Evaluation of maize hybrids conventional and transgenic (Bt), with different insecticide application, on second-crop

Brazil is the third largest producer of corn (Zea mays L.) in the world, and this place could rise, due to the intensification and investments in technology. This work aims to evaluate the effect of the number of insecticide applications in Bt and conventional maize hybrids in the variables: plant height (cm), height of ear insertion (cm) and yield (kg ha-1), in no-tillage system, and it was used the same inputs and cultivation for all treatments. The experiment was conducted in plots divided in with randomized treatments, with 3 treatments and 4 replications. Each plot had one row of 6 m of length and 0.6 m of spacing within rows and plants spaced 0.2 m between plants in the “off season” in 2010, the city of Cascavel/PR, Brazil. By observing the behavior of the variables, it can be inferred that three applications had the highest values of plant height and productivity; for insertion, no differences were found with the treatments with one and three applications, however, outperformed treatment one two applications. The highest yield occurred in hybrid IMPACTO TL with 6205.75 kg ha-1

Optimization of oil extraction from high energetic potential plants performed through drying and solvent extraction methods

The selection of species that accumulate oil with potential for biofuel production has favored advancements in the scientific and technological domains within the Brazilian biofuel program. The equipments and methods used for such selection have always prosecuted the objective of increasing oil extraction. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the yield of oil extracted from five vegetable species – castor oil plant (Ricinus communis), physic nut (Jatropha curcas), soybean (Glycine max), groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.), and crambe (Crambe abyssinica) with two different moisture contents and using two different solvents, hexane and ethanol. The experimental design was factorial (5 × 2 × 2), in which grains of each of the five vegetable species in two different moisture contents were used for oil extraction. It can be concluded from this study that grain moisture content and solvent type had great influence in determining oil yield; and that hexane extraction was most efficient. J. curcas had the greatest increase of oil yield with 30.70% when performing extraction with grain moisture. The smallest differences between the solvents were found in the species R. communis with 12% of higher efficiency with hexane extraction.Keywords: Biodiesel, ethanol, hexane, oil extraction yield

STRUCTURING POTENTIAL OF COVER CROPS IN A CLAYEY OXISOL AND THEIR EFFECT ON CRAMBE GRAIN YIELD AND OIL CONTENT

This study aimed to assess the potential of twelve cover crops in improving the structural state of the soil  evaluating soil bulk density and soil resistance to penetration and their effects on crambe grain yield and oil content. The experiment was conducted at the Experimental Center of Agricultural Engineering (NEEA), at the State University of West Paraná (UNIOESTE) - Cascavel - Paraná. The cover crops were named as treatments and consisted of twelve species, namely: Crotalaria juncea, Crotalaria spectabilis, Pigeon pea, Jack bean, Foxtail millet, Forage sorghum, Lablab beans, Guandu beans, Mucuna aterrimum, Mucuna Pruriens, Mucuna deeringiana, Mucuna aterrima, and a control treatment (fallow area). The experimental design used consisted of randomized blocks with four replications and plots measuring 5 x 5 m. When species were in full bloom in May 2010, they were managed by desiccation with non-selective herbicide and subsequent mowing in order to accelerate the  decomposition rate of their roots. In August 2011 we performed the planting of crambe for further analysis of its grain and oil yield. In January 2012 soil samples  were collected to evaluate soil bulk density by the volumetric ring method at depths of 0.0-0.1, 0.1-0.2 and 0.2-0.3 m. Soil resistance to penetration was determined using a penetrometer until 0.4 m deep. In order to determine crambe grain yield, crambe was collected in an area of 4 m2 in the central part of each plot. In ordet tor determe seed oil content it was used the Soxhlet method. The statistical analyzes for soil variables (soil penetration density and resistance) and plant (grain yield and oil yield) consisted of analysis of variance (ANOVA), with a comparison test of mean values. It was also performed linear regression analyzes between data concerning to grain yield and oil yield, as well as grain yield and bulk density. The species Crotalaria spectabilis and Mucuna aterrima provided a significant reduction in soil bulk density when compared to the fallow area, showing higher structuring potential than other species after the first year of use. Considering the structural state of the soil prior to the experiment, with bulk density values lower than 1.2 Mg m-3, there was no significant effect on soil structure by any of the coverage species used and there was also no beneficial effect on crambe grain yield and oil content

Modelagem matemática para predição da perda de água por erosão em um Latossolo argiloso sob sistema plantio direto

A erosão é uma das principais causas de degradação dos solos agrícolas, os fatores da erosão hídrica são influenciados principalmente pela forma de uso e manejo do solo. O objetivo deste trabalho é o de desenvolver um modelo matemático de predição de perdas de água por erosão em um Latossolo argiloso. O experimento foi realizado em Cascavel – PR em lavoura comercial de milho sob sistema de plantio direto. Os tratamentos utilizados para determinação das taxas de perdas de água por erosão foram seis espécies de cobertura de verão:  Milheto; Guandu anão; Crotalaria juncea; Feijão guandu; Crotalaria spectbilis e Mucuna preta. As propriedades físicas como densidade, macroporosidade, microporosidade, porosidade total e condutividade hidráulica saturada foram monitoradas e relacionadas ao estado estrutural do solo. A cada precipitação durante o cultivo de milho foi efetuada a coleta de perda de água, mensurando a quantidade precipitada e medindo o volume de água dentro de cada recipiente coletor por meio de provetas graduadas. Também foram coletadas durante o ciclo do milho a massa seca da palha para verificar a influência do resíduo vegetal na superfície nas perdas de água por erosão. Foram realizadas análises de regressão linear múltipla das perdas de água em função dos parâmetros analisados, verificando quais apresentaram maiores coeficientes de correlação de Pearson. De acordo com o modelo matemático gerado, as variáveis macroporosidade, microporosidade, condutividade hidráulica do solo saturado e massa seca de palha foram os parâmetros mais importantes para estimar as perdas de água por erosão

Níveis de sombreamento na produção e desenvolvimento de mudas Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a influência de níveis de sombreamento na produção de mudas de Eucalyptus grandis. As mudas foram submetidas aos tratamentos: 0%; 18%; 30%; 50% e 70% de atenuação da radiação solar, através de telas de poliolefinas de coloração preta. O experimento foi realizado nos meses de outono de 2009 no viveiro municipal da cidade de Catanduvas – PR, durante um período de 90 dias. O delineamento experimental empregado foi em blocos casualizados, com cinco tratamentos e cinco repetições. A repicagem das mudas da sementeira para os tubetes ocorreu no trigésimo dia após a semeadura. Aos 90 dias foram avaliados: altura da parte aérea, número de folhas por planta, diâmetro do coleto, comprimento radicular, massa fresca e seca de folha, coleto e raiz. Para todas as variáveis dendrométricas avaliadas o efeito do tratamento foi significativo. Para altura de parte aérea, os tratamentos de 30 e 50% de sombreamento foram superiores aos demais. Já diâmetro do coleto e número de folhas, o tratamento a pleno sol apresentou os maiores valores (0,20 g e 15,20 folhas, respectivamente). Para a variável massa seca e fresca de folhas, coleto e raiz o tratamento com 30% de sombreamento foi estatisticamente superior aos demais. A atenuação de 30% da radiação solar propiciou características dendométricas superiores das mudas às variáveis analisadas para o E. grandis.El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la influencia de los niveles de sombra en las plántulas de Eucalyptus grandis. Las plántulas fueron sometidas a los siguientes tratamientos: 0%, 18%, 30%, 50% y 70% de atenuación de la radiación solar a través de telas de color negro. El experimento se llevó a cabo en los meses de otoño de 2009 en la en lo vivero municipal de la ciudad de Catanduvas- PR durante un período de 90 días. El diseño experimental fue bloques al azar con cinco tratamientos y cinco repeticiones. La repicage de las plántulas de la semilleira para los tubetes ocurrió treinta días después de la siembra. A los 90 días se evaluó: altura de la parte aérea de las plantas, el número de hojas por planta, el diámetro del cuello, longitud de la raíz, peso fresco y seco de la hoja y cuello de la raíz. Para todas las variables dendrométricas evaluadas el efecto de los tratamientos fue significativo. Para la altura de la parte aérea, los tratamientos de 30 y 50% de sombra fueron superiores a los demás. Ya para el diámetro del cuello y el número de hojas, el tratamiento con pleno sol presento los valores más altos (0,20 y 15,2 g de hojas, respectivamente). Para la variable masa fresca y seca de hojas, cuello y de la raíz el tratamiento con 30% de sombra fue estadísticamente superior a los demás. La atenuación del 30% de la radiación solar ha proporcionado características dendométricas superiores de las plántulas a las variables analizadas para E. grandis.The goal of the work was to assess the influence of shading levels on seedling production of Eucalyptus grandis. The seedlings have been subjected to treatments: 0%; 18%; 30%; 50% and 70% attenuation of solar radiation through screens of polyolefins black coloring. The experiment was performed in autumn 2009 in the city hotbed of Catanduvas – PR, during a period of 90 days. The experiment design was randomized block, with five treatments and five replications. The pricking-out of sowing seedlings for tubes occurred on the 30th day after sowing. At 90 days it was evaluated: shoot height, number of leaves per plant, collar diameter, root length, fresh and dry leaf, root and collar. For all dendrometric variables evaluated, the effect of the treatment was significant. For shoot height, treatments of 30 and 50% shading were higher than the other. Collar diameter and number of sheets, processing the full sun presented the greatest values (0.20 and 15.20, respectively). For variable dry mass and fresh sheets, collar and root treatment with 30% of shading was statistically superior to the others. 30% attenuation of solar radiation has higher dendrometrics characteristics of seedlings to the variables analyzed for E. grandis

Implicações de espécies de cobertura em parâmetros físico-hídricos de um latossolo argiloso e no rendimento de grãos de soja

O sistema de plantio direto com rotação de culturas de cobertura do solo destaca-se positivamente quanto às características físicas do solo por diminuir os efeitos negativos da compactação do solo por meio do sistema radicular agressivo das plantas de cobertura. Assim sendo, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a estrutura do solo com a implantação de coberturas do solo e avaliar os efeitos do uso destas espécies sob o rendimento de grãos da soja. Os tratamentos foram constituídos por seis espécies de cobertura: milheto (Pennisetum americanum), guandú anão (Cajanus cajan), crotalária juncea (Crotalaria juncea), feijão guandú (Cajanus cajan), crotalária spectabilis (Crotalaria spectabilis), mucuna preta (Mucuna aterrima) em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado com 4 repetições. As parcelas experimentais foram de 20x25 m. A coletada de amostras físicas do solo foram coletadas nas profundidades de 0,0-0,1, 0,1-0,2 e 0,2-0,3 m. O rendimento de grãos de soja foi avaliado em subparcelas de 4 m² em cada tratamento e a umidade dos grãos corrigida a 13 %. A análise dos dados foi comparada pelo teste de Tukey a 5 % de significância. O guandú anão foi à espécie de cobertura vegetal mais eficiente na redução da densidade do solo na camada de 0-10 cm. O rendimento de grãos da soja não apresentou diferença significativa entre os tratamentos

Chlorophyll meter reading and total nitrogen content applied as topdressing in parts of the crambe plant

The present study was aimed to assess the relationship between the reading of the chlorophyll meter and the total nitrogen (N) content in the leaf in different parts of the crambe plant, depending on the doses of nitrogen applied to the canopy. Randomized block design in a split plot experimental design was used. The plots were composed by five levels of topdressing with nitrogen and the subplots composed of three parts of the plant. The analyzed variables were the values of the simple handheld devices to measure chlorophyll index (SPAD) and N content in the leaf. The nitrogen levels were found to influence the total chlorophyll and nitrogen contents, but there was no correlation between chlorophyll and N contents in the crambe. The middle third of the plant during early flowering was found to be the most suitable location for the analysis of foliar nitrogen in the crambe.Keywords: Nitrogen (N), chlorophyll meter, topdressin

DIFERENTES DENSIDADES DE PLANTIO NA CULTURA DA LINHAÇA DOURADA

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a influência do sistema de plantio e densidades populacionais na cultura da linhaça. O experimento foi conduzido no campus da Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná, no ano de 2012, utilizando-se o delineamento de parcelas subdivididas, na qual, as parcelas principais foram constituídas pelos sistemas de plantio (linha e lanço), e a subparcelas pelas densidades (100, 150, 200 e 250 plantas/m²). As características avaliadas foram: altura de planta, massa verde e seca da planta, número de cápsulas, massa verde e seca das cápsulas. Os componentes de produção da linhaça apresentaram incremento positivo na semeadura a lanço, porém não se ajustaram as regressões testadas. O aumento da densidade de plantas/m² foi prejudicial quando a cultura foi semeada a linha. &nbsp

PERFORMANCE OF DIFFERENT ENGINES IN BIOGAS-BASED DISTRIBUTED ELECTRICITY GENERATION SYSTEMS

ABSTRACT Different mechanical configurations of diesel engines, when powered by biogas, can influence engine performance and efficiency. Consequently, this study aims to evaluate various generator engines to determine the optimal configuration for a distributed generation unit at a swine farm. In this study, we assess the biogas consumption, specific consumption, and efficiency of five biogas generator engines. Three engines (A, D, and E) were provided by Biogás Motores Estacionários, while the remaining two (B and C) were provided by Electro Hager models and MWM, respectively. The biogas used was produced in plug flow biodigesters (piston flow) by the treatment of swine waste. Engine A, provided by Biogás Motores Estacionários, exhibited specific consumption at a power of 30 kW (low load) similar to engines B and C. However, engines B and C displayed higher efficiencies at high loads compared to engines A, D, and E, attributed to their advanced fuel injection and control systems

Short-term effects of crop rotations on soil chemical properties under no-tillage condition

Abstract The use of crop rotation can provide sustainability for an agricultural production system by improving soil fertility and increasing nutrient use efficiency. Short-term changes in soil chemical properties were studied for different crop rotations and management of crop residues under no-till in Santa Helena, Paraná, Brazil. The investigated crops for the crop rotation were as follows: Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), grass brachiaria (Brachiaria brizantha), forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea), cropped in autumn-winter as well as an additional treatment in fallow ground (spontaneous weed). The crambe (Crambe abyssinica) was cropped in the winter on all plots. The subplots were divided into either absence or presence of straw mulch mechanical management on the soil surface (Triton © ). Soil samples were collected at depths of 0-10, 10-20, and 20-40 cm after crambe harvest. Crop rotation with forage sorghum significantly increased (p ≤ 0.05) the K + exchange (0.14 cmol c dm -3 ) and organic matter (21.8 g dm -3 ) contents in the 0-10 and 20-40 cm soil layers, respectively; however, crop rotations had no effect on other soil chemical properties under no-tillage condition. Mechanical management of crop residues had no significant effect on soil chemical properties