Some growers feel that nitrogen (N) fixing nodules found on the roots of the alfalfa plant are ineffective in cold soil during the winter and early spring. Thus, starter N fertilizer is commonly applied in late winter to established alfalfa to enhance growth until spring when the soil warms up and alfalfa begins actively fixing atmospheric N₂. Established alfalfa normally does not benefit from applications of N fertilizer since it is a leguminous crop that is capable of fixing its own N from atmospheric N₂. Afield experiment was conducted to determine the effect of N fertilizer applied in winter on alfalfa hay yield at the first cutting in spring. Two treatments consisted of an unfertilized check plot and UAN 32 water run at a rate of 35 lbs. N/acre to three year old 'CVF 101' alfalfa grown on a silt loam soil testing deficient in nitrate-N. Maximum alfalfa hay yield (J ton/acre) was obtained at the first spring cutting without N fertilizer application. However, since the field has a known yield potential of 1.5 ton/acre, factors other than fertility influenced the alfalfa hay yields observed in this study.

This experiment tested the effects of a cytokinin containing product (Dry Seed +) on CUF 101 alfalfa when applied with the seed at planting on October 24, 1996, at the rate of 1 /lb product to 100 lb of alfalfa seed. Data indicated a non - statistical yield response averaging 200 lbs an acrefrom treated fields the first cutting, valued at $11 /acre, but yields were identical the second harvest. Alfalfa quality means were very similar for both harvests. A positive net return of $9.76 /acre was noted by using Dry Seed +. More testing is suggested to confirm these findings.

Soil Sunburst was applied at the rate of one quart per acre at two treatment levels (single vs. two applications, applied once per cutting) in irrigation water to a first year stand of CUF 101 alfalfa. Treatments were applied in the first irrigation after the previous cutting in May and June 1996. Treatments applied in May increased relative feed value by over 10% compared to the untreated check in the first cutting (June) after application. This increased alfalfa quality rating from fair to good which increased value of hay by approximately $14 /acre. Mean yields between the treatments and untreated plots were similar, although average yields in untreated plots were 50-90 lbs /acre greater than in treated plots. Yields and quality data were not able to be obtained the second harvest (July), not allowing differences, if any, between one and two applications to be determined immediately after the second application. Yields and hay quality values for treatments in the August harvest were almost identical, indicating that treatment effects noted from the May application (and possibly those of the June application) were short term effects, as they did not continue through the August cutting.

The plant growth regulator Soil Triggrr was applied in basin flood irrigation water to the first (following previous cutting) and last irrigations of a third year stand of CUF 101 alfalfa before a late June 1995 harvest. Effect of product on yield may have been limited by pH as irrigation water pH was approximately 7.9. An increase in yield was noted with product usage, with a greater yield increase noted when applied earlier in crop cycle (first irrigation = 136 lbs hay /acre) rather than later in crop development cycle (last irrigation = 34 lbs hay /acre) when compared with the untreated check Yield from the next (July) harvest was not obtained Yield differences were not statistically different or economic for a single harvest in this experiment. Alfalfa quality was not obtained.

Research objective. Investigation of consistent patterns of the induction of flax morphogenesis process, assessment of genetic and physiological aspects of this process and optimization methodologies. Proposition: 1. MOrphogenesis capacity of flax isolated explants depends on a genotype only, but on a composition of a medium and the cultivar type (fibre flax or linseed)also. 2. Cells of different organs of the same genotype have different morphogenic capacity. 3. Combining hormonal ratio with the affect on explats by exogenic factors enables targeted control of the morphogenesis process in vitro. / Darbo tikslas - ištirti linų morfogenezės proceso indukcijos dėsningumus, įvertinti šio proceso genetinius ir fiziologinius aspektus bei optimizuoti regeneravimo metodikas. Ginamieji disertacijos teiginiai: 1. Linų izoliuotų eksplantų morfogeninė galia priklauso ne tik nuo genotipo, maitinamosios terpės sudėties, bet ir nuo veislės tipo (pluoštiniai ar sėmeniniai). 2.To paties genotipo skirtingų organų ląstelės turi skirtingą morfogeninę galią. 3.Derinant hormoninį balansą su eksplantų paveikimu egzogeniniais veiksniais galima kryptingai valdyti morfogenezės procesą in vitro.

Magistrantūros studijų baigiamajame darbe pateikiami lelijos (Lilium L.) morfogenezės indukcijos in vitro tyrimų duomenys. Darbo objektas: lelijų (Lilium L.) veislės ˈRed Beautyˈ, ˈWiener Blutˈ, ˈSėkmėˈ, ˈNoLimitˈ. Darbo metodai: lelijų (Lilium L.) izoliuoti eksplantai – svogūnėlių žvyneliai – auginti modifikuotoje MS maitinamojoje terpėje, kurios makro druskų koncentracija sumažinta iki 0,5 pradinio koncentracijos lygio, su skirtingais augimo reguliatorių deriniais. Vertintas mikrosvogūnėlių ir šaknų susiformavimo dažnis (%) bei mikrosvogūnėlių kiekis iš eksplanto (vnt.). Darbo rezultatai. Lelijų mikrosvogūnėlių formavimosi dažnį in vitro lemia augimo reguliatorių ir genotipo sąveika. Tos pačios lelijų veislės pasižymi skirtinga regeneracine galia, priklausomai nuo maitinamosios terpės sudėties. Iš tirtų veislių didžiausia regeneracine galia pasižymėjo veislės ˈRed Beautyˈizoliuoti eksplantai. Veislių ˈWiener Blutˈ ir ˈNo Limitˈ mikrosvogūnėlių regeneracijai in vitro maitinamąją terpę tikslinga papildyti 1,0 mg l-1 BAP + 0,3 mg l-1 2,4-D deriniu. Augimo reguliatorių derinys 2,0 mg l-1 BAP + 0,3 mg l-1 2,4-D labiausiai skatino veislės ˈRed Beautyˈ mikrosvogūnėlių susiformavimą. Veislės ˈSėkmėˈ izoliuoti eksplantai mikrosvogūnėlius formavo intensyviau augimo reguliatorių derinio 3,0 mg l-1 BAP + 0,3 mg l-1 2,4-D poveikyje. Intensyviausiai šaknis in vitro formavo veislių ˈRed Beautyˈ ir ˈWiener Blutˈ mikrosvogūnėliai. / The master work presents the results of increasing of lilies induction of morphogenesis in vitro studies. Object of the work: lilies (Lilium L.) cultivars of ˈRed Beautyˈ, ˈWiener Blutˈ, ˈSėkmėˈ, ˈNo Limitˈ. Methods of the work: Explants were cultured on the MS regeneration medium supplemented with macro salt concentration which is reduced to 0.5 of the initial concentration level, with different combinations of growth regulators. Evaluated for micro bulbs and root formation rate (%) and micro bulbs quantity of explant (units). The results of work. Lilies microbulbs formation in vitro is determined by the frequency of growth regulators and genotype interactions. The same varieties of lilies are characterized by different regenerative capacity, depending on the composition of the nutrient medium. Among investigated cultivars the highest morphogenic potention distinguished isolated explants of ˈRed Beautyˈ. For micropropagation of cultivars ˈWiener Blutˈ and ˈNo Limitˈ most suitable is medium supplement by 1,0 mg l-1 BAP + 0,3 mg l-1 2,4-D combination. Growth regulators combination 2,0 mg l-1 BAP + 0,3 mg l-1 2,4-D influenced cultivar ˈRed Beautyˈ. All isolated explants of cultivar ˈSėkmėˈ formed microbulbs on medium with 3,0 mg l-1 BAP + 0,3 mg l-1 2,4-D. The most intensive roots in vitro formed microbulbs varieties of ˈRed Beautyˈ and ˈWiener Blutˈ.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Electrical Power Engineering, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2017. / Voltage instability and increased power loss on transmission lines are major challenges in power transmission due to ever increasing load growth. This work investigates the effect of Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) to mitigate power losses and enhance the voltage stability of a transmission system. STATCOM, a shunt-connected power electronic device, operate as a Voltage Source Converter (VSC) to improve power transfer capacity of transmission lines by injecting a set of three-phase balanced sinusoidal current with controllable magnitude and phase angle into the transmission lines to regulate the line voltage and compensate for reactive power at the Point of Common Coupling (PCC). To validate the capacity of STATCOM in this light, a modified model of IEEE 14 bus test system was simulated using DIgSILENT PowerFactory v15. Four different load profiles were included by increasing the base load in a step of 10%. In each case, power flow was run with and without STATCOM incorporated in the network with a view to determine the impact of STATCOM on bus voltage and transmission line losses. The simulation results are obtained were recorded and analyzed. It is noted that there was sufficient improvement in the new voltage profile obtained for the weak buses of the system, the active and reactive power losses were mitigated by 17.73% and 24.80% respectively when STATCOM was incorporated at normal load. The results showed that STATCOM could give quick voltage support to reduce the likelihood of voltage collapse and mitigate power losses along the transmission lines. Reduction of reactive power losses along the lines is higher than the active power losses resulting in the improvement of the voltage profile as the device is connected to the system. / M

As condições divergentes do ambiente in vitro, como elevadas concentrações de sacarose, de reguladores de crescimento, de substâncias tóxicas, quando comparadas com o ambiente ex vitro, refletem-se em um desequilíbrio da relação entre compostos antioxidantes versus compostos oxidantes, resultando em elevada formação de espécies reativas de oxigênio, culminando no estabelecimento de um estresse oxidativo in vitro. No entanto, mesmo sendo capazes de conduzirem a morte celular, as espécies reativas de oxigênio atuam como importantes sinalizadoras do crescimento e desenvolvimento vegetal, por alterarem o padrão de expressão gênica, o metabolismo e a competência celular, sendo nesse aspecto considerado benéfico um nível moderado de estresse oxidativo para desencadear uma determinada rota morfogênica. Diante disso, o presente trabalho objetivou induzir o estresse oxidativo, suplementando o meio de cultura com reguladores de crescimento do grupo das citocininas e auxinas, com a finalidade de compreender a atuação deste evento nas respostas morfogênicas in vitro do pinhão manso (Jatropha curcas L.). Para tanto, utilizou-se sementes de pinhão manso de três procedências (CNPAE 101: Rio Verde, GO; CNPAE 115: Xambrê, PR e CNPAE 224: São Francisco do Glória, MG), as quais foram germinadas in vitro para a obtenção das plântulas e utilização do terço mediano do hipocótilo como explante nos experimentos de indução de estresse oxidativo in vitro. A análise morfofisiológica permitiu selecionar os tratamentos que induziram respostas organogênicas, que juntamente com o grupo controle, tiveram a quantificação da peroxidação lipídica, as atividades das enzimas antioxidantes catalase, superóxido dismutase e ascorbato peroxidase, determinadas, assim como o estabelecimento do perfil proteico de cada tratamento e a realização de análises histológicas e histoquímicas. Os resultados evidenciaram que as respostas morfogênicas foram dependentes do tipo e combinação de regulador de crescimento presente no meio de cultura; e ficou evidente pela quantificação da peroxidação lipídica e das atividades das enzimas antioxidantes, que a ausência de regulador de crescimento no meio de cultura foi o principal indutor do estresse oxidativo, permitindo constatar que quanto mais suave o estresse oxidativo, mais promissoras eram as respostas organogênicas constatadas nos explantes hipocotiledonares. Desta forma, o maior nível de estresse oxidativo constatado no grupo controle, relacionou-se negativamente com a resposta morfogênica obtida neste grupo, quando comparado aos demais tratamentos que apresentaram um nível de estresse oxidativo mais ameno e, consequentemente, uma resposta morfogênica mais promissora. O perfil proteico evidenciou o padrão existente de algumas bandas, independentemente da procedência considerada, confirmando a proximidade genética dos diferentes acessos de pinhão manso no Brasil. As análises histológicas demonstraram a ocorrência de organogênese indireta, com o desenvolvimento de calos organogênicos, ao passo que nas análises histoquímicas somente a presença de lipídios não foi detectada, enquanto proteínas totais, compostos fenólicos e amido foram constatados em pelo menos um dos três materiais analisados, para as três procedências de pinhão manso. Os resultados obtidos possibilitaram estabelecer uma relação entre o estresse oxidativo in vitro, a resposta morfogênica e o efeito dos reguladores de crescimento presentes no meio de cultura, além do potencial sucesso de produção de pinhão manso pela cultura de tecidos. / The environmental divergent conditions in vitro culture , such as high concentrations of saccharose , growth regulators, toxic substances, and others, when compared with the ex vitro conditions, reflected in an imbalance of antioxidants versus oxidant compounds relationship, resulting in an elevated formation of reactive oxygen species, which culminates in the establishment of an oxidative in vitro stress. However, even being able to conduce cell death, reactive oxygen species act as an important signaling of plant growth and development by altering the pattern of gene expression, cellular metabolism and cellular competence, being considerate beneficial in this context in which a moderate level of oxidative stress is required to trigger a morphogenetic route. Therefore, this study aimed to induce oxidative stress, supplementing the culture medium with growth regulators group of cytokines and auxin, with the purpose of understand the role of these event in vitro morphogenetic responses of physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.). Hence, were used physic nut´s seeds of three provenances (CNPAE 101: Rio Verde, GO; CNPAE 115: Xambrê, PR and CNPAE 224: São Francisco do Glória, MG ), which were in vitro germinated to obtain the seedlings and the middle third of hypocotyls that was used as explant in experiments to induction in vitro oxidative stress. The morphophysiological analysis allowed to select the treatments that induced the organogenic responses, which along with the control group, had the quantification of lipid peroxidation, activities of antioxidant enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase, determined as well as the establishment of the protein profile of each treatment and the realization of histological and histochemical analyses. The results showed that the morphogenic responses were dependent on the type and combination of growth regulators present in the culture medium; and with the lipid peroxidation quantification as well as antioxidant enzyme activities, it became evident that the oxidative stress was mainly caused by the absence of growth regulators in the culture medium, allowing noted that the softer oxidative stress, were the most promising responses organogenic found in hypocotyls. Thus, the higher level of oxidative stress observed in the control group correlated negatively with the morphogenic response obtained in this group when compared to the other treatments that showed a level of milder oxidative stress and, consequently, a more promising morphogenic response. The protein profile showed some band pattern, regardless of the provenances considered, confirming the low genetic distance between different accessions of Jatropha in Brazil. Histological analysis demonstrated the occurrence of indirect organogenesis, with the development of organogenic calli, whereas in histochemical analyzes only the presence of lipids was not detected while total proteins, phenolic compounds and starch were found in at least one of the three materials analyzed for the three provenances of physic nut. Taking together all the obtained data, it was possible to establish a relationship between oxidative stress, the morphogenic response in vitro and the effect of growth regulators in the culture medium as well as prove the potential success of the production of jatropha tissue culture.

A mariposa Plutella xylostella (L., 1758) (Lepidoptera, Plutellidae), conhecida popularmente como traça das crucíferas, é uma importante praga da cultura das brássicas no Brasil e em diversos países. Seu controle normalmente é realizado com aplicações freqüentes de inseticidas convencionais, porém esse controle tem se mostrado ineficiente, além dos problemas ambientais, econômicos e de resistência de insetos que pode causar. A quimioesterilização apresenta-se como uma alternativa para o manejo desta praga, utilizando inseticidas modernos, mais seletivos aos inimigos naturais e de menor impacto ambiental. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar o emprego de alguns inseticidas com propriedades esterilizantes sobre a fase adulta de Plutella xylostella determinando as dosagens adequadas que atuaram sobre sua reprodução. Os produtos foram fornecidos às mariposas em forma de iscas que consistiram em: solução do produto + melaço 10%. Os inseticidas utilizados e suas respectivas dosagens foram abamectina (0,0025 g i.a./L calda), diflubenzurom (0,005 g i.a./L calda), lufenurom (0,005 g i.a./L calda) e piriproxifem (0,01 g i.a./L calda), além da testemunha. Apenas o tratamento com abamectina afetou a fecundidade de Plutella xylostella, apresentando 10,23 ± 4,41 ovos em média, enquanto na testemunha obteve-se 64,54 ± 15,11 ovos, porém a fertilidade foi afetada por todos os produtos. A viabilidade média dos ovos dos tratamentos com abamectina, diflubenzurom, lufenurom e piriproxifem foi, respectivamente 3,35%; 46,69%; 9,31% e 12,47%; todos diferiram estatisticamente da testemunha que apresentou viabilidade de 83,89%. A longevidade dos insetos tratados com os produtos não diferiu dos não tratados, com exceção dos indivíduos tratados com abamectina que apresentaram uma redução no tempo de vida. Quando os produtos testados foram oferecidos isoladamente para machos e fêmeas, a ação esterilizante apenas pode ser observada em fêmeas desta espécie, os machos não apresentaram nenhuma diferença com relação à testemunha quando alimentados com as iscas esterilizantes. / Plutella xylostella (L., 1758) (Lepidoptera, Plutellidae), commonly known as diamondback moth, is an important pest of Brassicaceae in Brazil and several other countries. Its control is usually done with frequent applications of conventional insecticides. However, this approach is sometimes ineffective, besides some drawbacks such as environmental contamination, the high cost of application and the development of insecticides resistance. Chemosterilization using modern insecticides presents an alternative for this pest management. The aim of this study was to evaluate a range of insecticides with sterilizing properties on the adult reproduction of Plutella xylostella. Pesticides were provided to moths in baits, diluted in 10% molasses water solution. The insecticides used and respective doses were: abamectin (0.0025 g a.i./L), diflubenzuron (0.005 g a.i./L), lufenuron (0.005 g a.i./L) and pyriproxyfen (0.01 g a.i./L). A 10% molasses solution was used as a control treatment. Only abamectin affected the fecundity of Plutella xylostella, with a reduction from 64.54 ± 15.11 eggs/moth obtained in the control treatment to 10.23 ± 4.41 eggs/moth, when adults were fed this pesticide. However, fertility was affected by all pesticides. Egg viability when adults were feed abamectin (3.35%), diflubenzuron (46.69%), lufenuron (9.31%) and pyriproxyfen (12.47%) were reduced when compared to the control (83.89%). Only adults that were abamectin fed had their longevity reduced as compared to all other treatments. When the tested pesticides were offered isolated to males or females, their sterilizing activity was observed only when females had access to treated baits.

Nesta tese de doutorado foram investigados parâmetros imunológicos de 3 espécies de anuros ao longo de diferentes estágios de história de vida, bem como a relação dos níveis plasmáticos de hormônios esteroides com as variáveis imunológicas (Capítulo 1). O capítulo 2 aborda os ajustes sazonais de reguladores metabólicos em diferentes músculos relacionados a reprodução e locomoção no período reprodutivo e de seca em três espécies de anuros. O capítulo 3 aborda a relação causal entre o aumento dos níveis plasmáticos de hormônios esteroides e a imunomodulação da resposta inflamatória e da resposta mediada por proteínas do sistema complemento na espécie R. jimi. Adicionalmente, foram investigados possíveis ajustes anuais do custo energético da resposta inflamatória, da taxa metabólica padrão, e a relação dessas variáveis com os níveis plasmáticos de hormônios esteroides na espécie R. jimi (Capítulo 4). O conjunto de dados dos capítulos 1 e 4 apontam na direção contrária da hipótese de imunossupressão durante a temporada reprodutiva, altos níveis de hormônios esteroides (testosterona e corticosterona) aumentam os paramêtros imunitários, bem como a resposta imune. Os resultados apresentados no capítulo 3 corroboram os efeitos imunomodulatórios do tratamento agudo de testosterona e corticosterona em anfíbios anuros. Por fim, o capítulo 2 mostra a variação sazonal de expressão de proteínas que agem como reguladores metabólicos. Essas reguladores, mediam a manutenção de células e tecidos durante a seca, fazendo com que os músculos associados a reprodução e locomoção não degradem durante este período. Adicionamente, a espécie estivadora ativa vias que diminuem o consumo de ATP, fazendo que com que haja economia de reservas energéticas durante a estivação / We investigated the correlation between imunological parameters, steroid plasma levels in 3 anuran species during different life history stages (Chapter1). Chapter 2 explore the seasonal adjusments of metabolic regulators for 3 anuran species. In the 3th chapter, we studied the casual relationship between increase of steroid plasma levels and immunomodulation in males of Rhinella jimi. Additionally, w e investigated the metabolic cost of the immune response, standard metabolic rate, and steroid plasma levels of R. jimi (Chapter 4). Our results point to an opposite direction of the immunocompetence handicap hypothesis (Chapter 1 and 4), high steroid plasma levels are associated to higher immune response. The results found in the chapter 3 corroborates the immunomodulatory effects of testosterone and corticosterone. Chapter 2 shows the seasonal variation of metabolic regulators, which guarantee muscle and cellular maintenance during the dry period for all three species. The aestivating species activates pathways that shut down ATP consumption saving energy during the drought