Toxic activity of organic extracts from Trichilia pallida Swartz (Meliaceae) against Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith)

The objective of this research was to evaluate the toxic activity of different concentrations (weight/volume) of organic extracts (non-aqueous) of leaves and twigs of Trichilia pallida Swartz on Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) under laboratory conditions. Pieces of corn leaves were dipped in acetone solutions of T. pallida extracts at concentrations ranging from 0.008 to 1%. Larval mortality of S. frugiperda was evaluated during 10 days and acetone extracts of leaves and twigs and methanol extracts of twigs showed greater activity than methanol extract of leaves. Crude acetone extract was partitioned with hexane and ethyl acetate and evaluated by using the same methodology. Ethyl acetate fraction was more effective than hexane. Comparing the four solvents, the highest toxic activity of the extracts was obtained using acetone, followed by methanol, ethyl acetate and hexane.Avaliou-se, em condições de laboratório, o efeito de diferentes concentrações (peso/volume) de extratos orgânicos (não aquosos) de folhas e ramos de Trichilia pallida Swartz em relação à lagarta-do-cartucho Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith). Inicialmente, foram testados os extratos acetônico e metanólico nas concentrações de 0,008 a 1% impregnados em folhas de milho, constatando-se, com base na mortalidade larval até os 10 dias, que os extratos acetônicos de folhas e de ramos e o extrato metanólico de ramos apresentaram maior atividade que o extrato metanólico de folhas. Empregando a mesma metodologia, foram testados os extratos acetato de etila e hexânico obtidos pela partição do extrato acetônico bruto, constatando-se que o extrato acetato de etila foi mais efetivo que o hexânico. Comparando-se os quatro solventes, a maior atividade tóxica dos extratos foi obtida com a utilização de acetona, seguindo-se metanol, acetato de etila e hexano.79980

Strategic grazing management towards sustainable intensification at tropical pasture-based dairy systems

Agricultural systems are responsible for environmental impacts that can be mitigated through the adoption of more sustainable principles. Our objective was to investigate the influence of two pre-grazing targets (95% and maximum canopy light interception during pasture regrowth; LI95% and LIMax, respectively) on sward structure and herbage nutritive value of elephant grass cv. Cameroon, and dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield, stocking rate, enteric methane (CH₄) emissions by Holstein × Jersey dairy cows. We hypothesized that grazing strategies modifying the sward structure of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) improves nutritive value of herbage, increasing DMI and reducing intensity of enteric CH₄ emissions, providing environmental and productivity benefits to tropical pasture-based dairy systems. Results indicated that pre-sward surface height was greater for LIMax (≈135 cm) than LI95% (≈100 cm) and can be used as a reliable field guide for monitoring sward structure. Grazing management based on LI95% criteria improved herbage nutritive value and grazing efficiency, allowing greater DMI, milk yield and stocking rate by dairy cows. Daily enteric CH₄ emission was not affected; however, cows grazing elephant grass at LI95% were more efficient and emitted 21% less CH₄/kg of milk yield and 18% less CH₄/kg of DMI. The 51% increase in milk yield per hectare overcame the 29% increase in enteric CH₄ emissions per hectare in LI95% grazing management. Thereby the same resource allocation resulted in a 16% mitigation of the main greenhouse gas from pasture-based dairy systems. Overall, strategic grazing management is an environmental friendly practice that improves use efficiency of allocated resources through optimization of processes evolving plant, ruminant and their interface, and enhances milk production efficiency of tropical pasture-based systems