Unravelling the importance of mycorrhiza for plant nitrogen nutrition and transfer into the networks

Most terrestrial plants establish symbiotic associations with fungi called mycorrhiza, like ectomycorrhizas (EM) and arbuscular mycorrhizas (AM), for accessing limiting plant nutrients. For improving N nutrition, some plant species may establish EM-AM dual-mycorrhizal associations, either within the same root system or at different plant’s ontogenetic stages. Furthermore, EM and AM associations may interconnect plants via a common mycorrhiza network (CMN) for N exchange. However, available studies fail to provide univocal evidence on the advantage to a host plant of exploiting a dual association, compared to a single one for N acquisition, as well as to demonstrate the potential effects of the CMN networks mediating resource partitioning between connected plants, since transfer can occur via several routes simultaneously. In addition, quantification of the amount of possible nutrients transferred has also shown to be challenging, leading to doubts regarding the importance of the CMN in inter-plant partitioning. With this in mind, I have developed two novel experiments to prove and distinguish the contribution of the CMN for N transfer between connected plants as well as to evaluate nutritional advantages of dual vs single mycorrhizal plants. The first experiment aimed to respond two main objectives: (A) to evaluate N nutrition benefits in plants associated with single EM or AM versus dual associations and (B) to evaluate the potential of a dually associated plant as N donor via a CMN with receiver plants bearing single EM or AM associations. For this purpose, I have designed a novel multi-chamber mesocosm where a central split-rooted donor, able to associate with both AM and EM simultaneously, shares an AM or EM network with one neighbour plant simultaneously. Since only dually mycorrhized donor plants had access to both fungi type, it is possible to access different N nutrition of single colonized neighbours compared to central dual mycorrhizal plant. In addition, by applying 15N labeled solution to central dual mycorrhizal plant, I could track the preferential N allocation via AM vs EM network. At my knowledge, such evaluation was never made before. I hypothesized that (1) host plants establishing dual mycorrhiza associations will exhibit an enhanced N nutrition, compared to those depending on single associations. I further hypothesized (2) that dual mycorrhizal plants will preferentially share more N to plants bearing an EM association, due to its larger mycelium proliferation. Lastly, I hypothesized that (3) such mycelium proliferation might act as a sink for C, requiring higher C allocation from host plant. The data obtained demonstrate a nutritional advantage regarding N uptake for host plants holding dual mycorrhizal association, compared to single colonized plants. However, no transfer of N occurred between donor and receiver plants. Therefore, I concluded that CMN functioning for N transfer might occur only under specific situations, such as for particular plant–fungus combination, the characteristics of connected plants or abiotic conditions. For the second experiment, I aimed to quantify the direct transfer of N via the mycelial network in comparison to indirect pathways. I hypothesized that: (1) N transfer between connected plants occurs genuinely through hyphal connection rather than indirect pathways; (2) the proportion of N allocated from donor to receiver plants through mycorrhiza hyphae connections is significant and may improve neighboring plant nutrition and (3) by shading donor plant, N transferred to receiver plants is increased, once it might be able to produce more C to be exchanged by transported N. The data demonstrated a higher 15N transfer to ram1-1 receiver plants. The highest 15N found in the ram1-1 plant summed with the highest root biomass observed in this plant which increasing its area of nutrients absorption, highlighting the importance of indirect pathways for resources allocations in our system. Also in opposite to what was previously hypothesized, shading treatment did not increased 15N transfer. With this, it is possible to conclude that CMN are important, but most likely by other means than discussed in the literature

Qualidade físico-química e sensorial de pernas curadas de ovinos e caprinos

Mestrado com dupla diplomação com a Universidade Tecnológica Federal do ParanáA elaboração de um produto novo, salgado e curado, com origem em carcaças — de ovinos e caprinos das raças Churra Galega Bragançana e Serrana — fora das marcas DOP ou IGP permite estudar uma estratégia para a valorização de carne com baixo valor comercial podendo ser uma mais valia para toda a cadeia produtiva. Trata-se da produção de pernas de ovelha e cabra salgadas e curadas, submetidas a um determinado tempo de cura em condições controladas. Para a obtenção das pernas curadas desse estudo foram utilizados 56 animais, 27 ovelhas da raça Churra Galega Bragançana e 29 cabras pertencentes à raça Serrana da região de Bragança, com idades compreendidas entre 5 e 9 anos, e peso médio de 20 ± 1,9 kg. Nesse sentido objetivando caracterizar o produto quanto à sua qualidade físico-química, foram realizadas análises de pH, aw, cor, %MM, %UR, NaCl, %PB, colagénio total, TBAR´s, gordura total, perfil de ácidos gordos e colesterol. Foi efectuada a caracterização sensorial dos produtos, através de um painel de provadores. Para avaliar a aceitabilidade do mercado por este tipo de produto foi efectuada, também, uma avaliação de provas de consumidores. Relativamente aos parâmetros físicos de pH e aw não se detectaram diferenças significativas entre as espécies (P > 0,05). Já na avaliação da cor verificou-se diferenças (P ≤ 0,001) para a coordenada H* na espécie caprina, conformando carnes mais escuras e com menos brilho. Nas químicas a %PB foram encontradas diferenças significativas (P ≤ 0,001) para a espécie, apresentando as pernas de cabra maiores percentagem (46,18%), de %MM e de %UR também foram maiores (P ≤ 0,05). Para gordura total e TBAR´s, não obtivemos diferenças entre as espécies (P > 0,05). O conteúdo de colagénio do produto mostrou diferença (P ≤ 0,05) para a espécie. O conteúdo de colesterol total (P ≤ 0,001) apresentou 65,96 mg/100g de diferença entre as espécies. A %NaCl foi significativamente maior (P ≤ 0,01) para a espécie ovina (4,69%) esse valor complementa- se com a análise sensorial do produto uma vez que apresentou valores significativamente mais elevados de sabor salgado para a espécie ovina. Foi encontrado um perfil de 31 ácidos gordos, o teor total de SFA e MUFA foi semelhante para ambas espécies, com destaque do ácido oleico (P ≤ 0,001) mais elevado nos ovinos (42,01), os PUFAs foram significativamente maiores (P ≤ 0,001) nos caprinos, destacando-se os ácidos linoléico e araquidônico (6,12 e 2,27g/100g). As duas espécies apresentaram uma proporção interessante dos ácidos linoléico e α-linolénico, mostrando ser uma excelente fonte de ómega 6 e ómega 3. Quanto a qualidade sensorial os produtos foram caracterizados com mais aroma, sabor a produto curado, dureza e fibrosidade (pernas de caprinos) e com mais brilho, maior aroma a carne, sabor mais persistente, um sabor salgado mais evidente, mais adesividade e mais suculentas (pernas de ovinos). Na análise de preferência pelo consumidor, ambos produtos foram muito bem avaliados e com uma aceitação a compra de 100%, mostrando grande potencial de mercado.The production of a new meat product using carcasses — from Galega Bragançana ewes and Serrana goat — out of PDO or PGI brends, allows us to study a strategy for the valorisation of meat with low commercial value and to give added valur to all production chain. The study was the production of salted and cured sheep and goat legs submitted to a certain ripening time under controlled conditions. 56 animals were carried out, 27 Churra Galega Bragançana ewes and 29 Serrana goats, aged between 5 and 9 years, and body weight of 20 ± 1,9 kg. In order to characterize the product in terms of its physical-chemical quality, pH, aw, color, %MM, %RH, %Nacl, %CP, total collagen, TBAR's, total fat, cholesterol parameters were assessed Furthermore, a sensorial characterization of the products was carried out through a trained taste. In order to measure the degree of acceptance by the consumer market a consumer panel was used. No significant (P > 0, 05) differences between the species were detected for pH and aw, whereas in the color evaluation there was a significant (P ≤ 0,001) difference for the H * coordinate, conforming for goat legs dark meat with less brightness. The %CP was significant (P ≤ 0,001) highly in the goat legs (46,18 %), % MM and % RH we re also higher (P ≤ 0,05) than sheep legs., We did not find differences among the species for total fat and TBAR's. The collagen content show difference (P ≤ 0.05) for species with higher content for goat legs. The total cholesterol content (P ≤ 0,001) presented a 65,96 mg /100g difference between the two products. The percent of NaCl was significant (P ≤ 0,01) between species with higher content for sheep legs (4,69%), confirmed by the sensorial analysis of the product, once panel found this meat higher salted flavour. It was found a profile of 31 fatty acids, the SFA and MUFA contents were similar for both species, with the highest P ≤ 0,001) oleic acid content (42,01 mg /100g) for sheep legs. The PUFA content was significant (P ≤ 0,001 ) different and goats legs showed higher linoleic and arachidonic acids content(6,12 and 2,27 g / 100g, respectively). Both species had an interesting of linoleic and α-linolenic ratios, showing an excellent source of omega 6 and omega 3. The sensorial quality of the products was characterized with more aroma, cured flavor, hardness and fibrosity (goats legs) and with more brightness, higher meaty aroma, persistent flavo salted taste more evident and more thoughness (Sheep legs). In the consumer preference analysis, both products were very well evaluated with a 100% acceptance and purchase posibility, showing great market potential

Common Mycorrhizae Network: A Review of the Theories and Mechanisms Behind Underground Interactions

Most terrestrial plants establish symbiotic associations with mycorrhizal fungi for accessing essential plant nutrients. Mycorrhizal fungi have been frequently reported to interconnect plants via a common mycelial network (CMN), in which nutrients and signaling compounds can be exchanged between the connected plants. Several studies have been performed to demonstrate the potential effects of the CMN mediating resource transfer and its importance for plant fitness. Due to several contrasting results, different theories have been developed to predict benefits or disadvantages for host plants involved in the network and how it might affect plant communities. However, the importance of the mycelium connections for resources translocation compared to other indirect pathways, such as leakage of fungi hyphae and subsequent uptake by neighboring plant roots, is hard to distinguish and quantify. If resources can be translocated via mycelial connections in significant amounts that could affect plant fitness, it would represent an important tactic for plants co-existence and it could shape community composition and dynamics. Here, we report and critically discuss the most recent findings on studies aiming to evaluate and quantify resources translocation between plants sharing a CMN and predict the pattern that drives the movement of such resources into the CMN. We aim to point gaps and define open questions to guide upcoming studies in the area for a prospect better understanding of possible plant-to-plant interactions via CMN and its effect in shaping plants communities. We also propose new experiment set-ups and technologies that could be used to improve previous experiments. For example, the use of mutant lines plants with manipulation of genes involved in the symbiotic associations, coupled with labeling techniques to track resources translocation between connected plants, could provide a more accurate idea about resource allocation and plant physiological responses that are truly accountable to CMN

Ten Years Later: a Comparison between the Results of Early Simulation Scenarios and the Sustainability of a Small-Scale Agro-Industry Development Program

Agro-industrialization promotion is a policy option to aggregate value to a primary product and increase revenues for small farmers. However, experience has shown the vulnerability of small-scale agro-industries (SSAI) when facing a competitive environment with technological, institutional and managerial bottlenecks. A system dynamics model was built to simulate the financial behavior of agrifood processing enterprises promoted by Brazilian SSAI development programs after the mid 1990’s. Ten years after the modeling exercise, an assessment of selected enterprises supported by distinct programs largely confirmed the simulation results. Modelling suggested conditions for long-term SSAI sustainability were corroborated and the importance of the promotion programs was further evidenced

The fashion and the city: Porto case study

As a simultaneously cultural and global phenomenon, fashion has become an attractive factor in many cities, particularly the large metropolises where it assumes a prominent role, as in Paris, London, Milan, or New York. In countries where fashion does not assume notoriety and global prestige, fashion movements are more associated with local cultural characteristics, which fashion designers use as sources of inspiration and differentiation. In major cities, world-renowned designers and brands take on recognised importance, and fashion districts' attractiveness to visitors is notorious. In smaller cities, however, generally associated with cultural and artistic heritage, fashion appears in some places as a specific offer, marked by originality and differentiation of historical roots or inspired by local culture. The interest in fashion, in general, can lead the management of territories to associate the local dynamics of fashion creation with shopping tourism. To create specific itineraries and infrastructures, to follow the example of the big cities can develop the local fashion business and simultaneously increase the reasons of interest to visitors. Porto is a medium-sized city with high touristic demand and a developed local fashion system. However, visitors miss noticing Porto's role locally and nationally as it is not integrated systematically in a communication addressed to visitors. The most important designers are not easily accessible to them. The study aims to understand the perspective of fashion agents of Porto regarding the interest for the local fashion business of considering fashion as a touristic attraction and integrating it into the city touristic development plans.This work is financed by Project UID/CTM/00264/2019 of 2C2T – Centro de Ciência e Tecnologia Têxtil, funded by National Funds through FCT/MCTES

Ten Years later: A Comparison of Results of Simulation Scenarios under a Systems Dynamic Approach and the Actual Economic Performance of Small-Scale Agro-industries Supported by Brazilian Agro-industrial Development Programs

Agro-industrialization promotion is a policy option to aggregate value to a primary product and increase revenues for small farmers. However, experience has shown the vulnerability of small-scale agro-industries (SSAI) when facing a competitive environment under the constraints of several technological, institutional and managerial bottlenecks. A system dynamics model was built to simulate the financial performance of agrifood processing enterprises promoted by Brazilian SSAI development programs after the mid 1990s. Under different optimistic, conservative and pessimistic hypotheses related to SSAI operations and their business environment, model simulations allowed the identification of conditions for long-term financial sustainability. Ten years after the modeling exercise, the results of this analysis could be confirmed through a comparative assessment of the financial performance of selected enterprises supported by two of the promotion programs. The results of the original SD model could be mostly corroborated by the comparison between simulations and the observed enterprise performance. The relatively high SSAI survival rate over the ten-year period analyzed suggests the strong potential of these programs for agribusiness development promotion

A prisão provisória no brasil é regra ou exceção? um estudo sobre os índices prisionais, entre os anos de 2005 a 2014, sob o enfoque do minimalismo penal como crítica ao eficientismo penal

Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso, apresentado para obtenção do grau de Bacharel no Curso de Direito da Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, UNESCO objetivo do trabalho foi discutir pelo viés das políticas criminais do minimalismo e do expansionismo penal, a situação dos presos provisórios no Brasil. Inicialmente o estudo expôs o expansionismo penal que tem sido aplicado de forma desordenada pelo sistema penal brasileiro. Em sequência conceitua-se a política criminal do minimalismo, que apresentou-se como uma perspectiva de restauração profunda do Sistema Penal, incluindo a questão prisional. Posteriormente, mencionou-se os tipos de prisões possíveis antes da condenação transitada em julgado, pois todas estão previstas legalmente e possuem um ponto em comum, devem serem aplicadas apenas em caráter de exceção. Em análise dos dados coletados para discutir a prática da aplicação das prisões provisórias, o cenário nacional demonstra que de fato o número de pessoas presas cautelarmente chega a um patamar que revela a falácia do posicionamento de excepcionalidade, justamente pelo uso sem medidas do expansionismo. Sendo que o trabalho se estrutura em uma metodologia qualitativa nos dois primeiros capítulos, com etapa quantitativa no terceiro capítulo. Dessa forma, o trabalho trouxe a discussão do quão necessário é reverter à política criminal do expansionismo, assumindo de fato a sua prática sistêmica de violação de direitos e aplicando uma nova forma enfrentamento do crime. É injustificável tal quantidade de presos em situação cautelar, tornando-se a prisão sem julgamento meio de seletividade social e não de busca por segurança, culminando em no processo penal ser a prisão do acusado a regra