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A high proportion of amphibian species are threatened with extinction globally, and habitat loss and degradation are the most frequently implicated causes. Rapid deforestation for the establishment of agricultural production is a primary driver of habitat loss in tropical zones where amphibian diversity is highest. Land-cover change affects native assemblages, in part, through the reduction of habitat area and the reduction of movement among remnant populations. Decreased gene flow contributes to loss of genetic diversity, which limits the ability of local populations to respond to further environmental changes. The focus of this dissertation is on the degree to which common land uses in Sarapiquí, Costa Rica impede the movement of two common amphibian species. First, I used field experiments, including displacement trials, and a behavioral landscape ecology framework to investigate the resistance of pastures to movement of Oophaga pumilio. Results from experiments demonstrate that pastures do impede movement of O. pumilio relative to forest. Microclimatic effects on movement performance as well as limited perceptual ranges likely contribute to reduced return rates through pastures. Next, I linked local processes to landscape scale estimates of resistance. I conducted experiments to measure habitat-specific costs to movement for O. pumilio and Craugastor bransfodrii, and then used experimental results to parameterize connectivity models. Model validation indicated highest support for resistance estimates generated from responses to land-use specific microclimates for both species and to predator encounters for O. pumilio. Finally, I used abundance and experiment-derived resistance estimates to analyze the effects of prevalent land uses on population genetic structure of the two focal species. While O. pumilio did not exhibit a strong response to landscape heterogeneity and was primarily structured by distances among sites, C. bransfordii genetic variation was explained by resistance estimates from abundance and experiment data. Collectivity, this work demonstrates that common land uses can offer different levels of resistance to amphibian movements in Sarapiquí and illustrates the value of investigating local scales processes to inform interpretation of landscape-scale patterns.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a variação da fertilidade na camada superficial do solo em áreas com cobertura de Mata Atlântica primaria, nos estágios sucessionais iniciais e tardios localizados na Serra do Mar e Serra da Mantiqueira e áreas de pastagem com o objetivo de se quantificar os níveis de degradação e recuperação através de indicadores químicos de impacto ambiental do solo. Foi estudada a disponibilidade de nutrientes nas camadas superficiais do solo em função da ciclagem de matéria orgânica correlacionando com diferentes tipos cobertura vegetal. Foram coletadas amostras considerando cinco pontos por fragmentos distribuídos aleatoriamente coletando o solo nas camadas 0-20 e 20-40 cm de profundidade após ter sido retirado à camada de serapilheira. Foram analisados os atributos químicos relacionados à disponibilidade de nutrientes avaliando-se os teores de MO%, C%, N%, K, Ca, Mg, H, Al, P, e os índices de fertilidade pH, SB, T, V% e m%. Para o estudo da variação comparativa da quantidade da serapilheira foram coletadas cinco amostras aleatoriamente nos fragmentos florestais retirando-se o material orgânico superficial em uma área de 1m2 de pontos previamente escolhidos. A análise dos dados demonstrou que a produção de serapilheira da mata primária foi 41,48% superior à da mata secundária tardia e 62,45% à da mata inicial. O teor de matéria orgânica da camada 0-20 cm da mata primária foi 14,23% superior ao da mata tardia e 25,18% ao da mata inicial. Quanto à disponibilidade de macronutrientes observou-se em geral que na camada 0-40 cm os teores dos macronutrientes se encontram nas classes de alta a média para a cobertura de mata primária e média a baixa para os fragmentos de mata secundárias tardia, inicial e de pastagens. A análise percentual demonstrou que os nutrientes que apresentaram maiores variações da cobertura de mata primária em relação às demais coberturas foi inicialmente o cálcio, seguidos do potássio, nitrogênio e fósforo. O magnésio foi o que apresentou a menor variação. O balanço do estado nutricional do solo demonstrou que a cobertura de mata primária apresenta as melhores condições de disponibilidade de nutrientes para o desenvolvimento das plantas caracterizando como um ecossistema em equilíbrio com o retorno de nutrientes ao solo pelo processo de ciclagem. / In present study we evaluate the fertility variation in superficial layer of the soil in areas with primary Atlantic Forest cover, initial and late successions stages placed in Serra do Mar and Serra da Mantiqueira and pasture areas with aims to quantify the levels of degradation and recuperation through environmental chemical impacts in soil indicators. The nutrients available were studied on superficial layers in function of organic matter cyclage, correlating with different kinds of plant cover. Samples were randomly collected in five points per fragments getting the soil in layers with 0-20 and 20-40 cm of deepness, after litter removal. Chemicals attributes related to nutrients available were analyzed by MO%, C%, N%, K, Ca, Mg, H, Al, P indicators and fertility indexes pH, SB, T, V% and m%. To comparative study of litter variation we collected randomly five samples in forestals fragments, taken off the organic matter in a place with 1m2 from points previously chosen. The analysis showed that litter production from primary forest was 41.48% superior to late secondary forest and 62.45% than initial secondary forest. Organic matter data in layer 0-20 cm from primary forest was 14.23% superior to late forest and 25.18% than initial forest. Macronutrients in 0-40 cm layer is classified high to medium to primary forest cover and medium to low for the fragments of late and initial secondary forest and pastures. The percentage analyses shows that the most nutrients fond in primary forest cover in relationship to others cover was initialing calcium, fallowed to potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus. Magnesium showed less variation. The nutritional balance state of the soil, demonstrate that primary forest cover shows the best conditions of nutrients available to plant growing, characterizing an ecosystem in equilibrium with nutrients returns to soil through cyclage process.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-05-02T13:55:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Lucilene T Medeiros 2.pdf: 244759 bytes, checksum: 3352719d57ea391a04ba7b7dddf0b59a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2004-12-15 / Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nïvel Superior / This research took place in a private rural property located in the municipal district of Alfenas-MG in the experimental period from August 2003 to June 2004 The aim was to evaluate the use of liquid swine dejections in the lining matter productivity (MS) and the following bromatological characteristics dry matter percentage (BAD) rude protein content (PB) fiber in neutral detergent (FDN) fiber in acid detergent (FDA) and in vitro digestibility of the dry matter (DIVMS) of the forage Brachiaria brizantha cv Marandu The experimental delineation was in casualized blocks with portions subdivided in time with nine treatments and four repetitions The portions comprised the treatments (frequency of dejections application) and the sub portions and the times of forage cut The treatments were T1 (I use of limestone)T2 (chemical manuring - 100-40e 6kg/ha of NPK) T3 (180 m³/ha/1x/year - fermented for 45 days) T4 (180 m³/ha/2x/ year T5 (180 m³/ha/3x/ year T6 (180 m³/ha/4x/ year T7 (180 m³/ha/5x/ year T8 (180 m³/ha/1x/ year - in natura T9 (witness) For average comparisons the computational program "SISVAR" was used (FERREIRA 2000) and the used test was Scott-Knott The soil correction was accomplished in each portion where three tons/ha of dolomitic limestone has been used by hectare A maximum dosage of 180 m³/ha/year of liquid swine dejections was used at once and also parceled out in five times a year In the chemical manuring 100 40 and 60 kg/ha of NPK were used in the forms of sulfate of ammonium super simple and potassium chloride respectively at once Every 45 days after first manuring the forage cuts were performed for productivity determination and samples for laboratorial analyses were retreated The number of perfilhos/m² was superior in the treatments where the dejections were used in one-dosage and the productivity of dry matter was also superior in the treatments that the one-dosage was used as in the first and as in the second cutting times The witness treatment and the one where only limestone was used presented the largest percentage of MS in the first and third cutting times in the second and fourth times the witness treatment showed larger percentage of MS and the smallest percentage of MS were observed in the treatments that used larger dosages of liquid swine dejections in the beginning of the experimental period The treatments 3 8 and 4 180 m³/ha/year fermented for 45 days 180 m³/ha/year "in natura" and 180 m³/ha / 2x/year respectively showed superiority in the content of rude protein (PB) in the first and second cutting times The largest fiber values in neutral detergent (FDN) were observed in the second cutting time with tendency of decreasing throughout the cutting times Overall the smallest fiber values in acid detergent (FDA) were observed in the treatments that used dejections 2x/year (T4) and 5x/year (T5) in the first cutting time The largest coefficients of "in vitro" digestibility of the dry matter e (DIVMS) were observed in the treatments 3 4 and 8 in the first cutting time, and a tendency of decreasing throughout the cutting times being observed Concerning the agronomic and bromatological characteristics the best results were observed in the treatments that 180 m³/ha of liquid swine dejections were used at once fermented for 45 days and in natura in the beginning of the rainy period / Esta pesquisa realizou-se numa propriedade rural particular localizada no município de Alfenas-MG no período experimental de agosto de 2003 a junho de 2004 Objetivou-se avaliar a utilização de dejetos líquidos de suínos no perfilhamento produtivivade de matéria (MS) e as seguintes características bromatológicas porcentual de matéria seca (MS) teores de proteína bruta (PB) fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) fibra em detergente ácido (FDA) e digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca (DIVMS) da forrageira Brachiaria brizantha cv Marandu O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados com parcelas subdivididas no tempo com nove tratamentos e quatro repetições As parcelas compreenderam os tratamentos (freqüência de aplicação dos dejetos) e as subparcelas as épocas de corte da forragem Os tratamentos foram T1 (uso de calcário) T2 (adubação química- 100-40e 6kg/ha de NPK) T3 (180 m³/ha/1x/ano- fermentado por 45 dias) T4 (180 m³/ha/2x/ano T5 (180 m³/ha/3x/ano T6 (180 m³/ha/4x/ano T7 (180 m³/ha/5x/ano T8 (180 m³/ha/1x/ano- in natura T9 (testemunha) Para comparações de médias foi utilizado o programa computacional SISVAR (FERREIRA 2000) e o teste utilizado foi Scott-Knott Foi realizado correção do solo em cada parcela utilizando-se três toneladas/ha de calcário dolomítico Utilizou-se uma dosagem máxima de 180 m³/ha/ano de dejetos líquidos de suínos em única vez e também parcelada em cinco vezes ao ano Na adubação química utilizaram-se 100 40 e 60 kg/ha de N P K nas formas de sulfato de amônio super simples e cloreto de potássio respectivamente em uma única vez A cada 45 dias após primeira adubação foram realizados os cortes da forrageira para determinação de produtividade e retiradas de amostras para análises laboratoriais O número de perfilhos/m² foi superior nos tratamentos que foram utilizados os dejetos em dosagem única e a produtividade de MS também foi superior nos tratamentos que utilizou-se dosagem única tanto na primeira com na segunda épocas de corte O tratamento testemunha e o que utilizou somente calcário apresentaram os maiores porcentuais de MS na primeira e terceira épocas de corte já nas segunda e quarta épocas o tratamento testemunha apresentou maiores porcentuais de MS sendo que os menores porcentuais de MS foram observados nos tratamentos que se utilizaram maiores dosagens de dejetos líquidos de suínos no início do período experimental Os tratamentos 3 8 e 4 180 m³/ha/ano fermentado por 45 dias 180 m³/ha/ano in natura e 180 m³/ha/ 2x/ano respectivamente apresentaram superioridade nos teores de proteína bruta (PB) na primeira e segunda épocas de corte Os maiores valores de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) foram observados na segunda época de corte com tendência a decréscimo no decorrer das épocas de corte De maneira geral os menores valores de fibra em detergente ácido (FDA) foram observados nos tratamentos que se utilizaram dejetos 2x/ano (T4) e 5x/ano (T5) na primeira época de corte Os maiores coeficientes de digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca (DIVMS) foram observados nos tratamentos 3, 4 e 8 na primeira época de corte, sendo observado tendência a decréscimo no decorrer das épocas de corte Quanto às características agronômicas e bromatológicas os melhores resultados foram observados nos tratamentos que se utilizaram 180 m³/ha de dejetos líquidos de suínos em única vez fermentado por 45 dias e in natura no início do período chuvoso

Made available in DSpace on 2016-01-26T18:56:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao.pdf: 124408 bytes, checksum: 2dba37d7fab4bd0df712ac4fc58210d5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-06-29 / Brachiaria genus is native of African tropical savannahs. Important pasture species have been found in this genus as Brachiaria brizantha, B. ruziziensis and B. decumbens and recently the hybrid of Brachiaria cv. Mulato II. The principal form of propagation of this species are seeds and these frequently exhibited dormancy. The objective of these experiments was the evaluate the effect of neutralization of acid scarified seeds of B. brizantha cv. Marandu and Brachiaria cv. Mulato II stored during six months after scarification. Different times of exposition to sulfuric acid were used, followed by neutralization or not with calcium hydroxide after washing. Germination at 7 and 21 days was evaluated (G7 and GT). Dormant remaining Seeds (SRD) were evaluated by tetrazolium test in the seeds that did not germinate after 21 days. Acid scarification by a period ranging between 5 and 15 minutes was efficient to promote the germination of dormant seeds of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu, with the best results at 10 minute time of scarification with washing in water alone. Storage for six months was also efficient to dormancy release. Non dormant seed of the hybrid cv. Mulato II exhibited an increase in germination after acid scarification. Neutralization, in this cultivar, was efficient to keep high germination even after six months of storage. / O capim-braquiária é uma gramínea forrageira do gênero Brachiaria originária das savanas tropicais da África, as forrageiras de maior importância são a Brachiaria brizantha, B. ruziziensis e b .decumbens e mais recentemente um hibrido a Brachiaria cv. Mulato II. O objetivo dos trabalhos foi avaliar a neutralização da escarificação ácida e seus efeitos sobre o armazenamento de sementes de B. brizantha cv. Marandu hibrido de Brachiaria cv. Mulato II por seis meses após o tratamento. Foram utilizados diferentes tempos de imersão das sementes em ácido sulfúrico para a escarificação química, seguida, ou não, da neutralização do ácido em água ou em água seguida de hidróxido de cálcio. As avaliações foram feitas através do teste de germinação. Avaliou-se a germinação aos 7 e 21 dias (G7 e GT). As sementes remanescentes dormentes (SRD) foram avaliadas pelo teste de tetrazólio nas sementes que não germinaram após 21 dias. A escarificação com ácido sulfúrico concentrado por períodos variáveis de 5 a 15 minutos foi eficiente em promover a germinação das sementes dormentes de Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu, obtendo melhor resultado como tratamento ácido por 10 minutos aos seis meses de armazenamento, com neutralização do ácido apenas por água. O tratamento com ácido sulfúrico em tempos de imersão de até 15 minutos promoveu aumento de germinação. A neutralização com hidróxido de cálcio foi eficiente em manter a germinação elevada após seis meses de armazenamento

Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-18T17:51:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao.pdf: 124408 bytes, checksum: 2dba37d7fab4bd0df712ac4fc58210d5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-06-29 / Brachiaria genus is native of African tropical savannahs. Important pasture species have been found in this genus as Brachiaria brizantha, B. ruziziensis and B. decumbens and recently the hybrid of Brachiaria cv. Mulato II. The principal form of propagation of this species are seeds and these frequently exhibited dormancy. The objective of these experiments was the evaluate the effect of neutralization of acid scarified seeds of B. brizantha cv. Marandu and Brachiaria cv. Mulato II stored during six months after scarification. Different times of exposition to sulfuric acid were used, followed by neutralization or not with calcium hydroxide after washing. Germination at 7 and 21 days was evaluated (G7 and GT). Dormant remaining Seeds (SRD) were evaluated by tetrazolium test in the seeds that did not germinate after 21 days. Acid scarification by a period ranging between 5 and 15 minutes was efficient to promote the germination of dormant seeds of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu, with the best results at 10 minute time of scarification with washing in water alone. Storage for six months was also efficient to dormancy release. Non dormant seed of the hybrid cv. Mulato II exhibited an increase in germination after acid scarification. Neutralization, in this cultivar, was efficient to keep high germination even after six months of storage. / O capim-braquiária é uma gramínea forrageira do gênero Brachiaria originária das savanas tropicais da África, as forrageiras de maior importância são a Brachiaria brizantha, B. ruziziensis e b .decumbens e mais recentemente um hibrido a Brachiaria cv. Mulato II. O objetivo dos trabalhos foi avaliar a neutralização da escarificação ácida e seus efeitos sobre o armazenamento de sementes de B. brizantha cv. Marandu hibrido de Brachiaria cv. Mulato II por seis meses após o tratamento. Foram utilizados diferentes tempos de imersão das sementes em ácido sulfúrico para a escarificação química, seguida, ou não, da neutralização do ácido em água ou em água seguida de hidróxido de cálcio. As avaliações foram feitas através do teste de germinação. Avaliou-se a germinação aos 7 e 21 dias (G7 e GT). As sementes remanescentes dormentes (SRD) foram avaliadas pelo teste de tetrazólio nas sementes que não germinaram após 21 dias. A escarificação com ácido sulfúrico concentrado por períodos variáveis de 5 a 15 minutos foi eficiente em promover a germinação das sementes dormentes de Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu, obtendo melhor resultado como tratamento ácido por 10 minutos aos seis meses de armazenamento, com neutralização do ácido apenas por água. O tratamento com ácido sulfúrico em tempos de imersão de até 15 minutos promoveu aumento de germinação. A neutralização com hidróxido de cálcio foi eficiente em manter a germinação elevada após seis meses de armazenamento

Submitted by Michele Mologni (mologni@unoeste.br) on 2017-08-29T18:09:13Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Daniele Perreti Bettio.pdf: 593796 bytes, checksum: 557767ed1535a67decf261ceeb060bca (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-29T18:09:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Daniele Perreti Bettio.pdf: 593796 bytes, checksum: 557767ed1535a67decf261ceeb060bca (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-03-30 / In the western region of São Paulo, the great problem with degraded pastures and sandy soils has been minimized with the implantation of systems that integrate crops and livestock. The objective of the present work was to evaluate biometric and biochemical changes in soybean crop and the impacts caused by soil microbiology in response to different management practices in a crop - livestock integration system in its third year of implementation. For this, soil samples were collected from an area under an integration system and different soil management, in its third experimental year, which is located at the Experimental Farm of UNOESTE, in the municipality of Presidente Bernardes - SP. Vessels with a capacity of 5 kg were filled with soil and afterwards the sowing of soybean cultivar RIBER 6813 RR was carried out. The pots with the plants were arranged in the vegetation of the University of the West - UNOESTE, in Presidente Prudente - SP, under periodic irrigation and controlled conditions of temperature and humidity for 60 days.The experimental design was completely randomized in a double factorial system (2x5) with six replications. The treatments consisted of scarification of the soil and different fertilizations: T0 = Control (fertilization only of soybean planting); T1 = Liming; T2 = Liming + Gypsum; T3 = Liming + Gypsum + NPK; and T4 = Liming + Gypsum + NPK + Micronutrients. Microbiological analyzes of the soil (carbon and microbial nitrogen, basal respiration and enzymatic activity (dehydrogenase)) were also carried out. Biochemical analyzes of the plants (MDA, total phenols and peroxidase), soya growth and nodulation were also performed. The results were submitted to the Tukey test at the 5% probability level. Soil scarification and fertilization with micronutrients provided, in the third experimental year, a reduction in microbiological indicators in the soil, after its effectiveness in the production system. The system of production without scarification with liming only, at the beginning of the implantation, increased the microbial biomass and maintained the microbial quotient in values suitable for sustainable agricultural systems. The secondary metabolism in soybean indicated that, in the third experimental year, there was an increase in the compounds related to the defense of the plants in the management with less chemical and physical interventions of the soil. / Na região do Oeste Paulista o grande problema com pastagens degradadas e solos arenosos vem sendo minimizado com implantações de sistemas que integram lavoura e pecuária. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar alterações biométricas e bioquímicas na cultura da soja e os impactos ocasionados na microbiologia do solo em resposta a diferentes manejos impostos em um sistema de Integração Lavoura – Pecuária, em seu terceiro ano de implantação. Para tanto, foram coletadas amostras de solo de uma área conduzida sob sistema de integração e diferentes manejos do solo, em seu terceiro ano experimental, a qual está localizada na Fazenda Experimental da UNOESTE, no município de Presidente Bernardes – SP. Vasos com capacidade de 5 Kg foram preenchidos com o solo e posteriormente foi realizada a semeadura da cultivar de soja RIBER 6813 RR. Os vasos com as plantas ficaram dispostos na casa de vegetação da Universidade do Oeste Paulista – UNOESTE, em Presidente Prudente – SP, sob irrigação periódica e condições controladas de temperatura e umidade, durante 60 dias. O delineamento experimental empregado foi inteiramente ao acaso em sistema fatorial duplo, (2x5) com seis repetições. Os tratamentos na área experimental consistiam em escarificação do solo e diferentes adubações: T0 = Controle (apenas adubação de plantio da soja); T1 = Calagem; T2 = Calagem + Gesso agrícola; T3 = Calagem + Gesso agrícola + NPK; e T4 = Calagem + Gesso agrícola + NPK + Micronutrientes. Foram realizadas análises microbiológicas do solo (carbono e nitrogênio microbiano, respiração basal e atividade enzimática (desidrogenase)), também foram realizadas análises bioquímicas das plantas (MDA, fenóis totais e peroxidase), avaliação de crescimento e nodulação da soja. Os resultados foram submetidos ao Teste de Tukey ao nível de 5% de probabilidade. A escarificação do solo e as adubações com micronutrientes proporcionaram, no terceiro ano experimental, após sua efetivação no sistema de produção, redução nos indicadores microbiológicos no solo. O sistema de produção sem escarificação com intervenção apenas da calagem, no início da implantação, elevou a biomassa microbiana e manteve o quociente microbiano em valores adequados para sistemas agrícolas sustentáveis. O metabolismo secundário na soja indicou que, ainda no terceiro ano experimental, houve aumento nos compostos relacionados com a defesa das plantas nos manejos com menos intervenções químicas e físicas do solo.

O presente estudo teve como objetivo a caracterização das frações protéicas e de carboidratos em pastagem de capim-elefante (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Cameroon), manejada com altas taxas de lotação no período das águas. O experimento foi realizado nas instalações do Departamento de Zootecnia da Esalq/USP. A forragem foi coletada nas estações do outono/2006, primavera/2006 e verão/2006-07, adotando-se intervalos de desfolhação fixos de 27 dias e variáveis, onde a entrada dos animais ocorreu quando o capim atingiu 1,05 m de altura (95 % IL). Foi determinada a composição bromatológica, frações protéicas e de carboidratos tanto por métodos químicos quanto pelo método de degradação in situ da forragem. A pastagem também foi avaliada quanto à massa de forragem (kg de MS por ha-1), composição morfológica e alturas do dossel na entrada e saída dos animais. Para as determinações no pasto utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente aleatorizado com medidas repetidas no tempo. Para as frações protéicas A, B e C, foi realizado ensaio de degradabilidade in situ utilizando-se 4 garrotes castrados e canulados no rúmen. As amostras de forragem secas e moídas a 5 mm foram acondicionadas em sacos de nylon e incubadas no rúmen por 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 60, 72, 96 e 120 horas. O delineamento experimental foi em quadrados latinos 2x2 replicados. A duração do intervalo entre desfolhas não diferiu entre os tratamentos (P>0,05), em nenhuma das estações avaliadas. As alturas do dossel no pré-pastejo foram maiores (P<0,05) nos tratamentos com ID variável. Para altura do dossel em pós-pastejo, houve efeito somente da estação (P<0,05), com menores alturas na primavera (0,43 e 0,51 m), e maiores no verão (0,56 e 0,57 m) para os tratamentos com ID fixo e variável. Não foi verificada diferença (P>0,05) para produção de forragem entre os tratamentos. Apenas os teores de PB da forragem foram afetados pelos tratamentos (P<0,05), com menores valores para ID variável. Os teores de MS, FDN, FDA, lignina e PIDA não diferiram (P>0,05) entre os tratamentos. Somente a fração protéica B2 foi afetada, com maiores valores para ID variável (P<0,05). As frações A e B3 diferiram nas estações do ano (P<0,05), com o outono apresentando menores valores de A e maiores da B3. Não houve diferença para as frações B1 e C (P>0,05). No verão, a fração A+B1 dos carboidratos apresentou os menores valores dentre as estações (13,80 e 16,22 % para ID fixo e variável), e a fração B2, os maiores valores (76,59 e 73,42 %) (P<0,05). Não houve diferenças (P>0,05) para as variáveis de degradabilidade da MS e MO. Na degradabilidade da FDN, diferenças significativas foram observadas apenas para variável de DP e DE com taxa de passagem de 2 %/h no tratamento com ID fixo. A correção da contaminação microbiana resultou em aumento nos valores da fração protéica A e redução na B. Não houve efeito (P>0,05) para as variáveis da PB corrigida pela contaminação, exceto para a fração B, onde os valores foram maiores no outono (73,3 e 73,69%) e menores na primavera com ID variáveis (55,87%). / The present study designed to characerize the protein and carbohydrate fractions of elephant grass pasture (Pennisetum purpureum) cv. Cameroon, intensively grazed at high stocking rate during the rainy season. The experiment was carried in the Animal Sciences Department of the University of São Paulo (USP/ESALQ). Forage samples were collected during autumn and spring/2006 and summer/2006-07. Two defoliation intervals (DI) were adopted, fixed and variable. For the fixed DI treatment experimental animals had access to the paddocks every 27 days, and for the variable DI treatment experimental animals had access to the paddocks when the sward reached 1,05m height, corresponding to 95% light interception. Forage samples were analyzed for chemical composition and protein and carbohydrate fractions by chemical methods and with \"in situ\" degradation technique. Pasture was also analyzed for pre-grazing forage mass (kg DM ha-1) , morphologic composition, pre and post grazing sward heights. A completely randomized design with repeated measures was used for pasture determinations. For protein fractions (A, B, C) determinations, an in situ trial was developed using four rumen canulated steers. 5mm ground forage samples were conditioned in nylon bags and incubated in the rumen for 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 60, 72, 96 and 120 hours. The experimental design was a replicated 2x2 Latin square. The defoliation interval length did not differ (P>0,05) among treatments, in any season. Pre-grazing sward heights were higher (P<0,05) for the variable DI treatment. A season effect (P<0,05) was observed for post-grazing heights, with lower values observed on spring (0,43 and 0,51m) and higher on summer (0,56 and 0,57m) for both treatments. No differences (P>0,05) were observed among treatments for total forage mass. Only forage CP content was affected by treatments, with lower values (P<0,05) for variable DI. DM, NDF, ADF, lignin and ADIN were not different (P>0,05) among treatments. Protein B2 fraction was affected, showing higher values (P<0,05) for variable DI treatment. Fractions A and B3 were different among seasons, with lower fraction A and higher fraction B3 values during autumn (P<0,05). No differences were observed for fractions B1 and C (P>0,05). During summer carbohydrate fractions A + B1 showed the lowest values among seasons (13,80 and 16,22% for fixed and variable DI), and B2 fraction showed the highest values (76,59 and 73,42 %) (P<0,05). No differences were observed for DM and OM degradabilities variables (P>0,05). For NDF degradability significant differences were observed only PD and ED variables with 2%/h passage rate for fixed DI treatment. Microbial contamination adjustment resulted in higher protein A and lower protein B fraction values. No effects were observed (P>0,05) for microbial contamination adjusted CP variables, except for B fraction that showed higher values during autumn (73,3 and 73,69%) and lower during spring with variable DI (55,87%).

<p>There is an existing conflict thrust upon U.S. food production systems; optimize crop yield to provide sustenance to a growing population while minimizing ecological impacts of high-intensity agriculture. This balancing act is experienced by Indiana’s watermelon growers who must maintain marketability of a crop that is reliant on insect pollinators. The dependence on pollinators to produce yield means that growers have to consider the negative impacts pesticide applications may have on both the desired pest and non-target pollinators. Navigating these trade-offs must be considered not just in the watermelon fields, but the surrounding agricultural landscape that has become increasingly reliant on prophylactic insecticides to control pests. This dissertation work results from an intensive set of experiments replicating grower practices in experimental fields throughout Indiana to assess the relationships of pests, pollinators, and crop yield.</p> Beginning with a priming year in 2017, watermelon plots were planted within larger corn fields to replicate the agriculture landscape and provide a “snapshot” of typical environment. These plots were paired at multiple locations and provided a contrast between a conventional management system that replicates grower insecticide programs with an IPM approach that removes insecticide applications outside of those based on scouting recommendations. I found that, while pest abundance and damage was higher in IPM fields, the increased pollinator visits in IPM fields led to higher yields in watermelons while corn yield was unaffected by an absence of insecticide use. Managed pollinator hives were placed in these fields and IPM resulted in the colonies exhibiting greater weight gain, lower mortality, increased reproductive growth, and higher insecticide residue accumulation. Insecticide residues were found more frequently at higher levels in the leaf tissue, crop pollen, field soil, and honey bee-collected pollen taken from CM fields. Despite these findings, there was a variable effect of the surrounding land use on the quality of collected pollen or the insecticides gathered by pollinators. These experiments demonstrate that IPM is a viable set of practices for specialty crop growers in the Midwest; successfully monitoring insect pests and conserving pollination services from both managed and wild pollinators. These findings provide a comprehensive look at the effect of IPM practices not just on the a specialty crop, but to the surrounding agricultural landscape as well. An IPM approach can be implemented by growers to decrease non-target effects from insecticides while maintaining or even improving productivity and profitability.

<p>The western corn rootworm (WCR) <i>Diabrotica virgifera virgifera</i> Leconte is a major pest of maize in the United States. Currently, it is principally managed using Bt maize hybrids and neonicotinoid seed treatments (NSTs), which were concurrently introduced in the early 2000s. This simultaneous release, and subsequent rapid adoption, created a situation in which Bt maize hybrids were never assessed in the absence of NSTs, and vice versa. Consequently, neonicotinoids’ influence on refuge function, primarily whether these insecticides aid or hinder the production of a sufficient population of susceptible beetles to delay resistance, has not been assessed. Moreover, a mounting suite of detrimental environmental effects of NSTs have been documented, lending some urgency to questions about their necessity.</p><p>To determine the influence of NSTs on refuge function, untreated and treated Bt maize fields were planted with 5% untreated refuge marked with ¹⁵N. Throughout the field seasons of 2019 and 2020, adults were collected from these fields and analyzed to determine their natal host plant. Results documented that the numbers of refuge beetles produced by the 5% seed blend are likely insufficient to result in rates of mating to delay resistance development.</p><p>To determine if the effect of using NSTs in combination with Bt maize hybrids is additive, synergistic, or neutral at managing secondary soil pests in the Midwest, four 16 block fields were planted in 2018, 2019 and 2020 comparing four treatments (1. Untreated, Bt seed; 2. NST, Bt seed; 3. Untreated, non-Bt seed; 4. NST, non-Bt seed). Compact method sampling, root rating, and yield were used to document the presence of secondary soil pests. All three sampling years documented low abundance of white grubs and wireworms. There was minimal influence of NSTs on maize yield (2018: p = 0.07; 2019: p = 0.62; 2020: p = 0.056) and root damage (0-3 scale) (2018: M = 0.0092; 2019: M = 0.0091; 2020: M = 0.0361). These same fields were used to document the presence of NSTs in soil, as well as residues in nearby waterways. Results documented greatest soil and water clothianidin levels earlier in the season and declined as the season progressed.</p><p><br></p>