Heat Stress and Body Temperature in Brown Swiss Cows Raised in Semi-Arid Climate of Ceará State, Brazil

Background: In tropical countries like Brazil, air temperature and relative humidity have a significant effect on animal physiology; there is a great impact of solar radiation on physiological parameters, especially on body temperature. This study evaluated the occurrence of heat stress in Brown Swiss cows in a tropical semi-arid climate, and checked for the correlation between internal body temperatures [rectal temperature (RT) and vaginal temperature (VT)] with surface temperature (ST) to determine if these variables are associated.Materials, Methods & Results: Twenty-eight Brown Swiss cows at three stages of the lactation cycle were used in this study: 10 nonpregant lactating (NPL) cows, 8 dry pregnant (DP) cows, and 10 pregnant lactating (PL) cows. These animals were between the second and third calving, weighed between 346 and 720 kg, and had ages between 2 and 13 years. During the experimental period, air temperature and relative humidity (RH) at the experimental site were measured using a digital thermohygrometer. The temperature and humidity index (THI) was calculated according to methodology described by Thom (1958), and was used as an environmental comfort parameter. For the evaluation of RT and VT, two digital clinical thermometers, one inserted in the vagina and the other in the rectum, were used simultaneously to minimize stress. Surface temperature (ST) was assessed using a digital infrared laser thermometer at a distance of 50 cm from the animal. Surface temperature was measured in the forehead (FST), thorax (TST), flank (FLST), and legs (LST). During the study period, the ambient temperature (AT) was significantly higher outside (in the sun) than inside of the facilities (in the shade) (P < 0.05). RH was inversely proportional to AT, and was significantly higher inside than outside the facilities (P < 0.05). Like AT, THI was significantly higher outside (in the sun) than inside the facilities (in the shade), with significant differences between these locations (P < 0.05). The amplitudes of the differences between the locations were as follows: 3.8°C for AT, 6.2% for RH, and 2.6 for THI. Mean values of rectal and vaginal temperatures were not significantly different from each other independent of lactation cycle stage, and were almost always significantly higher than the measured surface temperatures (P < 0.05). The maximum values obtained for each lactation cycle stage in this study were higher when compared to the mean values, showing that they are more representative of the occurrence of heat stress. Correlations between internal temperatures (RT and VT) and surface temperatures (TSF, TST, TSFL, and TSP) were weak and non-significant. ST values exhibited mostly weak, non-significant correlations, with the exception of FST with FLST and LST, which had moderate, significant correlations, as shown by the following coefficient factors: FST x FLST, 0.34; LST x FST, 0.415; and LST x FLST, 0.37.Discussion: A temperature of 34°C with RH ranging from 46% to 80% (i.e., a THI between 83 and 89) has been reported to have a significant thermal impact on dairy Brown Swiss cows; the THI values found in the present experiment were close to those. Body temperatures exhibited significant variations depending on the lactation cycle stage of the cows. Lactation concomitant with pregnancy significantly increases internal temperatures (RT and VT) in DP and NPL cows. This finding may be explained by the fact that pregnancy concomitant with lactation accelerates the metabolism, which results in higher food intake and increased production of body heat with consequent increase in internal body temperature. The maximum values of internal body temperatures (RT and TV) at all stages of the lactation cycle were higher than their corresponding average values, which indicates that some cows exhibited, at given moments, hyperthermia

Fatores que influenciam a preferência pela compra da carne de frango no município de Capanema no Nordeste do Pará / Factors that influence the preference for buying chicken meat municipality of Capanema in Northeastern Pará

Capanema apresenta um mercado no qual se comercializa um montante considerável de carne de frango, com isso compreender os fatores que precedem a compra pode colaborar nas estratégias de comercialização e efetivação da venda do produto em Capanema-PA, considerando as preferências dos entrevistados. Neste sentido, trabalhos que visam identificar as principais expectativas durante a compra ainda são insipientes. O objetivo do trabalho foi identificar os principais fatores que produzem maior impacto no processo de tomada de decisão na compra de carne de frango no município de Capanema-PA. Para isso, foram aplicados 140 questionários estruturados com 22 perguntas objetivas e subjetivas nos meses de março a abril de 2017 em locais como, supermercados, mercado municipal, mercadinhos, feiras e quitandas que comercializam carne de frango em Capanema. Os dados obtidos foram tabulados em planilha eletrônica (Microsoft Office Excel 2010®) e, em seguida, tabela e gráficos foram construídos para análise. A maioria dos entrevistados, representados por mulheres, na faixa etária de 24 a 35 anos, este grupo de indivíduos preocupam-se em adquirir oportunidades promissoras no mercado de trabalho a partir da finalização do ensino médio, bem como a continuidade em nível escolar elevado, gerando melhores condições de trabalho e renda. A tomada de decisão na compra de carne de frango compreende pelo menos duas vezes em um período de 7 dias, cuja preferência do local da compra, são mercadinhos localizados próximos a residência dos entrevistados, cujos estabelecimentos comerciais são de propriedade de conhecidos e amigos dos entrevistados, sendo o preço, o fator atrativo, contudo a qualidade do produto está diretamente relacionada com a higiene, o que preconiza a promoção da saúde dos familiares

ATIVIDADE ANTIFÚNGICA DO ÓLEO ESSENCIAL DE CITRONELA EM SEMENTES DE ERVA-DOCE (Foeniculum vulgare mill.)

Resumo: As sementes são eficientes meios de disseminação e transmissão de patógenos e, freqüentemente, introduzem novos focos de infecção em áreas isentas. No entanto, nas últimas décadas a exploração de produtos vegetais tem se tornado uma alternativa no controle de fitopatógenos em substituição aos produtos sintéticos. Dessa forma, objetivou-se avaliar o efeito do óleo essencial de citronela (Cymbopogon winterianus) no controle da micoflora fitopatogênica e na qualidade fisiológica de sementes de erva-doce (Foeniculum vulgare). O experimento foi conduzido nos Laboratórios de Fitopatologia e Análise de Sementes do Centro de Ciências Agrárias da Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Areia, PB. Foram aplicados os seguintes tratamentos: T1–Testemunha (sementes não tratadas); T2 – Fungicida Captan® e Óleo essencial de citronela nas concentrações de 1,0 (T3), 1,5 (T4), 2,0 (T5) e 2,5% (T6). No teste de germinação avaliaram-se as seguintes variáveis: porcentagem de germinação, primeira contagem e índice de velocidade de germinação (IVG). O delineamento utilizado no teste de germinação foi o DIC com seis tratamentos, distribuídos em quatro repetições de 50 sementes cada. Os resultados mostraram que o emprego do óleo de essencial de citronela na concentração de 2,5% reduziu a incidência de fungos e aumentou a germinação das sementes de erva-doce

Fungos associados com sementes de flamboyant-mirim (Caesalpinia pulcherrima): incidência, efeito na germinação, transmissão e controle

Most pathogens that cause diseases in crops can be transported and transmitted by seeds, with great economic significance. The objective of this work was to assess the incidence of pathogens and their effect in the germination and vigor of Caesalpinia pulcherrima L. seeds. The seed sanity experiment was completely randomized with five treatments, and ten repetitions. The seeds were immersed in extracts of Allamanda cathartica, Momordica charantia and Foenicullum. vulgare for five minutes, and the control was immersed in sterile water. For the germination test, 200 seeds were used, distributed in four replicates of 50 seeds per treatment. The vigor tests consisted of the first count and germination speed index. The evaluation of fungi transmission were performed during the germination test, by counting the symptoms in the primary root, hypocotyl and epicotyl. The treatments reduced the incidence of Cladosporium sp., Aspergillus sp. Rhizopus sp., Penicillium sp. Nigrospora sp and Pestalotiasp..It was also found the fungus Aspergillus sp. and Penicillium sp. associated with the lesions in the seed integument. The treatments provided a higher percentage of germination of seedlings. Higher percentages of germination were observed when oil extracts of Allamanda cathartica, Momordica charantia and Foenicullum vulgare were used

Atividade antifúngica do óleo essencial de citronela em sementes de erva-doce, Foeniculum vulgare mill.

The seeds are effective means of dissemination and transmission of pathogens, and often introduce new foci of infection in free areas. In recent decades the exploitation of plant products has become an alternative to control plant pathogens in substitution of synthetic products. This work aimed to evaluate the effect essential oil of Cymbopogon winterianus in the control of phytopathogenic mycoflora and seed quality of Foeniculum vulgare. The research was conducted in Laboratories of Phytopathology and Seed Analysis of Center Sciences Agricultural of University Federal of Paraiba, Areia, PB. Were used the following treatments: T1- Untreated seeds; T2 – Fungicide Captan® and essential oil of Cymbopogon winterianus in the concentrations of 1.0 (T3), 1.5 (T4), 2.0 (T5) e 2.5% (T6). In germination test evaluated the following variables: germination percentage, first count and index germination speed. The experiment design used in germination test was completely randomized with 6 treatments and four replications with fifty seeds. The results showed that the oil essential of Cymbopogon winterianus, a concentration of 2.5 % reduced the incidence of fungi and increased seed germination of Foeniculum vulgare.As sementes são eficientes meios de disseminação e transmissão de patógenos e, freqüentemente, introduzem novos focos de infecção em áreas isentas. No entanto, nas últimas décadas a exploração de produtos vegetais tem se tornado uma alternativa no controle de fitopatógenos em substituição aos produtos sintéticos. Dessa forma, objetivou-se avaliar o efeito do óleo essencial de citronela (Cymbopogon winterianus) no controle da micoflora fitopatogênica e na qualidade fisiológica de sementes de erva-doce (Foeniculum vulgare). O experimento foi conduzido nos Laboratórios de Fitopatologia e Análise de Sementes do Centro de Ciências Agrárias da Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Areia, PB. Foram aplicados os seguintes tratamentos: T1–Testemunha (sementes não tratadas); T2 – Fungicida Captan® e Óleo essencial de citronela nas concentrações de 1,0 (T3), 1,5 (T4), 2,0 (T5) e 2,5% (T6). No teste de germinação avaliaram- se as seguintes variáveis: porcentagem de germinação, primeira contagem e índice de velocidade de germinação (IVG). O delineamento utilizado no teste de germinação foi o DIC com seis tratamentos, distribuídos em quatro repetições de 50 sementes cada. Os resultados mostraram que o emprego do óleo de essencial de citronela na concentração de 2,5% reduziu a incidência de fungos e aumentou a germinação das sementes de erva-doce

Óleo essencial de anis na incidência e controle de patógenos em sementes de erva-doce, Foeniculum vulgare mill.

Most pathogens that cause diseases in crop plants can be transmitted and seed borne, with great economic significance due to the losses identified in various plant species. In recent decades the exploitation of plant products has become an alternative to control plant pathogens associated with seeds in place of synthetic products. This work aimed evaluate the effect of essential oil of Pimpinella anisum on the physiology and mycoflora phytopathogenic seed of Foeniculum vulgare. The research was conducted in Laboratories of Phytopathology and Seed Analysis of Center Sciences Agricultural of University Federal of Paraiba, Areia, PB. Were used the following treatments: T1- Untreated seeds; T2 – Fungicide Captan® and essential oil of Pimpinella anisum in the concentrations of 1.0 (T3), 1.5 (T4), 2.0 (T5) e 2.5% (T6). In germination test evaluated the following variables: germination percentage, first count and index germination speed. The experiment design used in germination test was completely randomized with 6 treatments and four replications with fifty seeds.The results showed that the oil essential of Pimpinella anisum in concentration of 2.0 and 2.5 % reduced the incidence of fungi and increased seed germination of Foeniculum vulgare.A maioria dos patógenos que causam doenças nas plantas cultivadas podem ser veiculados e transmitidos pelas sementes, com grande significado econômico, devido às perdas identificadas nas mais variadas espécies vegetais. Nas últimas décadas a exploração de produtos vegetais tem se tornado uma alternativa no controle de fitopatógenos associados a sementes em substituição aos produtos sintéticos. Dessa forma, objetivou-se avaliar o efeito do óleo essencial de anis (Pimpinella anisum) sobre a micoflora fitopatogênica e fisiologia de sementes de erva-doce (Foeniculum vulgare). Os experimentos foram conduzidos nos Laboratórios de Fitopatologia e Análise de Sementes do Centro de Ciências Agrárias da Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Areia, PB. Foram aplicados os seguintes tratamentos fitossanitários: T1–Testemunha (sementes não tratadas); T2 – Fungicida Captan® e Óleo essencial de anis nas concentrações de 1,0 (T3), 1,5 (T4), 2,0 (T5) e 2,5% (T6). No teste de germinação avaliaram-se as seguintes variáveis: porcentagem de germinação, primeira contagem e índice de velocidade de germinação (IVG). O delineamento utilizado no teste de germinação foi o DIC com seis tratamentos, distribuídos em quatro repetições de 50 sementes cada. Os resultados mostraram que o óleo essencial de anis, nas maiores concentrações (2,0 e 2,5 %), reduziu a incidência de fungos e aumentou a germinação das sementes de erva-doce

Heat Stress and Body Temperature in Brown Swiss Cows Raised in Semi-Arid Climate of Ceará State, Brazil

Background: In tropical countries like Brazil, air temperature and relative humidity have a significant effect on animal physiology; there is a great impact of solar radiation on physiological parameters, especially on body temperature. This study evaluated the occurrence of heat stress in Brown Swiss cows in a tropical semi-arid climate, and checked for the correlation between internal body temperatures [rectal temperature (RT) and vaginal temperature (VT)] with surface temperature (ST) to determine if these variables are associated.Materials, Methods & Results: Twenty-eight Brown Swiss cows at three stages of the lactation cycle were used in this study: 10 nonpregant lactating (NPL) cows, 8 dry pregnant (DP) cows, and 10 pregnant lactating (PL) cows. These animals were between the second and third calving, weighed between 346 and 720 kg, and had ages between 2 and 13 years. During the experimental period, air temperature and relative humidity (RH) at the experimental site were measured using a digital thermohygrometer. The temperature and humidity index (THI) was calculated according to methodology described by Thom (1958), and was used as an environmental comfort parameter. For the evaluation of RT and VT, two digital clinical thermometers, one inserted in the vagina and the other in the rectum, were used simultaneously to minimize stress. Surface temperature (ST) was assessed using a digital infrared laser thermometer at a distance of 50 cm from the animal. Surface temperature was measured in the forehead (FST), thorax (TST), flank (FLST), and legs (LST). During the study period, the ambient temperature (AT) was significantly higher outside (in the sun) than inside of the facilities (in the shade) (P < 0.05). RH was inversely proportional to AT, and was significantly higher inside than outside the facilities (P < 0.05). Like AT, THI was significantly higher outside (in the sun) than inside the facilities (in the shade), with significant differences between these locations (P < 0.05). The amplitudes of the differences between the locations were as follows: 3.8°C for AT, 6.2% for RH, and 2.6 for THI. Mean values of rectal and vaginal temperatures were not significantly different from each other independent of lactation cycle stage, and were almost always significantly higher than the measured surface temperatures (P < 0.05). The maximum values obtained for each lactation cycle stage in this study were higher when compared to the mean values, showing that they are more representative of the occurrence of heat stress. Correlations between internal temperatures (RT and VT) and surface temperatures (TSF, TST, TSFL, and TSP) were weak and non-significant. ST values exhibited mostly weak, non-significant correlations, with the exception of FST with FLST and LST, which had moderate, significant correlations, as shown by the following coefficient factors: FST x FLST, 0.34; LST x FST, 0.415; and LST x FLST, 0.37.Discussion: A temperature of 34°C with RH ranging from 46% to 80% (i.e., a THI between 83 and 89) has been reported to have a significant thermal impact on dairy Brown Swiss cows; the THI values found in the present experiment were close to those. Body temperatures exhibited significant variations depending on the lactation cycle stage of the cows. Lactation concomitant with pregnancy significantly increases internal temperatures (RT and VT) in DP and NPL cows. This finding may be explained by the fact that pregnancy concomitant with lactation accelerates the metabolism, which results in higher food intake and increased production of body heat with consequent increase in internal body temperature. The maximum values of internal body temperatures (RT and TV) at all stages of the lactation cycle were higher than their corresponding average values, which indicates that some cows exhibited, at given moments, hyperthermia

Produção e composição química de variedades de cana-de-açúcar com fins forrageiros sob irrigação e adubação

Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos de variedades, da irrigação e da adubação sobre a produção e composição química da cana-de-açúcar com fins forrageiros em Parnaíba, Piauí. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 2 x 5 x 4, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram em duas lâminas de irrigação (reposição de 50% e 100% da evapotranspiração de referência - ETo), cinco variedades de cana-de-açúcar (RB962962, RB867515, RB92579, RB863129 e RB98710) e quatro níveis de adubação (70 + 63; 140 + 126; 210 + 189 e 280 + 252 kg de N + K2O/ha/ano, respectivamente). O plantio foi realizado em julho de 2015 e a colheita em julho de 2016. As variedades de cana-de-açúcar RB962962 e RB867515 se sobressaíram das demais, apresentando elevada produtividade de biomassa e maiores percentuais de colmos, conciliada a satisfatórios teores de sólidos solúveis (açúcares). Para as condições do norte do Piauí, considerando-se a produtividade, melhoria da composição química e a possibilidade de economia de água, a lâmina de água aplicada (lâmina de irrigação + 1.696 mm de precipitação pluviométrica), associada à aplicação de 70 kg de N e 63 kg de K2O/ha/ano, pode ser utilizada na produção de biomassa da cana-de-açúcar com fins forrageiros