The objective was to evaluate the cellulolytic activity of aerobic mycelian fungi from dairy cat- tle fed tropical forages. Isolates of fungi were obtained from 30 samples of rumen fluid from cows fed sorghum silage, 32 cows fed on Brachiaria brizantha , 12 heifers receiving sorghum silage and 11 heifers fed cane sugar. The isolation was performed on C solid medium containing cellulose. Were evaluated 49 isolates, 27 Aspergil- lus spp., four Gliocladium spp., six Paecilomyces spp., nine Rhizophus spp. and three Scedosporium . These isolates were incubated in C medium with 1% microcrystalline cellulose as the sole carborno source, and incu- bated at 37°C in triplicate. Cellulolytic activity indices were verified after 24, 48 and 72 hours and calculated by the ratio between degradation halo and colony diameter for comparing in nonparametric tests. The genus Aspergillus , showed higher cellulolytic activity index mean compared to Rhizophus genus (p <0.05). Eight iso- lates of Aspergillus spp. and six of Paecilomyces spp. showed this index higher than one, indicating potential for utilization in ruminant nutrition.

Anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) and dry rot (Phoma caricae-papayae) of papaya (Carica papaya) reduce fruit post-harvest storage life. Therefore, this study evaluated under laboratory conditions the effect of the hydrothermal treatment of fruits on these diseases. Two types of tests were conducted: (1) fruit immersion in hot water (48 ºC) for 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 min; and, (2) fruit immersion in hot water at 44, 46, 48 and 50 ºC / 20 min. The experiments were conducted in a randomized complete block design with five replications. Two isolates of C. gloeosporioides and one of P. caricae-papayae were tested in papaya fruits of cv. 'Sunrise Solo' and hybrid ‘Tainung 1’. Fruits were washed, wounded (3mm), inoculated (50μL, 106 conidia mL-1), placed in humid chamber (24 h), and then treated. After treatment, fruits were water cooled (13ºC/20 min) and stored (14 days) in cold chamber (13 ºC; 85-100% R.H.). Daily the diameter of lesions was evaluated for two weeks. Variations on time and temperature did not alter fruit firmness (kg cm-2), pH, total soluble solids (o Brix) e tritable acidity (% of citric acid) in comparison to non-treated fruits. However, in one case on ‘Tainung 1’ fruits, tritable acidity was higher at 48 ºC / 20 min. Fruits treated with hot water at 48 ºC / 20-30 min or 48-50 ºC / 20 min presented less fruit rots.

The fall armyworm is a pest that feeds on various botanies species. The objective of this experi- ment was to study the biology of this pest in corn and cassava leaves. Caterpillars were collected in area under cultivation with cassava and maintained on artificial diet for two generations. Under controlled conditions in a climatic chamber (B.O.D) in the laboratory (25 ºC, 60 ± 10% RH and photophase 14 hours) were evaluated daily 50 caterpillars in corn treatments and 50 in cassava, where duration and viability of the larval phase and pupal, weight of pupas were observed after 24 hours, deformation percentage of pupas and adults, longevity, fecundity and total life cycle. The viability of larvae fed on leaves of maize and cassava was 74% and 60%, respectively. The larval period of the insects was shorter in maize 16.89 days (seven instars) and cassava 20.08 days (six instars). The pupal phase lasted 11.42 days in cassava treatment and 10.87 in the maize. The pupal weight of females and males was higher in corn 204.91 mg and 198.97 mg, respectively. The biological cycle varied depending on the ingested food. Adult longevity lasted 9.88 days for insects fed on cassava leaves. Therefore, cassava affected the development of S. frugiperda.

Combretum leprosum Mart. is a tree species native of the Caatinga, used in the restoration of degraded areas and in folk medicine. Thus, this research aimed to evaluate the germination and vigor of the seeds subjecting them to different pre-germinative treatments, temperatures and substrates. In the first experi- ment, we tested the pre-germinative treatments: mechanical scarification with sandpaper, chemical scarification with H2SO4 for 1, 5, 10 and 20 minutes, immersion in water at 80 oC and imbibition in distilled water for 24 hours, beyond of the control. In the second experiment, after treatment of imbibition in water for 24 hours, the experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial 5 x 4 (five substrates: into paper, sand, coconut fiber, vermiculite and paper towel organized in the form of rolls; and four temperatures: 25, 30, 35 and 20-30 oC). The following parameters were evalueted: seed moisture content, germination, germination speed index, first germination count and seedling length and dry matter weight. The seeds of Combretum leprosum have not coat dormancy. However, pre-germinative treatments of mechanical scarification with sandpaper and imbibi- tion in water for 24 hours allows better expression of seeds vigor. The paper towel and the temperatures of 25, 30 and 20-30 oC provide adequate conditions for evaluating the germination of Combretum leprosum seeds.

To evaluate different organic sources as substrates for the production of rootstocks of Tamarin- dus indica L., we conducted an experiment in a greenhouse nursery located on the campus of Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA) in the period from October 2007 to February 2008. We tested the substrates: soil, manure, goat manure, sheep manure and humus, and combinations thereof, totaling twelve treatments. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, with 12 treatments (substrates), four replicates and 10 plants per treatment, totaling 480 plants. The conclusion that the combination of soil with animal manure, in various ratios studied, show satisfactory results in the production of the tamarind rootstock was reached. The treatment not only composed of soil provided suitable for production of rootstocks results of tamarind.

The cowpea bean (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) is often attacked by defoliator insects. There are a great number of species of these defoliator insects and they cause huge damage to the plants. The most important being: Diabrotica speciosa e Cerotoma arcuata (both Coleóptera), Spodoptera frugiperda, Mocis latipes e Spodoptera cosmioides (both Lepidoptera). Understanding the relationship between the plague infestation and the productivity of the culture is one of the keys to the success of the integrate management of the cowpea bean. Studying the artificial defoliation process in order to simulate similar insect damages to the plants is useful. There are few research studies about the artificial defoliation in the cowpea bean plant. So, this study was developed to determine the level of economical damage inflicted by defoliator insects in cowpea bean plants in the Cultivar BR-17 Gurguéia. The experiments were conducted in the do Departamento de Fitotecnia do Centro de Ciências Agrárias da Universidade Federal do Piauí. The defoliation were in the order of 0%; 25%; 50%; 75% and 100%. The experiment was taken 25 days and 40 days after planting the cowpea bean plants. The production loss threshold of the cowpea bean in local condition in Teresina-PI is R$ 61.00.ha-1, which allows, through regression analysis, the following conclusion: the level of control of defoliator insects during the vegetative state is about 60% of defoliation; while in the reproductive state it is about 47%.

The study assessed sensorial aspects and physicochemical characteristics of two non- commercial genotypes of cherry tomato, CH152 and CLN1561, and compared them to the genotype Carolina, all grown organically. Ripened fruits of the three varieties were harvested at the same time, selected, cleaned and subjected to sensorial analysis by 50 adult testers. They used a 9-point hedonic scale to classify the fruits in terms of aroma, flavor, flesh color and general appearance. The physicochemical analyses determined pH, solu- ble solids (SS) and titratable acidity (AT). For the aspects aroma and general appearance, the 3 varieties ob- tained mean scores of 7.0 to 7.9, which corresponds to “like moderately”; and scored 8.0 to 8.9 to the attribute flesh color, which represents “like very much”. For the attribute flavor, the scores of “Carolina” tomatoes and CLN1561A corresponded to “like moderately, and for CH152 it was “like very much”. The mean values of physicochemical parameters (pH = 4.41 to 4.61; SS = 4.03 to 5.06; and AT = 335.13 to 369.23) were similar among the genotypes (ANOVA, P>0.05). In conclusion, both the varieties tested, CH152 and CLN1561, pro- duce fruits of high sensorial and physicochemical quality, showing potential for commercial exploitation.

The vegetation features in the coastal portion of the State of Rio Grande do Norte are presented as transitional environment between Caatinga and Atlantic Forest biomes. Being an area where distinct phytoecological domains overlap and interpenetrate keep their own ecological characteristics. As there are no major human settlements and so little agricultural activities and prominent livestock, natural scenery prevails almost untouched. Because of these characteristics, this stretch of coast has been the target of heavy real estate speculation. This study was aimed to conduct a floristic and structure ecotone study which could contribute to conservation and sustainable use. For the floristic study the entire area (300 ha) was used and the method adopted was the pathway. For the phytosociological characterization a sample from an area of approximately 60 hectares was extracted, which applied the plot method, marking 100 contiguous plots of 100 m2. The phytosociological parameters were calculated using specific software. The floristic recorded 108 species in 91 genera and 49 families. For the phytosociological survey, 1960 individuals comprising of 31 species in 27 genera and 22 botanical families. The most important family was the Myrtaceae. The most abundant species were Psidium oligospermum, Eugenia luschnathiana and Pilosocereus catingicola and endangered species Aspilia procumbens, Cattleya granulosa and Melocactus violaceus. Species from the caatinga and the atlantic forest has been observed, supporting the idea of ecotone.

The use of natural coagulants and organic filters locally produced and low financial cost can provide attenuation problems in discharge of wastew aters, without treatment, into watercourses. Was ev aluated in this study the efficiency of the coagulation pro cess, using the Ca(OH) 2 in the preparation of Moringa seed extract, followed by filtration sawdust in the trea tment of sewage. In the tank of 150 L containing se wage was added a solution of the moringa seed extract prepar ed with Ca(OH) 2 0.011 mol L -1 at a concentration of 2.2 grams of seed per liter of wastewater to be treated . The coagulated effluent was applied to organic fi lter and the filtrate volume was converted in pore volume. Physi cal and chemical analyses were carried out in the i nfluent and effluent of the two treatment structure for the evaluation of treatment efficiency. The treatments by coagu- lation followed by filtration provided removals of 98.0, 75.3, 75.8, 75.0, 79, 7, 59.0 and 88.3% of tu rbidity, Total Solids, Total Fixed Solids, Total Volatile So lids, Total Suspended Solids, Suspended Solids Fixe d and Volatile Suspended Solids and of 51.2, 88.7, 72.6; 33.5 and 38.5% of Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Chemic al Oxygen Demand, Phosphorus, Nitrogen and Sodium.

In aquaculture, infections caused by bacteria are factors that cause damage. The purpose of this study was to identify bacteria with pathogenic potential in pacamã (Lophiosilurus alexandri) of São Francisco Valley. One hundred and fifteen animals were used for sampling from gills, kidneys, external lesions and eggs. The samples were streaked in Trypticase soy agar. The biochemical and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles were determined. The bacterial species identified were A.hydrophila, A. salmonicida, A. media, Acinetobacter spp., P. alcaligenes, E. aerogenes, E. agglomerans, K. oxytoca, K. pneumoniae, P.shigelloides, V. parahaemo- lyticus, V. metschnikovii and S. sannei. The sensitivity to antimicrobial was 85% to norfloxacin, 79% to ceftri- axone, 78% to enrofloxacin, 68% to sulfazothrim, 60% to nitrofurantoin, 59% to tetracycline, 55% to nalidixic acid, 49% to streptomycin, 45% to erythromycin, 32% to neomycin, 7% to ampicillin and 3% to lincomycin. Multiple resistance was observed to all isolates analyzed. Considering the occurrence of pathogenic bacteria in pacamã and its resistance to antimicrobial drugs, security measures should be adopted during antimicrobialther- apy, with the use of antibiotics that did not show resistance strains or trying natural products as an alternative to antibiotics, ensuring protection of human and animal health, as well as the environment.