M.Tech. (Homeopathy) / The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth rate of germinating Zea mays seeds treated with homeopathically prepared Argentum nitricum in the potencies 3CH. 6CH and 9CH. The purpose was to prove that homeopathy does not work according to the "placebo effect" as suggested by some researchers. This was done by showing that homeopathic remedies have therapeutic effects on living plant matter, thereby giving credibility to homeopathy as a science. Another aspect of the study was to determine whether there is specificity in relation to selected remedy and dose. Six hundred Zea mays seeds were selected and planted in germination paper rolls. In each of the three test groups as well as the control group, there were ISO seeds each. The control group was treated with distilled water only, while the test groups were treated with varied potencies ofArgentum nitricum, which were prepared indistilled water. The germination rolls were incubated at 2SoC for a total of J3S hours. After 39 hours the germinating seeds were replanted onto fresh germination rolls. The process was repeated after a further 48 hours and thus at 87 hours the first measurement was taken and recorded. The final measurement was taken and recorded at J3S hours. Measurements comprised of the lengths of the mesocoleoptile and coleoptile ofthe Zea mays shoots. At 87 hours there was no significant difference between any of the groups. At J3S hours there were significant differences between the Argentum nitrlcum 3eH and the control, Argentum nitricum 3CH and Argentum nitricum 6CH, Argentum nitricum 3CH and Argentum nitricum 9CH. This study therefore showed that homeopathic Argentum nitricum had significant influence on the growth of germinating Zea mays seeds. The theory that homeopathy is merely due to "placebo effect" was disproved, and it was shown that there is definitely specificity with respect to homeopathic potencies.

Orientador: Fabíola Vitti Môro / Resumo: RESUMO - A inoculação com Azospirillum brasilense vem sendo praticada na cultura do milho contribuindo com ganhos na produtividade e reduzindo os impactos ambientais decorrentes da utilização de fertilizantes nitrogenados. Dessa forma, é crescente a busca por genótipos de milho que detenham genes que promovam uma associação eficiente com A. brasilense. O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar genótipos de milho quanto à resposta a inoculação com A. brasilense. Foram avaliados 46 genótipos de milho na primeira safra 2018/19 em Jaboticabal-SP no delineamento de blocos ao acaso com duas repetições. Foram conduzidos na mesma área dois experimentos, sendo um com inoculação de A. brasilense via solo sem a realização de adubação nitrogenada de cobertura (AZOS) e outro com adubação nitrogenada de cobertura sem aplicação de A. brasilense (N), ambos os experimentos receberam adubação nitrogenada no plantio. Avaliou-se a produtividade de grãos, prolificidade, Comprimento da espiga, Diâmetro da espiga, Número de fileiras de grãos na espiga, Número de grãos por fileira, Peso médio de 500 grãos, altura de planta, altura de espiga, posição relativa da espiga, florescimento masculino, florescimento feminino e tombamento de plantas. Os dados foram submetidos ao teste F e comparados pelo teste de Scott-Knott a 5% de probabilidade, também para cada genótipo foi obtida a eficiência na resposta à inoculação com A. brasilense e realizada a análise estatística multivariada por componentes princip... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: ABSTRACT - Azospirillum brasilense inoculation has been practiced in maize crop improving grain yield and reducing the environmental impacts resulting from the use of nitrogen fertilizers. Thus, the search for maize genotypes with genes that promote an efficient association with A. brasilense is increasing. The aim of this study was to characterize maize genotypes in response to inoculation with A. brasilense, using 46 maize genotypes in the summer growing season 2018/19 in Jaboticabal-SP in a randomized complete block design with two replications. Two experiments were carried out in the same area, one with A. brasilense inoculation via soil without nitrogen fertilization (AZOS) and another with nitrogen fertilization without A. brasilense (N). The evaluated traits were: grain yield, prolificacy, ear length, ear diameter, lines per spike, number of grains per line, average weight 500 grains, plant height, ear height, relative ear position, male flowering, female flowering and tipping of plants. The data were submitted to the F test and compared by the Scott-Knott test at 5% probability. For each genotype was obtained the efficiency in response to inoculation with A. brasilense and multivariate statistical analysis was performed by principal components. It was possible to characterize maize genotypes in response to inoculation with A. brasilense via soil, and the response to inoculation was dependent on the genotype used. The genotypes 1, 6, 13, 18, 20, 23, 25, 32 and 33 are t... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

La producción de haploides y haploides duplicados es una herramienta empleada en una gran cantidad de especies que permitiría acortar sustancialmente el tiempo requerido para la obtención de nuevos individuos homocigotas. El desarrollo y la optimización de nuevas tecnologías en este sentido es de gran interés para el avance en investigación básica así como para acelerar programas de mejoramiento genético vegetal. En el presente trabajo se evaluó la producción de plantas potencialmente haploides de maíz (Zea mays L.) para su utilización en programas de mejoramiento e investigación genética. Se trabajó con la técnica de inducción de potencialmente haploides in vivo mediante el empleo de polinizadores inductores de haploidía. Estos polinizadores se destacan por su aptitud de generar un número significativo de granos potencialmente haploides al fecundar distintos parentales femeninos. Se utilizaron cinco polinizadores y se evaluó su capacidad para la inducción de granos potencialmente haploides in vivo en porcentaje. La capacidad de inducción de plantas potencialmente haploides de los diferentes polinizadores fue cuantificada en diferentes ambientes de cultivo de los parentales y utilizando diferente germoplasma como progenitor femenino. Los experimentos se realizaron en 4 ambientes, a saber, Venado Tuerto, en dos fechas de siembra (VT1, VT2), Balcarce y Rancagua (Chile). La detección de granos potencialmente haploides se basó en la expresión de un gen marcador de color, R-nj (Rojo navajo), tanto en endosperma como en embrión. Dicho marcador permite seleccionar aquellos embriones en los cuales la fecundación no tuvo lugar. La ausencia de coloración en el embrión indica la ausencia de fecundación, evidenciando la condición haploide materna de dicho individuo. No obstante la presencia de inhibidores de color estaría afectando dicha expresión en algunos de los germoplasmas evaluados en este trabajo. Se lograron identificar polinizadores inductores de haploidía con comportamiento estadísticamente superior. Dicha capacidad fue corroborada en diferentes ambientes sin encontrarse interacción entre los mismos. Los polinizadores inductores HIND 2 (X1-B1/G3-64) y HIND 4 (M4-B3/G3-64) presentaron porcentajes de inducción de haploides potenciales superiores al 8%. En este estudio los valores más elevados de inducción fueron registrados en el ambiente de Balcarce (13,8%). El ambiente en el cual se realiza la polinización es una fuente de variabilidad que debe considerarse en el momento de implementar la técnica de obtención de individuos potencialmente haploides. La técnica de obtención de haploides de maíz in vivo optimizada en esta tesis permite la obtención de estimativamente 10 granos potencialmente haploides a ser duplicados por cada 100 granos obtenidos en el cruzamiento de inducción. Esta relación permite una aplicación directa en programas de mejoramiento de maíz comerciales. / The production of haploids and double haploids is a widely used strategy in many species allowing the reduction of the time to the generation of a complete homocigous individual. The development and optimization of new technologies is of mayor interest for the basic research and to hasten processes in breeding programs. In the present work maize (Zea mays L.) haploid plants production for breeding and research purposes was evaluated. The in vivo haploid induction technique was performed by using male haploid inducers. Five haploid inducers were tested in their ability to generate haploid kernels. The inducer pollinators were selected for their ability to generate a significant number of haploid kernels over different females pollinated. The induction of haploid plants was tested for the different pollinators as affected by parental growing environment and female germplasm. Female parental material and inducers were planted in Venado Tuerto, two sowing dates (VT1, VT2), Balcarce and Rancagua (Chile). Haploid kernels detection was based on the expression of color markers, R-nj, in endosperm and embryo. Such marker allows the selection of embryos in which fertilization was not effective. The lack of color on embryo is an evidence for incomplete fecundation, leading to a putative maternal haploid kernel. However the presence of color inhibitors in some of the female germplasms evaluated in this work may be affecting the expression of the markers. It was possible to identify haploid inducers with statistically superior performance. There was no interaction between inducers and the environments tested in this work. The maternal haploid inducers HIND 2 (X1-B1/G3-64) and HIND 4 (M4-B3/G3-64) presented haploid induction rates over 8%. In the present evaluation the highest induction rates were obtained in Balcarce environment (13.8 %). The environmental condition in which pollination takes place is a source of variability that must be taken into consideration while developing the in vivo haploid induction technique. This maize haploid in vivo process produces c.a. 10 haploids to be doubled per 100 kernels obtained in the crossing between the inducers and the female parents. This efficiency rate is large enough for a direct application in commercial maize breeding programs.

The brown stink bug, Euchistus servus (Say), is a polyphagous pest of multiple cultivated hosts in Virginia. It recently emerged as a potentially devastating pest of maize, Zea mays L. (Poaceae), in eastern Virginia where small grain (e.g., wheat, rye) production is common. In order to develop an integrated pest management (IPM) plan, research is needed to determine if brown stink bug feeding causes economic damage in maize at different growth stages and levels of infestations. Experiments were conducted in 2018 and 2019 to determine: 1) effectiveness of seed applied and in-furrow chemical control methods, 2) infestation levels in seedling and reproductive growth stages that cause economic damage, and 3) the effect, if any, of E. servus feeding on grain quality and mycotoxin contamination. Results of these experiments demonstrated that infestation levels (i.e., number of bugs divided by number of plants) of 11% and 15% in seedling and late vegetative maize, respectively, can cause measurable yield reduction at harvest. Seedling damage from E. servus is significantly mitigated by neonicotinoid seed treatments which are applied to nearly all commercial maize seed. Further, experiments indicated that maize quality can be affected by E. servus feeding in late reproductive stages of development. Results of these experiments will help to inform Virginia maize producers of the need to manage E. servus throughout the growing season. / Master of Science in Life Sciences / The brown stink bug, Euschistus servus, has emerged as a potential economic pest of maize (commonly referred to as "corn" or "field corn") in Virginia following reduced broad-spectrum insecticide use and increased adoption of no-tillage or reduced-tillage crop production systems. Stink bug infestations in maize frequently occur at two times in the growing season: following cover crop termination and following small grain harvest. We need to determine the effects of brown stink bug infestations on maize yield and quality, as well as the effectiveness of chemical management options, to help minimize yield losses and input costs for maize producers in our region. Experiments were conducted to determine: 1) the control provided by insecticidal seed treatments and in-furrow insecticide applications, 2) the level of brown stink bug infestations that cause economic damage at different growth stages of maize, and 3) the effect of brown stink bug feeding and a Fusarium fungal pathogen on grain yield and quality. Results of these experiments determined economic injury levels in seedling corn and late vegetative stages. Additionally, we found that universally applied neonicotinoid seed treatments mitigated early damage. Further, stink bug feeding through reproductive stages of development can reduce grain quality. Our results will help Virginia maize producers to make informed pest management decisions throughout the season.

La variation quantitative résulte de l’action combinée des gènes et de leur environnement. Pour comprendre la relation génotype-phénotype et disséquer l’architecture des caractères complexes, deux approches sont couramment employées. D’une part l’évolution expérimentale qui permet de quantifier le nombre et l’effet des mutations dans la construction d’un phénotype soumis à une pression de sélection, d’autre part la cartographie de QTL (Quantitative Trait Loci) et/ou la génétique d’association qui permettent d’identifier les locus responsables de la variation phénotypique. Au cours de cette thèse, nous avons combiné l’ensemble de ces approches pour (1) évaluer le rôle relatif des nouvelles mutations et de la variabilité résiduelle dans la réponse à la sélection ; (2) identifier les déterminants génétiques sous tendant cette réponse ; (3) disséquer, pour un locus candidat, les mécanismes génétiques de sa contribution à la variation phénotypique. Pour cela, nous disposons d’un matériel génétique résultant d’une expérience de sélection divergente pour la date de floraison menée depuis plus de dix ans. Cette expérience a été conduite en parallèle à partir de deux lots de semences de lignées commerciales de maïs (F252 et MBS847). Pour chaque lignée de départ, deux populations ont été constituées, une population précoce et une population tardive produites en sélectionnant et autofécondant les génotypes les plus précoces/tardifs à chaque génération. Nous avons caractérisé la réponse à la sélection après 7 générations. Cette réponse est rapide, asymétrique entre populations et significative dans 3 des 4 populations. Elle est linéaire avec le temps ce qui indique que des nouvelles mutations contribuent à créer de la variance génétique à chaque génération. Nous avons identifié un locus majeur contribuant à 35% de la variation pour la date de floraison dans la population F252 tardive et pour lequel les deux allèles étaient présents dans le lot de semence initial sous forme d’hétérozygotie résiduelle. Les deux allèles présentent des haplotypes très divergents autant au niveau de leur variation nucléotidique (5.7%) que d’un point de vue structural (16 indels) sur une région proche du gène eIF-4A (Eukaryotic Initiation Translation Factor 4A). L’association de ce locus avec la date de floraison et d’autres caractères corrélés tels que la hauteur et le nombre de feuilles a été confirmée par une caractérisation développementale fine de génotypes précoces et tardifs et également dans un panel d’association comprenant 317 lignées de maïs cultivé. En plus d’un effet pléiotrope, nous avons montré grâce au développement de méthodes statistiques que ce locus présente des interactions épistatique fortes avec d’autres locus en ségrégation puisque son effet dépend largement du fond génétique. Nous avons finalement utilisé des AFLP (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms) sur tous les génotypes issus des 7 premières générations de sélection afin d’identifier d’autres polymorphismes potentiellement impliqués dans la réponse à la sélection. Nos résultats préliminaires montrent une différenciation génétique et épigénétique entre les populations sélectionnées qui semble être préférentiellement due à de l’hétérozygotie résiduelle. / Quantitative variation results from the combined action of multiple genes and their environment. Two approaches are currently employed to gain insights into the link between genotype and phenotype and to dissect the genetic architecture of complex traits. On one hand, experimental evolution allows quantifying the number of mutations and their effect on the evolution of a phenotype subject to artificial selection. On the other hand, QTL (Quantitative Trait Locus) and association mapping are used to identify loci responsible for phenotypic variation. In this work, we have combined all 3 approaches in order to (1) evaluate the role of new mutations and standing genetic variation to the response to selection ; (2) to identify the genetic determinants underlying this response ; (3) to dissect at one candidate locus the genetic mechanisms of its contribution to phenotypic variation. We have used the material produced by a divergent selection experiment for flowering time conducted for over 10 years in the field. This experiment was conducted in parallel from two commercial maize inbred line, F252 and MBS847. From each initial seed lot, two populations, an early population and a late population, were created by selecting and selfing the earliest/latest individuals at each generation. We characterized the response to selection after 7 generations. The response was fast, asymmetric between populations and significant in 3 out of 4 populations. It was linear through time indicating that new mutations have generated new additive genetic variance at each generation. We identified a major locus contributing to 35% of the variation for flowering time in the late F252 population. At this locus, two alleles were present as residual heterozygocity in the initial seed lot. The two alleles exhibited haplotypes extending on a region around the eIF-4A (Eukaryotic Initiation Translation Factor 4A) that diverged drastically both at the nucleotide (5.7%) and structural level. We were able to confirm the association of the candidate locus to flowering time variation and other traits such as height and leaf number, first using an association panel containing 317 maize lines, second through the developmental characterization of early and late genotypes. In addition, to its pleiotropic effect, we have shown by developing a specific statistical framework that this locus exhibit pervasive epistatic interactions with other loci segregating in the population. Hence, its effect largely depended on the genetic background. We have finally applied methyl-sensitive AFLP (Amplified Frgament length Polymorphisms) to screen all genotypes in order to identify the polymorphisms potentially involved in the response to selection during the first 7 generations Our preliminary results indicate both a genetic and epigenetic differentiation between early and late populations. This differentiation seems however to be mainly driven by standing genetic variation.

O transporte de água nas plantas é um processo complexo e que envolve a passagem por membranas celulares. Nelas existem aquaporinas, proteínas integrais de membrana, que facilitam o fluxo passivo de água e pequenos solutos. Um fator importante que influencia o transporte de água nas plantas é a condutância hidráulica radicular (LPr), que pode contribuir com até 50% de toda a resistência ao fluxo de água na planta. Várias metodologias são propostas para estimar a LPr, porém os dados obtidos são altamente variáveis, ainda que para a mesma espécie vegetal. Diante do exposto, pretende-se desenvolver e propor uma nova metodologia, o sistema hidráulico de sucção para estimativa da LPr e avaliar a contribuição das aquaporinas no transporte de água radicular em plântulas de milho. O sistema hidráulico de sucção foi construído no Laboratório de Estudos de Plantas sob Estresse (LEPSE/USP) em parceria com Laboritoire d\'Ecophysiologie des Plants sous Stress Environnementaux de Montpellier, França. Os experimentos foram conduzidos no LEPSE, onde as plântulas cresceram em hidroponia na casa de vegetação. Para avaliação da atividade de aquaporinas foi utilizado o tratamento com peróxido de hidrogênio, que em concentrações milimolares inibe os canais de água. As medidas de condutância foram realizadas sempre na mesma hora do dia, uma vez que a própria LPr e as aquaporinas apresentam ritmo circadiano. Houve redução de 53% da condutância no tratamento com peróxido em relação ao controle e correlação significativa entre a LPr e o pH, de modo que o aumento do pH provocou queda de LPr, provavelmente causada por alterações na abundância e/ou atividade de aquaporinas nas raízes de milho. Esses resultados permitem afirmar que o método de sucção foi eficaz na estimativa da condutância hidráulica, podendo ser adotado como técnica alternativa na estimativa da LPr em plantas. / The water transport in plants is a complex process which involves passage through cell membranes. In them there are aquaporins, integral membrane proteins, that facilitate passive flux of water and small solutes. An important factor influencing the water transport in plants is root hydraulic conductance (LPr), which can contribute up to 50% of the water flow resistance in the plant. Various methods are proposed for estimating LPr, but the data are highly variable, even for the same plant species. Therefore, we intend to develop and propose a new methodology, the hydraulic suction system to estimate LPr and evaluate the contribution of aquaporins in root water transport in maize seedlings. The hydraulic suction system was built at the Laboratório de Estudos de Plantas sob Estresse (LEPSE / USP) in partnership with Laboritoire d\'Ecophysiologie Plants des sous Stress Environnementaux Montpellier, France. The experiments were conducted in LEPSE where the seedlings grew in the hydroponics greenhouse. To evaluate the activity of aquaporins was used treatment with hydrogen peroxide, which in millimolar concentrations inhibits water channels. The conductance measurements were performed at the same time of day, since the LPr itself and aquaporins presents the circadian rhythm. There was a 53% reduction in conductance peroxide treatment compared to control and significant correlation between LPr and pH, so that the pH increase caused a drop LPr probably caused by alterations in the abundance and/or activity of aquaporins in maize roots. These results indicate that the suction method was efficient in estimated hydraulic conductance, may be adopted as an alternative technique to estimate the LPr in plants.

Após o estabelecimento do crescimento axial, promovido pelos meristemas apicais, em monocotiledôneas surge abaixo do meristema apical caulinar, uma região entre o córtex e o cilindro central que promove o crescimento em espessura. Este crescimento é promovido através da adição de tecidos vasculares (centripetamente) e de tecidos parenquimáticos (centrifugamente). Durante muitos anos este espessamento foi denominado e interpretado de diferentes formas, sendo demonstrado como um único meristema denominado de meristema de espessamento primário com atividade bidirecional. Recentemente, pesquisas demonstram que o espessamento primário em caule é promovido pela atividade de dois tecidos, a endoderme e o periciclo, ambos em atividade meristemática. Com o intuito de trazer à tona informações detalhadas sobre estes dois tecidos que compõem esta zona meristemática, assim como o seu funcionamento e origem, o Capítulo I traz informações morfológicas e anatômicas detalhadas do caule de 16 espécies de Tillandsioideae (Bromeliaceae). Os representantes escolhidos para esta análise foram os gêneros Alcantarea, Tillandsia e Vriesea que possuem uma ampla variação morfológica permitindo, assim, comparar entre eles o processo de espessamento do caule. Demostrou-se ser a endoderme e o periciclo os tecidos, que juntos, promovem o espessamento e a manutenção do corpo primário dessas plantas. No entanto, mais evidências que suportem a hipótese que o espessamento primário é realizado por dois tecidos são necessárias. Assim o capítulo II aborda a caracterização do espessamento primário sob a luz da expressão gênica do gene SCARECROW (SCR), gene candidato a ser um marcador da atividade endodérmica, permitindo assim separar e caracterizar molecularmente os tecidos que promovem o espessamento primário. Desta forma, analisou-se a expressão do scr ao longo do desenvolvimento do caule em Zea mays (Poceae), avaliando a possibilidade do gene scr ser um marcador de atividade endodérmica. Com a confirmação, o gene ortólogo ao scr de Vriesea gigantea foi clonado e caracterizado. E finalmente, analisou-se o padrão de expressão de scr em morfotipos diferentes, Vriesea gigantea e Tillandisia usneoides espécies escolhidas durante a análise do capitulo I / After the establishment of axial growth, promoted by apical meristems, in monocots appears below the shoot apical meristem, a region between the cortex and central cylinder that promotes the growth in thickness. This growth is promoted by the addition of vascular tissues (centripetally) and parenchyma tissues (centrifugally). During many years this thickening was called and interpreted in different ways and it has been shown as a single meristem called the primary thickening meristem with bidirectional activity. Recently, researches show that the primary thickening in stem is promoted by the activity of two tissues, the endodermis and pericycle, both in meristematic activity. In order to elicit detailed information about these two tissues that compose this meristematic zone, as well as its operation and origin, Chapter I provides detailed anatomical and morphological information about the stems of 16 species of Tillandsioideae (Bromeliaceae). The representatives chosen for this analysis were the genus: Alcantarea, Tillandsia and Vriesea that have a wide morphological variation, thus allowing to compare between the process of stem thickening. It was demonstrated to be the endodermis and pericycle the tissues that together promote the thickening and maintenance of this primary plant body. However, more evidences supporting the hypothesis that the primary thickening is accomplished by two tissues are required. Thus Chapter II deals with the characterization of the primary thickening in the light of gene expression. The SCARECROW (SCR) gene is good candidate to be a marker of endodermal activity, thereby separating and molecularly characterizing the tissues that promote primary thickening. Therefore, it was analyzed the expression of SCR throughout the development of the stem in Zea mays (Poaceae), evaluating the possibility of SCR gene be a marker of endodermal activity throughout the development of a monocot. With the confirmation, the ortholog of SCR gene of Vriesea gigantean was cloned and characterized. And finally, the expression pattern of SCR was analyzed in Vriesea gigantean and Tillandisia usneoides species chosen during the analysis of Chapter I

O lodo gerado nas estações de tratamento de água (ETA) possui muitos elementos químicos provenientes dos sólidos em suspensão e dos produtos adicionados durante o processo de tratamento da água. A vinhaça é um resíduo originado da destilação do álcool etílico que apresenta alta BDO, BQO, turbidez, condutividade, alta concentração de sólidos, açúcares e compostos fenólicos. Fungos do gênero Pleurotus são organismos decompositores que por meio de vários mecanismos são capazes de crescer e degradar compostos de composição complexa, presentes nos poluentes ambientais. O presente estudo objetiva avaliar os efeitos proporcionados pelo tratamento por fungos do gênero Pleurotus em uma mistura de lodo de ETA, vinhaça e bagaço de cana-de-açúcar e posteriormente aplicada como aditivo agrícola no plantio de milho e girassol. Foram realizadas análises físicas e químicas do lodo e da vinhaça assim como testes toxicológicos, com organismos padronizados, dos resíduos separadamente e da mistura antes e depois do tratamento fúngico. As plantas foram analisadas quanto às biomassas frescas e secas, o comprimento radicular e da parte aérea e quantificados os elementos químicos por ICP OES. Os resultados caracterizaram o lodo como argiloso, com alta concentração de Fe e Mn e a vinhaça com alta BDO, BQO, turbidez, condutividade, alta concentração de sólidos, açúcares, sulfato, fosfato, K, Ca e Mg. O desenvolvimento de Pleurotus na mistura de resíduos incorporada ao bagaço proporcionou um aumento nas variáveis: taxa germinativa dos cultivares, biomassa fresca e desenvolvimento radicular e aéreo significativo e maiores que o controle, em plântulas avaliadas aos de 30 dias de crescimento. Os elementos se concentraram nas raízes de ambas as culturas com 30 dias de desenvolvimento em misturas tratadas com P. ostreatus, sendo Al, Fe, Ca, K e SO4- os mais concentrados e na parte aérea foram K, Ca e SO4-. Os testes de toxicidade mostram que a toxicidade da vinhaça e do lodo foi maior do que a toxicidade da mistura. A toxicidade da mistura após o crescimento de Pleurotus foi menor do que a toxicidade da mistura sem o crescimento fúngico. / The sludge generated in the water treatment plant (WTP) has many chemicals from the suspended solids and from the products added during the water treatment process. The vinasse is a waste originated from the distillation of ethyl alcohol characterized by high values of BOD, COD, turbidity, conductivity, solids, sugars and phenolic compounds. Fungi of the genus Pleurotus are decomposers organisms that through various mechanisms are able to grow and degrade compounds of complex composition, present in environmental pollutants. This study aims to evaluate the effects given by the treatment by fungi of the genus Pleurotus to a mixture of water treatment plant sludge, vinasse and bagasse from sugar cane and later applied as an agriculture additive for corn and sunflower crops. Physical and chemical analysis of the sludge and vinasse as well as standard toxicological tests concerning the waste itself and of the mixed before and after fungal treatment were performed. Plants were analyzed for fresh and dry biomass, root and shoot and chemical elements were quantified by ICP OES. Results showed that the sludge is silty clayey with high concentrations of Fe and Mn; vinasse, on the other way, was found to present high levels of BOD, COD, turbidity, conductivity, solids, sugars, sulfate, phosphate, K, Ca and Mg. Evaluating seedling at 30 days of growth, the development of Pleurotus incorporated in the mixture of the crushed waste caused an increase on the following parameters: cultivars germination rate, fresh biomass and the mean root and shoot development larger than the control. On both cultures 30 days old and treated by P. ostreatus, elements were shown to be concentrated on the roots being Al, Fe, Ca, K and SO4- the most concentrated. On the shoots, the most common elements were K, Ca and SO4-. The toxicity tests showed that the toxicity of the vinasse and of the sludge, singly, was greater than the toxicity of the mixture. The toxicity of the mixture after the growth of Pleurotus was lower than the toxicity of the mixture without fungal growth.

O milho é relativamente tolerante ao estresse hídrico, principalmente nas suas fases iniciais de crescimento, mas caso sujeito ao déficit hídrico apresenta diminuição do crescimento pela redução da taxa fotossintética e da disponibilidade de água em seus tecidos. O monitoramento do potencial da água da planta é importante indicador do grau de déficit hídrico. Porém, os métodos existentes para sua determinação não são passíveis de automatização e por serem de natureza destrutiva, nem sempre se mostram adequados na determinação do estresse hídrico. Com a nova sonda magnética desenvolvida por Zimmermann e colaboradores (2008) para a determinação do turgor foliar, pode-se avaliar o status hídrico da planta e, em certos casos, até indicar o momento ideal para a irrigação. Ela é altamente sensível, versátil, não destrutiva, fácil de manusear, apresentando resultados imediatos e disponíveis online. Assim o objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar se plantas de milho em crescimento, submetidas a ciclos de estresse hídrico possuíam a capacidade de recuperação, além de testar a eficácia desta nova técnica para o monitoramento do estresse. As plantas cresceram em vasos em casa de vegetação, onde além das medidas de turgor expressas pela variável Pp (\"pressão resultante\" da sonda) foram monitorados, também, o potencial da água foliar, a condutância estomática, a assimilação de CO2 e variáveis de crescimento por 30 dias, a partir de um mês e meio após a semeadura. Foram estabelecidos dois tratamentos, um em que a planta era mantida irrigada e outro onde foi suspensa a irrigação. Conforme o passar dos dias, as plantas mostraram os primeiros sinais visuais de estresse, como o enrolamento das folhas. Nesse período foi possível observar uma flutuação dos valores de Pp ao longo do dia, mas com uma recuperação do turgor no período noturno. Houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos para condutância estomática, potencial da água, Pp e fotossíntese. Após cada irrigação, notou-se uma recuperação rápida em todos os parâmetros analisados. Deste modo, foi possível concluir que as plantas de milho foram capazes de se recuperar do déficit hídrico rapidamente, apresentando uma recuperação total em apenas um dia para todos os ciclos analisados. A sonda de turgor foi capaz de indicar e monitorar o status hídrico da planta, mas nos 10 dias finais de estresse no último ciclo de secagem do solo, as suas medidas sinalizavam uma possível manutenção do turgor não condizente com a condição real das plantas, que nesse momento apresentavam baixos valores de potencial da água, de condutância estomática e de assimilação de CO2, além de enrolamento das folhas. Portanto, maiores estudos são necessários para conhecer as possíveis causas desse comportamento da sonda nessas circunstâncias. / Maize is a relatively tolerant plant water stress, especially in their early stages of growth. Plants subjected to water deficit have reduced growth by decreased photosynthetic rate and the availability of water in their tissues. The monitoring of water potential is important as an indicator of water stress, but the few methods for determining it .are not amenable to automation and for being destructive nature; the results are not always consistent with the actual conditions. With the new leaf patch clamp pressure probe developed by Zimmermann et al (2008) for the determination of leaf turgor, one can assess the water status of the plant and in some cases up to indicate the ideal time for irrigation. It is highly sensitive, versatile, non-destructive, easy to handle, with immediate results and available online. Thus the aim of this study was to determine if the maize plants subjected to drought cycles, had the ability to recover from water deficit, in addition to testing the effectiveness of this new method for monitoring stress. Plants were grown in pots in a greenhouse, where the leaf status was monitored through the leaf water potential, stomata conductance, leaf turgor pressure and photosynthesis. Plant growth (height, leaf area and dry mass) was continuously evaluated. Measures initiated one and half month after sowing and plants were monitored for about 30 days, by using the variable Pp (resulting pressure) given by de probe. Two treatments were imposed, one where the plant was kept irrigated and another where irrigation was suspended were established. As the days passed, the plants showed the first visual signs of stress, such as curling leaves. During this period we observed a fluctuation in the values of Pp throughout the day signaling loss of turgor, but with a recovery at night. There were significant differences between treatments for stomata conductance, water potential, photosynthesis and Pp over the days. After each irrigation, noticed a rapid recovery in all parameters analyzed. Thus, we concluded that maize plants were able to recover quickly from the water deficit, with a full recovery in just one day for all cycles analyzed. The turgor probe was able to display and monitor the water status of the plant, but in the last ten days of deficit it was not signaling an evident turgor loss as demonstrated by other indicators, as leaf curling, low leaf water potential, CO2 assimilation and stomata conductance. So, more studies are required to explain the probe response under these circumstances.

Atualmente há o reconhecimento de que critérios de seleção que favorecem a produção de grãos podem ser indesejáveis para o valor nutricional de silagens de milho. Híbridos de milho para silagem devem maturar mais lentamente com declínio gradual da umidade da planta, ter grãos macios e colmo com alta digestibilidade da fibra. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da idade de corte sobre a qualidade nutricional do colmo de genótipos de milho, permitindo a seleção de materiais de melhor qualidade, com o intuito de definir critérios de seleção em programas de melhoramento de híbridos de milho para ensilagem que visem o aumento da digestibilidade da fibra do colmo. Objetivou-se ainda a classificação dos genótipos em grupos de acordo com suas características produtivas e de qualidade nutricional. Foram avaliados 15 híbridos de milho do programa de melhoramento do Instituto Agronômico de Campinas, em ensaio sob delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com três repetições, colhidos com 90, 120 e 150 dias após a germinação. O 4º e 5º internódios do colmo, acima do solo, foram retirados para determinação da composição bromatológica e digestibilidade in vitro. Houve queda no teor de fibra e aumento na concentração de lignina com avanço da maturidade, em ambos os internódios. Houve aumento na digestibilidade da MS do 5º internódio com o avanço da maturidade, enquanto que não houve efeito sobre o 4º internódio. Ocorreu redução na digestibilidade da fibra do 4º internódio com o avanço da maturidade, enquanto que não houve efeito sobre o 5º internódio. A digestibilidade da fibra do 4º internódio foi negativamente correlacionada com a lignificação, enquanto que esta correlação foi inexistente no 5º internódio, indicando que o 4º internódio do colmo pode ser utilizado como indicador da queda de digestibilidade da fibra da haste de híbridos de milho que ocorre com o avanço da maturidade. Verificou-se entre os 15 genótipos nas três idades de corte, grande variabilidade genética para os parâmetros de qualidade, o que realça a necessidade de seleção criteriosa do material a ser utilizado para silagem e a possibilidade de implantação de programas de melhoramento genético voltados para qualidade nutricional de híbridos de milho para silagem. / Nowadays there is the recognition that selection criteria that favors grain production can be undesirable for nutritional value of corn silages. Corn hybrids for silage should mature slower with gradual decline of plant moisture, have softer grains and stalk with high fiber digestibility. Therefore, it was our objective to evaluate the effect of age of harvest on the stalk nutritional quality of corn hybrids, aiming to define selection criteria in breeding programs focused on improving the stalk fiber digestibility. It was still our objective the classification of genotypes in groups according to their production and nutritional qualities. Fifteen hybrids from the Instituto Agronômico de Campinas breeding program were evaluated in a random block design with three repetitions, harvested with 90, 120 and 150 days after germination. The 4th and 5th above soil stalk internodes were removed to determination of chemical composition and in vitro digestibility. The fiber content decreased and lignin content increased with advanced maturity, in both internodes. The DM digestibility of the 5th internode increased with maturity, while there was no change in the 4th internode. The fiber digestibility of the 4th internode was reduced with advanced maturity while there was no effect on the 5th internode. Fiber digestibility of the 4th internode was negatively correlated with lignifications, while this correlation was inexistent for the 5th internode, indicating that the 4th internode could be used as an indicator of the decrease in stalk fiber digestibility that occurs with advanced maturity of corn hybrids. There was great genetic variability among the 15 genotypes in the three stages of maturity for the quality parameters, highlighting the necessity of careful selection of the material to be used for silage production and the possibility of implementing breeding programs focused on improving the nutritional quality of corn hybrids for silage.