As espécies fixadoras de nitrogênio (N) são utilizadas junto às plantações florestais com o objetivo de incremento de N. Entretanto quando essas espécies são inseridas à monocultura acorre interferência na formação da serapilheira e, consequentemente, a ciclagem de nutrientes do sistema. O estudo foi desenvolvido em plantios puros e mistos de Eucalyptus grandis e Acacia mangium na Estação Experimental de Ciências Florestais da ESALQ- USP, em Itatinga - SP. O presente trabalho constitui de dois experimentos utilizando a técnica in situ de bolsas de decomposição e teve como objetivos: a) avaliar a dinâmica de decomposição de folhas e raízes finas de E. grandis e A. mangium em diferentes plantios e qual a influência da composição química do material vegetal e do solo na ciclagem de nutrientes, a \"teoria da vantagem doméstica\"; b) estudar a ciclagem de nutrientes em plantios consorciados através da determinação da composição química e a qualidade do material vegetal em decomposição; c) estimar a transferência bruta e líquida de nitrogênio durante a decomposição de folhas na mistura das duas espécies, com a finalidade de entender as interações ecológicas no consórcio do eucalipto com leguminosa. A decomposição de folhas e raízes das duas espécies estudadas apresentaram dinâmicas distintas de perdas de massa: as folhas de eucalipto (FE) decompõem mais rápido que as de acácia (FA), já as raízes não apresentaram diferenças entre raízes de acácia (RA) e raízes de eucalipto (RE). A quantidade inicial de N não influenciou na decomposição do material e houve imobilização deste elemento durante o período. A relação C/N não foi eficiente como parâmetro de decomposição, pois o valor de C/N para FA foi o dobro de FE. A relação N/P apresentou uma evolução durante o experimento, tanto para folhas quanto para raízes e pode predizer características da comunidade microbiana, maior prevalência de bactérias ou fungos. A lignina demonstrou-se como o componente químico responsável pelo padrão de decomposição encontrado, pois após um ano não alterou sua concentração nas folhas. A transferência de N foi dirigida pela qualidade da folha dreno e não pela fonte, assim FA foi o tipo de folha que recebeu mais N das folhas em que foram pareadas, principalmente com FE. Esses resultados demonstram que embora o material do eucalipto seja considerado recalcitrante, após sucessivos anos de manejo desta espécie na área a comunidade microbiana do solo foi favorável a melhor decomposição deste material que o material da acácia, mesmo em segunda rotação desta cultura / The nitrogen-fixing species (N) are used with forest plantations to increase N. However when these species are inserted monoculture rushes to interference in the formation of litter, and thus the nutrient cycling of the system. The study was conducted in pure and mixed plantations of Eucalyptus grandis and Acacia mangium in the Experimental Station of Forest Sciences ESALQ-USP in Itatinga - SP. This work consists of two experiments using litterbags technique to assess the decomposition and were aimed at: a) evaluate the dynamics of decomposing leaves and fine roots of E. grandis and A. mangium plantations in different and what influence the chemical composition of plant material and soil nutrient cycling in the \"home advantage theory\", b) study the cycling of nutrients in plantations syndicated by determining the chemical composition and quality of material decaying plant c) estimate the gross and net transfer of nitrogen during decomposition of leaves of the mixture of the two species, in order to understand the ecological interactions in the consortium of eucalyptus and legumes. The decomposition of leaves and roots of both species showed distinct dynamics of mass loss: eucalyptus leaves (LE) decomposer faster than acacia (LA), since the roots did not differ among acacia roots (RA) and eucalyptus roots (RE). The initial amount of N had no influence on the decomposition of material there and immobilization element during this period. The C / N was not effective as a parameter of decomposition, because the value of C / N for AF is twice the FE. The N / P ratio had changed during the experiment, both for leaves and for roots and can predict characteristics of the microbial community, the greater prevalence of bacteria or fungi. The lignin was shown as the chemical component responsible for the pattern of decay found, because after one year did not alter its concentration in the leaves. The transfer of N was driven by the quality of the sheet drain and not the source, than LA was the type of leaf that received more N in the leaves that were paired primarily with LE. These results demonstrate that although the material is eucalyptus considered recalcitrant, after successive years of management of this species in the soil microbial community was in favor of better decomposition of this material as the material of the acacia, even in this second rotation crop

Raramente plantações de eucalipto respondem à adubação nitrogenada. Contudo, por se tratar de povoamentos monoespecíficos, com baixa capacidade de fixação de N, depois de algumas rotações de cultivo a probabilidade de resposta a este nutriente aumenta, devido ao esgotamento das reservas naturais de nitrogênio do solo acumuladas no ecossistema anterior. O presente estudo teve como objetivos avaliar i) o crescimento, o desenvolvimento de raízes finas de Eucalyptus grandis e de Acacia mangium em povoamentos monoespecíficos e mistos; ii) a nodulação da A. mangium nestes povoamentos. As árvores foram plantadas em maio de 2003 no espaçamento 3m x 3m. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos completamente aleatorizados (4 blocos), sendo avaliados 3 tratamentos: povoamentos monoespecíficos de E. grandis e A. mangium e um povoamento em que essas espécies foram consorciadas (1100 plantas por ha de E. grandis e 550 árvores por ha de A. mangium). Quando consorciada, a A. mangium foi plantada no meio da distância entre as árvores de E. grandis na mesma linha de plantio. Foram amostradas raízes finas vivas (≤3 mm) em 5-16 posições (dependendo do tratamento), de uma árvore de área basal média em doze parcelas (3 tratamentos x 4 blocos), até 1 m de profundidade aos 6 e 12 meses pós-plantio e até 2 m de profundidade aos 18 e 30 meses pós-plantio, por meio de uma sonda de aço com 4,5 cm de diâmetro interno. O E. grandis foi diferente da A. mangium quanto ao desenvolvimento radicular nos diferentes períodos de amostragem, principalmente na camada superficial do solo (0-10 cm). No povoamento misto, aos 30 meses pós-plantio, o E. grandis foi 64% maior em altura do que a A. mangium e 75% maior em área basal, produzindo 94% mais biomassa do que esta leguminosa. A assimetria do crescimento radicular foi elevada entre as espécies, reflexo da grande competição por luz na parte aérea. Não houve clara estratificação de exploração das camadas do solo pelo sistema radicular das espécies. O E. grandis apresentou maior exploração radicular em todas as camadas do solo, fazendo com que o desenvolvimento radicular da A. mangium ficasse restrito a proximidade da árvore. O elevado grau de assimetria no desenvolvimento radicular entre as espécies resultou, aos 30 meses, na camada 0-10 cm, numa diferença de 91% na densidade de raízes finas (drf) entre as espécies. A nodulação foi sensível a competição com o E. grandis, aparentemente, devido à variação de umidade e temperatura sazonal. Aos 18 meses, no povoamento monoespecífico, houve tendência de maior densidade de nódulos na linha de plantio, camada 0-10 cm. Aos 30 meses os nódulos foram encontrados próximos às árvores. No misto, aos 18 e 30 meses ocorreu diminuição da densidade de nódulos na camada 10-30 cm e aumento entre 30 e 50 cm. / Eucalypts plantations rarely answer to the nitrogen fertlization. However, for being of monospecific stands, with low capacity of N fixation, after some cultivation rotations the answer probability to this nutritious one increases, due to the exhaustion of the natural reservations nitrogen of the soil accumulated in previous ecosystem. The present study had as objectives to evaluate i) the growth, the development of Eucalyptus grandis and Acacia mangium fine-root in monospecific and mixed stands; ii) the A. mangium nodulation in these stands. The trees were planted in may of 2003 in the spacing 3m x 3m. The experimental design was it of completely randomized blocks (4 blocks), between assessed 3 treatments: Monospecific stands of E. grandis and A. mangium and a stand in that those species were mixed (1100 plants for ha of E. grandis and 550 trees for ha of A. mangium). When mixed, to A. mangium was planted in the middle of the distance among the trees of E. grandis in the same plantation line. They were sampling live fine-root (≤ 3 mm) in 5-16 positions (depending on the treatment), of a tree of medium basal area in twelve portions (3 treatments x 4 blocks), until 1 m of depth to the 6 and 12 months powder-plantation and until 2 m of depth to the 18 and 30 months powder-plantation, by means of a sledgehammer with 4,5 cm of internal diameter. The E. grandis was different from the A. magium with relationship to the roots development in the different sampling periods, mainly in the superficial layer of the soil (0-10 cm). In the mixed stand, between 29 and 30 months after plantation, E. grandis was 64% larger in height than at A. mangium and 75% larger in basal area, producing 94% more biomass than this leguminous. The asymmetry of the root growth was elevated between the species, reflex of the great competition for light in the aerial part. There was not clear stratification of exploration of the layers of the soil for the roots system of the species. The E. grandis presented larger roots exploration radicular in all the layers of the soil, doing with that the roots development of the A. mangium was restricted in the proximity of the tree. The high asymmetry degree in the roots development between the species, resulted to the 30 months in the layer 0-10 cm, a difference of 91% in the density of fine roots (dfr) between the species. The nodulation was sensitive the competition with the E. grandis , seemingly, due to the humidity variation and seasonal temperature. To the 18 months, in the monospecific stands, there was tendency of larger density of nodules in the plantation line, layer 0-10 cm. To the 30 months the nodules were found close to the trees. In the mixed, to the 18 and 30 months it happened decrease of the density of nodules in the layer 10-30 cm and increase between 30 and 50 cm.

Orientador: Caroline Joy Steel / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-21T01:27:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Ishida_PatriciaMelloGarrido_M.pdf: 10468557 bytes, checksum: e14750e5c86d022d5e7540a7e8e04a2f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: O uso de fibras brancas se mostra como uma alternativa de enriquecimento de fibras ao pão diminuindo os efeitos sensoriais negativos das fibras comuns, como coloração mais escura em relação aos pães sem fibras. Dentre as fibras brancas disponíveis temos as fibra de trigo-TR e aveia-AV (insolúveis) e a goma acácia-GA (solúvel). O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar os efeitos de fibras brancas aplicadas em pães de forma, avaliando possíveis alterações na qualidade tecnológica e a aceitação sensorial dos pães. Este trabalho foi dividido em duas etapas: 1 - Estudo das características físico-químicas e sensoriais de pães de forma comerciais (brancos e integrais) do mercado brasileiro e; 2 - Estudo do efeito de fibras brancas na qualidade de pão de forma. Na Etapa 1, foram adquiridas 12 amostras de pães brancos e integrais consumidos no Brasil. Foram obtidos volumes específicos entre 3,88 e 5,37 mL/g para pães brancos e integrais. Os miolos no primeiro dia apresentaram: umidade 37,03 e 41,23%, aw 0,954 e 0,966, firmeza 267,8 e 276,3 gf; e média de cor: L* 74,73 e 64,45, a* 0,37 e 3,85 e b* 15,51 e 18,98 para pães brancos e integrais respectivamente. No período analisado, todos mostraram aumento da firmeza, diminuição de umidade e aw e a cor praticamente não foi alterada. Na análise sensorial (6 pães n=121), 67,8% eram mulheres e 72,7% consumiam pão de forma de 2 a 7 vezes semanalmente. Os três fatores mais importantes no ato da compra foram sabor (19,6%), maciez (16,8%) e validade (14,3%). 67,8% disseram preferir pão com fibras, 82,6% disseram que provavelmente ou certamente comprariam um pão branco com fibras. No teste de aceitação, apenas em relação à textura os pães brancos foram mais aceitos do que os integrais. O Mapa de Preferência Interno mostrou que um pão branco foi o mais aceito. Na Etapa 2, foram produzidos pães, utilizando um planejamento completo central 23, tendo como variáveis independentes TR (0 a 10%), AV (0 a 10%) e GA (0 a 5%). Foram obtidos volumes específicos de 3,30-4,97 mL/g para os ensaios e 5,00 mL/g para o controle (FC). Os miolos no primeiro dia apresentaram: umidade 36,98-42,58%, aw 0,948-0,965, firmeza 193,9-404,4 gf e para FC: 37,53%, 0,954, 227,5 gf. A cor dos miolos no primeiro dia foi de: L* 73,46-78,08, a* 0,36-1,10 e b* 15,95-18,93 e FC: L* 79,08, a* 0,35, b* 14,90. O valor de ?E variou de 1,69 a 6,62 neste dia. As fibras de trigo e aveia aumentaram: absorbância (Abs) e tempos de chegada (TC), desenvolvimento (TD) e saída (TS), umidade, aw e firmeza e; diminuíram a extensibilidade (E). A goma acácia aumentou E, diminuiu Abs, TC, TD, TS. As três fibras diminuíram o volume específico e L* e aumentaram a* e b*. As três formulações da validação dos modelos foram: FF (2,5% GA); FR1 (6% AV e 2,5% GA) e FR2 (2% TR, 4% AV e 2,5% GA). Abs, umidade, aw, L* e b* apresentaram alta correlação entre valores preditos e experimentais. No teste de aceitação (n=121) não foram encontradas diferenças significativas para aparência, aroma, sabor, textura e impressão global. FR2 apresentou a maior redução nos índices de hidrólise (-24,9%) e glicêmico (-14,4%), 6,7% de fibras totais e boa aceitação pelos consumidores / Abstract: The use of white fibers is shown as an alternative enrichment fiber bread minimize their negative sensory fibers common as darker compared to bread without fiber. Among the white fibers available have the fiber wheat-TR and oats-AV (insoluble) and gum acacia-GA (soluble). The objective of this study was to assess the effects of white fibers applied to pan bread, assessing possible changes in the technological quality and sensory acceptance of the loaves. This work was divided into two steps: 1 - Study the physical-chemical characteristics and sensory analysis of commercial pan bread (white and whole grain) and; 2 - Study the effect of white fibers on the quality of bread. In Step 1, 12 samples were acquired white and whole breads consumed in Brazil. Specific volumes were obtained between 3.88 and 5.37 mL/g for white and whole grain breads. The brains were on the first day: moisture 37.03 and 41.23%, aw 0.954 and 0.966, firmness 267.8 and 276.3 gf and color average: L* 74.73 and 64.45, a* 0.37 and 3.85 and b* 15.51 and 18.98 for white bread and whole bread respectively. In the period analyzed, all showed increased strength, reduced moisture and aw and the color was practically not changed. In the sensory analysis (6 breads, n = 121), 67.8% were women and 72.7% ate bread 2-7 times a week. The three most important factors in the purchase were flavor (19.6%), tenderness (16.8%) and validity (14.3%). 67.8% said they preferred bread with fiber, 82.6% said they probably or definitely buy a white bread with fiber. In acceptance testing, only in relation to the texture white breads were more acceptable than the whole. The internal preference mapping showed that a white bread was more accepted. In Step 2, buns were produced using a central composite 23, having as independent variables TR (0-10%), AV (0-10%) and GA (0-5%). We obtained specific volumes from 3.30 to 4.97 mL/g for the trials and 5.00 mL/g for the control (FC). The brains were on the first day: moisture 36.98-42.58%, aw 0.948-0.965, firmness 193.9-404.4 gf and FC: 37.53%, 0.954, 227.5 gf. The color of the brains on te first day was: L* 73.46-78.08, a* 0.36-1.10 and b* 15.95-18.93 and FC: L* 79.08, a* 0.35, b* 14.90.The value of ?E ranged from 1.69 to 6.62 on this day. The wheat and oat fibers have increased: Absorbance (Abs), arival (TC), development (TD), output (TS) times, moisture, firmness and aw, and decreased extensibility (E). Acacia gum increased E and decreased Abs, TC, TD, TS. The three fibers decreased the specific volume and L* and increased a* and b*. The three formulations of the validation of the models were: FF (GA 2.5%), FR1 (AV 6% and GA 2.5%) and FR2 (TR 2%, AV 4% and GA 2.5%). Abs, moisture, aw, L* and b* values showed a high correlation between predicted and experimental values. In the acceptance test (n = 121) were not significant differences for appearance, aroma, flavor, texture and overall impression. FR2 showed the greatest reduction in hydrolysis index (-24.9%) and glycemic index (-14.4%), 6.7% of total fiber and good consumer acceptance / Mestrado / Tecnologia de Alimentos / Mestra em Tecnologia de Alimentos

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / The Cape Floristic Region, situated at the southern tip of Africa, is one of the world’s most botanically diverse regions. The biodiversity of this region faces various types of threats, which can be divided into three main categories, namely increasing urbanisation, agriculture expansion, and the spread of invasive alien vegetation. It has been shown that botanically diverse areas are more prone to invasion by invasive alien plant (IAP) species. The Hawequa conservation area, in the south-western Cape, is particularly botanically diverse, such that it is very prone to aggressive invasion by IAP species. Therefore, conservation management of the Hawequa conservation area urgently need to map, prioritise and clear IAP species. Due to the topographical complexity of this mountainous area, it is not possible to map the distribution of IAP species throughout the protected area by conventional field methods. Remote sensing may be able to provide a suitable alternative for mapping. The aim of this research was to assess various image classification methods,using two types of high-resolution imagery (colour aerial photography and WorldView-2 satellite imagery), in order to map the distribution of IAP species, including small stands and individuals. Specifically, the study will focus on mapping Pinus and Acacia spp. in a study site of approximately 9 225ha in the Hawequa conservation rea. Supervised classification was performed using two different protocols, namely per-pixel and per-field. For the per-pixel classification Iterative Self-Organising Data Analyses Technique (ISODATA) was used, a method supported by ERDAS Imagine. The per-field (object-based) classification was done using fractal net evolution approach (FNEA), a method supported by eCognition. The per-pixel classification mapped the extent of Pinus and Acacia spp. in the study area as 1 205.8 ha (13%) and 80.1 ha (0.9%) respectively, and the perfield classification as 1 120.9 ha (12.1%) and 96.8 ha (1.1%) respectively. Accuracy assessments performed on the resulting thematic maps generated from these two classification methods had a kappa coefficient of 0.700 for the per-pixel classification and 0.408 for the per-field classification. Even though the overall extent of IAP species for each of these methods is similar, the reliability of the actual thematic maps is vastly different. These findings suggest that mapping IAP species (especially Pinus spp.) stands and individuals in highly diverse natural veld, the traditional per-pixel classification still proves to be the best method when using high-resolution images. In the case of Acacia spp., which often occurs along rivers, it is more difficult to distinguish them from the natural riverine vegetation. Using WorldView-2 satellite images for large areas can be very expensive (approximately R120 per km2 in 2011), but in comparison with the cost of mapping and the subsequent clearing, especially in inaccessible areas, it might be a worthwhile investment. Alternative image sources such as the high resolution digital colour infrared aerial photography must be considered as a good source for mapping IAP species in high altitude areas.

Memoria para optar al título profesional de Ingeniero Agrónomo mención Ingeniería y Suelos

Memoria para optar al Título Profesional de Ingeniera en Recursos Naturales Renovables / El suelo es el mayor reservorio de carbono en los ecosistemas terrestres. La respiración del suelo (Rs) corresponde a un importante flujo de transferencia de dióxido de carbono (CO2) desde el suelo hacia la atmósfera. La Rs está compuesta por la respiración de las raíces y la respiración de la biota del suelo (descomposición de la materia orgánica). Se caracteriza por tener variaciones temporales y espaciales debido a la interacción de factores biológicos, físicos y químicos. La investigación fue realizada en el Campo Experimental Agronómico Las Cardas durante los días julianos (DJ): 28-31, 56-59, 91-94, 126-129 del año 2008, en un matorral desértico costero de Flourensia thurifera. La finalidad de este estudio fue medir y comparar la Rs del matorral en un sitio de condición natural y otro forestado con Acacia saligna. Las mediciones de Rs fueron realizadas por el método de cámara cerrada dinámica con el equipo LI-8100 Automated Soil CO2 Flux System (LI-COR, Inc., Lincoln, NE, USA) conectado a una cámara de 20 cm de diámetro y provisto de sensores de temperatura y humedad de suelo. Los modelos empíricos para estimar la Rs han sido asociados a la temperatura de suelo y humedad de suelo, sin embargo los resultados obtenidos en esta investigación, indicaron que durante un año seco, la Rs fue explicada mejor por la temperatura del aire y humedad relativa. La Rs fue baja en ambos sitios, pudiendo deberse principalmente a la sequía que afectaba a la región. El sitio de matorral natural presentó significativamente mayores flujos que el sitio forestado, lo cual estaría relacionado a la mayor superficie de suelo desnudo, al menor contenido de materia orgánica en el suelo y al bajo prendimiento y sobrevivencia de A. saligna. Se observó en ambos sitios que la Rs disminuyó con los DJ, siendo el quiebre más evidente el que se produjo entre las campañas de los DJ 56-59 y 91-94, coincidentes con el cambio de estación de verano a otoño. Como la investigación fue realizada sólo en una fracción de la temporada seca, se recomienda realizar observaciones en otras épocas del año. / The main objective of this investigation was to compare soil respiration in a shrubland of the Mediterranean Desertic-Oceanic biclimatic region of Chile in natural condition and afforested with Acacia saligna.. The specific objectives were: · Identify the major environmental factors controlling of daily variability of soil respiration. · Quantify soil CO2 efflux during dry season. The results show that in a dry year, soil respiration was related to temperature and relative humidity. Soil respiration was low in both sites, mainly due to the drought affecting the region. The natural site higher CO2 fluxes than the afforested one (p < 0,05), probably as a result of surface of bare soil, a lower content of organic matter in the soil and to lower growth rate and survival of A. saligna. In both sites, soil respiration decreased as Julian Day increased. This was most evident between measurements of dates 2 and 3, coinciding with the seasonal change from summer to autumn. This research was carried out in part of the dry season, therefore it is advisable to monitor other seasons.

Memoria para optar al Título Profesional de Ingeniero Agrónomo Mención: Producción Animal / En Comunidades Agrícolas de la Región de Coquimbo, ante la escasez de forraje herbáceo, especialmente en años secos, existe una práctica de manejo que consiste en quebrar las ramas de los espinos dañando, en muchos casos, su recuperación y éstas son entregadas al ganado caprino para satisfacer las demandas de alimento. Con el fin de que este recurso se mantenga y se recupere de las distintas intervenciones realizadas por los habitantes de la Región de Coquimbo, en la zona semiárida se realizó este trabajo en que se mostraron los efectos de intensidades de corte en el rebrote de Acacia caven (Mol.) Mol., cortes a intensidades altas, medias y bajas, y sin intervención, de las cuales se midió y estimó la presencia de rebrote, el número de rebrotes, peso seco del material consumible, longitud del rebrote y curvas de crecimiento del rebrote. Este estudio se realizó en Rinconada de Maipú, específicamente en el sector de secano, en la comuna de Maipú, Región Metropolitana, con una duración de siete meses, comenzando en agosto de 2006 y terminando en marzo de 2007. Para esto se utilizaron 32 espinos de características más o menos similares. De los resultados obtenidos se observó. en los espinos intervenidos, una gran capacidad de rebrotar, ya que después de tres meses de realizado el corte todos presentaron rebrote. En los espinos intervenidos a intensidades baja y media de corte se observó el mayor número de rebrotes y el mayor peso seco del material consumible al final del período de recuperación. El efecto de las intensidades de corte en la longitud del rebrote no fue significativo. Sin embargo, en los ejemplares sin intervención, se observó una menor longitud en comparación a los ejemplares intervenidos. Las curvas de crecimiento de los ejemplares intervenidos se ajustan claramente a una curva de crecimiento típico, la del ejemplar no intervenido es más bien recta, ya que su velocidad de crecimiento es más constante. La mayor velocidad de crecimiento del rebrote fue encontrada en el tratamiento de intensidad media de corte. Por lo tanto, es el que se recupera más rápido después de la intervención. / In Agricultural Communities of the Region of Coquimbo, when there is herbaceous forage shortage especially in years droughts, a handling practice exists that, consists of breaking the branches of the espinos, damaging in many cases its recovery and these are given to the goat cattle to satisfy the demands of food. In order that this resource stays and it recovers of the different interventions realised by the inhabitants from the Region of Coquimbo, in the semi-arid zone work was realised in which were the effects of intensities of cuts in the sprout again of Acacia caven (Mol.) Mol., you cut to high, average and low intensities, and without intervention, of which the sprout again presence, the number of sprouts again was moderate and considered, dry weight of the consumable material, length of the sprout again and curves of growth of the sprout again. This study was realized in Rinconada de Maipú, specifically in the sector of dry land, the commune of Maipú, Metropolitan Region, with duration of seven months, beginning in August of the 2006 and finishing in March of the 2007. For this 32 espinos of more or less similar characteristics were used. Of the obtained results; the great capacity was observed in the taken part espinos to sprout again, since after three months of realized the cut all they presented/displayed sprout again. In the espinos taken part to intensities it lowers and average of it cuts was observed the greater number of sprouts again and the greater dry weight of the consumable material at the end of the period of recovery. The effect of the intensities of cuts in the length of the sprout again was not significant. Nevertheless, in the units without intervention, a smaller growth in comparison was observed the taken part units. The curves of growth of the taken part units clearly adjust to a curve of growth, the one of the taken part unit is not rather straight, since its speed of growth is more constant. The greater speed of growth of the sprout again was found in the treatment of average intensity of cuts, therefore he is the one that reclaims more express after the intervention.

Magister Scientiae (Biodiversity and Conservation Biology) / The aim of the study was to quantify the extent of inorganic chemical pollution of the Franschhoek River and draw relationships between contaminants in water, sediment and plants. The invasive Acacia mearnsii and Salix babylonica and indigenous Brabejum stellatifolium species were chosen as biomonitors due to their wide spread distribution along the river and their apparent ability to accumulate heavy metals. The sites chosen allowed for comparison of the river quality upstream with that of the river further down stream as it meandered through residential, agricultural and recreational areas, until it joined with the Berg River further downstream. The general aim of the study was to assess the degree of inorganic pollution in the Franschhoek River to evaluate its contribution to pollution of the Berg River, of which it is an important tributary. Also understanding the sources of the pollution would contribute to the ability to reduce pollution. / South Africa

Content: The retanning process is considered as one of the most important processes in leather making, and it plays an important role in the modern leather industry. The fibre structure of hide or skin is not uniform and the retanning agent improves the properties of leather by filling the empty part of wet-blue leather. It could contribute to further stabilization of collagen fibres and give better handle properties to leather such as fullness and elasticity. In a conventional leather retanning process, retanning materials used include both inorganic salt like basic chromium salt, zirconium salt and aluminum salt and organic materials such as vegetable tanning agent, synthetic tanning agent, resin retanning and aldehyde tanning agent. Extract from the barks of Acacia seyal (Talh bark), widely distributed in Sudan, has been evaluated for its utilization in the retanning of the leather and presented in this paper. Barks of talh have been extracted for 1 hour with distilled water (1:10 w/v) at temperature above 80˚C. The talh extract prepared has been used for the retanning of wet blue leathers. The effectiveness of talh extract in retanning of wet blue leathers has been compared with mimosa retanning. The organoleptic properties of the leathers viz. softness, fullness, grain smoothness, grain tightness (break), general appearance, uniformity of dyeing of talh retanned leather have been evaluated in comparison with mimosa retanned leathers. Talh retanning resulted in leathers with good grain tightness. Dyeing characteristics of talh retanned leathers have been found to be better than mimosa retanned leathers. Also physical strength characteristic and shrinkage temperature and economic viability were noted. The effluent arising from this retanning system has been analyzed for its environmental impact. Take-Away: Organoleptic properties physical strength characteristic Shrinkage temperature

Acacia species producing gum Arabic are of great (socio)-economic, and ecological importance in Sudan. Insect attacks are one of the main causal agents in the decline in the gum Arabic yielding trees. Infested trees are almost totally damaged if the infestation is left untreated. The beetle family Cerambycidae is one of the largest groups of insects. Commonly referred to as long-horned beetles, these pests destroy host trees, having a great affect during times of drought. Many studies have been completed about the effect of long-horned beetles in various global settings. However, in Sudan, there is limited information about the insects’ ecological, biological, and even basic, profile. Thus, in this dissertation I study the spectrum, relative abundance, and phenology of the long-horned beetle species that are infesting Acacia species in Kordofan region (Sudan). Seven species were recorded using interception traps. These included Anthracocentrus arabicus (Thomson, 1877), Crossotus strigifrons (Fairmaire, 1886), Crossotus subocellatus subocellatus (Fairmaire, 1886), Doesus telephoroides Pascoe, 1862, Gasponia gaurani Fairmaire, 1892, Titoceres jaspideus (Serville, 1835) and Tithoes sp.. Two species were recorded using ground - photoeclectors: Crossotus albicollis (Guérin, 1844) and Coelodon servum White, 1853. Most of the species are known from other Arabian and African countries. However Coelodon servum White, 1853, Doesus telephoroides Pascoe, 1862, and Gasponia gaurani Fairmaire, 1892 were recorded in this study for the first time in Sudan. Results from flight interception traps indicated peak activity density of long-horned beetles during the rainy season (June – September), with maximum occurrence in June and peak occurrence in August. All study sites showed infestations of long-horned beetles, but the level of infestation varied between sites and Acacia species. The El Demokeya reserve forest indicated the highest percentage of infestation out of all the sites surveyed in this study. The infestation ranged between 57.1% and 100.0% for Acacia senegal, between 5.9% and 26.7% for Acacia mellifera, and 0% to 23.1% for Acacia seyal study sites. Acacia species differed also with respect to the spatial infestation pattern. Results indicated the maximum (95.5%) presence of holes of infestation in the branches of A. senegal when compared to the trunk. Holes of infestation were recorded in all directions, with a minimal occurrence on the south side (18.2%). Opposite results were obtained for A. mellifera with the maximum number of holes in the trunks (46.2%), while branches were less affected. In addition results obtained showed no presence of holes in the branches of A. seyal. Moreover, this study focuses on the assessment of tree characteristics that may trigger the infestation. Logistic regression indicated that tree age was the only predictor for the infestation with long-horned beetles – at least for Acacia senegal. A significance difference was obtained for the stand height curve between non-infested and infested trees of Acacia species, except A. senegal stands at El Demokeya. The study was supplemented by qualitative data, produced from a survey of gum landowners. This questionnaire indicated the level of awareness that gum landowners had with regard to long-horned beetles and their infestations. The results of this survey denoted that 95.0% of gum farmers were aware of the long-horned beetles, while 49.2% indicated an awareness about infestations, mentioning the emergence holes as damage characteristics.