Em muitas partes do mundo o aumento na demanda de água tem estimulado pesquisas relacionadas às práticas de reuso sustentáveis. Dentre as atividades humanas, a irrigação agrícola se revela como uma das práticas de maior consumo de recursos hídricos naturais. Uma alternativa para minimizar este problema é o reuso de efluentes gerados por sistemas biológicos de tratamento de esgotos. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar os efeitos da irrigação com esgoto tratado na dinâmica do carbono (C) e nitrogênio (N) e na atividade microbiana de um solo sob pastagem. O estudo foi conduzido em uma pastagem de capim-Bermuda Tifton 85 (Lins-SP), onde o delineamento experimental foi o de blocos completos com seis tratamentos: SI (sem irrigação e sem fertilização), A100 (água potável + 520 kg de N ha-1 ano-1); E0, E33, E66 e E100 (irrigação com esgoto tratado + 0, 33, 66 e 100% de 520 kg de N ha-1 ano-1). Os tratamentos receberam entre 420 a 1500 mm de esgoto tratado e água por ano, correspondendo a uma entrada pelo esgoto tratado de 640 a 2300 kg ha-1 ano-1 de C e de 135 a 480 kg ha-1 ano-1 de N. Utilizando como referência os estoques de C e N de SI, o menor decréscimo de C ocorreu em E33 (1,2 Mg ha-1) e o maior em A100 (7,9 Mg ha-1). Alterações no estoque de N do solo ocorreram após quatro anos de irrigação, onde A100 apresentou decréscimo de cerca de 450 kg de N ha-1. Os estoques de N dos tratamentos irrigados com esgoto tratado não foram afetados. A entrada de C e N orgânicos pelo esgoto tratado não afetaram a composição isotópica do C (\'delta\' 13C) e do N (\'delta\' 15N) da fração estável da matéria orgânica do solo (MOS) do solo. A alteração de \'delta\' 13C nos solos dos tratamentos irrigados (-0,7 a -1,2%o ), em relação a SI, foi resultante da mineralização do carbono orgânico remanescente do solo (plantas C3). Os valores de \'delta\' 15N do N da MOS (0 a 5 cm) foram significativamente maiores (+2,2%o) nos tratamentos irrigados com esgoto tratado do que em SI e A100, refletindo diferenciadas taxas e processos de ciclagem de N. A abundância natural de 15N nas folhas do capim-Bermuda refletiu a composição isotópica do N do solo, com enriquecimento de +2,5%o e +4,9%o em relação a A100 e SI, respectivamente. As taxas líquidas de mineralização e nitrificação negativas ou nulas nas épocas Seca-04, Chuvas-05 e Seca-05 indicaram predominância de processos de imobilização do N pela microbiota em virtude uma alta relação C:N da MOS. Nas épocas de Chuvas-06 e Seca-06 as taxas tornaramse positivas indicando a diminuição da relação C:N da MOS, término do efeito priming e, portanto, ciclagem interna de N. Os solos dos tratamentos apresentaram baixo consumo (-0,1kg de C ha-1 sem-1) ou pequena emissão média de CH4 (+0,8 kg de C ha-1 sem-1). A disponibilidade de N e a umidade do solo não representaram fatores limitantes nos tratamentos, assim as emissões de CO2 não diferiram entre si na maior parte das datas de coleta (médias de 14,7 e 12,2 Mg de C ha-1 para épocas de chuvas e seca, respectivamente). Os maiores fluxos de CO2 relacionaram-se com os períodos de maior precipitação e/ou irrigação do que com os tratamentos. Os maiores fluxos de N2O foram observados após a aplicação de N mineral nos tratamentos irrigados com esgoto tratado, sendo proporcionais as maiores quantidades de N adicionado. As relações médias entre o C da biomassa microbiana e o C orgânico total (Cmic:COT) dos tratamentos variaram de 2,3 a 3,8% ao longo das épocas, indicando boa resiliência do agroecossistema, onde os microrganismos apresentaram variações temporárias de biomassa. Interferências positivas do manejo (corte do capim e fertilização com N mineral) resultando em aumento de Cmic foram observadas no 1º ano hidrológico e Seca-06, como resultado da maior umidade do solo e com isso condições mais favoráveis para a disponibilização de C. Na Seca-04, com o aumento da atividade metabólica, e Chuvas-05, sem alteração deste parâmetro, ao longo do manejo, o quociente metabólico (qCO2) apresentou um cenário de eficiente conversão de C-CO2 em biomassa microbiana. No 2º ano hidrológico, com a diminuição das lâminas de irrigação os tratamentos irrigados e fertilizados apresentaram decréscimo de Cmic e respiração mantida (Seca-05) ou aumentada (Chuvas-06) após o manejo, os valores de qCO2 indicaram condições desfavoráveis a microbiota. Com a pouca interferência dos tratamentos, os indicadores eco-fisiológicos não foram suficientemente sensíveis para mostrar o manejo com menor impacto na qualidade do solo, revelando apenas cenários do metabolismo microbiano ao longo das práticas agrícolas. A quantidade de C exportada por E33, como biomassa (15,2 Mg de C ha-1 ano-1) não diferiu das maiores produções, a alteração em seu estoque de C foi inferior aos demais tratamentos irrigados, sugerindo ser o manejo mais sustentável, em termos de C, utilizando esgoto tratado como irrigação. Os tratamentos E100 (Seca-04) e E66 (Chuvas-05) representaram os manejos com as maiores exportações de N, respondendo linearmente até 940 ha-1 de N ano-1. De acordo com as variáveis avaliadas, o manejo com maior sustentabilidade produtiva e ambiental foi o tratamento E100, situação onde as saídas de N não superaram as entradas / In many parts of the world, the increasing demand and, especially in arid regions the natural scarcity of water has stimulated researches in terms of sustainable water reuse practices. Within human activities, common agricultural irrigation reveals one of the most consumptive practices of natural water resources. One alternative to minimize this problem represents the reuse of effluent generated by biological sewage treatment systems. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of treated wastewater application in the dynamic of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N), and microbial metabolism of a soil under pasture. The study was carried out at Lins, São Paulo State, Brazil on a Tifton 85 bermudagrass pasture irrigated with secondary treated sewage effluent using a randomized complete block design with six treatments: SI (control, without irrigation and fertilization), W100 (potable water irrigation + 520 kg of N ha-1 year-1); E0, E33, E66 and E100 (treated wastewater irrigation + 0, 33, 66 and 100% of 520 kg of N ha-1 year-1). Samples of treated effluent/water, soil, plant (litter fall), and gases were taken from January 2004 through October 2007 and the treatments were kept under irrigation management receiving between 420 and 1,500 mm of water and treated sewage corresponding to an input of 640 to 2,300 kg ha-1 yr-1 of C and 135 to 480 kg ha-1 year-1 of N . Soil C stocks decreased slightly in the E33 treatment (-1.3 Mg ha-1) and a larger decrease was observed in W100 (-7.9 Mg ha-1). The inputs of organic C by the treated sewage did not affect the soil carbon isotopic composition (\'delta\' 13C), and in the irrigated treatments measured shifts in the isotopic signature (-0,7 a -1,2%o ) were caused by the mineralization of the remaining soil organic matter (SOC) (C3 plants). After 4 years of irrigation the only significant changes in soil N stocks were found in the W100 treatment (-450 kg de N ha-1). The \'deta\' 15N signature of the soil organic matter (0-5 cm depth) in the treatments irrigated with treated sewage was significantly higher (+2,2%o) than WI and W100, this suggests higher nitrogen cycling. The \'delta\' 15N signature of grass was enriched relative to the soil of W100 and WI +2,5%o and +4,9%o respectively). Negative or null rates of mineralization and nitrification occurred in the dry season of 2004, rainy and dry season of 2005 indicated an immobilization by the microorganisms, as a result of a high C:N ratio in the SOC. In the dry and wet seasons of 2006, mineralization and nitrification rates became positive suggesting a decrease of the C:N ratio, and the end of both priming effect and, thus the beginning of N cycling in the soil organic matter. Soils in the treatments showed low CH4 consumption rates (-0.1 kg de C ha-1 semester-1) and in some cases low emissions (+0.8 kg de C ha-1 emester-1). Nitrogen availability and soil moisture did not appear to be limiting factors for the treatments, thus CO2 emissions did not differ from each other over the collections (averages of 14.7 e 12.2 Mg of C ha-1 for wet and dry season, respectively). The highest CO2 fluxes were more related to periods of high precipitation and/or irrigation than to the applied treatments. The highest emissions of nitrous oxide were observed after the application of mineral N to the treatments irrigated with treated sewage, and the emissions were straightly related to the N addition. Values of Cmic:TOC (microbial C : Total Organic C) in the treatments averaged between 2.3 and 3.8 % through the seasons which means a significant resilience of the ecosystem, indicating that soil microbial community varied seasonally in their Cmic. Addition of mineral nitrogen and grass cutting practices influenced positively resulting in increase of Cmic in the first hydrological year and in the dry season in 2006, as well as an increase of soil moisture resulting in good conditions for C availability. With the increase metabolic activity in the dry season of 2004 and a continuous metabolic activity in the rainy season in 2005, the metabolic quotient (qCO2) resulted in an efficient scenario of conversion of C-CO2 into microbial biomass. In the second year, with a decrease of the irrigation depths and an increase in salts concentration after fertilization, the treatments irrigated with treated sewage and fertilizers presented decrease of Cmic with stable respiration (dry season 2005) or increase respiration (wet season 2006) after the management, and as a result qCO2 indicated inappropriate conditions for the microorganisms. In the dry season (2006) the physiological profile of the soil remained instable with no stress and Cmic increased and soil respiration remained inaltered. According to these results, the microbial indicators were not efficiently sensitive for revealing the more impacting management to the soil. The co-physiological indicators showed only the regular microbial metabolism along the agricultural practices. Carbon biomass exported by the grass in the E33 (15.2 Mg C ha-1 yr-1) did not differ from the biomass produced in the other treatments and the alterations in its C stocks were low compared to the other treatments. As a result, E33 seems to be the more sustainable and efficient practice for treated sewage use. Both the E66 and E100 treatments had high measured rates of N export, responding linearly up to 940 kg of N ha-1 yr-1. Thus, according to the variables studied, the management with highest sustainability was E100 where N outputs did not surpass the inputs

On the reefs of Bermuda, the coral Diploria labyrinthiformis is rarely infected with black band disease (BBD) while BBD-infected colonies of D. strigosa are common. This study investigated several possible explanations for the documented difference in BBD prevalence including: 1) temperature and light conditions differentially affect the progression of the disease among these two species; 2) the bacterial communities associated with each species are different and 3) the bacterial composition of BBD in Bermuda is unique from that of other geographical regions where D. labyrinthiformis has been reported with BBD. Results suggest that light and temperature are important variables in determining BBD progression for both species; reef location, rather than coral species dictates the coral associated bacterial diversity; and the BBD bacterial mat in Bermuda is unique compared to other regions of the Caribbean. Many factors are likely responsible for the low occurrence of BBD among D. labyrinthiformis in Bermuda.

Orientador: João Carlos Cury Saad / Resumo: O adequado manejo de irrigação aliado ao uso de sistemas de irrigação por gotejamento subsuperficial podem maximizar a eficiência de uso da água como fator de produção em cultivos de gramados esportivos e ornamentais. Objetivou-se avaliar os parâmetros fitotécnicos da grama bermuda DiscoveryTM sob tensões de água no solo em gotejamento subsuperficial a diferentes profundidades. O experimento foi conduzido na Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas (FCA) da Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP) na cidade de Botucatu-SP, no período de 05 de março de 2018 a 01 de junho de 2019. O delineamento experimental adotado foi de blocos em faixas, com quatro repetições, sendo os tratamentos constituídos por quatro tensões de água no solo (30, 40, 50 e 60 kPa) e três profundidades de instalação da linha lateral (0, 5 e 10 cm abaixo do tapete). Foram avaliados nos meses de janeiro a maio de 2019 os parâmetros fitotécnicos: medida indireta de clorofila, altura de folhas, massa de aparas secas, comprimento e massa seca de raízes. Ao final, avaliou-se também se houve obstrução dos emissores. A medida indireta de clorofila, altura de folhas e massa de aparas secas diminuíram com as tensões de água no solo acima de 30 kPa e com o aumento da profundidade de instalação da linha lateral. As maiores expressões do comprimento radicular e da massa seca do gramado foram observadas na tensão de 30 kPa e com a linha lateral posicionada a 10 cm de profundidade. A profundidade de insta... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Mestre

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Boston University, 1991. / Interest in deep sea microbiota was stimulated by recent discoveries of productive redox communities associated with hydrothermal vents and brine seeps, and based on bacterial chemolithotrophy. This study investigates microbial destruction of mussel shells from a redox community at the base of the Florida Escarpment (3360 m), in comparison with microbial boring in shells of typical, low productivity areas of the ocean floor. An assemblage of eukaryotic and prokaryotic periostracum borers and their boring traces were discovered in shells of Bathymodiolus mussels from the base of the Florida Escarpment, and characterized. Microbial destruction of this protective layer results in colonization of secondary microbial inhabitants inside boreholes, and exposes the underlying mineralized shell to colonization and destruction by microbial endoliths. Microbial consumption of periostracum often proceeds in successive waves. These organisms show different "foraging" behaviors and leave accordingly varied boring patterns. These activities create a labyrinth of pits, holes and tunnels which, in tum, provide sheltered microenvironments for secondary microbial settlers, including primary producers, which all constitute an abundant food source for numerous ciliates and gastropods observed on the shells. This concerted attack on the periostracum eventually leads to the exposure of the mineralized shell. Such exposed areas are characterized by [TRUNCATED]

Employee absenteeism results in billions of dollars in revenue losses and lost productivity annually. Given the consequences that organizations could face resulting from high levels of work absences, executives should develop strategies to manage absenteeism to support organizational growth and sustainability. Grounded in the theory of planned behavior, the purpose of the single case study was to explore strategies managers in the private insurance industry used to reduce employee absenteeism. The population consisted of 3 managers located in Bermuda who implemented strategies to decrease employee absenteeism from a Bermuda perspective. Data included semistructured interviews, results of the company's 2016 engagement survey, and annual reports from 2014 to 2016 that highlighted the company's commitment to providing strategies to enhance employees' engagement and dedication to its strategic objectives. Through thematic analysis, 4 themes emerged: employee engagement, managerial communication, employee wellness and health promotion programs, and achieving work-life balance. Business managers could use these findings to understand how specific human resources strategies with a focus towards reducing employee absenteeism minimize work absences. Minimizing work absences could contribute to positive social change through increased economic growth in local communities and higher quality of life for its residents.

Two grazing trials and a feedlot trial were conducted with crossbred lambs to evaluate 'Quickstand' bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers.) in a cool temperate environment. Four stocking rates and two N fertilization rates (4 x 2 factorial) were replicated three times on .11-ha paddocks. Paddocks were continuously stocked with two, four, six, or eight lambs (light, moderate, heavy, and very heavy stocking rate, respectively) in grazing trial 1. Stocking rates were increased to 4, 8, 12, or 16 lambs per paddock, respectively, in grazing trial 2. In both grazing trials, paddocks were fertilized with 114 (low N) or 340 (high N) kg N ha-1yr-1 in split applications. / Master of Science

Bermudagrass (<i>Cynodon</i> spp.), when cultured at the northern limit of adaptation for semitropical grasses, is exposed seasonally to temperatures low enough to limit growth and turf quality. Research was conducted to investigate the influence of foliar iron and cytokinin applications on bermudagrass growth during fall and spring. The relationship of photosynthesis, respiration, and nonstructural carbohydrate composition to chilling temperatures was also studied. Foliar applications of Fe in late-summer and fall extended bermudagrass performance during low temperature periods of fall. Frequent Fe applications aided the retention of green bermudagrass turf during prolonged exposure to chilling temperatures. Iron applied the previous season stimulated post-dormancy recovery. Benzyladenine (BA) applied alone was not as effective as Fe for promoting green bermudagrass color retention during fall and BA had few effects on spring growth when applied the previous season. Applications of BA in conjunction with Fe were beneficial for retention of green bermudagrass color during late fall when clear plastic covers were used to prevent frost injury. A 6- to 8-week longer bermudagrass growing season occurred when clear plastic covers were used to prevent frost injury. Iron and BA did not significantly affect the total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC) levels in Midiron bermudagrass rhizomes and stolons at the onset of dormancy in field studies. Midiron bermudagrass had higher photosynthetic and respiration rates than Tifgreen bermudagrass after 4 days exposure to chilling (10/7°C day/night) temperatures in controlled environment studies. Midiron recovered higher photosynthetic rates than Tifgreen when returned to a warm (30°C) environment after exposure to chilling temperatures. The TNC in leaves of Midiron and Tifgreen increased 88 and 160%, respectively, during 5 days at chilling temperatures. The inability to transport carbohydrate from and the subsequent accumulation of high photoassimilate levels in leaves was associated with the inability of bermudagrass to fully recover high photosynthetic rates following chilling. Reduced respiratory activity was apparently responsible for the accumulation of high TNC levels in leaves. In contrast to photosynthesis, respiration was reversibly inhibited by short term exposure of bermudagrass to chilling temperatures. Rapid recovery of high respiratory activity may be important for maintenance of aesthetically pleasing bermudagrass turf following chilling. Foliar applied Fe or BA generally caused darker green Midiron and Tifgreen turf after exposure to chilling temperatures in a controlled environment, although the enhancement of physiological activity differed with chemical applied and cultivar. Iron stimulated recovery of photosynthetic and respiratory activity in both cultivars after exposure to chilling temperatures. However, during chilling Midiron CO₂ exchange was more responsive to Fe applications. Benzyladenine increased photosynthesis in Tifgreen but not in Midiron and did not significantly affect respiration in either cultivar. Neither Fe nor BA had a consistent effect on TNC levels in bermudagrass leaves, rhizomes, or stolons. These investigations indicate that cultivar selection may play a major role in determining turf quality at chilling temperatures. Iron may modify bermudagrass physiology and enhance performance of bermudagrass exposed to chilling temperatures. / Ph. D. / incomplete_metadata

Thesis (M.S.)--Mississippi State University. Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

A series of pot trials were undertaken to test the growth of indigenous grasses (Themeda triandra and Cynodon dactylon) on mine capping soil, treated with various soil ameliorants. The capping soils were obtained from open cast coal mines (Optimum Mine and Syferfontein Mine) in the Mpumalanga Highveld, south of Witbank. However, because mine soil was not available at the commencement of the project, the initial pot trial used soil from the Umlazi Landfill in Durban. The trials were the Umlazi Landfill Trial, Microbe Trial, Legume Trial and Fly Ash Trial. For the Umlazi Landfill Trial, landfill top and subsoil was used along with fertilizer, sewage sludge, K-humate, lime and microbes. The soil ameliorant treatments for the Microbe trial were Trichoderma harzianum (Eco'T), Bacillus subtilis Strain 69 (B69) and Bacillus subtilis Strain 77 (B77), for the Legume Trial, Medicago sativa, phosphorus and/or potassium were applied. For the Fly Ash Trial, lime and fly ash were introduced. From the Landfill trial it was shown that fertilizer and sewage sludge significantly increased the above ground, below ground and total biomass of T. triandra, further, there were no significant treatment differences between fertilizer and sludge. The lime treatment for this trial, surprisingly, significantly reduced below ground biomass but the application of microbes (B69 and BcoT) alleviated this negative effect. However, in the Microbe Trial the microbes (BcoT, B69 and B77) had a negative or no effect on the biomass of T. triandra and C. dactylon. In the Legume Trial it was shown that the above ground biomass of T. triandra was significantly reduced when grown with M. sativa. The Fly Ash Trial revealed that the lime and fly ash treatments had no effect on the biomass of M. sativa and T. triandra, and they did not maintain a reduction in soil acidity. The results therefore indicated that either organic fertilizer or sewage sludge could be used to significantly improve the growth of T. triandra. It was also suggested that lime not be applied to soils with an acid saturation of approximately 1%, as this could retard plant growth. The application of microbes and the growth of a legume with grass, although both have been recorded to have beneficial effects in aiding plant growth, in the short-term however, the application of T. harzianum, B. subtilis Strain 69 and 77 applied to the soil while growing T.triandra and C. dactylon and the growth of M. sativa with T. triandra is not recommended. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2004.

Fundamental processes underpinning the biotransformation of coal by fungal biocatalysts have been intensively investigated, however, limited large-scale industrial applications using such systems have been reported. The un-anticipated sporadic growth of Cynodon dactylon on the surface of un-rehabilitated discard coal dumps has been noted and this was found to be coupled with the breakdown of coal into a humic soil-like material in the top 1.5 metres of the dumps. Extensive fungal growth was observed to be associated with the Cynodon dactylon root system and examination of plant roots indicated the presence of mycorrhizal fungi. Analysis of the Cynodon dactylon plant roots around which coal biotransformation was occurring confirmed the presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal colonisation with the species Glomus clarum, Paraglomus occultum, Gigaspora gigantea and Glomus mosseae identified to be associated with the plants. Further molecular characterisation of non-mycorrhizal rhizospheric fungi showed the presence of fungal species with coal-degrading capabilities that most likely played a role in the coal biotransformation observed. The discard coal dump environment was simulated in pot and column studies and coal biotransformation was reproduced, with this process enhanced by the addition of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal rhizospheric fungal inocula to the environment. Mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal species in the inoculum were re-isolated from the simulated environment fulfilling a number of Koch’s postulates and indicating a causal role in the biotransformation of coal. An inversion of conventional mycorrhizal colonisation was demonstrated in this system with reduction in extraradicular presence and an increase in intracellular colonisation compared to soil controls. A descriptive model was formulated suggesting a two-part fungal system involving organic carbon and nutrient exchange between the plant, mycorrhizal fungi and non-mycorrhizal coal-degrading rhizospheric fungi ultimately resulting in the biotransformation of coal. The biotransformation observed was comparable to reports of “rock-eating fungi”. Results suggest that the biological degradation of coal in situ with the production of a soil-like substrate could provide a feasible method of discard coal dump rehabilitation as well as provide a humic-rich substrate that can be utilised in further industrial applications.