We examined the short-term (1 - 4 years postharvest) effects of 7 silvicultural treatments on terrestrial salamander populations at 4 sites in southwest Virginia and West Virginia. The 3 silvicultural treatments with the most canopy removal (4-7 m2 basal area Shelterwood, Leavetree, Clearcut) had significantly fewer salamanders than the control (p < 0.10) postharvest. No differences were found among treatments in age class distribution, the percent of females that were gravid, or average clutch size. We tested the nighttime, surface-count census method for visibility and behavior-induced bias among silviculture treatments and estimated the proportion of a salamander population that is active on the surface in harvested and control habitats. Instantaneous rates of salamander activity ranged from 1.3 to 11.7% of the population for redback (Plethodon cinereus) and slimy salamanders (P. glutinosus). Timber harvest caused up to a 2-fold increase or decrease in activity rates. There was evidence for bias in the night census method, but differences were not consistent enough to suggest general bias corrections. We also tested whether poorly fed salamanders exhibited risk-sensitive foraging in a dry environment in a laboratory experiment. Poorly fed salamanders were observed out of their simulated burrows less than well fed salamanders suggesting salamanders, particularly females and small adults, are risk-averse. / Master of Science

This study was a comprehensive evaluation of population reconstruction techniques. Population reconstruction techniques are population estimation methods that calculate a minimum population size based on age-specific harvest data (Downing 1980, Roseberry and Woolf 1991). Population reconstruction techniques share the following characteristics: 1) utilization of catch-at-age data and 2) backward addition of cohorts to estimate a minimum population size. I developed a questionnaire to survey the biologists participating in this survey to determine the most common reconstruction technique used to estimate population sizes of exploited white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and black bear (Ursus americanus). Downing reconstruction (Downing 1980) was the most commonly used reconstruction technique among biologists participating in this study. Based on a comprehensive literature review and discussions with state biologists, I decided to evaluate virtual reconstruction (Roseberry and Woolf 1991) and develop a new reconstruction technique: Reverse Order reconstruction. I developed a quantitative population model in Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 to evaluate the ability of the 3 reconstruction techniques to estimate population sizes given a variety of conditions. I evaluated the effects of stochasticity on reconstruction population estimates by incorporating different levels of environmental stochasticity (i.e. process error) and measurement error in the generated or "known" population. I also evaluated the effects of collapsing age classes and aging biases on population estimates. In all conditions, Downing and virtual reconstruction were underestimates of the actual population size. Reverse Order reconstruction more closely estimated the actual population size, but is also more data-intensive than the other 2 methods. Measurement error introduces more uncertainty in the reconstructed population estimates than does process error. The population simulation model proved that Downing and virtual reconstruction are consistently underestimates and the percent underestimation is due to lack of inclusion of a natural mortality rates in population estimation. I used the results of the questionnaire to characterize the harvest datasets of the states participating in this study. From these results, I chose two harvest datasets to further analyze: a white-tailed deer harvest dataset from North Carolina and a black bear harvest dataset from Pennsylvania. I analyzed these datasets with Downing and virtual reconstruction. I also applied the quantitative population model to these datasets to evaluate the effect of increasing levels of measurement error on the variance of the population estimates. I found that Downing and virtual reconstruction estimated the population sizes very closely to one another, within 5%, for both datasets, and the reconstructed estimates closely tracked the actual harvest numbers. I also found that increasing levels of measurement error increased the variance associated with reconstructed population estimates and may decrease the ability of these techniques to accurately capture population trends. / Master of Science

Sediment accumulation and loss were measured in a water tupelo (Nyssa aquatica)- baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) forested wetlandin years 2, 7, 10 and 12 following harvesting disturbance. A 3 X 3 Latin Square design was replicated three times and compared to a psuedo-replicate reference stand (REF). Disturbance treatments were chainsaw fellind of trees with (1) helicopter removal of logs (HELI), (2) helicopter removal of logs followed by a simulated skidder removal (SKID), and helicopter removal of logs follwed by glyphosphate application (GLYPH). Measurements of sediment accretion show little difference between treatments and reference in the first two years following harvest. After two years the harvest treatments accumulate more sediment than the REF. Of the harvest treatments, the GLYPH plots accumulate the greatest quantities of sediment. The difference in sediment accretion between the harvest treatments begins to fade in the 12th year of recovery. Results show that skidder and helicopter removal of logs differ very little in the amount of sediment trapped, while glyphosphate application increased the wetland's ability to trap sediment beginning in the second year. In addition, sediment trappin is associated with herbaceous cover that slows flood waters and allows soil particles to precipitate from flood water. / Master of Science

The United States share of the exported flue-cured tobacco market has decreased over the last decade as other countries have increased production of improved quality tobacco. Such tobacco is available at a substantially lower price than U. S. tobacco and thus desirable for the manufacture of less expensive discount cigarettes. Although world consumption of American style cigarettes is increasing, demand is not sufficient to maintain current production levels of premium quality U. S. flue-cured tobacco. Production systems that increase yields of suitable quality tobacco for discount cigarette manufacture without increasing production costs would allow tobacco to be offered competitively on the world market while maintaining current income. A study of ten management systems was conducted evaluating the influence of plant spacing, topping height, and harvest method on yield and quality of flue-cured tobacco. Leaf populations of 538,000/ha harvested once-over resulted in a 6.5%, 11.0%, 6.0%, and 13.5% increase in yield, value, price, and grade index, respectively, compared to the standard treatment. An expert panel showed no preference among systems and judged all systems acceptable in quality. A study conducted as a randomized complete block in a split plot arrangement evaluated the influence of row spacing and plant spacing on the yield and quality of flue-cured tobacco harvested once-over. Yield, value, and grade index increased while price per kg was unchanged as plant population increased. Flue-cured tobacco harvested in a single harvest produced cured leaf of acceptable quality; however, increased leaf populations are required to maintain acceptable yields. / Master of Science

In an attempt to provide low-cost, low-input alternatives for regenerating pine-hardwood mixtures, this study examined several mechanisms that influence the growth of pine-hardwood stands. The Regeneration Alternatives Study is an ongoing experiment that was designed to gain biological and economical information concerning the growth and yield of loblolly pine and mixed hardwood species. Low-cost herbicide applications (stump treatment, basal stem spray, release, and soil spot release) were used to control competing vegetation during the study. The four even-aged regeneration treatments applied to loblolly pine and mixed hardwood stands of this study had a significant effect on their growth. Loblolly pine growth increased and mixed hardwood growth decreased as the intensity of herbicide treatment increased for all age classes. In general, loblolly pine was more productive with more intense treatment applications on poorer sites following a growing season harvest. Hardwood species were more productive with less intense treatment applications on higher-quality sites following a dormant season harvest for all age classes. Loblolly pine planting following clearfelling, coupled with a herbicide stump and release treatment (treatment 4), resulted in the highest yields of loblolly pine, the greatest economic returns, and the greatest level of site utilization. However, treatment 4 also resulted in the lowest yield of mixed hardwoods and the lowest level of species richness. Loblolly pine planting following clearfelling, with (treatment 3) and without (treatment 2) a hardwood stump treatment application, resulted in a more even distribution of pines and hardwoods, depending on the treatment. Treatment 3 favored loblolly pine growth, especially following a growing season harvest on poor sites. Treatment 2 favored mixed hardwood growth, especially following a dormant season harvest on good sites. There were no differences between methods of release (basal spray or soil spot herbicide application). Economically, treatments 2 and 3 did not realize a profit on returns. Pine yields, dbh, and basal area were all significantly greater following a summer season harvest as opposed to pine growth following a winter harvest with the same chemical treatments. The pine growth data indicated that less intense chemical treatments following a summer harvest can achieve the same or greater growth results than more intense chemical treatments following a winter harvest. The results of this study indicate a significant biological and economic tradeoff, depending on the level of hardwood control applied and the time of harvesting. / Master of Science

Habitat alteration (i.e. degradation, fragmentation, and destruction) is the primary driver of amphibian decline and extinction. Despite their ecological importance and threatened status, very little long-term research has been conducted on how methods of forest management impact salamanders. In this research, I examine how experimental silviculture impacts plethodontid salamander relative abundance and count, and I compare three different body condition indices. Chapter 1 focuses on plethodontid salamander relative abundance 30 years after experimental treatments (including clearcut and shelterwood harvests, understory herbicide, uneven-aged management, and an untreated control) were first applied. I found that plethodontid salamander populations in all silvicultural treatments without stand re-entry have reached pre-harvest relative abundance levels. Chapter 2 describes how artificial tip-up mounds that could be used to mimic old-growth forest characteristics impact plethodontid salamander count. Salamander count significantly declined in treatment units with artificial tip-up mounds but this could be an artifact of the heavy disturbance required for installation. Chapter 3 compares three different body condition indices for plethodontid salamanders. I found that bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is likely not suitable for use with plethodontid salamanders and mass divided by snout-to-vent-length is likely a superior estimate to tail width divided by snout-to-vent-length. These findings further our understanding of how different forest management practices affect salamander populations and provide guidance for evaluating body condition. / Master of Science / Forest understory salamanders play an important role in energy transfer and their position in leaf litter food webs affects multiple ecosystem functions. Despite their ecological importance, very little long-term research has been conducted on how habitat change impacts salamanders. This research investigates how different forest management techniques influence forest-dwelling salamanders and compares three different ways to evaluate salamander health. Chapter 1 focuses on the salamanders 30 years post-harvest. I found that salamander populations in all silvicultural treatments except one had recovered. Chapter 2 described how tipping over trees to mimic old-growth forest characteristics impacts the number of forest-dwelling salamanders. There were significantly fewer salamanders in treatment units after the disturbance created by installing artificial tip-up mounds. Chapter 3 compares three different ways to evaluate forest-dwelling salamander health. I found that bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)is likely not suitable for forest-dwelling salamanders, and weight divided by body length is likely a superior estimate to tail width divided by body length. These findings together further our understanding of how different forest management practices affect salamander populations and provide guidance for evaluating body condition.

The acidification has been a known problem in Sweden for several decades. Sulphurous compounds, spread from the British Isles and the European continent led to a decrease in the pH-value of the rain that fell over Sweden. Since the acidification was discovered in the 1960s, active measures against the sulphurous deposition have been undertaken. The sulphurous deposition has decreased by 90 %, and the problem was for some time considered under control, until recently when a new era of the acidification may have started. Due to the increased demand of renewable energy, and Sweden’s potential to use biomass instead of fossil fuels, whole tree harvesting has been more utilized. Studies indicate that the forest soils are depleted in base cations in a faster rate when whole tree harvesting is performed compared to regular stem harvesting. Mass balance calculations and simulations indicate that an increased bio uptake of base cations due to whole tree harvesting leads to an increased biological acidification. However, although many studies agree that the impact of the whole tree harvest on the base cation supply of the soils is significant, long running Swedish experiments indicate that the difference between whole tree harvesting and regular stem harvesting diminishes over time. After a 40 year period, the difference in base cation supply between whole tree harvested soils and stem harvested soils are small. The reason for this could be different processes that reallocate base cations from different pools, which are not usually studied. The aim has been to investigate and evaluate different chemical extraction methods (Aqua Regia, HCl, EDTA, BaCl2, NH4OAc and water) capability to extract the base cations calcium, potassium, magnesium and sodium from four different Swedish forest soils and what this means for our understanding of how much base cations a soil contains. The extractions indicated that there is a statistical significant difference between the methods ability to extract base cations. Generally Aqua Regia was the most potent method, followed by HCl, EDTA, BaCl2, NH4OAc and water in decreasing order of effectiveness to extract the base cations. Linear correlations were found between EDTA, BaCl2 and NH4OAc. The internationally widely used method NH4OAc was considered to be at risk of underestimating the amount of base cations in the soil. / Försurningsproblematiken har länge varit ett känt problem i Sverige. Svavelhaltiga föroreningar som spreds från de brittiska öarna och den europeiska kontinenten ledde till att pH-värdet i regnet som föll över Sverige sjönk. Sedan upptäckten på 60-talet har aktiva åtgärder vidtagits mot utsläppen vilket har lett till en minskning av de försurande föroreningarna med 90 %. På grund av den stora utsläppsreduktionen som skett ansågs försurningsproblematiken vara under kontroll, tills nyligen då en ny etapp av för- surningen kan ha påbörjats. På grund av den ökande efterfrågan av förnyelsebar energi, i kombination med Sveriges stora skogstillgångar, har helträdsskörd av träd blivit alltmer nyttjad. Studier visar att markens baskatjonförråd utarmas i större utsträckning av helträdsskörd, då även grenar, rötter och toppar tas om hand jämfört med vanlig stamskörd då endast stammen tas med från skogen. Massbalanssimuleringar antyder att ett ökat bioupptag av baskatjoner på grund av helträdsskörd leder till en ökad biologisk försurning. Trots att många studier är överens om helträdsskördens inverkan på markens innehåll av baskatjoner visar lång- liggande försök i Sverige att skillnaderna mellan uttag av hela träd och stamved minskar med tiden. Efter en period på 40 år återstår endast små skillnader mellan avverknings- metoderna. Orsakerna till varför mätningarna och massbalansberäkningarna och simuleringarna inte stämmer överens kan vara många, t.ex. att det finns processer som kan omfördela baskatjoner från de som vanligtvis studeras. Syftet har varit att undersöka och utvärdera olika kemiska extraktionsmetoders (Aqua Regia, HCl, EDTA, BaCl2, NH4OAc och vatten) förmåga att extrahera baskatjonerna kalcium, kalium, magnesium och natrium från fyra olika skogsjordar i Sverige och vad resultaten betyder för vår uppfattning av mängden baskatjoner i marken. Extraktionerna visade att en statistiskt signifikant skillnad fanns mellan metodernas förmåga att extrahera de olika baskatjonerna. Generellt var Aqua Regia den metod som extraherade den största mängden baskatjoner, HCl, EDTA, BaCl2, NH4OAc och vatten följde i fallande ordning efter förmåga att extrahera baskatjonerna. Linjära korrelationer mellan EDTA, BaCl2 och NH4OAc upptäcktes. Den internationellt ofta använda metodiken för att extrahera baskatjoner, NH4OAc, ansågs riskera att underskatta mängden baskatjoner i marken.

Ce projet de recherche a été réalisé avec la collaboration de FPInnovations. Une part des travaux concernant le problème de récolte chilien a été effectuée à l'Instituto Sistemas Complejos de Ingeniería (ISCI) à Santiago (Chili). / La planification de la récolte forestière comporte différents niveaux de planification selon l'horizon de temps du problème et la nature des décisions à prendre. Dans un premier temps, nous nous intéressons à un problème de planification annuelle de la récolte, à mi-chemin entre la planification tactique et opérationnelle. Ce problème appliqué à l'exploitation forestière au Québec, naît d'un besoin de l'industrie québécoise d'un outil pour la planification annuelle intégrée qui fournit aux équipes de récolte leur calendrier. L'intégration consiste à déterminer les affectations des équipes aux blocs en fonction des besoins des usines, et qui respectent les contraintes de transport, de gestion des stocks, et bien entendu les conditions d'exploitation en forêt. Plusieurs modèles de types MIP ont été formulés, des approches de résolution adaptées à la structure de chacun des modèles ont été développées. L'approche par horizon roulant est celle dont les résultats surpassent les deux autres et surtout, améliorent de façon significative les plans usuellement suivis, notamment en réduisant les volumes non livrés aux usines de moitié, ou encore en divisant entre 2 et 6 fois les volumes en stock quand la demande diminue. De plus, le développement d'une interface pour systématiser le processus de résolution et élargir le nombre d'utilisateurs, est la seconde contribution de la thèse. Cette étape du projet correspond à un transfert de technologie de l'université vers l'industrie. Le second problème de planification se situe au Chili, est une planification tactique de la récolte dirigée par les prix et demandes en produits finis, ces derniers étant considérés comme des paramètres aléatoires. Le problème stochastique formulé est résolu suivant une méthode de décomposition par scénarios dont le nombre varie entre 10 et 100. Pour chaque scénario, la solution déterministe, lorsqu'elle est réalisable, est comparée avec celle issue de la résolution du problème stochastique. La solution déterministe n'est réalisable que pour une dizaine de scénarios parmi 100, et les pertes encourues sont en moyenne de 9%. / Harvest planning has different levels according to the time horizon of the problem and the nature of the decisions to be taken. Initially, we are interested in an annual harvest scheduling problem, halfway between tactical and operational planning. This problem applied in Qu\'ebec, is motivated by a need from the industry for an integrated tool that provides annual schedules to harvest teams. The integration is to determine demand driven assignments of teams to cutblocks and to manage transportation and inventory accordingly. Several MIP models have been formulated, and three solution approaches have been developed according to the structure of each model. The rolling horizon approach performs better than the other two, by improving significantly from the traditional harvest plan, especially by reducing by half non delivered volumes or by dividing between 2 and 6 times volumes in storage when demands decrease. Another contribution of the thesis is the creation of an interface to systematize solution process and to allow other users. This is the object of a transfer project between academics and industry. The second problem is a Chilean tactical harvest planning. Harvesting decisions are driven by stochastic demands and prices of final products. The stochastic problem is solved using a heuristic based on a scenario decomposition technique. The number of scenarios considered is between 10 and 100 scenarios. For each scenario, when the deterministic solution is feasible, it is compared with the stochastic solution for the current scenario. The deterministic solution is only feasible for 10% of the scenarios, and induces losses of 9% in average.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Pepper-rosmarin (Lippia sidoides Cham.) is a medicinal and aromatic plant, native Northeast Region of Brazil, which has an essential oil widely used for its properties as bactericide, fungicide, molluscicide, and larvicide. This paper aimed to characterize and evaluate the performance of accessions of pepper-rosmarin (Lippia sidoides Cham.) native to various States of the Northeast Region, kept in Germplasm Bank at São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil. The first chapter presents the general introduction, the literature review on genetic resources and sustainability of agroecosystems, origin, ethnobotany, and germplasm characterization (morphological, agronomic and chemical). The second chapter presents and discusses the data on the morphological and agronomic characterization of accessions of pepper-rosmarin cultivated in field with seedlings from stem cuttings, using a randomized complete block design with two replications. The evaluated variables were: plant height, fresh and dry matter from leaves and stem, width and length of leaves, color of leaves and stem, crown shape, and content and yield of essential oil. Results showed morphological differences among accessions for color of stem, crown shape, plant height, width and length of leaves and ratio length/width of leaves. For agronomic variables, there were significant differences for content and yield of essential oil with the best and worst performance for accessions LSID-005 and LSID-105, respectively. Third chapter presents the data on performance evaluation of pepper-rosmarin, during two years of field cultivation, for the variables: plant height, fresh and dry matter of stem and leaves, content and yield of essential oil, and the content of chemical components of the essential oil. The higher averages found for content (7,68 %) and yield (56,46 mL plant- 1) essential oil were produced by the accession LSID-105, in 2005, and by LSID-102, in 2006, respectively. The higher averages for content of thymol (90,82 %) and carvacrol (56,05 %) were obtained from the accessions LSID-003 and LSID-104, respectively, both in 2006. The accession LSID-104, native to Sergipe State, presented carvacrol as major chemical component. All the other accessions presented thymol as major chemical component. All the accessions, in both years, presented phenotypical variability for all the evaluated variables, except for content of terpil-4-ol. Fourth chapter presents the evaluation of influence of dry and rainy seasons on the performance of accessions of pepper-rosmarin, using the variables: plant height, dry matter of leaves, content and yield of essential oil and content of chemical components of the essential oil. For the majority of the studied accessions, the thymol content was higher during the rainy season. LSID-102 accession presented high yield of essential oil (56,46 mL plant- 1) and thymol content between 47,97 % and 64,95 %. LSID-003 accession yielded 10,06 mL plant-1 of essential oil amd thymol content of 90,02 %. LSID-104 accession presented high content of carvacrol (54,68%) and low content of thymol (7,88 %). Fifth chapter presents the evaluation of the influence of leaves dehydration (at 40 °C for 5 days) on the content of essential oil and its chemical components of 11 accessions of pepper-rosmarin harvested during dry and rainy season. Generally, drying of leaves modified the content of most of the chemical constituents. In relation of the major iv chemical constituents, drying modified thymol content, but did not modified the carvacrol content of the essential oil of the pepper-rosmarin accessions. / Alecrim-pimenta (Líppia sidoides Cham.) é uma planta medicinal e aromática, nativa do Nordeste do Brasil, cujo óleo essencial é utilizado em virtude de suas propriedades bactericida, fungicida, moluscida e larvicida. Este trabalho visou caracterizar e avaliar o comportamento de acessos de alecrim-pimenta (Lippia sidoides Cham.), de vários Estados do Nordeste do Brasil, mantidos em Banco Ativo de Germoplasma em São Cristóvão. No primeiro capítulo, apresentou-se a introdução geral do trabalho, o referencial teórico sobre recursos genéticos e sustentabilidade de agroecossistemas, a origem, os aspectos botânicos e de uso de alecrim-pimenta, a conservação de recursos genéticos e a caracterização de germoplasma (caracterização morfológica, agronômica e química). O segundo capítulo consistiu da caracterização morfológica e agronômica de acessos de alecrim-pimenta cultivados em campo, utilizando-se delineamento experimental em blocos ao acaso com duas repetições. Foram avaliadas as variáveis: altura de planta, massa fresca e seca de folha e caule, largura e comprimento de folha, cor de folha, formato de copa, teor e rendimento de óleo essencial. Os resultados mostraram diferenças morfológicas nos acessos para as variáveis: cor de caule, formato de copa, altura de planta, comprimento e largura de folha e relação comprimento/largura de folha. Para as características agronômicas, foram evidenciadas diferenças significativas para teor e rendimento óleo essencial, sendo o acesso LSID-005 o mais promissor e o acesso LSID-105 o menos promissor. No terceiro capítulo estudou-se o comportamento de acessos de alecrim-pimenta em dois anos de cultivo, e foram avaliadas as variáveis: altura de planta, massa fresca de caule e folha, teor, rendimento e teores dos constituintes químicos do óleo essencial. As maiores médias encontradas para os caracteres teor e rendimento de óleo essencial foram do acesso LSID-105, com 7,68 % no ano de 2005, e do acesso LSID-102, com 56,46 mL planta-1 no ano de 2006, respectivamente. As maiores médias de timol e de carvacrol foram encontradas no acesso LSID-003, com 90,82 % e do acesso LSID-104, com 56,05 % respectivamente, ambos no ano de 2006. O acesso LSID-104, oriundo do Estado de Sergipe, apresentou como constituinte químico majoritário o carvacrol. Os demais acessos têm o timol como constituinte químico majoritário. Todos os acessos, nos dois anos de cultivo, apresentaram variabilidade fenotípica para todas as variáveis analisadas, exceto para teor de terpil 4-ol. No quarto capítulo, avaliou-se a influência das épocas seca e chuvosa no comportamento de acessos de alecrim-pimenta, avaliandose as variáveis: massa fresca e seca de folha, teor e rendimento do óleo essencial e os teores dos constituintes químicos do óleo essencial. Observou-se que, para a maioria dos acessos de alecrim-pimenta estudados, o teor de timol é maior na época chuvosa do que na seca. O acesso LSID-102 apresentou alto rendimento de óleo essencial, porém com teor de timol entre 47,97 % e 64,95 %. O acesso LSID-003 apresentou rendimento de óleo essencial de 10,06 mL planta-1 e teor de timol de 90,02 % e, o acesso LSID-104 apresentou alto teor de carvacrol (média de 54,68 %) e baixo teor de timol (média de 7,88 %). No quinto capítulo, estudou-se a influência da secagem das folhas no óleo essencial de acessos de alecrim-pimenta. Testou-se a influência da secagem das folhas a 40º C por cinco dias em 11 acessos de alecrim-pimenta, colhidas nas estações seca e chuvosa. Avaliaram-se o teor de óleo essencial e os teores dos constituintes químicos no ii óleo essencial. A secagem proporcionou redução de teor de óleo essencial de alecrimpimenta quando colhido na estação seca. Em geral, a secagem alterou os teores da maioria dos constituintes químicos. Em relação aos constituintes químicos majoritários, a secagem alterou o teor de timol, mas não alterou o teor de carvacrol do óleo essencial de acessos de alecrim-pimenta.

Orientador: Benedito Carlos Benedetti / Texto em português e Inglês / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Agrícola / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-23T16:23:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Teles_CesarSimas_D.pdf: 1939088 bytes, checksum: 585b37a053cde7606fc6da4a9aa803dc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: Botrytis cinerea Pers, causador da doença conhecida como mofo cinzento, é o principal problema para a conservação pós-colheita de uvas de mesa. A utilização do dióxido de enxofre (SO2) é a prática pós-colheita mais comum para o controle desta doença. Pesquisas buscam alternativas a este produto devido às reações que causa em pessoas alérgicas, danos que pode causar nos frutos e às restrições ao seu uso em sistemas de produção orgânico. Foram avaliados os efeitos da aplicação de uma atmosfera de 40% de CO2 por 24 ou 48 horas (pré-armazenagem) combinado com armazenagem em atmosfera controlada (AC) (12% O2 + 12% CO2) no controle de B. cinerea, e nos atributos de qualidade de uvas 'Flame Seedless' e 'Crimson Seedless'. Também foram avaliados, em uvas 'Crimson Seedless', e os efeitos da associação deste tratamentos com aplicações pré-colheita de cloreto de cálcio (CaCl2) ou dióxido de cloro (ClO2). Os tratamentos foram aplicados em uvas orgânicas infectadas de três formas: infectadas naturalmente, superficialmente inoculadas com conídios e inoculadas com uma baga coberta de micélio. Uvas 'Flame Seedless', naturalmente infectadas, tratadas com 40% de CO2 por 48 horas + AC apresentaram redução da podridão pós-colheita, de 22% para 0,6%, após 4 semanas, e de 100% para 7,4%, após 7 semanas. O pré-armazenamento em 40% de CO2 sozinho também limitou a incidência de mofo cinzento em frutos infectados naturalmente e em uvas inoculadas artificialmente, porém foi menos eficaz do que quando seguido pelo armazenamento em AC. A aplicação de CaCl2 ou ClO2 em pré-colheita reduziu a incidência do mofo cinzento em uvas 'Crimson Seedless' inoculadas com uma solução de conídios, porém não houve controle quando os cachos de uva foram inoculados com micélio. A aplicação de CaCl2 e ClO2 reduziram o mofo cinzento de 45% para 23,2% e 15.6%, respectivamente, em cachos inoculados com conídios e avaliados após 6 semanas armazenadas 0oC. O pré-tratamento com 40% CO2 + CA não afetou as características físico-químicas e sensoriais de uvas 'Crimson Seedless' ou 'Flame Seedless'. Em experimentos in vitro os tratamentos com 40% CO2 por 24 ou 48 h limitaram o crescimento micelial até 72 horas após o tratamento. A germinação dos conídios de B. cinerea foi retardada por 12h. Os resultados mostram que o pré-tratamento com 40% CO2 + CA possui grande potencial para ser adotado como prática comercial para conservação de uvas orgânicas / Abstract: Gray mold, caused by Botrytis cinerea Pers, is the main postharvest decay of table grapes. The use of sulfur dioxide (SO2) is the common post-harvest practice for its control. Several researchers are looking for alternative methods of control, because SO2 can cause allergic reactions, damage fruits and also it cannot be applied in organic production system. In this thesis, it was evaluated the effects of applying an atmosphere of 40% CO2 for 24 or 48 hours (pre-storage) combined with controlled atmosphere storage (CA = 12% O2 + 12% CO2) in the control of B. cinerea, and the effects in the quality and sensory attributes of 'Flame Seedless' and 'Crimson Seedless' table grapes. In addition, it was evaluated the efficacy of CaCl2 or ClO2 application in pre-harvest alone or in combination with pre-storage of 40% CO2 for 24 h + CA, to control gray mold on 'Crimson Seedless' table grapes, and the determination of the impact of these treatments on fruit quality. The treatments were applied in certified organic table grapes naturally infected, surface inoculated and nesting inoculated (inoculated with an infected berry). After 4 weeks of storage, the pre-storage in 40% CO2 for 48 hours + CA reduced postharvest rot from 22% to 0.6%, and after 7 weeks, the decay was reduced from 100% to 7.4% in 'Flame Seedless' naturally infected. The pre-storage in 40% CO2 alone also reduced the incidence of gray mold in fruits naturally infected and in artificially inoculated, but it was less effective than combined treatment. The application of CaCl2 or ClO2 pre-harvest reduced the incidence of gray mold on grapes 'Crimson Seedless' inoculated with a spore solution, but there was no control when fruits were nesting inoculated. After 6 weeks at 0oC, the application of CaCl2, and the ClO2 in fruits surface inoculated, reduced the gray mold from 45% to 23.2% and 15.6%, respectively. The pretreatment with 40% CO2 + CA did not affect quality and nor sensory attributes for both varieties tested. In vitro experiments, the treatment with 40% CO2 for 24 or 48 h limited mycelial growth for at least 72 hours after treatment. Conidial germination of B. cinerea was delayed for 12 hours. Our results showed the potential that pre-treatment with 40% CO2 associated with CA has to be adopted in commercial practice for preservation of organic grapes / Doutorado / Tecnologia Pós-Colheita / Doutor em Engenharia Agrícola