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.

A significant increase in the use of integrated farming systems have been observed in the Brazilian Cerrado, such as crop - livestock integration (CLI), which combined with the no - tillage system (NTS) have shown significant influence on soil properties. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of a CLI system on the chemical, physical and microbiological soil characteristics, in an area in the Cerrado biome, Montividiu, State of Goias, Brazil. The soil fertility, remaining phosphorus (Prem), total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (Nt), aggregate stability (geometric mean diameter – GMD), microbial respiration (C - CO 2 ) and easily - extractable glomalin - related soil protein (EE - GRSP) were evaluated. Soil samples were collected at depth of 0 - 5 and 5 - 10 cm in three areas with: CLI (13 years of annual rotation with Urochloa ruziziensis ); Urochloa decumbens pasture (15 years of implementation); and native Cerrado vegetation. The CLI area had higher pH, Mg, P available (0 - 10 cm) and Prem (5 - 10 cm) values compared to the other areas, and equal values of TOC, Nt, EE - GRSP (0 - 10 cm) and aggregate stability (5 - 10 cm) compared to the pasture area. The CLI had no differences in C - CO 2 emissions compared to the Cerrado, but had lower rates compared to the pasture. The P available and Prem were sensitive indicators to show the differences between the CLI and pasture systems, with higher contents in the CLI area. The TOC and Nt indicators had no differences between these two systems. The GMD results indicated a better aggregation in the pasture (0 - 5 cm) compared to the CLI area, while the EE - GRSP were similar in these areas. The total values of C - CO 2 emission from the soil aggregates showed the stability of respirometry rates in the CLI and Cerrado areas.

Three experiments were conducted to determine the nutritional composition of tilapia filleting waste meal (TFWM) for pigs in the initial phase. In the first experiment, the chemical composition and the values of digestible and metabolizable energy of TFWM were determined using 10 pigs (15.10 ± 0.74 kg), distributed in cages for metabolic research (2 treatments X 5 replicates). The TFWM replaced 20% of the reference diet based on corn and soybean meal. In the second experiment, the ileal digestibility coefficients of amino acids present in TFWM were determined, using chromic oxide as a marker, through the method of sacrifice, using 10 pigs (15.00 ± 0.27 kg), distributed in cages for metabolic research (2 treatments X 5 replicates). Treatments consisted of a basal diet and one without protein. In the third experiment, the performance of pigs fed diets containing different concentrations of TFWM (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%) was evaluated. Forty pigs (15.00 ± 0.87 kg), distributed in pairs in nursery pens (5 treatments X 4 replicates) were used. The values of digestible and metabolizable energy corresponded to 3,632 and 3,260 kcal/kg, respectively. Inclusion of up to 10% TFWM in the diet of barrows from 15 to 30 kg did not affect the average daily gain and feed conversion of the animals.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the carrot crop recovery efficiency of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium from fertilizers. Two experiments were conducted in an experimental area in Rio Paranaiba - MG. The cultivar („Juliana‟) was sown during the summer period and the cultivar „Nayarit‟ during the winter period. In both experiments, the treatments consisted of six fertilization combinations of N, P 2 O, K 2 O (kg ha - 1 ): fertilization without N (0 - 500 - 450), without P (100 - 0 - 450), without K (100 - 500 - 0), standard (100 - 500 - 450), higher than standard (100 - 700 - 600) and lower than standard (100 - 300 - 300). The harvest was carried out when most of the roots presented commercial standard well accepted by the consumers. The fresh and dry matter of roots and leaves were quantified, and the yield was calculated based on the fresh matter. The analysis of N, P and K contents in leaves and roots were carried out by harvest time, and the nutrients absorption and exportation were determined based on these contents and on the dry matter of roots and leaves. N, P and K omissions reduced the yield of the cultivar „Juliana‟. For the cultivar „Nayarit‟, only P omission reduced and P and K fertilizations increased the yield. The cultivar „Nayarity‟, which is more productive than „Juliana”, absorbed more quantities of N, P and K. Carrot recovery efficiency of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium is low.

Garlic is a vegetable that has economic and social relevance in Brazil. Rio Grande do Norte is among the consumer states, however, despite having regions with favorable conditions for growing garlic, it depends on imports of this product to meet its demand. The introduction of cultivars that have high yield and quality, and the adjustments in vernalization technology, which is a key issue for adaptation of new cultivars, are mechanisms that can contribute to garlic revitalization in areas previously producing this vegetable. Therefore, the objective of this work was to assess the quality characteristics of semi-noble garlic cultivars subjected to different bulb-seed pre-planting vernalization periods in two counties of the Western Mesoregion of Rio Grande do Norte State (RN), Brazil. Two experiments were simultaneously conducted in Barauna RN and Governador Dix-sept Rosado RN, from April to November, 2012. A complete randomized block experimental design was used with four replications. The treatments were arranged in split-plot design, with the plots consisted of cultivars (Gigante-do-Nucleo and BRS-Hozan) and subplots consisted of bulb-seed pre-planting vernalization (4±1°C) periods (0, 10, 20 and 30 days). The evaluations consisted of bulb diameter, pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, total soluble sugars, reducing sugars, pungency, total solids and industrial index. The use of 10-day bulb-seed pre-planting vernalization increased the semi-noble garlic quality produced in Barauna and Governador Dix-sept Rosado. The cultivars Gigante-do-Nucleo and BRS-Hozan presented good prospects for industrialization, with good characteristics of flavor and aroma.

This study aimed to evaluate the insecticidal activity of eight botanical species in the behavior and biological development of Zabrotes subfasciatus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) under laboratory conditions. The botanical species were applied on bean grains (Phaseolus vulgaris Linnaeus) directly as powder or indirectly within TNT bags. Three laboratory assays were performed. First, a repellent activity test was performed by exposing twenty couples of Z. subfasciatus adults in a choice-test arena. Second, a mortality test was performed for seven days after infestation. Finally, the oviposition and emergency rates of adults (%) and the development from egg to adult (in days) were evaluated in seven couples (males and females) for seven days inside of a vial containing 0.3g of the powder from each botanical species and 10 g of bean grains (3% w.w-1). The study was conducted in a completely randomized design, and the treatments were arranged as a factorial design (2 x 9) with two factors (factor 1= powder and TNT bag application forms and factor 2= eight botanical species and control) with eight replications. The powder application form was more efficient in controlling Z. subfasciatus. Azadirachta indica (powder application), Ruta graveolens (powder application), and Piper aduncum (TNT bag) reduced the infestation of adults. The species A. inidica, Piper tuberculatum, Trichilia catigua, Pfaffia glomerata, R. graveolens, and Mentha pulegium inhibited the oviposition of the insects regardless of the formulation applied. R. graveolens (powder application) caused 100% of mortality. The powder application of R. graveolens and M. pulegium reduced egg viability and insect emergence; therefore, they are very promising alternatives to control Z. subfasciatus in stored grains.

Soursop is a well - appreciated tropical fruit, both in natura and in the form of juices and nectars. Despite its wide acceptance, there is lack of its use in the preparation of other products, such as alcoholic beverages. The objective of this study was to prepare soursop liquors by varying the concentrations of pulp and sucrose syrup with different contents of total soluble solids and to evaluate the effects of these on the physical and chemical characteristics of the beverages. In the production process, the pulp (300, 400 and 500 g) was macerated with distilled alcohol for 20 days, after which it was filtered, added to the syrup (50, 60 and 70 ° Brix), bottled in polyethylene bottles and subjected to an accelerated aging. All drinks resulted in alcohol levels (15.25 to 16.69% v/v) and total sugars (12.63 to 17.97%) in accordance with the standards required by law. The experiments made with the lowest concentration of pulp showed the highest yields (84.17 and 85.25%). First - order models with interactions and 95% confidence intervals were obtained. The pulp consisted of the most significant factor, influencing the largest number of responses (yield, alcohol content, dry residue, titratable acidity, titratable acidity/soluble solids ratio and luminosity). The larger coefficient of determination (R 2 ) values were found in the models adjusted to the data of yield, dry residue, total soluble solids, titratable acidity and total sugars, which were significant and predictive, showing values greater than 0.97.

This study aimed at assessing the effect of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), gas-nitric oxide (NO) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) on ripening of ‘Packham’s Triumph’ pears. The treatments consisted of T1) control; T2) 300 ppb 1-MCP; T3) 1 mM SNP; T4) 10 ppm NO; and T5) 20 ppm NO. The fruit treated with 1-MCP showed significantly higher values for flesh firmness, texture, and peel green color, besides lower respiratory rates and ethylene production. On the other hand, NO and SNP treatments did not reduce fruit respiratory rate and ethylene production. Flesh firmness and textural features were maintained by treating fruit with 20 ppm NO after leaving chambers. Treatments using 1 mM SNP and 20 ppm NO kept peel green color (higher hue angle) when compared to control, without decreasing fruit yellowing during the shelf life. The application of 300 ppb 1-MCP prevented buttery texture and yellowing in 'Packham’s Triumph' pear fruit during environment condition exposure. The use NO at 20 ppm kept flesh firmness during storage, however, with subsequent reduction of this variable in environmental conditions. The treatments with 1mM SNP and 20 ppm NO maintained green peel of pear fruit, even after exposure to environmental conditions, but not limiting yellowing.

The aim of this study was to determine the sample size needed to assess the severity of leaf blast in rice in experiments with different fungicide treatments. The severity and the area under the disease progress curve data of three chemical disease control treatments carried out in Rio Grande do Sul, were used in the study. Analysis of variance was performed to verify whether the severity of the disease differed between treatments. The spread of disease was was also found to be different between treatments and assessments, using the variance/mean ratio and Morisita index. The spatial distribution of the disease among the treatments and during the evaluations is important for the choice of the equation used to calculate the sample size. The spatial distribution of the disease was not the same across the experiments, and it varied between treatments and evaluations. Thus, we decided to use a formula that was not associated with distributions to indicate the spatial distribution (negative binomial or Poisson) of the disease in the field. The sample size to estimate the average of rice leaf blast severity varied between treatments and evaluations. The area under the disease progress curve is necessary to be determined to reduce the number of samples needed. Thus, it is recommended to assess 293 sheets to estimate severity, and 63 to estimate AUDPC at 20% error.

RESUMO: As comunidades rurais situadas no Nordeste brasileiro, em especial na região semiárida, convivem com a escassez de água resultante da irregularidade das chuvas nesta região. O presente trabalho propôs cultivar a erva sal (Atriplex nummularia) no Projeto de assentamento Rural Boa Fé, Mossoró/RN como alternativa à deposição do rejeito salino para a produção de forragem. O delineamento estatístico foi parcelas subdivididas, sendo quatro tratamentos nas parcelas, referentes a irrigação com rejeito salino em diferentes níveis de umidade do solo tendo como base a umidade na Capacidade de Campo (CC) (100, 85, 70 e 50% da CC) e nas subparcelas, dois níveis de adubação orgânica (não adubado e adubado), com quatro repetições. Foram analisadas variáveis de produção e qualidade da forragem da erva sal. Observou-se que, a erva sal possui boa capacidade de produção de matéria fresca e seca sob um nível de 85% de umidade do solo em relação à sua capacidade de campo, apresentando mínimas perdas de rendimento, porém, mostrou-se produtiva mesmo com o solo mais seco. A produtividade total foi satisfatória mostrando sua viabilidade para a produção de forragem. | ABSTRACT: Rural communities located in the Brazilian Northeast, especially in the semiarid zone, live with water shortages resulting from erratic rainfall. This work proposes the cultivation of saltbush (Atriplex nummularia) in the Rural Settlement Project of Boa Fé, Mossoró/RN as alternative to the disposal of reject brine from desalination plant on yield of forage. The statistical design was a split-plot design, being four treatments at the plots, related to irrigation with reject brine water, at different levels of soil moisture by moisture from Field Capacity (FC) (100, 85, 70 and 50% of FC) and in subplots and two levels of organic manure (without fertilized and fertilized) with four replications. The variables of yield and forage quality of saltbush were analyzed. It was observed that saltbush has a great production capacity in terms of fresh matter and drought for saltbush under a level of 85% soil moisture in relation to the field capacity of soil, presenting minimal loss of yield; however, this proved to be productive even with the dry soil. The total yield was satisfactory, showing its viability for forage production.