Zinc Oxide Phytonanoparticles’ Effects on Yield and Mineral Contents in Fruits of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Cherry) under Field Conditions

The use of phytonanoparticles in agriculture could decrease the use of fertilizers and therefore decrease soil contamination, due to their size being better assimilated in plants. It is important to mention that the nanofertilizer is slow-releasing and improves plant physiological properties and various nutritional parameters. The influence of soil and foliar applications of phytonanoparticles of ZnO with the Moringa oleifera extract under three concentrations (25, 50, and 100 ppm) was evaluated on the cherry tomato crop (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Synthesis of the phytonanoparticles was analyzed with ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) and infrared transmission spectroscopy with Fourier transform (FT-IR), as well as the analysis with the dynamic light scattering (DLS) technique. The morphometric parameters were evaluated before and after the application of the nanoparticles. The minerals’ content of fruits was done 95 days after planting. Results showed that soil application was better at a concentration of 25 ppm of phytonanoparticles since it allowed the greatest number of flowers and fruits on the plant; however, it was demonstrated that when performing a foliar application, the fruit showed the highest concentrations for the elements Mg, Ca, and Na at concentrations of 511, 4589, and 223 mg kg−1, respectively

SUGARCANE MOLASSE AND WHEY AS ADDITIVES IN THE SILAGE OF LEMONGRASS ( Cymbopogon citratus [DC.] Stapf) LEAVES

After extraction of essential oil from lemongrass ( Cymbopogon citratus [DC.] Stapf) leaves by steam distillation (heat treatment), large amounts of organic wastes are obtained. This by-product could easily be used as animal feed. The potential of sugarcane molasse and whey as additives to ensile lemongrass leaves was investigated. The vegetative material was obtained after essential oils were extracted from lemongrass leaves with steam distillation. Lemongrass leaves were chopped, mixed with sugarcane molasse and whey, placed in cylindrical plastic containers, hermetically closed. The experimental design for pH optimization was a response surface 3-level factorial design 32 with three replicates. Sugarcane molasse at 5, 10 and 15% (w/w) and whey at 20, 25 and 30% (w/w) were used. The pH of the silage decreased significantly in each treatment, but it was faster when sugarcane molasse was added. The lactic acid concentration was 2.8 g kg-1 DM in silage amended with 15% molasse plus 25% whey and was higher than in silage supplemented with commercial additive after 15 d. In conclusion, it was shown that lemongrass leaves obtained as by product after extracting essential oils can be effectively ensiled with whey and sugarcane molasse as additives inducing a faster production of lactic acid

Extracción y cuantificación de ADN de pajillas de semen bovino criopreservado

The semen criopreserved comes diluted with tris, citric acid, fructose, glicerol, milk skimmed in powder and yolk of egg. To extract the DNA of the semen it is necessary to eliminate the ADN exogen, this is not achieved with the normal technique of extraction with fresh semen, for what it is necessary to resort to the forensic techniques. The objective of the present study was to evaluate three protocols for DNA's extraction of bovine semen criopreserved. The study was realized in the laboratory of vegetable fitopatology of Colegio de Postgraduados. They were in use straws of ½ mL and ¼ mL. The evaluated variables were; Time of execution of the protocol (T), purity of the DNA and DNA's concentration. The evaluated techniques were: Treatment1: Yoshida et al. (1995). Treatment2: Penacino (1997). Treatment3: Penacino (1997)'s rapid Technique. The minor time for execution of the protocol was for the treatment three with 100 minutes. The rails 1 to 4 and 7 to 10, is observed the presence of protein. When one or two was in use straws of ¼ mL is observed few protein and better quality of the DNA. In rails of one to 10, the values of the relation A260/A280 are low 0.1. The rails 12 and 17 present values near to the range of purity. There concludes that for DNA's extraction of bovine semen criopreserved must use a straw of ¼ mL for sample with the technique Penacino (1997), and two straws of ¼ mL for sample for the rapid technique Penacino (1997).El semen criopreservado viene diluido con Tris, ácido cítrico, fructosa, glicerol, leche descremada en polvo y yema de huevo. Para extraer el ADN del semen es necesario eliminar el ADN exógeno, esto no se logra con las técnicas normales de extracción con semen fresco, por lo que es necesario recurrir a las técnicas forenses. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar tres protocolos para la extracción de ADN de semen bovino criopreservado. El estudio se realizó en el laboratorio de fitopatología vegetal del Colegio de Postgraduados. Se utilizaron pajillas de ½ mL y ¼ mL. Las variables evaluadas fueron; Tiempo de ejecución del protocolo (T), pureza del ADN y concentración de ADN. Las técnicas evaluadas fueron: Tratamiento1: Yoshida et al. (1995). Tratamiento2: Penacino (1997). Tratamiento3: Técnica rápida de Penacino (1997). El menor tiempo para ejecución del protocolo fue para el tratamiento tres con 100 minutos. Los carriles 1 al 4 y 7 al 10, se observa la presencia de proteína. Cuando se utilizaron una o dos pajillas de ¼ mL se observa poca proteína y mejor calidad del ADN. En carriles del uno al 10, los valores de la relación A260/A280 son inferiores 0.1. Los carriles 12 y 17 presentan valores cercanos al rango de pureza. Se concluye que para la extracción de ADN de semen bovino criopreservado se debe utilizar una pajilla de ¼ mL por muestra con la técnica Penacino (1997), y dos pajillas de ¼ mL por muestra para la técnica rápida Penacino (1997)

Caracterización reproductiva de toros Bos taurus y Bos indicus y sus cruzas en un sistema de monta natural y sin reposo sexual en el trópico Mexicano

The objective was to determine the bull reproductive capacity of Bos taurus (Bt), Bos indicus (Bi) and their crosses (Bt-Bi) in service in a natural mating system without sexual rest, in the central depression of the Chiapas state. Two hundred twenty two stallions were sampled. The treatments were: Bt, Bi and Bt-Bi. There were two stages in the experiment, in the first one, the treatment proportion was determined and in the second stage, the reproductive behaviour and spermatic viability was evaluated. The response variables were: species (SP), age, corporal condition (CC), scrotal circumference (SC), ejaculation volume (EVOL), pH, aspect (ASPEC), colour (COLOR), mass motility (MM), individual motility (IM), spermatic concentration (SPERCON), abnormalities (ABNOR) and observations (OBS). The 77% of bulls were Bt, of these, 71% correspond to American Swiss race. Significant statistical differences were found (P<0.05) for age and SPERCON, there were no significant statistical differences found (p>0.10) for CC, SC, EVOL, pH, MM, IM and ABNOR. The means and the bull percentage with azoosperm problems and primary and secondary abnormalities could be due to that the evaluation was carried out in the low water season and during the warmest months of the year and the bulls were in service and without sexual rest. It was concluded that the superiority in SPERCON of the Bt-Bi in comparison with Bi, could be due to a vigour hybrid effect.El objetivo fue determinar la capacidad reproductiva de toros Bos Taurus (Bt) Bos indicus (Bi) y sus cruzas (Bt-Bi) en servicio, en sistema de monta natural y sin descanso sexual, en la depresión central del estado de Chiapas, México. Se muestrearon 223 sementales mediante tres tratamientos: Bt, Bi y Bt-Bi). El experimento consistió de dos etapas, en la primera se determinó la proporción de los tratamientos y en la segunda etapa el comportamiento reproductivo y viabilidad espermática. Las variables respuesta fueron: especie (ESP), edad, condición corporal (CC), circunferencia escrotal (CE), volumen de eyaculado (VOL), pH, aspecto (ASPEC), color (COLOR), motilidad masal (MM), motilidad individual (MI), concentración espermática (CONCES), anormalidades (ANOR) y observaciones (OBS). El 77% de los toros son Bt, de estos, el 71% corresponden a la raza Suizo Americano. Se encontró diferencias estadísticas significativas (P<0,05) para edad y CONCES, no se encontró diferencias estadísticas significativas (p>0,10) para CC, CE, VOL, pH, MM, MI y ANOR. Los promedios encontrados y el porcentaje de toros con problemas de azoospermia y anormalidades primarias y secundarias, pudieran deberse a que la evaluación se realizó en la época de estiaje y eran los meses más calurosos y a que los toros estaban en servicio y sin descanso sexual. Se concluye que la superioridad en CONCES de Bt-Bi en comparación con Bi, pudo deberse a un efecto de heterosis