Sustainable agriculture in China is highly threatened by rapid urbanization, land degradation and high population pressure. Yunnan Province, south-west China, is 94% mountainous and lacks flat land. Food shortages and inappropriate cultivation have led to intensive cultivation of steep, marginal and fragile land and have increased soil erosion. To curb this situation and assist with poverty alleviation, it is crucial to develop more productive and sustainable cropping systems. An experiment was conducted on sloping areas from 1999 to 2001 in Wang Jia Catchment, Yunnan Province. The project aim was to evaluate the effects of five selected cultivation practices on maize productivity and soil properties. The treatments were: (1) downslope cultivation without mulch, (2) contour cultivation without mulch, (3) contour cultivation with polythene mulch, (4) contour cultivation with polythene and wheat straw mulch (Integrated Contour with Plastic and Straw Mulch Treatment, INCOPLAST) and (5) contour cultivation with polythene mulch and intercropping, wide and narrow row spacing, with soybean in wide row spacing. Crop growth parameters and soil physical properties were measured throughout the cropping seasons. Considering three years data, contour cultivation with polythene mulch generally increased soil temperature by a mean of 1-2°C. The polythene retained considerably more soil moisture during dry weather. However, during wet weather, polythene prevented rainfall directly falling on the soil, which led to less soil moisture content. The soil temperature and moisture regimes under polythene mulch made plants grow faster and canopies develop well, leading to higher final yields. The benefit of polythene was 33-54% more yield than downslope cultivation without mulch treatment, over three seasons. Contour cultivation plus polythene and straw mulch retained significantly higher soil moisture levels. The yield of this treatment in 1999 was ranked second, but in 2000 it had the highest yield and in 2001 it was also more effective than contour cultivation with polythene mulch treatment. Contour cultivation with polythene mulch and intercropping improved maize yield. The soybean harvest also contributed to net income, the crop had a similar function to straw mulch and increased N availability. Contour cultivation increased yields over the range 7.2-11.2% over three seasons compared with downslope cultivation, equivalent to ~500-1000 kg per hectare more grain produced. There were few clear trends in soil properties over the 1999-2001 period. However, N concentrations increased in the contour cultivation with polythene mulch and intercropping treatment. Both contour cultivation with polythene and straw mulch and contour cultivation with polythene mulch and intercropping gave apparent increases in total K, probably resulting from both decayed straw and decomposed soybean leaves. In terms of simple cost-benefit evaluation, downslope cultivation had the lowest input and output, while contour cultivation had a similar input, but a higher output. Contour cultivation with polythene had the highest net return. Contour cultivation with polythene and straw had a high output but did not give a higher net return than contour cultivation with polythene. Contour cultivation with polythene mulch and intercropping generally had the highest input and output and could give a higher net return than contour cultivation with polythene when the soybean harvest was successful, but over three years this treatment had the greatest risk from crop failure. It is recommended that replacing downslope cultivation with contour cultivation can increase crop yields and this simple action could contribute to the development of more sustainable cropping systems in Yunnan. Polythene mulch achieved higher maize yields but its environmental impact requires further study. It is considered that contour cultivation with polythene and straw mulch or soybean intercropping could contribute towards more productive and sustainable cropping systems where soil conservation is high priority. The technique could assist with long-term soil, water and nutrient conservation and improved crop productivity.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Agricultural Economics / Tian Xia / This dissertation presents the development of a new approach to include the interaction of vertically differentiated products, a subject that has been largely ignored in previous studies, to analyze the market power of exporters and importers in the world markets of agricultural commodities. Three theoretical models, a residual demand elasticity (RDE) model, a residual supply elasticity (RSE) model, and a two-country partial equilibrium trade model, are developed, and the corresponding empirical models are specified for U.S.-Japan soybean trade. Genetically modified (GM) and non-genetically modified (non-GM) soybeans are vertically differentiated products in the sense that GM soybeans are largely defined as an inferior substitute to non-GM soybeans. I compare two versions of these models: a new approach in which the interaction between non-GM and GM soybeans is taken into account and the traditional approach in which the interaction is ignored. In each of the three models (the RDE model, the RSE model, and the partial equilibrium trade model), the traditional approach overestimates the market margin of U.S. non-GM soybean exporters and that of Japanese non-GM soybean importers. By considering the interaction between non-GM and GM soybeans, the new approach greatly reduces the estimates of the corresponding market margins of U.S. exporters and Japanese importers to improve the accuracy of such estimates. The statistical significance of the coefficient estimate of the interaction term, the U.S. GM soybean price or the Japanese GM soybean price, in all three models suggests that the new approach, which includes the interaction between non-GM and GM soybeans, is necessary and preferred. The partial equilibrium trade model includes both an RDE equation and an RSE equation in a system to address the possible contemporaneous cross-equation correlation. Thus, the estimation results of the partial equilibrium trade model are further improved, compared to those of the RDE model and the RSE model. Using the traditional approach to estimate the partial equilibrium trade model, I find that the U.S. non-GM soybean exporters’ market margin is 56.5% and the Japanese non-GM soybean importers’ market margin is 16.1%. However, the results obtained by using the new approach show that the market margins of U.S. exporters and Japanese importers are 33.2% and 6%, respectively. By taking into account the interaction between non-GM and GM soybeans, the new approach improves the accuracy of the estimates of market margins of soybean exporters and importers. U.S. non-GM soybean exporters do have a significant market margin in international markets, but it is not as large as the one suggested by the traditional approach. Although Japanese non-GM soybean importers enjoy some market margin, it is relatively small. The theoretical and empirical models and results in this dissertation provide new and more accurate estimates of residual demand and supply elasticities and market power and improve the understanding on world soybean markets. These results can be useful for industry participants in international soybean markets, academic researchers, and policy makers.

<p>For agricultural soils to be perpetually productive, farmers must maintain and improve the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil. The loss of soil to erosion is a major challenge to soil health, contributing to farmland loss and declines in productivity. This is a long-term problem for agriculture because there is a limited amount of topsoil available. Another costly loss happens when<em> residual nitrogen is lost to leaching or carried away in runoff. This is a particular problem in the fall and winter months when fields lie fallow, and there are no plants to take up excess nitrogen. Losing nitrogen is a problem for both the nutrient content of the soil as well as a serious concern in terms of water contamination.</em><em> </em>Cover crops provide a way to at least partially address each of these and many other agronomic and soil health issues. Although there has been a steady increase in cover crop use, adoption has been relatively slow. This is likely due to a lack of economic information and understanding of the associated risk. To address this problem, field level data was gathered from farmers across central and northeastern Indiana. The data included information on cash crop yield, cover crops grown, fertilizer use, among many other variables. The sample was trimmed based on the estimated propensity to cover crop, in order to reduce selection bias. Using this data, the effect of cover crops on the mean and variation of the subsequent cash crop yield was estimated using regression analysis. This information was combined in a stochastic analysis of a farm enterprise budget. The effects of cover crops on farm finance and risk were evaluated. These final analyses provide agricultural producers with more information to make informed decisions regarding the adoption of cover crops. The information may also provide insight to policy makers, who may wish to understand more completely the private economics of cover crops. The results indicated that cover crops have the ability to provide economic benefits when grown prior to corn in our study region. These include increased yield, reduced need for nitrogen fertilizer, and increased temporal yield stability. These benefits translate into higher revenue from the sale of the grain, lower input costs, and lower risk and uncertainty. However, the results for soybeans showed cover crops had a negative, albeit statistically insignificant, effect on desirable measures. This led to lower projected revenue, higher projected costs, and increased expected risk. Even so, the average corn-soybean contribution margin with cover crops was nearly equal to the baseline scenario. Furthermore, the analysis of risk showed that the corn-soybean two-year average would be preferred by farmers with moderate to high risk aversion. The difference between the effect of cover crops in corn and soybeans may be due to differences in the crop’s inherent nitrogen needs and the difficulty of cover crop establishment after corn in the region.<br></p>

Mundialmente, a soja é considerada uma das principais fontes de produção de óleos e proteínas vegetais para alimentação humana e animal. Constitui-se atualmente um dos produtos de maior importância na economia brasileira. É notório o crescimento das áreas ocupadas pelas lavouras de soja no Brasil, que na safra 2014/2015 atingiram 32,09 milhões de hectares, com previsão de expansão para 32,20 milhões de hectares para a safra 2015/2016. Outro aspecto a ser salientado é que as lavouras de soja RR (Roundup Ready) corresponderam a 93,5%, da área total cultivada com soja no Brasil na safra 2014/2015. Cultivares STS (Soja Tolerante à Sulfoniluréias) contém um gene que aumenta a degradação de alguns herbicidas na planta, como por exemplo, o chlorimuron-ethyl, para o qual são posicionados tolerando doses até quatro vezes as doses recomendadas para cultivares não tolerantes, sem apresentar danos significativos. A soja STS foi desenvolvida através da técnica de mutagênese de sementes utilizando o agente alquilante etilmetanosulfonato (EMS), não sendo uma cultura transgênica. Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram: avaliar a seletividade do herbicida chlorimuron-ethyl aplicado em pós-emergência de soja RR/STS; avaliar a seletividade de herbicidas inibidores da ALS aplicados em pós-emergência de soja RR/STS. Para tanto foram conduzidos dois experimentos principais. O primeiro conduzido durante quatro safras (2011/2012 a 2014/2015), os tratamentos foram constituídos por sete doses do herbicida chlorimuron-ethyl (0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 e 90 g i. a. ha-1). Foi realizada avaliação das variáveis relacionadas ao desempenho agronômico (altura, número de vagens por planta, produtividade, e massa de mil sementes). O segundo durante a safra 2014/2015 no campo e casa de vegetação, em que a soja RR/STS foi submetida à aplicação de herbicidas inibidores da ALS, associados ou não ao glyphosate. Foi realizada avaliação de fitointoxicação, índice SPAD, bem como variáveis relacionadas ao desempenho agronômico para o experimento no campo (número de vagens por planta e produtividade). Os cultivares de soja CD 250 e CD 2630 RR/STS apresentaram-se tolerantes para aplicação, em pós-emergência (V4), do herbicida chlorimuron-ethyl até a dose de 90 g i. a. ha-1. O cultivar de soja CD 2630 RR/STS apresentou-se tolerante à aplicação, em pós-emergência, dos herbicidas utilizados, isolada ou em associação com glyphosate. Exceção feita ao metsulfuron-methy (2,4 g i. a. ha-1), associado ou não com glyphosate (960 g e. a. ha-1). / Worldwide soybean is considered one of the major sources of production of vegetable oils and proteins for food and feed. It currently is one of the most important products in the Brazilian economy. It is notable growth areas occupied by soybean crops in Brazil, that in the 2014/2015 season reached 32.09 million hectares, with expansion forecast to 32.20 million hectares for the season 2015/2016. Another aspect to be noted is that the RR soybean (Roundup Ready) crops corresponded to 93.5% of the total area cultivated with soybeans in Brazil in the 2014/2015 season. Cultivars STS (Sulfonylurea Tolerant Soybeans) contains a gene that increases the degradation of some herbicides in the plant, for example, chlorimuron-ethyl, to which are positioned tolerated doses up to four times the recommended dosages for nontolerant cultivars, without presenting significant damage. STS soybean was developed by seed mutagenesis technique using the alkylating agent ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS), not being a transgenic crop. The aims of this study were to evaluate the selectivity of the herbicide chlorimuron-ethyl applied post-emergence of RR/STS soybean; evaluate the selectivity of ALS-inhibiting herbicides applied postemergence of RR/STS soybean. Therefore, two main experiments were conducted. The first conducted for four seasons (2011/2012 to 2014/2015), the treatments were seven doses of the herbicide chlorimuron-ethyl (0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 g a. i. ha-1). Performed an assessment of variables related to agronomic performance (height, number of pods per plant, yield and mass of one thousand seeds). The second during the 2014/2014 season in the field and the greenhouse, where RR/STS soybean was subjected to application of ALS inhibitor herbicides, with or without glyphosate. It was conducted evaluation phytointoxication, SPAD index, as well as variables related to agronomic performance (number of pods per plant and productivity). The soybean cultivars CD 250 and CD 2630 RR/STS were tolerant to application, post-emergence (V4) of herbicide chlorimuron-ethyl up to a dose of 90 g a. i. ha-1. Cultivar CD 2630 RR/STS presented tolerance to application in postemergence herbicides used alone or in combination with glyphosate. Except for the metsulfuron-methy (2.4 g a. i. ha-1), associated or not with glyphosate (960 g a. e. ha-1).

Seguindo a literatura mais recente sobre o tema, a presente dissertação teve por objetivo aferir as elasticidades da função de oferta brasileira de exportação de soja para a china à variabilidade da taxa de câmbio. Sob o viés que a alta inflação brasileira gera nas variáveis independentes, mais de um recorte para a instrumentalização dos diferentes determinantes foi considerado no design de pesquisa. Este adotoua cointegração por meio da abordagem do teste de Fronteiras de Pesaranpara a especificação concomitante de modelos ARDL(12,12,12,12) e ARDL (8,8,8,8,8) com doze ou oito trimestres-safra defasados, para o período compreendendo o primeiro trimestre de 1999 ao segundo de 2016. A busca por evidências para relações de longo prazo das exportações em toneladas de soja do Brasil para a China se deu em termos dos valores passados destas, bem como dos valores atuais e passados dos preços relativos, da demanda chinesa e da volatilidade cambial. A partir dos resultados destas projeções, o raciocínio sobre a influência da volatilidade cambial sobre as exportações de soja brasileira indica que esta, de fato, é positiva no longo prazo.Já no curto prazo são encontrados efeitos negativos. Assim, o aumento do risco pode diminuiras exportações dentro de um mesmo ano-safra, mas seu impacto é fundamentalmente positivo para o sojicultor. Dessa forma, como preconizado por Schultz (1980) os sojicultores são empreendedores que não são avessos ao risco. Pelo contrário, eles são entusiastas do risco, não apenas por este ser parte importante de suas decisões de investimento e financiamento, mas também porque a volatilidade maior aumenta a utilidade em exportar do sojicultor. / The objective of this dissertation was to assess the elasticity of Brazilian soybean exports to China in terms of the variability - or risk - of the exchange rate. In order to consider the bias of inflation volatility on the assessment of the independent variables, more than one methodology to calculate the different regressors was used. Projections were made using Pesaran´sbounds testapproach to cointegration, through the concomitant specification of ARDL (12,12,12,12) and ARDL(8,8,8,8,8) models consisting of up to twelve or eight lagged quarters- aggregated to the crop calendar- for the period from the first quarter of 1999 to the second quarter of 2016. Elasticity estimations from this approach allowed a search for long-run forcing influence between the regressors and Brazil\'s soybean exports, in terms of past values- in tons- of these, as well as current and past values of relative prices, Chinese demand and exchange rate volatility measures. The results of these projections indicate that an increase in risk has indeed a positiveeffect in the long term, while within the crop-year the effects are found to be negative. Thus, an increase in volatility may decrease exports in the short term, but its impact is fundamentally positive to the soy farmer. Thus, as advocated by Schultz (1980), soybean farmers are entrepreneurs who are not risk averse. On the contrary, they are risk enthusiasts, not only because the bulk of their investment decisions are subject to uncertainty, but also because an increase in volatility increases the utility that a soybean farmer extracts from exports.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da utilização de grão de soja integral e moído em diferentes peneiras, sobre o consumo e digestibilidade da matéria seca e nutrientes; fermentação e síntese de proteína microbiana ruminal, produção e composição do leite, perfil de ácidos graxos do leite, concentrações de parâmetros sangüíneos e balanço de energia e nitrogênio. Foram utilizadas 12 vacas da raça Holandesa, agrupadas em três quadrados latinos balanceados e contemporâneos 4x4, alimentadas com as seguintes rações: 1) controle (C); 2) grão de soja integral (GI), 3) grão de soja moído em peneira de 2 mm (G2), e 4) grão de soja moído em peneira de 4 mm (G4). Nas rações GI, G2 e G4 foram utilizados 20% de grão de soja na material seca. As amostras utilizadas para análise da composição do leite foram coletadas no 16º dia de cada período experimental, sendo provenientes das duas ordenhas diárias. As amostras de sangue foram coletadas em tubos vacuolizados por punção da veia e/ou artéria coccígea. As amostras de líquido ruminal foram coletadas com a utilização de sonda esofágica três horas após a alimentação matinal. A digestibilidade foi determinada por meio de indicador interno FDAi. Houve redução no consumo de matéria seca, matéria orgânica e FDN nas vacas suplementadas com as rações contendo grão de soja em relação à ração controle. Foi observado efeito no consumo de EE onde as vacas que receberam as rações contendo grão de soja apresentaram maiores valores de consumo deste nutriente. Houve diferença na digestibilidade aparente total dos nutrientes entre as rações experimentais, sendo que as dietas com grão de soja apresentaram aumento da digestibilidade do EE e o processamento do grão também influenciou a digestibilidade, pois foram observados maiores valores para o grão processado em relação ao grão integral. Não houve diferença das rações experimentais para os valores de pH ruminal e concentração de N-NH3 ruminal entre as rações utilizadas. A produção e composição do leite, bem como o PAG da gordura do leite não foram influenciadas pelas rações experimentais. As concentrações de colesterol total e colesterol - HDL foram maiores para as vacas alimentadas com rações contendo grão de soja em relação à ração controle. As rações utilizadas não influenciaram a síntese de proteína microbiana. O balanço de energia e nitrogênio não foi influenciado pelas rações experimentais. A utilização de grão de soja integral ou processado nas rações altera o consumo, sem com tudo influenciar o desempenho produtivo e metabolismo de vacas em lactação. / This study carried out to evaluate the effects the use of whole soybean grain and milled in different screens, on the intake and digestibility of dry matter and nutrients, fermatation and rumen microbial protein synthesis, yield and milk composition, fatty profile of the milk concentration of blood paramenters and energy balance nitrogen. Twelve Holstein cows were allocated in three balanced Latin square balancead and comtemporary 4x4, and fed with the following diets: 1) control (C), 2) whole soybean (GI), 3) ground in sieve of 2 mm (G2), and 4) ground soybean in sieve of 4 mm (G4). In the GI, G2 and G4 diets were used 20% of soybean in the dry matter. The sample used for analyzing the milk composition were collected on the 16th day of each period, and from the two milkings. Blood samples used were colleted in tubes vacuolated by venipuncture and / or coccygeal artery. Samples of rumen fluid were collected with use of esophageal gavage three hours after the morning feeding. The digestibility was determined through of an internal indicator iADF. A reduction in dry matter intake, organic matter and NDF in cows fed with diet containing soybean in relation to the control diet. Effect was observed in the consumption of EE where the cows that received diets containing soybean showed higher intake of this nutrient. Differences in total apparent digestibility of the nutrients between the experimental diets, and diets with soybean showed an increase in EE digestibility and grain processing also affected the digestibility, a was observed higher values for grain processed against the whole grain. There was no difference in the experimental diets, and diets for the values of pH and NH3-N concentration between diets used. The yield and milk composition, and the FAP of milk fat were not influenced by experimental diets. The concentrations of total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol were higher for cows fed with diets containing soybean in relation to the control diet. The ration used did not affect microbial protein systhesis. The energy balance and nitrogen were not influenced by experimental diets. The use of whole soybean or processed in diets changes in composition without influencing the performance and metabolism in dairy cows.

As injúrias mecânicas, com efeitos imediatos e latentes, se caracterizam por causarem problemas para a produção de sementes de soja. O objetivo dessa pesquisa foi verificar a ocorrência de injúrias mecânicas, pelo teste de raios X em sementes de soja, colhidas com diferentes teores de água, determinar as possíveis alterações do potencial fisiológico das sementes, provocada por injúrias, logo após as colheitas e após seis meses de armazenamento, e comparar a utilização dos raios X e dos testes de hipoclorito de sódio e de tetrazólio, para detectar a ocorrência de diferentes graus de injúrias mecânicas nas sementes de soja. Para a pesquisa, foram utilizadas sementes de soja dos cultivares Embrapa 48 e FTS Águia que têm diferenças no teor de lignina do tegumento. As sementes foram produzidas e colhidas, manual e mecanicamente, com 18%, 15% e 12% de água e, imediatamente após a colheita, avaliadas quanto ao teor de água e às injúrias mecânicas. Após a secagem, a qualidade das sementes foi determinada pelos testes de germinação, emergência da plântula, tetrazólio (viabilidade e vigor), envelhecimento acelerado, hipoclorito de sódio e sanidade. Após a avaliação inicial, as sementes foram armazenadas (20°C e 45% UR) e analisadas após seis meses. Os resultados obtidos indicam que a utilização dos raios X possibilita a identificação das injúrias mecânicas, de efeito imediato, nas sementes de soja dos cultivares Embrapa 48 e FTS Águia, entretanto, as injúrias de efeitos latentes não são identificadas; o potencial fisiológico das sementes é afetado pelo tipo da colheita e pelo teor de água das sementes; o teste de raios X não tem a mesma eficiência que os testes de hipoclorito e de tetrazólio para determinar as injúrias mecânicas das sementes de soja. / Mechanical damages, with immediate and latent effects, are characterized to cause problems in soybean seed production. The goal of this research was to verify the occurrence of mechanical damages with X-rays in soybean seeds harvested with different levels of seed moisture content, determining the possible alterations in seeds physiological potential caused by physical injuries, right after the harvest and after six months of storage, and to compare the use of X-rays with the use of sodium hypochlorite and tetrazolium tests to detect the occurrence of different levels of mechanical damages in these seeds. The soybean seeds were from cultivars Embrapa 48 and FTS Águia, which have differences in lignin content in seed coat. The seeds were produced and harvested by hand and mechanically with the moisture contents of 18%, 15% and 12%, and were evaluated according to their seed moisture content and mechanical damages immediately after the harvest. After drying, seed quality was determined by germination, seedling emergence, tetrazolium (viability and vigor), accelerated aging, sodium hypochlorite and sanity tests. After the initial evaluation, the seeds were kept in storage conditions (20°C and 45% RAH) and analyzed after six months. The results indicated that the use of X-rays allows the identification of mechanical damages with immediate effects in the soybean seeds, cultivars Embrapa 48 and FTS Águia, but damages with latent effects were not identified; seed physiological potential is affected by harvesting method and seed moisture content; Xray method does not have the same efficiency as sodium hypochlorite and tetrazolium tests to determine seed mechanical damages in the soybean seed.

Orientador: Kléber Pereira Lanças / Banca: Silvio José Bicudo / Banca: Saulo Philipe Sebastião Guerra / Banca: Alberto Kazushi Nagaoka / Banca: Antonio Gabriel Filho / Resumo: A colheita é uma das atividades mais importantes na agricultura devido ao seu alto valor agregado, compreendendo operações custosas do processo produtivo, devido a alta demanda energética. Sua boa execução contribui para o retorno dos investimentos realizados em todo o ciclo produtivo de uma cultura. Informações dos desempenhos operacional, energético e ergonômico são de grande importância no gerenciamento de sistemas mecanizados agrícolas, auxiliando nas decisões a serem tomadas, visando a racionalização operacional. O objetivo do presente estudo consistiu na avaliação de três colhedoras de soja, sendo a primeira com plataforma de 7,62 m, motor de 176,4 kW e tanque graneleiro de 7.200 L, a segunda com plataforma de 7,01 m, motor de 161,7 kW e tanque graneleiro de 6.700 L e a terceira com plataforma de 6,71 m, motor de 165,4 kW e tanque granaleiro de 6.000 L com seus respectivos mecanismos atuadores, para identificar os sistemas mais eficientes quanto à racionalização da demanda energética, ergonomia e desempenho operacional relativos a perdas quantitativas e qualitativas de soja, em área de plantio direto na palha. O experimento foi realizado no campo de produção da fazenda Igreja Velha, Município de Tibagi/PR e as análises laboratoriais no Núcleo de Ensaio de Máquinas e Pneus Agroflorestais (NEMPA) da FCA-UNESP, Campus de Botucatu/SP e no laboratório de Análise de Sementes do Departamento de Fitotecnia da FEIS-UNESP, Campus de Ilha Solteira/SP. A avaliação do consumo energético foi realizada através da utilização de um fluxômetro, em condições normais de operação da colhedora, e para o desempenho operacional foram obtidos todos os tempos de operação das máquinas. Para a análise das perdas de grãos foram determinadas as perdas de pré-colheita; na plataforma; na trilha, separação e limpeza; e as totais...(Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstrac: The harvest is one of the most important operation in agriculture due to its high cost, energy demand and its good execution depends the return of investment made in the crop season. Information concerning the operational and ergonomic performance is of great importance in management of agricultural machinery systems to rationalize mechanized operations in agricultural farm. The objective of the present study consisted of evaluating three soybean combine harvesters, the first one with 7,62 m width header, 176,4 kW engine power and 7.200 L grain tank size, the second one with 7,01 m width header, 161,7 kW engine power and 6.700 L grain tank size and the third one with 6,71 m width header, 165,4 kW engine power and 6.000 L grain tank size with its respective mechanisms actuators, to identify the most efficient system in rationalization energy demand, ergonomics and operational performance. The combine harvest test was done at Igreja Velha farm, Tibagi/Parana State, the data analysis were done at Sao Paulo State University - Botucatu and the seed analysis at Sao Paulo State University - Ilha Solteira. The fuel consumption evaluation was made through the use of fluxometer in normal combine operation conditions and for the operational performance was determined all the running machine times. For the grain losses analysis, it was obtained previous losses before harvest; in the headers; in the separation and cleaning system; and total. In all treatments had been...(Complete abstract, click electronic access below) / Doutor

As injúrias mecânicas, com efeitos imediatos e latentes, se caracterizam por causarem problemas para a produção de sementes de soja. O objetivo dessa pesquisa foi verificar a ocorrência de injúrias mecânicas, pelo teste de raios X em sementes de soja, colhidas com diferentes teores de água, determinar as possíveis alterações do potencial fisiológico das sementes, provocada por injúrias, logo após as colheitas e após seis meses de armazenamento, e comparar a utilização dos raios X e dos testes de hipoclorito de sódio e de tetrazólio, para detectar a ocorrência de diferentes graus de injúrias mecânicas nas sementes de soja. Para a pesquisa, foram utilizadas sementes de soja dos cultivares Embrapa 48 e FTS Águia que têm diferenças no teor de lignina do tegumento. As sementes foram produzidas e colhidas, manual e mecanicamente, com 18%, 15% e 12% de água e, imediatamente após a colheita, avaliadas quanto ao teor de água e às injúrias mecânicas. Após a secagem, a qualidade das sementes foi determinada pelos testes de germinação, emergência da plântula, tetrazólio (viabilidade e vigor), envelhecimento acelerado, hipoclorito de sódio e sanidade. Após a avaliação inicial, as sementes foram armazenadas (20°C e 45% UR) e analisadas após seis meses. Os resultados obtidos indicam que a utilização dos raios X possibilita a identificação das injúrias mecânicas, de efeito imediato, nas sementes de soja dos cultivares Embrapa 48 e FTS Águia, entretanto, as injúrias de efeitos latentes não são identificadas; o potencial fisiológico das sementes é afetado pelo tipo da colheita e pelo teor de água das sementes; o teste de raios X não tem a mesma eficiência que os testes de hipoclorito e de tetrazólio para determinar as injúrias mecânicas das sementes de soja. / Mechanical damages, with immediate and latent effects, are characterized to cause problems in soybean seed production. The goal of this research was to verify the occurrence of mechanical damages with X-rays in soybean seeds harvested with different levels of seed moisture content, determining the possible alterations in seeds physiological potential caused by physical injuries, right after the harvest and after six months of storage, and to compare the use of X-rays with the use of sodium hypochlorite and tetrazolium tests to detect the occurrence of different levels of mechanical damages in these seeds. The soybean seeds were from cultivars Embrapa 48 and FTS Águia, which have differences in lignin content in seed coat. The seeds were produced and harvested by hand and mechanically with the moisture contents of 18%, 15% and 12%, and were evaluated according to their seed moisture content and mechanical damages immediately after the harvest. After drying, seed quality was determined by germination, seedling emergence, tetrazolium (viability and vigor), accelerated aging, sodium hypochlorite and sanity tests. After the initial evaluation, the seeds were kept in storage conditions (20°C and 45% RAH) and analyzed after six months. The results indicated that the use of X-rays allows the identification of mechanical damages with immediate effects in the soybean seeds, cultivars Embrapa 48 and FTS Águia, but damages with latent effects were not identified; seed physiological potential is affected by harvesting method and seed moisture content; Xray method does not have the same efficiency as sodium hypochlorite and tetrazolium tests to determine seed mechanical damages in the soybean seed.

Mundialmente, a soja é considerada uma das principais fontes de produção de óleos e proteínas vegetais para alimentação humana e animal. Constitui-se atualmente um dos produtos de maior importância na economia brasileira. É notório o crescimento das áreas ocupadas pelas lavouras de soja no Brasil, que na safra 2014/2015 atingiram 32,09 milhões de hectares, com previsão de expansão para 32,20 milhões de hectares para a safra 2015/2016. Outro aspecto a ser salientado é que as lavouras de soja RR (Roundup Ready) corresponderam a 93,5%, da área total cultivada com soja no Brasil na safra 2014/2015. Cultivares STS (Soja Tolerante à Sulfoniluréias) contém um gene que aumenta a degradação de alguns herbicidas na planta, como por exemplo, o chlorimuron-ethyl, para o qual são posicionados tolerando doses até quatro vezes as doses recomendadas para cultivares não tolerantes, sem apresentar danos significativos. A soja STS foi desenvolvida através da técnica de mutagênese de sementes utilizando o agente alquilante etilmetanosulfonato (EMS), não sendo uma cultura transgênica. Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram: avaliar a seletividade do herbicida chlorimuron-ethyl aplicado em pós-emergência de soja RR/STS; avaliar a seletividade de herbicidas inibidores da ALS aplicados em pós-emergência de soja RR/STS. Para tanto foram conduzidos dois experimentos principais. O primeiro conduzido durante quatro safras (2011/2012 a 2014/2015), os tratamentos foram constituídos por sete doses do herbicida chlorimuron-ethyl (0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 e 90 g i. a. ha-1). Foi realizada avaliação das variáveis relacionadas ao desempenho agronômico (altura, número de vagens por planta, produtividade, e massa de mil sementes). O segundo durante a safra 2014/2015 no campo e casa de vegetação, em que a soja RR/STS foi submetida à aplicação de herbicidas inibidores da ALS, associados ou não ao glyphosate. Foi realizada avaliação de fitointoxicação, índice SPAD, bem como variáveis relacionadas ao desempenho agronômico para o experimento no campo (número de vagens por planta e produtividade). Os cultivares de soja CD 250 e CD 2630 RR/STS apresentaram-se tolerantes para aplicação, em pós-emergência (V4), do herbicida chlorimuron-ethyl até a dose de 90 g i. a. ha-1. O cultivar de soja CD 2630 RR/STS apresentou-se tolerante à aplicação, em pós-emergência, dos herbicidas utilizados, isolada ou em associação com glyphosate. Exceção feita ao metsulfuron-methy (2,4 g i. a. ha-1), associado ou não com glyphosate (960 g e. a. ha-1). / Worldwide soybean is considered one of the major sources of production of vegetable oils and proteins for food and feed. It currently is one of the most important products in the Brazilian economy. It is notable growth areas occupied by soybean crops in Brazil, that in the 2014/2015 season reached 32.09 million hectares, with expansion forecast to 32.20 million hectares for the season 2015/2016. Another aspect to be noted is that the RR soybean (Roundup Ready) crops corresponded to 93.5% of the total area cultivated with soybeans in Brazil in the 2014/2015 season. Cultivars STS (Sulfonylurea Tolerant Soybeans) contains a gene that increases the degradation of some herbicides in the plant, for example, chlorimuron-ethyl, to which are positioned tolerated doses up to four times the recommended dosages for nontolerant cultivars, without presenting significant damage. STS soybean was developed by seed mutagenesis technique using the alkylating agent ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS), not being a transgenic crop. The aims of this study were to evaluate the selectivity of the herbicide chlorimuron-ethyl applied post-emergence of RR/STS soybean; evaluate the selectivity of ALS-inhibiting herbicides applied postemergence of RR/STS soybean. Therefore, two main experiments were conducted. The first conducted for four seasons (2011/2012 to 2014/2015), the treatments were seven doses of the herbicide chlorimuron-ethyl (0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 g a. i. ha-1). Performed an assessment of variables related to agronomic performance (height, number of pods per plant, yield and mass of one thousand seeds). The second during the 2014/2014 season in the field and the greenhouse, where RR/STS soybean was subjected to application of ALS inhibitor herbicides, with or without glyphosate. It was conducted evaluation phytointoxication, SPAD index, as well as variables related to agronomic performance (number of pods per plant and productivity). The soybean cultivars CD 250 and CD 2630 RR/STS were tolerant to application, post-emergence (V4) of herbicide chlorimuron-ethyl up to a dose of 90 g a. i. ha-1. Cultivar CD 2630 RR/STS presented tolerance to application in postemergence herbicides used alone or in combination with glyphosate. Except for the metsulfuron-methy (2.4 g a. i. ha-1), associated or not with glyphosate (960 g a. e. ha-1).