Propolis Extract In Postharvest Conservation Of Solo Papaya Cv. 'golden'

The high perishability of papaya (Carica papaya L.) reduces the lifespan as well as limits marketing. Coating fruit is an alternative process to aid food preservation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of propolis extract coating on physicochemical characteristics of papaya stored at room temperature. Solo papayas cv. 'Golden' were randomly divided into five postharvest treatments: three forms of dip-coating (70% alcohol, hydroalcoholic extract of propolis at 2.5%, and hydroalcoholic extract of propolis at 5%) and two controls (one uncoated and one with refrigerated uncoated fruit). Each four days, weight loss, fruit firmness, soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (TA), SS/ TA ratio, and hydrogen potential (pH) were evaluated throughout 12 days of storage. A sensory analysis was performed on the fourth day of storage, being appraised by untrained tasters through acceptance testing. Refrigerated, 2.5% propolis, and 5% propolis treatments promoted the lowest weight losses. Flesh firmness of 5% propolis treatment was superior to that of control, alcohol, and 2.5% propolis treatments. Moreover, 5% propolis treatment achieved a great SS, differing only from alcohol treatment. Both TA and SS/TA had no variations among treatments, but along storage time. Flesh pH of refrigerated papaya showed significant differences in relation to other treatments. Also, refrigerated fruit presented chilling injury symptoms. Propolis-coated papaya showed sensory acceptability similar to those of the other treatments on the 4th day of storage. Therefore, propolis coating renders Solo papaya cv. 'Golden' a promising alternative to control fruit weight losses and firmness.3764039405

Rock Powder Can Improve Vermicompost Chemical Properties and Plant Nutrition: an On-farm Experiment

Together with farmers, we evaluated nutrient availability from vermicomposted gneiss powder, assessed its influence on growth promotion, nutrition and heavy metal accumulation in maize plants and the effect on soil chemical properties in the field. Three soil treatments were applied: fertilization with vermicompost with gneiss powder, fertilization with vermicompost without gneiss powder, and soil without fertilization (control), in a randomized block design with five replicates. The dry weight of shoots and the concentrations of potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, nickel, chrome and lead in the dry matter of maize were higher with vermicompost with gneiss powder. In the soil, the potential of hydrogen and phosphorus, potassium and calcium concentrations were higher with vermicompost with gneiss. There were no detectable levels of heavy metal wastes in the soil after the experiment. We conclude that vermicomposted gneiss powder has potential for use in agriculture as a nutrient source and can improve soil chemical properties

Novos registros na distribuição geográfica de anuros na floresta com araucária e considerações sobre suas vocalizações

Estudos envolvendo análises bioacústicas têm possibilitado a identificação de espécies pertencentes a grupos complexos, bem como a descrição e diferenciação de espécies crípticas. Recorrendo a esta ferramenta e com o objetivo de aumentar o conhecimento sobre a composição de espécies de anfíbios em áreas de Floresta com Araucária, foram amostradas 11 áreas nos estados do Paraná e Santa Catarina. Os resultados ampliaram significativamente o conhecimento da distribuição geográfica de oito espécies de anfíbios anuros: Ischnocnema henselii, Dendropsophus anceps, atualmente classificada como criticamente ameaçada no Estado do Paraná, D. nahdereri, Scinax granulatus, Trachycephalus dibernardoi, Pseudis cardosoi, Leptodactylus araucaria e L. nanus. Alguns destes registros representam correções em identificações anteriores: Ischnocnema henselii é uma espécie críptica e algumas populações até o momento eram confundidas no Paraná com I. guentheri; Trachycephalus dibernardoi era identificada como T. imitatrix e Leptodactylus nanus como L. marmoratus. A caracterização e descrição dos cantos destas espécies também são apresentadas.Studies involving bioacoustics analysis turned possible the identification of complex species groups, as well as the description and differentiation of cryptic species. In order to increase the knowledge on the species composition of amphibians in Araucaria Forests, we sampled eleven areas in the states of Paraná and Santa Catarina, which significantly increased the geographic distribution range of eight amphibian species: Ischnocnema henselii, Dendropsophus anceps, a currently classified as critically endangered in Paraná State, D. nahdereri, Scinax granulatus, Trachycephalus dibernardoi, Pseudis cardosoi, Leptodactylus araucaria and L. nanus. Some of the new records represent corrections of previous identifications for example: Ischnocnema henselii is a cryptic species with some populations in Paraná that have been previously mistaken to I. guentheri; Trachycephalus dibernardoi was mistaken for T. imitatrix and Leptodactylus nanus to L. marmoratus. We also characterize and describe the calls of all these species.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Universidade Estadual Paulista Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia AnimalUniversidade Federal de Goiás (UFG) Departamento de Ecologia Laboratório de Comportamento Animal e HerpetologiaUniversidade Federal do Acre Centro Multidisciplinar Laboratório de HerpetologiaStaatliches Museum für Naturkunde StuttgartUniversidade Tecnológica Federal do ParanáUniversidade Estadual Paulista Departamento de Zoologia e BotânicaUniversidade Estadual Paulista Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia AnimalUniversidade Estadual Paulista Departamento de Zoologia e Botânic

Mycorrhizal associations in agroforestry systems

Agroforestry systems can be a viable alternative to the preservation of natural resources while contributing to sustainable food production in the tropics. These perennial systems promote beneficial biological interactions between micro-organisms and plant species, especially those formed by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and roots. Mycorrhizal fungi increase the soil volume explored by the roots, increase nutrient absorption by the plants, protect the root system against pathogens, toxic elements and certain heavy metals, help the formation and maintenance of soil structure, increase the input of soil carbon, and contribute to the maintenance of biodiversity. Agroforestry systems have the potential to maximize the benefits associated with AMF, which in turn could mitigate negative interactions between trees and annual crops. This beneficial impact between agroforestry management and mycorrhizal action may be depicted as a particular form of symbiosis, and deserves more stud

Micorrização, nodulação e produção da soja roundup ready após a aplicação de diferentes formulações de glyphosate

Objetivou-se neste trabalho avaliar o efeito de diferentes formulações à base de glyphosate sobre a colonização micorrízica e nodulação no cultivar de soja RR TMG 125. Os experimentos foram desenvolvidos em condições de campo, em Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo, durante os anos agrícolas 2010/2011 e 2011/2012. Os tratamentos constaram da aplicação da dose de 720 g e.a. ha-1 das seguintes formulações de glyphosate: Trop®, Roundup Original®, Roundup Ultra®, Roundup WG®, Roundup Transorb R® e Zapp Qi®, além de duas testemunhas (capinada e não capinada). Utilizou-se o delineamento em blocos casualizados com quatro repetições. A matéria seca da parte aérea, nodulação e produtividade de soja não foram influenciadas pelas diferentes formulações de glyphosate. Para a colonização micorrízica, observou-se efeito positivo da formulação Roundup Original®, em relação à testemunha capinada; no entanto, esse efeito não foi contínuo nos dois anos de experimento. A variável número de nódulos foi mais afetada pelas formulações de glyphosate testadas

Success of the Tutorial Program in Biochemistry at The Federal University of Vi

Institutionalized at UFV in 2001, the Tutorial Program in Biochemistry aims to reduce the une-venness of basic prior knowledge among the students enrolled in regular Biochemistry courses. Thework methodology has been periodically evaluated and rened in order to overcome identied pro-blems. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the Tutorial Program based on the stu-dentsachievement, to show implemented modications and proposed alternatives to adjust methodo-logies. The student-nal-grades were obtained from UFV les. Questionnaires were applied to thePrograms students at the end of each semester. Suggestions and criticism from tutors and coordinatingprofessors were discussed at weekly meetings. Along six semesters (2001-2003), a leveling o of thetutorial students was observed with the attending students (S, minimum of 75% attendance, averagegrade 71.3) that got grades close to the average of no-tutorial students (average grade 71.5). For thetutorial students with attendance below the required minimum (N), the average grade was 58.8. Thefailure rate for grade S students (7.4%) was lower then that for no-tutorial students (9.9%) and forgrade N students (27.9%). Based on the lled out questionnaire from tutorial students, we observeas follows: 96.7% stated that it is eective to participate in the Program and 79.9% modied theirstudy approach. Among the modications implemented in the Program, are as folows: 1) Increase inthe number of tutorial groups (from 4 to 6); 2) Reduction in the number of volunteer-students, givingpriority to students with decient prior knowledge in pre-requisite-disciplines; and 3) Time reductionof tutorial sessions (from 3 to 2h weekly), with smaller groups and exercise classes. Thus, the observedmotivation, the leveling o and the lower failure rate of the S grade tutorial students indicated that theTutorial Program at UFV is improving and reaching its objectives