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Sporotrichosis is a neglected subcutaneous fungal infection that affects humans and animals worldwide caused by species belonging to the genus Sporothrix. This study aims to examine the range of genetic variations, assess molecular epidemiology significance, and explore potential modes of transmission of the Sporothrix species associated with the current sporotrichosis outbreaks in Espírito Santo, Brazil. In this investigation, 262 samples were evaluated, including 142 from humans and 120 from felines, collected between 2016 and 2021. The isolates were identified based on morphological and molecular characteristics. Sexual idiomorphs were determined by mating-type PCR using primers specific to the MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 loci. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) was employed to assess the genetic variability of Sporothrix spp. Finally, antifungal susceptibility testing was performed following the CLSI M38-A2 protocol. Of the 142 human samples, 125 were identified as S. brasiliensis and 17 as S. schenckii s. str. The presence of S. brasiliensis was overwhelming (100%) during outbreaks, highlighting the significant role of domestic cats in the emergence of this species. Heterothallism was the only observed mating strategy. However, the MAT1-2 idiomorph was predominant in cases of cat-transmitted sporotrichosis (χ2 = 202.976; p < 0.0001). Our AFLP results show significant intraspecific variability observed among S. brasiliensis isolates in Espírito Santo. Different genotypes forming subgroups within the same population suggest that these isolates do not originate from a single ancestor, indicating multiple emergences. Furthermore, terbinafine was the antifungal with the best results in vitro. However, in clinical practice, itraconazole remains the primary treatment choice. Sporotrichosis continues to advance in the state; therefore, the health system must outline one-health strategies to contain the disease to prevent future epidemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We verified the clinical–epidemiological, microbiological, and molecular aspects of feline sporotrichosis in Espírito Santo, Brazil, as well as demonstrated the degree of reliability of the cytopathological examination in diagnosis, when compared to fungal culture. From March 2019 to April 2020, 154 suspicious cats were evaluated by collecting data and biological samples. The Cohen's kappa coefficient and the Chi-square independence defined the degree of agreement and the accuracy parameters, respectively. The interobserver agreement was high (Kappa coefficient = 0.96). Sensitivity, specificity, predictive (positive and negative), and accuracy values were 95.0, 97.0, 99.1, 84.2, and 95.5%, respectively. All isolates evaluated were identified as Sporothrix brasiliensis by species-specific PCR. A digital image bank (Padlet) was created with different types of clinical forms and positive slide profiles. We concluded that the cytopathological technique used demonstrated a high degree of reliability. We report an overwhelming occurrence of S. brasiliensis during epizooties in ES. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the primary beef producers globally, Brazil stands out due to livestock production based on pastures without massive grain dependence. Moreover, the adoption of integrated systems has increased in Brazilian farms in the past few years, reaching significant numbers such as 11.5 million hectares covered by some sort of integration, including silvopastoral systems (SPS). This study aimed to evaluate the diversity of Coleoptera species and dung pats decomposition in an open pasture (OP) of Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu and in an SPS with Eucalyptus urograndis clone H13. There were no significant differences in dung beetle richness or abundance in OP and SPS, as well as similar rates of dung pats disintegration. Most insects were captured during the rainy season, and richness and diversity of species were similar between systems. The traps' distance to the Eucalyptus rows did not influence the number of dung beetles sampled; however, fewer individuals were captured under the tree rows. We suggest the importance of beetles for cattle dung decomposition and biological control of parasites, eventhough community structure was similar between systems with different habitat complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared to conventional cattle ranching that can be characterized by low biodiversity level and grass monoculture adoption, integrated systems have great potential to improve not only animal welfare but also livestock performance. Among several strategies combining crops, livestock and forestry, silvopastoral systems must be highlighted due to the microclimatic conditions, mainly in tropical countries such as Brazil, where cattle are frequently submitted to unfavorable thermal conditions. However, according to previous studies, shading can potentially worsen parasitism in herds raised in these systems due to more favorable microenvironmental conditions. This study aimed to evaluate daily weight gain in Nellore steers in open pasture and in silvopastoral system and its relationship with microclimatic conditions and faecal egg count. A negative correlation (− 0.42677) between nematode egg counts and daily weight gain was found in both systems. Besides, the mean egg counts were equal in the silvopastoral system and in the open pasture. Regarding the effect of seasons over the year, there was an environmental influence on the egg counts, with higher averages during the dry seasons. Haemonchus, Cooperia, and Oesophagostomum were the genera identified in both systems. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the silvopastoral system was not able to influence the nematode egg counts and daily weight gain in Nellore steers raised in Mato Grosso. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Long‐term predictions of soil C stocks and microbial biomass C were investigated. • Sustainable pastures management increased soil C stocks (0.4–0.95 Mg ha−1 yr−1). • Similarly, microbial biomass C contents also showed increases (3–40 mg kg−1 yr−1). • We calculated increases of 44–267% in the annual income for farmers. • Pasture intensification and diversification provided greenhouse gas mitigation. Globally, poorly managed pasture can contribute to increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In Brazil, sustainable management systems are being proposed to reduce carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions and increase the soil C stock under degraded pasture. However, despite the potential benefits in the adoption of sustainable management systems, few studies have been carried out seeking to analyze their long-term effects on the soil C cycle. In this study, we used the DayCent model to simulate the effects of converting poorly managed pastures (PMP) to more-intensive and diversified systems of pasture management [fertilized pasture (FP), integrated crop-livestock (ICL) and integrated livestock-forest (ILF)] on long‐term soil C stocks and microbial biomass C (MBC). We also evaluated the effects of different pasture management scenarios for FP (fertilization frequency), ICL (time of implementation of the crop phase) and IFL (spacing between the tree rows). The DayCent model estimated that the conversion of PMP to FP, ICL and ILF increases the soil C stocks by 0.95, 0.04–0.70 and 0.16 Mg ha−1 yr−1, respectively. Similarly, the MBC contents also increased with conversion, mainly for ICL and ILF. In addition, the fertilization of the pasture every year (FP), the implementation of the crop phase within two years (ICL) and the spacing between the tree rows of 15 m (ILF) showed the highest soil C stocks and MBC contents. FP, ICL and IFL were also GHG sinks of 43, 57 and 116 Mg CO 2 eq ha−1, respectively. These results can help national initiatives associated with the recovery of degraded pasture in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional pasture management has been responsible for diffuse soil degradationin tropical pastures. However, sustainable management practices can be used to improve soil health. We tested the effect of adopting intensive and diversified pasture management systems, i.e., fertilized pasture (FP), integrated crop-livestock (ICL) and integrated livestock-forest (ILF), in comparison to conventional pasture management (CS) in Brazil. The treatments were located under contrasting climate conditions (tropical humid, tropical mesic and subtropical) and soil types (Oxisol and Ultisol). The conversion time from CS to FP, ICL and ILF ranged from 6, 3–15 and 3 years, respectively. We focus on management effects on soil chemical and biochemical properties and their interactions with the soil bacterial community structure and soil C accumulation. The results showed that pasture intensification and diversification in sites previously managed under CS, increased by 82% the soil chemical properties related to soil fertility and shifted the soil bacterial community structure. The soil biochemical properties such as microbial biomass C, geochemical P and the enzymes β-glucosidase and acid phosphatase were the most sensitive in the conversion of CS to FP, ICL and ILF. The structural equation modeling suggested that for FP, ICL and ILF there was a positive impact of soil bacterial community structure and mainly soil chemical properties on soil C accumulation. Results in the present study provided useful knowledge for the best understanding of soil-management-microbe interactions, and provide more insights into the controlling factors of soil C accumulation during management system changes in pastures sites in Brazil. Unlabelled Image • The adoption of sustainable pasture management systems in Brazil was investigated. • Pastureland intensification improved soil properties related to fertility (>82%). • Diversified pasture management systems shifted soil bacterial community structure. • The controlling factors of soil C accumulation were also modified. • These findings are useful to understand soil-management-microbe interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable intensification of livestock production systems has become a global demand. In silvopastoral systems, contrasting shading levels caused by the presence of trees interferes in the productive responses of the pasture under grazing. The environment in which plants develop in a pasture canopy is dynamic and complex due to the nature of soil-plant-animal interactions. These dynamic aspects can be rationalized, evaluated, and explained using mathematical modeling. The objective of the present study was to parameterize the APSIM-Tropical Pasture model to simulate palisadegrass Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst A Rich) Stapf, syn. Urochloa brizantha growth under continuous stocking and variable stocking rate, in a full sun system and in contrasting shading conditions of a silvopastoral setting with eucalyptus (Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden × Eucalyptus urophylla S. T. Blake). Trees were planted in triple-row groves, with three groves per 2-ha silvopasture area. The spacing between groves was 30 m, and tree density was 135 ha−1, in East-West orientation. The data used to calibrate and validate the model were collected in a 36-month experiment with full sun and shade treatments of the silvopastoral setting in Sinop, MT, Brazil. Live forage mass estimates had coefficient of determination varying between 0.76 and 0.94, Willmott agreement index ranged from 0.93 to 0.96, and root mean square error between 275 and 610 kg DM ha−1. The APSIM-Tropical Pasture model can simulate Marandu palisadegrass growth under continuous stocking with variable stocking rate, but improvements are needed to better simulate the effect of N fertilizations in different periods on growth. The model can simulate pasture growth under shading levels but our simulations did not consider competition for soil moisture, which should be considered in the future, since it can be an important factor for other silvopastoral designs or microclimatic conditions. • APSIM was calibrated for continuously stocked B. brizantha , a major tropical forage. • Systems were studied in the Amazon under full sun and eucalyptus shade at three levels. • The calibrated model showed good simulation of DM yield in the silvopastoral system. • Production estimates were unaffected by grass flowering and adjusted to spittlebug attack. • Simulations did not consider grazing losses, which need to be addressed going forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limited land availability and an increasing global population are challenges faced by the agricultural sector in the coming decades. The silvopastoral system is an efficient alternative to full sun pastures that could be used to sustainably intensify animal and crop production. However, the adoption of this system is being held back by a lack of knowledge on how the trees in such a system should be arranged in order to avoid detrimental effects on pasture growth. The aim of this study was to test different arrangements of trees in the Eucalyptus -Marandu palisade grass silvopastoral system and to evaluate its performance in different regions of Brazil. A functional-structural plant model was developed to simulate radiation interception by trees and was then coupled to the CROPGRO-Perennial Forage model to simulate the production of forage biomass. Considering solar radiation as the main resource under competition, water interactions that occur under-ground between Eucalyptus and Maranu palisade grass were not considered. The models were calibrated with experimental data collected in silvopastoral systems in Brazil. The silvopastoral systems were selected according to a combination of tree row spacing (15, 30, and 45 m), two row orientations (north-south and east-west), and single or triple rows. Simulations were replicated for different tree ages (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 years) representing different levels of shading. Our simulations show that the tree arrangement has a significant effect on the incidence of radiation on the pasture, resulting in different levels of forage production. Row spacing of 30 and 45 m is suitable for providing forage for the animals for several years. In contrast, tree arrangements with a row spacing of 15 m or triple lines demand more careful planning and management, taking into account the soil and climatic characteristics of each region. Lower declines in the forage production were observed in arrangements of 45 m, varying from 1000 and 3000 kg ha−1 after 6 years of system establishment. In this period, the annual production level was lower than 14,000 kg ha−1 for arrangments with row spacing of 15 and 30 m, being recommend pruning and thinning practices aiming to increase the radiation incidence within the system. The approach used in this study can be extended to other combinations of species and environments to aid the planning and management of this kind of system. [Display omitted] • Silvopastoral systems may improve the sustainability of livestock by integrating trees, pastures, and animal production. • Silvopastoral systems adoption is held back by a lack of knowledge about the arrangement of trees. • We simulated and evaluated different arrangements of trees in silvopastoral systems in Brazil. • A high level of shading for tree arrangements with a row spacing of 15 m demands more careful planning and management. • This study may aid the planning and management of this kind of system combining other species and environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]