Agronomic traits of dual-purpose wheat with different plant architectures under defoliation strategies

Crop-livestock system implies in the balance of appropriate animal foraging, minimizing effects on grain production on the same crop season. This study aims to assess canopy heights (20 and 30 cm) and cuts number (no cut, 1, 2 and 3 cuts) effects on wheat productivity and bromatological composition of forage, and grain yield of BRS Umbu and BRS Tarumã cultivars. Regardless cuts number and cultivars, 30 cm provided higher forage productivity (1032 and 1348 kg DM ha-1) than 20 cm (554 and 909 kg DM ha-1), for BRS Umbu and Tarumã, respectively, in average crop seasons. For both cultivars and crop seasons, mean values of 26% crude protein, 55% neutral detergent fiber and 26% acid detergent fiber were obtained. At 20 cm no difference in grain yield was observed as a function of cuts number with 3780 kg ha-1 for BRS Umbu, in average crop seasons and 4306 kg ha-1 in 2014, for BRS Tarumã. However, at 30 cm, the grain yield was penalized at least in 30% as a result only third cut. These results indicate that wheat as dual-purpose can be employed in southern Brazil in grazing systems in forage shortage times and then produce grains without yield penalties as a function to the management used

Potencial produtivo e fisiológico de sementes de trigo colhidas em diferentes graus de maturidade em função da aplicação de dessecantes

A aplicação de dessecantes pode influenciar na qualidade fisiológica das sementes de trigo e ainda não há herbicidas dessecantes recomendados para uniformizar a maturidade das lavouras. Objetivou-se neste trabalho avaliar a qualidade fisiológica das sementes de trigo cultivar CD 123, colhidas em diferentes estádios fenológicos e colorações dos grãos, provenientes de plantas submetidas à aplicação de duas doses de três herbicidas dessecantes em pré-colheita. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições, em esquema fatorial 7 x 4. Foram avaliados os dessecantes: carfentrazona etílica, glufosinato-sal de amônio e flumioxazina em duas doses de aplicação (recomendada e metade da dose recomendada) mais a testemunha totalizando 7 tratamentos e quatro graus de maturidade visual das espigas na colheita (estádio 89-verde, 89-madura, 91-verde e 91-madura). Os dados foram sumetidos à ANOVA e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Scott-Knott, a 5% de probabilidade. A aplicação do dessecante carfentrazona em dose cheia afetou negativamente a germinação das sementes colhidas de plantas no estádio fenológico 89 com coloração verde dos grãos. Os demais dessecantes quando aplicados em meia dose resultaram em maiores índices de germinação. A produçãos de sementes por planta não foi afetada pelos dessecantes e suas respectivas doses, tendo influência somente dos graus de maturidade, em que os grãos verdes resultaram em menor produção de sementes por planta. Sementes colhidas precocemente, ainda com coloração verde tem menor qualidade que as colhidas com a coloração típica madura. Os herbicidas glufisinato e flumioxazina (meia ou dose cheia) possibilitam colheita de sementes de qualidade e não afetam a o desempenho produtivo das plantas dessecadas

Vigor de sementes de trevo vermelho submetidas a estresse salino

The accelerated aging test is a considerably important method for measuring the physiological potential of seeds. This study sought to apply the accelerated aging test to determine the vigor of red clover seeds of the Quiniquelli and Estanzuela 116 cultivars under water and salinity stress conditions. Accordingly, the seeds were aged for 12, 24, 36, 48, and 72 hours at 42 °C in water and a saturated salt solution (40% NaCl) and then assessed by the accelerated aging test. The lengths of 15 normal seedlings from each of the four replicates for both cultivars were measured, and the seedlings’ dry mass (48 h/60 °C) was determined. After aging 12, 24, and 36 hours in a saturated salt solution, vigor was above the average of 84.5% for both cultivars. In the test conducted with water, 36 hours were enough to stress the seeds. The accelerated aging time that best represented the vigor of the seeds of the Quiniquelli and Estanzuela 116 cultivars was 48 hours at 42 °C in the saturated NaCl solution, thus being the most suitable for red clover seeds.O teste de envelhecimento acelerado é de grande importância para expressar o potencial fisiológico das sementes. O objetivo do trabalho foi determinar o vigor de sementes de trevo vermelho das cultivares Quiniquelli e Estanzuela 116 pelo teste do envelhecimento acelerado sob estresse hídrico e salino.  Para tal, as sementes foram expostas a solução hídrica e salina com NaCl (40%) nos tempos de 12, 24, 36, 48 e 72 h a 42 °C e, em seguida, avaliadas pelo teste de envelhecimento acelerado. Foram medidos os comprimentos de 15 plântulas normais de cada uma das quatro repetições de ambas as cultivares e determinada a massa seca das plântulas (48 h /60 °C). Após 12, 24 e 36 h de envelhecimento em solução salina o vigor foi superior à média de 84,5% para ambas cultivares. No teste conduzido com água, o tempo de 36 h foi suficiente para estressar as sementes. O tempo de envelhecimento acelerado que melhor caracterizou o vigor de sementes das cultivares Quiniquelli e Estanzuela 116 foi o de 48 h sob temperatura de 42 °C com o uso de solução saturada de NaCl, sendo o mais indicado para as sementes de trevo vermelho

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

Tissue turnover in elephant grass swards cv. Pioneiro managed under frequencies and severities of defoliation

The morphogenetic and structural characteristics of forage plants, as well as the processes of growth and senescence of tissues can change according to the management strategies used. Therefore, the aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of frequency and severity of grazing on morphogenetic and structural characteristics in pastures of Pennisetum purpureum cv. Pioneiro, in order to understand and allow for planning and handling of its use, ensuring the proper use of this plant. The experiment was conducted at dairy cattle sector belonging of Santa Catarina State University (CAV-UDESC), between January and June 2011. The treatments consisted of two grazing frequencies (pre-grazing sward heights of 90 and 120 cm) and two defoliation severities (50 and 70% of the initial height). The experiment was carried out according a complete randomized block design in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement with three replications. Statistical analyzes were performed using the MIXED procedure of SAS statistical package (Statistical Analysis System) version 9.2. Means were compared using the "PDIFF" statement, with a probability level of 5%, using the Student t test. Assessments were made over thirds of regrowth, which are described as a third of the sward height regrowth, depending on the treatment. Therefore, the following variables were evaluated every third of regrowth using the technique of marked tillers: leaf appearance rate (LAR), leaf elongation rate (LER), leaf senescence rate (LSR), stem elongation rate more pseudostem (SER), number of live leaves per tiller (LLT) and expanding leaves (NEL), average length of stem (stem+pseudostem), basal, aerial and connecting tillers population density. In treatments conducted at 90 cm early in the regrowth there was a higher LSR and SER especially when combined with the 70% of defoliation. At the second third of regrowth there was a decrease on LER, LAR and aerial tiller density and it was more pronounced when combined with defoliation of 70%. In treatments using 120 cm pre-grazing there was the higher leaf senescence and stem elongation rates. The morphogenetic and structural characteristics have a strong influence of grazing strategies adopted. The results suggests that elephant grass swards, cv. Pioneiro, should not be grazed higher than 90 cm, indicating that this height it is a limit of managementAs características morfogênicas e estruturais das plantas forrageiras, bem como os processos de crescimento e senescência de tecidos podem variar de acordo com as estratégias de manejo utilizadas. Assim, os objetivos deste experimento foram avaliar os efeitos das frequências e severidades de desfolhação sobre as características morfogênicas e estruturais de pastos de Pennisetum purpureum cv. Pioneiro, de forma a compreender e permitir o planejamento e manipulação de sua utilização, assegurando o uso adequado dessa planta forrageira. O experimento foi conduzido na área experimental do setor de bovinocultura de leite pertencente ao Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias - Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (CAV-UDESC), no período de janeiro a junho de 2011. Os tratamentos consistiram na combinação de duas frequências de pastejo (altura das plantas no pré-pastejo de 90 e 120 cm) e duas severidades de desfolha (50 e 70% de remoção da altura de entrada). O delineamento utilizado foi em blocos ao acaso, em arranjo fatorial 2 x 2, com três repetições. As análises estatísticas foram realizadas por meio do procedimento MIXED do pacote estatístico SAS (Statistical Analysis System) versão 9.2. Para efeito de comparação de médias entre tratamentos foi utilizado o PDIFF , com um nível de probabilidade de 5%, usando o teste t de Student. As avaliações ocorreram ao longo dos terços de rebrotação, sendo estes descritos como terça parte da altura do pasto, dependendo do tratamento empregado. Assim, as seguintes variáveis foram avaliadas por meio da técnica de perfilhos marcados: taxa de aparecimento de folhas (TApF), taxa de alongamento de folhas (TAF), taxa de senescência foliar (TSF), taxa de alongamento de colmo mais pseudocolmo (TACP), número de folhas vivas (NFV) e em expansão (NFE), comprimento médio de colmo mais pseudocolmo (CMCP). Outras avaliações realizadas foram a determinação da densidade populacional de perfilhos basais, aéreos e vasocondutores (DPPB, DPPA, DPPVC, respectivamente). Em tratamentos conduzidos a 90 cm de altura pré-pastejo, no início da rebrota houve altas TSF e TACP principalmente quando aliadas às desfolhas de 70%. No segundo terço de rebrotação ocorreu queda da TAF, TApF e da DPPA de forma mais acentuada quando combinadas à desfolhas de 70%. Em tratamentos utilizando-se 120 cm de altura pré-pastejo houve as maiores taxas de senescência e alongamento de colmo. As características morfogênicas e estruturais apresentaram forte influência das estratégias de pastejo adotadas. Os resultados sugerem que pastos de capim-elefante cv. Pioneiro não devem ser manejados com alturas superiores a 90 cm, indicando que esta altura já é um limite de manejo e que os pastos devem ser desfolhados com severidades de pastejo de 50% da altura de entradaConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológic

Levels of defoliation and regrowth dynamics in elephant grass swards

The morphogenetic and structural characteristics of forage plants and the processes of growth and senescence in tissues may vary according to the grazing management strategies used. This research aimed to assess the process of regrowth in elephant grass swards Cv. 'Pioneiro' submitted to two pre-grazing heights (90 and 120cm) combined with two levels of defoliation (50 and 70%). A reduction of the leaf elongation rate (LER) was observed during the regrowth stages, in addition to a reduction in the rate of leaf appearance (LAR) and aerial tiller population density (ATPD). In contrast, an increase was observed in leaf senescence (LSR) and stem and pseudo stem elongation rates (SER). The severe defoliation (70%) combined with a pre-grazing height of 120cm compromised the regrowth of elephant grass cv. 'Pioneiro', which must be managed with a maximum height of 90cm and maximum level of defoliation of 50% of the initial height

Physiological quality of dual-purpose wheat seeds from plants subjected to artificial defoliation

ABSTRACT: Defoliation may play a role in source-sink relationships and reduce the physiological quality of seeds. The main goal of this research was to investigate the effect of successive defoliations on physiological quality of wheat seeds in 'BRS Umbu' and 'BRS Tarumã' cultivars. Two experiments were carried out using a complete randomized design with four replications. Treatments included plants without defoliation (0), and those where 1, 2, and 3 consecutives defoliations were applied. Seeds from each treatment originated from four different lots. Data were analyzed with one-way analysis of variance and means compared by Tukey test at 5% statistical probability. Germination was not affected by defoliation, or the number of cuts, but an effect on vigor was reported

Brazilian Flora 2020: Leveraging the power of a collaborative scientific network

International audienceThe shortage of reliable primary taxonomic data limits the description of biological taxa and the understanding of biodiversity patterns and processes, complicating biogeographical, ecological, and evolutionary studies. This deficit creates a significant taxonomic impediment to biodiversity research and conservation planning. The taxonomic impediment and the biodiversity crisis are widely recognized, highlighting the urgent need for reliable taxonomic data. Over the past decade, numerous countries worldwide have devoted considerable effort to Target 1 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), which called for the preparation of a working list of all known plant species by 2010 and an online world Flora by 2020. Brazil is a megadiverse country, home to more of the world's known plant species than any other country. Despite that, Flora Brasiliensis, concluded in 1906, was the last comprehensive treatment of the Brazilian flora. The lack of accurate estimates of the number of species of algae, fungi, and plants occurring in Brazil contributes to the prevailing taxonomic impediment and delays progress towards the GSPC targets. Over the past 12 years, a legion of taxonomists motivated to meet Target 1 of the GSPC, worked together to gather and integrate knowledge on the algal, plant, and fungal diversity of Brazil. Overall, a team of about 980 taxonomists joined efforts in a highly collaborative project that used cybertaxonomy to prepare an updated Flora of Brazil, showing the power of scientific collaboration to reach ambitious goals. This paper presents an overview of the Brazilian Flora 2020 and provides taxonomic and spatial updates on the algae, fungi, and plants found in one of the world's most biodiverse countries. We further identify collection gaps and summarize future goals that extend beyond 2020. Our results show that Brazil is home to 46,975 native species of algae, fungi, and plants, of which 19,669 are endemic to the country. The data compiled to date suggests that the Atlantic Rainforest might be the most diverse Brazilian domain for all plant groups except gymnosperms, which are most diverse in the Amazon. However, scientific knowledge of Brazilian diversity is still unequally distributed, with the Atlantic Rainforest and the Cerrado being the most intensively sampled and studied biomes in the country. In times of “scientific reductionism”, with botanical and mycological sciences suffering pervasive depreciation in recent decades, the first online Flora of Brazil 2020 significantly enhanced the quality and quantity of taxonomic data available for algae, fungi, and plants from Brazil. This project also made all the information freely available online, providing a firm foundation for future research and for the management, conservation, and sustainable use of the Brazilian funga and flora