Orientador: José Fernando Durigan / Banca: Ben-Hur Mattiuz / Banca: Mário Sérgio Carvalho Dias / Resumo: Este trabalho objetivou testar o uso de tratamento químico combinado ou não com tratamento hidrotérmico, na conservação e qualidade pós-colheita de mangas 'Tommy Atkins' e 'Palmer', bem como avaliar o efeito da modificação da atmosfera de armazenamento por filmes plásticos e cera de carnaúba no prolongamento da vida útil pós-colheita de mangas 'Palmer'. Utilizou-se mangas provenientes de pomar comercial de Taquaritinga-SP, safra 2006/2007, que foram colhidas no estádio de maturação "de vez" e imediatamente transportados para o laboratório de Tecnologia dos Produtos Agrícolas da FCAV, Jaboticabal, onde foram selecionadas, visando padronizá-las quanto a coloração, tamanho e ausência de injúrias. Na primeira fase os frutos foram submetidos a tratamento com os fungicidas Sporekill® (cloreto de dodecil dimetil amônio a 12%) e Magnate 500 EC® (imazalil a 50%), associados ou não com tratamento hidrotérmico a 53°C/5 min ('Tommy Atkins') e 53°C/10 min ('Palmer'). Após secagem, eles foram armazenados sob condição de ambiente (23°C, 65% UR), e eram analisados a cada três ('Palmer') ou quatro dias ('Tommy Atkins'), quanto a ocorrência de podridões, aparência, perda de massa e firmeza, assim como quanto ao pH e teores de sólidos solúveis, acidez titulável e ácido ascórbico da polpa. Na segunda fase, o melhor tratamento para a manga 'Palmer' foi combinado com diferentes proteções e armazenamento sob condição ambiente (23°C, 65% UR) ou refrigerada (12°C, 65% UR). Os frutos armazenados sob refrigeração, após 28 dias foram levados ao ambiente, para avaliação da evolução do amadurecimento, aos 3 e 6 dias. Utilizou-se os seguintes tratamentos: Testemunha (sem tratamento); Testemunha com tratamento fitossanitário; Filme de polietileno de baixa densidade (PEBD), com espessura de 0,050mm; Polifilme multicamada; ...(Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: This work was undertaken to test the use of chemical control in combination or not with hydrothermal treatment on the preservation and post harvest quality of 'Tommy Atkins' and 'Palmer' mangoes. Also, we evaluated the effect of modifying the storage atmosphere by the use of plastic film and carnauba wax on the shelf life of 'Palmer' fruits. Mangoes from a commercial orchard in Taquaritinga-SP were harvested in the season 2006/2007 at the breaker ripening stage, immediately transported to the laboratory of Technology of Agricultural Products, FCAV, Jaboticabal, and selected by color, size and absence of injuries. In the first stage, fruit were treated with the fungicides Sporekill® (12% dodecyl dimethyl ammonium) and Magnate 500 EC® (50% imazalil), associated or not with hydrothermal treatment at 53°C for 5 min ('Tommy Atkins') and 53°C for 10 min ('Palmer'). After drying, fruits were stored at room temperature (23°C, 65% RH), and analyzed every three ('Palmer') or four days ('Tommy Atkins') for the occurrence of rots, appearance, weight loss and firmness, as well as pH and the levels of soluble solids, titable acidity and ascorbic acid in the pulp. In the second phase, the best treatment for 'Palmer' mangoes was combined with different protections and storage at room conditions (23°C, 65% RH) or refrigerated (12°C, 65% RH). Fruits stored with refrigeration were transferred to room conditions after 28 days for ripening evaluations 3 and 6 days later. The following treatments were used: untreated control, fungicide-treated control, low-density polyethylene film (0.050mm), multilayer polyfilm, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film (0.017mm), and 18% carnauba wax. In the first stage, fruits from the cultivars Palmer and Tommy Atkins submitted to different treatments showed no wilting symptoms until the sixth and eighth day, respectively ...(Complete abstract / Mestre

Submitted by Automa??o e Estat?stica (sst@bczm.ufrn.br) on 2015-12-15T18:11:14Z No. of bitstreams: 1 PedroEtelvinoDeGoesNeto_DISSERT.pdf: 761420 bytes, checksum: 21159a91fec1afc40804e76ee1ca9c94 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Arlan Eloi Leite Silva (eloihistoriador@yahoo.com.br) on 2015-12-30T17:48:01Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 PedroEtelvinoDeGoesNeto_DISSERT.pdf: 761420 bytes, checksum: 21159a91fec1afc40804e76ee1ca9c94 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-12-30T17:48:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PedroEtelvinoDeGoesNeto_DISSERT.pdf: 761420 bytes, checksum: 21159a91fec1afc40804e76ee1ca9c94 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-28 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior - CAPES / O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da utiliza??o de cact?ceas nativas e ex?ticas ao n?vel de 50% na MS de inclus?o na dieta total, sobre o consumo de nutrientes, ingest?o de ?gua, produ??o e composi??o f?sico-qu?mica do leite, com cabras em lacta??o. Foram utilizadas 5 cabras Saanen plur?paras (50?4 kg) alocadas em quadrado latino de acordo com cact?ceas fornecidas nas dietas, constando de cinco per?odos de 17 dias, sendo 10 dias de adapta??o e 7 para coleta de dados, cinco tratamentos com as seguintes cact?ceas: xiquexique, mandacaru, facheiro, palma mi?da e palma orelha de elefante mexicana. O consumo de mat?ria seca variou de 1.967,58 a 2.602,46 (g/dia) entre as cact?ceas e teve uma m?dia de 2.251,84 (g/dia). Observou-se que o consumo de mat?ria seca CMS (g/kg0,75) variou de 102,75 ? 136,78 entre as cact?ceas estudadas. O consumo de mat?ria seca (%PV) variou de 3,84 ? 5,11 com m?dia de 4,47. A produ??o de leite em (g/dia) variou de 1.692,60 a 2.090,40. O consumo de ?gua oferecida variou entre 4.549g (xiquexique) a 8.749 (palma mi?da). As cabras alimentadas com palma mi?da apresentaram-se com as maiores produ??es de leite (g/dia) com valores m?dio de 2.091. N?o houve diferen?a na composi??o f?sico-qu?mica do leite estando os teores de gordura, prote?na bruta, lactose e s?lidos totais a cima do m?nimo permitido pela legisla??o para leite de cabra no Brasil. A utiliza??o de cact?ceas ao n?vel de 50% MS na inclus?o da dieta total proporcionou consumo de nutrientes suficientes para atender as exig?ncias dos animais para a produ??o de leite sem alterar a sua composi??o f?sico-qu?mica. / The objective of this research was to evaluate the production of dairy goats fed different species of cactus. Pluriparous five Saanen goats were used, with nine weeks of lactation, and average live weight of 50 kg ? 4 kg. The animals were distributed in latin square design (5x5) with 5 diets and 5 periods. No differences (P>0,05) were observed in the DM of the experimental diets by getting average values of 2.251,84 g dia-1 , 4,46 %PV e 118,91g kg0,75 . The DM contents of the diets were 50,55 to 55,92% by presenting a maximum variation of 10% between them. A significant difference (P<0,05) water consumption way tendered, between diets with different cactus species. The treatments cactus ?Orelha de Elefante Mexicana? and Facheiro had lower water consumption compared to cactus ?Palma Mi?da. For milk yield no significant difference (P> 0,05) between diets formulated with cactus species, with an average of 1,90 kg/day treatments. The analysis of variance show a significant difference (P<0,05) among treatments for milk corrected to 4% fat and fat production. There was an effect (P<0,05) of the diets with different cactus on the crude protein (CP) and lactose in milk. All treatments with different cactus species can be used for dairy goats in view consumption have afforded sufficient to meet the nutritional requirements for milk nutrients, besides presenting the higher than levels of physical and chemical composition to minimum levels established by current legislation

Submitted by (edna.saturno@ufrpe.br) on 2016-12-02T11:16:10Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Marcileyne Pessoa Leite de Lima.pdf: 517075 bytes, checksum: b7ddab703563527f0c2b8e77f710122c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-02T11:16:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Marcileyne Pessoa Leite de Lima.pdf: 517075 bytes, checksum: b7ddab703563527f0c2b8e77f710122c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-02-04 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / The synthetic insecticide is the main method used to control Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith). However, the inadequate application of the insecticide has contributed to increase costs, reduction of the natural enemies, and selection of resistant populations, among other problems. Attempting to obtain alternative control of S. frugiperda more ecologically acceptable, the present work investigated the effects of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) and Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai (Bta) on S. frugiperda under laboratory, greenhouse and field conditions. In the field, the commercial formulations of Natuneem® (10 mL/L in 2005 and 15 mL/L in 2006) and Neemseto® (5 and 10 mL/L in 2005, and 10 and 15 mL/L in 2006) and the biological insecticide Xentari® (10 g/L in 2005 and 2006) were applied at 15, 30 and 45 and at 15, 25 e 35 days after plant emergency in 2005 and 2006, respectively. Thee evaluations consisted of using a scale of foliar injury from 0 to 5 prior each spray. In 2005, only Neemseto® 10 mL/L was efficient at 30 days. In 2006, Neemseto® 15 mL/L and Xentari® with average score of 0.93 and 0.98, respectively, were different from the control, which produced a score of 2.38 at 35 days after plant emergency. The greenhouse assay consisted of treatment of plants 40-days old with the insecticides Natuneem®, Neemseto® and Xentari® followed by artificial infestation with newly-hatched larvae of S. frugiperda. After 10 days, it was verified that the treatment were equally efficient, differing from the control, regarding to the injury score, as well as, the number of surviving larvae. In the last bioassays, in the laboratory, 10-days old S. frugiperda larvae were fed with corn leaves treated with the insecticides Natuneem®, Neemseto® and Xentari® at 2.5; 5.0; 7.5; 10 mL or g/mL and control (water). The effect of the insecticides increased as function of increasing concentration, causing higher larval mortality, longer period and lower larval weight. In some cases, reduction of pupa weight and viability and longevity of adults were also verified. Larvae 0-24 h old were more susceptible to the insecticides, as compared with 10-days old larvae. / A utilização de inseticidas sintéticos tem sido o principal método de controle de Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), mas o uso inadequado tem contribuindo para o aumento do custo de produção, redução de inimigos naturais, seleção de populações resistentes, entre outros problemas. Desta forma, buscando alternativas de controle mais ecológicas, estudou-se no presente trabalho os efeitos de nim (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) e Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai (Bta) sobre S. frugiperda em experimentos de laboratório, casa de vegetação e campo. Foram testadas em campo formulações comerciais de inseticidas botânicos Natuneem® (10 mL/L em 2005 e 15 mL/L em 2006) e Neemseto® (5 e 10 mL/L em 2005, e 10 e 15 mL/L em 2006) e do inseticida biológico Bta (Xentari® 10 g/L em 2005 e 2006), aplicados aos 15, 30 e 45 e aos 15, 25 e 35 dias após a emergência das plantas em 2005 e 2006, respectivamente. Antes de cada pulverização foram atribuídas notas de 0 a 5 para as injúrias foliares. Em 2005, somente Neemseto® 10 mL/L foi eficiente aos 30 dias. Em 2006, Neemseto® 15 mL/L e Bta 10 g/L, com notas médias de 0,93 e 0,98, diferiram da testemunha, com nota 2,38, na avaliação realizada aos 35 dias. Plantas de milho, com cerca de 40 dias de idade, foram pulverizadas em casa de vegetação com os inseticidas Natuneem®, Neemseto e Bta, e posteriormente infestadas,artificialmente, com lagartas de S. frugiperda recém-eclodidas. Após 10 dias verificou-se que os tratamentos foram igualmente eficientes, diferindo da testemunha, tanto em relação às notas, quando ao número de lagartas sobreviventes. Nos últimos bioensaios lagartas de S. frugiperda com 10 dias de idade foram alimentadas com folhas de milho submersas na calda inseticida nas concentrações 2,5; 5,0; 7,5; 10 mL ou g/L e testemunha (água). Os efeitos dos inseticidas dependeram da concentração utilizada, pois provocaram mortalidade crescente das lagartas, alongaram o período e reduziram o peso larval. Em alguns casos, também, reduziram o peso e a viabilidade pupal e a longevidade de adultos. Lagartas com 0-24 h de idade foram mais susceptíveis aos inseticidas, em relação às com 10 dias de idade.

As plantas, assim como outros organismos, possuem a capacidade de se defenderem contra ataque de patógenos. Uma das respostas desencadeadas pelo reconhecimento do patógeno pelas células vegetais é a reação de hipersensibilidade (RH), que envolve a morte imediata das células do sítio primário de infecção, oferecendo resistência ao crescimento do patógeno. Muitas evidências sugerem a participação da mitocôndria neste processo de morte celular programa. O nim (Azadirachta indica) é conhecido devido as suas propriedades medicinais e inseticidas, sendo que os estudos sobre a ação inseticida dessa planta restringem-se a análise de seus mecanismos de ação sobre insetos e também de seus efeitos sobre trabalhadores rurais que fazem uso de produtos a base de nim. Entretanto não há na literatura pesquisada, trabalhos de seus impactos sobre o sistema vegetal. A partir dos resultados previamente obtidos em nosso laboratório e com as análises dos dados da literatura, consideramos de grande importância dar continuidade a esse estudo do efeito do nim como elicitor, avaliando quais mecanismos que levam ao fenômeno de resistência vegetal. O extrato de nim (EB) foi preparado a partir das sementes, sendo caracterizado bioquimicamente pela quantificação de compostos fenólicos, açúcares e proteínas. A atividade antioxidante foi avaliada sendo possível observar que o extrato das sementes de nim possui forte atividade antioxidante de maneira dose-dependente com IC50 de 14,85 mg/mL. Para os ensaios biológicos foi utilizado EB nas concentrações de 0,1 a 5 mg/mL isolado ou em associação com AS a 1 µmol/L ou 1 mmol/L. Para determinação da morte celular foi observado o efeito do EB nas concentrações de 5 e 0,1 mg/mL isolado ou em associação com AS 1 µmol/L nos tempos de 0 a 8 horas. Diante dos resultados foi observado que o EB na concentração de 0,1 mg/mL isolado ou em associação com AS 1 µmol/L foi capaz de causar morte celular em células de Rubus fruticosus de forma mais significativa do que o EB isolado ou em associação com AS na concentração de 5 mg/mL. No tempo de 8 horas, foi observado uma porcentagem de morte celular de 64 % para células elicitadas com EB 0,1 mg/mL isolado e 71 % para células elicitadas com EB 0,1 mg/mL em associação com AS. A diminuição da produção de EROs e da produção de AS endógeno bem como o aumento da produção de compostos fenólicos foi observado em células intactas elicitadas com EB isolado. No entanto quando a células foram elicitadas com EB em associação com AS observamos uma diminuição da produção de compostos fenólicos com o aumento da produção de AS endógeno. Em mitocôndrias isoladas foi avaliado o consumo de oxigênio, o potencial de membrana e a produção de EROs com o EB isolado e sua associação com AS 1 mmol/L. Foi observado que o EB isolado ou em associação com AS foi capaz de diminuir a velocidade de consumo de oxigênio pela cadeia respiratória sendo este efeito mais acentuado quando o nim foi administrado juntamente com AS, onde a porcentagem de inibição da velocidade de consumo de oxigênio pela cadeia respiratória na presença de EB em associação com AS foi de 79 % no estado 3 da respiração e 62 % no estado 4. Sobre o potencial de membrana observamos que o EB isolado ou em associação com AS foi capaz de diminuir o potencial de membrana, porém de forma pouco significativa. Para a produção de EROs observamos que o EB isolado foi capaz de diminuir a produção de EROs em mitocôndrias isoladas em cerca de 55 a 20 % na presença de antimicina A e 39 a 10 % na presença de rotenona, porém quando o EB foi administrado juntamente com AS observamos uma diminuição da produção de EROs somente para o EB nas concentrações de 0,5; 1 e 5 mg/mL. Com os resultados apresentados neste trabalho e os resultados obtidos anteriormente em nosso laboratório é possível sugerir que o extrato das sementes de nim possui um efeito protetor sobre células de Rubus fruticosus. / Plants, like other organisms, have the capacity to defend themselves against attack by pathogens. One of the responses triggered by pathogen recognition by plant cells is the hypersensitive response (HR), which involves the immediate death of cells in the primary site of infection, providing resistance to the pathogen growth. In this regard, it has been well established that mitochondria are involved in cell death. The neem tree (Azadirachta indica) is known due to its medicinal and insecticidal properties; studies on the insecticidal action of this plant had been restricted to the analysis of their action mechanisms on insects and their effects on rural workers who use neem-based products. However, its impact on plant systems has not been addressed. Considering previous results from our laboratory and literature data we assessed the effects of neem as elicitor, particularly the mechanisms leading to the phenomenon of plant resistance. The neem extract (EB) was prepared from the seeds, characterized biochemically by quantification of phenolic compounds, sugars and proteins. The extract showed strong dose-dependent antioxidant activity (IC50 of 14.85 mg/mL). EB concentrations of 0.1-5 mg/mL, alone or in association with 1 mol/L or 1 mmol/L SA (salicylic acid), were used for the biological assays. For cell death assays, EB was employed in concentrations of 0.1 and 5.0 mg/mL, alone or in association with 1 mol/L SA, during 0-8 hours. EB (0.1 mg/mL), alone or in association with 1 mol/L SA, induced Rubus fruticosus cell death more efficiently than EB alone or in association with 5 mg/mL SA. After 8 hours, a 64% of death of cells elicited with 0.1 mg/mL EB and 71% of death of cells elicited with 0.1 mg/mL EB in association with SA, was observed. Decrease in ROS generation and production of endogenous SA, as well as increased production of phenolic compounds, was observed in intact cells elicited with EB alone. However, when cells were elicited with EB in association with SA, a decreased production of phenolic compounds and an increased production of endogenous SA, was observed. In isolated mitochondria, it was measured oxygen consumption, membrane potential and ROS production for EB alone or in association with 1 mmol/L SA. In either conditions, EB decreased oxygen consumption by the respiratory chain, an effect more pronounced in association with SA: ~79 % inhibition for state 3 and ~ 62 % for state 4 respiration. Also, either neem alone or in association with SA decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, as well as ROS generation to an extent of 55-20% in the presence of antimycin A and 39-10% in the presence of rotenone; in association with SA, EB decreased ROS at 5, 1 and 0.5 mg/mL. Together with our previous study, these results suggest that neem seeds extract has a protective effect on Rubus fruticosus cells by scavenging, via phenolic compounds, reactive oxygen species generated by SA, thereby decreasing its action as cell death inducer.

Five techniques were used to predict the potential biogeography of the four alien plant species, Acacia longifolia, Acacia mearnsii, Opuntia ficus-indica and Solanum sisymbrifolium. Prediction was based on five environmental factors, median annual rainfall, co-efficient of variation for rainfall, mean monthly maximum temperature for January, mean monthly minimum temperature for July and elevation. A geographical information system was used to manage the data and produce the predictive maps. The models were constructed with presence and absence data and then validated by means of an independent data set and chisquared tests. Of the five models used, three (the range, principal components analysis and discriminant function analysis) were linear while the other two (artificial neural networks and fuzzy logic) were non-linear. The two non-linear techniques were chosen as a plant's response to its environment is commonly assumed to be non-linear. However, these two techniques did not offer significant advantages over the linear methods. The principal components analysis was particularly useful in ascertaining the variables that were important in determining the distribution of each species. Artifacts on the predictive maps were also proved useful for this purpose. The techniques that produced the most statistically accurate validation results were the artificial neural networks (77% correct median prediction rate) and the discriminant function analysis (71% correct median prediction rate) while the techniques that performed the worst were the range and the fuzzy classification. The artificial neural network, discriminant function analysis and principal component analysis techniques all show great potential as predictive distribution models.

In the current context of rapid and discontinuous changes, technological innovation assumes a preponderant role in generating wealth for nations. Recent scientific research highlights the important role that the Forage Palm (Opuntia ficus-indica) can play, both in traditional activities such as human and animal feeding, and in advanced applications such as medicine and pharmacology, nutrition, chemical engineering, biotechnology and water and soil treatment. The aim of this study is to survey the technological innovation potential associated with the Forage Palm. This is a qualitative study, which uses research on the basis of scientific publications and patents, with the purpose of conducting a technological survey. The searches were carried out at the bases SCOPUS (Elsevier) and PATENTSCOPE (WIPO). The searches were carried out at the SCOPUS (Elsevier), WEB OF SCIENCE and SCIENCE DIRECT bases, for scientific articles, and PATENTSCOPE (WIPO), ESPACENET (EPO) and INPI, for patents. The results indicate that the Forage Palm presents a high potential to be incorporated in technological innovation projects, given its structural characteristics and possibilities of use in several applications, as well as its employment as an economic alternative to contribute to the improvement of the living conditions of the population that inhabits the Brazilian semi-arid. / No atual contexto de rápidas e descontínuas mudanças, a inovação tecnológica assume papel preponderante na geração de riquezas para as nações. Pesquisas científicas recentes evidenciam o papel relevante que a Palma Forrageira (Opuntia ficus-indica) pode desempenhar, tanto em atividades tradicionais como alimentação humana e de animais, quanto em aplicações avançadas, como medicina e farmacologia, nutrição, engenharia química, biotecnologia e tratamento da água e dos solos. O objetivo deste estudo envolve o levantamento de potencialidades de inovação tecnológica associadas com a Palma Forrageira. Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, que utiliza pesquisas em bases de publicações científicas e de patentes, com o propósito de realizar uma prospecção tecnológica. As buscas foram realizadas nas bases SCOPUS (Elsevier), WEB OF SCIENCE e SCIENCE DIRECT, para artigos científicos, e PATENTSCOPE (WIPO), ESPACENET (EPO) e INPI, para patentes. Os resultados encontrados indicam que a Palma Forrageira apresenta elevado potencial para ser incorporada em projetos de inovação tecnológica, dadas suas características estruturais e possibilidades de utilização em diversas aplicações, bem como seu emprego como alternativa econômica para contribuir com a melhoria das condições de vida da população que habita o semiárido brasileiro.

This thesis is an anthropological exploration of the first legal Canadian Grow Cup (3 years after legalization (October 17, 2018)). It takes a sensory anthropology approach to 'knowing' from practical activity. This approach acknowledges that senses/sensing do not belong to one category, instead, "our sensory perception is inextricable from the cultural categories that we use to give meaning to sensory experiences in social and material interactions" (Pink 2015, 7). Taking this approach aims to address the current legal framework that reduces cannabis to its molecular compounds. The methodological approach is centred around an apprenticeship with an experienced home grower, whom I met online and who agreed to guide me throughout my participation in the grow cup. The organization of the thesis follows my movements through the apprenticeship situated both online and in my mentor's garden in West Ottawa, Ontario. Having to abide by winning criteria based on THC and Terpene metrics, this thesis offers arguments and critique of the current conjoint legal/ public health/ industry framework. The latter framework is in line with mainstream pharmacology, which advocates the need to use purified substances as they are considered more specific and safe. However, I critique this approach of 'knowing' cannabis through the cannabis cup as the "effects" and quality of whole derived cannabis products are quantified and standardized based on a percentage number associated with two out of 100+ molecular compounds. This creates a new phenomenon, shaping cultivation practices focused on single molecule percentage numbers. Therefore, I ask how does a skilled home grower know/sense cannabis, and how does the contest criteria constrain (or not) the home grower's ways of knowing/ sensing cannabis? Answering these questions aims to understand the sensorial ways of knowing cannabis. As such, this thesis does not deal with standardization or metrics directly. Instead, attention is oriented towards what escapes the contest-winning criteria and standardization, my curiosity resting in ways of 'knowing' directly from what is evoked through practical activity.

Goosegrass [Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn.] and smooth crabgrass [Digitaria ischaemum (Schreb.) Schreb. ex Muhl.] are problematic weeds in bermudagrass and creeping bentgrass turf. Increased incidences of herbicide resistant weed populations and severe use restrictions on formerly available herbicides have increased need for selective, postemergence control options for these weeds in creeping bentgrass and bermudagrass turf. This weed management exigency has led turf managers to utilize less effective, more expensive, and more injurious options to manage goosegrass and smooth crabgrass. Although potentially injurious, topramezone can control these weeds, especially goosegrass, at low doses. Low-dose topramezone may also improve bermudagrass and creeping bentgrass response. An initial investigation of three 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) inhibiting herbicides in different turf types showed that Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue were highly tolerant to topramezone, while creeping bentgrass and bermudagrass could tolerate topramezone doses that may control grassy weeds. Further investigation suggested that frequent, low-dose topramezone applications or metribuzin admixtures could enhance weed control and may conserve turfgrass quality. A novel mixture of topramezone at 3.7 g ae ha-1 and metribuzin at 210 g ai ha-1 controlled goosegrass effectively and reduced bermudagrass foliar bleaching associated with topramezone 10-fold compared to higher doses of topramezone alone in 19 field and 2 greenhouse trials. In an attempt to further enhance bermudagrass tolerance to topramezone, post-treatment irrigation was applied at various timings. When bermudagrass turf was irrigated with 0.25-cm water at 15 or 30 minutes after herbicide treatment, bermudagrass injury was reduced to acceptable levels when following low-dose topramezone plus metribuzin but not when following high-dose topramezone alone. Goosegrass control was reduced significantly by post-treatment irrigation in all cases, while irrigation reduced goosegrass control by low-dose topramezone plus metribuzin to below-commercially-acceptable levels. Novel, low-dose, frequent application programs containing topramezone or siduron were developed for season-long crabgrass or goosegrass control on creeping bentgrass greens. Greens-height creeping bentgrass quality was preserved following five biweekly treatments of siduron at rates between 3,400 to 13,500 g ai ha-1 and topramezone at 3.1 g ha-1. Siduron programs controlled smooth crabgrass and suppressed goosegrass while topramezone programs controlled goosegrass and suppressed smooth crabgrass. In laboratory and controlled-environment experiments, goosegrass absorbed three times more 14C than bermudagrass within 48 hours of 14C-topramezone treatment. Bermudagrass also metabolized topramezone twice as fast as goosegrass. Metribuzin admixture reduced absorption by 25% in both species. When herbicides were placed exclusively on soil, foliage, or soil plus foliage, topramezone controlled goosegrass only when applied to foliage and phytotoxicity of both bermudagrass and goosegrass was greater from topramezone than from metribuzin. Metribuzin was shown to reduce 21-d cumulative clipping weight and tiller production of both species while topramezone caused foliar discoloration to newly emerging leaves and shoots with only marginal clipping weight reduction. These data suggest that selectivity between bermudagrass and goosegrass is largely due to differential absorption and metabolism that reduces bermudagrass exposure to topramezone. Post-treatment irrigation likely reduces topramezone rate load with a concomitant effect on plant phytotoxicity of both species. Metribuzin admixture decreases white discoloration of bermudagrass by decreased topramezone absorption rate and eliminating new foliar growth that is more susceptible to discoloration by topramezone. / Doctor of Philosophy / Goosegrass and smooth crabgrass are problematic weeds in bermudagrass and creeping bentgrass turf. Increased incidences of herbicide resistant weed populations and severe use restrictions on formerly available herbicides have increased need for selective, postemergence control options for these weeds in creeping bentgrass and bermudagrass turf. Although potentially injurious, topramezone (Pylex™) can control these weeds, especially goosegrass, at low doses. Low-dose Pylex™ may also improve bermudagrass and creeping bentgrass response. An initial investigation evaluating tembotrione (Laudis®), Pylex™, and mesotrione (Tenacity®) in different turfgrass species showed that Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue were highly tolerant to Pylex™ at rates ranging from 0.75 to 2.25 fl. oz./A, while creeping bentgrass and bermudagrass were low to moderately tolerant to Pylex™. Further investigation suggested that frequent, low-dose (less than 0.25 fl. oz./A) Pylex™ applications or metribuzin (Sencor®) admixtures could enhance weed control and may conserve turfgrass quality. A novel mixture of Pylex™ at 0.15 fl. oz./A and Sencor® at 4 oz. wt./A controlled goosegrass effectively and reduced bermudagrass injury to near acceptable levels and significantly less than Pylex™ applied alone at 0.25 fl. oz/A. In an attempt to further enhance bermudagrass tolerance to Pylex™, post-treatment irrigation was applied at different timings. When bermudagrass turf was irrigated at 15 or 30 minutes after herbicide treatment, bermudagrass injury was reduced to acceptable levels when following Pylex™ at 0.25 fl. oz./A plus Sencor® at 4 oz but not when following Pylex™ applied alone at 0.5 fl. oz./A. Goosegrass control was reduced significantly by post-treatment irrigation in all cases, while irrigation reduced goosegrass control by low-dose Pylex™ plus Sencor® to below-commercially-acceptable levels. Novel, low-dose, frequent application programs containing Pylex™ or siduron (Tupersan®) were developed for season-long crabgrass or goosegrass control in creeping bentgrass greens. Greens-height creeping bentgrass quality was preserved following five biweekly treatments of Tupersan® at rates between 6 and 24 lb./A and Pylex™ at 0.125 fl. oz./A. Tupersan® programs controlled smooth crabgrass and suppressed goosegrass while Pylex™ programs controlled goosegrass and suppressed smooth crabgrass. The data from these studies indicate that utilizing low-dose Pylex™ in combination with Sencor® can impart acceptable bermudagrass safety while also controlling goosegrass effectively. For creeping bentgrass greens, the low-dose, frequent application of Tupersan® is the safest legal option for golf course superintendents to control smooth crabgrass effectively, while having some ability to suppress goosegrass.

The primary objectives of this research are to determine effective biological and alternative control strategies of insect and disease pests in order to reduce harsh chemical use during greenhouse crop production and transport s. This research includes two separate studies: 1) testing the practical viability of rearing and storing four species of entomopathogenic nematode (EPN), Steinernema feltiae, Steinernema carpocapsae, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, Heterorhabditis indica; and, 2) the efficacy of UV-C radiation applied, pre-transport, as a preventative disease control strategy against Botrytis cinerea. A study was conducted testing EPN infectious juvenile (IJ) rearing production counts and IJ viability after a six-day storage period. When all four species are compared, S. feltiae had a greater number of infectious juveniles emerge from the wax moth cadavers and S. carpocasae had the least. All four species survived the six day storage period but EPN infectious juvenile counts were significantly different among species. Our second study tested the efficacy of UV-C radiation as an alternative control to traditional fungicides to deactivate B. cinerea in vitro and to determine plant tolerance to UV-C. The crops tested were poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) and primula (Primula vulgaris). All the UV-C doses, 1.0, 2.8, 3.7 or 4 W/m2, significantly decreased B. cinerea conidial germination in vitro and resulted in zero percent damage on poinsettia bracts. However, all UV-C doses during both replications caused minor damage, 15% or less, to primula flowers. / Master of Science in Life Sciences / Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) shows promise in being non-chemical and environmentally friendly solution for greenhouse pest and disease control. These can also be referred to as Biological Controls (Biocontrols). Entomopathogenic nematodes are used widely to control multiple greenhouse plant pests which include both Lycoriella spp., Fungus Gnats, and Frankliniella spp., Western Flower Thrips. However, there are challenges with EPN viability and storage from the manufacture to the greenhouse producer. We studied four EPN species, Steinernema feltiae, Steinernema carpocapsae, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, Heterorhabditis indica, which were reared and stored to determine differences in production viability between species. Results show that the EPN species do not respond the same to storage and produce different amounts of infectious juveniles during rearing when conditions are the same. Separate from, but just as concerning as greenhouses plant pests are plant diseases. Ultraviolet radiation in the C spectra is known to be germicidal due to its narrow wavelengths. Because of this, UV-C has been shown to deactivate many different plant pathogens on contact and is being considered as a possible Biocontrol alternative to harsh traditional fungicides and bactericides. One disease that is known to contribute to the highest volume of annual crop losses is Botrytis cinerea. Botrytis cinerea is a plant disease that impacts floricultural crops to vegetables during propagation through the production supply chain to shipping and storage. We evaluated UV-C radiation at different doses, to determine if it could be used to replace a traditional fungicide before plants are shipped to reduce B. cinerea infection during transport. We found that UV-C successfully deactivated B. cinerea in vitro, but the viability of the application to plant tissue before transport has yet to be proven successful as a practical method of reducing B. cinerea during transport.

El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo optimizar el método de extracción del mucílago del nopal (Opuntia ficus-indica var. Forrajera) y estudiar su potencial utilización como formador de recubrimientos comestibles. Como tal, se ha aplicado en un producto vegetal cortado: la jícama. Para cubrir este objetivo se ha realizado una caracterización del mucílago extraído por diferentes procedimientos, que ha puesto de manifiesto la influencia de dicho método en las características químicas (macro y microcomponentes) y físicas (comportamiento reológico, color, solubilidad) de los extractos. El procedimiento que incluye el escaldado de la penca pelada y molida fue el que dio un producto con mejores características para su uso como recubrimiento, por presentar mayor poder espesante (mayor peso molecular promedio), por ser su solubilidad menos sensible al pH y presentar mejor color. El mucílago extraído por el procedimiento seleccionado se caracterizó en cuanto a su interacción con el agua mediante la obtención de la isoterma de sorción y la relación temperatura de transición vítrea-humedad. Además, se estudió su capacidad formadora de films evaluando las propiedades de barrera al vapor de agua, solubilidad, las propiedades mecánicas y las propiedades ópticas (color, translucidez y brillo) a tres humedades de equilibrio diferentes. Así mismo, se evaluó el efecto de la adición de lípidos (ácido oleico o esteárico) en diferente proporción en las propiedades anteriores. Los resultados obtenidos mostraron que el ácido oleico permite obtener films con mejores propiedades mecánicas y de barrera al vapor de agua, aunque imparte una cierta tonalidad amarillenta al film. Las formulaciones con ácido oleico fueron evaluadas como recubrimientos en cubos de jícama. Ninguna formulación supuso una reducción de la pérdida de agua del producto durante su almacenamiento a 4 ºC y 85 % de humedad relativa, pero si se evitó la perdida de firmeza. / Abraján Villaseñor, MA. (2008). Efecto del método de extracción en las características químicas y físicas del mucílago del nopal (Opuntia ficus-índica) y estudio de su aplicación como recubrimiento comestible [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/3794