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Biomass yield is a complex quantitative trait controlled by many environmental and genetic factors. Therefore its study relies on QTL mapping. In a precursor study, a genetic map of L. perenne was constructed on an inbred-derived F2 population and three major biomass QTL have been found on linkage groups (LGs) 2, 3 and 7. In this study, a fine map of the QTL positions was developed by mapping additional ryegrass specific SSR, rice Sequence Tagged Site and Diversity Array Technology markers. A total of 153 markers were added to the existing map leading to a map density of 3.5 cM. The QTL positions were recalculated for dry weight, fresh weight, dry matter and leaf width and in accordance to the preliminary analysis biomass QTL were localized on LGs 2, 3 and 7 but despite the fine map the QTL intervals were not reduced. In order to analyze the QTL regions, the screening of a L. perenne BAC library was performed using the markers flanking the QTL and several clones were isolated. After analysis using the AFLP fingerprinting method, five clones were send for full sequencing to perform a gene prediction and annotation using the Ab initio approach. The annotation revealed for one of the gene structures predicted homology to the lg1- like gene and four other showed homology to regions flanking genes of interest suggesting the possible presence of the genes within the biomass QTL region. The four genes were: L. perenne heading date (Hd1) gene, Avena strigosa beta-amyrin synthase (Sad1) and cytochrome P450 CYP51H10 (Sad2) genes and Lolium multiflorum gene for cold responsive protein.

The study aim was to determine effects of the EC bioethanol blend mandate policy and its potential interaction with the EPA policies on EU/ACP countries. The research analysis focussed on welfare outcomes, changes in trade balance and output of bioethanol crops commodities due to these policies. Emphasis of our analysis was placed on sugar given the economic importance of this commodity to many ACP member states. Absence of an EU bioethanol partial equilbrium model means we had to design one from certain assumptions. One of the assumptions was that subsidies support EU bioethanol production such that just enough is produced to meet the 5.75% and 10% EC blend mandate requirements. For this reason, EU bioethanol production did not affect transport fuel demand and prices. Using the GTAP model, the study has found that the EC bioethanol blend mandate policy increases bioethanol crops commodities prices resulting in global welfare loss that is highest in the EU region. However, the EC bioethanol blend mandate policy also increases bioethanol crops commodities production in ACP countries and promote ACP export of these commodities to the EU. The EU is able to produce all bioethanol requirements from local sugar beet production. Increasing the amount of sugar beet in bioethanol production minimizes the effect on global food prices and offers greatest benefits to ACP countries through promotion of their sugar industries. Trade liberalising EPA policies result in welfare gain for regions engaged in them. However, the EC bioethanol blend mandate policy’s interaction with the EPA policies result in welfare loss, which is again highest in the EU. Combination of the EC bioethanol blend mandate/EPA policies also promotes ACP bioethanol crops production and export. Overall, the study has contributed to our understanding of biofuel policies and their potential global effects on food markets especially in ACP countries.

Orientadora : Profª. Drª. Adriana Sbicca Fernandes / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciencias Sociais Aplicadas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Desenvolvimento Ecônomico. Defesa : Curitiba, 26/04/2016 / Inclui referências : f. 90-95 / Resumo: O segmento de geração de energia elétrica no Brasil sempre foicaracterizado pela exploração do potencial hidroelétrico do país. No entanto, o sdados da geração demonstram uma queda gradativa da participação da hidroeletricidade na matriz de energia elétrica brasileira, principalmente porque a exploração do potencial hídrico remanescente implica em impactos ambientais locais irreversíveis à região Amazônica. Diante dos indícios de uma mudança no modelo e padrão de geração de energia elétrica no país, o objetivo geral da pesquisa foi analisar o segmento de geração de energia elétrica brasileiro, identificando as principais barreiras ao estabelecimento de um novo paradigma tecnológico, mais a dequado aos princípios de sustentabilidade econômico-ambiental. Ou seja, baseado no uso de fontes de energias alternativas renováveis. A análise foi baseadana teoria de paradigma tecnológico e trajetória tecnológica e em dados secundáriosdo setor elétrico brasileiro. Os objetivos específicos da pesquisa foram: apresentar aevolução do paradigma tecnológico hidroelétrico no Brasil, com destaque para as dificuldades enfrentadas pela trajetória tecnológica hidroelétrica; analisar um possível processo de mudança de paradigma tecnológico no segmento de geraçãode energia elétrica brasileiro; identificar as principais barreiras ao aumento da participação da bioeletricidade da biomassa residual da cana-de-açúcar na matriz de energia elétrica brasileira. Por meio da pesquisa foi possível constatar que, por voltada década de 1990, se iniciou um processo gradativo de esgotamento do paradigma tecnológico hidroelétrico no Brasil, que levou ao aumento do consumo de outras fontes de energia elétrica, alterando o padrão e modelo de geração. Apesar dessa mudança, ainda não é possível determinar qual o novo paradigma tecnológico dosegmento de geração de energia elétrica brasileiro. As barreiras à bioeletricidade, apresentadas na pesquisa, demonstram algumas medidas e políticas públicas que precisam ser criadas para incentivar as fontes de energia renováveis alternativas epara incentivar a indução de um novo paradigma tecnológico sustentável, do pontode vista econômico e ambiental. Palavras-chave: Paradigma. Hidroeletricidade. Energias Renováveis. Biomassa. Bioeletricidade. Cana-de-açúcar. / Abstract: The power generation sector in Brazil has always been characterized by the exploitation of the hydroelectric potential of the country. However, generation of data show a gradual drop in the share of hydroelectricity in the Brazilian energy matrix, mainly because the exploitation of the remaining hydro potential implies irreversible local environmental impacts on the Amazon region. Faced with the evidence of a change in the model and pattern of electricity generation in the country, the overall objective of the research was to analyze the Brazilian electricity generation segment, identifying the main barriers to the establishment of a new technological paradigm, more suitable to the principles economic and environmental sustainability. That is, based on the use of renewable alternative energy sources. The analysis was based on the technological paradigm theory and technological trajectory and secondary data from the Brazilian electric sector. The specific objectives of the research were: to present the evolution of the technological paradigm hydropower in Brazil, highlighting the difficulties faced by hydroelectric technological trajectory; analyze a possible process of changing technological paradigm in the Brazilian electric power generation segment; identify the main barriers to increased participation of bioelectricity residual biomass sugarcane in the Brazilian energy matrix. Through research it was established that by the 1990s, began a gradual process of exhaustion of technological paradigm hydropower in Brazil, which led to increased use of other sources of electricity, changing the default and generation model . Despite this change, it is still not possible to determine which new technological paradigm in the Brazilian electric power generation segment. Barriers to bioelectricity, presented research demonstrate some measures and policies that need to be created to encourage alternative renewable energy sources and to encourage the induction of a new sustainable paradigm technological, economic and environmental point of view. Keywords: Paradigm. Hydroelectricity. Renewable energy. Biomass. Bioelectricity. Sugar cane.