RCAAP Repository

The solubility of four limestones (sedimentar and methamorfic) separated in four granulometric fractions were studied using two chemical extractants (solutions of hydrochloric and acetic acids), under different conditions, with the objective of evaluating the efficiency of these materials by means of that criterion. The results, compared with others obtained by incubation with soils, showed that the chemical extractants can not be used to evaluate the agricultural limestones because there was no correlation between solubility, expressed in terms of equivalent of CaCO3, and the efficiency showed in the soil incubation study.

The objective of this work was to study blending of corn seeds obtained in two consecutive cropping seasons (one year old seeds and new seeds ) as to its effect on seed physiological quality. Seeds obtained from 4 cultivars grown in the 1984/85 and 1985/86 cropping seasons were utilized. The older seeds were initially stored under two conditions (non -controlled environment and dry chamber) for a period of about 6,5 months. Blending was then done to obtain three lots with 10 %, 15 % and 20 % old seeds , respectively. Lots from the two growing seasons were also tested separately. Performance of the various seed lots was evaluated by means of germination and vigor tests. The results indicated that corn seeds obtained from two consecutive cropping seasons can be used as a valid alternative for the utilization of commercial surplus for it was found that up to 20 % of older seeds had no significant effect on total seed germination where as seed vigor was not affected by as much as 10 % of older seeds.

The objective of this work was to study blending of corn seeds obtained in two consecutive cropping seasons (one year old seeds and new seeds) as to its effects on plant performance in the field. Seeds obtained from 4 cultivars grown in the 1984/85 and 1985/86 cropping seasons were utilized. The older seeds were initially stored under two conditions (non-controlled environment and dry chamber) for a period of about 6.5 months. Blending was then done to obtain three lots with 10 %, 15 % and 20 % old seeds, respectively. Lots from the two growing seasons were also tested separately. Performance of the various seed lots was evaluated by field observations. The results indicated that corn seeds obtained from two consecutive cropping seasons can be used as a valid alternative for the utilization of commercial surplus for it was observed that blending new seeds with up to 20 % older seeds did not affect plant performance in the field.

Agricultural limestones of various PRNT (Relative Power of Total Neutralization) values, calculated considering the relative efficiency of their granulometric fractions, were used in a comparative study. A number of 22 limestone samples were collected ; 12 from different mills from the municipalities of Rio Claro, Piracicaba and Tietê and 10 selected to obtain a desired range of granulometric and chemical composition in the lot. The results indicate that PRNT formulas currently used in Brazil may be underestimating limestone efficiency. The proposed new formula can be taken as a more reliable index for agricultural purposes.

Twenty, 27, 34 and 41-day old roquette (Eruca sativa) plants were collected from a Cultivada c.v. crop and separated into leaves and roots. The plant material was dried and analysed for, N, P, K, Ca , M, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn by lab conventional methods . The plant dry weight was found to increase up to the time plants were 34 days old, then it became stabilized. The total content of the elements in 1,000 plants/ 10 m² at 34 days was 20 g N, 1.868 P, 22,1 g K, 7.56 g Ca, 1.77 g Mg, 1.99 g S, 17.7 mg B, 7.8 mg Cu, 475.6 mg Fe, 14.3 mg Mn and 37.7 mg Zn.

Twenty five, 35, 45 and 55-day old chicory plants from a Folha Larga c.v. crop were collected and separeted into leaves and roots, and then analysed for N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn by lab conventional methods. The dry matter content was founol to increase up to the time plants were 45 days old. The total nutrient contents in 5.000 plants/100 m² at 45 days were: 92.3 g N, 13.3 g P, 83.2 g Ca, 8.6 g Mg, 5.4 g S, 154 mg B, 38 mg Cu, 7.979 mg Fe, 301 mg Mn and 214 mg Zn. The nutrient levels in leaves of 45-day old plants were: 4.39% N, 0,47% P, 2.93% K, 1.00% Ca, 0.35% Mg, 0.20% S, 59 ppm B, 15 ppm Cu, 2.926 ppm Fe, 117 ppm Mn and 80 ppm Zn.

Direct seeding lettuce crop for cutting was analysed for macro-and micronutrients extraction during growth period. The cultivar used was Grand Rapids and the soil was a Dark Red Latosol, Luiz de Queiroz series. The nutrient levels in 50-day old plants were : 3.35% and 1.76% N, 0.46% and 0.5% P, 4.40% and 5.92% K , 0.92% and 0.58% Ca, 0.32 and 0.23% Mg, 0.23% and 0.25% S, 43 ppm and 62 ppm B, 21 ppm and 22 ppm Cu, 71 ppm and 39 ppm Mn, 98 ppm and 103 ppm Zn, 513 ppm and 1.100 ppm Fe, in upperground and roots, respectively. A 100 m² area of crop extracts: 1.44 kg N, 0.23 kg P, 0.40 g Ca, 2.15 kg K, 0.15 kg Mg, 0.11 kg S, 2.10 g B, 0.97 g Cu, 3.7 g Mn, 4.52 g Zn.

Leaves of bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) deficient in potassium and the proper control of two cultivars were analysed in relation to ornithine transcarbamylase (E.C. 2.1.3.3) and glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (E.C. 2.6.1.1) activities. Leaves of bean plants grown under potassium deficiency showed higher activities of both enzymes. These dada suggest that the accumulation of citrulline and arginine in potassium deficient plants was due to the higher activity of ornithine transcarbamylase, probably as a mechanism to reduce ammonium toxicity.

Young rubber plants were cultivated in BOLLE JONES nutrient solution. A separate aluminum solution was prepared by dissolving a thin aluminum foil with HCl lN. From this stock solution the following concentrations were prepared; none, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25ppm of aluminum. The plants remained for 24 hours in nutrient solution and for another 24 hours in the aluminum solutions. This procedure was carried out during 95 days. After 95 days the plants were harvested and divided into top whorl, 2nd and 3rd whorls, stem and roots. The material was dried and analysed for Fe, Mn and Zn. Concentration and accumulation of Fe and Mn was affected by 20ppm of aluminum in the solution. The concentration and accumulation of Zn in the roots and leaves was affected by 15ppm of aluminum in the solution.

In order to evaluate the performance of two insecticides (fenthion and chlorpyriphos) in the control of mound termite nests (Cornitermes cumulans), a test was carried out in Piracicaba, State of São Paulo, Brazil. Sixty nests were selected, measured and divided into six groups of 10 mounds each. The treatments were as follows: A) chlorpyriphos, 1.2g; B) chlorpyriphos, 2.4g; C) chlorpyriphos, 3.6; D) chlorpyriphos, 4.8g; E) fenthion, l.0g; F) fenthion, 1.25g. (quantities are of active ingredients introduced in each mound). With a 60cm long steel bar a vertical canal was made from the top of the nest to the center of the colony. The emulsions (insecticides plus water) were introduced into each termite nest. After 126 days following application, the nests were completely destroyed. All dosages of the two insecticides provided 100% of dead mounds.

Two sedimentar and two metamorphic limestone, separated in the sieves n°s (ABNT) 5-10, 10-30, 30-50, and 50-60 were incubated with three types of soils. The neutralizing efficiency was evaluated by pH variation. The results showed that their efficiency is independent of the geological nature of limestone but is dependent of soil type. The following efficiency value is suggested for each size fraction: larges than size 10 is 0%, size 10-30 is 35%, sizes 30-50 is 75% and smaller than size 50 is 100%.

This study was carried out with the objective of obtaining information on the characteristics and genesis of three pedons of a Typic Natrustalf located in the semi arid region of Brazil. These soils are relatively shallow with an abrupt textural change, have a poor drainase and a very developed natric horizon. The surficial horizons are very sandy originated by a reworked material. The natric horizon has a clay content around 25% characterized by a very strong blocky or colunar structure. The clay fraction of these soils is constituted basically bi 2:1 clay minerals like micas, vermiculite and smectite. Some calcium plagioclase and kaolinite does occur. In the coarser fraction occurs minerals like calcite, calcium plagioclase, hornblend and quartz.

Soil samples were chemically analysed to verify the influence of packing (card box or poliethylene bag), storage (1-32 days) and drying process (in the open air or at 60°C). The types of soil under consideration were "Terra Roxa Estruturada" and Dark Red B Latosolic sand phase. The drying process was the most important factor affecting analytical results of pH and phosphorus. The storage showed importance only to phosphorus, and the packing process had no influence in the results. Variations on the level of soil fertility were also obtained. Statistical analysis applied on the results showed that drying is the main factor affecting the chemical analysis, especially related to pH and exchangeable phosphorus content.

A test was made to evaluate flavor preference between cow milk added soybean milk yoghurt (85 and 15% respectively), and traditional yoghurt. The results of the application of the sequential two-sided paired preference comparison test in the organoleptic evaluation of the flavor of the yoghurts showed that the preference is for the traditional yoghurt, not with standing the acceptable flavor of the new product.

Techniques were carried out for sugarcane artificial infestation with Diatraea saccharalis (Fabr., 1794) eggs for Trichogramma studies purposes. Tests were conducted under greenhouse conditions to evaluate a suitable method to obtain D. saccharalis eggs on sugarcane leaves, in order to get maximum parasitism by Trichogramma distinctum Zucchi, 1988 and T. galloi Zucchi, 1988. Two different methods were tested for each Trichogramma species: a) pin attachment of small pieces of paper containing D. saccharalis eggs to sugarcane leaves and b) D. saccharalis couples maintained in cages on the sugarcane plants for direct oviposition on the leaves. Meanwhile, a technique was developed to estimate the number of D. saccharalis eggs obtained from artificial infestations, which consisted of placing a translucid and reticulum printed plastic sheet on the cluster surface area. Thus, the number of eggs per cluster was estimated through regression models developed according to the cluster size. A reduction in parasitism (%) was observed for both Trichogramma species being studied when eggs of D. saccharalis were offered on paper. Therefore, confinement of D. saccharalis couples on the plant was the most suitable method to infest sugarcane with eggs for Trichogramma studies. The technique developed to count eggs of D. saccharalis has proved to be useful for artificial infestations under field conditions.

The nutritive value of coconut cake meal was studied through a digestibility trial, in a rotative equilibrated latin square design, with adult wothers. The digestibility of the conventional nutrients was taken out by association with Rhodes grass hay (Chloris gayana - Kunth.). Three levels of cake plus hay were tested: zero percent (treatment A), 15% (treatment B) and 30% (treatment C). Treatment C was the higher in fat (about 6%) and its coefficient of digestibility was also the highest for fat, probably due to the good quality of the cake oil. The average TDN of the coconut cake, calculated from association with the hay, was 71,06%. It was concluded that the cake is also a good source of energy, since the level of protein is around 22%.

Em uma plantação de cafeeiros (Coffea arabica cv. Catuai) com dois, três, quatro e cinco anos de idade no campo, situada em Latossolo Vermelho Amarelo, fase cerrado no município de Salto, SP, determinou-se o recrutamento de micronutrientes no caule, ramos, folhas e frutos, durante as fases fenológicas de repouso, granaçao e maturação. Concluiu-se que: A maior acumulação de cobre, manganês e zinco ocorre nos meses de julho, janeiro e junho em cafeeiros com cinco anos de idade. A acumulação de boro e ferro varia em função das épocas. Em janeiro e junho o acúmulo de ferro nao mostrou diferenças entre as idades. O cafeeiro aos cinco anos de campo exporta através da colheita, em função do conteúdo total da planta 30% de B, 46% de Cu, 26% de Fe, 14% de Mn e 25% de Zn.

The use of dry yeast or concentrate of vinasse, associated to auto hydrolysed sugar cane (BAH) in rations for feedlot, was compared to BAH rations containing cotton seed meal as a protein source. A feed lot trial (initial body weight = 316kg) was carried out during a 122 day period. The rations, formulated to provide 1,0kg of weight gain per day, were composed by 50% of BAH and 12,7% of the protein source (cotton seed meal or concentrate of vinasse or yeast), 17,8% of corn and 12,5% of sugar cane stalks as roughage complement. The mean weight gain was 843, 989 and 580g/animal-day for the rations containing cotton seed meal, yeast and concentrate of vinasse, respectively. The rations containing yeast and cotton seed meal provided higher weighing gains (P < 0,01) when compared to the ration containing concentrate of vinasse. No significant differences were observed between the rations containing yeast and cotton seed meal, even at 5% by the Tukey test. The results have shown that the cotton seed meal be completely substituted by the dry yeast in complete rations of feedlot containing auto hydrolysed sugar cane bagasse (BAH). However, one should consider the economic aspects of such substitution.

The objective of this work was to study the comparative effect of heat, S0(2) and ascorbic acid treatments on polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activities, aiming to select the best method to control the enzymatic browning for each of the fruits and vegetables studied. The results showed that for banana, peach, apple, carrot, cauli-flower and heart-of-palm, heat was the best inactivating method of the enzyme system responsible for browning. S0(2) was more efficient for pear, whereas ascorbic acid was considered the best inhibitor for fig and potato.

In order to control the mite of leprosis B. phoeniois a field test was carried out in Piracicaba, State of São Paulo, Brazil, with the following treatments and active ingredients per 100 liters of water: A) check; B) clofentezine, 9.45g; C) clofentezine, 9.45g + multimethyl alkenols, 0.4g; D) quinomethionate, 25.0g; E) quinomethionate, 37.5g; F) pyrethroid RU-1000, 1.76g; G) pyrethroid RU-1000; 2.0g; H) dicofol, 37.0g (standard treatment). Each orange tree was sprayed with 6 liters of the product. Six evaluations were made: one 3 days before spraying and 5 post-treatment (5, 14, 18, 26 and 35 days after spraying. The best treatments were B, F, G and H.