This study aimed to evaluate the use of supplementary feed with different percentages of urea and mineral salt for crossbred milk cows. Ten animals were used, mean body weight 480 kg ± 9,7, distributed in a 5 x 5 double Latin square, with treatments of supplements with different urea and mineral salt percentages, namely, 10:10; 10:20; 20:10 and 20:20, completed to 100% with corn meal. Data underwent statistical analysis by SAS at 0.05 significance level. The use of supplements increased (p < 0.05) the total dry matter (DM) intake of diet. The increase in the level of urea in the supplement decreased DM intake of supplement. The use of supplements increased (p < 0.05) DM digestibility. The treatments with presence of supplement showed higher (p < 0.05) milk production. Supplemented diets may be used to correct nutritional deficiencies of sugar cane, with higher intake, digestibility and milk production. Treatments with 20% urea in the composition of the supplement caused a lower DM consumption with the same performance in the animals. The above-mentioned treatments had the best efficiency. | Esse estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o uso de suplementos, com diferentes proporções de ureia e sal mineral, na alimentação de vacas mestiças leiteiras. Foram utilizados dez animais, com peso corporal médio de 480 kg ± 9,7, distribuídas em dois quadrados latinos 5 x 5, com tratamentos de suplementos com diferentes porcentagens de ureia e sal mineral, sendo: 10:10; 10:20; 20:10, 20:20 e 0:100, completados para 100% com fubá de milho. Os dados foram analisados utilizando-se o programa SAS, adotando-se um nível de significância de 0,05. O uso de suplemento aumentou (p < 0,05) o consumo de matéria seca (MS) total da dieta. O aumento do teor de ureia no suplemento diminuiu o consumo de MS de suplemento. O uso de suplemento aumentou (p < 0,05) a digestibilidade da MS. Os tratamentos com presença de suplemento proporcionaram maior (p < 0,05) produção de leite. Os suplementos podem ser usados para corrigir deficiências nutricionais, resultando em maior consumo, digestibilidade e produção de leite. Os suplementos com 20% de ureia em sua composição resultaram em menor consumo com mesmo desempenho dos animais, podendo-se concluir que esses tratamentos apresentaram melhor eficiência de utilização.

Flavonoids, the pharmaco-active compounds studied in this work, in general, are located in the shoots as natural pigments that protect the plants from damage by oxidizing agents. The experiment was conducted in the greenhouse of the Fitotecnia Department, Federal University of Viçosa, Minas Gerais Staty. The experimental design was completely randomized with five treatments and five replications. The treatments were the time of harvest: zero, three, six, nine, and twelve days after anthesis (DAA). The height of the plant (mm), stem diameter (mm), number of leaves and total flavonoid content (%, w w^-1) were determined. We developed growth curves for calendula with growth behavior assessed through time for height, stem diameter and number of leaves. The time of the harvest season positively influenced the total flavonoid contents and the average productivity of flowers, and the highest content of flavonoids was found three DAA. The average productivity of the flowers and the accumulation of flavonoids were heterogeneous among harvest times (0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 days after anthesis). The highest yield of flavonoids was obtained three days after anthesis; therefore, a harvest of the inflorescences is recommended every three days | Os compostos fármaco-ativos estudado no trabalho, os flavonoides, de maneira geral, estão localizados na parte aérea das plantas. São pigmentos naturais presentes nos vegetais e protegem o organismo do dano por agentes oxidantes. O experimento foi conduzido na casa de vegetação do Departamento de Fitotecnia da Universidade Federal de Viçosa, MG. O delineamento utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos e cinco repetições. Os tratamentos foram as épocas de colheita: zero, três, seis, nove e doze dias após a antese (DAA). Foram avaliadas a altura da planta (mm), o diâmetro do caule (mm), o número de folhas e o teor total de flavonoides (%, p p^-1). Foi realizada a curva de crescimento da calêndula e seu desempenho quanto à altura, diâmetro e número de folhas ao longo do tempo de avaliação. A época de colheita influenciou positivamente no teor total de flavonoides e na produtividade média dos capítulos florais, sendo que aos três DAA foi encontrado maior teor de flavonoides. A resposta foi heterogênea entre as épocas de colheita (0, 3, 6, 9 e 12 dias após a antese) quanto à produtividade média das flores e o acúmulo de flavonoides. Aos três dias após a antese obteve-se a maior produtividade de flavonoides, portanto aconselha-se que a colheita das inflorescências seja feita a cada três dias

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of mycorrhizal association on the interference of Bidens pilosa, Urochloa decumbens and Eleusine indica on soybean culture in two conditions: a) plants competing without contact with roots of another species; b) with contact between roots. At 60 days after planting, growth, nutrient accumulation and mycorrhizal colonization of soybean and weeds were evaluated. The contact between roots of soybean plant and weed species increased the negative interference effects for both species, with less growth and nutrient accumulation. With the individualization of roots, higher competition occurred for soil resources up to 60 days of coexistence between species. In competition with soybean, Bidens pilosa and Urochloa decumbens stood out in accumulation of most nutrients without differing from when cultivated in monocultivation. The increase of the soybean mycorrhizal colonization was 53, 40 and 33% when in competition with Urochloa decumbens, Eleusine indica and Bidens pilosa species, respectively. A positive interaction occurred for soybean mycorrhizal colonization and competing plants irrespective of weed species or root contact. | Objetivou-se neste trabalho avaliar os efeitos da associação micorrízica na interferência de Bidens pilosa, Urochloa decumbens e Eleusine indica sobre a cultura da soja em duas condições: a) plantas competindo sem contato entre raízes de outra espécie b) com contato entre raízes. Aos 60 dias após o plantio, foram feitas avaliações do crescimento, acúmulo de nutrientes e colonização micorrízica da soja e plantas daninhas. O contato entre as raízes de plantas de soja e das espécies daninhas aumentou os efeitos negativos da interferência para ambas às espécies, com menor crescimento e acúmulo de nutrientes. Com a individualização das raízes, maior competição estabeleceu-se pelos recursos do solo até os 60 dias de convivência entre cultura e espécie competidoras. Em competição com a soja, B. pilosa e U. decumbens destacaram-se no acúmulo da maioria dos nutrientes não diferindo de quando cultivadas em monocultivo. O aumento da colonização micorrízica da soja foi de 53, 40 e 33 % quando em competição com U. decumbens, E. indica e B. pilosa, respectivamente. Ocorreu interação positiva para a colonização micorrízica da soja e das plantas competidoras independente da espécie daninha e do contato entre as raízes.

The aim of this research was to evaluate vitreousness in commercial corn hybrids with flint and dent grains and to study the effect of this characteristic on agronomic behavior, nutritional value, and ruminal degradability of grains harvested in silage maturity. Twelve commercial corn hybrids were evaluated. They were divided in two groups (six with flint grains and six with dent grains). The experiments were conducted in two municipalities represented by Guarapuava and Laranjeiras do Sul, both in Paraná State. The harvest for the grain quality analysis was performed at ¾ of the milk line stage in the grain. The following characteristics were evaluated: grain yield, grain yield in silage maturity, vitreousness, ruminal digestibility of grain, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and crude protein. The grains in the group of dent hybrids exhibited better degradability associated with lower vitreousness than the group of flint hybrids. The group of dent hybrids exhibited better ruminal digestibility of the grains associated with lower vitreousness versus the group of flint hybrids. There is a negative correlation between vitreousness and the digestibility of the grain; thus, vitreousness can be a criterion for selecting genotypes for forage production. | O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar a vitreosidade em híbridos comerciais de milho com grãos duros e dentados, e estudar o efeito desta característica no comportamento agronômico, valor nutricional e na degradabilidade ruminal dos grãos colhidos no ponto de silagem. Foram avaliados 12 híbridos comerciais de milho. Estes híbridos foram divididos em dois grupos (seis com grãos duros e seis com grãos dentados). Os experimentos foram conduzidos em dois municípios representados por Guarapuava e Laranjeiras do Sul, no Paraná. A colheita para análise da qualidade dos grãos foi feita no estádio de 3⁄4 da linha do leite no grão. Foram avaliadas as seguintes características: produtividade de grão secos, produtividade de grãos no ponto de ensilagem, vitreosidade, digestibilidade ruminal de grãos, fibra em detergente neutro, fibra em detergente ácido e proteína bruta. Há uma melhor digestibilidade ruminal dos grãos no grupo de híbridos dentados, associada a menor vitreosidade quando comparada ao grupo de híbridos duros. Existe correlação negativa entre a vitreosidade e a digestibilidade dos grãos e podem ser um critério para selecionar genótipos destinados à produção de forragem.

We studied the effect of environmental complexity and plant architecture on the abundance and biology of Edessa rufomarginata (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) bugs in pastures and cerrado areas. We observed higher numbers of bugs on Caryocar brasiliense (Malpighiales: Caryocaraceae) trees in the cerrado than in the pasture areas. The bugs were more abundant on leaves and branches than they were on fruits. The fruit production of Caryocar brasiliense was higher in the pastures than in the cerrado areas. The abundance of bugs was affect positively by aluminum, organic matter, and tree height but was affected negatively by soil pH. The productivity of C. brasiliense was correlated negatively with aluminum, pH, and number of bugs but was correlated positively with phosphorus and calcium. The number of eggs per clutch was 14.3, the viability was 93% and the embryonic period was 6.9 days. We observed four nymphal instars, the sex ratio was 0.43, and the duration of the life cycle of E. rufomarginata was 156 days. We did not obtain eggs from the adults (F1), which indicated that the leaves were not a good food resource. A diverse environment and high plant crown structure favored populations of E. rufomarginata. The abundance of and the damage caused by this insect indicate that E. rufomarginata is a potential pest on C. brasiliense trees. | Estudou-se o efeito de complexidade ambiental e arquitetura de plantas na abundância do percevejo Edessa rufomarginata (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) em pastagens e cerrado e também sua biologia. Observou-se maior número de percevejos em Caryocar brasiliense (Malpighiales: Caryocaraceae) em cerrado do que em pastagens. Percevejos foram mais abundantes em folhas e ramos do que em frutos. Pequizeiro teve maior produção de frutos em pastagens do que em cerrado. A abundância de percevejos foi afetada positivamente com alumínio, matéria orgânica e altura de árvore, mas negativamente com pH. Produtividade de pequizeiros foi afetado negativamente com alumínio, pH e número de percevejos, mas positivamente com fósforo e cálcio. O número de ovos por postura foi de 14,3; com viabilidade de 93% e período embriônico de 6,9 dias. Observou-se quatro instares ninfais, razão sexual foi de 0,43 e a duração total do ciclo de vida de E. rufomarginata foi de 156 dias. Não se obteve ovos de adultos (F1), indicando que folhas não foram boas como recurso alimentar. Maior diversidade ambiental e de estrutura de copa da planta favoreceu populações de E. rufomarginata. Abundância e danos deste inseto indicam que é uma potencial praga para árvores de C. brasiliense.

Among the genera that exhibit stem nodulation, Aeschynomene and Discolobium are found in the Pantanal Mato-grossense (wetlands in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil). Isolates obtained from the stem and root nodules of D. pulchellum, D. psoraleaefolium, D. leptophyllum and A. fluminensis were collected from various locations in the Pantanal de Poconé sub-region and phenotypically characterized and genotyped by restriction analysis of the 16S rDNA gene. Of the 282 isolates obtained from the stem and root nodules, 84.3% alkalized YMA media and 74.1% showed slow growth. No differences in either the phenotype or the genotype among the rhizobial populations isolated from the root or stem nodules of the species Discolobium and A. fluminensis were observed. Among the isolates obtained from D. pulchellum, there was a group that was not similar to any of the reference strains used, and most of the isolates analyzed by PCR-RFLP were similar to the genus Bradyrhizobium.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in the activity of pectinases (pectinesterase and polygalacturonase), dietary fiber content (alcohol-insoluble solids, pectin, and total fiber), and physicochemical indices related to the flavor (pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, Brix/acid ratio, and reducing and nonreducing sugars) of cubiu fruits (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal) at different stages of ripening (green, turning, ripe, and fully ripe). Alcohol-insoluble solids and pectin were very similar, with the highest levels detected at the green and turning stages, and the lowest levels occurring at the fully ripe stage. The amount of total fiber was consistent at the green, turning, and ripe stages, but declined at the fully ripe stage. These changes correlated with the pectinase activities, the profiles of which resembled those of other species of the Solanaceae family during fruit ripening. However, cubiu fruits were significant sources of dietary fiber at all stages. The reducing sugar content reached the highest level at the turning stage, with glucose as the major sugar. The content of nonreducing sugars, such as sucrose, remained low at all stages. The other physicochemical indices displayed increases during ripening, characterizing cubiu as a very acidic fruit with a small degree of sweetness.

Although strawberry crops have a strong socio-economic impact on the agricultural sector of Espírito Santo State, there are few studies on the performance of strawberry cultivars in different locations and years under a low tunnel management system (LT). Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the parameters of adaptability and stability of strawberry cultivars under LT-protected cultivation using the harmonic mean of the relative performance of genetically predicted values. Seven strawberry cultivars were assessed (‘Dover’, ‘Camino Real’, ‘Ventana’, ‘Camarosa’, ‘Seascape’, ‘Diamante’ and ‘Aromas’) in the agricultural years 2006/7, 2007/8 and 2008/9 in three locations in the mountainous region of Espírito Santo State. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design, with 3 replications and 15 plants per plot. The analysis of deviance for the yield (ton. ha-1) demonstrated that only the effects of genotype and the triple interaction genotype x location x year were significant, which indicates the presence of genetic variability among the cultivars and the inconsistency of the position among the genotypes for combinations of year and location. Considering the selection for yield, adaptability and stability, in LT-protected cultivation, cultivars Camarosa and Aromas are highlighted for expressing average values that were 22% higher than the overall mean of the cultivars (24.55 ton. há-1) in the environments assessed.

Black scale, Saissetia oleae (Olivier) (Hemiptera: Coccidae) is an important pest of olive trees (Olea europaea L.) that requires the use insecticides for its control. Parasitoids are important regulating agents of this pest, but currently, no information on its complex of natural enemies and their impact on black scale in Brazilian conditions exists. This study focused on identifying parasitoid wasps that were associated with the black scale on olive trees to establish their relative abundance and rate of parasitism. Samplings were maintained in an olive orchard located in Maria da Fe, south of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and infested branches were stored in emergence containers to recover parasitoids. Another group was kept in Flanders batteries to evaluate the rate of parasitism in approximately 100 scales. Sixteen parasitoid species were collected during the sampling period, and the most common species were Coccophagus caridei (Brèthes) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), Diversinervus elegans Silvestri (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), and Mesopeltita truncatipennis (Waterston) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), the latter of which was most abundant and frequent. Parasitism ranged from 3 to 31% with peaks in summer and autumn. This level could be considered insufficient to hold the black scale under the economic injury level; however, these parasitoids should be preserved for contributions to population regulation.

Seed dormancy is an important adaptive mechanism in many species and is generally lost during plant domestication because of selection that occurs through the collection and planting of seeds. We compared germination and seedling emergence in selfed and open-pollinated progenies obtained from eight passion fruit vines (genotypes). Self-pollination was performed at the button stage to overcome self-incompatibility. The experiment was a randomized block design in a factorial scheme (2 x 8; type of progeny x genotypes) with four replicates and 50 seeds per experimental unit. At 14, 21 and 28 days after sowing, the germination percentage and the emergence speed index were analyzed. The total length of seedlings (cm), shoot length (cm), radicle length (cm) and total dry matter of seedlings (g) were evaluated 28 days after sowing. The mass of 100 seeds (g) was determined before sowing. Differences were noted between genotypes and progeny types with respect to germination and emergence speed. In general, seeds obtained by selfing exhibited earlier germination and a higher emergence speed. It was concluded that seed dormancy is associated with the genotype of the embryo and is most likely conditioned by a dominant genetic effect.