Algal blooms are directly related to human-caused nutrient enrichment of water bodies. The cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa produces microcystin (MC), a toxin that has been linked with mortalities and illness of many organisms. We show that MC is not constrained by the aquatic-terrestrial ecotone. MC was detected in a primary consumer and emerging aquatic invertebrate (Hexagenia Mayfly), a terrestrial insect and predator of emerging aquatic invertebrates (Tetragnathidae Spider), and a vertebrate consumer (Prothonotary Warbler). Mayfly and spider MC levels varied across the blooming period. MC levels in prothonotary warbler livers varied by age class; nestlings having the highest levels. MC levels decreased in fledglings over time. A more aquatic diet was related to higher MC levels in nestlings at one site and nestling fecal-sacs varied spatially, also indicating that aquatic diet is related to MC consumption. Warbler body condition and growth rate was not related to liver microcystin levels.

Algae are a promising new source of oil for biodiesel. They are aquatic organisms that do not require cropland, and they can produce many useful side-products for bioenergy, aquaculture, and nutraceutical production. To be cost-effective, algae need high and reliable oil productivities; however, there is still a great deal to learn about the effects of culturing conditions on algae growth rates and lipid production. These culturing conditions include light intensity, gas flow, use of CO₂, and culture volume. An extensive database of published research on algae growth rates and lipid contents under a wide variety of environmental conditions was prepared. By graphing data from 116 publications on 132 microalgae species, several key trends were identified relating to culturing parameters and algae biomass and lipid production. In addition, data from 131 publications on 128 microalgae species were graphed to look at presence of flagella, nutrient limitation, lipid productivity, and productivity tradeoffs. Moreover, cell size information was gathered for 146 species. The interactions between culture variables are complex, so it is difficult to quantify the degree to which each culture variable affects algae growth rates and lipid production. Therefore, several multivariate analyses were performed to generate a set of general and simple predictive models to assess specific growth rates, maximum lipid contents, and volumetric lipid productivities. These models were used to determine which culture parameters were significant predictors of algae growth rates and lipid production, and the contribution of each environmental parameter was quantified. In addition to models for algae in general, genera specific models were prepared for Chlorella, Isochrysis, Nannochloropsis, Phaeodactylum, and Tetraselmis. These models show high predictive capabilities, and they greatly extend the range of species-specific multiple regression models available. Furthermore, one Tetraselmis model was validated using Tetraselmis impellucida growth experiments in a large novel photobioreactor.

Previous studies of the relationship between egg size and the embryonic development time showed a positive correlation between the two variables at interspecies level, thus offering the idea that the evolution of the latter could be a limiting factor for enlarging the size of eggs during evolution. Some research into interspecies and intraspecific level of reptiles doesn't confirm this correlation. At the same time, the relationship between the development time and egg size is influenced by many factors, such as shifts in ontogenetic stages of the embryo at the time of ablation of eggs, due to temperature and humidity, the presence of embryonic diapause during embryogenesis or synchronization of hatching time, of which the authors of previous studies took no account or filtered out inaccurately. I think that most of these factors can be well controlled in intraspecific studies, but, variation in egg size within species also tends to be small, which prevents a reliable test for correlation. The solution can be to compareclosely related species with high variability in the size of the eggs, in our case the geckos of the genus Paroedura and family Eublepharidae. I eliminated temperature effects by comparing the time of incubation in two equal constant temperatures. The results show that, in this narrower...

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / The growth rate of large-scale structure is a key probe of gravity in the accelerating Universe. Standard models of Dark Energy within General Relativity predict essentially the same growth rate, whereas Modified Gravity theories without Dark Energy predict a different growth rate. Redshift-space distortions lead to anisotropy in the power spectrum, and extracting the monopole and quadrupole allows us to determine the growth rate and thus test theories of gravity. We investigate redshift-space distortions in the intensity maps of the 21cm emission line of neutral hydrogen (HI) in galaxies after the Epoch of Reionization: HI intensity mapping delivers very accurate redshifts. We first use the standard approach based on the Fourier power spectrum. Then we explored an alternative approach, based on the spherical-harmonic angular power spectrum. Fisher forecasting was used to make predictions of the accuracy with which MeerKAT will measure the growth rate parameter, via the proposed MeerKAT Large Area Synoptic Survey (MeerKLASS). Then we extend the forecasts to consider the planned HI intensity mapping survey in Phase 1 of the Square Kilometre Array. These forecasts enable us to predict at what level of accuracy General relativity and various alternative theories could be ruled out.

Este estudo comparou o efeito de dietas com palha de milho com ou sem blocos com multinutrientes na variação de peso de 24 caprinos com 8 meses de idade e peso médio de 11 kg (±0,61) , durante 6 meses da época seca. No final deste período foi conduzido um estudo de digestibilidade \"in vivo\" em 8 caprinos sendo 4 por tratamento. Os blocos com multinutrientes aumentaram o consumo total (g dia -1) de MS (519,71 vs 278,95; p<0,001), MO (369,32 vs 219,93; p<0,001) , PB (67,83 vs 12,47; p<0,001), FDN (292,66 vs 183,62; p<0,001), FDA (208,28 vs 126,15; p<0,001) , Hemicelulose (83,13 vs 57,48; p <0,001), Ca (6,04 vs 0,81; p<0,001) e P 5,24 vs 0,75; p<0,001). Os blocos com multinutrientes estimularam um aumento do consumo da palha de milho e dos nutrientes dela provenientes. Os valores encontrados, expressos em g/animal/dia, foram: MS (339,50 vs 278,95; p<0,01), MO (271,97 vs 219,93; p<0,05), PB (14,85 vs 12,46; p<0,01) FDN (235,71 vs 183,62; p<0,01), FDA (154,24 vs 126,14; p<0,01), hemicelulose (82,38 vs 57,48; p< 0,001). Os caprinos na dieta suplementada com blocos com multinutrientes tiveram uma taxa de crescimento maior (9,17 vs -7,99 g dia -1; p<0.001), coeficientes de digestibilidade (%) da MS (61,13 vs 46,64 ; p<0,05 ), MO (64,35 vs 51,92; p<0,05), PB (69.48 vs -5.60; &lt;p=0.01), FDN (55,54 vs 45.10; p< 0,05 ), FDA (53,31 vs 43,32; p<0,05 ) e da hemicelulose ( 65,08 vs 52,31; p<0,05 ), energia (64.95 vs 57.31; p<0.05), do que os não suplementados. O consumo de EM (70 vs 30 Kcal/ kg 0.75; p<0.001) and PBD (6,81 vs -0,12 g/ kg 0.75; p<0,001 foi maior no grupo suplementado. Os resultados indicam que os blocos com multinutrientes podem reduzir as perdas de peso vivo e a taxa de mortalidade de caprinos durante a época da seca., com custos relativamente baixos. / This study investigated the effect of feeding maize stover alone or with multinutrient block on the growth of 24 mozambican Landim goats aging 8 months with 11 kg (±0.61) average body weight, during the dry season. At the end of growth trial, a 5 day metabolism experiment on 4 goats from each treatment was conducted. Supplementation increased total intake (g day -1) of DM (519.71 vs 278.95; p<0.001), OM (369.32 vs 219.93; p<0.001) , CP (67.83 vs 12.47, p<0.001), NDF (292.66 vs 183.62, p<0.001), ADF (208.28 vs 126.15; p<0.001) , Hemicelullose (83.13 vs 57.48; p <0.001), Ca (6,04 vs 0,81; p<0,001) and P(5,24 vs 0,75; p<0,01). Multinutrient block promoted higher intake of maize stover DM (339.50 vs 278.95; p<0.01), OM (271.97 vs 219.93; p<0.05), CP (14.85 vs 12.46; p<0.01), FDN (235.71 vs 183.62; p<0.01), FDA (154.24 vs 126.14; p<0.01) and hemicelullose. (82,38 vs 57,48; p=0,001). Goats on diet supplemented with blocks had higher growth rate (9.17 vs 7.99 g day -1; p<0.01), and higher digestibility (%) of DM (61.13 vs 46.64 ; p<0.05), OM (64.35 vs 51.92; p<0.05), CP (69.48 vs -5.60; p<0.01), NDF (55.54 vs 45.10; p<0.05), ADF (53.31 vs 43.32; p<0.05) hemicelullose (65.08 vs 52.31; p<0.05) and energy (64.95 vs 57.31; p<0.05). The ME intake (70 vs 30 Kcal/ kg 0.75; p<0.001) and DCP ( 6,81 vs -0,12 g/ kg 0.75; p<0,001) were higher for supplemented than unsupplemented one. Results indicate that low cost multinutrient block could reduce the BW losses and the mortality rate of goats during the dry season.

Cianobactérias desempenham importante papel ecológico em diversos ecossistemas terrestres e aquáticos. Contudo, tornam-se problema de saúde pública quando biossintetizam compostos secundários tóxicos, denominados cianotoxinas, as quais podem atuar sobre diversos organismos. Sistemas aquáticos impactados favorecem o desenvolvimento destes microrganismos, que podem tornar-se dominantes em função dos diversos mecanismos que lhes conferem vantagens adaptativas em relação aos demais grupos fitoplanctônicos. Muitas vezes, elas apresentam-se sob forma de florescimento, cuja toxicidade varia de acordo com espécies e cepas que o compõem. Apesar das cianobactérias Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii e Microcystis aeruginosa formarem florações, terem potencial tóxico, serem competitivas e estarem presentes em diversos reservatórios, é desconhecido o efeito da interação entre elas na produção de microcistina. Para esclarecer esta questão, nesta pesquisa, foi estudada a interação entre cepas de C. raciborskii e M. aeruginosa visando: caracterizar o cultivo das espécies em monocultura e cultura mista; verificar se o caráter tóxico das cepas favoreceu a competição; mensurar a microcistina de M. aeruginosa e avaliar o efeito da interação sobre esta variável. Em salas climatizadas de cultivo (22ºC, fotoperíodo 12h, 60 \'mü\'mol photon/\'M POT.2\'.s) experimentos de interação foram realizados em culturas batch compostas por três tratamentos: (1) monocultura de M. aeruginosa, (2) monocultura de C. raciborskii, (3) cultura mista de M. aeruginosa e C. raciborskii. Foram realizadas análises da densidade e biovolume dos organismos, da velocidade específica de crescimento (\'mü\') e tempo de duplicação (Td) e da concentração de microcistinas, clorofila-a e nutrientes. A interação reduziu em até 22% a \'mü\' das linhagens estudadas. Tanto C. raciborskii quanto M. aeruginosa apresentaram vantagem competitiva em pelo menos um dos ensaios e, no caso de linhagem tóxica de M. aeruginosa, verificou-se que o seu caráter tóxico favoreceu a competição da espécie com linhagem atóxica de C. raciborskii. Além disso, M. aeruginosa elevou em até 53% a síntese de microcistina ao interagir com C. raciborskii. Este processo poderia se relacionar a três principais mecanismos: competição por interferência, produção de alelopáticos e comunicação química. Estudos de balanços genéticos dos florescimentos bem como da possível comunicação química existente entre cianobactérias são ferramentas investigativas importantes que poderão ajudar no aprimoramento da prevenção e manejo de florações tóxicas. / Cyanobacteria play important ecological role in many terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. However, they become a public health problem when synthesize secondary toxic compounds, known as cyanotoxins, which may act on several organisms. Impacted aquatic systems favor their growth and these microorganisms can become dominant due to mechanisms that confer them adaptive advantages in relation to other phytoplanktonic groups. Frequently, cyanobacteria can form water blooms, whose toxicity varies according to their species and strains composition. Although the cyanobacteria Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii and Microcystis aeruginosa can form blooms, have toxic potential, are competitive and present in several reservoirs, it is unknown the interaction effect between them in the production of microcystins. To solve this question, the interaction among strains of C. raciborskii and M. aeruginosa was studied to: characterize the culture of the species in monoculture and mixed culture; check whether the character of toxic strains favored the competition; measure microcystin concentration produced by M. aeruginosa and evaluate interaction effect on this variable. In climatized growth room (22°C, 12h photoperiod, 60 \'mü\'mol photon/\'M POT.2\'.s) four interaction experiments composed by three treatments were performed in batch cultures: (1) monoculture of M. aeruginosa, (2) monoculture of C. raciborskii, (3) mixed culture of M. aeruginosa and C. raciborskii. Density and biovolume, specific growth rate (\'mü\'), doubling time (Td) and concentration of microcystin, chlorophyll-a and nutrients analyses were performed. The interaction reduced up to 22% the of studied strains. Both C. raciborskii and M. aeruginosa presented competitive advantage in at least one of the tests. In the case of toxic strain of M. aeruginosa, it was found that its toxic character favored the competition with non-toxic strain of C. raciborskii. Furthermore, M. aeruginosa increased by 53% the synthesis of microcystin while interacting with C. raciborskii. This process could be related to three main mechanisms: interference competition, communication and production of allelopathic chemicals. Genetical balance studies of blooms as the possible chemical communication existing among cyanobacteria are important investigative tools that might help prevention and management improvement of toxic blooms.

Scientific research using nanotechnology is a relatively recent development with a variety of potential applications in many fields of science. Within this field of research, many new products, with improved performances, have been developed. Despite increased research on its toxicity to ecosystem, the knowledge about this area is still limited. To evaluate the toxicity and genotoxicity of different sizes silica nanoparticles (SiNP)to the environment, different species, on different trophic levels (Vibrio fisheri, Raphidocelissubcapitata, Daniorerio and Allium cepa) were exposed to TM40 (22 nm), HS30 (12 nm), SM30 (7 nm) with concentrations ranging from0.19 to 163.8 g/L (TM40) and 0.29 to 122.85 g/L (HS30 and SM30), and the following parameters were monitored during exposure: production of bioluminescence (V. fischeri), growth rate (R. subcapitata), embryonic development and DNA damage (D. rerio) and germination rate, growth and DNA damage (A. cepa). Within each test SiNPpresent a size dependent chronic toxicity. The bioluminescence test present a EC50 of 29.11, 32.34 and 4.58 g/L for TM40, HS30 and SM30, respectively. For the growth rate assay the EC50 was 9.32, 9.07 and 7.93 g/L for TM40, HS30 and SM30, respectively. And for the zebra fish embryonic development test for TM40, HS30 and SM30, the EC50 was 5.85, 1.13 and 2.68 g/L respectively. All particles also induce phytotoxicity in A.cepa, growth and germination reduce significatively when expose to SiNP. Futhermoregenotoxic effects were also induced by the particles for both A.cepaand D. rerio. Therefore, SiNP can cause toxicity to the environment and size can strongly influence this toxicity / Com uma variedade de aplicações potenciais, em diversos campos da ciência, as pesquisas científicas utilizando nanotecnologia são de desenvolvimento relativamente recente. Dentro deste campo de pesquisa, vários novos produtos, com desempenhos melhorados têm sido desenvolvidos. Apesar do aumento de pesquisas sobre a toxicidade dessas tecnologias à biota, o conhecimento sobre esta área ainda é limitado. Visando avaliar a toxicidade e genotoxicidade denanopartículasde sílica (SiNP) no meio ambiente diferentes espécies pertencentes a diversos níveis tróficos (Vibriofisheri, Raphidocelissubcapitata, DaniorerioandAllium cepa) foram expostos a Ludox TM40 (22 nm), Ludox HS30 (12 nm) e Ludox SM30 (7 nm). As espécies de teste foram expostas a concentrações de nanopartículas (NP) variando de 0.29 a 163.8 g/L (TM40) e 0.19 a 122.85 g/L (HS30 e SM30) e os seguintes parâmetros monitorizados durante a exposição: a produção de bioluminescência (V. fischeri), o crescimento taxa (R. subcapitata), inibição de alimentação (D. magna), desenvolvimento embrionário e dano ao DNA (D. rerio) e taxa de germinação, crescimento e danos ao DNA (A. cepa). Nos testes feitos com as SiNPfoi observado que a toxicidade é dependente do tamanho da partícula. O ensaio de bioluminescência apresentou um EC50 de 29.11, 32.34 e 4.58 g/L para TM40, HS30 e SM30, respectivamente. Para o ensaio de taxa de crescimento o EC50 foi 9.32, 9.07 e 7.93 g/Lpara TM40, HS30 e SM30, respectivamente. E para o teste de desenvolvimento embrionário com peixe zebra, para o TM40, HS30 e SM30 o EC50 foi de 5.85, 1.13 e 2.68g/L, respectivamente. Todas as partículas também induziram fitotoxicidade em A. cepa, crescimento e germinação reduziram significativamente quando o organismo foi exposto a SiNP. Efeitos genotóxicos também foram induzir pelas partículas, tanto para A. cepa quanto paraD. rerio. Portanto, as SiNP podem causar toxicidade ao ambiente e o tamanho pode influenciar fortemente a essa toxicidade

African countries have over the last few decades, experienced a thorny path towards sustained economic growth. Quite a number of researchers have opined that a major factor responsible for their stunted growth path is the prevalence of corruption in the governments of many African countries. However, a group of scholars, called revisionists, have suggested that corruption actually acts as grease in the wheel that ensures the smooth running of an economy, by providing a mechanism to evade inefficient bureaucratic procedures and allow more equitable representation of minority members of the society. With the increasing exposure of African economies to the international community, there is a need to examine the obtainable evidence in relation to corruption and economic growth in African countries. This thesis, therefore, aims to establish the nature of the relationship between corruption and economic growth in the selected African countries. The growth rate of gross domestic product per capita is used to represent the variable, economic growth. The study employs the use of panel data fixed effects and random effect estimation techniques, across 18 countries, over the period of 1997 – 2016. The results show that corruption has a positive relationship with economic growth in the selected African countries. This is in line with the grease in the wheel argument for corruption proposed by revisionists. The results also indicate that corruption has a moderately significant impact on economic growth at 10% level of significance. The literature review suggests that corruption affects economic growth directly and indirectly through mechanisms such as investment (private and public), human capital, openness, and institutional mechanisms, among others.

O manejo de classificação por peso ao alojamento na fase de creche é amplamente praticado e supostamente melhora o desempenho zootécnico e gera, ao fim da fase, um grupo de leitões com peso mais uniforme O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar se classificar os leitões desmamados por peso ao alojamento da creche, interfere no desempenho zootécnico e variação de peso final, bem como se este manejo altera o início de consumo de ração nas primeiras horas pós-desmame. Um total de 504 leitões machos inteiros e fêmeas (23.9 ± 0,6 dias e 7.0 ± 1,22 kg de peso corporal) foram ordenados por peso e cada 1/3 designado como Pequenos, Médios e Grandes. A partir disto, os leitões foram aleatoriamente distribuídos em baias mistas (mistas; 7 baias) compostas pelas três categorias e baias classificadas (classificadas; 21 baias) contendo apenas uma categoria de peso por baia. Nos três primeiros dias após alojamento, os leitões tiveram acesso a uma ração contendo um corante marcador vermelho (óxido de ferro a 1%) com o intuito de indicar quando um determinado animal iniciou o consumo através do uso de swabs retais as 30, 42, 54, 66 e 78 horas após o desmame. Semanalmente, o peso corporal e o consumo de ração era registrado. As pesagens do 7º, 21º e 42º dia pós-alojamento foram individuais visando aferir o CV das baias nestes momentos. Para o período total avaliado (0 a 42 d), não foram evidenciadas diferenças em GPD (P=0,94), CRMD (P=0,60) CA (P=0,39) entre baias mistas e classificadas. Ainda, não houve evidências de diferenças no peso final (P>0,05) entre mesmas categorias nos diferentes tratamentos, nem entre as baias classificadas e mistas (P=0,88). O CV médio do peso de cada foi diferente (P<0,0001) no início do experimento entre baias classificadas e mistas (17,5% ± 0,3 e 6,9% ± 1,8, respectivamente). Ao final do estudo a diferença persistiu, embora menor do que no início (15.6% ± 3,0 e 13,3% ± 2,5, P=0,03). O início do consumo apresentou uma interação entre categoria de peso e tratamento. Leitões grandes em baias classificadas retardaram o início do consumo em comparação com classificados pequenos e médios (P≤0,05). No entanto, para baias mistas, as três categorias não apresentaram evidências de diferença (P>0,05). Em conclusão, a variação de peso ao final da fase de creche foi levemente maior para baias mistas. Classificar ao alojamento pode gerar um atraso no início de consumo pós-desmame para leitões grandes além de não melhorar o desempenho zootécnico. / The sorting pigs by weight management in the nursery phase is a widely practiced and supposedly improve growth performance and produces more uniform pigs at the end of the nursery. The aim of this study was to evaluate if sorting weaned pigs by weight at nursery allotment alters growth performance and variation likewise if this management interferes the beginning of feed intake at the post weaning first’s hours. A total of 504 females and intact males (23.9 ± 0.6 of age and 7.0 ± 1.22 kg body weight) were categorized as: light, medium and heavy. From this, pigs were randomized distributed to unsorted pens (unsorted; 7 pens) with all three categories and sorted pens just with one weight category (sorted; 7 pens for each category for a total of 21 pens). In the first three days after allotment, pigs had access to a diet containing a red dye marker (1% iron oxide) aiming to indicate if such pig had already eaten through the use of rectal swabs at 30, 42, 54, 66 e 78 hours post weaning. Body weight and feed intake were recorded weekly. Pigs were weighted individually at 7, 21, and 42 days after weaning to obtain the within-pen weight variation. Overall (0 to 42 d), there was no evidence for differences (P=0.94) in ADG, ADFI (P=0.60), or F/G (P=0.39) between sorted and unsorted pigs. Additionally, there was no evidence for differences in final body weight among the same category in different treatments (P>0.05) nor between sorted and unsorted pens (P=0.88). The average of the within-pen weight variation was statistically different (P<.0001) at the beginning of the experiment among sorted and unsorted pens) (17.5% ± 0.3 and 6.9% ± 1.8, respectively). At the end of study the difference persists (P=0.03) but less than the start for sorted and unsorted pens (13.3% ± 2.5 and 15.6% ± 3.0, respectively)). The feed intake onset has shown an interaction between weight category and treatment. Heavy pigs in sorted pens started on feed later than light and medium sorted pens (P≤0.05). However, in unsorted pens the feed intake onset presented no differences (P>0.05) In conclusion, within-pen weight variation at the end of the nursery was slightly worsened when pigs were unsorted at placement. Sorting pigs at placement can create a lag of post weaning feed intake onset for heavy-weight pigs. Thus, sorting pigs by weight at placement did not improve nursery performance.

Este estudo comparou o efeito de dietas com palha de milho com ou sem blocos com multinutrientes na variação de peso de 24 caprinos com 8 meses de idade e peso médio de 11 kg (±0,61) , durante 6 meses da época seca. No final deste período foi conduzido um estudo de digestibilidade \"in vivo\" em 8 caprinos sendo 4 por tratamento. Os blocos com multinutrientes aumentaram o consumo total (g dia -1) de MS (519,71 vs 278,95; p<0,001), MO (369,32 vs 219,93; p<0,001) , PB (67,83 vs 12,47; p<0,001), FDN (292,66 vs 183,62; p<0,001), FDA (208,28 vs 126,15; p<0,001) , Hemicelulose (83,13 vs 57,48; p <0,001), Ca (6,04 vs 0,81; p<0,001) e P 5,24 vs 0,75; p<0,001). Os blocos com multinutrientes estimularam um aumento do consumo da palha de milho e dos nutrientes dela provenientes. Os valores encontrados, expressos em g/animal/dia, foram: MS (339,50 vs 278,95; p<0,01), MO (271,97 vs 219,93; p<0,05), PB (14,85 vs 12,46; p<0,01) FDN (235,71 vs 183,62; p<0,01), FDA (154,24 vs 126,14; p<0,01), hemicelulose (82,38 vs 57,48; p< 0,001). Os caprinos na dieta suplementada com blocos com multinutrientes tiveram uma taxa de crescimento maior (9,17 vs -7,99 g dia -1; p<0.001), coeficientes de digestibilidade (%) da MS (61,13 vs 46,64 ; p<0,05 ), MO (64,35 vs 51,92; p<0,05), PB (69.48 vs -5.60; &lt;p=0.01), FDN (55,54 vs 45.10; p< 0,05 ), FDA (53,31 vs 43,32; p<0,05 ) e da hemicelulose ( 65,08 vs 52,31; p<0,05 ), energia (64.95 vs 57.31; p<0.05), do que os não suplementados. O consumo de EM (70 vs 30 Kcal/ kg 0.75; p<0.001) and PBD (6,81 vs -0,12 g/ kg 0.75; p<0,001 foi maior no grupo suplementado. Os resultados indicam que os blocos com multinutrientes podem reduzir as perdas de peso vivo e a taxa de mortalidade de caprinos durante a época da seca., com custos relativamente baixos. / This study investigated the effect of feeding maize stover alone or with multinutrient block on the growth of 24 mozambican Landim goats aging 8 months with 11 kg (±0.61) average body weight, during the dry season. At the end of growth trial, a 5 day metabolism experiment on 4 goats from each treatment was conducted. Supplementation increased total intake (g day -1) of DM (519.71 vs 278.95; p<0.001), OM (369.32 vs 219.93; p<0.001) , CP (67.83 vs 12.47, p<0.001), NDF (292.66 vs 183.62, p<0.001), ADF (208.28 vs 126.15; p<0.001) , Hemicelullose (83.13 vs 57.48; p <0.001), Ca (6,04 vs 0,81; p<0,001) and P(5,24 vs 0,75; p<0,01). Multinutrient block promoted higher intake of maize stover DM (339.50 vs 278.95; p<0.01), OM (271.97 vs 219.93; p<0.05), CP (14.85 vs 12.46; p<0.01), FDN (235.71 vs 183.62; p<0.01), FDA (154.24 vs 126.14; p<0.01) and hemicelullose. (82,38 vs 57,48; p=0,001). Goats on diet supplemented with blocks had higher growth rate (9.17 vs 7.99 g day -1; p<0.01), and higher digestibility (%) of DM (61.13 vs 46.64 ; p<0.05), OM (64.35 vs 51.92; p<0.05), CP (69.48 vs -5.60; p<0.01), NDF (55.54 vs 45.10; p<0.05), ADF (53.31 vs 43.32; p<0.05) hemicelullose (65.08 vs 52.31; p<0.05) and energy (64.95 vs 57.31; p<0.05). The ME intake (70 vs 30 Kcal/ kg 0.75; p<0.001) and DCP ( 6,81 vs -0,12 g/ kg 0.75; p<0,001) were higher for supplemented than unsupplemented one. Results indicate that low cost multinutrient block could reduce the BW losses and the mortality rate of goats during the dry season.