Water is a nutrient of extreme importance for animals and must be considered vital in any rearing phase. The increasing scarcity of this precious natural resource has concerned different segments of society in order to find solutions for rational and sustainable use of this nutrient. Small ruminants, especially sheep and goats, have social and economic importance due to their great ability in adapting to adverse environmental conditions and using water efficiently. Thus, they might be a good alternative to mitigate the climate change effects and to generate foreign exchange and improving life condition in many places of the world. The concept of water productivity for livestock production is relatively new and there are few studies in the world, especially in Brazil. More researches and new technologies for water use in livestock production are indispensable.<br>A água é um nutriente extremamente importante na vida dos animais e deve ser considerada como vital em qualquer fase da criação. A escassez crescente deste precioso recurso natural tem provocado reações de diferentes segmentos da sociedade na busca de soluções de uso racional e sustentável deste nutriente. Os pequenos ruminantes, especialmente os ovinos e caprinos, são partes importantes da vida econômica e social de muitas nações pela sua ampla capacidade de adaptação às condições adversas do ambiente e boa eficiência no uso da água, podendo ser uma das boas alternativas de mitigação dos efeitos das mudanças climáticas, gerando divisas e melhoria das condições de vida em muitas regiões do mundo. O conceito de produtividade de água para a produção animal é relativamente novo e ainda são recentes e escassos os estudos existentes no mundo e em particular no Brasil. A realização de mais pesquisas e a geração de novas tecnologias de uso da água na produção animal, hoje mais do que nunca tornam-se imprescindíveis.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar os efeitos do uso de água salina em diferentes estádios de desenvolvimento de plantas de feijão-de-corda sobre a eficiência de utilização de água e de nutrientes. O experimento foi conduzido no campo e obedeceu ao delineamento em blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos e cinco repetições. Os tratamentos empregados foram: T1 - água de poço com condutividade elétrica (CEa) de 0,8 dS m-1 durante todo o ciclo; T2 - água salina (CEa de 5,0 dS m-1) durante todo o ciclo; T3, T4 e T5 - água salina de 0 a 22 dias após o plantio (DAP), de 23 a 42 DAP e de 43 a 62 DAP, respectivamente. As plantas dos tratamentos T3, T4 e T5 foram irrigadas com água de poço nas demais fases do ciclo. Aos 8; 23; 43 e 63 DAP, as plantas foram colhidas e determinaram-se a matéria seca total e de grãos, a eficiência no uso da água, considerando a produção de matéria seca total (EUA P) e a produção de grãos (EUA GR), e a eficiência de utilização de nutrientes (K, Ca, N, P, Fe, Cu, Zn e Mn). A aplicação de água salina durante todo o ciclo (T2) reduziu a EUA P e a EUA GR, enquanto a aplicação de água na fase inicial do ciclo (T3) reduziu a EUA GR e a eficiência de utilização da maioria dos nutrientes. Por outro lado, a irrigação com água salina dos 23 aos 42 DAP (T4) e dos 43 aos 62 DAP (T5) não afetou as eficiências nos usos de água e de nutrientes.<br>The objective of this paper was to evaluate the effect of the saline water applied at different development stages of cowpea plants, on water and nutrient use efficiency. The experiment was set up in the field, during the dry season. A completely randomized block design, with five treatments and five repetitions was adopted. The treatments studied were: T1 - (groundwater with electrical conductivity (ECw) of 0.8 dS m-1) during the whole crop cycle; T2 - saline water (ECw = 5.0 dS m-1) during the whole crop cycle; T3, T4 and T5 - saline water from 0 to 22 days after sowing (DAS), from 23 to 42 DAS and from 43 to 62 DAS, respectively. The plants of T3, T4 and T5 were irrigated with groundwater in the remaining stages of the crop cycle. At 8, 23, 43 and 63 DAS the plants were harvested and the total dry mass and grain yield were measured. The water use efficiency was estimated by using total dry mass production (WUE P) and grain yield (WUE GR), as well as the nutrients use efficiency - NUE, (K, Ca, N, P, Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn). The application of saline water during whole the crop cycle (T2) reduced WUE P and WUE GR, while the use of saline water during the germination and initial plant development (T3) caused reduction in WUE GR and in the NUE for most of the analyzed nutrients. Irrigation with saline water from 23 to 42 DAS (T4) and from 43 to 62 DAS (T5) did not affect water and nutrient use efficiencies.

[SPA] Se evaluaron los efectos que tiene la aplicación de agua regenerada (AR), en combinación con estrategias de riego deficitario controlado (RDC), sobre los parámetros fisiológicos y de desarrollo de la planta de pomelo, destacando los posibles cambios en la eficiencia del uso del agua (EUA) y del nitrógeno (EUN) y realizando una caracterización de los elementos estructurales y constituyentes a nivel foliar. Se observó una mejora de la EUA en los tratamientos regados con AR y, por el contrario, una disminución de la EUN, del contenido en clorofila, de los niveles de intercambio gaseoso y, además, dio lugar a una potencial acumulación de sales a nivel foliar. [ENG] Effects of the application of reclaimed water (RW), combined with strategies of deficit irrigation (RDI) on physiological parameters and development of grapefruit plant were evaluated, highlighting the potential changes in water (WUE) and nitrogen (NUE) use efficiency and performing a characterization of structural elements and constituents at leaf level. RW improved the WUE and, conversely, decreased the NUE, the chlorophyll content and levels of gas exchange. In addition, the application of RW resulted in a potential accumulation of salts at the level foliar. | Esta investigación se ha financiado por los proyectos SIRRIMED (KBBE-2009-1-2-03, PROPOSAL Nº 245159), SENECA (05665/PI/07 and 11872/PI/09) y CICYT (AGL2010-17553).

O experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de desenvolver técnicas de manejo durante a larvicultura de trairão, realizando cultivos em água doce ou ligeiramente salinizada, utilizando náuplios de Artemia como alimento vivo. No início da alimentação exógena, oito dias após a eclosão, as larvas foram contadas e estocadas em 12 recipientes com volume útil de 1,5 L cada, dotados de sistema de aeração, numa densidade de 10 larvas/L, distribuídos dentro de três tanques de 130 L, contendo água com temperatura controlada (29,5ºC). Os tanques foram totalmente cobertos com lona plástica preta, mantendo o ambiente interno escuro, e descobertos somente para os manejos diários. As larvas foram submetidas a três tratamentos: cultivo em água doce; em água a 2‰ de salinidade; e em água a 4‰ de salinidade. Cada tratamento teve quatro repetições. A alimentação foi fornecida nas proporções diárias de 300 náuplios de Artemia/larva, do primeiro ao quinto dia, de 600 náuplios de Artemia/larva, do sexto ao décimo dia e de 900 náuplios de Artemia/larva, do décimo primeiro ao décimo quinto dia, divididos em três refeições. Ao final do experimento, foram avaliadas a sobrevivência, o crescimento (comprimento e peso), a taxa de crescimento específico e a taxa de resistência ao estresse. Após 15 dias de tratamento, não foram verificadas diferenças significativas entre os resultados das variáveis analisadas. As condições de cultivo mostraram-se eficientes, possibilitando altas taxas de sobrevivência (valores médios superiores a 91,6%), sendo a Artemia um alimento atrativo. Os níveis de salinidade utilizados não afetaram o desenvolvimento das larvas e alevinos. | The objective of this work was the development of larviculture handling technics to rear trairao in slightly saline freshwater, with Artemia nauplii as live food. At the beginning of exogenous feeding, eight days after hatching, trairao larvae were counted and stocked in twelve 1.5-L vessels, equipped with aeration, at 10 larvae/L density. The vessels were distributed in three 130-L tanks filled with controlled temperature water (29.5ºC). The tanks were covered with black plastic to keep the environment dark, and uncovered only for daily management. The larvae were submitted to three treatments with four replicates, as follows: freshwater culture; water with 2‰ salinity; and water with 4‰ salinity. For the first five days, larvae were fed 300 Artemia nauplii/larvae. In the subsequent five days, larvae were fed 600 Artemia nauplii/larvae, and from the 11th to the 15th day, 900 Artemia nauplii/larvae, divided in three portions. At the end of the experiment, survival, growth (length and weight), specific growth rates and stress resistence rate were evaluated. At the end of 15 days of culture, no significant differences were observed among analyzed results of the different treatments. Rearing conditions were efficient, with high survival rates (average values superior than 91,6%), and Artemia proved to be an attractive food. Salinity levels studied did not affect trairao larvae and fingerling development compared to freshwater.

27 páginas, 24 figuras, 3 cuadros | [EN] On the basis of data provided by the cruises «Galicia I, II, III and IV», water bodies off the Galician coast [Northwest of Spain) from a depth of 1500 m to the surface are described herein in the period from June to October. The Mediterranean Water vein (MW) is very clear in the western coast at the level of 1200 m. A proportion ol 77% MW is still found at this area, though it decreases at the northern coast of Galicia. Its distribution is similar to the one previously described by other authors. | Central Water is located between 75 m and 400 m. It presents two clearly different bodies: while in the western cuast the North Atlantic Central Water (NACW) is found, highly modified Central Water is observed in the northern coast. Its upper part is homogeneous with salinity values between 35,56 and 35.58 %o and temperature values between 11.0 antl 11,6ºC. The most representative T-S diagrams are those corresponding to stations 16-III and 56-III in figure 8. The water off the northern coast is supposed to have its origin in the Celtic Sea, but the water off the western coast of Galicia is thought to come from a latitude inferior than 40ºN. A circulation for these two water bodies is proprised as it is shown in figure 3. The very clear boundary between them is indicated by the dotted zone. The variations of surface water characteristics are due to meteorological conditions. Temperature decreases against the coast as an effect of the upwelling of Central Water. This effect is specially important in the northern zone of Cape Finisterre and can be explained by the intensification of the upwelling in that zone. Surface cirulation also varies. In this months it borders the coast prcedominantly from the northest to the south | [ES] Se describen los cuerpos de agua de la costa de Galicia (NO de España) desde la superficie hasta una profundidad de 1500 m, durante los meses de verano, de junio a octubre, utilizando los datos de las campañas oceanográficas "Galicia I, II, III y IV". La vena de Agua Mediterránea (AM) es muy clara en el nivel de 1200 m en la costa oeste, en la que todavia alcanza el 77% de AM referido al agua tipo que se encuentra en este nivel y fuera del estrecho de Gibraltar. La proporción decrece en la costa norte de Galicia y su distribución es similar a la descrita anteriormente por otros autores. El Agua Central está localizada entre 75 y 400 m; a niveles inferiores está mezclada con cantidades crecientes de AM. El Agua Central en la costa de Galicia presenta dos cuerpos de agua bien diferenciados. En la costa oeste es Agua Central Nor-Atlántica (ACNA) típica, mientras que en lo costa norte es Agua Central muy modificada con una fuerte homogeneización vertical, con valores de salinidad entre 33,56 y 35,58%o y la temperatura entre 11,Oº y 11,6ºC. | Los diagramas T-S más representativos de estos dos cuerpos de agua son los de las estaciones 16-III y 56-III de la figura 8a. El cuerpo de agua de la costa norte se supone que tiene su origen en el mar Céltico durante el invierno, mientras que el de la costa oeste viene de latitudes inferiores a 40 N. En la figura 3 del texto se propone la circulación probable de estos dos cuerpos de agua entre los que hay una zona limítrofe indicada con punteado. Las características del agua superficial son variables, puesto que dependen de las condiciones meteorológicas, pero hay un decrecimiento dee Iti temperatura contra la costa debido al Agua Central aflorada, que tiene su máxima intensificación un poco al norte del cabo Finisterre. La circulación superficia1 también es variable: estos meses es predominantemente del nordeste hacia el sur, bordeando la costa. | Peer reviewed

Neste trabalho, estudaram-se os efeitos de cinco níveis (N) de salinidade da água de irrigação (1,51; 2,79; 3,93; 5,15 e 7,22 dS m-1), no desenvolvimento inicial de duas cultivares de melão amarelo (Gold mine e AF646). O cultivo foi realizado na horta do Departamento de Fitotecnia da ESAM, localizada no município de Mossoró, RN, no período de 4 de novembro a 12 de dezembro de 1998, em recipientes plásticos com capacidade para 9 L, conduzidos ao ar livre, tendo como substrato Argissolo vermelho-amarelo eutrófico abrupto do horizonte Ap1, utilizando-se o delineamento em blocos inteiramente casualizados arranjados no esquema fatorial 2x5, com três repetições. As características: peso seco da parte aérea, área foliar e salinidade média e final do solo, foram avaliadas mediante análise de variância (teste F) e estudo de regressão. As cultivares Gold mine e AF646 apresentaram comportamento semelhante quanto a tolerância à salinidade da água de irrigação, com perda de fitomassa seca da parte aérea (FSPA) de 6,8% por aumento unitário da condutividade elétrica na água de irrigação. O comportamento da área foliar foi similar ao da FSPA. Observou-se efeito linear e quadrático da salinidade da água de irrigação sobre a salinidade média e final do solo, respectivamente.<br>The effect of five irrigation water salinity levels (N: 1.51, 2.79, 3.93, 5.15 and 7,22 dS m-1), on initial development of two yellow melon cultivars (Gold mine and AF646) was studied. The trial was conducted under field conditions in an orchard belonging to Department of Phytotechnic - ESAM, at Mossoró in the State of RIo Grande do Norte, Brazil, during the period of November 4 to December 12, 1998. Plastic pots with 9 L capacity filled with Alfisol soil (horizon Ap1) were used. Experimental design was a completely randomized block in a factorial scheme, with three replications. Shoot dry matter, leaf area, mean soil salinity and final soil salinity were evaluated through variance and regression analysis. Salinity tolerance was similar for Gold mine and AF646, with a loss of 6.8% of shoot dry matter for unit increase of electrical conductivity of irrigation water. A similar behavior was observed for leaf area. Irrigation water salinity induced linear effect on mean soil salinity and quadratic effect on final soil salinity.

This study examines how environmental issues have been addressed in the water sector in Brazil, within the context of activities of the Federal Government, generally, and those implemented under Bank sector operations, in particular. The core focus of the study lies in the management of water quality, as it affects both the users of raw water, and those who are primarily concerned with the disposal of wastewater. The report considers the following three sectoral areas concomitantly - water resources management, water supply and sanitation, and, the environment - thus limiting its review, and focus to those themes which are key to the over-arching issue of water quality. Water resources management in the country relied upon heavy investments in medium, and large scale projects that provided basic infrastructure for water uses. However, these have produced questionable impacts in terms of reducing poverty, and inequality. One of the reasons for this, has been the poor infrastructure management, which despite its importance, has been largely underestimated. While improvements in the utilization of existing infrastructure in the water sector remain critical, it needs to be complemented by incentives to both service providers, and water users. Moreover, low economic, environmental, and social returns from investments in the water sector, reflect the tendency to distract attention from the objectives in the design, and implementation of projects. Thus, an assessment of water quality goals is required, which should be based on systematic evaluations of the costs, and benefits of reaching alternative standards, and explicit social objectives.

As propriedades físico-químicas da água de irrigação, bem como de soluções aquosas, tem sido tema de estudo e, mais recentemente, percebe-se o incremento do interesse científico. A motivação principal é disponibilizar água de qualidade nos cultivos e o entendimento dos mecanismos de ação dos preparados homeopáticos. O trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a ação dos preparados homeopáticos nas propriedades físico-químicas da água de três origens. O experimento foi desenvolvido no Laboratório de Homeopatia do Departamento de Fitotecnia da UFV, sendo instalado no delineamento em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições (experimentos de 1 a 6) ou seis repetições (experimento 7). Os tratamentos dos experimentos 1 a 6 constaram das homeopatias Calcarea carbonica, Calcarea sulphurica, Calcarea phosphorica, Carbo vegetabilis, Natrum muriaticum, Natrum carbonicum, Natrum sulphuricum, Pyrogenium, Sulphur e os preparados homeopáticos água destilada, água de mina e água de lago com os controles água destilada, água de mina e água de lago. A dinamização utilizada nos experimentos 1 a 6 foi 7CH. Os tratamentos do experimento 7 constaram da homeopatia Natrum muriaticum nas dinamizações 1CH, 3CH, 5CH, 7CH, 12CH e 30CH e os preparados homeopáticos água destilada salinizada e álcool 70% nas dinamizações 7CH e o controle água destilada salinizada. Em recipientes de vidro contendo 80 mL de água foram aplicadas duas gotas do tratamento a cada 24 horas. Os dados das variáveis foram obtidos após a aplicação dos tratamentos. O pH, a condutividade elétrica e a turbidez foram mensuradas respectivamente pelos equipamentos: pHmetro de bancada (modelo DM 23), condutivímetro (modelo DM 32) e turbidímetro portátil (modelo DM TU). Ao final das medições os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médiasforam comparadas com a testemunha pelo teste de Dunnett, a 5% de probabilidade. As homeopatias causaram alterações nas propriedades físico químicas da água. Foi verificada a atuação diferenciada das diversas dinamizações. Determinados preparados homeopáticos promovem respostas marcantes, bem perceptíveis com individualidade de respostas, evidenciando o princípio de especificidade de ação. | The physico-chemical properties of irrigation water, as well as of aqueous solutions have recently become a topic of study and attracted the attention of scientists. The main reason is to make quality water available for crops and to understand the mechanisms of action of homeopathic preparations. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of homeopathic preparations on the physico-chemical properties of water originated from three sources. The experiment was developed at the Laboratory of Homeopathy of the Department of Plant Science of the UFV, and was arranged in a randomized block design, with four repetitions (experiments 1- 6) or six repetitions (experiment 7). The treatments of experiments 1-6 consisted of the homeopathies Calcarea carbonica, Calcarea sulphurica, Calcareaphosphorica, Carbo vegetabilis, Natrum muriaticum, Natrumcarbonicum, Natrum sulphuricum, Pyrogenium, and Sulphur and of the homeopathic preparations distilled water, mine water, and lake water, with the controls distilled water, mine water and lake water. The dynamics applied in experiments 1- 6 was 7CH. The experiment 7 treatments consisted of homeopathy Natrum muriaticum at dynamizations 1CH, 3CH, 5CH, 7CH, 12CH and 30CH and the homeopathic ix preparations salinized distilled water and 70% alcohol at dynamizations 7CH and the control salinized distilled water. Two drops of the treatment were applied every 24 h in glass recipients containing 80 mL water. The variable data were obtained after application of the treatments; pH, electric conductivity, and turgidity were measured, respectively, by the equipments: counter pHmeter (DM 23 model), conductivimeter (DM 32 model) and portable turgid meter (DM TU model). At the end of the measurements, the data were submitted to variance analysis and the means compared with the control by the Dunnett test, at 5% probability. The homeopathies caused alterations in the physico-chemical properties of water. A differentiated action of the several dynamizations was verified. Some homeopathic preparations promoted rather perceptive, markedly individual responses, making evident the principle of specificity of action.