Abstract Biochar has been used to reuse the agro-industrial wastes and improve soil quality. Several studies have been carried out to show the impact of biochar on physical and chemical soil ...attributes. However, there are still gaps regarding the effects on as microbial biomass and enzymatic activities that are important to determine sensitive indicators to evaluate changes in management practices. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of two biochars on the chemical, microbial biomass carbon, and the enzymatic activities in an Entisol cultivated with bean. We evaluate two types of coffee biochar: ground and husks, four doses (4, 8, 12, and 16 Mg ha-1) and control. All treatments received organic fertilization with cow manure. Husks biochar increase the soil pH, Ca, and K, also contributing to the reduction of toxic aluminum contents and raising the concentrations of P labile. The treatments that received ground biochar showed higher soil organic carbon, microbial biomass, β-glucosidase, and fluorescein diacetate. Biochar produced from coffee residues increased sandy soil quality. We showed the first report on the beneficial impact of coffee biochar on enzymatic and microbiological quality of sandy soil cultivated with the bean.
The objective of the present study was to evaluate the physical and chemical changes, pectinases activity, and cell wall pectin in melon varieties Acidulus (access 16), Momordica (access 2), Inodorus ...(cv. ‘Iracema’) and Cantalupensis (cv. ‘Olympic’), in the relation of ripening degree at harvest. Melon fruits were planted and evaluated with different ripening degree at harvest, from 15 to 35 days after anthesis (DAA). The fruits, arranged in a completely randomized design, had been evaluated on the harvest days to physical and chemical characteristics. We evaluate pectin methylesterase, polygalacturonase, beta-galactosidase, and pectin contents (water-soluble, chelate soluble, and sodium carbonate soluble). The ideal harvest for each melon was, 35 days after anthesis for cv ‘Iracema’, 30 days after anthesis for cv. ‘Olympic’, 30 days after anthesis for access 16, and 20 days after anthesis for access 2. High pulp firmness of access 16 is associated with the high levels of sodium carbonate soluble pectin and low levels of polygalacturonase and beta-galactosidase activity. Momordica melon fruit cracking is related to the high levels of pectinases activity, as well as pectin degradation.
The conversion of native forests into intensive agricultural cropping affects soil quality and ecosystem functionality in tropical dry areas. Although many indicators have been used to assess soil ...quality, the most sensitive indicators are biochemical attributes. Absolute enzymatic activity (fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis, dehydrogenase, beta-glucosidase, urease, arylsulfatase, and acid and alkaline phosphatases), soil organic C (SOC), microbial biomass C (MBC), and specific enzymes per unit of SOC and MBC were measured in forests and perennial (tomato, pangola grass, cotton passion fruit, and cashew nuts) and annual (bean, cabbage, pigeon pea, and fennel) crops. The changes in soils covered with perennial crops differed from those covered with annual crops as regards biochemical soil attributes. The multivariate analysis grouped the Entisols covered with annual crops far from the forest soils, which indicated that intensive management results in drastic changes in the biochemical quality of Entisols in tropical dry areas. The absolute beta-glucosidase activity varied from 18.3 to 100.6 microg p-nitrophenol g.sup.-1 soil h.sup.-1. The tomato areas showed higher dehydrogenase activity with a value of 181.5 microL H g.sup.-1 soil. The absolute beta-glucosidase, arylsulfatase, and alkaline phosphatase activity and the specific fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis/SOC, beta-glucosidase/SOC, arylsulfatase/SOC, acid phosphatase/SOC, beta-glucosidase/MBC, and acid phosphatase/MBC can be used as quality indicators of Entisols cultivated with perennial and annual crops. In addition, pasture soil could have a similar biochemical quality as forest soils in tropical dry areas.
Soil quality (SQ) pertains to the intricate and ongoing capacity of soil to function as a thriving ecosystem that supports the growth of plants and animals. However, there is a limited understanding ...of SQ assessment in mixed forest plantations. Therefore, we formulated and tested the hypothesis that the inclusion of a nitrogen-fixing tree species (such as Acacia mangium) improves SQ indicators in mixed treatments involving Eucalyptus trees. To evaluate the changes in SQ, we conducted a field experiment that employed the Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF) tool to analyze pure and mixed plantations of Eucalyptus grandis and A. mangium. Soil samples were collected at a depth of 0–20 cm from different treatments, including pure E. grandis without nitrogen fertilization (E), pure A. mangium (A), pure E. grandis with nitrogen fertilization (E + N), and mixed E. grandis and A. mangium (E + A). Sampling took place at 27 and 39 months after planting. We selected seven indicators of SQ: two biological indicators (soil microbial biomass carbon and β-glucosidase enzyme activity), four chemical indicators (soil organic carbon, pH, available phosphorus, and potassium), and one physical indicator (bulk density). By applying the SMAF tool, we determined the SQ scores for each indicator. The results revealed that E + A stands exhibited higher SMAF scores than pure stands, particularly in terms of pH (0.49 and 0.52 at 27 and 39 months, respectively) and phosphorus levels (0.84 and 0.82, at 27 and 39 months), respectively. Forest management practices and the sampling period had the most pronounced impact on biological and chemical indicators. Notably, significant positive correlations were observed between SMAF scores and pH, available phosphorus content, enzymes, soil organic carbon, and microbial biomass in both sampling periods. This study effectively provided novel information that introducing a nitrogen-fixing tree species in combination with eucalyptus trees enhances SQ, as indicated by the SMAF tool, which could reduce the need for external inputs (e.g., mineral fertilizers) by the farmers. Future studies should analyze the effects of A. mangium not only with other E. grandis varieties but also with other forestry essences.
Skin cryobanks represent important tools for the conservation of the maximum genetic representation of a population, especially those with a certain degree of threat to extinction, such as the ...ocelot. A relevant step towards the proper establishment of these banks is the definition of adequate cryopreservation techniques for the conservation of the skin.
We evaluated the effects of two different techniques direct vitrification in cryovials (DVC) and solid-surface vitrification (SSV) for the preservation of ear skin derived from ocelot.
For both techniques, we vitrified the ear skin using Dulbeccos modified Eagles medium with 3.0 M dimethyl sulfoxide, 0.25 M sucrose, and 10% fetal bovine serum. Non-cryopreserved tissues were used as control (control group). All tissues were analyzed for their morphometric characteristics by conventional histology and morphological / functional analysis by cell ability during the culture.
While tissues cryopreserved by DVC showed similar values for dermis thickness and number of perinuclear halos to the control, tissues cryopreserved by SSV showed similarities to the control regarding the number of melanocytes, percentage of collagen fibers, and numbers of viable cells by apoptosis analysis. Additionally, none of the vitrification techniques affected stratum corneum thickness, number of keratinocytes, tissue proliferative activity, cell viability, or metabolism.
Both vitrification techniques (DVC and SSV) can be used for the conservation of ocelot skin; however, SSV guarantees a higher cellular quality after in vitro tissue culture in most of the parameters evaluated, such as viability, metabolism, and apoptosis analysis. doi.org/10.54680/fr23110110412.
Trichoderma spp. are an alternative to increase plant growth and as biological control agents of diseases. Biochar added to soil and Trichoderma can result in the enhancement of crop development and ...can aid in preventing fertilizer run-off, improving plant health, retaining soil moisture, and helping plants through drought periods. However, a knowledge gap remains regarding the combined effect of biochar and Trichoderma on soil quality and crop growth. The objective of the present study was to evaluate this combined effect and show a new approach of biochar as a route of T. aureoviride (T) inoculation. We evaluated three sources of biochar, bean husks, coffee grounds, and coffee husks, with or without T and additional control that was devoid of biochar and T. The association of all biochar sources with T showed a significant increase in watermelon growth and soil quality. Biochar coffee grounds with T increased urease, β-glucosidase, and total organic carbon, showing the potential of this combination in these processes. Watermelon plants cultivated in soil with coffee grounds and T showed plant length and shoot dry biomass increases of 129% and 192%, respectively. Thus, this study found that biochar use plays an important role in the effectiveness of T. aureoviride applications and is a new instrument for sustainable agriculture.
The processing of cassava roots for starch extraction in factories generates a large amount of cassava wastewater (CW), which is rich in nutrients that are beneficial to plants. The reuse of this ...agro-industrial by-product is important for farmers and the environment as an alternative means to support soil fertility and plant production. Lettuce is the most important salad vegetable grown in the world. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of CW doses on soil organic carbon, basal respiration, microbial biomass, enzymatic activities, and lettuce growth in an Entisol. The experiment was conducted in pots in a greenhouse at room temperature in a completely randomized design with ten replications. The treatments consisted of the application of CW in increasing volumes that corresponded to fractions of the field capacity (FC) of the soil (100% FC = 206.6 ml dm-3): 0% (negative control), 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% of field capacity (FC) per pot. An additional treatment without CW was also included, applying only 1.0 g of mineral fertilizer per pot (20% N, 10% P, and 20% K). After 28 days of emergence, the 10% FC treatment responded similarly to mineral fertilizer, increasing the length of the branches (+42%), number of leaves (+45%), aerial fresh matter (+202%) and the concentrations of Chlorophyll A (+ 33%), and Chlorophyll B (+40%), in addition to soil organic carbon (+15%), all compared to the control. The enzymatic activities in the soil were shown to be sensitive to CW dosage, especially for urease, which grew linearly as a function of the increased pH and K+ ions in the soil with the application of CW. The dose 20.7 ml CW dm-3 (10% FC) was that most increased plant variables, but the nutritional status of the soil and microbial activities benefited more from higher doses, starting from 30% FC, a scenario that could benefit plants more in future phenological stages, when there will be greater nutritional demand.
A murcha-de-fusarium, causada pelo fungo Fusarium oxysporum, vem-se tornando uma doença importante no meloeiro devido às grandes perdas em áreas de produção no Brasil e no mundo, razão pela qual o ...objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a eficácia de extratos etanólicos de partes de Senna alata no controle do crescimento micelial de F. oxysporum isolado de plantas de meloeiro. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, distribuído em esquema fatorial 4 x 6 + 1, sendo o primeiro fator partes da planta (caule, folha, raiz e vagem) e, como segundo, seis concentrações (0,25; 0,50; 50; 75; 250; 500 micróng mL.sup.-1) mais a testemunha, com quatro repetições por tratamento. As variáveis avaliadas foram: taxa de crescimento micelial inibição do crescimento micelial e área abaixo da curva do crescimento micelial. Extratos etanólicos de todas as partes de Senna alata foram eficazes no controle de F. oxysporum. Extratos de raiz e vagem foram os mais eficientes em inibir o crescimento micelial de F. oxysporum, na concentração 500 micróng mL.sup.-1. Palavras-chave: fungicida vegetal, atividade antimicrobiana, Cucumis melo Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum fungi has become an important melon disease, due to great losses in the production areas in Brazil and in the world. Therefore, the objective of the present work was to evaluate efficacy of ethanolic extracts of Senna alata parts in the control of F. oxysporum micelial growth, isolated of melon plants. The experimental design was entirely randomized distributed in factorial scheme 4 x 6 + 1, being the first factor parts of the plant (stalk, leaf, root, and green bean), and as second, six concentrations (0.25; 0.50, 50, 75, 250, 500 microg mL.sup.-1), plus the control, with four repetitions per treatment. The variables evaluated were: rate of mycelial growth, inhibition of the mycelial growth (IGM) and area under the curve of the mycelia growth. Ethanolic extracts of all Senna alata parts were efficient in control of F. oxysporum. Extracts of root and string bean were most efficient in inhibiting the mycelial growth of F. oxysporum, in 500 micróng mL.sup.-1 concentration. Key words: vegetable fungicide, antimicrobial activity, Cucumis melo
A murcha-de-fusarium, causada pelo fungo Fusarium oxysporum, vem-se tornando uma doença importante no meloeiro devido às grandes perdas em áreas de produção no Brasil e no mundo, razão pela qual o ...objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a eficácia de extratos etanólicos de partes de Senna alata no controle do crescimento micelial de F. oxysporum isolado de plantas de meloeiro. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, distribuído em esquema fatorial 4 x 6 + 1, sendo o primeiro fator partes da planta (caule, folha, raiz e vagem) e, como segundo, seis concentrações (0,25; 0,50; 50; 75; 250; 500 µg mL-1) mais a testemunha, com quatro repetições por tratamento. As variáveis avaliadas foram: taxa de crescimento micelial inibição do crescimento micelial e área abaixo da curva do crescimento micelial. Extratos etanólicos de todas as partes de Senna alata foram eficazes no controle de F. oxysporum. Extratos de raiz e vagem foram os mais eficientes em inibir o crescimento micelial de F. oxysporum, na concentração 500 µg mL-1.
Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum fungi has become an important melon disease, due to great losses in the production areas in Brazil and in the world. Therefore, the objective of the present work was to evaluate efficacy of ethanolic extracts of Senna alata parts in the control of F. oxysporum micelial growth, isolated of melon plants. The experimental design was entirely randomized distributed in factorial scheme 4 x 6 + 1, being the first factor parts of the plant (stalk, leaf, root, and green bean), and as second, six concentrations (0.25; 0.50, 50, 75, 250, 500 µg mL-1), plus the control, with four repetitions per treatment. The variables evaluated were: rate of mycelial growth, inhibition of the mycelial growth (IGM) and area under the curve of the mycelia growth. Ethanolic extracts of all Senna alata parts were efficient in control of F. oxysporum. Extracts of root and string bean were most efficient in inhibiting the mycelial growth of F. oxysporum, in 500 µg mL-1 concentration.
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