Random regression models (RRM) allows considering heterogeneous residual variances to describe the growth for each age. However, this feature increases the number of parameters to be estimated in the maximization likelihood function process. Searching for more parsimonious RRM, several approaches have been suggested. One of them is the use of different structures of residual variances modelled through step function in different classes with similar variance or through variance functions. A total of 7,369 records of body weight of partridges, measured from birth to 210 days of partridges born from 2000 to 2004 were used in this research. The random regression models applied to the data set considered different structures of residual variances and were performed by the restricted maximum likelihood method. The residual variances were modeled using classes of 210 (R210) and 30 (R30) ages and variance functions with orders ranging from quadratic (VF2) to nine (VF9). The R30 considered birds weighted in the same week. The random effects included were the genetic additive direct and the permanent environment effects of the animal. It was not possible to include the maternal effects in the models. All random effects were modelled by sixth order regression on Legendre polynomials. The models were compared by the likelihood ratio test, the Akaike's information criterion and the Schwarz's Bayesian information criterion. Best results were showed by the models R210 and VF5. In conclusion, the most parsimonious model was VF5 and should be applied to fit growth records of partridges.

Thirty-six females (of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and ¿ 4th partum order) were used, and evaluated at four stages of lactation (equalization, 7th and 14th day of lactation, and at weaning) to verify the effects that partum order and lactation stage had on the performance of hybrid swine sows maintained in a hot environment (room temperature at 28.5ºC; black globe temperature at 29.3ºC; relative air humidity at 75.7% and ITGU calculated at 78.9). Interaction among the factors was observed for food consumption, and the primiparas consumed less. The sows presented differences (P<0,05) in performance (corporal weight, bacon thickness, visual corporal score, corporal composition and tissue) according to partum order, without effect on the weaning-estrus interval or the duration of the estrus. The lactation stage had a negative influence on weight and estimated corporal protein. This study concluded that hybrid swine sows maintained satisfactory performance, and that primiparous sows were more sensitive to hot environments.

This research avollue the efficiency of Potassium permanganate (KMnO4) plus other alternatives to control rot of melons. The trials were carried out at Embrapa Agroindústria Tropical located in Fortaleza, Ceara state, Brazil. Cantaloupe melons, hybrid 'Vera Cruz', were harvested from Dinamarca Indústria Agricola farm, located in the 304 BR km 38 - Nova Betânia - Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte State. Fruits were sorted for uniformity, rinsed with alcohol 70%, inoculated with Fusarium pallidoroseum, and assembled for treatments with 600ppb of 1-methyiciclopropene (1- MCP); 1, 2 or 3g of Potassium permanganate; Carnauba wax; and Funginat (a blend essential oil). Five fruits were placed per box, and each box taken as a repetition. Fruits were also divided into two lots: not packed and packed in Xtend. Vermiculite sachets impregnated with potassium permanganate (KMnO4) were distributed according to the weight of the fruits in each box. Upon treatments, fruits were stored under low temperature, 3 ± 2°C, and relative humidity of 85 ± 2% for 14 days. After that period, fruit packages and boxes were removed from storage, low temperature and room temperature (23 ± 2°C and 90 ± 2% RH), respectively. Evaluations were loss of mass and grading from 15th to 18th day of storage. The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial system 5x2, being five treatments (1- MCP, KMnO4, Carnaúba wax, Funginat, and control fruits), and two modified atmospheres (with and without X-tend). Results on disease incidence were written in percentage per box, transformed into arc sine and degrees of quadrant. The analysis of variance was performed with the aid of the ESTAT - System for Statistics Analysis, version 1.0, UNESP. Results showed significant difference principally regarding the use of packaging, suggesting that the use of modified atmosphere affects the quality of melons by increasing fruit shelf life. It has been also concluded that association of modified atmosphere with other postharvest technologies may increase modified atmosphere efficiency.

This assay was conducted at the Departamento Ciências Vegetais of Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, with the objective to evaluate the tolerance of the jitirana (aegyptia Merremia L.), in saline solution. The used experimental delineation was the inteiramento casualizado with four treatments and four repetitions. The treatments had evidenced of four levels of salinity: testemunha (0,614ds/m) and the three saline solutions the 10, 20 and 30ds/m. The seeds had been incubadas in the sand esterilizada in caixotes wooden with capacity of 100 sementes.O parameter germination percentage were used as identification character of resistance. Ahead of the displayed one one concludes that the jitirana is tolerant the salinity since the same dS/m came to present reduction in the germination only in the C.E=30.

Moringa oleifera Lam is a leguminous species well adapted to arid and semi arid conditions and is largely used as ornamental for parks and gardens in the animal feeding and human diet and as medicinal. Since research informations on this plant species are scarce, the current work aimed to evaluate the production of leaves, stems and roots dry matter in Moringa oleifera Lam seedlings hidroponicaly grown under physiological conditions or not. The treatments used were the following: (1) nutrient solution containing all required macronutrients (experimental control) or lacking (2) N; (3) P; (4) K; (5) Ca; (6) Mg and (7) S. The Moringa oleifera Lam showed different responses to the imposed treatments. Nutrient solution free of N, P and Mg decreased whole dry matter production (WDM) and increased root to shoot ratios (R/S), however both parameters were not affected in plants grown under absence of K, Ca and S in the nutrient solution.

The hulls and the presscake, the two most important residues of castor processing and industrialization, are traditionally used as organic fertlizer. This study aimed to evaluate these residues as organic fertilizers in vases in order to optimize doses and promove the best use of their chemical properties. A trial was run in a randomized block design with four replications and eight treatments: four doses of castor presscake (0,5; 1,0; 1,5 e 2,0 t/ha) and four doses of castor hulls (0,5; 1,0; 1,5 e 2,0 t/ha) with addition of nitrogen fertilizer. Seeds of CSRN 393 castor bean line were planted in 22 liters vases. At 60 days after emergence, values of height, stem diameter, leaf area and total dry weight were taken. Castor bean presscake was showed to be a good organic fertilizer, mainly due to its high N content, however castor hulls was showed to be inappropriate as organic fertilizerdue to its high C/N ratio that cause nitrogen deficiency.

Solanum paludosum, vulgarly known as purple Jurubeba is a species of the found in the Brazilian Northeast and rich solanácea family in molecules of farmacológico interest. Among these molecules it is distinguished solasodina that it is an esteroidal alkali that if presents in nature in the glicosídica form and consists in substance cousin for the half-synthesis of adrenocorticais and glicocorticais, used hormones as contraceptive and anti-inflamatorios agents. In this work they show if the cultivated results of regeneration from explantes of leaves, fragments of hypocotyls and root in half MS increased of different regulators of growth. Most efficient that one had been gotten plants in ways of culture contends different combinations in growth regulators being the combination that contained the ácidoindlicoacetico (AIA 10-6) and benzilaminapurina (BAP 10-5M).

Soil salinity is a abiotic factor that can harmful of Rhizobium-legumes symbiosis, reducing plant nodulation and growth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of saline stress on nodulation of cowpea inoculated with strain of Bradyrhizobium sp. The study was conduced out using plastic pots containing 5 kg of a Neossolo Quartzarênico typical órtico. The experimental design was randomized and the treatments consisted of five levels of salinity of irrigation water (0, 1, 2, 4 and 8 dS m-1). The seeds inoculation was made using inoculant containing Bradyrhizobium sp, strain BR 2001. The evaluations were made at 35 days after plant emergence, being determined the nodule number and dry mass and shoot mass. The analysis of variance showed that there was significant effect for salinity levels on all variables. The regression analysis showed negative linear and quadratic responses for the nodule number and dry mass, respectively. In relation to the dry mass was observed negative linear response. Nodulation of cowpea was reduced by the salinity levels showing a sensibility of symbiosis to saline stress.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of Litopenaeus vannamei postlarva submitted to different substitution levels of fish meal protein by meat and bone meal protein. A completely randomized design, in a 4x2 factorial arrangement was used. The first factor was substitution levels of fish meal protein by meat and bone meal protein (0, 25, 50 and 75%); and the second factor was the use of a commercial attractant (with and without). The system consisted of 40 plastic boxes with 50 L each, provided with aeration, biofilter and shelter for the shrimps, with water from a low salinity well combined with 1% of effluent from low salt water dessalinization. It was evaluated shrimp final weight, weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion rate and survive. It was observed that shrimp performance decreased with the increasing on substitution levels of fish meal protein by meat and bone meal protein; and the presence of commercial attractant on feeds resulted on higher final weight and weight gain, in relation to feeds without commercial attractant.

The Brazilian northeast region is the main melon producer of Brazil, however in the rainy period there is a significant fall in the quality and amount of melon produced. This work aimed to evaluate the quality and the shelf-life of 'Frevo' yellow melon produced rainy time and stored under cold storage. The completely randomized design was used, in factorial scheme 5 x 4, with five replications. The treatments resulted of the combination of five storage times (0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days) and four storage temperatures (7, 9, 11 and 13 ºC). In each storage time the fruits were analyzed 48 hours after the withdrawal of these of the cold chambers to simulate the market conditions. The evaluated characteristics were flesh firmness, soluble solids, weight loss, chilling injury and internal and external appearances. The fruits kept at 13ºC and 11ºC temperatures had a postharvest shelf-life of 21 days, however, temperatures around 7ºC and 9 ºC favored the development of chilling injury, being apparent at 14º day. The temperatures and the time studied are not determinative for the increase or reduction in the soluble solid content.