Controlled Auto Ignition (CAI) combustion is a new combustion principle in internal combustion engines which has in recent years attracted increased attention. In CAI combustion, which combines features of spark ignition (SI) and compression ignition (CI) principles, air/fuel mixture is premixed, as in SI combustion and auto-ignited by piston compression as in CI combustion. Ignition is provided in multiple points, and thus the charge gives a simultaneous energy release. This results in uniform and simultaneous auto-ignition and chemical reaction throughout the whole charge without flame propagation. CAI combustion is controlled by the chemical kinetics of air/fuel mixture with no influence of turbulence. The CAI engine offers benefits in comparison to spark ignited and compression ignited engines in higher efficiency due to elimination of throttling losses at part and idle loads. There is a possibility to use high compression ratios since it is not knock limited, and in significant lower NOx emission (≈90%) and particle matter emission (≈50%), due to much lower combustion temperature and elimination of fuel rich zones. However, there are several disadvantages of the CAI engine that limits its practical application, such as high level of hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions, high peak pressures, high rates of heat release, reduced power per displacement and difficulties in starting and controlling the engine. Controlling the operation over a wide range of loads and speeds is probably the major difficulty facing CAI engines. Controlling is actually two-components as it consists of auto-ignition phasing and controlling the rates of heat release. As CAI combustion is controlled by chemical kinetics of air/fuel mixture, the auto-ignition timing and heat release rate are determined by the charge properties such as temperature, composition and pressure. Therefore, changes in engine operational parameters or in types of fuel, results in changing of the charge properties. Hence, the auto-ignition timing and the rate of heat release. The Thesis investigates a controlled auto-ignition (CAI) combustion in internal combustion engines suitable for transport applications. The CAI engine environment is simulated by using a single-zone, homogeneous reactor model with a time variable volume according to the slider-crank relationship. The model uses detailed chemical kinetics and distributed heat transfer losses according to Woschini's correlation [1]. The fundamentals of chemical kinetics, and their relationship with combustion related problems are presented. The phenomenology and principles of auto-ignition process itself and its characteristics in CAI combustion are explained. The simulation model for representing CAI engine environment is established and calibrated with respect to the experimental data. The influences of fuel composition on the auto-ignition timing and the rate of heat release in a CAI engine are investigated. The effects of engine parameters on CAI combustion in different engine concepts fuelled with various fuels are analysed. The effects of internal gas recirculation (IEGR) in controlling the auto-ignition timing and the heat release rate in a CAI engine fuelled with different fuels are investigated. The effects of variable valve timings strategy on gas exchange process in CAI engine fuelled with commercial gasoline (95RON) are analysed.

Il cambio climatico sta inducendo una precocità negli fasi fenologiche della vite, tra cui la maturazione, un fenomeno che si verifica spesso nelle stagioni più calde e che porta a vini sbilanciati. La composizione della bacca consiste principalmente di metaboliti primari e secondari. Entrambi sono sensibili all'ambiente e alla gestione del vigneto. Di conseguenza, il cambiamento climatico può influenzare la composizione delle bacche e modificare la qualità del vino e la tipicità. La defogliazione può influenzare la composizione della bacca, modulando il bilancio vegeto-produttivo. Durante i tre anni del dottorato di ricerca, diversi rapporti tra superficie fogliare e uva sono state studiate per chiarire i meccanismi d'azione contro il processo di maturazione. In questa ricerca è stato studiato l'effetto della severità, tempismo e la posizione di defogliazione su due vitigni, Sangiovese e Cabernet Sauvignon. / Global warming is inducing a general earliness in the onset of grapevine phenological stages including ripening, a phenomenon that occurs often in the hottest seasons and which leads to unbalanced wines. Grape berry composition mainly consists of primary and secondary metabolites. Both are sensitive to environment and viticultural management. As a consequence, climate change can affect berry composition and modify wine quality and typicity. Leaf removal techniques can impact berry composition by modulating the source-to-sink balance. During the three years of PhD, different leaf-to-fruit ratios were studied to clarify action mechanisms vs the ripening process. In this research was studied the effect of severity, timing and position of leaf removal on two cultivars, Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Le métabolisme est la somme des réactions chimiques dans un organisme. L’énergie leur permet d’effectuer la biosynthèse, le maintien des fonctions vitales et l’activité physique. Si l’énergie est transformée en chaleur nous pouvons déterminer le taux de transformation d’énergie chimique en taux métabolique (TM) et nous pouvons donc calculer les besoins énergétiques d’un animal. Le principal objectif de ce travail est d’évaluer le métabolisme énergétique chez la punaise hématophage Rhodnius prolixus. Nos résultats montrent, que le TM de l’alimentation chez R. prolixus atteint jusqu’à 17 fois le TM au repos. Le quotient respiratoire est de 0,83 pendant le repos et 0,52 pendant l’alimentation. De plus, la désactivation des protéines permettant gérer le choc thermique, diminuent le TM pendant la digestion. Le coût énergétique (CE) de la marche peut atteindre jusqu’à 1,7 fois le CE pendant le repos. Finalement, le CE de la production d’un oeuf chez R. prolixus est approximativement de 11,7 J. L’ensemble de nos résultats apportent des outils qui fournissent des éléments nécessaires pour mieux contrôler la transmission de maladies vectorielles. / Metabolism is the sum of all the chemical reactions in an organism. Energy uptake allows animals to perform biosynthesis, maintenance, and external work. If the energy produced is converted into heat, we can estimate the energy metabolism as the rate of conversion of chemical energy into metabolic rate (MR), which allows the calculation of energy requirements. The main objective of this work is to assess the metabolic cost of physiological work in the blood-sucking bug Rhodnius prolixus. Our results show that feeding is costly. The MR during feeding in R. prolixus reaches up to 17 times the MR during rest. The mean respiratory quotient is 0.83 during rest and 0.52 during feeding. We showed that the deactivation of Heat Shock Proteins on R. prolixus, causes a diminution of MR during digestion. Then, we showed that the energy cost (EC) during walking can reach up to 1.7 times the EC during rest. Finally, we found that the EC of production of one egg of R. prolixus was 11.7 J. All our results provide tools to a better understanding of biology and ecology of an hematophagous insect to provide the necessary elements to better control of transmission of vector-borne diseases.

Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, das Verständnis über Reaktionen von Tomaten auf limitiertes Nährstoffangebot zu verbessern. In der Kontrollbehandlung (100% Biomassewachstum) wurden Pflanzen ohne Nährstofflimitierung kultiviert. Bei den Mangelvarianten wurde entweder K, Mg oder N kontinuierlich in Raten angeboten, die das Wachstum auf etwa 80% (leichter Mangel) oder 60% (starker Mangel) der Kontrolle reduzierten. Dieser Versuchsansatz ermöglichte es, pflanzliche Reaktionen auf eine gut definierte Intensität von Mangel an K, Mg und N zu vergleichen. Nährstofflimitierung veränderte die Biomasse- und Nährstoffallokation auf die verschiedenen Pflanzenorgane, wobei diese Veränderungen sich je nach Nährstoff unterschieden, aber nicht von der Intensität des Mangels abhängig waren. Die Wirkungen von Nährstofflimitierung auf morphologische Wurzel- und Sprosseigenschaften waren ebenfalls Nährstoff-spezifisch und nicht abhängig von der Intensität des Mangels. Die Wirkungen auf die Fruchtqualität, z.B. den Gehalt an Zuckern, Lycopin und Vitamin C waren Nährstoff-spezifisch und bei einigen Parametern auch von der Intensität des Mangels abhängig. Die Pflanzenreaktionen auf Mg-Mangel wurden in größerem Detail untersucht. In den ersten 6 Tagen nach Beginn der Limitierung nahmen die Mg-Konzentrationen in allen Organen stark ab, ohne Wirkung auf das Wachstum und die Photosynthese. Mangel erhöhte die Blattzuckergehalte, aber die Zuckerakkumulation stand in keiner Beziehung zur Photosyntheserate. Diese nahm erst ab, wenn die Blatt-Konzentrationen auf Werte unterhalb von 0,1 bis 0,2 mg Mg g-1 Frischmasse abgesunken waren. In Mg-Mangelpflanzen akkumulierten Zucker in den Sourceblättern sogar wenn das Source/Sink-Verhältnis in den Pflanzen durch Beschattung der basalen Blätter stark verringert wurde. Das stimmt mit der Annahme überein, dass Mg-Mangel aufgrund einer Inhibierung der Phloembeladung den Zuckerexport aus den Blättern verringert. / This thesis aims to increase our understanding about plant responses to K, Mg and N limitation and their relationship with fruit quality of tomato. In the control treatment (100% biomass growth), plants were grown at high nutrient concentration. In the nutrient-limitation treatments, either K or Mg or N was supplied continuously at rates, which reduced biomass growth to about 80% (mild deficiency) or 60% (severe deficiency) of the control. This experimental approach allowed comparing long-term plant responses to deficiency of K, Mg or N at well-defined intensities of nutrient limitation. Nutrient limitation was associated with changes of biomass and nutrient allocation among various plant organs, whereby these changes were nutrient specific (e.g., biomass allocation to leaves was increased in Mg deficient plants, and decreased in N deficient plants), but not much dependent on the intensity of nutrient limitation. Effects of nutrient limitation on root and shoot morphological traits were also nutrient-specific and independent on the intensity of deficiency. Effects of nutrient limitation on fruit quality, e.g, sugar, lycopene and ascorbic acid content, were also nutrient-specific, and for specific parameter dependent on the intensity of deficiency. Responses to Mg deficiency were studied in more detail. In the first 6 days after start of Mg limitation, Mg concentrations in all plant organs drastically decreased without any effects on growth and leaf photosynthetic rates. Mg-deficiency increased leaf sugar concentrations, but sugar accumulation was not directly related to leaf photosynthesis which only decreased after leaf Mg concentrations were below 0.10 to 0.20 mg Mg g-1 leaf fresh mass. In Mg-deficient plants, sugars accumulated in source leaves even when the source/sink ratio was strongly decreased by shading of basal leaves. This is in accordance with the suggestion that sugar export is reduced due to inhibition of phloem loading.

Aufgrund ihrer niedrigen Stoffwechselrate zeigen Puppen des Atlasspinners Attacus atlas diskontinuierlichen Gasaustausch (DGC) mit drei deutlich getrennten Phasen. Andererseits sind einzelne Stigmen entweder vollständig offen oder vollständig geschlossen. In dieser Arbeit wurden Attacus Puppen mit künstlichen Gasmischungen perfundiert, um das Steady-State Verhalten der Stigmen zu ermitteln. Es konnte gezeigt werden, daß die Flutterphase des DGC kein Gleichgewichtsverhalten darstellt. Weiterhin deuteten die Ergebnisse der Perfusion auf eine mögliche Interaktion zweier unabhängiger Regelkreise hin. Zwei mathematische Modelle untersuchten daraufhin mögliche theoretische Mechanismen, welche die beobachteten Muster erzeugen könnten. Die Modelle erlaubten die Erzeugung der Gasaustauschmuster ohne komplexe neurale Integration und deuten auf eine rein passive Erzeugung des DGC. Die Diskussion erläutert mögliche biologische Mechanismen, welchen den abstrakten Beschreibungen der Modelle zu Grunde liegen könnten. Sowohl die Perfusion als auch die Modelle sind dabei mit der ''Emergent Property Hypothesis'' der DGC Entstehung vereinbar. Zusätzlich wird dargelegt, wie alternative Hypothesen widerspruchslos in das sich abzeichnende Bild eingefügt werden können. / While having low metabolic activity, pupae of the giant silk moth Attacus atlas show triphasic discontinuous gas exchange cycles (DGC). However, a single spiracle is either fully open or fully closed. In this study moth pupae have been perfused to assess the steady state behavior of the spiracles in response to the endotracheal gas composition. It could be shown that the flutter phase of DGC is not a steady state behavior. Moreover, the results from the perfusion hint to a possible interaction between two independent spiracle control mechanisms. Two mathematical models then explore possible mechanisms of generating the observed respiratory patterns during DGC. The models indicate that DGC might be generated without complex neural integration and might thus be a purely ''passive'' pattern. The discussion focuses on biological processes and mechanisms that may back the abstract descriptions in the models. Both, the perfusion and the two mathematical models, are consistent with the emergent property hypothesis of DGC origin. However, it is discussed that other existing hypotheses are not mutually exclusive and that they can be subsumed using the non-adaptive emergent property hypothesis as a framework.

INTRODUÇÃO: A aspiração traqueal (ASP) é um procedimento de rotina em pacientes sob ventilação mecânica, porém em algumas situações pode não ser eficiente. Como adjuvante usa-se a técnica \"Bag-Squeezing\" (BS) que consiste na hiperinflação manual associada à compressão torácica manual expiratória seguida ASP. Embora efetiva esta técnica pode apresentar algumas limitações como a desconexão do ventilador mecânico, além do controle precário do pico de pressão inspiratória (PPI) e pico de fluxo inspiratório (PFI). Como opção, podemos substituir o ressuscitador manual pelo próprio ventilador mecânico, alterando seus parâmetros e evitando assim a desconexão. Propusemos padronizar esta técnica e denominá-la PEEP-ZEEP (PZ); realizando-se a inflação dos pulmões aumentando a PEEP em 10 cmH2O, por 5 ciclos respiratórios, seguido de rápida descompressão pulmonar pela redução abrupta da PEEP até 0 cmH20, simultâneo à compressão torácica manual. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar o comportamento hemodinâmico, da troca gasosa e da mecânica respiratória, na aplicação das técnicas ASP, BS e PZ e seus efeitos na remoção de secreções brônquicas em pacientes ventilados mecanicamente. MÉTODO: 1ª etapa - \"Pacientes sem secreção brônquica\" estudamos prospectivamente 45 pacientes, divididos aleatoriamente em 3 grupos iguais, avaliamos os efeitos da aplicação das técnicas ASP, BS e PZ nos parâmetros hemodinâmicos, na troca gasosa e na mecânica pulmonar antes, imediatamente após, do 1o ao 10o e 30o min. subseqüentemente à aplicação das técnicas. Na 2ª etapa - \"Pacientes com hipersecreção brônquica\" foram estudados prospectivamente 15 pacientes ventilados mecanicamente, que apresentavam hipersecreção brônquica submetidos às técnicas ASP, BS e PZ aleatoriamente em intervalos de 2 horas, avaliamos as mesmas variáveis da 1a etapa porém acompanhamos os pacientes até 120 min. após cada intervenção. Avaliamos também o peso úmido da secreção brônquica, bem como sua reologia. RESULTADOS: 1ª etapa - Semelhantes quanto aos dados antropométricos e tempos de CEC, nossos pacientes apresentavam 59±10anos, IMC 26±3,2 kg/m2 e tempo médio de CEC de 91±19min. Houve elevação da FC somente após aplicação de BS (98±8; 106±10). PAM e SpO2 não se alteraram, observamos elevação na ETCO2 (36±6; 37±6 e 37±7; 39±8) nas técnicas BS e PZ respectivamente. Não verificamos alteração na mecânica respiratória até 30 min. após aplicação das técnicas. Durante a execução das técnicas BS e PZ respectivamente observamos elevação significante do PPI (63±17 vs 17±3), PPLATÔ (22±5 vs 26±3), PFI (154±27 vs 20±5) e PFE (86±20 vs 64±10). 2ª etapa - Nossos pacientes apresentavam 66±14anos, IMC 24±3,2 kg/m2 e tempo médio de CEC de 113±54min. A FC e a SpO2 não se alteraram, porém houve elevação significante da PAM imediatamente após a aplicação de ASP, BS e PZ (85±12 vs 101±16, 90±12 vs 100±14, 84±10 vs 97±11). Na PZ houve diminuição na ETCO2 (36±6 vs 35±7). Não observamos alteração na mecânica respiratória até 120 min. após aplicação das técnicas. Durante a execução das técnicas BS e PZ respectivamente observamos elevação significante do PPI (45±22 vs 27±3) e PFI (91±21 vs 44±17), porém a PPLATÔ (27±15 vs 26±3) e o PFE (71±20 vs 64±13) foram semelhantes entre elas. Não encontramos diferença significante no peso úmido do muco ASP(0,91±1), BS(1,09±1) e PZ(0,53±0,5), nem na análise do deslocamento e da viscoelasticidade. CONCLUSÕES: As técnicas não alteraram significantemente o comportamento hemodinâmico, de troca gasosa e de mecânica respiratória. BS e PZ foram capazes de aumentar o PFE, porém a nova proposta PZ permite maior controle das variáveis de mecânica respiratória, possibilitando monitoramento das pressões e fluxos impostos ao sistema respiratório. Todas as técnicas foram capazes de remover secreções brônquicas de forma semelhante. / INTRODUCTION: Tracheal suction (TS) is a routine procedure in patients submitted to mechanical ventilation. In association, the bag-squeezing (BS) technique is described as a manual hyperinflation associated to a manually assisted coughing followed by TS. This technique might present few limitations as its mechanical ventilator disconnection and poor control of variables such as peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) and peak inspiratory flow (PIF). We might substitute the manual ressuscitator by the mechanical ventilator itself altering its parameters and avoiding its disconnection. We proposed to standardize this technique and named it PEEP-ZEEP (PZ); inflate the lungs increasing the PEEP in 10 cmH20, trough 5 respiratory cycles, followed by an abrupt pulmonary decompression bringing the PEEP to 0 cmH20, associated to the manually assisted coughing. OBJECTIVES: Assess the hemodynamic, gas exchange and respiratory mechanics variables during the use of TS, BS and PZ techniques and assess their effects in the removal of bronchial secretions in mechanically ventilated patients. METHODS: First step - \"Patients without bronchial secretions\" - We assessed 45 patients prospectively, divided randomically into three groups, evaluating the effects of TS, BS and PZ techniques in the haemodynamics, gas exchange and respiratory mechanics variables before, immediately after, in the 10th and 30th minute after the technique. Second step - \"Patients with bronchial secretions\" - We assessed 15 mechanically ventilated patients submitted to the TS, BS and PZ techniques within 2 hours, evaluating the same variables of the first step. However we followed-up the patients until 120 minutes in each technique. We also assessed the humid weight of the bronchial secretions as well as the mucus reology. RESULTS: Results were similar when related to antropometric data and ECC period. First step - There was a raise in the HR after the BS procedure (98±8; 106±10), MAP and SpO2 did not altered. Raise in ETCO2 (36±6; 37±6 and 37±7; 39±8) in the BS e PZ techniques respectively, without alteration in the respiratory mechanics until 30 minutes after the techniques. During the BS e PZ techniques, we observed a significant increase in PIP (63±17 vs 17±3), PPLATEU (22±5 vs 26±3), PIF (154±27 vs 20±5) and PEF (86±20 vs 64±10). Second step - HR and SpO2 did not altered, there was a significant increase in MAP immediately after the TS, BS and PZ techniques (85±12 vs 101±16, 90±12 vs 100±14, 84±10 vs 97±11). The PZ technique had lower ETCO2 (36±6 vs 35±7). We did not observed any respiratory mechanics alteration until 120 minutes after the techniques. During the BS e PZ techniques, respectively, we observed an increase in the PIP (45±22 vs 27±3) and PIF (91±21 vs 44±17), however the PPLATEU (27±15 vs 26±3) and PEF (71±20 vs 64±13) were similar. The PZ technique (0,54±0,5) remove less humid weight mucus when compared to TS (0,91±1) and BS (1,09±1), but the analysis by simulated cough machine PZ (25?11) was better then TS(33?13). CONCLUSION: All techniques remove bronchial secretions and did not altered the hemodynamic, gas exchange and respiratory mechanics significantly. BS and PZ were able to enhance the PEF, however the new proposition of the PZ technique allows a better control of the respiratory mechanics variables.

Introdução: A formação de atelectasia durante a indução anestésica pode ser um dos fatores responsáveis pela ocorrência de complicações pulmonares pós-operatórias (CPP). A aplicação de pressão positiva expiratória ao final da expiração (PEEP), uso criterioso de altas frações inspiradas de oxigênio e a utilização de manobras de recrutamento alveolar no período intra-operatório são recursos utilizados para a prevenção de atelectasia em procedimentos anestésicos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o modelo de ventilação mecânica adotado em procedimentos anestésicos de longa duração e suas correlações com as complicações pulmonares pós-operatórias. Métodos: Foram avaliadas em estudo observacional as cirurgias com mais de cinco horas de duração. No início do procedimento anestésico, na sala de cirurgia e após o seu término, na unidade de terapia intensiva, os parâmetros ventilatórios utilizados foram anotados e correlacionados com os achados das radiografias torácicas e saturação periférica de oxigênio (SpO2) em ar ambiente. Resultados: Cento e vinte e um pacientes foram observados. O tempo total de anestesia 499,4 ± 159,8 minutos. O volume corrente (VC) determinado no período intraoperatório foi 8,09 ± 2,15 mL/kg e a PEEP utilizada de 3,05 ± 2,31 cmH2O. Houve diferença para a mediana da SpO2 em ar ambiente (96% [95-97] vs 95% [92-96], p <0,001) comparando os períodos pré e pós-operatório. A freqüência de pacientes que apresentaram atelectasia nas radiografias de tórax do período pós-operatório (38,8%) foi significantemente maior que a do período pré-operatório (0%), x2=32,259. Não foi encontrado correlação entre os achados e o tempo de anestesia (p=0,708); a PEEP intra-operatória (p=0,296); tempo de permanência com suporte ventilatório mecânico no pósoperatório (p = 0,146) e tabagismo (p = 0,563). Conclusões: No período intra-operatório o PEEP utilizado em procedimentos de longa duração é baixo. Ocorre queda na SpO2 e aumento na incidência de atelectasia no período pós-operatório em comparação com o pré-operatório. São necessários outros estudos para melhor avaliação dos fatores responsáveis / Introduction: The formation of the atelectasis during the induction of the anesthesia can be one of the factors involved in the occurrence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs). The application of the positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), low inpiratory concentrations of oxygen and the alveolar recruitment maneuvers perform in the intraoperative period are approaches used in the prevention of atelectasis in the anesthesia procedures. The objective of this study was to evaluate, in prospective observational study, the pattern of mechanical ventilatory assistence during longer anesthesia procedures and its correlations with the PPCs. Methods: The surgeries procedures longer than five hours have been evaluated in observational study. At the beginning of the anesthesia procedure, in the operatory room and after its terminus, in the intensive care unit, the mechanical ventilation parameters were determined and correlated with the findings in the chest x-rays and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) in room air. Results: One hundred twenty one patients have been observed. The total time of anesthesia was 499,4 ± 159,8 minutes. The tidal volume (VT) in the intraoperative period was 8,09 ± 2,15 mL/kg and the PEEP used was 3,05 ± 2,31 cmH2O. There was a difference for the median of the SpO2 in room air (96% [95-97] vs 95% [92-96], p <0,001) comparing the pre and postoperative periods. The frequency of patients who had presented atelectasis in the chest x-rays of the postoperative period (38,8%) was significantly higher than the preoperative period (0%), x2=32,259. No correlation was found among these findings and the anesthesia time (p=0,708); the intraoperative PEEP used (p=0,296); time with mechanical ventilatory support in the postoperative period (p = 0,146) and smoking habits (p = 0,563). Conclusions: In the intraoperative period, the PEEP is low in longer procedures. The SpO2 decreases and the incidence of the atelectasis increases in the postoperative period, when compared with the preoperative one. Other researches are required for better evaluation of the factors related for the development of the PPCs

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de NÃvel Superior / O presente trabalho teve por objetivo estudar as respostas fisiolÃgicas e bioquÃmicas de clones de cajueiro anÃo-precoce (Anacardium occidentale L.) ao estresse salino. Os experimentos foram conduzidos em casa de vegetaÃÃo, sendo as plÃntulas cultivadas em vasos plÃsticos contendo vermiculita. No primeiro experimento, cinco clones de cajueiro anÃo-precoce foram submetidos aos tratamentos com NaCl a 0 (controle), 8 e 16 dS.m-1 de condutividade elÃtrica e objetivou selecionar clones com tolerÃncias diferenciadas ao estresse salino. Para isso, foram estudados os efeitos da salinidade no crescimento, nas trocas gasosas, no teor de Ãgua, na suculÃncia foliar, no potencial osmÃtico, nas concentraÃÃes de prolina, N-aminossolÃveis e carboidratos solÃveis e nos teores dos Ãons inorgÃnicos (Na+, Cl- e K+). A salinidade reduziu o crescimento das plÃntulas de todos os clones estudados. Os efeitos inibitÃrios do NaCl foram mais conspÃcuos na parte aÃrea do que nas raÃzes. O clone CCP 06 foi aquele que apresentou maior reduÃÃo no crescimento foliar, enquanto os clones BRS 189 e CCP 09 foram os que apresentaram as menores reduÃÃes. A salinidade inibiu a mobilizaÃÃo das reservas cotiledonÃrias, principalmente, na dose mais elevada de sal. A reduÃÃo no crescimento, pela salinidade, correlacionou-se com a reduÃÃo na taxa de fotossÃntese lÃquida. Os clones CCP 06 e BRS 189 apresentaram, respectivamente, a maior e a menor reduÃÃo na taxa fotossintÃtica a 8 dS.m-1. Embora a salinidade tenha reduzido a condutÃncia estomÃtica dos clones de cajueiro anÃo-precoce, essa reduÃÃo nÃo foi acompanhada por mudanÃas nas concentraÃÃes internas de CO2. Os clones estudados nÃo apresentaram alteraÃÃes, em funÃÃo da salinidade, no estado hÃdrico das folhas e raÃzes, porÃm, apresentaram reduÃÃes no potencial osmÃtico, favorecendo o ajustamento osmÃtico e, consequentemente, a manutenÃÃo da turgescÃncia dos tecidos. Sob condiÃÃes de estresse salino, os clones BRS 189 e CCP 09 foram os mais eficientes na regulaÃÃo do transporte do Ãon Na+ para a parte aÃrea da plÃntula, acumulando-o nas raÃzes. Em relaÃÃo ao Cl-, o clone CCP 09 mostrou-se o mais eficiente no controle do transporte desse Ãon. PorÃm, CCP 06 foi o clone que mais acumulou ambos os Ãons tÃxicos na parte aÃrea da planta. Com o aumento da salinidade, os teores de potÃssio dos clones estudados tiveram seus valores reduzidos apenas nas raÃzes. Na dose de 8 dS.m-1, o BRS 189 foi o clone que mais aumento suas concentraÃÃes de N-aminosolÃveis e prolina no suco radicular. Nesse mesmo nÃvel de sal, a salinidade aumentou a concentraÃÃo de carboidratos apenas nos clones CCP 06 e BRS 189. De posse destes resultados, o segundo experimento foi realizado com os clones CCP 06 e BRS 189 que foram os que se mostraram, respectivamente, o menos e o mais tolerante à salinidade. Esse experimento teve por objetivo estudar os efeitos da salinidade (NaCl a 8 dS.m-1) na atividade da H+-ATPase e na composiÃÃo e peroxidaÃÃo dos lipÃdios de membrana plasmÃtica isoladas de raÃzes das plÃntulas dos dois clones contrastantes. A salinidade estimulou a atividade da H+-ATPase apenas no clone tolerante, o BRS 189, sendo esse clone o que apresentou maior conteÃdo de esterÃis totais e menor relaÃÃo fosfolipÃdios totais (PLt)/ esterÃis totais (Et), tanto em condiÃÃes controle como de estresse. Esses resultados foram concordantes com o fato de ter sido o BRS 189 o clone que melhor excluiu o Na+ da parte aÃrea. Nesse clone nÃo foram observadas alteraÃÃes nos teores de malondialdeÃdo, diferentemente do que ocorreu com o CCP 06, cujos teores aumentaram com o estresse salino. A maior proteÃÃo da membrana plasmÃtica do clone BRS 189 ao dano oxidativo està de acordo com os maiores acÃmulos de prolina e N-aminossolÃveis observados nesse clone. Os principais fosfolipÃdios da membrana plasmÃtica isolada de raÃzes do clone BRS 189 foram fosfatilglicerol (PG), fosfatidiletalonamina (PE) e fosfatilserina (PS). A salinidade provocou alteraÃÃes nas proporÃÃes relativas dos fosfolipÃdios, sendo PE e fosfatidilinositol (PI) os que apresentaram maiores aumentos em relaÃÃo ao total, enquanto que fosfatidilglicerol (PG) e Ãcido fosfatÃdico (PA) foram os que apresentaram maiores reduÃÃes. A percentagem de PS, em relaÃÃo ao total, nÃo foi afetada pela salinidade. No entanto, a relaÃÃo entre essas mudanÃas na composiÃÃo lipÃdica do BRS 189 pela salinidade e o aumento na atividade da H+-ATPase necessita ser melhor investigada. / Early-dwarf cashew seedlings (Anacardium occidentale L.) were used in order to investigate the physiological and biochemical changes induced by salt stress. The seeds (nuts) were sown in plastics pots containing vermiculite moistened with either distilled water (control treatment) or NaCl solutions at 8 and 16 dS.m-1 of electrical conductivity (saline treatment), and kept in greenhouse throughout the experimental period. Uniform 28-day-old seedlings were used for the analyses. The first experiment aimed to select, among five clones (CCP 06, CCP 09, CCP 76, Embrapa 51 and BRS 189), the ones showing contrasting salt-tolerance. The effect of salinity on the growth, gas exchange, water content, leaf succulence, osmotic potential and inorganic (Na+, Cl-, K+) and organic (proline, soluble carbohydrates, quaternary ammonium compounds) solute concentration for both salt-sensitive and salt-tolerant clones was studied. Salinity inhibited the growth of all clones studied, being the inhibitory effect on shoot growth more conspicuous than in root growth. Clone CCP 06 leaf area was the most inhibited by salt stress, while clones BRS 189 and CCP 09 leaf areas were the least affected by salinity. Salt stress caused a great decrease in the cotyledon reserve mobilization especially at 16 dS.m-1. Growth reduction was correlated to the reduction in net photosynthetic rate. CCP 06 and BRS 189 showed the greatest and the lowest reduction in photosynthetic rate at 8 dS.m-1, respectively. Although, salinity reduced stomatal conductance, this reduction was not followed by changes in CO2 internal concentration. The water status, expressed as water content in relation to dry mass, was not changed by salt-stress. Salinity induced the lowering of osmotic potential both in leaves and roots of all clones studied. This osmotic adjustment might have lead to turgor maintenance of those tissues. The concentrations of Cl- and Na+ increased with increasing salt stress. Clones BRS 189 and CCP 09 accumulated more Na+ in the roots, and this could explain their efficiency in maintaining a lower ion concentration in shoots, i.e. they regulated more efficiently the transport of Na+ from roots to shoots. The regulation of Cl- transport to shoots was more efficient in clone CCP 09 than in the others. Salinity did not induce significant changes in leaves and stems K+ concentration, but it induced a reduction of K+ concentration in roots. Salinity also induced increases of quaternary ammonium compounds and proline concentration in BRS 189 root at 8 dS.m-1. In addition, this level of salinity increased soluble carbohydrates in the root sap especially in clones BRS 189 and CCP 06. During the second experiment, the effect of salt stress (NaCl at 8 dS.m-1) on the activity of H+-ATPase, lipid composition and peroxidation of root plasma membrane of both salt-tolerant (BRS 189) and salt- sensitive (CCP 06) clones were studied. The vanadate-sensitive H+-ATPase activity was studied in plasma membrane-enriched vesicles isolated by discontinuous sucrose gradient centrifugation from roots. ATP hidrolizing activity in this fraction was mostly inhibited by vanadate and scarcely, by azide and molybdate, indicating that it was essentially enriched in plasma membrane vesicles. Salinity induced a 1.3-fold increase in the H+-ATPase specific activity in roots of BRS 189 seedlings. Salinity had no appreciable effect on the hydrolytic activity of this enzyme during the growth of CCP 06 seedlings. Likewise, clone BRS 189 roots plasma membrane showed higher sterol content and lower phospholipids/total sterol ratio than clone CCP 06. Both properties could contribute to the decrease in Na+ influx or increase in Na+ efflux or âexclusionâ from roots. This could result in less Na+ being transported to the shoot, and thus explaining the higher salt-tolerance of clone BRS 189. The higher degree of root plasma membrane lipid peroxidation of clone, and the lower proline and ammonium quaternary compounds contents of CCP 06 when compared to BRS 189 could also explain the differences in salt-tolerance between the two clones. These organic solutes could protect and stabilize plasma membrane against oxidative stress. Phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylserine (PS) were the major phospholipids in the plasma membrane from BRS 189 roots. Salinity induced increases in the relative proportions of PE and phosphatidylinositol (PI), while PG and PA were reduced. No changes were detected in PS in relation to control plant. The importance of lipid composition changes on H+-ATPase activity must be more studied.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T17:37:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tiago_Luan_Hachmann.pdf: 1649541 bytes, checksum: 8e937bb39bf1fdae7f31d4186d79cc60 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-26 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This work was conducted in the period from April, 11th, 2014 until September, 9th, 2014 aiming studying the influence of the number of stems and the way of establishing these stems in productivity and quality characteristics of the tomato cultivars, and evaluate the daily course of gas exchange indexes of the tomato cultivars in the leaves exposed to solar radiation from the east (morning) or the west (afternoon). The experimental design used in the first experiment was a randomized block design with factorial 3 x 2 x 2, with four replications. Three numbers of stem per plant were tested (one, two and four steams) two forms of establishment (maintaining and removing the main stem) and two cultivars (Caniles and Rubi F1 hybrid). The total number of fruits, number of normal fruits, non-commercial and blossom-end rot was evaluated; percentage of unmarketable fruits and blossom end rot; average mass, longitudinal and transversal diameter of the normal fruits; fruit mass, transversal and longitudinal diameter, average fruit mass and productivity of the first four clusters; total mass of fruit and fruit normal mass; and was calculated productivity of normal fruits, non-commercial, with blossom end rot and total fruit yield. It was also evaluated pH, soluble solids, titratable acidity and soluble solids/titratable acidity ("ratio"). In the second experiment the experimental design was a randomized block design, factorial 2 x 2 x 6, with four replications. The first factor was composed of two evaluation positions in the plant (East and West), the second of two tomato cultivars (Caniles and Rubi) and finally six times evaluation throughout the day (8:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00 and 18:00). It was measured the rate of CO2 net assimilation (A), leaf transpiration (E), stomatal conductance (gs), internal CO2 concentration (Ci) and leaf temperature (°C) and vapor pressure deficit. It was also calculated the water use efficiency (WUE) (A/E), intrinsic water use efficiency (WUEi) (A/gs) and the instantaneous efficiency of carboxylation (A/Ci). The conduction of plants with four steams is more favorable to productivity and the quality characteristics. The establishment of steams number keeping the main stem is best suited for providing greater productivity. The cultivar Caniles is the most suitable for driving on growing conditions, due to its higher yield and fruits with better "ratio". The values of net assimilation rate of CO2, leaf transpiration, stomatal conductance, leaf temperature, water use efficiency, intrinsic water use efficiency and instantaneous carboxylation efficiency on the east side are larger than on the west side. The cultivar Caniles has a higher net assimilation rate of CO2, leaf transpiration, leaf temperature and instantaneous carboxylation efficiency under conditions of high temperature and luminosity / Este trabalho foi conduzido no período de 11/04/2014 a 16/09/2014, tendo como objetivo estudar a influência do número de hastes e da forma de estabelecimento dessas hastes nas características produtivas e qualitativas de duas cultivares de tomateiro, e avaliar o curso diário dos índices de trocas gasosas de duas cultivares de tomateiro, em folhas expostas à radiação solar proveniente do quadrante leste (período da manhã) ou do quadrante oeste (período da tarde). O delineamento experimental utilizado no primeiro experimento foi de blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial de 3 x 2 x 2, com quatro repetições. Foram testados três números de haste por planta (uma, duas e quatro hastes), duas formas de condução (mantendo a haste principal e retirando a haste principal) e duas cultivares (híbrido F1 Rubi e híbrido Caniles). Foi avaliado o número total de frutos, número de frutos normais, não comerciais e com podridão apical; porcentagem de frutos não comerciais e com podridão apical; massa média, diâmetro longitudinal e transversal dos frutos normais; massa de frutos, diâmetro transversal e longitudinal, massa média por fruto e produtividade dos quatro primeiros cachos; massa total de frutos e massa de frutos normais; e foi calculada a produtividade de frutos normais, não comerciais, com podridão apical e produtividade total de frutos. Também foi avaliado o pH, teor de sólidos solúveis, acidez titulável e a relação sólidos solúveis/acidez titulável ( ratio ). No segundo experimento o delineamento experimental utilizado foi de blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 2 x 2 x 6, com quatro repetições. O primeiro fator foi composto de duas posições de avaliação na planta (Leste e Oeste), o segundo de duas cultivares de tomate (Caniles e Rubi) e por fim seis horários de avaliação ao longo do dia (8:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00 e 18:00). Foi mensurada a taxa de assimilação líquida de CO2 (A), taxa de transpiração foliar (E), condutância estomática (gs), concentração interna de CO2 (Ci), temperatura foliar (°C) e déficit de pressão de vapor. Também foi calculada a eficiência no uso da água (WUE) (relação A/E), eficiência intrínseca no uso da água (WUEi) (relação A/gs) e a eficiência instantânea da carboxilação (A/Ci) (relação A/Ci). A condução das plantas com quatro hastes é mais favorável para a produtividade e para as características de qualidade. O estabelecimento do número de hastes mantendo a haste principal é mais adequado por proporcionar obtenção de maior produtividade. A cultivar Caniles é a mais adequada para a condução nas condições de cultivo, por apresentar maior produtividade e por apresentar frutos com maior ratio . Os valores de taxa de assimilação líquida de CO2, taxa de transpiração foliar, condutância estomática, temperatura foliar, eficiência no uso da água, eficiência intrínseca no uso da água e eficiência instantânea de carboxilação no quadrante leste são maiores que no quadrante oeste. A cultivar Caniles apresenta maior taxa de assimilação líquida de CO2, taxa de transpiração foliar, temperatura foliar e eficiência instantânea de carboxilação sob condições de temperatura e luminosidade elevadas

Thesis (Ph. D. Agric. (Plant Production)) --University of Limpopo, 2019 / Moringa oleifera is a multipurpose fast growing tree which is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of the world due to its numerous benefits. The benefits include medicinal use, industrial use, soil fertility, water purification, climate change mitigation as well as of nutritional value for humans and livestock. Recently, many areas globally have been rendered vulnerable to climate change as well as food insecurity. Climate change increases irregularities of rainfall and temperature patterns in semi-arid conditions. One practical way to address this challenge in the agricultural sector is to introduce more trees crop species which are found to be more tolerant than annual crops under harsh growing conditions. Moringa is one species that could be considered under variable climatic conditions for positive outcomes through climate change adaptation and mitigation as well as life sustenance against food insecurity threats. Production of moringa in South Africa is exclusively for leaf processing and consumption. To date, there is no documented information available about seed and oil yield production of moringa mainly in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The aim of the study was to generate knowledge on moringa growth, nutritional composition, seed and oil yield production as well as its response to drought through gaseous exchange parameters, as influenced by plant density under diverse agro-ecological locations in Limpopo Province. The study was conducted in the Limpopo Province, South Africa, from November 2013 to January 2016. The study area falls within the semi-region which is characterized by low and erratic rainfall which predominately falls in summer as well as extremely low or high temperatures. A survey was conducted from November 2013 to September 2014 in five districts of the Limpopo Province. Focus group discussion, questionnaires and field observations were used for data collection. A total of 150 moringa growers formed part of the focus group and a questionnaire was administered to only thirty-one farmers, who constitute the population of farmers producing moringa within an area of 0.25 ha or more. A second study was conducted at two experimental sites in the Limpopo Province of northern part of South Africa to evaluate for the first time, the effect of plant density and cutting interval on biomass production and chemical composition of moringa grown under two diverse climatic conditions. Four different planting densities (435 000, 300 000, 200 000 and 100 000 plants/ha) were arranged in a randomized complete block design and experimental samples were replicated four times. A third study was conducted over two years to achieve additional objectives which included evaluation of gaseous exchange, biomass, seed, and oil yield. Untreated seeds of Moringa oleifera were used for establishing the trial at densities of 5 000, 2 500, 1 667 and 1 250 plants ha-1, with eight replicates. The same study was used to achieve the objective on gaseous exchange in comparison with other two naturally growing tree species of mopane (Colophospermum mopane) and marula (Sclerocarya birrea) trees growing within the moringa trial vicinity. The study was further used to evaluate the effect of planting density on biomass, grain, oil yield production and nutritional composition of Moringa oleifera trees. The last part of the study was carried out in the five districts of the Limpopo Province to determine the influence of soil physical and chemical properties on the nutritional composition of moringa leaves. The farms that were identified during the survey were also used to achieve other objectives of the study. In order to determine soil and leaf nutritional composition, soil samples were collected and analyzed for physical and chemical properties. The harvested leaves were dried at room temperature and their nutritional compositions were determined using standard methods. Findings from the studies revealed the following: The survey indicated that there are potential moringa farmers in all the districts of the province, with the intention to commercialize the tree. Majority of farmers grow moringa on 0.251.0 ha and have been producing the crop for the past 2 years. The study on planting density and cutting frequency revealed satisfactory nutritional composition in the leaves across the cutting frequencies and that, an increase in the plant density led to enhanced biomass production. The study on the monthly and seasonal gaseous exchange revealed significant differences in net photosynthetic rate, transpiration, sub-stomatal CO2 and stomatal conductance. However, planting densities of Moringa oleifera had no significant effect on all the gaseous exchange parameters measured. In a comparison of moringa with other tree species growing in the vicinity of moringa, the results differed significantly in gaseous exchange. The highest activity in photosynthetic rate (A), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (E) and sub-stomatal CO2 (Ci), as well as higher stomatal density, was found in moringa. The findings from the biomass, seed yield and oil yield study showed that the increase in measured biomass, seed and oil yield increased with increasing planting density. However, seed oil concentration was non-significant. Findings from the ecology study revealed that moringa improved soil nutritional composition; mainly in areas where the trees were more than three years old as compared to control soils where moringa had not been planted. The soil nutritional composition differed with soil textural classes with the clay soils recording higher nutrient ion values. The study revealed that moringa can be produced in many locations of the Limpopo Province without negatively affecting leaf nutritional composition. Moringa leaves contain high level of nutrients even under marginal production areas irrespective of the planting density. A population of 5000 plants ha-1 can be used for seed and oil yield production where temperatures are favourable for improved farmers’ livelihoods. The results strongly showed with no doubt, the superiority of moringa in capturing more carbon among the three species. Moringa maintained good leaf yield even under drought condition, which is an indication of its potential to act as a good sink for carbon dioxide absorption. It can, therefore, be recommended for many parts of Limpopo Province for climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies and food security. KEY CONCEPTS: agro-ecology, biomass, climate change, commercialization, drought, food security, gas exchange, leaf chemical composition, location, Moringa oleifera, oil, seed, soil textural class, survey, trees, weather, yield