Mycorrhizal Inoculation Improves Plant Growth and Yield of Micropropagated Early Globe Artichoke under Field Conditions

The micropropagation appears to be a valid alternative method for the production of large-scale, phenotypically homogeneous, and disease-free plants, particularly for spring globe artichoke genotypes. Nevertheless, micropropagated plants have some problems during the acclimatization in field environments. The inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi appeared to overcome the transplanting stress. Therefore, a comparison was drawn between the field performances of different vegetative propagation techniques (micropropagated/mycorrhized and offshoots cultivation) of early globe artichoke clones over two growing seasons. The micropropagation/mycorrhization appeared to deliver a better field performance in terms of both plant growth and productivity traits as compared with offshoots cultivated. In particular, the micropopagated/mycorrhized plants exhibited the highest vegetative growth values than the offshoots of the cultivated ones, such as the plant height and the main floral stem length. The micropopagated/mycorrhized plants were also more productive, exceeding the head yield of offshoots cultivated ones by about 63%. However, the micropopagated/mycorrhized plants accumulated almost a month late on the first harvest respect to offshoots cultivated ones. Our data also showed that the effects of the new proposed propagation method were genotype-and season-dependent. Accordingly, some plant growth and productivity traits showed significant ‘propagation method × genotype’ and ‘propagation method × growing season’ interaction. This study revealed that the micropropagation, as well as the mycorrhization, could represent an efficient and sustainable cropping system to reintroduce and increase the productivity of autochthons landraces

Custos e despesas no setor público : um estudo de caso no Comando da Aeronáutica

Trabalho de conclusão de curso (graduação)—Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Economia, Administração e Contabilidade, Departamento de Ciências Contábeis e Atuariais, 2014.Não é raro encontrar na mídia ou até mesmo no âmbito do serviço público a informação de que os custos de determinada atividade ou órgão são representados por seus empenhos, o que conceitualmente é um equívoco. Este estudo teve por objetivo analisar as diferenças entre custos e despesas no Setor Público, verificando o grau de correlação entre essas duas variáveis, bem como analisando se há similaridade no comportamento dos custos e das despesas entre organizações que realizam atividades afins. Para tanto, foram observados os custos e as despesas empenhadas das Unidades Gestoras Executoras (UGE) do Comando da Aeronáutica localizadas na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, no período de 2008 a 2013. Como instrumento, foram utilizadas a análise horizontal e vertical para ambas as variáveis, bem como calculados o coeficiente de correlação entre elas e o coeficiente de determinação. Os resultados apontaram que, para a quase totalidade das unidades, os custos sempre estiveram acima das despesas empenhadas ao longo do período observado, também evidenciaram que mesmo unidades que desempenham atividades similares apresentaram um comportamento distinto, tanto para os custos quanto para as despesas empenhadas. Com isso, há indícios de que o orçamento executado por meio das despesas empenhadas não esteja sendo suficiente para custear as atividades finalísticas da maioria das UGE daquela localidade. _________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTIt is not rare to find in the media or even in the context of public service information from the costs of a particular activity or body are represented by their commitments, which is conceptually a mistake. This study aimed to analyze the differences in costs and expenses in the Public Sector, checking the degree of correlation between these two variables, as well as analyzing whether there is similarity in the behavior of costs and expenses among organizations that perform similar activities. To do so, the costs and expenses of the engaged Executing Management Units (EMU) at the Air Force Command located in the city of Rio de Janeiro, in the period 2008-2013 were observed. As an instrument, the horizontal and vertical analysis were used for both variables, and calculated the correlation coefficient between them and the coefficient of determination. The results showed that, for almost all of the units, the costs were always above the committed throughout the observed period expenses also showed that even units performing similar activities showed a distinct behavior, both for costs and for the costs involved. Thus, there is evidence that the budget executed through the expenditure involved is not sufficient to cover the final activities of most EMU that locality

Efeitos da Auditoria na melhoria da Gestão Pública: a implementação das recomendações de auditoria, pode ser uma ferramenta estratégica na melhoria da gestão pública?

O presente artigo tem como objetivo avaliar a influência das recomendações dos relatórios de auditoria na melhoria da gestão em um órgão público. Escolheu-se a Secretaria Executiva – SE do Ministério da saúde, por ter atendido às dimensões adequadas ao objetivo desse estudo. O artigo aborda a auditoria como possível instrumento estratégico na melhoria da gestão, entendendo esta última como um processo contínuo e não pontual. Como metodologia foi adotada a análise dos Relatórios de Auditoria Anual de Contas - RAAC, referentes ao período de 2011 a 2015, limitando-se especificamente ao tratamento das recomendações exaradas por este instrumento, a forma pela qual o órgão geriu tais recomendações, o grau de adoção das recomendações e seu reflexo na melhoria da gestão. Além da análise documental e decorrentes constatações, realizaram-se entrevistas com os gestores envolvidos nas ações, o que proporcionou aprofundamento do entendimento e da dimensão do impacto.Número de páginas: 32 p.Accountability. Prestação de contasAuditoria ContábilGestão PúblicaTrabalho de conclusão de curso apresentado como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do título de especialista em Gestão Pública

Variation in seed mineral elements profile and yield in field bean (Vicia faba L. var. minor) genotypes

Field bean (Vicia faba L. var. minor) is one of the major leguminous crops cultivated in the world and mainly destined for animal feed. Although its seed is generally recognised as a good protein source, little is known about its mineral elements profile, which is an important aspect for a balanced animal diet. Therefore, the aim of the present work was to assess the seed mineral elements composition, along with some key production parameters, in eight field bean genotypes grown in a Mediterranean environment, without intensive management, over two years (2009/10 and 2010/11). Independently of the year, the seed of Chiaro di Torre Lama was the richest in phosphorus (P), magnesium, calcium and iron contents, while that of Sint 6 and Motta Chiaro 69 were the most effective accumulators of potassium and zinc, respectively. While all the genotypes yielded better in the second year (with more rainfall), the seasonal effect on seed mineral elements composition depended on the genotype. Indeed, the P content was 46% lower in Chiaro di Torre Lama, Motta Chiaro 69 and Sint 6 in the second year, while there was only a negligible seasonal effect for Sint 8 with respect to Fe content. Overall, this crop is reasonably productive under a low management regime and its seed can supply significant amounts of certain minerals (particularly P) in feed formulations. Both aspects are important in a perspective of optimising field bean production in the Mediterranean area and, hence, improving farmers' income

Cover crops for managing weeds, soil chemical fertility and nutritional status of organically grown orange orchard in Sicily

Cover crops can offer significant advantages in the agronomic management of citrus orchards in Mediterranean environments. Therefore, a three-year research was conducted in eastern Sicily aimed at studying the effects of four cover crop sequences (Sinapis arvensis-Trigonella foenum-graecum-T. foenum-graecum; Medicago scutellata-Avena sativa-Lolium perenne; Vicia faba minor-A. sativa-A. sativa; A. sativa-V. faba. minor-L. perenne) on weeds, major soil chemical properties and nutritional status of an organically grown orange orchard. The results highlighted that, among the studied cover crop sequences, Vicia faba-Avena-Avena was the most beneficial for weeds control within the orchard (92%, of cover crop cover, and 586 and 89 g DW m–2 of cover crop aboveground biomass and weeds aboveground biomass, respectively). Overall, the chemical fertility of the soil was positively influenced. In particular, it was observed an increase of the content of total nitrogen and available phosphorus in the soil by both Sinapis-Trigonella-Trigonella (0.75 g kg–1 and 59.0 mg kg–1, respectively) and Vicia faba-Avena-Avena (0.70 g kg–1 and 56.0 mg kg–1, respectively) cover crop sequences. Medicago-Avena-Lolium sequence seemed to be the most useful to ensure a better nutritional status of the orange orchard

Polyphenol profile and content in wild and cultivated Cynara cardunculus L.

The species Cynara cardunculus L. is native to the Mediterranean Basin, where its commercial production makes a significant contribution to the agricultural economy. It contains phenolic acids and flavones, which play an important role in diet, because of their beneficial effects on human health, and in industrial processing, due to the browning phenomenon. The quantitative and qualitative profile of these compounds is affected by different factors, such as genotype, environmental conditions, crop management and processing procedures. As a consequence, these are relevant for defining the quality of the product. Therefore, our aim was to review the main factors that influence polyphenol biosynthesis and degradation in C. cardunculus. From available data in literature, the genetic background appears to be the main factor, followed by environmental effects. However, crop management also could be a valuable tool to enhance the polyphenol content. C. cardunculus also provides substantial quantities of polyphenol-rich by-products, which could be considered as a natural source of health-promoting compounds and an added value for the farming business

The effect of sous vide packaging with rosemary essential oil on storage quality of fresh-cut potato

Selection of suitable raw materials and technologies are essential for the fresh-cut segment, since they represent key factors to be competitive in the modern markets. This study aimed at assessing the suitability of six early potato cultivars, grown in an experimental field, for minimal processing. In particular, the sous vide packaging method, in association with rosemary essential oil (REO), was evaluated as a strategy for the quality preservation of sliced potatoes. Physical, mechanical, chemical, microbiological and sensory characteristics were monitored in order to estimate qualitative changes of the product over refrigerated storage. Results demonstrated that the synergic use of REO and sous vide packaging had a positive effect on texture, and limited the growth of mesophilic bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae over the storage period; it also ensured a certain retention of ascorbic acid, total polyphenol content, and antioxidant activity. Hence, the proposed technological strategy could represent a valid solution for the preservation of sliced potatoes, contributing to limit, for the most suitable cultivars identified as Fontane and Marabel, the quality decrease until 11 days of cold storage

Allelopathic potential of leaf aqueous extracts from Cynara cardunculus L. on the seedling growth of two cosmopolitan weed species

The search for sustainable alternatives to synthetic herbicides for weed control, has led the scientific community to an increased interest for plant allelopathic mechanisms. The utilization of plant extracts as possible bioherbicides represents an important solution. In the present study, laboratory experiments were carried out to investigate, for the first time, the differences in the allelopathic activity of the three Cynara cardunculus L. botanical varieties (globe artichoke, cultivated and wild cardoon) leaf aqueous extracts on the seedling growth of Amaranthus retroflexus L. and Portulaca oleracea L. In addition, the autoallelopathic effect on wild cardoon growth and the qualitative profile of the aqueous extract through HPLC analysis were evaluated. Overall, the allelopathic effects were both genotype- and weed species-dependent. Wild cardoon showed the highest allelopathic potential (–23.4%), followed by cultivated cardoon and globe artichoke, and P. oleracea was the most sensitive target species (–32%). Besides, root system length was the most affected parameter (–32.6%). The autoallelopathic effect of wild cardoon extract was also demonstrated on root system length, hypocotyl and epicotyl length and total dry weight. C. cardunculus leaf aqueous extract was characterised by 5 sesquiterpene lactones, 2 caffeoylquinic acids, 6 flavones and 1 lignan. From the HPLC analysis we found that apigenin and luteolin 7-O-glucoronide were detected only in wild cardoon, apigenin 7-O-glucoside was typic of globe artichoke, and 11,13-dihydro-desacylcynaropicrin and 11,13-dihydroxi-8-desoxygrosheimin were characteristics of cultivated cardoon

Exploitability of cultivated and wild cardoon as long-term, low-input energy crops

The potential ability in terms of biomass, achenes, oil and energy yield of two Cynara cardunculus L. genotypes (one cultivated cardoon and one wild cardoon) was evaluated along a 7-year experiment. It was carried out in a marginal farmland of Southern Italy, with low soil fertility and minimal external inputs. Under these conditions, they reached an annual harvestable biomass ranging from 0.74 (wild cardoon) to 1.46 kg m −2 (cultivated cardoon) and an energy yield ranging from 13.8 to 27.5 kJ m −2 . The lower heating value of biomass (including achenes) was on average 18.2 kJ kg −1 , while the oil yield from achenes varied between 25.1 and 25.7 g 100 g −1 of dry matter. The cultivated cardoon was able to produce high yields until the fifth season and therefore is prone for medium long-time cropping systems. Conversely, wild cardoon showed a most stable yield pattern and plant survival over seasons, suggesting its particular suitability for perennial cropping systems in Mediterranean marginal areas

Antioxidant properties, anti-hepatocellular carcinoma activity and hepatotoxicity of artichoke, milk thistle and borututu

Cynara scolymus (artichoke), Silybum marianum (milk thistle) and Cochlospermum angolensis (borututu) are three plants widely used regarding hepatoprotective effects but to the best of our knowledge no anti-hepatocellular carcinoma activity has been studied in the most consumed forms: infusions and dietary supplements. Herein, antioxidant properties, anti-hepatocellular carcinoma activity and toxicity of infusions and dietary supplements of the mentioned plants were evaluated and compared. All the samples revealed antioxidant properties with EC50 values lower than the daily recommended dose, but infusions showed higher biological activity than dietary supplements. Borututu infusion gave the highest antioxidant activity (EC50 400 mu g/mL). Artichoke infusion also presented antitumour activity (GI(50) = 52 mu g/mL) but with toxicity for normal cells at a higher concentration (GI(50) = 72 mu g/mL). The antioxidant and antitumour properties were positively correlated with phenolics and flavonoids content. Overall, among the three studied species, borututu infusion proved to be the most complete sample regarding antioxidant and anti-hepatocellular carcinoma activity.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support to the research centre CIMO (PEst-OE/AGR/UI0690/2011). L. Barros also thanks to FCT, POPH-QREN and FSE for her grant (SFRH/BPD/4609/2008)