of sand and vermiculite (2:1, v:v) and treated or not (control) with 250 mL of 4.5 mmol C. L−1 of humic acids, Herbaspirillum seropedicae (108 CFU. mL−1) and the combination of humic acids plus H. seropedicae. One day after substrate treatment, the leaves were inoculated (or not) with X. euvesicatoria (Xe). The area below the disease progression curve based on severity scores and the number of symptomatic leaflets was used to assess phytopathogen virulence. The concentration of oxalic, citric and succinic acids in leaf extracts were determined using HPLC analysis. Results Sole or combined H. seropedicae (BAC) and humic acids (HA) application promoted shoot and root growth related to control when plants were challenged with Xe pathogen. For plants inoculated with Xe, more significant plant-growth promotion results were obtained for HA + BAC treatment. The first visible symptoms were observed 16 days after inoculation with 2 × 104 CFU. g−1 of Xe cells in leaves of control plants. HA and BAC applied alone or combined reduced disease severity. Only plants treated with HA were able to reduce disease incidence (number of the leaflets with symptoms). Organic acids, such as oxalic, citric and succinic acids, rose in Xe-inoculated leaves. The reduced amount of organic acids in diseased leaves treated with HA + BAC may be linked to a decrease in disease progression. Conclusion Humic acids and H. seropedicae increased growth by modulating the content of organic acids in leaf tissue, attenuating the symptoms of the bacterial spot disease. Graphic abstract

Knowing the body parts affected in accidents at work is important to support managers and professionals in the sectors of work safety in the adoption of measures to promote health and prevent accidents. This study identifies the body parts affected in a work accident registered at the Reference Center for Occupational Health (CEREST) ​​in Sobral, Ceará, Brazil. It is a cross-sectional study, carried out from the database of the Reference Center for Occupational Health in Sobral, Ceará, Brazil. Data were collected between March 2015 and February 2016, from notifications of occupational accidents from the National System of Notifiable Diseases (SINAN), referring to the period from 2009 to 2013, totaling 2,438 occurrences. There was accidents involving the hands (37.6%), upper limbs (15.4%), lower limbs (13.0%) and feet (10.9%) were the most frequent. Were observed a greater number of victims of occupational accidents among men (90.7%) in the age group of 20 to 59 years (85.6%). There is, in fact, a predominance of body parts involved in occupational accidents in the population, with emphasis on the hand, upper limb, lower limb and foot (p = 0.0001). The study showed workers' health promotion strategies should be encouraged in the workplace, as well as the guarantee of access and the correct use of personal protective equipment, for the prevention of risks, injuries and diseases, considering that accidents cause expenses for the State and losses for the victims.

Jenipapo (Genipa spruceana) is a native species of the Amazon that has great potential in producing seedlings for reforestation. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of nutrient doses applied through fertigation on the quality of Genipa spruceana. The experimental design was completely randomized with five replications, totaling seven treatments. The treatments were: control (without fertilization); 900 mg N L-1 and 750 mg K L-1 with and without micronutrients; 1800 mg N L-1 and 1500 mg K L-1 with and without micronutrients, 3600 mg N L-1 and 3000 mg K L-1 with and without micronutrients. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse for 35 days. Then, the following variables were evaluated: stem diameter, height, root and shoot dry matter, and total dry matter. From these measurements, the following ratios were calculated: height/stem diameter, height/shoot dry matter, shoot dry matter/root dry matter, and Dickson quality index. Weekly fertigation applying 1800 mg N -1 and 1500 mg K L-1 provided the best Dickson Quality Index of Genipa spruceana seedlings. The hypothesis of the present study was confirmed, and the Genipa spruceana did not have a tolerance to high N e K fertilization.

Phytosanitary control of crops requires the rapid mapping of diseases to enable management attention. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of vegetation indices for the detection of sugarcane mosaic disease. Spectral indices were applied to hyperspectral images collected by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to find the areas affected by the mosaic virus in sugarcane. Identifying indices capable of detecting diseased plants in agricultural crops supports data processing and the development of efficient tools. A new index was designed based on spectral regions, which presents higher differences between healthy and mosaic virus-infected leaves to enhance hyperspectral image pixels representing diseased plants. Based on the data generated, we propose the anthocyanin red edge index (AREI) for mosaic virus detection in sugarcane plantations. An index that can adequately identify sugarcane infected by the mosaic virus may incorporate wavelengths associated with variations in leaf pigment concentrations as well as changes in leaf structure. The indices that assessed to detect plants infected with the sugarcane mosaic virus were the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI), normalised difference vegetation index red edge (NDVI705), new vegetation index (NVI), ARI2 and AREI. The results showed that AREI presented the best performance for the detection of mosaic in sugarcane from UAV images, giving an overall accuracy of 0.94, a kappa coefficient of 0.87, and omission and inclusion errors of 2.86% and 10.52%, respectively. The results show the importance of wavelengths associated with the concentration of chlorophyll and anthocyanin and the position of the red edge for the detection of diseases in sugarcane.

Viticulture began growing in Brazil in recent years, and this growth is due to the introduction of new techniques and improvements used in vine planting, especially the use of plastic covering in the vineyard. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the economic viability of plastic covering installation, as well as the quality of grapes produced by two cultivars, in order to compare these results with those obtained by a conventional cultivation system. The experiment was performed at an experimental farm producing grapes in southern Brazil. The grape cultivars Niagara Branca and Niagara Rosada were studied and cultivated with and without plastic covering. Data related to the costs of vineyard planting, establishment, and seasonal management, in addition to the grape revenue, were assessed. Additionally, the grape yield and quality were evaluated. The analysis of return indicators showed that the net present value was higher for the plastic-covered system, which indicates greater profitability and consequent viability of the investment. Moreover, the grape quality varied according to the cultivar and production system. In this context, it is recommended to use the cultivar Niagara Rosada for production in a plastic covering system.

Genotyping-by-Sequencing (GBS) may drastically reduce genotyping costs compared with single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array platforms. However, it may require optimization for specific crops to maximize the number of available markers. Exploiting GBS-generated markers may require optimization, too (e.g., to cope with missing data). This study aimed (i) to compare elements of GBS protocols on legume species that differ for genome size, ploidy, and breeding system, and (ii) to show successful applications and challenges of GBS data on legume species. Preliminary work on alfalfa and Medicago truncatula suggested the greater interest of ApeKI over PstI:MspI DNA digestion. We compared KAPA and NEB Taq polymerases in combination with primer extensions that were progressively more selective on restriction sites, and found greater number of polymorphic SNP loci in pea, white lupin and diploid alfalfa when adopting KAPA with a non-selective primer. This protocol displayed a slight advantage also for tetraploid alfalfa (where SNP calling requires higher read depth). KAPA offered the further advantage of more uniform amplification than NEB over fragment sizes and GC contents. The number of GBS-generated polymorphic markers exceeded 6,500 in two tetraploid alfalfa reference populations and a world collection of lupin genotypes, and 2,000 in different sets of pea or lupin recombinant inbred lines. The predictive ability of GBS-based genomic selection was influenced by the genotype missing data threshold and imputation, as well as by the genomic selection model, with the best model depending on traits and data sets. We devised a simple method for comparing phenotypic vs. genomic selection in terms of predicted yield gain per year for same evaluation costs, whose application to preliminary data for alfalfa and pea in a hypothetical selection scenario for each crop indicated a distinct advantage of genomic selection.

O conforto térmico ambiental proporciona uma maior eficiência na exploração da pecuária leiteira, pois as respostas do animal ao ambiente são determinantes no sucesso da atividade. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o estresse térmico em vacas leiteiras no município de Humaitá, localizado no sul do estado do Amazonas (AM), Brasil. Foram utilizados dados de temperatura do ar (TA) e umidade relativa do ar (UR) para cálculo do Índice de Temperatura e Umidade (ITU) na estação seca (agosto de 2020) e na estação chuvosa (janeiro de 2021). Para o mês de agosto os dados foram coletados na estação meteorológica automática pertencente ao Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia. Em janeiro os dados foram coletados com o Termo-higrômetro (Hobo®, modelo U23-001) instalado na Fazenda Nossa Senhora Aparecida. As médias horárias e mensais dos dados foram feitas e, posteriormente, plotados gráficos boxplots. Os dados coletados para os meses do estudo apresentaram a TA e UR para o mês de agosto 0,65ºC e 0,64% abaixo da Normal Climatológica Provisória (NCP), respectivamente. Por outro lado, janeiro apresentou 0,77ºC e 3,61% acima da NCP, respectivamente. Os ITUs variaram entre 56,25 (confortável) e 84,68 (emergência), em agosto e de 74,15 (confortável) a 84,07 (emergência) em janeiro. O máximo ITU foi observado em agosto, bem como a maior amplitude. Baseados nos resultados encontrados pode-se aferir que o estresse térmico em vacas leiteiras no município de Humaitá-AM apresenta estado de alerta, mesmo para animais de raças cruzadas. Assim, sugere-se o uso de sombreamento nas pastagens para minimizar o efeito do estresse térmico no desempenho produtivo destes animais. Palavras-chave: Bovinocultura; Estresse Animal; Produção leiteira.

ABSTRACT: Conidiobolomycosis has a wide distribution, predominantly in humid tropical regions, affecting several species with significant mortality rates. The genus Conidiobolus is now divided into four genera: Capillidium, Conidiobolus, Microconidiobolus, and Neoconidiobolus. There are no confirmed reports of infection by these fungi in Equidae in Brazil. We present a rhinofacial rhinitis caused by Neoconidiobolus lamprauges in a mule from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The mule presented bilateral semi-occlusion of the nostrils, difficulty breathing, and weight loss. The histological examination of the nostril biopsied mass revealed multifocal necrotizing areas with nonstained images of fungal hyphae in the Splendore-Hoeppli reaction and surrounded by macrophages, eosinophils, neutrophils, and multinucleated giant cells. The Grocott methenamine silver staining revealed thin-walled, rarely septated, irregular branching hyphae, with a varying diameter of 12 μm (± 3.63 μm), and terminal ballooning dilations. The determining etiology of this rhinitis was based on the hyphae staining by immunohistochemistry and by amplifying the DNA fragment of N. lamprauges by polymerase chain reaction. Conidiobolomycosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of the causes of rhinitis in equids, mainly in tropical regions.