Influência de diferentes extratos aquosos de plantas medicinais no desenvolvimento de Colletotrichum gloeosporioides e de Fusarium moniliforme / Influence of different aqueous extracts of medicinal plants in the development of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Fusarium moniliforme

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência dos extratos aquosos das plantas medicinais alecrim, alho, cravo-da-índia, sálvia, capim-limão, orégano ou pimenta-do-reino no desenvolvimento in vitro de Colletotrichum gloeosporioides e de Fusarium moniliforme. Os extratos foram obtidos pela infusão de 60 g de cada planta medicinal em 200 mL de água fervente. Cada extrato aquoso foi fracionado em concentrações de 0, 5, 10 e 20% (p:v) e incorporado ao meio de cultivo BDA (batata-dextrose-ágar) antes da esterilização em autoclave. Posteriormente, um disco de 8 mm de diâmetro de micélio fúngico de cada patógeno foi transferido para o centro de placas de Petri. Após 24, 48 e 96 horas de incubação em câmara de crescimento a 22 ± 2 ºC e fotoperíodo de 12 horas avaliou-se o crescimento micelial de F. moniliforme e de C. gloesporioides. No último período de incubação, também se quantificou o número de conídios de cada fungo. Para o teste de germinação adicionou-se nas cavidades de placas de teste Elisa, uma alíquota de 40 µL de cada extrato nas concentrações de 0, 5, 10 e 20%, e outra alíquota, da suspensão de conídios de cada patógeno. Após 24 horas a 22 ± 2 ºC, no escuro, a germinação dos conídios foi paralisada com a adição de 20 µL de lactofenol; avaliou-se então a porcentagem de germinação de conídios. Os experimentos foram conduzidos no delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 7 x 4 (extratos de plantas medicinais x concentrações) com quatro repetições. Para ambos os patógenos o extrato aquoso de alho e cravo-da-índia apresentaram maior ou total inibição do crescimento micelial, respectivamente, quando comparado com os demais extratos. Para C. gloeosporioides, o extrato de cravo-da-índia apresentou menor número de conídios em todas as concentrações testadas, e para o extrato de alho a 20%, também não foi observada a germinação de conídios. O extrato de alho foi eficiente em reduzir o número e a germinação dos conídios de F. moniliforme na concentração de 20%. Os extratos de alecrim, cravo-da-índia, orégano e pimenta-do-reino, nas maiores concentrações, tiveram efeito positivo na redução da produção de conídios deste mesmo fungo.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of aqueous extracts of the medicinal plants rosemary, garlic, clove, sage, lemongrass, oregano and black pepper in the in vitro development of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Fusarium moniliforme. The extracts were obtained by infusing 60 g of each medicinal plant in 200 mL of boiling water. Each aqueous extract was fractionated in the concentrations of 0, 5, 10 and 20% (w:v) and incorporated into the PDA (potato dextrose agar) culture medium before sterilization by autoclaving. Later, an 8 mm diameter disc of each pathogen mycelium was transferred to the center of the Petri dishes. After 24, 48 and 96 hours of incubation in a growth chamber at 22 ± 2 ºC and a photoperiod of 12 hours, we evaluated the mycelial growth of F. moniliforme, and C. gloesporioides. In the last period of incubation, we quantified the production of conidia of each fungus. For the germination test, we added, into the wells of an ELISA test plates, a 40 µL aliquot of each extract at the concentrations of 0, 5, 10 and 20% and another aliquot of a suspension of conidia of each pathogen. After 24 hours at 22 ± 2 ºC in the dark, the germination of the fungi was stopped with the addition of 20 µL of lactophenol. Then, we evaluated the germination of conidia. The experiments followed a completely randomized 7 x 4 factorial design (medicinal plants x concentrations) with four replications. For both pathogens, the aqueous extract of garlic and clove showed a greater or total inhibition of the mycelial growth, when compared to the other extracts. For the C. gloeosporioides, the clove extract showed a lower number of conidia at all concentrations tested, and the garlic extract at 20% showed not conidial germination. The garlic extract was efficient to reduce the conidial number and germination of F. moniliforme at 20%. Extracts of rosemary, clove, oregano and black pepper, in the highest concentrations, had positive effect in reducing the production of spores of the same fungus.

Evaluation of alternative schemes for recording body weights in meat-type quails by using random regression.

Data from 8759 meat-type quails from the UFV1 strain and 9128 from the UFV2 strain were used to assess the possibility of reducing the number of body weight records in genetic evaluations. The evaluated animals were weighed weekly since hatching to the 6th week of life, with up to 7 records of body weight for each bird. The data were evaluated by random regression models, with 9 alternative schemes of data recording, which included 4 records for each scheme and their covariance functions for additive and permanent environmental effects of order 3, fitting 4 intervals for residual variance, and a complete scheme, with 7 records, order of fit 6 for additive and permanent environmental effects and 7 intervals for residual variance. Estimates of heritability for body weight at the 6th week varied from 0.45 to 0.53 for the UFV1 strain and from 0.28 to 0.54 for UFV2 strain. The schemes that had more records in points at the final extreme of the age range showed better estimates, which was likely due to certain properties of polynomial regression that led to biased results in the final extreme of the age range when data are unbalanced. The reduction of the number of body weight records taken during the growth phase is feasible, with little change to breeding value estimates, when 4 body weight records are used in random regression models.

Random regression models in the evaluation of the growth curve of Simbrasil beef cattle.

Random regression models were used to estimate the types and orders of random effects of (co)variance functions in the description of the growth trajectory of the Simbrasil cattle breed. Records for 7049 animals totaling 18,677 individual weighings were submitted to 15 models from the third to the fifth order including as fixed effects sex, contemporary group, feeding regimen, and type of reproduction and as random effects additive direct genetic effect, animal permanent environment, maternal additive genetic effect, and maternal permanent environment. The best-fit model presented order five to additive direct genetic effect, animal permanent environment, and maternal additive effect, with 6 classes of residual variances, and the maternal permanent environment effect was not significant, likely owing to the low average number of calves per cow. However, the model chosen for the growth curve presents three classes of residual variances, because even not showing the best fit it is more parsimonious, in addition to promoting a more realistic estimate of heritability.

Extrato de alho no controle in vitro e in vivo da antracnose da videira / Garlic extract in the in vitro and in vivo control of anthracnose of grapevine

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência in vitro e in vivo do extrato bruto de alho no controle da antracnose da videira (Elsinoe ampelina). No primeiro experimento in vitro, adicionaram-se doses de 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 ou 30 mL L-1 de extrato bruto de alho em meio batata-dextrose-ágar (BDA) antes da esterilização em autoclave e em meio fundente. Após 3, 5, 7 e 9 dias de incubação a 24 ± 2ºC e fotoperíodo de 16 horas, mensurou-se o crescimento micelial de E. ampelina. No segundo experimento in vitro, repetiu-se a metodologia de adição de extrato em meio fundente acrescentando 2,5 mL L-1 de óleo vegetal e uma testemunha absoluta somente com BDA. Avaliação da germinação de E. ampelina foi realizada após duas horas e após quatro horas de incubação a 24ºC e luz constante. O delineamento experimental utilizado para os experimentos in vitro foi inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições e parcela experimental constituída por uma placa de Petri. No experimento a campo, logo após a poda da videira cv. Isabel pulverizou-se semanalmente, sobre as folhas da planta, as doses de extrato bruto de alho acrescida do óleo, exceto na testemunha absoluta (sem tratamento). A partir dos primeiros sintomas da antracnose da videira, avaliou-se a severidade que foi expressa em área abaixo da curva do progresso da doença (AACPD). O delineamento foi em blocos ao acaso com cinco repetições. Constatou-se que o extrato bruto de alho reduziu o crescimento micelial do patógeno, principalmente ao adicioná-lo em meio de cultura, antes da esterilização, quando expressou o máximo potencial antifúngico. Ao adicionar o óleo vegetal às doses de extrato, constatou-se inibição total nas doses de 25 ou 30 mL L-1. Este efeito aditivo entre esses compostos também foi constato no teste de germinação de E. ampelina. Em condições de campo, o extrato bruto de alho reduziu a AACPD em 83,59% na dose de 25 mL L-1.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of the crude extract of garlic in controlling anthracnose of grapevine (Elsinoe ampelina). In the first experiment in vitro, 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 mL L-1 crude extract of garlic were added to potato-dextrose-agar medium (PDA) before autoclaving for sterilization and to melting media. After 3, 5, 7 and 9 days of incubation at 24 ± 2ºC and photoperiod of 16 hours, the mycelial growth of E. ampelina was measured. In the second experiment in vitro, we repeated the methodology of adding the extract to the melting medium plus 2.5 mL-1 of vegetable oil and an absolute control with PDA only. After two and four hours of incubation at 24ºC and constant light, germination of E. ampelina was assessed. The experimental design for in vitro experiments was completely randomized with four replicates and the experimental plot consisted of a Petri dish. In the field experiment, after pruning of the grapevine cv. Isabel, the levels of crude extract of garlic plus oil were weekly sprayed on the leaves of the plant, except on the absolute control (no treatment). From the first symptoms of anthracnose of grapevine, the severity that was expressed as area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) was evaluated. The design was in randomized blocks with five replicates. The crude extract of garlic reduced the mycelial growth of the pathogen, especially when added to the culture medium prior to sterilization, when it expressed its maximal antifungal potential. When the vegetable oil was added to the extract levels, there was complete inhibition at the levels 25 or 30 mL L-1. This additive effect of these compounds was also noted for the germination test of E. ampelina. Under field conditions, the crude extract of garlic reduced the AUDPC by 83.59% at 25 mL L-1.

Environmental and genetic factors affecting the weaning-estrus interval in sows.

We examined the effects of environmental and genetic factors on the weaning-to-estrus interval (WEI) in sows. In order to perform the analyses of the environmental factors, 8104 observations of the 1st to the 6th WEI were carried out, while 6548 observations of the 1st to the 3rd WEI were carried out for the analyses of genetic factors. The environmental model included as fixed effects, herd, genetic line, year and season of birth, as well as the covariates, age of sow at farrowing, litter size at birth and lactation length. Genetic analysis was performed by repeatability and multitrait models. The mean and coefficient of variation for WEI were 7.02 days and 100.6%, respectively. The linear effect of lactation length and the quadratic effect of the age of sow at farrowing affected the WEI. Herd, year and season of farrowing were significant sources of variation for WEI, and there was no influence of genetic line or of litter size at birth. Heritability estimated by the repeatability model was 0.04, while heritabilities obtained by the multitrait model were 0.07, 0.02 and 0.07 for the first three WEI, respectively. Estimates of genetic correlations among the different WEI were of moderate to low magnitude. It was concluded that environmental factors, such as year and season of farrowing, lactation length, age of sow at farrowing and herd, should be considered in the model for best estimation of genetic parameters for this trait. Although with only a small possible genetic gain, selection can be made based on the first WEI.

Flaxseed and its contribution to body growth and brain of Wistar rats during childhood and adolescence.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of flaxseed upon body growth and brain of rats. METHODS: Experimental phase lasted 52 days, using 42 Wistar rats which were divided into four groups: Control (CG, n = 12), 10% casein diet; Flaxseed (GL, n = 12), 10% flaxseed diet plus casein; Modified Control (GCM, n = 12), 10% casein diet with changes in lipid and fiber comparable to GL; Non-protein (GA, n = 6), diet without protein. Considering food intake, protein intake and weight variation, the Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) was calculated. Net Protein Retention (NPR) and the Food Efficiency Ratio (CEA) were also determined relative to brain weight at 30 days of life (M30) and at 52 days (M52). Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Test of Sheffe and post-test of Bonferroni were used, p < 0.05. RESULTS: GL had lower food intake, protein and weight variation than GC, but had higher values than GCM. Concerning PER, GL was lower than GC and similar to the GCM, as well as CEA. As for NPR, GL had lower values than the CG and GCM. At M30, GL was superior to GC in relation to brain weight. Likewise, the same was observed at M52. CONCLUSION: Flaxseed promoted adequate growth and better brain development in animals, which might be explained by increased incorporation of omega-3 into these tissues.

Avaliação de características de desempenho e de carcaça de codornas de corte por meio da análise de componentes principais / Evaluation of production and carcass traits of meat - type quails by principal components analysis

Foram utilizados dados de 288 codornas de corte (Coturnix coturnix coturnix) para avaliar a possibilidade de resumir a informação contida no complexo de variáveis originais, eliminando-se variáveis inexpressivas por meio da técnica de componentes principais. Foram registrados o peso vivo (PVIVO) e pesos do peito (PPEITO), das coxas (PCOXA), da gordura abdominal (GA), das vísceras comestíveis (fígado, moela e coração) (FIG, MOELA e CORA) e da carcaça eviscerada (PCEVIS). As carcaças foram secas e trituradas para a avaliação do teor matéria seca (MS), gordura (GORD) e proteína bruta (PB). Dos 11 componentes principais, sete (63,6 por cento) apresentaram variância menor que 0,7 (autovalor inferior a 0,7), sendo sugeridas para descarte, respectivamente, em ordem de menor importância, para explicar a variação total das seguintes variáveis: PCEVIS, PPEITO, PCOXA, CORA, FIG MOELA e GORD. Com base nos resultados, recomenda-se manter as seguintes variáveis em experimentos futuros: PVIVO, MS, PB e GA.

Records on 288 meat type quails (Coturnix coturnix coturnix) were used to identify independent and informative variables by eliminating inexpressive variables by means of principal component analysis. The following performance traits were recorded: live body weight (LBW), eviscerated carcass weight (CW), whole leg weight (WLW), breast weight (BW), abdominal fat pad weight (FW), and giblets weight (liver, gizzard, and heart) (LIW, GW, and HW). The carcasses were also dried and grounded to evaluate dry matter (DM), fat (FA,T) and crude protein (CP) contents. Out of 11 principal components, seven (63.6 percent) showed variance lower than 0.7 (eigenvalue lower than 0.7). The following traits were discarded because they showed inexpressive contribuitions for the total variation: CW, BW, WLW, HW, LIW, GW, and FAT. Based on the results, it is recommended to record the following variables in future experiments: LBW, DM, CP, and FW.