Efeitos da nutrição mineral sobre o crescimento, aspecto, composição elementar e fixação de nitrogênio em Azolla

The mineral nutrition of Azolla feliculoides Lam was studied in solutions deficient in phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron and molybdenum, and in excess of Mn and Al. Dry weight, N2 fixation and mineral composition of Azolla were determined after 3 weeks. Phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium deficiencies and excess of manganese and aluminium decressed growth severely and also depressed the activity of nitrogenase. Phosphorus deficiency improved the uptake of iron and zinc. Potassium deficiency increased the levels of phosphorus in dry matter. Magnesium deficiency caused lower uptake of K and better uptake of Ca, Fe and Mn. Sulfur deficiency reduced aluminium uptake and promoted the best growth. Positive correlations were found between: N content and dry matter, nitrogenase activity and N content.Azolla filiculoides Lam foi cultivado em solução nutritiva arejada, sempre desprovida de N combinado, sendo submetida aos seguintes tratamentos: omissão de P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe e Mo, excesso de Mn e Al. As plantas foram colhidas depois de 3 semanas da inoculação. Verificou-se que as deficiências de P, K, Ca e Mg provocaram diminuição na produção de matéria seca e na atividade de nitrogenase. A análise mineral mostrou que: a falta de um elemento provoca redução no seu teor; grande acumulo de Mo; diminuição no teor de Al (do inóculo ou contaminação) no tratamento menos S que garantiu o maior crescimento; efeitos inibitórios ou sinergísticos semelhantes aos descritos no caso de plantas superiores. A toxidez de Al e Mn causou, principalmente a primeira, redução no crescimento e na atividade da nitrogenase. Houve correlações positivas entre: N total e crescimento, atividade de nitrogenase e N total

Características físicas e químicas de substratos para produção de mudas de Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil. Physical and chemical characteristics of substrates for the production of Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil. seedlings

Neste trabalho, objetivou-se avaliar as propriedades físicas e químicas de diferentes materiais e suas combinações, bem como sua influência na produção de mudas de erva-mate em tubetes plásticos. O trabalho foi conduzido no viveiro da Empresa Baldo S.A., em São Mateus do Sul, PR. Utilizaram-se seis materiais: esterco bovino curtido, serragem semidecomposta, palito de erva-mate picado, terra de subsolo, substrato comercial à base de casca de pinus e húmus de minhoca, com os quais foram formulados 14 tratamentos. Os resultados indicaram que os tratamentos que continham serragem, palito de erva-mate e, principalmente, esterco bovino, além de serem mais econômicos, mostraram bons resultados na qualidade das mudas produzidas. Dentre esses tratamentos, aquele composto de 40% de esterco bovino e 60% de serragem se destacou, em vista da boa relação custo-benefício apresentada e da sua facilidade de preparo. As características químicas dos substratos não interferiram nas suas características físicas, assim como a influência das características físicas na produção de mudas de erva-mate depende da variável analisada.<br>This work aimed to evaluate the physical and chemical properties of different materials and their compositions, as well as their efficiency in the production of Ilex paraguariensis seedlings in plastic tubes. The work was conducted at the Baldo S.A. Company nursery in São Mateus do Sul, PR, Brazil. Six materials were used to formulate 14 treatments: cattle manure, semi-decomposed sawdust, Ilex paraguariensis chopped stems, underground earth, commercial substrate based on pinus bark and earthworm humus. The results indicated that the treatments containing sawdust, Ilex paraguariensis stems and mainly cattle manure, besides being more economical, produced good quality seedlings. The treatments consisting of 40% cattle manure and 60% sawdust stood out because of the good cost-benefit ratio and the easiness of preparation. Substrate chemical characteristics did not affect the physical characteristics, as well the influence of physical characteristics on Ilex paraguariensis seedling production depends on the analyzed variable

Antimicrobial activity and mineral composition of shiitake mushrooms cultivated on agricultural waste

The antimicrobial activity and mineral composition of shiitake mushrooms were evaluated in four isolates of Lentinula edodes. Mushrooms were cultivated on artificial logs, based on eucalyptus sawdust enriched with 20% rice, wheat, or soybean bran, or combination of 10% of two of these supplements. The substrates were humidified with a 0.1% mate tea extract or water. Logs of Eucalyptus grandis were also used to cultivate the shiitake mushrooms. The antimicrobial activity of an aqueous extract, corresponding to 40 mg of mushroom dry matter, was in some cases, depending on the isolate, able to inhibit both Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli K-12, independent of substrate composition or the growth stage of the mushrooms. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and calcium concentrations varied according to the substrate on which the mushrooms were cultivated, being, generally, higher with cultivation on artificial rather than natural eucalyptus logs. It could be concluded that, in addition to the fungal isolate, substrate composition and, processing methods must be considered during the production of antimicrobial substance(s) as well as in the mushroom nutritional composition