Ensiling is one of the most common processes used as a conservation method for forages on farms and plays an important role in farm economics. Therefore, with the aim to improve the conservation and the nutritive value of silage, the utilization of silage additives such as fibrolytic enzymes (FE) and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculants has been a common on-farm practice. FE are enzymes capable of breaking down complex polysaccharides such as cellulose and hemicellulose. The latter results in an increased substrate availability for epiphytic and inoculated LAB during silage fermentation, thus promoting a higher production of organic acids such as lactic acid and volatile fatty acids such as acetic acid, which are key acids to improve the conservation of the forage by reducing dry matter losses and improving aerobic stability. The degradation of cellulose and hemicellulose results in a partial degradation of fiber measured by the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) extraction technique. Therefore, FE could have the potential to improve ruminal fiber digestibility of treated forages. Alternatively, LAB inoculants are used as silage additives with the primary objective to dominate over the epiphytic bacteria present in silage, to accelerate the fermentation process, and to reinforce aerobic stability of the forage at feed out. Additionally, recent research has shown that certain strains of LAB might have the potential to partially degrade NDF and ADF during ensiling, therefore improving fiber digestibility. The first objective of this research project was to evaluate the effects of different mixtures of FE (a mixture of cellulase and xylanase (C+X); xylanase (X); ß-glucanase (G); a mixture of ß-glucanase and xylanase (G+X); and a negative control) on alfalfa harvested at early and late maturity, and stored for 40 or 120 d of ensiling. Alfalfa harvested at early maturity, treated with FE and ensiled for 40 d did not show significant improvements during ensiling in fiber degradability, fermentation characteristics or fiber digestibility in vitro assessed by the Tilley and Terry methodology. However, when harvested at late maturity and treated with a mixture of C+X; X and G+X, the NDF and ADF content at 40 d of ensiling tended to decrease. FE improved total volatile fatty acid production at 40 and 120 d of ensiling. Improvements in fiber digestibility were observed in vitro at 24 h for the C+X treatments. The results of this study suggest that the effects of FE are more pronounced in silages higher in fiber concentration, such as in the late-maturity alfalfa cut. The second objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of two homofermentative LAB (hoLAB) strains, and two heterofermentative LAB (htLAB) strains on alfalfa harvested at late maturity and stored for 40 or 120 d of ensiling. At 40 d of ensiling, hoLAB-treated silages had the greatest DM recovery and the lowest ADF concentration. Lactic acid production was greater for hoLAB-treated silages. At 120 d of ensiling, hoLAB-treated silages had the highest concentration in lactic acid whereas htLAB had the highest concentration in acetic acid and hoLAB-treated silages had the lowest ADF and NDF concentrations while htLAB tended to have higher NDF concentrations. Overall, it appears that the fiber degradation promoted during ensiling influenced digestibility depending upon hoLAB or htLAB inoculation, with hoLAB showing improved digestibility levels. The presented work suggests that certain FE can have the potential as a management resource on farms aiming to improve the nutritive value of forages with a high fiber concentration. As expected, hoLAB and htLAB inoculants improved the fermentation characteristics of alfalfa silage, but it was shown that LAB may exert a differential effect on fiber digestibility depending on their specific metabolism.

O Brasil é o segundo maior produtor mundial de soja. Novas tecnologias que possibilitem um aumento na produção desse grão, sem causar impactos no ecossistema, são de grande interesse ambiental, social e econômico. Com objetivo de desenvolver um pacote biotecnológico foram realizados quatro grupos de estudos. Em ensaios in vitro e in vivo foram selecionados, um rizóbio (Ensifer fredii) e duas bactérias promotoras de crescimento vegetal (Pseudomonas fluorescens e Paenibacillus edaphicus) para serem co-inoculadas em sementes de soja. Por meio de estudos em casa-de-vegetação foram desenvolvidas duas tecnologias aplicadas ao inoculante contendo o rizóbio ( fatores Nod e cobamamida), que foram avaliados em conjunto (pacote biotecnológico) em campo de cultivo de soja, que mostrou-se capaz de aumentar a nodulação, o desenvolvimento da planta e rendimento dos grãos dessa leguminosa. / Brazil is the worlds second largest producer of soybean. New technologies that increase the production of this grain, without causing environmental impacts, they are of great enviromental, social and economic importance. In order to develop a biotechnological package it was conducted four study groups. Using in vitro and in vivo assays were selected, one rhizobium (Ensifer fredii) and two plant growth promoters bacterias (Pseudomonas fluorescens e Paenibacillus edaphicus) to b eco-inoculated in soybean seeds. Through studies in greenhouses, two technologies applied to agricultural inoculant have been developed (Nod factors and cobamamide), which were evaluated together (biotecnhological package) in soybean crop field, wich proved capable to increase nodulation, plant growth and yield grain of this legume.

Submitted by ROBERTA MENDES DOS SANTOS null (santos-rm@outlook.com) on 2017-03-14T16:56:59Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação Roberta Mendes dos Santos.pdf: 1334238 bytes, checksum: 868a0ebdbaf85c1d72e9669b9c4e9827 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Juliano Benedito Ferreira (julianoferreira@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2017-03-20T22:32:06Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 mendes-santos_r_me_jabo.pdf: 1334238 bytes, checksum: 868a0ebdbaf85c1d72e9669b9c4e9827 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-20T22:32:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 mendes-santos_r_me_jabo.pdf: 1334238 bytes, checksum: 868a0ebdbaf85c1d72e9669b9c4e9827 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-16 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Bactérias promotoras do crescimento de plantas podem promover aumento na biometria vegetal, na absorção de nutrientes e sua atuação pode ser incrementada pela disponibilização de carbono e energia, fornecidos via adubação. Desta forma, o experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito dos Bacillus subtilis e Bacillus pumilus em mudas pré-brotadas (MPB) de cana-de-açúcar e ação das mesmas bactérias associadas à adubação com vinhaça, torta de filtro e o composto de torta de filtro no cultivo inicial de cana-de- açúcar em vasos ao ar livre. O experimento foi dividido em duas fases. Na fase 1 foram utilizadas MPB e os tratamentos constituídos por: T1= Sem inóculo, T2= B. subtilis, T3= B. pumilus e T4= B. subtilis + B. pumilus, realizado em delineamento em blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. No final do período de formação das MPB que foi de 60 dias, foram aferidas as massas seca de parte aérea, de raízes e total e ainda feita contagem do número de bactérias totais no substrato. Na fase 2, os fatores em estudo foram quatro inoculações, sendo T1= Sem inóculo, T2= B. subtilis, T3= B. pumilus e T4= B. subtilis + B. pumilus com quatro tipos de adubações: A1= Adubação mineral (AM), A2= AM + vinhaça, A3= AM + torta de filtro e A4= AM + composto de torta de filtro, combinados em esquema fatorial 4x4, com quatro repetições. Os parâmetros avaliados foram: dados biométricos das plantas, massa seca de parte aérea, raízes e total, contagem do número de bactérias totais, fósforo solúvel, amônio e nitrato no solo. Na fase de MPB o uso das bactérias promoveu aumento de massa seca de raízes e total. Na fase em vasos, os tratamentos que receberam os inóculos, tiveram incremento na altura e diâmetro das plantas com destaque para o B. pumilus que proporcionou também maior massa seca de raízes e total. Nas análises realizadas no solo, observou-se que a adição das bactérias promoveu uma menor concentração de nutrientes no solo e provavelmente uma maior assimilação pelas plantas. Os tratamentos que receberam vinhaça associada à adubação mineral prejudicaram o desenvolvimento das plantas com menores valores para os dados biométricos e menor massa seca de todas as partes da planta, enquanto que no solo aumentou a concentração de amônio e número de bactérias totais. A inoculação bacteriana em MPB e em plantas de cana-de-açúcar no seu período inicial promoveu um maior desenvolvimento das plantas e poderia ser utilizada para o aumento da produtividade agrícola nessa cultura. / Plant growth rhizobacteria might promote an increase of biometric plant and their action can be optimized by availability of carbon and energy, provided via organic fertilization. In this way, the experiment was carried out with aim to evaluate the fertilization effect with cane´s wastes and promoted bacteria inoculation at initial seedling of sugar cane. The experiment was divided at two phases. Phase 1 were utilized Pre-Sprouted-Seedlings (PSS) and the treatments were T1 = control, T2 = Bacillus subtilis, T3 = B. pumilus and T4 = B. subtilis + B. pumilus. The design was randomized blocks with four repetitions. At the final period of PSS formation, were measured the shoot, root and total dry matter and also total bacteria of substrate. At the phase II the factors analysed were four kind of inoculations being T1= no inoculum, T2= B. subtilis, T3= B. pumilus and T4= B. subtilis + B. pumilus with four kind of fertilizations: F1= mineral fertilization (MF), F2= MF + vinasse, F3= MF + filter cake and F4= MF + filter cake compost, combined with 4 x 4 factorial scheme, with four repetitions. The evaluated parameters were: plants biometric data, shoot, root and total dry matter, total bacteria counting, soluble phosphorus, ammonium and nitrate levels into soil. At the PSS phase the use of bacteria promoted the increasing of root and total dry matter. At the phase 2 the treatments which received inoculas had higher height and plant´s diameter and also higher root and total dry matter, with emphasis on B. pumilus, which provided greater. Treatments that serve vineyard associated with mineral fertilization have hampered the development of plants with lower biometric data and lower dry mass of all parts of the plant, while not increasing the size of a number of total bactéria. At the soil analysis, it was observed, that the addition of bacteria promoted a lower nutrients levels into soil and likewise higher plant assimilation. The bacterial inoculation on PSS and on sugar cane at initial development period promoted higher plant development and it could be used to increase of cane yield.

Thesis (MSc Food Sc)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The start-up period of Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Bed (UASB) reactors can significantly be reduced by enhancing the time-consuming granulation process through the batch cultivation of anaerobic granular sludge and thus seeding the reactor with this cultivated granular sludge, instead of raw anaerobic sludge. The precise mechanism for granule formation is not well known, but it is believed that extracellular polymers (ECP) play a critical role in the granulation process. Information on the precise role of ECP is also limited and no universal standardised method for ECP extraction is used at present. Therefore, comparison of results from different researchers has to be made with great caution. The objectives of this study were to evaluate an ECP extraction methód so as to optimise the extraction time, and then to correlate ECP composition of UASB granules with granule metabolic activity. The impact of changes in the environmental conditions, such as sludge sources (Paarl and Kraaifontein-sludge), carbon growth substrates (yeast extract lactate, glucose medium and fruit cocktail effluent) and batch cultivation techniques (roller-table and shake-waterbath), on batch cultivation studies was also evaluated in terms of granule activity, ECP composition and granule formation. A physical extraction method was used to quantify the ECP content of UASB granules from six different sources. The optimal extraction time was taken as the time needed before cell lysis took place, and before intracellular material started contributing to the ECP content of the granules. It was concluded that the ECP composition was affected by the wastewater composition fed to the original UASB reactors, It was also found that the activity test results could be used to indirectly predict the activity of the different trophic groups present in the UASB granules. A correlation was found between the activity test results and the total ECP content, and this showed that the granules with the higher ECP yields exhibited greater biogas (SB) and methanogenic (SM) activities. However, based on the activity data and total ECP content, it appeared that a protein:carbohydrate ratio < 1 affected the activity of the granules, The sludge source used as inoculum for batch cultivation of anaerobic granular sludge had a significant effect on granule formation. The use of a pre- granulated raw anaerobic sludge, such as the Paarl-sludge, resulted in a greater increase in granule numbers at the end of the cultivation period. The acetic acid activity profiles showed that the acetoclastic methanogens that are involved in initiation of granulation by nucleus formation, were inactive or absent in the different batch systems, with the exception of the roller-table glucose cultivated Kraaifontein-sludge (RKG) batch system. The addition of glucose as carbon growth substrate for batch cultivation not only enhanced the activity of the acidogenic population, but also led to the establishment to a greater variety of granule trophic groups within all the glucose cultivated batch systems. The addition of fruit cocktail effluent as carbon substrate enhanced ECP production in the Paarl-sludge cultivated batch systems. However, the addition of carbon substrates showed no discernible trend on granule formation itself. The roller-table cultivation technique resulted in the higher increase in granule numbers, and it was speculated that the more vigorous shake-waterbath technique probably shortened the contact time between biomass and substrate. Large variations in the ECP composition of the different batch systems were found, and these were ascribed to the composition heterogeneity of different sludges. For future studies, it is advisable to characterise sludge, both chemically and microbiologically before using as inoculum. The selection of an appropriate sludge inoculum should then lead to optimisation of the granulation process. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die aanvangsperiode van "Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Bed" (UASB) bioreaktors kan noemenswaardig verminder word deur die tydsame granulasie proses te versnel deur die vooraf lot-kweking van anaërobe granulêre slyk waarmee 'n reaktor dus geïnokuleer kan word in plaas van rou anaërobe slyk. Die presiese meganisme van granulevorming is nog nie welbekend nie, maar daar word beweer dat ekstrasellulêre polimere (ECP) wel 'n kritiese rol speel in die granulasie proses. Inligting; oor die presiese rol van ECP is ook nog beperk, en tans word daar nog , geen universele standaard metode vir ECP-ekstraksie gebruik nie. Gevolglik moet resultate vanaf verskeie navorsers met groot omsigtigheid vergelyk word. Die doelwitte van hierdie studie was om 'n ECP ekstraksiemetode te evalueer deur die ekstraksietyd te optimiseer, en dan te korreleer met die ECP samestelling en metaboliese aktiwiteit van die UASB granules. Die inwerking van veranderinge in omgewingskondisies, soos slykbronne (Paarl- en Kraaifontein-slyk), koolstofbronne (gisekstrak-Iaktaat-, glukose-medium en vrugtekelkie-uitvloeisel) en lot-kwekingstegnieke (rol-tafel en skud-waterbad) op lot-kweking studies in terme van granule aktiwiteit, ECP-samestelling en granulevorming is ook ondersoek. 'n Fisiese ekstraksie metode is gebruik om die ECP-inhoud van UASB granules vanaf ses verskillende bronne te bepaal. Die optimale ekstraksietyd is geneem as die tyd benodig voordat sellise sal plaasvind en die intrasellulêre materiaal 'n bydrae sal lewer tot die ECP-inhoud van granules. Dit is afgelei dat die ECP-samestelling beïnvloed word deur die samestelling van die afvalwater wat vir die oorspronklike UASB bioreaktors gevoer is. Voorts is gevind dat die aktiwiteitstoets resultate indirek gebruik kan word vir die voorspelling van aktiwiteit van die verskillende trofiese groepe wat in die UASB granules teenwoordig is. 'n Korrelasie is gevind tussen die aktiwiteitstoets resultate en die totale ECP-inhoud wat aangedui het dat granules met hoër ECP opbrengste, beter biogas (SB) en metanogeniese (SM) aktiwiteit getoon het. Volgens die aktiwiteitsdata en totale ECP-inhoud het dit egter geblyk dat 'n proteïen:koolhidraat verhouding < 1 die aktiwiteit van granules beïnvloed het. Die slykbron wat as inokulum gebruik is vir lot-kweking van' anaërobiese granulêre slyk het 'n noemenswaardige invloed gehad op granulevorming. Die gebruik van 'n rou anaërobe slyk wat reeds 'n mate van granulasie getoon het, soos die Paarl-slyk, het 'n hoër toename in granule getalle aan die einde van die kwekingsperiode teweeg gebring. Die asynsuur aktiwiteitsprofiele het aangedui dat die asetoklastiese metanogene, wat hoofsaaklik betrokke is by inisiëring van granulasie deur kernvorming, onaktief of afwesig was in al die verskillende lotsisteme, met die uitsondering van die roltafel glukose-gekultiveerde Kraaifonteinslyk (RKG) lot-sisteem. Die toevoeging van glukose as koolstofbron vir lot-kweking het nie alleenlik die aktiwiteit van die asidogene populasie verhoog nie, maar het ook bygedra tot die vestiging van 'n groter verskeidenheid van granule trofiese groepe. Die toevoeging van vrugtekelkie-uitvloeisel as koolstofbron het die produksie van ECP verhoog in die Paarl-slyk gekweekte lot-sisteme. Die toevoeging van koolstofsubstrate het egter geen merkbare verandering getoon in granulasie opsigself nie. Die rol-tafel kwekingstegniek het 'n hoër toename in granule getalle tot gevolg gehad, en dit is gespekuleer dat die meer kragtige skud-waterbad tegniek waarskynlik die kontaktyd tussen die substraat en biomassa verkort het. Groot variasies is gevind in die ECP-samestelling van die verskillende lotsisteme, en dit is toegeskryf aan die heterogene samestelling van die verskillende slyke. Vir toekomstige navorsing is dit raadsaam om slyk voor gebruik as inokulum beide chemies en mikrobiologies te karakteriseer. Die keuse van 'n geskikte slyk-inokulum sal bydra tot die optimisering van die granulasie proses.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-07-04Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:22:44Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 silveira_el_dr_jabo.pdf: 3177112 bytes, checksum: 54cc0c55154c630d57b5a103e12435b8 (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / O arroz é o cereal mais consumido na dieta humana no mundo, sendo que o Brasil é um dos maiores produtores e consumidores desse cereal. A produção brasileira entre arroz irrigado e sequeiro é estimada entre 10 a 11 milhões toneladas por ano. Os gastos com fertilizantes nitrogenados nessa cultura provocam um alto custo de produção para o agricultor, sendo esses gastos repassados ao consumidor. Desta forma, existe a necessidade de avanços nas pesquisas sobre os microrganismos que se encontram na rizosfera de diversos vegetais e que auxiliam o vegetal na obtenção de nutrientes diminuindo o custo de produção da cultura, além de aumentar a produção de grãos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar cinco estirpes de Rhizobium leguminosarum bv trifolii e isolados selvagens obtidos de dois cultivares de arroz no Brasil, avaliar quanto à produção de ácido indolacético, potencial de fixação biologica de nitrogênio e capacidade de promover o crescimento de arroz em solução nutritiva. Os ensaios com arroz foram realizados em uma câmara de crescimento, em um delimento inteiramente casualisado em um período de 30 dias. Todos os isolados R. leguminosarum deste experimento e 19 isolados selvagens foram positivos para a produção de ácido indolacético in vitro. As estirpes SEMIAs 2051 e 235 foram às maiores produtores de ácido indolacético com 91,56 Tg/mL e 68,30 Tg /mL, respectivamente. Entretanto somente três estirpes de rizóbios e 12 isolados selvagens conseguiram reduzir acetileno a etileno em condições laboratoriais, sendo a SEMIA 2051 a que mais se destacou. Inoculações de sementes de arroz com as estirpes SEMIAs 235, 2050, 2051 e MT6 resultaram em aumento significativo em relação à massa seca, e no números de raízes laterais nas radículas das plântulas em 30 dias. (para P < 001). Este estudo indicou que as bactérias SEMIAs 235, 2050 e 2051 e MT6 podem... / Rice is the most consumed cereal grain in human food and Brasil is one of the most important producers of this culture. Brazilian production of irrigated and non-irrigated Rice is estimated in 10 – 11 millions of thousand kilograms per year. Nitrogenated fertilizers represents an important part f the production costs that are repassed to the final consumers. In this way, there are needs of more efforts in research about microorganisms that live in plant rizosphere and that were able to help the plant to obtain nutrients from the soil, mainly nitrogen, and so, increase the production while decreasing the production costs. This work has the objective of evaluate the indolacetic acid production of five strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv trifolii, and e wild isolated of two cultivating of rice in Brazil its biological nitrogen fixation potential and its capacity to promote rice growth in nutritional solution. Essays were carried out in growth chamber with outline completely casualized during 30 days. All strains of R. leguminosarum and wild isolated produced indolacetic acid, and SEMIAs 2051 and 235 were the higher producers, with 91,56 Tg/mL and 68,30 Tg /mL, respectively. However, only three strains and 12 wild isolated were able to reduce acetilene to etilene in laboratorial conditions, and SEMIA 2051 was the most efficient strain. Inoculations in Rice seeds that were made with SEMIAs 235, 2050, 2051and MT6 strains resulted in a significative increase in dry mass and in the number of lateral roots in the plants in 30 days (P < 001). This work showed that strains SEMIAs 235, 2050 e 2051 and MT6 can promote Rice growth in nutritive solutions and so, are important for the developing of inoculants that could be used for this culture, reducing the cultural costs and also increase the rice production in world.

O Brasil é o segundo maior produtor mundial de soja. Novas tecnologias que possibilitem um aumento na produção desse grão, sem causar impactos no ecossistema, são de grande interesse ambiental, social e econômico. Com objetivo de desenvolver um pacote biotecnológico foram realizados quatro grupos de estudos. Em ensaios in vitro e in vivo foram selecionados, um rizóbio (Ensifer fredii) e duas bactérias promotoras de crescimento vegetal (Pseudomonas fluorescens e Paenibacillus edaphicus) para serem co-inoculadas em sementes de soja. Por meio de estudos em casa-de-vegetação foram desenvolvidas duas tecnologias aplicadas ao inoculante contendo o rizóbio ( fatores Nod e cobamamida), que foram avaliados em conjunto (pacote biotecnológico) em campo de cultivo de soja, que mostrou-se capaz de aumentar a nodulação, o desenvolvimento da planta e rendimento dos grãos dessa leguminosa. / Brazil is the worlds second largest producer of soybean. New technologies that increase the production of this grain, without causing environmental impacts, they are of great enviromental, social and economic importance. In order to develop a biotechnological package it was conducted four study groups. Using in vitro and in vivo assays were selected, one rhizobium (Ensifer fredii) and two plant growth promoters bacterias (Pseudomonas fluorescens e Paenibacillus edaphicus) to b eco-inoculated in soybean seeds. Through studies in greenhouses, two technologies applied to agricultural inoculant have been developed (Nod factors and cobamamide), which were evaluated together (biotecnhological package) in soybean crop field, wich proved capable to increase nodulation, plant growth and yield grain of this legume.

Resumo: O arroz é o cereal mais consumido na dieta humana no mundo, sendo que o Brasil é um dos maiores produtores e consumidores desse cereal. A produção brasileira entre arroz irrigado e sequeiro é estimada entre 10 a 11 milhões toneladas por ano. Os gastos com fertilizantes nitrogenados nessa cultura provocam um alto custo de produção para o agricultor, sendo esses gastos repassados ao consumidor. Desta forma, existe a necessidade de avanços nas pesquisas sobre os microrganismos que se encontram na rizosfera de diversos vegetais e que auxiliam o vegetal na obtenção de nutrientes diminuindo o custo de produção da cultura, além de aumentar a produção de grãos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar cinco estirpes de Rhizobium leguminosarum bv trifolii e isolados selvagens obtidos de dois cultivares de arroz no Brasil, avaliar quanto à produção de ácido indolacético, potencial de fixação biologica de nitrogênio e capacidade de promover o crescimento de arroz em solução nutritiva. Os ensaios com arroz foram realizados em uma câmara de crescimento, em um delimento inteiramente casualisado em um período de 30 dias. Todos os isolados R. leguminosarum deste experimento e 19 isolados selvagens foram positivos para a produção de ácido indolacético in vitro. As estirpes SEMIAs 2051 e 235 foram às maiores produtores de ácido indolacético com 91,56 Tg/mL e 68,30 Tg /mL, respectivamente. Entretanto somente três estirpes de rizóbios e 12 isolados selvagens conseguiram reduzir acetileno a etileno em condições laboratoriais, sendo a SEMIA 2051 a que mais se destacou. Inoculações de sementes de arroz com as estirpes SEMIAs 235, 2050, 2051 e MT6 resultaram em aumento significativo em relação à massa seca, e no números de raízes laterais nas radículas das plântulas em 30 dias. (para P < 001). Este estudo indicou que as bactérias SEMIAs 235, 2050 e 2051 e MT6 podem... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Rice is the most consumed cereal grain in human food and Brasil is one of the most important producers of this culture. Brazilian production of irrigated and non-irrigated Rice is estimated in 10 - 11 millions of thousand kilograms per year. Nitrogenated fertilizers represents an important part f the production costs that are repassed to the final consumers. In this way, there are needs of more efforts in research about microorganisms that live in plant rizosphere and that were able to help the plant to obtain nutrients from the soil, mainly nitrogen, and so, increase the production while decreasing the production costs. This work has the objective of evaluate the indolacetic acid production of five strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv trifolii, and e wild isolated of two cultivating of rice in Brazil its biological nitrogen fixation potential and its capacity to promote rice growth in nutritional solution. Essays were carried out in growth chamber with outline completely casualized during 30 days. All strains of R. leguminosarum and wild isolated produced indolacetic acid, and SEMIAs 2051 and 235 were the higher producers, with 91,56 Tg/mL and 68,30 Tg /mL, respectively. However, only three strains and 12 wild isolated were able to reduce acetilene to etilene in laboratorial conditions, and SEMIA 2051 was the most efficient strain. Inoculations in Rice seeds that were made with SEMIAs 235, 2050, 2051and MT6 strains resulted in a significative increase in dry mass and in the number of lateral roots in the plants in 30 days (P < 001). This work showed that strains SEMIAs 235, 2050 e 2051 and MT6 can promote Rice growth in nutritive solutions and so, are important for the developing of inoculants that could be used for this culture, reducing the cultural costs and also increase the rice production in world. / Orientadora: Lúcia Maria Carareto Alves / Coorientadora: Eliana Gertrudes Macedo Lemos / Banca: Vera Lúcia Divan Baldani / Banca: Edvan Alves Chagas / Banca: Ester Wickert / Banca: Janete Apparecida Desidério Sena / Doutor

Goal of this diploma thesis was to determine influence of graphitizing inoculation and chemical composition on structure and mechanical properties of gray iron. In terms of chemical composition, sulphur content was to be observed. Hardness and tensile strength were measured. Metallographic samples were analyzed by image analysis software.

With shifting preferences of consumers towards healthier food, organic food demand has been on the rise for the past two decades. This increased demand has created an opportunity for farmers to shift from conventional to organic production. However, there are risks and uncertainties associated with organic farming. The management of an organic farm in the absence of organic-based disease and pest suppressing strategies constrains farmers from adopting organic vegetable production. The use of cover crops to control soil-borne diseases and suppress weeds and other pests has increased because of its sustainable and environmental friendly nature. This study of the economic impact of the cover crops on organic tomato production in the three states Ohio, New York, and Maryland showed mixed results. In Maryland, mixed forage radish and hairy vetch was projected to have a net present value over 15 years that was $1.53 million higher than single species hairy vetch, assuming maximum adoption level of 50 percent. In New York, mixed rye and turnip gave the higher return with a net present value of $2.61 million. In Ohio, the highest projected return was from mixed hay compared to hairy vetch with a net present value of $3.12 million when used without adding compost amendments. In Maryland and New York when bare ground was also used as a control, only mixed forage radish and hairy vetch in Maryland produced better returns compared to bare ground. A probit regression assessing the factors affecting the decision to adopt mixed species green manure technology indicated that farmer experiences in organic production, farmer age, access to the internet access, and farmers’ perceptions about the benefits of using mixed species green manures were significant factors. Each variables and factors except age had a positive influence. Similarly, probit results for microbial inoculants indicated that education, gender, and access to the internet were significant determinants, and had a negative effect on the probability of adoption. Access to the internet was significant for both mixed species green manures and microbial inoculants but with opposite sign, positive for mixed species green manures and negative for microbial inoculants. / Master of Science

Thesis (M. Tech.) -- Central University of Technology, Free State, 2010 / This study evaluated the effects of two bacterial inoculants on the fermentation quality and aerobic stability of ensiled potato hash (PH) and on digestibility, growth performance and carcass characteristics of growing pigs fed the ensiled PH. In the first experiment, 700 grams of PH, was mixed with 300g wheat bran (as is basis) and ensiled in 1.5 litre anaerobic jars. The mixture had a dry matter (DM) of 41.3 g/kg, 78.05 g/kg DM of water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) and a pH of 6.87 at day 0 and was treated with Bonsilage forte, BF, a heterofermentative LAB, Lalsil Fresh lactobacillus bachneri, LFLB, a homofermentative LAB or without LAB inoculant (control). Triplicate samples per treatment were collected on days 0, 3, 10, 21 and 45 post-ensiling and analysed for DM, WSC, pH, lactic acid (LA), acetic acid (AA), butyric acid (BA), propionic acid (PA) and ammonia-N. On day 45, the silage was subjected to aerobic exposure for 5 days and CO2 production was measured. In the second and third experiments, potato hash-wheat bran mixtures of 7:3 ratio were produced and ensiled in 210 litre drums that were kept at a 250C environment. The second experiment involved an apparent nutrients digestibility study using 30 female (Large White x Landrace crossbred) pigs (30 2 kg live weight), which were selected and housed individually. A cross-over design was applied with two periods and 30 animals fed 10 diets. Three pigs were given one diet per period. The diets were: commercial feed (control); 20, 40, and 60% dietary inclusion of potato hash silage (untreated potato hash silage, UPHS; Lalsil Fresh treated potato hash silage, LFLBPHS, and Bonsilage forte treated potato hash silage, BFPHS). Each experimental period lasted for eleven days with seven days being for adaptation to each diet and four days for collection of faeces before crossing over to the next treatment. Pigs were fed twice per day at 8:00 and 15:00, with the daily allowance equally divided between the two meals. Faecal samples were weighed and 10% of the total collection was taken and kept in a freezer at -180C. Prior to chemical analysis, individual samples of faeces were thawed and pooled for pigs within periods. Water was made available at all times through drinking nipples. The third experiment was a pig growth study using sixty-four crossbred pigs (Large White x Landrace) consisting of 32 males and 32 females (30.4±2.3kg live weight). The pigs were randomly allocated to four diets in a 4 x 2 (treatment x sex) factorial experiment in a completely randomised design. The diets contained up to 40% potato hash silage (PHS) and were: control (commercial diet - no silage), UPHS, BFPHS and LFLBPHS. Each experimental unit consisted of two pigs and each treatment was replicated 8 times. Pigs were fed on one of the four diets until they reached a slaughtering weight of 60 kg. Warm carcass weights were determined immediately after slaughter. After an overnight chill storage at 4.30C, cold carcass weights were determined. Carcass length was taken on hanging carcasses by measuring from the pelvic bone to the first thoracic vertebra, using a measuring tape. Backfat thickness was also taken on cold carcass at P2 (45 mm from midsection) between the 3rd and 4th rib on the left side of the pigs. Drip loss was also calculated for hanging carcasses by determining the weight loss after the overnight chill. Results from experiment 1 showed that both inoculants (LFLB and BF) reduced (P<0.05) the silage pH while increasing the LA content of silage compared to the control. The concentrations of propionic acid, butyric acid and ammonia-N were not affected by inoculation. When exposed to air, BF and LFLB reduced (P<0.05) CO2 production compared to the control. Results of the second experiment showed that daily intakes of organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre(NDF), and gross energy (GE) were different (P<0.05) between diets. There were no differences (P<0.05) in digestibility of DM, EE, and DE among the treatments. However, diets containing 60% PHS had lower (P<0.05) NDF and ADF digestibility compared to diets containing less PHS. Furthermore, pigs on the control diet had higher (P<0.05) final body weight, average daily gain (ADG) and better feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to those fed on other diets. Results of the third experiment showed that, pigs that were fed the control diet had higher (P<0.05) slaughter weight than pigs that were fed on diets containing PHS. There were no differences (P>0.05) on warm and carcass weight between diets containing PHS. Control had higher (P<0.05) dressing percentage than the other treatments. Drip loss percentage, backfat thickness, gastrointestinal tract (GIT), lungs and heart did not differ (P<0.05) between treatments. The effects of gender was not significant within treatments on slaughter weight, warm and cold carcass weights, dressing percentage, carcass length, backfat thickness, drip loss, GIT, lungs and heart. There were no gender by diet interactions (P>0.05) on warm carcass weights, cold carcass weights, drip loss percentage, carcass length, backfat, intergastral, lungs and heart. However, gender by diet interaction (P<0.05) occured on slaughter weight and dressing percentage. It was concluded that, inoculation improved both the fermentation and aerobic stability of PHS. Furthermore, there was no advantage in using LAB inoculants in ensiling potato hash on the growth performance or meat characteristics of growing pigs. However, further work is needed to evaluate the effects of higher dietary inclusion levels (> 60 %) of PHS on pig growth and reproductive performance.