Abstract: The influence of water salinity on the culture of Nile tilapia with biofloc was evaluated using indicators of water quality, zootechnical performance and animal welfare. Five treatments of different salinities were adopted (0, 4, 8, 12 and 16 g L-1) with three replications. The tilapia were cultured for 90 days and stocked in glass fiber tanks (800 L) at a density of 30 fish m-3 with a mean initial weight of 93.8 ± 0.89 g. Water temperature, chlorophyll-a, sedimentable solids and total suspended solids showed no difference between salinities (p>0.05). The levels of total ammonia nitrogen (3.94 mg L-1) and nitrite nitrogen (0.82 mg L-1) were lower at the salinity of 0 g L-1 compared to the highest salinity (16 g L-1) (p≤0.05). The final weight ranged from 256 to 280 g, with a survival rate of 97 to 100% (p>0.05), which resulted in a productivity of 7.4 to 8.4 kg m-3 (p≤0.05). Glucose was above the baseline value (≤ 60 mg.dL-1) in the 16 gL-1 treatment (76 mg dL-1), and fish growth at the salinities of 8 and 12 g L-1 showed positive allometry (3.020) compared to the other treatments. This demonstrated that it was possible to culture Nile tilapia at salinities of up to 16 g L-1, without compromising performance.

Abstract: The semi-arid region of Brazil is characterised by the irregular temporal and spatial distribution of the rainfall, which together with anthropogenic action causes degradation of the water quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate water quality in surface reservoirs in the Brazilian semi-arid region due to rainfall variability and the degree of anthropisation of the watersheds. Water samples were collected at the Oros, Trussu and Muquem reservoirs during August and December of 2012, April, October and December of 2013, and March and June of 2014 (dry and rainy periods). The following limnological attributes were analysed: electrical conductivity, pH, turbidity, transparency and chlorophyll-a, with the results evaluated using box plots, and the mean values compared by Student’s t-test. Anthropogenic data from the watersheds contributing to the reservoirs were used to correlate limnological attributes with the condition of the watersheds during the dry period of 2013. The rainfall was not sufficient to significantly improve the water quality of the reservoirs, and in the Oros Reservoir high levels of chlorophyll-a and turbidity occurred during both periods. Anthropisation of these areas has a direct influence on the water quality of the surface reservoirs of the Upper Jaguaribe, showing a correlation with the attributes of water quality, especially with pH. Total degradation of the surface waters of the Upper Jaguaribe Basin due to land use in the watersheds is just a matter of time.

Abstract: The present work aimed to study floral biology, pollination requirements and the behavior of floral visitors in two species of pitaya, Hylocereus undatus and H. polyrhizus, in Northeastern Brazil. The experiment was carried out through diurnal and nocturnal observations and the use of flowers bagged or accessible to visitors. Results showed that flowers of both species are similar both in anatomical and functional traits. They are large, with nocturnal anthesis onset and attract night and daytime flower visitors. The floral visitors found were sphinx moths, ants, wasps and bees, with Apis mellifera accounting for 86.1% of visits to flowers. The H. undatus species is independent of biotic pollination to set and produce large and well-shaped fruits, but H. polyrhizus shows limited self-pollination and requires biotic pollination to set fruits and also to produce larger fruits. In this case, A. mellifera appears as the most likely pollinator. It is concluded that biotic pollination deficit is a limiting factor for the productivity of H. polyrhizus , but not to H. undatus under the conditions studied and that the role of pollinators, especially A. mellifera , in the quality of the fruits produced by both pitaya species needs to be investigated.

Abstract: Dairy products are the primary delivery for probiotics, with great popularity among the public looking for functional foods. The addition of probiotics to new food matrices requires studies about the stability and viability of these microorganisms in the final product. This study aimed to develop a probiotic smoothie beverage and to evaluate the microbiological quality, pH, acidity, syneresis, probiotics viability, sensory acceptance, and consumers’ preference. For that, thirty-six beverage formulations were prepared using yogurt and different fruit pulps. Six formulations were selected for the study, as follows: probiotic yogurt with the addition of mango pulp, grape, red fruits (containing 8 and 10% sucrose), mango/passion fruit, and red fruits/acai, using a yogurt/pulp ratio of 60/40 (w/w). The beverages presented adequate hygienic-sanitary quality, with an initial probiotics viability around 7 log CFU mL-1. An increase in acidity and a decrease in pH, as well as a higher rate of syneresis and a small decline in probiotic viability were observed for all formulations throughout 30 days of storage. The probiotic smoothie made with red fruit pulp (10% sugar) was selected due to its better sensory acceptance, and maintenance of probiotic counts to confer health benefits.

Abstract: Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) is a fruit with pulp rich in carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, iron and B-complex vitamins. A large amount of waste is generated in the pulp processing, in which the seeds are included. Jackfruit seeds are often consumed after cooking, and may also undergo roasting, milling and incorporation into bakery products. The remaining jackfruit seeds can be germinated as a means to increase its utilization, constituting a process that confers positive biochemical modifications to the nutritional quality. Thus, the objective of this work was to dry the germinated seeds of the jackfruit tree in a convective drier at 55, 65 and 75 °C with drying air velocities of 1.0 and 1.3 m s-1, and adjusting different mathematical models to the experimental data. The Two-Terms model presented the best adjustment parameters among the ten mathematical models tested, resulting in the most adequate model to represent the drying behavior. The effective diffusivity increased with the increase in temperature, being in the order of 10-7 m2 s-1.

Abstract: Mortality in the production of laying hens is a concern for producers and constitutes a considerable economic loss. Some climatic events, such as heat waves, are directly related to the mortality increasing. The aim of this study was to relate the occurrence of heat waves with laying hens mortality, considering the effect of two different kinds of shed used in egg production. Daily mortality data were obtained from two aviaries located in the city of Bastos-SP for the period of October 2014 to January 2016. The data about the climate were gotten from two meteorological stations located in the cities of Tupa-SP and Rancharia-SP, Brazil, from 2010 to 2015. The heat waves were classified in the climatic database using different definitions recommended in the literature (FRICH et al., 2002; INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE METEOROLOGIA, 2016; ROSSATO; SARTORI; MISSIO, 2003 TEBALDI et al., 2006). Mortality and climate data were related in a single database and were classified into normal and high mortality by data mining using the J48 algorithm. It was possible to associate the occurrences of heat wave and the increase of mortality of laying hens. The classification tree generated identified accurately 71% of occurrences of high mortality and 95% of all mortality data. The classification tree allowed to relate the increase in laying mortality in function of heat waves and allows a prediction of when there will be a bigger chance of high mortality.

Abstract: Two complementary experiments were conducted to investigate the relationships between the canopy structure of Pennisetum clandestinum (kikuyugrass) pastures created by intermittent stocking strategies and daily herbage intake by cattle. The first experiment (Exp. I) evaluated the relationship between different pre-grazing heights (10, 15, 20, and 25 cm) and a single defoliation intensity (50% reduction in the initial heights). In the second experiment (Exp. II), four defoliation intensities (40, 50, 60, or 70% reduction in height) were combined with a single pre-grazing height (25 cm). The following variables were analyzed: i) plant-part composition, herbage mass, and bulk density of the grazing layer; and ii) daily herbage intake. The data were analyzed using orthogonal polynomial contrasts. The Tukey-Kramer test was used to compare daily herbage intake means so that the differences among treatments could be characterized. In general, herbage intake decreased as the pre-grazing canopy height decreased (Exp. I; P = 0.03) and as defoliation intensity increased (Exp. II; P = 0.02). These response patterns were associated with canopy structure, both that existing before and that created during the stocking period. In conclusion, pre-grazing heights lower than 25 cm or defoliation intensities greater than 40% reduce daily herbage intake by cattle in kikuyugrass pastures under intermittent stocking.

Abstract: The X-ray test permits the visualization of the internal structures of seeds in a non-destructive way making thus possible the diagnosis of causes of seed low germination and purity. The objective of this project was to evaluate the quality of Brachiaria brizantha seeds by means of the X-ray test and the effect of the processing stage. The seeds were sampled before processing and after going through the air and screen machine, and the first and the second gravity tables. Seeds were evaluated as to water content, purity, weight of a thousand seeds, germination, and the X-ray test. The treatment replications were distributed according to a complete random design with four replications. The X-ray test permit to verify the completely full seeds as well as deteriorated, hollow, mechanically damaged seeds and empty spikelets. The processing procedure caused no damage to the seeds. The analysis by means of X-ray is a quality control procedure resulting in information that can be used in the adjustments of processing machines.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate four selection indexes and best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) for predicting genetic gain in maize hybrids used for silage. The genetic gain was compared between four selection indexes and BLUP. Nineteen topcross hybrids and five controls were evaluated using a completely randomized block design with four replicates in two areas located in Campos dos Goytacazes and Itaocara, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in the growing season 2013-2014. Plant height, first ear height, average stem diameter, grain yield at the silage stage, and green mass yield were evaluated. The genetic gain was predicted using the selection indexes proposed by Pesek and Baker, Smith and Hazel, Mulamba and Mock, Willians, and BLUP. The index of Mulamba and Mock provided higher gain estimates for selecting hybrids. BLUP was efficient and selected hybrids with higher performance than hybrids obtained using the four selection indexes. Hybrids UENF-2205, UENF-2208, UENF-2209, and UENF-2210 presented better performance, indicating the high potential of these dent hybrids for silage production in the north and northwest regions of Rio de Janeiro.

Abstract: The search for the reduction of production costs and for the diversification of the commercialization of agricultural products is necessary when looking to ensure autonomy and increase income for farmers. The use of solar dryers for the dry fruits production provides an excellent alternative for consideration. However, in order to introduce this technology, one must understand the drying kinetics for a given product. This paper’s purpose was to study the intermittent drying kinetics of banana in a hybrid dryer. The drying was performed in a hybrid dryer composed of a solar collector (photothermal energy), a drying chamber containing Banana-Prata cut into cylindrical and disc shapes and a power-driven exhaust system. The process occurred during four sequential days, totaling 78 h of operation and 12 h of intermittence. The effective drying period took 39 h, with a temperature and relative humidity inside the drying chamber of 43.4 °C and 45.3%, respectively, and an air speed of 1.0 m.s-1. In the first few hours of drying, a sharp decrease in the moisture content was verified. During this period, the maximum and minimum drying temperatures were approximately 42 and 28 °C, respectively. A higher reduction in the moisture content of the disc samples was observed when compared to the cylindrical shape. After the intermittence period, a peak of moisture ratio was observed, followed by a marked loss of water in the fruit in both formats. The results have shown that the Page model is the one that better applies to the experimental data for the intermittent solar drying of banana in both shapes.

Abstract: Determination of seed physiological maturity allows predicting the most appropriate time for harvest, aiming to obtain seeds with high physiological potential. Physalis angulata (Solanaceae) has pharmacological and agro-industrial potential, but there is little information on its reproductive phenology. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the physiological maturity of P. angulata seeds according to fruit age. Fruits were harvested at 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days after anthesis (DAA) and the following evaluations were conducted: fruit weight and diameter, seed moisture content, 100-seed dry weight, 1000-seed weight, electrical conductivity, germination, germination first count, emergence, and seedling dry weight and length. The experimental design was completely randomized. Fruit weight and diameter increased until 35 DAA and seed dry weight increased until 21 DAA. Highest seed physiological potential occurred at 35 DAA, with highest germination percentage (97%). The results allow concluding that P. angulata seeds become physiologically viable from 21 DAA, with highest physiological potential at 35 DAA. However, harvest should be carried out around 28 DAA, before fruits fall.

Abstract: Sorghum grains were soaking to evaluate the effects of time and temperature on moisture and process modelling was maked with different mathematical equations. Then, sorghum BRS 310 and BRS 655 were hydrated at 30 °C, 40 °C, 50 °C and 60 °C, for 12 hours. The hydration kinetics modelling with empirical equations of Peleg and Page and phenomenological equations of Diffusion and Omoto-Jorge were considerad. The time and temperature affected significantly the hydration kinetics of grain sorghum. The Peleg and Diffusion models showed the best fitting for soaking and, therefore, these models were used to create generalized models. The effective diffusion coefficient of water during the grain sorghum hydration ranged from 2.02x10-11 to 6.34x10-11 m².s-1 for BRS 310 and from 2.76x10-11 to 4.38x10-11 m².s-1 for BRS 655 with activation energies of 11.52 and 31.21 kJ.mol-1, respectively.

Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the tolerance of C. leprosum seedlings to salt stress during the emergence and early seedling development. The experiment was carried out between the months of August and September, in a greenhouse, and the substrate used was the commercial coconut fiber wetted with aqueous solutions of sodium chloride (NaCl), calcium chloride (CaCl2) and potassium chloride (KCl) with the electrical conductivities of 0.0, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, 5.5 and 6.5 dS m-1. We used a completely randomized design in a 3 x 7 factorial scheme (three salts x seven levels of electrical conductivity). We evaluated seedling emergence, emergence speed index, root length, shoot length, dry matter of roots and shoots. The results indicated significant interaction between both factors analyzed. The emergence and initial growth of C. leprosum plants decrease gradually due to the increase of the electrical conductivity levels, with root length being less affected by waters salinized with CaCl and KCl. C. leprosum seedlings show sensitivity to the three types of salts and are highly sensitive to KCl and NaCl.

Abstract: It is important to understand the seed maturation process to determine the time point at which the seeds achieve optimum quality and the ideal time for harvest. This study aimed to study the maturation of Physalis peruviana L. seeds, based on flowering time and age of the fruit. This study was conducted from March to October of 2016 and 2017, in the city of Piracicaba, Sao Paulo. The plants were cultivated in four blocks using four stems, with spacing of 1.0 m between the plants and of 2.5 m between the rows. As experimental treatments, two flowering time points were defined: 55 and 105 days after transplanting (DAT); in each period, the flowers were marked at the anthesis and the respective fruits and seeds were evaluated at 45, 60, 75, and 90 days after anthesis (DAA). Characteristics during fruit development, such as age (days after anthesis) and changes in color, mass, and flavor, are parameters indicating the physiological maturity of fruits and seeds. The flowering time of the plant and the stage of fruit development influence the maturation of seeds, which present higher germination and vigor when obtained from fruits harvested at 75 DAA (55 DAT) and 60 DAA (105 DAT), after mass maturity.

Abstract: Optimum plot size is of fundamental importance for the results, precision and cost-effectiveness of experiments. The aim of this study therefore, was to estimate optimum plot size in a strain of the castor bean by means of the Linear Response Plateau Model (LRPM). The experiment consisted of a test for uniformity, carried out in Cruz das Almas, in the State of Bahia, Brazil. The UFRB-222 strain was used, which was planted at a spacing of 3 m x 1 m, in 10 rows of 37 plants each. The eight central rows were considered, each with 35 plants per row giving a total of 280 plants and a working area of 840 m2. For the evaluations, each plant was taken as one basic unit (bu) with an area of 3 m2, resulting in 280 bu. The characteristics under evaluation were the number of racemes harvested, the mean length of the first three racemes, number of seeds per raceme, seed weight per raceme, raceme weight per plant, number of seeds per plant and productivity. For productivity and its components, the optimum plot size is 11 experimental units in an area of 33 m2, at a spacing of 3 m between rows and 1 m between plants.

Abstract: Mapping the chemical attributes of the soil on a large scale can result in gains when planning the use and occupation of the land. There are different techniques available for this purpose, whose performance should be tested for different types of landscapes. The aim of this study was to spatialize chemical attributes of the soil, comparing eight methods of prediction. Forty morphometric attributes, generated from a digital elevation model, were used as independent variables, in addition to geophysical data, images from the Landsat 8 satellite and the NDVI. All possible combinations between the satellite bands were calculated, generating 28 new variables. Combinations between the Th, U and K bands obtained from the geophysical data were also calculated, generating a further three variables. The final variables to be calculated were the distances between the four points of the edges of the basin (d1, d2, d3 and d4). The dependent variables for the model were Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Si, Ti, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, P, Pb, V, Zn, Zr, S and Cl. A total of 200 soil samples were used, which were collected from 100 points at two depths (0-10 and 10-30 cm); the total elements were determined using an X-ray fluorescence analyzer. The Random Forest algorithm proved to be superior to the others in predicting the chemical attributes of the soil at both depths, and is suitable for predicting soil attributes in the study region. Spatial variables are essential, and should be considered when modelling chemical elements in the soil. Using the methods under test, it is possible to predict elements with R² values ranging from 0.32 to 0.62.

Abstract: The aim of the study was to investigate the flight range and foraging behavior of the stingless bee Plebeia aff. flavocincta, as well as testing its attraction to different sugar syrup concentrations within different distances to the colony. Foraging pattern along the day, preference of bees for sugar concentration in nectar and their relationship with distance from the colony were assessed by the means of manipulating those parameters with artificial flowers containing different sugar syrup concentrations and displayed at varying distances. The bees P. aff. flavocincta foraged from 6 a. m. to 5:30 p. m., with a foraging peak from 9 a. m. to 11:30 a. m. and showed preference for higher syrup concentrations (60% and 70%) though have foraged indiscriminately in all tested sugar concentrations and varying distances. We have concluded that due to its small body size, this species needs higher temperatures to forage when compared to large-body species, and shows preference for more concentrated sugar sources, but also explores the food source with lower sugar concentrations within their flight range. Such strategy may help to understand how a small-sized and short-flight bee such as P. aff. flavocincta achieved a vast geographic distribution in the country and is well succeeded in colonizing highly anthropized areas where natural sources of nectar are usually scarce within short distances.

Abstract: The incidence of bruising in bovine carcases is a consequence of several potentially stressful and aggressive factors to which the animals are subjected during pre-slaughter handling. The aim of this study was to identify pre-slaughter factors associated with the severe bruising in different regions of the bovine carcass. The study evaluated 5,028 batches of slaughtered cattle from 154,100 animals. The carcases were analysed for gender, handling on the farm, condition of farm infrastructure, type of truck, distance and journey time from the farm to the slaughterhouse, loading density and time of year in which the animals were slaughtered. The results showed that the sidecut and forequarter are the areas most affected by bruising, with females being the most vulnerable. Loading densities above excess of 401 kg m-2 cause an increase in the number of bruises. The use of larger vehicles results in an increase in bruising, as does the use of poor farming facilities. A decrease in the number of bruises was seen for journey times of more than three hours. All the variables under evaluation are potential causes of injury to bovine carcases. As such, improving the handling conditions and facilities for loading cattle, as well as reducing the stress of transport, are factors which determine a smaller number of bruises in bovine carcases .

Abstract: Rationalization of brackish water management in hydroponic crops is one of the ways to expand and manage water supply in shortage areas. Thus, this work was carried out to evaluate the water and physiological relationships of Iceberg lettuce (cv. Taina) in plants exposed to strategies of replacement of the evapotranspired volume of saline nutrient solutions. Two experiments were conducted in NFT hydroponic system, in which increasing levels of water salinity (0.2, 1.2, 2.2, 3.2, 4.2 and 5.2 dS m-1) were used to prepare the nutrient solutions. In the first experiment, the evapotranspired volume was replaced with the respective brackish water and, in the second one, with public-supply water (0.2 dS m-1). Both experiments were set up in a randomized block design, with six treatments and four replicates, totaling 24 experimental plots. It was concluded that using brackish water to prepare the nutrient solution, regardless of whether the evapotranspired volume was replaced with brackish or public-supply water, affected lettuce water and physiological relationships. However, although it caused a reduction in size, the use of brackish water did not cause visual damages that would compromise the commercial appeal of the plants. It was also found that, when water of up to 5.2 dS m-1 was used to prepare the solution, the replacement of the evapotranspired volume with public-supply water increased water use efficiency by up to five times.

Abstract: The aim of this work was to evaluate the physical quality of the genetically modified corn grains (Herculex 30S31) as a function of drying and wetting processes in relation to conventional corn (AG 1051). The experimental design was a completely randomized design, with a factorial scheme (7x3x2), seven drying or wetting times (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120 minutes), three drying air temperatures (80, 100 and 120 °C) and two types of maize (conventional AG 1051 and Herculex 30S31 transgenic). The grains of transgenic and conventional corn were harvested with a water content of 13.5% (w.b.) and dried in convection oven with forced ventilation, then the same grains were submitted to a wetting process for the same time. The width, thickness, length, contraction and expansion of the grains were determined, the water contents and the electrical conductivity were determined before and after drying, after the wetting process, at each interval of twenty minutes. Drying and wetting processes adversely affected the quality of conventional and transgenic maize grains. However, when compared, transgenic corn kernels were more resistant to physical damage. It was concluded that the changes in water contents in the grains during the drying and storage operations intensify the physical losses, even if at the end the grains remain with water content favorable to storage.

Abstract: Corrective phosphate application increases the levels of phosphorus (P) in the surface layer of the soil, stimulates plant root growth and increases the volume of soil exploited for water and nutrient uptake, which may reduce abiotic oxidative stress in sugarcane. The aim of this study was to evaluate the productivity and the response of the antioxidant enzyme system in sugarcane when grown in soil that received corrective phosphate application, using doses and sources of P of varying solubility. The experiment was conducted under field conditions in the southern Forest Zone of the State of Pernambuco, Brazil. The treatments were arranged in a randomised block design, in a (4 × 3) +1 factorial scheme with four replications. The factors consisted of a control (with no phosphate application) and the doses (50, 100, 200 and 300 kg P2O5 ha-1 ) and sources (reactive natural phosphate, triple superphosphate and sugarcane press mud) of P applied during the pre-planting stage of the plant cane cycle. The P content of the leaf tissue was considered adequate, and was not influenced by the phosphate application. Phosphate application at an estimated dose of 150 kg P2O5 ha-1 reduced antioxidant enzyme activity and increased shoot dry matter (SDM) by 25.0% and stalk productivity by 8.5%. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) showed the highest positive correlation coefficient with the other antioxidant enzymes, and a negative correlation with SDM, and can be used to evaluate abiotic stress that promotes reductions in sugarcane productivity.

Abstract: Piptadenia stipulacea (Benth.) Ducke presents slow and uneven germination due to integumentary dormancy. In addition, there are no standardized indications as to the temperature and substrate for conducting the germination test in the laboratory. Thus, the objective was to evaluate methods of dormancy overcoming, temperatures and substrates in the germination and vigor of P. stipulacea seeds. For this, two experiments were installed, the first one in a completely randomized design, with 4 replicates of 25 seeds and treatments to overcome dormancy were: immersion in water at 100 °C for 1; 2; 3; 4; 5 and 6 min; immersion in concentrated sulfuric acid (H2SO4 - 98% P.A) for 1; 4; 7; 10 and 13 min; scarification on sandpaper no 80; in the region opposite the micropyle and intact seeds. At 21 days after sowing, emergency, emergency speed index and mean emergency time were evaluated. In experiment II, the experimental design was completely randomized in a 4 x 6 factorial scheme, with four replicates of 25 seeds, using the substrates between sand, paper, paper roll and vermiculite at temperatures of 20; 25; 30; 35; 40 °C and alternated 20-30 °C, the variables analyzed were first count, germination, mean germination time and germination speed index. In order to overcome seed dormancy of P. stipulacea, it is recommended that the pre-germinating treatment be set in the region opposite to the micropyle, and to evaluate the germination and vigor of these seeds, the temperature of 30 °C and 20-30 °C can be used with the roller substrate of paper.

Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of chiseling and gypsum application on soil physical properties, soybean root growth and grain yield. An experiment was carried out in Londrina, Parana state, Brazil, under a randomized complete block design, with six replications. The soil in the experimental area is classified as a dystroferric Red Latosol (Oxisol), containing 720 g kg-1 of clay. The experiment comprised four treatments: (1) continuous no-tillage (CNT) system without gypsum application, (2) CNT with gypsum application at 3.5 Mg ha-1, (3) chiseled soil without gypsum, and (4) chiseled soil with gypsum application. Regardless of gypsum application, chiseling increased water infiltration rate in soil and reduced penetration resistance. Gypsum application affected neither water infiltration nor soil penetration resistance in both no-tillage (NT) and chiseled soil systems. Moreover, gypsum application improved soybean root development at a depth range of 0.20-0.40 m in NT system. Chiseling increased root growth in the surface layer (0-0.20 m depth). Either isolated or combined, chiseling and gypsum application had no impact on soybean grain yield throughout one cropping season.

Abstract: New and refined technologies based on computerized procedures create the potential for automating laboratory evaluations, constituting an alternative to reduce costs and increase the decision-making capacity regarding the destination of seed lots. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of the Sistema de Analise de Plântulas (SAPL®) free digital image processing software of seedlings in characterizing the physiological potential of maize seeds in comparison with information provided by vigor tests recommended for this species. Ten lots of maize seeds were submitted to germination, first germination count, germination speed index, seedling emergence, cold test and electrical conductivity. The results of these tests were compared with the data obtained from the image analysis, which evaluated the development of seedlings at three and five days counted from the beginning of the germination test, by obtaining values of seedling length, growth, development uniformity, vigor index and corrected strength index. SAPL® is a consistent and promising alternative for evaluating the physiological potential of maize seeds, presenting a high correlation of its variables with the traditional tests used. The evaluation can be performed on the third and fifth day after the germination test is installed.

Abstract: The objective was to evaluate the intake, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance in sheep fed diets containing elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum) silage containing 0; 7; 14 and 21% cottonseed cake. Twenty Morada Nova sheep were used in a completely randomized design with four treatments and five replicates. The diets were isoproteic, isoenergetic and isofibrous. There was no effect of cottonseed cake levels on nutrient intake and digestibility coefficient of ether extract. The digestibility coefficients of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, total carbohydrates and non-fiber carbohydrates presented a linear reduction with the levels of cottonseed cake varying from, respectively, 537.97 to 421.21; 566.54 to 446.42; 595, 38 to 415.62; 544.90 to 421.84 and 697.85 to 521.03, at levels 0 and 21%. The N intake and the urinary N, in the various forms, as well as the fecal N expressed in g day-1 and g kg-0.75, were not influenced by the cottonseed cake levels in the silages. The fecal N presented a quadratic response with a minimum value of 39.09% NI when 3.20% cottonseed cake was added to elephant grass silage. Nitrogen balance showed a quadratic response with a maximum value of 6.50 g day-1; 0.79 g kg-0.75 and 35.07% NI at the levels of 3.25, 5.00 and 4.95% cottonseed cake, respectively. The inclusion of 5% cottonseed cake in elephant grass silage promotes better efficiency in the use of protein sources when aimed at using silage in the composition of a balanced diet.

Abstract: In maize breeding programs conducted by private companies, it is common to perform the product advanced trials (PAT) in several cultivation environments in order to better recommend the new hybrids, as well as to provide opportunities for the farmers to evaluate their products. The aim of this study was to describe the adaptability and stability of maize hybrids from unreplicated PATs using a multivariate approach combined with univariate methods. We considered the grain yield data of twelve maize hybrids evaluated in a PATs network conducted by the company DuPont Pioneer in 80 cultivation environments in the states of Minas Gerais and Goias, in second-crop of 2014. The AMMI analysis was employed and additionally we applied the methods based on bisegmented linear regression, Lin and Binns index (1988) and Annicchiarico index (1992). Significant differences were verified among the tested hybrids. The macro-environmental variation and the effect of hybrid by environment (H x E) interaction were expressive. The application of the AMMI method allowed the study of the H x E interaction based on maize PATs. Hybrids 7 and 8 are recommended for higher quality environments, while hybrids 3, 5 and 12 present wide adaptability. The Lin and Binns (1988) and Annicchiarico (1992) indexes highlight the hybrid 8 as the most promising for associating high productivity and lower risk in the tested cultivation environments.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate resistance to Meloidogyne javanica and Meloidogyne incognita race 1 and 2 in the American group of lettuce cultivars. Two days after transplanting, the plants were inoculated with 5,000 eggs and potential second-stage juveniles of the nematode under test per pot. The Rutgers tomato was used as the standard for the viability of Meloidogyne javanica and Meloidogyne incognita race 1 and 2. The variables to be evaluated were gall index, egg mass index and nematode reproduction factor, which were evaluated 60 days after inoculation. The results showed that the Ithaca, RS-1397, Raider Plus, Challenge, L-104, IP-11, Salinas 88, Calona, Desert Queen, Classic and Vanguard 75 cultivars were resistant to Meloidogyne incognita race 1, with a reproduction factor which ranged from 0.19 to 0.88, and that the Desert Queen, L-104, Salinas 88, Vanguard 75, Robinson, RS-1397, Challenge, Raider Plus, Classic, Calona, Ithaca, Lady, IP-11 and Winterset cultivars were resistant to Meloidogyne incognita race 2, with a reproduction factor of between 0.23 and 0.93. All the cultivars under evaluation were resistant to Meloidogyne javanica, with a reproduction factor of less than 1.0.

Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the sanitary status of fresh bovine meat sold at the open market in Jiquirica municipality, Brazil and validate the use of chitosan as an antimicrobial coating to control the bioburden. In total, we evaluated 30 samples of fresh beef for the presence of coagulase-positive staphylococci and Salmonella spp. Furthermore, stores selling fresh meat products were evaluated for compliance with sanitary regulations set by the Ministry of Health in Brazil. To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of chitosan two sets of meat samples were tested, the test group consisted of contaminated meat coated with 2% chitosan solution whereas the control group consisted of untreated contaminated meat. It was found that fresh bovine meat at market stores is exposed to a number of contaminants, including several pathogens. All of the tested samples contained coagulase-positive staphylococci (3.8-6.1 log CFU g-1) and Salmonella spp. were detected in 30% of all samples. When assessing the sanitary conditions of the meat stores, non-compliance was highest in the marketing and display category (79%), followed by the hygiene of manipulators (73%) and the facilities, equipment and utensils categories (54%). Meat treated treated with 2% chitosan solution showed significant lower (p<0.01) microbial load of Salmonella enterica and Staphylococcus aureus than the control samples. These findings suggest that applying a 2% chitosan coating on fresh meat is a feasible method for controlling pathogenic microbial load.

Abstract: The aim of this work was to study the stability of powdered mango pulp obtained through the process of lyophilisation, as well as its structural characteristics using electron microscopy analysis. In response to an earlier experimental design using maltodextrin concentrations of 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% and periods of 24 and 30 hours, the condition of 20% maltodextrin and 24 hours drying was chosen as the best for drying mango in a freeze dryer. The stability study was therefore carried out using powdered mango pulp obtained under the above best-drying conditions, stored for 90 days and monitored every two weeks by analysis of the moisture, ascorbic acid content, b* colorimetric parameter and hygroscopicity. Storage was at room temperature (27 °C) in vacuum and non-vacuum laminated packaging, and in non-vacuum plastic packaging. The vacuum laminated packaging maintained the initial characteristics of the stored product for longer, especially the ascorbic acid content, hygroscopicity and b* colour parameter. The microstructure of the sample was then studied under different concentrations of maltodextrin (0%, 10%, 20% and 30%) so as to understand the effect of the drying agent on the final product. Close-up images of the powder revealed the porous surface formation and the effect of the agent on particle size, where higher concentrations of maltodextrin resulted in more porous powders with smaller particles.