Seedling blight of maize has significantly influenced field crop stands and seedling vigour over various localities and seasons. The extent of the problem is influenced by a number of factors which includes soil temperature (generally below 13 °C), waterlogged soils, inadequate fertilization, herbicide damage and fungal pathogens. The fungi generally causing seedling damping off are often involved in a complex and succession over time varying in importance depending on the field circumstances at a given time. These generally include the Pythium spp., Rhizoctonia spp. and various Fusarium spp. These have been recorded in a number of studies conducted by local researchers in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s on sorghum but to a lesser degree on maize. Uncertainty regarding the status of the etiology of maize seedling blights as maize production practices have changed dramatically in the last 10 years with increased plant populations, reduced tillage, increased crop rotation options and new short season maize hybrids. It is therefore essential to determine the present status of seedling blights in South Africa to confirm the necessity of fungicide seed treatments to ensure adequate plant densities and seedling vigour. Cob and tassel smut caused by Sphacelotheca reiliana is a disease of maize that was a problem in the 1970’s. Due to improved fertilisation, fungicide seed treatments and hybrid resistance this disease was reduced to such levels that the disease was only found to occur on research farms where seedlings were inoculated. Since 2007, the disease was reported to reach epidemic proportions on the heavy clay soils in the Standerton area. This disease has since spread over the last seven seasons to a range including northern KwaZulu/Natal, namely as far as Underberg/Swartberg, the Witbank, Ermelo, Middelburg and Delmas area in Mpumalanga and to Harrismith in the eastern Free State maize production area. This may be due to susceptible hybrids coming onto the local market or the inability of traditional fungicide seed treatments to contain infection. New and unregistered seed treatments available will be tested for their ability to control cob and tassel smut in two fields over two seasons. The aims of this dissertation were to determine the extent of the seedling blight problem in commercial fields throughout the maize industry. To determine the efficacy of fungicide seed treatments for the control of maize seedling blights using both field and greenhouse studies, and to determine the efficacy of fungicide seed treatments for the control of cob and tassel smut of maize in field trials. A total of 101 localities were sampled throughout the maize producing region of South Africa with root discolouration varying from 0 to 90 % root discolouration. Seventy different fungal species were isolated from the maize seedlings roots which include species such as Aspergillus, Clonostachus, Fusarium, Trichoderma and Penicillium. The most commonly isolated fungi which included Aspergillus niger, Fusarium solani, Fusarium verticillioides and Fusarium oxysporum were evaluated in glasshouse studies to determine their pathogenicity. Pathogenicity differed between isolates of the same fungal species, which were collected from different geographical regions, in the glasshouse studies. Field trials for seedling blight disease showed significant differences between the localities (P < 0.001) the trials were planted at, and between seed treatments. Significant season (P < 0.001) and locality (P < 0.05) differences were also found for cob and tassel smut trials planted at Potchefstroom, North-West province and Greytown, KwaZulu/Natal Province respectively. Fungicide seed treatments also showed significant differences for cob and tassel smut regarding plants infected (P < 0.001) and yield loss (P < 0.05). Overall seed treatments can be seen as an effective controlling agent for the control of seed- and soil-borne fungi on maize. / MSc (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Seedling blight of maize has significantly influenced field crop stands and seedling vigour over various localities and seasons. The extent of the problem is influenced by a number of factors which includes soil temperature (generally below 13 °C), waterlogged soils, inadequate fertilization, herbicide damage and fungal pathogens. The fungi generally causing seedling damping off are often involved in a complex and succession over time varying in importance depending on the field circumstances at a given time. These generally include the Pythium spp., Rhizoctonia spp. and various Fusarium spp. These have been recorded in a number of studies conducted by local researchers in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s on sorghum but to a lesser degree on maize. Uncertainty regarding the status of the etiology of maize seedling blights as maize production practices have changed dramatically in the last 10 years with increased plant populations, reduced tillage, increased crop rotation options and new short season maize hybrids. It is therefore essential to determine the present status of seedling blights in South Africa to confirm the necessity of fungicide seed treatments to ensure adequate plant densities and seedling vigour. Cob and tassel smut caused by Sphacelotheca reiliana is a disease of maize that was a problem in the 1970’s. Due to improved fertilisation, fungicide seed treatments and hybrid resistance this disease was reduced to such levels that the disease was only found to occur on research farms where seedlings were inoculated. Since 2007, the disease was reported to reach epidemic proportions on the heavy clay soils in the Standerton area. This disease has since spread over the last seven seasons to a range including northern KwaZulu/Natal, namely as far as Underberg/Swartberg, the Witbank, Ermelo, Middelburg and Delmas area in Mpumalanga and to Harrismith in the eastern Free State maize production area. This may be due to susceptible hybrids coming onto the local market or the inability of traditional fungicide seed treatments to contain infection. New and unregistered seed treatments available will be tested for their ability to control cob and tassel smut in two fields over two seasons. The aims of this dissertation were to determine the extent of the seedling blight problem in commercial fields throughout the maize industry. To determine the efficacy of fungicide seed treatments for the control of maize seedling blights using both field and greenhouse studies, and to determine the efficacy of fungicide seed treatments for the control of cob and tassel smut of maize in field trials. A total of 101 localities were sampled throughout the maize producing region of South Africa with root discolouration varying from 0 to 90 % root discolouration. Seventy different fungal species were isolated from the maize seedlings roots which include species such as Aspergillus, Clonostachus, Fusarium, Trichoderma and Penicillium. The most commonly isolated fungi which included Aspergillus niger, Fusarium solani, Fusarium verticillioides and Fusarium oxysporum were evaluated in glasshouse studies to determine their pathogenicity. Pathogenicity differed between isolates of the same fungal species, which were collected from different geographical regions, in the glasshouse studies. Field trials for seedling blight disease showed significant differences between the localities (P < 0.001) the trials were planted at, and between seed treatments. Significant season (P < 0.001) and locality (P < 0.05) differences were also found for cob and tassel smut trials planted at Potchefstroom, North-West province and Greytown, KwaZulu/Natal Province respectively. Fungicide seed treatments also showed significant differences for cob and tassel smut regarding plants infected (P < 0.001) and yield loss (P < 0.05). Overall seed treatments can be seen as an effective controlling agent for the control of seed- and soil-borne fungi on maize. / MSc (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Elevated atmospheric CO2 has been implicated as a driver of increased liana abundance worldwide. Known as disturbance creators and beneficiaries, lianas possess the potential to significantly influence forest ecosystems. I investigated the early-invasion dynamics of Euonymus fortunei (wintercreeper), an evergreen liana that is invading forests in eastern North America, disrupting native plant communities and ecosystem functions. Wintercreeper is widely cultivated as an ornamental groundcover, frequently invading natural areas via asexual stem growth. Invasion of remote natural areas is dependent upon seed transport and may occur less frequently. I examined the mechanisms of seed dormancy by conducting a ‘move-along’ experiment using fresh and after-ripened seeds. Additionally, I sought to characterize the nature of seed dispersal by birds by deploying seed traps within an invaded forest in central Kentucky. Wintercreeper seeds displayed conditional nondeep physiological dormancy. Although germination occurs at high velocity following cold stratification, a cold period was only facultative to break dormancy. While fresh seeds had greater germination rates (98.6%) compared to after-ripened seeds (85.7%), after-ripened seeds experienced earlier germination (41 days across all treatments). My findings also indicate that bird-mediated seed dispersal occurs throughout the winter from seeds that after-ripen on maternal liana phanerophytes. Overall, these data suggest wintercreeper seeds are capable of dispersing and recruiting in areas with mild to non-existent winters. The invasion of natural areas by exotic invaders is regulated by biotic and abiotic processes, which influence the invader’s success or failure. I studied the vegetation and soil effects of paired invaded (INV), uninvaded (NAT), and ‘restored’ (RES) sites on the germination and survival of wintercreeper seeds and seedlings. The effect of aril (with vs. without) was also tested, both in the field and in vitro. In the field, total germination and first year survival were 55.6% and 24.2%, respectively, across treatments. Total germination was unaffected by treatments, yet vegetation (P = 0.0016) and aril (P = 0.001) treatments significantly influenced germination rates over time, including delayed germination of seeds with arils. The proportion of germinated seedlings that survived was significantly different based on vegetation (P = 0.054) and aril (P = 0.071) treatments after the first winter of growth, but not prior to the first winter. The proportion of seedling survival was significantly lower among seeds dispersed with an aril and seeds sown within INV treatments; there were no interactive effects. Finally, I examined how seedling density and growth habit (horizontal vs. vertical) influenced plant survival, growth, and allometry. I also tested extractable soil C, N, P, K, Ca, and Mg prior to planting and after 17 months of soil conditioning. I found evidence that increased planting density negatively influenced growth among individual plants (lower survival, basal diameter, shoot mass, root mass). At the plot level, high-density plantings yielded greater stem length, and shoot, root, and combined biomass, indicating positive frequency dependence for this species. Soil analyses indicated C, N, P, Ca, and Mg significantly increased (P < 0.05) over the course of the experiment. I conclude that in wintercreeper, prominent asexual propagation leads to aggregate populations whose total contributions to above- and belowground biomass are positively correlated with density, even though individual plant fitness is not. Altogether, this work provides insight into how wintercreeper invasions occur at broad and fine scales. This information will provide a foundation for future wintercreeper studies and aid land managers in their prevention and control strategies.

As áreas degradadas têm crescido no mundo e no Brasil, necessitando de métodos de restauração ecológica eficientes e com baixo custo que permitam a rápida reconstrução das florestas tropicais. A pecuária é a atividade agrícola de maior impacto na geração de áreas degradadas e o Brasil detém atualmente o maior rebanho bovino do mundo. As pastagens, em sua maioria, são degradadas e possuem baixo nível tecnológico, resultando em baixas produtividades para o setor. Por isso objetivo do estudo foi testar diferentes estratégias de restauração na estruturação de comunidades florestais tropicais em pastagens abandonadas vizinhas a fragmentos de Mata Atlântica (Floresta Estacional Semidecidual-FES). Para isso foram instalados 12 tratamentos repetidos quatro vezes, com parcelas de 600 m2 (12x50m), totalizando 2,88 ha no Instituto de Zootecnia de São Paulo, em Sertãozinho, SP. O Instituto foi escolhido por estar estrategicamente localizado em uma região altamente fragmentada e ter histórico de uso intensivo do solo, realidade de boa parte das pastagens do Brasil. A tese foi estruturada em três partes principais. A primeira comparou as comunidades resultantes dos tratamentos com sucessão secundária e condução da regeneração com diferentes níveis de manejo para controle das gramíneas e fertilização do solo. Previamente foram avaliados os solos, que se apresentaram férteis e compactados, e os bancos de sementes, que demonstraram alta dominância de arbustos e gramíneas e distribuição heterogênea de espécies arbóreas. A avaliação da regeneração demonstrou que o melhor tratamento foi o que recebeu aplicação de herbicida e fertilização, e o pior foi o Controle que parece estar com a sucessão estagnada ou muito lenta. Quanto maior e mais intenso o manejo da regeneração, maiores foram os resultados obtidos para a densidade de indivíduos, altura e área de copa das comunidades, contudo nenhum tratamento alcançou estruturar um dossel florestal em 32 meses de monitoramento. No segundo estudo foram comparados o tratamento com o melhor manejo da regeneração com 32 meses, com outros dois que receberam plantios de apenas duas espécies pioneiras de recobrimento, com e sem fertilização da regeneração, sobre áreas que estavam com a regeneração sendo manejada. Em apenas 20 meses os plantios criaram uma estrutura florestal com maior cobertura e registraram maior densidade de indivíduos e diversidade de espécies de estágios finais da sucessão. Não houve resposta da fertilização do solo na regeneração sob os plantios. O terceiro capítulo da tese testou a semeadura de mamona (Ricinus communis L.) para construção de dosséis transitórios, enriquecidos ou não com espécies secundárias iniciais, entre linhas de plantios de espécies de recobrimento. Esses dosséis tinham como objetivo controlar as gramíneas e favorecer a sobrevivência e crescimento dos indivíduos plantados. Os resultados demonstraram um controle efetivo das gramíneas e redução na mortalidade de espécies secundárias iniciais sob as copas dos dosséis de mamona. Ao final da tese os 12 tratamentos são comparados quanto à eficiência ecológica e custos, concluindo que quanto mais intensivos os manejos adotados, aumentando a previsibilidade das comunidades formadas e o sucesso da restauração, maiores os custos diretos. De forma adicional foram apresentados mais dois itens com aprendizagens obtidas com o desenvolvimento da tese. Esse estudo foi importante por apresentar diversas estratégias de restauração para pastagens próximas a remanescentes florestais em contexto de matriz fragmentada e solos que tiveram uso intensivo, apresentando alta representatividade na faixa de FES que se estende pela região central do Brasil. Os resultados obtidos podem auxiliar pequenos e grandes proprietários rurais, tomadores de decisão, formuladores de políticas públicas e todos os envolvidos na cadeia de restauração ecológica em relação a como se estruturar com eficiência ecológica e custos mais reduzidos comunidades florestais biodiversas e sustentáveis em pastagens abandonadas. / The extension of degraded areas has grown in Brazil and in the world, raising the need for efficient and low-cost ecological restoration methods that allow the rapid reconstruction of tropical forests. Livestock farming is the agricultural activity of greatest impact generating degraded areas and Brazil currently has the largest cattle herd in the world. Most pastures are degraded and have a low level of technification, resulting in low productivity for the sector. Therefore, the objective of this study was to test different restoration strategies for the structuring of tropical forest communities in abandoned pastures adjacent to fragments of Atlantic Forest (Semideciduous Seasonal Forest - SSF). We deployed 12 treatments and four repetitions, in plots of 600 m2 (12x50m), 2.88 ha total at the São Paulo Zootechny Institute, in Sertãozinho, SP, Brazil. The Institute was chosen because it is strategically located in a highly fragmented region and has a history of intensive land use, which is the reality of most of Brazil\'s pastureland. The thesis was structured in three main parts. The first one compared communities resulting from secondary succession to communities resulting from assisted natural regeneration after the application of different management intensities of grass control and soil fertilization. The soils were evaluated previously and found them to be fertile and compacted, and the seedbanks showed high dominance of shrubs and grasses with a heterogeneous distribution of tree species. Natural regeneration evaluation revealed that the best treatment was the application of herbicide plus fertilization, and the worst was the control treatment, that lead to a stagnated secondary succession or to very slowly changes. The higher and more intense the management of natural regeneration, the greater the results obtained regarding density, height and crown area. However, no treatment managed to structure a forest canopy within 32 months. In the second study, the treatment with the best results at the age 32 months was compared with two other treatments in areas were regeneration was being managed; both received plantations of two pioneer species, one was fertilized and the other was not. In only 20 months, the plantations created a forest structure with greater canopy cover, higher density and diversity of species common to the final stages of succession. Soil fertilization had no influence over natural regeneration under the plantations. The third chapter of the thesis tested the sowing of castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) between planting lines of fast-growing wide-canopy native species aiming the construction of transient canopies, enriched or not by the plantation of early-secondary seedlings. These canopies should control grasses and favor the survival and growth of planted individuals growing underneath. The results demonstrated an effective control of grasses and a reduction in the mortality of early-secondary species under the canopy; although more studies are needed to improve the technique. At the end of the thesis, the 12 treatments were compared in terms of ecological efficiency and costs, concluding that the more intensive the management adopted, increasing the predictability of the resulting communities and restoration success, the greater the direct costs. In addition, two other items were presented as lessons learned during the development of the thesis. This study was important because it presented several restoration strategies for pastures close to remnant forests in a fragmented matrix on intensively used soils, highly representative of SSF, that extends through the central region of Brazil. The results obtained can help small and large landowners, decision makers, policymakers and all of those involved in the ecological restoration value chain regarding how to structure ecologically and cost-effectively sustainable and biodiverse forest communities over abandoned pastures.

A análise de imagens digitais tem grande potencial de uso na determinação do vigor de sementes. Associada ao teste de crescimento de plântulas, essa técnica possibilita a análise dimensional de imagens com rapidez e precisão. O resultado é a extensão total de cada plântula via quantificação computadorizada do comprimento de suas partes constituintes. Assim, o objetivo do trabalho foi estudar o vigor de lotes de sementes de milho, por meio do teste de crescimento de plântulas, utilizando-se a análise de imagens. Plântulas de milho (genótipo AG122) foram retiradas do germinador ao quarto dia de desenvolvimento e ordenadas sobre uma folha de poliéster transparente na superfície de um "scanner" para a captação das imagens. Desenvolveu-se uma rotina de processamento no programa "Scil-Image" para a análise das imagens digitais obtidas das plântulas. Houve medição computadorizada da extensão total, com a soma usual do comprimento do coleóptilo ao comprimento da maior raiz da plântula e, também, não usualmente, ao tamanho de todo sistema radicular. As plântulas foram mensuradas manualmente, visando a comparação com o método em estudo. Os resultados mostraram que a técnica digital possibilita a associação dos dados obtidos no processamento a eventuais diferenças de vigor existentes em lotes de sementes de milho, de maneira similar a outros métodos destinados à avaliação do vigor de sementes da referida espécie. / The image analysis has high potential use in seed vigor determination. Associated to the seedlings growing test, this technique is fast, precise and makes possible the dimensional image analysis. The result is the total extension of each seedling quantifying the length of their constituent parts. With the purpose of studying the corn seed lots vigor through the seedlings growing test, using the digital images analysis, the corn seedlings (AG122 genotype) were taken from the germination chamber at the fourth day of development and ordered over a sheet, made with a transparent polyester film, on a scanner surface to the images capture. A routine was developed to process digital images of seedlings into the "Scil-Image" software. There was a computational procedure to measure the total length, with the usual sum of coleoptile to the main root length of seedling and also, not usually, to all root system. The seedlings were measured manually, seeking comparison with the method in study. The results showed that the digital technique makes possible association of the data obtained in processing to eventual vigor differences existing in corn seed lots, in a similar way to the other methods appointed to seed vigor evaluation by referred species.

O cultivo da cana-de-açúcar depara-se com a falta de tecnologias alternativas inovadoras para impulsionar sua produtividade diante dos crescentes custos de mão de obra e insumos, tornando-se essencial aumentar a produtividade da cana de forma sustentável. A cana-de-açúcar é comercialmente plantada, utilizando-se cortes de toletes ou gemas. Este método de cultivo está se tornando gradualmente antieconômico, devido ao elevado custo das \"áreas de viveiros\" usadas para a renovação de canaviais, que demandam mais de 20 por cento do custo total de produção para renovação/novos plantios. Dessa forma, necessita-se de métodos alternativos de plantio, que impulsionem a produtividade da cana-de-açúcar sobre princípios de um planejamento adequado; entre outras práticas, devem estar inclusas a formação de viveiros sadios, com otimização de áreas destinadas à multiplicação de mudas e também a escolha das melhores opções entre os materiais genéticos para a formação do canavial. Este trabalho baseia-se na hipótese de que, para viveiros de cana-de-açúcar, exista uma combinação mais adequada entre a lâmina de irrigação/intensidade do déficit hídrico e a posição da gema ao longo do colmo; desta forma, aumenta-se a produtividade de gemas de cana-de-açúcar, que serão utilizadas no plantio do sistema de mudas-pré-brotadas (MPB). O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar, no que se refere ao viveiro de mudas, o efeito de quatro lâminas de irrigação, quatro intensidades de déficit hídrico na fase de maturação, quatro posições ao longo do colmo para oito variedades de cana-de-açúcar irrigadas por gotejamento, assim como também a produtividade por área e os custos de produção de gemas viáveis de cana-de-açúcar. O experimento foi conduzido no município de Piracicaba - SP, no Departamento de Engenharia de Biossistemas da Escola Superior de Agricultura \"Luiz de Queiroz\" (ESALQ/USP), em ambiente protegido (estufa). O delineamento experimental adotado foi em blocos inteiramente aleatorizados, com três blocos completos. Os tratamentos foram distribuídos em esquema fatorial (4x4x4x8), totalizando-se assim 511 tratamentos e 1536 parcelas experimentais. Os tratamentos testados foram: lâmina de irrigação ao longo do ciclo, com quatro níveis (Lâmina); intensidade do déficit hídrico na fase final do ciclo para maturação da cana-de-açúcar, com quatro estratégias de restrição hídrica (Maturação); posição da gema ao longo do comprimento do colmo, com quatro posições (Posição); e variedade comercial de cana-de-açúcar, com oito variedades (Variedade). Considerando-se que o presente estudo foi desenvolvido através de irrigação por gotejamento de alta frequência sob irrigação plena e irrigação com déficit, pode-se concluir que: a) a lâmina de irrigação que repõe o total de água requerido com alta frequência (L100) promove um aumento médio de 42% no total de gemas viáveis produzidas por hectare, comparado com o fornecimento de metade da lâmina de irrigação requerida (L50); b) as gemas localizadas no segundo quarto do dossel da touceira tem maior capacidade de pegamento, bem como as próximas do ápice; c) a adoção de déficit hídrico na fase pré-colheita (estratégias de maturação) em condições de irrigação plena (L100) podem reduzir em média 11% o número de gemas viáveis por hectare; d) a produtividade da água para gemas de cana-de-açúcar (2,88 à 3,17 litros gema-1) não tem relação com a lâmina de irrigação ou a estratégia de maturação adotada, sendo influenciada somente pelo material genético utilizado (variedade); e) as estratégias de restrição do volume de água aplicado (L50, L75 e L125) oneram em até 51% os custos de produção para cada gema viável produzida, comparado à irrigação plena (L100). / Sugarcane crop is facing a difficult road ahead due the rising input and labor costs and the lack of innovative alternative technologies to boost productivity. Thus, it is essential not only increase the productivity of sugarcane, but also keep it in a sustainable way, had conserving limited resources throughout time. To accomplish this, there is a strong necessity to use alternative methods of production to boost sugarcane productivity on the principles of \'\'more with less\'\'. More than ever, the answer refers to proper planning, which includes among other practices, the formation of healthy nursery, with definable areas intended to multiplication of seedlings and the choice of the best options among the available materials for the formation of cane field. Sugarcane is cultivated using cuts of stalks or bud chips and this cultivation method is gradually becoming uneconomical due the cost of \"nurseries areas\" used for renew old areas, requiring more than 20 percent of the total production cost for renovation/new plantings. This work has the hypothesis that for sugarcane, there is a better combination of water depth / intensity of water stress and bud chip position along the stem, in order to maximize the fixation / development of buds. The objective is evaluate the effect of four irrigation levels, four water stress intensities in the maturation phase, four positions along the stem, for eight varieties of sugarcane submitted to drip irrigation, analyzing the related variables quality seedlings (productivity and cost of viable buds of sugarcane). The experiment was conducted in Piracicaba - SP, in the research area of the Department of Biosystems Engineering of the College of Agriculture \"Luiz de Queiroz\" (ESALQ / USP), in a protected environment (greenhouse). The experimental design was completely randomized blocks, with 3 complete blocks. The treatments were arranged in a factorial design (4x4x4x8), totaling 511 treatments and 1536 experimental plots. The treatments were: water depth during the cycle with 4 levels (Water depths); commercial variety of cane sugar, with 8 varieties (Variety), intensity of water deficit in the final phase of the maturation of sugarcane, 4 water restriction strategies (maturation); and bud chip position along the stem length, 4 position (position). Considering the conditions in which this study was developed: drip irrigation high frequency under full irrigation and irrigation deficit, it can be concluded that: a) The water depth that returned the total water required in high frequency (L100) promotes an average of 42% increase in total viable bud chips produced per hectare, compared with when it was supplied half of the required water depth (L50); b) Bud chips located in the second part of the canopy has a higher fixation capacity, as well as the buds located at the top; c) The adoption of water deficit in the pre-harvest phase (maturity strategies) in full irrigation conditions (L100) can reduce an average of 11% the number of viable buds per hectare; d) The water productivity of sugarcane bud chip (2,88 à 3,17 litros gema-1) has no relation to the water depth or adopted maturation strategy, being influenced by the used genetic material (variety); e) The restriction water strategies applied (L50, L75 and L125) can increase up to 51% of the costs for each viable bud produced compared to full irrigation (L100).

Com o objetivo de avaliar a influência de diferentes tipos de substratos, valores de pH e concentrações de AIB (Ácido Indolbutírico) no enraizamento de estacas apicais de jabuticabeiras (Myrciaria jaboticaba (Vell.) O. Berg), e caracterizar morfológica e molecularmente espécies de jabuticabeiras, foram realizados dois experimentos. No primeiro, foram coletadas estacas apicais de matrizes de jabuticabeiras da espécie Myrciaria jaboticaba (Vell.) O. Berg, e submetidas às condições de enraizamento. O delineamento adotado foi o de subparcelas subsubdivididas 2x4x5, onde os substratos areia grossa e vermiculita constituíram as subparcelas ou unidades inteiras, os pHs (3.5; 4.5; 5.5 e 6,5) constituíram os quatro valores, e as concentrações de AIB (0; 1000; 2000; 4000 e 6000 mg.L -1 ) as subsubparcelas. O substrato areia grossa, quando interagiu com os pHs 4.5 e 5.5 proporcionou uma maior taxa de enraizamento nas estacas apicais de jabuticabeiras, já pHs elevados (6.5) e baixos (3.5), para os dois substratos, inibiram a emissão de raízes na base das estacas. As diferentes concentrações de AIB não influenciaram no enraizamento das estacas apicais. No segundo experimento, foram caracterizadas plantas de jabuticabeiras dos pomares do Setor de Horticultura do Departamento de Produção Vegetal da ESALQ-USP-Piracicaba-SP e do pomar de fruticultura da FAFRAM (Faculdade "Dr. Francisco Maeda" de Ituverava-SP). Para a caracterização das espécies, foram comparadas as características anatômicas do caule, características morfológicas através da comparação com os espécimes de herbários, revisão de literatura especializada e análise molecular através do uso de marcadores (RAPD-PCR). Foram identificados 4 grupos distintos, sendo que as espécies foram: Myrciaria phytrantha (Kiaersk.) Mattos, Myrciaria jaboticaba (Vell.) O. Berg, Myrciaria coronata Mattos, Myrciaria cauliflora (Mart.) O. Berg. A técnica de marcadores moleculares aliado ás técnicas de marcadores morfológicos (morfologia externa e interna), mostrou ser uma ferramenta importante na identificação de espécies de jaboticabeiras. / Two experiments were conducted with de main objective to verify the influence of different types of substracts, pH levels and IBA concentrations on rooting of jabuticaba trees, cuttings (Myrciaria jaboticbal (Vell.) O. Berg) and characterize 4 jabuticaba trees’ species using morphological and molecular tools. In the first experiment, jabuticaba trees’ apical cuttings were collected and put on rooting condictions. The estatistic delineation used was split plot (2 x 4 x 5), in which thick sand and vermiculite were considered subparcels or entire units, pH (3.5; 4.5; 5.5 e 6.5) were considered the four levels and IBA concentrations (0; 1000; 2000; 4000 e 6000 mg.L -1 ) were considered subsubparcels. The interaction between thick sand and 4.5 and 5.5 pH levels provided the best rooting taxes for jabuticaba trees’ apical cuttings, while 6.5 e 3.5 pH levels, had inhibited the emission of roots. IBA different concentrations had not influenced the rooting of apical cuttings. The second research was carried on two orchards: one located in Horticulture Sector of Vegetal Production Departament from ESALQ-USP, Piracicaba, SP, and another from College "Dr. Francisco Maeda" (FAFRAM), Ituverava, SP. To the species characterization, stem anatomical and morphological characteristics were compared using herbarium search, specialized literature revision and molecular analysis by the use of biological markers (RAPD-PCR). Four different groups were identified: Myrciaria phytrantha (Kiaersk) Mattos; Myrciaria jaboticaba (Vell.) O. Berg; Myrciaria coronata Mattos e Myrciaria cauliflora (Mart.) O. Berg. The molecular markers technique connected with morphological markers (external and internal morphology) showed to be an important tool used to identify jabuticaba tree species.

The processes that determine the structure of plant communities are of considerable practical and theoretical interest. Natural enemies such as herbivores, seed predators and pathogens provide one potentially important influence on plant diversity. I investigated the effects of natural enemies on plant diversity in two contrasting, species-rich plant communities (tropical forests in Panama and temperate grasslands in the UK), focusing on pre-dispersal seed predation by insects, and the mortality of seeds and seedlings caused by soil fungi. In Panama I found that pre-dispersal insect seed predators generate significant levels of mortality in multiple tropical tree species, with high heterogeneity in predation rates among individuals and at different forest sites. Insect seed predators were highly host-specific, consistent with a role in enhancing plant diversity. At Upper Seeds, a calcareous grassland site in the UK, I used manipulative experiments to show that soil fungi increase the diversity of plants propagating from soil seed banks. A parallel experiment in Panama, mimicking germination under light gap conditions, revealed differential effects of fungi among sites, with fungicide treatment appearing to increase the diversity of propagated seedlings at some sites but reducing it at others. These results suggest that the influence of soil fungi on pre-emergence mortality can alter plant diversity, even when post-emergence mortality from fungal pathogens is limited. In Panama, I also tested whether enemy-mediated mortality increases with rainfall, potentially contributing to the positive regional correlations widely observed between precipitation and plant diversity. In contrast to predictions, neither pre-dispersal insect seed predation nor the influence of soil fungi on seedling recruitment were affected significantly by site humidity, or (for soil fungi) with experimentally manipulated soil moisture levels. Overall, my results provide evidence that pre-dispersal seed predators and soil fungi can affect plant recruitment and diversity at early life stages, with potential consequences for the community structure of adult plants.

Submitted by Maria Beatriz Vieira (mbeatriz.vieira@gmail.com) on 2017-04-04T13:22:16Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) dissertacao_cintia_muller_leal.pdf: 2650724 bytes, checksum: 0735a2bb9f056999c0b6a14b82b893b4 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Aline Batista (alinehb.ufpel@gmail.com) on 2017-04-07T18:52:23Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 dissertacao_cintia_muller_leal.pdf: 2650724 bytes, checksum: 0735a2bb9f056999c0b6a14b82b893b4 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Aline Batista (alinehb.ufpel@gmail.com) on 2017-04-07T18:59:09Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 dissertacao_cintia_muller_leal.pdf: 2650724 bytes, checksum: 0735a2bb9f056999c0b6a14b82b893b4 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-04-07T18:59:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 dissertacao_cintia_muller_leal.pdf: 2650724 bytes, checksum: 0735a2bb9f056999c0b6a14b82b893b4 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-12-07 / Sem bolsa / Anacauíta (Schinus molle L.) é uma espécie arbórea de ocorrência nativa no Rio Grande do Sul, pioneira de pequeno porte, com importância ecológica, bioquímica e farmacológica, contudo suas sementes apresentam dormência, fato que dificulta a produção de mudas em escala comercial. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar métodos de superação de dormência das sementes de S. molle de um lote com 15 meses de armazenamento em câmara fria seca e germinação inicial de 5% quando submetidas a tratamento para superação de dormência com ácido sulfúrico por 160 minutos, utilizando diferentes tempos de escarificação mecânica (150, 300, 450 e 600 segundos) em escarificador elétrico equipado com lixa grão 80. O tratamento de 150 segundos de escarificação mecânica proporcionou maior percentual de germinação (61%), menor número de sementes mortas e plântulas anormais, maior massa seca e comprimento de plântulas aos sete dias, maior embebição e maior índice de velocidade de emergência (2,28). Para a produção de mudas desta espécie foram testados dois volumes de tubetes (100 e 175 mL) e quatro níveis de adubação com fertilizante de liberação controlada (FLC) Osmocote Plus, em um experimento fatorial 2 x 4. Os níveis de adubação com FLC foram zero, quatro, oito e doze gramas por litro de substrato. Os resultados quanto aos parâmetros de crescimento e qualidade de mudas, onde foram avaliados altura, diâmetro do coleto, número de folhas, relação altura/diâmetro do coleto, massa seca da raiz, massa seca da parte aérea, massa seca total, relação massa seca da parte aérea e massa seca da raiz, volume de raiz, índice de qualidade de Dickson, índice de clorofila, teor de clorofila a, clorofila b e carotenoides ao longo de 120 dias após a emergência das plântulas, revelou que o tubete de 175 mL e a dosagem de oito gramas de FLC por litro de substrato foi superior aos demais tratamentos por produzir mudas de anacauíta de alta qualidade. / Anacauita (Schinus molle L.) is arborea, native species in a Rio Grande do Sul small pioneer with ecological, biochemical and pharmacological importance, but its seeds present dormancy , a fact that hinders the production of seedlings on a commercial scale. This study aimed at evaluating methods of overcoming seed dormancy of S. molle of a batch of 15 months of storage in dry cold chamber and 5% germination when undergoing treatment to overcome dormancy with sulfuric acid for 160 minutes, using different times mechanical scarification (150, 300, 450 and 600 seconds) in electric scarifier equipped with 80 grit sandpaper. Treatment of 150 seconds of mechanical scarification showed higher germination percentage (61%), fewer dead seeds and abnormal seedlings, imbibition largest and most emergency velocity index (2.28). For the production of seedlings of this species were tested two volumes of tubes (100 and 175 mL) and four levels of fertilizer controlled release fertilizer (CRF) Osmocote Plus in 2 x 4 factorial experiment. Nutrient levels were CRF zero, four, eight and twelve grams per liter of substrate. The results regarding the growth parameters and quality seedlings, which were assessed height, stem diameter, number of leaves, height / stem diameter, root dry mass, dry mass of shoots, total dry matter, dry weight ratio of shoot and root dry mass, root volume, Dickson quality index, chlorophyll index, chlorophyll content a, chlorophyll b and carotenoids over 120 days after seedling emergence, revealed that the plastic tube 175 ml and the dose of CRF eight grams per liter substrate was superior to the other treatments for producing seedlings of high quality anacauita.

Submitted by Maria Beatriz Vieira (mbeatriz.vieira@gmail.com) on 2017-04-26T13:32:58Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) tese_andre_pich_brunes.pdf: 458309 bytes, checksum: 0a1b5af94abd854c4a221cd0c4528db2 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Aline Batista (alinehb.ufpel@gmail.com) on 2017-05-02T18:32:21Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 tese_andre_pich_brunes.pdf: 458309 bytes, checksum: 0a1b5af94abd854c4a221cd0c4528db2 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Aline Batista (alinehb.ufpel@gmail.com) on 2017-05-02T18:33:40Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 tese_andre_pich_brunes.pdf: 458309 bytes, checksum: 0a1b5af94abd854c4a221cd0c4528db2 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-02T18:34:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 tese_andre_pich_brunes.pdf: 458309 bytes, checksum: 0a1b5af94abd854c4a221cd0c4528db2 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-12-09 / Sem bolsa / A determinação do comprimento e/ou a área de órgãos da plântula em desenvolvimento é amplamente utilizada para avaliação do vigor de sementes. Em vista de efetuar estes testes de modo eficiente, preciso e de baixo custo, objetivou-se desenvolver um software para o processamento de imagens digitais. O trabalho foi conduzido em laboratório didático de análise de sementes e canteiros de cultivo da Faculdade de Agronomia Eliseu Maciel – Universidade Federal de Pelotas, utilizando sementes de trigo das cultivares TBIO Itaipu, BRS Guamirim, TBIO Pioneiro e TBIO Mestre e de arroz das cultivares Irga 424, Puitá inta CL, BRS Esmeralda, SCS 116, Guri Inta CL, BRS Pampa, BRSGO Serra Dourada e INIA Olimar, constituindo dois experimentos em esquema unifatorial. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado com cinco repetições. No primeiro experimento a qualidade fisiológica das sementes de trigo foi determinada pelos testes de germinação, primeira contagem da germinação, envelhecimento acelerado, comprimento de parte aérea e de raiz aferidos com régua graduada e comprimento de parte aérea e de raiz obtidos por processamento de imagens. No segundo experimento, além dos testes citados, realizou-se a determinação de área da folha e de raiz nas plântulas de arroz. Os dados foram analisados quanto à normalidade pelo teste de Shapiro-wilk, e submetidos a análise de variância pelo teste F a 5% de probabilidade. As variáveis resposta foram correlacionadas pelo teste de Pearson e as metodologias de determinação do comprimento de parte aérea e de raiz através de medição com régua graduada e por processamento de imagem foram comparadas através do teste F a 95% de probabilidade. Para comparação de médias entre as cultivares utilizou-se o teste de Tukey a 5% de probabilidade. Os comprimentos de parte aérea e de raiz de plântulas de trigo determinados por processamento de imagens em ferramenta matemática Matlab® são eficientes para separar as sementes em níveis de vigor de forma similar às avaliações rotineiramente utilizadas para essa finalidade. As determinações de comprimento de parte aérea, comprimento de raiz e área foliar de plântulas obtida por processamento de imagem digital é eficaz para avaliação do vigor de sementes de arroz. / The determination of the length and / or area of the seedling developing organs are widely used to evalueate seed vigor. In view of performing these tests efficiently, accurate and inexpensive we aim to develop a image processing software. The experiment was developed in Didatic laboratory of seeds analysis located in the municipality of Capão do Leão (RS) using seeds of four weath cultivars: TBIO Itaipu, BRS Guamirim, TBIO Pioneiro e TBIO Mestre, and rice seeds of eight cultivars, namely: Irga 424, PUITA Inta CL, BRS Esmeralda, SCS 116, Guri Inta CL, BRS Pampa, BRSGO Serra Dourada and INIA Olimar. The experimental design was completely randomized with five replications, constituting an experiment in one-factor scheme. In the first experiment the physiological quality of wheat seeds was determined by germination, first count of germination, accelerated aging, shoot length and root length measured with graduated scale and shoot length and root length obtained by image processing. In the second experiment, in addition to the aforementioned tests, we determine leaf area and root area in rice seedlings Data were analyzed for normality by the Shapiro-Wilk test, and analysis of variance by F test at 5% probability. The response variables were correlated using the Pearson test, and the methodologies for determining the length of shoot and root through measurement with graduated scale and image processing were compared using the F test at 95% probability. To compare means between cultivars used the Tukey test at 5% probability. The length of shoot and root of wheat seedlings determined through image processing in Matlab® mathematical tool are efficient to separate cultivars in vigor levels similar to the assessments routinely used for this purpose way. Measurements of shoot lenght and root length, leaf area and root area of seedling obtained through the seedling digital image processing is effective to evaluate the vigor of rice seeds.