ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to assess the effects of the release and establishment of the exotic parasitoid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead, 1905) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and its interspecific competitive relationship with native fruit fly parasitoids in organic and conventional orchards in Maceio, State of Alagoas, Brazil. The exotic parasitoids were reared in the Radio-Entomology Laboratory of the Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, São Paulo, and released (112,350 individuals between five and eight days old) in orchards from June 8 to July12, 2013.Fruit samples were collected randomly every week during one year to assess the D. longicaudata recaptured from plants and fallen fruits on the ground, which were taken to the Entomology Laboratory of the CECA-UFAL, classified and individually placed in plastic containers, containing a layer of 1 cm of sand for pupation of the host larvae. The pupae, obtained after 10 days, were placed in Petri dishes with a layer of sand until the emergence of adults, which were then kept in plastic microtubes, containing ethanol 70%. The release of exotic parasitoids did not displace native species. The same species were found before and after the release in both cultures: Doryctobracon areolatus, Asobara anastrephae, Utetes anastrephae and Opius bellus (Braconidae), Aganaspis pelleranoi (Figitidae) and individuals of the Pteromalidae family. One year after the last release, 44 individuals of the exotic parasitoid were found, showing its establishment in the studied areas. | RESUMO O presente trabalho objetivou conhecer os efeitos da liberação, do estabelecimento e das relações de competitividade interespecífica entre o parasitoide exótico Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead, 1905) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) e as espécies de parasitoides nativos de moscas-das-frutas em pomar orgânico e convencional no município de Maceió, Alagoas. A criação do parasitoide exótico foi realizada no Laboratório de Radioentomologia do Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura da Universidade de São Paulo (CENA/USP), em Piracicaba-SP. Foram liberados 112.350 indivíduos entre cinco e oito dias de idade, no período de 08 de junho a 12 de julho de 2013. Foram realizadas coletas de frutos semanalmente durante um ano, de forma aleatória, para avaliar a recaptura de D. longicaudata em plantas e em frutos caídos no solo, sendo estes encaminhados para o Laboratório de Entomologia do CECA-UFAL, onde os mesmos passaram por triagem e individualização em recipientes plásticos contendo uma camada de 1 cm de areia para pupação das larvas do hospedeiro. Após dez dias, os pupários obtidos foram acondicionados em placas de Petri com uma camada de areia até a emergência dos adultos, sendo estes conservados em microtubos plásticos contendo álcool 70%. A liberação do parasitoide exótico não deslocou as espécies nativas, sendo obtidas as mesmas espécies antes e após a liberação em ambos os cultivos: os braconídeos Doryctobracon areolatus; Asobara anastrephae; Utetes anastrephae e Opius bellus; o figitídeo Aganaspis pelleranoi e exemplares da família Pteromalidae. Um ano após a última liberação, 44 exemplares do parasitoide exótico foram obtidos, mostrando estabelecimento nas áreas estudadas.

ABSTRACT The Cerrado occupies 25% of the Brazilian territory and is the second largest biome in South America, second only to the Amazon Rainforest. Hence, studies on the native species of the Cerrado are important for implementing conservation strategies. In this context, knowledge of the requirements and conditions for germination of seeds of these native species is essential. The Cerrado watermelon (Melothria campestris (Naudin) H. Schaef. & S.S. Renner) is a plant that is not cultivated, but has been used in revegetation projects in the countryside of the Cerrado because its fruits are fed upon by fauna in times of food shortage. The purpose of this study was to determine the most appropriate methodology for the germination of the Cerrado watermelon, by identifying the best-suited substrate, the optimal temperature, and the corresponding time taken for germination. The treatments consisted of four substrates: in a paper roll, on paper, in sand, and on sand; and four temperatures: 20, 25, and 30 °C (maintained constant), and a fourth temperature treatment that alternated 20-30 °C. The effect of the substrates and temperatures on seed performance was evaluated using the germination test, speed index, and average time for germination. The experimental design was fully randomized, with treatments distributed in a 4 × 4 (substrates × temperatures) factorial scheme, with four replications. Our results show that the temperature of 20 °C had a negative influence on germination in all substrates. Further, we found that the germination of the Cerrado watermelon seeds was best in a paper roll or on sand substrate, maintained at a constant temperature of 30 °C, or when temperature was alternated 20-30 °C, and the time required for germination stabilization was 30 days. | RESUMO O Cerrado ocupa 25% do território brasileiro e é o segundo maior bioma da América do Sul, perdendo somente para a Floresta Amazônica, sendo assim, estudos com espécies nativas são de fundamental importância para implementação de estratégias de conservação, no qual o conhecimento do comportamento da germinação das sementes é fundamental neste contexto. Melancia do Cerrado (Melothria campestris (Naudin) H. Schaef. & S.S. Renner) é uma frutífera não cultivada que tem sido utilizada em projetos de revegetação de ambientes campestres do Cerrado, pois seus frutos alimentam a fauna em épocas de escassez de alimentos. Objetivou-se determinar a metodologia quanto ao substrato, temperatura e tempo de contagem para o teste de germinação em melancia do Cerrado. Os tratamentos constaram de quatro substratos: rolo de papel, sobre papel, entre areia e sobre areia e quatro temperaturas: 20, 25 e 30 °C constantes e 20-30 °C alternada. O efeito dos substratos e temperaturas sobre o desempenho das sementes foi avaliado pelo teste de germinação, índice de velocidade e tempo médio de germinação. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente ao acaso, com os tratamentos distribuídos em esquema fatorial 4 × 4 (substratos × temperaturas), com quatro repetições. A temperatura de 20 °C influenciou negativamente em todos os substratos. O teste de germinação em sementes de melancia do Cerrado pode ser realizado em rolo de papel ou sobre areia, à temperatura constante de 30 °C ou alternada de 20-30 °C, com contagem final no 30° dia.

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the growth and agro-industrial productivity of sugarcane varieties subjected to different irrigation levels in the county of Penápolis - São Paulo, Brazil. The experimental design was a randomized block with a factorial arrangement of 2 × 7 (two cultivars of sugarcane: RB965902 and RB855453, at seven irrigation levels: L0 = 0%, L1 = 25%, L2 = 50%, L3 = 75%, L4 = 100, L5 = 125% e L6 = 150% of crop evapotranspiration - ETc) with four replicates. The irrigation system was a subsurface drip at a flow rate of 1.4 Lh-1. The variables evaluated were tillering, culm length, leaf area index (LAI), dry matter, and industrial productivity. The maximum number of plants per linear meter was 30 for variety RB965902 at 100% ETc, and 29 for variety RB855453 at 125% of ETc. Maximum tillering occurred at 120 and 150 days after planting (DAP) for RB965902 and RB855453, respectively. The maximum LAI of BR965902 was 9.57 at 210 DAP and 9.81 at 201 DAP for the RB855453 variety. The RB855453 variety produced an average of 178.93 t ha-1 with irrigation and 164.81 t ha-1 without, while the variety RB965902 produced 164.08 t ha-1 and 154.61 t ha-1 with and without irrigation, respectively. At harvest, the total recoverable sugars (TRS) were 129.62 kg t-1 for RB965902 and 131.63 kg t-1 for RB855443. The RB855453 variety produced on average 14.19 t ha-1 more than the RB965902 variety. | RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o crescimento e a produtividade agroindustrial de variedades de cana-planta submetidas a lâminas de irrigação no município de Penápolis - SP. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados com arranjo fatorial de 2 x 7 (duas variedades de cana-de-açúcar: RB965902 e RB855453 e sete lâminas de irrigação: L0 = 0%, L1 = 25%, L2 = 50%, L3 = 75%, L4 = 100, L5 = 125% e L6 = 150% da evapotranspiração da cultura - ETc) e quatro repetições. O sistema de irrigação foi gotejamento subsuperficial com emissores de 1,40 L h-1. As variáveis avaliadas foram: perfilhamento, altura de plantas, índice de área foliar (IAF) e produtividade agroindustrial. O número máximo de plantas por metro linear foi 30 para variedade RB965902 com 100% e 29 para a RB855453 com 125% da ETc. O perfilhamento máximo ocorreu aos 120 e 150 dias após o plantio (DAP) na RB965902 e RB855453, respectivamente. O IAF máximo da RB965902 foi 9,57 aos 210 DAP e 9,81 aos 240 DAP para a RB855453. A variedade RB855453 irrigada produziu em média 178,93 t ha-1 e 164,81 t ha-1 em sequeiro, enquanto a variedade RB965902 produziu 164,08t ha-1 e 154,61 t ha-1em cultivo irrigado e sequeiro, respectivamente. Na colheita, o total de açúcares recuperáveis (ATR) foi 129,62 kg t-1 na RB965902 e 131,63 kg t-1 na RB855443. A variedade RB855453 produziu em média 14,19 t ha-1 a mais do que a RB965902.

RESUMO O presente estudo objetivou investigar a influência da ação antrópica na precipitação efetiva (Pe) e nas perdas de solo em microbacias submetidas a diferentes usos do solo em região de floresta tropical seca. A área experimental está localizada na parte central do estado do Ceará, Brasil. Os usos do solo investigados foram: Caatinga em Pousio (CP), Caatinga Raleada (CR) e manejo de Desmatamento da Caatinga seguido de Queima e cultivo de Pastagem (DQP). O monitoramento foi realizado na estação chuvosa (janeiro a maio) de 2010, com uma ocorrência de 57 eventos naturais de chuva, totalizando 941 mm precipitados. Na quantificação da Pe e produção de sedimentos foi feito um somatório para todos os eventos ocorridos no período de estudo e nas perdas de solo consideraram-se os sedimentos em suspensão e em arraste. Em condições de pousio, a Pe e a produção de sedimentos foram de 15,13 mm e 167,81 kg ha-1 respectivamente. Os menores valores de Pe (11,28 mm) ocorreram na microbacia cujo uso da terra era o CR, cujas perdas de solo totalizaram 42,04 kg ha-1. No uso da terra DQP foi registrada a maior Pe anual com 112,88 mm ano-1 de lâmina escoada acumulada, bem como as maiores perdas de solo anual (3.114,97 kg ha-1). A maior inferência da cobertura vegetal nos dois processos investigados ocorreu para os primeiros eventos, quando o estrato herbáceo ainda não estava desenvolvido. | ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of anthropic activities on the effective precipitation (eP) and soil loss in watersheds under different land uses in a tropical dry forest region. The experimental area was located in the central part of the State of Ceará, Brazil. The land uses evaluated were: fallow Caatinga (FC), thinned Caatinga (TC) and deforested Caatinga followed by a burning procedure and pasture cultivation (DBP). The areas were monitored in the rainy season (January to May, 2010), when 57 natural rainfalls occurred, totaling 941 mm of precipitation. The eP and sediment productions were quantified by the sum of all occurrences during the study period, and the soil loss was represented by suspended and dragged sediments. The eP was 15.13 mm and sediment produced was 167.81 kg ha-1 in FC conditions. The eP values was smaller (11.28 mm) in the watershed with TC, which had soil loss sum of 42.04 kg ha-1. The largest annual eP was found in the DBP area, with 112.88 mm yr-1 of accumulated water depth, which also showed the greater annual soil loss (3114.97 kg ha-1). The greatest interference of plant cover in the two variables evaluated occurred in the first precipitation events, when the plants were not yet fully developed.

RESUMO Objetivou-se avaliar a temperatura nos diferentes estratos e profundidades do perfil frontal de silos do tipo superfície antes e após o desabastecimento. Avaliou-se ainda, valores de pH na porção superior e inferior do perfil, densidade da matéria natural (MN) e matéria seca (MS) em silagens de milheto com partículas de 5 ou 20 mm, contendo ou não inoculante bacteriano, utilizando-se a silagem de milho como controle. Houve interação (P<0,05) silagem × estrato do perfil e silagem × profundidade do perfil para as temperaturas antes do desabastecimento, sendo que as silagens de milheto apresentaram menores temperaturas no estrato superior quando comparadas as de milho. Os gradientes de temperatura entre silagem e ambiente em silos de milheto e milho foram menores no estrato inferior do perfil, comprovando -se nas termografias pelo clareamento nessa região. O gradiente de temperatura após o desabastecimento foi menor a 50 cm de profundidade em todos os silos de milheto. Não foram observadas diferenças nas densidades da MN e MS das silagens estudadas. Os valores de pH das silagens antes da retirada, foram maiores no estrato superior e menores no estrato inferior em todas as silagens de milheto, exceto na silagem de milho. Silos de milheto apresentaram menores valores de pH no estrato inferior do silo. Silagens com tamanho de partícula de 5 mm proporcionam menores temperaturas na porção mediana do painel antes do desabastecimento. O uso do inoculante bacteriano no presente trabalho não foi capaz de alterar as características avaliadas. | ABSTRACT The present study aimed to investigate the temperature at different depths of the stack silo and strata front profile before and after the removal of silage. Also, the pH values in the upper and lower profile and the silage density of the fresh materials (FM) and dry matter (DM) in pearl millet silages with particle sizes of 5 or 20 mm, with or without inoculant, were assessed, using corn silage as controls. There was an interaction (P<0.05) silage × stratum profile and silage × depth profile for the temperatures before the removal of silage, and the pearl millet silages had lower temperatures in the upper stratum compared to corn. The temperature gradient between the silage and environment pearl millet and corn silos were smaller in the lower stratum profile. The temperature gradient after the removal of the silage was less than 50 cm deep at all the pearl millet silos. There were no differences in the densities of the FM and DM of the studied silages. The pH values of the silages before their removal were higher in the upper stratum and lower stratum in the bottom of all the pearl millet silages, in contrast with corn silage. The pearl millet silos had lower pH values in the lower stratum of the silo. Silages with 5 mm particle size provide lower temperatures in the middle portion of the panel before the removal of the silage. The use of bacterial inoculant in this study did not change the characteristics evaluated.

ABSTRACT Cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum Schum.) is an exotic fruit with a promising economic potential, particularly due to its strong aroma and creamy texture. This study aimed to produce sweetened cupuaçu puree and evaluate the effects of packaging corrosion on its sensory properties and shelf-life in tinplated cans. After 240 days of storage, the commercially sterile product had average sensory analysis scores of 5.89 ± 0.21, 5.39 ± 0.30, 5.45 ± 0.21 and 5.49 ± 0.25, for appearance, aroma, flavor and overall appreciation, respectively. Sensory acceptance scores did not change during storage (p>0.05). Corrosion potential and low tin and iron levels in the product, which are parameters used to evaluate food-packaging interaction, demonstrated the product remained food-safe throughout its shelf-life. Tinplate is a promising packaging material for sweetened cupuaçu puree due to its mechanical and protective properties. Furthermore, tin plating is an economically viable food technology to extend the shelf-life of cupuaçu products and expand its domestic and international markets. | RESUMO Cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum Schum.) é uma fruta exótica, com potencial econômico promissor, especialmente devido ao seu forte aroma e textura cremosa. O objetivo deste estudo foi produzir um doce de cupuaçu e avaliar os efeitos da corrosão da embalagem sobre as propriedades sensoriais e vida útil do produto acondicionado em latas de folha de flandres. Após 240 dias de armazenamento, o produto comercialmente estéril teve pontuações médias de aceitação sensorial de 5,89 ± 0,21, 5,39 ± 0,30, 5,45 ± 0,21 e 5,49 ± 0,25, para a aparência, aroma, sabor e impressão global, respectivamente. As aceitações sensoriais não apresentaram alterações durante o armazenamento (p>0,05). Medidas de potencial de corrosão e os baixos níveis de estanho e ferro no produto, que são parâmetros utilizados para avaliar a interação entre embalagem e alimento, demonstraram a segurança do produto ao longo da vida de prateleira. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que a folha de flandres é um material de embalagem promissor para o doce de cupuaçu devido às suas propriedades mecânicas e de proteção. O estudo demonstrou ainda que o processamento e acondcionamento em latas estanhadas é uma tecnologia economicamente viável para estender a vida de prateleira de produtos de cupuaçu e expandir seus mercados nacional e internacional.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to isolate sporogenic bacteria from the honey of stingless bees Melipona sp., in dry forest, and to evaluate their antagonistic potential for medicinal employment purposes and animal production. The honey samples were collected in Serra Talhada-PE, where honey was taken from four different hives (in triplicate), totaling 12 samples. The samples were diluted and subjected to 80 ºC for 20 minutes to eliminate vegetative cells. The dilutions were plated onto nutrient agar and incubated at 30 ºC for 72 hours. Then the colony forming units (CFU) were quantified. The samples were also plated onto malt agar and Sabouraud agar, and incubated at 30 ºC for 14 days for the growth of yeast and molds. Total and fecal coliforms were quantified by the most probable number method (MPN). Seven isolates (I) of sporogenic bacteria (Bacillus) were obtained, however only four showed probiotic potential. Isolate I-5 showed the greatest probiotic potential and inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella sp., and Staphylococcus aureus. The growth of the Sarcina sp. was not inhibited by any isolate. No yeast, molds or coliforms were found. The Melipona sp. honey is a source of spore-forming bacteria and is antagonistic to microorganisms that contaminate honey. It has good microbiological quality. | RESUMO Este trabalho teve como objetivo isolar bactérias esporulantes a partir do mel de Melipona sp. em ambiente de caatinga e avaliar o seu potencial antagonista com vistas à aplicação na medicina e produção animal. As amostras de méis foram coletadas no município de Serra Talhada-PE, onde o mel foi retirado de quatro colméias diferentes (em triplicata), totalizando 12 amostras que amostras foram diluídas (10-1 a 10-5) e submetidas a 80 ºC por 20 minutos e resfriadas a 5 ºC para indução de esporos e eliminação de células vegetativas. Em seguida, as diluições foram semeadas em Agar Nutriente e incubadas a 30 º por 72 horas para contagem das unidades formadoras de colônias (UFC). Antes do tratamento térmico foram realizados testes para verificar a presença de fungos filamentosos, leveduras e coliformes totais e termotolerantes. As diluições foram semeadas em Agar Malte e Agar Sabouraud e incubadas a 30 ºC por 14 dias. Coliformes totais e termotolerantes foram quantificados pelo método do número mais provável (NMP). Foram obtidos sete isolados (I) de bactérias esporulantes (Bacillus), porém apenas quatro mostraram algum potencial antagonista. O isolado I-5 apresentou o maior potencial antagonista, inibindo o crescimento de Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella sp. e Staphylococcus aureus. Apenas Sarcina sp. não foi inibida. Não foram encontrados fungos filamentosos, leveduras ou coliformes nas amostras. O mel de Melipona sp. é uma fonte de bactérias esporulantes resistentes a elevadas temperaturas e com potencial antagonista a micro-organismos contaminantes e apresenta boa qualidade microbiológica.

The post-harvest of floral stems is one of the main features observed in the production of flowers for cutting, becoming a prerequisite for product quality and successful marketing. In this sense, the objective was to evaluate the conservation of heliconias inflorescences with or without renewal of the water maintenance, previously fertilized with increasing doses of nitrogen and potassium. Inflorescences of Heliconia psittacorum x H. spathocircinata cultivar Golden Torch were used and grown in open conditions in the Floriculture area at UFPI, city of Bom Jesus, Piauí State under increasing doses of fertilization with N and K. The stems were harvested in the morning, standardized and placed in containers with 500 mL of water. The design was a randomized block in factorial 4 x 4 x 2, corresponding to: i) N doses (0, 120, 180, and 240 g N hole-1 ), ii) K doses (0, 120, 180, and 240 g K2O hole-1 ), and iii) renewing the water maintenance in vase (with and without renewal) with three replicates of three stems each. Some evaluations were observed during the Study, such as: the water uptake by the flower stems; loss of fresh weight of the flower stems, dry weight of the flower stems and post-harvest longevity. The dose of 180 g hole-1 both as N and K provided the longevity of the flower stems with quality maintenance. The absorption of water by the flower stems and its dry mass after harvesting are influenced by previous fertilizer N and K. The renewal of the water maintenance also positively influence the longevity of flower stems and its a management indicated to maintain quality post-harvest.

Most banana plantations are still made using traditional clones per type horn and rhizomes. Oth- er propagation methods such as micropropagation have been developed and perfected to raise the rate of multi- plication in a short time and improve the health status of the seedlings. However, contamination by bacteria and fungi is one of the biggest problems of this technique. The aim was to evaluate the in vitro disinfestation using active chlorine concentrations of banana explants ‘Farta Velhaco’. The experimental design used was com- pletely randomized consisting of five treatments and five repetition, each replicate represented by five explants in different concentrations of active chlorine for twenty minutes: T1 - without active chlorine, T2 - 0.5% active chlorine, T3 - 1.0% of active chlorine, T4 - 1.5% active chlorine and T5 - 2% active chlorine. The percentages of contamination by bacteria and fungi as well as the percentage of oxidation of the explants were evaluated. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and regression analysis. The results showed that the highest effi- ciency among the tested treatments was the immersion of explants in 1% of active chlorine that caused a reduc- tion in 95% and 90% respectively for bacteria and fungi and 60% of explants oxidation. It was concluded that this concentration can be used to control contamination for micropropagation of banana 'Farta Velhaco'.

The Caatinga is one of the least known biomes in terms of structure and floristic composition, worrying aspect because it undergoes an intense process of human disturbance. With this assumption, we car- ried out a phytosociological survey of adult vegetation and natural regeneration in areas with different histories of disturbance. For a sampling of the shrub/adult tree and natural regeneration, settled in a systematic, 18 sam- pling units in each area (Habitat I and Habitat II), with dimensions of 10 x 25 m and 10 x 5 m respectively. Individuals were surveyed adults with CAP ≥ 6.0 cm, and natural regeneration measured the individuals taller than 0.5 m and CNB <6.0 cm. Habitat II in the were sampled 1155 individuals belonging to 6 families and 12 species, and the habitat I was sampled 286 individuals belonging to three families and six species. The diversity index was 1.5 and 0.23 for Nats.individual - 1 Habitat II and habitat I respectively. We sampled 636 individuals in natural regeneration, being habitat I in 360 and 276 in the Habitat II. The diversity index of natural regenera- tion for the Habitat II and habitat I were 1.21 and 0.8 Nats.individual - 1 . It was concluded that human activities were able to change the vegetation structure and species diversity in both habitats significantly.