Foliar fortification of Copper (Cu) in Glycine max L. for the protection against Asian Soybean Rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi Syd. & P.Syd.)

The Asian Soybean Rust caused by the fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi is one of the serious phytosanitary problems faced by soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill], which cause up to 80% yield loss. An alternative for the integrated management of the disease is the use of mineral nutrition together with phytosanitary treatments. Thus, the objective of this study is to understand the effect of foliar fortification with copper (Cu) along with phytosanitary treatments in the soybean reaction to Rust by lignin content variation in leaf tissues, and how it reflects the yield. The experimental design was a randomized block with four replicates. Four concentrations Cu (30, 60, 90, 120 g Cu ha-1) were tested in two distinct sources (cuprous oxide and copper carbonate) together with phytosanitary treatments. Evaluations were made to determine the progression of Asian Rust severity, micronutrient content in leaves and grains, as well as lignin content in leaves. The grain yield components and productivity were also evaluated. The Cu contents in the soybean leaves and grains were influenced by foliar spraying. Foliar spray with Cu retarded the disease progression, reducing the severity of Asian Rust and positively impacting grain yield. The amount of lignin present in the leaves was altered considerably with the application of the Cu associated with phytosanitary treatments. The results suggest that the leaf nutrition with copper together with phytosanitary treatments, may reduce the rust severity and improvement the plant performance. Future research with Cu application and analysis of specific enzymes, secondary metabolites and cell wall thickness may further contribute to the understanding of the role of Cu in defence against Asian Soybean Rust

Root traits correlated with soybean yield in a subtropical region

Root system plays a crucial role in plants’ anchoring, water and nutrients acquisition and storage of carbohydrates. While it is understood that root system traits contribute to crop yield, little is known about the particular effects of root morphology over crop yield, even on major crops such as soybean (Glycine max). The objective of this study was to investigate if distinct soybean grain yield plants, grown at different sites, displayed differences in their root system morphology. This distinct traits in the root system should be responsible to the differences of yield, thus, showing which traits should be followed in breeding programs to develop higher yield cultivars. The soybean cultivar DM 5958 RSF IPRO was sowing in a randomized complete block design experiment. Treatments comprised three cultivation sites and five soybean grain yield classes. Plant emergence and root system morphology attributes were evaluated. Results showed that late emergence negatively influenced root development. A huge difference among sites over very thin (89%) and thin (85%) roots was found in the high yield class, and since the plants have similar yield, it appeared that the thin and very thin roots length have no impact on the yield, being influenced mostly by the environment. Forks and tips roots didn’t show a pattern. In contrast, roots volume only showed a 22% reduction, demonstrating to be less influenced by the environment, resulting in a greater correlation with the grain yield. Thus identified as the main attribute to be explored when seeking to select new soybean cultivars

Dissimilaridade entre ecótipos de Andropogon lateralis submetidos a diferentes frequências de desfolha e alturas de corte

Andropogon lateralis Nees is a native grass of southern Brazil and is one of the most frequent specie found in native grasslands. The species is widely distributed and has a high degree of phenotypic plasticity, which makes it highly adaptable to different edaphoclimatic conditions and management. This study aimed to evaluate the behavior of twelve ecotypes of A. lateralis, collected in different regions of the state of Rio Grande do Sul and cut to three different heights and subjected to two different defoliation frequencies. From September to February, the ecotypes were evaluated for total dry matter, leaf and stem yields. In addition, total, vegetative and reproductive tillers and plant height were measured. These characteristics are important for the selection of superior genotypes in terms of genetic variability and forage production. Total dry matter and leaf dry matter are characteristics with agronomic importance and they showed the highest correlation (r = 0.77), enabling an indirect selection for one of these characteristics. The natural selection of plants resulted in distinct structural, morphological and productive characteristics with heterogeneity that allows the selection and grouping according to the characteristics, ecotypes with superior agronomic characteristics can be included in breeding programs.Andropogon lateralis Nees é uma gramínea nativa do sul do Brasil e uma das espécies mais frequentes na flora dos campos nativos da região. Possui ampla distribuição e alto grau de plasticidade fenotípica, tornando-o adaptável as condições edafoclimáticas e a práticas de desfolha. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a dissimilaridade entre doze ecótipos de A. lateralis N., coletados em diferentes regiões do Rio Grande do Sul, submetidos a duas frequências de desfolha e três alturas de corte. No período de setembro a fevereiro, os ecótipos foram avaliados quanto à produção de matéria seca total, de lâminas foliares e de colmo. Além disso, foram medidos o número de perfilhos totais, vegetativos e reprodutivos e a altura das plantas. Essas características são importantes para a seleção de genótipos superiores em termos de variabilidade genética e produção de forragem. A matéria seca total e a matéria seca foliar são características com importância agronômica e apresentaram a maior correlação (r = 0,77), possibilitando uma seleção indireta para uma dessas características. A seleção natural das plantas resultou em características estruturais, morfológicas e produtivas distintas com uma heterogeneidade que permite a seleção e agrupamento de acordo com as características, ecótipos com características agronômicas superiores podem ser incluídos em programas de melhoramento

Root exudation of oxalic acid in Lotus corniculatus in response to aluminum toxicity

The objective of this research was to identify the existence of root exudation of organic acid in Lotus corniculatus germplasms subjected to toxic aluminum (Al) levels and investigate the effect of this mechanism on the Al content in the root tissue and in morphological parameters of plant development. Two experiments were performed in nutrient solution to evaluate the Al accumulation and exudation of organic acids, using cultivars INIA Draco and São Gabriel and genotypes UFRGS and UF-T2. The plants were cultivated in Al-free solution, which was applied on the 45th day in half of the pots of each genotype. Root exudation was highly correlated with the reduced accumulation of Al in the root tissue (r2 = 0.75 at 72 h). Genotype UF-T2, selected for Al tolerance, extruded 80% more oxalic acid in the presence of Al compared with the other germplasms, indicating that this mechanism is involved with Al tolerance in L. corniculatus. This experiment showed strong evidence that L. corniculatus exhibits Type I tolerance, in which anionic channels are rapidly activated by Al exposure. Exudation of oxalic acid is likely a crucial mechanism that allows the maintenance of L. corniculatus growth when exposed to toxic Al conditions, and this characteristic should be used to identify tolerant genotypes in the future

Presença da translocação 2NVS e herança da resistência à brusone em trigo

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the presence of 2NVS translocation on the inheritance of wheat resistance to head blast, in F2 segregating lines from two biparental crosses. The IPF 86766 and 'Santa Fe' genotypes were used as female parents (both 2NVS carriers), and 'BRS 404', as the common male parent (non 2NVS carrier). Using a mixture of three isolates of Pyricularia oryzae Triticum, wheat spikes and rachises were evaluated for bleaching severity at five (%BS_5dpi) and seven days post-inoculation (%BS_7dpi), as well as for the number of infection points (IPR) and pathogen sporulation (SPO). Chi-square analyses showed that segregation follows a 3:1 Mendelian hypothesis, with a major locus with a dominant allele: %BS_7dpi for IPF 86766 x 'BRS 404' and IPR for 'Santa Fe' x 'BRS 404'. Therefore, this is the first known study to show that the 2NVS translocation responsible for resistance to head blast is a major locus with a dominant allele. In a controlled environment, 'BRS 404' shows bleaching severity and SPO similar with those occurring on IPF 86766 and 'Santa Fe'.O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da presença da translocação 2NVS sobre a herança da resistência de trigo à brusone, em linhagens segregantes F2 de dois cruzamentos biparentais. Os genótipos IPF 86766 e 'Santa Fe' foram usados como genitores femininos (ambos portadores da 2NVS), e 'BRS 404', como genitor masculino comum (não portador da 2NVS). A partir da mistura de três isolados de Pyricularia oryzae Triticum, espigas e ráquis de trigo foram avaliadas quanto à severidade de branqueamento aos cinco (%BS_5dpi) e aos 7 dias após inoculação (%BS_7dpi), bem como quanto ao número de pontos de infecção (IPR) e à esporulação do patógeno (SPO). Análises de qui-quadrado mostraram que a segregação segue a hipótese mendeliana 3:1, com um loco de efeito maior, com alelo dominante: %BS_7dpi para IPF 86766 x 'BRS 404' e IPR para 'Santa Fe' x 'BRS 404'. Portanto, este é o primeiro estudo conhecido a mostrar que a translocação 2NVS responsável pela resistência à brusone de trigo é um loco principal com um alelo dominante. Em condições controladas de ambiente, 'BRS 404' apresenta severidade de branqueamento e SPO similares às que ocorrem em IPF 86766 e 'Santa Fe'

Multivariate analysis reveals genetic diversity in Paspalum notatum Flügge

The objective of this study was to evaluate 94 Paspalum notatum genotypes over two growing seasons to estimate genetic dissimilarity through agronomic traits and the distance between genotypes. This information is used to create an ideotype from the best averages obtained for the set of characteristics evaluated. Seven apomitic, three sexual, and 81 hybrid genotypes were compared with native genotypes “André da Rocha”, “Bagual”, and cultivar “Pensacola” as controls. There is genetic variability in P. notatum for the studied characteristics, and distinct genotypes with superior characteristics can be used in new combinations between apomictic and sexual plants to obtain hybrids. The characters with the greatest relative contribution to the dissimilarity between the genotypes were tiller density, stem dry mass, and leaf dry mass yield. Thus, these characteristics are suitable criteria to infer genetic distance studies in P. notatum. The selection index based on the ideotype is an auxiliary tool in the breeding process. The ideotype must be based on characteristics of interest according to the objective of the breeding program, as well as on the breeder’s prior knowledge in relation to culture

ESTIMATIVA DA CONVERSÃO EM PRODUTO ANIMAL A PARTIR DO USO DE Avena strigosa Schreb. SUBMETIDA A DIFERENTES FONTE S E DOSES DE NITROGÊNIO

The objective of this study was to evaluate the agronomic and economic response of black oat pasture (cv. Embrapa 29 Garoa) submitted to different nitrogen fertilization sources and doses. The experimental design used was a randomized block design, arranged in a factorial scheme: two sources of nitrogen x five fertilization doses x three cuts. Three hundred results obtained demonstrated that black oat crop responds in productive potential from different sources and doses of nitrogen fertilization, impacting differently on the animal product. The choice of fertilization dose within the different sources of nitrogen will depend on the efficiency of nitrogen utilization in fodder production and its conversion to animal production, coupled with the product remuneration and costs involved with pasture implantation. The application of urea as nitrogen source provided greater production of dry matter per cut in black oat culture when compared to ammonium sulfate. The highest efficiencies in the use of nitrogen were obtained by applying 45 kg ha-1 of urea and ammonium sulfate. Black oat culture responds biologically to the nitrogen fertilization dose of 90 kg N ha-1. The applications of 45 kg of N ha-1 in the form of urea and 23 kg ha-1 of ammonium sulfate were economically feasible under the conditions in which the study was carried out.O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a resposta agronômica e econômica da pastagem de aveia preta (cv. Embrapa 29 Garoa) submetida a diferentes fontes e doses de fertilização nitrogenada. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso, organizado em esquema fatorial: duas fontes de Nitrogênio x cinco doses de fertilização x três cortes. Trezentos resultados obtidos demonstraram que a cultura da aveia preta responde em potencial produtivo a partir de diferentes fontes e doses de fertilização nitrogenada, impactando de maneira diferenciada sobre o produto animal. A escolha da dose de fertilização dentro das distintas fontes de Nitrogênio depende da eficiência de utilização do Nitrogênio em produção de forragem e a sua conversão em produção animal, aliado à remuneração do produto e custos envolvidos com a implantação da pastagem. A aplicação de ureia como fonte de Nitrogênio proporcionou maior produção de matéria seca por corte na cultura de aveia preta quando comparado ao sulfato de amônio. As maiores eficiências de utilização de nitrogênio foram obtidas com a aplicação de 45 kg ha-1 de ureia e sulfato de amônio. A cultura de aveia preta responde biologicamente até a dose de fertilização nitrogenada de 90 kg de N ha-1. As aplicações de 45 kg de N ha-1 na forma de ureia e 23 kg ha-1 de sulfato de amônio foram economicamente viáveis nas condições em que o estudo foi realizado

Genetic parameters, prediction of gains and intraspecific hybrid selection of Paspalum notatum Flügge for forage using REML/BLUP

Genetic improvement of native forage species is a sustainable alternative for maximizing livestock production. Paspalum notatum Flügge is the most important forage grass in the native grasslands of southern Brazil, with substantial potential available for further genetic improvement. The objective of this study was to quantify a range of genetic parameters and predict yield gains in a population of P. notatum intraspecific hybrids. Results indicated intraspecific hybrids of P. notatum had high magnitudes of heritability in the broad and average sense of genotype, plus high selective accuracy and genetic variation for all forage characteristics evaluated. This indicated REML/BLUP can contribute useful information for plant selection in future plant breeding programs. The genetic material studied showed high genetic variability for forage production. Analysis indicated hybrids 336, 332, 437, 132 and male parent ‘30N’ should be included in new crosses to increase the dry matter production of P. notatum. Parents need to be selected from different groups in order to maximize genetic variability and heterosis. In addition, these parents must be included in diallel crosses. The results obtained in this study provide important information for the future breeding of improved P. notatum cultivars for commercialization

Efficiency of chemical preservatives used in raw milk samples for bacterial counts by flow cytometry

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare two chemical preservatives in terms of their sample preservation capabilities, considering the individual bacterial count (IBC) and time and temperature variables. Samples were collected in expansion tanks in three commercial dairy farms located in the northwest of Rio Grande do Sul, characterized as G1: low IBC values, G2: average IBC values, and G3: high IBC values. The tanks were stored at three different temperatures (4, 10, and 25 °C) for 14 d. Samples supplemented with the preservative Azilat in G1 (lower IBC group) exhibited the best results at a temperature of 4 °C, whereas for G2 and G3, the results showed no statistically significant difference between temperatures 4 and 10 °C. The temperature 25 °C exhibited the worst results. For samples preserved with Azidiol, regardless of the studied group (G1, G2, and G3), the temperatures of 4 and 10 °C did not present a significant difference regarding the preservation of the samples, with the temperature of 25 °C exhibiting the worst results. Azilat was effective in keeping the samples conserved when they presented low IBC, being able to fluctuate with the increase in IBC and temperature variation. Azidiol was effective regardless of the initial IBC level

Poultry litter and cover crops influence the agronomic performance and grain yield of wheat

The use of poultry litter as a source of nitrogen (N) and the decomposition of ground cover plants can be an alternative and N management strategy in the wheat crop, in succession. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of isolated and/or intercropped cultivation of ground cover plants in autumn/winter and the use of poultry litter on some plant parameters and on the final yield of wheat grains. The experimental design was randomized blocks, in split plots, with three replications. The treatments in the plots were composed of isolated coverings Avena strigosa Schreb., Raphanus sativus L. and intercropping of A. strigosa + R. sativus and fallow as a control. In the subplots, the N managements in the wheat crop with 100% of the N recommendation via poultry litter, 100% of the N via mineral (urea), 50% via poultry litter + 50% mineral and the control, without N application. The management of nitrogen fertilization and the cover crops altered the yield components of the wheat crop. The use of poultry litter increased the final grain yield, being an alternative as a partial replacement, when associated with urea, or total N. Isolated crops R. sativus and A. strigosa + R. sativus intercropping significantly influenced agronomic performance and final grain yield